US3523621A - Ejector for loader bucket - Google Patents

Description

1 1970 R. H. ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJECTOR 'FORI LOADER BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22, 1968 INVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN ATTORNEYS g- 1970 R. H. ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJEC'I'OR FOR LOADER BUCKET Filed April 22, 1968 4 Sheets$heet 3 4 L?" a l. \Q 5g 4 37 19) L INVENTORS 2| RODNEY H. ANDERSON ET; 5 4 FRED .J. SALZMAN I I t v [7L2 g 7 ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1970 R, H ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET Filed April 22, '1968 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN ATTORNEYS g- 1970 v R. H. ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 22, 1968 INVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN +41 AT TORN EYS United States Pa e 3,523,621 EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET Rodney H. Anderson, Peoria, and Fred J. Salzman, Metamora, Ill., assignors to Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 11]., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 722,902 Int. Cl. E02b 3/81 US. Cl. 214--146 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Three embodiments of an ejector bucket having its floor configured for optimum loading characteristics and an ejector mechanism comprising first and second plate elements pivotally connected to the top of the bucket and the first element respectively. A third ejector element controls the position of the second element relating to the first. With the ejector retracted in the bucket, the second element is angled relative to the first for increased bucket capacity. During ejection, the third element positions the second element in straight angle face relation with the first element to facilitate removal of material from the ejector face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT US. patent application Ser. No. 591,862 for Ejector Bucket, filed Nov. 3, 1966 by Trevor G. Campbell, now Pat. No. 3,426,928, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Loader vehicles of a type having buckets carried on lift arms are extensively employed for loading of bulk materials such as earth into truck bodies for example. Ejector mechanisms are coming into common usage since they provide for positive removal of material from the buckets and thus increase critical operating efiiciency. Ejector buckets further enhance operating efiiciency in that the bucket floor is generally horizontal during unloading. The loader vehicle may be rapidly moved away from a truck body for example without first raising the bucket or having the bucket come into damaging contact with the sidewalls of the truck body. Ejectors are also commonly formed with substantial transverse angles, as in the above mentioned application, or with arcs in their faces so that they generally conform with the rear of the bucket assembly during loading and thus increase bucket capacity. However, when materials that tend to cake or stick are being loaded, the angled or arched recesses in the ejector face tend to hold the material and prevent it from sliding olf during ejection of material from the bucket. Thus, it is common to provide suitable stops or other means for jarring the ejector as it completes its ejection motion through the bucket. Repeated impact of the ejector against such stops is undesirable since it increases mechanical wear, is objectionable to the operator and is time consuming. A further design problem concurrently involves two considerations. Firstly, the longitudinal cross-section of the bucket floor is important in determining loading characteristics. To facilitate penetration of the bucket floor into material being loaded and movement of the material into rearward portions of the bucket, it is desirable to provide a thin crosssection along a substantial forward portion of the floor and then gradually taper it upwardly at the rear of the bucket. However, it is also necessary for a sweeping edge of the ejector to follow a path closely parallel to the floor to permit complete ejection of material from the bucket. Prior art configurations have generally coinprised between these two considerations. For example, the floor cross-section conforms with the sweeping path 3,523,621 Patented Aug. 11, 1970 of the ejector edge to the detriment of the loading characteristics discussed above.

The present invention provides an ejector bucket which overcomes the problems discussed above. A transverse pivot along the ejector face permits it to assume an angled position when retracted into the bucket for increased loading capacity. Suitable means cause the generally fiat ejector face segments to assume a straight angle relation as the ejector completes its ejecting motion through the bucket to facilitate removal of material from its face. An additional ejector element closely controls the angular relation of the ejector so that its sweeping edge follows a path parallel to a bucket floor configuration selected for optimum loading characteristics. The present ejector mechanism is particularly adapted either for automatic operation in response to interaction of the bucket with its lift arms and tilt linkage or for operator controlled remote operation as by hydraulic jacks.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention are made apparent in the following description having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a forward end of a loader vehicle having an ejector bucket in a position to commence loading, parts of the bucket being in section on line II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1 after rack-back following loading;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevation views, partially in section, of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1 in carry and eject positions respectively;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of an ejector bucket similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partially in section,

. of the ejector bucket of FIG. 7 in its eject position; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevation views, partially in section, of another embodiment of an ejector bucket similar to that of FIG. 1 in a position prior to loading and in an eject position respectively.

Having reference to FIG. 1, a bucket assembly 12 is shown being pivotally supported upon the forward end of a loader vehicle 11 by a pair of lift arms 13 (see FIG. 3 also). Hydraulic tilt jacks 14 are pivotally connected to the vehicle at 1-6 and their rod ends 17 are pivotally connected to the bucket to control forward and rearward tilting of the bucket. A hydraulic lift jack 18 is pivotally connected between the vehicle and each lift arm for raising and lowering the bucket. Having reference also to FIG. 2, the bucket has a curved floor 19 with a thin, longitudinal cross-section adjacent its forward cutting edge 21 to facilitate penetration of material to be loaded. The floor tapers upwardly at the rear of the bucket to assist in moving material into the rearward portions of the bucket. A sidewall 22 at each side of the bucket and two pairs of spaced brackets 23 at the rear of the bucket are interconnected between the floor and a structural cross member 24 at the top of the bucket. The lift arms and tilt jack rods are secured to the bucket by pivotal connections 26 and 27 respectively with the paired brackets 23.

One embodiment of an ejector mechanism according to the present invention comprises a first ejector member or plate 31 which has a flat face surface 32 and is pivotally secured to the sidewalls 22 at 33 adjacent cross member 24 (see FIG. 4 as well as FIG. 1). A second substantially flat faced ejector member or plate 34 is pivotally secured at 36 along the lower transverse edge of the first plate 31. The second or lower plate 34 has a sweeping edge 37 for removing material from the bucket floor during ejector operation as discussed below.

During load and carry operations, the present invention contemplates angling of the two plates 31 and 34 so that they generally conform with the rear of the bucket, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and provide a large capacity for the bucket. As the bucket is tilted forwardly to its eject position, their angular relation is positively controlled so that they are in substantially straight-angle face relation as ejection of material from the bucket is completed (see FIG. 6). In this configuration, material easily slides off the ejector face. To control the angle of the ejector as discussed immediately above, a third ejector member comprises a link 38 at each side of the bucket which is pivotally connected at 39 to the cross member 24 and at 41 to a pair of brackets 42 extending rearwardly from the second ejector plate 34. The lengths of the links 38 and brackets 42 are selected so that when the ejector is rearwardly positioned in the buckets, the angular relation of the ejector plates 31 and 34 is fixed for maximum bucket capacity. As the ejector is caused to move forwardly through the bucket for eject operation, the angular relation between the plates approaches toward the desired straight-angle relation. Accordingly, the sweeping edge 37 of the lower ejector plate is extended downwardly at a gradually decreasing rate so that it follows a path parallel to and closely adjacent the bucket floor 19. As the ejector plates reach a position at the front of the bucket where ejection is complete (see FIG. 6), they are positively aligned by the links 38 to have a straight-angle face relation and facilitate removal of sticky or caked material from the ejector face. As the ejector is returned to the rear of the bucket, the links 38 again position them in angled relation, as discussed above, for loading.

In the present embodiment, the ejector is operated automatically by the pivotal position of the bucket on its lift arms so that the ejector remains positioned in the rear of the bucket until the bucket is tilted forwardly into its eject position (FIG. 6) from its carry position (FIG. The ejector is again returned to the rear of the bucket as the bucket is racked back from its eject position. Means for accomplishing these functions, having particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, comprise a pair of spaced apart triangular or bellcrank levers 51 having a pivot point 52 centrally located on the cross member 24. The lower ends of the bellcrank levers are pivoted at 53 to brackets 54 which extend rearwardly from the second ejector plate 34. A central control link 56 is pivotally secured at 57 to the other ends of both bellcrank levers and extends downwardly to an integrally formed shaft 58 transversely disposed between the lift arms. Levers 59 are pivotally secured upon pin projections 61 at each end of the shaft and extend downwardly for pivotal connection at 62 to the lift arms respectively. Radial segments of the levers 59 and shaft 58 overlap and form first and second pairs of facing stop surfaces indicated at 60, 65 and '63, 64 respectively.

In the automatic operating sequence of the ejector control means, the rearward pair of stop surfaces 63 and 64 is shown in abutting relation. The bucket is positioned to commence loading with the ejector positioned completely to the rear of the bucket for maximum loading capacity as shown in FIG. 1. The ejector may move forwardly through the bucket with pivotal interaction of the control link 56 and bellcrank levers 51 and separation of the rearward stops 63 and 64. However, forward motion of the ejector is halted when the forward stops 60 and 65 abut with each other so that the ejector is maintained toward the rear of the bucket. Earth or other material being loaded into the bucket acts against the ejector and pushes it into the rearward position shown in FIG. 1 so that the full capacity of the bucket is available for loading. As the bucket is tilted forwardly on its lift arms by the tilt linkage, relative extension of the levers 59 and control link 56 locates the pivot point 57 59 tha the bellcrank levers 51 are rotated clockwise and move the ejector toward the rear of the bucket. The links 38 then establish the desired angular relation of the ejector plates as discussed above. As the bucket is racked back during loading to the position shown in FIG. 2, pivotal interaction of the shaft 58 and levers 59, with separation of the rearward stop surfaces 63 and 64, and closing of the forward stop surfaces '60 and takes up lost motion in the ejector control linkage. Thus the ejector is permitted to remain at the rear of the bucket. Raising the bucket on its lift arms to a normal carry position as shown in FIG. 5 again causes pivotal extension of the levers 59 and control link 56 so that the stop surfaces 63 and 64 come into abutting relation with the ejector still positioned at the rear of the bucket. As the bucket is then tilted forwardly for ejection, completion of which is illustrated in FIG. 6, the control link 56 and levers 59 interact through their abutting stop surfaces 63 and 64 to rotate the bellcrank levers counterclockwise. In turn, the bellcrank levers cause the ejector to move forwardly through the bucket to the position in FIG. 6. Simultaneously, the ejector plates 31 and 34 approach a straightangle face relation with the sweeping edge 37 of the ejector passing closely adjacent and parallel the floor. At completion of the forward motion of the ejector, the plates assume their desired straight-angle face relation. As the bucket is again returned to its carry position and then the position of FIG. 1 to again commence loading, the control linkage and angular control links perform the above steps in reverse to again position the ejector toward the rear of the bucket.

An alternate embodiment of the ejector mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 with a bucket which is shown in a position to commence loading (similar to FIG. 1) and at completion of ejection (similar to FIG. 6) respectively. The bucket components, ejector members and angular controlling means are the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, and have identical reference numerals. However, the ejection control means are altered so that operation of the ejector is remotely controllable by means of a double acting hydraulic jack 111. The jack is pivotally secured at 112 to a bracket 113 connected to the cross member 24 and its rod 114 is pivoted at 116 to another bracket 117 extending rearwardly from the second or lower ejector plate 34.

To eject, the jack 111 is extended and moves the ejector forwardly through the bucket to the position as in FIG. 8. The angular controlling links 38 determine the path of the sweeping ejector edge 37 and align the ejector plates in the straight-angle relation shown in FIG. 8. The ejector is returned to the rear of the bucket as shown in FIG. 7 by retraction of the jack. In this arrangement, a jack such as that shown at 111 may be similarly disposed at each side of the bucket to reduce stresses in the ejector mechanism during eject operation.

Another alternate embodmient of the ejector mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. A remotely operable hydraulic jack is also employed in this embodiment to operate the ejector. However, the ejector is formed differently and the angular control means for the ejector are different. The bucket components are generally similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 7, for example, and are identified by similar but primed numerals.

The ejector comprises a first ejector member or fiat faced plate 231 which is pivoted to the top of the bucket structure at 233. A second ejector plate 234, having a similar flat face, is pivoted at 236 along the transverse lower edge of the first plate 231. A sweeping edge 237 is formed as a separate member and is pivoted at 240 along the lower transverse edge of the second plate 234.

Means for operating the ejector comprise a double acting, telescoping hydraulic jack 211 which is pivotally secured at 212 to a bracket 213 extending rearwardly from the brackets 23. The jack has a rod end 214 which is pivotally secured at 216 to the first ejector member 231. Extension of the jack 211 causes the ejector to move forwardly through the bucket to the position shown in FIG. while retraction of the jack returns the ejector to the rear of the bucket as in FIG. 9.

The angular control means for the present ejector comprise a pair of stops 271 and 272 disposed respectively at the rear of ejector members 231 and 234. Abutment of these stops limits rearward pivoting of the second ejector member 234 in a position where it is in straight angle face relation with the first ejector member 231 (see FIG. 10). To that extent, the stops interact to perform a function similar to the angular control links 38 of FIGS. 1 and 7 for example.

To control the angular relation of the ejector members as they move through the bucket and to permit them to assume a proper angled relation at the rear of the bucket for increased bucket capacity, rollers as at 273 are mounted on the sides of the ejector sweeping edge member. Tracks 274 in each bucket sidewall 22' adjacent and parallel to the floor 19 receive and guide the rollers 273. As the ejector passes forwardly through the bucket from its rearward position shown in FIG. 9, the rollers 273 ride in the track 274 and cause the ejector sweeping edge member 237 to follow a path adjacent and parallel the bucket floor. As the rollers pass along portions of the track further distant from the pivot point 233, the second ejector member 234 pivots rearwardly and appraches a straight-angle face relation with the first ejector member 231 (as shown in FIG. 10). As the ejector is returned toward the rear of the bucket, the rollers follow the tracks 274 and are positioned closer to the pivot point 233 so that the first and second ejector members 231 and 234 as well as the sweeping edge member 237 assume relatively angled positions (see FIG. 9) for increased bucket capacity as discussed above. In that position, the second ejector member is positioned generally vertically, with the bucket in a position to commence loading, so that its weight tends to maintain its desired position as well as that of the sweeping edge member 237 during initial loading of the bucket. The rollers 273 additionally serve to prevent frictional engagement of the sweeping edge with the bucket floor.

We claim:

1. In an ejector mechanism for a forwardly open loader bucket having a floor, the combination comprising a first ejector element having a fiat face and being pivotally secured in transverse relation adjacent the top of the bucket,

a second ejector element having a substantially flat face and pivotally secured to a transverse lower edge of said first ejector element,

a sweeping edge formed on a separate member which is pivotally secured to the lower transverse edge of said second ejector element, said separate member being arranged for travel of said sweeping edge along a path substantially parallel with the bucket floor,

operating means connected to said first ejector element for moving the ejector forwardly through the bucket to an eject position and for retracting the ejector to a position where it forms a rearward wall of the bucket suitable for loading, and

a third ejector element operatively connected to said first and second elements to cause said first and second elements to have a straight angle face relation in the eject position to facilitate ejection of material from the bucket and to permit said elements to assume an angled relation when retracted in the bucket to increase bucket capacity, said third ejector element comprising stop means arranged for interaction between said first and second ejector elements to positively limit rearward pivoting of said second ejector element when it is in straight angle face relation with said first ejector element.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein roller means are disposed upon said sweeping edge member, a track for said roller means is formed by the bucket along a path parallel to and adjacent the bucket floor and said ejector operating means is at least one remotely operable hydraulic motor means interconnected between said first ejector element and the bucket.

3. In an ejector mechanism for a forwardly open loader bucket having a floor, the combination comprising a first ejector element having a fiat face and being pivotally secured in transverse relation adjacent the top of the bucket,

a second ejector element having a substantially flat face and pi-votally secured to a transverse lower edge of said first ejector element,

means operatively connected to the ejector for moving the ejector forwardly through the bucket to an eject position and for retracting the ejector to a position where it forms a rearward wall of the bucket suitable for loading,

third ejector element interconnected between said second element and the bucket for causing said first and second elements to have a straight angle face relation in the eject position to facilitate ejection of material from the bucket, said first and second elements assuming an angled relation when retracted in the bucket to increase bucket capacity, said third element positively limiting rearward pivoting of said second element about the pivotal axis between said first and second elements at said straight angle face relation with said first ejector element when the ejeotor is in its eject position, and

sweeping edge supported by said second ejector element to travel along a path substantially parallel with the bucket floor during forward motion of the ejector through the bucket.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the bucket floor has a longitudinal cross-section of optimum configuration for loading of the bucket, a portion of the floor which is traversed by the sweeping edge being substantially fiat toward the front of the bucket and tapering upwardly toward the rear of the bucket, said third ejector element comprising a link pivotally interconnected between said second ejector element and the bucket.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the path of the sweeping edge associated with said second ejector element is positively established by said third ejector element.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the bucket is pivotally supported on at least one lift armfor raising and lowering the bucket, tilt linkage is associated with the bucket for tilting it forwardly and rearwardly and ejector operating means are interconnected between the bucket, the lift arm and oneof the first andsecond elements to position said first and second ejector-elements in response to the position of the bucket on its lift arm.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said third ejector element comprises at least one link pivotally interconnected between said second ejector element and the bucket.

8, The combination of claim 7 wherein said ejector operating means comprises a bellcrank lever having its central pivot point fixed to the bucket and one end pivot point fixed to said second ejector element, the other end pivot point being pivotally interconnected with the lift arm by means of an ejector control link and a lever which are in turn pivoted to each other, first stop means being associated with the control link and lever so that the ejector is normally secured in a retracted position at the rear of the bucket, second stop means being associated with the control link and lever to interact as the bucket is tilted forwardly to its eject position so that the control link and lever, in combination with said bellcrank lever, cause ejecting action of the ejector.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein said ejector operating means comprises at least one remotely operable motor means operatively interconnected between said References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Beyerstedt et a1. 214--510 Beyerstedt 2145l0 Clark et al. 214510 X Campbell et a1. 214-146 Urban 214-146 8 1 3,176,863 4/1965 Kuhl 214-146 3,346,974 10/1967 Haynes 214--510 X 3,380,604 4/1968 Leese 214767 X 3,421,236 1/1969 Moyer 214510 X 5 3,426,928 2/1969 Campbell 214146 X FOREIGN PATENTS 499,122 1/1954 Canada.

US. Cl. X.R.

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