Retrofittable Conversion Tine System for Bucket Loaders

Abstract

A conversion kit for converting a front-loader bucket for use as a forklift, a bale transporter or similar object mover. Parallel tine assemblies pivoted to a bucket top include tines that normally project forwardly, and cooperating vertical arms linked to the tines. The arms are fastened at their bottoms within protective elbow brackets to which the tines are pinned. The arms support hollow pivot sleeves penetrated by axle members that enable tine assembly rotation. A plurality of box-like receivers forming sockets enable the quick connection and/or disconnection of parts. Lower receiver sockets removably support pivot sleeves secured to quick-connect plugs that are penetrated by axle segments. A pair of rigid, tine stowage brackets may be secured at the rear. After the projecting tines are unpinned from front mounted elbow brackets, the tine assembly may rotate over the bucket to an out-of-the way position.

Claims

1. A conversion kit for adapting a conventional front-end loader having a bucket or scoop for use as a bale transporter, forklift or other device requiring at least one outwardly projecting front prong, the kit comprising: at least one tine assembly pivotally mounted to the bucket or scoop, each tine assembly comprising a rigid, projecting tine that normally extends forwardly, and a rigid arm linked to the projecting tine; an elbow bracket adapted to be disposed at the front of the loader; the arm having a bottom fastened to the elbow bracket and a spaced apart top; the projecting tine comprising a frontal point adapted to engage a target, and a spaced apart inner end pivoted to the elbow bracket proximate the arm; at least one hollow pivot sleeve proximate the bucket top supported by said arm that functions as a bearing to enable tine assembly rotation; at least one axle segment proximate the bucket top that penetrates at least one pivot sleeve; at least one rigid, tine stowage bracket adapted to be secured at the rear of the bucket for receiving and shrouding a projecting tine when the tine assembly is rotated over the bucket such that the projecting tine extends vertically downwardly into the stowage bracket.

2. The conversion kit as defined in claim 1 wherein the vertical arms are generally perpendicular to the projecting tines.

3. The conversion kit as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one box-like receiver forming at least one socket for the quick connection and/or disconnection of parts.

4. The conversion kit as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one quick-connect plug that engages a socket rotatably secures support sleeves mounting said axle.

5. A retrofittable tine kit for converting a conventional front-end loader bucket or scoop for use as a bale transporter, forklift or other device requiring at least one outwardly projecting front prong, the kit comprising: at least one pair of tine assemblies pivotally mounted to the bucket or scoop, each tine assembly comprising a rigid, projecting tine that normally projects forwardly, and a rigid vertical arm linked to the tine; an rigid elbow bracket adapted to be disposed at the front of the bucket; the arm having a bottom fastened to the elbow bracket and a spaced apart top; the projecting tine comprising an outwardly projecting frontal point adapted to engage or support a target, and a spaced apart inner end pivoted to the elbow bracket proximate the arm; at least one axle segment proximate the bucket top supported by a plurality of spaced apart support sleeves; each tine assembly comprising a pivot sleeve penetrated by said axle thereby enabling rotation of said tine assembly for stowage; and, at least one rigid, tine stowage bracket adapted to be secured at the rear of the bucket for receiving and shrouding the tine point when the tine is rotated over the axle and disposed in a stowage position.

6. The conversion kit as defined in claim 5 wherein the vertical arms are generally perpendicular to the projecting tines.

7. The conversion kit as defined in claim 5 further comprising at least one box-like receiver forming at least one socket for the quick connection and/or disconnection of parts.

8. The conversion kit as defined in claim 7 wherein receiver sockets removably support support sleeves secured to quick-connect plugs coupled to a socket, the support sleeves mounting said axle segments.

9. A conversion kit for adapting a conventional front-end loader having a bucket or scoop for use as a bale transporter, forklift or other device requiring at least one outwardly projecting front prong, the kit comprising: a pair of pivotally mounted tine assemblies, each tine assembly comprising a rigid, projecting tine and a rigid arm linked to the projecting tine; a bracket adapted to be disposed at the front of the loader; the arm having a bottom fastened to the bracket and a spaced apart top; the projecting tine comprising a frontal point adapted to engage a target, and a spaced apart inner end pivoted to the bracket proximate the arm; at least one pivot sleeve proximate the bucket top supported by an arm that enables tine assembly rotation and tine assembly horizontal adjustments; and, at least one axle segment proximate the bucket top that penetrates at least one pivot sleeve.

10. The conversion kit as defined in claim 9 further comprising at least one box-like receiver forming at least one quick connect socket and at least one quick-connect plug that engages said socket for rotatably securing support sleeves that mount said axle.

11. The conversion kit as defined in claim 9 further comprising at least one tine stowage bracket for receiving and shrouding a projecting tine when the tine assembly is rotated over the bucket such that the projecting tine extends vertically downwardly into the stowage bracket.

12. The conversion kit as defined in claim 11 further comprising at least one box-like receiver forming at least one quick connect socket and at least one quick-connect plug that engages said socket for rotatably securing support sleeves that mount said axle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a frontal isometric view showing a conventional front end loader bucket with the instant invention mounted upon it, with the projecting tines disposed in an operational orientation;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a frontal isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the tines in intermediate, partially folded position prior to assuming a stowage orientation;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view showing the tines in a folded and retracted secure stowage position;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded, isometric assembly view of the preferred conversion kit;

[0057] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric assembly view of the preferred conversion kit;

[0058] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of preferred receivers and pivot sleeves; and,

[0059] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view showing a single receiver and pivot sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Turning now to the drawings, and with particular reference directed initially to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a retrofittable conversion tine kit constructed in accordance with the best mode of the invention has been generally designated by the reference numeral 10. While conversion kit 10 is designed to be mounted upon a conventional front end loader bucket 12, it will be understood that the kit 10 may be mounted on similar construction and earth moving equipment including front end implements like bulldozer blades, various scoops, and other diverse ground engaging or earth moving tools known in the art; as used herein the term “bucket” shall include all of the latter elements.

[0061] A conventional bucket 12 (FIG. 1) comprises several steel plates or panels that are welded together to form the required geometry. A flat steel bottom panel 14 extends between two spaced apart, substantially triangular end panels 16 and 18. As seen best in FIG. 3, there is an elongated, substantially rectangular rear panel 20 extending between end panels 16 and 18. Rear panel 20 is inclined slightly relative to flat bottom panel 14. A reduced width top panel 22 of generally rectangular proportions extends across the bucket, between end panels 16 and 18. There is an open bucket interior 24 formed between the intersecting panels generally beneath top panel 22 and above bottom panel 14 between end panels 16 and 18. An elongated and rectangular gusset reinforcement plate 26 extends across the bucket interior 24, extending at an angle between the rear panel 20 and the bottom bucket panel 14.

[0062] As detailed below, portions of the kit 10 are mounted upon bottom panel 14, upon rear panel 20, and upon the bucket top panel 22. The preferred kit structural elements function together to convert a conventional bucket loader (or blade or scoop) into a forklift or bale transporter, or any other device requiring forwardly projecting tines.

[0063] In the best mode there are a pair of similar tine assemblies 40 (FIG. 1) that are spaced apart and adjustably, slidably mounted over the bucket 12. The tine assemblies 40 may be disposed in an operational position seen in FIG. 1, or they may be disposed in a stowage position illustrated in FIG. 3. When being switched between operational and stowage positions, the intermediate position of FIG. 2 results.

[0064] Each tine assembly 40 comprises at least one elongated, projecting tine 43 that, in normal operation, projects straight out from the bucket 12 (FIG. 1) substantially horizontally. Projecting tines 43 are normally “horizontal” in operation, but they may be rotated to non-horizontal positions (i.e., FIGS. 2, 3) for stowage. Each projecting tine 43 has a tapered but somewhat blunt frontal point 45 and an integral rear end 47 that is hinged to a rigid elbow bracket 48 with a removable pivot pin 49. The generally cubical elbow brackets 48 are frictionally wedged against the bottom of the bucket 12 and the surface of bottom panel 14 when the tine 32 engages an object, such as a hay bale, and presses forwardly.

[0065] Each tine assembly 40 also comprises an associated “vertical” arm 52 terminating at its top in an integral, transversely extending pivot sleeve 55 that, in effect, functions as a bearing to enable tine assembly rotation. The arms 52 are described as “vertical” herein for clarity, as they are disposed vertically or perpendicularly in normal operation. Vertical arms 52 terminate at their bottoms within the elbow brackets 48, with the bottoms 56 (FIG. 4) of the vertical arms 52 being snugly fitted within and firmly welded to the elbow bracket 48. The junction of each tine 43 and arm 52 is thus shrouded within a protective elbow bracket 48, that assumes a nested position in operation upon the lower bucket interior surface of bottom panel 14.

[0066] Tine assemblies 40 are thus pivoted relative to the bucket 12 by the pivot sleeves 55 through an axle. These bearing-like sleeves 55 are coaxially penetrated and journaled by separate aligned tine axle segments 60 and 62 (FIG. 4) that preferably extend horizontally across the top panel 22 (FIG. 3) of the bucket. In the best mode, there are two axially aligned tine axle segments 60 and 62, although a single tine axle could be used. By employing a split or segmented tine axle design (i.e., FIG. 4) extra strength is achieved. Each tine axle segment 60, 62 is thus journaled through spaced apart, support sleeves; this enables tine assembly position to be horizontally adjusted to fit the intended target. For example axle segment 60 is journaled through and extends horizontally between axle support sleeves 64, 66. Similarly, axle segment 62 extends between companion support sleeves 68 and 70 in axial alignment with axle segment 60. Various receivers, described in detail below, are secured atop the bucket to mount the aforementioned pivot sleeves that are spaced outwardly from the receivers and horizontally secure the axle segments above the bucket. The spaced apart, box-like receivers form sockets for the quick connection and/or disconnection of plugs linked to critical components.

[0067] Referencing FIGS. 4-6, a receiver 83 mounts axle support sleeve 64 and a spaced apart receiver 82 mounts axle support sleeve 66. Receivers 81 and 80 respectively mount support sleeves 68 and 70. All of these receivers are substantially similar, so only receiver 83 (i.e., FIGS. 4, 5 and 7) will be described in detail.

[0068] Preferably each receiver comprises a pair of vertically stacked, generally cubicle, hollow steel tubes 86 and 87 that form internal sockets 88 and 89 (FIG. 5) respectively. Each receiver is secured to the bucket top panel 22 (i.e., FIG. 3) by a mounting flange 91 that is removably secured in place by suitable fasteners 93. Support sleeve 64 (i.e., FIG. 5) is transversely mounted astride a plug 92 that is fitted within receiver socket 89, and secured by a pin 94. The opposite ends of the pins 94 may be further secured with cotter pins 95. Thus the axle support sleeves 64, 66, 68 and 70 are similarly removably held by detachable plugs fitted into suitable sockets provided by the various receivers on top of the bucket.

[0069] The receiver upper sockets, like socket 88. can removably mount other diverse accessories such as tow hooks, ancillary tines, other miscellaneous tools. In FIG. 5 for example, it is seen that an upper receiver socket 104 can removably receive a plug 105 that mounts a rigid hook 106.

[0070] Importantly, means are provided for substantially rigidly and non-destructively positioning the tine assemblies 40 for stowage. At the rear of the bucket 12 there are a pair of rigid, spaced apart stowage brackets 110 and 112 (FIG. 3) secured upon rear panel 20. Each stowage bracket 110, 112 comprises parallel sides 114, 115 forming a generally rectangular housing for bracing the projecting tine 43 in an out-of-the-way orientation, with end 45 of the now-vertical projecting tine 43 captivated between bracket sides 114 and 115 and removable pin 118.

[0071] To position the tine assemblies 40 in the preferred out-of-the-way storage position engaging brackets 110 or 112, the tines 43 are first pivoted relative to an elbow bracket 48 and folded upwardly to the substantially vertical position of FIG. 3. Then the axle assemblies 40 may be rotated about the tine axles segments 60 and/or 62 until assuming the position substantially as in FIG. 3. In the stowage orientation the vertical tines 52 are rotated 180 degrees from their normal downwardly descending position of FIG. 1.

[0072] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

[0073] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

[0074] As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.