FR3108125A1 - Modular bucket, especially for snow removal - Google Patents

Abstract

The bucket comprises a rear part 12 extending transversely, two side walls 14, 16 each mounted on one side of the rear part 12, and a transverse bottom 18 extending between the side sides 14, 16. The side sides 14 , 16 and the base 18 are mounted movable relative to the rear part 12 between a first configuration of the bucket in which the lateral sides 14, 16 extend forwards with respect to the rear part 12 and in which the base 18 extends forwards in a lowered position, and a second configuration of the bucket in which the side flanks 14, 16 extend transversely on each side of the rear part 12 and in which the bottom 18 is in a raised position. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Modular bucket, especially for snow removal

The present invention relates to the field of buckets used for snow removal operations, for example on roads, on parking areas, on access roads for vehicles or pedestrians or any other land located outdoors.

Another equally interesting application of the bucket of the invention relates to the removal and movement of light materials, for example sawdust, grains, compost, waste, etc.

To carry out snow removal using a loader, two types of equipment are currently mainly used.

The first type consists of blades to evacuate the snow laterally or to push it. The blades can be oriented angularly in relation to the loader and can cover variable snow clearance widths.

The second type of equipment used consists of buckets for pushing snow and loading it. A bucket comprises a transverse rear part, two lateral sides integral with it and extending forwards, and a horizontal bottom.

To switch on a loader from one type of equipment to another, it is necessary to carry out dismantling operations for the installed equipment, then assembly operations for the other equipment. These operations are relatively long and therefore costly.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

The invention relates to a bucket comprising a rear part extending transversely, two side flanks each mounted on one side of the rear part, and a transverse bottom extending between the side flanks.

According to another general characteristic, the lateral flanks and the bottom are mounted so as to move with respect to the rear part between first and second configurations of the bucket.

In the first configuration, the side flanks extend forward relative to the rear portion, and the bottom extends forward relative to the rear portion in a lowered position.

In the second configuration of the bucket, the side flanks extend transversely on each side of the rear part, and the bottom is in a raised position.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible with a single piece of equipment either to push the snow and load it in the first configuration of use, or to evacuate the snow laterally or to push it in the second configuration.

The same equipment therefore makes it possible to perform the functions that are currently performed by two separate equipment, namely the conventional bucket and blade. The modular nature of the bucket eliminates the constraints of disassembly and assembly as is the case with conventional equipment.

Preferably, the side flanks and the bottom are at least partly aligned in the transverse direction in the second configuration of the bucket.

In its lowered position, the bottom can extend horizontally, or with a slight tilt forward. The bottom may have a transverse leading edge. "Transverse leading edge" means the edge of the floor which is located forwardmost of the bucket in the lowered position of the floor. In this lowered position, the transverse leading edge of the bottom faces forward. In the raised bottom position, the transverse leading edge faces up or down.

Each lateral flank is advantageously mounted for rotation on the rear part about a vertical axis of articulation.

The bucket may further comprise at least two cylinders fixed to the rear part and each hinged to one of the lateral sides for moving said sides from the first configuration to the second configuration of the bucket, and vice versa. Alternatively, it could be possible not to provide these cylinders. In this case, the actuation of the sides must however be carried out manually.

According to a first design, the bottom is rotatably mounted on the rear part around a horizontal axis of articulation which extends transversely. With this design, in the second bucket configuration, the transverse leading edge of the bottom faces upwards.

According to a second alternative design, the bottom is mounted to slide along the rear part. With this design, in the second bucket configuration, the transverse leading edge of the bottom faces down.

The bucket can also comprise at least one actuating means fixed to the rear part for moving the bottom from the first configuration to the second configuration of the bucket, and vice versa. Alternatively, manual bottom actuation could be possible.

According to the first design relating to the rotary mounting of the bottom, the actuating means may comprise at least one jack fixed to the rear part and hinged to the bottom.

According to the second design relating to the sliding mounting of the bottom, the actuating means may comprise a motor and means for transforming the rotational movement of the motor into translation of the bottom.

In one embodiment, the bucket may further comprise two lateral lugs each mounted rotatably on one of the lateral flanks around a vertical axis of articulation between a folded position against the associated flank, and a fully deployed position in which said lateral lug extends said associated flank.

These rotating lateral lugs can be used to bring the lateral snow in front of the bucket when the latter is in its first configuration and better hold it, or even increase the transverse length of the bucket in its second configuration. The ears can also be flattened along the sides when not in use.

The axis of articulation of each lateral ear is preferably located at the front end of the associated lateral flank.

The bucket may also further comprise at least two jacks each articulated on one of the lateral flanks and on one of the lateral lugs for moving said lugs from the folded down position to the fully deployed position, and vice versa. Alternatively, manual actuation of the ears could also be envisaged here.

The present invention will be better understood on studying the detailed description of embodiments, taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

are perspective views of a bucket according to a first embodiment of the invention and in a first configuration of use,

is a front view of the bucket of Figures 1 and 2,

are perspective views of the bucket of Figures 1 to 3 in a second configuration of use,

are perspective views of a bucket according to a second embodiment of the invention and in a first configuration of use,

are perspective views of the bucket of Figures 7 and 8 in a second configuration of use, and

are perspective views of a bucket according to a third embodiment of the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a bucket, referenced 10 as a whole, which is intended to be mounted on a loader, or a snow groomer, or any other type of push machine, for example a tractor. The bucket 10 is particularly suitable for snow removal operations.

In the following description, the "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" directions are defined with reference to the orthonormal reference frame shown in Figure 1 which includes:

- a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and directed from the rear to the front of the bucket 10,

- a transverse axis Y, horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and

- a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom to top.

The bucket 10 comprises a transverse rear part 12, two lateral flanks 14, 16 each mounted on one side of the rear part 12, and a bottom 18 extending transversely between the flanks 14, 16. The flanks 14, 16 are mounted each at a transverse end of the rear part 12.

As will be described in more detail below, the sides 14, 16 and the bottom 18 of the bucket are movably mounted on the rear part 12 between a first configuration of use of the bucket illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a second configuration of use illustrated in Figures 4 to 6. These first and second configurations constitute the extreme positions of movement of the sides 14, 16 and of the bottom 18 relative to the rear part 12.

When the bucket 10 is used for snow removal operations, the first configuration makes it possible to push the snow and load it while the second configuration makes it possible to evacuate the snow laterally or to push it.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in the first configuration of the bucket, the sides 14, 16 extend longitudinally forward relative to the rear part 12, i.e. on the side opposite the machine on which the bucket 12 is intended to be mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the sides 14, 16 are in the form of thin plates. The sides 14, 16 are symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to a vertical median plane of the bucket 10.

In the first configuration, the bottom 18 extends forward relative to the rear part 12. The bottom 18 extends transversely between the lower ends of the sides 14, 16. The bottom 18 is in the lowered position. The bottom 18 here extends horizontally in the lowered position. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 18 is equipped with an attached scraper 20 which is intended to rub against the roadway and which forms a transverse leading edge 20a of the bottom. In the first configuration, the leading edge 20a of the bottom scraper faces forward. The scraper 20 is attached to the bottom insofar as it constitutes a wearing part. As a variant, it is still possible to make the scraper and the bottom in one piece, or even to provide a bottom without a scraper.

The rear part 12 comprises a main transverse part 22 and two side flanges 24, 26 extending longitudinally on each side of the main part 22. The main part 22 here has a rectilinear shape. Alternatively, the main part 22 could have a curved shape. In the first configuration of the bucket, the sides 14, 16 extend perpendicular to the main part 22 of the rear part. The sides 14, 16 extend longitudinally forwards the side cheeks 24, 26 of the rear part.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear part 12 further comprises, in the upper part, a transverse beam 28 extending between the flanges 24, 26 and forming a shaft on which is mounted a pusher 30 of the bucket making it possible in particular to empty the collected snow without having to tilt the bucket down. The pusher 30 is movable between a retracted position illustrated in the figures and a deployed position (not illustrated). The pusher 30 is movable under the effect of a jack 31. The body of the jack 31 is fixed to the main part 22, and the actuating rod of the jack is rotatably articulated on a lug of the pusher 30 around a horizontal axis of articulation. Alternatively, the cup 10 could be devoid of such a pusher 30.

As indicated above, the flanks 14, 16 are movably mounted on the rear part 12. More precisely, the lateral flanks 14, 16 are rotatably mounted on the rear part 12 about hinge axes 32, 34 vertical. The flank 14, 16 is rotatably mounted on the flange 24, 26 of the rear part. The hinge pin 32, 34 is located at the front end of the cheek 24, 26.

As also indicated previously, the bottom 18 is movably mounted on the rear part 12. The bottom 18 is rotatably mounted on the rear part 12 about a horizontal hinge axis 36 (FIG. 6). The bottom 18 is rotatably mounted on the main part 22 of the rear part. The hinge pin 36 is located at the front end of the main part 22. The hinge pin 36 is located at the level of the transverse rear edge of the bottom which is opposite the transverse leading edge 20a .

In the second configuration of the bucket 10 illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the flanks 14, 16 extend transversely on each side of the rear part 12. Each flank 14, 16 extends transversely outwards. The bottom 18 extends upwards. The leading edge 20a of the bottom is oriented upwards. The bottom 18 is in the raised position. The bottom 18 here extends vertically in the raised position. The bottom 18 extends transversely between the hinge pins 32, 34 of the sides. The sides 14, 16 and the bottom 18 are located aligned in the transverse direction. Each side 14, 16 extends the bottom 18 transversely outwards.

The lower part of each sidewall 14, 16 and the lower part of the bottom 18 considering its raised position can each be equipped with a wear scraper made of rubber or metallic material and rubbing against the roadway in this blade configuration.

To provide assisted passage from the first configuration of the bucket 10 to the second configuration and vice versa, the latter is equipped with jacks 40, 42 associated with the sides 14, 16 and jacks 44, 46 (FIG. 3) associated with the bottom .

The cylinder 40 for actuating the flank 14 comprises a body 50 fixed to the rear part 12 of the bucket, and an actuating rod 52 articulated for rotation on this flank about a vertical axis of articulation 54. The axis of articulation 54 of the cylinder rod is separate from the axis of articulation 32 of the side 14. The body 50 of the cylinder is fixed on the outside of the rear part 12 of the bucket. The body 50 of the cylinder is fixed on the main part 22 and the flange 24, here near an upper end. The rod 52 of the cylinder is articulated on the outside of the side 14.

The mounting of the cylinder 42 for actuating the side 16 is identical to that of the cylinder 40. The cylinder 42 comprises a body 56 fixed to the rear part 12 of the bucket, and an actuating rod 58 rotatably articulated on the side 16 around of a vertical axis of articulation 60. The hinge pin 60 is separate from the hinge pin 34 of the side 16. The body 56 of the jack is fixed to the outside of the rear part 12 of the bucket. The body 56 of the cylinder is fixed to the main part 22 and the flange 26, here near an upper end. The rod 58 of the cylinder is articulated on the outside of the side 16.

The position of the sides 14, 16 in the first configuration of the bucket 10 can for example be defined by the end of stroke of the cylinders 40, 42.

The cylinder 44 for actuating the bottom 18 comprises a body 62 fixed to the rear part 12 of the bucket, and an actuating rod 64 articulated for rotation on the bottom about a transverse horizontal axis of articulation 66. The axis of articulation 66 of the rod 64 of the cylinder is distinct from the axis of articulation 36 of the bottom. The cylinder body 62 is fixed on the inside of the rear part 12 of the bucket. The body 62 of the cylinder is fixed on the main part 22, in the vicinity of the flange 26. The rod 64 of the cylinder is articulated on the inside of the bottom 18.

The assembly of the actuating jack 46 (FIG. 3) is identical to that of the jack 44. The jack 46 comprises a body 67 fixed to the rear part 12 of the bucket, and an actuating rod (not visible) hinged for rotation on the bottom 18 around a transverse horizontal hinge axis 68. The axis of articulation 68 of the cylinder rod is separate from the axis of articulation 36 of the bottom. The cylinder body 67 is fixed on the inside of the rear part 12 of the bucket. The body 67 of the cylinder is fixed on the main part 22, in the vicinity of the flange 24. The rod of the cylinder 46 is articulated on the inside of the bottom 18.

Bucket 10 is equipped with a 70 attachment system for mounting on the associated pusher. In the embodiment illustrated, the system 70 comprises a plate 72 for mounting on the machine, a plate 74 mounted in an oscillating manner with respect to the plate 72 and fixed on ears (not referenced) of the main part 22 of the rear part 12, and two cylinders 76, 78 interposed between them to control the oscillating plate 74.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 10, on which the identical elements bear the same references, differs from the first example described in that the bucket 10 additionally comprises two lateral lugs 80, 82 respectively mounted rotatably on the sides 14, 16 around hinge axes 84, 86 vertical. The hinge axis 84, 86 is located at the front end of the associated lateral flank 14, 16.

Each lug 80, 82 is movable relative to the associated flank 14, 16 between a folded position against this flank illustrated in FIG. 7, and a fully deployed position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 to extend the flank. The folded and fully extended positions of each lug 80, 82 constitute the extreme positions of displacement of said lug relative to the associated flank 14, 16.

As shown in particular in Figures 7 and 8, in the first configuration of the bucket 10, the lugs 80, 82 can be moved from their folded position against the sides 14, 16 to one or more partially deployed positions depending on the angle of direction chosen. The orientation angle of lug 80 can be the same as or different from that of lug 82. In this first configuration of cup 10, lugs 80, 82 can be moved into their fully extended position in which they extend longitudinally forward the sides 14, 16.

In the second configuration of the bucket 10, the lugs 80, 82 are in their fully extended position as shown in Figures 9 and 10 to extend transversely outwardly the sides 14, 16. This increases the transverse dimension of the bucket 10 in its second blade configuration.

The bucket 10 also comprises, associated with each of the lugs 80 and 82, a jack 88, 90 to obtain the displacement of the lug between its folded down position and its fully extended position.

The actuator 88 for actuating the lug 80 comprises a body 92 articulated in rotation on the side 14, and an actuating rod 94 articulated in rotation on this lug. The body 92 and the rod 94 are respectively articulated in rotation around vertical axes of articulation 96, 98. The hinge axes 96, 98 are separate from the hinge axes 32, 84 of the side 14 and of the lug 80. The body 92 is articulated on the outside of the side 14. The rod 94 of the cylinder is articulated on the outer ear 80.

The assembly of the cylinder 90 for actuating the lug 82 is identical to that of the cylinder 88. The cylinder 90 comprises a body 100 articulated in rotation on the side 16, and an actuating rod 102 articulated in rotation on the lug 82. The body 100 and the rod 102 are respectively hinged in rotation about vertical hinge axes, only the hinge axis 104 of the rod being visible in the figures. These axes of articulation are distinct from the axes of articulation 34, 86 of the side 16 and of the lug 82. The body 100 is articulated on the outside of the side 16. The rod 102 of the cylinder is articulated on the outside of the lug 82. The deployed position of the lugs 80, 82 can for example be defined by the end of stroke of the jacks 88, 90.

In the two previous embodiments, the bottom 18 of the bucket is rotatably mounted with respect to the rear part 12.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 11 to 13 on which identical elements bear the same references, it is possible to provide a sliding mounting of the bottom 18 relative to the rear part 12 to obtain the passage from the lowered position to the raised position, and vice versa.

In this embodiment, the bottom 18 is equipped with two rollers 110, 112 which are engaged inside grooves 114, 116 provided on the rear part 12 of the bucket. The rollers 110, 112 are each located on one side of the bottom 18 being located at the level of the rear transverse edge of said bottom. The groove 114, 116 is formed on the flange 24, 26 of the rear part 12. The grooves 114, 116 are through. The grooves run partly vertically.

To obtain assisted sliding of the bottom 18, the bucket 10 comprises a drive motor 118 fixed to the rear part 22, a pulley 120, 122 mounted at each end of the transverse rotating shaft of the motor 118, and a chain 120, 122 wrapped around the pulley 120, 122 and deflection pulleys (not referenced) fixed on the cheek 24, 26 of the rear part. The motor 118 is attached to the rear of the main part 22 of the rear part.

A link (not shown) of the chain 120, 122 is fixed on the axis of the roller 110, 112 associated to obtain the driving of this roller and of the bottom 18 during the operation of the motor 118. During the operation of the motor 118, the rollers 110, 112 slide inside the grooves 114, 116 of the rear part.

In the configuration of the bucket 10 illustrated in Figure 12, the bottom 18 is in the raised position. The bottom 18 extends downward from the rollers 110, 112. The leading edge 20a of the bottom faces downward. The bottom 18 here extends obliquely. The bottom 18 extends transversely between the sides 14, 16 and the flanges 24, 26 of the rear part. In this exemplary embodiment, the bucket 10 has no pusher.

Claims (10)

Bucket comprising a rear part (12) extending transversely, two lateral flanks (14, 16) each mounted on one side of the rear part (12), and a transverse bottom (18) extending between the lateral flanks ( 14, 16), characterized in that the lateral flanks (14, 16) and the bottom (18) are mounted movable with respect to the rear part (12) between a first configuration of the bucket in which the lateral flanks (14, 16 ) extend forward relative to the rear portion (12) and wherein the bottom (18) extends forward relative to the rear portion in a lowered position, and a second bucket configuration in which the side flanks (14, 16) extend transversely on each side of the rear part (12) and in which the bottom (18) is in a raised position. Bucket according to claim 1, wherein the side walls (14, 16) and the bottom (18) are at least partly aligned in the transverse direction in the second configuration of the bucket. Bucket according to Claim 1 or 2, in which each lateral flank (14, 16) is rotatably mounted on the rear part (12) about a vertical axis of articulation (32, 34). Bucket according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least two cylinders (40, 42) fixed to the rear part (12) and each articulated on one of the lateral sides (14, 16) for the displacement of the said sides of the first configuration to the second configuration of the bucket, and vice versa. Bucket according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom (18) is rotatably mounted on the rear part (12) about a horizontal axis of articulation (36) which extends transversely. Bucket according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the bottom (18) is mounted to slide along the rear part (12). Bucket according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one actuating means (44, 46; 118) fixed to the rear part (12) for moving the bottom (18) from the first configuration to the second bucket configuration, and vice versa. Bucket according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising two lateral lugs (80, 82) each mounted rotatably on one of the lateral sides (14, 16) around a vertical hinge axis (84, 86) between a folded position against the associated flank, and a fully deployed position in which said lateral lug extends said associated flank. Bucket according to Claim 8, in which the hinge pin (84, 86) of each side lug (80, 82) is located at the forward end of the associated side wall (14, 16). Bucket according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising at least two cylinders (88, 90) each articulated on one of the lateral sides (14, 16) and on one of the lateral lugs (80, 82) for the movement of the said lugs of the folded position to the fully extended position, and vice versa.