Excavating apparatus employing swivel adapter with gear bearings having gears with divergent thickness

Abstract

An apparatus for swiveling an implement, such as a bucket, relative to a device, such as an excavator boom, includes a rotary union and a bearing disc mounted in a housing. The bearing disc rotates relative to the housing so that the implement can be rotated relative to the device. A gear or geared bearing assembly is located between the bearing disc and top and bottom housing portions for bearing loads transverse to the axis about which the implement is rotated relative to the device. The rotary union has fluid passages extending from the top to the bottom of a central shaft, which is affixed to the bearing disc, and the shaft and disc can comprise a one piece combination rotary union and bearing disc.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 530,324 filed Jun. 22, 2012, which also claims the benefit of previously filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 571,168 filed Jun. 22, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a swivel adapter mount that can be used between a device and implement, such as with excavating equipment, such as a backhoe or excavator. A bucket of other implement can then be moved to positions that would not be possible with a conventional backhoe or similar device. This invention is also related to bearing assemblies that will operate in such an environment with a relatively long service life.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Conventional backhoes and crawler type excavators are not suited for digging ditches with sloping sides. These types of conventional excavating equipment do ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]When used with an excavator or a wheeled backhoe, a swivel apparatus according to this invention can not only improve more efficient use of excavating devices on a worksite, but it can also improve safety by preforming operations, the would otherwise require workers to preform excavating tasks in a ditch, where accidents are more likely to happen. The additional range of motion be allowing an implement, such as a bucket, to be swivel and tilt about perpendicular axes, in addition to normal rotation, will allow a single excavating device to perform multiple tasks. For example, an excavating device with the capabilities of the instant invention would all an operator to maneuver around pipe culverts dig and remove earth from beneath a pipe and to work around trees, pipe lines, fire hydrants and other obstacles. An operator can also use an excavator employing these capabilities to handle slopes from 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 without moving the excavating device. A person will not then need to do such a potentially dangerous task in a ditch. Furthermore, a single excavating device with the capabilities of this invention, can dig from different directions, so that multiple excavating device would not be needed to dig a single ditch, nor would it be necessary to reposition the main excavating device. By swiveling and tilting an implement, the operator could also level bedding stone that might be required, and other tasks could also be performed. Although not limited in principle, an excavating device according to this invention would be suitable for a 75,000 pound excavator or wheeled backhoe.

[0014]An excavating device or the representative embodiment depicted herein provides the ability to rotate an implement, such as a bucket for 360 degrees in either direction as well as tilting the implement 90 degrees in either direction for a total of 180 degrees. Such an excavating device will minimize the need for specialty equipment and enhance profitability. An excavating device incorporating this invention is well suited for jobs, such as working on slopes, leveling ground, precise backfilling and quick profiling utilities, clearing land and landscaping.

[0015]The bearing assembly of this invention is not limited to use with excavating equipment and is especially suited for heavy duty and high load operations. This bearing assembly reduces micro chatter and eliminates rotational wobble to create smooth and precise control. The bearing housing oil is filled, which provides superior lubrication, minimizes wear and leads to longer life. This bearing assembly provides precise control with rifle-true anti-backlash resulting in smoother operation and excellent control. The bearing assembly also provides am improved thrust bearing with gear teeth providing superior thrust bearing performance. The bearing assembly also excellent speed reduction, and through phase tuning it allows differentiation in the number of teeth that must be engaged between input and output, which enables successful reduction rations. Less noise and vibration is the result of evenly distributed bearing loads reducing rough spots. The bearing assembly is also structurally rigid and provides excellent overall load capacity. The number are reduced as well as weight and size in addition to increases load capacity and excellent performance.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional backhoes and crawler type excavators are not suited for digging ditches with sloping sides.

These types of conventional excavating equipment do not have the ability to tilt or swivel a bucket or claw so that a slope can be graded.

However, these devices have not proven to be effective.

In some cases they require a large number of component parts and are therefore costly both to manufacture and to repair.

Others have not proven to be sturdy enough for use in the field.

However, none of these approaches is believed to be as versatile and reliable as the swivel adapter mount of the instant invention.

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