Excavator bucket assembly and side wear protector

Abstract

An excavator bucket assembly comprising a bucket 3 with a bucket body 9, a pair of spaced-apart side plates 11, and a lip plate 13 disposed between the side plates and forward of the bucket body. A de

Description

The invention to which this application relates is and excavator bucket assembly and side wear protector. Standard excavator buckets are generally fitted with bolt-on removable teeth, which enable the bucket to penetrate the ground effectively. In some circumstances, the teeth are not appropriate, for example, where there may be underground cables, piping and / or the like present. In such cases, the teeth can be removed, and the bucket may be used without them, allowing a square, flat-bottomed trench to be dug instead. However, when the teeth are removed, in particular the side cutter teeth, the side plate and lip plate of the excavator bucket become more exposed and are subject to wear and degradation, and a weakening of the joint at that those points. In order to protect the lip plate, a bolt-on “sacrificial” blade may be bolted on to the underside of the lip plate, which has a leading edge extending forward of the lip plate and which bears the majority of the wear and tear while digging. Over time, as the bolt-on blade is worn down, this can simply be replaced by a new bolt-on blade as and when is required. However, while the bolt-on blade may serve to protect the majority of the edge of the lip plate, the side plates of the bucket and the corners of the lip plate are still exposed and do still wear down and degrade, which may also affect the fixing / bolting point of the plate at those positions. In order to address this issue, it is common to cut away the worn corners of the side plates and weld in new replacement portions to extend the life of the bucket. This is only a temporary fix since the new welded portion will also be subject to the same wear and tear as the original side plates. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved excavator bucket assembly which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a protector apparatus for use with an excavator bucket and which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an excavator bucket assembly, said assembly including: an excavator bucket having: a bucket body; a pair of spaced-apart side plate members; and a lip plate member disposed between the side plate members and forward of the bucket body; a detachably attachable blade member, attached to an underside of the lip plate member, and having a leading or cutting edge forward of a leading edge of the lip plate member; and a pair of side wear protector members, each of said side wear protector members having: a first portion engaging an interior face of respective side plate members; a second portion extending outwardly from a first edge of the first portion at approximately 90 degrees and engaging an interior or upper face of the lip plate member; and a third portion extending from a second edge of the first portion, the third portion having at least a first part comprising a rearward face extending from the first portion in an opposing direction to the second portion, and which engages a leading edge of the respective side plate members, characterized in that at least a part of the third portion of each side wear protector member extends beyond a leading edge of the respective side plate members of the excavator bucket. That is to say, typically, at least a part of the third portion of the side wear protector member extends laterally beyond the profile of the excavator bucket. The provision of the side wear protector members thus widens the profile of the bucket when viewing from front-on, such that the leading edges of the side plates are shielded and protected from material being excavated and wear and tear is reduced. Preferably, the third portion includes at least a second part which extends forward of the first part and of the first portion of the side wear protector member. Typically, said second part comprises a face or lip which is angled with respect to the first portion. In one embodiment, the face or lip of the second part extends towards a leading edge of the third portion. Typically, the leading edge of the third portion runs parallel to but is located laterally beyond the leading edge of the respective side plate member of the excavator bucket. In some embodiments, the rearward face of the third portion may extend beyond the leading edge of the side plate member of the excavator bucket. Preferably, each side wear protector member includes a fourth portion, extending forwardly of and angled downwardly with respect to the second portion. Typically, the fourth portion includes a front face in a plane substantially parallel to a leading edge of the third portion. In one embodiment, the fourth portion engages with and extends beyond the lip plate member of the excavator bucket. Typically, a leading edge of the fourth portion is located forward of and below a leading edge of the lip plate member. In one embodiment, an inner or proximal side of the fourth portion connects to the face or lip of the third portion. Preferably, the side wear protector members are detachably attachable to the excavator bucket. In some embodiments, the lip plate member is detachably attachable to the bucket body. In one embodiment, the first portion includes at least one aperture formed therein. Typically, said aperture corresponds with a further aperture located in the side plate member of the excavator bucket, permitting a fixing member to be provided to fix the same together. In one embodiment, the second portion includes at least one aperture formed therein. Typically, said aperture corresponds with a further aperture located in the lip plate member of the excavator bucket, permitting a fixing member to be provided to fix the same together. Further typically, a corresponding aperture is provided in the blade member, thereby permitting the fixing member to fix the second portion of the side wear protector member, the lip plate member, and the blade member together. In some embodiments, the second portion further includes a spigot member. Typically, said spigot member extends downwardly from a lower face of the second portion, engaging with and / or located in a further aperture provided in the lip plate member. Generally, lip plates will be provided with pairs of apertures to allow the fixing of cutter teeth thereto. While the first of these apertures is used to receive a fixing member, such as a bolt, to allow the side wear protector member to be fixed to the lip plate, the second aperture may be utilized in this instance by providing a spigot member formed with the second portion of the side wear protector to be located therewith. This provides additional stability and helps to secure the side wear protector against further forces applied while digging. Preferably, the fourth portion comprises a leading edge, located at the lower end of the front face, and which is parallel with the leading edge of the lip plate member and the leading or cutting edge of the blade member. Typically, the leading edge of the further portion is located intermediate the leading edges of the lip plate member and the blade member. In some embodiments, a rearward edge of the fourth portion is located at an upper end of the front face, and which is raised with respect to an upper face of the second portion. Thus, the raised rearward edge serves to protect a fixing member securing the second portion to the lip plate member from the impact of excavated material and thus wear and tear. Thus, the side wear protector members, when attached to the excavator bucket, provide an improved means by which to prevent or at least substantially reduce the wear and tear which normally occurs at the side plates and corners of the lip plates of such excavator buckets. The provision of a part of the third portion which extends beyond the profile of the leading edges of the side plate members ensures that excavated material does not impact on those edges and is instead deflected by the side wear protector members, effectively extending the lifespan of the excavator bucket. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a side wear protector member for an excavator bucket, said side wear protector member including: a first portion arranged to engage an interior face of a side plate of an excavator bucket, in use; a second portion, extending outwardly from a first edge of the first portion at approximately 90 degrees, and arranged to engage an interior or upper face of a lip plate of the excavator bucket, m use; and a third portion, extending from a second edge of the first portion, the third portion having a least a first part comprising a rearward face extending from the first portion in an opposing direction to the second portion, and which is arranged to engage a leading edge of the side plate of the excavator bucket, in use, characterized in that at least a part of the third portion is arranged to extend beyond a leading edge of the side plate of the excavator bucket, in use. Preferably, at least a part of the third portion of the side wear protector member is arranged to extend laterally beyond the profile of the excavator bucket, in use. Preferably, the third portion includes at least a second part which extends forward of the first part and of the first portion of the side wear protector member. Typically, said second part comprises a face or lip which is angled with respect to the first portion. In one embodiment, the face or lip of the second part extends towards a leading edge of the third portion. Typically, the leading edge of the third portion runs parallel to but is located laterally beyond the leading edge of the respective side plate member of the excavator bucket. In some embodiments, the rearward face of the third portion may extend beyond the leading edge of the side plate member of the excavator bucket. Preferably, the side wear protector member includes a fourth portion, extending forwardly of and angled downwardly with respect to the second portion. Typically, the fourth portion includes a front face in a plane substantially parallel to a leading edge of the third portion. In one embodiment, the fourth portion is arranged to engage with and extend beyond the lip plate member of the excavator bucket, in use. Typically, a leading edge of the fourth portion is arranged to be located forward of and below a leading edge of the lip plate member, in use. In one embodiment, an inner or proximal side of the fourth portion connects to the face or lip of the third portion. In one embodiment, the first portion includes at least one aperture formed therein, which is arranged to receive a fixing member provided to fix the same to a side plate member of the excavator bucket, in use. In one embodiment, the second portion includes at least one aperture formed therein, which is arranged to receive a fixing member provided to fix the same to at least a lip plate member of the excavator bucket, in use. In some embodiments, the second portion further includes a spigot member. Typically, said spigot member extends downwardly from a lower face of the second portion, and is arranged to engage with and / or locate in a further aperture provided in the lip plate member, in use. Preferably, the fourth portion comprises a leading edge, located at the lower end of the front face, and which is arranged to be parallel with a leading edge of a lip plate member and a leading or cutting edge of a blade member of the excavator bucket, in use. In some embodiments, a rearward edge of the fourth portion is located at an upper end of the front face, and which is raised with respect to an upper face of the second portion. Thus, the raised rearward edge serves to protect a fixing member securing the second portion to the lip plate member from the impact of excavated material and thus wear and tear. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures la-b illustrate perspective views of a side wear protector member for an excavator bucket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an excavator bucket having a pair of side wear protector members attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a more close-up view of the excavator bucket assembly of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a top-down view of an excavator bucket having a pair of side wear protector members attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a side view cross section of an excavator bucket having a side wear protector member attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to the figures, there is shown in Figure 2 an excavator bucket assembly 1, which includes an excavator bucket 3, a detachably attachable blade member in the form of a bolt-on blade 5, and a pair of detachably attachable side wear protectors 7. The bucket 3 itself comprises a body 9, a pair of spaced apart side plates 11 and a lip plate 13, located at the front of the bucket body 9 and between the two side plates 11. The lip plate 13 defines a leading edge of the bucket 3. In order protect the lip plate 13 from wear and tear through digging, the bolt-on blade 5 is attached to the underside of the lip plate 13 and has a leading or cutting edge 15 which extends forwards of the leading edge of the lip plate 13. The lip plate 13 itself may also be detachably attachable to the bucket body 9. The side wear protectors 7, shown in isolation in Figures la-b, and more closely in relation to the bucket 3 in Figure 3, are bolted on to respective interior sides of the bucket 3, fixing to the side plates 11 and the lip plate 13. The purpose of the side wear protectors, when attached to the bucket 3, is to provide an improved means by which to prevent or at least substantially reduce the wear and tear which normally occurs at the side plates 11 and corners of the lip plate 13 over a prolonged period of use. Each side plate 7 comprises a first portion 17 which is a substantially planar portion that engages or abuts the interior side of the side plates 11. A second portion 19 extends outwardly from the first portion 17 at 90 degrees, engaging or abutting the upper face of the lip plate 13. The side wear protectors 7 are maintained in place via the provision of a first aperture 21 in the first portion 17, corresponding with an aperture in the side plate 11 and through which a bolt 23 may fix the same together; and at least a second aperture 25 in the second portion 19, corresponding with an aperture in the lip plate 13 and through which a bolt 27 may fix the same together. a further corresponding aperture may be provided in the bolt-on blade 5, allowing the second portion 19 of the side wear protector 7, the lip plate 13 and the bolt-on blade 5 all to be fixed together. The side wear protectors 7 further include a third portion 29, which extends from a front or forward edge of the first portion 17, and which has at least a first part comprising a rearward face 31 extending in an opposing direction to the second portion, engaging or abutting a leading edge of the side plates 11. At least a part of the third portion 29 is formed so as to extend beyond the leading edge of the side plate 11 thereby protecting it from impact of excavated material, in use. That is to say more specifically, at least a part of the third portion extends laterally beyond the profile of the excavator bucket 3. This has the effect of widening the profile of the bucket assembly 1 when viewing from front-on or top-down, as per Figure 4, such that the leading edges of the side plates 11 are shielded and protected from material being excavated and wear and tear is prevented or at least substantially reduced. The third portion 29 further includes a second part in the form of a lip or face 33 which extends forward of the first part and of the first portion 17. The lip or face 33 is angled with respect to the first portion 17 such that it tapers laterally outward from the bucket body 9 and extends to a leading edge 35 of the third portion 17. The leading edge 35 runs parallel to the leading edge of the associated side plate 11, owing to the taper of the lip or face 33, is located laterally beyond the edge of the side plate 11, in affect widening the profile of the bucket assembly 1 but more crucially serving to deflect excavated material and protect the leading edge of the side plate 11. In some embodiments of the invention, the rearward face 31 may extend beyond the profile of the leading edge of the associated side plate 11. The side wear protector 7 further includes a fourth portion 37 which extends forwardly of and is angled downwardly with respect to the second portion 19, forming a front face 37 in a plane substantially parallel to the leading edge 35 of the third portion 29. The fourth portion engages or abuts the lip plate 13 and extends downwardly to a leading edge 39 which is beyond the leading edge of the lip plate 13, thereby serving to protect the same from the impact of excavated material and thus wear and tear. An inner or proximal side of the fourth portion 37 connects with the face or lip 33 and angles outwardly with the taper of the lip or face 33. The leading edge 39 of the fourth portion runs parallel with the leading edge of the lip plate 13 and the leading edge 15 of the bolt-on blade, and is located intermediate the two, shown best in Figure 5. This ensures the lip plate 13 is protected but the leading or cutting edge 15 of the bolt-on blade 5 is exposed such that it may effectively perform its digging function. A rearward edge 41 of the fourth portion 37 is located at the upper end of the face and is raised with respect to the upper face of the second portion 19, serving to protect the nut and / or bolt 27 which is provided to fix the side wear protector to the lip plate 13 from excavated material and, hence wear and tear or damage. Finally, a spigot 43 is provided to extend downwardly from a lower face of the second portion of the side wear protectors 7, and which is arranged to engage with a further aperture located m the lip plate 13. Generally, lip plates will be provided with pairs of apertures to allow the fixing of cutter teeth thereto. While the first of these apertures is used to receive fixing bolt 27, attaching the side wear protector 7 to the lip plate 13, the second aperture may be utilized in this instance by providing a spigot 41 formed with the second portion 19 to be located therewith. This provides additional stability and helps to secure the side wear protector 7 against further forces applied while digging. Thus, the side wear protectors 7, when attached to the bucket 3 forming the excavator bucket assembly 1, provide an improved means by which to prevent or at least substantially reduce the wear and tear / damage, which normally occurs at the side plates 11 and corners of the lip plate 13. The provision of a part of the third portion 29 which extends beyond the profile of the leading edges of the side plates 11 ensures that excavated material does not impact on those edges and is instead deflected by the side wear protectors 7, effectively extending the lifespan of the bucket 3.

Claims

1. An excavator bucket assembly, said assembly including:a. an excavator bucket having:i. a bucket body;ii. a pair of spaced-apart side plate members; andiii. a lip plate member disposed between the side plate members and forward of the bucket body;b. a detachably attachable blade member, attached to an underside of the lip plate member, and having a leading or cutting edge forward of a leading edge of the lip plate member; andc. a pair of side wear protector members, each of said side wear protector members having:i. a first portion engaging an interior face of respective side plate members;ii. a second portion extending outwardly from a first edge of the first portion at approximately 90 degrees and engaging an interior or upper face of the lip plate member; andiii. a third portion extending from a second edge of the first portion, the third portion having at least a first part comprising a rearward face extending from the first portion in an opposing direction to the second portion, and which engages a leading edge of the respective side plate members, characterized in that at least a part of the third portion of each side wear protector member extends beyond a leading edge of the respective side plate members of the excavator bucket.

2. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the third portion of the side wear protector member extends laterally beyond the profile of the excavator bucket.

3. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third portion includes at least a second part which extends forward of the first part and of the first portion of the side wear protector member.

4. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 3, wherein said second part comprises a face or lip which is angled with respect to the first portion.

5. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 4, wherein the face or lip of the second part extends towards a leading edge of the third portion, said leading edge of the third portion running parallel to but located laterally beyond the leading edge of the respective side plate member of the excavator bucket.

6. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rearward face of the third portion extends beyond the leading edge of the side plate member of the excavator bucket.

7. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 4, wherein each side wear protector member includes a fourth portion, extending forwardly of and angled downwardly with respect to the second portion, and which includes a front face in a plane substantially parallel to a leading edge of the third portion.

8. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 7, wherein the fourth portion engages with and extends beyond the lip plate member of the excavator bucket and, a leading edge of the fourth portion is located forward of and below a leading edge of the lip plate member.

9. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein an inner or proximal side of the fourth portion connects to the face or lip of the third portion.

10. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the side wear protector members are detachably attachable to the excavator bucket.

11. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes at least one aperture formed therein, said aperture corresponding with a further aperture located in the side plate member of the excavator bucket, permitting a fixing member to be provided to fix the same together.

12. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion includes at least one aperture formed therein, said aperture corresponding with a further aperture located in the lip plate member of the excavator bucket, permitting a fixing member to be provided to fix the same together.

13. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 12, wherein a corresponding aperture is provided in the blade member, thereby permitting the fixing member to fix the second portion of the side wear protector member, the lip plate member, and the blade member together.

14. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion further includes a spigot member extending downwardly from a lower face of the second portion, engaging with and / or located in a further aperture provided in the lip plate member.

15. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 7, wherein the fourth portion comprises a leading edge, located at the lower end of the front face, and which is parallel with the leading edge of the lip plate member and the leading or cutting edge of the blade member, and which is located intermediatethe leading edges of the lip plate member and the blade member.

16. An excavator bucket assembly according to claim 7, wherein a rearward edge of the fourth portion is located at an upper end of the front face, and which is raised with respect to an upper face of the second portion.

17. A side wear protector member for an excavator bucket, said side wear protector member including:a. a first portion arranged to engage an interior face of a side plate of an excavator bucket, in use;b. a second portion, extending outwardly from a first edge of the first portion at approximately 90 degrees, and arranged to engage an interior or upper face of a lip plate of the excavator bucket, in use; andc. a third portion, extending from a second edge of the first portion, the third portion having a least a first part comprising a rearward face extending from the first portion in an opposing direction to the second portion, and which is arranged to engage a leading edge of the side plate of the excavator bucket, in use,characterized in that at least a part of the third portion is arranged to extend beyond a leading edge of the side plate of the excavator bucket, in use.

18. A side wear protector member according to claim 17, wherein at least a part of the third portion of the side wear beyond theprofile of the excavator bucket, in use.

19. A side wear protector member according to claim 17, wherein the third portion includes at least a second part which extends forward of the first part and of the first portion of theprotector member is arranged to extend laterallyside wear protector member, and comprises a face or lip which is angled with respect to the first portion.

20. A side wear protector member according to claim 19, wherein the face or lip of the second part extends towards a leading edge of the third portion, said leading edge being arranged to run parallel to but locate laterally beyond a leading edge of an associated side plate member of the excavator bucket, in use.

21. A side wear protector member according to claim 17, wherein the rearward face of the third portion is arranged to extend beyond the leading edge of the side plate member of the excavator bucket, in use.

22. A side wear protector member according to claim 19, wherein the side wear protector member includes a fourth portion, extending forwardly of and angled downwardly with respect to the second portion, and including a front face in a plane substantially parallel to a leading edge of the third portion.

23. A side wear protector member according to claim 22, wherein an inner or proximal side of the fourth portion connects to the face or lip of the third portion.

24. A side wear protector member according to claim 17, wherein the second portion further includes a spigot member extending downwardly from a lower face of the second portion.

25. A side wear protector member according to claim 17, wherein a rearward edge of the fourth portion is located at an upper end of the front face, and which is raised with respect to an upper face of the second portion.

Images