Ripper attachment for an excavation device

Abstract

A ripper attachment ( 120 ) for an excavation device ( 20 ) includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally triangular-shaped plate members ( 122, 124 ) configured for connection to the excavation device ( 20 ). Each of the plate members ( 122, 124 ) has a first interface section, a second interface section, and a third interface section. A body ( 54 ) of the ripper attachment ( 120 ) has a ripper tip ( 60 ) disposed on a distal end ( 62 ) and first and second mounting sections ( 64, 66 ) disposed on a proximal end ( 68 ). The first mounting section ( 64 ) is removably attachable to the first interface section of each of the plate members ( 122, 124 ), and the second mounting section ( 66 ) is removably attachable to the second interface section of the plate members ( 122, 124 ). A brace element is interposed between the plate members ( 122, 124 ) and is coupled to the third interface area of each of said plate members ( 122, 124 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ripper attachment for an excavation device comprising: 
 a pair of spaced-apart plate members configured for attachment to said excavation device, each of said plate members having a first interface section, a second interface section, and a third interface section;    a body having a ripper tip disposed on a distal end, and having first and second mounting sections disposed on a proximal end, said first mounting section being removably attachable to said first interface section of said each of said plate members, and said second mounting section being removably attachable to said second interface section of said each of said plate members; and    a brace element interposed between said plate members and coupled to said third interface area of said each of said plate members.    
     
     
         2 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said plate members is a generally triangular-shaped plate.  
     
     
         3 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 2  wherein one of said first, second, and third interface areas is located proximate each vertex of said triangular-shaped plate.  
     
     
         4 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first field-removable and field-installable pin interconnecting said first mounting section of said body with said first interface section of said each of said plate members; and  
 a second field-removable and field-installable pin interconnecting said second mounting section with said second interface section of said each of said plate members.  
 
     
     
         5 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said excavation device includes a tool, a boom, and a tool coupler for securing said tool to said boom, and said plate members are adapted to couple said ripper attachment to said tool coupler so that said ripper attachment is fixed relative to said tool coupler.  
     
     
         6 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein a main body of said tool coupler includes a pair of vertical plates, and said each of said plate members is configured for fixed attachment along an upper edge of each of said pair of vertical plates.  
     
     
         7 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said tool and said tool coupler having interconnected mechanisms extending in a rearward direction relative to said tool, and said body of said ripper is configured to extend further in said rearward direction than said interconnected mechanisms.  
     
     
         8 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said excavation device includes a tool removably coupled to a distal end of a boom, and said each of said plate members is adapted to couple said ripper attachment to said tool.  
     
     
         9 . A ripper attachment for an excavation device comprising: 
 a pair of spaced-apart, generally triangular-shaped plate members configured for attachment to said excavation device, each of said plate members having a first interface section, a second interface section, and a third interface section;    a body having a ripper tip disposed on a distal end, and having first and second mounting sections disposed on a proximal end;    a first field-removable and field-installable pin interconnecting said first mounting section of said body with said first interface section of said each of said plate members; and    a second field-removable and field-installable pin interconnecting said second mounting section with said second interface section of said each of said plate members; and    a brace element interposed between said plate members and coupled to said third interface area of said each of said plate members.    
     
     
         10 . A ripper attachment as claimed in  claim 9  wherein one of said first, second, and third interface areas is located proximate each vertex of said triangular-shaped plate.