Excavator bucket with retainage ejector

Abstract

Excavator bucket connectable to a boom has opposing side walls in a fixed position with respect to each other and each having a front edge and a back surface. The back surface is movable between a first position that substantially defines the capacity of the bucket, and a second position toward the front edges of the side walls. When the back surface is moved from the first position toward the second position, retainage that may be adhered to the interior side walls of the bucket is forced out of the bucket by the back surface.

1 . An excavator bucket connectable to a boom and being pivotable with respect to the boom, comprising: 
 opposing side walls in a fixed position with respect to each otherand each having a front edge    a back surface, the back surface being 
 movable between 
 a first position substantially defining the capacity of the bucket  
 a second position toward the front edges of the side walls  
 
 the back surface connecting to an actuating member to move the back surface from the first position to the second position upon moving the excavator bucket toward a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the boom.  
   
   
   
       2 . The excavator bucket of  claim 1  further comprising means for biasing the back surface toward the first position.  
   
   
       3 . The excavator bucket of  claim 1  further comprising a back structural support surface connecting the opposing side walls and which engages the back surface when the back surface is in the first position.  
   
   
       4 . The excavator bucket of  claim 3  wherein the back structural support surface has an aperture though which the actuating member may pass.  
   
   
       5 . The excavator bucket of  claim 1  wherein the actuating member engages boom to thereby move the back surface from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       6 . The excavator bucket of  claim 1  wherein the back surface includes a reinforcing ridge from the first position to the second position.