Single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool

Abstract

A single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool (SPRB) for use mounted to an arm of an excavation machine has a body mounted for rotation from the arm and a pair of generally flat, side plates mounted to the body and narrowing from a first width in a region of the body to a second, relatively smaller width at a tip region spaced from the body. A single ripper tooth is mounted in the tip region of the ripper bucket. One or more plates are mounted to span a region between the side plates, rearward of the ripper tooth in a direction of ripping motion, to define, with the side plates, a ripper bucket volume for receiving material ripped from the substrate during ripping motion.

1 . A single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool for use mounted to an arm of an excavation machine, said single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool comprising: 
 a body mounted for rotation from the arm,    a pair of generally flat, side plates mounted to the body and narrowing from a first width in a region of the body to a second, relatively smaller width at a tip region spaced from the body,    a single ripper tooth mounted in the tip region of the ripper bucket, and    one or more plate members mounted to span a region between said side plates, rearward of said ripper tooth in a direction of ripping motion, and defining, with said side plates, a ripper bucket volume for receiving material ripped from the substrate during ripping motion.    
   
   
       2 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , where said ripper tooth is replaceably mounted to said ripper bucket.  
   
   
       3 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ripper tooth comprises a nosepiece adapter.  
   
   
       4 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ripper tooth terminates in a tip, and said ripper tooth is disposed at a predetermined angle measured rearward from the line between the tooth tip and the bucket arm pivot.  
   
   
       5 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined angle is in a range of between about 30° and about 70°.  
   
   
       6 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ripper tooth is selected from the group consisting of: single point teeth and multiple point teeth.  
   
   
       7 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ripper tooth is a double point ripper tooth having a first ripper tooth portion and a second ripper tooth portion, said first ripper tooth portion being angularly advanced relative to said second ripper tooth portion in a general direction of substrate ripping motion, whereby said first ripper tooth tip is engaged for ripping the substrate before said second ripper tooth tip is engaged for ripping the substrate.  
   
   
       8 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the ripper bucket defines a bottom surface generally following a curve having its center near the ripper bucket arm pivot.  
   
   
       9 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the side plates define front leading edges that curve in an upward concave shape angled rearwardly, away from the arm pivot radial centerline.  
   
   
       10 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is a dipper arm.  
   
   
       11 . The single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is a boom arm.