Tiltable bucket attachment

Abstract

An implement attachment for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The implement attachment includes a hitch assembly and an implement assembly. The hitch assembly includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the first locking structure constructed for removably coupling the hitch assembly to the vehicle. The implement assembly includes an interlock structure that mates with the second locking structure of the hitch assembly to removably couple the implement assembly to the hitch assembly. The implement assembly includes an implement with a working surface that defines a top edge. The implement assembly is pivotally tiltable relative to the motor vehicle along a plane extending from a right side of the vehicle to the left side. The implement assembly is pivotally tiltable about a pivot point located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An implement attachment for a motor vehicle, the implement attachment comprising:
 a hitch assembly including a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the first locking structure being constructed for removably coupling the hitch assembly to the vehicle; and   an implement, the implement including an interlock structure that mates with the second locking structure of the hitch assembly to removably couple the implement to the hitch assembly, the implement including a working surface that defines a top edge, the implement being pivotally tiltable relative to the hitch assembly between an untilted configuration and a fully tilted configuration, the implement being tiltable along a vertical, lateral plane such that sides of the implement move up and down along the vertical plane, the implement being pivotally tiltable relative to the hitch assembly about a pivot point located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement, wherein the implement includes a first guide provided at a rear end of the implement that is configured to intermate with a second guide provided at a front end of the hitch assembly, the first and second guides arranged and configured for slidably guiding and providing support for the implement relative to the hitch assembly during the pivotal movement of the implement about the point located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement.   
     
     
         2 . An implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the implement is pivotally tiltable relative to the hitch assembly up to about 30 degrees from the untilted configuration to the tilted configuration. 
     
     
         3 . An implement attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein the implement has a width generally of at least about 5 feet. 
     
     
         4 . An implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the hitch assembly and the implement are interconnected by a hydraulic cylinder for operably moving the implement relative to the hitch assembly. 
     
     
         5 . An implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot point is located generally between 2 to 3 feet above the top edge of the working surface of the implement. 
     
     
         6 . An implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the implement includes a bucket. 
     
     
         7 . An implement constructed for attachment to a motor vehicle defining a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, and including ground engaging traction mechanisms adjacent the right side and the left side of the motor vehicle, the implement comprising:
 a first end, a second end and a width extending between the first end and the second end,   a working surface defined between the first end and the second end that defines a top edge, wherein the implement is configured to be pivotally mounted to the motor vehicle, the implement, once mounted, being configured to be pivotally movable relative to the motor vehicle between an untilted configuration and a fully tilted configuration about a pivot point, wherein the implement is configured to pivotally move along a plane extending generally from the right side of the motor vehicle to the left side of the motor vehicle, wherein the pivot point is located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement; and   a rear plate defining a rear face extending generally along the plane, the rear face including a first curved slide guide extending generally widthwise along a direction between the first end and the second end, the first curved slide guide configured to be seated on a second curved slide guide carried by the motor vehicle for slidably guiding and supporting the implement relative to the motor vehicle during the pivotal movement of the implement.   
     
     
         8 . An implement according to  claim 7 , wherein the implement is pivotally movable relative to the motor vehicle up to about 30 degrees from the untilted configuration to the tilted configuration. 
     
     
         9 . An implement according to  claim 8 , wherein the implement has a width of at least about 5 feet. 
     
     
         10 . An implement according to  claim 7 , wherein the implement is configured to be movable by a hydraulic cylinder operably connected to a hydraulic circuit of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . An implement according to  claim 7 , wherein the pivot point is located generally between 2 to 3 feet above the top edge of the working surface of the implement. 
     
     
         12 . An implement according to  claim 7 , wherein the implement includes a bucket. 
     
     
         13 . A motor vehicle comprising:
 a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side;   ground engaging traction mechanisms provided adjacent said right side and said left side;   a hitch assembly; and   an implement coupled to the hitch assembly, the implement including a working surface that defines a top edge, the implement being pivotally movable relative to the motor vehicle between an untilted configuration and a fully tilted configuration, wherein the implement is configured to pivot along a plane extending generally from the right side of the motor vehicle to the left side of the motor vehicle, the implement being pivotally movable relative to the motor vehicle about a pivot point located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement, wherein the implement includes a first guide provided at a rear end of the implement that is configured to intermate with a second guide provided at a front end of the hitch assembly, the first and second guides arranged and configured for slidably guiding and providing support for the implement relative to the hitch assembly during the pivotal movement of the implement about the point located above the top edge of the working surface of the implement.   
     
     
         14 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the hitch assembly includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the first locking structure being configured to removably couple the hitch assembly to the motor vehicle and the second locking structure being configured to removably couple the implement to the hitch assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the implement is pivotally movable relative to the motor vehicle up to about 30 degrees from the untilted configuration to the tilted configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 15 , wherein the implement has a width of at least about 5 feet. 
     
     
         17 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the pivot point is located generally between about 2 to 3 feet above the top edge of the working surface of the implement. 
     
     
         18 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , further including a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to pivotally move the implement, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be operatively connected to a hydraulic circuit of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . An implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the implement defines a first end, a second end, and a width extending between the first end and the second end, the first guide defining a curved configuration extending generally widthwise along a direction between the first end and the second end of the implement, the first guide configured to be seated on the second guide including a matching curved configuration to that of the first guide for slidably guiding and supporting the implement relative to the hitch assembly during pivotal movement of the implement. 
     
     
         20 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the implement defines a first end, a second end, and a width extending between the first end and the second end, the first guide defining a curved configuration extending generally widthwise along a direction between the first end and the second end of the implement, the first guide configured to be seated on the second guide including a matching curved configuration to that of the first guide for slidably guiding and supporting the implement relative to the hitch assembly during pivotal movement of the implement.