Device and method for controlling a shovel-bucket door

Abstract

A device and method which implements a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for controlling the door of a shovel bucket. In one embodiment, an adjustable connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to a shovel bucket. A fixed connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to the adjustable connecting rod and pivotally connect to the door of the shovel bucket. The proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod may move in a direction towards the shovel bucket when the door is closing in order to lock the door. An eccentric assembly may be configured to move the proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from the shovel bucket after the door has closed in order to unlock the door.

1 . A control device comprising:
 an adjustable connecting rod configured to connect to a shovel bucket; and   a fixed connecting rod configured to connect to said adjustable connecting rod and the door of said shovel bucket such that the angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of the distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when said door is closed.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to said shovel bucket such that said adjustable connecting rod may pivot relative to said shovel bucket, said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect to said adjustable connecting rod such that said fixed connecting rod and said adjustable connecting rod may each pivot, and said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect to said door such that said fixed connecting rod and said door may each pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod except that one of said proximal end or said distal end includes reverse threads. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod and the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and/or said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to a portion of the proximal end or said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and said pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 83 millimeters and 850 millimeters. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that the distance between the pivot point of the proximal end said adjustable connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters, 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one wear plate. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to stop motion of the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod towards said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and including at least one of: a guide, a steal liner, a rubber liner, and a stop. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support an eccentric assembly such that rotation of said eccentric assembly will allow an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly to contact the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric assembly configured to apply a force to the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod, said force being directed away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an eccentric assembly configured to move the pivot point of the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to move in a direction away from said shovel bucket when an eccentric assembly connected to said shovel bucket is rotated. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect to said door by connecting to a door mount assembly that is configured to connect to said fixed connecting rod, said shovel bucket, and said door. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod is further configured to fall against an eccentric base support when said door is closing. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said door will not open from a closed position unless the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is moved a distance of at least 10 millimeters away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said door will only begin to open from a closed position after the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod has moved away from said shovel bucket a distance in the range of 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said angle is greater than or equal to zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said angle is approximately 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said angle is less than zero when said door is open. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said distance between said pivot point of the distal end of said fixed connecting rod and said pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 2,146 millimeters when said door is closed. 
     
     
         26 . A control device comprising:
 an adjustable connecting rod configured to pivotally connect to a shovel bucket; and   a fixed connecting rod configured to pivotally connect to said adjustable connecting rod and pivotally connect to the door of said shovel bucket such that the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod will move in a direction towards said shovel bucket when said door is closing; and   an eccentric assembly configured to move the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from said shovel bucket after said door has closed.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod except that one of said proximal end or said distal end includes reverse threads. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod and said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and/or the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to a portion of said proximal end or said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and the pivot point of distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one wear plate. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 26  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to stop motion of said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod towards said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 26  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 26  further comprising an eccentric base support that is configured to support the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and includes at least one of: a guide, a steal liner, a rubber liner, and a stop. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 26  further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support said eccentric assembly such that rotation of said eccentric assembly will allow an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly to contact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said eccentric assembly is configured to move said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod by applying a force to said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod, said force being directed away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said eccentric assembly is configured to rotate such that an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly will contact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect to said door by connecting to a door mount assembly that is configured to connect to said fixed connecting rod, said shovel bucket, and said door. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod is further configured to fall against an eccentric base support when said door is closed. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said door will not open from a closed position unless said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is moved a distance of at least 10 millimeters away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said eccentric assembly must move said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod away from said shovel bucket a distance of between 10 millimeters and 20 millimeters for said door to open from a closed position. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said door will only begin to open from a closed position after said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod has moved away from said shovel bucket a distance in the range of 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 26  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when said door is closed. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 26  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod to said door and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 26  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 26  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is less than zero when said door is open. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 26  wherein said distance between said pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and said pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 2,146 millimeters when said door is closed. 
     
     
         51 . A method for controlling the door of a shovel bucket comprising:
 positioning said shovel bucket such that gravity will allow said door to swing to a closed position and the proximal end of a fixed connecting rod will rest against an eccentric base support;   moving the proximal end of an adjustable connecting rod a predetermined distance away from said shovel bucket after said door is in a closed position, said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod being pivotally connected to said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod, the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod being pivotally connected to said shovel bucket, and the distal end of said fixed connecting rod being pivotally connected to said door; and   positioning said shovel bucket such that gravity will allow said door to swing open.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod except that one of said proximal end or said distal end includes reverse threads. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod and said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and/or said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to a portion of said proximal end or said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nut adjustable of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said connection of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the length of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least one wear plate. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said eccentric base support is configured to stop motion of said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod towards said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said eccentric base support is configured to support said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said eccentric base support is configured to support the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and includes at least one of a guide, a steal liner, a rubber liner, and a stop. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said eccentric base support is configured to support an eccentric assembly such that rotation of said eccentric assembly will allow an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly to contact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising rotating an eccentric assembly configured to move said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod by applying a force to said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod, said force being directed away from said shovel bucket. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising rotating an eccentric assembly such that an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly will contact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect to said door by connecting to a door mount assembly that is configured to connect to said fixed connecting rod, said shovel bucket, and said door. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said door will not open from a closed position unless said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is moved at least said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said predetermined distance is at least 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said predetermined distance is between 10 millimeters and 20 millimeters. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 51  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when said door is closed. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 51  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 51  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 51  wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is less than zero when said door is open. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 51  wherein said distance between the pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 2,146 millimeters when said door is closed.