Attachment for a bucket

Abstract

An attachment for a bucket is disclosed. The bucket includes a plurality of panels including a bottom panel and two side panels. The bottom panel extends between the two side panels and has an edge. The attachment includes a plate having two major opposing surfaces. The attachment further includes an adapter extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the adapter being configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket. The attachment further includes an attachment mechanism cooperating with at least one of the plate and the adapter to detachably attach the attachment to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment for a bucket, the bucket comprising a plurality of panels including a bottom panel and two side panels, the bottom panel extending between the two side panels and having an edge, the attachment comprising:
 a plate having two major opposing surfaces;   an adapter extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the adapter being configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket; and   an attachment mechanism cooperating with at least one of the plate and the adapter to detachably attach the attachment to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises a strap, the strap having a surface configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises two straps that cooperate to define a gap configured to receive a portion of the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is a first adapter in a plurality of adapters extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the plurality of adapters further comprising a second adapter, the first and second adapters configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the plate further includes first and second major edges and first and second minor edges and the first and second adapters are oriented in proximal relation to the first and second minor edges of the plate, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second adapters each comprise a strap, the strap having a surface configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to an edge thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second adapters each comprise two straps that cooperate to define a gap configured to receive a portion of the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of brackets, each bracket in the plurality of brackets defining a port configured to receive a fastener for detachably attaching the bracket to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of brackets includes first and second brackets extending from the first and second adapters, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . An attachment for a bucket, the bucket comprising a plurality of panels including a bottom panel and two side panels, the bottom panel extending between the two side panels and having an edge, the attachment comprising:
 a plate having two major opposing surfaces;   an adapter extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the adapter being configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket; and   a bracket extending from at least one of the plate and the adapter and defining a port configured to receive a fastener for detachably attaching the bracket to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket.   
     
     
         11 . The attachment of  claim 10 , wherein the bracket extends from the adapter. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment of  claim 10 , wherein the adapter is a first adapter in a plurality of adapters extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the plurality of adapters further comprising a second adapter, the first and second adapters configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 12 , wherein the plate further includes first and second major edges and first and second minor edges and the first and second adapters are oriented in proximal relation to the first and second minor edges of the plate, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . A bucket assembly, comprising:
 a bucket having a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel and two side panels, the bottom panel extending between the two side panels and having an edge;   an attachment including
 a plate having two major opposing surfaces; 
 an adapter extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the adapter being configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket; and 
 an attachment mechanism cooperating with at least one of the plate and the adapter to detachably attach the attachment to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket. 
   
     
     
         15 . The bucket assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the adapter is a first adapter in a plurality of adapters extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the plurality of adapters further comprising a second adapter, the first and second adapters configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The bucket assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the plate further includes first and second major edges and first and second minor edges and the first and second adapters are oriented in proximal relation to the first and second minor edges of the plate, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The bucket assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second adapters each comprise two straps that cooperate to define a gap configured to receive a portion of the bottom panel of the bucket proximal to the edge thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The bucket assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of tooth projections attached to the bottom panel of the bucket, one of the major opposing surfaces of the plate engaging the plurality of tooth projections when the attachment is attached to the bucket. 
     
     
         19 . The bucket assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the adapter resides between two tooth projections in the plurality of tooth projections when the attachment is attached to the bucket. 
     
     
         20 . An earthmoving machine, comprising:
 a boom;   a stick attached to the boom;   a bucket assembly configured for attachment to the stick, the bucket assembly comprising:
 a bucket having a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel and two side panels, the bottom panel extending between the two side panels; and 
 an attachment including
 a plate having two major opposing surfaces; 
 an adapter extending from at least one of the two major opposing surfaces of the plate, the adapter being configured to engage the bottom panel of the bucket; and 
 an attachment mechanism cooperating with at least one of the plate and the adapter to detachably attach the attachment to at least one panel in the plurality of panels of the bucket.