On board rock duster scoop bucket

Abstract

A scoop bucket for mining and dispensing rock dust and method for using the same, The scoop bucket includes a body with a first end and second end. The first end has an edge for scooping mined material therein and the second end has a wall for containing the scooped mined material. The second end also has a compartment for containing a rock duster system therein. The rock duster system includes a tank containing rock dust material and a blower for dispersing the rock dust material from the tank through a dispenser hose that extends from the compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scoop bucket for mining and dispensing rock dust comprising:
 a body with a first end and second end, the first end comprising an edge for scooping mined material therein and the second end comprising a wall for containing the scooped mined material;   the second end further comprising a compartment for containing a rock duster system therein, the rock duster system comprising a tank containing rock dust material, a motor, a blower, and a dispenser hose, the blower constructed and arranged to disperse the rock dust material from the tank through the dispenser hose extending from the compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The scoop bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment further comprises a distribution mechanism connected to the motor, the distribution mechanism being configured to convey rock dust material within the compartment towards the dispenser hose. 
     
     
         3 . The scoop bucket of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution mechanism comprises an auger, and wherein the motor configured to rotate the auger mechanism within the compartment to convey the rock duster material towards the dispenser hose. 
     
     
         4 . The scoop bucket of  claim 1 , further comprising an ejector blade positioned within the body, the ejector blade extending substantially across a width of the body and being configured to move within the body between a home position that is adjacent or near the second end and an extended position that is adjacent or near the first end so that the mined material contained within the body is ejected. 
     
     
         5 . The scoop bucket of  claim 4 , further comprising a telescopic ejector cylinder connected to the ejector blade that is configured to selectively move the ejector blade between its home and extended positions. 
     
     
         6 . A method for operating a rock duster system provided within a scoop bucket, the scoop bucket comprising a body with a first end and second end, the first end comprising an edge for scooping mined material therein and the second end comprising a wall for containing the scooped mined material, the second end further comprising a compartment for containing a rock duster system therein, the rock duster system comprising a tank containing rock dust material, a motor, a blower, and a dispenser hose, the blower constructed and arranged to disperse the rock dust material from the tank through the dispenser hose extending from the compartment; and the method comprising:
 providing the scoop bucket with the rock duster system contained within the compartment;   operating the blower using the motor; and   dispersing the rock dust material from the tank onto a mined area using the dispenser hose.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the scoop bucket further comprises an ejector blade positioned within the body, the ejector blade extending substantially across a width of the body, and wherein the method further comprises:
 moving the ejector blade within the body between a home position that is adjacent or near the second end and an extended position that is adjacent or near the first end so that the mined material contained within the body is ejected.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the scoop bucket further comprises a telescopic ejector cylinder connected to the ejector blade, and wherein the method further comprises:
 selectively moving the ejector blade between its home and extended positions.   
     
     
         9 . An articulated vehicle comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to each other via an articulated joint, the first portion comprising a first driveline and a first set of wheels and the second portion comprising a second driveline and a second set of wheels;   at least one motor for driving the drivelines and the sets of wheels of the first portion and the second portion;   an operator area for an operator to operate and drive the articulated vehicle, and a scoop bucket for mining and collecting mined material and dispensing rock dust, the scoop bucket comprising:   a body with a first end and second end, the first end comprising an edge for scooping mined material therein and the second end comprising a wall for containing the scooped mined material;   the second end further comprising a compartment for containing a rock duster system therein, the rock duster system comprising a tank containing rock dust material, a motor, a blower, and a dispenser hose, the blower constructed and arranged to disperse the rock dust material from the tank through the dispenser hose extending from the compartment.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the scoop bucket is pivotally attached to one the first portion via one or more pivot connections. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the compartment of the scoop bucket further comprises a distribution mechanism connected to the motor, the distribution mechanism being configured to .convey rock dust material within the compartment towards the dispenser hose. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the distribution mechanism comprises an auger, and wherein the motor configured to rotate the auger mechanism within the compartment to convey the rock duster material towards the dispenser hose. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , further comprising an ejector blade positioned within the body of the scoop bucket, the ejector blade extending substantially across a width of the body and being configured to move within the body between a home position that is adjacent or near the second end and an extended position that is adjacent or near the first end so that the mined material contained within the body is ejected. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the scoop bucket further comprises a telescopic ejector cylinder connected to the ejector blade that is configured to selectively move the ejector blade between its home and extended position.