Scraper Attachment and Methods of Use

Abstract

A scraper attachment for mobile vehicles is provided with a resiliently deformable blade. In one embodiment, the blade is formed from a portion of a vehicle tire. A mounting bracket allows the scraper attachment to be used on a wide range of bucket-style loaders. In various embodiments, a user engages and disengages a portion of a bucket, extending forwardly from the mobile vehicle, with open mounting jaws that extend rearwardly from the mounting bracket by moving the bucket loader forward and backward with respect to the scraper attachment. An optional securement leash may couple the mounting frame with the mobile vehicle.

1 . A scraper attachment for a mobile vehicle, comprising:
 a resiliently deformable blade, having a top wall with a rearward peripheral edge and a generally vertical blade wall extending downwardly from the rearward peripheral edge of the top wall; and   a mounting bracket operatively coupled with the blade, the mounting bracket having a pair of horizontally spaced-apart mounting jaws that extend rearwardly from the mounting bracket and the, blade;   each of the mounting jaws including first and second jaw members that have lengths extending from the mounting bracket to free distal end portions; the jaw members positioned to be spaced-apart from one another to define an open receiving gap between the first and second jaw members; the receiving gap extending along the length of the jaw members; the mounting bracket being positioned so that the receiving dap opens away from the blade wall, along a plane that is vertically spaced from and below a plane on which the top wall of the blade resides.   
     
     
         2 . The scraper attachment of  claim 1  wherein the rearward peripheral edge of the top wall is curved, disposing the blade wall in an orientation that curves forwardly, away from the bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The scraper attachment of  claim 1  wherein the blade is formed from a portion of a tire; the top wall of the blade being formed from at least a portion of a tire sidewall and the blade wall being formed from at least a portion of a tire tread wall. 
     
     
         4 . The scraper attachment of  claim 3  wherein the blade is formed from a portion of an off-the-road tire. 
     
     
         5 . The scraper attachment of  claim 1  wherein the mounting bracket includes a top wall, having a rearward edge portion, and a rear wall that depends from the rearward edge portion of the top wall; the top wall of the mounting bracket positioned closely adjacent and along the top wall of the blade and the rear wall of the mounting bracket positioned closely adjacent and along the blade wall of the blade; the mounting jaws extending outwardly from the rear wall. 
     
     
         6 . The scraper attachment of  claim 5  wherein the top wall and rear wall of the mounting bracket are secured to the blade using a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         7 . The scraper attachment of  claim 1  wherein a pair of mounting ears extend outwardly, laterally and forwardly, from opposite end portions of the rear wall of the mounting bracket, such that the rear wall and mounting ears of the mounting bracket generally follow a curved shape of the blade wall. 
     
     
         8 . The scraper attachment of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a securement leash, having first and second opposite end portions; the first end portion being secured with the mounting bracket and the second end portion being operatively coupled with the mobile vehicle. 
 
     
     
         9 . In combination:
 a mobile vehicle having a bucket extending forwardly from the mobile vehicle; the bucket being capable of selective, automatic manipulation by controls associated with the mobile vehicle; and   a scraper attachment comprising;
 a resiliently deformable blade, having a top wall with a rearward peripheral edge and a generally vertical blade wall extending downwardly from the rearward peripheral edge of the top wall; and 
 a mounting bracket operatively coupled with the blade, the mounting bracket having a pair of horizontally spaced-apart mounting jaws that extend rearwardly from the mounting bracket and the blade; 
 each of the mounting jaws including first and second jaw members that have lengths extending from the mounting bracket to free distal end portions; the jaw members positioned to be spaced-apart from one another to define an open receiving gap between the first and second jaw members; the receiving gap extending along the length of the jaw members; the mounting bracket being positioned so that the receiving gap opens away from the blade wall, along a plane that is vertically spaced from and below a plane on which the top wall of the blade resides; 
   a leading edge portion of a front wall of the bucket positioned within the receiving gaps of the mounting jaws such that the scraper attachment may be lifted by a lifting movement of the bucket and the scraper attachment may be advanced forward in a scraping motion by moving the bucket in a forward direction.   
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein the blade is formed from a portion of a tire; the top wall of the blade being formed from at least a portion of a tire sidewall and the blade wall being formed from at least a portion of a tire tread wall. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein the mounting bracket includes a top wall, having a rearward edge portion, and a rear wall that depends from the rearward edge portion of the top wall; the top wall of the mounting bracket positioned closely adjacent the top wall of the blade and the rear wall of the mounting bracket positioned closely adjacent the blade wall of the blade; the mounting jaws extending outwardly from the rear wall. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein a pair of mounting ears extend outwardly, laterally and forwardly, from opposite end portions of the rear wall of the mounting bracket, such that the rear wall and mounting ears of the mounting bracket generally follow a curved shape of the blade wall. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a securement leash, having first and second opposite end portions; the first end portion being secured with the mounting bracket and the second end portion being operatively coupled with the mobile vehicle. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method of scraping an operating surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a mobile vehicle, having a bucket extending forwardly from the mobile vehicle, adjacent a scraper attachment having:
 a resiliently deformable blade, having a top wall with a rearward peripheral edge and a generally vertical blade wall extending downwardly from the rearward peripheral edge of the top wall; and 
 a mounting bracket operatively coupled with the blade, the mounting bracket having a pair of horizontally spaced-apart mounting jaws that extend rearwardly from the mounting bracket and the blade; 
 each of the mounting jaws including first and second jaw members that have lengths extending from the mounting bracket to free distal end portions; the jaw members positioned to be spaced-apart from one another to define an open receiving gap between the first and second jaw members; the receiving gap extending along the length of the jaw members; the mounting bracket being positioned so that the receiving gap opens away from the blade wall, along a plane that is vertically spaced from and below a plane on which the top wall of the blade resides; 
   operating the mobile vehicle to dispose a leading edge portion of a front wall of the bucket within the receiving gaps of the mounting jaws;   operating the mobile vehicle to position the mobile vehicle adjacent the operating surface;   operating mobile vehicle to engage the blade wall of the blade with the operating surface; and   operating the mobile vehicle in at least a forward direction such that the blade scrapes the operating surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of:
 coupling a first end portion of a securement leash with the mounting bracket of the scraper attachment and coupling a second end portion of the securement leash with the mobile vehicle. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of:
 operating the mobile vehicle to lift the bucket away from the operating surface, such that the scraper attachment disengages the operating surface; 
 operating the mobile vehicle to relocate the mobile vehicle to a different area of the operating surface; 
 operating the mobile vehicle to engage the blade wall of the blade with the operating surface; and 
 operating the mobile vehicle in at least a forward direction such that the blade scrapes the operating surface. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of:
 operating the mobile vehicle to lift the bucket away from the operating surface, such that the scraper attachment disengages the operating surface; 
 operating the mobile vehicle to relocate the mobile vehicle to an area where the scraper attachment is to be at least temporarily stored; 
 operating the mobile vehicle to engage the blade wall of the scraper attachment with an operating surface within the area where the scraper attachment is to be at least temporarily stored; and 
 operating the mobile vehicle in a generally rearward direction to withdraw the leading edge portion of a front wall of the bucket from within the receiving gaps of the mounting jaws.