Combination excavating bucket having a retractable tooth arm

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a combination excavating bucket adapted for connection to a power driven excavating vehicle, the bucket comprising a transverse smooth cutting bar along its front bottom edge and a retractable tooth bar pivotally mounted to the lateral sides of said excavating bucket. The retractable tooth bar allows the bucket to be alternately used as tooth-edged bucket and a smooth-edged bucket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination excavating bucket adapted for connection to a power driven excavating vehicle, said bucket comprising a transverse smooth cutting bar along its front bottom edge, a retractable tooth bar pivotally mounted to the lateral sides of said excavating bucket, said tooth bar comprising a plurality of teeth extending outwardly from said tooth bar, and pivot means for alternately moving said tooth bar between (a) a down, working, position wherein said tooth bar fits over said smooth cutting bar thereby permitting said bucket to function as a tooth-edged bucket; and (b) an up, resting, position wherein said tooth bar is away from said smooth cutting bar and said smooth cutting bar is exposed thereby permitting said bucket to function as a smooth-edged bucket. 
     
     
         2 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 1 , wherein said pivot means comprises first and second pivot arms pivotally mounted to said bucket, a first link arm operably connecting said first pivot arm to said tooth bar and a second link arm operably connecting said second pivot arm to said tooth bar. 
     
     
         3 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 2 , wherein said pivot means further comprises a first hydraulic actuator operably connected to said first pivot arm and a second hydraulic actuator operably connected to said second pivot arm. 
     
     
         4 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 3 , wherein said first hydraulic actuator comprises a first hydraulic cylinder and a first hydraulic cylinder rod, and said second hydraulic actuator comprises a second hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder rod. 
     
     
         5 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 4 , wherein said first hydraulic cylinder rod is pivotally connected to said first pivot arm and said second hydraulic cylinder rod is pivotally connected to said second pivot arm. 
     
     
         6 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 1 , wherein said excavating bucket further comprises means for securing said tooth bar over said smooth cutting bar in said down, working position. 
     
     
         7 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 1 , wherein said smooth cutting bar and said tooth bar are adapted to provide a locking engagement with each other when said tooth bar is in said down, working position. 
     
     
         8 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 7 , wherein said smooth cutting bar has an outward facing V-shaped edge and wherein the inner edge of said tooth bar has an inwardly facing V-shaped pocket for mating and providing locking engagement with said V-shaped edge of said smooth cutting bar. 
     
     
         9 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 1 , wherein said power driven excavating vehicle is a skid steer, a loader, a backhoe, an excavator or a tractor. 
     
     
         10 . A combination excavating bucket according to  claim 9 , wherein said power driven excavating vehicle is a skid steer.