Dragline bucket rigging with active tilt device

Abstract

A method for moving material efficiently using a machine with a bucket comprises determining at least one of the following variables: location of the material to be moved relative to the machine, type of material to be moved, orientation of the surface of the material to be moved, and the desired direction for moving the bucket to move the material, and changing the orientation of the bucket relative to the machine based on any one of these variables.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket assembly for use with a machine, the bucket assembly comprising:
 a bucket including
 a base member, a first side member extending from the base member, a second side member extending from the base member in an opposing manner to the first side member defining a distance from the first side member to the second side member, a rear member extending from the base member and spanning at least the majority of the distance between the first side member and the second side member, 
 wherein the first side member, second side member and base member define a mouth for receiving material into the bucket; 
 the bucket defines a center of gravity and a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a third attachment region configured to connect to flexible members, and at least a first flexible member attached to the first attachment region, at least a second flexible member attached to the second attachment region and at least a third flexible member attached to the third attachment region; and 
   an active tilt device that is in operative association with the first flexible member and the second flexible member.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an arch and the first attachment region is disposed on the arch. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket assembly of  claim 2  wherein the first, second and third attachment regions include a plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the active tilt device includes a winch. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket assembly of  claim 4  wherein the winch is a hydraulically powered winch. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket assembly of  claim 4  wherein the winch is an electrically powered winch. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a power supply line attached to the winch. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second attachment region is disposed on the rear member. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second attachment region is disposed on the first and second side members. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket assembly of  claim 1  wherein the third flexible member is not in operative association with the first and second flexible members. 
     
     
         11 . A machine comprising:
 a frame;   a motor;   a boom;   a cable drum driven by the motor and a rig system connected to the cable drum;   a cab;   an undercarriage drive driven by the motor; and   a bucket connected to the rig system, the bucket including   a base member, a first side member extending from the base member, a second side member extending from the base member in an opposing manner to the first side member defining a distance from the first side member to the second side member, a rear member extending from the base member and spanning at least the majority of the distance between the first side member and the second side member, and an arch spanning between the first and second side members;   wherein the first side member, second side member and base member define a mouth for receiving material into the bucket and the bucket defines a center of gravity and includes a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a third attachment region configured to connect to flexible members, and at least a first flexible member attached to the first attachment region, at least a second flexible member attached to the second attachment region and at least a third flexible member attached to the third attachment region; and   an active tilt device disposed in the rig system between the bucket and the cable drum.   
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11  further comprising an arch and the first attachment region is disposed on the arch. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the active tilt device is in operative association with the first flexible member and the second flexible member. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein the third flexible member is not in operative association with the first and second flexible members. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the rig system is a three cable rig system. 
     
     
         16 . A method for moving material efficiently using a machine with a bucket, the method comprising:
 determining at least one of the following variables: location of the material to be moved relative to the machine; type of material to be moved; orientation of the surface of the material to be moved; and the desired direction for moving the bucket to move the material; and   changing the orientation of the bucket relative to the machine based on any one of these variables.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein changing the orientation includes changing the location of the attachment point of one or more attachment regions of the bucket. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein changing the location of the attachment point is performed in a discrete manner. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein changing the location of the attachment point is performed in a continuous manner. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein changing the orientation includes activating an active tilt device that is operatively connected to the bucket at two locations.