Dragline Bucket with Adjustable Placement of Chain Connections

Abstract

A bucket comprises a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a third attachment region configured to connect to flexible members, each attachment region including a plurality of attachment points.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket for use with a machine, the bucket comprising:
 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, and 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; and   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, each attachment region including a plurality of attachment points.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket of  claim 1  wherein the first side member, second side member, and rear member define a top opening. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket of  claim 1  further comprising an arch attached to the first and second side member and positioned proximate the mouth of the bucket, and the first attachment region is disposed near the top of the arch. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket of  claim 3  wherein the second attachment region is positioned on the first and second side members between the center of gravity and the rear member along a direction parallel with the base member and the third attachment region is positioned on the first and second side members in front of the center of gravity and proximate the mouth of the bucket along a direction parallel with the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket of  claim 4  wherein the first attachment region includes two different discrete attachment points, the second attachment region includes five different discrete attachment points, and the third attachment region includes three different discrete attachment points. 
     
     
         6 . A bucket for use with a machine, the bucket comprising:
 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 a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a third attachment region configured to connect to flexible members, and at least two attachment regions include a plurality of attachment points and the first attachment region is disposed on the arch.   
     
     
         7 . The bucket of  claim 6 , wherein the first side member, second side member, and rear member define a top opening. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket of  claim 6  wherein the arch is positioned proximate the mouth of the bucket, and the first attachment region is disposed near the top of the arch. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket of  claim 8  wherein the second attachment region is disposed on the rear member and either the first or second attachment region includes a continuously varying attachment point. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket of  claim 9  wherein the third attachment region includes three discrete attachment points. 
     
     
         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 a first attachment region disposed on the arch that includes at least two attachment points. 
   
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the bucket further includes a second attachment region disposed on the first and second side members between the center of gravity and the rear member along a direction parallel to the base member. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the bucket further includes a second attachment region disposed on the rear member. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the second attachment region includes a plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 12  wherein the bucket further includes a third attachment region disposed on the first and second side members in front of the center of gravity of the bucket and proximate the mouth of the bucket along a direction parallel with the base member, the third attachment region including a plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein the bucket further includes a third attachment region disposed on the first and second side members in front of the center of gravity of the bucket and proximate the mouth of the bucket along a direction parallel with the base member, the third attachment region including a plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the first side member, second side member, and rear member of the bucket define a top opening. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 11  comprising a three cable rigging system connecting the bucket to the machine. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 11  further comprising a flexible member connecting each attachment region of the bucket to the machine. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein any attachment region includes a discrete plurality of attachment points or a mechanism configured to continuously vary the positions of an attachment point.