Excavator bucket with vibrating teeth

Abstract

A bucket can be configured to be used with excavating equipment. The bucket can include a bucket body. The bucket body can have a cutting edge with an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge. A cutting tooth can be provided adjacent an end of the actuator, wherein the cutting tooth can be moveable by the actuator relative to the bucket body. The bucket body can include a void or hollow compartment in which motors, controllers, and other equipment can be housed that are configured to facilitate the selective movement of the cutting tooth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket for excavating a material, comprising:
 a bucket body having a cutting edge;   an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body; and   a cutting tooth coupled to the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the bucket body has a hollow compartment formed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector disposed in the hollow compartment of the bucket, the connector having one end in communication with the actuator and a second end configured to be in selective communication with an energy source, the energy source utilized to selectively energize the actuator and cause a movement of the cutting tooth. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket of  claim 3 , further comprising an access panel configured to cover the hollow compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket of  claim 4 , wherein the access panel includes a means for the energy source to pass through the access panel and be in communication with the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket of  claim 1 , including a controller configured to selectively control the actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator by a movement selected from a group consisting of a lateral movement, a longitudinal movement, a vibrational movement, and a rotational movement. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is an electrical actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting tooth is removable from the actuator to facilitate a replacement of the cutting tooth. 
     
     
         12 . A bucket for breaking and moving a material, comprising:
 a bucket body having a cutting edge, a hollow compartment formed in the bucket body, and an access panel configured to removably cover the hollow compartment;   an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body;   a cutting tooth coupled to the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate a breaking and moving of the material with the bucket; and   a connector disposed in the hollow compartment of the bucket body, the connector having one end in communication with the actuator and a second end configured to be in communication with an energy source, the energy source utilized to selectively energize the actuator and cause a movement of the cutting tooth.   
     
     
         13 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the access panel includes a means for the energy source to pass through the access panel and be in communication with the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         14 . The bucket of  claim 12 , including a controller in communication with at least one of the energy source and the actuator, the controller configured to selectively control energizing the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator by a movement selected from a group consisting of a lateral movement, a longitudinal movement, a vibrational movement, and a rotational movement. 
     
     
         16 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is an electrical actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting tooth is removable from the actuator to facilitate a replacement of the cutting tooth. 
     
     
         20 . A method of excavating a material with a bucket, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a bucket including:
 a bucket body having a cutting edge; 
 an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body; and 
 a cutting tooth disposed adjacent an end of the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket; and 
   performing one of:
 causing a movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body; 
 breaking the material being excavated utilizing the movement of the cutting tooth; 
 ceasing the movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body; 
 scooping up the material broken by the cutting tooth into the bucket body; and 
 transporting the material broken by the cutting tooth in the bucket body.