Environment restricted linear ejector front bucket

Abstract

A front bucket loader apparatus for operating in low overhead space environments comprises a front bucket with a bottom plate with a front edge, an opposing back edge, a left edge and an opposing right edge. The front bucket further has a left side wall attached to the left side of the bottom plate and a right side wall attached to the right side of the bottom plate. Further, it is configured with a top support bracket attached to the left side wall and to the right side wall. Further, the front bucket has a pivotable serpentine back wall, the pivotable serpentine back wall having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being supported by the top support bracket and the lower portion of the pivotable serpentine back wall configured for engaging the bottom plate of the front bucket. Lastly the front bucket has a slatted rear mount directly opposing the pivotable serpentine back wall. The front bucket loader further comprises a hydraulic assembly attached to the slatted rear mount of the front bucket and operatively connected to the pivotable serpentine back wall of the front bucket.

Therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A front bucket apparatus for operating in low overhead space environments, comprising:
 (a) a front bucket, comprising:
 (i) a bottom plate with a front edge, an opposing back edge, a left edge and an opposing right edge; 
 (ii) a left side wall attached to the left side of the bottom plate and a right side wall attached to the right side of the bottom plate; 
 (iii) a top support bracket attached to the left and right side wall and configured to receive and support a one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall, the one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall equipped to move in a linear direction, having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein movement of the one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall engages with the bottom plate of the front bucket to eject material; and 
 (v) a slatted rear mount directly opposing the one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall, wherein the slatted rear mount is configured to protect a hydraulic assembly; and 
   (b) the hydraulic assembly with a profile beneath the front bucket attached to and protected within the slatted rear mount of the front bucket for moving the one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall along the bottom plate of the front bucket, comprising:
 (i) an upper swing arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the upper swing arm attached to a rear mount of the front bucket, the second end of the upper swing arm attached to a hydraulic piston for moving in an arcuate path; and 
 (ii) a lower swing arm having a first end and a second end; the first end of the lower swing arm attached to the second end of the upper swing arm, and the second end of the lower swing arm attached to the lower portion of the one-piece pivotable serpentine back wall for moving along a single axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable serpentine back wall of the front bucket has a front edge that is on a pivot mount to allow scraping of the bottom plate when the hydraulic assembly is activated. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable serpentine back wall, in a retracted state, is in contact with the first end of the upper swing arm to provide support for the pivotable serpentine back wall of the front bucket. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front bucket is comprised of an alloyed steel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front bucket is a maximum of 32 inches in height and 96 inches in width. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear mount protects the hydraulic piston, the upper swing arm, and the lower swing arm. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom plate is billeted at the portion where the pivotable serpentine back wall is in a fully retracted state to allow for the material to fall out and not block the pivotable serpentine back wall from returning to the fully retracted state. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front edge of the bottom plate of the front bucket is beveled. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front edge of the pivotable serpentine back wall is equipped with a tooth bar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slatted rear mount is configured with a protective plate to protect the hydraulic assembly behind the pivotable serpentine back wall. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front edge of the bottom plate of the front bucket is equipped with a tooth bar. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front bucket further comprises a 3-point adapter. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the left side wall and the right side wall have a pivotable serpentine back wall alignment bar. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front bucket is able to be titled, allowing the material to be ejected due to a force directed unto it from a tilt of the front bucket. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper swing arm is engaged with the top support bracket to prevent over extension of the hydraulic piston in a fully protracted state. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the left side wall and the right side wall are angled inwards towards a center of the front bucket to form geometry that holds the pivotable serpentine back wall in place and limits horizontal movement.