Bucket reinforcement structure

Abstract

A bucket for use with a loader vehicle includes a pair of spaced reinforcement means fixed to the bottom wall portion of the bucket. Each reinforcement means defines a box section which runs transversely of the cutting edge of the bucket, including a pair of ribs which run continuously rearward from the cutting edge along the bottom wall portion and up the rear wall portion of the bucket. The ribs define first and second pairs of apertures for attaching the bucket to a loader linkage.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of end wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, reinforcement means comprising: first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion and running continuously from the cutting edge, and fixed relative thereto, to the rear of the bottom wall portion; and, a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first and second rib members and running therealong, the rib members and plates together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge, wherein the plate is fixed to the cutting edge, wherein the reinforcement means further comprise a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge, the plate being fixed to the extending edge of the third rib member, and, wherein the first and second rib members flare apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cuting edge. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge. 
     
     
       4. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of side wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, a pair of spaced-apart reinforcement structures, each comprising: a. first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion, and fixed relative to the cutting edge inwardly of the ends of the cutting edge, running continuously therefrom to the rear of the bottom wall portion, said first and second rib members flaring apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge;   b. a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge;   c. fourth and fifth rib members running continuously along and externally fixed to the bottom wall portion outwardly of the first and second rib members respectively; and,   d. a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rib members and running therealong, and fixed to the cutting edge, the plate and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rib members together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge.   
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 4 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises a sixth rib member running generally parallel to the cutting edge between the first and second rib members, and between and fixed to the bottom wall portion and the plate. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises first and second brace members disposed outwardly of the first and second rib members, fixed to the cutting edge, the first and second brace members being fixed to the flared portions of the first and second rib members respectively. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the box section decreases in height as it approaches the cutting edge. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises a heel plate fixed to the first-mentioned plate adjacent the first-mentioned pair of spaced coaxial apertures. 
     
     
       11. The combination of claim 10 further comprising an angle member fixed to the rear wall portion externally thereof and running therealong generally parallel to the cutting edge. .Iadd. 12. In a bucket construction having a shell defined by a midwall portion and a pair of end wall portions between which the midwall portion transversely extends, and a cutting edge fixed to and running transversely along a forward edge of the midwall portion to define a forwardly open bucket, improved reinforcement means comprising: first and second rectilinear, parallel spaced rib structures fixed in underlying relationship to said midwall portion and extending transversely to said cutting edge;   a third rib structure extending transversly between said first and second rib structures to define therewith a generally H-shaped reinforcing means;   a bottom plate fixed to and underlying said first, second and third rib structures whereby said rib structues form with the plate a box section; and   fourth and fifth rib structues flaring forwardly apart from said first and second rib structures to respectively proximate said cutting edge..Iaddend..Iadd. 13. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein said first and second rib structures extend forwardly from said third rib structure approximately one-half the forward extent of said fourth and fifth rib structures..Iaddend..Iadd. 14. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein brace elements are provided at the forward ends of the fourth and fifth rib structures, said brace elements being welded to said fourth and fifth rib structures respectively and said cutting edge..Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein a substantially rectilinear rib element is fixed to said plate to extend parallel to said first and second rib structures from a position rearwardly of the forward end of said first and second rectilinear rib structures to proximate said cutting edge..Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein a heel plate is fixed to said bottom plate rearwardly of said cutting edge..Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein a heel plate is fixed to said bottom plate subjacent said third rib structure..Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The bucket construction of claim 12 wherein said fourth and fifth rib structures extend from the forward ends of said rectilinear first and second rib structures..Iaddend..Iadd. 19. In a bucket construction having a shell defined by a midwall portion and a pair of end wall portions between which the midwall portion transversely extends, and a cutting edge fixed to and running transversely along a forward edge of the midwall portion to define a forwardly open bucket, improved reinforcement means comprising:   a generally H-shaped reinforcement underlying said midwall portion having a transverse portion extending parallel to said cutting edge, rectilinear forward legs extending forwardly from said transverse portion toward said cutting edge, and rectilinear rearward legs extending rearwardly from said transverse portion away from said cutting edge;   first rib means flaring outwardly from said forward legs respectively to proximate said cutting edge;   a bottom plate underlying said H-shaped reinforcement and rib means and secured thereto to said cutting edge to define a box section; and   second rib means extending substantially transversely to said cutting edge intermediate said first rib means and fixed to said bottom plate and said   
     
     
        bucket bottom wall portion..Iaddend..Iadd. 20.  The bucket construction of claim 19 wherein said second rib means comprises a substantially rectilinear rib having a rear end spaced forwardly of said transverse portion of the H-shaped reinforcement..Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The bucket construction of claim 19 wherein a heel plate is fixed to the underside of said bottom plate subjacent said transverse portion of the H-shaped reinforcement..Iaddend..Iadd. 22. The bucket construction of claim 19 wherein brace members are secured to said first rib means and to said cutting edge. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. The bucket construction of claim 19 wherein transversely outwardly extending brace members are secured to said first rib means and to said cutting edge..Iaddend.