Bucket reinforcement structure

Claim 2

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.

Claim 3

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 cutting edge.

Claim 4

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.

Claim 5

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.

Claim 6

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.

Claim 7

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.

Claim 8

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.

Claim 9

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.

Claim 10

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.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 8 wherein the box section decreases in height as it approaches the cutting edge.

Claim 12

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.

Claim 13

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.