# US 10,246,848 B2 · Upper hinge design for a bucket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,848 B2 - Document ID: US10246848B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/992,236 - Filed: 2016-01-11 - Published: 2017-07-13 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-11 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: David Michael Worth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246848B2 ## CPC - E02F 3/40: Dippers; Buckets {; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets (devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3604; teeth therefor E02F9/28)} - E02F 3/34: with bucket-arms {, i.e. a pair of arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, form, geometry, material of bucket-arms (with a single arm E02F3/283)} directly pivoted on the frames of tractors or self-propelled machines - E02F 3/3417: {Buckets emptying by tilting (E02F3/342, E02F3/345 take precedence)} - E02F 3/3631: {with a hook and a transversal locking element} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A hinge attachment bracket for use with a work implement is provided. The bracket comprises a substantial I-beam configuration that includes a first flange, a second flange, a web that connects the first flange to the second flange and that defines a boss that defines a pin receiving bore that establishes a radial direction, a radial plane and a longitudinal axis. The first and second flanges may merge toward each other tangentially forming a first extension portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A work implement for use with a machine, the work implement comprising: a body that is configured to perform work and that includes a wall; and a hinge attachment bracket that is attached to the wall and that comprises: a substantial I-beam configuration that includes a first flange, a second flange, a web that connects the first flange to the second flange and that defines a boss that defines a pin receiving bore that establishes a radial direction and a longitudinal axis, wherein: the first and second flanges merge toward each other tangentially forming a first extension portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The work implement of claim 1 wherein the first or second flange defines a curve that is tangent to either flange, wherein the curve defines a minimum radius of curvature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The work implement of claim 2 wherein the curve is a radius. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The work implement of claim 3, wherein the radius has a value of at least 250 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The work implement of claim 1, wherein the second flange includes a curved portion that is configured to be concentrically arranged about a portion of the boss, the curved portion defining a point of tangency that is located at a radial extremity of the hinge attachment bracket; and wherein a Cartesian coordinate system is defined by the bracket, the Cartesian coordinate system defining an origin, an X axis, an Y axis, a Z axis, and an X-Y plane, the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system being at the point of tangency with the X axis of the Cartesian coordinate system aligned with the radial direction and the Z axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bore. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The work implement of claim 5, wherein the first extension portion defines an extremity of the bracket and a dimension measured from the origin of Cartesian coordinate system to the extremity along the Y axis, the first extension portion further defining a length in the X-Y plane, wherein a ratio of the dimension measured along the Y axis divided by the length ranges from 2.5 to 7.5. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The work implement of claim 5 wherein the first extension portion defines a length in the X-Y plane and a thickness which is the minimal dimension of the extension in the X-Y plane, wherein a ratio of the length divided by the thickness ranges from 5 to 15. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The work implement of claim 5 wherein the first or second flange defines a curve that is tangent to either flange, wherein the curve defines a minimum radius of curvature having a value and the extension defines a length in the X-Y plane, wherein a ratio of the length divided by the value of the radius of curvature ranges from 1 to 3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The work implement of claim 5 wherein the first extension portion defines an extremity of the bracket and a dimension along the Y axis measured from the origin of Cartesian coordinate system to the extremity and a width in the Z axis, wherein a ratio of the dimension along the Y axis divided by the width ranges from 4 to 10. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The work implement of claim 5 wherein the first extension portion defines a thickness in the X-Y plane and a width in the Z axis, wherein a ratio of the width divided by the thickness ranges from 4 to 11. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The work implement of claim 1 wherein the first extension portion is an upper extension portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The work implement of claim 1 wherein the hinge attachment bracket is an inside hinge attachment bracket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The work implement of claim 1 wherein the body of the work implement forms a bucket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The work implement of claim 13 wherein the bucket comprises first and second end walls, a shell that extends between the end walls, and a torsion tube that is attached to the shell and extends between the end walls. ### Claim 15 A hinge attachment bracket for use with a work implement comprising: a substantial I-beam configuration that includes a first flange, a second flange, a web that connects the first flange to the second flange and that defines a boss that defines a pin receiving bore that establishes a radial direction, a radial plane and a longitudinal axis, wherein: the first and second flanges merge toward each other tangentially forming a first extension portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hinge attachment bracket of claim 15 wherein the first and second flanges merge toward each other a second time forming a second extension portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The hinge attachment bracket of claim 16 wherein the first flange and second flanges each define a thickness in the radial plane and the first extension and second extension portions each define a thickness in the radial plane, and the thickness of either extension portion is less than the thickness of the flanges. ### Claim 18 A machine comprising: a motor; a frame; a work implement; at least two lift arms that are configured to be attached to the work implement using upper and lower hinge points; and the work implement comprising: a body that is configured to perform work and that includes a wall; and a plurality of hinge attachment brackets attached to the wall that provide upper and lower hinge points wherein at least one hinge attachment bracket comprises: a substantial I-beam configuration that includes a first flange, a second flange, a web that connects the first flange to the second flange and that defines a boss that defines a pin receiving bore, wherein: the first and second flanges merge toward each other tangentially forming a first extension portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The machine of claim 18 further comprising wheels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The machine of claim 18 wherein the work implement includes a bucket.