# US 10,480,153 B2 · Slope-level-cut bucket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,153 B2 - Document ID: US10480153B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/361,366 - Filed: 2019-03-22 - Published: 2019-09-26 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-23 - Assignees: Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting, Co., LLC - Applicants: Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting, Co., LLC - Inventors: Frank Belesimo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480153B2 ## CPC - E02F 3/404: {comprising two parts movable relative to each other, e.g. for gripping} - E02F 5/16: Machines for digging other holes in the soil (earth drilling E21) - E02F 3/413: with grabbing device ({E02F3/404 takes precedence; with grab buckets moved by cables or hoisting ropes E02F3/47;} grab equipment for cranes B66C) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A slope-level-cut bucket for an excavator includes a first bucket half and a second bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotably connected to each other and movable between a closed position and an opened position. Each bucket half has an excavating edge configured to minimize bucket overlap during cutting of a sloped surface. In particular, the excavating edge includes a plurality of steps. The dimensions of the steps are selected to optimize the cutting of a desired slope of the excavating surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A slope-level-cut bucket, comprising: a first bucket half pivotably connected to a second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half movable about a first axis between a closed position and an opened position, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a side wall and a cutting wall, the cutting wall having a plurality of steps, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a rim defined by the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the cutting wall, and the rim of each cutting wall defining an excavating edge, wherein the first bucket half and the second bucket half are bilaterally symmetrical, and wherein the cutting wall of the first bucket half is configured to create a trapezoidal cutting footprint. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to move the first bucket half and the second bucket half between the closed position and the opened position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, wherein the first bucket half has a distal end and a proximal end, the side wall and the cutting wall of the first bucket half tapering toward the distal end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, wherein the steps adjacent to the front wall of the first bucket half are of a greater length than the steps adjacent to the rear wall of the first bucket half. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, wherein the top wall, the front wall and the rear wall of the first bucket half are planar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, wherein a reinforcing portion is secured to the cutting wall of the first bucket half. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 1, wherein at least one de-watering aperture is formed in the top wall of the first bucket half. ### Claim 8 A slope-level-cut bucket, comprising: a first bucket half pivotably connected to a second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half movable about a first axis between a closed position and an opened position, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a side wall and a cutting wall, the cutting wall having a plurality of steps, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a rim defined by the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the cutting wall, and the rim of each cutting wall defining an excavating edge, wherein the first bucket half and the second bucket half are bilaterally symmetrical, and wherein a first height of the front wall is less than a second height of the rear wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 8, wherein the first bucket half has a corner defined by a portion of a curvilinear surface of the side wall disposed adjacent to the top wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 8, wherein the rear wall of the first bucket half is on a first plane and the excavating edge of the first bucket half is on a second plane, the first plane oriented transverse to the second plane and defining a first angle therebetween. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 10, wherein a planar surface of the side wall of the first bucket half is on a third plane and the top wall of the first bucket half is on fourth plane, the third plane oriented transverse to the fourth plane and defining a second angle therebetween. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The slope-level-cut bucket of claim 11, wherein the second angle is between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees. ### Claim 13 A slope-level-cut bucket, comprising: a first bucket half pivotably connected to a second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half movable about a first axis between a closed position and an opened position, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a side wall and a cutting wall, the cutting wall having a plurality of steps, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a rim defined by the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the cutting wall, and the rim of each cutting wall defining an excavating edge, wherein the first bucket half and the second bucket half are bilaterally symmetrical, wherein the rear wall of the first bucket half is on a first plane and the excavating edge of the first bucket half is on a second plane, the first plane oriented transverse to the second plane and defining a first angle therebetween, and wherein the first angle is between about 72 degrees and about 79 degrees. ### Claim 14 A slope-level-cut bucket, comprising: a first bucket half pivotably connected to a second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half movable about a first axis between a closed position and an opened position, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a side wall and a cutting wall, the cutting wall having a plurality of steps, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a rim defined by the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the cutting wall, and the rim of each cutting wall defining an excavating edge, wherein the rear wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a first plane and the excavating edge of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a second plane, the first plane oriented transverse to the second plane, defining a first angle therebetween, the first angle between about 72 degrees and about 79 degrees, and wherein a planar surface of the side wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a third plane and the top wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on fourth plane, the third plane oriented transverse to the fourth plane, defining a second angle therebetween, and the second angle between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees. ### Claim 15 A slope-level-cut bucket, comprising: a first bucket half pivotably connected to a second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half movable about a first axis between a closed position and an opened position, each of the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a side wall and a cutting wall, the cutting wall having a plurality of steps, the steps adjacent to the front wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half being of a greater length than the steps adjacent to the rear wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half, the first bucket half and the second bucket half having a rim defined by the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the cutting wall, and the rim of each cutting wall defining an excavating edge, the first bucket half and the second bucket half each having a distal end and a proximal end, the side wall and the cutting wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half tapering toward the distal end of the first bucket half and the second bucket half, wherein the rear wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a first plane and the excavating edge of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a second plane, the first plane oriented transverse to the second plane, defining a first angle therebetween, the first angle between about 72 degrees and about 79 degrees, and wherein a planar surface of the side wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on a third plane and the top wall of the first bucket half and the second bucket half is on fourth plane, the third plane oriented transverse to the fourth plane, defining a second angle therebetween, and the second angle between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees.