# US 11,898,319 B2 · Reversible bucket coupler for excavator buckets and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,319 B2 - Document ID: US11898319B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/379,610 - Filed: 2021-07-19 - Published: 2022-01-20 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-20 - Applicants: Jacob A. Petro; Jeffrey T. Petro - Inventors: Jacob A. Petro; Jeffrey T. Petro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898319B2 ## CPC - E02F 3/3622: {with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin} - E02F 3/3686: {using adapters, i.e. additional element to mount between the coupler and the tool} - E02F 3/308: {working outwardly} - E02F 3/32: working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes - E02F 3/3631: {with a hook and a transversal locking element} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract The present invention provides a reversible bucket coupler device and method of use for reversing the orientation of a bucket used with an excavator so that the teeth of the bucket is facing away from the cab of the excavator and method of use. The reversed orientation of the bucket using the reversible bucket coupler device provides an operator of an excavator the ability to complete tasks in a more efficient, clean and safe manner, as well as providing much needed flexibility in the way excavation projects can be performed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reversible bucket coupler device for reversing the orientation of a bucket with respect to an excavator so that bucket teeth of the bucket are facing away from the excavator, comprising: a first side excavator panel and a second side excavator panel, each excavator attachment panel having at one end a hook-like excavator coupler and a pin hole near the other end; a first side bucket panel and a second side bucket panel, each bucket panel having at one end an L-shaped bucket coupler and a pin hole near the other end, wherein the first side excavator panel and the first side bucket panel are welded together, wherein the second side excavator panel and the second side bucket panel are welded together; and a plurality of transverse attachment and support panels, wherein one end of the plurality of transverse attachment and support panels is welded to the first side excavator and bucket panels at a plurality of areas and the other end of the plurality of transverse attachment and support panels is welded to the second side excavator and bucket panels at the same plurality of areas. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein the first side excavator panel is positioned in front of the first side bucket panel and the end opposite the first side excavator coupler partially overlaps the first side bucket panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein the second side excavator panel is positioned in front of the second side bucket panel and the end opposite the second side excavator coupler partially overlaps the second side bucket panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein five transverse attachment and support panels are welded to the first side excavator and bucket panels and to the second side excavator and bucket panels, each of the five attachment and transverse support panels located in a different area of the reversible bucket coupler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped bucket couplers are configured to attach to a bucket at an end opposite to where bucket teeth of the bucket are located, said end having two flanges attached thereon, each of the two flanges having a curved portion on one end and a pin hole near the other end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 5, wherein the bucket couplers attach to the end of the bucket opposite the bucket teeth by engaging onto an area located between the curved portions of the two flanges. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 5, wherein the bucket couplers are secured to the bucket by placing a pin through the flange pin holes and the bucket pin holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein the hook-like excavator couplers are configured to attach to an excavator by placing the excavator couplers around an excavator joint located on an excavator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 8, wherein the excavator couplers are secured to the excavator by placing a pin through the excavator pin holes and pin holes located on the excavator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1, wherein the reversible bucket coupler device is constructed of steel plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of using the reversible bucket coupler device of claim 1 in order to reverse the orientation of a bucket with respect to an excavator so that bucket teeth of the bucket are facing away from the excavator, the method comprising: attaching the L-shaped bucket couplers between two flanges having a curved portion on one end and a pin hole near the other end, each of the two flanges located at an end of a bucket that is opposite an end where bucket teeth of the bucket are located; and attaching the two hook-like excavator couplers to an excavator by placing the excavator couplers around an excavator joint located on an excavator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the bucket couplers attach to the end of the bucket opposite the bucket teeth by engaging onto an area located between the curved portions of the two flanges. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The reversible bucket coupler device of claim 12, wherein the bucket couplers are secured to the bucket by placing a pin through the flange pin holes and the bucket pin holes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the two hook-like excavator couplers attach to an excavator by placing the excavator couplers around an excavator joint located on the excavator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the two hook-like excavator couplers are secured to the excavator by placing a pin through the excavator pin holes and pin holes located on the excavator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first side excavator panel is positioned in front of the first side bucket panel and the end opposite the first side excavator coupler overlaps the first side bucket panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the second side excavator panel is positioned in front of the second side bucket panel and the end opposite the second side excavator coupler overlaps the second side bucket panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of transverse attachment and support panels are welded to the first side excavator and bucket panels and to the second side excavator and bucket panels, each of the plurality of attachment and transverse support panels located in a different area of the reversible bucket coupler. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein five transverse attachment and support panels are welded to the first side excavator and bucket panels and to the second side excavator and bucket panels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the reversible bucket coupler device is constructed of steel plate.