Clamshell bucket apparatus

A clamshell bucket apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of clamshell bucket sections each having a scoop configuration with laterally spaced inner edges which are adapted to contact each other in a substantially vertical position when the bucket is in its closed position for lifting a load and are adapted to be extended to a substantially horizontal position when the bucket is in its open position for picking up or dumping a load;
• means including an upper frame for pivotally mounting said bucket sections together for pivotal movement to and from said open and closed positions;
• operating and hoisting means operably connected with said clamshell bucket sections for both manipulating said bucket sections to and from said closed and open positions and for raising and lowering said bucket sections, said operating and hoisting means including:
• a single line system adapted to extend from the clamshell bucket apparatus to a crane or the like;
• releasable latch means movably mounted with said bucket sections and automatically biased into the latching position when the bucket sections are open and the single line system is slackened off;
• a movable latch-engaging means operably connected with said single line system for movement into engagement with said latch means for thereafter applying a force to said buckets to move same to the closed position by pulling upwardly on said single line system, and for movement out of engagement with said latch means for supporting the entire apparatus from said single line system with the bucket sections in the open position;
• and
• means for automatically releasing said latch means from said latch-engaging means by slackening off on said single line system when the bucket sections are supported on the ground or the like.