# US 4,392,774 A · Clam bucket attachment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,392,774 A - Document ID: US4392774A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/308,400 - Filed: 1981-10-05 - Granted: 1983-07-12 - Earliest claimed: 1981-10-05 - Inventors: Dolphus W. Thomas, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392774A ## CPC - E02F 3/963: {Arrangements on backhoes for alternate use of different tools (backhoes per se E02F3/30; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627)} - B66C 3/06: Grabs actuated by a single rope or chain - B66C 3/20: mounted on, or guided by, jibs (jibs B66C23/64) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) ## Abstract A clam bucket attachment designed to cooperate with the crowd and the bucket curl or crowd hydraulic cylinder of a conventional backhoe, which attachment includes a bucket support pivotally and rotatably carried by the backhoe crowd and having a cable which operates to open and close a clam bucket suspended from the bucket support. A cable boom is removably, but rigidly attached to the crowd, and includes a forward and rear sheave which receive the cable, one end of which is connected to the crowd hydraulic cylinder, and the opposite end to the clam bucket. The clam bucket is opened and closed by extending and retracting the crowd hydraulic cylinder and is raised and lowered by operation of the backhoe crowd and boom, in conventional fashion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clam bucket attachment for mounting on the crowd of a backhoe, comprising: (a) A cable boom having a flange means at one end for attachment to the crowd, said cable boom extending from the end of the crowd; (b) a front sheave rotatably carried by the free end of said cable boom and a rear sheave spaced from said front sheave and rotatably carried by said cable boom forward of said flange means; (c) a bucket support carried by said cable boom and further comprising a pair of pivot brackets in spaced, generally parallel relationship extending from said cable boom; a pivot bracket plate connecting said pivot brackets; a first collar upward standing from said pivot bracket plate between said pivot brackets; a bucket support plate beneath and adjacent said pivot bracket plate for carrying a clam bucket; a second collar attached to said bucket support plate and extending upwardly and concentrically through said first collar; and a support cap secured to the top of said second collar above said first collar, whereby said bucket support plate and said second collar are rotatable with respect to said pivot bracket plate and said first collar, and the clam bucket is rotatable with respect to said cable boom; and (d) a cable having one end secured to the piston of a hydraulic cylinder attached to the crowd of the backhoe, said cable wound around said front sheave and said rear sheave and through said support cap, said first and second collar and said bucket support plate, and the opposite end of said cable secured to the clam bucket, whereby extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder opens and closes the clam bucket, respectively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clam bucket attachment of claim 1 further comprising a spacer brace connecting the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd of the backhoe to maintain a constant spacing between the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clam bucket attachment of claim 1 wherein said flange means is a top flange bracket and a bottom flange bracket extending from said one end of said cable boom in spaced relationship. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The clam bucket attachment of claim 1 wherein said flange means is a top flange bracket and a bottom flange bracket extending from said one end of said cable boom in spaced relationship, and further comprising a spacer bore connecting the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd of the backhoe to maintain a constant spacing between the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The clam bucket attachment of claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin extending through said pivot brackets, said cable boom and the crowd of the backhoe to secure said cable boom and said bucket support on the crowd. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The clam bucket attachment of claim 1 wherein said flange means is a top flange bracket and a bottom flange bracket extending from said one end of said cable boom in spaced relationship, and further comprising: (a) a spacer brace connecting the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd of the backhoe to maintain a constant spacing between the hydraulic cylinder and the crowd; and (b) a pivot pin extending through said pivot brackets, said cable boom and the crowd of the backhoe to secure said cable boom and said bucket support on the crowd. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 6) The clam bucket of claim 1 or claim 6 further comprising a bucket support hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder end attached to said pivot bracket plate, and a piston end attached to said bucket support plate for pivoting said bucket support plate and the clam bucket with respect to said pivot bracket plate and said pivot brackets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 7) The clam bucket of claim 1 or claim 7 wherein said cable boom further comprises a pair of boom flanges spaced by a divider having a slot at the extending end to receive said front sheave.