US 8,615,906 B2 · Drilling bucket

Abstract

A drilling bucket adapted to combine with a prime mover vehicle such as an excavator. The drilling bucket includes a floor pivotally combined with the bucket. The floor has an open position wherein collected spoils are emptied from the bucket and a closed position for retaining spoils in the bucket during operation. A release assembly is adapted to securely hold the floor in its closed position until it is actuated to release it to its open position. Some embodiments of the drilling bucket comprise two separate internal cavities. The first cavity is adapted to receive the spoils as the bucket is rotated beneath the ground by the prime mover vehicle. The second cavity is adapted to house portions of the release assembly. The second cavity may serve as a vent which allows air to pass the bucket as the bucket is being raised or lowered in a hole.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A drilling bucket having a center portion and an outer portion, said drilling bucket comprising:

a main body having a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the first cavity is adapted to receive spoils;
a floor pivotally combined with the main body portion, said floor having an open position and a closed position;
and
a release assembly adapted to selectively allow the floor to move between its open position and its closed position, wherein a portion of the release assembly is located in the second cavity to help prevent it from being damaged by spoils during drilling operation;
wherein the release assembly comprises a plunger, a cam shaft, a connecting member, and a latching mechanism;
wherein the plunger is located near the center of the bucket, the connecting member is located near the outer portion of the bucket, and the cam shaft operatively combines the plunger and the connecting member to translate linear motion of the plunger to rotational motion of the cam shaft to linear motion of the connecting member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drilling bucket

Life of this patent

Drilling bucket

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11