MOTORIZED PIVOTING SPADE ASSEMBLY FOR BACKHOE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention;

The present invention relates generally to the field of earth moving equipment. More specifically the present invention relates to a rotatable spade assembly for a backhoe having a backhoe arm with a proximal arm segment pivotalIy mounted to the backhoe and a distal arm segment pivotalIy mounted to the proximal arm segment. The assembly includes a spade rotation mechanism which connects the free end of a distal arm segment to a conventional backhoe spade which is provided as part of the assembly so that the spade can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the distal arm segment to orient the spade opening in various different directions to form cuts or series of cuts along different paths. The spade rotation mechanism preferably is powered. As a result, intersecting cuts can be formed around the base of a tree to free the trunk and roots for removal . The spade rotation mechanism includes an arm end plate having arm connection means and a spade end plate at the spade proximal end for placement face to face adjacent to and in rotational relation with the arm end plate, and a spade pivot pin substantially aligned with the distal arm segment longitudinal axis and rotationally interconnecting the arm end plate and the spade end plate and rotation locking mechanism, locking and releasing the spade end plate and spade to rotate relative to the backhoe arm. The

spade end plate is defined in this application as either the spade proximal end wall or, equivalently, is a combination of the spade proximal end wall and a plate attached face to face with the spade proximal end wall such as by welding. A powered spade rotation mechanism preferably is provided which includes a rotational drive means such as a hydraulic or electrical motor assembly. This motor assembly preferably includes a spade drive shaft fastened to the spade end plate and passing rotatably through and protruding above the arm end plate. The segment of the spade drive shaft protruding above the arm end plate is securely fitted with a spade drive gear. The spade rotation motor is mounted onto a motor mount fastened to the arm end plate and a motor drive shaft extending from the spade rotation motor is securely fitted with a motor drive gear which drivably meshes with the spade drive gear. The spade rotation motor is connected to a motor power source, through a motor power circuit whether hydraulic or electric, including a motor actuation control such as a switch. The spade preferably is somewhat narrower than a typical spade to be better suited to tree extraction cut forming.

The arm connection means interconnecting the arm end plate and the spade end plate preferably includes two opposing spaced apart and proximally extending plate mounting flanges on the arm end plate proximal face, with opposing flange bolt ports through which existing spade mounting bolts pass and fasten the arm end plate to the distal arm segment, in the same way that a conventional backhoe digging bucket is fastened to a distal arm segment distal end. The spade pivot pin preferably is affixed to and extends proximally from the spade end plate and passes into a pivot pin port in the arm end plate where it is rotatably secured with pin bolt passing through a diametric bolt port in the pivot pin proximal end on the proximal side of the arm end wall. The pivot pin preferably fits into a pin mounting recess or port in the spade end plate and is secured with a weld. As an equivalent alternative,

the pivot pin is affixed to and extends proximally from the arm end plate into a pivot pin port in the spade end plate where it is rotatably secured with a pin bolt as described.

The rotation locking mechanism preferably includes a first bolt port in the arm end plate spaced radially from the pivot pin, and several alternative and selectable second bolt ports in the spade end plate arrayed in circular series about, and equally radially spaced from the pivot pin to sequentially register with the first bolt port as the spade end plate is rotated relative to the arm end plate. 2. Description of the Prior Art:

Bucket shaped shovels on earth moving equipment have long been used to dig around the perimeters of trees to dislodge the tree roots and a ball of earth around the tree roots so that the tree can be lifted with a crane onto a flatbed truck and transported elsewhere for replanting. A problem with these shovels has been that they raggedly break tree roots . Another problem has been that the target tree is often surrounded by other trees, and it can be difficult and time consuming or outright impossible to reposition the earth moving equipment to place the shovel at the necessary series of angles around the target tree to dig a peripheral trench around the tree roots. Yet another problem has been that the earth moving equipment needed for this purpose is often highly expensive and of little use for other common purposes .

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable spade assembly for placement on the arm of an earth moving machine which drives a spade downwardly into the earth at the root periphery of a tree to form cuts rather than trenches around the tree roots, the cuts preferably angling under the tree, to smoothly cut through longer roots and form a tight and well shaped root and earth ball, thereby dislodging the tree for lifting with a crane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a rotatable spade assembly in which the spade

can be rotated relative to the tree while the earth moving machine remains stationary, to form cuts along different intersecting paths around the root periphery, so that it is not necessary to reposition the earth moving equipment. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a rotatable spade assembly which can be mounted to the distal end of the arm of a backhoe, because a backhoe is much less expensive than the earth moving equipment normally used to dig around trees and is useful in performing many other commonly needed tasks.

It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a rotatable spade assembly which is sturdy, reliable, highly economical to manufacture and easy to install and remove from the arm of the backhoe or other earth moving equipment. ^■ SUMMARY' QF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification. A rotatable spade assembly is provided for a backhoe having a backhoe arm having a proximal arm segment pivotally mounted to the backhoe and a distal arm segment pivotally mounted to the proximal arm segment, the assembly including a backhoe spade; and a spade rotation mechanism for connecting the free end of a distal arm segment to the backhoe spade so that the spade can be rotated relative to the distal arm segment to orient the spade opening in any of various different directions relative to the backhoe arm. The spade rotation mechanism preferably includes an arm end plate having an arm connection mechanism to fasten the arm end plate to the distal arm segment; a spade pivot pin, where the spade has a spade end plate for mounting face to face adjacent to and in rotational relation with the arm end plate; a spade pivot pin substantially aligned with the distal arm segment longitudinal axis and rotationally interconnecting the arm end plate and the spade end plate; the rotation being lockable and releasable

with the rotation locking mechanism; and releasible rotation locking mechanism. The spade pivot pin preferably is affixed to and extends distally from the spade end plate and passes into a pivot pin port in the arm end plate where it is rotatably secured with a pin bolt passing through a diametric bolt port in the pivot pin proximal end on the proximal side of the arm end plate.

The releasible locking mechanism preferably includes a first bolt port in the arm end plate spaced radially from the pivot pin, and several alternative and selectable second bolt ports in the spade end plate arrayed in a substantially circular series about and radially spaced from the pivot pin to sequentially register with the first bolt port as the spade end plate is rotated relative to the arm end plate; so that, to adjust spade rotational orientation, the spade and spade end plate are rotated relative to the distal arm segment and the arm end plate to a desired cutting direction, and are rotationally adjusted so that the first bolt port is aligned and registers with the nearest second bolt port, and then the locking bolt is fitted through the first bolt port and into the registering second bolt port. The rotation locking mechanism alternatively includes a first bolt port in one of the arm end plate and the spade end plate and spaced radially from the pivot pin, and several alternative and selectable second bolt ports in the other of the spade end plate and the arm end plate arrayed in a substantially circular series about and radially spaced from the pivot pin to sequentially register with the first bolt port as the spade end plate is rotated relative to the arm end plate; so that, to adjust spade rotational orientation, the spade and spade end plate are rotated relative to the distal arm segment and the arm end plate to a desired cutting direction, and are rotationally adjusted so that the first bolt port is aligned and registers with the nearest second bolt port, and then the locking bolt is fitted through the first bolt port and into the registering second bolt port.

A backhoe is provided, including a backhoe arm having

a proximal arm segment pivotalIy mounted to the backhoe and a distal arm segment pivotally mounted to the proximal arm segment a backhoe spade, and a spade rotation mechanism for connecting the free end of a distal arm segment to the backhoe spade so that the spade can be rotated relative to the distal arm segment to orient the spade opening in any of various different directions relative to the backhoe arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a backhoe equipped with the a preferred embodiment of the rotatable spade assembly.

FIGURE 2 is a broken away perspective view of the distal end of the backhoe distal arm segment fitted with the rotatable spade assembly of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 3 is a close-up perspective view of the spade rotation mechanism and attached spade, and the broken away distal arm segment, showing one of the spring washer removed from the locking ring of one of the bolt locking pin assemblies and showing the bolt locking pin in broken lines.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable spade assembly of FIGURE 1, revealing the pivot pin.

FIGURE 5 is another perspective view of the arm end plate of FIGURE 3, angled more toward the viewer.

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the arm end plate and of the spade end plate.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the rotatable spade assembly of FIGURES 1-6, showing the locking bolt fitted through the first and second bolt ports, releasibly locking the spade and spade end plate against rotation relative to the arm end plate. FIGURE 8 is an upper perspective view of the spade and

attached spade end plate, showing the pivot pin and second bolt ports .

FIGURE 9 is a lower perspective view of the spade and attached spade end plate, showing the pivot pin and second bolt ports .

FIGURE 10 is a schematic top view of a tree trunk and tree roots encompassed by four intersecting linear series of cuts formed by a backhoe fitted with the present rotatable spade assembly. FIGURE 11 is a perspective top view of the powered spade rotation mechanism mounted on the spade assembly having an electric motor.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective top view of the powered spade rotation mechanism mounted on the spade assembly having a hydraulic motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals .

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGURES 1-12, a rotatable spade assembly 10 is disclosed for a backhoe B having a backhoe arm BA with a proximal arm segment PAS pivotally mounted to the backhoe B and a distal arm segment DAS pivotally mounted to the proximal arm segment PAS, the assembly 10 including a spade rotation mechanism 20 which connects the free end of

the distal arm segment DAS to a conventional backhoe spade 40 provided as part of the assembly 10 so that the spade 40 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis L of the distal arm segment DAS to orient the spade 40 opening in various different directions to form cuts C or series of cuts C along different paths. For purposes of this application, cuts C and series of cuts C are referred to collectively as cuts C. As a result, intersecting cuts C can be cut around the base of a tree to free the trunk and roots for removal. See FIGURE 10.

The spade rotation mechanism 20 includes an arm end plate 22 having arm connection means 30 and a spade end plate 46 at the spade 40 proximal end for placement face- to-face adjacent to and in rotational relation with the arm end plate 22, and a spade pivot pin 60 substantially aligned with the distal arm segment longitudinal axis L and rotationally interconnecting the arm end plate 22 and the spade end plate 46, and includes a releasible rotation locking mechanism 80, locking and releasing the spade end plate 46 and spade 40 to rotate relative to the backhoe arm BA. The spade end plate 46 is defined for purposes of this application as either the spade proximal end wall 42 alone or, equivalently, is a combination of the spade proximal end wall 42 and a plate 44 attached face-to-face with the spade proximal end wall 42 such as by welding. A powered spade rotation mechanism 120 preferably is provided which includes a rotational drive means such as a hydraulic or electrical motor assembly 130. See FIGURE 11-12. This motor assembly 130 preferably includes a spade drive shaft 132 preferably of heavier gauge than spade pivot pin 60 and fastened to the spade end plate 46 and passing rotatably through and having a spade drive shaft segment 132A protruding above the arm end plate 22. The segment 132A of the spade drive shaft 132 protruding above the arm end plate 22 is securely fitted with a spade drive gear 134. The spade rotation motor 140 of motor assembly 130 is mounted onto a motor mount 150 fastened to the arm end plate 22 and a motor drive shaft 142 extending from the

spade rotation motor 140 is securely fitted with a motor drive gear 144 which drivably meshes with the spade drive gear 134. Alternatively, a motor drive sprocket may replace the motor drive gear 144, and a spade drive sprocket may replace the spade drive gear 134, and the motor drive sprocket be drivably connected to a spade drive sprocket by a drive chain (not shown) . The spade rotation motor 140 is connected to a motor power source P, through a motor power circuit 146 whether hydraulic or electric, including a motor actuation control 148 such as a switch.

The spade 40 preferably is somewhat narrower than a typical spade to be better suited to tree extraction cut forming.

The arm connection means 30 interconnecting the arm end plate 22 and the distal arm segment DAS preferably includes two opposing spaced apart and proximally extending plate mounting flanges 32 on the arm end plate 22 proximal face, with opposing flange bolt ports 34 through which existing spade mounting bolts 36 pass and fasten the arm end plate 22 to the distal arm segment DAS, in the same way that a conventional backhoe spade is fastened to a distal arm segment DAS distal end. Mounting bolts 36 preferably are removably held within the bolt ports 34 and thus in mounting flanges 32 by a known prior locking pin assembly 50 at each mounting bolt 36 end. See FIGURE 3. Each locking pin assembly 50 preferably is the type which includes a locking ring 52 having a diametric pin bore which registers with a diametric pin bore in the mounting bolt 36 end and a circumferential channel 54 so that the locking ring 52 resembles a pulley, a locking pin 56 for fitting through the registering diametric pin bores and a locking washer 58 having a break so that it can be opened against the force of its spring resilience and removably fitted into the circumferential channel 54 to retain the locking pin 56 against working loose or falling out of the registering diametric pin bores. Use of other types of locking pin assemblies 60 is also contemplated.

The spade pivot pin 60 preferably is affixed to and extends proximally from the spade end plate 46 and passes

into a pivot pin port 24 in the arm end plate 22 where it is rotatably secured with pin bolt 62 passing through a diametric bolt port 64 in the pivot pin 60 proximal end on the proximal side of the arm end wall 22. The pivot pin 60 preferably fits into a pin mounting recess or port 48 in the spade end plate 46 and is secured with a weld. As an equivalent alternative, the pivot pin 60 is affixed to and extends proximally from the arm end plate 22 into a pivot pin port 48 in the spade end plate 46 where it is rotatably secured with a pin bolt 62 as described.

The rotation locking mechanism 80 preferably includes a first bolt port 82 in the arm end plate 22 spaced radially from the pivot pin 60, and several alternative and selectable second bolt ports 84 in the spade end plate 46 arrayed in circular series about, and equally radially spaced from the pivot pin 60 to sequentially register with the first bolt port 82 as the spade end plate 46 is rotated relative to the arm end plate 22. To adjust spade 40 rotational orientation, the spade 40 and attached spade end plate 46 are rotated relative to the distal arm segment DAS and arm end plate 22 to the desired cutting direction, and then rotationally adjusted so that the first bolt port 82 is aligned and registers with the nearest second bolt port 84. Then either a pin or locking bolt 86 is fitted through the first bolt port 82 and into the registering second bolt port 84 and preferably is fastened through the ports 82 and 84 by screwing a nut 88 onto the locking bolt 86. Alternatively, and equivalently, the first bolt port 82 can be provided in the spade end plate 46 and the second bolt ports 84 in the arm end plate 22. As yet another variation, a circumferential series of first bolt ports 82 are provided which are simultaneously registrable with a like number of the second bolt ports 84, and locking bolts 86 are provided for several and preferably all first bolt ports 82, so that the spade 40 is locked against rotation by multiple locking bolts 86 removably interconnecting the arm end plate 22 and spade end plate 46 at the same time.

Where a hydraulic or electric motor assembly 130 is

provided, however, no pin or locking bolt 86 is needed, because the stopped motor 140 itself holds the spade 40 locked against rotation.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.