Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to buckets for excavators, and more specifically, to hydraulic tilt bucket assemblies for excavators.

Background

[0002] Excavators may be equipped with several different types of implements to perform different tasks at a work site. For instance, excavators may be equipped with a tilting implement, sometimes referred to as a tilt bucket or a tilt bucket assembly, to perform tasks where it is advantageous for a bottom edge of the bucket of the excavator to be angled, such as but not limited to ditch cleaning and sloping or grading surfaces.

[0003] Current tilt bucket assemblies for excavators are designed to improve the ease with which material may enter the bucket or be dumped from the bucket, but generally do not take into consideration the need to protect the hydraulic cylinders, lines, or tubing that connect to the bucket assembly from the excavator and provide for the bucket of the assembly to tilt relative to an arm of the excavator.

[0004] Hydraulic cylinders, lines and/or tubing are typically exposed to the environment in which the implement is being used, including but not limited to deep holes and other ground recesses, and therefore prone to damage. Damage to hydraulic cylinders, lines and/or tubing is a concern for operators and owners of excavators as they can be difficult and expensive to fix and damage thereto can lead to significant down time for the excavator.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for improved tilt bucket assemblies that overcome one or more of these problems.

Summary

[0006] In accordance with a broad aspect, a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator is described herein. The tilt bucket assembly includes a bucket having first and second coupling flanges spaced apart from each other. The first and second coupling flanges extend upwardly from a top wall of the bucket and extend laterally between first and second side plates of the bucket to define a compartment therebetween. The first coupling flange defines a front wall of the compartment and the second coupling flange defines a rear wall of the compartment. The first coupling flange has a first coupling flange aperture and the second coupling flange has a second coupling flange aperture aligned with the first coupling flange aperture. The tilt bucket assembly also includes a linkage assembly coupled to the bucket. The linkage assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to an arm of the excavator and to tilt the bucket relative to the arm of the excavator, The linkage assembly includes a top mount configured to be fixedly releasably coupled to the arm of the excavator; a shaft fixedly coupled to the top mount, the shaft being received in and extending between the first coupling flange aperture of the bucket and the second coupling flange aperture of the bucket such that the bucket is pivotally coupled to the shaft; a drive lug configured to be fixedly coupled to and depend from the shaft at a first position between the first and second coupling flanges of the bucket; and a linear actuator having a first end coupled to the top wall of the bucket and a second end fixedly coupled to the drive lug, the linear actuator being movable between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the bucket about an axis of the shaft.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the linear actuator is contained within the compartment.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly also includes one or more protective covers configured to couple to the first and second coupling flanges and cover the shaft, the drive lug and the linear actuator.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the second end of the linear actuator is coupled to the drive lug at a position between the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the drive lug includes a mounting portion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the shaft and a distal portion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the linear actuator.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the distal portion of the drive lug includes two depending portions to rigidly couple the drive lug to the linear actuator. [0012] In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the drive lug has an aperture configured to receive and surround the shaft.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the drive lug comprises a u-shaped portion to be received by a squared-portion of the shaft.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includes one or more side covers coupled to the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange, the one or more side covers being configured to cover at least a portion of the linear actuator.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the linkage assembly includes: first and second drive lugs configured to be fixedly coupled to and depend from the shaft at respective first and second positions between the first and second coupling flanges of the bucket; and first and second linear actuators each having a first end coupled to the top wall of the bucket and a second end fixedly coupled to one of the first and second drive lugs, the first linear actuator being movable between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the bucket in a first direction about the axis of the shaft and the second linear actuator being movable between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the bucket in a second direction about the axis of the shaft.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the first and second linear actuators are contained within the compartment.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includes one or more protective covers configured to couple to the first and second coupling flanges and cover the shaft, the first and second drive lugs and the first and second linear actuators.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the second end of the first linear actuator is coupled to the first drive lug at a first position between the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange, and the second end of the second linear actuator is coupled to the second drive lug at a second position between the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the first position and the second position are spaced apart from each other along the axis of the shaft. [0021] In at least one embodiment, each of the first drive lug and the second drive lug include a mounting portion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the shaft and a distal portion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the second end of one of the linear actuators.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the distal portion of each of the first drive lug and the second drive lug includes two depending portions to rigidly couple the drive lug to one of the linear actuators.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the first drive lug and the second drive lug has an aperture configured to receive and surround the shaft.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the first drive lug and the second drive lug comprises a u-shaped portion to be received by a squared-portion of the shaft.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includes one or more side covers coupled to the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange, the one or more side covers being configured to cover at least a portion of the first and second linear actuators.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the first and second linear actuators are each hydraulic cylinders.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the bucket includes a third coupling flange extending upwardly from the top plate and extending laterally between the first and second side plates, the third coupling flange being positioned between the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the third coupling flange is positioned halfway between the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the shaft includes a set of grooves extending longitudinally along the axis of the shaft, and the top mount has at least one aperture with a profile shaped to receive the grooves to fixedly couple the shaft to the top mount.

[0030] These and other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the application, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein, and to show more clearly how these various embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one example embodiment, and which are now described. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings described herein.

[0032] FIG. 1A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers, according to at least one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 1 B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A.

[0034] FIG. 1 C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A.

[0035] FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view from above of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at a first tilted position.

[0036] FIG. 2B is a front view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

[0037] FIG. 2C is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

[0038] FIG. 2D is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

[0039] FIG. 2E is a front view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at a second tilted position. [0040] FIG. 2F is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at the second tilted position.

[0041] FIG. 2G is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at the second tilted position.

[0042] FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view of a bucket of a tilt bucket assembly, the bucket being configured to have one linear actuator, according to at least one embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of a bucket of a tilt bucket assembly, the bucket being configured to have two linear actuators, according to at least one embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 4A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, the tilt bucket assembly having at least one of its protective covers removed to expose components of the linkage assembly thereunder, the linkage assembly having one linear actuator, according to at least one embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 4B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator of FIG. 4A.

[0046] FIG. 4C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator of FIG. 4A.

[0047] FIG. 5A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, the tilt bucket assembly having at least one of its protective covers removed to expose components of the linkage assembly thereunder, the linkage assembly having two linear actuators, according to at least one embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 5B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator of FIG. 5A.

[0049] FIG. 5C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator of FIG. 5A.

[0050] FIG. 6A is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 4A with various components of the linkage assembly removed to shown the linear actuator. [0051] FIG. 6B is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 4A showing the shaft of the linkage assembly, according to at least one embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 7A is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 5A with various components of the linkage assembly removed to shown the linear actuators.

[0053] FIG. 7B is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 5A showing the shaft of the linkage assembly, according to at least one embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 5A including the top mount of the linkage assembly, according to at least one embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 9A is front perspective view from below of a top mount of the linkage assembly, according to at least one embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view from above of the top mount of FIG. 9A.

[0057] FIG. 10A is front perspective view from below of a top mount of the linkage assembly, according to at least one other embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view from above of the top mount of FIG. 10A.

[0059] FIG. 11A is a top down view of a shaft and drive lugs of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, according to at least one embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 11 B is a side view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 11 A.

[0061] FIG. 11 C is an exploded perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG.

11 A.

[0062] FIG. 11 D is an end view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 11 A.

[0063] FIG. 12A is a top down view of a shaft and drive lugs of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, according to at least one other embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 12B is a side view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A. [0065] FIG. 12C is an exploded perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

[0066] FIG. 12D is an end view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

[0067] FIG. 12E is a perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

[0068] Further aspects and features of the example embodiments described herein will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

[0069] Various apparatuses and methods are described below to provide an example of at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. No embodiment described below limits any claimed subject matter and any claimed subject matter may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed subject matter are not limited to apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed subject matter. Any subject matter that is disclosed in an apparatus or method described herein that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0070] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

[0071] It should be noted that terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of the modified term, such as 1 %, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example, if this deviation does not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

[0072] Furthermore, the recitation of any numerical ranges by endpoints herein includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1 , 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term "about" which means a variation up to a certain amount of the number to which reference is being made, such as 1 %, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example, if the end result is not significantly changed.

[0073] It should also be noted that, as used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive - or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X, Y or X and Y, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof. Also, the expression of A, B and C means various combinations including A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.

[0074] The following description is not intended to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed subject matter. Subject matter that may be claimed may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus, system or method disclosed in accordance with the teachings herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination that is physically feasible and realizable for its intended purpose.

[0075] Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing new tilt bucket assemblies that provide for protecting the components of the assembly that are responsible for moving the bucket relative to an arm of an excavator (e.g. including but not limited to linear actuators such as hydraulic cylinders and/or hydraulic tubing and/or hydraulic hoses).

[0076] Herein, tilt bucket assemblies for excavators are disclosed.

[0077] Referring now to FIGs. 1A-1 C, illustrated therein is a tilt bucket assembly 100 having protective covers for an excavator, according to at least one embodiment. Tilt bucket assembly 100 includes a bucket 102 and a linkage assembly 104 coupled to the bucket 102. Tilt bucket assembly 100 is configured to be fixedly releasably couple to an excavator (not shown) via linkage assembly 104.

[0078] Tilt bucket assembly 100 includes protective covers positioned to protect at least some of the components of the linkage assembly 104. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1A-1 C, tilt bucket assembly 100 includes two side covers 111 positioned on either side of a center cover 113. The covers co-operate with the bucket 102 to define a compartment 116 that houses at least a portion of the linkage assembly 104 (as described below). It should be understood that the protective covers may have a different configuration than is shown in the drawings provided that they co-operate with the bucket 102 to house at least a portion of the linkage assembly 104.

[0079] FIGs. 1A-1 C all show the tilt bucket assembly 100 at a resting position where bottom edge 105 of the bucket 102 is level. Herein, the bottom edge 105 of bucket 102 is said to be level when bottom edge 105 is about perpendicular to an axis of an arm of an excavator that is coupled to the linkage assembly 104 (e.g. when the axis of the arm of the excavator is straight up and down if shown in FIGs. 1A-1 C). Tilt bucket assembly 100 is configured to tilt (e.g. pivot) the bucket 102 relative to the arm of the excavator. Specifically, linkage assembly 104 is configured to pivot bucket 102 in one or more directions such that bottom edge 105 of the bucket 102 pivots in a clockwise and/or a counterclockwise direction (when viewed from the front of the assembly) about an axis AA of a shaft 132 of linkage assembly 104 (axis AA is shown in FIG. 2B). Axis AA is vertically spaced from bottom edge 105 and perpendicular to the axis of the arm of the excavator.

[0080] FIG. 2A shows tilt bucket assembly 100 having protective covers 111 and 113 at a first tilted position where bucket 102 has been pivoted about 45 degrees from the resting position in a clockwise direction (when viewed from the front) around axis AA of the shaft 132. FIGs. 2B, 2C and 2D also show tilt bucket assembly 100 at the first tilted position. Bucket 102 is pivotable to a second tilted position, as shown in FIGs. 2E, 2F and 2G, where bucket 102 has been rotated about 45 degrees from the resting position in a clockwise direction about axis AA of the shaft 132. Accordingly, bucket 102 of tilt bucket assembly 100 has a full range of motion about the axis AA of shaft 132 of about 90 degrees, about 45 degrees in each direction (i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise) from the resting position.

[0081] FIG. 3A shows a rear perspective view of a bucket 102 according to at least one embodiment. In this embodiment, bucket 102 is configured to accommodate a linkage assembly including a one linear actuator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, bucket 102 is configured to accommodate a linkage assembly including two linear actuators. It should be understood that bucket 102 may also be configured to accommodate a linkage assembly having more than two linear actuators.

[0082] Bucket 102 includes a top wall 106, a curved body wall 108 coupled to the top wall 106, a first side plate 110 coupled to the top wall 106 and the curved body wall 108 and a second side plate 112 opposed to the first side plate 110 and also coupled to the top wall 106 and the curved body wall 108. Top wall 106, curved body wall 108, first side plate 110 and second side plate 112 co-operate to define a recess 114 (see FIG. 1A) of bucket 102 for retaining material. Further, as noted above, bucket 102 includes a bottom edge 105 extending from the first side plate 110 to the second side plate 112 along a lowermost portion of the curved body wall 108.

[0083] Bucket 102 also includes a first coupling flange 118 and a second coupling flange 120 spaced therefrom for coupling the bucket 102 to the top mount 104. Each of the first and second coupling flanges 118, 120 extends upwardly from the top wall 106. First coupling flange 118 and second coupling flange 120 also extend laterally between first side plate 110 and second side plate 112 (e.g. from first side plate 110 to second side plate 112). First coupling flange 118 and second coupling flange 120 provide for pivotally mounting bucket 102 to the linkage assembly 104. [0084] First coupling flange 118 includes a central lobe 119 and two side portions 121a, 121 b extending laterally therefrom. Central lobe 119 has a first flange aperture 122 therein to receive at least a portion of shaft 132 for pivotally coupling the bucket 102 to the shaft 132. Central lobe 119 extends upwardly to vertically space the aperture 122 from the top plate 106 and, therefore, provide room vertically between the shaft 132 and any components that couple linear actuators 150, 152 to the shaft 132.

[0085] Similarly, second coupling flange 120 includes a central lobe 123 and two side portions 125a, 125b extending laterally therefrom. Central lobe 123 has a second flange aperture 124 therein to receive at least a portion of shaft 132 for pivotally coupling the bucket 102 to the shaft 132. First flange aperture 122 and second flange aperture 124 are each sized and shaped to receive shaft 132 and thereby pivotally mount the bucket 102 to the shaft 132. Second coupling flange 120 may also optionally include an opening 127 for receiving at last a portion of the hydraulic components 115 (such as hydraulic tubing 117) and/or providing access to compartment 116. Second flange aperture 124 and first flange aperture 122 are aligned to receive shaft 132 therein. Linkage assembly may include a rear access cover 128 configured to cover at least a portion of opening 127 and co-operate with the protective coverings to seal off compartment 116.

[0086] Bucket 102 may optionally include a third coupling flange 126 coupled to top wall 106 of bucket 102. Third coupling flange 126 may be positioned between the first coupling flange 118 and the second coupling flange 120 and extend upwardly from top wall 106 of bucket 102. Third coupling flange 126 may include central lobe 129 having an aperture 127 sized and shaped to receive shaft 132 for pivotally coupling bucket 102 to the linkage assembly 104. Third flange aperture 127 may also be aligned with first flange aperture 122 and second flange aperture 124 to receive shaft 132. In at least one embodiment, third coupling flange 126 may be positioned about halfway between first w coupling flange all 118 and second coupling flange 120 and may be appropriate in embodiments where shaft 132 of linkage assembly 104 has more than one piece (e.g. has two pieces telescopically received with one another). Third coupling flange 126 may extend to the first 110 and second 112 side plates of bucket 102 or, as shown in FIG. 5, may not be coupled to the first 110 and second 112 side plates of bucket 102. [0087] FIGs. 4A-4C show one embodiment of a tilt bucket assembly 100 with its protective covers 111 and 113 removed to expose at least some of the components of the linkage assembly 104. In this embodiment, linkage assembly 104 includes a single linear actuator 150.

[0088] In this embodiment of linkage assembly 104, linkage assembly 104 includes one linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 150. Linear actuator 150 has a first end 150a coupled to top wall 106 of bucket 102 and a second end 150b fixedly coupled to a first drive lug 160. First end 150a of first linear actuator 150 may be coupled to top wall 106 via a bucket lug 155a extending upwardly from top wall 106 and a cylinder pin 153a.

[0089] FIGs. 5A-5C show another embodiment of a tilt bucket assembly 100 with its protective covers 111 and 113 removed to expose at least some of the components of the linkage assembly 104. In this embodiment, linkage assembly 104 includes first and second linear actuators 150, 152.

[0090] In this embodiment of linkage assembly 104, linkage assembly 104 includes first linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 150 and second linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 152, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. First linear actuator 150 has a first end 150a coupled to top wall 106 of bucket 102 and a second end 150b fixedly coupled to a first drive lug 160. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, first end 150a of first linear actuator 150 is coupled to top wall 106 via a bucket lug 155a extending upwardly from top wall 106 and a cylinder pin 153a. Similarly, second linear actuator 152 has a first end 152a coupled to a bucket lug 155b (see FIG. 2C) extending upwardly from top wall 106 of bucket 102 and a cylinder pin 153b. Second linear actuator 152 has a second end 152b fixedly coupled to a second drive lug 162. Bucket lugs 155a, 155b and cylinder pins 153 provide for each of the first and second linear actuator 150, 152, respectively, to be fixedly coupled to bucket 102.

[0091] First and second linear actuators 150, 152, respectively, can be any linear actuator appropriate for tilting bucket 102 about axis AA. For instance, first and second linear actuators 150 and 152, respectively, may each be single acting hydraulic cylinders configured to pivot the bucket 102 about the axis AA in a single direction upon extension, or may be double-acting hydraulic cylinders configured to rotate the bucket 102 about the axis AA in two directions upon extension and retraction. In at least one embodiment, first linear actuator 150 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to rotate the bucket 102 in a first direction about axis AA of shaft 132. Similarly, second linear actuator 152 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to rotate bucket 102 in a second direction about axis AA of the shaft 132.

[0092] Hydraulic components 115 of the tilt bucket assembly 100 (such as but not limited to one or more hydraulic lines 117 and linear actuator(s) 150, 152) provide for linkage assembly 104 to pivot bucket 102 about axis AA (see FIG. 4B). Hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 are configured to be releasably fluidly coupled to corresponding hydraulic components of an excavator such that tilt bucket assembly 100 may be interchanged with other implements during use. Hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 are also configured to be releasably fluidly coupled to corresponding hydraulic components of the excavator such that hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 may receive hydraulic fluid from the excavator and an operator of the excavator may control the pivoting of bucket 102 while operating the excavator. It should be understood that the hydraulic components 115 of the tilt bucket assembly 100 may be configured such that bucket 102 may be operable at any position between the first tilted position and the second tilted position as described above. It should be understood that hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 may be fluidly coupled to the hydraulic components of the excavator by any mechanism known to one of skill in the art. FIGs. 6A-7B, at least, show at least a portion of the hydraulic components 115 including but not limited to hydraulic lines 117 being positioned at a rear side of the tilt bucket assembly 100. Hydraulic lines 117 may be received into compartment 116 housing at least a portion of the hydraulic components 115 (described in greater detail below).

[0093] FIG. 6A shows a rear perspective view of the assembly 100 of FIG. 4A-4C with the protective covers 111 and 113 removed to show components of the linkage assembly 104. When protective covers 111 and 113 are positioned on the tilt bucket assembly 100, they combine with the first coupling flange 118 and the second coupling flange 120 to form compartment 116. In this embodiment, compartment 116 is shaped to entirely house the linear actuator 150 as well as other components of linkage assembly 104, where the coupling flanges 118, 120 of bucket 102 act as the outside walls of the compartment 116. Specifically, in the embodiments shown herein, for example, compartment 116 is the volume of space underneath the two side protective covers 111 and the center protective cover 113 when one of the side protective covers 111 is attached to an upper edge 136 of side portion 121 a of first coupling flange 118 and an upper edge 135 of side portion 125a of second coupling flange 120, when center protective cover 113 is attached to an upper edge 137 of central lobe 119 of first coupling flange 118 and upper edge 139 of central lobe 123 of second coupling flange 120 and the other of the protective covers 111 is attached to o an upper edge 141 of side portion 121 b of first coupling flange 118 and an upper edge 143 of side portion 125b of second coupling flange 120 (see FIG. 3A and 3B).

[0094] FIG. 6B shows an additional rear perspective view of the assembly 100 having a single linear actuator 150 with various components of the assembly removed to view components of the linkage assembly 104. Specifically, FIG. 6B shows a partially exploded rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 4A showing the shaft 132.

[0095] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show rear perspective views of the assembly 100 having two linear actuators 150 with various components of the assembly removed to view components of the linkage assembly 104. Specifically, FIG. 7A shows a rear perspective view of the assembly 100 with one side cover 111 and center protective cover 113 removed and FIG. 7B shows a partially exploded rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 5A with each of the side covers 111 removed and shaft 132 exploded outwardly to show the various components thereof (described in greater detail below).

[0096] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the assembly 100 including a top mount 130. Top mount 130 is configured to be releasably fixedly coupled to the arm of the excavator. For instance, as shown in FIGs. 9A to 10B, top mount 130 may include one or more upwardly extending members 131 having one or more apertures 133 for retaining one or more mounting members (not shown) to be grasped by a portion of the arm of the excavator to releasably couple the arm of the excavator to the top mount 130. It should be understood that top mount 130 may include other mechanisms know in the art for releasably coupling the assembly 100 to an arm of an excavator. [0097] Linkage assembly 104 also includes shaft 132 fixedly coupled to top mount 130. As noted above, shaft 132 pivotally supports the bucket 102 by being received in first flange aperture 122 of first coupling flange 118 and second flange aperture 124 of second coupling flange 120. Shaft 132 is also fixedly coupled to the top mount 130 via depending members 142 and 144, respectively, of the top mount 130 (see FIGs. 6A and 6B). First depending member 142 has a first aperture 138 and second depending member 144 has a second aperture 140. First aperture 138 and second aperture 140 are aligned to receive the shaft 132 extending therebetween. Shaft 132 extends through first aperture 138 of first depending member 142 and second aperture 140 of second depending members 144 to fixedly couple the shaft 132 to the top mount 130.

[0098] In at least one embodiment, first aperture 138 of first depending member 142 is sized and shaped to correspond or marry to an outer surface of the shaft 132 so as to fixedly couple the shaft 132 to top mount 130. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B, the aperture 138 has a circular shape with six notches extending outwardly from a circular core. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B, the aperture 138 has a circular shape with 12 notches extending outwardly from a circular core.

[0099] Two different embodiments of shaft 132 are shown in FIGs. 11A-11 D and 12A-12E, respectively. In the first embodiment of shaft 132 shown in FIGs. 11A-11 D, shaft 132 has a smooth outer surface apart from four slots shaped to receive a portion of the drive lugs of the linkage assembly.

[0100] In the second embodiment of shaft 132 shown in FIGs. 12A-12E, shaft 132 includes a set of grooves 141 (see FIG. 7B) extending inwardly from an outer surface of the shaft 132 and longitudinally along axis AA of shaft 132. When this embodiment of shaft 132 is included in the tilt bucket assembly 100, first aperture 138 has a profile that corresponds to the set of grooves 141 to retain the shaft 132 in first depending member 142 of top mount 130 and inhibit rotation of the shaft 132 relative to the top mount 130. When the first embodiment of shaft 132 (shown in FIG. 11 A-11 D) is included in tilt bucket assembly 100, first aperture 138 may be sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of a nut 145 that has an inner surface defining an aperture 146, the inner surface being shaped to correspond to a portion of an outer surface of the shaft 132. [0101] As shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B, first aperture 138 of first depending member 142 and second aperture 140 of second depending members 144 are spaced apart by a distance BB, so as to create space therebetween along shaft 132 for first and second linear actuators 150,152, respectively, to couple to shaft 132. In at least one embodiment, distance BB is greater than a distance CC between the first coupling flange 118 and the second coupling flange 120 (see FIG. 3A and 3B), such that the top mount 130 may be coupled to shaft 132 so that first depending member 142 and second depending member 144 are positioned outside of first coupling flange 118 and second coupling flange 120, respectively. Accordingly, first depending members 142 and second depending member 144 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance that is greater than a distance between first coupling flange 118 and second coupling flange 120. The spacing apart of the first and second depending members 142, 144 from each other and the spacing apart of the first and second coupling flanges 118, 120 from each other provides room for the first and second linear actuators 150, 152 to be coupled to the shaft 132 via the drive lugs 160, 162, respectively, between the first and second coupling flanges 118, 120 and for a protective cover(s) to be placed over the shaft 132 and the first and second linear actuators 150, 152. For instance, the protective cover(s) may include centre cover 113 configured to be positioned between top mount 130 and shaft 132 (e.g. over shaft 132) and cover at least a portion of the shaft 132 and/or side covers 111 configured to be positioned between top mount 130 and top wall 106 of bucket 102 to protect t linear actuators 150, 152.

[0102] As shown in FIGs. 11A-12E, first drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162 each include a mounting portion 164 and a distal end 166. Mounting portion 164 is configured to fixedly couple the respective drive lug 160, 162 to shaft 132 and distal end 166 is configured to fixedly couple the respective drive lug 160, 162 to a respective second end 150a, 152a of one of the linear actuators 150, 152. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 12A-12E, mounting portion 164 has a circular shape and an aperture 165 therein to receive and surround shaft 132.

[0103] In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 11 A-11 D, mounting portion comprises a mounting yoke 164 having a u-shaped portion 168 that fits into and around a squared-off portion 169 of shaft 132 to fixedly couple each drive lug 160, 162 to shaft 132. It should be understood that other embodiments of mounting yoke 164 and shaft 132 are possible for fixedly coupling the drive lugs 160, 162 to shaft 132.

[0104] Each of first drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162 extends downwardly from shaft 132 to fixedly couple one of the linear actuators 150,152 to the shaft 132. First drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162 extend downwardly from shaft 132 such that each of linear actuators 150, 152 couple to shaft 132 at a position below shaft 132.

[0105] First drive lug 160 may be coupled to shaft 132 at a first position along shaft 132 and second drive lug 162 may be coupled to shaft 132 at a second position. In some embodiments, the first position and the second position are the same position. In other embodiments, the first position and the second position are spaced apart from each other along axis AA of shaft 132. In at least one embodiment, the first position and the second position are spaced apart from each other along axis AA of shaft 132 by a spacer 178. In at least one embodiment, spacer 178 may inhibit movement of the drive lugs 160, 162 towards each other along shaft 132.

[0106] Returning to FIG. 8, as shown therein, linkage assembly 104 may also include one or more sleeves 134 to surround a portion of shaft 132 within each of first coupling flange aperture 122 and the second coupling flange aperture 124 (and optionally third coupling flange aperture 127) to provide for the bucket 102 to pivot about axis AA of shaft 132. Each sleeve 134 may include a key 171 sized and shaped to fit within one of the set of grooves 141 of shaft 132 to inhibit sleeve 134 from rotating relative to shaft 132 when positioned around shaft 132 inside of one of the apertures 122, 124.

[0107] In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 104 may include bushings 181 positioned inside of flange apertures 122, 124 to reduce friction between sleeves 134 and flange apertures 122, 124 as bucket 102 pivots about axis AA of the shaft 132.

[0108] Linkage assembly 104 may also include a shaft retainer 133 to cover a portion of first coupling flange 118 and retain shaft 132 in first coupling flange aperture 122 of first coupling flange 118.

[0109] One or more shims 179 may be positioned along shaft 132 between the first drive lug 160 and first coupling flange 118 and/or between the second drive lug 162 and the second coupling flange 120 to reduce friction between the first drive lug 160 and first coupling flange 118 and/or between the second drive lug 162 and the second coupling flange 120.

[0110] In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 104 may also include a shaft jacking hole cover 182 that can be positioned on an end of the shaft 132 and cover at least a portion of second coupling flange aperture 124 to provide access to shaft 132.

[0111] Unlike the prior art tilt buckets, where the linear actuators are coupled directed to the outside of the top mount and are exposed to the environment, the subject tilt bucket is configured so that the linear actuators (and, optionally, other components of the linkage assembly) are located in a covered compartment and protected from damage, such as but not limited to damage caused by contact with rocks and dirt as the tilt bucket is in use.

[0112] While the applicant's teachings described herein are in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments as the embodiments described herein are intended to be examples. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments described herein, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.