FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to off-road vehicle and/or construction, earthmoving equipment and particularly to anti-spill mechanism for bucket or shovel of construction, earthmoving equipment such as loader to prevent accidental dropping of material from the bucket due to over curling position and more particularly to design improvement in anti-spill linkage mechanism used to keep bucket or shovel in curl position at desired angle when loader arm goes up.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An earthmoving or construction vehicles are generally used to excavate, handle and move material such as rock, soil or any other solid material. An earthmoving or construction vehicle includes various types of loaders, excavators, backhoe loaders, telehandlers and aerial lifts etc.
An earthmoving or construction vehicle such as backhoe machine consisting of boom, arm, bucket for excavating and handling material. While An earthmoving or construction vehicle such as loader includes loader arm, hydraulic cylinders and shovel or bucket etc.
In the backhoe vehicle at backward part, a swing frame either sliding type or pivotally attached rear part of vehicle, a boom structure of backhoe pivotally mounted on swing frame, an arm structure is pivotally connected the boom structure and backhoe bucket is attached pivotally to the arm structure of backhoe. The backhoe operator controls the movement of said arm, bucket and boom with respect to each other by using various hydraulic actuators. The operator can control movement of the bucket with respect to the arm , the movement of the arm structure with respect to boom structure, the movement of boom structure with respect to swing frame mounted in rear part of backhoe vehicle by using hydraulic valves and hydraulic actuators. The aforesaid hydraulic valves and hydraulic actuators comprise hydraulic circuits and hydraulic cylinders.
While in the backhoe loader vehicle at forward part, the two loader arm is connected to frame mounted on front part of the vehicle. The loading bucket or shovel is pivotally connected to the said loader arm. The loading bucket or shovel is connected to the loader arm and loader frame with the help of four bar linkages and hydraulic actuators. The aforesaid hydraulic actuators comprise hydraulic circuits and hydraulic cylinders.
During work operation of the loader equipment, such as lifting, dumping and lowering shovel or bucket, it is very crucial to maintain orientation of the shovel or bucket with respect to frame of the vehicle to prevent spilling of material handled. The operator of the loader equipment continuously adjust the joystick or lever to adjust position of shovel or bucket so that to maintain desired orientation of the shovel or bucket with respect to frame of the vehicle. The continuous adjustment of joystick or lever along with maintaining orientation of the shovel or bucket with respect to frame of the vehicle; this whole operation requires high degree of operator attention. A small operation error can reduce overall work efficiency and often it is dangerous for operator.
In the construction or earthmoving equipment like loader vehicle consisting of frame structure which is connected to front side of loader vehicle, couple of arm structure attached to said frame structure, shovel or bucket pivotally connected said arm structure. The lifting and lowering of the shovel or bucket may be performed with use of hydraulic actuators. Further the said shovel or bucket connected to arm structure with the help of four bar linkages or any other types of linkages. The said shovel or bucket can be moved in fore-and-aft/curl and dump position with the help of tilt actuator connected to arm structure to dump the material handled thereof.
During conventional work operation of loader vehicle, the operator lowers the shovel or bucket such that lower edge of bucket touch to ground and shovel or bucket position is remain parallel to ground. The material such as stone or soil or any other solid material get filled in shovel or bucket while it is lower position. After the shovel or bucket is filled, it is moved to curl position to maintain material handled and to prevent spilling of material handled. The movement of shovel or bucket to curl position enable dumping of the material handled by bucket or transfer the material handled to some other location. The lowering or rising of shovel or bucket position may be performed with the help of hydraulic actuators and said arm structure. As shovel or bucket is raised, it is necessary to maintain shovel or bucket in curl position to avoid spilling of material handled.
The operator uses one or more joystick or lever to control raising and lowering of bucket or shovel and same joystick or lever further used for adjust bucket or shovel in curl or dump position. When arm structure of loader vehicle is raised, the operator need adjust the joystick or lever in such way that the bucket or shovel should be in curl position so that the material handled by the bucket or shovel should not spill anywhere. It has been observed in many occasion that the operator get confused and mistakenly move the joystick or lever in wrong direction and hence the bucket or shovel moves to dump position. The movement of joystick or lever in wrong direction when arm structure is in raised position leads to spilling of material inappropriately even on operator cabin too.
To overcome abovementioned shortcoming and problems associated with conventional system, it is more desirable to have mechanism which can automatically adjust the position of the bucket or shovel with respect to loader vehicle frame when arm structure is raised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is relates to an anti-spill mechanism used in shovel or bucket of an earthmoving or construction equipment for maintaining material handled by bucket or shovel. The anti-spill mechanism as shown in fig. 2 comprises a bucket or shovel (1), hydraulic cylinders (6 & 9), loader arm (4), connecting link rods (5 & 8), a rotating plate (11), a follower plate (10), an engaging means (15), a control lever (20).
One end of the connecting link rod (5) is connected to the four bar linkage (2) of shovel or bucket (1) while other end of the connecting link rod (5) is attached to the said connecting means (7). The said connecting means (7) may be operate pivotally.
One end of the connecting link rod (8) is connected to the said connecting means (7) while other end is connected to the rotating plate (11) at pivot point (19).
One end of the engaging means (23) is connected to follower plate (10) while other end is connected to the control lever (20).
When the loader arm is lowered and bucket or shovel is at scooping position, the rotating plate (11) and the follower plate (10) get disengage.
When the loader arm (4) is partially elevated and shovel or bucket is in curl position. The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) are fully engaged with each other.
When the loader arm (4) is fully elevated and shovel or bucket is in curl position. The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) get fully engage during this position.
When the loader arm (4) is fully elevated and shovel or bucket is in dump position. The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) get fully disengage during this position.
When the shovel or bucket (1) scoops the material and loader arm (4) gets elevated, four bar linkages (2 & 3) moves the connecting link rod (5). Due to that the connecting link rod (8) rotates the said rotating plate (11). When loader arm reaches at required position as shown in FIG 3, the restricting means such as stopper (28) of rotating plate (11) engage with follower plate (10) and takes follower plate along with it. On further upward movement of loader arm (4), the restricting means such as stopper (28) tries to rotate to follower plate (10). Since engaging means (15) is always straight, it comes in tension on slightly rotation of follower plate (10). At this point, the engaging means (15) inner wire pulls the control rods/spools (21) in upward direction. The rotation of the follower plate (10) depends upon the stroke available in valve block (25). Once the control rods/spools (21) moves up, it actuates hydraulic cylinder (6) so that the hydraulic cylinder (6) starts opening and control the shovel or bucket (1) posture and position at desired angle. On further loader arm (4) movement beyond the engagement point, follower plate (10) gets locked because engaging means (15) does not allow it to rotate further. The shovel or bucket (1) posture and position are controlled by the hydraulic cylinder (6) beyond this point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the following drawings, a more detailed description of different exemplary embodiments of the invention will follow below.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 Illustrates side view of a construction or earthmoving machine;
Figure 2 Illustrates an anti-spill mechanism according to the present invention when loader arm are lowered or at ground position and shovel at scooping position
Figure 3 Illustrates a close view of four point linkage mechanism mounted on shovel according to the present invention;
Figure 4 Illustrates a close view of linkage mechanism of rotating plate and follower plate when loader arm are lowered and shovel at scooping position ;
Figure 5 Illustrates a connecting mechanism between control lever, control rods and spool valve;
Figure 6 Illustrates a connecting mechanism between control lever mounting bracket, control rods and spool valve along with cable;
Figure 7 Illustrates an anti-spill mechanism according to the present invention when loader arm are partially elevated and shovel is in curl position;
Figure 8 Illustrates a close view of linkage mechanism of rotating plate and follower plate when loader arm are partially elevated and shovel at curl position ;
Figure 9 Illustrates an anti-spill mechanism according to the present invention when loader arm are fully elevated and shovel is in curl position;
Figure 10 Illustrates a close view of linkage mechanism of rotating plate and follower plate when loader arm are fully elevated and shovel at curl position ;
Figure 11 Illustrates a close view of linkage mechanism of rotating plate and follower plate when loader arm are fully elevated and shovel at dump position; and
Figure 12 Illustrates an exploded view of linkage mechanism of rotating plate and follower plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An anti-spilling mechanism for an earthmoving or construction machine to maintain material handled by bucket or shovel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinunder with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
As shown in FIG. 1, a construction or earthmoving machine (10).
The construction or earthmoving machine (10) may be machine incorporating an improved hydraulic control system; however embodiments of present invention are not restricted to machine depicted in FIG.1. The concept and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of machine and machine illustrated in FIG.1 is merely shown as example.
The construction or earthmoving machine (10) consisting of a main body (12), cab structure (14), actuating means (24), wheels (18), working element or working implement (22), arm or boom structure (20), and an engine (16).
The said can structure (14) is mounted on said wheels (18). There may be multiple numbers of wheels mounted on single or multiple axles. The said wheels (18) are driven by said engine (16). The said working element or working implement such as bucket or shovel (22) is attached to arm or boom structure (20) through pivot joint. The said actuating means (24) are working on hydraulic mechanism and there may be multiple actuating means located at multiple locations. The said actuating means (24) are critical part of machine and it may be used for performing various hydraulic operations through the construction or earthmoving machine (10). There may be multiple said working elements or working implement (22) attached to the construction or earthmoving machine (10).
As shown in FIG. 2, the anti-spill mechanism for an earthmoving or construction equipment to maintain material handled by shovel or bucket provided with connecting link rods (5 & 8) which are connected to shovel or bucket (1).
The loader arm (4) is mounted in main front frame (14) of the earthmoving or construction equipment which may be elevated and lowered with the help of hydraulic cylinders (6 & 9). The shovel or bucket (1) is further connected pivotally to the loader arm (4) as shown in FIG. 3. The additional connecting means (7) is provided for connecting the said two link rods (5 & 8).
The said shovel or bucket (1) attached to the said loader arm (4) with the help of four bar linkages (2 & 3) as shown in FIG 3. The curl and dumping movement of the shovel or bucket (1) is controlled with the help of hydraulic cylinder (6) whose eye end connected to shovel or bucket lever (3) while head end is connected to the loader arm.
Referring to FIG. 4, the anti-spill mechanism for an earthmoving or construction equipment to maintain material handled by shovel or bucket provided with rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10). The rotating plate (11) is connected to link rod (8). The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) are connected to each other through the pivot pin (12). The follower plate is further attached to engaging means (15) by means of ball joint (16), however joint type may not be restricted to only ball joint and other types of joints may be used to perform said operations. The said engaging means (15) is secured at mounting bracket (13) either with the fastener or safety clip (17). Engagement point of both the rotating plate (11) & follower plate (10) is decided by the desired shovel or bucket (1) posture. The orientation and profile of follower plate (10) is important to decide the engagement point. The follower plate (10) is oriented with dowel pin (not shown in FIG) at required posture of shovel or bucket (1). The engaging means (15) length between follower plate hole and mounting bracket point (18) is decided such that cable is always straight and in tension at this point. In order to avoid any flexibility, this portion of the engaging means (15) is connected to solid rod. This solid portion of the engaging means (15) may eliminate the need of dowel pin (not shown in FIG) and control the position of follower plate (10). The entire portion of the engaging means (15) may be flexible also, in that case follower plate (10) rotation needs to be limited by dowel pin (not shown in FIG) otherwise, and follower plate (10) can free rotate on pivot pin (12) due to its own weight and may bend engaging means (15) mounting length.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control lever (20) is provided to control curl and dump movement of shovel or bucket and also actuate hydraulic cylinders (6 & 9) referred in FIG. 2. The control lever (20) is further connected to control rods (21 & 22) which moves spool (not shown in FIG.) upward and downward direction in valve block (25).
Refereeing to FIG. 6, the linkage mechanism connected to control lever (20) is provided with the universal joint (24), bracket (27), cable ball joint (26) and cable (23). The cable (23) is attached to control lever (20) by means of ball joint (26), however joint type may not be restricted to only ball joint and other types of joints may be used to perform said operations. The universal joint (24) is mounted on lever mounting bracket (27) which moves both the said control rods/spools (21 & 22) in valve block (25) based on control lever (20) movement.
Further referring to FIG. 5; rearwards movement of control lever (20) pulls the control rod/spool (22) which actuate the hydraulic cylinder (9) and elevate the loader arm (4). While forward movement of control lever (20) pushes the control rod/spool (21) which retract the hydraulic cylinder (9) and further lower the loader arm (4). Similarly left side movement of control lever (20) pushes the control rod/spool (21) which retract shovel/bucket hydraulic cylinder (6) and therefore shovel/bucket (1) turns into curl position. While right side movement of control lever (20) pulls the control rod/spool (22) which actuates the shovel/bucket hydraulic cylinder (6) and therefore shovel/bucket (1) turns into dump position. The control rod/spool (21) is connected to the said engaging means (15) which further connected to the follower plate (10).
As shown in FIG. 7, the loader arm (4) is partially elevated and shovel or bucket is in curl position. The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) are fully engaged with each other and their further movement is restricted by the restricting means such as stopper (28) and by the engaging means (15).
Referring to FIG. 9, the loader arm (4) is fully elevated and shovel or bucket is in curl position. The close view of the rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10),when loader arm (4) is fully elevated and shovel or bucket is in curl position is shown in FIG. 10.
Referring to FIG. 11, the loader arm (4) is fully elevated and shovel or bucket is in dump position. The rotating plate (11) and follower plate (10) get fully disengage during this position.
As shown in FIG. 12, the follower plate (10) is pivoted on pivoted pin (12). An orientation and position of follower plate (10) is controlled by mechanical component such as dowel pin (29) which also prevents follower plate (10) to freely rotate on pivot pin (12). The profile of hole cut-out made on follower plate (10) is such that it allow limited rotation on pivot pin (12) which is required to move shovel or bucket spool (21) in upward and downward direction. The follower plate (10) remains stationary on the rotating plate (11) which is also pivoted on the said pivot pin (12) engage with it. When the rotating plate (11) fully engages with the follower plate (10), the rotating plate (11) moves following plate (10) too along with it. The restricting means such as stopper (28) is welded to rotating plate (11). Rotation of the rotating plate (11) is controlled by the connecting link rods (5 & 8) as shown in FIG. 1
Referring to FIG. (2, 3 & 12), One end of the connecting link rod (5) is connected to the four bar linkage (2) of shovel or bucket (1) while other end of the connecting link rod (5) is attached to the said connecting means (7). The said connecting means (7) may be operate pivotally.
Referring to FIG. (2, 3 & 12), One end of the connecting link rod (8) is connected to the said connecting means (7) while other end is connected to the rotating plate (11) at pivot point (19).
The present invention does not restrict to use of single connecting link rod on the arm and hence multiple connecting link rods may be used in the present invention.
Requirement of the connecting link rods are due to the bend design of loader arm (4) and ultimate function of connecting link rods are to rotate rotating plate (11). Since the connecting link rod (5) is connected to the shovel or bucket lever (3) which make a four bar linkage with shovel or bucket (1). The connecting link rod (5) moves as and when the shovel or bucket (1) posture, orientation and position get changes.
Referring to FIG. 2 to 12 (excluding FIG.1), the working arrangement of the present invention described as hereinunder.
When the shovel or bucket (1) scoops the material and loader arm (4) get elevated, four bar linkages (2 & 3) moves the connecting link rod (5). Due to that the connecting link rod (8) rotates the said rotating plate (11). When loader arm reaches at required position as shown in FIG 3, the restricting means such as stopper (28) of rotating plate (11) engage with follower plate (10) and takes follower plate along with it. On further upward movement of loader arm (4), the restricting means such as stopper (28) tries to rotate to follower plate (10). Since engaging means (15) is always straight, it comes in tension on slightly rotation of follower plate (10). At this point, the engaging means (15) inner wire pulls the control rods/spools (21) in upward direction. The rotation degree of the follower plate (10) depends upon the stroke available in valve block (25). Once the control rods/spools (21) moves up, it actuates hydraulic cylinder (6) so that the hydraulic cylinder (6) starts opening and control the shovel or bucket (1) posture and position at desired angle. On further loader arm (4) movement beyond the engagement point, follower plate (10) gets locked because engaging means (15) does not allow it to rotate further. Shovel or bucket (1) posture and position are controlled by the hydraulic cylinder (6) beyond this point.

CLIAMS:

1. An anti-spill mechanism to maintain a material handled by a bucket or shovel in an earthmoving or construction machine comprising :
? at least one loader arm for elevating and lowering the shovel mounted on it by means of a four bar linkage;
? at least one rotating plate for engaging with follower plate;
? at least one follower plate for engaging with the rotating plate ;
? at least one restricting means welded or bended on the rotating plate or the follower plate or both for allowing engagement between the rotating plate and follower plate and to move the follower plate with respect to movement of the rotating plate;
? at least one engaging means for engaging the follower plate with a control lever;
? at least two connecting link rods for connecting pivotally on four bar linkages of a shovel and the rotating plate; and
? at least one mechanical component for limiting free movement of follower plate along an axis.
2. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said rotating plate and the follower plate are mounted on loader arm by means of a pivot pin.
3. The anti-spill mechanism to maintain a material handled by bucket or shovel in an earthmoving or construction machine comprising two connecting link rods.
4. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said first connecting link rod whose one end is connected to four bar linkage of shovel while other end is connected to pivotally operated connecting means which allow free movement of both the said connecting link rods.
5. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said second connecting link rod whose one end is connected to the said pivotally operated connecting means while other end is connected pivotally to the said rotating plate.
6. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said engaging means whose one end is connected to follower plate by means of any type of mechanical joint and secured at bracket mounted chassis tower by means of a fastener while other end is connected to the control lever.
7. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said engaging means is cable, mechanical rod or string made up from any of material.
8. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said loader arm get elevated and the said bucket is in curl position, the said connecting rods moves which rotate the rotating plate , the said rotating plate and the said follower plate get fully engaged and the rotating plate rotates the follower plate until its free movement restricted by the said restricting means and amount of valve block spool stroke, as follower plate moves the said engaging means pulls the control lever which actuate a hydraulic cylinder to control the shovel posture, orientation and position at desired angle.
9. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said engaging means is always in straight position and comes in tension on slightly rotation of the said follower plate.
10. The anti-spill mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said mechanical component for limiting free movement of follower plate may be dowel pin , screw ,any mechanical stopper or combination of thereof.