| CPC B66C 3/02 (2013.01) [B66C 3/16 (2013.01); B66C 13/16 (2013.01); B66C 13/20 (2013.01); E02F 3/40 (2013.01); E02F 3/404 (2013.01); E02F 3/60 (2013.01)] | 28 Claims |
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1. A clamshell bucket comprising:
a pair of clamps pivotally coupled to an assembly body, the clamps configured to pivot away from each other to expand a scoop space defined between the clamps and pivot toward each other to contract the scoop space, each of the clamps respectively comprising:
a scooping surface positioned between a tip of a respective clamp and a base of the respective clamp, wherein the respective clamp is coupled to the assembly body at the base of the respective clamp, wherein the tip and the base of the respective clamp are positioned between first and second sides of the respective clamp;
a cutting plate coupled to the first side of the respective clamp, the cutting plate comprising a perforating edge disposed between the base of the respective clamp and the tip of the respective clamp, the perforating edge configured to extend into the scoop space relative to the scooping surface, wherein a first inner surface of the cutting plate is disposed between the scooping surface and the perforating edge; and
a retention plate coupled to the second side of the respective clamp, the retention plate including a second inner surface that faces the first inner surface of the cutting plate, wherein the first inner surface of the cutting plate, the second inner surface of the retention plate, and the scooping surface further define the scoop space between the clamps,
wherein each of the clamps further comprises a cylindrical bar coupled to the cutting plate and the retention plate at the tip of the respective clamp, wherein the cylindrical bar extends along the tip of the clamp, and wherein the clamshell bucket further comprises a perforating wheel coupled to the cylindrical bar adjacent to the cutting plate.
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