Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – With in situ means for both comminuting and treating – e.g.,...
Utility Patent
1998-01-16
2001-01-02
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Apparatus
With in situ means for both comminuting and treating, e.g.,...
C404S084100, C037S199000
Utility Patent
active
06168348
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to earth moving equipment and more particularly to a new and improved surface leveling system capable of leveling earth in two directions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Leveling systems such as scrapers or graders are commonly used for roughly leveling relatively large areas of ground and are well known in the art. These leveling systems are commonly pushed or pulled by bulldozers, tractors, or other similar equipment. These leveling systems have also been known to be self-propelled. The wide variety of available motive sources are able to move the leveling systems in many different directions. However, current leveling systems are not capable of using this ability.
Current leveling systems are able to effectively grade earth in, for example, a forward direction, but not in a reverse direction. One common reason why these systems are not used in two directions is that the hitches used for connecting the earth-grading tool to the motive source have generally been designed for use in only one direction. An example of a hitch well known in the art that only works well in one direction is a three point hitch. Although a three point hitch works well pulling an earth grading tool, the hitch does not work well pushing the tool because the force of the earth on the tool tends to push the tool upwards.
As a result of the directional limitation of current leveling systems, these systems must execute complex maneuvering to properly level the ground. An analogy to the difficulties with current leveling systems is to imagine driving into and out of a driveway with a car that does not have reverse. The maneuver is simple when the car can travel in two directions. However, the maneuver is very complex when effective travel is limited to only one direction. Additionally, as is well known in the art, leveling systems must sometimes grade surfaces several times before the surfaces are level. Without having the ability to effectively grade earth in both directions, current leveling systems must completely turn around before a surface can be regraded. This excess maneuvering wastes motion, and therefore, wastes time.
Laser beam level control systems are commonly used with leveling systems to define a precise reference level. With such systems, a laser beam reference level is used to enable the leveling systems to create a uniformly level surface that cannot be easily achieved using conventional level control systems. The effectiveness of the laser beam level control systems are also limited by leveling systems that can only grade earth in one direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an earth leveling system capable of being pushed or towed by a motion source.
It is another object of this invention to provide an earth leveling system that levels earth in at least two directions.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an earth leveling system having a multi-link hitch that can be pushed.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an earth leveling system that combines the advantages of a laser beam level control system with bi-directional leveling.
In accordance with the invention, these and other objects are accomplished by providing a earth leveling system comprising a chassis having a hitch, a grader frame, and a forward frame having a caster wheel to support the chassis. The hitch comprises a rear support having means for attachment to a motive unit and a plurality of mechanical links substantially parallel to one another. One end of the links are pivotably attached to the rear support and the opposing end to a middle support fixedly connected to the box grader frame. The grader frame supports a box grader having a bi-directional earth grading tool. The grader frame is also pivotably attached to the forward frame. Extending above the grader frame is a torque member fixedly attached to the grader frame.
Also included is a damping assembly having upper and lower distal ends and disposed between the rear and middle supports. The upper distal end is pivotably connected to an upper link adjacent the middle support, and the lower distal end is pivotably connected to a lower bar on the rear support.
A hydraulic piston is pivotably connected to the forward frame and to the torque member whereby extending the hydraulic piston raises the grader frame and the earth grading tool relative to ground. A control unit attached to the chassis and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic piston controls the extension and retraction of the hydraulic piston.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the surface leveling system further includes a laser beam generator remote from the chassis capable of projecting a laser beam parallel to ground at a predetermined distance above ground. Also included is a laser sensor attached to the chassis and fixedly positioned relative to the earth grading tool for receiving the laser beam. The laser sensor transmits position data to the control unit.
In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the hitch is a three point hitch, and thus, has two lower links and one upper link.
In still another alternative embodiment of the invention, the damping assembly is a shock absorber. The shock absorber preferably also acts as a biasing means for urging the grader frame downward.
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New Holland Web Page “In your sites” pp. 1-3, Sep. 27, 1999.
Land Pride Web Page “We've got you covered” pp. 70-72, 74,75, Sep. 27, 1999.*
Crowley Robert W.
Meyer Frederick A.
Schroeder Dana E.
Addie Raymond
Akerman Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
Lillis Eileen D.
Southern Laser, Inc.
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