Ground clearing apparatus and method for transporting same

Earth working – With drive means for tool or cleaner – Flails

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172 2, 172123, 172245, A01B 3300

Patent

active

061489263

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ground clearing and milling apparatus and to a system for attaching such apparatus to vehicles.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus and systems are known for clearing land mines. Commonly, land mine clearing apparatus is adapted for mounting on tracked vehicles which travel the ground to be cleared. Examples of such apparatus are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,221 to Sombrowski, UK Patent Nos. 2,106,454 and 2,106,045, and German Patent DE 31 27 85 6 to Schaubele.
Pat. No. 4,765,221 describes an arrangement for receiving a clearing device having a rotatable tool for clearing land mines. The device can be pivoted through 90.degree. to facilitate transportation.
In the known prior art apparatus, during clearing, the clearing shaft is driven in rotation and the clearing tools attached to the shaft penetrate into the ground because of the high movement energy and throw the ground and any mines forward. The clearing shaft is generally supported on a frame to which it is connected by hydraulic units.
Clearing tools which rotate about the clearing shaft are generally hammer like elements which are rigidly attached to the shaft so as to provide sufficient force to clear the ground and the mines. Such rigidly fixed devices are likely to be easily shattered by the impact forces.
German Patent DE 31 27 85 6 to Schaubele describes clearing tools which consists of hammers which are pivotably attached to the clearing shaft to provide a certain degree of flexibility. UK Patent No. 2,106,045 describes land mine clearing apparatus which includes clearing shafts having impact elements secured by cables attached thereto to provide flexibility in one direction.
UK Patent No. 2,106,454 describes means for adjusting the height of the land mine clearing apparatus. These means comprise probe elements which are pivotably attached to the outer arms of the unit supporting the clearing shaft. The probe elements, which are in contact with the ground, send indications to a control device within the vehicle. The operator can then adjust the axis of tilt of the device accordingly.
The above referenced prior art devices though suitable for clearing land mines, are not normally suitable for general ground clearing of boulders and similar objects.


SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide ground clearing and milling apparatus which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of prior art apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide ground clearing apparatus which can be used for clearing land mines and which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of prior art apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to utilize chains to provide flexibility in more than one direction without sustaining damage due to impact.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide ground clearing apparatus which can be adapted for the attachment of a second tool, such as a bulldozer for other excavation and clearing purposes.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide ground clearing apparatus which allows the clearing tool apparatus to be disposed into a position for transporting.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide ground clearing apparatus which includes a separate power unit connecting the driving vehicle to the clearing tool.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide ground clearing apparatus in which the level and tilt of the apparatus can be automatically adjusted. The adjustment means can include mechanical, ultrasonic or radar means.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, ground clearing apparatus. The ground clearing apparatus includes a plurality of ground clearing tools attached to a rotating shaft. The ground clearing tools include a chain having a plurality of links and a hammer attached to one end of the chain. The rotation of the shaft causes the hamme

REFERENCES:
patent: 2718741 (1955-09-01), Meldahl
patent: 3754603 (1973-08-01), Bogie
patent: 4220184 (1980-09-01), Hallett et al.
patent: 4765221 (1988-08-01), Sombrowski
patent: 4862969 (1989-09-01), Jobst et al.
patent: 4930581 (1990-06-01), Fleischer et al.
patent: 4987819 (1991-01-01), Brown
patent: 5007325 (1991-04-01), Macwatt
patent: 5103624 (1992-04-01), Marshall
patent: 5666794 (1997-09-01), Vought et al.

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