Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – Sheep foot roller
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-04
2001-01-09
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Apparatus
Sheep foot roller
C404S128000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171020
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES
The present invention was first disclosed in a Disclosure Document filed on Apr. 25, 1998. There were no previously filed, nor any copending applications anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to industrial soil compaction devices and, more particularly, to pressure adjustable, soil-cleating attachment for front of bulldozers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Environmental concerns over the growing number and size of landfills have resulted in concerted efforts to maximize their efficiency. Among these efforts, it is a common practice to compact and cleat the refuse and soil in the landfill in order to minimize soil erosion caused by water runoff.
Cleating the landfill surface creates divots that catch the water, preventing it from collecting into streams that rapidly erodes the soil as it runs. Typically, the compacting and cleating are achieved by using specialized tracks on the bulldozers that are used to organize and manage the landfill.
However, there is a drawback to this practice in that the area between the bulldozer tracks is left untouched as it passes and, as a result, several passes are required, a waste of both time and money. Tow-behind, water filled, cleated rollers have been used to fill the gap between the tracks, however they are difficult to manage due to their excessive weight.
Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which cleating can be performed on landfills and other excavation sites that require erosion prevention in a cheap and efficient manner.
In the related art, several patents describe a soil leveling apparatus or implement for tractors or bulldozers. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,418, issued in the name of Warren et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,280 issued in the name of Mork, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,945 issued in the name of Mork, U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,026 issued in the name of Van der Lely et. al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,344 issued in the name of Johnson.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,544 issued in the name of Barnhart discloses a roller attachment to the rear of a bulldozer.
Several patents disclose an attachment blade for a bulldozer that works on a hydraulic system. These include U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,226 issued in the name of Platter and U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,583 issued in the name of Becker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,620 issued in the name of Uchida et. al. discloses a multi-purpose blade device.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which overcomes the problems cited above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved pressure adjustable, soil-cleating attachment for front of bulldozers.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pressure adjustable, soil-cleating attachment for the front of bulldozers is disclosed, designed for erosion control by cleating the ground in the area between the bull dozer tracks, thus facilitating one pass cleating of the entire area under the bull dozer.
The present invention may also be used to crimp straw and when reseeding land. A cleated roller is connected to two support arms, which releasably mount to the bottom of the bulldozer push arm.
A protective shield is connected to each support arm, and covers the upper visible portion of the roller as the roller rotates, thereby reducing flying debris during cleating of the ground. Roller stabilization means are designed to compensate for movement of the support arms as the bottom of the bulldozer blade wears during use.
The present invention is comprised of material selected from the group comprising metal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that creates divots in soil and dirt to prevent soil erosion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that will work well on steep grades, where pull behind rollers will fail.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that cleats the ground in the area between the bull dozer tracks, thus facilitating one pass cleating of the entire area under the bull dozer. This feature creates several benefits, including savings of actual track wear of the bulldozer, fuel consumption, man hours, bulldozer maintenance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be attached, operated, and detached by one person.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that may also be used to crimp straw and when reseeding land.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that produces cleat patterns that match those created by the bulldozer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that quickly and easily connects and disconnects to the front of a bulldozer, thus saving time and money.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that utilizes the bulldozer's hydraulic system for movement thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that is capable of placing variable pressure on the ground to create cleat patterns.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that has a strong, durable, design.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that is cost effective to manufacture utilizing readily available materials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1378743 (1921-05-01), Warden
patent: 3260179 (1966-07-01), Moreira
patent: 3767262 (1973-10-01), Pentith
patent: 3989404 (1976-11-01), Burton
patent: 4019268 (1977-04-01), Waterman
patent: 4098344 (1978-07-01), Johnson
patent: 4113026 (1978-09-01), Van der Lely et al.
patent: 4135583 (1979-01-01), Becker
patent: 4193457 (1980-03-01), Sphar
patent: 4384620 (1983-05-01), Uchida et al.
patent: 4411081 (1983-10-01), King
patent: 4552226 (1985-11-01), Platter
patent: 4878544 (1989-11-01), Barnhart
patent: 4924945 (1990-05-01), Mork
patent: 5024280 (1991-06-01), Mork
patent: 5450910 (1995-09-01), Strzyzewski
patent: 5713418 (1998-02-01), Warren et al.
Pikna Dan
Reidl Rick
Gugliotta John D.
Markovich Kristine M.
Will Thomas B.
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