Dual wheel trench compactor

Details Dual wheel trench compactor Dual wheel trench compactor

1999-04-22

2001-08-14

Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)

Road structure, process, or apparatus

Apparatus

Rotating drum, roller or tire

C404S122000, C037S142500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06273637

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to soil compactors, and more particularly to an improved soil compactor especially suited for narrow and deep trenches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The installation of fiber-optic cable has become quite common in both residential districts and rural areas. The typical installation utilizes a trencher apparatus to form a trench in excess of four feet deep and approximately six inches in width, while fiber optic cable is dispensed behind the trencher at the bottom of the trench.
The main problem with conventional installations of cable in the bottom of this narrow, deep trench is the replacement of soil in the trench. Typically, the soil piled to the sides of the trench will be pushed into the trench with a backhoe or the like. If this backfilled earth is not compacted sufficiently, a mound of soil will remain over the trench or the soil will later settle and form a depression along the line of the underground installation. Such a depression causes water to stand along the trench and can thereby increase the possibility of damage to the cable at the bottom of the trench as well as vehicles travelling along the trench. Further, people and animals may be injured if they come into contact with the depression.
One method for compacting the soil within the trench utilizes a compacting roller centrally supported on the bucket or scoop of a loader machine. In use, the machine straddles the trench and the roller is moved fore and aft within the trench to compact the soil. The roller at the front end of the loader, and the manipulation of the loader weight on the roller, makes it difficult to steer the machine and follow the trench line and requires large amounts of time to conduct the fore and aft movement of the roller which, in turn, results in poor compaction of the trench.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor for trenches and especially narrow and deep trenches.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual wheel compactor for compacting backfill dirt within a trench at two different levels to provide a uniform compacting from the trench bottom to the ground level.
Still another object is to provide a dual wheel compactor with vertically adjustable compactor wheels for the compaction of trenches of various depths.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a dual wheel compactor which will compact dirt to the finished grade level on a single pass along the trench.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dual wheel compactor which is adapted to be used on large or small trenching machines.
Yet another object is to provide a dual wheel compactor which is simple to operate and economical to manufacture.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The compactor of the present invention includes a forward and rearward compaction wheel each rotatably supported on a support arm and pivotally connected to a main frame. The forward compaction wheel is pivoted to a position aligned forwardly of and positioned below the rearward compaction wheel when in an operating position. A pair of diverter panels are connected to the frame and extend longitudinally on opposing sides of the rearward compactor wheel to divert fill dirt towards the compactor wheel. Each diverter panel has a diverter wing pivotally connected thereto with the diverter wings diverging outwardly from one another. The diverter wings are pivotally connected at a point rearwardly of the forward compaction wheel and proximal thereto. The diverter panels are preferably parallel to one another and extend rearwardly beyond the rearward compaction wheel. The diverter wings preferably extend forwardly beyond the forward compaction wheel.


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