IMPROVEMENTS IN & RELATING TO THE WORKING OF GROUND AND OTHER SURFACES

Abstract

Ground/face working apparatus (1) comprises a primary support portion (2) for mounting to a vehicle and an accessory body portion (3) including or allowing the attachment of an accessory such as a blade (5). Multiple fixed length links (4a-c) allow and limit a degree of relative movement between the accessory body portion (3) and primary support portion (2) including lateral, vertical, and roll rotational (about a horizontal longitudinal axis). Control actuators (6a, 6b) primarily control the aforesaid rotational and vertical dispositions of the portions (2, 3) while a side shift variable length link comprising an actuator (8) affects the amount of lateral movement.

Claims

1. A ground/face working assembly comprising a primary support portion and an accessory body portion; said primary support portion and accessory body portion being connected by an interconnecting linkage set, said linkage set comprising at least three links connected at each end to said primary support portion and accessory body portion by joints accommodating angular movement, said accessory body portion either or both including or allowing for attachment of an accessory thereto; there being included an operational control linkage set for affecting the relative positional disposition between said primary support portion and said accessory body portion, there also being a lateral linkage set comprising at least one link connected either or both directly or indirectly to said primary support and accessory body portions.

2. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said links of the interconnecting linkage set are disposed to be substantially parallel to each other.

3. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which there are three links in the interconnecting linkage set.

4. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which, when viewed from the front of the apparatus, the three links are disposed in an isosceles or equilateral triangle arrangement.

5. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which two of said three links are connected at or near the base of said accessory body portion.

6. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the connections of said links of the interconnecting linkage set comprise pivotable joints.

7. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which said pivotable joints comprise ball joints with a degree of angular movement of substantially 6° or more.

8. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said operational control linkage set comprises at least one variable (during operation) length link disposed in either an inclined or substantially vertical manner.

9. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which a variable length link comprises an actuator, and there is at least one positioned either side of the sagittal centre line of said ground/face working assembly.

10. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 9 in which each variable length link is attached at each end to the primary support portion and accessory body portion, at least one such attachment comprising a pivotable joint.

11. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 10 in which a said pivotable joint comprises a ball joint with a degree of angular movement of substantially 6° or more.

12-20. (canceled)

21. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the lateral linkage set comprises at least one fixed length link, connected between the primary support portion and the accessory body portion, said fixed length link corresponding to the required lateral offset of said primary support portion and the accessory body portion.

22. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which said fixed length link between said primary support portion and the accessory body portion is either or both: replaceable and manually adjustable in length.

23. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the lateral linkage set comprises at least one variable length link acting between the primary support portion and the accessory body portion, said variable length link being adjustable during operation.

24. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 23 in which a said variable length link is an actuator and is connected at each end by any one of: a bush, a ball joint, a pivotable joint with a degree of angular freedom of at least 6°.

25. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein a said variable length link is oriented, when viewed from above, either substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the ground/face working assembly or an angle acute thereto.

26. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which there is present a yaw controllable linkage set acting to vary the yaw angle of the primary support portion and accessory body portion, said yaw angle being rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

27. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 26 in which said yaw controllable linkage set comprises one or more actuators.

28. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which actuators are hydraulic in operation.

29. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one mounting means for attachment to the arm of an excavator, or to a complementary mount on a vehicle.

30. A ground/face working assembly as claimed in claim 1 mounted or attached to a vehicle or attachment point thereon.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0142] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention with a three-link position limiting arrangement,

[0143] FIGS. 2-6 are varying perspective diagrammatic views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in differing configurations

[0144] FIG. 3 are front views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the blade in lowered, raised, and inclined (about a forward axis) respectively,

[0145] FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention employing a dual quadrilateral connected four-link position limiting arrangement,

[0146] FIGS. 8-11 are varying perspective diagrammatic views of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in differing configurations,

[0147] FIG. 12 is a further embodiment of the present invention with additional pivoting features suitable for grading type operations,

[0148] FIGS. 13-15 are varying perspective diagrammatic views of the embodiment of FIG. 12 in differing configurations

[0149] FIG. 16 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a wheel carriage arrangement suitable for use on varying embodiments of the present invention, and

[0150] FIG. 17 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a locking connection for the carriage arrangement of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0151] With reference to the drawings and by way of example only there is provided a ground/face working assembly (generally indicated by arrow 1) comprising a primary support portion (2) and an accessory body portion (3); [0152] said primary support portion (2) and accessory body portion (3) being connected by an interconnecting linkage set (4a, 4b, 4c); [0153] said accessory body portion including and/or allowing for attachment of an accessory (5) thereto; [0154] there being included an operational control linkage set (6a, 6b) for affecting the relative positional disposition between said primary support portion (2) and said accessory body portion (3).

[0155] In this embodiment of the invention the accessory body portion (3) includes a fastened accessory (5), which is a blade or mouldboard. This is bolted to the main support structure of the accessory body portion (3) and can be replaced. Other accessories may be present in different embodiments, including multiple mounted accessories including rakes, power drums, etc. As an option the blade (5) can be hingedly mounted to the accessory body portion (3) so it can pivot forwardly and upwardly about a lateral transverse axis but is limited (e.g. by stops) in movement in the reverse direction. This allows the blade (5) to pivot upwardly an out of the way during reverse vehicle travel so an not to unduly disturb already levelled ground. Optionally a second reverse facing blade can be fixed to the accessory body portion and may also be hinged to deflect during forward vehicle travel. In this manner both forward and reverse levelling operations can be performed.

[0156] The interconnecting linkage set comprises, in this embodiment, three fixed length position limiting linkages (4a-c). These are arranged in a triangular arrangement, being an isosceles triangle with mirror symmetry through the median plane of each of the primary support portion (2) and accessory body portion (3) respectively.

[0157] In preferred embodiment position limiting linkages (4a-c) connect at each end with flexible or pivotable connections (4af, 4ar, 4bf, 4br, 4cf, 4cr) allowing a degree of angular movement of the longitudinal axis of the position limiting linkage relative to the connection point. In preferred embodiments ball-head type connections are employed, such as used in steering and suspension connections in the trucking and transport industry have proven to be not only suitable but extremely durable in use (as well as relatively inexpensive due to scale of availability). While bushes, also used in the same industry can be used, it is found that pivoting connections such as ball joints provide better freedom of movement and less resistance to angular movement. Typically around 8° angular movement joints are satisfactory, though if the length of the links is reduced in a particular design (to bring the accessory body portion closer to the primary support portion) then a greater degree of angular movement (e.g. 12° or higher) may be required. Ideally any ball joints should have shielding caps or features to help prevent the ingress of foreign material.

[0158] The links themselves may be fixed length or adjustable in length for during assembly. 80 kN rods are generally suitable for typical levelling and grading applications.

[0159] It should be noted that the side guards (201a,b) need not be provided on embodiments. These are commonly used on box levellers and stops spillage at the end for precision edging operations. However for situations involving more of a grading and spreading type operation they may be absent. The embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrates this principle.

[0160] In other embodiments the central position limiting linkage (4b) can be replaced by a pair of two linkages, though one end of this pair where it attaches to either the primary support portion (2) or accessory body portion (3) should connect close to or adjacent each other (e.g. at connection mount (7)). Though in such an arrangement lateral side shift will not be possible and a better four link system is as follows.

[0161] Also provided is a four link system (four fixed length position limiting linkages) (104a-d) which connect to each of the primary support portion (2) and accessory body portion (3) in quadrilateral arrangements. Ideally these are symmetrically distributed either side of the sagittal plane of the apparatus, and ideally substantially parallel to each other.

[0162] However there are considerations when fabricating a four link arrangement which need to be taken into account. For instance take a situation where the accessory body portion (3) is moved sideways or vertically relative to the primary support portion (2). Here the end of each position limiting linkage moves in a mild arc if the distal end at the primary support portion is our reference and assumed fixed in space. The problem with a dual quadrilateral pattern of fixing at each end of a four link system is that moving ends of the position limiting linkages (assuming the other ends are fixed in space) move slightly out of plane. This applies stress to the plane of the accessory body portion (3) (assuming the primary support portion (2) is fixed) which has to be accommodated by the pivoting linkage connections or buckling of the plane of the accessory body portion. For mild movements (e.g. elevation as well as rotation (roll)) these may not be pronounced, but they significantly increase as the degree of, say, roll is increased). Add to this the loading on the accessory (5), and hence accessory body portion (3), during working operations then stresses and forces significantly increase. We have previously mentioned this with the three legged stool and four legged table analogy (see previously). The reality is that a high degree of precision in manufacturing and assembly is desirable to ensure the arcuate path of the joint at each link end (to the accessory body portion) is as close to identical as possible so as to avoid stresses arising from the “uneven floor” scenario.

[0163] It has been found by the inventor that applying a three point contact pattern for the position limiting linkages on either of the primary support portion (2) or accessory body portion (3) addresses these issues as a three point contact system remain in a plane regardless of the relative orientation of the body portion with which they are associated (2 or 3). Testing and development has indicated that the three position limiting connection arrangement is (currently) the optimum though further testing of physical prototypes may refine this. Consequences of these developments mean that less reinforcing and weight need be applied to body portions (2 and 3), or a greater working load/forces accommodated for a particular body design. These are significant for lighter capacity vehicles to which the ground/face working assembly is attached.

[0164] Also visible in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is an operational control linkage set comprising two elevation controllable linkages (6a, 6b), typically comprising an actuator—e.g. hydraulic. These are arranged in parallel, when viewed in plan, for this embodiment and can be used to adjust the relative elevation of each end of the accessory body portion (3) assuming the primary body portion (2) is fixed in space. This allows the elevation and roll configuration (rotation about a longitudinal axis—typically at the intersection of a parasagittal and transverse plane) of the accessory body portion (3) (relative to the primary body portion (2)) to be adjusted. Pivotable connections (6af, 6ar, 6bf, 6br) such as ball joints discussed elsewhere are preferred.

[0165] In this embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1) a further transversely disposed controllable linkage (8) comprising an actuator pivotably connects points (9) (10) on the primary body portion (2) and accessory body portion (3) respectively though the mounting bracket for pivoting joint (10) is not shown in the figures for clarity. This can be a simple bracket extending from the main body (3) of the accessory body portion. Again, pivot joints (9,10) such as discussed elsewhere are preferred.

[0166] This linkage (8) allows the accessory body portion (3) to shift sideways relative to the primary body portion (2). This effectively allows the accessory body portion to move laterally beyond the projected side plane of a vehicle to allow it to be close to existing site features (e.g. kerbs, foundation walls, etc.) for precision work. While physical limiters/stops may limit maximum lateral movement, the embodiment of FIG. 1 allows left and right transverse movement (compared to when the median (sagittal) planes of the two body portions (2 and 3) are aligned/centred. The maximum lateral transverse movement becomes largely limited by the position limiting linkages (4a-c) and the relative geometry adopted between the body portions (2 and 3) at the time.

[0167] A quick hitch or other commonly used connection in the industry may be provided (not shown) on the primary body portion (2), or the primary body portion may comprise same, to allow expeditious mounting of the ground/face working assembly to a vehicle or support.

[0168] FIGS. 2 through 6 show the embodiment of FIG. 1 in alternate configurations.

[0169] FIGS. 7 through 11 show a four link embodiment where the position limiting linkages (104a-d) connect to each of the primary support portion (2) and accessory body portion (3) in a quadrilateral arrangement of connection points. An excavator mount (120) is provided on top for connection to an excavator boom arm, though a quick hitching type system could be provided on the primary body support portion (2) as well or instead. The remaining components and construction are largely as per the embodiment of FIG. 1. The four link arrangement considerations are mentioned above, and the general nature of the four link embodiment is similar to the three link design other than the interconnecting linkage set.

[0170] FIGS. 12 through 16 show a three link embodiment, comparable to the embodiment of FIG. 1, except that the primary support portion (2) is an intermediate portion pivotably connected to a vehicle support portion (130). The pivotable connection is about a substantially vertical axis (131).

[0171] A yaw controlling linkage set comprises two variable (during operation) length operable linkages (132a-b) (such as actuators) between the primary support portion (2) and vehicle support portion (130) to control the degree of pivoting (yaw) of the primary support portion (2) relative to the vehicle support portion. This type of arrangement allows for the yaw-angled blade typical of graders and grading operations.

[0172] A quick connection arrangement or other means of attachment to a vehicle is typically provided on the vehicle support portion (130).

[0173] Side shifting operation is accomplished in this embodiment by two transverse operational linkages (140a-b) comprising actuators. These replace the transverse actuator (8) of previous embodiments.

[0174] In FIG. 16 we can see an optional detachable leading wheel carriage arrangement (150) which is commonly used in conjunction with levellers and can be attached or otherwise provided on the embodiments described above. FIG. 17 illustrates an optional locking mechanism for attaching and detaching it, though standard connection methods, and bolt-on techniques etc can be employed. Such carriage assemblies can be applied on various embodiments of the present invention.

[0175] Not shown, but common in the art, are sensors which attach to the accessory body portion to interact with a proprietary or common guidance system—2D, 2.5D, 3D. geospatial, laser line, etc. technologies are commonly used on worksites. The embodiments of the present invention are adaptable for such techniques and for providing information to a control or operator guidance system. They are not discussed in detail here as it is now common practice to attach or fit appropriate sensors for the guidance system that the user desires to use. Similarly hydraulic control systems to interact with such guidance systems, and can be programmed/calibrated to cause actuators to appropriately respond, are common practice in the industry.

[0176] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0177] It should also be understood that the term “comprise” where used herein is not to be considered to be used in a limiting sense. Accordingly, ‘comprise’ does not represent nor define an exclusive set of items, but includes the possibility of other components and items being added to the list.

[0178] This specification is also based on the understanding of the inventor regarding the prior art. The prior art description should not be regarded as being authoritative disclosure on the true state of the prior art but rather as referencing considerations brought to the mind and attention of the inventor when developing this invention.