Abstract
The objective of this application is to reveal enhancements and extensions of the previously patented Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement, awarded Nov. 24, 2015 to Bruce Wade McGee, and assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,103 B2. McGee's Tractor Mounted Excavation Implement is useful in small-scale construction, hobby farming or gardening, landscaping, irrigation, utilities and pipe laying, roadside or city development and maintenance in some areas, land-owner maintenance, and possibly firefighting with rapid excavation needs in some less dense forests. This application adds apparatuses to include usefulness in creating gardening or landscaping beds, and shallow graded excavations for sidewalk or simple slabs. Additionally, several other changes are proposed that enhance and extend usefulness of the implement, including improved power diversion to the implement's apparatuses, improved cutting element configuration, and an enhanced axle that more effectively loosens soil for excavation and sweeps excavated soil laterally.
Claims
1. A rotational excavating apparatus, to be mounted by axle into the Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement, whereby landscape or gardening raised beds may be excavated, comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical apparatus, concave-faced, of hourglass shape, and b. a means of harvesting soil and depositing spoils toward the center of the apparatus, comprising: i. claws, or cutting elements, attached to face at medially directed angles to thrust soil upward and medially, and ii. a rotatable axle with power diversion from the tractor's power-take-off unit to the axle.
2. A rotational excavating apparatus, to be mounted by axle into the Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement, whereby shallow graded areas for sidewalks or simple slabs may be excavated, comprising: a. substantially cylindrical, tubular roller-shaped body, and b. a means of harvesting soil and depositing spoils out laterally away from resulting depression, comprising: i. claws, or cutting elements, attached to body at laterally directed angles to thrust soil upward and laterally, and ii. a rotatable axle with power diversion from the tractor's power-take-off unit to the axle.
3. A means of more directly diverting power from the tractor's power-take-off unit to the axle of the selected task-associated excavation apparatus, comprising: a. a drive shaft reaching from said power-take-off unit to the gear box of the implement, and b. said gear box situated to directly couple with axle of selected task-associated excavation apparatus.
4. The gear box described in claim 3, wherein said gear box reduces rotation rate at a pre-determined ratio.
5. The gear box described in claim 3, wherein the mechanism employs a means to reduce torque and friction, whereby avoiding damage to said gearbox when sudden obstacles are encountered in operation.
6. A means of accommodating extended requirements of task-associated excavation apparatuses, comprising: a. a plurality of laterally extruding tines from the face of each apparatus, whereby the width of excavated area can be extended, and b. a plurality of vertically extruding tines from the body of each apparatus, whereby the soil is broken apart for ease in harvesting and directing soil.
7. The pluralities of tines described in claim 6, wherein said tines can be secured immovably, or made adjustable by extending and locking or bolting in place.
8. A plurality of angled fins or blades for attachment to the exposed portion of the axles of the task-associated excavation apparatuses, whereby excavated soil is swept laterally toward banks of resulting depression
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the bedder apparatus, installed in the McGee Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective sod and topsoil remover apparatus, installed in the McGee Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a direct drive connection from the tractor's power-take-off unit to a simple speed-reducing gear box.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view one possible embodiment of adjustable tines which extend from the body or face of an apparatus, extending the excavation range.
[0026] FIG. 4's perspective view also shows one possible embodiment of the improved axle, displaying sweeper fin-type blades angled intermittently around the exposed portion of the axle in a spiral path. Alternatively, a continuous sweeper blade could be installed along the same path.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0027] This invention proposes enhancements and extensions to the previously patented Tractor Mounted Excavation Implement by Bruce Wade McGee, herein also referred to as McGee Tractor Mounted Excavation Implement, McGee implement, or simply the implement.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Tractor-Mounted Excavation Implement, indicated by numeral 1, attaches to a tractor, not shown. The power-take-off unit drive shaft, indicated by numeral 2, supplies power to the axle of the apparatus in use. This portion of the drawings reflect the previously patented implement. The newly conceptualized apparatuses connected within the implement are further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a rotational bedder apparatus, previously presented in Provisional Patent Application No. 62/388,350 entitled Rotational Bedder Apparatus and dated Jan. 25, 2016.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, within Implement 1, is situated a bedder apparatus, indicated by numeral 3. The face of the bedder apparatus is surfaced with claws, indicated by numeral 4, in a similar manner to previously patented apparatuses, but angled medially toward center of apparatus. The direction of rotation of the apparatus itself is indicated arrows shown with numeral 5.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a rotational sod and topsoil remover apparatus, previously conceptualized and included in Provisional Patent Application No. 62/390,517 entitled Excavation Implement Improvements dated Mar. 31, 2016.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a rotational sod and topsoil remover apparatus, indicated by numeral 6, is situated within the implement. The direction of rotation and surfacing with claws, tines or blades, are similar to other previously embodied apparatuses. This apparatus is longer, preferably the width of a typical sidewalk, and excavates a shallower level area, such as is typical for a simple sidewalk or with multiple strips, a simple slab.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows an improved method of transferring power from the tractor's power-take-off unit to the apparatuses, as previously conceptualized and included in Provisional Patent Application No. 62/390,517 entitled Excavation Implement Improvements dated Mar. 31, 2016.
[0034] As seen in FIG. 3, the implement's perimetrical frame 1, and the selected apparatus 8, in this instance a trencher apparatus, are similarly positioned to previous embodiments. However, the tractor's power-take-off is connected to a drive shaft, indicated by numeral 9, which in turn directly attaches to and powers a gear box, indicated by numeral 10. The gear box is mounted such that the selected apparatus' 8 axle, indicated by numeral 11, is directly rotated. Gear box 10 incorporates a speed-reducing feature, lowering the revolutions-per-minute to a predetermined setting for the apparatus to be rotated slowly enough for effective excavation. Gear box 10 also is equipped with a slip clutch or sheer pin at the attachment point to prevent damage to equipment.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows improvements to the cutting elements and axle, as previously conceptualized and presented Provisional Patent Application No. 62/388,393 entitled Improved Rotator and Axle for Excavation Implement and dated Jan. 28, 2016. The Trencher Apparatus from the McGee Tractor Mounted Excavation Implement is shown, indicated by numeral 8, on its axle 11, with outer sections from the Foundation Footer Apparatus removed.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the claws or cutting elements, indicated by numeral 12, that are angled to force soil directionally, there are adjustable tines or blades. There are five of six laterally adjustable tines shown, indicated by numeral 13. Lateral tines 13 are telescoped laterally out from a pocket on the face of the apparatus and secured in position, with several potential lateral positions based on the need of the excavation task. These can provide additional width of excavated area. Additionally, there are five of six vertically adjustable tines shown, indicated by numeral 14. Vertical tines 14 adjust or telescope vertically, extending away from the center of the apparatus' body, with potential vertical positions available based on needs of the excavation task and the soil to be excavated. These would be particularly useful in more dense soils to break apart soil so that claws or cuttings elements can move it laterally or medially with less difficulty. Alternatively, tines shown by numerals 13 and 14 could be positioned and secured, or permanently secured immovably to the face or body of the apparatus, based on the most likely needs of the particular task-associated excavation. The vertically extended tines could be used on all of the apparatuses, previously patented, and currently proposed. The laterally extended tines would be useful only on the foundation footer and trencher apparatuses.
[0037] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the exposed portion of the axle, indicated by numeral 8, is shown with intermittent fin-type sweeper blades, indicated by numeral 15, attached in a spiral path around the axle. The fins or blades located more medially, toward the body of the apparatus, would be folded out or attached and locked in place after the outer sections of the foundation footer apparatus are removed.
