A GRADER ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grading assembly, a grader vehicle and method for maintaining a dirt or gravel road. The grader assembly is adapted for use with a water truck or truck having water dispersal means to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of a dirt or gravel road. The assembly includes a grading device carried by the truck for shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

Claims

1. A grading assembly adapted for use with a water truck or truck having water dispersal means, said truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said assembly comprising: a grading device configured to be carried by an underside of the truck and positioned between front and rear axles of the truck, said grading device being configured to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of a dirt or gravel road, wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the truck includes a prime mover and a trailer and the grading device is configured to be carried by an underside of the trailer in a position between axles of the prime mover and the trailer.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the grading device is configured to be positioned between the axles of the prime mover and a forward most axle of the trailer of the truck.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the grading device is carried indirectly by the truck via an adjustable carriage assembly.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly facilitates in movement of the grading device between an operational position in which the grading device can engage with the surface of the dirt or gravel road, and a stowage position in which the grading device is raised and held clear of the surface of the dirt or gravel road.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly further facilitates in adjustment of a pitch of the grading device relative to a direction of travel of the truck.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly further facilitates in adjustment of an orientation of the grading device relative to a direction of travel of the truck.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly is a parallelogram linkage mechanism having at least two coupling arms pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device to facilitate in movement of the grading device between the operational and stowage positions.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least two coupling arms are each coupled to the upper portion via a coupler that allows the pitch of the grading device to be adjusted relative to the direction of travel of the truck.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly includes at least one coupling arm pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device to facilitate in movement of the grading device between the operational and stowage positions.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the grading device is rotationally coupled to the at least one coupling arm such that the orientation of the grading device around its vertical axis relative to the at least one coupling arm is adjustable.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the adjustable carriage assembly includes at least one chain coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device together with a cable, associated with a winch coupled to the underside of the truck, and a moveable pulley associated with the cable such that the grading device is moved between the operational and stowage positions in a linear translational movement by action of the winch winding in or letting out the cable.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one chain, cable and moveable pulley are removably coupled to the upper portion of the grading device and the orientation of the grading device relative to the truck is adjustable by uncoupling and re-coupling the grading device to the at least one chain, cable and moveable pulley at a desired orientation.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the grading device comprises a grader blade configured for shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the grading device comprises a drag for dragging along the surface of the dirt or gravel road to shape and maintain the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the drag includes an upper substantially horizontal panel and a plurality of scraper blades extending down from the panel for scraping and thereby shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of scraper blades includes a first portion of scraper blades configured to, in use, move road material sideways relative to the direction of travel, and a second portion of scraper blades configured to, in use, smooth road material moved sideways by the first portion.

18. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a compacting device configured to facilitate compaction of the surface of the dirt or gravel road.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the water dispersal means comprises one or more water dispersal nozzles equipped with mechanics to pump water from a water reservoir carried by the truck and disperse water on to the surface of the dirt or gravel road in a controlled and specified capacity.

20. (canceled)

21. A grader vehicle for maintenance of a dirt or gravel road, said vehicle being in the form of a truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said vehicle comprising: a grading device configured to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of the dirt or gravel road, said grading device being carried by an underside of the truck in a position between front and rear axles of the truck; and water dispersal means for dispersing water on to the dirt or gravel road, wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.

22. A method of maintaining a dirt or gravel road with a grading assembly attached to a water truck or truck having water dispersal means, said truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said method comprising: shaping and maintaining a camber or a crown of the dirt or gravel road with a grading device configured to be carried by an underside of the truck in a position between front and rear axles of the truck, wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0063] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grader assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in an operational mode;

[0064] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the grader assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a non-operational mode;

[0065] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a grading device and associated adjustable carriage assembly of the grading assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0066] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a grader assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention in an operational mode;

[0067] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grader assembly shown in FIG. 4 in a non-operational mode;

[0068] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a grading device and associated adjustable carriage assembly of the grading assembly as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

[0069] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the grading device as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6;

[0070] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grader assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention in an operational mode;

[0071] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the grader assembly shown in FIG. 8 in a non-operational mode;

[0072] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the grading device and associated adjustable carriage assembly as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;

[0073] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grader assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention in an operational mode;

[0074] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the grader assembly shown in FIG. 11 in a non-operational mode;

[0075] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the grading device and associated adjustable carriage assembly as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12; and

[0076] FIGS. 14A to 14D respectively show perspective views of further embodiments of the grader assemblies shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 9 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a grading assembly (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with a truck (110) having water dispersal nozzles (112; i.e., water dispersal means) to maintain a dirt or gravel road. The assembly (100) includes a grading device (120) carried by the truck (110) for shaping and maintaining a camber or a crown of the dirt or gravel road.

[0078] Advantageously, the grading assembly (100), when carried by the truck (110), provides all three requirements for optimal maintenance of a dirt or gravel road, namely: (i) a grader by way of the grading device (120); (ii) dispersal of water by way of the water dispersal nozzles (112) of the truck (110), and (iii) compaction also by way of the truck (110). Compaction is achieved by passage of the truck (110), additionally weighted down by a load of water, over the surface of the dirt or gravel road. As such, the grading assembly (100) eliminates the need for three separate construction vehicles (i.e., a grader, a water truck and a roller), and the associated costs. Additionally, by eliminating the need for three separate vehicles, the grader assembly (100) of the present invention provides a safer working environment by reducing construction traffic on the dirt or gravel road being re-graded.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 1, the grading device (120) is carried by an underside of the truck (110) in a position between the axles of the prime mover (114) and the axles of the trailer (116) of the truck (110). In this position, a lower end of the grading device (120), which is in the form of a grader blade, is able to engage with and grade the surface of the dirt or gravel road in the direction of travel of the truck (110).

[0080] The grading device (120) is indirectly coupled to the underside of the truck (110) via an adjustable carriage assembly in the form of a coupling mechanism (130). The coupling mechanism (130) facilitates movement of the grading device (120) between the operational position (as presently shown) in which the grading device (120) is able to engage with the surface of the dirt or gravel road, and a stowage position in which the grading device (120) is raised and held clear of the surface of the road.

[0081] As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the water dispersal nozzles (112) are located at the rear of the truck (110), enabling water to be ejected in a controlled and specified capacity behind the truck (110) in preparation for the return passage of the truck (110). As with conventional water trucks, the water dispersal nozzles (112) of the truck (110) are equipped with mechanics to pump water from the truck's water reservoir (118) and disperse the water on the surface of the road.

[0082] In addition to the compaction of the surface of the dirt or gravel road provided by the passage of the truck (110), the assembly (100) further includes a compacting roller (140; i.e., compacting device) located beneath the water dispersal nozzles (112). The compacting roller (140), which is presently shown in an operational position, is moveable to a stowage position in which the roller frame (142) and thereby the compacting roller (140) is raised and held clear of the surface of the dirt or gravel road. The roller frame (142) and the compacting roller (140) are moved between the operational and stowage positions by a cable (144) tethered to the roller frame (142) and an electric winch (146).

[0083] The grading assembly (100) further include one or more video cameras positioned on or near the grading device (120) to allow an operator to monitor the grading process from the cab of the truck (110). The one or more video cameras facilitate the operator in adjusting any one of the inclination, orientation and pitch of the grading device (120) during operation. The video footage can be transmitted either by cable or wirelessly to one or more monitors located in the cab of the truck (110).

[0084] Referring to FIG. 2, the grading device (120) and the compacting roller (140) are respectively shown in their stowage positions in which they are raised and held clear of the surface of the dirt or gravel road. By allowing the grading device (120) and compacting roller (140) to be moved to stowage positions, the grading assembly (100) of the present invention does not impede the truck (110) in transit to and from work sites. This is particularly advantageous when the work site is located in an isolated area and transit times to and from the isolated area are extensive.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 3, the grading device (120) includes a grader blade (300), which is coupled to the coupling mechanism (130) via a rotational coupling mechanism (310) that allows the grading device (120) to be rotated around its vertical axis relative to the coupling mechanism (130) to thereby adjust the orientation of the grading device (120).

[0086] The coupling mechanism (130) includes an upper part (132) and a lower part (133) connected together by a swivel joint (134). The upper part (132) is pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck via fastening plates (320). The lower part (133) is pivotally coupled to an upper part (314) of the rotational coupling mechanism (310). The swivel joint (134) advantageously enables pivotal side to side movement of the grading device (120) relative to the direction of travel of the truck thereby enabling the pitch of the grading device (120) to be adjusted.

[0087] The fastening plates (320) each have a fastening end (322), which is fastened to the underside of the truck, and a coupling end (324) extending downwardly from the underside of the truck for coupling with the upper part (132) of the coupling mechanism (130). Each coupling end (324) further defines an aperture (326) for receiving a pin to couple the upper part (132) of the coupling mechanism (130) to the underside of the truck thereby forming a hinged joint that allows the coupling mechanism (130) to pivot in a longitudinal direction relative to the truck.

[0088] The rotational coupling mechanism (310) includes a lower part (312), which is rotationally coupled to the upper part (314) such that the lower part (312) can rotate relative to the fixed upper part (314). The lower part (312) is pivotally coupled to a rear face of the grader blade (300) such that the inclination of the grader blade (300) can be adjusted. Rotation of the lower part (312) relative to the upper part (314) is facilitated by a ring gear (316) located on the lower part (312), which is rotated by a driven planet gear mechanism (318) operatively associated with the upper part (314).

[0089] Movement of the grading device (120) between the operational and stowage positions in this embodiment is facilitated by two linear actuators (330), which are pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck via fastening plates (320) and to opposite sides of the upper part (314) of the rotational coupling mechanism (310). The linear actuators (330) can be pneumatically or hydraulically driven. In use, when the linear actuators (330) are retracted, the grading device (120) is raised to the stowage position. Conversely, when the linear actuators (330) are extended, the grading device (120) is lowered into the operational position.

[0090] Advantageously, individual operation of one of the two linear actuators (330), allows the pitch of the grading device (120) to be adjusted via the swivel joint (134).

[0091] A single linear actuator (330) pivotally coupled to the rear face of the grader blade (300) at one end and to the lower part (312) of the rotational coupling mechanism (310) at the other end, allows the inclination of the grader blade (300) to be adjusted by extension and retraction of the linear actuator (330).

[0092] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the grading assembly (100) in which the grading device (120) is in the form of a drag for dragging along the surface of the dirt or gravel road in the direction of travel of the truck (110) for maintaining the surface of the road.

[0093] The grading device (120) is indirectly coupled to the underside of the truck (110) via an adjustable carriage assembly in the form of a parallelogram linkage mechanism (400). The parallelogram linkage mechanism (400) facilitates movement of the grading device (120) between the operational position (as presently shown), and the stowage position.

[0094] Advantageously, the parallelogram linkage mechanism (400) facilitates in keeping the grading device (120) in a substantially parallel plane with the underside of the truck (110) and the surface of the road.

[0095] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of the grading assembly (100) as shown in FIG. 4 save that the grading assembly (100) is in a non-operational mode in which both the grading device (120) and the compacting roller (140) are in the stowage positions.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 6, the grading device (120) includes an upper horizontal panel (600), which is coupled to the parallelogram linkage mechanism (400), and a plurality of scraper blades (610), which extend downwardly from the panel (600) for, in use, scraping and thereby shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

[0097] Best shown in FIG. 6, the parallelogram linkage mechanism (400) has two coupling arms (410) that are each pivotally coupled at an upper end to the underside of the truck via fastening plates (320) and at a lower end to an upper surface (605) of the panel (600) of the grading device (120). The coupling arms (410) are longitudinally arranged relative to one another along a length of the underside of the truck. The parallelogram linkage mechanism (400) enables the panel (600) and thereby the grading device (120) to remain substantially parallel with the surface of the road and the underside of the truck when moved between the operational and stowage positions.

[0098] Each coupling arm (410) is coupled to the upper surface (605) of the grading device (120) via a coupler (611). Each coupler (611) is configured to allow the grading device (120) to pivot in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction relative to the coupling arm (410). To achieve this, the coupler (611) includes two sleeves (615) fastened atop one another. Each sleeve (615) is configured to receive a pin to couple the grading device (120) to the coupling arm (410).

[0099] An upper sleeve (615a) is coupled to the coupling arm (410) and is perpendicularly aligned relative to the direction of travel of the truck (as indicated by the arrow). The upper sleeve (615a) allows longitudinal pivoting of the grading device (120) relative to the coupling arm (410).

[0100] A lower sleeve (615b) is coupled to the upper surface (605) of the panel (600) of the grading device (120) and is axially aligned relative to the direction of travel. The lower sleeve (615b) allows lateral pivoting of the grading device (120) relative to the coupling arm (410).

[0101] In this embodiment, movement of the grading device (120) between the operational and stowage positions is, like with the movement of the roller frame (142) and compacting roller (140) shown in FIG. 1, facilitated by a cable (680) driven by an electric winch (682). The cable (680) is attached to a lower end of a rearmost coupling arm (410) relative to the direction of travel. In use, the electric winch (682) winds in cable (680) to raise the grading device (120) to the stowage position, and lets the cable (680) out to lower the grading device (120) into the operational position.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of scraper blades (610), which extend downwardly from the panel (600), include a first portion (612) of scraper blades (610) arranged parallel to one another, mounted vertically and at an angle relative to the direction of travel (as indicated by the arrow), and a second portion (614) of scraper blades (610) arranged parallel to one another, mounted at an angle significantly inclined from the vertical while trailing away from the direction of travel of the truck, and perpendicularly relative to the direction of travel.

[0103] In use, the first portion (612) of scraper blades (610) are arranged to move road material substantially sideways relative to the direction of travel.

[0104] In use, the second portion (614) of scraper blades (610), which extend downwardly from the panel (600) at an angle from vertical away from the direction of travel, are arranged to receive and smooth the road material moved by the first portion (612) of scraper blades (610). A last scraper blade (610) of the second portion (614), relative to the direction of travel, extends across an entire width of the panel (600) to smooth any road material disturbed by passage of the first portion (612) of scraper blades (610).

[0105] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the grading assembly (100) of the present invention in which the grading device (120) is indirectly coupled to the underside of the truck (110) via an adjustable carriage assembly in the form of a single coupling arm (410).

[0106] The coupling arm (410) is rotationally coupled to the grading device (120) via a rotating mechanism (800), which allows the grading device (120) to be rotated around its vertical axis relative to the coupling arm (410) to thereby adjust the orientation of the grading device (120).

[0107] FIG. 8 also shows another embodiment of the grading device (120) in which the panel (600) has a plurality of scraper blades (610) extending down from the panel (600) for, in use, scraping and thereby grading the surface of the road. Each blade (610) extends across a length of the panel (600) in a substantially parallel arrangement with the other blades (600).

[0108] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of the grading assembly (100) as shown in FIG. 8 save that the grading assembly (100) is in a non-operational mode in which both the grading device (120) and the compacting roller (140) are in the stowage positions.

[0109] Best shown in FIG. 10, the rotating mechanism (800) is operatively associated with the upper surface (605) of the grading device (120) with two rollers (805; i.e., rotating members) extending outwards from the rotating mechanism (800) in a direction parallel with the panel (600) of the grading device (120). Each roller (805) is configured to rotate around its central axis and in an opposite direction to the other roller (805) to facilitate rotation of the grading device (120) around its vertical axis. Each roller (805) includes a grip (810; i.e., gripping member) at its distal end for gripping with the upper surface (605) and rotating the grading device (120).

[0110] The rotating mechanism (800) can be either manually driven (i.e., by hand) or be driven by an electric motor.

[0111] In this embodiment, it is important that the orientation of the grading device (120) is adjustable via the rotating mechanism (800) to, in use, allow road materials to be moved sideways relative to the direction of travel and facilitate in the maintenance of a road's crown or camber.

[0112] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the grading assembly (100) in which the panel (600; as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10) is indirectly coupled to the underside of the truck (110) via an adjustable carriage assembly in the form of two chains (900) coupled to a forward end of the panel (600) together with a cable (910), which is associated with a moveable pulley (920) coupled to a rear end of the panel (600). The cable (910) is also associated with a winch (925; visible in FIG. 13) and two fixed pulleys (930; visible in FIG. 13), which are all coupled to the underside of the truck (110). In this arrangement, the grading device (120) is moved between the operational and stowage positions in a linear translational movement by action of the winch (925) winding in or letting out the cable (910).

[0113] FIG. 12 shows the grading assembly (100) as shown in FIG. 11 save that the grading assembly (100) is in a non-operational mode in which both the grading device (120) and the compacting roller (140) are in the stowage positions.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 13, the chains (900), cable (910) and moveable pulley (920) are removably coupled to the upper surface (605) of the panel (600). The upper surface (605) of the panel (600) includes a plurality of apertures (940), each aperture (940) being configured to receive a coupler (950) to couple any one of the chains (900), cable (910) and moveable pulley (920). In this arrangement, an operator can manually uncouple any one of the removably coupled components from the upper surface (605) of the panel (600) and then re-couple the uncoupled component to a different aperture (940) to adjust the orientation of the grading device (120).

[0115] FIGS. 14A to 14D show further embodiments of the grading assemblies respectively shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 9 and 12 in which the water dispersal nozzles (112) of the truck (110) are located in front of the grading device (120).

[0116] A method of shaping and maintaining a camber or a crown of a dirt or gravel road with the grading assembly (100) is now briefly described.

[0117] An operator drives the truck (110) carrying the grading assembly (100) to a stretch of dirt or gravel road requiring maintenance and lowers the grading device (120) and compacting roller (140) to the operational positions. The operator also activates the water dispersal nozzles (112) located at the rear of the truck (110) or in front of the grading device (120) such that water is ejected in a controlled and specified capacity behind the truck (110). The truck (110) is now in an operational mode for shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown for the stretch of dirt or gravel road.

[0118] The operator then proceeds to drive the truck (110) slowly along the stretch of road requiring maintenance allowing the grading device (120) to shape and maintain the camber or the crown the road by moving and smoothing road material. Once, the operator reaches the end of the stretch of road, the truck can optionally be turned around for a return passage. This process can be repeated until the road's surface has reached an acceptable standard wherein a majority, if not all, of the depressions in the road's surface have been filled and smoothed together with the remainder of the road's surface and any camber or crown in the road has been restored. This process is more effectively completed after a controlled amount of water has been applied to the surface of the dirt or gravel road, thus making the road material more easily worked and compacted into a durable surface of desired shape.

[0119] Once the grading process has been completed, the operator returns the grading device (120) and compacting roller (140) to the stowage positions and deactivates the water dispersal nozzles (112) to put the truck in a non-operational mode for transit of the truck (110) away from the repaired stretch of road.

[0120] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[0121] For example, in an alternative embodiment, the grading assembly may additionally include GPS navigations means and/or laser levelling means to facilitate in precision grading of the surface of a dirt or gravel road, particularly in the maintenance of a road's crown or camber.

[0122] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0123] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0124] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.