Patent ID: 6382069
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: F41H

Abstract:
A demining device for clearing landmines on or in the upper ground layer and down to a predetermined depth thereunder comprising a self-propelled demining vehicle having a chassis and a front part and a longitudinal axis, a demining tool mounted at said front part for operating in the upper ground layer down to a pre-determined distance below the surface of the ground to fragment into harmless pieces or detonate any mine in its path, an engine on said chassis, mounting structure connecting said engine to said demining tool for rotating said demining tool and for creating an interconnected unit of said engine and said demining tool, a transverse shaft extending across said vehicle perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said vehicle, said unit being pivotally mounted around said transverse shaft, said transverse shaft being located at a position with respect to said longitudinal axis so that said unit has more than half of its weight located ahead of said transverse shaft toward said front part as viewed in the direction of the operation of the vehicle to make said unit front heavy, lift structure between said vehicle chassis and said unit, said lift structure compensating for the front heaviness of said unit, said lift structure further controlling the angle between said vehicle chassis and said unit to determine the operation depth of a demining action in the upper ground layer by said demining tool, and said lift structure being capable of minimizing disturbance of movement of said unit around said transverse shaft which moves said demining tool upwards away from a detonating mine whereby said unit may pivot upwards in a case of a heavy mine detonation under said demining tool.