Abstract:
A trencher assembly for use in association with an excavator and the like, including: a body, wherein the body is configured for releasable securement with a boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; a boom, wherein the boom is associated with an endless chain having a plurality of teeth and/or blades; a crumber bar, wherein the crumber bar extends contiguously from the body, and further wherein the crumber bar is positioned generally above the boom; and a bracket, wherein the bracket is configured for releasable securement to both the body of the trencher assembly, as well as an excavator. Accessory items releasably securable to the brackets of the present invention are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/441,333, filed Feb. 10, 2011, entitled “TRENCHER ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED ACCESSORIES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in general to a trencher assembly and, more particularly, to a trencher assembly for use in association with excavators, including, but not limited to, compact and sub-compact excavators. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Trencher assemblies have been known in the art for years, and are the subject of numerous patents, including: U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,989 entitled “TRENCHER WITH ADJUSTABLE STABILIZER BAR,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,441 entitled “TRENCHER WITH OFFSET DRIVE WHEELS,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,347 entitled “NARROW DITCH TRENCHER,” U.S. Pat. No. No. 4,483,084 entitled “TRENCHER,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,768 entitled “TRENCHER”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including the references cited therein. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,989 appears to disclose a trencher of the endless bucket or rotary wheel type, which has an adjustable crumbing stabilizer. The stabilizer is adjusted vertically by means of a chain and sprocket arrangement, the sprocket being fixed to the digger frame and the chain being fixed at both ends to the stabilizer. A hydraulic braking device is used to hold the stabilizer in the adjusted position. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,441 appears to disclose a trencher for digging a trench in the ground, which includes ground wheels and a power drive unit and a trencher boom with a digging chain. The trencher boom is pivotally supported about an axis in the trencher, and the ground wheels are driven traction wheels which are located in axially-offset positions to give optimum support for the trencher and resist the reactive forces of the operation of the trencher chain on the remainder of the trencher, all so that the traction wheels remain firmly on the ground and are not lifted off the ground through the reactive forces created by the trencher boom and its digging chain. A caster wheel is included in the ground wheels and is mounted to be free to caster and to alternatively be restricted relative to the remainder of the trencher for guiding the trencher along a desired line of mobilization. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,347 appears to disclose a trencher for excavating narrow channels in soil which comprises a power driven wheel rotating about a transverse, horizontal axis and a plurality of buckets disposed about its periphery. The wheel includes a pair of circular gear racks disposed inwardly from its periphery and symmetrically about the vertical midplane of the wheel. A pair of pinions, engaging the pair of racks, symmetrically applies driving energy to the wheel. Each of the buckets comprise an arcuate cutter face and undercut, arcuate, longitudinal body portion which is secured to the wheel by a flat spoke extending radially outwardly from the vertical midplane of the wheel. The trencher also includes two pairs of arms disposed on opposite sides of the wheel and bucket spokes. As the wheel and buckets rotate, soil is engaged, lifted above ground level and emptied from the buckets by the pairs of arms. Trenches for plastic drain pipe, for example, as deep as six feet and no wider than one foot may be dug by the trencher of the instant invention at speeds as great as forty feet per minute. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,084 appears to disclose a trencher machine for attachment to a tractor movably mounted hydraulically for up and down movement relative thereto, boom means for adjusting the depth of the cut in the soil, boom means pivotally mounted on a support means including cutting means thereon. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,768 appears to disclose a trencher, which includes a wheeled carriage that has a steering mechanism and a digging chain which operates along an upright path. The trencher includes an upright boom structure that is mounted to the carriage and a digging chain support frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the trencher carriage along an upright path. The digging chain is mounted to the digging chain support frame by a powered sprocket wheel and a freely turning pulley wheel. The sprocket wheel and the pulley wheel are positioned so that the digging chain describes an upright path. The path described by the digging chain is sufficiently upright so that the trencher can excavate a curved trench without the digging chain interfering with the walls of the trench to a degree that is sufficient to impede the operation of the trencher. 
         [0011]    While the above-identified patents do appear to disclose trenchers, their configurations remain non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified trenchers appear to be configured to releasable adaptation to a compact and/or sub-compact excavator—among other things. 
         [0012]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a trencher assembly, which, among other things, remedies the aforementioned detriments and/or complications associated with the use of the above-identified, conventional trenchers. 
         [0013]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of accessory items which are securable to the brackets disclosed herein. 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is directed to a trencher assembly for use in association with an excavator, comprising: (a) a body, wherein the body is configured for releasable securement with a boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; (b) wherein the boom is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the boom comprises an endless chain having a plurality of displaceable teeth; (c) wherein the crumber bar is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the crumber bar is positioned above the boom; and (d) wherein the bracket is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the bracket is adapted for releasable securement to the excavator, the tractor, and the like. 
         [0016]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top wall which collectively form a drive assembly containment region. 
         [0017]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises a guard plate for shielding a hydraulic motor during operation of the trencher assembly. 
         [0018]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top wall of the body is associated with a spray guard for limiting displacement of debris during operation of the trencher assembly. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of the present invention, the housing comprises a crumber bar mounting bracket having a flopper plate positioned on a top wall of the same. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the boom comprises a tensioner bolt sleeve positioned on a sidewall of the same, as well as a tensioner bolt access aperture. 
         [0021]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crumber bar comprises an inwardly angled tip which extends from a bottom wall to a top wall of the crumber bar. 
         [0022]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bracket comprises a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall which collectively form a substantially U-shaped containment region adapted for receipt of at least a portion of a boom of the excavator, the tractor, and the like. The bracket also preferably comprises a connecting sleeve having a pair of aligned apertures for receipt of a securement member. Moreover, the bracket preferably comprises a plurality of support members which are secured to a connecting sleeve and a bottom wall of the bracket. 
         [0023]    The present invention is also directed to a trencher assembly for use in association with an excavator, consisting of: (a) a body, wherein the body is configured for releasable securement with a boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; (b) wherein the boom is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the boom comprises an endless chain having a plurality of displaceable teeth; (c) wherein the crumber bar is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the crumber bar is positioned above the boom; and (d) wherein the bracket is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the bracket is adapted for releasable securement to the excavator, the tractor, and the like. 
         [0024]    The present invention is further directed to a trencher assembly for use in combination with a primary boom of an excavator, the combination comprising: (a) an excavator, a tractor, and the like having a primary boom; (b) a trencher assembly comprising a body, wherein the body is configured for releasable securement with a secondary boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; (c) wherein the secondary boom is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the secondary boom comprises an endless chain having a plurality of displaceable teeth; (d) wherein the crumber bar is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the crumber bar is positioned above the secondary boom; and (e) wherein the bracket is releasably secured to the body, and further wherein the bracket is secured to the primary boom of the excavator. 
         [0025]    The present invention is additionally directed to a plurality of accessory items which are releasably securable to the brackets disclosed herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
           [0027]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is a perspective view of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  of the drawings is a perspective view of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention showing an endless chain without bolt-on teeth; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3A  of the drawings is perspective view of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention showing a body, a boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3B  of the drawings is side elevation view of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention showing a body, a boom, a crumber bar, and a bracket; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  of the drawings is perspective view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4B  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4C  of the drawings is a front view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4D  of the drawings is a cross-section view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4E  of the drawings is a bottom view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line B-B of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  of the drawings is perspective view of a boom of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a boom of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5C  of the drawings is a front view of a boom of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5D  of the drawings is a bottom view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5C ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5E  of the drawings is a cross-section view of a body of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5C ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6A  of the drawings is perspective view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6B  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6C  of the drawings is a front view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6D  of the drawings is a bottom view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line A-A of  FIG. 6C ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 6E  of the drawings is a cross-section view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention taken along line B-B of  FIG. 6C ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 7A  of the drawings is perspective view of a bracket of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 7B  of the drawings is an end view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7C  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a crumber bar of a trencher assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8A  of the drawings is a front view of a sod cutter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 8B  of the drawings is an end view of a sod cutter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 9A  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a ripper tooth manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9B  of the drawings is a top view of a ripper tooth manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 10A  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a vibratory plow and sod cutter adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 10B  of the drawings is a front view of a vibratory plow and sod cutter adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 11A  of the drawings is a side elevation view of an adaptor manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 11B  of the drawings is an end view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 11C  of the drawings is a top view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 12A  of the drawings is a side elevation view of an adaptor manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 12B  of the drawings is an end view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 12C  of the drawings is a bottom view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 12D  of the drawings is a top view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 13A  of the drawings is a bottom view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 13B  of the drawings is a top view of an adapter manufactured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 14  of the drawings is a perspective view of a tool kit stand manufactured in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0066]      FIG. 15  of the drawings is a side elevation view of a trailer assembly manufactured in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0067]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0068]    It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that  FIGS. 1-15  are merely schematic representations of trencher assemblies and accessories. As such, some of the components have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity. 
         [0069]    Referring now to the drawings and to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A, and  3 B in particular, trencher assembly  10  is disclosed which generally comprises body  12 , boom  14 , crumber bar  16 , and mounting bracket  18 . As will be discussed in greater detail herein below the trencher assemblies of the present invention comprises several features and/or operational benefits, including, but not limited to: (1) the trencher assemblies attach quickly and easily to most excavators (approximately 13-30 hp, auxiliary flow approximately 7.5-15 gpm); (2) the trencher assemblies of the present invention are continuously variable and trench in-line or 90 degrees offset from the excavator; (3) the offset trenching allows for trenching above or below retaining walls or structures while the excavator is operated a safe distance away; (4) the trenchers dig up to approximately 20 feet deep by approximately 4 feet wide; (5) the trenchers are ideally suited for installation of irrigation pipe, electrical wire, plumbing drainage pipe, etcetera; (6) the trenchers are an excellent choice for small openings in hard packed soils; (7) the trenchers comprise heavy duty construction, and are yet lightweight; and (8) the trenchers essentially eliminate difficult and, often times, back-breaking work. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  4 A- 4 E, body  12  includes an inverted U-shaped housing defined by sidewalls  22  and  24 , and top wall  26 . Sidewalls  22  and  24  are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other to define drive assembly containment region  28  for containing a drive assembly which is discussed in greater detail herein below. Sidewalls  22  and  24  include female shaft receptacles  30  and  32 , respectively, which each include apertures  34  (not shown) and  36 , respectively. In accordance with the present invention, one or more of the female shaft receptacles preferably include a bearing, such as a self-aligning pillow block bearing, and the like. 
         [0071]    A pair of mounting plates  38  and  40  emanate contiguously from sidewalls  22  and  24 , respectively. Mounting plates  38  and  40  include aligned slots or apertures  42  for releasably securing boom  14  thereto with conventional threaded fasteners. 
         [0072]    L-shaped guard plate  44  emanates contiguously from sidewall  22  of body  12  and includes bottom wall  46  and back wall  48 . Guard plate  44  protects hydraulic motor  50  during storage and/or operation of trencher assembly  10 . Hydraulic junction box  51  is positioned adjacent to sidewall  22  and within the protective boundaries of guard plate  44 . 
         [0073]    Mounting bracket member  52  is positioned on top wall  26  of body  12  and optionally includes sleeve  54  and aperture  56 . Mounting bracket member  52  is preferably fixedly attached (e.g., welded) to top wall  26  of body member  12 . 
         [0074]    Crumber bar mounting member  58  is positioned on top wall  26  of body  12  and includes sleeve  60 , aperture  62 , and L-shaped plate  64 , and flopper plate  65 . Crumber bar mounting member  58  is preferably fixedly welded to top wall  26  of body  12 . 
         [0075]    Body  12  also includes spray guard plate  66  which limits displacement of debris during operation of trencher assembly  10 . 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  5 A- 5 E, boom  14  generally comprises a tubular, rectangular housing which includes first end  71  having four aligned tensioner slots  70 , and second end  73  having two aligned idler wheel slots  72  positioned within rounded end plates  74 . Tensioner bolt sleeve  76  is mounted to an inner wall of boom  14  and is positioned between first end  71  and second end  73 . Boom  14  also includes tension bolt access aperture  78  which allows a user to adjust tensioner bolt  79 , and, in turn, the tightness of endless chain  80  via cooperation with tensioner block  84 . 
         [0077]    First end  71  of boom  14  is secured to mounting plates  38  and  40  of body  12  via conventional threaded fasteners. Idler wheel (e.g., nose end roller bearing)  82  is secured to second end  73  of boom  14  via conventional threaded fasters. It will be understood that idler wheel  82  is readily interchangeable with an idler sprocket. 
         [0078]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  6 A- 6 E, crumber bar  16  generally comprises a tubular, rectangular and/or square housing which includes first end  90  having two aligned slots  92  and second end  94  having angled tip  96 . First end  90  of crumber bar  16  is secured to crumber bar mounting member  58  of body  12  via conventional threaded fasteners. Although not shown, crumber bar  16  may optionally comprise a handle. It will be understood that crumber bar  16  may optionally include a curved plate as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,084—which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It will be understood that crumber bar  16  serves as, among other things, a guard to prevent injury. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  7 A- 7 C, bracket  18  includes sidewalls  100  and  102 , bottom wall  104 , connecting sleeve  106 , and support members  108 . Sidewalls  100  and  102  are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other, and in cooperation with bottom wall  104  define containment region  110  for containing a boom attachment from an excavator, tractor, and/or the like. Sidewalls  100  and  102  and bottom wall  104  are preferably, generally U-shaped. Sidewalls  100  and  102  include apertures  112 , for receiving fasteners associated with the boom of an excavator. Connecting sleeve  106  is positioned below bottom wall  104  and comprises a generally rectangular, tubular sleeve having mounting aperture  114  and aligned securing apertures  116 . Connecting sleeve  106  mounts onto bracket mounting member  52  of body  12  via mounting aperture  114 , and is secured to the same via fastener  118  which releasably engages both aperture  56  of body  12  and aperture  116  of bracket  18 . Bracket  18  also includes support members  108  which are secured to bottom wall  104  and connecting sleeve  116 , proximate the midpoint thereof. 
         [0080]    In accordance with the present invention, endless chain  80 , and, in turn, bolt-on teeth  81  are displaced by the drive sub-assembly of trencher assembly  10 . The drive sub-assembly comprises hydraulic motor  50  which includes hydraulic conduit input  126  and hydraulic conduit output  128 , which are preferably fitted with quick connectors/disconnectors. It will be understood that hydraulic motor  50  is in hydraulic communication with the associated excavator. Hydraulic motor  50  is also in hydraulic communication with drive sprocket  124  via junction box  51  through a conventional drive shaft. Drive sprocket  124  displaces endless chain  80  as it passes over itself and idler wheel  82 . The displacement of endless chain  80  and bolt-on teeth  81  facilitate trenching of ground and/or soil it contacts. 
         [0081]    In one embodiment of the present invention bracket  18  is associated, on one end, with a boom of an excavator and, on the other end, trencher assembly  10 . However, bracket  18  may also be releasably associated with other accessories  120 , including but not limited to, those disclosed in  FIGS. 8A-B ,  9 A-B,  10 A-B, and  13 A-B. 
         [0082]    As is best shown  FIGS. 11A-C  and  12 A-D, other adaptors are suitable for use in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , trencher assembly  10 , as well as, associated accessories and adaptors can be releasably associated with a tool kit stand and/or a trailer assembly. 
         [0084]    The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.