Abstract:
A tongue pulled spreader and grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each blade positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in position at a predetermined angle; a tongue for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader and grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader and grader can undertake the grading process. The spreader and grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and fork trucks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/948,963, filed Nov. 18, 2010 (issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,558 on Oct. 1, 2013), which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/403,878, filed on Sep. 23, 2010, both of which of are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     Priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/948,963, filed Nov. 18, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/403,878, filed on Sep. 23, 2010 is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to graders. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tongue pulled/improved spreader/grader of the type pulled by a ATV, Lawn Tractor, or other motorized vehicle having a Tongue system that connects to the desired vehicle to pull it. The tongue system has an adjustment system to control the grader&#39;s pitch. The means of adjustment can be manually, mechanically or hydraulically. The tongue pulled spreader grader contains an axle and tire system that can be used to raise and lower the grader. The axle and wheel system can be raised and lowered manually, mechanically, or hydraulically. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     There are many types of spreader/graders in the industry which are pulled usually by a vehicle, such as a truck or tractor equipped to pull the grader along the ground. However, there is a need in the industry to provide a tongue pulled spreader/grader which can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and but not limited to fork trucks. Such a spreader/grader would be very beneficial to be able to be pulled by such a variety of vehicles. Also, rather than the spreader/grader having to be hauled on the back of a flat bed truck or the like, it would be even more beneficial to provide a spreader/grader which would have the capability to be converted from a spreader/grader for grading to a spreader/grader which would have a system of wheels which could be maneuvered upward and downward, so that in the up position the spreader/grader is set to grade, but in the down position, the wheels would rest on the ground, with the grader raised above the ground, and the grader could be pulled to various locations without the need to place the grader on another vehicle, but pulled by the same vehicle which pulled the spreader/grader while it was grading. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention is designed to be pulled and or be use by any vehicle having a means to tow a spreader/grader but the vehicle does not have means to connect to and operate a conventional spreader/grader, such as an 3-point hitch with hydraulic lift systems built into it such as ones found on farm tractors. The tongue pulled spreader/grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and but not limited to fork trucks. 
     What is provided is an improved spreader/grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each of the blades positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in a position at a predetermined angle; a means for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle, of the type discussed above; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader/grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader/grader can be used to undertake the grading process. 
     Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a tongue pulled spreader/grader which can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks lawn tractors, subcompact tractors, side by side ATVs, and which has the capability to be transported on a pair of wheels mechanically or hydraulically moveable from a first down position wherein the wheels make contact with the ground during transport, to an up position where the wheels are away from the ground, and the spreader/grader blades contact the ground to undertake the spreading and grading process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the tongue pulled spreader/grader of the present invention utilizing mechanical means to move the wheel assembly; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of the tongue pulled spreader/grader of the present invention utilizing hydraulic tower to move the wheel assembly; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an overall view of the wheel lifting mechanism in the preferred embodiment of the tongue pulled spreader/grader of the present invention utilizing manual power to move the wheel assembly; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate cross-section views of the locking mechanism maintaining the wheels in the raised or lowered position during use of transport of the spreader/grader; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an isolated view of the hydraulic line providing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder which raises and lowers the wheels between up and down positions; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an isolated view of the attachment between the wheels and the brace of the wheel assembly in the spreader/grader of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the hydraulic powered assembly for hydraulically lifting or lowering the wheels in the spreader/grader of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the tires moved to the up position from the down position as seen in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the tires locked into the up position while the spreader/grader is undertaking a grading task. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Without departing from the principle of the invention, and without limitation to other embodiments differing in size, scope of the spreader/grader, and prior to a discussion of the  FIGS. 1 through 10 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example only. It should be noted that the present invention provides a spreader grader which has a means for adjusting the pitch of the spreader/grader and a means for moving a wheel assembly, as will be discussed and defined further, between up and down positions.  FIG. 1  illustrates the first means, which is a mechanical means, as set forth below;  FIG. 2 , and other figures illustrate the second means, which is the hydraulically powered means, and  FIG. 3  illustrates the manual means for moving the wheel assembly  50 . These will be discussed below. 
       FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate the preferred embodiment of the improved spreader/grader system  10  of the present invention, sometimes referred to as the system  10 . 
     As seen in overall view in  FIG. 1 , the spreader/grader system  10  overall comprises a generally rectangular metal frame  12 , having a pair of sidewalls  14 ,  16 , with the sidewalls  14 ,  16  spaced apart by a first forward cross member  18 , a rear cross member  20 . There is further provided at least two blade assemblies  22 ,  24 , each assembly  22 ,  24  having a cutting blade  26  mounted thereon along substantially the entire length of each assembly  22 ,  24 , and having a spreading/cutting edge  28  for undertaking the spreading and grading process when the system  10  is in use. The bottom surface of each sidewall  14 ,  16  has mounted thereon replaceable wear shoes  17 , which are dragged along the ground being graded, and can be replaced when worn. 
     There is further provided a member  30  positioned along the midpoint of and secured between the forward cross member  18  and rear cross member  20 . Member  30  supports a brace  32  which is supporting an upright brace  34 . The upper end  35  of brace  34  engages the first end of adjustable bar member  36 , while the second end of adjustable bar member  36  is secured to a bracket  38  positioned on the tongue  40  of the system  10 . Tongue  40  would be a typical tongue known in the industry which would have a distal end (not illustrated) which connects to a vehicle which could transport or pull spreader/grader  10 , such as, but not limited to an ATV, SUV, light truck, lawn tractor, subcompact tractor, side by side ATV, or any other vehicle to which the end of tongue  40  could be secured. The second end of the tongue  40  is secured to the frame  10  at bracket  41 , with nut/bold assembly  43 . This is seen in greater detail in isolated view in  FIG. 6 . The adjustable bar member  36  would be utilized to change the pitch of the grader and the cutting depth of the cutting blades  26  during use, by extending or retracting the length of the adjustable bar  36  in the direction of arrows  42 . The adjustability of the bar  36  in may be done mechanically, manually, or hydraulically, depending on the choice of the operator of the system  10 . 
     Turning now to the movement of the wheel assembly  50  of the present invention, reference is made to  FIG. 1  where the movement is done mechanically. For future reference, wheel assembly  50  is defined as the pair of wheels  44  secured to the ends of axle  48 , which is mounted to each wheel  44  via the brace  51  secured between the axle  48  and each wheel  44 , so that when the axle  48  is rotated on bushings  52 , the wheels  44  are likewise rotated. This relationship is seen in isolated views in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a pair of wheels  44 , mounted on an axle  48 , the wheels  44  positioned on the outer face of each sidewalls  14 ,  16 , which would describe the wheel assembly  50 . The positioning of the wheels  44  as part of assembly  50  will be discussed in detail below. As seen in  FIG. 1 , wheel assembly  50 , as defined earlier, would include a brace  80  mounted at the midpoint of axle  48 , terminating in an upper end  82 , wherein a bracket  84  engages the upper end of an arm  86  which extends from a motor  88 . When the motor  88  is powered by, for example, electric tower through electrical line  89 , the arm  86  extends outward in the direction of arrow  91 , and in doing so forces the brace  80  upward which imparts rotation of axle  48  in bushings  52 , which in turn rotates wheels  44  upward and no longer contacting the ground  46 . Likewise, when the motor  88  would be reversed, the arm  86  would retract, rotating the axle in the opposite direction, thus moving the wheels  44  down in the direction of arrow  92 , and the wheels  44  in the down position would rest on the ground  46 . 
     Before a discussion had regarding the movement of the wheels  44  between the up and down positions through hydraulic means, which is the preferred means, reference is made to  FIG. 3  which illustrates the embodiment of the system  10  wherein the wheels are moved from the up and down positions manually. As seen in  FIG. 3 , there is provided an axle  48  which extends above the frame  12 , and each end  49  of the axle  48  extending beyond each sidewall  14 ,  16 . There is provided a brace  51  extending from the end  49  of the axle  48 , the brace  51  having a second end engaging a spindle  53  on each wheel  44 , as seen in detail view in  FIG. 7 . The axle  48  also includes a bushing  52  adjacent each end, as seen in  FIG. 3 . As part of the wheel lifting assembly  50 , there is a center brace  60  having a first end  62  connected to the center point  63  of the axle  48 , and a second end  64  pivotally mounted to a bracket  67  at the center point  68  of the rear cross member  20 . As illustrated the second end  64  is secured to the bracket  67  via a cotter pin  69 , which allows the center brace  60  to pivot. 
     In operation, as seen in  FIG. 3 , and in isolated views in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the wheels  44  are locked in the down position via a pin  73  inserted into an opening  75  in each bushing  52  and further into an opening  55  in the wall of the axle  48 . When one wishes to raise the wheels  44  manually, the pins  73  are removed, then the axle  48  can rotated in the direction of arrows  69 , and the wheels  44  are rotated within bushings  52  upward in the direction of arrows  71 , and would no longer make contact with the ground. In order to secure the wheels  44  in place in the up position, pins  73  at each end are inserted through a second opening  75  in each bushing  52 , and further into an opening  55  in the wall of axle  48 , so as to lock the wheels  44  in place while the pins  73  are in place. When the pins  73  are removed, the wheels can be lowered back into the position as seen in  FIG. 3 , and the pins  73  are re-inserted into the opening which will lock the wheels  44  in the down position. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , and  FIGS. 8 through 10  which will be used to discuss the important feature of the spreader/grader system for allowing the wheels  44  to be moved hydraulically by the operator. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the wheels  44  are in a first down position, where wheels  44  are making contact with the ground  46 . Whereas, as seen in  FIG. 9 , the wheels  44  have been retracted to the second up position, where the wheels  44  make no contact with the ground  46 . In this position the spreader/grader frame  12  is resting on the ground  46 , with the cutting blades  26  in position to spread or grade along the surface of the ground  46 , when the spreader/grader  10  is pulled along the surface. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 8 through 10 , these figures depict the same movement of the wheel assembly  50 , as described in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , except that the wheel assembly  50  is being moved between up and down positions via a hydraulic means  100 . This means  100  comprises a hydraulic cylinder  102  positioned between the upper end  82  of brace  50 , mounted on axle  48 . The second end of hydraulic cylinder  102  would be secured to a bracket  104  on cross member  18 . As seen, there is provided a line  106  for transporting hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump  108 , mounted on the frame  12  to the hydraulic cylinder  102 . Pump  108  would obtain its fluid from a hydraulic tank (not illustrated) mounted on the vehicle pulling the system  10 . 
     During operation,  FIG. 8  illustrates the system  10 , with the hydraulic cylinder  102  receiving fluid on both ends  103 A and  103 B, via lines  106  from pump  108 , with the wheels  44  in the down position. In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when fluid is pumped into a first end  103 A, the rod  110  within the cylinder  102  is pushed out by the fluid, and when this occurs, brace  60  is moved back in the direction of arrow  94 ; which rotates brace  51  in the direction of arrow  95 , which raises the wheels  44  upward as seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and which allows cutting blades  26  to engage the surface  46  to start the grading process. Likewise, when grading is complete, and the system  10  needs to be transported to another site, hydraulic fluid is pumped into end  103 B, which forces the rod  110  back into the cylinder  102 , which in turns moves the brace  60  forward and rotates the wheels downward to re-engage the surface  46  for transport. 
     In each of the embodiments as discussed above, it is foreseen that the tongue-pulled grader may have other features, such as a plurality of blades set in both parallel and non-parallel positions between sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the spreader/grader  10 . Also, it may be that the blades of the spreader/grader  10  may not be fixed in place by welding, but may be bolted in place so that the blades  26  can be re-positioned for certain tasks. Further, it may be that one or more of the blades may be moved hydraulically by the operator, so that manual positioning of the blades is avoided, but can be done by the operator while seated on the transport vehicle. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Parts Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 system 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 metal frame 
               
               
                   
                 14, 16 
                 side walls 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 replaceable wear shoes 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 forward cross member 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 rear cross member 
               
               
                   
                 22, 24 
                 blade assemblies 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 cutting blade 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 cutting edge 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 member 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 brace 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 brace 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 upper end 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 adjustable bar member 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 bracket 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 tongue 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 bracket 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 nut/bolt assembly 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 wheels 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 ground/surface 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 axle 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 end 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 wheel assembly 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 brace 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 bushings 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 spindle 
               
               
                   
                 55 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 center brace 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 first end 
               
               
                   
                 63 
                 center point 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
                 67 
                 bracket 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 center point 
               
               
                   
                 69 
                 cotter pin 
               
               
                   
                 71 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 73 
                 pin 
               
               
                   
                 75 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 brace 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 upper end 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 bracket 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 arm 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 motor 
               
               
                   
                 89 
                 electrical line 
               
               
                   
                 91 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 95 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 hydraulic means 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 hydraulic cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 103A, 103B 
                 hydraulic cylinder ends 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 lines 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 pump 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 rod 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.