Abstract:
The present invention is a silt fence installer of unique design wherein the frame is angular rather than longitudinal and the fabric chute assembly is oriented parallel with the angular frame. This arrangement results in an installer with a generally perpendicular trailing edge, a fabric chute assembly with a closed leading edge and no need for hinged relationship between the sidewalls, and simple fabric threading with a single directional turn of the fabric. Further, the angular frame results in a shorter installer able to be more responsive to turns. In addition, the invention includes a sliding offset hitch wherein a silt fence installer may be adjusted laterally by hand due to strategic placement of rollers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   Many construction projects result in sloped areas without ground covering such as plants. Agricultural fields also may include sloping areas. These sloped generally bare areas will erode drastically with time and weather unless they are equipped with conservation tools. Various implements have been devised by which a fabric-like fence can be partially inserted in a soil furrow and secures by posts and the like. The fence acts to reduce the erosion of the soil from above the fence and stop it there. Several fences may be required in a single sloped area. 
   2. Background of the Invention 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,459 to Grether provides an installer mounted on the side of a tractor and which automatically adds the posts. This installer includes a fabric chute employing at least one rod as a pivotal directions changer for the fabric. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,878 to Carpenter provides an installer wherein the fabric is positioned transverse to the direction of travel and is inserted partially in a furrow by a wheel. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. D502,470, D504,134, 7,044,689 to McCormick provide a pull-behind installer having a longitudinal frame, a plow element and a fabric chute. The fabric chute is designed to require the fabric to successfully make two turns with the fabric, the second while exiting the leading edge of the chute and turning so the fabric is deposited in the furrow made by the plow element. This design requires the leading edge to be perpendicular to the longitudinal frame and includes a rod at a 45 degree angle from the leading edge around which the fabric makes the first turn so the fabric direction is turned forward, then out the leading edge and a 180 degree second turn to reverse its direction. For threading the fabric, the chute is made of separate plates hinged together on one side so the chute can be opened and closed easily. The direction and position of entry and exit of the fabric are such that the 45 degree angle must be at the trailing edge in order to allow the chute to be opened and threaded and cleaned and the leading edge must be about perpendicular with the ground to provide appropriate alignment of the fabric into the furrow. This arrangement requires a deflector for the front exit slot of the chute to keep dirt out of the chute which may otherwise impede the flow of the fabric. In short, two direction changing rods and two plates hingedly connected on one side are necessary for this installer to function properly. One version of this plow allows the frame to pivot relative to the mounting bracket; another allows a tongue and plow to pivot on the frame steadied by springs. 
   In addition to dirt lodging in the chute and the necessity of complex structures to allow ease of fabric threading, earlier silt fence installers are plagued with other common problems. Among these problems are a deficit for sharp turns and a lack of versatility for lateral adjustment relative to the mount on the towing vehicle. In addition, the arm upon which the fabric roll rotates is vertically fixed and the deflector adds drag as the installer is moved through the soil. It is therefore one object of the present invention to avoid problems related to dirt in the fabric chute. A second object is to simplify the chute structure and yet increase the ease of threading. A third objective is to structure an installer that is both stronger yet more agile and responsive. A fourth objective is to decrease the drag from that resulting from the use of the regular sized installer and that caused by employing a deflector. The final objective is to provide an installer with a hitch mechanism to allow lateral adjustment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention resolves many of the issues present in prior art silt fence installers. First, it provides a simpler fabric chute constructed with fewer pieces which does not require a hinged opening, requires a single change in direction of the fabric, and negates the need for a deflector. This construction also decreases the incidence of fabric tears and tension. Second, the present invention is laterally adjustable relative to the vehicle towing it. Third, this installer follows the turns of the towing vehicle and meets the need for tighter curves while increasing the structural strength of the installer. Fourth, the present invention provides a vertically adjustable fabric roll holder to accommodate varying dimensions of fabric rolls. Fifth, the preferred embodiment is smaller than a typical installer yet it can be used to install fabric 48 inches wide or less. 
   The installer of the present invention relies on a frame assembly having a main angular frame support affixed to at least one vertically oriented frame member. The vertically oriented frame member has a hitching side for associating with a hitch assembly and a mounting side associated with the angular support. Preferably, the vertically oriented frame member is pivotally associated on its hitching side with a sliding offset assembly which is, in turn, mounted on a sliding offset hitch. Due to the use of rollers in the sliding hitch, no hydraulic power is necessary to adjust the position of the installer on the hitch relative to the vehicle. The hitching side may alternatively be associated with a three point assembly or forklift assembly. 
   The upper portion of the angular support is associated with the vertically oriented frame member while the lower portion is associated on its leading side with a blade assembly and on its trailing side with a fabric chute assembly. A coulter assembly is attached to a bottom side of the vertically oriented frame member through an association provided by a coulter bracket assembly. 
   The fabric chute assembly comprises a first and a second vertical plate-like sidewall each joined to the other at the bottom but maintaining a small space therebetween. The first and second sidewalls are affixed to the trailing edge of the blade assembly. The top edges of the first and second sidewalls remain separate forming an entry slot as do the trailing edge of the first and second plates forming an exit slot. The sidewalls may be formed integrally with one another or may be affixed to one another through means known in the art such as welds. In either arrangement, there is no gap between the sidewalls on their leading edges. The leading edge of the chute assembly is generally parallel to the angle of the angular support and associated with the support&#39;s lower portion. The trailing edge of the chute assembly is generally vertical. A rod, parallel to the angle of the angular support is positioned near the leading edge of the chute assembly between the first and second plates for a purpose to be described later. 
   Protruding from the vertically oriented frame member is a roll stand assembly which has a vertical support to which is attached a horizontal fabric roll support. The fabric roll support is oriented along the axis of travel and generally above the fabric chute assembly. A roll of fabric is rotatably associated with the support. The vertical height of the horizontal fabric roll support is adjustable. 
   To thread the fabric, it is unrolled to extend into the entry slot between the first and second sidewall at their top edges, threaded under the rod near the chute assembly&#39;s leading edge which acts to convert the vertical orientation of the fabric&#39;s travel to horizontal, and then out the exit slot formed by the trailing edges of sidewalls. 
   The chute assembly construction relative to the direction of travel negates the need for a deflector because the leading edge of the chute is closed rather than open. Further, because only a single rod is used, the fabric is easily threaded without separating the plates so the first and second sidewalls can be integrally formed or, at the least, require no hinged or pivotal relationships to each other. This greatly simplifies the chute&#39;s construction. In addition, this arrangement simplifies threading the fabric and reduces tension on the fabric resulting in fewer tears than other installers. 
   The angular support coupled with the generally vertically oriented frame member increases the strength of the frame against horizontal moment, further simplifies the overall frame structure and dramatically shortens the installer from leading to trailing edge. Shortening the installer results in making its turns more closely reflective of those of the towing vehicle to which it is attached. In the preferred embodiment, the frame assembly is more clearly described wherein the vertically oriented frame member comprises two parallel planar elements joined at their bottom edges by a horizontal bar and between which is sandwiched the angular support. In this arrangement, the coulter bracket and assembly are affixed to the bottom side of the bar. 
   The frame assembly is pivotally associated with the hitch assembly on the hitching side of the generally vertically oriented frame member further allowing more responsive turns of the plow. The installer is biased toward a center alignment relative to the hitch by a lateral spring on either side of the means for associating said frame and said hitch. 
   In operation, the hitch assembly may be associated with a skid steer adaptor and skid loader, a three-point hitch and towing vehicle, a sliding offset hitch and towing vehicle, or other means to associate the installer with a mobile power unit. Preferably, the installer is associated with a sliding offset hitch. 
   The sliding offset hitch assembly includes an offset frame having an upper lateral support with a rearward side, a bottom side and a forward extending portion to which the top in of a three point hitch can be attached. 
   The upper lateral support is spaced vertically from two lower lateral supports each having a front side and a rearward side, all positioned between two vertical end plates. A forward plate extends at least partially along the length of each of the lower lateral supports and covers the gap between the two lower lateral supports. The forward plate is associated with a pair of brackets, laterally spaced apart, having openings through which the two bottom pins of a three point hitch will extend. 
   A sliding offset bracket assembly is associated on one side with the hitch assembly of the installer and on its opposing side with the offset frame. The opposing side of the sliding offset bracket assembly includes a forward extending portion. This forward extending portion is inserted between the first and second lower lateral supports. The forward extending portion is equipped with rollers to turn vertically against the bottom side of the first lower lateral support and the top side of the second lower lateral support and rollers to turn horizontally against the back side of the first lateral support. The positioning of the rollers allows the sliding offset bracket assembly to be slidably associated with the sliding offset hitch assembly such that an operator can adjust the lateral position of the installer by hand and without the need for hydraulic or other powered assistance. 
   In the preferred embodiment an adjustment bar is proximal the bottom side of the upper lateral support. The adjustment bar includes laterally spaced apart openings. A pin inserted in an opening on the bracket through the bracket and into one of the laterally spaced apart openings secures the offset bracket assembly in position relative to the sliding offset hitch assembly. 
   Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated from the following description. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustration of the preferred embodiment. However, such embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention. The subject matter which the inventor does regard as his invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of this specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective of the installer of the present invention attached to a power and transport source. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the installer of the present invention associated with a sliding offset hitch; 
       FIG. 2   a  perspective of the installer of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front end view of the installer of the present invention associated with a sliding offset hitch; 
       FIG. 4  is a back end view of the installer of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the angular support and chute assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a close-up perspective of the coulter assembly and coulter bracket; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the front of the sliding offset hitch assembly; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view from the back of the sliding offset hitch assembly; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded back view of the sliding offset bracket assembly; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded front view of the sliding offset bracket assembly; and 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded, enlarged view of the at least one vertically oriented frame member of the frame assembly of the preferred embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective of the installer  10  of the present invention having a leading edge  11  and a trailing edge  13  is shown hitched to a towing vehicle  12 . Shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2-5 , the installer  10  of the present invention relies on a frame assembly  14  having a main angular frame support  16  comprising an upper portion  18  and a lower portion  20  said support  16  is affixed to at least one vertically oriented frame member  22  comprising a hitching side  24  equipped with means for associating a hitch assembly  26  and a mounting side  28 . The vertically oriented frame member  22  is pivotally associated by said means for associating a hitch assembly  26  with a sliding offset bracket assembly  30  which is, in turn, slidably mounted on a sliding offset hitch  32 . Due to the use of rollers  34  and  35  (See  FIG. 7 ) in the sliding offset bracket assembly  30 , no hydraulic power is necessary to adjust the position of the installer  10  on the hitch  32  relative to the vehicle  12 . In another embodiment, the at least one vertically oriented frame member  22  is pivotally associated by said means for associating a hitch assembly  26  with a 3-point assembly. 
   The upper portion  18  of the angular frame support  16  is associated with the at least one vertically oriented frame member  22  while the lower portion  20  further comprises a leading side  40  and a trailing side  42  and is associated on the leading side  40  with a blade assembly  44  having a blade  46  and a tooth  48  and on its trailing side  42  associated with a fabric chute assembly  50 . A coulter assembly  52  is attached to a bottom, generally horizontal side  54  of the at least one vertically oriented frame member  22  through an association provided by a coulter bracket assembly  55 . 
   The fabric chute assembly  50  comprises a first vertical sidewall  60  having a first top edge  62 , a first bottom edge  64 , and a first trailing edge  65 , and a second vertical sidewall  66  having a second top edge  68 , a second bottom edge  70  and a second trailing edge  72  with a small space  74  between said first sidewall  60  and the second sidewall  66 . In one embodiment, the first and second sidewall  60 ,  66  respectively, are joined together by a flange  76  at the bottom edge  64 ,  70  respectively, of each sidewall  60 , 66  respectively, and to the trailing edge  42  of the blade assembly  44 . The top edges  62 ,  68  respectively of the first  60  and second  66  sidewall remain separate forming an entry slot  80  as do the trailing edge  65 ,  70  respectively of the first  60  and second  66  sidewall forming an exit slot  82 . In another embodiment, the sidewalls  60 ,  66  and flange  76  may be integral to one another such that the structure is of a single piece or may be affixed to one another through means known in the art such as welds. 
   A leading edge  84  of the chute assembly  50  is positioned generally parallel to the angle of the angular support  16  and associated with the support&#39;s  16  lower portion  20 . The chute assembly  50  further comprises a trailing edge  86  which is generally vertical. A rod  88 , parallel to the angle of the leading edge  84  and the angular support  16  is positioned near the leading edge  84  of the chute assembly  50  between the first  60  and second  66  sidewalls for a purpose to be described later. 
   Protruding from the at least one vertically oriented frame member  22  is a roll stand assembly  90  comprising a vertical support  92  to which is attached a horizontal fabric roll support  94 . The fabric roll support  94  is oriented along the axis of travel and generally above the fabric chute assembly  50 . A roll of fabric  96  is rotatably associated with the support  94  and fabric  96  is unrolled to extend into the entry slot  80  between the first  60  and second  66  sidewall sides, threaded under the rod  88  which acts to convert the vertical orientation of the fabric&#39;s travel to horizontal, and then out the exit slot  82  on the trailing edge  86 . 
   The chute assembly  50  construction relative to the direction of travel negates the need for a deflector because the leading edge  84  of the chute is closed rather than open. Further, because the fabric  96  is easily threaded without separating the sidewalls  60 ,  66 , the first  60  and second  66  sidewalls can be integrally formed or, at the least, require no hinged or pivotal relationships to each other since there is no need to open the sidewalls. The angular support  16  coupled with the generally vertically oriented frame member  22  increases the strength of the frame assembly  14  against horizontal moment, simplifies the construction and dramatically shortens the installer  10  from leading  11  to trailing edge  13  making its turns more closely reflective of those of the towing vehicle  12  to which it is attached. In the preferred embodiment, the frame assembly  14  is more clearly described wherein the at least one generally vertically oriented frame member  22  comprises a first parallel planar elements  100  and a second parallel planar element  102  joined by a horizontal bar  104 . Between the first planar element  100  and the second planar element  102  is sandwiched the angular support  16 . The coulter bracket  52  and coulter assembly  54  are affixed to a bottom side  105  of the bar  104 . 
   The frame assembly  14  is pivotally associated with the hitch  32  further allowing more responsive turns of the plow. The installer  10  is biased toward a center alignment with said means for associating said assembly  26  by a lateral spring  110  on either side of the means for associating said hitch assembly  26 . 
   The installer  10  may be removably attached through its means for associating said hitch assembly to a three-point hitch  140 , a skid loader, a sliding offset hitch, or other means allowing the installer to be towed by a power unit. In one preferred embodiment, the sliding offset hitch  32  comprising the sliding offset bracket assembly  30  and an offset frame  150  is associated with said means for associating a hitch assembly  26  on said installer  10 . 
   The offset frame  150  comprises an upper lateral support  152  with a rearward side  154 , a bottom side  156 , and a forward extending portion  158  to which the top pin  4 - 60  of a three point hitch can be attached. 
   The upper lateral support  152  is spaced vertically from a first lower lateral support  162  having a first front side  163  and a rearward side  164  and a second lower lateral support  165  having a second front side  166  and a second rearward side  167 . Said first lower  162  and said second lower lateral support  165  are positioned between two vertical end plates  161 ,  161   a  respectively. A forward plate-like element  168  extends along said first front side  163  and said second front side  166  to at least partially cover a gap  170  between said first lower lateral support  162  and said second lower lateral support  165 . Preferably, the forward plate-like element  168  comprises a pair of brackets  170 ,  171 , respectively. These brackets  170 ,  171  include elements whereby the bottom two pins  172 ,  174  of a three point hitch  140  are associated. 
   The sliding offset bracket assembly  30  is associated with said means for associating a hitch assembly  26  of the installer  10  and with the offset frame  150 . Said first lower lateral support  162  further comprises an under side  175 ; said second lower lateral support  165  further comprises a top side  176 . 
   The offset bracket assembly  30  comprises a forward extending portion  180 . The forward extending portion  180  is inserted in the gap  170  and is equipped with at least one roller  34  having a vertical axis and at least one roller  35  having a horizontal axis. Said at least one roller  34  with vertical axes are positioned to roll along said rearward side  164  of said first lower lateral support  162  and said at least one roller  35  having horizontal axes are positioned to roll along between said under side  175  and said top side  176 . At least one roller  177  having a vertical axis is attached to a roller bracket  179 . Said roller bracket  179  is positioned on the opposite side of gap  170  from the forward extending portion  180  and attached thereto such that said at least one roller  177  rolls against the front side  163  of said first lower lateral support  162  further facilitating the sliding of the bracket assembly  30  while keeping its position generally constant in the leading to trailing direction relative to said frame  150 . The forward plate-like element  168  is positioned to act as a dirt guard for the roller bracket  179  and rollers  177 . 
   The lateral position of the sliding offset bracket assembly  30  may be adjusted by hand. A plurality of openings  180  are spaced apart laterally proximal said rearward side  154  of said upper lateral support  152 . An opening  182  in said bracket assembly  30  is aligned with one of said plurality of openings  180 , a pin  184  is then inserted through said opening  182  and opening  180  to secure the position of the sliding offset bracket assembly on said offset frame. Adjustment of lateral position is simple; the pin is removed, the rollers allow sliding of the installer by hand, the openings  182  and  180  are aligned and the pin is re-inserted. 
   Thus, the present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
   Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, a single roller with a horizontal axis may be used although the lateral adjustment of the installer may not be as simple. A single roller may best be used with a track in one or the other lower lateral supports to keep the roller positioned. As another example, the sidewalls of the chute may be integral with one another or they may each be separately attached to the angular support thereby closing any gap that would otherwise occur at their leading edges. The forward plate-like element that covers the gap between the first and second lower lateral supports and protects the roller bracket could be left off completely without significantly changing the invention. However, its presence maximizes protection of the rollers and minimizes what would otherwise be required maintenance. Further, it should be understood that the generally right angle formed with the ground by the trailing edge of the chute assembly is not critical to the operation of the installer; other angles may be used. In addition, although not required, a wind guard may be attached above the chute assembly and below the roller to assist in minimizing any ill effect a strong wind may have on the threading of the fabric and operation of the installer. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.