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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/483,233, filed May 6, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to gravel spreader/paver apparatuses. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting and spreading of various materials such as gravel, limestone, asphalt, dirt, concrete, sand with the application of a geo-textile fabric installer attachment thereto. 
         [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    Applicant is attaching hereto an Information Disclosure Statement which relates to patents found in the art. However, there appears to be no prior art which teaches or relates to a spreader/paver, which solved the problems encountered in the area of constructing roads, bike paths and other infrastructures. Many construction engineers&#39; specifications have a requirement for geo-textile fabric to be installed over the prepared sub-base before the base material can be spread over it to a specified depth. The problem encountered is that once the geo-textile fabric has been placed, it must not have any contact with the tire or tracks of any machine that may be used to spread or transport the base material. An additional problem is that it usually takes an extra crew of labor to place the fabric in place and, due to the fact that no tires or tracks may come into contact with the fabric, smaller sections are usually done at a time costing additional money and time to be added to the overall job. Another problem in the construction process is that all equipments maneuverability becomes greatly limited due to the requirement that equipment cannot come in direct contact with the geo-textile fabric at any stage of the construction process. An additional problem in the construction process is that the base material must be spread to a certain depth and width in order to meet certain specification requirements, and the process currently being used has no accurate means of spreading base materials to a precise depth and width. These problems, along with others not listed, cause most contractors to use more expensive equipment to meet the required specifications and make the construction process very inefficient, costly and time consuming. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a combination gravel spreader/paver apparatus which can accomplish the task heretofore not accomplished by the prior art. 
         [0008]    The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 Title 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1,946,819 
                 Machine for Curing Concrete 
                 Feb. 13, 1934 
               
               
                 2,962,947 
                 Road Base Spreading Apparatus 
                 Dec. 06, 1960 
               
               
                 3,091,999 
                 Base Spreader 
                 Jun. 04, 1963 
               
               
                 4,175,496 
                 Earth Working Implement 
                 Nov. 27, 1979 
               
               
                 4,806,043 
                 Method and Device for All Stabilized Civil 
                 Feb. 21, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 Engineering Areas or of Adjacent Borders 
               
               
                   
                 of a Structure 
               
               
                 5,620,281 
                 Machine and Method for Laying Film on 
                 Apr. 15, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 Face of Landfill 
               
               
                 5,765,967 
                 Method and Apparatus for Backfilling 
                 Jun. 16, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 Pipeline Trenches 
               
               
                 6,558,079 
                 Method and Apparatus for Covering Landfill 
                 May 06, 2003 
               
               
                 6,558,080 
                 Method and Compact Apparatus for 
                 May 06, 2003 
               
               
                   
                 Covering Landfill 
               
               
                 7,686,537 
                 Road Grader/Spreader 
                 Mar. 30, 2010 
               
               
                 8,079 778 
                 Geo-textile Applicator Device and Method 
                 Dec. 20, 2011 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems in the road, bike path, infrastructure construction process in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a gravel spreader/paver and geo-textile fabric installing apparatus capable of being used to transport and spread gravel and other materials and/or able to be used to transport and spread gravel while the apparatus installs geo-textile fabric when such fabric is required in the construction process. What is provided is a universal hitch assembly having multiple adjustment tubes and brackets mounted on the apparatus which allows the apparatus to be attached to and operated by a wide variety of commonly used machines a contractor would normally have at his disposal, eliminating the need for more expensive, specialized machines. The present invention, when used as intended, will place the geo-textile fabric on the sub-base while transporting and spreading the base material on top of the fabric to a pre-determined, precise depth, width, and slope by use of adjustable moldboards and various plate assemblies, such as, strike-off plates, extension plates and cutoff plates. When the apparatus is attached to a skid steer or other machine, the base material can be loaded into a hopper by a dump truck or other machine. When utilizing a truck, the apparatus would be positioned in front of the spreader/paver and dumping the base material into the hopper while in motion. The skid steer in this case would give the spreader/paver and dump truck its forward motion. When using the wheel locks of the spreader/paver, the dump truck would dump the base material in the hopper while in motion without a skid steer or other machine needed, whereas the dump truck would be used for the motion and use of the spreader/paver. This would be achieved by using the spreader/payer&#39;s wheel locks to attach and latch onto a dump truck or similar machine&#39;s rear wheels to serve as a method of operating the spreader/paver by giving the motion needed for the apparatus to perform and operate. 
         [0010]    Therefore, it is object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for transporting and spreading of various materials such as, but not limited to gravel, limestone, asphalt, dirt, sand, etc.; 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination apparatus material transporter, spreader, paver, and geo-textile fabric installer attachment apparatus; 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spreader/paver apparatus having a hopper for the means of transporting and distributing base materials; 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spreader/paver attachment having one or more universal hitches which allow a wide variety of machines to attach to and operate the gravel spreader/paver apparatus, such as, but not limited to a skid steer, back hoe, dozer, dump truck, etc.; 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spreader/paver attachment with one or more adjustable moldboards able to adjust into multiple positions, such as heights, widths and slopes, which gives the operator control of the amount, depth, width and slope of the material being spread; 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which may be achieved manually and/or by other force such as hydraulic, mechanical/electrical actuator, mechanically or by pneumatic power; 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spreader/paver attachment having adjustable extension plate assemblies extending out one or more sides of the apparatus which may be adjusted into a wide variety of configurations for spreading various widths, heights, and slopes that an operator may commonly encountered during the construction of roads, bike paths, and similar infrastructure; 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above object by manually or by other force such as hydraulic, mechanical/electrical actuator, mechanically or by pneumatic power; 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to, provide a spreader/paver which may have one or more adjustable wheels and/or screeds to come into contact with the base material being spread after it has been ejected from the hopper in order to redistribute weight from the hopper to the ground; 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a gravel spreader/paver containing wheel lock assemblies for attaching the gravel spreader/paver apparatus to dump trucks or similar machines therefore allowing dump trucks to provide the gravel spreader/paver the needed motion and power intended operation and use; 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spreader/paver designed of a compact size and weight to be of ease to transport from job to job site on a standard sized equipment trailer and to be transported by light truck or other vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    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: 
           [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate cutaway side views of the preferred embodiment of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention receiving materials from a dump truck; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates of front view of the spreader/paver apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates an overall view of the hopper portion of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a view of the lower hitch bracket of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial view of the hitch assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the fabric roller assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rear view of the retracted fabric roller assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  illustrates a rear view of the extended inner and outer roller axle tubes and the adjustment tubes of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  illustrates an end view of the fabric roller adjustment bracket supported by the vertical support tube of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  illustrates a view of the adjustable guide rod assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  illustrates a view of the adjustable spillover plate and push roller bracket of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  illustrates a view of the adjustable moldboard assembly and cutoff plate inserts of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  illustrates views of the upper cutoff plate insert and inner hopper plate of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  illustrates a view of the adjustable moldboard extension plate assembly in a closed position and latched to the hopper of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  illustrates views of the upper cut-off plate insert and extension pin insert of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  illustrates a view of the hopper insert latch engaging the upper cut-off plate insert to the inner hopper plate of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate views of the adjustable moldboard extension plate assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  illustrates a view of the screed assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  illustrates an additional view of the adjustable moldboard extension plate assembly as seen in  FIGS. 19 and 20  of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  illustrates views of the adjustable guide rod assembly of the spreader/paver apparatus of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]      FIGS. 1 through 23  illustrate the gravel spreader/paver and geo-textile fabric installer apparatus of the present invention, also referred to as the spreader/paver apparatus  10 , or even more simply as apparatus  10 . The gravel spreader/paver and geo-textile fabric installer apparatus  10  can be utilized as either a gravel base spreader or as a combination gravel base spreader and fabric installer when fabric is required. It may of course have other uses in the industry. 
         [0045]    The gravel/spreader apparatus  10  would be equipped with a universal hitch assembly  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 ,  6  and  7 , which allows the gravel spreader/paver apparatus  10  to attach to and be operated by a wide variety of machines, including but not limited to skid steers, wheel loaders, and dozers  129 . This hitch assembly  12  is adjustable for different height blades and buckets by removing pin  16  and raising or lowering vertical adjustment tube  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A chain and binder are hooked into upper and lower hitch brackets  20  and  22 , and vertical support tube bracket  23  and vertical support tube  25  as illustrated more clearly in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  2 . In operation, the chain would wrap around the bucket or blade  29 , and once the binder is tightened, these brackets  20 ,  22  serve as a clamp device. Horizontal pitch adjustment bracket  24  allows the pitch of the hitch assembly  12  to be adjusted to fit different dozer blades and buckets  29 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This can be accomplished by removing locking pin  26  from locking bracket  28  and then rotating the hitch assembly  12  to the preferred pitch before reinserting the locking pin  26  through the corresponding hole of the pitch adjustment bracket  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The pitch adjustment of the hitch assembly  12  is particularly useful when attaching the gravel spreader/paver  10  to dozers, whereas most dozer blades have no vertical tilt capabilities, such as skid steers, backhoes, and wheel loaders. 
         [0046]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A ,  4  and  14 , which illustrate the adjustable moldboard assembly  30 , also referred to as assembly  30 . Assembly  30  can be raised or lowered vertically within the spreader apparatus  10  in order to spread different depths of base material  33 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The moldboard assembly  30  includes a v-shaped moldboard  32  which has multiple functions, and the moldboard containment plate  37 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . One function of moldboard  32  is to roll and mix the base material  33 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0047]    The second function is to move the base material  33  outward toward the moldboard extension plates  34 , of extension plate assembly  35 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 16 . The third function is to accurately strike off the base material  33  at a desired spread depth, width, and slope. The mixing action is also improved by the frontal hopper plate  36  which keeps the base material  33  flowing downward toward the v-shaped moldboard  32 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 16 . 
         [0048]    It should be kept in mind that the mixing action is very important. Other methods of handling base material on construction sites causes the base material to lose some key elements, such as moisture and mixture, of the base material, both of which are needed and often specified by construction engineers to build a long lasting road. The moisture and mixture helps to insure proper compaction and an overall stronger longer lasting road. One method that causes the base material to lose the key elements involves the base material being transported to the site ahead of time and stockpiled. Since it is stockpiled the material has to be handled multiple times by machines to load and move the material as it is needed. The more the material is handled the more moisture it loses and it also can become segregated. The solution this invention offers to that method is no need to stockpile and handle the base material multiple times, since the base material is dumped out of the truck directly into the hopper (as seen in  FIG. 1 ) and spread before it loses the key elements of moisture and mixture. The mixing action also functions to prevent any such material segregation. 
         [0049]    Turning now to the moldboard assembly  30 , the assembly  30  includes a rear support beam  38 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Attached to the rear support beam  38  are support guides  40  and hydraulic cylinders  42  which give the moldboard assembly  30  its vertical movement and stability, as seen in  FIG. 4 . The mold board assembly  30  can be removed from the gravel spreader  10  by unbolting mounting plates  44  and lowering the assembly  30  out the outer guide tubes  46 , also shown in  FIG. 4 . Adjustable strike-off plates  48  are bolted to the bottom edges of the v-shaped moldboard  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . These strike-off plates  48  can be raised up higher in the center of the moldboard  32 , therefore allowing the gravel spreader  10  to spread a crowned path, whereas the center of the path is spread at a thicker depth than the outer edges of the path. 
         [0050]    Reference is now made to the screed assembly  50 , which is attached to the rear of the moldboard assembly  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  21 , and  22 . The assembly  50  comprises screed plate  51 , plate reinforcement  53 , adjustment bracket  54 , hinge  55 , and hinge support  56 . The weight of the gravel spreader/paver apparatus  10  and base material  33  is redistributed to the ground by use of the adjustable screed assembly  50  The screed assemblies  50  ability to redistribute gives the rear of the gravel spreader  10  some support and stability as it rides on top of the base material  33 . This support keeps the gravel spreader  10  spreading to a more consistent grade which makes fewer adjustments necessary by the machine&#39;s operator. The screed assembly  50  also compacts the base material  33  as it flows out the rear of the base spreader  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1A . The pitch of the screed assembly  50  can be adjusted by use of turnbuckles  52 , also shown in  FIGS. 1A and 21 . Hydraulic and electric actuators, not illustrated, but known in the art, may also be used in place of the turnbuckles  52 . 
         [0051]    The gravel spreader  10  has two moldboard extension plate assemblies  35 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  19 ,  20  and  22 . These assemblies  35  are attached to the outermost edges of the V-shaped moldboard  32  and move vertically with the moldboard assembly  30 . One or more plate assemblies  35  can be extended to spread a path that is wider than the V-shaped moldboard  32 . In order to gain the desired spread width, the extension plate assemblies  35  can be set into multiple configurations by use of the supporting chain  57  and multiple locking bars  58 , locking bar brackets  59  and hinges  60 , held by locking bar pins  61 , as seen in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . The supporting chain  57  can be extended or retracted to give the extension plate assemblies  35  the needed pitch to feed the base material  33  outward away from the v-shaped moldboard  32 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . The supporting chains  57  adjust within a slotted opening of the support chain anchor box  62 . Anchor box  62  is attached to the framework  64  of the gravel spreader  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The extension plate assemblies  35  include latches  66  that allow the plate assemblies  35  to stay in a closed position for spreading more narrow paths which may not require extending the plate assemblies  35  to achieve the desired spread width. The latches  66  latch to the inside of the hopper  70 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . The extension plate assemblies  35  have a vertical height spacer  67  which can be removed to allow one or more of the extension plate assemblies  35  to be set to spread base material  33  at a different spread depth than the moldboard assembly  30  is set at, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 22 . This is particularly useful for spreading the outside shoulders of a path at a different depth than the path itself. This height spacer  67  is positioned on the hinge  68  that attaches the extension plate assembly  35  to the moldboard assembly  30 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 22 , 
         [0052]    Reference is made once more to the hopper assembly  70 , which is fixed rigidly to the framework  64  of the gravel spreader  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . By redistributing the weight of the apparatus  10  and base material  33  onto the wheels  81 , the hopper  70  allows the gravel spreader  10  to be operated by smaller machines with less horsepower, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . 
         [0053]    It is very important that the hopper  70  functions as a material transporter by carrying the base material until it is dispersed, therefor creating less resistance between the base material and the ground or sub-base by redistributing the weight of the base material to the wheels  81  of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0054]    Other base spreaders base spreaders shown in prior art comprise of an open three-sided box for confining and retaining the base material as its being dumped and spread without any means for transporting or redistributing the weight of said base material on ground engaging wheels. In addition, a large amount of base material is usually required to be dumped into or in front of the box to insure the spread has no voids or hollow spots and therefor a larger machine with greater horsepower is required to push and spread base material over the sub-base. The hopper  70  of the gravel spreader  10  requires less base material to accomplish this task by directing and concentrating the base material against the moldboard and sub-base therefor eliminating any possible voids (lose or empty spots within the base material) within the spread. It might also be said that the mixing action of the hopper  70  also helps to prevent any such voids or lose spots within the base material as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0055]    The hopper  70 , which includes inner hopper plate  72 , frontal hopper plate  36 , and outer hopper plate  74 , also helps to insure the mixing of the base material  33  by directing the base material  33  inward towards the v-shaped moldboard  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 5 . Another important function of the hopper  70  is to shield and protect the roll of geo-textile fabric  90  from the base material  33  being dumped into the gravel spreader  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . 
         [0056]    Without the hopper  70  acting as a shield, it would be very difficult, perhaps even impossible, for the apparatus to install the geotextile fabric  90 . The fabric must be in position either in front of where the base material is being dumped, or directly underneath, to avoid direct contact with any wheels or tracks of any machine. Since the wheels of the dump truck  14  engage against the gravel spreader  10  there is no practical means of placing the roll of fabric  90  between the dump truck  14  and gravel spreader apparatus  10 . Therefore the fabric roll  90  must be placed under the hopper  70 . Positioning fabric  90  under the hopper  70  also insures that no wheels or tracks come into contact with the fabric  90  until it has had the base material spread over it. Therefore, the apparatus  10  would have to include a hopper  70 , or shield of some sort, to accomplish the fabric installing capabilities. 
         [0057]    The hopper  70  also allows for the cutoff plate inserts  102  to be used. Inside the hopper  70 , the plates  102  attach inside the hopper  70  and serve as a secondary hopper within the main hopper  70  by directing the material into a more concentrated area. These cutoff plates  102  reduce the size of the hopper opening into which the base material flows and serve as a small spreader type box within the apparatus, therefore allowing the apparatus to spread a more narrow path as seen in  FIG. 14 . Although  FIG. 14  shows only two of the inserts  102  on one side of the apparatus  10 , it should be made clear that the opposite side could also be configured with these inserts  102 . 
         [0058]    The hopper  70  has a flexible containment baffle  75 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to prevent the base material  33  from spilling out between the gravel spreader  10  and the dump truck  14 . If any base material  33  does inadvertently spillover the containment baffle  75 , the adjustable spillover blade  77 , shown in  FIGS. 1A and 13 , will function to push and spread the spilled base material  33 . This is particularly useful when the gravel spreader  10  is being used as a combination base spreader and geo-textile fabric installer by reducing the amount of base material  33  that ends up between the geo-textile fabric  90  and the sub-base  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . 
         [0059]    As seen in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  17 , and  18 , there are provided upper and lower cut-off plate inserts  102  that can be latched into the hopper assembly  70  to reduce the width of the spread. One or more of these inserts  102  may be used to configure the gravel spreader  10  to spread a path that is narrower than the v-shaped moldboard  32 . The ability to spread narrow paths is particularly useful in bike path construction. 
         [0060]    Reference is now made to the adjustable guide rod  104  and guide rod chain  106  which can function both as a steering guide and also as a grade gauge, as seen in  FIGS. 12 and 23 . The guide rod  104  is inserted through adjustment bracket  107  which is located on the rear of the framework  64  of the gravel spreader  10 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . The guide rod  104  can be extended outward away from the gravel spreader  10  therefore giving the operator a direct line of sight of the rod  104  and chain  106 . The chain  106  can be adjusted vertically to drag the top of a curbing or work surface  108 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . The operator would be able to gauge if the gravel spreader  10  is maintaining the proper grade if the distance between the chain  106  and surface  108  changes. The rod  104  and chain  106  can be used as a steering guide by following pre-installed curbing or paint marking, also shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0061]    Reference is now made to the fabric roller attachment  110  which gives the gravel spreader  10  the ability to disperse and install geo-textile fabric  90  while simultaneously spreading base material  33  over the fabric  90 , as seen more clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . This attachment  110  comprising a two piece telescopic axle  112  and  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , which can be extended or retracted to fit various width rolls of fabric  90 . There are also provided axle attachment brackets  115  and axle attachment hooks  119 . When extended, there are provided multiple fabric roller spacer inserts  116 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , which slide over the inner axle tube  114 . These inserts  116  keep the two piece fabric axle  112  and  114  from retracting as it is slid through the roll of fabric  90 . When not in use, the spacer inserts  116  can be attached to hanger bracket  117  which is located on the outside of the outer hopper plate  74 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Each vertical support tube  118  of the fabric attachment  110  includes a horizontal adjustment tube  120  welded to it. These Adjustment tubes  120  attach to the fabric roller brackets  122 , which allow the fabric roller attachment  110  to be extended or retracted to fit various width rolls of fabric  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . These adjustment tubes  120  have multiple adjustment holes  121  and slide inside of fabric roller attachment bracket  122  which is located underneath the frontal hopper plate  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The location of the fabric roller attachment  110  is very critical. This location insures the fabric  90 , of which the gravel spreader  10  is installing, never has any direct contact with any wheels or tracks of any machine whatsoever. Road specifications normally require that no wheels or tracks of any machine or truck make direct contact with the geo-textile fabric  90 . A machine can only travel across the spread path after the fabric  90  has had base material  33  placed on top of it. 
         [0062]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , there is provided a push roller assembly  130 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , which rides against the rear wheels  15  of the dump truck  14 , as shown in FIG.  1 A, as the gravel spreader  10  is being operated. While in operation, the operating machine  129  gives the gravel spreader  10  and dump truck  14  their forward momentum and motion for intended operation. This action gives the operator of machine  129  control of the overall speed of the spread and insures that the dump truck  14  is dumping the base material  33  into the hopper  70  of the gravel spreader  10 . The adjustable wheel assemblies  80 , which support wheels  81 , have guide rollers  132 , attached vertically to the lower inside of wheel arm forks  134 , supported by wheel arms  135 , on outer wheel adjustment tubes  136 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . These rollers  132  insure that the dump truck  14  and gravel spreader  10  are traveling in a preferred direction or path by making contact with the outer surface of the rear wheels  15  of the dump truck  14  should it travel off course, as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0063]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the gravel spreader/paver apparatus  10  would further include wheel locks  125  attached to the apparatus  10 , so that when an operator would utilize a dump truck  14 , or similar machine, the wheel lock assemblies  125  would be used to attach the gravel spreader/paver apparatus  10  to the dump truck  14 , or similar machines, therefore allowing dump truck  14  to provide the gravel spreader/paver apparatus  10  the needed motion and power intended for operation and use as described. 
       Operation of the Apparatus 
       [0064]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-23  discussed, above, the gravel spreader apparatus  10  includes the universal hitch assembly  12  which allows a wide variety of machinery  129 , such as a bulldozer or wheel loaders, to attach to and operate the gravel spreader  10 . Most machines with a bucket or dozer blade  29  can attach to these brackets. The brackets wrap around the blade or bucket  29  and serve as a clamp devise once chains and binders are hooked into the brackets. As seen in  FIG. 7 , when not in use, the three spacer inserts  116  are attached to the side of the spreader apparatus  10 . As seen in  FIG. 10  these inserts  116  are used when the fabric roller bracket  122  is extended for various width rolls of geo-textile fabric  90 .  FIG. 4  shows the rear of the v-shaped mold board  32  of assembly  30 . The spreader apparatus  10  includes an electric hydraulic pump  122 A to adjust the mold board assembly  30 , although it is foreseen that there may be included other means for movement such as: mechanical, manual, or electric actuator.  FIG. 12  shows the adjustable guide rod  104  and chain  106 . The guide rod  104  can be extended to various locations to achieve a direct line of sight for operator, and the operator can use this to determine whether the depth of the spread may need adjusting. The guide rod  104  and chain  106  can also be used as a steering guide to follow curbing or painted markings. The paint markings would be sprayed on the work surface before the spreader apparatus is operated. The chain  106  can be set to ride right above the ground or curb and would indicate if the spread depth needs adjusting if the distance between the chain and curb or ground changes. 
         [0065]      FIG. 22  shows the v-shaped mold board assembly  30 . The assembly  30  includes the v-shaped mold board  32 , adjustable screed assembly  50  and extension plate assemblies  35 . The moldboard assembly  30  can be adjusted vertically in the spreader apparatus to set the spread depth. The v-shaped design of the moldboard  32  directs the base material  33  outward towards the extension plate assemblies  35 . Also, this moldboard  32 , in conjunction with the hopper  70  helps to prevent material segregation and moisture loss by creating a mixing and rolling action as seen in  FIG. 1A . Moisture is needed for proper compaction of base material  33 , and therefore keeping the moisture content in the material  33 , would eliminate the costly expense of needing water trucks to spray the material  33  to replace the moisture, therefore making the overall process more efficient. The v-shaped moldboard assembly  30  moves vertically within the fabric spreader apparatus  10 . When the moldboard assembly  30  moves, so does the adjustable screed  50  and extension plate assemblies  35 . The adjustable extension plate assemblies  35  can be left shut for narrow paths. For wider paths, one or more plate assemblies  35  can be opened and set to the desired width by use of supporting chains  57  and multiple hinges  60  and locking bars  58 . Also, the plate assemblies  35  can be angled back to help feed the base material  33  outward away from the moldboard  32 . The adjustable plate assemblies  35  contain height adjustments by use of vertical height spacers  67 . These vertical height spacers  67  allow the spreader apparatus  10  to be configured to spread base material  33  on a path or roadway at one depth while spreading the shoulders at a different depth. Both extension plate assemblies  35  can be configured to spread two shoulders simultaneously, or one assembly  35  can be configured to spread one shoulder per pass. It is foreseen that the adjustment is made manually, but it will also be possible by other means such as: mechanically or by electric or hydraulic actuator. As seen in  FIG. 1A , The adjustable screed  50  redistributes the rear weight of the spreader apparatus  10  and the base material  33  to the ground. The weight redistribution performed by the screed  50  serves two functions. One of which is to give the base material  33  some compaction. The second function is to help insure the fabric spreader apparatus  10  is spreading to an accurate grade and depth. This screed  50  acts like a ski and rides on top of the base material  33  giving the fabric spreader apparatus  10  stability and makes less adjustments necessary by the gravel spreader&#39;s operator. The adjustments of screed  50  will be able to be made mechanically or by electric or hydraulic actuator. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the upper and lower cut-off plate inserts  102 . These cut-off plates  102  allow the spreader apparatus  10  to spread narrow paths and can be inserted into multiple configurations to achieve the desired spread width. One or more of these can be inserted into the hopper  70  of the fabric spreader apparatus  10 . The cutoff plates inserts  102  have a particular function in which using the inserts allow the fabric spreader apparatus  10  to be configured to spread very narrow paths, such as bike paths. The spreader apparatus  10  can also install geo-textile fabric  90  while spreading narrow paths when fabric  90  is required. The adjustable wheel assemblies  80  are placed in an inward an outward position. One or both assemblies  80  can be positioned inward or outward and can be adjusted to different heights in order to configure the fabric spreader apparatus  10  into the desired configuration. The geo-textile fabric roller attachment  110  adjusts to different widths. Either attachment  110  may be extended or retracted for different length rolls of geo-textile fabric  90 . When extended for wide rolls of fabric  90 , one or more of the spacer inserts  116  would be placed over the fabric roller axle  112  and  114 . The adjustable blade  77  located on the front of the gravel spreader  10  plows away and spreads any possible spillover of the base material  33  being dumped into the spreader apparatus  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1A . This is very important to protect the roll of fabric  90  and to insure that the spread meets engineer&#39;s specifications.  FIG. 1A  shows the spreader apparatus installing geo-textile fabric  90  while spreading the base material  33 , but the spreader apparatus  10  can also be used a base spreader without installing fabric  90  whenever geo-textile fabric  90  is not required. The design of the hopper  70  of the fabric spreader apparatus  10  serves multiple functions. One of which is to shield and protect the roll of fabric  90  from the base material  33  being dumped. Second of which is to carry some of the weight of the material  33  being dumped into the hopper, therefore requiring less horsepower to operate the spreader apparatus  10 . The third function is to work in conjunction with the v-shaped mold board  32  to prevent segregation of material  33 . 
         [0067]    The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 NUMBER 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                  10 
                 gravel spreader/paver apparatus 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 universal hitch assembly 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 dump truck 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 rear wheels 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 pins 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 vertical adjustment tube 
               
               
                   
                  20, 22 
                 upper and lower hitch brackets 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 vertical support tube bracket 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 adjustment bracket 
               
               
                   
                  25 
                 vertical support tube 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 locking bracket 
               
               
                   
                  29 
                 bucket or blade 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 adjustable mold board assembly 
               
               
                   
                  33 
                 base material 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 V-shaped mold board 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 mold board extension plates 
               
               
                   
                  35 
                 plate assembly 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 frontal hopper plate 
               
               
                   
                  37 
                 mold board containment plate 
               
               
                   
                  38 
                 rear support beam 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 support guides 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 hydraulic cylinders 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 mounting plates 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 outer guide tubes 
               
               
                   
                  48 
                 strike off plates 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 screed assembly 
               
               
                   
                  51 
                 screed plate 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 turn buckles 
               
               
                   
                  53 
                 plate reinforcement 
               
               
                   
                  54 
                 adjustment bracket 
               
               
                   
                  55 
                 hinge 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 hinge support 
               
               
                   
                  57 
                 supporting chain 
               
               
                   
                  58 
                 locking bars 
               
               
                   
                  59 
                 locking bar brackets 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 hinges 
               
               
                   
                  61 
                 bar pin 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 support chain anchor box 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 frame work 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 latches 
               
               
                   
                  67 
                 vertical height spacers 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 hinge 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 hopper assembly 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 inner hopper plate 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 outer hopper plate 
               
               
                   
                  75 
                 containment baffle 
               
               
                   
                  77 
                 adjustable spillover blades 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 wheel assembly 
               
               
                   
                  81 
                 wheels 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 geotextile fabric 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 sub-base 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 cut-off plate insert 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 adjustable guide rod 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 guide rod chain 
               
               
                   
                 107 
                 adjustment bracket 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 curbing or work surface 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 fabric roller attachment 
               
               
                   
                 112, 114 
                 two-piece telescopic axle 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 axle attachment brackets 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 roller spacer inserts 
               
               
                   
                 117 
                 hanger bracket 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 vertical support tube 
               
               
                   
                 119 
                 axle attachment hooks 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 horizontal adjustment tube 
               
               
                   
                 121 
                 holes 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 fabric roller brackets 
               
               
                   
                 122A 
                 hydraulic pump 
               
               
                   
                 125 
                 wheel locks 
               
               
                   
                 129 
                 operating machine 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 push roller 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 guide rollers 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 wheel arm forks 
               
               
                   
                 135 
                 wheel arms 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 outer wheel adjustment tubes 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0068]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0069]    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.

Summary:
A gravel spreader/paver apparatus and method for transporting and spreading gravel and other base materials, onto a surface, such as a roadway, including a hopper portion for receiving base material from a separate machine, such as a dump truck; attachment brackets for attaching the apparatus to machinery for providing movement to the apparatus; a roll of geo-textile fabric secured onto the apparatus; base material, such as gravel, in the hopper portion for being delivered on the geo-textile fabric as the fabric is unrolled from the apparatus while the apparatus is moving forward; an adjustable moldboard mounted on the apparatus for spreading the base material to a pre-determined, precise depth; the moldboard adjustable to multiple positions, to control the amount, depth, and width of the material being spread; adjustable plates for allowing the base material to be spread onto the sub-base at predetermined widths, depths and slopes.