Abstract:
A device for filling an open trench with the dirt previously removed from the trench lying alongside the trench, using a skid-mounted frame having blades to initially fill the trench and leveling the dirt, followed by a compactor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/247,708, filed Oct. 11, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,726, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/780,260, filed Feb. 17, 2004, now abandoned, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a device for filling a trench with the dirt previously removed to form the trench. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear-perspective view of the device attached to the rear of a pulling vehicle, such as a tractor. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device looking at the right, rear corner of the device. 
       FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the device. 
       FIG. 3   a  is the same view as  FIG. 3 , but illustrating the location of the dirt being put back into the trench. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the device. 
       FIG. 5  is perspective view of the front left corner of the device. 
       FIG. 6  is a front, perspective view of a portion of the device. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic, plan view of an alternate embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , reference character  10  generally designates the trench filling device of this invention which is adapted to be towed along a trench by a tractor or the like  12 . In general, the device  10  comprises a frame  14  supporting a pair of rearwardly converging scraper blades  16  ( FIG. 4 ) in the forward end  18  of the frame; a temporary leveling blade  20  ( FIG. 3 ) rearwardly of the blades  16  and a compaction roller  22  in the rearward end  24  of the frame  14 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  14  comprises a pair of side plates  26  interconnected by cross braces  28  and having a skid  30  formed along the lower edge  32  of each side plate. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a pair of brackets  34  are secured to the forward end  18  of the frame  14  near each side of the frame, and an upper bracket  38  is provided in the center of the frame for connection with the three point hitch  40  of the tractor  12 . The device  10  can thus be towed as well as raised to an inoperative position by the use of the three point hitch  40  of the tractor  12 . 
   The forward end  42  of each of the rearwardly converging scraper blades  16  is suitably secured to the forward end  18  of the respective side of the frame  14  by a suitable bracket  44  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The rearward end  46  of each rearwardly converging scrape blade  16  is supported horizontally by a suitable adjustable bracket  48 , by means of which the spacing between the rear end portions  46  of the scraper blades  16  may be adjusted as desired. The rear end portion  46  of each scrape blade  16  is secured vertically by a suitable bracket  50 . 
   As indicated in  FIG. 3 , each end of the horizontally extending blade  20  is secured to the respective frame side plate  26  by an adjustable bracket  52  in order that the overall height of the blade  20  may be adjusted as desired by the local conditions. Normally, the blade  20  is positioned about three inches above the level of the skids  30 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the roller  22  is mounted on a shaft  54 . Each end of the shaft  54  is supported in a bearing  56  suitably secured to the respective side plate  26  by bolts  58 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 , two sets of bolt holes  60  are provided in the frame side walls  26  to receive bolts  58  and provide for a vertical adjustment of the height of roller  22 . Normally, the roller  22  is adjusted at a height a short distance above the skids  30 , such as about one and one quarter inches. 
   An alternate embodiment  10   a  is shown schematically in  FIG. 7 . This alternate embodiment utilizes a virtually identical frame  14 , as well as the rearwardly converging scraper blades  16  at the forward end of the device, and the roller  22  at the rear end of the device. Rather than the use of a scraper blade extending horizontally across the frame  14 , the alternate embodiment  10   a  utilizes a rubber tire  62  for temporarily compressing the dirt moved into the trench by the blades  16 , and a second pair of scraper blades  64  between the rubber tire  62  and the roller  22  to move dirt into the path of the central portion of the roller  22  which is disturbed by the rubber tire  62 . The rubber tire is suitably supported by a linkage  66  from one of the cross frame members  28  utilizing a compression spring  68  and an adjustable jack mechanism or hydraulic cylinder  70 , by means of which the rubber tire  62  will be urged downwardly against dirt moved by the scraper blades  16 , and the amount of the compression provided by the spring  68  may be adjusted by the jack or cylinder  70  to provide the desired force on the dirt moved over the trench by the scraper blades  16 . The secondary scraper blades  64  will be suitably mounted on cross braces  28  in such a manner that the angle of these blades may also be adjusted. 
   It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the blades  16  and  64  in  FIG. 7  may be mounted in the frame  14  using hydraulic cylinders, rather than mechanically, for the convenience of the operator of the device. 
   OPERATION 
   The purpose of device  10  is to move the dirt  72  ( FIG. 3   a ) at each side of an open trench  74  into the trench and provide some compaction of the dirt moved back into the trench. As indicated in  FIG. 3   a , the scraper blades  16  move the dirt  72  into and over the trench  74  as the device  10  is pulled forwardly with the skids  30  straddling the trench. 
   The dirt moved by the scraper blades  16  will extend above the level of the ground on each side of the trench and the horizontally extending scraper blade  20  will temporarily level that dirt, before it is contacted and somewhat compressed or compacted by the roller  22 . The level of the dirt behind the device  10  will be a short distance above the ground on each side of the trench, allowing for the dirt to settle in the trench and eventually end up with a relatively level surface where the trench had been. 
   The modified device  10 A shown in  FIG. 7  will provide a first compaction and spreading of the dirt first moved by the scraper blades  16  by operation of the rubber tires  62 , and the dirt disturbed by the rubber tire  62  will be moved back over the center portion of the trench by the small scraper blades  64 . Then the roller  22  will further compact the dirt and leave a surface slightly above the surrounding ground in the same manner as the device shown in the preferred embodiment. 
   Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts or elements as here to fore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawing without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.