Abstract:
A conditioner is configured to couple to a support member of a construction vehicle and condition the ground while the vehicle remains stationary. A conditioner can include a mounting assembly for releasably coupling to the vehicle and rotatably supporting a roller configured to provide a plurality of seed beds. A cylindrically shaped roller can have a plurality of cleats disposed along a circumferential surface. The cleats may be arranged to provide a spaced-apart staggered pattern of seed beds. Through operation of the vehicle&#39;s support member and hydraulic system, the roller can be manipulated to move along steep slopes within confined areas while the construction vehicle remains stationary at a stable location. The roller can be configured for adjustable ground compaction through addition and/or withdrawal of fluids through a port.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority from U.S. Application No. 61/646,982 filed on May 15, 2012, by Anthony L. Wood, Sr., which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to construction equipment and, more particularly, to equipment for terrain conditioning for seeding to mitigate erosion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is often desirable to track slopes with a bulldozer to prepare terrain for grass seeding. For example, sloped terrain at a construction site may be conditioned for grass seeding in accordance with various design requirements, construction codes, or erosion prevention plans. The conditioning process typically includes tracking the soil and creating a plurality drainage trenches perpendicular to the direction of slope to prevent seed runoff. A prior art method of conditioning soil required traversing the terrain with a tracked bulldozer so that its raised treads make depressions in the ground to form seed bed trenches. 
         [0004]    While this prior art method is acceptable for its intended purpose on generally flat terrain, it has several drawbacks, particularly when used in sloped environments. First, it requires bulldozer movement over the terrain, leading to high fuel usage, wear and tear on the undercarriage, and additional operator labor. Because the prior art method requires placement of the bulldozer tracks (and therefore placement of the bulldozer) at the area to be conditioned, it raises safety concerns, particularly when the terrain is steep, unstable, uneven, or near drop offs. Furthermore, the spaced-apart bulldozer tracks of the bulldozer form spaced-apart conditioned areas. Consequently, it can be difficult to provide a particular arrangement of drainage trenches, or to condition small or confined areas, such as those at a corner between two meeting slopes where bulldozer maneuverability can be challenging. In addition, the use of skid steering can disturb previously conditioned areas. Finally, it is difficult to adjust the degree of compaction provided by the bulldozer tracks. 
       OVERVIEW 
       [0005]    In an example embodiment, a conditioner is configured to condition the ground for seeding, such as grass seeding. In one example embodiment, the conditioner includes a roller, and a mounting assembly to rotatably support the roller and releasably couple the roller to a support member of a construction vehicle. In an example embodiment, the roller may be cylindrically-shaped with a plurality of spaced-apart elongated cleats along its circumferential surface to engage and compact the ground and provide a plurality of drainage trenches therein. The cleats may be arranged in a series of overlapping offset columns to provide a spaced-apart staggered drainage trench pattern. In one example embodiment, the cleats are arranged with a center column of cleats offset vertically from two outer aligned columns of cleats. The center cleats may overlap the offset outer cleats. For example, the outer portions of the center cleats may overlap the inner portions of the outer cleats. This arrangement provides a misaligned pattern of drainage trenches in the ground. The roller may also include one or more ports for the addition or removal of fluid to alter the weight of the roller and the degree of compaction it provides. This feature allows the roller to be easily adapted for different soil conditions. 
         [0006]    The mounting assembly may include a frame to rotatably support the roller, and a bracket assembly for coupling the frame to a support member of a construction vehicle. The frame may include a cross support member arranged to extend above and along the axis of the roller, and can include downwardly extending support arms at each end. The support arms may include bearing assemblies for rotatably supporting opposing ends of a shaft extending through the roller so that the roller is rotatably supported by the frame. 
         [0007]    The bracket assembly may be attached to the frame and configured to removably couple the frame (and the roller supported by the frame) to a support member of a construction vehicle. For example, the bracket assembly may include a bracket having receiving holes and bosses arranged to releasably couple the bracket to a dipper arm of an excavator. In an example embodiment, the bracket assembly includes a first bracket having bosses arranged to receive a pin of an excavator pin coupler, and a second bracket having bosses for receiving a pin associated with an excavator dipper arm. In another example embodiment only a single bracket is provided. 
         [0008]    With the roller rotatably supported by the frame, and the bracket coupled to the dipper arm of the construction vehicle, the roller may be moved by the dipper arm to contact and roll across a sloped surface. The outer surface of the roller compacts the soil, and the cleats of the roller engage the ground to provide a plurality of spaced apart drainage trenches. This arrangement, in which the movement of the roller is controlled by the articulating movement of the dipper arm, allows the construction vehicle to be located apart from the area being conditioned. Thus, rather than moving the entire machine over a sloped area, a roller can be moved by a construction vehicle&#39;s support arm and hydraulics system. The construction vehicle cab can remain stationary at a remote location, conserving fuel as well as reducing wear and tear on the vehicle. 
         [0009]    The safety of both operator and vehicle during conditioning operations is improved since the construction vehicle can be positioned at a stable location away from drop-offs. The roller can be used in tight, unstable, and steep areas where it may be dangerous and/or difficult to move the vehicle&#39;s base. By coupling the conditioner to a dipper arm of an excavator, the hydraulic cylinder piston of the excavator or “bucket cylinder” can be used to manipulate the angle of the frame relative to the arm to allow for added maneuverability, similar to the movement of a bucket. 
         [0010]    In addition, compaction provided by the conditioner can be easily changed. For example, the downward force of the roller can be changed by controlled management of the boom hydraulics and dipper stick. In addition, fluid can be added or removed from the interior of the roller through the roller&#39;s port. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art method of conditioning a sloped surface for seeding using the tracks of a bulldozer. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an excavator having a conditioner for preparing a surface for seeding in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows an example embodiment of a conditioner in which a bucket cylinder of the excavator dipper arm is extended. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows an example embodiment of the conditioner of  FIG. 3  in which a bucket cylinder of a dipper arm of the excavator is retracted. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an example embodiment of the conditioner of  FIG. 3  in which the dipper arm is further extended. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an example embodiment of the conditioner. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of an example embodiment the roller. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a boss for supporting a shaft extending through the roller. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows sidewall of the roller. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of an example support assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of an example embodiment the conditioner showing a port for adding or removing fluid. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of the support assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13A  shows a boss of a support bracket for receiving a coupler pin. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13B  shows a boss of a support bracket for receiving a coupler pin. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows an example embodiment of a support member of a support bracket for coupling a frame of the conditioner to a coupler of a construction vehicle. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15A  shows a support arm having a bore for flange bearings. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15B  shows a side view of the support arm of  FIG. 15A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  shows an example embodiment of a cover plate for use with the support arms of the frame. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  shows an alternative embodiment of a conditioner in which a single bracket is provided. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    As required, example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. These embodiments are meant to be examples of various ways of implementing the invention, and it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements, while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that any directional terms, such as “left”, “right”, “upward”, “downward”, etc. are for use in describing in reference to the particular arrangements shown in the example embodiments of the particular drawings and are not intended to be limiting in terms of subject matter. In addition, while in the exemplary embodiments the apparatus is discussed in conjunction with the use of an excavator, the apparatus could be used in conjunction with other type construction equipment such as a backhoe or the like. 
         [0031]    Turning to the figures, wherein like characters represent like items throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an example embodiment of a prior art method of conditioning soil in which a bulldozer  2  is moved over a sloped terrain  4  so that its tracks  6  compact the soil and the tracks&#39; treads  10  engage the terrain  4  to produce a plurality of drainage trenches  12 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2-5  show an example embodiment of the invention in which a conditioner  20  is coupled to an excavator  22 . The conditioner  20  includes a roller  24  and a mounting assembly  25  that rotatably supports the roller and releasably couples the roller to the excavator  22 . The roller  24  may have a plurality of cleats  26  that extend parallel to the cylindrical axis of the roller  24  to engage and roll along the ground to provide a plurality of drainage trenches. As shown in  FIGS. 3-5  the roller  24  can be positioned to contact and roll along the ground  32 . For example, the roller  24  may be moved along the terrain by movement of the dipper arm  34  and boom  36  of an excavator  22  or other equipment. This allows movement of the roller  24  through the use of the hydraulics of the excavator arm  34 . This allows the terrain to be conditioned while the cab  40  of the construction vehicle remains at a remote location. Terrain conditioning through controlled manipulation of the roller  24  while the excavator  22  remains stationary avoids the safety issues, fuel consumption, and wear and tear associated with prior art bulldozer methods that required movement of the entire vehicle. The bucket cylinder piston  42  can be used to position the roller  24  relative to the dipper arm to assist movement of the roller  24  on the slope. For example,  FIG. 3  shows the piston  42  in an extended condition, and  FIG. 4  shows the piston  42  in a more retracted position. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows the conditioner  20  having the roller  24  rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly  25 . The mounting assembly  25  includes a frame  80  for rotatably supporting the roller  24 , and a bracket assembly  28  for releasably coupling the frame  80  to a support member of a construction vehicle. This allows the roller  24  to condition terrain as it is moved by a support member  34  of a construction vehicle 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7-9  show an example embodiment of the roller  24  and its various components. Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the roller  24  may be generally cylindrical in shape and include a cylinder  48  with an outer cylindrical surface  50  and sidewalls  52 . In an example embodiment, the roller  24  (cylinder) may have a width w of about 6 feet, a circumference of about 117 1/32″, and an inner radius of about 18⅜″. The cylindrical surface  50  may extend beyond the sidewalls  52 . 
         [0035]    A plurality of cleats  26  may be arranged about the circumferential surface  50  of the cylinder  48  and arranged extending parallel to the axis of the roller  24 . This allows the cleats  26  to make drainage trenches perpendicular to the direction that the roller  24  is rolled. In the example embodiment, the cleats  26  have a length of about 26 inches and a height of 2 inches and a thickness of ½″ so as to make an elongated drainage trench in the ground. The cleats  26  may be arranged about the surface  50  of the roller  24  in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a pattern of misaligned adjacent drainage trenches. In this example embodiment, two outer sets or columns  54  of cleats have aligned cleats, and a center set or column  56  of cleats  26  are misaligned with the outer cleats  26 . For example, the center cleats  26  can be arranged around a center portion of the roller  24  so that each cleat  26  is positioned between the cleats  26  on the outer portions of the roller  24 . In an example embodiment, the cleats  26  in each grouping may be spaced about 8 5/32″ apart. One or more ports  38  may be provided in the sidewall  52  to allow for the additional or removal of fluid from the interior of the cylinder  48 . An operator can increase or decrease the weight of the roller  24  by adding or removing fluid via the ports  38 . This allows the roller to be readily adapted for different terrains on site, and also allows for the weight of the roller to be lightened during transport to and from the work site. 
         [0036]    The outer cleats  26  may be positioned to overlap the cleats  26  of the center column  56 . In the example embodiment, the overlap is about 3 inches. The cleats  26  may be positioned around the circumferential surface  50  of the roller so that the spaces between the cleats  26  serve as compaction surfaces  50  for compacting the ground they contact. The sidewalls  52  define the sides of the cylinder  48  and include an aperture  53  for a shaft and an aperture  55  for a port  38 . A boss  60  may be provided at the sidewalls  52  with an aperture  62  of similar size of the aperture  53  of the sidewall  52  to receive the shaft  64  therethrough. The shaft  64  may have a diameter of 3 15/16″ to fit through 4″ apertures  53 ,  62  and a length sufficient to extend through the cylinder  48  and extend from the sidewalls  52 . In the example embodiment, the shaft  64  may have a length of 81″. 
         [0037]    FIGS.  6  and  10 - 16  show various components of the mounting assembly  25  that includes the bracket assembly  28  and the frame  80 . As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the bracket assembly  28  can include a dipper arm bracket  66  for connecting to a dipper arm  34  of an excavator or similar equipment. It can also include a coupler bracket  70  configured to releasably couple with a standard pinhole coupler commonly used in conjunction with construction equipment. The brackets  66 ,  70  may include support members  71  and  104  with apertures  106  ( FIGS. 13-14 ) for receiving bosses  68  and coupled to triangular gusset plates  73  connected to the frame  80 . The bosses  68  have aligned pinholes  74  for receiving pins  76  extending through the dipper arm  34  and coupler  78  and of the excavator. (See  FIGS. 3 and 11 ) As perhaps best seen in FIGS.  3 - 5 , movement of a bucket cylinder piston  42  of the excavator  22  can be used to change the angle of the bracket assembly  28  to assist in the positioning of the roller  24 . In the depicted example, the excavator cab  40  is positioned at a stable location above the slope being conditioned as the excavator arm  34  reaches downward to the sloped terrain  32 , but it is contemplated that the excavator  22  can be positioned at a lower point and reach upward, or some other position. This allows the excavator  22  to condition large areas while the cab  40  remains in a stable remote location. 
         [0038]    The frame  80  is connected to the bracket assembly  28 , and may include a cross support assembly  82  that can extend above and along the axis of the cylinder  48  with a length that can extend beyond the roller  24 . The cross support  82  may include various support members that may be welded together, such as vertical support plates  84  ( FIGS. 6 ,  10 ), main support member  88 , and upright support member  86 . The outer ends of the support plates  86 ,  88  may extend to and be coupled with support arms  90 . The support arms  90  may extend downward from the cross support assembly  82  and have bores  92  for supporting flange bearings  94  ( FIGS. 10 ,  15 A-B). The ends of the shaft  64  extending through the cylinder  48  may be journaled in the flange bearings  94 . The support arms  90  extend downward a length such that when roller  24  is journaled in the bearings  94  with bushing  98  there is a sufficient gap between the cross support assembly  82  and the cleats  26  that the roller  24  may freely roll. A cover plate  96  ( FIG. 16 ) with screw holes  97  arranged to align with holes  99  in the support arms  90  can be screwed to the support arm  90  to cover the bore  92  and flange bearings  94 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 12 and 14  show an example embodiment of the bracket support plate  104  that forms part of the coupler bracket  70 . The bracket support plate  104  includes an aperture  106  for receiving a boss  68 , and a flange  108  for coupling to the cross support  82 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the flange  108  may be welded to the support members  86 ,  88 . As shown in  FIG. 11  the position of the bushing  68  in the coupler bracket  70  is angled about 5 degrees from the boss  68  of the dipper arm bracket  66 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 17  shows an example embodiment of a conditioner  100  having a single bracket  110  for releasably coupling to the dipper stick of a construction vehicle. 
         [0041]    In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims. Thus, the foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.