Abstract:
A system for uncovering and sealing a narrow trench. The system comprises several subsystems, including a work machine, a frame for providing a seal with the surface to be trenched, a saw blade, a vacuum system, a system for placing product, and a resealer. The blade includes rotatable tooth bits, which may be rotated and secured to create a blade for narrower or a wider trench. A removable cover and the blade are easily changeable. A surface engaging member on the frame is manipulated to maintain a seal with changing ground surfaces. Additionally, the vertical location of the blade within the frame is adjustable to create a deeper or shallower trench.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/459,128, filed Aug. 13, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,752,301, issued Sep. 5, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/758,233, filed Feb. 4, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,806,784, issued Aug. 19, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/842,799, filed Jul. 23, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,605, issued Feb. 19, 2013, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/227,935, filed Jul. 23, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/353,984, filed Jun. 11, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of outdoor work machines and more particularly to systems for cutting and cleaning a narrow trench. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The invention is directed to a trenching assembly for use with a work machine to cut a trench. The trenching assembly comprises a frame, a blade cover attached to the frame, a hub, a blade, and a cylinder assembly. The blade cover and the frame define a surface engaging member and a cavity. The hub is attached to the frame such that a vertical position of the hub relative to the frame is moveable. The blade is located substantially within the cavity and supported on the hub. The blade extends beyond the cavity. The cylinder assembly is operatively attached to the work machine and to the frame. Operation of the cylinder assembly manipulates an orientation of the surface engaging member about three axes relative to the work machine. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, a method for cutting a narrow trench in a surface. A rotatable blade is used. The rotatable blade is moveably attached to a frame and disposed within a cavity defined by a hood assembly. The hood assembly comprises a surface engaging member. The method comprises the steps of adjusting the blade relative to the surface engaging member to achieve a desired trench depth, rotating the blade to cut a trench, and positioning the surface engaging member on the surface adjacent the blade to stabilize a portion of the surface adjacent the trench. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a trenching assembly for use with a work machine. The trenching assembly comprises a surface engaging member, a means for moving the surface engaging member to contact a surface, and a rotatable blade. The rotatable blade cuts a trench through the surface. The surface engaging member is disposed about the rotatable blade and contacts a portion of the surface while the blade is cutting the trench to stabilize the surface adjacent the trench. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a tractor with a trenching assembly for use with a mobile system for cutting a trench. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a trench cutter attachment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the trench cutter attachment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a motor assembly for the trench cutter attachment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a blade for use with the trench cutter attachment of  FIGS. 1-4 . The blade shown in  FIG. 5A  comprises cutting teeth disposed in a radial orientation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the blade of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of an alternative blade for use with the trench cutter attachment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The blade of  FIG. 6A  comprises cutting teeth disposed in an offset orientation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the blade of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of a system for inserting product into a trench cut using the system shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Turning now to the drawings in general and  FIG. 1  in particular, there is shown a mobile system  10  for cutting a narrow trench of varying depths and widths in a surface such as a concrete or asphalt roadway. The system  10  comprises a work machine  12  and a trenching assembly  13  attached to the work machine. The trenching assembly  13  comprises a frame  14  and a saw blade  100  rotatably mounted to the frame, which will be described in more detail below. The trenching assembly further comprises a cylinder assembly or linkage assembly  15  and an attachment frame  16 . The work machine  12  may be any common tractor or work vehicle that can support the trenching assembly  13 . The work machine  12  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a tractor having wheels  17 , however, one skilled in the art will appreciated that a tracked vehicle or a pedestrian work machine may be used with the trenching assembly  13  of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The system further comprises a vacuum system  18 . As shown, the vacuum system  18  is mounted on the work machine  12  and on the trenching assembly  13  as an integrated single mobile unit. Alternatively, the vacuum system  18  may be a subsystem that can be controlled by the work machine  12  or remote control. The vacuum system  18  comprises a vacuum hose  20 , a spoils inlet  22 , and a vacuum power unit (not shown). Further, the vacuum system may comprise a cyclonic filtration system (not shown) to filter fine dust and increase power unit life. The spoils inlet  22  is attached to the trenching assembly  13 . As shown, a second spoils inlet  23  is also attached to the trenching assembly  13  near a trench cleaner  50 . One skilled in the art can appreciate that one or more spoils inlets  22 ,  23  may be placed on the frame to efficiently remove accumulated spoils from the trenching assembly  13 . In  FIG. 1 , portions of the vacuum hose  20  are not shown, but the hose should be understood to be continuous to each of the spoils inlets  22 ,  23 . An operator station  24  is provided to control operation of the system  10 . 
         [0017]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment of the trenching assembly  13  is shown. A control panel  26  is provided to control the trenching assembly  13 . The attachment frame  16  is movably supported by the work vehicle  12  (not shown) and adapted to support the linkage assembly  15  and frame  14 . The attachment frame  16  comprises a slide frame  28  adapted to traverse the length of the attachment frame. The linkage assembly  15  is adapted to manipulate the frame  14 . The linkage assembly  15  comprises a level cylinder  30 , a pivot frame  32 , a lift cylinder  34 , lift arms  35 , a traverse cylinder  36 , a swing lock  37 , and a tilt plate  38 . The linkage assembly  15  is mounted on the slide frame  28  such that the linkage assembly  15  may traverse the length of the attachment frame  16  by manipulation of the traverse cylinder  36 . As shown, the frame  14  is mounted directly behind the back right tire  17 . One skilled in the art could appreciate positioning the frame  14  in other positions relative to the attachment frame  16 . 
         [0018]    The level cylinder  30  attaches to the frame  14  at a first end and the lift arms  35  at a second end. Extension of the level cylinder  30  manipulates the level of the frame  14  from front to back. The lift cylinder  34  attaches to the pivot frame  32  at a first end and the lift arms  35  at a second end. Extension of the lift cylinder  34  allows for the frame  14  to be raised and lowered. The tilt plate  38  connects the pivot frame  32  to the slide frame  28  of the attachment frame  16 . The tilt plate  38  allows the frame  14  to be tilted from side to side to compensate for crowning in a surface. The swing lock  37  secures the frame  14  in a fixed position substantially perpendicular to the attachment frame  16 . The swing lock  37  may be unlocked to allow the frame  14  to swing from side to side to saw a curved trench. Thus the linkage assembly  15  utilizes cylinders  30 ,  34 ,  36  and other devices to manipulate the orientation of the frame  14 . The orientation manipulated includes tilt, level, height from the surface, angle relative to the attachment frame  15 , and position relative to the attachment frame  16 . One skilled in the art could appreciate that other mechanisms such as additional cylinders and 4-bar linkages could be used to manipulate the orientation of the frame  14 . 
         [0019]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the frame comprises a first panel  40 , a motor assembly  42 , and the motor plate  44 . The first panel  40  is attached to the linkage assembly  15  via the lift arms  35  and the level cylinder  30 . The first panel  40  provides structural stability needed to carry the blade  100  and motor assembly  42 . As will be shown in  FIG. 3 , the first panel  40  of the frame  14  is adapted to connect to a removable cover  60 . 
         [0020]    The motor assembly  42  is mounted on the first panel  40 . The motor assembly drives the blade  100 . The motor assembly will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 4 , below. With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the motor assembly  42  has the capability of turning the blade  100  at variable RPM. The first panel  40  comprises a slot  46  and connection points  48 . The motor plate  44  is adapted to be placed into the slot  46  and mounted at several positions on the first panel  40  using the connection points  48 . As shown, the connection points  48  comprise bolts and bolt holes. The adjustment of the motor plate  44  changes a vertical position of the motor assembly  42  and blade  100  relative to the trenching assembly  13 , and therefore, the maximum depth of the blade  100 . 
         [0021]    The trenching assembly  13  further comprises a trench cleaner  50  mounted on the frame. Preferably, the trench cleaner  50  is mounted on an end of the frame  14  and adjustable between a variety of depths. In a first position (not shown), the trench cleaner  48  is flipped and stored along the hood assembly  62  for when the blade  100  is not being used. In a second position, the trench cleaner  50  is adapted to extend into an exposed trench. A plurality of paired trench cleaner holes  51  and pegs  52  may be utilized to adjust the position and depth of the trench cleaner  50 . The trench cleaner  50  is preferably of a width equal to or very slightly smaller than the width of any exposed trench cut by the blade  100 . 
         [0022]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the trenching assembly  13  is shown from an opposite side. The frame  14  may be connected to a removable blade cover  60  at the first panel  40 . The first panel  40  ( FIG. 2 ) and removable blade cover  60  form a hood assembly  62  having an internal cavity for surrounding the blade  100 . The hood assembly  62  comprises a surface engaging member  64  and at least one spoils chute  66 . The spoils chute  66  may be mounted on either side of the hood assembly  62  and when opened is adapted to direct spoils away from the uncovered trench. 
         [0023]    The surface engaging member  64  is integral with or mounted on the bottom portion of the hood assembly  62  and thus located proximate a first end of the internal cavity. The surface engaging member  64  defines a perimeter around an opening  68  in the hood assembly  62 . The surface engaging member  64  is composed of a durable material suitable for traversing concrete, asphalt, rock, or earth and forming a seal between the ground and the hood assembly  62 . A means for moving the surface engaging member  64  to contact the surface being trenched manipulates the surface engaging member, enabling it to stabilize the surface. The means for moving the surface engaging member  64  may comprise the linkage assembly  15  or various hydraulic or mechanical actuators. The linkage assembly  15  generally, and the level cylinder  30  in particular, is connected to the frame  14  such that the opening  68  substantially seals the hood assembly  62  to the ground. Preferably, the level cylinder  30  and the surface engaging member  64  create downpressure proximate a path of the blade  100 . 
         [0024]    The frame  14  blade cover connections  70  mounted on the first panel  40 . The blade cover connections  70  connect to corresponding holes on the removable cover  60  provide a quick method for removing the removable blade cover from the frame  14 . As shown, the blade cover connections  70  are connected to the removable blade cover  60  by modified wing nuts  72 , though alternative methods of removing and connecting the removable blade cover  60  to the frame  14  are envisioned. A wrench  74  for removing the blade  100  is shown mounted on the trenching assembly  13 . 
         [0025]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the motor assembly  42  of  FIG. 2  is shown in exploded view with the removable blade cover  60  removed. The motor assembly  42  is mounted on the first panel  40  supported on the frame  14 . The motor assembly  42  comprises a motor  80 , threaded hub  82 , spacing washer  84 , a nut  86  and locking bolts  88 . The hub  82  is supported on the frame  14 . As shown, the hub  82  is supported on the motor  80  which is supported by the motor plate  44 , which is supported by the frame  14 . The hub  82  is adapted to fit over a shaft of the motor  80 . The saw blade  100  is adapted to slide onto the hub  82  along with a spacing washer  84 . The nut  86  is adapted to screw onto the threaded hub  82  to secure the blade  100  and washer  84 . Locking bolts  88  are utilized to prevent the nut  86  from coming loose during rotation of the hub  82  and motor  80 . Preferably, changing of the blade  10  requires minimal tools to disconnect the blade to the motor assembly  42 . The wrench  74  is adapted to quickly remove and replace components of the motor assembly  42 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the wing nuts  72  and wrench  74  may be utilized to fully remove and replace the blade  100  from the trenching assembly  13 . In this way a replacement blade  100  may be utilized without removing the system from the worksite. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vacuum system  18  may be mounted such that at least one vacuum inlet  22 ,  23  is proximate the trench cleaner  50 . The vacuum hose  20  may extend beyond the hood assembly  62  and into the trench along with the trench cleaner  50 . In this way, loosened spoils in the trench that are between the trench walls, trench cleaner  50  and blade  100  are directly removed from the trench. 
         [0027]    The blade  10  will be discussed in more detail. The blade  10  is located substantially within the hood assembly  62  and supported on the frame  14 . The blade  100  extends beyond the opening  68  in the hood assembly  62 . The blade  100  comprises a disc portion  102  and a plurality of teeth  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the disc portion  102  is generally circular and uniform, but may comprise openings  106  and cutout portions  108  to decrease the friction, decrease the weight of the blade  100  and further help remove spoils from the trench. During operation, the blade  100  may increase in temperature. The cutout portions  108  may also help to mitigate the effects of thermal expansion of the blade  100 . Additionally, a cooling agent such as air, water, or foam may be applied to the blade  100  to prevent thermal expansion. The disc portion  102  defines a circumference and a width, and may contain dimples (not shown) to further reduce drag during rotation of the blade  100 . The disc portion  102  may be of varying widths, such as 1.5 inches or less. 
         [0028]    With reference now to  FIG. 5A , a first configuration, or radial position of the blade  100  is shown. The blade  100  comprises the disc portion  102 , the teeth  104 , at least one bit block  110  and at least one roll pin  112 . The bit blocks  110  may be rotated and welded to the disc portion  102  in varying radial positions and roll angles. Each tooth  104  is secured to the bit block  110  by the roll pin  112 . The tooth  104  comprises a rotating bit  114  and a tip  116 . The position of each tooth  104  is directed by the angle that each bit block  110  is rotated with respect to the disc  102 . In the radial position shown in  FIG. 5B , the teeth do not breach the plane defined by a width of the disc portion  102 . The tip  116  is preferably a durable carbide, diamond, or similar material, and conical in shape. Carbide tips  80  are best suited when the motor  80  is operating at lower RPM. Diamond tips  116  on the bits  114  are best suited when the motor  80  is operating at higher RPM. 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 6A , a second configuration, or offset position of the blade  100  is shown. As can be seen in  FIG. 6B , each of the plurality of teeth  104  breach the plane defined by the width of the disc portion  102  in one direction or the other. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a trench cut by a blade  100  in the offset position will be wider than a trench cut by the same or similar blade in the radial position. Thus, various offset positions may be utilized to customize the width of a trench desired. 
         [0030]    As shown, the teeth  104  are of a modular nature and are detachable to the blade  100 . Modular, detachable components are easier to replace and ship when worn. 
         [0031]    The system  10  can be used in combination with other trenching techniques. For example, the system  10  may cut through a hard surface, but at too shallow a depth. Thus, other trenching systems, such as a vibratory plow, can follow behind the system to cut the trench and install the product deeper but without excessive wear to the other trenching system. 
         [0032]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a system  200  for inserting product into the trench  213  is shown. The system  200  comprises a wheel  202  defining at least one notch  204 , a hopper  206 , at least one deformable ball  208  contained within the hopper, and guides and rollers  210  for feeding a product line  212  into the trench  213 . Further, one will understand that the system  200  also comprises a means for moving the system such as a tractor similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1 . The wheel  202  has a radius larger than the trench depth. As the system  200  is moved along the trench, the notch  204  picks up a ball  208  removed from the hopper  206 . The ball  208  is trapped between the wheel  202  and the product  212  and is carried by the wheel to a bottom  215  of the trench. As the wheel  202  continues to roll along the trench, the ball  208  is left in the bottom  215 , holding the product  212  in place until the trench can be filled and sealed with a grout or other acceptable material. Alternatively, deformable bulges (not shown) could be molded into the product  212  at fixed intervals to perform the function of the deformable balls  208 . 
         [0033]    The system  10  may further comprise an apparatus for sealing a trench (not shown). The trench can be sealed with any typical sealant such as grout or concrete. Such a system is sold by K-2 Manufacturing, Inc. under the trade name Grout King™. 
         [0034]    One skilled in the art will appreciate that the system  10  comprises several discrete subsystems, such as the vacuum system  18 , the system for placing product  200 , the apparatus for sealing a trench, etc. Each of these subsystems may be controlled at the operator station  24  located on the work machine  12 . Alternatively some or all of the subsystems may be remotely controlled. 
         [0035]    In operation, the system  10  is adapted to cut a trench in a surface. The blade  100  is provided and mounted to the trenching assembly  13  at the hub  82 . Preferably, a blade  100  is chosen where the plurality of teeth  104  are in either the radial or the offset position depending on the desired width of trench. The hood assembly  62  is assembled and the hub  82  and blade  100  are raised or lowered by the motor plate  44  to achieve a desired trench depth. The blade  100  is rotated to cut a trench and the at least one cylinder  30 ,  34 ,  36  and linkage assembly  15  are adjusted to achieve a substantial seal between the surface engaging member  64  and the surface being trenched. The vacuum system  18  is activated to remove spoils at the vacuum inlet  22 ,  23 . The trench cleaner  50  provides a channel for the removal of spoils from within the trench. 
         [0036]    As work machine  12  moves across the surface, the trenching assembly  13  may be adjusted by linkage assembly  15  and cylinders  30 ,  34 ,  36  to maintain the substantial seal between the surface engaging member  64  and the surface being trenched over uneven terrain. The level cylinder  30  provides downpressure on the surface proximate a path being trenched by the blade  100 . The downpressure of the surface engaging member  64  coupled with the rotation of the blade  100  stabilizes the surface and creates a “scissor” effect when cutting the trench. Therefore, the surface engaging member  64  stabilizes a portion of the surface adjacent to the trench and avoids breakout of the surface, such as asphalt pavement, being trenched. By avoiding breakout, the trench is given straighter, more uniform edges and a smaller average width. 
         [0037]    Product  212  may then be placed within the uncovered trench using the system for inserting product  200 . The trench may then be covered by a sealing machine (not shown) trailing the system  10  and sealing the trench with concrete or grout. 
         [0038]    Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, which have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.