Patent Publication Number: US-2023160185-A1

Title: Construction equipment location calibration apparatus and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to heavy construction equipment accessories and methodologies, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an apparatus configured to ensure the GPS location calibration of a construction equipment or a piece thereof is properly identified in order to ensure successful execution of grading or other type of industrial task. 
     BACKGROUND 
     GPS technology has expansive application, from helping farm tractors apply just the right amount of fertilizer to each area of a field, to helping ships and airplanes stay on course. As is known in the art, GPS technology is today also finding its way onto more and more earthmoving sites. In the past excavation sites were initially prepared with a multitude of stakes and lasers. However, the use of GPS on earthmoving sites and equipment has become more popular and the GPS integration onto heavy equipment falls into two categories of machine-control and grade-control. Machine-control systems, as the term implies, are designed to assist such machines as motor graders, dozers, scrapers, compactors and hydraulic excavators more efficiently cut and fill to grade. Efficiency is enhanced, because operators running machines equipped with GPS have essential information of where the machine is located on the site, and the position of its work tool in relation to the final grade. 
     A primary benefit of GPS machine-control is that earthmoving equipment can move through a site competently without grade stakes. Survey control points are still required but most stakes can be eliminated wherein some ninety percent of the stakes normally required on the same site without GPS are removed. This provides benefits such as lower survey costs especially on deep cuts and fills that would have required staking several times. The operator of a GPS-equipped machine, instead of searching for stakes and guessing about grade, sees a crisp, dean, full-color representation of the jobsite that gives exact grade information, anywhere on site on the controller in the operator&#39;s cab of the equipment. The operator can use this information to manually guide the machine to final grade, or, if the machine is equipped with an interface between the control system and the hydraulics, the blade is automatically positioned as the final grade approaches. However, it is important that the blade position is accurate and calibrated to ensure that the blade is in the proper location. While GUS technology is available, there is no apparatus or method to provide routine calibration of the blade of the equipment to ensure it is located in the proper location. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method that is employed to provide routine calibration of the GPS location of construction equipment or an operational element thereof to ensure proper execution of the desired task. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus configured to provide routine location calibration of an element of construction equipment wherein the present invention includes a plate member having an upper surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus operable to ensure proper GPS location of construction equipment or an element thereof wherein the upper surface of the plate member includes alignment indicia thereon. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide routine location calibration of an element of construction equipment wherein the plate member has coupled to the lower surface thereof a plurality of anchor members that are configured to penetrate into the ground. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus operable to ensure proper GPS location of construction equipment or an element thereof wherein the plate member is penetrated into the ground such that plate member is adjacent the ground surface and the upper surface is in a level orientation. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide routine location calibration of an element of construction equipment wherein the present invention further includes a mounting post member for a GPS receiver. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus operable to ensure proper GPS location of construction equipment or an element thereof wherein a step of the method of the present invention includes superposing an element of construction equipment on the alignment indicia. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide routine location calibration of an element of construction equipment wherein a step of the method of the present invention includes pressing the plate assembly into the ground in a desired location. 
     Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus operable to ensure proper GPS location of construction equipment or an element thereof wherein a step of the method of the present invention includes acquiring a GPS coordinate for the center of the plate member. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide routine location calibration of an element of construction equipment wherein a step of the method of the present invention includes placing a GPS coordinate display adjacent to the plate assembly. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of the plate assembly of the present invention penetrated into the ground; and 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the plate member of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the mounting post member of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the present invention engaged with an exemplary construction equipment; and 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart of the method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a construction equipment location calibration apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the construction equipment location calibration apparatus  100  includes a plate assembly  10 . The plate assembly  10  is configured to be penetrated into the ground for use as is further discussed herein. The plate assembly  10  includes plate member  15 . The plate member  15  is planar in manner and is manufactured from a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to metal. While the plate member  15  is rectangular in shape in the Figures submitted herewith, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the plate member  15  could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. It is desirable within the scope of the present invention that the plate member  15  be sufficient in size so as to accommodate an element of a construction equipment  99  for purposes of geo-location validation. While no particular size of the plate member  15  is required, it is desired within a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the plate member  15  be at least two feet by two feet in size so as to be sufficient in size to accommodate a blade element  98  or alternate element of a construction equipment. Additionally, while not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the plate member  15  could have level bubbles incorporated thereinto so as to ensure placement of the plate member  15  in a level orientation. 
     The plate member  15  includes upper surface  16  wherein the upper surface  16  includes thereon alignment indicia  20 . The alignment indicia  20  is provided in order to have a visual guide for an operator to place a blade element  98  thereon in order to verify/validate geo-location prior to initiating a task such as but not limited to excavating. The alignment indicia  20  includes a cross-hair mark  21  wherein the cross-hair mark  21  provides two available positions for placing the blade element  98  in order to perform the geo-location validation. While an alignment indicia  20  is illustrated herein as having a cross-hair mark  21 , it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the alignment indicia  20  could be presented in alternate manners so as to provide the necessary visual markings/guideline for a user to place a blade element  98  or alternate element of construction equipment  99  thereon. 
     The plate member  15  has secured to the lower surface  17  thereof a plurality of anchor members  30 . The anchors members  30  function to secure the plate assembly  10  in a desired position through penetration into the ground. The anchor members  30  in a preferred embodiment are rod shaped having tapered ends so as to assist in ground penetration. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the anchor members  30  could be formed in various shapes, sizes and lengths. While no particular length of the anchor members  30  are required, good results have been achieved utilizing anchor members  30  that are approximately twelve inches in length. In a preferred embodiment of the construction equipment location calibration apparatus  100  the plate member  15  is rectangular in shape and has anchor members  30  located proximate each corner of the plate member  15 . It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the construction equipment location calibration apparatus  100  could employ as few as one anchor member  30  in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a mounting post member  40 . The mounting post member  40  is provided to install a GPS receiver thereto for obtaining geo-location information. The mounting post member  40  includes a first end  41  and a second end  42 . The second end  42  is tapered so as to facilitate penetration into the ground. The first end  41  has secured thereto a keeper  43  wherein the keeper  43  is designed to facilitate releasably securing of a GPS receiver. While the keeper  43  is illustrated as a threaded rod herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the keeper  43  could be provided in various alternate embodiments so as to mateably coupled with a desired GPS receiver. While no particular length of the mounting post member  40  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a mounting post member  40  that is approximately four feet in length. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  5    submitted herewith, the method of the construction equipment location calibration apparatus  100  is illustrated therein. In step  501 , the plate assembly  10  is transported to the desired job location utilizing suitable techniques. Step  503 , Subsequent delivery to the desired job location a user will identify the desired location to install the plate assembly  10 . In step  505 , if required, prior to installation of the plate assembly  10  the user will grade the location to ensure levelness thereof. Step  507 , the plate assembly  10  is inserted into the ground utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to construction machinery. In step  509 , the user will measure the center of the plate member  15  as marked by the alignment indicia  20  wherein the geo-location of the center of the plate member  15  is obtained. Step  511 , the geo-location of the center of the plate member  15  is recorded utilizing desired techniques. In step  513 , the geo-location of the center of the plate member  15  will be displayed utilizing suitable techniques adjacent the plate assembly  10 . Step  515 , a user will place an element of construction equipment, such as but not limited to a grading blade, on the plate member  15  wherein the element is aligned with the alignment indicia  20 . In step  517 , the user will verify the geo-location of the element of the construction equipment. If geo-location of the element of the construction equipment is identified as being inconsistent with the recorded geo-location of the center of the plate member  15 , proper correction is executed. Step  519 , the mounting post member  40  is inserted into the ground in a desired location at a job site. In step  521 , an individual will measure and record the geo-location coordinates of the mounting post member  40 . Step  523 , as needed or on a daily basis, a user will releasably secure to the mounting post member a GPS receiver in order to assist in facilitating consistency in the geo-location of either construction equipment  99  or an element thereof. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.