Patent Publication Number: US-2004050564-A1

Title: Box scraper assembly with self-guiding hitch system for attachment to tractor implements

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 60/399,374, filed Jul. 30, 2002, with title, “Combination Box Scraper With Self Guiding Hitch System” which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Para. 119(e)(i). 
    
    
     
       [0002] Statement as to rights to inventions made under Federally sponsored research and development: Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0004] The present invention relates generally to a box scraper assembly for attachment to the rear of a farm tractor, construction equipment and various earth moving equipment and more particularly, the present invention is directed to a combination box scraper assembly that includes a self-guiding hitch system for connection with a variety of tractor implements. 2. Brief Description of Prior Art.  
       [0005] Tractors are customarily used with a variety of implements to perform the many functions for which tractors are utilized for farming, mowing, landscaping, construction, or the like. The size of a tractor determines the range of tractor functions, however, all tractors are equipped for use with implements. Commonly used tractor implements include the plow, rotary tiller, aerator, mower, seeder, straw crimper, or other implements, for farming, construction and landscaping. The tractor is also commonly used to drag, push or otherwise move a heavy tool called a box scraper. The box scraper is intended to encounter material such as earth or stone, in small hills or heaps, and to distribute the material along the path to achieve an approximately level topography. A box scraper is often used to flatten or alter an undesirable slope.  
       [0006] Numerous box scrapers are known in the art, and are used for many purposes including landscaping, grading, leveling, road building, snow removal, and numerous other material handling purposes. A box scraper is a heavy and durable steel tool, and is usually of the form of a rectangular box which is open at the top and bottom. The scraper blade meets the ground at an angle which can be altered by a hydraulic control system of the tractor.  
       [0007] In the past a user would typically be faced with a variety of tasks relative to spreading, grading and hauling. To efficiently and effectively do these jobs especially for big projects, it was necessary to have a variety of different tractor implements or pieces of equipment on hand. Each piece of equipment would be used on a different task as, for example, for grading around a dwelling, grading along side a highway, grading different types of materials to different depths, aerating, and seeding. It further was often found necessary to switch back and forth between one implement and the next thereby wasting very valuable time in the switch. Thus, a strong need has existed for an assembly which can be easily adapted for a variety of different uses, and which further is easily adapted in the field to these uses with a limited number of tools.  
       [0008] As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiments of the present invention overcome the above problems and difficulties of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The present invention is directed to a combination box scraper assembly that is compatible with a three-point tractor implement hitch and further includes a self-guiding hitch system which enables the connection of a variety of modified tractor implements to the box scraper. As such, the present invention can be easily adapted for a variety of different uses and avoids the waste of time of switching needed implements during application. The box scraper assembly of the present invention is mounted for towing behind a tractor. Box scraper is roughly a box, having opposed end sides, a front side, and a back side. The box scraper includes a hydraulically operated tool attachment that includes a first tool member and a second tool member. The tool attachment may be positioned so that either the first tool member, the second member, or both members are in contact with the ground. The box scraper further includes a rake member that is manually raised and lowered with a lever. The rake member is hingedly mounted to a horizontal support member disposed between the inner surfaces of the end sides. A pair of upwardly extending first and second arms are attached to the support member. The arms upwardly extend from the support member and the distal ends of the arms form a bracket member for attachment to the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. A first plate is attached to the support member parallel to the first arm&#39;s lower end, and a second plate is attached to the support member parallel to the second arm&#39;s lower end. The first and second plates each include an aperture in alignment with apertures of the lower ends of the arms for receipt of connecting pins. The lower end of the first arm and the first plate form a bracket member for attachment to the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. Likewise, the lower end of the second arm and the second plate form a bracket member for attachment to the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. The first and second plates each include an extension member that downwardly depends from the plates. The extension members each include an angled stop block attached to the outer surface of the members with welds, that assist the operator in aligning the box scraper with the tractor implement for attachment. The tractor implement includes a horizontal brace member having a pair of brackets to receive the extension members of the box scraper for connection with the connection pin. A pair of angled guide plates are attached at an angle to the brackets of the tractor implement. The guide plates assist the operator in attaching the implement to the box scraper by guiding the extension members of the box scraper into the brackets of the implement for connection.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010]FIG. 1 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a box scraper assembly with self-guiding hitch system attached to a straw crimper implement.  
     [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box scraper of FIG. 1 without the straw crimper implement.  
     [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the straw crimper implement of FIG. 1.  
     [0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of the box scraper assembly of FIG. 2 with a tool attachment not in use, and further illustrating a rake member engaged.  
     [0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of the box scraper assembly of FIG. 1.  
     [0015]FIG. 6 is a side view of the box scraper implement of FIG. 2 with a first tool member of the tool attachment in use.  
     [0016]FIG. 7 is a side view of the box scraper assembly of FIG. 2 with the first tool member and a second tool member of the tool attachment in use. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0017] In accordance with the present invention, a box scraper assembly with self-guiding hitch system is disclosed. The box scraper assembly is directed to an apparatus that can be adapted for performing a variety of tasks relative to farming, landscaping, construction, or the like, and is easily adapted in the field to these uses with a limited number of tools. Specifically, it will be noted in the drawings that the combination box scraper assembly includes a self-guiding hitch system that enables the connection of a variety of tractor implements that perform a variety of functions. In the broadest context, the combination box scraper of the present invention consists of components configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objectives.  
     [0018] FIGS.  1 - 7  illustrate embodiments of a combination box scraper apparatus  10  made in accordance of the present invention. The apparatus  10  is mounted for towing behind a tractor (not shown). Box scraper  10  is roughly a box, having opposed end sides  12 ,  13 , a front side  14 , and a back side  15 . The tractor as is well known in the art, is also provided with a suitable hydraulic system for raising, lowering and tilting the box scraper  10 .  
     [0019] The box scraper  10  as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a hydraulically operated tool attachment  20 . For purposes of example, the drawings display the tool attachment  20  as being a combination scarifying/comb attachment that generally includes a comb member  22  and a scarifying member  24 , however other tool implements  22 ,  24  may be used.  
     [0020] As shown in the drawings, the tool attachment  20  extends from the sides  12 ,  13  of the box scraper  10 . Preferably, a hydraulic lift  27  is attached at one end to each side  12 ,  13  of the box scraper  10  with a hydraulic ram  27 A of the lift  27  pivotally attached to a vertical arm  25  of the tool attachment  20  with a pivot member  26  and connector pin  28 . The hydraulic lines while not shown in the drawings can be driven by the hydraulic system of the tractor.  
     [0021] The distal end of each of the vertical arms  25  is attached to a horizontal bar  29  that horizontally extends the approximate length of the box scraper  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the arm  25  is attached an arm bracket  25 A that includes an aperture  25 B therethrough sized and shaped to receive the horizontal bar  29 . The tool member  22  is attached to a first side  29 A of the bar  29 , and the tool member  24  is attached to a second side  29 B, as shown in FIGS.  4 - 7 . As will be further described, in application, the tool attachment  20  may be pivotally positioned so that either the comb member  22  (as shown in FIG. 6), or the scarifying member  24 , or both members  22 ,  24  (as shown in FIG. 7) are in contact with the ground.  
     [0022] The operator may position the arm  25  to extend substantially vertical in a first position when the tool attachment  20  is not in use as shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  4  and  5 , or may be positioned substantially horizontal in a second position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 when the attachment  20  is in use. The tool attachment  20  is pivotally disposed to the first or second position by positioning the pivot member  26  using the hydraulic lifts  27  as is known in the art. It should be understood that in application, the tool attachment  20  may be positioned in the second position so that only the scarifying member  24  for example, is in use. In this position, the box scraper  10  may also be positioned to grade the ground. As such, the box scraper  10  and the tool attachment  20  may be positioned by the operator to function separately, or at the same time. As is understood, the selective depth of the tool attachment  20  to the ground may control the cutting depth of the blade of the box scraper  10 .  
     [0023] The box scraper  10  further includes a rake member  30  that is manually raised and lowered with a lever  31 . The rake member  30  is pivotally disposed between the inner surfaces of the end sides  12  and  13 , and attached to a back surface  17 A of a horizontal support member  17  with hinges (not shown). The rake member  30  is preferably attached to a horizontal rod (not shown) that is appropriately connected to the lever  31  and disposed between the hinges and the back surface  17 A of the horizontal support member  17 . The horizontal rod extends between the end sides  12 ,  13  and is parallel with the support member  17 . In application, the lever  31  pivotally engages or disengages the rake member  30  on the horizontal rod. Such pivoting means is known in the art. The box scraper  10 , as is known in the art, further includes a cutter blade  35  disposed on the lower surface of the box scraper  10 , and scarifying teeth  32 .  
     [0024] The conventional tractor is equipped with a three-point implement hitch (now shown) for operative attachment to one of the several implements commonly employed with such general application tractors. The three-point hitch generally including three lift arms that extend from the rear of the tractor. The box scraper  10  is constructed for attachment to the conventional three-point hitch provided on the tractor at those connection locations designated in FIG. 1 as “A”, “B”, and “C”. In particular, the box scraper  10  is constructed so that each of the tractor&#39;s three lift arms of the three-point hitch attach to the box scraper  10  at the locations designated “A”, “B,” and “C”. The three-point hitch of the tractor is typically equipped for hydraulic positioning and manipulation of the implement with hydraulic means known in the art. The attachment of the box scraper  10  of the present invention to the three-point hitch does not effect the operation of the three-point hitch as described, and the method of attaching the box scraper  10  is conventional and known in the art.  
     [0025] As shown in the drawings, the locations designated on the box scraper  10  for connecting with the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch (locations “A”, “B”, and “C”) is disposed generally on the back side  15  of the box scraper  10 . A pair of upwardly extending arms  42  and  44  are attached to the support member  17  at lower ends  42 A and  44 A with welds. The arms  42  upwardly extend from the support member  17  and the arms distal ends  42 B and  44 B substantially converge to form the area designated “A”. As should be understood, the spacing between the ends  42 B and  44 B are sized to receive one of the lift arms of the tractor&#39;s conventional three-point hitch. Likewise, the lower ends  42 A,  44 A of the arms  42 ,  44  are spaced apart similar to the spacing of the lift arms of the three-point hitch in order to each receive one of the lift arms as will be discussed.  
     [0026] Gussets  52  and  54  are each attached to the outer surface of the arms  42 ,  44  lower ends  42 A and  44 A respectively. As shown in the drawings, the gussets  52 ,  54  and the lower ends  42 A,  44 A of the arms  42 ,  44  each having an upper aperture  45 A in alignment for receipt of connecting pins (not shown) when attaching the box scrapper  10  to the tractor&#39;s hitch system. A first plate  56  is attached to the support member  17  and positioned generally parallel to gusset  52 . A second plate  58  is attached to the support member  17  and positioned generally parallel to gusset  54 . The plates  56 ,  58  each include an aperture  59 A in alignment with the apertures  45 A of the arms&#39; lower ends  42 A,  44 A and gussets  52 ,  54  for receipt of the connecting pin.  
     [0027] The gusset  52  affixed to the arm  42 , and the first plate  56  form the location designated as “B” for receipt of one of the lift arms of the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. As should be understood, the spacing between the gusset  52  and the plate  56  is sized to receive one of the lift arms of the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. Likewise, the gusset  54  attached to the arm  44 , and the second plate  58  form the location designated as “C” for receipt of the lift arm of the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch. As should be understood, the spacing between the gusset  54  and the plate  58  is sized to receive one of the lift arms. The gussets  52 ,  54  provide a support brace for stabilizing the arms  42 ,  44  of the box scraper  10  as the tractor tows the box scraper  10 . The removable connector pins is received within the apertures  45 A,  59 A for releasably affixing the tractor&#39;s three-point hitch to the box scraper  10 .  
     [0028] As best shown in FIG. 2, the first and second plates  56 ,  58  each include an extension member  56 A and  58 A, respectively. The extension members  56 A,  58 A downwardly depend from the plates  56 ,  58  and are positioned substantially parallel to one another. Each of the extension members  56 A,  58 A include an extension aperture  59  for connecting with the variety of tractor implements as will be further discussed.  
     [0029] The extension members  56 A,  58 A each further include a stop block  60  attached to the outer surface of the members  56 A,  58 A with welds. The blocks  60  is attached to each of the members  56 A,  58 A as described above at an angle so that the block  60  is disposed in a downwardly direction from the back side  15  of the box scraper  10 . As will be further discussed, the angled stop blocks  60  assist the operator in aligning the box scraper  10  with the tractor implement for attachment.  
     [0030]FIGS. 1, 3, and  5  show an implement  70  of the present invention attached to the box scraper  10 . The implement  70  having a brace member  72  that horizontally extends the length of the implement  70 . As shown in the drawings, first and second brackets  74 ,  75  are attached to the brace member  72  with welds. The brackets  74 ,  75  are spaced apart so that the bracket  74  may receive the extension member  56 A of the plate  56 , and the bracket  75  is likewise sized to receive the extension member  58 A of the plate  58 .  
     [0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the bracket  74  is formed of outer and inner implement plates  74 A,  74 B, and the bracket  75  is likewise formed of outer and inner implement plates  75 A,  75 B. Each of the plates  74 A,  74 B, and  75 A,  75 B having aligned apertures  78 .  
     [0032] The present invention further includes at least one angled guide plate  79  attached to either one or both of the inner implement plates  74 B,  75 B with welds. In particular, guide plate  79  is attached at an angle to the upper ends  74 C,  75 C of the inner implement plates  74 B,  75 B. When attached, the guide plates  79  converge in an inwardly direction as shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0033] The unique features of the box scraper  10  described above makes it extremely versatile and capable of attaching to multiple tractor implements that carry out a multiplicity of functions which heretofore required separate devices or implements specially designated for a specific function, this versatility being best illustrated in FIG. 1.  
     [0034] In FIG. 1, the box scraper  10  is shown ready for mounting on the three-point hitch of the tractor with the back side  15  facing in the direction of the rear of the tractor. In this configuration, the box scraper  10  is pulled behind the tractor.  
     [0035] To attach the straw crimper implement  70 , the operator of the tractor raises the three-point hitch in the conventional manner, whereupon the box scraper  10  is moved upwardly. Further upward movement of the three-point hitch raises the box scraper  10  completely off the ground. As stated, this is the conventional method for transporting the implement to any desired location by the tractor. The box scraper  10  is then elevated a distance above the ground sufficient to permit the cutter blade  35  of the box scraper  10  to be at a height above the ground which is greater than the height of the brackets  74 ,  75  of the implement to be attached, in this case, the straw crimper implement  70 . The tractor carrying the box scraper  10  is then backed up to position extension members  56 A,  58 A directly above the brackets  74 ,  75  of the straw crimper implement  70 . The box scraper  10  is then lowered such that the extension members  56 A,  58 A are received within the brackets  74 ,  75 , respectively. In particular, the box scraper  10  is lowered so that the extension member  56 A is received between the plates  74 A,  74 B of the bracket  74 , for attachment as described above, and the extension member  58 A is received within the plates  75 A,  75 B of the bracket  75 . Once the apertures  78  of the implement plates  74 A,  74 B, and  75 A,  75 B are in alignment with the extension apertures  59  of each of the extension members  56 A,  58 A as described above, connector pins  43  (shown in FIGS. 1 and 5) are inserted within the apertures to attach the implement  70  to the box scraper  10 .  
     [0036] When lowering the box scraper  10  as described above, the extension members  56 A and/or  58 A may be lowered to first rest on one or both of the angled guide plates  79  of the inner implement plates  74 B,  75 B. Further lowering of the box scraper  10  causes the extension member  56 A and/or  58 A to slide down the guide plate  79  and into the brackets  74 ,  75  of the implement  70 . As such, the guide plates  79  serve to assist the operator in attaching the implement by guiding the extension member of the box scraper  10  into the brackets of the implement for connection.  
     [0037] The angled stop block  60  further assists the operator in aligning the extension member with the brackets of the implement for attachment as described above. When lowering the box scraper  10  as described above, a lower edge  60 A (shown in  60 A) of the stop block  60  may come in contact with an upper edge  74 D (shown in FIG. 3) of the outer implement plate  74 A, and/or an upper edge  75 D of the plate  75 A. Further lowering of the box scraper  10  causes the lower edge  60 A of the stop block  60  to downwardly slide along the upper edge  74 D,  75 D of the outer implement plates  74 A,  75 A until the extension members  56 A,  58 A are positioned within the brackets  74 ,  75 . As such, the angled stop block  60  further assists the operator in attaching the implement by guiding the extension members of the box scraper into the brackets of the tractor implement for connection.  
     [0038] The ability to raise and lower the box scraper  10  in the manner indicated above is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and is accomplished with any of a variety of height control apparatus operatively associated with the tractor carrying the box scraper  10 .  
     [0039] It is thus a simple procedure for assembling and disassembling the present apparatus. The three-point hitch is first attached to the box scraper  10  by using hitch pins and a suitable bolt tightly fastened at the three connections “A”, “B”, and “C”. The box scraper  10  is then ready for use or may be raised and positioned over the additional implement for attachment to the box scraper  10  as described above. It is thus seen that it is a rather simple procedure to convert the assembly between its box scraper mode and the mode of the attached additional implement. It further is very easy to assemble and disassemble the convertible assembly.  
     [0040] It is intended that all components of the apparatus be fabricated of heavy, substantial steel stock for strength and durability, or be fabricated of any other appropriate material.  
     [0041] While in the specification and in the drawings, a general conception of a combination box scraper with self-guiding hitch system has been described, it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished using merely routine engineering practices, without rising to the level of invention and without departure from true spirit and scope of this invention.  
     [0042] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.