Patent Abstract:
A trench backfilling attachment for a vehicle or similar machine includes two material moving blades and a plurality of supporting structures securely connected to the vehicle. Upon forward motion of the vehicle, the material moving blades engage and manipulate collected ground material to fill an open utility trench.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to grading implements, and in particular, to a backfilling attachment for a vehicle, such as a skid steer machine, for filling an open utility trench with ground material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Small trenches are commonly used for underground utilities. These utilities include water, electric, telecommunication, sewer, and the like. While the time consuming process of hand digging such trenches is still performed, most trenches of any length are produced by a “DICTH-WITCH®”, or similar large piece of equipment. Such equipment often places the removed soil on both sides of the trench. After the utility line has been placed, the trench must be backfilled. Once again, large pieces of mechanical equipment, such as front loaders, bulldozers, or even skid steer units, are called upon to assist. Unfortunately, due to the open trench, multiple passes are required which exposes the surrounding grade and grass area to more damage. Additionally, the trench is often unevenly backfilled, resulting in an uneven final grade after settling which requires a return visit, and additional cost. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which small utility trenches can be easily backfilled to address the concerns as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device that can easily and quickly backfill an open utility trench. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to provide a backfilling attachment for a vehicle and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the disclosed backfill attachment can include a pair of material moving blades positioned at an angle relative to one (1) another, each of the blades having a front end and a rear end, a front supporting structure attached between the pair of blades proximate the front end, a rear supporting structure attached between the pair of blades proximate the rear end, and a pair of mounting plates attached to the front supporting structure and the rear supporting structure, each of the mounting plates blades being attachable to opposing operating arms of a vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed backfill attachment can include a first material moving blade and a second material moving blade positioned at an angle relative to the first material moving blade, each of the blades having a front end and a rear end, a front supporting structure attached between the pair of blades proximate the front end, each of the material moving blades being rotatable about the front supporting structure to adjust the angle, a rear supporting structure attached between the pair of blades proximate the rear end, each of the material moving blades being linearly movable about the rear supporting structure, and a pair of mounting plates attached to the front supporting structure and the rear supporting structure, each of the mounting plates blades being attachable to opposing operating arms of a vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, disclosed is a method for backfilling an open utility trench, the method can include the steps of: providing a skid steer machine including a pair of operating arms, providing a backfill attachment including a pair of mounting plates attached to the pair of operating arms, a front and rear supporting structure attached to the mounting plates, and a pair of material moving blades adjustably attached to the front and rear supporting structure, the pair of material moving blades being adjustable at an angle relative to one (1) another; providing an open utility trench; providing a mass of ground material collected on opposed sides of the utility trench, positioning the backfill attachment over the open utility trench, positioning the pair of material moving blades to a position outside of the mass of ground material by adjusting the angle, propelling the skid steer machine in line with the open utility trench, and pushing the mass of ground material into the open utility trench. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine can be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize after reading the present disclosure. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in any particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine shown in an utilized state, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  backfilling attachment for skid steer machine 
               15  skid steer machine 
               20  operating arm 
               25  open utility trench 
               30  removed ground material 
               35  backfilled trench 
               40  material moving blades 
               45  front supporting structure 
               50  travel path direction arrow 
               55  utility lines 
               60  universal mounting plates 
               65  rear supporting structure 
               70  pivot point 
               75  adjustable locking mechanism 
               80  locking handles 
               85  variable opening “d” 
               90  side mounting plate 
               95  lower base arm 
               100  upper base arm 
               105  first retaining mechanism 
               110  second retaining mechanism 
               115  mechanical fastening means 
               120  angular travel path arrows 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , disclosing a backfilling attachment for skid steer machine (herein referred to generally as an “attachment”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the attachment  10  is attached to skid steer machine  15  via an operating arm  20  using conventional attachment methods. While the skid steer machine  15  is depicted as a skid steer machine, other similar machines such as a tractor or a front loader could be used with equal effectiveness, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present disclosure. 
     During use, the skid steer machine  15  is located over a open utility trench  25  in a parallel fashion such that the centerlines of both the skid steer machine  15  and the open utility trench  25  are the same in a vertical plane, such that the open utility trench  25  is “straddled” by the skid steer machine  15 . The backfilling attachment for skid steer machines  10  is used to push removed ground material  30 , located on either side of the open utility trench  25 , back into the open utility trench  25 . The action of the attachment  10  on the skid steer machine  15  thus produces a backfilled trench  35  as a result. It is envisioned that the attachment  10  could be easily adapted for use on almost any make or model of skid steer machine  15  and as such should not be interpreted as limiting factor of the present disclosure. It is also envisioned that the attachment  10  could be utilized with any type of soil conditions including sandy, silty, clay, peaty, saline soil, or loam. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , this figure more clearly shows the attachment  10  mounted upon the skid steer machine  15  using the operating arm  20 . The attachment  10  includes two (2) material moving blades  40  arranged in a “V”-shaped pattern. The material moving blades  40  are held in place by a front supporting structure  45  which will be described in greater detail herein below. The material moving blades  40  are used to push the removed ground material  30  back into the open utility trench  25  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) as the skid steer machine  15  moves forward by a travel path direction arrow  50 . Such equal movement of the removed ground material  30  on both sides of the open utility trench  25  produces an even and consistent backfilled trench  35  with little or no irregularities in backfill level. The action results in a backfilled trench  35  that will be level with the adjacent grade after a short period of time and will not require additional fill or grading work at a later point in time. 
     The presence of utility lines  55  at the bottom of the open utility trench  25  is also visible. The utility lines  55  are envisioned to include piping used to carry water, gas, sewage or other liquids or gasses, as well as conduits used to carry electrical power, control or data lines. Other materials such as direct buried cable, marker tape, duct banks, and the like can also be utilized with the attachment  10 , and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present disclosure. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , two (2) universal mounting plates  60  are utilized to attach the attachment  10  to the operating arm  20  of the skid steer machine  15 . The universal mounting plates  60  accommodate almost all makes and models of skid steer machine  15 . A standard attachment method, such as pin and retaining clips, would be utilized. Other attachment methods such as locking brackets, bolts, and the like may also be utilized without impacting the functionality of the attachment  10  and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present disclosure. The universal mounting plates  60  are attached to the front supporting structure  45  as well as a rear supporting structure  65 . In turn, the material moving blades  40  are attached to the front supporting structure  45  using a pivot point  70  to support the leading (i.e., front) or distal edge of the material moving blades  40  when viewed from the position of the driver of the skid steer machine  15 . 
     The proximal end of the material moving blades  40  are supported by adjustable locking mechanism  75  on the rear supporting structure  65 . The adjustable locking mechanism  75  uses a pin-and-hole arrangement controlled by a series of two (2) locking handles  80  to control the position of the material moving blades  40 . The control generates a variable opening “d”  85  between the two (2) material moving blades  40 . The control provides user controlled compensation of the width of the open utility trench  25  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) which needs to be backfilled. Overall width of the attachment  10  is approximately four feet (4 ft.). 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , this figure more clearly depicts the connection of the attachment  10  to the operating arm  20 . The universal mounting plates  60  are provided with a side mounting plate  90 . The operating arm  20  provides a lower base arm  95  and upper base arm  100  which is connected to the universal mounting plates  60  with the aid of a first retaining mechanism  105  and a second retaining mechanism  110 , respectively. 
     The first retaining mechanism  105  and the second retaining mechanism  110  are envisioned to be pin-and-clip arrangement, a bolt, a locking lever or the like. This feature allows the attachment  10  to be quickly applied as well as removed from the skid steer machine  15  in an easy process using a few or even no hand tools. It should be noted that while only one side of the attachment  10  is depicted in  FIG. 4  due to illustrative limitations, the opposing side is of an identical mirrored nature. 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 5 , this figure more clearly depicts the arrangement between the two (2) material moving blades  40  and the front supporting structure  45  and the rear supporting structure  65 . Additionally, the side mounting plate  90  are shown protruding in a rearward fashion from the universal mounting plates  60 , which are in turn permanently fastened to the front supporting structure  45  via a mechanical fastening means  115 , such as welding. It should be noted that the pivot point  70  allows for the material moving blades  40  to move up to between approximately twenty-five degrees (25°) and forty-five degrees (45°) as depicted by angular travel path arrows  120 . 
     Two (2) locking handles  80  are at the rear of the attachment  10  where they may be adjusted manually. It should be noted that the majority of the components as used in the attachment  10  would be of a high strength metal material such as forged steel. After manufacture of the attachment  10 , a suitable protective finish such as paint or plating would be applied to prevent corrosion. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the disclosed attachment  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The disclosed attachment  10  can be installed and utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the attachment  10 , it can be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     Well known metal forming and finishing methods would be utilized during manufacture. Associated components and fasteners would be added during the assembly process. A suitable protective finish, such as paint or plating, would be applied to prevent corrosion. 
     Prior to utilizing the attachment  10 , it would be connected to a suitable skid steer machine  15  via the operating arm  20 . The connection would be made via the lower base arm  95  and the upper base arm  100  connecting to the side mounting plate  90  on the universal mounting plates  60  via the first retaining mechanism  105  and the second retaining mechanism  110 , respectively. Next, the material moving blades  40  would be adjusted using the locking handles  80  to produce a suitable variable opening “d”  85  such that the variable opening “d”  85  matches the width of the open utility trench  25 . At this point in time, the attachment  10  is ready for use. 
     During use of the attachment  10 , the skid steer machine  15  is driven over the open utility trench  25  in a manner parallel to that of the path of the open utility trench  25 . Next, the operating arm  20  of the skid steer machine  15  is lowered such that the front supporting structure  45  is perpendicular to the open utility trench  25  and each of the two (2) material moving blades  40  engage the backfilled trench  35  on each side of the open utility trench  25 . The skid steer machine  15  may then be driven forward in a slow fashion while the removed ground material  30  is pushed back into the open utility trench  25  thus covering any utility lines  55  and generating a backfilled trench  35 . Such utilization results in an open utility trench  25  being more quickly and evenly filled resulting in even grade over time with little or no likelihood of additional grading or site work. The process can be repeated with additional open utility trench  25  as required, or the attachment  10  can be removed from the skid steer machine  15  to allow the skid steer machine  15  to serve other functions without the attachment  10  attached. 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed backfilling attachment for skid steer machine have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments of the disclosed baluster bracket assembly shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4