Patent Abstract:
A method and apparatus for ground working. A first step involves providing an apparatus for ground working with telescopically extendible wheel supports which permit the height and angular orientation of the chassis to be adjusted to suit a contour of a ditch. A second step involves positioning the apparatus with at least one support wheel in the ditch and at least one support wheel on the road. A third step involves driving along the ditch broadcasting gravel from the ditch onto the road with the drum. Instead of hauling in replacement gravel from a remote site, gravel is reclaimed from the ditch and broadcast back onto the road.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for ground working and, in particular, for use in grooming ditches. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Canadian patent 1,201,287 discloses an apparatus for ,grooming roadside ditches entitled “Ditcher Head Assembly for Cleaning Ditches”. The ditcher head assembly is a rotating head that can be mounted on a tractor to throw debris from a ditch onto a shoulder of a road. 
     Canadian patent 1,080,257 discloses an apparatus for grooming ditches entitled “Automated Machinery to Clean Debris from Roadside Ditches, Collect it, and then Transport the Debris to a Major Collection Area for Disposal”. This automated machinery includes a self-dumping truck or trailer in which the debris is collected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     What is required is an alternate method and apparatus for ground working. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for ground working, which includes a chassis and at least three telescopically extendible wheel supports secured to the chassis. At least one support wheel is rotatably mounted to a remote end of each of the telescopically extendible wheel supports. The telescopically extendible wheel supports providing a means whereby the height and angular orientation of the chassis is adjustable to suit a contour of a ditch. A rotatably mounted drum is secured to and underlies the chassis. 
     The apparatus, as described above, is capable of moving along a road with either one wheel up on the road and two wheels in the ditch or two wheels up on the road and one wheel in the ditch. The telescopic wheel supports permit the height and angular of the chassis to be adjusted to provide sufficient clearance for the drum to operate. A three wheel vehicle is preferred, as there is more space between the wheels to broadcast gravel, as will hereinafter further described. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the apparatus, as described above, a chassis with a wide enough stance to be stable in a ditch will be too wide to drive down a highway or transport by flat bed trailer. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the chassis includes telescopically adjustable members extending between the at least three wheel supports. This permits the distance between the support wheels to be adjusted to provide for a transport mode. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the apparatus, as described above, it is difficult to configure a drive or steering system for such a vehicle. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the support wheel on each of the wheel supports has an individual drive motor, and preferably, independent steering. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the apparatus, as described above, in order to broadcast gravel in a desired direction onto the road, it is preferred that the drum is angularly adjustable. The preferred form of drum having radially projecting teeth. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for ground working. A first step involves providing an apparatus for ground working, as described above, with telescopically extendible wheel supports which permit the height and angular orientation of the chassis to be adjusted to suit a contour of a ditch. A second step involves positioning the apparatus with at least one support wheel in a ditch. A third step involves driving along the ditch broadcasting gravel from the ditch onto the road with the drum. 
     On a gravel road, traffic tends, over time, to move gravel to the shoulders of the road. This gravel is eventually pushed over the shoulders and into the ditch. Over time, a considerable amount of gravel accumulates in the ditch. Instead of hauling in replacement gravel from a remote site, the teaching of the present invention is to reclaim gravel from the ditch and broadcast the gravel back onto the road. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an end elevation view, in section, of a freshly gravel road. 
     FIG. 2 is an end elevation view, in section of the gravel road illustrated in FIG. 1, after prolonged use by vehicular traffic. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an apparatus for ground working constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an operative mode. 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, being used to groom a ditch in a first angular orientation. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, being used to groom a ditch in a second angular orientation. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, in a transport mode. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, in section, of one of the support wheels from the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevation view, in section, of another of the support wheels from the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of one of the support wheels from the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, showing a steering control assembly. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, with cab elevated. 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, with alternative means for adjusting the length of the second telescopic member. 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevation view, in section, of one of the support wheels from the ground. working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a steering control assembly for the support wheels of the ground working apparatus, which provides a first alternative to the steering control assembly illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a steering control assembly for the support wheels of the ground working apparatus, which provides a second alternative to the steering control assembly illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a working assembly for the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 17 is a detailed side elevation view of a drum orientation mechanism for the working assembly of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 is a detailed side elevation view of a cap elevation mechanism for the working assembly of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 19 is a detailed end elevation view of underlying support wheels for the working assembly of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the underlying support wheel for the working assembly of the ground working apparatus illustrated in FIG.  16 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for ground working generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 20. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, apparatus  10  has a chassis  12  which is substantially triangular shape. Chassis  12  includes a main body  90 , a first telescopically adjustable member  16  and a second telescopically adjustable member  116 . Main body  90  has a first end  13 , a second end  15 . Chassis  12  has a base  17  defined by main body  90  and a movable apex  19 . Moving of movable apex  19  permits apparatus to assume an operating position illustrated in FIG. 3 or a transport position illustrated in FIG.  7 . Main body of chassis  12  has wheel supports  14  secured at first end  13  and second end  15 . A further wheel support  114  is positioned at and forms part of movable apex  19 . As can been seen by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and will be hereinafter further described, wheel supports  14  and  114  are telescopically extendible. A support wheel  18  is rotatably mounted to a remote end  20  of each of telescopically extendible wheel supports  14  and  114 . First telescopically adjustable member  16  has a first end  88  and a second end  89 . When apparatus  10  is in the operating position illustrated in FIG. 3, first end  88  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  is pivotally secured to first end  13  of main body  90  and second end  89  is detachably pivotally secured to wheel support  114  at movable apex  19  of chassis  12 . When apparatus is in the transport position illustrated in FIG. 7, second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  is detached from wheel support  114  and is swung against main body  90 . Referring to FIG. 3, second telescopically adjustable member  116  has a first end  82  and a second end  83 . First end  82  of second telescopically adjustable member  116  is pivotally secured to second end  15  of main body  90  and second end  83  is pivotally secured to wheel support  114  at movable apex  19  of chassis  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a length of each of first telescopically adjustable member  16  is controlled to assume a variety of operative position spacings. Movement of first telescopically adjustable member  16  serves to alter the distance between wheel support  14  at first end  13  of main body  90  and wheel support  114  at movable apex  19  of chassis  12 . There are two ways telescopically adjustable member  16  may be extended. The manner illustrated is by a hydraulic piston  92 . When each support wheel  18  at movable apex  19  has a drive motor and a steering motor  24 , as will hereinafter be further described, the same result can be obtained by driving wheel support  114  at apex  19  ahead while steering support wheel  18  until wheel support  114  assumes the desired configuration. Bolts can then be inserted to maintain first telescopic member  16  in the desired telescopic position. 
     A length of second telescopically adjustable member  116  is maintained constant when in the operating position, but is extended to assume the transport position, as will hereinafter be further described in relation to FIG.  7 . Movement of second telescopically adjustable member  116  serves to alter the distance between wheel support  14  at second end  15  of main body  90  and wheel support  114  at movable apex  19  of chassis  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated wheel support  14  and a pivotal connection  81  between first end  88  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  and first end  13  of main body  90 . Pivotal connection  81  includes a pivot pin  86  which extends through an aperture  80  at first end  88  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  and then into a pivot pin receptacle  84 . The pivotal connection between first end  82  of second telescopically adjustable-member  116  and second end of main body  15  could be made identical to that illustrated in FIG. 8, and it was originally intended that this be the case. During the course of construction of the proto-type unit, it was determined that having the pivot point too close to main body  90  restricted the ability to pivot to the transport position. Addressing this need resulted in some differences. Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated wheel support  14  and a pivotal connection  85  between first end  82  of second telescopically adjustable member  116  and second end  15  of main body  90 . Pivotal connection  85  includes a pivot pin  86  which extends through an aperture  80  at first end  82  of second telescopically adjustable member and then into a pivot pin receptacle  84 . This configuration differs from that illustrated in FIG. 8, as a horizontal extension  187  was added to move pivotal connection  85  away from main body  90 . It was determined that this difference lead to better performance when pivoting into the transport position. It also provided for more clearance space for hydraulic components mounted in the area. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated movable apex  19  which includes wheel support  114 . Second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  and second end  83  of second telescopically adjustable member  116  are both secured to wheel support  114 . A pivotal connection  87  between second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  is illustrated. Pivotal connection  87  includes a pivot pin  86  which extends through an aperture  80  at second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  and then into a pivot pin receptacle  84 . A pivotal connection between second end  83  of second telescopically adjustable member  116  and wheel support  114  is not illustrated, but is identical to that illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, first and second telescopically adjustable members  16 ,  116  provide several operative positions with wheel support  114  on movable apex  19  spaced in different relationships to main body  90  and wheel supports  14 . Referring to FIG. 7, first and second telescopically adjustable members  16 ,  116  provide a transport position in which wheel support  114  on movable apex  19  of chassis  12  is more closely spaced to main body  90 . To adjust apparatus  10  into the transport position, pivot pin  86  is removed to release second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16 . First telescopically adjustable member  16  is then be pivoted to a position parallel to main body  90 . Second telescopically adjustable member  116  is then extended by moving main body forward while applying the brakes to wheel  18  that is mounted on wheel support  114  of movable apex  19 . As main body  90  moves forward, second telescopically adjustable member  116  pivots at first end  82  about pivotal connection  85  to move apex  19  closer to main body  90 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, each support wheel  18  has a drive motor  22  to rotate support wheel  18  in either a forward or reverse direction. Each support wheel  18  also has a steering motor  24  that powers a rack and pinion system  25  in either of a forward or a reverse direction to independently steer said support wheel  18 . Each support wheel  18  is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the corresponding wheel support  14  or  114 , as illustrated by a first position indicated by solid lines  27  and a second position indicated by dashed lines  29 . During the course of developing the proto-type, two alternative steering systems were developed, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. Referring to FIG. 14, a pair of hydraulic cylinders  124  and  125  were substituted for steering motor  24  and rack and pinion system  25 . Hydraulic cylinders  124  and  125  were attached to opposed sides of a wheel support column  126 . Upon hydraulic cylinder  124  being expanded and hydraulic cylinder  125  being contracted wheel support column  126  rotates to turn wheel  18  in a first direction. Conversely, upon hydraulic cylinder  125  being expanded and hydraulic cylinder  124  being contracted, wheel support column  126  rotates to turn wheel  18  in a second direction. This steering system was found to be effective, although the steering radius was necessarily limited by the stroke of hydraulic cylinders  124  and  125 . It was determined that hydraulic cylinders  124  and  125  provided a 60 degree range of rotation; 30 degrees of rotation in either of the first direction or the second direction. This range of motion was found to be satisfactory for support wheels  18  at first end  13  and second end  15  of main body  90 , but insufficient for support wheel  18  at apex  19 . Referring to FIG. 15, a second alternative was developed-for use on support wheel  18  at apex. This alternative used a steering motor  222  with a steering gear  225  mounted on wheel. support column  226 . The steering motor  222  was linked to steering gear  225  by a chain linkage  224 . This alternative provided a 160 degree range of rotation; 80 degrees of rotation in either of the first direction or the second direction. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, chassis  12  supports a working assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral  200 . Working assembly  200  includes a cab  21  and a rotatably mounted drum  30 . Working assembly  200  includes a support platform  52  which is suspended in a substantially horizontal orientation from second telescopically adjustable member  116  of chassis  12  by hydraulic cylinder  34 . Hydraulic cylinder  34  can be used to raise and lower support platform  52 . Working assembly  200  is illustrated in more detail in FIG.  16 . Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, it was determined during construction of the proto-type that having working assembly  200  suspended solely from hydraulic cylinder  34  put undue stress on pivotal connection  56  where hydraulic cylinder  34  connects to chassis  12 . For that reason, underlying support wheels  202  have been provided for support platform  52 . The positioning of support wheels  202  can be altered by hydraulic cylinders  204  which enable support wheels  202  to be steered. Referring to FIG. 16, An operator operates all powered components of apparatus  10  from a cab  21 . Cab  21  is capable of several movements. Cab  21  can be titled to place the operator at an orientation that corresponds to the angle of the groundsurface. This feature is desirable as apparatus  10  was primarily developed for use in uneven terrain, such as drainage ditches. Cab  21  can also be raised and lowered as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11. The reason for raising cab  21  is to raise the operator above any dust cloud that may be produced in order to increase visibility during operation. In addition, cab  21  may need to be raised in order to provide clearance. Cab  21  will have to be lowered for better operator access to enter and exit from cab  21 . Referring to FIG. 16, cab  21  is attached to a lift assembly  206  similar to that found on a fork lift. Lift assembly  206  is pivotally mounted to support platform  52  by a pivotal connection  208 . This enables lift assembly  206  to pivot about pivotal connection  208  to alter the angular orientation of cab  21 . Pivotal movement of lift assembly  206  about pivotal connection  208  is performed by hydraulic cylinder  210 . Referring to FIG. 18, lift assembly  206  has a pair of cab engaging supports  212  which move along tracks  214 . Supports  212  are used to secure cab  21  to lift assembly  206 . Hydraulic cylinders  216  are used to move supports  212  along tracks  214  in order to raise or lower cab  21 . Referring to FIG. 17, when the proto-type was built it was determined that there was a need have greater control over drum  30 , than the use of a single hydraulic cylinder  50  would provide. A support  218  was mounted on support platform.  52  to support a pivot linkage  220  that pivoted about a pivotal connection  222 . Pivot linkage  220  has two opposed connection points  224  and  226 . One end  228  of hydraulic cylinder  50  was secured to support platform  52 , the other end  230  of hydraulic cylinder  50  was secured to connection point  224  of pivot linkage  220 . Drum  30  was attached by a pivotal connection  232  to support platform  52 . A connecting member  234  was extended from drum  30  to connection point  226  of pivot linkage  220 . As hydraulic cylinder  50  is extended pivot linkage  220  pivots about pivotal connection  222 . This causes connection point  226  to which connecting member  234  is attached to exert a force upon drum  30  which pivots drum  30  about pivotal connection  232  to an angular orientation. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, a drive screw  154  was mounted along second telescopically adjustable member  116 . A trolley fixture  155  was provided which travelled along drive screw  154 . Pivotal connection  56  for hydraulic cylinder  34  from which working assembly  200  is supported was attached to trolley fixture  155 . This allows the positioning of working assembly  200  along second telescopically adjustable member  116  to be adjusted. When drive screw  154  rotates in a first rotational direction trolley fixture  155  travels in a first direction along second telescopically adjustable member  116 . When drive screw  154  is rotated in a second rotational direction trolley fixture travels in a second direction along second telescopically adjustable member  116 . An actuating drive motor  153  was provided for rotating drive screw  154  in either the first rotational direction or the second rotational direction, as desired. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, telescopically extendible wheel supports  14  provide a means whereby the height and angular orientation of chassis  12  is adjustable to suit a contour  26  of a ditch  28 . This ensures sufficient clearance can be provided for working assembly  200 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, rotation of drum  30  about an axle  33  is powered by a motor  31 . Drum  30  has a first end  36  and a second end  38 . Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when drum  30  rotates about axle  33  in the direction indicated by curved arrow  35 , radially projecting teeth  32  broadcast gravel  58  from ditch  28 . Referring to FIG. 3, a shield  40  overlies drum  30 . Shield  40  has a first end  42 , a second end  44  and an upper side  46 . An angular orientation of shield  40  relative to drum  30  is adjustable by means of telescopic cylinders  48 . Referring to FIG. 6, a distance that gravel  58  and debris is broadcast from ditch  28  toward road surface  60  by drum  30  is controlled by angular orientation of shield  40 . 
     The use and operation of apparatus  10  will now be described in relation to the preferred method and with reference to FIGS. 1 through 20. Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a road  60  that is covered with gravel  58 . Referring to FIG. 2, over time gravel  58  is moved toward ditch  28  and accumulates as deposits  62  altering contour  26  of ditch  28 . Apparatus  10  is transported to a selected site requiring removal of gravel from a ditch, as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Apparatus  10  is transported in the transport position illustrated in FIG.  7 . Apparatus  10  is adjusted to the operating position illustrated in FIG.  3 . The length of second telescopically adjustable member  116  is shortened by applying brakes on wheel  18  of wheel mounting  114  of movable apex  19  and backing up main body  90 . Second telescopically adjustable member  116  is then locked in a selected telescopic position. Second end  89  of first telescopically adjustable member  16  is connected to wheel mounting  114  of movable apex  19 . A length of first telescopically adjustable member  16  can then be expanded in one of two ways. One way is by expanding hydraulic piston  92  to assume an operative position. Another way is by driving and steering support wheel  18  mounted to apex  19 . Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, apparatus  10  is positioned with at least one support wheel  18  in ditch  28  and the other support wheels on road surface  60 . In order to assume such a position wheel supports  14  and  114  must be telescopically adjusted to accommodate the contours of the ditch and provide clearance for working assembly  200 . Apparatus  10  is then driven slowly along ditch  28  broadcasting gravel  58  from ditch  28  onto road surface  60  with drum  30 , to restore contours  26  of road surface  60  from the state illustrated in FIG. 2 to that illustrated in FIG.  1 . Referring to FIG. 12, the positioning of working assembly  200  along second telescopically adjustable member  116  is adjusted, as required, by activating drive motor  153  to rotate drive screw  154 . This moves trolley fixture  155  to from which working assembly  200  is suspended along second telescopically adjustable member  116 . Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, as working assembly  200  moves along the ditch, a portion of the weight of working assembly  200  is borne by underlying support wheels  189  to avoid potential strain upon pivotal connection  56 . Referring to FIG. 17, drum  30  is angularly adjusted by activating hydraulic cylinder  50  to alter the position of pivot linkage  220 . This causes pivot linkage  220  to pivot about pivotal connection  222  and causes connecting member  234  to exert a force changing the angular orientation of drum  30 . Cab  21  can be raised to the position illustrated in FIG. 11 when required to enable the operator to look over top of any clouds of dust. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 18, cab  21  is raised by activating hydraulic cylinders  216  to move cab supports  212  along tracks  214  of lift assembly  206 . in order to raise or lower cab  21 . Referring to FIG. 16, the orientation of cab  21  altered to match the ground surface over which apparatus  10  is travelling by activating hydraulic cylinder  210  to pivot lift assembly  206  about pivotal connection  208 . The distance that gravel  58  is broadcast from ditch  28  toward road surface  60  by drum  30  is controlled by telescopic cylinders  48  which adjust the angular orientation of shield  40  to alter the trajectory of gravel  58 . 
     Although apparatus  10  was developed to groom ditches, it is capable of serving other contouring functions along with a plurality of other ground working functions. These other ground working functions include, but are not limited to, soil aeration, soil mixing, and top soil removal. The proto-type machine had the ability to remove topsoil at a controlled and variable depth. This served to save farmland when excavations were necessary for the installation of pipelines. The topsoil was not only separated from the subsoil, but the topsoil was pulverized in the process. This made it easier to replace the topsoil immediately upon burial of the pipe. Pipeline contractors found this beneficial, as the land was left in a finished condition available for the farmer to enter upon the land. Previously, the topsoil was left in lumps. A further step was needed in the spring to break up the lumps and level the land. This follow up step was not necessary with the proto-type machine. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1