Abstract:
The invention provides an apparatus for compacting soils at an excavation site. The apparatus generally attaches to the bucket attachment linkage and allows an operator to compact soils using the boom and arm of the excavator. Included is a method for compaction wherein the apparatus does not interfere with the bucket for soil removal, but is easily rotated into place when needed for compaction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/226,968 filed 20 Jul. 2009 entitled “Compaction Appraratus”; the entire contents being hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for compacting soils, and in particular for attaching to a bucket linkage of a work machine such as an excavator to take the place of vibratory or pneumatic compactors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A typical excavation process involves using an earth moving machine, such as a bull dozer, or an excavator such as a back hoe to establish the grade or levels required for the project. In many cases excavation is performed for the installation of footings to the structure to set the foundation of a building. In such cases a back hoe is often used to form an open trench below the grade. After the earth has been disturbed by excavation, it is common in the art to re-compact loosened soils to eliminate settling which can severely impact the foundation. 
         [0004]    In prior art, the back hoe operator is required to leave the excavation machine in order to operate a hand compactor. Compaction may be by hand using at most primitive a flat weight on the end of a stick, or flat blade of a shovel. The hand compactor may also be mechanized typically using principles of vibration about a frequency coupled with translation of momentum from the machine to the soil in order to compact the soil. When used in a trench setting, such compactors have been known to further upset soils which had been disturbed from the excavation process causes the trench to cave-in resulting in injury or even death to the operator. Even in a less dramatic case, the prior art solution requires a substantial loss in productivity as the operator must leave the inside the cab to perform the operation. Further, the degree of compaction with the prior art is lower than that of the present invention is higher which is based on the ramming force and shaft pressure of the boom and arm of an excavating machine powered by hydraulic cylinders verses a smaller vibration machine. Plus, vibrating machines have the added overhead of providing a separate machine with some sort of motor having moving parts that can break down. 
         [0005]    One advantage of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for compacting soils while reducing operator effort. 
         [0006]    Another advantage is to provide an improved apparatus for compacting soils while reducing the cost of a separate compacting machine. 
         [0007]    Another advantage is to provide an improved method providing greater safety. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, the Trench Pack™ compaction apparatus provides a tamping apparatus which is attachable to linkage associated between the arm and the bucket of machine. The attachment comprising the tamping tool being in direct line with the linkage. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a quick release interface which allows the operator to use the bucket for digging in one instance, wherein the apparatus does not interfere with digging. Then, as needed, the operator being able to quickly attach the tamping apparatus to the interface. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for tamping a newly excavated site that includes an apparatus attached to a bucket linkage which provides a means for tamping un-compacted soils. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment the invention provides a tool and method for grading soils as part of the compaction process. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a means for tamping the un-compacted soils having a convex bottom edge suitable for shedding clay. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a means for shedding clay having a system of fingers and grates. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the invention provides bosses as a means for shedding clay. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary working attachment employing the present invention in an excavation mode. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary vehicle having a working attachment shown in  FIG. 1  of the present invention in a compacting mode. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are respectively front and side views of an embodiment of a quick attach apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a compaction apparatus with a quick attach apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6  A, B, C; are frontal views of alternate embodiments of compaction surfaces for a compaction apparatus. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a compaction apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of a compaction apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  A is an exploded view of an alternate compaction apparatus comprising cleaning posts. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  B is a side view showing the apparatus of  9  A in an extraction mode. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  C is a side view showing the apparatus of  9  A in a compaction mode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  A is a bottom view of an apparatus formulated after  FIG. 9A  showing an exemplary arrangement of cleaning posts. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  B is a bottom view of an alternate apparatus formulated after  FIG. 9A  having an exemplary alternate hexagonal form factor. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  A is a side view showing a wedge or ribbed pattern incorporated with the compaction surface. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  B is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  A. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a means for shedding clay. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 13  A, B; are side views showing an exemplary apparatus formulated after  FIG. 12  in respectively extraction and compaction modes. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a compaction apparatus having a quick attachment latch mechanism and an integrated grading apparatus. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a side view after the apparatus of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an exemplary working attachment ( 35 ), such as that found on an excavation machine comprising a boom ( 90 ) extending from the machine and being operated by hydraulic actuators ( 105 ) placed at predetermined locations to move a boom ( 90 ), an arm ( 95 ) and a bucket ( 100 ) relative to one another for the operation of excavation. A linkage interface ( 211 ) can generally be found between the arm ( 95 ) and the bucket ( 100 ) for orienting the bucket relative to the earth at the site. In one embodiment, attached to the linkage interface ( 211 ), generally by means of connector pins ( 212 ), is a quick disconnect interface ( 240 ) for mounting a compaction structure ( 200 ) as shown in  FIG. 5  associated with an arm ( 95 ). In use, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the compaction structure ( 200 ) is joined with the quick disconnect ( 240 ) by means of at least one connection pin ( 243 ) being in association with a receiver ( 242 ) and an interface ( 240 ). 
         [0035]    The compaction apparatus further comprises a compaction surface ( 202 ) generally a heavy and rigid piece of metal having a bottom surface suited to compression operations. The compaction structure ( 200 ) is generally connected to the linkage interface ( 212 ) by means of an offset ( 209 ) which can be steel or other suitable rigid member generally having the form of; a post, ferrule, pipe, “I” beam, or other like members. And the offset ( 209 ) being preferably designed in length to allow free operation such that it does not impede bucket ( 100 ) movement during excavation operations, yet is readily available for compaction processes such as shown in  FIG. 2  by proper orientation of the working boom ( 90 ) arm ( 95 ) bucket ( 100 ).  FIG. 2  further shows other components of an excavation machine having an operator compartment ( 110 ), engine ( 30 ), platform ( 70 ), slew bearing ( 75 ), and tracks ( 25 ) for orientation to the operation depicted in the drawing. 
         [0036]    An embodiment of a quick disconnect feature can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , comprising an upper structure ( 241 ) having site(s) for one or more connector pins ( 212 ) for connecting to an arm ( 95 ) linkage interface ( 211 ) in a semi-permanent fashion to the upper structure ( 241 ). The structure ( 241 ) also comprising connecting arms ( 244 ), such as straps or other rigid connecting means, for interfacing between the linkage interface ( 211 ) and the keyed quick disconnect interface ( 240 ). In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the connector pins ( 212 ) interface through a channeled opening ( 230 ) having an attaching mechanism ( 232 ) to provide an added level of convenience for the attachment/detachment operations.  FIG. 5  further shows how an upper structure ( 241 ) can be brought into position with a modified lower offset structure ( 209   b ), and having a connection pin ( 243 ) a receiver ( 242 ) and an interface ( 240 ) being brought into alignment for joining the components. 
         [0037]    A compaction surface ( 202 ) is integrated with a compaction member ( 205 ) having a substantial mass sufficient to cause compaction of soils, debris and the like at an excavation site. The compaction member ( 205 ) is generally permanently affixed to an offset ( 209 ) by means of welding or the like, but may also be semi-permanently attached. In a preferred embodiment, a series of stabilizing fins ( 207 ) may be added. A mounting plate ( 215 ) can be rigidly attached to a mounting bracket ( 214 ). The mounting brackets ( 214 ) can be operationally connected to the linkage interface ( 211 ) of a boom structure ( 90 ) through an arm ( 95 ) by means of connector pins ( 212 ) and bushings (not shown). 
         [0038]    In an alternate embodiment the compaction structure ( 200 ) may also comprise a registration key feature ( 210 ) as that shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . For example, the offset ( 209 ) can further comprise a quick connection interface designed for use with a quick coupler attachment between the working arm ( 95 ) and the mounting bracket ( 214 ) through the linkage interface ( 211 ) (as shown in  FIG. 1  or  2 ) and a compaction structure ( 200 ) via connection pins ( 212 ) or other such means as twist fittings, compression fittings bushings and the like. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6   a, b, c ;  9   a, b ;  10   a, b ; show alternate embodiments of a compaction surface such as flat ( 202   a ), diamond ( 202   b ), convex ( 202   c ), posted ( 202   d ) or ribbed ( 202   e ); which may be applied to different soil conditions. For example,  FIG. 9   a  shows an alternate embodiment which may be used for various soils including but not limited to; clay, mud caliche or like soils that have a tendency to stick or adhere to surfaces. For example, the compaction mass ( 205 ) can be mounted separately from the compaction surface in a loose manor such that as the compaction structure ( 200 ) is manipulated the compaction mass ( 205 ) alternately compresses against and separates from the compaction surface ( 202 ) having cleaning members ( 218 ), which in the present case are formed as posts but may take a variety of forms, and made of hard material such as metal, and being arranged to obtrude through a series of cleaning vias ( 220 ) to dislodge any adhered soil or other material and aiding separation of any caliche type soils from the compaction surface ( 202   d ), for example. 
         [0040]    A typical method of use may include an operator excavating a site, as shown in  FIG. 1 , then following the excavation, performing the compaction operation by manipulation of the working attachment ( 35 ) into position as to receive a compaction structure ( 200 ), attaching or coupling the structure ( 200 ) to the linkage ( 212 ), then manipulating the boom ( 90 ) to a position as shown in  FIG. 2  wherein the linkage ( 212 ) and the offset ( 209 ) are substantially aligned to perform a tamping operation. As  FIG. 2  is for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will realize that the preferred arrangement is to also align the arm ( 90 ) with the linkage and the linkage ( 212 ) and the offset ( 209 ) to minimize stress on the hydraulic actuators ( 105 ). In an alternate embodiment of the operation, the compaction mass ( 205 ) and compaction surface ( 202 ) may be removed during excavation to be reattached using a quick release attachment mechanism. In accordance with this method, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a grading apparatus, typically comprising a grading face ( 260 ) and a grading edge ( 262 ) can be formed, attached to, or coupled with one of the edges of the compaction apparatus ( 200 ) to perform a grading operation. In a preferred embodiment, the grading edge can be manipulated or situated to be toward the cabin structure ( 110 ) to allow an operator to better see and control the operation. 
         [0041]    In a preferred embodiment, the compaction surface may comprise a generally convex form ( 202   c ) as shown in  FIG. 6   c . Other soil conditions may be better suited to have spiked or similar pads as shown in  FIG. 6   b  or  FIG. 10   a.    
         [0042]    Yet another quick attachment embodiment is shown in  FIG. 11  comprising a series of quick attach slots ( 230 ) having a locking device ( 232 ) for interfacing with a series of connector pins ( 212 ) attached to a bucket ( 100 ). 
         [0043]    In any of the embodiments described herein, dirt or other such dead weight may be added to the bucket ( 100 ) to increase the ballast. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0044]    Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. For example various compaction surfaces beyond those specified may be employed without departing from the spirit of this invention. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0045]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.