U.S. patent application number 10/420245 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for excavator with trenching attachment.
Invention is credited to Cooper, Mark.
Application Number | 20040211098 10/420245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33131483 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper, Mark |
October 28, 2004 |
EXCAVATOR WITH TRENCHING ATTACHMENT
Abstract
An undercarriage having tracks or the like is attached thereto
is provided for moving the undercarriage along the ground. A turret
is attached to the undercarriage along a first substantially
vertical axis so that the turret can rotate. A backhoe is pivotally
attached to the turret along a second substantially vertical axis.
A trencher is operatively attached to the turret and occupies an
area adjacent the undercarriage. Structure is provided for
preventing the backhoe from moving into an area occupied by the
trencher.
Inventors: |
Cooper, Mark; (Pella,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STURM & FIX LLP
206 SIXTH AVENUE
SUITE 1213
DES MOINES
IA
50309-4076
US
|
Family ID: |
33131483 |
Appl. No.: |
10/420245 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/24 20130101; E02F
5/06 20130101; E02F 3/964 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/352 |
International
Class: |
E02F 005/04 |
Claims
1. An excavator comprising: (a) an undercarriage; (b) a turret
operatively attached to the undercarriage, said turret being
capable of unlimited rotation around a substantially vertical axis;
(c) a backhoe operatively attached to said turret; (d) a trencher
operatively mounted to said undercarriage; and (e) a first
component on the turret and a second component on the trencher
wherein the first and second components cooperate to restrict the
rotation of the turret such that the turret cannot rotate into a
zone where the backhoe interferes with the trencher.
2. (Cancelled)
3. (Cancelled)
4. The excavator of claim 1 including means operatively attached to
the undercarriage for selectively moving the undercarriage along
the ground.
5. (Cancelled)
6. (Cancelled)
7. (Cancelled)
8. The excavator of claim 16 wherein the stops and stop brackets
are positioned for preventing the backhoe from contacting the
trencher and the turret is rotated, at least at such times when the
backhoe is centered.
9. The excavator of claim 8 wherein the turret can rotate 360
degrees when the sub-frame is removed from the undercarriage.
10. (Cancelled)
11. The excavator of claim 17 wherein the at least one stop and at
least one stop bracket are positioned for preventing the backhoe
from contacting the trencher and the turret is rotated, at least at
such times when the backhoe is centered.
12. The excavator of claim 11 wherein the turret can rotate 360
degrees when the sub-frame is removed from the undercarriage.
13. An apparatus comprising: (a) a undercarriage; (b) means
operatively attached to said from for moving the undercarriage
along the ground; (c) a turret operatively rotatably attached to
the undercarriage along a first substantially vertical axis; (d) a
backhoe operatively pivotally attached to the turret along a second
substantially vertical axis; (e) a trencher operatively attached to
the undercarriage and occupying an area adjacent the undercarriage;
and (f) means operatively attached to at least one of the turret
and the undercarriage for automatically preventing the backhoe from
moving into an area occupied by the trencher.
14. An excavator comprising: (a) an undercarriage; (b) a turret
capable of unlimited rotation around a swivel axis defined in the
undercarriage including a stop; and (c) a chain trencher including
a trencher attachment frame for mounting to the undercarriage, the
trencher attachment frame including at least one component that
cooperates with said stop on the turret to restrict the rotation of
the turret whenever the trencher is mounted to said excavator.
15. The excavator of claim 14 including means operatively attached
to the undercarriage for selectively moving the undercarriage along
the ground.
16. An excavator comprising: (a) an undercarriage; (b) a turret
operatively attached to the undercarriage, said turret being
capable of unlimited rotation around a substantially vertical axis;
(c) a backhoe operatively attached to said turret; (d) a trencher
operatively mounted to said undercarriage; (e) a sub-frame
selectively attached or detached from said undercarriage, said
sub-frame having the trencher operatively attached thereto; (f) a
pair of stop members operatively attached to the sub-frame; and (g)
a pair of stop brackets operatively attached to the turret for
contact with respective ones of said stop members when the turret
rotates, whereby the rotation of the turret is limited when the
sub-frame is attached to the undercarriage.
17. An excavator comprising: (a) an undercarriage; (b) a turret
operatively attached to the undercarriage, said turret being
capable of unlimited rotation around a substantially vertical axis;
(c) a backhoe operatively attached to said turret; (d) a trencher
operatively mounted to said undercarriage; (e) a sub-frame
selectively attached or detached from said undercarriage, said
sub-frame having the trencher operatively attached thereto; (f) at
least one stop member operatively attached to the sub-frame; and
(g) at least one stop bracket operatively attached to the turret
for contact with said at least one stop members when the turret
rotates, whereby the rotation of the turret is limited when the
sub-frame is attached to the undercarriage.
18. An excavator comprising: (a) an undercarriage; (b) a turret
operatively attached to the undercarriage, said turret being
capable of unlimited rotation around a substantially vertical axis;
(c) a backhoe operatively attached to said turret; (d) a trencher
operatively mounted to said undercarriage; and (e) means for
automatically preventing the backhoe from contacting the trencher.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to machines for excavating
soils as necessary in construction projects. More specifically it
relates to a machine that is adapted specifically for long narrow
trenches and at the same time for more general excavations.
[0003] Long narrow trenches are required for installation of many
utilities including water and sewer, gas, electrical power, and
cable for communications. These utilities are often installed using
machines known as trenchers, one example is illustrated in FIG. 1.
A trencher 10 includes a trenching boom 40, with a boom frame 42
that supports an excavation chain 44 routed around and supported by
end idler 46. The trenching boom 10 is mounted to a mobile chassis
12 capable of propelling the boom through the ground while the boom
is lowered into the ground such that the end idler 46 is in a
position to excavate to the desired depth. There are two basic
types of chassis, a track chassis and a rubber tire chassis. FIG. 1
illustrates a rubber tire chassis, and that type of trencher is
thus known as a rubber tire trencher.
[0004] Rubber tire trenchers have an advantage over track trenchers
in that they are less disruptive to the ground. Thus, they are
utilized in applications where maintaining the ground is important,
such as when trenching through established yards. In this
application the needed excavation varies widely. Thus, rubber tire
trenchers typically include a variety of excavating attachments and
can include a vibrating gearbox and mount for a plow on the rear of
the machine beside the trenching boom, not shown, while including a
backhoe 20 and blade 30 attached to the front of the rubber tire
trencher 10.
[0005] While the rubber tire trencher offers great flexibility, its
capability for general excavation with the backhoe 20 is somewhat
limited by the chassis. The backhoe can be positioned around its
pivot axis 22 while being controlled by an operator positioned in
operator station 14. Any additional movement of the backhoe
requires movement of the entire chassis.
[0006] Different machines have been developed for general
excavation, and are generally known as Excavators, an example being
a compact excavator 110 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The compact
excavator 110 has evolved to include two basic parts, an
undercarriage or chassis 112 and turret/turntable 116. The
undercarriage 112 includes the chassis and typically tracks. It
supports the turret/turntable 116 and typically also supports a
backfill blade 130, which is positioned with cylinder 132.
[0007] The upper structure, turret or turntable 116 includes the
power unit, typically a diesel engine and hydraulic system, the
operator's station 114, and a backhoe 120 mounted on a pivot 122.
There is no limitation of the rotation of the turntable, it is able
to rotate fully, mounted to the undercarriage 112 at the swivel
joint, supported by a slew bearing. The swivel joint supports the
turret 116 and further provides a valve to provide a flow path for
oil to be transferred from the pump, a component of the power unit,
to the track drive motors and cylinder that positions the backfill
blade 130. This valve is constructed to allow the turret to rotate
freely.
[0008] The operator's station 114 is mounted on the turret 116, and
the pivot for the backhoe 122 is positioned directly in front of
the operator's station. This arrangement provides good visibility
of the backhoe 120, and provides for flexibility in applications.
Examples of this flexibility are illustrated in FIG. 3 where the
excavator 110 is shown digging near to an existing wall 2. In these
illustrations it can be seen how the chassis 112 can be positioned
near the wall 2, the turret 116 rotated such that the backhoe pivot
122 is adjacent the wall, and the backhoe 120 positioned parallel
to the wall. As positioned, the bucket can scoop in a direction
parallel to the wall to form trench 4. Once the bucket is full it
can be lifted, and the backhoe 120 rotated in order to position the
backhoe and bucket to a second position 120a, away from the wall,
to drop the excavated material in a pile or into a truck.
[0009] Excavators have become a preferred arrangement for general
excavation. However, when a job involves specifically forming a
trench of a specific depth and width, this arrangement is not as
productive as the trenching boom described earlier as a part of the
rubber tire trencher, particularly when the trench is narrow.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates the use of a compact excavator 110,
positioned in four different locations 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d,
as would be necessary to dig a trench. The compact excavator is
operated in the first position 110a, while the backhoe 120 is
utilized to dig a first section of the trench. After completion,
the chassis is moved to a second position 110b, and the trench
extended. This process is repeated 110c, and 110d until the trench
is the desired length. This process requires a substantial amount
of operator involvement.
[0011] By contrast, the rubber tire trencher is illustrated in FIG.
1 will require less operator involvement. This involvement includes
first controlling the trenching boom 40 during a plunge-cut, as the
boom is rotated clockwise to move the end idler 46 from a position
above the ground, to a position where a trench of the desired depth
is being formed. Subsequent operator control then involves
adjusting the ground speed of the rubber tire trencher 10 to match
the excavation capacity of the trenching boom 40.
[0012] Trenchers have not previously been installed onto compact
excavators.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to the present invention there is provided a
modification to a compact excavator by adding an optional
component, a chain trencher.
[0014] A broad object of the present invention is to provide an
excavator with a trencher.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
excavator with a trencher in a way that will automatically prevent
a backhoe portion of the excavator from coming in contact with the
trencher.
[0016] Still another object of the invention is to employ such an
excavator with a trencher in a way that will automatically prevent
a backhoe portion of the excavator from coming in contact with the
trencher, but also use a mounting structure for the backhoe which
allows the backhoe to move around 360 degrees once the mounting
structure and trencher is removed.
[0017] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of prior art machine adapted for
digging a trench known as a rubber tire trencher;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of prior art machine adapted for
general excavation known as a compact excavator;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of a prior art compact excavator
illustrating the digging boom in various positions;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of a prior art compact excavator
illustrating the process of digging a trench;
[0022] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the compact excavator of the
present invention including a trenching boom;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of a compact excavator of the present
invention including a trenching boom with portions cutaway to show
some of the components of the alternate embodiment shown
schematically in FIG. 12;
[0024] FIG. 7 is an isometric view from a low position and with one
of the tracks removed and the trencher removed to expose the
mounting structure for the trenching boom;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view with the trencher in the same position
as illustrated in FIG. 6, with a portion of the turret cut-away to
show a stop structure;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the turntable
rotated to the position where it is stopped against the second
stop, with a portion of the turret cut-away to show a portion of a
stop structure;
[0027] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view showing the compact
excavator, the trencher boom mount and the trenching boom;
[0028] FIG. 11 is an isometric view showing the compact excavator,
with the trenching boom raised into a transport position; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views. The included drawings reflect the current preferred and
alternate embodiments. There are many additional embodiments that
may utilize the present invention. The drawings are not meant to
include all such possible embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a compact excavator 110 with a trenching boom 140
attached to the undercarriage 112, supported on tracks 113. The
trenching boom 140 includes boom frame 142, excavating chain 144,
and end idler 146. The trenching boom 140 will function in a manner
identical to that described for the rubber tire trencher of FIG. 1,
including the ability to pivot about axis 148 between a lowered
position, as illustrated, and a raised position. In the lowered
position, the end idler 146 has been lowered to position the
excavating chain 144 to form a trench of the desired depth. During
the excavation process, the excavating chain 144 engages the ground
while the boom frame 142 forces it into this engagement with a
down-force sufficient to make the excavation efficient. The boom
frame 142 is positioned by cylinder 150 which transfers a portion
of the overall weight of the compact excavator 110 from the tracks
113 to the boom frame 142. This weight transfer is optimized by
keeping the pivot 148 of boom frame 142 near to the center of
gravity of the compact excavator 110.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates the mounting of the trenching boom 140 to
the compact excavator 110. The mounting is accomplished with two
main components including a trencher attachment frame 160 and
trencher mount frame 152. The attachment frame or sub-frame 160
includes a trencher mounting pad 162 that is positioned in close
proximity to the tracks 113, leaving clearance required for proper
function of the tracks. The attachment frame or sub-frame 160 could
have attachments other than the illustrated chain trencher, such as
rock wheel trenchers, plows for installing utility lines, etc.
[0033] The trencher mounting pad 162 is configured to include a
series of mounting holes 163, shown in FIG. 5, that allow the
trencher mount frame 152 to attach in a number of different
locations, in order to change the location of the trenching boom
140 relative to the tracks. The trencher-mount frame 152 further
provides support for cylinder 150, for the rotational connection
that defines pivot axis 148 and for the trencher motor 154. In this
manner the trenching boom 140 is positioned such that a sufficient
down-force can be generated to provide for efficient
excavation.
[0034] In this FIG. 5 position, without the stop structure 118 and
stop pads 168 described below, the backhoe 120 could contact the
trenching boom 140, or its mounting components. Thus when the
trenching boom 140 is mounted to the compact excavator the ability
to freely rotate the turntable 116 will be restricted, as the
backhoe 120, depending on where it is positioned relative to the
turntable 116, may interfere with the trenching boom 140 or its
mounting components.
[0035] The present invention places an attachment, a trenching boom
140, onto a compact excavator in a position where it limits the
rotational travel of the turntable. The operator will be required
to be aware of the position of the backhoe 120 whenever the
turntable is rotated to avoid interference of the components.
[0036] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide
limits that will reduce the burden on the operator, by introducing
an automatic limitation to reduce the probability of damage. A
preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10. The trencher
attachment frame or sub frame 160 includes the trencher mounting
pad 162 on a first end, and is adapted to attach to the
undercarriage 112 on the opposite end with an adapter pad 164. It
further includes stop arms 166 supporting stop pads 168 as shown in
FIGS. 8-10. The trencher attachment frame or sub frame 160 is
configured to be easily attached to the undercarriage 112 and can
easily be removed when the trencher boom 140 will not be used. In
this manner, when the trencher attachment frame or sub frame 160 is
removed from the compact excavator 110, the stop pads 168 are also
removed.
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the function of the stop pads 168.
In FIG. 8 the turntable 116 has been rotated clockwise to a
position where a turntable stop bracket 118 has contacted the first
stop pad 168. The turntable stop bracket 118 attaches to the
turntable, extending from the bottom surface as shown in FIG. 7.
Stop bracket 118 is a V-shaped bracket with a first surface 118a
and a second surface 118b. In FIG. 8 surface 118a is illustrated in
the cut-away section of the turntable 116 in contact with the first
stop pad 168.
[0038] In FIG. 9, the turntable has been rotated counter-clockwise
until the second surface 118b of turntable stop bracket 118 has
contacted the second stop pad 168. In this manner, whenever the
trencher attachment frame 160, including the stop pads 168, is
mounted to the compact excavator 110, the rotation of the turntable
116 will be limited.
[0039] With this limitation, the backhoe 120 can still be
positioned to interfere with the trenching boom 40, for instance if
the boom were pivoted counterclockwise around its pivot 122 from
the illustrated position in FIG. 6. However, when the backhoe 120
is centered, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the backhoe will not
interfere. The potential for interference is higher when the
trenching boom 140 is in a raised, transport position as
illustrated in FIG. 11. However, with the compact excavator of the
present invention, the operator has simply to position the backhoe
in the center position, and then can be confident that there will
not be any interference when rotating the turntable in order to
operate the trenching boom.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates the mechanical elements that control the
position of the backhoe, and of the turntable. The backhoe is
positioned by a hydraulic cylinder 208, which is typically directly
controlled by a joystick, actuated by the operator. The position
the backhoe could be determined with a device 202 capable of
measuring the linear travel of cylinder 208.
[0041] A rotary actuator, such as a hydraulic motor, positions the
turntable which powers a gear 206 mounted onto the turntable that
engages a gear 207 mounted onto the chassis. The position of the
turntable can be determined, in a variety of methods, for example
with a transducer 204 mounted by and actuated from the gears. In
this example transducer 204 is mounted on the turntable such that
it detects whenever it travels past a tooth of gear 207. By
constantly monitoring this transducer, the position of the
turntable can be continuously monitored. Another example would be
to place transducer 204 on the turntable such that it detects
certain targets mounted onto the chassis, such that it is possible
to detect certain positions of the turntable.
[0042] An alternative embodiment that would further reduce the
burden on the operator is illustrated schematically in FIG. 12, and
would incorporate an electronic controller 200 to control the
stopped positions as a function of the position of the backhoe 120.
The electronic controller 200 would be capable receiving inputs
from transducers 202 and 204, described previously as detecting the
position of the backhoe and the position of the turntable. It will
further be capable of receiving inputs 220 from the operator. In
response it will control valve 210, that controls hydraulic power
to the cylinder 208 that positions the backhoe, and the hydraulic
motor that rotates gear 206 to control the rotational position of
the turntable. Controller 200 will include memory and computational
capacity such that the turntable would be stopped at various
positions, depending on where the operator had left the backhoe, as
necessary to prevent interference between the backhoe and the
trencher.
[0043] Controller 200 includes computational capacity such that the
position of the backhoe will be controlled based on the position of
the turntable. Thus, when the turntable is rotated such that the
operator is in the vicinity of the trencher boom, the backhoe is
prevented from being rotated around its axis into a position where
it could interfere with the trencher boom.
[0044] Obviously many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *