U.S. patent application number 12/426864 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for trencher attachment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Mark Cooper, Edward Lee Cutler, Robert Daniel Hawks.
Application Number | 20090260264 12/426864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41199910 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090260264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper; Mark ; et
al. |
October 22, 2009 |
TRENCHER ATTACHMENT
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a system and method of creating
trenches of various widths, including widths that are substantially
greater than the width of the boom head or even the chassis.
According to the trencher system of the present disclosure, the
boom is designed so that it can be easily configured to create a
trench of a first width and subsequently create a trench of a
second width that is different than the first width.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Mark; (Pella,
IA) ; Hawks; Robert Daniel; (Pella, IA) ;
Cutler; Edward Lee; (Bloomfield, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Vermeer Manufacturing
Company
Pella
IA
|
Family ID: |
41199910 |
Appl. No.: |
12/426864 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61047052 |
Apr 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/195 ;
37/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/088 20130101;
E02F 5/06 20130101; E02F 3/145 20130101; E02D 17/13 20130101; E02F
3/10 20130101; E02F 3/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
37/195 ;
37/352 |
International
Class: |
E02F 5/06 20060101
E02F005/06; E02F 1/00 20060101 E02F001/00 |
Claims
1. A trencher comprising: a chassis including a first side, second
side, first end, and second end; a pair of spaced apart trencher
tracks at each side of the chassis; a main boom positioned between
the trencher tracks, the main boom including a first end and second
end, wherein the first end of the boom is connected to the second
end of the chassis; a main digger chain positioned to rotate over
the main boom; a first auxiliary digger chain positioned adjacent a
first side of the main digger chain; a second auxiliary digger
chain positioned adjacent a second side of the main digger chain;
wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains are driven by
the main digger chain.
2. The trencher of claim 1, wherein the second end of the main boom
includes a drive shaft configured to receive torque from the main
digger chain and transfer torque to the first and second auxiliary
digger chains.
3. The trencher of claim 2, wherein the first and second auxiliary
digger chains are configured and arranged so that cutting surfaces
on the lower half of the digger chains are generally aligned with
the cutting surface of the lower portion of the main digger
chain.
4. The trencher of claim 3, wherein the first and second auxiliary
digger chains are configured and arranged such that lower cutting
surfaces on the upper portions of the digger chains are retracted
relative to the adjacent cutting surface of the main digger
chain.
5. The trencher of claim 1, further comprising a first auxiliary
boom for supporting the first auxiliary digger chain, the first
auxiliary boom being connected to the main boom via a side mounting
plate.
6. The trencher of claim 1, wherein the main digger chain includes
teeth arranged in two rows that are each angled with respect to an
edge of the digger chain.
7. The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary
digger chains include teeth arranged in rows that are at an angle
with respect to the edges of the auxiliary digger chains.
8. The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary
digger chains include two or less teeth per plate.
9. The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary
digger chains include dirt drags that overlap adjacent plates.
10. A trencher attachment comprising: an auxiliary boom configured
to be mounted to the mounting plate, the auxiliary boom configured
to support an auxiliary digger chain; a drive axis configured to be
attached to a main boom of a trencher, the drive axis including
center gears for engaging a main digger chain and side gears for
engaging an auxiliary digger chain; and a first mounting plate
configured to be attached to interface between the main boom of a
trencher and the auxiliary boom such that the auxiliary boom is
aligned with the side gear for engaging the auxiliary digger
chain.
11. The trencher attachment of claim 10, wherein the mounting plate
is attached to the main boom and includes apertures for receiving
bolts that extend from the auxiliary boom.
12. The trencher attachment of claim 10, further comprising an
idler gear on an end of the auxiliary boom, wherein the idler gear
is configured and arranged on the auxiliary boom to apply tension
on an auxiliary digger chain.
13. The trencher attachment of claim 12, further comprising a
tensioning mechanism including a plurality of bolts and a hydraulic
cylinder.
14. The trencher attachment of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary boom
is modular in that the length of the auxiliary boom can be adjusted
by removing or adding support sections between the end portions of
the auxiliary boom.
15. A method of trenching comprising: connecting a drive shaft to a
distal end of a main boom; connecting an auxiliary boom to a side
of the main boom such that a portion of the drive shaft extends
across a portion of the auxiliary boom; connecting a main digger
chain to the main boom such that the main digger chain drives the
drive shaft; and connecting an auxiliary digger chain to the
auxiliary boom such that the drive shaft drives the auxiliary
digger chain.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the proximal portions of the
auxiliary boom include a pivot for engaging the auxiliary digger
chain, and wherein the axis of the pivot is positioned closer to an
upper cutting surface of the main digger chain than a lower cutting
surface.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper cutting surface of
the auxiliary boom is parallel to the upper cutting surface of the
main digger chain.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the proximal end of the
auxiliary boom has a curved profile that gradually guides the
auxiliary digger chain away from the lower cutting surface of the
main digger chain.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the radius of curvature is
greater than the distance between an upper and a lower cutting
surface of the main digger chain.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the teeth on the auxiliary
digger chain are configured and arranged to direct cut debris into
the path of the main digger chain.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
No. 61/047,052 filed Apr. 22, 2008, entitled Trencher Attachment,
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to trenchers and, more
particularly, to a wide boom attachment for a trencher.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Trenchers capable of digging/cutting trenches have a variety
of uses. For example, in construction, trenchers are often used to
dig trenches for laying pipes or cables. There exist a number of
different types of trenchers. One type of trencher includes a
digger chain that rotates on a boom. The angle of the boom can be
adjusted to control the depth of the cut. To cut the trench, the
digger chain is rotated on the boom while the machine moves slowly
in a direction away from the boom. The width of the chain defines
the width of the trench. In most trenchers the width of the chain
is limited by the width of the boom head and chassis. There exists
some disclosures in the prior art relating to systems and methods
for creating a wider trench than is traditionally possible. See,
for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,220 to Bryan, Jr. and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,497,567 to Gilbert. However, there remains a need to provide
an improved system and method of creating wide trenches.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure provides a system and method of
creating trenches of various widths, including widths that are
substantially greater than the width of the boom head and chassis
width. According to the trencher system of the present disclosure,
the boom is designed so that it can be easily configured to create
a trench of a first width and subsequently create a trench of a
second width that is different than the first width.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trencher according to the
present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the trencher of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a front view of the trencher of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of cutting teeth and
dirt drags on a chain assembly according to the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front view of the trencher of FIG. 1 with the
digger chains removed to show the main boom and auxiliary
booms;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a top view of the trencher of FIG. 1 with the
digger chains removed to show the main boom and auxiliary
booms;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a top view of the main boom and auxiliary booms
attached to the chassis of the trencher of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a distal end of the main
boom with one auxiliary boom removed;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the auxiliary boom of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the
auxiliary boom drive shaft;
[0016] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the auxiliary
boom showing a tension system on the auxiliary boom; and
[0017] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the
auxiliary boom shown in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a trencher according to the present
disclosure is described. The trencher 10 includes a chassis 12 that
includes a first end 14, a second end 16, a first side 22, and a
second side 24. The chassis 12 is supported on a pair of tracks 18,
20 located at each side 22, 24 of the chassis. The chassis 12 is
configured to support, among other things, an operator cab 26,
engine 28, hydraulic motors 30, and a conveyor system 32. In the
depicted embodiments the engine 28 is used to power hydraulic
motors 30 that drive the tracks 18, 20, the conveyor system 32, as
well as other trencher operations (e.g., boom position and digger
chain rotation).
[0019] In the depicted embodiment, a main boom 34 is attached to
the second end 16 of the chassis 12. The main boom 34 includes a
proximal end 36 (the end near the chassis 12) and a distal end 38
(the end far from the chassis 12). The main boom 34 supports a main
digger chain 40, and at each side of the main boom 34 are auxiliary
booms 42, 44 that support auxiliary digger chains 46, 48. In the
depicted embodiment, the first auxiliary digger chain 46 and the
second auxiliary digger chain 48 are both driven by the drive shaft
assembly 50, and the drive shaft assembly 50 is driven by the main
digger chain 40. In use the main boom 34 is lowered into the ground
surface while the digger chains 40, 46, 48 are typically rotating
in a direction that cause the cut debris (dirt, stone, etc.) to be
pulled into the trencher 10 and out via the conveyor system 32.
Once the main boom 34 is lowered to the desired depth, the trencher
is driven slowly in a forward direction such that the first end 14
is the front of the chassis 12 and the second end 16 is the rear of
the chassis. This movement of the trencher 10 while the digger
chains 40, 46, 48 are rotating creates a trench in the ground that
generally matches the combined width of the digger chains 40, 46,
48.
[0020] Most prior art trenching systems do not include auxiliary
booms and auxiliary digger chains. The width of the trench is
typically limited by the maximum width of the main digger chain. In
turn, the maximum width of the main digger chain is typically
limited by the width of the boom head and chassis. The present
disclosure provides systems and methods that overcome the
above-identified trench width limitations.
[0021] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kit that
can be used with an existing trencher to enable it to create much
wider trenches. The kit includes auxiliary boom(s), auxiliary
digger chain(s), and an associated drive shaft system. Another
embodiment of the present disclosure provides digger chains with
cutting elements thereon that channel the debris from the auxiliary
digger chains into the path of the main digger chain to enable the
main digger chain to feed the debris into the conveyor system.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a trencher
with a main boom as well as auxiliary booms, wherein the auxiliary
booms are configured to automatically funnel the debris into the
path of a main digger chain so that the debris can be efficiently
and effectively removed from the trench. In yet another embodiment
a method of creating trenches of varying width is disclosed wherein
auxiliary digger chains can be relatively quickly and easily
connected to or removed from the trencher.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 8 and 10, the auxiliary booms 42,
44 are described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the
auxiliary booms 42, 44 include proximal ends 52, 53 and distal ends
54, 55. The proximal ends 52, 53 of the auxiliary booms 42, 44 are
the ends of the booms that are closest to the chassis 12, and the
distal ends 54, 55 of the auxiliary booms 42, 44 are the ends of
the booms that are farthest from the chassis 12. In the depicted
embodiment the auxiliary booms 42, 44 include upper support
surfaces 56, 57 and lower support surfaces 58, 59. The upper
support surfaces 56, 57 are the surfaces that support the auxiliary
digger chains 46, 48 as they rotate over the top of the auxiliary
booms 42, 44. The portion of the digger chains that are generally
viewable in use (face upward) is referred to herein as the upper
cut surface of the digger chains 46, 48. Therefore, the upper
support surfaces 56, 57 support the upper cut surfaces 60, 61 of
the digger chains. The lower support surfaces 58, 59 are the
surfaces that support the lower cut surfaces 64, 65 of the
auxiliary digger chains 46, 48 as the digger chains rotate over the
face of the auxiliary support booms 42, 44 that face the ground in
use. The upper and lower support surfaces 56-59 are generally
hidden under the digger chains 46, 48 when the digger chains are
installed on the auxiliary booms 42, 44.
[0023] In the depicted embodiment the auxiliary booms 42, 44
include an idler gear 62, 63 positioned at the proximal ends 52,
53. The idler gear 62, 63 of each of the auxiliary booms 42, 44
facilitates the movement of the track around the booms. In the
depicted embodiment, the idler gear has a smaller diameter than the
distance between the upper support surface 56, 57 and the lower
support surface 58, 59 (i.e., the thickness or depth of the booms
42, 44). In one embodiment the idler gear 62, 63 is positioned such
that the pivot axis of the idler gear is above the center line
between the upper and lower support surfaces 56-59 of the auxiliary
booms (FIG. 2). This configuration results in the lower cut surface
64 (FIG. 1) gradually retracting from the lower cut surface of the
main digger chain 40. In the depicted embodiment the proximal ends
52, 53 of the lower support surface 58, 59 are curved such that the
auxiliary digger chains 46, 48 gradually pull away from the plane
of the lower cut surface of the main digger chain 40. In the
depicted embodiment the radius of curvature of the curve of the
lower support surface 58, 59 of the auxiliary boom 42, 44 is
greater than the thickness of the auxiliary booms 42, 44. This
configuration facilitates the movement of debris cut by the
auxiliary booms 42, 44 into the path of the main digger chain
40.
[0024] In one embodiment the idler gear 62, 63 is positioned such
that the upper cut surfaces 60, 61 of the auxiliary digger chains
46, 48 are generally in the same plane (i.e., parallel) to the
upper cut surface 64 of the main digger chain 40. It should be
appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. For
example, the axis of the idler gear could be positioned so that the
upper cut surface 60, 61 at the proximal ends 52, 53 of the digger
chains 46, 48 extend above the upper cut surface 64 of the main
digger chain 40.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment the auxiliary booms 42, 44
include a modular configuration. The auxiliary booms 42, 44 each
include three main sections including a first end section that
supports the idler gear 62, 63 located at the proximal end 52, 53,
a second section at the distal end that is shaped to receive a
portion of the drive shaft assembly 50, and a third section
positioned between the first section and the second section. In the
depicted embodiment the second section includes a curved end
portion that is configured to allow the upper and lower support
surfaces 56-59 of the auxiliary booms 42, 44 to transition smoothly
with the drive gears of the drive shaft assembly 50. In the
depicted embodiment the third section can be removed and replaced
with a different third section to adjust the length of the
auxiliary boom 42, 44. Alternatively, additional sections can be
added between the first and second section to increase the length
of the boom without removing the third section. Alternative
embodiments of the modular feature of the boom may be configured
such that the first and second section attach directly to each
other without a mid-section therebetween. It should also be
appreciated that in some alternative embodiments, the auxiliary
booms may not be modular. In other words, they may be of a fixed
length that is not adjustable.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the digger chains 40, 46, 48 are
described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the digger
chains are shown as a series of linked together plates 100 with
cutting elements 102 and dirt drags 104 attached thereto. The
configuration and arrangement of the cutting elements facilitate
the transport of the debris from the path of the auxiliary digger
chains 46, 48 into the path of the main digger chain 40.
[0027] In the depicted embodiment the cutting teeth 102 are
configured and arranged on the auxiliary digger chains 46, 48 in a
pattern that directs the debris cut by the auxiliary digger chains
46, 48 into the path of the main digger chain 40. FIG. 4
illustrates an embodiment of a pattern of teeth 102 and dirt drags
104 that direct cut debris into the path of the main digger chain
40. The dirt drags 104 are angle towards the main digger chain.
Some of the dirt drags include a bent therein that that further
funnels the debris towards the main digger chain, others are
straight. The main digger chain 40 includes two rows of teeth that
come together at the center of the digger chain. Between the teeth
are larger dirt drags 106 that pull debris into the inlet of the
conveyor system 32. In the depicted orientation the teeth in the
two rows come together at the proximal end 36 of the boom 34 and
are spread apart at the distal end 38 of the boom 34. Referring to
FIG. 5, the teeth are arranged so that they are spaced apart along
the cut surface of the digger chains. In the depicted embodiment,
the spacing between the tips of adjacent teeth is between 1 to 2
inches. The spacing between the teeth on any one plate may be much
greater (e.g., 10 inches).
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 6-9 and 11, the drive shaft arrangement
50 is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment, the
drive shaft arrangement 50 includes a bearing assembly 70 that is
configured to attach to the distal end 38 of the main boom 34 and
rotatably support a cylindrical shaft 72. The cylindrical shaft
includes a center portion and two opposed end portions. A driving
gear assembly 74 is fixedly mounted to the center portion of the
cylindrical shaft 72, and driven gears 76, 78 are fixedly mounted
to the end portions of the shaft. The driving gear assembly 74 is
configured to engage the main digger chain 40 and transmit force to
the auxiliary digger chains 46, 48 which are configured to engage
the driven gears 76, 78. In the depicted embodiment the driving
gear assembly includes two ring gears connected to a spacer
arrangement, and each driven gear includes a ring gear attached to
a spacer. In the depicted embodiment the ring gears include the
same diameter and number of teeth. It should be appreciated that in
alternative embodiments, the bearing assembly 70 can include a
different configuration. In the depicted embodiment the space
between the driven gear 76, 78 can be adjusted via spacer that
enable the driven gears to either be mounted closer together or
further apart. The driven gears are mounted further apart when the
auxiliary booms are spaced away from the main boom.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the system and method for
attaching the auxiliary booms 42, 44 to the main boom 34 is
described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the system
includes mounting plates 80 that are attached to the side of the
main boom 34. The mounting plates are configured to be aligned and
engaged with structural features connected to the auxiliary booms
42, 44 (e.g., post, bolts, pins, apertures). In the depicted
embodiment plates 80 are configured so that the spaces between the
main boom 34 and auxiliary booms 42, 44 are adjustable. Spacing the
auxiliary booms 42, 44 further from the main boom 34 enables wider
digger chains to be mounted to the auxiliary booms 42, 44 or enable
the same width digger chains to cooperatively dig a wider trench
with larger spaces between the chains. The plates 80 can be
attached to the auxiliary booms via bolts which are received in
apertures on the plates 80. The depicted embodiment includes two
mounting plates 80 that engagement plates 82-85 on the auxiliary
booms 42, 44. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting plates 80
include a pair of horizontally arranged shear stops that slidably
engage a match set of shear stops on engagement plates 82-85. It
should be appreciated that many other configurations are also
possible. The method of connecting the auxiliary booms includes the
step of aligning structural features of the side boom (auxiliary
booms) with structural features of the main boom; for example,
aligning posts on the auxiliary booms 42, 44 with the apertures on
the mounting plates 80 of the main boom 34.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the system and method for
connecting the auxiliary digger chains 46, 48 to the auxiliary
booms 42, 44 is described. In the depicted embodiment the digger
chains 46, 48 are positioned around the auxiliary boom 42, 44 such
that they engage the driven gear 76, 78 and the idler gear 62, 63.
The idler gear 62, 63 is configured to be adjusted to apply tension
to the digger chains 46, 48. In the depicted embodiment the idler
gear 62, 63 is mounted to the auxiliary boom via a tension
mechanism 90 that allows the idler gear 62, 63 to take up slack in
the digger chains 46, 48. The idler gear is connected to a mounting
arm 92. The connecting arm 92 is fixed in the vertical direction
relative to the auxiliary booms 42, 44, but free to slide in the
horizontal direction (direction parallel to the length of the
booms). A cylinder 94 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder) or spring is
positioned and configured to normally bias the connecting arm 92 in
the proximal direction (i.e., in an outward direction towards the
chassis 12). In the depicted embodiment one end of the cylinder 94
engages the connecting arm, and the other end of the cylinder
engages a stop block mechanism 96. In the depicted embodiment the
cylinder and stop block mechanism are used to apply tension to the
chain while the bolts 98 are tightened. In some embodiment, the
pressure in the cylinder is released after the bolts 98 are
tightened. It should be appreciated that many other alternative
tension mechanisms are also possible.
[0031] The above specification, examples, and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *