U.S. patent application number 14/480186 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for trenching wheel with front-mounted cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advanced Tiling & Trenching, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Advanced Tiling & Trenching, Inc.. Invention is credited to Shaun LaMar Yoder.
Application Number | 20150068072 14/480186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52624126 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150068072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoder; Shaun LaMar |
March 12, 2015 |
TRENCHING WHEEL WITH FRONT-MOUNTED CLEANER
Abstract
Provided is an excavating machine, such as for use in digging
trenches. The excavating machine includes an earth moving assembly
having a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on the wheel, a frame
retaining a portion of the wheel, and a cleaning assembly for
removing spoil from the earth moving assembly prior to the wheel
entering the frame. The teeth may include first and second cutting
portions. The first cutting portion may include a narrow leading
edge, while the second cutting portion includes a wide leading
edge. Moreover, the cleaning assembly may include right and left
cleaning assemblies which may each include side and front cleaning
members, as well as a removable tooth. The machine may include at
least one spoil surface for moving spoil removed by the cleaning
assembly away from the dug trench.
Inventors: |
Yoder; Shaun LaMar;
(Wellman, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Advanced Tiling & Trenching, Inc. |
Iowa City |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Advanced Tiling & Trenching,
Inc.
Iowa City
IA
|
Family ID: |
52624126 |
Appl. No.: |
14/480186 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61874656 |
Sep 6, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 5/08 20130101; E02F
9/2866 20130101; E02F 3/248 20130101; E02F 3/188 20130101; E02F
3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
37/94 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/24 20060101
E02F003/24; E02F 3/18 20060101 E02F003/18; E02F 3/20 20060101
E02F003/20 |
Claims
1. An excavating machine comprising: an earth moving assembly
comprising a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on said wheel, and
a frame retaining a portion of said wheel; a cleaning assembly; and
said cleaning assembly removing spoil from said earth moving
assembly prior to said wheel entering said frame.
2. The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein said cleaning assembly
is located forward of said wheel.
3. The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein said wheel is a center
shank T-shaped cutting wheel.
4. The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality
of teeth includes a first cutting portion and a second cutting
portion.
5. The excavating machine of claim 4 wherein said first cutting
portion includes a narrow leading edge and said second cutting
portion includes a wide leading edge.
6. The excavating machine of claim 5 wherein the position of said
first and second cutting portions alternate among each of the
plurality of teeth.
7. The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein said cleaning assembly
includes at least one side cleaning member.
8. The excavating machine of claim 7 wherein said cleaning assembly
further includes at least one front cleaning member.
9. The excavating machine of claim 8 wherein said cleaning assembly
further includes at least one removable tooth.
10. The excavating machine of claim 9 wherein said cleaning
assembly includes a right side cleaning assembly and a left side
cleaning assembly.
11. The excavating machine of claim 1 further comprising at least
one spoil surface, said spoil surface moving said spoil removed by
said cleaning assembly away from a trench being excavated by said
excavating machine.
12. An excavating machine comprising: an earth moving assembly
comprising a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on said wheel, and
a frame retaining an upper portion of said wheel; said teeth
traveling through said frame after moving earth; each of said
plurality of teeth including at least one cutting portion; a
cleaning assembly, said cleaning assembly comprising at least one
cleaning member, said cleaning member removing spoil from said at
least one cutting portion; and said cleaning assembly removing
spoil from said earth moving assembly prior to said wheel entering
said frame.
13. The excavating machine of claim 12 further comprising a spoil
surface to remove spoil that has been cleaned by said cleaning
assembly from the top of a trench being excavated by said
excavating machine.
14. The excavating machine of claim 13 wherein at least one of said
plurality of teeth includes first and second cutting portions.
15. The excavating machine of claim 14 wherein said first cutting
portion includes a narrow leading edge and said second cutting
portion includes a wide leading edge.
16. The excavating machine of claim 15 wherein said cleaning
assembly includes a right cleaning assembly and a left cleaning
assembly.
17. The excavating machine of claim 16 wherein each of said right
and left cleaning assemblies includes a side cleaning member, front
cleaning member, and removable tooth.
18. An excavating machine comprising: an earth moving assembly
comprising a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on said wheel, and
a frame retaining an upper portion of said wheel; each of said
plurality of teeth including two cutting portions, the first
cutting portion having a narrow leading edge and the second cutting
portion having a wide leading edge; said teeth traveling through
said frame after moving earth; a cleaning assembly located forward
of said wheel, said cleaning assembly comprising a right cleaning
assembly and a left cleaning assembly; each of said right and left
cleaning assemblies including a side cleaning member, front
cleaning member, and a removable tooth; said cleaning assembly
removing spoil from said earth moving assembly prior to said wheel
entering said frame; and two spoil surfaces, said spoil surfaces
moving spoil away from the top of a trench being excavated by said
excavating machine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/874,656, filed Sep. 6, 2013, entitled
TRENCHING WHEEL WITH RIGID FRONT-MOUNTED CLEANER, the contents of
which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to excavating machines,
sometimes referred to as trenchers, of the type having a device for
cutting the earth including a digging wheel assembly having a rim
structure and a series of circumferentially spaced teeth, and more
particularly to a cleaning device for removing spoil which has
accumulated in the rim structure and teeth.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Excavating machines are known for use in the cutting of an
open trench having either vertical or sloped walls for the purposes
of land drainage and irrigation, including agricultural tiling, as
well as the installation of utilities such as cable lines,
pipelines, water lines, sewer lines, etc. These excavating machines
are often of a vehicular type being self-contained and suitably
driven for either over-the-road travel or movement during use of
the earth cutting or trenching device.
[0004] It is also known for trenchers of the prior art to have a
cleaning device. For example, some bucket wheel trenchers use a
straight tooth cleaner which cuts a groove in the spoil which has
accumulated in the rim structure and buckets to loosen the spoil so
it will fall out of the rim structure and buckets and onto a
conveyer which expels the spoil to a spoil bank beside the machine.
This method is inefficient, especially when the spoil is packed in
the rim structure and buckets due to high moisture or other causes.
For example, in these trenchers, much of the spoil continues past
the straight tooth cleaner and around the cutting wheel, thereby
reducing the amount of spoil that can be removed.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,186 to Yoder et al. the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference, describes an excavating
machine with a positive cleaner for a U-shaped cutting wheel. The
cleaning device positively cleans spoil out of the rim structure
and buckets of the digging wheel assembly. The device includes a
cleaning face which corresponds substantially in size and shape to
the interior profile of the rim structure and the bucket. The
cleaning face may be angled downward to force the spoil downwardly
onto the conveyor. Moreover, the cleaning face may be biased into
contact with the rim structure and bucket of the digging wheel
assembly to force the spoil out of the rim structure and bucket.
The Yoder et al. cleaner is located at the top of the trenching
wheel in the frame. Accordingly, the buckets attached to the
cleaning wheel travel through a portion of the frame prior to being
cleaned.
[0006] While the above-described invention to Yoder et al. works
well for U-shaped cutting wheels, devices including same are best
suited for shallow trenches, such as those less than three feet
deep. Deeper trenches require a different digging mechanism.
Moreover, the cleaning mechanisms of the prior art are located at
the top of the cutting wheel in the wheel frame. Such a
configuration does not accommodate the amount of dirt and spoil in
deeper trenches. Accordingly, an excavating device employing same
becomes bogged down when attempting to dig deeper trenches. Center
shank t-shaped buckets are also known. However, cutting wheels
employing these buckets do not work well to dig deeper trenches,
are slow, and also do not work well in sandy earth.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an excavating a
machine having an improved trenching assembly with a positive
cleaning element which allows the machine to dig deeper trenches at
faster rates. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an
improved digging or earth cutting mechanism which allows the
machine to dig deeper trenches and dig trenches at faster
rates.
SUMMARY
[0008] Disclosed is an excavating machine having an improved
trenching or earth cutting assembly comprising a wheel, a plurality
of teeth mounted on the wheel, and a frame retaining a portion of
the wheel. Also included is a cleaning assembly. The cleaning
assembly removes spoil from the earth moving assembly prior to the
wheel entering the frame. The cleaning assembly may be located
forward of the wheel (with the direction of forward travel of the
trenching machine being the forward direction). In one embodiment,
the excavating machine wheel is a T-shaped cutting wheel. Each of
the plurality of teeth may include first and second cutting
portions. One of the cutting portions may include a narrow leading
edge, while the other cutting portion includes a wide leading edge.
In some embodiments, the placement of the narrow and wide leading
edges may alternate throughout the plurality of teeth. The cleaning
assembly may include at least one side cleaning member which
removes spoil from the plurality of teeth and the wheel. The
cleaning assembly may further include a front cleaning member
and/or at least one removable tooth. The cleaning assembly may
include right and left cleaning assemblies. Furthermore, the
cleaning assembly may include at least one spoil surface which
moves spoil that has been removed by the cleaning assembly away
from a trench being excavated by the machine.
[0009] Also provided is an excavating machine having an earth
moving assembly including a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on
the wheel, and a frame retaining an upper portion of the wheel. The
teeth travel through the frame after moving earth and each include
at least one cutting portion. The excavating machine may also
include a cleaning assembly having at least one cleaning member
which removes spoil from the at least one cutting portion.
Furthermore, the cleaning assembly removes spoil from the earth
moving assembly prior to the wheel entering the frame. The
excavating machine may further include a spoil surface to remove
spoil that has been cleaned by the cleaning assembly from the top
of the trench being excavated. In addition, the plurality of teeth
of the excavating machine may include first and second cutting
portions, such as a first cutting portion with a narrow leading
edge and a second cutting portion with a wide leading edge. The
excavating machine may include right and left cleaning assemblies
which may each have side and front cleaning members, as well as a
removable tooth.
[0010] In addition, an excavating machine is provided comprising an
earth moving assembly. The earth moving assembly may include a
wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on the wheel, and a frame
retaining an upper portion of the wheel. Each of the plurality of
teeth may include two cutting portions, with the first cutting
portion having a narrow leading edge and the second cutting portion
having a wide leading edge. The teeth may travel through the frame
after moving earth. In addition, a cleaning assembly may be located
forward of the wheel, with the cleaning assembly having right and
left cleaning assemblies. The right and left cleaning assemblies
may each include a side cleaning member, front cleaning member, and
a removable tooth. The cleaning assembly may remove spoil from the
earth moving assembly prior to the wheel entering the frame. In
addition, the excavating machine may include two spoil surfaces
which move spoil away from the top of a trench being excavated by
the excavating machine.
[0011] Accordingly, a trenching machine of the present invention
includes a positive cleaning element at the front of the cutting
wheel. Moreover, the trenching machine of the present invention
includes an improved cutting means. The cleaning mechanism
positively cleans the earth moving assembly before dirt and spoil
is able to move to, and become lodged in, the frame of the earth
moving assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a cleaner, which may
be rigid, is located on either side of the wheel; however, it is
anticipated that other designs may be employed, as will be
discussed in further detail herein.
[0012] The excavating machine of the present invention also
includes means for pushing cleaned spoil away from the top of the
trench. This prevents the spoil from falling back into the trench
as the machine digs same. In another embodiment, an auger or
conveyer may be used to move dirt away from the trench. The
assembly of the present invention may be used to dig trenches
deeper and faster than excavating devices of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an excavating machine of the
present invention in the lowered position at the bottom of a
trench.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the cutting wheel and frame
assemblies of the excavating machine of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the teeth of the cutting
wheel assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0016] FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a tooth of the cutting
wheel assembly of FIGS. 1-3.
[0017] FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the
tooth of the cutting wheel assembly of FIG. 4A.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of two teeth of the cutting
wheel assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the cleaning assembly of the excavating machine of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the cleaning assembly of
FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the
cleaning assembly of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of
a cleaning assembly of an excavating machine of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of
a cleaning assembly of FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spoil arm of the
excavating machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following is a detailed description of an excavating
machine 100 having a trenching wheel 108 (also called an earth
cutting wheel or cutting wheel) with a front-mounted cleaner. In
the preferred embodiment, the front-mounted cleaner is rigidly
attached to the machine 100, although it need not be as will be
discussed in further detail below. The machine includes an improved
earth cutting or trenching assembly 106, including a cutting wheel
108 with teeth 110 and a front-mounted cleaning assembly 136
(sometimes "cleaning assembly"). The trenching wheel and cleaning
assembly are designed for use with an excavating machine (sometimes
"machine"); however, it is anticipated that other uses of such an
assembly may exist. References to direction, particularly forward
of the cutting wheel or in front of the cutting wheel, refer to the
direction which is in front of the excavating machine or in which
the excavating machine travels in the forward direction unless
otherwise provided.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a trenching machine 100 of the present
invention is shown. The trenching machine 100 includes a power unit
vehicle 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the power unit vehicle
102 is supported by wheels 104. It will be appreciated by one
skilled in the art that power unit vehicles 102 other than the type
illustrated, as well as means for movement other than the
illustrated wheels 104 may be employed by a trenching machine 100
of the present invention. The power unit vehicle 102 may be powered
by any means known in the art, now or in the future, such as a
typical motor. Also included is an earth cutting or trenching
assembly 106. Also shown in FIG. 1, the trenching assembly further
includes a trenching wheel 108. The trenching wheel 108 includes a
plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth 110 located on a rim
112. As will be discussed in further detail below, the trenching
assembly 106 is shown in its lowered position at the bottom of a
trench 120. Also shown is a frame 114, which is connected to the
power unit 102 either directly or via one or more arms 116. The
frame 114 supports the trenching wheel 108. Also shown is a
cleaning assembly 136. As will be discussed in further detail
below, the cleaning assembly 136 is a front-mounted cleaner, which
is preferably rigid. Accordingly, the cleaning assembly 136 removes
spoil from the teeth 110 and wheel 108 prior to these components
entering the frame 114. Operably connected to the frame is a first
spoil arm 126, also called a spoil surface. As will be discussed
below, a symmetrical spoil arm is also located on the opposite side
of the machine 100. Moreover, as will also be discussed in further
detail below, the spoil arms 126 move spoil away from the trench
120 that is being dug by the machine 100.
[0027] The trenching machine 100 further includes a shoe assembly
118. The shoe assembly 118 is operably connected to the rear 124 of
the frame 114. The shoe assembly further includes a first side
plate 122 and a second side plate (not shown) for contact with the
side walls of the trench 120. The contact of the shoe assembly 118
with the side walls of the trench 120 reduces and/or prevents a
cave-in of the side walls of the trench 120 during use of the
machine 100.
[0028] The trenching assembly 106 is movable between raised and
lowered positions. FIG. 1 illustrates the trenching assembly 106 in
the lowered position at the bottom of a trench 120 which is being
dug by the machine 100. Arrow A shows the direction of movement of
the trenching assembly 106 to the raised position. In the raised
position, the trenching assembly 106 is located above ground level.
The trenching assembly 106 may also be located at any position
between the fully raised and lowered positions. The raising and
lowering of the trenching assembly 106 may be by any method known
in the art, now or in the future. One such method is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,750, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference, which employs an arm assembly that is
raised and lowered via a hydraulic cylinder.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the trenching assembly 106 is shown in
further detail. Shown is the trenching wheel 108 having a rim 112
and plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth 110. In the
preferred embodiment, the wheel 108 is a center shank T-shaped
cutting wheel. However, it is anticipated that other types of
wheels may be used without departing from the scope of the present
invention. Preferably, the teeth 110 are mounted to a center shank
ring. The wheel 108 is supported internally by a plurality of wheel
support members 130, which are rigidly connected to the frame 114.
Further, a plurality of wheel support rollers 132 are connected to
the plurality of wheel support members 130. The wheel support
rollers 132 contact the rim 112, allowing the rim 112, and
therefore the wheel 108, to turn or travel around the rollers 132
and wheel support members 130. Turning of the wheel 108 about the
wheel support rollers 132 may be driven by a drive mechanism, which
in the preferred embodiment is a drive motor 134. The wheel is
turned via the drive motor 134 in the direction of arrow B, such
that the teeth 100 contact the ground to dig the trench 120.
[0030] Also shown is the frame 114. The wheel 108 is connected to
the frame 114 such that the wheel 108 may turn or rotate with
respect to the frame 114. Specifically, as discussed above, the
wheel support members 130 may be rigidly connected to the frame
114. Therefore, the wheel 108 may turn about the wheel support
members 130 and wheel support rollers 132 while remaining
appropriately positioned with respect to the frame 114. The frame
114 is operably connected to the power vehicle unit 102 such that
the trenching assembly 106, including but not limited to the frame
114 and wheel 108, may be raised and lowered as discussed above. To
that end, the frame may be connected to the power unit vehicle 102
via at least one arm 116. In the preferred embodiment, the arm 116
is a hydraulic arm which may be shortened and lengthened in order
to raise and lower the trenching assembly 106. Furthermore, in the
preferred embodiment, the machine 100 includes a set of two
parallel hydraulic arms. Of course, as one of skill in the art will
appreciate, other methods of raising and lowering the trenching
assembly 106 may be employed. In addition, other means of
connecting the trenching assembly 106 to the power unit vehicle 102
may be used, as well as other mans for connecting the wheel to the
frame 114 and/or power unit vehicle 102.
[0031] Also connected to the frame 114 is a cleaning assembly 136.
The cleaning assembly 136 includes a front-mounted cleaner.
Therefore, the cleaning assembly 136 is located in front of, or
toward the direction of travel, with respect to the frame 114.
Therefore, following the direction of arrow B, the teeth 110 of the
trenching assembly 106 reach the cleaning assembly 136 prior to
entering the frame 114. It follows, then, that the teeth 110 and
corresponding portion of the wheel 108 are cleaned prior to
entering the frame 114. Therefore, cleaning occurs before dirt and
spoil is able to move to, and become lodged in, the frame. There
are a number of advantages to such a configuration. First, the
positive cleaning element allows the machine to dig deeper
trenches. Furthermore, the positive cleaning element allows the
machine to dig trenches faster. In addition, such a cleaning
assembly is more effective in sandy soils than trenching machines
of the prior art. The cleaning assembly 136 includes both a right
side cleaning assembly 138 (not shown in FIG. 2.) and a left side
cleaning assembly 140 (looking in the direction of travel). Shown
in FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of the left side cleaning
assembly 140, which may be symmetrical to the right side cleaning
assembly. In the preferred embodiment, each of the right cleaning
assembly 138 and left cleaning assembly 140 includes a side
cleaning member and a front cleaning member. Shown in FIG. 2 is the
left side cleaning member 142 and left side front cleaning member
144.
[0032] Also shown is the first spoil arm 126. As discussed above,
the machine 100 includes two spoil arms 126, one of which is shown
in FIG. 2. The spoil arms 126, 128 are configured to move dirt and
spoil away from the top of the trench 120. Therefore, the spoil
arms 126, 128 prevent dirt and spoil which is cleaned from the
trenching assembly 106 or which is otherwise present at the top of
the trench 120 from falling back into the trench. In addition to
the spoil arm 126 shown in FIG. 2, a second spoil arm may be
located on the opposite side of the machine 100. The second spoil
arm may be symmetrical to the spoil arm 126 shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] As discussed above, preferably, the teeth 110 are mounted to
a center shank ring. Trenching assemblies and wheels of the prior
art include U-shaped buckets. Accordingly, the bucket digs into the
earth and removes a portion of same, which is carried in the bucket
until it falls or is cleaned out of the bucket. The teeth 110 of
the present invention include an improved shape. As shown in FIG.
3, the teeth 110 may include a center support portion 150 and at
least one cutting portion 151, which extends to one or both sides
of the center support portion 150. The teeth 110 are generally an
upside down triangle shape. In the preferred embodiment, the teeth
each may include two cutting portions 151. In addition, the teeth
110 may be offset from the center, which is more clearly shown in
FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the teeth 110 cutting portions 151 may
have a narrow leading edge 152 or a wide leading edge 154.
Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 3, alternating teeth 110 may
alternate with respect to whether the narrow edge 152 or wide edge
154 is located to the right or the left. In the preferred
embodiment, however, the narrow leading edge 152 is generally
centered or nearly centered on the wheel 108, the advantage of
which will be discussed below.
[0034] Both the narrow edge 152 and wide edge 154 of the cutting
portions 151 may be sharp so as to dig into the ground. As
mentioned above, the narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 and wide
edge 154 cutting portion 151 of each tooth 110 may alternate. Such
an arrangement is beneficial for removing larger pieces of earth.
For example, a leading narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 will cut
a groove in the earth. The next tooth will have a wide edge 154
cutting portion 151 where the preceding narrow edge 152 has cut the
groove, thereby spreading the size of the groove. Alternating the
narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 and wide edge 154 cutting
portion 151 results in less friction than using cutting portions
151 of the same size because fewer and smaller cutting edges are
rubbing underneath the dirt. Moreover, the placement of the teeth
110 with respect to the wheel 108 may vary so as to further dig
beside the initially-dug groove and widen the trench that is cut by
the preceding cutting portions 151.
[0035] It is anticipated that the cutting portions may be of any
width and sharpness. Moreover, it is anticipated that there may be
embodiments where the narrow edge 152 and wide edge 154 are in a
different configuration, such as not alternating, without departing
from the scope of the invention. It is anticipated that different
configurations may be advantageous in varying types of soil. For
example, the teeth 110 of the present invention may also be used
with a rock tip, such as a carbide rock tip, which may be
advantageous in rocky soils. In addition, the trenching wheel 108
of FIGS. 1-3 includes a cutout 156 between each tooth 110, as shown
in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, a cutout 156 may only be included
between every third tooth 110. It is anticipated that the latter
configuration may be advantageous in rocky soils, as rocks may
become caught in these cutouts 156. However, it is anticipated that
any configuration may be used without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0036] FIG. 4A provides a side view of an embodiment of a tooth 110
of the present invention. Specifically, the side of the narrow
leading edge 152 is shown. Furthermore, FIG. 4B, provides a side
view of an embodiment of a tooth 110 wherein the wide leading edge
154 is shown. As discussed above, in the preferred embodiment, the
narrow leading edge 152 and wide leading edge 154 alternate left
and right sides of the teeth 110 projected from the center support
portion 150. This configuration is shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, in
the preferred embodiment, the narrow leading edges 152 are located
at or near the center line 158 of the wheel 108. As discussed
above, this configuration presents an improvement over the prior
art and leads to more efficient trenching, allowing a user to dig
trenches faster and trenches which are deeper.
[0037] Returning to FIG. 2, the cutting wheel 108 turns in the
direction of arrow B. Accordingly, as the excavating machine 100
moves forward in the direction of arrow C, a trench 120 is created
behind the machine 100. The plurality of teeth 110 cut into the
dirt and move same from the trench 120. In addition, the shoe
assembly 118 (shown in FIG. 1), including the two side plates 122,
contact the side of the trench 120 immediately after it is dug by
the trenching assembly 106 in order to prevent a cave-in of the
side walls of the trench during use of the excavating machine
100.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trenching machine 100 of the
present invention also includes an improved cleaning assembly 136.
Detail of a preferred embodiment of an improved cleaning assembly
136 is shown in FIGS. 6-8. The cleaning assembly 136 is located
near the front, or lead side, of the wheel 108 (in the direction of
arrow C shown in FIG. 2). Because the cleaning assembly 136 is
located forward and underneath the frame 114, the wheel 108 and
teeth 110 are cleaned prior to the teeth 110 entering the cutting
wheel frame 114. Therefore, spoil does not collect in the frame
114. A side view of the left side of the machine 100 (when facing
the direction of forward travel shown by arrow C of FIG. 2) showing
the left side cleaning assembly 140 is provided in FIG. 6. As
discussed below, it will be appreciated that similar components are
found on the right side of the machine 100.
[0039] The left side cleaning assembly 140 includes a left side or
side cleaning member 142 and a left side front or left front
cleaning member 144. The left side cleaning assembly 140 may be
rigidly attached to the frame 114. Specifically, in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 6, the side cleaning member 142 may be rigidly
attached to the frame 114 using any method known in the art now or
in the future. Alternatively, the cleaning assembly 136, including
the left cleaning assembly 140, need not be rigidly attached to the
frame 114 or attached to the frame 114 at all without departing
from the scope of the invention. For example spring-loaded or
hydraulic powered cleaners may be used without departing from the
scope of the invention. The left side cleaning member 142 may be a
side plate or plate as shown in FIG. 6 which is located in close
proximity to the wheel 108 and which corresponds in shape to the
wheel 108 so as to scrape dirt and spoil off of the wheel.
Furthermore, as a tooth 110 travels through the cleaning assembly
136 the narrow leading edge 152 travels between the left cleaning
assembly 140 and right cleaning assembly 138 (discussed in further
detail below). Therefore, the two cleaning assemblies 138, 140 work
in cooperation to scrape dirt and spoil from the narrow leading
edge 152 cutting portion 151.
[0040] Furthermore, the wide leading edge 154 travels outside of
the cleaning assembly 136. As discussed above, and shown in FIG. 5,
the teeth 100 are offset from the center, and the wide leading edge
154 alternates between being located to the left or right of the
wheel 108 center line 158. Accordingly, the wide leading edge 156
travels outside of the cleaning assembly 136. Depending on whether
the wide leading edge 156 is located to the left or right of the
center line 158, the wide leading edge 156 travels outside of the
respective right cleaning assembly 138 or left cleaning assembly
140. Accordingly, as the two teeth cutting portions 151, which in
the preferred embodiment include a narrow leading edge 154 and wide
leading edge 156 travel on either side of one of the two right 138
and left 140 cleaning assemblies, the cleaning assembly cleans each
tooth 110 between the cutting portions 151. In addition, the teeth
110 are cleaned prior to entering the frame 114. Moreover, the wide
leading edge 156 and wheel 108 are also cleaned prior to entering
the frame 114.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the left side
cleaning member includes a front portion 160 and a back portion
162. The front portion 160 and back portion 162 are at an angle to
each other. Preferably, the back portion 162 is generally parallel
or at a small angle to the rim 112 of the wheel 108 in order to
scrape spoil off of the rim. The front portion 160 is generally
perpendicular to the rim 112 and also the direction of travel of
the machine 100, which is indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2. The left
side front cleaning member 144 may be attached to the frame 114,
left side cleaning member 142, or both. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6, the left side front cleaning member 144 is directly
attached to the left side cleaning member 142. Specifically, the
front cleaning member 144 is located and attached underneath the
left side cleaning member front portion 160 and beside the left
side cleaning member back portion 162. Furthermore, in an alternate
embodiment, the left side cleaning member 142 may be configured so
as to provide the function of the spoil arm 126, which is discussed
in further detail below. For example, the left side cleaning member
142 may be extended down, back, and/or out to the side of the
machine 100 to push the dirt and spoil away from the trench 100. In
such a configuration, the left side cleaning member 142 could
resemble a wing.
[0042] Returning again to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the
cleaning assembly 136 and specifically the left side cleaning
assembly 140 may further include a removable tooth 164, which may
be attached to the bottom of the left side front member 144 and
located at or near the bottom of both the left side front member
144 and left side cleaning member 142. It will be understood that
preferably the tooth 164 is removable, although a non-removable or
permanent tooth may be employed without departing from the scope of
the invention. The tooth 164 may be made of steel or any other
material suitable for the application, which will be understood by
one of skill in the art. The advantage of a removable tooth 164 is
that the tooth 164 may be replaced if necessary, such as due to
damage or wear, without replacing the entire cleaning assembly 136
or respective side cleaning assembly.
[0043] FIG. 7 provides an elevation view of the left side cleaning
assembly 140. Shown are the left side cleaning member 142 and front
cleaning member 144. Both the back portion 162 and front portion
164 of the left side cleaning member 142 may be seen. Also shown is
the left side removable tooth 164. The left cleaning assembly 140
is attached to the frame 114, which is also connected to the
plurality of wheel support members 130. Attached to the wheel
support members 130 are the wheel support rollers 132, about which
the wheel 108 travels. As discussed above, the teeth 110 extend
outside of the wheel 108 from the rim 112 and include a center
support portion 150 and cutting portion 151. Shown is a cutting
portion 151 having a narrow leading edge 152.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates an elevation view of the right side
cleaning assembly 138. In the preferred, illustrated embodiment,
the right cleaning assembly 138 and left cleaning assembly 140 are
symmetrical. Accordingly, the above discussion of the left side
cleaning assembly 140 is relevant to the right side cleaning
assembly 138 and will not be repeated in detail, including
potential alternate embodiments of the machine 100 and/or cleaning
assembly. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art
that the right 138 and left 140 cleaning assemblies need not be
symmetrical. Shown in FIG. 8 is the frame 114 to which the right
side cleaning assembly 138 is preferably rigidly attached. Also
shown is a tooth 110 including a support portion 150 and a cutting
portion 151, which includes a narrow leading edge 152. As discussed
above, the cutting portion 151 could also include a wide leading
edge 154, which would travel outside of the cleaning assembly 138.
The cleaning assembly includes a right side cleaning member 146 and
a right side front cleaning member 148. Furthermore, the right side
cleaning member 146 includes a front portion 166 and back portion
168. The back portion 168 is rigidly connected to the frame 114,
although the cleaning assembly 138 need not be non-rigidly
connected to the frame 114 or not directly connected to the frame
114 at all. Alternatively, the cleaning assembly 138 may be
attached to the frame by any other method known in the art now or
in the future. Further, the frame 114 is connected to the plurality
of wheel support members 130 and wheel support rollers 132 about
which the wheel 108 turns. Moreover, the right cleaning assembly
138 includes a removable tooth 170. The tooth 170 need not be
removable; however, as discussed above, employing a removable tooth
170 has the benefit of ease of repair and replacement.
[0045] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a second embodiment of a cleaning
assembly 172 and specifically the left cleaning assembly 174 of the
second embodiment 172. The right side of the cleaning assembly 172
is preferably symmetrical to the left cleaning assembly 174.
Accordingly, the right side of the cleaning assembly will not be
illustrated or discussed in detail, as the discussion of the left
cleaning assembly 174 is relevant to the right side. However, it
will be understood by one of skill in the art that the left and
right sides need not be symmetrical. The illustrated second
embodiment of the cleaning assembly includes a single left cleaning
plate 176. The left cleaning plate 176 includes a front portion 178
and back portion 180. The front portion 178 is generally
perpendicular to the wheel 108 and direction of travel. The back
portion 180 is generally parallel or at a small angle to the wheel
108 so as to clean same, such as by scraping the dirt and spoil off
the wheel 108. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that
the left cleaning plate 176 may be at any angle to the wheel 108
that allows the wheel 108 to be cleaned. Furthermore, one of skill
in the art will recognize that the left cleaning plate 176 need not
include multiple portions and may be configured in any arrangement
which results in removing at least a portion of the dirt and spoil
from the wheel 108.
[0046] Also shown is the frame 114 to which the cleaning assembly
172, including the left cleaning plate 176, is preferably attached,
as well a wheel support roller 132 about which the wheel 108 turns.
Further included is a tooth 110, which is attached to the rim 112
of the wheel 108. The tooth 110 includes a center support portion
150 and two cutting portions 151. The tooth includes both a narrow
leading edge 152 cutting portion and a wide leading edge 154
cutting portion.
[0047] The preferred embodiment of the excavating machine 100 also
includes a pair of spoil arms. FIG. 11 provides a view of the left
spoil arm 126. It will be understood by one of skill in the art
that, in the preferred embodiment, the right spoil arm is
symmetrical to the left spoil arm 126. Accordingly, it will not be
shown or discussed in detail. However, it will also be understood
by one of skill in the art that the right and left spoil arms need
not by symmetrical. The spoil arm 126, which may also be seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2, push spoil away from the top of the trench 120,
including spoil which has been removed by the cleaning assembly 136
or 172. Accordingly, cleaned spoil does not fall back into the
trench 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the spoil arm 126 is a
foldable arm that includes at least a portion which is generally at
an angle to the wheel 108 so as to push spoil out and away from the
top of the trench 120. As one of skill in the art will recognize,
the spoil arm 126 may be any shape, size, or assembly that serves
the purpose of pushing soil away from the top of the trench 120.
For example, in an alternative embodiment, hinged assemblies could
be used, such as those having a general shape of a less than sign
(">"). In another embodiment, the spoil arm 126 may be rigid
rather than foldable or hinged, such as by a rigid connection to
the frame 114. In addition, it is anticipated that the cleaning
assembly 136 or 172 could be used with an auger or conveyer (not
shown) to move dirt out of the machine 100 and away from the trench
120. The spoil arm 126 may be connected to the frame 114, such as
by a rotatable connection 186. Accordingly, the spoil arm 126 may
be located in a lowered position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 11
or a raised position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 11.
[0048] By utilizing the improved teeth 110 and placing a positive
cleaner at the front of the cutting wheel 108 and frame 114, the
trenching machine 100 herein disclosed provides a means for digging
deeper trenches and for digging trenches faster than prior art
trenching machines. For example, in one embodiment, a four foot
trench may be dug at a rate of 75-100 feet per minute or faster.
Machines of the prior art generally dig a 4 feet deep trench at 50
feet per minute if even capable of digging a trench deeper than 3
feet. Moreover, trenches six feet deep may be dug.
[0049] Although various representative embodiments of this
invention have been described above with a certain degree of
particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous
alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the
spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the
specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached,
adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include
intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative
movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not
necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in
fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies
directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and
operations are described in one possible order of operation, but
those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations
may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is
intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure
may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
[0050] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives,
modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial
equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently
foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary
skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order
does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the
method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth
above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons
skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form
and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all
known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations,
improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.
* * * * *