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Digging and backfill apparatus

  • US 10,443,210 B2
  • Filed: 11/13/2017
  • Issued: 10/15/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A mobile digging and backfill system for collecting backfill material into a backfill reservoir, comprising:

  • a mobile chassis having a front end, an opposite back end, a first side, an opposite second side, and a plurality of wheels attached to the first side and the second side;

    a collection tank mounted to the mobile chassis and defining an interior thereof;

    a tool defining an interior passage therethrough having an opening at an end thereof in fluid communication with the interior passage;

    a backfill reservoir mounted to the mobile chassis and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and defining an interior thereof;

    a pneumatic connection in fluid communication with the interior of the collection tank and in selective fluid communication with the interior of the backfill reservoir and the interior passage of the tool so thatin a first state, the pneumatic connection fluidly communicates the interior of the collection tank with the interior of the backfill reservoir and,in a second state, the pneumatic connection fluidly communicates the interior of the collection tank with the interior passage and not with the interior of the backfill reservoir; and

    a vacuum pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the collection tank so that, when the pneumatic connection is in the first state, operation of the vacuum pump draws an air stream through an inlet of the backfill reservoir and into the interior of the backfill reservoir and, when the pneumatic connection is in the second state, operation of the vacuum pump draws an air stream through the interior passage.

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