Apparatus for spreading aggregate material on a road berm

• US 20050084331A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Berm Master, LLC
• Original Assignee: Norman L. Cochran
• Inventors: Cochran, Norman L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,966,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/108
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/15 for laying-down uncoated stone or similar materials, or for striking-off or spreading same without compacting, e.g. for crushed rock base courses, sand cushions for paving E01C19/466 , E01C19/52 take precedence; distributing E01C19/20; laying down and rolling E01C19/482
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/003 Upkeep of road sides along the pavement, for instance cleaning devices particularly for side strips control of undesirable vegetation E01H11/00; mowers for embankments A01D34/86; soil working E02F; trimming pavement edges E01C23/09

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for spreading aggregate material on ground. The apparatus includes a body 12, an engine 14 carried by the body, motive structure 18 powered by the engine to move the apparatus along the ground. A hopper 20 is associated with the body and is constructed and arranged to receive aggregate material from a source of aggregate material. Dispensing structure 24, associated with the hopper, is constructed and arranged to dispense aggregate material from the hopper to the ground. Wheel structure 30, carried by the body, is constructed and arranged to be movable between an inoperative position, wherein the motive structure is in a ground engaging position and the wheel structure is in a position so as not to engage the ground, and an operative position, wherein the wheel structure is in a ground engaging position and the motive structure is in a position so as not to engage the ground. A hitch structure 32, carried by the body, is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle so that the apparatus can be towed by the vehicle when the wheel structure is in the operative position thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for spreading aggregate material on ground, the apparatus comprising:

a body,

an engine carried by the body,

motive structure powered by the engine to move the apparatus along the ground,

a hopper, associated with the body, constructed and arranged to receive aggregate material from a source of aggregate material,

dispensing structure, associated with the hopper, constructed and arranged to dispense aggregate material from the hopper to the ground,

non-driving wheel structure, carried by the body, constructed and arranged to be movable between an inoperative position, wherein the motive structure is in a ground engaging position and the wheel structure is in a position so as not to engage the ground, and an operative position, wherein the wheel structure is in a ground engaging position and the motive structure is in a position so as not to engage the ground,

a hitch structure, carried by the body, constructed and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle so that the apparatus can be towed by the vehicle when the wheel structure is in the operative position thereof, and

at least one lift jack constructed and arranged to lift a portion of the body with respect to the around to enable the hitch structure to be in a position to be coupled with a vehicle for towing of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a hydraulic system constructed and arranged to supply power from the engine to the motive structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motive structure includes a pair of steerable tracks disposed in spaced relation with respect to the body and arranged to move the apparatus in an advancing direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dispensing structure is a conveyor arranged to dispense aggregate material in a direction transverse with respect to the advancing direction.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wheel structure includes at least a pair of wheels that enables the apparatus to move in a towing direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tracks and wheels are arranged such that the advancing direction is transverse with respect to the towing direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch structure includes an arm, the arm being adjustably retractable with respect to the body.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a powered broom structure, carried by the body, constructed and arranged to sweep aggregate material on the ground.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of aggregate material is a dump truck and the apparatus includes push rollers constructed and arranged to engage tires of the dump truck so that the apparatus pushes the dump truck while dispensing aggregate material.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a hydraulic actuator operatively associated with the wheel structure and controlled by the hydraulic system to move the wheel structure between the operative and inoperative positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable guide associated with the dispensing structure for controlling dispensing of the aggregate material.

12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus for spreading aggregate material on ground, the apparatus comprising:

a body,

an engine carried by the body,

means, powered by the engine, for moving the apparatus along the ground,

a hopper, associated with the body, constructed and arranged to receive aggregate material from a source of aggregate material,

means, associated with the hopper, for dispensing aggregate material from the hopper to the ground,

non-driving means, carried by the body, for supporting the body for towing, the means for supporting being constructed and arranged to be movable between an inoperative position, wherein the means for moving is in a ground engaging position and the means for supporting is in a position so as not to engage the ground, and an operative position, wherein the means for supporting is in a ground engaging position and the means for moving is in a position so as not to engage the ground,

a hitch structure, carried by the body, constructed and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle so that the apparatus can be towed by the vehicle when the means for supporting is in the operative position thereof, and

at least one lift jack constructed and arranged to lift a portion of the body with respect to the ground to enable the hitch structure to be in a position to be coupled with a vehicle for towing the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further including a hydraulic system for supplying power from the engine to the means for moving.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for moving includes a pair of steerable tracks disposed in spaced relation with respect to the body and arranged to move the apparatus in an advancing direction, the tracks being powered by the hydraulic system.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for dispensing is arranged to dispense aggregate material in a direction transverse with respect to the advancing direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for supporting includes at least a pair of wheels that enables the apparatus to move in a towing direction.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tracks and wheels are arranged such that the advancing direction is transverse with respect to the towing direction.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hitch structure includes an arm, the arm being adjustably retractable with respect to the body.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a powered broom structure, carried by the body, constructed and arranged to sweep aggregate material on the ground.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the source of aggregate material is a dump truck and the apparatus includes push rollers constructed and arranged to engage tires of the dump truck so that the apparatus pushes the dump truck while dispensing aggregate material.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a hydraulic actuator operatively associated with the means for supporting and controlled by the hydraulic system to move the means for supporting between the operative and inoperative positions.

23. (canceled)