Trench Filling Machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A trench filling machine, comprising:
- a frame;
a motive means for moving the frame;
a tub supported on the frame;
a release assembly;
the release assembly disposed on the tub and comprising a spout and a door;
a hopper supported on the frame and positioned below the release assembly; and
a discharge conduit disposed on the hopper to feed material into a trench.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a machine for filling a trench. The machine comprises a tub, release assembly, and a hopper. The tub mixes a material to be filled into the trench. The release assembly releases the material into the hopper and the material flows from the hopper and into the trench. The machine moves parallel to the trench as the trench is being filled. An operator controls the movement of the machine from an operator station on the machine.
50 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A trench filling machine, comprising:
-
a frame; a motive means for moving the frame; a tub supported on the frame; a release assembly;
the release assembly disposed on the tub and comprising a spout and a door;a hopper supported on the frame and positioned below the release assembly; and a discharge conduit disposed on the hopper to feed material into a trench. - View Dependent Claims (3, 7, 8, 10)
-
-
2. The trench filling machine of claim I further comprising an operator station comprising controls supported on the frame.
-
4. The trench filling machine of claim I wherein the release assembly comprises:
-
a gate plate attached to a first end of the tub; a horizontal link pivotally connected at a first end to the gate plate; and a vertical link connected to a second end of the horizontal link; and wherein the horizontal link and the vertical link are connected to the door. - View Dependent Claims (5)
-
-
6. The trench filling machine of claim I wherein the release assembly releases a material into the hopper via upward movement of the door.
-
9. The trench filling machine of claim I wherein the hopper funnels a material received from the tub.
-
11. A release assembly for use with a trench filling machine, the trench filling machine comprising a tub and a hopper, the release assembly comprising:
-
a gate plate attached to a first end of the tub; a horizontal link pivotally connected at a first end to the gate plate; a vertical link connected to a second end of the horizontal link; a door, wherein the door is movable up and down via movement of the horizontal and the vertical link; and a spout. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for filling a trench using a trench filling machine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
mixing a material within a tub using a plurality of blades connected to a shaft; positioning the trench filling machine parallel to the trench, wherein a hopper comprising a discharge conduit connected to the trench filling machine is placed above the trench; lowering the hopper so a portion of the discharge conduit is placed within the trench; lifting a door on a release assembly connected to the tub to release the material from the tub into the hopper; vibrating the hopper so the materials flow from the hopper through the discharge conduit and into the trench. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification