Bi-directional surface leveling system

• US 6,168,348 B1
• Filed: 01/16/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southern Laser, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Southern Laser, Inc.
• Inventors: Crowley, Robert W., Schroeder, Dana E., Meyer, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis, Eileen D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADDIE, RAYMOND W
• Application Number:
  US09/008,226
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 404/84.1, 404/90, 404/118, 172/437, 172/449, 172/799.5, 172/439, 342/357, 371/175
• US Class Current: 404/90
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7663 Graders with the scraper blade mounted under a frame supported by wheels, or the like

Abstract

A bi-directional surface leveling system comprises a chassis attachable to a motion source and having a hitch, a grader frame pivotably connected to the hitch and supporting a box grader, and a forward frame pivotably attached to the grader frame and having a caster wheel for supporting the chassis. The box grader holds a bi-directional earth grading tool. Also included is a damping assembly attached to the hitch to dampen upward movement of the grader frame. A powered assembly is pivotably connected at one end to the forward frame and at the opposing end to the grader frame, and a control unit connected to the power assembly selectively extends and retracts the power assembly.

Claims

1. A surface leveling system for grading earth and urged by a motion source, comprising:

a chassis comprising

a rear support configured for attachment to said motion source,

a forward frame attached to a wheel,

a grader frame disposed between said rear support and said forward frame, said grader frame pivotably connected to said forward frame,

a middle support extending from said grader frame and fixedly connected to said grader frame,

a torque member extending above said grader frame and fixedly attached to said grader frame, and

at least one upper link and one lower link substantially parallel to one another and each said links separately pivotably attached to both said rear support and to said middle support;

a dampening assembly having upper and lower distal ends and disposed between said rear and middle supports, said upper distal end pivotably connected to said upper link adjacent said middle support, and said lower distal end pivotably connected to said rear support, said dampening assembly damping upwards and downwards movement of said grader frame;

a box grader supported by said grader frame, said box grader including;

a bi-directional earth grading tool, said bi-directional earth grading tool having a first soil grading surface facing in a first grading direction for grading in said first direction and a second soil grading surface facing in a second grading direction for grading in said second direction, said first grading direction opposite said second grading direction, and

a pair of end plates, said bi-directional earth grading tool centrally and perpendicularly mounted to each said end plates, said end plates and said bi-directional tool defining a cavity on each side of said bi-directional earth grading tool, each of said cavities configured for collecting soil during grading;

a piston pivotably connected to said forward frame and to said torque member whereby motion of said piston adjusts a distance of said grader frame and said earth grading tool relative to ground; and

,

a control unit for controlling the motion of said piston, said control unit attached to said chassis.

2. A surface leveling system according to claim 1, wherein said opposing soil grading surfaces form a single elongated blade member.

3. A surface leveling system according to claim 2, wherein each of said surfaces has a grading edge at its lowest point;

and,

said surfaces have a transverse cross section such that they are spaced at said grading edges, and taper together upwards.

4. A bi-directional surface leveling system for grading earth and urged by a motion source, comprising:

a chassis configured for attached to the motion source; and

,

a box grader supported by said chassis, said box grader including;

a bi-directional earth grading tool configured for grading soil in two opposing directions without adjustment, said bi-directional earth grading tool having a first soil grading surface facing in a first grading direction for grading in said first direction and a second soil grading surface facing in a second grading direction for grading in said second direction, said first grading direction opposite said second grading direction, and

a pair of end plates, said bi-directional earth grading tool centrally and perpendicularly mounted to each said end plates, said end plates and said bi-directional earth grading tool defining a cavity on each of side of said bi-directional earth grading tool, each of said cavities configured for collecting soil during grading.

5. A bi-directional surface leveling system according to claim 4, wherein said chassis comprises:

a hitch,

a grader frame pivotably connected to said hitch and supporting said box grader, and

a forward frame pivotably attached to said grader frame and having at least one wheel for supporting said forward frame; and

,

said leveling system further comprising

a dampening assembly attached to said hitch, said assembly damping upwards and downwards movement of said grader frame;

a powered means connected to said forward frame and to said grader frame for urging said grader frame upward; and

,

a control unit connected to said powered means for selectively controlling movement of said grader frame relative to a surface to be graded.