Compact machine for trenching and for installing cable, wire, tubing, and the like

• US 6,651,361 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Burroughs Sprayer MFG Inc., E-Z Trench Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jerome C Burroughs, Roger D. Porter
• Inventors: Porter, Roger D., Burroughs, Jerome C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US09/965,978
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 373/47, 373/52--62, 37/91--97, 172/15, 172/16, 172/17, 172/42, 172/43, 172/125
• US Class Current: 37/355
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/241 digging wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/08 with digging wheels turning round an axis E02F5/109 takes precedence; with digging wheels per se E02F3/18
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/12 with equipment for back-filling trenches or ditches

Abstract

A combination machine for trenching, for forming the edge of a bed, and for laying and burying tubing, cable, piping, and the like. The machine includes steerable caster wheels mounted on the rear of the machine which, together with a single front wheel, allow for a tight turning radius when using the machine. The machine also includes a blade height adjustment which allows for the trenching or edging blade depth to be readily adjusted in a substantially infinite variation. Other aspects of the present invention include an edging machine and a trenching machine, both being of a compact design. Both include an extendable handle which, in a preferred embodiment retracts or folds to allow for the volume of space occupied by the machines to be minimized, preferably, to the extent that either of such machines can typically be carried in a trunk of a standard automobile.

Claims

1. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising;

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench; and

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended Position, and ;

upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the height of said machine is significantly reduced.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said handle includes a second portion; and

further comprising;

a hinge connected to both said first and second portions for allowing said movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position; and

a locking member for locking said first portion of said handle in said retracted position and in said extended position.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said handle includes a second portion; and

further comprising;

a hinge connected to both said first and second portions for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position; and

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said handle includes a second portion; and

further comprising;

a hinge connected to both said first and second portions for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position; and

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position and for holding said first portion in a generally horizontal position.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position, such that upon said first portion of said handle being in said retracted position, each of the length, width, and height dimensions of said machine is less than 33 inches.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position, such that upon said handle being in said retracted position, the volume occupied by said machine is less than 10 cubic feet.

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position, such that upon said handle being in said retracted position, the length dimension of said machine is less than 32 inches.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position, such that upon said handle being in said retracted position the width dimension of said machine is less than 26 inches.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a hinge for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position, such that upon said handle being in said retracted position the height dimension of said machine is less than 20 inches.

11. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the length, width, and height dimensions of said machine is less than 33 inches.

12. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising locking means for selectively locking said handle in at least one of said extended and retracted positions.

13. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two of said wheels are caster wheels.

14. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position, said frame including a forward portion and a rearward portion;

an arm connected to said forward portion of said frame;

a front wheel connected to said arm; and

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil, and trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench.

15. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade; and

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position, said frame including a forward portion and a rearward portion;

an arm pivotally connected to said forward portion of said frame;

a front wheel connected to said arm;

said arm including an outwardly extending handle for use in carrying said machine; and

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil and trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench.

16. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade; and

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position, said frame including a forward portion and a rearward portion;

an arm pivotally connected to said forward portion of said frame;

a front wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil and a trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench; and

a lock for selectively locking said arm in at least one of said transport and trenching positions.

17. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade; and

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position, including a forward portion and a rearward portion;

an arm connected to said forward portion of said frame;

a front wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil and trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench; and

a spring-biased locking pin for selectively locking said arm in at least one of said transport and trenching positions.

18. A trenching machine, comprising:

a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion;

a motor connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

a handle connected to said frame, said handle including a first portion and a second portion;

a hinge connected to both said first and second portions for allowing said movement of said handle between a retracted position and an extended position;

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position;

a lock for selectively locking said handle in said extended and retracted positions;

an arm pivotally connected to said forward portion of said frame;

a wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil and a trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench;

a spring-biased locking pin for selectively locking said arm in at least one of said transport and trenching positions; and

each of the length, width, and height dimensions of said machine being less than 33 inches upon said handle being in said retracted position.

19. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, the machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade, and said trenching blade being operable to dig a trench in soil when the machine is moved rearwardly;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle including a first portion and a second portion;

a pivotal connector connected to both said first and second portions for allowing said movement of said first portion between a retracted position an extended position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the height of said machine is significantly reduced;

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position; and

locking means for selectively locking said handle in at least one of said extended and retracted positions.

20. A machine as defined in claim 19, wherein said first portion is of greater length than said second portion.

21. A machine for digging a trench in the soil and for laying elongated material therein, the machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a handle connected to said frame, said handle being configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade, and said trenching blade being operable to dig a trench in soil when the machine is moved rearwardly;

an arm connected to said frame;

a front wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being movable between a transport position for holding said trenching blade generally above the surface of the soil, and trenching position for causing said trenching blade to be engaged with the soil for forming a trench;

a holder connected to said frame for holding the elongated material;

a guide connected to the frame for guiding the elongated material into the ground; and

a delivery chute associated with said trenching blade for delivering soil to a trench dug by said trenching blade to backfill the trench and bury the elongated material.

22. A machine as defined in claim 21, further comprising a foot member connected to said guide.

23. A machine as defined in claim 21, further comprising a foot member connected to said guide, and wherein said foot member is pivotally attached to said delivery chute.

24. A machine as defined in claim 21, further comprising a spool holder for supporting a spool of the elongated material.

25. A machine as defined in claim 21, wherein each of the length, width, and height dimensions of said machine is less than 33 inches, upon said handle being in said retracted position.

26. A machine as defined in claim 21, wherein the volume occupied by said machine is less than 10 cubic feet, upon said handle being in said retracted position.

27. A machine as defined in claim 21, wherein each of the length, width, and height dimensions of said machine is less than 33 inches, upon said handle being in said retracted position.

28. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, the machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a handle connected to said frame, said handle being configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade, and said trenching blade being operable to dig a trench in soil when the machine is moved rearwardly;

a holder connected to said frame for holding the elongated material;

a guide connected to the frame for guiding the elongated material into the ground;

a delivery chute associated with said trenching blade for delivering soil to a trench dug by said trenching blade to backfill the trench and bury the elongated material;

said handle including a first portion and a second portion;

a hinge connected to both said first and second portions for allowing said movement of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position; and

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position and for holding said first portion in a generally horizontal position.

29. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, the machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench;

a handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion movable between an extended position and a folded position, wherein said first portion of said handle is folded over and above said frame;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said folded position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said folded position, the height of said machine is significantly reduced; and

a lock for selectively locking said handle in said extended and folded positions.

30. A machine for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

means for directing soil removed from the ground by said trenching blade outside of the open trench; and

a handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion movable between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the effective height of said machine is significantly reduced.

31. A machine for digging a trench in the soil and for laying elongated material therein, the machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade, and said trenching blade being operable to dig a trench in soil when the machine is moved rearwardly;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the effective height of said machine is significantly reduced;

a holder connected to said frame for holding the elongated material;

a guide connected to the frame for guiding the elongated material into the ground;

a delivery chute associated with said trenching blade for delivering soil to a trench dug by said trenching blade to backfill the trench and bury the elongated material; and

a receiver connected to said frame for receiving said first portion of said handle when said handle is in said retracted position and for holding said first portion in a generally horizontal position.

32. A machine for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench, said machine comprising:

a frame having a generally longitudinally extending frame portion;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade having carbide cutting members configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

means for directing soil removed from the ground by said trenching blade outside of the open trench; and

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height, said second height being substantially less than said first height, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the effective height of said machine is significantly reduced.

33. A machine for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench, said machine comprising:

a frame having a generally longitudinally extending frame portion;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

means for directing soil removed from the ground by said trenching blade outside of the open trench;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position, wherein said first portion of said handle extends generally parallel to and adjacent to said second handle member.

34. A method for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench, said machine comprising:

providing an earth working machine having a frame with a frame portion, a motor, and wheels connected to said frame;

providing an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position;

moving said first portion of said handle to said extended position in order to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade;

providing said earth working machine with a trenching blade;

moving said earth working machine by applying force to said first handle member while said first handle member is in said extended position;

rotating said trenching blade with said motor to remove soil from the ground to form an open trench;

directing said soil removed from the ground by said trenching blade to a location outside of said open trench; and

moving said first portion of said handle to said retracted position, wherein said first portion has an extreme end extending to a first height upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being moved to said retracted position, said extreme end extends to a second height substantially less than said first height, such that the effective height of said earth working machine is significantly reduced.

35. The method as defined in claim 34, further comprising, after said first portion of said handle is moved to said retracted position, lifting of the machine off of the ground and transporting the machine by grasping said first portion of said handle.

36. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position;

said first portion having an extreme end extending to a first height and said machine having a first overall length upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said extreme end of said first portion extends to a second height and said machine has a second overall length;

said second height being substantially less than said first height and said second overall length being substantially less than said first overall length, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the effective height and overall length of said machine are significantly reduced.

37. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a first portion configured for moving between an extended position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position, and an extended a retracted position, wherein said first portion of said handle is configured to be inoperable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade; and

said machine having a first overall length upon said first portion being in said extended position, and upon said first portion being in said retracted position, said machine has a second overall length;

said second overall length being substantially less than said first overall length, such that upon said first portion being in said retracted position, the effective overall length of said machine is significantly reduced.

38. A machine for digging a trench in the soil, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a motor and wheels connected to said frame;

a trenching blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said trenching blade;

said trenching blade being configured for removing soil from the ground to form an open trench and for depositing the removed soil outside of the open trench;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle having a lower portion connected said frame and an upper portion;

said upper portion being connected to said lower portion for movement with respect to said lower portion between an extended position, wherein said upper portion of said handle is configured to be operable for use in moving said frame for digging a trench with said trenching blade, and a retracted position; and

said machine having a first overall height and a first overall length upon said upper portion being in said extended position; and

upon said upper portion being in said retracted position, said machine has a second overall height and a second overall length;

said second overall height being substantially less than said first overall height And said second overall length being substantially less than said first overall length, such that upon said upper portion being in said retracted position, said second overall height of said machine is less than 33 inches and said second overall length of said machine is less than 32 inches.