Self propelled backfilling apparatus

• US 6,763,925 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Woods
• Original Assignee: James Woods
• Inventors: Woods, James
• Primary Examiner(s): VALENZA, JOSEPH E
• Application Number:
  US09/978,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20020060125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 198/311, 198/313-315, 198/535, 198/536, 198/544, 198/547, 198/550.2, 198/569, 198/565, 414/488, 414/489, 414/503, 414/505, 414/523, 414/528, 414/469, 405/179
• US Class Current: 198/311
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/0408 by relatively moving an endless feeding means B65G69/0458 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/0441 with chutes, deflector means or channels B65G69/0458 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/223 for back-filling in association with trench excavators E02F5/12
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 7/02 Conveying equipment mounted on a dredger conveyors in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 7/04 Loading devices mounted on a dredger or an excavator loading devices in general B65G hopper dredgers, also equipment for unloading the hopper
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 7/06 Delivery chutes or screening plants or mixing plants mounted on dredgers or excavators for back-filling E02F5/226 takes precedence; separating equipment in general B03; delivery chutes in general B65G

Abstract

A self propelled vehicle for transport and placement of an onboard supply of fill material in an onboard hopper. The hopper is connected to said vehicle at a point operatively positioned to discharge fill material placed therein on a conveyor belt mounted to a support structure. The fill material is deposited on the conveyor at a receiving and discharged at the distal end of the conveyor either directly or via a flow director attached to the distal end attached thereto. The flow director bifurcates the stream of fill material allowing the operator to place more or less of the fill in two streams using a plurality of independently adjustable channeling ramps. The hopper is optionally adjustable from an angle normal to the vehicle to allow for adjustment in the vehicle center of gravity on grades. The flow director can also be configured for attachment to existing conveyors to increase their utility or used as part of the entire self propelled device in a single unit. Optionally, the distal end of the conveyor may be elevated or lowered for proper positioning.

Claims

1. A vehicle for transport and placement of an on board supply of fill material, comprising:

a hopper connected to a chassis of said vehicle at an attachment point, said attachment point at a center section of said chassis between a front and rear of said chassis, said hopper having discharge aperture operatively positioned to discharge a stream of fill material contained in said hopper, onto a conveyor;

means for tilting said hopper about said attachment point between a rearward angle substantially toward said rear of said chassis and a forward angle substantially toward said front of said chassis thereby providing a means for adjusting the center of gravity of said vehicle;

said conveyor having a support structure attached to said chassis, a conveyor belt, a receiving end adjacent to said hopper, a distal end opposite said receiving end, a means for powering rotation of said belt; and

whereby said stream of fill material transported by said conveyor from said hopper may be adjustably deposited onto a selected target position by repositioning said distal end.

2. The vehicle for transport and placement of an on board supply of fill material of claim 1 wherein said conveyor is telescopic.

3. The vehicle for transport and placement of an on board supply of fill material of claim 1 wherein said means for tilting said hopper about said attachment point thereby providing said means for adjustment of the center of gravity of said vehicle comprises:

said hopper rotationally attached at said attachment point to said vehicle using an axil; and

means for rotation of said hopper on said axil whereby said fill hopper may be tilted by remote control between said rearward angle and said forward angle.

4. The vehicle for transport and placement of an on board supply of fill material of claim 1 additionally comprising:

means for adjustment of the elevation of the distal end.

5. The vehicle for transport and placement of an on board SU supply of fill material of claim 2 additionally comprising:

means for adjustment of the elevation of the distal end.

6. The vehicle for transport and placement of an on board supply of fill material of claim 3 additionally comprising:

means for adjustment of the elevation of the distal end.