Compact bed edging machine

• US 7,096,970 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PECHHOLD, ALEXANDRA K
• Application Number:
  US11/063,256
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 172/15, 172/16, 172/17, 172/42, 172/43, 172/120, 172/123, 172/749, 172/108, 172/118, 172/125, 371/425, 37/94, 37D/IG.8, 405/174, 405/179, 405/180, 405/181, 56/127, 302/76, 30D/IG.5
• US Class Current: 172/42
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 33/028 of the walk-behind type walk-type tractors B62D51/04
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 33/16 with special additional arrangements A01B49/00 takes precedence; for sowing or fertilising A01B49/06
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 3/062 Motor-driven edge trimmers
• 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 5/10 with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables laying pipes per se F16L1/00, making pipes in situ F16L1/038; laying electric cables per se H02G1/06; drainage device- laying apparatus E02B11/02
• 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. An earth working machine, comprising:

a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion;

a motor connected to said frame;

an earth working blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said earth working blade;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being of greater length than said second portion and configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position;

a hinge configured for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position;

said first portion of said handle being configured to be in a generally horizontal position upon said handle being in said retracted position;

said first portion of said handle 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 first portion extending 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 lock for selectively locking said handle in said extended and retracted positions;

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

at least one wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being configured to be movable between a transport position wherein said earth working blade is generally above the surface of the soil and an earth working position wherein said earth working blade is engaged with the soil for working the soil; and

a locking pin for selectively locking said arm in at least one of said transport and earth working positions.

2. A soil bed edge forming machine, comprising:

a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion;

a motor connected to said frame;

a soil bed edge forming blade;

said motor being drivingly connected to said soil bed edge forming blade;

an elongated handle connected to said frame, said handle including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being of greater length than said second portion and being configured for moving between a retracted position and an extended position;

a hinge configured for allowing pivotal movement of said first portion of said handle between said retracted position and said extended position;

said first portion of said handle being configured to be in a generally horizontal position upon said handle being in said retracted position;

said first portion of said handle 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 first portion extending 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 lock for selectively locking said handle in said extended and retracted positions;

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

at least one wheel connected to said arm;

said arm being configured to be movable between a transport position wherein said soil bed edge forming blade is generally above the surface of the soil and a soil bed edge forming position wherein said soil bed edge forming blade is engaged with the soil for forming a soil bed edge; and

a locking pin for selectively locking said arm in at least one of said transport and soil bed edge forming positions.