Implement and method for preparing and maintaining dirt arena footing
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a frame configured for towing behind a vehicle, the frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length;
first and second ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame, the ground contacting wheels supporting the frame at a height above a ground surface with the ground contacting wheels in contact with the ground surface;
a tool support pivotably coupled with the frame; and
a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the tool support, the cleaving blade extending over a length from a front edge to a rear edge, extending over a height from an upper surface to a lower surface, and extending over a width along the width of the frame, wherein the length of the cleaving blade is greater than the height of the cleaving blade and the width of the cleaving blade is greater than the length of the cleaving blade;
wherein, when the ground contacting wheels are in contact with a ground surface, the tool support is pivotable relative to the frame to a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground surface and to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned at a depth below the ground surface and the upper surface is parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame;
wherein the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface is variable by adjusting the position of the cleaving blade relative to the tool support while the tool support is in the first position; and
wherein the tool support is further pivotable to a third position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned below the ground surface and the angle of the upper surface of the cleaving blade relative to the ground surface is varied relative to the second position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implement is disclosed for smoothing grounds that include at least a compact base having a top surface and a lesser compact footing on top of the base. The implement includes a frame having a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion, and a width. Wheels are mounted for rotation directly to the frame, and tools are carried by the frame for engagement with the ground. The tools include a specially shaped cleaving blade connected to the rear portion of the frame by a tool support, which securely connects the cleaving blade at predetermined heights. The blade has a front shaving edge and a rear compressing edge. The blade extends straight across the width of the frame so as to maximize the drag displaced on the frame during use of the blade. Arrangement of the wheels directly on the frame provides optimal stabilization of the frame during operation of the blade.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
a frame configured for towing behind a vehicle, the frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length; first and second ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame, the ground contacting wheels supporting the frame at a height above a ground surface with the ground contacting wheels in contact with the ground surface; a tool support pivotably coupled with the frame; and a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the tool support, the cleaving blade extending over a length from a front edge to a rear edge, extending over a height from an upper surface to a lower surface, and extending over a width along the width of the frame, wherein the length of the cleaving blade is greater than the height of the cleaving blade and the width of the cleaving blade is greater than the length of the cleaving blade; wherein, when the ground contacting wheels are in contact with a ground surface, the tool support is pivotable relative to the frame to a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground surface and to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned at a depth below the ground surface and the upper surface is parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame; wherein the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface is variable by adjusting the position of the cleaving blade relative to the tool support while the tool support is in the first position; and wherein the tool support is further pivotable to a third position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned below the ground surface and the angle of the upper surface of the cleaving blade relative to the ground surface is varied relative to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method comprising:
-
positioning a ground working apparatus on an area of ground to be worked, the apparatus including a frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length, a plurality of ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame, a tool support pivotably coupled with the frame, and a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the tool support, the cleaving blade including a shaving edge and a compressing edge extending along the width of the frame, a length extending from the shaving edge to the compressing edge, a width extending along the width of the frame, and a height extending from an upper surface to a lower surface, the width being greater than the length, and the height being less than the width and the length; selecting a position of the cleaving blade relative to the tool support; pivoting the tool support from a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned below the ground with the upper surface facing upward toward the frame and being parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame, and the lower surface facing downward away from the frame; and moving the apparatus along the area of ground to be worked; wherein during the act of moving, the shaving edge shaves a portion of the ground which passes over the cleaving blade and the compressing edge compresses a portion of the ground which has passed under the shaving edge. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A ground working apparatus comprising:
-
a frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length; first and second ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame; and a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the frame, the cleaving blade including a length, a width greater than the length and extending along the width of the frame, a thickness less than the length and less than the width, a first surface extending along the length and along the width, and a second surface extending along the length and along the width, the angle of the cleaving blade relative to the frame and the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame both being adjustable; wherein, when the ground contacting wheels are in contact with a ground surface, the cleaving blade is adjustable relative to the frame to a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground surface and to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned at a depth below the ground surface and at an angle such that the first surface faces upward toward the frame and is parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame, and the second surface faces downward away from the frame; wherein the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface and the angle of the cleaving blade relative to ground surface are variable by adjusting the angle of the cleaving blade relative to the frame and the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification