CA3006119C - Land leveling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle, comprising a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge, and a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment; the apparatus further comprises a flexible connector connecting the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

Description

LAND LEVELING APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to earth moving equipment and more particularly to improvements in land leveling apparatuses.
BACKGROUND

[0002] The land leveling apparatuses are commonly used, in particular in the agriculture sector, to level the ground by removing tussocks and holes of the ground and/or by settling different slopes in the ground. It is indeed important to avoid any significant depression in the ground and to have properly leveled grounds so as to ensure an efficient drainage and thus a satisfying growth of the crops. Such land leveling apparatuses can also be used in the construction sector, so as to transport and level the ground.

[0003] Such appar'atuses, also known as land levelers or ground levelers, are towed by a motorized vehicle, such as a farm tractor or a truck, so as to go all over the field to be levelled. However it has been noticed that when the land leveling apparatus is towed at a relatively high speed (for instance for a speed greater than about 10 km/h), it will start vibrating and resonating, and will "duck walk" or hop, thus jeopardizing the quality of the leveling.

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a land leveling apparatus which would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the above mentioned issues.

[0006] According to a general aspect, there is provided a land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge. The File No. 18580-3 - 1 -land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, and a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end. The land leveling apparatus also comprises a flexible connector connecting the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0007] According to another general aspect, there is provided a land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge.
The land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, and a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end. The rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment being flexibly connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereunder.

[0009] According to an aspect, there is provided a land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge. The land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment. The land leveling apparatus further comprises a flexible connector connecting the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.
File No. 18580-3 - 2 -

[0010] According to an aspect, the flexible connector defines a pivoting axis between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0011] According to another aspect, the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a first branch and a second branch, the first and second branches extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment towards the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and being spaced-apart from one another at a junction with the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0012] According to another aspect, the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a transversal branch extending between the first and second branches to define a substantially A-shape.

[0013] According to another aspect, the flexible connector comprises first and second flexible connectors connecting respectively the first and second branches to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0014] According to another aspect, the flexible connector comprises first and second pairs of connecting plates extending upwardly from the upper edge of the elongated blade segment; each one of the first and second branches have a rearward end inserted between two connecting plates of a corresponding one of the first and second pairs.

[0015] According to another aspect, the flexible connector further comprises first and second hinge pins extending through the two connecting plates of the corresponding one of the first and second pairs and a corresponding one of the first and second branches.

[0016] According to another aspect, the land leveling apparatus further comprises first and second resilient bushings arranged between the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and a rearward end of each of the first and second branches.
File No. 18580-3 - 3 -

[0017] According to another aspect, the land leveling apparatus further comprises a resilient connector arranged between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0018] According to another aspect, the leveling blade comprises first and second lateral ends; the first and second lateral drawbar segments are connected respectively to the first and second lateral ends of the leveling blade.

[0019] According to another aspect, the leveling blade further comprises first and second lateral wing segments extending forwardly from a corresponding one of first and second lateral ends of the elongated blade segment.

[0020] According to another aspect, the drawbar assembly further comprises a transversal bridge segment extending transversally between the first and second lateral wing segments.

[0021] According to another aspect, the transversal bridge segment extends through a junction between the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment; the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment are pivotally connected and pivotable about a vertically extending pivoting axis.

[0022] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments and the transversal bridge segment form a triangle with an apex located forwardly thereof.

[0023] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend respectively between the first and second lateral wing segments and the elongated drawbar segment.

[0024] According to another aspect, each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is pivotably mounted to the corresponding one of the first and second lateral wing segments and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.
File No. 18580-3 - 4 -

[0025] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

[0026] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments are pivotable relative to the corresponding one of the first and second lateral wing segments about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

[0027] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

[0028] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend substantially horizontally.

[0029] According to another aspect, the elongated drawbar segment has an upper edge and the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

[0030] According to another aspect, the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments define, considered in a vertical plan including a longitudinal axis defined by the land leveling apparatus, an angle smaller than about 500, with the first and second lateral drawbar segments extending below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

[0031] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 25 .

[0032] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 10 .
File No. 18580-3 - 5 -

[0033] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is about 6 .

[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge. The land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment. The rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment is flexibly connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

[0035] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a motorized vehicle in combination with a land leveling apparatus towable by the motorized vehicle, the land leveling apparatus comprising a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge, a drawbar assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment; the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment is flexibly connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment allowing movement therebetween.

[0036] In this specification, the term "forward" should be understood as meaning the displacement direction when the apparatus is towed by a motorized vehicle, the apparatus being in its working configuration, i.e. being displaced so as to level the ground. In this specification, the term "rearward" should thus be understood File No. 18580-3 - 6 -as meaning the direction opposed to the displacement direction of the apparatus in its working configuration.

[0037] The earth engaging edge of the elongated leveling blade is configured to level the ground when the apparatus is towed by a motorized vehicle, the apparatus being in its working configuration. The flexible connection provided by the flexible connector connecting the longitudinal blade pulling segment of the drawbar assembly and the elongated blade segment of the leveling blade and allowing movement ¨ or defines a pivoting axis - between these two components, substantially prevents or reduces the land leveling apparatus from starting vibrating and/or resonating when the apparatus is towed at a relatively high speed and/or when it is towed on a ground having a hardness greater than a certain threshold. In some implementations, the ground can thus be more efficiently and more rapidly levelled or cleaned by the land leveling apparatus of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a land leveling apparatus;

[0039] Fig. 2 is a side view of the land leveling apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0040] Fig. 3 is a top view of the land leveling apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0041] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the land leveling apparatus, wherein the land leveling apparatus includes a third pair of wheels and a teeth assembly; and

[0042] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the land leveling apparatus of Fig. 4 in a transport configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Although the embodiments of the apparatus and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should File No. 18580-3 - 7 not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the apparatus, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "above", "below", "left", "right" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting.

[0044] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

[0045] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

[0046] The principles and uses of the teachings of the land leveling apparatus may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples.

[0047] It is to be understood that the terms "including" and "comprising" and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0048] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not to be construed that there is only one of that element.
File No. 18580-3 - 8 -

[0049] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0050] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a land leveling apparatus that is configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle (not represented) so as to level a ground, such as a field.

[0051] As it is known in the art, the disclosed apparatus 10 can alternatively take a working configuration, when it is towed by a motorized vehicle to level a ground, and a transport configuration in which it is displaced, for instance from a field to another, without leveling the ground on which it is displaced.

[0052] As represented in Fig. 1, the land leveling apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment defines a longitudinal axis L1, substantially corresponding to the displacement direction of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is in its working configuration, being towed by a motorized vehicle.

[0053] The land leveling apparatus 10 includes a frame 11 and first 12 and second 14 pairs of wheels so as to be displaced on the ground when the land leveling apparatus 10 is in its working configuration. The first and second pairs of wheels 12, 14 are rotatably mounted to the frame 11 so as to be respectively rotated about a first rotation axis X1 and a second rotation axis X2, the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 being substantially parallel. Moreover, the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 extend transversally, substantially perpendicular, relative to the longitudinal axis L1.

[0054] The apparatus 10 further comprises a leveling blade 16, mounted to the frame 11. The leveling blade 16 has an elongated blade segment 18 with an earth engaging edge 20 and an upper edge 22, opposed to the earth engaging edge 20. The elongated blade segment 18 including its earth engaging edge 20 and upper edge 22 extend in a substantially parallel horizontal way; the earth engaging edge 20 and the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18 both extend transversally, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ll.
File No. 18580-3 - 9 -The elongated blade segment 18 comprises a forward concave face 24 and a rearward convex face 26.

[0055] It is thus understood that a forward end 6 of the apparatus 10 is the one that is configured to cooperate with and be engaged with a motorized vehicle (not shown) and could thus be named as "vehicle end". On the other hand, a rearward end 8, that is opposed to the forward end 6, closer to the leveling blade 16, could be named as "blade end".

[0056] The leveling blade 16 also comprises a pair of lateral wing segments 28, 28' mounted to the elongated blade segment 18, and in particular extending forwardly from first and second lateral ends 19, 19' of the leveling blade 16.
In the embodiment shown, the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28' extend substantially vertically and are substantially perpendicular relative to the direction defined by the earth engaging edge 20 and by the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18. In other words, the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28' extend from the elongated blade segment 18 substantially forwardly along the longitudinal axis L1.

[0057] As represented in particular in Fig. 1, the pair of lateral wing segments 28, 28' and the elongated blade segment 18 define an open box, the box being opened towards the forward end 6, or the vehicle end, of the apparatus 10.

[0058] Each lateral wing segment 28, 28' comprises an earth engaging edge 30, 30', extending substantially along the longitudinal axis L1, and on which is mounted a ground contact plate 32, 32' that is configured to protect the earth engaging edge 30, 30'. The lateral wing segments 28, 28' are amongst other things configured to keep the material resulting from the leveling of the ground by the disclosed apparatus 10 towards the forward concave face 24 of the elongated blade segment 18 and are dimensioned so as to contribute to the stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is towed in its working configuration.

[0059] The land leveling apparatus 10 also comprises a drawbar assembly 50 including an elongated drawbar segment 52 having a vehicle engagement 54 at a forward end thereof, the vehicle engagement 54 being configured to cooperate File No. 18580-3 - 10 -with and operatively engage a motorized vehicle so as to tow the land leveling apparatus 10. The drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment 52 and having a rearward end 57. The elongated drawbar segment 52 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis L1. The elongated drawbar segment 52 can pivot with respect to the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 along a pivoting axis Z1 extending substantially vertically.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, the drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a first and a second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' extending between the elongated drawbar segment 52 and each of the lateral wing segments 28, 28' of the leveling blade 16. In other words, the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' are connected to the leveling blade, and more particularly to the first and second lateral ends 19, 19' of the elongated blade segment 18 via the lateral wing segments 28, 28'. In particular, each lateral drawbar segment 58, 58' comprises a forward end 60, 60' pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment 52, and a rearward end 62, 62' pivotably mounted to the forward end of a respective one of the lateral wing segments 28, 28.

[0061] More precisely, the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' are arranged so that they can both be pivoted either relative to the elongated drawbar segment 52 or respectively to the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28' around axes extending in a substantially vertical direction, i.e.
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 and to a longitudinal axis of the elongated blade segment 18.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, the drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a transversal bridge segment 64 that extends transversally between the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28', and that is secured to the lateral wing segments 28, 28' and to the drawbar assembly 50. As represented in particular in Fig. 1, the transversal bridge segment 64 is arranged between the elongated drawbar segment 52 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56, rearwardly of the pivoting axis Z1. In other words, in the shown embodiment, the transversal bridge segment 64 extends through a junction between the elongated drawbar File No. 18580-3 - 11 -segment 52 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56. The transversal bridge segment 64 contributes to the improvement of the repartition of the tensions sustained by the leveling blade 16 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is towed by a motorized vehicle in its working configuration. For instance, the transversal bridge segment 64 is fixedly secured to a part of the lateral wing segments 28, 28' close to their forward end, in the vicinity of the portion of the lateral wing segments 28, 28' to which the rearward ends of the lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' are pivotably secured. The transversal bridge segment 64 maintains the distance between the two spaced-apart lateral wing segments 28, 28'.

[0063] It is thus understood that the lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' and the transversal bridge segment 64 form a triangle with an apex located forwardly.

[0064] As it appears in particular on Fig. 2 that represents a side view of the land leveling apparatus 10, the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' extend along a substantially horizontal direction, whereas an upper edge 70 of the elongated drawbar segment 52 extends downwards in the forward direction, the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' extending below the upper edge 70 of the elongated drawbar segment 52. As it is represented in particular in Fig. 2, the upper edge 70 of the elongated drawbar segment 52 and each of the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' form, considered in a vertical plan extending along the longitudinal axis L1 defined by the land leveling apparatus 10, an angle a smaller than about 50 . In another embodiment, the angle a is smaller than about 25 . In another particular embodiment, the angle a is smaller than about . In yet another embodiment, the angle a is about 6'.

[0065] The first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' make it possible to distribute at least a significant part of the traction forces exerted by the drawbar assembly to the sides of the leveling blade 16, and more particularly to the lateral wing segments 28, 28' of the leveling blade 16, so as to increase the stiffness of the leveling blade 16, as it will be more detailed below.

[0066] Moreover, the arrangement of the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' in a lower section of the land leveling apparatus 10 improves the stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is displaced in its working configuration File No. 18580-3 - 12 -and reduces the intensity of the swinging effect that can occur on prior art land leveling apparatuses, especially when the apparatus is towed at a relatively significant speed.

[0067] As it will be more detailed below, it is understood that the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' make it possible to better distribute the torque that is sustained by the leveling blade 16 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is towed in its working configuration.

[0068] In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 comprises a first branch 72 and a second branch 72' that both extend rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment 52 towards the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18. In other words, each of the first and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 has a forward end 74, 74' secured to the rearward end of the elongated drawbar segment 52, rearwardly of the pivoting connection Z1, and rearward ends 76, 76' constituting the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 that are secured to the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18. While extending rearwardly, the first and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 diverge transversally from one another and are spaced-apart from one another at their rearward ends 76, 76'. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 has a transversal branch 78 extending between the first and second branches 72, 72', in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 of the land levelling apparatus 10.

[0069] Thus, as it appears in particular on Fig. 3 that represents a top view of the first embodiment of the land leveling apparatus 10, the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 is substantially A-shaped. The longitudinal blade pulling segment could obviously be modified, for instance to have any other shape and/or to have a different number of connections or branches with the elongated blade segment 18, without going beyond the present disclosure.

[0070] Moreover, the land leveling apparatus 10 comprises flexible connectors (or a flexible connection) that are configured to connect the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the elongated File No. 18580-3 - 13 -blade segment 18 allowing movement therebetween. In the shown embodiment, the flexible connectors are configured to define a pivoting axis between the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 and the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18. In the shown embodiment, the pivoting axis defined by the flexible connectors extends substantially horizontally and transversally, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1. More particularly, the land leveling apparatus 10 comprises a first flexible connector 80 and a second flexible connector 80' that are configured to flexibly connect respectively the rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18.

[0071] It is understood that, due to the first and second flexible connectors 80, 80', the moment of the traction forces exerted by the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 is not fully sustained by the elongated blade segment 18. In the disclosed land leveling apparatus 10, at least a significant part of the moment of the traction forces is sustained by the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' in the lower section of the land leveling apparatus 10, so as to significantly improve the stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is displaced in its working configuration and so as to reduce the intensity of the swinging effect that can occur on prior art land leveling apparatuses. It is thus understood that the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' significantly contribute to the stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when in its working configuration.
The dimensioning and the resistance of the lateral drawbar segments are in particular adapted to the constraints that they sustain due to the flexible connection between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment. Moreover, the above-mentioned arrangement of the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' in the lower section of the land leveling apparatus 10 also contributes to the stability of the working land leveling apparatus 10, by limiting the lever-arm effect exerted by the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' on the leveling blade 16.

[0072] The movement that is allowed between the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 and the elongated blade segment 18 thanks to the flexible File No. 18580-3 - 14 -connectors (or to the flexible connection) in the land leveling apparatus 10 should not be understood as necessarily being significant enough to be easily observable, but should rather be understood as being significant enough for the moment of the traction forces exerted by the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 of the drawbar assembly 50 not to be integrally transmitted to the elongated blade segment 18 of the leveling blade 16.

[0073] In a first non-limiting embodiment, as represented in particular on Fig. 1, the first and second flexible connectors 80, 80' are pivotable connectors and each comprises a hinge having a hinge pin extending along a substantially horizontal direction, transversally relative to the longitudinal axis L1 defined by the land leveling apparatus 10 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blade segment 18. In other words, according to the first embodiment, the first and second flexible connectors 80, 80' are configured so that the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 can be pivoted relatively to the elongated blade segment 18 around a pivoting axis that is substantially horizontal and transversal, substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis L1 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blade segment 18, in order not to transmit integrally the moment of the traction forces exerted by the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18.

[0074] More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the elongated blade segment 18 includes two pairs of connecting plates 81, 81', extending upwardly from the upper edge 22, and each pair 81, 81' including two connecting plates spaced-apart from one another. A respective one of the rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 is inserted in a spacing defined between the two connecting plates of one of the pairs 81, 81'. One of the hinge pins extends through the two connecting plates of the respective pair and the respective one of the rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72, 72'.

[0075] In another embodiment that has not been represented, the first and second flexible connectors are resilient connectors. For instance, the first and File No. 18580-3 - 15 -second flexible connectors comprise a resilient bushing that is arranged between the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18 and respectively the rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72, 72', so as to connect the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18 in a flexible manner.

[0076] The expression "flexible connector" should thus be understood as meaning a connector that is either resilient and has a certain level of elasticity, or that is pivotable so as to make it possible for the two elements that it connects to pivot one relative to the other.

[0077] Even though in the embodiment described above the elongated blade segment 18 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 are connected at two spaced-apart flexible connections, it is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), they can be connected at a single flexible connection or at more than two flexible connections, spaced-apart from one another or adjacent to one another.

[0078] Both embodiments of the flexible connectors make it possible to reduce the constraints that are sustained by the central portion of the elongated blade segment 18 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is working, and particularly when it is towed at a relatively high speed. They also make it possible to better distribute the forces that are applied by the drawbar assembly to the leveling blade, and in particular they make it possible to distribute the forces to the sides of the leveling blade. In particular, they make it possible to reduce the forces that are applied to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment, and thus to reduce the occurrence of resonance when the land leveling apparatus is towed in its working configuration.

[0079] The characteristics of the flexible connectors combined with the previously described characteristics relative in particular to the lateral wing segments of the leveling blade and to the arrangement of the lateral drawbar segments and of the transversal bridge segment all contribute to an increased stiffness of the leveling blade and thus to a reduction of the vibrations that are sustained by the land leveling apparatus 10, in comparison with the prior art land leveling apparatuses.
File No. 18580-3 - 16 -It is to be noted that the increased stiffness of the land leveling apparatus of the present disclosure does not involve a significant weight increase in comparison with the prior art apparatuses.

[0080] The elongated blade segment could also comprise stiffener elements (not represented) that would be arranged on its rearward convex face so as to further increase the stiffness of the leveling blade 16. Such elements could for instance extend in a substantially vertical direction on the rearward convex face of the elongated blade segment 18.

[0081] Thus all these features contribute to the reduction of the risk for the land leveling apparatus to start resonating when it is towed at a speed exceeding a given threshold.

[0082] Moreover, as mentioned above, the elongated drawbar segment 52 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 are pivotably connected one to the other. The elements are thus configured to pivot one relative to the other around the pivoting axis Z1 that extends substantially vertically.

[0083] Fig. 4 and 5 represent a second embodiment of the land leveling apparatus 10. In the shown embodiment, the land leveling apparatus 10 further comprises a third pair of wheels 90. The third pair of wheels 90 is mounted to the frame to rotate around a rotation axis that is transversal, substantially perpendicular, to the first and second rotation axes X1 and X2.

[0084] As it appears on Fig. 4, when the land leveling apparatus 10 is in its working configuration, the third pair of wheels 90 are not displaced on the ground and there are kept at a distance from the ground.

[0085] The above described pivotable arrangement of the elongated drawbar segment 52 and of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 around the first pivoting axis Z1 combined with the third pair of wheels 90 makes it possible for the land leveling apparatus 10 to take a transport configuration in which the elongated drawbar segment 52 extends substantially parallel to the elongated blade segment 18, so as to reduce the overall bulk of the land leveling apparatus File No. 18580-3 - 17 -10. The land leveling apparatus 10 further comprises a secondary drawbar segment 92, that extends substantially upwardly when the land leveling apparatus 10 is in its working configuration, as represented on Fig. 4 and that extends substantially horizontally when it is in its transport configuration, for the land leveling apparatus 10 to be towed by a vehicle, to go from a first ground to be levelled to another one. It is thus safer and easier for the land leveling apparatus to be transported from a field to another.

[0086] The land leveling apparatus further comprises lockers that are configured to lock together the different components of the apparatus for the apparatus either to be locked in its working configuration or in its transport configuration, so that the land leveling apparatus 10 does not unintentionally go from a configuration to the other.

[0087] In the embodiment shown, the leveling blade 16 also comprises a teeth assembly 94 that is configured to further engage the earth, so as to contribute to the leveling of the ground. In the shown embodiment, the teeth assembly 94 extends between the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28'. The teeth assembly has an elongated bar 96 extending parallel to the earth engaging edge 20 of the elongated blade segment 18 and a series of teeth 98, each tooth of the series having a first end secured to the elongated bar 96, and an opposed second end having a sharp portion 99 that is configured to engage the earth and break tussocks or any other irregularities extending from the ground to be leveled.

[0088] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, File No. 18580-3 - 18 -and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
File No. 18580-3 - 19 -

Claims (43)

CLAIMS:

1. A land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle, the land leveling apparatus comprising:
a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge;
a drawbar assembly including:
an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment; and a flexible connector connecting the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

2. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible connector defines a pivoting axis between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

3. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a first branch and a second branch, the first and the second branches extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment towards the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and being spaced-apart from one another at a junction with the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

4. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a transversal branch extending between the first and second branches to define a substantially A-shape.

5. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flexible connector comprises first and second flexible connectors connecting respectively the first and second branches to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

6. The land leveling apparatus according to anyone of claims 3 to 5, wherein the flexible connector comprises first and second pairs of connecting plates extending upwardly from the upper edge of the elongated blade segment, each one of the first and second branches having a rearward end being inserted between two connecting plates of a corresponding one of the first and second pairs.

7. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flexible connector further comprises first and second hinge pins extending through the two connecting plates of the corresponding one of the first and second pairs and a corresponding one of the first and second branches.

8. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising first and second resilient bushings arranged between the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and a rearward end of each of the first and second branches.

9. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a resilient connector arranged between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

10. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the leveling blade comprises first and second lateral ends, the first and second lateral drawbar segments being connected respectively to the first and second lateral ends of the leveling blade.

11. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the leveling blade further comprises first and second lateral wing segments extending forwardly from a corresponding one of first and second lateral ends of the elongated blade segment.

12. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drawbar assembly further comprises a transversal bridge segment extending transversally between the first and second lateral wing segments.

13. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the transversal bridge segment extends through a junction between the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment are pivotally connected and pivotable about a vertically extending pivoting axis.

14. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments and the transversal bridge segment form a triangle with an apex located forwardly thereof.

15. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend respectively between the first and second lateral wing segments and the elongated drawbar segment.

16. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is pivotably mounted to the corresponding one of the first and second lateral wing segments and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

17. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

18. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend substantially horizontally, the elongated drawbar segment has an upper edge and the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

19. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments define, considered in a vertical plan extending along a longitudinal axis defined by the land leveling apparatus, an angle smaller than about 50°, with the first and second lateral drawbar segments extending below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

20. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 25°.

21. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 10°.

22. A land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle, the land leveling apparatus comprising:
a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having:
an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge, a drawbar assembly including:
an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar segment;
the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment being flexibly connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

23. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment is pivotally mounted to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

24. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a first branch and a second branch, the first and the second branches extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment towards the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and being spaced-apart from one another at a junction with the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

25. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the longitudinal blade pulling segment further comprises a transversal branch extending between the first and second branches to define a substantially A-shape.

26. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, further comprising first and second flexible connectors connecting respectively the first and second branches to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

27. The land leveling apparatus according to anyone of claims 24 to 26, wherein the leveling blade comprises first and second pairs of connecting plates extending upwardly from the upper edge of the elongated blade segment, each one of the first and second branches having a rearward end being inserted between two connecting plates of a corresponding one of the first and second pairs.

28. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising first and second hinge pins extending through the two connecting plates of the corresponding one of the first and second pairs and a corresponding one of the first and second branches.

29. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 28, further comprising first and second resilient bushings arranged between the upper edge of the elongated blade segment and a rearward end of each of the first and second branches.

30. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 29, further comprising a resilient connector arranged between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.

31. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 30, wherein the leveling blade comprises first and second lateral ends, the first and second lateral drawbar segments being connected respectively to the first and second lateral ends of the leveling blade.

32. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 31, wherein the leveling blade further comprises first and second lateral wing segments extending forwardly from first and second lateral ends of the elongated blade segment.

33. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the drawbar assembly further comprises a transversal bridge segment extending transversally between the first and second lateral wing segments.

34. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the transversal bridge segment extends through a junction between the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal blade pulling segment are pivotally connected and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

35. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments and the transversal bridge segment form a triangle with an apex located forwardly thereof.

36. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend respectively between the first and second lateral wing segments and the elongated drawbar segment.

37. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 36, wherein each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is pivotably mounted to the corresponding one of the first and second lateral wing segments and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

38. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 37, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.

39. The land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 38, wherein the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend along a horizontal direction, the elongated drawbar segment has an upper edge, and the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

40. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments define, considered in a vertical plan extending along a longitudinal axis defined by the land leveling apparatus, an angle smaller than about 50°, with the first and second lateral drawbar segments extending below the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.

41. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 25°.

42. The land leveling apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the angle defined between the upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments is smaller than about 10°.

43. A land leveling assembly comprising:
a motorized vehicle; and a land leveling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 42 having the vehicle engagement of the elongated drawbar segment operatively engaged to the motorized vehicle.