DK180374B1

DK180374B1 - Grading Apparatus

Info

Publication number: DK180374B1
Application number: DKPA201900962A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Vinkelgaard Brian
Original assignee: Gorm Hansen & Soen As
Priority date: 2019-08-14
Filing date: 2019-08-14
Publication date: 2021-02-12
Also published as: DK201900962A1

Abstract

A grading apparatus (100) for use with grader is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a pair of frames (101 and 102), a pair of wing frames (103 and 104), and a control assembly (106). The pair of frames (101 and 102) are in side by side relationship and the wing frames (103 and 104) are hingedly connected to the frames (101 and 102). A scraping member (105) extents from a bottom edge of frames (101 and 102) and wing frames (103 and 104). The control assembly (106) configured to move the frames (101 and 102) to form an inverted V configuration, which creates one or more cross slopes in a single drive trip of ground working implement. The apparatus (100) further comprises a pair of hydraulic actuators (109 and 110) to control the lifting of frames (101 and 102) and lateral elevation of wing frames (103 and 104), respectively.

Description

DK 180374 B1 1

GRADING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein generally relates to an accessory for road maintenance machinery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a grading apparatus for road maintenance machinery.

BACKGROUND Non-paved roads constructed with dirt, gravel and the like requires frequent maintenance to repair damages such as depressions, ripples, pot-holes and surface ridges caused by vehicular traffic, weather conditions or the like.

Generally, motor graders are used in road construction and maintenance for displacing, distributing, and leveling material such as soil, gravel, snow, and the like. However, conventional motor graders lack an ability to compress the dirt in the pot-holes. Therefore, the ripples and pot-holes reappear shortly after the road is re-leveled. Further, there is a chance for clogging of water on the lowered road surface or ripples, which results in quick damage of roads, and holes produced on the road surface.

The foregoing equipments require a compactor, such as a road roller or steam roller, to properly pack such dirt filled depressions and pot-holes after grading. This method of road maintenance is rarely applied, since it employs added manpower, machinery and maintenance costs. Further, the conventional grading equipment requires multiple passes over the road building material. Though, there are multiple passes, it is still difficult to evenly distribute and smooth the road building material, which results the need of hand labor.

, DK 180374 B1 A prior art, US 5158394 A of Bresnahan, discloses a device for spreading particulate material in an elongated path at a precise predetermined height. The device comprises a front panel extending vertically from an upper opening and then extending horizontally terminating at the forward edge of a lower opening. A rear panel extends vertically from the upper opening and terminates at a lower edge located at an elevation above the lower edge of the front panel. Side panels extend vertically and are coupled to the front and rear panels. The side panels have inwardly extending shoes with lower surfaces parallel with the lower edge of the horizontal portion of the front panel. An L- shaped bar is adjustably positioned adjacent to the lower edge of the rear panel for — varying the height of the particulate material to be dispensed. However, above-mentioned prior art fails to disclose a pair connector assembly configured to connect the pair of frames to a ground working implement to perform levelling operation. In the light of above-mentioned problems, it is desirable to provide an efficient grading apparatus for grading and spreading the road building materials in a horizontal position or at any desired angle relative to the horizontal direction. Further, there is a need for an improved grading apparatus to create one or more cross slopes in a single drive trip of a ground working implement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject — matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention discloses a grading apparatus adapted for attaching with existing vehicles for grading and spreading road building materials. In one embodiment, the grading apparatus comprises a pair of frames, a pair of wing frames, a scrapper, and a control assembly. In one embodiment, the pair of frames include a first frame and a

2 DK 180374 B1 second frame. The first frame has a right end and a left end. The second frame comprises a right end and a left end. In one embodiment, the second frame is disposed in side by side relationship with the first frame. In one embodiment, the right end of the first frame and the left end of the second frame are held together in side by side relationship.

In one embodiment, the pair of wing frames include a first wing frame and a second wing frame. The first wing frame is hingedly connected to the left end of the first frame. The second wing frame is hingedly connected to the right end of the second frame. The first wing frame and the second wing frame are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the scraper member extends from a bottom end of each frame and each wing frame. In one embodiment, the control assembly moves the first frame to a first sloping position and moves the second frame to a second sloping position. The first sloping position and the second sloping position together forms the inverted V shape. The inverted V shape enables the scraper member to form an inverted V configuration. The inverted V configuration configured to form a grading or spreading of road building materials on a road surface. In some embodiments, the road building materials could be, but not limited to, dirt, soil, gravel, bituminous, asphalt and concrete.

In one embodiment, the grading apparatus further comprising a connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector are configured to connect the first frame and the second frame to a ground working implement respectively, to perform levelling operation of road building — materials on the road surface. During grading process, the inverted V configuration is configured to create one or more cross slopes on the surface in a single trip of vehicle. In one embodiment, the control assembly comprises one or more pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.

2 DK 180374 B1 The grading apparatus further comprises one or more actuators. In one embodiment, the actuator could be a hydraulic actuator. The one or more actuators include a first pair of hydraulic actuators and a second pair of hydraulic actuators. The first pair of hydraulic actuators comprise a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator. In one embodiment, the first hydraulic actuator is coupled to the first frame, and the second hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second frame. The first pair of hydraulic actuators are configured to lift the pair of frames vertically upwards, while the vehicle is inoperative. The first pair of hydraulic actuators are configured to lower the pair of frames vertically downwards to perform the levelling operation.

The second pair of hydraulic actuators comprises a third hydraulic actuator and a fourth hydraulic actuator. In one embodiment, the third hydraulic actuator is configured to control movement of the first wing frame, and the fourth hydraulic actuator is configured to control movement the second wing frame. In one embodiment, first wing frame and the second wing frame are foldably connected to the first frame and the second frame via hinges. In retracted position, the pair of wing frames are folded inwardly and perpendicular to the pair of frames. In extended position, the pair of wing frames are configured to rests in a side by side relationship with the pair of frames. In one embodiment, the folding angle of pair of side frames could be adjusted based on the grading requirement.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DK 180374 B1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For 5 illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a grading apparatus attached to a vehicle performing levelling operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the grading apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a rear view of the grading apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates adjustment of sloping position of a pair of frames, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. § exemplarily illustrates a front view of the grading apparatus during inoperative state, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates the grading apparatus with extended wing frame during levelling operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

. DK 180374 B1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a grading apparatus 100 mounted on or releasably connected to an existing road maintenance machine or vehicle 120. In one embodiment, the vehicle — 120 could be, but not limited to, a tractor, a bulldozer, a dump truck, a front-end loader, a bucket loader, a backhoe, a skid steer loader, a wheel dozer, a wheel loader, a scraper, a grader and the like. In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 is mounted or releasably connected at the rear side of the vehicle 120. In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 comprises a pair of frames including a first frame 101 and a second frame — 102. The first frame 101 has a right end 101a and a left end 101b. The second frame has aright end 102a and a left end 102b. In one embodiment, the second frame 102 is disposed in side by side relationship with the first frame 101. In one embodiment, the right end 101a of the first frame 101 and the left end 102b of the second frame 102 are held together in a side by side relationship.

In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 further comprises a pair of wing frames includes a first wing frame 103 and a second wing frame 104. The first wing frame 103 is hingedly connected to the left end 101b of the first frame 101. The first wing frame 103 is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The second wing frame 104 is hingedly connected to the right end 102b of the second frame 102. The second wing frame 104 is configured to move between an extended position to a retracted position. In one embodiment, the distance covered by the first wing frame 103 and the second wing frame 104 between the extended position and the retracted position is adjustable based on the grading requirement. The grading apparatus 100 further comprises a scraper member 105. In one embodiment, the scraper member 105 extends from a bottom end of each frame (101 and 102) and each wing frame (103 and 104). The scraper member 105 is a grading blade or scraping blade or outfitter.

, DK 180374 B1 In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 further comprises a control assembly 106 configured to move each frame (101 and 102) to various or predefined sloping position for leveling or spreading or grading of road building material. In one embodiment, the control assembly 106 moves the first frame 101 to a first sloping position and moves the second frame 102 to a second sloping position. The first sloping position and the second sloping position together forms the inverted V shape. The inverted V shape enables the scraper member to form an inverted V configuration. The inverted V configuration configured to form a grading or spreading of road building materials on a road surface. In one embodiment, the inverted V shape configuration is configured to create one or more cross slopes in a single trip of the ground working implements or vehicles. Further, the control assembly 106 could have one or more pneumatic or hydraulic actuators to move the frames (101 and 102) to the desired sloping position.

In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 further comprises a first pair of hydraulic actuators 109. The first pair of hydraulic actuators 109 includes a first hydraulic actuator 109a and a second hydraulic actuator 109b. The first hydraulic actuator 109a comprises a piston arrangement 117a that slidably moves inside a hollow cylinder 118a. The second hydraulic actuator 109b comprises a piston arrangement 117b that slidably moves inside a hollow cylinder 118b. The first pair of hydraulic actuators 109 is configured to lift or lower the pair of frames (101 and 102). In one embodiment, the first hydraulic actuator 109a is connected to the first frame 101 and the second hydraulic actuator 109b is connected to the second frame 102. The first pair of hydraulic actuators 109 is configured to lift the pair of frames (101 and 102) vertically upwards during inoperative state and lowers the pair of frames (101 and 102) vertically downwards during operative state for levelling operation. In FIG. 1, the pistons (117a and 117b) of first and second hydraulic actuators (109a and 109b) extend from the cylinders (118a and 118b), respectively, thereby lowering the frames (101 and 102) for levelling operation.

2 DK 180374 B1 In one embodiment, the grading apparatus further comprises a second pair of hydraulic actuators 110. The second pair of hydraulic actuators 110 comprises a third hydraulic actuator 110a and a fourth hydraulic actuator 110b. In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 further comprises a wheel assembly attached to the front side of the first frame 101 and the second frame 102. The wheel assembly comprises a pair of wheels 112 and a pair of arms 113. The pair of wheels 112 are rotatably connected to each frame (101 and 102) via the corresponding pair of arms 113. In one embodiment, the pair of arms 113 are hydraulically connected to the first frame 101 and the second frame 102. Further, the grading apparatus 100 comprises a hose assembly 116.

FIGs. 2 and 3 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view and a rear perspective view of the grading apparatus 100, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2, the first wing frame 103 and the second wing frame 104 are hingedly connected to the first frame 101 and the second frame 102 via fasteners 108. In one embodiment, the fasteners 108 — could be a plurality of hinge connectors, which enables the folding and lateral elevation of the first wing frame 103 and the second wing frame 104. Further, a pair of supporting members 115 is attached to the walls of wing frames (103 and 104). In one embodiment, the supporting member 115 could limit the extension of wing frames (103 and 104). In one embodiment, the pair of supporting members 115 could be a pair of chains. FIG. 2 shows the third hydraulic actuator 110a comprising a piston arrangement 119a (shown in FIG. 6) slidably moves inside a hollow cylinder 120a. The fourth hydraulic actuator 110b comprises a piston arrangement 119b slidably moves inside a hollow cylinder 120b (shown in FIG. 3).

In one embodiment, the grading apparatus 100 further comprises a pair of connector assembly 107including one or more connecting rods. The connector assembly 107 is used to connect the grading apparatus 100 to the vehicle 130 via one or more connecting members 131 of the vehicle 130. In one embodiment, the pair of connector assembly 107 includes a first pair of connectors and a second pair of connectors. The first pair of connectors is attached to the first frame 101 and the second pair of connectors is

2 DK 180374 B1 attached to the second frame 102. Further, the first hydraulic actuator 109a and the second hydraulic actuator 109b comprises the extended piston position, thereby enabling the wheel assembly to be positioned on the surface. In one embodiment, the hydraulic connection between the components of grading apparatus 100 is established via the flexible hose 116.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control assembly 106 moves the first frame 101 to the first sloping position and moves the second frame 102 to the second sloping position. The movement of first frame 101 and second frame 102 creates a gap 114 between them. The first sloping position and the second sloping position together forms the inverted V configuration at the bottom end of frames (101 and 102). The inverted V configuration enables the frames (101 and 102) to spread the road building material in the form of an inverted V shape layer on the road surface. In one embodiment, the inverted V shape configuration is configured to create at least two cross slopes on the road surface in a single trip of the ground working implement.

Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, the grading apparatus 100 further illustrates the configuration of pair of frames, pair of wing frames, scraper member 105, control assembly 106, first pair of hydraulic actuators 109, second pair of hydraulic actuators 110, and wheel assembly. The pair of frames further illustrates the first frame 101 and the second frame 102. The first frame comprises the right end 101a and the left end 101b. The second frame 102 comprises the left end 102a and the right end 102b. The first frame 101 and the second frame 102 are positioned in side by side relationship. The pair of wing frames comprises the first wing frame 103 and the second wing frame 104. The — first wing frame 103 and the second wing frame 104 are hingedly connected to the first frame 101 and the second frame 102, respectively. Further, the scraper member 105 is extends from the bottom of the pair of frames (101 and 102) and pair of wing frames (103 and 104).

DK 180374 B1 10 The first pair of hydraulic actuators 109 further illustrates the first hydraulic actuator 109a and the second hydraulic actuator 109b. Each hydraulic actuator (109a and 109b) comprises the piston arrangement (117a and 117b) slidably positioned inside the hollow cylinder (118a and 118b). In one embodiment, each piston (117a and 117b) could slide between a maximum piston length to a minimum piston length for lowering and lifting of pair of frames (101 and 102) and wheel assembly for levelling operation. During inoperative state, each piston (117a and 117b) retracts to minimum length by sliding into the cylinder (118a and 118b) and lifts the frames (101 and 102) vertically upwards as shown in FIG. 5. During levelling operation, each piston (117a and 117b) — extends to the maximum length and lowers the frames (101 and 102) vertically downwards for levelling operation as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the second pair of hydraulic actuators 110 comprises the third hydraulic actuator 110a and the fourth hydraulic actuator 110b. Each hydraulic actuator (110a and 110b) comprises the piston arrangement (119a and 119b) slidably positioned inside the hollow cylinder (120a and 120b). In one embodiment, each piston (119a and 119b) could slide between a maximum piston length to a minimum piston length to control the movement of pair of wing frames (103 and 104). During inoperative state, each piston (119a and 119b) retracts to minimum length by sliding into the cylinder (118a and 118b) — and folds the wing frames (103 and 104) as shown in FIG. 5. During levelling operation, each piston (119a and 119b) extends to the maximum length for levelling larger surface area, which enables the wing frames (103 and 104) to rests in the side by side relationship with the pair of frames (101 and 102). In one embodiment, both wing frames (103 and 104) could be extendable at a same time. In one embodiment, any one of the wing frames — (103 or 104) could be extended for levelling operation as shown in FIG. 6.

Further, the flexible hose 116 establish the hydraulic connection among components of the grading apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the scraper member 105 is fastened to each frame (101 and 102) and each wing frame (103 and 104) via fasteners

111. The fasteners 111 could be, but not limited to, nuts, screws and bolts. In another

DK 180374 B1 11 embodiment, the scraper member 105 could be mechanically fused at the bottom end of each frame (101 and 102) and each wing frame (103 and 104). According to the present invention, the grading apparatus 100 attached with — vehicle 130 such as grader for spreading or levelling the road building materials such as gravel, in form of inverted V shape in the single drive trip of the ground working implement.

In one embodiment, the depth of the layer is controlled by the elevation of the scraper member 105 positioned at the bottom edge of the frame (101 and 102) and wing frame (103 and 104). Further, the lateral elevation of each wing frame (103 and 104) is independent to each other.

The lateral elevation of each wing frame (103 and 104) is controlled by the separate actuators (110a and 110b) in the second pair of hydraulic actuators 110 respectively.

In one embodiment, the width of road or working surface covered by the pair of frames (101 and 102) is about 2.5 meters.

The lateral elevation of wing frames (103 and 104) could extends the width of working surface from about 2.5 meters to 3.5 meters.

In case of any obstacles found in the working surface, the wing frames (103 and 104) could be folded independently using hydraulic actuators 110. The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein.

While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.

Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept 1s not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

DK 180374 B1 1 KRAV

A grading apparatus (100), comprising: a pair of frames comprising a first frame (101) and a second frame (102), the first frame (101) having a right end (101a) and a left end (101b), the second frame (102) has a right end (102a) and a left end (102b), the second frame (102) located side by side relative to the first frame (101); a pair of wing frames including a first wing frame (103) and a second wing frame (104), the first wing frame (103) connected to a hinge at the left end (101b) of the first frame (101), the first wing frame (103) configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position, the second wing frame (104) connected to a hinge at the right end (102a) of the second frame (102), the second wing frame (104) configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position a scraper portion (105) extending from a bottom of each frame (101 and 102) and each wing frame (103 and 104), characterized by pairs of connector units (107) configured to connect a pair of frames (101 and 102) to a ground treatment element for performing a leveling operation, and a first pair of hydraulic actuators (109) comprising a first hydraulic actuator (1092) and a second hydraulic actuator (109b), the first hydraulic

DK 180374 B1 2 actuator (109a) is coupled to the first frame (101) and the second hydraulic actuator (109b) is coupled to the second frame (102).

The grading apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the first pair of hydraulic actuators (109) is configured to lift the first pair of frames (101 and 102) vertically upward while inactive, and lowered first pair of frames (101 and 102). vertically downward to perform the leveling operation.

The grading apparatus (100) of claim 1, further characterized by a second pair of hydraulic actuators (110) comprising a third hydraulic actuator (1102) and a fourth hydraulic actuator (110b).

The grading apparatus (100) of claim 3, wherein the third hydraulic actuator (110a) is configured to control movement of the first wing frame (103).

The grading apparatus (100) of claim 3, wherein the fourth hydraulic actuator (110b) is configured to control movement of the second wing frame (104).

The grading apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the pair of wing frames (1030g104) is configured to rest in a side-by-side relationship with the frame pair (1010g102) in the extended position.