EP0477106A1 - Equipment for digging trenches, holes or the like, applicable to machines - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment for forming trenches, ditches, holes or similar, adaptable to machines. The equipment comprises a frame (1) on whose ends protrude, in a telescopic slide manner, arms (2) comprising coupling means (3) provided for the corresponding working tools (4); such that this equipment, mounted on a conventional tractive machine, allows the formation of trenches, ditches, holes or similar workings. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to "equipment for making trenches, pits, holes or the like, applicable to machines".

• A - En utilisant des machines excavatrices qui réalisent le travail à l'aide d'un godet qui creuse la fosse, le trou ou similaire correspondant à raison d'un à la fois.
• B - A l'aide d'un équipement appelé tarière, composé d'une vis sans fin qui est mise en mouvement, par l'intermédiaire d'un réducteur, par un cardan accouplé à la prise de force arrière d'un tracteur.
• C - A l'aide d'un équipement de forage tel que le précédent mais mis en mouvement par un moteur hydraulique, qui peut être monté à l'extrémité du bras d'une machine excavatrice, et qui est alimenté en huile hydraulique sous pression par le circuit de la machine.
• D - En utilisant un tracteur auquel est accouplé un équipement sous-soleuse ou de désagrégateur aux dents duquel on ajoute des godets ou des socs.

Currently, the realization of trenches, pits, holes, or the opening of any other similar cavity in the ground is carried out by application of the following solutions:

• A - Using excavating machines which carry out the work using a bucket which digs the pit, the hole or the like corresponding to one at a time.
• B - Using equipment called an auger, consisting of a worm which is set in motion, via a reduction gear, by a cardan joint coupled to the rear PTO of a tractor.
• C - Using drilling equipment like the previous one but set in motion by a hydraulic motor, which can be mounted at the end of the arm of an excavating machine, and which is supplied with hydraulic oil under pressure through the machine circuit.
• D - Using a tractor with subsoiler or cutter equipment to which teeth are added buckets or plowshares.

Either these traditional solutions require the use of specific machines, or, as is the case for the subsoiler equipment indicated in point "D" above, the towing vehicle must be driven in a translational movement continuous, so that, for example for the realization of the holes intended for reforestation, one does not manage to dig the holes in agreement with the spacing required for each case and one can never dig them with the immobilized machine.

According to the present invention, an equipment is proposed designed to be adapted to the machines which exist on the world market, such as wheeled excavators with tracks or wheels, tractors or excavators, tracked or wheeled, etc., whatever the make, model or size of the machine, so that the equipment can be mounted either on the front or on the rear of the machine , and that it makes it possible to execute the opening of trenches, pits or holes, etc., by being able to execute one or two of these works in each parking situation of the machine; with the machine stationary and with the spacing distances specified in each case, as well as with the size and dimensions specified, at the same time that the operator can selectively modify the lengths, widths and / or depths.

To achieve this result, the equipment object of the present invention consists essentially of a chassis or frame of large width, intended to establish through it the coupling between the equipment and the machine on which it is to be mounted.

In the ends of this frame, penetrate corresponding arms, like telescopic slides, which can occupy different stable positions, in which they protrude over a greater or lesser length at the ends of the frame.

Each of these arms has at its free end a particular coupling system for the various instruments or working tools. This coupling system, as will be seen in more detail throughout the digital memory, allows simple and immediate mounting of the working instruments or tools, with appropriate safety solutions.

Between the frame and the couplings provided for the working tools, means for actuating said tools are arranged, which can be constituted by cylinders, vases or jacks, and which can be actuated using the hydraulic, pneumatic system, etc. which is provided with the machine on which the equipment object of the invention is mounted.

• On peut exécuter indifféremment une ou deux fosses, tranchées, trous ou cavités analogues.
• Le processus de travail, dans lequel on réalise les deux fosses, trous ou tranchées, s'effectue avec la machine immobilisée, ce qui est à l'avantage de l'opérateur, et de sa commodité, ainsi qu'à l'avantage de la machine proprement dite.
• Elle permet d'exécuter le travail en maintenant toujours un écartement précis et exact entre les trous, fosses, etc.
• On peut faire varier sélectivement la distance entre les trous, fosses, etc.
• On conserve beaucoup mieux la stabilité de la machine, en procurant à l'opérateur de meilleures conditions de travail et une plus grande sécurité, surtout pour des travaux réalisés sur terrain en pente.
• Cet équipement peut être monté pratiquement sur toutes les machines qui existent sur le marché mondial pour cette application.
• Dans le cas où l'équipement objet de la présente invention se monte sur la sous-soleuse d'un tracteur, le bâti de l'équipement peut rester fixé au tracteur, sans déranger aucunement les travaux propres de la sous-soleuse du tracteur.

With this realization that we are now proposing, we obtain, among other things, the following advantages:

• One or two pits, trenches, holes or similar cavities can be made indifferently.
• The working process, in which the two pits, holes or trenches are made, is carried out with the machine immobilized, which is to the advantage of the operator, and of his convenience, as well as to the advantage of the machine itself.
• It allows the work to be carried out while always maintaining a precise and exact spacing between holes, pits, etc.
• You can selectively vary the distance between holes, pits, etc.
• The stability of the machine is much better preserved, providing the operator with better working conditions and greater safety, especially for work carried out on sloping ground.
• This equipment can be mounted on almost any machine on the world market for this application.
• In the case where the equipment object of the present invention is mounted on the subsoiler of a tractor, the frame of the equipment can remain fixed to the tractor, without in any way disturbing the clean work of the subsoiler of the tractor.

All these advantages as well as others which will be described in more detail throughout the digital memory modify the essential character of the object of the present invention, by giving it its own life.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation de l'équipement objet de la présente invention, représenté selon un exemple non limitatif de réalisation pratique possible ;
• la figure 2 correspond à la vue en plan de dessus de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 montre, par une vue en élévation frontale, le milieu de l'équipement en phase de travail ;
• la figure 4 montre en perspective et schématiquement l'accouplement entre le bâti (1) de l'équipement objet de l'invention et le châssis (13) d'une sous-soleuse ou d'un désagrégateur appartenant à un tracteur à chenilles ;
• la figure 5 montre, par une vue en élévation, l'assemblage par soudure établi entre le bâti (1) et le châssis (13) de la sous-soleuse ou du désagrégateur ;
• la figure 6 correspond à une vue en élévation qui montre un godet excavateur normal (4) avec la tête (9) spéciale qui permet de l'accoupler à l'équipement objet de la présente invention ;
• la figure 7 correspond à la vue en plan de dessus de la fourche (14) ou de l'arc de sustentation de l'équipement de travail d'un tracteur, auquel manque la lame niveleuse située sur la partie avant du tracteur, et auquel est accouplé le bâti (1) de l'équipement proposé ;
• la figure 8 montre une variante de réalisation pratique de l'équipement ;
• la figure 9 montre l'accouplement du bâti (1) à une pelle chargeuse ;
• la figure 10 montre l'accouplement du bâti (1) à une pelle excavatrice ;
• les figures 11 et 12 montrent des vues en élévation avant et de profil de l'accouplement (3) à un système de sécurité ;
• les figures 13 et 14, de même que les figures 15 et 16, sont des vues analogues à celles des figures 11 et 12, mais avec d'autres variantes possibles de l'accouplement (3).

To better understand the nature of the invention, we show in the accompanying drawings, by way of purely illustrative and nonlimiting example, a preferred industrial embodiment, to which we will refer in our description. And, on these drawings,

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of the equipment object of the present invention, shown according to a non-limiting example of possible practical embodiment;
• Figure 2 corresponds to the top plan view of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows, in a front elevation view, the middle of the equipment in the working phase;
• Figure 4 shows in perspective and schematically the coupling between the frame (1) of the equipment object of the invention and the chassis (13) of a subsoiler or a cutter belonging to a crawler tractor;
• Figure 5 shows, in an elevational view, the assembly by welding established between the frame (1) and the frame (13) of the subsoiler or the disaggregator;
• Figure 6 corresponds to an elevational view which shows a normal excavator bucket (4) with the special head (9) which allows it to be coupled to the equipment object of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 corresponds to the top plan view of the fork (14) or of the lifting arc of the working equipment of a tractor, which is lacking the leveling blade located on the front part of the tractor, and which the frame (1) of the proposed equipment is coupled;
• FIG. 8 shows a practical variant of the equipment;
• Figure 9 shows the coupling of the frame (1) to a loader shovel;
• Figure 10 shows the coupling of the frame (1) to an excavator;
• Figures 11 and 12 show front and side elevational views of the coupling (3) to a security system;
• Figures 13 and 14, as well as Figures 15 and 16, are views similar to those of Figures 11 and 12, but with other possible variants of the coupling (3).

The object of the present invention is equipment adaptable to machines for making trenches, pits, holes or similar excavations; equipment which essentially consists of a frame (1); arms (2) having the form of telescopic slides and coupling means (3), provided for the corresponding working instruments or tools (4), which are set in motion by means of actuating elements (5).

The frame (1) is a hollow part which can be made of molten steel or else constructed of steel sheets assembled by welding or by any other similar embodiment, having a polygonal cross section, preferably square or rectangular, but without this being able to extend in a limiting sense.

The arms (2) can be made in a form similar to the frame (1) and they have a configuration in cross section complementary to that of the frame (1); and so as to be able to describe a sliding movement inside this frame, like telescopic slides.

The arms (2) and the frame (1) have corresponding sets of orifices (6), so that by means of corresponding bolts (7) the arms (2) are fixed in the selected position, protruding more or less large, depending on the distance of spacing that it is desired to obtain between the working tools (4), to thus dig the holes or the specified excavation, with the spacing specified between these holes.

The insertion or extraction operation of the arms (2) relative to the frame (1) can be manual, as shown in the accompanying drawings, or it can be automatic, for example, performed using cylinders housed inside the frame (1), according to a conventional technical solution, similar to that used in the telescopic lifting arms or the elevation planes of mobile cranes and which will therefore not be described more fully detailed here.

The working tools (4) can be any tools chosen from among the tools existing on the market, provided that they are suitable for the coupling system of the coupling means (3) if this system has been specified.

Indeed, although the equipment can function perfectly with any coupling means (3) for working tools (4), including using conventional coupling means (3), we represent on the accompanying drawings a new embodiment of these coupling means (3), according to which, see Figure 6, the latter form a housing (8) in which mates, by guided fitting, a head (9) of the corresponding working tool (4). This coupling is made rigid by bolts, screws or any other similar conventional fastening element.

In this form, the coupling means (3) offer the advantages of simple manufacture; the possibility of using any working tool (4) among those used in machines such as loaders, excavators, backhoes, etc. ; as well as great simplicity and rapidity of execution of assembly as well as disassembly of the tools (4).

On the other hand, these coupling means make it possible to adapt security systems, as will be seen in more detail below.

Returning to the working tools (4), although it has been indicated that these tools may be conventional, in FIG. 1, a tool (4) is specially studied, since it has disintegrating teeth (10 ) assembled using metal blades (11), which act as a bucket bottom for the extraction of the hollow material.

On the other hand, the actuating elements (5) can be cylinders, vases, jacks or any other similar means, the actuation of which is carried out using the hydraulic, pneumatic system, etc. of the machine on which the proposed equipment is mounted.

For mounting the actuator elements (5), the frame (1) comprises plates produced with corresponding sets of orifices (12), in which the actuator elements (5) are fixed with bolts, according to a solution which makes it possible to rotate the latter as required and which makes it possible to arrange them selectively so as to form a more or less large projection.

In FIG. 3, we observe, by a view which represents half of the equipment, that this equipment has a symmetrical embodiment, how the actuation of the element (5) is effected with the movement of the tool (4) for digging an excavation or pit in the ground.

The frame (1) of the equipment may include complementary means making it possible to mount it on the corresponding machine, or else to establish this assembly using bolts, conventional fasteners, or even using of a permanent integral assembly, as is the case for what is shown in FIG. 4, in which the frame (1) is fixed by welding to the chassis of the cutter or subsoiler (13) of a crawler tractor, as can be seen in detail in Figure 5.

The equipment can thus be mounted on practically all the machines existing on the world market, for example loader shovels, agricultural or public works tractors, excavators, etc. and be arranged both on the front and on the rear of these machines.

In this sense, there is shown in Figure 7 the fork or the lifting arc (14) of the working equipment of a tractor, which lacks the leveling or finishing blade located on the front part of the tractor, the fixing of the frame (1) with the arc (14) is carried out using the corresponding screws.

In FIG. 8, a possible practical alternative embodiment is shown which in no way alters the principle of the present invention. According to this variant, the chassis (13) of the subsoiler or of the cutter of a tractor is used as a frame (1) for the equipment and, at its ends, end pieces (15) are fitted which, in their attachment extension for the tool (4), different longitudinal dimensions, so as to thus obtain different spacings between the working tools (4), depending on whether certain tips (15) or others are mounted.

In FIG. 9, we observe, in a side view, the lifting arms (16) of the bucket of a loader shovel, so that, when the bucket has been removed, and using the fixing and rotation bolts of this bucket, we can couple the frame (1) of the proposed equipment.

In FIG. 10, an excavating machine is represented diagrammatically, indicating how the frame (1) of the equipment can be mounted on the end of the basic boom (17) or on the end of the boom (18), or on that of the pendulum (19), replacing the bucket (20). An advantage brought by the incorporation of this equipment in this type of machine consists in that one can carry out the work on a radius of action of 360 ° and, while the machine is immobilized, all this by simply acting on the machine turret rotation controls.

Having thus described the basic components of the equipment, a possible example of the use of this equipment will be explained, as is the case for making holes in the slope of a mountain for carrying out reforestation. .

First, the operator places the arms (2) at the desired spacing, manually or automatically, and immobilizes them in this position.

Then, the operator raises all the equipment, by actuating the controls of the subsoiler of the towing machine, and places the latter on the upper part of the slope, and with the direction of travel directed towards the bottom.

The machine remaining immobilized, it executes the first two holes, by lowering the equipment using the controls of the subsoiler, until penetrating part of the tip of the teeth of the working tools (4) and by actuating then the cylinders (5) to put them to the desired length, and, for this, he can actuate the two cylinders (5) simultaneously or one after the other, as desired.

After digging the holes, he raises the equipment again and moves the machine to bring it to a new point, where he repeats the working process.

In this way, without having to use any special machine, but on the contrary being able to use any of the traditional machines on the market, one can dig holes, pits or similar excavations, with total precision and, moreover, by performing the work with the machine immobilized, which translates into greater safety and greater convenience for the worker and less wear and tear on the machine.

Figures 11 and 12 show a possible non-limiting example of practical embodiment of the coupling means (3), with a safety device.

According to this embodiment, the entry of the head (9) of the working tool (4) into the housing (8) of the coupling means (3) is fixed using a bolt (23) which penetrates in a groove (24) of the head (9). The bolt (23) is pushed by a spring (22), the tension of which is adjusted using a screw (21).

If the machine slips unexpectedly, the bolt (23) escapes from the groove (24) thus allowing the head (9) of the tool and, consequently, this tool, to escape from the coupling (3).

Figures 13 and 14 show the same solution as in Figures 11 and 12, but replacing the spring (22) with a block of synthetic material (25), such as rubber; on the contrary, in Figures 15 and 16, the adjusting screw (21) has been replaced by an articulated lever (26), which can be fixed in different positions, using the corresponding pin and the assembly d orifices (27) thereby establishing different degrees of compression of the spring (22).

Having thus sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as its industrial realization, it will suffice to add that, as a whole and in its constituent parts, it is possible to introduce modifications of shape, material and arrangement without depart from the scope of the invention, insofar as these modifications do not depart from its principle.

Claims (6)

Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, characterized in that it consists of a frame (1) on the ends of which project arms (2) having the form of telescopic slides, arms (2) which can stably occupy different more or less large projection positions and which comprise at their free ends coupling means (3) intended to receive the corresponding working tools (4); the actuation of which is effected by means of actuating elements (5) coupled, on one side, to the coupling means (3), on the other, to the frame (1); this frame (1) is mounted on a conventional tractor, which allows the latter to make trenches, ditches, holes or similar excavations. Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, entirely in accordance with the preceding claim, characterized in that the arms (2) can carry out their telescopic movement relative to the frame (1) either manually or automatically, provided that, according to a possible practical embodiment, the arms (2) and the frame (1) have sets of corresponding orifices (6) serving to fix the positions of the arms (2), using bolts (7). Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, entirely in accordance with the first claim, characterized in that, according to a preferred solution, the coupling means (3) for mounting the working tools ( 4) have a housing (8) of a configuration complementary to that of a head (9) of the tools (4) to thereby establish said coupling, by simple embedding of the head (9) in the housing (8), and by then establishing a rigid connection by means of screws, bolts or similar conventional elements. Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, entirely in accordance with the first and third claims, characterized in that is provided that the coupling means (3) comprise a bolt (23) whose penetration into a groove (24) of the head (9) of the working tool (4) makes the latter rigid in its assembly, the bolt (23) being maintained in its working position by elastic means (22 or 25) with adjustable action, to confer safety conditions on the coupling. Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, entirely in accordance with the first claim, characterized in that the assembly between the frame (1) and the machine is carried out using conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc., or, in a stable manner, by welding the frame (1) to the chassis (13) of the subsoiler of the machine. Equipment for forming trenches, pits, holes or the like, adaptable to machines, entirely in accordance with the first and fifth claims, characterized in that it is provided that, in certain machines, or parts of these machines, such as by example the chassis (13) of the subsoiler, it performs the functions of the frame (1) of the equipment, in which case the coupling means (3) have end caps (13) of different lengths to obtain in each case the desired length between working tools.

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