EP0623707B1 - Levelling apparatus for attaching to an attachment frame on the front of a selfpropelled vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a levelling apparatus for attaching to an attachment frame (4) on the front or the rear of a self-propelled vehicle (1) for the preparation of cross-country ski runs, ski pistes or snowmobile trails and also for roughening or breaking up hard snow and layers of ice on footways, roadways or walking paths, comprising a framework construction (20) which is pivotable about a horizontal axis running transversely to the direction of travel, with a front support (29), and a cutting device (40) for cutting open and/or comminuting the covering of snow or ice, a rear support (2) for the framework construction being provided. In the case of the levelling apparatus according to the invention, the framework construction (20) is articulated on the attachment frame (4) or a transverse beam (8), in such a way that the self-propelled vehicle (1) itself forms the rear support of the framework construction (20). <IMAGE>

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a leveling device for front mounting on the mounting frame of a drive vehicle, which can be adjusted in terms of its height and the inclination of its mounting level, for preparing ski trails, ski slopes or snowmobile trails and for roughening or breaking out hard snow and ice soles on foot, driving - or hiking trails, comprising a frame construction which can be swiveled about a horizontal axis running transversely to the direction of travel, with a front support and a cutting device for separating and / or crushing the snow or ice cover, a rear support being provided for the frame and the cutting device between the Front and he rear support stretches.

STATE OF THE ART

DE-A-30 29 221 describes such a leveling device, the frame construction of which is directed towards the rear, i.e. Includes rear support inclined against the direction of travel with at least one impeller. The cutting device extends between the front and rear supports. The front support is sledge-like.

This leveling device can also be used to freeze and ventilate trails or slopes. A wavy surface is leveled and particularly durable slopes and tracks can be prepared. If the drive vehicle is a caterpillar vehicle, the caterpillars of the drive vehicle support the function of the leveling device by further crushing the lumps of snow or ice produced by the leveling device and pressing them deep into the snow surface. This will freeze the snow cover more deeply and crystallize any residual moisture in the snow, making the slope or cross-country ski run more durable.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide a leveling device that has a simple structure.

This object is achieved in a leveling device with the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the leveling device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

A leveling device according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that the frame structure can be pivoted on the mounting frame about the axis mentioned, that the mounting plane and a basic working position of the frame structure on the mounting frame is defined by the position of the pivot bearing and by a stop, that the stop the pivotability of the frame construction relative to the mounting frame in the basic working position is limited, that the frame construction can be held in the basic working position with respect to its pivot position under the weight of the mounting frame at the abovementioned stop, and that by the type of articulation of the frame construction on the Mounting frame that

Drive vehicle itself can form the rear support of the frame structure.

A separate rear support can therefore be dispensed with. This is essentially formed by the wheels or crawlers of the drive vehicle, with which the frame structure is connected via the mounting frame and with respect to which the frame structure is pivoted.

The frame construction, including the cutting device and the front support, forms a unit which can be pivoted as a whole with respect to the vehicle or the mounting frame. However, the pivotability of the named unit relative to the mounting frame towards the front in the direction of travel is limited by at least one stop, so that it cannot buckle under the weight of the mounting frame. The stop is selected so that it precisely defines the basic working position of the unit mentioned, from which it can only move backwards, ie against the Can pivot direction of travel. Advantageously, torsion elements are further attached between the frame construction and the mounting frame, which are tensioned when the frame construction pivots out of its stated basic working position. The torsion elements create a kind of chisel effect when the knives or scrapers of the cutting device engage in a hard surface.

If the subsurface has larger bumps, the dimensions of which are considerably greater than the distance between the front support and the cutting device, then it slides preferably through slide elements (in the snow) or at least one running or Traction wheel (on paths, even if you have to drive over asphalt) formed front support together with the cutting device along the bumps. The cutting device does not or only insignificantly engages in the ground. If, on the other hand, the bumps are smaller, in particular smaller than the distance between the front support and the cutting device, the knives of the cutter will grip these and largely remove them by scraping the crest of the wave and filling the subsequent depression.

If the subsurface is too hard (stones, roots, etc.) or to generally avoid damage to the cutting device, a notching device for the cutting device can be provided on the frame structure. While the frame structure is usually simply pivoted back against the action of the torsion elements with increased resistance while the cutting device is being pushed over the hard terrain unit in question, the cutting device can occasionally get caught. In such a case, the cutting device is disengaged so that there is no damage. The cutting device then only has to be fastened or latched to the frame construction again.

To adapt to the snow and route conditions, it can be expediently provided that the height of the cutting device is adjustable.

A mounting plane of the frame on the mounting frame is defined by the axis via which the frame construction is articulated on the mounting frame and by the abovementioned stop to limit its pivoting to the front, the inclination of which includes the aforementioned basic working position and the cutting or scraping angle of the cutting device certainly. A mounting frame with an upper and a lower link is preferably used as the mounting frame, the length of the upper link, for example, being hydraulically adjustable. By adjusting the length of this handlebar, the inclination of the aforementioned mounting level can be adjusted change and set the digging depth (working depth) as well as the cutting or digging angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig.1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Schürf- und Planiereinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine vergrösserte Seitenansicht der Planiereinrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht der Planiereinrichtung von Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine Fig. 2 entsprechende Seitenansicht einer Planiereinrichtung gemäss einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung mit verbesserten Räumeigenschaften;

Fig. 5

eine vereinfachte Seitenansicht einer Planiereinrichtung nach der Erfindung, bei welcher die Messerbalken durch eine Vielzahl von einzelnen Winkel- oder ähnlichen Messern ersetzt sind; und

Fig. 6

die Frontalansicht der Planiereinrichtung gemäss Fig. 5.

Show in the drawing

Fig. 1

is a schematic side view of an excavation and grading device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an enlarged side view of the leveling device;

Fig. 3

a plan view of the leveling device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a leveling device according to a development of the invention with improved spatial properties;

Fig. 5

a simplified side view of a leveling device according to the invention, in which the cutter bars are replaced by a plurality of individual angle or similar knives; and

Fig. 6

5 shows the front view of the leveling device according to FIG. 5.

WAY OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

The invention is described below with reference to a preferred embodiment in the drawing.

A drive vehicle 1 with crawlers or wheels 2 has a mounting frame 4 provided with a coupling linkage 3 on its front side. The coupling linkage 3 comprises an upper, designed as a hydraulic cylinder link 5 and a lower link 6, which is raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinder draulic cylinder 7. The 7 is freely movable in the floating position for operation with the leveling device. Attached to the mounting frame 4 is a frame construction 20, which comprises one or two supports 22, which are parallel to one another and inclined in the direction of travel, for a front support 29 and a molded support 23 with two legs 24 which are parallel to one another. The carriers 22 are rigidly connected to one another via a cross strut 37 for stabilization. Longitudinal struts 38 rigidly connect the brackets 22 to the legs 24 of the bracket 23. A yoke bracket 26 is mounted in the bracket 23, a bearing for this purpose being designated by 28 in FIG. The cutting device 40 is fastened to the carrier 26. The two carriers 23 and 26 are connected to one another by means of a notching device 60.

The front support 29 is designed either as a slide 30 or as an impeller 31. In the case of the slide 30, the latter is pivotably mounted on the carriers 22, one or more positions being provided for the position of the pivot axis 32 in order to be able to set a certain depth of digging as the basic setting of the cutting device 40. When using an impeller, this can also preferably be mounted on the carriers 22 in different positions. Wheels with low-pressure balloon tires are particularly suitable as an impeller.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the cutting device 40 can be designed in the form of a toothed tool (scraper bar). The cutting device 40 can extend over a little more than the width of the frame structure 20; however, depending on the width and power of the drive vehicle 1, also several (eg two or even four) frame constructions 20 with a corresponding number of front supports 29 can be connected together with a single, continuous cross member 8, as indicated in FIG. 3.

In order to prevent ejection of scrap material on both sides of the cutting device 40 with formation of a disturbing edge wall, but also to avoid accidents, a snow guide plate (snow deflector) 42 is attached to the side of the cutting device 40.

Of course, other forms of cutting devices can also be used instead of the scraper bar shown in FIG. 3. An exemplary embodiment of such a different type of cutting device is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6: The cutting device 40 here comprises a large number of individual form knives 213 (protractor knives or similarly shaped knives) which are pivotably arranged on a common pivot shaft 212. The form knives 213 each comprise a vertical knife shaft 214 and a knife tip 215 which is formed on one or more sides. They are each connected to a support structure via connecting plates 216, which can be released in the same way (release device 60), as has already been explained above in connection with FIG. 2.

The frame structure 20 together with the front support 29 and the cutting device 40 is pivotably mounted on the cross member 8, the position of the bearing axis being designated by 53 in FIG. 2. Furthermore, torsion elements 54 connected to the carrier 23 of the frame structure 20 and on the other hand to the mounting frame 3 are provided; they drive the carrier 23 and thus the frame construction 20 back into a predetermined pivot position relative to the cross member 8 and the mounting frame. The pivotability of the frame structure 20 relative to the mounting frame 3 is limited to the front in a basic working position by a stop. 2, the frame structure 20 is shown in this basic working position. From this position, the frame construction 20 can only pivot backwards under tension of the torsion elements, the cutting device 40 then assuming the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2, for example.

The abovementioned stop to limit the pivotability of the frame structure 20 relative to the mounting frame 3 is formed by bumper elements 90 on the support 23 and corresponding counter-elements 91 on the crossmember 8. The attachment elements 90 are also provided with rubber buffers 92.

The function of the leveling device according to the invention is now explained below. The frame structure 20 is pivotally mounted on the mounting frame 3, which is freely movable in terms of its height, so that on the one hand the frame structure and the cross member 8 with the mounting frame 3 can pivot in height with respect to the drive vehicle 1 (double arrow 100) and the frame structure 20 on the other hand is pivotable relative to the mounting frame 3 (double arrow 101). In the case of a base 200 with medium-sized bumps 202, the slide 30 slides (or rolls the impeller 31) along them, the cutting device 40, however, essentially not participating in the movement of the relief, but the undulating snow cover being broken up and leveled. A layer 203 of loosened snow or broken snow is then located behind the cutting device 40 Ice cream. This is compressed and compressed by the weight of the drive vehicle 1, as shown at 204.

Due to the position of the pivot bearing 53 and the stop defined by the elements 90 and 91 and the rubber buffers 92, an attachment level of the frame construction on the end face of the cross member 8 with the attachment frame 3 is defined. By adjusting the hydraulic cylinder 5, the inclination of this plane and thus the working depth can be changed in accordance with the set basic position of the front support 30, 31 and the cutting or scraping angle of the device according to the invention (double arrow 102).

In Fig. 2, 33 is an example of a rubber band between the front end of the carriage 30 and the cross strut 37. The elastic band 33 or the like is used to determine the position of the slide 30 in the raised state of the device. In the glider position, the slide is aligned e.g. as a kind of snow plow to clear away a snow wall or the like.

The carriage 30 itself has only a limited blade height in the vertical position as a clearing blade, so that the snow piled up in front of the carriage when sliding clears relatively easily over the carriage. The clearing effect is therefore only limited. In addition, the inevitable erection of the sled 30 does not lead to a fixed vertical positioning of the sled in the case of steeply rising snow walls, so that the sled can easily return to its sliding tactile position with a normal-wave route profile. In order to achieve better results when used as a clearing device, it is therefore proposed in a further development of the invention to provide first means according to FIG to pivot the pivot axis 32 into a vertical position and to hold it in the pivoted position. Furthermore, second means are provided which, together with the pivoted carriage 30, form a clearing blade.

The first means comprise a pivoting lever 207 which is pivotally attached to the frame structure in a bearing 209 and which can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic cylinder 208 which is fastened to the cross member 8 or mounting frame 4. One lever arm of the pivot lever 207 is connected to the slide 30 via a cable 205. The second means comprise a clearing flap 206 which is fixedly attached to the pivot lever 207 in the manner shown. When the piston is pushed out of the hydraulic cylinder 208, the pivot lever 207 pivots counterclockwise about the axis of the bearing 209. The slide 30 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 211 into the upright (dashed) position by means of the cable 205. Together with the swivel lever 207, the clearing flap 206 is pivoted into a position in which carriage 30 and clearing flap 206 adjoin one another and form the clearing blade. To further improve the clearing function, a scraper bar 210 can additionally be attached to the rear edge of the slide 30, which forms a sharply delimited lower edge of the clearing blade in the vertical position of the slide 30.

List of designations:

1

Drive vehicle

2nd

Track chains or wheels of the drive vehicle

3rd

Coupling linkage

4th

Mounting frame

5

Handlebars

6

Hydraulic cylinder

7

Hydraulic cylinder

8th

Cross member

20th

Frame construction

22

Carrier of the frame construction

23

Mold carrier

24th

Leg of the carrier 23

26

Yoke carrier

28

camp

29

Front support

30th

carriage

31

Wheel

32

Swivel axis

33

Elastic band

37

Cross strut

38

Longitudinal struts (bracing of the scraping bar bearing)

40

Cutting device

42

Snow guide plate

53

Position of a bearing axis

54

Spring or torsion elements

60

Notching device

90

Attachment elements

91

Counter elements to 90

92

Rubber buffer

100

Double arrow

101

Double arrow

102

Double arrow

200

Underground

202

Bumps

203

Location of loosened prospect

204

position

205

Cable

206

Clearing flap

207

Swivel lever

208

Hydraulic cylinder

209

camp

210

Scraper bar

211

arrow

212

Swivel shaft

213

Form knife

214

Razor shaft

215

Knife tip

216

Connecting plate

Claims (13)

1. A grading apparatus for front attachment to the attachment frame (4) of a drive vehicle (1), capable of free movement in respect of its height and capable of being firmly secured in respect of its inclination angle, for the preparation of ski cross-country trails, ski pistes, or snowmobile trails, as well as for the roughing or breakup of compacted snow and ice on footpaths, vehicular carriageways, or hiking trails, including a bracket construction (20) capable of swivelling about a horizontal axis running at right angles to the direction of travel, with a forward support (29) and a cutting apparatus (40) for ripping up and/or crushing a snow layer, in which a rearward support (2) is provided for the bracket construction (20) an that the cutting apparatus (40) extends between the forward and rearward support,
   characterized in that

   the bracket construction (20) is linked to the attachment frame (4) in such a way as to be swivelled about the said axis (53),

   the attachment plane and a basic working position of the bracket construction (20) on the attachment frame (4) is defined by the position of this swivel bearing (53) as well as by a stop element (90-92), that the swivelling capacity of the bracket construction (20) is limited relative to the attachment frame (4) in the basic working position due to the stop element (90-92),

   the bracket construction (20) can be retained in the basic working position, in respect of its swivelling position, under the weight of the attachment frame (4) at the said stop (90-92), and thanks to the type of attachment of the bracket construction (20) to the attachment frame (4), the bracket construction (20) to the attachment frame (4), the drive vehicle (1) can itself form the rearward support for the bracket construction (20).
2. A grading apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bracket construction (20) includes at least one carrier element (23, 26) for the cutting device (40), and carrier elements (22) inclined in the direction of travel for the forward support (29), connected to one another by longitudinal and transverse struts (37, 38).
3. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bracket construction (20) features a release mechanism (60) for the cutting device (40).
4. A grading apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cutting device (40) is secured in a releasable manner to the bracket construction (20) by means of a yoke beam (20), which is essentially U-shaped.
5. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the height (operating depth) of the cutting device (40), as well as its cutting or digging angle, are adjustable.
6. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bracket construction (20) is mounted on the attachment frame (4) by means of spring or torsion elements (54), which exert force on the bracket construction (20) in a forwards direction when it is in the rearward pivoted state.
7. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pivoting capacity of the bracket construction (20) in respect of the transverse beam (8) or the attachment frame (4) respectively, is limited in a forwards movement, in its basic operating position, by means of at least one stop (90, 91).
8. A grading apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the minium of one stop element (90, 91) is designed to be elastically resilient.
9. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the forward support (29) is linked to the carriage which is fitted to the bracket construction (30).
10. A grading apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that means are provided, for example in the form of a rubber covering (33), which prevent the carriage (30), at least when in the raised state, from tilting downwards to the front.
11. A grading apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the forwards support (29) is a running wheel (31).
12. A grading apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that the carriage (30) can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis (32) running transverse to the direction of travel, that first means are provided, for the use of the grading apparatus for clearance, to pivot the carriage (30) about the pivot axis (32) into a vertical position, and hold it in the position into which it has been pivoted, and that second means are provided which, together with the pivoted carriage (30), form a plough blade.
13. A grading apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that the first means include a pivot lever (207) which is located on the bracket construction in such a way as to be capable of pivoting, which can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic cylinder (208), and one lever arm of which is connected to the carriage (30) by means of a cable (205), and that the second means include a flap (206) which is firmly secured to the pivot lever (207), and which, when the carriage (30) is pivoted, is also pivoted together with the pivot lever (207) into a position in which carriage (30) and flap (206) join together and form the plough blade.

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