US3656557A - Apparatus for levelling, smoothing, and grading snow - Google Patents
Apparatus for levelling, smoothing, and grading snow Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3656557A US3656557A US849403A US3656557DA US3656557A US 3656557 A US3656557 A US 3656557A US 849403 A US849403 A US 849403A US 3656557D A US3656557D A US 3656557DA US 3656557 A US3656557 A US 3656557A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- ski
- frame
- grading
- boom
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B31/00—Drags graders for field cultivators
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H4/00—Working on surfaces of snow or ice in order to make them suitable for traffic or sporting purposes, e.g. by compacting snow
- E01H4/02—Working on surfaces of snow or ice in order to make them suitable for traffic or sporting purposes, e.g. by compacting snow for sporting purposes, e.g. preparation of ski trails; Construction of artificial surfacings for snow or ice sports ; Trails specially adapted for on-the-snow vehicles, e.g. devices adapted for ski-trails
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/76—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices
- E02F3/7622—Scraper equipment with the scraper blade mounted on a frame to be hitched to the tractor by bars, arms, chains or the like, the frame having no ground supporting means of its own, e.g. drag scrapers
- E02F3/7627—Scraper equipment with the scraper blade mounted on a frame to be hitched to the tractor by bars, arms, chains or the like, the frame having no ground supporting means of its own, e.g. drag scrapers with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the frame about a vertical axis
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
- E02F9/085—Ground-engaging fitting for supporting the machines while working, e.g. outriggers, legs
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A device is disclosed for use with a vehicle, preferably of the track laying type which is adaptable for traversing, under low bearing pressure conditions, areas and surfaces of snow, mud, sand and other off-highway media of low density, which by virtue of its unique construction and association with the vehicle, enhances remarkably the steering capability thereof.
- the device comprises a boom-like frame mounted on the front of the vehicle and formed so as to extend over and above the grading plow and terminating in a steering ski at a point substantially forwardly of the vehicle.
- the ski adjustably hinged to the boomframe, is capable of (1) being raised above the surface being traversed (2) maintaining sliding contact therewith and (3) transmitting a downward force supplied by a control means connecting the boom-frame to the vehicle.
- the present invention is a unique addition to the art of grading, clearing and leveling, for example, snow covered slopes and hills such as are found in ski resorts.
- grading, clearing and leveling for example, snow covered slopes and hills such as are found in ski resorts.
- moguls formed by skiers on the skis trails, at points where turns are repeatedly made. It is important to be able to quickly smooth out, remove or crush these moguls to remove what would otherwise be dangerous hazards to the skier because of loss of ski traction should he unexpectedly come upon one.
- This invention relates to vehicles, preferably of the track laying type, which are equipped with snow plow devices or other means for performing grading and scraping operations, and which are further provided with means such as the cleated track for traversal of surfaces in areas where high bearing pressures cannot be supported. More particularly, the invention relates to vehicles of the type above indicated wherein a steering ski is mounted on the end of an elongated boom or frame, which is attached at its other end to the front end of the vehicle; and further wherein the boom or frame is controllable in elevation by power means.
- a track laying vehicle fitted with an endless cleated track such as disclosed in US. No. 3,165,364 to R. W. Eskelson et al., and which is a low bearing pressure vehicle, is rendered capable of performing work and other operations in conjunction with grading of the surfaces referred to in a rather surprising and unique way.
- the ski which in its preferred embodiment is steerable from the vehicle operator position, and, through suitable control means attached to the boom, is capable of transmitting a downward force to the surface, whereby the vehicle weight, or a substantial portion thereof is distributed so as to be suspended between the ski and rear of the vehicle.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a vehicle of the character, described wherein grading operations performed by such vehicles on surfaces capable of supporting only low bearing pressure is accomplished with greater precision than heretofore possible.
- Still another object of this invention is to provide a vehicle combination as above described wherein the steering capability thereof is enhanced through reducing the effort required by the operator of the vehicle in performing such operations.
- the invention comprises a vehicle, preferably of the track laying type, having an elongated means attached to the front end thereof and extending therefrom a substantial distance to a steerable, ground contacting means attached thereto whereby the vehicle, in combination with said elongated means and other attachments ordinarily found in such vehicles, accomplishes its usual task in greater precision, greater speed, more economically and with far less expenditure of effort by the operator.
- FIG. 1 is a pictorial, front elevational view of the invention showing a grading plow or blade and attachment of the elongated boom;
- FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but viewed from a point in front and partially broken away to shown some of the detail P
- FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the invention illustrating it operating on a snow or ski slope;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of a detail of the invention.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a vehicle 10 of the track-laying type. Attached to vehicle 10 by means of a mounting frame 11 comprising a vertical, or upper portion ll-a and a horizontal, or lower portion ll-b, the latter extending under vehicle 10 for attachment thereto at a convenient place (not shown), is a grading plow assembly 12 for grading, scraping, or levelling snow and the like. Plow 12 is attached to vehicle 10 through horitzontally extending frame or plate 1 l-c which by connection thereof to portion ll-b by pin connectors 13-0 (one only shown) is capable of being rotated thereabout.
- a grading plow assembly 12 for grading, scraping, or levelling snow and the like.
- Plow 12 is attached to vehicle 10 through horitzontally extending frame or plate 1 l-c which by connection thereof to portion ll-b by pin connectors 13-0 (one only shown) is capable of being rotated thereabout.
- a pair of horizontal power cylinders 13 are mounted between plate 11-0 and plow 12, said power cylinders 13 being selectively operated to effect a push and pull motion on plow 12 and thereby rotate same about a vertical axis through a forwardly positioned plate pin 13-h.
- An additional power cylinder 13-c is mounted above and between cylinders 13 through suitable pin connections to frame 11 upper portion 111: and to plate ll-c, thereby enabling raising and lowering, i.e., rotating, plow l2 and plate ll-c about connection pins 13-0.
- cylinders steering which ordinarily is accomplished by braking one of 13, when operated in push-pull fashion permit rotation of plow 12 about a vertical axis through pin 13-b to provide angular control of plow 12, whereas ylinder 13-0 permits plow 12 to be raised and lowered, i.e., elevational control of plow 12 is obtained thereby, being rotatable, as stated above, about pin connectors l3-c, although its upward movement is seen to be limited by gusset plate connectors of a forwardly extending angular boom 15 to be later described.
- An additional power cylinder 14, is mounted on plow 12 to permit rotational control of plow 12 about a horizontal, or longitudinal axis.
- plow 12 can be raised, lowered, turned in or out, or up or down, thereby performing various levelling or grading operations all under complete control of the vehicle operator. It should therefore be evident that these unique control features of this invention result in a marked improvement and provide those artisens in the art concerned, with a highly useful tool.
- Boom or frame 15 is fabricated of structural steel and is of angular configuration, to permit more effective action by attached power cylinder 15-11, and is comprised of two main sections; a short rear section 16 having suitable fittings for pin connecting it to vehicle on frame piece 11-0 and which terminates in an angular gusset plate 17; and a longer, forward section 18, which extends from gusset l7 forwardly subtending an obtuse angle therebetween.
- Longer section 18 terminates in a steering ski 19, which, as shown in FIG. 2 hinges on a pin 20 to freely rotate thereabout; but which is steerable by means of a power cylinder 21 operating a crank arm 22, indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4.
- cylinder 21 is connected to the end of boom, or frame through a bracket welded to a longitudinal structural member thereof.
- An additional pin 23 passes through arm 22, being connected thereto for rotation therewith by well known means, for example a woodruff key indicated in FIG. 4.
- keel 24 fixed to the bottom surface of ski 19 is a keel 24 which extends along the surface thereat in the central portion thereof.
- boom 15 can be raised above the surface, adjusted to merely slidably contact the surface, or bear against the surface through steerable ski 19 by means of power cylinder 15-0. With steerable ski 19 being forced downwardly into the surface, steering of the entire vehicle system can be achieved by the operator. Secondly, by means of boom 15 and sliding ski 19, the effective length of vehicle 10 is increased, hence fore and aft rocking is practically eliminated.
- plow 12 because ski 19 in performing as a steering platform floats along the surface under controlled conditions with keel 24 permitting side loads for steering, removes high ridges and fills in low areas to provide a level surface for vehicle 10 to move in. Simultaneously, the prime mover on vehicle 10 retains its capability of traversing soft or low density surfaces under very low load bearing conditions. Lastly snow plowing to break new trails in new snow is more easily and economically accomplished, enhanced in precision, and effectiveness, and without over-loading plow 12.
- ski 19 is steerable from the vehicle by means of cylinder 21, and since it gains side loading because of its keel 24, it has been found that the usual manner of steering by braking each track is unnecessary. This in turns permits vehicle 10 engine power to be more efficiently utilized in propelling the vehicle. Thus when traversing steep slopes, and especially in maneuvering thereon, overall vehicle performance is greatly enhanced.
- a track-laying vehicle for traversing snow surfaces and the like, said vehicle equipped with snow-grading, surface smoothing accessory means and being self propelled and further including power cylinders for raising and lowering the grading and smoothing means, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- hydraulic power means mounted on said vehicle and attached to said boom frame for raising and lowering said frame and applying through said frame a downward force at the front end thereof;
- a steerable ski pivotally attached to the forward end of said frame and adapted to slidably move over the surface when propelled by said track-laying vehicle, said ski providing ground support for said downward force applied by said raising and lowering power means on said vehicle;
- said boom frame comprising a first section including pivotal attaching means to said vehicle and extending angularly upward therefrom and a second section connected to said first section and extending downwardly therefrom to subtend an obtuse angle therebetween.
- ski further includes a keel-like element attached to the bottom side thereof side thereof for penetrating the surface being traversed while sliding thereover.
- boomlike frame forms an obtuse angle directed with respect to said vehicle and said ski so as to have a short side of said angle extending upwardly from said vehicle attachment point in the front thereof, and a long side of said angle extending to said 5 steering ski.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cleaning Of Streets, Tracks, Or Beaches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US84940369A | 1969-08-12 | 1969-08-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3656557A true US3656557A (en) | 1972-04-18 |
Family
ID=25305703
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US849403A Expired - Lifetime US3656557A (en) | 1969-08-12 | 1969-08-12 | Apparatus for levelling, smoothing, and grading snow |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3656557A (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2236534A1 (en) * | 1973-04-27 | 1975-02-07 | Fendt Christian | |
US4083131A (en) * | 1976-04-02 | 1978-04-11 | Max Auer | Apparatus for regeneration of skiing courses |
US4187624A (en) * | 1978-03-08 | 1980-02-12 | Blau James R | Snow plow |
US4202118A (en) * | 1978-11-20 | 1980-05-13 | D. T. Equipment Limited | Snowmobile trail groomer |
US4222442A (en) * | 1978-12-14 | 1980-09-16 | Westendorf Neal W | Method and apparatus for power mounting an implement on a tractor |
US4706762A (en) * | 1986-02-21 | 1987-11-17 | J. I. Case Company | Grade leveling device |
US4788783A (en) * | 1987-03-24 | 1988-12-06 | Bachler Anton R | Ski-track forming apparatus |
EP0814205A2 (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1997-12-29 | Gottfried Schuschitz | Boom for a vehicle |
US5906060A (en) * | 1997-09-10 | 1999-05-25 | Tonry; Robert | Manually pushed snow shovel |
US6691795B2 (en) | 2001-05-07 | 2004-02-17 | Tri-Track International Ltd. | Snow or soil grader |
US6899191B1 (en) | 2004-01-30 | 2005-05-31 | Sno-Bear Industries, Llc | Actuated ski suspension |
US20090194304A1 (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-06 | Backus Carl A | Grading Attachment for Skid-Steer Vehicle |
US20190085530A1 (en) * | 2017-09-20 | 2019-03-21 | Deere & Company | Work implement control based on tire pressure in a construction vehicle |
US10384504B2 (en) | 2015-12-16 | 2019-08-20 | SnoBear USA, Inc. | Transport trailer |
US10704224B1 (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2020-07-07 | Evan Hauer | Grading device for skid steer equipment |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1441971A (en) * | 1922-02-09 | 1923-01-09 | Carl A Dittrich | Road-drag attachment |
US2374016A (en) * | 1940-10-16 | 1945-04-17 | Richard F Henneuse | Scraper |
US2846017A (en) * | 1954-03-09 | 1958-08-05 | Luchterhand Elmer | Snow vehicle with endless tread propelling device |
US3027662A (en) * | 1958-07-25 | 1962-04-03 | Jr Ernest R Cunningham | Combination motor grader and bulldozer |
US3166338A (en) * | 1962-03-16 | 1965-01-19 | Romsdal Hakon Ole | Steering means for vehicles |
-
1969
- 1969-08-12 US US849403A patent/US3656557A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1441971A (en) * | 1922-02-09 | 1923-01-09 | Carl A Dittrich | Road-drag attachment |
US2374016A (en) * | 1940-10-16 | 1945-04-17 | Richard F Henneuse | Scraper |
US2846017A (en) * | 1954-03-09 | 1958-08-05 | Luchterhand Elmer | Snow vehicle with endless tread propelling device |
US3027662A (en) * | 1958-07-25 | 1962-04-03 | Jr Ernest R Cunningham | Combination motor grader and bulldozer |
US3166338A (en) * | 1962-03-16 | 1965-01-19 | Romsdal Hakon Ole | Steering means for vehicles |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2236534A1 (en) * | 1973-04-27 | 1975-02-07 | Fendt Christian | |
US4083131A (en) * | 1976-04-02 | 1978-04-11 | Max Auer | Apparatus for regeneration of skiing courses |
US4187624A (en) * | 1978-03-08 | 1980-02-12 | Blau James R | Snow plow |
US4202118A (en) * | 1978-11-20 | 1980-05-13 | D. T. Equipment Limited | Snowmobile trail groomer |
US4222442A (en) * | 1978-12-14 | 1980-09-16 | Westendorf Neal W | Method and apparatus for power mounting an implement on a tractor |
US4706762A (en) * | 1986-02-21 | 1987-11-17 | J. I. Case Company | Grade leveling device |
US4788783A (en) * | 1987-03-24 | 1988-12-06 | Bachler Anton R | Ski-track forming apparatus |
EP0814205A3 (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1998-04-01 | Gottfried Schuschitz | Boom for a vehicle |
EP0814205A2 (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1997-12-29 | Gottfried Schuschitz | Boom for a vehicle |
US5906060A (en) * | 1997-09-10 | 1999-05-25 | Tonry; Robert | Manually pushed snow shovel |
US6691795B2 (en) | 2001-05-07 | 2004-02-17 | Tri-Track International Ltd. | Snow or soil grader |
US6899191B1 (en) | 2004-01-30 | 2005-05-31 | Sno-Bear Industries, Llc | Actuated ski suspension |
US20090194304A1 (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-06 | Backus Carl A | Grading Attachment for Skid-Steer Vehicle |
US10384504B2 (en) | 2015-12-16 | 2019-08-20 | SnoBear USA, Inc. | Transport trailer |
US10704224B1 (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2020-07-07 | Evan Hauer | Grading device for skid steer equipment |
US20190085530A1 (en) * | 2017-09-20 | 2019-03-21 | Deere & Company | Work implement control based on tire pressure in a construction vehicle |
US10472798B2 (en) * | 2017-09-20 | 2019-11-12 | Deere & Company | Work implement control based on tire pressure in a construction vehicle |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LOGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY,2503 NORTH MAIN ST LOG Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:DE LOREAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004035/0202 Effective date: 19820806 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A., UTAH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST, LICENSE BACK AND AGREEMENT FOR REASSIGNMENT OF INTEREST, ALL SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED;ASSIGNOR:LOGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004929/0815 Effective date: 19880208 Owner name: FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A., 15 EAST 100 SOU Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST, LICENSE BACK AND AGREEMENT FOR REASSIGNMENT OF INTEREST, ALL SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED;ASSIGNOR:LOGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004929/0815 Effective date: 19880208 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LMC OPERATING CORP., UTAH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LMC HOLDING CO.;REEL/FRAME:006543/0973 Effective date: 19930401 Owner name: LMC HOLDING CO., NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ECCLESIASTES 9:10-11-12 INC.;REEL/FRAME:006472/0951 Effective date: 19930401 Owner name: CACHE VALLEY BANK, N.A., UTAH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:006472/0943 Effective date: 19930330 Owner name: ECCLESIASTES 9:10-11-12 INC., NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CACHE VALLEY BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:006469/0735 Effective date: 19930330 Owner name: ECCLESIASTES 9:10-11-12 INC., NEW JERSEY Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LOGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:006469/0444 Effective date: 19921230 |