WO2003033827A1

WO2003033827A1 - Grading apparatus for road works

Info

Publication number: WO2003033827A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/011361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guido Azzolin
Original assignee: Meccanica Breganzese S.R.L.
Priority date: 2001-10-17
Filing date: 2002-10-10
Publication date: 2003-04-24

Abstract

Grading apparatus (1; 100; 200) for road works is described and comprises a component for coupling to the front portion of a machine, a blade (16) connected to the coupling element for performing rotary movements on a horizontal axis and translational movements on a vertical axis, and actuating means for bringing about the said movements.

Description

Grading apparatus for road works

Technical field

The subject of the present invention is a grading apparatus for road works according to the preamble to the main claim. Technological background

The apparatus is suitable, in particular, for coupling to the front portion of a machine.

There are currently known various types of apparatus for performing road grading works, one of which is constituted by a grading blade which is carried by specific machines and is generally located between the two axles of the machine.

Another known type of apparatus is constituted by a grading blade which has wheels and a tow bar and is generally coupled to the rear of a machine and towed thereby.

Both of these known types of apparatus can be controlled by a control unit which uses laser signals to transmit pulses to the grading blade for regulating its working position in accordance with data preset in the control unit.

These types of apparatus generally have a movement capability which is limited purely to translation along a vertical axis.

The use of these known types of grading apparatus has demonstrated the existence of a problem when the work is to be given an inclination to the vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the machine.

This problem arises from the constraint constituted by the type of movement of known grading apparatus, which is generally limited to translation along the vertical axis. Another operative disadvantage which is encountered in the use of known grading apparatus relates to operations to be performed in the vicinity or in the presence of fixed obstacles which cannot be removed and repositioned.

In these situations, with all of the known versions of grading apparatus, both of the carried type and of the towed type, there is always an area which remains unworked; this area corresponds to the distance between the front or rear boundary of the machine and the position of the blade, for a blade carried between the axles, or between the front boundary of the towing machine or the rear boundary of the towed apparatus and the position of the blade, for a towed blade.

Description of the invention

The main task of the present invention is to provide a grading apparatus, particularly for road works, which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of apparatus of known types.

In connection with the main task, another important object of the present invention is to provide a grading apparatus, particularly for road works, which is capable of both translational movements along the vertical axis and rotary movements about a central support, for the adjustment of its working position.

Another important object is to provide a grading apparatus, particularly for road works, which enables work to be performed at any point without areas remaining which cannot physically be reached and which are impossible to work. The main task, the objects proposed, and yet other objects which will become clearer from the following description are achieved by a grading apparatus for road works, characterized in that it comprises a component for coupling to the front portion of a machine, a blade connected to the coupling element for performing rotary movements on a horizontal axis and translational movements on a vertical axis, and actuating means for bringing about the said movements. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of three embodiments thereof which are illustrated by way of example in the appended sheets of drawings and figures but are not thereby limiting of the scope of the invention; in the drawings: - Figure 1 is a rear view of a first embodiment of a grading apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention,

- Figure 2 is a side view of the grading apparatus of Figure 1 ,

- Figure 3 is a section through the grading apparatus, taken on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 , - Figure 4 is a section through the grading apparatus, taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 1 ,

- Figure 5 is a rear view of a first detail of the grading apparatus of Figure 1 , - Figure 6 is a side view of the detail of Figure 5,

- Figure 7 is a rear view of a second detail of the grading apparatus of Figure

1 ,

- Figure 8 is a section view, taken on line VIII-VIII, of the detail of Figure 7, - Figure 9 is a sectioned side view of a second embodiment of a grading apparatus formed in accordance with the invention, in a first attitude,

- Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of the grading apparatus of Figure 9 in a second attitude,

- Figure 11 is a rear view of the grading apparatus of Figure 9, - Figure 12 is a side view showing, in section, a third embodiment of a grading apparatus formed in accordance with the invention, in a first attitude, and

- Figure 13 is a side view showing, in section, the grading apparatus of Figure 12, in a second attitude. Preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference initially to Figures 1 to 8 mentioned above, a grading apparatus according to the invention, generally indicated 1 , comprises a component for coupling to the front portion of a machine, which is not shown for clarity, the component being constituted by a fixed coupling plate, indicated 10, which has, on its rear portion 11 , brackets 12 for quick coupling to the machine. in a central region of the plate 10 there is a slot 13 which allows a pin 15 for connection to a pivoting blade 16 to slide along a vertical axis. First coupling elements 17 are fixed to the upper portion of the plate 10 for the coupling of actuating means for the pivoting blade 16 (for adjustment and movement), which take the form of hydraulic jacks 18 in this embodiment. The first coupling elements 17 project outwardly from the sides of the plate 10. The pivoting blade 16 is constituted by two transverse walls 19 and 20, which are arranged one in front of the other and of which the front wall 19 is slightly inclined, and by two side walls 21 and 22. The connecting pin 15, about which the blade 16 is free to pivot and by means of which the connection to the fixed coupling plate 10 is formed, is fixed to the rear transverse wall 20. Second coupling elements 23 for the hydraulic jacks 18 are also fixed to the rear transverse wall 20 in corresponding positions, on the vertical axis, to the homologous first coupling elements 17 which are present on the fixed plate. The connection formed by the pin 15 between the two elements, that is, the plate 10 and the blade 16, is completed by a lock nut 24 with a washer 25.

Translational movement along the vertical axis or rotary movement about the pin 15 is brought about by the two hydraulic jacks 18 which are fixed at their upper ends 26 to the first coupling elements 17 of the fixed plate 10 and at their lower ends 27 to the second coupling elements 23 of the pivoting blade 16. The control system is constituted by a laser station of known type, not shown for clarity, in which the characteristics of the work to be performed are set. The station emits signals which are picked up by readers 28 fixed to the side walls 21 and 22 of the pivoting blade 16 by suitable supports 29 and are sent to a control unit (not shown) situated on the machine; pulses are sent by this latter control unit to solenoid valves 30 which govern the movement of the jacks 18.

The two jacks 18 are controlled independently of one another and this allows the pivoting blade 16 to perform translational movements along the vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of forward movement of the machine whilst remaining parallel to the fixed plate 10, or to perform rotary movements about the central pin 15 in the same vertical plane.

The two types of movement may also be combined, rendering the operative capability of the pivoting apparatus suitable for work of any type, since the working attitude preset in the laser control station can be varied quickly and accurately without any further adjustment operation by an operator. A metal sole 32 of variable inclination is disposed below the front and rear transverse walls 19 and 20 and is articulated to the end 31 of the front wall 19. Locking elements, not shown for clarity, for example, pins or bolts, are disposed on the inner face of the rear transverse wall 20 for locking the metal sole 32 at a desired inclination in order to oppose any incorrect pivoting of the blade 16, particularly in the presence of fine-grained materials.

In a second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated 100 and shown in Figures 9-11 , of which details identical to the previous embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, the sole 32' is welded between end portions 19a and 20a of the respective walls 19 and 20.

The end portion 19a, which continues the shape of the wall 19, is articulated to the wall 19, whereas the end portion 20a, which continues the wall 20, is articulated to the end of a threaded bar 33 disposed between the walls and engaged in a fixed, internally-threaded element 34.

The threaded bar 33 terminates at the top in a crank 35 which is available for operation by the user and the rotation of which brings about hinging of the unit composed of the portions 19a, 20a and of the sole 32'. The sole 32' can thus be arranged in an operative attitude, bearing on the surface to be graded.

To prevent sticking of the front end portion 19a of the pivoting blade 16 and to further discharge the weight of the blade 16, pivoting wheels 41 are advantageously fixed on the coupling plate 10 by means of their own support couplings 40.

The wheels 41 have their running surface substantially aligned with the working surface of the pivoting blade 16.

Alternatively, in a third embodiment of the grading apparatus, generally indicated

200, and with particular reference now to Figures 12 and 13 mentioned above, the sole, now indicated 132, may be welded, and hence fixed firmly, to both of the walls 119 and 120, its inclination being adjusted by inclination of the entire blade

116, by means of a piston 136 interposed between the blade and the machine in one of the two attachment regions.

It has been found, in practice, that the present invention has led to the achievement of the proposed task and objects.

In fact, grading apparatus, particularly for road works, is provided, which is capable of both translational movements on the vertical axis and rotary movements about a central support pin, for the adjustment of its working position.

The grading apparatus also enables work to be performed at any point, even in the presence of fixed obstacles, without areas remaining which cannot physically be reached and which are impossible to work. One of the main advantages is that the grading apparatus also has a sole for bearing on the surface to be graded which leaves the surface smooth and free of undulations, particularly in the presence of fine-grained materials.

The present invention may undergo many modifications and variations all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept.

The technical details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Any materials, provided they are compatible with the particular situation of use, and any dimensions may be used, according to requirements.

Claims

1. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) for road works, characterized in that it comprises a component for coupling to the front portion of a machine, a blade (16) connected to the coupling element for performing rotary movements on a horizontal axis and translational movements on a vertical axis, and actuating means for bringing about the said movements.

2. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 1 in which the coupling component comprises a fixed coupling plate (10) which has, on its rear portion (11 ), brackets (12) for quick coupling with the machine.

3. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 2 in which a slot (13) is formed in a central region of the plate (10) and allows a pin (15) for connection to the blade (16) to slide along a vertical axis.

4. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which first coupling elements (17) for actuating means for the blade (16) are fixed to the upper portion of the plate (10).

5. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 4 in which the actuating means take the form of hydraulic jacks (18).

6. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 in which the first coupling elements (17) project outwardly from the sides of the plate (10).

7. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the blade (16) comprises two transverse walls (19, 20), which are arranged one in front of the other and of which the front wall (19) is slightly inclined, and two side walls (21 , 22).

8. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to Claim 7 in which there are fixed to the rear transverse wall (20) of the blade (16) the connecting pin (15), about which the blade (16) is free to pivot and by means of which the connection to the fixed coupling plate (10) is formed, and second coupling elements (23) for the actuating means, arranged in corresponding positions, on the vertical axis, to the homologous first coupling elements (17) which are present on the fixed plate (10).

9. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to one or more of Claims 3 to 8 in which a lock nut (24) is engaged on the pin (15), with the interposition of a washer (25), in order to connect the plate (10) and the blade (16).

10. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to one or more of Claims 5 to 9 in which the movements transmitted to the jacks (18), which move independently of one another, are controlled by means of an external laser station in which the characteristics of the work to be performed are set and a control unit which, when it has received pulses from the station by means of suitable readers (28) located on the grading blade (16), provides for the operation of solenoid valves (30) for controlling the hydraulic jacks (18).

11. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising, adjacent the lower edge of the blade (16), a metal sole (32; 32'; 132) for bearing on the surface to be levelled.

12. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100) according to Claim 11 in which the inclination of the sole (32, 32') is adjustable so that the sole can be arranged in an operative attitude, bearing on the surface to be graded.

13. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100) according to Claim 12 in which the sole (32, 32') is welded between end portions (19a, 20a) of the respective front and rear walls (19,

20), the front end portion (19a), which continues the shape of the front wall (19), being articulated to the front wall (19), and the rear end portion (20a), which continues the rear wall (20), being articulated to the end of a vertical threaded bar (33) engaged in an internally-threaded element (34) fixed to the blade (16), the threaded bar (33) terminating in a crank (35) which is available for operation by the user.

14. Grading apparatus (200) according to Claim 13 in which the sole (132) is welded to both of the front and rear walls (119, 120), its inclination being adjusted, so that it can be arranged in an operative attitude bearing on the surface to be graded, by inclination of the entire blade (16) by means of a piston (136) interposed between the blade (16) and the machine in one of the attachment regions.

15. Grading apparatus (1 ; 100; 200) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising wheels (41) which are associated with the coupling component by means of their own support couplings (40), the wheels (41 ) having their running surface substantially aligned with the working surface of the blade (16).