WO2005080918A1 - A gradient indicator device - Google Patents
A gradient indicator device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005080918A1 WO2005080918A1 PCT/AU2005/000211 AU2005000211W WO2005080918A1 WO 2005080918 A1 WO2005080918 A1 WO 2005080918A1 AU 2005000211 W AU2005000211 W AU 2005000211W WO 2005080918 A1 WO2005080918 A1 WO 2005080918A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gradient
- longitudinal
- chamber
- indicator device
- slope
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
- G01C9/10—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using rolling bodies, e.g. spheres, cylinders, mercury droplets
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gradient indicator device and, in particular, to a device adapted for use on bull-dozers and like equipment for indicating to the driver the degree of slope or grade being created by the equipment.
- grading equipment typically includes some form of slope indication device in order to ensure that a pre-determined slope in the road surface is achieved.
- slope indication device In order to ensure that a pre-determined slope in the road surface is achieved.
- digging of holes whereby the slope of the digging machinery is to be monitored to ensure that the hole is drilled at a required angle.
- most forms of construction machinery such as bull-dozers, dump-trucks, bobcats, paving machines, graders and drill-rigs all require some form of gradient indication to ensure adequate operation.
- Gradient indicator devices have existed for many years and in various forms. The earlier forms of gradient or slope indicators were relatively simple devices incorporating the use of spirit levels. More advanced devices utilising technologies such as laser indicators and GPS (Global Positioning System) have evolved in more recent times. In the case of GPS, information about the machinery such as longitudinal and transverse slope is measured and transmitted via satellite. Although found to be effective, these devices are very expensive and difficult to operate. GPS systems are also not able to be used in underground operations.
- An additional feature that is often sought after in a gradient indicator device is a more clear indication relating to standard batter angles that are commonly used in the industry, for example, batter angles of 1 : 10 for ramps, 1 :6 for rehab batters, and 1 :3 for fire batters. Such indications ensure that an operator can very quickly obtain an indication of the angle of the machinery without having to decipher digital readings associated with alternative indication means.
- the present invention therefore relates to a gradient indicator device used to indicate to a driver of a bull-dozer or like machinery the longitudinal and/or transverse gradients of the machinery relative to a flat, horizontal surface.
- the device is adapted to be mounted in a longitudinal configuration for indicating slope relative to a longitudinal axis, or when the slope relative to a transverse axis is to be measured, the device is mounted in a transverse configuration.
- a gradient indicator device including: a longitudinal body; at least one longitudinal chamber associated with said longitudinal body wherein at least a portion of said chamber can be viewed from outside the body; visual indicia located in said chamber said indicia being of a cross-sectional size less than that of the chamber cross-section to allow for movement of said indicia through said chamber; and an indicating means for indicating the longitudinal gradient of the device, said indication corresponding with the position of said visual indicia in said chamber.
- said longitudinal body includes an internal cavity which houses said longitudinal chamber in a convex configuration.
- said longitudinal chamber is a tubular chamber of circular cross-section said chamber being transparent so that said visual indicia is viewable from outside the chamber.
- said fluid is of a predetermined viscosity to allow for said visual indicia to move through said fluid smoothly and at a predetermined speed.
- said fluid is oil and said visual indicia is a ball bearing.
- said indication means is in the form of visual increments located on a surface of said device, said visual increments being spaced apart along and adjacent said longitudinal chamber.
- each of said visual increments corresponds with a particular slope such that when said device is tilted in the longitudinal direction, the visual indicia will move and become aligned with a visual increment corresponding with the slope of the device.
- said device further includes a lighting means for illuminating said chamber and/or indication means.
- said lighting means is a lamp mounted to an external surface of said device, said lamp adapted to externally illuminate said chamber and/or indication means.
- said lighting means is at least one Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamp housed within said body, said lamp adapted to internally illuminate said chamber and/or indication means.
- LED Light-Emitting Diode
- said body is adapted to house two LED lamps and a switch for activating said lamps.
- said indication means includes a plurality of increments disposed along a surface of said device and adjacent said chamber.
- said device is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle when said vehicle is located on a horizontal reference surface.
- said device includes a second longitudinal chamber associated with said longitudinal body, said longitudinal chamber including visual indicia for indicating that said device is mounted level with respect to said horizontal reference surface.
- said second longitudinal chamber is a spirit level device and said visual indicia is an air bubble.
- two of said devices are adapted to be used within a vehicle, a first device appropriately mounted within said vehicle for indicating the longitudinal slope of the vehicle, and a second device mounted perpendicularly to said first device for indicating the transverse slope of the vehicle.
- said tube includes a sensing means so that when said slope reaches a predetermined limit, an alarm means is activated.
- a gradient gauge for use in a vehicle used to create a surface of predetermined grade, said gradient gauge including: a longitudinal housing; a convex tube enclosing a visual indicia adapted to move through said tube when said gauge is tilted either forwards or backwards in the longitudinal direction; an indicator face adapted to be mounted to said housing, said indicator face including an aperture whereby at least part of said convex tube is viewable therethrough, said indicator face including visual increments defining a feature of slope such that when said gauge is tilted, the visual indicia moves and becomes aligned with an increment corresponding with said tilt.
- said feature of slope is a batter angle ratio.
- said feature of slope is the angle of tilt measured in degrees.
- said gauge includes a horizontal spirit level for the purpose of mounting said gauge within said vehicle level with a reference horizontal surface.
- a gradient indicator device including a first level indication means for ensuring that said device is attached to an interior surface of a vehicle substantially horizontally, and a second level indication means for indicting to the operator variations in slope of said vehicle.
- said second level indication means indicates the longitudinal slope
- said second level indication means indicates the transverse slope
- Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a bull-dozer travelling along a surface having a transverse batter angle of 1 :6 as indicated by a gradient slope indicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, as well as a rear view of a bull-dozer travelling along a surface having a longitudinal batter angle;
- Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gradient indicator device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention whereby the device includes an externally mounted lamp;
- Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a gradient indicator device according to a third embodiment of the present invention whereby the device includes internally mounted LED's and a horizontal spirit level;
- Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the gradient indicator device of Figure 3 at a batter angle of 1: 10;
- Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the of the gradient indicator device of Figures 3-4.
- Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a gradient indicator device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the gradient indicator device of Figure 6
- Figure 8 illustrates a front view of the gradient indicator device of Figure with the front indicator face removed
- Figure 9 illustrates an exploded view of the gradient indicator device of Figures 6-8.
- Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of two gradient indicator devices according to any one of the embodiments of the invention mounted longitudinally and transversely within a bulldozer carriage.
- any reference to the term 'batter angle' is an indication of the ratio between the two adjacent edges of an angled surface. It is to be also understood that when referring to 'longitudinal' and 'transverse' surface slopes or batter angles, this corresponds with a ground surface rotation about a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the bull-dozer, respectively.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a gradient indicator device 10 in its simplest form used in association with a bull-dozer 12, which is shown travelling along both a transversely sloped surface 14 and a longitudinally sloped surface 16.
- the device 10 comprises a curved gradient indication window 18 together with a number of visual increments 20 according to various commonly required batter angles.
- the transverse batter angle of the bull-dozer 12 shown in side view is 1 :6, as is displayed on the device 10 which is typically mounted within the bull-dozer carriage.
- a transparent tube 22 of circular cross-section which contains a liquid 24 of suitable viscosity such as oil, and a solid object 26 such as a ball-bearing.
- the device 10 need not necessarily include a tubular chamber as part of its visual indication.
- the tube 22 may well have a square cross-section which may then result in a lower viscosity of fluid.
- the increments 20 are defined by different batter angles. These preferably correspond with batter angles that are commonly used in the field. The following list of angles represent those most commonly required in the mining industry. The list also indicates the mining operations which require the construction of such gradients.
- the device 10 of the present invention need not necessarily include the abovementioned increments which correspond specifically to mining operations. As will be shown in a further embodiment, the increments may well be made to suit the situation in which it is to be used. In addition, the increments need not be batter angle increments, but rather a precise or percentile indication of the gradient.
- FIGS 2-9 Illustrated in Figures 2-9 are three further possible variations of the gradient indicator device of the present invention.
- the device 28 of Figure 2 has a battery-powered lamp 30 externally mounted to the device while the devices 32 and 33 of Figures 3-9 have an alternate lighting means in the form of two LED lamps 34 and 36 which are mounted internally within the devices 32 and 33.
- These devices 32 and 33 further include a horizontal spirit level 38, the purpose of which is explained later below.
- the differences between the two devices 32 and 33 will also be described in further detail below. It is to be understood that in all four of the embodiments, like parts will be referred to using like numbers.
- the device 28 consists substantially of a rigid, rectangular body 40 having an indicator face 42 which includes the indication window 18, and a transparent indicator cover 44 secured thereto by the use of screws 46.
- the device 28 includes an externally mounted lamp 30 which is mounted to the device 28 for use at night or in areas that require further light so that the driver may adequately read the device. As can be seen, the lamp is adapted to shine light downwards onto the indication window indicator face 42.
- the internal layout of the device 28 can be appreciated when viewing Figure 5 which illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, that is, device 32.
- the body 40 is routed out so that a cavity 48 for the tube 22 is created.
- the cavity 48 and tube 22 include a curved portion that is visible through the indication window 18 of indicator face 42, and two end portions 50 and 52 that bend upwards, and which are not visible through the window 18.
- sealant not shown
- the tube 22 may also be sealed using suitable plugs, as will become apparent in the final embodiment.
- the body 40 of the device 28 also includes four apertures 54 for receiving the screws 46, and an internal lip 56 for housing the indicator face 42 therein which is then sealed by the indicator cover 44.
- the increments 20 are further indicated by recessed surfaces 58 disposed along and outwards from the indication window 18 of the indicator face 42. Alternatively, they may be screen printed on the indicator face 42.
- the body 40 of the device may easily be constructed by plastic injection moulding due to its relatively simple configuration.
- the transparent tube 22 is preferably constructed of acrylic tubing, but plastic tubing may also be used.
- FIG. 3-5 illustrate a device 32 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- the device In order to adequately indicate the level of gradient, the device must be mounted within the bull-dozer carriage precisely horizontally. In the case of the first embodiment, this may be achieved using a well known spirit level (not shown). The spirit level may be placed above the indicator device 28 which may then be manoeuvred until the spirit level indicates that the device has been mounted precisely on a horizontal plane. This task is somewhat tedious and the gradient indicator device 32 of Figures 3-5 attempts to simplify this procedure.
- this device 32 includes two LED lamps 34 and 36 mounted adjacent upwardly extending ends 50 and 52 of the tube 22 respectively. These perform the same operation as the lamp 30 which is to simply provide a light source to the driver with respect to viewing the device when dark. These may be powered by any suitable battery means (not shown) in connection with wires 60 and 62 of LED lamps 34 and 36 respectively.
- the abovementioned spirit level 38 is a very well known device which simply comprises a tube filled with a suitable liquid and having indications 64 marked thereon. Inside the tube is an air bubble 66 which when aligned between the indications, indicates that the level 38, and hence the device 32, is horizontally aligned. It is to be understood that other types of spirit level and lighting means may well be implemented.
- the gradient indicator device 33 includes substantially the same features of device 32 with some slight variations.
- the device 33 includes a body 68 having a recess 70 on its front side configured to receive an indicator face 72.
- the body 68 of device 33 includes three cavities 74, 76 and 78.
- the top cavity 74 is used in the same way that cavity 39 was used in device 32, that is, for mounting of a horizontal spirit level
- the middle cavity 76 is adapted to receive a tube 80 which differs slightly from tube 22 in that it does not include upwardly extending ends. Plugs 82 and 84 are used to seal the ends of the tube 80 which again houses fluid 24 and a ball bearing 26.
- the lower cavity 78 comprises an upper horizontal portion 86, a lower horizontal portion 88, and two spaced apart mid-portions 90 and 92 each of which connect the upper and lower horizontal portions 86 and 88.
- the purpose of cavity 78 is to provide a housing for two LED lamps 94 and 96 as well as electrical wiring (not shown) associated therewith.
- the two LED lamps 94 and 96 are configured so that their respective shoulders 98 and 100 sit in the upper horizontal portion 86 of the cavity 78 and their respective bases 102 and 104 extend into mid-portions 90 and 92 respectively.
- the body 68 of the device 33 includes an aperture 106 extending from the side of the body 68 into the lower horizontal portion 88 of cavity 78 to thereby house a switch (not shown) which when pressed activates the LED lamps 94 and 96.
- the lower horizontal portion is adapted to house the wiring between each LED lamp 94 and 96 and the switch.
- Each of the abovementioned lighting means are preferably powered by a suitable battery.
- the device 33 further includes more user-friendly visual indicia on the indicator face 72, namely, upper visual increments 108 indicating commonly required batter angles (the ratio between vertical and horizontal) and lower visual increments 110 indicating corresponding angles ranging from zero to twenty degrees.
- the indicator face 72 further includes an upper aperture 1 12 shaped and aligned with cavity 74 in the body 68 so that the spirit level 38 may be viewed therethrough, and a second aperture 114 shaped and aligned with cavity 76 in the body 68 so that the transparent tube 80 and ball bearing 26 located therein may be viewed therethrough.
- the gradient indicator device 33 in this case does not include a cover and is mounted within recess 70 in the same manner as previously described using suitable screws (not shown).
- FIG. 10 Illustrated in Figure 10 are two gradient indicator devices 1 16 and 1 18 that are mounted to an internal surface of a bull-dozer carriage 120. It is to be understood that the devices 1 16 and 1 18 may be any one of the devices embodying the present invention and described herein.
- a driver sitting in the seat 122 may receive a real time indication of the longitudinal slope of the bull-dozer through visual inspection of device 116, and an indication of the transverse slope of the bull-dozer through visual inspection of device 118.
- a single device may well include a means of indicating both longitudinal and transverse slope in the one unit whereby two indicating means on the device are located at right angles to one other.
- the device could be positioned in a corner of the bull-dozer carriage 120. It should therefore now be apparent how the gradient indicator device of the present invention overcomes the various problems associated with previous devices, in its simplicity and effectiveness, and the ease in which the device may be manufactured and assembled. GPS systems for indicating gradient are not able to be used in underground operations whilst laser systems are very expensive. The present invention provides a more robust and easy-to-use device for indicating slope of machinery in real time, and may be used in both aboveground and belowground operations. As well as bull-dozers, the device of the present invention may be mounted within any type of vehicle used in creating a graded surface such as smaller vehicles like bobcats to larger industrial mining vehicles.
- the tube 22 may well have associated with it some form of sensing means which sounds an alarm when the gradient of the machinery is too high.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Component Parts Of Construction Machinery (AREA)
Abstract
Description
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Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005214450A AU2005214450A1 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2005-02-19 | A gradient indicator device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2004900816A AU2004900816A0 (en) | 2004-02-19 | A Gradient Indicator Device | |
AU2004900816 | 2004-02-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2005080918A1 true WO2005080918A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
Family
ID=34865690
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2005/000211 WO2005080918A1 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2005-02-19 | A gradient indicator device |
Country Status (1)
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WO (1) | WO2005080918A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3774314A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-11-27 | H Youngs | Ball inclinometer |
US3857188A (en) * | 1974-02-13 | 1974-12-31 | Super Seer Corp | Calculating inclinometer for levelling recreation vehicles |
US4133116A (en) * | 1977-07-21 | 1979-01-09 | Devine Billy B | Ground slope analyzer |
US5791676A (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1998-08-11 | Jones; Rodney D. | Trailer hook-up gauge for vertical hitch alignment |
US6128076A (en) * | 1995-04-19 | 2000-10-03 | Sackett; Robert | Apparatus for measuring truck tilt and preventing roll-over |
-
2005
- 2005-02-19 WO PCT/AU2005/000211 patent/WO2005080918A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3774314A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-11-27 | H Youngs | Ball inclinometer |
US3857188A (en) * | 1974-02-13 | 1974-12-31 | Super Seer Corp | Calculating inclinometer for levelling recreation vehicles |
US4133116A (en) * | 1977-07-21 | 1979-01-09 | Devine Billy B | Ground slope analyzer |
US6128076A (en) * | 1995-04-19 | 2000-10-03 | Sackett; Robert | Apparatus for measuring truck tilt and preventing roll-over |
US5791676A (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1998-08-11 | Jones; Rodney D. | Trailer hook-up gauge for vertical hitch alignment |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
DATABASE WPI Week 199339, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 1993-311991 * |
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