SELECTABLE SOD POSITIONING MACHINE

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning sod strips includes a structure for mounting on a vehicle and a pushing plate slidably mounted to the structure. The pushing plate is arranged to be abuttable to an edge of a sod strip. At least one actuator is operatively mounted between the structure and the pushing plate to slide the pushing plate away from the vehicle to position a sod strip. The structure comprises a base frame for supporting the pushing plate and the actuator, and a pair of upstanding posts that are configured to be mounted to the vehicle, the posts supporting the base frame. The structure comprises post mounting bases on opposite sides of the vehicle such that the posts can be selectively mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various sod placement machines are known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,028,199 and 10,368,500 describe sod positioning machines configured to laterally push a sod strip toward and against an adjacent strip to close a gap or seam between strips. The embodiment described in this patent includes posts for supporting the positioning machine from a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment the posts are located on one side of the vehicle.

The present inventor has recognized that it may be desirable in some circumstances to move the positioning machine to an opposite side of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for positioning sod strips includes a structure for mounting on a vehicle and a pushing plate slidably mounted to the structure. The pushing plate is arranged to be abuttable to an edge of a sod strip. At least one actuator is operatively mounted between the structure and the pushing plate to slide the pushing plate away from the vehicle to position a sod strip. The structure comprises a base frame for supporting the pushing plate and the actuator, and a pair of upstanding posts that are configured to be mounted to the vehicle, the posts supporting the base frame. The structure can comprise post mounting bases on opposite sides of the vehicle such that the posts can be selectively mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle.

The exemplary device of the invention provides a pushing apparatus for pushing a sod strip that is already placed on the ground, tightly against an adjacent sod strip that is already placed on the ground. This action tightens up the seams between sod strips. The pushing apparatus can be installed on either side of the vehicle. The pushing apparatus includes a stationary frame carried by the vehicle and a laterally sliding frame carried by the stationary frame. A pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are arranged to pivot the frames up or down between a deployed position and a stand-by or traveling position. The device includes a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders that are operable to slide the laterally sliding frame in a direction away from the stationary frame to push a sod strip, or toward the stationary frame to retract the laterally sliding frame closer to the vehicle for transport to a subsequent sod strip to be pushed. The laterally sliding frame includes a pair of sliding box beams that telescopically retract into box beams of the stationary frame. The sliding beams mount a pushing plate that abuts the sod strip during a pushing operation.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art method of laterally shifting sod strips;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sod positioning apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an alternate plate used on the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an alternate sod positioning apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic right-side view of alternate sod positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is schematic front end view of the alternate sod positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, schematic front end view of a portion of the alternate sod positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

This application incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,028,199, 10,368,500, and U.S. provisional application 63/459,424, filed Apr. 14, 2023, in their entireties.

FIG. 1 illustrates a few strips 20 of sod that have been laid in a longitudinal direction L of the sod strips onto a bed 26 of sand or the like. A most recently laid strip 20a is shown being pushed in the lateral direction P by a vehicle 30, such as a “skid steer” loader or the like in order to tighten up the packing of the adjacent strips, i.e., to close or minimize the seam or gap 31. The vehicle 30 is driven by wheels and tires 36 that achieve forward traction force in the direction P by the interaction between the tires 36 and the bed 26. This interaction can cause ruts or other irregularities in the bed which must be smoothed before a subsequent strip 20b (shown dashed) is placed on the bed 26.

A future strip to be laid is shown dashed as 20c. In order for the vehicle 30 to be positioned against the strip 20c to push in the lateral direction P, in practical terms, the vehicle must turned, driven and reoriented. This also can cause ruts or other irregularities in the bed which must be smoothed before a subsequent strip 20b (shown dashed) is placed on the bed 26.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate one prior art apparatus 50. The apparatus 50 includes an attachment or enhancement sod positioning apparatus 60 that is mounted on a vehicle 66. The vehicle 66 can be a sod placement vehicle such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,218, herein incorporated by reference. The vehicle 66 comprises a chassis frame 68 that is supported on six traction wheels and tires 70, at least one of which is driven by an engine and drivetrain (not shown). The vehicle can also provide a source (not shown) of controllable hydraulic or pneumatic pressurized working fluid to operate the apparatus 60, such as a compressor or pump and associated controls. The frame 68 includes a bay 74 in which a spindle 75 is mounted on a fork frame 76 that is used to hold and unroll sod rolls during placement of the sod strips onto the bed 26. The fork frame 76 is controlled to pivot up or down depending on the degree of depletion of sod on a sod roll. To this end a hydraulic cylinder 67a is connected between a stationary post 67b on the chassis frame 68 and a cross beam 76a of the frame 76. The frame is pivotal about an axis defined by two aligned pivot connections 76c (only one visible in FIG. 4). Thus retraction of the cylinder 67a will draw the cross member 76a back and pivot the frame 76 up at the end supporting the spindle 75, by pivoting the frame about the pivot connections 76c. Expansion of the cylinder will lower the spindle end of the frame 76. Sod installation machine frame can be expanded to accommodate sod rolls of different widths, such as 30 inches, 42 inches, 48 inches and 52 inches.

The vehicle can be driven by a plurality of hydraulic motors, such as one per each wheel, or other known traction drive. The vehicle can include a hydraulic oil system that drives the traction motors, controls steering, and raises and lowers the fork frame and spindle that holds a sod roll, all controlled at an operator's station 77.

Also mounted on the chassis frame 68 is a hydraulic oil pump 79 and a fuel tank 81 (FIG. 4).

The apparatus 60 comprises two posts 78, 80 that are fixedly mounted to the frame 68 at a rear and front respectively of the near side of the vehicle, such as by fasteners or welding. A substantially U-shaped base frame 90 comprises rear and front base tubes 94, 96 respectively. The base tubes 94, 96 can have a square cross section and are hollow. A longitudinal brace tube 100 connects the rear and front tubes 78, 80. The rear and front base tubes 94, 96 have open ends 94a, 96a, respectively. The front tube 96 is connected at a low position to the post 80 by a pin connection 106 to a pair of lugs 80a to allow pivoting of the tube 96 with respect to the post 80. The rear tube 94 is connected at a low position to the post 78 by a pin connection to a pair of lugs 78a (not visible in FIG. 2) to allow pivoting of the tube 94 with respect to the post 78, in an identical fashion as the front tube 96 is pivotally connected to the front post 80.

The frame 90 is supported from the posts 78, 80 by a pair of actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, a rear cylinder 110 and a front cylinder 112. The rear cylinder is pivotally connected to an upper position on the post 78 by a pin connection 110a to a lug 78b. The cylinder 110 is also connected to a lug 94b on the tube 94 by a pin connection 110b. The front cylinder is pivotally connected to an upper position on the post 80 by a pin connection 112a to a lug 80b. The cylinder 112 is also connected to a lug 96b on the tube 96 by a pin connection 112b.

By hydraulic or pneumatic pressure control of the working fluid into select ports of the cylinders 110, 112, the cylinders can be made to work in unison to contract or elongate which will either pivot the frame 90 up or pivot the frame 90 down with respect to the posts 78, 80. In the case of using hydraulic cylinders, the flow of pressurized fluid to the cylinders is maintained uniform through pressure regulating valves, enhancing performance.

A pushing frame 150 is carried by the base frame 90. The pushing frame 150 comprises rear and front arm tubes 156, 158. The arm tubes 156, 158 are shaped and sized to slidably and telescopically fit into the open ends 94a, 96a of the base tubes 94, 96 and to slide into the base tubes 94, 96, respectively. A front of each of the arm tubes 156, 158 is connected to a pusher plate 170 via lugs 172, 174 by pin connections 156a and 158a. The plate 170 has a bottom wall 178 and an upturned front wall 180.

A rear hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 202 is mounted between the arm tube 156 and the base tube 94. A front hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 206 is mounted between the arm tube 158 and the base tube 96. Since the rear hydraulic tube is less visible in FIG. 2, the mounting of the front cylinder 206 will be described with the understanding that the rear cylinder 202 is mounted in identical fashion to the arm tube 156 and the base tube 94, as the front cylinder 206 is mounted to the arm tube 158 and the base tube 96.

One end of the cylinder 206 is connected by a pin connection 206a to the arm tube 158 via a lug 158b extending on a bottom side of the arm 158 and an opposite end of the cylinder 206 is connected by a pin connection 206b to the base tube 96 via a lug 96b extending on a bottom side of the base tube 96.

By hydraulic or pneumatic pressure control of the working fluid into select ports of the cylinders 202, 206, the cylinders can be made to work in unison to contract or elongate, which will either slide the tube arms 156, 158 in a direction out of the base tubes 94, 96 or retract the tube arms 156, 158 into the base tubes 94, 96. In the case of using hydraulic cylinders, the flow of pressurized fluid to the cylinders is maintained uniform through pressure regulating valves, enhancing performance.

Sliding the tube arms 156, 158 in a direction out of the base tubes 94, 96 pushed the frame 150 away from the vehicle to force the plate 170 to laterally push a sod strip in the direction P by forcing the upturned front wall 180 against a vertical lateral side of the sod strip 20. Retracting the cylinders 202, 206 will retract the frame away from sod strip and ready the frame for pushing against a subsequent strip. Thus, the movement of the pushing plate is in the lateral direction P that is perpendicular to a straight ahead driving direction V of the vehicle, i.e., the direction wherein the wheels are not turned but directed straight ahead. This allows the vehicle 66 to only travel in the straight ahead driving direction V parallel to the longitudinal direction L to move from strip to strip and still undertake lateral positioning adjustment of the sod strips to tighten up seams between adjacent strips in the direction P. A reorientation of the vehicle on the bed 26 to align a vehicle straight ahead driving direction in the direction P is avoided.

FIG. 4 also shows a stop assembly 216 comprising a threaded tube or threaded ferrule 217 welded to the bottom wall 178 and a bolt 218 adjustably threaded into the ferrule 217. The head 218a of the bolt 218 abuts the underside of the arm 158 if during positioning of the sod strip by hydraulic pressure from the cylinders 110, 112, 202, 206 the plate 170 tips up in the back. The adjustable degree of permissible tipping is selected by the vertical position of the head 218a that is selected by the degree of vertical threaded engagement of the bolt 218 into the ferrule 217. An identical stop assembly 216 can be arranged in similar fashion between the bottom wall 178 and the arm 156.

A plurality of “suitcase weights” or removable weights 220 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 installed onto the spindle 75. The weights 220 provide for an increased bracing force or reaction force via the tires of the vehicle during use of the cylinders 202, 206 to push against a sod strip to shift the sod strip laterally or compress the sod strip laterally. Alternative to using weights, a heavy sod roll can be carried on the spindle.

Although hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 110, 112, 202, 206 are mentioned, it is within the scope of the invention that other actuators can be used, such as electrically driven actuators.

By retracting the cylinders 110, 112, 202, 206, the apparatus 60 can be folded up and the vehicle used for another purpose.

The upturned front wall 180 of the pusher plate 170 can be pushed against the sod edge for positioning. As applicable, a selectable removable strip or plate can be provided that is fastened or otherwise secured to the bottom wall 178 or to the upturned front wall 180 to accommodate pushing sod of varying thickness, such as 1 inches to 5 inches, that best matches the thickness of the sod being installed. The removable strip or plate can attach to the plate 170 and run the length of the plate 170. In some circumstances, the plate 170 works best when the bottom wall 178 lays flat against the bare ground for ease of operation and visibility for the operator, causing little or no disruption the existing grade or ground. Different plates 170 can be attached to the arms 156, 158 to accommodate different situations. For example, a 4 inch thick sod requires a wider upturned front wall 180, or an attached strip, as well as a wider bottom wall 178, wider in the direction P, providing a larger flat area to use the ground as leverage while pushing. Other plates can also be used.

Also, the plate 170 pivots at pin connections 156a and 158a which is effective for ground pressure control and allowing for angle positioning of the plate 170, depending on the terrain. Also a side edge upturned wall 181 is sloped or curved up, like a ski or sled to accommodate pushing or sliding along the ground when the machine moves in the direction V, with minimal disruption to the ground and reduces the need to lift the apparatus 60 for repositioning.

Also, the apparatus 60 can be folded up more completely by detaching the connections 110b and 112b and folding the frames 90, 150 up to the posts 78, 80 and securing thereto.

The connections 106, 156a, 158a and similar pivotal connections or joints can comprise a through pin 280 and two engageable hairpin-shaped retainer wires 282 which insert into end pin holes through the through pin, for quick disconnect of the connection, as shown for connection 106 in FIG. 4.

Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, an alternate plate 300 that can replace the plate 170 shown in FIG. 2 can have spaced apart spikes 320 over its bottom surface, which extend downwardly in perpendicular fashion from a bottom wall 322. The spikes 320 can be 1.5-inch-long spikes. The spikes 320 are useful for pushing sod in a repair area in the middle of a sod area, where there is no exposed vertical edge of the sod strip to push with a plate. Thus, the gripping of the spikes 320 into a top of the sod strip gives the apparatus 60 a grip on the sod strip to exert a pushing force in the direction P with respect to the apparatus 60.

FIGS. 6-9 are schematic views of a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is identical to the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 except as noted. The difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 and the embodiments of FIGS. 6-9, is substantially that the posts, along with the supported positioning apparatus 60, can be installed on either side of the vehicle 66 and can be relocated to the opposite side of the vehicle as needed.

The embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 has the positioning apparatus 60 on the right side of the vehicle 66 as viewed from the operator's station 77. According to the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, the positioning apparatus 60 can be selectively located on either the right side or the left side of the vehicle 66. In this regard, the posts 78, 80 are replaced by posts 578, 580. The posts 578, 580 are preferably hollow, square, steel tubes having a top cap plate 578c, 580c. Separate square post bases 578a, 580a are attached, such as by welding, to the frame 68 spaced apart along a right-side rail 68a of the frame 68 (right side as viewed from the operator's station 77). Separate square post bases 588a, 590a are attached, such as by welding, to the frame 68 spaced apart along a left-side rail 68b of the frame 68 (left side as viewed from the operator's station 77). The rails 68a, 68b are preferably hollow, rectangular, steel tubes. The posts 578, 580 can be located into either the square post bases 578a, 580a on the right side or into the square post bases 588a, 590a on the left side. The post bases 578a, 580a, 588a and 590a are identically configured. The posts 578, 580 are identically configured.

FIG. 6 is shown with the posts 578, 580 removed and other mechanical components removed for ease of description and these components are as described in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 7 is shown with mechanical components removed for ease of description and these components are as described in FIGS. 2-4. The bolts or pins 620 are also removed. FIG. 8 is shown with mechanical components removed for ease of description and these components are as described in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 8 shows the post 580 for right side mounting (per the operator's perspective) and the same post removed and shown in phantom for left side mounting (per the operator's perspective). Both posts 578, 580 would be mounted either on the right side using post bases 578a, 580a or the left side using post bases 588a, 590a. FIG. 9 is shown with mechanical components removed for ease of description. The bolts or pins 620 are also removed. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the fitment of the post (or the post 578) into any one of the post bases.

Each post 578, 580 comprises a post bottom region 578d, 580d having a cross section slightly smaller than the cross section of the post bases 578a, 580a, 588a, 590a such that the post bottom regions 578d, 580d fit into the respective post base. Each post includes a square collar 578g, 580g spaced from the post bottom and welded with welds 579 along all four vertical faces of the respective post. Each bottom region 578d, 580d includes left and right holes 604, 608, which are in registry (FIG. 9). Each square post base 578a, 580a, 588a, 590a includes left and right holes 612, 614, which are in registry (FIG. 9). When a bottom region 578d, 580d is fit into a square post base, the holes 604, 608, 612, 614 are all in registry and a pin or bolt 620 can be inserted through the holes 604, 608, 612, 614 to lock the respective post to the respective square post base. The holes are vertically located such that the posts are supported by a bottom surface 578h, 580h of the square collars 578g, 580g resting on a top surface 578j, 580j, 588j, 590j of the respective square post bases 578a, 580a, 588a, 590a.

Additionally, or alternately, the posts 578, 580 can be welded into position into the respective square post bases 578a, 580a, 588a, 590a. If the selection between location of the positioning apparatus 60 is semi-permanent, the welds can be easily cut to relocate the positioning apparatus to the opposite side of the vehicle as needed.

In operation, the posts 578, 580 can be located on the right side of the vehicle by being fit into square post bases 578a, 580a, or can be located on the left side of the vehicle by being fit into square post bases 588a, 590a. notwithstanding which square post bases are used, the lugs 80a, 80b face outwardly, away from the vehicle.

As described in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, the lugs 78b, 80b are used for mounting the cylinders 110, 112 and the lugs 78a, 80a are used for mounting the U-shaped frame 90 with the base tubes 94, 96. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, the pushing frame 150 is slidable, by force from the cylinders 204, 206, with respect to the base frame 90 and the pushing frame 150 mounts the pusher plate 170.

Comparing the posts 78, 80 to the posts 578, 580 the lugs 78a, 80a are at a higher elevation from ground (the resting surface of the wheels 70) in order to increase the downward pushing angle on the pushing plate 170 from the cylinders 204, 206.

Furthermore, the alternate plate described in FIG. 5 is also usable with the apparatus of FIGS. 6-9.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein, to the extent that the references are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning sod strips, comprising: a structure for mounting on a vehicle;a pushing plate slidably mounted to the structure, the pushing plate arranged to be abuttable to an edge of a sod strip;at least one actuator operatively mounted between the structure and the pushing plate to slide the pushing plate away from the vehicle to position a sod strip;wherein said structure comprises a base frame for supporting the pushing plate and the actuator, and a pair of upstanding posts that are configured to be mounted to the vehicle, the posts supporting the base frame; andwherein the structure comprises post mounting bases on opposite sides of the vehicle such that the posts can be selectively mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a pushing frame that carries the pushing plate, the pushing frame having arms between the pushing plate and the base frame; and the base frame having base tubes extending from the posts toward the pushing plate, each arm slidably received into a respective base tube, and the at least one actuator comprises a pair of actuators, one mounted between each arm and each respective base tube.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the base frame is pivotally connected to the posts, and comprising at least one pivot actuator that is configured to controllably pivot up or down the base frame.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one pivot actuator comprises a pair of pivot actuators operably connected between the pair of posts and the base tubes of the base frame.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pushing plate includes a bottom wall having a downward facing surface, and comprising a plurality of spikes extending down from said downward facing surface.

6. A vehicle for positioning sod strips, comprising: a vehicle frame supported on a plurality of rotatable wheels;a structure for mounting on the vehicle frame;a pushing plate slidably mounted to the structure, the pushing plate arranged to be abuttable to an edge of a sod strip;at least one actuator operatively mounted between the structure and the pushing plate to slide the pushing plate away from the vehicle to position a sod strip;wherein said structure comprises a base frame for supporting the pushing plate and the actuator, and a pair of upstanding posts that are configured to be mounted to the vehicle, the posts supporting the base frame; andwherein the structure comprises post mounting bases on opposite sides of the vehicle such that the posts can be selectively mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, comprising a pushing frame that carries the pushing plate, the pushing frame having arms between the pushing plate and the base frame; and the base frame having base tubes extending from the posts toward the pushing plate, each arm slidably received into a respective base tube, and the at least one actuator comprises a pair of actuators, one mounted between each arm and each respective base tube.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the base frame is pivotally connected to the posts, and comprising at least one pivot actuator that is configured to controllably pivot up or down the base frame.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the base frame is pivotally connected to the posts, and comprising at least one pivot actuator that is configured to controllably pivot up or down the base frame.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pivot actuator comprises a pair of pivot actuators operably connected between the pair of posts and the base tubes of the base frame.

11. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle frame comprises a sod roll holding and dispensing device to hold and dispense a roll of sod for unrolling and placement of the roll of sod flat on the ground.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the sod roll holding and dispensing device comprises a spindle carried by a forked frame.

13. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle includes a supply of pressurized working fluid and the actuator comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder that uses the supply of working fluid to expand to slide the pushing plate.

14. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the actuator and pushing plate are arranged for the pushing plate to slide in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the straight ahead driving direction of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the pushing plate comprises a bottom wall and an upturned front wall contiguous with the bottom wall, the upturned front wall arranged for abutting a vertical edge of a sod strip to be positioned; and wherein the arms and the bottom wall are connected by a pair of pivotal connections.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the structure comprises a base frame, the base frame having base tubes extending from the vehicle toward the pushing plate, each arm slidably received into a respective base tube, and the at least one actuator comprises a pair of actuators, one mounted between each arm and each respective base tube.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the base frame is pivotally connected to the posts, and comprising at least one pivot actuator that is configured to controllably pivot up or down the base frame.