TRENCHING WHEEL WITH FRONT-MOUNTED CLEANER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to excavating machines, sometimes referred to as trenchers, of the type having a device for cutting the earth including a digging wheel assembly having a rim structure and a series of circumferentially spaced teeth, and more particularly to a cleaning device for removing spoil which has accumulated in the rim structure and teeth.

BACKGROUND

Excavating machines are known for use in the cutting of an open trench having either vertical or sloped walls for the purposes of land drainage and irrigation, including agricultural tiling, as well as the installation of utilities such as cable lines, pipelines, water lines, sewer lines, etc. These excavating machines are often of a vehicular type being self-contained and suitably driven for either over-the-road travel or movement during use of the earth cutting or trenching device.

It is also known for trenchers of the prior art to have a cleaning device. For example, some bucket wheel trenchers use a straight tooth cleaner which cuts a groove in the spoil which has accumulated in the rim structure and buckets to loosen the spoil so it will fall out of the rim structure and buckets and onto a conveyer which expels the spoil to a spoil bank beside the machine. This method is inefficient, especially when the spoil is packed in the rim structure and buckets due to high moisture or other causes. For example, in these trenchers, much of the spoil continues past the straight tooth cleaner and around the cutting wheel, thereby reducing the amount of spoil that can be removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,186 to Yoder et al. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, describes an excavating machine with a positive cleaner for a U-shaped cutting wheel. The cleaning device positively cleans spoil out of the rim structure and buckets of the digging wheel assembly. The device includes a cleaning face which corresponds substantially in size and shape to the interior profile of the rim structure and the bucket. The cleaning face may be angled downward to force the spoil downwardly onto the conveyor. Moreover, the cleaning face may be biased into contact with the rim structure and bucket of the digging wheel assembly to force the spoil out of the rim structure and bucket. The Yoder et al. cleaner is located at the top of the trenching wheel in the frame. Accordingly, the buckets attached to the cleaning wheel travel through a portion of the frame prior to being cleaned.

While the above-described invention to Yoder et al. works well for U-shaped cutting wheels, devices including same are best suited for shallow trenches, such as those less than three feet deep. Deeper trenches require a different digging mechanism. Moreover, the cleaning mechanisms of the prior art are located at the top of the cutting wheel in the wheel frame. Such a configuration does not accommodate the amount of dirt and spoil in deeper trenches. Accordingly, an excavating device employing same becomes bogged down when attempting to dig deeper trenches. Center shank t-shaped buckets are also known. However, cutting wheels employing these buckets do not work well to dig deeper trenches, are slow, and also do not work well in sandy earth.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an excavating a machine having an improved trenching assembly with a positive cleaning element which allows the machine to dig deeper trenches at faster rates. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an improved digging or earth cutting mechanism which allows the machine to dig deeper trenches and dig trenches at faster rates.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an excavating machine having an improved trenching or earth cutting assembly comprising a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on the wheel, and a frame retaining a portion of the wheel. Also included is a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly removes spoil from the earth moving assembly prior to the wheel entering the frame. The cleaning assembly may be located forward of the wheel (with the direction of forward travel of the trenching machine being the forward direction). In one embodiment, the excavating machine wheel is a T-shaped cutting wheel. Each of the plurality of teeth may include first and second cutting portions. One of the cutting portions may include a narrow leading edge, while the other cutting portion includes a wide leading edge. In some embodiments, the placement of the narrow and wide leading edges may alternate throughout the plurality of teeth. The cleaning assembly may include at least one side cleaning member which removes spoil from the plurality of teeth and the wheel. The cleaning assembly may further include a front cleaning member and/or at least one removable tooth. The cleaning assembly may include right and left cleaning assemblies. Furthermore, the cleaning assembly may include at least one spoil surface which moves spoil that has been removed by the cleaning assembly away from a trench being excavated by the machine.

Also provided is an excavating machine having an earth moving assembly including a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on the wheel, and a frame retaining an upper portion of the wheel. The teeth travel through the frame after moving earth and each include at least one cutting portion. The excavating machine may also include a cleaning assembly having at least one cleaning member which removes spoil from the at least one cutting portion. Furthermore, the cleaning assembly removes spoil from the earth moving assembly prior to the wheel entering the frame. The excavating machine may further include a spoil surface to remove spoil that has been cleaned by the cleaning assembly from the top of the trench being excavated. In addition, the plurality of teeth of the excavating machine may include first and second cutting portions, such as a first cutting portion with a narrow leading edge and a second cutting portion with a wide leading edge. The excavating machine may include right and left cleaning assemblies which may each have side and front cleaning members, as well as a removable tooth.

In addition, an excavating machine is provided comprising an earth moving assembly. The earth moving assembly may include a wheel, a plurality of teeth mounted on the wheel, and a frame retaining an upper portion of the wheel. Each of the plurality of teeth may include two cutting portions, with the first cutting portion having a narrow leading edge and the second cutting portion having a wide leading edge. The teeth may travel through the frame after moving earth. In addition, a cleaning assembly may be located forward of the wheel, with the cleaning assembly having right and left cleaning assemblies. The right and left cleaning assemblies may each include a side cleaning member, front cleaning member, and a removable tooth. The cleaning assembly may remove spoil from the earth moving assembly prior to the wheel entering the frame. In addition, the excavating machine may include two spoil surfaces which move spoil away from the top of a trench being excavated by the excavating machine.

Accordingly, a trenching machine of the present invention includes a positive cleaning element at the front of the cutting wheel. Moreover, the trenching machine of the present invention includes an improved cutting means. The cleaning mechanism positively cleans the earth moving assembly before dirt and spoil is able to move to, and become lodged in, the frame of the earth moving assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a cleaner, which may be rigid, is located on either side of the wheel; however, it is anticipated that other designs may be employed, as will be discussed in further detail herein.

The excavating machine of the present invention also includes means for pushing cleaned spoil away from the top of the trench. This prevents the spoil from falling back into the trench as the machine digs same. In another embodiment, an auger or conveyer may be used to move dirt away from the trench. The assembly of the present invention may be used to dig trenches deeper and faster than excavating devices of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an excavating machine of the present invention in the lowered position at the bottom of a trench.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the cutting wheel and frame assemblies of the excavating machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the teeth of the cutting wheel assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a tooth of the cutting wheel assembly of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the tooth of the cutting wheel assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of two teeth of the cutting wheel assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning assembly of the excavating machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the cleaning assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the cleaning assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning assembly of an excavating machine of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of a cleaning assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spoil arm of the excavating machine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of an excavating machine 100 having a trenching wheel 108 (also called an earth cutting wheel or cutting wheel) with a front-mounted cleaner. In the preferred embodiment, the front-mounted cleaner is rigidly attached to the machine 100, although it need not be as will be discussed in further detail below. The machine includes an improved earth cutting or trenching assembly 106, including a cutting wheel 108 with teeth 110 and a front-mounted cleaning assembly 136 (sometimes “cleaning assembly”). The trenching wheel and cleaning assembly are designed for use with an excavating machine (sometimes “machine”); however, it is anticipated that other uses of such an assembly may exist. References to direction, particularly forward of the cutting wheel or in front of the cutting wheel, refer to the direction which is in front of the excavating machine or in which the excavating machine travels in the forward direction unless otherwise provided.

Referring to FIG. 1, a trenching machine 100 of the present invention is shown. The trenching machine 100 includes a power unit vehicle 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the power unit vehicle 102 is supported by wheels 104. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that power unit vehicles 102 other than the type illustrated, as well as means for movement other than the illustrated wheels 104 may be employed by a trenching machine 100 of the present invention. The power unit vehicle 102 may be powered by any means known in the art, now or in the future, such as a typical motor. Also included is an earth cutting or trenching assembly 106. Also shown in FIG. 1, the trenching assembly further includes a trenching wheel 108. The trenching wheel 108 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth 110 located on a rim 112. As will be discussed in further detail below, the trenching assembly 106 is shown in its lowered position at the bottom of a trench 120. Also shown is a frame 114, which is connected to the power unit 102 either directly or via one or more arms 116. The frame 114 supports the trenching wheel 108. Also shown is a cleaning assembly 136. As will be discussed in further detail below, the cleaning assembly 136 is a front-mounted cleaner, which is preferably rigid. Accordingly, the cleaning assembly 136 removes spoil from the teeth 110 and wheel 108 prior to these components entering the frame 114. Operably connected to the frame is a first spoil arm 126, also called a spoil surface. As will be discussed below, a symmetrical spoil arm is also located on the opposite side of the machine 100. Moreover, as will also be discussed in further detail below, the spoil arms 126 move spoil away from the trench 120 that is being dug by the machine 100.

The trenching machine 100 further includes a shoe assembly 118. The shoe assembly 118 is operably connected to the rear 124 of the frame 114. The shoe assembly further includes a first side plate 122 and a second side plate (not shown) for contact with the side walls of the trench 120. The contact of the shoe assembly 118 with the side walls of the trench 120 reduces and/or prevents a cave-in of the side walls of the trench 120 during use of the machine 100.

The trenching assembly 106 is movable between raised and lowered positions. FIG. 1 illustrates the trenching assembly 106 in the lowered position at the bottom of a trench 120 which is being dug by the machine 100. Arrow A shows the direction of movement of the trenching assembly 106 to the raised position. In the raised position, the trenching assembly 106 is located above ground level. The trenching assembly 106 may also be located at any position between the fully raised and lowered positions. The raising and lowering of the trenching assembly 106 may be by any method known in the art, now or in the future. One such method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,750, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which employs an arm assembly that is raised and lowered via a hydraulic cylinder.

Referring to FIG. 2, the trenching assembly 106 is shown in further detail. Shown is the trenching wheel 108 having a rim 112 and plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth 110. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel 108 is a center shank T-shaped cutting wheel. However, it is anticipated that other types of wheels may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the teeth 110 are mounted to a center shank ring. The wheel 108 is supported internally by a plurality of wheel support members 130, which are rigidly connected to the frame 114. Further, a plurality of wheel support rollers 132 are connected to the plurality of wheel support members 130. The wheel support rollers 132 contact the rim 112, allowing the rim 112, and therefore the wheel 108, to turn or travel around the rollers 132 and wheel support members 130. Turning of the wheel 108 about the wheel support rollers 132 may be driven by a drive mechanism, which in the preferred embodiment is a drive motor 134. The wheel is turned via the drive motor 134 in the direction of arrow B, such that the teeth 100 contact the ground to dig the trench 120.

Also shown is the frame 114. The wheel 108 is connected to the frame 114 such that the wheel 108 may turn or rotate with respect to the frame 114. Specifically, as discussed above, the wheel support members 130 may be rigidly connected to the frame 114. Therefore, the wheel 108 may turn about the wheel support members 130 and wheel support rollers 132 while remaining appropriately positioned with respect to the frame 114. The frame 114 is operably connected to the power vehicle unit 102 such that the trenching assembly 106, including but not limited to the frame 114 and wheel 108, may be raised and lowered as discussed above. To that end, the frame may be connected to the power unit vehicle 102 via at least one arm 116. In the preferred embodiment, the arm 116 is a hydraulic arm which may be shortened and lengthened in order to raise and lower the trenching assembly 106. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the machine 100 includes a set of two parallel hydraulic arms. Of course, as one of skill in the art will appreciate, other methods of raising and lowering the trenching assembly 106 may be employed. In addition, other means of connecting the trenching assembly 106 to the power unit vehicle 102 may be used, as well as other mans for connecting the wheel to the frame 114 and/or power unit vehicle 102.

Also connected to the frame 114 is a cleaning assembly 136. The cleaning assembly 136 includes a front-mounted cleaner. Therefore, the cleaning assembly 136 is located in front of, or toward the direction of travel, with respect to the frame 114. Therefore, following the direction of arrow B, the teeth 110 of the trenching assembly 106 reach the cleaning assembly 136 prior to entering the frame 114. It follows, then, that the teeth 110 and corresponding portion of the wheel 108 are cleaned prior to entering the frame 114. Therefore, cleaning occurs before dirt and spoil is able to move to, and become lodged in, the frame. There are a number of advantages to such a configuration. First, the positive cleaning element allows the machine to dig deeper trenches. Furthermore, the positive cleaning element allows the machine to dig trenches faster. In addition, such a cleaning assembly is more effective in sandy soils than trenching machines of the prior art. The cleaning assembly 136 includes both a right side cleaning assembly 138 (not shown in FIG. 2.) and a left side cleaning assembly 140 (looking in the direction of travel). Shown in FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of the left side cleaning assembly 140, which may be symmetrical to the right side cleaning assembly. In the preferred embodiment, each of the right cleaning assembly 138 and left cleaning assembly 140 includes a side cleaning member and a front cleaning member. Shown in FIG. 2 is the left side cleaning member 142 and left side front cleaning member 144.

Also shown is the first spoil arm 126. As discussed above, the machine 100 includes two spoil arms 126, one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The spoil arms 126, 128 are configured to move dirt and spoil away from the top of the trench 120. Therefore, the spoil arms 126, 128 prevent dirt and spoil which is cleaned from the trenching assembly 106 or which is otherwise present at the top of the trench 120 from falling back into the trench. In addition to the spoil arm 126 shown in FIG. 2, a second spoil arm may be located on the opposite side of the machine 100. The second spoil arm may be symmetrical to the spoil arm 126 shown in FIG. 2.

As discussed above, preferably, the teeth 110 are mounted to a center shank ring. Trenching assemblies and wheels of the prior art include U-shaped buckets. Accordingly, the bucket digs into the earth and removes a portion of same, which is carried in the bucket until it falls or is cleaned out of the bucket. The teeth 110 of the present invention include an improved shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the teeth 110 may include a center support portion 150 and at least one cutting portion 151, which extends to one or both sides of the center support portion 150. The teeth 110 are generally an upside down triangle shape. In the preferred embodiment, the teeth each may include two cutting portions 151. In addition, the teeth 110 may be offset from the center, which is more clearly shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the teeth 110 cutting portions 151 may have a narrow leading edge 152 or a wide leading edge 154. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 3, alternating teeth 110 may alternate with respect to whether the narrow edge 152 or wide edge 154 is located to the right or the left. In the preferred embodiment, however, the narrow leading edge 152 is generally centered or nearly centered on the wheel 108, the advantage of which will be discussed below.

Both the narrow edge 152 and wide edge 154 of the cutting portions 151 may be sharp so as to dig into the ground. As mentioned above, the narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 and wide edge 154 cutting portion 151 of each tooth 110 may alternate. Such an arrangement is beneficial for removing larger pieces of earth. For example, a leading narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 will cut a groove in the earth. The next tooth will have a wide edge 154 cutting portion 151 where the preceding narrow edge 152 has cut the groove, thereby spreading the size of the groove. Alternating the narrow edge 152 cutting portion 151 and wide edge 154 cutting portion 151 results in less friction than using cutting portions 151 of the same size because fewer and smaller cutting edges are rubbing underneath the dirt. Moreover, the placement of the teeth 110 with respect to the wheel 108 may vary so as to further dig beside the initially-dug groove and widen the trench that is cut by the preceding cutting portions 151.

It is anticipated that the cutting portions may be of any width and sharpness. Moreover, it is anticipated that there may be embodiments where the narrow edge 152 and wide edge 154 are in a different configuration, such as not alternating, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is anticipated that different configurations may be advantageous in varying types of soil. For example, the teeth 110 of the present invention may also be used with a rock tip, such as a carbide rock tip, which may be advantageous in rocky soils. In addition, the trenching wheel 108 of FIGS. 1-3 includes a cutout 156 between each tooth 110, as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, a cutout 156 may only be included between every third tooth 110. It is anticipated that the latter configuration may be advantageous in rocky soils, as rocks may become caught in these cutouts 156. However, it is anticipated that any configuration may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4A provides a side view of an embodiment of a tooth 110 of the present invention. Specifically, the side of the narrow leading edge 152 is shown. Furthermore, FIG. 4B, provides a side view of an embodiment of a tooth 110 wherein the wide leading edge 154 is shown. As discussed above, in the preferred embodiment, the narrow leading edge 152 and wide leading edge 154 alternate left and right sides of the teeth 110 projected from the center support portion 150. This configuration is shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the narrow leading edges 152 are located at or near the center line 158 of the wheel 108. As discussed above, this configuration presents an improvement over the prior art and leads to more efficient trenching, allowing a user to dig trenches faster and trenches which are deeper.

Returning to FIG. 2, the cutting wheel 108 turns in the direction of arrow B. Accordingly, as the excavating machine 100 moves forward in the direction of arrow C, a trench 120 is created behind the machine 100. The plurality of teeth 110 cut into the dirt and move same from the trench 120. In addition, the shoe assembly 118 (shown in FIG. 1), including the two side plates 122, contact the side of the trench 120 immediately after it is dug by the trenching assembly 106 in order to prevent a cave-in of the side walls of the trench during use of the excavating machine 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trenching machine 100 of the present invention also includes an improved cleaning assembly 136. Detail of a preferred embodiment of an improved cleaning assembly 136 is shown in FIGS. 6-8. The cleaning assembly 136 is located near the front, or lead side, of the wheel 108 (in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 2). Because the cleaning assembly 136 is located forward and underneath the frame 114, the wheel 108 and teeth 110 are cleaned prior to the teeth 110 entering the cutting wheel frame 114. Therefore, spoil does not collect in the frame 114. A side view of the left side of the machine 100 (when facing the direction of forward travel shown by arrow C of FIG. 2) showing the left side cleaning assembly 140 is provided in FIG. 6. As discussed below, it will be appreciated that similar components are found on the right side of the machine 100.

The left side cleaning assembly 140 includes a left side or side cleaning member 142 and a left side front or left front cleaning member 144. The left side cleaning assembly 140 may be rigidly attached to the frame 114. Specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the side cleaning member 142 may be rigidly attached to the frame 114 using any method known in the art now or in the future. Alternatively, the cleaning assembly 136, including the left cleaning assembly 140, need not be rigidly attached to the frame 114 or attached to the frame 114 at all without departing from the scope of the invention. For example spring-loaded or hydraulic powered cleaners may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The left side cleaning member 142 may be a side plate or plate as shown in FIG. 6 which is located in close proximity to the wheel 108 and which corresponds in shape to the wheel 108 so as to scrape dirt and spoil off of the wheel. Furthermore, as a tooth 110 travels through the cleaning assembly 136 the narrow leading edge 152 travels between the left cleaning assembly 140 and right cleaning assembly 138 (discussed in further detail below). Therefore, the two cleaning assemblies 138, 140 work in cooperation to scrape dirt and spoil from the narrow leading edge 152 cutting portion 151.

Furthermore, the wide leading edge 154 travels outside of the cleaning assembly 136. As discussed above, and shown in FIG. 5, the teeth 100 are offset from the center, and the wide leading edge 154 alternates between being located to the left or right of the wheel 108 center line 158. Accordingly, the wide leading edge 156 travels outside of the cleaning assembly 136. Depending on whether the wide leading edge 156 is located to the left or right of the center line 158, the wide leading edge 156 travels outside of the respective right cleaning assembly 138 or left cleaning assembly 140. Accordingly, as the two teeth cutting portions 151, which in the preferred embodiment include a narrow leading edge 154 and wide leading edge 156 travel on either side of one of the two right 138 and left 140 cleaning assemblies, the cleaning assembly cleans each tooth 110 between the cutting portions 151. In addition, the teeth 110 are cleaned prior to entering the frame 114. Moreover, the wide leading edge 156 and wheel 108 are also cleaned prior to entering the frame 114.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the left side cleaning member includes a front portion 160 and a back portion 162. The front portion 160 and back portion 162 are at an angle to each other. Preferably, the back portion 162 is generally parallel or at a small angle to the rim 112 of the wheel 108 in order to scrape spoil off of the rim. The front portion 160 is generally perpendicular to the rim 112 and also the direction of travel of the machine 100, which is indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2. The left side front cleaning member 144 may be attached to the frame 114, left side cleaning member 142, or both. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the left side front cleaning member 144 is directly attached to the left side cleaning member 142. Specifically, the front cleaning member 144 is located and attached underneath the left side cleaning member front portion 160 and beside the left side cleaning member back portion 162. Furthermore, in an alternate embodiment, the left side cleaning member 142 may be configured so as to provide the function of the spoil arm 126, which is discussed in further detail below. For example, the left side cleaning member 142 may be extended down, back, and/or out to the side of the machine 100 to push the dirt and spoil away from the trench 100. In such a configuration, the left side cleaning member 142 could resemble a wing.

Returning again to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the cleaning assembly 136 and specifically the left side cleaning assembly 140 may further include a removable tooth 164, which may be attached to the bottom of the left side front member 144 and located at or near the bottom of both the left side front member 144 and left side cleaning member 142. It will be understood that preferably the tooth 164 is removable, although a non-removable or permanent tooth may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The tooth 164 may be made of steel or any other material suitable for the application, which will be understood by one of skill in the art. The advantage of a removable tooth 164 is that the tooth 164 may be replaced if necessary, such as due to damage or wear, without replacing the entire cleaning assembly 136 or respective side cleaning assembly.

FIG. 7 provides an elevation view of the left side cleaning assembly 140. Shown are the left side cleaning member 142 and front cleaning member 144. Both the back portion 162 and front portion 164 of the left side cleaning member 142 may be seen. Also shown is the left side removable tooth 164. The left cleaning assembly 140 is attached to the frame 114, which is also connected to the plurality of wheel support members 130. Attached to the wheel support members 130 are the wheel support rollers 132, about which the wheel 108 travels. As discussed above, the teeth 110 extend outside of the wheel 108 from the rim 112 and include a center support portion 150 and cutting portion 151. Shown is a cutting portion 151 having a narrow leading edge 152.

FIG. 8 illustrates an elevation view of the right side cleaning assembly 138. In the preferred, illustrated embodiment, the right cleaning assembly 138 and left cleaning assembly 140 are symmetrical. Accordingly, the above discussion of the left side cleaning assembly 140 is relevant to the right side cleaning assembly 138 and will not be repeated in detail, including potential alternate embodiments of the machine 100 and/or cleaning assembly. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that the right 138 and left 140 cleaning assemblies need not be symmetrical. Shown in FIG. 8 is the frame 114 to which the right side cleaning assembly 138 is preferably rigidly attached. Also shown is a tooth 110 including a support portion 150 and a cutting portion 151, which includes a narrow leading edge 152. As discussed above, the cutting portion 151 could also include a wide leading edge 154, which would travel outside of the cleaning assembly 138. The cleaning assembly includes a right side cleaning member 146 and a right side front cleaning member 148. Furthermore, the right side cleaning member 146 includes a front portion 166 and back portion 168. The back portion 168 is rigidly connected to the frame 114, although the cleaning assembly 138 need not be non-rigidly connected to the frame 114 or not directly connected to the frame 114 at all. Alternatively, the cleaning assembly 138 may be attached to the frame by any other method known in the art now or in the future. Further, the frame 114 is connected to the plurality of wheel support members 130 and wheel support rollers 132 about which the wheel 108 turns. Moreover, the right cleaning assembly 138 includes a removable tooth 170. The tooth 170 need not be removable; however, as discussed above, employing a removable tooth 170 has the benefit of ease of repair and replacement.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a second embodiment of a cleaning assembly 172 and specifically the left cleaning assembly 174 of the second embodiment 172. The right side of the cleaning assembly 172 is preferably symmetrical to the left cleaning assembly 174. Accordingly, the right side of the cleaning assembly will not be illustrated or discussed in detail, as the discussion of the left cleaning assembly 174 is relevant to the right side. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that the left and right sides need not be symmetrical. The illustrated second embodiment of the cleaning assembly includes a single left cleaning plate 176. The left cleaning plate 176 includes a front portion 178 and back portion 180. The front portion 178 is generally perpendicular to the wheel 108 and direction of travel. The back portion 180 is generally parallel or at a small angle to the wheel 108 so as to clean same, such as by scraping the dirt and spoil off the wheel 108. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that the left cleaning plate 176 may be at any angle to the wheel 108 that allows the wheel 108 to be cleaned. Furthermore, one of skill in the art will recognize that the left cleaning plate 176 need not include multiple portions and may be configured in any arrangement which results in removing at least a portion of the dirt and spoil from the wheel 108.

Also shown is the frame 114 to which the cleaning assembly 172, including the left cleaning plate 176, is preferably attached, as well a wheel support roller 132 about which the wheel 108 turns. Further included is a tooth 110, which is attached to the rim 112 of the wheel 108. The tooth 110 includes a center support portion 150 and two cutting portions 151. The tooth includes both a narrow leading edge 152 cutting portion and a wide leading edge 154 cutting portion.

The preferred embodiment of the excavating machine 100 also includes a pair of spoil arms. FIG. 11 provides a view of the left spoil arm 126. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that, in the preferred embodiment, the right spoil arm is symmetrical to the left spoil arm 126. Accordingly, it will not be shown or discussed in detail. However, it will also be understood by one of skill in the art that the right and left spoil arms need not by symmetrical. The spoil arm 126, which may also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, push spoil away from the top of the trench 120, including spoil which has been removed by the cleaning assembly 136 or 172. Accordingly, cleaned spoil does not fall back into the trench 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the spoil arm 126 is a foldable arm that includes at least a portion which is generally at an angle to the wheel 108 so as to push spoil out and away from the top of the trench 120. As one of skill in the art will recognize, the spoil arm 126 may be any shape, size, or assembly that serves the purpose of pushing soil away from the top of the trench 120. For example, in an alternative embodiment, hinged assemblies could be used, such as those having a general shape of a less than sign (“>”). In another embodiment, the spoil arm 126 may be rigid rather than foldable or hinged, such as by a rigid connection to the frame 114. In addition, it is anticipated that the cleaning assembly 136 or 172 could be used with an auger or conveyer (not shown) to move dirt out of the machine 100 and away from the trench 120. The spoil arm 126 may be connected to the frame 114, such as by a rotatable connection 186. Accordingly, the spoil arm 126 may be located in a lowered position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 11 or a raised position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 11.

By utilizing the improved teeth 110 and placing a positive cleaner at the front of the cutting wheel 108 and frame 114, the trenching machine 100 herein disclosed provides a means for digging deeper trenches and for digging trenches faster than prior art trenching machines. For example, in one embodiment, a four foot trench may be dug at a rate of 75-100 feet per minute or faster. Machines of the prior art generally dig a 4 feet deep trench at 50 feet per minute if even capable of digging a trench deeper than 3 feet. Moreover, trenches six feet deep may be dug.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

TRENCHING WHEEL WITH FRONT-MOUNTED CLEANER

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)