Patent Application
20100212193
This invention relates to landscaping apparatus and methods, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for grading, raking, and leveling of soil using skidloaders, tractors, and other powered landscaping vehicles and equipment.
Landscaping is an essential part of virtually any construction project, and is particularly critical to the final stages of construction. For example, grading and leveling of soil is necessary to ensure proper rainfall drainage, scarifying is necessary to remove large rocks and debris, and raking is required to smooth soil and remove smaller rocks and debris prior to installation of driveways and walkways, as well as to cultivate prior to lawn seeding. The use of highly maneuverable skid loaders has reduced the amount of manual labor required for the above-described landscaping tasks. Additionally, skid loaders include hydraulic lift arms and pivoting attachment assemblies (typically having a bucket attached) that can be operated while maneuvering the skid loader. Such skid loaders are thus well-suited for precision landscaping operations, and are particularly well-suited for work in confined areas.
The inventor previously patented a landscaping apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,344 (the '344 patent). The '344 patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As described in the '344 patent, the prior art lacked multi-purpose attachments for skid loaders and other landscaping equipment that would permit full utilization of the vehicles. For example, several rake attachments are known, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,458 to Dolister and U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,625 to Keigley. However, the use of these known rakes is limited by their structure and features. For example, the attachment disclosed in Dolister can only be used as a rake when the skid loader bucket is elevated and tipped forwardly. However, with the bucket raised and tipped, driver visibility of the soil being worked is compromised. Additionally, reduced forward clearance results from the forwardly tipped bucket, preventing the use of the device in a zero-tolerance environment such as in very close proximity to a building foundation or poured concrete sidewalk. In addition, the one-dimensional rake invention described in Dolister includes just one working surface that can be mounted and used in a single configuration.
Similarly, the rake and scarifying attachment disclosed by Keigley is appropriate for a very limited number of applications as a result of its features and configuration. For example, while the apparatus disclosed in Keigley provides two sets of separate working surfaces, the configuration and arrangement of the rake and scarifying teeth prevent use of either in a zero-clearance environment. Additionally, installation and use of the Keigley apparatus is cumbersome. For example, installation of the Keigley apparatus first requires removal of the bucket of the vehicle, which removal is time-consuming, and potentially dangerous. Removal of the bucket also severely compromises the utility of the skid loader. For example, no large rocks, other debris, or soil loads can be transported when the Keigley attachment is installed on the skid loader.
The '344 patent alleviated some of the unmet need for a single landscaping tool that is suitable for attachment to a wide variety of landscaping vehicles such as all-terrain skidloaders, tractor loaders, backhoes, tractors, bulldozers, and other landscaping vehicles. The '344 patent provided a landscaping tool that can be selectively mounted on a material handling vehicle in multiple orientations or configurations to permit use in a wide variety of landscaping functions such as of grading, filling, leveling, scarifying, and vegetation removal. The '344 patent further provided a tool that can be easily transported and easily installed to provide more than one working surface. However, the '344 patent did not meet some very important needs that the inventor has since identified and solved. In particular, the '344 patent provided limited means for mounting the tool to the bucket of landscaping equipment. There exists a continuing need for landscaping tools and apparatus and methods of mounting the tools that provide for easy, secure, and removable mounting on a landscaping vehicle, preferably by a single person.
Furthermore, there is a continuing and unmet need for an attachment that can be removably installed and used without removing or compromising the utility of the bucket of the landscaping vehicle, and without requiring mounting holes to be provided on the landscaping bucket itself. Lastly, there is a continuing need for a secure attachment means in conjunction with a landscaping tool that provides zero-tolerance raking and landscaping tasks without compromising front clearance or operator visibility.
In one embodiment, the invention is an improved apparatus for attachment to landscaping equipment, the apparatus comprised of: an elongate plate having a first longitudinal edge, a second opposite longitudinal edge, and a middle plate portion disposed between the first longitudinal edge and the second opposite longitudinal edge; wherein the first longitudinal edge includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth separated from the adjacent tooth by a trough; the second longitudinal edge includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth separated from the adjacent tooth by a trough; and the middle portion, the improvement comprising at least one mounting bracket protruding from the elongate plate. Optionally, the improvement further comprises the elimination of apertures in the elongate plate, since no apertures are now required for mounting the tool to the bucket attachment of a landscaping vehicle.
In another embodiment, the invention is a load securing apparatus for removable attachment of a landscaping tool to the bucket of a landscaping vehicle, the apparatus comprising a flexible tensioning apparatus and a durable tensioning apparatus. The load securing apparatus further includes an adjustable tension mechanism linked to at least one of the flexible tensioning apparatus or the durable tensioning apparatus. The flexible tensioning apparatus and durable tensioning apparatus each include means for engaging a landscaping tool to securely fasten the tool to the bucket of a landscaping vehicle. In one embodiment, the flexible tensioning apparatus includes webbing, strapping, or wire rope. In another embodiment, the adjustable tensioning mechanism includes at least one of a ratchet-type mechanism or a winch.
A method for attaching a landscaping tool to the bucket of a landscaping vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the method provides for the steps of providing a landscaping tool comprised of an elongate plate having a first longitudinal edge, a second opposite longitudinal edge, and a middle plate portion disposed between the first longitudinal edge and the second opposite longitudinal edge, wherein the first longitudinal edge includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth separated from the adjacent tooth by a trough, and wherein the second longitudinal edge includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth separated from the adjacent tooth by a trough; wherein the first longitudinal edge and second opposite longitudinal edge are offset at a preselected angle, the tool comprising at least one mounting bracket protruding from the elongate plate. The method further includes mounting the landscaping tool to the bottom lip of a bucket attachment of a landscaping vehicle by engaging the lip to at least one mounting bracket provided on the tool, then securing the tool to the bucket by connecting to the mounting bracket an apparatus comprising an adjustable tension mechanism linked to at least one flexible tensioning apparatus or durable tensioning apparatus, each of the flexible tensioning apparatus and durable tensioning apparatus including means for engaging the landscaping tool to securely fasten the tool to the bucket of a landscaping vehicle. The method further includes operating the tensioning mechanism to tighten the flexible tensioning apparatus around the bucket.
As previously described, the inventor is also the inventor of the '344 patent. Among other advantages, benefits over the inventions of the '344 patent include eliminating the need for pre-existing holes in the bottom of the bucket which must precisely correspond to holes in the landscaping apparatus of the '344 patent. Another advantage of the present invention is the elimination of the need for extra tools associated with tightening and loosening of bolts through apertures in the bucket and tool of the '344 patent. Another advantage is the elimination of the precarious task of manually lifting and positioning the landscaping apparatus during installation for the purpose of lining up the connection holes as required in the '344 patent. The requirement of mounting apertures and associated alignment requirements limits the '344 patent landscaping apparatus in terms of size and weight that can safely be handled during installation by any one person. Other advantages of the improvements described herein include trimmable expansion tabs located on mounting brackets, thus making the landscaping apparatus compatible with thicker bucket edges. This feature increases compatibility without adding any extra steps to the installation process of the '344 patent apparatus or other tools, such as manipulation of clamping devices connected to the landscaping vehicle.
The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a supporting framework that can be easily and removably mounted onto a variety of landscaping vehicles and other lifting equipment such as, but not limited to, backhoes, tractors, skid loaders, all-terrain vehicles, trucks, and the like. By way of example,
Referring now to the drawings,
As described in the '344 patent, the tool 200 includes a plurality of teeth project along a first longitudinal edge of the plate 100. The teeth may have squared or sharpened ends, but preferably have radiused points. Between adjacent teeth are provided troughs which connect the adjacent teeth. In the preferred embodiment, the teeth form a scarifying rake having has approximately four to five teeth per foot. The teeth generally project from the plate edge approximately five to six inches, and have the same thickness as the plate. While the aforementioned dimensional ranges for the scarifying rake, particularly the length, teeth per foot and tooth length, are the preferred ranges for a scarifying rake for a skid steer loader, the present invention can be employed with dimensions outside of these preferred ranges. For example, the teeth may be of different lengths, and may be interspersed along the length of the edge in a preselected pattern to provide a uniform pattern of alternating, ascending or descending lengths and/or widths, much as known scarifying tools and rakes have varying configurations.
As described in the '344 patent, the tool 200 further includes a second longitudinal edge. In one embodiment, the second longitudinal edge is provided on the end of surface 2 of the plate 100 opposite the first surface 1. The second edge includes a plurality of teeth having terminal points that can be squared, radiused or sharpened, but that preferably have squared terminal points. Between adjacent teeth are provided troughs which connect the adjacent teeth. In a preferred embodiment, the second edge has teeth that form a rake with teeth having substantially uniform length, width, and spacing as compared to the teeth of the first edge. The teeth preferably project from the plate a sufficient length so as to permit use in raking and similar landscaping tasks. Preferably, the teeth extend at least one inch, and have approximately the same thickness as the plate.
While the aforementioned dimensional ranges for the tool 200, particularly the length, teeth per foot and tooth length, are the preferred ranges for a rake and scarifying attachment for a skid steer loader, the present invention can be employed with dimensions outside of these preferred ranges. For example, the teeth 3, 4 may be of different lengths, and may be interspersed along the length of the respective edges in a preselected pattern to provide a uniform pattern of alternating, ascending or descending lengths and/or widths, much as known scarifying tools and rakes have varying teeth configurations.
Similar to the apparatus in the '344 patent, in the preferred embodiment, the plate 100 is a single plate cut from a unitary plate of solid steel material in a single plasma cutting operation. This method of manufacture provides suitable strength and durability of the individual teeth 3,4 and the tool 200 as a whole. In this embodiment, because the tool 200 is a unitary plate 100 member which can be attached by conventional fasteners, the tool 200 is very cost efficient and inexpensive relative to other prior art attempts. Additionally, in this embodiment, multiple tools 200 may be plasma cut from steel plate stock, thereby greatly reducing scrap material.
However, in this improved tool 200, there is no requirement for mounting holes provided in the plate. Rather, mounting brackets 5, and 6, are provided. As shown in
Further referring to
As shown in
A tensioning mechanism 21 is included for tightening the tensioning means 20, 19. In
Due to the unique configuration of two opposite longitudinal working edges on tool 200, combined with the load securing device 300 as described herein, the present invention has the ability to be utilized on a landscaping vehicle bucket while operating in “backward or forward” direction with the bottom surface 13 of the bucket 15 remaining parallel to the ground. When the landscaping apparatus is operated in a backward direction, the bottom surface 13 of bucket 15 and bottom surface 4 are subjected to a large amount of force 18 which is applied by the build up of rocks, soil and vegetation underneath the bucket. Without the durable tensioning member 19 of load securing device 300, the lack of an adequate counteracting force 17 applied to the bottom surface 13 would result in the top mounting bracket 5 becoming disengaged from the bucket lip 12. Many types of load securing devices such as those which transfer tension with the use of linked chain could be used to connect the tool 200 to a bucket 15. However, although durable, linked chain is not the most efficient means of delivering tension around the sharp angles of the back corners of the bucket 15. The segmented oval design and rigid structure of individually connected chain links lack the continuous flexibility that is required to efficiently transfer tension around sharp angles. Also, the focused tensioning pressure from the linked chain can damage unsupported flanges that protrude outward from the back of many buckets. Because wire rope is constructed from metal it shares the same durability characteristics of linked chain which resists damage when positioned underneath the bucket 15. For these reasons, the preferred load securing device is one that utilizes synthetic strapping around the top back edge 22 of the bucket 15 connected to a durable tensioning member 19 such as a wire rope which is routed around the bottom back edge of the bucket 15. The highly flexible nature of strapping and wire rope are well-suited for transferring tension around sharp angles. Additionally, wide strapping is less likely to damage the unsupported flanges 22 that protrude outward from the back of the bucket 15 because the tensioning pressure is spread out over a wider area. Optionally, a plate can be provided under the strapping to spread force across the surface of bucket 15, such as on an unsupported flange 22.
Similarly, the rake and scarifying attachment 10 may be removed from the bucket attachment 40 by removing the apparatus 300. Additionally, although the apparatus has been described in a few preferred embodiments, the tool 200 plate 100 can still include a plurality of mounting apertures configured for vertically orienting the tool, and/or a set of mounting apertures configured for horizontally mounting the tool 100 as in the '344 patent. Once removed, the rake and scarifying tool 200 can be removably secured to a second bucket attachment using the methods described herein. The size and scale of the apparatus and its components are contemplated within a wide range in order to meet the needs of the landscaping industry. For example, the apparatus may be provided with varying widths and having various sizes and arrangements of teeth.
While the invention is described in terms of raking and scarifying, the apparatus and methods are equally applicable to removal of brush and other landscaping tasks wherein scarifying teeth and rakes can be utilized. Alternatively, or additionally, where differing teeth configurations are provided on each working edge of the tool, the operator can selectively engage either working surface to change tasks without removing or repositioning the tool, such as scarifying by tipping the bucket forward to engage an edge having scarifying teeth, then raking by tipping the bucket back to its horizontal position to engage downwardly pointing rake teeth on a second edge of the tool.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/208,585, filed Feb. 26, 2009.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61208585 | Feb 2009 | US |
