Vibratory Plow Assembly

Abstract

A linkage assembly for a vibratory plow. A vibratory plow comprises a power unit and a vibratory plow assembly. The vibratory plow assembly has a linkage assembly to connect to the power unit. The linkage assembly comprises a lift trolley, an upper arm, a lower arm and a load transfer link. The upper arm is pivotally connected to an upper end of the lift trolley. The lower arm is pivotally connected to a lower end of the lift trolley. A vibrator assembly is connected to the upper arm and the lower arm and a plow assembly comprising a plow blade is connected to the vibrator assembly. The load transfer link is operatively connected to the upper arm and to the vibrator. The load transfer link may be a leaf spring with an intermediate link. Alternatively, the load transfer link may be a hydraulic cylinder or an elastomeric member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a linkage assembly for a vibratory plow in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the linkage assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 show an alternative embodiment for the linkage assembly of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A linkage assembly for use with a vibratory plow, the assembly comprising: an arm;a vibrator assembly, connected to the arm; anda load transfer link, operatively connected at a first point to the arm, and operatively connected at a second point to the vibrator assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the load transfer link comprises a leaf spring, having a first end, a second end, and a center portion, the first end pivotally connected to the arm at the first point, the center portion fixedly attached to the vibrator assembly proximate where the vibrator is connected to the arm.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the load transfer link further comprises an intermediate link, having a first end and a second end, the intermediate link being pivotally attached at its first end to the second end of the leaf spring, and being pivotally attached at its second end to the vibrator assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the intermediate link comprises a shackle.

5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the intermediate link comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the intermediate link comprises an elastomeric member.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the elastomeric member is biased.

8. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the intermediate link comprises a coil spring.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the vibrator assembly is connected to the arm at a middle portion of the arm such that an end of the arm extends beyond the vibrator assembly, and wherein the first point is proximate the end of the arm.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the load transfer link comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the cylinder is automatically controlled.

12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the load transfer link comprises an elastomeric member.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the elastomeric member is double-biased.

14. The assembly of claim further comprising a plow blade assembly, connected to the vibrator assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lift trolley, operably connected to an end of the arm, and movably connectable to a tool carrier.

16. The assembly of claim 15 further comprising a second arm, connected at a first end to the trolley and connected at a second end to the vibrator assembly.

17. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one skid shoe, connected to the vibrator and adapted to contact the surface of the ground during operation of the linkage assembly.

18. A vibratory plow assembly comprising: a power unit;a linkage assembly operatively connected to the power unit, the linkage assembly comprising: a lift trolley;an upper arm having a first end pivotally connected to an upper end of the lift trolley;a lower arm pivotally connected to a lower end of the lift trolley; anda load transfer link;a vibrator assembly comprising a vibrator, the vibrator assembly connected to the upper arm and the lower arm; anda plow assembly comprising a plow blade, the plow assembly connected to the vibrator;wherein the load transfer link is operatively connected at a first connection point to the upper arm and at a second connection point to the vibrator.

19. The vibratory plow assembly of claim 18 wherein the load transfer link comprises a leaf spring and a shackle link; such that the leaf spring has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the upper arm at the first connection point; andsuch that a middle part of the leaf spring is secured to the upper arm proximate where the vibrator is connected to the upper arm; andsuch that the shackle link is connected between the second end of the leaf spring and the vibrator at the second connection point.

20. The vibratory plow assembly of claim 18 wherein the load transfer link comprises a double biased elastomeric member; and wherein the vibrator assembly is connected to the upper arm at a middle portion of the upper arm such that a second end of the upper arm extends beyond where the vibrator is connected to the upper arm; andsuch that the double biased elastomeric member is connected between the second end of the upper arm and the vibrator assembly.

21. The vibratory plow assembly of claim 18 further comprising a lift cylinder adapted to operatively connect the power unit to the linkage assembly.