Vibratory Trench Scoop

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting a trench in the ground. The apparatus has a pair of side watts that cooperate to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Each side wall has a leading edge formed at the inlet opening. A base wall is disposed between the pair of side walls to interconnect the side walls along a curved path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A vibrator is connected to the pair of side walls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute. The apparatus is connected to a powered and movable vehicle using an attachment system.

Description

FIELD

The present invention is related to the field of underground construction and more specifically to a methods and machines for trenching.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting a trench. The apparatus comprises a pair of side walls, a base wall, and a vibrator. The pair of side walls cooperates to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Each side wall has a leading edge formed at the inlet opening. The base wall is disposed between the pair of side walls to interconnect the side walls along a curve between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The vibrator is connected to the pair of side walls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute.

The present invention is likewise directed to an assembly comprising a powered and movable vehicle, a scoop apparatus, an attachment system for connecting the scoop apparatus to the vehicle, and a vibrator. The scoop apparatus comprises a pair of side walls cooperating to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening Each side wall has a leading edge formed at the inlet opening. The vibrator is supported on the vehicle and configured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoop apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an excavation machine having a scoop for cutting a trench.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scoop apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view of the scoop apparatus of FIG. 2 along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the scoop apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is top view of the scoop apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Placement of utilities underground is often accomplished using an open cut trench. There are many applications where horizontal directional drilling may be used, but for shallow depth placement of less than or equal to three (3) feet, open-cut trenching may be preferable. Vibratory plowing is also often effective for the installation of small diameter utilities underground. Chain trenchers are very effective for opening of trenches in the ground and work in many different soil conditions. However, there is a continual need for various machine and methods for the creation of open cut trenches. The scoop apparatus of the present invention is efficient in its utilization of power from a vehicle engine because it does not regrind trenching spoils that are on their way out of a trench. The scoop apparatus of the present invention also has few moving parts which reduces wear on the apparatus.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a powered and movable vehicle 10 is shown having a scoop apparatus 12 of the present invention attached thereto. The vehicle 10 may comprise a wheeled vehicle that an operator walks beside during operation or alternatively may comprise a tracked vehicle. Generally, the vehicle 10 comprises an internal combustion engine (not shown) that is used to provide motive force to the vehicle and to power hydraulic pumps used to operate various work tool attachments. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 may operatively support an elongate trencher assembly 14 that supports a trencher chain (not shown) having a plurality of cutting teeth to excavate a trench. Although a trencher assembly 14 is shown connected to the front of vehicle 10, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other work tools such as a backhoe, backfill blade, or loader bucket may be disposed at the front of the vehicle.

The vehicle 10 comprises an operator station 16 having a plurality of controls 18. The controls 18 may comprise a plurality of levers, joysticks, dials, or switches used to control or manage various operations of the vehicle, the trencher assembly, other work tool attachments, and the scoop apparatus 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the scoop apparatus 12 is supported at the back of the vehicle 10 behind a sod cutter 11. The scoop apparatus 12 is connected to a vibrator assembly 20 supported at the back of the vehicle 10. The vibrator assembly 20 may comprise a frame 22 and a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (not shown) The frame 22 may comprise a first member 26 and a second member (not shown) laterally displaced (hidden behind the first member in FIG. 1) from the first member. The first member 26 and the second member may both comprise substantially flat plates having an arm 30 for connecting the vibrator assembly 20 to the vehicle 10 at pivot point 32. The cylinder (not shown) is disposed between the first member 26 and the second member and may connect to a cross brace (not shown) that spans a gap between the first member 26 and the second member. Actuation of the cylinder caused the scoop apparatus 12 to pivot about pivot point 32 to raise and lower the scoop apparatus. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the scoop apparatus 12 could also be configured to mount to the front of the vehicle 10. It could be mounted in a manner to operate when the vehicle 10 is driven in a reverse direction, or mounted where the scooping action of the scoop apparatus 12 would occur as the vehicle was driven forward.

A vibrator 38 may be supported on the vehicle 10 via the frame 22 and configured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoop apparatus 12. The vibrator 38 is supported on the frame 22 between first member 26 and second member (not shown) at an end opposite arms 30. A motor 40 comprising a hydraulically driven motor is supported on the frame 22 and adapted to drive operation of the vibrator 38, Motor 40 may comprise an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a direct mechanical drive used to drive the vibrator 38. Vibrator 38 may comprise an assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,790 issued to James L. Carothers, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

The frame 22 may comprise a pair of mounting holes 42 configured to receive pins 44 for connecting the vibrator assembly 20 to the scoop apparatus 12. One skilled in the art will appreciate that bolts, screws, or welding may be used as methods for attaching the scoop apparatus 12 to the vibrator assembly 20 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the scoop apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 is shown in greater detail. The scoop apparatus 12 comprises a pair of side walls 46 and 48 that cooperate to form a chute 50. The chute 50 has an inlet opening 52 and an outlet opening 54. Each of the side walls has a leading edge 56 formed at the inlet opening 52. An attachment system 58 is connected to the side walls 46 and 48 and connects the scoop apparatus 12 to the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1). A deflection system 60 is disposed proximate the outlet opening 54 to deflect trenching spoils (earth removed from the trench by the scoop apparatus) in a lateral direction away from the scoop apparatus 12. The scoop apparatus 12 may likewise comprise a base wall 62 disposed between the pair of side walls 46 and 48 to interconnect the side walls along a curve comprising a trailing edge 64 between the inlet opening 52 and the outlet opening 54. The base wall 62 may also define a lower portion of the inlet opening 52.

The side walls 46 and 48 may each be constructed from a plate having a top edge 66. Likewise, the base wall may comprise a top edge 67. The top edge 66 of the he side walls and the top edge 67 of the base wall define the outlet opening 54. The leading edge 52 may extend. from the top edge 66 and intersect with the trailing edge 64 of the side wall.

The attachment system 58 may be disposed between the top edge 66 of each side wall 46 and 48 proximate the outlet opening 54. The attachment system 58 may comprise bracket members 68 connected directly to an inner surface 70 of the side walls. The bracket members 68 may be connected to the side walls by welding, bolts, or other fastening means. Alternatively, the bracket members 68 may be integrally formed tabs created when the side walls are cut from sheet or plate metal. A mount 72 is connected to the bracket members 68 and comprises pin holes 74 configured to align with mounting holes 42 (FIG. 1) and receive mounting pins 44 (FIG. 1) to connect the scoop apparatus 10 to the vibrator assembly 20.

The deflection system 60 is also connected to the side walls 46 and 48 proximate the outlet opening 54. The deflection system 60 comprises a channel 76 configured to direct spoils removed from the ground laterally away from the scoop apparatus 12. The spoils directed laterally away from the scoop apparatus 12 are deposited on the ground next to the trench cut by the scoop. The deflection system 60 may comprise a housing 78 that defines the channel 76. The housing 78 may comprise a single piece of metal or resilient plastic material configured to extend from the side wall 46 and pass over the outlet opening 54. A ramp member 80 may be connected to side wall 48 and disposed to extend beyond the side wall 48 to direct spoils laterally away. The housing 78 may have a smooth radius along its top surface, or a series of bends as depicted in FIG. 2. The deflection system 60 may be permanently affixed to the side walls 46 and 48, by welding or brazing, or as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 78 may be attached with fasteners 81 such as bolts, screws, tabs, or pins such that it may be removed to help make cleaning of the chute 50 easier.

Continuing with FIG. 2, the leading edges 56 of each side wall 46 and 48 comprise the ground engaging edge of the scoop apparatus 12. Accordingly, the leading edges 56 may comprise a cutting edge 82 that is beveled to present a thinner section to the soil profile at the point of engagement with the soil. The bevel may run from the top to the bottom of the cutting edge 82. The bevel may be formed to funnel soil into the chute 50. Alternatively, the bevel may be configured to push soil toward the exterior of the apparatus 12 and laterally away from the chute 50. Likewise, the leading edge 84 of base wall 62 may be beveled for engagement with the soil.

Cutting edges 82 may be affixed to the leading edge 56 of the side walls 46 and 48. The cutting edges 82 may comprise abrasion resistant steel and may be attached to the side walls 46 and 48 by welding, screws, pins, adhesives, or other suitable means. The cutting edges 82 may also comprise wear resistant hard facing material applied to the cutting edges by welding or brazing. Suitable hard facing materials may include carbide, ceramics, or synthetic diamond grit.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown in longitudinal section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates a possible configuration of the scoop apparatus 12. For example, the leading edge 56 and thus cutting edge 82 of each side wall may be characterized by a positive rake angle 83. The rake angle 83 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may be between 5 and 15 degrees. The backward rake of the cutting edge 82 causes the edge to be advanced forward slightly each time the vibrator 38 (FIG. 1) moves the scoop apparatus 12 upward during the shaking cycle. Thus, the leading edge 84 of the base wall 62 is nudged forward during the shake cycle and leads the cutting edges through the ground.

The leading edge 84 of the base wall 62 may be configured such that it is substantially horizontal when the scoop is fully lowered into the ground. Alternatively, leading edge 84 may have a slight angle upward from horizontal. The base wall 62 may curve upward from the intersection with leading edge 56 toward the outlet opening 54 and deflection system 60. The base wall's curvature may generally follow the curve of the trailing edge 64 of the side walls 46 and 48 through a sweep angle 86. The radius of the curved trailing edge 64 is dependent on the desired depth of cut and size of the scoop apparatus 12. In a preferred embodiment, the sweep angle 86 is between 30 and 45 degrees.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown from the front. FIG. 4 shows that the inlet opening 52 is symmetric about an inlet axis 88. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls 46 and 48 are connected to the base wall 62. The side walls 46 and 48 may diverge from the base wall at the inlet opening 52 relative to the inlet axis 88. The angle 89 at which the side walls 46 and 48 may diverge from the inlet axis 88 is preferably between 2 to 15 degrees. The divergence causes the inlet opening 52 and the chute 50 to have a generally trapezoidal or V-shape configuration. Such a configuration allows soil that is cut loose by the cutting edges 82 and 84 to move and expand upward as the scoop apparatus 12 is vibrated and moved forward. This causes the spoils of the trenching operation to move up through the outlet opening 54 into the deflection member channel 76 where it is deflected laterally and deposited on the ground next to the trench.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown from a top view with the deflection system 60 removed. The side walls 46 and 48 are shown interconnected by base wall 62 and attachment system 58 comprising bracket members 68 and mount 72. Bracket members 68 may be generally elongate and extend along a length of the side walls 46 and 48. As previously discussed, bracket members 68 may be directly connected to the inside surface 70 of the side walls 46 and 48. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that bracket members 68 may be connected to an outer surface 90 of the side walls 46 and 48 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows that the scoop apparatus 12 is wider at the front 92 of the apparatus than at the back 94 when viewed from the top. Preferably the front to back relief converges the side walls 46 and 48 at an angle that is generally between 0.25 and 2 degrees. Constructing the scoop apparatus 12 so that it is narrower at the back 94 reduces drag along the side walls 46 and 48 thus reducing the pulling force required to move the scoop apparatus through the soil. The inclusion of a front to back relief also allows the scoop apparatus 12 to be pulled through gradual turns with a reduced likelihood of binding within the soil. As seen from the top, the chute 50 is symmetric about a chute axis 96 and each side wall 46 and 48 converges from the inlet opening 52 relative to the chute axis.

In operation, the vehicle 10 is moved into position along a desired trench path. The motor 40 may be engaged to cause the vibrator 38 to start shaking the scoop apparatus 12. The operator may then actuate the cylinder (not shown) to lower the scoop apparatus 12 into the ground, For the pivoting linkage shown on the vehicle 10 as depicted in FIG. 1, as the scoop apparatus 12 is pivoted downward the cutting edge 82 engages the soil and begins to cut a trench. Soil moves into the chute 50 through the inlet opening 52. The scoop apparatus 12 is lowered until a desired depth is reached. As an alternative to the pivoting linkage in FIG. 1, a four-bar linkage may be used to move the scoop apparatus 12 from a raised to lowered position. The device of the present invention may be mounted to vehicles having alternative raise-lower linkage configurations than that pictured in FIG. 1.

Once the desired trench depth is reached the vehicle's drive system is engaged to pull the scoop apparatus 12 through the ground along the desired trench path. The vibrator 38 remains engaged during the trenching process to assist the scoop apparatus 12 in cutting through the soil. As the scoop apparatus 12 is advanced soil is moved into the chute 50 through inlet opening 52 and moves upward through the chute toward the outlet opening 54. As discussed above, the pair of side walls 46 and 48 may diverge from the base wall 62 relative to the inlet axis 88 and the base wall may follow a curved path along a trailing edge 64 from the inlet opening 52 to the outlet opening 54. This configuration biases the soil pulled into the chute 50 to move upward and out of the chute through the outlet opening 54. The vibrator 38 causes the scoop apparatus 12 to rapidly shake up and down. This vibratory action assists in the cutting of the soil at the cutting edges 82 and 84 and in the movement of soil through the chute 50 to the outlet opening 54.

After moving through the outlet opening 54 the trenching spoils are moved laterally away from the chute axis 96 by the deflection system 60. The deflection system 60 extends laterally over at least one of the pair of side walls 46 and 48 so the trenching spoils exiting the deflection system are deposited on the ground next to the trench. Thus, the scoop apparatus 12 and deflection system 60 creates a trench having a profile substantially similar to the profile of the scoop apparatus with trenching spoils deposited on the ground to one side of the trench or the other.

Once the end of the desired trench path is reached the scoop apparatus 12 may be pivoted upward and operation of the vibrator 38 may cease. The product may be installed in the trench and the trench backfilled using a backfill blade supported at the front of the vehicle 10 or some other suitable backfill system.

Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from its spirit. Thus, while the principle preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting a trench comprising: a pair of side walls cooperating to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, each side wall having a leading edge formed at the inlet opening;a base wall disposed between the pair of side walls to interconnect the side walls along a curve between the inlet opening and the outlet opening; anda vibrator connected to the pair of side walls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an attachment system to connect the pair of side walls proximate the leading edge of each side wall.

3. The apparatus of claim I further comprising a deflection system disposed proximate the outlet opening to deflect spoils in a lateral direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the deflection system extends beyond the pair of side walls.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening is symmetric about an inlet axis and wherein each side wall diverges from the base wall at the inlet opening relative the inlet axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each side wall diverges from the base wall at the inlet opening at an angle of between two and fifteen degrees relative to the inlet axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of each side wall comprises a cutting edge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of each side wall is beveled to direct spoils laterally away from the chute.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of each side wall is characterized by a positive rake angle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the positive rake angle is between five and fifteen degrees.

11. An assembly comprising: a powered and movable vehicle;the apparatus of claim 1; andan attachment system for connecting the apparatus to the vehicle;wherein the vibrator is connected to the attachment system.

12. An assembly comprising: a powered and movable vehicle;a scoop apparatus comprising a pair of side walls cooperating to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, each side wall having a leading edge formed at the inlet opening;an attachment system for connecting the scoop apparatus to the vehicle; anda vibrator supported on the vehicle and configured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoop apparatus.

13. The assembly of claim 12 comprising a base wall to interconnect the pair of side walls and defining a portion of the inlet opening.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the base wall interconnects the pair of side walls along a curved path extending between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the inlet opening is symmetric about an inlet axis and wherein each side wall diverges from the base wall at the inlet opening relative to the inlet axis.

16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the leading edge of each side wall is characterized by a positive rake angle.

17. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the positive rake angle is between 5 and 15 degrees.

18. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the chute is symmetric about a chute axis and each side wall converges from the inlet opening relative to the chute axis.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein each side wall converges from the inlet opening at an angle of between 0.25 and 2 degrees relative to the chute axis.

20. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the chute is symmetric about a chute axis and further comprises a deflection system configured to move spoils exiting the chute at the outlet opening in a lateral direction relative to the chute axis.