System for making ditches

Abstract

A system for making ditches on roadways which comprises a moulding implement (1) configured to be coupled to a vehicle, such as a tractor or a grader, where said moulding implement (1) is configured to shape a mass by adapting it to the ground surface, such as a surface of a ditch of a road, by means of a movement of said moulding implement (1) with respect to said surface. The moulding implement (1) comprises a frame structure comprising a hopper (11), the shaping surface (13) configured to adapt the mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface, by means of the movement of the moulding implement (1), and a skid (12) comprising reference means for the placement of the shaping surface (13), as well as of the opening of the hopper (11) with respect to the ground surface to be shaped.

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for making ditches, the configuration and design of which allow ditches to be made in a quick, uniform, and cost-effective manner.

[0002] The technical field of the invention is civil engineering, specifically road infrastructure construction and maintenance. This innovative system is designed to optimise processes for making ditches, ensuring compliance with the quality and durability standards required in infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the invention addresses the needs for efficiency and cost reduction in construction by providing an advanced and practical solution for the civil engineering sector.Technical problem to be resolved and background of the invention

[0003] Nowadays, it is common to find large stretches of roadways, mainly secondary roads and paved streets, where it is necessary to use the existing earthen ditch to provide sufficient width on the roadway, thereby allowing the smooth circulation of vehicles. This is particularly important in situations where road infrastructure is limited and the additional space provided by ditches becomes essential.

[0004] Sometimes the solution adopted for this problem consists of flattening an area of the earthen ditch, creating a passable surface. Alternatively, a small-scale concreting work can be performed to stabilise the ditch, thereby allowing vehicles to circulate thereon safely at certain times, such as when two vehicles travelling in opposite directions must pass each other. These solutions, while practical, are often temporary and may require continuous maintenance due to wear and tear and weather conditions.

[0005] In the field of civil engineering and road infrastructure construction, various techniques and tools have been developed for making ditches. However, conventional methods present several limitations that hinder process efficiency and quality. For example, the use of manual moulds and heavy machinery often requires a high investment of time and resources, in addition to a specialised workforce. Current techniques can also be prone to human error, resulting in the need for rework and wasted materials.

[0006] In recent years, there have been significant technological advances in the design and manufacture of construction equipment. However, despite these advances, a system that comprehensively addresses the specific challenges associated with ditch making has yet to be developed.

[0007] The present invention emerges as an innovative solution, proposing a system specifically designed to optimise and simplify the construction of ditches, ensuring uniformity, speed, and cost reduction. Therefore, the present invention proposes a more effective and durable system for making ditches, which not only optimises the use of available space, but also guarantees greater durability and uniformity in road construction.Description of the invention

[0008] The present description relates to a system for making ditches, the configuration and design of which allow these elements for roads such as streets and roadways to be made in a quick, uniform, and cost-effective manner.

[0009] By means of the system of the present invention, the width of the road can be expanded using, to that end, the ditches, in a standardised manner, which means that it can be used over long distances.

[0010] Likewise, by means of the present invention, the modified ditch is provided with two functions: on the one hand, to increase the width of the roadway and, on the other hand, to facilitate rainwater evacuation.

[0011] Therefore, the invention consists of a system for making ditches comprising a moulding implement configured to be coupled or assembled on a towing vehicle, preferably a grader. In other words, a system has been devised for making ditches which requires, for its operation, a vehicle that can move the moulding implement, said implement being a heavy construction element. Therefore, preferably, said vehicle is an all-wheel drive grader machine that allows the coupling of different implements for excavating and subsequently shaping the ditches, as well as of tools that it normally uses to level the ground.

[0012] A grader is a construction machine having a long metal blade used to level the ground. Furthermore, it has scarifiers for hard ground, which can be placed in the front, between the front axle and the blade, or in the rear part.

[0013] The coupling between the vehicle and the moulding implement, or any implement of the system, can be rigid or articulated, depending on the needs present in the ditch making process, and may also comprise adjustment means to place the implement in a specific position.

[0014] The moulding implement is configured to move in an integral manner with the towing vehicle when the moulding implement and the towing vehicle are coupled.

[0015] The moulding implement is configured to shape a mass, adapting it to the ground surface, such as a surface of a ditch of a road, by means of a movement of said moulding implement with respect to said surface.

[0016] To shape means to adapt something to a mould. In this case, it would refer to the adaptation of a mass to the ground surface which, in the specific case for which the invention has been configured, would be a surface that is found at the side of a street or roadway, to form the ditch. The term "mass" is defined as "a mixture originating from the incorporation of a liquid into a pulverised material, from which a thick, soft, and consistent whole results." For example, the mass could be concrete which, when set, exhibits structural characteristics suitable for use as a road ditch.

[0017] The term "ditch" herein should be understood as the space found on each side of a street or roadway to receive rainwater, as well as the construction to be performed in said space.

[0018] For a correct operation of the described system, the towing vehicle should move along the street or roadway where the ditch is made, following the path defined by said road. In this way, the ditch will follow the same path, being located on one side of the street or roadway.

[0019] The main difference of the claimed system with respect to the systems present in the state of the art is that the moulding implement comprises a frame structure comprising: a hopper comprising an opening configured to receive the mass and a configuration for channelling said mass to a shaping surface; the shaping surface configured to adapt the mass received by the hopper to the ground surface, such as the surface of a ditch, by means of the movement of the moulding implement with respect to the street or roadway comprising said ditch; and a skid comprising reference means for the placement of the shaping surface, as well as of the opening of the hopper with respect to the ground surface to be shaped.

[0020] Therefore, with the moulding implement being coupled to the towing vehicle in an operating position and with said vehicle moving along the street or roadway, the opening of the hopper is configured to channel a shaping material, such as concrete in a mass state, placing it on one side of said street or roadway.

[0021] In this invention, the hopper is defined as a container or reservoir open at two end parts (an inlet opening and an outlet opening) which can have the shape of a truncated pyramid or an inverted cone, and is used to control the passage of a mass.

[0022] The shaping surface is particularly designed to adapt the mass, smoothing it against the ground surface, creating a smooth or substantially smooth ditch, although it may create some type of striping or drawing, depending on the needs of the ditch.

[0023] In one embodiment, with the moulding implement being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in a usage position, the opening of the hopper is oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves. Therefore, said opening is configured to sweep a shaping mass that is located on the ground surface over which the moulding implement can pass, directing the mass towards the shaping surface. In other words, it is not necessary to introduce material into the hopper by conventional means, storing it at an upper end until it is expelled by the effect of gravity, rather the hopper of the system, for being horizontal, gradually sweeps the material while the moulding implement moves. In this way, the hopper is in said horizontal position, which would be a normal position for a hopper present in the state of the art, and preferably lacks a side wall, generating a side opening that would be the one that rests against the ground surface to allow the entry of the material.

[0024] In one embodiment, the hopper comprises two side walls each comprising a sheet. With the moulding implement being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in the usage position, the side walls are oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves. These walls will act as a channel for the material that the hopper can sweep with the movement of the moulding implement.

[0025] In one embodiment, the reference means of the skid comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. For example, said flat sheet can rest the surface of a road on which the vehicle moves, such as a roadway or street, which would allow the hopper and the shaping surface to always be located at the same height with respect to said surface of the road, which in turn would allow a regular ditch to be created during the movement of the moulding implement.

[0026] In one embodiment, the shaping surface comprises a sheet attached at a first end part to the hopper and a second end part adapted to the ground surface on which the mass is shaped, with the frame structure being in the usage position. In other words, the shaping surface can be a single flat or curved sheet attached to the hopper which directs and shapes the mass, flattening and smoothing it against the surface of the ditch as it moves. It can have different inclinations, depending on the desired characteristics of the ditch.

[0027] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises a plurality of folded sheets comprising the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid. In other words, the entire frame is formed by sheets, folded at different angles, preferably metal sheets of great strength such as steel, which is furthermore resistant to the extreme conditions faced by an element such as the moulding implement which, in normal use, can be dragged against the ground, kneading and distributing concrete. The thickness of these sheets will depend on the structural load to be supported by the frame structure.

[0028] In one embodiment, the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid of the frame structure comprise a single one-piece assembly. In other words, they form a single piece, formed by rigidly attached folded sheets. In fact, the moulding implement preferably has fixed measurements, since its parts cannot be widened or shrunk, so the implement must be made to measure, in order to fit the type of ditch to be made.

[0029] In a non-preferred embodiment that is different from the preceding embodiment, the different sheets of the frame structure can be attached by means of articulable or moveable attachments, which allows modifying their configuration depending on the needs of the ditch to be made.

[0030] In one embodiment, the shaping surface of the frame structure comprises a mould comprising a first mass receiving end attached to the hopper and a second end comprising an extrusion section. Preferably, said second end has a rectangular section. To that end, said mould is configured to adapt the shaping mass received by the hopper to the ground surface, in the form of a retaining wall or kerb, by means of the movement of the moulding implement with respect to said ground surface. As a result of said retaining wall or kerb rainwater evacuation through the ditch can be facilitated.

[0031] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises a sliding sheet attached to one side of the shaping surface, for example, to the side of the mould, by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding sheet in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the shaping surface. In other words, said sliding sheet can move up or down in a linear direction depending on the consistency of the mass to be shaped, and for a better utilization thereof. In this way, for example, concrete is prevented from spilling over the side of the ditch.

[0032] In one embodiment, the moulding implement comprises at least one vibration element attached to the frame structure. Said vibration element allows the mass shaped by the moulding implement such as, concrete, for example, to be homogeneous once adapted to the surface of the ditch, since it generates a vibration in the components of the mass, which facilitates its regular distribution.

[0033] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises at least one fixing means configured to attach said frame structure to at least one vibration element. In other words, it comprises an element for attaching the vibration element to the frame structure.

[0034] Preferably, the moulding implement comprises two regularly distributed vibration elements attached to the frame structure, and the fixing means for said vibration elements comprise sheets that are part of the one-piece assembly of the frame structure of an embodiment defined above.

[0035] In one embodiment, the system for making ditches also comprises a digging implement configured to be coupled to the towing vehicle. Said digging implement is configured to move in an integral manner with said towing vehicle when the digging implement and the towing vehicle are coupled. i.e., in the same way as the shaping implement. In this way, depending on the operation to be performed, the corresponding implement can be coupled or assembled on the towing vehicle. In fact, in one embodiment, the two implements could be coupled to the towing vehicle, with means that allow their corresponding placement on the ground, depending on the operation to be performed, as well as gathering them up in a folded or retracted position.

[0036] The digging implement is configured to excavate, lift, and move soil from the ground surface by means of a movement of said digging implement with respect to said ground surface. In other words, it can perform a task prior to that of the moulding implement, namely, creating a hole in which to place the mass that will make up the ditch.

[0037] In one embodiment, the digging implement comprises: a digging plate configured to excavate, lift, and move the ground surface, digging a box, suitable for filling said ground surface with the mass to be shaped, by means of the movement of the digging implement; and a digging skid comprising reference means for the placement of the digging plate with respect to the ground surface.

[0038] In one embodiment, the reference means of the digging skid comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. In other words, it has the same function and characteristics as the skid of the moulding implement. By means of positioning the skid, the digging plate can be positioned for regular box digging throughout the ditch, i.e., with a minimum height and width.

[0039] In one embodiment, the digging plate comprises a cutting sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface to be excavated, with the digging implement being attached to the vehicle and in the usage position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the digging plate comprises a fixed plate and a sliding plate, attached to the fixed plate by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding plate in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the digging skid.

[0041] In this way, the claimed and described system provides various advantages with respect to conventional ditch construction methods, including: Greater efficiency, as well as time and cost reduction. Uniform ditch quality and finish. Reduced need for skilled labour. Greater ditch durability and resistance, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

[0042] With these components and features, the system for making ditches of the present invention represents a significant advancement in the construction of road infrastructure, providing a practical and economic solution for drainage management and erosion prevention on roadways and streets.Description of the figures

[0043] To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this specification is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, wherein by way of illustration and not limitation the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a top rear perspective view of the shaping implement in which the structure of the frame comprising the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid, as well as the vibration element supported on the fixing means, can be seen. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the shaping implement shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of a shaping implement in which it can be seen that the shaping surface of the structure of the frame comprises a mould with a rectangular-trapezoidal-shaped mass extraction section. Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the shaping implement shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the digging implement in which the digging plate and the digging skid, as well as how they are attached to one another, can be seen. Figure 6 shows a rear view of the digging implement shown in Figure 5 in which the angle of inclination of the digging plate with respect to the horizontality of the digging skid can be seen. Figure 7 shows an angled rear perspective view of the digging implement in which it can be seen that the skid has a bracket providing greater structural resistance to the attachment thereof with the digging plate. Figure 8 shows an angled front perspective view of the digging implement shown in Figures 5 to 7. Figure 9 shows a profile view of the digging implement shown in Figures 5 to 8. Figure 10 shows a rear perspective view of the moulding implement coupled to a grader, in the usage position. List of references shown in the figures:

[0044] 1. Moulding implement 11.- Hopper 111.- Side walls 12.- Skid 13.- Shaping surface 14.- Mould 15.- Sliding sheet 16.- Fixing means 2. Vibration element 3. Digging implement 31.- Digging plate 311.- Fixed plate 312.- Sliding plate 32.- Digging skid Preferred description of the invention

[0045] As can be seen in the figures, the preferred system for making ditches comprises two implements. A moulding implement (1) and a digging implement (3) which can each be coupled separately to a towing vehicle, such as a tractor or a grader, so that the vehicle moves it along a road, such as a street or roadway, following the path of said road.

[0046] The preferred process for creating ditches of this type would comprise the following steps: 1- Cleaning organic matter (vegetation) and other debris from the trench where the ditch is to be located. This cleaning could be performed by means of the grader scraping the entire surface, pulling up all the vegetation covering it and making piles at certain distances. These piles are then removed by means of a backhoe and loaded onto a lorry that can transport them to a suitable site. 2- Filling the bottom of the ditch where necessary. Once the trench has been cleaned by means of the preceding step, and given that it must have a suitable depth for the circulation of vehicles, at points where there are holes that are too deep, filling is performed with a filler material, which may be inexpensive, such as gravel. 3- Digging the box. The next step is to dig a suitable "box" so that the filling of the material to be shaped, such as the concreting of the trench, is performed to create the ditch, with this being homogeneous. To that end, the aforementioned digging implement (3) is used which, when coupled to a grader, can perform excavation and thereby obtain a section suitable for each type of ditch to be made. 4- Concreting the box made. This step consists of pouring the concrete required for making the ditch into the box made in the preceding step directly from the concrete mixer lorry or by means of another system that allows said pouring. 5- The next step would consist of assembling a moulding implement (1) on the grader which, as it moves over the existing roadway or street, taking as a reference a surface of said roadway or street, gradually moulds the poured concrete, obtaining a concreted ditch that is coplanar (or has a slight inclination if it has been designed that way) with respect to the roadway and has the desired shape. Likewise, a vibration of the concrete provided by the implement would allow the concrete to be homogeneous as it sets.

[0047] Therefore, the moulding implement (1) may comprise different shapes and components, depending on the shape and size desired for the ditch.

[0048] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the moulding implement (1) comprises a frame structure which at least comprises a hopper (11), a shaping surface (13), and a skid (12).

[0049] The hopper (11) is a part of the frame structure which is responsible for collecting and controlling the passage of the material of the mass to be shaped on the surface of the trench to create the ditch. Said hopper (11) comprises two side walls (111), where each of them comprises a sheet. With the moulding implement (1) being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in a usage position, the sheets of these side walls (111) are oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the moulding implement rests and moves. In other words, these walls act as a funnel or dam for the material to be shaped on the trench to create the ditch.

[0050] For the hopper (11) to have a suitable structural resistance, said hopper (11) may have a transverse mast that rigidly attachers the two side walls, preventing them from buckling when subjected to normal stresses during use.

[0051] The shaping surface (13) comprises a surface in the form of slightly tilted or inclined sheet prepared to adapt the mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface of the trench, when the entire moulding implement (1) moves.

[0052] The sheet of the shaping surface (13) is attached at a first end part to the hopper (11) and a second end part adapted to the ground surface on which the mass is shaped, when the frame structure is in the usage position.

[0053] The skid (12) comprises a reference means for the placement of the shaping surface (13) as well as of the opening of the hopper (11) with respect to the ground surface to be shaped. As can be seen in the figures, said skid (12) comprises a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. In fact, Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the moulding implement in the position that it would adopt when in use on a flat horizontal roadway or street in which it can be seen that the shaping surface (13) is inclined at an angle of about 30° with respect to the skid (12), so that the ditch has, once the shaped material has set, said inclination with respect to the road (so that it allows rainwater evacuation).

[0054] Figure 10 shows the operating position of the moulding implement (1) to create a ditch with a small inclination with respect to the surface of the street or roadway on which the towing vehicle moves.

[0055] As can also be seen in Figures 1 to 4, all the elements comprised in the frame structure of the moulding implement form a single one-piece body formed by a plurality of folded sheets. In other words, if it is desired to apply a different size and shape configuration in different sections of a ditch, the moulding implement should be changed to a different one, where the folds and extensions of the sheets are different.

[0056] It can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 that the shaping surface (13) of the frame structure comprises a mould (14) comprising a first mass receiving end attached to the hopper (11), and a second end comprising an extrusion section, preferably with a rectangular section, where said mould (14) is configured to adapt the shaping mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface, in the form of a retaining wall or kerb, by means of the movement of the moulding implement (1) with respect to said ground surface. In this way, once the mass dries, a retaining wall will have been created that will allow rainwater evacuation by channelling it in a specific direction.

[0057] It can also be seen in Figures 1 to 4 that the frame structure comprises a sliding sheet (15) attached to the side of the shaping surface (13). Said sliding sheet is also attached to one side of the hopper (11) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding sheet (15) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the shaping surface (13). In this way, the retaining wall or ditch can be provided with a height, so that it has a sufficiently solid structure to withstand the expected stresses.

[0058] In order for the mass shaped by the shaping implement (1) which can be, for example, concrete, to be homogeneous once it is adapted to the surface of the ditch, a vibration which facilitates its regular distribution must be generated. It can be seen in Figures 1 and 3 that the frame structure comprises two fixing means (16) in the form of a sheet folded on a shaping surface (13), configured to fix two corresponding vibration elements (2) to said frame structure.

[0059] The other implement comprised in the system for making ditches is the digging implement (3). As indicated, said digging implement can be coupled to the towing vehicle in the same way as the moulding implement (1).

[0060] Once coupled, the digging implement (3) can move in an integral manner with the towing vehicle when said vehicle moves. Excavation is performed with said movement, lifting and moving the ground from the trench where the ditch will be located, since all the material that can be found is removed, forming a box for the subsequent filling of the material to be shaped, such as concrete, in the form of a liquid mass.

[0061] It can be seen in Figures 5 to 9 that the digging implement (3) comprises a digging plate (31) configured to excavate or move the ground surface of a trench, digging a box in said ground surface, by means of the movement of the digging implement (3). The digging element also comprises a digging skid (32) working as reference means for the placement of the digging plate (31) with respect to the ground. Said digging skid (32) comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface which can rest on a reference ground surface of the street or road on which the towing vehicle moves. Therefore, once the skid is placed in a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 9 or Figure 6, the digging plate (31) is placed in the operating position.

[0062] The digging plate (31) may comprise a metal sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, although it preferably comprises two plates, i.e., a fixed plate (311) and a sliding plate (312) attached to the fixed plate (311) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding plate (312) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the digging skid (32). In this way, a greater or lesser height of the box to be made can be determined depending on the attachment between said two plates.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]As can be seen in the figures, the preferred system for making ditches comprises two implements. A moulding implement (1) and a digging implement (3) which can each be coupled separately to a towing vehicle, such as a tractor or a grader, so that the vehicle moves it along a road, such as a street or roadway, following the path of said road.

[0046]The preferred process for creating ditches of this type would comprise the following steps:

1- Cleaning organic matter (vegetation) and other debris from the trench where the ditch is to be located. This cleaning could be performed by means of the grader scraping the entire surface, pulling up all the vegetation covering it and making piles at certain distances. These piles are then removed by means of a backhoe and loaded onto a lorry that can transport them to a suitable site. 2- Filling the bottom of the ditch where necessary. Once the trench has been cleaned by means of the preceding step, and given that it must have a suitable d...

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for making ditches, the configuration and design of which allow ditches to be made in a quick, uniform, and cost-effective manner.

[0002] The technical field of the invention is civil engineering, specifically road infrastructure construction and maintenance. This innovative system is designed to optimise processes for making ditches, ensuring compliance with the quality and durability standards required in infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the invention addresses the needs for efficiency and cost reduction in construction by providing an advanced and practical solution for the civil engineering sector.Technical problem to be resolved and background of the invention

[0003] Nowadays, it is common to find large stretches of roadways, mainly secondary roads and paved streets, where it is necessary to use the existing earthen ditch to provide sufficient width on the roadway, thereby allowing the smooth circulation of vehicles. This is particularly important in situations where road infrastructure is limited and the additional space provided by ditches becomes essential.

[0004] Sometimes the solution adopted for this problem consists of flattening an area of the earthen ditch, creating a passable surface. Alternatively, a small-scale concreting work can be performed to stabilise the ditch, thereby allowing vehicles to circulate thereon safely at certain times, such as when two vehicles travelling in opposite directions must pass each other. These solutions, while practical, are often temporary and may require continuous maintenance due to wear and tear and weather conditions.

[0005] In the field of civil engineering and road infrastructure construction, various techniques and tools have been developed for making ditches. However, conventional methods present several limitations that hinder process efficiency and quality. For example, the use of manual moulds and heavy machinery often requires a high investment of time and resources, in addition to a specialised workforce. Current techniques can also be prone to human error, resulting in the need for rework and wasted materials.

[0006] In recent years, there have been significant technological advances in the design and manufacture of construction equipment. However, despite these advances, a system that comprehensively addresses the specific challenges associated with ditch making has yet to be developed.

[0007] The present invention emerges as an innovative solution, proposing a system specifically designed to optimise and simplify the construction of ditches, ensuring uniformity, speed, and cost reduction. Therefore, the present invention proposes a more effective and durable system for making ditches, which not only optimises the use of available space, but also guarantees greater durability and uniformity in road construction.Description of the invention

[0008] The present description relates to a system for making ditches, the configuration and design of which allow these elements for roads such as streets and roadways to be made in a quick, uniform, and cost-effective manner.

[0009] By means of the system of the present invention, the width of the road can be expanded using, to that end, the ditches, in a standardised manner, which means that it can be used over long distances.

[0010] Likewise, by means of the present invention, the modified ditch is provided with two functions: on the one hand, to increase the width of the roadway and, on the other hand, to facilitate rainwater evacuation.

[0011] Therefore, the invention consists of a system for making ditches comprising a moulding implement configured to be coupled or assembled on a towing vehicle, preferably a grader. In other words, a system has been devised for making ditches which requires, for its operation, a vehicle that can move the moulding implement, said implement being a heavy construction element. Therefore, preferably, said vehicle is an all-wheel drive grader machine that allows the coupling of different implements for excavating and subsequently shaping the ditches, as well as of tools that it normally uses to level the ground.

[0012] A grader is a construction machine having a long metal blade used to level the ground. Furthermore, it has scarifiers for hard ground, which can be placed in the front, between the front axle and the blade, or in the rear part.

[0013] The coupling between the vehicle and the moulding implement, or any implement of the system, can be rigid or articulated, depending on the needs present in the ditch making process, and may also comprise adjustment means to place the implement in a specific position.

[0014] The moulding implement is configured to move in an integral manner with the towing vehicle when the moulding implement and the towing vehicle are coupled.

[0015] The moulding implement is configured to shape a mass, adapting it to the ground surface, such as a surface of a ditch of a road, by means of a movement of said moulding implement with respect to said surface.

[0016] To shape means to adapt something to a mould. In this case, it would refer to the adaptation of a mass to the ground surface which, in the specific case for which the invention has been configured, would be a surface that is found at the side of a street or roadway, to form the ditch. The term "mass" is defined as "a mixture originating from the incorporation of a liquid into a pulverised material, from which a thick, soft, and consistent whole results." For example, the mass could be concrete which, when set, exhibits structural characteristics suitable for use as a road ditch.

[0017] The term "ditch" herein should be understood as the space found on each side of a street or roadway to receive rainwater, as well as the construction to be performed in said space.

[0018] For a correct operation of the described system, the towing vehicle should move along the street or roadway where the ditch is made, following the path defined by said road. In this way, the ditch will follow the same path, being located on one side of the street or roadway.

[0019] The main difference of the claimed system with respect to the systems present in the state of the art is that the moulding implement comprises a frame structure comprising: a hopper comprising an opening configured to receive the mass and a configuration for channelling said mass to a shaping surface; the shaping surface configured to adapt the mass received by the hopper to the ground surface, such as the surface of a ditch, by means of the movement of the moulding implement with respect to the street or roadway comprising said ditch; and a skid comprising reference means for the placement of the shaping surface, as well as of the opening of the hopper with respect to the ground surface to be shaped.

[0020] Therefore, with the moulding implement being coupled to the towing vehicle in an operating position and with said vehicle moving along the street or roadway, the opening of the hopper is configured to channel a shaping material, such as concrete in a mass state, placing it on one side of said street or roadway.

[0021] In this invention, the hopper is defined as a container or reservoir open at two end parts (an inlet opening and an outlet opening) which can have the shape of a truncated pyramid or an inverted cone, and is used to control the passage of a mass.

[0022] The shaping surface is particularly designed to adapt the mass, smoothing it against the ground surface, creating a smooth or substantially smooth ditch, although it may create some type of striping or drawing, depending on the needs of the ditch.

[0023] In one embodiment, with the moulding implement being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in a usage position, the opening of the hopper is oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves. Therefore, said opening is configured to sweep a shaping mass that is located on the ground surface over which the moulding implement can pass, directing the mass towards the shaping surface. In other words, it is not necessary to introduce material into the hopper by conventional means, storing it at an upper end until it is expelled by the effect of gravity, rather the hopper of the system, for being horizontal, gradually sweeps the material while the moulding implement moves. In this way, the hopper is in said horizontal position, which would be a normal position for a hopper present in the state of the art, and preferably lacks a side wall, generating a side opening that would be the one that rests against the ground surface to allow the entry of the material.

[0024] In one embodiment, the hopper comprises two side walls each comprising a sheet. With the moulding implement being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in the usage position, the side walls are oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves. These walls will act as a channel for the material that the hopper can sweep with the movement of the moulding implement.

[0025] In one embodiment, the reference means of the skid comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. For example, said flat sheet can rest the surface of a road on which the vehicle moves, such as a roadway or street, which would allow the hopper and the shaping surface to always be located at the same height with respect to said surface of the road, which in turn would allow a regular ditch to be created during the movement of the moulding implement.

[0026] In one embodiment, the shaping surface comprises a sheet attached at a first end part to the hopper and a second end part adapted to the ground surface on which the mass is shaped, with the frame structure being in the usage position. In other words, the shaping surface can be a single flat or curved sheet attached to the hopper which directs and shapes the mass, flattening and smoothing it against the surface of the ditch as it moves. It can have different inclinations, depending on the desired characteristics of the ditch.

[0027] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises a plurality of folded sheets comprising the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid. In other words, the entire frame is formed by sheets, folded at different angles, preferably metal sheets of great strength such as steel, which is furthermore resistant to the extreme conditions faced by an element such as the moulding implement which, in normal use, can be dragged against the ground, kneading and distributing concrete. The thickness of these sheets will depend on the structural load to be supported by the frame structure.

[0028] In one embodiment, the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid of the frame structure comprise a single one-piece assembly. In other words, they form a single piece, formed by rigidly attached folded sheets. In fact, the moulding implement preferably has fixed measurements, since its parts cannot be widened or shrunk, so the implement must be made to measure, in order to fit the type of ditch to be made.

[0029] In a non-preferred embodiment that is different from the preceding embodiment, the different sheets of the frame structure can be attached by means of articulable or moveable attachments, which allows modifying their configuration depending on the needs of the ditch to be made.

[0030] In one embodiment, the shaping surface of the frame structure comprises a mould comprising a first mass receiving end attached to the hopper and a second end comprising an extrusion section. Preferably, said second end has a rectangular section. To that end, said mould is configured to adapt the shaping mass received by the hopper to the ground surface, in the form of a retaining wall or kerb, by means of the movement of the moulding implement with respect to said ground surface. As a result of said retaining wall or kerb rainwater evacuation through the ditch can be facilitated.

[0031] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises a sliding sheet attached to one side of the shaping surface, for example, to the side of the mould, by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding sheet in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the shaping surface. In other words, said sliding sheet can move up or down in a linear direction depending on the consistency of the mass to be shaped, and for a better utilization thereof. In this way, for example, concrete is prevented from spilling over the side of the ditch.

[0032] In one embodiment, the moulding implement comprises at least one vibration element attached to the frame structure. Said vibration element allows the mass shaped by the moulding implement such as, concrete, for example, to be homogeneous once adapted to the surface of the ditch, since it generates a vibration in the components of the mass, which facilitates its regular distribution.

[0033] In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises at least one fixing means configured to attach said frame structure to at least one vibration element. In other words, it comprises an element for attaching the vibration element to the frame structure.

[0034] Preferably, the moulding implement comprises two regularly distributed vibration elements attached to the frame structure, and the fixing means for said vibration elements comprise sheets that are part of the one-piece assembly of the frame structure of an embodiment defined above.

[0035] In one embodiment, the system for making ditches also comprises a digging implement configured to be coupled to the towing vehicle. Said digging implement is configured to move in an integral manner with said towing vehicle when the digging implement and the towing vehicle are coupled. i.e., in the same way as the shaping implement. In this way, depending on the operation to be performed, the corresponding implement can be coupled or assembled on the towing vehicle. In fact, in one embodiment, the two implements could be coupled to the towing vehicle, with means that allow their corresponding placement on the ground, depending on the operation to be performed, as well as gathering them up in a folded or retracted position.

[0036] The digging implement is configured to excavate, lift, and move soil from the ground surface by means of a movement of said digging implement with respect to said ground surface. In other words, it can perform a task prior to that of the moulding implement, namely, creating a hole in which to place the mass that will make up the ditch.

[0037] In one embodiment, the digging implement comprises: a digging plate configured to excavate, lift, and move the ground surface, digging a box, suitable for filling said ground surface with the mass to be shaped, by means of the movement of the digging implement; and a digging skid comprising reference means for the placement of the digging plate with respect to the ground surface.

[0038] In one embodiment, the reference means of the digging skid comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. In other words, it has the same function and characteristics as the skid of the moulding implement. By means of positioning the skid, the digging plate can be positioned for regular box digging throughout the ditch, i.e., with a minimum height and width.

[0039] In one embodiment, the digging plate comprises a cutting sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface to be excavated, with the digging implement being attached to the vehicle and in the usage position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the digging plate comprises a fixed plate and a sliding plate, attached to the fixed plate by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding plate in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the digging skid.

[0041] In this way, the claimed and described system provides various advantages with respect to conventional ditch construction methods, including: Greater efficiency, as well as time and cost reduction. Uniform ditch quality and finish. Reduced need for skilled labour. Greater ditch durability and resistance, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

[0042] With these components and features, the system for making ditches of the present invention represents a significant advancement in the construction of road infrastructure, providing a practical and economic solution for drainage management and erosion prevention on roadways and streets.Description of the figures

[0043] To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this specification is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, wherein by way of illustration and not limitation the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a top rear perspective view of the shaping implement in which the structure of the frame comprising the hopper, the shaping surface, and the skid, as well as the vibration element supported on the fixing means, can be seen. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the shaping implement shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of a shaping implement in which it can be seen that the shaping surface of the structure of the frame comprises a mould with a rectangular-trapezoidal-shaped mass extraction section. Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the shaping implement shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the digging implement in which the digging plate and the digging skid, as well as how they are attached to one another, can be seen. Figure 6 shows a rear view of the digging implement shown in Figure 5 in which the angle of inclination of the digging plate with respect to the horizontality of the digging skid can be seen. Figure 7 shows an angled rear perspective view of the digging implement in which it can be seen that the skid has a bracket providing greater structural resistance to the attachment thereof with the digging plate. Figure 8 shows an angled front perspective view of the digging implement shown in Figures 5 to 7. Figure 9 shows a profile view of the digging implement shown in Figures 5 to 8. Figure 10 shows a rear perspective view of the moulding implement coupled to a grader, in the usage position. List of references shown in the figures:

[0044] 1. Moulding implement 11.- Hopper 111.- Side walls 12.- Skid 13.- Shaping surface 14.- Mould 15.- Sliding sheet 16.- Fixing means 2. Vibration element 3. Digging implement 31.- Digging plate 311.- Fixed plate 312.- Sliding plate 32.- Digging skid Preferred description of the invention

[0045] As can be seen in the figures, the preferred system for making ditches comprises two implements. A moulding implement (1) and a digging implement (3) which can each be coupled separately to a towing vehicle, such as a tractor or a grader, so that the vehicle moves it along a road, such as a street or roadway, following the path of said road.

[0046] The preferred process for creating ditches of this type would comprise the following steps: 1- Cleaning organic matter (vegetation) and other debris from the trench where the ditch is to be located. This cleaning could be performed by means of the grader scraping the entire surface, pulling up all the vegetation covering it and making piles at certain distances. These piles are then removed by means of a backhoe and loaded onto a lorry that can transport them to a suitable site. 2- Filling the bottom of the ditch where necessary. Once the trench has been cleaned by means of the preceding step, and given that it must have a suitable depth for the circulation of vehicles, at points where there are holes that are too deep, filling is performed with a filler material, which may be inexpensive, such as gravel. 3- Digging the box. The next step is to dig a suitable "box" so that the filling of the material to be shaped, such as the concreting of the trench, is performed to create the ditch, with this being homogeneous. To that end, the aforementioned digging implement (3) is used which, when coupled to a grader, can perform excavation and thereby obtain a section suitable for each type of ditch to be made. 4- Concreting the box made. This step consists of pouring the concrete required for making the ditch into the box made in the preceding step directly from the concrete mixer lorry or by means of another system that allows said pouring. 5- The next step would consist of assembling a moulding implement (1) on the grader which, as it moves over the existing roadway or street, taking as a reference a surface of said roadway or street, gradually moulds the poured concrete, obtaining a concreted ditch that is coplanar (or has a slight inclination if it has been designed that way) with respect to the roadway and has the desired shape. Likewise, a vibration of the concrete provided by the implement would allow the concrete to be homogeneous as it sets.

[0047] Therefore, the moulding implement (1) may comprise different shapes and components, depending on the shape and size desired for the ditch.

[0048] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the moulding implement (1) comprises a frame structure which at least comprises a hopper (11), a shaping surface (13), and a skid (12).

[0049] The hopper (11) is a part of the frame structure which is responsible for collecting and controlling the passage of the material of the mass to be shaped on the surface of the trench to create the ditch. Said hopper (11) comprises two side walls (111), where each of them comprises a sheet. With the moulding implement (1) being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in a usage position, the sheets of these side walls (111) are oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the moulding implement rests and moves. In other words, these walls act as a funnel or dam for the material to be shaped on the trench to create the ditch.

[0050] For the hopper (11) to have a suitable structural resistance, said hopper (11) may have a transverse mast that rigidly attachers the two side walls, preventing them from buckling when subjected to normal stresses during use.

[0051] The shaping surface (13) comprises a surface in the form of slightly tilted or inclined sheet prepared to adapt the mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface of the trench, when the entire moulding implement (1) moves.

[0052] The sheet of the shaping surface (13) is attached at a first end part to the hopper (11) and a second end part adapted to the ground surface on which the mass is shaped, when the frame structure is in the usage position.

[0053] The skid (12) comprises a reference means for the placement of the shaping surface (13) as well as of the opening of the hopper (11) with respect to the ground surface to be shaped. As can be seen in the figures, said skid (12) comprises a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface. In fact, Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the moulding implement in the position that it would adopt when in use on a flat horizontal roadway or street in which it can be seen that the shaping surface (13) is inclined at an angle of about 30° with respect to the skid (12), so that the ditch has, once the shaped material has set, said inclination with respect to the road (so that it allows rainwater evacuation).

[0054] Figure 10 shows the operating position of the moulding implement (1) to create a ditch with a small inclination with respect to the surface of the street or roadway on which the towing vehicle moves.

[0055] As can also be seen in Figures 1 to 4, all the elements comprised in the frame structure of the moulding implement form a single one-piece body formed by a plurality of folded sheets. In other words, if it is desired to apply a different size and shape configuration in different sections of a ditch, the moulding implement should be changed to a different one, where the folds and extensions of the sheets are different.

[0056] It can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 that the shaping surface (13) of the frame structure comprises a mould (14) comprising a first mass receiving end attached to the hopper (11), and a second end comprising an extrusion section, preferably with a rectangular section, where said mould (14) is configured to adapt the shaping mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface, in the form of a retaining wall or kerb, by means of the movement of the moulding implement (1) with respect to said ground surface. In this way, once the mass dries, a retaining wall will have been created that will allow rainwater evacuation by channelling it in a specific direction.

[0057] It can also be seen in Figures 1 to 4 that the frame structure comprises a sliding sheet (15) attached to the side of the shaping surface (13). Said sliding sheet is also attached to one side of the hopper (11) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding sheet (15) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the shaping surface (13). In this way, the retaining wall or ditch can be provided with a height, so that it has a sufficiently solid structure to withstand the expected stresses.

[0058] In order for the mass shaped by the shaping implement (1) which can be, for example, concrete, to be homogeneous once it is adapted to the surface of the ditch, a vibration which facilitates its regular distribution must be generated. It can be seen in Figures 1 and 3 that the frame structure comprises two fixing means (16) in the form of a sheet folded on a shaping surface (13), configured to fix two corresponding vibration elements (2) to said frame structure.

[0059] The other implement comprised in the system for making ditches is the digging implement (3). As indicated, said digging implement can be coupled to the towing vehicle in the same way as the moulding implement (1).

[0060] Once coupled, the digging implement (3) can move in an integral manner with the towing vehicle when said vehicle moves. Excavation is performed with said movement, lifting and moving the ground from the trench where the ditch will be located, since all the material that can be found is removed, forming a box for the subsequent filling of the material to be shaped, such as concrete, in the form of a liquid mass.

[0061] It can be seen in Figures 5 to 9 that the digging implement (3) comprises a digging plate (31) configured to excavate or move the ground surface of a trench, digging a box in said ground surface, by means of the movement of the digging implement (3). The digging element also comprises a digging skid (32) working as reference means for the placement of the digging plate (31) with respect to the ground. Said digging skid (32) comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface which can rest on a reference ground surface of the street or road on which the towing vehicle moves. Therefore, once the skid is placed in a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 9 or Figure 6, the digging plate (31) is placed in the operating position.

[0062] The digging plate (31) may comprise a metal sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, although it preferably comprises two plates, i.e., a fixed plate (311) and a sliding plate (312) attached to the fixed plate (311) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding plate (312) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the digging skid (32). In this way, a greater or lesser height of the box to be made can be determined depending on the attachment between said two plates.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]As can be seen in the figures, the preferred system for making ditches comprises two implements. A moulding implement (1) and a digging implement (3) which can each be coupled separately to a towing vehicle, such as a tractor or a grader, so that the vehicle moves it along a road, such as a street or roadway, following the path of said road.

[0046]The preferred process for creating ditches of this type would comprise the following steps:

1- Cleaning organic matter (vegetation) and other debris from the trench where the ditch is to be located. This cleaning could be performed by means of the grader scraping the entire surface, pulling up all the vegetation covering it and making piles at certain distances. These piles are then removed by means of a backhoe and loaded onto a lorry that can transport them to a suitable site. 2- Filling the bottom of the ditch where necessary. Once the trench has been cleaned by means of the preceding step, and given that it must have a suitable d...

Claims

1. A system for making ditches comprising a moulding implement (1) configured to be coupled to a towing vehicle, preferably a construction vehicle such as a tractor or a grader; where the moulding implement (1) is configured to move in an integral manner with said towing vehicle when the moulding implement (1) and the towing vehicle are coupled; where said moulding implement (1) is configured to shape a mass by adapting it to a ground surface, such as a surface of a ditch of a road, by means of a movement of said moulding implement (1) with respect to said surface; where the system for making ditches is characterised in that the moulding implement (1) comprises a frame structure comprising: - a hopper (11) comprising an opening configured to receive the mass and a configuration for channelling said mass to a shaping surface (13); - the shaping surface (13) configured to adapt the mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface, by means of the movement of the moulding implement (1); and - a skid (12) comprising reference means for the placement of the shaping surface (13) as well as of the opening of the hopper (11) with respect to the ground surface to be shaped.

2. The system for making ditches according to claim 1, where, with the moulding implement (1) being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in a usage position, the opening of the hopper (11) is oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves.

3. The system for making ditches according to the preceding claim, where the hopper (11) comprises two side walls (111) each comprising a sheet; where, with the moulding implement (1) being assembled on the towing vehicle and the frame structure being in the usage position, the side walls (111) are oriented in a position substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the implement rests and moves.

4. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the reference means of the skid (12) comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface.

5. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the shaping surface (13) comprises a sheet attached at a first end part to the hopper (11) and a second end part adapted to the ground surface on which the mass is shaped, with the frame structure being in the usage position.

6. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the frame structure comprises a plurality of folded sheets comprising the hopper (11), the shaping surface (13), and the skid (12).

7. The system for making ditches according to the preceding claim, where the hopper (11), the shaping surface (13), and the skid (12) of the frame structure comprise a single one-piece assembly.

8. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the shaping surface (13) of the frame structure comprises a mould (14) comprising a first mass receiving end attached to the hopper (11), and a second end comprising an extrusion section, preferably with a rectangular section, where said mould (14) is configured to adapt the shaping mass received by the hopper (11) to the ground surface, in the form of a retaining wall or kerb, by means of the movement of the moulding implement (1) with respect to said ground surface.

9. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the frame structure comprises a sliding sheet (15) attached at least to one side of the shaping surface (13) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding sheet (15) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the shaping surface (13).

10. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, where the moulding implement (1) comprises at least one vibration element (2) attached to the frame structure.

11. The system for making ditches according to the preceding claim, where the frame structure comprises at least one fixing means (16) configured to attach said frame structure to at least one vibration element (2).

12. The system for making ditches according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a digging implement (3) configured to be coupled to the towing vehicle; where the digging implement (3) is configured to move in an integral manner with said towing vehicle when the digging implement (3) and the towing vehicle are coupled; where said digging implement (3) is configured to excavate, lift, and move soil from a ground surface, by means of a movement of said digging implement (3) with respect to said ground surface.

13. The system for making ditches according to the preceding claim, where the digging implement (3) comprises: - a digging plate (31) configured to excavate the ground surface, digging a box in said ground surface, by means of the movement of the digging implement (3); and - a digging skid (32) comprising reference means for the placement of the digging plate (31) with respect to the ground surface.

14. The system for making ditches according to the preceding claim, where the reference means of the digging skid (32) comprise a flat sheet comprising a lower surface configured to rest on a reference ground surface.

15. The system for making ditches according to any of claims 12 to 14, where the digging plate (31) comprises a cutting sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface to be excavated, with the digging implement (3) being attached to the vehicle and in the usage position.

16. The system for making ditches according to any of claims 13 to 15, where the digging plate (31) comprises a fixed plate (311) and a sliding plate (312) attached to the fixed plate (311) by means of a rigid, detachable, and adjustable attachment, configured to place said sliding plate (312) in a position located within a range of heights with respect to the digging skid (32).

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