Whacker plate

Abstract

A whacker plate 150 suitable for mounting on a compactor and comprising a mounting plate having a width of at least 500mm and a depth of between 5-20mm and a removeable bar 120 extending along at leas

Description

Field of the invention This invention relates to a whacker plate that is used in compaction devices. Introduction and background In the rapidly evolving field of telecommunications and fibre optics infrastructure, the installation process increasingly involves the creation of micro trenches in roads and pathways. These trenches, characteristically narrow at approximately 100mm wide, pose a unique challenge during the reinstatement phase, particularly in the compacting of stone and soil backfilled into the trench. Typically, a micro trench is about 2 to 5 cm wide and 30 to 50 cm deep. These dimensions are much smaller than those of regular trenches, which are often wider and deeper. Micro trenches are often cut along the edges of streets or pavements, particularly in urban areas, to avoid the need for large-scale roadwork or disruption to existing infrastructure. They are specifically designed for the installation of telecommunication cables, especially fibre optic cables, which require a stable and low-resistance environment to transmit data efficiently. Micro trenches allow for quicker and less disruptive installation of telecommunication and fibre optic cables. This is especially useful in densely populated areas where digging large trenches would cause significant disruptions to traffic and services. Because the trench is smaller, less excavation work is required, which reduces the overall cost of the project. The need for less material (such as asphalt and concrete) to be replaced also makes it cheaper. Micro trenching causes less damage to existing roads, utilities, and landscaping compared to traditional trenching methods. This makes it a preferred option in urban areas where minimizing disruption is important. Since the trenches are small, they can be quickly backfilled and repaved, reducing the time roads or pathways are out of use. Fibre optic cables are thin and delicate, requiring a stable, low-interference path for installation. Micro trenching creates an ideal environment for these cables because it provides a secure pathway without disturbing surrounding infrastructure too much. In busy cities, digging full-size trenches for fibre optic networks can create a lot of traffic delays and road closures. Micro trenching minimizes this disruption. Micro trenching allows civil engineers to work around existing utilities, reducing the need to relocate services like water pipes or electrical cables. Properly compacted soil improves the stability and load-bearing capacity of the ground, reducing the risk of settling and shifting. This is vital for the longevity and safety of any structure built on the soil, from roads to buildings. The soil compaction is typically done with a whacker plate or a trench compactor. A plate compactor, is a construction machine used to compact soil, gravel, and asphalt. It consists of a heavy, flat plate that vibrates to compress the material beneath it. A standard whacker plate used in a plate compactor is shown in figure 1. The plate compactor typically comprises an engine, to power the device, and a vibrating plate that makes contact with the ground, a handle that allows the operator to control and manoeuvre the machine, and an exciter Mechanism that creates vibrations that help compact the soil. In operation of the plate compactor, the engine drives the exciter mechanism, which generates rapid vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the plate, causing it to move up and down As the plate moves over the soil, the vibrations rearrange soil particles, reducing air gaps and increasing density. A compactor device with a standard whacker plate is ideal for small to medium-sized areas, and is commonly used for compacting sub-bases for driveways, patios, and small-scale road repairs, and is suitable for granular soils like sand and gravel. Typically, a plate compactor would have a standard Plate of dimensions 599mm (Length) x 320mm (Width) Trench compactors, also known as trench rollers, are specialized machines designed for compacting soil in narrow trenches. These are used in situations where large machinery cannot access due to space constraints. Specifically, trench compactors are designed for confined spaces and are often more robust, handling deeper compaction needs. The whacker plates used with trench compactors are smaller and more mobile, making them ideal for surface compaction over larger areas. Traditional wacker plates and trench compactors are unsuitable for use on micro trenches, due to their size, being too wide to effectively operate within the confines of a micro trench. Summary of the Invention To address this gap, we introduce the Micro Trench Wacker Plate, an innovative solution specifically designed to compact the substrate within micro trenches to the correct depth. This device features a central bar adaptable for varying depths, with options ranging from 100mm to 30mm, to cater to different trench requirements. According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a whacker plate suitable for mounting on a compactor, the whacker plate comprising: a mounting plate having a width of at least 500mm and a depth of between 5-20 mm and a removable bar extending along at least the length of the mounting plate, on the underside of the mounting plate, away from the side edges of the mounting plate, and having a depth between 20-150mm, wherein the bar is removably attached to a central region within the underside of the mounting plate. Preferably, the bar extends beyond the length of the mounting plate, at both ends of the mounting plate. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has bevelled sides such that the width of the top face of the mounting plate is less than the width of the underside face of the mounting plate. Preferably, the mounting plate is a metal plate. Further preferably the bar is a metal bar. In an embodiment, the bar is a stainless steel plate. Preferably, the plate is stainless steel. Preferably, the bar is screwed to the central region in the underside of the first mounting plate, at a plurality of points. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate is a substantially rectangular plate. Further preferably, wherein the bar has a depth of at least 30mm. Preferably, the bar has a depth between 30-150mm. Preferably, the width of the bar is 100mm or less. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has a lip at one end of the mounting plate extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate, for securing the whacker plate to a compaction device. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has a second lip at the other end of the mounting plate, extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate. According to an embodiment there is provided a compactor comprising a whacker plate as described above. Brief description of the figures Further details, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers are used to identify like or functionally similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Figure 1 is a side view of a standard prior art whacker plate; Figure 2 is a side view of a whacker plate according to an embodiment; Figure 3(a) is a view of the underside of a whacker plate according to an embodiment; Figure 3(b) is a top view of a whacker plate according to an embodiment; Figure 3(c) is a side view of a whacker plate according to an embodiment; Figures 4(a)-(d) are side views of alternative embodiments of the whacker plate; Figure 5 is a view of a compactor device using the whacker plate according to an embodiment. Detailed description of Invention Examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which there is illustrated an example of a whacker plate with a micro whacker region. However, it will be appreciated by a skilled artisan that the concepts disclosed are not limited to the specific examples herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a whacker plate 100 known from the prior art. The plate 100 has a top surface 102 and a bottom surface 104. The top 102 and bottom 104 are connected by sides 106, 108. As shown, side 106 is a vertical side extending upwardly from the bottom surface 104, and this is connected to the top surface 102 by inwardly inclined side 108, so the width of the top surface 102 is generally less than the width of the bottom surface due to the inclined sides 108. Preferably the whacker plate is made of metal, more preferably, stainless steel. Preferably, the standard wacker base plate measures 400 x 703 mm (10mm thick) In operation the whacker plate moves up and down and will compress the material below. In this case, the whacker plate will hit surface 200, but is unable to compress the material within the trench 210. Figure 2 is a side view of a whacker plate 150 according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, there is provided a whacker plate 150 suitable for mounting on a compactor, the whacker plate comprising: a mounting plate having a width of at least 500mm and a depth of between 5-20 mm and a removable bar extending along at least the length of the mounting plate, on the underside of the mounting plate, away from the side edges of the mounting plate, and having a depth between 20-150mm, wherein the bar is removably attached to a central region within the underside of the mounting plate. The body 100 has a top surface 102 and a bottom surface 104. The top 102 and bottom 104 are connected by sides 106, 108. As shown, side 106 is a vertical side extending upwardly from the bottom surface 104, and this is connected to the top surface 102 by inwardly inclined side 108, so the width of the top surface 102 is generally less than the width of the bottom surface due to the inclined sides 108. In an embodiment the mounting plate has bevelled sides such that the width of the top face of the mounting plate is less than the width of the underside face of the mounting plate. Preferably the whacker plate and bar are made of metal, more preferably, stainless steel. Preferably, the standard wacker base plate measures 400 x 703 mm (10mm thick). Preferably the whacker base plate is substantially rectangular. The body 100 of the whacker plate 150 is the same as shown in figure 1, but this embodiment also has bar 120 affixed to the bottom surface 104 of the whacker plate 150. The bar 120 is preferably screwed to a rectangular steel bar down the central region of the whacker plate, on the underside of the 104 of the body 100 of the whacker plate, at a plurality of points. In an embodiment, the bar extends beyond the length of the mounting plate, at both ends of the mounting plate The bar 120 can be unscrewed and replaced depending on depths required, typical thicknesses will be 100mm, 80mm,70mm, 60mm, 50mm, 40mm and 30mm. Preferably the width of the bar 120 is between 60-120mm, more preferably 100mm, but sized to fit in micro trenches used for the installation of fibre optic infrastructure. The bar has bottom surface 124, top surface 126 and sides 122. The top surface 122 is affixed to the bottom surface 104. In operation if this whacker plate 150 the bar 120 is able to compact the material within the trench 210, whilst the sides of bottom surface 104 will compact the surface 200. Figure 3(a) is a view of the underside of a whacker plate 150 according to an embodiment, figure 3(b) is the top view of the whacker plate 150 according to an embodiment, and figure 3(c) is a side view of the whacker plate according to an embodiment. As shown, the bar 120 extends along the length of the bottom surface 104, and extends out from either end of the whacker plate 100, this is to ensure that the operative can see the ends of the bar 120, so that the bar 120 can be aligned in the trench that is the current work site. If the bar 120 was not visible to the operative, and only the whacker plate 100, was visible, the operative would be unsure of the bar position and alignment of the bar within the trench. Holes 140 are provided in the top surface 102, and pass through the body 100 of the whacker plate 150. Screws (not shown), pass through the holes 140 and are received in the bar 120, to secure the bar 120 to the body 100, in this way the bar 120 can be easily changed, so that bars of different depths can be used with the same body 100 of the whacker plate 150. Also shown are features 134, 132 and 130. Section 134 defines the edge of the lip of the whacker plate, as it is extended from the main body 104, the lip region 130, extends upwardly away from the main body of the whacker plate. Holes 132 are provided in the lip region 130 to secure the whacker plate to the base of the compaction device 200. In an embodiment, at the opposite end of the plate 104 is another lip region 160, extending upwardly from the plate 104. This may also be secured to a part of a compactor device, but may alternatively be unsecured. In an embodiment the mounting plate has a lip at one end of the mounting plate extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate, for securing the whacker plate to a compaction device. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate has a second lip at the other end of the mounting plate, extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate. Figures 4(a)-(d) are side views of the whacker plate 150 where the bar 120 has different dimensions. In all the variants shown the width of the bar is 100mm, but the depth of the bar varies from 100mm, 80mm, 70mm, 60mm. In an embodiment the bar has a depth of at least 30mm. Preferably, the bar has a depth between 30-150mm. Of course, these are merely examples, and other dimensions may also be possible, for the depth, length and width of the bar 120. In normal operation the whacker plate 150 is part of a compaction device 300 as shown in figure 6. This shows a standard compaction device 300, with handles 302, 304, and the whacker plate 150 is secured to the base of the compaction device, with screws 210. The modified whacker plate 150 as described above has the following advantages: 1. Precision Compacting: Designed to fit within the narrow confines of micro trenches, ensuring effective compacting of the substrate to the required depth. 2. Adaptability to Trench Depth: Includes interchangeable bars of varying depths (from 100mm to 30mm), making it versatile for different trenching requirements. 3. Enhanced Surface Integrity: Ensures that the compacted trench is level and stable, preventing future surface irregularities and potential hazards. Furthermore, because the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may, for the most part, be implemented using components known to those skilled in the art, details will not be explained in any greater detail than that considered necessary as illustrated below, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and that the claims are not limited to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that boundaries between the above described operations merely illustrative. The multiple operations may be combined into a single operation, a single operation may be distributed in additional operations and operations may be executed at least partially overlapping in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of operations may be altered in various other embodiments. However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms ‘a’ or ‘an,’ as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases 5 such as ‘at least one’ and ‘one or more’ in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles ‘a’ or ‘an’ limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases ‘one or more’ or ‘at least one’ and indefinite articles such as ‘a’ or ‘an.’ The same holds 10 true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures 15 cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A whacker plate suitable for mounting on a compactor, the whacker plate comprising: a mounting plate having a width of at least 500mm and a depth of between 5-20 mm and a removable bar extending along at least the length of the mounting plate, on the underside surface of the mounting plate, away from the side edges of the mounting plate, and having a depth between 20-150mm, wherein the bar is removably attached to a central region within the underside surface of the mounting plate.

2. The whacker plate according to claim 1 wherein the bar extends beyond the length of the mounting plate, at both ends of the mounting plate.

3. The whacker plate according to any preceding claim wherein the mounting plate has bevelled sides such that the width of the top surface of the mounting plate is less than the width of the underside surface of the mounting plate.

4. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting plate is a metal plate.

5. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bar is a metal plate.

6. The whacker plate as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the metal of the mounting plate or bar is stainless steel.

7. The whacker plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bar is screwed to the central region in the underside of the mounting plate, at a plurality of points.

8. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting plate is a substantially rectangular plate.

9. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bar has a depth of at least 30mm.

10. The whacker plate as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bar has a depth between 30-150mm.

11. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bar has a width between 50-150mm.

12. The whacker plate as claimed in claim 11 wherein the width of the bar is 100mm 5 or less.

13. The whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting plate has a lip at one end of the mounting plate extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate, for securing the whacker plate to a 10 compaction device.

14. The whacker plate as claimed in claim 11 wherein the mounting plate has a second lip at the other end of the mounting plate, extending upwardly away from the underside of the mounting plate.1515. A compactor comprising a whacker plate as claimed in any preceding claim.

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