Grading attachment

Abstract

An apparatus for attachment to a mobile platform to grade a surface includes a frame assembly, a plow secured to the frame, a mounting plate secured to the frame for securing the grading apparatus to the mobile platform, and a roller rotatably secured to the frame behind the plow.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for preparing and producing a finish grade for a surface to be paved, and more specifically to a grading attachment for use in conjunction with a mobile platform such as a skid steer for grading an area to be paved. The system and apparatus provides a portable and maneuverable grading attachment that is readily mounted on a skid steer or similar platform that provides a source of hydraulic and / or electrical power to the apparatus. Furthermore, the apparatus provides a plow for grading and leveling a surface, a pair of rollers for compacting and smoothing the surface, and a plurality of hydraulic scarifier teeth for breaking up hard or compacted portions of the surface.Description of the Related Art

[0002] In construction settings when an area is being prepared for paving the surface being paved typically must be leveled so that the paving material, whether concrete, blacktop, or any other paving material, may be smoothly applied and finished. Often the surface imperfections must be smoothed and aggregate material such as gravel is usually applied and smoothed or graded to produce a rough graded surface prior to paving. Since this surface is almost always a foundation for additional construction, machine base applications, or even floor surface for vertical storage such as warehousing and shelving space, it is highly desirable to produce a surface that is consistently level over its entire area. When the area being prepared is in excess of a few hundred square feet it is unwieldy and very labor intensive to manually level and smooth a surface in preparation for paving, as well as extremely difficult to maintain a consistent finished grade when finishing by hand.

[0003] In order to aid the leveling of relatively large surface areas a variety of surface grading machines have been accepted into use in the art. These machines typically are secured to a mobile apparatus such as a skid steer so that they can be retracted across the surface being leveled. Prior art grading attachments include a blade or plow surface for contacting material being graded that is mechanically leveled as the skid steer is reversed or drive backwards across the surface to produce a relatively level surface finish. Many of these prior art devices include various systems for attempting to level the plow relative to a reference plane such that the graded surface is relatively flat once the grading attachment passes over it.

[0004] However, many of these grading attachments do a poor job of producing even surfaces, often requiring multiple passes before a surface is ready for pouring or prepared for an application of aggregate material. Additionally, many of these devices are not capable of smoothing and / or leveling relatively rough surfaces, or hard surfaces with relatively small surface imperfections. Thus many prior art machines require a rough grading pass with a bulldozer or a skid steer with a plow blade prior to even using the grading attachment. Obviously, this requires a great deal of additional labor, time, and expense to grade and prepare the surface, thus adding cost to the job. Furthermore, these machines typically don't produce consistent level surfaces, and often require the use of a great deal of hand leveling.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and apparatus for grading a surface in preparation for paving that provides a consistently level graded surface with a minimum of mechanical and electrical system complexity, light weight, and the ability to quickly maneuver and attach to an existing skid steer with minimal effort.

[0006] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawing Figures taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure is related to systems and apparatus for grading a surface being prepared for paving. The system and apparatus described herein utilizes a lightweight frame having an adjustable plow for grading the surface, a pair of driven rollers for compacting and smoothing, and a plurality of hydraulically adjustable scarifier teeth for loosening and breaking up rough and / or compacted surfaces to enable grading.

[0008] In various embodiments and accordance with some aspects of the invention, the system disclosed herein provides a grading attachment that is quickly and easily secured to a skid steer or a similar mobile platform that is capable of supplying a mounting platform for supporting and moving the grading attachment and a source of hydraulic and electrical power for operating the various components of the grading attachment.

[0009] In some embodiments the system and apparatus disclosed herein provides a plurality of hydraulically operated scarifier teeth that may be extended and retracted during operation to break up and loosen hard or uneven surfaces to facilitate grading as the grading attachment is retracted across a surface.

[0010] In other embodiments and aspects the system and apparatus includes a leveling system that automatically and continuously adjusts the grade level of a plow relative to a reference plane, the plow being secured to the attachment by a plurality of adjustable actuators.

[0011] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “grading apparatus” should be understood to be generally synonymous with and include any device that is capable of operating on and smoothing and grading a surface in preparation for paving, or just for purposes of providing a level surface. The system and apparatus referred to herein may be powered by a mobile platform to which it is secured. The mobile platform may include an internal combustion power system, an electrical system, and a hydraulic system including a pump and concomitant valving for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid for the grading attachment. The grading attachment may include a plurality of electrical, electro-mechanical and hydraulically operated components and sensors the components operable by and responsive to manipulation of control knobs, selectors, or operator interfaces on the mobile platform.

[0012] The term “grading attachment” is also used herein generally to describe a member or members for contacting and smoothing a surface and may include one or more of a plow, an auger, a roller, and a plurality of scarifier teeth. Accordingly, the term grading attachment is not limited to one specific apparatus or structure, but is intended to encompass all structures that may be used to smooth and / or level a surface.

[0013] The term “leveling assembly” is used herein to generally describe a plurality of leveling actuators on which the plow of the grading apparatus is supported, the actuators being responsive to a plurality of sensors for adjusting the elevation of the screed with respect to a reference plane. The number and type of leveling actuators and the number and type of sensors for determining elevation, slope and / or tilt of the grading attachment and / or plow is not limited to a specific apparatus, structure, or sensor configuration, but rather is intended to include all structures, systems and sensors equivalent to those specific examples and embodiments disclosed herein.

[0014] The term “controller” or “processor” is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of the system and the appliances referred to herein. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0015] A processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

[0016] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grading attachment secured to a skid steer in accordance with some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of a grading attachment with an extended boom in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0028] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a controller and operator interface in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0029] Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0030] Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-11, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, the system and apparatus described herein overcomes the aforementioned inherent problems in the prior art by providing a grading attachment 10 for grading and preparing a surface for paving or general leveling. The grading attachment is constructed to be mounted to a mobile platform 1, depicted in FIG. 1 as a skid steer 1 device. The mobile platform 1 is capable of supplying a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid and electrical power to the grading attachment 10, as is common in mobile platforms such as skid steers 1, tractors, utility vehicles, and even some trucks. While the specification and Figures depict and describe the mobile 1 platform as a skid steer 1, it will be understood that a wide variety of mobile platforms 1 may be utilized in conjunction with the grading apparatus 10 described herein without departing from the disclosed embodiments.

[0031] The skid steer 1 may also include a pair of forks 2 extending from the front thereof that are spaced to engage and lock into a pair of slots 22 disposed in a mounting plate 20 of the grading apparatus 10. In these embodiments, grading apparatus 10 may be quickly secured to skid steer 1 by positioning skid steer forks 2 into the mounting plate 20 slots 22 thus securing attachment 10 and skid steer 1 together. Additionally, a plurality of electrical and hydraulic connectors 24 are mounted on attachment 10 proximate mounting plate 20, to engage and accept corresponding hydraulic hoses and electrical harnesses or cables from skid steer 1 supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid and / or electrical power to attachment 1. Of course, a wide variety of mounting systems may be employed for securing grading apparatus 10 to a mobile platform 1 without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0032] The grading apparatus 10 includes a frame 30 for supporting a plow 40 mounted or secured to frame 30 by a plurality of plow leveling actuators 70 secured at a first end to frame 30 at opposed vertical mounts 32 and at a second end to a front portion 41 of plow 40. The plow 40 comprises a rigid straight member 42 for leveling a surface as skid steer 1 and thus grading attachment 10 is moved or retracted across the surface being graded. A pair of adjustable vertically oriented wings 44 are secured on opposed ends of plow 40 utilizing a hinge 45 such that wings 44 pivot or hinge outwardly and inwardly toward plow 40. Each wing 44 includes a wing actuator 72 that is secured at a first end thereof to frame 40 and at a second end thereof and wings 40 to enable pivoting wings 42 outwardly and inwardly, thus enabling an operator to direct the “wake” of the excess surface material being graded toward or away from grading apparatus 10 as it grades.

[0033] Grading attachment 10 frame 30 may include a plurality of leveling eyes 80 mounted or secured thereto, for example on a pair of spaced poles 82 that position leveling eyes 80 above plow 40. Leveling eyes 80 have an output operatively coupled to an input of a controller 200 as described herein below to level plow 40 with respect to a reference plane utilizing hydraulically powered plow leveling actuators 70, for example hydraulic cylinders secured to both frame 30 plow 40 through a mechanical linkage, thereby providing a level surface as plow 40 is retracted through the surface being leveled. Leveling actuators 70 are also controlled by an output from controller 200 that is operatively coupled to plow leveling actuators 70.

[0034] Grading attachment 10 further includes a pair of spaced rollers 50 journaled for rotation in roller mounts 34 secured to frame 30. Rollers 50 extend substantially the width of frame 30 and are positioned behind plow 40. Rollers 50 may be powered, for example by a hydraulic or electric roller motor 52 or motors operated by an output from controller 200. Roller motors 52 may be configured to drive a gear or belt that rotates rollers 50, or alternatively rollers 50 may simply rotate freely as grading attachment 10 is retracted across the surface.

[0035] In some embodiments and as depicted best in FIGS. 4 and 10 a scarifier 60 having a plurality of scarifier teeth 62 secured to and extending from a movable plate 64 may be movably mounted to frame 30 between rollers 50. Teeth 62 are capable of motion in a generally vertical direction that is imparted by a plurality of scarifier actuators 74, which may be hydraulically actuated or electrically actuated. Scarifier actuators 74 are secured at a first end to vertical mount 72 and at a second end to movable plate 64 to drive or reciprocate teeth 62 upwardly and downwardly responsive to an operator input from an operator interface 240. In some aspects and embodiments the stroke or depth of the vertical motion of scarifier teeth 62 as well as the frequency of the reciprocation of teeth 62 may be controlled by selecting the stroke and frequency via operator interface 240 as necessary for a particular application. Scarifier teeth may 62 may be used to break up and loosen compacted areas of the surface being graded, thus providing a grading attachment 10 that is capable of smoothing and leveling uneven, hard surfaces.

[0036] In some aspects and embodiments grading attachment 10 described herein operatively coupled to an electrical and / or hydraulic power system via connectors 24 that is provided by operation of skid steer or other mobile platform 1. Grading attachment includes may in some embodiments include a hydraulic manifold 90 in fluid communication with pressurized hydraulic fluid from skid steer 1, that distributes the fluid to various hydraulic actuators described herein via a plurality of hydraulic valves 92 mounted at various points on grading attachment 10. An electrical power source may also be provided by a conventional electrical connector or connectors 24 to the mobile platform to power electrical components of grading attachment 10.

[0037] In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 11, the grading apparatus may further comprise a controller 200 which may include a processor or processors 202 and memory 204. The controller 200 may further comprise a plurality of signal outputs 210 and signal inputs 220 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. Furthermore, in some embodiments controller 200 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 230 that enables controller 200 to communicate with external devices or communications networks such as the internet, that may be integrated into system 10. Furthermore, inputs 220 and outputs 210 may be operatively coupled to, for example, a plurality of electrically actuated valves 92 to operate the hydraulic system and other components as discussed further herein below. Throughout the specification the operation of hydraulic cylinders or actuators will be understood to be effected through the use of the hydraulic system manifold 90 and valves 92, comprising electrically actuated hydraulic valves 92 and a controller 200 having outputs 210 for operating said valves, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0038] Additionally, controller 200 may be equipped with an operator or user interface 240 that is secured at an accessible point to grading attachment 10 to provide audible or visual feedback to an operator as well as to provide instructions or commands to controller 200. Exemplary but non-limiting user interfaces that may be employed include a mouse, keypads, touch-screens, keyboards, switches, joysticks and / or touch pads. Any user interface 240 may be employed for use in the embodiments set forth without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, user interface 240 may wirelessly communicate with controller 200 such that it may be remotely located from screed attachment 10. It will be understood that FIG. 11 constitutes, in some respects, an abstraction and that the actual organization of the components of apparatus 10 and controller 200 may be more complex than illustrated.

[0039] The processor 202 may be any hardware device capable of executing instructions stored in memory 204 or data storage 206 or otherwise processing data. As such, the processor may include a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar devices.

[0040] The memory 204 may include various memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory. As such, the memory 204 may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices. It will be apparent that, in embodiments where the processor includes one or more ASICs (or other processing devices) that implement one or more of the functions described herein in hardware, the software described as corresponding to such functionality in other embodiments may be omitted.

[0041] The user interface 240 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with a user such as an administrator. For example, the user interface 240 may include a display, a mouse, and a keyboard for receiving user commands, or a joystick or similar device for directing apparatus operations. In some embodiments, the user interface 240 may include a command line interface or graphical user interface (GUI) that may be presented to a remote terminal via the communication interface 230.

[0042] The communication interface 230 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with other hardware devices. For example, the communication interface 230 may include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet protocol. Additionally, the communication interface 230 may implement a TCP / IP stack for communication according to the TCP / IP protocols. Various alternative or additional hardware or configurations for the communication interface 230 will be apparent.

[0043] Storage 206 may include one or more machine-readable storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, or similar storage media. In various embodiments, the storage 206 may store instructions for execution by the processor 202 or data upon which the processor 202 may operate. For example, the storage 206 may store a base operating system for controlling various basic operations of the hardware. Other instruction sets may also be stored in storage 206 for executing various functions of system 10, in accordance with the embodiments detailed below.

[0044] It will be apparent that various information described as stored in storage 206 may be additionally or alternatively stored in memory 204. In this respect, memory 204 may also be considered to constitute a “storage device” and storage 206 may be considered a “memory.” Various other arrangements will be apparent. Further, the memory 204 and storage 206 may both be considered to be “non-transitory machine-readable media.” As used herein, the term “non-transitory” will be understood to exclude transitory signals but to include all forms of storage, including both volatile and non-volatile memories.

[0045] While the controller 200 is shown as including one of each described component, the various components may be duplicated in various embodiments. For example, processor 202 may include multiple microprocessors that are configured to independently execute the methods described herein or are configured to perform steps or subroutines of the methods described herein such that the multiple processors cooperate to achieve the functionality described herein. Further, where controller 200 is implemented in a cloud computing system, the various hardware components may belong to separate physical systems. For example, processor 202 may include a first processor in a first server and a second processor in a second server.

[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, and in some aspects and embodiments grading attachment 10 permits an operator or user to access the various functionality of the grading attachment by operation and selection of these features through operator interface 240, depicted as mounted proximate the rear of attachment 10 in FIG. 2. The positions of left and right wings 44, the elevation grade setting of plow 40, operation in both depth and frequency of the reciprocation of scarifier 60 teeth 62, and the operation of rollers 50 may all be controlled by selecting and configuring a setpoint for each of these functions through operator interface 240. The controller 200 then provides the necessary signal outputs 210 to the various valves and components of grading attachment 10 to representative of an actuator position necessary to effect these settings.

[0047] In operation, once a user provides settings for wing 44 angles, plow 40 elevation, roller 50 rotation, and scarifier teeth 62 stroke and frequency, the attachment 10 can then be retracted or pulled rearwardly over the surface being prepared to smooth and level it. The attachment 10 thereby provides an even and level prepared surface with little need for second pass treatments.

[0048] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0050] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0051] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0052] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0053] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0054] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0055] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0056] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,”“coupled,”“in communication with,”“secured,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “secured” and “mounted” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0057] While the present invention has been shown and described herein in what are considered to be the preferred embodiments thereof, illustrating the results and advantages over the prior art obtained through the present invention, the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. Thus, the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0030]Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-11, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, the system and apparatus described herein overcomes the aforementioned inherent problems in the prior art by providing a grading attachment 10 for grading and preparing a surface for paving or general leveling. The grading attachment is constructed to be mounted to a mobile platform 1, depicted in FIG. 1 as a skid steer 1 device. The mobile platform 1 is capable of supplying a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid and electrical power to the grading attachment 10, as is common in mobile platforms such as skid steers 1, tractors, utility vehicles, and even some trucks. While the specification and Figures depict and describe the mobile 1 p...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for preparing and producing a finish grade for a surface to be paved, and more specifically to a grading attachment for use in conjunction with a mobile platform such as a skid steer for grading an area to be paved. The system and apparatus provides a portable and maneuverable grading attachment that is readily mounted on a skid steer or similar platform that provides a source of hydraulic and / or electrical power to the apparatus. Furthermore, the apparatus provides a plow for grading and leveling a surface, a pair of rollers for compacting and smoothing the surface, and a plurality of hydraulic scarifier teeth for breaking up hard or compacted portions of the surface.Description of the Related Art

[0002] In construction settings when an area is being prepared for paving the surface being paved typically must be leveled so that the paving material, whether concrete, blacktop, or any other paving material, may be smoothly applied and finished. Often the surface imperfections must be smoothed and aggregate material such as gravel is usually applied and smoothed or graded to produce a rough graded surface prior to paving. Since this surface is almost always a foundation for additional construction, machine base applications, or even floor surface for vertical storage such as warehousing and shelving space, it is highly desirable to produce a surface that is consistently level over its entire area. When the area being prepared is in excess of a few hundred square feet it is unwieldy and very labor intensive to manually level and smooth a surface in preparation for paving, as well as extremely difficult to maintain a consistent finished grade when finishing by hand.

[0003] In order to aid the leveling of relatively large surface areas a variety of surface grading machines have been accepted into use in the art. These machines typically are secured to a mobile apparatus such as a skid steer so that they can be retracted across the surface being leveled. Prior art grading attachments include a blade or plow surface for contacting material being graded that is mechanically leveled as the skid steer is reversed or drive backwards across the surface to produce a relatively level surface finish. Many of these prior art devices include various systems for attempting to level the plow relative to a reference plane such that the graded surface is relatively flat once the grading attachment passes over it.

[0004] However, many of these grading attachments do a poor job of producing even surfaces, often requiring multiple passes before a surface is ready for pouring or prepared for an application of aggregate material. Additionally, many of these devices are not capable of smoothing and / or leveling relatively rough surfaces, or hard surfaces with relatively small surface imperfections. Thus many prior art machines require a rough grading pass with a bulldozer or a skid steer with a plow blade prior to even using the grading attachment. Obviously, this requires a great deal of additional labor, time, and expense to grade and prepare the surface, thus adding cost to the job. Furthermore, these machines typically don't produce consistent level surfaces, and often require the use of a great deal of hand leveling.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and apparatus for grading a surface in preparation for paving that provides a consistently level graded surface with a minimum of mechanical and electrical system complexity, light weight, and the ability to quickly maneuver and attach to an existing skid steer with minimal effort.

[0006] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawing Figures taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure is related to systems and apparatus for grading a surface being prepared for paving. The system and apparatus described herein utilizes a lightweight frame having an adjustable plow for grading the surface, a pair of driven rollers for compacting and smoothing, and a plurality of hydraulically adjustable scarifier teeth for loosening and breaking up rough and / or compacted surfaces to enable grading.

[0008] In various embodiments and accordance with some aspects of the invention, the system disclosed herein provides a grading attachment that is quickly and easily secured to a skid steer or a similar mobile platform that is capable of supplying a mounting platform for supporting and moving the grading attachment and a source of hydraulic and electrical power for operating the various components of the grading attachment.

[0009] In some embodiments the system and apparatus disclosed herein provides a plurality of hydraulically operated scarifier teeth that may be extended and retracted during operation to break up and loosen hard or uneven surfaces to facilitate grading as the grading attachment is retracted across a surface.

[0010] In other embodiments and aspects the system and apparatus includes a leveling system that automatically and continuously adjusts the grade level of a plow relative to a reference plane, the plow being secured to the attachment by a plurality of adjustable actuators.

[0011] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “grading apparatus” should be understood to be generally synonymous with and include any device that is capable of operating on and smoothing and grading a surface in preparation for paving, or just for purposes of providing a level surface. The system and apparatus referred to herein may be powered by a mobile platform to which it is secured. The mobile platform may include an internal combustion power system, an electrical system, and a hydraulic system including a pump and concomitant valving for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid for the grading attachment. The grading attachment may include a plurality of electrical, electro-mechanical and hydraulically operated components and sensors the components operable by and responsive to manipulation of control knobs, selectors, or operator interfaces on the mobile platform.

[0012] The term “grading attachment” is also used herein generally to describe a member or members for contacting and smoothing a surface and may include one or more of a plow, an auger, a roller, and a plurality of scarifier teeth. Accordingly, the term grading attachment is not limited to one specific apparatus or structure, but is intended to encompass all structures that may be used to smooth and / or level a surface.

[0013] The term “leveling assembly” is used herein to generally describe a plurality of leveling actuators on which the plow of the grading apparatus is supported, the actuators being responsive to a plurality of sensors for adjusting the elevation of the screed with respect to a reference plane. The number and type of leveling actuators and the number and type of sensors for determining elevation, slope and / or tilt of the grading attachment and / or plow is not limited to a specific apparatus, structure, or sensor configuration, but rather is intended to include all structures, systems and sensors equivalent to those specific examples and embodiments disclosed herein.

[0014] The term “controller” or “processor” is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of the system and the appliances referred to herein. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0015] A processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

[0016] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grading attachment secured to a skid steer in accordance with some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of a grading attachment with an extended boom in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a grading attachment in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0028] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a controller and operator interface in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0029] Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0030] Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-11, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, the system and apparatus described herein overcomes the aforementioned inherent problems in the prior art by providing a grading attachment 10 for grading and preparing a surface for paving or general leveling. The grading attachment is constructed to be mounted to a mobile platform 1, depicted in FIG. 1 as a skid steer 1 device. The mobile platform 1 is capable of supplying a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid and electrical power to the grading attachment 10, as is common in mobile platforms such as skid steers 1, tractors, utility vehicles, and even some trucks. While the specification and Figures depict and describe the mobile 1 platform as a skid steer 1, it will be understood that a wide variety of mobile platforms 1 may be utilized in conjunction with the grading apparatus 10 described herein without departing from the disclosed embodiments.

[0031] The skid steer 1 may also include a pair of forks 2 extending from the front thereof that are spaced to engage and lock into a pair of slots 22 disposed in a mounting plate 20 of the grading apparatus 10. In these embodiments, grading apparatus 10 may be quickly secured to skid steer 1 by positioning skid steer forks 2 into the mounting plate 20 slots 22 thus securing attachment 10 and skid steer 1 together. Additionally, a plurality of electrical and hydraulic connectors 24 are mounted on attachment 10 proximate mounting plate 20, to engage and accept corresponding hydraulic hoses and electrical harnesses or cables from skid steer 1 supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid and / or electrical power to attachment 1. Of course, a wide variety of mounting systems may be employed for securing grading apparatus 10 to a mobile platform 1 without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0032] The grading apparatus 10 includes a frame 30 for supporting a plow 40 mounted or secured to frame 30 by a plurality of plow leveling actuators 70 secured at a first end to frame 30 at opposed vertical mounts 32 and at a second end to a front portion 41 of plow 40. The plow 40 comprises a rigid straight member 42 for leveling a surface as skid steer 1 and thus grading attachment 10 is moved or retracted across the surface being graded. A pair of adjustable vertically oriented wings 44 are secured on opposed ends of plow 40 utilizing a hinge 45 such that wings 44 pivot or hinge outwardly and inwardly toward plow 40. Each wing 44 includes a wing actuator 72 that is secured at a first end thereof to frame 40 and at a second end thereof and wings 40 to enable pivoting wings 42 outwardly and inwardly, thus enabling an operator to direct the “wake” of the excess surface material being graded toward or away from grading apparatus 10 as it grades.

[0033] Grading attachment 10 frame 30 may include a plurality of leveling eyes 80 mounted or secured thereto, for example on a pair of spaced poles 82 that position leveling eyes 80 above plow 40. Leveling eyes 80 have an output operatively coupled to an input of a controller 200 as described herein below to level plow 40 with respect to a reference plane utilizing hydraulically powered plow leveling actuators 70, for example hydraulic cylinders secured to both frame 30 plow 40 through a mechanical linkage, thereby providing a level surface as plow 40 is retracted through the surface being leveled. Leveling actuators 70 are also controlled by an output from controller 200 that is operatively coupled to plow leveling actuators 70.

[0034] Grading attachment 10 further includes a pair of spaced rollers 50 journaled for rotation in roller mounts 34 secured to frame 30. Rollers 50 extend substantially the width of frame 30 and are positioned behind plow 40. Rollers 50 may be powered, for example by a hydraulic or electric roller motor 52 or motors operated by an output from controller 200. Roller motors 52 may be configured to drive a gear or belt that rotates rollers 50, or alternatively rollers 50 may simply rotate freely as grading attachment 10 is retracted across the surface.

[0035] In some embodiments and as depicted best in FIGS. 4 and 10 a scarifier 60 having a plurality of scarifier teeth 62 secured to and extending from a movable plate 64 may be movably mounted to frame 30 between rollers 50. Teeth 62 are capable of motion in a generally vertical direction that is imparted by a plurality of scarifier actuators 74, which may be hydraulically actuated or electrically actuated. Scarifier actuators 74 are secured at a first end to vertical mount 72 and at a second end to movable plate 64 to drive or reciprocate teeth 62 upwardly and downwardly responsive to an operator input from an operator interface 240. In some aspects and embodiments the stroke or depth of the vertical motion of scarifier teeth 62 as well as the frequency of the reciprocation of teeth 62 may be controlled by selecting the stroke and frequency via operator interface 240 as necessary for a particular application. Scarifier teeth may 62 may be used to break up and loosen compacted areas of the surface being graded, thus providing a grading attachment 10 that is capable of smoothing and leveling uneven, hard surfaces.

[0036] In some aspects and embodiments grading attachment 10 described herein operatively coupled to an electrical and / or hydraulic power system via connectors 24 that is provided by operation of skid steer or other mobile platform 1. Grading attachment includes may in some embodiments include a hydraulic manifold 90 in fluid communication with pressurized hydraulic fluid from skid steer 1, that distributes the fluid to various hydraulic actuators described herein via a plurality of hydraulic valves 92 mounted at various points on grading attachment 10. An electrical power source may also be provided by a conventional electrical connector or connectors 24 to the mobile platform to power electrical components of grading attachment 10.

[0037] In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 11, the grading apparatus may further comprise a controller 200 which may include a processor or processors 202 and memory 204. The controller 200 may further comprise a plurality of signal outputs 210 and signal inputs 220 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. Furthermore, in some embodiments controller 200 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 230 that enables controller 200 to communicate with external devices or communications networks such as the internet, that may be integrated into system 10. Furthermore, inputs 220 and outputs 210 may be operatively coupled to, for example, a plurality of electrically actuated valves 92 to operate the hydraulic system and other components as discussed further herein below. Throughout the specification the operation of hydraulic cylinders or actuators will be understood to be effected through the use of the hydraulic system manifold 90 and valves 92, comprising electrically actuated hydraulic valves 92 and a controller 200 having outputs 210 for operating said valves, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0038] Additionally, controller 200 may be equipped with an operator or user interface 240 that is secured at an accessible point to grading attachment 10 to provide audible or visual feedback to an operator as well as to provide instructions or commands to controller 200. Exemplary but non-limiting user interfaces that may be employed include a mouse, keypads, touch-screens, keyboards, switches, joysticks and / or touch pads. Any user interface 240 may be employed for use in the embodiments set forth without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, user interface 240 may wirelessly communicate with controller 200 such that it may be remotely located from screed attachment 10. It will be understood that FIG. 11 constitutes, in some respects, an abstraction and that the actual organization of the components of apparatus 10 and controller 200 may be more complex than illustrated.

[0039] The processor 202 may be any hardware device capable of executing instructions stored in memory 204 or data storage 206 or otherwise processing data. As such, the processor may include a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar devices.

[0040] The memory 204 may include various memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory. As such, the memory 204 may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices. It will be apparent that, in embodiments where the processor includes one or more ASICs (or other processing devices) that implement one or more of the functions described herein in hardware, the software described as corresponding to such functionality in other embodiments may be omitted.

[0041] The user interface 240 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with a user such as an administrator. For example, the user interface 240 may include a display, a mouse, and a keyboard for receiving user commands, or a joystick or similar device for directing apparatus operations. In some embodiments, the user interface 240 may include a command line interface or graphical user interface (GUI) that may be presented to a remote terminal via the communication interface 230.

[0042] The communication interface 230 may include one or more devices for enabling communication with other hardware devices. For example, the communication interface 230 may include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet protocol. Additionally, the communication interface 230 may implement a TCP / IP stack for communication according to the TCP / IP protocols. Various alternative or additional hardware or configurations for the communication interface 230 will be apparent.

[0043] Storage 206 may include one or more machine-readable storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, or similar storage media. In various embodiments, the storage 206 may store instructions for execution by the processor 202 or data upon which the processor 202 may operate. For example, the storage 206 may store a base operating system for controlling various basic operations of the hardware. Other instruction sets may also be stored in storage 206 for executing various functions of system 10, in accordance with the embodiments detailed below.

[0044] It will be apparent that various information described as stored in storage 206 may be additionally or alternatively stored in memory 204. In this respect, memory 204 may also be considered to constitute a “storage device” and storage 206 may be considered a “memory.” Various other arrangements will be apparent. Further, the memory 204 and storage 206 may both be considered to be “non-transitory machine-readable media.” As used herein, the term “non-transitory” will be understood to exclude transitory signals but to include all forms of storage, including both volatile and non-volatile memories.

[0045] While the controller 200 is shown as including one of each described component, the various components may be duplicated in various embodiments. For example, processor 202 may include multiple microprocessors that are configured to independently execute the methods described herein or are configured to perform steps or subroutines of the methods described herein such that the multiple processors cooperate to achieve the functionality described herein. Further, where controller 200 is implemented in a cloud computing system, the various hardware components may belong to separate physical systems. For example, processor 202 may include a first processor in a first server and a second processor in a second server.

[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, and in some aspects and embodiments grading attachment 10 permits an operator or user to access the various functionality of the grading attachment by operation and selection of these features through operator interface 240, depicted as mounted proximate the rear of attachment 10 in FIG. 2. The positions of left and right wings 44, the elevation grade setting of plow 40, operation in both depth and frequency of the reciprocation of scarifier 60 teeth 62, and the operation of rollers 50 may all be controlled by selecting and configuring a setpoint for each of these functions through operator interface 240. The controller 200 then provides the necessary signal outputs 210 to the various valves and components of grading attachment 10 to representative of an actuator position necessary to effect these settings.

[0047] In operation, once a user provides settings for wing 44 angles, plow 40 elevation, roller 50 rotation, and scarifier teeth 62 stroke and frequency, the attachment 10 can then be retracted or pulled rearwardly over the surface being prepared to smooth and level it. The attachment 10 thereby provides an even and level prepared surface with little need for second pass treatments.

[0048] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0050] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0051] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0052] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0053] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0054] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0055] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0056] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,”“coupled,”“in communication with,”“secured,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “secured” and “mounted” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0057] While the present invention has been shown and described herein in what are considered to be the preferred embodiments thereof, illustrating the results and advantages over the prior art obtained through the present invention, the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. Thus, the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0030]Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-11, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, the system and apparatus described herein overcomes the aforementioned inherent problems in the prior art by providing a grading attachment 10 for grading and preparing a surface for paving or general leveling. The grading attachment is constructed to be mounted to a mobile platform 1, depicted in FIG. 1 as a skid steer 1 device. The mobile platform 1 is capable of supplying a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid and electrical power to the grading attachment 10, as is common in mobile platforms such as skid steers 1, tractors, utility vehicles, and even some trucks. While the specification and Figures depict and describe the mobile 1 p...

Claims

1. An apparatus for grading a surface, said apparatus secured to a mobile platform having an electrical power source and a hydraulic power source comprising:a frame assembly having a plow at a forward end thereof and a mounting plate at a rear end thereof for securing the grading apparatus to the mobile platform;a plurality of plow leveling actuators secured to said frame assembly at a plurality of points, the plow leveling actuators secured at a first end to the frame and at a second end to the plow, the plow leveling actuators capable of extension and retraction for raising or lowering the plow;a pair of leveling eyes mounted proximate opposed ends of the plow having a signal output representative of a vertical position of the plow with respect to a reference plane; andat least one roller rotatably secured to the frame behind the plow for smoothing and compacting the surface.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a scarifier mounted to the frame rearwardly of the at least one roller having a plurality of scarifier teeth capable of vertical motion within a predetermined range, the teeth secured to a plurality of scarifier teeth actuators for reciprocating the teeth responsive to an input from an operator.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:a pair of vertically oriented opposed wings secured in a hinged arrangement at opposed ends of the plow, the wings rotatable through at least ninety degrees of motion; anda pair of wing actuators secured to the wings at a first end and to the frame at a second end for positioning the wings in a desired grading pattern.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising:a controller having a processor, a data memory, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and accepting electrical signals;an operator interface operatively coupled to said controller; andwherein a plurality of outputs are electrically coupled to the wing actuators and the plow level actuators.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising:a second roller rotatably secured to the frame behind the scarifier for smoothing and compacting the surface.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein an elevation of the plow relative to a reference plane is provided through the operator interface and wherein the controller provides an output to the plow elevation actuators responsive to an input to the controller from the leveling eyes representative of a plow elevation.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a scarifier tooth depth and frequency setpoint is provided through the operator interface and wherein the controller provides an output to the scarifier teeth actuators representative of the depth and frequency setpoint.

8. A grading apparatus for grading a surface, said grading apparatus secured to a mobile platform having an electrical power source and a hydraulic power source comprising:a frame assembly having a forward end and a rear end;a plow secured to the forward end of the frame;a mounting plate secured to the rear end of the frame for securing the grading apparatus to the mobile platform;a roller rotatably secured to the frame behind the plow for smoothing and compacting the surface;a plurality of plow leveling actuators secured to the frame assembly at a plurality of points, the plow leveling actuators secured at a first end to the frame and at a second end to the plow, the plow leveling actuators capable of extension and retraction for raising or lowering the plow;a scarifier secured to the frame rearwardly of the roller, the scarifier having a vertically movable plate secured to a plurality of scarifier teeth vertical motion within a predetermined range, the teeth secured to a plurality of scarifier teeth actuators for reciprocating the teeth responsive to an input from an operator; anda pair of leveling eyes mounted proximate opposed ends of the plow, each leveling eye having a signal output representative of a vertical position of the plow.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising:a pair of vertically oriented opposed wings secured in a hinged arrangement at opposed ends of the plow, the wings rotatable through at least ninety degrees of motion.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising:a controller having a processor, a data memory, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and accepting electrical signals;an operator interface operatively coupled to said controller.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising:a plurality of plow leveling actuators each having first and second ends, the plow leveling actuators secured at the first ends thereof to the frame and at the second ends thereof to the plow, the plow leveling actuators capable of extension and retraction for raising or lowering the plow.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising:a plurality of scarifier teeth actuators having first and second ends, the first ends thereof secured to the frame and the second ends thereof secure to the movable plate for reciprocating the teeth.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 comprising:a roller motor for rotating the at least one roller.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 comprising:a second roller rotatably secured to the frame behind the plow for smoothing and compacting the surface, the second roller rotated by the roller motor.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein an elevation setpoint of said plow relative to a reference plane is provided through said operator interface and wherein said controller provides an output to said plow elevation actuators responsive to an input to said controller from said leveling eyes representative of a plow elevation.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein a scarifier tooth depth and frequency setpoint is provided through said operator interface and wherein said controller provides an output to said scarifier teeth actuators representative of the depth and frequency setpoint.

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