Multi-functional amphibious clearing machine

Abstract

An all-in-one, amphibious, right-of-way clearing vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle uses two hydraulically actuated arms to operate two accessory tools at the same time. A forward-mounted lift arm is attached to the chassis and operates a first accessory tool in front of the vehicle, and a working arm is attached to the vehicle's working unit and operates a second accessory tool. The working arm is extendable such that the second accessory tool can operate in front of and around the first accessory tool to prevent environmental interference with the first accessory tool. The working arm can also extend around obstacles that a typical chassis-mounted tool arm could not navigate. The first and second accessory tools may work together to allow an entire right-of-way clearing operation to be carried out with only one vehicle.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL AMPHIBIOUS CLEARING MACHINE Invented by: Paul K. WilsonBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Amphibious vehicles are specialized machines capable of operating on both land and water. One common type of amphibious vehicle, known as a marsh buggy, was originally developed to support oil and gas exploration operations conducted in marshes and swamps. Conventional marsh buggies typically include a pair of pontoons connected by a pair of crossbeams extending between the pontoons. The beams support a center platform or a turntable, on which powered equipment is positioned. The pontoons are usually surrounded by a cleated endless track system that is capable of engaging ground or water to propel the vehicle. Hydraulics generally are used to control the action of each pontoon drive system. By varying the track speed and direction around each pontoon, the vehicle can be advanced, turned, or reversed.

[0002] Due to their cleated track system and low ground pressure, amphibious vehicles are ideal for operation in wetlands, marshlands, and other and other soft or partially submerged terrain. Over time, these vehicles have been adapted for a wide range of uses, including the transport of personnel and cargo as well as serve as the operating platform for various types of equipment, such as excavators, draglines, and backhoes. Amphibious vehicles have also been employed in land-clearing operations, where their ability to traverse unstable ground allows clearing and reclamation work to be performed in areas inaccessible to conventional equipment.

[0003] When clearing land, conventional amphibious vehicles have a rotary cutter or mower attached as a tow-behind implement. However, when towing a rotary mower behind the vehicle, the treads of the vehicle oftentimes will crush or flatten the ground cover, reducing the effectiveness of the clearing operations. To address the1#110077730v5problem of flattening vegetation during clearing operations, an amphibious vehicle with a front-mounted rotary cutter has been developed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 11,820,183, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, because hidden obstacles such as fallen trees, stumps, logs, and rocks may be encountered during clearing operations, utilizing a front-mounted rotary cutter increases the risk of damaging the cutter since it will engage the obstacle first. Further, a separate amphibious vehicle must be used to remove such obstacles, regardless of whether a front-mounted rotary cutter or rear-mounted rotary cutter is used.SUMMARY

[0004] The invention disclosed herein is directed to a multi-functional amphibious clearing machine having a pair of hydraulically -controlled arms configured to releasably support various accessory tools— such as mowers, excavation buckets, cutting heads, or grapples— enabling the vehicle to perform multiple functions using a common chassis. The first arm may operate a first accessory tool in front of the vehicle, and the second arm may operate a second accessory tool. Preferably, the second operated ami is connected to a working unit supported on a rotatable platform or turntable that allows operation around the full perimeter of the vehicle, thereby enabling work to be performed in front of and around the vehicle. In this manner, the first and second accessory tools may be selected to work together to allow an entire right-of-way clearing operation to be carried out with only one amphibious vehicle. For example, the first accessory tool may be a clearing attachment such as a hydraulic cutter, which can then clear marshy vegetation in front of the vehicle before the treads flatten it, and the second accessory tool may be a grabbing attachment such as grapples or a bucket-and- clamp tool for removal of obstacles and debris from in front of the hydraulic cutter.2#110077730v5

[0005] In a particular embodiment exemplifying the principles of the invention, the amphibious clearing machine can comprise floatable pontoons, a chassis, a track drive system, a working unit, a first arm, and a second arm. The floatable pontoons are coupled together by the chassis., The track drive system comprises an endless track disposed around each pontoon, with and at least one hydraulic motor driving each endless track. The working unit is mounted on the chassis and may comprise an operator’s cab. The first arm is mounted to and extends outward from the chassis, while the second arm is preferably mounted to the working unit. The first and second arms are each operated by one or more hydraulic cylinders. The amphibious vehicle utilizes hydraulic controls positioned in the cab that are configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor driving the endless tracks and the one or more hydraulic cylinders of the first and second arms.

[0006] In another embodiment exemplifying the principles of the invention, the amphibious clearing machine may further comprise a first accessory tool coupled to the first arm and a second accessory tool coupled to the second arm. In yet another embodiment, the floatable pontoons may include a bogey -wheel track system extending around the pontoons.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an amphibious clearing machine exemplifying the principles of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an amphibious clearing machine exemplifying the principles of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis and pontoons of the amphibious clearing machine depicted in FIG. 1.3#110077730v5

[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an endless drive system suitable for use with the amphibious clearing machine of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the lift arm of the amphibious clearing machine of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of the attachment system for the lift arm of the amphibious clearing machine of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the attachment system for the working arm of the amphibious clearing machine of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of the attachment system for the working arm of the amphibious clearing machine of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.4#110077730v5

[0016] As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include, other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. The terms “including,” “having,” or “featuring,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as attached, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, right and left, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0017] The invention disclosed herein is directed to a multi-functional amphibious clearing machine that utilizes (i) a first arm mounted to the front of the vehicle and wielding a first accessory tool, such as a hydraulic cutter that may be used to clear the marshy vegetation in front of the vehicle before the treads flatten it, and (ii)5#110077730v5a second ami wielding a second accessory tool. The second accessory tool may be a grappling attachment (e.g., bucket-and-clamp) to remove obstacles and debris from in front of the cutter. In other embodiments, the second accessory tool may be a second hydraulic cutter to mow down vegetation around and behind immovable obstacles. Due to the interchangeability of the first and second accessory tools, an entire clearing operation can be carried out by a single vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle is equipped with an enlarged undercarriage configured to lower ground pressure and to enhance overall stability during operation. This low-pressure configuration is preferable when clearing over pipelines. Additionally, the vehicle may use a bogeywheel track system rather than the traditional roller chain track system used on marsh buggies, allowing the vehicle to travel longer distances more efficiently with less maintenance. The lighter design of a bogey-wheel track system is better suited for speed while mowing, which is preferable for right-of-way clearing machines.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the amphibious clearing machine 1 of the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 1-8. Viewing FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 may comprise a chassis 100, a working unit 200 mounted to the chassis 100, a first arm 310 (or “lift arm” 310) mounted to the front of the chassis 100 and supporting a first accessory tool 300, and a second arm 210 (or “working arm” 210) mounted to the working unit 200 and supporting a second accessory tool 220.

[0019] Turning to FIG. 3, the chassis 100 may comprise a support structure, such as crossbeams 115, which attaches to two laterally opposed parallel pontoon systems 110. In some embodiments, the crossbeams 115 may provide support for a typical marsh buggy work surface such as a center platform 120 (as depicted in FIGS. 1-2) or a turntable 121 (as depicted in FIG. 3). Returning to FIG. 1, mounted to the front of the chassis 100 is a lift arm 310 which provides support for a first accessory6#110077730v5tool 300, such as a multi-blade ground mower. Mounting a cutter to the front of the vehicle allows the ground cover to be cut down before the treads of the vehicle crush them, making it easier for the mower to cut and allowing for easier and faster maneuvering of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the chassis 100 may comprise a mounting plate 117 on the front side of the front crossbeam 115 for attachment of the lift arm 310. The lift arm 310 may comprise parallel pivot arms 312 which are pivotally attached to the mounting plate 117. The parallel pivot arms 312 are bridged together by x-shaped support bars 316 and perpendicular crossbars 314. In other embodiments, the lift arm 310 may comprise any attachment member that provides structural support for the first accessory tool 300, including arms with pivoting, articulating, and / or telescoping joints to allow a wider range of motion. In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the distal end 313 of the lift arm 310 is pivotally attached to the hydraulic cutter 300 by pins coupling the lift arm 310 to pivot plates 302 on hydraulic cutter 300, but in other embodiments, the hydraulic cutter 300 may be rigidly attached or pivotally attached to the lift arm 310 by any other adequate means for attachment. The lift arm 310 may be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder 320 pivotally attached to mounting plate 117 on its proximal end and to one of the perpendicular support arms 314 on its distal end. Auxiliary hydraulic lines 330 may be included in the system to provide control of and power to first accessory tool 300. A float feature may be utilized by which the lift arm 310 raises and lowers automatically, allowing the cutting attachment 300 to “float” and follow the contour of the ground.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, the crossbeams 115 of the chassis 100 provide support for a working unit 200 (such as the Bobcat® E50™ compact excavator or another compact working machine), comprising an operator’s cab 202, a second arm 210 (i.e., the working arm 210), and a power unit 204, including the engine, hydraulic7#110077730v5pumps, fluid reservoirs, and associated control systems. While the working unit 200 can be attached to the chassis 100 without removal of its drive system, it is more convenient to remove the drive system for re-routing of the hydraulic lines. The working unit 200 includes hydraulic lines that control the track drive system, allowing control of the track drive systems from the controls mounted in the cab 202.

[0021] The working arm 210 comprises a boom 212 extending upward and outward from the working unit 200, an articulating arm 214 extending outward and downward from the boom 212, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 230 controlling movement of the boom 212, the articulating arm 214, and a second accessory tool 220 attached to the distal end 215 of articulating arm 214. In other embodiments, the working arm 210 may use any number of components with pivoting, articulating, and / or telescoping joints such that the working arm 210 is extendable outward from the vehicle 1 far enough that the second accessory tool 220 may operate in the space in front of and around the first accessory tool 300. Although not pictured in the figures, auxiliary hydraulic lines may be included in the system to provide control of and power to second accessory tool 220.

[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the second accessory tool 220 on the working arm 210 is a bucket-and clamp attachment, which can be used to remove debris from in front of the cutter 300 on the first arm 310 during clearing operations. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the accessory tool is a hydraulic cutter 220a. Having a hydraulic cutter 220a at the end of the working arm 210 allows the operator to clear groundcover around and behind obstacles, such as fences and power line poles. In alternative embodiments, the accessory tools 220, 300 may be any attachments useful in clearing operations, including a mower / cutter, mulcher, roller chopper, vegetation blade, tree shear, stump grinder, dredge pump, ditcher, disc harrow,8#110077730v5herbicide spray rig, backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, snow blower, dumping hopper, ripper, tillers, grapple, tilt, roller, snow blade, wheel saw, cement mixer, or woodchipper. A skilled artisan will recognize that this listing is merely exemplary of the many different accessory tools known in the art or developed in the future that could be adapted for use on the amphibious clearing machine of the present invention.

[0023] The working arm 210 may be equipped with standard connectors and adapters found on excavation machines, enabling compatibility with a wide range of conventional excavator attachments and accessories, like the bucket-and-clamp attachment 220 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Any accessory tool not conventionally used with excavators may be fitted with compatible attachment points for attachment to the working arm 210, as described below. In FIGS. 7-8, the working arm 210 removably attaches to hydraulic cutter 220a at two pivot points: a first pivot pin 218, located at the distal end 215 of the articulating arm 214, engages with a first set of apertured pivot plates 228 mounted on the cutter 220a; and a second pivot pin 219, located on the V-shaped linkage 216 extending from the articulating arm 214, engages with a second set of apertured pivot plates 229, also mounted on the cutter 220a. A hydraulic cylinder 230 is attached to the vertex of the linkage 216 and controls the movement of the second accessory tool 220.

[0024] All hydraulic cylinders and attachments are controlled or operated from controls in the cab 202 of the working unit 200. The additional horsepower required for the two controlled attachments — the first accessory tool 300 of the lift arm 310 and the second accessory tool 220 of the working arm 210 — is provided by a powerpack 130, which may be mounted to the rear of the chassis 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Mounting the additional powerpack 130 on the back of the vehicle provides the added benefit of9#110077730v5offsetting the added weight of the lift arm 310 and its accessory tool 300 on the front of the vehicle.

[0025] Turning to FIG. 4, the pontoons 110 are surrounded by an endless track system that is capable of engaging ground or swamp land to propel the vehicle. The endless track system uses one or more endless chains 142 surrounding the periphery of each pontoon 110 with tracks 144 attached to the endless chains 142. The endless chains are driven about the periphery of the pontoons by a sprocket system 146 or other means, which are in turn driven by a hydraulic motor (not shown) in order to provide propulsion to the vehicle. The endless track system may be a traditional roller-chain track system, where the endless chain 142 is made of heavy metal chains. Alternatively, the endless track system 140 may be a bogey-wheel track system, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,545, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In a bogey -wheel system, the endless chains 142 are made of rubber or another flexible material, which reduces friction while driving and allows the vehicle to reach higher speeds.

[0026] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.10#110077730v5

Claims

CLAIMS1. A multi-functional amphibious clearing machine comprising: a) first and second floatable pontoons coupled together by a chassis, each pontoon including a track drive system having an endless track extending around a long dimension of the pontoon and at least one hydraulic motor driving each of the endless tracks; b) a working unit mounted on the chassis, the working unit comprising an operator’s cab; c) a lift arm extending from the chassis and operated by at least one hydraulic cylinder controllable from the operator’s cab; d) a working arm extending from the working unit and operated by at least one hydraulic cylinder controllable from the operator’s cab; e) hydraulic controls positioned in the cab and configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to (i) the at least one hydraulic motor of the track drive system, (ii) the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the lift arm, and (iii) the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the working arm.

2. The amphibious vehicle of claim 1, wherein the amphibious vehicle comprises a front end and a back end, and wherein the boom and the hydraulic cylinder of the lift ami are mounted to the chassis at the front end of the vehicle.

3. The amphibious vehicle of claim 2, wherein the lift arm is pivotally attached to the chassis.

4. The amphibious vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a first accessory tool operably attached to a distal end of the lift arm.

5. The amphibious vehicle of claim 4, wherein the first accessory tool is a first hydraulic cutter.

6. The amphibious vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a second accessory tool operably attached to a distal end of the working arm.

7. The amphibious vehicle of claim 6, wherein the second accessory tool is a second hydraulic cutter.

8. The amphibious vehicle of claim 6, wherein the second accessory tool is a bucket-and-clamp attachment.

9. The amphibious vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the endless track system is a bogeywheel track system.11#110077730v510. An amphibious vehicle comprising: a) a chassis comprising a front end and a back end; b) at least two pontoons coupled to the chassis; c) a working unit seated on the chassis, wherein the working unit comprises an operator’s cab and a working arm controllable from the operator’s cab; d) a lift arm pivotally attached to the front end of the chassis and controllable from the operator’s cab.

11. The amphibious vehicle of claim 10, wherein a distal end of the lift arm is operably attached to a first accessory tool.

12. The amphibious vehicle of claim 11, wherein the working arm comprises a boom and an articulating arm, wherein the boom is pivotally attached to the frame, and wherein a distal end of the articulating arm is operably attached to a second accessory tool.

13. The amphibious vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: (i) one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to control movement of the lift arm; and (ii) one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to control movement of the working arm.

14. The amphibious vehicle of claim 13, further comprising (iii) one or more hydraulic hoses extending along the lift arm and in fluid communication with the first accessory tool; (iv) one or more hydraulic hoses extending along the working arm and in fluid communication with the second accessory tool.

15. The amphibious vehicle of claim 14, further comprising hydraulic controls positioned in the cab and configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to the one or more hydraulic cylinders of the lift arm, the one or more hydraulic cylinders of the working arm, and the first and second accessory tools.

16. The amphibious vehicle of claim 12, wherein each pontoon includes a bogeywheel track system extending around the pontoon.

17. The amphibious vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a powerpack mounted on the back end of the chassis.

18. The amphibious vehicle of claim 10, wherein the working arm is extendable to reach a distance from the vehicle that is greater than a distance from the vehicle reachable by the lift arm.12#110077730v519. The amphibious vehicle of claim 18, wherein the chassis further comprises a turntable, and the working unit is positioned on the turntable to allow rotation of the working unit relative to the chassis.

20. An amphibious vehicle comprising: a) two pontoons coupled together by a chassis, wherein each pontoon includes a bogey-wheel track system extending around the pontoon; b) a forward-mounted lift arm, with a first accessory tool coupled to said forward-mounted lift arm; c) a working unit mounted on the chassis and comprising a working arm, with a second accessory tool coupled to said working arm.

21. The amphibious vehicle of claim 19, wherein the working unit further comprises an operator’s cab and wherein the lift arm, the working arm, the first accessory tool, and the second accessory tool are all hydraulically actuated and controllable from the operator’s cab.13#110077730v5

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