GB2247144A

GB2247144A - Channelling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2247144A
Application number: GB9016736A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Herbert Lombard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-07-31
Filing date: 1990-07-31
Publication date: 1992-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-31
Also published as: GB9016736D0; GB2247144B

Abstract

Channelling apparatus 10 comprises a wheeled frame 12 to which is attached a channel cutting wheel 28 and a plough 34 behind the wheel 28. A hopper 36 is also mounted on the frame 12. The hopper 36 comprises two halves each having an auger 44 therein, operable to drive material in the respective halves toward a dispensing chamber 16. In use, as the apparatus 10 is drawn across the ground, a channel is cut by the wheel 28 and the plough 34. Drainage material is fed from the respective halves of the hopper 36 to be dispensed into the newly cut channel. The material dispensed, for example gravel, forms a first layer in the channel, on top of which the material, for example sand, is dispensed from the other half of the hopper. <IMAGE>

Description

Channelling Apparatus The present invention relates to channelling apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to apparatus used in the formation of drainage channels.

Drainage channels are used around sports fields, such as football fields, golf courses and cricket pitches to assist in their maintenance. Such drainage channels are filled with material to aid drainage. Significant amounts of labour are involved in manually digging the channels.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided channelling apparatus comprising channel forming means, filling material supply means and dispensing means associated with the filling material supply means, the channel forming means being operable to cut a channel in the ground as the apparatus is driven across the ground, and the dispensing means being operable to dispense filling material from the filling material supply means into the channel until the channel is at least partly filled.

Preferably the channel forming means comprises a wheel so formed as to be able to cut into the ground.

The circumference of the wheel preferably forms a blade.

Preferably the wheel is mounted on an eccentric, rotatable hub. The wheel may be detachable.

Preferably the channel forming means further comprises a clearing member so located as to follow the wheel, in use, and operable to clear ground loosened by the wheel. The clearing member may comprise a plough blade.

The clearing member is preferably hollow to permit filling material to pass substantially through the clearing member into the channel.

Preferably the dispensing means comprises a chamber located in the apparatus to receive material fed from the supply means and further comprising an outlet through which the material is dispensed.

Preferably the chamber is partitioned into two spaces, each space receiving material of a respective type from the supply means, and each section in the chamber having a respective outlet, whereby the different types of material can be independently dispensed into the channel.

Preferably the respective outlets are in front and behind each other in relation to the direction of movement of the apparatus, in use, whereby one type of material is introduced into the channel from the rearmost outlet and on top of a layer of the other type of material introduced into the channel from the foremost outlet.

Preferably a member is provided to move across and level the top of the layer of the said other type of material.

Preferably a second member is provided to move across and level the top of the layer of the said one type of material.

Preferably agitating means is provided with which material within the apparatus is agitated to help maintain flow of the material. The agitating means may be a vibrator means operable on the chamber.

Preferably the apparatus comprises at least one ground wheel, and height setting means operable to change and set the height of the channel forming means in relation to the ground wheel or wheels, whereby the depth of the channel may be varied.

The invention also provides channelling apparatus comprising channel forming means operable to cut a channel in the ground as the apparatus is driven across the ground, at least one ground wheel for supporting the apparatus on the ground, and height setting means operable to change and set the height of the channel forming means in relation to the ground wheel or wheels.

The channel forming means, and other features of the apparatus, may be as set out in any of the preceding definitions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of apparatus according to the present invention, with the ground wheels removed for clarity; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, with the agitating means removed and the hopper in the raised position; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the hopper and dispensing means of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is an elevation of a channel forming wheel of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic partial side view of the apparatus in use.

Referring to the drawings, drainage channel forming apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 to which is attached channel forming means 14, filling material supply means 18, including a hopper, and a dispensing chamber 16 associated with the supply means 18.

The frame 12 is substantially rectangular and comprises two side beams 20 connected together by two crossbeams 22 at or near the front and back of the apparatus. Extending from the front of the frame is a conventional towing arm 24 for attaching the apparatus to a towing vehicle (not shown). Ground wheels 25 (not shown in Fig. 1) are provided on both sides of the frame 12.

The channel forming means 14 comprises a cutting wheel 28, having a hub 29 which is eccentrically mounted on a rotatable horizontal shaft 30 (Fig. 4). The wheel 28 is freely rotatable on the hub 29. The circumference of the wheel 28 forms a cutting edge 32, preferably of hardened steel or the like. The wheel 28 is releasably mounted in the apparatus 10 to enable wheels 28 of differing width and diameter to be interchangeable.

The channel forming means 14 further comprises a plough 34 attached to the frame 12 substantially behind the wheel 28 and having a blade-like front surface 35 immediately behind the wheel 28. Thus, as the apparatus is drawn and the wheel 28 cuts the channel, the plough 34 follows to clear material from the channel cut by the wheel 28.

The hopper 36 of the filling material supply means 18 has a longitudinal partition 38 to divide the hopper 36 into two substantially equal halves 40,42. Augers 44 extend along the bottom of each half 40,42. Each auger is driven by a hydraulic motor 46 and is operable to feed material towards the dispensing chamber 16, which is attached at the rear end 48 of the hopper 36, above the plough 34.

With particular reference to Fig. 3, the dispensing chamber is divided into two spaces 50,52. One space 50 is bounded at the rear by a transverse partition 53. The partition 53 acts to prevent material in the space 50 from travelling further back in the chamber 16, and to divert the material down toward the outlet 54 at the bottom of the space 50. Material in the space 50 is prevented from entering the space 52 by a longitudinal partition 55 which extends back from the front of the chamber 16 to the partition 53. Material entering the space 52 is free to pass to the rear of the chamber 16.

The partition 55 prevents it leaving through the outlet 54. A second outlet 56 is provided at the bottom of the space 52, behind the outlet 54. The floor of the chamber 16 slopes to channel the material within each space 50,52 toward the respective outlets 54,56.

The outlets 54,56 are in communication with the interior of the plough 34, which is hollow. A vertical partition 62 prevents mingling of material which has left the outlets 54,56. The plough 34 is open at the bottom, to allow the material to fall through, into the channel.

Material from the front outlet 54 falls first into the channel, and is levelled by the bottom edge of the partition 62. Material from the rear outlet 56 can then fall on top, and is levelled to ground level by the bottom edge of the rear wall 64 of the plough 34. As a consequence, the material in space 50 (originally in the hopper half 40) is left in the channel below the material from the space 52 (originally in the hopper half 42).

A vibrator mechanism 58 is associated with the dispensing chamber 16 and operable to reciprocate to vibrate the chamber 16, to prevent the material clogging therein.

Sensors (not shown) are also provided within the chamber 16 to sense the level of materials within the spaces 50,52 and effect control of the supply of material to the spaces 50,52, by controlling the augers.

The hopper 36 is mounted at either side on the side beams 20 of the frame 12 by means of hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements 60, and parallelogram linkages 61 (dotted lines in Fig. 1) connecting the hopper 16 to the support 26 of the frame 12. The piston and cylinder arrangements 60 are operable to raise and lower the hopper (thus the channel forming means 14, the dispensing chamber 16 and the material supply means 18) relative to the frame 12. The parallelogram linkage 61 helps maintain the hopper 36 substantially horizontal. Thus, in use, the depth of the channel which is formed can be controlled by operation of the piston and cylinder arrangements, as will be described.

The hydraulic power requirements of the apparatus 10 are preferably met by the towing vehicle, for instance by supplying a reservoir 66 from which the various hydraulic elements are supplied. However, it is to be appreciated that the incorporation of an independent supply within the apparatus is possible.

In use, the hopper 36 is filled with material to be placed in the channel. In this example, one half 40 is filled with gravel G, the other half 42 with sand S. The apparatus 10 is attached to a towing vehicle by means of the towing arm 24. When the apparatus 10 has reached the site where the channel is to be formed, the channel forming means 14, dispensing chamber 16 and material supply means 18 are lowered by releasing pressure in the piston and cylinder arrangements 60. This leaves the weight of the hopper 36 and its associated apparatus unsupported except by the wheel 28 on the ground. The whole weight of the hopper and its contents is therefore available to drive the wheel 28 into the ground to the required depth. The piston and cylinder arrangements are then re-pressurised to hold the wheel 28 at that depth.

The depth of channel can be changed by using the piston and cylinders 60 or different diameter wheels 28, or both.

The apparatus 10 is then drawn by the vehicle along the desired line of the channel. The augers 44 are activated, through activation of the hydraulic motors 46.

The auger 44 in each half 40,42 of the hopper 36 feeds gravel G or sand S respectively toward the dispensing chamber 16.

The gravel G enters the spaces 50 and is directed through the outlet 54.

Simultaneously, sand S enters the space 52 and travels to the rear of the chamber 16, leaving through the outlet 56.

In the meantime a channel has been excavated by drawing the cutting edge 32 of the wheel 28 through the ground, loosening the earth. This is facilitated by fast rotation of the shaft 30 and the eccentric hub 29, to vibrate the wheel 28, which is otherwise rotating freely.

The plough 34 follows the wheel 28, clearing loose earth to provide a path into the channel for the sand and gravel, as previously described. The result is to leave a layer of gravel G in the channel, below a layer of sand S.

During operation of the apparatus 10 the dispensing chamber is continually agitated by the vibrator mechanism 58.

The wheel will encounter resistance as it moves through the ground. This will tend to cause the wheel to rise, but will be resisted by the whole weight of the apparatus, because the piston and cylinder arrangements 60 cause the frame 12 to rise and fall with the wheel 28, so that the ground wheels 25 on the frame 12 will leave the ground if the wheel 28 rises. This, together with the vibration provided by the shaft 30, reduces any likelihood of the wheel 28 becoming stuck.

The hydraulic circuit of the arrangements 60 can by configured to absorb sudden shocks arising if the wheel 28 hits an underground obstruction, allowing the wheel 28 to rise in these circumstances.

The vibration and weight of the apparatus is believed to cause cracks in the ground alongside the channel, which assists aeration.

In a modification of the apparatus, a flexible-pipe feed is provided to feed pipe into the channel formed by the wheel 28. This is filled over, either as a subsequent operation, or in the way described above.

The apparatus may also be used for burying farm animal slurry carried in the hopper 36.

Other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the frame may be of any suitable and/or conventional trailer-frame design. Channel forming means other than a wheel may be used. The vibrator mechanism may be replaced by a stirring or other suitable agitation method. The apparatus may be further modified to enable channels to be dug and filled with one layer of material or more than two layers. The apparatus may have more than one channel forming means mounted on a common frame, to allow several parallel channels to be formed by a single pass of the apparatus.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIHS

1. Channelling apparatus comprising channel forming means, filling material supply means and dispensing means associated with the filling material supply means, the channel forming means being operable to cut a channel in the ground as the apparatus is driven across the ground, and the dispensing means being operable to dispense filling material from the filling material supply means into the channel until the channel is at least partly filled.

2. Channelling apparatus according to claim 1, in which the channel forming means comprises a wheel so formed as to be able to cut into the ground.

3. Channelling apparatus according to claim 2, in which the circumference of the wheel forms a blade.

4. Channelling apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, in which the wheel is mounted on an eccentric rotatable hub.

5. Channelling apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the wheel is detachable.

6. Channelling apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which the channel forming means further comprises a clearing member so located as to follow the wheel, in use, and operable to clear ground loosened by the wheel.

7. Channelling apparatus according to claim 6, in which the clearing member comprises a plough blade.

8. Channelling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, in which the clearing member is hollow to permit filling material to pass substantially through the clearing member into the channel.

9. Channelling apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the dispensing means comprises a chamber located in the apparatus to receive material fed from the supply means and further comprising an outlet through which the material is dispensed.

10. Channelling apparatus according to claim 9, in which the chamber is partitioned into two spaces, each space receiving material of a respective type from the supply means, and each section in the chamber having a respective outlet, whereby the different types of material can be independently dispensed into the channel.

11. Channelling apparatus according to claim 10, in which the respective outlets are in front and behind each other in relation to the direction of movement of the apparatus, in use, whereby one type of material is introduced into the channel from the rearmost outlet and on top of a layer of the other type of material introduced into the channel from the foremost outlet.

12. Channelling apparatus according to claim 11, in which a member is provided to move across and level the top of the layer of the said other type of material.

13. Channelling apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, in which a second member is provided to move across and level the top of the layer of the said one type of material.

14. Channelling apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which agitating means is provided with which material within the apparatus is agitated to help maintain flow of the material.

15. Channelling apparatus according to claim 14, in which the agitating means is a vibrator means operable on the chamber.

16. Channelling apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the apparatus comprises at least one ground wheel, and height setting means operable to change and set the height of the channel forming means in relation to the ground wheel or wheels, whereby the depth of the channel may be varied.

17. Channelling apparatus comprising channel forming means operable to cut a channel in the ground as the apparatus is driven across the ground, at least one ground wheel for supporting the apparatus on the ground, and height setting means operable to change and set the height of the channel forming means in relation to the ground wheel or wheels.

18. Channelling apparatus according to claim 17, and further comprising any of the features set out in claims 1 to 16.

19. Channelling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.