Road Grader-type Patents (Class 37/381)
  • Patent number: 10384438
    Abstract: A construction system is provided. The construction system includes at least one machine. The construction system also includes a gantry system having a beam member. The construction system further includes a reference member provided proximal to a predetermined path of the at least one machine. The construction system includes a sensing unit associated with the at least one machine. The sensing unit is configured to determine distance of a portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The construction system also includes a control unit in communication with the at least one machine and the sensing unit. The control unit is configured to receive inputs indicative of distance of the portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The control unit is also configured to move the at least one machine to move the gantry system along the reference member for a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tazio S. Grivetti, Kevin A. O'Neil, Joseph M. Spanier, Christopher M. Sketch, John Sherman, James Babin
  • Patent number: 10246834
    Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine, the screed assembly includes a screed frame, a screed plate attached to the screed frame, a wear plate attached to the screed frame, a tamper bar mounted to the screed frame and configured for up and down reciprocating motion relative to the screed frame, and an eccentric drive mechanism mounted on the screed frame and configured for driving the tamper bar up and down in a reciprocating manner relative to the screed frame. A bottom portion of the tamper bar is configured to slide along the wear plate, which is attached to the screed frame in between the screed frame and the reciprocating tamper bar. The tamper bar includes at least two intersecting chamfered surfaces with different angles from each other and relative to the screed plate at a leading edge of the tamper bar facing in a direction of travel of the paving machine as the paving machine is applying paving material to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Ryan Ellwein, John Eron Jorgensen, Mauro Dal Cero
  • Patent number: 8955631
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8764342
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a wear bar to a screed frame in a screed assembly may include providing a first set of frame alignment holes on the screed frame, the first set of frame alignment holes having a substantially horizontal orientation. The system and method may also include providing a first set of wear bar alignment holes on the wear bar, the first set of wear bar alignment holes having a substantially sloping orientation and aligning at least one of the first set of frame alignment holes with at least one of the first set of wear bar alignment holes to achieve a desired height tolerance of the wear bar relative to a screed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason William Kopacz, Tobin Dale Rasmusson
  • Patent number: 7900382
    Abstract: A system and method to cut a path in the ground with a path cutter. The path cutter includes a cutting edge to cut a path and loosen earth and a moldboard angled such that any earth loosed by the moldboard and the cutting edge is pushed towards the center of the moldboard. The width of the cut path is adjusted by an adjustment member attached to the cutting edge and the moldboard. A first auger moves the earth, weeds, rocks and other material loosed by the cutting edge and the moldboard to a front conveyor belt. The material on the first conveyor belt is transferred to a second conveyor belt by a second auger. The material on the second conveyor belt is discharged from the path cutter away from the cut path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: David Wood
  • Patent number: 7640996
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraping device has a bowl-shaped frame with walls and a frame floor that define an interior for transporting material and a walking beam system for the rear wheels thereof that includes a suspension arm pivotally connected between the back end of the frame and a beam, the beam having first and second axles on separate sides of the beam. Connected to the axles is a tire system that includes a cylindrical metal rim with an outer surface and a plurality of solid tire segments, each of the tire segments having at least one track that is connected to a mounting plate, the mounting plates being circumferentially positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Publication number: 20090224898
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a relocatable monitor. Methods of installing the monitor are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua Dean Graeve, Brent Allen Smith, Darrel Jeffrey Rowan
  • Publication number: 20090223092
    Abstract: A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Deere and Company
    Inventors: Neil Vincent Harber, Nathan Joseph Horstman, Charles Jon Paul Asp, James Michael Frett, Martin Lavern Ruhter, Michael Eugene Kennedy, Darrel Jeffrey Rowan, Richard John Gotto, Richard Arnold Valenzuela, Josh Dean Graeve, Maurice Thomas Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20090223215
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a work machine includes determining a base engine operating limit; determining a hydraulic system load on the engine; calculating a modification value for the base engine operating limit; generating a modified engine operating limit based on the modification value and the base engine operating limit; generating an engine control signal based on the modified engine operating limit; and transmitting the engine control signal to operate the engine at the modified engine operating limit to thereby supply additional power from the engine to the drive train to at least partially compensate for the hydraulic system load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew W. Kelly, Andrew J. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20090172977
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed to cut a path in the ground with a path cutter. The path cutter includes a cutting edge to cut a path and loosen earth and a mull board angled such that any earth loosed by the mull board and the cutting edge is pushed towards the center of mull board. The width of the cut path is adjusted by an adjustment member attached to the cutting edge and the mull board. A first auger moves the earth, weeds, rocks and other material loosed by the cutting edge and the mull board to a front conveyor belt powered by a first orbit motor. The material on the first conveyor belt is transferred to a second conveyor belt by a second auger. The second conveyor belt is powered by a second orbit motor. The material on the second conveyor belt is discharged from the path cutter away from the cut path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: David Wood
  • Patent number: 7356949
    Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Moyna, David K Kobliska, James P. Junk
  • Patent number: 7199723
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for installing a utility conveyance. A tractor which includes sensors, a plow locator and a monitor system is presented. The sensors are used to locate markers, which identify the boundaries of a right of way or a preexisting utility conveyance. The plow locator is used to determine the location of a plow relative to a preexisting utility conveyance. Sensing information produced by the sensors and plow location information produced by the plow locator are communicated to the monitor system. A visual representation of the markers and the position of the plow relative to the markers, is displayed on a screen associated with the monitor system. As such, a tractor operator may navigate an engineered path and install a utility conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Hossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman
  • Patent number: 7117953
    Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 6962012
    Abstract: A grooming implement is used for athletic fields, particularly the infield of a ball field. A frame has a tongue on a forward end for attaching to a towing vehicle. The frame has a longitudinal beam and a transverse beam on a rearward end that is supported by a pair of wheels. A rake bar for raking the ground is mounted to the frame by a pair of arms. The arms are pivotally secured to opposite sides of the longitudinal beam forward of the wheels, so that rotating the brake bar arms about the pivot point swings the rake bar upward from a ground engaging position to a storage position beneath the frame. A broom bar for sweeping the ground is pivotally mounted to the transverse beam about a pivot point for dragging the broom bar behind the wheels while the broom bar is in a ground engaging position. Rotating the broom bar arm about the pivot point on the transverse beam places the broom bar in a storage position above the longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Diamond Drag, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie D. Grimmett, George E. Page
  • Patent number: 6957505
    Abstract: A blade attachment for an off-road vehicle such as an ATV is provided. A mounting frame is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the ATV rearwardly of the forward end thereof. A hinge plate is pivotally mounted, about a vertical axis, to the forward end of the mounting frame and has the blade of this invention mounted thereon to enable the blade to be pivoted left, right, or positioned in a straight position. The blade is locked in its various positions by a blade position lever. The blade position lever is automatically moved to its unlocked position when the blade is moved upwardly to a predetermined position and is automatically moved towards its locked position when the blade is moved downwardly to a predetermined height. A winch is operatively connected, in a slip clutch fashion, to the hinge plate to enable the blade to be pivotally moved, about a vertical axis, between its various angular positions, when the blade position lever is in its unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cycle Country Accessories Corporation
    Inventor: Chadron D. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 6910289
    Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: CJ Moyna + Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Moyna, David K. Kobliska, James P. Junk
  • Patent number: 6882283
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for installing a utility conveyance. A tractor which includes sensors, a plow locator and a monitor system is presented. The sensors are used to locate demarcation points, which identify the boundaries of a right way or a preexisting utility conveyance. The plow locator is used to determine the location of a plow relative to a preexisting utility conveyance. Sensing information produced by the sensors and plow location information produced by the plow locator are communicated to the monitor system. A visual representation of the demarcation points and the position of the plow relative to the demarcation points is displayed on a screen associated with the monitor system. As such, a tractor operator may navigate an engineered path and install a utility conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Hossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman
  • Patent number: 6843002
    Abstract: A blade attachment for an off-road vehicle such as an ATV is provided. A mounting frame is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the ATV rearwardly of the forward end thereof. A hinge plate is pivotally mounted, about a vertical axis, to the forward end of the mounting frame and has the blade of this invention mounted thereon to enable the blade to be pivoted left, right, or positioned in a straight position. The blade is locked in its various positions by a blade position lever. A linkage is mounted on the forward end of the push tube assembly which is operatively connected to the blade position lever for moving the blade position lever between its locked and unlocked positions. The blade position lever is automatically moved to its unlocked position upon the linkage engaging the underside of the ATV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Cycle Country Accessories Corporation
    Inventor: Chadron D. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20040244233
    Abstract: A grading implement including main body having a left end, a right end and a length that extends between the left and right ends. The main body also includes a front side and a back side. A claw-blade is positioned at the front side of the main body. Side blades are positioned at the left and right ends of the main body. The side blades include portions that extend rearwardly from the main body so as to define a volume located behind the back side of the main body between the side blades. The volume receives grading material when the implement is moved rearwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Glen Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040068895
    Abstract: A cultivating tool for breaking up and spreading plant material over and into the ground has opposed ends and upper, lower and intermediate portions extending longitudinally between said ends. The lower portion includes a cutting edge. The intermediate portion includes a forward outer surface extending concavely upwardly and forwardly from the lower portion to the upper portion and a rearward outer surface extending concavely upwardly and rearwardly from the lower portion to the upper portion. Cultivating apparatus includes the tool coupled to the end of a support arm. The arm may be an articulated arm and the coupling may be a pivotal coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Donald A. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 6347670
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the earth's surface by removing soil from the surface, moving the soil to a new location and filling low areas. It comprises a frame carried by at least two wheels, a tongue mounted to the frame for attachment to a tractor, a cutting blade mounted on the frame, and a bucket pivotally mounted to the frame adjacent the blade to receive the soil cut by the blade. The wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame for movement of the wheels about the back wall and floor of the bucket between a first position and a second position. When the wheels are in the second position, a portion of each of the wheels underlies a portion of the floor of the bucket bringing the wheels closer to the center of gravity of the apparatus and its load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Richard B. Miskin
  • Publication number: 20010009077
    Abstract: A right of way grader that is attached to a Kershaw ballast regulator wing. The grader will be attached to the wing so that it can be moved toward and away from the wing, and in addition, it can be moved up and down and can be rotated from side to side. The grader will allow the device to extend its reach to an area outside the normal ballast area of a railroad track and to clear away brush and small trees which might impinge upon the ballast area. The grader reclaims ballast, drainage, and creates an improved walkway, thus providing a safe working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: John G. Pitts
  • Publication number: 20010005949
    Abstract: A cutting edge which has improved resistance to scratching wear, such resistance being required for cutting edges for snow removal, which has good performance to increase e.g., compressed snow rate, and which can be manufactured at comparatively low cost. The cutting edge comprises a hard member provided at the leading edge of an edge body, the hard member comprising (i) a hard material containing hard grains which are dispersed with high filling density and integrally combined by a metal having a lower melting point than the hard grains and (ii) a protective member which covers at least the front face of the hard material as viewed in the travel direction of the blade and which has impact resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.,
    Inventors: Masaharu Amano, Takanori Nagata, Kazuhide Okawa
  • Patent number: 6173512
    Abstract: A scarifying machine for soil removal having a frame supported by a couple of front wheels and a couple of back wheels, a milling drum is in contact with the soil to be removed and supported by a rotating shaft connected to the frame. A motor is supported by the frame and causes the milling drum and at least one of the wheels to rotate. Each back wheel is supported by an articulation unit that is mechanically connected to the frame and cooperates with a first hydraulic cylinder that is capable of shifting the articulation unit in order to arrange the wheel from a position projecting laterally from the frame to a position re-entering with respect to the frame and vise-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Bitelli SPA
    Inventor: Romolo Bitelli
  • Patent number: 5701693
    Abstract: A berm clearing attachment for removable securement to a road clearing vehicle, such as a bulldozer, road grader, hi-lift, dump truck, tractor, or skid-steer loader, for side or lateral dozing accumulated dirt and debris off of roads and road berms and away from guiderails by reciprocating laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the road clearing vehicle as the vehicle travels on the road and road berm. The berm clearing attachment includes a support framework removably securable to the front of the road clearing vehicle, and when used with the skid loader, the support framework would be removably securable to the front mounting plate of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Edge Development, Inc.
    Inventors: George Dale Brocious, Clifford Wayne Smith, Wayne Carl Snyder