Multi-Purpose Working Device

Abstract

A multi-purpose working device comprises a rear frame, a front frame, a central part connecting the rear frame to the front frame, and a tool-maintaining device connected to the central part by an adjusting system, such that said tool-maintaining device can pivot in an essentially perpendicular manner in relation to the longitudinal axis and essentially parallel to the base counter to the central part. The central part comprises at least one stationary part and another part which can be displaced counter thereto, such that the displaceable part can be displaced, essentially, in the longitudinal direction in relation to the stationary part. The front frame comprises a front wheel which can rotate about an angle range of at least 120 degrees, preferably at least 180 degrees, a hydraulic control which acts upon the front wheel for directional control, and a hydraulic drive which is used to drive the front wheel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of PCT/EP2006/065164 filed Aug. 8, 2006, which claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2005 037 389.5 filed Aug. 8, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multi-purpose working device, in particular, for the production of flat surfaces with a rear frame, a front frame, a central part connecting the rear to the front frame, wherein movement means, preferably wheels, are fixed to the front and rear frames.

BACKGROUND

Such multi-purpose working devices are known in prior art. For example, from DD 237 860 A1 a leveling machine having these features is known. The rear frame and the tool holder of this leveling machine are connected via two telescopic connections of the central part to the front axle. This leveling machine has a substantial drawback in that drawing in and out of the two telescopic connections has to correspond with respect to each other and therefore is technically very complex. Due to the various movable parts this leveling machine moreover is very accident-sensitive. The complicated mechanics, moreover, requires a very large and heavy overall construction, which has a high weight and therefore represents a high surface load of the ground and is only very poorly maneuverable. Therefore, such a multi-purpose working device cannot be employed on sensitive ground or in narrow areas.

DE 2 155 193 B1 shows a leveling machine according to which the fixed front axle which is equipped with two wheels is connected by means of a fixed central frame to the two-axle rear frame. A leveling tool is fixed to the central frame, the distance of which to the surface to be worked, lying there under can be kept constant by means of a spacer device. Due to its construction, also this leveling machine is very hard and poorly maneuverable.

DE 1931015 B shows an earth moving vehicle with a two-axle rear part and a two-axle front part. By means of a very complex hydraulic system an attempt is made to guarantee that both the two-axle rear part and the two-axle front part have a uniform pressure on the ground to be worked during maneuvering, to thereby keep the surface load acceptable in spite of the high weight. The size which is caused by the construction, however, leads to a bad maneuverability of the vehicle.

DE 3418975 A1 describes a traction machine on the rear side of which a leveling or earth moving means, respectively, is arranged. Due to the thereby caused size of the means, the latter also is poorly maneuverable.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to avoid the drawbacks described above and to provide a multi-purpose working device, which specifically has a low surface load with high maneuverability at the same time.

This object is solved according to the invention by the multi-purpose working device mentioned above, which has a tool holder connected via an adjustment means to the central part such that the tool holder is pivoting substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the ground against the central part, whereby the rear and front frames have movement means, in particular wheels, and whereby the central part has at least one fixed part and one part movable thereto, such that the movable part is substantially moveable longitudinally against the fixed part.

The front frame has a front wheel and means for direction control, preferably a hydraulic control. By means of using a front wheel which is rotatable about at least a total of 120 degrees, preferably about at least 160 degrees, very preferable at least 180 degrees, the turn radius of the multi-purpose working device can be minimized together with the moveable central part.

The front frame can have a preferably hydraulic drive for driving the front wheel fixed to the frame. Thereby, it is possible to rotate the front rear by 90 degrees out of the longitudinal axis and to thereby move the multi-purpose working device in a circle. Thereby, also smaller areas and narrow paths, for example walking trails, ca be worked with the multi-purpose working device according to the invention.

The attachment of the tool holder at the central part of the multi-purpose working device has the additional advantage that the tool holder describes the same path as the central part, and thereby reduces the space required for, for example, cornering, thereby increasing mobility. This mobility is further increased, if the multi-purpose working device has a pivot between the rear frame and the central part by means of which the central part, preferably by means of hydraulic, is pivotable substantially parallel to the ground against the rear frame. Thereby, the radius additionally can be reduced during cornering.

The combination of driven front wheel, a central part adjustable in its length, and a pivot between the central part and the rear frame also enables to work places which are difficult to access, for example the corners of a soccer ground.

The compact construction with the drive of all wheels enabled by the multi-purpose working device according to the invention also allows a very light weight construction. Because the weight of the tools can be distributed according to this construction on the front and rear frames of the multi-purpose working device very well, the surface pressure on the ground to be worked is reduced. This is particularly advantageous, if the ground to be worked has a low loading capacity due to its structure, for example, when a lawn heating is existing or drainages which are embedded in the ground.

The tool holder preferably has an additional adjustment means. This adjustment means substantially serve for adjusting the horizontal and vertical angle of the tool holder relative to the surface. Preferably, the adjustment means have hydraulic components; very preferably they are decoupled from each other such that the horizontal and vertical angles of the tool holder are adjustable independently of each other.

Moreover, it has been found to be advantageous, if the tool holder has a displacement device, which substantially serves for the lateral extension of the tool.

Preferably, the multi-purpose working device has one or several distance measurement devices, by means of which substantially the vertical distance of the tool connected to the tool holder can be determined relative to the surface. Especially preferably the multi-purpose working device has a control means, which controls the distance between the tool and the ground, whereby the control means moves the tool connected to the tool holder by adjustment of the vertical distance of at least one side relative to the surface. A distance, which has been previously set between the tool and the surface, is reestablished with respect to the changing ground by the control means.

Moreover, it has been found to be advantageous, if the central part of the multi-purpose working device has at least one fixed part, which is not moveable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rear part, and a movable part, whereby the movable part substantially moves in longitudinal direction against the fixed part. By moving the movable part, the modification of the wheel base is achieved.

It is advantageous to construct the central part telescopically and to move the movable part preferably by means of hydraulics against the fixed part.

In a preferred embodiment, the front frame has means for receiving further members, preferably for additional weights, very preferred for additional soil working devices.

It has been found to be advantageous to provide three point hydraulics on the rear frame, preferably for receiving additional or other devices or tools, very preferred further soil working devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For further explanation of the invention, in the following a specific embodiment is illustrated. It is shown:

FIG. 1 is a multi-purpose working device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a tool holder with attached tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the multi-purpose working device 1 according to the invention, having a front frame 10, a rear frame 11 and a central part 20 connecting the rear to the front frame, comprising a movable part 21 and a fixed part 22. The front and rear frames have movement means 40 and 41, respectively, which here are wheels. Also, other movement means, for example, caterpillars can be employed. This eventually depends on the concrete area of application. The tool holder 90 is connected to the fixed central part 22 via an adjustment device, here an axis 70. A tool 30, here a leveling sign, is attached to the tool holder 90.

Because the tool holder 90 is connected to the central part 20 via an axle 70, it describes substantially the same path as the central part 20. The axle 70 serves for the purpose of modifying the horizontal angle, also the angle between tool holder 90 and the longitudinal axis of the central part 20. Thereby, the tool 30 can be aligned angularly to the driving direction of the multi-purpose working device. Preferably, the tool holder 90 is rotated substantially by means of a hydraulic system or by means of another device suitable for rotating the adjustment device 70.

The central part 20 has a fixed part 22 and a part 21, which is movable relative thereto. It has been found to be advantageous to construct the central part 20 in a telescopic manner. The movable part 21, thereby, runs within the fixed central part 22. The moveable central part 21 is drawn in and out preferably by means of a hydraulic system. It is also conceivable that the movable part 21 runs above or below the fixed part 22, and is moved for example via a crank or a chain against the fixed part. The drawing in and out of the movable part 21 causes an enlargement or a reduction of the wheelbase. A reduced wheelbase increases the maneuverability of the multi-purpose working device whereas an increased wheelbase substantially provides higher stability and additional higher pressure of the tool 30 on the ground. A substantial advantage of an increased wheelbase is the fact that thereby unevenness of the ground to be worked can be leveled in a better manner.

The movement means 40 and 41, here, are wheels. Also, caterpillars can be employed, which depends on the application area. The front frame 10 has exactly one front wheel, which can also be formed as a double wheel, and a device for direction control of the front wheel. As device for direction control, a not illustrated hydraulic system is employed. Additionally, a drive is provided at the front frame 10, to drive the front wheel. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a not illustrated oil hydraulic drive is concerned, which is operated by flexible oil pressure lines 15.

The use of only one front wheel has two substantial advantages: on the one hand, the front wheel can be set in an angle of 90° transversally with respect to the axis, whereby the rotation of the multi-purpose working device around its own axis is possible, on the other hand, the mobility of multi-purpose working device is particularly highly increased by a short central part, because the required space of the front wheel maximally corresponds to the radius of the front wheel also during cornering, in contrast to the large and heavy-duty axis known from prior art.

A device 50 for receiving further members, preferably additional weight or tools, is provided on the front frame 10. By receiving additional weights, the pressure of the tool 30 on the ground is increased and the stability is increased. Additionally, the anti skid capability of the driven front wheel is increased.

A three points hydraulic 60 for receiving further apparatuses, for example of a rear stacker, a rotary harrow, a molding cutter or further tools is attached on the rear frame 11. Thereby, the number of its application possibilities of the multi-purpose working device is substantially increased. Also, a power-take-off shaft for driving the soil working devices received by the three points hydraulic is provided.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of the tool holder 90 with attached leveling sign 30 as tool, shown in FIG. 1. The tool holder 90 has adjustment devices 100, here, and two hydraulic arms. On the tool holder 90, additionally one displacement device, not shown here, and two distance measurement devices 120 can be attached. The distance measurement devices 120, here, can be both used for measuring the distance to the ground as well as for measuring the lateral distance. As distance measurement device 120, ultra sonic means, laser means or further means suitable for measuring a distance are employed.

To modify the vertical angle of the tool 30 to the ground, also adjustment devices 100 are employed. By means of these adjustment devices 100 the tool 30 is tilted on one side downwards or upwards, whereby the vertical angle of the tool 90 to the ground is modified.

There are shown two adjustment devices 100, whereby one adjustment device is fixed on the left hand side and the other adjustment device is fixed on the right hand side to the tool 30. As adjustment devices 100, appropriately hydraulic arms are used. For tilting the tool 30, these then have to correspond to each other independently. The adjustment devices 100 also serve for adjusting the height of the tool 30. By simultaneous driving in and out of the adjustment devices 100, the tool 30 moves upwards or downwards, respectively. The tool 30 itself moves thereby along a guiding rail along a fixture 115, not illustrated here.

The tool holder 90 further comprises a not shown displacement device, by means of which the tool 30 substantially can be drawn out both leftwards and rightwards substantially laterally. Thereby, the application area of the multi-purpose working device is substantially increased, because specifically together with the adjustment of the vertical angle to the ground also the ground laterally of the multi-purpose working device, for example, an embankment or a sidewalk, can be worked. Preferably, the displacement device is also realized as a hydraulic system. However, the use of, for example, gear wheels is also possible. The displacement device preferably is operated independently of the adjustment devices 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the two distance measurement devices 120 are connected to a control means. Thus, a fixed preset distance can be kept constant also during changing ground relative to the ground with changing distance of the tool holder 90 to the ground, for example, at sloping surfaces, embankments or unevenness of the ground, with the aid of the control means. The distance measurement device 120 also can be formed such that it can measure the horizontal distance of the tool holder 90 to a reference object, for example, a wall, and can keep it constant by means of the control means.

In a not illustrated embodiment, the multi-purpose working device has a pivot between the rear frame 11 and the fixed part 22. The fixed part 22 is connected to the rear frame 11 by means of the pivot such that the central part 20 is pivotable substantially parallel to the ground. By employing such a pivot, the middle part 20 is not connected to the rear part 11 rigidly, which even further increases the maneuverability of the multi-purpose working device. Preferably, the central part is pivoted for supporting the cornering by means of the hydraulic system to the right or to the left, whereby the pivot angle can have a fixed relation to the lock angle of the front wheel.

While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. Multi-purpose working device (1), in particular, for producing flat surfaces, having a rear frame (11), a front frame (10), a central part (20) connecting the rear to the front frame, and a tool holder (90) connected to the central part (20) via adjustment means (70), such that the tool holder (90) substantially is pivotable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the ground against the central part (20), whereby the rear (11) and the front frame (10) have movement means (40, 41), preferably wheels, and whereby the central part (20) has at least a fixed (22) and a part (21) movable thereto, such that the movable part (21) is moveable substantially longitudinally against the fixed part (22), characterized in that the front frame (10) has

a) a front wheel (40),

b) means for direction control, preferably a hydraulic control acting on the front wheel, whereby the means for the direction control preferably are provided such that they can rotate the front wheel (40) over an angle range of at least 120 degrees in total, preferably at least 160 degrees, especially preferred of at least 180 degrees, and

c) a drive, preferably a hydraulic drive, for driving the front wheel (40).

2. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a pivot between the rear frame (11) and the central part (20) by means of which the central part (20) is pivotable, preferably by means of a hydraulic system, substantially parallel to the ground against the rear frame (11).

3. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has adjustment means (70) for adjusting the horizontal and the vertical angles of the tool (30) connected to the tool holder (90) relative to the ground.

4. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjustment means (70) are adjustable decoupled with respect to each other and separate from each other.

5. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjustment means (70) have hydraulic components.

6. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool holder (90) has a displacement device substantially for lateral extension of the tool (30).

7. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable (21) and the fixed part (22) of the central part (20) are substantially movable against each other telescopically, preferably by means of a hydraulic system.

8. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 1, characterized in that the front frame (10) has means for receiving further members, preferably of additional weights or further apparatuses, especially preferred of further soil working apparatuses.

9. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 1, characterized in that a three points hydraulic system is attached at the rear frame (11), which is intended for receiving further and other tools, preferably of soil working devices.

10. Multi-purpose working device according to claim 3, characterized in that it has at least one distance measurement device by means of which substantially the vertical distance of the tool (30) connected to the tool holder (90) can be determined relative to the ground, as well as that it has a control means, which is intended for the control of the distance between the tool (30) and the ground, whereby the control means moves the tool (30) connected to the tool holder (90) by adjusting the vertical distance of at least one side of the tool (30) relative to the ground such that a previously set vertical distance between the tool (30) and the ground is kept substantially constant during changing ground by means of the control means.