Pneumatic Trench Compaction Wheel Attachment for an Excavator
A pneumatic wheel attachment for an excavator boom that provides an efficient means for trench compaction. The pneumatic wheel attachment includes a pneumatic compaction wheel, a wheel yoke, and a boom mounting assembly. The pneumatic compaction wheel is a large tire with a large foot print. The wheel yoke holds and supports the pneumatic compaction wheel and includes a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting plate. The first leg and the second leg are positioned opposite to each other. The first leg is connected perpendicular to the connecting plate while the second leg is mounted perpendicular to the connecting plate. The pneumatic compaction wheel is rotatably mounted in between the first leg and the second leg with a rotation axis being oriented perpendicular to the first leg. The boom mounting assembly is adjacently connected to the connecting plate, opposite the first leg and the second leg.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/319,196 filed on Apr. 6, 2016.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a construction device. More specifically, the present invention is a pneumatic wheel attachment for an excavator which provides a more efficient level of trench compaction than conventional methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTrench compaction is required for areas in the ground where construction and other similar type of work has been implemented as the backfill is initially low in density and is susceptible to depression. Additionally, wet and sticky soils have commonly been a problem for trench compaction with traditional means. Pad-foot type steel compaction wheels clog with dirt and quickly become ineffective. Vibratory plate compactors, while effective, are very expensive and require additional hydraulic plumbing on an excavator to operate the vibratory plate compactor. The present invention is designed to operate in soft wet soils to achieve optimum compaction without clogging with dirt or requiring the extra hydraulic plumbing. Currently, field trials are being conducted with the present invention's prototype. Initial results show performance improvement over traditional pad-foot type steel compaction wheels of 300% in terms of daily productivity.
The present invention is a pneumatic compaction wheel attachment for the boom of a hydraulic excavator. The pneumatic compaction wheel provides a wide and flat surface to press against a significantly large surface area of backfill and compact said backfill. The rolling motion required for the present invention is smooth and yields a large foot print, thus increasing efficiency for trench compaction relative to traditional methods. The present invention is attached to the end of an excavator boom such that the boom may provide the down force required to compact the backfill. The present invention is then rolled back and forth in the trench to achieve the desired compaction. The present invention does not clog with dirt, get stuck, or have mechanical issues. The motion of the present invention is very smooth with very little stress being placed upon the excavator as can be experienced by impact type compaction. A minimum of two back and forth passes with the present invention achieves the standard desired compaction. The resultant speed is nearly three times faster than with other traditional means. Typical application involves backfilling a trench with one foot of material, then rolling with two passes. This is followed by a nuclear density test to verify that moisture and density requirements are met. Then, the process is repeated again with another backfill lift.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention generally relates to trench compaction mechanisms. More specifically, the present invention is a pneumatic wheel attachment for an excavator boom 16. The present invention provides a more efficient means for trench compaction when compared to traditional means such as vibratory plates and pad-foot steel compaction wheels.
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It is preferred that the pneumatic compaction wheel 6 is a pneumatic wheel and is composed of rubber. A pneumatic design provides uniform and lateral dispersion of compaction forces that cannot be achieved by a steel wheel. Additionally, the solid surface of the pneumatic compaction wheel 6 ensures that no clogging occurs when the pneumatic compaction wheel 6 rolls on the trench floor repeatedly, unlike metal pad foot wheel designs. The pneumatic design also conforms to the floor of the trench as the pneumatic compaction wheel 6 flexes. This achieves excellent ground penetration and the interlocking of particles in the soils. Compaction is about removing the voids. This is why asphalt pavers use pneumatic rollers to drive upon in conjunction with their steel wheel roller. The steel wheel gives a smooth surface, but the drive-on pneumatic creates the desired density quicker. Since, appearance doing trench backfill lifts is not a concern, only the pneumatic design needed to be introduced to the process. As a result, the present invention is much faster, simpler, and does not clog.
The critical point of the present invention is the large diameter, heavy, pneumatic-based pneumatic compaction wheel 6. Any other adaptations of this element which have the same characteristics should be viewed as similar in concept. These elements are the critical pieces that have not been previously employed, given the size and capability to quickly achieve compaction which is unique to pneumatic surfaces. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height to width ratio of the pneumatic compaction wheel 6 is 2.5 to 1, yielding a smooth application of pressure with minimal point loading.
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Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator comprises:
- a boom mounting assembly;
- a pneumatic compaction wheel;
- a wheel yoke;
- the wheel yoke comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting plate;
- the first leg and the second leg being positioned offset and opposite to each other, across the connecting plate;
- the first leg being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- the second leg being mounted perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- a rotation axis of the pneumatic compaction wheel being oriented perpendicular to the first leg and the second leg;
- the pneumatic compaction wheel being positioned in between the first leg and the second leg;
- the pneumatic compaction wheel being rotatably mounted to the first leg and the second leg; and
- the boom mounting assembly being adjacently connected to the connecting plate, opposite the first leg and the second leg.
2. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a mounting flange;
- a plurality of fastening mechanisms;
- the mounting flange being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate, opposite the first leg;
- the second leg being positioned parallel and adjacent to the mounting flange, opposite the first leg;
- the plurality of fastening mechanisms being distributed about the mounting flange; and
- each of the plurality of fastening mechanisms traversing through the mounting flange and the second leg.
3. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of fastening mechanisms is a nut-and-bolt fastener.
4. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- an axle;
- an at least one wheel hub bearing;
- the axle being positioned coincident with the rotation axis of the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the axle being positioned in between the first leg and the second leg;
- the axle being connected perpendicular to the first leg;
- the axle being attached perpendicular to the second leg;
- the axle traversing through the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the wheel hub bearing being positioned concentric with the axle; and
- the wheel hub bearing being connected in between the pneumatic compaction wheel and the axle.
5. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- an excavator boom;
- the boom mounting assembly comprises a pair of pin-lock mechanisms, a first ear, and a second ear;
- the first ear and the second ear being positioned adjacent to the connecting plate, opposite the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the first ear and the second ear being positioned offset and parallel to each other;
- the first ear and the second ear being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- a free end of the excavator boom being positioned in between the first ear and the second ear, opposite the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- each of the pair of pin-lock mechanisms being mechanically integrated in between the first ear, the second ear, and the excavator boom; and
- the pair of pin-lock mechanisms being positioned offset to each other.
6. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- each of the pair of pin-lock mechanisms comprises a first hole, a second hole, and a locking pin;
- the first hole laterally traversing through the first ear and the second ear;
- the second hole laterally traversing through the excavator boom, adjacent to the free end of the excavator boom; and
- the locking pin traversing through the first hole and the second hole.
7. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- a plurality of first support braces;
- the plurality of first support braces being distributed along the first ear; and
- each of the plurality of first support braces being adjacently connected to the first ear and the connecting plate.
8. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- a plurality of second support braces;
- the plurality of second support braces being distributed along the second ear; and
- each of the plurality of second support braces being adjacently connected to the second ear and the connecting plate.
9. A pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator comprises:
- a boom mounting assembly;
- a pneumatic compaction wheel;
- a wheel yoke;
- an excavator boom;
- the wheel yoke comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting plate;
- the first leg and the second leg being positioned offset and opposite to each other, across the connecting plate;
- the first leg being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- the second leg being mounted perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- a rotation axis of the pneumatic compaction wheel being oriented perpendicular to the first leg and the second leg;
- the pneumatic compaction wheel being positioned in between the first leg and the second leg;
- the pneumatic compaction wheel being rotatably mounted to the first leg and the second leg;
- the boom mounting assembly being adjacently connected to the connecting plate, opposite the first leg and the second leg;
- the boom mounting assembly comprises a pair of pin-lock mechanisms, a first ear, and a second ear;
- the first ear and the second ear being positioned adjacent to the connecting plate, opposite the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the first ear and the second ear being positioned offset and parallel to each other;
- the first ear and the second ear being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate;
- a free end of the excavator boom being positioned in between the first ear and the second ear, opposite the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- each of the pair of pin-lock mechanisms being mechanically integrated in between the first ear, the second ear, and the excavator boom; and
- the pair of pin-lock mechanisms being positioned offset to each other.
10. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- a mounting flange;
- a plurality of fastening mechanisms;
- the mounting flange being connected perpendicular to the connecting plate, opposite the first leg;
- the second leg being positioned parallel and adjacent to the mounting flange, opposite the first leg;
- the plurality of fastening mechanisms being distributed about the mounting flange; and
- each of the plurality of fastening mechanisms traversing through the mounting flange and the second leg.
11. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fastening mechanisms is a nut-and-bolt fastener.
12. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- an axle;
- an at least one wheel hub bearing;
- the axle being positioned coincident with the rotation axis of the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the axle being positioned in between the first leg and the second leg;
- the axle being connected perpendicular to the first leg;
- the axle being attached perpendicular to the second leg;
- the axle traversing through the pneumatic compaction wheel;
- the wheel hub bearing being positioned concentric with the axle; and
- the wheel hub bearing being connected in between the pneumatic compaction wheel and the axle.
13. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- each of the pair of pin-lock mechanisms comprises a first hole, a second hole, and a locking pin;
- the first hole laterally traversing through the first ear and the second ear;
- the second hole laterally traversing through the excavator boom, adjacent to the free end of the excavator boom; and
- the locking pin traversing through the first hole and the second hole.
14. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- a plurality of first support braces;
- the plurality of first support braces being distributed along the first ear; and
- each of the plurality of first support braces being adjacently connected to the first ear and the connecting plate.
15. The pneumatic trench compaction wheel attachment for an excavator as claimed in claim 9 comprises:
- a plurality of second support braces;
- the plurality of second support braces being distributed along the second ear; and
- each of the plurality of second support braces being adjacently connected to the second ear and the connecting plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2017
Inventors: Richard Thomas Pierce, JR. (San Antonio, TX), Russell Dean Segner (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 15/469,145