CA3017452A1 - Levelling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

, LEVELLING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present relates to an apparatus which can be towed behind a vehicle in order to grade the ground.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The process of levelling an area of ground is well known in the art and is frequently practiced. The process of levelling a terrain is often accomplished by using a vehicle known as a bulldozer. Bulldozers are generally equipped with a blade for scraping the ground or pushing material along the ground. The blade may be preferably connected to the chassis of the bulldozer such that it can pivot up and down. The operator of the vehicle can raise and lower the blade as desired.
Although the bulldozer functions to accomplish the job, problems arise when the terrain that the bulldozer is levelling is rough. Thus, when the terrain is uneven and rough, the bulldozer chassis often begins to pitch and with the same, the blade moves up and down.
As the blade pitches down, it digs into the earth deeper thereby duplicating the earth's fluctuations of the bulldozer chassis as it pitches over the rough terrain.
Thus, instead of evenly levelling the terrain, the bulldozer tends to reproduce very rough terrain over which it drives. Furthermore, the use of the bulldozer and its blade results in a very high energy consumption.
The desirability of levelling or otherwise contouring the ground is utilized in the construction field wherein houses, buildings, parking lots, roads and the like are built. A
further large use of levelling occurs in the agricultural field wherein it is desirable to provide levelled fields for the planting of crops.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an apparatus which is capable of levelling terrain and which apparatus can be towed behind a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a levelling apparatus which comprises a frame, a tow bar connected to the frame, a plurality of wheels mounted on the frame, a blade member connected to the frame for levelling ground, and a container pivotably connected to the frame, the container being capable of being pivoted to a position wherein contents within the container are moved to a position preceding the blade member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a levelling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the material holding container being in a normal storage position;
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the container being in a tilted position for discharging material therefrom;
Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the levelling apparatus illustrating movement of the material container;
Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines E-E of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is cross-sectional view of the levelling apparatus when the material container is in a discharge position.

- 2 -DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a levelling apparatus generally designated by reference numeral 10. Levelling apparatus 10 has a plurality of side frame members 12 and a front transversely extending frame member 14.
At the front of levelling apparatus 10 there is a tow bar 16 which is operatively connected to an upper hitch member 18 and a lower hitch member 20.
As may be seen in Figures 1 to 3, there is also provided a rear frame member 24 and a horizontal front frame member 26. It will be noted that side frame members 12 include a diagonally extending segment 22.
Horizontal front member 26 includes a plurality of tines 28 extending therefrom.
Tines 28 can be used for filling the ground. Horizontal front member 26 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by means of hydraulic cylinders 30.
Levelling apparatus 10 also includes a first set of wheels generally designated by reference numeral 32 and a second set of wheels generally designated by reference numeral 34. Wheels 32, 34 are shown mounted towards the rear of levelling apparatus 10 as is conventional.
Levelling apparatus 10 also includes a container 36 which is pivotably connected to the frame. Container 36 has a bottom wall 38 and a rear or back wall 40.
Container 36 could be used for containing a load of earth 48 which is used to fill in depressions in the terrain being levelled in order to achieve a levelled surface. Earth 48 can be utilized material scooped up from locations where the excess earth is not required.
Container 36 may be tilted as shown in Figure 6 to discharge earth 48 therefrom due to actions of

- 3 -, hydraulic cylinders 42.
Levelling apparatus 10 also includes a blade 44 having a cutting edge 46 formed thereon. Blade 44 is used for a levelling function.
Levelling apparatus 10 may be towed by a suitable vehicle, typically a tractor of one type or another.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

- 4 -