Suspension and leveling mechanism

Claim 2

A suspension and leveling mechanism for a spreading and/or grading apparatus having a generally rectangular frame with a working member extending from side to side of said frame, comprising first transport suspension means connected to one side of said frame and including pivot means mounted on said frame substantially midway on said one side and vertically adjustable relative to said frame, a longitudinally extending beam connected intermediate its ends to said pivot means, and rotatable support means mounted on each end of said beam at positions tranversely spaced and opposite vertically adjustable additional transport suspension means on the other side, said rotatable support means comprising a yoke pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a bracket depending from said beam, said yoke carrying a spindle at each end of said yoke, and wheels mounted on each spindle to travel along the surface to be worked, said additional transport suspension means connected to said frame near each corner of said frame on the side opposite said one side, and control means affording adjustment of said frame relative to said pivot means and said additional suspension means independently of each other and simultaneously to permit rapid transverse and/or longitudinal position adjustment of said frame relative to a grade.

Claim 3

A control system for spreading a material to a predetermined grade comprising a spreading mechanism for receiving, dispensing, and grading, said mechanism comprising rectangular frame means having opposed sides and ends for supporting grading means, load-sUpporting and transport means adjacent each corner of said frame means, vertically adjustable pivot means disposed on one side of said frame means intermediate the ends thereof, a beam mounted on said pivot means and supported at each end by said transport means adjacent two corners, independently adjustable suspension means for connecting said transport means at the other two corners of said frame means, parallel elongate grade marking members positioned along two sides of said frame means and generally parallel to said beam, indicator means supported from said frame means adjacent each of said independent adjustable suspension means and supported adjacent said pivot means, said indicator means including feeler means adapted to ride on said marking members and movable relative to said frame means to indicate vertical movement of said frame means relative to said marking members, and control means for adjusting the position of said pivot means and said independently adjustable suspension means to move said frame means back to the desired relationship between said frame means and said marking members.

Claim 4

A control system for spreading a material to a predetermined grade comprising a spreading mechanism for receiving, dispensing, and grading, said mechanism comprising rectangular frame means having opposed sides and ends for supporting grading means, load-sUpporting and transport means adjacent each corner of said frame means, vertically adjustable pivot means disposed on one side of said frame means intermediate the ends thereof, a beam mounted on said pivot means and supported at each end by said transport means adjacent two corners, independently adjustable suspension means for connecting said transport means at the other two corners of said frame means, parallel elongate grade marking members positioned along two sides of said frame means and generally parallel to said beam, indicator means supported from said frame means adjacent each of said independent adjustable suspension means and supported adjacent said pivot means, said indicator means including feeler means adapted to ride on said marking members and movable relative to said frame means to indicate vertical movement of said frame means relative to said marking members, and control means for adjusting the position of said pivot means and said independently adjustable suspension means to move said frame means back to the desired relationship between said frame means and said marking members.