US4063374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grave opening and closing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-12-03
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1996-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A wheeled vehicle is provided including a plurality of plan area peripheral portions. A generally horizontal support beam is pivotally supported from the vehicle with one end of the beam projecting outwardly of one peripheral portion of the vehicle and vertical oscillation of the one end of the beam relative to the vehicle. A first motor is connected between the beam and the vehicle for effecting selected angular displacement of the beam relative to the vehicle and an upstanding support structure is pivotally supported at its upper end from the one end of the beam for angular displacement relative to the beam about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the beam. A downwardly opening clam-type digging head is carried by the lower end of the support structure and a second motor is connected between the beam and the support structure for angularly displacing the support structure relative to the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Corinthian Washington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:11
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/16; E02F5/20; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/28; E02F3/36; E02F3/40; E02F3/413; E02F3/4135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
326 words
In combination, a wheeled vehicle including a plurality of peripheral portions, a generally horizontal support beam pivotally supported from said vehicle with one end thereof projecting outwardly of one peripheral portion of said vehicle and vertical oscillation of said one end of said beam relative to said vehicle, first motor means connected between said beam and said vehicle for effecting selected angular displacement of said beam relative to said vehicle, an upstanding support structure pivotally supported at its upper end from said one end of said beam for angular displacement relative thereto about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said beam, a downwardly opening clam-type digging head carried by the lower end of said support structure, second motor means connected between said beam and said support structure for angularly displacing the latter relative to the former, said support structure including a pair of parallel elongated and independently longitudinally extendible upstanding support members suitably rigidly interconnected at their upper end portions for swinging in unison about said horizontal transverse axis and with said support members spaced apart in a direction paralleling said axis, said head including an elongated mounting portion paralleling the axis of oscillation of said support structure relative to said one end of said beam, said mounting portion including opposite side longitudinal marginal portions having depending digging blades supported therefrom for angular displacement about axes extending longitudinally of said longitudinal marginal portions, motor means operatively connected between said depending blades for pivoting the latter toward downwardly convergent positions, the lower end portions of said support members being pivotally anchored to longitudinally spaced midportions of said mounting portion of said head for oscillation relative thereto by pivot connections defining axes of oscillation extending transversely of said mounting portion and disposed at generally right angles relative to said support members and said horizontal transverse axis, one of said pivot connections including means operative to allow shifting of the corresponding axis relative to and longitudinally of said head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
326 words
In combination, a wheeled vehicle including a plurality of peripheral portions, a generally horizontal support beam pivotally supported from said vehicle with one end thereof projecting outwardly of one peripheral portion of said vehicle and vertical oscillation of said one end of said beam relative to said vehicle, first motor means connected between said beam and said vehicle for effecting selected angular displacement of said beam relative to said vehicle, an upstanding support structure pivotally supported at its upper end from said one end of said beam for angular displacement relative thereto about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said beam, a downwardly opening clam-type digging head carried by the lower end of said support structure, second motor means connected between said beam and said support structure for angularly displacing the latter relative to the former, said support structure including a pair of parallel elongated and independently longitudinally extendible upstanding support members suitably rigidly interconnected at their upper end portions for swinging in unison about said horizontal transverse axis and with said support members spaced apart in a direction paralleling said axis, said head including an elongated mounting portion paralleling the axis of oscillation of said support structure relative to said one end of said beam, said mounting portion including opposite side longitudinal marginal portions having depending digging blades supported therefrom for angular displacement about axes extending longitudinally of said longitudinal marginal portions, motor means operatively connected between said depending blades for pivoting the latter toward downwardly convergent positions, the lower end portions of said support members being pivotally anchored to longitudinally spaced midportions of said mounting portion of said head for oscillation relative thereto by pivot connections defining axes of oscillation extending transversely of said mounting portion and disposed at generally right angles relative to said support members and said horizontal transverse axis, one of said pivot connections including means operative to allow shifting of the corresponding axis relative to and longitudinally of said head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the other end of said beam projects outwardly of the side of the horizontal axis of oscillation of the beam relative to the vehicle remote from said one end of said beam, said first motor means comprising an upstanding hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected between said other end of said beam and said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said support members include upper and lower relatively extendable and retractable end portions and motor means operatively connected between said upper and lower end portions for effecting relative extension and retraction thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said elongated mounting portion includes opposite end depending transverse blades.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said transverse blades include downwardly convergent cutting edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a pair of opposite end portions and a pair of opposite side steerable and drive wheels disposed at one end of the portion of said vehicle, said one end of said beam projecting endwise outwardly of the other end of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said other end of said vehicle includes a single centrally located support wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said other end of said vehicle includes a horizontal arm having one end portion thereof supported from said vehicle for angular displacement about an upstanding axis, the other end of said arm having a depending and downwardly extendable landing leg assembly supported therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A grave digger including a vehicle, a downwardly opening clam-type digging head, means supporting said head from said vehicle for vertical shifting relative thereto outwardly of one marginal side of said vehicle, said head including an elongated horizontal mounting portion opposite side marginal portions having depending parallel generally rectangular digging blades supported therefrom for angular displacement about axes extending longitudinally of said mounting portion, motor means operatively connected between said depending blades for pivoting the latter toward downwardly convergent positions, said elongated mounting portion including fixed opposite end depending transverse blades, said transverse blades including downwardly convergent cutting edges which closely parallel the upstanding end edges of said rectangular blades when the latter are disposed in their downwardly convergent positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A grave digger including a vehicle, a downwardly opening clam-type digging head, means supporting said head from said vehicle for vertical shifting relative thereto outwardly of one marginal side of said vehicle, said head including an elongated horizontal mounting portion opposite side marginal portions having depending parallel generally rectangular digging blades supported therefrom for angular displacement about axes extending longitudinally of said mounting portion, motor means operatively connected between said depending blades for pivoting the latter toward downwardly convergent positions, said elongated mounting portion including fixed opposite end depending transverse blades, said transverse blades including downwardly convergent cutting edges which closely parallel the upstanding end edges of said rectangular blades when the latter are disposed in their downwardly convergent positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |