US4560009A — Apparatus for pulverizing aggregate masses of fra…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 411 words

An apparatus adapted to be connected rearwardly on a powered prime mover for towing of the apparatus forwardly along a selected path of travel on an earth surface for pulverizing aggregate masses of frangible materials deposited on and below the earth surface, the apparatus comprising: a frame providing an elongated transverse member having spaced, opposite end portions and a pair of elongated upright members mounted on the end portions, each upright member having a predetermined upper end portion and an opposite lower end portion; a mounting assembly secured on the frame and adapted to be connected rearwardly on the prime mover to dispose the transverse member transversely of the path of travel of the prime mover, the mounting assembly providing means selectively operable to raise and lower the frame relative to the earth surface to dispose the lower end portion in a selected attitude spaced from the earth surface; a hinge assembly mounted on the frame and defining a pivotal axis disposed substantially transversely of the path of travel, the hinge assembly being selectively and independently adjustable to move the pivotal axis defined thereby forwardly and rearwardly relative to the prime mover; a rotor having an axle mounted by the lower end portions of the upright members for driven rotation about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the pivotal axis, the rotor providing a multiplicity of teeth having hammer portions spaced radially from the axle to define a substantially cylindrically configured periphery having a predetermined lowermost portion disposed remotely from the upper end portions of the upright members and adapted to be brought into contact with the earth surface; drive means for imparting rotary motion to the rotor in a direction wherein the lowermost portion of the rotor periphery moves rearwardly relative to the prime mover; and a grid member having an arcuate configuration of a greater radius than that of the rotor, the grid member providing a porous portion having a plurality of substantially straight transverse rods and a plurality of substantially arcuate pieces interconnected to define and bound a multiplicity of holes, and a strike plate portion having a surface of predetermined area, the grid member being mounted on the hinge assembly for pivotal movement thereof to deploy the surface of the strike plate in an operative attitude in spaced relation to the lowermost portion of the rotor periphery with the porous portion disposed in spaced relation to portions of the rotor periphery rearward of the lowermost portion.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 411 words

An apparatus adapted to be connected rearwardly on a powered prime mover for towing of the apparatus forwardly along a selected path of travel on an earth surface for pulverizing aggregate masses of frangible materials deposited on and below the earth surface, the apparatus comprising: a frame providing an elongated transverse member having spaced, opposite end portions and a pair of elongated upright members mounted on the end portions, each upright member having a predetermined upper end portion and an opposite lower end portion; a mounting assembly secured on the frame and adapted to be connected rearwardly on the prime mover to dispose the transverse member transversely of the path of travel of the prime mover, the mounting assembly providing means selectively operable to raise and lower the frame relative to the earth surface to dispose the lower end portion in a selected attitude spaced from the earth surface; a hinge assembly mounted on the frame and defining a pivotal axis disposed substantially transversely of the path of travel, the hinge assembly being selectively and independently adjustable to move the pivotal axis defined thereby forwardly and rearwardly relative to the prime mover; a rotor having an axle mounted by the lower end portions of the upright members for driven rotation about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the pivotal axis, the rotor providing a multiplicity of teeth having hammer portions spaced radially from the axle to define a substantially cylindrically configured periphery having a predetermined lowermost portion disposed remotely from the upper end portions of the upright members and adapted to be brought into contact with the earth surface; drive means for imparting rotary motion to the rotor in a direction wherein the lowermost portion of the rotor periphery moves rearwardly relative to the prime mover; and a grid member having an arcuate configuration of a greater radius than that of the rotor, the grid member providing a porous portion having a plurality of substantially straight transverse rods and a plurality of substantially arcuate pieces interconnected to define and bound a multiplicity of holes, and a strike plate portion having a surface of predetermined area, the grid member being mounted on the hinge assembly for pivotal movement thereof to deploy the surface of the strike plate in an operative attitude in spaced relation to the lowermost portion of the rotor periphery with the porous portion disposed in spaced relation to portions of the rotor periphery rearward of the lowermost portion.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid member has a porous portion formed on a radius greater than that of the periphery of the rotor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface of the strike plate is disposed substantially tangentially in relation to the porous portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid member is movable to dispose the surface of the strike plate substantially forwardly obliquely in relation to the path of travel whereby materials engaged thereby are urged upwardly toward the rotor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid member is mounted on said hinge assembly borne by the frame for pivotal movement thereof toward and away from the rotor about a pivotal axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge assembly is adjustable to dispose the pivotal axis in selected spaced relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame mounts a retaining member adapted for removable connection on the grid member and adjustable to move the grid member to dispose the strike plate in selected spaced relation to the periphery of the rotor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 66 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly is selectively operable to elevate and lower the frame in a predetermined range of motion between an elevated attitude whereby the grid member and rotor are disposed above an earth surface in spaced relation thereto and a lowered attitude wherein the strike plate portion of the grid member is disposed a predetermined depth below the earth surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly provides means for limiting the range of motion of the frame.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 133 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly provides an axle adapted to be mounted on the prime mover for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis disposed transversely of the path of travel; means connected to the axle for imparting pivotal movement thereto; a pair of transversely spaced draft arms of predetermined length rigidly borne by the axle for pivotal movement therewith, each draft arm providing a distal end portion remote from the axle and individually secured on the lower end portion of an upright member; and a pair of transversely spaced, articulated arm assemblies each having a first arm adapted to be secured in upstanding relation on the prime mover, and a second arm pivotally mounted on the first arm and having a distal end portion pivotally secured on the frame.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the grid member is pivotally movable between a first position wherein the strike plate is elevated remotely above the rotor and a second position wherein a portion of the surface of the strike plate is disposed substantially vertically below the lowermost portion of the rotor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 102 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the strike plate surface is disposed substantially obliquely relative to the path of travel when the grid member is disposed in the second position, whereby aggregate masses of materials engaged thereby are urged to pass upwardly into compressive contact with the lowermost portion of the rotor periphery to fragment the masses as the apparatus is towed along the path of travel, and the masses so fragmented are propelled by the rotor into impinging engagement with the porous portion to cause pieces of the material having dimensions lesser than those of the holes to be discharged therethrough.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the lower end portion of each upright member mounts a retaining member adapted detachably to be connected to the grid member when the grid member is disposed in the second position to retain the grid member in fixed spaced relation to the rotor periphery.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the retaining member is adjustable to move the grid member toward and away from the rotor periphery when the retaining member is connected to the grid member in the second position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the transverse member mounts a locking member adapted to be removably attached on the grid member when the grid member is disposed in the first position to retain it in said position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mounting assembly provides a depth gauge assembly operable to limit the range of pivotal movement of the axle about the pivotal axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 112 words

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the depth gauge assembly provides a pair of substantially flat plates adapted to be secured rigidly on the frame spaced transversely of each other substantially perpendicularly of the axle, the plates each providing a plurality of apertures therethrough substantially radially equidistantly spaced from the axle and the apertures of each plate being individually paired with a corresponding aperture of the other plate; a pin member dimensioned for removable insertion through a pair of corresponding apertures; and a lever mounted by the axle for pivotal movement therewith and dimensioned to engage the pin upon pivotal movement of the axle to delimit the range of such pivotal movement.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the frame mounts grid moving means for moving the grid member between the first position and the second position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 72 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the grid moving means includes a hydraulic support assembly mounted on the frame and a hydraulic cylinder pivotally secured on the grid member and having a ram attached on the hydraulic support assembly, the ram being selectively movable between a retracted attitude, wherein the grid member is disposed in the first position, and an extended attitude wherein the grid member is disposed in the second position.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-12-23	1989-06-24	1989-12-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-12-23	1993-06-24	1993-12-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-12-23	1997-06-24	1997-12-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for pulverizing aggregate masses of frangible materials on and below earth surfaces

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