US5782020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and equipment for simultaneous excavation and land refill with minimum operating labor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-11-13
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Granted: 1998-07-21
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Expires: 2016-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An excavator with a wireless controlled hopper-spreader allows a single operator to strip off topsoil and spread the stripped off soil more or less evenly after a mineable substance such as gravel is removed. The hopper-spreader uses about a fifty foot conveyor and may be totally operated by an operator in the excavator cab. This combination may be both faster and cheaper than a normal dragline operation.
Inventors
- 👤 L. Wade Shumaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:40
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/2025; E02F9/205; E02F7/00; E02F7/02; E02F9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Equipment to excavate and refill soil comprising: a) an excavator, b) a self propelled hopper-spreader, c) a wireless interconnection means between said excavator and said self propelled hopper-spreader to allow an operator of said excavator to control movement and operation of said hopper-spreader, said wireless interconnection means comprising a control panel mounted on said excavator and a receiver panel mounted on said hopper-spreader; said control panel having a TV screen therein and control buttons; with activation of each of said buttons broadcasting a separate signal to said receiver panel mounted on said hopper-spreader; said hopper-spreader having associated equipment to carry out said operation indicated by each of said signals; c) said operations, each activated by one of said control buttons, include: 1. starting a motor to operate a hydraulic system that furnishes power for each operation of said hopper-spreader, 2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Equipment to excavate and refill soil comprising: a) an excavator, b) a self propelled hopper-spreader, c) a wireless interconnection means between said excavator and said self propelled hopper-spreader to allow an operator of said excavator to control movement and operation of said hopper-spreader, said wireless interconnection means comprising a control panel mounted on said excavator and a receiver panel mounted on said hopper-spreader; said control panel having a TV screen therein and control buttons; with activation of each of said buttons broadcasting a separate signal to said receiver panel mounted on said hopper-spreader; said hopper-spreader having associated equipment to carry out said operation indicated by each of said signals; c) said operations, each activated by one of said control buttons, include: 1. starting a motor to operate a hydraulic system that furnishes power for each operation of said hopper-spreader, 2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
stopping said motor, 3. starting forward motion of said hopper-spreader, 4. backing up said hopper-spreader, 5. turning said hopper-spreader hard left, 6. turning said hopper-spreader hard right, 7. increasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 8. decreasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 9. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees left, 10. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees right, 11. lowering a conveyor on said hopper-spreader, 12. raising said conveyor, 13. adjusting a counter weight mounted on said hopper-spreader to prevent tipping of said hopper-spreader; d) A TV camera mounted on said hopper-spreader broadcasting to a receiver on said excavator to furnish an operator of said excavator a continuous
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
stopping said motor, 3. starting forward motion of said hopper-spreader, 4. backing up said hopper-spreader, 5. turning said hopper-spreader hard left, 6. turning said hopper-spreader hard right, 7. increasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 8. decreasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 9. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees left, 10. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees right, 11. lowering a conveyor on said hopper-spreader, 12. raising said conveyor, 13. adjusting a counter weight mounted on said hopper-spreader to prevent tipping of said hopper-spreader; d) A TV camera mounted on said hopper-spreader broadcasting to a receiver on said excavator to furnish an operator of said excavator a continuous
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
visual picture of operation of said hopper-spreader. 2. A wireless interconnection means between an excavator and a self-propelled hopper-spreader, said hopper-spreader having a conveyor operatively associated therewith, said wireless interconnection means comprising: a) a control panel mounted in an excavator in a position to be operable by an operator with said control panel having a TV screen therein and a plurality of control buttons; with activation of each of said buttons broadcasting a separate signal; b) a receiver panel mounted on a hopper-spreader to receive a respective signal from each of said buttons on said excavator with associated equipment to carry out operations indicated by each of said signals; c) said operations, each activated by a respective one of said control buttons, include: 1. starting a motor to operate a hydraulic system that furnishes power for each operation of said hopper-spreader, 2. stopping said motor, 3. starting forward motion of said hopper-spreader, 4. backing up said hopper-spreader, 5. turning said hopper-spreader hard left, 6. turning said hopper-spreader hard right, 7. increasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 8. decreasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 9. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees left, 10. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees right, 11. lowering said conveyor on said hopper-spreader, 12. raising said conveyor, 13. adjusting a counter weight mounted on said hopper-spreader to prevent tipping of said hopper-spreader.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
visual picture of operation of said hopper-spreader. 2. A wireless interconnection means between an excavator and a self-propelled hopper-spreader, said hopper-spreader having a conveyor operatively associated therewith, said wireless interconnection means comprising: a) a control panel mounted in an excavator in a position to be operable by an operator with said control panel having a TV screen therein and a plurality of control buttons; with activation of each of said buttons broadcasting a separate signal; b) a receiver panel mounted on a hopper-spreader to receive a respective signal from each of said buttons on said excavator with associated equipment to carry out operations indicated by each of said signals; c) said operations, each activated by a respective one of said control buttons, include: 1. starting a motor to operate a hydraulic system that furnishes power for each operation of said hopper-spreader, 2. stopping said motor, 3. starting forward motion of said hopper-spreader, 4. backing up said hopper-spreader, 5. turning said hopper-spreader hard left, 6. turning said hopper-spreader hard right, 7. increasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 8. decreasing forward speed of said hopper-spreader, 9. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees left, 10. turning said hopper-spreader about 10 degrees right, 11. lowering said conveyor on said hopper-spreader, 12. raising said conveyor, 13. adjusting a counter weight mounted on said hopper-spreader to prevent tipping of said hopper-spreader.
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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) | 2001-07-20 | 2002-01-19 | 2002-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-20 | 2006-01-19 | 2006-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-20 | 2010-01-19 | 2010-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |