DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to the excavation of surfaces, in particular of solid surfaces such as, for example, solid surfaces made of concrete, asphalt or similar solid materials. The present invention relates therefore to an equipment for forming excavations and/ or trenches with predefined depth and/ or width in surfaces and/ or floorings of the kind mentioned above. In detail, the present invention relates to a solution aiming to obtain a precise excavation width, as well as to allow the excavated materials to be efficiently discharged.

STATE OF THE ART Equipments and/ or machines are well known in the art and commonly used for working surfaces, in particular solid surfaces and/ or floorings, for instance made of concrete, asphalt and/ or similar solid materials. As an example, milling machines, in particular hydraulic milling machines are known in the art, for demolishing and/ or milling solid surfaces of the kind mentioned above.. Excavating machines and/or equipments, usually hydraulic, are known as well, for the purpose of forming trenches of predefined depth and width in solid surfaces and/ or floorings of the kind mentioned above. In particular, the ever-growing need of laying pipes or tubes (for instance for gas or water), but even electrical cables or wires, telephone cables optical fibers or the like, has led the manufacturers of equipments of the kind mentioned above, in particular called trench excavators or even more simply "trenchers" to make considerable efforts in the attempt of developing more and more reliable and/ or performing trenches excavators. However, the trench excavation equipments of the known type still have some drawbacks that negatively affect the performances thereof.

A trench excavation equipment of the known type and described in the patent application MI2014A001567 is in particular represented schematically in figures 1 and 2a to 2c, wherein the equipment is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 10.

The equipment 10 comprises in particular an excavation wheel 6 provided with excavation teeth or punchers 7 which, during the rotation of the wheel 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow are engaged in the surface S, wherein the excavated material is removed and brought to surface, in particular discharged through the discharging windows 2f (provided each on a side of the equipment 10, with eventually an additional front window). The excavation wheel 6 is in particular rotated by means of an hydraulic motor 5 directly applied to the wheel 6 and fixed to the main supporting frame 1 which in particular comprises a coupling 13 by means of which the equipment can be coupled (fixed or applied) to a main operating machine. The motor 5 and the corresponding excavation wheel 6 are thus fixed to the main frame 1 in a predefined position. The equipment 10 also further comprises a setting frame 2 which allows setting the excavation depth K of the wheel 6 according to setting operations as described in the following. The setting frame 2 is in fact fixed to the main supporting frame 1 by means of setting means, for example a hydraulic jack, a hydraulic piston or similar means, which allow setting the reciprocal position of the setting frame 2 and the main frame 1 between a position of minimum extension (setting frame totally up and, accordingly, maximum excavation depth) and a position of maximum extension (setting frame totally down and, accordingly, minimum excavation depth). In figures 2a, 2b and 2c, wherein each of same shows a cross sectional view of the equipment 10 (according to the plane A-A in figure 1 , meaning in correspondence of the front portion of the setting frame 2 opposite to the fixing means 13) the same equipment 10 is equipped with excavating wheels or disks 6a, 6b, 6c with respectively different widths, in particular corresponding respectively to 130 mm, 80 mm, 50 mm, wherein said widths represent non limiting examples.

It has in fact to be noted that users of equipments of the kind depicted in the drawings usually request, by the purchase o fan equipment, a set or kit of excavating wheels with different width (wherein moreover different widths usually correspond, respectively, to different diameters) for the purpose of being able to execute or carry out excavations or trenches of different widths and/ or depths depending on the needs and/ or circumstances.

By comparing figures 2a, 2b and 2c it arises however that, being fixed the reciprocal distance d between the opposite lateral walls 2dx and 2sx of the setting frame 2 (in correspondence of the front portion of the excavating wheel or disk 6a, 6b e 6c, respectively), by modifying or varying the width L of the excavating wheel, also the width d ^' of the hollow space (interspace) between each of the opposite lateral walls 6dx and 6sx of the excavating wheel and the adjacent wall of the setting frame 2 2dx and 2sx, respectively, is unavoidably modified, wherein same, in the embodiments according to the drawings increases from 12 mm (figure 2a), to 37 mm (figure 2b) and 52 mm (figure 2c).

It has however to be noted that among the manufacturers and designers of equipments of the kind depicted in the drawings, the consideration is shared that the width d ^' of the above described hollow space (or in other words the free space between the excavation wheel 6 and the opposite lateral walls 2dx and 2sx of the setting frame) has to be maintained as high as possible (depending on the overall dimension of the equipment); those skilled in the art in fact consider that the free space between the excavating wheel 6 and the opposite lateral walls 2dx and 2sx of the frame 2 has to be maintained as large as possible for the purpose of avoiding accumulation of the excavated materials between the excavating wheel and the frame, since the resistance or friction exerted on the excavating wheel by the excavated materials trapped between the excavating wheel and the frame could brake or even block the excavating wheel, with evident and heavy drawbacks in terms of both expedited wear of the wheel and/ or frame and excessive load acting on both the motor and the source of hydraulic source used for rotating the motor 5 and/ or the wheel 6. However, the excavating machines and/ or equipments of the kind depicted in the drawings do not allow the excavated materials to be discharged in an efficient way, wherein "discharging" the excavated material has to be understood as meaning moving or transporting the excavated materials from the excavating area (engaged by the excavating wheel 6) and the space outside of the frame 2. In particular, the equipments according to the prior art are affected by the heavy drawback that the excavated materials fall down again into the trench and/ or accumulate below the frame, in particular between the support slides 33 (by means of which the frame is put in position on the surface to be worked, in particular to be excavated S, (see also the following description), thus rendering it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain the working depth K as set in advance by regulating or setting the position of the setting frame 2 with respect to he main frame 1. Moreover, since the excavated materials fall dawn again into the trench, it becomes mandatory to remove again the excavated materials from the trench, with evident drawbacks in terms of increate working time and costs needed for completing the trench.

The main goal of the present invention is therefore that of overcoming or at least reducing the drawbacks affecting the equipments according to the prior art. In particular, an object of the present invention is that of overcoming the drawbacks affecting the equipments according to the prior art as described above with reference to figures 2a, 2b and 2c. In detail, a further scope of the present invention is that of providing an equipment of the kind described above allowing the excavated materials to be efficiently, quickly and reliably discharged. Still in more detail, a scope of the present invention is that of providing an equipment for excavating trenches (in particular a trencher) allowing to avoid that the excavated materials accumulate below or under the frame and/ or that the excavated materials fall down again into the trench. Moreover, according to the present invention, the scopes and/ or goals as mentioned between the excavating wheel and the frame and therefore in particular by avoiding or at least maintaining as low as possible the risk for the excavating wheel to get braked or even blocked.

In view of the above summarized scopes and/ or goals, the present invention is based on the general consideration according to which said scopes or goals can be obtained by means of an equipment wherein the free space between the excavating wheel and the setting and/ or support frame can be set or regulated as a function of the width of the excavating wheel. In particular, the present invention is based on the further important consideration that said scopes or goals can be obtained by means o fan equipment comprising an adjustable frame, wherein adjusting or setting the frame allows to set the free space between the excavating wheel and the frame as a function of the width (or thickness) of the excavating wheel actually used. In general, the present invention is based on the consideration according to which it is possible to avoid or at least reduce the risk that the excavated materials accumulate under the frame or fall down into the trench by reducing as much as possible the width d ^' of the hollow space between each of the lateral walls of the excavating wheel and the corresponding opposite wall of the frame, wherein, according to the present invention, by reducing as much as possible said hollow space, the friction on the wheel does not increase and the risk for the excavating wheel of getting braked or even blocked does not arise.

The above considerations, on which the present invention is based, overcome therefore technical prejudice deep-rooted among those in the art that the hollow space between the excavating wheel and the frame has to be increate as much as possible for the purpose of reducing the fiction on the excavating wheel and/ or the risk for the excavating wheel to get braked or even locked, depending on the need of reducing or containing the overall dimensions of the excavating equipment. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

On the basis of the above summarized considerations, according to a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided an equipment for excavating surfaces or solid floorings such as, for example, in asphalt or concrete or in similar solid materials, in particular for excavating trenches in said solid surfaces or floorings, said equipment comprising rotatable working or excavating means supported by a main frame, and a setting frame which defines at least an interspace inside of which there is received at least a portion of said working or excavating means; wherein said setting frame is shaped so as to allow the dimension of said interspace to be modified, in particular as a function of the dimension of said working or excavating means.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention said setting frame is fixed to said main supporting frame in such a way that said main frame and said setting frame can be rotated one with respect to the other on a main axis of rotation substantially parallel to the rotation axis of said rotatable working or excavating means.

The present invention relates moreover to an operating machine for working solid surfaces such as in asphalt or concrete or similar solid materials, in particular for forming excavations or trenches in said solid surfaces, said operating machine comprising an equipment according to the present invention.

Further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention will be clarified through the description of some embodiments thereof represented in the attached drawings. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments depicted in the drawings; on the contrary, all variants or modifications of the embodiments represented and described hereinafter deemed clear, obvious and evincible to a man skilled in the art fall within the scope and object of the present invention. In particular, in the attached drawings: figure 1 shows a lateral view of an equipment for excavating trenches as described in the Italian patent application MI2014A001567; each of figures from 2a to 2c show a cross sectional view of the equipment according to figure 1 ; each of figures 3a to 3b shows a lateral view o fan equipment for excavating trenches according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein, for the sake of clarity, the setting frame of the equipment is not depicted; figure 4 shows a cross sectional view o fan equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; each of figures 5a to 5b shows a lateral view o fan equipment for excavating trenches according to an embodiment of the present invention; figure 5c shows a top view of a detail of an equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; figures 6a to 6c show lateral views of an equipment according to the present invention under different working conditions, respectively; figure 7 shows a lateral view of an operating machine equipped with an equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; figures 8a to 8b show lateral views of an equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention under different working conditions, respectively; figure 9 shows a lateral view of an excavating equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; each of figures 9a to 9c show a sectional view of the equipment according to figure 9; figures 10a and 10b show respectively a lateral view and a perspective view of a lateral wall of the movable frame of the equipment according to the embodiment of figure 9; figure 1 1 shows perspective views of component parts of the movable of the equipment according to the embodiment of figure 9; figure 12 shows a sectional view of a detail of the component parts of the frame according to figure 1 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention particularly and effectively applies to trench excavation equipments; thus, this is the reason why the present invention will be described hereinafter with particular reference to its application in the case of a trench excavation equipment or trench excavator.

However, the possible applications of the present invention are not limited to the case of trench excavation equipment and/ or trench excavators; on the contrary, the present invention effectively and conveniently applies to different equipments such as for example grinding equipments for grinding surfaces or for working and/or demolishing surfaces, in particular solid surfaces.

In figures 3a, 3b and 4, the equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted therein is identified in its entirety by the reference number 10, wherein in figures 3a and 3b the setting frame of the equipment is not depicted for the sake of description clarity. The equipment 10 in particular comprises a main supporting frame 1 1 with a general coupling 13 for the operating coupling of the equipment 10 to the arm or mobile support of an operating machine and/ or main motor (see the following description). The main supporting frame 1 1 is essentially constituted by two parallel plates which define an interior space for housing excavation means essentially constituted by an excavation wheel 16 provided with teeth or excavation punchers 16d arranged on the external peripheral surface; in an essentially known manner, by rotating the excavation wheel 16 in the rotation direction indicated by the arrows in figures 3a and 3b (clockwise rotation with respect to the figures) the punchers or teeth 16d are engaged in the ground, wherein the excavated material is removed and brought to surface, in particular discharged outside the setting frame (see the following description). However, it should be observed that the applications of the present invention are not limited to the case of excavators with excavation wheel but also for example comprise excavators with excavation chain. In the case of the excavation wheel represented in the figures, a rotation axle 16a (figure 4) of the excavation wheel 16 rotatably extends between the two parallel plates of the main frame 1 1 , wherein the excavation wheel 16 is rotated by means of a power source 15, for example a hydraulic motor which rotates the axle 16a. A second axle 18p extends between the two parallel plates of the main frame 1 1. In addition, from each of the two parallel plates of the main frame 1 1 a pivot 17 extends towards the external; on the rotation pivots 17 there is pivoted a fixing and/ or setting and/ or coupling arm 12 adapted to be rotated with respect to the rotation axis defined by the pivots 17 in the two directions of rotation indicated by the arrows respectively in figures 3a and 3b, and thus between the two end positions respectively represented in figures 3a and 3b. In addition, figure 4 shows how the fixing and/ or setting element or arm 12 is also constituted by two parallel plates arranged externally with respect to the parallel plates of the main supporting frame 1 1 and each pivoted on one of the pivoting pins 17 of the main frame 1 1. Between the parallel plates of the rotatable fixing and/ or setting arm or element 12 there also extends an axle 21 rigidly fixed between the two plates of the arm 12. Between the axle 18p of the main supporting frame 1 1 and the axle 21 of the fixing and/ or setting arm or element 12 there are arranged actuating means adapted to be extended and retracted, for example a hydraulic piston 18. With particular reference to figures 3a and 3b, it is thus observable how an extension of the piston 18 (from left to right in the figures) results in an anticlockwise rotation of the arm 12 with respect to the pivoting pins 17, while on the contrary a retraction of the piston 18 (from left to right in the figures) results in a clockwise rotation of the arm 12 still with respect to the pivoting pins 17. It should thus be observed that, as represented in the figures, from each of the two parallel plates of the arm or element 12 an engagement pin 19 extends outwards, thus it can be observed, with particular reference to figures 3a and 3b that an anticlockwise rotation of the arm 12 corresponds to an upward excursion of the pins 19, while on the contrary a clockwise rotation of the arm 12 results in a downward excursion of the pins 19.

Now, with reference to figures 4, 5a and 5b (wherein in figures 5a and 5b the characteristics and/ or component parts of the equipment 10 represented therein and possibly described beforehand with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numerals) it is observable that the equipment 10 comprises a mobile setting frame 30 which comprises two parallel plates which define an interior space in which the main frame 1 1 and the fixing and/ or setting arm 12 are housed, wherein each of the two plates comprises a support foot which defines a substantially flat support surface which, during the operation of the equipment 10, is adjusted to lie on the surface S to be worked on, in which in particular trench excavation operations are to be carried out. In particular, each of the two parallel plates of the setting frame 30 is provided with an engagement slot in which one of the engagement pins 19 of the fixing and/ or setting arm 12 is engaged. Thus, as represented in particular in figures 5a and 5b, during the rotation of the fixing and/or setting arm 12 in the two opposite anticlockwise and clockwise rotation directions (respectively figures 3a and 3b) the two engagement pins 19, in their respectively upward and downward excursions, drive the setting frame 30 with respect to the main supporting frame 1 1 respectively between the two positions represented in figures 5a (setting frame 30 entirely upwards) and 5b (setting frame 30 entirely downwards). Thus, considering that, as mentioned previously and as represented in the figures, during the operation of the equipment 10, the supporting surfaces 30 are kept resting on the surface S to be worked on, the two mutual positions of the setting frame 30 with respect to the supporting frame 1 1 represented in figures 5a and 5b respectively correspond to the two conditions and/ or positions of maximum excavation depth K and minimum excavation depth K, wherein obviously the setting frame 30, with respect to the main supporting frame 1 1 , may take any intermediate position between the aforementioned two end positions, hence the working depth may be any depth comprised between the maximum depth and minimum depth described above. In the light of the description above, in particular it is thus to be observed that the fixing or coupling arm or element 12 is realised as a first class lever, in particular in which the resistance (constituted by the setting frame 30) is applied to an end of the lever or arm (to the pins 19), the power (generated by the actuating means 18) is applied to the opposite end of the lever or arm 12 (to the axle 21), while the pivot of the lever (constituted by the pivoting pins 17) is arranged in an intermediate position between the points of application, respectively the resistance and power application points.

Obviously, alternative solutions with respect to the one described above in which the engagement slots 31 are provided not already in the setting frame 30 but in the arm 12 (each in one of the two parallel plates of the arm 12) fall within the scope of the present invention, wherein in this case the two settings pins each extend from one plate of the setting frame 30 inwards and each are engaged in a corresponding slot 31. Solutions for setting the working and/ or excavation depths different from the one described above which essentially comprises the arm or pivot 12 and the hydraulic piston 18 also fall within the scope of the present invention; for example, solutions similar to those represented in figures la, lb, 2a, 2b and 2c and clarified through the corresponding description, i.e. solutions comprising setting means 12 adapted to be extended and retracted, for example a hydraulic jack, a hydraulic piston or similar means, directly interposed between the supporting frame 1 1 and the setting frame 30, wherein the direction of extension of said means is substantially parallel to the direction of translation of the setting frame with respect to the main one fall within the scope of the present invention.

Still with reference to figures 5a and 5b it can also be observed that each of the engagement slots 31 has an arc or semicircular extension (essentially centred on the rotation axis of the excavation wheel 16). In case of the equipment according to the present invention, the setting of the position of the setting frame 30 with respect to the main supporting frame 1 1 , and thus the setting of the excavation depth of the excavation wheel 16, is thus obtained simply by using a piston 18, in particular extending it (to increase the excavation depth) and respectively retracting it (to reduce the excavation depth). Two additional engagement pins 20 further extend outwards, each respectively from one of the two parallel plates of the main supporting frame 1 1 , wherein each of the engagement pins 20 is engaged in a further engagement slot 32, each of the two further engagement slots 32 being formed in one of the two parallel plates of the fixing and/ or setting frame 30, the engagement slots 32 also having an arc or semicircular extension essentially centred on the rotation axis of the excavation wheel 16, the extension of the slots 32 however not being parallel to that of the slots 31.

In addition, further guiding means 14 are provided on each of the opposite sides of the main supporting frame 1 1 , wherein as represented in figure 5c, each of the means 14 comprises a proximity portion 14p which extends outwards from the main frame 1 1 (from the corresponding plate of the frame 1 1), and an end portion 14e substantially parallel to the respective plate of the main frame 1 1 , in such a way that the proximity 14p and end 14e portions define an interior space 14s in which there is housed a portion of the setting frame 30.

Obviously, even in this case, alternative solutions fall within the scope of the present invention, in which for example the two further engagement pins 20 extend inwards respectively into the two parallel plates of the setting frame 30 wherein each of the engagement pins 20 are engaged in a further engagement slot 32, the two further engagement slots 32 being formed in one of the two parallel plates of the main supporting frame 1 1 in this case.

In the same way, the further guiding means 14 may be provided on each of the opposite sides of the setting frame 30, wherein in this case, each of the means 14 comprises a proximity portion 14p extending inwards from the setting frame 30, and an end portion 14e substantially parallel to the respective plate of the setting frame 30, in such a way that the proximity 14p and end 14e portions define an interior space 14s in which a portion of the main supporting frame 1 1 is housed.

In addition, in the scope of the present invention, the guiding means 14 may be substituted by a system with engagement slots and pins, while the slots 32 and the respective engagement pins 20 may be substituted by the guiding means 14. The function of the slots 31 and 32 and the respective engagement pins 19 and 20 is represented in figures 6a, 6b and 6c, wherein, for the sake of description clarity, the main supporting frame 1 1 is represented schematically and also wherein, characteristics and/ or component parts of the equipment 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention represented therein and already described previously with reference to the other figures, are identified by the same reference numerals.

Each of figures 6a, 6b and 6c represents the equipment 10 in operating position, i.e. with each of the supporting surfaces 33 of the parallel plates of the setting frame 30 resting on the surface S to be worked on. In addition, in figures 6a, 6b and 6c the working or excavating depth K is the same, given that the extension of the actuating means 18 is the same in the figures.

What changes in figures 6a to 6c is the coupling position 13 of the main frame 1 1 , wherein figure 6a represents the coupling 13 in its highest position (with respect to the surface S), figure 6c the intermediate height position and figure 6b the lowest position. As clearly observable from the following description, the various coupling positions 13 may be due to the variation of the operating conditions, as well as for example reckless, inaccurate or inadvertent or unintentional manoeuvres. To each of the different coupling heights 13 with respect to the surface S there corresponds a respectively different angle of the coupling 13 with respect to the vertical, the coupling being more inclined anticlockwise in the condition of figure 6a (maximum height), less inclined in the intermediate height condition (figure 6c) and even less inclined or substantially vertical in the minimum height condition (figure 6b).

In other words, assuming - for the sake of description clarity - to start from the operating condition represented in figure 6b, it is observable that, upon lifting the coupling 13, the main frame 1 1 will be rotated anticlockwise with respect to a rotation axis essentially coinciding with the rotation axis of the excavation means 16. However, the setting frame 30, contrary to the case of equipment according to the prior art, will not be driven in rotation in the same direction of rotation as the main frame 1 1 due to the engagement guides 31 and 32, in which the respective engagement pins 19 and 20 may translate freely, hence the setting frame 30 will remain in the position of figure 6a, i.e. with the supporting surfaces perfectly resting on the surface S. Thus, it is observable that due to the configuration of the guides 31 and 32, not only the setting frame 30 is translatable with respect to the main frame in a manner such to allow the setting of the working depth, but the main frame 1 1 and the setting frame 30 are also not constrained to each other in rotation, i.e. the rotation of the main frame 1 1 between the two end stop positions represented in figures 6a and 6b (with the engagement pins 19 at the opposite ends of the respective slots 31), does not result in a rotation of the setting frame 30, which, on the contrary, is maintained in the ideal operating condition, i.e. with the supporting surfaces 33 perfectly resting on the surface S to be worked on.

The description above is particularly observable directly with reference to figures 7, 8a and 8b, in which the equipment 10 is coupled to a main operating machine 100, wherein the arm or mobile support 101 of the machine 100 is coupled to the coupling 13 of the equipment 10. In the situation represented in figure 7, the equipment 10 is set to obtain an excavation or trench with predefined depth K, thus wherein the mutual position of the setting frame 30 with respect to the main supporting frame 1 1 was set by operating on the actuating means 18 according to the methods described previously. When performing the excavations, with the excavation wheel 16 driven in rotation through the power source 15, the operating machine 100 advances or recedes in one of the directions indicated by the two arrows in figures 7, 8a and 8b, with a predefined speed. Figure 8a represents the situation that occurs upon lowering the coupling 13, this lowering for example being due to an inadvertent or unintentional lowering of the support 101 of the machine 100 by an operator (who, as mentioned previously, cannot precisely see the position or direction of the equipment 10 with respect to the surface S, hence the operator cannot see whether the supporting surfaces 33 are rest correctly on the surface S), wherein the lowering of the coupling corresponds to a different inclination of the coupling (more inclined clockwise) with respect to the situation of figure 7, and thus wherein the lowering of the coupling 13 results in a clockwise rotation of the entire main supporting frame 1 1 in the same direction of rotation. However, as represented, and contrary to what occurs in the equipment according to the prior art (figure 2b), the setting frame, as explained previously, is not driven in rotation but rather remains in the initial position of figure 7, i.e. with the supporting surfaces 33 perfectly resting on the surface S. In particular, this is due to the freedom of movement of the pins 19 and 20 within the respective slots 31 and 30, hence the setting frame 30, by a rotation angle defined by the extension of the slots 30 and 31 , is not constrained in rotation to the supporting frame 1 1 , but - on the contrary - it is rotatable with respect to the supporting frame 1 1.

Figure 8b instead represents the situation that occurs upon lifting the coupling 13, the lifting for example being due to an inadvertent lifting of the support 101 of the machine 100 by the operator, wherein the lifting of the coupling corresponds to a different inclination of the coupling (more inclined anticlockwise) with respect to the situation of figure 7, and wherein the lifting of the coupling 13 results in an anticlockwise rotation of the entire main supporting frame 1 1 in the same direction of rotation. However, as represented, and contrary to the case of equipment according to the prior art (figure 2c), the setting frame, as explained previously, is not driven in rotation but rather remains in the initial position of figure 7, i.e. with the supporting surfaces 33 perfectly resting on the surface S. In the following, with reference to figures 9 and 9a to 9c description will be given of a further embodiment of the equipment according to the present invention; in figures 9 and 9a to 9c, those component parts and/ or features of the equipment 10 already described above with reference to other figures are identified by corresponding reference numerals.

It arises from the figures that the setting frame 30 comprises essentially two lateral opposite walls 35 and 36 which define an internal space wherein there is received the main fixed frame 1 1 (see in particular figure 4)· However, in the case of the present embodiment, the frame 30 comprises two movable bulkheads 37 and 38 connected to the fixed lateral walls 35 and 36, respectively.

In particular, as depicted in figures 9a to 9c (relating to cross sectional views in correspondence of the plane A-A in figure 9), the movable bulkheads 37 and 38 are applied to the fixed or main walls 35 and 36, respectively, in correspondence of the front portion of the frame 30 opposite to the coupling 13, i. e. in correspondence of the portion of the excavating means 16 which frontally engages the surface or layer S to be excavated or worked on in general. The movable bulkheads 37 and 36 are in particular adapted to be translated (preferably but not mandatorily independently from each other) with respect to the frame 30 (to its lateral walls 35 and 36), along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the excavating disk 16, and therefore along a direction parallel to the main axis of rotation of the excavating disk 16.

In this way, (see figure 9a to 9c) both the distance ddx between the lateral wall 16dx of the excavating disk and the lateral wall 35 of the frame 30, and the distance dsx between the lateral wall 16sx of the excavating disk 16 and the lateral wall 37 of the frame 30 can be adjusted (set) depending on the needs and/ or circumstances, from the minimum distances according to figure 9a, to the intermediate distances according to figure 9b till to the maximum distances according to figure 9c.

It arises therefore that, in this way, also the distance Ddx between the lateral wall 16dx of the excavating disk 16 and the movable bulkhead 37 of the frame 30, as well as the distance Dsx between the lateral wall 16sx of the excavating disk 16 and the movable bulkhead 38 of the frame 30 can be adjusted (set) according to the needs and/ or circumstances, for instance so as to maintain same constant and predefined as represented in figures 9a to 9c, independently on the actual width 16D of the excavating disk 16.

In this way, the hollow space between the excavating disk 16 and the movable bulkheads 37 and 38 (or, in other words, between the excavating disk 16 and the portion of the frame located adjacent and/ or in correspondence of the excavating disk 16), can be modified and/ or adjusted, in particular so as to match the actual dimensions (in particular the width 16D) of the excavating disk 16 actually mounted on the equipment 10. The solution just described above allows in particular to improve the discharging operations for discharging the excavated materials through the discharging windows 2f (and/ or, at least partially, frontally) by positioning the movable bulkheads 37 and 38 so as to set or adjust the distances Ddx and Dsx, even independently from each other. In has in fact been verified in particular that distances Ddx and Dsx of about 2mm allow to obtain the best performances in discharging the excavated materials and allow as well that the excavated materials fall down again into the trench and/ or accumulate between the disk 16 and the movable bulkheads 37 and 38. Moreover, and contrary to the opinion shared among those skilled in the art, by decreasing the distances Ddx and Dsx there is no risk for the disk 16 to get braked or even blocked by excavated materials eventually trapped between the disk 16 and the frame 30. Finally, the excavation or trench results to be more precise, without any chipped edges or the similar irregularities.

In figures 10a and 10b, wherein as usual, component parts and/ or features of the present invention already described with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numerals, there are depicted respectively a lateral and a perspective view of the lateral wall 35 of the frame 30, wherein however, being the lateral wall 36 of the frame 30 substantially identical to (symmetric) to the lateral wall 35, a detailed description of the lateral wall 35 is omitted for the sake of conciseness.

It arises in particular from the figures that the wall 35 comprises a front end portion 35a (positioned or located, in use, on the opposite side with respect to the coupling 14, see figure 9), which in turn comprises an upper portion 35as and a lower portion 35ai; the two portions 35as and 35ai are moreover reciprocally positioned (along the vertical direction), so as to define and delimit the discharging window 2f, preferably (but not mandatorily) frontally open as represented in the figures.

The discharging window 2f is therefore delimited along the vertical direction, by the lower edge of the portion 35as and the upper edge of the portion 35ai opposite to the upper portion of the portion 35as.

The portion 35ai comprises moreover a set of four through holes 35f located preferably at the vertexes of a square, although the number and/ or the position of the holes can be selected according to the needs and/ or circumstances.

The lower edge of the portion 35ai opposite to the upper edge which delimits the window 2f comprises the support or contact surface 33 which, in the embodiment described above, is brought into contact with the surface S to be worked or excavated.

The front portion of the portion 35ai, by way of example, may be shaped like a snow plough, and may further comprise, for instance, a blade extending from the front edge of the portion 35ai (connecting the lower and upper edges), oriented with respect to the excavating disk 16 so as to define an angle of preferably less than 90°.

The movable bulkheads mounted respectively on the lateral walls 35 and 36, in particular on the front portions 35ai and 36ai, are depicted in figure 1 1 ; being the two bulkheads substantially identical to each other, in the following solely the movable bulkhead 37 will be described.

It has however to be noted that, within the frame of the present invention, it is possible to make use of movable bulkheads different from each other (see the following description) or even of just one movable bulkhead.

The movable bulkhead 37 comprises in particular a main portion 37p substantially flat with a vertical extension substantially corresponding or slightly longer than that of the lower front portion 35ai of the wall 35, wherein the portion 37p comprises in turn two surfaces substantially parallel to each other 37i and 37e, wherein the internal surface 37i and the external surface 37e are adapted to be positioned, in use, (see figures 9a to 9c), so as to face toward the excavating disk 16 and the lateral wall 35, respectively. Four fixing pins 40 extend from the external surface 37e, said pins being located substantially at the vertexes of a square and devoted to engage respectively the through holes 35f (to be each received in a hole 35f as depicted in figures 9a to 9c).

Obviously, since both the number and position of the holes 35f may be changed according to the present invention, the number and position of the fixing pins 40 may be changed as well.

The position of the bulkhead 37 with respect to the portion 35ai is adjusted by adjusting the position of the pins 40 with respect to the holes 35f according to adjusting operations to be described in more detail in the following.

From the main portion 37p of the bulkhead 37, in particular from the upper edge of the bulkhead 37, a first extension portion 37esl extends toward the outside (toward the lateral wall 35), said extension portion being slightly curved so as to define, along with the main portion 37p, an angle substantially less than 90°; in particular, as depicted in each of figures 9a to 9c, with the bulkhead 37 in its position of work or use, the first extension portion 37esl extends above the upper edge of the portion 35ai of the wall 35; the purpose of the first extension portion 37esl is in fact that of rendering it easy discharging the excavated materials through the discharging window 29f, by ensuring in particular that the excavated materials fall possibly away from the lateral wall 35 of the frame 30, and by closing up-side the hollow space between the bulkhead and the wall 35, thus avoiding that the excavated materials fall down inside the hollow space. From the lower edge of the main portion 37p, a second extension portion 37es2 extends, in particular along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main portion 37p.

With the bulkhead 37 in its working position as depicted in figures 9a to 9c, the second extension portion 37es2 extends below the lower edge of the portion 35ai, in particular below the surface 33 of the portion 35ai; according to this embodiment, it is therefore the portion 37es2 which comes into contact with the surface S to be excavated or worked on, the purposes of the portion 37es2 being moreover those of closing down-side the hollow space between the bulkhead 37 and the wall 35, thus avoiding that excavated materials may enter between the bulkhead 37 and wall 35, as well as that of exerting a pressure on the surface S to be excavated, in particular in proximity of the cutting or excavating disk (independently on its actual width), and therefore in proximity of the trench, thus allowing the realization of precise cuts, namely without any chipped edges.

In figure 12, wherein component parts or features already described with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numerals, there is depicted an example of adjusting or setting means for adjusting or setting the position of the bulkhead 37 with respect to the wall 35. As appearing from figure 12, each of the pins 40 comprises a plurality (three in the example as depicted but the actual number may be selected according to the needs and/ or circumstances) of annular cross grooves or slots 40s located along the pin 40; by engaging on a groove or slot 40s an elastic or resilient ring 40f and eventually interposing between the elastic ring 40f and the wall 35 an annular or ring shaped depth 40a the bulkhead 37 can be conveniently positioned with respect to the wall 35.

Obviously, within the scope of the present invention, use can be made of adjusting means differing from those depicted in the drawings and disclosed above such as, for example, pins with external thread adapted to be engaged by nuts or the like with internal thread, or even servo assisted adjusting means (for instance hydraulic adjusting means).

Thus, it has been shown by means of the previous detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention represented in the drawings, that the present invention allows attaining the preset objects and/ or overcoming or at least minimising the drawbacks typical of the prior art solutions.

In particular, according to the present invention, the main frame and the setting frame are not constrained in rotation, thus, even in case of inadvertent or unintentional rotation of the support framework, the setting frame remains in the desired position, i.e. with the supporting surfaces always perfectly lying on the surface to be worked on, thus avoiding accumulation of the excavated material under the supporting surfaces, thus allowing maintaining the working depth constant. In addition, the equipment according to the present invention allows an accurate and reliable setting of the mutual position of the setting frame and the supporting frame and thus the excavation depth.

At the end, the dimension of the frame can be conveniently adapted to those of the working disk actually mounted on the equipment. Though the present invention has been clarified through the detailed description of its embodiments represented in the drawings, the present invention is obviously not limited to the embodiments described previously and represented in the drawings; on the contrary, all variant embodiments with respect to those described and represented which are deemed to be obvious and evincible to a man skilled in the art fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, according to an alternative embodiment, the guiding means 14 may be replaced by a further pair of guides or slots, each formed in a lateral wall of the guide frame or main frame, and in which there is engaged an engagement or guide pin extending outwards from the main supporting frame or respectively inwards from the guide frame 30. Likewise, the slots 32 and the respective pins 20 may be replaced by guiding means 14 of the previously described type (figure 5c). In addition, according to further alternative embodiments, the power sources respectively for the actuating means 18 and excavation means may be shared or independent, wherein the actuating means 18 and 15, in particular if of the hydraulic type, may be possibly connected with the main hydraulic circuit of the operating machine 100.

In addition, the hydraulic piston 18 may be replaced for example by a manually settable jack. Furthermore, the possible applications of the present invention are not limited to trench excavation equipments or trench excavators of the wheel and/ or chain type, but they can also be applied to any equipment requiring setting the working depth, for example demolition equipment, grinding equipment or the like. The object or scope of the present invention is thus defined by the claims.