AN INTEGRATED MULTIFUNCTION POST INSTALLATION IMPLEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to the operation of installing posts, in particular but not exclusively, to an integrated multifunction post installation implement adapted to be hitched to an articulated boom or arm of earth moving equipment, typically an excavator, and operated by its hydraulic system, wherein a hole can be dug and a post positioned and driven into the hole in a safe one man operation without the operator leaving the cab of the excavator or having to manhandle the post.

BACKGROUND ART:

The problem with prior art vehicular mounted post diggers and drivers is that they are usually associated with small machines such as tractors or bobcats. The operator invariably has to get off the machine and manually stand the post in the hole or chain the post in, or physically hold it in place while it is being driven. The prior art requirement of having to manually manhandle heavy posts can compromise safety or result in injury to the operator. The tractor or bobcat also has to line up precisely with the intended fence line to lay the posts in a straight line. The posts can only be put in where you can drive and manoeuvre a machine right up to the desired position. The operator invariably has to be in close proximity while carrying out the operation. There is often a requirement to have a safety cage around a drop hammer which restricts full access. Furthermore, it is difficult to work or manoeuvre the vehicle where there are nearby obstacles. The problem is somewhat reduced where the implement can be or is mounted at the end of a boom of an excavator or large earth moving tractor. There is therefore a need for the ability to handle heavy posts from the cab of an excavator which would eliminate a layer of manual intervention which is crucial to the safety of the entire operation.

The use of interchangeable tools or implements of larger earth moving equipment generally involves hitching the implements to the articulated operating arms or booms of excavators, back hoes, diggers, bulldozers and the like. Most implements generally have a single or sole function, for example, use of an excavator bucket or hydraulic drill or hammer attachment. In a repetitive task such as where numerous post holes have to be dug and posts installed in them, implements such as hole diggers have to be replaced with post drivers in succession. In the alternative, all the holes are dug first before the post are then driven in them. This requires a coordinated effort in changing the implements and securing the hydraulic connections to them. Furthermore, any effort in having to manually change implements and which requires an operator to leave the cab or other workers to be involved in the vicinity of the operation increases downtime and the risks of accidents.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel and inventive solution to the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art. Another objective, is to provide, in a manner of speaking, an efficient, integrated, multifunctional 'Swiss army knife' -style of hydraulic implement for installing posts powered by the hydraulic system of earth moving equipment. Specifically, the invention relates to a compact excavator attachment comprising an integrated post-hole digger, post driver and clamp adapted to grab, lift, position and drive a post wherein multiple fence posts can be installed in a rapid and seamless operation without the operator having to leave the cab or seat of the excavator or to manhandle the posts. Other aims and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention resides in an integrated multifunction implement for installing posts comprising:

a support frame or chassis adapted to be hitched to an articulated arm of earth moving equipment, typically an excavator; the frame or chassis including

one or more hydraulically powered fixtures;

the fixtures to support in movable disposition,

a plurality of modified hydraulic tools; the fixtures having

hydraulic actuators to enable the tools to be rapidly deployed

independently and sequentially without interference;

the modified hydraulic tools inclusive of at least,

a hole digging auger deployable between an operating and non-operating position;

a post clamp to grab, position and release a post;

a post driver adapted to drive the post into a hole dug by the auger

the support frame or chassis further including

mounting points for the hydraulic motors of the hydraulic tools.

Preferably, the support frame or chassis is adapted to be hitched to the articulated arm by a hitch mechanism used to attach excavator buckets to the arm. In one example, the hydraulic controls of the hydraulic motors and actuators comprise manually operated mechanical valves controlling supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors and actuators. In a more preferred version, the hydraulic controls of the hydraulic motors and actuators comprise a wireless electric over hydraulic system wherein solenoid-controlled valves controlling supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors and actuators are remotely activated via a wireless protocol. Preferably this is carried out by a transmitter located in the cab of the excavator. Preferably, the hydraulic controls of the hydraulic motors and actuators are located in a cab or in close proximity to an operator's seat of the earth moving equipment such that multiple holes can be dug and posts installed rapidly and seamlessly without the operator leaving the cab or seat.

Suitably, the one or more hydraulically powered fixtures include hydraulic actuated saddles or brackets, to support in movable disposition, one or more modified hydraulic tools. For example, the auger and its hydraulic motor are mounted in a saddle or bracket actuated by a rotational actuator whereby the auger is deployable between an operating and its non-operating position

Preferably, the hydraulic motors and actuators operating the post driver, clamp and the auger are connected to and activated by the hydraulic system of the earth moving equipment.

Preferably, the post clamp comprises a pair of pivoting opposed jaw members adapted to grab and release a post; the jaws operated by a hydraulic actuator. The post driver comprises a hydraulic ram or hammer adapted to apply a repetitive impact force to the post being driven.

In a preferred example, the auger is pivoted in a vertical direction between the operational and non-operational positions by a horizontally disposed rotational hydraulic actuator.

In an alternative example, the auger can be swivelled between the operational and non- operational positions in a horizontal or sideways direction by a vertically disposed rotational hydraulic actuator. In another aspect, the invention resides in a sole operator method of installing posts using the implement according to any one of the above claims including the steps of:

deploying the auger in the operational position;

digging a hole in the ground with the auger;

moving the auger to the non-operational position;

picking up a post with the post clamp, and

positioning the post in the hole;

driving the post with the post driver;

releasing the clamp;

moving to the next location, and

repeating the above steps for the next post

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

In order that the invention be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a preferred example of the invention in the hole digging position.

Figure 2 shows the example of Figure 1 in the post driving position.

Figure 3 shows detail of the hitching frame of the invention of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement of the invention.

Figure 5 shows control of the invention remotely activated via a wireless

protocol from the cab of an excavator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

In the interest of clarity and consistency, identical parts and components in the following drawings have been labelled with the same numbers. Numbers have also been included in some drawings to parts which are not discussed but which have been previously described in another section to facilitate clearer understanding of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, there are shown views of a preferred implement according to the invention. The support frame or chassis 10 is adapted to be hitched to an articulated arm of an excavator (see Figure 5). Pedestals 11, 13 locate hydraulically powered saddle 12a which supports and moves auger 12 between the operational position shown and a non- operational position shown in Figure 2. Bracket assembly 15 mounts post clamp 22 and its hydraulic actuator 24. Hole digging auger 12 is powered by hydraulic motor 14 and is pivoted by rotating actuator 16 of saddle 12a between the operational position (Fig.l and Fig. 3) and a vertical non-operational position (see Fig.2). Frame or chassis 10 also supports post driver 18 comprising a hydraulic hammer (obscured from view) adapted to apply a repetitive impact force to the post 20 being driven into a hole (not shown) made by the auger. The releasable post clamp 22 comprises a pair of pivoting opposed jaw members 22a, 22b adapted to grab, position and release post 20. The jaws are operated by actuator 24 pivotal about mounting point 15a on bracket assembly 15. The ability to rapidly dig a hole, handle the posts by controlling the releasable grab or post clamp and to drive the post into the ground by operating a sole implement from the cab of an excavator is the main differentiating feature over the prior art. In particular, it eliminates a layer of manual intervention which is a crucial safety feature of the invention. All hydraulic motors and actuators to operate the auger, the post driver, clamp jaws and to move the auger are operated by the hydraulic system of the earth moving equipment, typically an excavator, and are controlled from the cab of the excavator. As previously mentioned, this invention enables fence posts to be installed rapidly and seamlessly in a one man operation without the operator having to leave his or her seat or the cab.

As previously discussed, the hydraulic controls of the hydraulic motors and actuators can comprise manually controlled mechanical and/or electrically operated valves. However, in a more preferred version, the hydraulic controls of the hydraulic motors and actuators comprise a wireless electric over hydraulic system whereby solenoid controlled valves controlling supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors and actuators are remotely activated via a wireless protocol. Again, in either case, this is done from the comfort and safety of the excavator cab.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the implement of Figure 1 and Figure 2 showing detail of the hitching portion of frame or chassis 10. The frame or chassis includes hitching hooks 26, 28 for attachment to the hitch points of an excavator arm (not shown). Detail of actuator 24, which operates jaw members 22a and 22b, pivotal about mounting point 15a, is shown.

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement wherein the auger 12 is swivelled between the operational (as shown) and non-operational positions in a substantially horizontal or sideways direction by rotational hydraulic actuator 16. While not as ideal as being vertically positioned out of the way, this arrangement still allows the post clamp 22 to function without restriction or interference from the non-operating auger. The numbering of parts not mentioned here have been described in reference to the drawings already discussed in detail in the previous sections above but have been included to facilitate clearer understanding of the invention.

Figure 5 shows the version wherein control of the hydraulic motors and actuators of implement 10 utilises a wireless electric over hydraulic system whereby control of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors and actuators is remotely activated via a wireless protocol 30 from transmitter 32 located in the cab of excavator 34.

The specific advantages of the present invention may be said to include the following:

The invention can dig a hole; pick up and drive into the ground, a post in one operation without the operator leaving his or her seat.

It enables a one man or woman operation.

It enables infinite positioning of posts.

It is safe to operate as the operator is well away from the invention when in use (as the operator stays on the excavator) without the need of any manual intervention.

There is no manhandling of heavy posts as this can be done by operating the grab or releasable post clamp from the cab.

The auger is put in position from the operator's seat enhancing the safety of the process.

The post can be installed as far as the excavator boom will reach without having to constantly move the excavator.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

In addition, throughout the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains".