Zero turning radius earthworking scraper

Abstract

The earthworking tool of the implement is an assembly comprised of an elongated cutting edge with a vertically extending blade that is rigidly connected to a rotatable ground contact roller or rollers by rigid end plates. The earthworking assembly is adjustably attached to and pivotably connected to a vertically extending yoke, which is in turn pivotably connected at it's upper midpoint, to a vertical mast. The mast is journalled by an overhead frame assembly which is removably attached to a skidsteer or other general purpose utility vehicle. As the front wheels of the skidsteer are raised off the ground, the rollers on the earthworking assembly assume the function of bearing the load of the implement and also a portion of the weight of the skidsteer. The vehicle, steered and powered by the rear wheels, may then move in any direction and the earthworking implement will articulate on a vertical axis.

I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . An earthworking scraper for smoothing, moving, leveling, and shaping the earth or other construction materials and the like, in situ comprising; 
 (a) a first means of providing a motive source capable of maneuvering in multiple directions,    (b) a support structure comprising; 
 (1) a proximal end,  
 (2) a main body of a predetermined length,  
 (3) a distal end,  
   (c) a second means of attachment of said motive source to said proximal end of said support structure whereby said distal end is projected outwardly from said motive source,    (d) a tool carrier assembly comprising; 
 (1) a depth control device comprising, 
 a. a ground contact surface,  
 b. a third means for rotating said ground contact surface around a somewhat horizontal first axis,  
 
 (2) an elongated scraper blade  
 (3) a fourth means of retaining said first axis of said depth control device and said scraper blade in a somewhat parallel relationship,  
 wherein the improvement comprises;  
   (e) a shaft,    (f) a fifth means of pivotally connecting said shaft to said support structure at a predetermined distance from said distal end of said support structure allowing said shaft to rotate around a somewhat vertical second axis,    (g) a sixth means of pivotally connecting said shaft to said earthworking tool assembly thereby allowing the assembly to pivot around a somewhat horizontal third axis, which lies perpendicular to said first axis, in response to irregularities in the surface being worked,    Whereby said earthworking tool assembly pivots about a somewhat vertical second axis in response to forces causing said motive source to turn in a cyclonic or anti-cyclonic motion as said earthworking scraper is engaged in work thus allowing a change of direction of said earthworking scraper without disengaging from the material being worked.    
     
     
         2 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including a seventh means of providing rotational energy to said shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including an eighth means of removably attaching said depth control device.  
     
     
         4 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including a ninth means of selectively preventing said shaft from rotating about said second vertical axis.  
     
     
         5 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including a cutting edge attached to said scraper blade.  
     
     
         6 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including a tenth means of pivotally connecting said tool carrier assembly to said shaft along a somewhat horizontal fourth axis, said fourth axis being parallel to said first axis, thereby allowing said somewhat horizontal first axis to rotate around said somewhat horizontal fourth axis in a controllable way, while maintaining a constant parallel relationship between said somewhat horizontal first axis and said somewhat horizontal fourth axis.  
     
     
         7 . The earthworking scraper of  claim 1 , further including an eleventh means of providing a flow of hydraulic fluid through said shaft.