Trench filling device

Abstract

A device for filling an open trench with the dirt previously removed from the trench lying alongside the trench, using a skid-mounted frame having blades to initially fill the trench and leveling the dirt, followed by a compactor.

1 . A device for filling an open trench with the dirt previously removed from the trench lying alongside the trench, comprising: 
 a skid-mounted frame having a forward end and a rear end and sized to span the open trench;    means in the forward end of the frame for moving the previously removed dirt generally into and over the trench;    means in the frame for temporarily leveling the dirt moved into and over the trench; and    means in the frame for compacting the temporarily leveled dirt.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  for use with a towing vehicle wherein the skid-mounted frame includes brackets for attaching the forward end of the frame to a towing vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the skid-mounted frame includes a vertical side plate at each side thereof and a skid along the lower edge of each side plate.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means in the forward end of the frame for moving the previously removed dirt generally into and over the trench comprises a pair of converging scraper blades adjustably supported in the frame.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means in the frame for temporarily leveling the dirt moved into and over the trench comprises a scraper blade extending across the frame.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means in the frame for compacting the temporarily leveled dirt comprises a compaction roller rotatably supported across the frame.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for temporarily leveling the dirt comprises a rubber tired wheel rotatably supported in the frame.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  further including a compression spring connecting the rubber tired wheel to the frame for urging the wheel toward the trench.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  further including scraper blades mounted in the frame between the rubber tired wheel and the means for compacting the temporarily leveled dirt positioned to re-distribute dirt moved by the rubber tired wheel before the dirt is compacted.