Method and device for air-assisted moving of soil in an earth moving apparatus

Abstract

Devices and methods for air-assisted loading of soil in an earth-moving apparatus are disclosed. One aspect of a device includes a source of a current of air and at least one conduit for directing the current of air towards soil moved by the earth-moving apparatus. The device is configured to be operatively connected to the earth-moving apparatus. An earth-moving apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having opposing sides, supported by at least two ground-engaging wheels, and a bucket having a floor and a pair of upstanding sidewalls. A cutting blade may be attached to the bucket or disposed between the opposing sides of the frame. An air supply system for delivering a current of air to soil moved by the earth-moving apparatus is also included. Methods for loading soil into an earth-moving apparatus are also disclosed.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A method for moving soil with an earth-moving apparatus, the method comprising: 
 providing an earth-moving apparatus comprising a cutting blade, a bucket and an air supply system;    moving soil across the cutting blade and at least partially through the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus; and    directing a current of air produced by the air supply system upwards through a floor of the bucket to contact the soil moving at least partially through the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein directing the current of air comprises producing pulses of air that contacts the soil moved by the earth-moving apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein directing the current of air comprises producing a substantially continuous current of air that contacts the soil moved by the earth-moving apparatus.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the current of air is at a pressure from about 65 pounds to about 90 pounds psi.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein directing the current of air is performed while loading the soil into the earth moving apparatus.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein directing the current of air is performed while loading the soil out of the earth moving apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . An improvement in a scraper apparatus having a forward blade affixed to an edge of a soil-holding bucket having a floor, opposing sidewalls and a rear wall, the improvement comprising: 
 an open-mesh screen forming at least a portion of the floor of the bucket.    
   
   
       15 . The improvement of  claim 14 , further comprising means for creating a current of air that flows upward through at least a portion of the screen.  
   
   
       16 . A method for loading soil in a bucket of an earth-moving apparatus, the method comprising: 
 depositing soil in the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus; and    directing a current of air upwards to contact the soil as the soil enters the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the current of air is directed upwards through a floor of the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus.  
   
   
       18 . A method for un-loading soil in a bucket of an earth-moving apparatus, the method comprising: 
 unloading soil from the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus; and    directing a current of air upwards to contact the soil as the soil exits the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the current of air is directed upwards through a floor of the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein unloading the soil from the bucket of the earth-moving apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: pushing the soil out of the bucket with a moving wall; moving a section of the floor of the bucket, thus transferring the soil out of the bucket; and tilting the bucket, thus dumping the soil our of the bucket.