Vibration enhanced rolling tamper and methods of use

Abstract

A trench compactor assembly for use with a piece of equipment, the trench compactor assembly comprises: a compactor wheel, a frame assembly, a compactor mount, and an exciter. The frame assembly comprises one or more primary frame members and one or more extension members. The one or more primary frame members have a first end disposed adjacent the rotational axis of the compactor wheel, a second end spaced apart from the peripheral compaction surface of the compactor wheel, and a length greater than the radius of the compactor wheel extending between the first end and the second end. The exciter is disposed adjacent the second end of the one or more primary frame members such that the exciter is substantially aligned with the first and second ends of the primary frame members and the rotational axis of the compactor wheel. The exciter is selectively connected to a hydraulic system of the piece of equipment such that the exciter is further selectively actuated to generate vibrations.

1 . A trench compactor assembly for use with a piece of equipment, comprising:
 a compactor wheel having a rotational axis, a radius, and a peripheral compaction surface;   a frame assembly comprising:
 one or more primary frame members having a first end disposed adjacent the rotational axis of the compactor wheel, a second end spaced apart from the peripheral compaction surface of the compactor wheel, and a length greater than the radius of the compactor wheel extending between the first end and the second end; 
 one or more extension members having a first end, a second end, and a length extending therebetween, the first end engaging at least one of the one or more primary frame members, the second end extending from the at least one primary frame member in substantially fixed angular relation; 
   a compactor mount engaging the second end of at least one of the one or more extension members, the compactor mount adapted to be selectively mounted to a piece of equipment, and   an exciter disposed adjacent the second end of the one or more primary frame members such that the exciter is substantially aligned with the first and second ends of the primary frame members and the rotational axis of the compactor wheel, the exciter selectively actuated to generate vibrations.   
   
   
       2 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the center of mass of the exciter is substantially aligned with the first and second ends of the primary frame members and the rotational axis of the compactor wheel. 
   
   
       3 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more primary frame members comprise two primary frame members, and wherein the one or more extension members comprise two extension members. 
   
   
       4 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the one or more primary frame members and the one or more extension members is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the angle between the one or more primary frame members and the one or more extension members is between about 30 degrees and about 120 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the angle between the one or more primary frame members and the one or more extension members is between about 15 degrees and about 105 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the angle between the one or more primary frame members and the one or more extension members is about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the exciter is selectively connected to a hydraulic system of the piece of equipment such that hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic system causes the exciter to generate vibrations. 
   
   
       9 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compactor mount is pivotally connected to the frame assembly such that the angle between the frame assembly and the compactor mount is selectively adjusted. 
   
   
       10 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises:
 one or more support arms extending downward from the frame assembly such that the one or more support arms cooperate with the compactor wheel to selectively support the trench compactor assembly in an upright position.   
   
   
       11 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more support arms are selectively removed from the frame assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more support arms comprise two support arms that angle away from the compactor wheel as they extend downward from the frame assembly. 
   
   
       13 . The trench compactor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the two support arms are selectively removed from the frame assembly. 
   
   
       14 . A method of compacting backfill in a trench, comprising the steps of: providing a skid steer;
 providing a trench compactor assembly selectively supported by the skid steer, the trench compactor assembly comprising:   a compactor wheel having a rotational axis, a radius, and a peripheral compaction surface;   a frame assembly comprising:
 one or more primary frame members having a first end disposed adjacent the rotational axis of the compactor wheel, a second end spaced apart from the peripheral compaction surface of the compactor wheel, and a length greater than the radius of the compactor wheel extending between the first end and the second end; 
 one or more extension members having a first end, a second end, and a length extending therebetween, the first end engaging at least one of the one or more primary frame members, the second end extending from the at least one primary frame member in substantially-fixed angular relation; 
 a compactor mount engaging the second end of at least one of the one or more extension members, the compactor mount selectively engaging the skid steer; and 
 an exciter disposed adjacent the second end of the one or more primary frame members such that the exciter is substantially aligned with the first and second ends of the primary frame members and the rotational axis of the compactor wheel, the exciter selectively connected to a hydraulic system of the skid steer and further selectively actuated to cause the compactor wheel to vibrate; 
 positioning the skid steer relative to a trench such that the compactor wheel of the trench compactor assembly is at least partially disposed within the trench; 
 placing backfill within the trench; 
 actuating the exciter of the trench compactor assembly to cause the compactor wheel to vibrate; 
 propelling the trench compactor assembly with the skid steer such that the compactor wheel travels along at least a portion of the trench to compact at least a portion of the backfill within the trench. 
   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the steps of providing a skid steer and providing a trench compactor assembly are performed together. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of: connecting the trench compactor assembly to the skid steer. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of placing backfill is performed before the step of positioning the skid steer. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the steps of placing backfill and propelling the compactor assembly are performed simultaneously. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the trench compactor assembly further comprises two support arms extending downward from the frame assembly such that the two support arms cooperate with the compactor wheel to selectively support the trench compactor assembly in an upright position, the method further comprising the step of:
 removing the support arms from the frame assembly prior to the step of positioning the skid steer.