Sidewalk grader apparatus and method

Abstract

A sidewalk grader provided for grading a sidewalk base disposed along a curb of an existing road structure. The sidewalk grader comprises a tracking assembly fixable to a vertically adjustable backfill blade of a compact excavator positioned to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader. The tracking assembly comprises a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb, to provide a reference point. A grading assembly is mounted to the tracking assembly. The grading assembly comprises a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the blade. An adjustable link connects the grading blade to the frame to adjustable fix their relative position. The tracking means is vertically adjustable to enable the same to engage with the surface of a curb for reference to enable precise adjustment, control, and positioning of the grading assembly, and for maintaining the desired position of the sidewalk grader in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure.

1 . A sidewalk grader for grading the area reserved for a sidewalk to a predetermined specified grade and elevation to form the base of a designed sidewalk that extends adjacent to and along an existing road structure of the type having a curb as a border, the sidewalk grader comprising:
 a tracking assembly adapted for fixable engagement with a vertically movable accessory extending from a piece of construction excavation equipment disposed to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader in a direction along the existing road structure, substantially parallel thereto, the tracking assembly being configured to extend from a vertically movable accessory in a transverse direction to the course of advancement, transversely across the road structure and the curb thereof; the tracking assembly further comprising a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with a top surface of a curb portion of the road structure and use of the top surface as a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader; a grading assembly mounted to the tracking assembly, extending outward therefrom, to extend beyond a curb portion of a road structure, over the location of an area reserved for a designed sidewalk, the grading assembly comprising: a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the grading blade according to the specified sidewalk design grade; means for adjusting and setting the relative position of the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame; and wherein the tracking means is vertically adjustable to engage with the top surface of the curb portion to provide a point of reference for precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the sidewalk grader, to position the grading assembly, and for maintaining the grading assembly in the desired position in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure.   
     
     
         2 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means for setting the relative position of the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame comprises an adjustable blade link extending from the frame to the grading blade, the adjustable blade link being fixed to the frame and to the grading blade, wherein the adjustable blade link is adjustable in length to set and maintain the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable blade link comprises a hydraulically operated actuator. 
     
     
         4 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the tracking assembly further comprises a pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about an axis to enable the sidewalk grader to fold, from a first folded position for ease of transportation, to a second unfolded, fixed operational position for grading an area reserved for a sidewalk. 
     
     
         5 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the tracking assembly further comprises a pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about an axis to enable the grading assembly to pivot upward and downward to vary the slope of the grading blade. 
     
     
         6 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 5  further comprising an adjustable slope control link extending from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being fixed to the tracking assembly, and to the grading assembly, wherein the adjustable slope control link is adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward motion responsive to a shortening adjustment in length of the slope control link, and moves in a downward motion responsive to an increase in length adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         7 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 6  wherein the adjustable slope control link comprises a hydraulically controlled actuator adapted for communication with a slope control system that controls the length of the slope control link according to a predetermined selected grading blade slope. 
     
     
         8 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tracking assembly further comprises a dual axis pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about two independent axes to enable the sidewalk grader to fold, about one axis, from a first folded position for ease of transportation, to a second unfolded, fixed operational position for grading an area reserved for a sidewalk to form the base thereof, and to enable the sidewalk grader to pivot about another separate axis to enable the grading assembly to pivot upward and downward to vary the slope of the grading blade. 
     
     
         9 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 8  further comprising an adjustable slope control link extending from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being fixed to the tracking assembly, and to the grading assembly, wherein the adjustable slope control link is adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward motion responsive to a shortening adjustment in length of the slope control link, and moves in a downward motion responsive to an increase in length adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         10 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the adjustable tracking means comprises a wheel disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader. 
     
     
         11 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable tracking means comprises a wheel disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader. 
     
     
         12 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tracking assembly is adapted for fixable engagement with a backfill blade of a compact excavator, the sidewalk grader further comprising a blade stabilizer adapted to engage a portion of a backfill blade, the blade stabilizer comprising a vertically adjustable wheel to engage a road structure for support to stabilize the backfill blade. 
     
     
         13 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the grading assembly further comprises an extension assembly to position the grading blade a predetermined additional spaced distance from the tracking assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an adjustable slope control link extending from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward or downward motion responsive to adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a sidewalk grader for grading the area reserved for a sidewalk to a predetermined specified grade and elevation to form the base of a designed sidewalk that extends adjacent to and along an existing road structure of the type having a curb as a border, the method comprising the steps: providing a tracking assembly adaptable for fixable engagement with a vertically movable accessory extending from a piece of construction excavation equipment disposed to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader in a direction along the existing road structure, substantially parallel thereto, the tracking assembly being configured to extend from a vertically movable accessory in a transverse direction to the course of advancement, transversely across the road structure and the curb thereof; equipping the tracking assembly with a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with a top surface of a curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader; mounting a grading assembly to the tracking assembly, extending outward therefrom, to extend beyond a curb portion of a road structure, over the location of an area reserved for a designed sidewalk, the grading assembly comprising: a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the grading blade according to the specified sidewalk design grade; means for adjusting and setting the relative position of the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame; and wherein the tracking means is vertically adjustable to engage with the top surface of a curb to provide a point of reference for precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the sidewalk grader, to position the grading assembly, and for maintaining the grading assembly in the desired position in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15  further comprising the step of extending an adjustable blade link from the frame to the grading blade, the adjustable blade link being fixed to the frame and to the grading blade, the adjustable blade link being adjustable in length to set and maintain the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of configuring the tracking assembly to include a pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly, to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about an axis to enable the sidewalk grader to fold, from a first folded position for ease of transportation, to a second unfolded, fixed operational position for grading an area reserved for a sidewalk to form the base thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of configuring the tracking assembly to include a pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about an axis to enable the grading assembly to pivot upward and downward to vary the slope of the grading blade. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of incorporating an adjustable slope control link to extend from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being fixed to the tracking assembly, and to the grading assembly, wherein the adjustable slope control link is adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward motion responsive to a shortening adjustment in length of the slope control link, and moves in a downward motion responsive to an increase in length adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the adjustable slope control link comprises a hydraulically controlled actuator adapted for communication with a slope control system that controls the length of the slope control link according to a predetermined selected grading blade slope. 
     
     
         21 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of configuring the tracking assembly to include a dual axis pivot joint disposed adjacent the grading assembly to pivotally receive the grading assembly so that the grading assembly can pivot about two independent axes to enable the sidewalk grader to fold from a first folded position, for ease of transportation, to a second unfolded, fixed operational position for grading an area reserved for a sidewalk to form the base thereof, and to enable the sidewalk grader to pivot about another separate axis to enable the grading assembly to pivot upward and downward to vary the slope of the grading blade. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of extending an adjustable slope control link from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being fixed to the tracking assembly, and to the grading assembly, wherein the adjustable slope control link is adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward motion responsive to a shortening adjustment in length of the slope control link, and moves in a downward motion responsive to an increase in length adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         23 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the adjustable tracking means comprises a wheel disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader. 
     
     
         24 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the adjustable tracking means comprises a wheel disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader. 
     
     
         25 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of adapting the tracking assembly for fixable engagement with a backfill blade of a compact excavator, the sidewalk grader further comprising a blade stabilizer adapted to engage a portion of a backfill blade, the blade stabilizer comprising a vertically adjustable wheel to engage a road structure for support to stabilize the backfill blade. 
     
     
         26 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of incorporating an adjustable slope control link to extend from the tracking assembly to the grading assembly, the slope control link being fixed to the tracking assembly, and to the grading assembly, wherein the adjustable slope control link is adjustable in length so that the grading assembly moves in an upward motion responsive to a shortening adjustment in length of the slope control link, and moves in a downward motion responsive to an increase in length adjustment in length of the slope control link. 
     
     
         27 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing an extension assembly to position the grading assembly a predetermined additional spaced distance from the tracking assembly. 
     
     
         28 . A method of making a sidewalk grader as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing a brace adapted to extend from the structure of a piece of construction excavation equipment to the grading assembly to minimize relative movement between the grading assembly and the construction excavation equipment.