Earth-displacing apparatus

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus for displacing earth, comprising: a driver-operable powered vehicle at a forward position of the apparatus; one or more ground-displacing units coupled to the vehicle to be pulled thereby, the or each ground-displacing unit including a ground-engageable implement; and a powered dolly coupled to the unit(s) so as to provide to the apparatus locomotion which supplements that provided by the vehicle.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for displacing earth, comprising:
 a driver-operable powered vehicle at a forward position of the apparatus;   one or more ground-displacing units coupled to the vehicle to be pulled thereby, the or each ground-displacing unit including a ground-engageable implement; and   a powered dolly coupled to the unit(s) so as to provide to the apparatus locomotion which supplements that provided by the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of said ground-displacing units coupled in end-to-end relation, wherein the dolly is coupled to a rear of the unit(s). 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the or each unit includes traction means from which the or each earth-engageable implement of that unit is supported. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more further ground-displacing units coupled to the dolly to be pulled thereby, the or each further ground-displacing unit including a ground-engageable implement. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , comprising a plurality of said further ground-displacing units coupled in end-to-end relation. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the or each further unit includes traction means from which the or each earth-engageable implement of that unit is supported. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 4  to  6 , further comprising a further powered dolly coupled to a rear of the further ground-displacing unit(s) so as to provide to the apparatus locomotion which supplements that provided by the vehicle and dolly. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising one or more additional ground-displacing units coupled to the further dolly to be pulled thereby. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , comprising a plurality of additional ground-displacing units coupled in end-to-end relation. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising an additional powered dolly coupled to a rear of the additional ground-displacing unit(s) so as to provide to the apparatus locomotion which supplements that provided by the vehicle and dollies. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each dolly comprises brakes, at least one engine, transmission means powered by the engine(s) and traction means arranged to be driven by the transmission means. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the traction means comprises wheels and/or tracks. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including a communication system via which the vehicle is operatively linked to the or each dolly, such that operation of the vehicle and the or each dolly is synchronised. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein throttling and braking of the vehicle and the or each dolly are synchronised. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the or each dolly is steerable and steering of the vehicle and dolly or dollies are synchronised. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 13  to  15 , wherein the communication system comprises communication cabling. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 13  to  16 , wherein the communication system comprises wireless linkage(s), between the vehicle and dolly or dollies. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each dolly is coupled to at least one said unit in articulated relation. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the or each dolly is so coupled such that relative pivotal movement between the dolly and unit(s) is possible in perpendicular planes which extend parallel to a direction of travel of the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each, or at least one said, ground-engageable implement comprises a scraper. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each, or at least one said, ground-engageable implement comprises a plough. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each, or at least one said, ground-engageable implement comprises a ripper. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each, or at least one said, ground-engageable implement comprises a grader blade. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that operation of the units is sequenced. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 24 , configured to operate in a manner such that an implement of one, or each of more than one, of the units is in a ground-engaging condition while an implement of the or each other unit is in a non-ground engaging condition. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 24  as appended to  claim 20 , or  claim 25  as appended thereto, wherein loading and/or unloading of the units is sequenced.