A grader assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grading assembly, a grader vehicle and method for maintaining a dirt or gravel road. The grader assembly is adapted for use with a water truck or truck having water dispersal means to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of a dirt or gravel road. The assembly includes a grading device carried by the truck for shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road.

1 . A grading assembly adapted for use with a water truck or truck having water dispersal means, said truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said assembly comprising:
 a grading device configured to be carried by an underside of the truck and positioned between front and rear axles of the truck, said grading device being configured to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of a dirt or gravel road,   wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the truck includes a prime mover and a trailer and the grading device is configured to be carried by an underside of the trailer in a position between axles of the prime mover and the trailer. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the grading device is configured to be positioned between the axles of the prime mover and a forward most axle of the trailer of the truck. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the grading device is carried indirectly by the truck via an adjustable carriage assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly facilitates in movement of the grading device between an operational position in which the grading device can engage with the surface of the dirt or gravel road, and a stowage position in which the grading device is raised and held clear of the surface of the dirt or gravel road. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly further facilitates in adjustment of a pitch of the grading device relative to a direction of travel of the truck. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly further facilitates in adjustment of an orientation of the grading device relative to a direction of travel of the truck. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly is a parallelogram linkage mechanism having at least two coupling arms pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device to facilitate in movement of the grading device between the operational and stowage positions. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two coupling arms are each coupled to the upper portion via a coupler that allows the pitch of the grading device to be adjusted relative to the direction of travel of the truck. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly includes at least one coupling arm pivotally coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device to facilitate in movement of the grading device between the operational and stowage positions. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the grading device is rotationally coupled to the at least one coupling arm such that the orientation of the grading device around its vertical axis relative to the at least one coupling arm is adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable carriage assembly includes at least one chain coupled to the underside of the truck and to an upper portion of the grading device together with a cable, associated with a winch coupled to the underside of the truck, and a moveable pulley associated with the cable such that the grading device is moved between the operational and stowage positions in a linear translational movement by action of the winch winding in or letting out the cable. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one chain, cable and moveable pulley are removably coupled to the upper portion of the grading device and the orientation of the grading device relative to the truck is adjustable by uncoupling and re-coupling the grading device to the at least one chain, cable and moveable pulley at a desired orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the grading device comprises a grader blade configured for shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the grading device comprises a drag for dragging along the surface of the dirt or gravel road to shape and maintain the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the drag includes an upper substantially horizontal panel and a plurality of scraper blades extending down from the panel for scraping and thereby shaping and maintaining the camber or the crown of the dirt or gravel road. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of scraper blades includes a first portion of scraper blades configured to, in use, move road material sideways relative to the direction of travel, and a second portion of scraper blades configured to, in use, smooth road material moved sideways by the first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a compacting device configured to facilitate compaction of the surface of the dirt or gravel road. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the water dispersal means comprises one or more water dispersal nozzles equipped with mechanics to pump water from a water reservoir carried by the truck and disperse water on to the surface of the dirt or gravel road in a controlled and specified capacity. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A grader vehicle for maintenance of a dirt or gravel road, said vehicle being in the form of a truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said vehicle comprising:
 a grading device configured to shape and maintain a camber or a crown of the dirt or gravel road, said grading device being carried by an underside of the truck in a position between front and rear axles of the truck; and   water dispersal means for dispersing water on to the dirt or gravel road,   wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.   
     
     
         22 . A method of maintaining a dirt or gravel road with a grading assembly attached to a water truck or truck having water dispersal means, said truck having a forward cab from which the truck is operated, said method comprising:
 shaping and maintaining a camber or a crown of the dirt or gravel road with a grading device configured to be carried by an underside of the truck in a position between front and rear axles of the truck,   wherein said grading device is in use operated from the cab of the truck.