Trench filling machine

Abstract

A trench filling machine having a hopper supported below a tub containing trench filling material. The hopper is configured to deposit the trench filling material into a narrow trench formed in the ground surface. The hopper is attached to a frame of the machine using a suspension system. The suspension system includes a shock absorber configured to raise and lower the hopper in response to shifting of the machine's trajectory. The suspension system further permits limited lateral movement of the hopper in response shifting of the machine's trajectory or variations of the path of the trench.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame configured to be supported by a plurality of ground-contacting motive elements;   a tub supported on the frame;   a hopper supported by the frame and having an upper opening positioned below the tub; and   a shock absorber interconnecting the hopper and the frame such that the hopper is movable relative to the frame in response to movement of the shock absorber.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the shock absorber comprises a fastener surrounded by a spring. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the hopper moves vertically in response to movement of the shock absorber. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a suspension system interconnecting the hopper and the frame, the suspension
 system comprising: 
 the shock absorber; and 
 a bracket assembly interconnecting the shock absorber and the hopper; 
 in which the bracket assembly is pivotal relative to the frame. 
   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , in which the bracket assembly pivots in response to movement of the shock absorber; and in which the hopper moves vertically in response to pivotal movement of the bracket assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , in which in which the hopper is movable relative to the bracket assembly about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , in which the bracket assembly is joined to the frame by at least one pin; in which the bracket assembly is pivotable relative to the frame about a horizonal axis that extends through the at least one pin. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , in which the suspension system further comprises:
 a pivot arm, a first end of the pivot arm pivotably joined to the bracket assembly; and   in which the shock absorber interconnects at least a portion of the bracket assembly and the pivot arm.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , in which the bracket assembly comprises a pair of side plates joined by an upper plate; in which the pivot arm comprises a pair of pivot plates joined by a lower plate; and in which the shock absorber extends between the upper plate and the lower plate. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , in which the shock absorber comprises a hydraulic cylinder; and in which one end of the cylinder is attached to the pivot arm and another end of the cylinder is attached to the bracket assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , in which the bracket assembly comprises:
 a side plate pivotally joined to the first end of the pivot arm;   a vertical plate joined to the side plate, the vertical plate movable relative to the side plate; and   an attachment plate rigidly joined to the vertical plate;   in which the hopper is attached to the attachment plate and is movable relative to the attachment plate.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which shock absorber comprises a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston installed within a cylinder; in which the hopper raises vertically in response to extension of the piston from the cylinder; and in which the hopper is lowered vertically in response to retraction of the piston into the cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , in which the frame comprises a platform; and in which the suspension system is attached to a side of the platform. 
     
     
         14 . A trench filling machine, comprising:
 a frame supported by a plurality of ground-contacting motive elements configured to move the frame along a ground surface;   a tub supported on the frame;   a hopper positioned below the tub and supported by the frame; and   a suspension system interconnecting the hopper and the frame, the suspension system configured to raise and lower the hopper in response to deviations in the ground surface as the machine moves along the ground surface.   
     
     
         15 . The trench filling machine of  claim 14 , in which the suspension system comprises:
 a shock absorber; and   a bracket assembly joined to the frame and interconnecting the shock absorber and the hopper;   in which the bracket assembly is pivotal relative to the frame.   
     
     
         16 . The trench filling machine of  claim 15 , in which the hopper moves vertically in response to pivotal movement of the bracket assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The trench filling machine of  claim 15 , in which the bracket assembly is joined to the frame by at least one pin; in which the bracket assembly is pivotable about a horizonal axis that extends through the at least one pin. 
     
     
         18 . The trench filling machine of  claim 15 , in which the suspension system further comprises:
 a pivot arm, a first end of the pivot arm pivotably joined to the bracket assembly; and   in which the shock absorber extends between the bracket assembly and the pivot arm.   
     
     
         19 . The trench filling machine of  claim 18 , in which the pivot arm pivots in response to movement of the shock absorber; and in which the bracket assembly pivots in response to pivotable movement of the pivot arm. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , in which the hopper comprises a trench guide configured to be disposed within at least a portion of a narrow trench formed in the ground surface.