Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for clearing mines, and more particularly
to mine clearing apparatus mountable on an armoured vehicle such as a tank.
Background of the Invention
[0002] It is known in tank warfare to employ mine clearing apparatus mounted on a vehicle
for clearing a path through a mine-field. Conventional mine clearing apparatus which
is mounted on armoured vehicles is relatively cumbersome and often interferes with
the fighting ability of the vehicle. This is due to a number of disadvantages. Firstly,
once it is desired to pass through a mine field; lowering the mine clearing apparatus
into ground engaging position requires a manual operation from outside the tank. Raising
of the mine clearing apparatus out of ground engaging position is sometimes done manually
and sometimes done by means of a hydraulic or electrical lifter. The hydraulic or
electric lifter is extremely susceptible to failure and may be disabled even by small
weapons fire. In such case, the vehicle may be totally disabled in its mobility. Another
difficulty with conventional mine clearing apparatus is that in its raised position,
it interferes with the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle and may also interfere
with the positioning of the cannon of an armoured vehicle such as a tank.
[0003] Examples of known mine clearing apparatus are shown in Soldat und Technik, No. 4/1976,
pages 176 to 178, and in Jane's Combat Support Equipment, first Edition 1978-79, Editor
Christopher F. Foss, page 178.
[0004] French Patent 914285 discloses a mine-clearing apparatus corresponding to the preamble
of claim 1 and comprising a brake provided with a lifting mechanism which includes
a winding drum and a pair of cables attached to the rake. The lifting mechanism can
be coupled to the vehicle transmission when the vehicle reverses, so that the rake
is lifted when the vehicle is reversed. The described mechanism is inconvenient and
vulnerable to attack.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a mine clearing apparatus which
is robust and reliable.
[0006] The present invention provides a mine clearing apparatus for attachment to a vehicle
including a vehicle tread, which apparatus comprises:-
a frame mountable onto a vehicle for selectable positioning in a raised or lowered
orientation;
means, mounted onto said frame, for raising and shunting aside mines;
means for selectably retaining said frame in a raised orientation and including control
means operable from inside the vehicle for selectably releasing the frame from its
raised orientation and allowing it to assume its lowered orientation; and
means for raising said frame from its lowered orientation to its raised orientation
on backwards motion of the vehicle;
characterised in that the means for raising the frame are designed to operate automatically
in response to backwards motion of the vehicle and comprise:
mounting means rotatably mounted onto the vehicle;
supporting means mounted onto said mounting means and operative, when actuated, to
raise said frame to its raised orientation;
tooth means fixed onto said mounting means and arranged for selectable engagement
with said vehicle tread; and
means for urging said tooth means into driven engagement with said vehicle tread whereby
during backwards movement of said vehicle, the vehicle tread causes the mounting means
to rotate, thereby actuating said supporting means, thereby raising said frame to
its raised orientation.
[0007] The apparatus for raising and shunting aside mines preferably comprises a plurality
of plow teeth which, in operation, extend below the ground surface, and first and
second plow sections, disposed one above another in hinged engagement and operative
to lie in the same plane during operation and in folded engagement when the frame
is in its raised orientation, so as not to interfere with normal tank operation.
[0008] The raising and shunting apparatus may also comprise a gliding surface which supports
the frame in its lowered orientation. The gliding .surface is provided with a front
mine deflector plate for deflecting mines in the path thereof. The gliding surface
may be provided with a retaining member so as to prevent inadvertent engagement of
the gliding surface with treads of its supporting vehicle under certain conditions
of terrain.
[0009] In one embodiment, the means for urging the tooth into engagement with tread comprises
a spring, attached eccentrically to the rotating mounting means and attached to the
frame, and tending to pull the tooth into engagement with the tread however in such
a way during forward movement, the tread slips past the tooth whereas during reverse
movement, the tooth is drawn into engagement with the moving tread.
[0010] In another embodiment, the means for urging the tooth into engagement with the tread
comprise spring supporting means mounted onto the mounting means and attached to the
plow apparatus, the spring supporting means being operative when the plow is in its
lowered orientation to urge the tooth into driven engagement with the vehicle tread
whereby during backwards movement of the vehicle the mounting means rotates in a first
direction, thereby extending the length of the spring supporting means, and increasing
the length of the spring supporting means, and increasing the spring force thereof
until a spring force is reached at a first position of the mounting means sufficient
to raise the plow to its raised orientation. Continued rotation of the mounting means
raises the plow until it engages a retaining hook, and is held stationary. Continued
backwards movement of the vehicle tread causes the mounting means to continue to rotate
in the first direction increasing the length and spring force of the spring support
until it passes a second position defining a first dead point at which the longitudinal
axis of the spring supporting means intersects the axis of rotation of the mounting
means. After it passes the second position the mounting means reaches a third position
at which the teeth are disengaged from the treads to free forward movement driven
by the spring force of the spring supporting means. The mounting means then rotates
under the force of the spring supporting means to a fourth position at which the teeth
are totally disengaged from the treads, and the spring supporting means is at a minimum
length and spring force.
[0011] Preferably, the spring supporting means comprises first and second springs having
different spring constants arranged in a series arrangement.
[0012] Preferably at least one of the springs comprises a disk or belleville spring.
[0013] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there are two
teeth, one of which engages the vehicle treads when the frame is in the lowered orientation
upon the onset of backwards motion and the other of which becomes disengaged from
the vehicle treads upon traversal of the third position, in order to permit spring
driven rotation of the mounting means.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a top view illustration of mine clearing apparatus constructed and operative
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a lowered orientation;
Fig. 3 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 in a partially
lowered orientation;
Figs. 4A and 4B are respective views of a locking mechanism forming part of the apparatus
of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in respective locked and unlocked orientations;
Fig. 5 is a top view illustration of an alternate embodiment of mine clearing apparatus
constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 5 in a lowered orientation;
Fig. 7 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 in a partially
raised orientation;
Fig. 8 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 5-7 in a raised orientation
with the spring support apparatus at a first dead point orientation; and
Fig. 9 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 5-8 in a raised orientation.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0015] Reference is now made to Figs. 1-3 which illustrate mine clearing apparatus constructed
and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The present
description is presented with particular reference to mine clearing apparatus which
is mountable onto a particular type of tank, the M-60 Patton. It is appreciated that
this is entirely for the purpose of illustration and that the invention is applicable
to other types of tanks and possibly other vehicles as well.
[0016] As seen in the illustrations, the mine clearing apparatus comprises a frame 10 including
a pair of identical side portions 12 which are joined at their front end by a cross
bar 14 and at their rear end support an axle 16. Frame 10 is rigidly mounted onto
an armoured vehicle such as a M-60 tank in the illustrated embodiment by engagement
of pins 17 located at side portions 12 with towline lugs fixed onto the tank. Rigidity
of mounting is provided by bolts 18 which: engage - the underside of the tank and
force mounting plate 20, fixedly mounted onto side portions 12 on the opposite side
of pins 17, into tight engagement with the underside hull of the tank.
[0017] First and second arms 22 and 24 are independently rotatably mounted onto axle 16
and extend forwardly thereof in generally parallel planes. Arms 22 and 24 are strengthened
by reinforcing elements 26 and 28 respectively which are fixed at one end thereof
to the respective arms and are rotatably mounted by means of clamps 30 and 32 onto
axle 16.
[0018] Rigidly mounted onto each of arms 22 and 24 is a mine plowing assembly 34. Mine plowing
assembly 34 comprises main plow portion 36, of generally elongate configuration and
concave cross section.
[0019] The general configuration of main plow portion 36 may be similar to that of an ordinary
vehicle powered snow plow. Disposed above main plow portion 36 and hinged thereonto
is an auxiliary plow portion 38. Auxiliary plow portion 38 has two positions, a lowered
position in which it extends forwardly of the surface of main plow portion 36 and
a raised position in which it defines an upper continuation of the surface of the
main plow portion 36. This hinged construction is to obviate the problem of interference
with a driver's field of vision or with the range of operation of the armament on
a tank. Towards this end, the hinged auxiliary plow portion 38 may be lowered when
the plowing assembly 34 is in its raised orientation.
[0020] Disposed below main plow portion 36 there are provided a plurality of vertically
disposed planar blades 40, which during operation are disposed below the ground surface.
The horizontal spacing between adjacent vertical blades is selected to be such that
anti-vehicle mines will of necessity be engaged thereby. The blades are provided with
an inclined forward surface, so as to raise mines located under the ground surface
into engagement with main plow portion 36, so that they may be plowed aside.
[0021] A desired depth of operation for blades 40 is determined by means of a gliding surface
assembly 42 which is articulatedly mounted onto each of arms 22 and 24. The gliding
surface assembly 42 comprises a sled 44 which is arranged to slide on the ground surface
and is formed at its front with a vertical blade 47 for deflecting mines to the side
thereof. Sled 44 is rotatably mounted onto a cam slot of a mounting plate 46. Mounting
plate 46 is mounted in turn onto a mounting element 48. It is appreciated that sled
44 is permitted to undergo a somewhat complex articulated motion in a single plane
within limits defined by the respective cam paths. This mounting arrangement permits
selectable adjustment of the penetration depth of the plowing assembly 34 and also
permits the sled 44 to be folded when the plowing assembly is in its raised orientation
to eliminate interference with operation of the tank.
[0022] A chain 50 extends from each auxiliary plow portion 38 to a location on the tank
hull or onto frame 10. The length of the chain 50 is selected such that it is slack
when the plowing assembly is in its raised orientation but becomes tight when the
plowing assembly is lowered, thus pulling on auxiliary plow portion 38 and orienting
it towards a generally vertical orientation. The full raised orientation of the auxiliary
plow portion 38 is reached only when soil being plowed is forced thereagainst.
[0023] Reference is now made additionally to Figs. 4A and 4B which together with Figs. 1-3
illustrate apparatus for retaining the arms in their raised orientation and for selectable
release thereof. A hook member 60, is pivotably mounted about an axis 62 onto each
side portion 12 and comprises a socket portion 64 located at one end thereof and a
roller portion 66 at another end thereof and having mounted thereon a roller 68. A
selectable release lever 70 is pivotably mounted onto each side portion 12 about an
axis 72 and defines first and second roller support shoulders 74 and 76. A spring
78 joins hook member 60 and release lever 70, urging lever 70 into seating engagement
with roller 68 at one of shoulders 74 and 76. A cable connection 80 is provided to
the interior of the vehicle, such that pulling on the cable is operative to provide
counter-clockwise movement of lever 70 about its pivot axis 72 (as seen in Figs. 4A
and 4B).
[0024] The operation of the apparatus described hereinabove will be understood from a consideration
of Figs. 4A and 4B. Fig. 4B shows a retainer roller 82 which is fixedly mounted onto
each of arms 22 and 24 about to engage socket portion 64 and moving in an arc illustrated
by an arrow 84. Engagement of roller 82 with a surface 86 of the socket portion forces
the hook member to pivot in a clockwise direction about its pivot axis 62 (in the
sense of Figs. 4A and 4B). Due to the action of roller 68 against hook member 60,
and the subsequent tendency of hook member 60 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction
in response to the effect of gravity on roller 82 and the massive plowing assembly
attached thereto, roller 68 seats on shoulder 76 and is thus prevented from further
counterclockwise rotation into an open orientation. Roller 82 is thus securely engaged
by hook member 60 and arms 22 and 24 are maintained in their respective raised orientation,
provided that lever 70 remains in the seated position (Fig 4A).
[0025] When it is desired to lower arms 22 and 24 to their respective lowered, ground engaging
orientations, it is sufficient to pull on respective cables 80 from the safety of
the driver's compartment. Pulling of cables 80 causes the lever 70 to pivot in a counterclockwise
direction and out of supporting engagement with roller 68. Hook member 60 is then
free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot such that pin 82 is
released, thus allowing arm 22 or 24 as the case may be and the associated mine plowing
assembly 34 to fall by gravity into the respective lowered orientations in engagement
with the ground. Meanwhile, under the influence of spring 78, roller 68 seats on support
shoulder 74. It is appreciated that the particular construction of the hook member
60 and of the lever 70 enable the release of the mine plowing assembly to be achieved
with relatively little pull force on cable connection 80.
[0026] Reference is now made once again to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which also illustrate apparatus
for automatically lifting the mine plowing assembly. There are provided two installations
of such apparatus, corresponding to the two mine plowing assemblies. The apparatus
for automatically lifting the mine plowing assembly comprises a freely rotatable disk
90 which is bearing mounted onto a mounting member 92 which is bolted onto a tension
wheel 94 of a tank. Tension wheel 94 engages the tread of the tank and maintains it
at a desired tension. Mounted on an outer facing surface of disk 90 are three outer
pins 95, 96 and 97 and an inner disposed pin 98. Mounted on an inner facing surface
of disk 90 is a tooth 100 which is disposed ordinarily out of engagement with corresponding
interstices defined between plates of the tank tread.
[0027] Mounted on pin 95 is a lifting chain 99 which is attached at its other end to a location
102 fixed onto main plow portion 36. Mounted on pin 98 is a spring 104 which is attached
at its other end to main plow portion 36. Spring 104 is operative when in the orientation
illustrated in Fig. 2 to urge disk to rotate about its axis 91 in a clockwise direction
(in the sense of Fig. 2). This rotation brings tooth 100 into driven engagement with
corresponding interstices between plates of the tank tread. As soon as the tank is
moving forward, this engagement produces only a clicking action as engagement with
the interstices between the plates of the tank tread tend to move the tooth 100 in
a counterclockwise direction, while the spring 104 snaps the tooth back in a clockwise
direction.
[0028] The apparatus for automatically lifting the mine plowing assembly described above
is operative upon reverse motion of the tank with the mine plowing assembly in a lowered
orientation. As the tank treads move in a backwards direction tooth 100 engages one
of the interstices between adjacent plates thereof and is driven together with disk
90 in a clockwise direction thereby causing chain 99 to wind about pins 96 and 97,
with the result that the chain pulls the plowing assembly 34 upwardly until roller
82 engages hook member 60 in locked engagement for retaining the arm and associated
plowing assembly in a raised orientation.
[0029] Continued backwards motion of the tank tends to continue to drive tooth 100 and disk
90 in a clockwise motion. Once plowing assembly 34 is locked by hook member 60, chain
99 cannot move forward in the clockwise direction and thus disk 90 is prevented from
progressing in this direction. As a result, tooth 100 repeatedly engages one of the
interstices of the tread plates and is pulled forward, only to be snapped back by
the action of chain 99. This lifts the tread plate slightly and bangs it down, producing
a significant noise which signals to the operator to terminate backwards motion.
[0030] Once forward motion is commenced, tooth 100 engaged one of the interstices of the
tread plates and is moved in a counterclockwise direction until it reaches a location
at which the treads tend to disengage therewith. Since the orientation of spring 104
has passed its dead spot due to the raised orientation of plowing assembly 34, spring
104 is operative to urge the tooth 100 and disk 90 to undertake further counterclockwise
motion until tooth 100 is totally disengaged from the tank treads. This orientation
remains until the plowing assembly is lowered, at which time, spring 104 is again
reoriented and urges the disk 90 into the orientation shown in Fig. 2.
[0031] A limit chain 110 is provided for attachment between frame 10 and each of arms 22
and 24 to prevent arms 22 and 24 from falling beyond a certain limit in the event
that a sudden drop in the ground level is encountered, as such a drop could otherwise
bring the plowing assembly into engagement with the tank treads.
[0032] It is noted that the plowing assembly engages the ground surface in the vicinity
of the treads and outwardly thereof. In order to protect the intermediate portion
of the tank from mine damage, a weighted chain 120 is mounted between the two plowing
assemblies to engage and detonate any mines that are encountered at a safe distance
from the tank.
[0033] Reference is now made to Figs. 5-9 which illustrate an alternate embodiment of the
mine clearing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention.
Like numerals in Figs. 5-9 and Figs. 1-4 indicate like elements.
[0034] The mine clearing apparatus of Figs. 5-9 also comprises a frame 10 including a pair
of identical side portions 12 which are joined at their front end by a cross bar 14
and at their rear end support an axle 16. Frame 10 is rigidly mounted onto an armoured
vehicle such as an M-60 tank in the illustrated embodiment by engagement of pins 17
located at side portions 12 with towline lugs fixed onto the tank. Rigidity of mounting
is provided by bolts 18 which engage the underside of the tank and force mounting
plates 20, fixedly mounted onto side portions 12 on the opposite side of pins 17,
into tight engagement with the underside hull of the tank.
[0035] First and second arms 22 and 24 are independently rotatably mounted onto axle 16
and extend forwardly thereof in generally parallel planes. Arms 22 and 24 are strengthened
by reinforcing elements 25 and 28 respectively which are fixed at one end thereof
to the respective arms and are rotatably mounted by means of clamps 30 and 32 onto
axle 16.
[0036] Rigidly mounted onto each of arms 22 and 24 is a mine plowing assembly 34. Mine plowing
assembly 34 comprises main plow portion 36 which is substantially identical to that
described in connection with Figs. 1-4. Disposed above main plow portion 36 and hinged
thereonto is an auxiliary plow portion 38, substantially identical with that described
hereinabove.
[0037] Disposed below main plow portion 36 there are provided a plurality of vertically
disposed planar blades 40, which during operation are disposed below the ground surface.
The horizontal spacing between adjacent vertical blades is selected to be such that
anti-vehicle mines will, of necessity, by engaged thereby. The blades are provided
with an inclined forward surface, so as to raise mines located under the ground surface
into engagement with main plow portion 36, so that they may be plowed aside.
[0038] A desired depth of operation for blades 40 is determined by means of a gliding surface
assembly 42 which is articulatedly mounted onto each of arms 22 and 24. The gliding
surface assembly 42 comprises a sled 44 which is arranged to slide on the ground surface
and is formed at its front with a vertical blade 45 for deflecting mines to the side
thereof. Sled 44 is rotatably mounted onto a cam slot of a mounting plate 46. Mounting
plate 46 is mounted in turn onto a mounting element 48. It is appreciated that sled
44 is permitted to undergo a somewhat complex articulated motion in a single plane
within limits defined by the respective cam paths. This mounting arrangement permits
selectable adjustment of the penetration depth of the plowing assembly 34 and also
permits the sled 44 to be folded when the plowing assembly is in its raised orientation
to eliminate interference with operation of the tank.
[0039] A chain 50 extends from each auxiliary plow portion 38 to a location on the tank
hull. The length of the chain 50 is selected such that it is slack when the plowing
assembly is in its raised orientation but becomes tight when the plowing assembly
is lowered, thus pulling on auxiliary plow portion 38 and orienting it towards a generally
vertical orientation. The full raised orientation of the auxiliary plow portion 38
is reached only when soil being plowed is forced thereagainst.
[0040] The locking mechanism of Figs. 4A and 4B also act as described hereinabove with the
apparatus of Figs. 5-9 to retain the arms in their raised orientation and to selectably
release them.
[0041] Reference is now made again to Figs. 5-9 which illustrate an apparatus for automatically
lifting the mine plowing assembly. There are provided two installations of such apparatus,
corresponding to the two mine plowing assemblies. The apparatus for automatically
lifting the mine plowing assembly comprises a freely rotatable disk segment 190 which
is bearing mounted onto a mounting member 192 which is bolted onto a tension wheel
194 of a tank. Tension wheel 194 engages the tread of the tank and maintains it at
a desired tension. Mounted on an outer facing surface of disk segment 190 at a first
radius from the pivot location 193 about which the disk segment rotates, is a mounting
pin 195. Mounted on an edge surface of disk segment 190 are first and second spaced
teeth 196 and 198 which selectably engage the interstices defined between plates of
the tank tread in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] Spring supporting apparatus 199 comprises a spring housing 200 which is rotatably
mounted at a first end thereof onto mounting pin 195 and a spring compressing rod
205 which is connected at an exterior end thereof to a location 202 fixed onto the
main plow portion 36. Spring supporting apparatus 199 may be generally described as
comprising a spring loaded extensible support member formed of elements 200 and 205
and comprising first and second springs 201 and 203 arranged in a series arrangement.
Springs 201 and 203 preferably have greatly different spring forces. Typically, spring
201 is an ordinary heavy duty coil spring while spring 203 comprises a series of independent
disk or belleville springs which are characterized in that they undergo complete compression
at a compressive force of about 7 ton. It is appreciated that any other suitable spring
arrangement may be employed alternatively and that the arrangement of apparatus 199
is such that extension of apparatus 199 produces compression of springs 201 and 203.
[0043] The operation of spring supporting apparatus 199 and of the entire apparatus for
automatically lifting the mine plowing assembly will now be described with reference
to Figs. 5-9.
[0044] In order to understand the operation of the automatic lifting apparatus, it is necessary
to appreciate the details of construction of disk segment 190 and the relative positions
of teeth 196 and 198 and pin 195 thereon. As seen in the drawings, the direction of
motion of the tank treads during reverse motion of the tank is indicated by an arrow
204. Upon engagement of at least one teeth 196 and 198 with the tank treads, the disk
segment 190 is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction, indicated by an arrow 206
about pivot location 193. With respect to this direction of rotation, indicated by
arrow 207, pin 195 leads tooth 196 by about 20° and tooth 196 leads tooth 198 by about
90°.
[0045] Fig. 6 shows the plowing assembly in a fully lowered plowing orientation prior to
engagement of tooth 196 with the tank treads. In this orientation, spring 201 is compressed
to about one-half of its maximum length. This is the orientation during forward mine
clearing operation of the tank.
[0046] When it is desired to raise the mine clearing apparatus to a raised orientation,
the tank simply shifts to reverse motion. Due to the position of tooth 196 which is
pressed against the tank tread during motion in a forward direction as illustrated
in Fig. 6, reverse motion of the tank tread in a direction indicated by arrow 204,
tends to draw tooth 196 into driven engagement therewith, causing clockwise rotation
of disk segment 190 in a direction indicated by arrow 207. An initial backwards movement
of the tank causes the blades 40 to lie on the ground surface instead of being buried
partially therebelow.
[0047] Continued backward motion of the tank and consequent clockwise rotation of disk segment
190 causes the length of supporting apparatus 199 to increase until spring 201 is
fully compressed, as seen in Fig. 7. It is a particular feature of the invention that
the force required to fully compress spring 203 is greater than the force required
to lift the plowing apparatus. Consequently, further backwards motion of the tank
and clockwise rotation of disk segment 190 causes lifting of the plowing apparatus
to a fully raised orientation. At the fully raised orientation roller 82 engages hook
member 80 in locked engagement for retaining the arm and associated plowing assembly
in the raised orientation and preventing further upward movement thereof.
[0048] It may be appreciated that a series combination of a relatively weak spring 201 and
a relative strong spring 203 are employed in spring support apparatus 199 for a number
of reasons. One reason is to present a relatively weak spring force during plowing
operation so as not to force.tooth 196 against the tank tread with excessive force
during plowing operations which could cause excessive wear of tooth 196. A second
reason is not to cause inadvertent disengagement of the plowing apparatus from the
soil due to the force of spring support apparatus 199. The strong spring 203 is, however,
predominant during the lifting operation. As seen in Fig. 7, the weak spring 201 is
quickly fully compressed at the beginning of the lifting operation and this is neutralized,
allowing the spring force of the strong spring 203 to predominate.
[0049] It is also appreciated that the provision of a spring element such as spring 203
is very desirable in the apparatus since it provides the needed flexibility in the
coupling apparatus to enable locking of the plowing apparatus in its raised position
under different conditions, such as different positions of the tank tension wheel
and thus of pivot location 193 during operation.
[0050] With continued backwards movement of the tank treads, the disk segment 190 continues
to rotate due to the engagement of tooth 198 from the treads, even after tooth 196
becomes disengaged therefrom. This continued rotation combined with the immobility
of the plowing assembly due to its raised locked orientation causes spring 203 to
become compressed. Maximum compression occurs at an orientation illustrated in Fig.
8, wherein the longitudinal axis of spring supporting apparatus 199 intersects the
axis of rotation of disk segment 190 at pivot location 193. The orientation illustrated
in Fig. 8 represents a dead point at which the spring supporting apparatus does not
urge rotation of the disk segment 190 in either direction. Once disk segment 190 moves
even slightly over the dead point orientation of Fig. 8, the spring force of the spring
supporting apparatus 199 urges clockwise rotation of the disk segment 190. Further
rotation of the disk segment 190 in response to further movement of the tank tread
in a backward direction is operative to permit disengagement of tooth 198 from the
tread. The spring force of springs 201 and 203 is then operative to snap the disk
segment 190 in further clockwise motion to a final orientation, illustrated in Fig.
9, wherein the spring force of the spring supporting apparatus 199 is at a minimum
and the teeth 196 and 198 are fully disengaged from the tank tread. Rod 205 defines
the minimum length of apparatus 199.
[0051] The click of decompression of the springs 201 and 203 provides a noise sensible to
the driver of the tank, indicating to him that he can commence forward motion of the
tank with the plowing assembly in a raised orientation.
[0052] A limit chain is provided for attachment between frame 10 and each of arms 22 and
24 to prevent arms 22 and 24 from falling beyond a certain limit in the event that
a sudden drop in the ground level is encountered, as such a drop could otherwise bring
the plowing assembly into engagement with the tank treads.
[0053] It is noted that the plowing assembly engages the ground surface in the vicinity
of the treads and outwardly thereof. In order to protect the intermediate portion
of the tank from mine damage, a weighted chain 120 is mounted between the two plowing
assemblies to engage and detonate any mines that are encountered at a safe distance
from the tank.
[0054] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention is not limited
to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of
the invention is defined only by the claims which follow:
1. Mine clearing apparatus for attachment to a vehicle including a vehicle tread,
which apparatus comprises:-
a frame (22, 24) mountable onto a vehicle for selectable positioning in a raised or
lowered orientation;
means (34), mounted onto said frame, for raising and shunting aside mines;
means (60, 70, 82) for selectably retaining said frame in a raised orientation and
including control means (80) operable from inside the vehicle for selectably releasing
the frame from its raised orientation and allowing it to assume its lowered orientation;
and
means for raising said frame from its lowered orientation to its raised orientation
on backwards motion of the vehicle;
characterised in that the means for raising the frame are designed to operate automatically
in response to backwards motion of the vehicle and comprise:
mounting means (90; 190) rotatably mounted onto the vehicle;
supporting means (95, 99; 200) mounted onto said mounting means and operative, when
actuated, to raise said frame (10) to its raised orientation;
tooth means (100; 196, 198) fixed onto said mounting means (90; 190) and arranged
for selectable engagement with said vehicle tread; and
means (104; 201, 203) for urging said tooth means into driven engagement with said
vehicle tread whereby during backwards movement of said vehicle, the vehicle tread
causes the mounting means (90; 190) to rotate, thereby actuating said supporting means,
thereby raising said frame to its raised orientation.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the raising and shunting means
comprises;
a plurality of plow teeth (40) which, in operation, extend below the ground surface;
first and second plow sections (36, 38), disposed one above another in hinged engagement,
said first and second plow sections being operative to lie in the same plane during
operation and in folded engagement when said frame is in its raised orientation, so
as not to interfere with normal vehicle operation.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said raising and shunting
means comprises:
a gliding surface (44) which supports said frame in its lowered orientation; and
a front mine deflector plate (47) arranged in front of said gliding surface for deflecting
mines in the path thereof.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 characterised by means for retaining said gliding
surface to prevent inadvertent engagement for said gliding surface with treads of
the vehicle.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that said means for
selectably retaining the frame comprises:
a hook member (60) arranged to pivot about a first axis and having a receiving socket
at a first end thereof and a roller (68) at a second end thereof;
a releasing lever (70) mounted for rotation about a fixed pivot and defining first
and second seating shoulders (74, 76) for said hook member, said first seating shoulder
corresponding to a locked orientation of said hook member and said second seating
shoulder corresponding to an open orientation of said hook member;
a spring (78) interconnecting said hook member and said releasing lever for urging
said roller into seating engagement with a selected one of said first and second seating
shoulders in accordance with the pivotal orientation of said releasing lever; and
means (80) for selectably adjusting the position of said releasing lever from a protected
location inside the vehicle and being operable in response to application of a pulling
force thereon to position said hook member in said open orientation for releasing
said frame and permitting it to assume its lowered orientation.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the means for
urging the tooth (100) into engagement with the tread comprises spring means (104)
attached eccentrically to said mounting means (90) and to said frame (22, 24) for
orienting said mounting means.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the means for
urging the tooth (196, 198) into engagement with the tread comprises spring supporting
means (199) mounted onto said mounting means (190) and attached to said frame (22,
24).
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the supporting
means comprises:
spring supporting means (199) adapted for selective increase in length to produce
a corresponding increase in spring force of the spring supporting means, said spring
supporting means cooperating with said urging means when said plow means is in its
lowered orientation to urge said tooth means (196, 198) into driven engagement with
said vehicle tread whereby, during backwards movement of the vehicle, said vehicle
tread causes said mounting means (190) to rotate in a first direction, said spring
supporting means being operative to increase its length as said mounting means rotates
in said first direction until said mounting means reaches a first position at which
the spring force of said spring supporting means is operative to raise said plow means
to its raised orientation.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that rotation of said mounting
means (190) beyond said first position in said first direction causes said mounting
means to reach a second position at which the spring supporting means (199) is oriented
such that its longitudinal axis intersects the axis of rotation of said mounting means,
which said position defines a dead point at which said spring supporting means does
not urge rotation of said mounting means in either direction.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterised in that further rotation of said
mounting means (190) beyond said second position in said first direction causes disengagement
of said tooth means (196, 198) from said vehicle tread and enables further rotation
of said mounting means in said first direction driven by said spring supporting means
to a final orientation at which said spring supporting means is at its minimum length
and said tooth means are totally disengaged from said vehicle tread.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10 characterised in that said spring
supporting means comprises a series arrangement of first and second springs (201,
203).
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterised in that the second spring (203)
comprises a plurality of disk springs.
13. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12 characterised in that said tooth
means comprise first and second teeth (196, 198).
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 characterised in that said first tooth (196) is
arranged to initially engage the vehicle tread upon initiation of backwards motion
of the tread.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 characterised in that said second tooth (198)
is arranged to disengage from the vehicle tread upon rotation of said mounting means
(190) under the urging of said spring supporting means (199).
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15 characterised in that said spring
supporting means (199) is mounted onto said mounting means (190) at a first mounting
location (195) and wherein said first mounting location leads said first tooth (196)
by approximately 20° and said first tooth leads said second tooth (198) by approximately
90°, leading being defined with respect to the direction of rotation of said mounting
means during raising of said plow means.
1. Minenräumeinrichtung zum Anbringen an einem Fahrzeug, das einen Fahrzeugspurkranz
aufweist, wobei diese Einrichtung folgendes umfaßt:
ein Gestell (22, 24), das auf einem Fahrzeug zum wahlweisen Positionieren in einer
angehobenen oder abgesenkten Ausrichtung befestigbar ist;
eine Einrichtung (34), die auf dem Gestell zum Anheben und Ableiten von seitwärtigen
Minen befestigt ist;
eine Einrichtung (60, 70, 82) zum wahlweisen Halten des Gestells in einer angehobenen
Ausrichtung, die eine Steuereinrichtung (80) aufweist, welche von innerhalb des Fahrzeugs
zum wahlweisen Freigeben des Gestells aus dessen angehobener Ausrichtung und zum Ermöglichen,
daß es eine abgesenkte Ausrichtung annimmt, betätigbar ist; und
eine Einrichtung zum Anheben des Gestells von dessen abgesenkter Ausrichtung in dessen
angehobene Ausrichtung bei Rückwärtsbewegung des Fahrzeugs;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einrichtung zum Anheben des Gestells so ausgebildet
ist, daß sie automatisch in Ansprechung auf die Rückwärtsbewegung des Fahrzeugs arbeitet
und folgendes umfaßt:
eine Befestigungseinrichtung (90; 190), die drehbar auf dem Fahrzeug befestigt ist;
eine Trageinrichtung (95, 99; 200), die auf der Befestigungseinrichtung angebracht
und, wenn sie betätigt wird, dahingehend operativ ist, daß sie das Gestell (10) in
seine angehobene Ausrichtung anhebt;
eine Zahneinrichtung (100; 196, 198), die auf der Befestigungseinrichtung (90; 190)
befestigt und zum wahlweisen Eingriff mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz angeordnet ist; und
eine Einrichtung (104; 201, 203) zum Drängen der Zahneinrichtung in angetriebenen
Eingriff mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz, wodurch der Fahrzeugspurkranz während der Rückwärtsbewegung
des Fahrzeugs bewirkt, daß sich die Befestigungseinrichtung (90; 190) dreht, so daß
dadurch die Zahneinrichtung betätigt wird, wodurch das Gestell in seine angehobene
Ausrichtung angehoben wird.
2. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anheb- und Ableitungseinrichtung
folgendes umfaßt:
eine Mehrzahl von Pflugzähnen (40), die sich im Betrieb unter die Erdbodenoberfläche
erstrecken;
einen ersten und zweiten Pflugabschnitt (36, 38), die einer über dem anderen in gelenkigem
Eingriff vorgesehen sind, wobei der erste und zweite Pflugabschnitt dahingehend operativ
sind, daß sie während des Betriebs in der gleichen Ebene liegen, sowie in beigeklapptem
Eingriff, wenn das Gestell in seiner angehobenen Ausrichtung ist, so daß sie nicht
mit dem normalen Fahrzeugbetrieb interferieren.
3. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anheb- und
Ableitungseinrichtung folgendes umfaßt:
eine Gleitoberfläche (44), welche das Gestell in seiner abgesenkten Ausrichtung trägt;
und
eine vordere Minenablenkerplatte (47), die vor der Gleitoberfläche zum Ablenken von
Minen im Weg derselben angeordnet ist.
4. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 3, gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung zum Halten der
Gleitoberfläche zum Verhindern eines unbeabsichtigten Eingriffs der Gleitoberfläche
mit Spurkränzen des Fahrzeugs.
5. Einrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Einrichtung zum wahlweisen Halten des Gestells folgendes umfaßt:
ein Hakenteil (60), das so angeordnet ist, daß es um eine erste Achse verschwenkbar
ist, und das einen Aufnahmesockel an einem ersten Ende desselben und eine Rolle (68)
an einem zweiten Ende desselben hat;
einen Freigabehebel (70), der zur Drehung um eine feste Drehachse angebracht ist und
eine erste und zweite Sitzschulter (74, 76) für das Hakenteil begrenzt, wobei die
erste Sitzschulter einer verriegelten Ausrichtung des Hakenteils entspricht, und wobei
die zweite Sitzschulter einer offenen Ausrichtung des Hakenteils entspricht;
eine Feder (78), die das Hakenteil und den Freigabehebel zum Drängen der Rolle in
Sitzeingriff mit einer ausgewählten einen aus der ersten und zweiten Sitzschulter
entsprechend der Schwenkausrichtung des Freigabehebels miteinander verbindet; und
eine Einrichtung (80) zum wahlweisen Einstellen der Position des Freigabehebels von
einer geschützten Stelle innerhalb des Fahrzeugs, die in Ansprechung auf die Anwendung
einer Zugkraft darauf betätigbar ist, um das Hakenteil in der offenen Ausrichtung
zum Freigeben des Gestells zu positionieren und es ihm zu ermöglichen, seine abgesenkte
Ausrichtung einzunehmen.
6. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einrichtung
zum Drängen des Zahns (100) in Eingriff mit dem Spurkranz eine Federeinrichtung (104)
umfaßt, die exzentrisch an der Befestigungseinrichtung (90) und an dem Gestell (22,
24) zum Ausrichten der Befestigungseinrichtung angebracht ist.
7. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einrichtung
zum Drängen des Zahns (196, 198) in Eingriff mit dem Spurkranz eine Federhalteeinrichtung
(199) umfaßt, die auf der Befestigungseinrichtung (190) befestigt und an dem Gestell
(22, 24) angebracht ist.
8. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Trageinrichtung
folgendes umfaßt:
eine Federhalteeinrichtung (199), die zum wahlweisen Erhöhen der Länge zum Erzeugen
einer entsprechenden Erhöhung der Federkraft der Federhalteeinrichtung geeignet ist,
wobei die Federhalteeinrichtung mit der Drängeinrichtung zusammenwirkt, wenn die Pfiugeinrichtung
in ihrer abgesenkten Ausrichtung ist, um die Zahneinrichtung (196, 198) in angetriebenen
Eingriff mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz zu drängen, wodurch der Fahrzeugspurkranz während
der Rückwärtsbewegung des Fahrzeugs bewirkt, daß sich die Befestigungseinrichtung
(190) in einer ersten Richtung dreht, wobei die Federhalteeinrichtung dahingehend
operativ ist, daß sie ihre Länge erhöht, wenn sich die Befestigungseinrichtung in
der ersten Richtung dreht, bis die Befestigungseinrichtung eine erste Position erreicht,
in welcher die Federkraft der Federhalteeinrichtung dahingehend operativ ist, daß
sie die Pflugeinrichtung in ihre angehobene Ausrichtung anhebt.
9. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Drehung der Befestigungseinrichtung
(190) über die erste Position hinaus in der ersten Richtung bewirkt, daß die Befestigungseinrichtung
eine zweite Position erreicht, in welcher die Federhalteeinrichtung (199) derart ausgerichtet
ist, daß ihre Längsachse die Drehachse der Befestigungseinrichtung schneidet, wobei
die zweite Position einen Totpunkt definiert, an dem die Federhalteeinrichtung keinen
Drehabntrieb .der Befestigungseinrichtung in irgendeiner Richtung bewirkt.
10. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine weitere Drehung
der Befestigungseinrichtung (190) über die zweite Position hinaus in der ersten Richtung
ein Außereingrifftreten der Zahneinrichtung (196, 198) von dem Fahrzeugspurkranz bewirkt
und eine weitere Drehung der Befestigungseinrichtung in der ersten Richtung, angetrieben
durch die Federhalteeinrichtung, zu einer Endausrichtung ermöglicht, in welcher die
Federhalteeinrichtung ihre minimale Länge hat und die Zahneinrichtung vollständig
außer Eingriff mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz ist.
11. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die
Federhalteeinrichtung eine Reihenanordnung aus einer ersten und zweiten Feder (201,
203) umfaßt.
12. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die zweite Feder (203)
eine Mehrzahl von Scheibenfedern umfaßt.
13. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die
Zahneinrichtung einen ersten und zweiten Zahn (196, 198) umfaßt.
14. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der erste Zahn (196)
so angeordnet ist, daß er anfänglich mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz bei einem Einleiten
einer Rückwärtsbewegung des Spurkranzes in Eingriff tritt.
15. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der zweite Zahn (198)
so angeordnet ist, daß er bei einer Drehung der Befestigungseinrichtung (190) unter
dem Drängen der Federhalteeinrichtung (199) mit dem Fahrzeugspurkranz außer Eingriff
tritt.
16. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 13 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die
Federhalteeinrichtung (199) auf der Befestigungseinrichtung (190) an einer ersten
Befestigungsstelle (195) befestigt ist, und daß diese erste Befestigungsstelle dem
ersten Zahn (196) um ungefähr 20° vorangeht, und der erste Zahn dem zweiten Zahn (198)
um ungefähr 90° vorangeht, wobei das Vorangehen mit Bezug auf die Drehrichtung der
Befestigungseinrichtung während des Anhebens der Pflugeinrichtung definiert ist.
1. Appareil de déminage destiné à être fixé à un véhicule possédant une surface de
roulement formée notamment par une chenille, comprenant:
un châssis (22, 24) pouvant être monté sur un véhicule pour être positionné sélectivement
suivant une orientation haute ou une orientation basse;
un dispositif (34) monté sur le châssis pour soulever des mines et pour les pousser
à l'écart;
un dispositif (60, 70, 82) pour sélectivement retenir le châssis en position haute
et comprenant un dispositif de commande (80) qui peut être actionné de l'intérieur
du véhicule pour sélectivement libérer le châssis de sa position haute et pour lui
permettre de prendre sa position basse; et
des dispositifs pour relever le châssis de sa position basse à sa position haute lors
du recul du véhicule;
caractérisé en ce que les dispositif's pour relever le châssis sont conçus pour agir
automatiquement en réponse au mouvement de recul du véhicule et comprennent:
un dispositif de montage (90; 190) monté rotatif sur le véhicule;
des moyens de support (95, 99; 200) montés sur le dispositif de montage pour, lorsqu'ils
sont actionnés, relever le châssis (10) à sa position haute;
une denture (100; 196, 198) fixée au dispositif de montage (90,190) et agencée pour
venir sélectivement en prise avec la surface de roulement du véhicule; et
des moyens (104; 201,203) pour amener la denture en prise d'entraînement avec la surface
de roulement du véhicule, de manière que, pendant le recul du véhicule, la surface
de roulement fasse tourner le dispositif de montage (90; 190), actionnant ainsi les
moyens de support et produisant de cette façon le relevage du châssis à sa position
haute.
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de soulèvement
et d'écartement comporte:
plusieurs coutres (40) qui, pendant le fonctionnement, s'étendent au-dessous de la
surface du sol;
une première et une seconde lame d'écartement (36, 38), disposées l'une au-dessus
de l'autre et articulées l'une à l'autre, qui sont agencées pour être situées dans
le même plan pendant le fonctionnement et pour être repliées lorsque le châssis occupe
sa position haute, de manière à ne pas gêner le fonctionnement normal du véhicule.
3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de
soulèvement et d'écartement comporte:
une surface de glissement (44) qui supporte le châssis à sa position basse; et
une plaque (47) formant un déflecteur de mines frontal disposée à l'avant de la surface
de glissement et destinée à dévier des mines se trouvant dans la trajectoire de cette
surface.
4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par des moyens pour retenir la surface
de glissement afin d'empêcher son contact intempestif avec des surfaces de roulement
du véhicule.
5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en
ce que le dispositif pour sélectivement retenir le châssis comporte:
un crochet (60) monté pivotant autour d'un premier axe et présentant une ouverture
réceptrice à une première extrémité et un galet (68) à une deuxième extrémité;
un levier de libération (70) monté rotatif autour d'un pivot fixe et définissant un
premier et un second épaulement d'appui (74, 76) pour le crochet, le premier épaulement
d'appui correspondant à une orientation de verrouillage du crochet et le second épaulement
d'appui correspondant à une position d'ouverture du crochet;
un ressort (78) reliant le crochet au levier de libération et destiné à amener le
galet sélectivement en position d'appui sur le premier ou le second épaulement, suivant
l'orientation en pivotement du levier de libération; et
un moyen (80) pour sélectivement régler la position du levier de libération à partir
d'une position protégée à l'intérieur du véhicule, ce moyen pouvant être actionné
en réponse à l'application d'une traction sur lui afin d'amener le crochet à la position
d'ouverture pour libérer le châssis et permettre à celui-ci de prendre sa position
basse.
6. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que
les moyens pour amener la denture (100) en prise avec la surface de roulement comportent
un moyen élastique (104) attaché excentriquement au dispositif de montage (90) et
au châssis (22, 24) en vue de l'orientation du dispositif de montage.
7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que
les moyens pour amener la denture (196,198) en prise avec la surface de roulement
comportent un organe de support élastique (199) qui est monté sur le dispositif de
montage (190) et est attaché au châssis (22, 24).
8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que
les moyens de support comportent un organe de support élastique (199) agencé pour
sélectivement augmenter en longueur afin de produire une augmentation correspondante
de sa force élastique, cet organe de support élastique coopérant avec les moyens pour
amener la denture en prise lorsque le dispositif de soulèvement et d'écartement de
mines occupe sa position basse, dans le but d'amener la denture (196,198) en prise
d'entraînement avec la surface de roulement du véhicule, de manière que, pendant le
mouvement de recul du véhicule, la surface de roulement fasse tourner le dispositif
de montage (190) dans une première direction, l'organe de support élastique étant
agencé pour augmenter sa longueur lorsque le dispositif de montage tourne dans cette
première direction, jusqu'à ce que le dispositif de montage atteigne une première
position, où la force élastique de l'organe de support agit dans le sens du relevage
du dispositif de soulèvement et d'écartement de mines à sa position haute.
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la rotation du dispositif
de montage (190) au-delà de la première position, dans ladite première direction de
rotation, amène le dispositif de montage à atteindre une seconde position, où l'organe
de support élastique (199) est orienté de telle manière que son axe longitudinal coupe
l'axe de rotation du dispositif de montage, la seconde position définissant un point
mort où l'organe de support élastique n'a pas tendance à faire tourner le dispositif
de montage dans un sens ou dans l'autre.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la poursuite de la rotation
du dispositif de montage (190) au-delà de la seconde position, dans ladite première
direction de rotation, provoque le dégagement de la denture (196, 198) de la surface
de roulement et permet la poursuite de la rotation du dispositif de montage dans ladite
première direction sous la commande du dispositif de support élastique, jusqu'à une
orientation finale où le dispositif de support élastique possède sa longueur minimale
et où la denture est totalement dégagée de la surface de roulement du véhicule.
11. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, caractérisé en ce que
l'organe de support élastique comporte une disposition en série d'un premier et d'un
second ressort (201, 203).
12. Appareil selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le second resort (203)
est formé de plusieurs disques à ressort.
13. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 12, caractérisé en ce que
la denture comporte une première et une seconde dent (196, 198).
14. Appareil selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que la première dent (196)
est agencée pour venir en premier en prise avec la surface de roulement du véhicule
au début du mouvement de recul de la surface de roulement.
15. Appareil selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que la seconde dent (198)
est agencée pour être dégagée de la surface de roulement du véhicule lors de la rotation
du dispositif de montage (190) sous la commande de l'organe de support élastique (199).
16. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 15, caractérisé en ce
que l'organe de support élastique (199) est monté sur le dispositif de montage (190)
à un premier point de montage (195), ce premier point de montage avançant la première
dent (196) d'environ 20° et la première dent avançant la seconde dent (198) d'environ
90°, l'avance étant considérée dans le sens de rotation du dispositif de montage pendant
le relevage du dispositif de soulèvement et d'écartement de mines.