VIBRATING APPARATUS FOR EXCAVATION AND/OR DEMOLITION

Abstract

 A vibrating apparatus (1) for excavation and/or demolition, comprising a frame (2) which can be associated with the movable arm of an excavator which is actuated along an advancement direction (A), a vibrating assembly (3) which is supported by the frame (2) so that it can move with an alternating translational motion along a work direction (L), and at least one work tool (4) which is associated with the vibrating assembly (3);
at least two of the work tools (4) are associated with the vibrating assembly (3) and are distributed along a transverse direction (T) which is transverse to the work direction (L), the transverse direction (T) and the work direction (L) being adapted to be arranged, during use, transversely to the advancement direction (A).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition.

[0002] Vibrating apparatuses are known, called vibrating "rippers", which are mainly used for the demolition of materials, and they are coupled, during use, to the end of the work arm of an excavator for executing, for example, earth moving operations on the ground.

[0003] In some cases such vibrating apparatuses are used to provide longitudinal excavations, of the type of trenches, for laying oil pipes or the like.

[0004] Such vibrating apparatuses are substantially constituted by a frame which can be associated with the arm of the excavator, a vibrating assembly which is supported along a work direction by the frame, and a work tool, of the type of a tooth, which is associated with the vibrating assembly and extends along the same work direction. Such tool, by virtue of the vibrations transmitted to the vibrating assembly, is designed to progressively crumble the material to be demolished or removed, in order to provide the excavation.

[0005] The tool is generally positioned in a central position with respect to the shape in plan view of the vibrating assembly and of the frame, which therefore have dimensions transverse to the work direction which are far greater than the dimensions of the tool on its own.

[0006] The vibrating assembly is associated with the frame by way of connection means with a degree of freedom with alternating sliding along the work direction. Such connection means can be, for example, of the type of a pair of parallel linkages interposed between the frame and the vibrating assembly so as to define an articulated parallelogram.

[0007] Vibration damping means are interposed between the frame and the vibrating assembly, so as to isolate the frame and not transfer unwanted stresses to the arm of the excavator.

[0008] The vibrating assembly comprises a body associated with at least one pair of counter-rotating eccentric masses, which are adapted to generate unidirectional vibrations of predefined amplitude along the work direction. Such eccentric masses are made to rotate by a motor, generally of the hydraulic type, which is associated with corresponding rotation axes or with the rotation axis of an auxiliary gear set which acts as a multiplier or reducer of the rotation speed. For example, such motor can be directly coupled to the rotation axis of one of the two masses and be associated with the rotation axis of the other eccentric mass by way of a transmission gear set.

[0009] These conventional vibrating apparatuses are not devoid of drawbacks, among which is the fact that, during use to provide excavations in which the depth is greater than the length of the tooth, they are rather ineffective and inefficient.

[0010] In fact, since in order to reach the desired depth with the lower tip of the tool the frame and the vibrating assembly also have to penetrate the ground, an excavation necessarily has to be made in which the dimension transverse to the longitudinal extension is greater than the nominal dimension that is to be obtained, with consequent lengthening of the time to carry out the operation.

[0011] Furthermore, with such conventional vibrating apparatuses it is not possible to obtain side walls of the excavation that are at right angles to the bottom, for the above reason.

[0012] Last but not least, the presence of a single tooth makes the demolition of blocks or the digging of excavations of medium to large dimensions difficult and very laborious.

[0013] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks in the background art by providing a vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition that makes it possible to execute easily and in a short time both demolition operations and excavation operations, for example, for the provision of trenches independently of their depth.

[0014] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to carry out excavations in which the side walls are substantially at right angles to the bottom, without having to widen the area of operations more than effectively necessary.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the time to carry out both the demolition of blocks, and the digging of excavations, independently of the size of the blocks and/or of the excavations.

[0016] Last but not least, another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure which is easy and practical to implement, safe in use and effective in operation, and of low cost.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are all achieved by the present vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition according to claim 1 and optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics recited in the dependent claims.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition, illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional view of a vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0019] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a vibrating apparatus for excavation and/or demolition.

[0020] The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 2 which can be associated with the movable arm of an excavator, not shown, which is actuated in use along an advancement direction (designated by the arrow A in the figures), a vibrating assembly 3 which is supported by the frame 2 so that it can move with an alternating translational motion along a work direction L, and at least one work tool 4, of the type of a tooth for demolition and/or for excavation, which is associated with the vibrating assembly 3 and protrudes along the work direction L.

[0021] According to the invention the apparatus 1 comprises at least two tools 4, which are associated with the vibrating assembly 3 and are distributed along a transverse direction T which is transverse to the work direction L, the transverse direction T and the work direction L being adapted to be arranged, during use, transversely to the advancement direction A.

[0022] Preferably the transverse direction T and the work direction L are substantially at right angles to each other and the transverse direction T and the work direction L are adapted to be arranged, during use, substantially at right angles to the advancement direction A.

[0023] The term "substantially" in the present description means net of the usual tolerances for machining and mounting the component parts.

[0024] During use, the work direction L is generally arranged with a substantially vertical arrangement, while the advancement direction A and the transverse direction T are arranged on a substantially horizontal plane with arrangements that are substantially at right angles to each other.

[0025] The frame 2 comprises a substantially box-like body which is composed of a pair of mutually opposite walls 2a between which a pair of connecting flanks 2b are interposed, which are also mutually opposite, and a covering face 2c. On the opposite side of the face 2c along the work direction L, the frame 2 remains open so as to allow the movement of the vibrating assembly 3.

[0026] The vibrating assembly 3 essentially comprises a main body 5 which is accommodated between the walls 2a and the sides 2b, and inside which at least one pair of counter-rotating eccentric masses 6 are supported, which are made to rotate by at least one motor element, not shown. In the embodiment shown, the motor element is directly coupled to the rotation axis of an eccentric mass 6 and transmits the rotation to the other eccentric mass 6 by way of a gear set 7 which is interposed between the corresponding rotation axes. However, the possibility is not ruled out of positioning the motor element differently, or of having a different configuration of the means of transmission of rotation to the rotation axes of the eccentric masses 6. Alternatively, there could be a motor element for each eccentric mass, i.e. coupled to the rotation axis of an auxiliary gear set that acts as a multiplier or reducer of the rotation speed, which in turn is associated with the axes of the eccentric masses 6. Finally, it is possible to have two or more pairs of counter-rotating eccentric masses 6 associated with the main body 5.

[0027] The motor element is typically of the fluid dynamic type, preferably hydraulic, but alternative embodiments are not ruled out in which it is, for example, of the electric type.

[0028] Furthermore, between the frame 2 and the vibrating assembly 3 there are generally damping vibrations means 8. In the embodiment shown, such damping means 8 comprise four elastic suspensions 9 interposed between the main body 5 and each one of the walls 2a, of which only two are visible in Figure 1. In any case, alternative embodiments are not ruled out which have, for example, a different number and/or a different positioning of the elastic suspensions.

[0029] Also, the apparatus 1 comprises coupling means 10 to a degree of freedom in alternating translation along the work direction L, which are interposed between the frame 2 and the vibrating assembly 3, so as to render the vibrating assembly 3 integral with the frame 2 along directions that are transverse to the work direction L. Such coupling means 10 can have, for example, a pair of linkages 11, which are preferably, but not necessarily, parallel and of equal length, each one of which has its mutually opposite ends pivoted, respectively, to the walls 2a and to the main body 5 so as to define an articulated parallelogram composed of the frame 2, the vibrating assembly 3, and the linkages 11. The pivoting pins of the linkages 11 to the main body 5 are arranged along the work direction L, transversely to it, so as to allow an alternating translation of the vibrating assembly 3 along such direction.

[0030] However, alternative, functionally equivalent forms of construction of the coupling means 10 are not ruled out.

[0031] During use the apparatus 1 is generally connected to the work arm of a conventional excavator, not shown in the figures, by way of connection means 12 which are associated with the frame 2. The connection means 12 are associated with the face 2c outside the frame 2. The shape structure of the connection means 12 can vary as a function of the characteristics of the work arm to which the apparatus 1 is to be coupled.

[0032] Furthermore, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one crossmember 13, or blade, which supports the at least two tools 4 and is associated with the vibrating assembly 3, being integral therewith in alternating translation along the work direction L, and extends along the transverse direction T.

[0033] Preferably the crossmember 13 has an extension along the transverse direction T that is at least equal to the extension of the frame 2. Furthermore, the at least two tools 4 are arranged proximate to the mutually opposite longitudinal ends 13a of the crossmember 13. In this manner, when the apparatus 1 is used to dig deep excavations, the transverse dimension of the trench obtained is such as to allow penetration of the ground by the apparatus 1 without needing to widen the excavation, and so being able to obtain side walls of the excavation that are substantially at right angles to the bottom.

[0034] The crossmember 13 is substantially constituted by a contoured plate with a substantially vertical arrangement aligned with the transverse direction T.

[0035] Usefully, the crossmember 13 is associated with at least two tool holder assemblies 14, each one of which is temporarily associated with a respective tool 4. In this manner, it is possible to substitute one or more tools 4 without needing to dismantle the entire crossmember 13.

[0036] Even more preferably the apparatus 1 can comprise at least three tools 4, of which two side tools 4a are arranged proximate to the mutually opposite longitudinal ends 13a of the crossmember 13 and at least one intermediate tool 4b is interposed between the preceding tools along the crossmember.

[0037] The at least one intermediate tool 4b can have the corresponding tip spaced farther from the crossmember 13 with respect to the side tools 4a. In this manner, during use, the tip of the at least one intermediate tool 4b is arranged at a lower level than the tips of the side tools 4a, so as to facilitate both excavation operations and demolition operations.

[0038] The crossmember 13 can be directly connected to the vibrating assembly 3 or it can be connected by way of interposition of at least one support 15 which extends along the work direction L. Preferably there are at least two supports 15 distributed along the transverse direction T in order to increase the rigidity of the apparatus 1 under strain.

[0039] Each support 15 is constituted by a respective plate with substantially vertical arrangement aligned, during use, with the advancement direction A.

[0040] Finally, the crossmember 13 can be connected to the vibrating assembly 3 or to the supports 15 permanently, for example by way of welding, or reversibly, for example by way of bolts or other temporary connection elements, so that it can be removed and substituted with an additional crossmember 13 that supports different tools 4 and/or tools with a different distribution, so as to modify the outfitting of the apparatus 1 based on the requirements of the specific application.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein the crossmember 13 is connected to the vibrating assembly 3 by way of three mutually parallel supports 15 and carries five tools 4 of which two are side tools 4a and three are intermediate tools 4b, of which the central tool has its tip positioned at a lower level than the others.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein the crossmember 13 is directly connected to the vibrating assembly 3 and carries three tools 4 of which two are side tools 4a and one an intermediate tool 4b, of which the tip is positioned at a lower level than the others.

[0043] These two embodiments of the apparatus 1 are adapted to execute both demolition operations and excavation operations.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein the crossmember 13 is directly connected to the vibrating assembly 3 and carries two tools 4 which are positioned at the mutually opposite ends 13a of the crossmember 13.

[0045] This embodiment is particularly suitable for carrying out excavation operations.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein the crossmember 13 is connected to the vibrating assembly 3 by way of two mutually parallel supports 15 and carries three tools 4 of which two are side tools 4a and one an intermediate tool 4b, of which the tip is positioned at a lower level than the others.

[0047] This embodiment of the apparatus 1 is also suitable for carrying out both demolition operations and excavation operations.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a fifth embodiment, derived from the previous embodiment with the addition of a shell 16 interposed between the supports 15 and associated with the corresponding flanks. Such shell 16 is defined by one or more metal sheets which are shaped and connected to each other and favors the collection and movement of material during demolition/excavation. The tools 4a and 4b have their tips at the same height.

[0049] In practice it has been found that the invention as described achieves the intended aim and objects and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to carry out operations to dig excavations, as well as demolition in the open of blocks of material of any size, without having to widen the area of operations independently of the depth of the trench that it is desired to obtain, thus reducing the times and costs for carrying out the operation.

[0050] Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to dig excavations that have the side walls substantially at right angles to the bottom.

[0051] Also, the apparatus according to the invention is versatile and flexible in use, because it can be fitted out in different ways as a function of the application for which it is intended.

[0052] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0053] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0054] In practice the materials employed, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection claimed herein.

[0055] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000015114 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A vibrating apparatus (1) for excavation and/or demolition, comprising a frame (2) which can be associated with the movable arm of an excavator which is actuated along an advancement direction (A), a vibrating assembly (3) which is supported by said frame (2) so that it can move with an alternating translational motion along a work direction (L), and at least one work tool (4; 4a, 4b) which is associated with said vibrating assembly (3), characterized in that it comprises at least two of said work tools (4; 4a, 4b), which are associated with said vibrating assembly (3) and are distributed along a transverse direction (T) which is transverse to said work direction (L), the transverse direction (T) and the work direction (L) being adapted to be arranged, during use, transversely to said advancement direction (A).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said transverse direction (T) is substantially at right angles to said work direction (L), the transverse direction (T) and the work direction (L) being adapted to be arranged, during use, substantially at right angles to said advancement direction (A).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one crossmember (13) which supports said at least two tools (4; 4a, 4b), is associated with said vibrating assembly (3), and extends along said transverse direction (T).

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said crossmember (13) has an extension along said transverse direction (T) that is at least equal to the extension of said frame (2).

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said crossmember (13) is associated with at least two tool holder assemblies (14), each one of which can be associated temporarily with one of said at least two tools (4; 4a, 4b).

6. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 3-5, characterized in that said at least two tools (4; 4a) are arranged proximate to the mutually opposite longitudinal ends (13a) of said crossmember.

7. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 3-6, characterized in that it comprises at least three of said tools (4a, 4b), of which two side tools (4a) are arranged proximate to the mutually opposite longitudinal ends (13a) of said crossmember (13) and at least one intermediate tool (4b) is interposed between the preceding tools along said crossmember.

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one intermediate tool (4b) has the corresponding tip spaced farther from said crossmember (13) with respect to said two side tools (4a).

9. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one support (15) which is interposed between said vibrating assembly (3) and said crossmember (13).

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least two of said supports (15) which are distributed along said transverse direction (T).

11. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a shell (16) which is interposed between said at least two supports (15) for the collection and movement of the material to be removed.

12. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said crossmember (13) is permanently associated with said vibrating assembly (3) or with said at least one support (15).

13. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 1-11, characterized in that said crossmember (13) is reversibly associated with said vibrating assembly (5) or with said at least one support (15).

Drawing