Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02946970 2016-10-28
ACCESSORY FOR EXCAVATION OF A DITCH AND RELATED METHODS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to ditch excavation techniques, and
more
particularly to an accessory for excavation of a ditch along a road.
BACKGROUND
Ditches are created to provide excess water drainage to roadsides or fields.
They can be
useful during exploitation of an agricultural site, a mining site or a
landfill for example. In
particular, tunnels in underground mines are built to include a ditch on the
side of their
pathways. With the comings and goings of the trucks and loaders in the
tunnels, the
ditches can become buried under rubble, thereby preventing excess water from
being
drained.
Known ways to clean or excavate the ditches include using a backhoe loader or
digger
which shovels the rubble to clear or reconstruct the ditch, as seen on Figure
12. Because
of the configuration of the backhoe loader, the loader has to be placed
perpendicularly to
the ditch while shoveling and does not provide an even ditch cleaning along
the road. In
addition, the ditch-cleaning operation is very time-consuming, thereby
blocking the mining
operations for the same amount of time.
There is thus a need for techniques that overcomes at least some of the
drawbacks of
what is known in the field of ditch excavation.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, there is provided an accessory for excavation of a ditch along
a road, the
accessory being mountable on a mobile device. The accessory includes a grating
assembly comprising a rotor having a rotation axis, and a plurality of grating
members
projecting outwardly from an external surface of the rotor and configured for
expelling
rubble from the ditch. The accessory further includes an arm assembly,
connected to the
grating assembly, which comprises a base movably connectable to the mobile
device.
Movement of the base with respect to the mobile device allows the connected
grating
assembly to contact the road. The arm assembly further comprises an elongated
arm
CA 02946970 2016-10-28
having a proximal end and a distal end. The arm assembly further comprises an
arm pivot
assembly, the proximal end of the arm being connected to the base by the arm
pivot
assembly for enabling pivoting of the arm with respect to the base, so as to
align the
rotation axis of the rotor of the grating assembly with a ditch axis. The arm
assembly also
comprises rotating means cooperating with the distal end of the arm and
further engaging
the rotor of the grating assembly to enable rotation thereof with respect to
the arm
assembly, so as to excavate the ditch upon displacement of the mobile device
along the
ditch axis.
In some implementations, the arm pivot assembly may include an arm pivot
member and a
hydraulic cylinder, the arm being pivoted with respect to the base about the
pivot member
upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder from the mobile device. Optionally,
the hydraulic
cylinder may have a distal end being secured to the proximal end of the arm,
and a
proximal end being secured to the base. Further optionally, the arm pivot
member may
include a pin which is pivotally secured in corresponding holes of the base.
In some implementations, the rotating means may include a hydraulic motor
whose
rotation is controllable from the mobile device.
In some implementations, each grating member may be directly secured to the
external
surface of the rotor using at least one of mechanical bonding and chemical
bonding.
Alternatively, each grating member may be secured to the external surface of
the rotor
with an adaptor receiving a base portion of the grating member. Optionally,
the plurality of
grating members may include protrusions, blades, hooks, spikes or any
combination
thereof. Further optionally, the plurality of grating members may be arranged
in a
staggered or offset relationship so as to provide an even grating of the
ditch.
In some implementations, the rotor may have an average diameter which is
selected in
accordance with a ditch width. Optionally, the size, number and configuration
of the grating
members may be selected in accordance with the average diameter of the rotor
and road
soil type.
In some implementations, the accessory may further include a base pivot
assembly for
allowing deviation of the base from the mobile device. The base pivot assembly
may
include a base pivot member and a base fastener secured to the mobile device,
the base
being pivoted with respect to the mobile device about the base pivot member.
Optionally,
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CA 02946970 2016-10-28
the base pivot member may include a pin and hinge system, the hinge connecting
an edge
of the base to the base fastener, and the pin being pivotally secured into the
hinge.
In another aspect, there is provided a method for excavating a ditch along a
road. The
method includes removably connecting an accessory for excavation of a ditch
onto a
mobile device. The accessory comprises a rotatable grating assembly having a
rotation
axis and configured for expelling rubble from the ditch, and a pivotable arm
assembly
connecting the grating assembly to the mobile device. The method further
includes moving
the arm assembly to contact the grating assembly with the road; pivoting the
arm
assembly about a first pivot axis to align the rotation axis of the grating
assembly with a
ditch axis; rotating the grating assembly about the rotation axis; and
displacing the mobile
device along the ditch axis to expel rubble upon rotation of the grating
assembly so as to
excavate the ditch.
In some implementations, the mobile device may include a controller and the
method may
further include actuating the controller to control the steps of moving and
pivoting the arm
assembly, and the step of rotating the grating assembly.
In some implementations, the pivoting of the arm assembly may be actuated by a
first
hydraulic system interconnected with the controller of the mobile device.
Optionally, the
rotation of the grating assembly may be actuated by a second hydraulic system
interconnected with the controller of the mobile device.
In some implementations, the step of moving the arm assembly may include
translating
the arm assembly in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis. Optionally, the
step of moving
the arm assembly may further include pivoting the arm assembly about a second
pivot axis
to adjust a distance of the arm assembly with respect to the ditch, thereby
allowing the
grating assembly to follow a ditch surface.
In another aspect, there is provided a method for excavating a ditch along a
road. The
method comprises providing rotatable grating means configured for expelling
rubble from
the ditch, the grating means having a rotation axis; moving the grating means
with respect
to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the road; aligning
the rotation
axis of the grating means with a ditch axis; rotating the grating means about
the rotation
axis; and displacing the rotating grating means along the ditch axis to expel
rubble upon
rotation of the grating means so as to excavate the ditch.
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In some implementations, the step of moving the grating means may include
translating
the grating means in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis. Optionally, the
step of moving
the grating means may further include reversibly pivoting the grating means to
allow the
grating means to follow a ditch surface.
In another aspect, there is provided use of an accessory as defined above to
excavate the
ditch along the road of an underground mining tunnel.
In another aspect, there is provided use of an accessory as defined above for
connection
with a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-steer loader, a grader
or a scoop.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments,
it will be
understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such
embodiments.
On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and
equivalents as
may be included as defined by the present description. The objects, advantages
and other
features of the present invention will become more apparent and be better
understood
upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of the invention,
given with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Implementations of an excavating accessory and related methods for excavation
of a ditch
along a road are represented in and will be further understood in connection
with the
following figures.
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an excavating accessory connectable to
a mobile
device for excavation of a ditch.
Figure 2 is an upper view of the excavating accessory of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front view of the excavating accessory of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a grating assembly according to an
embodiment of the
excavating accessory.
Figure 5 is a perspective front view of one grating member of the grating
assembly of
Figure 4.
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Figure 6 is a perspective front view of an elongated arm from an arm assembly
according
to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.
Figure 7 is a perspective front view of a base from an arm assembly according
to an
embodiment of the excavating accessory.
Figure 8 is an upper view of an example component of an arm pivot assembly
according to
an embodiment of the excavating accessory.
Figure 9 is an exploded view of example parts of a grating assembly and arm
assembly
according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.
Figure 10 is a semi-transparent cross-sectional view along line X of Figure 3.
Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the excavating accessory of Figure 1.
Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a backhoe loader during excavating
operation
(PRIOR ART).
Figure 13 is a schematic representation of an excavating accessory connected
to a loader
under excavating operation.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments,
it will be
understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to
these embodiments.
On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and
equivalents as
may be included as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Implementations of the excavating accessory and associated methods can provide
various
advantages with respect to conventional excavating devices and methods,
including even
expelling of the rubble along a ditch, significant reduction of the operation
time of the
excavation process, and reduction in the complexity and number of steps needed
to be
performed by a worker.
It should be understood that, while the present description of the excavating
accessory is
related to the mining industry, a person skilled in the art would easily
understand that the
various features of the accessory and steps of the associated methods can be
applied to
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any application field where formation and cleaning of ditches are needed. For
example,
examples of mobile devices used for connection with the accessory can be
varied
according to the application field. In the mining industry, a suitable mobile
device may
include a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-loader, a grader or a
scoop whereas
in the agricultural domain, a farm vehicle may alternatively be used.
It should further be understood that the term accessory refers to an assembly
of
components that can be connected to a mobile device to achieve a particular
function of
the accessory. The accessory can be removed from the mobile device when the
excavation of the ditch is performed and the mobile device can be used to
perform other
operations. Terms such as device, add-on, component and assembly may be used
in
place of accessory without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 13, the excavating accessory 2 may be attached to the
mobile device
3, such as a loader, to achieve excavation of a ditch 1 by expelling rubble
from the ditch. In
some implementations, the excavating accessory 2 may be used to clean an
existing ditch
which has been buried under dirt and rubble. In other implementations, the
excavating
accessory 2 can be used to form a ditch. As known by one skilled in the art,
the mobility of
the road soil has to be adequate to perform excavation of the ditch by the
accessory 2.
Loose soil conditions may be needed to achieve proper expelling of the rubble
by the
accessory 2 and thereby form a new ditch 1 upon displacement of the mobile
device 3
along the road.
Grating assembly
Implementations of the excavating accessory include a rotatable grating
assembly
configured to expel rubble from a ditch upon rotation thereof.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the grating assembly 4 includes a rotor 6 which
can be rotated
about a rotation axis upon actuation of rotating means (not shown in Figures 1
to 5).
Optionally, the rotor 6 may be elongated and have the shape of the frustum of
a cone. It
should be understood that the configuration of the rotor is not limited to the
one illustrated
in the figures. The size and shape of the rotor may vary according to a width
and depth of
the ditch. For example, an average diameter of the rotor may be chosen
according to a
width of the rotor. In addition, the material of the rotor may be chosen
according to the soil
type of the road and rubble. For example, the rotor may be made of steel,
stainless steel,
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CA 02946970 2016-10-28
aluminum or a combination thereof. Further optionally, the rotor may be made
of steel
having a hardness that can be adapted to specific road conditions.
Still referring to Figures 1 to 5, grating of the ditch is accomplished by a
plurality of grating
members 8 projecting outwardly from an external surface of the rotor 6 and
configured for
expelling rubble from the ditch. The grating members 8 can be protruding
blades
distributed among several rows on the rotor, which have a staggered or offset
relationship
with one another. For example, the blades may have a width from 5 cm to 15 cm.
The
grating members can be made of steel, iron, cast iron or a combination
thereof. For
example, the spacing between each grating members can vary from 2 cm to 75 cm.
Again,
the material and size of each grating member can be chosen in accordance with
a width
and depth of the ditch to be cleaned or in accordance with the soil type.
Grating members
may include protrusions, blades, hooks, spikes or any tools having a shape
protruding
from the rotor so as to be inserted into the soil or rubble and lift the
latter upon rotation of
the rotor.
It should be understood that the grating members can be positioned at
different angles
with respect to the external surface of the rotor and at different angles with
respect to one
another, so as to achieve an efficient grating of the ditch depending on the
shape of the
rotor. Referring to Figure 4, grating members 8 positioned at a distal end of
the rotor can
be angled of 45 with respect to an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of
the rotor. This
angle can favor good insertion of the grating members into the buried ditch at
a distal end
of the rotor 6. Optionally, this angle can be progressively reduced as the
grating members
8 are closer to the proximal end of the rotor 6. For example, the grating
member can be
slightly angled (from 3 to 5 ) near a proximal end of the rotor so as to expel
lifted rubble
sideways, i.e. substantially perpendicularly to the ditch.
In some implementations, the grating members may be directly secured to the
external
surface of the rotor by any mechanical bonding/fastening or chemical bonding
available to
one skilled in the art. Further optionally, the grating members may be
indirectly attached to
the rotor with an adaptor which is connected to an end portion of a
corresponding grating
member. Referring to Figure 5, a base portion of the grating member 8 may be
attached to
a rotor adaptor 9 with a pin-and-hole lock system, and an end portion of the
grating
member 8 projects outwardly from the adaptor 9 to reach rubble. Optionally,
the adaptor
may be integrally molded with the rotor, fastened or bonded by any available
mechanical
or chemical means. In addition, the external surface of the rotor can be
adapted to receive
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CA 02946970 2016-10-28
directly or indirectly the grating members. For example, as seen on Figures 1
and 4, the
external surface of the rotor 6 may be composed of several sections having a
planar
surface to ensure and facilitate the connection with each grating members 8.
Arm assembly
Implementations of the excavating accessory also include an arm assembly onto
which is
mounted the rotatable grating assembly. The arm assembly may be further
movably
securable to a mobile device. Rotation of the grating assembly and movement of
the arm
assembly with respect to the ditch can be controlled from the mobile device.
Movement of
the arm assembly is performed to adjust a distance and direction of the
grating assembly
with respect to the ditch for excavation thereof.
It should be understood that the arm assembly can be displaced in both planes
parallel
and perpendicular to the road in which the ditch is excavated. Various means
may be used
for that purpose including pivoting means and translation means, which may be
provided
by the mobile device (to which the accessory is connected) or by the accessory
itself. For
example, the accessory may include pivoting means to allow pivoting of the arm
assembly
with respect to the mobile device and the mobile device may include
translation means to
upwardly or downwardly move the arm assembly.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the arm assembly 10 includes a base 12 which is
movably
connectable to the mobile device (not illustrated in Figures 1 to 3), and an
elongated arm
14 pivotally connected to the base. Optionally, the base 12 can move upwardly
and
downwardly with respect to the mobile device to adjust a distance of the arm
assembly 10
with respect to the ditch. Pivoting of the elongated arm 14 is achieved by an
arm pivot
assembly 16. More precisely, a proximal end of the arm 14 may be pivotally
connected to
the base 12 through the arm pivot assembly 16 for enabling pivoting with
respect to the
base. A distal end of the arm 14 may be configured to hold the grating
assembly 4, such
that the grating assembly 4 is guided by the moving arm 14. Downward
displacement of
the base 12 may provide contact of the grating assembly with the road and
pivoting of the
arm 14 may provide alignment of the rotation axis of the grating assembly 4
with a ditch
axis. It will be easily understood that upward displacement of the base may
break the
contact of the grating assembly with the road which can be useful when the
mobile device
is displaced at the end of the excavating operations.
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Referring to Figures 1 and 6 to 9, the arm pivot assembly 16 may include an
arm pivot
member 20. The pivot axis may be provided by a pin 202 located at the proximal
end of
the arm 14, the pivot pin 202 may be pivotally secured in corresponding holes
204 of the
base 14. The arm pivot assembly may further include a hydraulic cylinder 22
(better seen
on Figure 8) which can be selectively retracted and extended to vary the angle
of the
elongated arm 14 with respect to the base 12. Optionally, the hydraulic
cylinder 22 has a
proximal end 220 secured to the base 12 and a distal end 222 secured to the
proximal end
of the arm 14, each of the proximal and distal ends 220, 222 being secured
through
corresponding pin-and-hole systems 206.
It should be understood that the arm may be pivoted with respect to the base
about the
arm pivot member upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder from the mobile
device.
Optionally, any hydraulic system may be used to perform pivoting of the arm
with respect
to the base without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
mobile device
may further include a controller interconnected with the hydraulic system for
actuation
thereof by a worker. Alternatively, the arm pivot assembly could be configured
such that
the pivoting of the arm is cable-driven for example. It should be understood
that the arm
assembly may be provided so as to offer a distance between the mobile device
and the
connected grating means for excavation, and may only guide the rotation of the
rotor on
the ground.
Referring to Figures 6, 9 and 10, the arm pivot assembly 16 may include
rotating means
18 enabling the grating assembly 4 to rotate about a rotation axis with
respect to the arm
assembly 10. In some implementations, the rotating means 18 are configured to
be
inserted in a corresponding cavity of the rotor 6 so as to rotate in
cooperation, upon
actuation of the rotating means 18. In addition, the rotating means may be
connected with
the distal end of the arm 14, e.g. inserted in a corresponding hole 19 of the
arm 14, such
that the engaged grating assembly 4 rotates with respect to the arm 14. The
rotating
means 18 may be actuated to put the grating members in rotation so as to
excavate the
ditch upon displacement of the mobile device along the ditch axis. Optionally,
the rotating
means may include a hydraulic motor that may comprise a planetary gear drive.
It should be understood that the grating assembly may be rotated with respect
to the arm
assembly upon actuation of the rotating means from the mobile device.
Optionally, any
hydraulic system may be used to perform this rotation without departing from
the scope of
the present invention. The mobile device may further include a controller
interconnected
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CA 02946970 2016-10-28
with the hydraulic system for actuation of the rotation of the grating means
by a worker.
Optionally, the mobile device may be provided with a single controller which
may be
interconnected with the hydraulic systems of both arm pivot assembly and
rotating means
so as to actuate pivoting and rotation simultaneously or independently.
Alternatively, the
.. rotating means could be configured such that the rotation is caused by an
electric system
for example.
Base pivot assembly
Implementations of the excavating accessory may include a fastening means in
order to
secure the base of the arm assembly to the mobile device. As previously
mentioned, the
.. base is to be secured so as to allow movement of the base with respect to
the mobile
device. Indeed, according to one aspect of the accessory, the arm assembly is
able to be
displaced in a plane parallel to the road plane (which is accomplished by the
arm pivot
assembly) and is further able to be displaced in a plane perpendicular to the
road plane.
Various means can be used to achieve such a displacement. For example, a
loader can
.. be provided with an automotive or articulated steering mechanism which
allows steering of
the fastened base of the accessory. It should be understood that
implementations of the
accessory may be modified to include additional displacement means in case the
mobile
device is not provided with such means. For example, an additional arm pivot
assembly
may be added to enable another degree of movement liberty for the arm, i.e.
movement in
.. a plane perpendicular to the road plane.
In some implementations, referring to Figures 9 and 11, the base 12 may be
indirectly
coupled to the mobile device (not shown on Figure 11) with a base pivot
assembly 26
including a base pivot member 28 and a base fastener 30. The base fastener 30
may be a
plate having geometry similar to the one of the base 12 and further including
fasteners
.. adapted to secure the accessory to the mobile device. Such fasteners
include (but are not
limited to) slots, fork systems or any configuration that the mobile device
requires for
attachment of the accessory.
Still referring to Figures 9 and 11, the base pivot member 28 is configured to
offer a pivot
axis between the base 12 and the base fastener 30 so as to allow deviation of
the base 12
.. from the mobile device. Deviation may be useful when the accessory 2 is
pushed too
heavily towards the ground, thereby imposing an excessive reverse force on the
rotating
grating means 4. In this scenario, the base 12 can deviate from the base
fastener 30 about
CA 02946970 2016-10-28
the base pivot member 28 and absorb the excessive load imposed to the grating
assembly
4 by allowing the interconnected arm 14 to be lifted while pivoting with the
base 12.
Consequently, the base pivot assembly 26 enables pivoting of the arm assembly
10 about
a second pivot axis to adjust a distance of the arm assembly 10 with respect
to the ditch,
thereby allowing the grating assembly 4 to follow contours of the ditch
surface. Optionally,
the base pivot member may include a pin and hinge system, the hinge connecting
an edge
of the base 12 to the base fastener 30, and the pin being pivotally secured
into the hinge.
In some implementations, the accessory may include flattening means
cooperating with
the arm assembly and configured to flatten the pile of rubble that is
progressively formed
on the side of the ditch upon rotation of the grating means and displacement
of the mobile
device along the ditch. For example, the flattening means may include a
scraping blade
shaped to flatten the expelled rubble without blocking the newly excavated
ditch.
Associated methods and uses for excavating a ditch
Implementations of the accessory as above described may be associated with
method and
use implementations which are the following.
Implementations of the accessory allow for simplified and faster excavation of
a ditch,
wherein rotating grating means are used for expelling rubble during
displacement of a
mobile device along a ditch axis, a rotation axis of the grating means being
aligned with
the ditch axis. Consequently, the mobile device can be easily displaced along
the ditch
axis without interruption while the aligned rotating grating means rotate to
excavate the
ditch (as seen on Figure 13). Advantageously, the excavating operations can be
performed ten times faster than when using conventional manual methods (using
a
backhoe loader for example).
In some implementations, the method for excavating the ditch along the road
may include
removably connecting the accessory onto the mobile device. The accessory
therefore may
be used for connection to a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-
loader or a scoop.
Optionally, connecting of the accessory may be performed on a mining device
and further
optionally to excavate the ditch along the road of an underground mining
tunnel. Once the
accessory is connected, it may be steered from the mobile device by any means
provided
in the mobile device. It should be understood that the term steered can be
referred to as
driven or controlled and implies that a controlling step may be performed by a
worker to
guide the accessory for proper excavation.
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Excavation can be achieved with performing a series of displacements and
rotation of the
grating means. First, the method may include providing rotatable grating means
configured
for expelling rubble from the ditch, the grating means having a rotation axis.
The grating
means may be as defined above. The method may also include moving the grating
means
with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the
road.
Optionally, moving the grating means may include translating the grating means
in a plane
perpendicular to the ditch axis to ensure contact with the road. Contacting of
the grating
means with the road may be achieved when the grating means are sufficiently
close to the
rubble to lift them upon rotation thereof about its rotation axis. The method
may further
include aligning the rotation axis of the grating means with a ditch axis; and
rotating the
grating means about the rotation axis. The ditch is the progressively
excavated while the
rotating grating means are displaced along the ditch axis.
Referring to Figure 13, the method may include moving the arm assembly 10 to
contact
the grating assembly 4 with the road. Usually, a translation of the arm
assembly 10 in a
direction (along Z direction) perpendicular to the road plane is performed.
Optionally, a
downward translation of the accessory 2 may be controlled from the mobile
device to
achieve contact with the road.
In some implementations, the method may also include pivoting the arm assembly
10
about a first pivot axis to align the rotation axis of the grating assembly 4
with a ditch axis
(along Y direction) of the ditch 1. This pivoting may also be referred to a
tilting of the arm
assembly in a plane parallel to the road plane (X, Y plane). The method may
further
include rotating the grating assembly 4 about the rotation axis, such that the
grating
members 8 can expel rubble upon contact with the road. When the grating means
are in
contact with the road and when the rotation axis of the grating means is
aligned with the
ditch axis, the ditch may be progressively excavated by displacing the mobile
device along
the ditch axis. The rubble can be expelled (along X direction) upon rotation
of the grating
means, thereby forming a rubble pile on one side of the ditch.
It should be understood that the steps of the method as above described may be
performed simultaneously, successively and/or independently without departing
from the
scope of the present invention. For example, the pivoting of the arm assembly
for
alignment of the rotation axis of the grating assembly may be performed before
moving the
arm assembly to contact the road. Optionally, the method may further include
actuating a
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,
controller from the mobile device to control the steps of moving and pivoting
the arm
assembly, the step of rotating the grating assembly or a combination thereof.
In some implementations, additional steps may be performed. Optionally, the
method may
include reversibly pivoting the arm assembly about a second pivot axis so as
to allow
vertical displacement of grating means (along Z direction) in response to
contours of the
ditch surface. This vertical displacement enables to alleviate load imposed to
the grating
means, especially when the road has a rough surface. Further optionally, the
method may
also include flattening the expelled rubble pile on the side of the ditch.
This step may be
performed by using a scrapping blade passing over the expelled rubble.
It should be understood that any one of the above mentioned optional aspects
of each
accessory, method and use of the accessory may be combined with any other of
the
aspects thereof, unless two aspects clearly cannot be combined due to their
mutually
exclusivity. For example, the various structural elements of the accessory
described
herein-above, herein-below and/or in the appended Figures, may be combined
with any of
the general operational steps of the method descriptions appearing herein
and/or in
accordance with the appended claims.
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