Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
LAND LEVELING APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to earth moving equipment and more particularly
to
improvements in land leveling apparatuses.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The land leveling apparatuses are commonly used, in particular in the
agriculture sector, to level the ground by removing tussocks and holes of the
ground and/or by settling different slopes in the ground. It is indeed
important to
avoid any significant depression in the ground and to have properly leveled
grounds so as to ensure an efficient drainage and thus a satisfying growth of
the
crops. Such land leveling apparatuses can also be used in the construction
sector, so as to transport and level the ground.
[0003] Such appar'atuses, also known as land levelers or ground levelers, are
towed by a motorized vehicle, such as a farm tractor or a truck, so as to go
all
over the field to be levelled. However it has been noticed that when the land
leveling apparatus is towed at a relatively high speed (for instance for a
speed
greater than about 10 km/h), it will start vibrating and resonating, and will
"duck
walk" or hop, thus jeopardizing the quality of the leveling.
[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a land leveling apparatus
which
would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed
prior art concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the above
mentioned issues.
[0006] According to a general aspect, there is provided a land leveling
apparatus
configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus
comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth
engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge. The
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land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an
elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end
thereof, and a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from
the
elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end. The land leveling
apparatus also comprises a flexible connector connecting the rearward end of
the
longitudinal blade pulling segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade
segment.
[0007] According to another general aspect, there is provided a land leveling
apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling
apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having
an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge.
The land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an
elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end
thereof, and a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from
the
elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end. The rearward end of the
longitudinal blade pulling segment being flexibly connected to the upper edge
of
the elongated blade segment.
[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereunder.
[0009] According to an aspect, there is provided a land leveling apparatus
configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The land leveling apparatus
comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment having an earth
engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth engaging edge. The
land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar assembly including an
elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end
thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the
elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and first and second
lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade and the
elongated drawbar segment. The land leveling apparatus further comprises a
flexible connector connecting the rearward end of the longitudinal blade
pulling
segment to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.
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[0010] According to an aspect, the flexible connector defines a pivoting axis
between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the
upper
edge of the elongated blade segment.
[0011] According to another aspect, the longitudinal blade pulling segment
further
comprises a first branch and a second branch, the first and second branches
extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment towards the upper
edge of the elongated blade segment and being spaced-apart from one another
at a junction with the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.
[0012] According to another aspect, the longitudinal blade pulling segment
further
comprises a transversal branch extending between the first and second branches
to define a substantially A-shape.
[0013] According to another aspect, the flexible connector comprises first and
second flexible connectors connecting respectively the first and second
branches
to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.
[0014] According to another aspect, the flexible connector comprises first and
second pairs of connecting plates extending upwardly from the upper edge of
the
elongated blade segment; each one of the first and second branches have a
rearward end inserted between two connecting plates of a corresponding one of
the first and second pairs.
[0015] According to another aspect, the flexible connector further comprises
first
and second hinge pins extending through the two connecting plates of the
corresponding one of the first and second pairs and a corresponding one of the
first and second branches.
[0016] According to another aspect, the land leveling apparatus further
comprises
first and second resilient bushings arranged between the upper edge of the
elongated blade segment and a rearward end of each of the first and second
branches.
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[0017] According to another aspect, the land leveling apparatus further
comprises
a resilient connector arranged between the rearward end of the longitudinal
blade
pulling segment and the upper edge of the elongated blade segment.
[0018] According to another aspect, the leveling blade comprises first and
second
lateral ends; the first and second lateral drawbar segments are connected
respectively to the first and second lateral ends of the leveling blade.
[0019] According to another aspect, the leveling blade further comprises first
and
second lateral wing segments extending forwardly from a corresponding one of
first and second lateral ends of the elongated blade segment.
[0020] According to another aspect, the drawbar assembly further comprises a
transversal bridge segment extending transversally between the first and
second
lateral wing segments.
[0021] According to another aspect, the transversal bridge segment extends
through a junction between the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal
blade pulling segment; the elongated drawbar segment and the longitudinal
blade
pulling segment are pivotally connected and pivotable about a vertically
extending
pivoting axis.
[0022] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments and the transversal bridge segment form a triangle with an apex
located forwardly thereof.
[0023] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments extend respectively between the first and second lateral wing
segments and the elongated drawbar segment.
[0024] According to another aspect, each of the first and second lateral
drawbar
segments is pivotably mounted to the corresponding one of the first and second
lateral wing segments and pivotable about a vertically-extending pivoting
axis.
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[0025] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable
about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.
[0026] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments are pivotable relative to the corresponding one of the first and
second
lateral wing segments about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.
[0027] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments are pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar segment and pivotable
about a vertically-extending pivoting axis.
[0028] According to another aspect, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments extend substantially horizontally.
[0029] According to another aspect, the elongated drawbar segment has an
upper edge and the first and second lateral drawbar segments extend below the
upper edge of the elongated drawbar segment.
[0030] According to another aspect, the upper edge of the elongated drawbar
segment and each of the first and second lateral drawbar segments define,
considered in a vertical plan including a longitudinal axis defined by the
land
leveling apparatus, an angle smaller than about 500, with the first and second
lateral drawbar segments extending below the upper edge of the elongated
drawbar segment.
[0031] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge
of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral
drawbar segments is smaller than about 25 .
[0032] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge
of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral
drawbar segments is smaller than about 10 .
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[0033] According to another aspect, the angle defined between the upper edge
of the elongated drawbar segment and each of the first and second lateral
drawbar segments is about 6 .
[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a
land leveling apparatus configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle. The
land
leveling apparatus comprises a leveling blade with an elongated blade segment
having an earth engaging edge, and an upper edge opposed to the earth
engaging edge. The land leveling apparatus further comprises a drawbar
assembly including an elongated drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement
at a forward end thereof, a longitudinal blade pulling segment extending
rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment and having a rearward end, and
first and second lateral drawbar segments extending between the leveling blade
and the elongated drawbar segment. The rearward end of the longitudinal blade
pulling segment is flexibly connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade
segment.
[0035] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided
a motorized vehicle in combination with a land leveling apparatus towable by
the
motorized vehicle, the land leveling apparatus comprising a leveling blade
with
an elongated blade segment having an earth engaging edge and an upper edge
opposed to the earth engaging edge, a drawbar assembly including an elongated
drawbar segment having a vehicle engagement at a forward end thereof, a
longitudinal blade pulling segment extending rearwardly from the elongated
drawbar segment and having a rearward end and first and second lateral drawbar
segments extending between the leveling blade and the elongated drawbar
segment; the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment is
flexibly
connected to the upper edge of the elongated blade segment allowing movement
therebetween.
[0036] In this specification, the term "forward" should be understood as
meaning
the displacement direction when the apparatus is towed by a motorized vehicle,
the apparatus being in its working configuration, i.e. being displaced so as
to level
the ground. In this specification, the term "rearward" should thus be
understood
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as meaning the direction opposed to the displacement direction of the
apparatus
in its working configuration.
[0037] The earth engaging edge of the elongated leveling blade is configured
to
level the ground when the apparatus is towed by a motorized vehicle, the
apparatus being in its working configuration. The flexible connection provided
by
the flexible connector connecting the longitudinal blade pulling segment of
the
drawbar assembly and the elongated blade segment of the leveling blade and
allowing movement ¨ or defines a pivoting axis - between these two components,
substantially prevents or reduces the land leveling apparatus from starting
vibrating and/or resonating when the apparatus is towed at a relatively high
speed
and/or when it is towed on a ground having a hardness greater than a certain
threshold. In some implementations, the ground can thus be more efficiently
and
more rapidly levelled or cleaned by the land leveling apparatus of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a land
leveling
apparatus;
[0039] Fig. 2 is a side view of the land leveling apparatus of Fig. 1;
[0040] Fig. 3 is a top view of the land leveling apparatus of Fig. 1;
[0041] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the land
leveling apparatus, wherein the land leveling apparatus includes a third pair
of
wheels and a teeth assembly; and
[0042] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the land leveling apparatus of
Fig. 4 in
a transport configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Although the embodiments of the apparatus and corresponding parts
thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and
illustrated
herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus
should
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not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also
apparent to
a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation
thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be
used for the apparatus, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be
easily
inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be
appreciated
that positional descriptions such as "above", "below", "left", "right" and the
like
should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and
should not be considered limiting.
[0044] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to
similar
elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to
not
unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures
contain
references to all the components and features, and references to some
components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and
features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can
be
easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations,
materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and
are given for exemplification purposes only.
[0045] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose
only.
[0046] The principles and uses of the teachings of the land leveling apparatus
may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description,
figures
and examples.
[0047] It is to be understood that the terms "including" and "comprising" and
grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more
components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms
are
to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.
[0048] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to
"a" or
"an" element, such reference is not to be construed that there is only one of
that
element.
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[0049] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a
component,
feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be
included,
that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not
required to
be included.
[0050] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a land leveling apparatus
that is configured to be towed by a motorized vehicle (not represented) so as
to level a ground, such as a field.
[0051] As it is known in the art, the disclosed apparatus 10 can alternatively
take
a working configuration, when it is towed by a motorized vehicle to level a
ground,
and a transport configuration in which it is displaced, for instance from a
field to
another, without leveling the ground on which it is displaced.
[0052] As represented in Fig. 1, the land leveling apparatus 10 according to a
first
embodiment defines a longitudinal axis L1, substantially corresponding to the
displacement direction of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is in its
working
configuration, being towed by a motorized vehicle.
[0053] The land leveling apparatus 10 includes a frame 11 and first 12 and
second 14 pairs of wheels so as to be displaced on the ground when the land
leveling apparatus 10 is in its working configuration. The first and second
pairs of
wheels 12, 14 are rotatably mounted to the frame 11 so as to be respectively
rotated about a first rotation axis X1 and a second rotation axis X2, the
first and
second rotation axes X1, X2 being substantially parallel. Moreover, the first
and
second rotation axes X1, X2 extend transversally, substantially perpendicular,
relative to the longitudinal axis L1.
[0054] The apparatus 10 further comprises a leveling blade 16, mounted to the
frame 11. The leveling blade 16 has an elongated blade segment 18 with an
earth
engaging edge 20 and an upper edge 22, opposed to the earth engaging edge
20. The elongated blade segment 18 including its earth engaging edge 20 and
upper edge 22 extend in a substantially parallel horizontal way; the earth
engaging edge 20 and the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18
both extend transversally, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis Ll.
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The elongated blade segment 18 comprises a forward concave face 24 and a
rearward convex face 26.
[0055] It is thus understood that a forward end 6 of the apparatus 10 is the
one
that is configured to cooperate with and be engaged with a motorized vehicle
(not
shown) and could thus be named as "vehicle end". On the other hand, a rearward
end 8, that is opposed to the forward end 6, closer to the leveling blade 16,
could
be named as "blade end".
[0056] The leveling blade 16 also comprises a pair of lateral wing segments
28,
28' mounted to the elongated blade segment 18, and in particular extending
forwardly from first and second lateral ends 19, 19' of the leveling blade 16.
In the
embodiment shown, the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28' extend
substantially vertically and are substantially perpendicular relative to the
direction
defined by the earth engaging edge 20 and by the upper edge 22 of the
elongated
blade segment 18. In other words, the first and second lateral wing segments
28,
28' extend from the elongated blade segment 18 substantially forwardly along
the
longitudinal axis L1.
[0057] As represented in particular in Fig. 1, the pair of lateral wing
segments 28,
28' and the elongated blade segment 18 define an open box, the box being
opened towards the forward end 6, or the vehicle end, of the apparatus 10.
[0058] Each lateral wing segment 28, 28' comprises an earth engaging edge 30,
30', extending substantially along the longitudinal axis L1, and on which is
mounted a ground contact plate 32, 32' that is configured to protect the earth
engaging edge 30, 30'. The lateral wing segments 28, 28' are amongst other
things configured to keep the material resulting from the leveling of the
ground by
the disclosed apparatus 10 towards the forward concave face 24 of the
elongated
blade segment 18 and are dimensioned so as to contribute to the stability of
the
land leveling apparatus 10 when it is towed in its working configuration.
[0059] The land leveling apparatus 10 also comprises a drawbar assembly 50
including an elongated drawbar segment 52 having a vehicle engagement 54 at
a forward end thereof, the vehicle engagement 54 being configured to cooperate
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with and operatively engage a motorized vehicle so as to tow the land leveling
apparatus 10. The drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a longitudinal blade
pulling segment 56 extending rearwardly from the elongated drawbar segment
52 and having a rearward end 57. The elongated drawbar segment 52 extends
substantially along the longitudinal axis L1. The elongated drawbar segment 52
can pivot with respect to the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 along a
pivoting axis Z1 extending substantially vertically.
[0060] In the embodiment shown, the drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a
first and a second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' extending between the
elongated drawbar segment 52 and each of the lateral wing segments 28, 28' of
the leveling blade 16. In other words, the first and second lateral drawbar
segments 58, 58' are connected to the leveling blade, and more particularly to
the first and second lateral ends 19, 19' of the elongated blade segment 18
via
the lateral wing segments 28, 28'. In particular, each lateral drawbar segment
58,
58' comprises a forward end 60, 60' pivotably mounted to the elongated drawbar
segment 52, and a rearward end 62, 62' pivotably mounted to the forward end of
a respective one of the lateral wing segments 28, 28.
[0061] More precisely, the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58'
are
arranged so that they can both be pivoted either relative to the elongated
drawbar
segment 52 or respectively to the first and second lateral wing segments 28,
28'
around axes extending in a substantially vertical direction, i.e.
substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 and to a longitudinal axis of the
elongated blade segment 18.
[0062] In the embodiment shown, the drawbar assembly 50 further comprises a
transversal bridge segment 64 that extends transversally between the first and
second lateral wing segments 28, 28', and that is secured to the lateral wing
segments 28, 28' and to the drawbar assembly 50. As represented in particular
in Fig. 1, the transversal bridge segment 64 is arranged between the elongated
drawbar segment 52 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56, rearwardly
of
the pivoting axis Z1. In other words, in the shown embodiment, the transversal
bridge segment 64 extends through a junction between the elongated drawbar
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segment 52 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56. The transversal
bridge
segment 64 contributes to the improvement of the repartition of the tensions
sustained by the leveling blade 16 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is
towed
by a motorized vehicle in its working configuration. For instance, the
transversal
bridge segment 64 is fixedly secured to a part of the lateral wing segments
28,
28' close to their forward end, in the vicinity of the portion of the lateral
wing
segments 28, 28' to which the rearward ends of the lateral drawbar segments
58,
58' are pivotably secured. The transversal bridge segment 64 maintains the
distance between the two spaced-apart lateral wing segments 28, 28'.
[0063] It is thus understood that the lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' and the
transversal bridge segment 64 form a triangle with an apex located forwardly.
[0064] As it appears in particular on Fig. 2 that represents a side view of
the land
leveling apparatus 10, the first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' extend
along a substantially horizontal direction, whereas an upper edge 70 of the
elongated drawbar segment 52 extends downwards in the forward direction, the
first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' extending below the upper edge 70
of the elongated drawbar segment 52. As it is represented in particular in
Fig. 2,
the upper edge 70 of the elongated drawbar segment 52 and each of the first
and
second drawbar segments 58, 58' form, considered in a vertical plan extending
along the longitudinal axis L1 defined by the land leveling apparatus 10, an
angle
a smaller than about 50 . In another embodiment, the angle a is smaller than
about 25 . In another particular embodiment, the angle a is smaller than about
. In yet another embodiment, the angle a is about 6'.
[0065] The first and second drawbar segments 58, 58' make it possible to
distribute at least a significant part of the traction forces exerted by the
drawbar
assembly to the sides of the leveling blade 16, and more particularly to the
lateral
wing segments 28, 28' of the leveling blade 16, so as to increase the
stiffness of
the leveling blade 16, as it will be more detailed below.
[0066] Moreover, the arrangement of the first and second drawbar segments 58,
58' in a lower section of the land leveling apparatus 10 improves the
stability of
the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is displaced in its working
configuration
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and reduces the intensity of the swinging effect that can occur on prior art
land
leveling apparatuses, especially when the apparatus is towed at a relatively
significant speed.
[0067] As it will be more detailed below, it is understood that the first and
second
drawbar segments 58, 58' make it possible to better distribute the torque that
is
sustained by the leveling blade 16 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is
towed
in its working configuration.
[0068] In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56
comprises a first branch 72 and a second branch 72' that both extend
rearwardly
from the elongated drawbar segment 52 towards the upper edge 22 of the
elongated blade segment 18. In other words, each of the first and second
branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 has a forward
end
74, 74' secured to the rearward end of the elongated drawbar segment 52,
rearwardly of the pivoting connection Z1, and rearward ends 76, 76'
constituting
the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 that are
secured
to the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18. While extending
rearwardly, the first and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade
pulling
segment 56 diverge transversally from one another and are spaced-apart from
one another at their rearward ends 76, 76'. Moreover, in the embodiment shown,
the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 has a transversal branch 78
extending
between the first and second branches 72, 72', in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 of the land levelling apparatus 10.
[0069] Thus, as it appears in particular on Fig. 3 that represents a top view
of the
first embodiment of the land leveling apparatus 10, the longitudinal blade
pulling
segment 56 is substantially A-shaped. The longitudinal blade pulling segment
56
could obviously be modified, for instance to have any other shape and/or to
have
a different number of connections or branches with the elongated blade segment
18, without going beyond the present disclosure.
[0070] Moreover, the land leveling apparatus 10 comprises flexible connectors
(or a flexible connection) that are configured to connect the rearward end 57
of
the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the
elongated
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blade segment 18 allowing movement therebetween. In the shown embodiment,
the flexible connectors are configured to define a pivoting axis between the
rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 and the upper
edge
22 of the elongated blade segment 18. In the shown embodiment, the pivoting
axis defined by the flexible connectors extends substantially horizontally and
transversally, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1. More
particularly, the land leveling apparatus 10 comprises a first flexible
connector 80
and a second flexible connector 80' that are configured to flexibly connect
respectively the rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72,
72' of
the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the
elongated
blade segment 18.
[0071] It is understood that, due to the first and second flexible connectors
80,
80', the moment of the traction forces exerted by the longitudinal blade
pulling
segment 56 is not fully sustained by the elongated blade segment 18. In the
disclosed land leveling apparatus 10, at least a significant part of the
moment of
the traction forces is sustained by the first and second lateral drawbar
segments
58, 58' in the lower section of the land leveling apparatus 10, so as to
significantly
improve the stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when it is displaced
in its
working configuration and so as to reduce the intensity of the swinging effect
that
can occur on prior art land leveling apparatuses. It is thus understood that
the
first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' significantly contribute to
the
stability of the land leveling apparatus 10 when in its working configuration.
The
dimensioning and the resistance of the lateral drawbar segments are in
particular
adapted to the constraints that they sustain due to the flexible connection
between the rearward end of the longitudinal blade pulling segment and the
upper
edge of the elongated blade segment. Moreover, the above-mentioned
arrangement of the first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' in the
lower
section of the land leveling apparatus 10 also contributes to the stability of
the
working land leveling apparatus 10, by limiting the lever-arm effect exerted
by the
first and second lateral drawbar segments 58, 58' on the leveling blade 16.
[0072] The movement that is allowed between the longitudinal blade pulling
segment 56 and the elongated blade segment 18 thanks to the flexible
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connectors (or to the flexible connection) in the land leveling apparatus 10
should
not be understood as necessarily being significant enough to be easily
observable, but should rather be understood as being significant enough for
the
moment of the traction forces exerted by the longitudinal blade pulling
segment
56 of the drawbar assembly 50 not to be integrally transmitted to the
elongated
blade segment 18 of the leveling blade 16.
[0073] In a first non-limiting embodiment, as represented in particular on
Fig. 1,
the first and second flexible connectors 80, 80' are pivotable connectors and
each
comprises a hinge having a hinge pin extending along a substantially
horizontal
direction, transversally relative to the longitudinal axis L1 defined by the
land
leveling apparatus 10 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the
elongated blade segment 18. In other words, according to the first embodiment,
the first and second flexible connectors 80, 80' are configured so that the
longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 can be pivoted relatively to the
elongated
blade segment 18 around a pivoting axis that is substantially horizontal and
transversal, substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis L1 and
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blade segment
18,
in order not to transmit integrally the moment of the traction forces exerted
by the
longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper edge 22 of the elongated
blade
segment 18.
[0074] More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the elongated blade segment
18 includes two pairs of connecting plates 81, 81', extending upwardly from
the
upper edge 22, and each pair 81, 81' including two connecting plates spaced-
apart from one another. A respective one of the rearward ends 76, 76' of the
first
and second branches 72, 72' of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 is
inserted in a spacing defined between the two connecting plates of one of the
pairs 81, 81'. One of the hinge pins extends through the two connecting plates
of
the respective pair and the respective one of the rearward ends 76, 76' of the
first
and second branches 72, 72'.
[0075] In another embodiment that has not been represented, the first and
second flexible connectors are resilient connectors. For instance, the first
and
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second flexible connectors comprise a resilient bushing that is arranged
between
the upper edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18 and respectively the
rearward ends 76, 76' of the first and second branches 72, 72', so as to
connect
the rearward end 57 of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 to the upper
edge 22 of the elongated blade segment 18 in a flexible manner.
[0076] The expression "flexible connector" should thus be understood as
meaning a connector that is either resilient and has a certain level of
elasticity, or
that is pivotable so as to make it possible for the two elements that it
connects to
pivot one relative to the other.
[0077] Even though in the embodiment described above the elongated blade
segment 18 and the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 are connected at two
spaced-apart flexible connections, it is appreciated that, in alternative
embodiments (not shown), they can be connected at a single flexible connection
or at more than two flexible connections, spaced-apart from one another or
adjacent to one another.
[0078] Both embodiments of the flexible connectors make it possible to reduce
the constraints that are sustained by the central portion of the elongated
blade
segment 18 when the land leveling apparatus 10 is working, and particularly
when
it is towed at a relatively high speed. They also make it possible to better
distribute
the forces that are applied by the drawbar assembly to the leveling blade, and
in
particular they make it possible to distribute the forces to the sides of the
leveling
blade. In particular, they make it possible to reduce the forces that are
applied to
the upper edge of the elongated blade segment, and thus to reduce the
occurrence of resonance when the land leveling apparatus is towed in its
working
configuration.
[0079] The characteristics of the flexible connectors combined with the
previously
described characteristics relative in particular to the lateral wing segments
of the
leveling blade and to the arrangement of the lateral drawbar segments and of
the
transversal bridge segment all contribute to an increased stiffness of the
leveling
blade and thus to a reduction of the vibrations that are sustained by the land
leveling apparatus 10, in comparison with the prior art land leveling
apparatuses.
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It is to be noted that the increased stiffness of the land leveling apparatus
of the
present disclosure does not involve a significant weight increase in
comparison
with the prior art apparatuses.
[0080] The elongated blade segment could also comprise stiffener elements (not
represented) that would be arranged on its rearward convex face so as to
further
increase the stiffness of the leveling blade 16. Such elements could for
instance
extend in a substantially vertical direction on the rearward convex face of
the
elongated blade segment 18.
[0081] Thus all these features contribute to the reduction of the risk for the
land
leveling apparatus to start resonating when it is towed at a speed exceeding a
given threshold.
[0082] Moreover, as mentioned above, the elongated drawbar segment 52 and
the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 are pivotably connected one to the
other. The elements are thus configured to pivot one relative to the other
around
the pivoting axis Z1 that extends substantially vertically.
[0083] Fig. 4 and 5 represent a second embodiment of the land leveling
apparatus
10. In the shown embodiment, the land leveling apparatus 10 further comprises
a third pair of wheels 90. The third pair of wheels 90 is mounted to the frame
11
to rotate around a rotation axis that is transversal, substantially
perpendicular, to
the first and second rotation axes X1 and X2.
[0084] As it appears on Fig. 4, when the land leveling apparatus 10 is in its
working configuration, the third pair of wheels 90 are not displaced on the
ground
and there are kept at a distance from the ground.
[0085] The above described pivotable arrangement of the elongated drawbar
segment 52 and of the longitudinal blade pulling segment 56 around the first
pivoting axis Z1 combined with the third pair of wheels 90 makes it possible
for
the land leveling apparatus 10 to take a transport configuration in which the
elongated drawbar segment 52 extends substantially parallel to the elongated
blade segment 18, so as to reduce the overall bulk of the land leveling
apparatus
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10. The land leveling apparatus 10 further comprises a secondary drawbar
segment 92, that extends substantially upwardly when the land leveling
apparatus 10 is in its working configuration, as represented on Fig. 4 and
that
extends substantially horizontally when it is in its transport configuration,
for the
land leveling apparatus 10 to be towed by a vehicle, to go from a first ground
to
be levelled to another one. It is thus safer and easier for the land leveling
apparatus to be transported from a field to another.
[0086] The land leveling apparatus further comprises lockers that are
configured
to lock together the different components of the apparatus for the apparatus
either
to be locked in its working configuration or in its transport configuration,
so that
the land leveling apparatus 10 does not unintentionally go from a
configuration to
the other.
[0087] In the embodiment shown, the leveling blade 16 also comprises a teeth
assembly 94 that is configured to further engage the earth, so as to
contribute to
the leveling of the ground. In the shown embodiment, the teeth assembly 94
extends between the first and second lateral wing segments 28, 28'. The teeth
assembly has an elongated bar 96 extending parallel to the earth engaging edge
20 of the elongated blade segment 18 and a series of teeth 98, each tooth of
the
series having a first end secured to the elongated bar 96, and an opposed
second
end having a sharp portion 99 that is configured to engage the earth and break
tussocks or any other irregularities extending from the ground to be leveled.
[0088] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would
appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible
combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in
the
art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in
any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood
that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from
the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive,
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and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
Accordingly,
while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous
modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended
to
be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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