Depth gauge tool and grader blade assembly

#This document relates generally to the field of earth moving equipment and, more particularly, to a new and improved depth gauge tool, grader blade assembly and method of grading a cover material layer on a substrate layer.

#Equestrian footing can be of multiple materials, with the most common surfaces from the sand family. There are various types of sand, all having different characteristics. The sand is typically 1-3 inches in depth, on a Class 1 sand (fine ground limestone) base. A correctly formed base must be level, and can be on a flat or sloped plane, and will have the consistency of concrete. Sand is then uniformly graded over the Class 1 sand (C1S) for the footing to create a resilient surface. It is most important for the footing to be of a consistent depth.

#Both the C1S and footing are graded, using laser equipment for accuracy. Typically, when the base and footing are constructed in a new arena, a commercial excavator uses laser equipment for precision. From a maintenance viewpoint, on a base that is not a true plane, laser equipment is not accurate, since laser works off the top of a surface.

#The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the depth gauge tool, grader blade assembly and related method and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof.

#FIG. 1A is a detailed schematic elevational view of the first mounting bracket and first depth wheel assembly of the new and improved rolling depth gauge.

#FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of the first depth wheel assembly illustrated in FIG. 1A.

#As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B and 3, a grader blade assembly 10 includes a first end plate 12, a second end plate 14, a grader blade 16 extending between the first and second end plates and a new and improved rolling depth gauge, generally designated by reference number 18. As will be explained in greater detail below, the rolling depth gauge 18 is height adjustable to support the grader blade at a desired grading height over a support substrate.

#The rolling depth gauge 18 includes a first mounting bracket 20 and a first depth wheel assembly 22. The first mounting bracket 20 is fixed by welding or other means to the outer face of the first end plate 12. The first depth wheel assembly 22 is carried on the first mounting bracket 20.

#As best illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first depth wheel assembly 22 includes a first stub shaft 24 and a first hub 26 carried on the first stub shaft. A first bearing 28 is provided between the first stub shaft 24 and the first hub 26 to allow the first hub to rotate freely on the first stub shaft. A first plurality of radially arrayed fingers 30 project from the first hub 26. The first plurality of radially arrayed fingers 30 may each have a diameter of about 1.9 cm and may be spaced apart center-to-center at the free ends thereof by about 6.35 cm. The tip-to-tip diameter of opposed fingers may be 45.7 cm. The first plurality of radially arrayed fingers 30 are all aligned within a single plane P1. In the illustrated embodiment, a total of twenty-two fingers 30 are carried on the first hub 26.