Sidewalk grader apparatus and method

A method of making a sidewalk grader for grading the area reserved for a sidewalk to a predetermined specified grade and elevation to form the base of a designed sidewalk that extends adjacent to and along an existing road structure of the type having a curb as a border, the method comprising the steps:

• providing a tracking assembly adaptable for fixable engagement with a vertically movable accessory extending from a piece of construction excavation equipment disposed to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader in a direction along the existing road structure, substantially parallel thereto, the tracking assembly being configured to extend from a vertically movable accessory in a transverse direction to the course of advancement, transversely across the road structure and the curb thereof;
• equipping the tracking assembly with a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with a top surface of a curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader;
• mounting a grading assembly to the tracking assembly, extending outward therefrom, to extend beyond a curb portion of a road structure, over the location of an area reserved for a designed sidewalk, the grading assembly comprising:
• a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the grading blade according to the specified sidewalk design grade;
• means for adjusting and setting the relative position of the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame;
• and wherein the tracking means is vertically adjustable to engage with the top surface of a curb to provide a point of reference for precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the sidewalk grader, to position the grading assembly, and for maintaining the grading assembly in the desired position in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure.

A method of grading the area reserved for a sidewalk to a predetermined specified grade and elevation to form the base of a designed sidewalk that extends adjacent to and along an existing road structure of the type having a curb as a border, the method comprising the steps:

• positioning a compact excavator on an existing road structure, adjacent to the curb thereof, wherein the compact excavator is of the type having a hydraulically operated backfill blade adapted for up and down movement, and bucket adapted for manipulating the soil in the area reserved for the sidewalk;
• providing a tracking assembly adaptable for fixable engagement with the backfill blade of a compact excavator disposed to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader in a direction along the existing road structure, substantially parallel thereto, the tracking assembly being configured to extend from the backfill blade in a transverse direction to the course of advancement, transversely across the road structure and the curb thereof;
• equipping the tracking assembly with a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with a top surface of a curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader;
• mounting a grading assembly to the tracking assembly, extending outward therefrom, to extend beyond a curb portion of a road structure, over the location of an area reserved for a designed sidewalk, the grading assembly comprising:
• a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the grading blade according to the specified sidewalk design grade;
• means for adjusting and setting the relative position of the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame;
• wherein the tracking means is vertically adjustable to engage with the top surface of a curb to provide a point of reference for precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the tracking means, to position the grading assembly, and for maintaining the grading assembly in the desired position in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure;
• and wherein the bucket of the compact excavator is controlled to manipulate the soil in the area reserved for the sidewalk as the sidewalk grader advances along the road structure.

A sidewalk grader for grading the area reserved for a sidewalk to a predetermined specified grade and elevation to form the base of a designed sidewalk that extends adjacent to and along an existing road structure of the type having a curb as a border, the sidewalk grader comprising:

• a tracking assembly adapted for fixable engagement with a vertically movable backfill blade extending from a compact excavator disposed to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader in a direction along the existing road structure, substantially parallel thereto, the tracking assembly being configured to extend from a backfill blade, in a transverse direction to the course of advancement, transversely across the road structure and the curb thereof;
• the tracking assembly further comprising a vertically adjustable tracking roller disposed for rolling engagement with a top surface of a curb portion of the road structure, wherein the top surface provides a point of reference for operation of the sidewalk grader, the adjustable tracking roller being vertically adjustable to engage with the top surface of a curb for precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the sidewalk grader, to position the grading assembly, and for maintaining the grading assembly in the selected position in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure;
• a grading assembly mounted to the tracking assembly, extending outward therefrom, beyond the curb portion, and disposed over the location of the area reserved for the designed sidewalk, the grading assembly comprising:
• a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the grading blade according to the specified sidewalk design grade;
• and an adjustable link extending from the frame to the grading blade, the adjustable blade link being fixed to the frame and to the grading blade, wherein the adjustable blade link is adjustable in length to set and maintain the grading blade to a predetermined position in relation to the frame.