# US 2009/0260840 A1 · Method and apparatus for distributing particulate matter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260840 A1 - Document ID: US20090260840A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/438,541 - Filed: 2007-08-24 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-24 - Inventors: Rodney Milthorpe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260840A1 ## CPC - E01C 19/15: for laying-down uncoated stone or similar materials, or for striking-off or spreading same without compacting, e.g. for crushed rock base courses, sand cushions for paving ({E01C19/466} , E01C19/52 take precedence; distributing E01C19/20; {laying down and rolling E01C19/482}) - E02F 3/7627: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the frame about a vertical axis} - E02F 3/7631: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the frame about a horizontal axis} - E02F 3/815: Blades; Levelling {or scarifying} tools {(E02F3/40 takes precedence)} - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for distributing particulate matter over a surface by spreading. The apparatus for distributing particulate matter over a surface is adapted to be fitted to a prime mover. The apparatus includes a mounting frame for attaching the apparatus to the prime mover, at least one grading blade carried by the mounting frame and mounted moveable laterally sideways relative to the prime mover and an actuator to controllably move the grading blade to move the grading blade substantially sideways relative to the prime mover. The lateral sideways movement of the apparatus relative to prime mover enables particulate matter to be moved independent of the direction of travel of the prime mover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for distributing particulate matter over a surface, said apparatus being adapted to be fitted to a prime mover, the apparatus comprising: a mounting frame for attaching the apparatus to the prime mover; at least one grading blade carried by the mounting frame and mounted to be moveable laterally sideways relative to the prime mover; and an actuator to controllably move the grading blade to move the grading blade laterally sideways relative to the prime mover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes two grading blades joined at an angle of less than 90° to form a nose at the forward end of the apparatus relative to the mounting frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each grading blade has a vertical grading component that is concave. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each grading blade has a left hand side grading face and a right hand side grading face and wherein each grading face has a vertical grading component that is concave. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more auxiliary grading blades mounted between the grading blade and the mounting frame. ### Claim 6 An apparatus as claimed in 4, wherein all the grading blades are mounted on a grading blade frame which is pivotally mounted relative to the mounting frame by a pivot such that the actuator causes the grading blade frame to swing about the pivot to move the grading blades laterally sideways relative to the prime mover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic ram. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the grading blade frame has apertures proximate each auxiliary grading blade to enable a portion of the particulate matter being graded to pass therethrough. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grading blade is provided with apertures to enable a portion of the particulate matter being graded to pass therethrough. ### Claim 10 A method for spreading particulate matter over a surface comprising the steps of: providing one or more first prime movers each with at least one grading blade; positioning the grading blade in engagement with the particulate matter; and moving the grading blade laterally sideways relative to the prime mover to move the particulate matter independent of movement of the prime mover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising: positioning the grading blade into a corner using a lateral sideways movement of the grading blade; and moving the prime mover in a direction substantially parallel to a wall forming the corner to spread particulate matter evenly along an edge of the wall from the corner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method is used to spread particulate matter over a surface to be substantially level to prepare a surface area for further grading using a second prime mover provided with a precision grading apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a step of compacting the particulate matter of the prepared surface area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising the step of: grading the prepared surface area using a precision grading tool of the second prime mover to provide a precision graded area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14 further comprising the step of: grading an area adjacent the precision graded area not graded by the second prime mover using one or more of the first prime movers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the level of the adjacent area is graded substantially level with the precision graded area based on the level of the precision graded area. ### Claim 17 A method of spreading particulate matter over a surface comprising the steps of: providing one or more first prime movers each with at least one grading blade; positioning the grading blade in engagement with the particulate matter; moving the prime mover to move the particulate matter to be substantially level to prepare a surface area for further grading; precision grading the prepared surface area using a second prime mover provided with a precision grading apparatus to provide a precision graded area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as claimed in claim 17 including a further step of compacting the particulate matter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the compacting step is performed on the prepared surface area before the precision grading step.