# US 2023/0407591 A1 · Grading tools, systems, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0407591 A1 - Document ID: US20230407591A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/842,864 - Filed: 2022-06-17 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-17 - Assignees: Earthwright & Company, LLC - Applicants: Earthwright & Company, LLC - Inventors: Tyler James Jenkins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230407591A1 ## CPC - E02F 3/7631: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the frame about a horizontal axis} - E02F 3/7645: {with the scraper blade being pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed parallel to the blade} - E02F 3/765: {with the scraper blade being pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed perpendicular to the blade} - E02F 3/815: Blades; Levelling {or scarifying} tools {(E02F3/40 takes precedence)} - E02F 3/8157: {Shock absorbers; Supports, e.g. skids, rollers; Devices for compensating wear-and-tear, or the like} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract The present subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for shaping complex contours using a grading tool that is pushed or pulled along the ground. The grading tool can include a ground-engaging blade comprising a leading edge having a substantially concave profile and a trailing edge having a substantially convex profile and a coupling element connected to the blade and configured to adjust an angle at which the blade contacts a ground surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grading tool comprising: a ground-engaging blade comprising a leading edge having a substantially concave profile and a trailing edge having a substantially convex profile; and a coupling element connected to the blade and configured to adjust an angle at which the blade contacts a ground surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The grading tool of claim 1, wherein the leading edge has a positive rake blade angle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The grading tool of claim 1, wherein the trailing edge has a negative rake blade angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The grading tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling element is configured to tilt the blade about a horizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the tool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The grading tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling element is configured to tilt the blade about a secondary axis that is substantially parallel to a centerline of the tool. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The grading tool of claim 5, wherein the coupling element comprises a biasing element configured to dampen rotational loads applied to the blade about the secondary axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The grading tool of claim 1, comprising a variable height device that includes an edge extension that is movable relative to the blade between a lowered position in which the edge extension is positioned in alignment with the leading edge and one or more raised position in which a gap is formed between the edge extension and the blade. ### Claim 8 A system for grading a ground surface, the system comprising: a grading tool comprising: a ground-engaging blade comprising a leading edge having a substantially concave profile and a trailing edge having a substantially convex profile; and a coupling element connected to the blade and configured to adjust an angle at which the blade contacts a ground surface; and a draft linkage assembly connected at a first end to the grading tool and at a second end to machine or vehicle; wherein the draft linkage is configured to move the grading tool relative to the machine or vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the draft linkage comprises one or more hydraulically-movable arms. ### Claim 10 A method for grading a ground surface, the method comprising: positioning a grading tool at or near a ground surface to be graded, the grading tool comprising a ground-engaging blade comprising a leading edge having a substantially concave profile and a trailing edge having a substantially convex profile; adjusting an angle of the blade with respect to the ground surface; moving the blade with respect to the ground surface to produce a desired surface configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein positioning a grading tool at or near a ground surface to be graded comprises lifting or lowering the tool relative to the ground surface to adjust one or both of a height at which the blade is positioned over the ground surface or a downward pressure applied by the blade to the ground surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting an angle of the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises tilting the blade about a horizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting an angle of the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises positioning the leading edge of the blade at or near the ground surface; and wherein moving the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises gathering material from the ground surface in front of the leading edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein gathering material from the ground surface in front of the leading edge comprises stopping gathering when a carrying capacity of the blade is reached. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, comprising moving an edge extension into alignment with the leading edge to increase the carrying capacity of the blade. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein gathering material from the ground surface in front of the leading edge comprises gathering material in excess of a carrying capacity of the blade to cause a flow of material over a top of the blade. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting an angle of the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises positioning the trailing edge of the blade nearer to the ground surface than the leading edge; and wherein moving the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises spreading material along the ground surface beneath the blade. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting an angle of the blade with respect to the ground surface comprises tilting the blade about a secondary axis that is substantially parallel to a centerline of the tool.