Elevating scraper with perforate separator

#This invention relates to earth scraper assemblies and, more specifically, to elevating scrapers used in earth grading operations and the like where it is desired to selectively remove relatively large earth material and/or debris from the terrain to be graded.

#Previous methods of removing rocks and/or debris involved the use of ripper-type rock blades on bulldozers or conveyor systems used in conjunction with a composite bulldozer blade and grating. The latter method normally involved the use of a separate receptacle, such as a truck, for the removed material.

#Ripper-type blades on bulldozers have the disadvantages of being unable to continuously disengage the larger material from the terrain and efficiently convey such material to a suitable receptacle for later disposition.

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an elevating scraper vehicle adapted to be towed by a tractor for use in earthgrading operations and the like with parts shown in section; and

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a support surface taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

#Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a vehicle frame, generally designated 10, provided with towing means in the form of a conventional hitch structure 12 to be connected to a tractor (not shown) or the like. The vehicle frame 10 includes spaced apart sidewalls 14 (only one of which is shown) which are interconnected at their lower extremity by a bottom wall 16. A movable rear wall 18 is disposed above the bottom wall 16 and between the sidewalls 14 and may be reciprocated by a hydraulic jack or motor 19 for purposes to be seen. Wheels 20 are mounted on the frame 10 in any conventional fashion.

#The walls 14, 16 and 18 define a forwardly open scraper bowl for receipt of material scraped from the underlying terrain as the vehicle moves thereacross. For example, a conventional scraper blade 22 may be associated with the bottom wall 16 and brought into contact with the underlying terrain to lift material scraped therefrom into the scraper bowl. In this respect, the frame 10 includes a pair of spaced arms 24 extending rearwardly from the hitch 12 to be pivoted to the sidewalls 14 at 26. A hydraulic cylinder 28 is pivotally connected to the hitch 12 at 30 and to the sidewalls 14 at 32. When extended, the cylinder 28 will cause the scraper bowl to lower to bring the scraper blade 22 into contact with the underlying terrain.

#The scraper also includes an elevating conveyor assembly, generally designated 34, of conventional construction. The elevator conveyor assembly is formed of spaced, continuous chains 36 (only one of which is shown), one adjacent each sidewall 14. The chains 36 are suitably trained about sprockets (not shown) to assume the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and a motor (not shown) is employed to drive such sprockets such that the lower run 38 of the chains moves upwardly and rearwardly in the direction of an arrow 40.