3D Mechanical Raking System with Artificial Intelligence and User Interface

Description

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS IN THE INVENTION

The invention was not made by an agency of the United States Government or under a contract with an agency of the United States Government.

ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION

The origin of the invention was inspired by operator observations of common problems experienced during common field operations using prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical field of the Invention relates to any industry that uses ground working devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Historically, common methods and processes employed for raking have generally involved the usage of heavy earth moving equipment, whereby non-mechanical rake attachments, a\k\a “tooling”, have been manually attached by swivel pins, and mounting brackets welded to the top of a blade or bucket attachment-ready-option (ARO) with the assistance of skilled laborers, and sometimes also requiring the art of welding.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Other solutions included pinning or attaching a rake to the front or back side of a blade, but these methods caused safety issues for the operator for various reasons, and/or only allowed for semi-adjustable raking operations whereby by the operator could not perform dozing methods with the blade when the rake was in extended formation.

REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

A more recent improvement over prior art is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 9,015,967 B2 dated Apr. 28, 2015, offered by Inventor: Michael P. May, Wamego, K S (US) (the '967 patent). The '967 patent succeeds in offering an adjustable blade rake combination raking solution; however, the offered solution is not fully automated, and the size of the tines and tine slots in respect to the blade, along with over-exposure to regular raking debris, causes new vulnerability of the tines to breakage and bending issues. Additionally, field repairs to the middle tines are problematic because of the sliding crossbar design, whereby the middle tines are more difficult to access with either left or right sliding actions.

Other issues with the '967 patent are with increased machine downtime due to the accumulation of undesirable elements and debris behind the blade during normal raking operations due to overexposure of mechanical workings behind the blade that allow improved raking operations to be possible. Persons of common understanding and experience in the field would know that the machine blockages cannot be cleared without machine downtime and operator intervention, necessary to manually remove the blockages or obstructions.

Still other issues with the '967 patent cylinder-design are that the angled right and left cylinder combinations do not have a way to equalize differing amounts of pressure that can often be sustained inconsistently from one blade-end to the other during raking motions that encounter obstructions of differing matter-types, shapes, thickness, and hardness hidden beneath the soil surface.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The Mechanical Raking System, hereinafter (the “Invention”), was designed primarily to improve upon the normative Construction or Forestry industries' methods and processes used for clearing, grubbing, and stripping land, hereinafter (“Raking”), a commonly necessary stage or phase in land development operations, and/or construction projects. Someone would use this invention to clear, grub, and strip land for land development operations.

The Invention System safety-utility alone may prove to be invaluable for manufacturers and users of specialized heavy equipment in improving investor and shareholder relations in applications where the safety of innocent civilians or activists inadvertently located in close proximity to heavy equipment operations could be more assured.

The invention utility may also have the potential to improve and economize land development methods and processes for industries less commonly served by heavy earth-moving equipment, such as farming and agriculture, or operations involving small earth-moving equipment.

Emerging domestic and global growth market opportunities may also include tooling for mining operations, quarry and aggregates tooling, tooling for national defense equipment, as well as tooling for city and state road-building operations.

The Invention System can potentially improve safety for military operations and military personnel deployed for national defense operations, domestic and abroad, as well as innocent parties.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode contemplated for carrying out the Invention utility is to complete land development operations in fewer, less specialized stages of land development completion by using the Invention System.

These and other needs in the art are preferred to be integrated symbiotically into an Invention System, as are integrated telematics to an operator visual, connected to a virtual reference station network, operable also by increased hand controls (not shown).

In field use, preferred operations of the Invention System allow for improved operator awareness of 3D raking utility above and below ground, as well as improved operations' safety for all operators and personnel in the field. In field use, the preferred embodiment also allows for new real-time and continual “switching” between 3D new integrated functions of the full embodiment ARO, which the total Invention System may now include multi-embodiment operation variations to include blading, cutting, pushing, and grading (blade or bucket standalone functions), seamlessly with continuous raking motions (mechanical) possible.

Additionally, preferred operations of the Invention System allow the field machine operator to realize more highly improved clearing, grubbing, and stripping techniques (new) for land development operations, as the mechanical coordination between man and machine are improved to include informative telematics in three dimensions (3D).

Consequently, much of the inefficient and unsafe raking techniques required by previous art may become obsolete with the 3D Mechanical Raking Invention System, as more streamlined and natural rolling-forward ranges of raking motions are possible and downtime between changing between previously independent machine operations is eliminated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Invention may be further improved by adding a top-raking or picking arms device OEM ARO powered by hydraulics to add picking and grappling functionality to the Invention whereby the application of the Invention utility could be increased to include usage in industrial sites that involve work being done on hard flat surfaces, such as demolition, recycling, and scrap applications.

The mechanical raking utility component of the Invention may also be manufactured without the preferred embodiment housing for use as a standalone mechanical rake ARO, which may also include a top-raking or picking arms device OEM ARO powered by hydraulics for use in grappling operations.

INVENTION DESCRIPTION

This Invention is comprised of multiple symbiotic components. These components include:

• • 1. Autonomous Mechanical Raking Device Utility with Improved User Controls
  • 1. Three-Dimensional Fully Enclosed Housing, a\k\a “Embodiment”
  • 2. Machine Telematics Software and Sensors integrated by Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • 3. Application Programming Interface (API), a\k\a “User Interface”

This Invention is new because it improves existing adjustable raking utility devices (prior art) by making a raking utility more robust than was possible with older models and increases longevity of production hours from a mechanical standpoint with the addition of a new fully enclosed housing embodiment. The embodiment is more suitable because it provides more raking support and range of depths of raking motions due to the added strength and reinforcement afforded to the working components by the full body housing enclosure.

With the integration of new 3D system visuals of below and above ground that are offered by new combinations of information communicated artificially, a\k\a “artificial intelligence, a\k\a “AI” relayed by software from mechanical and area sensors that display to a user interface in the cockpit and increased hand controls, the “3D Mechanical Raking System with Artificial Intelligence and User Interface” Invention transforms prior art into a 3D all-around smart-system that ultimately is useful for many industries and applications and enjoying increased operator productivity, safety, and less risk of general liability for jobsites.

This Invention is innovative because it transforms the manual rake attachment (prior art) into a fully integrated mechanical raking device, autonomous, within the 3D Invention System (new), which may use linear or curvilinear autonomous undulations, complementary to guides fabricated on the embodiment housing, supported by the back, sides, and frontal housings combined to complete a new fully enclosed housing embodiment.

This 3D Invention System also innovates the adjustable raking function of prior art by making a range of concurrent raking and dozing operations viable, while also protecting the mechanical workings and components from the elements with its fully enclosed housing to protect and add strength to inner and outer working components.

The mechanical raking device component is also unique because it has the ability to vary the length of the rake tines to optimal depth for varying environmental conditions, and deeper raking depths as are made possible with the added strength and support of the Invention's full body housing enclosure.

The 3D API component metrics may also determine unsafe raking operations and auto-stop (shut-down) the Invention system or with increased operator hand controls (not shown).

This Invention System is non-obvious because a person having ordinary skill in performance techniques, methods, and processes commonly utilized for land development utilizing specialized earth-moving equipment and equipment pieces would not find it obvious to make this particular combination of improved embodiment functions and advanced machine telematics, connected to virtual reference station networks and interfaced with at-a-glance operator visuals in one 3D ARO, because the combination of Invention System components improves dissimilar devices (specialized for different tasks), although the techniques, methods, and processes of the dissimilar devices are known.

This Invention System is also non-obvious because the mechanical and technological improvements resulting from the combined system components (blade or bucket, mechanical rake, and machine telematic data analytics software), make improved techniques, processes, and methods for developing land possible.

Lastly, this Invention System is non-obvious because the symbiotic combination of 3D artificial intelligence (AI) and mechanical functionalities allows new and unique methods or process innovations to emerge that would not otherwise be available to the industries currently served with prior art.

The total weight of the invention embodiment is within factory limits. However, as it should be understood among by persons having ordinary skill in the art, the individual parts and pieces of the prefabricated manufactured Invention System will commonly differ as to types, sizes, styles and thicknesses, etc. for materials and many other design options, etc. to achieve optimal performance efficiency and value. The invention drawings depicted herein do not claim these or other specific manufacturing options.

Additionally, the drawing dimensions depicted herein are drawn in various figures and views to highlight the ability of the Invention to be useful for understanding. Therefore, it should also be noted that the Invention does not claim specific dimensions for specific prefabricated parts or pieces, but rather, relative dimensions.

Overall, this Invention System innovates industry operations by making new raking depths, methods, processes, and techniques possible, which are gained by the unique symbiotic combination of mechanics and innovative full embodiment enclosure of mechanical operations, and which are further improved by artificially intelligent (AI) components of the Invention System to improve operator and jobsite safety due to increased visibility underground and device auto-shutdown feature.

Lastly, the Invention embodiment allows for new ways (intentionally undisclosed) to provide fast and easy field maintenance and repair operations on tines and other interior mechanical workings, possible by the new fully enclosed housing embodiment.

In view of the above, this Invention System overcomes one or more of the problems described above in uncommon ways. Furthermore, it will become apparent in this application that sufficient description has been given and other modifications could be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the art of the Invention System.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a brief description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which the figures are described as follows:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention with tines fully retracted.

FIG. 2 is a side view cross section of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a solid side view of the housing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a solid side view of the housing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention with tines mid-way extended.

FIG. 6 is a side view cross section of the housing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention with tines fully extended.

FIG. 8 is a side view cross section of the housing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view of the back of the housing of the embodiment, showing an instance of the solid back plate without access panels or hydraulics, with tines in a fully extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, a visual representation of the preferred embodiment of the Invention 14 may include the following: a three-dimensional rectangular housing having a rectangular top plate 1, a rectangular bottom plate with slots for tines 2, rectangular and curved side plates, 3,17, which may contain guide slots for a support bar 12, and a curved front plate or “skin” 6 which may be of a shape commonly used in the earth-moving equipment industry. Small rear tine guides 7 and large front tine guides 8 may be secured to the housing embodiment 14. Small rear wear strips 9 and large front wear strips 10 may be secured to small rear tine guides 7 and a large front tine guide 8. Multiple tines 11 are positioned within and fixed to a support bar 12 to allow for uniform movement of the tines along the interior guides 15 and end slot guides of side plates 3,17. Hydraulic cylinders 13 may extend and retract support bar 12 and tines 11 at various depths as needed by the operator or as programmed by API for new best practices. Internal ribs 15 provide structural support for the embodiment 14 and may act as a support member for small rear tine guides 7 and large front tine guides 8 at distances complementary to preferred positioning of the tines 11. Slot covers 16,18, may be attached to curved end plates 3,17, which protect the movement of support bar 12 and provide safety to equipment operator and/or field workers. A rear solid back plate 4 may be attached to rear of the embodiment 14 and may provide increased strength and support to raking motions, and a surface to attach mounting plates or mechanisms. Access panels 5 attached on the rear solid back plate 4, as well as access options (intentionally not shown) available from the front plate 6 provide quick and easy access to internal components for lessening operations downtime due to routine and nonscheduled field operations requiring field maintenance and mechanical repairs.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an isometric view of the interior arrangement of the rake tines 11 which as shown, may be spaced apart in equal measurements which are preferred to be spaced wide enough apart and narrow enough to each other to perform mechanical raking undulations most preferred for best raking operations. It also illustrates a view of tines 11, support bar 12, and hydraulic cylinders 13, each in a fully retracted state. The housing embodiment 14 serves to function symbiotically with the internal raking components both with traditional blade or bucket functionality, as well as to provide undulation guidance and protection of the internal raking components housed within the embodiment 14.

FIG. 2, illustrates a side view cross-section with rectangular back plate 4 and access panels 5 attached to the back plate 4.

FIG. 2, also illustrates tines 11, support bar 12 in a fully retracted state. Additionally, FIG. 2 illustrates a view of top plate 1, bottom plate with slot 2, front curved plate 6 representational of any various blade-or-bucket-shapes commonly recognized in the earth-moving equipment industry, small rear tine guide 7, large front tine guide 8, small rear wear strip 9, and large front wear strip 10, the Invention 14 and internal rib 15.

FIG. 3, illustrates a solid side view of side plate 3 with slot cover 16, with rear plate 4 and access panel 5 in a fully retracted state.

FIG. 4, illustrates a solid side view of side plate 17 with slot cover 18, with rear plate 4 and access panel 5 in a fully retracted state.

FIG. 5, illustrates an isometric view of the interior arrangement of the rake tines, which as shown, are suggested to be spaced apart in equal measurements which are spaced wide enough apart and narrow enough to each other to perform mechanical raking undulations in the most efficient manner required to achieve new best practices for raking operations. It also illustrates a view of tines 11, support bar 12 and hydraulic cylinders 13 in a mid-way extended state.

FIG. 6, illustrates a side view of tine 11, support bar 12 in a mid-way extended state.

FIG. 7, illustrates an isometric view of the interior arrangement of the rake tines, which as shown, are suggested to be spaced apart in equal measurements which are spaced wide enough apart and narrow enough to each other to perform mechanical raking undulations in the most efficient manner required to achieve new best practices for raking operations. It also illustrates a view of tines 11, support bar 12 and hydraulic cylinders 13 in a fully extended state.

FIG. 8, illustrates a side view of tine 11, support bar 12 in a fully extended state.

FIG. 9, illustrates a view from the back of the embodiment, showing an instance of the solid back 4 plate without access panels 5 or hydraulics, with tines 11 in a fully extended state.