Apparatus for Spreading, Levelling and Compacting Particulate Material in Trenches

Abstract

The specification discloses apparatus for spreading, levelling fine particulate earth or sand material in the base region of a preformed trench and separately for compacting said fine particulate material about a pipe line laid in the trench, the apparatus including a spreader and leveller device having a pair of spaced side walls each supported on a skid member to facilitate sliding along the base of the trench, the apparatus also having adjustable width cross braces an open front face, formed transverse wall that is also adjustable in width and having a lower edge that is adjustable in height relative to the skid members, the apparatus further having connection means to enable the apparatus to be connected to machinery for towing same along said trench, the apparatus further including a separate compaction device compressed by a pair of spaced wheels having teeth around their peripheries, the wheels being adjustable in transverse position relative to each other and connection devices being provided enabling the compaction device to be connected to the operational boom of a front end loader whereby rotating motion of the teethed wheels through previously laid fine particulate material compacts same.

1 . Apparatus for compacting fine particulate earth or sand material around an elongate member laid in a trench, said apparatus including at least one disc member having a plurality of teeth like formations around its periphery and mount means for said at least one disc member permitting said disc member to roll through said fine particulate material in said trench, said mount means including connection means enabling said apparatus to be connected to machinery for moving the apparatus along said trench.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said mount means including a shaft interconnecting said disc members.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the spacing distance between said disc members is selectably adjustable.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according  claim 1  wherein said teeth like formations have a square or rectangular shape.  
   
   
       5 .- 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method of laying and embedding a pipeline or similar elongate member in a trench, said method involving the steps of: 
 (i) depositing fine particulate bedding material into the trench for use as bedding under the elongate member;    (ii) placing first apparatus in the trench, said first apparatus having spaced side wall means supported by support means resting on a base of said trench with said side wall means located adjacent respective side walls of said trench, said first apparatus also including a transverse wall member having a lower edge spaced upwardly from the base of said trench;    (iii) moving said first apparatus along said trench while said transverse wall member spreads said fine particulate material and the lower edge of said transverse wall means provides a level surface for said fine particulate material;    (iv) laying said elongate member on said level surface of said fine particulate material;    (v) depositing a further quantity of fine particulate material into said trench such that said further quantity at least partially fills the space between said elongate member and the side walls of the trench;    (vi) passing a second apparatus along said trench at least once, said second apparatus including at least one disc member having a plurality of teeth like formations around its periphery whereby the or each said disc member rolls through said fine particulate material on either side of said elongate member; and    (vii) back filling the trench.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to claim  5  wherein the trench is back filled with previously excavated material from the trench.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to claim  5  wherein the fine particulate material is provided to the trench site from a remote source.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the second apparatus is passed along said trench only once.