Carrier for positioning erosion control barrier segments

Abstract

A carrier for an elongated, weighty tubular member, and more particularly to such a carrier suitable for use in loading thereon at a first location, transporting to a second location and dispensing along a boundary line along the ground, a flexible, tubular member intended for use as an erosion barrier.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A carrier for an elongated tubular member formed of a flexible, mesh material and containing a filler material, comprising:
 an inverted, U-shaped frame member including an upper component and a pair of spaced, depending components;   a roller spaced parallel to said upper component and journalled at the ends thereof to the lower ends of said spaced depending components;   means provided on said roller for detachably connecting an end portion of said tubular member;   means for rotating said roller for winding thereon an elongated, tubular member having an end portion thereof detachably secured to said connecting means; and   means for attaching said frame member to means for displacing said frame member.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier according to  claim 1  wherein the space within said frame components defined axially and radially relative to the axis of rotation of said roller, is sufficient to accommodate a winding on said roller of a tubular member of a selected diameter and length. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein said filler material of said tubular member comprises mulch. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein said axial length is 8 feet and said radial length is 5 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein said space within said frame components is sufficient to accommodate the winding on said roller of a tubular member provided with a diameter of  18  inches and a length of 100 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 1  wherein said means for detachably connecting an end portion of said tubular member to said roller comprises a member mounted on said roller provided with a slot disposed substantially transversely relative to the rotational orbit of said member, into which a end portion of said tubular member may be press fitted. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein said attachment member is disposed adjacent an end portion of said roller. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 1  wherein said means for rotating said roller comprises a drive motor mounted on one of said frame components, drivingly connected to said roller and operated and driven by one of means provided on one or more of said frame components and remote means. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 8  wherein said drive motor includes a slew drive functional to hold radial and axial loads and transmit torque for rotating said roller. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 1  including means disposed on said upper frame component for detachably connecting said carrier to a means for transporting said carrier between locations. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 10  wherein said attachment means disposed on said upper frame component is attachable to an arm member pivotally connected to a boom member, and pivotal thereto by means of at least one operable cylinder assembly, which boom member is pivotally connected to the chassis of a transportable machine and pivotal thereto by means of at least one operable cylinder assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier of  claim 1  wherein the adjoining portions of said upper and spaced components includes brackets provided with arcuate configurations accommodating the curvature of segments of a tubular member wound on said roller, adjacent said upper component.