US3526173A - Machine and improvement therein for laying surfacing material such as asphalt or the like - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent 2,586,396 2/l952 Trampler 2,663,23l 2,847,9l7

lnventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MACHINE AND IMPROVEMENT THEREIN FOR LAYING SURFACING MATERIAL SUCH AS ASPHALT OR THE LIKE 7 C iaims. 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 94/44 lnt.Cl E0lc 19/12 Field of Search 94/44, 46

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS lZ/l953 Wood 8/1958 Heer et al.

Primary ExaminerJacob L. Nackenoff A!!0rneyPearce and Schaepcrklaus ABSTRACT: An apparatus for laying surfacing material such as asphalt or the like comprising a vehicular machine. a hopper operatively mounted at one end of the machine, screed means disposed below the hopper for leveling off surfacing material discharged from a gate in the bottom of the hopper as the vehicular machine is operated over grade line, and a first-class lever system for controlling the height of the screed means and by which the depth of a layer ot'discharged material during operation of the apparatus is determinable. The first-class lever system comprises a pair of stabilizing arms to which the screed means is pivotally connected at corresponding ends of such arms, a pair of grade guide wheels whose axle functions as a fulcrum for the stabilizing arms. and turnbuckle, crank or equivalent means supported by the machine for adjusting the elevation of the other corresponding ends of the stabilizing arms, thereby controlling the height of the screed means above the grade line.

Patented Sept. 1, 1910- Sheet 1 of 3 v I If (I I 5] V U l 59. 22

Patented Sept. 1., 197 3,526,173

me swam;

Patented Sept. 1, 1970 Sheet MACHINE AND IMPROVEMENT THEREIN FOR LAYING SURFACING MATERIAL SUCH AS ASPHALT OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of art to which the invention is most likely to pertain is generally located in the class of apparatus relating to surfacing machinery for roads, pavements, sidewalks and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Surfacing machinery apparatuses, the art to which this inventionmost likely pertains, are disclosed in the following US. Pats. Nos. 3,029,7 14, 3,229,601 and 3,283,675.

SUMMARY This invention relates to a surfacing material apparatus and particularly relates to such an apparatus and improvements therein whereby the depth of a layer or ribbon of surfacing material, such as asphaltic concrete or the like, is readily and conveniently controllable.

An object of this invention is to provide for a novel apparatus and/or improvement therein for discharging, laying and grading ribbons of surfacing material or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide for a simplified, economical and efficiently operating construction of a combination of elements for discharging, laying and grading a ribbon of surfacing material or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide for a novel mechanism readily adaptable to conventional prime movers known in the construction industry and associated with apparatuses for discharging, laying and grading surfacing material, without the necessity of development of an entirely new vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide for an apparatus in which the weights of a hopper and material for discharge therefrom are suspended about a vehicle and independently of a first-class lever system by which control of a depth of discharged material is achieved and maintained, thereby providing for a floating screed not subject to height variation over grade line should the vehicle or other prime mover be suddenly subjected to a low or high transition about the grade line.

Another object of this invention is to provide for facile adjustment of the mechanism controlling the depth ofa laid ribbon of surfacing material.

Other objects of this invention are to provide for an economical operation ofthe vehicle by limiting the number of its operating personnel to one, and by reducing the number of personnel for manually dressing the ribboned material after it has been laid. Experience with this invention shows that one laborer can dress twice as much of the laid material in a given period of time than heretofore had been practiced. Thus, the reduction in time and costs in a given job application is advantageously achieved.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon and from a full reading of the following description, appended claims thereto, and drawing comprising three sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention and being shown in non-operational status or position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in phantom, of the apparatus embodying the invention and being shown in operative status or position.

FIG. 3 is a front fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view ofa portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view ofa portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 66 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of elements constituting a portion of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures of the drawing in which reference characters therein correspond to like numerals in the following description, reference character 20 (FIG. 1) refers to the apparatus embodying the invention. Apparatus 20 comprises generally a vehicular machine or prime mover 22 for movement along a grade line 23 over which a ribbon of surfacing material 24, such as asphaltic concrete, is to be laid, a hopper 25 for containing asphalt 24 to be laid operatively mounted at the front end of machine 22, screed means 26 disposed below hopper 25, grade guide wheels 28, depth stabilizing arms 30 connecting screed means 26 to means 32 for adjusting the lever position of stabilizing arms 30 fulcrumed about grade wheels 28. Means 32 is generally supported upon the frame 34 rearwardly of machine 22, as will be more apparent from the description hereinafter.

Hopper 25 is supported by a pair of longitudinally extending frame members of vehicle 22 by means of a pair of bracket members 42 welded perpendicularly (FIG. 6) to the back side 43 of hopper 25. Each bracket member 42 is pivotally connected as at 45 (FIGS. 4, 5) to a corresponding frame member 40. Hopper 25 is further supported about vehicle 22 by means of a hydraulic piston actuator or fluid pressure cylinder 46 for lowering and raising hopper 25. One end of actuator 46 is pivotally connected to a cross-bar 50 welded across frame members 40 and its actuatable piston rod 51 is pivotally connected to a bracket 52 welded to the back side 43 of hopper 25, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The lower end of hopper 25 is provided with a gate 53 hinged upon the edge of back side 43 and which is actuated by a mechanism 54 similar to actuator 46. An end of mechanism 54 is pivotally connected to bracket 52 while its actuatable piston rod 55 is pivotally connected to a neck 56 welded to gate 53. Upon actuation of mechanism 54, gate 53 opens and closes accordingly.

An oil or hydraulic supply tank 58 (FIG. 1) is conveniently mounted upon machine 22 from which hydraulic hose connections (not shown) extend to mechanisms 46, 54, for operation thereof by an operator from seat 59, through conventional associated working parts well known in the art, and which are not essential for disclosure of the instant invention.

Screed means 26 comprises a screed or leveling bar 62 disposed below and in trailing relationship to hopper gate 53, and having a length greater than the lateral width of hopper 25, and a vertically disposed flange 63 cooperatively associated with a pair of side members 64, 65 extending forwardly from the screed or ends of bar 62 and flange 63. The forward extremity of each side member 64, 65 is pivotally supported by or connected, as at 69 in FIG. 7, to hopper 25 by means of a bracket 68 whose other end is welded or otherwise secured to a corresponding side wall 70, 72 of hopper 25. Each of a pair of slackable chains 74 suitably connects screed means 26 to hopper 25 (FIG. 6) whereby elevation of hopper 25 to a position other than an operational status or position also raises screed means 26, as well as grade guide wheels 28 the function of which is more fully described hereinafter. Chains 74 in no way interfere with the function of screed means 26 during operational use, but do remove grade guide wheels 28 and depth stabilizing means 30 from operational status upon raising hopper 25.

Depth stabilizing means 30 comprises a pair of elongated arm members or arms 75, 76, the rear end of each of which is respectively pivotally connected to one of side members 64, 65 of screed means 26, in or in proximity to the plane of flange 63, i.e., rearwardly of the hopper support pivots 69 for arms 75, 76. The forward end of each arm 75, 76 is respectively pivotally connected to a corresponding one of a pair of means 32 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5) for adjusting the elevation of such forward ends of stabilizing means 30. Each adjusting means 32 preferably takes the form of a turnbuckle mounted generally vertically of machine and being pivotally connected as at 80 to a bracket member 81 welded or otherwise secured to frame 34 of machine 20 above the general plane of stabilizing arms 75, 76. Turning adjustment of each turnbuckle 78 either lowers or raises the forward end of its corresponding arm 75, 76. The present embodiment includes a supporting elongated member 82 to which bracket member 81 is welded or otherwise secured thereto, with elongated member 82 being welded to frame 34. Member 82 includes a yoke member section 84 (FlG. 8) for restricting or guiding its associated stabilizing arm 75, 76 to within its vertical plane of movement during operational status, or during adjustment of means 32, although it should be understood that practice of the invention does not demand that elongated member 82 be included in each embodiment constructed.

The pair of wheels 28, adapted for rolling along grade line 23 when apparatus 20 is operational, is spacedly mounted upon axle 86 bearingly mounted at its ends in a bearing support 88, as illustratively shown in FIG. 7. Bearing 88 is welded or otherwise secured to and along a point intermediate of the length of each stabilizing arm 75, 76, preferably so mounted as to have axle 86 or axis thereof, below the general plane of stabilizing arms 75, 76. Thus, when wheels 28 engage the level of grade line 23, such engagement determines the height above grade line 23 at which the skimming edge oflevelling bar 62 of screed means 26 is disposed, such disposition being further subject to or dependent upon the adjusted position of stabilizing arms 75, 76 as a result of adjusting their respective turnbuckles 32.

Thus, utilization of a first-class lever system for controlling the height of screed means 26 above grade line 23 is effected. The axis or axle 86 of wheels 28 constitutes a fulcrum about which screed means 26, the weight end of the system, is swingable or pivotable, the pivotal connection and adjusted position ofthe forward end of each arm 75,76 constituting the power end of the lever system.

Operation of machine 20 should now be apparent. Hopper 25, with gate 53 closed, is tilted forwardly by actuation of device 46, for ease of dump truck discharge of asphaltic concrete thereinto. After machine 20 is propelled clear of the dump truck, device 46 is actuated to raise or tilt back filled hopper until machine 20 is propelled into proper position along grade line 23. Screed means 26 remains above a predetermined height as a result of the tautness of chains 74 connecting it to hopper 25. Such predetermined height for screed means 26 may be determined by a comparison of the level of grade line 23, the elevation of screed means 26 thereabove and a measuring rule. Hopper 25 is lowered until the skimming edge of leveling bar 62 of screed means 26 corresponds to the desired predetermined height above grade line 23. Turnbuckles 32 are adjusted until grade guide wheels 28 engage grade line 23. Thereafter, hopper 25 is further lowered by additional actuation of device 46, without materially affecting the operational position for screed means 26 or the elements constituting the first-class lever system. Gate 53 is opened by actuation of device 54, machine 22 is forwardly propelled above grade line 23, with resulting discharge of surfacing material through gate 53, laying thereof on grade line 23, and grading thereof to a proper depth as a result of the skimming action of screed means 26. Flange 63 and side members 64, 65 ensure the laying of a ribbon only, without spewing ofexcess material elsewhere than in the ribbon itself.

The invention comprehends utilization of a crank or other equivalent means for turnbuckles 32.

it should now be apparent that the invention is advantageously operated as a result of the elements described in the above description cooperating to provide an easily operable surface material laying and grading machine. Not only is efficient loading, discharging and laying ofa ribbon or surface material achieved, it is shown by experience that dressing of the laid material is completed in approximately half the time as one laborer can dress twice as much which heretofore was laid with other similar apparatuses. Further a single operator for machine 22 is required as compared to two operators who have been necessary for operation of other machines of this type. Labor costs are subsequently reduced.

Materials, examples of which are iron and steel, and which are well known and utilized in the construction industry for these types of pieces of equipment may be readily fashioned in the conventional manner, as is well known in the art, to form apparatus 20.

An additional advantage of device 46 as combined with hopper 25 is that hopper 25 is tiltable forwardly as well as being lowered. Thus, loading of hopper 25 with asphaltic concrete or the like from a dump truck at the scene of operations is expeditiously handled by disposition of hopper 25 below a discharge chute of the dump truck.

Pursuant to the requirements of the patent statutes, the principle of this invention has been explained and exemplified in a manner so that it can be readily practiced by those skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is more nearly connected, such exemplification including what is presently considered to represent the best embodiment ofthe invention. However, it should be clearly understood that the above description and illustrations are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the appended claims, but that therefrom the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and exemplified herein, by those skilled in the art, and having the benefit of this disclosure.

We claim:

1. A surfacing material apparatus comprising in combination:

a prime mover;

a hopper operatively connected to one end of said prime mover;

means for opening and closing a gate in said hopper;

a screed below and in trailing relationship to said hopper gate, said screed having forwardly extending side members pivotally supported by said hopper;

a pair of depth stabilizing arms the corresponding rear ends of which being pivotally connected to said side members rearwardly of said support pivots;

grade guide wheels rotatably mounted upon an axle connected to said stabilizing arms intermediate the lengths thereof, said wheels and axle functioning as a fulcrum for said stabilizing arms; and

means for adjusting the elevation of said stabilizing arms mounted between the corresponding front ends of said arms and said prime mover, whereby the height of said screed means above the grade line along which said grade guide wheels roll is controlled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said adjusting means are swingably connected to the frame of said prime mover adjacent the corresponding front ends of said stabilizing arms.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said adjusting means comprlsesr turnbuckles the corresponding upper ends being swingably connected to the frame of said prime mover, the respective front ends of said stabilizing arms being pivotally connected to the corresponding lower ends of said 4. In a machine for discharging surface material, which machine has a hopper and a screed for leveling the discharged surface material from said hopper, the improvement comprismg:

screed means including said screed below and in trailing relationship to said hopper;

means for vertically adjusting the height of the screed above a grade line;

said adjusting means comprising:

stabilizing arms having their rear ends connected to said screed, the forward ends of said arms being adjustably connected to said machine for vertical adjustment; and grade guide wheels supporting said arms intermediate their forward and rearward ends whereby said arms may be rocked about said wheels as a fulcrum to adjust the level of the screed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said adjusting means are swingably connected to the frame of the machine adjacent the corresponding front ends of said stabilizing arms.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said adjusting means comprises:

turnbuckles the corresponding upper ends being swingably connected to the frame of the machine, the respective front ends of said stabilizing arms being pivotally connected to the corresponding lower ends of said turnbuckles.

7. In a machine for discharging surface material, which machine has a hopper and a screed for leveling the discharged connected to said machine for vertical adjustment; and

grade following guide means supporting said arms intermediate their forward and rearward ends, whereby said arms may be rocked about said grade following guide means as a fulcrum to adjust the height of said screed.

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