U.S. patent application number 12/004809 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for curb shoe assembly for shoulder grading.
Invention is credited to John L. Davis.
Application Number | 20080173456 12/004809 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39640148 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080173456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; John L. |
July 24, 2008 |
Curb shoe assembly for shoulder grading
Abstract
A curb shoe assembly for street grading and curb formation is
provided. The curb shoe assembly includes a channel member having a
front side, a back side, a bottom side and a central trough sized
for receiving the bottom edge of a construction vehicle mow blade.
The curb shoe further includes a grading blade which extends
downward from the bottom side of the channel member. The grading
blade includes a laterally extending portion and an angled portion.
The angled portion includes a vertically extending edge for
confronting a curb shoulder. Preferably, the angled portion is
removable for replacement due to damage. The curb shoe includes a
pair of straps for affixing the curb shoe's channel member to a mow
blade. In addition, the curb shoe assembly includes a shoe having a
horizontally extending plate. The horizontally extending plate is
positioned adjacent to the grading blade so as to rest upon a
street curb during operation. The shoe includes vertically
extending rods sized and positioned to slidably extend into collars
affixed to the front and rear sides of the channel member. Since
the shoe can be moved upwardly or downwardly, the height of the
grading blade's vertically extending edge can be adjusted for the
formation of curbs of different heights. The curb shoe assembly
includes one or more shoe spacers insertable and removable between
the channel member's bottom side and the shoe's planar plate for
maintaining the shoe in proper position.
Inventors: |
Davis; John L.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RUSSO & DUCKWORTH, LLP;2nd Floor
9090 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Family ID: |
39640148 |
Appl. No.: |
12/004809 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60876338 |
Dec 20, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
172/26 ; 172/239;
172/783; 37/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/8152
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
172/26 ; 172/239;
37/448; 172/783 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/815 20060101
E02F003/815; E02F 9/00 20060101 E02F009/00 |
Claims
1. A curb shoe assembly for a mow blade comprising: a channel
member having a front side, a rear side, a bottom side and a
central trough sized and configured for receipt of the bottom
corner of a mow blade, said channel member further including a pair
of collars each having a central opening with a first collar
affixed to the exterior surface of said channel front side and a
second collar affixed to the exterior surface of said channel back
side, said collars aligned to extend substantially vertically; a
grading blade extending downward from said channel member's bottom
side and having a lower surface adapted to confront a road surface
and a vertically extending edge for confronting a shoulder area; a
plurality of straps of adjustable length sized and configured to
extend from said channel front side over the top edge a mow blade
to said channel member back side for affixing the curb shoe to a
mow blade without requiring holes formed in the surface of mow
blade; a shoe including a substantially horizontally extending
planar plate positioned below said channel member bottom side
adjacent to said grading blade, said shoe further including a pair
of vertically extending rods slidably positioned within said
channel member collars; and one of more shoe spacers insertable and
removable between said channel member's bottom side and said shoe's
planar plate for adjusting the distance between said channel member
bottom side and said shoe for correspondingly adjusting the length
of said channel member edge confronting a shoulder area.
2. The curb shoe assembly for a mow blade of claim 1 wherein said
grading blade includes laterally extending portion and an angled
portion, said angled portion including said blade edge for
confronting a shoulder area, said angled portion further being
attachable and detachable to said laterally extending portion for
permitting replacement of said angled portion in the event of wear
or damage.
3. The curb shoe assembly for a mow blade of claim 2 wherein said
laterally extending portion includes a pair of holes and said
angled portion includes a pair of pins for slidable entry into said
holes for affixing said angled portion to said lateral extending
portion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/876,338 filed on Dec. 20,
2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Concrete curbs or existing asphalt are used in constructing
commercial parking lots, residential streets, and major
thoroughfares. Concrete curbs are used to determine the elevation
of asphalt to construct these various jobs.
[0003] After the curbs are in place, constructing the asphalt
parking lots or streets consists of placing and compacting type two
gravel against the curb or existing asphalt. 1). The thickness of
asphalt varies depending on the loads and amount of traffic
anticipated for each job. Cutting the compacted gravel to a precise
depth next to the curb is extremely slow and often has to be cut
several times to accomplish a less than satisfactory job. After the
motor grader (blade) is finished cutting next to the curb, laborers
clean material away from the edge of the curb with shovels. This
method has proved to be very time consuming and more often than
not, the depth is too deep, resulting in extra asphalt and
money.
[0004] A curb shoe is the preferred method in cutting gravel to
which this determines the depth of asphalt needed to construct
various streets and parking lots. A curb shoe is an attachment that
fits on the mow board of a blade. The curb shoe rides along the
curb and allows the blade to cut a precise depth. There are a few
different types of curb shoes, some with adjustable wheels that
ride on the curb and others with adjustable screws to control the
depth of a cut. These shoes work better than the previous methods
but are not widely used because they do not sufficiently work.
[0005] The wheel type has to have a very clean curb to ride on. If
the road base is not cut very close to the correct depth before
this curb shoe is used, the gravel pushes up onto the curb allowing
the wheel to ride on top of the rocks making the depth incorrect.
This type of shoe is bolted onto the mow board of the blade.
[0006] Another type of curb shoe has screws that adjust the depth
of the cut. Some of these have a framework that slides into pipes
welded to the mow board. These shoes do not clean the curb well and
potentially can damage the concrete curb. Because of the framework,
the shoe can be bent if too much pressure is applied to the mow
board.
[0007] The preferred curb shoe for many years has been a bolt-on
shoe that is adjusted by raising or lowering the shoe to the proper
depth and then bolting it onto the mow board. If the shoe is built
long enough to cover much of the flow line on the curb, it cleans
the curb well. However, like all bolt-on shoes, this shoe is
awkward and very time consuming to install and often takes two
persons in the process. Because parking lots and streets use
different depth for asphalt, a lot of time is used in unbolting,
measuring, and reinstalling the shoe. After the correct depth is
set and the operator begins to cut, if the operator applies too
much down pressure on the shoe, the weight of the blade becomes too
much for the bolts causing the shoe to slip. Another problem with
this type of shoe is the damage it can cause to the concrete curb.
Because of the thin edge of the mow board and no protection against
the curb, if the operator puts excessive pressure to the curb, the
mow board chips the edge of the concrete which damages the
curb.
[0008] Various additional devices have been developed for grading
street and parking lot curbs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,940
to Mahan describes a grader blade having a portion of the blade
which is replaceable and has an adjustable height. Unfortunately,
the grader blade requires that holes be formed into the mow blade
for holding the grader blade. U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,392 to Kitchin
also describes a road shoulder grading attachment which is
removably mounted to the bucket of a front-end loader. Though not
having to attach to a mow blade, the grading attachment still must
be attached using bolts and a complicated set of linkages. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,290,214 assigned to Caterpillar Tractor Company
describes an attachment for a bulldozer blade. Though not using a
bolt attachment, the grading blade must be attached using pins
which extend through holes formed in the bulldozer blade.
[0009] There is thus a significant need for a curb shoe assembly
for forming street curbs which does not require holes to be drilled
or otherwise formed into a mow board.
[0010] There is an additional desire for a curb shoe assembly which
can be attached to a mow board without bolts but provides for an
adjustable height of the curb shoe.
[0011] There is also a need for a curb shoe assembly which
facilitates the removal and replacement of curb shoe blades.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Briefly, in accordance with the invention, an improved curb
shoe assembly for affixing to the grader blade of a motor grader is
provided. The curb shoe assembly includes a channel member having a
front side, a rear side, a bottom side and a central trough. The
channel member is constructed so that the central trough is
configured to receive the bottom corner edge of a vehicle mow blade
with the front side of the channel member in front of the mow blade
and the rear side of the channel member to the rear of the mow
blade. The channel member further includes at least two collars.
The first collar is affixed to the front side of the channel member
and constructed to include a central conduit, also referred to as
an opening, which extends substantially vertically in relation to
the channel member's front side. A second collar is affixed to the
exterior of the channel member's rear side. Again, the collar has a
central conduit, or opening, which is aligned substantially
vertically.
[0013] The curb shoe assembly further includes a grading blade
which extends downward from the channel member's bottom side. The
grading blade includes a lower surface adapted to confront a road
or parking lot surface and a side edge for confronting a shoulder
area of a curb. In a preferred embodiment, the grading blade is
constructed of two portions referred to herein as a laterally
extending portion and an angled portion. The laterally extending
portion extends downwardly from the channel member and extends
laterally substantially along the same axis as the channel member.
The laterally extending portion may be non-removably affixed to the
channel member such as being integrally formed with the channel
member, or it may be removably attached to the channel member.
[0014] Meanwhile, the angled portion extends laterally below the
channel member but also in a forward to rearward direction. The
angled portion includes the grading blade's vertically extending
edge which is intended to confront the curb shoulder area. The
angle direction of the angled portion of the grading blade is
constructed to angle rearward from the vertically extending edge
which engages a shoulder so as to direct asphalt or other building
materials away from the curb. The grading blade angled portion may
be affixed permanently to the channel member. However, it is
preferred that the angled portion be attachable and detachable from
the laterally extending portion for permitting easy replacement in
the event that the angled portion incurs typical wear and tear or
is damaged during use. For facilitating attachment and detachment
to the laterally extending portion, preferably the angled portion
includes a pair of pins which are constructed to slidably enter
into holes formed into the grading blade's laterally extending
portion.
[0015] The curb shoe assembly of the present invention furthermore
includes two or more straps for affixing the channel member to a
vehicle mow blade. To this end, preferably each strap is affixed to
the channel member's front side. The straps are constructed to be
of sufficient length to extend over the top edge of a mow blade and
down again to be affixed at different places to the channel
member's back side. Preferably, the straps are adjustable so as to
affix the curb shoe to mow blades of different sizes or to take
into account stretching of the straps during use.
[0016] The curb shoe assembly of the present invention includes a
shoe which is affixed to the channel member. The shoe is positioned
adjacent to the grading blade and positioned to engage the top
surface of a street curb. The shoe includes a substantially
horizontally extending planar plate for engaging the top surface of
a curb. In addition, the shoe includes a pair of vertically
extending rods which are positioned to slidably enter the channel
member's collars. Due to the slidable arrangement between the
extending rods and collar, the shoe can be moved upwardly or
downwardly relative to the curb shoe's channel member. The rods may
be affixed in place relative to the collars using various
constructions known to those skilled in the art. However, in a
preferred embodiment, the shoe rods include a plurality of holes
which extend laterally through the rods to allow for entry of
cotter pins or the like.
[0017] Advantageously, the shoe can be moved upwardly or downwardly
relative to the channel member, and thus lengthen or decrease the
grader blade's vertically extending edge which confronts the curb
shoulder for allowing for the construction of curbs of different
heights. To maintain the shoe in a downward position relative to
the channel member, the curb shoe includes one or more shoe spacers
which are insertable and removable between the channel member's
bottom side and the shoe's planar plate. The shoe spacers may be of
various thicknesses and one or more shoe spacers may be inserted
between the channel member's bottom side and the shoe's planar
plate for allowing the grading blade's vertical edge to be
manipulated to a desired height.
[0018] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
curb shoe assembly which can be affixed to a vehicle mow blade
without requiring the formation or drilling of holes into the mow
blade.
[0019] It is still an additional object of the invention to provide
a curb shoe assembly which is adjustable so as to allow for the
formation of street curbs of different heights.
[0020] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
curb shoe assembly for the formation of street curbs which allows
for the easy replacement of grading bladed.
[0021] These and other further objects and advantages of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor grader grading a
street and curb without a curb shoe;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curb shoe of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating an individual
holding a curb shoe of the present invention next to a motor grader
mow blade;
[0025] FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating an individual
installing a curb shoe of the present invention upon a mow
blade;
[0026] FIG. 3C is a perspective view illustrating a curb shoe of
the present invention affixed to a mow blade;
[0027] FIG. 3D is a rear perspective view illustrating a curb shoe
of the present invention affixed to a mow blade;
[0028] FIG. 3E is a perspective view illustrating a curb shoe of
the present invention affixed to a motor grader mow blade in
operation grading a curb;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a curb shoe of the
present invention affixed to a mow blade in operation grading a
curb;
[0030] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a curb
shoe of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a curb shoe of the present
invention including a spacer;
[0032] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a curb shoe of the present
invention with the angled portion of the grader blade detached;
and
[0033] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the curb shoe of the
present invention illustrating the angled portion of the grading
blade affixed to the curb shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, as shown in the drawings, hereinafter will be
described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to
limit the invention to specific embodiments illustrated.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the curb shoe assembly 1 of the
present invention is intended for affixation to the corner edge 6
of the mow blade of a motor grader vehicle 3. The curb shoe
assembly is affixed to the mow blade primarily by a channel member
7 and two or more straps 45. The channel member 7 includes a front
side 9, a rear side 11, a bottom side 13 and an end piece 17 to
form a central trough 15. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A 3E, the
central trough 15 is sized and constructed to slide onto the corner
edge 6 of the mow blade 5.
[0036] The straps 45 affix to the front side 9 and rear side 11 of
the channel member utilizing various construction. However, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, preferably the channel member 7 is
provided with holes for receiving hooks affixed to the ends of the
straps 45. Preferably the straps are adjustable using buckles or
the like so that the straps can be lengthened or shortened to affix
to various sizes of vehicle mow blades or to take into account
stretching of the straps which may occur over time.
[0037] The curb shoe assembly further includes a grading blade 27
which extends downward from the channel member's bottom side 13.
The lower surface 29 of the grading blade is adapted to confront a
road surface. Moreover, the grading blade 27 includes a side edge
31 for confronting the shoulder area of a curb. In a preferred
embodiment, the grading blade is constructed in two pieces
including a laterally extending portion 33 and an angled portion
35. The laterally extending portion is preferably integrally formed
to extend from the bottom of the channel member such as by welding.
Preferably this laterally extending portion 33 of the grading blade
extends laterally in substantially the same direction as the
longitudinal axis of the channel member and mow blade.
[0038] The angled portion 35 of the grading blade also extends
downwardly from the channel member's bottom side 13. However,
preferably the angled portion 35 extends at an angle relative to
the longitudinal axis of the channel member so as to divert asphalt
or other building materials away from the curb. The angled portion
further includes the grading blade's side edge 31 which is
positioned to engage the shoulder area of a curb. (See FIGS. 3E and
4). The grading blade's angled portion 35 may be integrally formed
with or affixed to the channel member 7 or with the laterally
extending portion 33. However, it is preferred that the angled
portion 35 be attachable and detachable from the rest of the curb
shoe assembly. To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B,
preferably the angled portion includes a pair of pins 37 which
extend into holes formed in the laterally extending portion. Though
not shown, the pins 37 and angled portion can be locked in place
utilizing cotter pins which extend through the pins positioned
behind the grading blade's laterally extending portion 33.
[0039] Of importance, the curb shoe assembly 1 of the present
invention includes a shoe 47 which is affixed to the channel member
7. The shoe 47 includes a planar plate 49 which is affixed to the
channel member immediately adjacent to the grading blade's side
edge 31 so the shoe rests upon a curb shoulder during the curb
formation, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E. The shoe 47 is attachable and
detachable from the channel member using various constructions.
However, the preferred construction includes providing the channel
member 7 with a pair of collars 19 and the shoe 47 with a pair of
vertically extending rods 51. The rods are sized to telescopically
slide into the collar's central conduits 21 so as to enable the
shoe to move upwardly and downwardly, and also to completely be
removed from the curb shoe assembly. The rods 51 may be affixed to
the channel member using various constructions including nuts and
bolts. However, as shown in the figures, a preferred construction
includes utilizing cotter pins 53 which slide through bores
laterally formed in the rods 51.
[0040] Advantageously, the shoe can be moved upwardly or downwardly
relative to the channel member 7 so as to lengthen or decrease the
grading blade's vertically extending side edge 31 which confronts a
curb. The cotter pins prevent the shoe from unwantingly moving
downward relative to the channel member. Meanwhile, the curb shoe
assembly further includes spacers which are positioned between the
shoe's planar plate 49 and the bottom side 13 of the channel member
7. As seen in FIGS. 4-6, one or more spacers 55 may be utilized.
Further, the shoe spacers 55 may be constructed of various
thicknesses to be inserted between the channel member's bottom side
and the shoe's planar plate for allowing the grading blade's
vertical edge to be manipulated to a desired height.
[0041] While several particular forms of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the entire curb shoe may be
constructed of various materials. However, metals and tool steel
are preferred for constructing the channel member, grading blade,
spacers and shoe of the curb shoe assembly. Various materials may
be utilized for the straps 45. However, it is preferred that the
straps be made of nylon or other similar material which is not
prone to stretching or wear and tear.
[0042] Since many modifications can be made to the invention, it is
not intended that the invention be limited except by the following
claims. Having described my invention in such terms so as to enable
persons skilled in the art to understand the invention, recreate
the invention and practice it, and having identified the presently
preferred embodiments, I claim:
* * * * *