U.S. patent application number 13/575513 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-29 for scarifier.
Invention is credited to James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, Timothy J. Wehner.
Application Number | 20120299364 13/575513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43821777 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120299364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroeder; James C. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2012 |
SCARIFIER
Abstract
A scarifier is provided with a floating axle 16 which allows the
head 22 of the unit to follow the contour of the to-be-ground
surface. The floating axle 16 will allow the two large outboard
wheels 46 to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the
smaller guide wheels 50. The floating axle 16 can also be locked to
compensate for extremely uneven conditions.
Inventors: |
Schroeder; James C.;
(Ramsey, MN) ; Wehner; Timothy J.; (Apple Valley,
MN) ; Shultz; Mark D.; (Minneapolis, MN) |
Family ID: |
43821777 |
Appl. No.: |
13/575513 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/022722 |
371 Date: |
July 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61299526 |
Jan 29, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
299/39.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 23/08 20130101;
B28D 1/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/39.1 |
International
Class: |
E01C 23/08 20060101
E01C023/08 |
Claims
1. A scarifier for grinding an removal material from a surface,
said scarifier comprising: a cart, said cart comprising: at least
one rear wheel rotatably attached to said frame and having an axis
of rotation; at least one front wheel rotatably attached to said
frame and having an axis of rotation; and a frame having front and
rear portions; said portions being hinged to one another along an
axis of articulation, said axis of articulation being generally
parallel to at least one of said axes of rotation, said at least
one rear wheel being attached to said rear portion and said at
least one front wheel being attached to said front portion; a
cutter assembly adjustably attached to said cart front portion; and
handlebars attached to said cart rear portion.
2. The scarifier of claim 1 wherein said scarifier may be moved
between an operating position wherein said cutter assembly engages
said surface and a transport position wherein said cutter assembly
is spaced from said surface by pivoting along said axis of
articulation.
3. The scarifier of claim 2 further comprising means for locking
said frame into said transport position.
4. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising means to adjust the
position of said cutter assembly relative to said surface.
5. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising means to connect to
a propulsion unit.
6. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising at least one guide
wheel rotatably attached to said cutter assembly.
7. The scarifier of claim 1 wherein said wheels are filled with
urethane.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 61/299,526, filed Jan. 29, 2010, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Hand-operated/walk-behind scarifiers are well known for
removal of markings and the like from pavement and similar
surfaces. Horizontal rotating cutters with up to 13 HP of
grinding/cutting torque produce an extremely fatiguing operator
experience. Large amounts of vibration transferred from the machine
to the operator. The small wheels limit mobility of these
machines.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The instant invention is used for heavy-duty removal of
coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing. It cleans and prepares
surfaces such as concrete and asphalt prior to coating and
re-coating. The primary purpose of this design is to remove the
fatigue that is typically associated with this type of
equipment.
[0004] The instant invention allows the ability to be coupled to a
propulsion unit such as that sold by Graco Inc. under the
LineDriver trademark. This allows self propelled operation in
forward and reverse and variable speeds. A depth limiter allows the
grinding head to cut only as deep as required. Depth is adjusted
via a hand wheel and acme nut and screw.
[0005] An articulating cart allows full operation without letting
go of handlebars making for easy handling. It also allows
feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth especially over
uneven pavement. The point of articulation and length of lever arm
produce little or no resistance when applying cutters to pavement
surface. It is important to note this point of articulation can be
positioned further inward or outward producing a more or less
mechanical advantage from the handlebar position.
[0006] The instant invention is provided with a floating head which
allows the cutter heads to be engaged into cutting surface while
the operator has both hands on the handle bars for safety. This
also allows the operator to float the cutter over the surface to
contour and blend. The mechanism consists of a latching arm with a
locking C cutout which engages with a rod of similar diameter,
gravity keeps the arm locked and is released by operator pressure
on the handle bars and pulling a release lever with his or her
fingertips. This depth control sets the maximum depth but does not
limit cutters from rising over obstacles--important on uneven
surfaces where cutting to deep or burning up cutters is a big
problem.
[0007] The handle bars and control panel (E-stop, tether kill and
throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height
requirement. The engine is coupled to the cutter via a centrifugal
clutch allowing for easier starting due to reduce inertial loads. A
suction port is provided to hook up a vacuum system.
[0008] The cutting/milling head rotates into the work increasing
removing ability. The handlebars can easily move to the front for
handwork without LineDriver unit.
[0009] A swivel front wheel provides similar advantages to those
seen with the Graco LineLazer: easy transport and maneuverability
and locks for straight tracking.
[0010] For additional weight and vibration dampening the wheels can
be filled with urethane which also alleviates the need for air
inflation. Both rear wheels are filled with approximately 7 lbs.
and the front wheel with approximately 1.5 lbs. For example
operation of competitive equipment almost immediately creates the
tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm
vibration.
[0011] A floating axle allows the head of the instant invention to
follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle
will allow the two large outboard wheels to guide the unit, but
still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels. The floating
axle can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven
conditions.
[0012] Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires
proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle
this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of the
LineDriver propulsion unit overcomes this issue. The unit is
equipped with a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety
switch will not allow the unit to start without the LineDriver unit
being connected.
[0013] The instant invention is a safe user friendly solution for
heavy-duty removal of coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing by
providing: (1) significant reduction hand/arm vibration; (2)
significant reduction operator handling fatigue; and (3)
significant increase controlling cutters via handlebars.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
appear more fully from the following description made in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows the scarifier of the instant invention coupled
to a propulsion unit.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the operator controls of the instant
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the instant invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the handlebar control.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows detail of the coupler between the propulsion
unit and the scarifier.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows another position of the FIG. 5 view.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows more detail of the controls.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a different view of the controls.
[0023] FIG. 9 shows the clutch assembly.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the carriage assembly.
[0025] FIG. 11 shows the front wheel assembly.
[0026] FIG. 12 is another rear view of the carriage assembly.
[0027] FIG. 13 shows the hitch assembly.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows the hitch assembly with a propulsion unit
attached.
[0029] FIG. 15 shows a right hand view of the unit in operational
position.
[0030] FIG. 16 shows a left hand view of the unit in operational
position.
[0031] FIG. 17 shows a front view of the unit.
[0032] FIG. 18 shows a top view of the unit.
[0033] FIG. 19 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies
downward pressure on the handlebars.
[0034] FIG. 20 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies
upward pressure on the handlebars.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0035] The scarifier of the instant invention is generally
designated 10. An articulating cart 12 allows full operation
without letting go of handlebars 14 making for easy handling. It
also allows feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth
especially over uneven pavement. The point or axis of articulation
16 and length of lever arm produce little or no resistance when
applying cutters 18 to the pavement surface 20. It is important to
note this point of articulation 16 can be positioned further inward
or outward producing a more or less mechanical advantage from the
handlebar 14 position.
[0036] The instant invention is provided with a floating head 22
which allows the cutter heads 18 (of known design) to be engaged
into cutting surface 20 while the operator has both hands on the
handle bars 14 for safety. This also allows the operator to float
the cutter 22 over the surface 20 to contour and blend. The
mechanism consists of a latching arm 24 with a locking C cutout 26
which engages with a rod 28 of similar diameter, gravity keeps the
arm 24 locked and is released by operator pressure on the handle
bars 14 and pulling a release lever 30 with his or her fingertips.
This depth control 32 sets the maximum depth but does not limit
cutters 18 from rising over obstacles--important on uneven surfaces
where cutting too deep or burning up cutters 18 is a big
problem.
[0037] The handle bars 14 and control panel 34 (E-stop, tether kill
and throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height
requirement. The engine 36 is coupled to the cutter 22 via a
centrifugal clutch 38 and belt 39 allowing for easier starting due
to reduced inertial loads. A suction port 40 is provided to hook up
a vacuum system.
[0038] The cutting/milling head 22 rotates into the work increasing
removing ability. The handlebars 14 can easily move to the front
for handwork without propulsion unit 42.
[0039] A swivel front wheel 44 provides similar advantages to those
seen with the Graco's line stripers: easy transport and
maneuverability and locks for straight tracking.
[0040] For additional weight and vibration dampening the wheels 44
and 46 can be filled with urethane 48 which also alleviates the
need for air inflation. Both rear wheels 46 are filled with
approximately 7 lbs. and the front wheel 44 with approximately 1.5
lbs. Operation of prior art equipment almost immediately creates
the tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm
vibration.
[0041] A floating axle 16 allows the head 22 of the instant
invention to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The
floating axle 16 will allow the two large outboard/main wheels 46
to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide
wheels 50. The floating axle 16 can also be locked to compensate
for extremely uneven conditions.
[0042] Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires
proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle
this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of the
propulsion unit 42 overcomes this issue. The unit is equipped with
a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety switch will not
allow the unit to start without the propulsion unit being connected
via hitch 52.
[0043] It is contemplated that various changes and modifications
may be made to the scarifier without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *