U.S. patent application number 14/248469 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for walkway assembly for paving machines.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Jacob R. Ellwein.
Application Number | 20140219721 14/248469 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51259324 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140219721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ellwein; Jacob R. |
August 7, 2014 |
WALKWAY ASSEMBLY FOR PAVING MACHINES
Abstract
A walkway assembly for a paving machine is disclosed herein. The
walkway assembly includes a main walkway, an extender walkway, and
a wheel assembly. The extender walkway telescopically extends and
retracts relative to the main walkway. The wheel assembly includes
a guard, a pin, and a wheel. The guard includes six surfaces
mutually perpendicular to each other. The guard includes a cavity
which defines a first opening in the first surface and a second
opening in the third surface. The guard also includes an insert
hole longitudinally extending from the second surface to the
cavity. The wheel having a through hole is positioned inside the
cavity and extends partially outwards from the guard through the
second opening in rolling contact with extender walkway.
Inventors: |
Ellwein; Jacob R.; (Oak
Grove, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. |
Brooklyn Park |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Paving Products
Inc.
Brooklyn Park
MN
|
Family ID: |
51259324 |
Appl. No.: |
14/248469 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 19/48 20130101;
E01C 2301/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/83 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/00 20060101
E01C019/00 |
Claims
1. A walkway assembly for a paving machine, the walkway assembly
comprising: a main walkway; an extender walkway configured to
telescopically extend and retract relative to the main walkway; a
wheel assembly, the wheel assembly includes: a guard, the guard
including: a first surface; a second surface substantially parallel
to the first surface; a third surface extending between the first
surface and the second surface, the third surface being
substantially perpendicular to the first surface; a cavity
extending from the first surface towards the second surface,
wherein the cavity includes a first opening in the first surface
and a second opening in the third surface, and an insert hole
longitudinally extending from the second surface to the cavity; a
wheel having a through hole, wherein the wheel is positioned inside
the cavity of the guard, wherein the wheel extends partially
outwards from the guard through the second opening and in rolling
contact with the extender walkway; a pin having a first end and a
second end, the pin passes through the insert hole and the through
hole to couple the guard and the wheel; and wherein the wheel
assembly is coupled to the main walkway by coupling the first end
of the pin with the main walkway.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to paving machines.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a walkway
assembly for a paving machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paving machines are used for laying concrete and/or asphalt
on various surfaces such as, a road surface, a bridge, a parking
area, and the like. The concrete and/or asphalt laid on the
surfaces is given an initial compaction using a screed coupled to
the paving machine. The paving machine generally includes a walkway
at a rear end of the screed. The walkway enables an operator to
observe the paving operation. Additionally, the operator is able to
control screed functionalities from the walkway since an operator
control station is generally located in the vicinity of the
walkway.
[0003] The width of extendable screeds can be varied depending on a
given paving job. The walkway needs to be adjustable along with the
screed width to allow an operator standing on the walkway to
properly monitor the paving operation and control the paving
operation.
[0004] There are several known ways to extend and retract the
walkway. The extender walkway may slide relative to a main walkway
to vary the width of the walkway on a roller which is mounted
beneath the main walkway. However, during paving operation, asphalt
debris and other obstacles may prevent or limit walkway movement,
making it difficult to extend or retract when desired.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
walkway assembly for a paving machine. The walkway assembly
includes a main walkway, an extender walkway, and a wheel assembly.
The extender walkway is configured to telescopically extend and
retract relative to the main walkway. The wheel assembly includes a
guard, a wheel, and a pin. The guard includes a first surface, a
second surface, and a third surface. The second surface is
substantially parallel to the first surface. The third surface
extends between the first surface and the second surface. The third
surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The
guard further includes a cavity extending from the first surface
towards the second surface. The cavity includes a first opening in
the first surface and a second opening in the third surface. The
guard also includes an insert hole longitudinally extending from
the second surface to the cavity. The wheel having a through hole
is positioned inside the cavity of the guard. The wheel extends
partially outwards from the guard through the second opening and is
in a rolling contact with the extender walkway. The pin passes
through the insert hole and the through hole to couple the guard
and the wheel. The pin includes a first end and a second end. The
wheel assembly is coupled to the main walkway by coupling the first
end of the pin with the main walkway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary paving
machine, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a walkway
assembly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the
walkway assembly, in an alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the walkway assembly, in
accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a wheel assembly, in
accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary paving
machine 100, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure. In reference to FIG. 1, the paving machine 100 may
include a pair of hoppers 102, a conveyor, an auger 104, a screed
106, and a walkway assembly 108.
[0012] The pair of hoppers 102 of the paving machine 100 may
receive asphalt and/or concrete material from a dump truck or
similar transport means. The pair of hoppers 102 transfers the
asphalt and/or concrete material to the auger 104 via a conveyer
(not shown in FIGs). The auger 104 may be a rotating screw
mechanism and transfers asphalt and/or concrete on a paving
surface. Examples of paving surfaces may be a road surface, a
parking area, a highway, and the like. The auger 104 may transfer
the asphalt and/or concrete material on the paving surface in form
of stockpiles in front of the screed 106. The asphalt and/or
concrete material transferred on the ground is given an initial
compaction by the screed 106.
[0013] The screed 106 is coupled at a rear end of the paving
machine 100. In an embodiment, the screed 106 includes a main
screed and at least one extender. In a preferred embodiment, the
screed 106 includes two extender slideably coupled on each side of
the main screed. The at least one extender may be extended or
retracted relative to the main screed for different pavement
requirements. The at least one extender may be extended and
retracted by any mechanism such as, but not limited to, a hydraulic
actuating mechanism, a pneumatic actuating mechanism, an electric
actuating mechanism, a mechanical mechanism and the equivalents
thereof. The at least one extender is extended and positioned
adjacent to the main screed to increase the width of the asphalt
and/or concrete mat being laid on the paving surface. The screed
106 provides a uniformly paved surface as the paving machine 100
moves forwardly.
[0014] Furthermore, the screed 106 is coupled to the walkway
assembly 108. The walkway assembly 108 enables an operator to
observe the paving operation. Additionally, the operator may
control functionalities of the screed 106 from the walkway assembly
108 since an operator control station is generally located in the
vicinity of the walkway assembly 108.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the walkway
assembly 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure. The walkway assembly 108 includes a main walkway 202,
an extender walkway 204, and a wheel assembly 206. The extender
walkway 204 is telescopically extendable and retractable relative
to the main walkway 202. In an embodiment, the walkway assembly 108
includes two extender walkways such that one extender walkway 204
may extend and retract relative to one end of the main walkway 202
and other extender walkway 204 may extend and retract relative to
other end of the main walkway 202. The extender walkway 204 may be
coupled to the at least one extender of the screed 106 using a
support bracket 208. Therefore, the extender walkway 204 may extend
and retract relative to the main walkway 202 as the at least one
extender extends and retracts. It may be understood to a person
ordinarily skilled in the art that, the extender walkway 204 may
extend or retract relative to the main walkway 202 independently of
the movement of the at least one extender of the screed 106.
[0016] Further, the main walkway 202 is coupled to the wheel
assembly 206. In the present embodiment, there is a single wheel
assembly 206 coupled to each end of the main walkway 202. In this
embodiment, the wheel assembly 206 may be coupled to the main
walkway 202, such that the extender walkway 204 slides under the
wheel assembly 206. In other words, the extender walkway 204 is
positioned between the main walkway 202 and the wheel assembly 206.
Alternatively, the wheel assembly 206 may be positioned between the
main walkway 202 and the extender walkway 204. In other words, the
extender walkway 204 may slide over the wheel assembly 206.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the
walkway assembly 108, in accordance with an alternative embodiment
of the present disclosure. In this embodiment (as shown in FIG. 3
and FIG. 4), there are two wheel assemblies 206 coupled to each end
of the main walkway 202. Further, the extender walkway 204 includes
a first side 302 and a second side 304. The first side 302 and the
second side 304 of the extender walkway 204 may be of L shape, a C
shape or equivalent thereof. In this embodiment (as shown in FIG. 3
and FIG. 4), one wheel assembly 206 is positioned between a first
side 210 of the main walkway 202 and the first side 302 of the
extender walkway 204 and the other wheel assembly 206 is positioned
between a second side 212 of the main walkway 202 and the second
side 304 the extender walkway 204. Therefore, the first side 302
and the second side 304 of the extender walkway 204 may act as
rails for the wheel assembly 206. Therefore, the extender walkway
204 may slide relative to the main walkway 202 over the wheel
assembly 206.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the wheel assembly
206 associated with the present disclosure. The wheel assembly 206
includes a guard 502, a wheel 504, and a pin 506. The guard 502 is
a solid guard of shape, such as but not limited to, a cuboidal
guard, a trapezoidal guard and the equivalents thereof. The guard
502 includes a first surface 508, a second surface 510, and a third
surface 512. The second surface 510 is substantially parallel to
the first surface 508. In an embodiment, the first surface 508 and
the second surface 510 are a front surface and a rear surface of
the guard 502, respectively. The third surface 512 extends between
the first surface 508 and the second surface 510. The third surface
512 being substantially perpendicular to the first surface 508 and
the second surface 510.
[0019] In the present embodiment, the guard 502 shown is a cuboidal
guard having the first surface 508, the second surface 510, the
third surface 512, a fourth surface 514, a fifth surface 516, and a
sixth surface 518.
[0020] Further, the guard 502 includes a cavity 520 extending from
the first surface 508 towards the second surface 510. The cavity
520 may be in form of a blind hole. The cavity 520 includes a first
opening 522 in the first surface 508 and a second opening 524 in
the third surface 512. The guard 502 also includes an insert hole
526 longitudinally extending from the second surface 510 to the
cavity 520.
[0021] The wheel 504 having a through hole 528 is positioned inside
the cavity 520 of the guard 502. The wheel 504 extends partially
outwards from the guard 502 through the second opening 524 such
that the wheel 504 is in a rolling contact with the extender
walkway 204. The wheel 504 may extend partially above and/or below
the guard 502 through the second opening 524.
[0022] Further, the pin 506 passes through the insert hole 526 and
the through hole 528 to couple the guard 502 and the wheel 504. The
pin 506 includes a first end 530 and a second end 532. The first
end 530 of the pin 506 is coupled with the first side 210 of the
main walkway 202 (as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4). The
first end 530 of the pin 506 may be coupled with the first side 210
of the main walkway 202 by a method such as, but limited to,
welding, fastening and the like. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2, the second end 532 of the pin 506 is coupled with the second
side 212 of the main walkway 202. Therefore, the wheel assembly 206
is coupled with the main walkway 202 by coupling the first end 530
and the second end 532 of the pin 506 to the main walkway 202. In
the alternative embodiment, when the wheel assembly 206 is
positioned between the sides of the main walkway 202 and the
extender walkway 204, only the first end 530 of the pin 506 is
coupled to the side of the main walkway 202 as best shown in FIG. 3
and FIG. 4.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0023] The present disclosure relates to the paving machine 100.
The paving machine 100 includes the pair of hopper 102, the
conveyor, the auger 104, the screed 106, and the walkway assembly
108. The paving machine 100 receives asphalt and/or concrete
material in the pair of hoppers 102. The paving machine 100 dumps
the asphalt and/or concrete material on a paving surface via the
conveyor (not shown) and the auger 104 in front of the screed 106.
The screed 106 gives initial compaction to the asphalt and/or
concrete as the paving machine 100 moves forward. The width of the
screed 106 may be adjusted for different pavement requirements. The
width of the screed 106 may be varied by extending and retracting
the at least one extender of the screed 106 relative to the main
screed. Since, the at least one extender of the screed 106 is
coupled to the extender walkway 204 of the walkway assembly 108,
the extension of the at least one extender of the screed 106 causes
extension of the extender walkway 204. Therefore, the width of the
walkway assembly 108 is varied by extending and retracting the
extender walkway 204 relative to the main walkway 202.
[0024] The extender walkway 204 extends and retracts by sliding
over the wheel 504 of the wheel assembly 206. The wheel 504 is
positioned inside the cavity 520 of the guard 502. During the
paving operation, the guard 502 prevents the entry of asphalt
material or debris between the wheel 504 and the extender walkway
204. Further, the guard 502 may also prevent the entry of asphalt
material or debris between the extender walkway 204 and the main
walkway 202. Thereby, the guard 502 prevents jamming of the
extender walkway 204. Therefore, the wheel assembly 206 assists in
easy extension and retraction of the extender walkway 204.
* * * * *