U.S. patent application number 14/548333 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for adjustable edge forming apparatus for paving machine.
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 Jason A. Haro.
Application Number | 20150078824 14/548333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52668097 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150078824 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haro; Jason A. |
March 19, 2015 |
ADJUSTABLE EDGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR PAVING MACHINE
Abstract
An edge forming apparatus for a paving machine forms margins of
road paving materials concomitantly with a paving operation. A tube
member having a slidably engaged elongated member is included. Lock
plates, having lock-plate openings, are positionably engaged with
the elongated member. A shaping plate is adjustably coupled with
the lock plates and includes offset strips, with apertures, fixedly
attached thereto. An offset pin is selectively positioned in the
lock plates and extends through the lock-plate openings and the
apertures. The lock plates are positionably movable with the
elongated member, positioning the shaping plate in one of a
retracted position and an angled position. The shaping plate is
restricted from substantial rotation through an engagement of the
shaping plate with the tube member through a non-rotatable fit
between the tube member and the elongated member in response to
contact between the shaping plate and the road paving
materials.
Inventors: |
Haro; Jason A.; (DAYTON,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC. |
Brooklyn Park |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS
INC.
Brooklyn Park
MN
|
Family ID: |
52668097 |
Appl. No.: |
14/548333 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 2301/20 20130101;
E01C 19/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/96 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/48 20060101
E01C019/48; E02F 3/815 20060101 E02F003/815; E02F 3/76 20060101
E02F003/76 |
Claims
1. An edge forming apparatus for a paving machine for forming
margins of road paving materials concomitantly with a paving
operation, the edge forming apparatus comprising: a tube member; an
elongated member slidably engaged with the tube member; one or more
lock plates in positionable engagement with the elongated member,
the one or more lock plates having one or more lock-plate openings;
a shaping plate adjustably coupled with the one or more lock
plates, the shaping plate including: one or more offset strips
fixedly attached to the shaping plate, the one or more offset
strips including one or more apertures; and at least one offset pin
for selectively positioning the one or more lock plates with the
one or more offset strips by extension of the at least one offset
pin through the one or more lock-plate openings in the one or more
lock plates and the one or more apertures in the one or more offset
strips, wherein the one or more lock plates being positionably
movable with the elongated member to position the shaping plate in
one of a retracted position and an angled position relative to the
elongated member, wherein the shaping plate being restricted from
substantial rotation through an engagement of the shaping plate
with the tube member through a non-rotatable fit between the tube
member and the elongated member in response to contact between the
shaping plate and the road paving materials.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a pavement edge
forming apparatus for a paving machine. More specifically, the
present disclosure relates to an adjustable shaping plate for the
pavement edge forming apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paving machines are commonly used to lay asphalt/concrete on
roads, bridges, parking lots, and other construction sites. Paving
machines may also provide relative compaction to asphalt and/or
concrete, to assist formation of an asphalt and/or concrete mat
(hereinafter referred to as a mat) on a paving surface. For that
purpose, paving machines generally include a screed that helps with
the preliminary compaction requirement. Screeds may need to be
extended or retracted depending on a desired mat width. An end gate
is generally attached to the screed and may move with the screed to
prevent undesirable spillage of the asphalt and/or concrete over an
adjacent, unpaved surface. Such movement of the end gate with the
screed generally results in the formation of a steep edge between
the mat and the unpaved surface.
[0003] As it relates to driving on a road with a steep edge between
the mat and base surface such as when a wheel slips off the
roadway, it is undesirable to encounter such an affect. During an
attempt to return to a corresponding drive lane, the steep edges
may become an obstacle to a controlled return. Resultant
difficulties may include a bumpy ride, occupant discomfort while
plying over the adjacent unpaved surface and momentary loss of
vehicular control.
[0004] It is known to apply a ramped edge or "pavement edge" to the
margins of the paved surface. However, current methods pose
significant challenges. One way to form the pavement edge is to use
a wedge-shaped attachment between an extender of the screed and a
frame of a paving machine. However, such attachments may prevent
the extension and/or retraction of the screed. Another way to form
the pavement edge is to use a tapered end gate shoe. However, the
use of the tapered end gate shoe may reduce efficiency of the
pavement edge forming operation. Further, the use of tapered end
gate shoe may include a lot of maintenance and cost.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 8,591,142 discloses a road paving equipment
and a pavement-shaping device. Although this reference discloses a
system that forms a ramp at the edge of a paved roadway, the
described pavement-shaping device does not accommodate for
flexibility in the retraction and extension of the screed, when
desired. Moreover, no provision is disclosed for modularly
positioning the pavement-shaping device.
[0006] Accordingly, the system and method of the present disclosure
solves one or more problems set forth above and/or other problems
in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Various aspects of the present disclosure illustrate an edge
forming apparatus for a paving machine. The paving machine forms
margins of road paving materials concomitantly with a paving
operation. The edge forming apparatus includes a tube member and an
elongated member slidably engaged with the tube member. Further one
or more lock plates are in positionable engagement with the
elongated member. The one or more lock plates have one or more
lock-plate openings. A shaping plate is adjustably coupled with the
one or more lock plates. The shaping plate includes one or more
offset strips that are fixedly attached to the shaping plate. The
one or more offset strips include one or more apertures. At least
one offset pin selectively positions the one or more lock plates
with the one or more offset strips by an extension of the offset
pin through the one or more lock-plate openings and the aperture.
More particularly, the one or more lock plates are positionably
movable with the elongated member to position the shaping plate in
one of a retracted position and an angled position relative to the
elongated member. Moreover, the shaping plate is restricted from
substantial rotation through an engagement of the shaping plate
with the tube member having a non-rotatable fit between the tube
member and the elongated member in response to contact between the
shaping plate and the road paving materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is side view of an exemplary paving machine
incorporated with an edge forming apparatus, in accordance with the
concepts of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the edge forming
apparatus of the paving machine shown in FIG. 1 that includes a
shaping plate, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the edge forming apparatus
of FIG. 2 with the shaping plate being shown in an angled position,
in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the edge forming apparatus of
FIG. 2, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary paving
machine 100, which operates over the non-paved surface 102. The
paving machine 100 may be an asphalt paver that paves the non-paved
surface 102. To perform the paving operation, the paving machine
100 includes a variety of components, such as one or more hoppers
104, an auger 106, a screed 108, an end gate 110, a walk-platform
112, and a pavement edge forming apparatus 114. A fully formed
paved surface may be referred to as a mat 116. Machine movement may
be executed along a direction, A, as shown.
[0013] The hoppers 104 may be configured to receive and generally
store asphalt/concrete or other road forming materials from a dump
truck (not shown) or known material transfer means. The hoppers 104
may be movable relatively upwards and downwards, and may be
tiltable to dump a quantity of asphalt to a conveyor (not shown).
The conveyor may be positioned between the pair of hoppers 104 to
generally transfer the asphalt and/or concrete to the auger
106.
[0014] The auger 106 is configured to receive and lay the asphalt
and/or concrete on the non-paved surface 102. The auger 106 may
include a screw conveyor, which may include a mechanism that uses a
helically shaped screw blade known as flighting. A rotation of such
a screw conveyor may dump the asphalt and/or concrete as a
stockpile over the non-paved surface 102.
[0015] The screed 108 may be panned and controllable to evenly
spread the dumped stockpile over the non-paved surface 102. The
screed 108 may provide at least a minimal compaction to the
underlying stockpile to form the asphalt and/or concrete based mat
116. A delivery of the stockpile may be such that a flattened,
planer layer of the stockpile is substantially laid-out on the
non-paved surface 102.
[0016] The end gate 110 may be fixedly engaged along the ends of
the screed 108. While the screed 108 forms the mat 116, the end
gate 110 may restrict the unrequited spread of the stockpile beyond
the specified limits, and may comply with a desired mat width. The
end gate 110 includes a first end 118 that lies in proximity to the
screed 108.
[0017] The walk-platform 112 may be installed adjacent to the
screed 108, and towards the first end 118. The walk-platform 112 is
generally a walkway that enables an operator to stand and observe
the paving process. While on the walk-platform 112, various aspects
of the mat 116, such as leveling of the mat 116, surface finish,
and/or the like, may be inspected.
[0018] The pavement edge forming apparatus 114 is configured to
shape steep edges of the mat 116 into a ramped surface. More
particularly, the pavement edge forming apparatus 114 assists in
the formation of margins of road paving materials (mat 116)
concomitantly with a paving operation. The pavement edge forming
apparatus 114 is positioned substantially between the screed 108
and the walk-platform 112. Further, the pavement edge forming
apparatus 114 may be positioned in proximity to the end gate 110.
The ramped surface is formed between the mat 116 and an adjacent
unpaved surface that lies along an expanse of the associated
roadway. Moreover, the ramped surface is disposed at an inclination
to the unpaved surface.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged view of the
pavement edge forming apparatus 114 in a retracted position. The
pavement edge forming apparatus 114 includes a tube member 221
integrally connected to a mounting bracket 202 (see FIG. 3). An
elongated member 204 is slidably positionable and adjustable within
the tube member 221 with the mounting bracket 202, and a shaping
plate 206, operably connected to the elongated member 204. The
shaping plate 206 includes two fixedly attached offset strips 208,
with four apertures 210 therein (best seen in FIG. 4). It will be
understood that one offset strip 208 or multiple offset strips may
be contemplated for use on the shaping plate 206. Moreover,
although it is shown in an exemplary embodiment that there are four
apertures 210 in each offset strip 208, it is contemplated that
each offset strip 208 may include four apertures 210 to adequately
set an angle or various alternative angle options for the shaping
plate 206. It will be further understood that the offset strips 208
are fixed to the shaping plate 206, for example, such as, by being
welded or integrally formed with the shaping plate 206 or any other
forming method known to those with ordinary skill in the art.
[0020] Two lock plates 212 are included, each of which have an
engaged hole 213 and an unused hole 213' at an upper end (best seen
in FIG. 4). Collectively, the engaged hole 213 and the unused hole
213' may be referred to as holes 213. At a lower end, the two lock
plates 212 include a lock-plate opening 214 alongside a common
lock-plate opening 214' (best seen in FIG. 4). Collectively, the
lock-plate opening 214 and the common lock-plate opening 214' may
be referred to as lock-plate openings 214. The holes 213 generally
facilitate rotatable positioning of the shaping plate 206 relative
to the elongated member 204, and therefore, the shaping plate 206
may be adjustably coupled with the two lock plates 212. The
pavement edge forming apparatus 114 also has an offset pin 216 and
a common offset pin 216' (collectively referred to as offset pins
216). The common offset pin 216' may commonly engage both the
elongated member 204 and the shaping plate 206. Further, a
resilient member 218 is included as well.
[0021] The two lock plates 212 are in positionable engagement with
the elongated member 204 and facilitate a fixed connection between
the elongated member 204 and the shaping plate 206. The holes 213
and the lock-plate openings 214 are substantially rectangular
arrayed, as best seen in FIG. 4. A variation in the number of holes
213 and the lock-plate openings 214 may be contemplated.
[0022] The mounting bracket 202 may be structured to include a
passage 220 within the tube member 221 (see FIG. 4), through which
the elongated member 204 may be slidably accommodated. A lock 228
is threaded into the tube member 221 to lock the elongated member
204 once the proper position of the shaping plate 206 is
established. The lock 228 may be rotated by an operator once the
shaping plate 206 is set to restrict movement and/or a position of
the slidably disposed elongated member 204, within the passage 220
of the tube member 221. The passage 220 within tube member 221 may
be square to complement the exterior shape of the elongated member
204 so as to restrict rotation of the elongated member 204 but to
allow translation of the elongated member 204 within the tube
member 221. It will be understood that other cross-sectional
profiles for the elongated member 204 and the tube member 221 may
be used, such as, for example a triangle or a rectangle or any
other cross sectional profiled known to those with ordinary skill
in the art. The tube member 221 may be welded to the mounting
bracket 202 or integrally formed in a known manner to those with
ordinary skill, and each of the tube member 221 and mounting
bracket 202 may be manufactured from a carbon based steel material,
which is made to withstand the relatively extensive use and
vibration corresponding to paving operations. The mounting bracket
202 may include a first hook portion 222, as shown configured to
retain an end of the resilient member 218 such as an extension
spring, for example.
[0023] As best shown in FIG. 3, once the elongated member 204 is
properly positioned by the operator, it may be locked by lock 228
such that any movement of the elongated member 204, along the
direction, B, may be restricted. At a lower end, the elongated
member 204 includes an engagement slot 404 and a common engagement
slot 404' (see FIG. 4). Collectively, the engagement slot 404 and
the common engagement slot 404' may be referred to as engagement
slots 404. The engagement slot 404 aligns with the engaged hole
213, while the common engagement slot 404' aligns with the common
lock-plate opening 214' of the lock plate 212. Effectively, the
elongated member 204 is removably and alternatively connected to
the shaping plate 206. The slidable disposal of the elongated
member 204, within the passage 220 of the mounting bracket 202,
enables the shaping plate 206 to be positioned at varying heights
relative to the paving machine 100.
[0024] The shaping plate 206 may generally include a flat, planar
face 224 that shapes the ramped surface of the mat 116, during
operation. Although the offset strips 208 (two in the depicted
embodiment) include four apertures 210 each, it may be contemplated
that each offset strip 208 may include a varied set of apertures
210. The offset strips 208 may be structured and arranged on the
shaping plate 206 substantially laterally relative to the paving
machine 100. The offset strips 208 may also be paralelly structured
relative to each other.
[0025] Once assembled with the elongated member 204, the shaping
plate 206 is restricted from substantial rotation through an
engagement of the shaping plate 206 with the tube member 221, in
response to contact between the shaping plate 206 and the road
paving materials (mat 116). This is because of the non-rotatable
fit between the tube member 221 and the elongated member 204.
[0026] The offset pins 216 may selectively position the lock plates
212 with the offset strips 208 by extension of the offset pins 216
through the lock-plate openings 214 and the aperture 210. More
particularly, a common aperture 210' (see FIG. 4) may facilitate an
associated passage of the common offset pin 216' through the offset
strips 208, during this assembly. The lock plates 212 are
positionably movable with the elongated member 204 to position and
deploy the shaping plate 206 in one of the retracted position and
the angled position relative to the elongated member 204.
[0027] The offset pins 216 may selectively and fixedly engage at
least two of the lock-plate openings 214 (and thus the lock plates
212) with the shaping plate 206. Here, an engagement to the shaping
plate 206 may be facilitated through the apertures 210 structured
on the offset strips 208. A resultant two-point connection
establishes a fixed engagement between the lock plates 212 and the
shaping plate 206. However, the shaping plate 206 remains
unrestrained relative to the elongated member 204 until the lock
pin 402 (see FIG. 4) is engaged.
[0028] A shift in engagement of the lock plates 212, along a length
of the offset strips 208 is possible. More particularly, the two
lock-plate openings 214 may suitably engage with any of the two
consecutive apertures 210. In that manner, a resultant manipulation
of the shaping plate 206 is facilitated substantially laterally
relative to the elongated member 204 (or the paving machine 100).
Further, a second hook portion 226 that corresponds to the first
hook portion 222 is also included in the shaping plate 206.
[0029] The resilient member 218 is connected between the first hook
portion 222 and the second hook portion 226. The resilient member
218 may be among the commonly applied industrial springs known in
the art. However, other resilient devices may be envisioned. The
resilient member 218 may include a spring constant and other
material characteristics that may suitably meet the resilience
required to place the shaping plate 206 in a retracted position
relative to the elongated member 204. More specifically, the
resilience assists in auto-retraction of the shaping plate 206,
from an extended (angled) position to a home position (retracted
position).
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the extended position, opposed to the
retracted position of the shaping plate 206, is shown. This
extended position may relate to a 120-degree inclination of the
shaping plate 206, relative to the pavement edge forming apparatus
114 (or the elongated member 204). In this extended position, the
shaping plate 206 is in a work-state that helps in the formation of
the ramped surface.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the pavement edge
forming apparatus 114 is shown. Each of the components of the
pavement edge forming apparatus 114 discussed above may be viewed
with clearer silhouettes and contours here. More particularly, the
view includes the lock pin 402 that fixedly engages the lock plates
212 to the elongated member 204. The lock pin 402 may be a cotter
pin, which, when forming a joint, may pass through the engagement
slot 404 within the elongated member 204, while also engaging the
lock plates 212. At an opposed end, the lock pin 402 may be keyed
away, as conventionally known, for a confirmed lock. Washers 406
may help with the joint formation process. Similar to the
deployment of the lock pin 402, the offset pins 216 may be locked
away by key-loops 408, also at an opposed end, during an assembly
of the lock plates 212 to the shaping plate 206.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] In assembly, the engaged hole 213 and the common lock-plate
opening 214', may be respectively aligned with the engagement slots
404 (inclusive of the common engagement slot 404'). A resultant
connection between the lock plates 212 and the elongated member 204
is enabled via the lock pin 402 and the common offset pin 216' (see
FIG. 4). Similarly, both the lock-plate openings 214 (inclusive of
the common lock-plate opening 214') may also be simultaneously
aligned with two consecutive apertures 210 (inclusive of the common
aperture 210') in the offset strips 208. In that manner, the offset
pins 216 (inclusive of the common offset pin 216') may engage the
lock plates 212 with the shaping plate 206. The common offset pin
216', therefore, connects to both the elongated member 204 and the
shaping plate 206, along with the lock plate 212. Effectively, a
fixed engagement between the elongated member 204 and the shaping
plate 206 is established.
[0033] A common alignment point exists between the elongated member
204, the shaping plate 206, and the lock plates 212. To this end,
the apertures 210 may include a common aperture 210' (see FIG. 4)
that forms part of the common alignment point. During assembly,
this common aperture 210' is brought into engagement with the
common engagement slot 404' (see FIG. 4) of the elongated member
204, and the common lock-plate opening 214' of the lock plate 212.
The resulting common alignment point is established by extending
and securing the common offset pin 216' commonly into the common
lock-plate opening 214', common aperture 210', and the common
engagement slot 404'.
[0034] A resulting connection between the elongated member 204 and
the shaping plate 206 is a three-point connection. This three-point
connection leaves at least one hole (referred to as the unused hole
213') unused. A switch between the unused hole 213' and the engaged
hole 213, which solely facilitates engagement of the lock plate 212
to the elongated member 204, enables a switch between two operable
configurations of the shaping plate 206. The two operable
configurations may include the shaping plate 206 in one of the
retracted position and the angled position, relative to the
elongated member 204.
[0035] In operation, a first configuration may include the shaping
plate 206 to be positioned at right angles with the elongated
member 204. A second configuration may exemplarily include a
120-degree angular placement of the shaping plate 206 (or zero
degree to the horizontal) relative to the elongated member 204. The
right-angled position of the shaping plate 206, relative to the
elongated member 204, may be the retracted position, while the
120-degree angular placement may be the angled position, as already
noted. In either configuration, the shaping plate 206 defines a
fixed engagement with the elongated member 204. Other angular
arrangements and configurations may be contemplated. Because the
common lock-plate opening 214' facilitates a substantial permanent
accommodation of the common offset pin 216' therethrough, the
shaping plate 206 rotates relative to the common alignment point
during a change in configuration.
[0036] An exemplary switch from the retracted position to the
angled position may be enabled by removing the lock pin 402,
shifting (or pushing) the shaping plate 206 to the angled position,
and re-securing the lock pin 402. Here, re-securing includes
engaging the lock pin 402 into the unused hole 213' and engagement
slot 404 that corresponds to the angled position. A similar
procedure may be contemplated when the shaping plate 206 is being
changed over from the angled position to the retracted position.
Notably, the resilient member 218 may assist in auto-retraction of
the shaping plate 206, from the angled position to the retracted
position. In an angled position, the shaping plate 206 is deployed
for the formation of an edge for the mat 116 (see FIG. 1). In the
retracted position, however, the shaping plate 206 is in a
stacked-away, stored state. In the retracted position, the shaping
plate 206 may also be applied to form a seamless joint between two
adjacent newly laid road surfaces.
[0037] In an embodiment, additional lock-plate openings 214 may be
suitably (and sequentially) structured on the lock plates 212. In
such a case, a switch to either of the sequentially placed unused
lock-plate openings 214 may facilitate a variation in the number of
shaping plate (206) configurations. Given the switchable
configuration, a shiftable or a positionable engagement exists
between the lock plates 212 and the elongated member 204. This is
because the engaged hole 213, engaged solely with the elongated
member 204, may be desirably interchanged (or positionable) with
the unused hole 213'.
[0038] A location of the shaping plate 206 may also be altered.
Such alterations may occur along the length of the offset strips
208, laterally to the paving machine 100. To this end, the offset
pins 216 may be first removed and the offset strips 208 adjusted
according to the new positional requirement. Thereafter, when the
lock-plate openings 214 coincide with a subsequent pair of
apertures 210 (four in the disclosed embodiment), a re-securement
of the offset pins 216 according to the desired position is
performed.
[0039] The modular and removable structural configuration of the
pavement edge forming apparatus 114 allows the paving machine 100
to accommodate adjustments and provisions for an edge formation of
the mat 116 on either machine sides. This modularity may allow the
paving machine 100 to structure a ramped surface at either ends (or
about the width) of a roadway, along an expanse of the roadway.
[0040] It should be understood that the above description is
intended for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the
disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the
disclosure, and the appended claim.
* * * * *