US2902908A - Form-grading and pressing machines for roadways - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 8, 1959 v. scHlAvl 2,902,908

FORM-GRADING AND PRESSING MACHINES FOR ROADWAYS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. l2, 1955 V. SCHIAVI Sept. 8, 1959 2,902,908

A FORM-GRADING AND PREssING MACHINES FOR RoADwAYs Filed Jan. 12. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 2,902,908 FORM-GRADING AND PREssING MACHINES FOR RoADwAYs Filed Jan. 12, 1955 V. SCHIAVI Sept. s, 1959 9 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR Piace/zi' 'cz'ar,

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`FORM-GRADRNG AND' PRESSING MACHINES FOR ROADWAYS Filed Jan. 12, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Sept- 8, 1959 v. scHlAvl 2,902,908

FORM-GRADING AND PREssING MACHINES FOR RoADwAYs Filed Jan. l2. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Pine/ ,swan/5 Sept. 8, 1959 v. scHlAvl 2,902,903

FORM-GRADING AND PREssING MACHINES FOR RoADwAYs Filed Jan. 12, 1955 @sheets-sheet e ff f5#- f( wel] .96 f5 ff gaz 1N VENTOR if 5% if Sept. 8, 1959 v. scHlAvl 2,902,908

FORM-GRADING AND PRESSING MACHINES FOR ROADWAYS Filed Jan. 12,*1955 9 sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR MMWR y Sept 8, 1959 v. scl-nAvl 2,902,908

FORM-GRADING AND PRESSING MACHINES FOR ROADWAYS Bf f/ylb Sept. 8, 1959 v. scHlAvl 2,902,908

FORM-GRADING AND PRESSING MACHINES FOR ROADWAYS Filed Jan. 12., 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FORM-GRADING AND PRESSING MACHINES FR` ROADWAYS Vincent Schiavi, Wilmington, Del., assignor to The Formgrading and Press Machine Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application January 12, 1955, Serial No. 481,317

1l Claims. (Cl. 94-39) The instant invention relates to a road-building machine and more particularly to what may be designated as a form-grading and pressing machine.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the construction of a mobile device of the character indicated that will prepare that portion of the road bed on which the forms are placed which serve to conne the plastic concrete mix used in building roads.

Still another aim is the making of a form-grading and pressing machine comprising a supporting vehicle, preferably self-propelled, having means for scarifying, compacting and levelling, in a substantially continuous manner, that portion of the road bed on which the concrete-confning forms are placed.

Yet a further purpose is the formation of a self-pro'- pelled apparatus of the above-described type having uidoperated mechanism controlled by one or more operators on the vehicle, which will be ellicient in operation and serve to conserve both labor and materials, and will expedite the placing of road forms in an eticient mechanical manner and supplant the present ineicient manual procedure now followed in performing this operation.

Cement concrete construction requires the placing of forms, usually metal, at various depths and widths to confine the fluid concrete when it is placed on the road bed. At the present time, a form-setting crew is employed to place such forms. Such a crew employing hand implements and relying on manual labor frequently is unable to keep ahead of the crew depositing the plastic concrete between the forms, resulting in delay or stoppage; Further, the grade is often not uniformly compacted so that the forms either sink or tilt resulting in unsatisfactory operation.

The diiculties set out in the preceding paragraphs are obviated by the instant invention as will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter appearing when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings forming a part hereof to which attention is now directed and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view rearwardly of the steering wheel;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational View of the right side of the machine on a larger scale than Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on line 7--7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational View of the left side of the machine on a larger scale than Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is :a plan view of Fig. 8;

Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1l is a horizontal sectional view on line 11--11 of Fig. showing the scarier;

Fig. 12 is a Avertical sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

nitedf rates, Patent O V2,902,908 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional vieW of the pivotal connection at the upper left corner of the frame;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 15--15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view of the adjustable connection between the vertical and horizontal frame members at the rear of the machine;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional View of a grade line pointer taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a sectional View through a pressure beam taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic piping system.

My form and grading mechanism may be mounted on various types of well known self-propelled or otherwise actuated road working machines. In the drawings I have shown the skeleton of such a road working machine having a chassis 20, drive wheels 2l, a front steering wheel 22 and a forward mold board 23. I have not shown details, such as the driving mechanism of the vehicle, as such features form no part of the present invention.

Secured to the chassis 20 and extending laterally thereof just rearwardly of the mold board 23 is a fixed horizontal tube 25 having a central section ZSa from which depend two vertical frame supports 26. Certain parts are secured to the lower ends of these supports which will be later described in detail. Sliding in the iixed tube 25 are two tubes 27, one extending from each end of the tube 25 and each having its outer end connected to a side frame member 23 of my improved device. The tubes 25 and 27 are thus telescopic and provide means for varying the Width of the front of the.

machine.

Spaced longitudinally extending channels 3l) are attached to the rear of the chassis 20, said channels connected at their rear ends by a transverse member 31, providing a frame structure constituting a platform 32 carrying an air compressor 33 and other mechanism. Rising from the platform 32 are three spaced uprights 34 supporting at their upper ends a fixed horizontal transverse tube 35 similar to the tube 25. Telescoping tubes 36 slide in the tube 35 and project one from each end thereof, and at their outer ends each tube 36 is connected to a side frame member 28. Thus, when the tubes 27 and 36 are moved by hydraulic or other means,v

relative to tubes 25 and 35, respectively, the width of the machine is varied.

Each side frame member 2S preferably is formed of three sections, a main section 37 extending longitudinally of the machine, and two shorter sections 38, each bolted, or otherwise fastened at one end to an end of the main section, see Fig. 5. Secured to the other end of each section 38 is a collar 39 and tixedly mounted in each collar is a tube 27 or 36. It will be understood that the construction at each corresponding corner of the machine is the sarne so a description of one will apply equally to both. A pin 40, Fig. 14, passes through each collar and its related tube so that there is no movement between the two. A pair of ears 41, Fig. 8, are welded to tubes 25 and 35 near the outer end of each tube, and a cylinder 42 is pivotally connected by a pin 43 to each pair of ears. Other ears 44, Fig. l5, are welded to each collar 39 and each pair has pivoted thereto by a pin 45, a piston rod 46 connected to a piston (not lshown) sliding in a cylinder 42, Figs. 14 and 15. It will be now understood that when fluid is supplied to either end of each cylinder the width of the machine will be varied through the movement of the telescoping tubes. By having the tubes at each end alike and the corner connections between the tubes and side frame members the same, a rigid structure is provided, and one in which the cost is minimized.

A vertical telescoping tube unit 49 is provided at each corner of the machine, said tube unit comprising a lower outer tube 50 and an upper vinner tube 51,` Fig. 6. A plate 52 is welded to the top of tube 51 and integral withthe plate are ears 53. A sleeve 54 is welded to the under surface of collar 39 and a pin 55 passes through this sleeve and the ears 53 forming a pivotal connection between the collar and the vertical telescoping' tube 49. A cylinder 56 is pivotally connected to the frame of the road machine at 57 and a piston rod 58 of a piston (not shown) sliding in cylinder 56 is pivoted to the lower tube 50 as at 59. When fluid is admitted to either end of the cylinder it will cause the piston to move and swing the vertical tube 49 about the pivot 55. Y

A press or road-tamping beam 65, Fig. 18, extends longitudinally on each side of the machine, each beam being secured to the bottom end of a front` and rear tube 50 for pressing the ground and compacting it to receive the forms used in concrete road construction. The beam consists of an I-beam 66 having a replaceable shoe 67 held by nuts and bolts 68 to the undersurface of the lower flange of the l-beam. This shoe is the part that comes into contact with the ground being pressed, and is made'easily replaceable because of wear. Vertical plates 69 are secured, as by welding or the like, between the upper and lower flanges of the I-beam to form a box-like structure and each plate has a series of cutout places 70 to allow easy access to the nuts 68. To prevent earth and stones from getting into these cutonts, slidable channel plates 71, having slots 72, are secured to the plates 69 by bolts 73 and nuts 74. When the machine is operating the plates 71 are in their lowered position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 18, but when it is desired to get to the nuts 68 the plates 71 are raised, as shown in full lines in Fig. 18, and held there by the nuts 74. In lieu of welding, press beam 65 may be formed of cast steel as a unit.

At each front corner of the machine is a hollow tube 80, pivoted to the frame of the road machine at 81, adjacent to the pivot 57. A tube 82 slides in a tube 80 and, ir'i turn, is pivoted to the press frame at 83. At each rear corner a tube 84 telescopes into a tube 80 and has an articulated connection to the press frame which will now be described.

A plate 85 is welded to each tube 84 and carries a nut 86 through which is threaded a rod 87 having a hand wheel 88 at its outer end. At its inner end the rod has a flange 89. A channel member 90 is secured to the press beam and the ange 89 is held loosely in the channel against axial movement by ribs 91 (see Fig. 16). It will readily be seen that by turning hand wheel 88 the tubes 84 can be adjusted relative to the press beam.

VTo provide the pressure for the press beams, cylinders 95, Fig. 5, are pivotally connected to each beam one near its front and rear edges, and a piston rod 96 is pivotally connected at 97 to the` correspondin-g plate 52. The piston rod is connected to a piston (not shown) in the cylinder 95, and when iiuid is forced into the lower end of the cylinder it will cause relative movement between it and the piston, thus applying pressure to the press beam 65 and will compact the earth. If desired a vibrator 98y may be mounted on each press beam as indicated in Fig. l and is iuid operated and controlled by a Valve 99, the latter having an operating handle 100 and being connected to fluid tank 101 by a pipe 102. The vibrator will help pack the earth more tightly especially if stones are mixed with it.

A scaritier indicated generally by numeral `105, Figs. 11 and 12, may be built into the front end of each press beam, the teeth of which may tear up the surface of the ground as the machine is moved forward from one position to the next, to permit the press beam to pack the ground firmer and smoother. I

The scariier includes three vertically movable teeth, one tooth 106 being located on the vertical longitudinal axis of the press beam and the other two teeth 107 being located on either side of the axis as may ybe seen in Fig. 11. The center web of the I-beam 66 may be cut away as at 108 in Fig. 12 to provide space for the tooth 106, and a sleeve 108', welded to the I-beam, serves as a gui-de for the tooth.V Similar sleeves may serve as guides for the other teeth. Each tooth is pointed and sharpened at its lower end 109 so as to easily scar the ground.

A threaded rod 110 is positioned above the press beam 65 and hasV a ange 1111 rotatably mounted in a bearing 112 Welded on the top of I-beam 66. A nut 113 is threaded on rod and has an arm 114 extending laterally from either side (see Fig. 11), an open frame 115 being being fastened to the outer end of each arm. A third frame 115 extends forwardly from the nut, and the upper end of each tooth is secured in a frame 115 by a pin 116. A handle 117 is attached to the end of rod 110 and it will readily be seen that as the rod is rotated by the handle, the nut 1'13 will be raised or lowered and through the frames 1-15 will raise or lower the teeth 106 and 107. As will be seen by the dotted lines in Fig. 12, the lower ends 109 of the teeth may be brought within the contines of the press beam 65 when not in use or when the machine is moved from place to place. A plate 118 closes the front end of the press beam, being welded to the horizontal anges of I-beam 66.

To make sure that the road being worked is at proper grade, a line 120 is secured to stakes 121 driven into the road bed by surveyors. Mounted on each tube 50 is a frame 122, having a threaded rod 123 rotatably journalled therein. Nuts 124 are threaded on the rod and welded -to the nuts is a tube or hollow rod 125. A pin 126 is adjustably secured in the rod 125 by a set screw 127 to cooperate with line 120. The pin is urged forwardly against an edge 128 of the frame 122 by a `spring 129 but may swing rearwardly without damage if it hits a stake 121 or some other obstruction.

After the line 120 has been set at the proper grade, the rods 123 are rotated until the pins 126 slightly touch the lines which shows the operator that the ground must not be packed down so as to cause the lines to curve downwardly. Levels 130 may be provided at the top of the machine attached to plate 52 and located near the operators stands 135, so that each operator can tell at all times if the machine is properly positioned.

An operators stand is provided on each side of the machine, above the rear wheels thereof, and is supported in any well known manner from the side frame member 28.

Also supported on these frame members are a series of valves adapted to be controlled by the operators on the stands. In Fig. 19, I have shown a diagrammatic view of the uid control system including all cylinders and their control valves.

A motor drives a pump 141 connected to a reservoir 142. Extending from either side of the pump is a pipe 143 connected to a reserve tank 144, the latter, in turn, supplying fluid to one of the valves controlling the various cylinders. As shown in Fig. 19 each cylinder 42 is controlled by a valve 145, each cylinder 56 by la valve 146, and each cylinder 95 by a valve 147. These valves are standard items, each having an operating handle 148, and need not be described in detail. Various levels and gauges may also be employed to measure uid pressures and to thus indicate the degree to which that part of the road bed being treated has been compacted, as will be understood.

In operation, after the line 120 has been set at the proper grade, the valves 145 and 146 are actuated to bring presser beam 65 into position either on one or both sides of the machine. Also, the scarier 105 may or may not be used, as desired. If employed, forward movement of the machine into position with the presser or road-tamping beams oi the ground has scaritied that portion of the road bed which is to be graded and pressed. Actuation of valve 147 now causes cylinder 95 to rforce presser beam into contact with the scaried road bed. Handle 100 may then be operated to bring vibrator 98 into play. This is continued until pin 126 contacts line 120, showing that the work is complete and the machine then moves forwardly to repeat the operation; the forward movement being such that the rear end of the presser beam slightly overlaps a completed portion of the form bed. A crew now places the forms l150 on the treated road bed 151 and each form will be on a uniform well-compacted base at the proper level and in proper upright position.

It will be apparent that the machine is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis; that in addition to the driver of the machine at the front, there is an operator on each stand 135, an operator controlling one side of the machine, that is, one press beam 65. If desired, only one press beam may be rendered operative and the operator by Watching the fluid pressure gauges, levels, line 120, pins 126, when controlling valves 145, 146, 147 and vibrator control handle 100, will bring that portion of the road bed 151 being treated to a proper level, compacted condition for receiving forms 150.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A form-grading and pressing machine comprising a vehicle for movement along a road bed, a frame member carried by the vehicle, said frame member supporting an elongated road-tamping beam on a side of the vehicle substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, guide means on the vehicle mounting the frame-supporting member for movement laterally of the vehicle, and power means carried by the frame-supporting member and secured to the beam to move the latter downwardly vertically moving said teeth as a unit relatively to said beam.

5. A form-grading and pressing machine comprising a vehicle for movement along a road bed, means telescopically supporting an elongated road-tamping beam on a side of the vehicle substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, said supporting means comprising a tube fixed to the vehicle and a telescopic tube carried by the rst tube and movable laterally of the vehicle, a side frame member secured to the movable tube, a verticallyextending tube hinged to the frame member, a second tube telescopically movable in said hinged tube, said roadtamping beam secured to said second tube, and hydraulic means on the vehicle for selectively actuating the movable one of each set of tubes.

6. The structure of claim 5, and grade indicating means carried by said second tube.

7. The structure of claim 5, .said road-tamping beam comprising an I-beam and a tamping shoe removably secured to the lower ange of said I-beam.

8. The structure of claim 5, and grade-indicating means carried by said second tube, said grade-indicating means comprising a vertically-adjustable l-aterally-extending pointer.

9. The structure of claim 5, and grade-indicating means carried by said second tube, said grade-indicating means comprising a vertically-adjustable laterally-extending pointer, and means for resiliently holding said pointer in operative position.

10. The structure of claim 5, said hydraulic means comprising a valve-controlled pump system.

1l. The structure of claim 5, and a vibrator carried by the road-tamping beam.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,662,257 Valerio Mar. 13, 1928 1,724,054 Troyer Aug. 13, 1929 1,840,970 Noble Ian. 12, 1932 1,970,391 Nickerson Aug. 14, 1934 1,987,398 Gardiner Ian. 8, 1935 2,039,078 Hertwig Apr. 28, 1936 2,128,889 Allen Sept. 6, 1938 2,132,059 Trembly Oct. 4, 1938 2,245,426 Baker June 10, 1941 2,732,197 Cornett lan. 24, 1956 2,745,326 Green May 15, 1956

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