US3694033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Roadway paint stripe grooving machine
Assignee: Norton Christensen Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A machine for cutting grooves and intervening ridges in a roadway to receive a reflective paint and function as lane dividers. A self-propelled vehicle has a power transmission for rotating a cutter to cut the grooves to a predetermined depth as the vehicle moves along the roadway at a relatively slow speed, the cuttings being flushed from the roadway surface by water which cools and cleans the cutter, vacuum apparatus sucking the water and cuttings from the roadway surface to a separator tank for separation of the air and slurry, a slurry pump transferring the slurry to a tank for separation of the cuttings from the water. A prime mover and power transmission separate from the normal vehicle power train can drive the vehicle at a relatively slow but variable speed during the cutting operation, and at a faster speed when the vehicle motion is reversed with the cutter disengaged from the roadway surface or the cutter is otherwise disengaged. The separate prime mover and transmission are ineffective with the cutter elevated from the roadway surface when the normal vehicle power train is operative to permit highway travel of the vehicle at normal traffic speeds.
Inventors
- 👤 David S Rowley
- 👤 William A Lapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:08
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C23/00; E01C23/06; E01C23/09; E01C23/0906; E01C23/0926; E01C23/0933; E01C23/0946; E01C23/08; E01C23/085; E01C23/088; E01C2301/00; E01C2301/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaCes: a vehicle having a chassis, roadway engaging wheels for moving said vehicle longitudinally along the roadway, a first prime mover and first transmission means interconnecting said prime mover and at least some of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface; cutter means supported by said chassis for cutting the roadway surface; means for rotating said cutter means to cut the roadway surface; second prime mover and second transmission means interconnecting said second prime mover and at least one of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface at a substantially slower speed than said first prime mover and first transmission means during engagement of said cutter means with the roadway surface, said second prime mover and second transmission means being carried by said chassis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaCes: a vehicle having a chassis, roadway engaging wheels for moving said vehicle longitudinally along the roadway, a first prime mover and first transmission means interconnecting said prime mover and at least some of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface; cutter means supported by said chassis for cutting the roadway surface; means for rotating said cutter means to cut the roadway surface; second prime mover and second transmission means interconnecting said second prime mover and at least one of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface at a substantially slower speed than said first prime mover and first transmission means during engagement of said cutter means with the roadway surface, said second prime mover and second transmission means being carried by said chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for rotating said cutter means including said second prime mover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover and first transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover and second transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and second transmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and first transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surface at a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including forward and reverse gear means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface and in reverse over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said second transmission means further including a reverse gear to enable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surface at a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including forward and reverse gear means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over The roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface and in reverse over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said second transmission means further including a reverse gear to enable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
181 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said second transmission means further including a reverse gear to enable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover and first transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover and second transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and second transmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and first transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of the vehicle; and an equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of the vehicle; and an equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said cutter means and equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadway surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surface at a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of the vehicle; equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadway surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
147 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; meaNs for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said second transmission means further including a reverse gear to enable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of the vehicle; equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadway surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
245 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission means including transmission ratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said second transmission means further including a reverse gear to enable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover and first transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover and second transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and second transmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and first transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of the vehicle; and equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadway surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaces: a vehicle movable over the roadway surface; a cutter for cutting the roadway surface; means for supporting said cutter from the vehicle for engagement with the roadway surface entirely at one side of the vehicle; an equalizer member; means for supporting said equalizer member from the vehicle for engagement with the roadway surface at the opposite side of the vehicle to resist tilt of the vehicle by said cutter when engaged with the roadway surface; means for moving said cutter and equalizing member into and from engagement with the roadway surface; and means for rotating said cutter for cutting into the roadway surface as the vehicle moves therealong.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaces: a vehicle movable over the roadway surface; a cutter for cutting the roadway surface; means for supporting said cutter from the vehicle for engagement with the roadway surface entirely at one side of the vehicle; an equalizer member; means for supporting said equalizer member from the vehicle for engagement with the roadway surface at the opposite side of the vehicle to resist tilt of the vehicle by said cutter when engaged with the roadway surface; means for moving said cutter and equalizing member into and from engagement with the roadway surface; and means for rotating said cutter for cutting into the roadway surface as the vehicle moves therealong.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of the arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the equalizer member mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizer member comprising means connected to said arms to raise and lower said arms about their pivotal supports on the vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of the arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper End with the equalizer member mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizer member comprising cylinder means for each arm, piston means for each arm in said cylinder means, and linkage means for each arm connected to said arm, piston means and vehicle for swinging each arm about its pivotal support in response to the feeding of fluid under pressure into said cylinder means to effect engagement and disengagement of said cutter and equalizer member with respect to the roadway surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer member comprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supporting means for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said cutter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer member comprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supporting means for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said cutter; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end and with the wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizing member comprising means connected to said arms to raise and lower said arms about their pivotal supports on the vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
168 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer member comprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supporting means for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said cutter; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end and with the wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizing member comprising cylinder means for each arm, piston means for each arm in said cylinder means, and linkage means for each arm connected to said arm, piston means and vehicle for swinging each arm about its pivotal support in response to the feeding of fluid under pressure into said cylinder means to effect engagement and disengagement of said cutter and wheel with respect to the roadway surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3298117A
Cited
US3407005A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |