Trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like

Claim 2

A trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like, comprising: a main frame having a forward end, a rearward end, left side, and a right side; rear drive means connected to the main frame, generally near the rearward end thereof, for drivingly moving the main frame; front track means connected to the main frame, generally near the forward end thereof, for steering the trimmer during the operation thereof; and a steering assembly connected to the front track means and to the main frame for steeringly moving the front track means, comprising: a steering arm having one end thereof connected to the front track means for steeringly moving the front track means; steering cylinder means pivotally connected to the main frame and having a portion pivotally connected to the steering arm generally near the end of the steering arm opposite the end of the steering arm connected to the front track means for moving the steering arm in a generally horizontal plane in an actuated position thereof; guide members having a space receiving a portion of the steering arm therebetween and maintaining the end portion of the steering arm generally near the end thereof pivotally connected to the steering cylinder means in a generally predetermined vertical position for maintaining the pivotal interconnection between the steering arm and the steering cylinder means and substantially confining the movement of a portion of the steering arm generally within a horizontal plane; and means to actuate the steering cylinder means.

Claim 3

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the front track means is connected to a central portion of the forward end of the main frame.

Claim 4

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include: a support extension connected on one end thereof to a central portion of the forward end of the main frame and extending a distance therefrom in a generally forward direction, and wherein the front track means is connected to the end of the support extension, opposite the end thereof connected to the main frame.

Claim 5

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include: a front elevation positioning means connected to the main frame and to the front track means to raise and to lower the main frame relative to the front track means in an actuated position thereof; and means to actuate the front elevation positioning means.

Claim 6

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 4 wherein the steering arm is pivotally connected to the front track means for pivotal movement thereof in a generally vertical plane, the front elevation positioning means raising and lowering the main frame independent of the steering movement of the steering arm in a horizontal plane.

Claim 7

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rear drive means is defined further to include: a left track means connected to the left side of the main frame; and a right track means connected to the right side of the maine main and wherein the trimmer apparatus is defined further to include: a left elevation positioning means connected to the main frame and to the left track means to raise and to lower the main frame relative to the left track means in an actuated position thereof; a riGht elevation positioning means connected to the main frame to raise and to lower the main frame relative to the right track means in an actuated position thereof; pump means connected to the left elevation positioning means and to the right elevation positioning means to actuate the left and the right elevation positioning means when in fluidic communication therewith; and control valve means interposed between the pump means and the left elevation positioning means establishing fluidic communication therebetween in an energized position of the control valve means; control valve means interposed between the pump means and the right elevation positioning means establishing fluidic communication therebetween in an energized position of the last-mentioned control valve means; and control means to energize the first-mentioned control valve means and the last-mentioned control valve means.

Claim 8

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means to actuate the first-mentioned control valve means and the last-mentioned control valve means is defined further to include: cross slope positioning switch means connected to the first-mentioned control valve means and to the last-mentioned control valve means to actuate the first-mentioned and the last-mentioned control valve means when in electrical communication therewith and in an actuated position of the cross slope positioning switch means; means connected to the cross positioning switch means to actuate the cross slope positioning means in response to a predetermined cross slope position of the main frame; switch means connected to the first-mentioned control valve means and to the last-mentioned control valve means to actuate the first-mentioned and the last-mentioned control valve means when in electrical communication therewith and in an actuated position of the switch means; switch actuator means connected to the switch means to actuate the switch means to raise and to lower the main frame; switch means connected to the first-mentioned control valve means and to the last-mentioned control valve means to actuate the first-mentioned and the last-mentioned control valve means when in electrical communication therewith and in an actuated position of the last-mentioned switch means; and switch actuator means connected to the last-mentioned switch means to actuate the last-mentioned switch means to raise and to lower the main frame to a predetermined elevation position; and control means interposed between the cross slope positioning switch means, the first-mentioned switch means, the last-mentioned switch means and the first-mentioned control valve means and the last-mentioned control valve means to selectively establish electrical communication therebetween for controlling the left elevation positioning means via the cross slope positioning switch means and the right elevation positioning means via the last-mentioned switch means, or controlling the right elevation positioning means via the cross slope positioning means and the left elevation positioning means via the last-mentioned switch means, or controlling the left elevation positioning means via the first-mentioned switch means and the right elevation positioning means via the last-mentioned switch means, or controlling the right elevation positioning means via the first-mentioned switch means and the left elevation positioning means via the last-mentioned switch means.

Claim 9

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 4 defined further to include: an elevation indicator, comprising: an elevation scale having a plurality of gradation indications thereof secured to the main frame generally near the front track means, the raising and the lowering of the main frame via the front elevation positioning means thereby raising and lowering the elevation scale; a pointer rod supported on the front track means; a pointer housing connected to the main frame having a portIon telescopingly receiving and supporting the pointer rod, the pointer rod thereby remaining in a fixed elevation during the raising and the lowering of the main frame; and an elevation pointer secured to the pointer rod and disposed in close proximity to the elevation scale, the position of the elevation pointer relative to the elevation scale being indicative of the elevation of the main frame relative to the front track means.

Claim 10

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 8 defined further to include: an indicator having a plurality of gradations thereon connected to the front track means and extending a distance horizontally therefrom, the indicator being moved following the turning movement of the front track means; and wherein one end of the pointer rod is movably supported generally on the indicator; and wherein the trimmer apparatus includes: a pointer secured to the pointer rod in close proximity to the indicator, the position of the pointer relative to the indicator being indicative of the turning position of the front track means.

Claim 11

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide members include: a pair of guide members, the guide members being vertically spaced to receive a portion of the steering arm therebetween and to maintain the end portion of the steering arm generally near the end thereof pivotally connected to the steering cylinder means in a generally predetermined vertical position for maintaining the pivotal interconnection between the steering arm and the steering cylinder means.

Claim 12

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to actuate the steering cylinder means is defined further to include: track steering sensor means connected to the main frame and having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; and means to receive the output signal of the track steering sensor means and to actuate the steering cylinder means in response thereto to steeringly maintain the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference.

Claim 13

A trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like, comprising: a main frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side, and a right side; rear drive means connected to the main frame, generally near the rearward end thereof, for drivingly moving the main frame; front track means connected to the main frame, generally near the forward end thereof, for steering the trimmer during the operation thereof; and a steering assembly connected to the front track means and to the main frame for steeringly moving the front track means, comprising: a steering arm having one end thereof connected to the front track means for steeringly moving the front track means; steering cylinder means pivotally connected to the main frame and having a portion pivotally connected to the steering arm for moving the steering arm in a generally horizontal plane in an actuated position thereof; means to confine the movement of a portion of the steering arm, generally near the connection thereof with the steering cylinder means, to a generally horizontal plane; track steering sensor means connected to the main frame and having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; means receiving the output signal of the track steering sensor means and actuating the steering cylinder means in response thereto steeringly maintaning the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; and feedback means sensing the turning position of the front track means and providing a feedback signal connected to the track steering sensor means responsive to the sensed turning position of the front track means.

Claim 14

A trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like, comprising: a main frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side, and a right side; rear drive means connected to the main frame, generally near the rearward end thereof, for drivingly moving the main frame; front track means connected to the main frame, generally near the forward end thereof, for steering the trimmer during the operation thereof; and a steering assembly connected to the front track means and to the main frame for steeringly moving the front track means, comprising: a steering arm having one end thereof connected to the front track means for steeringly moving the front track means; steering cylinder means pivotally connected to the main frame and having a portion pivotally connected to the steering arm for moving the steering arm in a generally horizontal plane in an actuated position thereof; means to confine the movement of a portion of the steering arm, generally near the connection thereof with the steering cylinder means, to a generally horizontal plane; track steering sensor means connected to the main frame and having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; means receiving the output signal of the track steering sensor means and actuating the steering cylinder means in response thereto steeringly maintaning the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; and feedback means sensing the turning position of the front track means and providing a feedback signal connected to the track steering sensor means responsive to the sensed turning position of the front track means.

Claim 15

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 12 defined further to include: a suPport bar pivotally connected to the main frame; and wherein the track steering sensor means is connected to one end portion of the support bar; and wherein the feedback means is defined further to include: a rod connected on one end thereof to the front track means and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, the rod being moved in response to the steering movement of the front track means; and a push-pull cable means having a portion connected to the rod and another portion connected to the support bar, the movement of the rod thereby pivoting the support bar via the push-pull cable means to position the track steering sensor means in response to the steering movement of the front track means.

Claim 16

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 13 defined further to include: a rod guide connected to the main frame having an arcuately shaped aperture formed therethrough; and wherein a portion of the rod, opposite the end thereof connected to the front track means, extends through the aperture of the rod guide, the rod guide movably supporting the rod during the turning of the front track means.

Claim 17

A trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like, comprising: a main frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side, and a right side; rear drive means connected to the main frame, generally near the rearward end thereof, for drivingly moving the main frame; front track means connected to the main frame, generally near the forward end thereof, for steering the trimmer during the operation thereof; and a steering assembly connected to the front track means and to the main frame for steeringly moving the front track means, comprising: A STEERING ARM HAVING ONE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO THE FRONT TRACK MEANS FOR STEERINGLY MOVING THE FRONT TRACK MEANS: a steering arm having one end thereof connected to the front track means for steeringly moving the front track means; steering cylinder means pivotally connected to the main frame and having a portion pivotally connected to the steering arm for moving the steering arm in a generally horizontal plane in an actuated position thereof; means to confine the movement of a portion of the steering arm, generally near the connection thereof with the steering cylinder means, to a generally horizontal plane; track steering sensor means connected to the main frame and having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; and means receiving the output signal of the track steering sensor means and actuating the steering cylinder means in response thereto steeringly maintaining the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; elevation sensor means having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; a front elevation positioning means connected to the front track means and having a portion receiving the output signal of the elevation sensor, the front elevation positioning means raising and lowering the main frame relative to the front track means in response to the output signal of the elevation sensor; and sensor support means supporting the elevation sensor and the track steering sensor, comprising: a support housing connected to the main frame; a support bar movably positionable in the support housing to controlled positions with respect to the main frame; means to secure and release the support bar in predetermined positions in the support housing; means connected to the end of the support bar, opposite the end thereof movably positionable in the support housing, for supporting the track steering sensor means; means having a portion secured to the support bar and a portion movably disposed therein connected to and supporting the elevation sensor means; a threaded extension member pivotallY connected on one end thereof to the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means; an extension shaft having one end portion connected to the main frame, the opposite end of the extension shaft threadingly receiving the end portion of the threaded extension member, opposite the end thereof connected to the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means; and handwheel means connected to the extension shaft for rotating the extension shaft thereby moving the portion of the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means connected thereto to raise and lower the elevation sensor means with respect to the main frame via the threaded interconnection between the extension member and the extension shaft to position the elevation sensor means from a remote position.

Claim 18

A trimmer type road construction apparatus or the like, comprising: a main frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side, and a right side; rear drive means connected to the main frame, generally near the rearward end thereof, for drivingly moving the main frame; front track means connected to the main frame, generally near the forward end thereof, for steering the trimmer during the operation thereof; and a steering assembly connected to the front track means and to the main frame for steeringly moving the front track means, comprising: A STEERING ARM HAVING ONE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO THE FRONT TRACK MEANS FOR STEERINGLY MOVING THE FRONT TRACK MEANS: a steering arm having one end thereof connected to the front track means for steeringly moving the front track means; steering cylinder means pivotally connected to the main frame and having a portion pivotally connected to the steering arm for moving the steering arm in a generally horizontal plane in an actuated position thereof; means to confine the movement of a portion of the steering arm, generally near the connection thereof with the steering cylinder means, to a generally horizontal plane; track steering sensor means connected to the main frame and having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; and means receiving the output signal of the track steering sensor means and actuating the steering cylinder means in response thereto steeringly maintaining the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; elevation sensor means having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an output signal responsive to the sensed position; a front elevation positioning means connected to the front track means and having a portion receiving the output signal of the elevation sensor, the front elevation positioning means raising and lowering the main frame relative to the front track means in response to the output signal of the elevation sensor; and sensor support means supporting the elevation sensor and the track steering sensor, comprising: a support housing connected to the main frame; a support bar movably positionable in the support housing to controlled positions with respect to the main frame; means to secure and release the support bar in predetermined positions in the support housing; means connected to the end of the support bar, opposite the end thereof movably positionable in the support housing, for supporting the track steering sensor means; means having a portion secured to the support bar and a portion movably disposed therein connected to and supporting the elevation sensor means; a threaded extension member pivotallY connected on one end thereof to the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means; an extension shaft having one end portion connected to the main frame, the opposite end of the extension shaft threadingly receiving the end portion of the threaded extension member, opposite the end thereof connected to the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means; and handwheel means connected to the extension shaft for rotating the extension shaft thereby moving the portion of the means movably supporting the elevation sensor means connected thereto to raise and lower the elevation sensor means with respect to the main frame via the threaded interconnection between the extension member and the extension shaft to position the elevation sensor means from a remote position.

Claim 19

The trimmer type road construction apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for supporting the track steering sensor means is further defined to include: a flange support connected to the support bar; and a flange housing slidingly connected to the flange support to be slidingly moved in a vertically upwardly and downwardly direction, the track steering sensor means and the elevation sensor means being supported via the flange housing.

Claim 20

A track steering sensor apparatus for controlling the steering position of a track means steeringly moving the main frame of a road construction apparatus or the like relative to a control reference, comprising: a support bar pivotally connected to the main frame; a track steering sensor means connected to the support bar having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an out-put signal responsive to the sensed position. means to receive the output signal of the track steering sensor means and to steeringly position the track means in response thereto to maintain the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; feedback means for sensing the turning position of the track means and providing a feedback signal to the track steering sensor means responsive to the sensed turning position of the front track means, comprising; a rod connected on one end thereof to the track means and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, the rod being moved in response to the steering movement of the track means; and a push-pull cable means having a portion connected to the rod and another portion connected to the support bar, the movement of the rod pivoting the support bar via the push-pull cable means to position the track steering sensor means in response to the steering movement of the track means.

Claim 21

A track steering sensor apparatus for controlling the steering position of a track means steeringly moving the main frame of a road construction apparatus or the like relative to a control reference, comprising: a support bar pivotally connected to the main frame; a track steering sensor means connected to the support bar having a portion sensing the position of the main frame relative to a control reference and providing an out-put signal responsive to the sensed position. means to receive the output signal of the track steering sensor means and to steeringly position the track means in response thereto to maintain the alignment of the main frame relative to the control reference; feedback means for sensing the turning position of the track means and providing a feedback signal to the track steering sensor means responsive to the sensed turning position of the front track means, comprising; a rod connected on one end thereof to the track means and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, the rod being moved in response to the steering movement of the track means; and a push-pull cable means having a portion connected to the rod and another portion connected to the support bar, the movement of the rod pivoting the support bar via the push-pull cable means to position the track steering sensor means in response to the steering movement of the track means.