Patent US3846035A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3846035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reference beam grade control for asphalt pavers
Assignee: BLAW-KNOX CONSTRUCTION Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to an improved type of grade control for an asphalt paver utilizing reference members positioned in leading and trailing relation to the pavement-forming screed. Control over the grade of the asphalt mat laid down by a floating screed is controlled by the combined action of the reference members moving along with the paving apparatus and sensing the average grade conditions of the base in front of the screed as well as the average grade conditions of the newly laid pavement mat. The new control provides for exceptional smoothness and uniformity of the pavement mat, and also greatly facilitates the use of mobile grade reference controls when laying extremely wide pavement mats.
Inventors
- 👤 D Davin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:25
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/48; E01C19/4866; E01C19/4873
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A dual reference beam grade control system for use in combination with an asphalt paver of the type having a transversely disposed material distributing auger, a floating screed positioned behind the auger, tow arms extending forwardly from the screed and connected to the paver frame, and tow arm suspension means for vertically adjusting the tow point connections of said tow arms to effect changes in the attitude angle of the screed, said grade control system comprising a. a beam-like first reference member towed by the paver frame and extending longitudinally along one side thereof, b. said first reference member being disposed entirely forward of the auger, c. a plurality of independently movable supports for said first reference member spaced along its length and supporting said reference member at an averaged position above a base grade surface, d. a first reference arm pivotally connected to the first reference member in its central region and extending rearwardly toward and being pivotally connected to one tow arm, e. a second reference member towed by the paver frame and being disposed entirely behind the screed, f. support means for supporting said second reference member above an asphalt mat grade surface, g. a second reference arm connected to the second reference member and extending forwardly toward and being pivotally connected to said one tow arm and/or said first reference arm, and h. tow arm height reference control means associated with each of said reference arms and operatively associated with said tow arm suspension means for raising and lowering the tow point of said one tow arm relative to the paver frame in response to relative movements of one or both of said reference arms in relation to said one tow arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A dual reference beam grade control system for use in combination with an asphalt paver of the type having a transversely disposed material distributing auger, a floating screed positioned behind the auger, tow arms extending forwardly from the screed and connected to the paver frame, and tow arm suspension means for vertically adjusting the tow point connections of said tow arms to effect changes in the attitude angle of the screed, said grade control system comprising a. a beam-like first reference member towed by the paver frame and extending longitudinally along one side thereof, b. said first reference member being disposed entirely forward of the auger, c. a plurality of independently movable supports for said first reference member spaced along its length and supporting said reference member at an averaged position above a base grade surface, d. a first reference arm pivotally connected to the first reference member in its central region and extending rearwardly toward and being pivotally connected to one tow arm, e. a second reference member towed by the paver frame and being disposed entirely behind the screed, f. support means for supporting said second reference member above an asphalt mat grade surface, g. a second reference arm connected to the second reference member and extending forwardly toward and being pivotally connected to said one tow arm and/or said first reference arm, and h. tow arm height reference control means associated with each of said reference arms and operatively associated with said tow arm suspension means for raising and lowering the tow point of said one tow arm relative to the paver frame in response to relative movements of one or both of said reference arms in relation to said one tow arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The grade control system of claim 1, further characterized by a. said reference control means including means engaging both of said reference arms and operative to detect relative movement therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The grade control system of claim 2, further characterized by a. said control means including a sensing potentiometer or the like carried by one of said reference arms and engageable with the other to detect relative movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The grade control system of claim 1, further characterized by a. said reference arms being pivotally connected to said one tow arm, b. one of said reference arms having a portion extending longitudinally for a substantial distance beyond its pivot axis in the direction of the other reference arm, and c. said reference control means being operatively associated between the extending portion of said one reference arm and a portion of said other reference arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The grade control system of claim 4, further characterized by a. said second reference arm having a portion extending longitudinally forward of said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The grade control system of claim 5, further characterized by a. said reference arms being connected to said one tow arm along a common pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The grade control system of claim 6, further characterized by a. said pivot axis being located on said one tow arm between the tow point and the screed and closer to the screed than the tow point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The grade control system of claim 1, further characterized by a. said second reference arm having a portion extending forwardly from its pivot axis, at least to a point generally vertically spaced from the first reference arm in a center region thereof midway between its respective pivot axes at opposite ends, and b. said reference control being operatively associated with said center region of the first reference arm and a portion of said second reference arm spaced vertically therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The grade control system of claim 1, further characterized by a. said first and second reference members comprising substantially rigid beam-like structural elements of substantial length in relation to the length of the paver, and b. each of said beam-like structural elements being supported by a plurality of spaced independently movable supports, c. the several support elements for each structural element being operative collectively to support the structural element in an averaged position over its length, in relation to the reference surface engaged by the support elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The grade control system of claim 9, further characterized by a. the support elements for said second reference member comprising wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The grade control system of claim 10, further characterized by a. each of said support elements comprising a pair of axially spaced wheels, positioned on opposite sides of the reference member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The grade control system of claim 10, further characterized by a. the support elements for the first reference beam comprising bearing plates slidably engageable with the base reference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The grade control system of claim 9, further characterized by a. flexible slide strip means interposed between the asphalt mat surface and each of the support elements for the second reference member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
The grade control system of claim 1, further characterized by a. said first reference member being towed from the paver frame from a point substantially forward of the back end of the member, b. stabilizing linkage means being connected between the paver frame and the back portion of the first reference member, c. the second reference member being towed from the paver frame from a point in the forward region of the reference member, and d. stabilizing linkage means being connected to the back portion of the second reference member and extending diagonally forwardly and toward the opposite side of the back portion of the paver frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The grade control system of claim 14, further characterized by a. the combination comprising dual reference member grade control systems at each side of the paver frame for separately controlling the tow point positions of the respective tow arms, and b. the diagonally disposed stabilizing linkage means extending from the back portion of one of the second reference members to the forward portion of the other thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reference beam grade control system for use in combination with an asphalt paver of the type having a transversely disposed floating screed towed behind a paver frame and screed control means for maintaining a predetermined relationship of the screed to a reference, which comprises a. a plurality of about six or more supporting wheels, b. an elongated reference control member supported by said plurality of wheels in an averaged position in relation to a surface, c. resilient means mounting said wheels in a longitudinally aligned relationship along said reference control member for independent vertical movement in relation to said reference control member, d. means for towing said reference control member directly behind a portion of said screed, whereby all of the said wheels engage the finished asphalt mat laid by said screed, and e. means for actuating the screed control means in response to predetermined relative vertical movements between the paver frame and said reference control member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reference beam grade control system for use in combination with an asphalt paver of the type having a transversely disposed floating screed towed behind a paver frame and screed control means for maintaining a predetermined relationship of the screed to a reference, which comprises a. a plurality of about six or more supporting wheels, b. an elongated reference control member supported by said plurality of wheels in an averaged position in relation to a surface, c. resilient means mounting said wheels in a longitudinally aligned relationship along said reference control member for independent vertical movement in relation to said reference control member, d. means for towing said reference control member directly behind a portion of said screed, whereby all of the said wheels engage the finished asphalt mat laid by said screed, and e. means for actuating the screed control means in response to predetermined relative vertical movements between the paver frame and said reference control member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
A reference beam grade control system according to claim 16, further characterized by a. a reference arm being pivotally connected at one end to the mid-portion of said reference control member and connected at another portion for pivotal movement in relation to said screed and for vertical movement as a function of vertical screed movement with reference to the mat surface, and b. said screed control means being actuated by movements of said reference arm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |