US3873226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser beam control system for road paving machines
Assignee: Trimble Inc
•
Filing: 1973-07-11
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-07-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for controlling the elevation of the pavement distributor head of a mobile road paving machine in predetermined relationship to a fixed horizontal plane, as set by a laser beam which is periodically swept across such plane, such apparatus comprising a tape dispensing device carried by the machine to dispense a tape of indefinite length therefrom at zero velocity relative to the surface being paved, and a tape reader for detecting indicia on the tape at predetermined intervals to increase or decrease the predetermined relationship between the pavement dispensing head and the fixed plane, to thereby increase or decrease the elevation of the paved surface at predetermined intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted L Teach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:07
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/004; E01C19/006; E01C19/008; E01C19/48; E01C19/4866; E01C19/4873
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for controlling the vertical height of a vertically adjustable working tool of a mobile earth-working machine, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the elevation of a laser beam periodically moving in a pre-determined substantially horizontal plane; control means responsive to said laser beam for maintaining a pre-determined vertical relationship between said plane and the vertical height of said tool; and adjustment means for changing said pre-determined relationship at pre-determined locations along the intended path of travel of the said machine, said adjustment means comprising: 1. means on the machine for dispensing an indicia bearing tape measuring the distance traveled by said machine as said machine moves along its path of travel, and 2. reader meaNs responsive to said indicia and operatively associated with said control means for changing said predetermined relationship as a function of the distance traveled by said machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for controlling the vertical height of a vertically adjustable working tool of a mobile earth-working machine, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the elevation of a laser beam periodically moving in a pre-determined substantially horizontal plane; control means responsive to said laser beam for maintaining a pre-determined vertical relationship between said plane and the vertical height of said tool; and adjustment means for changing said pre-determined relationship at pre-determined locations along the intended path of travel of the said machine, said adjustment means comprising: 1. means on the machine for dispensing an indicia bearing tape measuring the distance traveled by said machine as said machine moves along its path of travel, and 2. reader meaNs responsive to said indicia and operatively associated with said control means for changing said predetermined relationship as a function of the distance traveled by said machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
reader meaNs responsive to said indicia and operatively associated with said control means for changing said predetermined relationship as a function of the distance traveled by said machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
reader meaNs responsive to said indicia and operatively associated with said control means for changing said predetermined relationship as a function of the distance traveled by said machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mobile earth-working machine is a paving machine and wherein said working tool is the pavement distributor portion thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
dispensing a tape from a dispensing reel on said vehicle at zero velocity relative to the ground traversed by the vehicle, whereby the length of tape dispensed measures the linear movement of the vehicle from said reference point;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
dispensing a tape from a dispensing reel on said vehicle at zero velocity relative to the ground traversed by the vehicle, whereby the length of tape dispensed measures the linear movement of the vehicle from said reference point;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
a dispenser for said tape mounted on said vehicle and constructed and arranged to dispense tape as said vehicle moves from said reference point at zero velocity relative to the ground traversed;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
a dispenser for said tape mounted on said vehicle and constructed and arranged to dispense tape as said vehicle moves from said reference point at zero velocity relative to the ground traversed;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
controlling the height of the adjustable tool in a pre-determined relationship to said substantially horizontal plane;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
controlling the height of the adjustable tool in a pre-determined relationship to said substantially horizontal plane;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
accurately measuring the distance traveled by said earth-working machine as it moves along its path of travel by dispensing a tape therefrom at a pre-determined rate relative to its velocity of travel, said tape bearing detectable indicia along its length; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
accurately measuring the distance traveled by said earth-working machine as it moves along its path of travel by dispensing a tape therefrom at a pre-determined rate relative to its velocity of travel, said tape bearing detectable indicia along its length; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
providing indicia on said tape corresponding to desired elevations of said earth-working tool at points along the vehicle path; and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
providing indicia on said tape corresponding to desired elevations of said earth-working tool at points along the vehicle path; and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
electronic means for reading said indicia as said tape is dispensed; and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
electronic means for reading said indicia as said tape is dispensed; and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said indicia on said tape comprises binary coded punched holes and wherein said reader means comprises a reader for reading binary coded information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
reading said indicia as said tape is dispensed and adjusting the height of said tool in response to said reading.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
reading said indicia as said tape is dispensed and adjusting the height of said tool in response to said reading.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
31 words
The method for controlling the vertical height of a vertically adjustable working tool of a mobile earthworking machine comprising the steps: l. sensing the elevation of a pre-determined substantially horizontal plane;
Claim 22
Independent Claim
31 words
The method for controlling the vertical height of a vertically adjustable working tool of a mobile earthworking machine comprising the steps: l. sensing the elevation of a pre-determined substantially horizontal plane;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
changing the pre-determined relationship between the height of said adjustable tool and said substantially horizontal plane in response to the indicia carried by said tape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
changing the pre-determined relationship between the height of said adjustable tool and said substantially horizontal plane in response to the indicia carried by said tape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
means for controlling said power means in response to the reading of said indicia, thereby adjusting the working height of said earth-working tool as the vehicle moves from said reference point.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
means for controlling said power means in response to the reading of said indicia, thereby adjusting the working height of said earth-working tool as the vehicle moves from said reference point.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein the tape is dispensed at zero velocity relative to the ground traversed by said machine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said mobile earth working machine is a road paving machine and wherein said working tool is the pavement distributor portion thereof.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of controlling the effective height of an earth-working tool carried by a mobile vehicle and vertically adjustable relative thereto comprising:
Claim 30
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of controlling the effective height of an earth-working tool carried by a mobile vehicle and vertically adjustable relative thereto comprising:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus for controlling the working height of an earth-working tool carried by a mobile vehicle and vertically adjustable relative thereto by power means comprising:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus for controlling the working height of an earth-working tool carried by a mobile vehicle and vertically adjustable relative thereto by power means comprising:
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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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |