Concrete laying machine

Claim 2

A concrete laying machine including a body, a pair of supporting wheel assemblies, a pair of height aDjusting devices each supporting a side of the body in vertically adjustable manner above one of the supporting wheel assemblies, actuating means operatively connected to each height adjusting device and each adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or lower a side of the body relative to the wheel assembly supporting it, means for propelling the machine, a chamber in the body adapted to receive concrete and discharge it rearwardly through an outlet of the chamber to a mould adapted to shape the discharged concrete to a desired cross-sectional configuration as the machine is propelled, and sensing means on the body adapted to sense an external reference line, the sensing means being further adapted upon deviation of one or both sides of the body from a predetermined vertical relationship with the external reference line to cause the or each actuating means to be operated to raise or lower the or each side of the body to return the or each side to its predetermined relationship with the external reference line.

Claim 3

A concrete laying machine according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means is adapted to sense an external reference line extending along and parallel to the proposed course of travel of the machine and to one side of the machine, and wherein the sensing means is adapted upon sensed deviation of the side of the body adjacent the external reference line to cause the actuating means operatively connected to the height adjusting device supporting said adjacent side of the body to be operated to raise or lower the said adjacent side relative to the wheel assembly supporting that side and wherein compensating means are provided on the machine to cause the other actuating means to be operated to raise or lower the other side of the body in response to relative movement with respect to the said adjacent side of the body.

Claim 4

A concrete laying machine according to claim 2 wherein the compensating means includes an adjustable element which may be set to allow a predetermined tilted disposition of the body to be retained irrespective of any height adjustment movements of the sides of the body.

Claim 5

A concrete laying machine according to claim 1 wherein each height adjusting device includes a rotatable screw-threaded member receivable in a correspondingly threaded fixed member, drive means being provided for rotating the rotatable member in one direction or the other.

Claim 6

A concrete laying machine according to claim 4 wherein the drive means includes a hydraulic motor operable by a hydraulic system the circuit of which includes the actuating means which is constituted by valve means adapted to be operated by the sensing means to open, reverse and close the hydraulic circuit.

Claim 7

A concrete laying machine according to claim 5 wherein the valve means is adapted to be operated electrically by the sensing means.

Claim 8

A concrete laying machine according to claim 1 wherein the means for propelling the machine consist of a pair of steerable traction wheels mounted in front of the body and means for driving the traction wheels.

Claim 9

A concrete laying machine according to claim 1 wherein the supporting wheels are steerable and wherein means are provided to steer the supporting wheels.

Claim 10

A concrete laying machine according to claim 8 wherein automatic steering means are provided, such means including a steering sensor adapted to sense a steering guide and further adapted upon deviation of the body from the course of the steering guide to actuate steering means operatively connected to the steerable wheels to cause the body to be steered to such position that the body returns to said course.

Claim 11

A concrete laying machine according to claim 9 wherein the sensor is adapted to be slidably engaged with a guide strip and further adapted, when displaced to one side or the other of a neutral sensing position to actuate the steering means to steer the machine to such position that the sensor engaged with the guide strip will be restored to the neutral position.

Claim 12

A concreTe laying machine according to claim 10 wherein the steering sensor is adapted, when moved to one side or the other of the neutral position, to operate an electrical switch device in the electrical circuit of an electrically operable hydraulic valve, which is connected in the hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic device operatively connected to the steerable traction wheels.

Claim 13

A concrete laying machine according to claim 1 and including feeding means within the chamber adapted to feed concrete therein to the outlet of the chamber and means to drive the feeding means.

Claim 14

A concrete laying machine according to claim 12 wherein the feeding means comprises a paddle assembly rotatably mounted within the chamber with its axis of rotation substantially horizontal and substantially at right angles to the direction of the concrete to be laid.

Claim 15

A concrete laying machine according to claim 13 wherein the paddle assembly is adjustably mounted so that the axis of rotation may be vertically adjusted.

Claim 16

A concrete laying machine according to claim 12 wherein the feeding means comprises an auger assembly rotatably mounted within the chamber and leading to the chamber outlet.

Claim 17

A concrete laying machine according to claim 12 wherein the feeding means is part of a concrete pump circuit leading from a concrete supply to the chamber outlet.

Claim 18

A concrete laying machine including a body, a pair of supporting tandem wheel assemblies independent from one another and spaced apart laterally of the machine, a pair of height adjusting devices supporting opposite sides, respectively, of the body in vertically adjustable manner above the supporting wheel assembly associated therewith, actuating means operatively connected to each height adjusting device and each adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or lower a side of the body relative to the wheel assembly supporting it, a steerable wheel assembly supporting the forward end of the machine, power means mounted on the machine and operatively connected for propelling the same, a chamber in the body adapted to receive concrete and having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof directly facing the surface over which the machine travels and extending upwardly into a rear wall portion of the chamber, an open-bottom mold attached to the body providing said chamber and extending longitudinally rearwardly from the discharge opening of said chamber, said mold terminating at a trailing end adjacent the trailing end of respective ones of said tandem wheel assemblies shaping the discharged concrete to a desired cross-sectional configuration as the machine moves forwardly, a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the chamber for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine to agitate the concrete mixture therein and transfer said mixture through the outlet of the chamber into said mold, power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to the paddle assembly for rotatively driving the same and sensing means on the body adapted to sense an external reference line outside of said body, the sensing means being further adapted upon deviation of one side of the body from a predetermined vertical relationship with the external reference line to cause the actuating means to be operated to raise or lower the side of the body to return the side to its predetermined relationship with the external reference line.

Claim 19

A concrete laying machine including a body, a pair of supporting tandem wheel assemblies independent from one another and spaced apart laterally of the machine, a pair of height adjusting devices supporting opposite sides, respectively, of the body in vertically adjustable manner above the supporting wheel assembly associated therewith, actuating means operatively connected to each height adjusting device and each adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or lower a side of the body relative to the wheel assembly supporting it, a steerable wheel assembly supporting the forward end of the machine, power means mounted on the machine and operatively connected for propelling the same, a chamber in the body adapted to receive concrete and having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof directly facing the surface over which the machine travels and extending upwardly into a rear wall portion of the chamber, an open-bottom mold attached to the body providing said chamber and extending longitudinally rearwardly from the discharge opening of said chamber, said mold terminating at a trailing end adjacent the trailing end of respective ones of said tandem wheel assemblies shaping the discharged concrete to a desired cross-sectional configuration as the machine moves forwardly, a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the chamber for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine to agitate the concrete mixture therein and transfer said mixture through the outlet of the chamber into said mold, power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to the paddle assembly for rotatively driving the same and sensing means on the body adapted to sense an external reference line outside of said body, the sensing means being further adapted upon deviation of one side of the body from a predetermined vertical relationship with the external reference line to cause the actuating means to be operated to raise or lower the side of the body to return the side to its predetermined relationship with the external reference line.

Claim 20

A concrete laying machine according to claim 17 wherein the means for propelling the machine includes drive means for driving the wheels of said steerable wheel assembly.

Claim 21

A concrete laying machine according to claim 17 including automatic steering means for steering said steerable wheels, such means including a steering sensor adapted to sense a steering guide and further adapted upon deviation of the body from the course of the steering guide to actuate steering means operatively connected to the steerable wheels to cause the body to be steered to such position that the boDy returns to said course.

Claim 22

A concrete laying machine including a body, a pair of supporting wheel assemblies independent from one another and laterally spaced apart relative to the length of the machine, a pair of height adjusting devices supporting opposite sides, respectively, of the body in vertically adjustable manner above the supporting wheel assembly associated therewith, actuating means operaively connected to each height adjusting device and each adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or lower a side of the body relative to the wheel assembly supporting it, a chamber in the body adapted to receive concrete and having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof directly facing the surface over which the machine travels and extending upwardly into a rear wall portion of the chamber, an open-bottom mold attached to the body providing said chamber and extending longitudinally rearwardly from the discharge opening of said chamber, said mold shaping the discharged concrete to a desired cross-sectional configuration as the machine moves forwardly, a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the chamber for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine to agitate the concrete mixture therein and transfer said mixture through the discharge opening of the chamber into said mold, said paddle assembly comprising a shaft having a plurality of arms spaced apart from one another longitudinally along and circumferentially around said shaft, power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to the paddle assembly for driving the same, sensing means mounted on the body and extending laterally therefrom to engage a longitudinally extending reference line spaced from the machine, means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive thereto to actuate one of the height adjusting means upon deviation of one side of the body from a predetermined relationship with the reference line, and compensating means mounted on said body actuating said other height adjusting means in response to adjustment in height by said one height adjusting means for maintaining a predetermined relationship of respective heights on opposite sides of the machine.

Claim 23

A concrete laying machine including a body, a pair of supporting wheel assemblies independent from one another and laterally spaced apart relative to the length of the machine, a pair of height adjusting devices supporting opposite sides, respectively, of the body in vertically adjustable manner above the supporting wheel assembly associated therewith, actuating means operaively connected to each height adjusting device and each adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or lower a side of the body relative to the wheel assembly supporting it, a chamber in the body adapted to receive concrete and having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof directly facing the surface over which the machine travels and extending upwardly into a rear wall portion of the chamber, an open-bottom mold attached to the body providing said chamber and extending longitudinally rearwardly from the discharge opening of said chamber, said mold shaping the discharged concrete to a desired cross-sectional configuration as the machine moves forwardly, a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the chamber for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine to agitate the concrete mixture therein and transfer said mixture through the discharge opening of the chamber into said mold, said paddle assembly comprising a shaft having a plurality of arms spaced apart from one another longitudinally along and circumferentially around said shaft, power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to the paddle assembly for driving the same, sensing means mounted on the body and extending laterally therefrom to engage a longitudinally extending reference line spaced from the machine, means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive thereto to actuate one of the height adjusting means upon deviation of one side of the body from a predetermined relationship with the reference line, and compensating means mounted on said body actuating said other height adjusting means in response to adjustment in height by said one height adjusting means for maintaining a predetermined relationship of respective heights on opposite sides of the machine.

Claim 24

A concrete laying machine comprising: a. a mobile main frame having a front ground wheel assembly adapted for steering the machine; b. a hopper on said main frame for holding a supply of concrete mix and having an open bottom directly facing the surface over which the machine travels providing an outlet through which the concrete mix is discharged; c. an open bottom downwardly facing mold secured to said main frame and extending rearwardly from the outlet of said hopper for receiving concrete mix discharged therefrom and shape the laid concrete to a desired cross-sectional shape as the machine moves forwardly; d. feed means comprising a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the hopper for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine for feeding the concrete mix through the hopper outlet onto the surface over which the machine travels and into the mold; e. power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to said paddle assembly; f. a pair of rear ground-engaging wheel assemblies located respectively on opposite sides of the hopper, each of said rear ground-engaging wheel assemblies comprising two pairs of wheels disposed in tandem with each pair of tandem wheels independently pivotally connected to opposite ends of a major frame member; g. height adjusting jack means supporting said main frame on said major frame; h. means pivotally connecting said jack means to said major frame at a position between said pair of tandem wheels; i. power means on the machine for propelling the same; j. actuating means operatively connected to each height adjusting device, said actuating means being adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or to lower a side of said body relative to the wheel assembly sUpporting it; k. sensing means on said body adapted to sense an external reference line and deviation of the body from a predetermined vertical relationship with respect to said external reference line causing the actuating means to be operated to return one side of said body to said predetermined relationship with respect to said external reference line; l. compensating means on the machine to cause the other actuating means to be operated to raise or to lower the other side of the body in response to adjustment in height of said one side of the body to maintain the predetermined level of the machine transversely thereof; and m. power means carried by the machine and operatively connected to said front wheel assembly to steer the machine in response to sensing the path of said external reference line.

Claim 25

A concrete laying machine comprising: a. a mobile main frame having a front ground wheel assembly adapted for steering the machine; b. a hopper on said main frame for holding a supply of concrete mix and having an open bottom directly facing the surface over which the machine travels providing an outlet through which the concrete mix is discharged; c. an open bottom downwardly facing mold secured to said main frame and extending rearwardly from the outlet of said hopper for receiving concrete mix discharged therefrom and shape the laid concrete to a desired cross-sectional shape as the machine moves forwardly; d. feed means comprising a paddle assembly rotatably mounted in the hopper for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine for feeding the concrete mix through the hopper outlet onto the surface over which the machine travels and into the mold; e. power means mounted on the machine and drivingly connected to said paddle assembly; f. a pair of rear ground-engaging wheel assemblies located respectively on opposite sides of the hopper, each of said rear ground-engaging wheel assemblies comprising two pairs of wheels disposed in tandem with each pair of tandem wheels independently pivotally connected to opposite ends of a major frame member; g. height adjusting jack means supporting said main frame on said major frame; h. means pivotally connecting said jack means to said major frame at a position between said pair of tandem wheels; i. power means on the machine for propelling the same; j. actuating means operatively connected to each height adjusting device, said actuating means being adapted to actuate the respective device to raise or to lower a side of said body relative to the wheel assembly sUpporting it; k. sensing means on said body adapted to sense an external reference line and deviation of the body from a predetermined vertical relationship with respect to said external reference line causing the actuating means to be operated to return one side of said body to said predetermined relationship with respect to said external reference line; l. compensating means on the machine to cause the other actuating means to be operated to raise or to lower the other side of the body in response to adjustment in height of said one side of the body to maintain the predetermined level of the machine transversely thereof; and m. power means carried by the machine and operatively connected to said front wheel assembly to steer the machine in response to sensing the path of said external reference line.