Quick attachment system for screed plate

Abstract

A paving machine is disclosed that can include a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a plurality of ground engaging elements supporting the frame, a driveline operably associated between the engine and the ground engaging elements, a screed frame pivotably attached to the frame, and a screed attached to the screed frame, wherein one of the screed frame and the screed includes a locking structure and the other of the screed frame and the screed includes a complementary shaped cavity, the locking structure and the cavity being locked together by friction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to paving machines, and more specifically to systems for attaching a full plate to a paving machine. Background Technology

[0002] A paving machine is a well-known device used to lay asphalt to create roads, highways, parking lots, and other surfaces requiring a smooth, durable finish that cars, trucks, and other vehicles can drive on. Asphalt pavers typically include a powered tractor attached to which a hopper for receiving hot asphalt is attached. A conveyor transports material from the hopper to an auger, which rotates as the paving machine moves forward to distribute the asphalt across the entire width of the machine.

[0003] To compact asphalt and provide it with a uniform thickness and appearance, a slab leveling device is used. More specifically, one or more slab leveling devices are attached to a slab leveling frame. The leveling device can be raised and lowered depending on the required pavement thickness, underground topography, and other considerations. Because the slab leveling device is the component that actively bonds and smooths the asphalt, it is subject to significant wear and tear. Therefore, over time, the slab leveling device needs to be removed and replaced with a new one.

[0004] However, removing and replacing the slab leveling plate requires significant effort and time. Perhaps more importantly, any time the slab leveling plate is being replaced coincides with a period when the paver is not in operation, thus negatively impacting performance, efficiency, and profitability. Traditionally, these slab leveling plates are attached to the slab leveling plate frame using a series of bolts, washers, and nuts, all of which need to be loosened and removed to remove the old slab leveling plate. The new slab leveling plate then needs to be installed in the reverse manner. Furthermore, given the operating environment of these pavers, these nuts and bolts are prone to severe degradation, rust, and seizing.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 10,156,049 discloses a system for attaching a full plate to a full plate frame, but this system uses retaining locks and fasteners in a manner similar to that described above. Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need for a system that can attach a full plate to a full plate frame more efficiently, thereby enabling easier and faster removal and replacement of the full plate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a paving machine is disclosed, which may include a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a plurality of ground engagement members supporting the frame, a drivetrain operatively associated between the engine and the ground engagement members, a platen pivotally attached to the frame, and a platen attached to the platen frame, one of the platen frame and the platen including a locking structure, and the other of the platen frame and the platen including a cavity of complementary shape, the locking structure and the cavity being locked together by friction.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a flatbed to the flatbed frame of a paving machine is disclosed. The method may include: providing a paving machine having a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a plurality of ground engagement members supporting the frame, and a drivetrain operably connecting the engine and a plurality of wheels; pivotally attaching the flatbed to the paving machine frame; and attaching the flatbed to the flatbed frame by frictionally engaging a locking structure disposed on one of the flatbed frame and the flatbed with a cavity of a complementary shape disposed on the other of the flatbed frame and the flatbed.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a quick attachment system for a paving machine plate is disclosed, the quick attachment system comprising a plate, a plate frame, a locking structure disposed on one of the plate and the plate frame, and a cavity disposed on the other of the plate and the plate frame, the cavity being complementaryly shaped to the locking structure such that the locking structure is adapted to be nested within the cavity.

[0009] These and other aspects and features of the invention will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, based on the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a paving machine constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a side view of a paving machine according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the hopper of a paving machine, showing the internal conveyor.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a schematic top view of a flat plate and a flat plate frame with nested locking mechanisms and cavities.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic exploded diagram.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the cavity inside the entire flat plate frame.

[0017] Figure 8 It is nested in Figure 7 The cavity Figure 6 A perspective view of the locking mechanism.

[0018] Figure 9 It is a flowchart depicting a sample sequence of steps that can be formulated according to the method of the present invention.

[0019] While the described embodiments convey some exemplary methods that incorporate parts of the invention, it should be understood that such embodiments are not exhaustive and can be extended to additional embodiments as understood by those skilled in the art. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Now refer to the attached diagram, and specifically refer to... Figure 1 The paving machine constructed according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Although the following detailed description will be provided specifically with reference to the paving machine 10, it should be understood that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to any other working machine used for earthmoving, construction, or agricultural activities.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the paving machine 10 includes a frame 12 supporting an engine or other prime mover 14. This frame is supported by a plurality of ground engagement elements 16 for movement. As shown, the plurality of ground engagement elements 16 are provided in the form of wheels 17, but the ground engagement elements 16 may also be provided in the form of continuous tracks 18, such as... Figure 2 As shown. The operator seat 20 is also supported by the frame 12.

[0022] A hopper 24 is provided at the front end 22 of the paving machine 12. The hopper 24 includes an open top 26 for receiving hot paving materials such as asphalt. Hot paving materials can be deposited into the hopper 24 via dump trucks, wheel loaders, etc. (not shown). To transport the hot paving materials from the hopper 24 to the road 28, a conveyor 30 or other convenient mechanism, such as [missing information], is installed in the base 32 of the hopper 24. Figure 3 As shown in the optimal diagram. When the conveyor 30 is operated, hot asphalt moves along the hopper and through the feed chute 36 at the rear of the paver, and is distributed to the screw conveyor 33, which causes the asphalt to rotate and spread evenly in front of the slab 25, as described in further detail below.

[0023] To produce a uniform, dense, and appropriately sized pavement layer 40 for use in desired roads, parking lots, etc., one or more slabs 42 are mounted onto a slab frame 38. Furthermore, it should be noted that the leveling device 25 is adapted to raise and lower relative to the road surface (e.g., by means of a hydraulic cylinder 39) to control the thickness of the paved pavement 40. Although the slab 42 is described herein as a single slab 42, it should be understood that multiple slabs 42' may be used on the paver 10 depending on the desired width of the pavement being paved. Typically, three (3) slabs are provided, each having a side panel 42' on either side of the main plate 42, but other numbers of slabs are also possible.

[0024] However, since the slab plate 42 is a component of the paving machine 10, it comes into closest contact with the road surface 40 as the paving machine 10 moves forward (arrow 45) to continue laying more road surface, thus suffering significant wear and tear. Consequently, the slab plate 42 degrades over time and eventually requires replacement. For conventional slab plate systems, this replacement is extremely laborious and time-consuming. Considering the time-consuming nature of conventional slab plate replacements, this may be even more significant, as it means the paving machine 10 is no longer in use, unable to produce road surface, and therefore unprofitable.

[0025] Traditionally, the plate 42 is attached to the plate frame 38 by a series of nuts, bolts, washers, and similar fasteners. Not only are suitable tools required to remove these fasteners, but the fasteners themselves are subject to significant degradation, rusting, and seizing, given the harsh environment in which the plate 42 operates, thus increasing the time required for removal.

[0026] Therefore, the present invention greatly improves upon the existing method. For example... Figure 4 As shown, this is achieved by providing a quick-attachment system 44 for the entire flat plate 42 without requiring any conventional nuts, bolts, or similar fasteners. Now refer to Figure 4-5 The plate 42 shown is detachably attached to the plate frame 38. This is achieved without any conventional fasteners by using its novel quick-attachment system 44. The quick-attachment system 44 includes a locking structure 46 and a cavity 48 of complementary shape. One of the locking structure 46 and the cavity 48 is disposed in the plate frame 38, while the other is disposed in the plate 42. In the described embodiment, the locking structure 46 is disposed in the plate 42 and the cavity 48 is disposed in the plate frame 38, but it should be understood that they can also be disposed in opposite directions.

[0027] like Figure 5As best shown, the locking structure 46 can be configured in a wedge shape, and the cavity 48 is configured in a complementary shape, such that the locking structure 46 can be nested within the cavity 48. More specifically, it will be noted that the locking structure 46 has a first wall 50 and a second wall 51 arranged in a V-shape. The first wall 50 and the second wall 51 are connected by a front wall 52 and a rear wall 53, such that the locking structure 46 generally forms a trapezoidal shape. Furthermore, the locking structure 46 includes a first width 54 at the front end 56 and a second width 58 at the rear end 59, wherein the first width 54 is smaller than the second width 58.

[0028] Similarly, the cavity 48 includes a first groove 60 and a second groove 61 forming a V-shaped cavity 48. The first groove 60 and the second groove 61 can be connected by a third groove 62, and the space 64 opposite to the third groove 62 is open. In addition, the cavity 48 includes a first width 65 at a front end 66 and a second width 68 at a rear end 70, wherein the first width 65 is smaller than the second width 68.

[0029] Although the locking structure 46 and the complementary-shaped cavity 48 are described as wedge-shaped or V-shaped, it should be understood that other shapes are of course possible, such as trapezoidal, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, U-shaped, teardrop-shaped, dovetail-shaped, etc. When the locking structure 46 and the complementary-shaped cavity 48 are held together by friction, the shape that increases the total surface area in the frictional engagement is ideal.

[0030] Now refer to Figure 6-8 The following describes how the locking structure 46 is nested within the cavity 48. More specifically, the locking structure 46, as described above, is... Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, and as described above, cavity 48 is in Figure 7 It is shown and positioned within the entire flat panel frame 38. It should be understood that, for ease of illustration and understanding, the locking structure 46 is... Figure 6 It is not shown as being attached to the entire flat plate 42. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the flat plate 42 is attached to the flat plate frame 38 by sliding the locking structure 46 into the cavity 48.

[0031] By orienting the front ends 56 and 66 in the direction of the paver's travel, the locking structure 46 moves into the cavity 48, where the locking structure front end 56 is nested within the cavity front end 66, and the locking structure rear end 58 is nested within the cavity rear end 70. To secure the components together, they can be struck with a hammer or the like. Further forward movement of the paver 10 generates sufficient frictional interference between the locking structure 46 and the cavity 48 to lock the plate 42 to the plate frame 38. External fasteners are not required, although retaining pins such as cotter pins can be used if needed. Furthermore, it should be noted that... Figure 6-8In the middle, the walls 50 and 51 and the recesses 60 and 61 can be inclined or obliquely cut to facilitate retention.

[0032] When sufficient wear occurs to necessitate the replacement of the paving plate 42, it can be easily removed from the paving plate frame 38 by applying sufficient force in the opposite direction (e.g., by a hammer) to overcome frictional interference. In this case, the replacement time of the paving plate 42 and the downtime of the paving machine 10 as a whole are reduced by an order of magnitude compared to the prior art.

[0033] Industrial applicability

[0034] As can be seen from the foregoing, the technology disclosed herein has industrial applicability in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, pavers, or any working machine with replaceable parts. More specifically, the invention has industrial applicability in providing a system by which a full slab can be quickly attached to and removed from a pavers.

[0035] During operation, and referring to Figure 9 The method of attaching the flat plate 42 to the paving machine 10 is generally indicated by reference numeral 100. In the first step 102, the paving machine 10 is provided. The paving machine 10 may include a frame 12 on which an engine 14 is mounted. The frame 12 may be supported by a plurality of ground engagement elements 16, wherein a drivetrain operatively connects the engine 14 to the plurality of ground engagement elements 16.

[0036] In the second step 104, the slab frame 38 is pivotally attached to the paving machine frame 12. This provides a structure to which one or more slabs 42 can be detachably attached.

[0037] In the third step 106, the plate 42 is attached to the plate frame 38 by frictionally engaging a locking structure on one of the plate frame 38 and the plate 42 with a cavity of a complementary shape disposed on the other of the plate frame 38 and the plate 42. This can be achieved by aligning the cavity 48 of the complementary shape with the locking structure 46, sliding the two parts together such that the locking structure 46 nests with the cavity 48, and then hammering the parts together using a hammer or similar tool.

[0038] While the foregoing description and depiction capture some embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to such embodiments, but is captured by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A paving machine, comprising: frame; An engine, which is mounted on the frame; Multiple ground-mounted components that support the frame; A drivetrain operatively connected between the engine and a plurality of ground-connecting components; A flat panel frame, positioned behind and pivotally attached to the frame, the flat panel frame having a front end and a rear end, the front end being closer to the frame than the rear end; as well as A flat plate, which is attached to a flat plate frame, one of the flat plate frame and the flat plate includes a locking structure, and the other of the flat plate frame and the flat plate includes a cavity of a complementary, filled shape, the locking structure and the cavity being locked together by friction.

2. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is configured to have a wedge shape.

3. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is configured to have a triangular shape.

4. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is configured to have a trapezoidal shape.

5. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure has a first width in a forward direction and a second width in a rearward direction, the first width being smaller than the second width.

6. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is disposed on the flat plate frame, and the cavity is disposed in the flat plate.

7. The paving machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is disposed on the flat plate, and the cavity is disposed in the flat plate frame.

8. A method for attaching a flatbed to the flatbed frame of a paving machine, comprising: A paving machine is provided, the paving machine having a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a plurality of ground contact members supporting the frame, and a drivetrain operatively connecting the engine and the plurality of ground contact members. The entire flat plate frame is pivotally attached to the frame of the paving machine; The plate is attached to the plate frame by frictionally engaging a locking structure disposed on one of the plate frames and the plate with a cavity of a complementary shape disposed on the other of the plate frames and the plate, wherein the locking structure is nested within the cavity.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the locking structure as a wedge.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising operating the paving machine using only surface friction between the platen and the platen frame, wherein the platen is attached to the platen frame.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing the slab from the slab frame by applying a force to the slab in a direction opposite to the forward direction of the paving machine.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing the locking structure with a first width in a forward direction and a second width in a backward direction, the first width being smaller than the second width.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising disposing the locking structure on the cavity in the flat plate frame and the flat plate.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising disposing the locking structure on the flat plate and in the cavity within the flat plate frame.

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