EXTENSION ADJUSTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A screed apparatus including a main screed having a frame, a screed extension, and an extension apparatus configured to mount the screed extension to the main screed. The extension apparatus includes a first mounting member configured to mount to the main screed and to be movable along a first axis with respect to the main screed. A second mounting member is pivotably mounted to the first mounting member and is configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation about a second axis with respect to the first mounting member. A third mounting member is mounted to the second member and is configured to mount to the screed extension. The third mounting member is further configured to be movable along a third axis with respect to the second mounting member while the second mounting member is in the first orientation or second orientation.

Claims

1. An extension apparatus configured to mount equipment to a frame, the extension apparatus comprising: a first mounting member configured to mount to the frame and to be movable with respect to the frame along a first axis; a second mounting member pivotably mounted to the first mounting member and configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation with respect to the first mounting member about a second axis; a third mounting member mounted to the second member and configured to mount to the equipment and configured to be movable with respect to the second mounting member between an extended position and a retracted position along a third axis.

2. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a rigid elongate rail oriented in a direction parallel with the first axis and inserted through the first mounting member, the rail having opposing ends including at least one end that is fixedly mounted to the frame such that the first mounting member may slide along the rail; and an arrest configured to mount to the frame and to engage the first mounting member and to move the first mounting member along the rail and to fixedly hold the first mounting member at a selected one of at least two positions along the rail.

3. The extension apparatus of claim 2 wherein the arrest comprises a screw configured to be inserted through a threaded receiver in order to provide infinitely adjustable positioning of the first mounting member along the rail.

4. The extension apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the second axis.

5. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pivot center about which the second mounting member pivots with respect to the first mounting member, the pivot center formed by an elongate first post extending away from the first mounting member along the second axis towards the second member, the first post configured to be received in an opening in the second mounting member such that the second mounting member may be rotated around the first post.

6. The extension apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: an elongate second post extending away from the first mounting member in a direction parallel with the second axis towards the second member; and a receiving area formed in the second mounting member that is configured to receive the second post as the second mounting member pivots between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, through an interaction between the second post and the receiving area, rotation of the second mounting member around the first post is limited to an arc of rotation .

7. The extension apparatus of claim 6 wherein arc of rotation is approximately 15 degrees.

8. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pivot center about which the second mounting member pivots with respect to the first mounting member through a range-limited arc of rotation .

9. The extension apparatus of claim 8 wherein arc of rotation is approximately 15 degrees.

10. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pair of slideblocks fixedly mounted to the second mounting member, each slideblock having a receiver slot; and a pair of rigid elongate rails disposed on the third mounting member, wherein one rail of the third mounting member is slidably engaged with each of the receiver slots to enable the third mounting member to slide along the third axis between the extended position and the retracted position.

11. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a disposable wear member removably disposed between first mounting member and the second mounting member.

12. The extension apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an actuator configured to move the third mounting member along the third axis between an extended position and a retracted position.

13. The extension apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first mounting member further comprises a first portion configured to fixedly mount to the frame and a second portion configured to be movable with respect to the frame and the first portion of the first mounting member along a first axis and further configured to be fixed at a selected one of two or more positions along the first axis, wherein the second mounting member is pivotably mounted to the second portion of the first mounting member.

14. The extension apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third mounting member is configured to be movable along the third axis with respect to the second mounting member while the second mounting member is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

15. An extension apparatus configured for use in a screed assembly to mount a screed extension to a main screed, the apparatus comprising: a first mounting member having a first portion configured to fixedly mount to the main screed and a second portion configured to be movable with respect to the main screed and the first portion of the first mounting member along a first axis and further configured to be fixed at a selected one of two or more positions along the first axis; a second mounting member pivotably mounted to the second portion of the first mounting member at a pivot center and configured to pivot through a range-limited arc of rotation about a second axis passing through the pivot center between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the second mounting member is pivotably mounted to the second portion of the first mounting member; a rigid elongate third mounting member slidably mounted to the second member and configured to slide along a third axis with respect to the second mounting member while the second mounting member is in the first orientation or second orientation; and a mounting surface disposed on the third mounting member configured to mount to the screed extension.

16. A screed apparatus comprising: a main screed having a frame; a screed extension; an extension apparatus configured to mount the screed extension to the main screed, the extension apparatus comprising: a first mounting member configured to mount to the main screed and to be movable along a first axis with respect to the main screed; a second mounting member pivotably mounted to the first mounting member and configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation about a second axis with respect to the first mounting member; a third mounting member mounted to the second member and configured to mount to the screed extension and configured to be movable along a third axis with respect to the second mounting member while the second mounting member is in the first orientation or second orientation.

17. The screed apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a first screed extension mounted to a first side of the main screed via a first extension apparatus; and a second screed extension mounted to a second side of the main screed via a second extension apparatus.

18. The screed apparatus of claim 17 wherein operation of the first extension apparatus is independent of operation of the second extension apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:

[0018] FIGS. 1-3 depict a conventional extension apparatus used on a main screed and screed extension that permits only horizontal movement of the screed extension with respect to the main screed;

[0019] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an extension apparatus according to the present invention used on a main screed and screed extension that provides horizontal and rotational movement of the screed extension with respect to the main screed;

[0020] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an extension apparatus according to the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the extension apparatus of FIG. 6;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a first mounting member;

[0023] FIGS. 10 and 11 are rear elevation views depicting the extension apparatus of FIG. 6 in an extended non-rotated and extended rotated configuration, respectively;

[0024] FIGS. 12 and 13 are front elevation views depicting the extension apparatus of FIG. 6 in an extended non-rotated and extended rotated configuration, respectively;

[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a screed apparatus having screed extensions mounted to left-hand and right-hand sides of a main screed via separate extension apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0026] FIGS. 15 and 16 are rear elevation views of the right-hand side of the screed apparatus of FIG. 14 in a non-extended rotated and extended rotated configuration, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] This description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated extension apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention in use in connection with screed apparatus 202 having main screed 204 and screed extension 206. Like extension apparatus 100 described above and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, screed extension 206 is laterally movable between retracted or first position LR and extended or second position LE via extension apparatus 200 along axis A1. However, unlike extension apparatus 100, movement provided by extension apparatus 200 to screed extension 206 is not constrained to horizontal-only movement; rather, the extension apparatus is configured to rotate with respect to the main screed such that the screed extension may move between first position LR and second position LE while, at the same time, being rotated with respect to the main screed. As such, screed extension 206 may travel laterally away from main screed 204 along axis A2, which is rotationally offset from axis A1 (by approximately 15 degrees in the illustrated case). Advantageously, combining lateral movement with rotation enables screed extension 206 to remain in contact with ground surface S in multiple lateral positions, including in first position LR and second position LE, without requiring vertical or angular adjustments.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, there is provided an extension apparatus 300 that is configured to mount equipment 302 to a frame 304 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 300 generally includes a first mounting member 306, second mounting member 308, and third mounting member 310. First mounting member 306 is configured to mount to the frame 304 and at least a portion of first mounting member is configured to be movable along axis A3. Second mounting member 308 is pivotably mounted to the first mounting member 306 and is configured to pivot about axis A4 with respect to the first mounting member. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, second mounting member 308 may pivot upwards and downwards about a horizontal axis A4. Preferably, axis A3 is orthogonal (i.e., separated by 90 degrees) to axis A4. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, second mounting member 308 can be moved vertically along axis A3 and also rotated about a horizontal axis A4. Third mounting member 310 is mounted to the second member 308 and is configured to mount to equipment 302. Third mounting member 310 is configured to be movable along axis A5 with respect to the second mounting member between an extended position and a retracted position. Thus, equipment 302 (e.g., a screed extension) mounted to a frame 304 (e.g., a portion of a main screed) via extension apparatus 300 may be laterally translated along axis A5 and translated vertically along axis A3 while, at the same time, being rotated about axis A4.

[0030] With continued reference to FIG. 8 and with further reference to FIG. 9 (which is an elevation view of an opposite side of the first mounting member 306 from the side shown in FIG. 8) first mounting member includes a first portion 312 that is configured to fixedly mount to frame 304. In this particular case, first portion 312 is a rigid elongate guide rail that is oriented in a direction parallel with axis A3, so first portion may be referred to interchangeably throughout this description as a rail. Ends 314 of the rail 312 are fixedly mounted to frame 304 by bolts 316 that pass through the frame and are threaded into the ends of the rails. First mounting member 306 also includes a second portion 318, which may also be referred to interchangeably through this description as a vertical box, which is configured to be movable with respect to rail 312 and frame 304. In this particular case, vertical box 318 includes vertical side plates 320 joined to two spaced apart and horizontal shelves 322 that extend between the side plates. Lastly, a rear plate 324 forms the back of the vertical box 318. Shelves 322 are provided with vertically-aligned openings 326 (FIG. 8) that are sized to slidably receive rails 312, such that vertical box 318 may slide vertically upwards and downwards (in this particular embodiment) along axis A3 (FIG. 6).

[0031] To control the vertical movement of vertical box 318 with respect to rails 312, first mounting member 306 is preferably also provided with an arrest 328. Arrest 328 is configured to mount to the frame 304 and to engage the vertical box 318 and to move the vertical box along the rails 312. Arrest is further configured to fixedly hold the vertical box 318 at one of several selected positions along the rails 312. In this particular embodiment, the arrest 328 is screw that is oriented in a direction parallel with axis A3 (i.e. vertically, as shown in FIG. 9) and is parallel with the rails 312. The arrest 328 is inserted through threaded receiver 330 in order to provide infinitely adjustable positioning of the first mounting member along the rail. In this particular case, threaded receiver 330 is attached to vertical box 318 as a separate component. However, in other cases, threaded receiver 330 could be a threaded opening formed in the vertical box 318. Arrests 328 may be turned manually to adjust the height of vertical box 318 with respect to rails 312. Preferably, arrests 328 are turned simultaneously by a computer controlled motor-driven sprocket system 332.

[0032] As discussed above, the second mounting member 308 is pivotably mounted to the first mounting member 306 and is configured to pivot about axis A4 (FIG. 6) with respect to the first mounting member. Accordingly, axis A4 provides a pivot center about which the second mounting member 308 pivots with respect to first mounting member 306. With continued reference to FIG. 8 and with further reference to FIGS. 10-13, in this particular embodiment, to provide this pivoting attachment, rear plate 324 of vertical box 318 is provided with a post 334 that extends towards second mounting member 308 along axis A4. This post 334 passes through an opening 336 formed in rear plate 337 of second mounting member 308. A bushing is placed around post 334 to facilitate rotation and then the post 334 is fixed with a washer and bolt, which is threaded into an end of the post. Additionally, in certain embodiments, a disposable wear member 338 is removably located between first mounting member 306 and second mounting member 308.

[0033] In certain embodiments, an actuating device, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is mounted to one of the first or second mounting members 306, 308 to provide rotation about post 334. In preferred embodiments, the actuating device rotates second mounting member 308 about post 334. Actuation may also be accomplished manually. For example, a turnbuckle or other similar device may be attached between the first and second mounting members 306, 308 and used to provide rotation about post 334. In certain embodiments, a stop is provided to limit the range of rotation. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, additional posts 340 extending away from rear plate 324 of vertical box 318 are inserted through slots 342 located in rear plate 337 of second mounting member 308. Posts 340 are fixed with a washer and bolt that is threaded into an end of each post. Slots 342 are curved with the center of curvature being located along axis A4 in order to facilitate rotation of second mounting member 308 with respect to first mounting member 306. In other embodiments, slots 342 are replaced with a receiving area, such as stops (e.g., plates or bars), located on second mounting member 308 that interact with posts 340 and limit rotation of second mounting member with respect to first mounting member 306. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, second mounting member 308 rotates with respect to first mounting member 306, between a first orientation and second orientation, in a limited arc of rotation . In certain embodiments, arc of rotation has a maximum of approximately 15 degrees. Thus, in the first orientation, third mounting member 310 translates along axis A5. However, by rotating second mounting member 308 about post 334, third mounting member 310 may also be translated along a different axis A5.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, third mounting member 310 includes a pair of rigid elongate rails 344 that are rigidly connected together with connecting member 346 and end 347 disposed between them. An outward-facing surface of connecting member 346 provides a mounting surface 348 configured for mounting equipment 302 (FIG. 7) to third mounting member 310. Opposite-facing rails 344 are configured to be slidably engaged with each of a receiver slot 350 of slideblocks 352. Slideblocks 352 are configured to be mounted into upper and lower shelves 354 that extend from rear plate 337 of second mounting member 308, where they remain fixed as the rails 344 slide through slideblock 352 and carry third mounting member 310 along axis A5 (FIG. 6) between the extended position and the retracted position. Preferably, an actuator 356 moves the third mounting member along the third axis between an extended position and a retracted position. Preferably, an inward-facing surface of connecting member 346 provides a receiving channel 358 for receiving at least a portion of actuator 356 in order to make the overall footprint of apparatus 300 more compact. Actuator 356 is preferably fixedly mounted to a mounting area located between rear plate 337 and the mounting location of slideblocks 354 on shelves 354. In the illustrated embodiment, standoff 360 extending from rear plate 337 provides a mounting location for actuator 356.

[0035] Lastly, with reference to FIG. 14, there is provided a screed apparatus 400 having a main screed 402, a left-hand screed extension 404A and a right-hand screed extension 404B and that is configured to proceed in processing direction D. Preferably, a separate, independently-operated extension apparatus 300 mounts each of the screed extensions 404A, 404B to the main screed 402. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, unlike apparatus 100 (FIGS. 2 and 3), extension apparatus 300 enables screed extension 404B to be extended laterally away from main screed 402 along rotated axis A5. Advantageously, this enables screed extension 404B to maintain the desired height and angular orientation (i.e., screed remains in contact with ground surface S) throughout the lateral translation process without requiring further adjustment.

[0036] Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described and claimed herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations as would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.