HANDRAIL ASSEMBLY FOR PAVING MACHINE

Abstract

A handrail assembly for a paving machine includes a central handrail section removably coupled to a screed walkway of a screed assembly of the paving machine. The central handrail section defines a first end and a second end. The handrail assembly also includes a first handrail section removably coupled to the screed walkway and the central handrail section proximal to the first end of the central handrail section. The first handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section. The handrail assembly further includes a second handrail section removably coupled to the screed walkway and the central handrail section proximal to the second end of the central handrail section. The second handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section. The central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.

Claims

1. A handrail assembly for a paving machine, the handrail assembly comprising: a central handrail section removably coupled to a screed walkway of a screed assembly of the paving machine, the central handrail section defining a first end and a second end, wherein the central handrail section includes: a pair of first members extending along a vertical axis, wherein the pair of first members are spaced apart from each other in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis; and a second member extending orthogonally relative to the pair of first members; a first handrail section removably coupled to the screed walkway, wherein the first handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the first end of the central handrail section, wherein the first handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, and wherein the first handrail section includes a third member extending along the vertical axis and a fourth member extending orthogonally relative to the third member; and a second handrail section removably coupled to the screed walkway, wherein the second handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the second end of the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section includes a fifth member extending along the vertical axis and a sixth member extending orthogonally relative to the fifth member, wherein the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position, and wherein the handrail assembly is positioned at a rear end of the screed walkway.

2. The handrail assembly of claim 1, wherein the screed walkway includes a main walkway portion coupled to a main screed of the screed assembly, a first walkway portion coupled to a first screed extension of the screed assembly, and a second walkway portion coupled to a second screed extension of the screed assembly, and wherein the central handrail section is removably coupled to the main walkway portion, the first handrail section is removably coupled to the first walkway portion, and the second handrail section is removably coupled to the second walkway portion.

3. The handrail assembly of claim 2, wherein the fourth member of the first handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a first telescopic joint, and wherein, during a movement of the first screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the third member of the first handrail section varies based on a sliding of the fourth member relative to the second member.

4. The handrail assembly of claim 2, wherein the sixth member of the second handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a second telescopic joint, and wherein, during a movement of the second screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the fifth member of the second handrail section varies based on a sliding of the sixth member relative to the second member.

5. The handrail assembly of claim 2 further comprising at least one fourth handrail section adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first handrail section and the second handrail section, wherein the at least one fourth handrail section is removably coupled with at least one screed extender of the screed assembly, and wherein the at least one screed extender is adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first screed extension and the second screed extension.

6. The handrail assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to dispose the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section in the stowed position.

7. The handrail assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the pair of first members, the third member, and the fifth member includes a pair of handrail portions and a pin that couples the pair of handrail portions with each other, and wherein the pair of handrail portions pivot relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section, the corresponding first handrail section, and the corresponding second handrail section between the extended position and the retracted position.

8. The handrail assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the pair of first members, the third member, and the fifth member includes a pair of handrail portions that are coupled with each other via a telescopic joint, and wherein the pair of handrail portions are slidable relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section, the corresponding first handrail section, and the corresponding second handrail section between the extended position and the retracted position.

9. The handrail assembly of claim 1, wherein, in the stowed position, each of the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section is stored at least partially below the screed walkway.

10. A screed assembly for a paving machine, the screed assembly comprising: a main screed; a first screed extension coupled to the main screed; a second screed extension coupled to the main screed, wherein the first screed extension and the second screed extension are disposed at opposing ends of the main screed; a screed walkway including a main walkway portion coupled to the main screed, a first walkway portion coupled to the first screed extension, and a second walkway portion coupled to the second screed extension; and a handrail assembly for the screed walkway, wherein the handrail assembly is positioned at a rear end of the screed walkway, the handrail assembly including: a central handrail section removably coupled to the main walkway portion, the central handrail section defining a first end and a second end, wherein the central handrail section includes: a pair of first members extending along a vertical axis, wherein the pair of first members are spaced apart from each other in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis; and a second member extending orthogonally relative to the pair of first members; a first handrail section removably coupled to the first walkway portion, wherein the first handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the first end of the central handrail section, wherein the first handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, and wherein the first handrail section includes a third member extending along the vertical axis and a fourth member extending orthogonally relative to the third member; and a second handrail section removably coupled to the second walkway portion, wherein the second handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the second end of the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section includes a fifth member extending along the vertical axis and a sixth member extending orthogonally relative to the fifth member, and wherein the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.

11. The screed assembly of claim 10, wherein the fourth member of the first handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a first telescopic joint, and wherein, during a movement of the first screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the third member of the first handrail section varies based on a sliding of the fourth member relative to the second member.

12. The screed assembly of claim 10, wherein the sixth member of the second handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a second telescopic joint, and wherein, during a movement of the second screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the fifth member of the second handrail section varies based on a sliding of the sixth member relative to the second member.

13. The screed assembly of claim 10, wherein the handrail assembly further includes at least one fourth handrail section adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first handrail section and the second handrail section, wherein the at least one fourth handrail section is removably coupled with at least one screed extender of the screed assembly, and wherein the at least one screed extender is adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first screed extension and the second screed extension.

14. The screed assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to dispose the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section in the stowed position.

15. The screed assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the pair of first members, the third member, and the fifth member includes a pair of handrail portions and a pin that couples the pair of handrail portions with each other, and wherein the pair of handrail portions pivot relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section, the corresponding first handrail section, and the corresponding second handrail section between the extended position and the retracted position.

16. The screed assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the pair of first members, the third member, and the fifth member includes a pair of handrail portions that are coupled with each other via a telescopic joint, and wherein the pair of handrail portions are slidable relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section, the corresponding first handrail section, and the corresponding second handrail section between the extended position and the retracted position.

17. A paving machine comprising: a frame; and a screed assembly coupled to the frame, the screed assembly including: a main screed; a first screed extension coupled to the main screed; a second screed extension coupled to the main screed, wherein the first screed extension and the second screed extension are disposed at opposing ends of the main screed; a screed walkway including a main walkway portion coupled to the main screed, a first walkway portion coupled to the first screed extension, and a second walkway portion coupled to the second screed extension; and a handrail assembly for the screed walkway, wherein the handrail assembly is positioned at a rear end of the screed walkway, the handrail assembly including: a central handrail section removably coupled to the main walkway portion, the central handrail section defining a first end and a second end, wherein the central handrail section includes: a pair of first members extending along a vertical axis, wherein the pair of first members are spaced apart from each other in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis; and a second member extending orthogonally relative to the pair of first members; a first handrail section removably coupled to the first walkway portion, wherein the first handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the first end of the central handrail section, wherein the first handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, and wherein the first handrail section includes a third member extending along the vertical axis and a fourth member extending orthogonally relative to the third member; and a second handrail section removably coupled to the second walkway portion, wherein the second handrail section is further removably coupled to the central handrail section proximal to the second end of the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section is movable relative to the central handrail section, wherein the second handrail section includes a fifth member extending along the vertical axis and a sixth member extending orthogonally relative to the fifth member, and wherein the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.

18. The paving machine of claim 17, wherein the fourth member of the first handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a first telescopic joint, wherein, during a movement of the first screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the third member of the first handrail section varies based on a sliding of the fourth member relative to the second member, wherein the sixth member of the second handrail section is coupled with the second member of the central handrail section via a second telescopic joint, and wherein, during a movement of the second screed extension relative to the main screed, a distance between the first member of the central handrail section and the fifth member of the second handrail section varies based on a sliding of the sixth member relative to the second member.

19. The paving machine of claim 17, wherein the handrail assembly further includes at least one fourth handrail section adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first handrail section and the second handrail section, wherein the at least one fourth handrail section is removably coupled with at least one screed extender of the screed assembly, and wherein the at least one screed extender is adapted to be removably coupled with at least one of the first screed extension and the second screed extension.

20. The paving machine of claim 17, wherein each of the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to dispose the central handrail section, the first handrail section, and the second handrail section in the stowed position, and wherein each of the pair of first members, the third member, and the fifth member includes a pair of handrail portions that are movable relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section, the corresponding first handrail section, and the corresponding second handrail section between the extended position and the retracted position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary paving machine;

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a screed assembly of FIG. 1 having a handrail assembly, according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates the handrail assembly in a stowed position;

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the handrail assembly of FIG. 2, according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the handrail assembly of FIG. 2, according to another example of the present disclosure; and

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates the handrail assembly having two handrail sections coupled with corresponding screed extenders of the screed assembly, according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary paving machine 100. The paving machine 100 may be used to construct roads, bridges, and the like by spreading and compacting a layer of paving material. The paving material may include bituminous aggregate mixtures or asphalt. The paving machine 100 includes a frame 102. The frame 102 supports various components of the paving machine 100. The paving machine 100 includes an enclosure 104 mounted on the frame 102. The enclosure 104 holds a power source (not shown) of the paving machine 100. The power source may be an engine, such as an internal combustion engine, a battery system, a fuel cell, and so on. The power source provides power to the paving machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements.

[0016] The paving machine 100 also includes a set of ground engaging members 106. The ground engaging members 106 are operably coupled to the frame 102. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the ground engaging members 106 include wheels. In other examples, the ground engaging members 106 may include tracks. The ground engaging members 106 support and provide mobility to the paving machine 100 on a ground surface.

[0017] The paving machine 100 also includes a machine operator station 108 mounted on the frame 102. An operator present in the machine operator station 108 may control various functions associated with the paving machine 100 and, in some examples, functions associated with a screed assembly 110 of the paving machine 100.

[0018] The paving machine 100 also includes a hopper assembly 112 operably coupled to the frame 102. The hopper assembly 112 holds a volume of paving material (not shown) on the paving machine 100 received from an external source (not shown), such as a truck or a transfer vehicle. The hopper assembly 112 also transfers the paving material from one portion of the paving machine 100 to another. As such, the hopper assembly 112 may include one or more components (not shown), such as one or more conveyors, augers, sensors, and so on, based on application requirements.

[0019] The paving machine 100 further includes the screed assembly 110 coupled to the frame 102. The screed assembly 110 includes a main screed 114. The screed assembly 110 includes a first screed extension 116 coupled to the main screed 114. The screed assembly 110 also includes a second screed extension 118 coupled to the main screed 114. The first screed extension 116 and the second screed extension 118 are disposed at opposing ends 120, 122 of the main screed 114. The screed assembly 110 further includes a screed walkway 124. The screed walkway 124 includes a main walkway portion 126 coupled to the main screed 114. The screed walkway 124 also includes a first walkway portion 128 coupled to the first screed extension 116. The screed walkway 124 further includes a second walkway portion 130 coupled to the second screed extension 118.

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a handrail assembly 200 for the paving machine 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the screed assembly 110 includes the handrail assembly 200 for the screed walkway 124. The handrail assembly 200 also functions as a guardrail. The handrail assembly 200 is positioned at a rear end 136 of the screed walkway 124. The handrail assembly 200 includes a central handrail section 202 removably coupled to the screed walkway 124 of the screed assembly 110 of the paving machine 100. Specifically, the central handrail section 202 is removably coupled to the main walkway portion 126. The central handrail section 202 defines a first end 204 and a second end 206. The central handrail section 202 includes a pair of first members 208, 210 extending along a vertical axis A1. The pair of first members 208, 210 are spaced apart from each other in a direction A2 that is orthogonal to the vertical axis A1. The central handrail section 202 also includes a second member 212 extending orthogonally relative to the pair of first members 208, 210. Each of the first members 208, 210 and the second member 212 are shown having a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the first members 208, 210 and the second member 212 may have any other cross-section, such as, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, and the like.

[0021] The handrail assembly 200 also includes a first handrail section 214 removably coupled to the screed walkway 124. Specifically, the first handrail section 214 is removably coupled to the first walkway portion 128. The first handrail section 214 is further removably coupled to the central handrail section 202 proximal to the first end 204 of the central handrail section 202. The first handrail section 214 is movable relative to the central handrail section 202. The first handrail section 214 includes a third member 216 extending along the vertical axis A1 and a fourth member 218 extending orthogonally relative to the third member 216. Each of the third member 216 and the fourth member 218 are shown having a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the third member 216 and the fourth member 218 may have any other cross-section, such as, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, and the like.

[0022] The fourth member 218 of the first handrail section 214 is coupled with the second member 212 of the central handrail section 202 via a first telescopic joint 220. During a movement of the first screed extension 116 relative to the main screed 114, a distance D1 between the first member 208 of the central handrail section 202 and the third member 216 of the first handrail section 214 varies based on a sliding of the fourth member 218 relative to the second member 212.

[0023] The handrail assembly 200 further includes a second handrail section 222 removably coupled to the screed walkway 124. Specifically, the second handrail section 222 is removably coupled to the second walkway portion 130. The second handrail section 222 is further removably coupled to the central handrail section 202 proximal to the second end 206 of the central handrail section 202. The second handrail section 222 is movable relative to the central handrail section 202.

[0024] The second handrail section 222 includes a fifth member 224 extending along the vertical axis A1 and a sixth member 226 extending orthogonally relative to the fifth member 224. Each of the fifth member 224 and the sixth member 226 are shown having a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the fifth member 224 and the sixth member 226 may have any other cross-section, such as, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, and the like.

[0025] The sixth member 226 of the second handrail section 222 is coupled with the second member 212 of the central handrail section 202 via a second telescopic joint 228. During a movement of the second screed extension 118 relative to the main screed 114, a distance D2 between the first member 210 of the central handrail section 202 and the fifth member 224 of the second handrail section 222 varies based on a sliding of the sixth member 226 relative to the second member 212.

[0026] The central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 are illustrated in the deployed position in FIG. 2. Further, referring to FIG. 3, the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 are illustrated in the stowed position. In some examples, in the stowed position, each of the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 is stored at least partially below the screed walkway 124. In such examples, the handrail assembly 200 may have pivot points/locations that may allow movement of the entire handrail assembly 200 to the stowed position. Further, each of the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to dispose the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 in the stowed position.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, in one example, each of the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 includes a pair of handrail portions 230, 232 and a pin 234 that couples the pair of handrail portions 230, 232 with each other. The pair of handrail portions 230, 232 pivot relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section 202, the corresponding first handrail section 214, and the corresponding second handrail section 222 between the extended position and the retracted position. Each pin 234 may include, for example, a tethered pin. When the pins 234 are coupled to the corresponding handrail portions 230, 232, the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 are disposed in the extended position. Further, when the pins 234 are removed, the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 are movable to the retracted position. In some examples, the handrail assembly 200 may include appropriate pin joints or pivot joints that may allow movement of the handrail assembly 200 to the stowed position.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, in another example, each of the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 includes a pair of handrail portions 530, 532 that are coupled with each other via a telescopic joint 534. The pair of handrail portions 530, 532 are slidable relative to each other to move the corresponding central handrail section 202, the corresponding first handrail section 214, and the corresponding second handrail section 222 between the extended position and the retracted position. Specifically, the handrail portions 530, 532 slide away from each other to dispose the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 in the extended position. Further, the handrail portions 530, 532 slide towards each other to dispose the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 in the retracted position. In some examples, each of the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to retain the pair of first members 208, 210, the third member 216, and the fifth member 224 in the extended position.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, in some examples, the handrail assembly 200 includes one or more fourth handrail sections 236, 238 removably coupled with one or more of the first handrail section 214 and the second handrail section 222. The one or more fourth handrail sections 236, 238 are removably coupled with one or more screed extenders 132, 134 of the screed assembly 110. The one or more screed extenders 132, 134 are removably coupled with the first screed extension 116 and/or the second screed extension 118. In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, the one or more screed extenders 132, 134 includes the first screed extender 132 removably coupled with the first screed extension 116 and the second screed extender 134 removably coupled with the second screed extension 118. The first screed extender 132 is removably coupled with the first screed extension 116 by bolts and the second screed extender 134 is removably coupled with the second screed extension 118 by bolts.

[0030] Further, the one or more fourth handrail sections 236, 238 includes the fourth handrail section 236 that is removably coupled with the first screed extender 132. Specifically, when the first screed extender 132 is coupled with the first screed extension 116, the fourth handrail section 236 is removably coupled with the first handrail section 214. The fourth handrail section 236 is further removably coupled with the first handrail section 214. The fourth handrail section 236 may be removably coupled with the first handrail section 214 using bolts, screws, pins, and the like.

[0031] The one or more fourth handrail sections 236, 238 also includes the fourth handrail section 238 that is removably coupled with the second screed extender 134. Specifically, when the second screed extender 134 is coupled with the second screed extension 118, the fourth handrail section 238 is removably coupled with the second handrail section 222. The fourth handrail section 238 is further removably coupled with the second handrail section 222. The fourth handrail section 238 may be removably coupled with the second handrail section 222 using bolts, screws, pins, and the like.

[0032] It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above-described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0033] The present disclosure relates to the handrail assembly 200 for the screed walkway 124 of the paving machine 100. The handrail assembly 200 described in the present disclosure includes a simple design and may be cost-effective. Further, the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 may be easily moved between the stowed position and the deployed position, as per application requirements. The handrail assembly 200 also functions as a guardrail that may prevent operators from inadvertently stepping onto the ground surface. Further, the first and second handrail sections 214, 222 laterally move relative to the central handrail section 202 as the first and second screed extensions 116, 118 move in/out of the main screed 114 due to provision of the first and second telescopic joints 220, 228. The telescopic joints accommodate changes in paving widths to assure a continuous handrail barrier is achieved throughout the screed walkway 124. Additionally, to keep the screed walkway 124 fully open in all directions for operators to ingress/egress, the central handrail section 202, the first handrail section 214, and the second handrail section 222 are movable to the stowed position. Thus, the handrail assembly 200 may be moved to the stowed position when not in use, but is still available to be setup quickly and used at any time. Moreover, when the bolt-on first and second screed extenders 132, 134 are coupled with the first and second screed extensions 116, 118, the handrail assembly 200 also includes the fourth handrail sections 236, 238 that can be removably coupled to the first and second handrail sections 214, 222, thereby ensuring full barrier to operators.

[0034] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed work machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.