GB2283263A - Road working apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A road sweeper suction machine (10) has a wander hose (30) to which suction can be applied for picking up debris from the roads and streets. This hose is connected to a mobile road planing apparatus (36) so that the suction can be used to remove the spoil created by the road planing and there is provided a rotary, quick release coupling (38) between the planer and the hose to enable the planer to be rotatable relative to the hose so that it can plane over a large area in a free fashion. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements Relating to Road Working Apparatus This invention relates to road working apparatus, and in particular concerns a road working apparatus which includes a mobile unit which is designed for cutting, milling or planing a road working surface, where that surface requires to be removed for whatever reason. Typical of such reason might be to perform patchwork operations, for cutting trenches or for resurfacing generally. The unit is adapted to be manipulated by an operator who either stands on the ground adjacent the unit or in fact stands on the unit and travels with it. The unit therefore is drivable and is adapted to have power transmitted to ground engaging translation means such as rollers, wheels or tracks to ensure the unit's mobility.

Units of this kind are known, and one is described in some detail for example in our International Patent Application No PCT/GB93/00527 wherein the planing unit is coupled to a vehicle by means of a weight transfer arm whereby some of the weight of the vehicle can be transferred to the mobile unit.

Further proposals have suggested that a cutting, planing or the like unit is mounted on a vehicle on the front of same, and is adapted to be lowered into the ground for ground working operations, but the difficulty with such an arrangement is that the weight of the unit when added to the weight of the vehicle tends to make the vehicle overloaded and if for example the vehicle is designed to perform additional functions, such as carrying a load via a trailer body, then the vehicle when fully loaded may be over prescribed limits as concerns axle loading.

A suitable combination for road working operations is a mobile planing unit used in conjunction with a suction sweeper vehicle or another vehicle within which suction can be generated, and the present invention is especially although not exclusively directed to this combination of unit and vehicle, and in a preferred form of the invention there is provided a mobile road surface cutting or planing unit which is coupled to a suction vehicle by means of a suction hose which has sufficient flexibility to enable the unit to be manipulated to perform its cutting or planing operation over an area whilst the vehicle is stationary, and wherein there is a rotary coupling between the hose and unit which is additional to the rotary coupling between the vehicle and hose (if one is provided) so that the unit can be readily rotated relative to the hose during its manipulation when it is working.

Additionally, it is preferred that there be a quick release coupling between the unit and the hose, and such coupling may be one and the same coupling as the said rotary coupling or it may be a separate coupling.

In addition to providing a suction connection between the vehicle and the unit, additional connections may be provided.

For example, the powering of the unit may be derived from the prime mover of the vehicle or a separate prime mover of the vehicle, the prime mover in either case serving for example to drive a hydraulic pump which in turn is coupled via flexible hoses to the hydraulic motor means in the unit, in order that the unit can be propelled and in order that the slitting cutter or planing drum of the unit can be driven.

Equally, electrical connections can be made between the vehicle and the unit so that all services are derived from the vehicle and are quick release coupled to the unit.

The various connections, suction, hydraulic and electrical are preferably all by quick release coupling means so that the unit can be readily detached, and such connections preferably have sufficient flexibility to enable the unit to be moved freely within a range of operation as defined by the coupling hoses and cables. These may be connected to the unit in the nature of an umbilical cord.

The vehicle preferably is a suction sweeper vehicle which is provided with a collection chamber whereby the cuttings and chippings created by the mobile unit are sucked through the suction hose directly into the suction chamber.

Additionally, there may be a water tank on the vehicle and a water pipe connects with the vehicle and the road working unit so that water may be sprayed onto the road surface where cutting is taking place, in order to effect dust suppression.

The water pipe will also be appropriately coupled to the unit enabling it to perform its function.

Not all of the pipes and cables connecting the vehicle and unit need be coupled through a or the rotary coupling. It is possible to wrap pipes and cables around the suction hose in a loose fashion, so that there is a certain degree of rotary freedom between the unit and the suction hose before the other cables and pipes become tightly wrapped around the suction hose. Obviously wrapping the cables and pipes in this way dores limit the extent to which the unit can rotate relative to the suction hose, and stops may be provided for this purpose to limit the rotation of the unit to say 3650.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the aaccompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side view of an assembly comprising of a vehicle and road working unit, the road working unit being located to the rear of the vehicle; and Fig. 2 is a rear view of the assembly shown in Fig. 1, but with the road working unit positioned to the side of the vehicle.

Referring to the drawings, a conventional road sweeper vehicle is indicated by reference numeral 10 and will be seen to comprise a cabin 12 carried by a wheeled chassis 14, the chassis including front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18.

Carried by the chassis is a body 20 which inlcudes a collection chamber 22 and a separate engine 24 which serves to create suction for the normal functioning of the vehicle.

The engine 24 serves to create suction in a kerb side suction hose 26 by which debris can be removed from gutters and the like, and the vehicle additionally has a gutter brush 28 to brush the debris towards the inlet of the hose 26.

Additionally, the vehicle is provided with a wander hose 30 in which suction can be created, and such a hose may be used conventionally for example for picking up leaves and other loose materials outside the scope of the kerb hose 26.

The wander hose 30 is connected to the top of the body by means of a rotatable coupling 32 whereby the wander hose 30 can be swung about the vertical axis 34 so that it can be used to the rear and to each side of the vehicle.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated, a road working unit 36 is coupled to the end of the wander hose 30 via a special coupling 38 by which the unit 36 is relatively rotatable in relation to the hose about a vertical axis defined by the coupling 38. This gives the unit considerable flexibility when it is working on the road surface as will be described.

In the example illustrated the unit 36 is a planing apparatus of the construction described and illustrated fully in our International Patent Application No PCT/GB93/01944, and the planing unit comprises a cutting drum 40, a steerable traction wheel 42, a castoring support wheel 44 and a depth control and support wheel 46. The arrangement of this drum and these wheels preferably is as set out in our pending UK Patent Applications Nos 9321457.5 and 9326460.4.

The drum 40 and the traction wheel 42 are adapted to be driven by hydraulic motor means, and shrouding the drum 40 is a suction hood which is connected to the suction hose 30 so that the spoil created by the working of the drum is sucked directly through the hose 30 and into the chamber 22.

Operation and control of the unit 36 is by means of an operator 48 who stands on a platform 50 of the unit so as to travel therewith, and the arrangement provides considerable flexibility insofar as the unit can be used to cut the road surface as shown in Fig. 1, or to work on footpath planing as shown in Fig. 2.

It is important that the unit 36 should be capable of disconnection from the hose 30 and in this connection coupling 38 preferably is of a quick release nature. The advantage of this is that when the vehicle 10 which is a road going vehicle is fully laden with chippings or cuttings in chamber 22, it can be driven to a dumping site to discharge these cuttings and chippings via an openable discharge door 52 (the vehicle body being tippable for this purpose) and then can return to site and be quickly reconnected to the unit 36 for the continued cutting operation.

In the preferred arrangement, the unit 36 is provided with its own engine, but in an alternative arrangement it is provided with power from the vehicle 10 and specifically power from the auxiliary vehicle engine 24 which is connected to drive a hydraulic pump 54 having an outlet pipe 56 which couples in this example through the suction hose 30, or adjacent the suction hose 30, with the coupling 38. The pipe 56 has sufficient flexibility to enable the unit 36 to perform its mobile operation, and the coupling of the hydraulic pipe with coupling 38 is such as to enable quick release disconnection and coupling. The hydraulic fluid supplied through pipe 56 when coupled to unit 36 enables the delivery of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor means arranged to drive the traction wheels such as 42 and the cutter drum 40.

In like fashion, there may be electrical coupling means extending between an operator controller 58 on the unit 36, and the vehicle, the electrical connections including a plug and socket arrangement 60 whereby the electrical connection may be readily disconnected from the unit 36.

Finally, if water is to be supplied to the unit 36 for example to be sprayed on the road surface to suppress dust when cutting or even general vacuuming (when the wander hose 30 is in use on its own) is taking place, the vehicle 10 preferably is provided with water tanks 62 which are connected by a water pipe to the unit 36. The water pipe may have to have a quick release coupling to enable disconnection of the water pipe from the unit 36 when the vehicle and unit are disconnected for the purposes as described herein.

By so utilising the road working unit as a free roving device connected only by a relatively flexible umbilical cord, the unit is highly manoeuvrable which is especially suitable when the planer has to work around iron work in the road or has to work on footpaths. In the specific example, the need for the unit 36 to have its own engine is removed, although the advantage of having a separate engine on the unit 36 is that any suction sweeper can be coupled to the unit without special modifications to the sweeper.

Using the vehicle and unit as described not only provides a fully manoeuvrable planing unit which can move around any required turning radius, but the arrangement is cost effective as there need only be one vehicle engine running at any one time. When the vehicle is full of planings it can be quickly uncoupled to allow it to travel to the dumping ground, and the planer can be left on site. A planer can be used for example with two vehicles one of which is collecting whilst the other is dumping.

As the assembly functions, it may be desired that the vehicle should move forward to provide that the planing unit can work on a fresh surface, and in this connection the vehicle may be provided with a creep speed facility.

The facility to move the vehicle forward at a creep speed may be under the control of the operator 48, who can be provided with the appropriate controls connected to the vehicle through the umbilical cord.

It will be appreciated that the vehicle 10 is provided with an appropriate suction fan driven either by the auxiliary engine 24 or by the vehicle engine, and it is the fan which creates the suction effect in the suction box or chamber 22.

The vehicle will also be provided with hydraulic tanks 68 to serve the additional pump unit 54 when required.

Any quick release couplings which may be adopted to enable the unit to be connected and disconnected from the vehicle will of course be self-sealing having regard to the services which are coupled and uncoupled. In particular, the coupling as concerns the suction should be substantially air-tight, and the coupling as concerns the water pipe and/or the hydraulic pipe have to be self-sealing so as to contain the water and hydraulic fluid.

As mentioned herein it is possible to make the arrangement function by taking the service pipes such as the hydraulic and water pipes to the unit 36 without having relatively rotatable couplings, but the couplings must nevertheless be quick release and self-sealing. Where the auxiliary service pipes are not connected by a rotatable coupling, then they are required to be wound loosely around the hose 30 so that the unit 36 can have a wide degree of relative rotation in relation to the hose 30 before the auxiliary service pipes and cables become tightly wound around the hose 30.

The arrangement described can achieve the following:1. Full planer manoeuvrability.

2. Full transfer of vehicle engine power.

3. The capability of adding as much weight as is necessary onto the planer to make it function effectively; the planer can be transported to the site on a separate trailer which could be air braked if necessary.

4. The suction box vehicle can achieve maximum pay load.

5. More than one suction box vehicle can work with a planer for large jobs.

A single large quick release coupling which allows rotation may be used for the suction hose and all service pipes, or the respective hoses may be coupled by independent couplings.

The unit 36 is in effect tethered to a service vehicle by which it derives its power and suction, the tethering being such as to enable the unit to rotate relative to the tethering and also being capable of wandering over areas to be planed or cut, which distinguishes the invention sharply from conventional planing and cutting arrangements for road surfaces.

Claims (8)

1. A road working apparatus (36) for the cutting, milling or planing of a road surface comprising a power driven working head (40) which engages the road surface and in so doing creates loose spoil, the apparatus having a suction connection by which a suction hose (30) can be connected thereto to suck said spoil through the hose (30) to a suction machine (20), characterised in that the said connection comprises a coupling (38) providing for the hose and apparatus to be relatively rotatable giving the apparatus (36) freedom of movement over the road surface to be worked without twisting of the hose.

2. A road working apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the said coupling (38) is located to have a vertical axis of rotation when the apparatus is operational.

3. A road working apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that stop mans are provided to limit the extent to which the apparatus and hose, when coupled, are relatively rotatable.

4. A road working apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the stop means limits the extent to which the apparatus (36) is rotatable relative to the hose, to 3650 in either direction.

5. Road working equipment comprising (i) a suction machine having suction creating means (24) and a hose (30) for the sucking up of road working spoil, and (ii) a road working apparatus (36) for the cutting, milling or planing of a road surface comprising a power driven working head (40) which engages the road surface and in so doing creates loose spoil, characterised by a coupling (38) connecting the hose and apparatus and enabling the loose spoil to be sucked from the apparatus to the suction machine said coupling also providing for the hose and apparatus to be relatively rotatable giving the apparatus (36) freedom of movement over the road surface to be worked without twisting of the hose.

6. Road working equipment according to Claim 1, characterised in that the suction machine is a road sweeper vehicle having a suction wander hose (30) which forms said hose (30) which is connected, releasably, to the said working apparatus.

7. Road working apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. The combination of a suction machine and road working apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.