GB2455627A - Electric compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

A compactor 1, primarily for use in construction, comprising a framework 2, a base plate 3, an operator's handle 31 and an electric motor with an eccentric vibration device mounted on the armature shaft. Preferably the eccentric vibration device consists of two eccentric weights mounted on opposite ends of the armature shaft, where the motor has end covers resulting in the armature shaft extending through both end covers to provide stub shaft portions on each of which the eccentric weights are mounted. The motor housing may have covers attached that surround each eccentric weight and be provided with four aperture lugs through which four fixing bolts are securable to fasten the motor housing to the internally threaded sleeves on the upper surface of the base plate. Preferably the operator's handle is pivotally attached to opposite ends of a bolt which passes through a pair of anti-vibration bearings mounted on a pair of bridges welded to the upper surface of the base plate.

Description

1 2455627

Title of the Invention

Compactor

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a manually displaceable compactor for the compaction of Macadam, sand, paving etc as part of groundwork operations.

Background of the Invention

Mobile compactors are widely known and used, comprising a framework structure carrying a petrol or diesel engine as a power source which is adapted to drive a shaft of an eccentric unit to impart vibrations to a base plate which is adapted to engage the material to be compacted, with an operator's handle extending upwardly from the framework structure and carrying various controls and also forming the means by which the compactor is manually manoeuvred by the operator, over the area requiring compaction. Such conventional systems also employ a belt drive from the motor to the eccentric unit.

A petrol or diesel engine requires of course a fuel supply and replenishment whilst the engine requires maintenance. In addition the belt drive needs to be accessible . to replace a broken belt or, less frequently, to replace a belt as part of scheduled * maintenance.

With a view to obviating the disadvantages of a petrol or diesel engine a proposal 2cf has been made to employ an accumulator cf. EP 1267001 as the power source, but the accumulator needs to be isolated, in so far as is practical, from the effects of vibration required at the base plate, and also requires regular re-charging to avoid falling to a non-operational level.

Object of the Invention A basic object of the invention is the provision of an improved compactor.

Summary of the Invention

A compactor comprising a framework structure incorporating a base plate and an operator's handle extending from the framework structure, characterised in that:- (I) a framework structure carries an electric motor; and (ii) an eccentric vibration device is mounted on the armature shaft of the motor, and is associated with the base plate whereby, in use, vibrations are imparted to the base plate to attain the required vibration effect.

Advantages of the Invention The compactor in accordance with the invention eliminates the requirement for a petrol or diesel engine and hence the requirement for availability of fuel supplies and regular refilling, as well as combustion engine maintenance, and precautionary measures required with the handling and storage of petrol. The invention also provides a virtually maintenance free electric motor emitting no troublesome exhaust fumes should the compactor be operated in a confined area, whilst the absence of a drive belt removes any possibility of non-availability of the compactor due to belt failure and similarly replaces the need for belt replacement during scheduled maintenance. Supply :* of power to the electric motor may be from a mains source or from an on-site generator. ***

* Preferred or Optional Features of the Invention The eccentric vibration unit comprises two eccentric weights mounted on 20' opposite ends of the armature shaft.

The motor is provided with end covers and the armature shaft extends through both end covers, to provide stub shaft portions on each of which one of the eccentric weights is mounted.

The electric motor comprises a housing, a field coil, and an armature shaft, with the housing provided with four apertured lugs through which four fixing bolts may be secured to fasten the motor housing to four internally threaded sleeves attached to an upper surface of the base plate.

A closure cover surrounds each eccentric and is attached to the motor housing.

A lower end of the operator's handle is attached to opposite ends of a bolt which passes through a pair of spaced-apart, anti- vibration bearings mounted in receiving sleeves of a bracket bolted across a pair of spaced-apart bridges welded to the upper surface of the base plate, whereby the operator's handle is pivotally mounted on the support structure.

The bracket is provided with four apertures to receive a threaded upper end of a shock absorber, with a lower end of each shock absorber passing through a corresponding hole in each bridge, with securing nuts for both the upper and lower ends.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One example of compactor in accordance with the invention shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a compactor; and * Figure 2 is an exploded view of the compactor of Figure 1.

: Detailed Description of the Drawings

**S*IS * A manually displaceable compactor I comprises a framework structure 2 consisting basically of a steel base plate 3 having an underside 4 adapted to engage a 2c1 surface to be compacted, and also having an upper side 5, whilst a sheet steel casing 6 is adapted to be bolted around the perimeter of the base plate 3 by a plurality of bolts passing through a perimeter flange of the casing 6, with a tubular steel protection frame 7 also secured by bolts and serving as a roll bar.

To the upper side 5 of the base plate 3 is secured a 780W electric induction motor 8 comprising a housing 9, a field coil 10 and an armature shaft II, the housing 9 being provided with four apertured tugs 12 through which four fixing bolts 13 are secured to fasten the motor housing 9 to four internally threaded sleeves 14 attached to the upper surface 5 of the base plate 3. The motor 8 is also provided with end covers 15 and the armature shaft 11 extends through both end covers 15 to provide stub shaft portions 16 on each of which an eccentric weight 17 is mounted and secured by a screw 18, constituting an eccentric vibration device whilst a closure cover 19 surrounds each eccentric weight 17 and is also attached to the motor housing 9.

Towards what, in use, is the rear of the base plate 3 are two spaced-apart bridges 20 welded to the upper surface 5 of the base plate, each bridge being provided with two spaced-apart through holes. A bracket 21 provided with four apertures 22 to receive a threaded upper end 23 of a shock absorber 24 is adapted to be mounted across the bridges 20, with a lower end 25 of each shock absorber 24 passing through the corresponding holes of the bridges 20 and fastened by securing nuts 26. The bracket 21 is provided with two spaced-apart receiving sleeves 27 into each of which is I'S'.:' located an anti-vibration bearing 28 with a bolt 29 passing through both bearings. To S...

opposite ends of the bolt 29 are secured lower ends 30 of a generally U-shaped tubular ,.: steel operator's handle 31 extending approximately to waist height with an anti-vibration * *5*I.

hand grip 32. The handle 31 is releasable from the bolt 29 to provide a folded construction, for ease of transport/storage. Adjacent the hand grip 32 there is provided a switch 33 having a manually operable on/off lever 34 with a cable 35 extending from the switch 33 to the motor 8. Clearly an extension lead is required e.g. lOm length, to provide power to the switch 33 e.g. from a mains source, if available, to provide 230V power or alternatively from an on-site generator, to provide 11 OV power.

It will be appreciated that, when the motor 8 is powered, torque transmitted to the eccentric vibration device produces not only the desired vibration effect on the base plate 3 but also causes the compactor 1 to travel in a forward direction.

The frame 7 not only protects the housing 9 during on site use, but also provide hand grips for the loading of the compactor 1 on and off a transport vehicle and for manoeuvring the compactor 1. * ** * * * * ** **** * * ** * * * * * **

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Title of the Invention

Compactor

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a manually displaceable compactor for the compaction of Macadam, sand, paving etc as part of groundwork operations.

Background of the Invention

Mobile compactors are widely known and used, comprising a framework structure carrying a petrol or diesel engine as a power source which is adapted to drive a shaft of an eccentric unit to impart vibrations to a base plate which is adapted to engage the material to be compacted, with an operator's handle extending upwardly from the framework structure and carrying various controls and also forming the means by which the compactor is manually manoeuvred by the operator, over the area requiring compaction. Such conventional systems also employ a belt drive from the motor to the eccentric unit.

A petrol or diesel engine requires of course a fuel supply and replenishment whilst the engine requires maintenance. In addition the belt drive needs to be accessible . to replace a broken belt or, less frequently, to replace a belt as part of scheduled * maintenance.

With a view to obviating the disadvantages of a petrol or diesel engine a proposal 2cf has been made to employ an accumulator cf. EP 1267001 as the power source, but the accumulator needs to be isolated, in so far as is practical, from the effects of vibration required at the base plate, and also requires regular re-charging to avoid falling to a non-operational level.

Object of the Invention A basic object of the invention is the provision of an improved compactor.

Summary of the Invention

A compactor comprising a framework structure incorporating a base plate and an operator's handle extending from the framework structure, characterised in that:- (I) a framework structure carries an electric motor; and (ii) an eccentric vibration device is mounted on the armature shaft of the motor, and is associated with the base plate whereby, in use, vibrations are imparted to the base plate to attain the required vibration effect.

Advantages of the Invention The compactor in accordance with the invention eliminates the requirement for a petrol or diesel engine and hence the requirement for availability of fuel supplies and regular refilling, as well as combustion engine maintenance, and precautionary measures required with the handling and storage of petrol. The invention also provides a virtually maintenance free electric motor emitting no troublesome exhaust fumes should the compactor be operated in a confined area, whilst the absence of a drive belt removes any possibility of non-availability of the compactor due to belt failure and similarly replaces the need for belt replacement during scheduled maintenance. Supply :* of power to the electric motor may be from a mains source or from an on-site generator. ***

* Preferred or Optional Features of the Invention The eccentric vibration unit comprises two eccentric weights mounted on 20' opposite ends of the armature shaft.

The motor is provided with end covers and the armature shaft extends through both end covers, to provide stub shaft portions on each of which one of the eccentric weights is mounted.

The electric motor comprises a housing, a field coil, and an armature shaft, with the housing provided with four apertured lugs through which four fixing bolts may be secured to fasten the motor housing to four internally threaded sleeves attached to an upper surface of the base plate.

A closure cover surrounds each eccentric and is attached to the motor housing.

A lower end of the operator's handle is attached to opposite ends of a bolt which passes through a pair of spaced-apart, anti- vibration bearings mounted in receiving sleeves of a bracket bolted across a pair of spaced-apart bridges welded to the upper surface of the base plate, whereby the operator's handle is pivotally mounted on the support structure.

The bracket is provided with four apertures to receive a threaded upper end of a shock absorber, with a lower end of each shock absorber passing through a corresponding hole in each bridge, with securing nuts for both the upper and lower ends.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One example of compactor in accordance with the invention shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a compactor; and * Figure 2 is an exploded view of the compactor of Figure 1.

: Detailed Description of the Drawings

**S*IS * A manually displaceable compactor I comprises a framework structure 2 consisting basically of a steel base plate 3 having an underside 4 adapted to engage a 2c1 surface to be compacted, and also having an upper side 5, whilst a sheet steel casing 6 is adapted to be bolted around the perimeter of the base plate 3 by a plurality of bolts passing through a perimeter flange of the casing 6, with a tubular steel protection frame 7 also secured by bolts and serving as a roll bar.

To the upper side 5 of the base plate 3 is secured a 780W electric induction motor 8 comprising a housing 9, a field coil 10 and an armature shaft II, the housing 9 being provided with four apertured tugs 12 through which four fixing bolts 13 are secured to fasten the motor housing 9 to four internally threaded sleeves 14 attached to the upper surface 5 of the base plate 3. The motor 8 is also provided with end covers 15 and the armature shaft 11 extends through both end covers 15 to provide stub shaft portions 16 on each of which an eccentric weight 17 is mounted and secured by a screw 18, constituting an eccentric vibration device whilst a closure cover 19 surrounds each eccentric weight 17 and is also attached to the motor housing 9.

Towards what, in use, is the rear of the base plate 3 are two spaced-apart bridges 20 welded to the upper surface 5 of the base plate, each bridge being provided with two spaced-apart through holes. A bracket 21 provided with four apertures 22 to receive a threaded upper end 23 of a shock absorber 24 is adapted to be mounted across the bridges 20, with a lower end 25 of each shock absorber 24 passing through the corresponding holes of the bridges 20 and fastened by securing nuts 26. The bracket 21 is provided with two spaced-apart receiving sleeves 27 into each of which is I'S'.:' located an anti-vibration bearing 28 with a bolt 29 passing through both bearings. To S...

opposite ends of the bolt 29 are secured lower ends 30 of a generally U-shaped tubular ,.: steel operator's handle 31 extending approximately to waist height with an anti-vibration * *5*I.

hand grip 32. The handle 31 is releasable from the bolt 29 to provide a folded construction, for ease of transport/storage. Adjacent the hand grip 32 there is provided a switch 33 having a manually operable on/off lever 34 with a cable 35 extending from the switch 33 to the motor 8. Clearly an extension lead is required e.g. lOm length, to provide power to the switch 33 e.g. from a mains source, if available, to provide 230V power or alternatively from an on-site generator, to provide 11 OV power.

It will be appreciated that, when the motor 8 is powered, torque transmitted to the eccentric vibration device produces not only the desired vibration effect on the base plate 3 but also causes the compactor 1 to travel in a forward direction.

The frame 7 not only protects the housing 9 during on site use, but also provide hand grips for the loading of the compactor 1 on and off a transport vehicle and for manoeuvring the compactor 1. * ** * * * * ** **** * * ** * * * * * **

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Claims (8)

1. A compactor comprising a framework structure incorporating a base plate and an operator's handle extending from the framework structure, characterised in that:- (i) a framework structure carries an electric motor; and (ii) an eccentric vibration device is mounted on the armature shaft of the motor, and is associated with the base plate whereby, in use, vibrations are imparted to the base plate to attain the required vibration effect.

2. A compactor as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the eccentric vibration device io comprises two eccentric weights mounted on opposite ends of the armature shaft.

3. A compactor as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the motor is provided with end covers and the armature shaft extends through both end covers, to provide stub * .e shaft portions on each of which one of the eccentric weights is mounted. * *

4. A compactor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electric motor * comprises a housing. a field coil, and an armature shaft, with the housing provided with four apertured lugs through which four fixing bolts are securable to 2t1 fasten the motor housing to four internally threaded sleeves attached to an upper surface of the base plate.

5. A compactor as claimed in Claim3 or Claim 4, wherein a closure cover surrounds each eccentric and is attached to the motor housing.

6. A compactor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower end of the operator's handle is attached to opposite ends of a bolt which passes through a pair of spaced-apart, anti-vibration bearings mounted in receiving sleeves of a bracket bolted across a pair of spaced-apart bridges welded to the upper surface of the base plate, whereby the operator's handle is pivotally mounted on the support structure.

7. A compactor as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the bracket is provided with four apertures to receive a threaded upper end of a shock absorber, with a lower end of each shock absorber passing through a corresponding hole in each bridge, with securing nuts for both the upper and lower ends.

8. A compactor substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. I, S. S... * . S... I. S * S S * I.

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8. A compactor substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. I, S. S... * . S... I. S * S S * I.

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1. A compactor comprising a framework structure incorporating a base plate and an operator's handle extending from the framework structure, characterised in that:- (i) a framework structure carries an electric motor; and (ii) an eccentric vibration device is mounted on the armature shaft of the motor, and is associated with the base plate whereby, in use, vibrations are imparted to the base plate to attain the required vibration effect.

2. A compactor as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the eccentric vibration device io comprises two eccentric weights mounted on opposite ends of the armature shaft.

3. A compactor as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the motor is provided with end covers and the armature shaft extends through both end covers, to provide stub * .e shaft portions on each of which one of the eccentric weights is mounted. * *

4. A compactor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electric motor * comprises a housing. a field coil, and an armature shaft, with the housing provided with four apertured lugs through which four fixing bolts are securable to 2t1 fasten the motor housing to four internally threaded sleeves attached to an upper surface of the base plate.

5. A compactor as claimed in Claim3 or Claim 4, wherein a closure cover surrounds each eccentric and is attached to the motor housing.

6. A compactor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower end of the operator's handle is attached to opposite ends of a bolt which passes through a pair of spaced-apart, anti-vibration bearings mounted in receiving sleeves of a bracket bolted across a pair of spaced-apart bridges welded to the upper surface of the base plate, whereby the operator's handle is pivotally mounted on the support structure.

7. A compactor as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the bracket is provided with four apertures to receive a threaded upper end of a shock absorber, with a lower end of each shock absorber passing through a corresponding hole in each bridge, with securing nuts for both the upper and lower ends.