US2324478A

US2324478A - Apparatus for striping roadways

Info

Publication number: US2324478A
Application number: US316502A
Authority: US
Inventors: Purling A Bleakley; Tennies F Kolts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-01-31
Filing date: 1940-01-31
Publication date: 1943-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1960-07-20

Description

J ly 20, 194 P. A. BLEAKLEY ETAL APPARATUS FOR STRIPING ROADWAYS Filed Jan. 31. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR f mfiwmyw 5v My;

ATTORNE y 1943- P. AQBLEAKLEY ETAL 2,324,478

' APPARATUS FOR smrme ROADWAYS I Filed Jan. 31, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY y 1943- P. A. BLEAKLEY Ei'AL 2,324,478

APPARATUS FOR STRIPING ROADWAYS Filed Jan; 31, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 20, 1943'. P, A. BLEAKLEY ETAL 2,324,478

APPARATUS FOR STRIPING ROADWAYS Filed. Jan. 31, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED sTATss eATsNT 1 OFFICE Purling A. Bleakley, Toledo, Ohio, and Tennies F. Kolts, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 31, 1940, Serial No. 316.502

4 Claims. (o1; 91--12) Our invention relates to improvements in pai'atus for striping roadways and is particularly concerned with the provision of a highly efficient mobile unit which is capable of high speed application of the stripes or lines so generally employed at the present time in dividing roadways, boulevards, etc, into two or more lanes.

An object of our invention is the provision of efficient means for projecting metal or alloys thereof in molten comminuted form, onto the surface of a roadway, for example, in such fashion that the metal or alloy eiiectively adheres to the surface.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for regulably controlling the manner in which the metal or alloy is projected. To this end We have provided means for controlling the cross-sectional form of the stream of material projected and additional means for regulably controlling the width of the stripe or ribbon that is appliedto the road or other surface.

A further object is the provision of a mobile apparatus including a metal projecting gun which is of such character that the metal, during projection thereof onto the road or other surface, travels through a non-oxidizing atmosphere. Thus the metal, aluminum, or alloys consisting largely of alumini'ini, will not oxidize and for this reason efiectively adheres to the surface. In 7 the absence of provision against oxidation, the

particles of metal would not satisfactorily bond together and any bond or adherence to the surface would be weak and quite irregular and spotty.

A still further object is the provision of novel means for preparing the surface to be coated. To this end a high speed rotary brush cleans the road surface in advance of the metal projecting gun, the brush and gun both being mounted upon a common support.

It is also an object of our invention to provid means for manually adjusting the gun, brush and means for controlling the width of the applied stripes, transversely of a truck or other mobile carrier wherebyto compensate for variations in are described by the carrierin following curves and turning corners in the roadway. For this purpose all of the elements aforesaid are adjustable as a unit.

It is likewise an object of our invention to provide a completely mobile unit in which theprojecting gun, air compressor, gas tanks and all accessory equipment are conveniently arranged and readily removable and replaceable when necessary.

Aubther ilnp'oltarit feature of Ql'l l in'vfitidl'l the provision of means for pied'eterminin the width of the applied stripe, mania-ins high speed rotary disks which define the transverse width of the stream of metal substantially at its point of impingement against the road surface; 1

Otherobjects will be in part apparentand in part pointed out hereinafter."

In the drawings forming a part of our appli-' cation and throughout which like reference char acters are employed to designate like parts Fig. l is a side" elevati'onal' view 'of a motor driven truck embodying ourinvejntion.

Fig. 2 is a top pla n view thereof with a portion: of the roof rerncved'to" expose the road striping mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary s'ide elevatiohalview illustrating in detail, the striping mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional viewonthe' line 4+4 of Fig. 3. n

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-'5'0f Fig, 3. V V i Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line s -s. of

Fig. ma sectional viewer; the'liriel1-'l of Fig. 4.

Fig.1 SQis'a fragmentaryelevational view of a surface preparing wheel. 1 Fig. 9 is a rear elevational vi of the maths: nism for defining the area tobeflstriped.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevational view of the mechanism disclosedin Fig. taken along the line Illll] of Fig. 3. v Fig. 11 is an elevational View taken along the line 11 of Fig. 3. Fig. 12 is a perspective View" or a pilot or" indi-j cater rod which is mounted at the-front end of the truck. Fig. 13 is a wire diagram of a system employed for automatically interrupting the striping operation at regular time intervals.

14' is a verticals'ectional view showing auxiliary disks for directing metal to the desired surface area. I K

Fig. l5'is a sidejelevationof a modified'arrange ment of agun and margin wheels. p I Fig 16 is a sectional view on line IB IGof Fi .1.); g Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view on the line I'l -l1- of Fig. 15. V

In the illustrated" embodiment of ourinvention, it' i-s mounted upon the chassis Cof arn'otor truck M; Briefly the apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2) includes a metal projecting gun- 20, a surface preparing unit-11F, a deflector unit 22 for" gauging ordefining the area to be striped and, if desired, a polishing unit 23, said gun and units being so interconnected that all may be adjusted simultaneously transversely of the truck and thereby regularly control the zone in which the metal stripe is applied by the gun 20. The surface preparing unit may assume the form of a motor driven brush 24 (Fig. 6) or may consist of a wheel 25 (Fig. 8) having sharp projections 25 or teeth which break through the glazed surface of brick paving, for example. The gun 20 which embodies the principles and many details of the apparatus disclosed in Bleakley Patent #2,092,150 issued September '7, 1937, projects metal or alloys thereof in molten comminuted form onto the road surface, the area to which it is applied being determined by the gauging or deflector unit 22. The applied stripe may, if desired, be polished by the polishing unit 23. All of the above units are longitudinally aligned with a pilot or guide rod 26 which is mounted at the inner end of the front bumper B, the lower end of the rod being visible to the truck driver through a transparent sheet 21, glass for example, in a sight opening 28 in the left front fender F. This pilot rod is maintained in register with a previously formed guide line and as a result, the gun necessarily is in register therewith except on curves where it is necessary for an attendant to move the gun and parts connected thereto transversely of the truck to compensate for the change in position of the truck relative to the guide line.

Mounted upon the chassis C is a group of gas tanks 29, a compressed air tank 30 to which air is delivered by a compressor 3l, and a motor generator 32 for electric current. These units are important in the operation of the gun and associated elements heretofore described as well as to the mobility of the complete apparatus as is obvious. It has been discovered that relatively cool compressed air is conducive to higher efficiency in operation of the gun and consequently the air is delivered to the gun by way of coils 33 which are cooled in any preferred manner. The coils as shown, are placed in a container 34 for a cooling medium. Metal which is comminuted and melted by the gun 20 preferably is fed in wire form from a coil 35 which is mounted in proximity to said gun.

The metal projecting gun 20 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 11) consists of a barrel 36 mounted upon and depending from, a frame 31 which frame also carries an electric motor 38 (Fig. 2). This motor actuates wire feeding means 39 which are shown in the form of frusto-conical rollers having corrugated faces designed for effectively gripping the wire W. At one side of this frame is a valve box 40 in which four valves 4| provide for regulable control of the delivery of air, oxygen, acetylene gas and a neutral gas to the gun through the pipes shown. The delivery of these fuels and function thereof etc., are identical to the disclosure in the above noted Bleakley patent to which reference may be made for complete details. The neutral gas is controlled by a valve and flows through a pipe 42 to the gun. This gas produces a blanket at and for a distance beyond the gun nozzle and prevents oxidation of the projected metal, aluminum, for example by consuming substantially all of theoxygen in the atmosphere through which the metal is projected onto the road surface. This neutral gas is also em-: ployed to flatten the projected stream of molten comminuted metal that is projected onto the road surface. To this end, jets 43 are arranged upon opposite sides of the gun nozzle slightly outwardly thereof and are connected through short conduits 44 to the aforementioned neutral gas pipe 42. A valve 45 is placed in this pipe 44. Thus it has been discovered, the'two sheets of gas projected under relatively high pressure, effectively flatten the stream of metal and bring about an improved coating operation including, among other advantages, the production of a coating of uniform thickness. This gas ignites upon contact with the burning gas that produces the blanket referred to above.

Returning again to the gun mounting, it will be noted (Figs. 1, 2, 3) that a gun supporting arm 46 is pivoted at its outer end to the frame 31 and at its inner end (Figs. 2, 3, and 4) is hinged to and for vertical adjustment about the axis of a horizontal rock shaft 41. The angular relationship between the gun and said arm v46 is controlled by an adjusting rod 46 and set screw 46*. This shaft 41 is journaled in a bearing 48, (Figs. 3 and 4) at the upper end of a frame 49 rising from a shelf 50 which is carried by the chassis C of the truck. Rocking of the shaft 41 for the purpose of changing the angular position of the gun 20 is obtained by mechanism including a worm gear 5| on said shaft running in mesh with a worm 52. A hand wheel 53 is operatively connected to the worm and provides means for manually adjusting the angular position of the gun. A housing 54 encloses the worm and worm gear.

Transverse adjustment of the gun relative to the truck is obtained by manual rotation of a hand wheel 55 which is disposed below the wheel 53 for changing the angle of the gun, the former wheel being attached to a horizontal shaft 56 which is journaled in bearings 51 in the slide frame 58. A pinion 59 on the shaft 56 meshes with a rack bar 60 which is fixed to the lower side of the bearing 48 for the gun arm 46. This hearing (Fig. 7) carries rollers 6| which run in ways 62 at the upper end of the frame 49. An arm 63 extending outwardly from the outer end of the base of the bearing carries an elongated frame 64. This frame 64 extends forwardly and rearwardly of the gun position and at its forward end, supports the aforementioned surface preparing unit 2! and at the rear end supports the polishing unit 23 should this unit be employed. The stripe gauging unit 22 is also mounted at the rear end of said frame 64. V

The surface preparing unit 2| (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6) comprises a rotary brush 24, or in some instances, a guiding wheel 25 (Fig. 8) mounted removably, upon a shaft 65 which is enclosed in a housing with meshing bevel gears 66 through which power is transmitted to the brush from a drive shaft 61. This drive shaft 61 is enclosed in a tubular housin 68 and is connected to the shaft of an electric motor 69. This motor and the tubular housing 68 are rigidly mounted upon a frame 70 which is shown to be substantially reverse L-shaped, the base H of which is journaled in opposed horizontal bearings 12. These bearings form part of a U-shaped frame 13 which is connected through an arm 14 to the aforementioned elongated frame 64, and is directly supported by a slide 15. This slide is mounted in slideways 16 on a shelf 11 which projects outwardly from one side of the chassis C. A counterbalancing spring 18 connects one of the slideways '46 and the motor 69 for obvious reasons.

The polishing unit 23 may Well be of the same construction as the gauging unit H and is so shown. The pclishingwheel 19. is mounted at the V lowerend of the shaft'hou sing so which at its" upper end is connectedto a hinged-motor frame 8]." The motor is similar to the other motor 69:, each of these motors and the motor 38 onthe gun having a starter switch S, The motor frame 81 is hinged uponpivot pin=s82 which form part of a frame 83 rising from a slide 84, the latter riding in slideways 85 on the shelf 50 which pro! jects outwardly from the chassis C as heretofore described in connection with the gun mounting.

An arm 85 which is also carried by the frame 83' is hingedl-y connected to the gauging unit 22.

This gauging unit as indicated heretofore, de- 7 power is obtained and. transmitted through sprockets 93 on said shaft, and chains 94 and additional sprockets 95 at the. front. end of the frame 89 to disks 96. These disks '96 are journaled upon shafts 91 (Fig. 3) to which the aforementioned sprockets 95 are attached. Scrapers 98 for removing accumulated metal from. the disks.

.96 are attached to the frame 89 through arms 99.

A coil spring mu tends toadvance the frame and disks relative to the gun and an. adjustable set screw Ill-l in cooperation with a stop I02 formed".

by a part of the chassis C, limits. such forward Together these devices constitute a movement. convenient means for adjustingthe relation .between the gun and disks.

In Fig, 12, we have illustrated the pilot rod mounting which consists simply of a horizontal supporting rod I03 rockably mounted in abracket IE4 on the bumper B. The outer endof this. sup: portingrod has a vertical eye Hi5 through which the pilot rod 26 extends. A set screw I06 secures the pilot rod at any adjusted point:.and: a; set screw tilt holds the two rods at such-a position that the lower end of the pilot rod may be visible to the truck driver through the sight opening in.

the fender F. A flexible extension I08: is secured.

to th'elower end of thepilot rod to prevent breaking of the rod proper should it strikean, obstacle in the roadway. i In Fig. 13 we have shown a wiring diagram of a circuit for controlling the operation of the mo: tor 38 which feeds the wire through, the un. The circuit may include in addition to the main switch 109, a time relay. H6 which at regular time intervals, shuts off the motor and thereby interrupts the feedingof wire to the gun. Thus a broken line may be produced on the road surface, ifdesired.

. In Fig. 14 an auxiliary disk I H; is mounted in wardly of the main disk 96 and has driving connection through the shaft H2 to a sprocket H3. which corresponds to the aforementioned sprocket 95 at the forward end, of the horizontal frame 89. The sprocket ratio may be suchthat the disk ill, of which there would be two, would rotate at arelatively high speed. and reduce any tendency on the part of the molten metal to adhere thereto. Cooling of the gauging disks tq'minh. mize the adhesion of metal thereto is ,obtainedby spraying Water or other cooling medium from suppl pipes I14. which are connected to any'suitable source; A

In View of the outline of the operation earlier in this description, only a brief reference thereto would appear to be necessary. It will be understood that in striping straight stretches of roadway, the truck driver need merely keep the pilot rod in register with a previously formed or old line in order to be assured of proper positioning of the gun and associated parts. The gun projects the molten comminuted metal or alloy onto the selected area and as defined by the gauging disks. Prior to the coating operation, the surface to be striped is cleaned and slightly roughened by the brush 24 or wheel, 25. As stated heretofore, the polishing wheel 19 may be employed if circumstances appear to warrant its use. necessary to move the gun and withit the parts connected thereto, transversely of the truck to compensate for the change in the relative positions of the preformed line and point of location of the gun on the truck. This is controlled manually :by an operator. Our apparatus has demonstrated its adaptability to the production of stripes or lines of uniform width and depth at a comparatively high speed. The coating material firmly bonds with the road material and further provides a readily visible surface which,

whenform-ed of aluminum or an alloy thereof, is-

highly reflective.

FigsflG-l'l inclusive show a modified form of gun and margin Wheels which may be employed and which are found to give results even superior to the arrangement shown in the preceding figures. In this instance, the gun is supported on the truck in a vertical position and is attached thereto in any suitable manner so that it may be lowered or raised relatively to the-road surface and so that it may also be moved laterally of the road when the truck is proceeding around a curve.

In this modification the gun shown in the Bleakley Patent No. 2,092,150 may be employed but some other gun producing substantially the same effect may be used. The gun itself is secured directly to a suitable and simple mechanism (not shown) for raising or lowering or for moving the gun transversely. A bracket H6 is mounted in a swivel manner upon the gun H5 by means of a pair of collars H1 and 6 it! for supporting just below the nozzle I [9 a. pair of margin or masking disks I21 and I22 rotatably car ried on arms ['23 and, I24 secured to the bracket HG. The swivel mounting of the bracket H5 enables the operator to rotate the entire disk assembly about the gun should this be necessary atany time, as for example, when working on asharp curve.

A pair of nozzles I25. and I26 are positioned andconnected to a suitable supply tank to provide jets of gas which will be ignited when projetted tosurround the conical stream of molten metal with an enveloping blanket ofnon-oxidiz ing gas, or products of combustion. Such a gas may. be propane, butane, propylene or any of the commonly available mixtures of them orv such other hydrocarbon gases as; are now sold in bottled form. These burning gases Will not only exclude the atmospheric oxygen from contact with the molten metal to save the latter from oxidation, but they will also aid in maintaining the temperature of the metal until it contacts the roadway to which it must be bonded while still molten. It is such gas as is referred to hereinbefore as a neutral gas? and; as explainedabove theforce of the gas jets tends: to shape the cone Upon reaching and rounding a curve, it is of projected metal and confine it within the These hubs are formed on the lower ends of the arms !23 and I24 secured to the supporting bracket IIS. Any suitable means for supplying water to the water jackets may be employed. We

have shown for that purpose tubes I34 and I35" which may be connected on the truck.

A spray of molten metal whenprojectedvertically, as herein described and thereafter solidilied on the pavement is found to present minute reflecting surfaces which are equally visible and effective when viewed and lighted from either direction of vehicle traflic. When the molten metal is projected in an inclined stream as from the gun positioned as shown in Fig. 3, the 'reflecting surfaces from the hardened metal stripe are found to be more effective when viewed from one direction than they are from theother direction of vehicle traffic, which may well be satisfactory for some purposes. The vertical mounting of the gun results in equalizing the reflective properties of the finished stripe, which we have discovered to be in general more desirable.

In connection with this modification of the invention it is preferred not to use the polishing brush after the stripe is laid. In fact we find that the metal coats the irregularities of the roadway to thus produce reflective surfaces which should not be polished.

It is apparent that the water jackets on the disks provide more effective cooling than is obtained through the spraying of water jets upon the outsides of the disks, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

As shown in Fig. 17, these water jackets have a smaller diameter than the disks, hence they do not interfere with the contact of the disks with the road. Because of ample cooling .by water these disks do not need to be rotated rapidly, consequently, they are rotated merely by their contact with the roadway.

We have found that the jets of gas which form the enveloping non-oxidizing blanket are most effective for distorting a vertically pr-' jected metal spray from its natural conical form into somewhat elliptical form of symmetrical cross section. A stripe of substantially uniform thickness may thus be deposited. The width of the spray along its major elliptical axis is so regulated that some of the metal will strike the oppositely facing masking disks and slide down them. Due, however, to the water cooling of the disks the molten metal will not adhere thereto. The temperature of the molten metal at the time all of it reaches the road surface is maintained so high that the metal particles become bonded to the road surface and to each other while still in molten condition. By thus maintaining the temperature of the metal and by preventing any substantial oxidation, the stripe laid down is firmly bonded and free from metal in flake or powder form.

We have found that when the metal is applied as herein described and consists of aluminum or an alloy largely consisting of aluminum, the metal when it solidifies has brilliant light color in contrast to the dull appearance surface; of the stripe is found to remain unim-' paired even where subjected to the severest traffic and weather conditions. i V V Not only is it an object of the invention to deposit onthe roadway a stripe having the hereinbefore specified color and reflectivecharacteristics and uniform thickness but it is particularly desirable that precautions be exercised to prevent the depositing of a stripe of excessive thickness even though it may beuniform. We have found that if the truckon which the apparatus is mounted betemporarily slowed down below the calculated desired speed, the gun will continue to deposit metal at the 'same speed per unit of time and the stripe will therefore be built up to anexceptional thickness. While some variation thickness; is permissible, yet, a stripe, that is too thick will not remain bonded to the pavement. The irregularity in expansion between a. thick layer of the metal and the road surface, together with the exceptional pounding which a thick layer might receive will eventual- 1y cause a stripe of excessive thickness. to peel from the pavement. The general object: of this invention, that is, the laying, down of stripes that do not require continued or frequent maintenance, would thereby be defeated.

Accordingly, in connection with the operation of the gun and associated apparatus as described above, we propose to control the speedof the truck with a high degreeof uniformity in order that any desired calculated speed may be accurately maintained. 7

One method which we employ is to, indicate the engine speed on a tachometer and have the operator manually control the speed of the truck to show a constant tachometer reading,

In place of this manual controlwe may also employ any well-known form of automaticgovernor control;

For example, if it be desired to deposit a stripe 4% inches wide and @1 of an inch thick and the assumedrcapacity of the gun for melting aluminum be 33 lbs. per, hour, the rate at which the aluminum will be delivered by the gun will be considered asconstant-due to the practical impossibility of varying the output of such guns, it being understood that they operate most satisfactorily only at maximum output. the output of the gun known it is then a matter of calculation to determine the approximate rate at which the truck should move in order to deposit the aluminumin a layer of the desired thickness. In the present example, the truck should be propelled uniformly at the speed of about 2400 feet per hour. The exact speed, of course, should be determined with reference to the actual operating condition of the gun and the condition of the road surface on which the layer of metal is being deposited,

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the special details herein described, but includes numerous variations and modifications whichnevertheless are comprehended within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

V 1.' In apparatus for stripping roadways, mobile means for projecting a spray of molten metal With.

in comminuted form onto the area to be striped, means including a pair of horizontally spaced rotary disks mounted in substantially horizontal bearings for intercepting and deflecting the lateral portions of said spray for defining the margins of said area, and means for positively directing a stream of cooling fluid onto each of said disks,

2. In apparatus of the character described, a

metal projecting gun, a slideable bearing, a rock shaft in the bearing, an arm pivoted at one end to the gun and at its other end secured to said shaft, means for adjusting the angular relationship between said gun and arm, means for adjusting both the gun and arm about the axis of said shaft and. means for moving the gun, arm, bearing and shaft axially of the latter.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a metal projecting gun, a slideable bearing, a rock shaft in the bearing, an arm pivoted at one end to the gun and at its other end secured to said shaft, means for adjusting the angular relationship between said gun and arm, means for adjusting both the gunand arm about the axis of said shaft, and means for moving the gun, arm, bearing and shaft axially of the latter including means slidingly supporting the bearing, a rack bar on the lower side of the bearing, a pinion meshing with the rack, and manually operable means for rotating the pinion.

4. In a road striping apparatus, a metal projecting gun, a mobile carrier therefor, an electrio motor driven wire feeder for propellinga wire through the gun, a control means for periodically and automatically interrupting operation of the feeder whereby to produce breaks in the applied stripe.

PURLING A. BLEAKLEY. TENNIES F. KOLTS.