US3469511A

US3469511A - Adjustable bridge for sealing machines

Info

Publication number: US3469511A
Application number: US684659A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred F Crone
Original assignee: Acme Highway Products Corp
Current assignee: Acme Highway Products Corp
Priority date: 1967-11-21
Filing date: 1967-11-21
Publication date: 1969-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-30

Description

Sept. 30, 1969 A. F. CRONE ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE FOR SEALING MACHINES s sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, l97

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Sept. 30, 1969 A- F. CRONE ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE FOR SEALING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 21, 1967 WflNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS P 30, 1969 A. F. CRONE 3,469,511

ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE FOR SEALING MACHINES Filed Nov. 21, 196'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 N R Q l\ & g; a 5m I l V) m E? 4"\ Y N W ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,469,511 ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE FOR SEALING MACHINES Alfred F. Crone, Williamsville, N.Y., assignor to Acme Highway Products Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y. Filed Nov. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 684,659 Int. Cl. E01c 23/02, 23/06 US. Cl. 9451 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE When installing elastic sealing strips or the like in transverse pavement joints between slabs or blocks of concrete in a highway, airport or other structure, an apparatus is employed that is movable across the pavement from side to side thereof and this apparatus must therefore start the strips beyond one edge of the pavement. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide means mounted on the apparatus for supporting the same beyond one edge of a pavement before starting the installation of a sealing strip and then enabling the apparatus to be returned to the pavement for installing the strips.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus for inserting seals in a pavament groove and having attached thereto a bridge or supporting structure movable into a position to support the apparatus when moved beyond an edge of a pavement, and showing the bridge in position beyond the pavement to support the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the supporting structure in its operative position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof showing the bridge mounted on the apparatus.

FIG. 4- is a rear sectional elevation thereof having parts broken away showing the bridge and taken along the line 4--4, FIG. 1.

The mechanism for supporting the apparatus may be applied to any desired apparatus for inserting seals in pavement grooves. The apparatus shown by way of example is similar to that illustrated in patent application of Bowman and Berchow Ser. No. 582,633, filed Sept. 28, 1966 and which includes ground or supporting wheels 5 and '6 which support a frame 7 on which is mounted a reel 8 on which a sealing strip 9 is wound and from which the strip is unwound and passes through guide means 10 to a transverse groove 12 in the pavement 11. The inserting apparatus also has a guide wheel 14 at the front end thereof which moves in the

groove

12, and 15 represents an inserting wheel which is also mounted to extend into the groove 12 and press the seal 9 into the groove. The rear ground wheels are mounted on an axle 17 which, in accordance with this invention, extends beyond the outer faces of the rear ground wheels 6.

My improved bridge or supporting member is mounted on the seal-inserting apparatus in such a way as to be normally supported on the apparatus during the inserting of a seal in a pavement and to drop below the edge of the pavement to support the apparatus when its wheel 6 approaches the edge. Any suitable means may be employed for so supporting the bridge on the apparatus and in the construction shown I have mounted the bridge pivotally on the apparatus. For example, the bridge may include a pair of longitudinally extending frame members or beams 20 and 21 having a pivotal connection with the seal-inserting apparatus. In the construction shown projections are provided on the apparatus for cooperation with the bridge member about which this member may swing about the apparatus. For example, the shaft or axle 17 of the apparatus may extend outwardly at op- 3,469,51 l Patented Sept. 30, 1969 posite sides beyond the ground wheels 6, and the beams 20 and 21 are pivoted on these extensions of the axle. For example, the beams may be provided with slots 22 extending mainly lengthwise of these beams and into which the ends of the axle 17 extend to hold the bridge member in correct relation to the apparatus. These beams are consequently pivotally mounted on the extensions of the axle 17 and may be lowered beyond the edge of the pavement to form supports for the ground wheels of the apparatus. The beams 20 and 21 have secured thereto tracks or channels 25 on which the ground wheels 6 may ride when the beams 20 and 21 are lowered into their substantially horizontal supporting positions beyond the edge of the pavement, as shown in FIG. 1.

Suitable means are provided for the supporting outer parts of the bridge on the subgrade 26 beyond the pavement 11, and in the construction shown I have provided legs 27 pivoted preferably under the channels 25 on the rod or shaft 28 on the bridge or extension. These legs are preferably adjustable in length and for this purpose may be provided with adjustable, lower ends 29, those shown having a screw threaded connection with the upper parts of the legs so that the length of the legs may be varied as may be necessary to compensate for unevenness of the subgrade or shoulder 26.

Before the bridge is swung downwardly into its operative, apparatus-supporting position, the legs are swung about the pivots 28 into downwardly extending positions and may be removably held in such positions in any suitable manner, for example, by means of latches or locks 32 at opposite sides of the bridge, which are adapted to engage with projections 33 on the upper leg portions 27.

The legs at opposite sides of the bridge are connected by means of a shaft or rod 35 to which is attached .a coil spring 36, the other end of which is connected to a part of the bridge structure. Consequently, when the latches 32 are out of engaging positions, the spring will urge both of the legs into upper positions, as shown in FIG. 3. Since the two legs are connected by the rod or shaft 35, only one of the two latches 32 is required to lock both legs in their operative positions or to unlock them so that they may be swung into inoperative positions by the spring 36.

I have also provided means on the bridge for guiding the movement of the inserting apparatus in such a manner .as to keep the apparatus in alinement with the groove in the pavement when moved rearwardly beyond the edge of the pavement. These guide means include a pair of

angle bars

40 and 41 which are spaced apart to receive between them the insertion wheel 15. The insertion apparatus is guided manually by means of a handle 42 and the operator can consequently guide the apparatus so that the insertion wheel will fit between the

angle bars

40 and 41 which may be provided with converging ends 44 to assist the operator in positioning the insertion wheel into the space between the

angle bars

40 and 41. These angle bars have their downwardly extending flanges extending into .and secured to a channel bar 45. The bridge member is provided with transversely extending, reinforcing

beams

47 and 48 which are secured to the troughshaped guides or tracks 25. 49 represents braces which extend from the beam 47 to the trough or track members 25. The transverse frame member 47 is formed in two halves, the middle portions of which are spaced apart and welded or otherwise secured to the

angle bars

40 and 41, to avoid obstructing the space between these angle bars in which the insertion wheel must pass. The beam 48 is formed in one piece and extends across the groove between the

angle bars

40 and 41 beyond the path of movement of the apparatus on the bridge, the limit of movement of which is defined by the slots 22.

In the mechanism thus far described, when the bridge member is in its lowered position, the insert apparatus may be moved beyond the edge of the pavement by having the axle 17 ride in the slots 22 so that the ground wheels occupy the position 6 shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and the insertion wheel will then be in the position shown at 15'. The seal 9 will then extend rearwardly beyond the end of the groove 12, the legs 27 having first been swung downwardly against the action of the spring 36 and held in their operative positions by means of either latch 32. The insertion wheel 15 will then be ready to enter groove 12 in the pavement to press the seal into this groove and when so positioned the bridge member will then be swung outwardly about its pivotal connections with the slot 22 and the extensions of the axle 17. The latches 32 are released to permit the legs to swing upwardly into their inoperative or transporting positions shown in FIG. 3.

When in its lowered position, the inner edges of the tracks rest on the upper surface of the pavement, as shown in FIG. 1.

When the bridge member is in its upper position, it is preferably held there by means of a hook member 59 mounted on the handle 42. When the bridge member swings upwardly, the rod 28 engages the slanting edge of the hook forcing it backward until the rod 28 passes the hook end, whereupon the hook swings back to normal position, which supports the rod 28 and the bridge member. The hook has an upwardly extending arm 62 which may be engaged by the operator to release the hook from engagement with the shaft 28.

The other means for swinging the bridge upwardly into its inoperative or inactive position comprises pins 60 mounted on the apparatus. These pins extend into positions to engage with upwardly extending abutments 61 which may be integral with the frame members 20 and 21. Consequently, as the apparatus is moved forwardly the frame members will be swung upwardly by the engagement of the pins 60 will the abutments, due to engagement of the axle extensions 17 in the ends 55 of the slots 22.

In the use of the apparatus and bridge member described the seal-inserting apparatus is first positioned correctly with reference to a groove in the pavement by positioning the guide wheel 14 and the insertion wheel 15 in a groove in which a seal is to be inserted. It is then hacked to the edge of the pavement 54 where legs 29 are pulled downward and locked in operating position by latch 32. Operator next gently lifts leg 29 slightly while he releases hook 59 and slowly lowers bridge to rest on subgrade. The seal-inserting apparatus is then moved beyond the edge of the pavement during which time the extensions of the axle 17 will ride in the grooves 22 in the frame members 20 and 21, and when the bridge is in full lowered position, the wheels 6 of the apparatus will roll on the track members 25. The legs are locked in position by means of the latches 32, and a part of the sealing member 9 is pulled beyond the end of the pavement for manual insertion into the extension of the pavement groove in the edge 54, as was heretofore customary, whereupon the inserting of the seal into the horizontal pavement groove 12 can then be begun by moving the seal-inserting apparatus forwardly back onto the pavement. This forward movement causes the bridge member to be elevated by means of the lugs 60 and abutments 61 so that the bridge member is moved into the upwardly inclined position shown in FIG. 3 to be carried by the seal-inserting apparatus. If the lugs and abutments 61 are employed, the final position of these parts will move the frame members 20 and 21 into positions in which the axle parts 17 and the extensions 55 of the slots 22 will hold the bridge member in raised position by the location of pin 60. The bridge member will be held in the upper position by the hook 59.

When the apparatus is moved toward the edge of the pavement and the bridge member reaches a position beyond the pavement edge, the bridge member can move downwardly when the hook 59 is released, thus permitting the axle parts 17 and slots to move relatively to each other.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with an apparatus for inserting seals into pavement grooves,

of a bridge member mounted on an end portion of said apparatus to move with said apparatus across the pavement without contacting therewith,

said bridge member having a pivotal connection at one end thereof with said apparatus,

said pivotal connection including a pivot member mounted on said apparatus,

a longitudinal slot in said bridge member in one end of which said pivot engages for swinging said bridge member downwardly into a position beyond the edge of the pavement,

means for supporting the other end portion of said bridge member on the subgrade of the pavement,

tracks on said bridge member for supporting a part of said apparatus for movement on said bridge member beyond the edge of the pavement,

said pivot member of said apparatus movable in said slot when said bridge member is lowered into operative relation to the edge of the pavement, and said slot limiting the extent to which said apparatus may move along said bridge member.

2. A structure according to claim 1 and including an annular extension of said slot into which said pivot enters to raise said bridge member relatively to said apparatus.

3. Structure according to claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a leg having upper and lower parts adjustable relatively to each other to vary the lengths of said leg.

4. Structure according to claim 3 and including a hinged mounting for said leg to enable said leg to swing into a vertical operative bridge supporting position and into an inoperative position substantially parallel to said bridge.

5. Structure according to claim 4 and including spring means connected with said leg which move said leg into said inoperative position when said hinge members swing upwardly.

6. Structure according to claim 5 and including a releasable latch for holding said leg in operative position against the action of said spring.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including lugs on said apparatus and projections on said bridge member with which said lugs engage to swing said bridge member upwardly about the pivotal connection of said projecting parts in the slots, by movement of said apparatus forwardly relatively to said bridge member.

8. The combination with an apparatus for inserting seals into pavement grooves and having disk means thereon to engage said seals to move them into said grooves of a bridge member for supporting a part of said apparatus when moved beyond the edge of the pavement, said bridge member being pivotally connected at one end portion thereof to said apparatus by pins on said apparatus cooperating with elongated guides on said bridge member to swing downwardly into a position beyond the edge of the pavement,

means for supporting the other end portion of the bridge member on the subgrade of the pavement approximately at the level of the pavement,

tracks on said bridge member for supporting said apparatus for movement on said bridge member beyond the edge of the pavement,

said tracks having their inner ends resting on said pavement when said bridge member extends over the subgrade of the pavement. 9. A structure according to claim 8 and including a portion of each of said guides nearest to said apparatus which extend upwardly and on which said bridge member may swing upwardly into an inoperative position when said apparatus is moved to a position on said pavement beyond the edge thereof.

10. The combination with an apparatus for inserting seals in pavement grooves of a bridge member for supporting a part of said apparatus when moved beyond the edge of the pavement, said bridge member including a pair of longitudinally extending frame members each having a longitudinally extending slot therein,

projecting parts on said apparatus which constitute pivots which extend into said slots and hold said bridge member in correct relations to said apparatus,

said bridge member being movable about said pivots into a position substantially on the level of the pavement,

supporting legs on the outer end of said bridge member for supporting said bridge member substantially level with the pavement,

said apparatus being movable on said bridge member when in substantially level position as permitted by said pivots on said slots.

11. A device according to claim 10 in which said projecting parts on said apparatus are extensions of a ground wheel supporting axle extending beyond said ground wheels into said slots.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,862,612 6/1932 Thomasson 9439 1,916,887 7/1933 McClain 94-39 2,481,021 9/ 1949 Kempthorne 94-45 3,377,932 4/ 1968 Atkinson 9445 XR JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner