US3820913A - Curb and gutter forming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-propelled curb and gutter forming machine mounted on continuous traction devices and drawing a mold for the curb and gutter between the traction tread devices. The main frame of the machine is suspended on one side from the traction tread devices on two longitudinally spaced jacks transversely pivoted to the traction tread devices and conforming the main frame to the grade of the roadway. The main frame is suspended from the opposite continuous traction tread device on a support, transversely pivoted to the tread device and having supporting connection with the main frame above the tread device. This support may be vertically adjusted. The mold form is vertically pivoted at its front end to a draw bar at the front of the main frame. The pivot is sufficiently loose to accommodate transverse tilting of the mold form relative to the main frame. The rear end of the mold form is suspended from the main frame to move laterally about the axis of the vertical pivot and to tilt about one side of the mold form. The suspension from the main frame to the mold form includes a fluid pressure jack operable to tilt the mold form in accordance with the transverse slope of the roadway.

Description

United States Patent [191 Miller et al.

[ June 28, 1974 CURB AND GUTTER FORMING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Harold E. Miller; Robert E. Miller,

both of Milwaukee, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Curbmaster of America, Inc., Cedar Falls, Iowa 22 Filed: Sept. 13,1972 21 Appl. No.: 288,687

abandoned.

[52] Cl. 404/98 [51] Int. Cl. E0lc 11/28 [58] Field Of Search .l 404/84, 98

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,864,452 12/1958 Guntert 404/84 X 3,158,945 12/1964 Curlett 404/84 X 3,249,026 5/1966 Curlett v 404/84 3,292,511 12/1966 Cheney 404/84 3,363,524 1/1968 Cantenacci 404/84 X 3,554,291 1/1971 Rogers 404/84 X 3,606,827 9/1971 Miller v 404/84 3,635,131 1/1972 Larsen 3,636,833 1/1972 Lowen 404/84 Primary Exa mi nerl lile C. B yers, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, of Firml-lill, Gross, Simpson, Van

Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [5 7] ABSTRACT Self-propelled curb and gutter forming machine mounted on continuous traction devices and drawing a mold for the curb and gutter between the traction tread devices. The main frame of the machine is suspended on one side from the traction tread devices on i two longitudinally spaced jacks transversely pivoted to the traction tread devices and conforming the main frame to the grade of the roadway. The main frame is suspended from the opposite continuous traction tread device on a support, transversely pivoted to the tread device and having supporting connection with the main frame above the tread device. This support may be vertically adjusted. The mold form is vertically pivoted at its front end to a draw bar at the front of the main frame. The pivot is sufficiently loose to accommodate transverse tilting of the mold form relative to the main frame. The rear end of the mold form is suspended from the main frame to move laterally about the axis of the vertical pivot and to tilt about one side of the mold form. The suspension from the main frame to the mold form includes a fluid pressure jack operable to tilt the mold form in accordance with the transverse slope of the roadway.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUNZB 1914 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTORS #45540 MLLEQ I 97 5. MALL-1 m $2 WTORNEYS PATENTED W v I 1 0 913 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTORS mm 2 ATTORNEYS 1 CURB AND GUTTER FORMING MACHINE This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 80,925 now abandoned.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Endless traction mounted curb and gutter forming machine drawing a curb mold form along a roadway and accommodating limited movement of the mold form about a vertical pivot at its front end to conform to the line of the roadway, in which grade conforming extensible jacks suspend one side of the main frame from endless traction devices and a slope conforming extensible jack suspends the mold form from the main frame to conform the mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide' an improved form of self-propelled curb and gutter forming machine arranged with a view toward maintaining the mold form in conformance with the grade and slope of the roadway in a simpler and more expeditious manner than formerly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved form of unitary self-propelled curb and gutter forming machine drawing a mold form along the edge of the roadway to form a concrete curb and gutter, in which the mold form is conformed to the grade and slope of the roadway in simpler and more expeditious manner than formerly.

A further object of the invention is to improve upon the curb and gutter forming machines heretofore in use by tilting the mold form relative to the main frame of the machine, to conform to the transverse slope of the roadway.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved curb and gutter forming machine having a simplified and improved form of suspension for the mold form of the machine from the main frame, accommodating the mold form to conform to the line of the roadway and tilting the mold form in accordance with the slope of the roadway by a power suspension connection between the main frame and mold form.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forming concrete curbs and gutters in a continuous operation, arranged with a view toward utmost simplicity in construction and efficiency in operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a certain preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a curb and gutter forming machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the machine illustrating the suspension connection of the machine on the continuous traction tread devices and the slope conforming connection of the mold form to the main frame of the machine. a

FIG. 3 is a front end view of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of the machine looking at the opposite side of the machine from FIG. 1, with certain parts removed and diagrammatically showing the sensor arrangement for steering 5 and conforming the apparatus to the grade of the roadway; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mold form, illustrating the suspension of the rear end of the mold form from the main frame of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION In FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, I have shown a curb and gutter machine 10, for laying a curb and gutter along the side of a roadway and including a main frame 11 suspended from laterally spaced continuous traction devices 12 on power operated jacks A and B at one side of the machine and on an upright support C at the opposite side of the machine, fixed from vertically adjustable movement during operation of the machine. We have also shown a mold form 13 suspended from said main frame, between said laterally spaced continuous traction tread devices at the opposite side thereof from the jacks A and B, by a power operated jack D. The

mold form 13 is suspended at its front end from a draw bar 15 on a bolt 16 depending from the center of said draw bar in substantial alignment with the longitudinal center of the machine. The bolt 6 extends through the horizontal leg of a gusseted angle bracket 17, the vertical leg of which may be welded or otherwise secured to a front wall 19 of the mold form 13. The connection from the angle bracket 17 to the bolt 16 is a relatively loose connection, to accommodate tilting movement of the mold form relative to the main frame about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and may be a yieldable or ball type of connection (not shown).

The continuous traction tread devices 12 may be of a conventional form, and are each driven from an individual fluid pressure operated motor 20 having driving connection with the associated tread devices in the front end thereof through a conventional sprocket (not shown) meshing with the tread devices in a well-known manner. The continuous tread devices 12 are trained about tread frames 21 forming mountings for the associated motors 20 and having a series of rollers 22 spaced along the lower end portions of said tread frames and engaging the lower runs of the tread devices. Fluid under pressure may be supplied through a pump (not shown) driven from an internal combustion engine generally indicated at 14, in a conventional manner, and mounted on the main frame 11.

The jacks A and B are of a similar construction and may be like the jacks shown in a joint application of Harold E. Miller with Richard D. Larsen, Ser. No. 7,709, filed Feb. 2, 1970 and entitled SLIP FORM CURB AND GUTTER MACHINE, now US. Pat. No. 3,635,131, so a detailed description thereof need not be repeated herein. Each jack A and B is shown as being in the form of a hollow rectangular port 23 telescopic within a rectangular tube or post 24 extending upwardly therefrom, and secured to the main frame 11 of the machine in a suitable manner and depending therefrom.

The jacks A and B may be hydraulic jacks of the selflocking screw type, which are particularly advantageous for use in suspending the main frame 11 from the continuous traction read devices 12, and conforming the main frame to the grade of the roadway, due to the self-locking features of the jacks, which make it unnecessary to provide a means for holding the jacks in position to accommodate for leakage in the fluid pressure system. While the jacks are shown as being hydraulic jacks, they need not necessarily be hydraulic jacks but may be electric motor driven jacks or may be of various other forms.

Each post 23 is mounted on and extends upwardly of a yoke25 secured to the associated tread frame 21 as by transverse pivot members 26 (FIG. 4). The suspension support for the main frame 11 on the opposite continuous traction tread device is shown as being in the form of a hollow post 27 suitably secured to the main frame 11 and depending therefrom. The hollow post 27 has a post 29 telescopically mounted therein and extending upwardly of a yoke 30 having depending legs extending along opposite sides of an associated tread frame 21, and pivotally connected thereto as by a transverse pivot pin 1 extending through the tread frame 21 and the legs of the yoke 30 intermediate the ends of the tread frame.

The post 29 has a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 33 adapted to register with a corresponding aperture (not shown) extending through the rectangular post 27. A removable locking pin 35 is adapted to extend through registering apertures in said posts 27 and 29 to accommodate adjustment of the main frame about the longitudinal axis thereof when it is required to set the main frame to a particular roadway.

A stabilizer 36 is provided on the same side of the machine as the post 27 and rearwardly of the post 27, to stabilize movement of the traction tread device 11 about the axis of the pivot 31. The stabilizer 36 includes a hollow upright post 37, shown as being rectangular in cross section suitably secured to the main frame 11 and extending downwardly therefrom. The hollow post 37 has a rectangular post 39 telescopically mounted therein and extending upwardly therealong from a yoke 40, extending along opposite sides of the tread frame 21 and transversely pivoted to said tread frame as by a pivot pin 41.

The mold form 13 may be of various forms depending upon the required curb and gutter to be molded, as for example, the mold form may be so formed as to form a curb only, or to form the curb and gutter or to form the gutter only, or to mold traffic medians or widen the pavement. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the mold form 13 includes the vertical front wall 19, having a bottom opening recess 42 therein forming a relief opening, accommodating the concrete to flow therethrough when an excess of concrete may be poured into'the mold form. Said recess 42 has retainer plows 43 extending forwardly of opposite sides thereof generally triangular in plan and converging toward apices at their forward ends, to retain excess concrete to the mold form, as the machine advances along the pavement.

The mold form 13 has a receptacle 45 for a hopper 46 at its forward end into which the concrete is poured during the curb forming operation. The mold form 13 is generally in the form of an inverted elongated pan which may be made from sheet metal and extends rearwardly of the receptacle 45 and conforms generally to the form of the curb and gutter to be formed, where the machine is used for simultaneously molding a curb and gutter. The pan is of a sectional construction reinforced by side rails 47 extending along opposite sides thereof and has a hanger 48 of an inverted generally U-shaped form having legs 49 extending upwardly of opposite side rails 47 and connected together by a cross bar 50. Gussets 51 extending along the insides of the 'legs 49 and the bottom of the cross bar 50 are provided to strengthen the hanger.

A vertical suspension rod 52 extends upwardly of one side of the hanger 48 on the side thereof adjacent the jacks A and B and is suitably connected at its upper end to an upwardly facing U-shaped yoke 53. The yoke 53 is suspended from a horizontal shaft or bar 55, extending inwardly of a side frame member 56 of the main frame 11 and suitably secured thereto. The yoke 53 and suspension rod 52 are suspended from the shaft as by a flanged spool or roller 57 engaging and supported on said shaft for limited movement therealong between collars 59 spaced along said shaft, the inner collar only being shown herein. A similar spool (not shown) may engage the underside of the bar 55.

The opposite side of the mold form 13 from the yoke 53 is suspended from the power operated jack D. As shown in FIG. 5 an angle bracket 60 is secured along its vertical leg to the outside of a leg 49 of the hanger 48 and has an outwardly extending horizontal leg 61 forming a mounting for a hollow post 63 of the power operated jack D. The power operated jack D may be of a construction similar to the jacks A and 'B and preferably is of a self'locking screw type of jack. The hollow post 63 is telescopically movable within a hollow housing or cylinder 64 closed at its upper end by an end cap 65, forming the base of an upwardly facing U-shaped yoke 66. A motor 67 is shown as mounted on the upper end of the end cap 65. The motor 67 may be a fluid pressure operated motor having driving connection with the screw (not shown) extending downwardly along the housing 64 and threaded within a nut (not shown) suitably secured to the post 63 within the ho]- low interior portion thereof, as for example in the man ner shown and described in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 7,709, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,131.

The yoke 66 includes parallel legs 69 extending upwardly of the plate along opposite sides of a shaft 70, coaxial with the shaft 55 and suitably mounted in a side frame member 71 of the main frame 11 and extending inwardly therefrom.

The jack D is suspended from the shaft as by a spool-like roller 73- rotatably supported between the legs 69 on a shaft 75. A similar roller 76 is shown in FIG. 1 as rotatably mounted between the legs 69 of the yoke 66, to engage the underside of the shaft 70 and limit upward movement of the jack D relative to said shaft 70. Spaced collars 77 on the shaft 70 and on opposite sides of the yoke 66 limit movement of said yoke and the jack D along said shaft.

With the suspension system just described, the mold form may pivot about the bolt 16 to conform to the line of the roadway an amount limited by the spacing of the collars 67 and 77 from opposite sides of the respective rollers 57 and 73. The jack D may also tilt the mold form about the point of suspension of the yoke 53 to the shaft 55 on the roller 57, and about the bolt 16 to conform to the slope of the roadway, during travel of the machine along the roadway, the mold form being conformed to the grade by the jacks A and B.

Grade sensors 79 and 80 are associated with the respective jacks A and B and are respectively disposed beyond the forward and rear ends of the machine. The grade sensors 79 and 80 have sensing elements 81 and 82 respectively engaging under a grade line 83 extending along the subgrade of the pavement and controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the jacks A and B in accordance with the grade of the roadway in the manner shown and described in application Ser. No. 7,709, now US. Pat. No. 3,635,131.

A third sensor 85 at the front of the machine has a sensing element 86 suitably biased into engagement with a side of the grade line to effect steering of the machine by the supply and release of fluid under pressure to the motors 20,20 and conform the machine to the line of the roadway. The sensor 85 controls the supply of fluid under pressure to the motors 20,20 in a manner similar to that shown in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 7,709, now US. Pat. No. 3.635,l3l, so a description of the sensor and the controls from the sensor to the fluid pressure operated motors need not herein be repeated.

The supply of fluid under pressure to the motor 67, for operating the jack D may be through a pendulum 87, shown in FIG. 5 as mounted on the top of the cross bar 50. A control console 88 containing the controls for controlling the several operations of the machine is disposed in advance of an operators platform 89. The pendulum 87 may be a conventional form of pendulum, controlling operation of fluid pressure operated jack D in accordance with the transverse slope of the roadway. The pendulum and controls supplying fluid under pressure to the jack D may be of various well-known commercial forms commonly used on paver finishers and graders and are no part of the present invention so need not herein be shown or described further.

While a preferred form of the invention is illustrated wherein the mold form is tilted about an axis extending longitudinally of the frame, it is also contemplated that the mold form may be tilted about axes extending transversely of the frame to conform to changes in grade of the roadway. For such operation the entire trailing end of the form may be raised or lowered and- /or the front end of the form may be raised or lowered. This could be accomplished by the provision of additional jacks. It is also contemplated that the mold form may be tilted about its longitudinal axis by the provision of a jack on the leading end of the mold form instead of on the trailing end and instead of a single jack at the trailing end as shown, jacks may be included at each side at the trailing end or at each side of the leading end for accomplishing the foregoing operation.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising:

a main frame,

a pair of laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame,

a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices,

a vertical pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the forward end of said mold from suspending the forward end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection and for limited movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection,

adjustable supports between said traction tread devices and said main frame, supporting said main frame on said traction tread devices to adjust said main frame to the grade of the roadway,

a slope conforming connection between said main frame and said-mold form, suspending the rear end portion of said mold form from said main frame and operable to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway, comprising a cross bar extending across the rear end portion of said mainframe,

means slidably suspending said mold form from said cross bar and accommodating pivotal movement of said mold form about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame including a power operated jack suspending from said cross bar, and operably connected with said mold form, said jack being operable to tilt said mold form about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway regardless of the angle of said main frame with respect to the transverse slope of the roadway.

2. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 1, wherein the grade conforming connections between said traction tread devices and the main frame comprise first and second power operated jacks on the opposite side of said main frame from said jack suspending the ear end portion of said mold form from said main frame, and a vertical stabilizing guide on the side of said main frame adjacent said jack suspending said main frame from said cross bar and cooperating with the tread devices opposite said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks to accommodate up and down movement of said main frame, and means locking said vertical stabilizing guide in position to cooperate with said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks and provide a three-point suspension for said main frame on said tread devices.

3. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 2,

wherein the laterally spaced traction tread devices are continuous traction tread devices,

wherein each continuous traction tread device includes a tread frame,

wherein the vertical stabilizing guide is transversely pivoted to said tread frame intermediate the ends thereof and includes a pair of telescopic tubes connected between said main frame and said continuous traction tread device, and

wherein detachable means are provided connecting said tubes in fixed telescopic relation with respect to each other and selectively adjustable to accommodate adjustment of the transverse level of said main frame independently of the transverse level of said mold form.

4. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 3,

wherein the means slidably suspending said mold form from said cross bar comprises a hanger disposed beneath and extending parallel to said cross bar,

a fixed connection between one end of said hanger and said mold fonn,

a first roller on said cross bar,

a suspension connection between said roller and the end of said hanger fixedly connected with said mold form,

wherein control means are provided for controlling the supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from said jack suspending said mold form from said cross bar, for extensibly and retractably moving said jack in accordance with the transverse slope of the roadway, and

wherein said control means includes a pendulum on said hanger and tilting in accordance with the transverse position of said mold form and hanger, and fluid pressure controls operated by said pendulum.

6. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 5,

wherein a vertical stabilizing guide is provided between said main frame and said continuous traction tread device on the side of the machine adjacent said jack suspending said mold form from said cross bar, to stabilize movement of said tread devices and main frame to conform to the grade of the roadway, and

wherein means are provided selectively operable to hold said stabilizing connection in fixed relation with respect to said tread device and said main frame.

7. In a curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising:

a main frame,

laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame,

a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices,

means suspending the forward end of said mold form between said traction tread devices and drawing said mold form therewith,

other means suspending the rear end of said mold form between said traction tread devices,

the suspension means for said mold form between said traction devices including two independently operable jacks spaced along said main frame at one end of said mold form and operable to conform said mold form to the grade of a roadway, and

a single jack at the opposite side of said mold form operable to conform said mold form to the slope of the roadway independently of the slope of said main frame.

8. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 7, wherein the suspension means also includes a vertical pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the forward end of said mold form, suspending the forward end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection and for limited movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection.

9. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 8, wherein the grade conforming connections between said traction tread devices and the main frame comprise first and second power operated jacks on the opposite side of said main frame from said jack suspending the rear end portion of said mold form, a vertical stabilizing guide on the same side of said main frame as said single jack and cooperating with the tread devices on the opposite side of said main frame from said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks to accommodate up and down movement of said main frame, and means locking said vertical stabilizing guide in position to cooperate with said first and second power operated forming jacks and accommodating operation of said single jack to conform said mold form to the slope of the roadway independently of the position of said main frame relative to the roadway.

10. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 8, wherein means are provided for slidably suspending said mold form from said main frame for limited movement transversely thereof, and for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame, and including means for slidably suspending said single jack from said main frame for movement transversely thereof and for pivotal movement with respect thereto about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame, and cooperating with said draft connection and firstmentioned slidable suspension means for providing a three-point suspension for said mold form.

11. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 7, including a stabilizing guide on the same side of said main frame as said single jack, and control means for operating said independently operable jacks and said single jack in cooperation with said stabilizing guide for changing the angle of the mold frame relative to the main frame responsive to a control signal, to compen sate for changes in the terrain.

12. A curb and gutter forming machine constructed in accordance with claim 11, wherein said mold form angle is changed about an axis extending longitudinally of the main frame.

13. A curb and gutter forming machine constructed in accordance with claimll, wherein said mold form angle is changed about an axis extending transversely of the mainframe.

14. A curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising,

a main frame,

laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame,

a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices,

a pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the front end of said mold form suspending the front end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the pivotal draft connection,

extensible supports on one side of said main frame between an associated traction tread device and said main frame supporting said main frame on said traction tread device to adjust said mold form to the grade of a roadway,

a stabilizing guide at the opposite side of said main frame supporting said side of said main frame on an associated traction tread device,

a slope conforming connection between said main frame and said mold form, suspending the rear end portion of said mold form from said main frame, and including extensible suspension means on the opposite side of said main frame from said extensible supports operable to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway.

UNTTED STATES PATENT eTFTcE CERTHECATE @F CQREQTION Patent No. 3, 820, 913 Dated lune 28, 1974 Inventor(s) Harold E. Miller and Robert E. Miller It is certified that error appears In the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 27, change "ear" to -rear-.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 O366-33

Claims (14)

1. In a curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising: a main frame, a pair of laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame, a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices, a vertical pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the forward end of said mold from suspending the forward end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection and for limited movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection, adjustable supports between said traction tread devices and said main frame, supporting said main frame on said traction tread devices to adjust said main frame to the grade of the roadway, a slope conforming connection between said main frame and said mold form, suspending the rear end portion of said mold form from said main frame and operable to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway, comprising a cross bar extending across the rear end portion of said main frame, means slidably suspending said mold form from said cross bar and accommodating pivotal movement of said mold form about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame including a power operated jack suspending from said cross bar, and operably connected with said mold form, said jack being operable to tilt said mold form about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway regardless of the angle of said main frame with respect to the transverse slope of the roadway.

2. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 1, wherein the grade conforming connections between said traction tread devices and the main frame comprise first and second power operated jacks on the opposite side of said main frame from said jack suspending the ear end portion of said mold form from said main frame, and a vertical stabiliZing guide on the side of said main frame adjacent said jack suspending said main frame from said cross bar and cooperating with the tread devices opposite said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks to accommodate up and down movement of said main frame, and means locking said vertical stabilizing guide in position to cooperate with said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks and provide a three-point suspension for said main frame on said tread devices.

3. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 2, wherein the laterally spaced traction tread devices are continuous traction tread devices, wherein each continuous traction tread device includes a tread frame, wherein the vertical stabilizing guide is transversely pivoted to said tread frame intermediate the ends thereof and includes a pair of telescopic tubes connected between said main frame and said continuous traction tread device, and wherein detachable means are provided connecting said tubes in fixed telescopic relation with respect to each other and selectively adjustable to accommodate adjustment of the transverse level of said main frame independently of the transverse level of said mold form.

4. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 3, wherein the means slidably suspending said mold form from said cross bar comprises a hanger disposed beneath and extending parallel to said cross bar, a fixed connection between one end of said hanger and said mold form, a first roller on said cross bar, a suspension connection between said roller and the end of said hanger fixedly connected with said mold form, a second roller on said cross bar adjacent the end thereof opposite said first roller and a suspension connection between said second roller and said mold form comprising said jack suspending said mold form from said cross bar.

5. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 4, wherein control means are provided for controlling the supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from said jack suspending said mold form from said cross bar, for extensibly and retractably moving said jack in accordance with the transverse slope of the roadway, and wherein said control means includes a pendulum on said hanger and tilting in accordance with the transverse position of said mold form and hanger, and fluid pressure controls operated by said pendulum.

6. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 5, wherein a vertical stabilizing guide is provided between said main frame and said continuous traction tread device on the side of the machine adjacent said jack suspending said mold form from said cross bar, to stabilize movement of said tread devices and main frame to conform to the grade of the roadway, and wherein means are provided selectively operable to hold said stabilizing connection in fixed relation with respect to said tread device and said main frame.

7. In a curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising: a main frame, laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame, a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices, means suspending the forward end of said mold form between said traction tread devices and drawing said mold form therewith, other means suspending the rear end of said mold form between said traction tread devices, the suspension means for said mold form between said traction devices including two independently operable jacks spaced along said main frame at one end of said mold form and operable to conform said mold form to the grade of a roadway, and a single jack at the opposite side of said mold form operable to conform said mold form to the slope of the roadway independently of the slope of said main frame.

8. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 7, wherein the suspension means also includes a vertical pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the forwArd end of said mold form, suspending the forward end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection and for limited movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said vertical pivotal draft connection.

9. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 8, wherein the grade conforming connections between said traction tread devices and the main frame comprise first and second power operated jacks on the opposite side of said main frame from said jack suspending the rear end portion of said mold form, a vertical stabilizing guide on the same side of said main frame as said single jack and cooperating with the tread devices on the opposite side of said main frame from said first and second power operated grade conforming jacks to accommodate up and down movement of said main frame, and means locking said vertical stabilizing guide in position to cooperate with said first and second power operated forming jacks and accommodating operation of said single jack to conform said mold form to the slope of the roadway independently of the position of said main frame relative to the roadway.

10. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 8, wherein means are provided for slidably suspending said mold form from said main frame for limited movement transversely thereof, and for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame, and including means for slidably suspending said single jack from said main frame for movement transversely thereof and for pivotal movement with respect thereto about an axis extending longitudinally of said main frame, and cooperating with said draft connection and first mentioned slidable suspension means for providing a three-point suspension for said mold form.

11. The curb and gutter forming machine of claim 7, including a stabilizing guide on the same side of said main frame as said single jack, and control means for operating said independently operable jacks and said single jack in cooperation with said stabilizing guide for changing the angle of the mold frame relative to the main frame responsive to a control signal, to compensate for changes in the terrain.

12. A curb and gutter forming machine constructed in accordance with claim 11, wherein said mold form angle is changed about an axis extending longitudinally of the main frame.

13. A curb and gutter forming machine constructed in accordance with claim 11, wherein said mold form angle is changed about an axis extending transversely of the main frame.

14. A curb and gutter forming machine, the combination comprising, a main frame, laterally spaced traction tread devices supporting and propelling said main frame, a mold form extending along said main frame between said traction tread devices, a pivotal draft connection between said main frame and the front end of said mold form suspending the front end of said mold form from said main frame for movement about the pivotal draft connection, extensible supports on one side of said main frame between an associated traction tread device and said main frame supporting said main frame on said traction tread device to adjust said mold form to the grade of a roadway, a stabilizing guide at the opposite side of said main frame supporting said side of said main frame on an associated traction tread device, a slope conforming connection between said main frame and said mold form, suspending the rear end portion of said mold form from said main frame, and including extensible suspension means on the opposite side of said main frame from said extensible supports operable to conform said mold form to the transverse slope of the roadway.

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