WO2008012253A1

WO2008012253A1 - Multipurpose surface finishing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008012253A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/057435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Italo Melis
Original assignee: Italo Melis
Priority date: 2006-07-28
Filing date: 2007-07-18
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: ITVI20060242A1

Abstract

The invention is a self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1) for laying asphalt surfaces which comprises a frame (2) mounted on wheels (3) supporting a container (6) for the bitumen aggregate (B), provided with an outlet (7) positioned above a conveyor belt (8) which conveys the bitumen mixture towards the rear part of the finishing machine. A shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12a, 13a) arranged crosswise to the frame (2) and downstream of the conveyor belt (8) lays the aggregate (B) on the roadbed to be asphalted. A levelling unit (10) combined with the frame (2) and arranged downstream of the shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12, 13a) compacts the aggregate (B) laid. The finishing machine (1) also comprises a kerb casting unit (15) combined in a removable manner with the frame (2) by connection means (16).

Description

"MULTIPURPOSE SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE". DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns a multipurpose surface finishing machine, suitable for asphalting roads. It is known that surface finishing machines are used for laying the asphalt surface on appropriately prepared roadbeds.

Said finishing machines, also called vibratory finishing machines, are self- propelled machines with driver on board, comprising a framework with hopper containing the bitumen aggregate which is deposited by gravity on one or more conveyor belts below, which convey it towards the rear part of the machine. One or two propellers developing mainly lengthways, arranged crosswise to the finisher, distribute the bitumen aggregate fed out by the conveyor belt(s) on the roadbed; and said aggregate is then compacted by a levelling device with vibrating elements, provided in the rear part of the machine and positioned downstream of the propellers.

Once the road surface has been finished, kerb casting machines are used to construct a raised kerb on each side which delimits the carriageway and separates it from the pavements. Said kerb casting machines are provided with wheels and are towed by mechanical means and manoeuvred by the operator on the ground.

They comprise a frame which supports a hopper containing bitumen aggregate and a screw, positioned below the hopper, which is gravity-fed with the bitumen aggregate which drops down from the hopper. An engine rotates the screw propeller which conveys the bitumen aggregate forward until it reaches a die with shaped profile, the cross section of which is identical to that of the kerb to be produced.

The kerb casting machine is positioned by the operator at the edge of the carriageway where the kerb is required; said kerb is produced by the screw which extrudes the bitumen aggregate through the die. This produces the kerb which is deposited continuously on the road surface as the kerb casting machine moves forward.

The kerb casting machines of the known type described above are simple and dependable machines, but their use nevertheless involves some acknowledged drawbacks. A first drawback consists in the fact that since production of the kerbs is substantially manual, it is a long costly operation and tiring for the operator. A further drawback consists in the fact that the hopper has a small capacity and has to be filled frequently, thus making work discontinuous and inefficient. A further drawback deriving from said discontinuity is the poor quality level of the work which has to be corrected by intervention of the operator at the kerb joints, obviously prolonging working times and increasing costs. A further drawback lies in that the kerbs must be laid after deposit of the asphalt surface and after the latter has consolidated so that it can withstand impact, thus considerably increasing the overall time required for the work and the cost thereof.

Last but not least, a further drawback consists in the fact that since the kerb is laid after deposit and compacting of the bitumen surface, it has no structural continuity with said bitumen surface. The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks listed above. In particular, a first object of the invention is to produce kerbs that delimit the carriageway during asphalting of the roadbed. A further object of the invention is to reduce kerb production times. A further object is to reduce kerb production costs. A further object is to improve the quality of the kerbs produced. Last but not least, a further object is to improve the overall asphalting quality. Said objects are achieved by means of a multipurpose finishing machine carried out according to the main claim attached, which should be referred to for the sake of brevity. Further characteristics and details of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention permits reduction of the overall asphalting time as it eliminates the waiting time for consolidation of the bitumen aggregate before laying the kerb. Again advantageously, the invention makes the work of the operators less tiring and improves the quality thereof.

Said aims and advantages will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of a preferred embodiment which is described below by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a rear view of the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention shown in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a partial longitudinal section of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a lateral and partial rear axonometric view of the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention;

- Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of a detail of the rear part of the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention;

- Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of a part of the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention; - Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of Figure 6.

The multipurpose finishing machine of the invention can be seen as a whole in the views of Figures 1 , 2 and 3, where it is indicated overall by 1.

It is a self-propelled machine for laying asphalt surfaces which comprises a frame 2 that is mounted on wheels 3 and supports a main engine 4, a driver cab 5 and a container 6 for the bitumen aggregate B, provided with an outlet 7 via which the bitumen aggregate B drops onto a conveyor belt 8 below.

The latter is positioned near the base of the frame 2 and extends horizontally towards the rear part of the finishing machine.

The conveyor belt 8 is wound in a closed loop on drive rollers 9 and conveys the bitumen aggregate B in the direction indicated by the arrow, to a levelling unit, indicated as a whole by 10, for compacting the bitumen aggregate B on the appropriately prepared roadbed S.

The levelling unit 10 can be seen in particular also in Figure 5, where it is shown with its pair of arms 11 for connection to the frame 2 of the finishing machine.

The levelling unit, of the type known per se, is provided with vibrating plates which compact the bitumen aggregate.

In Figures 3 and 5 it can also be seen that crosswise to the frame 2, downstream of the conveyor belt 8 and upstream of the levelling unit 10, a pair of shafts 12, 13 are positioned, with spiral-shaped elements 12a, 13a rotating in opposite directions which distribute the bitumen aggregate B conveyed by the conveyor belt 8 on the roadbed S.

According to the invention, the finishing machine 1 comprises a kerb casting unit 15 combined in a removable manner with the frame 2 by connection means 16. In particular, the kerb casting unit 15 can be seen in Figures from 1 to 7 where it is combined in a removable manner with the side 17 of the frame 2 in the rear area where the levelling unit 10 and the shafts with spiral-shaped elements 12a, 13a are located. Obviously, the kerb casting unit 15 can be applied to any one of the opposite sides 17, 18 of the frame 2.

In particular, in Figures 6 and 7 it can be seen that the kerb casting unit 15 comprises a supporting structure 19 provided with the above-mentioned means 16 for connection to the frame 2 which comprise: - two connection flanges 20, 21 facing and spaced from each other, arranged on opposite sides of the supporting structure 19 of the kerb casting unit 15 with respect to a longitudinal axis X defined by the kerb casting unit itself;

- a plurality of coupling elements 22 which are inserted in a removable manner in through holes 20a, 21a provided in the connection flanges 20, 21 and in corresponding counter holes 17a, 18a provided in the sides 17, 18 of the finishing machine 1.

In particular, each of the connection flanges 20, 21 is a flat plate arranged on a substantially vertical plane and the coupling elements 22 are screws which are inserted in the above-mentioned holes 20a, 21a and counter holes 17a, 18a. Alternatively, the coupling elements can also consist of other connection means.

The supporting structure 19 of the kerb casting unit 15 also comprises a screw 23 which defines the longitudinal axis X of the kerb casting unit, substantially parallel to the sides 17, 18 of the frame 2 and to the travelling direction of the finishing machine.

The screw 23 communicates with a collecting chamber 24 provided in the supporting structure 19 and facing towards the end of the corresponding shaft 12 with spiral-shaped element 12a as can be seen in Figure 5. In this way, during rotation the shaft 12 with spiral-shaped element 12a distributes the bitumen aggregate B on the roadbed S and feeds the screw 23. At one end of the screw 23 there is a drive unit 25, preferably a hydraulic gearmotor 25a operatively connected to the main engine 4, suitable for rotating the propeller 23a, while the other end of the screw 23 is connected to a coupling pipe 26 which places it in communication with a die 27 for extrusion of the bitumen mixture. As can be seen in particular in Figures 6 and 7, said die has a shaped body with polygonal cross section having rounded edges which substantially reproduces the profile of the kerb C to be obtained, which is shown in Figure 4. The outlet 27a of the extrusion die 27 is provided with a shutter 28 for opening and closing the outlet, the function of which will be illustrated below in the description of operation of the finishing machine.

Operatively, the kerb casting unit 15 is combined with the finishing machine 1 by means of one of the connection flanges, for example the flange 20, which is joined to the side of the finishing machine frame, for example the side 17, by the coupling means 22 as can be seen in Figures 2, 4 and in particular in the exploded view of Figure 6.

In order to mount said kerb casting unit, it is first necessary to disassemble the removable adjustable cover 30 which, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2, serves to laterally contain the bitumen mixture during asphalting and is connected to the frame by means of the same coupling elements 22 used to connect the connection flanges of the kerb casting unit 15. In fact, the layout of the holes 27a provided in the cover 30 is the same as the layout of the counter holes 17a, 18a provided in the sides 17, 18 of the finishing machine and also of the through holes 20a, 21a provided in the connection flanges 20, 21 of the kerb casting unit 15.

The connection flange 20, 21 of the kerb casting unit 15 and the adjustable cover 30 are therefore interchangeable with respect to the sides 17, 18 of the finishing machine 1. The kerb casting unit 15 is applied to the frame 1, as can be seen in Figure 6, by positioning the flange 20 against the side 17 and by fixing the connection by means of the coupling elements 22.

The counter flange 27 is then applied to the opposite connection flange 21 as can be seen in Figure 6. The kerb casting unit 15 can obviously be connected on one or the other of the sides 17, 18 of the finishing machine.

If the finishing machine has no lateral cover 30, the kerb casting unit is connected directly to the side of the finishing machine.

After connecting the kerb casting unit 15 to the finishing machine 1 , the screw 23 is rotated, its propeller takes the bitumen aggregate B from the collecting chamber 24 and compresses it inside the extrusion die 27, the shutter 28 of which, positioned on the outlet 27a, is closed in the position shown in Figure 2.

This serves to compact the bitumen aggregate B inside the shaped body constituting the extrusion die 27 so as to copy the profile and thus obtain the kerb C to be deposited on the roadbed S.

Once compacting has been performed, the shutter 26 is raised to release the kerb C which is deposited on the roadbed S.

Said deposit is continuous and takes place as the finishing machine moves forward to distribute the bitumen aggregate B on the roadbed, hence asphalting of the roadbed S and deposit of the kerb C take place simultaneously.

It is obviously important to appropriately coordinate the forward speed of the finishing machine with the rotation speed of the kerb casting unit's screw so as to obtain uniform deposit of both the bitumen aggregate on the roadbed to be asphalted and of the kerb on the edge of the carriageway.

The multipurpose finishing machine of the invention therefore effectively achieves all the set objects.

In particular it achieves the object of simultaneously laying the bitumen coating on the roadbed and depositing the kerb, eliminating the waiting times and significantly reducing the overall work time.

In this way the kerb forms one single body with the bitumen coating of the roadbed, thus improving the compactness, quality and uniformity of the asphalting.

Furthermore, since the bitumen aggregate container is combined with the finishing machine, it can have a large capacity, thus permitting the production of a considerable length of kerb.

This also improves the quality of the work and reduces the need for intervention by the operator to restore the kerb joints between two successive filling operations. Lastly the work is less tiring for the operator who, as can be seen in Figure 4, operates on board the machine, limiting his intervention solely to checking the work in progress.

In the executive phase, modifications not shown in the figures may be made to the multipurpose finishing machine of the invention; said modifications shall all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference sings have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1 ) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) for laying asphalt surfaces comprising: a frame (2) mounted on wheels (3) which supports:

- at least one main engine (4); - at least one driver's cab (5);

- a container (6) for the bitumen aggregate (B), provided with an outlet (7);

- at least one conveyor belt (8) positioned near the bottom of said frame (2) to convey said bitumen mixture from said outlet (7) towards the rear part of said finishing machine; - at least one shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12a, 13a) arranged crosswise to said frame (2) and downstream of said conveyor belt (8);

- at least one levelling unit (10) for compacting said bitumen aggregate (B), combined with said frame (2) and positioned downstream of said shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12a, 13a); characterized in that it also comprises a kerb casting unit (15) combined in a removable manner with said frame (2) by connection means (16).

2) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said kerb casting unit (15) is combined in a removable manner with at least one of said sides (17, 18) of said frame (2) in the rear area where said levelling unit (10) and said shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12a, 13a) are provided.

3) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 1 ) or 2), characterized in that said kerb casting unit (15) comprises a supporting structure (19) provided with said means (16) for connection to said frame (2) and with which the following are combined:

- a screw (23) forming the longitudinal axis (X) of said kerb casting unit (15) substantially parallel to the sides (17, 18) of said frame (2) and to the forward travelling direction of said finishing machine;

- a collecting chamber (24) communicating with the inside of said screw (23) and facing towards said corresponding shaft (12, 13) with spiral-shaped element (12a, 13a);

- a drive unit (25) fitted at one end of the propeller (23a) of said screw (23) in order to set it rotating;

- an extrusion die (27) for extrusion of the bitumen mixture (B) positioned downstream of said screw (23); - a shutter (28) for opening and closing the outlet (27a) of said extrusion die (27).

4) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to any one of the claims from 1 ) to 3), characterized in that said connection means (16) comprise:

- at least one connection flange (20, 21 ) provided with a plurality of through holes (20a, 21a);

- a plurality of coupling elements (22) inserted in a removable manner in said through holes (20a, 21a) and in corresponding counter holes (17a, 18a) provided in said sides (17, 18) of said finishing machine.

5) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 4), characterized in that said connection means (16) comprise two connection flanges (20, 21 ) facing each other and spaced and arranged on opposite sides with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) defined by said kerb casting unit (15).

6) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to any one of the claims 4) or 5), characterized in that each of said connection flanges (20, 21 ) is a flat plate arranged according to a substantially vertical plane. 7) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 4), characterized in that said coupling elements (22) are bolts.

8) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 3), characterized in that said kerb casting unit (15) comprises a connection pipe (26) which connects said outlet (27a) of said screw (23) to said extrusion die (27).

9) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 3) or 8), characterized in that said extrusion die (27) consists of a shaped body with polygonal cross section with rounded edges which reproduces the profile of the kerb (C) to be obtained. 10) Self-propelled multipurpose finishing machine (1 ) according to claim 3), characterized in that said drive unit (25) comprises a gearmotor (25a) operatively connected to said main engine (4) of said finishing machine.