WO2012135307A1

WO2012135307A1 - Mobile pothole patching machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012135307A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/030883
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrence K. BYRNE
Original assignee: J.T.W. Inc.
Priority date: 2011-03-28
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: US20120253612A1

Abstract

A mobile pothole patching vehicle includes a chassis (2) and front and rear support wheels for the chassis. A cab is mounted on the chassis as is a paving material storage hopper. A paving material dispensing mechanism is mounted on the chassis and is in communication with the hopper. A discharge chute (28) is in communication with the dispensing mechanism. A boom mechanism (7) includes a proximal end mounted on the chassis. A first swivel mechanism (262) rotates the boom mechanism in relation to the chassis. A tamper plate (260) is mounted on a distal end of the boom mechanism. The machine can patch potholes through the actions of a single operator who remains in the cab during the patching or repair process, thus enhancing the safety of the patching operation.

Description

MOBILE POTHOLE PATCHING MACHINE

[0001 J This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No, 61 /468,122 which was filed on March 28, 201 1 and from Provisional Application Serial No. 61 /554,282 which was filed on November 1 , 201 1 . The subject matter of each of these applications is incorporated hereinto in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to road maintenance machinery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a one man mobile pothole patching machine.

[0003] Our highly mobile society necessitates the use of paved surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks and pathways. Such paved surfaces are typically made of an aggregate composition, namely, asphalt pavement material or concrete. Wear and seasonal changes to such paved surfaces causes damage. The damage is usually to localized areas, making pavement patching an economical alternative to complete pavement replacement. These damaged areas are typically repaired manually using hot or cold asphalt composition mixtures. Such pavement repairs are costly and can use up large portions of city and state road maintenance budgets. While the asphalt material used to make the repairs is relatively inexpensive, safety issues and labor costs are the major expense of road repairs. The labor costs are directly related to the number of people that are needed to make the repairs, as well as the time required for the holes to be repaired.

[0004] Currently, multiple road working personnel are required to patch potholes with shovels and a small capacity dump truck carrying asphalt repair materials. The procedures involve strenuous manual labor with the road workers being exposed to the dangers of vehicular traffic. Because the damaged areas are typically irregularly shaped depressions which contain broken and pulverized aggregate pavement material, they need to be cleaned out first. Then, the holes need to be filled and the patching material needs to be tamped down and the area cleaned up thereafter. [0005] There have been many instances of drivers accidentally striking the road maintenance crew members engaged in this activity. Every year across the country and around the world, hundreds of road maintenance and construction personnel are killed or seriously injured repairing potholes and removing other road hazards,

[0006] But, pothole repair cannot be ignored. When potholes are developed in pavement, additional damage becomes more likely. Water and environmental contaminants are able to seep into the aggregate composition further weakening it and setting the stage for more damage. Vehicle tires which pass over the damaged areas are often jolted by a recess or ridge, causing the vehicle to bounce, thereby exerting additional force on the surrounding pavement and spreading the damage. Damaged areas also affect the safety of vehicles and pedestrians. Recesses encountered by a vehicle may upset the stability of the vehicle and make it harder to control, thereby endangering pedestrians. Larger potholes may cause damage to vehicles directly, such as blown tires, suspension damage or bent wheels. Therefore, potholes need to be patched promptly in order to reduce additional damage or injury.

[0007] There have been proposals for single operator road repair machines. However, the proposed machines are astronomically expensive, very complicated and require a massive amount of preparation, maintenance and clean up after use and prior to shut down.

[0008] What is needed is a simple road patching system which is comprised of components that are familiar to all knowledgeable road working and construction oriented personnel. This would eliminate the learning curve of orientation and training on a new piece of equipment, as only proven field tested components are employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0009] In one embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a mobile pothole patching vehicle which comprises a chassis and front and rear support wheels for the chassis. A cab is mounted on the chassis. A paving material storage hopper is mounted on the chassis, as is a paving material dispensing mechanism which is in communication with the hopper. A discharge chute is in communication with the dispensing mechanism. A boom mechanism includes a proximal end mounted on the chassis. A first swivel mechanism rotates the boom mechanism in relation to the chassis. A vibratory plate compactor is mounted on a distal end of the boom mechanism.

[0010] A door can be mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute for selectively permitting communication between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. The dispensing mechanism can include an auger and an auger drive. The discharge chute can be pivotable in relation to the chassis and can further include a mechanism for moving the discharge chute.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressurized air device is mounted to the chassis. An air nozzle is connected to the chassis and is in fluid communication with the pressurized air device. A control is provided for selectively actuating the pressurized air device. The air nozzle can be pivotable in relation to the chassis between the stowed orientation and a deployed orientation for cleaning out a pothole before patching same.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of surveillance cameras are mounted to the chassis. A monitor is located in the cab to enable an operator to view designated areas on the vehicle and in the environment. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a brush is mounted to the chassis for cleaning out a pothole before dispensing of an associated paving material or a clean up thereafter. A traffic alert device can be mounted on the chassis, if so desired. The traffic alert device can include a telescopic section.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a tar storage tank can be mounted on the chassis. A tar spray nozzle is in communication with the tar storage tank.

[0014] A control system is located in the cab of the vehicle for controlling an operation of the paving material dispensing mechanism, the boom arm and the tamper plate. In one embodiment, the control system also controls an operation of the discharge chute and a door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. If desired, the control system can also control an operation of an air spray nozzle and a brush mechanism. Further, in one embodiment, the control system can also control operation of a tar spray nozzle.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the boom mechanism comprises a plurality of link members. The boom mechanism is collapsible so that it can be moved from a use position to a stowed position. A second swivel mechanism can be provided for rotating the vibratory plate in relation to the boom arm. For energy efficiency reasons, an engine exhaust line can extend through the paving material storage hopper in order to heat the associated paving material which is stored therein.

[0016] In one embodiment, a pair of discharge chutes are provided, one on each of a left and right side of the vehicle. Further provided is a first motor for propelling the vehicle and a second motor for selectively actuating the paving material dispensing mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIGURE 1 A is a schematic top plan view of a mobile pothole patching machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIGURE 1 B is a schematic side elevational view of the machine of FIGURE

1A;

[0019] FIGURE 1 C is a driver side view of the machine of FIGURE 1A;

[0020] FIGURES 1 D is a front view of the machine of FIGURE 1 A;

[0021] FIGURE 2A is a driver side cab cut away view of the machine of FIGURE 1 A;

[0022] FIGURE 2B is another driver side cab cut away view of the machine of

FIGURE 1A;

[0023] FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged schematic view of a chute and door of the machine of FIGURE 1 B;

[0024] FIGURE 4A is a schematic side view of a paving machine of FIGURE 2A;

[0025] FIGURE 4B is another schematic side view of the paving machine of FIGURE 4A;

[0026] FIGURES 5A and 5B are rear views of the paving machine of FIGURE 4A;

[0027] FIGURES 6A and 6B are top views of the paving machine of FIGURE 4A; [0028] FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a paving machine according to the present disclosure;

[0029] FIGURE 8 is a schematic top plan view showing surveillance monitor camera locations for the machine of FIGURE 1 A;

[0030] FIGURE 9 is a schematic top plan view showing an alternate embodiment of a pothole patching machine according to the present disclosure with a modified exhaust system for heating a patching material container of a paver of a pothole patching machine according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mobile pothole patching machine according to the present disclosure;

[0032] FIGURE 1 1 is a side elevational view of the machine of FIGURE 10 on a reduced scale;

[0033] FIGURE 12A is a schematic top plan view of a mobile pothole patching machine according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIGURE 12B is a schematic side elevational view of the machine of FIGURE

12A;

[0035] FIGURE 12C is a driver side cut away view of the machine of FIGURE 12A;

[0036] FIGURE 12D is a front elevational view of the machine of FIGURE 12A;

[0037] FIGURE 13 is a schematic top plan view of the machine of FIGURE 12A showing a heating system for the paving material; and

[0038] FIGURE 14 is a schematic top plan view of the machine of FIGURE 12A showing surveillance monitor camera locations for the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating several embodiments of the disclosure only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIGURES 1A - 1 D show a first embodiment of a pothole patching machine according to the present disclosure. Starting at the front of the vehicle, and with reference specifically to FIGURE 1 D, there is provided one or more clean out air nozzles 1 which can be mounted to a front bumper of the vehicle. It is evident from FIGURE 1 D that two such nozzles are provided, one located adjacent each side edge of the vehicle. The air nozzles can be foldable to place them into a storage position when not in use. Note the right hand nozzle in FIGURE 1 D. The vehicle includes a chassis, such as a truck chassis 2, to which is mounted a cab. Supported on the truck chassis is an air compressor 4 which is connected by an airline 3 to the one or more clean out air nozzles 1. The air compressor can be a high volume construction air compressor, if desired. The air compressor 4 can be powered by any conventional means.

[0040] It is evident that there are tires supporting the chassis 2 on a ground surface. Disposed behind the air compressor 4 is a paving device or machine 5. The paving device can hold a paving material such as an asphalt material or the like. The material can be either a cold patch, a warm mix or a hot asphalt patching material. Located in the vicinity of the paving device is at least one directional safety arrow 6 which can be best seen in FIGURE 1 D. The safety arrow is employed to direct traffic around the pothole patching vehicle as it is performing its operations. As is evident from FIGURE 1 D, two such safety arrows can be employed if so desired. Located near a rear end of the chassis 2 is a boom assembly 7 which supports on its free end a vibratory plate compactor 8. The boom assembly can pivot up to 160°, if so desired via a pivot mechanism as will be discussed hereinbelow. The plate compactor 8 can be supported on an extended portion of the vehicle frame or on a separate support member which is bolted onto the vehicle frame.

[0041] It should be appreciated that the vibratory plate compactor can be modified with blades on all sides in order to allow the operator to manipulate and move the asphalt patching material into place if the vehicle is unable to drive over the repair area. All of the controls for operating the various pieces of equipment mounted to the chassis are located in the cab of the vehicle. Such controls can be handles, joy sticks, switches, levers, push buttons and the like.

[0042] Mounted to the front end of the vehicle chassis can be one or more surveillance cameras 9. Such surveillance cameras may also be located on the rear end of the chassis, as well as beneath the chassis at the location where the asphalt or other patching material is deposited into the pothole. Thus, the entire underside of the vehicle can be covered by the several cameras so that the driver of the vehicle, who is at the same time also controlling the equipment supported on the vehicle, can see the road surface. Put another way, the disclosed embodiment provides an in-cab video surveillance of all repair functions or patching functions which are performed by the vehicle and the equipment held on it. Also, a single operator can control all operations performed by the vehicle.

[0043] Provided at the rear end of the chassis is the rear safety bumper 10. Disposed on the rear end of the chassis is a stove plate 1 1 on which the vibratory plate compactor 8 can be supported when not in use. This plate can also serve as a reservoir for a non-stick liquid in order to prevent the paving material from sticking to plate compactor. The boom assembly is supported on a boom mounting plate 12 fastened to the chassis 2. Similarly, the one or more directional safety arrows 6 can be supported on the chassis 2 by one or more mounting plates 13.

[0044] If desired, one or more road cleaning brushes 14 (FIGURE 1 C) can be mounted to the chassis 2 in the vicinity of the paving machine 5. The one or more brushes 14 can be used for cleaning out the pothole before it is patched and generally after it is air blasted. Alternately, they can be used to clean the vicinity of the newly patched pothole before the patching material is compacted. These brushes can be located so that they do not interfere with patching operations.

[0045] With reference now to FIGURE 1A, it can be seen that a plurality of monitor lines 16 extend from an in-cab monitor 17 to the various pieces of equipment housed on the truck or other vehicle. In one embodiment, the monitor lines can be electrical lines. In another embodiment, the control lines can be cables or the like and the monitoring takes place in the cab via various known instruments. It is generally known that the boom assembly 7 can be hydraulically operated. So, too, can be the controls for the paving machine 5. In other words, a control station 18 is provided in the cab. Included in the control station are left and right air controls 19 and air lines 20 to the clean out nozzles 1 . Also included are cables 21 to hydraulic controls 22 for the patching material distribution unit or paving machine 5, as well as the boom assembly 7. [0046] Illustrated in FIGURE 2A is an optional telescopic pole 23 on which the directional arrow 6 can be mounted so that the height of the arrow can be adjusted as may be necessary. FIGURE 1A illustrates a boom drive 33 to rotate the boom 7 as needed. In one embodiment, the boom drive 33 can be a chain a sprocket arrangement which rotates a base on which the boom arm assembly 7 is mounted. In this way, the boom assembly, which can include at least two link segments, can be pivoted in order to bring it into the correct position for tamping or compacting the patching material in a just patched pothole.

[0047] With reference now to FIGURE 2C, it can be seen that a retractable top 38 can be provided for covering the asphalt patching material held in a hopper of the paving machine in order to retain the heat therein. Additional equipment can be held in an adjacent storage box 39, if so desired. The storage box 39 can include a retractable top.

[0048] With reference now to FIGURE 3, the paver or paving machine 5 is provided with a chute door actuator 24 mounted to a body 25 of the paving machine. A chute door 26 is controlled by the actuator. The door allows the patching material, such as asphalt, to flow from an asphalt distribution auger 27 and then via a discharge chute 28 into the pothole being patched. The asphalt can be cold patch, warm mix or hot mix as desired.

[0049] With reference now to FIGURE 4A, it can be seen that a paver side door actuator 29 can be employed to selectively raise or lower the paver side door so that additional patching or paving material can be supplied to the hopper on the paving machine 5. See also FIGURE 7 in this regard. FIGURE 4B illustrates that the paving machine can employ one or more pivoting walls so as to encourage the paving or patching material to flow towards the auger 27. The wall sections can be hydraulically actuated if so desired, as is evident from the piston and cylinder arrangements illustrated in FIGURE 4B. Alternatively, of course, the piston and cylinder arrangements could be powered in other conventional ways as well.

[0050] With reference now to FIGURE 5A, another embodiment of a paver or paving machine is there illustrated. In this embodiment, a rear closure 31 of a paver 30 is shown. Pivotable asphalt discharge chutes 50 are shown in FIGURE 5B in order to direct the flow of the patching material to the pothole. The discharge chutes can be pivoted by any conventional means. With reference now to FIGURE 6B, the directional flow of asphalt feed is identified by arrow 32. An auger drive 34 is illustrated in FIGURE 4B. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4B, a chain drive 34 is employed to rotate the auger 27. Another auger drive 35 is illustrated in FIGURE 6A. The auger drive can employ any conventional known driving mechanism. The augers will direct the flow of the patching material to the side of the vehicle that the pothole is located on, and out the respective chute 50. FIGURE 6B also illustrates other components of the paving machine.

[0051] With reference now to FIGURE 7, it should be apparent that a muffler is shown at the upper end of the paving machine 5. The muffler 55 is connected to an internal combustion engine (not visible) which powers the paving machine. Thus, there can be provided a first internal combustion engine (not visible) to propel the vehicle and a second internal combustion engine for the paving machine.

[0052] A top view in schematic form of the machine of FIGURE 1A is illustrated in FIGURE 8. This figure shows the locations of various monitoring cameras which can be employed with the machine. More particularly, surveillance cameras can be provided for the air diffusers or air nozzles as shown at 9A and surveillance cameras can be provided for the asphalt chutes shown at 9B. Further, a surveillance camera can be provided for the paver unit as at 9C. This camera can be located either externally or internally of the paver unit. An additional surveillance camera as illustrated at 9D can be provided for the boom. A further surveillance camera, as at 9E, can be provided at the rear end of the vehicle frame so that the operator of the machine can look for oncoming traffic.

[0053] FIGURE 9 shows a modified exhaust embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the exhaust from the internal combustion engine or prime mover of the machine is employed to heat the asphalt material held in the storage compartment of the paving unit 5. More particularly, an exhaust line 60 from a muffler 62 can be split at a Y coupling 64 so as to provide a first exhaust path 66 leading to the paver unit bed 5 and a second exhaust path 68, spaced from the first path, and also leading to the paver unit bed. In this way, one or more paths can be provided through the storage compartment in the paver in order to heat the paving material. Further, exhaust from the paver unit's own internal combustion engine can also be employed to heat the asphalt held in the storage compartment of the paver unit. It should be appreciated that when engine exhaust is employed to heat the asphalt, a hot mix or warm mix is provided. However, if a cold patching material is employed, there is no need to shuttle the engine exhaust through the patching material held in the paving machine's hopper or storage box.

[0054] One embodiment of such a patching machine is shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. There can be seen a vehicle 100 including a cab 110, a chassis 120 mounted on wheels 122, as well as an air compressor 130, a paving unit 140 and a boom assembly 150. Not visible is the control station mounted in the cab along with the various monitors also mounted in the cab. The optional air blast nozzles are also not shown.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the patching machine includes a vehicle comprising a cab and a chassis mounted on wheels. However, in this embodiment, only a paving unit is mounted on the chassis. In other words, there would be no air compressor and no boom assembly mounted on the chassis. It can be contemplated that such a paving machine would also be advantageous because it would be less expensive and may, therefore, be preferable for certain municipalities where budgetary considerations are paramount. It is known that certain municipalities do not clean out the pothole before covering the pothole with patching material. As to tamping down the paving material, it can be contemplated that the rear tires of the vehicle can run over the patched pavement and tamp down the patching material. Some municipalities, in fact, do not tamp down the paving material in the newly patched pothole. In an effort to save money, such municipalities simply allow oncoming traffic to run over the newly patched pothole expecting that the tires of the vehicles traversing the highway will tamp down the paving material into the pothole. For this embodiment of the disclosure, rather than using a double tire arrangement as at 122 in Figures 10 and 11 , an optional double wide single tire can be provided on each side. It is believed that with such a design, the tire would tamp down the patching material and not leave tracks on the paving material in the newly patched pothole.

[0056] With reference now to FIGURES 12A - 12D, another embodiment of a mobile pothole patching machine is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the machine comprises a vehicle which includes a chassis 200 and front and rear support wheels 202, 204 for the chassis. Also provided is a cab 206 mounted on the chassis. A paving machine 210, including a paving material storage hopper, is mounted on the chassis. The hopper can include a directional floor 212 for feeding a paving material, such as asphalt to a desired location. It can also include a paver side door 214, as well as a paver side door actuator 216. The hopper can include a retractable top 218 in order to selectively cover the paving material and retain heat therein. Further, a retractable top storage box 220 can be provided adjacent the hopper. The paving unit is provided with an engine as is known in the art. The engine can be an internal combustion engine. An exhaust from the internal combustion engine can be directed into the hopper of the paver in order to heat the paving material therein, as shown at 230.

[0057] A paving material dispensing mechanism is mounted on the chassis and is in communication with the hopper. As previously disclosed, the dispensing mechanism can comprise an auger for moving the paving material, as well as an auger housing. Further provided is a discharge chute 240 and a chute door 242. A chute door actuator 244 can be provided. The chute door actuator can be a piston and cylinder mechanism, as is illustrated. The chute door is mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute 240 for selectively permitting communication between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. It is noted that the discharge chute can be pivotable in relation to the chassis and can further include a known mechanism for moving the discharge chute between various orientations thereof.

[0058] A boom assembly 250 is mounted on the chassis. The boom assembly includes a proximal end 252 which is mounted to the chassis and a distal end 254 to which is mounted tamper plate 260. The tamper plate can be a vibratory plate/compactor. There can also be provided a swivel mechanism 262 positioned between the distal end 254 of the boom assembly and the tamper plate. In this way, the tamper plate 260 can be pivoted in relation to the boom assembly. At the same time, the boom assembly is pivotable in relation to the chassis, as previously discussed. A boom mounting plate 268 is provided on the vehicle for rotatably mounting the boom assembly thereon. FIGURE 12B illustrates the boom assembly in its use position, whereas FIGURE 12A illustrates it in a stowed position. In other words, the boom assembly, which in this embodiment comprises three links or arms pivotally connected together and moved by piston and cylinder assemblies as known in the art, and mounted on a support, is collapsible from an extended, use position to a stowed, collapsed position. Such stowing is advantageous to reduce the length of the boom assembly and, hence, the vehicle. For stowage purposes, there is provided a holder plate 266 mounted on the chassis. Provided at the rear of the chassis can be a safety bumper 270. A further bumper 272 can be provided at the front of the chassis.

[0059] If so desired, electronic or hydraulic controls 280 can be provided for the paving machine 210 and the boom assembly 250 on the chassis and outside the cab 206 thereof, as illustrated in FIGURE 12C.

[0060] A pressurized air device 290 can be mounted on the chassis. An air nozzle 292 is connected to the chassis and is in fluid communication with the pressurized air device. A control is provided for selectively actuating the pressurized air device. It is noted that the air nozzles 292 are selectively pivotable in relation to the chassis between a stowed orientation and a deployed orientation. FIGURE 12D shows one of the nozzles 292 in a stowed orientation, whereas another nozzle is shown in a deployed orientation. Air lines 294 connect the air nozzles 292 to the pressurized air device 290. Left and right air controls 296 can be provided to selectively actuate one or both of the air nozzles as may be needed. An air line 298 communicates the pressurized air from the air compressor 290 to the cab of the vehicle.

[0061] In one embodiment, a plurality of surveillance cameras 300 can be mounted to the chassis. As illustrated in FIGURE 14, two surveillance cameras 300A can be mounted at the front of the vehicle. Another pair of surveillance cameras 300B can be mounted amidships between the paver unit or paving machine 210 and the pressurized air device 290. The surveillance cameras 300B are oriented to observe the pothole during the brushing and patching process. A further number of surveillance cameras can be mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a first camera 300C is mounted directly at the rear of the paver unit 210 and a further pair of cameras 300D and 300E are mounted on the rear bumper 270. Mounted in the cab 206 is an in-cab monitor 304. Suitable electric lines 306 and 308 connect the several surveillance cameras 300A - 300E to the monitor 304 so that the operator can observe conditions both on the vehicle and in its surroundings.

[0062] If desired, a brush 310 can be provided to clean out the pothole after the air nozzles have been employed and before patching material is dispensed via the discharge chute 240 or to clean the vicinity of the pothole after the patching process.

[0063] In this embodiment, there is provided a tar storage tank 320 and a dispensing nozzle 322 (see FIGURE 12A) which selectively dispenses the tar into the pothole after the air blast operation and brushing operation, if any, and before the patching material is dispensed via the chute 240. The purpose for the tar is in order to better adhere the patching material in the pothole. A similar spray nozzle as at 322 can be provided on the opposed side or passenger side of the vehicle, as at 324. The tar storage tank 320 can be heated by propane or the like. Tar or a similar material can be employed for making the pothole surface tacky before the patching material is placed in the pothole. Such tar or tackifying material can be used for cold patch, warm mix or hot asphalt patching material.

[0064] Positioned in the cab 206 of the vehicle is a control system. The control system controls the operation of the paving material dispensing mechanism, the boom arm and the compacting plate. It can also control the operation of the discharge chute and the door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. Further, the control system can also control the operation of the air spray nozzles and the brush mechanism. In addition, the control system can control the operation of the tar or spray nozzles 322 and 324.

[0065] With reference now to FIGURE 13, an exhaust from the internal combustion engine or prime mover of the vehicle is employed to heat the asphalt material or other paving material held in the storage compartment of the paving unit 210. More particularly, an exhaust line 360 from a muffler 362 can be split at a Y coupling 364 so as to provide a first exhaust path 366 leading to the paver unit bed and a second exhaust path 368 spaced from the first path and also leading to the paver unit bed.

[0066] It should be appreciated that a pair of discharge chutes 240 are provided, one on each of left and a right side of the vehicle. This can be advantageous in order to allow the vehicle to patch potholes on both sides of the vehicle.

[0067] Also provided are a plurality of electrical control lines 320 which extend to the excavator boom assembly 250 and the asphalt paver 210 from the cab 206. If desired, an electronic control station 322 with joystick controls can be employed to selectively actuate the boom assembly 250 and, hence, the tamping or vibratory compacting plate 260 and the asphalt paver 210 from the cab of the vehicle.

[0068] With reference again to FIGURE 12B, there can be mounted one or more warning lights 370 such as at the top of the cab 206 in order to alert vehicles traveling the same road as the mobile pothole patching vehicle of its position. In one embodiment, a bar housing for such lights can be employed, as is evident from FIGURE

12D.

[0069] Disclosed has been a one man pothole repair or patching machine which can include a truck and chassis. The truck can be single, tandem or triple axle, depending on customer requirements. An asphalt paving machine with a heated asphalt containment unit, known as an asphalt paver, is mounted on the truck. The paver can be 4, 6, 8 or 10 ton unit, depending on customer requirements. Thus, up to 10 tons of patching material can be carried on the chassis 2. Also supported on the vehicle is a boom assembly, which can be 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 feet in length depending on customer requirements. Mounted to the free end of the boom is a vibratory plate compactor. Also mounted on the cab, if desired, is an air compressor which provides pressurized air pumped to air clean out nozzles for the potholes being patched. If desired, cleaning brushes and a tar or other tackifying material dispenser can be mounted on the chassis. Mounted on the vehicle are left and right asphalt distribution funnels or chutes. Auger rotation of the paving unit will determine whether the discharge of the asphalt is to the left or the right funnel. Provided in the cab are all the controls for remote operation of the various pieces of equipment. Moreover, video surveillance of all pothole repair operations is covered via the in cab monitors. Since the operator stays in the vehicle the risk of injury to the operator during patching operations is greatly lessened.

[0070] The disclosed pothole repair unit or machine allows for repair and clean-up of interstate highways, county and city roads and alleys. Clean up and repair of federal, state, county, city and township parks and properties are also possible with only a single operator. The unit can further be used for sidewalks, airports, race tracks, drag strips and commercial parking lots.

[0071] The unit greatly enhances safety as the operator remains in the cab at all times, thus reducing work related fatalities and injuries, reducing insurance costs, improving budgets by significantly reducing the cost of patching potholes. But, most importantly, the disclosed pothole patching machine saves lives.

[0072] Options for the pothole repair machine include air pressure clean out nozzles, street sweepers or brooms, digital recording of operations and traffic conditions, GPS tracking and the like. Other options available after the potholes are repaired include a change out of the vibratory plate compactor unit for a digger bucket, an auger drill, a bucket thumb, excavator shears, a stump grinder or any other compatible attachment. Moreover, the high pressure pothole clean out nozzles can be directed to blow snow. Further, salt can be distributed from the paving unit.

[0073] The several components mounted on the chassis should be familiar to most road workers as they should already have been trained on like asphalt repair units, booms and compressors.

[0074] What has been disclosed is a one man pothole repair and patching vehicle including a truck having a chassis supporting an asphalt paving machine and a boom mechanism supporting a vibratory plate compactor. The disclosed unit greatly limits the danger to road maintenance personnel of patching potholes, as well as other outdoor repair and clean up duties which reduces insurance costs, improves township budgets and saves lives. [0075] Disclosed has been a one man mobile pothole patching machine which includes a truck chassis and cab, an asphalt paver, including a conveyor for delivery of the asphalt to a road surface and an asphalt containment unit. Also provided is a vibratory plate compactor. An air compressor can be employed to clean out the potholes before the machine advances the paver to patch the pothole. Thereafter, the vibratory plate compactor compacts the asphalt material.

[0076] The disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A mobile pothole patching vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

front and rear support wheels for the chassis;

a cab mounted on the chassis;

a paving material storage hopper mounted on the chassis;

a paving material dispensing mechanism mounted on the chassis and in communication with the hopper;

a discharge chute in communication with the dispensing mechanism;

a boom mechanism including a proximal end mounted on the chassis;

a first swivel mechanism for rotating the boom mechanism in relation to the chassis; and,

a vibratory plate compactor mounted on a distal end of the boom arm.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute for selectively permitting communication between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an auger and an auger drive.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the discharge chute is pivotable in relation to the chassis and further including a mechanism for moving the discharge chute.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a pressurized air device mounted to the chassis;

an air nozzle connected to the chassis and in fluid communication with the pressurized air device; and,

a control for selectively actuating the pressurized air device.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the air nozzle is pivotable in relation to the chassis between a stowed orientation and a deployed orientation for cleaning out a pothole before patching same.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of surveillance cameras mounted to the chassis; and,

a monitor located in the cab to enable an operator to view designated areas on the vehicle and in the environment.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a brush mounted to the chassis for at least one of cleaning out a pothole before dispensing of an associated paving material or clean up thereafter.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a traffic alert device mounted on the chassis.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the traffic alert device includes a telescopic section.

11. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a tar storage tank mounted on the chassis; and,

a tar spray nozzle in communication with the tar storage tank.

12. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a control system located in the cab for controlling an operation of the paving material dispensing mechanism, the boom arm, the tamper plate.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the control system also controls an operation of the discharge chute and a door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the control system also controls an operation of an air spray nozzle and a brush mechanism.

1 5. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the control system also controls an operation of a tar spray nozzle.

16. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the boom mechanism comprises a plurality of link members and wherein the boom mechanism is collapsible so that it can be selectively moved from a use position to a stowed position.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 further comprising a second swivel mechanism for rotating the vibratory plate in relation to the boom arm.

18. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising an engine exhaust line which extends through the paving material storage hopper in order to heat an associated paving material stored therein.

19. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein a pair of discharge chutes are provided, one on each of a left and right side of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a first motor for propelling the vehicle and a second motor for selectively actuating the paving material dispensing mechanism.