Self-propelled pavement material placing machine and methods for backfilling micro-trenches
First Claim
1. A machine for backfilling pavement material into a trench defined within a pavement surface, the machine comprising:
- a frame defining a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one wheel, wherein the frame is configured to move along the pavement surface and the longitudinal axis extends substantially along a direction of the trench;
a hopper supported on the frame, wherein the hopper comprises an inlet opening configured to receive pavement material and an outlet opening configured to discharge pavement material into the trench;
a paddle assembly disposed at least partially within the hopper and proximate the outlet opening, wherein the paddle assembly comprises a rotatable shaft and a disk coupled to the shaft, and wherein the disk is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a compactor supported on the frame and aligned with the hopper along the longitudinal axis, wherein the compactor is configured to compact the discharged pavement material within the trench.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for backfilling pavement material into a trench defined within a pavement surface includes a frame defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one wheel. The frame being configured to move along the pavement surface. A hopper supported on the frame and including an inlet opening configured to receive pavement material and an outlet opening configured to discharge pavement material into the trench. The machine also includes a compactor supported on the frame and aligned with the hopper along the longitudinal axis. The compactor is configured to compact the discharged pavement material within the trench.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A machine for backfilling pavement material into a trench defined within a pavement surface, the machine comprising:
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a frame defining a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one wheel, wherein the frame is configured to move along the pavement surface and the longitudinal axis extends substantially along a direction of the trench; a hopper supported on the frame, wherein the hopper comprises an inlet opening configured to receive pavement material and an outlet opening configured to discharge pavement material into the trench; a paddle assembly disposed at least partially within the hopper and proximate the outlet opening, wherein the paddle assembly comprises a rotatable shaft and a disk coupled to the shaft, and wherein the disk is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a compactor supported on the frame and aligned with the hopper along the longitudinal axis, wherein the compactor is configured to compact the discharged pavement material within the trench. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of backfilling pavement material into a trench defined within a pavement surface, the method comprising:
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moving a machine along the trench, wherein the machine includes a frame and at least one wheel; receiving the pavement material in a hopper supported on the frame; agitating the pavement material via a rotatable paddle assembly disposed at least partially within the hopper, wherein the paddle assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a disk coupled to the shaft, and wherein the disk is substantially parallel to a direction of the trench; discharging the pavement material from an outlet opening of the hopper into the trench as the machine moves along the trench; and after the pavement material is placed within the trench, compacting the pavement material within the trench as the machine moves along the trench. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification