MULTI-STAGE MODULAR ROAD PAVING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND SALES

• US 20070237582A1
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CMI Terex Corporation (Terex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cedarapids Incorporated (Terex Corporation)
• Inventors: MUSIL, JOSEPH
• Granted Patent: US 7,771,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/108
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/48 for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface , e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ E01C19/002, E01C23/065 take precedence; devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path E01C19/004

Abstract

A multi-stage modular road building equipment system where a first stage base tractor is coupled to an intermediate stage, such as a spreading screw, and a third stage screed road paving tool attachment or other attachment such as a widener.

Claims

1. A multi-stage road paving equipment system comprising:

a base tractor first stage for providing basic controls and motive forces and a first stage-to-stage coupling;

an intermediate stage, configured to mate with the first stage-to-stage coupling and further configured with a second stage-to-stage coupling;

the intermediate stage is additionally configured to transport hot mix asphalt beyond merely providing a second stage-to-stage coupling;

a first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments configured to mate with the second stage-to-stage coupling, where each of the plurality of third stage tool attachment provides a differing function and where each of the plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments is not configured to be directly mated to the first stage-to-stage coupling.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate stage comprises a spreading screw for hot mix asphalt;

and

the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a screed attachment.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a road widener.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate stage is coupled to the base tractor first stage via the first stage-to-stage coupler which is configured not to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second stage-to-stage coupler is configured to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a screed attachment.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a road widener attachment.

8. A multi-stage modular road building equipment system comprising:

a base tractor;

a plurality of remote attachments which are configured to be readily attached to and detached from the base tractor via a common intermediate stage; and

a plurality of direct attachments which are configured to be directly attached to the base tractor.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the intermediate stage and the direct attachments are not configured to be readily detachable and re-attachable in the field.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of remote attachments comprise a screed and a road widener.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of direct attachments comprise a blind mateable road widener.

12. A method of fulfilling customer orders for a variety of road paving equipment comprising the steps of:

manufacturing and storing in inventory a base road paving tractor which is configured to provide controls and motive forces;

the tractor configured with a first stage-to-stage coupler;

manufacturing and storing in inventory an intermediate stage member which is configured to mate with the first stage-to-stage coupler where the intermediate stage is configured to provide functionality beyond merely coupling between the base road paving tractor and a tool attachment;

manufacturing and storing in inventory a plurality of differently functioning road paving tool attachments, each of which is configured for coupling via a second stage-to-stage coupler to the intermediate stage member;

receiving a request for a first predetermined model of road building equipment;

assembling a unit of the first predetermined model of road building equipment using, from an inventory, the first stage base tractor, the intermediate stage member and a first of the plurality of differently functioning road paving tool attachments, where attachment between the first stage base tractor and the intermediate stage member is configured so as not to be readily detachable and re-attachable in the field; and

replenishing an inventory with items which were used to assemble the unit of the first predetermined model of road building equipment;

receiving a request for a second predetermined model of road building equipment which performs a different function than the first predetermined model of road building equipment;

assembling a unit of the second predetermined model of road building equipment using, from an inventory, the first stage base tractor, the intermediate stage member and a second of the plurality of differently functioning road paving tool attachments, where attachment between the first stage base tractor and the intermediate stage member is configured so as not to be readily detachable and re-attachable in the field; and

replenishing an inventory with items which were used to assemble the unit of the second predetermined model of road building equipment.