Pothole Repair System

• US 20110085860A1
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis J. Gregerson
• Original Assignee: Dennis J. Gregerson
• Inventors: Gregerson, Dennis J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,517,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/107
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/06 Devices or arrangements for working the finished surface working freshly laid paving E01C19/42 - E01C19/44, E01C23/02; mining picks E21C35/18; Devices for repairing or reconditioning the surface of damaged paving; Recycling in place or on the road
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/098 and working the surface of the filling or applying particulate material thereto, e.g. smoothing, gritting
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/124 moved rectilinearly, e.g. road-breaker apparatus with reciprocating tools, with drop-hammers
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3414 the arms being pivoted at the rear of the vehicle chassis, e.g. skid steer loader
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/4075 Dump doors; Control thereof

Abstract

A pothole repair system for completely repairing potholes through the operation of a loader vehicle and connected implement. The implement generally includes a supporting structure adapted to mount to the loader, such as a skid steer loader or excavator, a hopper-style bucket connected to the supporting structure, the bucket having a lower opening closable by an actuated gate, a first impact device connected to the supporting structure to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein first impact device has an interchangeable tamper end, a second impact device connected to the supporting structure to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein the second impact device has an interchangeable chisel end. The impact devices may be raised and lowered via linkage assemblies or may be fixed to the supporting structure. Other tools, such as air nozzles may be used to assist in repairing the potholes.

Claims

1. A loader implement for repairing potholes, comprising:

a supporting structure adapted to mount to a loader;

a bucket connected to said supporting structure, said bucket having sidewalls defining an upper opening and a lower opening, said sidewalls tapering inwards towards said lower opening;

wherein said bucket includes a gate to close over said lower opening; and

at least one impact means connected to said supporting structure, said impact means extending below said bucket to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner.

2. The loader implement of claim 1, wherein said impact means has a tamper end.

3. The loader implement of claim 2, including a shoe removably connected to said tamper end, said shoe having an impacting surface area greater than said tamper end.

4. The loader implement of claim 3, wherein said shoe pivots with respect to said tamper end.

5. The loader implement of claim 1, wherein said impact means has a chisel end.

6. The loader implement of claim 1, wherein said impact means includes an interchangeable working end.

7. The loader implement of claim 6, wherein said interchangeable working end is comprised of a tamper structure.

8. The loader implement of claim 6, wherein said interchangeable working end is comprised of a chisel structure.

9. The loader implement of claim 1, including an air nozzle connected to said supporting structure, said air nozzle directed vertically downwards to spray below a road surface.

10. The loader implement of claim 1, wherein said impact means is connected to said supporting structure via a linkage assembly, said linkage assembly including:

a first linking member having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said supporting structure;

a second linking member having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said supporting structure;

wherein said second linking member is spaced from said first linking member;

an actuator interconnecting said first linking member to said second linking member, said actuator adapted to collectively pivot said first linking member and said second linking member about said support assembly;

a carrier pivotally connected to said second end of both of said first linking member and said second linking member, said carrier adapted to support said impact means in a vertical orientation;

said actuator adapted to extend and retract to lift and lower said carrier along with said impact means to a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position.

11. The loader implement of claim 10, wherein said carrier includes a catch member and wherein said support assembly includes a seat, wherein said catch member is removably received by said seat to retain said impact means in said lower vertical position, wherein said catch member releases from said seat when said impact means is moved to said upper vertical position.

12. A loader implement for repairing potholes, comprising:

a supporting structure adapted to mount to a loader;

a bucket connected to said supporting structure, said bucket having sidewalls defining an upper opening and a lower opening, said sidewalls tapering inwards towards said lower opening;

wherein said bucket includes an actuated gate to close over said lower opening; and

a first impact device connected to said supporting structure, said first impact device extends below said bucket, and said first impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner;

said first impact device having a tamper end; and

a second impact device connected to said supporting structure, said second impact device extends below said bucket, and said second impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner.

said second impact device having a chisel end.

13. The loader implement of claim 12, wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are each positioned adjacent laterally opposing ends of said bucket.

14. The loader implement of claim 13, wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are parallel to each other.

15. The loader implement of claim 12, wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are each aligned with a crosswise center of said bucket.

16. The loader implement of claim 15, wherein said first impact device is oriented in a first angular position and wherein said second impact device is oriented in a second angular position, wherein said first angular position is different from said second angular position.

17. The loader implement of claim 12, including an air nozzle connected to said supporting structure, said air nozzle directed vertically downwards to spray below a road surface.

18. The loader implement of claim 12, wherein said loader is comprised of a skid steer loader.

19. The loader implement of claim 12, wherein said loader is comprised of an excavator.

20. A loader implement for repairing potholes, comprising:

a supporting structure adapted to mount to a loader;

a bucket connected to said supporting structure, said bucket having sidewalls defining an upper opening and a lower opening, said sidewalls tapering inwards towards said lower opening;

wherein said bucket includes an actuated gate to close over said lower opening;

a first impact device movably connected to said supporting structure;

said first impact device extends below said bucket, and said first impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner;

said first impact device having an interchangeable tamper end;

a first linkage assembly to connect said first impact device between said bucket and said supporting assembly, said first linkage devices including;

a first linking member;

a second linking member, wherein said second linking member is spaced from said first linking member;

a first actuator interconnecting said first linking member to said second linking member, said first actuator adapted to collectively pivot said first linking member and said second linking member about said support assembly; and

a first carrier pivotally connected to said second end of both of said first linking member and said second linking member, said first carrier adapted to support said first impact device in a vertical orientation;

said first actuator adapted to extend and retract to lift and lower said first carrier along with said first impact device to a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position;

wherein said first carrier includes a first catch member and wherein said support assembly includes a first seat, wherein said first catch member is removably received by said first seat to retain said first impact device in said lower vertical position;

wherein said first catch member releases from said first seat when said first impact device is moved to said upper vertical position;

a second impact device connected to said supporting structure, said second impact device extends below said bucket, and said second impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner;

said second impact device having an interchangeable chisel end;

a second linkage assembly to connect said second impact device between said bucket and said supporting assembly, said second linkage devices including;

a third linking member;

a fourth linking member, wherein said third linking member is spaced from said fourth linking member;

a second actuator interconnecting said third linking member to said fourth linking member, said second actuator adapted to collectively pivot said third linking member and said fourth linking member about said support assembly; and

a second carrier pivotally connected to said second end of both of said third linking member and said fourth linking member, said second carrier adapted to support said second impact device in a vertical orientation;

said second actuator adapted to extend and retract to lift and lower said second carrier along with said second impact device to a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position;

wherein said second carrier includes a second catch member and wherein said support assembly includes a second seat, wherein said second catch member is removably received by said second seat to retain said second impact device in said lower vertical position;

wherein said second catch member releases from said second seat when said second impact device is moved to said upper vertical position;

wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are each positioned adjacent laterally opposing ends of said bucket;

wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are parallel to each other; and

a shoe removably connected to said tamper end of said first impact device, said shoe having an impacting surface area greater than said tamper end;

said shoe having an adjustment member to adjust a size of a retaining cavity adapted to receive said tamper end;

said shoe having a pivotal joint for pivoting said shoe about said tamper end.