DEVICE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF A MICRO-TRENCH

• US 20170268183A1
• Filed: 03/15/2016
• Published: 09/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Willamette Valley Company
• Original Assignee: The Willamette Valley Company
• Inventors: Loomis, Robert, Goodwin, Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 9,816,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0973 with liquid or semi-liquid materials, e.g. crack sealants

Abstract

A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.

Claims

1. A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a hopper comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is at a location higher than the second opening within the hopper;

a valve portion connected to the second opening of the hopper;

a tube connected to the valve portion; and

a dynamic plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the tube and the bottom opening comprising a length and a width, whereby the tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the second opening of the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is machine-powered.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a frame support;

and

wherein the hopper is positioned within the frame support and is rotatably connected to the frame support.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is non-machine-powered.

8. A machine-powered device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a hopper comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is at a location lower than the first opening within the hopper;

a valve portion connected to the second opening of the hopper;

a flexible tube connected to the valve portion; and

a plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the flexible tube, whereby the flexible tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the second opening of the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises a frame support;

and

wherein the hopper is positioned within the frame support and is rotatably connected to the frame support.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion;

and

wherein the plate portion is dynamic.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the bottom opening of the plate portion comprises a length and a width.

15. A machine-powered device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a frame support;

a hopper positioned within the frame support and rotatably connected to the frame support;

a valve portion connected to the hopper;

a flexible tube connected to the valve portion; and

a plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the flexible tube and the bottom opening comprising a length and a width, whereby the flexible tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion;

and

wherein the plate portion is dynamic.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the frame support comprises a mount.