CURB SLIP FORM APPARATUS

• US 3,779,662 A
• Filed: 07/12/1971
• Issued: 12/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Don W. Smith
• Original Assignee: Don W. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Don W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Byers, Jr., Nile C.
• Application Number:
  US05/161,628
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 94/46R,46AC 404/84,98
• US Class Current: 404/98
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/116 Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/4893 Apparatus designed for railless operation
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/783 having a horizontal axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/841 Devices for controlling and guiding the whole machine, e.g. by feeler elements and reference lines placed exteriorly of the machine construction of roads E01C19/008

Abstract

An improved curb slip form apparatus for forming a predetermined, formed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface generally along a predetermined survey line, having a form member which is pivotally connected to a support frame, the formed configuration being extruded from the form member, in an operating position of the form member and in a driven position of the support frame. The curb slip form apparatus includes, a form steering assembly which is connected to the form member and constructed to sense the position of the form member relative to a predetermined control line to automatically maintain the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line; and a track steering control, a cross slope control and an elevation control, each of which are connected to the support frame and constructed to sense the position of the support frame relative to a control line to automatically maintain the curb slip form apparatus in a predetermined aligned position; and an improved apparatus for constructing a control line along a predetermined survey.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming a predetermined formed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface, generally along a predetermined survey line, comprising:

a support frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side and a right side;

means having a portion connected to the support frame supporting the support frame and moving the support frame in a driven position thereof;

a shaped form member pivotally connected to the support frame, the form member formingly engaging the concrete material of the like to form such material to the predetermined formed configuration, in an operating position of the form member and in a driven position of the support frame; and

form steering means sensing the position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, having one portion connected to the form member and connected to the support frame pivotally moving the form member relative to the support frame in response to the sensed position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line maintaining the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, thereby maintaining the alignment of the formed configuration relative to the predetermined survey line, comprising;

a form steering member, having one portion connected to the support frame and another portion connected to the form member, the form steering member pivotally moving the form member in generally lateral pivot directions with respect to the support frame in an actuated position of the form steering member;

form steering sensor means having one portion connected to the form member generally near the rearward end portion of the form member and one portion sensing the position of the rearward end portion of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line and providing an output signal responsive thereto; and

means, having a portion connected to the form steering sensor means and a portion connected to the form steering membEr receiving the output signal of the form steering sensor means and actuating the form steering member in response thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the form member includes, a forward end and a rearward end, the form member being pivotally connected to the support frame generally near the forward end of the form member, the formed configuration being extruded generally from the rearward end portion of the form member in a driven position of the support frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the form member is disposed generally between the left side and the right side of the support frame and extends generally between the forward end and the rearward end of the support frame, the forward end of the form member being disposed generally near the forward end of the support frame and the rearward end of the form member being disposed generally near the rearward end of the support frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the form member includes:

a form cavity extending therethrough intersecting the rearward end of the form member, the portion of the form member defining the form cavity formingly engaging the concrete material or the like to form such material to the predetermined formed configuration, a portion of the form member slidingly engaging the surface in an operating position thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 defined further to include:

a tow bar means, having opposite ends, connected to the support frame generally near the forward end thereof and extending generally between the left side and the right side of the support frame;

a flange means secured to the forward end portion of the form member and extending a distance therefrom, the flange means pivotally secured to the tow bar means to pivotally support the form member generally near the forward end thereof; and

forward form positioning means connected to the support frame and having a portion thereof connected to the tow bar means to lower the tow bar means in an actuated lowering position thereof, there-by lowering the form member to an operating position and to raise the tow bar means in an actuated raising position thereof, thereby raising the form member to a storage position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 defined further to include:

spring means interposed between the forward form positioning means and the tow bar means to absorb limited movement of the support frame relative to the tow bar means and the form member.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 defined further to include:

a pair of pin means, each pin means having a flange portion formed on one end thereof, one pin means slidingly journaled through the tow bar means generally near one end thereof and the other pin means slidingly journaled through the tow bar means generally near the opposite end thereof;

a retaining means adjustably secured to the end of each pin means, opposite the end thereof having the flange portion formed thereon, each retaining means engaging the tow bar means to limit the movement of the pin means connected thereto in one direction; and

a spring means disposed about each pin means, each spring means having a portion engaging the tow bar means and another portion engaging the flange portion of one of the pin means, the tow bar means being disposed between the retaining means and the spring means, each spring means cooperating to absorb limited movement of the tow bar means and the form member in a direction toward a storage position thereof yet maintaining the form member in an operating position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the forward form positioning means is defined further to include:

a first hydraulic cylinder means, having a rod portion reciprocatingly disposed therein, connected to the support frame generally near the left side thereof;

a first crank rotatingly supported on the support frame having one arm portion connected to the rod portion of the first hydraulic cylinder means and one other arm portion connected to the flange Portion of one of the pin means, the first crank translating the reciprocating movement of the first hydraulic cylinder means to raise and lower the form member in a generally vertically upwardly and down-wardly direction;

a second hydraulic cylinder means, having a rod portion reciprocatingly disposed therein, connected to the support frame generally near the right side thereof; and

a second crank rotatingly supported on the support frame having one arm portion connected to the rod portion of the second hydraulic cylinder means and one other arm portion connected to the flange portion of one of the pin means, the second crank translating the reciprocating movement of the second hydraulic cylinder means to raise and lower the form member in a generally vertically upwardly and downwardly direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

rearward form positioning means connected to the support frame and having a portion thereof connected to the form member generally near the rearward end thereof, to lower the form member in an actuated lowering position thereof to an operating position of the form member, and to raise the form member in an actuated raising position thereof to a storage position of the form member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for drivingly supporting the support frame is defined further to include:

left track means, having a portion thereof connected to the support frame, generally near the left side thereof, moving the support frame in a forward direction and in a rearward direction in a driven position thereof;

right track means, having a portion thereof connected to the support frame, generally near the right side thereof, moving the support frame in a forward and a rearward direction in a driven position thereof;

track steering sensor means connected to the support frame and having one portion thereof sensing the position of the support frame relative to the predetermined survey line and providing an output signal responsive thereto;

left hydraulic motor means connected to the left track means driving the left track means in a driven position thereof;

right hydraulic motor means connected to the right track means driving the right track means in a driven position thereof;

pump means connected to the left hydraulic motor means and to the right hydraulic motor means providing fluid thereto to drive the left hydraulic motor means and the right hydraulic motor means when in communication therewith;

flow divider valve means interposed between the pump means and the left hydraulic motor means and the right hydraulic motor means, the flow divider valve means controlling the flow of fluid from the pump means to the left hydraulic motor means and from the pump means to the right hydraulic motor means to steeringly drive the left track means and the right track means; and

control means receiving the output signal from the track steering sensor means and being connected to the flow divider valve means, the control means positioning the flow divider valve means to control the flow of fluid from the pump means to the left hydraulic motor means and from the pump means to the right hydraulic motor means in response to the output signal received from the track steering sensor means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the track steering sensor means is further defined as being connected to a support frame generally near the forward end thereof, the track steering sensor means thereby sensing the position of the forward end portion of the support frame relative to the predetermined survey line.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

left track means, having a portion thereof connected to the support frame, generally near the left side thereof, moving the support frame in a forward direction and in a rearward direction in a driven position thereof;

right track means, having a portion thereof connected to the support frame, generally near the right siDe thereof, moving the support frame in a forward and a rearward direction in a driven position thereof;

forward elevation positioning means, having a portion connected to the left track means and another portion connected to the support frame, generally near the left side thereof and generally near the forward end thereof, the forward elevation positioning means raising the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position thereof, and lowering the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position thereof; and

means sensing the elevation of the support frame relative to a predetermined control elevation, connected to the forward elevation positioning means and actuating the forward elevation positioning means to an actuated raising position and to an actuated lowering position thereof in response to the sensed elevation of the support frame, to maintain the elevation of the support frame relative to the predetermined control elevation.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 defined further to include:

a cross-slope positioning means having a portion thereof connected to the right track means and another portion thereof connected to the support frame generally near the right side thereof and generally near the forward end thereof, to raise the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position thereof, and to lower the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position thereof; and

means to sense the cross-slope position of the support frame relative to a predetermined control cross-slope and to actuate the cross-slope positioning means to an actuated raising position and to an actuated lowering position in response to the sensed cross-slope position of the support frame, to maintain the cross-slope position of the support frame relative to the predetermined control cross-slope position.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 defined further to include:

left rearward elevation positioning means having a portion connected to the left track means and another portion connected to the support frame generally near the left side thereof and generally near the rearward end thereof, raising the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position thereof and lowering the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position thereof;

right rearward elevation positioning means having a portion connected to the right track member and another portion connected to the support frame generally near the right side thereof and generally near the rearward end thereof raising the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position thereof, and lowering the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position thereof; and

means actuating the left and the right rearward elevation positioning means to actuated raising positions and to actuated lowering positions.

15. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the form member includes, a concrete receiving portion generally near the forward end thereof, having an upper end forming an opening for receiving the concrete material or the like to guide such material to a position to be formingly engaged by the form member.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the form member includes, an opening in the forward end thereof to pass expansion joints, reinforcing rods or the like therethrough in a driven position of the support frame, the expansion joints, reinforcing rods or the like being disposed within the formed configuration extruded from the form member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 defined further to include:

a form extension section having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end thereof removably connected to the forward end of the form member generally about the opening therein and extenDing a predetermined distance therefrom, the form extension section retainingly engaging a portion of the concrete material or the like in a position to be formingly engaged by the form member.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 defined further to include a cover removably secured to the forward end of the form member substantially closing the opening in the forward end of the form member to cooperatingly guide the concrete material or the like to a position to be formingly engaged by the form member.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the support frame includes, a form opening therethrough;

and wherein the concrete receiving portion of the form member is defined further as extending a distance generally vertically upwardly, a portion thereof generally near the upper end thereof extending through the form opening in the support frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the form member is further defined as being removably connected to the support frame;

and wherein the form opening is defined further as being formed through the support frame generally between the left side and the right side thereof and intersecting the forward end of the support frame to pass the concrete receiving portion therethrough to move the support frame to a disengaged position with respect to the form member and to move the support frame to an engaging position with respect to the form member.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 defined further to include:

an earth engaging assembly connected to the forward end of the support frame for excavatingly engaging the earth and preparing same for the formed configuration to be extrudingly disposed thereon, comprising;

an auger frame connected to the forward end of the support frame;

an auger means rotatingly supported on the auger frame to excavatingly engage the earth in a driven position thereof;

means to rotatingly drive the auger means; and

a moldboard means disposed generally between the auger means and the support frame and supported on the auger frame to finishingly engage the earth in a driven position of the support frame.

22. Apparatus for forming a predetermined formed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface generally along a predetermined survey line, comprising:

a support frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side and a right side;

means for drivingly supporting the support frame to move the support frame in a driven position thereof, comprising;

left track means having one portion connected to the support frame, generally near the left side thereof, moving the support frame in a forward direction and in a rearward direction in a driven position thereof; and

right track means having one portion connected to the support frame, generally near the right side thereof, moving the support frame in a forward direction and in a rearward direction in a driven position thereof;

left rearward positioning means having one portion connected to the left track means and another portion connected to the support frame generally near the left side of the support frame and generally near the rearward end on the support frame, the left rearward elevation positioning means raising the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position thereof and lowering the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position thereof;

right rearward elevation positioning means having a portion connected to the right track means and another portion connected to the support frame generally near the right side thereof and generally near the rearward end thereof raising the support frame in a generally vertically upwardly direction in an actuated raising position of the right rearward elevation positioning means and lowering the support frame in a generally vertically downwardly direction in an actuated lowering position of the right rearward elevation positioning means;

means connected to the left And the right rearward elevation positioning means actuating the left and the right rearward elevation positioning means to actuated raising positions in one position thereof and to actuated lowering positions in one other position thereof;

a scale, having gradation marks thereon, supported on the rearward end portion of the support frame and extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom;

a string line supportedly connected to the left track means and to the right track means, the string line extending generally across the rearward end portion of the support frame and disposed generally near the scale, the position of the string line with respect to the gradation marks on the scale indicating the elevation of the support frame generally near the rearward end thereof;

a shaped form member pivotally connected to the support frame formingly engaging the concrete material or the like and forming such material to a predetermined formed configuration in an operating position of the form member and in a driven position of the support frame; and

form steering means connected to the form member and pivotally moving the form member maintaining the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, thereby maintaining the alignment of the formed configuration relative to the predetermined survey line.

23. A control line for positioning a predetermined distance from a survey line to provide a guide for maintaining the alignment of vehicles or the like relative to the survey line, comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid band having a generally rectangularly shaped cross-section, an upper end and a lower end; and

means for supporting the band a predetermined distance from the survey line at a predetermined elevation, comprising;

a band support arm; and

a band connector formed on one end of the band support arm, having an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm and the lower arm each having a notched portion formed therein, the upper arm being angularly disposed with respect to the lower arm in a vertical and in a horizontal plane, the distance between each notched portion being greater than the distance between the upper and the lower end of the band in one position of the upper arm and the lower arm for receiving the band therebetween, the notched portions of the upper arm and the lower arm retainingly engaging the band in one other position of the upper and the lower arm.

24. A control line for positioning a predetermined distance from a survey line to provide a guide for maintaining the alignment of vehicles or the like relative to the survey line, comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid band having a generally rectangularly shaped cross-section, an upper end and a lower end; and

means for supporting the band a predetermined distance from the survey line at a predetermined elevation, comprising;

a band support arm; and

a U-shaped bracket formed on one end of the band support arm defining an opening for receiving the band, one end portion of the U-shaped bracket retainingly engaging a portion fo the band in an assembled position thereof and a flange portion formed on one end of the U-shaped bracket, the band being snapped into the opening over the flange portion and the flange portion engaging the band to retain the band supported in the opening of the U-shaped bracket.

25. A control line for positioning a predetermined distance from a survey line to provide a guide for maintaining the alignment of vehicles or the like relative to the survey line, comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid band having a generally circular-shaped cross-section;

a connecting band formed on a portion of the band, the connecting band having a generally circular-shaped cross-section; and

means for supporting the band a predetermined distance from the survey line at a predetermined elevation, comprising;

a band support arm;

a band connector formed on one end of the band support arm having an uppEr arm and a lower arm, the upper and the lower arms each having a curved portion formed on one end retainingly engaging a portion of the connecting band in one position of the upper arm and the lower arm, the curved portions of the upper arm and the lower arm being spaced for receiving the connecting band therebetween; and

means to secure the upper arm and the lower arm in a position wherein the curved portions thereof retainingly engage a portion of the connecting band disposed therebetween.

26. Apparatus for forming a predetermined formed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface generally along a predetermined survey line, comprising:

a support frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side and a right side;

means having a portion connected to the support frame supporting the support frame and moving the support frame in a driven position thereof;

a shaped form member having a forward end and a rearward end, the form member pivotally connected to the support frame generally near the forward end of the form member, the form member formingly engaging the concrete material or the like to form such material to a predetermined formed configuration in an operating position of the form member and in a driven position of the support frame, the formed configuration being extruded generally from the rearward end portion of the form member in a driven position of the support frame; and

form steering means sensing the position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, having one portion connected to the form member and connected to the support frame pivotally moving the form member relative to the support frame in response to the sensed position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line maintaining the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, thereby maintaining the alignment of the formed configuration relative to the predetermined survey line, comprising;

hydraulic cylinder means having one portion connected to the support frame and a rod portion reciprocatingly disposed therein, the rod portion of the hydraulic cylinder means pivotally and securedly connected to the rearward end portion of the form member pivotally moving the form member in an actuated position of the hydraulic cylinder means;

a power fluid source connected to the hydraulic cylinder means providing power fluid thereto actuating the hydraulic cylinder means when in communication therewith;

form steering sensor means having one portion connected to the form member generally near the rearward end of the form member and one portion sensing the position of the rearward end portion of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line and providing an output signal responsive thereto;

control valve means interposed between the hydraulic cylinder means and the power fluid source providing communication therebetween in an actuated position of the control valve means; and

valve actuator means connected to the control valve means receiving the output signal of the form steering sensor means and actuating the control valve in response thereto.

27. Apparatus for forming a predetermined formed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface generally along a predetermined survey line, comprising:

a support frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side and a right side;

means having a portion connected to the support frame supporting the support frame and moving the support frame in a driven position thereof;

a shaped form member having a forward end and a rearward end pivotally connected to the support frame generally near the forward end of the form member, the form member formingly engaging the concrete material or the like to form such material to a predetermined formed configuration in an operating position of the form member and in a driven position of the support frame, the formed configuration being extruded Generally from the rearward end portion of the form member in a driven position of the support frame;

form steering means sensing the position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, having one portion connected to the form member and connected to the support frame pivotally moving the form member relative to the support frame in response to the sensed position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line maintaining the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, thereby maintaining the alignment of the formed configuration relative to the predetermined survey line;

tow bar means, having opposite ends, connected to the support frame generally near the forward end thereof and extending generally between the left side and the right side of the support frame;

flange means secured to the forward end portion of the form member extending a distance therefrom, the flange means pivotally secured to the tow bar means to pivotally support the form member generally near the forward end thereof, comprising;

an upper flange connected to the form member;

roller means rollingly supported on the upper flange, the roller means rollingly engaging the tow bar means to reduce friction between the upper flange and the tow bar means in a pivoted position of the form member;

a lower flange connected to the form member; and

roller means rollingly supported on the lower flange, the roller means rollingly engaging the tow bar means to reduce friction between the lower flange and the tow bar means in the pivoted position of the form member; and

forward form positioning means connected to the support frame having a portion thereof connected to the tow bar means lowering the tow bar means in an actuated lowering position thereof thereby lowering the form member to an operating position and raising the tow bar means in an actuated raising position thereof thereby raising the form member to a storage position.

28. Apparatus for forming a preformed configuration of a concrete material or the like on a surface, generally along a predetermined survey line, comprising:

a support frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a left side and a right side;

means having a portion connected to the support frame supporting the support frame and moving the support frame in a driven position thereof;

a shaped form member, having a forward end, a rearward end and a lip portion formed on the rearward end thereof, the form member pivotally connected to the support frame generally near the forward end of the form member and formingly engaging the concrete material or the like to form such material to a predetermined formed configuration in an operating position of the form member in a driven position of the support frame, the formed configuration being extruded generally from the rearward end portion of the form member in a driven position of the support frame;

form steering means sensing the position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, having one portion connected to the form member and connected to the support frame pivotally moving the form member relative to the support frame in response to the sensed position of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line maintaining the alignment of the form member relative to the predetermined survey line, thereby maintaining the alignment of the formed configuration relative to the predetermined survey line;

a channel member connected to the support frame generally near the rearward end thereof, having a flanged portion formed thereon, the flange portion being disposed near the lip portion of the form member and spaced a distance therefrom in an operating position of the form member;

roller means rollingly supported on the channel member, the roller means rollingly engaging a portion of the form member to reduce the friction therebetween in a pivoted position of the form member; and

rearward form pOsitioning means connected to the support frame and having a portion thereof connected to the form member generally near the rearward end thereof lowering the form member in an actuated lowering position thereof to an operating position of the form member and raising the form member in an actuated position thereof to a storage position of the form member, the rearward form positioning means being connected to the channel member and the flange portion of the channel member engaging the lip portion of the form member raising the form member to a storage position in an actuated raising position of the rearward form positioning means.