Paving crack sealer machine

• US 3,873,227 A
• Filed: 08/02/1973
• Issued: 03/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Goethe, Robert R. Green
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Goethe, Robert R. Green
• Inventors: Green, Robert R., Goethe, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Byers, Jr., Nile C.
• Application Number:
  US05/385,097
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 404/107,111,89,93,118 222/146R,146H
• US Class Current: 404/107
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0973 with liquid or semi-liquid materials, e.g. crack sealants

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface when the ambient temperature drops to a level which would otherwise preclude satisfactory flow of the material utilizes a heated delivery valve and heat sink to maintain an elevated temperature. A source of heat such as a gas burner is in direct heat exchange relationship with the heat sink to raise the temperature to the desired level and heat radiating from the source as well as the heat sink maintains the temperature sufficiently high to assure an adequate flow of material. A depending crack follower structure has a projection extending into the crack and is mounted for pivotal movement about both horizontal and vertical axes. This allows the projection to follow an irregular crack and avoid being damaged by an unyielding object in the crack. Yieldable biasing means normally holds the structure in perpendicular relationship to the surface but will yield under force to accommodate pivotal movement. Also, the horizontal and vertical axes of pivotal movement are disposed in spaced relationship thus precluding any form of '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'universal'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' movement about axes or planes other than the two perpendicular axes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface for filling the crack, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle adapted to be Moved over the surface along the crack;

a source of said fluid material carried by said vehicle;

crack follower structure mounted on said vehicle and adapted to extend down into said crack;

said structure being mounted for pivotal movement about horizontal and vertical axes while precluding movement other than about said axes;

means coupled with said structure and said vehicle for biasing said structure against movement about either of said axes while yielding under force to allow said movement; and

conduit structure coupled with said source for receiving material therefrom, said conduit structure including means presenting an outlet opening adjacent said crack follower structure and in rearwardly spaced relationship thereto relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the means presenting said outlet opening being coupled with the crack follower structure for movement along the path of the crack as the vehicle moves over the surface.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises a pair of aligned wheels disposed for engagement with said surface, and a third wheel spaced forwardly of the vehicle from said aligned wheels, and third wheel being freely rotatable about a vertical axis whereby to facilitate steering of the vehicle.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included means for biasing said follower structure into the crack and means for raising said follower structure out of said crack against the force of the follower structure biasing means to clear an obstruction in the crack.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a pair of handles extending upwardly and away from said surface and adapted to be grasped by an operator to steer the vehicle, said handles comprising a bracket adapted to be placed over the endgate of a truck for supporting the vehicle when it is transported by a truck.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said conduit structure comprises heat conductive material delivery means and wherein is included a heat source for raising the temperature of the delivery means to a level sufficient to maintain said material in a fluid state when the ambient temperature drops to a level which would otherwise preclude satisfactory flow.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said conduit structure comprises a block having a through-bore presenting a passageway for said material and terminating in said outlet opening, and said heat source is in direct heat exchange relationship with said block.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein is included conduit means coupling said through-bore with said source, and structure at least partially enclosing said block, said heat source and said conduit means, whereby the heat from said source also raises the temperature of the conduit means within the housing to facilitate the flow of material through the conduit means.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein is included valve means disposed in said through-bore for controlling the flow of material therethrough.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said valve means comprises a second bore intersecting the first-mentioned bore, and a plunger disposed in said second bore, said plunger being operable to block the first-mentioned bore in varying degrees.

10. The invention of claim 5, wherein said conduit structure comprises an aluminum block having a through-bore presenting a passageway for said material and terminating in said outlet opening, and said heat source comprises a burner and a source of fuel for the burner, the flame of the burner being directed against said aluminum block.

11. The invention of claim 10, wherein said source of material includes insulated tank means for containing said fluid material, there being an opening in the tank means through which the material passes to said through-bore, said tank means being disposed above said block, said through-bore having a generally vertical segment beneath said opening and a generally horizontal segment extending away from said vertIcal segment whereby the length of the bore is maximized to maximize the distance traveled by said material passing through said block.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein is included heat control means coupled with said burner for adjusting the output of the burner to vary the temperature in said housing in accordance with the flow requirements of the material.