Method and apparatus for collecting particulate material on a roadway

• US 4,290,820 A
• Filed: 12/14/1979
• Issued: 09/22/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AGFA-GEVAERT, SEPTESTRAAT 27, B 2510 MORTSEL, BELGIUM A NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP OF BELGIUM
• Original Assignee: CMI Corporation (Terex Corporation)
• Inventors: Swisher, George W. Jr., Steele, Thomas L., Silbernagle, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldman, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US06/103,455
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 15/83, 15/84, 15/85, 15/86, 15/87, 15/340, 198/514, 198/518, 56/328 R, 37/190, 37/189, 37/43 R, 37/43 D, 37/12, 172/33, 404/83, 404/112, 134/6, 134/21
• US Class Current: 134/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/08 for roughening or patterning; for removing the surface down to a predetermined depth high spots or material bonded to the surface, e.g. markings; for maintaining earth roads, clay courts or like surfaces by means of surface working tools, e.g. scarifiers, levelling bladesremoving matter not bonded to the surface E01H1/00; roughening or detaching ice E01H5/12
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/50 Methods or devices for preventing dust by spraying or sucking
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/042 the loading means being an endless belt or an auger
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/053 having vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/0827 Dislodging by suction; Mechanical dislodging-cleaning apparatus with independent or dependent exhaust, e.g. dislodging-sweeping machines with independent suction nozzles combined with blowing E01H1/0872; Mechanical loosening devices working under vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/106 in which the loosened or dislodged dirt is picked up, e.g. shoveling carts E01H1/108 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved front-end loader apparatus for collecting particulate material on a roadway surface comprising a frame assembly drivingly supported on the roadway, a windrow formation assembly supported at the forward end of the frame assembly for brushing particulate material into a windrow, and a feeder assembly disposed to engage the windrowed material up and onto a roadway scraper blade supported at the forward end of the frame assembly. An elevator assembly is disposed to receive the particulate material from the feeder assembly and elevate the material to a rear overhead discharge position. A residual material cleaning assembly is supported beneath the frame assembly and rearward to the feeder assembly for cleaning up residual material not collected by the feeder assembly, the residual material cleaning assembly directing the residual material to the elevator assembly so that the residual material is elevated to the rear overhead discharge position.

Claims

1. In a front-end loader apparatus for removing particulate material from a roadway, the apparatus including a frame assembly having a main frame with a forward end and a rear end, drive means for supporting and selectively driving the frame assembly over the roadway, and sweeping means for sweepingly engaging the roadway surface to remove particulate material therefrom, the sweeping means comprising:

windrow formation means supported at the forward end of the main frame for incorporating particulate material on the roadway into a windrow substantially coincident with the collection path;

material collecting means supported by the main frame for collecting substantially all of the windrowed particulate material, the material collecting means moving the collected particulate material in a rearward direction;

a first material lifting conveyor having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally connected to the frame assembly in near proximity to the material collecting means;

support placement means for supporting and positioning the second end of the first material lifting conveyor in a first mode in which the second end is elevated, and for supporting and positioning the second end of the first material lifting conveyor in a second mode in which the second end is retracted.

a flexible ground scoop supported beneath the frame assembly in sliding contact with the roadway surface and disposed to allow residual particulate material to pass therebeneath;

transverse brush means supported beneath the frame assembly at a position rearward the ground scoop for sweeping the residual particulate material forward over the ground scoop; and

residual material conveying means supported by the frame assembly for receiving the residual particulate material contacted by the transverse brush means, the residual material conveying means elevating the collected residual particulate material to a position over the first material lifting conveyor.

2. The sweeping means of claim 1 wherein the windrow formation means comprises:

a brush-supporting forward subframe connected to the forward end of the frame assembly; and

parallel brush means supported by the brush-supporting forward subframe comprising a plurality of forward brush assemblies, each forward brush assembly having a brush rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and disposed in sweeping contact with the roadway, the forward brush assemblies supported in spaced-apart relationship for directing particulate material on the roadway into the windrow substantially coincident with the collection path.

3. The sweeping means of claim 2 wherein the brush-supporting forward subframe has a first side member and a second side member, and the parallel brush means further comprises:

a first brush assembly supported on the first side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe, and

a second brush assembly supported on the second side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe, the first brush assembly and the second brush assembly having brushes operable in opposite relative rotational directions.

4. The sweeping means of claim 3 wherein the brush-supporting forward subframe is pivotally attached to the main frame, and the windrow formation means further comprises:

forward subframe positioning means for positioning the brush-supporting forward subframe between an extended mode in which the brushes of the first and second forward brush assemblies are positioned in contact with the roadway and a retracted mode in which the brushes of the first and second forward brush assemblies are positioned in clearing relationship to the roadway.

5. The sweeping means of claim 4 wherein the windrow formation means further comprises:

forward vertical positioning means connected to the brush-supporting forward subframe for selectively varying the height of the first and second forward brush assemblies above the roadway while maintaining the rotational axes of the brushes thereof in substantially vertically extending position.

6. The sweeping means of claim 5 wherein the forward vertical positioning means comprises:

a first right-hand vertical member connected to the first side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe;

a second right-hand vertical member connected to the first forward brush assembly; and

a first parallelogram linkage disposed between and connecting the second right-hand vertical member to the first right-hand vertical member so that the rotational axis of the first forward brush is retained substantially vertical in the extended mode as the first forward brush is displaced vertically;

a first left-hand vertical member connected to the second side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe;

a second left-hand vertical member connected to the second forward brush assembly; and

a second parallelogram linkage disposed between and connecting the second left-hand vertical member so that the rotational axis of the second forward brush is retained substantially vertical in the extended mode as the second forward brush is displaced vertically.

7. The sweeping means of claim 6 wherein the first vertical right-hand member is pivotally connected to the brush-supporting forward subframe for pivotation about a substantially vertical axis, the second vertical right-hand member is pivotally connected to the brush-supporting forward subframe for pivotation about a substantially vertical axis, and the windrow formation means further comprises:

first forward brush pivoting means for yieldingly positioning the first right-hand vertical member at a predetermined angular disposition, the first forward brush pivoting means permitting the first forward brush to be angularly displaced within a predetermined arc of displacement relative to the brush-supporting forward subframe; and

second forward brush pivoting means for yieldingly positioning the first left-hand vertical member at a predetermined angular disposition, the second forward brush pivoting means permitting the second forward brush to be angularly displaced within a predetermined arc of displacement relative to the brush-supporting forward subframe.

8. The sweeping means of claim 3 wherein the windrow formation means further comprises:

a first scoop member connected to the first side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe; and

a second scoop member connected to the second side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe, the first and second scoop members extending inwardly in a converging manner to define a feeder cavity, the first and second scoop members serving to direct particulate material through the feeder cavity for receipt by the material transport means.

9. The sweeping means of claim 8 in which the material transport means further comprises:

feeder means disposed near the feeder cavity and supported by the main frame for contacting windrowed particulate material and moving it in a rearward direction through the feeder cavity; and

elevator means supported by the main frame for receiving particulate material from the feeder means and moving the particulate material rearwardly and upwardly to an overhead discharge position.

10. The sweeping means of claim 1 wherein the material collecting means comprises:

a roadway scraper blade; and

material pusher means cooperating with the roadway scraper blade for pushing windrowed particulate material from the roadway up and over the roadway scraper blade and onto the first material lifting conveyor.

11. The sweeping means of claim 10 wherein the material pusher means comprises:

a slat conveyor characterized as having an endless chain belt supporting a plurality of slats that engage the particulate material on the roadway scraper blade and move the particulate material to the first material lifting conveyor.

12. The sweeping means of claim 10 wherein the material pusher means comprises:

a paddle wheel having a rotatable wheel drum supporting a plurality of radially extending slats that engage the particulate material on the roadway scraper blade and move the particulate material to the first material lifting conveyor.

13. The sweeping means of claim 1 wherein the residual material cleaning means further comprises:

rear brush means supported by the frame assembly at a position forward the ground scoop for sweepingly engaging the roadway surface and brushing residual particulate material into a residual windrow which is passed beneath the ground scoop as the frame assembly is moved forward.

14. The sweeping means of claim 13 wherein the rear brush means comprises:

a brush-supporting rear subframe;

a first rear brush assembly supported by the brush-supporting rear subframe and having a first rear brush rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis; and

a second rear brush assembly supported by the brush supporting rear subframe and having a second rear brush rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis, the first and second rear brushes supported for counter-rotation and in spaced-apart spatial relationship so that residual particulate material engaged by the first and second rear brushes will be windrowed between the brushes.

15. The sweeping means of claim 14 wherein the rear brush means further comprises:

first rear linkage means for connecting the brush-supporting rear subframe and the first rear brush assembly; and

second rear linkage means for connecting the brush-supporting rear subframe and the second rear brush assembly.

16. The sweeping means of claim 1 which further comprises:

a second material lifting conveyor having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second material lifting conveyor pivotally connected to the frame assembly such that the first end of the second material lifting conveyor is disposed below the second end of the first material lifting conveyor and adapted to receive particulate material discharged from the second end of the first material lifting conveyor; and

second support placement means for supporting and positioning the second end of the second material lifting conveyor in a first mode in which the second end of the second material lifting conveyor is elevated, and for supporting and positioning the second end of the second material lifting conveyor in a second mode in which the second end is retracted.

17. The sweeping means of claim 13 wherein the residual material cleaning means further comprises:

a receiving hopper supported by the frame assembly for receiving collected residual material from the residual material conveying means, the receiving hopper having a bottom chute disposed therein such that the residual material in the receiving hopper is discharged from the hopper via the bottom chute onto the first material lifting conveyor.

18. The sweeping means of claim 17 wherein the residual material conveying means comprises:

overhead auger means for discharging the collected residual particulate material into the receiving hopper.

19. The sweeping means of claim 18 further comprising:

suction means disposed adjacent to the roadway for collecting by vacuum action the residual particulate material not transported to the residual material conveying means by the transverse brush assembly.

20. A front-end loader apparatus for removing particulate material from a roadway, the apparatus comprising:

a frame assembly having a main frame with a forward end and a rear end;

drive means for supporting and selectively driving the frame assembly over the roadway;

a brush-supporting forward subframe supported at the forward end of the main frame;

a first forward brush assembly supported by the brush-supporting forward subframe and having a first forward brush rotatably about a substantially vertical rotational axis;

a second forward brush assembly supported by the brush-supporting forward subframe and having a second forward brush rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis, the first and second forward brushes supported for counter-rotation and positioned in a spaced-apart spatial relationship so that particulate material on the roadway engaged by the first and second forward brushes will be incorporated into a windrow between the first and second brushes as the frame assembly moves forward;

feeder means supported at the forward end of the main frame for scooping up the windrow of particulate material and moving the scooped material in a rearward direction;

a first material lifting conveyor having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the frame assembly in near proximity to the feeder means, the first material lifting conveyor adapted to receive the particulate material from the feeder means;

a flexible ground scoop supported beneath the frame assembly in sliding contact with the roadway surface and disposed to allow residual particulate material to pass therebeneath;

transverse brush means supported beneath the frame assembly for sweeping the residual particulate material forward and onto the ground scoop; and

residual material conveying means, supported by the frame assembly, for receiving the residual particulate material contacted by the transverse brush means, the residual material conveying means elevating the residual particulate material to a position over the first material lifting coveyor.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the brush-supporting forward subframe is pivotally attached to the main frame, and the apparatus further comprises:

forward subframe positioning means for positioning the brush-supporting forward subframe between an extended mode in which the first and second forward brushes are positioned in contact with the roadway and a retracted mode in which the first and second forward brushes are positioned in clearing relationship to the roadway.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the brush-supporting forward subframe has a first side member and a second side member, and the windrow brush means further comprises:

first forward linkage means connecting the first side member and the first forward brush assembly, the first linkage means comprising;

a first right-hand vertical member connected to the first side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe;

a second right-hand vertical member connected to the first forward brush assembly; and

a first parallelogram linkage disposed between and connecting the second right-hand vertical member to the first right-hand vertical member so that the rotational axis of the first forward brush is retained substantially vertical in the extended mode as the first forward brush is displaced vertically; and

second forward linkage means connecting the second side member and the second forward brush assembly, the second linkage means comprising;

a first left-hand vertical member connected to the second side member of the brush-supporting forward subframe;

a second left-hand vertical member connected to the second forward brush assembly; and

a second parallelogram linkage disposed between and connecting the second left-hand vertical member to the first left hand vertical member so that the rotational axis of the second forward brush is retained substantially vertical in the extended mode as the second forward brush is displaced vertically.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first right-hand vertical member is pivotally connected to the first side member of the brush supporting forward subframe for pivotation about a substantially vertical axis, the second right-hand vertical member is pivotally connected to the brush-supporting forward subframe for pivotation about a substantially vertical axis, and the windrow brush means further comprises:

first forward brush pivoting means for yieldingly positioning the first right-hand vertical member at a predetermined angular disposition, the first forward brush pivoting means permitting the first forward brush to be angularly displaced within a predetermined arc of displacement relative to the brush-supporting forward subframe; and

a second forward brush pivoting means for yieldingly positioning the first left-hand vertical member at a predetermined angular disposition, the second forward brush pivoting means permitting the second forward brush to be angularly displaced within a predetermined arc of displacement relative to the brush-supporting forward subframe.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the feeder means comprises:

a roadway scraper blade; and

material pusher means cooperating with the roadway scraper blade for pushing windrowed particulate material over the roadway scraper blade and up and onto the first material lifting conveyor.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the material pusher means comprises:

a slat conveyor characterized as having an endless chain belt supporting a plurality of slats that engage the particulate material on the roadway scraper blade and move the particulate material to the first material lifting conveyor.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the material pusher means comprises:

a paddle wheel having a rotatable wheel drum supporting a plurality of radially extending slats that engage the particulate material on the roadway scraper blade and move the particulate material to the first material lifting conveyor.

27. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the residual material cleaning means further comprises:

rear brush means supported by the frame assembly for sweepingly engaging the roadway surface and brushing residual particulate material into a residual windrow which is passed beneath the ground scoop as the frame assembly is moved forward.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the rear brush means comprises:

a brush-supporting rear subframe;

a first rear brush assembly supported by the brush-supporting rear subframe and having a first rear brush rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis;

a second rear brush assembly supported by the brush-supporting rear subframe and having a second rear brush rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis, the first and second rear brushes supported for counter-rotation and in spaced-apart spatial relationship so that residual particulate material engaged by the first and second rear brushes will be windrowed between the brushes.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the rear brush means further comprises:

first rear linkage means connected to the brush-supporting rear subframe and supporting the first rear brush assembly; and

second rear linkage means connected to the brush-supporting rear subframe and supporting the second brush assembly.

30. The apparatus of claim 20 which further comprises:

support placement means for supporting and positioning the second end of the first material lifting conveyor in a first mode in which the second end is elevated, and for supporting and positioning the second end of the first material lifting conveyor in a second mode in which the second end is retracted.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 which further comprises:

a second material lifting conveyor having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second material lifting conveyor pivotally connected to the frame assembly such that the first end of the second material lifting conveyor receives particulate material discharged from the second end of the first material lifting conveyor; and

support placement means for supporting the second end of the second material lifting conveyor in a first mode in which the second end of the second material lifting conveyor is elevated, and for supporting and positioning the second end of the second material lifting conveyor in a second mode in which the second end is retracted.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the residual material cleaning means further comprises:

a receiving hopper supported by the frame assembly for receiving collected residual material from the residual material conveying means, the receiving hopper having a bottom chute disposed therein such that the residual material in the receiving hopper is discharged therefrom via the bottom chute onto the first material lifting conveyor.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the residual material conveying means comprises:

overhead auger means for discharging the collected residual particulate material into the receiving hopper.

34. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising:

suction means disposed adjacent to the roadway for collecting by vacuum action the residual particulate material not transported to the residual material conveying means by the transverse brush assembly.

35. A method for collecting particulate material scattered along a collection path on a roadway surface comprising the following steps in order:

(a) sweeping particulate material disposed along the collection path into a windrow substantially coincident with the collection path;

(b) collecting substantially all of the particulate material of the windrow by scooping said material onto a first material lifting apparatus as said material lifting apparatus is moved along the collection path;

(c) moving the collected particulate material on the first material lifting apparatus to an overhead discharge position;

(d) sweeping residual particulate material remaining on the roadway following step (b) into a residual windrow along the collection path;

(e) sweeping the residual particulate material of the residual windrow onto a second material lifting apparatus as said material lifting apparatus is moved along the collection path;

(f) moving the collected residual material on the second material lifting apparatus to the overhead discharge position so that the collected particulate material carried by the first material lifting apparatus and the collected residual material carried by the second material lifting apparatus are combined to form a combined discharge material; and

(g) dropping the combined discharge material into a selected trailing receiving vehicle.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of vacuuming the roadway surface following step (d) to collect any material of the residual windrow not collected by step (d).