Wheel assembly for soil compactor devices

• US 4,723,870 A
• Filed: 01/16/1986
• Issued: 02/09/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morris P. Martinez
• Original Assignee: Morris P. Martinez
• Inventors: Martinez, Morris P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Letchford, John F.
• Application Number:
  US06/819,300
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 404/117, 404/121, 404/122, 301/1, 301/128
• US Class Current: 404/121
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 3/026 by rolling with rollers usable only for or specially adapted for soil compaction, e.g. sheepsfoot rollers rollers for soil working in agriculture A01B29/00; rollers for road paving, such rollers usable also for compacting soil E01C19/23

Abstract

A wheel assembly is disclosed for use with a soil compactor device. The assembly includes a wheel journaled about an axle and carrying a plurality of compacting members at the periphery thereof for compressing soil as the wheel rotates about the axle. A member for mounting the wheel assembly to the compactor device is journaled about the axle. The mounting member is adapted for carrying and rotating the wheel while applying compressive force through the wheel to compact soil with the compacting members. A roller bearing assembly couples the mounting member to the axle and is adapted to absorb both radial and axial loading forces exerted by the wheel and the mounting member. Finally, a mechanism for detachably locking the wheel onto the axle is provided.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for the wheel assembly of a soil compactor device utilized to compress and compact soil in backfilled ditches, said device including at least one soil compactor wheel possessing a hub journaled about an axle, said locking mechanism comprising:

an outer hub ring for disposition radially about said axle;

a pair of inner members spaced opposite each other and sized and shaped for disposition about said axle radially inwardly of said outer hub ring;

an inner hub ring disposed radially inwardly of said inner members;

means for pressing said inner members against said outer hub ring and said inner hub ring and said axle to firmly secure said inner members and said inner and outer hub rings relative to each other and said axle; and

means for selectively releasing said inner members to unlock and detach said mechanism.

2. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is adapted for disposition within a radially inwardly recessed portion of said hub, said locking mechanisms being designed to press against the inner circumferential surface of said recessed portion of said wheel hub.

3. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said inner member includes a keyway disposed along the radially inner surface thereof adapted for engagement with a key disposed on said axle, thereby aligning said inner members and preventing rotation thereof relative to said axle.

4. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said inner and outer hub rings comprise split rings having a gap therein to permit expansion and contraction of the diameter thereof as said inner members are pressed thereagainst.

5. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially outer peripheral surface of each said inner member is beveled radially inwardly toward said axle, the beveled peripheral surfaces of said oppositely spaced inner members being oriented to face each other.

6. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said inner members are substantially annular in shape, and wherein at least one of said hub rings includes a surface having beveled surface portions oriented for engaging the peripheral beveled surfaces of said inner members in a wedge-like formation to assist said inner members in pressing against said hub rings and said axle when securing said inner members relative thereto.

7. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said beveled surface portions of said hub rings extend substantially the entire width of said hub to receive and engage the beveled surface of said inner members.

8. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the angle of inclination of said beveled surfaces relative to the axis of said axle is less than about 20°

.

9. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said angle of inclination is approximately 7°

.

10. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressing means comprises means for drawing said oppositely spaced inner members toward each other to press fit said inner members against said hub rings and said axle.

11. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pressing means comprises a plurality of attachment members adapted to pull said inner members toward each other.

12. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said releasing means comprises a plurality of bolts passing through one said inner member for engagement against the oppositely disposed inner member whereby tightening of said bolts urges said inner members away from each other.

13. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said attachment members comprise a plurality of bolts secured to and passing entirely through one said inner member and secured to the oppositely disposed inner member, whereby tightening of said bolts pulls said inner members toward each other.

14. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein said bolts avoid passing through said wheel hub and said hub rings.

15. The locking mechanism for the wheel assembly of a soil compactor device utilized to compress and compact soil in backfilled ditches, said device including at least one soil compactor wheel having a center hub with a radially inwardly recessed portion, said center hub and said wheel being journaled about an axle, said locking mechanism comprising:

at least one hub ring adapted for disposition radially about said axle within said radially inwardly recessed portion of said center hub;

a pair of inner members spaced opposite each other and sized and shaped for disposition about said axle center hub;

means for pressing said inner members against said hub ring and said axle to firmly secure said inner members relative to each other, said hub ring and said axle; and

means for selectively releasing said inner members to unlock and detach said mechanism.

16. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein said hub ring comprises a split ring having a gap therein to permit expansion and contraction of the diameter thereof as said inner members are pressed thereagainst.

17. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein a radially peripheral surface of each said inner member is beveled radially inwardly toward said axle, the beveled peripheral surfaces of said oppositely spaced inner membes being oriented to face each other.

18. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein said inner members are substantially annular in sahpe, and wherein said hub ring includes a surface having beveled surface portions oriented for engaging the peripheral beveled surfaces of said inner members in a wedge-like formation to assist said inner members in pressing against said hub ring and said axle when securing said inner members relative thereto.

19. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 18, wherein the angle of inclination of said beveled surfaces relative to the axis of said axle is less than about 20°

.

20. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein said angle of inclination is approximately 7°

.

21. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pressing means comprises means for drawing said oppositely spaced inner members toward each other to press fit said inner members against said hub ring and said axle.

22. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 21, wherein said pressing means comprises a plurality of attachment members adapted to pull said inner members toward each other.

23. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 22, wherein said releasing means comprises a plurality of bolts passing through one said inner member for engagement against the oppositely disposed inner member whereby tightening of said bolts urges said inner members away from each other.

24. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 22, wherein said attachment members comprise a plurality of bolts secured to and passing entirely through one said inner member and secured to the oppositely disposed inner member, whereby tightening of said bolts pulls said inner members toward each other.

25. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 24 wherein said bolts avoid passing through said hub ring and said center hub.