Three-point suspension for bituminous pavers
First Claim
1. In a bituminous paver including a tractor unit with forward and rearward ends,(a) a hopper disposed at the forward end of the tractor unit for receiving paving material,(b) and material spreader means attached across the rearward end of the tractor unit for distributing paving material in opposite transverse directions,(c) the paver further including a floating screed assembly spaced rearwardly of the spreader means and extending transversely of the rearward end of the tractor unit,(d) first and second ground engaging suspension means for the tractor unit including respective first and second pairs of laterally spaced rotating assemblies,(e) first means attaching the first pair of rotating assemblies to the tractor unit adjacent its forward end such that upward and downward movement of either of the first pair of assemblies results in upward or downward movement of the forward end of the tractor unit,(f) the second pair of laterally spaced rotating assemblies being disposed adjacent the rearward end of the tractor unit and driven from the tractor unit for propelling the paver over the ground,the improvement comprising:
- (1) second means attaching the second pair of rotating assemblies to the tractor unit,(2) the second means including means interconnecting the second pair of rotating assemblies effective to provide a first mode of movement of the second pair or rotating assemblies relative to the tractor unit while on the run in which movement of one of said second pair in an upward direction effects corresponding movement of the other of said second pair in a downward direction,(3) whereby to maintain the second ground engaging suspension means in driving engagement with the ground while on the run regardless of the lateral disposition of paving material in the hopper.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved "3-point" suspension for a bituminous paver disposes two of the suspension "points" at the front of the tractor unit and the third "point" at the rear. Preferably the third suspension "point" is achieved by suspending the rear of the tractor unit via laterally spaced hydraulic cylinders interconnected such that upward or downward movement of one rear wheel or track results in corresponding downward or upward movement of the other rear wheel or track. The hydraulic suspension also allows the height of the rear of the tractor unit, and thus the height of the spreader screws relative to the ground, to be adjusted on the run by conjoint upward or downward movement of both rear wheels or tracks.
31 Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a bituminous paver including a tractor unit with forward and rearward ends,
(a) a hopper disposed at the forward end of the tractor unit for receiving paving material, (b) and material spreader means attached across the rearward end of the tractor unit for distributing paving material in opposite transverse directions, (c) the paver further including a floating screed assembly spaced rearwardly of the spreader means and extending transversely of the rearward end of the tractor unit, (d) first and second ground engaging suspension means for the tractor unit including respective first and second pairs of laterally spaced rotating assemblies, (e) first means attaching the first pair of rotating assemblies to the tractor unit adjacent its forward end such that upward and downward movement of either of the first pair of assemblies results in upward or downward movement of the forward end of the tractor unit, (f) the second pair of laterally spaced rotating assemblies being disposed adjacent the rearward end of the tractor unit and driven from the tractor unit for propelling the paver over the ground, the improvement comprising: -
(1) second means attaching the second pair of rotating assemblies to the tractor unit, (2) the second means including means interconnecting the second pair of rotating assemblies effective to provide a first mode of movement of the second pair or rotating assemblies relative to the tractor unit while on the run in which movement of one of said second pair in an upward direction effects corresponding movement of the other of said second pair in a downward direction, (3) whereby to maintain the second ground engaging suspension means in driving engagement with the ground while on the run regardless of the lateral disposition of paving material in the hopper.
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- 2. The paver of claim I including third means operatively associated with the second attaching means to provide a second mode of movement of the second pair of rotating assemblies by effecting conjoint movement of the second pair of rotating assemblies by effecting conjoint movement of the second pair of rotating assemblies in an upward or a downward direction relative to the tractor unit on the run, whereby to respectively lower or raise the rearward end of the tractor unit and thus the material spreader means relative to the ground while on the run.
- 3. The paver of claim 36 wherein the second attaching means includes hydraulic means operatively associated with the second pair of rotating assemblies.
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21. In a bituminous paver having a tractor unit with front and rear ends
(a) a hopper disposed at the front end of the tractor unit for receiving paving material, (b) and material spreader means attached across the rear end of the tractor unit for distributing paving material in opposite transverse directions, (c) the paver further including a floating screed assembly spaced rearwardly of the spreader means and extending transversely of the rear end of the tractor unit, (d) first and second ground engaging suspension means for the tractor unit, (e) The first and second suspension means including respective front and rear pairs of elastomeric tired, rotating wheel assemblies, (f) first means attaching the front pair of wheel assemblies to the tractor unit adjacent its front end such that upward or downward movement of either of the front wheel assemblies results in upward or downward movement of the front end of the tractor unit, (g) the rear pair of wheel assemblies being disposed adjacent the rear end of the tractor unit and driven from the tractor unit for propelling the paver over the ground, the improvement comprising: -
(1) second means attaching the rear pair of wheel assemblies to the tractor unit, (2) the second means including hydraulic means adjacent each rear wheel assembly and interconnected by hydraulic conduit means such that upward movement of one of the rear wheel assemblies while on the run automatically causes corresponding downward movement of the other of the rear wheel assemblies, (3) whereby to maintain each rear wheel assembly in driving engagement with the ground while on the run regardless of the lateral disposition of paving material in the hopper. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A suspension assembly for the rear end of the tractor unit of a bituminous paver of the floating screed type, the assembly comprising:
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(1) first mounting means for mounting the assembly to the tractor unit; (2) second mounting means carried by the first mounting means, (3) the first and second mounting means being interconnected through at least one hydraulic cylinder effective for movement of the second mounting means relative to the first mounting means upon ingress to and egress from the cylinder of hydraulic fluid, (4) the cylinder including a piston and a pair of piston rods extending from opposite sides of the piston through the ends of the cylinder, (5) the first mounting means being secured to one of the cylinders and the piston rods and the second mounting means being secured to the other of the cylinder and the piston rods effective to provide said relative movement; (6) an rotating means carried by the second mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification