Self-propelled concrete tamping apparatus

• US 5,236,279 A
• Filed: 09/08/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth P. Grinager
• Original Assignee: Kenneth P. Grinager
• Inventors: Grinager, Kenneth P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Thuy M.
• Application Number:
  US07/941,657
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 404/133.05, 404/101-105
• US Class Current: 404/133.05
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/38 with means specifically for generating vibrations , e.g. vibrating plate compactors, immersion vibrators E01C19/40, E01C19/41 take precedence

Abstract

A self-propelled concrete tamping apparatus (10) in which a tamper screen (70) is rapidly moved in vertical reciprocating strokes upon concrete or other paving material while being guided by an operator. Engine (18) powers drive wheel (28) which propels the apparatus backward, as well as powers tamper screen (70) with reciprocating motion. Drive wheel (28) and free wheel (30) are adjustable in position to allow for adjustment of tamping depth.

Claims

1. An engine-driven concrete tamping apparatus, comprising:

(a) a carriage frame, one end of said carriage frame including a pair of laterally spaced wheel support members extending downwardly therefrom, the other end of said carriage frame including a pair of laterally spaced tamper shaft housings extending downwardly therefrom;

(b) an engine, said engine mounted to said carriage frame;

(c) a pair of laterally spaced wheels, said wheels rotatably coupled to said wheel support members;

(d) wheel drive means for imparting rotational motion to at least one of said wheels, said wheel drive means coupled to said engine;

(e) a plurality of laterally spaced tamper pistons, said tamper pistons extending downwardly from said carriage frame, said tamper pistons slidably coupled to said tamper shaft housings;

(f) tamper drive means for imparting reciprocating motion to said tamper pistons, said tamper drive means coupled to said engine, said tamper drive means coupled to said tamper shafts; and

a removable tamper screen, said tamper screen coupled to said tamper pistons.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said tamper drive means comprises:

(a) a tamper drive shaft, said tamper drive shaft having eccentric sections at opposite ends, said drive shaft transversing said tamper pistons; and

(b) a pair of tamper drive arms, said tamper drive arms extending downwardly from said tamper drive shaft, one end of each said tamper drive arm coupled to one of said eccentric sections, the other end of each said tamper drive arm coupled to one of said tamper pistons.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said wheel drive means comprises:

(a) a wheel axle, said wheel axle extending transversely between said wheels;

(b) a driven gear sprocket, said driven gear sprocket coupled to said axle;

(c) an engine drive shaft, said engine drive shaft coupled to said engine;

(d) a driving gear sprocket, said driving gear sprocket coupled to said engine drive shaft;

(e) a drive chain, said drive chain coupled to said driving gear sprocket and said driven gear sprocket; and

(f) chain tensioning means for applying constant tension to said chain.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a pair of guide arms, said guide arms extending from said carriage frame; and

(b) a handle member, said handle member extending transversely between said guide arms.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the distance between said carriage frame and said wheels is adjustable.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 3, further comprising a slip clutch, said slip clutch positioned between one of said wheels and said axle, said slip clutch frictionally coupling said wheel to said axle.

7. A hand operated, self-propelled concrete tamper, comprising:

(a) a frame, one end of said frame supported by a pair of laterally spaced wheels;

(b) an engine, said engine mounted to said frame;

(c) wheel drive means for powering at least one of said wheels, said wheel drive means coupled to said engine;

(d) a pair of laterally spaced tamper pistons, said tamper pistons extending downwardly from the end of said frame opposite said wheels;

(e) a tamper drive shaft, said tamper drive shaft rotatably coupled to said frame, said tamper drive shaft having eccentrically positioned extension members at each end;

(f) a pair of tamper drive arms, said tamper drive arms extending downwardly from said tamper drive shaft, one end of each said tamper drive arm coupled to one of said eccentric sections, the other end of each said tamper drive arm coupled to one of said tamper pistons; and

(g) a removable tamper screen, said tamper screen coupled to said tamper pistons.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said wheel drive means comprises:

(a) a wheel axle, said wheel axle extending transversely between said wheels;

(b) a first drive sprocket, said first drive sprocket coupled to said axle;

(c) an engine drive shaft, said engine drive shaft coupled to said engine;

(d) a second drive sprocket, said second drive sprocket coupled to said engine drive shaft;

(e) a drive chain, said drive chain coupled to said first and second drive sprockets; and

(f) chain tensioning means for applying constant tension to said chain.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8, further comprising a clutch, said clutch positioned between said wheel axle and one of said powered wheels, said clutch frictionally coupling said wheel axle to said powered wheel.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9, further comprising a handle, said handle extending from the end of said frame opposite said wheels.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, further comprising throttle means for varying the speed of said powered wheel and said tamper pistons, said throttle means coupled to said engine.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the distance between said carriage frame and said wheels is adjustable.

13. A self-propelled concrete tamper, comprising:

(a) a moveable carriage, said carriage having a first end and a second end;

(b) a wheel support frame, said wheel support frame depending from said first end of said carriage in a downward direction;

(c) a tamper shaft support frame, said tamper shaft support frame depending from said second end of said carriage in a downward direction;

(d) an engine, said engine coupled to said engine carriage;

(e) a pair of laterally spaced wheels, said wheels rotatably coupled to said wheel support frame, one of said wheels being coupled to said engine;

(f) a pair of laterally spaced reciprocating tamper shafts, said tamper shafts extending downwardly from said carriage, said tamper shafts slidably engaging said tamper shaft support frame, said tamper shafts coupled to said engine; and

(g) a tamper screen, said tamper screen coupled to said tamper shafts.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13, further comprising:

(a) a clutch;

(b) a wheel axle, said wheel axle coupled to said engine, one end of said wheel axle coupled to said clutch, the other end of said wheel axle coupled to one of said wheels, said clutch coupled to the other of said wheels.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 13, wherein said tamper screen includes means for quick release from said tamper shafts.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 14, further comprising a tamper shaft drive axle, said tamper shaft drive axle coupled to said engine, each end of aid tamper shaft drive axle including an eccentric cam, each said eccentric cam pivotally coupled to one of said tamper shafts, whereby rotation of said tamper shaft drive axle imparts reciprocating motion to said tamper shafts.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 16, further comprising:

(a) a pair of guide arms, said guide arms extending from said carriage frame; and

(b) a handle member, said handle member extending transversely between said guide arms.