Method and apparatus for cutting rumble strips in a roadway
First Claim
1. A self-propelled machine for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway, which machine comprises:
- (a) a frame;
(b) drive means mounted to the frame and adapted for advancing the machine across the surface of the roadway;
(c) a generally cylindrical cutting drum mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway;
(d) a plurality of cutting teeth mounted on the outer surface of the drum;
(e) means for rotating the cutting drum about its axis;
(f) means for maintaining the drum at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway;
wherein the cutting teeth are arranged in a predetermined pattern around the drum so that when the drum is rotated about its axis while being maintained at said predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway as the machine is advanced therealong, the cutting teeth will cut a series of spaced parallel rumble strips into the surface of the roadway.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway. The apparatus is a self-propelled machine which includes a frame and a drive mechanism mounted to the frame and adapted for advancing the machine across the surface of the roadway. The machine also includes a generally cylindrical cutting drum that is mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway. A plurality of cutting teeth are mounted on the outer surface of the drum in a predetermined pattern, and a mechanism is provided for rotating the cutting drum about its axis. The drum is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway. When the drum is rotated about its axis while being maintained at the predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway as the machine is advanced therealong, the cutting teeth will cut a series of spaced parallel rumble strips into the surface of the roadway. This improved machine is capable of smooth and uninterrupted cutting operation while advancing along the surface of the roadway at greater speeds and without the vibration that is characteristic of other known machines.
57 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A self-propelled machine for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway, which machine comprises:
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(a) a frame;
(b) drive means mounted to the frame and adapted for advancing the machine across the surface of the roadway;
(c) a generally cylindrical cutting drum mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway;
(d) a plurality of cutting teeth mounted on the outer surface of the drum;
(e) means for rotating the cutting drum about its axis;
(f) means for maintaining the drum at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway;
wherein the cutting teeth are arranged in a predetermined pattern around the drum so that when the drum is rotated about its axis while being maintained at said predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway as the machine is advanced therealong, the cutting teeth will cut a series of spaced parallel rumble strips into the surface of the roadway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A machine for cutting a series of regularly-spaced, generally parallel depressions in the surface of a roadway, which machine comprises:
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(a) a mobile chassis that is adapted for movement along the surface of a roadway;
(b) a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis;
(c) drive means mounted to the chassis and adapted for rotating at least one of the wheels to advance the machine across the surface of the roadway at a first predetermined rate;
(d) a generally cylindrical cutting drum mounted on the chassis for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway, said drum being provided with a plurality of cutting teeth mounted on the outer surface thereof;
(e) means for rotating the cutting drum about its axis at a second predetermined rate;
(f) means for maintaining the axis of the drum at a predetermined position above and generally parallel to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway;
wherein the cutting teeth are arranged in a predetermined pattern around the drum so that when the drum is rotated about its axis at the second predetermined rate while the axis is maintained at said predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway as the machine is advanced therealong at the first predetermined rate, the cutting teeth will cut a series of regularly-spaced, generally parallel depressions into the surface of the roadway. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway, which method comprises:
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(a) providing a frame of a cutting machine that is adapted for movement along the roadway;
(b) providing a generally cylindrical cutting drum that is mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway;
(c) providing a plurality of cutting teeth mounted on the outer surface of the drum;
(d) arranging the cutting teeth in a predetermined pattern around the drum so that when the drum is rotated about its axis while being maintained at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway and with respect to the direction of movement of the machine along the roadway as the machine is moved in such direction, the cutting teeth will cut a series of spaced, generally parallel rumble strips at a predetermined depth into the surface of the roadway;
(e) rotating the cutting drum about its axis;
while(f) moving the cutting machine across the surface of the roadway; and
(g) maintaining the drum at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway and with respect to the direction of movement of the machine therealong;
so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a series of spaced rumble strips. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification