Rumble strip cutter

• US 6,220,783 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2000
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James F. Maxwell
• Original Assignee: James F. Maxwell
• Inventors: Maxwell, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADDIE, RAYMOND W
• Application Number:
  US09/479,742
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 404/14, 404/94, 404/90, 404/93, 404/72, 404/19
• US Class Current: 404/94
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0993 for forming or installing surface markings or signals in the paving, e.g. grooving for striping or for producing rumble strips, forming marker-receiving recesses E01C23/0946 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for milling rumble strips into a pavement surface with a cutting wheel. The cutting wheel has rows of a cutting and non-cutting surface and is rotated to alternately present and withdraw a cutting surface and a non-cutting surface to the asphalt and cut a periodic rumble strip pattern as the apparatus moves forward. This alternating pattern is achieved without any up and down motion of the cutting wheel, and the apparatus can be operated a relatively rapid speed.

Claims

1. A milling apparatus for milling rumble strips into pavement comprising;

a device for imparting forward motion to the milling apparatus,

at least one cutting wheel comprising at least one cutting row of pavement cutters and at least one non-cutting surface disposed transversely at a periphery of the cutting wheel to present alternating cutting and non-cutting surfaces as the cutting wheel rotates,

a cutting wheel rotator for rotating the cutting wheel at a speed proportional to the forward motion and at a fixed distance above the pavement, such that the at least one cutting row is in turn presented into a cutting position for cutting into the pavement and then withdrawn from the cutting position to present non-cutting surfaces to form periodic cut and uncut portions in the pavement.

2. A milling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the cutting wheel rotator rotates the cutting wheel in a direction with a forward side moving down and the peripheral speed of the cutting wheel is slower than the forward motion of the milling apparatus.

3. A milling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the cutting wheel rotator rotates the cutting wheel in a direction with a forward side moving up and the peripheral speed of the cutting wheel is faster than the forward motion of the milling apparatus.

4. A method for forming a rumble strip in pavement, the method comprising;

rotating and moving at least one cutting wheel a fixed distance above a pavement surface, the cutting wheel comprising at least one cutting row of pavement cutters and at least one row of a non-cutting surface disposed transversely, at a periphery of the cutting wheel to present alternating cutting and non-cutting surfaces as the cutting wheel rotates, the cutting wheel rotating at a speed proportional to the moving of the cutting wheel above the pavement such that the cutting rows are in turn presented into a cutting position for cutting into the pavement and then withdrawn from the cutting position as the non-cutting surfaces are presented to form periodic cut and uncut portions in the pavement.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein the cutting wheel rotator rotates the cutting wheel in a direction with a forward side moving down and the peripheral speed of the cutting wheel is slower than the forward motion of the milling apparatus.

6. A method as in claim 4 wherein the cutting wheel rotator rotates the cutting wheel in a direction with a forward side moving up and the peripheral speed of the cutting wheel is faster than the forward motion of the milling apparatus.