Device for breaking concrete

• US 6,439,317 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minotti Equipment & Manufacturing, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Minotti Equipment & Manufacturing, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Easley, Steven S., Walker, Leon R., Minotti, L. Marcello
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US09/521,478
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 173/206, 173/207, 173/89, 173/86, 173/184, 173/115, 173/28, 173/4, 173/11, 173/84, 173/114, 173/113, 404/90, 404/133.05, 404/133.1, 299/37.4
• US Class Current: 173/89
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/124 moved rectilinearly, e.g. road-breaker apparatus with reciprocating tools, with drop-hammers

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for breaking up a paved surface which attaches to a host transport, such as a skid steer or backhoe, having a hydraulic power supply and preferably comprises a closed hydraulic system which includes a regenerative and concentric type double hydraulic cylinder arrangement adjustably supported within a vertical frame. The cylinder is operably attached to a weight such that when fluid is pumped into a first chamber, a piston drives a rod, thereby lifting a weight while at the same time, the piston forces hydraulic fluid from a second chamber to the host. The piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber within the cylinder. Upon reaching a prescribed height, a valve is opened, allowing fluid to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, thereby allowing the weight to drop rapidly under the influence of gravity. The inventive device for breaking a paved surface includes an adjustment system for adjusting the vertical position of the cylinder within the frame and a system for preventing operation of the device unless it is properly positioned above the surface for breaking.

Claims

1. A device for attachment to a host including a hydraulic power supply conveying hydraulic fluid through a supply line and a return line comprising:

(a) a hydraulic system including;

(a)(i) at least one regenerative type hydraulic cylinder having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a piston separating said first chamber and said second chamber;

(a)(ii) said first chamber being in fluid communication with the supply line and said second chamber being in fluid communication with the return line;

(a)(iii) said first chamber being in fluid communication with said second chamber; and

(a)(iv) at least one valve capable of actuation between a first position and a second position wherein when said at least one valve is in said first position, the hydraulic fluid flows from the supply line to said first chamber and from said second chamber to the return line and when said at least one valve is in said second position, the hydraulic fluid flows from said first chamber to said second chamber;

(b) a frame supporting said hydraulic cylinder; and

(c) at least one weight capable of travel relative to said frame in response to actuation of said at least one valves.

2. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 wherein

said piston is capable of movement within said at least one regenerative type hydraulic cylinder;

a rod connected to said piston such that a movement of said piston results in corresponding movement of said rod;

said at least one weight being operably supported from said rod such that movement of said rod results in movement of said at least one weight relative to said frame.

3. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) at least one pivotable joint wherein said hydraulic cylinder is operably attached to said at least one weight by said at least one pivotable joint.

4. The device for attachment to a host of claim 3 wherein said pivotable joint includes:

(d)(i) at least one cable.

5. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) a motion amplifier wherein said hydraulic cylinder is operably attached to said at least one weight by said motion amplifier.

6. The device for attachment to a host of claim 5 wherein said motion amplifier includes:

(d)(i) a cable having at least a first end wherein said first end is attached to said weight; and

(d)(ii) at least one pulley wherein said cable traverses said at least one pulley such that a movement of said hydraulic cylinder results in a movement of said at least one weight of at least the same distance of said movement of the hydraulic cylinder.

7. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) a cable having a first end, said first end attached to either said at least one weight or said hydraulic cylinder; and

(e) at least one pulley wherein said cable traverses said at least one pulley such that a movement of said hydraulic cylinder results in a movement of said at least one weight.

8. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic system is a closed system.

9. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) a sensor which produces binary states such that when said weight is below a preselected height, said sensor will produce a first binary state and when said weight is lifted to said preselected height, said sensor will produce a second binary state.

10. The device for attachment to a host of claim 9 further comprising:

(e) a least one timer including an input for receiving said binary states from said sensor,

wherein when said timer receives said first binary state, said timer directs said valve to its said first position and when said timer receives said second binary state, said timer directs said valve to its said second position for a preselected period of time and thereafter, upon receiving said first binary state, said timer again directs said valve to its said first position.

11. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 wherein said at least one regenerative type hydraulic cylinder includes a double cylinder arrangement.

12. The device for attachment to a host of claim 1 wherein said at least one regenerative type hydraulic cylinder includes a concentric double cylinder arrangement.

13. A system for ensuring proper positioning of a device for breaking a paved surface for attachment to a skid steer or backhoe including a hydraulic power supply conveying hydraulic fluid through a supply line and a return line, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a hydraulic system including;

(b)(i) a hydraulic cylinder having a rod; and

(b)(ii) a valve having at least a first position and a second position;

(c) a weight slidably retained in said frame, said weight being capable of travel within said frame in response to movement of said rod;

(d) a ground contacting member attached to said frame; and

(e) a sensor for sensing contact between the ground and said ground contacting member such that said sensor produces an output indicative of said contact,

wherein, when said valve is in said first position, hydraulic fluid is directed from said supply line to said hydraulic cylinder thereby moving said weight to an upper position,

wherein, when said valve is in said second position, hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow from said hydraulic cylinder thereby allowing said weight to fall to a lower position; and

wherein, when said output indicates that said ground contacting member is not contacting the ground, said valve is directed to one of said first or second positions.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said hydraulic cylinder includes a double cylinder arrangement.

15. The system of claim 13, further including:

a cable having at least a first end wherein said first end is attached to said weight; and

at least one pulley wherein said cable traverses said at least one pulley such that a movement of said hydraulic cylinder results in a movement of said weight of at least the same distance of said movement of the hydraulic cylinder.