Paving work machine and method of transforming the same

• US 6,481,925 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olson, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh, Sunil
• Application Number:
  US09/704,009
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/104, 404/105, 404/108, 404/110, 404/118, 404/75, 414/523, 414/503-505
• US Class Current: 404/108
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/48 for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface , e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ E01C19/002, E01C23/065 take precedence; devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path E01C19/004
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/04 Independent shuttles

Abstract

A work machine is provided and adapted for use in paving operations. The work machine has a conveying system for moving paving material from a first end portion to a predetermined distance beyond a second end portion. A receiving portion is included on the second end portion and is adapted to receive a plurality of operational attachments. The plurality of attachments transforms the work machine into three distinct machines that perform different paving operations.

Claims

1. A work machine (10) adapted for use in paving operations comprising:

a self-propelled chassis (12) having a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), and a pair of opposing sides (18) and being supported by a propelling arrangement (14);

a conveying system (40) having a first end (48), a second end (50) and a hinge point (55) positioned between the first and second end portions (20,22) and the pair of opposing sides (18); and

an actuator (56) operatively connected to said conveying system between the first and second end portions (20,22), said actuator (56) pivotally moving said second end (50) of said conveying system (40) between a first horizontal position (60) and second elevated position (62).

2. The work machine of claim 1 wherein said conveying system is positioned between the pair of opposing sides and longitudinally extending from the first end portion and a predetermined distance beyond the second end portion of said self-propelled chassis.

3. The work machine of claim 1 wherein the second end of said conveying system is pivotal by an actuator.

4. The work machine (10) of claim 1 wherein the second end portion (22) of the self-propelled chassis (12) having one of a plurality of attachments (34) attached thereto.

5. The work machine of claim 4 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments include a road widener attachment.

6. The work machine (10) of claim 5 wherein said road widener attachment (100) includes a conveyor belt/drag chain (104) adapted to receive paving material from said conveying system (40) and operable to move the material (26) to one of the opposing sides (18) of said self-propelled chassis (12).

7. The work machine (10) of claim 5 wherein said road widener attachment (100) includes a pair of strike-off tools (106) supported on the road widener attachment (100), each of said pair of strike-off tools (106) being movable from a retracted position to a working position.

8. The work machine of claim 4 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments include a screed attachment.

9. The work machine of claim 8 wherein said screed attachment includes at least one adjustable screed extension.

10. The work machine of claim 4 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments include a material transfer attachment.

11. The work machine (10) of claim 10 wherein said material transfer attachment (80) receives paving material from the conveying system (40) and discharges the paving material at an elevated location.

12. A work machine (10) adapted for use in paving operations comprising:

a self-propelled chassis (12) having a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), and a pair of opposing sides (18) and being supported by a propelling arrangement (14);

a conveying system (40) having a first end (48) and a second end (50), and a hinge point (55) positioned between the first and second end portions (20,22) and the pair of opposing sides (18);

an actuator (56) operatively connected to said conveying system between the first and second end portions (20,22), said actuator (56) pivotally moving said second end (50) of said conveying system (40) between a first position (60) and second position (62); and

a receiving portion (32) is positioned at the second end portion (22) of the self-propelled chassis (12) having one of a plurality of attachments (34) attached thereto.

13. The work machine of claim 12 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments include a screed attachment.

14. The work machine (10) of claim 12 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments (34) include a road widener attachment (100).

15. The work machine (10) of claim 12 wherein said one of a plurality of attachments (34) include a material transfer attachment (80).

16. A method for converting a work machine (10) into three distinct machines comprising the steps of:

providing a self-propelled chassis (12) having a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), and a pair of opposing sides (18) and being supported by a propelling arrangement (14), said self-propelled chassis (12) including a conveying system (40) having a first end (48), a second end (50) and a hinge point (55) positioned between the first and second end portions (20,22) and the pair of opposing sides (18), an actuator (56) operatively connected to said conveying system between the first and second end portions (20,22), said actuator (56) pivotally moving said second end (50) of said conveying system (40) between a first horizontal position (60) and second elevated position (62); and

attaching one of a plurality of attachments (34) to the second end portion (22) of the self-propelled chassis (12).

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said attaching step includes attaching a screed attachment (70) to said second end portion (22).

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said attaching step includes attaching a road widener attachment (104) to said second end portion (22).

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said attaching step includes attaching a material transfer attachment (80) to said second end portion (22).