Frame raising multi-use paving tractor with blind mateable quick connecting tool attachments

• US 7,458,747 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CMI Terex Corporation (Terex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cedarapids Incorporated (Terex Corporation)
• Inventors: Egan, Vince, Musil, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie; Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US11/382,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/108, 404/118
• US Class Current: 404/101
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/185 for both depositing and spreading-out or striking-off the deposited mixture laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface, E01C19/48
• 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 multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.

Claims

1. A method of deploying multi-use road-paving equipment comprising the steps of:

providing a paving tractor with a first detachable road-paving tool attachment operatively coupled thereto at a first connection point, where said first connection point is at an adjustable rear location on said paving tractor, where adjustment of the adjustable rear location is accomplished by manipulating a frame raise capability of the paving tractor;

replacing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment with a second detachable road-paving tool attachment without welding or cutting metal at said first connection point;

where said first detachable road-paving tool attachment is configured to perform a substantially different task than said second detachable road-paving tool attachment;

wherein said paving tractor is a self-propelled vehicle configured to be driven by a driver located on and at a rear end of said paving tractor, said paving tractor further comprising a hopper disposed forward of said rear end, and means for conveying paving material from said hopper to said rear end;

wherein said step of replacing comprises the steps of;

causing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment, while coupled to said paving tractor, to be disposed at substantially the same level as a tractor operating surface upon which said paving tractor is disposed;

causing a vertical separation between said tractor operating surface and said first detachable road-paving tool attachment to decrease;

supporting said first detachable road-paving tool by deploying structural support members which are stowed on said first detachable road-paving tool during operation of said first detachable road-paving tool and deployed at a time of detachment from said paving tractor;

wherein said step of causing a vertical separation is accomplished by a manipulation of the frame raise capability of the paving tractor;

where said step of supporting further comprises the steps of;

lowering a stowed support member, from an unused and stowed position such that said stowed support member has a free end surface which thereafter contacts the ground and provides support that did not exist before said stowed support member was lowered; and

,

using the frame raise capability of said paving tractor to further lower said first detachable road-paving tool attachment.

2. A method of deploying multi-use road-paving equipment comprising the steps of:

providing a paving tractor with a first detachable road-paving tool attachment operatively coupled thereto at a first connection point, where said first connection point is at an adjustable rear location on said paving tractor, where adjustment of the adjustable rear location is accomplished by manipulating a frame raise capability of the paving tractor;

replacing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment with a second detachable road-paving tool attachment without welding or cutting metal at said first connection point;

where said first detachable road-paving tool attachment is configured to perform a substantially different task than said second detachable road-paving tool attachment; and

wherein said paving tractor is a self-propelled vehicle configured to be driven by a driver located on and at a rear end of said paving tractor, said paving tractor further comprising a hopper disposed forward of said rear end, and means for conveying paving material from said hopper to said rear end;

comprising the steps of;

causing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment, while coupled to said paving tractor, to be disposed at substantially the same level as a tractor operating surface upon which said paving tractor is disposed;

causing a vertical separation between said tractor operating surface and said first detachable road-paving tool attachment to decrease;

wherein said step of causing a vertical separation is accomplished by a manipulation of the frame raise capability of the paving tractor;

supporting said first detachable road-paving tool by deploying structural support members which are stowed and unused on said first detachable road-paving tool during operation of said first detachable road-paving tool and deployed at a time of detachment from said paving tractor;

lowering a first stowed support member;

so as to maintaining a substantially constant alignment of said first detachable road-paving tool both before and after detachment from said paving tractor; and

,

using the frame raise capability of said paving tractor to further lower said first detachable road-paving tool attachment;

detaching the first detachable road-paving tool attachment from the paving tractor and driving the paving tractor away from first detachable road-paving tool attachment;

backing the paving tractor up to the second detachable road-paving tool attachment;

causing a tractor portion of a blind mateable connector to be in crude alignment with a conical tool attachment portion of a blind mateable connector on said second detachable road-paving tool attachment by merely backing up the paving tractor;

causing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to come into a requisite minute alignment with the paving tractor by merely backing up further and allowing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to shift;

attaching the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to the paving tractor, with bolts which are substantially smaller in cross-section than a widest portion of the conical tool attachment portion;

causing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to raise slightly by manipulating the frame raise capability of the paving tractor;

raising a second support member to a stowed position; and

driving the paving tractor with the second detachable road-paving tool attachment attached thereto.