Frame raising multi-use paving tractor with blind mateable quick connecting tool attachments
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
2 Claims
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1. A method of deploying multi-use road-paving equipment comprising the steps of:
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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.
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2. A method of deploying multi-use road-paving equipment comprising the steps of:
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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.
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Specification