Multi-stage modular road paving equipment and method of manufacture and sales

• US 7,771,138 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CMI Terex Corporation (Terex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Terex Usa, LLC (Terex Corporation)
• Inventors: Musil, Joseph E
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann; Gary S
• Application Number:
  US11/689,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20070237582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 404/86, 404/109, 404/108, 404/110
• US Class Current: 404/86
• 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

Abstract

A multi-stage modular road building equipment system where a first stage base tractor is coupled to an intermediate stage, such as a spreading screw, and a third stage screed road paving tool attachment or other attachment such as a widener.

Claims

1. A multi-stage road paving equipment system comprising:

a base tractor first stage for providing basic controls and motive forces and a first stage-to-stage coupling, disposed at a rear end of said base tractor;

an intermediate stage, configured to mate with the first stage-to-stage coupling and further configured with a second stage-to-stage coupling, said intermediate stage being disposed rearward of said rear end of said base tractor and centered with respect to a center line extending rearward from said rear end of said base tractor;

the intermediate stage is additionally configured to laterally transport hot mix asphalt away from said center line;

wherein the intermediate stage is rigidly coupled to the base tractor first stage via the first stage-to-stage coupler which is configured not to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field; and

a first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments configured to mate with the second stage-to-stage coupling, where each of the plurality of third stage tool attachment provides a differing function and where each of the plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments is not configured to be directly mated to the first stage-to-stage coupling.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate stage comprises a spreading screw for hot mix asphalt;

and

the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a screed attachment.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a road widener.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate stage is coupled to the base tractor first stage via the first stage-to-stage coupler which consists of one of welding, bolts and rivets.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second stage-to-stage coupler is configured to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field, with a blind mateable connection.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a screed attachment.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the first of a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a road widener attachment.

8. A multi-stage road paving equipment system comprising:

a base tractor configured for providing control and motive force;

a first stage-to-stage coupling mounted on the base tractor;

an intermediate stage, configured to mate with the first stage-to-stage coupling;

a second stage-to-stage coupling, mounted on said intermediate stage;

the intermediate stage is additionally configured to laterally transport hot mix asphalt;

a plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments configured to mate with the second stage-to-stage coupling, where each of the plurality of third stage tool attachment provides a differing function and where each of the plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments is not configured to be directly mated to the first stage-to-stage coupling;

wherein the intermediate stage is rigidly coupled to the base tractor via the first stage-to-stage coupler which is configured not to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field, and which consists of one of welding, bolts, and rivets;

wherein the second stage-to-stage coupler is configured to be readily decoupled and recoupled in the field and is blind mateable; and

wherein the intermediate stage comprises a spreading screw for distributing hot mix asphalt.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein a first of the plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a screed attachment.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a second of the plurality of third stage road paving tool attachments comprises a road widener.