Pothole repair system

• US 8,517,629 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis J. Gregerson
• Original Assignee: Dennis J. Gregerson
• Inventors: Gregerson, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): RISIC, ABIGAIL ANNE
• Application Number:
  US12/783,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20110085860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/108, 404/110, 404/80, 404/81
• US Class Current: 404/110
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/06 Devices or arrangements for working the finished surface working freshly laid paving E01C19/42 - E01C19/44, E01C23/02; mining picks E21C35/18; Devices for repairing or reconditioning the surface of damaged paving; Recycling in place or on the road
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/098 and working the surface of the filling or applying particulate material thereto, e.g. smoothing, gritting
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/124 moved rectilinearly, e.g. road-breaker apparatus with reciprocating tools, with drop-hammers
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3414 the arms being pivoted at the rear of the vehicle chassis, e.g. skid steer loader
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/4075 Dump doors; Control thereof

Abstract

A pothole repair system for completely repairing potholes through the operation of a loader vehicle and connected implement. The implement generally includes a supporting structure adapted to mount to the loader, such as a skid steer loader or excavator, a hopper-style bucket connected to the supporting structure, the bucket having a lower opening closable by an actuated gate, a first impact device connected to the supporting structure to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein first impact device has an interchangeable tamper end, a second impact device connected to the supporting structure to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein the second impact device has an interchangeable chisel end. The impact devices may be raised and lowered via linkage assemblies or may be fixed to the supporting structure. Other tools, such as air nozzles may be used to assist in repairing the potholes.

Claims

1. A loader implement system for repairing potholes, comprising:

a loader, wherein said loader includes a pair of loader arms;

a supporting structure including a mount, wherein a first end of said mount is removably connected to said first loader arm and wherein a second end of said mount is removably connected to said second loader arm;

a first side support extending from said first end of said mount for securing said bucket thereto;

a second side support extending from said second end of said mount for securing said bucket thereto;

a scooping bucket connected to said supporting structure, said bucket having sidewalls defining an upper opening and a lower opening, said sidewalls tapering inwards towards said lower opening;

wherein said bucket includes an actuated gate to close over said lower opening;

a first impact device movably connected to said supporting structure;

said first impact device extends below said bucket, and said first impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein said first impact device extends along a first side of said bucket;

said first impact device having an interchangeable tamper end;

a first linkage assembly to connect said first impact device between said bucket and said supporting assembly, said first linkage devices including;

a first linking member;

a second linking member, wherein said second linking member is spaced from said first linking member;

a first actuator interconnecting said first linking member to said second linking member, said first actuator adapted to collectively pivot said first linking member and said second linking member about said support assembly; and

a first carrier pivotally connected to said second end of both of said first linking member and said second linking member, said first carrier adapted to support said first impact device in a vertical orientation;

said first actuator adapted to extend and retract to lift and lower said first carrier along with said first impact device to a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position;

wherein said first carrier includes a first catch member and wherein said support assembly includes a first seat, wherein said first catch member is removably received by said first seat to retain said first impact device in said lower vertical position;

wherein said first catch member releases from said first seat when said first impact device is moved to said upper vertical position;

a second impact device connected to said supporting structure, said second impact device extends below said bucket, and said second impact device to engage a road surface in a reciprocating manner, wherein said second impact device extends along a second side of said bucket;

said second impact device having an interchangeable chisel end;

a second linkage assembly to connect said second impact device between said bucket and said supporting assembly, said second linkage devices including;

a third linking member;

a fourth linking member, wherein said third linking member is spaced from said fourth linking member;

a second actuator interconnecting said third linking member to said fourth linking member, said second actuator adapted to collectively pivot said third linking member and said fourth linking member about said support assembly; and

a second carrier pivotally connected to said second end of both of said third linking member and said fourth linking member, said second carrier adapted to support said second impact device in a vertical orientation;

said second actuator adapted to extend and retract to lift and lower said second carrier along with said second impact device to a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position;

wherein said second carrier includes a second catch member and wherein said support assembly includes a second seat, wherein said second catch member is removably received by said second seat to retain said second impact device in said lower vertical position;

wherein said second catch member releases from said second seat when said second impact device is moved to said upper vertical position;

wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are each positioned adjacent laterally opposing ends of said bucket;

wherein said first impact device and said second impact device are parallel to each other; and

a shoe removably connected to said tamper end of said first impact device, said shoe having an impacting surface area greater than said tamper end;

said shoe having an adjustment member to adjust a size of a retaining cavity adapted to receive said tamper end;

said shoe having a pivotal joint for pivoting said shoe about said tamper end.