Combination gravel spreader/paver geo-textile fabric installer apparatus

• US 8,888,403 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Ag Concepts, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dwayne L. Atherton
• Inventors: Atherton, Dwayne L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARTMANN, GARY S
• Application Number:
  US13/462,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20120282026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/102, 404/105, 404/108, 404/110, 298/24, 172/272, 172/273, 172/274, 172/834
• US Class Current: 404/108
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/15 for laying-down uncoated stone or similar materials, or for striking-off or spreading same without compacting, e.g. for crushed rock base courses, sand cushions for paving E01C19/466 , E01C19/52 take precedence; distributing E01C19/20; laying down and rolling E01C19/482
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/4866 with solely non-vibratory or non-percussive pressing or smoothing means for consolidating or finishing E01C19/4886 takes precedence; combined with rollers E01C19/488
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/03 Arrangements for curing paving; Devices for applying curing means; Devices for laying prefabricated underlay, e.g. sheets, membranes reinforcing elements E01C23/04; Protecting paving under construction or while curing, e.g. use of tents road barriers E01F13/00

Abstract

A gravel spreader/paver apparatus and method for transporting and spreading gravel and other base materials, onto a surface, such as a roadway, including a hopper portion for receiving base material from a separate machine, such as a dump truck; attachment brackets for attaching the apparatus to machinery for providing movement to the apparatus; a roll of geo-textile fabric secured onto the apparatus; base material, such as gravel, in the hopper portion for being delivered on the geo-textile fabric as the fabric is unrolled from the apparatus while the apparatus is moving forward; an adjustable moldboard mounted on the apparatus for spreading the base material to a pre-determined, precise depth; the moldboard adjustable to multiple positions, to control the amount, depth, and width of the material being spread; adjustable plates for allowing the base material to be spread onto the sub-base at predetermined widths, depths and slopes.

Claims

1. A gravel spreader and paver apparatus for transporting and spreading base material, including gravel, asphalt, limestone, dirt, or sand, onto a surface, comprising:

an attachment means on a forward portion of the apparatus enabling attachment to a first separate machine;

an attachment means on a rear portion of the apparatus, comprising horizontal pitch adjustment means and vertical adjustment means, wherein the attachment means enables attachment of the apparatus to a second separate machine for operating and providing forward movement to the apparatus;

a wheel assembly comprising one or more wheels;

a hopper portion, for receiving base material from the first separate machine and for transporting the base material, wherein the hopper portion is also for delivering base material onto the surface while the apparatus is moving forward;

the hopper portion defining a means to redistribute weight of the base material onto the one or more wheels of the wheel assembly for creating less resistance between the base material and the surface;

an adjustable moldboard comprising a spreading means mounted on the apparatus for spreading the base material onto a surface to a pre-determined, precise depth;

the adjustable moldboard being vertically adjustable and adjustable into multiple positions, to control amount, depth, slope, and width of the material being spread; and

adjustable extension plates attached to the adjustable moldboard for allowing the base material to be spread at one or more widths larger than the adjustable moldboard.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising a fabric roller assembly including a roll of geo-textile fabric, for unrolling the geo-textile fabric onto the surface while the apparatus is in motion, the unrolled geo-textile fabric for receiving base material from the hopper portion while the apparatus is in motion.

3. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the attachment means on the forward portion of the apparatus enables attachment to a dump truck for delivering the base material to the hopper.

4. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the attachment means on the forward portion of the apparatus enables attachment to a rear portion of a dump truck so that the hopper may receive the base material from the dump truck while in motion.

5. The apparatus in claim 4, wherein the attachment means on the rear portion of the apparatus, enables attachment to a skid steer, for enabling forward motion of the apparatus and dump truck.

6. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the attachment means on the forward portion of the apparatus enables attachment to a dump truck, for providing base material to the hopper while the apparatus is in motion and also for providing forward motion to the apparatus.

7. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the adjustable attachment means on the rear portion of the apparatus comprises adaptable mounting plates and brackets for enabling attachment to a skid steer, back hoe, dozer, truck, wheel loader or dump truck.

8. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising more than one adjustable moldboard able to adjust into multiple positions, heights, angles and widths, which gives an operator control of amount, depth, slope, and width of the material being spread.

9. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable by manual hydraulic, mechanical/electrical actuator, mechanical or pneumatic power means.

10. The apparatus in claim 1 further comprising adjustable spreader boxes extending out one or more sides of the apparatus adjustable to various widths and heights.

11. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising one or more adjustable screeds to come into contact with the base material being spread after the base material has been ejected from the hopper in order to redistribute weight from the hopper to the surface, for providing compaction to the base material.

12. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising wheel locks attached to the apparatus.

13. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is transportable by equipment trailers, or trucks.

14. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the adjustable moldboard is v-shaped.