Adjustable bolster swing legs for slipform paving machines
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A paving machine configured to move in a paving direction for laying concrete into a molded form, having a generally upwardly exposed concrete surface and terminating in lateral concrete sides, the paving machine comprising:
- a center module having a forward end, an aft end, and lateral sides;
a forward bolster connected to the forward end of the center module;
an aft bolster connected to the aft end of the center module;
a first crawler track and a second crawler track mechanically coupled to the forward bolster and a third crawler track mechanically coupled to the aft bolster;
the forward bolster having a first swing leg, an upright first jacking column secured to the first swing leg, and a rotary connection between the first jacking column and the first crawler track permitting relative rotational movements of the first crawler track and the first jacking column about an upright axis; and
a first power drive between the first jacking column and the first crawler track of the first swing leg, configured for translating relative rotational movements between the first jacking column and the first crawler track.
1 Assignment
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.
38 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A paving machine configured to move in a paving direction for laying concrete into a molded form, having a generally upwardly exposed concrete surface and terminating in lateral concrete sides, the paving machine comprising:
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a center module having a forward end, an aft end, and lateral sides; a forward bolster connected to the forward end of the center module; an aft bolster connected to the aft end of the center module; a first crawler track and a second crawler track mechanically coupled to the forward bolster and a third crawler track mechanically coupled to the aft bolster; the forward bolster having a first swing leg, an upright first jacking column secured to the first swing leg, and a rotary connection between the first jacking column and the first crawler track permitting relative rotational movements of the first crawler track and the first jacking column about an upright axis; and a first power drive between the first jacking column and the first crawler track of the first swing leg, configured for translating relative rotational movements between the first jacking column and the first crawler track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification