Abstract: A screed assembly is provided for a paving vehicle for forming a mat of paving material upon a base surface, the vehicle having a longitudinal centerline. The screed assembly includes a frame connectable with the vehicle and a first screed plate movably connected with the frame and rotatable about a first axis extending perpendicular to the vehicle centerline. A second screed plate is movably connected with the first screed plate and is rotatable about a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis. Further, a connective member has a first end connected with the frame and a second end linearly displaceable with respect to the first end and pivotably connected with the second screed plate. When the first plate displaces about the first axis, the second plate pivotably displaces with respect to the connective member while the distance between the two ends of the connective member remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A screed assembly includes a first screed plate having a working surface and an edge. A pivot body connected with the edge of the first plate has an axis and a bearing surface about the axis. A second screed plate has a working surface and an edge slidably disposed against the bearing surface. The second plate is movably connected with the first plate and pivotable about the axis to adjust the second working surface relative to the first working surface. A first hinge member connected with the first plate has an inner surface about the axis and spaced from the bearing surface. A second hinge member connected with the second plate has an inner surface slidably disposed against the bearing surface and an outer surface slidably disposed against the first member surface so as to be retained between the pivot body and the first member, thereby movably connecting the plates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a screed assembly that includes a strike-off. This strike-off is directly connected to a screed plate such that the strike-off is able to bend or twist along with movement of the screed plate which occurs during a paving operation. The strike-off in the screed assembly of the present invention is simpler and less costly to manufacture than corresponding devices in existing screed assemblies. Connecting the strike-off directly to the screed establishes a shearing height prior to mounting the screed assembly to the paving machine in set up of the screed assembly faster and easier to accomplish.

Abstract: A retainer device is used with a screed assembly including a main screed and a pair of front-mounted screed extensions connected with the main screed. Each extension is pivotally attached to the main screed and has a front surface facing generally away from the main screed. The retainer device includes a retainer plate disposed adjacent to the front surface of the screed extension. A horizontally-extending rod has a first end connected with the retainer plate and a second end connected with the main screed. The rod is configured to displace the retainer plate between a first, most distal position with respect to the main screed and a second, most proximal position with respect to the main screed. At the most proximal position, the retainer member acts upon the screed extension such that the screed extension is retained generally in contact with the main screed. Further, the plate prevents rotation of the screed extension in a direction generally away from the main screed.