Abstract: An apparatus provided with a hopper having a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of a supply truck for receiving asphalt-aggregate material. A transversely disposed screw auger is provided for remixing the asphalt-aggregate material in the hopper prior to its discharge. In one form of the invention, the apparatus forms part of a self-propelled storage vehicle which transfers the material from the supply truck to a conventional finishing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering asphalt-aggregate material from a plurality of supply trucks to a finishing machine. In a preferred form of the invention, the apparatus is a self-propelled storage vehicle including a hopper having a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of one of the supply trucks, a high capacity loading conveyor, and a high capacity unloading conveyor system. A tranversely disposed screw auger is provided for remixing the asphalt-aggregate material in the hopper prior to its discharge to the finishing machine. In the first method of operation the storage vehicle shuttles between the finishing machine and a remote location of the supply trucks and in the second method of operation the storage vehicle travels in tandem with the finishing machine as the paving operation is performed. The high capacity loading conveyor can be equipped with an extendable trough which has a pivotally attached trough floor with front and side plates.

Abstract: A reversible connector and method of connection between a large road making machine and the fifth wheel of a tractor to facilitate towing of the machine. The connector has a downwardly projecting king pin which is adjustable between a retracted, operating position and an extended, towing position. It can be either slid or pivoted between those positions. The connector can be used on an apparatus having a chassis, a downwardly extending conveyor pivotally attached to an end of the chassis and a hydraulic cylinder to pivot the conveyor relative to the chassis. The hydraulic cylinder can lift the inlet end of the conveyor off the ground to put the fifth wheel connector in a position such that it can engage the fifth wheel of a tractor. The hydraulic cylinder also can be used to pull the front portion of the chasis up off the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering asphalt-aggregate material from a plurality of supply trucks to a finishing machine. In a preferred form of the invention the hopper of the finishing machine is modified to have a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of one of the supply trucks. The apparatus is a self-propelled storage vehicle including a hopper having a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of one of the supply trucks, a high capacity loading conveyor, and a high capacity unloading conveyor system. A transversely disposed screw auger is provided for remixing the asphalt-aggregate material in the hopper prior to its discharge to the finishing machine. In the first method of operation the storage vehicle shuttles between the finishing machine and a remote location of the supply trucks and in the second method of operation the storage vehicle travels in tandem with the finishing machine as the paving operation is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling asphalt shingles in an asphalt plant which heats and dries aggregate and mixes the heated and dried aggregate with liquid asphalt to form an asphalt paving composition. The shingles are comminuted to particles of a size which can be easily flowed and metered, and the shingle particles are introduced into the asphalt plant such that they are heated to melt the asphalt in the shingle particles. The aggregate, heated shingle particles, and liquid asphalt are thoroughly mixed to form an asphalt paving composition.

Abstract: A yarn saving apparatus for conventional tufting machines which includes means for sensing the lateral movement of a needle bar or other laterally shiftable patterning device, and means responsive to the lateral movement of the needlebar or other lateral shifting device for slowing the speed at which yarn is fed to the outermost groups of needles of the needle bar, thereby withdrawing yarn from loops formed thereby, so as to prevent wastage of the yarn which would otherwise be tufted into a wastage area at the outer longitudinal border of the carpet backing. Yarn is provided to the groups of tufting needles at the normal rate when the tufting needles are positioned over an area which is to be tufted, and yarn is provided to the groups of tufting needles at a slower rate which effectively withdraws yarn from loops in the wastage area when the groups of needles are positioned over the wastage area.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing-out material from a collapsible surge bin. The surge bin is mounted above a collapsible frame such that the points of attachment of the surge bin to the collapsible frame comprise a load cell for weighing the surge bin and the contents thereof. The load cells are connected to control circuitry which actuate a gate in the bottom of the surge bin to thereby dispense asphalt-aggregate material from the surge bin. The control circuitry also operates a door in a batcher above the surge bin to thereby regulate the flow of asphalt-aggregate material being delivered into the surge bin.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing-out material from a collapsible surge bin. The surge bin is mounted above a collapsible frame such that the points of attachment of the surge bin to the collapsible frame comprise a load cell for weighing the surge bin and the contents thereof. The load cells are connected to control circuitry which actuates a gate in the bottom of the surge bin to thereby dispense asphalt-aggregate material from the surge bin. The control circuitry also operates a door in a batcher above the surge bin to thereby regulate the flow of asphalt-aggregate material being delivered into the surge bin.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring out material from a cold feed bin for use with a drum mix plant. The apparatus comprises a plurality of cold feed bins supported on a plurality of legs above a frame. Each leg of the bins rests upon a load cell which thereby measure the weight of the bin and material contained therein. Control circuitry connected to the load cells regulates belt feeders disposed below each bin which adjust the rate at which material is dispensed from each bin in response to the weight measured by the load cells to maintain a desired rate of weight reduction. A belt conveyor disposed below the belt feeders transports the dispensed material to the input of a mixing plant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring out liquid asphalt gravimetrically. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tanks for containing liquid asphalt, each tank being suspended from a load cell, a series of pipes, valves and a pump for selectively filling the tanks with asphalt and a series of pipes, a valve and a variable rate pump for selectively removing the liquid asphalt from the tanks. The load cells are connected to a control circuit which converts the signals from the load cells into the corresponding weight of the tanks and the liquid asphalt contained therein. The control circuit is also connected to the variable rate pump to control the rate at which liquid asphalt is removed from the tank in response to the load cells.

Abstract: Drum mix asphalt plant apparatus connected to a fiber filter dust collector for removing dust and other light particulate matter produced by operation of the drum mixer. Asphalt material is added to the drum mixer in a manner to minimize smoking of the asphalt material due to high temperature within the mixer, and the resulting dust and other fine particulate matter evolved from aggregate material within the drum mixer is withdrawn and collected in a fiber filter dust collector system such as a baghouse. The collected dust is returned to the drum mixer to be coated with asphalt material therein, so that the returned dust becomes admixed with the asphalt aggregate contents of the drum mixer.

Abstract: Continuous asphalt plant including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the asphalt-aggregate mix by varying the flow of hot gases through a mixing enclosure. The temperature of the source of heat, such as a flame burner, is controlled to maintain the temperature of the hot gases as they enter the mixing enclosure, and the hot gases are recirculated to assist in controlling the temperature of the hot gases entering the mixing enclosure and to provide more efficient operation of the plant.