Two-piece main frame assembly for paving vehicles

Abstract

A main frame assembly is for a paving vehicle having an engine and two wheel assemblies, at least one of the wheel assemblies being operably connectable with the engine for mobilizing the vehicle. The frame assembly includes a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of the two drive assemblies, and a mounting portion. An upper frame is connectable, preferably removably connectable, with the lower frame. The upper frame has a compartment configured to receive the engine and an attachment portion, the upper frame attachment portion being connected with the lower frame mounting portion so as to connect the upper and lower frames.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to paving vehicles, and more particularly to the main frames of paving vehicles.

[0002] Paving vehicles are known and are used to form mats of asphalt, concrete or similar materials for such applications as roadways, airport runways, parking lots, etc. A typical paving vehicle includes a tractor and a screed towed from the rear of the tractor. The tractor generally includes a material storage hopper, a conveyor for transporting the material from the hopper to deposit off of the rear of the tractor and an auger for spreading the material laterally or transversely across the front of the of screed to form a material head. The screed is then pulled into the material head and levels material into a mat having an established thickness. The tractor typically includes a main frame that houses or supports various components of the vehicle, such as the hopper, the conveyor, a diesel engine, pumps, etc. Further, wheel assemblies, such as two or more separate wheels or a tracked wheel train, are attached to either side of the frame to mobilize the vehicle upon a base surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one aspect, the present invention is a main frame assembly for a paving vehicle. The vehicle has an engine and two wheel assemblies, at least one of the wheel assemblies being operably connectable with the engine for mobilizing the vehicle. The frame assembly comprises a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of the two wheel assemblies. An upper frame is removably connectable with the lower frame, the upper frame having a compartment configured to receive the engine.

[0004] In another aspect, the present invention is a paving vehicle comprising a lower frame having two opposing sides and a mounting portion. Two wheel assemblies are each connected with a separate one of the two sides of the lower frame. An upper frame has an attachment portion, the attachment portion being connected with the lower frame mounting portion so as to connect the upper frame with the lower frame. The upper frame further has a compartment configured to receive an engine. Further, an engine is disposed in the upper frame compartment and is operatively connected with at least one of the two wheel assemblies.

[0005] In a further aspect, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a paving vehicle. The method comprises the steps of providing an upper frame configured to receive an engine, providing a first lower frame configured to connect with two first wheel assemblies and providing a second lower frame configured to connect with two second wheel assemblies. One of the first lower frame and the second lower frame is selected and the upper frame is connected with the selected one of the first and second lower frames.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the present invention is also a method of constructing a paving vehicle. The method comprises the steps of providing a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of two wheel assemblies, and a support surface, providing a conveyor configured to transport paving material and providing an upper frame configured to receive an engine. The conveyor is positioned on the lower frame support surface and the upper frame is connected with the lower frame such that the conveyor is disposed generally between the upper frame and the lower frame support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, which are diagrammatic, embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, taken from the rear, of a paving vehicle having a frame assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower frame of the frame assembly;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upper frame of the frame assembly;

[0011] FIG. 4 is perspective view of the upper frame, shown assembled with various vehicle components so as to form an upper vehicle subassembly;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower frame, shown assembled with tracked drive wheel assemblies and vehicle other components so as to form a lower vehicle subassembly;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower frame, shown with certain components of the tracked drive wheel assemblies;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower frame shown with certain components of a wheeled drive assembly; and

[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper frame, shown with the main engine and certain other vehicle components assembled into two main upper frame compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, left”, “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “front”, “frontward” and “rear”, “rearward” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated front end of a paving vehicle. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Further, as used herein, the word “connected” is intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8 a presently preferred embodiment of a two-piece main frame assembly 10 for a paving vehicle 12. The paving vehicle 12 has, in addition to the frame assembly 10 and other components, an engine 14, two wheel assemblies 16A, 16B, at least one of the wheel assemblies 16A, 16B being operably connectable with the engine 14 for mobilizing the vehicle 12 upon a base surface S, and a material transport conveyor 17. The frame assembly 10 basically comprises a lower frame 18 having two opposing sides 20A, 20B, each side 20A, 20B being configured to connect with a separate one of the two wheel assemblies 16A, 16B, respectively, and a mounting portion 19. An upper frame 22 is connectable with, preferably removably connectable with, the lower frame 18, the upper frame 22 having a compartment 24 configured to receive the engine 14. Preferably, the upper frame 22 has an attachment portion 23 connectable with the lower frame mounting portion 19 so as to connect the lower and upper frames 18, 22, respectively.

[0018] The two wheel assemblies 16A, 16B are connectable with lower frame 18 when the lower frame 18 is separate from the upper frame 22 and the engine 14 is disposeable within the upper frame engine compartment 24 when the upper frame 22 is separate from the lower frame 18. If so assembled, when the upper frame 22 is connected with the lower frame 18, the engine 14 is immediately positioned for operable connection with at least one of the two wheel assemblies 16A, 16B, as discussed in further detail below. Further, the lower frame 18 has a longitudinal centerline 15, the two sides 20A, 20B extending generally parallel with and disposed on opposing sides of the centerline 15, and an upper, horizontal support surface 26 extending generally along the centerline 15 and configured to support the conveyor 17. Furthermore, a tunnel or passage 28 is defined generally between the upper and lower frames 18, 22, respectively, when the upper frame 22 is connected with the lower frame 18, the tunnel 28 being configured to generally enclose at least a rear portion of the conveyor 17.

[0019] The above basic elements of the main frame assembly 10 are described in further detail below. However, to more clearly understand the structure of the frame assembly 10, a brief description of certain components of the paving vehicle 12 which connect with, are supported by, or are housed within the upper and lower frames 18, 22, respectively, is first provided. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, the paving vehicle 12 preferably includes a paving material hopper 30 disposed proximal to a front end 12a of the vehicle 12 and configured to store paving material. The conveyor 17, which is preferably an assembly of independently driveable left and right hand conveyors (not indicated), has a first end 17a disposed within or beneath the hopper 30 and a second end 17b disposed proximal to a rear end 12b of the vehicle 12 (see FIG. 5). An auger assembly 32 is mounted to the rear end 12b of the vehicle 12 and is arranged for spreading paving material falling off the rear end 17b of the conveyor 17 across the base surface S. Further, an auger/conveyor drive motor assembly 33 is provided for powering both the conveyor 17 and the auger assembly 32. Preferably, at least one pump 34 is operably connected with the engine 14 and actuates flow through a hydraulic circuit (not indicated) connecting the pumps 34 with the wheel assemblies 16A, 16B, as described below. Furthermore, at least one fuel tank 36 is preferably fluidly connected with the engine 14 so as to provide fuel (preferably diesel oil) thereto and a hydraulic tank 38 is fluidly connected with the pump(s) 36 to supply hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors of the preferred wheel assemblies 16A, 16B, as described below. In addition, at least one and preferably two operator stations 35 are mounted to an upper end 12c of the vehicle 12, as discussed in further detail below.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, each one of the two wheel assemblies 16A, 16B preferably includes a base 40 and a plurality of wheels 42 connected with the base 40. Preferably, each wheel base 40 is formed as a generally flat, elongated rectangular plate 44 having a first plurality of through-holes 43A (FIG. 7) for connecting with the lower frame 18, as discussed below. Further, each base plate 44 has an integral mounting section 45 including an inner mounting surface 49 and a second plurality of through-holes 43B arranged longitudinally across the surface 49. The mounting sections 45 of the two base plates 44 preferably provide the lower frame mounting portion 19 and are configured for connecting the lower frame 18 with the upper frame 22, as discussed above and in further detail below. In addition, each base plate 44 has an inner surface 44a that is disposeable against one of the lower frame sides 20A or 20B, such that the through-holes 43A are alignable with corresponding mounting holes in the lower frame 18 to connect the assembly 20A or 20B therewith, as discussed below. Furthermore, a wheel hub 41 is formed in each plate 44 and is configured to mount a hydraulic motor and gear assembly 47 to each base 40, a separate drive wheel 42a (discussed below) being rotatably connected to each motor/gear assembly 47. Preferably, the two motor/gear assemblies 47 are each operably connectable with the engine 14, as discussed below, such that the engine 14 ultimately powers both drive wheel assemblies 16A and 16B. Although the above-described plate structure is preferred, the base 40 may alternatively be formed as a plurality of plates, as a plurality of bars or tubes, or in any other appropriate manner (no alternatives shown).

[0021] In a first drive wheel assembly construction shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, each wheel assembly 16A, 16B is a tracked wheel assembly 46 including an endless track 48 disposed about the plurality of wheels 42, which preferably include a rear drive wheel 42a (configured generally as a sprocket), a front idler wheel 42b, and several bogie wheels 42c. The tracked wheel assembly 46 further includes a box frame 50 attached to an outer surface 44b of the base plate 44 and a plurality of bogie frames 51 attached to the box frame 50 for connecting the bogie wheels 42c to the base 40. Further, various other track drive components are disposed in the box frame 50, such as a tensioning cylinder and arm 53 that adjustably connects the front idler wheel 42b to the wheel base 40. In a second drive wheel assembly construction shown in FIG. 7, each one of the two drive wheel assemblies 16A, 16B is a “wheeled” drive assembly 54 (i.e., separate wheels as opposed to a track drive train) that includes the drive wheel 42a, preferably configured as a pneumatic tire, and one or more bogie wheels (none shown). With the wheeled drive assemblies 54, each base plate 44 further includes one or more wheel shafts 56 (only one shown) for pivotally mounting a preferred bogie frame and bogie wheels (neither shown) to the wheel base 40. Further, a generally triangular mounting bracket 58 is attached to a central portion of each base plate 40 and provides a mounting plate 58a for attaching the tow arms of a screed assembly (neither shown) to the paving vehicle 12.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7, the lower frame 18 is preferably constructed as a generally rectangular, truss-like frame 60 having a front portion 60a connectable with the material hopper 30 and a rear portion 60b connectable with the upper frame 22. The truss-like frame 60 is preferably formed of a pair of side walls 62 spaced apart so as to extend generally parallel with respect to the centerline 15 and a plurality of transverse members 64 extending generally between the two side walls 62. Each side wall 62 provides a separate one of the two lower frame sides 20A and 20B and has an outer surface 61 and an inner surface 63. Preferably, each side wall 62 is formed of front and rear, generally rectangular elongated plates 66 and 68, respectively. Each plate 66 and 68 includes a plurality of L-shaped slotted openings 69 spaced apart in a longitudinal row across the side wall 62. The slotted openings 69 of each side wall 62 are aligned with corresponding openings 69 in the other side wall 62 to form a pair of openings 69, each pair of openings 69 being used to assemble the side walls 62 with one of the preferred transverse members 64, as described below.

[0023] Further, each side wall 62 includes a plurality of threaded inserts 70 spaced apart in a longitudinal row across the two plates 66 and 68, generally beneath the row of slotted openings 69. The threaded inserts 70 are used to removably attach the base plate 44 of the associated one of the wheel assemblies 16A or 16B to the lower frame 18 by means of threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts), although the base plates 44 may alternatively be removably attached by other means, such as by separate brackets, etc. Although it is preferred to use the wheel base plates 44 to connect the upper and lower frames 22, 18, respectively, the rear portion 60b of the lower frame 18 may be alternatively formed for direct attachment with the upper frame 22, as discussed below. Further, each front plate 66 includes a plurality of tubular hinge bodies 67 (preferably three) spaced along and attached to an upper edge 66a of the plate 66, which are used to connect a separate body half 31 of the preferred material storage hopper 30 to the lower frame 18. Another row of threaded inserts 65 extends longitudinally across the front plate 66 proximal to the plate upper edge 66a and are alignable with corresponding through-holes 43A in the base plate 44, additional threaded fasteners being inserted therethrough when the two wheel bases 40 are attached to the lower frame 18. Furthermore, each rear plate 68 has a circular through-hole 71 with a slotted opening portion 71a for installing the auger/conveyor drive motor assembly 33 to the lower frame 18.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the lower frame 18 preferably includes seven of the transverse members 64 spaced along and extending generally perpendicularly across the longitudinal centerline 15. Each transverse member 64 has opposing ends 64a and 64b, each end 64a, 64b being connected with a separate one of the two side walls 62. More specifically, each transverse member 64 is preferably formed as an L-shaped beam or bar having two L-shaped ends disposed in one pair of the aligned openings 69 in the two side walls 62, as best shown in FIG. 2. When so attached, the plurality of transverse members 64 rigidly connect the two side walls 62 to form the lower frame 18, each transverse member 64 preferably being permanently attached to the side walls 62 by means such as weldment material. Further, each transverse member 64 has a generally flat, upper horizontal surface 64a, the upper surfaces 64a of all the transverse members 64 collectively forming the conveyor support surface 26, as discussed above and in further detail below.

[0025] Preferably, the lower frame 18 further includes a generally rectangular front bumper plate 72 extending across and attached to the front ends 62a of the two side walls 62. The bumper plate 72 is used to mount a pair of push rollers (not shown) to the front end 18a of the lower frame 18 and generally functions to absorb impacts to the paving vehicle 12 (i.e., from loading vehicles). Further, the lower frame 18 also includes a rear, angled channel plate 74 extending between the two side walls 62 proximal to the rear ends 62b thereof. The channel plate 74 functions to direct paving material deposited off the rear end 17b of the conveyor 17 to fall toward the auger assembly 32.

[0026] Although preferably constructed as described above, the lower frame 18 may be formed in any other appropriate manner that enables the frame 18 to function as generally described herein. For example, the lower frame 18 may be constructed as a box frame formed of attached-together plates or as a truss consisting primarily of interconnected bars or beams (neither shown). Further for example, the lower frame 18 may be configured for direct connection with the upper frame 22 (as opposed to connection through the wheel base plates 44), such as by providing each side wall 62 with threaded inserts, threaded holes, through-holes, or slotted openings (none shown) or by providing separate mounting brackets (none shown) attached to appropriate locations on the lower frame 18 and connectable with the upper frame 22. The scope of the present invention includes the structures described herein and all other appropriate lower frame constructions that are capable of connecting with the upper frame 22 and of supporting at least the two wheel assemblies 16A and 16B of the paving vehicle 12.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 8, the upper frame 22 is preferably formed as a generally rectangular box frame 80 having a front portion 82 providing the first or “front” compartment 24 and a rear portion 84 integrally formed with the front portion 82 and providing another or “rear” compartment 86. The front compartment 24 is configured to receive at least the engine 14 and one or more pumps 34 and the rear compartment 86 is configured to receive the fuel tank(s) 36, the hydraulic tanks 38, and components of a fume removal system 39, as discussed in further detail below. Further, the box frame 80 also has two laterally spaced-apart attachment sections 86 that are each removably connectable with the lower frame 18 and which together provide the upper frame attachment portion 23, as discussed above and in further detail below.

[0028] Preferably, the upper box frame 80 is formed of a plurality of connected horizontal and vertical plates or walls, and most preferably includes the following plates/members. The frame 80 preferably includes a generally horizontal base wall 90 having a front end 90a, a rear end 90b, two opposing sides 90c and 90d, and upper and lower surfaces 90e, 90f, respectively. Preferably, the base wall 90 is formed of a front, generally flat plate 91 and a rear bended plate 93 arranged such that the rear end 90b of the base wall 90 is spaced vertically upwardly with respect to the base wall front end 90a. The front plate 91 has a pair of projections 89 each extending laterally outwardly from a separate base wall side 90c and 90d and the rear plate 93 includes a pair of through-holes 95a, 95b providing clearance for portions of the preferred exhaust system 39, as discussed below. Further, two generally vertical side walls 92 each extend along a separate one of the two base wall sides 90c and 90d. Each side wall 92 has a cut-out section 95 located proximal to the front ends 92a thereof, a proximal one of the two base wall projections 89 extending through each cut-out section 95 so as to increase the width, and thereby the available storage volume, of the front compartment 24, as discussed in further detail below. Furthermore, each side wall 92 has a lower end portion 97 extending generally below or vertically lower than the base wall lower surface 90f and providing a separate one of the two upper frame attachment sections 86. Specifically, each attachment section 86 includes an outer surface 99 and a plurality of threaded inserts 101 (preferably six) spaced longitudinally along the outer surface 99 and is connectable or attachable to a corresponding base plate mounting section 45 on the lower frame 18, as discussed below.

[0029] The preferred upper box frame 80 further includes a generally vertical front transverse wall 94 extending along the front end 90a of the base wall 90 and disposed against the front ends 92a of the two side walls 92. A generally vertical rear transverse wall 96 extends along the rear end 90b of the base wall 90 and is disposed against the rear ends 92b of the side walls 92. Further, a generally vertical middle transverse wall 98 is disposed generally between the front and rear walls 94, 96, respectively and extends generally between and outwardly beyond the two side walls 92. More specifically, the middle transverse wall 98 has two spaced-apart vertical slotted openings 103 and proximal portions of each side wall 92 are disposed within each opening 103, such that the middle wall 98 is generally divided into a central inner portion 98a and two outer portions 98b.

[0030] With the above-described upper frame structure, the front compartment 24 is defined between the front and middle transverse walls 94, 98, respectively, and portions of the base wall 90 and the two side walls 92 which extend between the two vertical walls 94, 98. The base wall projections 89 extend horizontally outwardly between the front and middle walls 94, 98, respectively, and the side wall cut-out sections 95 are disposed between the two vertical walls 94 and 98, such that the front compartment 24 has two opposing, generally open sides 24a, 24b. The rear compartment 86 is defined generally between the middle and rear transverse walls 96, 98, respectively, and portions of the base wall 90 and the two side walls 92 extending between the two vertical walls 96 and 98. Further, the upper frame 22 also preferably includes a plurality of cover panels or plates 100 (see FIG. 4) attached to outer sections of the frame walls such that the front and rear compartments 24, 86, respectively, are generally enclosed when the paving vehicle 12 is fully assembled, as discussed below.

[0031] Although preferably constructed as a box frame 80 of connected plates as described above, the upper frame 22 may be formed in any other appropriate manner that enables the frame 22 to function as generally described herein. For example, the upper frame 22 may be formed as a truss-like structure of interconnected bars or beams or as a combination of bars/beams and plates (neither shown). Further for example, the upper frame 22 may have attachment sections 86 provided by other vertical wall sections of the upper frame 22, such as portions of the front, middle and/or rear transverse walls 94, 96 and 98, respectively, or from horizontal wall portions, such as sections of the base wall 90, or from one or more separate components attached to the frame 22, such as mounting brackets (no alternatives shown). The scope of the present invention includes the structures of the upper frame described herein and all other appropriate upper frame structures that are capable of connecting with the lower frame 18 and of supporting at least the engine 14 of the paving vehicle 12.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, a paving vehicle 12 including the frame assembly 10 of the present invention is formed as follows. Preferably, prior to connecting the lower frame 18 and the upper frame 22, the various other primary components of the vehicle 12 (discussed above) are assembled or installed into the appropriate frame 18 or 22 to form a lower vehicle subassembly 21 and an upper vehicle subassembly 25. Although not preferred, the lower and upper frames 18, 22, respectively, may alternatively be connected together before the primary vehicle components are installed to the main frame assembly 10.

[0033] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, when forming the lower vehicle subassembly 21, the two drive wheel assemblies 16A and 16B are selected from either the track wheel assemblies 46 or the wheeled drive assemblies 54. Preferably, the components of the selected drive assemblies 16A, 16B are pre-assembled to the base plate 44, and then an entire wheel assembly 46 or 56 is attached to each side wall 62. More specifically, each base plate 44 is disposed against the outer surface 63 of each side wall 62 such that each base plate through-hole 43A is aligned with a separate one of the side wall threaded inserts 70, and then a threaded fastener (e.g., a bolt)(none indicated) is inserted through each aligned hole/insert pair to removably connect each wheel assembly 16A or 16B to the lower frame 18. Further, the conveyor 17 is positioned on the lower frame support surface 26 such that the conveyor 17 extends across and rests upon the upper surfaces 64a of the plurality of transverse members 64. Further, the auger assembly 32 is attached to the rear ends 62b of the two lower frame side walls 62.

[0034] Referring next to FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, when forming the upper vehicle subassembly 25, the engine 14 is installed in a central portion of the front compartment 24 of the upper frame 22. Referring first to FIG. 8, the pumps 34 are installed in the front compartment 24 so as to be operatively connected with the engine 14, specifically to an output gearbox (not indicated) of the engine 14, and are preferably disposed within the compartment left open side 24a and extending through the left cut-out section 95, the pumps 34 being thereby accessible for maintenance by removing the proximal cover plate 100. Further, a primary hydraulic tank 38a is fluidly connected with the pumps 34 and is disposed on the left base wall projection 89 so as to be located generally beneath the pumps 34. Further, a fuel filter 104 is connected to the engine 14 and is disposed in the front compartment right open side 24b. Two diesel fuel tanks 36 are installed within the rear compartment 86 and are then fluidly connected with the engine 14 and components of a fume removal system 39 are installed in the rear compartment generally between the two tanks 36. As best shown in FIG. 4, after the described and other components or systems are installed within the front and rear compartments 24, 86, respectively, the plurality of cover plates 100 are then attached to the upper frame 22 so as to generally enclose the two compartments 24 and 86. Thereafter, the two operator stations 35 and various other externally-mounted vehicle components (none indicated) are connected to the upper frame 22 so as to form the complete upper vehicle assembly 25.

[0035] Once both the lower and the upper vehicle subassemblies 21 and 25 are formed, the upper frame 22 is positioned generally above, and then connected with, the lower frame 18. More specifically, the upper frame 22 is located such that two upper frame attachment sections 86 are disposed between the two base plate mounting sections 45. Each outer attachment surface 99 of the upper frame 22 is disposed against (or at least proximal to) a separate one of the inner mounting surfaces 49 on the lower frame 18, such that the upper frame threaded inserts 101 are aligned with the lower frame through-holes 43B. Then, threaded fasteners 105 (e.g., bolts) (FIG. 1) are inserted through each aligned through-hole/threaded insert pair to removably connect the lower and upper frames 18 and 22, respectively. Alternatively, the respective lower and upper frames 18, 22 may be permanently connected by appropriate means, such as for example, by riveting or welding together the upper frame attachment sections 86 and the lower frame mounting sections 45.

[0036] Once the upper frame 22 is connected with the lower frame 18, the conveyor tunnel 28 is formed by, and generally between, the two frames 18, 22 so as to generally enclose the rear portion of the conveyor 17. Two pumps 34 in the upper frame 22 are each fluidly connected with a separate one of the two drive motor/gear assemblies 47 to thereby operatively connect the engine 14 with the two wheel assemblies 16A and 16B. Further, other pumps 34 are connected with the auger/conveyor drive motor-gear assembly 33 and with various other systems or components (none indicated) on the lower vehicle subassembly 21 so as to provide hydraulic power to each such component/system as required. Furthermore, the hopper 30 is preferably mounted to the lower frame 18 after assembling together the lower and upper vehicle subassemblies 21, 25, respectively, specifically by connecting each hopper half 31 to the tubular hinges 67 on each side wall 62, but may alternatively be installed prior to connecting the two frames 18 and 20.

[0037] The frame assembly 10 of the present invention is clearly advantageous over previously known paving vehicle frames. By being formed of upper and lower frames 18 and 22, the various components of the upper and lower vehicle assemblies 21, 25, respectively, may be separately installed into the appropriate frame 18 or 22, which facilitates assembly as compared to installing all the components into a single main frame. In particular, it is much easier to first assemble the conveyor 17 onto the lower frame 18 and then to assemble the upper frame 22 to the lower frame 22 and above the conveyor 17, thereby forming the conveyor tunnel 28 around the conveyor 17, as compared to installing the rear portion of the conveyor 17 into a tunnel through a single-piece main frame, as was previously required.

[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments or constructions described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, the upper and lower frames 18 and 22 may be directly attached together, as opposed to being connected by means of the base plate mounting sections 45, and/or the two frames 18 and 22 may be permanently attached rather than removably connected. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments or constructions disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as generally described herein.

Claims

1. A main frame assembly for a paving vehicle, the vehicle having an engine and two wheel assemblies, at least one of the wheel assemblies being operably connectable with the engine for mobilizing the vehicle, the frame assembly comprising:

a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of the two drive assemblies; and

an upper frame removably connectable with the lower frame, the upper frame having a compartment configured to receive the engine.

2. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the two wheel assemblies are connectable with lower frame when the lower frame is separate from the upper frame and the engine is disposeable within the upper frame engine compartment when the upper frame is separate from the lower frame, such that when the upper frame is connected with the lower frame, the engine is positioned for operative connection with at least one of the two wheel assemblies.

3. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the vehicle further includes a paving material hopper and the lower frame has a front portion connectable with the material hopper and a rear portion connectable with the upper frame.

4. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the vehicle further has a material transport conveyor; and

the lower frame has a longitudinal axis, the two sides extending generally parallel with and disposed on opposing sides of the axis, and an upper support surface extending generally along the axis and configured to support the conveyor.

5. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the vehicle further has a material transport conveyor; and

a tunnel is defined generally between the upper and lower frames when the upper frame is connected with the lower frame, the tunnel being configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the conveyor.

6. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein:

each one of the two wheel assemblies includes a base, each base being connectable to a separate one of the two vehicle sides, and a plurality of wheels connected with the base; and

the upper frame has two attachment portions, each attachment portion being removably connectable with a separate one of the two wheel bases so as to removably connect the upper frame with the lower frame.

8. The frame assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein each one of the two wheel assemblies includes an endless track disposed about the plurality of wheels.

9. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the lower frame has a longitudinal centerline and includes a pair of side walls spaced apart so as to extend generally parallel with respect to the centerline, each side wall providing a separate one of the two lower frame sides, and a plurality of transverse members, each transverse member extending generally perpendicularly across the centerline and having opposing ends, each member end being connected with a separate one of the two side walls.

10. The frame assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the lower frame further includes a front wall extending side wall includes a front end and a rear end and the lower frame further includes a front wall extending across the front ends of the two side walls

11. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the vehicle further includes at least one pump connectable with the engine, a fuel tank connectable with the engine and a hydraulic reservoir connectable with the pump; and

the upper frame has a front portion providing the compartment, the compartment being configured to receive both the engine and the pump, and a rear portion integrally formed with the front portion and having another compartment, the other compartment being configured to receive the fuel tank and the reservoir.

12. The frame assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the upper frame includes:

a generally horizontal base wall having a front end, a rear end and two opposing sides;

two generally vertical side walls, each side wall extending along a separate one of the two sides of the base wall;

a generally vertical front transverse wall extending along the front end of the base wall;

a generally vertical rear transverse wall extending along the rear end of the base wall; and

a generally vertical middle transverse wall extending generally between the side walls and disposed generally between the front and rear walls such that the compartment is defined between the front and middle transverse walls and another compartment is defined between the middle and rear transverse walls.

13. A paving vehicle comprising:

a lower frame having two opposing sides and a mounting portion;

two wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly being connected with a separate one of the two lower frame sides;

an upper frame having an attachment portion, the upper frame attachment portion being connected with the lower frame mounting portion so as to connect the upper frame with the lower frame, the upper frame further having a compartment configured to receive an engine; and

an engine disposed in the upper frame compartment and operatively connected with at least one of the two wheel assemblies.

14. The paving vehicle as recited in claim 13 wherein the upper frame is removably connected with the lower frame.

15. The paving vehicle as recited in claim 13 wherein:

the lower frame mounting portion includes two spaced apart sections, each mounting section being disposed proximal to a separate one of the lower frame sides; and

the upper frame attachment portion is formed of two sections, each attachment section being removably connectable with a separate one of the lower frame mounting sections to connect the upper frame with the lower frame.

16. The paving vehicle as recited in claim 15 wherein each one of the two wheel assemblies includes a wheel base, each wheel base being connectable to a separate one of the two vehicle sides and having a portion providing a separate one of the two mounting surface sections of the lower frame.

17. A method of manufacturing a paving vehicle comprising the steps of;

providing an upper frame configured to receive an engine;

providing a first lower frame configured to connect with two first wheel assemblies;

providing a second lower frame configured to connect with two second wheel assemblies;

selecting one of the first lower frame and the second lower frame; and

connecting the upper frame with the selected one of the first and second lower frames.

18. The method recited in claim 17 wherein:

each one of two first wheel assemblies includes a drive wheel, a second wheel and an endless belt disposed about the drive wheel and the second wheel; and

each one of the two second wheel assemblies includes a driven wheel and at least one second wheel.

19. A method of constructing a paving vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a lower frame having two opposing sides, each side being configured to connect with a separate one of two wheel assemblies, and a support surface;

providing a conveyor configured to transport paving material;

positioning the conveyor on the lower frame support surface;

providing an upper frame configured to receive an engine;

connecting the upper frame with the lower frame such that the conveyor is disposed generally between the upper frame and the support surface of the lower frame.

20. The method recited in claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

providing two wheel assemblies;

connecting each wheel assembly with a separate one of the two lower frame sides;

providing an engine;

installing the engine within the upper frame;

operatively connecting the engine with at least one of the two wheel assemblies.