Mobile pavement marking removal apparatus

Abstract

A mobile pavement marking removal apparatus comprises a housing with a hollow interior and a bottom opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto a surface. The housing is mounted onto the vehicle such that the open bottom of the housing is adjacent the surface. A nozzle holder on the housing holds two nozzles aimed at the bottom opening of the housing to cause a blast of abrasive media to pass through the bottom opening and impact on the surface. The nozzles are connected in fluid communication by a supply hose to a source of abrasive media delivered by a stream of compressed air. An outlet in the housing permits recovery of the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior of the housing after the abrasive media has impacted the surface. A return hose carries the abrasive media and removed paint to a storage receptacle on the vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile pavement marking removal apparatus, and more particularly to a mobile pavement marking removal apparatus that uses an abrasive media to remove the lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to paint assorted lines and traffic markings, such as directional arrows, and the like, on various types of paved surfaces. Such paved surfaces may include roads, parking lots, tarmacs, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material. These lines and traffic markings are usually applied using special types of paints that permeate somewhat into the asphalt or concrete so that the traffic markings do not readily wear off.

It is known in the prior art to remove such lines and traffic markings using an environmentally friendly abrasive media fed into an air streamed delivered from a compressed air source producing approximately 80 psi. The compressed air source is part of a truck that is driven along, as necessary, depending on whether a long traffic line is being removed or a number of lines and traffic markings in an intersection or parking lot are being removed.

One or more hoses are connected at one end to the outlet of the compressed air source and have a nozzle at the other end. An operator holds the nozzle via a nozzle holder and manually manipulates it so as to aim the nozzle at the line or traffic marking being removed. Typically, the nozzle is held at about a fifteen degree angle with respect to vertical and at about an eight to twelve inch standoff, or in other words, the distance from the surface. In use, it is necessary to move the nozzle around in a consistent manner to obtain a desirable spray pattern, in order to ensure a complete removal of any paint.

The hose and nozzle assembly and nozzle holder are somewhat heavy and it is quite difficult to perform this above described task of removing a line for an entire working day.

It typically takes two persons to operate one of these trucks, including one person driving the truck, and one person operating the hose, and is therefore labour intensive.

Further, this operation can be quite dangerous as it is often done on highways with vehicles travelling by a very short distance away in excess of 100 km/hr.

Also, the speed at which lines can be removed from a surface is limited to the walking speed of an operator, which typically would be less than a normal walking speed since the operator is having to manipulate a heavy piece of equipment. Further, the operator is often physically strained after a couple hours of performing this task.

Another serious drawback to this prior art method of removing painted lines and traffic markings from a paved surface. Once the abrasive media has been blasted onto the surface, it is not captured in any way, and creates a significant cloud of dust. This cloud of dust can hinder the operator's view of the lines and traffic markings being removed. Further, the abrasive media eventually settles onto the surface, and remains there, thus requiring subsequent cleaning by a sweeper truck or the like. This is undesirable, and may even be unacceptable in many instances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus is not heavy for a person to operate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus is not labour intensive.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus provides a safe working environment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus has a faster travelling speed than prior art paint removal vehicles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, wherein the used abrasive media is substantially recovered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel mobile pavement marking removal apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from a horizontal surface. The mobile apparatus comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto the surface. There is means for mounting the housing onto the vehicle such that the open bottom of the housing is adjacent the surface. A nozzle holder is mounted on the housing for holding at least one nozzle therein. A first nozzle is mounted in the nozzle holder so as to be aimed at the bottom opening of the housing to cause a blast of abrasive media to pass through the bottom opening and impact on the surface, and is connected in fluid communication by a first supply hose to a source of abrasive media delivered by a stream of compressed air. There is an outlet in the housing for recovering the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior of the housing after the abrasive media has impacted the surface. A return hose is connected in fluid communication to the outlet for carrying the abrasive media and removed paint recovered by the outlet to a storage receptacle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel mobile pavement marking removal apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from a horizontal surface. The mobile apparatus comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto the surface. There is means for mounting the housing onto the vehicle such that the open bottom of the housing is adjacent the surface. A nozzle holder is mounted on the housing for holding at least one nozzle therein. There is an outlet in the housing for recovering the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior of the housing after the abrasive media has impacted the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of the preferred embodiment of the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus according to the present invention, mounted on a truck having a source of abrasive media and an air compressor, and a receptacle for storing recovered media;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the side. of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 1, removed from the truck;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a end elevational view of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the top rear of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3, specifically showing the nozzle holder in a first rotated position;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3, specifically showing the nozzle holder in a second rotated position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view from the right side of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end elevational view from the right side of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3, specifically showing the outlet in the housing; and,

FIG. 11 is a sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of FIG. 3, taken along section line 11-11 of FIG. 6, showing the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 11, which show a preferred embodiment of the mobile soda blasting unit of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 is for removing paint 30 from a horizontal surface 32, such as a road, a parking lot, tarmac, or the like. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 is mountable onto a vehicle 22 for traversing it along a road, across a parking lot, tarmac, or the like. The vehicle 22 has a source of environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 stored in pressure vessels 25 and an air compressor 26 towed behind the vehicle and connected in fluid communication to the pressure vessels 25. There is also a dust collector, as indicated by general reference numeral 27, including a storage receptacle 28, for receiving and retaining the abrasive media that has already impacted a surface 32. The air and recovered media are suctioned to the dust collector 27 by means of a 6000 c.f.m. fan 29a powered by a four cylinder diesel engine 29b. The dust collector 27 also includes twelve cartridge type filters (not shown) equipped with a pulse air cleaning system to lengthen the life of the filters.

The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 comprises a housing 40 defining a substantially hollow interior 46. The housing 40 has a bottom opening 48 for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto the surface 32. Preferably, the housing 40 comprises a structural frame 41 made from H.S.S. tubing (high-strength steel tubing), a front wall 42f, a back wall 42b, a left side wall 42l, and a right side wall 42r mounted on the structural frame 41 by means of suitable threaded fasteners or welding, as appropriate.

The housing 40 as shown is rectangular in cross-section, but may be circular in cross section or any other useful shape. Preferably, the housing is slanted forwardly and downwardly at an angle of about fifteen degrees, for reasons that will become apparent subsequently.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 7 through 9, there is a rubber liner 49 mounted within the housing 40 in protective relation with respect to the walls 42f, 42b, 42l, 42r and the structural frame 41. The rubber liner 49 also assists in sealing the housing 40 to the surface 32 during use, to limit the amount of dust from escaping from under the housing 40. In the preferred embodiment, the rubber liner 49 is about one-half inch thick, and removable and replaceable to permit easy installation of a new rubber liner 49 and subsequent removal of the rubber liner 49 when it is worn out.

There are four swivelled wheels 50 mounted on the housing 40 for supporting the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 on the surface 32, and permitting the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 to move along the surface 32 without being effected by uneven contours and imperfections, as are often encountered in roadways. The wheels 50 are mounted onto the housing 40 by means of a mounting frame, as indicated by the general reference numeral 52, that comprises a left horizontal rail 54 and a right horizontal rail 56 interconnected together by the structural frame 49 of the housing 40. Two of the wheels 50 are mounted onto the left horizontal rail 54, one wheel 50 at each end of the left horizontal rail 54, as mounted by mounting bracket 55. Similarly, two of the wheels 50 are mounted onto the right horizontal rail 56, one wheel 50 at each end of the right horizontal rail 56, as mounted by mounting bracket 57.

A pliable skirt 58 is mounted in depending relation from the back wall 42b, the left side wall 42l, and the right side wall 42r of the housing 40. The pliable skirt 58 spans the gap between the bottom edge 43 of the housing 40 and the surface 32. The pliable skirt 58 is thus mounted for sliding contact with the surface 32, as the vehicle 22 traverses the surface 32. The pliable skirt 58 substantially precludes the abrasive media from escaping from under the housing 40.

There is means 60 for mounting the housing 40 onto the vehicle 22 such that the pliable skirt 58 contacts the surface 32. As can be best seen in FIG. 1, the means 60 comprises a horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62 mounted onto the a hydraulically actuated jib 23 at the front of the vehicle 22. The horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62 is connected to a mounting clip 63 slidably retained on a horizontal cross member 64 spanning between and connected to the left horizontal rail 54 and right horizontal rail 56 by left and right vertical steel tube portions 65, 66. The horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62 allows for varying of the distance from the vehicle 22 to the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20. The hydraulically actuated jib 23 pivots to allow the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 to be positioned on either side of the vehicle 22, depending on the location of a line to be removed. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 can also be positioned in front of the vehicle 22, thus making it easier for the driver to view it during operation.

A first nozzle 70a is connected in fluid communication by a first supply hose 72a to the source of environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 delivered by a stream of compressed air from the air compressor 26. The first nozzle 70a is aimed at the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, so as to cause a blast of abrasive media 24 to impact on the surface 32, thus removing paint 30 from the surface 32.

A second nozzle 70b is connected in fluid communication by a second supply hose 72b to the source of environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 delivered by a stream of compressed air from the air compressor 26. The second nozzle 70b is aimed at the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, so as to cause a blast of abrasive media 24 to impact on the surface 32, thus removing paint 30, from the surface 32.

An outlet 90, as best seen in FIG. 10, is disposed in the front wall 42f of the housing 40 adjacent the bottom edge 43, and therefore adjacent the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40. The outlet 90 is for recovering the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior 46 of the housing 40 after the abrasive media has impacted the surface 32. The outlet 90 is surrounded by a ten inch diameter round metal lip 91 that projects outwardly from the front wall 42f of the housing 40. A ten inch diameter return vacuum hose 100 is connected at a first end 102 in secure relation over the round metal lip 91 so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet 90. Further, the return vacuum hose 100 is connected at a second end 104 to an inlet 106 on the dust collector 27 on the vehicle 22. The return vacuum hose 100 is for carrying the abrasive media and removed paint recovered by the outlet 90 to the dust collector 27.

A rubber deflector 92 is fastened by means of a threaded fastener 93 to a metal bar 94 that is in turn fastened to the outwardly projecting round metal lip 91. The rubber deflector 92 blocks the gap between the bottom edge of the front wall 42f and the surface 32, and deflects the abrasive media 25 that has already impacted the surface 32, and the removed paint, towards the outlet 90. In this manner, the rubber deflector 92 substantially precludes the abrasive media from escaping from under the housing 40.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 6 through 9, there is a nozzle holder, as indicated by the general reference numeral 80, mounted on the top of the housing 40 by means of an oscillating mounting means, as indicated by the general reference numeral 110. The oscillating mounting means 110 comprises an elongate arm member 112 that is about two feet long and has a generally centrally disposed square frame portion 120 having two opposed triangularly shaped retaining flanges 122. The elongate arm member 112 is connected at a forward end 114 to a slider mechanism 120 on the housing 40. The at the back end 116 of the elongate arm member 112 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 118 mounted on a motor means, as indicate by the general reference numeral 130, in offset relation to the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135 of the motor means 132. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the motor means 132 comprises an electrically powered motor 134 mounted on the exterior of the housing 40, and electrically connected to the electrical system of the vehicle 22 by means of suitable electrical wires 136. The speed of the electrically powered motor 134 is controlled by a potentiometer (not specifically shown) in the cab of the vehicle 22, such that the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135 has a maximum rotational speed of about 800 r.p.m. As the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135 is rotated, the crank arm 118 moves the back end 116 of the elongate arm member 112 back and forth laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle 22, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.

The nozzle holder 80 is for holding at least one nozzle therein, and in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, holding two nozzles therein, namely first nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b. The nozzle holder 80 comprises a first clamp 81 and a second clamp 82. The first clamp 81 comprises a “U”-bolt 83 and a movable clamping portion 85 mounted on the “U”-bolt 83 and retained in place by threaded fasteners 87. Similarly, the second clamp 82 comprises a “U”-bolt 84 and a movable clamping portion 86 mounted on the “U”-bolt 84 and retained in place by threaded fasteners 88. The “U”-bolt 83 of the first clamp 81 and the “U”-bolt 84 of the second clamp 82 are secured by welding to a circular disc 89 having a first aperture 89a and a second aperture 89b, such that the first clamp 81 is aligned with the first aperture 89a and the second clamp 82 is aligned with the second aperture 89b. The first aperture 89a is for receiving the first nozzle 70a therein and the second aperture 89b is for receiving the second nozzle 70b therein. In this manner, the first nozzle 70a and the second nozzle 70b are each independently mounted in the nozzle holder 80 so as to be aimed at the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40 to cause a blast of abrasive media to pass through the first aperture 89a or the second aperture 89b, through the interior 46 of the housing 40, and then through the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40, to impact on the surface 32 to remove lines 33 therefrom. Further, the first nozzle 70a and the second nozzle 70b are each mounted in height adjustable relation in the first clamp 81 and the second clamp 82, respectively, by merely selecting the desired clamping location along the length of the first nozzle 70a and the second nozzle 70b.

The circular disc 89 is rotatably mounted within the frame portion 120 of the elongate arm member 112, specifically, as retained by the two opposed triangularly shaped retaining flanges 122. The circular disc 89 is selectively rotatable between a plurality of angular positions, two of which angular positions are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In FIG. 8A, the first aperture 89a and the second aperture 89a are each close to being centered on the elongate arm member 112. Accordingly, the first nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b would track a substantially overlapping and narrow path, as the vehicle 22 travels forwardly. In FIG. 8B, the first aperture 89a and the second aperture 89a are on opposite sides of the elongate arm member 112. Accordingly, the first nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b would track a much wider path, as the vehicle 22 travels forwardly. Further, in order to cover an even wider path, the electrically powered motor 134 is powered so as to rotate the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135, thus rotating the crank arm 118. The crank arm 118 moves the back end 116 of the elongate arm member 112 back and forth laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle 22, thereby permitting the effective path of the first nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b to be narrowed or widened. In the narrow configuration, the spay pattern is suitable for removing a ten centimeter line, while in the wide configuration, the spay pattern is suitable for removing a twenty centimeter line.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 11, which shows the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 in use. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 is being moved forwardly by the vehicle 22 (not specifically shown) in the direction of arrow “A”. A stream of environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 and compressed air from the air compressor 26 are delivered by the first supply hose 72a and the second supply hose 72b, as indicated by arrows “B”, into the interior 46 of the housing 40, as indicated by arrows “C”. The environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 deflects off the surface 32, as indicated by arrows “D”. Some of the environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 and the removed paint also deflect off the rubber deflector 92, as indicated by arrow “E”. The deflected abrasive media 24 and the removed paint then pass through the outlet 90 and the outwardly projecting round metal lip 91, as indicated by arrow “F”. The deflected abrasive media 24 and the removed paint enter the return vacuum hose 100, as indicated by arrow “G”, and are suctioned to the dust collector 27.

As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a mobile pavement marking removal apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus is not heavy for a person to operate, is not labour intensive, is safe to operate, has a faster travelling speed than prior art paint removal vehicles, and wherein the used abrasive media is substantially recovered all of which features are unknown in the prior art. Indeed, the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of the present invention, only a driver is required, although sometimes an operator might accompany the driver to assist with various functions, depending on the complexity of the actual job at hand. With the present invention, one vehicle with one driver can replace two prior art vehicles each with a driver and an operator, due to the advantages discussed above.

Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A mobile pavement marking removal apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from a horizontal surface, said mobile apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto said surface;

means for mounting said housing onto said vehicle such that said open bottom of said housing is adjacent said surface;

a nozzle holder mounted on said housing for holding at least one nozzle therein;

a first nozzle mounted in said nozzle holder so as to be aimed at said bottom opening of said housing to cause a blast of abrasive media to pass through said bottom opening and impact on said surface, and connected in fluid communication by a first supply hose to a source of abrasive media delivered by a stream of compressed air;

an outlet in said housing for recovering said abrasive media and removed paint from the interior of said housing after said abrasive media has impacted said surface; and,

a return hose connected in fluid communication to said outlet for carrying said abrasive media and removed paint recovered by said outlet to a storage receptacle.

2. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is slanted forwardly and downwardly.

3. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wheels mounted on said housing for supporting said mobile pavement marking removal apparatus on said surface.

4. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 3, wherein said wheels are mounted onto said housing by means of a mounting frame.

5. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein said mounting frame comprises a left and right horizontal rails.

6. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a pliable skirt mounted in depending relation on said housing for sliding contact with said surface.

7. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a structural frame, and a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall mounted on said structural frame.

8. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rubber liner mounted within said housing in protective relation with respect to said walls of said structural frame.

9. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 7, wherein said outlet is in said front wall of said housing.

10. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 9, wherein said outlet is adjacent said bottom opening of said housing.

11. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle mounted in said nozzle holder so as to be aimed at said bottom opening of said housing to cause a blast of abrasive media to pass through said bottom opening and impact on said surface, and connected in fluid communication by a second supply hose to a source of abrasive media delivered by a stream of compressed air.

12. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 11, wherein said nozzle holder is mounted on said housing by means of an oscillating mounting means.

13. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 12, wherein said oscillating mounting means comprises an elongate arm member connected at one end to a slider mechanism on said housing and connected at the opposite other end to an offset mounted on a motor means.

14. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 13, wherein said motor means comprises an electric motor.

15. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 13, wherein said nozzle holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp.

16. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first clamp and a second clamp are secured to a circular disc that is rotatably mounted in a frame portion of said elongate arm member.

17. The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of claim 16, wherein said circular disc has a first aperture for receiving said first nozzle therein and a second aperture for receiving said second nozzle therein.

18. A mobile pavement marking removal apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from a horizontal surface, said mobile apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto said surface;

means for mounting said housing onto said vehicle such that said open bottom of said housing is adjacent said surface;

a nozzle holder mounted on said housing for holding at least one nozzle therein; and,

an outlet in said housing for recovering said abrasive media and removed paint from the interior of said housing after said abrasive media has impacted said surface.