Road construction apparatus with pivotally connected trimmer

Abstract

A road construction apparatus having a spreader, a pivotable trimmer assembly and an auger assembly. The trimmer assembly is movable between a first operational position and a second storage position. The trimmer assembly includes a housing, a rotatable cutter and a drive mechanism for rotating the cutter. A power drive system is coupled to the drive mechanism for rotating the cutter and moving the trimmer assembly between the first and second positions. The apparatus includes drive means for moving the apparatus on a supporting surface. A power source is coupled to the drive means and power drive system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus used in the construction of load bearing surfaces, and specifically to a road construction apparatus having adjustable trimmer assemblies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Road construction apparatuses usually combine multiple functions into increasingly automated and complex vehicles. Combining such functions in a single vehicle or device provides economy during road construction by reducing equipment and maintenance costs, but can also lead to compromises in terms of limiting the performance of the apparatus.

Combination road construction apparatus are U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,801 to Swisher et al. which relates to a steering and cutter drum positioning for a paved roadway planing machine and U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,506 to Snow et al. which describes a trimmer with pivotally connected conveyor. Both of these disclosures are commonly assigned and are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this disclosure.

Spreader planer road construction apparatus are also known that combine functions of spreading concrete from a reservoir and then planing the surface into a slab of the desired depth. The spreader can pour a range of depths of concrete slabs and the planer can be adjusted for variations in the depth of the slab and for angles of slope.

In another road construction apparatus combination, a spreader is combined with a trimmer assembly and a pivotally connected reclaimer assembly. The reclaimer assembly includes a horizontally disposed auger for the collection of the cuttings from the trimmer and a centrally positioned pivoting conveyor. The conveyor deposits the trimmings at a desired location behind or beside the apparatus. Notwithstanding the benefits of multifunctional equipment, the combining of functions often results in imposing limitations on one function due to the requirement of another. One such limitation has been in restricting the depth of concrete slabs that can be poured by the spreader due to the required clearance of assemblies such as the trimmer assembly above the supporting surface of the apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, a multifunctional apparatus is provided which among other things permits functions such as those of a spreader and trimmer to be combined in a single apparatus, which does not restrict the depth of slabs that can be poured by the spreader. According to the present invention, a pivotal trimmer assembly is provided which permits the trimmer assembly to be selectively repositioned modifying its clearance during the laying down of the concrete, thus permitting a laying down of concrete to a height heretofore unachievable without the disassembly of the trimmer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A road construction apparatus is disclosed which comprises a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a longitudinal axis and a left side and a right side defining a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, the mainframe including drive means for moving the mainframe on a support surface.

A rotatable cutter is connected to the mainframe and has a width extending generally transversely along at least a portion of the width of the mainframe for cutting surfaces when in a first operative position, the first operative position defining a cutting plane along which the cutter is movable for cutting.

A powered drive system is coupled to the rotatable cutter and arranged to selectively move the cutter between the first operative cutting position and a second storage position transverse to the cutting plane.

Preferably the mainframe includes pivoting means and the cutter includes a housing connected at least to the pivoting means, the cutter pivoting about the pivoting means. Also, the cutter includes a drive mechanism that is coupled to the powered drive system, and has a forward end and a rear end, the pivoting means being positioned in proximity to the forward end of the cutter.

Preferably the powered drive system includes a hydraulic system comprising a control panel and at least one hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic actuator being connected to the mainframe and the cutter, the control panel actuates the at least one hydraulic actuator to pivot the cutter. At least one hydraulic actuator is connected to the cutter in the vicinity of the rearward end of the cutter and the powered drive system pivots the cutter up to approximately ninety degrees. The powered drive system preferably pivots the cutter in a forward direction from the first position to the second position.

A road construction apparatus is disclosed including a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a length and a left side and a right side defining a width, the mainframe being positioned on a surface and including drive means configured to provide mobility to the mainframe on the surface, the apparatus comprising:

a trimmer assembly including a housing and an elongate cylindrical cutter, the trimmer assembly having a forward end and a rearward end and a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being generally aligned with the width of the mainframe and extending along at least a portion of the width of the mainframe, the mainframe being connected to the trimmer assembly for the selective cutting of surfaces; and

a powered drive system operatively connected to the drive means and to the trimmer assembly, the powered drive system being connected to the mainframe for the movement of the trimmer assembly between a first position having a first clearance distance between the trimmer assembly and the surface and a second position having a second clearance distance between the trimmer assembly and the surface, wherein the second clearance distance above the surface is a greater distance than the first clearance distance above the surface.

The mainframe preferably comprises a plurality of pivots located in the vicinity of and connected to the forward end of the trimmer assembly. The trimmer assembly preferably has a width that is at least approximately equal to the width of the mainframe. The power drive system preferably comprises a hydraulic system including a plurality of hydraulic actuators connected on one end in the vicinity of the rearward end of the trimmer assembly. The trimmer assembly preferably includes a drive mechanism connected to the housing and the trimmer assembly for the rotation of the cutter. The hydraulic system includes a control panel and the trimmer assembly that is moved between the first position and second position from the control panel by the movement of the hydraulic actuators. The cutter is pivoted from the first position to the second position in a forward direction on the mainframe by the power drive system. The trimmer assembly drive mechanism is connected during the movement of the trimmer assembly between the first position and the second position.

The housing has a top end and a bottom end and accommodates the movement of the cutter in the housing at least partially between the bottom end and the top end. The mainframe includes a top end and a bottom end defining a vertical axis, the trimmer assembly in the first position being approximately aligned with the vertical axis. The trimmer assembly in the second position can range in position between being transverse to the vertical axis and being generally aligned with the length of the mainframe. The road construction apparatus preferably includes a concrete spreader assembly connected to the mainframe. The length of the mainframe is increased to accommodate the cutter in the second position.

The road construction apparatus comprises:

a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a longitudinal axis and a left side and a right side defining a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, the mainframe including drive means for moving the mainframe on a support surface;

a trimmer assembly connected to the mainframe and having a width extending generally transversely along at least a portion of the width of the mainframe for cutting surfaces when in a first operative position, the trimmer assembly including a housing, a cutter and a drive mechanism; and

a power drive system powered by the drive means and connected to the main frame, the power drive system being operatively connected to pivot the trimmer assembly about pivoting means connecting the mainframe and the trimmer assembly between a first position for cutting and a second position for storage, the trimmer assembly being approximately vertical in the first position and transverse to the vertical in the second position such that the distance between the supporting surface and the trimmer assembly has increased between the first and second positions.

The pivoting means comprises a plurality of pivots, the cutter rotates about a first axis for cutting and pivotally rotates about a second axis defined by the plurality of pivots between the first position and the second position. The power drive system comprises a hydraulic system including a plurality of hydraulic actuators connected on one end to the trimmer assembly and on the other end to the mainframe, the plurality of actuators for moving the cutter between the first position and the second position. The trimmer assembly in the first operative position is removably detachable on a first side and pivotally connected to the mainframe on a second side. The trimmer assembly includes attachment mechanisms for connecting with retaining mechanisms of the mainframe in the second storage position.

A method for repositioning a trimmer assembly of a road construction apparatus is disclosed, the road construction apparatus comprising a frame, a drive means and a power drive system, the frame being connected to the trimmer assembly, the drive means and power drive system, the drive means moving the construction apparatus along a supporting surface, the power drive system being operatively connected to the trimmer assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the trimmer assembly using the power drive system between being connected to the frame in a first position for using the trimmer assembly for cutting surfaces and being connected to the frame in a second position for storing the trimmer assembly, the trimmer assembly in the first operational position defining a first axis for cutting and the trimmer assembly in the second storage position defining a second axis for cutting that is transverse to the first axis for cutting.

The method further comprises the step of repositioning the trimmer assembly between the approximately vertical first operative position and the transverse second storage position such that the distance between the trimmer assembly and the supporting surface in the first position is less than the distance between the trimmer assembly and the supporting surface in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art road construction apparatus including a spreader, a trimmer and a reclaimer assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a road construction apparatus including the spreader, a pivotable trimmer and the reclaimer assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of a right portion of the pivotable trimmer assembly of FIG. 2 removably connected to the auger assembly and in a first operational position;

FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective view of a left portion of the pivotable trimmer assembly of FIG. 2 showing the trimmer assembly in a second storage position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an end section of the left portion of the pivotable trimmer assembly of FIG. 2 moving between the first operational position and the second storage position; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a crown section of the right portion of the pivotable trimmer assembly of FIG. 2 moving between the first operational position and the second storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown an elevational view of a prior art road construction apparatus 10 having a mainframe 20, a power source 30, a spreader 40, a trimmer and auger section 110 and a reclaimer assembly 120. Road construction apparatus 10 can perform multiple tasks including the spreading of concrete and cutting of surfaces along a vertical plane in both a forward direction, as shown by arrow-F, and a rearward direction. Due to the size and slow speed of apparatus 10, road construction operations are typically conducted in the forward and rear directions and without turning apparatus 10 around.

Trimmer and auger section 110 includes a pair of axially aligned trimmer assemblies 60 that provide a fine cut to surfaces and a pair of axially aligned auger assemblies 90 that gather and forward the cuttings to reclaimer assembly 120. A pivoting conveyor 125 of reclaimer assembly 120 can selectively place the cuttings at a desired location on a supporting surface 5 beside or behind apparatus 10.

Mainframe 20 of road construction apparatus 10 has a forward end 22, a rearward end 24 and two opposing sides 26. The forward end 22 and rearward end 24 define a central longitudinal axis-X and the length of mainframe 20. The left and right sides 26 define an axis-Y that is across a width of mainframe 20 and perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (See FIGS. 3 and 4). An axis-Z is perpendicular to axes X and Y. The left and right directions as used herein are in reference to a forward direction as shown by arrow-F.

Mainframe 20 includes at least two side beams 23 parallel to the longitudinal axis-X and at least two forward and rear cross-beams parallel with axis-Y defining four corners. Each corner of mainframe 20 is preferably connected to a steerable track.

Power source 30 is connected to mainframe 20 and is coupled to drive means for the steerable tracks that move road construction apparatus 10 along supporting surface 5. Power source 30 is preferably a diesel engine, but it can be any source of power including an electrical source as well as that of a combination of an engine and an alternative source or power of any type including an auxiliary power plant.

A power drive system is coupled to power source 30 and/or drive means and supplies energy for the transfer of forces between elements of apparatus 10. In one preferred embodiment, the power drive system at least includes a hydraulic system, but it is understood that the power drive system can be any combination of one or more power transfer elements including fluid, mechanical, magnetic, electrical, electronic and optical. The power drive system is connected to mainframe 20.

Trimmer and auger section 110 includes two housings 11I1 that are generally mirror images, aligned, parallel to axis-Y and positioned on opposing sides of the central longitudinal axis. A left housing 111 extends from left side 26 to the centerline and a right housing 111 extends from the centerline to right side 26. Housing 111 has one trimmer assembly 60 and one auger assembly 90. Trimmer assembly 60 includes a cutter 62 and a cutter drive mechanism 64. Auger assembly 90 includes an auger 92 and an auger drive mechanism 94. Housing 111 is fixedly connected to mainframe 20. It is understood that references herein to housing 11, trimmer assembly 60 or auger assembly 90 refer to both housings 111, trimmer assemblies 60 and auger assemblies 90, respectively, of apparatus 10.

Housing 111 accommodates the independent vertical positioning and axial rotation of trimmer assembly 60 and auger assembly 90. Due to the fine trimming nature of cutter 62, the range of adjustment in a vertical plane is only approximately three inches and is intended to encompass relatively small adjustments such as those for maintaining the depth of the cut in response to wear of the teeth of cutter 62.

Thus, in this prior art apparatus, the relative position of housing 111 to mainframe 21 and supporting surface 5 in combination with the relatively short range of adjustment of cutter 62 along the vertical cutting plane parallel to plane Y-Z, however, limits the depth of slabs that can be poured by spreader 40. As is seen, if apparatus 10 is moved in the forward direction, the limitations of vertical adjustment of cutter 62 of trimmer assembly 60 relative to supporting surface 5 will cause it to interfere with a slab poured by spreader 40 which exceeds its maximum retracted position and therefore will interrupt the surface of the newly poured concrete if too great of depth of concrete is poured. However, at times it is desired to pour concrete having greater thickness. To do so, however, housing 111 needs to be removed from mainframe 20, but this process can require as much as three to four days due to the weight and the need to disengage operational couplings such as hydraulic lines, electrical lines and mechanical connections.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a road construction apparatus 11 includes a mainframe 21, power source 30, spreader 40, two trimmer assemblies 61, two auger assemblies 91 and reclaimer assembly 120. In this embodiment, trimmer assemblies 61 generally have a mirror image construction, are aligned, are parallel to axis-Y (See FIG. 3) and are positioned on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis. The auger assemblies 91 also generally have a mirror image construction, are aligned, parallel to axis-Y and positioned on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis. Trimmer assembly 61 and auger assembly 91 are separately connected to mainframe 21. It is understood that references herein to trimmer assembly 61 or auger assembly 91, apply to both trimmer assemblies 61 and both auger assemblies 91, respectively. Trimmer assembly 61 has a width that is at least approximately equal to that of the mainframe.

Trimmer assembly 61 includes a housing 71 and auger assembly 91 includes a housing 101. Housing 71 is pivotally connected to mainframe 21 and detachably connected to housing 101. Housing 101 of auger assembly 91 is fixedly connected to mainframe 21. Housing 71 preferably provides structural support for the positioning and connecting of cutter 62 and drive mechanism 64. Similarly housing 101 provides structural support for the positioning and connecting of auger 92 and drive mechanism 94.

Housing 71 can have many alternative forms. For example, it can be constructed from plates defining a box-like structure or alternatively can be a framework of beams which generally defines a forward side, a rear side, two opposing sides generally parallel to sides 26, a bottom side or end and a top side or end. Drive mechanism 64 can be separate to cuter 62 in housing 71, co-located with cutter 62 as a direct drive type mechanism or alternatively positioned on mainframe 21 external to housing 71 and remotely coupled to cutter 62 by the power drive system.

Trimmer assembly 61 is pivotally connected to mainframe 21 and movable between a first operational position for use in trimming surfaces and a second storage position that is not intended for use. Left and right sides 26 of mainframe 21 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to separate the trimmer assembly 61 and spreader 40 to accommodate the pivotal rotation of trimmer assembly 61 between the first and second positions. The first position of trimmer assembly 61 provides performance consistent with that of trimmer assembly 60 of prior art road construction apparatus 10 (FIG. 1), but trimmer assembly 61 pivotally moves independent of auger assembly 91 between a first operational position and a second storage position that increases the ground clearance of apparatus 11.

Depending upon the desired height of the concrete, when apparatus 11 is moving in the forward direction, as shown by arrow-F, trimmer assembly 61 can be maintained in its operational position. However, where it is desired to pour concrete of greater height, cutter 62 is pivoted to the second storage position and greater trimmer assembly 61 vertical clearance is provided. Trimmer assembly 61 can be pivoted between the first and second positions without any disconnections from power source 30, drive means or power drive system.

Referring to FIG. 3, housing 71 of trimmer(assembly 61 has an outer end section 74 in proximity to sides 26 and an inner end or crown section 75 in proximity to the centerline or axis-X of mainframe 21. End section 74 includes drive mechanism 64 for rotating cutter 62 about its cutting axis parallel to axis-Y. Drive mechanism 64 is preferably a hydrostatic motor coupled to the power drive system and connected to a chain for rotating cutter 62. Cutter 62 can translate and pivot within the cutting plane defined within housing 71. For example, cutter 62 can pivot about end section 74 in proximity to left and right sides 26 and/or crown sections 75 in proximity to the centerline of apparatus 11 as well as translate vertically at a fixed angle within the vertical cutting plane parallel to the plane defined by axes Y-Z.

Housing 71 of trimmer assembly 61 is structurally supported by connections to mainframe 21 and housing 101 of auger assembly 91. When trimmer assembly 61 is in the first position, housing 71 is connected to mainframe 21 by two forward pivotal connections 76 and two rear pivotal connections 77. Mainframe 21 includes two forward pivots 25 connected to pivotal connection 76. Pivotal connections 76 are positioned forward on the top or upper sides of housings 71 and in proximity to end sections 74 and 75. Pivots 25 and pivotal connections 76 provide the structural support for the pivotal rotation of trimmer assembly 61. It is understood that pivoting connections 25 and 76 as described herein include any form of pivotal connection structured for bearing the loading of pivoting trimmer assembly 61 including hinged and pivotal connections such as a continuous hinge and pivots defining a slot, for example.

Rear pivotal connections 77 of housings 71 are connected to rear pivots 27 on mainframe 21 by the power drive system. Pivotal connections 77 are positioned rearward on the top sides or ends of housings 71 and in proximity to end sections 74 and 75. The power drive system includes an actuation mechanism 36 that connects pivots 27 and rear pivots 77.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power drive system supplies the energy to actuation mechanisms 36 for the movement of housing 71 between the first and second positions. Actuator mechanisms 36 pivotally rotate within mainframe 21 pivots 27 and housing 71 pivots 77 to reposition trimmer assembly 61 about pivots 25 and pivotal connections 76. Pivots 25 and 27 define axes parallel to axis-Y and displace trimmer assembly 61 in the plane defined by axes X-Z.

In one preferred embodiment, the power drive system includes a hydraulic system and actuation mechanisms 36 are hydraulic actuators in fluid communication with the hydraulic system for moving trimmer assembly 61 between the first position and second position. Actuator mechanisms 36 in this preferred embodiment are retracted in the first position and extended in the second position of trimmer assembly 61. The power drive system and mechanisms 36 can move trimmer assembly 61 individually or both trimmer assemblies 61 simultaneously between the first operational position and the second storage position. It is understood, however, that actuation mechanism 36 can alternatively include any kind of actuating device such as, for example, a pneumatic actuator, pulley, screw or chain drive mechanism or other gear arrangements including counter balancing systems. The power drive system can supply the required energy for any one or more types actuation mechanisms 36.

End sections 74, as shown in FIG. 5, and crown sections 75, as shown in FIG. 6, of housing 71 of trimmer assembly 61 have connectors 82 positioned on the rear or trailing edges 73. End sections 103 and crown sections 104 of housing assembly 101 of auger assembly 91 have connectors 102 on the forward or leading edges 93 that abut with connectors 82 of housing 71. Connectors 82 and 102 are rigidly fastened in the first position providing structural support in conjunction with mainframe 21 on two sides of trimmer assembly 61.

In one preferred embodiment, connectors 82 and 102 are flanges 87 and 107, respectively, that extend from the rear sides of trailing edges 73 of housing 71 and the front sides of leading edges 93 of housing 101 outward along vertical planes parallel to the vertical cutting plane. Flanges 87 and 107 preferably include a plurality of aligned holes for the insertion of fasteners 88 such as bolts and pins to integrally connect left and right housings 71 and 101 together. Connectors 82 and 102 can also include alternative connectors such as a flange parallel to sides 26 that directly mates with the adjacent housing, a mating slot or a parallel flange.

Trimmer assembly 61 includes an attachment mechanism 78 positioned in proximity to end 74 for retaining trimmer assembly 61 in the second storage position. Attachment mechanism 78 connects to a retaining mechanism 28 on side 26 of mainframe 21. Attachment mechanism 78 and retaining mechanism 28 are rigid flanges interconnected by fasteners such as bolts or pins.

Trimmer assembly 61 also includes an attachment mechanism 79, positioned on end 75 for retaining the opposing end of trimmer assembly 61 in the second position. Attachment mechanism 79 connects to a retaining mechanism 29 on mainframe 21. In this preferred embodiment, attachment mechanism 79 is a flange, having a through hole or another device for connecting with a retaining mechanism 29 on mainframe 21 such as a pivotable rod or bar having a hook or other fastener. It is understood, however, that attachment mechanisms 78, 79 and retaining mechanisms 28, 29 can be any form of connectors, including remotely activated connectors, having the structural strength to support trimmer assembly 61.

The power drive system includes a control panel for the operational control of power driven devices such as drive mechanisms 64 and 94 and actuation mechanisms 36 for moving trimmer assembly 61 between the first operational position and the second storage position. The power drive system can further include safety lock out features which are known in the art that prohibit the functioning of mechanisms 36, for example, unless collectors 82, 102 have been disconnected. Trimmer assemblies 61 can be moved between the first and second positions solely from the control panel or by a combination of manual and automated steps from the control panel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, apparatus 11 is initially in the first operational position with trimmer assembly 61 integrally connected to auger assembly 91 and mainframe 21. The operational use of apparatus 11 is described in reference to one trimmer assembly 61 and one auger assembly 91 with the understanding that the references herein apply to both trimmer assemblies 61 and both auger assemblies 91. It is also understood that trimmer assembly 61 and housing 71 can be a single assembly extending across the width of apparatus 11. As well, although described in terms of a first and second position it is understood that the second position can be a plurality of positions selected on the basis of the extent of vertical clearance desired.

The control panel is used to direct energy from power source 30 and/or drive means to the power drive system for the movement of devices such as actuation mechanisms 36, preferably hydraulic actuators in this embodiment, to reposition trimmer assembly 61 between the first operational position and the second storage position. Prior to actuating the actuation mechanisms 36, connectors 82 and 102 on ends 74 and 75 are disconnected manually or remotely from the control panel. The disconnecting of connectors 82 and 102 leaves only the power drive system retaining housing 71 in the first operational position.

The movement of trimmer assembly 61 between the first and second positions is done without disconnecting from the power drive system, drive means or power source 30. This includes disconnecting from any electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic lines. The connections between cutter 62 and drive mechanism 64 also remain intact. Actuation mechanisms 36 preferably extend to move trimmer assembly 61 from the first position to the second position. Cutter 62 can be adjusted along the cutting plane at any point during the movement of trimmer assembly 61 between the first and second positions.

The power drive system pivotally rotates at least cutter 62 of the trimmer assembly 61 between the first and second positions. In one preferred embodiment, trimmer assembly 61, including housing 71, cutter 62 and drive mechanism 64 pivotally rotate about pivot 25 of mainframe 21 and pivotal connections 76 on housing 71. Trimmer assembly 61 in the first operational position has first clearance distance to supporting surface 5 and trimmer assembly 61 in the second position has an infinite range of second clearance distances and second positions to supporting surface 5. Each of the second clearance distances being greater distances to supporting surface 5 than the first clearance distance.

The power drive system can stop and sustain trimmer assembly 61 at any point between the first or second positions indefinitely. Attachment and retaining mechanisms 78, 79 and 28, 29 can be employed manually or automatically to provide an additional and at least partially load bearing connection between trimmer assembly 61 and mainframe 21 at any of the infinite range of positions between the first and second position. In addition, in one preferred embodiment, attachment and retaining mechanisms 78, 79 and 28, 29, in conjunction with pivots 25 and pivotal connections 76, are rated to hold the weight of trimmer assembly 61 in the second position indefinitely.

In one preferred embodiment, the movement of trimmer assembly 61 between the first and second positions automatically engages and/or disengages attachment mechanisms 78, 79 with retaining mechanism 28, 29, respectively. Similarly, connectors 82 and 102 can be disengaged from a remote location such as the control panel using known remotely actuated devices such as hydraulically actuated pins or electromechanical/magnetic devices such as solenoids, for example.

Trimmer assembly 61 is moved to the-first operational position from the second storage position by disconnecting attachment mechanisms 78 and 79 manually or automatically from retaining mechanisms 28 and 29, respectively and selecting the first operational position at the control panel. The power drive system repositions trimmer 61 to the first position about pivot 25 of mainframe 21 using actuation mechanisms 36 preferably including hydraulic actuators. When connectors 82 and 102 are abutting, in this preferred embodiment, fasteners are positioned through the holes defined in flanges 87 and 107 to securely retain trimmer assembly 61 in the first operational position with auger assembly 91.

In an alternative embodiment of trimmer assembly 61, cutter 62 and drive mechanism 64 are connected such that cutter 62 can be pivoted about drive mechanism 64 between the first operational position and a second storage position. Mainframe 21 is extended a predetermined distance to accommodate the increased length of trimmer assembly 61 in the storage position. The moving of cutter 62 between the first operational position and the second storage position in this embodiment can be independent of or include portions of housings 11I or 71. The power drive system can include actuation mechanisms 36 pivotally connecting cutter 62 to mainframe 21 and/or housings 71, 111 for moving cutter 62 about drive mechanism 64.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those specific embodiments and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit from the disclosure. All such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A road construction apparatus comprising:

a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a longitudinal axis and a left side and a right side defining a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, said mainframe including drive means for moving said mainframe on a support surface;

a rotatable cutter connected to said mainframe and having a width extending generally transversely along at least a portion of said width of said mainframe for cutting surfaces when in a first operative position, said first operative position defining a cutting plane along which said cutter is movable for cutting; and

a powered drive system coupled to the rotatable cutter and arranged to selectively move said cutter between said first operative cutting position and a second storage position transverse to the cutting plane.

2. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe includes pivoting means, said cutter including a housing connected at least to said pivoting means, the cutter pivoting about said pivoting means.

3. The road construction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cutter includes a drive mechanism that is coupled to the powered drive system, said cutter having a forward end and a rear end, said pivoting means is positioned in proximity to said forward end of said cutter.

4. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said powered drive system includes a hydraulic system comprising a control panel and at least one hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic actuator being connected to said mainframe and said cutter, said control panel actuates said at least one hydraulic actuator to pivot said cutter.

5. The road construction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one hydraulic actuator is connected to said cutter in the vicinity of said rearward end of said cutter.

6. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said powered drive system pivots said cutter up to approximately ninety degrees.

7. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said powered drive system pivots said cutter in a forward direction from said first position to said second position.

8. A road construction apparatus including a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a length and a left side and a right side defining a width, said mainframe being positioned on a surface and including drive means configured to provide mobility to said mainframe on the surface, the apparatus comprising:

a trimmer assembly including a housing and an elongate cylindrical cutter, said trimmer assembly having a forward end and a rearward end and a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end being generally aligned with said width of said mainframe and extending along at least a portion of said width of said mainframe, said mainframe being connected to said trimmer assembly for the selective cutting of surfaces; and

a powered drive system operatively connected to the drive means and to said trimmer assembly, said powered drive system being connected to said mainframe for the movement of said trimmer assembly between a first position having a first clearance distance between said trimmer assembly and the surface and a second position having a second clearance distance between said trimmer assembly and the surface, wherein said second clearance distance above the surface is a greater distance than said first clearance distance above the surface.

9. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said mainframe comprises a plurality of pivots located in the vicinity of and connected to said forward end of said trimmer assembly.

10. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said trimmer assembly has a width that is at least approximately equal to said width of said mainframe.

11. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said power drive system comprises a hydraulic system including a plurality of hydraulic actuators connected on one end in the vicinity of said rearward end of said trimmer assembly.

12. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said trimmer assembly includes a drive mechanism connected to said housing and said trimmer assembly for the rotation of said cutter.

13. The road construction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said hydraulic system includes a control panel and said trimmer assembly is moved between said first position and second position from said control panel by the movement of said hydraulic actuators.

14. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cutter is pivoted from said first position to said second position in a forward direction on said mainframe by said power drive system.

15. The road construction apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said trimmer assembly drive mechanism is connected during the movement of said trimmer assembly between said first position and said second position.

16. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said housing has a top end and a bottom end and accommodates the movement of said cutter in said housing at least partially between said bottom end and said top end.

17. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said mainframe includes a top end and a bottom end defining a vertical axis, said trimmer assembly in said first position being approximately aligned with the vertical axis.

18. The road construction apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said trimmer assembly in said second position can range in position between being transverse to the vertical axis and being generally aligned with said length of said mainframe.

19. The combination road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a concrete spreader assembly is connected to said mainframe.

20. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a concrete spreader assembly is connected to said mainframe.

21. The road construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe has a length and said length of said mainframe is increased to accommodate said cutter in said second position.

22. The road construction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said length of said mainframe is increased to accommodate said cutter in said second position.

23. A road construction apparatus comprising:

a mainframe having a forward end and a rearward end defining a longitudinal axis and a left side and a right side defining a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, said mainframe including drive means for moving said mainframe on a support surface;

a trimmer assembly connected to said mainframe and having a width extending generally transversely along at least a portion of said width of said mainframe for cutting surfaces when in a first operative position, said trimmer assembly including a housing, a cutter and a drive mechanism; and

a power drive system powered by the drive means and connected to said main frame, the power drive system being operatively connected to pivot said trimmer assembly about pivoting means connecting the mainframe and the trimmer assembly between a first position for cutting and a second position for storage, the trimmer assembly being approximately vertical in the first position and transverse to the vertical in the second position such that the distance between the supporting surface and the trimmer assembly has increased between the first and second positions.

24. The road construction apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pivoting means comprises a plurality of pivots, said cutter rotates about a first axis for cutting and pivotally rotates about a second axis defined by said plurality of pivots between said first position and said second position.

25. The road construction apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said power drive system comprises a hydraulic system including a plurality of hydraulic actuators connected on one end to said trimmer assembly and on the other end to said mainframe, said plurality of actuators for moving said cutter between said first position and said second position.

26. The road construction apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said trimmer assembly in the first operative position is removably detachable on a first side and pivotally connected to the mainframe on a second side.

27. The road construction apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said trimmer assembly includes attachment mechanisms for connecting with retaining mechanisms of the mainframe in the second storage position.

28. A method of repositioning a trimmer assembly of a road construction apparatus, the road construction apparatus comprising a frame, a drive means and a power drive system, the frame being connected to the trimmer assembly, the drive means and power drive system, the drive means moving the construction apparatus along a supporting surface, said power drive system being operatively connected to said trimmer assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said trimmer assembly using said power drive system between being connected to said frame in a first position for using said trimmer assembly for cutting surfaces and being connected to said frame in a second position for storing said trimmer assembly, the trimmer assembly in the first operational position defining a first axis for cutting and the trimmer assembly in the second storage position defining a second axis for cutting that is transverse to the first axis for cutting.

29. The method of repositioning a trimmer assembly wherein the step of positioning further comprises the step of repositioning the trimmer assembly between the approximately vertical first operative position and the transverse second storage position such that the distance between the trimmer assembly and the supporting surface in the first position is less than the distance between the trimmer assembly and the supporting surface in the second position.