Height Adjustment Patents (Class 299/39.6)
  • Publication number: 20090232598
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure include planers with side plates which may be adjusted independently or simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a planer with adjustable side plates is comprised of a planer housing enclosing a grinding drum with grinding tools to be moved over a surface to be ground in a direction of travel and a pair of side plates are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of travel and mounted substantially adjacent the housing. The side plates are mechanically linked to the housing and are hydraulically controlled to be adjustably raised and lowered relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 7523995
    Abstract: Work machines such as road mills having a frame supported by tracked or wheeled ground engaging support units may require the ability to move one or more of the ground engaging units between projecting and retracted positions relative to the frame without reversing the running direction of the repositioned unit. A disclosed work machine has a machine frame supportable by a plurality of ground engaging units. A support device connected between the machine frame and at least one of the ground engaging units has a lifting column adapted to controllably raise and lower the ground engaging unit relative to the frame. A first actuator is connected to the support device to move the one ground engaging unit between the projecting and retracted positions, and a second actuator is connected to the lifting column to maintain the running direction of the associated ground engaging unit in each of the projecting and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Federico B. Rio, Dean R. Potts, Gregory H. Dubay, Dario Sansone
  • Publication number: 20090015056
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a milling machine for milling a paved surface comprises milling tools connected to an underside of a body of the machine and also a depth probe comprising a base end opposite a distal end. The probe is connected to a front end of the machine through a probe base disposed proximate the base end. A monitor is adapted to detect a distance between the distal end of the probe and an outer surface of the base. The distal end of the probe is adapted to extend away from the outer surface of the base and penetrate into a paved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Wahlquist, Neil Cannon
  • Publication number: 20080315666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled machine for cutting or milling, and in particular to a machine for working deposits, such for example as deposits of coal, ore, minerals, etc., by surface mining, which has a chassis (1), which is carried by track-laying units or wheels and which has a cutting or milling arrangement (2) and an arrangement (8) for adjusting the height of the chassis to set the depth of cutting or milling. The machine according to the invention is characterised in that the driver's station (10) is not fixed on the chassis of the machine but on a component (8C) of the height-adjusting arrangement (8) which is connected to the chassis in such a way as to be able to move. The basic principle of the machine according to the invention is that the driver's station is decoupled from the shaking movements or vibrations from the arrangement (2) for cutting or milling which are transmitted to the chassis, and from the vibrations from the internal combustion engine for driving the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Von Schonebeck, Gunter Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080246328
    Abstract: In an automotive machine (1) for producing carriageways by stabilizing insufficiently stable soils or by recycling road surfaces, with a machine chassis (4) supported by a running gear (2), a working drum (20) mounted to pivot in relation to the machine chassis (4), the shaft of which is mounted in pivoting arms (42) and runs transversely to the direction of travel, a cover (28) surrounding the working drum (20), a combustion engine (32) supported by the machine chassis with at least one output shaft (34) for the drive power required for driving the working drum, whereby at least one mechanical power transmission device (36) transfers the drive power from the output shaft (34) to the working drum (20), it is intended that the combustion engine (32) is arranged in a fixed manner at the machine chassis (4) between the pivoting arms (42) and that the at least one mechanical power transmission device (36), together with the working drum (20) mounted in the pivoting arms, can pivot about the axis of the output sha
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Mannebach, Peter Busley, Karsten Buhr, Guenter Haehn
  • Patent number: 7401862
    Abstract: A construction machine for machining floor surfaces, wherein the machine includes a milling roll having a plurality of tool holders on a surface thereof. A tool, especially a straight shank tool, is received in a tool receiving element of the tool holder in an exchangeable manner. With this invention it is possible to change the tool in one such construction machine in a simplified manner. Thus, the milling roll is associated with a tool changing device, and the tool changing device dismounts each tool from the tool holder and/or mounts each tool in the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Holl, Günter Hähn, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 7331636
    Abstract: A milling machine comprising a housing including a frame, a front wheel assembly supporting the housing, at least a first rear wheel assembly and a second rear wheel assembly supporting the housing, a milling drum mounted within the housing and extending below the housing, and an electric motor for providing power to at least one hydraulic system for operating milling machine functions. The first rear wheel assembly is ideally switchable between a first position and a second position to allow the milling machine to reach corners and other tight spaces in a building. The milling machine preferably further includes a dust collection system mounted within the housing to provide dust-free operation. The electric motor is also ideally mounted within the housing to provide a compact, dust-free and emissions-free milling machine for indoor use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Prep Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D Troudt, John Easton, Robert A. Platek, Mark E. Vesely, Michael A. Paulick
  • Patent number: 7325881
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 7029370
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 7004675
    Abstract: A pavement recycling assembly includes a frame defining a grinding chamber and a mixing chamber. The grinding chamber carries a rotatable laterally-extending toothed grinding drum and the mixing chamber houses at least one toothed rotatable mixing wheel. A screed assembly is disposed behind the mixing chamber for extruding said mixture at a desired height so as to form a pavement. Pavement is recycled in-situ using the recycling assembly by grinding existing pavement, adding fluid asphalt to the pavement, optionally adding supplemental pavement, and mixing the fluid asphalt with the existing and/or supplemental pavement. The mixture is then extruded at the proper height by an adjustable screed. The recycling assembly may be suspended under a self-propelled chassis so that it can be shifted laterally to engage a pavement surface selected for repair without moving the entire chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Carolina P&P, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Lee Wayne
  • Patent number: 6916070
    Abstract: A laser-regulating means for a construction machine for adjusting the height of a height-adjustable machining tool includes three laser measuring heads which are directed to three measuring points being spaced from each other on a reference surface, and an evaluating means, which, from the output signals of the laser measuring heads and from the known geometric arrangement of the laser measuring heads as regards the machining tool, determines the height of the machining tool relative to a reference surface and, from this height and from a target height determines a control signal for a height-adjustment of the machining tool. The construction machine is a road finisher with a height-adjustable plank or a cold planer with a height-adjustable milling drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: MOBA-Mobile Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Willibald Sehr
  • Publication number: 20030178884
    Abstract: Road milling machine (10) are employed to mill off defective or worn road surfaces (11) from the road bed. During operations some wheels may run along an already milled track (22), with the wheels running on the milled track (22) being disposed at a lower level. To compensate for this difference in height, known road milling machines (10) have a full-floating front axle. This causes the front wheels (14) to run at a tilt, which in particular hampers the steering properties in known road milling machines (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Fischer, Gerold Wobken
  • Publication number: 20030127905
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide increased stability, support and power while grinding paving material. A self-powered milling system, which is coupled to a vehicle to selectively move the milling system, is used to mill paving material. The milling system includes a cutting head, such as a cylindrical mandrel that includes a variety of bits attached thereon and spins on an axis, to mill the paving material. The cutting head is powered by a milling system motor that speeds up production and enables the milling of very thick asphalt (e.g., 8 inch thick asphalt) in a single pass. A milling system carriage follows the contour of the ground, provides stability during the milling process, and may be selectively adjusted to provide cuts at various angles. In one embodiment, the carriage includes a flush side to enable precise edge milling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: J. Tron Haroldsen, Jeremy K. Nix
  • Patent number: 6547484
    Abstract: A cutting head is provided for milling rumble strip depressions in a road surface. The cutting head has a center rotational axis and a transverse diameter that varies along the length of the rotational axis so that an outer cutting surface of the cutting head defines a plane curve, such as an ellipsoid with truncated ends. The cutting head is mounted on a milling machine and rotated about the rotational axis as it is moved alternately up and down into the road surface. As the milling machine moves down the road, the movement of the cutting head creates spaced apart rumble strip depressions in the road. Because of the elliptical configuration of the cutting head cutting surface, the dimensions of the depressions can be varied along both the forward and lateral axes by simply varying the depth of cut. The curved profile of the cutting head along the rotational axis creates rumble strip depressions that avoid the sharp ninety degree corners and vertical side walls found in conventional rumble strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Dustrol, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6499809
    Abstract: A pavement grinding apparatus includes a cutting device with a frame supporting the cutting device from above. Transversely extending parallel shafts have an offset connection imparting cyclical up and down motion to the cutting carriage and rotating arbor. A first motor drives the arbor while a second motor drives cutting carriage wheels and the support shafts. The carriage and arbor move backward relative to the grinding apparatus during the cutting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Snapper Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Dusten C. O'Konek
  • Publication number: 20020176746
    Abstract: A cutting head is provided for milling rumble strip depressions in a road surface. The cutting head has a center rotational axis and a transverse diameter that varies along the length of the rotational axis so that an outer cutting surface of the cutting head defines a plane curve, such as an ellipsoid with truncated ends. The cutting head is mounted on a milling machine and rotated about the rotational axis as it is moved alternately up and down into the road surface. As the milling machine moves down the road, the movement of the cutting head creates spaced apart rumble strip depressions in the road. Because of the elliptical configuration of the cutting head cutting surface, the dimensions of the depressions can be varied along both the forward and lateral axes by simply varying the depth of cut. The curved profile of the cutting head along the rotational axis creates rumble strip depressions that avoid the sharp ninety degree corners and vertical side walls found in conventional rumble strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Tim L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6457779
    Abstract: A device for milling off ground surfaces, especially roadways In a device for milling off ground surfaces (2), especially roadways, comprising a track assembly (4) supporting a machine frame (6), a rolling mill (8) supported in the machine frame (6) and extending transverse to the traveling direction, at least one conveying means (10) arranged in the traveling direction in front of the milling roll (8), for transporting away the milled off material, and a roll casing (18) with a passage opening (22) for the milled of material, facing the conveying means (10), it is provided that the end of the conveying means (10) at the milling roll is supported in a belt shoe (16) fixed at the machine frame (6) so as to be vertically adjustable, and wherein the belt shoe (16) and the conveying means (10) form a rigid unit that cannot be pivoted in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Busley, Olaf Gaertner, Herbert Ley
  • Publication number: 20020110420
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating rumble strips in a surface such as asphalt or concrete is provided. This apparatus includes a vehicle with an attachment coupled thereto. The attachment includes a cutter wheel having teeth thereon and a flywheel coupled with the cutter wheel. A hydraulic motor is coupled with the cutter wheel for rotating the cutter wheel and the flywheel. Eccentric cams are provided for moving the cutter wheel vertically with respect to the surface being cut, and a gear box is coupled with the eccentric cams for rotating the eccentric cams. The eccentric cams do not contact the surface being cut. The apparatus further includes a sliding assembly coupled with the cutter wheel. The sliding assembly is both horizontally and vertically movable with respect to the surface being cut. The present invention further includes a method for cutting rumble strips in a surface using the apparatus described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Dustrol, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6402252
    Abstract: A road-cutting apparatus for creating grooves or impressions in a road surface. The apparatus comprises a tool carrier with a rotatable cutter positioned adjacent thereto. A positioning control arm is hydraulically actuated to place the cutter in an operating position just above the road surface, and an operating control arm is hydraulically actuated to move the cutter into and out of cutting engagement with the road surface. The cutting is automatically carried out in response to a signal generated as a result of the distance traveled along the road surface by the apparatus. The road-cutting apparatus also comprises a transport wheel which can be placed into engagement with the road surface such that the cutter is spaced therefrom for transport of the apparatus to a desired location for cutting the grooves or impressions and raised above the road surface for the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Dickson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne E. Dickson
  • Publication number: 20020047301
    Abstract: The invention is a road scarifier for cutting road surfaces, comprising: a frame provided with a cutter, supported by tracks by means of hydraulic actuators suitable for modifying the position of said cutter with respect to the road surface; driving means to obtain the setting in motion of the machine and the rotation of said cutter; right and left sensors arranged at the sides of the machine and suitable for measuring the distance from the road surface; sensors to show the inclination of said machine with respect to the horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Danny Ray Davis
  • Patent number: 6364419
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for excavating cavities in a road surface for a variety of purposes, among them, the formation of rumble strips, the installation of light reflective road markers, the milling of potholes, boring of holes for various purposes and the like. The system is used in combination with a vehicle having a motor powered vertically movable rear lift gate which in use defines a vertically displaceable substantially horizontal platform. A cutting apparatus is secured to the upward facing surface of the lift gate with the actual cutting portion being mounted on a rotatable drive shaft extending laterally of the gate, such that the cutting portion projects at least partially below the bottom surface of the lift gate, whereby with the gate in a lowered position, the cutting portion can engage the surface of the road on which the vehicle resides. A motor is secured to the upper surface of the gate powers the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Steven Cannizzo, Leroy I. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6328387
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing floor covering consisting of a rotary milling device housed in a frame. The frame is supported, laterally, by hydraulicly powered elevating legs. The lateral legs are lowered to engage the milling device with the floor surface during the cutting phase, and are raised to disengage the milling device from the floor covering and discontinue cutting. While milling, the apparatus is supported by legs fore and aft. The height of the fore and aft legs are manually adjusted, prior to cutting, to affect the depth of the floor removed. The apparatus is powered by an external power source and propelled forward by an energized vehicle through a swivel coupling assembly. The coupling assembly allows the apparatus to be lowered and raised while maintaining a constant orientation relative to the floor surface and to the direction of the propelling force acting upon it. The apparatus is particularly adopted for cutting hard floor surfaces in enclosed areas having narrow access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Lisa Cooper
    Inventors: Lyle Aldon Cooper, Randy Dean Hunter
  • Patent number: 6276758
    Abstract: A continuously operating surface miner designed basically with a milling roller for the accurate, selective mining of sedimentary beds. The parameters cutting height, cutting width and feed speed are decisive for the performance capacity of surface miners. How the miner begins a block to be mined, how it finishes it and changes over to a new block to be mined is significant as well. The particular technology that can be used depends essentially on the mobility of the miner and the possibility of the engagement of the milling roller with the material to be mined. A three-caterpillar chassis for the miner and for arranging the milling roller (15a) in front of the said chassis in the direction of mining is provided. The milling roller (15a) is mounted on a transverse frame (15b) and is fastened by same to the superstructure (8) of the miner. High mobility of the miner is achieved due to this arrangement of the milling roller and the use of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Man Takraf Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hoffmann, Volkmar Schrader, Thomas Stenzel, Hans-Joachim Schombel
  • Patent number: 6247757
    Abstract: A rotatable implement depth control apparatus consisting of a mounting plate having an upper end, a lower end, a forward face, a rearward face, a right side, a left side, and a lateral axis extending from the right side to the left side, the mounting plate being rotatable about the lateral axis; a rollable trolley, the rollable trolley having a forward end, a rearward end, a right side, and a left side; a rotatable implement carrying frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a right side, and a left side, the forward end of the rotatable implement carrying frame being pivotally attached to the rollable trolley; a rotatable implement having a right side, a left side, and having an axis of rotation extending from the right side to the left side, the rotatable implement being rotatably mounted within the rotatable implement carrying frame; and, a plurality of arms for transferring rotational motion of the mounting plate about the lateral axis to pivotal motion of the frame about the pivotal attachment to the r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Gary Cochran
  • Patent number: 6227620
    Abstract: A compact, easily transportable, surface preparation or road mill apparatus which includes a road mill housing or surface treatment unit having a cutter drum powered by its own power source. The apparatus also includes a mounting device for attachment of a working machine, such as the road mill housing, to a land vehicle having a lifting mechanism, preferably of the type provided on “front-end loaders”. The surface treatment unit or road mill housing preferably has an opening for receiving a cylindrical shaft and the mounting device includes an attachment device for attachment to a land vehicle and an interconnected cylindrical shaft upon which the road mill housing can be secured once the shaft is received within the shaft receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Page
  • Patent number: 6176551
    Abstract: A compact, easily transportable, surface preparation apparatus which includes a surface treatment unit having a cutter drum powered by its own power source. The apparatus includes transport/support wheels and a tow bar preferably interconnected at each end, of the surface treatment unit the rearward connection being a pivotal connection. The surface treatment unit has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the towing direction and the transverse axis coincident with the towing direction. The cutter drum has a rotational axis and is contained within the surface treatment unit and arranged such that the rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surface treatment unit. The cutter drum is off-set relative to the transverse axis of the surface treatment unit such that the cutter drum operates at one end of the surface treatment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Page
  • Patent number: RE40505
    Abstract: A cutting head is provided for milling rumble strip depressions in a road surface. The cutting head has a center rotational axis and a transverse diameter that varies along the length of the rotational axis so that an outer cutting surface of the cutting head defines a plane curve, such as an ellipsoid with truncated ends. The cutting head is mounted on a milling machine and rotated about the rotational axis as it is moved alternately up and down into the road surface. As the milling machine moves down the road, the movement of the cutting head creates spaced apart rumble strip depressions in the road. Because of the elliptical configuration of the cutting head cutting surface, the dimensions of the depressions can be varied along both the forward and lateral axes by simply varying the depth of cut. The curved profile of the cutting head along the rotational axis creates rumble strip depressions that avoid the sharp ninety degree corners and vertical side walls found in conventional rumble strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Dustrol, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim L. Murphy