US2054436A - Apparatus for building roads - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1936. 41 H; MQSEL 2,054,436

APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed Nov. 15, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. Joseph H M0521 WyMA -V ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 15, 1936. MOSEL APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed Nov. 15, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joseph H M0561 A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 15,1936. H M L 2,054,436 APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed Nov. 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I BY M ATTORN/YYS.

Patented 15, 1936 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Joseph IL Mosel, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The. Jaeger Machine Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 15,- 1934, Serial No. 7.53.210

V 25 Claims. My invention relates to apparatus for building roads. It has to do, more specifically, with apparatus which is adapted to receive. asphalt or other bitumen material and to spread it across a surface to be treated, forming therefi'om a layer or slab of the desired thickness and contour and having straight edges. However, there are certain features of my invention not necessarily limited to the spreading of asphalt or other bitumen materials.

In the past, there have been several machines devised for this purpose. However, these prior art devices are not entirely satisfactory inoperation. This type of machine is sometimes used'for spreading asphalt or other material over an old roadbed or over a roughly graded or other rough surface. The prior art machines which have been used for this purpose are of such a type that any irregularities in the surface being covered are reflected and-greatly exaggerated in the surface produced by a machine of this type. Thus,

it is practically impossible to produce, with the prior art machines, a surface which is even and which does not have a large number of raised and depressed portions, unless the surface which-is being covered is already finished evenly. Another disadvantage of some of these prior art machines resides in the fact that it is necessary 4 to employ side forms upon which the machine operates and which limit the spreading of the materialin orderto produce a surface with straight edges. It is obvious that these side forms are expensive and also require a large amount of-labor and expense to install them."

. keep on their proper course.

One of the objects of my invention is to'provlde apparatus of the type indicated which will receive asphalt or other bitumen material and which will spread such material across the surdevice of the type indicated which will formthe layer or slab withstraight edges without the use of side forms which are set along the edges of the surface to becovered. Another object of my invention is toprovide apparatus of the type indicated which is partic- 5 ularly adaptable to the spreading of material over an old roadbed or over a roughly graded or other rough surface, the apparatus being of such a type that the irregularities in the'surface being covered will not bereflected in the surface 10 produced by 'the machine and, consequently, the machine will produce a surface which is very even and which will not be "wavy.

,Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the type indicated which is provided 16 with spreading means of such a nature that it will efliciently spread asphalt or other sticky material across the surface being treated.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the type indicated which is of such 20 a nature that is may be readily guided and kept along its proper course.

In its preferred form my invention contem-j plates the provision of apparatus of the type indicated, comprising an outer unit which includes 25 a pair of runners which are adapted to be drawn along the surface to be covered'and which also .serve as side forms for limiting spreading of the material oh-the surface to be covered therebyproducing straight edges on the layer or slab 30 produced.. These runners are of considerable length and,'consequent1y, even though they do operate alonga rough surface, the effect of the raised portions and depressions, in the surface being covered, thereomwill be negligible. Withv across the surface to be covered in both directions and will compact it against the runner members a which will serve as side forms. I also provide a screed member which will level off the material spread by the spreading member to the desired thickness and contour. This screed member is face being covered. Consequently, even though the surface on which the machine operates-is rough, the surface produced by the machine will be very even. means for propelling the machine along the surface to be covered. Furthermore, I provide means whereby it is possible to guide the machine and to keep it on its proper course.

The preferred embodiment of my inventionis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of a road-building apparatus made in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the front end of my machine.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but of the rear end of my machine.

Figure 5 is a detail in perspective, partly broken away, ofa portion of my machine, showing a portion of the hopper, spreader, screed member and one of the runner members.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of my machine.

Figure '7 is a detail in perspective, partly broken away, of a portion of the screed unit of my machine and associated .parts.

Figure 8 is a side elevationof a modified form of my machine.

The outer or runner unit With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 6, I have shown my apparatus as comprisinga pair of runner members I, one of which is disposed at each side of the machine. These runner members are adapted to slide along the surface to be covered by the material spread by the machine.

These runner members are quite heavy and are made of metal. Each of the runner members includes a middle section 2 which is of substantially rectangular shape and which is of considerable length. This section 2 comprises a body portion which has a peripheral flange 3 extending entirely along its edge and projecting outwardly therefrom. To the forward end of this section 2, a section 4 is secured. This section is preferably oi the shape indicated, having its upper edge downwardly and forwardly inclined as at 5. The

forward portion of "the lower edge is upwardly and forwardly inclined at 6. Thus, there will be no danger of the forward end of this section 4 digging into the surface being covered. This section 5 is also provided with a peripheral flange 1, similar to flange 3, and projecting outwardly therefrom. The flange at the rear side of the section is preferably rigidly bolted to the flange 3 at the forward side of section 2, as indicated at 8. I

The rear end of section 2 of the runner member has another section 9 pivotally secured thereto. This section 9 is practically identical with section 4 but has a rearwardly and upwardly curved lower edge In. The section 9 has a pair of lug members I I disposed on the forward end thereof which overlap a pair of lug members [2 formed on the rear end of the section2. A rod I3 passes through aligning openings in the lugs H and I2, and pivotally secures them together. Thus, it will be obvious that the section 9 may be swung I also provide suitable tractionlaterally into or out of alignment with the section 2. A runner'plate I4 is suitably fastened to the lower edge of the section 9, extending the entire lengththereof. A second runner plate I5 is suitably fastened to the lower edge of section 2 and section 4 and extends from the forward end of section 4 to the rear end of section 2. These runner plates are of substantial width so that they will readily slide over the surface upon which they operate and will not dig thereinto. The sections 9 are pivotally connected to the sections 2 to facilitate movement 'of the machine around curves, as will appear more clearly later. Further, the runner member at one side of the 'machine is tied to the'runner member at the other side of. the machine in a manner which will be described subsequently.

The inner or spreading unit Within the runners a second unit I6 is disposed which may float up and down without having any effect whatsoever on the unit of which the runner members form a part. This unit l6 consists of a pair of side members l1, each of which is composed of a body portion l8 comprising a plate of metal which has a peripheral flange I9 extending outwardly therefrom. These side members I! are disposed within the runner members and are slightly spaced therefrom so that they may move up and down without interference with the runner members. The side members l! are of considerably greater height than the sections 2 of the runner members and extend from a point close to the lower edge of the runner members to a point a considerable distance above the upper edge of the sections 2 of the runner members. They are of practically the same length as the sections 2. The side members are secured together by transversely extending beams 20. One of these beams is disposed at the forward ends of these side members l1 and the other at the rear ends thereof (Figure 2). Thus, the side members I! are rigidly] tied together.

Adjacent the forward ends of the side members H, a material-receiving hopper 2| is formed. This hopper is adapted to receive the material to be spread and extends transversely for the entire width of the machine. Theforward wall of this hopper is formed by a plate member 22, which extends transversely of the machine and which has its ends suitably securedto the inner surfaces of side members l1.

(Figures 2 and 5.)

This plate member is inclined forwardly and up wardly as shown. The upper and' forward edge of the plate member 22 is strengthened byan angle member 23 and this angle member' is braced by a pair of vertically extending. plates 24 having their upper ends suitably, secured thereto and having their lower ends rivetedfto the transversely extendingbeam 29 at the rear end of the unit It. The rear wall of this hopper 2| is formed by a transversely extendingplate 25 which has its' ends suitably secured to tne rality of narrow blades 32 secured thereon.

These blades 32 are arranged helically on the shaft 3|. The blades on the section 28 are arranged to feed the material -towards one side of the machine while the blades on the other section 29 are arranged to feed the material in an opposite direction towards the opposite side of the machine. Thus, when the spreading member is rotated, the material will be spread in opposite directions and will be compacted against the side forms formed by the runner members I have found that by employing narrow blades, as illustrated, asphalt and other sticky materials may be very efficiently spread. -By using a plurality of small blades instead of continuous screw blades, less power is required to rotate the spreading member and the sticky asphalt or other material does not readily collect on the blades. 4

The outer ends of shaft 3| of the spreading member are mounted in bearing members 33 disposed at the lower edges of the side members H. The spreading member is so mounted that the blades thereof will extend down below the lower edges of these side members (Figures 3 and 5) the inner unit It floats up and down and, consequently, the spreading member 21 moves up and down, the end of shaft 3| will merely move up and down in slot 34.

The inner floating unit I5 is tied to the outer rlmner unit in the following manner and in such a way that the inner unit will be permitted to float up and down without affecting the outer unit at all. To tie these two units together at the forward end of the inner unit I6, I provide a plurality of tie rods 35 (Figure 5). A pair of these tie rods is provided for connecting the runner -member at one side of the machine to the inner unit It and a second pair is provided for connecting the runner member at the opposite side of the machine to the inner floating unit l5.

Each of these tie rods 35 has its inner end pivotally connected to an L-shaped bracket member .36 by means of a bolt 31. The bolt 31 also-passes through a slot 33 formed inthe upstanding plate 24 in order that the bracket member 36 will be slidably mounted on the plate 24. The projecting portion of bracket member 36 has a bolt 39 passing through an opening formed therein. This bolt 39 is adjustably mounted in a lug 40 formed on the outer surface of plate 24 in line with slot as. By adjusting this bolt and nut mechanism 39, the position of the bracket 35 along slot 33 may be changed. v

The outer end of each of the tie rods 35 projects out through a slot 4| formed in the side member II. The tie rod then extends through'.

a corresponding slot 42 formed in the section 2 of. the runner member adjacent its forward edge. The ou er end of the tie rod 35 ispivotally connected flange on the runner member as indicated at 43.

It will be apparent from this that the inner unit It at its forward end is connected to the outer runner unit by the tie rods 35 in such a manner that the inner unit can float up and down without affecting the outer runner unit. when the inner unit floats up and down, both ends o the tie rods will pivot around their. pivot points and the rods will move vertically in the slots 4| .and 42. Furthermore, the brackets 36 may be adjusted along plates 24 to keep the runner members vertical andto maintain them in their prop-'- er positions relative to the side members ll of the unit It.

The rear end of the unit It is tied to the outer,

runner unit in practically an identical manner to the outwardly projecting verse beam 2|] at the rear end of the inner floating unit IS. The L-shaped brackets 35, in this. v

instance, are slidably mounted on this beam 20.

As previously stated, the section 9 at the rear end of each of the runner members maybe .swung laterally relative to the section 2 when desired.. However, in order to normally prevent beam 44 extending transversely and having its outer ends pivotally connected to. the inner surface of the sections 9 as indicated at 45. This beam 44 serves to connect the sections 9 together and maintain themin parallel relation even when they are swung out of alignment with the sections 2. I further provide a pair of rods 48'which have their inner ends pivotally connected to the beam 20 as indicated at 41, adjacent the middle of the beam 29. These rods extend outwardly at an angle and have their forward ends bent downwardly at right angles, the downwardly bent portions being adapted to fit ,into openin'gs48 adjacent the ends of the beam 44. It will be apparent that when the rods are in the position indicated in Figures 2 and 6, the sections 9 will be rigidly held in position and cannot move out of alignment with the sections 2. However, if the outer ends of these rods are lifted so as to remove their bent portions from the openings 48, swinging of the sections 9 out of alignment with the sections 2 will be permitted.

The two runner units may be spaced farther apart or closer together by adjustment of bolt and nut mechanisms 39 at the innerends of tie rods 35 and adjustment of the connections 45 at the ends of beam 44. This adjustment is desirable, in some instances, as when a levellirig-ofl course is first laid over-a rough graded surface or rough surface of an old road and then a finishing course is laid. After the levelling-off course is laid, the runners may be adjusted closer together so that they will run on the edges of the levelling-off course, the machine then laying a finishing course which is slightly narrower than the first course.

The Qcreed unit As previously indicated, i t' is very important to desired thickness and contour. This screed is so mounted that it will not be aifected by irregularities in the surface being covered and over which the machine passes: As previously stated, the

runner members I pass over the rough surface each section 2 of the runner members I, substantially midway between the ends of the section 2 and at a location behind the heater and spreading member 21. This screed unitembodies a pair of transversely extending beams'50 which extend for the entire width of the machine and project through the openings 49. These beams may be tied together by bars of metal 5| riveted on the upper edge thereof at suitably spaced intervals.

The screed proper is formed by a bottom plate member 52, which has a vertically extending flange 53 disposed at right angles thereto. The flange 53 is at the rear side of the plate member 52 and the forward edge of this plate 52 is upturned as indicated at 55. This upturned portion 55 is bolted or riveted to the lower edge of a plate 56 which is of substantial height and forms the forward wall of the screed member. The screed proper, comprising plates 52 and 56, is tied to the transverse beam members 50 by means of a plurality of tie rods 51, these rods being disposed at intervals along the beams 50. Each of these rods has its lower end pivotally connected tothe inner surface of plate 52 as indicated at 58. The upper ends of these rods pass through openings in the bars 5| disposed along the upper edge of the beams 50. By adjusting nuts 59 which are threaded on the upper ends of these rods above the bars 5|, the rods may be independently adjusted vertically in order to put the desired crown in the screed proper.

Adjacent each of the bars 5|, which are disposed on the beams 50, another bar 60 is disposed, which is riveted to the beams 50 and which projects outwardly from each beam. A similar bar 6| is disposed in alignment with each of these bars 60 and is similarly securedto the lower edges of the beams 50. A thrust bolt 62 is threaded into an opening in the projecting portion of the bar 60 and through a corresponding opening in the projecting portion of the other bar 6|. One of these bolts is disposedat each side of the unit formed by the two beams 50. The screed proper, comprising plates 52 and 56, is tied to the beams 50 by meansof the tie rods 51 as previously explained. It is tied to the beams 56 in such a man ner that the plate 52 thereof will be spaced a slight distance below the lower edges of beams 50. The thrust bolts 62 project below the bar 6| and contact with the inner surface of plate 52.

Although I only show one of the units, consisting of bars 60 and 6| and thrust bolts 62, and one of the units, consisting of bar 5| and rod 51, in Figure '1, it will be understood from Figure 4 that a plurality of each of these units is disposed at intervals along the beams 50. By adjusting the various rods 51, disposed along the screed unit, the plate member 52 may be crowned in any predetermined manner to produce a surface of the desired contour. By means of the thrust bolt 62, the forward edge of plate 52 may be caused to be in line with the rear edge thereof, or the plate may be tilted with its forward edge raised so that it will not only level 01! the material spread by the machine, but will exert a downward thrust thereon, compacting the material. Because of the fact that the lower ends of tie rods 51 are pivotally connected to the plate 52, it may be tilted as desired. This will be accomplished by adjusting the bolts 62 at the rear side of the screed unit downwardly farther than the corresponding bolts at the forward side thereof.

The screed unit is suspended from the outer runner unit in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely thereof. For this purpose, each of the beams 50 is provided at each end thereof with an outwardly projecting bar 63. Each of these bars is bolted toan inverted L- shaped bracket 64, as indicated at 65. The brackets 64 are bolted to the upper edges of'beams 50, as at 66. The pair of bars 63 at each end of the screed unit straddle a block member 61 formed on the lower end of a vertically extending rod or. shaft 62. This block 61 has rotatably mounted thereon a pair of rollers 69. The bars 63 will rest on these rollers 69. Each of the rods 68 extends up through a bearing member 16, disposed on the outer end of a bracket 1| which is bolted or riveted to the section 2 of the runner member l, as indicated at 12. The upper end ofthe rod 68 is threaded as at 13. A hand-wheel 14 is threaded thereon above bearing member 10. It will be understood that by operating the handwheel 14, the corresponding end of the screed unit may be raised. Thus, either or both ends of the screed unit may be raised or lowered. It will also be apparent that the screed unit may be reciprocated transversely of the machine, by means to be -described, and that this reciprocation will be permitted because the bars 63 will merely ride back andforth on the rollers 69.

The upper edge of plate 56 is preferably turned rearwardly at right angles at 15 for strengthening such plate. In order to further strengthen the plate, a plurality of L-shaped brackets 16 may be employed. These brackets will be disposed at spaced intervals and the vertical portions thereof will be connected to plate 56 by pin and slot connections, as shown in Figure '1, and the horizontal portions thereof will be bolted or riveted to the upper edge of the forwardmost beam 56.

into openings 49 formed in the; sections 2 of the runner members In order to permit easy 'reciprocation of the screed member transversely of the machine, without generation of an undesirable amount of friction between the rear surface 53 of the screed proper and the rear wall of opening 49, I provide idler rollers "at the rear sides of the openings 49. These idlers are suitably mounted so that they may easily rotate and preferably extend the entire height of openings 49. It will be understood that when the forward side of the screed member contacts with the material being spread, it would exert a rear thrust on the screed member and if the rollers 11 were not provided; it might develop so much friction between the rear side of the screed member and the rear walls of openings 49 as to pre vent transverse reciprocation of the screed member. However, these rollers 11 prevent this.

As previously described, each end of the screed unit may be adjusted to its desired height. The thickness of the layer of material spread, will be determined'by the vertical position of the screed unit. Therefore, it is desirable to provide one or more shim members I8 at each end of the screed unit below the lower surface thereof, to accurately gauge the height to which the-screed member is adjusted. Each of these shim members has an open mouth I9 at forward end which fits around roller 11. Thus, this end of the shim member will be held in place. The other end of the shim member will be held in'place by 'an' th" screed member. These'plates are always in overlapping relation to each other. The. plate member 25 will not interfere with vertical adjustment of the screed member.

The traction or propelling means The traction or propelling means is shown clearly in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. As illustrated in these figures, this traction or propelling means comprisesa pair of wheel members 8|, disposed on each side of the machine. These wheel members are disposed outside of the runner members I and are adapted to operate on the rough graded or other roughly finished surface for an old roadbed outside of the area to be covered by the machine. Thus, thetwheels will not operate on the surface produced by the machine and mar such surface.

The wheel members 8I preferably have pneu matic tires of large cross-sectional area mounted thereon in, order to obtain satisfactory traction.

Each of the wheels 8 I is rotatably mounted'on the outer end of an axle member 82. Each of these axle members passes inwardly through a vertical slot 83 (Figure 5) which is of considerable length and which is formed in the section, 2 of the runner member. The inner'end' of the axle is keyed in a bearing member, mounted on the side member I! of the inner unitI8. .The axles are of sufficient length to permit"lateral adjustment of the runners. The axle members 82 on each side'of the machine are rigidlytied together by a loiigitudinally extending beam 85. A sprocket 86 is rigidly fastened to the wheel member 8I so that it will rotate therewith. The two sprocket members 88 of each pair of wheels are operably connected together by. a sprocket chain 8.1. Thus, when one of the pair of wheels rotates, the pther wheel thereof will rotate.

It will be apparent from this that the wheels will contact with the surface outside of the area 'to be covered; They'willoperate on the rough surface follow the contour thereof; Be-

cause they operate over the irregularities of the rough surfacathey will move bodily up and down.

This up and down movement will causethe inner I but will floating unit I8 w move up and down not affect the runner members, and, consequently, the screed members, since the. axle members" are free to move vertically in the slots 83 formed in the sections 2 of the 'r members.

the medium of a sprocket Ili -The In order to prevent friction between the edges of slots 83 and the axle members, which might interfere with the floating action of the inner unit I6'relative to the outer runner unit, I provide the following structure: This structure embodies a link member 88 (Figure 6), which has its rear end pivotally connected to the inner surface of v the side member I! as at 89. The forward'end of this link 88 "is provided with a roller 98, extending. at right angles thereto and suitably mounted thereon. This roller 98 extends through an arcuateslot 9| formed in'the member IT. The outer endof this roller 98 is secured to the inner surface-0f the section 2 of the runner members. 1

It will be apparent. that when the traction wheels 8I are driven they will move the innerunit I8 along and, because of the links 88 and rollers 98, the outer runner unit will be moved along therewith, without having the axles 82 contact with the edges of slots 23. The links 88 will exert a pull on the runner unit; which will drag it along with the inner unit and the entire machine will be propelled along thesurface being covered and-without developing friction between axles 82 and the edges of slots 83, thereby interfering with the floating action of unit I8, relative to the outer runner unit.

The driving mechanism meshes with a gear 94, mounted at the middlb of a shaft 95, This shaft 95 has a sprocket mounted at each end thereof. The shaft 95' is rotatably supported in .a suitable manner. The sprocket 98 at the rearend of this shaft-is connected to a sprocket9'l by means ofasprocket chain 98.

The sprocket 91 is keyed on a horizontally extending shaft 99, which is rotatably mounted in a suitable manner. The forward end of this shaft 99 has'a crank arm I88 keyed thereon. This crank arm- I88 is pivotally connected to a horizontally extending I8I (Figure 4) which has its opposite end pivotally connected to-a vertical link I82. The vertical I82 is pivoted as at I83 and its lower end is pivotally connected to a substantially horizontally extending link I84 which is in turn pivotallyconnected to the upper end of the screed unit, as indicated at I85. Thus, when shaft 99 is rotated by the power unit 92, the screed unit will be reciprocated backand forth transversely of the machine.

The shaft 99 is also adapted to drive the.

- spreading member 21. Thus, the rear end of the shaft is provided with abevel gee-r188 which mesheswith'a bevel gear I81 keyed on the outer end of a shaft ',I88 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings. The shaft I88.passes out;

wardly through the side member II and its outer end has a sprocket I89 keyed thereon. This sprocket I89 is disposed between member I! and the section 2 of; the runner-member (Figure 2). The sprocke "I connected by means of a chain II8, to procket III which is keyed on the inner end of-a sub-shaft II2 (Figure- 5). The

shaft 2 is rotatably mounted on member I 1 and has a second sprocket I I3 keyed on its outer end.

This sprocket II3 drives a sprocket Ill through sprocket H4 is keyed on the outer end of the shaft 3I of the spreading member 21. Thus, the power unit, through the medium of the mechanism. just described, will rotate the spreading member 21 andwill simultaneously cause reciprocation of the screed member.

The power unit 92 also drives the tractionmeans or propelling means for my'machine. Thus, the sprocket H6 at the forward end of the shaft 35; (Figures 2 and 6), drives a sprocket chain II1 which extends upwardly around a sprocket H8. The sprocket H8 is keyed on the rear end of a shaft I I9 which is rotatably mounted in a suitable manner in bearing members I20. Substantially midway between its ends this shaft '9 has a large gear I2I loosely thereon. At its forward end it has a sprocket I22 loosely mounted thereon. The member I2I and the member I22 normally do not rotate with the shaft IIS. However, each of these members has a jaw which may be engaged by a jaw clutch member I23.

By operation of lever I24 the jaw clutch may be versely extending shaft I32 which is rotatablyv mounted in I g members I33. The forward end of shaft I26 (Figure 2) has a sprocket I34 keyed thereon. This sprocket is operatively connected to. the sprocket I22 by means of a chain I35, 1

It will be apparent that when the jaw clutch I23 causes the gear I2I to rotate with shaft H3 but does not cause sprocket I22 to rotate therewith, the .shaft'l26 will also rotate but in an opposite direction and will permit rotation of sprocket I22 in an opposite direction to the rotation of shaft I I3. This will cause the shaft I32 to rotate in a certain direction through the medium of the connecting-mechanism described and will drive the traction wheels 8|, through the medium of mechanism to be described, in a direction to propel the machine forwardly. If the clutch I23 is operated to cause sprocket I22 to rotate with shaft II! and to permit gear I2I to idle thereon, the shaft I26 will be driven in the same direction of rotation as the shaft H9 or in a direction opposite to that in which it was previously driven. Therefore, the shaft I32 will be ber I I, a substantial distance and disposed adjacent the upper edge thereof. Adjacent each outer end of the shaft I32, a sprocket I3! is keyed.-

This sprocket drives a chain I 39 which passes around a sprocket I4II, fastened to the rear'wheel 6| in such a manner as to rotate therewith. Thus,

. rotation of shaft I32 drives the traction wheels members are operated by handle members I42 thereto, the upper ends of coil springs disposed on a platform I43 mounted at the rear of the unit I6 and on one side thereof. These handles I42 are connected by suitable linkage mechanism I44 to the clutches. These clutches operate independently of each other.

Thus, it will be apparent that the clutch member I at one end of the shaft may be disengaged so that the traction wheels at one side of the machine will not operate while the clutch at the opposite side of the machine may be operative, to cause the traction wheels at that side of the machine to operate. Thus, the traction means at either side of the machine may be operated without operating the traction means at the other side of the machine. Because of this, the machine maybe readily turned when desired and main- I4I may be rendered inoperative so that neither of the traction means will operate. The machine may be readily turned, if it is moving forwardly or if it is moving rearwardly.

The supporting structures I31 have secured I45. These tensioned coil springs. have their lower ends connected to the sections 2 of the runner members I. They serve to exert a lifting force on the runner unit in order to prevent the development of too much friction as the runners slide along the surface upon which they operate.

The operation of the machine When the machine is to be operated, the screed member is first adjusted to its proper vertical position to produce a layer of material of the desired thickness. It is also adjusted to produce the desired crown on the surface produced by the machine.

The driving mechanism is then -operated to cause the spreading and beating member 21 to rotate'in the proper direction and to cause reciprocation of the screed unit. The-hopper member is then filled with hot asphalt or other material to be spread. The traction wheels are then driven by the mechanism described and the machine is propelled forwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing.

The spreading member 2-1 spreads the material which passes downwardly in the hopper therearound across the surface to be covered in opposite directions. Because it embodies a plurality of small spaced blades it will also beat the material and break it up. It compacts the material against the surface being covered and also against the side forms which are formed by the runner members 'I. Thus, the machine will produce a layer of material with straight edges. The material spread by the spreading member 21 is leveled oif to the proper thickness and contour by the screed unit disposed behind the spreading member 21. Thus, a layer of material of desired thickness and contour is produced.

Although the traction wheels might operate on.

a rough surface, the irregularities of such surface will not bereflected in the surface produced by the screed member. This is due to the fact that the traction wheels are mounted on the inner unit I6 which may float up and down, relative to the outer runner unit consisting mainly of the runner members I The screed member is mounted on the runner members which are of comparatively great length and which will pass over the rough surface and will not follow the depressions and bumps of such surface. Thus, the surface produced by my machine will be very level and even and devoid of depressions and bumps. Although tained on its proper course. Both of the clutches the spreading member 21 will move up and down, this will not affect the flnished surface, since the screed member is the member which ultimately levels of or finishes the surface of the layer formed by my machine. I

The .runner members I extend behind the spreading member 21 and the screed member a considerable distance and, consequently, these members will cooperate with the edges of the layer of material already spread in maintaining the machine on its course. However, if the machine tends to leave its course, the traction wheels at the proper side of the machine may be rotated without operating the traction wheels on the other side of the machine and in this manner the machine may be steered along its proper course. As previously stated,;ordinarilythe sections 9 of the runner members will be in alignment with the sections 2. However, they may be swuri'g laterally to either side out of alignment with the sections 2, when desired, to facilitate passage of the machine around curves or corners. The

- runner members I are of such a type that they will merely slide over the rough surface and will not dig into such surface.

In Figure 8, I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically a machine which is identical with that previously described. with the exception that different means is provided f r propelling it along the surface tobe covered. ,(In this instance, a series of small supportingrwheels or rollers 8Ia are provided but the trac ion drive to the supporting wheels is eliminated. The propelling mechanism constitutes a drum member I46 which is keyed on a shaft I41, this shaft being driven from the power unit 920 through the sprocket and chain drive indicated generally by the numeral I48. One of these drum members only is shown, but it will be apparent that a drum member is mounted at eachside of the machine on each of the sections 2a. A cable I49 is adapted to wind on the drum member I 46 and has its inner. ends suitably fastened thereto. This cable passes downwardly along the inclined upper edge I50 of the section 2a and underneath an idler pulley I 5| rotatably mounted thereon. The outer ends of the pair of cables I49 will be connected to stakes or other structures dispos'ed adjacent the edges of the surface to be covered and located a substantial distance ahead of the machine.

In propelling this machine along the surface to be covered, the two drum members will be r3- tated at the same rate of speed. This will ,cause the cables I49 to wind on the drum members I46. Winding of the cables I45 on the drum members will cause the machine to be pulled along towards the members to which the outer ends of the cables I49 are connected.

-It will be understood from the preceding de-. scription that Ihave provided a machine having many advantageous features, most of which have been specifically pointed out and others of which will be apparent. This machine is particularly adaptable for spreading asphalt or other bitumen material over an old roadbed, a rough graded-surface or other rough surface, although it is not necessarily limited thereto. One of the main advantages of this machine consists in the fact that the irregularities in the surface being covered will not be reflected to any material extent in the surface of the layer of material produced by this machine. This machine .will produce a layer or the edges of the surface being covered, since the runner members forming :a part of the machine serve as side forms. Also, the spreading and heating member of my machine is ,of such a nature that it is particularly suitable for spreading asphalt or other sticky materials. Another advan tage of my machine, resides in the fact that it may be easily guided and therefore kept on its proper course. Furthermore, one man alone may operate this machine in a very eflicient manner.

Many other advantages will appear from the preceding description, the drawings and the appended claims. By the term screed member used in the following claims, I intend to cover any member which is used for leveling off the material to the desired thickness and contour, such as a strikeofi plate and other equivalent members.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: L

1. A machine of the type described comprising a mmner-unit, a screed member mounted on said runner unit in such a-manner that it may be rec'iprocated transversely thereof, means for vertically adjusting said screed member, means for adjusting said screed member to produce the desired crown on the surface produced by the machine, means for tilting the lowersurface of said screed member, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, the spreading unit that it may float up and down relative thereto. 2. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners,a screed member carried by said runners, a spreadbetween said units during the floating action.

being tied to said runner unit in such a manner 3. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality ofrunners, a screed member carried by said runners a spreading unit including a material-receiving hopper, a rotatable spreading member forspreading the material across the surface to be covered disposed at the lower end of said hopper, said spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in sucha manner that it'may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, and means for preventing substantial relative lateral move- 1 ment between said units timing the floatingaction.

4. Amachine of the type described comprising Y a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners,

a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unitv including a rotatable spreading member for spreading the material across the surface to be covered, said spreading member comprising a plurality of narrow blades helically arranged, and means for tying said runner unit to said spreading unit in such a manner'thatthe spreading unit may float up and down relative to said runner unit during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

5. Amachine of the type described comprising a runner-unit embodying a plurality of runners, a screed member carried by said runners, a

.spreading'unit including a rotatable spreading member for spreadin the material across the manner that the spreading unit may float up and down relative to said-runner unit during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

6. A machine of the type described, comprising a runner unit, embodying apair of runners, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying said spreading unit to said runner unit in such a manner that it may automatically float up and down-relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, traction and propelling means mounted on said spreading unit and adapted to operate outside of the inner surfaces of said runners, the traction and propelling means being so mounted that they float up and down with said spreading unit, and means for driving the tractioh and propelling means atone side of the machine without affecting the traction and pro: pelling means at the opposite side of the machine.

'7. A machine of the type described, comprising an outer unit, a screed member mounted on said outer unit, an inner spreading unit, and means for tying said inner unit to said outer unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units. v

8. A machine of the type described, comprising a runner unit, embodying a pair of runners, traction and propelling means for moving said runner unit along the surface to be covered, 'said traction and propelling means operating outside of the inner surfaces of said runners and being mounted in such a manner that they may float up and down-without affecting said runner unit during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, and means for preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said traction and propelling means and said runner unit during the floating action.

9. A machine of the type described, cgmprising an outer unit, a screed member mounted on said outer unit, an inner spreading unit, means for tying said inner unit to said outer unit in such a manner-that itmay float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said 'units, and means .for propelling the machine along the surface to be covered.

10. A machine of the type described, compris ing an outer unit, a. screed member carried by said outer unit, an inner, spreadingunit, means for tying said inner unit to said outer unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine -over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said'units, and means for propelling the machine along the surface to be covered, said means comprising-a pair of drum members mounted on the machine. cables having their in ner ends secured to said drum members and their outer ends, secured to members disposed ahead of the machine, and means for rotating said drum members to cause the cables to wind thereon.

- side of the inner surfaces of the runners so that spreading unit and operating outside of the=inner surfaces of the runners, means for tying said runner unit to said spreading unit in such a manner that the spreading unit may float up and down relative to the runner unit, said means including springs tied to said spreading unit and said runner unit for reducing the friction developed by said runners in sliding along.

12. A machine of the type described comprising a runnerunit including a plurality of runners, a screed member carried-by said runners, a spreading unit carrying traction members which operate outside the inner surfaces of said runhers, and means for tying both of said units together in such a manner that they may float up and down relative to each other during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units. I

13. A machine of the type described comprising an outer runner unit embodying a pair of parallel runners extending longitudinally of the machine and being of considerable length, said runners being adapted to slide over the surface to be covered and being adapted to serve as side forms to shape the edge of the layer of material produced by the machine, a screed member carried by the runners, said screed member extending transversely of the runners and being disposed substantially at right angles thereto at a point substantially midway between the forward and rear ends of said runners, means for vertically adjusting said screed member relative to said runners, a spreading unit,.said spreading unit including a hoppenarran'ged directly in front of said screed member, a rotatable spreading mem ber disposed in saidhopper and adapted to feed the material in the hopper laterally of the surface to be covered,-traction and propelling means carried by said spreading unitand operating outside of the inner surfaces of the runners so that they will not operate on the layer of material produced by the machine, means for tying said runner unit to said spreading unit in such amanner that the spreading unit may float up and down relatively to the runner unit during movement of the machine along the surface to be covered, said means including springs tied to said spreading unit and said runner unit for reducing the friction developed by said runners in sliding along the surface to be covered.

14. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a pair of parallel runners extending longitudinally of the machine and being of considerable length, said runners being adapted to slide over the surface to be covered and being adapted to serve as side forms to shape the edge of the layer of material produced by the machine, a screed member carried by the runners, said screed member extending transversely of the runners and being disposed substantially at right angles thereto at a point intermediate the forward and rear ends of said 'runners, a spreading unit, said spreading unit including ahopp'er arranged directly in front of said screed membenja' rotatable spreading member disposed at the bottom of said hopper and adapted to feed the material laterally of the surface to be covered, traction and propelling means carried by said spreading unit and operating outspasm they will not operate on the layer of material produced by the machine, and means for tying said runner unit to said spreading unit in such a manner that the spreading unit may float up and down relative to the runner unit during movement of the machine along the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

15. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a pair of parallel runners extending longitudinally of the machine and being of considerable length, said runners being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered and being adapted to serve as side forms to shape the edge of the layer of material produced by the machine, a screed member carried by the runners, said screed member extending transversely of the runners and being disposed substantially at right angles thereto at a point intermediate the forward and rear ends of said runners, a spreading unit, traction means carried by said spreading unit and operating outside of the inner surfaces of the runners so that they will not operate on the layer of material produced by the machine, and means for tying said runner unit to said spreading unit in such a manner that the spreading unit may float up and down relative to the runner units during movement of the machine along the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

16. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying parallel runners extending longitudinally of the machine and being of considerable length, said runners being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by the runners, said screed member extending transversely of the runners and being disposed substantially at right angles thereto at a point intermediate the forward and rear ends of said runners, and a spreading unit tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative to the runner unit during movement of the machine along the surface to be covered, and means for preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units during the floating action.

17. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, said spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

18. A machine of the type described compris-- ing a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely thereof, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, the spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

19. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely thereof, means for reciproeating said screed member, means for vertically adjusting said screed member relative to said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, the spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

20. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely thereof, means for vertically adjusting said screed member relative to said runners, means for adjusting said screed member to produce the desired crown on the surface produced by the machine, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, the spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units.

21. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit including a rotatable spreading member for spreading the material across the surface to be covered, said spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, and means for preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units during the floating action.

22. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a pair of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying said spreading unit to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units, and traction means disposed outside of the inner surfaces of said runners.

23. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a pair of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying said spreading unit to saidv runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto during movement of the machine over the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said units, and traction means mounted on said spreading unit and being disposed outside of the inner surfaces of said runners.

. 24. A machine for forming a layer or slab from material without setting forms along the edge thereof comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered and being adapted to serve as side forms to shape the edges of the layer or slab of material produced by the machine, a screed member carried by said runners, a spreading unit, means for tying both of said units together, said spreading unit being tied to said runner unit in such a manner that it may float up and down relative thereto stantial relative lateral movement between said units.

25. A machine of the type described comprising a runner unit embodying a plurality of runners, said runners being of considerable length and being adapted to slide along the surface to be covered, a screed member carried by said runners, a second unit carried by traction means which operate outside of the inner surfaces oi. said runners, and means for tying both of said units together in such a manner that they may float up and down relative to each other during movement of the machine along the surface to be covered, said means preventing substantial relative lateral movement between said' units.

' JOSEPH H. MOSEL.

DISCLAIMER 2',054,436.J0seph H. Mosel, Columbus, Ohio. APPARATUS FOR BUILDJNG RoAns. Patent dated September 15, 1936. Disclaimer filed May 15, 1939, by the assignee, 17w Jaeger Machine Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 7, 16, 17, and 24 inysaid specification.

[Ofimlal Gazette June 6, 1939.]

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