Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material – Hard material disintegrating machines – Floor-working
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-03-20
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material
Hard material disintegrating machines
Floor-working
C299S039100, C299S036100, C125S013010, C404S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203112
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to road cutting apparatus generally, and more specifically relates to a road cutting apparatus which is light weight and attachable to various self-propelled construction vehicles for high-speed accurate cuts in asphalt, concrete, reinforced concrete and like road surfaces.
Various road surface cutting apparatus are known for cutting or slotting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,431 to Jedick discloses a portable rotary saw for cutting grooves into surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. The '431 patent attempts to solve problems with portable rotary power saws where users need to adjust cutting depth as well as maintain their grip on the apparatus. However, such road cutting apparatus do not efficiently conduct substantial cuts quickly. Portable hand held cutting apparatus just do not have the size to support a power source or engine which can carry out large cutting tasks.
Various self-propelled cutting apparatus are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,453 to Caven et al. discloses a precision slot cutting machine for asphalt and concrete which includes a self-propelled unit with an operators station and a blade platform attached by pivot arms to allow the blade platform to freely pivot about an axis of travel to the unit. The purpose is to allow that variations which occur in the pavement surface in directions both parallel and across the travel path of the machine are compensated for.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,956 to Ketterhagen discloses a riding saw for cutting concrete, asphalt, rock, etc. The saw includes a seat for supporting the rider and a mechanical steering assembly for manipulating a position of a rear drive wheel powered by a hydraulic engine. The '956 device requires that the hydraulic engine power both the saw and the drive mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,126 discloses a self-propelled masonry slitting apparatus comprised of a housing with two handles and a drive unit for a slitting tool including at least one cutting disk. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,523 to Swan discloses a self-propelled asphalt/concrete abrader with a quick release mechanism for disengaging the masonry saw it utilizes for cutting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,966 to Kennedy discloses a self-propelled concrete cutting saw in which the saw and the self-propelled platform associated with the saw are both driven by hydraulic engines. The saw is able to vary its forward moving speed depending on the density of the concrete it is cutting. And U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,212 to Santschi discloses a self-propelled sawing machine control apparatus for use on self-propelled walk-behind or ride-on grooving and/or grinding machines.
However, self-propelled cutting or grooving machines are not portable, and therefore not compatible for use in a variety of cutting environments and jobs. Another problem with conventional road cutting apparatus is that the depth of the cut is sometimes inconsistent, particularly self-propelled. There is a tendency for the cutting blade to “climb out” of the cut.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention provide a cutting apparatus for cutting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces which overcomes the shortcomings of the portable and self-propelled cutting apparatus of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting apparatus for cutting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces which is easily attachable/detachable to a front end loader, skid steer, or similar self-propelled construction vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting apparatus for cutting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces wherein at least one cutting blade is mounted on the apparatus and driven to rotate and cut in a counterclockwise direction relative the forward cutting direction.
It is another object of the present invention provide a cutting apparatus for cutting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces comprising a diesel engine for powering a circular cutting apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting apparatus for cutting asphalt, concrete and like road surfaces which is mounted on a frame structure in such a way that it is easily adjusted to compensate for normal wear and tear of a drive mechanism for transfer of an engine's torque to a cutting blade.
In one embodiment, the cutting apparatus of the invention includes a diesel or gasoline engine mounted on a frame structure which is detachable and connectable to a front end loading vehicle, e.g., skid steer. The engine is coupled to a cutting assembly through a PTO and a pulley drive mechanism (also mounted on the frame structure). A first cutting blade is included in the cutting assembly such that the rotational force provided by the pulley drive mechanism causes radial rotation of the cutting blade in a counterclockwise direction relative the forward direction of front-end loading machine.
The frame structure includes a mounting section and a section for attaching the frame structure to the loading machine. The attaching section preferably includes a machine plate arranged for attachment to the connecting blades of the front end loading machine. The apparatus also includes a guide frame or skid plate, with a spring bar mechanism, the skid plate extending down from the structure for contacting the surface to be cut in order to define and control a depth of the cut. A shield or cowling is also preferably included around the cutting blade, and one or more spray nozzles mounted on the inside portion of the cowling for providing a fluid flow directly on the blade when the blade is engaged and cutting.
The preferred diesel engine is a 41 HP diesel engine. The preferred cutting blade is a 36 inch diameter diamond blade, ¼″, but most conventional blades can be used, for example, 18″, 20″ and 22″ diameter with a ¼″ or ⅛″ widths.
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“Downsizing Transformer Pads In California” re: G&F Concrete Cuttings, Inc., Santa Ana, CA, Concrete Openings, pp. 28-29 (advertisement), undated.
“Asphalt Zipper, Asphalt Mill/Trencher”, pp. 1-6, (advertisement) 1998 by Asphalt Zipper Company.
Cook Eugene
Isenberg William
American Standards Construction Corp.
Bagnell David
Singh Sunil
Vodopia John F.
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