US1993657A - Apparatus for building roads - Google Patents

Description

March 5,1935. GARmNER 1,993,657

vAPPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS l0/7 Gardine/ A TTORNEYS.

March 5, 1935. GARDNER 1,993,657

APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed April 1, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2L I Y ATTORNEYS.

March 5, 1935. GARDINER v1,993,657

APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed April 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 .INVENTORl jo/7 Gard/0er BY mA-* "v 7M' ATTORNEYS.

March 5, 1935. L, GARDINER APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ROADS Filed April l, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVEN TOR, /On 6am/mer A TTORNE YS.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 APPARATUS Fon. BUILDING ROADS Lion Gardiner, Columbus, Ohio, assigner to The Jaeger Machine Company, Columbus, Ohio, a

^ corporation of Ohio Applicationnpril 1, i933, serial No. ceases Claims.

ously mixed concrete or other'road-building ag,

5 gregate and to form thereof a iinished monolith of the desired section and contour.

One object of this invention is to provide a spreader forroad-building aggregate which is of simple construction and which is especially suit- 102, able for cooperation with truck mixers, successively delivering batches from the side of the surface to which the aggregate is to be applied.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spreader for road-'fbuilding aggregate which 1 5: may be readily adapted to receive such aggregate from either side of the surface upon which the material is to be spread.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which is very simple in struc'- ture and which will receive previously mixed concrete or other road-building aggregate and distribute it to a uniform level vto form a monolith of great density and uniform texture and consistency.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus embodying a spreading screw member which is specially constructed to receive theaggregate adjacent one side of the surface upon which it is to be spread and, as such aggregate is received, to spread it mainly towards the other side of the surface.

This spreading screw member may embody a long screwsection and a short screw section, with such sections being oppositely pitched so that the aggregate may be oppositely spread. On the other hand, a single screw section feeding in one direction only from adjacent the side of the road may be used.

My invention also preferably contemplates, where oppositely pitched screw sections are used, a means for varying the relative proportions of the aggregate delivered to each of such sections. Furthermore, it embodies a strike-ofi plate and means for adjusting the operating levels of the screw member and the strike-olf plate during the travel of the spreader. The spreader, as a whole, is provided with traction means operable on the side forms together with means for propelling the spreader and simultaneously rotating the screw member in either direction.

'Ihe preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the Vaccompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus made in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing how the means for delivering the material to the spiral spreaders maybe adjusted to vary the proportion delivered to each spreader.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the apparatus and takensubstantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing the means 1.0 for adjusting the spiral spreader and the strikeoli plate as a unit. f

v AFigure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of my invention wherein the concrete or other material to be spread is dumped onl the surface to 1,5

be covered in front of the machine and the machine is adapted to advance through said material and simultaneously spread it.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 4. Y

Figure 6 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of another modified form of my invention wherein the spreading member is disposed within a box-like structure.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown 25. in 'Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Figure '7.

With reference to the drawings and, particularly, to Figure 1, my invention is shown as com- 30- prising a main frame 1. This frame is composed of side channel beams 2 and 3 which are secured together by the end Vbeam 4 at the rear end of the machine and the end beam 5 at the front end of the machine.v The side beams 2 and 3 35 are also secured together by means of va crossbeam 6 extending entirely across the machine and substantially midway the length thereof.

I-beams' 7 and' 8 are secured to the crosbeams 4, 5 and 6, respectively, adjacent each 4 side of the machine and extend the entire length thereof. I have also provided I- beams 9 and 10 which are secured to the beams 4 and 6 and, preferably, rest on the upper edges thereof. Longitudinally extending channel beams 12 and 45 13 are secured to the upper edges of cross-beams 5 and 6. Channel beams 11 and 14 are disposed longitudinally of the machine between cros- Vbeams 5 and 6 and are suitably connected thereto. It will be seen readily that these beams 50 strengthen the structure and it will be Y seen later that they serve as supports for the various units of my apparatus.

The structure described is preferably supported at four points by means of the ilanged a attached to the under side of the longitudinal I-beam 7 and a bearing 21 in the side beam 3 A driven sprocket 22 is keyed to the inner end of the shaft 19 and rotation of this shaft and consequent rotation of wheel 15 is eiected by means of a driving chain 23. This driving chain 23 is driven by means of a sprocket 24 which is keyed on one end of a transversely extending drive shaft 25. The said'shaft 25 is preferably rotatably supported in a bearing member 26 on the I-beam 7, and passes through bearing members (not shown) disposed in the channel beams 12 and 13, bearing member 27 on the channel beam 14 and bearing member 28 on the I-beam 8. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, the shaft is adapted to be positively driven in either direction to move the machine forwardly or rearwardly, as desired.

The wheel 16 is similarly supported on the opposite side of the machine through the medium of a shaft 29 rotatably supported in a bearing 20 attached to beam 18, and a bearing 21' in the side member 2. A sprocket 30 is keyed on the inner end of shaft 29. The sprocket 30 is adapted to be driven by a. chain 31 which is, in turn, driven by the sprocket 32 Jkeyed on the corresponding end of the driving shaft 25.

A sprocket 33 is keyed on the shaft 19, which supports wheel 15, adjacent its outer end and a similar sprocket 34 is keyed on the shaft 29, which supports the wheel 16, adjacent its outer end. The rear wheels 17 and '18 are keyed to the outer ends of shafts 35 and 36, respectively, which are supported by suitable bearing members in a manner similar to the shafts 19 and 29. 'Ihe shaft 35 has a sprocket 33a 'keyed to the outer end thereof and the shaft 36 has a sprocket 34av keyed thereon adjacent the outer end thereof. The sprockets 33a and 33 are operatively connected together by means of a sprocket chain 33'. Similarly, the sprockets 34a and 34 are operatively connected together by means o f a sprocket chain 34'.

As previously stated, the front wheels 15 and 16 may be driven in either direction. Therefore, since the rear wheels.17 and 18 are connected to the front wheels 15 and 16, respectively, by the chains 33' and 34', these rear wheels-will be driven simultaneously with the front wheels and in a corresponding direction. Thus, a four-wheel drive is provided by means of which, when properly actuated, the machine may be propelled either forwardly or rearwardly upon the side rails.

A spreader assembly is provided on the machine and operates to spread previously mixed concrete or other aggregate between the side forms A and B. -This spreaderassembly preferably comprises oppositely .pitched screw spreadingsections for spreading the aggregate across the surface between the side forms A and B. It also comprises a strike-oir plate disposedY in the rear of said spreader sections and adapted to strike off the material spread thereby, and side wing plates disposed at the outer` ends of the. spreaders to prevent spilling of the material over the side forms. All o f these members which constitute the spreader assembly are vertically adjustable as a unit when the mascrew spreading member comprises oppositelyV pitched screw conveyer sections 38 and 39. 'As shown in the drawings, the section 38 is much shorter than the section 39 so that the adjacent ends of these sections 38 and 39 are disposed -near one side of the machine.

The screw spreading member 37 of the spreader assembly has its outer ends rotatably mounted in bearing members 40 and 41. This spreading member is preferably mounted in these bearing members in such a manner that it may be readily removed therefrom andreversed, for a purpose which will be explained later. ' Ihe bearing members 40 and 41 are suitably mounted on arms 42 and 43, respectively, which form a part of a vertically adjustable frame which supports the spreader assembly of my invention.

Means is provided for rotating the spreading member 37 so. that the conveyer section 38 thereof will spread the material towards the left (Figure 1) and the conveyer section 39 will spread the'material towards the right. This driving means comprises a sprocket 44 which is keyed to the right end of the shaft of member 37 and a similar `sprocket 45 which is keyed to the op posite end of this shaft. The sprocket 44 is driven by a chain 44' and the sprocket 45 is driven by a chain 45'. The chains 44' and 45' are, in turn, driven by sprockets 44a and 45a, respectively, which are keyed on a 'transversely extendingv driven shaft 46.

The shaft 46 is mounted slightly forward of the spreader assembly and rotates in bearing members 47 and 48 in the side beam members 2 and 3, respectively, and suitable bearings on the beams 12 and 13. This shaft 46 may be driven in either direction to cause rotation of the spreader member 37 in either direction desired by means provided and for a purpose which will be explained later.

The arm 42 of the adjustable frame 'whichi'supports the spreader assembly is pivotally connectfed at its forward end to the cross-member 6 as at 49 and the arm 43 is pivotally connected to the opposite end of this cross member 6 as at 50. Braces 51 and 52 are secured to the arms 42 and 43, respectively, and their forward ends are pivotally connected to Athe transverse member as at 53 and 54. The rear ends of the arms 42 and 43 are bent at right angles and are bolted to a beam member 55 extending transversely of the machine and terminating at each end at a point slightly within the side forms A and B.

A strike-off plate 56 is adapted to be secured to the transverse beam 55 of the spreader. assembly. This strike-off plate may be of any suitable type and is adapted to strike-off the material previously spread by the spreader 37 to impart the proper crown and grade thereto. This strike-off plate is attached to the beam 55 by means of bolts 57` (Figure 2) passing through slotted holes formed in such plate to permit vertical adjustment of the strike-off plate relative to the screw spreader 37.

A side wing plate 58 is bolted' to the arm 42 and a similar sidewing plate 58 is bolted to the other arm 43. Since these plates are disposed at each end of the screw spreading member 37, they forms. Furthermore, they serve to deflect thev material discharged from the outer ends of the screw spreading member 37 downwardly along the side forms.

-I have also provided means for vertically adjusting the frame which carries the spreader assembly and formaintaining it in adjusted position. As will be understood hereinafter, this means may be operated whle the machine is stationary or while the machine is moving along the side forms.

This adjusting means comprises short links 59 (Figure 3) which are secured to the upper edge of the transverse beam 55 disposed at the rear end of said adjustable frame. 'I'hese links 59 are pivotally connected to rocker arms 60 which have their opposite ends keyed to a transverse shaft 61. 'I'his shaft 61 is supported for rotation in a bearing 62 attached to the I-beam 7 (Figure 2) and a similar bearing (not shown) which is attached to the I-beam 8.

The shaft 61 is provided substantially midway .between its ends with a worm gear 63 which is keyed thereto. This worm gear 63 meshes with a worm gear 64 which is formed on the lower end of a'shaft 65. The shaft 65 is supported for rotation at its lower end in a bearing member 66 which is secured to an angle member 67 extending transversely of the machine. 'I'he upper end of this shaft is supported in a bearing member 68 which is formed on the upper end of a supporting member secured to a similar angle member 69 extending transversely of the machine. The upper end of the shaft is provided with a hand wheel 70 which is keyed thereto.

It will be understood that, when the shaft is rotated by means of the hand wheel 70, the worm 64 meshing with worm gear 63 will cause rotation of the shaft 61. Rotation of this shaft 61 will cause rockingr of the arms 60 and a consequent vertical movement of the beam 55. Thus, the front end ofthe adjustable frame which carries the spreader assembly may be adjusted to any desired position and held in such position merely by rotating the hand wheel 70. This adjustment may be made at any time and serves to adjust vertically the spreader member 37, the strike-off plate 56 and side wing plates 58. as a single unit.

The material receiving and delivery means which I use for feeding the pre-mixed concrete or other aggregate to the spreader 37 is preferably mounted on the machine and is of such a type that it may be mounted at one end of the machine and will receive the material from truck mixers or other conveyances disposed at the side of the surface to be covered by such material. .Furthermore, this means is of such a type that it will conduct the material by gravity to the spreader.

'Ihis material receiving and conducting means comprises the main hopper 71 having a. wide up- 69 are disposed directly above the spreader assembly and are mounted on the I-beams 7, 8. 9 and 10. These angle members 67 and 69 extend for the entire width of the machine. As previously stated, the hopper 71 is mounted on the angle irons 67 and 69 so that it may be readily detached therefrom by removing the bolts which connect the supporting structure 73 and 73' thereto. Means (not shown) is also included on the opposite ends of the angle irons 67 and 69 for mounting the hopper 71 thereon. Thus, the hopper 71 may be mounted on either side of the machine. Thus, material may be delivered to the machine at either side desired.

A second hopper 74 similar to the hopper 71 but slightly smaller is disposed directly below the discharge opening 72-of said hopper. The upper portion of the walls of this hopper 74 overlaps the lower portion of the walls of the hopper 71. This hopper 74 is supported on members 75v provided with rollers 76 which are adapted to operate on the angle irons 67 and 69 which serve as trackways therefor. 'I'he discharge end of the hopper 74 is normally adapted to lie directly above the adjacent ends of the conveyersections 38 and 39 of the spreader.

I have also provided means for adjusting the hopper 74v relative to the hopper 71 and longitudinally of the spreader member 37 to vary the proportionate amounts of material fed to the conveyer sections 38 and 39. This means comprises a bracket`76' (Figure 2) which is secured to the outer wall of hopper 74. This bracket is pivotally connected to a connecting link 77 which is, in turn, pivotally connected to a rocking lever 78. The rocking lever 78 has its lower end keyed to a shaft 79. This shaft 79 is suitably supported in be delivered to the machine from trucks or other conveyances at the left side'of the road (Figure 1), the material deliveringmechanism will be mounted on the corresponding side of the machine as shown by the full lines in Figure 1. When the material is discharged into the hopper 71, it will then pass down therethrough and will he delivered to the adjacent ends of the conveyer sections 38 and 39. These members will then be rotated in the proper direction to cause the material to feed towards the side forms. 4

If it is desired to discharge material from trucks located at the opposite side of the road, the hoppers 71 and 74 are removed and placed at the opposite side of the machine on. the' angle members 67 and 69 in a reverse position. The link 77 is disconnected from the rockerrarm 78 before the hopper 74 is moved to-the opposite side of the machine and, after such hopper is moved, it may be connected again thereto. Thus, the rocker arm 80 `may be used for adjusting the hopper 74 if it is disposed on either side of the machine.

When the delivery mechanism is mounted on the opposite side of the machine, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, the spreading member 37.-

asv-

., machine directly below the delivery mechanism.

This screw spreading member is then rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which it was driven when the adjacent ends of the sections 38 and 39 were located at the opposite side of the machine so that the aggregate will be fed properly by the conveyer sections 38 and 39 towards the side forms.

The driving mechanism for driving the various members of my machine comprises a power unit 81 (Figure 1) of any suitable type. 'I'his power unit has a short drive shaft 82 extending therefrom and this shaft has a sprocket 83 keyed thereon. The sprocket 83 drives a sprocket 84 disposed therebelow through the medium of a sprocket chain. This sprocket 84 is keyed to a shaft 85 which is rotatably mounted in bearing members 86' and 87 on the channel members 11 and 14, respectively. The shaft 85 is provided with a sprocket 86 keyed thereto intermediate its length and this sprocket 86 is adapted to drive the sprocket 87' through the medium of a chain 88.

The sprocket 87 is keyed on the outer-end of a shaft 89 which is connected to a set of speed reduction gearing disposed in a housing 90. A shaft 91 extends from the opposite end of the housing and has a sprocket 92 keyed thereon. This sprocket 92 drives a sprocket 93 which is keyed on a shaft 94 .disposed transversely of the machine and operates in bearing members 95 and 96 on the beams 12 and 13, respectively. The shaft 94 has a pinion 97 keyed on one end thereof. This pinion 97 meshes with a gear 98 which is loosely mounted on the transverse driving shaft 25 which drives the traction wheels of my machine. A clutch member 99 is splined on this shaft and may be caused to engage a clutching surface on the gear 98 which is continuously driven by pinion 97 to cause rotation of shaft 25. This clutch member 99 may also be thrown into engagement with a clutching surface on a sprocket 100 which is also loosely mounted on the shaft 25. The sprocket 100 is adapted to be driven by a sprocket 101 through the medium of a chain 102. The sprocket 101 iskeyedon the shaft 85. The clutch 99 may alsfbe disposed in a neutral position.

It will be understood that the shaft 94 will be driven from the power unit through the medium of the speed reduction gearing disposed in the housing 90. This will cause the pinion 97 to rotate gear 98 and, if the clutch 99 is engaged therewith, it will cause rotation of the shaft`25 which will, in turn, drive the traction wheels to cause movement of the machine in a forwardly direction. Because of the speed reduction gearing, this movement will be comparatively slow.

If the clutch 99 is released from the gear 98 and caused to engage the sprocket 100, which will be continuously driven by the shaft 85, sprocket 101 and chainl 102, the shaft 25 will be rotated in an opposite direction. This will cause operation of the traction wheels in a reverse direction and will cause rearward movement of the machine at a comparatively great rate of speed. As-

will be seen later, whenclutch 99 is in neutral position, the spreaded 37 may be driven without translatory movement of the machine.

y The shaft 85 vis also provided with a sprocket 103 which is keyed adjacent the left-hand end thereof.y This sprocket 103 is adapted to drive a sprocket 104 which is keyed on a transversely extending shaft 105 mounted 1n n suitable beering member on the channel member 11. The sprocket 104 is connected to the sprocket 103 through the medium of a chain 106. One end of the shaft 105 passes into a housing 107. This housing 10'7 serves as a housing for a reversible clutch mechanism to whichthe inner ends of the shaft 105 is connected.

It will be readily seen from Figure 1, that the driving shaft 46 which is used to drive the screw spreading member 37 also passes through this reversible clutch housing 107. This shaft 46 is also connected to the reversible clutch mechanism. The reversible clutch mechanism may be actuated by means of a lever 108 to cause rotation of the shaft 46 in either direction desired and consequent rotation of the screw spreading member 37 in either direction desired.

In the operation of my apparatus, it will be apparent that it may receive and spread the mixed concrete or other aggregate either while remaining in a stationary position or while traveling along the road forms. In either event, in the preferred form, the material is delivered from the truck or other conveyance disposed at the side of the machine and into the receiving and delivery mechanism disposed at the corresponding side of the machine. This delivery mechanism will conduct the material by gravity to the adjacent ends of the conveyer sections 38 and 39. The driving mechanism for the spreading member is then adjusted to cause rotation of the screw spreading member 37 in the proper direction.

The screw spreading member comprising the oppositely pitched conveyer sections 38 and 39 is located in front of and close to the strike-olf plate `56. Because of the direction of rotation of the conveyer sections 38 and 39, the material being received at the adjacent'I ends thereof automatically spread across the road surface bygnin The material is forced by the conveyer sec- I tions 38 and 39 against the wing plates 58 at the outer ends thereof and against the side forms A and B. The side wing; plates 58 tend to direct the material downwardly, causing it to flow along the inner surfaces of the side forms. This forced flow of the material against the side forms will preclude the formation-of voids and interstices" in the edges of the layer of material being spread. Furthermore, Athe strike-off plate follows the spreading member and will act upon the materlals spread thereby to strike it off to the proper grade and crown. At any time: during the operation of the machine, the operator may adjust the spreader assembly which includes the screw spreading member, the strike-off plate and the side wing plates by merely operating the hand-wheel 70. The machine will move in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 and the operator preferably faces the rear thereof so that he will be able to see the layer of material that has been spread. By observing the layer of material that has been spread, he'- is enabled to note whether or not the" layer is too thick or too thin and adjust' the spreader assembly accordingly to take care of the various conditions. If desired, instead of having' the screw" spreading member 37 whichl comprises the oppositely pitched conveyer sec-l tions 38 and 39, a screw spreading member may' be 'provided which consists merely of one screw" conveyer section extending entirely across the ber may be driven in either direction, the mamachine. The material delivering means shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, may still be used if desired.' Thus, the material will pass by grav` ity through the hopper 71, and the hopper 74 may be adjusted so that the material will be delivered to the outer end of the screw spreading member. The material will drop from the hopper 74 at a point adjacent the corresponding side form and the rotating screw spreading member will spread the material entirely across the surface to be covered and against the side form at the opposite side thereof. It material is delivered to the opposite end of this screw spreader, which comprises a single conveyer section, this screw spreader may be rotated in an opposite direction to spread the material towards the side form at the opposite side of the surface to be covered.

In Figures 4 and 5, I have shown a modiiied form which my invention may take. The machine shown in these figures is adapted to advance through material which has been dumped in front thereof and to simultaneously spread such material across the surface to be covered.

This machine is similar to that described previously. However, the lside beam membersV 2 and 3 are not joined together at their forward ends by a beam structure but the forward end of the frame is open, as shown in Figure 4. A screw spreading member 37 is disposed at the forward end of theaarms 42 and 43. In this instance, however, the screw spreading member embodies only a single screw spreader section extending entirely across the machine. This machine is also provided with a strike-oir plate 55, as before, which is disposed on the vertically adjustable frame which carries the screw spreading member 37' at a point slightly behind said screw spreading member. This vertically adjustable frame also carries side wing plates 58 which are disposed at each end of the screw spreading member as before.

'Ihe frame which carries the spreader assembly may be vertically adjusted by a mechanism substantially identical with that previously described for adjusting the frame which carries the spreader assembly of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 3. However. in this instance, the links 59 are elongated and the transverse shaft 61, shaft and associated mechanism are disposed on a secondary frame structure 1'.

The screw spreading member 37' may be driven in a manner identical with that described for driving the screw spreading member 37 of the machine shown in Figures 1 to 3. By operating the lever 108 of the reversible clutch mechanism which is disposed in a housing 107, the spreading member 37' may be rotated in either direction desired. Furthermore, this mechanism is so disposed that the operator may face in the direction of movement of the machine.

With this machine, the aggregate is preferably dumped from trucks or other conveyances which operate at the side of the surface to be covered by this material. As shown in Figure 4, this aggregate is dumped at one end of the screw spreading member 37' and in front thereof. The machine is then moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 4 so that the screw member advances into the aggregate and this screw member 37' is simultaneously rotated in the proper direction to cause the aggregate to be spread across the surface to be covered and into firm contact with the side form at the opposite side thereof. Since the screw spreading memterial may be dumped at either side of the surface to be covered and spread entirely across such surface and against the opposite side-form. Furthermore, it at any time too much material is being spread at one side of the surface, the

screw spreading member may be reversed -to feed it toward the other side of the surface. Likwise, the screw spreading member may be rotated in one direction to cause compaction of the material against one of the side forms and then may be rotated in the opposite direction to cause compaction of the material against the opposite side form.

In Figures 6, 7 and 8, I have shown another modied form of my invention. As will bel explained more fully later, the screw spreading member of this form of my invention is disposed within a box-like structure which so contines the material which is dumped therein and which is being spread, that the spreading member will effectively spread the material entirely across the prepared surface and will accomplish this in a very short time. This particular form of my invention is particularly useful in spreading material which is of low consistency, although it is not limited thereto.

The main structure of the machine is similar to A that shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, and embodies a'main frame 1 which is mounted on traction members and which is driven in the manner described with reference to the machine shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. As before, the main frame 1 comprises side members 2 and 3 which are suitably joined together. of the side members 2 and 3 are joined together by a beam member 5 which is connected to the side members 2 and 3 by means of plate members 5a. Channel members 6 and 6 extend across the machine and are supported by the side members 2 and 3.

The spreader assembly comprises a box-like' structure disposed between the channel members 6 and 6. This box-like structure embodies a plate member 110 which extends almost across the machine, but the ends of which are spaced slightly within the side forms AK and B. This plate member forms the front wall of the box and has a rib 111 formed therein in order to strengthen it. This box-like structure further emy bodies side wall members 112 and 113 which serve to limit lateral displacement of the materials. as will be seen later. A beam member 114 joins the rear ends of the side wall members 112 and 113 together. A strike-off plate 56 is disposed directly in front of the beam member 114 and is mounted by means of bolts and slots 57 in such a manner that it is vertically adjustable. The ends of the strike-oli plate are disposed within the sidewall members 112 and 113 so that it may bevertically adjusted. The ends of the beam member 114 are also spaced within the side forms A and B to permit vertical adjustment of the box structure for a purpose which will be explained later.

'I'he box-like structure 109 has a screw spreading member 37' mounted therein substantially midway between the front and rear walls thereof. This screw spreading member 37' embodies a single screw spreader section extending entirely across the box-like structure. The ends of the screw spreading member 37' are rotatably mounted in bearing members 40 and 41 which are mounted in the side wall members 112 and 113, respectively, of the box-like structure 109.

Arm members 116 and 117 are secured to the 'I'he forward ends side wall members 112 and 113, respectively, in any suitable manner. These arm members 116 and 117 are preferably hollow for a purpose which will' be apparent. The arm members 116 and 117 are pivotally connected at 116' and 117' to the side members 2 and 3, respectively, of the main frame.

I The ends of shaft of the spreading member 37 extend through the side wall members 112 and 113 of the box-like structure. A sprocket 44 is mounted in the right hand end of the shaft of this spreading member and a sprocket 45 is mounted on the opposite end. These sprocket members will be disposed within the hollow arm members 116 and 117. The sprocket 44 is connected to a sprocket 44av by means of a sprocket chain 44 which passes through the housing formed in the arm 116. 'I'he sprocket 44a is suitably keyed on one end of a shaft 46.

The sprocket 45 at the opposite end of the spreading member is connected to a sprocket 45a keyed on the opposite end of the shaft 46 by means of a sprocket chain 45. The shaft 46 may be driven by suitable mechanism of the type disclosed in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. 'I'he shaft 46 is also connected to a reversible clutch mechanism, not shown in this figure, but of the type shown in Figure 1 and which was previously described. Thus, the shaft 46 may be driven in either direction and, consequently, will cause rotation of the spreading member 37 in either direction.

The means for vertically adjusting the box-like structure as a unit will now be described in detail, as follows:

As shown in Figures 6 and 8, this means comprises link members 118 which have their lower ends pvotally connected as at 119 to the upper edge of the beam 114 of the box structure. 'I'he upper ends of these links 118 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of rocker arms 120 which have their inner ends keyed to a transversely extending shaft 121. Each end of the shaft 121 is rotatably mounted in bearing members 122 and segmental gears 123 are disposed adjacent each end of the shaft. These segmental gears are keyed on the shaftand mesh with worms 124 formed on vertically extending shafts 125. These shafts are supported in suitable bearing structures 126 in such a manner that they may rotate therein.

The lower end of each of the shafts has a sprocket wheel 127 keyed thereon. The sprocket wheel 127 of each of the shafts 125 are con# nected together by a sprocket chain 127. The shaft 125 on the right hand side of the machine extends upwardly a considerable distance and has a hand wheel 125' keyed on the upper end thereof. It will be seen that when the hand wheel 125' is rotated, the shaft 121 will be rotated and will cause the links 118 to move the box-like structure up or down. When the shaft 125 at the right hand side of the machine is rotated, the other shaft 125 is also caused to rotate through the medium of the sprocket chain 127'. When the adjusting mechanism for the box is operated, the arm members 116 and 4117 will pivot around the pivot pointsA 116' and 117', respectively.

The vertically adjusting mechanism for the box-like structure further embodies means for facilitating raising of this structure. This means comprises bracket members 128 which are secured to the beam member 6 and which have rearwardly extending portions. The beam member 114 of the box-like structure also has rearwardly extending arm members 129 which extend beneath the beam member 6' and which are disposed a considerable distance therebelow.

'Ihese members 129 have their rear ends disposed substantially in alignment with the rear. ends of the bracket members 128.. Tension spring members 130 are connected to the bracket members 128 and 129. It will be apparent that when the box-like structure is in its lowermost position, the spring members 130 will be stretched. Therefore, when the box-like structure is again raised, these springs will aid in the raising operation.

I have also provided means for indicating the height to which the box-like structure and, consequently, the lower edge of the strike-off plate is adjusted relative to the main frame structure.

This means is shown in Figures 6 and 7. It comprises a small pin 131 which is secured to the rear surface of the strike-0E plate 56. This pin extends through a slot 132 formed in one arm of a member 133. This member 133 is in the form of a bell crank lever and is pivoted at 134 to the forward surface of the beam member 6. The vertically extending arm oi' this member 133 has an indicating pointer 135 thereon which cooperates with suitable calibrations 136 on an upstanding yoke member 137. It will be apparent that, upon up or down movement of the box-like structure, the member 133 will be swung around its pivot and will, consequently, indicate the height to which the box-like structure with the strikeoff plate thereon is adjusted.

The material receiving and delivering mechanism of this form of my apparatus preferably embodies a hopper member 138 disposed above the box-like structure 109 and at one end thereof. The lower portion 139,0! this hopper is reduced in width and extends downwardly into the box. The walls of the hopper are slightly spaced from the walls of the box-like structure so as to prevent interference of these members during vertical adjustment of the box-like structure. This hopper is preferably open at its inner side.

'Ihe hopper 138 has strap members 140 secured to the front and rear sides thereof. The upper ends of these strap members are riveted to the outwardly flared upper portion of the walls of the hopper. 'Ihese straps 140 have their lower ends pivotally connected at 141 to the beam members 6 and 6'. Spring members 142 are provided for maintaining the hopper in its normal upright position. These spring members are connected to the strap members adjacent their upper ends as at 143 and have their opposite ends connected to a structure 144 which will also limit outward swinging movement of the hopper. It will vbe apparent that the springs 142 will normally keep the hopper in the position shown in Figure 6 against the structure 144 and in upright position. Since the lower ends of the strap members 140 are removably connected to the beam members 6 and 6', the entire hopper structure may be removed when desired and be mounted on the opposite side of the machine. A structure 144', identical with the structure 144, is provided at the opposite side of the machine and pivot pins are suitably disposed at that side of the machine so that the strap members 140 may be pivotally mounted thereon.

The hopper is further provided with a guard member 145 rigidlysecured to the upper and outer edge thereof. This machine vis particularly usel'io 'ful for receiving and spreading material which is supplied by trucks moving at the side thereof, as previously explained. With this hopper structure, if the trucks move directly adjacent the side thereof and a portion of the truck contacts with the hopper, it will not cause injury thereto. The truck will usually strike the guard member 145 and will, consequently, cause the hopper to swing inwardly, around the pivot points 141, since the springs 142 will permit this inward movement. Thus, injury to the hopper will be precluded. The springs 142 will always return the hopper to normal position.

shown in Figure 8, I have provided brake structures 146 for exerting a slight braking action on the traction wheels of my machine at all times. 'Ihis brake 146 comprisesv supporting brackets 147 which are secured to the side beams 2 and 3 and which project inwardly therefrom. A pair of arms 148 have their corresponding ends pivotally mounted on the bracket member 147. I'he lower end of each of the arms 148 is provided with a braking surface 149 which contacts with the periphery of the traction wheel. A spring 150 is provided for maintaining these braking surfaces in contact with the wheels.

In the operation of this form of my 'apparatus, the material is dumped by a truck or other such conveyance, which may move along the side of the machine and with the machine, and is conducted by the hopper into the box-like structure. The driving mechanism for the spreading member 37 is then adjusted to cause rotationv of the spreading member in the proper direction. As the machine moves forwardly, the material will be spread across the prepared surface by the spreading member 37. The material will be confined within the box-like structure and, consequently, the spreading member 3'7 will more effectively spread the material and will do this more quickly.

At any time during the operation of the machine,`the operator may adjust the spreader assembly which includes the screw spreading member 37', the strike-Dif plate 56 and the box-like structure. Before beginning the operation, the strike-off plate is suitably adjusted relative to the screw spreading member 37'. The machine will move in the direction indicated by the arrows and the indicating mechanism which I have provided on the machine will always indicate to the operator the thickness of the layer of material being spread. As previously indicated, the operator may adjust the spreader assembly at any time to cause spreading of the material in a thicker or thinner layer. The screw spreading member 37 spreads the material across the prepared surface and the strike-off plate follows the spreading member and strikes if oi to the desired height and crown. The driving mechanism may be adjusted from time to time to drive the spreading member 37' in opposite directions so that the material may be fed back and forth in the box-like structure in order that it will be properly spread across the entire surface. Itwill be apparent that this structure will be particularly useful with material of low consistency, be-

cause the box-like structure will confine the ma.

terial within certainlimlts during the spreading operation and the spreading member can very effectively act thereon.

It will be apparent that I have provided a machine for spreading concrete or other aggregate wherein the body of the machine is maintained constantly at a definite level while that4 portion of the machine which effects the spreading of the aggregate may be adjusted from Atime to time as the spreading operation progresses to compensate for any variations in the consistency of the aggregate and-to insure that the ilnal grade of the material being spread will be uniformly and properly determined. The structure is such that the screw conveyer and theAstrike-oil.' plate always operate above the surface on which the aggregate is being spread. However, the operator .of the machine may observe the roll of aggregate accumulating immediately in front of the screed of the yfinishing unit and may adjust the screw conveyer and strike-off plate simultaneously during the progression of the spreading operation to compensate for variations in this roll. Thus, if it appears that a roll of abnormal size is building up in front of the screed of the finishing unit, he may lower the screw conveyer and strike-l oif plate during the progression of the spreading operation and thereby form a depression to receive an increased amount of the material from the abnormal roll and thereby .reduce this roll to normal size. On the other hand, if it appears to him that the roll immediately in advance of the screed of the nishing unit is not large enough, he may effect elevation of the screw conveyer and strike-off plate during the progression of the spreading operation with the result that the roll immediately in front of the screed of the finishing unit will increase in -size.

It will also be apparent that, owing to the fact that my strike-oh plate may be adjusted independently of the screw conveyer, it is possible` for me to readily meet varyingconditions of the aggregate, as such conditions arise. Thus, the screw conveyer may be positioned at that elevation at which it will most effectively perform the lateral spreading operation while the strike-off plate may be positioned independently to perform the proper strike-offbperation.

Another important feature of my invention consists in the fact that my device lends itself readily to the spreading of aggregate in either direction across the surface upon which it is to be spread. Thus, with the multiple section screw spreader element, it is merely necessary to remove and replace this element so that the short section thereof is on the desired side and to reverse the direction of rotation thereof. With the single section screw spreader element, it is merely necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the screw. The reversible hopper construction facilitates the delivery to the proper point for the selected direction of spreading.

Another important feature of my invention arises from the fact that the spreading screw members are rotated in such a manner that, in addition to the spreading function, they subject the mixed material to a wiping and spading action by the inclined continuous surfaces of these screw members. This results in a practically complete elimination of any interstices or voids which might otherwise appear in the layer of spread material. Furthermore, it will be noted that the wing plates of my apparatus preclude the escape of the material being spread laterally over the side forms and maintain this material within an area where it will be subjected to the wiping and spading action referred to.

A still further important feature of my invention is the fact that the screw spreading member land the strike-olf plate are capable not only of simultaneous vertical adjustment, but also of this structure is further increased by the mounting of the side wing plates upon the frame which carries the screw spreading member and the strike-oit plate so that all three of these elements may be simultaneously adjusted with a minimum of effort.

Another important feature of my inventionv consists in the provision of means for delivering the previously mixed material to the screw spreading member fromthe side of the road, provisionbeixig made so that either side of the road may be selected. The ability to feed the material to the screw spreading member from the side of the road avoids the necessity of causing vehicles to travel upon the surface which has been previously graded for the reception of the material to be spread thereon. 'I'his also increases the speed of the machine because the truck mixer or other vehicle may move along with the spreading machine, discharging as it moves, until all of the material has been discharged from the vehicle into the spreader, whereupon it may be replaced by another vehicle to make the spreading operation comparatively continuous. The material receiving and delivering means is of such a type that the material will be conducted by gravity to the spreading member which renders unnecessary the provision of a complicated delivery mechanism which is expensive to construct and which might clog up and become inoperative.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, an aggregate spreading device com prising screw sections of substantially different lengths so that they will receive the aggregate at an off-center point upon the surface to which it is to be applied and to spread it in opposite directions simultaneously, and means for actuating said spreading device to effect such spreading action.

2. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, a screw spreading device having oppositely pitched sections of substantially different lengths so that they can receive the aggregate at an off-center point, and means for rotating said screw spreading device.

3. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, a screw spreading device having oppositely pitched sections of different lengths.- means for rotating said screw spreading device, and means permitting'removal and replacement of said device with its short section at either side of said framework.

4. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, a screw spreading device having oppositely pitched sections of different lengths, means for rotating said screw spreading device, and means permitting removal and replacement of said device with its short section at either side of said framework, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said screw spreading device. 1

5. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a spiral spreading unit which comprises oppositely pitched screw spreading members, said spreading members being rotatable so that they deliver the material laterally outwardly towards the edges of the road surface, and means on one capable of relative adjustment. The advantage side of said apparatus adapted to receive the material from trucks or mixers disposed at the side of the apparatus, and 'to guide it as it falls by gravity to the adjacent ends of said spiral spreading members, and means for adjusting said last-named means to vary the proportion of concrete fed to the respective right and left-hand spiral spreading members.

6. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a spreading unit which comprises oppositely pitched screw spreading members, one of said screw spreading members being substantially longer than the other s o that they can receive the aggregate at their juncture which is close to the side of the surface upon which the aggregate is to be spread, and a hopper mounted on one side of said apparatus and having its discharge end disposed above the adjacent ends of said spiral spreading members.

'7. Apparatus for spreading material upon a surface comprising a framework, oppositely pitched screw spreading members, means for rotating said screw spreading members in either direction, means associated with said screw spreading members for receiving aggregate adjacent the side of the surface upon which the aggregate is being spread, and guiding it as it falls by gravity to the adjacent ends of said screw spreading members, and means for varying the proportion of the received aggregate which is delivered to the respective oppositely pitched screw spreading members.

8. Apparatus for spreading materials upon a surface comprising a framework, a box-like member mounted on said framework, a screw spreading member disposed in said box-like member, and means for rotating said screw spreading member in either direction without changing the direction of motion of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, a strike-off plate mounted on said framework, and a screw spreading device operating in front of said strike-off plate and having its lower edge substantially at the same level as the lower edge of said strike-off plate, said screw spreading device having a plurality of sections, with their receiving ends disposed substantially nearer one side than the other of the surface to be operated on, and means for rotating said screw spreading device.

10. Apparatus for spreading Aaggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, an aggregate spreading device vconstructed to receive the aggregate at a point upon the surface to which it is to be applied substantially nearer to one edge of such surface than the other, and means for receiving the aggregate at the side of the framework and delivering it to said spreading device at the described olfcenter point.

1l. Apparatus for spreading aggregate com' prising a framework, transporting means for said framework, an aggregate-spreading device constructed to receive the aggregate at a. point substantially nearer one side than the other side of the surface to which such aggregate is to be applied and to distribute it across said surface,and means for adjusting said spreading device to locate such receiving point at either side of the center line of the surface to which such aggregate is to be applied.

12. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework. a strike-off plate and 4a. screw spreading device-having its lower edge substantially at the same level as the lower edge of said strike-off plate, means for rotating said screw spreading device, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said device without reversing the direction of motion of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, transporting means for said framework, a strike-off plate, a screw spreading device mounted in advance of said strike-off plate and positioned to receive and spread the aggregate across the surface, means for rotating said screw spreading device, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said device, and means for receiving the mixed aggregate and delivering it to one end of said screw spreading device, said means being adjustable to deliver to either end of said screw spreading device.

14. Apparatus for spreading material upon the surface comprising a framework, a strike-off plate carried by said framework, a screw spreading member mounted on said framework in advance of said strike-off plate and positioned to receive and spread the aggregate across the said surface, means for rotating said screw spreading member in either direction, and means associated with said screw spreading member for receiving material adjacent the side of the surface upon which the material is to be spread and delivering it to said screw spreading member, said last named means being adjustable longitudinally of said screw spreading member.

15. Apparatus for spreading material upon a surface comprising a framework, a strike-off plate carried by said framework, a screw spreading member carried by said framework and disposed at the front of said framework for spreading the aggregate across said surface, said screw spreading member being unconnned in its front so that it will be the first part of the machine to contact with the aggregate to-be spread which lhas been dumped in a pile on the surface in front of the apparatus, and means for adjusting said strike-off plate and said screw spreading member simultaneously.

16. Apparatus for spreading material upon a surface comprising a framework, a strike-off plate carried by said framework, a screw spreading member carried by said framework and disposed at the front of said framework for spreading the aggregate across said surface, said screw spreading member being unconned in its front so that it will be the flrst part of the machine to contact with the aggregate to be spread which has been dumped in a pile on the surface in front of the apparatus, and means for rotating said screw spreading member in either direction.

17. Apparatus for spreading aggregate comprising a framework, means supporting said Yframework for movement above a surface upon which the aggregate is to be spread, a strike-off plate mounted on said framework, a screw spreading member carried upon said framework and disposed at the front of said framework and being unconned in front so that it will be the rst part of the machine to contact with the aggregate to be spread which has been dumped in a pile on the surface in front of the apparatus, said screw spreading member having its lower edge above the surface upon which the material is to be spread but substantially at the same level as the lower edge of said strike-off plate, means for positively holding said plate and spreading member at a given level, and means for vertically adjusting said strike-off plate and said spreading member to any such level during operation and during movement of said framework.

18. Apparatus for spreading aggregate upon a surface comprising a framework, a box-like member mounted on said framework, a strike-olf plate mounted on said box-like member, said strikeoff plate being vertically adjustable, a screw spreading member mounted in said box-like member in front of said strike-oil. plate in spaced relation thereto and in spaced relation to the front wall of said box-like structure, and means for vertically adjusting the entire box-like member.

19. Apparatus for spreading aggregate upon a surface comprising a framework, means supporting said framework for movement above said sur-- face, a strike-off plate, a screw spreading member mounted in front of said strike-off plate, means for simultaneously adjusting said strikeoff plate and said screw spreading member, and indicating means for indicating the position of adjustment of said strike-off plate and said screw spreading member.

20. Apparatus for spreading aggregate upon a surface comprising a framework, a spreading' unit, a hopper mounted on one end of said framework for delivering material to said spreading unit, said hopper being flexibly mounted so that it will swing inwardly when pressure is exerted against the outer portion thereof.

LION GARDINER.

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