Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2149089 Docket 93072
1 -- REVERSIBLE SELF-PROPELLED PLATE COMPACTOR
2 BACKGROI~ND OF THE INVENTION
3 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
4 With regard to the classification of the art, this
invention is believed to be found in the general class
6 entitled : Road Structure, Process and Apparatus", and more
7 particularly to the subclasses pertaining to "Tamper
8 Apparatus".
9 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PR-~ ART
Plate compactors or Tampers are known in the art.
11 Reversible plate compactors are the subject of several known
12 U.S. patents. These known patents are U.S. Patent Numbers:
13 3,001,458 issued to Croucher on 09/26/61; 3,603,224 issued
14 to Dresher on 09/07/71; 3,832,080 issued to Stoecker on
08/27/74; 3,972,637 issued to Sutherland on 08/03/76; and
16 5,149,225 issued to Artzberger on 09/22/92.
17 3,001,458 and 3,832,080 employ the principles of
18 adjusting the phase angle relationship of a pair of
19 counter-rotating eccentrics. This type of apparatus employs
complex adjusting means which has a relatively short service
21 life as a result of the stress and the environment in which
22 operates.
23 3,972,637 mounts the tamper plate on a vertical axis.
24 This mounting allows the eccentric drive to be rotated about
a vertical axis with respect to the compactor plate. Space
26 considerations at the work site have made this reversing
27 feature unusable. In many cases, the compactor must be
28 reversed while the operator is close to a corner.
29 3,603,224 discloses a plate compactor h~ving a pair of
21~9089 Docket 93072
1 eccentrics. The direction of movement is determined by the
2 direction of rotati~n of the eccentrics. ~his arrangement
3 requires a reversible transmission which has been found to
4 be very expensive while low~ring the service life of the
compactor.
6 5,149,225 discloses a pair of eccentrically weighted
7 shafts fixed to a compactor plate. Each of the eccentrically
8 weighted shafts is independently rotated by a transmission
g mechanism. This arrangement requires that the eccentrically
weighted shafts be rotated in opposite directions for
11 providing the desired directional movement.
12 All of the known reversible plate compactors include
13 somewhat sophisticated drives. These drives add complexity
14 to the apparatus as well as cost. The complexity of some of
the arrangements require that in some cases elaborate repair
16 parts be maintained at the work site. It has been found that
17 an apparatus which provides reversing capàbility at a
18 reasonable cost is needed. This de~ire~ plate compactor
19 should include a simplicity of construction, operation, and
maintenance.
21 The present invention solves the indentified
22 limitations of the prior art. The present invention also
23 includes a plate compactor whose reversing capabilities are
24 irrespective of drive rotation.
SUi`l~lARY OF l`HE INVENTION
26 The present invention may be summarized with respect to
27 its objects. It is an object of this invention to provide
28 and it does provide a reversible plate compactor which is
29 simple in construction; easy to maintain and inexpensive to
- 2149089 - Docket 93072
1 repair.
2 It is another object of this invention to provide and
3 it does provide a plate compactor whose reversing
4 capabilities are irrespective of the direction of rotation
of the eccentric shafts. This allows the use of commercial
6 drive without using a change of direction transmission.
7 All aspects of the present invention disclose a
8 self-propelled plate compactor comprising: a tamper plate
9 having a tamper side for contacting material to be
compacted; an engine carried on a mounting plate, the
11 mounting plate being selectively shaped; the mounting plate
12 being resiliently attached to the tamper plate for isolating
13 the mounting plate and the engine from the tamper plate
1~ vibrations, the engine having a drive means attached to an
output shaft; a weight ~being eccentricallv carried on a
16 vibrator shaft for imparting vibratory motion when rotating
17 by way of a driven means selectively driven by said drive
18 means, the shaft having selected portions being journalled
19 in at least one vibratory housing, this vibratory housing
2-0 being attached only to one end of an arm, the opposite end
21 of the arm having a flex mountir,g means for attaching to an
22 interior side of the tamper plate, the interior side being
23 opposite to the tamper side, an axis of the flex mounting
24 means being transverse to a direction of self-propelled
travel; and wherein the vibrator housing and said arm are
26 selectively tilted about the axis at a predel:ermined angular
27 position with respect to a l)lane which is parallel to the
28 tamper side, for directing substantially all of the forces
29 necessary for self-propelle~ travel into said tamper plate
2149089 ~oclcet 93072
1 only by way of said flex moulting means irrespective of the
2 direction of rotation of said vibratory shaft.
3 In one embodiment the flex mounting means includes a
4 pivoting means which allows a single vibratory housing to be
selectively swung from one end of the tamper plate to the
6 other for providing reversible self-propelled travel.
7 Isolation pads absorb tangential forces before reaching the
8 end of the tamper plate. This first embodiment employs a
g intermediate transfer shaft whose axis is coincident with
10 the pivoting axis to provide a continuity of drive from the
11 drive means to the driven means.
12 Another embodiment discloses two vibratory housings
13 which are independently driven. This second embodiment
14 includes a common pivotal mounting for the vibratory
housings as well as an intermediate transfer drive means,
16 and a V-belt tensioning means in the form of a pair of
17 wheels mounted on a rocker-type lever.
18 Still another embodiment discloses a i-`irst alternate
19 for a flex mounting means.
Yet another embodiment of the plate compactor further
21 includes a second vibratory housing which is rigidly mounted
22 on the one end of the tamper plate in addition to the flex
23 mounting of its first vibratory housing.
24 In the context of this invention a flex mounting means
is one which allows small predetermined amounts of
26 oscillating movement of a vibratory housing in a direction
27 at right angles to the plane of an arm attached to th
28 vibrator housing. This flex mounting positions the vibratory
29 housing in spaced relations,lip to the tamper plate. This
~ 2149089 - Docket 93072
1 spaced relationship allows substantially all of the
2 self-propelling forces to be directed to the tamper plate
3 only through the flex mounting means.
4 In addition to the above summary, the following
disclosure is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in the
6 understanding of this invention. This disclosure, however,
7 is not intended to cover each new inventive concept no
8 matter how it may be disguised either by variations in form
g or additions by further improvements. For this reason, there
has been chosen specific embodiments of a reversible plate
11 compactor apparatus. The specific embodiments have been
12 chosen for the purpose of illustration and description as
13 shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:
14 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 represents a side elevational view of an
16 apparatus of the present invention, This view being partly
17 diagrammatic for ease of illustration.
18 FIG. 2 represents an elevational view of one end of the
19 apparatus, this view being partly in section to show a
pivoting means arrangement.
21 FIG. 3 represents a fragmentary side eLevational view
22 of a vibrator housing and its pivotal mounting, this view
23 being partly schematic for ease of illustration.
24 FIG. 4 represents an alternate arrangement for the
pivot connection of the vibrator to a compactor plate.
26 FIG. 5 represents a side elevationa~ view, partly
27 schematic, of a second embodiment of the present invention,
28 this second embodiment utili~e~ a pa~. Ol vibrator housings
29 pivotally mounted to the compllctor plate.
--6--
Docket 93072
- 2149089
1 FIG. 6 represents a plan view, partly schematic, of the
2 second embodiment of the present invention, this view being
3 taken along line 6-6 of Fig. ~.
4 FIG. 7 represents a side elevational view of a third
5 embodiment of the present invention, this view being shown
6 partly diagrammatically for ease of illus~.ra~ion.
7 In the following description and in the claims, various
8 details are identified by specific names for convenience.
g These names are intended to be generic in their application
while differentiating between the various details.
11 Corresponding reference characters refer to like members
12 throughout the several figures of the drawings.
13 The drawing accompanying, and forming a part of this
14 specification disclose details of construction for the sole
purpose of explanation. It is understood that structural
lB details may be modified without departing from the concept
17 and principles of the invention. This invention may be
18 incorporated in other structural forms than shown.
19 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVEN"`ION
Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a first embodiment of a
21 plate compactor is generally identified as 10, This plate
22 compactor 10, includes a motor 12 whic~ is removably
23 fastened to a mounting plate 14. Preferably, this motor is
24 an internal combustion engine. However the use of
alternative motors which are electrically, pneumatically, o
26 hydraulically powered are anticipated. The mounting plate 14
27 is selectively shaped and resiliently attached to a tamper
28 plate 16 by a plurality of isolation mounts 22. A guiding
29 handle 24 is connected to the mounting plate 14 for
- 2149~9 Docket 93072
1 providing a means for manually guiding the plate compactor
2 10. Preferably, the guiding handle 24 is rigidly attached to
3 the mounting plate. Alternatively, a pivoted mounting
4 arrangement may be provided to accommodate folding of the
handle for storage or transport.
6 It is preferred that the motor 12 be centrally mounted
7 with respect to the tamper plate 16 in order to distribute
8 its weight equally on the surface being compacted.
g The tamper plate 16 includes a tamper ~ide 26 and an
opposite side 28. The end portions 29 of the tamper plate 16
11 may be formed to provide an inclined surface 30.
12 Referring in particular to Fig. 2, a vibrator assembly
13 32 includes a weight 34 which i3 ecce..trlcally carried on a
14 vibrator shaft 36. Selected portions of the vibrator shaft
36 are journaled in a vibratory housing 38. A~ least one end
16 of the vibratory shaft 36 extends a selected distance beyond
17 the housing journals for attachment of a driven means 40,
18 such as a V-belt pulley or the like.
19 Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the vibratory
housing 38 is attached to one end of an arm 4:'. The opposite
21 or distal end of the arm 42 is attached to the opposite side
22 28 of the tamper plate 16 by a flex mounting means.
23 Preferably this flex mounting means shown in ~his embodiment
24 includes an elongated tube 44, as seen more c~learly in Fig.
2. This elongated tube 44 is pivotally attached to the
26 tamper plate 16 by bearing blocks 46. These bearing blocks
27 46 preferably are sealed pillow block bearings which are
28 commercially available and easily serviced. The ends of the
29 elongated tube 44 may incllde shouldered portions for
~ 2149089 Docket 93072
1 locating the position of the tube 44 with respect to the
2 bearing blocks 46. It is preferred that the flexing axis of
3 the flex mounting means and the elongated tube 44 be
4 centrally located with respect to the tamper plate 16. This
5 flexing axis should also be transverse to the direction of
6 self-propelled movement of the plate compactor.
7 Still referring to Fig. 2, an axis of an intermediate
8 drive transfer means 48 is coincident with the flexing axis
g of the flex mounting means. The preferred arrangement for
10 the intermediate drive transfer means 48 includes and
11 elongated shaft 50 which passes interior of the elongated
12 tube 44. Preferably, sufficient clearance is provided
13 between the elongated shaft 50 and the inside diameter of
14 the elongated tube 44 to allow free rotation. Alternatively,
15 additional bearings may be provided in the ends of the tube
16 44 for additional support for the shaft 50. The elongated
17 shaft 50 is rotatably mounted by at least two second pillow
18 blocks 52. A first transfer pulley 54 and a 3econd transfer
19 pulley 56 are secured to the elongated shaft 50. This
2-0 preferred arrangement, as shown in Fig. 2, evenly
21 distributes the weight on the tamper plate 16.
22 Alternatively~ if weight distribution is not a
23 consideration, the first transfer pulley 54 and second
24 transfer pulley 56 may be se~ured to the shaft on the same
side of the compactor. In ~nother example, the elongated
26 tube 44 may be replaced with a solid shaft which has
27 shouldered end portions. The first trans~er pulley and
28 second transfer pulley may be made as a unit which is
29 rotatably carried on the solid shaft.
_ -- 21490~9 `- Docket 93072
1 The intermediate drive transfer means 48 provides a
2 rotary V-belt drive to the driven means 40 from a drive
3 means 58. The drive means 58 is mounted to an output shaft
4 of the motor 12. This drive means 58 preferably includes a
clutch 60 and pulley 62 arrangement for selectively engaging
6 the drive means 58 to the motor 12.
7 Referring again to Fig. 1, a handle 64 preferably is
8 attached to the vibrator housing 38. This handle 64 allows
9 the user to pivotally swing the vibrator housing 38 between
extreme end positions of the tamper plate 16. It is
11 preferred that direct contact not be made between the
12 vibrator housing 38 and the opposite side of the tamper
13 plate 16. It is recommended that a pad 66 of vibration
14 absorbing material be provided between the vibrator housing
38 and the tamper plate 16. This is to insure that
16 substantially all forces are directed through the arm 42 and
17 into the tamper plate 16 by way of the flex mounting means.
18 This desired transfer of vibratory motion from the vibratory
19 housing 38 to the flex mounting means provides the
2-0 directional movement of the plate compactor irrespective of
21 rotation of the eccentric weight 34. The direction and
22 velocity of the compactor, for a given RP~ of the motor
23 rotation, is governed by the arcuate positioning of the
24 vibratory housing 38. For example, when the vibratory
housing is positioned as shown in Fig. 1 the movement of the
26 plate compactor is to the right.
27 Referring to Fig. 3, the vibratory housing 38 has been
28 swung to its other extent. The direction of travel will be
29 to the left irrespective of rotation of the eccentric weight
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2149~9 - Docket 93072
1 34. If the vibrstory housing 38 was to be positioned at
2 right angles to the plane of the tamper side 26, there would
3 be little or no self-propelled movement in either direction.
4 Referrin8 to Fig. 4, there is shown an alternative flex
mounting means for locating the vibrator housing 38 at a
6 selected point along its arcuate path. Selective positioning
7 would provide the user with a means for controlling the
8 velocity of self-propelled movement. The elongated tube 44
g is held at a selected angle A by means of a clamping means
68. It is preferred that this clamping means 68 is split to
11 allow easy arcuate movement of the vibrator housing when
12 desired. At least two clamping screws 70 are used to clamp
3 the tube 44. It is preferred that a bore of the clamp means
4 68 or the outside diameter of the tubing 44 have a layer of
resilient material 72 formed thereon for allowing controlled
16 oscillations of the vibratory housing 3& in a direction at
17 right angles to the arm 42. This arrangement rnay allow for
18 the elimination of bearing blocks 46. An operator of the
g plate compactor 10 may selectively pOSitiOII the vibrator
housing 38 at any desired angle A in order to vary the
21 self-propelled velocity of the machine. Should the operator
22 need compaction only, the vibrator housing may be adjusted
23 to an angle in the vicinity of 90 degrees. It has been found
24 that an angle A in the range between 20 ~nd 30 degrees
provides satisfactory self-propelled mot~ 0!1 as well as
26 compaction. This flex mounting means may be used with a
27 single vibrator as described in conjunction with Figures 1
28 and 2 or with an embodiment described below in conjunction
29 with Figure 5 and 6.
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- - 21 4 9 ~ 9 Docket 93072
1 Rèferring now to Figures 5 and 6, an alternate
2 embodiment of the present invention is generally identified
3 as 80. Plate compactor 80 includes two vibrator housings 38.
4 Each vibrator housing 38 is connected to the elongated tube
5 44 by its associated arm 42. Each of the vibratory housings
6 38 is mounted near each end 29 of the tamper plate 16. Each
7 vibrator assembly 32 is driven by a driven means 40. This
8 driven means 40 is preferably a V-belt pulley. Each of the
g driven means 40 is selectively driven by its associated
10 V-belt 82. A second dual transfer pulley 84 includes two
11 V-belt grooves. Each V-belt 82 is sized to allow slippage
12 between the dual transfer pulley 84 and the V-belt 82 unless
13 tensioned. Tension of each V-belt 82 is independently
14 provided by a pair of tensioning wheels 86. Each of the
tensioning wheels 86 is mounted on a rocker-type lever 88
16 which is pivotally attached to the tamper plate 16. The
17 rocker-type lever 88 is pivotally mounted to provide tension
18 to only one of the V-belts 82 at a time. The rocker-type
I9 lever 88 may include a spring loaded toggle arrangement for
maintaining the tension on the selected V-belt. The user
21 would move the handle about its pivot in the direction of
22 the arrow to control the self-propelled movement of the
23 plate compactor 80. It is preferred that a vibration
24 isolation pad 66 be provided between each of the vibrator
housings 38 and the end portions 29. It is anticipated that
26 the isolation pads 66 may be mounted to elther the vibrator
27 housing 38 or the end portions 29. Alternatively, the flex
28 mounting means may take the form of the type described in
29 conjunction with figure 4.
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-~ - 21 4 9 ~ 9 Docket 93072
1 As in the case of plate compactor 10, the direction of
2 self-propelled travel is independent of the direction of
3 rotation of the eccen~ric weight 34 in the vibrator housing
4 38. The direction of self-propelled movement of the plate
5 compactor 80 is dependent on which end portion 29 the
6 eccentric weight 34 is rotated.
7 Referring now to Fig. 7~ a third embodiment of a plate
8 compactor is generally identified as 90. This plate
9 compactor 90 utilizes a vlbrator 92 which is attached
directly to one end of the tamper plate 1~. This type of
11 mounting relies on the direction of rotation of its
12 eccentric to produce a self-propelled direccion of travel.
13 In addition to the vibrator 92, a vibrator assembly 32 is
14 provided for producing self-propelled travel opposite to the
travel produced by vibrator 92. The vibrator housing 38 is
16 attached to an arm 94. The arm is bent or fo~med to position
17 the vibratory housing 38 at a desired angle with respect to
18 the plane of the tamper side 26. It is important that the
19 vibratory housing 38 be held in spaced re;ation with the
inclined portion 30 of the tamper plate 16. The end of the
21 arm 94 opposite the vibrator housing 38 is configured with a
22 flex mounting means. This flex mounting means includes a
23 bent portion of the arm which is sandwiched between two
24 layers of an isolation material 96 such as rubber and a
retaining plate 98. The flex mounting means is attached to
26 the opposite side 28 of the tamper plate 16 by threaded
27 fasteners 100.
28 A pair of V-belts 82 are rotatably driven by a drive
29 means 58. This drive means would require a V-belt pulley
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21~90~ Docket 93072
1 having dual grooves. The V-belts 82 are sufficiently long so
2 that neither pulley 40 is driven unless tension is applied
3 to one or the other V-belt 82. In this example, driving
4 tension is applied by one of the tensioning wheels 86
mounted to a rocker-type lever 88. The operation of the
6 tensioning means has been previously described. It is
7 anticipated that vibrator 92 may be replaced with a second
8 vibrator housing 38 and arm 94 assembly which is attached to
g the tamper plate by this type of flex mounting means.
This third embodiment 90 has particular advantages. One
11 advantage of this third embodiment, is that this
12 configuration may be provide as a new piece of apparatus or
13 as a retrofit to an existing uni-directional plate
14 compactor. A second advantage is the simplicity of the
design which would make .an economical new apparatus or
18 retrofit. A third advantage allows a new vibratory housing
17 38 to be added to an existing piece of apparatus
18 irrespective of the direction of rotation of the motor 12.
19 Terms such as "left", "right", "up", down", "bottom", "top",
"front", "back", "in", "out", and the like are applicable to the
21 embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These
22 terms are merely for the purpose of description and do not necessarily
23 apply to the position in which the reversible plate compactor of the
24 present invention may be utilized.
While a particular embodiment of a reversible plate compactor
26 has been shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention
27 is not limited thereto and protection is sought to the broadest extent
28 the prior art allows.
29 What is clA;~d is:
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