Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02463161 2004-04-06
?~9
FIELD OF THE INTION
[00012 The present invention relates to a mobile pavement
marking removal apparatus, and more particularly to a mobile
pavement marking removal apparatus that uses an abrasive media to
remove the lines.
BACFCGROUND OB' THE II~NTION
[00023 It is well known to paint assorted lines and traffic
markings, such as directional arrows, and the like, on various
types of paved surfaces. Such paved surfaces may include roads,
parking lots, tarmacs, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
similar material. These lines and traffic markings are usually
applied using special types of paints that permeate somewhat into
the asphalt or concrete so that the traffic markings do not readily
wear off .
[0003 It is known in the prior art to remove such lines and
traffic markings using an environmentally friendly abrasive media
fed into an air streamed delivered from a compressed air source
producing approximately 80 psi. The compressed air source i,~ part
of a truck that is driven along, as necessary, depending on whether
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a long traffic line is being removed or a number of lines and
traffic markings in an intersection or parking lot are being
removed.
X0004] One or more hoses are connected at one end to the outlet
of the compressed air source and have a nozzle at the other end.
An operator holds the nozzle via a nozzle holder and manually
manipulates it so as to aim the nozzle at the line or traffic
marking being removed. Typically, the nozzle is held at about a
fifteen degree angle with respect to vertical and at about an eight
to twelve inch standoff, or in other words, the distance from the
surface. In use, it is necessary to move the nozzle around in a
consistent manner to obtain a desirable spray pattern, in order to
ensure a complete removal of any paint.
10005] The hose and nozzle assembly and nozzle holder are
somewhat heavy and it is quite difficult to perform this above
described task of removing a line fox an entire working day.
[0006] It typically takes two persons to operate one of these
trucks, including one person driving the truck, and one person
operating the hose, and is therefore labour intensive.
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[00071 Further, this operation can be quite dangerous ~s it is
often done on highways with vehicles travelling by a very short
distance away excess 100 km/hr.
in of
[0008] Also, the speed at which lines can be removed from
a
surface is limited to the walking speed of an operator, which
typically would be less than a normal walking speed since the
operator is having to manipulate a heavy piece of equipment.
Further, the operator is often physically strained after a couple
hours of performing this task.
[0009] Another serious drawback to this prior art method of
removing painted lines and traffic markings from a paved surface.
Once the abrasive media has been blasted onto the surface, it is
not captured in any way, and creates a significant cloud of dust.
This cloud of dust can hinder the operator's view of the lines and
traffic markings being removed. Further, the abrasive media
eventually settles onto the surface, and remains there, thus
requiring subsequent cleaning by a sweeper truck or the like, This
is undesirable, and may even be unacceptable in many instances.
(00010] It is an object of the present invention to prQVide an
apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
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parking Iot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
similar material.
~oooi~.l It is another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
sim~,lar material, which apparatus is not heavy for a person to
operate.
[00012] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
similar material, which apparatus is not labour intensive.
[00013 It is another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
similar material, which apparatus provides a safe working
environment .
[OOOi4) It is another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
CA 02463161 2004-04-06
similar material, which apparatus has a faster travelling speed
than prior art paint removal vehicles.
[00015] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus that removes paint from a surface, such as a road,
parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from asphalt, concrete, or
similar material, wherein the used abrasive media is substantially
recovered.
StJ~~RY OF T8E 1~1VENTxOIJ
[00016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel mobile pavement marking removal
apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from a
horizontal surface. The mobile apparatus comprise s a housing
defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom
opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto the
surface. There is means for mounting the housing onto the vehicle
such that the open bottom of the housing is adjacent the surface.
A nozzle holder is mounted on the housing fear holding at least one
nozzle therein. A first nozzle is mounted in the nozzle holder so
as to be a~.med at the bottom opening of the housing to cause a
blast of abrasive media to pass through the bottom opening and
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3'
impact on the surface, and is connected in fluid communication by
a first supply hose to a source of abrasive media delivered by a
stream of compressed air. There is an outlet in the housing for
recovering the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior
of the housing after the abrasive media has impacted the surface.
A return hose is connected in fluid communication to the outlet for
carrying the abrasive media and removed paint recovered by the
outlet to a storage receptacle.
[QOpl7a In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel mobile pavement m~.rking
removal. apparatus mountable onto a vehicle, for removing paint from
a horizontal surface, The mobile apparatus comprises a housing
defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a bottom
opening for permitting an abrasive media to be impacted onto the
surface. There is means for mounting the housing onto the vehicle
such that the open bottom of the housing is adjacent the surface.
A nozzle holder is mounted on the housing for balding at least one
nozzle therein. There is an outlet in the housing for recovering
the abrasive media and removed paint from the interior c~f the
housing after the abrasive media has impacted the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TgE DRA9PINGS
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[00018 The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus
according to the present invention, as to its structure,
organization, use and method of operation, together with further
objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from
the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of
the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the
accompanying drawings:
[00019] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front of the
preferred embodiment of the mobile pavement marking removal
apparatus according to the present invention, mounted on a truck
having a source of abrasive media and an air compressor, and a
receptacle for storing recovered media;
[00020] ~'igure~ 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the
preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of
F~.gure l;
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[00021] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the side of the
preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of
Figure 1, removed from the truck;
[00022] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the gxeferred
embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of Figure 3;
[00023] Figure 5 is a end elevational view of the preferred
embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of Figure 3:
j00024] Figure 6 is a tap plan view of the preferred embodiment
mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of Figure 3;
[00025] Figure 7 is a perspective view from the top rear of the
preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of
F~.gure 3:
[00026] Figure 8A is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of
the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus
of Figure 3, specifically showing the nozzle holder in a first
rotated position;
[00027] Figure 8B is an enlarged tap plan view of a po..~tian of
the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus
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8'
of Figure 3, specifically showing the nozzle holder in a second
rotated position
[0402$] Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view from the right
side of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal
apparatus of Figure 3:
[00029] Figure 10 is an enlarged end el,evational view from the
right side of the preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking
removal apparatus of Figure 3, specifically showing the outlet in
the housing; and,
[00030] Figure 1.1 is ~ sectional side elevational view of the
preferred embodiment mobile pavement marking removal apparatus of
Figure 3, taken along section line lI - 11 of Figure 6, showing the
mobile pavement marking removal apparatus in use,
DETAI?~ED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED ~QDII~tT
[00031] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 11, which
show a preferred embodiment of the mobile soda blasting unit of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 is for removing
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paint 30 from a horizontal surface 32, such as a road, a parking
lot, tarmac, or the like. The mobile pavement marking removal
apparatus 20 is mountable onto a vehicle 22 for traversing zt along
a road, across a parking lot, tarmac, or the like. The vehicle 22
has a source of environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 stored
in pressure vessels 25 and an air compressor 26 towed behind the
vehicle and connected in fluid communication to the pressure
vessels 25. There is also a dust collector, as indicated by
general reference numeral 27, including a storage receptacle 28,
for receiving and retaining the abrasive media that has already
impacted a surface 32. The air and recovered media are suctioned
to the dust collector 27 by means of a &000 c.f.m, fan 29a powered
by a four cylinder diesel engine 29b. The dust collector 27 also
includes twelve cartridge type filters (not shown) equipped with a
pulse air cleaning system to lengthen the life of the filters.
[00032] The mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20
comprises a housing 40 defining a substantially hollow interipr 46.
The housing 40 has a bottom opening 48 for permitting an abrasive
media to be impacted onto the surface 32. Preferably, the housing
40 comprises a structural frame 41 made from H.S.S. tubing (high-
strength steel tubing), a front wall 42f, a back wall 42b, ~ left
side wall 421, and a right side wall 42r mounted on the structural
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Y
frame 41 by means of suitable threaded fasteners or welding; as
appropriate.
[00033) The housing 40 as shown is rectangular in cross-section,
but may be circular in cross section or any other useful shape.
Preferably, the housing is slanted forwardly and downwardly at an
angle of about fifteen degrees, for reasons that will become
apparent subsequently.
[00034] As can be best seen in Figures 7 through 9, there is a
rubber liner 49 mounted within the housing 40 in protective
relation with respect to the walls 42f,42b,421,42r and the
structural frame 41. The rubber liner 49 also assists in sealing
the housing 40 to the surface 32 during use, to limit the amount of
dust from escaping from under the housing 40. In the preferred
embodiment, the rubber liner 49 is about one-half inch thick, and
removable and replaceable to permit easy installation of a new
rubber liner 49 and subsequent removal of the rubber liner 49 when
it is warn out.
[00035] There are four swivelled wheels 50 mounted an the housing
40 for supporting the mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20
on the surface 32, and permitting the mobile pavement marking
removal apparatus 20 to move along the surface 32 without being
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effected by uneven contours and imperfections, as ark often
encountered in roadways. The wheels 50 are mounted ontp the
housing 40 by means of a mounting frame, as indicated by the
general reference numeral 52, that comprises a left horizontal rail
54 and a right horizontal rail 56 interconnected together by the
structural frame 49 of the housing 40. Two of the wheels ~0 are
mounted onto the left horizontal rail 54, one wheel 50 at each end
of the left horizontal rail 54, as mounted by mounting bracket 55.
Similarly, two of the wheels 50 are mounted onto t~,e right
horizontal rail 56, one wheel 50 at each end of the right
horizontal rail 56, as mounted by mounting bracket 57.
[00036 A pliable skirt 58 is mounted in depending relation from
the back wall 42b, the left side wall 421, and the right side wall
42r of the housing 40. The pliable skirt 58 spans the gap between
the bottom edge 43 of the housing 40 and the surface 32. The
pliable skirt 58 is thus mounted for sliding contact with the
surface 32, as the vehicle 22 traverses the surface 32. The
pliable skirt 58 substantially precludes the abrasive media from
escaping from under the housing 40.
[00037] There is means 60 for mounting the housing 4Q onto the
vehicle 22 such that the pliable skirt 58 contacts the surface 32.
As can be best seen in Figure 1, the means 60 comprises a
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horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62 mounted onto the a
hydraulically actuated jib 23 at the front of the vehicle 22., The
horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62 is connected to a
mounting clip 63 slidably retained on a horizontal cross member 64
spanning between and connected to the left horizontal rail 54 and
right horizontal rail 56 by left and right vertical steel tube
portions 65,66. The horizontal disposed steel telescoping tube 62
allows for varying of the distance from the vehicle 22 to the
mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20. The hydraulically
actuated j ib 23 pivots to allow the mobile pavement marking removal
apparatus 20 to be positioned on either side of the vehicle 22,
depending on the location of a line to be removed. The mobile
pavement marking removal apparatus 20 can also be positioned in
front of the vehicle 22, thus making it easier for the driver to
view it during operation.
[00038] A first nozzle 70a is connected in fluid communication by
a first supply hose 72a to the source of environmentally friendly
abrasive media 24 delivered by a stream of compressed air from the
air compressor 26. The first nozzle 70a is aimed at the bottom
opening 48 of the housing 40, as will be discussed in greater
detail subsequently, so as to cause a blast of abrasive media 24 to
impact on the surface 32, thus removing paint 30 from the surface
32.
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x'
[00039 A second nozzle 70b is connected in fluid communication
by a second supply hose 72b to the source of environmentally
friendly abrasive media 24 delivered by a stream of compressed air
from the air compressor 26, The second nozzle 70b is aimed at the
bottom opening 48 of the housing 40, as will be discussed in
greater detail subsequently, so as to cause a blast of abusive
media 24 to impact on the surface 32, thus removing paint 30, from
the surface 32.
[00040 An outlet 90, as best seen in Figure 10, is disposed in
the front wall 42f of the housing 40 adjacent the bottom edge 43,
and therefore adjacent the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40.
The outlet 90 is for recovering the abrasive media and removed
paint from the interior 46 of the housing 40 after the abrasive
media has impacted the surface 32. The outlet 90 is surrounded by
a ten inch diameter round metal lip 91 that proaects outwardly from
the front wall 42f of the housing 40. A ten inch diameter return
vacuum hose 100 is connected at a first end 102 in secure relation
over the round metal lip 91 so as to be in fluid communication with
the outlet 90. Further, the return vacuum hose 100 is connected at
a second end 104 to an inlet 106 on the dust collector 27 on the
vehicle 22. The return vacuum hose 100 is for carrying the
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abrasive media and removed paint recovered by the outlet 90 to the
dust collector 27.
~000~1~ A rubber deflector 92 is fastened by means of a threaded
fastener 93 to a metal bar 94 that is in turn fastened to the
outwardly projecting round metal lip 91. The rubber deflector 92
blocks the gap between the bottom edge of the front wall 4~f and
the surface 32, and deflects the abrasive media 25 that has already
impacted the surface 32, and the removed paint, towards the outlet
90. In this manner, the rubber deflector 92 subst~ntiaily
precludes the abrasive media from escaping from under the housing
40.
t00042j As can be best seen in Figures 6 through 9, there is a
nozzle holder; as indicated by the general reference numeral 80,
mounted on the tap of the housing 40 by means of an oscillating
mounting means, as indicated by the general reference numeral 110.
The oscillating mounting means 110 comprises an elongate arm member
112 that is about two feet long and has a generally centrally
disposed square frame portion 120 having two opposed triangularly
shaped retaining flanges 122. The elongate arm member 112 is
connected at a forward end 214 to a slider mechanism 120 on the
housing 40. The at the back end 116 of the elongate arm member 212
is pivotally connected to a crank arm 118 mounted on a motor means,
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eP~
as indicate by the general reference numeral 230, in offset
relation to the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135 of the motor
means 132. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the motor
means 132 comprises an electrically powered motor 134 mounted on
the exterior of the housing 40, and electrically connected to the
electrical system of the vehicle 22 by means of suitable electrical
wires 136. The speed of the electrically powered motor 134 is
controlled by'a potentiometer (not specifically shown) in the cab
of the vehicle 22, such that the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135
has a maximum rotational speed of about 800 r.p.m. As the drive
shaft 132 of a gear box 135 is rotated, the crank arm 118 moves the
back end 115 of the elongate arm member 112 back and forth
laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle
22, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently_
[00043 The nozzle holder 80 is for holding at least one nozzle
therein, and in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, holding
two nozzles therein, namely first nozzle ?Oa and second nozzle 7Ob.
The nozzle holder 80 comprises a first clamp 81 and a second clamp
82. The first clamp 81 comprises a "U"-bolt 83 and a movable
clamping portion 85 mounted on the "U"-bolt 83 and retained in
place by threaded fasteners 87. Similarly, the second clamp 82
comprises a "U"-bolt 84 and a movable clamping portion 86 mpunted
on the "U"-bolt 84 and retained in place by threaded fasteners 88.
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b'
The "U"-bolt 83 of the first clamp 81 and the "U"-bolt 84 of the
second clamp 82 axe secured by welding to a circular disc 89 having
a first aperture 89a and a second aperture 89b, such that the first
clamp 81 is aligned with the first aperture 89a and the second
clamp 82 is aligned with the second aperture 89b. The first
aperture 89a is fox receiving the first nozzle 70a therein and the
second aperture 89b is for receiving the second nozzle 70b therein.
In this manner, the first nozzle 70a and the second nozzle 70b are
each independently mounted in the nozzle holder 80 so a~ to be
aimed at the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40 to cause a blast
of abrasive media to pass through the first aperture 89a or the
second aperture 89b, through the interior 46 of the housing 40, and
then thxough the bottom opening 48 of the housing 40, to impact on
the surface 32 to remove lines 33 therefrom. Further, the first
nozzle 70a and the second nuzzle 70b are each mounted in height
adjustable relation in the first clamp 81 and the second clamp 82,
respectively, by merely selecting the desired clamping location
along the length of the first nozzle 70a and the second nazzl~ 70b.
[00044 The circular disc 89 is rotatably mounted within the
frame portion 120 of the elongate arm member 112, specifically, as
retained by the two opposed triangularly shaped retaining flanges
122. The circular disc 89 is selectively ratatable between a
plurality of angular positions, two of which angular positions are
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CA 02463161 2004-04-06
.a
shown in Figures 8A and 8B. Zn Figure 8A, the first aperture 89a
and the second aperture 89a are each close to being centered ~n the
elongate arm member 112. Accordingly, the first nozzle 70a and
second nozzle 70b would track a substantially overlapping and
narrow path, as the vehicle 22 travels forwardly. In Figure 8B,
the first aperture 89a and the second aperture 89a are on opposite
sides of the elongate arm member 312. ,Accordingly, the first
nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b would track a much wider path, as
the vehicle 22 travels forwardly. Further, in order to cover an
even wider path, the electrically powered motor 134 is powered so
as to rotate the drive shaft 132 of a gear box 135, thus rotating
the crank arm 118. The cranl~ arm 118 moves the back end 216 of the
elongate arm member 112 back and forth laterally with respect to
the direction of travel of the vehicle 22, thereby permitting the
effective path of the first nozzle 70a and second nozzle 70b to be
narrowed or widened. In the narrow configuration, the spay pattern
is suitable for removing a ten centimeter line, while in the wide
configuration, the spay pattern is suitable for removing a twenty
centimeter line.
[000453 Reference will now be made to Figure 11, which slows the
mobile pavement marking removal apparatus 20 in use. The mobile
pavement marking removal apparatus 20 is being moved forwardly by
the vehicle 22 (not specifically shown) in the direction of arrow
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,r
"A". A stream of environmentally friendly abrasive medza 24 and
compressed air from the air compressor 2~a are delivered by the
first supply hose 72a and the second supply hose 72b, as indicated
by arrows "B", into the interior 46 of the housing 40, as indicated
by arrows "C". The environmentally friendly abrasive media 24
deflects off the surface 32, as indicated by arrows "D". SQme of
the environmentally friendly abrasive media 24 and the removed
paint also deflect off the rubber deflector 92, as indicated by
arrow "E". The deflected abrasive media 24 and the removed paint
then pass through the outlet 90 and the outwardly projecting round
metal lip 91, as indicated by arrow "F". The deflected abrasive
media 24 and the removed paint enter the return vacuum hose 100, as
indicated by arrow "G", and are suctioned to the dust collector 27.
(00046] As can be understood from the above description and from
the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a mobile
pavement marking removal apparatus that removes paint from a
surface, such as a road, parking lot, tarmac, and so on, made from
asphalt, concrete, or similar material, which apparatus is not
heavy for a person to operate, is not labour intensive, is safe to
operate, has a faster travelling speed than prior art paint removal
vehicles, and wherein the used abrasive media is substantially
recovered all of which features are unknown in the prior art.
Indeed, the mobile pavement marking remo~ral apparatus of the
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CA 02463161 2004-04-06
present invention, only a driver is required; although sometimes an
operator might accompany the driver to assist with various
functions, depending on the complexity of the actual job at hand.
With the present invention, one vehicle with one driver can replace
two prior art vehicles each with a driver and an operator, due to
the advantages discussed above.
[0004~y Other variations of the above principles will be apparent
to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and
such variations are considered to be within the scope of the
present invention. Further, other modifications and alter~.tions
may be used in the design and manufacture of the mobile pavement
marking removal apparatus of the present invention without
departing from the spirit arid scope of the accompanying claims.
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