US20120299364A1 - Scarifier - Google Patents

Abstract

A scarifier is provided with a floating axle16 which allows the head22 of the unit to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle16 will allow the two large outboard wheels46 to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels50. The floating axle16 can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/299,526, filed Jan. 29, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
• Hand-operated/walk-behind scarifiers are well known for removal of markings and the like from pavement and similar surfaces. Horizontal rotating cutters with up to 13 HP of grinding/cutting torque produce an extremely fatiguing operator experience. Large amounts of vibration transferred from the machine to the operator. The small wheels limit mobility of these machines.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
• The instant invention is used for heavy-duty removal of coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing. It cleans and prepares surfaces such as concrete and asphalt prior to coating and re-coating. The primary purpose of this design is to remove the fatigue that is typically associated with this type of equipment.
• The instant invention allows the ability to be coupled to a propulsion unit such as that sold by Graco Inc. under the LineDriver trademark. This allows self propelled operation in forward and reverse and variable speeds. A depth limiter allows the grinding head to cut only as deep as required. Depth is adjusted via a hand wheel and acme nut and screw.
• An articulating cart allows full operation without letting go of handlebars making for easy handling. It also allows feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth especially over uneven pavement. The point of articulation and length of lever arm produce little or no resistance when applying cutters to pavement surface. It is important to note this point of articulation can be positioned further inward or outward producing a more or less mechanical advantage from the handlebar position.
• The instant invention is provided with a floating head which allows the cutter heads to be engaged into cutting surface while the operator has both hands on the handle bars for safety. This also allows the operator to float the cutter over the surface to contour and blend. The mechanism consists of a latching arm with a locking C cutout which engages with a rod of similar diameter, gravity keeps the arm locked and is released by operator pressure on the handle bars and pulling a release lever with his or her fingertips. This depth control sets the maximum depth but does not limit cutters from rising over obstacles—important on uneven surfaces where cutting to deep or burning up cutters is a big problem.
• The handle bars and control panel (E-stop, tether kill and throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height requirement. The engine is coupled to the cutter via a centrifugal clutch allowing for easier starting due to reduce inertial loads. A suction port is provided to hook up a vacuum system.
• The cutting/milling head rotates into the work increasing removing ability. The handlebars can easily move to the front for handwork without LineDriver unit.
• A swivel front wheel provides similar advantages to those seen with the Graco LineLazer: easy transport and maneuverability and locks for straight tracking.
• For additional weight and vibration dampening the wheels can be filled with urethane which also alleviates the need for air inflation. Both rear wheels are filled with approximately 7 lbs. and the front wheel with approximately 1.5 lbs. For example operation of competitive equipment almost immediately creates the tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm vibration.
• A floating axle allows the head of the instant invention to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle will allow the two large outboard wheels to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels. The floating axle can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.
• Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of the LineDriver propulsion unit overcomes this issue. The unit is equipped with a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety switch will not allow the unit to start without the LineDriver unit being connected.
• The instant invention is a safe user friendly solution for heavy-duty removal of coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing by providing: (1) significant reduction hand/arm vibration; (2) significant reduction operator handling fatigue; and (3) significant increase controlling cutters via handlebars.
• These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows the scarifier of the instant invention coupled to a propulsion unit.
• FIG. 2 shows the operator controls of the instant invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the instant invention.
• FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the handlebar control.
• FIG. 5 shows detail of the coupler between the propulsion unit and the scarifier.
• FIG. 6 shows another position of theFIG. 5 view.
• FIG. 7 shows more detail of the controls.
• FIG. 8 shows a different view of the controls.
• FIG. 9 shows the clutch assembly.
• FIG. 10 is a rear view of the carriage assembly.
• FIG. 11 shows the front wheel assembly.
• FIG. 12 is another rear view of the carriage assembly.
• FIG. 13 shows the hitch assembly.
• FIG. 14 shows the hitch assembly with a propulsion unit attached.
• FIG. 15 shows a right hand view of the unit in operational position.
• FIG. 16 shows a left hand view of the unit in operational position.
• FIG. 17 shows a front view of the unit.
• FIG. 18 shows a top view of the unit.
• FIG. 19 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies downward pressure on the handlebars.
• FIG. 20 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies upward pressure on the handlebars.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• The scarifier of the instant invention is generally designated10. An articulatingcart12 allows full operation without letting go ofhandlebars14 making for easy handling. It also allows feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth especially over uneven pavement. The point or axis ofarticulation16 and length of lever arm produce little or no resistance when applyingcutters18 to thepavement surface20. It is important to note this point ofarticulation16 can be positioned further inward or outward producing a more or less mechanical advantage from thehandlebar14 position.
• The instant invention is provided with a floatinghead22 which allows the cutter heads18 (of known design) to be engaged into cuttingsurface20 while the operator has both hands on the handle bars14 for safety. This also allows the operator to float thecutter22 over thesurface20 to contour and blend. The mechanism consists of a latchingarm24 with alocking C cutout26 which engages with arod28 of similar diameter, gravity keeps thearm24 locked and is released by operator pressure on the handle bars14 and pulling arelease lever30 with his or her fingertips. Thisdepth control32 sets the maximum depth but does not limitcutters18 from rising over obstacles—important on uneven surfaces where cutting too deep or burning upcutters18 is a big problem.
• The handle bars14 and control panel34 (E-stop, tether kill and throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height requirement. Theengine36 is coupled to thecutter22 via a centrifugal clutch38 andbelt39 allowing for easier starting due to reduced inertial loads. Asuction port40 is provided to hook up a vacuum system.
• The cutting/millinghead22 rotates into the work increasing removing ability. Thehandlebars14 can easily move to the front for handwork withoutpropulsion unit42.
• Aswivel front wheel44 provides similar advantages to those seen with the Graco's line stripers: easy transport and maneuverability and locks for straight tracking.
• For additional weight and vibration dampening thewheels44 and46 can be filled withurethane48 which also alleviates the need for air inflation. Bothrear wheels46 are filled with approximately 7 lbs. and thefront wheel44 with approximately 1.5 lbs. Operation of prior art equipment almost immediately creates the tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm vibration.
• A floatingaxle16 allows thehead22 of the instant invention to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floatingaxle16 will allow the two large outboard/main wheels46 to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on thesmaller guide wheels50. The floatingaxle16 can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.
• Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of thepropulsion unit42 overcomes this issue. The unit is equipped with a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety switch will not allow the unit to start without the propulsion unit being connected viahitch52.
• It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the scarifier without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. A scarifier for grinding an removal material from a surface, said scarifier comprising:

a cart, said cart comprising:

at least one rear wheel rotatably attached to said frame and having an axis of rotation;

at least one front wheel rotatably attached to said frame and having an axis of rotation; and

a frame having front and rear portions; said portions being hinged to one another along an axis of articulation, said axis of articulation being generally parallel to at least one of said axes of rotation, said at least one rear wheel being attached to said rear portion and said at least one front wheel being attached to said front portion;

a cutter assembly adjustably attached to said cart front portion; and

handlebars attached to said cart rear portion.

2. The scarifier ofclaim 1 wherein said scarifier may be moved between an operating position wherein said cutter assembly engages said surface and a transport position wherein said cutter assembly is spaced from said surface by pivoting along said axis of articulation.

3. The scarifier ofclaim 2 further comprising means for locking said frame into said transport position.

4. The scarifier ofclaim 1 further comprising means to adjust the position of said cutter assembly relative to said surface.

5. The scarifier ofclaim 1 further comprising means to connect to a propulsion unit.

6. The scarifier ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one guide wheel rotatably attached to said cutter assembly.

7. The scarifier ofclaim 1 wherein said wheels are filled with urethane.

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