초록 ▼

A paving machine has a gravity feed hopper which is capable of delivering by gravity to the paving apparatus substantially all of the paving materials stored in the hopper without employing any internal conveyors. The discharge opening of the hopper is selectively closed by a feeder gate, the degree

A paving machine has a gravity feed hopper which is capable of delivering by gravity to the paving apparatus substantially all of the paving materials stored in the hopper without employing any internal conveyors. The discharge opening of the hopper is selectively closed by a feeder gate, the degree of opening of which is preferably coordinated with other operating parameters of the machine such as vehicle speed, distributing auger height and/or speed, and screed operation. Use of the gravity feed hopper significantly reduces construction and maintenance costs, provides a more uniform feed of materials from the hopper, and permits the use of a smaller engine. The paving machine as thus constructed is also relatively easy to operate and thus can be controlled by a single operator seated in the vicinity of the screed.

대표청구항 ▼

A paving apparatus, comprising: a gravity feed hopper for holding paving materials, said gravity feed hopper having a capacity and including a discharge opening for discharging paving materials, said discharge opening having a first transverse length; a storage portion for storing paving materials,

A paving apparatus, comprising: a gravity feed hopper for holding paving materials, said gravity feed hopper having a capacity and including a discharge opening for discharging paving materials, said discharge opening having a first transverse length; a storage portion for storing paving materials, said storage portion including i) an upper section for increasing the capacity of said hopper, said upper section having a relatively constant width and terminating at an open top; and ii) a lower generally frusto-conical section having an upper end of enlarged cross section and a lower end of reduced cross section, said upper end of enlarged cross section being connected to said upper section; and a discharge portion for directing paving materials from said storage portion to said discharge opening, said discharge portion having a second transverse length, a discharge portion upper end connected to said lower end of reduced cross section and a bottom end in which said discharge opening is formed; a feeder gate for selectively closing said discharge opening, said feeder gate being mounted on said discharge portion of said gravity feed hopper; and a vertically adjustable distributing auger mechanism for distributing paving materials, said vertically adjustable distributing auger mechanism being supported by said lower generally frusto-conical of said gravity feed hopper, said vertically adjustable distributing auger having a third transverse length, a top and a screw auger extending transversely across the paving apparatus, said screw auger being mounted on a slide which is raiseable and lowerable with respect to said gravity feed hopper, wherein i) said discharge opening is located between said storage portion and said vertically adjustable distributing auger mechanism and ii) said discharge portion is inclined downwardly and rearwardly towards said vertically adjustable distribution auger mechanism so as to direct paving materials towards said vertically adjustable auger mechanism without the aid of any external conveyors.