Blacktop cutter attachment
United States Patent 3885833
A blacktop cutter attachment having an elongated body with a rear slot for supporting the attachment in either of two reverse positions on a lower edge of a bucket of a payloader earth moving vehicle to be guided along a blacktop surface and a pair of oppositely extending cutter fins on the cutter body having generally concave V-shaped cutting edges adapted to be selectively used for cutting the blacktop surface.
US Patent References:
Dipper construction and the like
Van Buskirk - May 1934 - 1959847
Mining machine chain bit and holder therefor
Fulke - August 1943 - 2328134
EXPANSION JOINT CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD
Riley - February 1974 - 3791696
Dipper construction and the like
Van Buskirk - May 1934 - 1959847
Mining machine chain bit and holder therefor
Fulke - August 1943 - 2328134
EXPANSION JOINT CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD
Riley - February 1974 - 3791696
Application Number:
05/411657
Publication Date:
05/27/1975
Filing Date:
11/01/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
175/383, 37/403, 172/778
International Classes:
E01C23/09; E02F3/40; E01C23/00; E01C23/09
Field of Search:
172/777,778 299/36,67 37/117.5,141T,142R,142A 404/89,90,93,74 175/383
Primary Examiner:
Purser, Ernest R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton
Claims:
I claim
1. A blacktop cutter attachment adapted to be mounted on the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle comprising a combination surface guide and support for guiding the cutter attachment along a blacktop surface and having a rear transversely extending slot for receiving the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle for supporting the attachment thereon, and a depending cutter plate fin fixed to the combination surface guide and support having a forward cutting edge for cutting the blacktop surface as the cutter attachment is driven therealong by the earth moving vehicle, the combination surface guide and support having surface guide portions on both lateral sides of the depending cutter plate fin engageable with the blacktop surface for assisting in guiding the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface with the cutter plate fin depending into the blacktop for cutting the blacktop as the attachment is driven along the surface by the earth moving vehicle.
2. A blacktop cutter according to claim 1 wherein the cutter comprises a pair of said cutter fins fixed to the combination surface guide and support and extending in opposite directions therefrom such that the cutter guide attachment can be mounted on said lower edge in either of two reverse positions for selectively positioning each cutter fin for cutting the blacktop surface.
3. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 2 wherein the forward cutting edge of each cutter fin comprises a generally concave V-shaped forward cutting edge.
4. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the forward cutting edge of the depending cutter fin comprises a generally concave generally V-shaped forward cutting edge.
5. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the forward cutting edge of the depending cutter fin is concave.
6. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the cutter fin has a cutting edge at each end thereof and wherein the attachment comprises mounting means for selectively mounting the cutter fin in either of two reverse positions on the combination surface guide and support to selectively employ each cutting edge thereof.
7. A blacktop cutter attachment adapted to be mounted on the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle comprising a combination surface guide and support for guiding the cutter attachment along a blacktop surface and having a rear transversely extending slot for receiving the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle for supporting the attachment thereon, and a depending cutter fix fixed to the combination surface guide and support having a forward cutting edge for cutting the blacktop surface as the cutter attachment is driven therealong by the earth moving vehicle, the combination surface guide and support having a forward tapered nose forward of the cutter fin for assisting in guiding the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface.
1. A blacktop cutter attachment adapted to be mounted on the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle comprising a combination surface guide and support for guiding the cutter attachment along a blacktop surface and having a rear transversely extending slot for receiving the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle for supporting the attachment thereon, and a depending cutter plate fin fixed to the combination surface guide and support having a forward cutting edge for cutting the blacktop surface as the cutter attachment is driven therealong by the earth moving vehicle, the combination surface guide and support having surface guide portions on both lateral sides of the depending cutter plate fin engageable with the blacktop surface for assisting in guiding the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface with the cutter plate fin depending into the blacktop for cutting the blacktop as the attachment is driven along the surface by the earth moving vehicle.
2. A blacktop cutter according to claim 1 wherein the cutter comprises a pair of said cutter fins fixed to the combination surface guide and support and extending in opposite directions therefrom such that the cutter guide attachment can be mounted on said lower edge in either of two reverse positions for selectively positioning each cutter fin for cutting the blacktop surface.
3. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 2 wherein the forward cutting edge of each cutter fin comprises a generally concave V-shaped forward cutting edge.
4. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the forward cutting edge of the depending cutter fin comprises a generally concave generally V-shaped forward cutting edge.
5. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the forward cutting edge of the depending cutter fin is concave.
6. A blacktop cutter attachment according to claim 1 wherein the cutter fin has a cutting edge at each end thereof and wherein the attachment comprises mounting means for selectively mounting the cutter fin in either of two reverse positions on the combination surface guide and support to selectively employ each cutting edge thereof.
7. A blacktop cutter attachment adapted to be mounted on the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle comprising a combination surface guide and support for guiding the cutter attachment along a blacktop surface and having a rear transversely extending slot for receiving the lower edge of a blade or bucket of a conventional earth moving vehicle for supporting the attachment thereon, and a depending cutter fix fixed to the combination surface guide and support having a forward cutting edge for cutting the blacktop surface as the cutter attachment is driven therealong by the earth moving vehicle, the combination surface guide and support having a forward tapered nose forward of the cutter fin for assisting in guiding the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface.
Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment for cutting the blacktop surface of a roadway or the like, for example, for facilitating cutting a trench in a roadway for repairing or installing underground conduits or cables in the roadway.
It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment for conventional earth moving equipment for cutting a blacktop surface of a roadway or the like. In accordance with the present invention, the blacktop cutter attachment may be selectively used by simply inserting the cutter attachment as needed, for example, on a lower edge of a bucket of a payloader.
It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a design which permits it to be readily installed as needed on a lower edge of a blade or bucket of conventional earth moving equipment.
It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a rugged and economical construction and which may be easily sharpened and maintained as necessary.
It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a plurality of selectively useable cutter blades.
Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing of illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the Drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a blacktop cutter attachment present the presnet invention installed on a lower edge of a bucket of a payloader;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of the blacktop cutter attachment, additionally partly showing in broken lines a modified embodiment of the cutter attachment;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the blacktop cutter attachment; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear end elevation view of the blacktop cutter attachment, also partly showing in broken lines the modified embodiment of the cutter attachment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawing in detail, an embodiment 10 of a blacktop cutter attachment incorporating the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 installed on a lower forward edge 12 of a bucket 14 of an earth moving vehicle 16 of the type generally known as a payloader. In accordance with the present invention, the blacktop cutter attachment 10 may be similarly mounted on the lower forward edge of a blade or bucket of other types of conventional earth moving equipment such that, for example, where a trench is to be dug in a blacktop roadway or the like, some type of conventional earth moving equipment on which the blacktop cutter can be mounted will typically be available and a vehicle will not have to be specially provided or modified for that purpose.
The blacktop cutter attachment 10 comprises an elongated blade support body or guide 20 having a width of, for example, about eight inches and a rear slot 22 extending transversely entirely across the cutter body 20 for receiving the lower forward edge 12 of the blade or bucket of an earth moving vehicle as heretofore described. The rear slot 22 has a depth of, for example, about 5 to 6 inches which is sufficient to adequately support the blacktop cutter attachment 10 on the lower forward edge 12 and such that the cutter body 20 can be mounted on the supporting vehicle to extend generally parallel to the blacktop surface and to be effective to guide the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface. The height and angle of the lower edge 12 of the vehicle would accordingly be suitably adjusted to properly position the blacktop cutter attachment 10 to be so guided along the blacktop surface. Also, a forward end or nose 26 of the cutter body 20 is formed to provide upper and lower inclined working faces 28 to facilitate guiding the black-top cutter 10 along the blacktop surface, keep the cutter body 20 above the blacktop surface and prevent the cutter body 20 from inadvertently digging into the blacktop surface.
A pair of generally rectangular and flat coplanar fins or blades 30,31 are mounted centrally on the cutter body 20 on opposite sides thereof to extend substantially perpendicular from the opposed parallel faces 32 of the cutter body 20.
The cutter fins 30, 31 are made of a suitable steel to provide good life and are suitably secured, for example, welded to the cutter body 20. Alternatively, each cutter fin 30, 31 may be mounted in a conforming slot 34 in the cutter body 20 and locked in place by suitable removable pins or bolts, for example, as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 4, such that each cutter fin 30, 31 could be removed and replaced in the field as necessary and both ends of each cutter fin 30, 31 could be formed with a suitable cutting edge as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2.
Each of the cutter fins 30, 31 is formed with a forward cutting edge 40 (and if the fins 30, 31 are removable as heretofore described, the rear end of each fin 30, 31 may also be formed with a cutting edge 41 as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2). The cutting edge 40 (and cutting edge 41) is generally concave and is preferably formed with a generally V-shape with the internal apex 42 of the cutting edge at a point less than one-half the width of the cutter fin 31 and also at a distance from the cutter body 20 equal to about one-half the thickness of the blacktop surface. Accordingly, the inner and outer inclined cutting edge portions 44, 46 respectively cooperate to assist in controlling the depth of the active cutter fin 30, 31 as it is driven by the supporting vehicle along the blacktop surface. Also, the outer inclined cutting edge 46 forms a point 48 at its lower forward end which, upon commencement of a cutting operation, digs into the blacktop surface to lower the active cutter fin 30, 31 to the desired level.
As the blacktop cutter attachment 10 is formed with a pair of oppositely extending cutter fins 30, 31 the cutter may be selectively mounted on the forward edge 12 of the supporting vehicle with either of the cutter fins 30, 31 depending from the cutter body 20 and to thereby position either fin to be active for cutting the blacktop surface. Thus, when one cutter fin 30, 31 is dulled or damaged, the entire cutter 10 may be easily reversed on the edge 12 of the vehicle to use the other fin. Also, where the cutter fins 30, 31 are removable as described, each fin may be reversed on the cutter body 20 to present a new cutting edge, thereby providing four selectively useable cutting edges 40, 61.
Thus, it can be seen that the blacktop cutter attachment of the present invention may be selectively installed on conventional and normally available earth moving equipment to cut a blacktop roadway or the like as desired to permit, for example, digging a trench for laying, repairing or replacing cables and conduits buried under the roadway. Also, the blacktop cutter attachment of the present invention provides for guiding the cutter along the blacktop surface with its depending cutter fin at the desired depth and such that the cutter fin cleanly severs the blacktop surface without tearing the blacktop along the line of cut. Further, the blacktop cutter attachment provides for selectively using each of a plurality of cutting edges so that when one cutting edge has been dulled or damaged, a new cutting edge may be readily put into use.
As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
The present invention relates generally to a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment for cutting the blacktop surface of a roadway or the like, for example, for facilitating cutting a trench in a roadway for repairing or installing underground conduits or cables in the roadway.
It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment for conventional earth moving equipment for cutting a blacktop surface of a roadway or the like. In accordance with the present invention, the blacktop cutter attachment may be selectively used by simply inserting the cutter attachment as needed, for example, on a lower edge of a bucket of a payloader.
It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a design which permits it to be readily installed as needed on a lower edge of a blade or bucket of conventional earth moving equipment.
It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a rugged and economical construction and which may be easily sharpened and maintained as necessary.
It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved blacktop cutter attachment having a plurality of selectively useable cutter blades.
Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing of illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the Drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a blacktop cutter attachment present the presnet invention installed on a lower edge of a bucket of a payloader;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of the blacktop cutter attachment, additionally partly showing in broken lines a modified embodiment of the cutter attachment;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the blacktop cutter attachment; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear end elevation view of the blacktop cutter attachment, also partly showing in broken lines the modified embodiment of the cutter attachment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawing in detail, an embodiment 10 of a blacktop cutter attachment incorporating the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 installed on a lower forward edge 12 of a bucket 14 of an earth moving vehicle 16 of the type generally known as a payloader. In accordance with the present invention, the blacktop cutter attachment 10 may be similarly mounted on the lower forward edge of a blade or bucket of other types of conventional earth moving equipment such that, for example, where a trench is to be dug in a blacktop roadway or the like, some type of conventional earth moving equipment on which the blacktop cutter can be mounted will typically be available and a vehicle will not have to be specially provided or modified for that purpose.
The blacktop cutter attachment 10 comprises an elongated blade support body or guide 20 having a width of, for example, about eight inches and a rear slot 22 extending transversely entirely across the cutter body 20 for receiving the lower forward edge 12 of the blade or bucket of an earth moving vehicle as heretofore described. The rear slot 22 has a depth of, for example, about 5 to 6 inches which is sufficient to adequately support the blacktop cutter attachment 10 on the lower forward edge 12 and such that the cutter body 20 can be mounted on the supporting vehicle to extend generally parallel to the blacktop surface and to be effective to guide the cutter attachment along the blacktop surface. The height and angle of the lower edge 12 of the vehicle would accordingly be suitably adjusted to properly position the blacktop cutter attachment 10 to be so guided along the blacktop surface. Also, a forward end or nose 26 of the cutter body 20 is formed to provide upper and lower inclined working faces 28 to facilitate guiding the black-top cutter 10 along the blacktop surface, keep the cutter body 20 above the blacktop surface and prevent the cutter body 20 from inadvertently digging into the blacktop surface.
A pair of generally rectangular and flat coplanar fins or blades 30,31 are mounted centrally on the cutter body 20 on opposite sides thereof to extend substantially perpendicular from the opposed parallel faces 32 of the cutter body 20.
The cutter fins 30, 31 are made of a suitable steel to provide good life and are suitably secured, for example, welded to the cutter body 20. Alternatively, each cutter fin 30, 31 may be mounted in a conforming slot 34 in the cutter body 20 and locked in place by suitable removable pins or bolts, for example, as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 4, such that each cutter fin 30, 31 could be removed and replaced in the field as necessary and both ends of each cutter fin 30, 31 could be formed with a suitable cutting edge as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2.
Each of the cutter fins 30, 31 is formed with a forward cutting edge 40 (and if the fins 30, 31 are removable as heretofore described, the rear end of each fin 30, 31 may also be formed with a cutting edge 41 as the cutter fin 31 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2). The cutting edge 40 (and cutting edge 41) is generally concave and is preferably formed with a generally V-shape with the internal apex 42 of the cutting edge at a point less than one-half the width of the cutter fin 31 and also at a distance from the cutter body 20 equal to about one-half the thickness of the blacktop surface. Accordingly, the inner and outer inclined cutting edge portions 44, 46 respectively cooperate to assist in controlling the depth of the active cutter fin 30, 31 as it is driven by the supporting vehicle along the blacktop surface. Also, the outer inclined cutting edge 46 forms a point 48 at its lower forward end which, upon commencement of a cutting operation, digs into the blacktop surface to lower the active cutter fin 30, 31 to the desired level.
As the blacktop cutter attachment 10 is formed with a pair of oppositely extending cutter fins 30, 31 the cutter may be selectively mounted on the forward edge 12 of the supporting vehicle with either of the cutter fins 30, 31 depending from the cutter body 20 and to thereby position either fin to be active for cutting the blacktop surface. Thus, when one cutter fin 30, 31 is dulled or damaged, the entire cutter 10 may be easily reversed on the edge 12 of the vehicle to use the other fin. Also, where the cutter fins 30, 31 are removable as described, each fin may be reversed on the cutter body 20 to present a new cutting edge, thereby providing four selectively useable cutting edges 40, 61.
Thus, it can be seen that the blacktop cutter attachment of the present invention may be selectively installed on conventional and normally available earth moving equipment to cut a blacktop roadway or the like as desired to permit, for example, digging a trench for laying, repairing or replacing cables and conduits buried under the roadway. Also, the blacktop cutter attachment of the present invention provides for guiding the cutter along the blacktop surface with its depending cutter fin at the desired depth and such that the cutter fin cleanly severs the blacktop surface without tearing the blacktop along the line of cut. Further, the blacktop cutter attachment provides for selectively using each of a plurality of cutting edges so that when one cutting edge has been dulled or damaged, a new cutting edge may be readily put into use.
As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.