Patent ID: 6050744
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: E01C

Abstract:
A gravity feed free-floating screed paving machine for applying paving material to a roadbed comprising;(a) a hollow storage hopper member with an open top end and a smaller open bottom end, said hopper member having front and rear panels and two side panels, all panels tapering in width from said hopper member top end to said hopper member bottom end;(b) a frame member supporting said storage hopper, said frame member and attached storage hopper member elevated a selected distance above the roadbed by at least three wheeled unit members, a first and a second wheeled unit member attached adjacent said storage hopper open bottom end in support thereof, and at least one third wheeled unit member attached to said frame member opposite said storage hopper open bottom end;(c) a free-floating screed assembly positioned below said elevated storage hopper member and elevated frame member, said screed assembly comprising;(i) a feed hopper means positioned in register with said storage hopper open bottom end;(ii) a pair of connecting arm members connecting said feed hopper means to said frame member, each connecting arm member extending from said feed hopper means and each arm member pivotally connected at an end opposite said feed hopper means to said frame member at a point adjacent said at least one third wheeled unit member;(iii) an adjustable screed plate member fastened between said connecting arm members and positioned adjacent said rear panel of said storage hopper bottom end;(iv) adjusting means to vary the orientation of said screed plate member relative to the road bed; and(d) a floating hitch means secured to and extending from said frame member opposite said storage hopper member for attachment to means for pulling said paving machine over the roadbed.