Patent ID: 6113310
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: E01C

Abstract:
A material spreading apparatus for filling recesses in a generally horizontal surface with an asphalt filler material, said apparatus movable in a forward direction over the generally horizontal surface so as to define a coverage path thereon, said coverage path comprised of a plurality of parallel treatment zones, said apparatus comprisinga frame having a front, a back, and a pair of sides, said frame further including a main portion and a sensor support;a plurality of sensors supported by said sensor support, said sensors spaced apart between the sides of the frame so that one of said sensors is disposed in each of the treatment zones, each sensor being responsive to the presence of a recess in its associated treatment zone; anda filling means supported by said frame and having a plurality of filling zones, one filling zone corresponding to each treatment zone, said filling means comprising a plurality of discrete containers having walls, said containers disposed transversely between the sides of the frame, each of said containers having a means connected to said walls for mechanically releasing the asphalt filler material from said container's walls, each of said containers further having an opening defined therein for expelling the asphalt filler material and a door for selectively covering said opening, one of said containers corresponding to each of said filling zones, each of said containers in communication with and activatable by said sensors so as to deposit filler material in one of the filling zones when the mechanical sensor disposed in the corresponding treatment zone senses the presence of a recess;said sensor portion being movable with respect to said filling means so as to change a distance between said sensor portion and said filling means, said apparatus further comprising a speed sensor for sensing a speed of forward travel of said apparatus and an actuator for moving said sensor portion, said actuator responsive to said speed sensor and increasing the distance between said sensor portion and said filling means when the forward speed of said apparatus exceeds a predetermined speed limit.