Patent ID: 8733845
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: B28D,E01C

Abstract:
1. A method for removing a trip hazard from a planar sidewalk having at least one trip hazard, comprising: driving a mobile, self-propelled and self-contained trip hazard removing machine on top of a planar sidewalk near a trip hazard to be removed; positioning the mobile, self-propelled and self-contained trip hazard removing machine proximate to the trip hazard to be removed such that at least one guide rail straddles the planar sidewalk; controllably lowering at least one lift arm provided at an end of the trip hazard removing machine to place a support structure, that is at least pivotably connected to the at least one lift arm, onto the sidewalk adjacent to and generally parallel to the trip hazard to be removed, such that a trip hazard engaging mechanism is adjacent to and in contact with the trip hazard, the trip hazard engaging mechanism automatically adjusting an orientation of the support structure relative to the at least one lift arm such that the support structure rests stably on the sidewalk adjacent to the trip hazard to be removed; moving a hydraulically powered saw head, that is mounted to and movable along the at least one guide rail, the at least one guide rail at least pivotably connected to the support structure, and mounted to a saw blade having a plurality of teeth provided on an edge formed about the perimeter of the saw blade, the saw blade and associated teeth being provided in a first plane substantially parallel to the planar sidewalk, to a location along the at least one guide rail such that the edge of the saw blade is adjacent to and faces into a first side surface of the trip hazard which extends outside of a plane formed by the planar sidewalk; and moving the saw head along the at least one guide rail to cut away the trip hazard, such that the saw blade initially contacts and cuts into the first side surface of the trip hazard on the planar sidewalk, until the saw blade exits the trip hazard on the sidewalk from a second surface of the trip hazard, the second side surface of the trip hazard extends outside of the plane formed by the planar sidewalk.