IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EQUIPMENTS FOR COLD MILLING OF THE ROAD SURFACE

Abstract: Improvements to cold cutting equipment of road surfaces with independent side protection guards (2), integral with the skids resting against the ground (1) complete with curved slots (3, 4) with the concave part facing the central point (5), substantially coinciding with the centre of rotation of the cutting drum (6). In these slots (3, 4) the thrust pin (11) and the guide pin (10) are egaged respectively which allow the skids (1), integral with the independent guards (2), to perfectly rest against the ground at all times and to constantly maintain the chase cutting depth, within the operational tolerance limits, so that it is not affected by the oscillation caused by the variation of the position of the cutter supporting structure (13) due to uneven ground or irregular movements of the components that carry the road cutter structure.

Description: -^ IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EQUIPMENTS TOR COLT) MILLING OFTHE ROAD SURFACE FIELD OF THE ART This invention refers to the field of the constructional technique of cold cutting equipment of the road surface or similar surfaces. International reference class E 01 C. STATE OF THE ART Various types of cold cutting equipment of the road surface are known in literature concerning patents, specialised techical publications and present practice. All this known equipment encounters the problem of eliminating the projection of cutting rubble to the side. This side projection of rubble not only entails a hazard for persons but also requires the costly removal of rubble from around the work area. This problem is specifically enhanced when the position of the cutter host vehicle varies due to uneven ground and to the movements of the components that carry the cutter. In these cases the operator is also obliged to intervene to keep the cutting equipment level in order to constantly maintain the cutting depth of the cutter. In fact, when the position of the operating machine varies, the skids with the traditionally known side protection guards move off the ground at one of the ends leaving an escape gap for the rubble, allowing it to be cast out hazardously to the side and also altering the presetting depth. This invention aims at resolving all these problems still encountered in known cutting equipment by achieving further improvements of economical achievement, utmost reliability and operational safety. DESCRIPTION The invention is now explained with reference to the schematic figures of the diagrams enclosed as an unbinding example. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side guard integral with its own depth skid. Some curved slots can be seen on the guard with the concave part facing the centre of the cutter. Fig. 2 illustrates a 'cutting device' installed on an operating machine, in the operational position with the skids resting against the ground. Fig. 3 and fig. 4 enhance the position of the skids, again completely resting against the ground even when the cutter supporting structure (13) tilts. This situation is made possible thanks to the curved slots (3 ; 4) on the side skid supporting guards with the concave part facing the centre of rotation (5) of the cutting drum (6). This configuration of the slots automatically ensures that the skids rest perfectly against the ground and also that the preset cutting depth is maintained, within the operational tolerance limits, so that the operator is not obliged to work to keep the cutting equipment fiat level. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a section of the skid supporting guards fitted at the side of a road cutter. It can be seen that the cutting depth (8) is established by the position of the thrust pins (1 1) which keep the skids (1) against the ground (9) while the cutter (6) works on the bottom (7) of the chase. It is pointed out that this section, schematically illustrated in fig. 5, 'is intended as executed by the pins (1 0 : 1 1) engaged in the relative slots (4 : 3). Fig. 6 and fig. 7 illustrate other executions with different number and position of the guide slots (4). It is seen in the figures that the configuration of the slots is arch of circle shaped, the geometrical virtual centre of which coincides substantially with the centre of rotation (5) of the cutting drum (6) in all operational positions without altering the pre-set cutting depth. In all figures, each single item is pointed out with the following numbers. 1. shows the independent skids resting against the ground, integral with the side protection guards. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 25) 2 shows the side independent guards integral with the skids. 3 shows a curved slot in which the thrust pin is engaged (1 1) which establishes the cutting depth with the skids (1) resting against the ground. 4 shows the curved slots in which the guide pin is engaged (10) which allows the guard to turn around the centre (5) of the cutting drum (6). 5 shows the centre of the cutter. 6 shows the cutting drum. 7 shows the bottom of the chase being cut. 8 shows the depth of the chase being cut. 9 points out the ground level. 10 points out a guide pin engaged in the slots (4) and fixed to the supporting structure (13) 11 shows the thrust pin which establishes the cutting depth. 12 shows the independent devices that activate the pin movement (11) to establish the cutting depth of the cutter. 13 shows the supporting structure for fitting the cutter to an operating machine. The clearness of the figures proves the operational simplicity of this invention and fully clarifies all operational aspects. Once the cutting depth (8) has been established, namely how far the cutting drum (6) protrudes compared to the position of the skids resting against the ground, this depth is automatically held constant without involving the operator. In fact the skids rest completely against the ground at all times even when the operational position of the operating machine is changed. The fact that the skids completely and constantly rest against the ground means that there is no projection to the side of cutting rubble in all cutting positions. It is pointed out that the schematic diagrams illustrate only one form of execution of the invention, which may be achieved in other executions varying both in terms of structural and dimensional proportioning and also in terms of construction material. SUBSTΓΠΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26) It goes without saying that skids and side guards are subject to various shape executions and that the features of the invention mainly consist of the presence of shape described -and claimed are within the sphere-of protection- of the patent right.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) Improvements to cold cutting equipment of road surfaces CHARACTERISED BY THE FACT THAT the independent side protection guards (2) , integral with the skids ( 1) that rest against the ground are complete with curved slots (3 , 4) with the concave part facing the central point (5) , substantially coinciding with the centre of rotation of the cutting drum (6). 2) Improvements to cold cutting equipment of road surfaces according to claim 1) CHARACTERISED BY THE FACT THAT the bond made by the thrust pin ( 11 ) and the guide pin ( 10 ), egaged in slot ( 3 ) and slot ( 4 ) respectively, enable the independent guards (2) to substantially turn around the centre of rotation ( 5 ) of the cutting drum ( 6 ) thus allowing the skids ( 1 ) to perfectly rest against the ground and to constantly maintain the chase cutting depth ( 8 ), within the operational tollerance limits wich will not be subject to the oscilation caused by the variation of the position of the cutter supporting strutture ( 13 ) due to uneven ground or irregular movements of the components which carry the cutter strutture. 3) Improvements to cold cutting equipment of road surfaces according to previous claims CHARACTERISED BY THE FACT THAT the side independet guards ( 2 ), integral with the skids ( 1 ) which constantly rest against the ground, prevent the projection to the side of cutting rubble even in the most awkward working conditions, guaranteeing additional safety for surveillance operators and less work for cleaning the work area. ) Improvements to cold cutting equipment of road surfaces according to the previous claims CHARACTERISED BY THE FACT THAT the automatic independent levelling of the guards and the skids, integral with these, relieves the operator from havig to keep the ideal working conditions undercontrol by continuosly having to adjust the operational position of the cutter. SUBSTΠ ΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26)

Inventors: RISI MIRCO, RISI, MIRCO
Applicants: RISI MIRCO, SIMEX ENGINEERING SRL, RISI, MIRCO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E01C23
IPC codes: E01C23