Patent Publication Number: US-7901157-B2

Title: Vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system

Description:
This invention provides a vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system, more particularly of the portable type for dispensing and compacting aggregate materials into cavities such as used automobile tires for the purpose of building walls. The invention can also be used to supply make-up aggregate when tamping uneven ground or filling potholes. The tires may also be filled, compacted and then placed on a sea floor to assist in the formation of a reef or underwater structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tires that have been filled with aggregate and compacted have long been used as building blocks in the construction of retaining walls and housing. The vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system is best suited to filling and compacting aggregate into cavities such as used automobile tires so the tires may be used as bricks in the formation of a tire wall. 
     Vibratory plate compactors have long been known and widely used. Vibratory plate compactors usually include a gas engine driving a shaft that is eccentrically weighted. Typical vibratory plate compactors of this type are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:
     3,232,188 Frohnauer   3,336,848 Moir   3,603,224 Dresher   4,771,645 Perrson   

     Powered soil aggregate auger conveyors are widely used for dispensing soil aggregates. Though such vibratory plate compactors and aggregate auger conveyors have achieved considerable popularity and commercial success, there has been a continuing need for the combination of the devices to create a vibratory plate compactor with an aggregate auger conveyor feed system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of a vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system includes a frame which is supported by rubber mounts connected to a sub-frame that has a soil compacting plate. A drive mechanism such as a high-speed hydraulic motor is mounted on the main frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A vibratory unit consisting of an eccentrically weighted shaft is mounted for rotation on the sub-frame and is connected to the output shaft or flywheel of the frame mounted high-speed hydraulic motor by suitable flexible transmission means such as sheaves and V-belts or chain and sprocket means. 
     The frame also carries a hopper compartment for transporting and dispensing aggregate materials. A hydraulic motor drives an auger conveyor which is located in an auger conduit that is below and open to the hopper compartment for dispensing aggregate materials therefrom. The auger conduit is connected to an aggregate reservoir which is connected and open to a vertical conduit. A motor driven tamping piston operates within the vertical conduit and it forces any aggregate out of the vertical conduit and through the plate conduit of the sub-frame. The plate conduit divides into four smaller outwardly angled conduits. The vibratory tamping plate of the sub-frame is sized to fit inside the rim of the tire. A vibration isolated wheel rim surrounds the tamping plate and is attached to the frame by rubber mounts. 
     In operation, the present invention is directed towards a method of filling and compacting soil aggregate in a cavity such as a used automobile tire for the purpose of using the filled tire as a building block in the construction of a tire wall. First, an area is excavated and then a row of tires are laid down on their sides to form the foundation of the tire wall. A piece of cardboard is inserted in the bottom of each tire in order to stop aggregate from flowing out the hole in the bottom of the tire. The machine is placed on the first tire with the wheel rim seated firmly on the bead structure of the tire. The changeable wheel rim and sub-frame are sized to fit the tire the machine is working on. The wheel rim acts as guide to line-up the tamping plate with the tire by placing the wheel rim directly on the bead structure of the tire. The wheel rim prevents the tamping plate from coming into contact with the tire and it is mounted to the frame with rubber mounts which reduces the vibrational forces that could cause the sidewall of the tire to vibrate and eject aggregate from the cavity. 
     Aggregate is shovelled into the hopper of the vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system. The control valves are used to simultaneously actuate the auger motor and tamping piston motor. The auger transports aggregate material from the hopper, through the auger conduit, the aggregate reservoir and into the vertical conduit. During the low end of the tamping piston&#39;s stroke, the aperture is blocked by the sidewall of the tamping piston and aggregate fills the aggregate reservoir. When the tamping piston is at the upper end of its stroke, the aperture between the aggregate reservoir and the vertical conduit is not blocked by the elongated tamping piston and aggregate is forced into the vertical conduit. The tamping plate conduit divides the flow of aggregate into four smaller flows and directs the aggregate outwards towards the inner liner of the tire. 
     Actuating the tamping piston motor turns a crankshaft by a chain and sprocket means. The rotating crankshaft drives a piston in a vertical motion, which forces the piston drive arm up and down. The tamping piston drive arm is connected at its forward end to the drive arm mounts by means of a pivot with the opposite end moving through a large arc. Attached to the rearward end of the tamping piston drive arm is the tamping piston. 
     The tamping piston moves in an up and down motion within the vertical conduit and the face of the tamping piston acts to compact and discharge the aggregate out of the lower aperture of the vertical conduit. During the lowest point of the stroke of the tamping piston, the soil contacting face of tamping piston extends beyond the plane of the lower aperture of the vertical conduit and enters the upper portion of the plate conduit. The tamping piston forces aggregate through the plate conduit to the underside of the tamping plate. The auger and tamping piston motors are stopped and the tamping plate motor is actuated. 
     The tamping plate motor drives the vibratory actuator unit on the subframe the aggregate is further compacted beneath surface of the tamping plate with a multitude of blows, which together with the mass of the assembly supported on the tamping plate in effect produces at least a ramming compacting action under the plate and the rapidity of the blows imparted to the material further has the effect of shaking and vibrating not only the space immediately underneath the contacted surface but also in the space adjacent laterally and in depth, tending to settle loose particles by the very shaking itself. The angled tamping plates and angle of the outlet conduits further increases the lateral compaction. 
     To ensure an even supply of aggregate and even compaction of aggregate, the machine operator can rotate the machine by moving the handle up to 30 degrees to the left or right of the operator&#39;s standing position which rotates the machine while the wheel rim remains in contact with the bead structure. Actuating the plate tamper while rotating the machine makes moving the machine easier because the jumping action of the machine when the tamping plate is actuated eases the surface friction between the wheel rim and the tire bead, as well as the tamping plate surface and the aggregate it is in contact with. The compaction of aggregate creates a space and more aggregate is added by repeating the process of actuating the auger conveyor and tamping piston and then the plate tamper. 
     Once the tire has been filled and the aggregate compacted to the desired density, the machine may then be lifted by using a winch connected to the machine&#39;s lifting eye and moved to the next tire in the row. The remaining cavity in the tire, which is the shape of the tamping plate, is then filled by shovelling aggregate into the space and the material is compacted with a hand tamping plate. The rows of tires are offset in a manner similar to brick wall construction and off-setting each row back towards the embankment can give greater support to the structure. The process is repeated until the tire wall is complete. 
    
    
     
       Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and figures, which form a part of this specification; 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system embodying the subject invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial top view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the vibration isolator; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the tamping piston; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial downwardly angled side view of the welded frame, conduit, tamping piston and drive arm of the vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system with parts removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial downwardly angled side view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the tamping plate of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a right side view of the tamping plate of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system  10  for filling a cavity is for example, a used automobile tire, and increasing the density of a compactable aggregate material such as soil, gravel, or sand mixtures. 
     The invention of a vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system  10  of  FIG. 1  includes a frame  12  which is supported by a sub-frame  14  which has angled soil compacting tamping plate  16  and also includes a aggregate feed system that transports aggregate from a hopper  18 , through conduits in frame  12  and sub-frame  14  to the underside of a tamping plate  16  on the sub-frame  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , frame  12  consists of a horizontal main frame plate  20  that is rectangular in shape. Welded to the edges of the main frame plate  20  are vertical plates that extend downwardly to form a steel box that is open at the bottom. The two side plates  21  are welded to the right and left sides of the main frame plate  20 , respectively. Also welded to the main frame plate  20  and side plates  21  are the forward vertical plate (not shown), rear vertical plate  24  and a transverse vertical plate  25  which is located at the center-front region of the frame  12 . Extending upwards from the rearward section of the main frame plate  20  are two vertical resilient members  26  that are connected to a transverse resilient member  27  at their upper ends. The transverse resilient member  27  is connected to the top resilient member  28  which extends forward from the transverse resilient member  27  longitudinally. Pivot mount plates  30  are attached on the right and left sides to the forward end of the top resilient member  28 . The lower end of the pivot mount plates  30  are connected to the forward resilient member  31  which is connected to the forward plate  23  of frame  12 . A lifting eye  32  is connected to the top resilient member  28  above the center of gravity of machine  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , a drive mechanism such as a high-speed hydraulic tamping plate motor  40  with a rotatable drive shaft is mounted on a motor mounting bracket  41  which is connected to frame  12 . Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a vibratory actuator unit  42  consisting of an eccentrically weighted shaft is mounted for rotation on the sub-flame  14  and is connected to the output shaft or flywheel of the flame-mounted high-speed hydraulic plate tamper motor  40  by suitable flexible transmission means such as sheaves  43  and V-belts  44  or chain and sprocket means. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  7 , the frame  12  carries a hopper  18  compartment for transporting and dispensing aggregate materials. An auger conduit  45 , with a 75 mm diameter, is located below and open to hopper  18  and houses an auger  46  that is 73 mm in diameter. A hydraulic motor mounting plate  47  is welded to the rearward end of auger conduit  45 . Attached to the hydraulic motor mounting plate  47  is a hydraulic motor mounting bracket  48  which supports the hydraulic auger motor  49 . Auger bearings  50  are connected to the hydraulic motor mounting plate  47  and support the auger  46  which is coupled to the hydraulic auger motor  49  by couplings  51 . The forward end of auger conduit  45  widens from 75 mm to 100 mm diameter which forms an aggregate reservoir  52  before it connects to a 100 mm diameter vertical conduit  53 . The vertical conduit  53 , which passes through the main frame plate  20 , has apertures at its upper and lower ends and is open to the aggregate reservoir  52  at its midsection. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , the flame  12  also carries a 98 mm tamping piston  60 , which operates in a vertical motion within the vertical conduit  53  and is connected to the tamping piston drive arm  61  by means of a pivot mount  62 . The opposite end of the tamping piston drive arm  61  is connected to the pivot mount plates  30  by means of a pivot  63 . A crankshaft  64  is mounted for rotation with opposite ends supported in suitably sized bearings  65  which are mounted bearing housings  66  that are bolted to the center region of the main frame plate  20 . The crankshaft  64  is connected to a piston  67  which is connected to the tamping piston drive arm  61 . The crankshaft  64  is driven by the hydraulic tamping piston motor  70  which is bolted to hydraulic motor foot mounting bracket  71  which is bolted to the center region of the frame  12 . Tamping piston motor  70  is connected to the crankshaft  64  by suitable flexible transmission means such as sheaves and V-belts or chain  72  and sprocket  73  means. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9 , brackets  80  on the sub-frame  14  are connected to rear vertical plate  24  and transverse vertical plate  25  of frame  12  by means of four vibration dampening rubber mounts  81 . The sub-frame  14  contains a plate conduit  82  that is below and inline with the vertical conduit  53 . The upper end of the plate conduit  82  has an outwardly flared aperture to receive aggregate from the vertical conduit  53 . At its midsection, the plate conduit  82  divides into four smaller outlet conduits  84  which are angled outwardly. The lower end of the outlet conduits  84  have apertures in the soil compacting angled tamping plate  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  7 , a handle  90 , whereby the operator guides or steers the entire machine  10  in operation, is welded to frame  12 . Hydraulic control valves  91 , have quick disconnects on the inlet port  92  and outlet port  93 , which connect to the hydraulic lines that lead to the hydraulic power pack (not shown). The three spool hydraulic control valves  91  are mounted on the mounting plate  94  that is welded to handle  90 . The control valves  91  are within reach of the handlebar  95 , which is connected to the upper rearward end of handle  90 . The work ports of the hydraulic control valves  91  are connected to hydraulic hoses that are connected to each valves&#39; corresponding hydraulic motor  40 ,  49 ,  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 , and  7 , four vibration dampening rubber mounts  96  are bolted to frame  12  and to two wheel rim mounting plates  97 . The wheel rim mounting plates  97  are welded to a wheel rim  99 . The wheel rim  99  surrounds but does not come into contact with the upper section of the tamping plate  16  or collar  98 . Wheel rim  99  is sized to rest on the bead structure of the particular tire that the vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system  10  is operating on. The steel wheel rim  99  has been cut from a tire rim and is only the tire contacting portion of the tire rim. 
     In operation, the present invention is directed towards a method of filling and compacting soil aggregate in a cavity such as a used automobile tire for the purpose of using the filled tire as a building block in the construction of a tire wall. For a wall that is to be nine rows high, large tires (size R17 to R18) are used for the bottom rows of the wall, medium sized tires (size R15 to R16) are used for the middle three rows and the top rows use smaller tires (size R13 to R14). 
     First, an area is excavated and then a row of tires are laid down on their sides to form the foundation of the tire wall. A piece of cardboard is inserted in the bottom of each tire in order to stop aggregate from flowing out the hole in the bottom of the tire. The changeable wheel rim  99  and sub-frame  14  are sized to fit the tire the machine  10  is working on. The machine  10  is placed on the first tire with the wheel rim  99  acting as guide to line-up the tamping plate  16  with the tire by placing the wheel rim  99  directly on the bead structure of the tire. The wheel rim  99  prevents the tamping plate from coming into contact with the tire and it is mounted to the frame  12  with rubber mounts  96  which reduce the vibrational forces that could cause the sidewall of the tire to vibrate and eject aggregate from the cavity. 
     Aggregate is shovelled into the hopper  18  of the vibratory plate compactor with aggregate feed system  10 . The control valves  91  are used to simultaneously actuate the auger motor  49  and tamping piston motor  70 . The auger  46  transports aggregate material from the hopper  18 , through the auger conduit  45 , aggregate reservoir  52  and into the vertical conduit  26 . Actuating the tamping piston motor  70  turns a crankshaft  64  by a chain  72  and sprocket  73  means. The rotating crankshaft  64  drives a piston  67  in a vertical motion, which forces the piston drive arm  61  up and down. The tamping piston drive arm  61  is connected at its forward end to the drive arm mounts  30  by means of a pivot  63  with the opposite end moving through a large arc. The moving tamping piston drive arm  64  forces tamping piston  60  to move in an up and down motion within the vertical conduit  26  and the face of the tamping piston  60  acts to compact and discharge the aggregate out of the lower aperture of the vertical conduit  26 . 
     During the low end of the stroke of the tamping piston  60 , the aperture between the aggregate reservoir  52  and the vertical conduit  26  is blocked by the sidewall of the tamping piston  60  and aggregate fills the aggregate reservoir  52 . When the tamping piston  60  is at the upper end of its stroke, the aperture between the aggregate reservoir  52  and the vertical conduit  26  is not blocked by the elongated tamping piston  60  and aggregate is forced into the vertical conduit  26 . During the lowest point of the stroke of the tamping piston, the soil contacting face of tamping piston  60  extends beyond the plane of the lower aperture of the vertical conduit  26  and enters the upper portion of the plate conduit  82 . The tamping piston  60  forces aggregate through the plate conduit  82  and outlet conduits  84  to the underside of the tamping plate  16 . 
     The tamping plate conduit  82  divides the flow of aggregate into the four smaller flows of the outlet conduits  84  and directs the aggregate outwards towards the inner liner of the tire. The auger motor  49  and tamping piston motor  70  are stopped and the tamping plate motor  40  is actuated. The tamping plate motor  40  drives the vibratory actuator unit  42  on the sub-frame  14  and the aggregate is further compacted beneath surface of the tamping plate  16  with a multitude of blows, which together with the mass of the assembly supported on the tamping plate in effect produces at least a ramming compacting action under the tamping plate  16  and the rapidity of the blows imparted to the material further has the effect of shaking and vibrating not only the space immediately underneath the contacted surface but also in the space adjacent laterally and in depth, tending to settle loose particles by the very shaking itself. The angled tamping plates  16  and angle of the outlet conduits  84  further increases the lateral compaction. 
     To ensure an even supply and compaction of aggregate, the machine operator can rotate the machine  10  by moving the handle  90  up to 30 degrees to the left or right of the operator&#39;s standing position which rotates the machine  10  while the wheel rim  99  remains in contact with the bead structure. Actuating the tamping plate motor  40  while rotating the machine  10  makes moving the machine  10  easier because the jumping action of the machine  10  when the tamping plate  16  is actuated eases the surface friction between the wheel rim  99  and the tire bead, as well as the tamping plate  16  surface and the aggregate it is in contact with. The tamping plate motor  40  is stopped and the auger motor  49  and tamping piston motor  70  are actuated while machine  10  is at an angle. The outlet conduits  84  now force compacted aggregate laterally towards the inner liner of the tire that does not yet have sufficient fill. The tamping plate motor  40  is actuated while turning the machine  10  in the opposite direction and then stopped. The auger motor  49  and tamping piston motor  70  are actuated to force aggregate laterally through the outlet conduits  84  at the remaining portion of the tire that requires additional aggregate and then stopped. 
     The compaction of aggregate creates a space and more aggregate is added by repeating the process of actuating the auger motor  49  and tamping piston motor  70 , then the tamping plate motor  40  while turning the machine  10  to the left and right. Once the tire has been filled and the aggregate compacted to the desired density, the machine  10  may then be lifted by using a winch connected to the machine&#39;s lifting eye  32  and moved to the next tire in the row. The remaining cavity in the tire, which is the shape of the tamping plate  16 , is then filled by shovelling aggregate into the space and the material is compacted with a hand tamping plate. The rows of tires are offset in a manner similar to brick wall construction and off-setting each row back towards the embankment can give greater support to the structure. The process is repeated until the tire wall is complete. 
     While the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the preferred and alternative embodiments it will be appreciated that numerous variations of these embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims.