Patent Abstract:
A multi axial designed asphalt heater for re-heating and recycling of old and new asphalt for permanent joint free repairs and restorations. There is provided a method of adjusting the heating elements mechanically up and down off the asphalt surface with the lever arm mechanism and a design featuring a upper portion mounted atop a lower portion rotatable mounted on the upper and lower portion for rotation about a pinned axis. As well there is a method of rotational movement forward and reverse of the heating elements a graduated heating process featuring radially shaped track rails that support radially shaped rollers. Fold-Up design with radially shaped adjustable hinges provide various angularity adjustments not only for compact convenience but also for establishing specific heat clearances, avoiding shut down delays and overheating.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to re-heating and recycling of old and new asphalt for permanent joint free repairs. The prior art is replete with designs having a portable Multi axial Infrared heating system supported on pneumatic wheels. Various mechanisms have been devised for adjusting the three separate infrared heating banks. The adjustments of the infrared heating banks requires a series of adjustment steps; For example there is forward and reverse movement, up and down movement and fold up feature. A primary object of the present invention is to provide in association with a compact Fold up Design, an adjustable mechanism that permits precise Heating Adjustments for various climatic temperature situations and asphalt conditions.  
       REFERENCES CITED  
       [0002]     U.S. Patent Documents  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,284 May 19, 1992 Keizer 404/95, 96;  
         [0004]     An extensive search of U.S. patent resulted in numerous asphalt-heating unit but non-if any with close similarity. The example given U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,284 is a fold up design with a typical stationary heating bed.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     The Multi axial designed asphalt heater generally designated in  FIG. 5  represents an example of the practical use and ability of the present invention. It is an example of a asphalt heating system Multi axial design that can safely and precisely heat a large or small area of old or new asphalt “Soften” it to a workable state without damaging the asphalt surface, plus offer fold up compact convenience. In theory and practicality the non stationary heating elements with forward and reverse rotation  310  allows the asphalt surface to heat on a graduated scale, each pass of the heating element increases the asphalt temperatures and allow graduating heat penetration. In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of adjusting the heating elements mechanically up and down off the asphalt surface with the mechanical lever arm  35 . With forward and reverse motion of the mechanical lever arm  35  urge rotation  30   b ,  30   a  and lift or decent of the main body, extending track rails and heating elements. Yet another object of the present invention  FIG. 5   a  is to provide in association with a fold up feature a means of positioning or adjusting angularity the outer extending heating elements. The various positional adjustments angularity upward provides exact heat clearances, avoids overheating and shut down delays. From the practical point of view the Multi Axial design of the present invention provides multi adjustments for precision heating of asphalt in all conditions. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective left view from an elevated rear vantage plane of the side and top. This view illustrating the initial orientations of the invention in the fold out, full length and width positions in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a detailed right side view, partially cut-away taken in a plane perpendicular to the invention in accordance with the invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front detail view, partially cut-away taken in a plane perpendicular to the invention. Some detail that appears in  FIG. 1  wind guard, propane hoses, element baffles have been removed for the purpose of illustrations.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective right view from a slightly elevated front vantage plane of the side and top. This View illustrating the invention in the fold up position. Representational view showing Detail section view of the adjustment mechanism up and down. Some detail that appears in  FIG. 1  element baffles has been removed for the purpose of illustrations.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a right side view taken in a plane perpendicular to the invention. It is a representational view showing the tending direction of linear movement of the Multi axial design as a function of its rotation and orientation of the ability.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5   a  is a front detail view taken in a plane perpendicular to the invention. It is a representational view showing the tending direction of linear movement of the Multi axial design as a function of its rotation and orientation of the ability. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     In a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a main frame base  5  with a sheet metal pan enclosure  5   a  and side supporting frame base  10  with a sheet metal pan enclosure  10   a  and pneumatic wheels  15  extending forward and extending to the rear pneumatic swivel casters  20  with locking devises. Extending upwardly from the main frame base  5  is an upper portion  25  pinned mounted atop the lower portion the main frame base and is rotatably mounted on the upper portion and lower portion for rotation about a pin  30   a ,  30   b  axis. The upper portion  25  of the main frame base  5  is constrained to rotate relative to the lower portion the main frame base. Adjustment to the desired position of rotation may be achieved by the adjustment mechanism or lever arm  35  mounted to the lower portion extending upwards about the skew axis center bolt  40 . A bolt  45  connected to lifting arms  50  aligned on a common axis extends tangentially in relation to the axis center bolt  40 . With the adjustment mechanism or lever arm  35  connected on common axis with forward and reverse motion urge rotation and lift or decent of upper portion relative to lower portion. When a desired position of adjustment has been achieved it may be secured such as with a spring pin method along the tangentially side adjustment plate  55  mounted to lower main frame base  5  or may be secured and locked using the spring loaded locking mechanism  60  attached to the handle  65  extending upward from the main frame base. The adjustment mechanism or Lever arm  35  embodiment the use of a heavy spring  70 , a resistance mechanism from lower portion the main frame base  5  to upper portion  25 . From the skew center bolt  40  extending downwards is a bolt  75  connected to a rotational resistance arm  80  which causes a delay in resistance. From the upward portion  25  of the main frame is a sheet metal enclosure covering top, two sides and front referred to as the main body  85 . Mounted on the Four Comers and exterior of the main body are additional braces  90   a ,  90   b ,  90   c    90   d , for added strength and body support. An arm extending forward from brace  90   c  secures and locks in place the center heater frame  95 . Also extending left and right off the upward portion  25  of the main frame base and main body  85  are the fenders  100   a ,  100   b  which are rotational secured about a pin axis  30   a  Extending forward from the upward part of the main body  85  is the track rail mechanism  105   a ,  105   b  a left and right side with a radially shaped channel base designed for carrying and supporting radially shaped rollers  110  for rotation extending the full length of the track rail. From the track rail mechanism upwards are the truss mechanism  115   a ,  115   b ,  115   c ,  115   d ,  115   e  for confining and centering the track rail  105   a ,  105   b  and supporting the belt guard  120  with limit switches  125  attached on either ends,  125   a  (holes) provide adjustment, closing or opening the distance between the limit switches. Cross bracing  130  attached to trusses  115   a ,  115   b , and  115   c , provides anti twisting and side play integrity. A support post and a base pad  135  mounted at the far end of the track rail extending downwards adjust up and down and Folds inwards providing end track rail support Radially shaped Hinge mechanism  140   a ,  140   b  mounted left and right on a given point of the track rail mechanism  105   a ,  105   b  enables the track to lock in a level position, using a spring pin method or rotate upwards vertically and backwards resting on a adjustable cross beam mechanism  145  attached to truss  115   d . Mounted to the inside of the radially shaped hinge mechanism  140   a  is a spring loaded safety, locking arm mechanism  150  which drops downward and over the track opening during the rotation upwards of the track mechanism insuring the center heater frame and heater banks stay lodged in position. As shown in more detail  FIG. 2  the rotation cycles of the heating elements forward and reverse is powered electrically with a electric motor  155  and gear reduction mechanism  160  mounted atop the upper portion  25  of the main frame base and is confined with in the thin metal exterior sheeting of the main body  85 . The electric motor and gear reduction mechanism and cog sprocket is assessable through a top inspection plate  165  or through a hinged rotational door  170  at the rear of the main body  85 . Extending forward from the gear reduction mechanism and the cog sprocket, is a cog belt drive system connected on either ends of the center heating frame with an idler pulley  175  located at the far end of the track. The rotation cycle and travel distance forward and reverse is controlled and is adjustable by limit switches  125  mounted on either ends of the belt guard  120  and opposing ends of the track. From the track  105   a ,  105   b  down wards is the center heater frame  180  it is supported and suspended by the radially shaped carrying rollers  110 . As shown in more detail  FIG. 3  the Heater Frames consist of the center frame  180  and a flame to the right  180   a  and from the center frame a frame to the left  180   b  connected to each other by radially shaped hinge mechanisms  185  which embodiments the use of spring resistance mechanism  190  anchored from the radially shaped hinge arms  185  attached to the center heater frame extending outwardly to anchor brackets located on the left and right heater frames. The radially shaped hinges  185  offers rotation of the right  180   a  and left  180   b  not the center heater frames  180  up wards with periodically degree adjustment settings  195  to the vertical position. The one half of the radially shaped hinge  185  that is attached to the center frame skew downwards has a slotted flat metal mechanism  200  to attach and adjust the height of an optional wind guard device  205  flat plates extending from left to the right located front and rear of the heating frames with a sewn lower flexible snap on skirt  210 . Attached to The center heater frame  180  skew forward are stabilizer legs  220   a ,  220   b  rotational up and down position by method of a center pin  225  and locking pin  230 . Extending upwardly from the rear left corner of the center heater frame  180  is a mechanism referred to as the hose whip  235  a device that is spring mounted at the base providing Flexibility, offers resistance and support for the Propane hose  240  during travel between the limit switches mounted on the belt guard on either end of the track From the heater frames downward are the actual heating elements  245 . These heating element are constructed using a stainless steel material and a bank as described consists of two heating elements joined side by side to form a singular bank The center bank two heating elements are supported by the center heating frame, the right bank two heating elements are supported by the right heating frame and the left bank two heating elements are supported by the left heating frame. Various mechanism have been devised from the heating element downwards are heat element baffles  250  on either sides of the heat element banks. These unique baffles safeguards against flame out of the heating elements during windy conditions and provide heat protection for thermocouples.  
         [0013]     Extending upwards from the side supporting frame is the main electrical control panel  255 . From the electrical control panel extending downwards and resting atop the side supporting frame base  10  is the electrical source a gas-powered generator  260 . Extending upwards from the rear portion of the main frame  5  base and the side supporting base  10  is the heating element fuel source two vertically placed propane tanks  265 . The upper rear portion of the handle  65   b  provides the stability for the two propane tanks by method of a secure strap  270  and a cross bar extending left and right  275 . Exchange of the two propane tanks is accomplished by releasing the pins  280  located on either side of the handle  65   a ,  65   b  and removing the rear portion of the handle  65   b  and cross bar enabling free unobstructed access. Rotational braking mechanism  285  is a steel pad pin mounted designed to apply compression against the pneumatic wheels. The rear braking lever  300  has a center axis bolt  295  with spring retention allowing the braking lever  300  side to side and forward, reverse movement. The desired lock, unlock settings for braking are achieved with the tangentially side mounted plate  305  with extruded tabs. Rotational movement is transferred from the rear braking lever to the front steel pad with  290  the push, pull connecting rod.  
         [0014]     A variety of modifications, changes and variations to the invention are possible within the spirit and scope of the following claims and will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in art The invention should not be considered as restricted to the specific embodiment that has described and illustrated with reference to the drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4