An Improved Process and Means for Repairing Asphalt Pavements and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process and Means for Repairing Asphalt Pavements
and the like.
I, JOHN WILLIAM Buzzard, of No. 1410 Marquette Building, Chicago, Cook
County, Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a process for repairing pavements, such, for example, as
asphalt pavements, together with the devices necessary to carry out such process.
The object of my invention is to provide a new process and means for repairing
such pavements.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case or box to be placed over the part of the
pavement needing repair;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a box or receptacle to be inserted within the
box shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 1 when both boxes are in
position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a device used in repairing cracks in the
pavement; and
Figure 5 is a view of an iron used in the construction of asphalt pavements.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several figures.
When pavements made, for example, from asphalt are used, they become cracked
and give away in spots, thereby needing repairs. It has ordinarily been the
custom in repairing such pavements to use a flame to heat the asphalt surface and
the edges of the parts to be repaired, the flame coming in contact with the asphalt.
It has been found that when asphalt is heated in this manner the flame burns a
part of the material thereby necessitating the removal of such material before
repairing the pavement. This burning of the material causes delay and trouble in
removing the same and is also expensive, as a large amount of the asphalt is
destroyed. The object of my invention is to provide means by which the repairing
of asphalt pavements, for example, can be easily and quickly accomplished without
destroying or burning any part of the pavement or causing any part thereof to be
removed.
Briefly stated, my process for repairing pavements, as for example asphalt
pavements, consists in applying molten material, such for example as lead, to the
part to be repaired, said molten material heating up the edges and surfaces of the
spot in the pavement to be repaired until the asphalt becomes soft. The molten
material, which becomes hardened after coming in contact with the pavement, is
then removed, leaving the asphalt around the opening in the pavement in a molten
condition. The molten asphalt mixture is then applied to the heated surface of
the pavement to be repaired and unites with the surface and the edges of the
opening. The spot is then rolled or compressed in any desired manner so as to
completely unite the new asphaltum with the old.
I have illustrated in the drawings a series of devices which may be used in my
process of repairing pavements; but it is, of course, evident that other devices
than are herein shown may be used so as to produce the same result, and I therefore

page_text: do not wish to be limited to the form, construction and arrangement, herein shown
and described.
Referring to Figure 1, I have shown a case or box A made preferably of metal
and provided with handles A' A' by which it may be moved from place to place.
Around the outer and lower edge of this box I fasten strips of asbestos B which
project downwardly and upon which the box rests. These strips of asbestos are
held in position by the plates B1 B1 and the bolts B2 B². This case or box A is
placed over the portion of the pavement to be repaired and a box or receptacle C
is placed therein. The box or receptacle C is provided at its bottom with the
netting C which may be of any desired construction, but preferably strong enough
to support whatever material may be placed within such receptacle. The
receptacle C is preferably made smaller than the case or box A, as illustrated in
Figure 3, and it is provided with handles C2 C' of any suitable description to aid
in moving it about. As shown in the drawings these handles consist of beat rods.
inserted in rings C3 C3 connected with the receptacle C.
I have shown in Figure 4 a device to be used in repairing long cracks in the
pavement. In this device I use the strips B of asbestos, said strips being each
between the metallic plates B5 B' and projecting below said plates so as to support
the device as shown. A controlling handle D is connected with these plates in any
convenient manner. I prefer to have the plates inclined as shown in order to
facilitate the removal of material placed therein.
In Figure 5 I have shown a metal device E provided with a handle E', this
device being similar to those used in working asphalt pavements. I have shown
the case or box A in the drawing as having the sides straight, but I may make such
sides inclined in order to facilitate the removal of the receptacle C.
The use and operation of my invention are as follows. When it is desired to
repair a portion of the pavement, the case or box A. is placed over such portion
and the receptacle C is placed within said box. Molten metal, as for example lead,
is then poured into the receptacle C; and such metal coming in contact with the
asphalt of the pavement, the heat from the lead heats up the surface of the asphalt
pavement to be repaired without in any manner injuring the asphalt. The lead
is cooled so as to be solidified when it comes in contact with the pavement; and
after the asphalt has been heated sufficiently, the receptacle C is removed, carrying
with it the solidified lead which may then be remelted so as to be used again. If,
for any reason, the asphalt is not sufficiently heated by the lead, I may take the
heated iron E and pass it over such lead until the asphalt has become sufficiently
heated. I make the lower edges of the case or box A of asbestos, as shown,
which is flexible and non-combustible. The object of this flexible asbestos is to
allow the lead to conform to the irregularities of the opening in the pavement to be
repaired, as the asbestos will allow the molten lead to fill up all such irregularities.
After the asphaltum surrounding the opening to be repaired has become sufficiently
heated, and the receptacle C removed as before stated, the case or box A is removed
and molten asphalt mixture is raked in upou the spot to be repaired. The repairing
is then completed by rolling or compressing the molten asphaltum until it is
completely united with the heated asphaltum surface of the spot to be repaired.
When it is desired to repair cracks in the pavement, I use the device shown in
Figure 4, the molten lead being poured hetween the strips of asbestos, the process
and result being similar to that described above.
It will be seen that by this process the pavement may be easily and quickly
repaired without destroying any of the asphalt. I may, of course, use boxes or
receptacles of any desired size or shape, such size and shape depending upon the
conditions to be met in the repairing of the pavement.
I have spoken of repairing pavements, but of course any such process where my
device and process is applicable, I consider within the spirit of my invention:
thus, for example, I may use this process for new surfaces, an entire street, or a
section thereof. The lead I have found by experience does not destroy the
asphalt, at least not to any considerable extent; and while I have suggested the

page_text: object of my invention as being to accomplish the treatment of the pavement.
without destroying or causing any part of it to be removed, it is quite obvious that
the process might be practically and with great advantage applied even though
the effect would be to more or less destroy the asphalt or more or less require its
removal. If the conditions of use were such, or the molten material were such, as
to injure the asphalt; still the other advantages of my invention would be present;
and 1 do not wish to be limited to a case in which the asphalt suffers no injury at.
all from the application of my process.
One of the reasons why in a process of this kind little or no injury is likely to
occur to the asphalt, is the fact that the molten metal deposited thereon excludes
the air so as to prevent the process of combustion or deterioration.
Broadly speaking my invention consists substantially of means and processes.
whereby pavements of asphalt or the like are first melted or softened while in
position by the application thereto of a molten and preferably air-excluding
substance, and then supplied with new pavement material in the proper condition
for finishing and completing, should such new material be necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The process or method of repairing asphalt pavements which consists in
melting or softening the part to be repaired by applying thereto a coating or
quantity of heated or molten fluid, for example molten lead, and then removing the
same and finishing the pavement by rolling and smoothing or by adding new
material thereto, substantially as described.
2. A pavement repairing apparatus comprising a case or box adapted to be:
placed over the opening to be repaired and provided at the bottom with a flexible
portion, a receptacle adapted to be placed within said box or case, said receptacle
adapted to receive molten material provided with a perforated bottom which allows
said molten metal to pass through said receptacle and enter the opening in the
pavement, the molten material adhering to said receptacle when cool so that it can.
be easily and quickly removed, all substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 26th day of January 1897.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..