Pavement Seal, Installation Machine And Method Of Installation

Abstract

The present invention provides a compressible seal for installation in joints in concrete pavement, the machine for installing the seal and the method of installation. The seal is a preformed, closed cell, elastomeric cylinder or rope. The seal defines a round cross section in its relaxed, i.e., uncompressed, state somewhat larger than the joint into which it will be installed. The installation machine is a wheeled, hand powered device having a first guide wheel which is received within the joint, an aligned installation wheel which installs the seal in the joint, a second guide wheel which ensures that the seal is at the proper depth in the joint and a pair of contra-circulating belts which feed the seal to the installation wheel.

1 . An installation machine for pavement seals comprising, in combination,
 a frame having a front pair of wheels, a rear pair of wheels, a front guide wheel and an aligned rear guide wheel,   a chassis disposed within said rectangular frame,   a pair of adjustment assemblies operably disposed between said frame and said chassis,   an installation wheel rotatably disposed on said chassis between said guide wheels,   a front axle coupled to said front pair of wheels,   a pair of gear boxes driven by said front axle and having a pair of oppositely rotating outputs, and   a pair of oppositely circulating belts driven by said oppositely rotating outputs.   
   
   
       2 . The installation machine of  claim 1  further including means for driving said installation wheel from said front axle. 
   
   
       3 . The installation machine of  claim 1  further including an interconnected tubular frame extending from said rectangular frame. 
   
   
       4 . The installation machine of  claim 1  wherein said adjustment assemblies include means for vertical and horizontal adjustment. 
   
   
       5 . The installation machine of  claim 1  wherein said adjustment assemblies include threaded shafts rotated by chain sprockets engaged by a chain. 
   
   
       6 . The installation machine of  claim 1  wherein said installation wheel includes teeth about its periphery. 
   
   
       7 . The installation machine of  claim 1  wherein said gear box outputs include cogged wheels and further including a pair of idler wheels associated with each said output and said belt. 
   
   
       8 . A seal installation machine for concrete pavement comprising, in combination,
 a frame having a front pair of wheels, a rear pair of wheels and at least one guide wheel,   a chassis disposed within said frame,   a pair of adjustment assemblies connecting said frame and said chassis,   an installation wheel rotatably disposed on said chassis,   a front axle coupled to said front pair of wheels,   means for driving said installation wheel from said front axle,   means driven by said front axle for providing a pair of oppositely rotating outputs, and   a pair of oppositely circulating belts driven by said outputs and adapted to engage a seal.   
   
   
       9 . The seal installation machine of  claim 8  further including a tubular frame secured to said frame and including a caster and a handle. 
   
   
       10 . The seal installation machine of  claim 8  wherein said installation wheel includes teeth about its periphery. 
   
   
       11 . The seal installation machine of  claim 8  wherein said oppositely rotating outputs include cogged wheels. 
   
   
       12 . The seal installation machine of  claim 8  wherein said means for driving said installation wheel includes a first chain sprocket secured to said front axle, a second chain sprocket and a third chain sprocket secured to a stub shaft, a fourth chain sprocket secured to a shaft coupled to said installation wheel, a first chain engaging said first and said second chain sprockets and a second chain engaging said third and said fourth chain sprockets. 
   
   
       13 . The seal installation machine of  claim 12  further including means for moving said stub shaft toward and away from said chassis. 
   
   
       14 . A seal for installation in sawn joints in concrete pavement comprising, in combination,
 an elongate cylindrical body of an aerated, closed cell elastomer having a diameter of less than one-half inch, specific gravity between 0.50 and 0.70 and a Shore A hardness of between 20 and 30.   
   
   
       15 . The seal for installation in sawn joints in concrete pavement of  claim 14  wherein said diameter is approximately 0.44 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The seal for installation in sawn joints in concrete pavement of  claim 14  having a spring rate of approximately 2 pounds per inch. 
   
   
       17 . A method of installing a seal in sawn joints in concrete pavement comprising the steps of
 removing debris from a sawn joint in concrete pavement,   lubricating such sawn joint with a soap solution,   providing a length of a cylindrical pavement seal and aligning said seal with said joint,   aligning an installation wheel with said joint, and   translating and rotating said installation wheel along said joint to force said seal into said joint.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said installation wheel extends into said joint. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said debris is removed by air or water under pressure. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said length of pavement seal is equal to or longer than a length of said joint.