Modular edge compaction wheel

Abstract

A system and assembly including a modular edge compaction wheel with multiple separable sections to form edges of a substrate (e.g., an asphalt mat) at differing depths. After forming a portion of the substrate edge at an initial depth, sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly may be attached by stacking and fastening the sections together for forming another portion of the substrate edge at a greater depth. The edge forming assembly may include an activating mechanism to extend and retract the modular edge compaction wheel assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for an asphalt compactor comprising:
 an edge forming assembly, including a modular edge compaction wheel assembly configured to compact an edge of an asphalt mat as the asphalt compactor travels over the asphalt mat,   wherein the modular edge compaction wheel assembly includes a plurality of sections, each section configured to compact the edge of the asphalt mat at differing depths when stacked together.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an activating mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the activating mechanism is controllable by the asphalt compactor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the activating mechanism is remotely controllable. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an attachment means for attaching the edge forming assembly to the asphalt compactor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an edge compaction wheel mount for attaching the modular edge compaction wheel assembly to the edge forming assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly is configured to nest within a portion of a differing section when stacked together. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprises an alignment feature, shaped to fit within a corresponding portion of a differing section, wherein, when stacked together, the at least one section and the differing section are rotatably oriented with respect to one another to readily allow for fastening. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment feature is shaped to accept a fastener for holding the at least one section and the differing section stacked together. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A modular edge compaction wheel assembly configured to compact an edge of an asphalt mat during travel over the asphalt mat, the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprising:
 a plurality of sections, each section configured to compact the edge of the asphalt mat at differing depths when stacked together.   
     
     
         12 . The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly is configured to nest within a portion of a differing section when stacked together. 
     
     
         13 . The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprises an alignment feature, shaped to fit within a corresponding portion of a differing section, wherein, when stacked together, the at least one section and the differing section are rotatably oriented with respect to one another to readily allow for fastening. 
     
     
         14 . The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the alignment feature is shaped to accept a fastener for holding the at least one section and the differing section stacked together. 
     
     
         15 . The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches. 
     
     
         16 . An asphalt compactor comprising:
 an edge forming assembly, including a modular edge compaction wheel assembly configured to compact an edge of an asphalt mat as the asphalt compactor travels over the asphalt mat,   wherein the modular edge compaction wheel assembly includes a plurality of sections, each section configured to compact the edge of the asphalt mat at differing depths when stacked together.   
     
     
         17 . The asphalt compactor of  claim 16 , wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an activating mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The asphalt compactor of  claim 17 , wherein the activating mechanism is controllable by the asphalt compactor. 
     
     
         19 . The asphalt compactor of  claim 17 , wherein the activating mechanism is remotely controllable. 
     
     
         20 . The asphalt compactor of  claim 16 , wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches.