Adjustable paving machine

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an adjustable paving machine. In some examples, the adjustable paving machine includes a variably expandable portion. The variably expandable portion may be expandable laterally such as to accommodate paving operations of variable widths. The adjustable paving machine may be configured to spread a variety of paving materials on a paving surface, including oils, emulsions, asphalt, slurries, or the like. The adjustable paving machine may include a containment basin operative to contain a paving material such as to reduce lateral or longitudinal movement of the paving material. The adjustable paving machine may include an adjustable shoe configured to move the paving machine vertically relative to the paving surface. The adjustable paving machine may include one or more spreading elements configured to spread the paving material on the paving surface. The spreading elements may be supported by a spreading element support enabling easy replacement of the spreading elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of paving a roadway surface, comprising:
 receiving a paving material into a containment basin;   spreading the paving material on the roadway surface using at least one brush located within the containment basin; and   variably expanding a width of the containment basin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein variably expanding the width of the containment basin includes energizing an actuator to move a variably expandable portion away from a first frame portion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein energizing the actuator to move the variably expandable portion includes energizing the actuator to translate linearly. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein energizing the actuator to move the variably expandable portion includes energizing the actuator to rotate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including changing a size of the at least one brush as the width of the containment basin is variably expanded. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including moving a finishing element over the paving material after the paving material has been spread by the at least one brush. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including adjusting a shoe in a vertical direction to vary a thickness of the paving material spread on the roadway surface by the at least one brush. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including selectively removing a pin connecting the at least one brush within a channel attached to the containment basin after a period of wear of the at least one brush. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein spreading the paving material on the roadway using the at least one brush includes:
 spreading the paving material using a first row of brushes; and   spreading the paving material using a second row of brushes that trails behind the first row of brushes.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first row of brushes includes bristles with a first packing density, a first stiffness, and a first length;   the second row of brushes includes bristles with a second packing density, a second stiffness, and a second length; and   at least one of the second packing density, the second stiffness, or the second length is different than the first packing density, the first stiffness, or the first length, respectively.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first row of brushes has a shape that is different than the second row of brushes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first row of brushes is located immediately downstream of a location at which the paving material is received inside of the containment basin and has a V-shape with a central vertex that leads opposing ends of the first row of brushes during towing of the containment basin in a normal tow direction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 receiving the paving material into the containment basin includes receiving an emulsion during a first paving event; and   receiving the paving material into the containment basin includes receiving a slurry during a second paving event.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further including using a lift connected between the containment basin and a vehicle towing the containment basin to selectively raise the containment basin and adjust a thickness of the paving material on the roadway surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further including selectively extending or retracting a control element connecting the containment basin to a vehicle towing the containment basin to offset the containment basin in a direction transverse to a travel direction of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein receiving the paving material into a containment basin includes receiving the paving material from the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . A method of paving a roadway surface, comprising:
 receiving a paving material into a containment basin; and   spreading the paving material on the roadway surface using at least one brush located within the containment basin.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein spreading the paving material on the roadway using the at least one brush includes:
 spreading the paving material using a first row of brushes; and   spreading the paving material using a second row of brushes that trails behind the first row of brushes.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first row of brushes includes bristles with a first packing density, a first stiffness, and a first length;   the second row of brushes includes bristles with a second packing density, a second stiffness, and a second length; and   at least one of the second packing density, the second stiffness, or the second length is different than the first packing density, the first stiffness, or the first length, respectively.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first row of brushes has a shape that is different than the second row of brushes. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first row of brushes is located immediately downstream of a location at which the paving material is received inside of the containment basin and has a V-shape with a central vertex that leads opposing ends of the first row of brushes during towing of the containment basin in a normal tow direction. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 receiving the paving material into the containment basin includes receiving an emulsion during a first paving event; and   receiving the paving material into the containment basin includes receiving a slurry during a second paving event.