Apparatus and method for a hold-down assembly

A heating element hold-down assembly adapted for use on a screed having a screed frame and a screed plate, said heating element hold-down assembly comprising:

• (a) a heating element, said heating element being adapted to be removably mounted on the screed;
• (b) a hold-down mechanism, said hold-down mechanism being removably mounted on the screed and comprising:
• (i) a hold-down mechanism frame, said hold-down mechanism frame being adapted to contact the heating element;
• (ii) a resilient device, said resilient device being adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position;
• (iii) a tension shaft, a portion of said tension shaft being adapted to contact the resilient device;
• (iv) a pin, said pin being adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and being disposed in the lower portion of the tension shaft;
• (v) an adjustment means, said adjustment means being adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft;
• (vi) a means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism;
• wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.

A method for maintaining contact between a screed plate and a heating element in a screed, said method comprising:

• (a) providing a heating element hold-down assembly having a screed frame and a screed plate, said heating element hold-down assembly comprising:
• (1) a heating element, said heating element being adapted to be removably mounted on the screed;
• (2) a hold-down mechanism, said hold-down mechanism being removably mounted on the screed and comprising:
• (i) a hold-down mechanism frame, said hold-down mechanism frame being adapted to contact the heating element;
• (ii) a resilient device, said resilient device being adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position;
• (iii) a tension shaft, a portion of said tension shaft being adapted to contact the resilient device;
• (iv) a pin, said pin being adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and being disposed in the lower portion of the tension shaft;
• (v) an adjustment means, said adjustment means being adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft;
• wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted;
• and,
• (b) moving the resilient device between the expanded position and the contracted position.