# US 11,028,540 B2 · Apparatus and method for a hold-down assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,540 B2 - Document ID: US11028540B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/584,456 - Filed: 2019-09-26 - Published: 2020-03-26 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-26 - Assignees: Carlson Paving Products, Inc. - Applicants: Carlson Paving Products, Inc. - Inventors: Cory Haven; Kevin Comer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028540B2 ## CPC - E01C 19/48: for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface {, e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ (E01C19/002, E01C23/065 take precedence; devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path E01C19/004)} - E01C 19/4866: {with solely non-vibratory or non-percussive pressing or smoothing means for consolidating or finishing (E01C19/4886 takes precedence; combined with rollers E01C19/488)} - E01C 19/42: Machines for imparting a smooth finish to freshly-laid paving courses other than by rolling, tamping or vibrating (for distributing only E01C19/12; {hand-actuated smoothing tools E01C19/44}) - E01C 2301/10: Heated screeds - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) ## Abstract A heating element hold-down assembly having a heating element adapted to be removably mounted on the screed and a hold-down mechanism adapted to be removably mounted on the screed. The hold-down mechanism comprises a hold-down mechanism frame adapted to contact the heating element, a resilient device adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position, a tension shaft, a portion of which is adapted to contact the resilient device, a pin adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and an adjustment means adapted to be adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft. 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 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 means for removably attaching the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, said means for removably attaching the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a retaining ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a retaining washer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a spring ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism comprises a pin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism is removably mounted to the screed frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism frame further comprises one or more cross-members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the resilient device comprises a spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises a jack screw. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises an actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the screed plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the screed plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element and the hold-down mechanism are adapted to be removed from the screed as a unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element and the hold-down mechanism are adapted to be removed from the screed as a unit without removing the screed plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the screed plate is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the heating element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the screed plate is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the hold-down mechanism. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising adjusting the heating element hold-down mechanism.