Method and apparatus for removing and refilling joint seals from slab joints
OwnerRonald A. Knappinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for removing an existing joint seal from a joint between slabs and applying a new joint seal material in the slab. The method includes using machine that includes a main frame, a joint seal router and a joint seal filling assembly. The joint seal router and the sealant applicator are positioned into alignment with the joint. Movement of the machine and the components thereof perform additional steps.
Claims22
A method for removing an existing joint seal material from a joint between slabs and applying a new joint seal material in the joint, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a machine that includes a main frame, a joint seal router and a joint seal filling assembly including a sealant applicator wherein the joint seal router is moveably mounted relative to the main frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto;
- positioning the joint seal router and the sealant applicator into alignment with the joint;
- lowering the joint seal router such that a cutting edge thereof is positioned to act on the existing joint seal material to remove at least a portion of the existing joint seal material from the joint and the sealant applicator is positioned to dispense new joint seal material into the joint;
- and
- moving the machine longitudinally in alignment with the joint and in a first direction while selectively moving the joint seal router in the first direction and alternatively in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
A method for removing an existing joint seal material from a joint between slabs and applying a new joint seal material in the joint, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a machine that includes a main frame, a track beam positionable relative to the main frame, a joint seal router and a joint seal filling assembly including a sealant applicator wherein the joint seal router is moveably mounted on the track beam for longitudinal movement relative thereto and the joint seal filling assembly is connected to the machine in a fixed longitudinal alignment relative to the track beam;
- positioning the track beam relative to the main frame to position the joint seal router and the sealant applicator into alignment with the joint;
- lowering the joint seal router such that a cutting edge thereof is positioned to act on and moves through the existing joint seal material to remove at least a portion of the existing joint seal material from the joint and the sealant applicator is positioned to dispense new joint seal material in the joint;
- and
- moving the machine parallel to the joint in a first direction while selectively moving the joint seal router along the track beam in the first direction or a second direction, opposite the first direction.
A method for removing an existing joint seal material from a joint between slabs and applying a new joint seal material in the joint, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a machine that includes a main frame and a track beam laterally positionable relative to a direction of advancement of the machine;
- moveably mounting a carriage on the track beam, wherein a joint seal removal assembly is coupled to the carriage and a joint seal filling assembly comprising a sealant applicator is coupled to the track beam and the joint seal filling assembly is in longitudinal alignment with the joint seal removal assembly;
- laterally positioning the track beam relative to the main frame to position the joint seal removal assembly and the joint seal filling assembly into alignment with the joint;
- lowering the track beam such that a cutting edge of a joint seal router of the joint seal removal assembly is positioned to act on and moves through the existing joint seal material to remove at least a portion of the existing joint seal material from the joint and a dispensing nozzle of the sealant applicator dispenses the new joint seal material in the joint;
- positioning a guide wheel within the joint for guiding the joint seal removal assembly and the joint seal filling assembly relative to the joint;
- moving the carriage relative to the track beam longitudinally in a first direction in the direction of advancement of the machine and in a second direction opposite the first direction to remove the existing joint seal material from the joint;
- and
- advancing the dispensing nozzle in the direction of advancement of the machine to dispense the new joint seal material from the dispensing nozzle.
A method for removing an existing joint seal material from a joint between at least two slabs and applying a new joint seal material in the joint, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a machine that includes a main frame, a joint seal router and a joint seal filling assembly including a sealant applicator wherein the joint seal router is moveably mounted relative to the main frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto;
- positioning the joint seal router and the sealant applicator into alignment with the joint;
- lowering the joint seal router such that a cutting edge thereof is positioned to act on the existing joint seal material to remove at least a portion of the existing joint seal material from the joint and the sealant applicator is positioned to dispense new joint seal material into the joint;
- moving the machine longitudinally in alignment with the joint and in a first direction;
- and
- drawing debris away from the at least two slabs and into a debris collection assembly using a vacuum assembly of the debris collection assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.