Apparatus and method for forming a continuous strip of paving

A self-propelled apparatus for concurrently grading a ground surface and slip forming a continuous strip of paving material along the graded ground surface, characterized by the ability to grade the ground surface substantially coextensively with the successive placement of the paving material, and wherein the concurrent grading and slip forming operations can be performed along a curvilinear path while closely maintaining the lateral alignment of the graded ground surface with the placement of the paving material, and comprising

• a frame;
• prime mover means mounted on said frame for propelling said apparatus along the ground surface and including a plurality of wheel members supporting said frame;
• mold means carried by said frame for receiving the paving material and forming the same into a continuous strip of predetermined lateral width as the apparatus moves along the ground;
• trimmer means having a length in the lateral direction substantially less than the overall lateral width of the apparatus for grading the ground surface and for conveying the excavated ground material to the side thereof;
• means mounting said trimmer means laterally to said frame and in advance of said mold means and so as to permit lateral translational movement thereof;
• and
• control means mounted on said frame for selectively laterally translating said trimmer means during movement of the apparatus along the ground surface, and so that said trimmer means may be made to closely follow the desired placement of said strip of the paving material.