Method and apparatus for preloading a skid plate for an early cutting concrete saw
OwnerEdward R. Chiuminatta, Alan R. Chiuminattainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A skid plate for a concrete saw has opposing ends connected by a truss, with mounting fixtures that connect opposing ends of a skid plate to the concrete saw. The mounting portions are connected to an apparatus that simulates the saw's mounting structure, and that simulates the load distribution the saw exerts on the skid plate in use. Sensors detect the force or deflection at various locations on the skid plate that occurs from the simulated load. One end of the truss and skid plate are moved relative to each other to adjust the sensor readings on the skid plate to achieve a predetermined profile that reduces raveling of a concrete surface during cutting.
Claims42
A method of calibrating a skid plate assembly comprising a skid plate having at least a leading and trailing end with least a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to a saw, the mounting portion being connected to a support portion which has a slot through which a cutting blade extends during cutting, the slot having a leading end through which an up-cutting edge of the blade passes during cutting, and a truss for maintaining the skid plate in a predetermined configuration, comprising the steps of:
- applying a predetermined loading to the skid plate, the loading causing the support portion to deform;
- directly or indirectly monitoring the deformation of the skid plate at least at one location;
- adjusting the deformation of the skid plate to achieve a predetermined deformation of the support portion;
- and
- connecting the truss to the skid plate to hold that predetermined deformation.
An apparatus for calibrating a skid plate assembly for use with a concrete saw, the skid plate assembly comprising a skid plate with at least a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to the saw, and a truss with a first end fastened to the skid plate and a second end and fasteners to hold the second end in a predetermined position, the skid plate comprising a support portion which has a slot through which a cutting blade extends during cutting, comprising:
- at least one support located and configured to contact the support portion of the skid plate assembly during calibration;
- a load application apparatus configured to apply a predetermined load at a predetermined location on the skid plate assembly, with at least a portion of that load being transferred to the support;
- at least one sensor cooperating with the support to detect the force exerted on the support during calibration, the sensor providing output information correlated to the magnitude of the force, the load application apparatus having an adjustment device configured to deform the skid plate assembly to vary the sensor output.
An apparatus for calibrating a skid plate assembly for use with a concrete saw, the skid plate assembly comprising a skid plate with at least a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to the saw, and a truss with a first end fastened to the skid plate and a second end and fasteners to hold the second end in a predetermined position, the skid plate having a support portion which has a slot through which a cutting blade extends during cutting, comprising:
- at least one support located and configured to contact the support portion of the skid plate assembly during calibration;
- load application means for applying a predetermined load to the skid plate assembly to simulate predetermined operating conditions, with at least a portion of that force being transferred to the support;
- at least one sensor cooperating with the support to detect the deformation of the support during calibration, the sensor providing output information;
- and
- adjustment means for deforming the skid plate assembly in response to the sensor output information to achieve a predetermined deformation of the support portion.
A method of calibrating a skid plate assembly comprising a skid plate having at least a leading and trailing end with least a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to a saw, the skid plate having a slot through which a cutting blade extends during cutting, and a truss for maintaining the skid plate in a predetermined configuration, comprising the steps of:
- applying a predetermined loading to the skid plate causing the skid plate to deform;
- directly or indirectly monitoring the deformation of the skid plate at least at one location;
- adjusting the deformation of the skid plate in response to the monitoring in order to achieve a predetermined deformation of the skid plate;
- and
- connecting the truss to the skid plate to hold the predetermined deformation.
An apparatus for calibrating a skid plate assembly for use with a concrete saw, the skid plate assembly comprising a skid plate with at least a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to the saw, the skid plate having a slot through which a cutting blade extends during cutting, comprising:
- at least one support located and configured to contact the skid plate assembly during calibration;
- a load application apparatus configured to apply a predetermined load at a predetermined location on the skid plate to bow the skid plate and having an adjustment device configured to change the bowing of the skid plate;
- at least one sensor cooperating with the support and responsive to the bowing of the skid plate to provide output information correlated to the bowing of the skid plate;
- and
- a truss fastened to the skid plate to hold the skid plate in a predetermined bowed configuration that is achieved by varying the bowing in response to the sensor output information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.