US 7,029,072 B1 · Modified rumble strip cutter

Abstract

A rumble strip cutting machine having a drum that can be shifted from one side of the machine to the other. The machine includes a piston wheel that imparts an up and down motion to the frame so that rumble strips can be cut at desired intervals as the machine is driven along the road shoulder. The piston wheel includes a wheel mounting assembly on each side of the machine so that the wheel can be conveniently shifted from one side of the machine to the other. Additional structures allow for the flexing of the machine frame, applying pressure to the cutting drum, adjusting the depth of cut, tightening the belt used to drive the drum, and lifting the machine for job site transportation. The machine enables a method of cutting rumble strips close to obstructions on narrow shoulders while driving the machine in the direction of moving traffic.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An improved rumble strip cutting machine including:

a. a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel rails having opposing ends with one end of said rails having connectors for connection of said improved rumble strip cutting machine to a tractor and the opposite ends of said rails being connected by a cutting drum housing;
b. an axle extending through said housing;
c. a power input source connected to said axle to rotatably drive said axle;
d. a rumble strip cutting drum removably mounted to said axle adjacent one of said rails;
and
e. a mounting structure adjacent the other of said rails whereby said rumble strip cutting drum can be removed from the position adjacent said one of said rails and attached to said mounting structure adjacent said other of said rails.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modified rumble strip cutter

Life of this patent

Modified rumble strip cutter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7