Asphalt compaction device with pneumatic wheels

Abstract

An asphalt compaction device including a primary compaction plate and a secondary compaction plate for concentrating force, resulting in an increased compaction rate. The secondary compaction plate may be either rotated or extended into its operative position. The asphalt compaction device may include a single primary compaction plate intended to be moved and steered by a user. Alternatively, the asphalt compaction device may include an articulated machine with multiple primary compaction plates. Additionally, any of the articulated segments of the compaction device may include pneumatic tires to aid in the compaction of the asphalt, to prevent the asphalt from spreading away from the sides of the compaction device, and to assist in steering the compaction device.

1 . An articulated vibrating compaction device, comprising: 
 a first segment including a first vibration source adapted to produce a first oscillating force and a first primary compaction plate adapted to receive the first oscillating force from the first vibration source; and    a second segment including a first set of pneumatic tires,    wherein the first primary compaction plate includes a first surface adapted to transmit the first oscillating force to a surface of a material and a second surface disparate from the first surface adapted to concentrate the oscillating force and to transmit the oscillating force to a surface of material.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 3 , wherein the second surface is adapted to selectively extend below the first surface.  
   
   
       5 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 4 , wherein the second surface is further adapted to selectively retract above the first surface.  
   
   
       6 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment further comprises a second set of pneumatic tires.  
   
   
       7 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment further comprises a second vibration source adapted to produce a second oscillating force and a second primary compaction plate adapted to receive the second oscillating force from the second vibration source.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the first vibration source includes a first eccentric motion device.  
   
   
       10 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 9 , wherein the first vibration source includes a second eccentric motion device.  
   
   
       11 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 10 , wherein the first eccentric motion device and the second eccentric motion device are adapted to produce a complementary downward force.  
   
   
       12 . The articulated vibrating compaction device of  claim 10 , wherein the first eccentric motion device and the second eccentric motion device are adapted to impart no lateral motion to the articulated vibrating compaction device.