Road construction apparatus and method

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for constructing an asphalt-paved gutter, the gutter being of the type having a trough-shaped base and an asphalt layer defining the gutter which overlies the base. The method comprises screeding a surface with a shaping screed having the shaping profile of said trough-shaped base to form said trough-shaped base. The gutter is formed with an asphalt laydown machine, of the type used in road construction to spread asphalt over a base course and which screeds and compacts the asphalt using a floating screed, by providing a protuberance underneath the floating screed which protuberance is shaped and dimensioned to screed and compact the asphalt layer in use.

1 . A method for constructing an asphalt-paved gutter, the gutter being of the type having a trough-shaped base and an asphalt layer defining the gutter which overlies the base, the method comprising:
 screeding a surface with a shaping screed having the shaping profile of said trough-shaped base to form said trough-shaped base; and   forming the gutter with an asphalt laydown machine, of the type used in road construction to spread asphalt over a base course and which screeds and compacts the asphalt using a floating screed, by providing a protuberance underneath the floating screed which protuberance is shaped and dimensioned to screed and compact the asphalt layer in use.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface is defined by a layer of aggregate arranged in a strip alongside the base course of a roadway. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the layer of aggregate arranged in a strip and the base course of a roadway are constructed simultaneously and are of identical construction. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein, as the gutter is formed, the laydown machine contemporaneously applies a layer of asphalt to the base course of the roadway. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the screed is secured to the bucket of a front loader. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the screed is secured to the bucket of a skid steer loader. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the shaping screed extends laterally outwardly and rearwardly from the bucket. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the protuberance is defined by
 a base member having a surface which has a cross-section in the shape of the gutter profile; and   a lip rigidly connected to the base member and adapted to be engaged by the floating screed in use to drag the base member with the surface of the base member presenting downwardly for compacting and shaping the asphalt.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the protuberance is coupled to the laydown machine by a link which is adapted to allow the protuberance to be moved without hand tools between the position underneath the floating screed and a position above the floating screed.