Mobile pothole patching machine

Abstract

A mobile pothole patching vehicle includes a chassis and front and rear support wheels for the chassis. A cab is mounted on the chassis as is a paving material storage hopper. A paving material dispensing mechanism is mounted on the chassis and is in communication with the hopper. A discharge chute is in communication with the dispensing mechanism. A boom mechanism includes a proximal end mounted on the chassis. A first swivel mechanism rotates the boom mechanism in relation to the chassis. A tamper plate is mounted on a distal end of the boom mechanism. The machine can patch potholes through the actions of a single operator who remains in the cab during the patching or repair process, thus enhancing the safety of the patching operation.

1 . A mobile pothole patching vehicle, comprising:
 a chassis;   front and rear support wheels for the chassis;   a cab mounted on the chassis;   a paving material storage hopper mounted on the chassis;   a paving material dispensing mechanism mounted on the chassis and in communication with the hopper;   a discharge chute in communication with the dispensing mechanism;   a boom mechanism including a proximal end mounted on the chassis;   a first swivel mechanism for rotating the boom mechanism in relation to the chassis; and,   a vibratory plate compactor mounted on a distal end of the boom arm.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute for selectively permitting communication between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an auger and an auger drive. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the discharge chute is pivotable in relation to the chassis and further including a mechanism for moving the discharge chute. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pressurized air device mounted to the chassis; 
 an air nozzle connected to the chassis and in fluid communication with the pressurized air device; and, 
 a control for selectively actuating the pressurized air device. 
 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 5  wherein the air nozzle is pivotable in relation to the chassis between a stowed orientation and a deployed orientation for cleaning out a pothole before patching same. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of surveillance cameras mounted to the chassis; and, 
 a monitor located in the cab to enable an operator to view designated areas on the vehicle and in the environment. 
 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a brush mounted to the chassis for at least one of cleaning out a pothole before dispensing of an associated paving material or clean up thereafter. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a traffic alert device mounted on the chassis. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the traffic alert device includes a telescopic section. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a tar storage tank mounted on the chassis; and, 
 a tar spray nozzle in communication with the tar storage tank. 
 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a control system located in the cab for controlling an operation of the paving material dispensing mechanism, the boom arm, the tamper plate. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 12  wherein the control system also controls an operation of the discharge chute and a door mounted between the dispensing mechanism and the discharge chute. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein the control system also controls an operation of an air spray nozzle and a brush mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 14  wherein the control system also controls an operation of a tar spray nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the boom mechanism comprises a plurality of link members and wherein the boom mechanism is collapsible so that it can be selectively moved from a use position to a stowed position. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16  further comprising a second swivel mechanism for rotating the vibratory plate in relation to the boom arm. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising an engine exhaust line which extends through the paving material storage hopper in order to heat an associated paving material stored therein. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein a pair of discharge chutes are provided, one on each of a left and right side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a first motor for propelling the vehicle and a second motor for selectively actuating the paving material dispensing mechanism.