Screed frame and plate

Abstract

A screed includes a frame and a plate. The frame includes a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members. The plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface. At least one of the plurality of the mounting members is longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members. Further, the plate is coupled to the frame by the plurality of the mounting members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A screed comprising:
 a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members; and   a plate;   wherein the plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface, at least one of the plurality of the mounting members being longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members; and   wherein the plate is coupled to the frame by the mounting members.   
     
     
         2 . The screed of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of the mounting members comprises an opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The screed of  claim 2 , wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The screed of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The screed of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members. 
     
     
         6 . The screed of  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate. 
     
     
         7 . The screed of  claim 1 , wherein the plate further comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         8 . A paving machine comprising:
 a tractor;   a screed coupled to the tractor, the screed comprising:
 a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members; and 
 a plate; 
 wherein the plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface, at least one of the plurality of the mounting members being longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members; and 
 wherein the plate is coupled to the frame by the mounting members. 
   
     
     
         9 . The paving machine of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of the mounting members comprises an opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The paving machine of  claim 9 , wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The paving machine of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         12 . The paving machine of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members. 
     
     
         13 . The paving machine of  claim 8 , wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The paving machine of  claim 8 , wherein the plate further comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         15 . A screed comprising:
 a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members projecting from the bottom surface; and   a plate coupled to the frame by the plurality of the mounting members, the plate comprising a heating element;   wherein the plurality of the mounting members being arranged to provide a substantially uniform heat distribution across the plate.   
     
     
         16 . The screed of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of the mounting member comprises a opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The screed of  claim 16 , wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener. 
     
     
         18 . The screed of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         19 . The screed of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members. 
     
     
         20 . The screed of  claim 15 , wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate.