Flush Mount Vibratory System for Utility Roller

Abstract

A compacting apparatus includes a chassis, at least one drum supporting the chassis, a propel motor operatively associated with and adapted to rotate the at least one drum, a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor, a shaft, and an eccentric weight. The propel motor defines an aperture through which the shaft extends, drivably connecting the vibratory motor and the eccentric weight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compacting apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis;   at least one drum supporting the chassis;   a propel motor operatively associated with the at least one drum and adapted to rotate same, the propel motor defining an aperture therethrough;   a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor;   a shaft drivably extending from the vibratory motor and passing through the propel motor aperture; and   an eccentric weight connected to the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a support plate connected to the chassis, and a support arm connected to the support plate and to the propel motor. 
     
     
         3 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a center bulkhead connected to the drum and to the propel motor. 
     
     
         4 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a drive flange disposed between the center bulkhead and the propel motor. 
     
     
         5 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a hub connected to the center bulkhead. 
     
     
         6 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a bearing connected to the center bulkhead and to the shaft, wherein the bearing rotatably connects the center bulkhead and the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strengthening flange connected to the drum. 
     
     
         8 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the propel motor may selectively turn in one of two directions. 
     
     
         9 . The compacting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vibratory motor may selectively turn in one of two directions. 
     
     
         10 . A roller assembly for a compacting apparatus, comprising:
 a drum defining a cavity;   a support arm inside the cavity;   a propel motor connected to the support arm and drivably connected to the drum, the propel motor having an aperture therethrough;   a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor;   a shaft drivably connected to the vibratory motor and extending through the aperture; and   an eccentric weight connected to the shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The roller assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one elastomeric isolator disposed between and linking the support arm and the propel motor. 
     
     
         12 . The roller assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a drive flange disposed between and linking the propel motor and the drum, and a bearing connected to the drive flange and configured to rotatably support the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The roller assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a center bulkhead flange disposed between and linking the drive flange and the drum. 
     
     
         14 . The roller assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing disposed between and linking the eccentric weight and the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The roller assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a hub disposed between and linking the drive flange and the bearing, and a retention flange connected to the hub, the hub and the retention flange capturing an inner race of the bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The roller assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a collar disposed between and linking the eccentric weight and the housing, the collar and the housing capturing an outer race of the bearing. 
     
     
         17 . A method for compacting material proximate a vertical obstruction with a compacting apparatus, the method comprising;
 configuring the compacting apparatus to have a drum supported from only one side, a propel motor, a shaft passing through the propel motor, a vibratory motor connected to the shaft at one end, and an eccentric weight connected to the shaft at a second end; and   driving the compacting apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical obstruction such that an end of the at least one drum is immediately adjacent to the vertical obstruction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of vibrating the at least one drum. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising a step of recompacting a previously compacted surface by driving the compacting apparatus in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further configuring the compacting apparatus to have a center bulkhead connected to the drum, a hub connected to the center bulkhead, and a cylindrical roller bearing connected to the hub and to the eccentric weight.