阅读说明：本技术 道路覆胶带机 (Road rubber belt coating machine ) 是由 罗兰·M·贝达德 J·M·布莱斯 T·B·希卢卡 D·凯梅特米勒 奥古斯托·F·莱格特 J 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种道路覆胶带机配置成从卷轴退绕道路标记胶带,并经由压实辊将该胶带压实到路面上。使用刀片组件切割胶带,并用几个对齐辊对齐胶带。枢轴臂允许对齐辊的子集合位移,从而允许在切割过程中吸收胶带的松弛,使得尽管有切割,覆胶带仍然可以连续发生。卷轴装在锚固到支撑臂的轴上,支撑臂可以在用于加载的升高位置与用于覆胶带的压低位置之间被致动。机器的覆胶带部段经由位移板相对于驱动部段横向地可位移,以允许横向较远位置的覆胶带。机器可以支持多个卷轴,这些卷轴包括具有绕过刀片组件的胶带路径的卷轴。(A road tape applicator is configured to unwind a road marking tape from a spool and to compact the tape onto a roadway surface via a compaction roller. The tape was cut using a blade assembly and aligned with several alignment rollers. The pivot arm allows the subset of registration rollers to displace, thereby allowing slack in the tape to be taken up during cutting so that tape coverage can continue despite the cut. The reel is mounted on a shaft anchored to a support arm that can be actuated between a raised position for loading and a lowered position for taping. The taping section of the machine is laterally displaceable relative to the drive section via a displacement plate to allow for laterally remote taping. The machine may support a plurality of spools including a spool having a tape path that bypasses the blade assembly.)

1. An roadway tape applicator configured to carry and apply pavement marking tape to a roadway surface, the roadway tape applicator comprising:

a spool mount configured to receive a spool of the pavement marking tape;

a compaction roller configured to receive the pavement marking tape from the spool and press the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface;

a blade assembly disposed between the spool mount and the compaction roller, the blade assembly configured to cut the pavement marking tape;

a plurality of positioning rollers disposed between the blade assembly and the compaction roller and configured to hold one side of the pavement marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller; and

a pivot arm configured to support a subset of the positioning rollers, thereby allowing at least one of the plurality of positioning rollers to deflect as the blade assembly cuts the pavement marking tape such that a tape path along the plurality of positioning rollers to the compaction roller is shortened.

2. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 1, wherein allowing at least one of the plurality of positioning rollers to deflect when the blade assembly cuts the roadway marking tape comprises allowing the pivot arm to rotate toward the compaction roller, the roadway tape laying machine further comprising a rotatable arm extending from a pivot toward the compaction roller.

3. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 2, further comprising a biasing spring configured to drive the plurality of positioning rollers toward a position away from the compaction roller when unconstrained by reducing slack in the road marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

4. The road taping machine of claim 3 further comprising a structural frame supporting the spool mount, the blade assembly, the pivot shaft and the compaction roller, wherein the biasing spring extends from the structural frame to the pivot arm.

5. The road taping machine of claim 4, wherein the pivot arm has a V-shaped profile, wherein a first leg of the V-shaped profile carries the plurality of registration rollers and a second leg of the V-shaped profile is attached to the biasing spring.

6. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a tape feed roller disposed between the blade assembly and the spool mount.

7. The machine of claim 6, further comprising a rotatable coupling between the tape feed roller and the compaction roller.

8. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly comprises a first blade and a second blade configured to be clamped together to cut the roadway marking tape such that the roadway marking tape is retained by the blade assembly when cut and slack of the roadway marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller is absorbed via deflection of the subset of the positioning rollers.

9. A method of dispensing sections of pavement marking tape to a pavement surface via a roadway tape applicator, the method comprising:

unwinding the pavement marking tape from the spool to a compaction roller by a blade assembly, the compaction roller pressing the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface via the weight of the pavement taping machine;

cutting the pavement marking tape using the blade assembly;

maintaining the pavement marking tape in engagement with a plurality of registration rollers at a first position along a path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller; and

displacing a subset of the plurality of positioning rollers toward a second position closer to the compaction roller while cutting the pavement marking tape, thereby shortening the path; and

displacing the subset of the plurality of registration rollers back to the first position once the pavement marking tape is cut.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein displacing the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers comprises rotating a pivot arm attached to the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein displacing the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers back to the first position comprises biasing the pivot arm with a spring toward the first position such that the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers rests in the first position when not forced toward the second position by reducing slack in the road marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein cutting the pavement marking tape using the blade assembly comprises first clamping the pavement marking tape and then cutting the pavement marking tape between a first blade and a second blade.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the displacement of the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers toward the second position occurs when the pavement marking tape is clamped between the first blade and the second blade and before the pavement marking tape is sheared by the first blade and the second blade.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising continuously advancing the roadway tape applicator along the roadway surface through multiple iterations of unwinding the tape, cutting the tape, and applying the tape to the roadway surface.

15. An roadway tape applicator configured to apply roadway marking tape from a spool onto a roadway surface via a compaction roller, the roadway tape applicator comprising:

a blade assembly disposed between the reel and the compaction roller to cut the pavement marking tape; and

a tape registration roller disposed between the blade assembly and the compaction roller to retain the pavement marking tape therebetween;

wherein the tape registration roller is movable to shorten a tape path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

16. The roadway tape applicator of claim 15, further comprising:

a structural frame supporting the reel, the compaction roller, and the blade assembly; and

a first pivot arm supporting the tape alignment roller, the first pivot arm rotatably anchored to the structural arm and pivotable between a first position and a second position, the first position defining a longer tape path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller than the second position.

17. The machine of claim 16, further comprising a first biasing element disposed to bias the first pivot arm toward the first position and away from the second position.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the first biasing element is a spring connected between the first pivot arm and the structural frame.

19. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of stationary rollers disposed between the spool and the tape registration roller, the stationary rollers being secured to the structural frame.

20. The roadway tape applicator of claim 16, further comprising:

a second pivot arm parallel to the first pivot arm, wherein the tape alignment roller is supported between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm such that the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm rotate together to define the first position and the second position; and

a first biasing element and a second biasing element symmetrically disposed on the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm, respectively, to cooperatively bias the tape alignment roller toward a position between the cutting assembly and the compaction roller having a maximum tape path length.

21. A road tape laying machine comprises:

a rigid frame supported by a plurality of wheels at a bottom side and extending along a centerline axis;

a tape spool spindle carried on the rigid frame and configured to receive and rotatably support a replaceable road marking tape spool; and

a reel loading assembly anchored to the rigid frame and the tape reel spool shaft and adjustable between:

a tape application position wherein the tape spool cannot be removed from the tape spool spindle; and

a loading position, wherein in the loading position the tape spool is farther from the wheel than in the tape-covered position, and wherein the tape spool is removable from the tape spool spindle.

22. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 21, wherein the spool loading assembly comprises a support arm rotatable between the tape laying position and the loading position, wherein the rigid frame is configured to receive the support arm at a first position on a first side of the centerline axis and at a second position on a second side of the centerline axis opposite the first side.

23. The roadway tape applicator of claim 21, wherein the rigid frame impedes removal of the tape spool when the spool loading assembly is in the tape application position but not when the spool loading assembly is in the loaded position.

24. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 21, wherein the spool loading assembly comprises a support arm pivotally anchored at a first end relative to the rigid frame and connected to the tape spool spindle at a second end distal from the first end, such that the spool loading assembly is adjustable between the tape laying position and the loading position by rotating the support arm to displace the second end and thereby the tape spool spindle.

25. The roadway tape applicator of claim 24, wherein the second end of the tape spool spindle is cantilevered and exposed when the spool loading assembly is in the loaded position.

26. The roadway tape applicator of claim 24, wherein the spool loading assembly further comprises a support mount anchored to the rigid frame and extending away from the rigid frame to a pivot mounting location that pivotably receives the support arm such that the support arm is stationary relative to the rigid frame and the pivot arm is rotatable relative to the rigid frame.

27. The roadway tape applicator of claim 26, wherein:

when pivoted to the tape-covered position, the pivot arm rotates in a direction parallel to the support arm, thereby positioning the tape reel spindle at a position closest to the bottom side of the rigid frame; and is

When pivoted to the loaded position, the pivot arm rotates toward a direction normal to the support arm, thereby positioning the tape reel spindle at a position furthest from the bottom side of the rigid frame.

28. The road taping machine of claim 27 further comprising a fluid damper attached to the pivot arm and the support arm such that the fluid damper resists rotation of the piston arm toward the taping position.

29. The road taping machine of claim 27, wherein blocking rotation of the pivot arm toward the taping position includes slowing rotation of the pivot arm toward the taping position such that the pivot arm is prevented from impacting the rigid frame at a destructive speed.

30. The road taping machine of claim 27 wherein the loading position corresponds to a substantially upright orientation of the pivot arm such that when the spool loading assembly is in the loading position and the road taping machine is in an upright position and the wheels are on a flat ground, a gravitational component on the tape spool spindle does not bias the spool loading assembly toward the tape-covered position.

31. The roadway tape applicator of claim 27, wherein the loading position corresponds to a substantially upright roll-over position from which an external force is required to overcome gravity to move the pivot arm out of the loading position toward the tape-over position.

32. The road taping machine of claim 27 wherein the loading position corresponds to a slightly off-upright orientation of the pivot arm such that a gravitational component on the tape spool spindle biases the spool loading assembly towards the loading position when the spool loading assembly is in the loading position and the road taping machine is in an upright position and the wheels are on a flat ground.

33. The roadway tape applicator of claim 21, wherein the rigid frame comprises a tape-coated frame having first and second tank walls parallel to each other and to opposite sides of the spool.

34. The roadway tape applicator of claim 33, wherein an edge of the tank wall opposite the bottom side of the rigid frame has a recessed area positioned and dimensioned to cradle the tape spool spindle in the tape application position, thereby supporting the tape spool spindle and the replaceable spool in the loaded position.

35. The roadway tape applicator of claim 33, further comprising:

a compaction roller configured to utilize the weight of the road taping machine to force road marking tape from the replaceable spool into a roadway surface; and

a cutting assembly disposed between the compaction roller and the replaceable reel in the tape-over position and configured to cut the pavement marking tape,

wherein the cutting assembly and the compaction roller are mounted between the tank walls.

36. The roadway tape applicator of claim 35, further comprising a plurality of registration rollers disposed along the path of the roadway marking tape between the replaceable spool and the compaction roller in the position of the tape application.

37. The roadway tape applicator of claim 21, further comprising a removable radial spacer insertable between the tape spool spindle and the replaceable spool.

38. A method of operating a road tape laying machine having a rigid frame, a tape spool spindle arranged to carry a replaceable spool, a tape feed port and a pivot arm arranged to support the tape spool spindle, the method comprising:

rotating the pivot arm to a loading position, wherein the tape spool spindle is raised and away from the tape inlet in the loading position;

inserting the replaceable reel onto the tape reel spindle when the pivot arm is in the loaded position;

rotating the pivot arm to a tape-over position, wherein the tape spool spindle is depressed in the tape-over position and brought closer to the tape inlet;

feeding the pavement marking tape from the replaceable spool into the tape inlet.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising, after rotating the pivot arm to the loading position and prior to inserting the replaceable spool:

removing a previous reel from the tape reel spool.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising disposing a tape isolator sized to fit the replaceable spool radially about the tape spool axis between the tape spool axis and the replaceable spool.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein rotating the pivot arm to a taping position includes displacing the pivot arm to a position between the loading position and the taping position from which gravity can pull the tape spool spindle and the replaceable tape spool to the taping position.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising damping rotation of a pivot arm to the tape-covered position.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein damping of the pivot arm rotation is achieved via a gas damper.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein rotating the pivot arm to the loading position comprises shifting the pivot arm to a position where gravity tends to hold the tape spool spindle in the loading position.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the replaceable spool is not removable from the roadway taping machine when the tape spool spindle is in the taping position.

46. A road tape laying machine comprises:

a drive section, the drive section comprising:

a drive axle, wherein the wheels are aligned parallel to the drive axis;

a tape segment disposed adjacent the drive segment along the drive axis, the tape segment comprising:

a tape-over frame configured to support a tape spool; and

a compaction roller mounted on the tape-over frame and configured to compact road marking tape from the tape spool onto a roadway surface beneath the road tape applicator; and

a displacement mechanism, the displacement mechanism comprising:

a bias plate fixedly anchored to one of the drive section and the tape segment and extending laterally between the drive section and the tape segment, the bias plate including a first lateral groove therethrough; and

a fastener anchored to the other of the drive section and the tape cover section and translatably secured by the first transverse groove such that the fastener is tightenable to the offset plate to lock the tape cover section in place relative to the drive section and loosen from the offset plate to allow the tape cover section to translate laterally relative to the drive section.

47. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 46, wherein the offset plate is fixedly anchored to the drive section and the fastener is anchored to the tape section.

48. The roadway tape applicator of claim 46, wherein the fastener comprises a plurality of screws passing through the transverse groove, anchored to the other of the drive section and the tape covered section, and threaded into nuts to clamp the offset plate in a tightened position.

49. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 46, wherein the displacement mechanism further comprises a receiver plate parallel to the offset plate and mounted to the other of the drive section and the tape section such that the fastener is anchored to the other of the tape section and the drive section by the receiver plate.

50. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 49, wherein the fastener comprises a bolt fastened through the offset plate and through the transverse groove, the bolt being fastened from the receiver plate opposite the offset plate through one of a nut and a lever nut connector, and from the offset plate opposite the receiver plate through the other of the nut and the lever nut connector.

51. The roadway tape applicator of claim 46, wherein the tape cover section further comprises a cutting assembly disposed to cut the pavement marking tape, and the drive section further comprises a motor configured to drive the cutting assembly.

52. The roadway tape applicator of claim 46, wherein the lateral position of the wheel defines an outermost lateral position of the drive section.

53. The roadway tape applicator of claim 52, wherein operation of the displacement mechanism allows the tape covered section to translate to extend laterally beyond the outermost lateral position of the drive section.

54. The road taping machine of claim 53, wherein translation of the tape section also translates the compaction roller laterally relative to the drive axle.

55. The roadway tape applicator of claim 46, wherein the displacement mechanism is the only rigid connection between the drive section and the tape covered section.

56. The roadway tape applicator of claim 55, wherein the drive section and the tape cover section are additionally connected by a compliant member.

57. The roadway tape applicator of claim 56, wherein the compliant member comprises at least one of an electrical cable and a pneumatic hose.

58. The road taping machine of claim 46, wherein the drive section further comprises a drive mechanism configured to propel the road taping machine;

59. the machine of claim 58, wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one of a handlebar and a traction link.

60. A road tape applicator apparatus for applying a road surface tape to a road surface, the apparatus comprising:

a rear control portion, the rear control portion comprising:

a steering control member;

a power module;

at least one rear wheel for engaging the road surface to support the rear control portion; and

a rear frame to which the steering control, the power module, and the at least one rear wheel are attached, the rear frame having a rear centerline axis;

a front applicator portion, the front applicator portion comprising:

an applicator assembly configured to apply the pavement tape to the pavement surface, the applicator assembly including a compaction roller;

at least one front wheel for engaging the road surface to support the rear applicator portion; and

a front frame to which the compaction roller and the at least one rear wheel are attached, the front frame having a front centerline axis;

a displacement mechanism configured to allow the front frame to be laterally displaced relative to the rear frame to selectively align or offset the front centerline axis relative to the rear centerline axis, the displacement mechanism including a fastener that secures the front frame to the rear frame to prevent relative lateral displacement.

61. A method of operating an adhesive tape road-laying machine having a drive section and an adhesive tape section connected by a displacement mechanism, the drive section including wheels, the adhesive tape section including a hose reel mount and a compaction roller arranged to compact road marking tape from the hose reel mount onto a road surface, the method comprising:

ascertaining a tape scribe target position relative to a width of the drive section;

disengaging the fastener of the displacement mechanism to allow the tape covered section to translate relative to the drive section;

sliding the tape segment relative to the drive segment along a plane normal to a drive axis of the road tape sealer until the displacement of the tape segment allows tape application at the tape scoring target location;

engaging the fastener, thereby locking the tape covered section relative to the drive section; and

driving the road tape applicator via the tape applicator section while applying the road marking tape.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein unfastening the fastener comprises removing or loosening a bolt or screw, and wherein joining the fastener comprises replacing or tightening the bolt or screw, respectively.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein loosening the bolt or screw comprises rotating a lever nut connector to an unlocked position, and wherein tightening the bolt or screw comprises rotating the lever nut connector to the locked position.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the tape covered section and the drive section comprise first and second parallel plates, respectively, and wherein joining the fastener comprises locking the first plate to the second plate.

65. The method according to claim 64 wherein one of the first and second panels is an offset panel having a lateral groove and has a greater lateral width than the other of the first and second panels such that sliding the cover tape section relative to the drive section includes sliding the fastener within the lateral groove when not untwisted.

66. The method of claim 61 wherein ascertaining a tape scoring target position relative to a width of the drive section comprises determining a position that is inaccessible at the tape covered section where tape is needed at its current position relative to the drive section.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein driving the road taping machine via the tape segment comprises one of: the belt machine is pushed along the drive axis or pulled along the drive axis.

68. A road tape laying machine comprises:

a wheeled frame;

a spool shaft rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame and configured to receive and rotatably support a first road marking tape spool and a second road marking tape spool axially adjacent to the first road marking tape spool;

at least one compaction roller configured to compact tape from both the first road marking tape spool and the second road marking tape spool onto a surface beneath the wheeled frame;

a first set of registration rollers defining a first tape path from the first lane marking tape spool to the at least one compaction roller;

a second set of registration rollers defining a second tape path from the second road marking tape spool to the at least one compaction roller; and

a pavement marking tape cutting assembly disposed along the first tape path but not along the second tape path.

69. The roadway taping machine of claim 68, wherein the first and second sets of registration rollers share at least some rollers.

70. The roadway tape applicator of claim 69, wherein the first set of registration rollers comprises at least a first subset of the second set of registration rollers.

71. The roadway taping machine of claim 70, wherein the first and second sets of registration rollers share a second subset of registration rollers disposed along the first and second tape paths between the cutting assembly and the at least one compaction roller.

72. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 68, wherein the first set of registration rollers comprises a first subset of registration rollers displaceable toward the at least one compaction roller to shorten a portion of the first tape path between the cutting assembly and the at least one compaction roller.

73. The roadway tape applicator of claim 68, wherein the at least one compaction roller comprises a first compaction roller configured to receive tape along the first tape path and the second tape path simultaneously.

74. The roadway taping machine of claim 68, wherein the first tape path and the second tape path are usable simultaneously such that tape from the first spool moves along the first set of alignment rollers to the compaction roller while tape from the second spool moves along the second set of alignment rollers to the compaction roller.

75. The roadway tape laying machine of claim 74, wherein tape from the first spool and the second spool is received side-by-side on the compaction roller, thereby allowing simultaneous parallel dispensing of an interrupted line of tape from the first spool and an uninterrupted line of tape from the second spool.

76. A method of operating an adhesive tape roadway machine having a spool axis, a compaction roller, and a cutting assembly disposed between the compaction roller and the spool axis, the method comprising:

rotatably mounting a first tape spool on the spool axis;

rotatably mounting a second tape spool on said spool axis adjacent said first tape spool;

directing tape from the first tape spool along a first tape path defined at least in part by a plurality of registration rollers, the first tape path extending through the cutting assembly to the compaction roller;

guiding tape from the second tape spool to the compaction roller along a second tape path around the cutting assembly; and

the roadway tape applicator is driven along a tape application path to apply tape from the first spool and the second spool simultaneously in parallel.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising cutting tape from the first tape spool using the cutting assembly and simultaneously applying tape from the first and second spools in parallel.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein simultaneously applying tape from the first spool and the second spool in parallel comprises applying a continuous section of the tape from the second spool, and simultaneously applying a plurality of sequential interrupted sections of the tape from the first spool in parallel to the tape from the second spool.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein the second tape path is defined at least in part by a subset of the plurality of registration rollers.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the subset of the plurality of registration rollers includes all registration rollers disposed between the cutting assembly and the compaction roller.

81. A road tape laying machine comprises:

a wheeled frame;

a spool shaft supported on the wheeled frame and configured to receive a road marking tape spool;

a compaction roller rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame in line with the wheels of the wheeled frame;

a plurality of registration rollers defining a tape path from the spool to the compaction roller; and

a splice platform disposed adjacent to and along the tape path.

82. The machine of claim 81, further comprising a cutting assembly disposed along the tape path between the spool and the compaction roller, wherein the splice platform is between the cutting assembly and the spool.

83. The roadway tape applicator of claim 81, wherein the splice platform comprises a cutting guide oriented substantially orthogonal to the tape path.

84. The roadway taping machine of claim 83, wherein the cutting guide is a groove or slot.

Background

The present invention relates generally to road striping systems and, more particularly, to improvements in road taping machines (road marking tapes) designed to dispense, cut and apply road marking tape to a roadway.

Pavement marking tapes are heavy duty, durable tapes that are commonly used to delineate lanes or traffic requirements on a roadway. Pavement marking tapes may include a highly reflective layer or embedded reflective material and are often used to replace or supplement painted roadway markings to improve the visibility of the roadway. During road construction, resurfacing or maintenance, the pavement marking tape is adhered to the pavement and sometimes within the grooves. The tape is typically available in the form of large reels (zool) from which appropriate sections of tape must be unwound (unspool), cut and adhered to the road surface. The pavement marking tape is typically applied in straight or very gentle curves, but may also be applied in short sections (e.g., for dashed road routes) or longer continuous sections. Short sections require frequent cutting of the unwound tape and measuring the application of the tape sections on the road. Longer sections allow for the tape to be unwound and applied, usually continuously, but may require splicing the tape sections together when one spool runs out and must be replaced with another spool. Some applications may require the deposition of multiple parallel lines of tape.

Tape spools come in a variety of sizes including spools having narrower or wider inner and/or outer diameters, spools having thicker or thinner tapes, and spools having different widths. Variations in any of these dimensions may limit the tools that can be used for pavement marking tape application. For example, thicker tapes may be more elastic and therefore require more force to cut. In addition, the road taping operation may require longer lengths of tape, thus requiring multiple tape reel changes during operation.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a roadway taping machine configured to carry and apply roadway marking tape to a roadway surface. The machine includes a spool mount, a compaction roller, a blade assembly, a plurality of registration rollers, and a pivot arm. The spool mount is configured to rotatably receive a spool of pavement marking tape. The compaction roller is configured to receive the pavement marking tape from the spool and to press the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface by the weight of the tape applicator. A blade assembly is disposed between the spool mount and the compaction roller, the blade assembly configured to cut the pavement marking tape. The positioning roller is disposed between the blade assembly and the compaction roller and retains one side of the pavement marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller. The pivot arm supports a subset of the positioning rollers, thereby allowing at least one of the plurality of positioning rollers to deflect toward the compaction roller as the blade assembly cuts the pavement marking tape such that the compaction roller continues to receive the pavement marking tape as the blade assembly cuts the pavement marking tape.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of dispensing a section of pavement marking tape to a pavement surface with a pavement taping machine. The pavement marking tape is unwound from the reel, through the blade assembly, and to the compaction roller, which presses the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface by the weight of the tape laying machine. The blade assembly is then used to cut the pavement marking tape and maintain the pavement marking tape in engagement with the plurality of registration rollers at a position along the path between the blade assembly and the compacting roller. When cutting the pavement marking tape, the positioning roller is displaced toward a different position closer to the compacting roller, thereby shortening the path. Once the pavement marking tape is cut, the registration roller is displaced back to the original position.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a road taping machine configured to apply road marking tape from a spool onto a roadway surface via a compaction roller. The tape laying machine includes a blade assembly disposed between the spool and the compacting roller to cut the pavement marking tape, and a tape registration roller between the blade assembly and the compacting roller to retain the pavement marking tape therebetween. The tape alignment roller is movable to shorten the tape path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a roadway taping machine including a rigid frame, a tape spool spindle, and a spool loading assembly. The rigid frame is supported at the bottom side by a plurality of wheels. The tape spool spindle is carried on the rigid frame and is configured to receive and rotatably support a replaceable pavement marking tape spool. The reel loading assembly is anchored to the rigid frame and the tape reel spool shaft and is adjustable between a tape-covered position and a loading position. In the tape-applying position, the tape spool cannot be removed from the tape spool spindle. In the loading position, the tape spool is raised further from the wheel than in the tape-over position and is removable from the tape spool spindle.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a road taping machine having a rigid frame, a tape spool spindle, a tape feed port and a pivot arm. The tape spool spindle carries a replaceable spool and a pivot arm supports the tape spool spindle. The pivot arm rotates to a loading position wherein the tape spool is raised and away from the tape inlet. Then, when the pivot arm is in the loaded position, the replaceable reel is inserted onto the tape reel spool. The pivot arm is then rotated to a tape-over position in which the spool tape spool spindle is depressed and brought closer to the tape inlet, and the pavement marking tape is fed from the replaceable spool to the tape inlet.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a road tape sealer having a drive section, a tape cover section, and a displacement mechanism. The drive section includes a rear axle having wheels aligned parallel to the drive axis and a drive mechanism configured to drive the road taping machine. The shroud segment is located adjacent the drive segment along the drive axis and includes a shroud frame and a compaction roller. The tape-over frame is configured to support a tape spool, and a compaction roller is mounted on the tape-over frame and configured to compact the road marking tape from the tape spool onto a roadway surface beneath the road tape applicator. The displacement mechanism includes a deflection plate fixedly anchored to the drive section or the tape covered section, and the deflection plate includes a first lateral groove. The displacement mechanism further includes a fastener translatably secured by the groove such that the fastener can be tightened to the offset plate to lock the tape segment in place relative to the drive segment and loosened from the offset plate to allow the tape segment to translate laterally relative to the drive segment.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a road taping machine. The road tape laminating machine is provided with a driving section and a tape laminating section which are connected through a displacement mechanism. The drive section includes wheels and the tape covered section includes a hose reel mount and a compaction roller that compacts the road marking tape from the hose reel mount onto the road surface. First, the scribed target position is ascertained relative to the width of the drive section. The fastener of the displacement mechanism is then disengaged to allow the tape covered section to translate relative to the drive section. This allows the tape covered section to translate relative to the drive section along a plane normal to the road taping machine drive axis until displacement of the tape covered section allows tape to be applied at the tape scoring target location. The fastener is then re-engaged to lock the tape covered section relative to the drive section. The roadway taping machine may then be driven to apply the pavement marking tape at the target location.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a road taping machine that includes a wheeled frame, a spool, a compaction roller, first and second sets of alignment rollers, and a cutting assembly. The spool axis is rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame and is configured to receive and rotatably support the first pavement marking tape spool and the second pavement marking tape spool. A compaction roller is provided to compact the tape from the two spools into the surface below the wheeled frame. The first and second sets of registration rollers define first and second tape paths from the first and second spools to the compaction roller, respectively. The cutting assembly is disposed only along the first tape path.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a road taping machine having a spool axis, a compaction roller, and a cutting assembly disposed between the compaction roller and the spool axis. The first tape spool and the second tape spool are mounted on the spool axis axially adjacent to each other. The tape is then directed from the first tape spool along a first tape path and from the second tape spool along a second tape path. The first tape path is at least partially defined by a plurality of registration rollers and extends through the cutting assembly to the compaction roller. The second strip path bypasses the cutting assembly. The roadway taping machine is then driven along a taping path to apply tape from the first spool and the second spool simultaneously in parallel.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a roadway tape laying machine having a wheeled frame, a spool shaft, a compaction roller, a plurality of alignment rollers, and a splice platform. A spool shaft is supported on the wheeled frame and is configured to receive a road marking tape spool. The compaction roller is rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame in line with the wheels of the wheeled frame. The registration roller defines a tape path from the spool to the compaction roller. A splice platform is disposed adjacent to and along the tape path.

This summary is provided by way of example only and not limitation. Other aspects of the disclosure will be appreciated in view of the entirety of the disclosure, including the entirety, claims and drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a roadway tape laying machine.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roadway taping machine.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a tape application cassette and an abutment structure of the road tape applicator from fig. 1 or 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the taped case and adjoining structure of FIG. 3, showing the lever arm in an installed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partial assembly of the tape-covered case of FIGS. 3 and 4 and an adjoining structure with two tape spools mounted within the tape-covered case.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tape-covered cassette of FIG. 5 showing the main and bypass routes (bypass routes) of tape from two tape spools.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spring-loaded pivot system for the tape-covered cassette of fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8A and 8B are top views of the roadway taping machine of fig. 1, illustrating alternative positions of a taping box adjustable via a bias plate.

While the above-identified drawing figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale and applications and embodiments of the invention may include features and components not specifically shown in the figures.

Detailed Description

Several improvements to roadway tape sealers are presented herein. The pavement marking machine is configured to unwind a pavement marking tape from a spool and compact the tape onto a pavement surface via a compaction roller. The tape was cut using a blade assembly and aligned with several alignment rollers. Below, a pivot arm was introduced which allowed the subset of registration rollers to displace, allowing slack in the tape to be taken up during cutting, so that tape coverage could continue to occur despite the cut. The reel is mounted on a shaft anchored to a support arm that can be actuated between a raised position for loading and a lowered position for taping. The taping section of the machine is laterally displaceable relative to the drive section via a displacement plate to allow for laterally remote taping. The machine may support a plurality of spools including a spool having a tape path that bypasses (bypass) the blade assembly.

Fig. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the road taping machines 10a and 10b, respectively. The road taping machines 10a and 10b are gas and electrical embodiments, respectively, referred to hereinafter as the overall architecture of the road taping machine 10. Except where noted below, the roadway tape coaters 10a and 10b are described together, and the various improvements disclosed below should generally be assumed to apply to both the gas roadway tape coater 10a and the electrical roadway tape coater 10 b. Although only gas and electrical embodiments are shown herein, the road taping machine 10 may generally be any gas, electrical or hybrid system without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

The road taping machine 10 is made up of various components located in a drive section 12(12a being the gas road taping machine 10a, 12b being their electrical counterparts) or a tape-covered section 14. These sections are locally arbitrary; some components (e.g., motor 30; see below) may be located in either portion in alternative embodiments. In general, the tape cover section 16 includes all components dedicated to handling the road marking tape, while the drive section 14 includes wheels, handlebar rods, traction links, and other tools for stabilizing and driving the road tape machine 12. Other components may optionally be located in either section. The operator interacts with the road taping machine 10 primarily through the drive section 12 when laying the tape, and primarily with the tape cover section 14 when changing out or feeding in a new tape spool. The components are distributed throughout the sections 12 and 14 of the road taping machine 10 so that an operator at the top end of the drive section 12 can clearly see the road surface in the target tape-covered area, as far as possible without being obstructed by the components of the road taping machine 10. Several components and systems of the drive section 12 and particularly the gum strip section 14 will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the following figures.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drive section 12 includes a drive sub-frame 16, a pedestal 18, a controller 20 (with an operator interface 22), a handlebar stem 24 (with a grip 26 and a brake lever 28), a motor 30(30b is a gas motor; 30a is an electric motor), a bias plate 32 (with a bias slot 34), a drive shaft 36, a rear wheel 38, a wheel encoder 40, and a traction coupling 42. The controller 20 is shown connected to the motor 30 by a connector 78.

The drive sub-frame 16 and the pedestal 18 together form a rigid support structure for the other components of the drive sub-frame 16. The pedestal 18 carries a motor 30 and, in some embodiments, may house various other components not shown in fig. 1a and 1b, including an energy storage device (e.g., a battery), a pneumatic reservoir, and additional electronic and electrical connections to the controller 20. The drive sub-frame 16 extends from the pedestal to support operator side components of the drive sub-frame 16. These components include a controller 20, the controller 20 being a logically functional device configured to provide information and input tools to an operator via an operator interface 22. Controller 20 and operator interface 22 may, for example, record and display tape usage, coverage distance, remaining distance, and other relevant parameters to an operator engaged in laying road tape. In some embodiments, the controller 20 and operator interface 22 may also alert the operator to possible fault conditions or assist in aligning the roadway taping machine 10 along a target path.

Handlebar stem 24 allows an operator to push or guide roadway taping machine 10 using a grip 26 and brake 28, grip 26 and brake 28 being shown as a bicycle-style grip and brake lever. In the illustrated embodiment, the brake lever 28 need not provide the braking-related function. In some embodiments, one brake lever 28 may be used to allow the take-up lever 86 to manually engage the take-up roller 96 so that tape is pulled into the tape laying apparatus of the tape laying machine 10, as discussed in more detail below with reference to fig. 3-7. In another embodiment, the brake lever 28 actuates the caster mount 50 to unlock or pivot the caster. This functionality may be used, for example, to raise or tilt the roller 106 off the ground without applying tape, such as to move the roadway taping machine 10, as discussed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, as an alternative to using the handlebar 24, the roadway taping machine 10 may be driven by a vehicle attachable via the traction connector 42. In the most general case, the road taping machine 10 may be a powered system driven by a motor 30, or a system driven by an operator or by a separate trailer. Connector 78 is an electrical connector shown in fig. 1 and 2 as connecting controller 22 to motor 30. More generally, the connector 78 may be directly or indirectly connected to the motor 30 and/or components within the pedestal 18 to provide power and signal connections to the controller 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tape covered section 16 includes a tape covered box 44, a caster subframe 46, a front wheel 48, a caster mount 50, a tape reel 52, a tape isolator 54, a tape shaft 56, a bracket 58, a support arm 60, a support mount 58, a reciprocating blade 64, a blade actuator 66, a blade mount 68, a splicing table 70, a compaction roller 72, a take-up roller 74, and a tape 76.

Together, the tape covered box 44 and the caster subframe 46 constitute the primary support structure for the tape covered section 16. The tape-covered box 44 is a rigid frame or housing that carries the tape spool 52 and various other components that participate in guiding and cutting the pavement marking tape. The tape-covered case 44 will be described in more detail below. The caster subframe 46 provides a mounting fixture for the front wheel 48 via a caster mount 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the road taping machine 10 travels on three wheels: two rear wheels 38 and one front wheel 48. The rear wheels 38 (also referred to as "drive wheels") may be powered or unpowered and are rotated by means of the drive shaft 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear wheels 38 have a fixed orientation in the forward "drive" direction of the roadway taping machine 10. In contrast, the front wheels 48 are shown as free wheels on caster mounts 50 for adjusting the route of the road taping machine 10. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various features of the present disclosure may also be applicable to architectures in which the rear wheels 38 have adjustable orientations. Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a wheel encoder 40 located on the drive shaft 36. In general, however, the wheel encoder 40 may be located at any position suitable for sensing wheel rotation and, thus, the distance traveled and speed of the road taping machine 10. The free rotation of the front wheels 48 and their greater distance from the controller 20 generally makes the drive shaft 36 and rear wheels 38 preferred as locations for mounting the wheel encoders 40, although the wheel encoders 40 may alternatively be mounted at the front wheels 48. The wheel encoder 40 may be, for example, a magnetic encoder or an electromechanical encoder, and parameters (e.g., speed, distance) derived from wheel rotation may be reported to the nearest operator via the operator interface 22 and/or stored or broadcast for other personnel or systems to supervise and/or maintain.

In some embodiments, the caster wheel mount 50 may be rotated to extend the front wheels 48 further out from the caster subframe 46 to lift the body of the road taping machine 10 off the ground. This is done to stop contact between the compaction roller (106; see fig. 5) and the ground and thus stop taping when moving the machine to a new position.

The tape is applied to the pavement surface, typically in preformed grooves in the pavement surface, by a portion of the weight of the roadway tape covering system 10 through a compaction roller (discussed in more detail below) that presses against tape dispensed beneath the tape covering system 10 as the tape moves. The wound tape is stored on a tape spool 52, and the tape spool 52 may be a replaceable tape spool having various widths, winding diameters, and thicknesses. All of these dimensions are illustrated by the characteristics of the tape covered segment 16. Tape spool 52 rotates about tape shaft 56, and tape shaft 56 is in turn secured to support arm 60. Tape spool 56 may be a freely rotating shaft or may be a fixed rod surrounded by tape separator 54. In embodiments where the tape spool is fixed, the tape separator 54 rotates with the tape spool 52 on the tape spool 56. In other embodiments, tape separator 54 and tape shaft 56 rotate together. Tape separator 54 is located radially between tape shaft 56 and tape spool 52. In some embodiments, tape separator 54 may be a modular component that is interchangeable with other separators having different diameters to support tape spools 52 having different diameters. In other embodiments, tape separator 54 may be a permanently attached element of tape covered segment 16. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, tape spool 56 is anchored to support arm 60 and supported by support arm 60, support arm 60 being pivotable on support mount 62, as described in more detail below with reference to fig. 3 and 4. Generally, the support arm 60 is actuatable between an upright reel mounting position and a depressed tape position. Fig. 1 and 2 show the spool 52 and support arm 60 in the tape applying position and show the tape spool 56 supported (by the tape isolators 54) on the brackets 58 of the tape applying cassette 44. Generally, the bracket 58 is a support structure for the tape spool 56 that is located on at least one side (and in some embodiments on both sides) of the tape-covered case 44 opposite the support arm 60 and the support mount 62. Fig. 1 and 2 show the bracket 58 as a depression or indentation along the top edge of the tape covered box 44. More generally, however, the bracket 58 is a support structure that receives the tape spool 58 and/or the tape separator 54 only when the support arm 60 is in its depressed tape position.

The gum strip section 16 includes a reciprocating blade 64 on a blade mount 68 driven by a blade actuator 66 as described in more detail with reference to fig. 5 and 6. The tape from the tape spool 52 may follow a tape path through the front of the tape-covered box 44, along several rollers, through a reciprocating blade 64. The blade actuator 66 drives the reciprocating blade 64 to cut the tape to a desired length. The blade actuator 66 may be, for example, a pneumatically, electrically or mechanically driven reciprocating actuator driven by the motor 30 (connections to the motor 30 are not shown in fig. 1 and 2 for readability of the drawings, but they may typically be flexible cables or tubing).

As shown in fig. 1, the tape segment 16 further includes a splicing station 70. The splicing station 70 is a flat platform or base disposed along the tape path from the spool 52 to the reciprocating blade 64. During operation of the roadway tape applicator 10, it may be necessary to splice together separate sections of tape to be applied to a roadway surface. This is particularly common when joining the last piece of tape from one spool to the first piece of tape from the next spool to form a continuous line of tape. The splicing station 70 facilitates splicing by providing a rigid backing along the non-adhesive side of the tape path into the tape feed roller and blade assembly of the tape covered segment 16. The tape to be spliced can be laid flat on the splicing table 70, avoiding the need for the operator to fiddle with two (sticky, intractable) tapes when splicing. In some embodiments, the splicing station 70 can include a groove or slot 71 oriented generally transverse to the path of the tape as a cutting guide to assist an operator in obtaining a square cut, such as for splicing together a fell-matched tape end.

The gum strip segment 16 also supports a compaction roller 72 and a take-up roller 74. The compaction roller 72 and take-up roller 74 are connected by a belt 76 and will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

The offset plate 32 forms part of a displacement mechanism described in more detail with reference to fig. 8A and 8B and connects the drive section 14 with the tape covered section 16. The drive section 14 and the tape-covered section 16 are rigidly attached to each other only in this displacement mechanism; all other connections extending between the drive section 14 and the shroud section 16 are compliant (e.g., hoses, cables). As described in more detail below, the illustrated embodiment of the tape segment 16 is connected to the drive segment 14 via fasteners disposed through offset slots 34, the offset slots 34 extending transversely therethrough at a portion of the offset plate. By adjusting this connection, the tape-covered section 16 can be displaced laterally relative to the drive section 14, so that areas of the tape that are not accessible due to the wheel-seat width of the drive section 14 can be covered. In the illustrated embodiment, the roadway taping machine 10 extends primarily along a drive axis that is parallel to the fixed orientation of the rear wheels 38. For all embodiments (including embodiments where the rear wheel 38 is not fixed), this "drive axis" should be considered to be on a side (walls 82a, 82 b; see FIG. 3 and accompanying description) that is substantially parallel to the tape application case 44. As used throughout this document, the terms "transverse" and "laterally" are positively defined to refer to a direction orthogonal to the axis of the adhesive-coated tape.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective and side views, respectively, of the exterior of a portion of a roadway taping machine 10 that includes a taping box 44 and is centered on the taping box 44. Figure 3 shows support arm 60 in its lowered tape-covered position, while figure 4 shows support arm 60 in a raised loading position. Fig. 5, 6 and 7 are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view and a schematic view, respectively, of the interior of the same portion of the roadway taping machine 10. Fig. 3-7 are described together. Fig. 5 and 6 differ from fig. 3 and 4 in that fig. 5 and 6 depict a plurality of spools (52a, 52b) traveling on tape spool 56. These different spools may be fed to the tape along different paths, including a bypass path that avoids the reciprocating blade 64 as described below.

Fig. 3-7 variously illustrate the tape spool 52, tape isolator 54, carriage 58, support arm 60, damper 61, support mount 62, reciprocating blade 64, blade actuator 66, blade mount 68, compaction roller 72, take-up roller 74, and tape 76, all as described above with respect to fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 3-7 additionally show tape feed roller 80, case walls 82a and 82b, structural bar 84, take-up bar 86, adhesive side roller 88 (with star washer 90), bracket 92, motor connection 94, take-up roller 96, fixed blade 98, fixed non-adhesive side roller 100, pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102, roller pivot arm 104, compaction roller 106, bar pivot 108, axial spool isolator 110, roller biasing arm 112, spring attachment point 114, spring 116, primary tape path 118, and bypass tape path 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tape covering magazine 44 is formed primarily of two rigid side walls 82a and 82b (collectively referred to as side walls 82) parallel to the spool 52 (or spools 52a, 52b when multiple spools are present) and located on opposite sides of the spool 52. The side walls 82 anchor directly or indirectly all of the tape handling rollers and blades of the tape covered section 16. The side walls 82 are rigidly connected by several structural bars 84 (one of which is visible in fig. 3; three of which are visible in fig. 6). The tape feed roller 80, the take-up bar 86, the take-up roller 96, the compaction roller 106, and the various tape alignment rollers (adhesive side roller 88, fixed non-adhesive side roller 100, and pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102) are all anchored directly or indirectly to the side walls 82 (of the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102), but have at least some degree of freedom with respect to the tape-covered bin 44.

Fig. 3 and 4 depict the support arm 60 at both extremes of its rotational degree of freedom. Figure 3 shows the support arm 60 in a depressed adhesive tape position. As can be seen in FIG. 3, when support arm 60 (and corresponding spool 52) is in this taped position, case wall 82a prevents spool 52 from being removed. It is only possible to remove or install the reel when the support arm 60 is in its raised position. In the tape-coated position, the support arm 60 is collapsed toward (i.e., parallel to) the support mount 58. In contrast, in the loaded position shown in fig. 4, the pivot arm is rotated away from (i.e., toward normal to) the support mount 58. When the support arm 60 is in its loaded position, the spool 52 is raised substantially highest, i.e., furthest from the bottom of the tape-covered bin 44, thereby providing easy access for an operator at a height suitable for removing or inserting the tape spool without bending or crouching. When in the tape applying position, the spool 52 is closest to the bottom of the tape applying case 44 and is supported by the bracket 58 of the tape applying case 44. The relatively low profile of the tape spool 42 in the taping position improves visibility of the target (taped) area in front of the roadway taping machine 10 from the operator's position at the handlebar 24.

A damper 61 is schematically shown extending between support arm 60 and support mount 58. In alternative embodiments, support arm 60 may be attached between support arm 60 and, for example, sidewall 82. Although the damper 61 is shown in fig. 3 as being attached alongside (i.e., outside of) the support arm 60 and the support mount 62, other embodiments of the damper 61 may be disposed within the frame of the support arm 62. The damper 61 may be, for example, a gas piston damper or other fluid damper. In general, the damper 61 may have two functions. First, the damper 61 slows the lowering of the support arm 60 from the loading position to the tape-coating position when the reel 52 is loaded. Slowing this down improves operational safety and protects the hardware and allows better control of the feeding of tape through the tape feed bar 80 (see below). Second, the damper 61 may act as a limit to the maximum angular extent of the support arm 60 defining the loading position. This second function may alternatively or additionally be performed by a separate stop. This angled position of the loading position is selected to be generally upright and such that the arm 60 does not tilt forward in the loading position when the road taping machine 10 is on a substantially horizontal ground surface. This positioning may ensure that once in the loaded position, gravity does not tend to drive the raised support arms down to the tape-covered position. In some embodiments, the angular traverse of the support arm 60 may increase slightly further such that the loading position is away from the tape feed roller 80, slightly past the upright position, such that gravity tends to passively hold the support arm 60 in the loading position once the loading position is reached. When support arm 60 is in the upright loading position, tape shaft 56 is cantilevered away from support arm 60 such that the distal end of tape shaft 56 is exposed for removal or installation of reel 52.

Although the support arm 60 is depicted in fig. 1-4 as being located on a particular side of the roadway tape applicator 10 (particularly the left side from the perspective of a drive operator), the support arm 60 and support mount 62 may be adapted for mounting on either side of the tape applicator box 44, which may include, for example, bolt holes or other fastening means that allow the support mount 62 to be secured in any position. This two-handed flexible mounting scheme is particularly useful when taping of the roadway is required on an active roadway (i.e., when traffic may pose a risk to the operator). By allowing the support arm 60 to switch between the two sides of the adhesive tape application magazine 44, the roadway tape applicator 10 facilitates loading and unloading of spools from the side of the device furthest from traffic.

The primary tape path 118 defines the path of tape from the spool 52 to the compaction roller 106 via the cutting blade assembly formed by the stationary blade 98 and the reciprocating blade 64. The compaction roller 106 presses the tape into the ground and the compaction roller 106 rolls with the ground as the road taping machine 12 moves and tilts away from the ground by rotation of the caster mount 50 (see fig. 1, 2 and the accompanying description). In this position, a portion of the weight of the roadway taping machine 12 is pressed through the compaction roller 16 to compact the tape onto the underlying roadway surface.

Along the primary tape path 118, the tape is bent around the tape feed roller 80 to pass between the take-up roller 96 and the take-up lever 86. For example, the take-up roller 80 may be a freely rotating registration roller. The take-up roller 96 is coupled to the compaction roller 106 by a connection of the tape 76 across the take-up roller wheel 74 and the compaction roller 72, respectively. As the compaction roller 106 rotates along the ground, it drives the take-up roller 96 through the compaction roller 72, the belt 76, and the take-up roller 74. Thus, the take-up roller 96 rotates whenever the roadway taping machine 10 is moved along the ground with the compaction roller 106 engaged. The tape take-up lever 86 rotates about a lever pivot 108, pivoting in a direction away from the take-up roller 96 when actuated by an external source (not shown), such as a pull cable or pneumatic actuator. This reciprocating motion of the tape take-up lever 86 forces the tape into contact with the take-up roller, causing the tape to be pulled into the cutting assembly (reciprocating blade 64 and fixed blade 98) of the machine. Although the take-up rod 86 is shown in simplified form in fig. 5 and 6 as a solid structure, it may include a star washer as described below with respect to the adhesive-side roller 88 to avoid sticking to the tape. The take-up lever 86 and take-up roller 96 cooperate to ensure that the flow of tape along the primary tape path 118 does not stop when the tape is cut. In at least some embodiments, the operator may additionally actuate the tape roller 86 by squeezing the brake lever 28, as discussed above with respect to fig. 1 and 2. In some such embodiments, for example, actuating the brake lever 28 pulls the take-up lever 86 toward the take-up roller 96, e.g., via a mechanical linkage such as a gear train or a pull cable, or indirectly via an electronic trigger of a separate actuator. In some embodiments, this manual actuation method may be combined with automatic crimping actuation controlled by controller 20.

The tape along primary tape path 118 then passes between reciprocating blade 64 and stationary blade 98. The fixed blade 98 and the reciprocating blade 64 each form a cutting assembly, wherein the fixed blade 98 acts as a sharp edge rigid receiver for the reciprocating blade 64. Reciprocating blade 64 is displaced by blade actuator 66 under the control of controller 20 as it is driven through actuator drive connection 94 by motor 30. In some embodiments, the blade actuator 66 may be a pneumatic cylinder that is actuated according to the control of the controller 20 and pressurized by the motor 20. In other embodiments, the blade actuator 66 may be a drive rod coupled directly to the motor 30 via a drive train. In some embodiments, one or both blades may be treated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, a hydrophobic or oleophobic coating, or other release coating to prevent the tape from adhering to the blade. In the illustrated embodiment, the reciprocating blade 64 faces the adhesive side of the tape along the primary tape path 118 and therefore benefits particularly from an anti-stick coating. Alternatively, one or both blades may be wetted with oil or solvent. The timing of the cut by the reciprocating blade 64 may be, for example, consistent with the distance traveled as reported by the wheel encoder 40, or consistent with the dispensing strip as reported by the encoder 81 which measures the length of the dispensing strip. Although the encoder 81 is shown on the tape feed roller 80 (see FIG. 3), it may generally be located anywhere that indicates tape movement or a reduction in reel thickness, such as on the tape spool 56, or on the tape spool 52. The controller 20 may also process and/or collect encoder readings that reflect the amount of tape dispensed or the distance traveled when tape is applied to produce an indication when the amount of tape is low.

The primary tape path 118 is maintained between the adhesive side roller 88 and a non-adhesive side roller, including a fixed non-adhesive side roller 100 and at least one pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102, by the blades 64 and 98. The adhesive side roller 88 abuts the adhesive side of the pavement marking tape that passes through the primary tape path 118 and prevents the tape from bending forward or falling out of the tape-covered box 44. The non-adhesive side rollers 100 and 102 abut the opposite non-adhesive side of the road repair tape and hold it at a distance from the compaction roller 106, as described in more detail below.

The adhesive-side rollers 88 are narrow rotating rods each provided with at least one star washer 90. In some embodiments, each adhesive side roller 88 includes a plurality of star washers 90 distributed across the transverse width of the adhesive covered tape cassette 44 between the side walls 82. The adhesive-side roller 88 exerts a holding force only on the tape or primarily through the star washer 90, thereby minimizing the surface area in direct contact with the tape adhesive and thus reducing the risk of sticking to the roller. The non-adhesive side rollers 100 and 102 do not require star-shaped gaskets.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the fixed, non-adhesive side roller 100 receives tape from the blades 64 and 98 along a primary tape path 118. At least one pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102 is further disposed along the primary tape path to a compaction roller 106 and supported between two parallel pivot arms 104 at either lateral end of the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102. Fig. 7 shows two pivoting non-adhesive side rollers, while fig. 5 and 6 show only one pivoting non-adhesive side roller. More generally, any suitable number of rollers sufficient to define the inner panel of the tape path may be used. As shown in fig. 7, the pivot arm 104 may pivot about the axis of rotation of the fixed, non-adhesive side roller 100, but may alternatively be pivotable elsewhere. In the most general case, the pivot arm 104 can rotate relative to any fixed mounting on the tape-covered bin 44, thereby allowing the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102 to be in the forward position P_ForwardAnd shortened path position P_{Short length}To pivot between the first and second positions. In the forward position P_ForwardThe tape is typically held adjacent to or against the adhesive side roller 88. At a shortened path position P_{Short length}The tape may be drawn from the adhesive side roller 88 and the overall tape path length from the blade assembly to the compaction roller 106 is reduced.

Fig. 6 illustrates a roller biasing arm 112, the roller biasing arm 112 being a lever arm integral with or attached to the at least one pivot arm 104. The spring 116 is a biasing element that extends between the roller biasing arm 112 and the spring attachment point 114, and the spring attachment point 114 may be, for example, generally proximate to the compaction roller 106. Each pivot arm includes a respective roller biasing arm 112 and spring 116, which provides more uniform load distribution and avoids relative torsional deflection of the biasing arms.

Pivot arm 104 remains in forward position P during normal, unimpeded unwinding of tape from spool 52 to compaction roller 106_ForwardOr close to the forward position P_Forward. However, when the reciprocating blade 64 and the fixed blade 98 are cutting the tape, the tape is sandwiched between the two blades and cannot flow. The time when the blades are clamped together but before the tape is cut defines a short interval in which the tape is cut except for P_ForwardRelative to P_{Short length}The road taping machine 10 will need to be slowed or stopped in addition to the slack provided by the additional path length provided. During this interval, the compaction roller 106 continues to pull into the tape, pulling the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102 back to the shortened path position P_{Short length}And pivot arm 104 is rotated to take up the slack. When the cut is complete, the spring 116 biases the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102 back to the forward position P_Forward. In this manner, the roadway taping machine 100 can be continuously cut and compacted into appropriate tape segments without interruption while moving at speeds up to over 5mph (miles per hour).

During operation, the range of motion of the pivoting non-adhesive side roller 102 with the pivot arm 104 determines the amount of slack S that can be taken up when cutting. The process of cutting the tape with the blades 64 and 98 is characterized by a cutting duration D (e.g., 0.3 seconds) from the beginning to the end of each cut, where the duration D is determined by the sharpness and force of the relative motion of the two blades and other parameters. The speed at which the road taping machine 10 can travel when cutting is therefore at least partially determined by this additional slack, where speed v is S/D. While other design parameters may also contribute to some slack and to the machine's ability to apply tape while moving, the addition of roller 102 along pivot arm 104 allows for significantly faster movement while applying tape.

If desired, the tape may be passed along the primary tape path 118 without being cut simply by deactivating the reciprocating blade 64. However, in some cases it may be desirable to apply tape from both spools simultaneously, only cutting one of the spools. For example, road markings with parallel solid and dashed lines are often used to indicate lane changes (e.g., passing) that are allowed when passing in only one direction. The present system is capable of supporting multiple road marking tape reels on tape spool 56. In some embodiments, axial spool isolators 110 may be placed between the spools 52a, 52b to provide a desired fixed spacing between the pavement marking lines. Although only two separate spools 52a and 52b are shown in FIG. 5, a greater number of parallel tape spools are possible. If a continuous line of tape is to be placed parallel to the line of disruption (e.g., a dashed line), tape from the spool designated for the line of disruption can be directed through the bypass tape path 120. As shown in fig. 6, the bypass tape path 120 bypasses the blades 64 and 98, but may in the illustrated embodiment follow the tape registration rollers 88, 100, and 102 to the compaction roller 106. In the most general case, the bypass tape path 120 may follow any path from the spool 52a or 52b to the compaction roller 106, thereby avoiding tape fouling and maintaining the relative tape positioning.

Fig. 8A and 8B provide top views of the roadway tape laying machine 10 for the displacement mechanism of the offset plate 32 as briefly described above with reference to fig. 1 and 2. As described above, this displacement mechanism allows the tape covered section 16 to be displaced laterally (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the tape drive direction) relative to the drive section 14. Fig. 8A shows the tape covered segment 16 aligned with the drive segment 14. Fig. 8B shows the rubberized tape section 16 displaced to the left (from the perspective of the operator at the handlebar 24) with respect to the driving section 14. This displacement mechanism also includes a fastener 122 (with a bolt 124, a nut 126, and a lever nut connector 128), and a receiver plate 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver plate 130 is a rigid support flange of the adhesive coated tape cassette 44, and the bolts 124 pass through both the offset slots 34 (see fig. 1) and the holes in the receiver plate 130. The bolt 124 may equally be a rod or a screw. In the illustrated embodiment, the offset plate 32 and the receiver plate 130 are clamped between the nut 124 and the lever nut connector 128. The lever nut connector 128 may be twisted or pulled between open (loose) and closed (tight) positions, thereby allowing or preventing relative displacement of the receiver plate 32 with respect to the offset plate 130 and the bolt 124 along the biasing slot 34, respectively. Other fastening tools may be used in place of the lever nut connector 128 and/or the nut 126. Any clamping fastener capable of securing the receptor plate 130 to the offset plate 32 may suffice, although a fastening tool that is easily flipped between the loosened and tightened states from the outside above and outside of the adhesive coated cassette as in the illustrated embodiment is desirable.

FIGS. 8A and 8B identify a belt section axis A_tAxis of drive section A_dAnd an offset plane P_o. Tape segment axis A_tAnd a drive section axis A_dWhich are the centerline axes of the belt section 16 and the drive section 14, respectively, and are parallel to the drive axis along which the road belt conveyor 10 as a whole is aligned and driven as previously described. Offset plane P_oIs a plane passing through the offset plate 32 and parallel to the receiver plate 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the bias plane P_oPerpendicular to the tape section axis A_tAnd a drive section axis A_dHowever, bias plane P is also contemplated herein_oRelative to axis A_tAnd A_dAlternative embodiments of the deflection. In the most general case, the displacement mechanism of the present invention allows the offset plate 32 and the receiver plate 130 to follow an offset plane P_oAre displaced relative to each other and thus relative to the drive section axis A_dMake the adhesive tape section axis A_tAnd (4) shifting. Tape segment axis A_tAnd a drive section axis A_dAlways remain parallel to each other but may be laterally displaced relative to each other as described above.

The tape can be mounted at any lateral position along the spool axis, which allows a degree of flexibility in the lateral position of the tape. However, when tape is needed in close proximity to walls, curbs, and other obstacles, the width of the drive section 12 (defined by the spacing of the rear wheels 38) may be such that merely displacing the reel 52 to the end of the reel shaft 56 is insufficient to allow taping. Under such limited conditions, the ability to laterally displace the entire tape covered section to one side or the other relative to the drive section may allow for tape covering where otherwise inoperable.

Discussion of possible embodiments

The following is a non-exclusive description of possible embodiments of the invention.

An roadway tape applicator configured to carry and apply pavement marking tape to a roadway surface, the roadway tape applicator comprising: a spool mount configured to receive a spool of the pavement marking tape; a compaction roller configured to receive the pavement marking tape from the spool and press the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface; a blade assembly disposed between the spool mount and the compaction roller, the blade assembly configured to cut the pavement marking tape; a plurality of positioning rollers disposed between the blade assembly and the compaction roller and configured to hold one side of the pavement marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller; and a pivot arm configured to support a subset of the positioning rollers, thereby allowing at least one of the plurality of positioning rollers to deflect as the blade assembly cuts the pavement marking tape such that a tape path along the plurality of positioning rollers to the compaction roller is shortened.

The roadway tape applicator of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein allowing at least one of the plurality of positioning rollers to deflect as the blade assembly cuts the roadway marking tape includes allowing the pivot arm to rotate toward the compaction roller, the roadway taping machine further including a rotatable arm extending from a pivot toward the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, further comprising a biasing spring configured to drive the plurality of positioning rollers toward a position away from the compaction roller when unconstrained by reducing slack in the roadway marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines further comprising a structural frame supporting the spool mount, the blade assembly, the pivot shaft and the compaction roller, wherein the biasing spring extends from the structural frame to the pivot arm.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the pivot arm has a V-shaped profile with a first leg of the V-shaped profile carrying the plurality of positioning rollers and a second leg of the V-shaped profile attached to the biasing spring.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines further comprising a tape feed roller disposed between the blade assembly and the spool mount.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines further comprising a rotatable coupling between the tape feed roller and the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the blade assembly comprises a first blade and a second blade configured to clamp together to cut the road marking tape such that the road marking tape is held by the blade assembly when cut and slack in the road marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller is absorbed via deflection of the subset of the positioning rollers.

A method of dispensing sections of pavement marking tape to a pavement surface with a roadway tape applicator, the method comprising: unwinding the pavement marking tape from the spool to a compaction roller by a blade assembly, the compaction roller pressing the pavement marking tape into the pavement surface by the weight of the tape laying machine; cutting the pavement marking tape using the blade assembly; maintaining the pavement marking tape in engagement with a plurality of registration rollers at a first position along a path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller; and displacing a subset of the plurality of positioning rollers toward a second position closer to the compaction roller while cutting the pavement marking tape, thereby shortening the path; and displacing the subset of the plurality of registration rollers back to the first position once the pavement marking tape is cut.

The method of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein displacing the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers comprises rotating a pivot arm to which the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers is attached.

Another embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein displacing the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers back to the first position comprises biasing the pivot arm with a spring toward the first position such that the subset of the plurality of positioning rollers rests in the first position when not forced toward the second position by reducing slack in the road marking tape between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein cutting the pavement marking tape using the blade assembly comprises first clamping the pavement marking tape and then cutting the pavement marking tape between a first blade and a second blade.

Another embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the displacing of the subset of the plurality of registration rollers toward the second position occurs while the pavement marking tape is clamped between the first blade and the second blade and before the pavement marking tape is sheared by the first blade and the second blade.

Another embodiment of the foregoing method further comprises continuously advancing the roadway tape applicator along the roadway surface by a plurality of iterations of unwinding the tape, cutting the tape, and applying the tape to the roadway surface.

An roadway tape applicator configured to apply roadway marking tape from a spool onto a roadway surface via a compaction roller, the roadway tape applicator comprising: a blade assembly disposed between the reel and the compaction roller to cut the pavement marking tape; and a tape registration roller disposed between the blade assembly and the compaction roller to retain the pavement marking tape therebetween; wherein the tape registration roller is movable to shorten a tape path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller.

The method of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the above road tape laying machine further comprises: a structural frame supporting the reel, the compaction roller, and the blade assembly; and a first pivot arm supporting the tape alignment roller, the first pivot arm being rotatably anchored to the structural arm and pivotable between a first position and a second position, the first position defining a longer tape path between the blade assembly and the compaction roller than the second position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods further comprises a second biasing element disposed to bias the second pivot arm toward the second position and away from the first position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the first biasing element is a spring connected between the first pivot arm and the structural frame.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway tape laying machines, further comprising a plurality of stationary rollers disposed between the spool and the tape registration roller, the stationary rollers secured to the structural frame.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, further comprising: a second pivot arm parallel to the first pivot arm, wherein the tape alignment roller is supported between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm such that the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm rotate together to define the first position and the second position; and first and second biasing elements symmetrically disposed on the first and second pivot arms, respectively, to cooperatively bias the tape alignment roller toward a position between the cutting assembly and the compaction roller having a maximum tape path length.

A road tape laying machine comprises: a rigid frame supported by a plurality of wheels at a bottom side and extending along a centerline axis; a tape spool spindle carried on the rigid frame and configured to receive and rotatably support a replaceable road marking tape spool; and a reel loading assembly anchored to the rigid frame and the tape reel spool shaft and adjustable between: a tape application position wherein the tape spool cannot be removed from the tape spool spindle; and a loading position, wherein in the loading position, the tape spool is farther from the wheel than in the tape covering position, and wherein the tape spool is removable from the tape spool spindle.

The roadway tape applicator of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the foregoing roadway tape laying machine, wherein the spool loading assembly comprises a support arm rotatable between the tape laying position and the loading position, wherein the rigid frame is configured to receive the support arm at a first position on a first side of the centerline axis and at a second position on a second side of the centerline axis opposite the first side.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway tape laying machines, wherein the rigid frame impedes removal of the tape spool when the spool loading assembly is in the tape laying position, but not when the spool loading assembly is in the loading position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the reel loading assembly includes a support arm pivotally anchored at a first end relative to the rigid frame and connected to the tape reel spindle at a second end distal from the first end such that the reel loading assembly is adjustable between the tape-covered position and the loading position by rotating the support arm to displace the second end and thereby the tape reel spindle.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway tape laying machines, wherein the second end of the tape spool spindle is cantilevered and exposed when the spool loading assembly is in the loaded position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the spool loading assembly further comprises a support mount anchored to the rigid frame and extending away from the rigid frame to a pivot mounting location that pivotably receives the support arm such that the support arm is stationary relative to the rigid frame and the pivot arm is rotatable relative to the rigid frame.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein: when pivoted to the tape-covered position, the pivot arm rotates in a direction parallel to the support arm, thereby positioning the tape reel spindle at a position closest to the bottom side of the rigid frame; and when pivoted to the loaded position, the pivot arm rotates toward a direction normal to the support arm, thereby positioning the tape reel spindle at a position furthest from the bottom side of the rigid frame.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines further comprising a fluid damper attached to the pivot arm and the support arm such that the fluid damper resists rotation of the piston arm toward the tape position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the inhibiting of the pivot arm from rotating toward the taped position comprises slowing rotation of the pivot arm toward the taped position such that the pivot arm is prevented from impacting the rigid frame at a damaging speed.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the loading position corresponds to a substantially upright orientation of the pivot arm such that a gravitational component on the tape spool spindle does not bias the spool loading assembly toward the tape-covered position when the spool loading assembly is in the loading position and the road taping machine is in an upright position and the wheels are on a flat ground.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the loading position corresponds to a substantially upright, inverted position from which an external force is required to overcome gravity in order to move the pivot arm out of the loading position toward the tape laying position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the loading position corresponds to a slightly off-upright orientation of the pivot arm such that a gravitational component on the tape spool spindle biases the spool loading assembly toward the loading position when the spool loading assembly is in the loading position and the road taping machine is in an upright position and the wheels are on a flat ground.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway tape applicators, wherein the rigid frame comprises a tape-coated frame having first and second tank walls parallel to each other and to opposite sides of the spool.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein an edge of the box wall opposite the bottom side of the rigid frame has a recessed area positioned and dimensioned to cradle the tape spool spindle in the tape-covered position, thereby supporting the tape spool spindle and the replaceable spool in the loaded position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, further comprising: a compaction roller configured to utilize the weight of the road taping machine to force road marking tape from the replaceable spool into a roadway surface; and a cutting assembly disposed between the compaction roller and the replaceable reel in the tape-covered position and configured to cut the pavement marking tape, wherein the cutting assembly and the compaction roller are mounted between the case walls.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines further comprising a plurality of registration rollers disposed along the path of the roadway marking tape between the replaceable spool in the tape laying position and the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, further comprising a removable radial spacer insertable between the tape spool spindle and the replaceable spool.

A method of operating a road tape laying machine having a rigid frame, a tape spool spindle arranged to carry a replaceable spool, a tape feed port and a pivot arm arranged to support the tape spool spindle, the method comprising: rotating the pivot arm to a loading position, wherein the tape spool spindle is raised and away from the tape inlet in the loading position; inserting the replaceable reel onto the tape reel spindle when the pivot arm is in the loaded position; rotating the pivot arm to a tape-covered position, wherein the spool tape spool spindle is depressed in the tape-covered position and brought closer to the tape inlet; feeding the pavement marking tape from the replaceable spool into the tape inlet.

The method of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the aforementioned roadway tape applicator further comprises, after rotating the pivot arm to the loading position and prior to inserting the replaceable spool: removing a previous reel from the tape reel spool.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines further comprising a tape isolator sized to fit the replaceable spool disposed radially about the tape spool axis between the tape spool axis of rotation and the replaceable spool.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein rotating the pivot arm to a taping position comprises displacing the pivot arm to a position between the loading position and the taping position from which gravity can pull the tape spool spindle and the replaceable tape spool toward the taping position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines further comprising a damping pivot arm that pivots to the tape laying position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein damping of the pivot arm rotation is achieved via a gas damper.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein rotating the pivot arm to the loading position comprises shifting the pivot arm to a position where gravity tends to hold the tape spool spindle in the loading position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the replaceable spool is not removable from the road taping machine when the tape spool spindle is in the tape laying position.

A road tape laying machine comprises: a drive section, the drive section comprising: a drive axle, wherein the wheels are aligned parallel to the drive axis; a tape segment disposed adjacent the drive segment along the drive axis, the tape segment comprising: a tape-over frame configured to support a tape spool; and a compaction roller mounted on the tape-over frame and configured to compact a road marking tape from the tape spool onto a roadway surface beneath the road tape applicator; and a displacement mechanism, the displacement mechanism comprising: a bias plate fixedly anchored to one of the drive section and the tape segment and extending laterally between the drive section and the tape segment, the bias plate including a first lateral groove therethrough; and a fastener anchored to the other of the drive section and the tape covered section and translatably secured by the first transverse groove such that the fastener can be tightened to the offset plate to lock the tape covered section in place relative to the drive section and loosened from the offset plate to allow the tape covered section to translate laterally relative to the drive section.

The roadway tape applicator of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the foregoing roadway tape applicator is wherein the offset plate is fixedly anchored to the drive section and the fastener is anchored to the tape section.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the fastener comprises a plurality of screws passing through the transverse groove, anchored to the other of the drive section and the tape covered section, and threaded into nuts to clamp the offset plate in a tightened position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the displacement mechanism further comprises a receiver plate parallel to the offset plate and mounted to the other of the drive section and the tape section such that the fastener is anchored to the other of the tape section and the drive section by the receiver plate.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the fastener comprises a bolt fastened through the offset plate and through the transverse groove, the bolt being fastened from the receiver plate opposite the offset plate through one of a nut and a lever nut connector, and from the offset plate opposite the receiver plate through the other of the nut and the lever nut connector.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the tape covering segment further comprises a cutting assembly disposed to cut the pavement marking tape, and the drive segment further comprises a motor configured to drive the cutting assembly.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the lateral position of the wheel defines an outermost lateral position of the drive section.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein operation of the displacement mechanism allows the tape covered section to translate to extend laterally beyond the outermost lateral position of the drive section.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein translation of the tape covered section also translates the compaction roller laterally relative to the drive axle.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the displacement mechanism is the only rigid connection between the drive section and the tape covered section.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the drive section and the tape section are additionally connected by a compliant member.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the compliant member comprises at least one of an electrical cable and a pneumatic hose.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the drive section further comprises a drive mechanism configured to propel the road taping machine.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one of a handlebar and a traction link.

A road tape applicator apparatus for applying a road surface tape to a road surface, the apparatus comprising: a rear control portion, the rear control portion comprising: a steering control member; a power module; at least one rear wheel for engaging the road surface to support the rear control portion; and a rear frame to which the steering control, the power module, and the at least one rear wheel are attached, the rear frame having a rear centerline axis; a front applicator portion, the front applicator portion comprising: an applicator assembly configured to apply the pavement tape to the pavement surface, the applicator assembly including a compaction roller; at least one front wheel for engaging the road surface to support the rear applicator portion; and a front frame to which the compaction roller and the at least one rear wheel are attached, the front frame having a front centerline axis; a displacement mechanism configured to allow the front frame to be laterally displaced relative to the rear frame to selectively align or offset the front centerline axis relative to the rear centerline axis, the displacement mechanism including a fastener that secures the front frame to the rear frame to prevent relative lateral displacement.

A method of operating an adhesive tape road-laying machine having a drive section and an adhesive tape section connected by a displacement mechanism, the drive section including wheels, the adhesive tape section including a hose reel mount and a compaction roller arranged to compact road marking tape from the hose reel mount onto a road surface, the method comprising: ascertaining a tape scribe target position relative to a width of the drive section; disengaging the fastener of the displacement mechanism to allow the tape covered section to translate relative to the drive section; sliding the tape segment relative to the drive segment along a plane normal to a drive axis of the road tape sealer until the displacement of the tape segment allows tape application at the tape scoring target location; engaging the fastener, thereby locking the tape covered section relative to the drive section; and driving the road tape sealer via the tape segment while applying the road marking tape.

The method of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein unfastening the fastener comprises removing or loosening a bolt or screw, and wherein joining the fastener comprises replacing or tightening the bolt or screw, respectively.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein loosening the bolt or screw comprises rotating a lever nut connector to an unlocked position, and wherein tightening the bolt or screw comprises rotating the lever nut connector to the locked position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the tape covered section and the driving section each comprise a first plate and a parallel second plate, and wherein engaging the fastener comprises locking the first plate to the second plate.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein one of the first and second panels is an offset panel having a lateral groove and has a greater lateral width than the other of the first and second panels, such that sliding the cover tape section relative to the drive section includes the fastener sliding within the lateral groove when not untwisted.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein ascertaining a tape scoring target location relative to a width of the drive section comprises determining a location that is inaccessible at the tape covered section, i.e., that requires tape at its current location relative to the drive section.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein driving the road taping machine via the tape segment comprises one of: the belt machine is pushed along the drive axis or pulled along the drive axis.

A road tape laying machine comprises: a wheeled frame; a spool shaft rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame and configured to receive and rotatably support a first road marking tape spool and a second road marking tape spool axially adjacent to the first road marking tape spool; at least one compaction roller configured to compact tape from both the first road marking tape spool and the second road marking tape spool onto a surface beneath the wheeled frame; a first set of registration rollers defining a first tape path from the first lane marking tape spool to the at least one compaction roller; a second set of registration rollers defining a second tape path from the second road marking tape spool to the at least one compaction roller; and a pavement marking tape cutting assembly disposed along the first tape path but not along the second tape path.

The roadway tape applicator of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the aforementioned roadway taping machine wherein the first set of registration rollers and the second set of registration rollers share at least some rollers.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the first set of registration rollers includes at least a first subset of the second set of registration rollers.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the first and second sets of registration rollers share a second subset of registration rollers disposed along the first and second tape paths between the cutting assembly and the at least one compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the first set of registration rollers includes a first subset of registration rollers displaceable toward the at least one compaction roller to shorten a portion of the first tape path between the cutting assembly and the at least one compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the at least one compaction roller comprises a first compaction roller configured to receive tape along the first tape path and the second tape path simultaneously.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the first tape path and the second tape path are usable simultaneously such that tape from the first spool moves along the first set of alignment rollers to the compaction roller while tape from the second spool moves along the second set of alignment rollers to the compaction roller.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway tape laying machines, wherein tape from the first spool and the second spool is received side-by-side on the compaction roller, thereby allowing for simultaneous parallel dispensing of an interrupted line of tape from the first spool and an uninterrupted line of tape from the second spool.

A method of operating an adhesive tape roadway machine having a spool axis, a compaction roller, and a cutting assembly disposed between the compaction roller and the spool axis, the method comprising: rotatably mounting a first tape spool on the spool axis; rotatably mounting a second tape spool on said spool axis adjacent said first tape spool; directing tape from the first tape spool along a first tape path defined at least in part by a plurality of registration rollers, the first tape path extending through the cutting assembly to the compaction roller; guiding tape from the second tape spool to the compaction roller along a second tape path around the cutting assembly; and driving the road taping machine along a tape-covered path to apply tape from the first spool and the second spool simultaneously in parallel.

The method of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the foregoing method further comprises cutting tape from the first tape spool using the cutting assembly and simultaneously applying tape from the first and second spools in parallel.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein simultaneously applying tape from the first spool and the second spool in parallel comprises applying a continuous section of the tape from the second spool, and simultaneously applying a plurality of sequential interrupted sections of the tape from the first spool in parallel to the tape from the second spool.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the second tape path is defined at least in part by a subset of the plurality of registration rollers.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the subset of the plurality of registration rollers includes all registration rollers disposed between the cutting assembly and the compaction roller.

A road tape laying machine comprises: a wheeled frame; a spool shaft supported on the wheeled frame and configured to receive a road marking tape spool; a compaction roller rotatably mounted on the wheeled frame in line with the wheels of the wheeled frame; a plurality of registration rollers defining a tape path from the spool to the compaction roller; and a splice platform disposed adjacent to and along the tape path.

The roadway tape applicator of the preceding paragraph may optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or components:

another embodiment of the aforementioned roadway taping machine further includes a cutting assembly disposed along the tape path between the reel and the compaction roller, wherein the splice platform is located between the cutting assembly and the reel.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing roadway taping machines, wherein the splice platform includes a cutting guide oriented substantially orthogonal to the tape path.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing road taping machines, wherein the cutting guide is a groove or slot.

Summary of the invention

Any relative terms or terms of degree used herein, such as "substantially", "essentially", "generally", "approximately", and the like, should be interpreted in accordance with and constrained by any applicable definitions or limitations expressly set forth herein. In all cases, any relative terms or terms of degree used herein should be interpreted to broadly encompass any relevant disclosed embodiment as well as ranges or variations that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the entirety of this disclosure, such as to encompass ordinary manufacturing tolerance variations, incidental alignment variations, alignment or shape variations caused by thermal, rotational, or vibrational operating conditions, and the like.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.