Screed plate

摘要

An improved screed plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a curved leading edge and a trailing edge adapted for attaching to a screed of a paving machine is disclosed. The improved screed plate comprises a tapered groove extended from the curved leading edge towards the trailing edge along the top surface and terminated in a groove end. The tapered groove is arranged deepest at the curved leading edge and shallowest toward the trailing edge so as to provide flexibility to the screed plate while not reducing screed plate lifetime due to increased wear and tear. The increased screed plate flexibility facilitates crowning and other adjustments that require bending of the screed plate, and allow harder steels to be used than are used in conventional screed plates.

主权项

1. An improved screed plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a thickness, a length, a curved leading edge and a trailing edge, the improved screed plate adapted for attaching to a screed of a paving machine, the improvement comprising:
at least one tapered groove extending from the curved leading edge towards the trailing edge along the top surface and terminating in a groove end at between 75% and 92% the distance between the curved leading edge and the trailing edge; wherein the bottom surface is adapted to engage with the material being compacted and smoothed; and whereby the tapered groove is arranged deepest at the curved leading edge and shallowest toward the trailing edge so as to provide flexibility to the screed plate.