1. A system for attaching a planing extension to a planing assembly, the planing extension including a mounting wall, the system comprising:

a first mounting component configured to engage within a first socket provided on the mounting wall, the first mounting component including a first fastening member; and

a second mounting member configured to be received within a second receptacle disposed on the mounting wall, the second mounting member comprising:

a second fastening member engaged with the first fastening member of the first mounting component; and

a mounting catch configured to engage a mating wall of the screed assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member is disposed longitudinally along the mounting wall and the second mounting member is disposed transversely to the first mounting member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member includes a bolt and a pair of washers to engage with the first receptacle on the mounting wall of the planing extension.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first fastening member includes a threaded end to engage with the second fastening member on the second mounting component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second mounting component comprises a cylindrical hook assembly defining a first curved side and a second curved side diametrically opposite the first curved side, and wherein the second fastening member comprises a threaded socket disposed on the first curved side and the mounting catch is disposed on the second curved side.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the mounting wall, the mounting plate including a first engagement socket that engages the second mounting component and at least one fastening socket configured to receive a fastener for fastening the system with the mounting wall of the planing extension.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fastening receptacle of the mounting plate is an elongated receptacle.

8. A planing extension for a planing assembly, the planing extension comprising:

a mounting wall for attachment to a mating wall of the screed assembly, the mounting wall comprising:

a first socket and a second socket; and

a screed extension attachment system coupled to the mounting wall for attaching the screed extension to the screed assembly, the screed extension attachment system comprising:

a first mounting component engaged with the first receptacle, the first mounting component including a first fastening member; and

a second mounting member received in the second receptacle, the second mounting member comprising:

a second fastening member engaged with the first fastening member of the first mounting component; and

a mounting catch configured to engage a mating wall of the screed assembly.

9. The planing extension of claim 8, wherein the mounting wall extends along a longitudinal axis of the planing extension, the mounting wall defining a top end and a bottom end, and wherein the first socket is disposed at the top end and extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the second socket extends downwardly from the top end along the longitudinal axis.

10. The planing extension of claim 8 wherein the first mounting member includes a bolt and a pair of washers engaged within the first socket on the mounting wall of the planing extension.

11. The planing extension of claim 8 wherein the first fastening member includes a threaded end engaged within the second fastening member of the second mounting member.

12. The planing extension of claim 8, wherein the second mounting component includes a cylindrical hook assembly defining a first curved side and a second curved side diametrically opposed to the first curved side, and wherein the second fastening member includes a threaded socket disposed on the first curved side and the mounting catch is disposed on the second curved side.

13. The planing extension of claim 8 wherein the planing extension attachment system further comprises a mounting plate secured to the mounting wall, the mounting plate including a first engagement socket that engages with the second mounting member and at least one fastening socket that receives a fastener to secure the planing extension attachment system with the mounting wall.

14. The planing extension of claim 13 wherein the at least one fastening socket of the mounting plate is an elongated socket.

15. The planing extension of claim 13 wherein the mounting wall includes at least one complementary fastening groove that aligns with the at least one fastening socket of the mounting plate and receives the fastener to secure the planing extension attachment system with the mounting wall of the planing extension.

16. A screed assembly, comprising:

a main screed defining a laterally extending axis and including a mating wall defining a first longitudinal axis, the mating wall including:

a first cavity extending along the first longitudinal axis and defining a capture protrusion therein;

a planing extension attached to the main screed, the planing extension comprising:

a frame defining a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis;

a mounting wall attached to a mating wall of the main screed, the mounting wall extending along the second longitudinal axis and defining a top end and a bottom end, the mounting wall comprising:

a first socket formed at the tip; and

a second socket extending longitudinally down from the top end along the second longitudinal axis, the second socket being aligned with the first cavity on the mating wall of the primary screed member; and

a screed extension attachment system coupling a mounting wall of the screed extension with a sidewall of the main screed, the screed extension attachment system comprising:

a first mounting member positioned longitudinally along the mounting wall and engaged with the first receptacle, the first mounting member including a threaded end; and

a second mounting member positioned transverse to the first mounting member and received within the second receptacle on the mounting wall, the second mounting member comprising:

a first curved side and a second curved side diametrically opposite the first curved side;

a threaded socket formed on the first curved side and engaged with a threaded end of the first mounting member; and

a mounting catch formed on the second curved side and engaging the catch projection on the mating wall of the primary screed.

17. The planing assembly of claim 16, wherein said first socket on a mounting wall of said planing extension extends transverse to said second longitudinal axis and said second socket extends along said second longitudinal axis of said planing extension.

18. The screed assembly of claim 16 wherein the first mounting member comprises a bolt and a pair of washers engaged within the first socket on a mounting wall of the screed extension.

19. The planing assembly of claim 16 wherein the planing extension attachment system further comprises a mounting plate secured to the mounting wall, the mounting plate including a first engagement socket that engages the cylindrical hook assembly and at least one fastening socket that receives a fastener and secures the planing extension attachment system with the mounting wall of the planing extension.

20. The planing assembly of claim 19 wherein the mounting wall of the planing extension further comprises at least one complementary fastening groove that aligns with the at least one fastening socket of the mounting plate and receives the fastener to secure the planing extension attachment system with the mounting wall of the planing extension.

Background

It is well known to use asphalt materials to lay or form road surfaces. Typically, the asphalt material is deposited, leveled and compacted by a leveling assembly located at the rear of the paving machine to form an asphalt mat. These paving machines include operator stations for allowing on-board operators to ensure proper placement of the asphalt material and proper pavement of the resulting pavement.

The width of the screed assembly may be adjusted to suit the desired width of the asphalt mat to be laid. It is known to mount mechanical screed extensions, such as bolted screed extensions, on screed assemblies for increasing the paving width of the screed assembly. Typically, the bolted extensions are heavy and require additional equipment to lift and mount them to the main screed of the screed assembly. Furthermore, installation of such bolted screed extensions requires proper positioning and alignment of the screed extension relative to the main screed to achieve a uniform and smooth laying of the asphalt mat on the surface. However, attaching and positioning such bolted planing extensions is laborious, expensive and time consuming.

U.S. patent No. 6,174,105 (hereinafter the' 105 patent) provides a scraping device for a paving screed having a main screed and a screed extension attached to the main screed, wherein the screed extension has a generally vertical front surface. The scraping device includes a plate disposed forward of and adjacent to the planing extension. The plate has a generally horizontal working edge extending laterally along the front vertical surface of the planing extension. Two connecting members extend between the doctoring plate and the planing extension and are configured to adjustably attach the plate to the planing extension such that vertical displacement of the connecting members adjusts the vertical position of the doctoring working edge. The connecting members are each a threaded rod having a first end engaged with the scraping plate and a second end engaged with the planing extension such that rotation of the rod displaces the scraping plate in a vertical direction.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for attaching a mounting wall of a planing extension to a planing assembly is provided. The system includes a first mounting member configured to engage within a first receptacle disposed on the mounting wall. The first mounting component includes a first fastening member. The system also includes a second mounting component configured to be received within a second receptacle disposed on the mounting wall. The second mounting component includes a second fastening member that engages the first mounting member on the mounting wall and a mounting catch that engages a mating wall of the screed assembly.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a planing extension for a planing assembly is provided. The planing extension includes a mounting wall configured to attach to a mating wall of the planing assembly. The mounting wall includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle disposed. The planing extension further includes a planing extension attachment system coupled to the mounting wall for attaching the planing extension to a mating wall of the planing assembly. The planing extension attachment system includes a first mounting member engaged within the first socket on the mounting wall. The first mounting component includes a first fastening member. The system also includes a second mounting member received within a second receptacle on the mounting wall. The second mounting component includes a second fastening member that engages the first mounting member on the first mounting component and a mounting catch that engages a mating wall of the screed assembly.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a screed assembly is provided. The screed assembly includes a main screed defining a transversely extending axis and including a mating wall having a first longitudinal axis. The mating wall includes a first cavity extending along the first longitudinal axis and defines a capture projection therein. The screed assembly also includes a screed extension attached to the main screed. The planing extension includes a frame defining a second longitudinal axis, and a mounting wall extending along the second longitudinal axis to define a top end and a bottom end. The mounting wall is attached to a mating wall of the leveling assembly. The mounting wall includes a first socket disposed at the top end and a second socket extending along the longitudinal axis. The planing extension further includes a planing extension attachment system coupled to the mounting wall and attaching the planing extension to a mating wall of the planing assembly. The planing extension attachment system includes a first mounting member disposed longitudinally along the mounting wall and engaged within the first socket on the mounting wall. The first mounting member includes a threaded end. The system also includes a second mounting member disposed transverse to the first mounting member and received within a second receptacle on the mounting wall. The second mounting component includes a threaded socket that engages the threaded end of the first mounting member and a mounting catch that engages a catch projection of a mating wall of the screed assembly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary paving machine operating on a paving surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 2 illustrates sections of an exemplary screed extension and main screed of the screed assembly to be attached together, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 3 illustrates an exemplary planing extension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary screed extension attachment system for attaching a screed extension to a screed assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first mounting component of the planing extension attachment system located on a mounting wall of the planing extension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second mounting component of the planing extension attachment system on a mounting wall of the planing extension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a mounting plate of the planing extension attachment system secured to a mounting wall of the planing extension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 8 illustrates a planing extension having a pair of planing extension attachment systems attached thereto to attach the planing extension to the planing assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary step of positioning and aligning a mounting wall of a planing extension to a mating wall of a main screed of a planing assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 10 illustrates an exemplary screed extension attached to a main screed of a screed assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary first planing extension attached to a second planing extension, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

The present disclosure relates to a screed extension attachment system for attaching a screed extension to a screed assembly of an asphalt paving machine. Fig. 1 illustrates an example paving machine 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Paving machine 100 may be an asphalt paving machine or any other machine for dispensing a layer of paving material onto paving surface 102.

The machine 100 includes a frame 104 having a set of ground engaging members 106, such as wheels or tracks, coupled with the frame 104. The frame 104 includes a front portion 108 and a rear portion 110. The machine 100 also includes a retractor portion 112 supported on the frame 104. The tractor portion 112 includes a power source (not shown) and an operator station 114. The power source may be an engine, such as an internal combustion engine, configured to power operation of various systems on the machine 100 (e.g., the ground engaging members 106). The operator station 114 includes one or more operator seats 116 and a console 118 that may include various controls for directing operation of the machine 100. For example, the console 118 may include one or more steering wheels, touch screens, joysticks, switches, and the like to facilitate the operation of the machine 100 and components of the machine 100 by an operator.

Machine 100 includes a screed assembly 120 configured to spread and compact the paving material into a layer or mat (not shown) having a desired width, thickness, size, and uniformity across paving surface 102. In the exemplary embodiment, screed assembly 120 includes a free-floating or self-leveling main screed 122 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as screed 122) coupled to machine 100 at a drop arm (not shown) of screed assembly 120 via a tow arm 124. The screed assembly 120, and more particularly the main screed 122, may be raised or lowered by raising or lowering the tow arms 124 via one or more tow arm cylinders 126. The tow arm cylinders 126 may be hydraulically or pneumatically operated to raise and/or lower the screed assembly 120. For example, the desired grade (or thickness) and inclination of the mat may be achieved by adjusting the height and inclination/declination of the screed 122, respectively.

Machine 100 also includes a hopper 128 supported on front portion 108 of frame 104 and configured to receive and store paving material. A conveyor system having one or more conveyors (not shown) is also configured to move paving material from hopper 128 to screed assembly 120.

Main screed 122 defines a laterally extending axis 130 along which a width of screed assembly 120 may be adjusted to accommodate a desired paving operation. The main screed 122 defines a first lateral end 132 and a second lateral end 134 along the laterally extending axis 130, wherein each of the first and second lateral ends 132, 134 includes a side mounting wall, such as a first side mounting wall 136 on the first lateral end 132 and a second side mounting wall 138 on the second lateral end 134.

As shown, one or more screed extensions 140 may be attached to the main screed 122 to increase the paving width W of the machine 100 to the paving width W1 along the laterally extending axis 130. In the example shown, four screed extensions 140-1, 140-2, 140-3, and 140-4 are attached to main screed 122 of screed assembly 120. For example, two planing extensions 140-1, 140-2 are attached to the first lateral end 132, whereas two planing extensions 140-3, 140-4 are attached to the second lateral end 134 of the main screed 122. Each screed extension 140 includes a respective extension plate 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, and 142-4 to widen and narrow as needed to lay a mat of appropriate width for a particular paving job. Although four screed extensions 140 are shown and described in this disclosure, it is contemplated that the number of screed extensions 140 attached to the main screed 122 may vary depending on the desired paving operation to be performed by the machine 100.

The main screed 122 includes a mating wall 144 (shown in fig. 2) disposed on a side mounting wall (e.g., the first side mounting wall 136) and defines a first longitudinal axis 146. In the exemplary implementation, the mating wall 144 includes a pair of cavities 148, 150, each defining a respective capture protrusion 152, 154 formed therein. The cavities 148, 150 may be U-shaped machined cavities extending along the first longitudinal axis 146. Similarly, the other side mounting wall (i.e., second side mounting wall 138) may also include a mating wall having cavities and catch projections formed therein, similar to those on mating wall 144. Further, it is contemplated that the number of cavities and capture protrusions formed on mating wall 144 is merely exemplary, and may be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. It is also contemplated that the main screed 122 and the side mounting walls 136 may include additional components that are not described in detail for brevity of this disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the planing extension 140 is attached to the mating wall 144 of the main screed 122 by one or more planing extension attachment systems 200. In an alternative embodiment, screed extension 140 may be attached to a mating wall on another screed extension of screed assembly 120 by screed extension attachment system 200.

Referring to fig. 3, the planing extension 140 includes a frame 302 defining a longitudinal axis 304 of the planing extension 140, hereinafter referred to as the second longitudinal axis 304. The second longitudinal axis 304 is configured to be parallel to the first longitudinal axis 146 when the planing extension 140 is attached to the main screed 122. The planing extension 140 includes a mounting wall 306 configured to attach to the mating wall 144 on the main screed 122, and an outer mating wall 308 configured to serve as a mating wall for another planing extension attached adjacent thereto.

Mounting wall 306 defines a top end 310 and a bottom end 312 along longitudinal axis 304. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting wall 306 includes a first set of mounting receptacles including a first receptacle 314 formed at the top end 310 and a second receptacle 316 extending downwardly from the top end 310 to the bottom end 312. As shown, the first receptacle 314 is a U-shaped machined receptacle extending transverse to the second longitudinal axis 304. Further, the second receptacle 316 is a U-shaped machined receptacle extending downwardly from the top end 310 and the first receptacle 314 along the longitudinal axis 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting wall 306 also includes a second set of mounting receptacles laterally spaced from the first set of mounting receptacles. The second set of mounting receptacles includes a third receptacle 318 identical to the first receptacle 314 and a fourth receptacle 320 identical to the second receptacle 316. Thus, the third receptacle 318 is also a machined U-shaped receptacle extending transverse to the second longitudinal axis 304, while the fourth receptacle 320 is a machined U-shaped receptacle extending downwardly from the top end 310 and the third receptacle 318 along the second longitudinal axis 304. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of mounting socket sets formed on the mounting wall 306 of the planing extension 140 is equal to the number of cavities formed on the mating wall 144 of the main planing member 122. It is contemplated that the shape and number of mounting socket sets provided on mounting wall 306 of planing extension 140 are merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In addition, the outer mating wall 308 of the planing extension 140 includes a pair of cavities 322, 324 extending downwardly along the longitudinal axis 304. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the cavities 322, 324 defines a respective capture protrusion 326, 328, respectively, formed therein. In some embodiments, the cavities 322, 324 and capture protrusions 326, 328 formed on the outer mating wall 308 of the planing extension 140 may be similar or identical to the cavities 148, 150 and capture protrusions 152, 154 formed on the mating wall 144 of the main planing member 122. The outer mating wall 308 of the planing extension 140 may be similar in function to the mating wall 144 on the main planing element 122.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary planing extension attachment system 200, hereinafter interchangeably referred to as system 200, for attaching a planing extension 140 to the mating wall 144 of a main screed 122 or to an outer mating wall of an adjacent planing extension. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the mounting socket sets formed on the mounting wall 306 is configured to engage and couple with a respective screed extension attachment system 200 therein when the screed extension 140 is assembled. The assembled planing extension 140, along with the planing extension attachment system 200, is then retrofitted to a mating wall on the planing assembly 120, i.e., the mating wall 144 on the main screed 122 or the outer mating wall 308 of the other planing extension 140.

Since the illustrated embodiment shows two sets of mounting receptacles, 314 and 318 and 320, there are two screed extension attachment systems 200-1, 200-2, each engaging and coupling to each of them. However, it is contemplated that the number of mounting sockets formed on mounting wall 306, and thus the number of screed-out extension attachment systems 200, may be varied to achieve similar results without varying the scope of the claimed subject matter. For simplicity, the following description is made with respect to a planing extension attachment system 200 coupled to one of the sets of mounting sockets (e.g., the first set of mounting sockets 314 and 316 on the mounting wall 306 of the planing extension 140).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the planing extension attachment system 200 includes a first mounting member 402, a second mounting member 404 disposed transverse to the first mounting member 402, and a mounting plate 406. In the example shown, the first mounting component 402 includes a bolt 408 having a first fastening member 410 and a pair of washers 412, 414, where the first fastening member 410 is a threaded end. The first mounting member 402 is configured to be disposed longitudinally along the mounting wall 306 and the second longitudinal axis 304 and to engage within the first receptacle 314 on the mounting wall 306. As shown in fig. 5, the first mounting member 402 is engaged with the first mounting socket 314 such that the bolt 408 is push-fit into the U-shaped socket 314, while two washers 412, 414 hold the bolt 408 in place inside the first socket 314.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, the second mounting member 404 is disposed transverse to the first mounting component 402 and is configured to be received within the second receptacle 316 on the mounting wall 306 of the planing extension 140. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second mounting component 404 includes a cylindrical hook assembly 416 defining a first curved side 418 and a second curved side 420 diametrically opposite the first curved side 418. The second mounting component 404 includes a second fastening member 422, such as a threaded socket, formed on the first curved side 418 and configured to engage with the first fastening member 410 of the first mounting component 402. Thus, when the first fastening member 410 of the first mounting component 402 is engaged with the second fastening member 422 of the second mounting component 404, the second mounting component 404 is retained within the second receptacle 316 on the mounting wall 306. Although the first and second fastening members 410, 422 are shown as threaded fasteners, it is contemplated that other types of fastening members may be implemented without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, second mounting member 404 further includes a mounting catch 424 formed on second curved side 420. Mounting capture 424 is configured to engage mating wall 144 of main screed 122 or an outer mating wall of another screed extension 140. For example, the mounting catches 424 are configured to engage with corresponding catch protrusions 152, 154 on the mating wall 144 on the main screed 122. Alternatively, the mounting capture 424 may be configured to engage with a corresponding capture protrusion 326, 328 provided on the outer mating wall 308 of another planing extension 140.

The planing extension attachment system 200 also includes a mounting plate 406 configured to be secured to the mounting wall 306 to secure the planing extension attachment system 200 to the planing extension 140. As shown in fig. 4 and 7, the mounting plate 406 includes a first engagement receptacle 425 configured to receive and engage the second mounting member 404. In addition, mounting plate 406 includes first and second fastening receptacles 426, 428 configured to receive fasteners 434 and 436 for securing screed extension attachment system 200 to mounting wall 306 of screed extension 140. As shown in fig. 7, the first fastening socket 426 and the second fastening socket 428 on the mounting plate 406 are elongated sockets configured to allow a leveling motion (up and/or down) of the screed extension attachment system 200 and the screed extension 140 when the screed extension 140 is attached to the main screed 122 or another screed extension 140 to align their respective leading and trailing edges.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the mounting wall 306 also includes complementary fastening recesses, such as a first fastening recess 430 and a second fastening recess 432, such that the first and second fastening receptacles 426, 428 on the mounting plate 406 are aligned with the fastening recesses 432, 432 on the mounting wall 306, respectively, to receive fasteners 434, 436 therein. A first mounting feature 402 engaged within first receptacle 314, a second mounting feature 404 engaged with first mounting feature 402, and a mounting plate 406 secured to mounting wall 306, secure and retain screed extension attachment system 200 to mounting wall 306.

Although the second mounting component 404 and the mounting plate 406 are shown and described as two separate components, it is contemplated by those skilled in the art that the two components may be formed as a single component without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The screed extension attachment system 200 of the present disclosure facilitates easy and cost-effective attachment of the screed extension 140 to the main screed 122 or another screed extension to increase the paving width of the screed assembly 120. Figures 8-11 illustrate an exemplary method of attaching an exemplary planing extension 140 to a planing assembly 120, such as to a main screed 122 (as shown in figure 10) or another planing extension (as shown in figure 11).

The method begins by first assembling the planing extension 140 with the planing extension attachment system 200-1, 200-2 to retrofit to the main screed 122 of the planing assembly 120. As shown in FIG. 8 and as previously described, first mounting members 402-1, 402-2 are positioned and push-fit into first receptacles 314, 318 on mounting wall 306 of screed extension 140. Subsequently, the second mounting components 404-1, 404-2 are positioned in the second receptacles 316, 320 such that the first fastening members 310-2 on the first mounting components 402-1, 402-2 engage the second fastening members 422-1, 422-2 on the second mounting components 404-1, 404-2.

Once the first and second mounting components 402, 404 are positioned into the respective receptacles on the mounting wall 306, the mounting plates 406-1, 406-2 are first positioned to engage the second mounting components 404-1, 404-2 into the first engagement receptacles 425-1, 425-2. In addition, mounting plates 406-1, 406-2 are aligned along mounting wall 306 such that first fastening receptacles 426-1, 426-2 on mounting plates 406-1, 406-2 are aligned with respective fastening recesses 430-1, 430-2, and second fastening receptacles 428-1, 428-2 on mounting plates 406-1, 406-2 are aligned with respective fastening recesses 432-1, 432-2 on mounting wall 306. Thereafter, fasteners 434-1, 434-2, 436-1, 436-2 are received in aligned fastening receptacles on mounting plate 406 and fastening grooves on mounting wall 306, thereby securing mounting plate 406 to mounting wall 306 of the planing extension. Thus, screed extension attachment systems 200-1, 200-2 are secured to mounting wall 306 of screed extension 140, resulting in retrofitting of the assembled screed extension 140 to screed assembly 120.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, first fastening members 410-1, 410-2 of first mounting components 402-1, 402-2 do not tightly engage and fasten into respective second fastening members 422-1, 422-2 on second mounting components 404-1, 404-2 when screed extension 140 is assembled separately. The fastening means are fully tightened only when the planing extension 140 is attached to the main screed 122 or another planing extension 140.

Referring to figures 9 through 11, an exemplary method for attaching screed extension 140 to a mating wall on screed member 120 is shown. For example, the planing extension 140 may be attached to the mating wall 144 of the main screed 122 (as shown in FIG. 10) or to the outer mating wall 308-2 of another planing extension 140-2 (as shown in FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting wall 306 with the planing extension attachment system 200-1, 200-2 secured thereto is located alongside the mating wall 144 of the main screed 122. For example, the planing extension 140 is positioned to align the second sockets 316, 320 on the mounting wall 306 with the cavities 148, 150 on the mating wall 144 of the main planing member 122. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the planing extension 140 is moved until the mounting capture 424-1 of the planing extension attachment system 200-1 engages and rests on the capture projection 152 on the mating wall 144 of the main planing member 122. Similarly, mounting capture 424-2 of screed extension attachment system 200-2 is located on capture projection 154 on mating wall 144 of main screed 122. Once the mounting capture members 424-1, 424-2 on the planing extension 140 are engaged with the respective capture protrusions 152, 154, the mating walls 144 and the mounting walls 306 are aligned, thereby aligning the planing extension 140 with the main planing member 122.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, once the mounting catches 424-1, 424-2 are engaged with the catch protrusions 152, 154, the second mounting component 402-1, 402-2 is rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to secure the first fastening member 410-1, 410-2 to the second fastening member 422-1, 422-2 on the second mounting component 404-1, 404-2. Rotation of the first mounting member 402-1, 402-2 in a first direction may push the planing extension attachment system 200-1, 200-2, and thus the planing extension 140, downward. For example, the first mounting members 402-1, 402-2 may be rotated to level the planing extension 140 and align the leading and trailing edges of the main screed 122 and the planing extension 140, as shown in fig. 10. Alternatively, if the screed extension 140 is fitted to a main screed 122 that is worn due to continuous operation, and/or when the leading and trailing edges of the main screed 122 are above the leading and trailing edges of the screed extension 140, the first mounting members 402-1, 402-2 may be rotated in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to pull the screed extension attachment systems 200-1, 200-2 upward to be flush with the main screed 122.

Once the mounting capture members 424-1, 424-2 are properly engaged with the mating wall 144 and the screed extension 140 is properly aligned with the main screed 122, the two are fastened together by four fasteners (only three are shown in FIG. 10), such as fasteners 702, 704, 706. For example, the fasteners 702, 704, 706 may be nuts, bolts, or any other type of fastener for securing the screed extension 140 to the main screed 122 of the screed assembly 120.

Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure in which a first planing extension 140-1 is attached to a second planing extension 140-2 in a manner similar to that described above. For example, the mounting wall 306-2 of the second planing extension 140-2 is attached to the outer mating wall 308-1 of the first planing extension 140-1 such that the planing extension attachment system 200-3, 200-4 engages the outer mating wall 308-1 in a similar manner as described above with respect to the mating wall 144 in FIG. 9. Further, the leading and trailing edges of the first and second flattened extensions 140-1 and 140-2 are aligned and leveled by rotating the first mounting member 402 as needed. The first flattened extension 140-1 and flattened extension 140-2 are then secured together by four fasteners (only three shown), such as fasteners 802, 804, 806. In some implementations, the first planing extension 140-1 may already be attached to the main screed 122 when the second planing extension 140-2 is attached thereto, while in other implementations, the planing extensions 140-1, 140-2 may be attached together first, and then both may be attached to the main screed 122 of the planing assembly 120.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.