Apparatus and method for a hold-down assembly
A heating element hold-down assembly having a heating element adapted to be removably mounted on the screed and a hold-down mechanism adapted to be removably mounted on the screed. The hold-down mechanism comprises a hold-down mechanism frame adapted to contact the heating element, a resilient device adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position, a tension shaft, a portion of which is adapted to contact the resilient device, a pin adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and an adjustment means adapted to be adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft. The hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.
1. A heating element hold-down assembly adapted for use on a screed having a screed frame and a screed plate, said heating element hold-down assembly comprising:
(a) a heating element, said heating element being adapted to be removably mounted on the screed;
(b) a hold-down mechanism, said hold-down mechanism being removably mounted on the screed and comprising:
(i) a hold-down mechanism frame, said hold-down mechanism frame being adapted to contact the heating element;
(ii) a resilient device, said resilient device being adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position;
(iii) a tension shaft, a portion of said tension shaft being adapted to contact the resilient device;
(iv) a means for removably attaching the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, said means for removably attaching the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame being disposed in the lower portion of the tension shaft;
(v) an adjustment means, said adjustment means being adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft;
wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.
2. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a retaining ring.
3. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a retaining washer.
4. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a spring ring.
5. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism further comprises a means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism.
6. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism comprises a pin.
7. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism is removably mounted to the screed frame.
8. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism frame further comprises one or more cross-members.
9. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the resilient device comprises a spring.
10. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises a jack screw.
11. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises an actuator.
12. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the screed plate.
13. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the screed plate.
14. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element and the hold-down mechanism are adapted to be removed from the screed as a unit.
15. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element and the hold-down mechanism are adapted to be removed from the screed as a unit without removing the screed plate.
16. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the screed plate is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the heating element.
17. The heating element hold-down assembly of claim 1 wherein the screed plate is adapted to be removed from the screed without removing the hold-down mechanism.
18. A heating element hold-down assembly adapted for use on a screed having a screed frame and a screed plate, said heating element hold-down assembly comprising:
(a) a heating element, said heating element being adapted to be removably mounted on the screed;
(b) a hold-down mechanism, said hold-down mechanism being removably mounted on the screed and comprising:
(i) a hold-down mechanism frame, said hold-down mechanism frame being adapted to contact the heating element;
(ii) a resilient device, said resilient device being adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position;
(iii) a tension shaft, a portion of said tension shaft being adapted to contact the resilient device;
(iv) a pin, said pin being adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and being disposed in the lower portion of the tension shaft;
(v) an adjustment means, said adjustment means being adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft;
(vi) a means for removably attaching the heating element and the hold-down mechanism;
wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.
19. A method for maintaining contact between a screed plate and a heating element in a screed, said method comprising:
(a) providing a heating element hold-down assembly having a screed frame and a screed plate, said heating element hold-down assembly comprising:
(1) a heating element, said heating element being adapted to be removably mounted on the screed;
(2) a hold-down mechanism, said hold-down mechanism being removably mounted on the screed and comprising:
(i) a hold-down mechanism frame, said hold-down mechanism frame being adapted to contact the heating element;
(ii) a resilient device, said resilient device being adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position;
(iii) a tension shaft, a portion of said tension shaft being adapted to contact the resilient device;
(iv) a pin, said pin being adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and being disposed in the lower portion of the tension shaft;
(v) an adjustment means, said adjustment means being adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft;
wherein the hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted; and,
(b) moving the resilient device between the expanded position and the contracted position.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising adjusting the heating element hold-down mechanism.