US 12,338,587 B2
Heatable hose assembly for asphalt repair and methods of use
Shane Stepp, North Branch, MN (US)
Assigned to Stepp Manufacturing Co., Inc., North Branch, MN (US)
Filed by Stepp Manufacturing Co., Inc., North Branch, MN (US)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/907,513.
Application 18/907,513 is a continuation of application No. 18/374,234, filed on Sep. 28, 2023, granted, now 12,110,641.
Application 18/374,234 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/237,098, filed on Aug. 23, 2023, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2025/0067008 A1, Feb. 27, 2025
Int. Cl. E01C 19/45 (2006.01); E01C 11/00 (2006.01); E01C 23/14 (2006.01); F16L 11/127 (2006.01)
CPC E01C 19/45 (2013.01) [E01C 11/005 (2013.01); E01C 23/14 (2013.01); F16L 11/127 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for keeping asphalt hot during pavement repair operations comprising the steps of:
a. engaging a junction block to an asphalt heating machine, said junction block comprising a first passageway extending through said block from a first opening on a first side of said block to a second opening on an opposite side of said block directly across from said first opening, and a second passageway extending from a third opening on an end of said block and intersecting with said first passageway wherein said heating machine is in fluid communication with said third opening;
b. engaging a first end of a heatable hose with said first opening of said block, said hose comprising (i) a flexible cylindrical conduit having insulation around an exterior surface thereof, and having a hollow internal cylindrical region; and (ii) an hollow flexible metallic sheath provided coaxially inside said internal cylindrical region of said conduit such that a coaxial space is provided between an outer surface of said sheath and an inner surface of said conduit, said sheath having a metallic tube attached at an end thereof corresponding to the first end of said hose;
c. extending said metallic tube through said first passageway of said block and sealing said first and second openings around said tube;
d. engaging an opposite end of said hose to an application wand;
e. removably inserting an elongated heating element through said tube and into said hollow flexible metallic sheath from the second opening in said block and extending said heating element along the length of said flexible metallic sheath;
f. introducing a heated asphalt compound into the third opening in said block for movement through the coaxial space of said hose around said sheath and to said wand for application to pavement cracks; and
g. operating said heating element to keep said asphalt compound heated as it travels through said hose.