US1492060A - Excavating machine - Google Patents

Description

A ril 29. 1924. 1,492,060

1'. AULMANN EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed um. 19. 1920 e Sheets-Sheet 1 April 29, 1924. 1,492,060

T. AULMANN v EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19. 1920 S SheetS-Sheet 2 April 29 19 v 1,492,060 T. AULMANN EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19 [1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 29, 1924. 1,492,060

' T. AULMANN I EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 29, 1924. 1,492,060

' T. AULMANN EXCAVATING MACHINE:

@1156 Nov. 19. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor April 29, 1924. 1,492,060

T. AULMANN EXCAVATING MACHTNEJ Filegl Nov. 19 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Ar. 29, 1924.

rngononn AULMANN, or nus Monvns, Iowa.

nxonvnrme MACHINE.

Application filed November 19, 1920. Serial No. 425,226.

ously and automatically excavating and delivering material such as shale and similar semi-hard substances, to a hopper or con- 7 tainer.

A further object is to provide an excava' tor capable of removing material from a bank of shale of considerable depth and composed of a series of. different strata, and while so excavating to continuously and uniformly mix the material of the different strata together and deliver them to a hopper or receiver in small chunks or particles.

A further object is to provide an exca vator capable of excavating material from a bank of shale of considerable depth, and

to leave the excavated surface of the bank.

in such shape that it will not easily slide off due to the action of frost or other conditions of the weather.

A further object is to provide in an excavator having an excavator member of heavy and rigid construction, and capable of being moved in a semi-circular path of a comparatively large radius, new and improved means for supporting, operating and advancing the said excavator member.

A further ob ect 18 to provide in connection with an excavator member adapted to remove material fro-m a bank by cutting and drawing it toward the floor, and adapted to swing in a horizontal plane, new and improved means for gathering and elevating the material to a fixed predetermined point.

These and other objects which need not.

be mentioned in detail, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1. shows a side elevation of my improved excavating machine, showing the manner in which it is mounted relative to a bank of shale when in action, the bank of shale being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the base portion of the excavating. fraane.

Figure 3 is a central, vertical, sectional view, taken through the inclined elevating chute and the base portion of the machine, showing the manner in which the material is delivered to the hopper, and also showing portions of the operating mechanism.

Figure platform.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 3, showing in detail the mechanism for driving the elevating conveyor.

Figure 7 is a detail view showing the mechanism for controlling the gathering members, and also a portion of the elevating chute, in section.

Figure 8 is a detail end elevation of the sprocket mechanism for the lower end of the elevating conveyor, showing a portion of the sprockets in section.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure ,10 is a detail semi-sectional view of the sprocket at the upper end of the elevating and excavating conveyor.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 12 is a detail end elevation of the clutch mechanism for gripping the rails, the rails being shown in section.

gigure 13 is a side elevation of the same; an

Figure 14 is a sectional view, taken on the line 14*14r. of Figure 3.

My improved excavator comprises a series of supporting rails, a movable platform and an excavating frame, the frame being designed to swing in a substantially semi-circular path upon the platform and to carry a flexible and continuously moving excavator member which is capable of elevating 4 is a plan view of the supporting V the material to a hopper provided for that 1 purpose.

A platform 10 is built of a series of transversely arranged and parallel beams 11. These beams are rigidly and securely held in position relative to each other by means of longitudinally arranged and parallel beams 12, the said transverse and longitudinal beams being secured in position relative to each other by means of gusset plates 13.

This construction is one commonly adopted by structural engineers.

The beams 11 and 12 are of such a length that a circular contour is provided at their ends, the ends bein connected by means of a circular beam 14 eld in position by proper gusset plates as shown. The beam 14 is provided with a circular track 15, which is detachably secured to the beam 14 by means of counter-sunk bolts or rivets 16.

The platform is provided near its central portion with a plate 17 having an opening. '18, which is for the purpose of receiv ng mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The back portion of the platform is constructed of short members 19 and angular members 20, so that a notched portion 21 is formed in the platform. This notched portionis for the purpose of receiving mine cars, as willbe hereinafter more fully set forth. The platform is designed-to be'of a I considerable diameter, approximately thirty-two feet, and as it is designed to carry a'very heavy concentrated load, it necessary to provide a series of supports, which I have provided by arranging the beams 12 i n setsof two, spaced a slight distance apart,

and placing a series of double flanged wheels 22 between them. Each of these rows .of wheels is designed to rest on a rail 23. The rails 23 are formed in short sections and reston suitable ties 24.

By this arrangement it will be seen'that I have provided a platform of very rigid construction, whichmay be easily moved lon gitudinally and which may be capable of carrying a heavy concentrated .load onthe circular track 15.

The excavator framecomprises a seriesof parallel beams 25 and 26, and a series of track 15, so that the rollers 32 may travel frame from being moved upwardly relative" to the platform.

Near the forward end of the members 25 I have provided parallel members 27, de-

signed to receiverollers 32 having their axes radial of the pivot center of the said frame, the rollers 32 bemg positioned at a distance from the center equal to the radius of the on the track 15. The shaft of each roller 32'is provided with a bevel gear 33 which is designedto mesh with abevel gear 34 mounted on the outer end of a transversely arranged shaft 35, the said shaft terminating near the longitudinal center of the frame and being provided with abevel gear 36.

. detail.

Each of the bevel gears 36 is designed to mesh with a plnion 37 mounted on the forward end of a longitudinally arranged shaft 38. The shaft 38 is secured in position by means of bearings 39 mounted on cross members40, the members 40 being secured to the frame members 25. The back end of the shaft 38'is provided with a pinion 41 designed to mesh with a gear 42, the said gear being operatively connected with a shaft 43 on a speed reducing gear device 44. This speed reducing mechanism is operatively connected with a reversible motor 45 by meansof a coupling 46. 7

The speed reducing mechanism 44 is of the common construction which is patented and sold on the'market as a unit. The details of this construction are well known to those 'versed in the art, and for that'reason it is deemed unnecessary to describe them in B this arran ement of driving mechanism it will be seen that as the motor. 45 is operated the gears 41 and 42 will be rotated through the speed reducer 44, and the bevel gears 46. in turn will be rotated from the pinion 37, causing the shafts 36 to be rotated in. opposite directions. of the gear 34 will in turn cause thebevel gears 33 to be rotated in the same direction, and the-wheels 32 rotated. This will cause the excavator frame member'to be swung ina circular path about the pivot point. A reverse movementof the excavator frame is accomplished by reversing the motor 45. i

.The members .25 are provided. with atowei 47, which is built of steel structure and rigidly braced. The .forwardends of the members 25 are provided with, vertical members 48, slightly inclined forwardly and held in. position relative to the tower 47 by means of horizontal braces 49, the upper ends of the members 48'being rigidly held in posi tion bymeans of horizontal members 50 connected to the top of the tower 47. The upper ends of the members 48 are provided with bearings 51, designed to carry a shaft 52. .The shaft .52 in turn is designed to carry a sleeve 53 which is provided at each end with. a bearing member 54 and a flange 55. Each of the flanges 55 has secured to it The rotation a sprocket 56 by means of bolts'57. The

shaft 52 is 'rigidly held in the bearings 51 by meansof bolts 58, to preventit from turning.

The forward end of the frames 25 are provided with bearings. 58*, designed to receive a shaft 59, and secured in position by means of bolts 60. The shaft 59'is provided with disc members 61, rotatably mounted on said shaft, and havinghubs 62. Each. of the discs 61 is provided with an annular flange 63 designed toreeeive a sprocket 64. These sprockets are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the sprockets 56.

The sprockets 64 are secured in position relative to each other by means of a sleeve 65 which has an opening 66 through which oil or grease may be placed in the sleeve 65 for the purposeof lubricating the bearings formed by the hubs 62. By this construction it will be seen that the member 65 may be packed with hard oil and a plug placed in the opening 66 so that a dirt-tight container may be provided for the grease.

Each disc 61 is provided with an annular lug 67, designed to receive a tooth 68 which is detachably secured in position by means of bolts 69. The-purpose of these teeth will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Adjacent to each end of the disc 61 I'have pivotally mounted a gathering gate 70, which is formed circular and provided with ribs 71. These gates are designed to be raised and lowered for the purpose of gathering the material, as will hereinafter be described.

Secured to the tower 47, at a point considerably above the members 25, I'have provided horizontally arranged beams 72, the forward ends of which are provided with a shaft 73 mounted in slidable bearing mem-; bers 74. These bearing members are adjustably held in position by means of set screws 75. 'The shaft 73 is provided with sprockets 76, which are spaced aparta distance equal to the spacing of the sprockets 56 and the sprockets 64.

Secured to the back endsof the members W 72 I have provided a shaft 77, secured in position by means of bearings 78. The shaft 77 is provided with hub members 79, each of which is designed to receive a sprocket 80, the hubs 79 being loosely mounted on the shaft and each provided with a gear 81.

The sprockets 80 are spaced and held apart by means of a bar 82. This bar, however, is so mounted that a certain amount of rotary movement may be imparted between the two sprockets relative to each other. Secured to the members 72 is a second shaft 83, held in position by means of bearings 84. The shaft 83 is provided with pinions 85 in mesh with each of the gears 81 and secured in position by means of key. One end of the shaft 83 is provided with a large belt wheel 86, while the other end is provided with a small belt'wheel 87.

' The sprockets 56, 64, 76 and '80 are designed to receive a conveyor 88. This conveyor 88 comprises chains 89 having transversely arranged shafts 90. The shafts 90 are arranged in groups of two, and are connected withthe solid portion of the links that are designed to carry a tool holding member 91 secured in position to oneof the shafts 90 by means of U-bolts 92. The member 91 is provided at its rear end with a notch 93, which receives the back one of each set of shafts 90. The member 91. is

designed to receive a cutting tool 94. These tools are inclined slightly forwardly, and are held in position by means of suitable locking mechanism. The chains 89 are also provided with transverse plates 95, which are so placed that they form elevating means veyor is moved downwardly, the cutters 94 maybe made to engage material and cut it loose, permitting it to fall to thefloor line of the pit. The members 25 are provided with a platform 97, upon which is mounted a motor 98 provided with a belt wheel 99. The motor 98 is so mounted that the belt wheel 99 is in line with the belt wheel 86, the wheels 99 and 86 being designed to receive a belt 100.

Thus it will be seen that as the motor 98 is operated the wheel 86 will be rotated in a clockwise direction, causing the gears 81 to be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction by means of the pinions 85, and the sprockets 80 rotated through the hubs 79. This in turn will cause the excavator conveyor 88 to be driven.

In devices of this kind, where two sets of gears areemployed to drive a single shaft. or mechanism, considerable difficulty has been experienced in aligning the pinions with the gears so that they will absolutely mesh, if both sets of pinions and gears are rigidly connected to the shafts- For that reason I have provided the construction shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, where the sprockets 80 are connected directly with the gears 81, the gears 81 being loosely mounted on the shaft. By this arrangement it will be seen that one of the sprockets 80 may be moved slightly relative to the other one to adjust the variation between the two sets of gears. This slight movement will not be noticeable to the working of the convcyor.

For elevating the material that has been excavated, I have provided an inclined trough 101'. This trough has its lower end secured adjacent to the sprocket wheels 64, and its upper end terminating at a point beneath the sprockets 80. The conveyor is provided. with transverse plates which act as bucket members for sliding the material within thebottoin of the trough 101. The said trough 101 is so located that its bottom, rests adjacent to the bottom edges of the plates 95, as they move upwardly. The central portion of the trough 101 is provided with a grooved portion 102 for the clockwise direction,,which will cause the sprockets SO to be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction through the gearing mechanism just described. 'Thiswill cause the conveyor 88 to be moved beneath the sprockets 76, over the sprockets .56 and beneath the sprockets '61. Thus the said 0011- veyor 88 will move downwardly between the members 96, said members holding the conveyor against lateral movement relative to said members; I

It "willrthus be seen that the cutters 91 may be made to engage the face of a bank of shale or similar material, and that when soengaged they will cut the material loose, and this material will then fall upon the floor at a point near the bottom ends of the members 418. The plates 95 will then engage the. material and move it upwardly through the trough 101. Y

After theconveyor 88' has beenstarted,

, the motor is set in operation, which "will cause the free end of the-members and the members 18to be moved in a circular path, as before describech'and cause the cuttingmembers 91 to be moved in a circular path about the pivotmember 29.

To assist in gathering the material and conveying it into the trough 101, I have provided ateach side of thesprockets'tie the plates70. The edges of the plates 70 are formed circular, the circular edge beingof a radius substantially equal to the radius of the points of the cutters as the said cutters pass over the sprockets 61. These plates 70 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 59 so that one of the plates may rest inthe' position shown in Figure 1, while the other plate may be elevated in such a manner that the excavated material will pass beneath the plate as the frame 25 is oscillated. -When the frame 25 is moved to the right, the lefthand plate 70 is lowered, which will gather the loose material which is'not gathered by the plates 95.

For raising and lowering the plates 70 I i I have provided a shaft 104 rotatably' mounted in bearings 105 secured to the lower side of the trough 101, as clearly illustrated in Figure 7. Each end of the shaft 104 is'provided with a drum 106, and is-secured thereto. One end of the shaft 104.- is provided with a hand wheel 107, having a handle 108. Eachof the drums 106 is designed to receive a cable .109. These cables 109 are drum will unwind its cable. This willcauseone of the members to be elevated, and the other lowered. V 7 Then the, swinging movement of the members 25 is reversed, the position of the members 70 may, also be reversed.

To assist in gathering the material, and

also to assist inmakinga true circular floor portion for the members? 0, I have provided the auxiliary cutter members68. These cutter members, being secured to the sprockets 61, are rotated integraltherewith, and cut loose any projections or unevenness in the surface ,which may have been left by the cutters 94:, and also agitate the 'material gathered by the plates 70,. which assists in causing it to move in front of the plates 95.

By the arrangement above described, it will-be "seen that a semicircular or conical face will be cut in the bank of "shale, as it is necessary in the operation of the machine to move the members 18 in an angle substantially equal to 180 degrees, after which the operation may be reversed. vWhen the frame member 48 has reached its limitof movement in either direction, it may be distance and are designed to receive a shaft 112 which is arranged longitudinally with the members 25. and rotatably mounted in' suitable bearings. The forwardend of the shaft112 is provided with a. miter gear 118, which is in. mesh with a second miter gear 114 mounted on the inner end of a transversely arranged shaft- 115 which is mount ed in suitable bearings securedto the frame member 27. The outer end of the shaft 115 is provided with a pulley 116, having a clutch member designed to coact with a second clutch member. 117 which is slidab-ly mounted on the shaft 115. The member 117 is controlled by means of a. bell crank lever 118, which is in turn controlled-by a lever 119 and a connecting rod 120. The'lever 119 is mounted on a platform 121 secured at the forward end oft he machine andina position where the operation of the cutters 94 may be easily observed by the operator. The pulley 116 is loosely mountedion" the shaft 115 and is designed to receive a belt 122 which is mounted on the pulley 87 of the shaft 83. A'pinion gear 123 is secured to the shaft 112 and is in mesh with a gear.

124 mounted on a shaft 125 parallel with the shaft 112 and beneath it. The shaft 125 is designed to carry two loosely mounted bevel pinions 126, each of which is constantly in mesh with a bevel gear 127. Each of the pinions 126 is designed to coact with a slidable clutch member 128. This clutch member 128 is designed to be operated by a pivoted lever 129 which is in turn operated by means of a hand lever 130 and a rod 131, the lever 130 being secured to the platform 121 adjacent to the lever 119. The bevel. gear 127 is mounted on a vertical shaft 132, the lower end of which is provided with a bevel pinion 133 designed to mesh with the bevel pinion 134. The bevel pinion 134 is mounted on one end of a shaft 135, which is rotatably mounted in a thrust bearing 136 and provided at its opposite end with a universal joint 137. The member 137 is mounted on one end of a screw-threaded shaft 138 which extends longitudinally between the'central members 12 of the movable platform. This screw-threaded shaft 138 is designed to coact with a block 139 pivotally mounted in members 140, as shown in Figures12 and 13. The members 140 are secured to a plate 141 which rests on the top of one of the rail members 23. 13.11. gular plates 142 are provided, the inner ends of which engage the under side of the ball of the rail and the upper ends of which are in engagement with the lower edges of the plate'141. Set screws 143 secure the said angular plates in position, and also secure the members 140 adjacent to the member 141. When the set screws are tightened, the members 140 are held rigidly in position relative to the rail 23.

When it is desired to advance the cutters 94 into the material to be excavated, the operator will actuate the lever 119 which, through the rod 120, will cause the bell crank 118 to be oscillated, causing the member 11? to frictionally engage the clutch within the pulley 116. This pulley 116 is constantly rotated throu h the belt 122 from the pulley 87 and through. the mechanism before described. This will cause theshaft 115 to be rotated, together with the miter gears 113 and 114, which will in turn rotate the shaft 112, the pinion 123 and the gear 124, which in turn will rotate the shaft 125. The

clutch member 128, which is slidably keyed 131. When the clutch 138 has engaged one of the pinions 126, the pinions 133 and 134 wvill be rotated, which will cause the shaft 138 to be rotated in the block 139. This will cause the shaft 138 to have a longitudinal movement, due to the screw threads thereon. This longitudinal movement will cause the bar 126 to be moved longitudinally, and the latform advanced relativeto the rails 23. he members 125 are mounted on said platform, and consequently will bemoved therewith, which in turn will movethe member 48, together with the cutters 94.

After the shaft 138 has moved longitudi-- nally through the block 139 to the full ex: tent'of its movement, the set screws 143 may be loosened and the members 140 advanced relative to the rail. This movement may be accomplished by throwing the clutch member 128 in a reverse direction, to that in which it is actuated for advancing the platform. This will cause the clutch 128 to engage the oppositely. rotating pinion and the shaft 138 to be rotated in the opposite direction, and the members 143 moved relative to the rail 23-until they have reached the outerlend of the shaft 138. The set, screwsv 143' will then be tightened, after which the platform may be again advanced as before described.

To enable the operator to easily and quickly ascertainrhow much movement, the

platform has made relative to the rails, and also when the shaft 138 has reached its limit of movement, I have provided a graduated scale member 144, which is arranged vertically and mounted on one of the upright members of the main frame. I have provided adjacent to the plate 144, bearings 145, which are designed to carry a vertically screw-threaded shaft 146. This shaft is provided with a screw-threaded and coacting runner 147, provided with a pointer 148 designed to move adjacent to the scale of the member 144. The lower end of the shaft 146 is provided with a bevel gear 149, which is in turn in mesh with a bevel gear 150 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and mounted on a horizontally arranged shaft 151. The shaft 151 is mounted in suitable hearings on one of the members 25, and is provided at its rear end with a universal joint 152, which in turn is connected to a diagonally arranged shaft 153, the rear endof which is provided with a universal joint 154. This joint. 154 is mounted on the forward end of the shaft 112.

Thus it will be seen that as the shaft 112 is rotated to advance the platform, the shaft 146 will also be rotated and the runner 147 be elevated or lowered. WVhen the clutch members 140 are advanced relative to the rail 23, the pointer 148 will be moved to its normal position. By this arrangement it will be seen that the operator may quickly,

easily and accurately ascertain when the cutters 94 have been moved to the right depth.

For receiving the material after it has been elevated, I have provided a hopper 154, which'is in the form of an inclined tube having its upper end provided with vertical side members 155 and its lower end provided with a gate 156. The upper end of the hopper is located substantially above the pivotal center of the frame members 25 by means of vupright supports 157, the lower ends of which are mounted on a pivoted platform 158 secured to the top sides of the members 111.; The pivot center of said plat form is vertically over the pivot center of the frame members 25,"the frame members 25' being designed to rotate under the members 158 and the hopper 154:, which issupported and held in a stationary position by means of upright members 159. These. members 159 are secured to the'members- 19 and 20 of the platform, and are spaced apart in such amanner that a car may be moved in under the lower end of'the hopper 154 and into the notch 21 of the platform to receive material from the said hopper, By'this arrangement it will be seen that the car may be moved into position under said hopper while the conveyor is in any of its positions of circular movement, or the conveyor may move continuously whilethe car is in'position to receive material, without interfering with the filling of the said car. The gate 156 is designed to be actuated by means of a continuous rope 160, which is mounted on a sheave 161, which in turn is mounted on the end of a transverse shaft 162 mounted in suitable hearings on the upper side of the hopper 154:. The shaft 162 is provided' with pinions 163 designed to mesh with gears 164, which are in turn secured to the sidemembers of the gate 156. Thus it will be seen that as the rope 160 is operated, the shaft 162 will be rotated, which in turn will cause the gate 156 to be elevated for the purpose of emptying the material within the hopper.

movement in such a manner that the mate 7 rial from a bank of shale having a series of stratavor different formations maybe removed in comparatively small chunks and particles, and when so removed they will be uniformly mixed together as they descend to the floor of the pit. v ture will then be elevated to a hopper, which 'may be easily and quickly emptied into a This uniform mixreceiving car. 7

A further advantage of this construction lies in the fact-that the cutters move downwardly to accomplish their'p'urposefl This downward movement of the cutters will consequently produce a tendency toward an elevating movement of the supporting members of the conveyor, which will have a tendency to lighten the load on the forward end of the frame members 25. By placing the members 48 in a position slightly clmed from the vertical, a semi-conical surface is left in the pit, which prevents, to a large extent, the possibility of portions of the surface working loose and sliding oif.

trouble even after they are gathered up and sent to the mill. Y

Another advantage of my excavator lies in the fact that I have. provided a large and rigid platform upon which the excavator member may be moved in a circular path. This platform'is supported by a series of 'parallelrails placed on suitable ties sothat the machine may be successfully operated even if the floor or bed of thepit is quite soft. The platform is of sufficient stiffness so that when the supporting rails are :properly laidvthe circular track thereon will be provided with'a straight upper face. This is quite an advantage in machines of this class, having excavator members movingm a conical plane with an altitude of approximately forty feet. It will be seen that a very slight variation in the track face would produce a considerable movement on the upper ends of the supporting members 48. This would cause the cutters to engage the material to a much greater depth at some places than at others, and a very uneven cut would be produced as the excavator moved in its circular path. ,7

Another advantage of my improved machine lies in the fact that the excavator or movable member may be easily and quickly replaced by a new one when worn out.

I claim as my invention: 7 e

1. In a device of the class described, a platform,a movable frame on said platform, an excavator memberon said frame, ca-

pable of moving downwardly to the floor line to loosen the material to be excavated, then upwardly to deliver it to a hopper, means for moving said excavator member transversely in either direction, pivoted gathering means for each side of said excavator member, adjacent to the floor, and

This working loose and sliding ofl of por-,

means for alternately raising and lowering said gathering means. r

2. In a device of the class described, a platform formed of a series of intersecting steel beams having its edge formed with a circular portion, and a straight portion, the straight portion being provided with an inwardly extending notch terminating near an annular track for the outer portion of said edge.

3. In a device of the class described, a platform, a movable frame on said platform, an excavator member for said frame comprising an upwardly and outwardly extending portion, the lower end of which is substantially the floor line, and an upwardly and inwardly extending portion on the lower end of the first said portion, said portions being in alinement with each other, a set of sprocket wheels for the adjacent ends of said inclined portions, a set of sprocket wheels for the first said upwardly and outwardly extending portion, a shaft arranged trans- V versely across the upper end of the inwardly and upwardly-extending frame portion, a set of sprocket wheels loosely mounted on said shaft, a gear rigidly secured to each of said sprocket wheels and also rotatively mounted on said shaft, a second shaft parallel with the first said transversely arranged shaft, a set of pinions rigidly secured I to said second shaft, each of which is designed to be in operative relation to the cor responding loosely mounted gears, a chain for each of the loosely mounted pinions designed to extend over corresponding sprockets of said excavator member, said chains being provided with a series of transversely arranged connecting members, a cutter located centrally on a number of said transversely arranged connecting members, and.

means for driving the said second transversely arranged shaft.

i. In a deviceof the class described, a platform, a movable frame on said P1atform, an excavator member for said frame comprising an upwardly and outwardly extending portion, the lower end of which is substantially the floor line, and an upwardly and inwardly extending, portion on the lower end of the first said portion, said portions being in alinement with each other,

a set of sprocket wheels for the adjacent ends of said inclined portions, a set of sprocket wheels for the first said upwardly and outwardly extending portions, a shaft arranged transversely across the upper end of the inwardly and upwardlyextending frame portion, a set of sprocket wheels loosely mounted on said shaft, a gear rig-,

idly secured to each of said sprocket wheels and also rotatively mounted on said shaft, a second shaft parallel with the first said transversely arranged shaft, a set of pinions rigidly secured to said second shaft, each of which is designed to be in operative relation to the corresponding loosely mounted gears, a chain for each of the loosely mounted pinions designed to extend over corresponding sprockets of said excavator member, said chains being provided with a series. of transversely arranged connecting members, a cutter located centrally on a number of said transversely arranged connecting members, means for driving the said second transversely arranged shaft, means for moving said excavator member transversely in either direction, pivoted gathering means for each side of the lower end of said excavator member adjacent to the floor, and means for alternately raising and lowering said gathering means.

5. In a device of the class described, a platform. a supporting frame pivoted to oscillate in either direction on said platform, an inclined gathering trough carried by said supporting frame, the lower end of said inclined trough being designed to engage the ground surface outside of said platform, and the inner end to extend upwardly and inwardly. to a point substantially above the pivoted center, a transversely arranged shaft at the upper end of said gathering trough, a pair of sprocket wheels for said pivot, a transversely 311:-

lower end of said gathering trough about said platform in either direction, a pivoted plate adjacent to each edge of said gathering member designed to be moved from an elevated to a lowered position, and means for elevating and lowering each of said plates.

'6. In a device of the class described, a platform, a supporting frame pivoted on said platform, an excavating member designed to travel in an inclined path and designed to have one portion engage and gather material at a point at the floor level of the platform, means for moving the engaging portion of said excavator member in a transverse path with the movementof the excavator member, a pivoted gathering 7 gathering member, a rotatively mounted shaft, a flexible lifting means for each of i said plates having one end connected thereto and the opposite end of said lifting member being wound on said shaft in opposite directions, and means for rotating said shaft in either direction.

rnriononn AULMANN.

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