US1902691A - Excavating machine - Google Patents

Description

March 21, 1933. R. R. DOWNIE EXCIAVATI NG MACHINE filed July 14 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 21, 1933. RR. DOWNIE EXCAVATING mourns Filed July 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WVW INVENTQR RKflomae ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 21, 1933 303E311: REX DOWNIE, or BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA EXCAVATING M ACHIN E jlkpplication' filefi July 14,

. This inventionrelates to methods of and means for operating excavat1ng"mach1nes,

particularly in the dumping phase of the ex- I cavating cycle; and among other objects, the

-15 invention aims to provide an improved method and means permitting control of dumping in any position of the scoop, without material change in the position of the scoop, and without theprovision of a special dumping line or its mechanical equivalent. Referring to the accompanying drawings,

,Fig. 1 is a'sectional elevation of a skimmer scoop with a latch operating mechanism embodying the invention; r t

4 Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the same, the parts being broken away; I Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rearelevation;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan View; and

i Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a ditcher scoop with a latch operating mechanism embody- .ing the invention. v

Referring toithe scoop of F igsfl to Linelusive, 'thereis shown a skimmer scoop 1O of'the type shown in Patent 1,536,390, to

which reference is made for a complete disclosure of 'the'same. The skimmer scoop has .a latched bottom 11 and is moved longitudinally of the boom 12 by means of the hauling line 13.

In the operation of excavating machines, ithas. always been a desideratum to employ as few power operated linesas possible. In

.skimmcrscoops which have met'with commercial success, the excavating iscontrolled by, only two lines, one for elevating and lowering the boom and the-other for pulling the scoop upwardly on the boom or horizontally along the boom during excavation.

Also in, commercial forms of ditcher scoops,

as shown for example in Patent No. 1,511,-

114, control of the scoop during excavation is obtained by but two power lines. In both types of machines, however, dumping has been effected by pulling on a tag line at tached to the latch which secures the bottom of the scoop, or else power devices of one kind or another have been providedto relieve the operator of the-manual labor of tripping the latch. There are serious drawbacks either to hand tripping orto power 192 s: Serial 110,292,655.

tripping. Hand tripping usually requires an extra operator whose sole duty is to pullthe line; and-besidesthe expense of an additionaloperator, there is the further drawbac'kthat unless his efforts are-closely co-v ordinated with those of theoperator of the -machine, thcre will be frequent spillage of V the load. -Spe'cial power-tripping; devices always add considerably to the cost of the machine, and being'of relatively light duty I are of relatively light construction and because of their position on the projecting digging structure of the machine, which is subjected to very rough use both in the way 1 of battering and over-stressing, and hence to "distortion, are difficult to protect adequately from damage and to keep in proper adjust- 'ment. 1

According to the invention, the latch is made releasable by 'recipr'ocative manipulation of the hauling line which is attached di, rectly or indirectly to the scoop itself. The invention is advantageous in that it may be practiced and used without conflict" with the I normal operation of the excavating machine during excavation, and without change in the construction of the scoop itself, and hence its preferred embodiments are readily adaptable to present forms of scoops. it I On the back wall 14 'of the scoop a; latch 15 is pivotally mounted and has its lower end engaging a latch piece 16 fixed to the bottom. ofthe scoop. The latch-releasing mechanism to bedescribed is interposed betweenthe latch 15 and the hauling line13and in thepreferred embodiment of the invention is directly actuated by forces imparted to the hauling line 13. Itis within the scope of the present invention, however, to arrange the parts so that the force of the hauling line iszindirectly used to release the latch. I Examples of mechanisms operated by the hauling line and releasing the latch by means indirectly connected with the hauling line'are shown in my companion applications, Serial Nos. 292,656 and 292,657, filed July 14,1928. M i it To connect the hauling, line-13 with the j scoop and yet permit direct actuation of the latch releasing means, the hauling. line is secured to a cableclamp 17whichispivoted to I an arm 18 of a bell crank lever, in turn pivoted upon a bracket 19 riveted upon the top part of the rear wall 14. Another bracket 20 is secured to the scoop wall on the outside thereof and provides a convenient means whereby a pair of coil springs 21 may be attached so as to tend to rotate the arm 18 in a clockwise direction againstthe resistance of the hauling line, a cross arm 22 attached to the bell crank lever providing means for securing the other ends of the coil springs. To permit a slight reciprocation of the hauling line, a roller 23 is mounted on the bail 23 'of the scoop. From the foregoing it will be obvious that if the hauling line 13 is released, the bell crank lever willbe moved clockwise by the springs 21; and if the hauling line is then retracted, the bell crank lever will move counter-clockwise through a small angle until the line of pull of the cable 13 is alined with the two pivots of the arm 18, as shown in Fig.2.

' 7 It is this slight oscillation of a lever responsive to reciprocative manipulation of the hauling line which is used to operate the latch-releasin mechanism proper, as will now be described.

Thesother arm 2 lofthe bell crank lever is pivoted at its outer end to J an oifset arm 25 (see Fig. 3) which has tendency to move counter-clockwise because of a spring 26 preferably carried 011 the arm 24 and secured to an upper entensionof the offset arm 25, as shown. The lower end of the ofiset arm25 carries a wedge27- (Figs. 2 and 3), so called because-it is provided with two upper plane faces which may be nearly at right angles to each other and which are designed to co-act with the latch and with a stationary guide post to effect bottom-releasing movement of "the latch when the hauling line is properly manipulated. a

As shown, the upper end of the latch has an outwardly projecting arm 28, thejunder surface of which is so shaped and placed that it may be readily engaged by the wedge 27 when the arm 25 isswung by thesbell crank lever, permitting the wedge to slide-over it immediately before tripping of'the latch. The guide post. 29'iprojects from a plate 30 secured to the back hf the scoop adjacent the latch, the guide post being located .very close to the end of the latch arm 28, as shown.

fPreferably the guide post has two downwardly converging plane surfaces complementary'to the surfaces on the wedge 27 and preferably is so arranged that it will prevent release of the'latch unless the wedge has been moved inwardly a predetermined dis- 'tance relative tothe latch: The critical point is the position indicated in dotted lines at 27 Fig. 2. Unless the wedge 27 moves slightly beyond this critical point, itvwill return to the'initial position. For the purpose of insuring an inward movement of the wedge'past the critical point, there is a guide position.

wedge 27 up and down an arcuate path.

Upon sharp release of the line, the guiding ;member 31 willnormally throw the wedge over against the latch or against the arm28 of thelatch, and a sharp retraction of the line at any time after the wedge leaves the base of the guide and before vit returns to into and through the space between the guide post and the arm 28, consequently swinging the lower end of the latch 15 outwardly a sufli'cient distance to release the latchpiece that point will cause the wedge to be .drawn i 16, permitting the bottom to dump. The

motion of the wedgeduring a complete ef-. fective cycle is indicated in Fig. 2, and includes the starting position, positions 27 b and 27, and the return to the initial position. Position 27 is only attained whenthe' wedge is at rest at the base of the'guide, as after descendingthe guide slowly, or after returnrapid descent the wedge passes a little above dotted line in Fig. 2;striking the outer face of the guide post, and thence to the starting The described mechanism is designed to effect tripping engagement only upon a sharp release followed rapidly bv a sharp retraction of the hauling line. This sequence is chosen as being a convenient one, but the method may be practiced with other sequences, and the means here shown may be readily modified to permit use of other sequences, e. g., the guide 31 may belengthened, thus shifting the critical position 27 a further toward the left as the parts are viewed in Fig. 2, so that any sharp retraction, whether preceded by slow release, sharp release or an ing from the swing across to position 27 In interval of rest, will cause release of the bottom.v I

Tt'will be clear that a single release and retraction are all thatis ordinarily neces sary to trip thelatch. If through inexperi ence the operator does not move the hauling line properly the first time, he may rapidly repeat the operation until the bottom is released. V Y j In Fig. there is shown aditcher scoop wherein substantially the same mechanism as previously described is shown mounted-on be delivered to the scoop. during excavation.

A link 40 pivotally connects the other end of bar 36 with a bell crank lever 41 pivotally mounted upon the rear wall of the scoop, as

indicated. The rest of the'mechanism has been described in connection with .Figs. 1 to & inclusive.

While the invention is'most usefulwhen used with skimmer scoops and ditcher scoops,

it it is not necessarily confined'to such use. While one of the primary objects of the present invention is to eliminate the use of a special tag line, Whether hand or powcr operated, I believethat Iam the-first to pro-.

vide'for the direct or indirect manipulation of a scoop latch (.i. e.,. a latch either for the scoop itself or for the pivoted scoopbottom),

. by any mechanism of the character shown in this and in'the companion applications; and

hence any equivalent mechanism, whether or not operated by'a hauling line, is within the scope of many of the claims. I.;also regard the employment of a latch mechanism of any description, ifmanipulated by a hauling line, as within the broad claims of this applicatlon. As the prior art shows no example of latch mechanisms similar in principle .to those of the applications referred to, I believe I am entitled to a very broad range of equivalents. No hauling line reciprocating mechanlsm is described or shown because suchmechanism is believed to beproperly claimable only in a separate application;

Obviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly; since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

'Also, the method of the invention may be practiced with other mechanisms. I

, What I cla1m.1s: p 1. An excavating machine comprislng, in

combination, ascoop with alatched bottom;

a hauling line for moving the scoop in its excavating stroke; a connection between the hauling line and the scoop permitting slight longitudinal movement of the line relative to the scoop; and alatch'operating mechanism secured to the hauling'line by means of said connection and constructed and arranged to release the latch whenever the hauling line scoop; a wedge member movably carried by is sharply released and rapidly thereafter sharply retracted. v

2. An excavating machine comprising, in

combination, a scoop having a latched'bottom a reciprocable line for moving the scoop a wedge member on the scoop moved by the line; and means on the scoop for guiding the Wedge member during its movement intosuch a position that it moves the latch to release the bottom of the scoop.- 7 r 3.;An'excavating machine comprising, in combination, a scoop having a latched bottom; a reciprocableline; a Wedge member release of the. line to a position adjacent, the

' latch, and moved by a sharp retraction of the latch to release the bottom. I 4. An excavating machine comprising, in

movably carried by the 'scoop'and connected with the lineso as to be moved by asharp combination, a scoop having a latched bot- Y tom; a reciprocable line. connected to the the scoop and connected with the line so as to be moved synchronously .withthe line; and a guide-way for directing .,the"w'edge' member, whichflatter, impelled ,by,,n1o1nentum, over-travels the guide-way into, a; posi- 7 tion adjacent the latch, so thatu-pon pulling the line before the wedge can return to V a position adjacentthe guide-way,the latch maybe released. a i p r c -5. A machine of the class described comprising, in" combination, a scoop, havinga pivoted bottom; a reciprocable linev'connect ed to the scoop; a pivoted latch securing the bottom and having an upper arm; a guide post fixed on the scoop" near said upperarm; and a Wedge member movably carried by the scoop and connected with the line so as to be moved by reciprocation of the line first to a position of entry between the guide-post and the latch and then movable between said parts to swing the latch and release thejbottom. I

6. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a scoop having a pivoted bottom; a reciprocable line connected to the scoop; a pivoted latch securing the bot tom and havingan upper arm; a guide postl fixed on the scoop near said upper arm; a lever connected'with the line to swing onthe scoop; and an arm pivoted to the lever and carrying a projecting part which is moved by reciprocation of the line ffirst' to a position bet-ween the guide post and the latch and then movable between said parts to'swing the latch and release'the bottom.

7; An excavatingmachine comprising, in

scoop and having an arm at its upper end which projects outwardly from the scoop; a guide post near said latch arm; a wedge of such dimensions that when it passes between said latcharm and the guide post it will move the latch far enough to release the bottom; mechanism connecting theline with the wedge; and means for guiding'the wedge during a portion of-its cycle to insure latch release upon sufficient-movement of the line.

8."An excavating machine comprising, in combination a scoop having apivoted bottom; a reciprocable line connected to the a scoop; a spring-actuated latch for holding the bottom in closed position the latch being pivoted'hetween its ends to the back of the scoop and having an arm at its upper end which'projects outwardly from the scoop; a guide post near said latch arm; a wedge of such dimensions that when passes between said latch arm and the guide post it will move the latch far enough torelease the bottom; mechanism connecting the/line with the wedge: and a curved spring against which the wedge bears for guiding the wedge during a portion of its cycle to insure latch release upon suflicient movement of the line.

i 9. 'An excavating; machine comprising. in combln atlon. a scoop with plvoted bottom;

a latch for the bottom; a hauling line for having a pivoted bottom which is controlled by a pivoted latch: a latch arm which proi ects outwardlv from the scoop: a guide postfixed on the scoop outwardly of but closely adj acent to the extremity, of. the latch arm; an arm carrying a wedge at its lower end: mechan sm connecting the upper end of the arm with the hauling line so that upon reci rocation of the line the wedge end of the arm may be moved in a closed path andpass between the V latch arm and the guide post; and means for guiding the wedge past the critical point in said path so as to insure movement in one direction only when the line is reciprocated properly.

11. An excavating machine comprising, in

combination; a scoop; a hauling line connected to the scoopand to a source of power and capable, of being reciprocated; said scoop having a pivoted bottom which is controlled by apivoted latch; a latch arm which proj ects outwardly from the scoop; a guide post fixed on the scoop outwardly of but closely adjacent to the extremity of the latch arm; an arm carrying a wedge at its lower end; mechanism connecting the upper end of the arm with the hauling lineso that upon 'reciprocation of the line the wedge end of the arm may be moved in a closed path and pass between the latch arm and the guide post; said mechanism including a bell crank lever 7 one end of which is'pivotally connected to the upper end of said arm, means, connectingthe other end of the bell crank lever with the hauling line, a spring connected to thebell crank lever for maintaining a tension on the hauling line; and another spring connected to the arm for urging the wedge outwardly;

and means for guiding the wedge past the critical point in said path so as to insure movement in one direction only when the line is reciprocated properly. 1

12. An excavating machine comprising, in combination, a scoop; 'a hauling line .connected to the scoop and to a source of power and capable of being reciprocated said scoop having a pivotedbottom whichis controlled by a pivoted latch; a latch'arm which projects outwardly from the scoop; a guidepost fixed'on the scoop outwardly of but closely.

adjacent tothe extremity of the latch arm;

an arm carrying awedge at its lower end; mechanism connecting the upper end of the arm with the hauling line so thatlupon reciprocation of the line the wedge end of the arm may be moved in a closed path and pass between the latch arm and the guide post; and means, for guiding the. wedge past the critical point in said path so as to. insure movement in one direction only when the line is reciprocated, properly; said guide post 7 having two downwardly converging faces; the wedge having .twoupwardly converging faces one ofwhich isadapted to slide over that face of the guide post which is adjacent the end of the latch arm,'as thewedge moves upwardly past the latch arm .to trip the latch. 1 I c f- 1 13. An excavating machine comprising,in combination, scoop; a hauling line connected to the scoop and to a source of powerand capable of being'reciprocated; said scoop having a pivoted bottom which is controlled by a pivoted latch; a latch arm which'project-s outwardly from the scoop; a guide post fixed on the scoop outwardly of but closely adjacent to the extremity of the latch arm; an arm carrying a wedge at its lower end; mechanism connecting the upper end of the arm with the hauling line so that upon reciprocation of the line thewedge end of' causing the wedge to move inwardly past the critical point in its path so as to insure movement of the wedge upwardly between the post and latch arm when the line is reciprocated properly.

14. An excavating machine comprising, in combination, an excavating scoop provided with a pivoted bottom normally held closed by a spring-actuated discharge latch; a hauling line connected with the scoop to pull the scoop into the material being excavated; and latch operating mechanism connected to said latch and to the hauling line, and so constructed and arranged that a release of the hauling line, followed by a short and sharp;

retraction of said line in the direction of its pulling stroke, efiects a release of said latch. 15. A machine of the class described com- 7 prising, in combination, an excavating scoop having an automatically latched bottom; a hauling line for the scoop; latch-releasing mechanism; a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted on the scoop and connected at one end to the hauling line and connected at the other end to the latch-releasing mechanism; said latch-releasing mechanism being so constructed and arranged that a sharprelease of the hauling line followed rapidly by a sharp latch.

16. A machine of the class described com- 7 prising, in combination, an excavating scoop having a bottom pivoted at the forward end; an automatically engaging latch for the bottom having an arm extending outwardly from the rearwall of the scoop; a hauling line connected to the scoop; and a latch-releasing mechanism interposed between the aforesaid latch arm and the hauling line and carried by the scoop, and so constructed and arranged that the hauling line, when vibrated longitudinally, causes it to deliver a hammer blow against the latch arm.

In testimony, thatI claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

ROBERT REX DOWN IE.

retraction will actuate it to trip the V

Images