US2338160A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1944.Y E. M. ARENTZEN LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 194; 8 sheets-sheet 1 @www MEN@ |I llll..

\ Mw @NT j itmdJQQ Q0@ H m QQJWW \\\1.\ www QQ Jan. 4, 1944. E. M AREN'TZEN 2,338,160

LADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 4, 1944- E. M. ARENTZEN LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 www M a@ day Jan. 4,71944. E. M. ARENTZEN LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2o, 1941 8 sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 4, 1944. E M, ARENTZEN l 2,338,160.

LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2o, 1941 8 sheets-sheet 5 Jan. 4, l944 E. M. ARENTZENv LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2O,l 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 49 E. M. ARENTZEN LOADING MACHINE FiledAug. 20, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet` '7 Jan. 4, 1944. EJM. ARENTZEN LOADING `MACHINE Filed Aug. 20,'1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 NNA Patented Jan. 4,: 1944 LOADING MACHINE Einar M. Arentz'en, Charleroi, Pa.,

assgnor, by

mesne assignments, to Joy Manufacturing Company, Franklin, Pa.,

a corporation Application August 20, 1941, Serial No. 407,525 8 Claims. (Cl. 198-10) This invention relates to improvements in loading machines particularly adapted for gathering and loading coal at the working face of a mine.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient machine of the character described, including a truck mounted on pneumatic tires for self-propulsion and controlled for steering in all four wheels, and wherein a new and improved form of gathering mechanism is employed affording a wider spread of gathering action at the front end of the machine than has been possible with machines of this general type. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction and mounting for the material-discharge conveyor at the rear of the machine to facilitate the lateral swinging movement thereof. Other objects of the invention willappear from time to time as the following description proceeds.

The invention maygbstbe understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which Figure `1 is a view in side elevation of a loading machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1:

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the central part of the machine chassis, with the longitudinal conveyor removed t-o show details of the propelling and steering mechanism; r t

Figure 4 is a side view of the chassis parts shown in Figure 3, with the wheels on the near side remo-ved;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken along the front axle of the machine and looking rearwardly thereof;

Figure is a transverse section taken along the rear axle of the machine and looking rearwardly thereof; s,

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail section of the gathering head taken generally on line 1-1 of Figure 2; A

Figure 8 is 'a detail section of the head taken on line 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 7;-

Figure 10 is an enlargedfragmentary detail view showing the mat conveyor structure;

gathering Figure l1 is a side view of the mat conveyor structure shown in Figure 10; i

Figure 12 is a detail section taken through the front end of the gathering head on the same section line as Figure 8, but drawn to a greatly enlarged scale;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary detail .and the huid-operated elevating vmechanism therefor.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the loading machine consists generally of a wheel-supported main frame I0 having a gathering head indicated at II pivotally connected on a transverse axis at the front end thereof and having an elevating and discharge conveyor I2 extending rearwardly from the gathering head and projecting beyond the rear end of the main frame for discharge into mine cars or the like. In the preferred form shown, the wheeled supports consist of front and rear pairs of pneumatic tired 'wheels I3, I3 and I4, I4, respectively. Both front and rear wheels are power driven, .and are also arranged for steering the vehicle so as to facilitate the maneuvering of the latter in limited spaces such as are commonly encountered in coal mines.

The gathering or loading head II includes a pair of gathering devices I 5, I5 having a gathering motion somewhat similar to that heretofore em ployed in familiar Joy type loading machines, but as will presently be described in detail, said arms cooperate in a novel manner with an endless mat type conveyor I6 extending to the front edge of the gathering head so as to provide an improved gathering action covering a wider gathering area than has heretofore been possible with gathering heads of similar character.

Referring now to details of the machine illustrated in the drawings, the main frame I 0 consists of a pair of side frame members 20, 20 herein consisting of upright plates extending lengthwise of the vehicle and supported on front and rear drop-axle structures indicated at 2| and 22, respectively, designed to give an especially lowslung body. I

In the form shown herein, said drop-axle structures and the steered wheel mountings and drive means associated therewith, are similar to those employed in the cen-pending applications of Arthur L. Lee, bearing. serial. Nos; 383,329 and 383,331, both filed March M, i941. The front' wheels'I I3, i3 are pivoted for steering on universal drive mountings indicated generally at 23, 23 in Figure 3, which mountings are driven through horizontal shafts 24 journaled in upright drive gear housings 25, 25 mounted on the opposite ends of an axle member 26 (see Figure 5). Said axle member is in the form of a relatively fiat metal slab and is arranged for equalizing action wherein the axle member 26 extends through an elongated housing 3I which is rockably mounted on a pivot pin 32 mounted centrally of the frame between a pair of transverse supporting plates 33, 33 connected between the side frame members 20, 20, as shown in Figure 5. The pivot pin 32 engages the upper face of the axle 26 at its center point, so as to permit limited lateral rocking movement of the axle structure, thereby providing in effect a three-point suspension of the main frame. It will also be noted that the axle 26 is loosely fitted within the hous ing 3I so as to permit limited flexing of said axle member under varying loads.

The rear wheels I4, I4 are also mounted for steering on upright universal drivemountings 21, 21, which mountings are driven through horizontal shafts 28, 28 journaled in upright drive gear housings 29, 29 at opposite ends of a fiat dropaxle member 30. The latter member has the side frame members 20, 20 supported thereon adjacent its ends, so as to permit limited flexing of said axle member under varying loads, as described and claimed in the Lee applications previously referred to. Other details of the drive and steering connections for the front and rear wheels I3, I3 and I4, I4 will presently be described in detail.

The gathering or loading head II is disposed as usual at the iront end of the vehicle and includes a frame I1 having two upright, laterally spaced side plates 34, 34, each having' an up wardly and rearwardly inclined gathering plate 35 connectedalong its upper edge and extending outwardly therefrom. Said loading head is pivotally connected to the front ends of the main frame members 20, 20 by rearward extensions 34a, 34a on side plates 34, 34, as shown in Figure 8. Pivotal adjustment of the gathering head is controlled by a pair of fluid motor devices, such as hydraulic cylinders I8, I8, mounted on opposite sides of the main frame members 20, 20 and having their pistons I8a, I8a pivotally connected to upstanding wings 34h, 34h at the rear ends of the gathering plates 35, 35. Hydraulic pressure may be supplied as usual to the cylinders I8, I8 under control of suitable valves (not shown).

The mat conveyer I6 includes an endless beltlike steel conveyer structure disposed between 'the side frame plates 34, 34, and having its upper carrying surface substantially in the same lplane as the gathering plates 35, 35. As herein shown, said conveyer structure is made up of a plurality of chain- like links 36, 36, each bent in U-shape to form a closed end 35a and open ends 36h. Said links are pivotally connected by transverse pivot rods 31, 31 passing through opposite ends of said links, as shown in Figures l0, l1 and 12. Spacer collars 38, 38 are mounted on the rods 31 between the open ends 36h of each link. Single links 39, similar to conventional chain links, are connected along opposite sides of the conveyer structure. The pivot rods 31 have heads 31a, 31a suitably formed at opposite ends thereof to hold the mat structure together.

The upperv reach of the mat conveyer I6 is supported for movement along a deck plate 40 rigidly secured between the upright side plates 34, 34. Said mat passes over a transverse bearing bar 4I of relatively small diameter secured between the side plates 34, 34 close to the front of the gathering head, so that the rnat presents a relatively sharp, wedge-like digging edge which may be projected into direct operative engagement beneath the material being loaded. In the preferred arrangement shown in Figure 2, the U-shaped links 36 are arranged so that their closed transverse end `portions 36a are in following position when the conveyer is in operation. Thus as the individual links 36 move forwardly and upwardly around the bearing bar 4I, their closed ends 36a present an exposed transverse edge to assist in the digging and gathering action of the conveyer.

The rear end of the mat conveyer I6 passes over an idler roller 44 disposed at the rear end of the supporting plate 40, and adjacent the rear limits of the gathering plates 35. From thence the lower reach of said conveyer passes downwardly and forwardly over an idler take-up roller 46 and a plurality of drive sprockets 41 keyed on a sprocket sleeve 48, as shown in Figure 8. Said drive sprockets have suitable driving engagement with the spacer collars 38 between the individual links 36, as shown in Figure 9. The sprocket sleeve 48 has shafts 49 and 49a xed in opposite ends, suitably journaled in gear housings 42, 42 rigidly connected beneath the gathering plates 35, 35, outside of the upright side frame plates 34, 34. The shafts 49 and 49a also have bevel gears 50, 50 at opposite endsthereof, having driving connection with the gathering ,devices I5, I5, as will presently be described.

p The conveyer I6 is driven by a motor 52 mounted centrally of the main frame through the following drive connections:

The motor 52 has an armature shaft 5I connected by coupling shaft 53 to reduction gears 54 and clutch 54adin a transmission casing 55. Said reduction gears and clutch may be of any suitable form, for driving a shaft 56 extending through one end of the transmission casing, and having a chain sprocket 51 thereon. A drive chain 58 extends forwardly from said sprocket to a sprocket 59 on shaft 60 (see Figure 13). The latter shaft is suitably journaled in the front ends of the main frame members 20, 20, concentric with the axis of pivotal connection of the gathering head II. The discharge conveyer I2 is trained about, and driven by, shaft 60, as will hereinafter more fully appear, Said shaft also has a sprocket 6I keyed near one endfthereof, and engaged by a chain 62 which extends forwardly about a sprocket 63 keyed on the shaft 49a of the mat conveyer sprocket sleeve 48, previously de scribed. The drive chains 58 and 62 may pass over the usual tensioning idler sprockets 58a and 62a, respectively.

In the preferred arrangement illustrated herein, the transmission casing 55 has one end detachably mounted on an upstanding bracket 64 disposed between the side frame plates 20, 20. The power delivery end of said casing is mounted in an aperture 55a formed in one of said side frame members and has an end flange 55h thereon which is detachably bolted to the exterior of said side frame member, as shown in detail in Figure 14. The casing also has a removable bearing member 55e for the coupling shaft 53 connected to the motor. With this arrangement,

driving mechanism for the mat the entire transmission casing can be bodily withdrawn laterally through the aperture 55a,

In the form shown, the crank pin 69 is journaled in suitable bearings 69a, 69h in a bearing housing 1I on each arm 65. Each of said arms also has a rearwardly extending curved guide bar 12 which has suitable sliding engagement with a swivel pin 13 mounted on the Each of said guidebars also has an'upstanding rib 14 therealong, to assist in directing the ma- 3o teria! toward and along the mat I6, as will presently appear.

'Ihe rotary discs 10 each have a depending shaft l15 journaled in suitable bearings 15a, 15b in the gear housing 42 beneath the adjacent gathering plate 35, as Ashown in Figure 9. Each of said rotary discs 10 also has a depending hub 76 with a bevel gear 11 thereon, meshed with the adjacent bevel pinions 50, 50 on shafts 49 and 49a. As previously described, the last named shafts are driven from motor 52 through the conveyer I6, so that the gathering arms are driven simultaneously with said mat conveyer. f

As will be seen in Figures 1, 7 and 8, the inclined gathering plates are preferably arranged at a slightly steeper angle adjacent the front of the gathering head, the change in inclination of said plates occurring along a transverse line approximately intersecting the axes of the rotary discs 10. With this arrangement. it will be observed that the rear half of each rotary disc is countersunk in its respective gathering plate 35 along curved lines 78, 18, so that the up-y per surface of said discs are substantially flush "i with the adjacent surface of the plate 35 to the rear of said disc, while the front edge of each disc extends at a slight angle above the adjacent surface of said plate. As will be further seen from Figure 8, the upper deck plate 40 and the mat I6 thereabove are arranged at correspondingly changed inclinations, so that the upper surface of said mat is substantially ilush with the adjacent 4 surfaces of the gathering-plates 35 throughout their lengths. It will be observed in Figure 1 that rotation of the discs 70, while the guide bars I2 of arms 65 are slidably and rockably engaged with the swivel pins 13 causes the-outer ends of piks'"66 to move in the irregular orbital paths indicated in dotted lines in said gure. These two paths are generally reniform or kidney-shaped and enclose what is commonly termed the gathering area of the arms. This general form of movement is somewhat similar to that employed with the familiar ,for discharging material at, opposite yJoy type gathering devices, excepting that in previous gathering devices of this kind it has been necessary that the gathering arms move in paths which overlap each other for a considerable portion of their inward and upward progress between the two discs. This has been due to the nature wardly along discharged upon said elevating conveyer. `It will be observed by contrast that in my novel form of gathering head, the mat conveyer yIIS has asharp wedge-like front edge or nose extending downwardly to the ground which directly engages and out by the latter. In other words, the paths of the gathering arms do not overlap but, instead, A,re spaced apart almost the full width of the I6 at their points of nearest approach.

s it possible to spread the total'gatherhead much wider vthan has been p, sible with previous machines ofthis clear a relatively wide wheels of `the vehicle. Moreover, it will be observed that with the changed form of movement of the arms 65, a coning action of arms 65, the rearwardly ex ward the mat conveyer I6.

The discharge conveyer I2 is generally of trough-like form with an endless ilight type conveyer member movable therealong, consisting of a centrally disposed continuous chain 88 having a plurality of laterallyextending flights 8|, 8| thereon. In the formshown herein, the con` veyer I2 consists of three aligned sections along which the upper and lower reaches of chain extend continuously. The front section 82 has upper and lower deck plates 83 and 84 rigidly mounted between the side members 20, 20 of base I0. The second conveyer section 85 has side walls 86,86 and upper and lower deck plates 81 and 88, and is pivotally connected to a' pivot rod 19 at the rear end of the front section 82, to permit vertical adjustment of the second conveyer section 85 relative to the front section 82. The third or rear conveyer section 89 is mounted for vertical adjustment with the second section 85, but an articulated connectiony is provided between-the second and Ithird sections to permit.l lateral swinging adjustment of the third section, sides of the machine, as will presently be described in detail.

The upper strand of the conveyer chain-80 moves rearwardly along the upper deck plate 83 of the front conveyer section 82 and the lower strand returns on the lower deck plate 84, as

4 shown in Figures 5 and 8. Said conveyer chain is driven by drive sprocket 60a keyed on shaft 60 which, as previously described, is journaled in the front ends of the side frame members concentric with the pivotal axis of the gathering head I I, .and is driven from the motor 52 through chain 58.

The rear conveyer section 89 has side walls 90, 90 and upper and lower deck plates 9| and 92. An idler shaft 93 is rotatably mounted at the rear end of said rear section about which the conveyer chain 80 is trained, as usual.

The articulated connection between conveyer sections 85 and 89 is of the same type shown in Arentzen Patent No. 1,785,402, but in the present instance it includes an improved arrangement for guiding the return strand of the conveyer chain, and it is also combined with an improved fluid operated elevating mechanism for the conveyer sections 85 and 89, as shown in detail in Figures 6, l5 and 16.

The rear ends of the upper and lower deck plates 81 and 88 of the conveyer section 85 are both widened and terminate along circular edges to Vform similar enlarged deck members 81a and 88a respectively. The twoI circular deck members each have coaxial pivotal connection with the corresponding deck plates of the rear conveyer section 89. In the form shown herein, the pivotal connection for the upper deck plates consists of an upright pivot pin 94 extending between the front deck plate 81a and a supporting bracket 95 secured to its under face in spaced relation therefrom, and pivotally engaged by an annular bearing ring 98 carried on the front end of a supporting plate 91 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to the under face of the upper deck plate 9| of the rear section 89, beneath the rear end of the front deck member 81a (see Figure 16). rIhe abutting end of the upper deck plate 9| is also widened and terminates in a concave arc concentric with the pivot pin 94, so that 'the upper surfaces of the upper deck plates 81 and 9| are flush with each other to afford uninterrupted movement of the conveyer chain, and the material carried thereby, in all positions of lateral swinging movement of the rear section 89. The lower deck plates 88 and 92 are pivotally connected .about an upright cylindrical jack sleeve 90 concentric with the pivot pin 94. Said jack sleeve contains a fluid operating jack device to be later described in detail. In the form shown herein, the jack sleeve 98 is formed integrally with and depends from a supporting bracket 99 connected to the lower deck plate 92 of the rear section and extends beneath the rear end of the widened lower deck portion 88a of conveyer section 85, as shown in Figure 16. A cooperating supporting bracket |00 is secured to vthe lower surface of the deck plate 88 of conveyer section 85, and has a depending bearing ring drical jack sleeve 98. bearing ring |0| is divided on a transverse plane,

|0| surrounding the lowerend of the cylinwith a semicircular rear half |02 having detachable flanged connection with the front half, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure |6.

With the lower deck plate arrangement disclosed, it will be observed that for simplicity and economy in construction, the upper surfaces oi the rear deck plate 92 and its supporting bracket 99 are in a lower plane than the rear end of the widened front deck portion 88a, instead of having the abutting portions of said lower deck plate flush with each other, as in the case with In the form shown, the

2,338,160 N the upper deck plates. This difference in elevation of the lower plates is relatively unimportant, however, since the latter plates only serve to support the return strand of the conveyer chain 80, which readily rides upwardly over the rear edge of the front deck plate, as shown in Figure 16.

As will be seen from Figures Zand 15, the side walls 86 of the conveyer section 85 are continued along opposite sides of the widened lower deck section 88a, and are flared outwardly at |05, |05. The side walls 90 of the rear section 89 are also flared outwardly at |06, |06, leaving a gap along opposite sides of both deck plates 9| and 92, between the adjacent ends of said flared side wall portions at both sides of the conveyer, to permit the desired pivotal swinging movement of said sections relative to each other. A pair of upright flexible wall members |01, |01 are also mounted above and along opposite sides of the upper deck plates 81 and 9| in longitudinal alignment with the straight portions of the side walls 86, 86 and 90, 90 of the two conveyer sections in the form shown herein, the front ends of the flexible wall members |01, |01vare rigidly connected, respectively, with the side walls 86, 86, while the rear ends are slidably engaged in overhanging guide members |08, |08 mounted on the walls 90, 90 of'the rear section 89. The arrangement is such that the Aflexible wall members |01, |01 will flex laterally in all positions of pivotal adjustment of the rear conveyer section to form a guide for the ends of the conveyer flights 8|, 8| along the upper deck plates 81 and 9| in the zone of turning movement of the latter, as shown in Figure 15. l

It will especially be noted that by reason of the flared wall portions |05 and |06 along opposite sides of the lower deck plates 88 and 92, respectively, the lower or return strand of the conveyer is also guided laterally in its return movement in all positions of swinging adjustment of the r'ear conveyer section. When said rear conveyer is swung to its extreme position toward one side of the machine, as shown in full lines in Figure l5 (approximately 45), the gap between the adjacent ends of the ared wall portions |05 and |06 will be entirely closed at one side of the conveyer so as to form a continuous curved guiding surface for the adjacent ends of the conveyer flights 8|, which always tend to engage the side with the shorter radius. When the rear section is adjusted at .any intermediate angle, as indicated in dotted lines in the same figure, the ends of the conveyer nights which bear on the flared wall portions |05 and |06, will be guided along a tangential path which is removed inwardly of the open gap between the ends of said flared Wall portions. This feature constitutes an improvement over previous conveyer structures of this general character, wherein no provision is made for guiding the lower or return strand of the conveyer, with the result that the ends of the conveyer flights tend to interfere with the ends of the side walls at the open gap formed therebetween, and moreover the conveyer chain has an objectionable tendency to become slack when the rear section is swung laterally. With my improved construe tion, the conveyer chain moves smoothly and is maintained at substantially uniform tension in all positions of the swinging rear section.

As an additional means for centering the conveyer chain in its trough, centrally disposed guide ribs ||0 and may be provided along as shown in Figures 5 and 16.

' bracket 99 of the rear g veyer section than is 98; The lower end the upper surfaces of both deck plates of conveyer sections 82 and B5, respectively, which ribs are engaged between the side links of the chain, The ribs on section 85 preferably terminate in advance of the turning zone between said section and the rear section, as shown in Figures 2 and 16. Similar guide ribs ||2 may also be provided along the deck plates 9| and 92 of the rear conveyer section 89.

' The rear section 89 is swung laterally by uid means, herein consisting of a pair of longitudinally disposed hydraulic cylinders ||5, ||5 pivotally connected at their bases to opposite sides of a cross member Ia of the supporting bracket |00 beneath the conveyer section 85, and having ltheir respective pistoaods I|6 pivotally connected vto adjacent sides of the supporting Section 89, as shown in Figure 15. With this arrangement, the pivoted rear section of the conveyer is preferably swung in one direction' or the other by exerting rearward pressure on the proper piston rod, whereby such rearward pressure tends to counteract the normal forward stress exerted by the'conveyer chain on the pivotal members 94 and 99. Thus less power is required to swing the rear conthe case with previous constructions, in which the swinging section is actu.- ated by pulling one or the other side of the conveyer toward the front of the machine.

A fluid jack device for bodily elevating the conveyer sections 85 and 89 is contained within the sleeve 98 which, as previously mentioned, forms the pivotal axis for 99 relative to bracket |00. Said jack device includes inner and outer cylinders ||8 and ||9, which are mounted for telescopic movement relative to each other within the bore of the sleeve tions 85 and 89 are, in effect, uid supported in .their various positions of vertical adjustment.

'I'he lower en-d of the outer jack cylinder I I9 extends through a sealing ring I 20 having a packing gland I 2| therein and detachably connected to the lower end of the jack sleeve 98. In the form shown, said sealing ring projects beyond the lower periphery of said sleeve so as to retain the lower bearing ring IUI of the supporting bracket |00 (see 'Figure 16). The upper end of the outer jack 4cylinder has a ange |22 engaging the innerwall of the jack sleeve 98. The lower end of the inner jack cylinder ||8 extends through a sealing ring |23 having a packing gland |24 therein carried on the lower end of the-outer cylinder 9. The inner cylinder has a. flange |25 at its upper end, engaging the inner Wall of the outer cylinder. A suitable stop, herein consisting of a ring |26, y upper end of the outer cylinder for engagement by the upper end of the inner cylinder to limit upward movement of the latter in the fully collapsed position of the jack device.

Fluid pressure, as for instance oil, is introduced into the jack device through a exible pipe |21 under control of valves, as usual. The pipe |21 communicates with the upper ends of both cylinders ||8 and I|9 through a vertically disposed slot |28 formed in the side wall of the sleeve 98, so that uid pressure exerted therein will extend said cylinders any amount desired within the limits of extension afforded by both cylinders.

the supporting bracket of the inner cylinder ||8 40 is secured within the bolts |33 are reinserted 'and having a piston rod The supporting bracket 99 of the rear conveyer section 89 has an extension wing |30 connected at its rear end on a transverse pivot rod |3|, and the side walls and deck plates of said rear sectio'n are divided along the vertical plane including the axis of said pivot pin, so as to permit limited downwardly tilting adjustment of the rear end of conveyer section 89, when desired. In the form shown herein, the abutting portions of side plates 9U, 90 are hanged outwardly at |32, |32 and are normally connected together by bolts |33, |33. To adjust the angle'of the rear end of section 89 downwardly on its pivot rod 3|, the bolts |33 are temporarily removed, and shims of suitable shape and si'ze (not'shown) may be inserted between the flanges |32, |32 and the adjacent ends of the upper deck plate 9|. Finally the in the flanges |32, |32 to hold the two parts of the section 89 in their new relation. This tilting adjustment isoften useful to accommodate the discharge end of the discharge conveyer |2 to mine cars of various heights, especially when the loading machine is operating under low roof conditions.

ently by motors |35, |35 in the manner broadly disclosed in the co-pending application of Arthur L. Lee bearing Serial No. 383,329, led March 14, 1941.

rear drive gear housing 29 herein as parts of the mounting for the rear wheels I4 (see Figure 6). |39 thereon, the shaft 28 |4.

The front wheel I3 on the same 'side of the vehicle is similarly driven by a. worm I4| on worm shaft |42 engaging worm gear |43 on the front shaft 24. The-worm shaft |42 is connected to the rear worm shaft |38 by a connecting shaft |44 and universal coupling |45.

' The steering mechanism is operated by uid a hydraulic cylinder |41 side frame members 20 |48 pivotally connected to an upright arm |49 of an L`shaped bell crank lever |50. Said bell crank lever also has a generally horizontal |52 carried by a side of the frame member 20. A similar bell crank lever |55 having upright and horizontal also mounted on said supwell known form indicated at |58.

The upright arm |49 of the rst bell crank lever |50 is connected by rod |59 to a steering arm |60 which controls the steering movement of the adjacent rear wheel I4, while the upright arm |56 of the second bell crank lever is connected by rod IBI to steering arm |62 of the front wheel I3. The arrangement is such that any rocking movement imparted by the hydraulic piston rod |48 to bell crank lever |56 will be transmitted to the second bell crank lever |55 to rock the latter in the opposite direction, thereby causing the two wheels to be swung simultaneously at equal angles but in opposite directions, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

The front and rear wheels I3 and I4 on the opposite side of the frame are connected, respectively, with their companion front and rear wheels so as to be swung simultaneously therewith. In the preferred form shown herein, the operative connections include a compensating arrangement to provide a slight differential in pivotal movement between the two pairs of wheels. Said differential connecting devices are similar for the front pair and the rear pair of wheels, in each case consisting of a tie rod |65 pivotally connected at opposite ends to lever arms |66, |66 rigidly connected to the steering arms of the two opposite wheels. Said lever arms |66, |66, however, are each normally arranged at equal intermediate angles to the tie rod, as herein shown, at angles of approximately 45. It will be observedv that with this arrangement, when the wheels are swung to steer the vehicle toward one side, the wheel on the side toward which the vehicle is steered will be turned at a slightly greater angle than the opposite wheel. Moreover, since the two front wheels swing one way when the two rear wheels swing the other, as previously described, it will be understood that the two wheels on the inner side, i. e., the side toward which the vehicle is turned, are automatically swung at a slightly greater angle than the wheels on the outer side, thereby directing the two sets of wheels on opposite sides so that they roll along their proper arcs which, of course, are of different radii whenever the vehicle is being turned.

The various fluid actuating devices hereinbefore mentioned, including the cylinders I8, I8 for lifting and lowering the gathering head |I, the cylinders II5, for swinging the rear conveyer section 89 laterally, the jack device for elevating the conveyer sections 85 and 89, and the cylinder |41 for steering all four wheels, may receive operating pressure from a pump |68, herein shown as mounted on the main frame near mission casing 55, and driven from the shaft of motor 52. The several valves for co trolling the various fluid actuating any conventional f orrn mounted in convenient position on the operators platform |10 which, as herein shown, is disposed between the front and rear wheels at one side of the main frame. The corresponding space at the opposite side of the machine may be occupied by a box |1| containing the usual switches, controllers and electrical resistances of the usual form required for the electric motors 52 and |35, |35.

Although the various fluid actuating devices are herein described as being hydraulically operated, it will be understo'od that with suitable modications they may be operated by air, ijf desired.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of be altered without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to devices named may be of be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

5 l. Inxa loading machine. an inclined endless elevating conveyor the lower end of which is sharply curved and adapted to have direct engagement with material substantially at ground level, and a pair of gathering devices disposed at opposite sides of said conveyor and arranged for gathering movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping the side portion of the conveyor at' its lower end and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the machine and in advance of said conveyor, whereby a wide path is cleared by the machine.

2. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor the lower end of which is sharply curved and adapted to have direct engagement with material substantially at ground level, and a pair of gathering devices disposed at opposite sides of said conveyor and arranged for gathering movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping only the lower corner portions of the conveyor and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the machine and in advance of said conveyor, whereby a wide path is cleared by the machine.

3. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor, a shaft of small diameter mounted close to the ground and around which the conveyor passesin engagement therewith in a sharp curve to position the lower end of the conveyor for direct engagement with material on the ground, and a pair of gathering devices disposed at opposite sides of said conveyor and arranged for gathering movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping the side portions of the conveyor at its lower end and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the machine and in advance of said conveyor, whereby a wide path is cleared by the machine.

4. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor the lower end of which is sharply curved and adapted to have direct engagement with material substantially at ground level, inclined gathering plates disposed along opposite sides of the conveyor with their upper surfaces in substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the conveyor, and a gathering arm mounted on each of said plates and adapted tomove in an endless path overlapping only the adjacent lower corner portion of the conveyor and extending outwardly beyond the adjacent side of the machine and in advance of said conveyor. v

5. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor the lower end of which is sharply curved and adapted to have direct engagement with material substantially at ground level, said conveyor being formed as a mat from a plurality of links pivotally connected together, and a pair of gathering devices disposed at opposite sides of said conveyor and arranged for gathering movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping the side portions of the conveyor at its lower end and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the machine and in advance of said conveyor, whereby a wide path is cleared by the machine.

6. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor, ashaft of small diameter mounted close to the ground and around which the conveyor passes in engagement therewith in a sharp curve to position the lower end of the conveyor for direct engagement with material on the ground, said conveyor being formed as a mat from a plurality of links pivotally connected together,`the inner surfaces of the links being provided with recesses of substantially the same radius as said shaft for receiving the peripheral portion of the shaft as they pass around it, and a pair of gathering devicesdisposed at opposite sides of said conveyor and arranged for gathering `movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping the side portions of the conveyor at its lower end and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the machine and in advance-of said conveyor, whereby a wide path is cleared by the machine.

7. In a loading machine, an inclined endless elevating conveyor the lower end of which is sharply curved and adapted to'have direct engagement with material substantially at ground level, said conveyor being formed as a mat from a plurality of U-shape links pivotally connected together with the cross piece of each link at the rear end thereof relative to its direction of travel, and a pair of gathering devices disposed at 0pposite sides of gathering movement in laterally spaced endless said conveyor and arranged for g5 paths overlapping the side portions of the conveyorat its lower end and extending outwardly conveyor being sharply curved and having direct engagement with material on the ground, and a. pair of gathering devices disposed at opposite sides of said elevating conveyor and arranged for gathering movement in laterally spaced endless paths overlapping the side portions of the conveyor at its lower end and extending outwardly beyond the opposite sides of in advance of said elevating s wide path is cleared by the EINAR MARENTZEN.

conveyor, whereby machine.

Images