US2557612A - Elevator structure comprising interconnected conveyer sections - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1951 L. B. NEIGHBOUR ETAL 2,557,612

ELEVATOR STRUCTURE COMPRISING INTERCONNECTED CONVEYER SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 5, 1946 INVENTOR. LEONARD B. NEIGHBOUR HOWARD C. ESBECK June 1951 a. NEIGHBOUR E'T'AL 2,557,612

- ELEVATOR STRUCTURE COMPRISING INTERCONNECTED CONVEYER SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 5, 1946 INVENTORS LEONARD B. NEIGHBOUR HOWARD 0. E88, 0

Patented June 19, 1951 ELEVATOR STRUCTURE COMPRISING IN- TERCONNECTED CONVEYER SECTIONS Leonard B. Neighbour, Moline, and Howard C.

Esbeck, Silvis, 111., assignors to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original application April 5, 1946, Serial No.

659,944. Divided and this application September 26,1947, Serial No. 776,338

Claims.

This invention relates generally to an elevator for handling material and for delivering such material from one level to other levels. More particularly the invention pertains to improvements in elevators of the type shown in our copending application, Serial No. 659,944, filed April 5, 1946, of which the present case is a division. 4

In the construction and use of elevators of the type referred to it is desirable to provide an elevator trough or conveyor section of relatively great length so that the combined sections provide a trough that may reach to relatively high levels for the purpose of delivering material, such as grain, corn, baled hay, etc., from the ground level to higher levels, such as barns, cribs or other receptacles. At the same time it is desirable to provide an elevator construction that may be easily transported from one place to another and to this end it is desirable to provide the elevator with a plurality of interconnected trough sections that may be extended for use in operation and that can be folded for transport.

One of the principal difficulties incident to the provision of interconnected trough sections is that the joints between the sections are apt to leak when the elevator is used in the handling of grain or corn or other material of a fine nature. According to our invention we provide improved connecting means between interconnected trough sections and particularly provide an improved sealing means that eliminates the possibility of leakage at the joint between the sections. Specifically, we provide the improved seal between the sections in the form of overlapping side-byside wall portions, one of which includes an element engaging the other wall preferably in scraping engagement. It is an object of our invention to provide means for adjusting the spaced relationship between the overlapping walls so that the walls may be brought closer together or farther apart to vary the association therebetween and thus to vary the sealing relationship so that an effective seal is provided and so that at the same time the elevator or trough sections are free to move between extended or folded positions.

Other objects inherent in and encompassed by our invention will become apparent as the disclosure progresses in connection with a preferred form of the invention as described below and as shown in the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a general side elevational view showing the elevator. in operating position for the purpose of delivering material from a lower level to a higher level;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the elevator arranged for transport and connected to the drawbar of a tractor;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1; v

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3 and showing the relationship between the overlapping wall portions of adjacent connected trough sections.

Although the improvements to which our invention pertains are shown in connection with a portable elevator of the type primarily intended for use in the handling of agricultural products, it should be understood that the basic principles of the invention have wider application. Accordingly, the present disclosure should be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The detailed structure of this particular elevator is shown in our co-pending application referred to above. Basically and briefly this structure involves a longitudinal chassis frame l0 carried on a pair of laterally spaced wheels I l at the rear end of the frame. In its operatingposition for the elevation of material, the forward end of the frame I!) is supported by a leg l2 so that the frame I0 is substantially horizontal. The basic structure further includes an elongated main trough section that is indicated in its entirety by the numeral l3, a portion of which adjacent its lower end is pivoted at [3a, on the chassis frame 10. The lower or receiving end of the main trough section I3 is designated by the numeral [4 and its adapted to rest upon the ground. In the position shown in Figure 1 the main trough section extends upwardly and rearwardly to a discharge end (not shown). The main trough section is provided with an endless conveyor l5 (Fig. 4) The power for driving the conveyor is here shown as being obtained from a stationary gasoline engine It) carried on the chassis frame l0 adjacent the carrying wheels I l A belt pulley I1 is carried by the main trough section l3 adjacent its pOint of connection with the chassis frame l0 and is driven by a belt l3 trained thereabout and about a flywheel pulley l9 driven by the engine IS. The elevation of the main trough section may be changed by elevating or lifting and lowering structure, designated generally by the numeral 20. The details of this structure are shown and claimed in our co-pendin application referred to above.

The elevator structure further includes a second or hopper trough section 2|, which is pivotally connected at its rear end to the lower end l4 of the main trough section I3. In the use of the elevator in its operating position, the secondary or hopper trough 2| extends horizontally forwardly from the main trough section l3, as shown in Figure 1. The pivotal connection between the trough sections i3 and. 2| enables the trough section 2| to be pivoted or folded upwardly or rearwardly as shown in Figure 2 for the purposes of minimizing the over-all length of the elevator when the frame is transported.

The forward end portion of the main trough section l3 includes a draft device, indicated in its entiret by the numeral 22, by means of which the elevator may be connected to a tractor or other draft vehicle, as shown in Figure 2. In the operating position of the elevator, as shown in Figure 1, the gasoline engine I6 is additionally supported by a retractable leg 23. When the elevator is transported both the legs l2 and 23 are moved to retracted position. All of the structure set forth above is shown in our co-pending application referred to above. The details of the improvements forming the subject matter of this case will now be described.

The lower end portion M of the main trough section l3 includes at each side thereof a pair of upwardly extending side wall portions 24. These walls are of course laterally spacedwith respect to the longitudinal extent of the main trough section l3. The secondary or hopper trough section 2| also includes a pair of laterally spaced side walls 25. The secondary or hopper section 2| is pivoted to the main trough section It by means of a transverse shaft 26 passing through the Walls 24 and 25, the walls 24 and 25 at each side of the structure being arranged in overlapping relation (Figure Each of the walls 25 of the second or hopper trough section 2| is disposed inside the respective Wall 24 of the main trough section l3 and each of the walls 25 is provided with an outturned portion in the form of a flange 2'! which is closely associated with the inner face of the proximate wall 24 of the trough section l3. It is preferred that the relationship between the overlapping wall portions 24 and 25 be in the nature of a frictional or scraping engagement to thus guarantee against loss of corn, grain or other fine material handled by the elevator.

The main trough section l3 includes at each side thereof a support in the form of an angle member 28 (Figure 3). Each angle member is associated with means for adjusting the lateral position of the associated side wall 24. In the form of the invention illustrated, each adjusting means comprises a tensioning device including a vertical rod 29 the upper end of which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to an upper portion of the proximate wall portion 24. The lower portion of the rod 29 is threaded at 36 and passes through an opening in the angle member 23. The threaded portion of the rod carries a first nut 3| disposed above the upper flange of the angle member and a second nut 32 disposed below said flange. Adjustment of the nuts 3| and 32 lengthens or shortens the rod 29 and consequently moves the associated wall 24 laterally inwardly or outwardly toward or away from the flange 27 on the proximate wall 25 of the hopper trough section 2|. As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flange 2? on the wall extends substantially throughout the vertical extent of the wall. This arrangement provides a complete seal in association with the proximate wall 24 of the main trough section I3.

The lower end of the endless conveyor l5 of the main trough section 53 includes a transverse shaft 33 carrying a pair of laterally spaced sprockets 34 about which chains 35 of the conveyor i5 are trained. The shaft 33 extends laterally outside the trough section |3 at the left hand side thereof (as viewed in Figure 3) and carries a driving sprocket driven by a chain 35a which is connected in any appropriate manner with a shaft 36 on which the belt pulley I1 is mounted. In this manner power from the engine I6 is transmitted to the chains 35 of the conveyor IS. The right hand end of the shaft 33, as viewed in Figure 3, carries a small driving sprocket 3'! in vertical alignment with a sprocket 38 fixed to the transverse shaft 25 that provides the pivotal connection between the trough sections Hi and 2|. The sprockets 3i and 38 may be appropriately interconnected by a driving chain 39, as shown in Figure 3, a portion of the chain being broken away to show the angle member 23 at that side of the elevator structure. Since the pivot between the trough sections l3 and 2| is about the axis of the shaft 26, there will be no lengthening or shortening of the chain 39 as the hopper section 2| is folded or extended. In Fi ures 1 and 2, the sprockets 31 and 38 and chain 39 are enclosed within a shield 39a.

The transverse shaft 26 has keyed thereto in laterally spaced relation within or between the side walls 25 a pair of sprockets 40 about which are trained laterally spaced chains 4| providing a secondary conveyor indicated in its entirety by the numeral 42 (Figure 4). The conveyor 42 travels in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4 over a bottom 43 which cross connects the side walls 25 0f the trough section 2|. The bottom 43 terminates at 44 just short of the extreme end of the conveyor 42, as defined by the shaft 26 and associated sprockets 40. The end 44 of the bottom 43 is curved downwardly (Figure 4). This part of the conveyor 42 just described is directly above the lower end of the conveyor l5 of the main trough section i3. This trough section is provided with a bottom 45 which at its lower end adjoins a generally semi-cylindrical boot 4B curving about the lower end of the conveyor IS. The upper end of the boot 46 terminates in a reverse flange 4'! lying just below and in spaced relationship to the curved end 44 of the bottom 43 of the secondary trough section 2|. The flange 4'! has a curvature about the axis of the shaft 26 and a transverse sealing element 48 is disposed across the conveyor sections and is carried by the secondary trough section 2| in the space between the curved end 44 of the bottom 43 and the flange 41 of the boot 46. The association between the element 48 with the portions 44 and 41 is such as to maintain a tight relationship between the hopper sections when the sections are in the operating positions shown in Figures 1 and 4. The boot 46 also serves as means for supporting the draft device 22 previously described.

Folding of the secondary trough section 2| for transport is facilitated by a pair of links 49 and .56 connected respectively to the trough sections 2| and I3 and associated with assist or helper springs 5|.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that We have provided an improved articulately interconnected elevator structure in which the trough sections are adequately sealed against leakage of corn, grain or other fine material. One sealing means comprises the adjustable relationship between the overlapping wall portions 24 and 25 of the first and second or main and hopper troughs l3 and 2|. The other sealcomprises the structural relationship between the flange 4'! of the boot 46 and the curved end 44 of the bottom 43 of the hopper trough 2| in association with the transverse sealing element 48. The adjustability of the wall 24 with respect to the flange 21 on the associated wall 25 provides for the maintaining of a relatively tight engagement between these wall portions, and the association between the wall portions may be adjusted so that a tight seal is afiorded while at the same time providing for free movement between the articulately connected sections for the purpose of facilitating movement of the hopper section with respect to the main section I3 for transport.

We claim:

1. In an elevator, a pair of articulately connected conveyor sections arranged generally end to end and one having a pair of spaced walls lying in side-by-side overlapping relation to a pair of spaced walls of the other section, and means on one section for adjusting the walls of one section toward and away from the walls of the other section for varying the tightness or looseness of the overlap-ping relationship.

2. In a portable elevator, a main trough having a pair of sheet metal vertical side walls and conveying mechanism therein, a hopper trough pivotally mounted on said main trough for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an operating position on the ground and a raised transport position, said hopper trough having vertical side walls overlapping the sheet metal walls and carrying sealing means in vertical sliding engagement with said sheet metal walls, respectively, to prevent leakage therebetween of material being conveyed, and means connected with one wall of each associated pair of engageable walls for shifting the same toward the other wall and for selectively fixing the same in shifted position to provide for maintaining a sealed joint therebetween.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2, including the further provision that said sealing means comprises a flange on each of said hopper walls disposed in vertical scraping engagement with the adjacent main trough wall.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2, including the further provision that said shifting means comprises a pair of inclined braces extending downwardly and outwardly from said sheet metal walls, brackets mounted on said main trough, to which said braces are connected, and means for shortening and extending said braces.

5. In a portable elevator, a main trough having a pair of sheet metal side Walls and conveying mechanism therein, a hopper trough pivotally mounted on said main trough for vertical swinging movement between an operating position on the ground and a raised transport position, and sealing means between said troughs to prevent leakage of material being conveyed comprising a 6 sealing vane disposed transversely under said hopper trough and projecting downwardly therefrom, and a transversely extending pan mounted on said main trough and curved about the axis of pivotal movement of said hopper to receive said vane and cooperate with the latter in various relative positions of said troughs to prevent leakage therebetween.

6. In an elevator, a first elongated elevator section having side walls and a bottom; conveyor means in said section including a rotary element transversely of the section; means providing generally a continuation of the bottom and including a pan curved about said rotary element and opening upwardly; a second elevator section having a discharge end arranged to discharge material into the first section substantially above said pan; means providing side walls and a bottom in said second section; means pivoting the second section on the first section for vertical positioning of said second section about a transverse axis passing generally through the discharge end of the second section; and means providing an articulate seal between the bottom of the second section and the aforesaid pan to seal said sections against leakage of material during operation of the elevator with said second section in any of its vertical positions.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6, with the further provisions that the side Walls of the first section are respectively in overlapping and sealing relationship with the side walls of the second section.

8. In an elevator, a first elongated elevator section having side walls and a bottom; conveyor means in said section including a rotary element transversely of the section; means providing generally a continuation of the bottom and including a pan curved about said rotary element and open ing upwardly; a second elevator section having a discharge end arranged to discharge material into the first section substantially above said pan; means providing side walls and a bottom in said second section; means connecting the second section to the first section for positioning of said second section relative to the first section about an axis passing generally through the discharge end of the second section; and means providing an articulate seal between the bottom of the second section and the aforesaid pan to seal said sections against leakage of material during operation of the elevator with said second section in any of its vertical positions.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8, further characterized in that the sealing means includes an extension element on the bottom of the second section cooperating with the pan of the first section.

10. In an elevator, a main troughhaving a pair of spaced, longitudinally running side walls including inner and outer faces, and conveying mechanism therebetween; a secondary trough including a portion having spaced side walls providing straight extensions of the walls of the main trough and connected to the main trough for angular movement from a first position to a second position about a single axis transverse to the troughs, said walls of the troughs being arranged in parallelism so that each wall of one trough has'a portion at its outer face overlapping and slidably engaging a portion at the inner face of the respective wall of the other trough in a plane normal to the aforesaid axis as the secondar trough is moved between its first and second positions to provide means substantially sealing the connection between the troughs against leakage of material being conveyed; means for moving each pair of closely slidably associated walls laterally toward and away from each other to adjust the engagement therebetween comprising a tensioning device including an extensible and retractable member engaging a wall for moving said wall laterally toward and away from its associated wall; and means for fixing a selected position of adjustment.

LEONARD B. NEIGHBOUR. HOWARD C, ESBECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Paul Dec. 1'7, 1895 Adams June 27, 1905 Wallace Aug. 8, 1905 Michener July 27, 1909 Everitt Oct. 18, 1910 Gall Aug. 10, 1920 Bixby Jan. 11, 1927 Peyton Apr. 30, 1935

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