US629576A - Excavating apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No. 629,576. Patented July 25, |899. H. C. LUWRIE.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

(Application Sled Jan. 17, 1899.)

8 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

n@ Nw.

No. 629,576. Patented July 25, |899.

H. C. LOWBIE.- EXGAVATING APPARATUS.

` Applicamn med'Jan. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) a sheets-sheet 2 Inv/enfer rNo. 629,576. Patented July 25A, i899.

H. C. LWRIE.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

v (Application lad Jan. 17, 1899.) (N0 Md| a sheets-sheet 3,

THE Nonms 21ans co. PuoToLwHo.. WASHINGTON, n. c,

No. 629,576. Patented July 25, |899. H. c. LowmE. EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 17, 1899.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

Inv 67956079: a f2? No. 629,576'. Patented July 25, |899.

Hjc. LowmE.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

'(Application led Jan. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) s sheets-sheet 5.

` fuenvlor.-

' Way,-

Tu: Norms PETERS co. PHoTaLxTHafwAsHmoToN, n. cv

H. C. LUWRIE.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

(Application Bled Jan. i7, `1899.) (N0 Model-J 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 No.. 629,576. Patented luly 25, |899.

I I l I we Nonms nerim m.. movaumo.. wAsmNmoN, b. x:

(N0` Model.)

H. C. LDWRIE.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.'

(Application iled Jan. 17, 1899.)

THE Nonms Pzins co wmwuma. WASHINGTON. qc.

8 Sheets-Sheet 7.

O O l O Fen/for:

H. C. LUWRIE. 4EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

(Application led Jan. 17, 1899.)

Patented July 25, |899.

(N0 MdeL) 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

I J 742 es Inv@ nor:

mm, l @MM me mums PETERS co. moruueo., wAsmNGToN. u. c.

, NITED STATES PATENT 'ExoAvATlNe APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,576, dated J' uly 25, 41899. Application niet January 17, 1899. serialrmoases. maman.)

T0 LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARVEY C. LowRIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Excavating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in excavators, and particularly to the construction and mode of operation of what are known as dpper-shovel excavators. In apparatus of this class the dipper or scoop is usually mounted upon the end of an arm required to be alternately depressed and elevated and swung from side to side in the operation of loading and discharging, and the space necessary for a proper workin g of this apparatus and the variety of strains incident to the form ot' construction require a weight and cost of plant inapplicable to many kinds of work, particularly trenchwork and the excavation of small areas inaccessible to railway connections. The objectsought by me is a dippershovel excavator capable of being constructed at comparatively small cost and applicable to excavating generally without regard to the extent or character of the work. NVith this in view I have constructed an apparatus in which the scooporshovel travels up and down an inclined trolley-way readily adjustable to abreast of material and also to varying depths of excavation. The scoop is actuated from a hoisting-engine or other source of power by means of a draft rope or chain and when travcling up the incline gathers its load of material, which is automatically dumped at a predetermined point in its travel after the power has been released, the scoop then being return ed to the bottom of the incline by gravity. As the scoop leaves the excavation on its upward passage the incline is automatically moved rearwardly and upwardly away from the breast of material, so that the scoop may descend into the excavation without Contact therewith, and after each descent of the scoop lthe incline is automatically advanced, so that the entire apparatus is only advanced at intervals during the progress of the work.

For use in trenchwork I have devised a novel form of plow. This plow is trolleymounted upon the inclined trolley-way in front of the scoop and so arranged and constructed that when it ascends the incline it will trim the sides of a trench to a width greater than the width of the scoop and when it descends the incline it will contract to a width less than that of the trench, so that both scoop and plow descend the incline without contact with the sides ofthe trench.

The entire apparatus is mounted in a suitable frame supported upon carrying-wheels for both longitudinal and lateral travel, and said wheels are arranged to be propelled by means of gearing adapted to be thrown into or out of engagement with the driving-shaft of an engine provided for operatin g the working parts of the apparatus.

After a detail description of an apparatus embodying my invention the features deemed novelwill be duly specified in the claims hereunto annexed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is aview of the lower portion of Fig. 1 on a somewhat larger scale. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus, the rear portion being broken away and the main incline and roof removed. Fig. et is a plan view ot the main incline removed from the apparatus. Fig. 5 is a view of a sliding yoke employed for preventing lateral movement of the Inain incline. Fig. Gis a view illustrating the mounting of the front carrying-wheels. Fig. 7 is a side view of a portion of the base of the frame, illustrating the mounting of the rear carrying-wheels. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate the operators carriage in side, top, andl front views, respectively. Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the adjustable stop for limiting the rearward movement of the main incline. Fig. 12 is a side view of the scoop and plow and a portionof the main-incline. Fig. 13 is a plan view of Fig. 12. Figs. 14C and 15 illustrate the scoop in rear and front views, respectively. Fig. 1b' is a rear view of the plow. Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the plow on line 17 17 of Fig. 1G. Fig. 1 8 is aside elevation of the upper portion of the apparatus, showing the scoop in its dumping position, a portion of the frame and of the main incline being broken away for disclosing the dumping mechanism. Fig. 19 is a cross-section of IOO the main incline on line 19 19 of Fig. 1S, and Fig. 2O is a rear view of the upper portion of the apparatus. l

While I have illustrated my apparatus in what I now consider to be its best form, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the details of construction nor to the particular form of frame shown, as these may be widely varied without departure from the main features of my invention.

In the apparatus illustrated in the drawings the main frame is made up chiefly of channel-beams, Lbeams, and other forms incident to the use of'structural steel, and the parts are united by gusset-plates or other well-known methods of connections. The base A is mounted upon carrying-wheels, and at each side thereof are erected three inclined struts a ct a2, connected together at their upper ends and to a cross-piece a3, the latter affording support for the upper end of an inclined trolley-way, hereinafter referred to as the main incline. Extending rearwardly from the baseA and rigidly secured thereto are two parallel inclined channel-beams d4 d4, the lower flanges of which afford a track for the support of the operators carriage C. The beams a4 a4 are rigidly connected together at their outer ends by a cross-piece a5 and are supported by means of rods or angle-irons a6, secured to I- beams a7 a7, extending rearwardly from the base A at an angle thereto of about forty-five degrees. The beams aldi' are supported bytie-rods as, secured to their upperends and to the cross-piece d3, as clearly shown.

The operators carriage C consists of a frame c, affording support for a seat c', foot-board c2, driving-shaft o3, windlass-shafts c4 c5, and crank-shafts c c7 o8. The frame c is mounted upon carrying wheels or rollers c9 o9 and o10 C10, supported upon the lower flanges a9 ai of the beams a4 d4. The rear wheels or rollers o9 o9 are keyed to the driving-shaft o3, the` latter also carrying two gears c1l c, one at each side of the frame o. The gears o11 cu engage with racks c12 cl2, mounted upon and projecting beyond the inner upper edges of the beams (t4 a4. The driving-shaft c3 is rotated for propelling the carriage C along the supportingbeams by means of a hand-crank cl3, secured to a shaft c, carrying pinion om, meshing with a gear 015, keyed to the driving-shaft. The gears c11 c engaging with the racks G12 c12 move the carriage in one direction or the other, according to the direction of rotation of the hand-crank cl3. For locking the carriage in any position to which it has been moved I provide the d riving-shaft c3 with a well-known form of band-brake, consisting of a drum o16, engaged and disengaged by a friction band or'strap c, controlled by a hand-lever 018, carrying a hand-operated pawl C19, engaging a segmental rack G20, as will be readily understood. In front of the driving-shaft c3 are two windlass-shafts o4 c5, carryingspirallygrooved drumsd d. These drums are rotated by means of gears d2 (Z2, meshing' with pinions d3 cl3 on shafts c7 es, having handcranks d d4, ratchet-wheels 'd5 d5, and locking-pawls d d6, all as clearly shown. The forward carrying wheels or rollers n10 C10 are mounted in brackets e e', secured to the forward end of the frame o, the brackets e' e' also carrying clips e e, to be hereinafter referred to.

The main incline Bis constructed of two parallel channel-beams ZJ b, arranged back to back and rigidly secured together at their upper ends by cross-braces b' and at their lower ends by cross-pieces b2 b3, affording a space between the beams for mechanism to be hereinafter described. The lower end of the incline is made curved, as shown, in order to maintain an even depth of excavation, or occasionally varythe same, as may be required, as well as to facilitate locking the scoop in its working position by means of the draftchain F. The lower fianges 194124 of the channel-beams b afford a track for the support of trolley-carriages carrying the earthworkingtools, and the upper flanges b5 b5 are utilized for supporting the incline, as will be presently explained. The upper end of the main incline is slidably and pivotally supported by means of clips ff at each side thereof provided with jaws which embrace the upper flanges h5 b5 and pivotally mounted `in hangers f' f', secured to the cross-piece a3, as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 20. The lower end of the main incline is suspended from the oper ators carriage by chains dw, secured to the windlass-drums d d and tothe incline, as illustrated in Fig. l. At the eXtreme lower end of theinclineis a spring-buffer provided for easing and breaking the fall of the scoop. This buffer consists of a lateral bar g, held in place by a bolt g', passing through the cross-pieces h2 b3 and provided with a collar g2, affording an abutment for a spiral spring g3, encircling the bolt and interposed between said collar and the cross-piece Z22, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 13. is provided with lateral extensions g4 below the edges of the beams b b in line with the rear ends of the scoop trolley-carriage E. The bolt g' being round, the bar g may be turned so that the trolley-carriages carrying the earthworking-tools may be readily removed from the incline.

The operators carriage C and the main ineline B are slidably connected together bythe clips e e, pivotally mounted to the brackets e e and provided with jaws embracing the upper flanges b5 b5 of the incline, as shown in Figs. 8 and l0. It will now be understood that an operator seated upon the carriage C may raise or lower the incline by turning the handcranks d4 (Z4 and winding in or paying out'on the supporting-chains d1?. The angular ad justment of the incline is varied by moving the carriage C forward or backward along its supporting-tracks by rotating the hand-crank c13 and operating the band-brake before re- 'Ilhe cross-piece g IOO IIO

ferred to for holding the carriage in its position of adjustment. The longitudinal adjustment of the main incline is in reality a vertical adjustment with reference to the eX- cavation,` and the depth of cut may be thus varied without changing the angular adjustment of the incline, and the latter adjustment may also be varied without changing the depth of cut.

The main incline is held against lateral movement by a traveling yoke h, mounted between the channel-beams al a7. This yoke is slidably connected to the flanges of the beams a7 a7 and is provided with clips h h', having jaws embracing the upper flanges of the incline, as shown in Fig. 5. The yoke g follows the swinging movements of the inoline, but prevents lateral movement thereof without interfering with its longitudinal or vertical adjustment. l

The scoop D is provided with runners and plow-points and is mounted upon trunnions 2, rotating in brackets 3, secured to the trolley-carriage E. The trolley-carrage E is built of channel-steel vand is provided with rollers 4, supported by and upon the lower flanges b4 at each side of the main incline B. The trunnions 2 2 are located at each side of the scoop and to the rear of its center of gravity,l so that the scoop normally hangs in its dumping position illustrated in Fig. 18. At the front of the scoop is an arched cross-tie 5, the front edge of which is engaged by bolts or latches 6 6 at each side of the trolley-carriage for maintaining the scoop in its upright or working position. (Illustrated in Fig. 12.) These bolts 6 6 are square-faced and projectin the path of the cross-tie 5, and they are mounted upon the under side of a cross-bar 7, suspended from the trolley-carriage by bolts S 8 and backed by springs 9 9, surrounding the bolts 8 8, between the trolley-carriage frame and the cross-bar 7, as clearly shown in Figs.l l2 and 15. The cross-tie f5 is provided with vertical ears 10 10, which engage the inner sides of the bolts or latches 6 6 and prevent lateral deflection of the scoop and consequent strain upon the supporting-brackets 3. On top of the bar 7 and projecting upwardly between the channel-beams b b of the main incline is a lug 11, provided with lateral projections 12 1.2, which when the scoop reaches the dumping-point at the upper end of the incline are engaged by flanges for raising the bolts 6 and permitting the scoop to swing upon its trunnions and discharge its load. At the front of the trolley-carriage E, at each side thereof, are deflectors 13 13, these being provided to guard against impin gement should material pile too high in front of the scoop in traveling up the l. l incline. At the rear of the trolley-carriage E and projecting upwardly between the channel-beams of the main incline is a latch j, which engages with a toothed or notched bart at the upper portion of the incline and prevents the scoop from descending until it has been discharged4 of its load, as will be hereinafter described. rlhe latch j is formed upon the forward end of a lever j', pivoted in a bracket j2 and connected at its rear end by a curved link L7'3 to a cross-barj1.` The cross-barj4 serves as abuffer to break the fall of the scoop in dump'- ing and also to release the latch j, and it is suspended from the rear of the trolley-carriage E by means of bolts j5j5 andrbacked by light spiral springs ,i6 ja, encircling the bolts, as clearly shown. At the rear of the scoop is a contact-bar 7c, which when the scoop swings to discharge its load strikes the cross-barj4 and raises the same, and as the blow is at times quite violent I provide additional springs k 7c at the rear of the bar jt, encircling the springs j j and much heavier and somewhat shorter than the latter, so that the cross-bar will be raised sufficiently to release the latch j before coming in contact with the heavy springs, which arrest and ease the fall of the scoop. At the front of the scoop is a pivoted bail Z, which when a plow or other earthworking-tool is not required is attached directly to the draft-chainF; but as here shown it is connected to the rear of a plow-frame G, mounted upon a trolley-carriage H, having rollers fm,

which travel upon the lower flanges of the main incline in the same manner as the rollers of the scoop trolley-carriage E before described.

The plow-frame G consists of two arms t n, pivoted to the trolley-carriage H to swing in lines transverse to the line of draft. At the ends of the arms L L are plows '1t' fn', provided with outer cutting edges t2 'n2 for trimming the sides of a trench. Thearms n n are connected together by a pair of toggle-joints t3 The forward toggle-joint t3 is provided with a hook a5 atits knuckle or joint, to which the bail l of the scoop is-attached, and the rear toggle-joint t4 is similarly provided with a hook a6, to which the draft-chain F is attached. Above the toggle-joints is a spring 17,7, which tends to draw and hold the arms t n together. This spring is interposed between abutments ns ng, oppositely connected to the arms n n, in a manner well known and clearly shown in Fig. 16. It will now be y understood that when power is applied to the draft-chain F the resistance of the scoop and plows while in engagement with the material being excavated will cause the toggle-joints t3 n4 to be drawn together, andthe arms t n, carrying the plows n n', will in consequence be thrust apart and the latter brought in proper position for trimming the sides of the trench wider than the width of the scoop. After the scoop has ascended the incline and discharged its load the spring nl exerts its force to draw the arms t t together, so that both scoop and plows descend the incline free from contact with the sides of the trench.

The draft-chain F passes over a pulley o, connected to thc main incline at or near its upper end and above its pivotal support, and thence downwardly over Ipulleys jp and p yto IOO IIO

IZO

the windlass I of the hoisting-engine supportp ed upon the base A. The pulley o is mounted in brackets o' o', secured to two yokes o2 03, embracing the lower iianges of the main ineline, and pivoted to the yoke o2 are bars o4 o4, pivotally connected at their other ends to the cross-piece as of the main frame, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1S and 20. It will be seen that the pulley o although mounted upon the main incline will always maintain the same relative position to the pivotal point of the main incline regardless of the longitudinal adjustment thereof. It is also to be noted that the pulley o is located some distance beyond the point at which the upper end ofthe main incline is supported by the frame of the apparatus and that the pull upon the draftchain F from said pulley is in a downward direction. This downward pull upon the pulley o tends to raise the lower end of the incline away from the breast of the excavation, and this is an important feature in the working of my apparatus. The band-brake upon` the operators carriage being released and power being applied to the draft-chain the lower end of the main incline will be held down by the engagement of the plows and the scoop with thematerial being excavated; but as soon as the plows and scoop leave the excavation the lower end of the incline will immediately raise and push the operators carriage back upon its supportingtracks, and if before the power is released upon the draft-chain the band-brake be operated to hold the operators carriage in the position to which it has been moved the incline will be held in its rearward or raised position and the scoop and plows will be free to descend into. the excavation without contact with the breast thereof. Upon one or both of the beams a4 a1 composing the support and tracks for the operators carriage I provide au adjustable stop J. (Specially illustrated in Fig.

1l.) This stop consists of a plate q, resting upon the lower flange of thebeam a1 and provided with upright projections or fianges q q and a jaw q2, the latter embracing the beam a1 for holding the plate q in place, while at the same time permitting it to be moved back and forth thereon. A series of holes g3 are provided in the beam a1 in line with a hole Q4 in the plate q, so that said plate may be locked in different positions of adjustment along said beam by a pin g5, as clearly shown. In front of the plate q is a stop-plate g, secured to the end of a rod q1', sliding in the upright flanges of the plate q, and said plate q1* is backed by a spring qs. This stop J is placed in the rear of the operators carriage, in line with the rear wheels thereof, and is engaged thereby for limiting the upward movement of the lower end of the main ineline caused by the downward pull upon the upper end thereof, before explained.

The hoisting-engine is of a type well known asdouble friction-hoist, and consists of a' pair of cylinders T T, the pistons of which a y 'Y enerve' are connected to a driving-shafti", the lattei1 carrying friction-wheels T2 T2, engaging with friction-wheels Ts T3 on a parallel shaft T1, carrying the hoisting-drum I. As is usual with this form of hoist, the friction-wheels T3 T3 are eccentrically mounted upon their supporting-shaft, so that a partial rotation of the latter will cause 'the friction-wheels carried thereon to be moved toward or from the driving-shaft T' for engagement, with or disengagement from the friction-wheels T1 T2, as will be readily understood. The drum-shaft T1 is rotated by a lever T5, secured tothe end of the shaft and connected by a second lever T6 and rod T7 to a hand-lever T8, pivoted to one of the beams a7 directly over and within reach of an operator -seated upon the carriage C. The windlass-drum I is spirally grooved and made tapering, as shown, and the pulleys p and p', supporting and guiding the chain F, are slidably mounted upon their supportingshafts to follow the lateral movements of the draft-chain in winding upon or unwinding from the windlass. Steam is supplied to the cylinders T T from an upright boiler K through pipes T11, provided with cut-oil. Valves T10 and T11, the former having a hand-lever T12 and the latter a lever T13, connected by link T11` withl an arm T15, fixed to a shaft T16, the latter carrying two upright arms T17 T17, lying in the path of the scoop or other earthworkingtools traveling upon the main incline. The arms T1 lean to the rear of the apparatus, and the weight of these arms, together with the weight of the arm T11 and link T11, hold the valve T11 in its open positionand open the same after it has been closed by the earth working-tools, as will be explained.

Between the channel-beams composing the main incline B, at a point closely adjacent to its pivotal support, are two iron plates s s, provided with anges s' s', separated from each other by a space sufficient for the passage of the scoopreleasing lug @'11 before referred to. The flanges s' s' are below the lower edge of the incline at the forward ends of the plates s .sand extend upwardly on a gradual incline to a point about even therewith. Above the iianges s s and extending somewhat beyond the forward ends thereof is a notched or toothed bar with which the latch j on the scoop trolley-carriage engages for preventing descent of the scoop until after it hasdischarged its load into the hopper L. The plates s s and toothed bar t are secured to hangers t t t', resting loosely upon the upper edges of the beams b b. The plates s s and the toothed bar t are permanently and pivotally connected to the main frame of the apparatus by a rod t2, pivotally connected to one of the hangers 't' and adj nstably connected to the cross-piece a3, so that the notched bart and the plates s s always occupy the same IOO IIC

relative position to the main frame and the hopper L regardless of the longitudinal adjustment of the main incline.

The scoop discharges into a hopper L, su pported by and between the struts a ct and CL2 a2 of themain frame. The bottom of the hopper inclines downwardly from the center toward the sides of the apparatus and is formed at each side into a chute sufliciently high above the ground to admit of discharging into carts or upon any of the well-known mechanical conveyers. At the center or apex of the bottom of the -hopper is a hinged partition u, which is swung from side to side for controlling the discharge of material wholly to the one side or the other of the apparatus, as may be necessary or desirable. Beneath the hopper L is a water-tank O for supplying the boiler K.

The operation of the working parts of the apparatus as thus far described is as follows:V The driving-shaft fr of the hoisting-engine being in continuous operation and the earthworking-tools being at the bottom of the main incline the operator, seated upon the carriage C, pushes the lever rs, which rotates the windlass-shaft r4. The friction-wheels 7303 being eccentrically mounted upon said shaft are thus brought into contact with the frictionwheels r2 r2 on the driving-shaft r and the windlass I operated for winding in on the draft-chain F. The plows and scoop being attached to the end of the draft-chain ascend the main incline, the plows cutting a path for the scoop and the latter slicing off and gathward pull of the draft-chain upon the upper end of the incline causesits lower end to move outward and upward away from the breast of the excavation. The operators carriage being connected to the incline by the clips e e and free to travel upon its supporting-tracks is pushed back until the rear wheels cJ are broughtin contact with the stop J, which may be adjusted forward or backward along the beams a4 for increasing or diminishing the upward movement of the lower end of theinoline, as may be desired. After the incline has been raised and before the scoop has reached the end of its upward travel the operator locks the carriage C by means of the bandbrake, and thus holds the lower end of the incline in its raised position, so that the scoop and plows in descending the incline will be free from contact with the breast of the excavation. It has already been explained that in ascending the incline the plows cut a trench wider than the width of the scoop and in descending the incline are drawn together, so that both scoop and plows will be free from contactwith thesides ofthetrench. When the scoop reaches the dumping-point, the lug 11,

to swing upon its trunnions when permitted t0 d'0 so by the slackening of the draft-chain F. At the same time the scoop-bolts are being raised the latch j on the trolley-carriage E engages with the notched or toothed bar t and prevents the scoop from descending the incline until its load has been discharged. Vhen the scoop has reached the proper point, the operator is supposed to release the hoisting-windlass from engagement with its driving-shaft; but should he fail to do so the plowframe G (or the scoop when the plows are not used) will come in contact with the larms or levers r and operate the valve r11 to cut off steam from the driving-engine; but it is obvious the scoop cannot dump until the-operator freesthehoisting-windlass. The momentthis is done the chain F unwinds from the windlass and the scoop discharges its load into the hopper L. The swinging of the scoop in dumping causes the contact-bar at the rear thereof to strike the bar j4 at the rear of the trolley-carriage and raise the same sufficiently to release the latch j from the toothed bar t. The scoop and plows being now free descend by gravity to the bottom of the incline, and in order to prevent a too rapid descent and provide sufficient tension upon the draftchain F to raise the forward end of the scoop I have provided a band-brake t', (shown in Fig. 2,) which operates against one of the friction-wheels r3. This band-brake is under the control of the operator by means of a handlever fu', connected by link c2 with a lever c3, attached to the band ci in a manner well known. When the earth-working ltools have descended to the bottom of the incline, the operator vreleasesthe band-brake upon the operators carriage7 which allows the lower end of the incline to descend and rest upon the scoop and plow-frame. The pull upon the draft-chain F at the next operation of the apparatus which is now repeated causes the forward end of the scoop to be drawn into locking engagement with the bolts for holding it in its operative position. It will be seen that as the work progresses the operators carriage will be moved gradually forward by the gradually-advancing movement of the main incline7 due to the removal of material from the breast of the excavation, and this advancing movement of the incline continues until the breast of the excavation has been out away to a point necessitating a forward movement of the entire apparatus. When this point has been reached, the operator moves the carriage C rearwardly upon its supporting-tracks and by this means moves the main incline rearwardly, so that the entire apparatus may be advanced until the I oo IOS

IIO

IIS

main incline is again 'b1-ought into proper working relation to the breast of the excavation.

To facilitate the movements of the entire apparatus, the base A is mounted upon carrying-wheels w w and w w', and as these wheels are occasionally to be removed I have so mounted the apparatus upon the axles thereof that it may be raised bodily therefrom by the use of jacks or other means, the weight of the apparatus being relied upon for holding the axles and frame together. At the rear of the base A are open bearings to2, Fig. 7, which rest upon the axle w3, carrying the rear wheels w w. Attached to the inner sides of the wheels w w are gears L04 104, meshing with smaller gears 105 w, fixed upon a shaft w, mounted in suitable bearings secured to the base A. About midway of the shaft ws is a gear 107, loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with a gear (not shown) carried by a shaft w8, the latter gear meshing with a gear wg, carried by the driving-shaft r of the engine, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The gear 107 is secured to one member of a clutch w10, the other member of the clutch rotating with the shaft and sliding thereon for coupling the gear and shaft in a manner well known. The clutch w10 is operated by a link w11, coupled to a lever w12, secured to the end of an upright rock-shaft w13. At the upper end of said rock-shaft is a lever w14, connected byV rod 'w15 to a hand-lever w16, located above the operators carriage C. It will be readily understood that by pulling the hand-lever 'w16 the clutch w10 will be operated to lock the gear 107 and shaft we, and thus put into operation the chain of gearing .connecting the rear wheels with the engine driving-shaft 9". By this means the apparatus is moved backward or forward according to the direction of rotation of the engine driving-shaft.

The front carrying-wheels w' w' are mounted upon an axle w17, secured to the lower member 0f a fifth-wheel w18, the upper menr ber thereof being provided with a curved saddle w19, having flanges w20, between which rests a cross-beam al, curved at its center and forming a part of the base A. It Will be seen that by thus mounting the forward carrying-wheels I provide for considerable rocking movement of the axle w17 independent of the frame of the apparatus, and the apparatus may travel over quite uneven surfaces without tilting from side to side in response to the movements of the suppoitingaxle. The apparatus is guided by means of a chain w21, attached to the ends of the axle 'w17 and passing around a sprocket or drum w22, controlled bya hand-wheel w23, as will be readily understood. The front wheels w w are also provided with a brake w24, controlled by a chain w25, sprocket wheel fit-26, and handwheel w27 in the usual way. Atv the rear of the carrying-wheels w 'w is a drag w28, se-

cured by chains w29 to the base A for preventing backward movement of the appatracks formed of timber or other material.v

The apparatus is transferred from the longitudinal traveling wheels to thelateral tracks by raising the entire apparatus by jacks or other means sufficiently to free the base A from the front and rearaxles wlland w3, and these being removed the apparatus is lowered upon the lateral tracks previously placed in position beneath the lateral carrying-wheels.

Weesorr rm i The h l olle s mand x are nounted upon shafts x2 m3, lying parallel with the right and left hand sides of the apparatus and secured in bearings m, bolted to the base A, as illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3. The shafts m2 and m3 each carry a beveled gear m5, meshing with bevel-gears w x6 upon short lateral shafts .x7 mi, also supported in bearings secured to the base A. Loosely mounted upon the shafts m7 mi' are gears m8 w8, meshing with gears 009509,

carried by the shaft w8, which is continuously driven by the engine driving-shaft 7" and before referred to. The gears .frs m8 are each provided with a sliding clutch x10 w10 to throw the gears into or out of rotative engagement With their respective shafts, andthese clutches are operated by rods and levers connected to hand-levers accessible from the operators carriage in the same manner as the clutch before described for controlling the longitud inal travel of the apparatus.

If the direction of rotation of the several gears be traced in the plan View illustrated in Fig. 3, it will be seen that when the engine-shaft is rotating in the proper direction for operating the Windlass -druln I, if the IOO clutch 0010 at the left-hand side of the apparatus be operated to couple the gear aas with its shaft x7, the wheels or rollers fr will be rotated for moving the apparatus to the left, and if the clutch at the right-hand side of the apparatus be similarly operated the wheels or rollers a: r will rotate for moving theapparatus to the right. .Y

In excavating large areas the supportingtrack for lateral travel should be thrown slightly forward at each end alternately after the apparatus has traversed the length of the track,so that a continuous forward movement will be effected and a large area covered without the aid of the longitudinal carryingwheels. y

In trench Work, as for the laying of pipe, the rapid advance of my apparatus, together with the great advantage of making no deposits upon the banks of the trench, as is customary under usual methods, greatlylessens the liability of dangerous caving or collapsing of the banks so usualin such work. Bykeeping the work of pipe-laying closely up behind the excavator the ordinary sheeting and shoring of the sides ofthe trench will be unnecessary. To guard against occasional cavings, however, I providea hood or shield N to guard the work-men and the lower end of the main incline, as illustrated in Fig. l. The hood or shield N is composed of steel or sheet-iron, arched at its top and open at its bottom and ends and braced by suitable ribs y. At the forward end of the shield is a U -shaped brace y', which holds the sides of the shield rigidly apart, and said brace is provided with a runner y2, bearing upon the bed of the trench and supporting the forward end ofA the shield. The rear end of the shield is adjusted and controlled by meansof a long arm or handle g3, extending upward ly and rearwardly there-fi from to the surface line of the excavation. 'lhe hood or shieldis made slightly tapering from front to rear, so that it may be readily disengaged should material cave upon it. Caves in advance of the shield will be infrequent and easily handled by the scoop and when behind or upon it no harm will be done. The shield is advanced by means of a chain 'g/4, connected to and readily disconnected from the main incline B. In traveling from place to place the shield is removed and the main incline adjusted to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In order. to protect the hoisting-engine and gearing from water or dirt falling from the scoop, I have provided a roof z, composed of corru gated iron plates connected together and well turned up at the sides, as at z', to form a trough, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Where the roof is pierced by levers, I provide boxes or flanges z2, surrounding the lever-slots, and covers z3, loosely secu red to and moving with the levers, as clearlyshown.

I have illustrated and described my apparatus as an excavating apparatus; but it is obvious that it may be mounted upon a boat instead of carrying wheels and advantageously used as a dredging apparatus. The form of scoop employed in. my apparatus and its mode of operation possess many advantages over the hinged-bottom scoop carried upon the end of a swinging arm or beam, usual in most forms of dredging-machines.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secu re by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an incline having a scoop or other earthworking `tool or tools supported and guided thereby and adapted tovtravel thereon, means for controlling the said earthworking tool or tools, and means whereby the said incline may be adjusted longitudinally Without varying its inclination, and its `inclination varied without varying its longitudinal ad justment, substantially as described.

2. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-way, a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools supportedv and guided thereby and adapted to travel thereon, the said trolley-way being slidably and pivotally supported atits upper end and suspended at its lower end by means of a rope or chain controlled by a windlass longitudinally movable with relation to the apparatus, whereby the said trolley-Way may be raised or lowered without varying its inclination, or its inclination varied without Varying its vertical adjustment, substantially as described.

3. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-way, a scoop or `other earthworking tool or tools supported and guided thereby and adapted to travel thereon, thesaid trolley-way being slidably and pivotally supported at its upper end'and slidably connected at its lower end to a movable support, and means for supporting and moving said trolley-way longitudinally, substantially as described.

4. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-way having a scoop or other earth working tool or tools supported thereby and adapted to travel thereon, means for controlling the movements of said earthworking tool or tools, and means for automatically moving the lower end of said trolley-way rearwardly during the ascent of the earthworking tool or tools, substantially as described.

5. In an excavating apparatus, the combination ot' an inclined trolley-way having a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools supported thereby and adapted to travel thereon, means for controlling the movements of the earthworking tool or tools, and means for automatically advancing the trolley-Way after each operation of the earthworking tool or tools, substan tially as described.

G. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an incl-ined trolley-way pivotally supported near its upper end and flexibly supported at its lower end so that a downward pull upon it-s upper end will correspondingly raise its lower end, a scoop or other earth-A Working tool or tools supported by and traveling upon said trolley-way, 'a pulley connected to the trolley-way above its pivotal support, a draft chain or rope attached to the earthworking tool `or tools passing over said pulley and thence downwardly to a source of power, substantially as described.

7. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a main frame, alongitudinally-adjustable inclined trolley-way pivotally supported at its upper end and -flexibly supported at its lower end, a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools supported by and traveling upon said trolley-way, a pulley slidably co/n- -ne'cted to the upper endl of the trolley-way IOO IIO

tools passingv over said pulley andV thence downwardly to a source of power, substantially as described.

8. In an excavating apparatus, thcconibination of an inclined trolley-way slidably and pivotally supported at its upper end, a scoop er other earthworkin g tool or tools supported by and adapted to travel upon said trolleyway, a carriage slidabl y connected to the trolley-wayand supported upon tracks above the lower end and in line with the swingingmovements thereof, means for moving and locking Said carriage upon its supporting-tracks, a windlass or windlasses located upon said carriage, a chain or its equivalent connecting said windlass or windlasses with the lower end of the trolley-way, a draft chain or rope attached to the carthworking tool or tools, the said draft-chain passing over a pulleyconnected to the trolley-way above its pivotal su pport and thence downwardly to a source of power, substan-tially as described.

9. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-Way having its upper end slidabl y supported in pivoted bearings, a carriage located above the lower end of said trolley-Way and slidably connected thereto, means for moving the carriage in lines practically parallel with the swinging movements of said trolley-way, a Windlass on said carriage, and a chain or rope connecting the wiudlass and the lower end of the trolleyway, and a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools adapted to travel on said trolley-way, substantially as described.

10. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-Way slidably and pivotally supported at or near its upper end,

. a carriage located above the lower end thereof and slidably connected thereto, means for moving said carriage in lines practically parallel with the swinging movements of the trolley-Way and locking it against movement, means for supporting said trolley-way longitudinally,.a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools mounted upon said trolley-way and adapted to travel thereon, and means for controlling the movements of said earthworkin g tool or tools, substantially as described.

1l. In an excavating apparatus, the combi-V nation of 'an inclined trolley-way pivotally supported near its upper end, a movable carriage connected to said incline below its pivotal support, a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools mounted upon said trolley-way and adapted to travel thereon, a pulley connected to the trolley-way above its pivotal support, a draft chain or rope attached to said tool or tools passing oversaid pulley and thence downwardly to a source of power, and a stop for limiting the backward movement of the carriage connected to the trolley-way, substantially as described.

12. In an excavating apparatus the combination of an inclined trolley-way pivotally supported at or near its upper endI a movable carriage connected to said trolley-way below its pivotal support, means for locking said carriage against movement, a scoop or other earthworking tool or tools mounted upon said incline and adapted to travel thereon, a pulley connected to the upper end of the trolley-way above its pivotal support, a draft chain or rope attached to said earthworking tool or tools passing over said pulley and thence downwardly to a source of power, substantially as described.

13. In an excavating apparatus, the combination substantially as hereinbefore described, of a main frame, a longitudinally-adjustable trolley-way mounted in said frame, a self-dumping scoop mounted on said trolleyway and adapted to travel thereon, mechan- -ism for releasing the scoop-dumping mechanism slidably mounted on said trolley-way and permanently connected to the main frame of the apparatus, whereby the scoop will be dumped at a iixed point with relation to the main frame, regardless of the longitudinal adjustment of the trolley-way.

14. In an excavating apparatus, the combination 'substantially as hereinbefore described, of a main frame, a longitudinally-adjustable trolley-way mounted in said frame, a self-dumping scoop mounted upon said trolley-way and adapted to travel thereon, a hopperalso mounted in said frame, and mechanism for releasing the dumping mechanism of the scoop slidably connected to the trolleyway and permanently connected to the main frame of the apparatus in proper relation to said hopper, whereby the scoop willdischarge into said hopper regardless of the longitudinal adj ustmcnt of the trolley-way.

l5. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-Way,aself-dumping scoop adapted to travel thereon, means carried by the scoop for maintaining it in its working position,- a draft chain or rope for hauling the scoop up the trolley-way, a latch for holding the scoop at the upper end ofthe trolley-way adapted to be released by the actionof the scoop in dumping, and means foi` releasing the dumping mechanism 4of the scoop, substantially as described.

16. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of plows adapted to travel back and forth upon a' suitable support and trim the sides of a trench, and means for moving and holding the plows in proper working position when traveling in one direction and Withdrawing and holding the same away from the sides of a trench when traveling in an opposite direction, substantially as described. v

17. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a scoop adapted to travel back and forth upon a suitable support, plows traveling with said scoop in advance thereof adapted to trim the sides of a trench, and means for automatically 1n oving and holding said plows in position to trim the sides of atrench wider than the width of the scoop during the forward movement of the latter, and automatically withdraw the same away from the sides IOO IIO

of the trench when traveling in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

18. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a trolley-way, a scoop supported thereby and adapted to travel back and forth thereon, plows traveling with said scoop in advance thereof adapted to trim the sides of a trench, and means for automatically moving and holding said plows in working position during the advance movement of the scoop and automatically moving the same away from the sides of the trench during the return movement thereof, substantially as described.

19. In an excavating apparatus, the combination with a scoop or other earthworkingtool adapted to travel vback and forth upon a suitable support, plows `mounted in advance of said scoop or other earthworking-tool and adapted to trim the sides of a trench, the said plows being carried by arms pivoted to swing in lines transverse to the line of draft, a pair of toggle-joints connecting` said arms and mov- Ving in opposite directions, a draft chain or rope connected to -the knuckle of one of said toggle-joints, the other of said toggle-joints beling connected to the scoop or other eart-hworkin g-tool, whereby a pull upon said draft chain or rope will cause the arms carrying the plows to be thrust apart, and a spring for drawing said arms together,substantially as described..

20. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a trolley-way, a trolleycarriage adapted to travel thereon, a scoop carried by said trolley-carriage adapted to Swingin a line parallel to the line of draft and to normally hang in its dumping position, latching mechanism for maintainingthe scoop in its working position, mechanism for releasing said latching mechanism and a draft chain or rope attached to said scoop at or near its lower front portion, whereby a pull upon said draftchain will cause the scoop to be engaged by its latching mechanism, substantially as described.

21 In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-way, a trolleycarriage adapted to travel back and forth thereon, a scoop carried by said t-rolley-carriage adapted to swing in lines parallel to the line of draftand to normally hang in its dumping position, latching mechanism for maintaining the scoop in -its working position, a n

latch carried by the trolley-carriage, a keeper at the upper end of the trolley-way for engaging said latch, means whereby said latch is automatically released by the action of the scoop in dumping, and means for releasing the dumping mechanism of the scoop, substantially as described.

22. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a main frame, an inclined trolleyway slidably and pivotally supportedv at its upper end, means for varying the inclination and longitudinal'adjustment of said trolleyway, and a yoke slidably mounted in the main frame at right angles to the trolley-way and slidably connected therewith for preventing lateral motion thereof, substantially as described.

23. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a trolley-way havin ga scoop or other earthworking tool or tools supported thereby and .adapted to travel thereon, a windlass, a draft-chain attached to said earthworking tool or tools and to said windlass, an engine for driving said windlass, and a lever or levers mounted in the path of said tool ortools for controlling the supply of steam to the engine, substantially as described.

24. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of an inclined trolley-way, ascoop or other earthworking tool or tools supported thereby and adapted to travel thereon, and a hood or shield connected to the lower end 'of said trolley-way for preventing the pa-th of the scoop from becoming clogged at the bottom of the trolley-way by a caving in of the side walls of a trench, substantially as described.

25. In an excavating apparatus the combination of an inclined trolley-way having an outwardly-curved lower end ,a trolley-carriage adapted to travel back and forth thereon, a

Vscoop suspended from said trolley-carriage adapted to swing in aline parallel to the line "tion, and a draft chain or rope working in a line practically parallel to the trolley-way and attached to the scoop below its pivotal point, substantially as described.

26. In an excavating apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of two sets of 'carrying-wheels arranged at right angles to each other, one set being readily detachable from said frame and having their tread-surface below that of the other set, an engine mounted upon said frame, and means for operatively connecting and disconnecting the wheels of either set with the driving-shaft of said engine, substantially as described.

27. In an excavating apparatus, the combination of a main frame, an inclined trolleyway slidably and pivotally supported at its upper end, a carriage slidably connected to said trolley-way supported upon tracks located above the lower end of said trolley-way in line with the swinging movements thereof, racks secured to said tracks, a driving-shaft mounted in said carriage carrying pinions roo meshing with said racks, a hand-lever for operating said driving-shaft, a brake for locking said shaft against rotation, a windlass carried by said carriage, means for operating 1 said windlass, a chain or rope connected to pulley slidably Connected to the trolleydvzty t In testimony whereof I have hereunto set above its pivotal support and permanently my hand-in presence of two subscribing Wt- Connected to the main frame, land :L draft nesses.

chain or rope attached to said scoop and pztss- HARVEY C. LOWRIE. ing over the pulley at the upper end of the 7Witnesses:

trolley-way and downward to a source of FREDERIC S. VATKINS,

power, substantially as described. l FRED. LooKWooD.

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