US654836A - Grading-machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 654,836. Patented m 3|, I900. r. MEBTSHEIMER & .1. A. EDSON.

' GRADING mAcpmE.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1900:) (No Model.) 5.Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 654.836. Patented lu'ly 3|, I900. F. MERTSHEIMER &. J. A. EDSON.

GRADING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr 16, 1900.)

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No. 654,836 Patented July 3|, I900. F. MERTSHE IMER &. J. A. EDSON. GRADING MACHINE (Application filed Apr. 16, 1960. (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 auvembow W M M w m1 1 W I g n nu l/vi 6 $2M No. 654,836. Patented luly 3|, I900.

F. mzm'susmsn & J. A. E0808.

GRADING MACHINE.-

(Application filed Apr. 10, 1900.) i "0 M0 8 0 5 $heafs-Sheet 4.

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' No. 654,836/ Patent ed luly 3|, I900.

F MERTSHEIMER &'J. A. EDSON.

GRADING MACHlNE.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

the machine with the UNI ED ESTATES;

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER AND JOB A. EDSON, OF KANSAS CITY,

PATENT OFFICE.

MISSOURI.

GRADING-MACHINE? SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters-gaunt No. 654,836, dated July 31, 1900.

' Application filed April 16, 1900. fierial No. 181056- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that We, FREDERICK MERTS HEIMER and JOB A. EDSON, of Kansas City, county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gi'ading-lllachines, a specification. a I

This invention has reference to a gradingmachine designed more particularlyfor distributing dirt at the the banks the proper level and slope, such machines comprising usually a scraper-blade supported by a car traveling on the rails and adapted to act at the sides of the track.

The invention consists in various improvements in machines of this character directed more particularly to the form and construction of the scraper-blade, the means for sustaining it on the car to provide for its various adjustments and for folding it at the side of the car when not in use, and to various other features, as will be fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of the machine with one of the scraper-blades extended for use and the other folded along the side of the car. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same as viewed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, with the scraper folded. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is avertical sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, on the lines a a and b b of Fig. 1, as viewed in the direction of the dotted arrow, showing how.

the lower edge of the extension-wing of the main blade is permitted to yield when encountering obstructions.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 0 c of Fig. 1, showing how the distributingwing is connected adjustably with the main blade. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line at d of Fig. 1, showing how the auxiliary sloping bladeis adjustably connected with the main blade. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the upper endof-the cylinder for raising the scraperblade, showing the valve for the admission of air to the cylinder in section, the parts being on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the valverdisk for controlling the admission of air to and its exhaust from the cylinder. Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional plan,

of which the'following is 1 sides of railroads to give 1 on an enlarged scale, through the extensionwing, showing the stop devices by which it is held to its work. I

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a platform-oar appropriately constructed to give the requisite strength to sustain the op erative parts of the machine, comprising main scraper-blades 2, mounted at opposite sides of the car to travel along the sides of the track, and their operating-cylinders 3, mounted on the car, with their pistons suitably connected with the blades, as more fully described hereinafteigto raise and lower them, and as these parts-the blades and operating mechanisms-are the same on both sides of the car-a description of one set will suffice for both. i

of heavy planking having on its bottom a me tallic cutting edge 4 to prevent wearing. At its inner end it is connected to the car in such manner that it may be swung around on a vertical axis and raised or lowered, and this is effected by erecting on the car a vertical transverse frame 5, consisting of two uprights 6, connected at their upper ends by a cross beam 7. At the outer side of the upright there is sustained a short distance from it a vertical cylindrical rod 8, with its lower end resting in a bracket on the under side of the frame of the car. This rod is loosely encircled by three sleeves 9, 10, and 11, which are fixed to the main blade to constituteahinged connection of the blade with the rod. The sleeve 9 is sustained some distance above the upper edge of the blade on the end of a bracebar 12, extending diagonally outward and downward, withits lower end firmly secured to the blade. Adjacent to the sleeve the brace has connected to it the upper end of a Vertical rod 13, whose lower end is fixed to the blade at its inner edge. The sleeve 10 is fixed to the upper edge of the blade,while the lower sleeve 11 is fixed a short distance below it. These sleeves and their brace-rods described afford a strong and effective hinged connection for the blade, permitting it to be swung from alongside the car outwardly to an operative position at an angle and permitting it to be raised and lowered on the verticalrod 8 as a guideway. WVhen in operation the blade projects from the side of the car at anangle,

ton therein.

supply will be cut. offfrom the cylinder and 7 forwardendsagainst the rear face of the blade and with their rear ends against the side of the car, one above the other. The ends of these rods are seated between vertical ears l6 on thebladeand car and pivotally secured-by I horizontal .pins 17, passing through theears and rods. By thus connecting the rodsthey will not interfere with thevertical adiustments of the blade, the connection of their inner ends with the car and blade acting pivotally when the blade is raised. When the blade is folded, the pins are withdrawn and the rods detached and may be carriedatithe' side of the car in stirrups 18, 2. -Near its i connection with the car the blade has jointed to it the rear end of a'draft-chain19, whose forward end is connected to the car-bod-y,the

purpose of which is to hold the blade properly 3 to its working position without interfering with its vertical movement.

body by a chain 20.

The elevation of on the upper cross-beam 7. The end of the .cable is fixed toa rod 23, passingthroughthe end of the cylinder andconnected to the-pis- By this means when the piston descends the blade will be raised, and vice We propose to operate the piston by compressed air, which may be taken from any suitable source; but we have shownthe .car as provided with an air-tank 24, with a connecting-hose extending to a] central supply-pipe 26, from which the vertical cyl The inders are supplied'by branch pipes '27. branch pipe 27 communicates through valve .28 with the upper end of the cylinder, which valve is so formed that when in one position air will be admitted to the cylinder, causing the descent of the piston and the elev'ationof blade, and when in its otherposition the aire /the upper end of the cylinder and having an interior chamber 30, in whichis mounted to v oscillateavalve-disk 31,-provided with a stem 32,passing*out throughthe end of the casing and formed-toreceive a handle 33 for turn-' ingit. At one side thecasing is provided with an open-ing, -through which the air enters v tthechamber from the branchpipe 27,,as shown :in Fig. 7,and when the valve is in the position-there indicated theair passes from saidrchamber through an'opening 34 in the On its rear side the blade is further connected with the car the blade is effected by. the cylinder 3,;before alluded to, by means of 1 a cable 21, fixed at a balancing-point on the blade and passing over a swiveling pulley 22.

This valve con disk and through an opening 35 in the casing, communicating with theechamber and connected by a pipe 36 with the upper end of the cylinder. The casing has, further, a central longitudinal exhaust-opening 37,

ing 34 in order to permit the air in the cylinder to return through the exhaust-opening. The connection of these openings is effected by'means-of a radial recess 38 in the face of the valve-disk 31, so formed and arranged that when the disk is turned to the proper position it will carry its opening 34 out of communication with-opening 35, so'as to out off the supply to the cylinder, and W111 bring the end of the radial passage 38 inline with opening 35, the result being that the exhaust will pass throughtheradial recess and'thence out through the longitudinal exhaust-opening. .Thecylinder is mounted on the car so as to have a limited movement at its upper end transversely of its longitudinal axis, to

rect pull on the .cable notwithstanding any changes in the position of thepulley due to the different positions of the .main :blade. To provide for this movement of the cylinder, a rounded head. Aprojects from its lower end and is set loosely in ,a socket-plate B on the floor of the car, the result ofwhich is that at its upper end the cylinder has azlimited movement. It is maintainedin asubstantially-upright position by a band D encircling the same and somewhat largerin diameter to admitofa'limited' play therein.

From this, description it will be seen that when the blade is operating it is held ifirmly to its work by the chains and braces,,so connected that they will not interfere with the structions. =It will be seen also that by .the disconnection of thebraces and draft-chain the blade may be lifted by thezoperating-cylinder and swung around at-ither-side of the car when it is not to be used or when :it :is desired to pass side obstructions, suchas stand= ing cars or bridge-framings orythe like.

As the machine frequently follows in the path of ballast-cars and ditching-machines to distribute and leveloff the dirt-dumped along thesides of the track, it is important thatmeans be provided for freeing :the ties at the side of the rails and .also the latter from any dirt which may lodge thereon. This is accomplished by an extension-wing 39, hingedona vertical axis 40 on'the frontface ner lower corner the wing .is recessed, so as to extend at'the side of the rail and atthe top which is adapted to be connected with open- .the end that its piston may act with a di-.

of the main blade near its inner endyso that vertical movement of the blade toavoid :ob-

ycs4,ese .3

of the same for thepurpose of freeing it of dirt. It is seen, therefore, that this wing acts independently of the main blade closely along -theupper sides of the ties and at the sides and tops of the rails.

tained in line with the in working position by'rods 41, projecting forward from the frame of the car, with their ends adapted to pass through openings in the wing. The rods are provided adjacent to their ends with .shoulders 42, against which the wing rests and by which it is held to its Work. The wing is in two sections, an upper main body portion 43 and a lower section 44, which latter is so connected with the body that it may yield rearward to pass over obstructions, such as projecting rocks between the ties or an abnormally-high tie. To accomplish this, the lower section is hinged to the body portion, as at 45, Fig. 4, and is held yieldingly in the same general plane of the body by two spiral springs 46, encircling rods This wing is main- 47, jointed to lugs 48 on the lower section and passing loosely through lugs 49 on the body, the springs bearing between the two lugs. The springs are of such strength that under normal conditions they will hold the lower section of the wing in operative position and the latter will act to properly distribute the dirt. If, however, an obstruction is encoun tered, the springs will yield and permit the lower section to turn backwardly, and after the obstruction is passed the section will be quickly returned to its normal working position.

In order that the dirt may be properly distributed close up to the ends of the ties notwithstanding variations in their length,which often occurs, we provide the main blade at its inner end with a plate 50, adjustably connected thereto in such manner that it may be set at difierent points 'in the line of the main blade to bring its inner edge close to the ends of the ties. This plate is secured to the blade by bolts 51, passing through long slots 52 in the plate.

For the purpose of giving the outer edge of the bank the proper slope for drainage we provide a sloping wing 53, having its lower edge inclined outwardly and downwardly, as shown in Fig. 1. This wing is adapted to be attached to the bottom of the main blade to form a continuation of its lower edge and is adjustably connected thereto in order that it may be set at various points in the length of the plate, according to the width thebank is to be given. It is attached to the main blade by means of lugs 54, Fig. 6, on the back of the wing, adapted to pass through openings through the blade, to which the lugs are secured by pins 55, extending through holes in the ends of the lugs at the back of the blade. The main blade is provided throughout its length with openings to receive these lugs, so that the wing may be changed from place to place, as desired. The leveling-b1ade being set while ,in operation at an angle, as shown main blade and held in Fig. 3, acts in advancing to gradually defleet the superfluous dirt rearwardly along its face. In order, however, that the dirt may be carried forward to fill up weak places and depressions in the bank, we provide a distributing-wing 56, consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner edge to the face of the main blade, as at 57, in such manner that it may be swung outward to extend at an angle to the blade, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. This plate has hinged to its free end legs 58, adapted to engage, respectively, notched plates 59, fixed at the top and bottom of the main blade, so that it maybe set at difierent angles by engaging the legs in the notches, according to the nature of the work to be performed, as regards the amount of dirt to be carried forward. We propose to provide for the connection of this wing adjustably to the main blade in order that it may be set at different points in the length of the blade to advance the dirt ina narrow or'wide path, as desired. To effect this,.'the inner edge of the wing has extending from its hinged joint a plate 60, to which are fixed threelugs 61, adapted to extend through holes in the main blade and be firmly secured there'- to by a long pin 62, extending through per forations in the ends of the lugs. At intervals along the main blade other holes (SI -are provided to receive these lugs, so that by the movement of the long pin the wing may be secured at different points. When the conditions are such that it is not necessary to employ this distributing-wing,it may be folded fiat against the face of the plate and held in position by a pin 63, adapted to be passed through perforated lugs 63 on the legs, which lugs are adapted in turn to extend'through holes in the blade.

In operation the scraper-blade is lowered to the position shown at theleft in Figs. 1 and 2 and is held at an angle and the brace-bars 15 and the draft-chain 19. When the blade is to be folded for transportation, the brace-bars are removed and placed in the receiving stirrups, the draftchain detached, and the air-valve operated to admit air to the top of the cylinder. This will cause the piston to descend and the blade to be raised, when it may be swung around to the side of the car, as shown in Fig. 2 and to the right in Figs. 1 and 3. In this position straps 64, fixed to the upper edge of the main blade, pass over lugs 65, projecting from the side of the car, and the blade is held in foldedposition by pins 66, passed through perforations .in the lugs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The extension-wing 39, before alluded to,

has its inner lower corner recessed, as shown in Fig. 1, so that it may overhang the rail to free the same of dirt. By reason of its being hinged at its inner edge to the face of the main blade it may be placed flat against the main blade, so as not to present any projecting surface when the main the side of the car.

to its work by blade is folded at Having thus described our invention ,what I '1. The combination with the car, of'the laterally-swinging and vertically-movable scraper-blade mounted thereon, a cylinder sustained by the car in an upright position and movable laterally at its upper end, a piston and piston-rod for said cylinder, a guide situated above the cylinder, a-cable passing overzsaid guide and attached at its ends respectively to the piston-rod and scraperblade, and means for admitting fluid under I pressure into the cylinder above the piston.

2. The combination with the car, of the main scraper-blade sustained thereby at'the, side of the track and terminatingat the ends ofthe ties,.and an extension wing adapted to extend beneath the car with its lower edge horizontal and at ahigher level thanthe lower edge of the blade and closely overlying the upper sidesof the ties and having its inner lowercorner recessed to extend at thesides ofthe rails andclosely at the tops of the same. 1 p 4. The combination with the car, of the' scraper-blade sustainedthereby to act at the side of the track, and a horizontally swinging extension-wing sustained by the scraperblade and adapted to act beneath the car,

5. In combination with the car, a scraper-v blade sustained thereby to act at the side of the car, and an extension-wing pivoted to the scraper-blade-and adapted to be swung under thecar adjacent to the rails.

6. In combination with the car, a scraperblade mounted at its inner end on the car and adapted to befolded at the side of the same, and-an extension-wing pivoted near the inner endof the blade to fold flatly against the same and adapted to be swung beneath the car adjacent to the rail; whereby when the main blade is foldedat the side of the car-the extension-wing may be placed flat against' its face.

7. The combination with the car, of the extension-wing having its lower edge movable rearwardwith respect to the upper portion;

whereby thelower portion of the blade will yield in encou'nteringobstructions.v I 8. The combination with the car, of the extension-wing comprising an upper main 'body and a lower. horizontal section, anda spring acting to hold the lower section in -an operativeposition whereby the lower section 1m ay yield in encountering obstructions.

9; The combination with the car, of the portion and a extension-wing comprising an upper body lower horizontal section forming a continuation of the body portion, lugs on said parts, a lowersection and passing loosely through the lug on the body portion, a spiral'spring encircling the rod and bearing between the lugs, and a hinged connection between the lower section and body portion. 7

rod jointed to the lug of the- 10. The combination with the car of the scraper-blade sustained thereby to act at the side of the track, an extension-wing pivoted at one end only to swing beneath the car, and a stop on the car to limit the rearward motion of the wing. Y 1

a 11. The combination with the car, of the extension wing mounted to swing beneath the same and provided with an opening, a

rod extending from the car with its end in position to extend through said opening when the blade is swung to an operative position, and a shoulder on said rod adapted to limit the rearward movement of the blade.-

12. In combination with the car, a scraper blade formed with a lower scraping edge adapted to act at the side of the track and terminating at the ends of the ties, and a plate-connected adjustably with the-blade at it s-inner-end and provided with a lower scraping-edge forming a continuation of thelower edge of the blade, said plate adapted to be adjusted close up to the ends of the ties.

, 13. In combination with the car, a scraper blade sustained thereby, to act at the side of the track, an adjustableblade at the inner edge of the blade adapted to be set close up vt0 the ends of the ties, and an extension-wing adapted to extend over the ends of the ties. 14;; In combination with the car, a main scraper-blade sustained thereby and provided with a lower scraping edge adapted to act at the side of the track, and a slopingwing adjustably connected with the main blade near itsouter end and formed with a lower edge sloping outward and downward and forming a continuation of the lower active edge of the scraper-blade.

15. In combinationwith the car, a scraperblade adapted to act at the side of the track at aninclination with respect to the car, and a dist-ributi'ng-wing applied to the front face of the scraper-blade and adapted to extend at an angle thereto.

16. In combination'with the car, a main blade sustained thereby at an inohnatlon to act at the side of the car, adistributing-wing on the face of the blade, and means for varying the angleof the same with respect to the blade.

' 17. Incombination with the car, a soraperblade extending at an inclination with the same to act at the side of the track, a distributing-wing consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner end to the faceof the blade on'a verticalaxis, and means for sustaining its outer end sothat it-will extend at an inc lination with respect to the blade.

18. In combination with the car, a scraperblade extending at an inclination to the same to act at the side of the track, a distributingwing consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner end to the face of the blade on a vertical axis, and a supporting-leg pivoted at the opposite end of the plate and adapted to engage the blade; whereby the distributingwing may be adjusted at dilferent inclinations with respect to the scraper-blade.

19. In combination with the car a scraper blade sustained thereby at an inclination to act at the side of the track, a distributingwing adjnstably connected to the face of the blade and adapted to extend at an angle to the same. 7

20. In combination with a car, a scraperblade extending at an inclination at the side of the car, a distributing-wing pivoted at its inner end to-the blade, and means for changing the point of attachment of the wing with the blade in the direction of the length of the blade.

21. The combination with the car of the swinging scraper-blade adapted to be folded at the side of the same, an extension-t ring pivoted to the face of the blade near its inner end, and adapted to fold flatly against the same, and a distributing-wing pivoted to the face of the blade beyond the extension-wing,

and adapted also to fold flatly against the 1 blade; whereby when the scraper-blade is folded at the side of the car the extensionwing and distributing-wing may be adjusted flat against the face of the same.

22. In combination with the car, a scraperblade pivoted at its inner end thereto, means for raising and lowering the same, and abracerod having its ends detachably connected on horizontal axes respectively with the scraperblade and car.

-23.- The combination with the car, of the vertically-movable scraper-blades sustained on opposite sides thereof, two cylinders sustained by the .car and provided with pistons, cables connecting the pistons with the respective blades, independently-acting valves for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to the respective cylinders, a supply-pipe for the fluid under pressure, common to both cylinders and branch pipes extending from said supply-pipe to the respective valves; whereby the blades may be operated one independently of the other.

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our hands, this 2d day of April, 1900, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER. JOB A. EDSON. Witnesses:

JOHN W. SHAW, W. B. DUNLEVY.

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