US1174986A - Ditching-machine. - Google Patents

Description

E. JESCHKE.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FYILED NOV. 25, 1914.

1,17%,986. Patented Mar. 14,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

E. JESCHKE.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914.

Patented Mar. 14,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Illlrl wibneooeo E. JESCHKE,

DITCHiNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914.

1,174,986. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

3 SHEETS -SHEET 3.

EDWARD JESCHKE, OF BELLEVUE, OHIO.

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' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed November 25, 1914. Serial No. 873,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD Jnsonxn, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at Bellevue, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ditching-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for digging ditches or trenches and has particular reference to improvements in such a machine, shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,048,014, granted to Frederick J. Wertelewski, under date of December 24th, 1912.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for rendering more convenient the vertical adjustment of the frame of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for improving the steering of the machine during its longitudinal travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for connecting the excavator with the frame, to strengthen the same. I

A further object of the invention is to provide means which will remove the soil from proximity to both sides of the ditch or trench being dug, in a highly efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide self-adjusting means for preventing the body portion of the machine from tilting laterally, during its longitudinal travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable grading or leveling device, to be carried by the machine.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the machine in general, with a view of rendering the same more efiicient in operation, and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, parts being omitted, Fig. 5

is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on line 77 of Fig. 2, parts so being omitted, and, Fig. 8 is a similar View,

taken on line 88 of Fig. 2. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates an inclined longitudinal beam extending downwardly toward its forward end. Connected with the forward end of the beam 10 is a guide-frame 11, having a rear beam receiving portion 12 formed U-shaped in cross-section, as more clearly shown in Fig.

8. This portion 12 is rigidly connected to the beam 10 by means of bolts 13 or the like. The guide-frame 11 (see Fig. 5) has a vertical transverse opening 14, receiving a vertically movable or reciprocatory rack-bar 15, preferably formed square in cross-section,

as shown in Fig. 2. This rack-bar is provided upon its rear side with gear-teeth 16 for a purpose to be explained. The rackbar 15 is provided with an axially extending cylindrical opening 17 (see Fig. 5), receiving a vertical stub-shaft 18, to the lower end of which is rigidly attached a fork 19. This fork receives a forward supporting-wheel g 20, rotatably connected therewith by means of an axle 21 or the like. Attached to the rear portion of the upper end of the fork 19 is a scraper 22, extending downwardly in proximity tothe ground-wheel 20, to slid- 9 ably engage the same and remove therefrom the dirt or the like accumulating thereon.

The numeral 23 designates a tongue, "the rear end of which is rigidly connected with spaced strips 24, arranged upon opposite g5 sides of the fork 19 and pivoted therewith to be swung in a vertical plane, by means of bolts 25 or the like. Disposed above the tongue 23 is aclevis 26, rigidly secured to the forward end of the guide-frame 11, as 10 shown. The draft appliance, (not shown) is secured to the clevis 26 and the forward end of the tongue 23 is connected with the collars of the horses or draft animals by the usual means, there being preferably two draft animals employed in operating the machine. It is thus seen that the forward supporting wheel 20 is free to be swung laterally during the travel thereof, thus making the steering of the machine easier.

The numeral 27, (see Figs. 1 and 3) designates 9. preferably metallic L-shaped depending beam extension, rigidly secured to the rear end of the beam 10, the same embodying an upper socket 28 (see Fig. 4), formed U-shaped in' cross-section, to receive the rear end of the beam 10, the beam being held therein by means of a bolt 29 or the like, as shown. Rigidly connected with the horizontal arm of the L-shaped beam extension 27 is a fork 30, having a rear supporting-wheel 31, rotatable therein and connected therewith by an axle 32 or the like. A scraper 33 has its upper end attached to the upper end of the fork 30 and extends downwardly and rearwardly of the supportingwheel 31 to slidably engage therewith to move the dirt and the like therefrom.

Connected with the horizontal arm of the L-shaped bean extension 27 is a suitably stiff seat-spring 34, to the upper end of whiclf is attached a seat 35, as shown.

In the Patent No. 1,048,014, is shown plow handles attached to the rear end of the frame of the machine, so that an operator:

could walk behind the machine and by means of these handles prevent the body portion of the machine from tilting laterticularly if the machine is constructed of a good size, and when the draft animals pull suddenly or unevenly. Besides from this disadvantage, it is obvious that the presence of an additional operator is required.

In the present improved construction, I have provided self-adjusting means for preventing the tilting of the body portion of the machine laterally, but allowing the same to move vertically when desired. Such means comprise a crank-axle 36, arranged near and above the rear end of the longitudinal beam 10. This crank axle has its central portion journaled through a bearing 37. rigidly attached to the beam 10 by means of bolts 38 or the like. A sleeve 39 is rigidly secured to the crank axle and engages one end of the bearing 37, while a crank or arm 40 is rigidly secured to the crank-axle and engages the opposite end of the bearing, thus preventing perceptible longitudinal movement of, the crank-axle with relation to the bearing but allowing the same to freely turn. At its opposite ends, the crankaxle 36 carries depending cranks or extensions 41. provided with horizontal portions 42. having side balancing-wheels 43 rotatable thereon. Attached to the outer end of the crank 40 is a suitably stiff retractile coil spring 44, the lower end of which is connected with a bracket 45. (see Fig. 3) attached to the upper end of the beam extension 27. The function of this spring and associated elements is to oppose the rearward swinging movement of the cranks 41 of the crank-axle 36, thus preventing the body portion of the machine from tilting laterally, but allowing of the vertical movement of the beam 10 and associated elements with respect to the wheels 43, whereby the supportingkwheels 20 and 31 may travel in proper engagement with the bottom of the ditch being dug, which varies in depth according to the number of times that the machine is driven over or through the same ditch, the wheels 43 traveling upon theupper surface'of the ground at points spaced from the ditch. As considerable strain is placed upon the crank-axle, it is advantageous to provide diagonal braces46, (see Fig. 2) the rear ends of which are apertured to rotatably receive the crank-axle 36 and engage the rings 47 rigidly secured to the crank-axle and arranged inwardly of and adjacent the apertured ends of the diagonal braces 46. The forward ends of these diagonal braces are rigidly connected with j the longitudinal beam 10 by 48 or the like.

Rigidly attached to the diagonal braces means of a bolt 46 are auxiliary diagonal braces 49, extending forwardly and passed through the apertured head 50 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6) of an upstanding j/criangular bracket 51, which is rigidly mounted upon the beam 10, and attached thereto by bolts 52. The forward ends of the auxiliary brace rods 49 are screw-threaded for receiving nuts 53 or the like, as shown.

The means to raise and lower the'rackbar 15, comprises a pinion or gear 57 (see Fizs. 1 and 2), carried by a shaft 58, journaled through upstanding portions of the guide-frame 11, as shown. Arranged exteriorly of the guide-frame and rigidly connected with the shaft 58 is a worm wheel 59, engaging a worm 60, carried by a longitudinally extending operating shaft 61. This operatin shaft has its forward portion journale through apertured ears or members 62, rigidlyattached to the guideframe by any suitable'means. The rear portion of the operating shaft 61 is journaled through an apertured arm or bracket 62. the lower end of which is rigidly attached to the upper end of the beam extension 27, as shown. Rigidly connected with the rear end of the operating shaft 61 is a hand wheel 63, arranged in convenient reach of the operator upon the seat 35, as shown.

The numeral 64 designates an elongated substantially U-shaped cutter or excavator (see Fig. 6), the forward edge of which is suitably sharpened. Y The upper ends of the cutter 64 are arranged upon and engage the opposite ends of a transverse tubular attaching-member 65, and are rigidly securedformed U-shaped in cross-section, receiving the beam 10, and rigidly attached thereto by bolts 68 or the like. Arranged below and extending longitudinally of the beam 10 is a conveyer or lifter 69, preferably in the form of an elongated plate, the same having its forward end connected with the lower end of the excavator, the upper surface of the conveyer being flush with the corresponding surface of the lower end of the excavator, as shown. The conveyer 0r lifter is longitudinally inclined and its upper end is rigidly attached to the upper portion of the vertical arm of the beam extension 27, as shown. The conveyer is also laterally inclined, to discharge the dirt away from the land-side, or in other words, the land-side edge of the conveyer is arranged above its mold-board edge.

Arranged upon opposite sides of the conveyer 69 are independently vertically movable mold-boards 70 and 71, adapted to move the dirt from proximity to the ditch, when passing off of the conveyer. In the patent the mold-board and the land-side as they are termed therein were rigidly connected whereby they move together. I have found it advantageous to have two mold-boards extending in opposite directions and being independently vertically movable. As a rule, very little dirt falls upon the mold board 71, whereby it need not be vertically adjusted as frequently as the mold-board 70, whereby it is advantageous that these members should move independently of each other, as above stated. The mold-boards 70 and 71 (see Fig. 7), are provided with apertured ears or knuckles 72, mounted to slide upon guide rods 73, attached to the lower side of the conveyer 69 in spaced relation thereto. These elements are further provided with guide arms 74, rigidly attached thereto, the inner ends of which are apertured to slidably receive auxiliary guide rods 75, the forward ends of which extend into apertured ears 7 6 of a bracket 77, which is rigidly attached to the lower side of the conveyer 69. The rear ends of the auxiliary guide rods 75 are rigidly attached to the lower end of the vertical arm of the L- shaped beam extension 27, by means of bolts 78 or the like. The mold-board 70 is preferably provided with a rearwardly extending arm 79, to which is attached a retractile coil spring 80, connected with one of the diagonal braces 46. The function of this spring is to aid in returning the mold-board 70 to the lower position, the same tending to gravitate to such position. I have found it unnecessary to provide the mold-board 71 with a spring for returning the same to the lower position, as the same operates satisfactorily by gravity, while it is to be understood that a spring may be employed if desired.

- The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The operator is positioned upon the seat 35, and may conveniently turn the hand wheel 63 to raise and lower the forward end of the beam 10, while the machine is being drawn forwardly by the horses or other means. The excavator or cutter 64 engages with the ground, cutting the ditch or trench. The dirt travels rearwardly upon the conveyer or lifter 69, and the greater portion of the dirt is deflected to the right upon the mold-board 70, which removes the same from proximity to the cutter and the ditch. Some of the dirt however falls from the upper opposite edge of the conveyer and is removed from proximity to the same by the mold-board 71. The mold-boards are capable of moving vertically with respect to the conveyer and are self-adjusting, the same being further elevated as the depth of the trench or ditch increases. The crankaxle 36 and wheels 43 prevent the lateral tilting of the body portion of the machine, the same however allowing the rear end of the beam to move downwardly, with respect to the wheels 43, as the depth of the ditch increases, while the supporting wheels 20 and 21 carry substantially all the weight of the machine.

It is obvious that the ditch may be dug in various depths, depending upon the number of times that the machine is driven over or through the same.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches; a longitudinal support; supporting wheels connected with the support near its ends; a ground treating implement connected with the support between the supporting Wheels and depending from the support; and self-adjusting means for preventing the lateral tilting of the longitudinal support, comprising a crank-axle extending transversely of the longitudinal support and permanently freely pivotally connected therewith and having cranks arranged upon the opposite sides of the longitudinal support, balancing wheels carried by the cranks, and yielding means to oppose the turning movement of the crank-axle in one direction.

2. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches; a longitudinal support; a ground treating implement connected with the support; supporting wheels connected with the ends of the longitudinal support; means for raising and lowering the forward end of the longitudinal support with relation to the adjacent supporting wheel embodying a manually moved element arranged near the rear end of the longitudinal support; an operators seat carried by the rear end of the longitudinal support and disposed near the manually moved element; and self-adjusting means to prevent lateral tilting of the longitudinal support, comprising a transverse crank-axle permanently freely pivotally connected with the rear end of the longitudinal support and having cranks disposed upon the opposite sides of the longitudinal support, balancing wheels carried by the cranks, an arm rigidly connected with the crank axle, and a spring connected with the arm and a portion of the longitudinal support.

3. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches; a longitudinal support; supporting wheels connected with the longitudinal support near its ends and normally arranged in approximately the longitudinal axis of such support; cranks permanently freely ing means to oppose the movement of the cranks in one direction; and a ground treating implement connected with the longitudinal support.

4. In a machine for digging ditches or trenches, a wheeled support, ditch diggin means carried thereby, a conveyer arrange rearwardly of the ditch digging means to receive dirt therefrom, and laterally extending independently vertically movable mold boards arranged near and upon opposite sides of the conveyer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD JESCHKE. lVitnesses:

THOMAS MCSHEEHY, JAMES G. HUNT.

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