US1180956A - Gravel-machine. - Google Patents

Description

H. T. SYKES. GRAVEL MACHINE. APPucATIoN FILED JAN. 13. |915.

l 9 l M. M n

Patented Apr. 25,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

HENRY '.IL. S'YKES, OF NEW LONDON, MISSOURL ASSIGNOR. 0F ONE-HALF TO A. VICTOR ELY, OF NEW LONDON, MISSOURI.

GVEL-JVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25., 1916..

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, HENRY T. SYKES, a citizen -of the United States, and a resident of New London, in the county of Ralls and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gravel-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in gravel machines, and has for its object to provide a machine of the character specified, for use in excavating gravel from gravel pits Whether above or below water, and of the class adapted to be operated by draft apparatus arranged at a distance as for instance an endless belt, wherein a scraper is provided supported by wheels, and movable with respect to the wheels into yand out of loading position, and wherein mechanism is provided in connection with the scraper and the wheels for automatically lifting the scraper into inoperative position when loaded, and operated by the loading of the scraper.

A further object is'to provide mechanism in connection with the scraper and the draft apparatus for transferring the draft from the lifting mechanism directly to the scraper after the scraper has been loaded.

ln the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved scraper, Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2*2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the releasing mechanism, Fig. 4- is an enlarged section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the draft mechanism.

rlhe present embodiment of the invention comprises a scraper body substantially U- shaped in cross section and consisting of a bottom 1 and sides 2, integral with the bottom, and the front ends of the sides are beveled as shown at 3, while the front edge of the bottom is rounded as shown at 4. rlFhe upper edges of the sides of the scraper are reinforced by angle bars 5, and the said bars are extended beyond the scraper at the front edge thereof, the extended portions of the bars converging inwardly toward each other as Iindicated at 6, to an integral connection at The portions of the bars 5, 6 and 7 are ntegral 'as before stated, being one continuous piece of metal bent to shape and one portion of the angle material lits against the inner face of the sldes at the top and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, while the other portion extends laterally inward flush with the top of the sides. The horizontal portions of the angle material are connected by front and rear cross bars'8 and 8a of angle material, and by intermediate cross bars 9 of channel material, and arranged with the channel downward.

Front and rear axles 10 and 10a are journaled in sectional bearings l1 on the horizontal portions of the bars 5, and each axle is provided with a pair of laterally offset spindles 12, the spindles of each axle being offset in the same direction and being in alinement, and wheels 13 are journaled on the spindles. Each of the axles 10 and 10a is provided intermediate its ends with a laterally offset crank pin 14 and 14a, respectively, and each pin is connected to the adjacent axle by parallel arms 15 and 15, the said arms being integral with the axle and the crank pin.

Plates 16 and 16a are arranged longitudinally of the body between the cross bars 9, the plate 16 being at approximately the center of the body, while the plate 16a is lateral with respect to the body.

A toothed sector 17 is secured to the cross bars 9 at the plate 16a, and a lever 18 is pivoted to the plate 16a as indicated at 19, at the center of the sector. The lever 18 is provided with the usual latch mechanism for coperating with the `sector to hold the lever in adjusted position, and the lever is connected to the crank pin 14a byl means of a yoke. The yoke comprises a body 20, having a bearing journaled on the -crank pin, and parallel arms 21, which extend on oppo site sides of the lever, and are pivoted thereto by a bolt 22. I

lt will be obvious thatywhen the lever is released from the latch mechanism and swung forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1, the spindles 12 of the axle will be moved rearwardly and upwardly to bring them nearer to the horizontal plane of the axle 10, and this movement of the spindles willrlower the rear end of the body with respect to the supporting surface of the wheels. The front axle is similarly arranged, being rotated by means of a lever 23, which is pivoted as indicated at 24 on the plate 16.

A sector 25 is secured to the cross bars 9 at the plate 16, and the said sector is provided with a single tooth 26. The lever 1s provided with a latch 27, mounted to slide in bearings 28 on the lever toward and from the upper edge of the sector, and a guard 29 is secured to the lever, the guard engaging-the opposite face of the sector from the lever'to prevent lateral movement of the lever with respect to the sector. The upper end of the latch is reduced to pass through the uppermost bearing 28, and a coll sprmg 30 is arranged between the uppermost bearing and the body of thevlatch, the spring acting normally to press the latch downwardly.' The .lever 23 is connected to the crank pin 14 by means of a yoke-shaped link, comprising a body 31, having a bearlng for engaging the crank pin, and parallel arms 32, extending on opposite sides of the lever and pivoted thereto as indicated at 33.

It will be obvious that when the lever 23 is swung rearwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2', the spindles 12 of the axle 10 will be moved forwardly and upwardly toward the horizontal plane of the axle 10 to lower the front end of the body with respect to the supporting surface of the wheel.

' When the lever is moved to its rearmost po-l sition and the latch 27 is engaged with the single tooth or notch 26 of the sector, the front end of the scraper will be in loading position, that is, the front edge of the bottom will be at the level of the lowest portions of the wheels, so that as the scraper is drawn forward the front edge will cut beneath the surface of the ground and will load the body. y

The draft apparatus which may be of any desired character as for instance, a ,reelrotated from any source of power, is connected vto the scraper by means of a cable 34. One

end of the cable 34 is connected to a crank pin 35,- which connects the ends of the arms 15 remote from the axle 10. It will be noted that the said arms are extended beyond the crank pin 14, and that the extended ends are connected by the crank pin 35. A clip 36 is j ournaled on to the pin, and the outer end of lthe clip has a split 'socket 36a, for receiving theend of the cable, and the sections of the socket are clamped on tothe end of the cable by means of a bolt 37. From the clip, the cable passes forwardly and downwardly through one of the portions 38 of an angle plate, consisting of the portion 38 and a portion 38a arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to the portion 38 and secured to the vertical portion of the portion 7 of the bars 5-6-7, by means of a bolt and nut 39. The portion 38 of the clip extends downwardly and rearwardly, and is provided with an opening through which the cable extends. A pulley 40 is journaled on a bolt 41, which is supported by a bracket 42, secured to the outer face of the vertical portion of the portion 7 of the bar 5-6-7 and having a pair of laterally spaced bearing arms 43, for. holding the bolt. The cable passes beneath the pulley 40 and from thence to the reel, and after winding upon the reel a number of turns, the bight of the cable passes back to the scraper and beneath pulleys 44, journaled in substantially U-shaped brackets 45, supported by the front and rear cross bars on the opposite side of the plate 16 from the plate 16a. This portion of the cable then passes to the opposite bank of the gravel pit and over a pulley and then again to the scraper. The opposite end of the cable from that connected with the clip 36 is connected to the lever 23.

The pivot pin 33 which connects the arms 32 of the yoke-shaped link to the lever also passes through openings in the ends of oppositely arranged straps 46 and 47. The plates extend rearwardly and are connected by a pin or bolt 48. The end of the cable is doubled over the pin or bolt-48 between the arms, and is then secured to the cable by means of a clamp 49.

A stop in the form of a sleeve 50 is secured to the cable at the end adjacent to the clip 36, by means of bolts and nuts 51, and the stop is adjustable on the cable. The stop is designed to engage the stop plate 38 to transfer the draft from the arms 15 of the front axle directly to the scraper.

During the loadin ofthe scraper with the front end thereof 1n loading position, the draft is on the pin 35. The lever 23 is at this time locked with the latch in engagement with the notch 26 and when the scraper is loaded the lever is released from the notch, so that continuous draft on the cable will raise the front end of the scraper. When this happens the stop 50 engages the stop plate 38.

The latch is released from means of a lever 52. The lever is pivoted to the sector as indicated at 53 and thev upper end of the lever is bent laterally to extend through the notch beyond the opposite face .of the sector as indicated at 54, and between the latch and the bottom of the notch. The lower end of the lever below the pivot 53 is provided with a series of openings 55, for engagement by a pin 56, which connects the arms 57 of a fork on the adjacent end of a link 58 with the lever. The opposite end of the link is provided with a series of openings 59, for engagement by a pin 60, which connects the[arms 61 of a4 fork on the upper the notch by end of a lever to be described, with the link.

meente the lever on both sides, and being arranged l near the center of the scraper and near the rear thereof.

lt will be evident that when the plate is moved rearwardly, the upper end of the lever will be swung f rwardly and the link 58 will swing the lo er end of the lever 52 forwardly. The upper end of the lever and the lug 54 will be swung rearwardly to release the latch 27 from the notch 26. The rear of the scrapper is closed by a door 66, which is hinged at 67 to the rear cross bar 8a.

Coil springs 68 encircle the pintles of the hinges, and the said springs act normally to hold the gate closed. Latch mechanism is also provided for this purpose, the said mechanism comprising resilient latches 69, each of which is rigidly secured to the adjacent side of the scraper as indicated at 70. Each latch is provided at its outer end with a catch for engaging outside of a lug 71, on the adjacent end of the door or gate. The

latches 69 are resilient and would normally stand out of engagement with the lugs 71. Means is provided however, for forcing each latch into engagement with the lug and for holding it in this position. rllhe said mechanism comprises a lever 72, pivoted to the scraper at the adjacent side and intermediate the ends of the lever, and a link 73 pivotally connects the lower end of each lever with the adjacent latch. When the links are in alinementwith the levers and the levers are vertical, the latches will be held in engagement with the lugs. As soon however, as the levers are moved and the links are brought out of alinement with the levers, the lresiliency of the latches will move them to open position. The links and the levers 72 are of such length that when each link and the lever is in alinement, the free end of the latch 69 to which the link is connected, will be forced downwardly. It will be obvious that when the lever and the link are out of alinement the distance between the pivotal connection of the lever and the latch will be lessened and the latch will move upward of itsFV own resiliency.

The operation of the device, as a whole, is as follows :-When the scraper is drawn into the pit to be loaded, it moves \rear wardly, and the draft is on therlever 23 by way of the plates 46 and 47. rlFhis tends to swing the lever 23 rearwardly until the latch 27 engages the notch 26. rllhe spring 30 holds the latch in engagement with the notch and the scraper is then in loading position, the front edge .being down to its lowest point and ready to load. AS the scraper moves forwardly the traction is on the crank pin 35, and so long as the latch 27 is inl engagement with the notch 26, the arms 15 cannot move forwardly, but are held in rearmost position with the front edge of the scraper in loadingposition. As the scraper fills the gravel is pushed rearwardly and will finally engage the plate 64, and move the said plate rearwardly and upwardly. The rearward and upward move ment of the plate swings the leverand draws the link 58 forwardly, swinging the lever 52 in a direction to cause the upper end thereof to -disengage the latch 27 from the notch 26. As soon as this happens the draft on the clip 36 moves the arms 15, the link 31--32, and the lever 23 to the position of Fig. 2, raising the front end of the scraper so that it will no longer load. As soon as this happens, the stop 50 will engage the stop plate 38 and the draft will be transfesrred from the lever 23 to the stop plate "3 The rear end of the scraper may be operated manually if desired to raise or lower the same. The raising and lowering of the front end is however, entirely automatic and no attention is required to the scraper so far as concerns the movement of the same'to loading and unloading position. Whenever the scraper is drawn rearwardly through traction on'the plates 46 and 47 the front end will be lowered and the scraper will be held inl this position.

When the traction is forwardly, the scraper will retain loading position until the scraper is filled. The front end of the scraper will then be lifted and the draft will be transferred as beforementioned. The stop 50 may be adjusted to take the draft at any desired period in the lifting of the front end of the scraper. By means of the openings 55 of the lever 52 and the openings 59 of the link 58 the connection between the plates 64 and the releasing end of the lever 52 may be adjusted to suit conditions.

1. A scraper comprising a substantially lU-shaped body, front and rear pairs of wheels for supporting the body, a connection between each pair of wheels and the body for permitting either end ofthe body Tto be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels to bring the body into and out of operative position, means on the body and engaging the connection at the front wheels for movmg the body vertically, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body and mounted to swing longitudinally thereof, a link connected at one end to the said connection and at the other end to the lever, and provided at each end with means for connection with a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite directions, a draft plate rigidly connected to the scraper and extending forwardly from the front end thereof and having an opening through which the adjacent end of the cable passes, a stop adjustable on the cable for engaging the draft plate to relieve the link from the weight of the scraper when the link is moved forward to lift the body to inoperative position, a segment on the body with which the lever cooperates, a stopl on the segment for limiting the rearward swinging movement of the lever to a position with the body in operative position, normally active latch mechanism engaging the segment for preventing forward movement of the lever when the lever engages the stop, and means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the draft cable to move the link forward to raise the body into inoperative position.

2 A scraper comprising a substantially U-shaped body, front and rear pairs of wheels for supporting the body, a connection between each pair of wheels and the body for permitting either end of the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels to bring the body into and out of operative position, means on the body and engaging the connection at the front Wheels for moving the body vertically, said means comprising a lever'pivoted to the body and mounted to swing longitudinally thereof, a link connected at one end to the said connection and at the other end to the lever, and provided at each end with means for-connection with a draft.cable for moving the scraper in opposite directions,"a draft plate rigidly connected to the scraper and extending forwardly from the front end thereof and having an opening through which the adjacent end of the cable passes, a stop adjustable on the cable for engaging the draft plate to relieve the-link from the weight of the scraper when the link is moved forward to lift the body to inoperative position, releasable latch mechanism for holding the link with the scraper body in inoperative position, and means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism.

3. A scraper comprising a substantially U-shaped body, front and rear pairs of wheels for supporting the body, a connectio-n between each pair of wheels and the body for permitting the body Vto be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out of operative position, a link connected with the connection at the front wheels and movable longitudinally of the scraper body for lifting the front end of the body with respect to the wheels when the link is moved forwardly and for lowering the said end with respect to the wheels when the link is moved rearwardly, a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite directions, the ends of the cable being connected to the ends of the link, releasable latch mechanism for holding the link in rearward position withv the body in operative position, means operated by the illingof the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the draft cable to move the link forwardly to raise the scraper body, said mechanism comprising a plate hinged within the scraper body and adapted to be swung upward at its rear end by the material filling the scraper, a rod mounted for guided movement toward and from the latch mechanism to release the same, an adjustable connection between the rod and the plate, a draft plate rigidly connected to the scraper and extending forwardly from the front end thereof and having an opening through which the adjacent end of the cable passes, and a stop adjustable on the cable for engaging the draft plate to transfer the weight of the scraper from the link to the draft plate when the Scraper is lifted to inoperative position.

A scraper comprising a substantially U-shaped body, front and rear pairs of wheels for supporting the body, a connection between each pair of wheels and the body for permitting the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out of operative position, a link connected with the connection at the front wheels and movable longitudinally of the scraper body for lifting the front end with respect to the wheels when the link is moved forwardly and for lowering the said end with respect to the wheels when the link is moved rearwardly, a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite directions, the ends of the cable being connected to the ends of the link, releasable latch mechanism for holding the link in rearward position with the body in operative position, means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the dra ft cable to move the link forwardly to raise the scraper body, a draft plate rigidly connected to the scraper and extending forwardly from the front end thereof and having an opening through which the adjacent end of the cable passes, and a stop adjustable on the cable for engaging the draft plate to transfer the weight of the scraper from the link to the draft plate when the scraper is lifted to inoperative position.

5. A scraper comprising a substantially U-shaped body, front and rear wheels for supporting the body, a'connection between the front wheels and the body for permitting the front end of the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out of operative position, a link connected with the said connection and movable longitudinally of the scraper body for lifting the front end with respect to the wheels when the link is moved forwardly and for lowering the said end with respect to the wheels when the link is moved rearwardly, a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite directions, the ends of the cable being connected to the ends of the link, re-

Maaate leasable latch mechanism for holding the link in rearward position with the body in operative position, means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the draft cable to move the link forwardly to raise the scraper body, said mechanism comprising a plate hinged within the scraper body and adapted to be swung upward material filling the scraper, a rod mounted for guided movement toward and from the latch mechanism to release the same, an adjustable connection between the rod and the plate, and means in connection with the cable and the scraper body for transferring the draftfrom the link to the scraper body when the said body is in inoperative position.

6. A scraper comprising a substantially U-shaped body, front and rear wheels for supporting the body, a connection between the front wheels and the body for permitting thefront end of the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out of operative position, a link connected with the said connection and movable longitudinally of the scraper body for lifting the body with res ect to the wheels when the link is moved orw'ardly and for lowering the body with respect to the wheels when the link is moved rearwardly, a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite di'- rections, the ends of the cable being connected to the ends of the link, releasable latch mechanism for holding the link in rearward position with the body in operative position, means operated bv the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the draft cable to move the link forwardly to raise the scraperbody, said mechanism comprising a plate hinged within the scraper body and. adapted to be swung upward at its rear end by the material filling the scraper, a rod mounted for 'guided movement toward and from the latch y mechanism to release the same, and an adjustable connection between the rod and the lowering the body with respect to the wheels.

a draft cable for moving the scraper in opposite direction, the ends of the cable being connected to the ends of the link, releasable latch mechanism for holding the link in when the link is moved rearwardly,

at its rear end by the wardly, a draft 'inoperative position.

rearward position with the body in o erative position, means operated by the lling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the draft cable to move the link forwardly to raise the scraper body, and means in connection with the 'cable and the scraper body for transferring the draft from the link to the body when the body is in inoperative position.

8. A scraper ofthe 'character specified, comprising a scraper body, front wheels for supporting the body, aconnection between the wheels and the body for permitting they front of the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out o-f operative position, means on the body and connected with the connection between the wheels and th body for lifting the body with respect to the4 wheels when the said means is moved forwardly and for lowering the body when the said means is moved rearcable for moving the scraper directions, the ends of the cable in opposite for bein ,connected with the said means movlng the said means in opposite directions whentractionis exerted on the cable,

latch mechanism for holding the adjusting means in rear position, said mechanism being releasable, means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism, a draft plate rigidly connected to the scraper and extending forwardly from the front end thereof and having an which the adjacent end of the cable passes, and a stop adjustable. on the cable for engaging the draft plate when opening through the adjusting means 1s 1n forward position.

9. A scraper of the character specified, comprising a scraper body, front wheels for supporting the body, a connection between the wheels and the body for permitting the front of the body to be adjusted vertically with respect to the wheels into and out of operative position, means on the body and connected with the connection between the wheels and the body for lifting the body with respect to the wheels when the said means is moved forwardly and for lowering the body when the said means is moved rearwardly, a-draft @able for moving the scra er in opposite directions, the ends of the ca le being connected with the 4said means for moving the said means in o posite directionsl when traction is eXerte on the cable, latch mechanism for holding the adjusting means in rearward position, said mechanism being releasable, means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism, and means in connection with thebody of the scraper and the draftcable for transferring the draft from the adjusting means to the body when the body 1s in 10. A scraper of comprising a scraper body, front wheels for the character specified,

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supporting the body, a connection between Vinitting the 4end of the body each pair of Wheels and the body for perto be adjusted "vertically .with respect to the wheels into .and out of operative position, means on the body and connected with the connection between the wheels and the body for lifting the body with respect tdthe wheels when the said means is moved forwardly and'for lowering the body when the said means is moved rearwardly, a draft cable for ,moving the scraper in opposite directions, the ends .i ""of the cable being connected with the said meansy for moving the said means in opposite directions whentrac'tion is exerted onl the cable, latch mechanism ,for holding the adjusting means in rearward position, said mechanism being releasable,'and means operated by the'filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism.

l1. A scraper of the character specified,

' comprising a wheel supported body, draft mechanism for the body, means on` the 'scraper for moving the front end of the body vertically with respect tothe wheels into and Iout of operative position, said means being mountedto be moved by the draft mechanism for the scraper when the said mechanism is moved longitudinally with respect to the body in a forward direction, releasable latch mechanism for holding the said means in rearward position with the scraper in operative position, and means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mechanism, and means in i connection with the scraper body and the draft mechanism for transferring the draft from the said moving means for the front end of the body directly to the scraper body.

12. A scraper of the character specified, comprising a Wheel supported body, draft mechanism` for the body, means on the scraper 'for moving the front end of the body vertically with respect .to the wheels into and out of operative position, said means being mounted to be moved by the draft mechanism for the scraper when the said mechanism moves longitudinally of the body in a forward direction, releasable latch mechanism for holding the said means in rearward position with the scraper in operative position, and means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch?,

mechanism.

13. A scraper of the character specified, comprising a wheel supported body, means l on the scraper for moving the front end of the body vertically with respect to the -wheels into and out of operative position,

same, and means operated by the filling of the scraper for releasing the latch mecha nism. 4

HENRY T. SYKES. Witnesses:

JAMES M. SMITH, EDWARD L. BUSH.

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