US1340247A - Excavating-machine - Google Patents

Description

0. G. PETERSEN.

EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATLQN F.|L ED APR. 7.. 1914,

Patented May 18, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES: Q I

i 60%; M Y masfl f4 O. G. PETERSEN.

EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented May 18, 1920.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY.

QLUF G. PETERSEN, 0F SOMERSET, KENTUCKY.

EXGAVATING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedMay 18, 1920.

Application nlea a ru 7. 1914. I serm'xo. 880,188.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLUF G. PETERSEN, a citizen of the United States,'residin at Somerset in the county of Pulaski and tate of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavating-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in excavating apparatus, and the objects and nature of the invention willbe readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawing illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention from among other formations, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a self-propelled or auto scraper for use bycontractors and others in conducting engineering work such as railroad excavating and the like, with the end in-view of expediting such work and thereby reducing the cost thereof. c

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved scraper or scoop as a most desirable substitute for the animal or cable drawn tilting scrapers or scoops commonly employed in excavati'ng' work by contractors and others.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auto scraper or scoop having the 1 necessary traction and power to drive its cutting edge forward into the material to be excavated and thereby automatically load the scoopas the same is advanced by its owupower, and to move the machine back from the work and to the scoopxdumping or discharging station without turning the machine around or reversing the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain novel arrangements, combinations and constructions whereby a highly efiicientand advantageous auto scraper will be roduced.

he .invention consists. in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw- Figure 1, is a somewhat diagrammatical top plan view of an auto scraper in accordance with my invention.

plan and side views of the scraper or bucket 1 element.

5, is a diagrammatical longitudinal vertical sectional view of the body, and the scraper element and its controlling and actuatlng devices being omitted.

Fig. 6, is a diagrammatical cross section through the body and scraper elements.

My invention contemplates the provision of a caterpillar-tread-supported and ropelled body carrying its own power plant and supporting an excavatin scoop or scraper arran ed on and pro ecting forwardly from t e bodyand driven into the materlal to be excavated to load the scoop by thetravel of the treads along the ground in propelling the machine forwardly, and carried back for dumping or discharge, by the movement of the machine along the ground in the opposite direction.

In the particular example selected for explaining the broad features of the invention, I have diagrammatically indicated a body 1, a pair of caterpillar treads 2; front and rear wheels 3, 4, for said treads; a drive shaft or axle 6,-for the rear wheels 4; a gear box 5, any suitable power plant such as internal combustion engine 7; a scoop or scraper 8; super-structures 9, rising from the body at opposite sides of the scoop and providing upwardly and rearwardly inclined uide or runways 10, for trunnions 11-, pro]ecting from the opposite sides of the scoop; one ormore hoistingcables 12, applied to said trunnions and actuated by one or more hoisting drums 13, carried by the body and adapted to be actuated by said engine; a hoisting drum 14, adapted to be driven by said engine and arranged to actuate a cable 15, whereby rocks and large bodies can be drawn into the scoop; an o erators seat 16; and controlling evers 1 arranged conveniently accessible to the op erator when in said seat.

Any suitable body can be provided, supported and propelled by one or more caterpillar treads, and carrying and driving any suitable scoop or scraper, although in the strongly constructed approximately horizontal longitudinal casing or box 1, rounded or curved downwardly at the top of its rear end with opposite side longitudinal upf standing vertical rigid plates or flanges 18, projecting forwardly beyond the transverse line of the front end of the box and having outturned or overhanging top longitudlnal flanges to form guards over and to the front and rear of the caterpillar treads 2.

I show a pair of similar parallel caterpillar or elongated endless traveling machine supporting and propelling treads 2, arranged longitudinally ofthe body at the outer longitudinal sides of the vertlcal walls or plates 18, and beneath the top flanges thereof and extending approximately throughout the lengths of said walls and hence preferably of greater length than the box 1, and preferably so arranged that the body will be carried comparatively close to the'ground. V

The front ends of the treads receive wheels 3, while the rear ends of the treads recelve the driving wheels 4, actuated by shaft or axle 6, and in the example illustrated, this axle 6, extends transversely through the rear end of the box 1 and the driving power can be'applied to the wheels 4:, direct or through the axle 6, or in any other suitable manner.

The body is provided with a power plant arranged at any desirable location on or about the body and this plant can embody one or more suitable motors. In the example illustrated, I diagrammatically indicate a motor 7 such as an internal combustion engine arranged within the box and means, such as 5, whereby said motor can be operatively connected with axle 6, to drive the wheels 4.

Any suitable design or type of caterpillar tread can be employed, and asthe construction, control, operation and driving of such treads are well understood by those skilled in the art, have not deemed it necessary to herein specifically illustrate and describe a form of such treads, and controlling and driving or actuating mechanisms therefor.

It is sufiicient to say that the controlling and driving mechanisms diagrammatically indicated, include means whereby the treads can be simultaneously rotated in the proper direction to propel the machine forwardly, and also whereby said treads can be simultaneously rotated in the opposite direction to propel the machine rearwardly, and also chine around and in steering the same, or

if possible whereby the two treads may be caused to simultaneously travel in opposite directions in steering or turning the machine around, and also whereby the two treads \can be thrown into and out of gear with the power plant or engine to start and stop the movement of the machine.

The scraper, bucket or scoop 8, is arranged on and longitudinally of said body, and when in operation ordigging position projects forwardly in longitudinal downward continuation thereof and at its front end terminates in the transverse depressed front edge 19, located at an advanced position with respect to the body andi'ts box and depressed below the plane of the lower or ground ,engaging longitudinal plies of the two machine supporting and propelling treads, and preferably equipped with parallel spaced for wardly-projecting rigid digging or dredger teeth 20.

The bucket or scoop is preferably open at the top and at its front and rear ends and consists of longitudinal vertical side walls extending approximately throughout the length of the scoop and a bottom or floor extending throughout the length of the scoop, at its front forming the transverse cutting edge 19, and inclining upwardly and rearwardly therefrom throughout the greater portion of the length of the scoop, and at its rear end 21, preferably, inclined upwardly and rearwardly over therear end of the body for the purposes hereinafter mentioned.

The bottom of the scoop approximately conforms to the top of the body and the width of the scoop is preferably greater than the width of the body box so that the scoop when in operative position rests on the top flanges or overhangs of the vertical side walls 18, and hence the scoop when in operative position fits down between the upright walls 18, and depends between the extended front ends thereof in advance of the front end of the box and rests on the inclined longitudinal top wall of the box approximately throughout the length and breadth of said wall. The longitudinal bottom edge portions of the scoop are hence elevated to form bottom recesses receiving the walls 18, and their top flanges, although my invention is not so limited.

The scoop is suitably supported on the body so that forward movement of the bod when the scoop is in operative position, wi 1 drive the front digging end of the scoop into the earth and cause the front end of the scoop to scrape the earth to a certain depth and deflect the layer of earth thus removed and cause the same to travel upwardly and rearwardly on the floor of the scoop as the .machine continues to advance to fill or load that it will automatically load itself on the forward movementof the machine, and will retain its load while the machine is backed from the cut or excavation to the refuse or load discharging position, and so that'the scoop can then be tilted upwardly and rearwardly to discharge the load from its rear end and beyond the rear end of the body.

In the particular example illustrated, the scoop is arranged between a pair of rigld vertical frames 9, erected on, risin from, and rigid with the opposite longitudinal edge portions of the body beyond the side walls of the scoop, for instance on the top overhangs of walls 18, and rigidly supporting beams or bars 22, formin the runways or slots 10, arranged longitu inally of the machine and inclining upwardly and rearwardly from their front ends to their rear ends, to receive, guide and support the horizontal trunnions 11, rigid with the front portions of the side walls of the scoop and projecting laterally therefrom.

The rear end ortion-of the scoop is an ranged between t e elevated rear uideways that rise from the rear portions of the overhangs or guards 18, and said guideways receive trunnions 28, projecting laterally from the scoop sides, approximately in the line of the fulcrum on which the scoop rocks when dumping. These trunnions 28, prevent the scoop tilting to elevate its rear end when starting to di and also travel in the curved trunnion gui cs 25, when the scoop is being dumped to guide and steady said rear end, although all features of my invention are not limited to such guiding arrangements.

Suitable means are provided to receive th thrust of the scoop while excavating an loading and to retain the trunnions at the low closed front ends of said runways. For instance, for this purpose, I show wedges, or stop or thrust blocks 23, removably traversing the bars 22, and the runways thereof behind the trunnions 11. These blocks can be inserted in vertically arranged holes in said bars so as to traverse the slots or runways behind the trunnions and lock them against rearward movement; These blocks can be lifted or knocked from said holes when the scoop is to be dumped and thereby leave the slots or runways unobstructed to permit the free rearward travel of the trunnions therein.

If so desired, a longitudinal series of spaced transverse holes can be provided through the lower portions of the beams 22. to removably receive several stop blocks 23 (see Fig. 2) so that the trunnions 11, can he held between sets of said blocks in rear of the front closed ends of the guideway 11, for the purpose of holding the scoop in different positions, although my invention is not so limited.

The pull or hoisting cables 12, extend up- Wardly from the hoisting drum or drums 13, to pu leys 24," mounted at the rear upper portions of the frames 9, and from thence said cables extend downwardly and forwardly approximately longitudinall of the runways 10, to the trunnlons 11. i hearrangement of the runways is such that when the hoisting drums start to work winding up the cables 12 (after the stop or thrust blocks 23, have been removed) the scoop will be rocked to lift its front end while the scoop is being bodily and rearwardly movedlongitudinally to project its rear end the desired distance beyond the rear end of the body." When the scoop has reached the desired rearward position, continued operation of the winding or hoisting drums tilts the scoop vertically to the dumping position approximately as indicated by dotted lines Fig 2, discharge the contents of the scoop from the rear end thereof at a point rearwardly beyond the rear end of the body.

During this operation, the scoop rocks on its rear end portion, fulcruming on the top surface of the rear end portion of the body, between the rear vertical fixed guides 25, rising from the rear end portion of the body at the opposite side walls of the scoop when in elevated position. The upwardly deflected rear end portion 21, of the floor of the scoop forms the rear end portion of the scoop of a rocker shape to permit the longitudinal and tilting movements of the scoop, approximately as described, while the closed upper rear end of the runway 10, limits the upward tilting movement of the scoop.

In the particular example illustrated, the lower front portions of the runways 10, extend rearwardly at a less angle of inclination than the remaining portions of said runways for the purpose of moving the scoop rearwardly as it is being brought approximately to a horizontal position, preparatory to tilting and dumping'the scoop.

The runways guide the scoop in its dumping and return movements under the control of the hoisting ca-blesand drums. However, I do not wish to limit the broad features of my invention to a rearwardly tilting dumping scoop, nor do I wish to limit my invention involving a dumping scoop to the particular controlling and guiding mechanisms disclosed. When the machine is to be propelled by its endless traveling treads, with out excavating, the scoop can be held approximately in the horizontal position with its front digging end elevated above the ground.

The front end of the scoop in advance of the treads and body of the machine, preferably flares laterally or enlarges in Width forwardly to its cutting edge, so that the length of said cutting edge is approximately greater than the extreme width of the machine in rear of said edge, whereby the scoop will excavate a cut or path in which the machine can travel.

If so desired, the rear end of the scoop can be providedwith a'normally closed end gate or swinging door.

Those skilled in the art will understand the advantage of providing means for pulling or hauling rocks, stumps, or other large bodies into the scoop for transportation to the dump, and hence I have provided the winding drum 14, for actuating the cable 15, which extends upwardly therefrom at one side of the machine to a pulley 29, carried by the superstructure 9, from which the cable can extend forward to perform its work.

The dotted lines 5, indicate gearing and clutches for actuating and controlling the endless traveling treads and also gears and clutches for actuating'and controlling the windingdrums 13, and 14, or a case or box containing such gears and clutches, and the levers 17 accessible to the operator on his seat 16, are provided for controlling the various clutches and shiftable gears as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

By combining a self loading excavating scoop or bucket with a self propelled body having a caterpillar tread for propelling and transporting the scoop, I have produced a combination of great utility in the excavating art.

By'this combination a comparatively inexpensive, auto scraper can be produced capable ofsuccessful operation along uneven surfaces and in rough ground and utilizing the well known advantages of a scoop or scraper as well as the well known advantages such as great traction and power and low speed of the, caterpillar tread. The caterpillar tread can be successfully utilized to drive the scoop-into and force the same ahead in the ground for automatically filling the scoop and then'for backing the scoop out of the cut andto the dumping or discharging position. Byemploying this combination, machines of sufliciently large size can be em loyedto carry their own power plants an to utilize scrapers or scoops of great capacity.

It is'evident fications and variations might be resorted to, that features might be added, and elements omitted, without departing from the spirit that: various changes, modi- I and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

, Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim is 1. The combination of a low horizontal body provided with longitudinally arranged endless driving treads with frames mounted upon said body and extending vertically therefrom, guides extending rearwardly and upwardly from the forward end of said body to the top of said frames and guides at the extreme rear of said body, a scoop adapted to move in said guides from filling to discharging positions and means for actuating said scoop.

2. A device of the character substantially as described, comprising a body, caterpillar treads arranged parallel and longitudinally along said body, actuating means for said treads, frames upon said body carrying guides extending downwardly to the front thereof, guideways at the rear of said body, a scoop extending forwardly of said body, said scoop provided with two sets of trunnions the forward set adapted to run in the front guideways, and the rear set in the rear guideways, and means for actuating said scoop from forward filling position to rearward discharging position.

3. The combination of a body provided with longitudinally arranged traction treads, said body provided with guards over said treads,.scoop guiding means mounted upon said body with a scoop carried by said means and free to move therein, said scoop in normal filling position protruding forwardly from said body and provided with shoulders resting upon and slidable over said forward traction guards.

4. An auto-scraper consisting of a caterpillar tread tractor having a.low-down body in combination with a horizontally-disposed load-carrying scraper arranged longitudinally of the body and rockable vertically thereon on a shifting fulcrum and having an advanced depressed cutting edge, said scraper having a rear discharge end adapted to discharge the contents of the scraper beyond the rear endof the tractor.

5. An excavating machine consisting of a self propelled tractor having a low-,down body, a vertically tiltable scraper arranged on and longitudinally of the tractor body and directly supported thereby and having an advanced depressed front cutting edge and a rear discharge end, means whereby said scraper can be locked in digging positionon the body, and mechanism for longitudinally moving the scraper rearwardly tilting the scraper upwardly and rearwardly to discharge its contents from its rear end at the rear of the body. 1

6. An excavating machine consisting of a body provided with longitudinally arranged endless traveling treads for supporting and propelling the body, a self filling scraper arranged on and longitudinally of the body and of greater length than the length of the body and consisting of a floor inclined downwardly and forwardly at a slight inclination from thehorizontal to an advanced depressed front cutting edge, the rear end portion of the floor being inclined u wardly and rearwardly at the rear end of t e body, said floor having opposite vertical longitudinal side walls, and mechanism for moving said scraper longitudinally and rearwardly on the body and tilting the same upwardly and rearwardly on a shifting fulcrum to discharge the contents of the scraper from its rear end.

7. An auto scraper consisting essentially of a self-propelled tractor, in combination with an excavating and load carrying scraper arranged longitudinally of and supported and propelled by said tractor and rockable vertically thereon on a shifting fulcrum to depress its rear portion and elevate its front portion when dumping, and means carried by the tractor for thus rocking said scraper, said scraper being constructed and arranged with respect to the tractor to excavate and load at its front end in advance of the tractor under the pushing force of the advancing tractor and to discharge at its rear end at the rear of the tractor and to provide an elongated substantially horizontal load carrying space of substantial capacity between its said front and rear ends.

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

OLUF G. PETERSEN.

Witnesses:

EDNA MAE PEOKENPAUGH, ESTELLE B. PETERSEN.

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