US1356038A - Grading-machine - Google Patents

Description

LE GRAND G, CAREY.

GRADING MACHINE.

APPLICATIONIHLED FEB. 23. 1918.

Patented Oct. 19,1920.

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APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, I918- 1,356,038. Patented Oct. 19,1920.

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GRADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FELED FEB. 23. 191B.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

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GRADING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 23, 1918. Serial No. 218,629.

To-all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Ln GRAND G. CA EY, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Grading-Machines, of which the following. is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the acc dmpanying drawings.

This invention relates to grading machines, road-scrapers and, the like. It has heretofore been customary to attach a grading machine to a pulling implement such as a traction engine or other steam driven device whereby the movement of the grader may be readily regulated to keep even with a horse-drawn wagon beside the grader receiving the earth carried up by its elevator. Such a combined traction engine and grader comprise in use a cumbersome and expensive implement, and involves a difliculty of providing the practical means for actuating the elevator from the power of the engine. Devices such as flexible shafts, tumbler rods, etc., have been used to connect the engine on the forward vehicle with the earth elevator on the rear vehicle or grader proper. To obviate the above diiiiculties and provide a more easily manipulated and more compact structure and one capable "of being more cheaply manufactured, this invention contemplates providing for a generator driven by a hydrocarbon motor mounted upon the vehicle while the propulsion of the vehicle is accomplished b a motor driven from the generator and t e elevator is actuated by a separate smaller motor, also driven from the generator, the two motors being separately controllable by operators at separate points on the vehicle. An. object of the invention is to so arrange the driving portion of the vehicle that it may comprise a unitary driving element supporting the front portion of the vehicle and be provided with wide caterpillar treads which maybe conveniently operated for steering, and have the well-known advantages of avoiding sinking into soft earth or undue packing of the same ahead of the operating tools. Another object is to render such a vehicle capable of turning in a comparatively short space. v

A feature of my invention isa considerable reduction in the cost of operating such implements, which is due partly-to the reduction of the cost of fuel consumed and also to the fact that my device requires a minimum number of men for its operation. My invention is hereinafter more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a practical embodiment thereof, and the essential char acteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my grading machine; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; ig. 3 is a plan, partly in section, of the driving caterpillar truck; Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, substantially .on the line 4. & of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a substantially axial section through one of the driving wheels showing its connection with the caterpillar tread.

Describing the parts by the use of reference numerals, 1 and 2 indicate longitudinal side channel beams forming the side members of the frame proper of the vehicle, the side members being connected by a series of cross Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

channel beams 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This frame isprovided with suitable bearings in which the rearaxle 10 is embraced, and on the ends of the rear axle are the usual wheels 12, serving as supporting wheels only.

Extending downwardly from the cross channels 3 and 4 are shown two pairs of converging braces 14 and 15 secured to a two part socket block 16 bolted together in a position embracing a large ball 18 rigidly carried on aplate 20 secured to the front driving truck. It will be noted that the ball 18 on the plate 20 is so positioned that the block 16 slightly clears the same in normal position while standing close enough to the plate to engage it and limit any tipping movement of the vehicle frame.

A plate 20 rests on cross channels 22 and 23, connecting the rearward portion of the side beams 24 of the truck frame while the forward ends of these side beams 24 are connected by a similar beam 25. These beams 24 carry at their lower sides suitable journal boxes 27 in which the shafts 28 and 30 are embraced. Wheels 32 and 33 journaled on the ends of axles 29 and 30 run within the caterpillar tread belts as will now be described.

The wheels 32 are provided with deep grooves in their peripheries. In these grooves are spaced teeth engaging the links of chains 37, the successive links of which are secured to the individual flights 38 comchains, the connection of flights and arrangement of wheels reference may be had to my prior Patent No. 1,228,179 granted May 29, 1917, wherein this construction is shown, described and claimed. The wheels 32 are provided with grooves 34 but as these forward wheels are not driving wheels the teeth are omitted from the grooves. The axle 30 has at each end a long cylindrical portion receiving sleeves 40 rotatable .on the axle and rigid with the wheels 38. These sleeves are provided with rigid sprockets 42 driven by sprocket chains 44 running over sprockets 45 in turn made rigid with sleeves made slidable on the shaft 46. The sleeve 47 is a comparatively short sleeve, loosely journaled on the shaft and pressed inwardly by a spring 49 surrounding the shaft and bearing against the collar 50 adjacent a bearing-51, for the end of the shaft 46, mounted on the web of the beam 24.

similar bearing 51 on the opposite beam 45 embraces the opposite end of the shaft 46 while a compression spring 52 acts against the end of the sleeve 53, integral with the sprocket 45. Each of the sleeves 37 and 53 is provided with cone shaped friction members 54 and 55 respectively, which fit corresponding recesses on opposite sides of a driving member 56 carrying a sprocket 5S driven by a chain 59 running over a sprocket 60 on the armature shaft 61 of a motor 62.

The motor 62 is shown as mounted in cross beams 64 connected at their ends with the beams 54 while the shaft 46 extends transversely beneath the motor.

It will be seen that normally the rotation of the motor shaft transmits power through the chain 59 to the driving clutch member 57 and through the clutch cones 54 and 55. pressed into engagement by the springs 49 and 52, causing the rotation of the sleeves 47 and 53, thus driving the chains 43 and 44, in turn driving the sprockets 42 and the sleeves 40, which being rigid with the hubs of the driving wheels propel the vehicle.

To'steer the vehicle, it is only necessary to permit one driving wheel to be idle while the other is operating. To accomplish this, I provide a vertical steering shaft carrying laterally extending arms 71 and 72 having pins 73 and 74 adapted to engage the outer sides of levers75 and 76 respectively. The levers 75 and 76 are pivoted to the forward cross beam 64 and have at their rear ends yokes carrying inwardly turned roller pins 78 engaging annular grooves formed in the sleeves 47 and 53, wherebythe turning of the hand wheel 80 on the upper end of the shaft 70 in one direction, may swing the pin 73 inwardly actuating the lever 75 to move the sleeve 47 outwardly against the spring 49, releasing the driving connection to the chain 43. This allows the driving wheel 33 and the tread belt at that On the forward-portion of the bed plate, I

have illustrated an. internal combustion motor 90 having a crank shaft extension 92 connected by a suitable shock absorbing clutch 95 with the shaft 94 in axial alinement with the shaft 92 and comprising the armature shaft of the generator. The conductors of the cable 82 lead through a controller 97 to the motor 62. This controller may have a suitable operating handle 98 ad- ]acent to the drivers seat 100, whereby the speed and direction of the motor may be accurately regulated to accomplish exactly the proper moving speed of the vehicle. Suitable conductors, such as a cable 102 and a cable 110, connect a motor 104 and a controller 108 with the generator 85. The operator for the earth elevator is in position to conveniently regulate themotor driving that elevator by using the handle 109 of the controller 108.

The armature shaft of the motor 104 is provided with a sprocket 112 driving a sprocket chain 114 in turn driving a sprocket 115 at the upper and outer end of the earth elevator indicated at 120. The sprocket 115 is shown as mounted on the usual shaft carrying the wheels, not shown,

over which the flightsof the earth elevator are carried. This elevator is of the usual construction having side frame members 122 supported by chains 124 leadin upwardly to shafts 125 and 126, carrie' in a frame rising from the main frame and shown as comprising uprights 127 and cross struts 128.

The cross struts carry the shafts 125 and 126 on which the usual hand wheels 129 are carried for raising or lowering the earth elevator.

While this form of grading machine may be used to operate various ground working too1s,-I have illustrated a plow 130 shown as throwing earth onto the elevator 120. The plow is shown in broken lines as connected to the frame of the vehicle by an arm 131 rising from the blade and rigid with a beam 132 having the usual caster wheel 133 at its forward end. A transverse beam 135 connects the beam 132 with an extension of one of the beams 127 and forms a transverse pulling bar for the plow which may be connected to the rear of the driving truck by a chain 136. The forward end of the beam is usually guided by a chain 138 leading upwardly to a suitable bracket or wheel, not shown, carried on the frame. The wheels. 140 are so arranged to hold the tread belt 38 in contact with theground and as shown, are mounted on-an A frame 141 carried on an axle 142. This construction is shown described and claimed in my prior patent above referred to.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have provided a self-contained and self-propelled grading machine, comparatively short in proportion to the combined length of such a vehicle and a traction engine, and capable of being turned in a compa 'atively short space. the forward end of the frame being narrow so that the driving truck may be swung to a position substantially at right angles with the main frame. The greater part of the weight of the vehicle is carried on a caterpillar tread permitting its use at times when the condition of the ground would prevent theuse of the usual grading machine.

It will be apparent that the objects heretofore set out have been accomplished. A hydrocarbon engine mounted on such a selfcontained vehicle as a means of propulsion has been very desirable because of the convenience in operation. and the handling and economy of fuel and further, because it effects a saving of a man and team to supply a steam traction engine with coal: but to so connect such an engine with the driving mechanism in a manner permitting exceedingly frequent stopping and starting as wellas the regulation of speed, involves the use of complicated clutching and driving mechanisms and so far as I am aware has not been successfully accomplished ina practical way. For example, the driving gearing between the engine and the wheels must be made mechanically direct, and it is required to stop and start the grader many times an hour, it is obvious that the starting must be done under full load with the plow or scraping implement in active position, and there is no opportunity to build up momentum and thus avoid stopping or stallin the engine.

Iiy this invention, however. I am enabled to permit the engine to run at full speed continuously and may use such power intermittently and in degrees permitting accurate variation of speed and can control a movement of the elevator independently of the forward movement of the vehicle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a grader. the combination of a main frame. rear supporting wheels therefor, a driving truck supporting the forward end of the frame, a pivotal connection between the truck and the frame, said front truck having a driving wheel at each side thereof, an electric motor on the front truck, driving connections including mean for causing either of said driving wheels to be driven independently of the other, an earth elevator carried by the main frame, an electricmotor driving the same, an internal combustion motor mounted on the frame. a generator connected directly therewith, and electrical connections between the generator and each of said motors, there being a controller in said connections for each motor.

2. In a grader, the combination of a main frame, rear supporting wheels therefor. a driving truck supporting the forward end of the frame, a pivotal connection between the truck and the frame, an electric motor on the front truck, driving connections between the motor and wheels of the truck including steering means, a conveyer car ried by the main frame, an electric motor driving the conveyer, a hydrocarbon motor mounted on the frame, a generator connected directly therewith, electrical connections between the generator and each of said motors, there being a controller in said connections for each motor. the controller for the truck being mounted on the truck, the controll r for the conveyer being mounted on the main frame.

3. The combination of a main frame, vehicle wheels supporting the rear portion thereof. a front truck pivoted to the main frame, a motor carried by the front truck and movable therewith. driving connections between the motor on'the front truck and the ground engaging members thereof, steering mechanism on the front truck, an earth elevator on the main frame, and means for supplying power to the earth elevator and to the motor on the front truck.

4. In a grading machine. the combination of a frame, vehicle wheelssupporting the rear portion of the frame. a self-contained truck pivotally connected with the forward portion of the frame, a driving electric motor mounted on the truck, a grading machine mounted on the frame. motors for operating the truck and grading machine, and a generator carried by the main frame for supplying power to both motors.

5. The combination of a main frame, rear wheels carrying the same. a complete front truck pivotally connected with the main frame and provided with wheels, a driving motor and steering mechanism all self-concontained on the front truck, an earth elevator mounted on the'main frame, a driving motor on the main frame therefor, and means on the main frame for supplying operative force to both motors.

6. In a grader, the combination of a frame. vehicle wheels supporting the rear portion of the frame, a caterpillar tread truck supporting the forward portion of the frame and pivotally connected thereto, grading implements including an earth elevator mounted on the frame, an electric motor on the front truck, a motor for actuating the elevator, and means for supplying and controlling the supply of power to said motors.

7. In a grader. the combination of a frame, rear supporting wheel's therefor, a truck supporting the forward end of the frame and comprising an individual frame and wheels and caterpillar tread belts running over said wheel's. a motor on the truck frame. and connections including clutch mechanism between said wheels and said motor, grading mechanism on the first mentioned frame, a motor for driving same, a hydro-carbon engine and an electric generator for supplying power to said motors.

8. In a grader, the combination of a main vehicle frame, a self-contained driving truck below the forward portion of the main frame, a depending support rigid with the main frame, a universal joint connecting it with the driving truck, a motor on the driving truck, caterpillar belts and wheels therefor driven by said motor, clutches between the motor and said belts and means controlling said clutches to steer the grader, an earth elevator, a plow for turning earth onto the elevator, 21 motor for driving said elevator and a generator carried by the Jmain frame for supplying power to said motors.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

LE GRAND G. CAREY.

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