US1370497A - Concrete-distributing machine - Google Patents

Description

J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, I1, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7SHEETSSHEET l.

awn/neg J. F; ROBB.

CONGRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.H, I9I6.

1,370,497, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2- avwewtoz CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. :1, 1916.

1 ,370,497. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3- J. F. ROBB. CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.II, 1916. 1,370,497, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

YSHEETS-SHEET 4.

almanac 1. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. II, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

7 SHEETSSHEEI 5.

\ mmmm a? Z r J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 'Aue.t1, 1916.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

YSHEETS-SHEET J. F. ROBB.

CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Patented Man 1, 1921.

7SH EET$SHEET I.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. ROBB. OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO KOEHRING MACHINE COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, 1, 1921.

Application filed August 11, 1916. Serial No. 114,481.

T 0 all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN F. 130%, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Concrete-Distributing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention involves improvements relating to concrete mixing and concrete d1s tributing machines.

In so far as the invention appertains to mixing machines generally, it may be noted that it is becoming well known today that in mixing aggregates such as cement, sand, and gravel, ordinarily called concrete, safe and permanent construction with such aggregates demands that certain precautions be positively insured in the mixing operations. Among these precautions I mention especially those requiring that the aggregates be mixed a predetermined required minimum period, that proper proportions of such aggregates and water be employed, and the prevention of additions to the aggregates previous to their complete admixture and removalfrom the machine. In my application Serial Number 91754 filed May 1, 1916, I have described certain novel means to avoid possibility of an operator of a mixer interfering, by negligence or for purposes of fraud, witlrthe proper and complete admixture of concrete aggregates placed in the mixer by causing the loading device for the mixer to be actuated to add fresh aggregates to those in the mixer previous to completion of the mixing operation.

One feature of my present invention, therefore, is a continuation of the invention above referred to by so organizing the common mixing, charging, and discharging instrumentalit-ies of such machines that the action of the loading or charging means is controlled directly by the discharging means. The controlling relation mentioned necessi tates that the discharge device of my improved machine shall not only be actuated before a new charge of materials can be introduced into the mixer but it must actually wholly discharge the mixer before recharging is possible. I therefore claim as broadly new in this invention provisions for compelling the emptying of mixed materials from a mixer previous to recharging of the same by whatever suitable charging instrumentality may be employed. In my former invention above mentioned while recharging prior to completion of required time of admixture is provided against, the emptying of the mixer is not compelled though ordinarily it would take place if the operator properly adjusts the discharge means. However, the foregoing suggested improvements, and others now to be briefly set forth, are intended to absolutely insure that a predetermined required treatment of concrete aggregates in process of mixing shall be erormed, nothing being left to the imagination, or to chance, as regards what happened 1n the use of the mixing machine operating on the aggregates, and all this being conducive to that high standard of concrete mixing which skilled engineering makes needful in the interest of safe and sane construction.

Passing to a second phase of the present invention, United States Patent No. 1,141,470 issued June 1st, 1916, to E. H. Lichtenberg exemplifies a type of concrete mixing and distributing machine known as the Koehring paver, used largely in commercial practice today, and to which my improvements I by which the functioning of the several mechanisms, about mentioned as manually controlled, are coordinated to the extent that with the exception of the skip controlling device they are rendered interdependent and operated automatically in proper order practically under the control of a single means, namely, the actuator that causes loading of the mixer at the outstart. Thus, it is that owing to the coordination of the mechanisms referred to, once the operator mixer and during mixing and emptying the skip cannot be raised to recharge. When the contents of the mixer have been emptied therefrom certain clutch mechanisms are set to work and the distributing bucket, whlch has been filled by said discharge, is thereby caused to move out on its boom until automatically opened and dumped. The bucket after dumplng is automatically returned to the mixer and automatically stopped adjacent to the discharge ready to receive another load for distribution. The operation of the discharge to empty the mixer controls the release of certain means that locks the manual device by which the loading skip is raised; Thus a certain required time having elapsed after the discharge is actuated (namely that period necessary for complete emptying of the drum) the manual device is unlocked automatically and the operator is free to actuate it so as to recharge the mixer and by so doing the discharge (chute) is restored to a normal position wherein its discharging. action ceases. A new cycle of operation like that just described is-now commenced." With my invention the operator of the machine has but one thing to do,

namely, to load or charge the mixer, so that the advantages of the invention are quite obvious.

The particular charging, discharging, and mixing devices used for the adaptation of my invention as shown are inconsequential since any suitable construction of such devices havin broadly equivalent functions are contemp ated to be used. In so far as I am advised, furthermore, it is broadly new .to employ combinatively for coordinated automatic action the various mechanisms of a mixing and distributing machine operable substantially in accordance with the cycle of operation above set forth, or'even operable according to portions of such cycle.

In the accompanying drawings?- Figure 1 is a side'elevation, partly broken away, of a concrete mixing and distributing machine having the improvements of the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the boom of the machine looking toward the clutch and general control devices ad acent to the inner end of the boom, a porthe idistributin tion of the controllin cables being broken away to more fully ilustrate adjacent operating parts.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation ShOWlIlg more particularly the controlling instrumentalities at the inner end of the boom and looking at the machine from the side opposite'that illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken about on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a view with some parts in elevation and some arts in section, bringing out more fully the operating and release means for the discharge chute and the actuating connections for shifting .the clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of bucket.

Fig. 7 is an en arged fragmentary and sectional view of the locking and release means for the anism.

Fig. 8 is a section taken about on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

= Fig. 9 is a view of the time controlled governor mechanism, the front plate of the casing inclosing the main parts of said mechanism omitted.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view partly in section showing certain parts of the clutch shifting mechanism.

Fig. 11 isa view partly in side elevation discharge chute and clutch mechand partly in section showing more especially the controlling parts intermediate the discharge chute and the clutch operating lever by which the loading skip or charging means is actuated.

Fig. 12 is a view showing-more particularlythe lock actuating and full stroke compelling means for the Skip controlling lever.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view about on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view bringing out more clearly the arrangement of the clutch operating abutments mounted on the boom of the machine.

Fig. 15 is a view representative in a somewhat diagrammatic manner of the operating connections intermediate the three armed lever, which is adapted to be tripped by the loading skip, and the timing mechanism as well as the discharge chute actuating shaft.

Gencml constmctim and arrangement of mckanisms of the machmc.

Fig. 1 illustrates a mixing and distributing machine wherein the various operating and controlling instrumentalities used for the purposes of the invention are illustrated without details. The machine shown is of the general type set forth inUnited States Letters Patent to E. H. Lichtenberg No. 1,141,470 patented Junel, 1915, and No.

1,185,416 patented May 30, 1916, which machine comprises essentially a mixer in the form of a drum A, loading or charging means for the mixer comprising the skip B, discharging means for the mixer including the discharge chute C operating in a well known manner, preferably of the type shown in Letters Patent No. 899,414 issued Sept. 22, 1908, and distributing means for carrying off and depositing the materials dis charged by the chute C including the boom D and the bucket E adapted to traverse said boom.

The various devices A, B and E are intended to be operated by a suitable motor F carried by the truck G which forms the portable base of the machine, operative connections being established between the motor and the skip B by driving connections such as illustrated in United States patent to P. A. Koehring No. 1,107,171 patented August 11, 1914, said driving connections including suitable clutch means for controlling the raising and lowering of the skip B which clutch means in turn is controlled by the lever 1. The bucket E is intended to be moved back and forth on the boom D by cable means connected with trip mechanism on the carriage H which supports said bucket, and which trip mechanism as illustrated is substantially that shown in Patent No. 1,185,416 previously referred to. Said trip mechanism is intended to dump the bucket E by opening its bottom doors as an incident to stopping of the cable'2 during the outward movement of the cable, said doors being restored to closed positions when the bucket E is returned to a point adjacent the mixer A by stopping the cable 2 properly, or by means of the provision of a cam 3 on the boom D, see Fig. 3, which cam is engageable with a restoring arm 4 for normalizing the trip mechanism and thereby closing the doors of the bucket E.

In view of the detail disclosures found in the various patents previously referred to it is deemed unnecessary to recite in detail the action of the general mechanism'of the machine except as modified somewhat with a View to adapting the same to the improve-- ments of this invention. It may be noted, however, that the aggregates to be mixed are dumped into the skip or charging device B, are elevated by said device and discharged into the constantly rotating drum or mixer A, are discharged from said mixer A by the chute G into the bucket E, and are conveyed by the bucket E to a suitable point of deposit where they are automatically discharged from the bucket in the well known manner.

tially the order in which said improvements, or the mechanisms in which they a e incorporated, are brought into play in what may he considered a complete cycle of operation of the machine from the time of loading the skip B to the time of discharge of the bucket E and the return of said bucket to the mixer ready for another load.

Charging device and mixture time control- Zmg mechanism.

The charging device or skip B is adapted to be raised when loaded by operating the clutch lever 1, as by moving the latter to the right to throw in a clutch which trans mits motion to a drum 5, see Fig. 1, which drum is opcratively connected by cable means 6 and 7, directly with the skip l3. As the skip B reaches the dotted line charging position of Fig. 1, the materials in the skip gravitate into the mixer A and the said action likewise results in a tripping of the three armed lever 8 mounted on the framework of the machine, said lever 8 being connected by a rod 9 with a lever 10. The lever 10 is connected with a rod 11, see Fig. 9, forming a part of the mixture time con trolling mechanism, said rod 11 being encircled by a spring 12 disposed in a casing 13 through which the rod operates. ()n the rod 11 is a projection 14 adapted to be engaged by and to move a lever 15. Vhen the lever 8 is tripped by the engaging action of the skip B-the engagement of lever 15 with the projection 14 holds the rod 11 uplifted. against the tension of the spring 12 and the movement of the lever 15 exerts a pull on a link 16 connected therewith whereby to shift a bell crank lever 17, the latter being connected with a bar 18 on which is mounted to slide a toothed timing member 19. Normally a spring 20 coacting with the lever 15 and the projection 14 downwardly bearing on the right hand end of the bar 18 holds the member 19 with its teeth disengagedfrom the worm 20 carried by a shaft 21, which worm is constantly driven through connecting bevel gears 22 and 23, the former on the shaft 21 and the latter on a shaft 24. The shaft 24 has a spur gear 25 meshing with one of the gear rings 26 surrounding the drum or mixer A, the parts 21, 22', 23, 24 and 25 being thus driven from the mixer.

In the casing 13 also is a dog 27 pivoted to a lever 28 which lever is connected by a link 29, the lower end of which, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is attached to a pivoted catch 30. The catch 30 engages a stud 31 on a lever 32 carried by the shaft 33 by which the discharge chute C is actuated. Said shaft 33, see Fig. 11, has arms 34 connected by links 35 with arms 36 pivoted at 37 to brackets 38 projecting into the mixer A, the chute C being directly supported by the arms 36 .tion of the lever 8 by the skip and tilted from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11 to the discharge position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 by a rocking movement of the shaft 33.-

The upward movement of the projection 14 with the rod 11 as caused b the actuaresults in pushing outward of the dog 27 without afecting the action of the lever 28 and the rod 29, due to the fact that the projection 14 freely slides past the dog, the latter 'elding sidewise to permit this action. It ing understood that the aggregates have been received 1) the mixer A and are being mixed, an the rojection 14 has caused the timing mem r 19 to engage the worm 20, saidworm 20 will cause the timing member to move toward the outer'end o the bar 18, and the time required forthe adjustable tripping arm 39 on the timingmember 19 to move against the'lower end of the lever 15 represents the requiredperiod for effect ing a thorough admixture of the materials in the mixer.

The general operation of the timing mech-.

anism is similar to a corres onding mechanism presented in the appllcation for patent of H. A. Trester, Serial Number 89,312, filed April 6,1916. When the arm 39 coacts' with the lower end of the lever 15 the upper end of said lever is withdrawn from engagement with the projection 14 whereupon the latter with the rod 11 is forced downward by the spring 12. As the projection 14 moves downward the heel or outermost portion of the same engages a shoulder on the dog 27 and shifts the latter downward tilting the lever 28 and raising the rod 29. The upward movement of the rod 29 pulls the catch 30 from engagement with the stud 31, see Figs. 6 and 7, whereupon the discharge means or chute C is automatically released and shifted to its discharge position by means of a spring 40 connected with the shaft 33 by which the chute C is actuated. The spring 40 may be of any suitable type and any equivalent device may be used in lieu thereof. The action of the spring, however, is to automatically rock the shaft 33 and force the chute C to its discharge position. This action takes place immediately upon the conclusion of the timing movement of the timing member 19 as caused by the worm 20 seen in-Fig. 9.

It may be noted also that the downward V restoring movement of the projection 14 on A the rod 11 restores the parts 10, 9 and 8 to their normal positions. The projection 14 itself strikes the adjacent end of the bar 18 and lowers the same. The spring 20 forces the lever 15 outward at its upper end, shifts the link 16 and lever 17 and lowers the inner end of the bar 18 whereby the timing memthat the upward movement of- Automatic bucket operating mechanism.

The cycle of operation of the machine involves movement of the chute C to non-discharging position as the ski B is elevated, a subsequent movement of tlie chute to discharge osition, a complete movement of thebucket (outward and return), and the return of the skip to lowered position.

Actuating' means for certain clutch mechanism is set into operation coincident with the release and movement of the discharge chute C to its discharge position for the purpose of compelling movement of the bucket. .1

Referring particularly to Figs. 4,6, 7, 8

K and 10, it will be observed from Figs. 6 and 7 that the lever 32 on the rocking shaft 33 which operates the discharge chute C has a cam 32 which cam moves in an are along with the lever 32, when said lever is released from the catch 30. The release of the lever 32 takes place, of course, at the completion of the time of mixing required for the batch of materials in the mixer A and the materials passed through the chute G into the bucket E normally beneath the chute and ready to receive said materials. The clutch mechanism controlling the movement of the bucket E is similar to that I shown in Letters Patent to P. A. Koehring,

Reissue Number 13,617, reissued September 16, 1913, and comprises clutch devices 57 and 58 capable of connecting gears 59 and 60 respectively with a drum shaft 61, the latter supporting a drum 62 about which a cable 63 passes. The gears 59 and 60 are constantly driven inopposite directions by a corresponding bevel gear '64 supported by a shaft 65 seen'in Fig. 3, which shaft 65 has a spur gear 66 meshing with one of the gear rings surrounding the mixer drum A. The drum 62 being on the shaft 61 it will be evident that by actuating the clutches 57 and 58 under proper control the drum 62 may be driven in opposite directions and correspondingly drive the cable 63 whereby to move the bucket E outward and inward with its supporting carriage H traversing the boom D.

The movement of the shaft 33 is utilized to throw in the clutch means 58 to operatively connect the gear 60 with the shaft 61 and rotate the drum 62 in such a manner as to carry the bucket E outward on the boom D. The means for doing this includes the III a roller 67 on the lowerend of a pull 'rod 68, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8, as the chute C tilts over to its discharge position. The pull rod 68 in the above action places a spring 69 attached to its upper end'under tension, said spring being connected to the. rod 70 of the .piston 71 in the cylinder 72, said parts constituting an ordinary dash pot. By placing the spring 69 under tension said spring has energy stored up therein exerting a downward pull on the piston 71 and the latter moves downwardly slowly as the air escapes from the lower end of the cylinder 72, the tension of the spring 6.9 being temporarily maintained owing to the fact that a bolt 73,

see Fig. 7, engages a catch 74 on the rod 68 and holds said rod down for the time being after it has been actuated by the cam 32. The piston 71 is connected by a rod 75 with a lever 76 which in turn is connected by a bar. 77 attached to a lever 78, see Figs. 1 and 6. The lever 78 is adapted to move the pivoted lever 79 connected through a shifting bar 100 with a corresponding lever 80 adapted to shift the clutch device 58 so as to connect the gear 60 with the shaft 61 and thereby effecting the movement of the cable 63 to carry the bucket E toward the outer end of the boom.- The dash pot arrangement 7l-72 is a delayed movement connection between the shaft 33 and the clutch operating levers 79 and 80 whereby the operation of the clutch 58 does not take place until sufiicient time has elapsed for the chute C to discharge the contents of the mixer A into the bucket E. In other Words it takes the piston 71 a time equivalent to that required to discharge the mixer, in order to move far enough -to throw the clutch device 58 to cause outward travel of the then loaded bucket E, as now to be set forth. hen such time has elapsed the lever 78 shifts the clutch device 58 to connect the parts 60 and 61, whereupon the motion of the shaft 61 is communicated to the cable 63 andthe bucket E carried outward on the boom D. Later on when the chute C is restored to normal non-discharging position bvreturn movement of the lever 32. the stud of said lever 32 raises the catch 30 slightly and thereby tilts an angle lever 81, an arm of which engages the 'top of the catch; said angle lever pulling the bolt 73 out of engagement from the catch 74 on the rod 68 and thereby permitting said rod to move upward under the action of a spring 82 connected with the lever 76, which spring is adapted to quickly normalize the parts 68, 69, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77 and 78. The spring 82 will move the piston 71 upward quite quickly once the bolt 73 releases the rod 68 as an air cushion is not formed at the upper side of said piston. A suitable oil contained dash-pot mechanism may be used in lieu of the parts just mentioned if d si d,

j Automat-ic dumping of m distributing bucket.

inner abutment 84 and an outer abutment 85.

These abutments 84 and 85 are so located thatthe supporting. frame of the trolley H is adapted to strike the abutments for the purpose of shifting the same relatively to the guide bar 83. shifting rod 86 is preferably permanently connected with the inner-abutment 84: by means of a set screw 84 on the latter and said rod is adjustably connected with the outer abutment 85 by means of a cam locking device 87 whereby said abutment 85 may be. connected positively with. the rod 86- but the connection established at any desired point in the length of the rod.

At the inner end of the boom D the rod 86 is connected to a shifting slide 88, see,

Fig. 6, said slide having a curved slot 88' receiving a stud 89 on a yoke 90. The yoke 90 is guided at its lower end by a guide member 91 on a pivoted supporting bracket D with which the boom D is connected, and at its upper end the yoke is connected by a stem 92 passing through a guide bracket 93 on the framework of the machine, with an arm 94 of frame-like form. The arm 94, see Figs. 6 and 10, is secured at its inner end to a vertical cam and latch bar 95, the latter being guided for vertical movement by members 96 on the bracket 93. Furthermore, a spring 97 normally tends to hold the upper cam head 98 of the bar in engagement with a projection 99 on a shifting bar 100 which is attached at its opposite ends to the lower ends of the clutch operating levers 79 and 80. The shifting bar 100 has a -frame-like extension 100 projecting from its under side and a handle 101 susceptible of manual operation for emergency or other special purposes extends downward from said part 100*. On the frame-like extension 100 is a yielding stem 102 having a roller 103 adapted to engage'astud of the bar 95 gs well as engage the cam head 98 of said It being recalled that the last step in the operation of the machine was the effecting of the outward haul of the bucket E along the boom D, it may be noted that as the bucket travels in the direction of the outer end of the boom one of the outermost end portions of the trolley H will ultimately strike the outer abutment 85 and slide said abutment .on the member 83, thereby .exerting a pull outward on the shifting rod 86 which is connected with the slide 88. Said outward pull on the slide 88 through the provision of the slot 88' and projection 89,

pulled downward andlikewise the arm 94 and locking and latch bar 95'. It should be understood that when the clutch device 58 was actuated by the lever; 7 9' to connect the ar 60 with the shaft 61 to] move the bucket outward on the boom the bar 95 was held with the clutch device 57 in its operated position owing, to the engagement of the bar 95 with .the shorter ,'wall of the projectionobtain the engagement referred to in reference to the-parts 98 and 99.,

Reverting now tothe action of the slide 88 in pulling downward on the .parts 90,

92, 94 and 95, it'will be apparent that said action by disengagement of the parts 98 and 99 releases the bar 100 and permits equalizing springs 104, seen best in Fig. 4, to carry the bar 100 to a. mid position wherein the clutch devices 57 and 58 are inoperative.

- The action of the springs 104 'which are.

mounted in a bracket 105 on the framework of the machine, is to co5perate directly with an arm 106 projecting between the springs and fixed tQthB shifting bar 100. The slide 88 not/only disengages the cam and latch bar 95 from the projection 99 of the shifting bar 100 whereby to neutralize the clutch mechanism so to speak, but after the bar 95 is disengaged from the projection 99 the cam head 98 moves downward sufliciently to coact with the roller '103 and part 102 to shift the bar 100 in a direction opposite to that in which it .wasshifted earlier by the lever 78. This opposite shifting of the bar 100 moves the bar. a distance sufiicient to cause the clutch device 57 to connect the gear 59 with the shaft 61, thereby reversing the rotation of the drum 62. so as to correspondingly reverse the movement of the cable 63 and bucket E. iThe moment the movement of the cable 63 is stopped and reversed to cause inward haul on the bucket E the trip mechanism 4 carried by the carriage or trolley H and connected with the doors of the bucket in the manner shown in. Patent No. 1,185,416, is tripped automatically and the contents of the bucket are dumped. Immediately following the dumping of the bucket E the same is carried inward toward the mixer A in the customary manner.

Stopping of the distributing bucket at the mixer.

The distributing bucket E now traveling inward toward the mixer A again actuates the shifting rod 86 by abutment of an inner end portion of the carriage 8 with the the bar 46 uncle opposite or inward direction whereby the stud 89 of the yoke 90 is caused to travel toward the outer upwardly inclined end portionof the slot 88 of the slide 88. This action causes an upward movement of the members, 90, 94 and 95 thereby disengaging the roller 103 from the right hand flat side of the cam head 98,. as seen in Fig. 10, and restoring the parts 103 and 98 to the relative positions in which they are shown in full lines in Fig. 10. The change thus effected in.the relative positions of the parts 98 and Locking means for controllcoer of charging device.

Reverting to the previous suggestion that it is desirable, and in fact necessary,that the charging device'B be prevented from being operated so as to add fresh aggregates to those in the mixer, during the mixing operation and before emptying of the mixing drum, it will be observed from Figs. 11 to 13 that the lever'l controlling theclutch means 41 by which the skip B is adapted to be raised is locked against skip raising actuation by a pivoted locking member 42, see Fig. 13. Furthermore, on the lever 1 is a dog 43 coii'perative with a toothed sector 44 and forming with the sector a full stroke compelling means for the. lever 1.

For the most efficient operation of the mixing and distributing apparatus it is desirable that just as soon as the discharge chute C has remained in its discharge position long enough for the discharge of all of the aggregates from the mixer A, the lever 1 be free to be operated to supply a fresh batch of materials to said mixer. With the above in view there is provided on the shaft 33 by which the chute C is actuated a cam 45, see Fig. 11, which cam impinges and actuates a vertically movable bar 46, when the chute C moves to its discharging position. The downward movement of r the actionof the cam 45 compresses the? normalizing spring 47 surrounding the bar and causes a cam 48 at the lower end of the bar to shift the piston rod 49 connected with the piston 50 forming a part of any suitable delayed movement connection intermediate the discharge chute and the'controlling lever 1. p

The piston 50 operates in a cylinder 51 and when moved by the cam 48 compresses a spring 52 in said cylinder 51, which spring bears a ainst a second piston 53. Sufficient energy is thus stored up in the spring 52 to force the piston 53 slowly in a rightward di- ':rection as seen in Fig. 12, the speed of move- 55 doesfnot impinge and'tilt the locking member 42 out of engagement with respect to the lever 41 until the elapse of time sufiicient to permit the chute C to entirely empty the mixer A.

As soon as the locking member 42 is disengaged from the lever 1 a spring 42 engaging said lever 1 forces the latter a slight distance in the direction of its skip raising movement so that the full stroke compelling dog 43 is engaged with the sector 44. W henever the operator is ready to raise the skip B, therefore, the lever 1 must be forced in a direction to throw in the clutch 41, 'completing its stroke. When the skip B is properly elevated and the lever 1 partially released for lowering the skip, the full stroke compelling means 43-44 again comes into action and necessitates a full return of the lever 1 to its inactive position in which it becomes locked by the member 42. Thus provision is made against any possibility that the operator of the machine may disturb the action of the timing mechanism by attempting to raise the skip B without fully lowering the same for the reception of a fresh batch of mixed materials.- It may require say thirty seconds. more or less, for the mixer A to be emptied of its contents by the chute C, such time varying in accordance with the capacity of the mixer, but once the valve 54 is adjusted properly it will be impracticable for the lever 1 to be manipulated to raise the skip B at any but the proper time, namely after the emptying of the mixer A by the chute C. When the movement of the piston 53 under the action of the spring 50 is completed said piston 53 is restored to normal by a spring 56, the latter being much weaker than the spring 52, and the cylinder 52 having an openingpreventing the formation of an air cushion at the left hand end thereof as seen in Fig. 12.

Restoring 0f the discharge chute to normal.

the elapsed time for the emptying of the mixer-whereby the locking means for the sk1p raising lever is released having passed, the only thing remaining in the cycle of operation of the whole machine is the restoration to normal of the discharge chute C. ThlS restoration is effected as an incident to the raising of the skip or charging device B for supplying a fresh batch of aggregates to be mixed in the mixer A. The restoring of the chute C takes place. at the time the skip B engages and tilts the three armed lever 8, said lever 8 having an additional rod connection 109, see Fig. 1, leading to a. bell crank 110 which crank is in turn connected by a rod 111 with a second crank 112. The crank 112 is connected to an-arm 113, see

. Fig. 6, by a rod 114, the arm 113 projecting from the shaft 33 and preferably being an extension of the lever 32 fixed to said shaft. The rocking of the three armed lever 8 when impinged by the skip B effects an upward movement of the rod 114 thereby rocking the shaft 33 in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the spring 40, until the stud 31 on the lever 32 is reengaged by the catch 30, whereupon the catch locks the chute which is restored to its non-dischargin position in the above action, against being operated to assume a discharge position, until the catch 30 is released in the manner previously described. It is at the time of the reengagement of the stud 31 and the catch 30, just referred to, that the crank 81, see Fig. 7, is tilted and the bolt 73 disengaged from the catch 74 on the rod 68,

an action also previously set forth. Operation of water supply control ame.

In the use of mixing machines of the type to which this invention appertains it is customary for the operator of the machine to open a water supply valve controlling the admission of a proper amount of water to the mixer, at the time when the mixer is charged with the aggregates to be admixed thereby. In carrying out the present invention the above operation, ordinarily manual, is rendered automatic by the provision of an actuating bar 120, see Figs. 1 and 15, which bar is mounted to slide horizontally on the framework of the machine through the provision of any suitable guide means 121. The bar 120 carries an upwardly yieldable gravitative dog 122 adapted to engage a stud 123 upon a valve lever 124 connected with a valve 125 located at a suitable point in the length of a water supply pipe 126. The pipe 126 leads from a water tank 127 mounted on the framework of the machine,

referably above the mixer A, to a point just within the charging end of the mixer, as seen on reference to Fig. 1. One end of the bar 120 is located in a osition to be impinged by the lever 8 whlch, it will be recalled, is rocked each'time the skip B is raised.

Thus it is that when the skip B is hoisted so as to charge the mixer A with a suitable quantity of materials to'be mixed the. rocking of the lever 8 moves the bar 120 longitudinally and causes the dog 122 on said bar' to engage the stud 123 and thus cor-r actuating movement of the bar 120 the dog 122 passes over or escapes the stud 123 so that the valve lever 124 may be gradually returned to its valve closing position under the action of a spring 128 connected with said lever. The parts 124, 125 and 122 are adapted to be operated so as to close the valve 125 after the necessary quantity of water is admitted to the mixer.

The actuating bar 120 remains in its actuated position so long as the lever 8 remains in its actuated position but will return to its normal position under the action of a spring 120 when the lever 8 is released at the conclusion of the required time for effecting the mixing operation. As the bar 120 returns to its normal position the dog 122' yields freely upward and idles over the stud 123 in an obvious manner.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be confined to the particular automatic means for controlling the opening and closing of the water valve 125 since any suitable means may be employed for the above purpose within the purview of this iny eut ion.

Miscellwneous details.

The purpose of having an adjustable connection such as 87 intermediate the outer abutment 85 and the shifting rod 86 is' to enable the quick and convenient movement of said abutment 85 along the guide bar 83 as well as along the rod 86 itself, whereupon the member 85 may be then positively connected with the rod 86. In this way the point where the reversal of the cable and dumping of the bucket E automatically is effected may be varied at will. This is desirable because obviously it is re uired that the bucket E be dumped at di erent distances from the machine in accordance with the manner in which the work of laying a pavement or other plastic base progresses.

While I have described above a suitable arrangement for controlling an adjustment of the abutment 85 whereby to eflfect dumping of the bucket E at different points in the length of the boom D, other constructions may be used for this particular purpose. If desired, indeed, the abutment 85 might be shifted lengthwise of the boom D through the provision of power means, as for instance a screw engaging said abutment and operable either directly or indirectly from the shaft which is constantly driven, any suitable manual device being utilized to control the driving connection whereby the operator may cause shifting of the abutment 85 to the desired point of bucket dumping action.

It is notable that the boom D is intended to swing about a vertical axis designated 107 in Fig. 6, suitable means for movin the boom in a horizontal plane about sai axis being provided and substantially the same as described in certain Letters Patent noted herein. 4

Owing to this peculiar movement of the boom which may approximate an arc of 180 degrees, it is needful that the arm 94 be constructed of frame-like or skeleton forma:

'tion as seen in Figs. 4 and 6 so that when the boom shifts horizontally the cable 63 will not be interfered with b reason of the provision of the arm 94 'sposed trans versely to 'said cable.

Likewise it is contemplated that the boom D be susceptible of vertical movement about a horizontal axis which is designated 108 and seen best in Fig. 5 though illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. On account of this particular movement of the boom the st d 89 of the yoke 90 is located concentric or coaxial with the axis 108 so that said stud will always remain in a proper position in the slot 88 of the slide 88 irrespective of the particular angle which said slide 88 may assume as an incident to being raised or lowered with the boom D.

In regard to certain operating connections hereinbefore described, especially those involving the locking and releasing of the operating means for the loading skip and the discharge chute, it may be noted that said connections will preferably be properly housed or inclosed where necessary in order that unauthorized interference with the operation of said connections may be provided against.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is p 1. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with materials to be admixed thereby, means for discharging the mixer, and means for compelling emptying of the mixer by said discharge means before the charging means may be operated a second time to introduce a fresh supply of materials to be mixed in the mixer.

2. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with a batch of materials to be mixed therein, discharging means for the mixer, control means intermediate said discharging means and the charging means whereby to prevent a second opera tion of the charging means until the said discharging means has been operated,-

3. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mlxer with a batch of mate-' rials to be mlxed therein, discharging means for the mixer, control means intermediatesaid discharging means and the charging means whereby to prevent a second operav tion of the charging means until the said discharging means has been operated, and automatic means for operating .said. discharging means at a predetermined time after the materials have been introduced into the mixer by the charging means.

4. In combination, a mixer, means for charging said mixer with a batch of materials to be mixed therein, discharging means for the mixer, control means intermediate said discharging means and the charging means whereby to prevent a second operation of the charging means until the said discharging means has been operated, automatic mechanism for operating said discharging ineans at a predetermined time after the materials have been introduced into the mixer by the charging means, and control means intermediate the charging means and the mechanism above mentioned.

5. In combination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, means for preventing charging of the mixer by the charging device, and control means intermediate said discharging device and the charging device operable to render said preventing means inactive after the discharging device has remained in discharging position a sufficient time to discharge the contents of the mixer.

6., In combination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, means for preventing operation or" the charging device, and control means intermediate the discharging device and the charging device for governing the action of said preventing means and comprising a delayed movement connection operable by movement of the discharge device to" discharge position to render the said preventing means inactive only after the discharging device has remained in its discharging position a predetermined length so that the charging device may be released for operation on the expiration of such time, and-automatic means for operating said discharging device' 8. In combination, a mixer, a charging device for said mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, means for preventing operation of the charging device, control means intermediate thedischarging device and the charging device for governing the action of said preventing means and comprising a delayed movement connection operable by movement of the discharge device to discharge position to render-the said preventing means inactive only after the discharging device has remained in its discharging position a predetermined length of time, so that the charging device may be released for operation on the expiration of such time, automatic means, for operating said discharging device, and means intermediate the charging device and said automatic means whereby the action of the latter is controlled by the charging device.

9. In combination, a mixer, a charging device'for said mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, means for preventing operation of the charging device, control means intermediate the discharging device and the charging device for governing the action of said preventing means and comprising a delayed movement connection operable by movement of the discharge device to discharge osition to render the said preventing means inactive only after the discharging device has remained in its discharging position a predetermined length of time, so that the charging device may be released for operation on the expirationof such time,

ing device therefor, automatic means for moving'said discharging device from nondischarging to discharging position, a charging device for introducing materials into the mixer, means intermediate said charging device and the said automatic means whereby one is controlled from the other, and means intermediate the discharging device and the charging device whereby the operation of the latter is controlledt'rom the discharging device.

12. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, automatic means for moving said dischargingdevice from'nondischarging to discharging position, a

1 charging device for introducing materials into the mixer, means intermediate said charging device and the said automatic means whereby one is controlled from the other, preventing means coacting with the charging device to'prevent its operation until the dischar ing device has remained in non-dischargmg position a predetermined time, and means for rendering said preventing means lnactlve after the dischargmg de vice has assumed and remained in discharging position a sufficient period of time to cause emptying of the mixer.

13. In combination, a mixer, a dlscharging device therefor. normally in non-discharging position, a charging device for in-' troducing materials into the mixer to be mixed thereby, means for automatically operating said dlscharglng device, and means intermediate the chargmg device and sald discharging device for restoring the latter to non-discharging position.

14. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor normally disposed in non-discharging position, a charging device for introducing materials into the mixer, automatic means for causing the discharging device to assumedischarging position, and mechanism governing the action of said automatic means and controlled by 16. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, a controlling mechanism, automatic means for moving the discharge device to discharging position and governed by said time controlled mechanism, a charging device for the mixer, and means intermediate said charging device and the controlling mechanism to govern the action of the latter and intermediate the charging device and the dischargingdevice for restoring the latter to-non-discharging position after it has been actuated by said automatic means.

17. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, a controlling mechacharge' device to discharging nism, automatic means for moving the disosition and governed by said time controlle mechanism, a charging dcvice for the mixer, means intermediate said charging device and the controlling mechanism to govern the action of the latter and intermediate the charging device and the discharging device for restoring the latter to non-discharging position after it has been actuated by said antomatic means, lock means for preventing operation of the charging device until the discharging device has remained in discharging position a suflicient time to empty the mixer of its contents, and means controlled by said discharging device "for rendering said lock means inactive.

18. In combination, a mixer, a discharge therefor, locking means for said discharge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function, charging means for the mixer, a time controlled mechanism governed by the charging means and cooperating Wit said locking means ,to release the discharge therefromafter suflicient time has elapsed for proper admixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device, locking means for preventing operation of the charging device until the said discharge has been rendered active and remained active a suflicient time to empty the materials the admixture of which is completely effected by the mixer.

19. In combination, a mixer, a discharge therefor, locking means for said discharge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function, charging means for the mixer, a time controlled mechanism governed by the charging means and cooperating with said locking means to release the discharge therefrom after sufiicient time has elapsed for proper admixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device, locking means for preventing operation of the charging device until the said discharge has been rendered active and remained active a sufiicient time to. empty the materials the admixture of which is completely effected by the mixer, and operating connections intermediate said charging device and the discharge -for causing restoration of the latter to inactive condition.

20. In combination, a mixer a discharge therefor, locking means for said discharge to maintain the same inactive to perform its function, charging means for the mixerfa time controlled mechanism governed by the charging means and cooperating with said locking means to release the discharge therefrom after sufiicient time has elapsed for proper admixture of materials introduced into the mixer by the charging device, lockingmeans for preventing operation of the charging device until the said discharge has been rendered active and remained active a crating the discharge governed controlled mechanism.

sufiicient time to empty the' materials'the lever, a second lever operable by the chargadmixture of which is completely effected by the mixer, operating connections intermediate said charging device and the discharge for causing restoration of the latter to inactive condition, and automatiomea-ns for opby the time 21. In combination, a mixer, a discharg ing device for the mixer, a charging device ing' device connected with the time controlled mechanism to govern the action of the latter, operating connections between said second lever and the discharge chute whereby to restore the latter to inactive or therefor, a time controlled mechanism,.

means to controlaction of the time controlled mechanism from the charging device, automatic means forrendering the discharging device active and comprising a motor, lock means for preventing discharging action of the discharging device adapted means with respect to said discharging device.

- 22. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, a charging device therefor, a time controlled mechanism, means to control action of the time controlled mechanism from the charging device, automatic means for rendering the discharging device active and comprising a motor,

' lock means for preventing discharging action of the discharging device adapted to be released by said time controlled mechanism, operating connections adapted to be shifted in the movement of the charging devicefor restoring the discharging device to non-discharging position and reestablishing the locking relation of said lock means with respect to said discharging device,- a second lock means preventing operation of the charging device while materials introduced into the mixer thereby are being mixechand a delayed movement connection intermediate the discharging device and the second lock means whereby the latter will be released to permit operation of the charging device when the discharging device has been released and remained in discharging position suflicie ntly long to cause emptying of the mixed materials from the mixer.

' charging device including a main operating non-discharging position as an incident to operation of the charging device, other looking means cooperating with said main operating lever to prevent operation of thecharging device, and a delayed movement operating connection operable from the discharge chute and adapted to release the last mentioned locking means after the discharge chute has remained in its discharging position-sufliciently long to cause'emptying of the mixer of the materials previously introduced thereinto by the charging device.-

QL-In combination, distributing means comprising a boom, a bucket adapted to traverse said boom, operating means for said .bucket, a discharge by which'thebucket is supplied, and means intermediate said discharge and the bucket operating means for controllingthe latterfrom the.discharge.

2 5. In combination,- distributing means .for distributing materials including a boom,

a bucket adapted to travel on said b0om back and forth, operating means for said bucket for moving the same away, dumping the bucket and returning the bucket, and discharging means by which the bucket is supplied cooperative with said operating means for the bucket to cause complete action of said operatingmeans.

2 6. In combination, distributing means comprising a boom and a bucket adapted to travel back and forth on said boom, operating means for said'bucket comprising instrumentalities to move the bucket back and forth and to dump the bucket during its movement and including a cable connected with the bucket, and clutch mechanism governing the operation of said cable, and a discharge chute to supply the bucket coact' ing with said clutch mechanism for throwing the latter into operation.

27. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, distributing means for materialsmixed by the mixer including a support and a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from the mixer, operating means for said bucket to cause said movement of the bucket and dumping of the bucket. a charging device for the mixer, mechanism controlled by said charg ing device for causing automatic operation of said discharging device whereby the lat- I ter will discharge the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, and means operable by said discharging device for setting in operation the operating means for the distributing bucket. r

28. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, distributing means for materials mixed by the mixer including a support and a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from the mixer, operating 'means for said bucket to cause said movement of the bucket and dumping of the bucket, a charging device for the mixer, mechanism controlled by said charglng device for causing automatic operation of said discharging device whereby the latter will discharge the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, and means, operable by said discharging device for setting in operation the operating means for the distributing bucket after said discharging device has remained in discharging position sufliciently long to empty the contents movement of the bucket and dumping of the bucket, a charging device for the mixer, mechanism controlled by said charging device for causing automatic operation of said discharging device whereby the latter w1ll discharge the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, means operable by said dischargingdevice for setting in operation the operating means for the distributing I bucket after said discharging device has remained in discharging position sufiiciently long to empty the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, and means'operable by the charging a device for restoring the discharging device to non-discharging position.

30. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device for the mixer, distributing means for materials mixed by the mixer including a support and a bucket adapted to travel on said support toward and from the mixer, operating means for said bucket to cause said movement of the bucket and dumping of the bucket, a charging device for the mixer, mechanism controlled by said charging device for causing automatic operation of said discharging device whereby the latter will discharge the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, means operable by said discharging device for setting in operation the operating means for the distributing bucket after said discharging device has remained in discharging position sufficiently long to empty the contents of the mixer into the distributing bucket, means operable by the charging device for restoring the discharging device to non-discharging position as an incident to operation of the charging device for charging the mixer, locking means preventing operation of said charging device, and means'controlled from the discharging device for rendering said lockof deposit, operating mechanism for moving said bucket along the support and for causmg dumping of the -contents of the same, locking mechanism for holding the discharging device in non-discharging position, a time controlled mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism and permitting the discharging device to assume discharge position after sufficient time has elapsed to properly mix materials introduced into the mixer, a charging device for the mixer, means intermediate the charging device and said time controlled mechanism governing the operation of the latter, means intermediate the discharging device and the operating means for said bucket for causing operation of said operating means after the discharging device has reached and remained in discharging position a suiiicient time to empty the contents of the mixer into the bucket, preventing means for preventing operation of the charging device while materials introduced into the mixer thereby are being mixed, and instrumentalities intermediate the discharging device and said preventing means to render the latter inactive after suliicient time has elapsed for the discharge of the materials into the bucket by the discharging device.

32. In combination, a mixer, a discharging device therefor, automatic means for operating the discharging device, distributing means comprising a support associated with the mixer and a bucket adapted to travel along said support to carry mixed materials delivered from the mixer to a suitable point of deposit, operating mechanism for moving said bucket along the support and for causing dumping cf the contents of the same, locking mechanism for holding the discharging device in non-discharging position, a time controlled mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism and permit ting the discharging deviceto assume discharge position after sufiicient time has elapsed to properly mix materials introduced into the mixer, a charging device for the mixer, means intermediate the charging device and said time controlled mechanism governing the operation of the-latter, means intermediate the discharging device and the operating meansfor said bucket for causing operation of said operating means after the discharging device has reached and remained in discharging position a sufficient time to empty the contents of the mixer into the bucket, preventing means for preventing operation of the charging device while materials introduced into the mixer thereby are being mixed, instrumentalities intermediate ing device to its non-discharging position.

33. In combination, a mixer and operatmg means therefor, means whereby said mixer may be discharged,means whereby said mixer may be charged and discharged,

and means for compelling emptying of the r mixer previous to the charging of the same by said charging means.

34. A mixing machine ofthe type comprising charging and discharging instrumentalities combined with means for operating the charging instrumentality, and means whereby a discharging action of the discharging instrumentality is made necessary previous to subsequent charging operation of the charging instrimientaiity.

35. in combination, a mixer, a discharging devicetherefor, a chargmg device therefor, and means intermediate said charging device and discharging device whereby to operate the discharging device to cause the latter to efiectdischarge action of the mixer,

and to also operate said discharging device so as to prevent discharging action of the mixer.

36. In combination, a mixer. a discharging device therefor, a charging device therefor, means intermediate said charging device and discharging device whereby to operate the dischargingdevice to cause the 1 latter to effect discharge action of the mixer, I and to also operate said discharging device so as to prevent discharging action of the mixer.

37. A mixing machine of the type comprising a mixer and means whereby said mixer may be charged and discharged, combined with controlling devices necessitating an operation of the mixer discharging means subsequent to each operation of the charging means, and for maintaining said mixer discharging means in effective action long enough. to discharge the contents of the mixer.

38. A mixing machine of the type comprising a mixer and means whereby said mixer may be charged and discharged, combined with cont-rolling devices necessitating an operation of the mixer discharging means subsequent to each operation of the charging means, and for maintaining said mixer discharging means in efiective action long enough to discharge the contents of the with means for rendering means ineffective from themachine of the type com therefor, Water supply means therefor, distributing mechanism adapted to receive materials from the discharge of the mixer, charging means for the mixer, a main actuator, control means operable by said main actuator for effecting operation of the charging device, and instrumentalities 0perable successively as an incident to the operation of said charging device by the main actuator for causing water to be supplied to the mixer from the water supply means as an incident to the charging of the mixer by the charging device, to lock the discharge against operation until a predetermined time for completion of the mixing action in the mixer has elapsed and to then operate the discharge to cause the mixed materials to be supplied to the distributing means, and to then cause operation of said distributing means and to finally effect normalization of all the parts.

41. In combination, a mixer, a discharge ator for causing water to be supplied to the mixer from the Water supply means as an incident to the charging of the mixer by the charging device, to lock the discharge against operation until a predetermined time for completion of the mixing action in the mixer has elapsed'and to then operate the discharge to cause the mixed materials to be supplied to the distributing means, and to then cause operation of said distributing means and to finally ell'ect normalization of all the parts', means for locking said main actuator-against operation after charging of the mixer, means to automatically release said locking means after the complete discharge of the contentsof the mixer, and full-stroke compelling mechanism cooperative with said main actuator,

'dischargingto discharging position, and

time controlled mechanism governing the of said charging device by the main actu-

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