US1484312A - Syn-motor - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,312

I I H. l. WASHBURIN SYN-MOTOR v Filed Aug. 21. 1917 7 sheets-sheet 1 Herbal)? I. washmrlz,

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Feb. 19, 1924.- 1,484,312

H. I. WASHBURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Flam,

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Feb. 19 1924. y 1,484,312

H. I. WASHBURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Herbert Lwashbzmg Feb. 19 1924. Y 1,484,312

- H. 1. WASHBURN y SYN -MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet e Feb. 19 1924.

H. I. WASH-BURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Zfirberf I. Waskbzmg Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

HERBERT I. WASHBYU'RH), or LAUREL SIRINGS, new JERSEX;

syn-Moron, 1

To: all whom it may concern. 7

Be it known that I, BZERBELVD I, (AS2511 B RN, of Laurel Spriu s, in the county out QsmQlsn and Stat f; fie srs mh ve vented certain; new and useful Improvements,

in yn-Motors; vhs ss he f llo ing is specificat onr t rsnss ei g; had. to the companying drawings.

The invention relates to improvements in syn-motors and more part cularly to devices f t s c a s mploye fo st nltu al: pus-- poses.

The invention coinp ehends. a device oi the above type which automatic-in eperga tion in connection with a fiel itel: g id: ing apparatus such as shown and dese i' gbed in my co-psnding appl ati n Serial N 187,495, filed August 21, L911. By this combination the syn-motor constr ct ds here: in set forth; maybe guided i a spinal 01; curved path in automatically ploughing or otherwise cultivating a field-J To this, end, my invention includ s. means for simultaneously shifting the tractor wheels through corresponding angles in following a predetermined curvature of traction.

The invention is further directed to steeringorganization such as'tlle above comprif r ingmeans, \vhei'eby the" syn-motor may be adapted for cit-heir automatic or manual operation.

The present improvement also, compre hands means tor automatically suspending the operation oi the syn-motor in the event of failure orrupture in the guiding element.

In the drawing, Fig. I is a plan view of an agricultural syn-motor conveniently embodying my improvements.

Fig. H is a side elevation, of the same as viewed from the bot-tom of Fig. If.

F ig. III is an elevation as viewed froljn the side opposite to that illustrated; in Fig. H.

Fig; IV is a transverse sectional elevation along the line. IV.-l\ in Figs. 1 and II.

Fig. V is a, detail of av portion of the automatic steering mechanism. I

l3 V1 V11, VIII. and are detail views of an. automatic electrical cut out tun-ctional'in renderingthe device inoperativc upon the breaking of the guide wire.

Figs. X to; XIII inclusive, are details, 01 the mechanism whereby the. syn-motor may he either for automatic or manual steering.

Fig. XIV is. a plan View of a tractor simi- Application filed August 21, 191-7. 'senai no. i1s7, 4,94,;'

lar to. that illustrated in Fig;

ng a modified s e r ng, appara us Th syn-motor herein shown, comprises a structural trame'xvork inc uding a pairof: parallel, horizontally disposed angle iigons; and un te at hei ndsby r gidly bolted brackets. As best shown in Fig. IV, brackets 3 are each provided With'a pair of spaced lugs hand (Lavhich are pivot.

lly g g d y v hair of bos es 7 and 8, spectively formed integrally with yoke pieces 9.' These yo,l;e 1;9ie ces 9. are furthel provided at their lower'ends,;,with enlarged bosses 10 for the reception of theeccentric cylin rica e ensions 1.1, rt the tap red axles 12 forv the tractor Wheels, 13 =-1 3; "Said Wheels are driven by sprocket- Chai JS lfifilfi which engage sppo'cket rings fi attached to h sp es of the heels by s table t bolts 17.. The slack oi these chains may be taken up by taming the miles 2 about the-i soncentric mountings 11:, whichars. squared at 6 th s purp s nd the a iustmsut ixed by se-tscreuts1-9,threaded intlie b,0S$-8s 10'. I The synunotor is staloilized hy an out i igger wheelZl, mounted upon an axle 22, fixed in the outer down turned nd 23. of a beam 25. Said beam is adjustably held c amp. 2 o m o a b -iacket ZY, oi? the st uctu al t ams-v o y t is oastu stion the Wheel 21 may be spaced from the syn-,lllotor p p n adap ng th sam to a u sesunt d p n the st ctur rame a a point about midway between the tractoi; whee-ls 3,. is a in n com s n gine omprehens ve y mdi atsd' a 28, d un potted. upon a cradle '29 held between ra ket 2 and a milar br t b th of.-

which, as best seen in lfiigs. I and III, age bolted "to the parallel angle irons, 1 and h t 1,. at the ng ne ann s at its. ou r end, the usual fly wheel 32, which, in this in stance is: supplemented by a pulley 33, where by any auxiliaryappa a u may e d iven W-lfien the organization is simply employed as a poweig plant; T o the innen end of en--.

s ne sha t is xed a s s-s cket lumen, 35', which. through a chain 36,,d1qives sprocket 317, This sprocket is mounted on a countelg shaft 38, and may be disconnected therefrom by means of a clutch 'comrentionally indicated 3'9, and controlled through a pin l0, extending axially tl'n'ough shaft; 38. Pin is he d a 1, for engagem nt nth the end of a shifting leve1-'42, pivotedj at'4 3,

and provided with. an operating handle 415i Handle is located at a point convenient to the seat 46 for the operator. As shown in Figs. I and II, this seat is supported on a bar 47, pivotally secured at the innerend tov the framework, and cushioned at the other end by coiled spring 48 suspended from the laterally turnedrend 49, of angle barl.

Counter shaft 38 also carries a pair of sprocket pinions50-50,which by means of chains 5151, serve to drive sprocket wheels 5252, mounted upon stub shafts 5353, which are journalled infixed brackets 55, bolted to the structural framework, see Figs 1, III and IV. A universal coupling 56 is interposed in each of the shafts 53, so asto permit steering as hereinafter specified.

' The outer end of said'shafts find their bearings in cross pieces of the yokes 9, and each of these is further provided with a sprocket pinion 57, whereby motion'is transmitted through the chains 15, to the sprocket rings 16, on the tractor wheels 13, already referred through the sprocket system justdescribed, from the engine 28, and the operation of the device controlled manually by means of clutch 39 operable by handle 45.

Steering of the syn-motor is effected by simultaneously swinging the tractor wheels through'equal corresponding angles and this according to my invention may be a ccom pl'ished either manually or automatically.-

In manual operation the apparatus is guided under the control of a hand wheel 60, located at a point near seat 46, so as to be readily accessible to the operator. VJhcel 60 is mounted upon a longitudinal line shaft comprising sections 61 and 62, united by a universal coupling 63. These sections are threaded oppositely at their outer ends as indicated at 65 and 66, to respectively engage nuts 67 and 68, swivelly mounted in the ends of arms'69 and 70 projecting from yoke pieces 99, for the tractor wheel's 13-43. Said wheels may thus be simultaneously swung about their yoke pivots 4,

- through similar angles in either direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of shaft (ii-62 under'control of hand wheel-60.

When employed for automatic operation, the syn-motor is adapted for use in connection with a guiding apparatus such as shown and described in my co-pending applicalater, to an extension 72 bolted to the wheel yoke 9, at theforward or left hand end of the machine (Figs. I and II). The tension The tractor wheels are thus driven constantly maintained upon the wire (due to the tendency of the syn-motor to travel in a straight path under control of a brake mechanism also to belater described) causes a pull upon extension 72, thereby coincidently turning the forward tractor wheel.

. about its pivot 4.

From.Fig.' lVit will be noted. that the line of pivotal attachment of the yoke pieces 9 for the tractor wheels is slightly inclined to the vertical and passes through .the'cenr 7 Hal point of engagement of the tractor wheel with the ground. Furthermore, this pivotalcenter line also passes through the center of the universal coupling56, so that as a conse'qu'ence, the wheel is absolutely free to turn about its pivot without interference by its drivingconnections. hen referred to the forward wheel, it will be seen that i this method of construction obviates any tendency of the steering extension 72, todcflect either to the right or left under the pull of the motor and interfere with either the manual or automatic control of the-synmotor. r I

' It now remains to transmit an equal corresponding angular movement to the rear tractor wheel in such a manner that the side stresses and joltings of the-said rear wheel cannot be reactive upon the front tractor wheel, extension 72 or the guide wire' 71. This is accomplished by the following instrumentalities: t

Referring to Figs. X to XIII inclusive, it will be noted that the nut 67, cooperative with the threaded end of steering shaft. sec tion 62-, is not directlyattached to the arm 69, of the wheel yoke 9, but is supplemented b a horizontal win )late 73 'which is swivelly pivoted at a point 75, to an arm 76 of an interposed bell crank lever 78. This lever is directly fulcrumed, at 77, to the end of arm 69, so that when arm 69, is swung in accordance to the'movement of the forward tractor wheel under the automatic control, said lever is shifted to the position illustrated in Fig. XI. This movement is imparted through a link 79, to an arm 80, (Figs. and II) formed Lip-turning the end of a rock shaft 81, journalled at one end in a suitable bearing 82. Said rock shaftextendslongitudinally along the top of the upper angle iron1, of the supporting frame, to a double actingpawling mecha nism comprehensively indicated at'83, (Fig.

V) and its other end is threaded at 85, to engage within a fixed bearing 86. -The' thread is of a coarse pitch so that a slight angular movement of the arm 80 causes a substantial longitudinal shifting of the rock shaft 81. Said shaft 81v (Fig. V) carries a pair of fixed collars 86 and 87, which are respertively cooperative with a pairof pawl arms 99 and 89 freely suspended from their pivotal mountings in the ends of the hori- Mil .62,- of the steering shaft.

zontal arm of av T shaped lever 90,..freely. fulcrumed' about a shaft 9-1,.included in the pawling mechanism 83. tinua-lly oscillated by means of an integrally. formed arm 92, coupled with an. eccentric 93, mounted on. stub shaft'53, already de scribed. See also Fi IV. A spring 95,

co-activewith both pawl. arms 88 and 89- tends to normally maintain the latter int @111- gagementn with.- a ratchet wheet 96 which fixed upon shaft 91. The activity of these pawls is selectively dependent upon the shifting of; rock. shaft 8 as above: noted, for exampleaif: said shaft is shifted" to the left as illustrated in Fig; V paavl 88' will berendered inactive while paw-1:89 is permitted to engage with the: ratchet wheel: 96, to turn. shaft 91..

. The oscillation of lever 90 will thus be transmitted by one or the other of the pawls to the ratchet wheel to turn. shaft 91' in one direction 01- the other; These parts are,

however, so designed that a certain small amount of free play is allotted the front wheel to: compensate for the ordinary vibrar ti'en or swaying. of this wheel. owing. to'the irregularities-in the course over: which the device travels. This freedom is to the ex.- tent cf about two or three degrees, within the range of which, pawls 88 01:89 will re mainxin a neutral position (both: disengaged from ratchet) and as a consequence,inactive. Beyond this range, however, either one. or the other of these paw'ls becomes immediately effective as herein'before noted.

as shown in Fig. 1?, shaft 91 extends laterally outward from the pawling mechanism to afford attachment for abevel pinion 97, which engages a bevel gear 98,

mounted" upon the right hand end of section The movements of the shaft 91 will thus be directly trans mitted to the steering shaft, whereupon the rear tractor wheel will be immediately angularly shifted in accordance with the auto matically directed behavior of the forward wheel. i i

'In order toavoid confusionin comprehending the parts thus far described, a feature relating to the manual controlof the device has been purposely omitted, and it will be convenient at this point to proceed with anexplanation of the same. Re ferring once more to- Figs. X. to XIII, during manual operation, it isnecessary to interlock win-g plate 73', with arm 7 6 of interposed bell crank lever 78-, sothat' the point 77 is thereby made the swivel center of'nut (57, instead of permitting the complex movement illustrated. in Fig. To this end the respective parts73' and 76 are pierced by apertures and 101, which, when aligned. receive a removable pin 99, clearly shown in Fig. XIII where the said parts are illustrated in their fixed relation. ,Vhen

Lever 90 is 0011- these partsare thus locked, the actuating tral inoperative positions free from engagement with ratchet 96. I

In order to. absorb the shocks due to sudden acci'dental or spasmodic'shiftings of the tractor. wheelsin: steering, a safety device has been provided in the formof a brake whiclr comprises a. shoe 1.02,. pivotally attached at 103;. to the extension 72 of for,- ward wheel yoke 9. Shoe 102' is co-operativc with a fixed member 105, rigidlybolted to the structural frame. The abrad-ing faces of these two brake members are segmental with respect to a radius having-a center common te-the pivot of the forward tractor wheel. Positive engagement is maintained by the spring 106 secured at one end to a fixed bracket 10?, and at the other end, in one of a series of apertures 108, in member 102, whereby the leverage and the corresponding effect of the spring tension may be varied. Thus a tension is constantly maintained by spring 1-06, in. opposition to the pull on'wi-re 71, sin cethese two elements are attached at opposite ends of the extension 72; This" opposition and the pull on wire 71:, are in inverse proportion. in correspondence to the relative lengths of the ex} tension 72,1rel'ative toits fulcrum.- 45, The maintenance of an exactly measured and even pull upon Wire 71, therefore causes its out-er end to follow accurately the predetermined geometrical path established as hereinbefore set forth.

The syn-motor is rendered proof against running wild, in the event of rupture in the guide Wire, by an automatic electric cut out switch mechanism which will be best understoodby referenceto Figs. VI to TX inclusive taken: in connection with Fig. I. To the out-Lerend of extension 72, is fixed a block: 110, of Wood or other suitable electroinsulating material by means of bolts, 111. The terminal hook 112 of the guide wire is received within an aperture 113, of aswivel plate 115, fu-lcrumed' at 1'16, to the insulat ing block 110. When in its normal position under'pull" of wire 71, as illustrated in Fig. VI, anin-tegrally formed stop 11?, of the plate engages a metallic contact strip 118, interposed in the engine ignition circuit by conductor 119. The return conductor 120, of this circuit is directly connected to the swivel plate 115, so that in this manner a closed circuit is maintained during the normal operation of the device.

If a rupture should occur in the guide wire, the parts will immediately assume the position illustrated in Figs. VII and IX. This is occasioned by a spring 121, acting upon the swivel plate to an eiitent limited 110. Contact between lug 117 and strip 118 is thus interrupted and the ignition circuit of the engine is consequently broken with the result that operation of the device is posi-' tively suspended. V

When the terminal hook 112, is entirely removed and the guide wire dispensed with as in manual operation, the parts further shift to the position illustrated in Fig. VIII, where the circuit is constantly maintained under the influence of spring 121, by contact of a second integral stop arm 123, of plate 115, with metallic strip 118.

By provision of a universal gang bar 130, Figs. I, II and III, the device may be employed for propelling any number of agricultural implements. For the purpose of convenient illustration, in the present in stance, a plough 135, has been shown. This implen'ient has an extended shank which may be attached at any point along the gang bar. 130 and secured in position by a clamp .133. Said gang bar is freely suspended by means of a pair of links 131, pivotally at; tached to depending brackets 132, of the framework. A rear hitch 136, has'also been provided as a convenientadjunct for additional agricultural implement attachment.

The modified steering apparatus illustrated in Fig. XIV operates in a manner similar to that of the preferred embodiment of my invention but varies somewhat as to details. The parts in this figure which are identical with those already described are identified with the same reference numerals; In this instance, the fore and aft tractor wheel yokes are both provided with horizontal extensions represented respectively at 150 and 151. These extensions terminate in bowed members 152 and 153 respectively and are united at their extremi ties by crossed chains 155 and 156, or other suitable instrumentalities. This construction serves as a universal connection for transmitting opposite relative movement between the two tractor wheels in the operation of steering. Manual control is herein likewise effected through a hand wheel 157 which is fixed upon a stud shaft 158, supported on the outer end of a bracket 159, extending from the framework. Said shaft carries a pulley 160, which through an endless chain 162 is geared to an idler pulley 161; Chain 162 is secured at a point 163 to extension 151, of the rear tractor wheel yoke. The hand wheel 15'? therefore directly controls the steering of the rear tractor and the movement of the latter is transmitted through the intervening elements just described, in equal degree but in an opposite direction. to the forward tractor wheel, thereby simultaneously setting these wheels in tangential positions to the path of curvature which they are to follow.

It is to be understood that I do not Wish to limit myself to the precise application herein descrlbed since my 111V811t1011 may be readil em 10 ed for other similar )ur oses 5 3 and a steering shaft having oppositely threaded ends engaging said nuts for simultaneously shifting said wheels through similar angles in correspondence to the curvature of traction. p

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame; tractor wheels pivotally attached to the said frame; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path of traction; and a relay controlled and actuated by the move-1 ment -of said wheel to turn the other wheel in a complementary direction in correspondenter- 0 the curvature of traction.

3. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a structural frame; tractor wheels pivotally mounted upon said frame;

a motor; geared driving connections be' tween said motor and wheels with flexible connections interposed therein to permit the pivotal operation of said wheel for steering purposes; and means for irreversibly transmitting steering movements of one of said wheels to the other. i

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame; a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for the said wheels pivotally-connected to the said frame; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the other of said wheels in, correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means includ ing a nut swiveled to the mounting of the secondary wheel, a threaded shaft engaging the said nut, and interposed mechanism for rotating said shaft.

, 5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combinatlonof a structural frame work,

a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for said heels plvotally attached to said frames;

means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the second wheel in correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nut swiveledto the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft engaging the said nut; a

ratchet wheelcar-r-ied by the said shaft; a double acting pawling mechanism for the said ratchet and inter-posed mechanism for controlling said pawli'ng mechanism,

6. In an apparatus of theclassdescribed, the combination of a structural frame work, a pairof tractor wheels; mountings for said wheels pivotally attached to said frames; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the-second wheel in correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nut swiveled to the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft engaging the said nut; a ratchet wheel carried by the saidcshaft; a pair of opposed pawls co-operative with said ratchet; and interposed mechanism for selectively controlling the operation of said pawls.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a structural frame work, a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for said wheels pivotally attached to said frames; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the second wheel in correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nut swiveled to the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft'engaging the said nut; a ratchet wheel carried by the said shaft; a pair of opposed pawls co-operative with the said ratchet; means for constantly oscillating the said pawls; a slide shaft connected to the mounting of the first tractor wheel; and a pair of collars mounted upon said slide shaft, for respectively co-acting with said pawls to selectively control the pawling of said ratchet.

8. In-an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a structural frame work, a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for said wheels pivotally attached to said frames; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the second wheel in corre spondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nut swiveled to the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft engaging the said nut; a ratchet wheel carried by the said shaft; a pair of opposed pawls co-operative with the said ratchet; means for constantly oscillating the said pawls; a rock shaft, having a threaded portion; a fixed bearing internally threaded to co-operate with the threaded portion of the said rock shaft; a pair of collars carried by the rock shaft and respectively co-operafive with said pawls in selectively controlling the pawling of said ratchet; an arm secured to said rock shaft; and a link connecting said arm with the mounting of the first tractor wheel.

9.111 a device of the class described, the combination of a structural frame; a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame; means for turning one of said wheels complementary direction, so to increase or rect fy'the curvature of the path of trac tion.

. 11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a structural frame, a'pair of tractor wl'ieels'pivotally attached to said frame, means for manually turning one of said wheels for steering purposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movement therefrom to the other wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving both wheels, and means for automatically controlling thc. device.independent of the manual steering means when desired.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a structural'frame, a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame, means for manually turningone of said wheels for steering purposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movement therefrom to the other Wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving both wheels, and a guide wire with an associated cut-out respectively adapted to control the device independent of the manual steering means when desired and toautomatically stop the motor in case of an untoward occurrence.

13 In a device of the class described, the combination of a'structural frame, a pair of tractor whee-ls pivotally attached to said frame, means for manually turning onevof said wheels for steering purposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movement therefrom to the other wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving both wheels, an ignition circuit for said motor, a spring influenced cut-out switch in said circuit, and a guide wire adapted to steer the device independent of the manual steering mechanism when desired and to release the cut-out switch when the guide wire fractures.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a structural frame, a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame, means for manually turning one of V combination of a structural frame, a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame, means for manually turning one of said wheels for steering purposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movement therefrom to the other wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving both 'wheels, an ignition circuit for the motor, a

cut-out switch interposed in said circuit including a fixed contact, a spring influenced movable switch member cooperative with the said contact, and a laterally disposed guide wire connected to said switch member for steering the device independently of the manual steering means, said guide wire exerting a steering pull through the contact between the make-and-break parts of the switch so as to maintain the switch closed only while itself intact.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame; tractor wheels pivotally attached to the said frame; means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path of traction; and means for irreversibly transmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction to the other of' said wheels in correspondence to the curvature of tractionpermitting a limited independent movement of the first of said wheels.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame; a pair of tractor wheels with mountings pivotally attached to the said frame; manually operable means for irreversibly transmitting steering movement to said wheels; a motor for driving the said device; a wire for automatically guiding and steering the said device attached directly to the mounting of one of said wheels independently of that of the other; and means for frictionallyresisting shifting ofthe 'wheel to which said guide wire is attached, so as to protect the guide wire against shocks due to unevenness ofthe ground and constantlymaintain an even tension upon saidguide wire.

18. In a device-of the class described,- the combination-of a supporting frame; tractor wheels with mountings pivotally attached to said frame; manually operablemeans. for irreversibly transmitting steering movement to said wheels; a wire for automatically steering and controlling thedevice attached directly to one of said wheel mountings, independently of the other, to guide the corresponding wheel; and means for maintaining a constant and even tension upon said guide wire including a friction shoe fixed upon said frame work, a co-operative friction shoe pivotally attached to the mounting of said wheel, and adjustable means for maintaining the engagement between the said shoes. r

19. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a structural frame work;

tractor wheels pivoted to said frame work by pivots whose axial lines pass through the HERBERT I. WASHBURN,

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON.

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