US1540327A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

.lune Z, 1925.

R. P. GREENLEAF LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 2, 1925. 1,540,327

R. P. GREENLEAF LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 abbina, 3.

.lune 2. 1925- 1,540,327

R. P. GREENLEAF LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 :mmnii June 2, 1925- 1,540,327

R. P. GREENLEAF LOADING MAQHINE Filed dan. 23, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 4 June 2. 1925- 1,540,327

- R. P. GREENLEAF LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lil Patented june 2, 1925.

UNlTEiB STATES PATENT ROBERT P. GREENLEAF. OE' SHAKER HEIGHTS. OHIO. ASSIGOR TO FRANK BILLINGS, 0F CLEVELAND, vChl-IIC.

LOADING Iv'ACI-IINE.

Application filed January 23, 1924.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

'lie it known that l, Ronnnfr Pv. GBERNLHAF, a 'citizen of the llnited States, residing at r`hallar Heights, in the county of Cuyahoga and State ot Ohio, have invented l:1` certain new and useful Improvement in Loading Machines, o? which the following is a full, clear., and exact description.

This invention relates to a loading machine oi' the general type having a {lie-ring member supported on a superstructu which can be revolved to swing the loaded dippei' or shovel for discharging the material into cars or 'the like located either at the side or the rrear et the machine.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an efficient loading machine of this type, and one which can be easily and conveniently operated either in a vnarrow space such as a mine drilt or tunnel, or 'for ordinary out-of-door excavating work.

i further and more specific object is to provide improved means for supporting and operating` the digging member, it being a feature ot the Apresent machine that the superstructure can be revolved with 'the digging member at dumping height and yextended laterally from the machine for use in the open or in a wide enclosed space, or compactly folded in over 'the machine to permit the superstructure to be revolved in a narrow space.

A still further object is to provide power mechanism tor operating the digging member and tor revolving the superstructure of the machine and for propelling the machine over the ground, such that the features of simplicityv of construction and ease ot' control realized to a high degree.

The invention may be briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel details of minstruction. and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described in the syiecification and pointed vout in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheets ot drawings illustrating the invention, Fig. 1 is a side riew ot the machine with the clipper shown in full lines swung in over the 'machine substantially within the connes of the outline of thc superstructure frame and showing` by dotted lines the clipper and its supporting arms in various positions; F ig. 2 is an end view looking toward the left Serial No. 687.897.

of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view with the cover removed, which normally houses the operating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view thro-ugh the superstructure substantially along 't'h'e line 'of Fig. 13, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 5 isf'a transverse sectional View through the superstructure and truck, substaifiltially along the line 5-55 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 6 vis a vertical sectional View through the A`supferstfructure Yand truck, with lparts in elevation, substz'intial-l'y 'along the the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, llooking lin the direction 4ii'idicated by the arrows; Fig. 7 is Aa view partly in section and partly 'in side elevation showiii'g the turn-'table support and part of the mechanism utilized zfor causing the operating motor to revolve Vthe 'si'iperstructure, or for pronel'ling the machine as a whole over the ground; and Fig. 8 is a partial plan view of the same, omitting, however, the turn-table.

The supelstructure of the machine includes a rotary trame or'tiirnetable 10 'and a truck designed 'to travel over the ground, which truck in this instance includes a frame 11 equipped with ground engag'i'ng members 12 of the caterpillar or endless belt type, though 'the truck iframe may, if desired, be equipped 'with ordinary ground or track wheels. The frame of the truck carries a 'turn-table ring 13 on which Ethe tuin-table.r and, in fact, the entire 'superstructure is supported through the medium of an annular Series of rollers 14, the 'superstructure being `designed to turn about the axis of a 4short vertical shaft 15 (see Figs. '5 and 6) which extend down from the turn- 'table centrally through the fixed turn-table ring 13. The turn-table includes in addition "to the base or bottom portion, a pair of upwardly extending side housings 11C)a 'which together with a cover 16 'enclose the operating mechanism. n

The digging 'member consists 'of a shovel 'or Clipper 17, with a swinging bottom 18, normally held closed by a latch 19(L 'which can be pulled with a 'cord or rcable so as to release the bottom and permit the Yweight of the material to swing 'the bottom downwardly and rearwardly fior dumping. The bottom is designed 'to 'be l'atched automatically in the well-known way.

Afull lines, retracted position.

The dipper has attached to it a pair of dipper arms 19 which are pivoted at 20 to the outer ends of a pair of dipper swinging arms 21, whose inner ends are secured to the end of a shaft 22 suitably journale'd in the forward portions of the side housings 10a of the turn-table. The dipper arms may be swung independently of the arms 21, and to accomplish this they are provided with ei;- tensions 23 extending inwardly or rearwardly beyond the pivots 20, these extensions being provided with grooved peripheral Aportions shaped to a suitable curve which may or may not be arc-shaped and adapted to receive cables 24 arranged to be wound onto and unwound from a pair of drums 25 located at the outer sides of the housings 10a and secured to a drum shaft 26 also journaled in the housings 10a a distance to therear of shaft 22, to which are attached the dipper swinging arms 21. It is an important feature of this construction that the power is applied to swing the arms 21 and to swing the arms 19 from two separate shafts whose axes are displacet, as shown in the drawings, and there is a relation between the spacing shafts 22 and 2G and the radius of the grooved dipper arm eX- tensions 23, this relation being such that there is substantially a parallelogram arrangement between arms 21 and the cables 24, which is important in the operation of the machine, particularly when the elevated dipper is being swung from extended position to retracted position or vice versa.

It might be here stated that in Fig. 1,

' position A may be assumed to be the position of the dip-per at the beginning of the digging movement; position B at the end of the digging movement; position C elevated dumping position with the dipper extended; .and position D, which shows the dipper in If the machine is being used in an open space or in a wide confined space, the turn-table may be revolved with the dipper in position C, but if it is operating in a narrow space, as in a lnine drift or tunnel, the dipper will be swung back to position D before the superstructure is revolved, and then the dipper may be extended to dump the contents in a car or receptacle at the rear of the machine.

Vhen in position C the dipper may dump at the side as well as at the rear. The apof the drums it would be necessary to rotate the drums as well as the arms to keep the dipper in the desired position to retain the material therein in swinging the dipper from one position to the other. lt is not essential that he portions of the cables eX- tending be Ween the drums and the dipper arm este ns 23 be parallel with the arms 21. in all positions of the latter, for a slight deviation, sach as in the present machine, from a true parallelogram arrangement of the parts does not cause a material change in the inclination of the dipper in moving it from position C to position D, or from D to Power for swinging the arms 21, for swinging' the arms 19, for turning the superstructure and for propelling the machine over the ground is in this case derived from a single motor 27, which may be of any suitable type. This motor is in this instance supported on cross members 28 (see Fig. extending between the side housings 1Ga and at the forward end of its rotary shaft it provided with a pinion 29 engaging a relatively large gear 3() on a shortshaft 31, which shaft is provided also with a sprocket wheel 32 and a bevel pinion 33.

lflorwardly of the motor and above shaft 3l, are two shafts 34 and 35, the former being utilized to swing the arms 21 and the latter to turn the superstructure and also to propel the machine. The shaft 34 is provided with a gear 36, which engages the large gear and is driven by it. This shaft is in alignment with a shaft 37 provided with a worm 38 engaging a worm wheel segment 39 secured to cross shaft 22, which operates the swinging arms. The shaft 34 is adapted to drive the worm shaft 37 either direct or through a reversing gear, and in this instance a common form of reversing gear is shown in Fig. 4. This includes a drum 40 adapted to be held stationary by a brake band 41 (see Figs. 4 and 5) or to be clutched to the shaft by a movable clutch member 42, this drum having studs carrying pinions 43 engaging an internal gear 44 carried by the shaft. 37 and also engaging a pinion 45 keyed to the shaft 34. Vhcn the drum 40 is clutched to the shaft 34, the pinions 43 do not rotate on their' respective axes, hence the whole rcversing gear rotates as a unit, and the shaft 34 drives the shaft 3.7 direct. On the other hand, when the drum is unclutched from the shaft and is held stationary by the brake band 4l, the shaft 34 drives the shaft 37 in the reverse direction and at a reduced speed through the pinion 45, pinions 43, and internal gear 44. This mechanisn'i, controllable by the operator when occupying the operators station or seat 4G, thereby provides for the swinging movements of arms 2l in both directions.

lPhe drum shaft Q6 is required to be di'iven by power' in one direct ion only. This is provided by the following mechzfinism: The bevel gear 3S on the short loafer shaft 3l engages a relatively larg/re bevel rear i7 which is normally loose on the dri'm -shaft 2G, but is adapted to be clutched thereto by a movable clutch member 4S. This provides for rotation of the drum shaft to v, End in the cables 24, to swing the diivgffi arms outwardly. The latter are swam; inwardly by gravity which requires the pay'ng' out of the cables 24. This paying' ont of the cables is controlled by the operator by the followingr mechanism: Keyed oi otherwise secured to the drum shaft 2t? is a ratchet wheel 49 (see Figs. i and which when the cables are being wound in. rides' freely under pawls 50 carried b v a drum 3l adapted to rotate on an extension of the bearing for shaft 26, the drum being' normally held from rotation by a brake hand 5227 (seo particularly Fig. et) which bralte baud can be loosened or released from the drum by a suitable operatinpq number Si', iwuiti'oiliiilc by the operator when occupying' his seat lVhen the brake band is tie'ht on the drum the drum shaft is held against reverse rotation, but when the bralfe baud is reieafed, the cables can pay out :1 rate controllable by the operator. This mechanism therefore provides for inward movement of the dipper ai'ms and for swi' jing the arms` out under power for a filling stroke as in mov ing' the dipper from position to position l, or from position B up vardly. iVhile the dipper is being filled by thus swinging.r the dippei' arms 19. the swinggfing` arms 2t can be heldl stationary. or they can be raised and lowered as desired. with the result that the dipper can be swung; through an arc of a circle in filling', or it can be given a substantially horizontal filling movement. or a combination of these movements.

As previouslyY stated. the shaft 535 is utilized to swing` the turn-table in either direction. To accomplish this. this shaft is provided witli two bevel `gears 54. each of which is adapted to be clutched to the shaft by a movable clutch member These bevel gears engage a bevel fear 5G on a vertical shaft 57 suitably supported in bearings on the turn-table. this shaft being' provided at its lowei' end with a pinion engaging rear 59, which is just beneath the turntable base and surrounds the shaft l5 about which the turn-table is adapted to turn (see particularly Fig'. 6). Obviously it rear 59 is held from rotation. the turn-table. and. in fact. the entire superstructure will rotate about the axis of the shaft l5. when the pinion is rotated. the direction of rotation depending. of course, upon the direction of ro tation of shaft 5T and pinion 58.

This mechanism therefore provides for the rotation ot' the superstrueture to permit over the ground, and to do this the folio'winer additional mechanism provided. gear 5f) is held stationary oniy wher he f f; perstructure to be rotated, but is mso inA tended to be rotated and to transmit power to the driving shaft for the endless belie-r (tear 59 is therefore provided on its lower side with a bevel gear titl which meshes with a bevel gear (ii keyed to a horizon'ai shaft 62 carried by the trucl; frame il. this hat' having at its rear end a The bevel gear tn; en4 gagging a bevel gear tti (see Fig. which bevel gear is on a shaft which is adapted to be clutched to and unclutehed from tl Y rear or drivin;T sprockets (S3 in the well--hnowii manner.

Additionally i provide means for holding1 the gear 59 against rotation as i-.wi superstructure is to be rotated. and or re leasing the gear that i'. may rotate ende.' the action ot' the pinion .t to propel the ina chine. This is preferabiy in the forni of laterally movable latch Gti (see Figs. l. i2. 7 and 8) which latch engages guides titi (see Fig. and provided at its inner end with an inclined locking tooth t?. adapted to be moved inward between any tivo adjacent teeth of bevel gear (tti. yiliis latch is supported by the truck frame. and when retracted, it receives between two i'irolieetions (i8 the end of a pawl G9 carried by the turntable. and thus holds the superstructure from rotation. That to say. when the latch is in its innermost position it holds the gears 59 and t() against rotation to lpermit the superstructure to be revolved. and when the latch is retracted, the nears are released so that they may rotate ant. thus transmit power to the running' fear or propelling' mechanism of the triiclt. and when it is pulled outward or retracted. it receives the pawl (i9 which locks the superstructure against rotation.

All essential movements of the machine are controlled by the operator. when occupying the seat or station siti. through hand levers TO, indicated in Fig. By these instrumentalities the shaft and the swingingy arms Q1 can be rocked in either direction. the drum shaft Q6 can be rotated uudei' power to swing the dippei' and dipper arms in one direction. and it can be released by movement of the bralc band controlling' the drum 51 to permit the rotation in the reverse direction. the superstructure can be rotated in either direction. and the brake band il controllinfs/F the reversinir rear for shaft Q2 can be actuated. Additionally. of courselpthe same levers which fr'ontrol Sthe rotation l' d of the turntai'ie i' c to control the forward and rear propulsion of lili) the machine as a whole over the ground. the hitch (to being moved in and ont to peratit the motor to perform either function.

Assuming that the dipper is in position A, to till the dipper the drum shaft is rotated to wind in the cables :il so as to swing the dipper forwardly or forwardly' and npwardly, the arms 2l beino at the same time moved downward if a practically horizontal filling motion ofthe dipper is desired. After the dipper is filled it is swung` to sub stantially position C by rotating the arms 21, and to some extent also, the dipper arms. lf the macliine is operating in a wide space. the superstructure can be rotated with the dipper extended, but if the machine is wort:- ing in a narrow space, the dipper will be retracted to substantially position D, and this is done, as already explained. ithout the necessity of the drum shaft rotating in either direction. Then after the rotation et' the siiperstructure. the dipper wfli iin extended and dumped. this being i` overl by reversal of the movements explained.

The dipper has a considerable reach, and the material can be gathered up cleanly over considerable space to the sidesl as weil as in front of the machine. rddit ionaliy tfe niachine is easily controlled, und the eenstruction which permits of a single motor performing all the necessary functions or movements is au iifiportant Liiires itt the invention.

Having described my in-vention, l claim:

l. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereon, digging mechanism carried by the superstructure comprising a digging member, an arm attached thereto, a second arm connected to the tirst named arin and supported for swinging movement on a part of the superstructure, a power operated device for swinging the second mentioned swinging arm, a second power operated device, and means connecting it to the tirst named arm, the connecting means being displaced from and having a substantially parallel relation with the second mentioned arm, whereby said elements have substantially the function of two opposite members of a parallelograi' of forces during a portion of the cycle of movement of the digging mechanism.

2. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a superstructure mounted thereon and coinprising a turn-table and digging mechanism including a dipper having a dipper arm connected therewith, a dipper swinging arm mounted on the turn-table for movement about a given axis, a drinn rotatable about a different axis and having a cable connec tion with the dipper arm, and separately controlled power devices for operating the dipper swinging arm and drum.

3. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereon including a turustable and a digging member in the forni of a dipper with u dipper arm attached thereto, zi dipper swingiimj arm mounted for rotary movement ou the turn-table about a given axis, a drinn shaft mounted for rotary inoveni-ent about an axis displaced from the first named axis and proA vided with a drinn having a cable connection with an extension of the dipper arm, and separately controlled power devices for tornino said dipper swinging arm and for rotating said shaft.

if. ln a loadingl machine, a tii'aveling base carrying a revoliible superstructure comprising a turn-table and a digging member in the form of a dipper having an arin attached thereto, a dipper swinging arm rotaably supported by the turn-table and pivotally connected to the dipper arm between its ends, a drum supported by the turn-table and having a cable connection with the inner end of the dipper arm, and separately controlled power devices for turninor said dipper1 swinging arm and for rotating the drinn.

Y. In a loading machine, a traveling base carrying a revoluble superstructure comprising a turn-table and a digging member in the form of a dipper having an arm attached thereto, a dipper swingingI arm rotatably supported by the turn-table and pivotally connected to the dipper arm, a druin supported by the turn-table and having a cable connection with the dipper arm, power operated means for rotating the dipper swinging arm in opposite directions, and tower operatril means for rotating the drum in ine direction.

t3. ln a loading machine, a traveling base, a revolnlile superstructure n'iounted thereon and comprising a turn-table and a digging dipper, a pair of parallel shafts arried by lie turn-table, an arm on one of said shafts, a drinn on the second shaft, a second arin conne ted to the digging member and pivotally connected to the outer end of said first named arnn and a cable between the drum and the dipper arin having a substantir-,llyv parallel relation with the first ntioned arm.

In a loading machin.y a traveling base, a revoliible superstructure mounted thereon and coiniirisingl a turntable and a digging dipper, a pair of parallel shafts carried b v the turn-table, an arm on one of said shafts, a drinn on the second shaft, a second arm connected to the digging member and pivotally connected to the outer end of said first named arm, and a cable between the drinn and the second arm, and a motor with connections for rotating one shaft in both directions and the other shaft in one direc-- tion.

8. ln a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereon and comprising a turn-table and a digging' ltltl llt) dipper, a pair of parallel shafts carried by the turn-tal'ile, a dipper swinging arm on one ot said shafts, a drum on the other shaft.y a dipper arm connected to the dipper and pivotall)v connected to the first named arm, a cable between the drum and the dipper arm, a motor with onnections for rotating one shaft in both directions and the other shaft in one direction and means for permitting a controlled rotation ot'v the last mentioned shat't in the reverse direction.

il. In a loading machine, a traveling base` a revoluble superstructiu'e taereou comprising a turn-table and digging mechanism including a dipper with a dipper arm and a dipper swinging arm supported b v thel turn-table and connected to the dipper arm, and a power operated shaft connected to the dipper swinjgfing arm through a reversing gear which permits the power operated shaft while rotating in the same direction to swing said arm in both directions.

10. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereon including a turn-table having a digging mechanism including a dipper with a dipper arm and a dipper swinging arm mounted for swinging movement on the turn-table and pivotally connected to the dipper arm7 power means for actuating the swinging arm, a drum shaft having a cable connection with the clipper arm, a power operated shaft for rotating the drum in one direction and adapted to be clutched to and unclutched from said drum shaft, and means including a brake device for holding the drum shaft against rotation when the clutch is disengaged and for permitting a controlled rotation in the reverse direction.

1l. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereon, including a turn-table, a digging member, inner and outer arm connected together and connected to the turn-table and digging members for supporting and operating the latter. means for swinging the inner arm and means for swinging the outer arm comprising a drum shaft on the turntable having a cable connection with the outer arm, power means adapted to be clutched to and unclutched from the drum shaft i'or rotating the latter in one direction. and co-operating members which permit rotation ot' the drum shaft in one direction and normali)v prevent rotation in the reverse direction but permit a controlled rotation in the last mentioned direction.

1Q. In a loading machine, a traveling base, a revoluble superstructure mounted thereonl` including a turn-table, a digging member, inner and outer arms connected together and connected to the turn-table and digging members for supporting and operating the latter, means for swinging the inner arm and means for swinging the outer arm comprising a drum shaft on the turn-table having a cable connection with the outer arm, power means adapted to be clutched to and unclutched from the drum shaft for rotating the latter in one direction, and means for holding the drum shaft against rotation when unclutched from the power means and for permitting a controlled rotation in the reverse direction comprising two co-operating members, one secured to the drum shaft and free to rotate with respect to the other in one direction, and the other normall)v stationary and adapted to rotate to permit the rotation in the reverse direction.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto atlix my signature.

ROBERT P. GREENLEAF.

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