US1680223A - Stacking machine - Google Patents

Description

LGSGLZZB Aug. 7, 1928.

W. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15. 1920 Aug. 7, 31928..

w. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE /I T7016 N15 Y Aug. 7, E928. 1,680,223

w. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR W ATTOR/VEY Aug. 7, 11928,

WITNESSES:

W. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y kw YET WILLIAM K. LIGGET'I, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, TUBING- OOMPANY, OF COLUMBUS,

Patented Aug. 7, lQZ.

I meant ennui anion.

ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFAC- OO, AOOBPORATION OF OHIO.

STACKING MACHINE;

Application filed December 15, 1920. Serial No. 481,007.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in stacking machines, and particularly to stacking machines adapted to the piling of bags and similar packages upon docks and in warehouses and for similar urposes.

. The especial o ject is to provide a stacking machine of large capacity, adapted both to the storage and reclaimin of packages,- which is readily adjustab e to the ever chan ing conditions of service, and which may e conveniently moved from one working place to another.

Particularly is the development designed to give a compact arrangement of support, motor, conveyor frames, and conveying means so disposed relative to one another that angular adjustment of the conveyors l relative to each other and to the motor may be accomplished without interfering with the driving connections between the conveyor and. the motor.-,; The arrangement of the parts is such that a single conveying means willtake care of both convedvor frames, no

matterwhat their angular a ustment, with a'single drive element for the conveyor, and furthermore, provision is made for supplementing the main conveyingmechanisms by the addition of units at one end or the other of the main machine so as to extend the range of the machine. I

A further object of the invention is to provide power operatin adjusting means for a conveyor frame, W ich may e operated from the motor to elevate or lower such frame with means independent of the operating mechanism for sustaining, to some extent, the weight of the conveyor when elevated.

The devices by which I attain this object are fully set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which Fig. .1 is a side elevation of'a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the central lanes of the supporting truck, and showing the devices by which the machine is actuated and controlled.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the supportlng truck certain parts being broken away to reveal other parts.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken along the line VV of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary side views of the lower and upper ends respectively of the conveyors, showing their relation to certain portable warehouse conveyors with which themachine is adapted to be used.

F g. 8 1s a fragmentary view of the reversmg gearing connected with the propelling mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken along the lines TXIX of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary. sectional view showing the method of attachment of the conveyor flights to the conveyor chain.

Fig. 11 is a fragmenta versing gearing associate d mechanism of the conveyor.

Fi 12 is a longitudinal sectional'view of the riving shaft associated with the conveyor adjusting mechanism.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

As shown in the drawings my improved stacking machine comprises an elongated conveyor which is supported in forwardly and rearwardly extending frames pivotally mounted upon horizontal axes on an automobile truck. Either end of the conveyor may be adjusted to various. inclined positions to adapt the machine to varying conditions of service, the forwardly extending section being adjustable to conveniently re ceive or disc arge material at points near the ground, while the rearwardly extending section is adjustable through a wide range of with the driving elevations to discharge packages upon, or

receive packages from storage piles of various heights.

The conveyor is of the well known apron type consisting of a pair of parallel endless chains 1 between whichv extend the carrier flights 2 composed of lengths of steel channel bars which are secured to lateral extensions bf the chain links by suitable bolts 3 in the manner well understood in the conveyor art. The above described conveyor is arranged to travel longitudinally of the supporting frames 4 and 5 which are pivotally attached to the automobile truck 6 by the horizontal pivot shafts 7 and 8 respectively.

The forwardly extending conveyor sup porting frame 4 is formed of suitable structural steel shapes joined in the customary manner to form a rigid structure, and combars 9 upon which the upper stran of t e prises the longitudinally extendin an le conveyor chain travels, and the similar angle bars'flO which protect the chains 1 from contact fivith overhanging packages being transpor ed upon the conveyor. Means is provided i it the adjustment screw 11 to rotate the fra 'c 4 about its supporting pivot 8 to adjust he forward end of the conveyor relatlve to the ground.

The rearwardly extending conveyor supporting frame is formed of suitable structural steel shapes joined in the customary manner to form a rigid frame and comprises the longitudinally extending angle bars 9 uponwhich the chains 1 travel, and the similar angle bars 10 which protect the chains from contact with overhanging packages being transported upon the conveyor.

sills 14 and intermediate sills 15 formed of suitable channel bars. To the rearward ends of said intermediate sills is attached the upwardly extending channel bar 16. These members are braced together by the gusset plate 16 in the manner well understood by those skilled in structural steel construction. The sills 14 and 15 rest upon and are rigidly attached to a square axle bar 17 at the ends of which are formed spindles 18. Upon the spindles 18 are mounted the ground engaging tracti'on wheels 19 and 20 which support the weight of the rearward end of the machine.

To the channel bar 16 is attached a bracket casting 21 in which is formed, in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, a journal bearing 22. J ournaled in the hearing 22 is the spindle 23 of the wheel fork 24. To the lower ends of the arms of the wheel fork 24 is secured a spindle 25 upon which is journaled the ground engaging steering wheel 26 upon which rests the weight of the forward part of the machine. Formed on the bracket casting 21 is a stop 27 adapted to contact with the arms of the fork 24 to limit its rotation. A worm wheel 28 attached to the spindle 23 is engaged by a worm 29 keyed to a transverse steering shaft 30. The shaft 30 is supported in suitable bearings of the bracket casting 21 and has at its outer end a hub 31 having radially extending arms 32 adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator to rotate the shaft 30. By the rotation of the shaft 30 the spindle 23 may be turned in its bearings, thereby turning the plane of rotation of the ground wheel 26 to any desired angle with the longitudinal lines of the machine, to

steer it in any preferred direction. The worm 29 and worm wheel 28 are of the nonoverhauling type and serve not only to turn the steering wheel 26 but also to lock it in any preferred angular relation.

Mounted on the sills 14 and 15 is a self contained power transmission mechanism having a frame comprising the side plate castings 33 and 34 in which are formed suitable journal bearings to support the several shafts of the transmission mechanism. The frame castings 33 and 34 are held in spaced relation by the brace rod 35, secured in apertures of the castings, and by the steel, shelf plate 36 upon which is mounted the motor 37 by which the machine is actuated. The motor 37 maybe of any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine is operated. For purposes of illustration I have shown an internal combustion engine the fuel supply devices and cooling mechanism of which are not shown in the drawings since they form no part of the present invention. To the crank shaft of the engine 37 is secured a pinion 38 which engages the master gear 39 keyed to the jack shaft 40.

The jack shaft 40 is journaled in the hearing 41 of the side frame 33, and in a sleeve 42 which is in fixed longitudinal relation with the jack shaft but is movable trans versely of the side frame. The sleeve 42 is supported in an aperture of the side frame 34 and is provided with screw threads 43 which engage corresponding screw threads in the frame castings in such manner that rotation of the sleeve 42 will cause longitudinal movement of the jack shaft 40. A hand lever 44 is provided for the convenient manipulation of the sleeve 42. Rotatably mounted upon the jack shaft, and held against longitudinal movement by a journal bearing 45 attached to the frame of the machine, is a quill 46 at each end of which are formed the female members of the multiple disk friction clutches 47 and 48 respectively. The corresponding parts of the friction clutch 47 are upon the hub of the master gear 39, and the corresponding parts of the frictzon clutch 48 are upon the hub of the spur gear 49 which is mounted for free rotation upon the jack shaft 40. Keyed to the jack shaft 40 adjacent the spur gear 49 is a spur pinion 50 which engages a spur gear 51 journaled upon the rod 35. To the gear 51 is attached a spur pinion 52 which engages the spur gear 49. When, by the manipulation of the hand lever 44, the jack shaft 40 is moved to the right, referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, the friction clutch 47 will engage to connect the master gear 39 directly with the quill 46 to drive it. When the jack Inn shaft 40 is moved in the opposite direction quill 46 with the gear 49. The quill 46 will then be driven from' the ack shaft 40 through the gears 49, 52, 51 and at a greatly reduced speed. A spur gear 53 formed on the quill 46 is arranged to engage with certain driving gears hereinafter more fully set forth.

Supported in suitable bearings 54 and 55 'of the transmission frame castings 33 and 34 is a driven shaft 56 which projects outside of the machine. Upon one end of the shaft 56, and extending through the journal bearings 55, is rotatably mounted a quill 57, and to the shaft 56 and the quill 57 respectively are attached a pair of oppositely disposed similar bevel gears 58 and 59. The gears 58 and 59 are simultaneously engaged by a plurality of bevel pinions :60 carried by the ring gear 61, forming a differential drive of the type well known in the art. The ring gear 61 is engaged by a spur pinion 62 mounted for free rotation upon the shaft 63 which is secured at both ends to the transmission frame castings. Attached to the pinion 62 is a spur gear 64 arranged to be connected with the quill 46 through the reversing mechanism which will now be described.

Upon the shaft 63 is a yoke casting 65 which carries two stud shafts 66 and 67. Upon the stud shaft 66 is journaled a pinion 68 arranged to engage the spur gear 64, and upon the stud shaft 67 is mounted a slightly smaller spur pinion 69 which is arranged to engage the inion 68 but to avoid engagement with t e spur gear 64. The stud shafts 66 and 67 are so positioned relative to the shaft 63, and the relative diameters of the pinions 68 and 69 are such that when the yoke 65 is rotated about the shaft 63 either of the pinions 68 or 69 may be brought into engagement with the pinion 53. By. this arrangement of gearing the gear wheel 64 may be driven from the pinion 56 through the pinions 68 and 69 in one direction, or through the pinion 68 alone in the opposite direction. The yoke 65 is connected by a link 70 with an arm 71 supported upon the driving shaft 56. Upon the outer end of the arm 71 is formed a gear segment 72 adapted to engage the pinion 73 attached to a transverse shaft 74. The shaft 74 projects through the transmission frame at the side of the machine convenient to the hand of the operator, and is provided with an operating handle 75 by which said shaft may be rotated. The operating handle 75 is provided with a latch 76 adapted to engage suitably positioned apertures in the frame casting to secure said operating handle in either of its positions of angular adjustment. By the manipulation of the operating handle 75 the yoke 65 may be rotated about its support to cause either of the pinions 68 or 69 to engage the pinion 53 and cause the reversal of the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. Attached to the driving shaft 56, and to the uill extension 57, outside of the frame of t e machine, are pinions 77 and 78, which engage the ring gears 79 and 80 attached to the traction wheels 19 and 20, and through which power is applied to propel the machine. By the arrangement of parts above described the machine may be propelled either forwardly or backwardly at relatively high or low speeds and the controlling devices are all arranged conveniently within the reach of the operator at one side of the machine. 80

'Mounted in the upper part of the truck frame, adjacent the pivot shafts 7 and 8, are the transversely extending idler shafts 81 and 82 upon which are mounted the idler sprocket wheels 83 and 84 to support the lower runs of the conveyor chains l'above the power devices of the machine. The relation of the idler shafts 81 and 82 with the pivot shafts 7 and 8 is such that the maximum desirable rotation of the conveyor frames 4 and 5 about their respective pivots will produce no material change in the tension of the conveyor chains 1. The chains 1 are deflected downwardly over the idler sprocket wheels 83 and 84 to form the loops 85 about the conveyor driving sprocket wheels 86 to insure satisfactory driving contact therewith. The driving sprocket wheels 86 are mounted upon a driving shaft 87 which is supported in suitable bearings at- W) tached to the machine frame but not shown in the drawings. To the shaft 87 is fixed a spur gear 88 connectable with a pinion 89 on the intermediate shaft 90 through a reversing mechanism similar to that described in connection with the traction devices. The conveyor reversing mechanism comprises a yoke 91 which is pivoted upon the intermediate shaft 90 and is arranged to be held in either of its operative positions by bolts 92 adapted to engage suitably disposed apertures in the side plates of the machine frame. In the yoke 91 are stud shafts upon which are journaled the pinions 93 and 94 so arranged that when the yoke r15 91 is in one of its operative positions power will be transmitted from the pinion 89 upon the intermediate shaft 90, through the pinion 93 to the gear 88 to drive the conveyor in a direction to transport ackages rearwardly along the conveyor. l Vhen the yoke 91 is in its other operative position power will be transmitted from the pinion 89 through the pinions 93 and 94 to the gear 88 to drive the conveyor in a direction to transport packages forwardly along the conveyor. To the intermediate shaft 90 is fixed a sprocket wheel 95 which is connected by an endless chain 96 with the sprocket wheel 97 upon the jack shaft. The sprockr30 et wheel 97 is connectable with the jack shaft 40 through a multiple disk friction clutch 98 the controlling lever- 99 of which is o erable from the left hand side of the mac ine through a pull rod 100 arranged convenient to the hand of the operator.

It will be seen that with the arrangement above described, a single conveyor element, namely the chain 1, traverses the two conveyor frames with driving connections at a point between and closely adjacent the pivotal mountings 7 and 8, so that ad ustment of the frames 4 and 5 may be made without disarranging or interfering with the driving means.

The vertical adjustment of the rearwardly extending conveyor frame 5 is effected through a mechanism associated with the strut 12. Attached to the lower end of said strut is a cross head 101 provided with guide rollers 102 adapted to travel along the edges of an inclined guide rail or track-way 103 formed of a suitable channel bar which is secured at both ends to the frame work of the truck. Mounted adjacent to and parallel with the guide rail 103 is a screw shaft 104 supported at its lower end in a journal bearing 105 and at its upper end in a journal bearing 106 and provided at its upper end with a ball bearing thrust collar 107 arranged to prevent downward longitudinal movement. A nut 108 screw threaded to the screw shaft 104 is mounted in the cross head 101 in such manner that when said shaft is rotated the cross head will be moved longitudinally of the guide rail 103 to move the strut 12 upwardly or downwardly to cause rotation of the conveyor frame 5 about its pivot shaft 7. At the lower end of the shaft 104 is fixed a bevel gear 109 which is simultaneously engaged by two oppositely disposed bevel pinions 110 and 111 mounted upon a cross shaft 112. The cross shaft 112 is journaled at one end in a bearing 113 fixed to the side sills of the truck frame, and at the other end is journaled in a sleeve 114 arranged in fixed longitudinal relation with the shaft and screw threaded in a bearing 115 attached to the side sills of the truck frame, in such manner that rotation of the sleeve 114 will produce longitudinal movement of the shaft 112. A hand lever 116 attached to the sleeve 114 affords means for manipulating said sleeve. The pinions 110 and 111 are held in operative relation with the bevel gear 109 by a journal bearing 117 fixed to the frame of the machine. Multiple disk friction clutches 118 and 119 are arranged upon the shaft 112 adjacent to the pinions 11-0 and 111 in such manner that longitudinal movement of the shaft in one direction will cause the engagement of the clutch 115 to drive the pinion 110 to rotate the screw shaft 104 in one direction, and movement of the shaft in the opposite -118 or 119 to rotate the screw shaft 104 in either preferred direction to cause upward or downward adjustment of the conveyor, or, the shaft 112 may be placed in the central neutral position to allow the screw shaft 104 to remain stationary. As the pitch of the threads upon the screw shaft 104 is such that the weight of the conveyor frame upon the nut 108 will not cause rotation of the shaft 104, the conveyor will be automaticall locked in the preferred position of ad ustment.

It will be seen that the arrangement of strut 12 and guide or track 103 is such that with the rollers 102 resting upon the trackway all danger of distorting the screw by the downward thrust of the weight of the carrier frame is eliminated, this guide or inclined track-way 103 serving to take up such downward thrust and relieve the screw 104 from bendin strains.

In my co-pen ing application Serial No. 431,006 of even date herewith I have disclosed a portable sectional warehouse conveyor adapted to use with my improved stacking machine, and in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of this application I have illustrated the method of connecting these machines to form a system of transportation adapted to the requirements of modern docks and warehouses. Attached to the forward end of the conveyor frame 4 are castings 123 containing the journal bearings 124 and 125 in which are supported the parallel transverse shafts 126 and 127. The shaft 126 is the foot shaft of the conveyor and carries the foot sprocket wheels which engage and are driven by the conveyor chains 1. As this arrangement of sprocket wheels is well understood in the conveyor art its illustration is not thought to be required at this time. Means is provided in the adjustment screws 128 to move the castings 123 longitudinally of the conveyor frame to effect adjustment of the tension of the conveyor chains in the manner common in conveyor practice. The shaft 127 is an idler shaft and carries an idler gear 129 which meshes with the gear 130 fixed to the foot shaft 126 and constitutes a driving connection by which power may be transmitted from the motor of the stacking machine to drive the sectional conveyor above referred to. At the aeeaaas rearward end of the conveyor frame 5 are side plates 131 to which are secured journal bearings 132 of the head shaft 133. To the head shaft 133 are attached sprocket wheels which engage and are driven by the conveyor chains, and upon the projected end of said shaft is iixed a spur gear 134 similar to the gear 130 of the foot shaft. The side plates 131 extend beyond the journal bearings 132 and have notches 135 adapted to engage the idler shaft 136 upon the adjacent end of a section 137 of the ortable conveyon above referred to, to maintain the parts in operative relation. Upon the idler shaft 136 and foot shaft 138 of the portable conveyor section 137 are spur gears 139 and 140, simi lar to the gears 129 and 130 at the foot shaft of the stacking machine conveyor, adapted to engage with the spur gear 134 upon the head shaft 133 to drive the portable conveyor 137. As the corresponding ends of the portable conveyor sections and of the stacking machine are of similar construction it is apparent that these sections may be connected in a large variety of combinations to adapt the machine to a wide range of service and afford a complete system of transportation adapted to the requirements of modern docks and warehouses.

What I claim is- 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a wheeled truck, a motor on said truck, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support above said motor, means for adjusting said frame angularly, a second conve or frame pivotally mounted on said truck a ove said motor adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, motor driven means for angularly adjusting said second frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, a single driving element engaging said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frames, and driving connections from said motor to said conveyor driving means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a wheeled truck, a motor on said truck, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said truck above said motor, means for adjusting said frame angularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said truck above said motor and adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, a single driving means engaging a section of said conveyor between the pivotal points of said frames, and driving connections between said motor and said conveyor driving means.

3'. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support in operative relation to said motor, means for adjusting said frame angularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support in operative relation to said motor and adjacent the pivotal. mounting of said first named frame, means for angularly adjusting said second frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, driving means engaging; a section of said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frame, driving connections from said motor to said conveyor driving means, and manually controlled reversing mechanism to effect travel of said conveyor in either direction.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor on said support, a supporting frame carried by said support and disposed above said motor, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said supportin frame, means for adjusting said conveyor rame angularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said supportlng frame adjacent thepivota-l mounting of said first named conveyor frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, driving means mounted in said supporting frame and en gaging a section of said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, driving connections between said conveyor driving means and said motor, and manually controlled reversing means to (ffect travel of said conveyor in either direction.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor upon said support, a conveyor supporting frame rising from said support and disposed above said motor, a conveyor frame piv0tal-=' ly mounted on said supporting frame, means for angularly adjusting said conveyor frame, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said supporting frame adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, means for angularly adjusting said second conveyor frame, a single conveyor traversing said frame, conveyor supporting idlers mounted in said supporting frame in proximity to the pivotal mountings of the said conveyor frames, and a driving sprocket engaging said conveyor between said idlers, and driving connections from said motor to said driving sprocket.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted thereon, means for adjusting said frame angularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on .said support in operative relation to said first named conveyor, means for adjusting said second frame angularly, a single conveyor traversing said support, and driving means engaging a section of said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frames.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, an angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a second angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, a single conveyor supporting idlers mounted in said support below the pivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, and drivin means engaging a de pending bight of said conveyor between said idlers.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor mounted on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a strut pivotally connected at one end to said conveyor frame,

a track-way on said support for the lower end of said strut for supporting said frame,-

and motor driven means engaging said strut to drive along said track-way for elevating or lowering said conveyor frame.

9. In amachine of the class described, the combination with a support, a motor mounted thereon, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a strut pivotally connected at one end with said conveyor frame, an inclined track-way on said conveyor for the lower end of said strut for supporting said frame, and motor driven means disposed substantially parallel with said track-way engaging the lower end of said strut to drive it along the said track-way and elevate or lower said conveyor.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a sup ort, a motor on said support, a conveyor rame pivoted on said support, a strut pivotally connected at one end with said conveyor frame an inclined track-wa mounted on said support upon which t e lower end of said strut for supporting said frame travels, and a motor driven screw disposed parallel to said inclined track-way and engaging the lower end of said strut to drive it along said track-way and elevate or lower said conveyor frame.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a strut pivotall connected at one end with said conveyor rame, an inclined track-way on said support, a track-way engaging wheel at the lower end of said strut, a rotatably mounted nut at the lower end of said strut, and a motor driven screw disposed parallel to said track-way engaging said rotatable nut to drive the lower end of the strut along said track-way and elevate or lower said conveyor frame.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor mounted thereon, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, means for angularly adjusting said conveyor frame, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said sup ort adjacent the pivotal mounting of said rst named frame, conveying means traversing said frames, driving connections between said motor and said conveying means, aconveyor frame coupled to the end of one of said conveyor frames, a conveyor on said last named frame, and driving connections between the first named conveyor and the conveyor on said last mentioned frame.

13. In a machine of the class-described, the combination with a. supporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame pivotally attached to said supporting frame for movement about a horizontal axis, a strut pivotally connected to said conveyor frame, a cross head on said strut adapted to engage uideways on said frame for supporting said conveyor frame, and means to move said cross head longitudinally of said guidways to effect pivotal movement of said conveyor frame about said axis.

1a. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame.'pivotally attached'to said supporting frame for movement on a horizontal axis, a pair of in clined trackways on said supporting frame, a strut pivotally connected to said conveyor frame, a cross-head on said strut, trackway engaging wheels mounted on said cross head and engaging said trackways, and means to move said cross head longitudinally of said guideways to effect. pivotal movement of said conveyor frame about said axis.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame ivotally attached to said supporting frame fbr movement about a horizontal axis, a strut pivotally connected to said conveyor frame, means to swing said strut about said pivotal connection, and a trackway upon the supporting frame to confine the outer end of said strut to a-predetermined path of travel andt upon which said strut rests for suppor 16. In a machine .of the class described,

the combination of a support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said su port, a strut pivotally connected with said rame at a point removed from its pivotal mounting, means engaging the free end of said strut to raise and lower said frame, and means independent of said raising and lowering means engaging the end of said strut to relieve said raising and lowering means from transverse strains.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted thereon, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a single conveyor traversing said conveyor frames, driving means engaging said conveyor and including a driven element, a reversing mechanism including a drive element, a yoke pivotally mounted on the axis of said drive element, a plurality of driven members having their axes mounted directly in said yoke for selective engagement with said driven element, and one of said plurality of driven members being permanently engaged by said drive element.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, an angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a second angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, a single conveyor traversing said conveyor frames, driving means engaging said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frames, and means for retaining the conveyor in engagement with said driving means regardless of the angular adjustment of said conveyor frames and without tensioning said conveyor.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor mounted on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a strut pivotally connected at one end to said conveyor frame, a trackway on said support for the lower end of said strut for supporting said conveyor frame, driving connections from said motor to said strut for moving it along said trackway and including a driven element, and a reversing mechanism including drive elements mounted for OSCII? lation for selective engagement with said driven element.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a motor upon said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, means for angularly adjusting said conveyor frame, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, means for angularly adjusting said second conveyor frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, conveyor supporting idlers mounted on said support in proximity to the pivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, and driving means engaging said conveyor between said idlers, and driving connections from said motor to said driving means.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM K. LIGGETT.

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