US1986147A

US1986147A - Road working apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1986147A
Application number: US484366A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl A Gustafson
Original assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 1930-09-25
Filing date: 1930-09-25
Publication date: 1935-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1952-01-01

Description

Jan. 1, 1935. c. A. GUsTAFsoN 1,986,147

ROAD WORKING APPARATUS Filed'Sept. 25, 1950 5 SheeS-Sheet l O O A l o @e Q o u l m m g o Q` ln s W m v N Y0 /y m n Si f( L N3 n f3 o 2 M o o j l\` f c v' o 90 o INvENToR 4.7-- CARL AGUSTAFSON "Il" www ,n

ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1935. c. A. GUSTAFSON ROAD WORKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arron/nys `1an. 1, 1935. c; A,. GUSTAFSQN 1,986,147

ROAD WORKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR CARL. A. GUSTAN-'50N ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1935. c. A. GUsTAFsoN ROAD WORKING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 25, 1950 lOl INvENToR w 5 N F n A w T 5 nw M @QV A. f L www C 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 C. Al GUSTAFSON ROAD WORKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1930 Jan. l, 1935.

ATToHNEs/s l w E- Patented Jan. l, 1935 ROAD WORKING APPARATUS Carl A. Gustafson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of California Application September 25, 1930, Serial No. 484,366

49 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in road working apparatus, and more particularly to an improved control mechanism for relatively adjusting the position of the usual ground-engaging tool or tools thereof with respect to the ground.

An object of the invention is to provide a road working apparatus including a ground-engaging tool provided with suitable lifting devices for adjustably supporting it, and a power-operated conl j trol mechanism having means for selectively actuating said lifting devices to relatively'adjust the position of the tool with respect to the ground.

A further object is to provide a road working machine including a ground-engaging tool, means l.; for adjustably supporting said tool, power means for propelling the apparatus, and a control mechanism for actuating said tool-supporting means to relatively adjust the position of the tool with respect to the ground, said mechanism being operatively connected with said power means.

A further object is to provide a power lift for the tools of a road working machine, comprising a gear mechanism operatively connected with a suitable power device and including a plurality of spaced-apart control shafts adapted to be connected with the usual operating shafts of the grader tools, and having means for selectively controlling the operation of the shafts, whereby the grader tools may be relatively adjusted independently of each other, and whereby the opposite ends of certain of said tools are adapted for independent adjustment.

A further object is to provide a power-operated control mechanism adapted for use in connection 5 with a road working machinel to actuate the usual lifting devices supporting the ground-engaging tools thereof, said control mechanism being provided with means for operatively connecting it with the usual power take-olf of a power unit, so lthat the work of adjusting the grader toolsmay be accomplished by the simple manipulation of small hand levers conveniently located with respect to the operators seat.

A further object is to provide a power-operated control mechanism adapted for use in connection with the tools of a road grader, adapted to be mounted upon a tractor and to be directly connected with the engine thereof, and telescopic shafts operatively connecting said control mech- 50 anism with the various lifting devices provided upon the grader for actuating the ground-engaging tools thereof, and whereby the operation of said lifting devices may be accomplished by the power of the tractor engine, vcontrolled by an operator stationed upon the tractor.

A further object is to provide a power-operated control mechanism of the character described, comprising a casing having an upright shaft mounted therein and adapted to be operatively connected to the power take-off shaft of the tractor engine, and a plurality of control shafts being mounted within said casing in spaced relation and each having a pair of gears rotatably mounted thereon, and the corresponding gears of each pair of gears meshing with each other and having a driving connection with said upright shaft whereby, when the engine shaft is rotating, the gears on each shaft will rotate loosely thereon in opposite directions, and a clutch member being slidably mounted upon each control shaft and provided with means for selectively moving it into and out of interlocking engagement with said gears whereby the direction of rotation of said shafts may be controlled, said shafts being operatively connected with the usual scraper blade and scarifier of the road nishing machine, whereby said tools may be relatively adjusted by the power of the engine, controlled by the simple manipulation of a plurality of hand levers conveniently located exteriorly of said casing and connected with said clutch members.

A further object is to provide a power operated control mechanism for controlling adjustment of the operating parts of road machines.

A further object is to provide improved controllable clutch connections for selectively transmitting the drive from a power driven shaft to one or more of a plurality of driven shafts having clutch mechanisms mounted thereon.

A further object is to provide a power operated control mechanism including clutches and control mechanisms therefor which can be installed and removed as a unit.

A further object is to provide a power operated control mechanism having a support which houses the drive therefor, and serves to position the mechanism adjacent the operators station.

Features of the invention reside in the particular arrangement and mounting of the con- 4 trol mechanism upon the tractor; in the simple and inexpensive construletion of the movable parts of the control mechanism; and, in the shapes of the engaging faces of the clutch teeth which are so designed that to retain the slidable clutch members in operative positions, the operator must manually hold the control levers in such positions, otherwise the slidable clutch members will be automatically returned to their neutral inoperative positions by a cam action,

resulting directly from the face angles of the clutch teeth.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the rear portion of a tractor with the improved power control mechanism mounted thereon and showing its connection with the operating shafts of a conventional type of road grader, the forward portion of which is shown;

Figure 2 'is a plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear end view of the tractor, showing the position of the control mechanism thereon;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the control mechanism;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the lines 5-5 of Figures 4 and 6;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line 6--6 of Figure 5, showing a portion of the tractor and a means for connecting the control mechanism to the engine housing;

Figure 'I is a detail sectional plan view on the line '7-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional plan view on the line 8 8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating a portion of the face of one of the clutch elements; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the angle of the engaging faces of the teeth of the slidable clutch members and the complemental teeth of the clutch elements.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a portion of a tractor and a road grader similar to the tractor and grader shown in my pending application, Serial No. 449,206, filed May 2, 1930.

The tractor shown is of the usual crawler type, and comprises the traction belts 2 supported upon suitable drivers 3 operatively connected with the tractor engine. An operator or drivers seat 4 is shown mounted at the rear portion of the tractor adjacent to a power-operated control mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 5. This mechanism is shown supported upon thc engine housing 6 by means of a suitable extension bracket 7, best shown in Figure 6.

'I'he grader here shown comprises a main frame, 8, the forward portion of which is shown supported upon suitable carrying wheels 9, mounted upon an axle 11 having a pivotal connection with the grader frame 8 to permit turning movement of the grader. The grader is also shown provided with the usual draft pole 12, the forward end of which is adapted to be connected with the usual draw bar of the tractor, as indicated at 13 in Figure 1. A suitable spring 14 is shown for counterbalancing a portion of the weight of the grader pole 12.

A scariiier 20 is shown connected with the forward portion of the grader by draft members 15, anda suitable lifting device 16 is mounted upon the grader frame for adjusting the position of the 1,osc,147

scarifler with respect to the ground. Rods 17 connect the scariiler with crank arms 18, having geared connections 19 with the lifting device 16. An operating shaft 21 connects the lifting device 16 with a telescopic operating shaft 22, which, in turn is connected with the control mechanism 5, as shown in Figure 1. 'I'he shaft 21 is connected with the shaft 22 by a suitable universal joint 23 and, in like manner, the forward end of the shaft 22 is connected to the control mechanism 5 by a similar joint 24.

The scraper blade 25 of the grader is shown secured to the usual auxiliary frame 26 having a pivotal connection with the forward end of the grader frame. 'I his auxiliary frame, as is customary in machines of this kind, is adapted for vertical adjustment, and, in the present instance, the auxiliary frame 26 is actuated by means of suitable screw lifts, indicated generally by the numerals 27 in Figures 1 and 2. These screw lifts are illustrated in detail in the above mentioned pending application, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to show the same in detail in the present application.

The auxiliary frame 26 is provided with two screw lifts 27, as shown in Figure 2, one situated at each side of the main frame of the grader.

The screw lift at the left hand side of the grader has one end of a control shaft 28 connected therewith, the opposite end of which is supported in a standard 29 mounted upon the forward portion of the grader frame. A telescopic shaft 31 is connected with the operating shaft 28 by a suitable universal joint 32, and the forward end of the shaft 31 is connected to the control mechanism 5 by a similar universal joint 33. The screw lift at the right hand side of the grader is shown provided with an operating shaft 34, the forward end of which also is supported in the standard 29. This shaft has a universal joint 35 connecting it with a telescopic shaft 36, the forward end of which is connected to the control mechanism 5 by a universal joint 37. It is to be understood that the screw lifts 27 are mounted for universal movement upon the grader frame to allow for lateral and swinging adjustments of the scraper blade and its supporting frame 26.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided whereby the power required for actuating the tool-supporting means, or lifting

devices

16 and 27 of the grader, may be taken from the power unit provided for propelling the apparatus, thereby making the operation of adjusting the ground-engaging tools much easier and simpler for the operator.

The power operated grader mechanism herein disclosed, is best shown in Figures 5 and 6, and comprises a casing 38 provided at one side with a-demountable cover 39. 'A depending hub 41 is provided at the lower portion of the casing 38 and has an annular flange 42 adapted to be seated upon a housing 43 secured to the extension bracket '1, by suitable bolts 44, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. An upright shaft 45 is mounted within the hub 41 of the casing, and is shown provided at its lower end with a worm wheel 46, meshing with a worm 47 secured to a stub shaft 48, shown mounted in anti-friction bearings 49 and 51 provided in an o-set portion 52 of the housing 43. A cap 53 is demountably secured to one end of the off-set portion 52, whereby access may be had to the interior thereof. The stub shaft 48 is operatively connected to one end of a shaft extension 54 by a suitable coupling member 55. The opposite end of the extension 54 is simikure 6.

larly connected to the power take-oil' shaft 55' of the tractor engine, by a coupling member 56. The intermediate portion of the shaft extension 54 may be supported in a suitable anti-friction bearing 57, as shown in Figure 6. By thus connecting the upright shaft 45 with the power take-olf shaft 55' of the tractor engine, the shaft 45 will rotate synchronously with the engine shaft.

It is to be noted that bracket 7 and housing 43 not only house the drive for the power-operated control mechanism, but also serve to position said mechanism adjacent the operators station.

A bevel gear 58 issuitably secured to the upper end of the upright shaft 45 and meshes with pinions 59 and 61, loosely mounted upon a fixed shaft 62. These pinions are arranged to rotate in opposite directions, when the gear 58 is operated.

ISuitable gears 63 and 64 are secured to the bevel gears 59,and 61, respectively, and mesh with a pair of gears 65 and 66 rotatably mounted upon a control shaft 67, supported in suitable bearings provided in the casing 38 and cover 39.

Clutch teeth 68 are provided upon the inner faces of the gears 65 and 66 adapted to mesh with clutch teeth 69 provided upon the opposite ends of a clutch member 71, non-rotatably mounted upon the control shaft 67, and adapted to be moved in a direction lengthwise of the shaft 67, to move the teeth of the clutch member 71 into and out of driving engagement with the clutch teeth on the gears 65 and 66, to control the direction of rotation of the control shaft 67. The control shaft 67 is shown'provided with a tapered end portion 72 upon which one-half of the universal joint 33 is mounted andsecured, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the control shaft 67 is operatively connected to the telescopic shaft 31, which shaft cooperates with the shaft 28 to operatively connect the lifting device 27, situated at the lefthand side of the grader frame, with the control shaft 67 A similar control shaft 73 is shown mounted directly above the control shaft 67, and is provided with gears 74 and 75 mounted for relative rotation thereon. These gears mesh with the corresponding gears 65 and 66 mounted upon the control shaft 67.

Clutch teeth 76 are provided upon the inner faces of the gears 74 and 75, adapted to mesh with clutch' teeth 77, provided upon a clutch member 78 slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon the control shaft 73. The control shaft 73 is shown operatively connected with the screw lift 27 at the right hand side of the grader frame by means of the telescopic shaft 36 and operating shaft 34.

The lifting device 16 of the scarifler 20 is adapted to be actuated by a control shaft 79 also mounted within the casing 38, as shown in Fig- Gears 81 and 82 are loosely mounted on the control shaft 79 and mesh with the gears 74 and 75 mounted on the control shaft 73. Clutch teeth 83 are provided upon the inner faces of the gears 81 and 82 adapted to mesh with teeth 84 provided upon a clutch member 85 slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon the control shaft 79. Referring to Figure 6, it will be noted that the train of gears 63, 65, 74, and 8l, and also the train of

gears

64, 66, 75, and 82 will rotate continuously with the shaft 45, when the engine shaft 55 is rotated. The two gears on each control shaft, however, will rotate in opposite directions, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 6.

'I'he means provided for selectively moving the

clutch members

71, 78, and 85 into and out of driving connection with the gears mounted upon their

respective shafts

72, 73, and 79 is best shown in Figures and 8, and consists of a plurality of hand levers 86, 87, and 88, the first two controlling the vertical adjustment of the grader blade 25, and the latter lever 88 controlling the vertical adjustment of the scarier 20. The lever 86 has an olf-set portion 89 terminally connected with one end of a rod 91, the opposite end of which has threaded engagement with yoke 91A which is pivotally connected with an arm 92 suitably secured to a crank shaft 93 having an arm' 94 connected with the clutch member 71, so that when the crank shaft 93 is actuated by movement of the hand lever 86, the clutch member 71 may be selectively moved into and .out of driving engagement with one or the other of the gears 65 and 66. The threaded engagement of rod 91 and yoke 91A provides an adjustment whereby the neutral position of clutch member 71 corresponds to the vertical position of hand lever 86.

The control lever 87 is likewise provided with an offset extension 95 having similarly adjustable rod and yoke connection 96 connecting it with a similar arm 97 secured to a crank shaft 98, having a depending arm 99 operatively connected with the clutch member 78, as shown in Figure 5. In like manner, the hand lever 88 is suitably connected by similarly adjustable rod and yoke connection 101 to an arm 102 secured to a crank shaft 103 having an operative connection with the clutch member 85. The control levers 86, 87, and 88 are shown loosely mounted upon a shouldered stud or rod 104 fixedly supported in a bracket 105 secured to the upper portion of the gear case 38 by suitable bolts 106, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.

Each

arm

92, 97, and 102 is shown provided on its inner side with a small socket 107 adapted to receive the head of a spring-actuated bolt 108 mounted in a recess or bore 109 provided in the wall of the gear casing 38, as best shown in Figure 8. 'I'hese bolts are adapted to retain the

arms

92, 97, and 102 in their vertical positions. Each

arm

92, 97, and 102 is provided with laterally extending portions 111 adapted to engage the head of the bolt 108 when the arms are in one or the other of their operative positions, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 4 f and 8.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided for automatically returning the control levers 86, 87, and 88,to their normal inoperative or neutral positions, when the operator releases his grip thereon. Such means is shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10, and consists of shaping the

teeth

68, 76, and 83 of the gears 65, 74, and 81, respectively, and the teeth of the

clutch members

71, 78, and 85 in such a manner that a pressure must be exerted against the control levers 86, 87, and 88 to retain the clutch members in operative engagement with the clutch teeth of their respective gears.

To thus cause the clutch members to automatically return to their neutral positions when the operator releases his grip upon the control levers,

engagement with their respective clutchteeth, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 10, wherein the arrow indicates the direction of travel of the teeth of the gear 74 and the clutch member 78.

As hereinbefore stated, the face angles of the clutch teeth are such that the clutch members will be automatically moved in a lengthwise direction upon their respective control shafts, into neutral positions, when the operator releases his grip upon the control levers 86, 87, and 88. To retain the clutch members in their operative positions, the operator must exert a pressure against the control levers.

The above described power-operated control mechanism greatly simplifies the work of relatively adjusting the positions of the groundengaging tools of the road machine. The hand levers 86 and 87, controlling the operation of the scraper blade, are positioned in close proximity so that the operator may manipulate both of these levers with one hand. When the two levers are moved in one direction simultaneously, both ends of the scraper blade may move upwardly, and conversely, when the levers are moved in the opposite direction, the scraper blade may move downwardly. If it is desired to adjust but one end of the scraper blade, one control lever only is manipulated. It will thus be seen that both ends of the scraper blade are adapted for independent adjustment.

The hand lever 88 controls the vertical adjustment of the scarier 20. When this lever is moved in one direction, the scarier will be elevated, and when moved in the opposite direction, it will be lowered.

As hereinbefore stated, the angles of the engaging faces of the clutch teeth are such as to cause the automatic return of the clutch members to their neutral positions, when the operator releases his pressure upon the control levers. This feature is important in that it provides means whereby the clutch members will automatically return to their normal inoperative positions in the event that the operator should accidentally release his grip upon the control levers. The telescopic shafts and also their universal connections With their respective control shafts, permit free swinging movement of the tractor with respect to the grader when the apparatus is in use.

In the drawings, I have shown the invention applied to a road working apparatus consisting of a grader drawn by a tractor. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may also be applied to a road working machine having a power unit mounted directly thereon for propelling it.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a road working apparatus, a grader having a scraper blade, lifting devices for adjustably supporting said blade, a power-operated control mechanism for actuating said lifting devices, said mechanism being of unitary construction and including a plurality of control shafts having operative connections with said lifting devices, a clutch member on each control shaft, a plurality of gears journalled for rotation about said shafts driven from a source of power and adapted for interlocking engagement with said clutch members, and means for shifting said clutch members into and out of interlocking engagement with said gears to selectively control the operation of said lifting devices.

2. In a road working apparatus, a grader having a scraper blade, lifting devices for adjustably supporting said blade, a power-operated control mechanism for actuating said lifting devices. said mechanism being of unitary construction and including a plurality of control shafts having operative connections with said lifting devices,aclutch member slidable on each control shaft, intermeshing gears journalled for rotation about said shafts and adapted for interlocking engagement with said clutch members, and means for shifting said clutch members into and out of interlocking engagement with said gears to selectively control the operation of said lifting devices.

3. In a road working apparatus a grader provided with a plurality of ground-engaging tools,

lifting devices for adJustably supporting said tools, a power-operated control mechanism for said lifting devices including a plurality of control shafts having operativev connections therewith, intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts, means for continuously rotating said gears, members slidably and nonrotatably mounted upon said control shafts and adapted for interlocking engagement with said gears, and means for shifting said members into and out of interlocking engagement with said gears to selectively control the operation of said lifting devices.

4. In a road working apparatus a grader provided with a plurality of ground-engaging tools, lifting devices for adjustably supporting said tools, a power-operated control mechanism for said lifting devices including a plurality of control shafts having operative connections therewith, intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts, continuously rotated from a source of power, members slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon said control shafts and adapted for interlocking engagement with said gears, and means for manually shifting said members into and out of interlocking engagement with said gears to selectively control the operation of said lifting devices.

5. In a road working apparatus a grader provided with a ground-engaging tool, lifting devices on the grader for adjustably supporting said tool, a bracket having a shaft extension mounted therein and connected with a source of power, a casing supported upon said bracket and having a plurality of control shafts mounted therein, intermeshing gears mounted for relative rotation about said shafts, an intermediate shaft mounted in the casing and operatively connected with said shaft extension and said gears whereby the latter constantly rotates, means connecting the control shafts with said lifting devices, and clutch means for operatively connecting said control shafts with said gears whereby the lifting devices may be selectively actuated to relatively adjust the position of the grader tool.

6. In a power-operated control mechanism for relatively adjusting the positions of the groundengaging tools of a road working machine, a casing, a plurality of control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with the grader tools, a power-driven shaft, a plurality of intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts and having operative connections with said power-driven shaft whereby they are adapted for continuous rotation, clutch teeth on said gears, a clutch member slidably and nonrotatably mounted upon each control shaft, and means for selectively moving said clutch members into and out of interlocking engagement with the clutch teeth on said gears to control the operaerative connections with said power-driven shaft relatively adjusting the positions of the groundengaging tools of a road working machine, a casing, a plurality of spaced-apart control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with the grader tools, a power-driven shaft, a plurality of intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts and having opwhereby they are adapted for continuous rotation, clutch teeth on the inner sides of said gears, a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between gears mounted thereabout, and means for selectively moving said clutch membersinto and out of interlocking engagement with the clutch teeth of their respective gears to control the operation of said control shafts, when raising or lowering the grader tools, said control shafts being adapted to be operated simultaneously.

8. In a power-operated control mechanism for relatively adjusting the positions of the ground engaging tools of a grader, a casing having a plurality of spaced-apart control shafts mounted therein and vhaving operative connections with the grader tools, a pair of gears rotatably mounted about each control shaft, and the gears of one lcontrol shaft intermeshing with the gears of another, clutch teeth upon said gears, a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between the gears mounted thereabout, means for selectively shifting said clutch members into and out of driving engagement with their respective gears, and the engaging faces of the clutch teeth of said gears and said clutch members being at an angle whereby when the operator releases his grip upon said clutch shifting means, during operation of said mechanism, said clutch members will be returned to their normal positions.

9. In a power-operated control mechanism for relatively adjusting the positions of the ground engaging tools of a grader, a casing having a plurality of spaced-apart control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with the grader tools, a pair of gears journalled for rotation about each control shaft and the gears cf one control shaft intermeshing with the gears of another, clutch teeth upon said gears, a member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between the gears associated therewith and provided'with teeth adapted for interlocking engagement with the teeth on said gears, means for selectively shifting said clutch members into and out of driving engagement with their respective gears, and the effective faces of the teeth on said gears and said slidable members being disposed at an angle of suflicient amplitude to cause said members to move out of driving engagement with their respective gears, when the operator releases his grip upon said clutchshifting means.

10. In a control mechanism for controlling operation of power-operated adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the earth working implements of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of driven shafts mounted therein having operative connections with the adjusting mechanism, a power-operated driving shaft, a plurality of gears mounted for rotation about said driven shafts and continuously driven from said driving shaft, clutch teeth on said gears, clutch elements slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said driven shafts, and means for shifting selected clutch elements to establish the drive for associated adjusting mechanisms.`

11. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road working machine, a casing, a plurality of control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with saidearth moving means, a power-driven shaft, a plurality of intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts and having operative connections with said power-driven shaft whereby they are adapted for continuous rotation, clutch teeth on said gears, a clutch member slidably and non-slidably mounted upon each control shaft, and means for selectively moving said clutch members into and out of interlocking engagement with the clutch teeth on said gears to control the operation of said control shafts.

12. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a grader, a casing having a plurality of spacedapart control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with said earth moving means, a pair of gears journalled for rotation about each control shaft and the gears of one control shaft intermeshing with the gears of another, clutch teeth upon said gears, a member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between the gears associated therewith and provided with teeth adapted for interlocking engagement with the teeth ofv said gears, means for selectively shifting said clutch members into and out of driving engagement with their respective gears, and the effective faces of the teeth on said gears and said slidable members being disposed at an angle of sufficient amplitude to cause said members to move out of driving engagement with their respective gears, when the operator releases his grip upon said clutch-shifting means.

13. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road working machine, a casing, a plurality of spacedapart control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with said earth-moving means, a power-driven shaft, a plurality of intermeshing gears mounted for rotation about said control shafts and having operative connections with said power-driven shaft whereby they are adapted for continuous rotation, clutch teeth on the inner sides of said gears, a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between gears associated therewith, and means for selectively moving said clutch members into and out of interlocking engagement with the clutch teeth of their respective gears to control the operation of said control shafts, said control shafts being adapted to be operated simultaneously.

14. In a pow er-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a grader, a casing having a plurality of spaced-apart control shafts mounted therein and having operative connections with said earth moving means, a pair of gears rotatably mounted about each control shaft, and the gears of one control shaft intermeshing with the gears of another, clutch teeth upon said gears', a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft between the gears associated therewith, means for selectively shifting said clutch members into and out of driving engagement with ,their respective gears, and the engaging faces of the clutch teeth 0f said gears and said vclutch membersbeing at an angle whereby when the operator releases his grip upon said clutch shifting means, during operation of said mechanism, said clutch members will be returned to their normal positions.

15. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth working parts of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of control shafts mounted'therein, power-driven clutch elements mounted for rotation about each of said shafts, a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft and adapted to transmit a drive thereto, and a hand lever for each clutch member whereby said members may be selectively moved into and out of driving engagement with their respective power-driven clutch elements to control the operation of said control shafts.

16. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth working parts of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of control shafts mounted therein, `power-driven clutch elements mounted for rotation about each of said shafts, a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon each control shaft, and a hand lever for each clutch member whereby said members may be selectively moved into and out of driving engagement with their respective powerdriven clutch elements to control the operation of said control shafts, said clutch elements and members including means automatically causing the return of said hand levers to neutral positions, when said mechanism is functioning and the operator releases his pressure thereon.

17. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, clutch means in said casing comprising a train of spur gears, and means adapted to be driven by said spur gears.

18. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, reversible clutch means in said casing comprising opposite trains of spur gears.

19. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a source of power, a casing, clutch means mounted in said casing comprising opposite trains of gears continuously rotated from said source of power.

20. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, clutch means in said casing comprising a train of spur gears, adjacent spur gears being intermeshed with each other, and means adapted to be driven by said spur gears.

21. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, clutch means mounted in said casing comprising a train of intermeshing spur gears having clutch teeth formed on one face thereof.

22. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of parallel shafts mounted therein, and opposite trains of spur gears mounted for rotation about said shafts.

23. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road -machine, a casing, clutch means mounted in said casing comprising a plurality of trains of spur gears having clutch teeth formed on one face thereof.

24. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of e road machine, a casing, spaced shafts mounted in said 1,esc,147

casing, opposite trains of spur gears mounted for rotation about said shafts having clutch teeth formed on the opposed faces thereof, and double- .faced clutch elements slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said shafts to engage associated spur gears.

25. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, spaced shafts mounted in said casing, opposite trains of spur gears mounted for rotation about said shafts having clutch teeth formed on the opposed faces thereof.

26. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, reversible clutch means in said casing comprising opposite trains of spur gears, adjacent gears of said trains being intermeshed with each other.

27. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, spaced shafts mounted in said casing, opposite trains of spur gears mounted for rotation about said shafts having clutch teeth formed on the opposed faces thereof, adjacent gears ofsaid trains being intermeshed, and double-faced clutch elements slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said shafts to engage the clutch teeth of associated spur gears.

28. In a road working apparatus, a drawn vehicle, adjustable means on said vehicle, means for adjusting said adjustable means including a plurality of shafts having their ends terminating in substantially vertical alignment at the front of the vehicle, a draft vehicle adapted for short turning, a draft connection from the draft vehicle to the drawn vehicle, power control means on said draft vehicle including a plurality of vertically spaced parallel shafts having their rear ends vertically aligned, and connections from said parallel shafts to said first shafts, each connection including an extensible telescopic shaft universally connected to one of said first shafts and to one of said parallel shafts, said connections lying substantially in the same vertical plane.

29. A road working apparatus including a frame, a ground-engaging tool, lifting devices for adjustably supporting said ground-engaging tool upon said frame, a source of power, a power-operated clutch mechanism including driving clutch elements constantly driven from said source of power, shiftable driven clutch elements having constant operative connections with said lifting devices, and means for manually moving said driven clutch elements to operative position, said elements including cam means for automatically rendering said driven clutch elements inoperative, when said manual means are released.

30. In a road working apparatus, a graderl having lifting devices for adjustably supporting the ground-engaging tools thereof, a clutch mechanism for actuating said lifting devices, said clutch mechanism including a plurality of interconnected driving clutch elements constantly driven from a source of power, a plurality of slidable clutch members, and means for manually moving said clutch members into operative positions whereby said lifting devices may operate to relatively adjust the positions of the grader tools with reference to the ground, said elements and members including non-resilient means tending normally to return said clutch members to normal inoperative positions.

31. In a road working apparatus, a road machine, adjustable earth-working implements on said machine, means for adjusting said implements including a plurality of shafts having their ends terminating in substantially vertical alignment at the front of the machine, a tractor adapted for short turning, a draft connection from the tractor to the road machine, power control means on said tractor including a plurality of vertically spaced parallel shafts having their rear ends vertically aligned, and connections from said parallel shafts to said first shafts, each connection including an extensible telescopic shaft universally connected to one of said first shafts and to one of said parallel shafts, said connections lying substantially in the same vertical plane.

32. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, normally idle, spaced shafts mounted in said casing, opposite trains of gears mounted for normally constant rotation about said shafts, adjacent gears of said trains being l interconnected, clutch means on the opposed faces of said gears, and double-faced clutch elements having a driving connection with said shafts and engageable with the clutch means of associated gears to determine operation of said shafts thereby.

33. In a power-operated control mechanismrfor adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, normally idle, spaced shafts mounted in said casing, opposite trainsof gears mounted for normally constant rotation about -said shafts, adjacent gears of said trains being interconnected, and clutch means associated with the opposed faces of said gears for determining operation of said shafts thereby.

34. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of normally idle shafts journalled on said casing and adapted to be rotatably driven, a plurality of spaced gears journalled about each of said shafts, adjacent gears on said shafts being interconnected, power driven means for effecting normally constant rotation of said gears, and means for selectively connecting said gears to said shafts to rotate said shafts in either direction, including a shiftable clutch element slidably and non-rotatably mounted on each of said shafts.

35. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of parallel shafts, bearing means mounting said shafts in said casing, opposite trains of gears mounted on said bearing means for rotation about said shafts, the gears of each train being connected for simultaneous rotation, a pair of opposite bevel gears, each bevel gear having a driving connection with one of said trains of gears, a power driven bevel gear engaging said pair of bevel gears for rotating said trains of gears simultaneously, opposite gears of said trains rotating oppositely, clutch means on the opposed faces of said gears, and double faced clutch elements slidably and nonrotatably mounted on said shafts between said trains of gears and engageable with respective opposite gears of said trains to rotate said shafts selectively in either direction.

36. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a pluralityr of parallel shafts,

bearing means mounting said shafts in said casing, opposite trains of gears mounted on said bearing means for rotation aboutv said shafts,

the gears of each train being connected for simultaneous rotation, a pair of bevel gears integral with one opposite pair of gears of said trains, a power-driven bevel gear engaging saidpair of opposite gears whereby opposite gears of said respective trains are driven oppositely, and means for selectively connecting said shafts with gears for rotation thereby.

37. In a power-operated control mechanismfor adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of normally idle parallel shafts mounted for rotation in said casing, opposite trains of gears mounted for rotation about said.r shafts, the gears of each train being connected for simultaneous rotation, a power-driven gear having a driving connection with an opposite pair of gears of said respective trains for effecting normally constant rotation thereof, opposite gears of said respective trains rotating oppositely, and means for selectively connecting said gears to said shafts to determine rotation thereof in a selected direction.

38. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of normally idle parallel shafts mounted for rotation in said casing, opposite trains of gears mounted for rotation about said shafts, the gears of each train being connected for simultaneous rotation, means for effecting normally constant rotation of said gears, and means for selectively connecting said gears to said shafts to rotate said shafts in either direction.

39. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a casing, a plurality of normally idle parallel shafts mounted for rotation in said casing, a plurality of spaced clutch members journalled about each of said shafts, adjacent clutch members being interconnected for simultaneous rotation, power-driven means for effecting normally constant rotation of said clutch members, and means for selectively connecting said members to said shafts to rotate said shafts in either direction, including a shiftable clutch element slidably and non-rotatably mounted on each of said shafts.

40. In a road working apparatus, a plurality of devices adapted to be moved, a source of power including a power shaft for operating said devices, a power control box having shafts operatively connected with said devices and clutching means for said shafts, means for mounting said control box including a tubular bracket, and means for transmitting a drive from said power shaft to said control box shafts including a shaft extending through and housed by said bracket.

41. In a road working apparatus, a plurality of devices adapted to be moved, a source of power including a power shaft for operating said devices, a power control box having shafts operatively connected with said devices and clutching means for said shafts, said power control box being spaced from said power shaft, means for transmitting a drive from said power shaft to said control box shafts including a connecting shaft between said power shaft and said control box, and means forhousing and protecting the drive between said control box and said power shaft including a tubular member about said connecting shaft. v

42. In a power-operated control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a plurality of spaced shafts, a train of gears including a gear journalled for rotation about each shaft, a second train of gears spaced with respect to said first train of gears and also including a gear journalled for rotation about each shaft, means for rotating said trains of gears, opposite gears associated with each shaft rotating oppositely, and clutching means for each shaft shiftable therealong to establish a drive connection with either of said gears about said shaft whereby each shaft can be rotated in a selected direction.

43. In a road working apparatus, a grader provided with lifting devices for the ground-engaging tools thereof, a power-operated control mechanism for actuating said lifting devices, a tubular supporting bracket for said control mechanism, and a shaft extension mounted in said bracket and extending therethrough for operatively connecting said control mechanism with a source of power, said bracket entirely housing said shaft extension.

44. In a road working apparatus, a draft vehicle, a drawn vehicle having adjacent an end thereof ground supporting means spaced from said draft vehicle and mounted fox` turning movement about an upright axis, a draft connection located between said end of said drawn vehicle and said draft vehicle, adjustable earth working means on said drawn vehicle, and means for operating said adjustable earth working means including shafts having a pivotal connection located substantially in line with said upright axis and adjacent said end of said drawn vehicle.

45. In a road working apparatus, a draft vehicle, a drawn vehicle having adjacent an end thereof ground supporting means spaced from said draft vehicle and mounted for turning movement about an upright axis, a draft connection located between said end of said drawn vehicle and said draft vehicle, a plurality of adjustable means on said drawn vehicle, and means for operating any of said plurality of adjustable means including shafting having a plurality of pivotal connections substantially alined with respect to each other and adjacent said upright axis.

46. In a road working apparatus, a draft vehicle having an operators station adjacent an end thereof, a drawn vehicle having adjacent an end thereof supporting means mounted for turning movement about an upright axis, a draft connection located between said end of said drawn vehicle and said end of said draft vehicle and having a pivotal connection adjacent said end of said draft vehicle, a plurality of adjustable means on said drawn vehicle, a unit for selectively controlling any of said plurality of adjustable means positioned adjacent said operators station end of said draft vehicle and above said pivotal connection, said control unit including a pluralityr of shafts having ends terminating in alinexnent, a

plurality of shafts on said drawn vehicle connected to said adjusting means and having ends terminating in substantial alinement with said upright axis, and telescopic shafting between said shaft endsand universally connected thereto.

47. In a road working apparatus, a draft vehicle having an operator's station adjacent an end thereof, a drawn vehicle having adjacent an end thereof supporting means mounted for turning movement about an upright axis, a draft connection between said end of said draft vehicle and said end of said drawn vehicle, adjustable means on said drawn vehicle, means for operating said adjustable means from adjacent said operator's station including an extensible telescopic shaft located between said draft vehicle and said drawn vehicle, and means for rendering the length of said extensible telescopic shaft substantially unaffected by relative turning movement between said draft vehicle and said drawn vehicle comprising a pivotal connection for one end of said shaft located substantially in line with said upright axis and a pivotal connection for the opposite end of said shaft located adjacent said operator's station.

48. In a road Working apparatus, a draft vehicle having an operators station adjacent an end thereof, a drawn vehicle having adjacent an end thereof supporting means mounted for turning movement about an upright axis, a draft connection between said end of said draft vehicle and said end of said drawn vehicle, a plurality of adjustable means on said drawn vehicle, means for selectively operating said adjustable means from adjacent said operators station including a plurality of extensibletelescopic shafts located between said draft vehicle and said drawn vehicle. and means for rendering the lengths of said telescopic shafts substantially unaffected by relative turning movement between said draft vehicle and said drawn vehicle comprising pivotal connections for one set of ends of said shafts located in substantial vertical alinement with said upright axis and pivotal connections for the other sets of ends of said telescopic shafts located adjacent said operator's station.

49. In a road working apparatus, a draft vehicle having an operator's station adjacent an end thereof, a drawn vehicle, a .draft connection between said drawn vehicle and said draft vehicle, a plurality of adjustable means on said drawn vehicle, and means for selectively adjusting said adjustable means from adjacent said draft vehicle comprising a control unit including a plurality of shafts having ends terminating'in substantial vertical alinement adjacent said end of said draft vehicle, and extensible telescopic shafting movably connected with said ends.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON.