US2011886A - Dumping scow - Google Patents

Description

H. BACK DUMPING SCOW Aug, 20, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sh Filed March 26,

Hans Baa/ INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 20,1935. H, BA K 2,011,886

DUMPINGQ scow Filed March 26, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,2 2 2/ 2/ 2 Z Z /6 H 23 Z Z 22 Z 7 i e o l j Ha 17.9 Back INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 29, 1935 mist 1-; g; DUMPING scow I Hans Back, Steilacoom, Vlfalsh. Minut man at, 1932, Serial No 601,373 I ie Claims. ((31. 114-29) My present invention relates to improvements in dumping scowsof a type intended ,for use in transporting. materials .such as sand, gravel,

stone, garbage, etc on the water and being 7:; adapted to permit of quickly discharging: such materials into the'water at a selectedplace;

Aprimary object ofthe invention istolprovide a scow comprising a pair of complementary buoyant pontoons, being normally held in. sub- .lc'; stantially close parallel position with respect to one another, and havinga longitudinally divided hopper structure mounted'on said pontoons to provide, a receptacle or hold for the material to g p, be transported'and being adapted when-com- *15 plementary parts. are .-.unrestrainedto automatically. assume an attitude'in which the hopper will be opened, thereby dumping the icon tentsthereof into the water between the pen toons, andbeing further adapted to automaticah 1y assume an attitude in"whic'h the hopper will be closedaftor: completion of the dumping operation. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a scow of the character set forth, and in which the pontoons are so designed and constructedas to advantageously utilize the principles of buoyancy in eiiecting an automatic return, of the parts of the scow from an opened to a closed position. r f A still furtherobject. is to provide a scow, of

'the character above set forth,' in which means are employed for retaining the parts of the scow in an opened or dumping position until a full and complete discharge ofthe hopper contents has'bzen effected, and wherein said meansconstitute a common mediumior retaining the complementary parts of the scowfin both op'e'ned and closedpositions. A still further object is to provide a scow adapted to attain the above objects andinwhich the hopper comprises two sections abutting one another on a plane longitudinally of the scow, para-11:1 with and intermediate'the pontoons, and being hinged'together at the top of the hopper rather than at the deck line of the pontoons, in order that the po'ntoons are not'required to tilt in an extreme position for the purpose of efiect- 'ing sufficientopening of the hopper to-allow a discharge of the contents thereof. 7

A still furtherooject is, to provide a scow of the character and for the purposes set forth and in which means are provided for the purpose of re taining the complementary pontoons against 55, relative endwise movem'entwith respect-to each placedin the hopperthereof. R l l Figure VI-is a transverse vertical sectional view "similar to Figure 7V; except that' thescow'is 35 shown in thedumping' position, andillustrating other, especially when the scow is being com ducted over rough bodies of water. I

The invention thus resides in certain novel combinations and arrangements of; parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and described. 5

In the accompanying drawings, to whichI now refer, I have illustrated one example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the mode which I consider most practical for 10' the application of the principles of my invention. I

Figure I is a top plan view of my improved dumping scow. i I

iFigure II is a'view in side elevation of the scow, 15,: disclosing certain parts not seen in FigureI;

V .Figure III is a view in elevation of one end of the scow in closed'position, it being pointed out that both ends of the same are identical in construce' tion except thata similar-view oftheopposite 20 end would disclose the restraining mechanism in transposed position. a V

Figure lV is a View in-elevation 'of onelend of the scow; being-similar to Figure III, but illustrating the scowin an opened position and showing 25., themanner in whichthe restraining, mechanism may hold'thesame'in such position,

Figure V is a transverse vertical sectional View of the scow in close'd position, as at line5-5 of Figure I,andillustrating the scow as floating on 30 the water, and also indicating by an upper dotted line the approximate toplof a loadof material by small arrows the manner of discharging the transported material through the bottom of the, hopper and into the waterbetween the pontoons;

FigureiVII is an elaboratedmview i n'perspective 4 0 of the. mechanism adapted 'to'restrainfl'the complementary parts of the scow in eitherthe opened or'the closed positions, and with only a fragment l of certain parts being shown invv order to.accom-' modate the'view to the sheet.'

In the practical application .ofthe principles of'my invention I employ a pair of complementary suitable framing to'supporta deck wall l ,l,-outerr 51,3

side Wall'l2, inner sidewall l3, bottom wall It and end walls l5, The pontoons may be constructed of any suitable materials and may be internally braced as shown in Figures V and VI, to secure the desired strength and rigidity, and guard rails It may be provided to serve as bumpers to protect the sides of the pontoons and to further strengthen the same. The pontoons are so designed that in the normal or closed position of the scow, as; seen in Figures III and V, the

7 decks I! lie in a level or horizontal plane and the side walls [2, l3, occupy vertical positions,

but the bottom walls I 4 are inclined inwardly and downwardly from the outer side walls I2 to the inner side walls l3. This arrangement'constitutes one of the prime features of'the inventionwherein the pontoons are given a greater depth toward their inner sides, and this feature further augments an inherent tendency of thescow to automatically close after the hopper contents have been discharged, as will hereinafter be more fully described. 4 r

A hopper is provided for the reception of the material to be transported and this hopper is built completely above the decks of the pontoons arid equally positioned on each of the pontco'ns. The hopper is constructed with a pair of compleinentary end walls IT, IT, at one'e'nd of the scow and a second pair I8, I8, at the opposite end thereof and each wall of a pair is mounted on andv the weight of heavy materials which may be:

placedin the hopper and also for a further'pur pos'e, hereinafter set forth, and these braces 20 are shown in Figures I and II only, to avoid complication of parts shown in the end views of the scow.

A bottom is provided for the hoppeniand this bottom comprises twowalls orfioof's 2 l ,,2 I which extend between the end walls l8, l9, and which slope inwardly and downwardly from the upper, outer corners of the end walls to a plane approximately level with the decks of the pontoons, where they converge and abut each other at thev longitudinal center line of thes'cow,.thereby forming a V shapedbottom for the hopper unit as a whole. The floors2l are reinforced and sup-' p'orted in'proper position by any suitable struc-' tune, but preferably by a structure of the type shown in Figures V and VI, where purlins 22 extend between the end walls l8, Is, the purlins 22 being in turn supported by pillars 23 which extend vertically between the decks of the pontoons f and the aforesaid purlins. i.

It will be apparent thus far, from the foregoing description, that the invention contemplatesitwo separate buoyant pontoons, each having mounted on and above the deck thereof one-half of ahop per unit, thus forming two individual compl'e mentar y pontoon and hopper'units being adapted when positioned and held together, as seen in Figures I, III and V, to provide a hopper unit capable of receiving and retaining any material to be transported therein and having a V-shapedbottom for said hopper unit, for a purpose'which will presently be described.

The two complementary pontoon and hopper units are pivotally connected together at the upper, inner corners of the hopper end walls by suitable hinges 24, and by virtue of being so pivotallyconnected 'arepermitted to swing apart from a closed position, as seen in Figures III and V, to an opened ordumping position, as shown inFigures IV and With the complementary parts of the scow in the normalor closed position a load may be placed in the hopper thereof and the top outline of such a load is indicated by the upper dotted line of Figure V. It will be understood of course, that means are required to secure the parts of the complete scow in the proper position to receive and retain a load of material to be transported'therein, and such means will be hereinafter set forth. When it is desired to discharge the contents of the hopper the restraining means may be released and the weight of the hopper contents, being concentrated in the V- 1 bottom thereof, will exert a downward and outward'force against the floors 2: of thehopper, thereby forcing the pontoons Hloutward and at the same time opening the hopper in such manher that the'contents'thereof will'be discharged into the water between the pontoons. The attitude of the scow during the dumping action is shown injFigures IV and VI, particularly in Figure VI, where small arrows indicate the manner in which the hopper contents are discharged.

After a full and complete discharge of the contentsof the hopper/the buoyant pontoons it will rise in thewater and due to their particular shape will tend to seek positions in which they'a're rid-' ing on more or less even keel. Since the two complementary parts of the scow are hinged together, as described, this action automaticallyeifects a 7 return of the'parts to the closed or normal posi-' tion as shown in Figures III and V, provided, how-.

ever, that the parts have not been permitted to swing apart beyond a predetermined limit and beyond which limit the weight of the'hopper units would offset the tendency of the pontoonsto right themselves. Considering the pontoons l0 individually, it will be apparent thattheir natural tendency is. to float in a balanced position with respect to their shape and the distribution of weightthroughout each pontoon. Inasmuch as the pontoons, as herein provided, are of greater depth toward theirinner sides, an added buoyancy is imparted to these sides of the pontoons,

' and, were they completely disconnected from one another, they would float with their inner sides scow in either the normal or closed position as shown Figures I, III and'V, or the opened position as shown in Figures IV and .VI, and these means are also effective in preventing the opening of the scow beyond a'predetermined limit during the dumping operation,- While it will be apparent that various suitable mechanisms may be employed for this, purpose I prefer to use the mechanism shown in the drawings, parts of which are advantageously illustrated in Figure VII.

"This mechanism includes a pair of arms 25, 25,

preferably madefrom steel H-beams; each having an end thereof adapted to be'pivotally connected,

as at it, to brackets Z'l, which aremounted on one of thepontoons ateither end thereof and adja-' walls. Mounted on'the otherpontoon, at cppo site endstherecf and adjacent the hopper walls E3; lS, -are a second pairof brackets 28, which are provided with bearing mountings 29 in which a shaft 3E2, extending between the said brackets, is rotatably mounted. Pinion gears 35 are mounted on and secured to the shaft 39 adjacent the o-uter sides of the bearings 2%, these pinions 3i being adapted to engage cog racks a which are carried by the arms 25. The cogracksZEa ofthearmsZg: are adapted to be held in contact with the pinions 38 by means of yokes 32 which are mounted on the shaft 39 in a position straddling the pinions and which have surfaces bearing against the upper surfaces of the arms 25. The arms 25 are of sufiicient length to maintain a constant contact between the pinions 3i and the cog racks 25a, whether the scow be in a closed position or an opened position, and the cog racks are provided at their outer ends with depending lugs 25b to provide a stop for the movement of the racks over the pinions, thereby preventing this object I employ adouble pawl member portedby one of the brackets 28 and which is provided with pawls 33a and 33b adapted to engage one of the pinions 3! at opposite sides of its axis when the member 33 is actuated through the medium of an integral lever 330.

From the description of the restraining means thus far it will be seenjthat the complementary parts of the scow may be held in a closed position, as seen in Figures III and V, when the pawl 33a engages one of the pinions 3 i, and which engagement is normally retained due to the weight of the actuating lever 330. By lifting the lever 330 until both pawls 33a and'SSb clear the pinion 3! the arms 25 will be free to slide through v the yokes 32, thereby permitting the freeopening action of the scow due to the Weight of the hopper contents, as previouslydescribed. When the complementary parts of the scow have tilted apart, as seen in Figures IV and VI, the pawl actuating lever 330 may be further raised until the pawl 33b engages the pinion 3!. at the opporotationQand thereby restraining the parts of the scow in the opened or dumping position until" a full and complete discharge of the hopper contents has been effected. After completion of this operation the lever 330 may be actuated to again allow the pawls 33a and 33b to clear the pinion 3!, thereby permitting the pinions to rotate and-the arms 25 to pass thereover, and the scow as a whole will automatically assume a closed position by reason of inherent tendencies incorporated therein, as previously explained.

'While the drawings anddescription setforth the use of one pawl member 33 is will be understood that identical members may be employed for the purpose of operatively engaging both of the pinions 3i,'according'to the strength required in restraining mechanisms for scows of different sizes; and I capacities. However, the, use of one pawl member renders it possible for'one operator ii to controithe operation offlthe scow from a single station.

- It is; essential that the various units of the scow be strongly and rigidly constructed as scows of this character are often towed in rough water and the force of waves impinging against the various surfaces of the pontoons would soon destroy or impair a weak structure. Inthis connection it is pointed out thatthe braces 25 shown in Figures I and II, serve a further purpose than that of reinforcing the end wallsof the hopper against the weight of heavy materials inside of t the hopper. Referring tothe drawingsjand to previous description, it will be seen that oneend of the braces 25 is secured to the end walls ,of

the hopper near the hinges 24 and the opposite ends thereof are secured to the decks of thepontoons or, to any rigid member of the pontoon structures. Provided that the hinges 2d. are strongly constructed, it is readily understandable that the braces Ell serve also to offset any force tending to shift the pontoons longitudinally with respect to one another. Other means may be provided which would serve the same function, but the means shown serve a twofold purpose and are easily installed and readily accessible for repairs if necessary. l

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have set forth the salient features of a vessel adapted to efficiently perform its various functions and which oifers considerable advantage over previous types of scows or vessels intended for similar purposes, in that itsdumping and closing actions when unrestrained are fully automatic, thereby rendering thevuse of power. operating. means unnecessary.

Having thus fully described my invention,'I claim:- f

1. A dumping scow comprising a pair of complementary buoyant pontoons, ahopper structure mounted on the decksof said pontoons and having upright end walls and walls'extending betweenthe end walls and converging inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the scow to provide a V-shaped'bottom for the hopper, said hopper being divided longitudinally on a plane intermediate said pontoons to form a pair of complementary hopper, sections each of which is "independently mounted on and secured to one of site'side of its axis, locking the pinion 35 against Operable, means for detachably holding i D toons and hopper sections in a fully closed or fully opened position as wellas any position [intermediate thereof.

and walls extending between said end walls and converging at the center-line of the scow to provide a V-shaped bottom for the hopper, said hopper being divided longitudinally. on' a plane intermediate'the pontoons to form a pair of corn plementary hopper sectionsieach of which is carried by and secured to one ofthepontoons,

pivotal rneans" connecting the hopper sections together near the upper edges of the hopper end walls in order that the hopper sections and the pontoons secured thereto may swingapart about said pivotal connection and operable means for holding said hopper sections and pontoons in positions wherein said hopper sections register or in any of a plurality of selected positions wherein they are spaced apart. 7 "3. A dumping scow comprising a pair of parallel complementarybuoyant 'pontoons being normally spaced apart and being or" greater depth at their inner adjacent sides, a hopper structure I j mounted on said ponto'ons and having end Walls and walls extending between the end walls and converging inwardly and downwardly towardthe center-line of the scow to provide a V-shaped bottom for the hopper, said hopper being divided arms having one end thereof-'pivotally secured to one of the pontoons, racks secured to'saidarms and havinglugs depending from the outer ends thereof, pinions' rotatably mounted on the opposite pontoon andwith which the racks carried by said arms are operativelyassociated and'pawl members pivotallyvmounted in operable relation with'said pinions and havingv a, pair of pawls' adapted to engage said pinions at opposite sides of their axis.

I HANS BACK.

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