US2078539A - Road ripper - Google Patents

Description

FIG. 1.

April 27, 1937. A. P MCKAY 2,078,539

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. 7, 1936 4, Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Q a i l \S \s INVENTOR.

Au 1.1.5175. P M KE='L1 ATTORN YS.

April 27, 1937. McKAY 2,078,539

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

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I N wMM ATTO R N EYS.

A. P. M KAY April 27, 193 7.

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. '7, 1956 R 3 o a M O O O 6W. UL a O N, mm 3 o W} hw 9 O u \N o E Q o 3 M I I o 1 Q u (m mm w ATTORNEYS.

A. P. M KAY April 27, 1937.

ROAD R IPPER Filed Feb. '7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Augusta F. M Ka ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 27, 1937 PATENT OFFICE ROAD RIPPER Augusta P. McKay, Rome, Ga., assignor to Rome Plow Company, Cedartown, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Application February 7, 1936, Serial No. 62,841

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to roadway making or building implements and more particularly to that type of implement which has become known as a road ripper. These implements are provided with a number of ripping standards and while not specifically limited to such use, are employed for tearing up old macadamized or paved roads and in use are adapted to be drawn by a tractor capable of exerting considerable l0 draw bar pull. According to the nature of the work being done, that is, whether stripping off the surface, ripping up the sub-strata, or where only the virginal clay is encountered, it becomes necessary to vary the number of ripping standards which are in active ripping position, and

also at times to raise all of the standards to clear any accumulation of ripped up material such as large boulders, stumps or blocks of old paving when it becomes clogged up in front of the ripping standards and under the frame. With the present types of rippers the ripping standards are individually bolted to the implement and necessitate complete removal of the standards when it becomes necessary to reduce the number of standards in order that the tractor can pull the ripper. Likewise, the standards must be separately bolted back again when all are desired and this results in considerable loss of operating time for the tractor and ripper. While various means have been provided for raising the standards to clear debris from in front of the ripping mechanism, such raising means in some instances required the ripper to be backed up to return the standards to a ripping position and required that all of the 7 standards be raised and lowered in unison.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved road ripper wherein greater convenience and efiiciencv in operation is provided for thru quicker and easier conditioning of the implement to the particular work being done.

A further object of the invention is to provide a road ripper implement wherein the ripping standards are individually plvotally movable into and out of a ripping position, thus greatly facilitating changing from one to any desired number of thestandards.

A further object resides in the arrangement of combining the power lift means with the latching means for the ripping standards whereby any active standards which have been released will, upon raising of the ripper be automatically latched in a ripping position.

A further object resides in the arrangement whereby the ripper will be raised to its maximum elevated position at all times regardless of the depth at which the ripper is set.

A further object resides in the latching arrangement for the standards whereby when one or more of the standards are swung to an inactive position, the same are clear of their latches and permit operation of all of the latches to release and also engage the active standards.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:--

Figure l is a perspective view of the road ripper in a raised or elevated position. a

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the road ripper in a lowered working position and showing one of the ripping standards hooked up out of working position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the latching means for the ripping standards.

Figure l is a top plan view of the implement.

' Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing the mounting for the ground wheels.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view part in side elevation and part in section and showing the latch means for holding the ripper raised.

Figure '7 is a view substantially similar to Figure 6 but showing the ripper lowered.

Referring to the drawings in detail and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views, the road ripper implement comprises a wheel supported frame A adapted to be raised and lowered by power lift means or mechanism B with which is associated a frame latching means C and a depth regulating means D. Pivotally mounted upon the frame A is a number of ripping standards E controlled by a standard latching means F.

The frame A is preferably of one piece cast steel construction and comprises a main frame portion 5 embodying longitudinal side rails 6 joined at their forward ends by a front cross rail 1, and at their rear portions by a cross frame structure 8. Extending parallel with the side rails 6 are three connecting rails 9, 9' and 9" which provide vertical open spaces as clearly shown in Figure 4. Extending forwardly from the main frame portion 5 is a triangular shaped frame portion Ill which is provided at its forwardly converging end or apex with a suitable draw bar coupling or hitch H for attachment to a tractor or the like used to pull the implement. The cross frame structure 8 is formed with companion pairs of spaced apart upstanding flanges I2 providing slots l3 which open at the rear end of the frame and form mounting spaces for the ripping standards E. While the implement has been shown provided with five ripping standards, this number may be varied if so desired. It will also be noted particularly in Figure 1 that the ripping standards are arranged in slightly V formation with the center standard arranged foremost and the outer standards in rearward stepped relation.

Journaled in suitable bearings I4, to extend transversely of the central portion of the main frame portion 5 is a main or wheel carrying shaft I 5 to each end portion of which is rigidly secured a pair of spaced apart forwardly inclined wheel carrier arms I6 and between the lower ends of which are mounted ground wheels IT as upon axles IS. The bearings R4 are secured by bolts l9 to the upper sides of the rails 6, 9 and 9 whereby the shaft I5 extends across the upper side of the frame. The wheel carrier arms [6 are arranged so that one of the ground wheels I? is movable in the open space between one side rail 6 and the connecting rail 9, and the other wheel between the other side rail 6 and connecting rail 3". Thus it will be seen that by having the wheel carrier arms l3 inclined forwardly and downwardly from the shaft I5, upon lowering the frame the wheels will roll forward and the upper ends of the arms "5 will swing rearward.

The power lift means 13 is arranged to auto matically lift the frame A thru forward travel of the ripper so as to elevate the ripping standards from a working position, and this power lift means is arranged to act wholly independent of the depth regulating means D. J ournaled to extend transversely beneath the frame portion 5, as in suitable bearing brackets 23 secured in place by the bolts IQ for the two bearings [4 which are disposed at the rear ends of the two connecting rails 9 and 9", is a power lift shaft 2| of a length slightly less than the distance between the ground wheels 51. This power lift shaft 2i is provided at each end with a cross member 2i to each of which is secured as by bolts 22, a power lift hook 23 having a downturned hook end 24. These lift hooks 23 are adapted to co-act with ratchet wheels or trundles 25 provided on the inner or confronting sides of the ground wheels I'I. These trundles 25 each preferably consists of a ring disc 23 fixed co-axially to the inner side of the ground wheel by an annular row of studs 2'! arranged to be engaged by the hook end 24 of the power lift hook. Fixed at one end to the power lift shaft 2! is an arcuate or C shaped arm 28 which curves upwardly and rearwardly from the shaft and has connected to its upper end, the rear end of alink 29. The forward end of this link 29 is pivotally connected to a power lift lever 30 which is pivoted at its lower end upon the connecting rail 9 so as to swing longitudinally of the ripper. A coil spring 3| connected to the lever 39 normally urges the lever rearward and swings the power lift hooks 23 clear of the ratchet wheels 25 as in Figures 1, 2, 4 and '7. The manner of raising the frame will be later described.

The frame latching means C for releasably retaining the frame elevated when raised by the lower lift means B, comprises a combined latch and stop arm 32 which is rigidly secured at one end to the main shaft I 5 midway between the ends of the shaft and extending substantially at a right angle to the wheel carrier arms I6. Pivoted at its lower end as by a pivot bolt 33 to the rear portion of the central connecting rail 9', is a latch 34 formed by a pair of parallel arms held in spaced apart relation by a bolt and spacer sleeve 35 providing a stop to be engaged by the free end portion of the latch arm 32 when the frame A is elevated. The free end portion of the latch arm 32 is arranged to have swinging movement between the arms of the latch 34 and has its end edge beveled as shown in Figures 6 and 'I so as to ride under the stop 35 when the frame is elevated. Pivotally connected at its rear end to the upper end of the latch 34 is a link 36 having its forward end pivotally connected to a frame latch lever 37. This lever 37 is pivotally connected as by a pivot bolt 38 to the front frame portion iii in alignment with the central connecting rail 9", and a coil spring 39 serves to normally urge the lever 3'! and the latch 34 rearwardly whereby the stop 35 is retained in position to be engaged by the latch arm 32. When the frame A is raised, the latch arm 32 swings downward and the beveled end of the arm rides under the stop 35 as shown in Figure 6.

The depth regulating means D for regulating the degree of penetration of the ripping standards E by controlling lowering of the frame A, is so arranged as to permit ready and easy depth adjustment while the weight of the ripper is off of the regulating means. This means D comprises a pair of spaced apart stop arms 40 which are pivoted at their lower ends upon the main shaft l5 one at each side of the fixed latch arm 32. Pivotally connected between the upper ends of the arms 46 is a collar 4! thru which is rotatably extended a depth regulating screw 42 provided at its rear end with a handle 43. Arranged between the collar 4| and handle 43 is a spacer sleeve 44, while encircling the screw 42 at the opposite side of the collar is a stop collar 45. The forward lower end of the screw 42 is threaded as at 46 and this threaded end portion is threaded into a forked anchoring member or clevis 41 pivoted upon the pivot bolt 38, for the lever 37. The latch arm 32 is adapted to having swinging movement between the arms 49 into engagement with a stop bolt 48 connecting the intermediate portion of the arms. As shown in Figure 7, engagement of the combined latch and stop arm 32 with the stop bolt 43 limits lowering of the frame A. When the ripper is in a raised position as in Figure 6, the weight of the frame is off of the depth regulating means and permits ready and easy rotation of the depth regulating screw 42. Rotation of the screw 42 will cause the arms 40 to be swung forwardly and rearwardly of the ripper and thus vary the position of the stop bolt 48.

Referring now to the construction and the manner of mounting the ripping standards E, these standards are individually and pivotally mounted in the cross frame structure, one in each of the rearwardly opening slots [3 formed between the companion pairs of flanges l2. These ripping standards are of substantially C shape and embody a shank 43 provided at its lower forwardly directed end with a ripper point 50. The upper forwardly directed arm portions 5! extend longitudinally in the slots 53 and are pivotally mounted between the flanges i2 by suitable. pivot bolts 52. The arm portions 5i extend slightly forward of their pivot bolts 52 and at their forward ends are quadrant-shaped to form a curved cam edge 53 and a shoulder 54. As will be observed more particularly in Figure 7, the standards E are overbalanced at the rear of their pivot points 52 and therefore will normally swing by gravity to a working position.

The standard latching means F for controlling the pivoted ripping standards E embodies a rock shaft 55 journaled parallel to the main shaft l in rearward extensions on the bearings I4. The rock shaft 55 extends across the ripper frame slightly to the rear of the shaft 15 and fixed at one end upon the shaft 55 is an arcuate arm 56 which extends forwardly and downwardly over the shaft l5. Connected at one end to the forward end of the arm 56 is a link 51 which extends forwardly and has its other end connected to a standard latch lever 58 suitably pivoted upon the connecting rail 9". This lever 58 is normally swung rearward by a coil spring 59. Pivotally mounted at the forward end portion of each of the slots [3 is a standard latch 60 for releasably holding their respective standards in a working position. As shown in Figure 3, these standard latches 60 are pivoted substantially midway of their ends upon pivot pins 6! and provide an upwardly extending arm portion 62 and 'an' arm portion 63 which projects downwardly into the slot l3. The arm portion 63 is formed with spaced apart arms providing an opening 64 closed at its lower end by a cross piece 65 having a rounded lower surface for co-acting with the cam edge 53 of the ripping standards. Secured at spaced points along the rock shaft55, one for each of the standard latches 60, are upstanding lever arms 66 which are connected to their respective latches by links 61. One of the lever arms 66 forms a point of attachment for the rear end of the coil spring 58 whereby the lever arms are normally swung forward. When a forward pull is exerted on the standard latch lever 58, the arcuate arm 56 rocks the shaft 55 for swinging the lever arms 66 rearwardly and thru the links 61 releases the latches 60 from holding engagement with the ripping standards. Thus it will be seen that all of the standard latches 60 work in unison.

Each of the ripping standards E has means associated therewith whereby one or any number of the standards may be retained in an in active or non-working position when such becomes desirable, and without requiring removal of any bolts or the like. Mounted upon one end of each of the pivot pins 6| for the standard latches 60, is a link 66 and to each of which is loosely connected a hook member which extends rearwardly above the frame structure 8 and has a hook at its rear end adapted to engage the shank of the standard for hooking the standard in an inactive position as shown in Figure 2. When desiring to swing one or any number of the ripping standards into an inactive position, the latching means F is first operated for releasing the latches 60 and after which the standard or standards may be swung upwardly about the pivot bolt 52 and hooked in this raised position by the hooks 10. When a standard is hooked up, the arm portion 5| thereof is clear of its latch 60 and this permits operation of all of the standard releasing latches regardless of which of the standards are hooked up.

Referring now to the manner of raising the frame by the power lift means B so as to lift the ripping standards above the ground surface to permit transporting and turning of the ripper, this means B may be operated entirely independent of the standard latching means F. When raising the frame, a pull is exerted on the lever 30 which lowers the hook ends 24 of the power lift hooks 23 into engagement with their respective sprockets 25. Ks the ground wheels I! roll forward, the hooks 23 exert an upward and forward pull on the frame thus causing the wheel carrier arms IE to swing downward about the main shaft l5 as an axis and cause the frame to be raised. 'As the ground wheels continue to roll forward, the end of thelatch arm 32 rides under the stop pin 35 on the latch 34 and just after which the lift hooks 23 are raised off their ratchet wheels by the studs 21 of the ratchet wheels. When lowering the ripper, a forward pull is made on lever 31 which swings the latch 34 and releases latch arm 32 from the stop pin 35. When the arm 32 is released, the inclination of the wheel carrier arms will cause the ground wheels to roll forward and thus lower the ripper frame until this latch arm 32 engages the stop bolt 48.

When releasing the ripping standards E for the purpose of releasing any accumulations of ripped up material from in front of the standards, a forward pull on lever 58 will, thru the link 51, arm 56, arms 66 and links 6'! swing the latches 60 from engagement with the forward ends of the arm portions 5! of the standards. This allows the lower portions of the standards to swing backward about the pivot bolts 52 and the points 50 to come to the ground surface as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2. If the power lift means B is now operated and the frame raised, the ripping standards will automatically swing by gravity action into a ripping position and re-engage their latches 66. As the standards swing to a ripping position, the cam edges 53 will ride over the rounded lower edge of the cross piece 65 of the latches and into the latch opening 64. Thus the ripping standards may be returned to a ripping position by operating the power lift means while the ripper is traveling forward. If it is desired to release the ripping standards for unloading accumulated materal without using the power lirt means, this may be readily accomplished by merely traveling forward far enough for the released standards to be dragged over the material. Then, by backing up the ripper, the ripping points 50 will dig into the ground and cause the standards to pivot on the bolts 52, thus raising the frame A and permitting the standards to re-engage their latches without requiring operation of the power lift.

It will be seen that when the ripper is in operation where no obstructions are encountered,

the power lift may be operated for lifting and lowering the ripper without using the standard latching means F. On the other hand, when the ripper is in operation where immovable objects are frequently encountered, or accumulations of debris are often raked up in front of the ripper, the standard latching means may be used for unloading this accumulation of material. When the material has been released and passed over by the standards, the operator may then back the ripper up whereby the standards will automatically swing back into working position and even push the material back so that the standards may re-enter the ground at the point where they were released.

The control levers 3U, 31 and 58 may each have a control cable connected thereto and these cables may extend to a location on the tractor whereby the operator can control the ripper.

Changes in detail may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A road ripper implement comprising a wheeled frame, means for raising the frame with respect to its supporting wheels, means for retaining the frame raised, means for limiting downward movement of the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted on the frame, latching means for releasably holding the standards in working position relative to the frame, and means for securing one or any selected standards in an inactive position on the frame.

2. A road ripper implement comprising a wheeled frame, means for raising the frame with respect to its supporting wheels, means for retaining the frame raised, means for limiting downward movement of the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted on the frame, a latch for each standard for holding the standards in a working position, a single releasing means. for the latches, and a hook for each standard for securing selected standards in an inactive position and out of engagement by their latches.

3. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means for raising the frame relative to the wheels, a latch for holding the frame raised, means for releasing the latch, depth regulating means having the weight of the frame removed therefrom when the frame is raised, a series of ripping standards pivoted on the frame, a pivoted latch for each standard for holding the standards in a working position, and means for simultaneously releasing said pivoted latches.

4. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaled transversely of the frame, ground wheel supporting arms secured to the shaft, power lift means for swinging said arms to raise the frame, a releasable latch, a swinging latch arm on the main shaft engageable with the latch for holding the frame raised, depth regulating means having a stop engageable by the latch arm for limiting lowering of the frame, ripping standards pivoted on the rear portion of the frame, and releasable latch means for the standards.

5. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaled transversely of the frame, ground wheel supporting arms secured adjacent each end of the shaft, power lift means for swinging said arms to raise the frame, a pivoted latch having a stop pin, means for releasing said latch, a swinging latch arm on the main shaft engageable with the stop pin for holding the frame raised, depth regulating means embodying .arms pivoted on the main shaft and having a ing lowering of the frame, a series of ripping standards pivoted on the rear portion of the frame, and releasable latch means for holding the standards in a working position.

6. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaled transversely of the frame, ground wheels swingably connected to the shaft, stop bolt engageable by the latch arm for limitpower lift means for raising the frame, a latch arm on the main shaft, a releasable latch engageable by the latch arm for holding the frame raised, regulating arms pivoted on the shaft and provided with a stop engageable by the latch arm for limiting lowering of the frame, a regulating screw connected between the regulating arms and the frame, ripping standards pivoted upon the rear portion of the frame, and means for releasably holding the standards in a working position.

'7. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means for raising the frame, releasable latching means for holding the frame raised, depth regulating means for limiting lowering of the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted upon the rear portion of the frame, a latch for each standard for holding the standards in a working position, a rock shaft, 2. link connecting each latch with the rock shaft, and means for oscillating the rock shaft to release the latches from the standards.

8. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means for raising the frame, latch means for holding the frame raised, means for limiting lowering of the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted upon the rear portion of the frame and being overbalanced at the rear of their pivot to normally swing to a working position, a pivoted latch for each standard and automatically engaged by the standards when swinging to a working position, latch releasing means for simultaneously releasing all of the standards, and means normally holding the latches in position to be engaged by the standards.

9. In a road ripper implement, .a wheeled frame, means for raising the frame, means for holding the frame raised, means for limiting lowering of the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted upon the rear portion of the frame, a latch for holding each standard in a working position, releasing means for the latches, and a hook for each standard for retaining any selected standard or standards in a raised inactive position.

10. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame having a series of rearwardly opening slots spaced apart transversely of the rear portion of the frame, a ripping standard pivotally mounted in each slot and overbalanced at the rear of their pivot to normally swing to a Working position, releasable latching means for the standards, and means for securing selected standards in an inactive position out of engagement of the latching means.

11. In a road ripper implement, a frame embodying a cross frame structure having a series of spaced apart slots opening at the rear of the frame, a ripping standard pivotally mounted in each slot, a latch pivotally movable in the forward portion of each slot and engageable by the standard therein when the standards are in a working position, means for releasing the latches, and means for securing one or all of the standards in an inactive position.

AUGUSTA P. MCKAY.

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