US2146101A

US2146101A - Trench tamper

Info

Publication number: US2146101A
Application number: US127411A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick W Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-02-24
Filing date: 1937-02-24
Publication date: 1939-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 1956-02-07

Description

Feb. 7, 1939,

F. W. WEBER TRENCH TAMPER Filed Feb. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l y M W F.

Feb. 7,4 1939.I F' w WEBER Y 2,146,101

vTRENGH TAMPER Filed Feb, 24, 1957 S'Sheets-Sheet 2 28 2' Flai. 5.

Feb. 7, 1939,

F. W. WEBER 2,146,101

' TRENCH TAMPER Filed Feb, 24, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenor. F.' W. Weber By MIJ, ai mw H orneys.

Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE TRENCH TAMPER Calif.

Application February 24, 1937, Serial No. 127,411

7 Claims.

My. invention relates to a machine for tamping earth in back lls in trenches or the like. In a great deal of pipe conduit and similar installation work it is necessary to excavate extensive and sometimes lengthy trenches and then back iill the earth into the trench. Where the trench is in a roadway or similar ground surface used extensively, it is necessary that the back iill have the same. density of consolidation as the neigh- 10 boring portion of the ground so that when for instancea road is re-paved that there will be no cracking or settlement at the trench. Also in trench excavation through open countries such as elds, it is also advisable to compact the earth when reiilled in the trench in order that it will be unnecessary to leave an elongated pile on top of the trench to take care of natural settlement or that there will be no settlementbelow the ground surface. Frequently in trench construction and installation particularly of large pipes after the back iillit is necessary to remove the surplus earth. Before doing this it is necessary forl the contractor or builder of the installation to be assured that the trench is adequately re- -11d and tamped. Otherwise after removing the surplus earth a settlement may develop along the length of the trench requiring a back haul of earth to lill in ,the settlement in the trench to bring the level up with that of the adjacent -V ground or road-bed.

A common practice in trench reiilling to assure the proper density and settlement of the back lill` is by hand tamping, which is an inefcient and expensive procedure. Sometimes this is done by flooding `the trench with water and allowing settlement by the water seeping downwardly in the soil. This latter however is objectionable in that it does not give a uniform settlement-and consolidation of the soil in the trench and frequently where the ground adjacent a trench lacks suflicient porosity the water does not settle out of .the material in the trench in a suiciently short length of time. The hand tamping is also frequently combined with wetting of the material rellled into the' trench to consolidate this both by the hand tamping and partial water settlement but this likewise is ineiiicientand expensive.

An object of my invention is the development of a machine which will eiiiciently tamp the earth Lreiilled ina trench and assure a density of the soilA refilled at least equal .to that of the adjacent soil. For this purpose I have made an adaptation vof a machine known in the trade as a "sheeps foot which type of machines are fre- 5"-:Vquently'usedk on grading work, extensive earth lls for dams and the like. The typical sheeps foot machine employs a drum from which a number of legs extend radially, these terminating at their end in feet or shoes. drum is towed over ground surface to be com- 5 pacted, the feet or shoes penetrate the soil, ea'ch foot thrusting a` small section of the soil downwardly. The drums have such a large number of these legs with feet or shoes and such are arranged in such a staggered manner on the drum 10 that the whole mass of the soil over which the sheeps foot is operated is compacted. In this operation it is usual to dampen the soil.

However the ordinary sheeps foot machine is .V not suitable for trench work. Therefore my in- 15 vention includes a special construction and mounting for the sheeps foot drum so that this may be towed longitudinally for instance in a deep trench gradually approaching the surface Y after the refill is completed and the towing is done 20 by a .truck or the like driven on the ground surface parallel to the edge of the trench. In this construction it is necessary therefore to provide an elongated frame having side beams, the frame being of substantially the width of the trench and 25' the side beams being constructed quite thin as to horizontal section so that the sheeps foot drum may be as large as possible to effect the tamping the full width of the trench. It is also necessary y to have a forward guide structure formed inte- 30 gral with the frame to prevent the drum skewing anglewise to the trench and therefore tending to bind against one side of the trench wall. My invention provides for this in the frame by having the forwardfportion contracted in a gradual 35 manner and by providing a sliding shoe extending rearwardly from the forward portion of the frame. This also has a spreader plate which distributes the material dumped in the trench evenly across the bottom of the trench so that the drum 40 with .the penetrating legs and feet may have aneven bed of loose soil on which to operate.

My invention also includes a tow bar construction. This is made telescopic to accommodate trenches of different depths and to be shortened 45 if desired as the trench becomes filled. The forward end of the tow bar is connected by a swivel moving on a vertical pivot for connection to a towing truck and the rear end of the tow bar has a pivoting connection to the forward 'contracted 50 end of the frame, this pivot being horizontal. Another detailed feature involves the connection of the tow bar and frame to a truck in which the swivel at the forward end of the tow bar is preferably made with a transverse tube which k Therefore when the y the parallel side beams I3 at theconverging anglemay be slipped over a pipe secured to the truck and extending laterally from one side of the truck across the trench. In addition a guiding cable or chain is connected from the frame to the forward portion of the truck and forms a diagonalk with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan taken in the direction of the arrow I of Fig. 2 illustrating the assembly of a. towing truck with my trench tamper indicated as proceeding in a trench in one direction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. l showing the side of the trench adjacent the truck and operating over material loosely dumped in the trench.

Fig. 3 is a partial elevation showing the trench tamper on a return run in the trench.

Fig. 4 is ay vertical transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 in the direction ofthe arrows showing the manner of the spreader blade and sheeps foot drum operating on material dumped into the trench.

Fig. 5 is a plan of the tamper taken in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 6, a portion of the tow bar being omitted. f f

Fig. 6 is a side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 5, also showing a portion of the tow bar omitted.

Fig. 7 is a plan of the tow bar taken in the direction of the arrow 1 of Fig. 8.

Fig.8 is a side elevation partly broken away of f the tow bar taken in the direction of the arrow 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal rsection on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6 through a portion of the tamper to illustrate mainly the drum and the mounting for the axle, and axle and journals being illustrated in plan.

Fig. 10 is a detail section similar to Fig. 9 through the axle journals.

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the truck connection taken in the direction of the arrow II of Fig. l or 2, the tow bar being broken away.

Considering rst the details of the tamper machine properly, such being designated by the assembly numeral I I in which I employ a machine or carriage frame I2. 'I'he frame is illustrated as having side beams I3, a rear end transverse beam I4, converging forward ends I5 of the side beams and parallel terminating ends I6, also of the side beams.Y A front transverse beam I1 connects the forward ends of the side beams I6. Side beams I3 with the converging portions I5 and the extension I6 may conveniently be formed of channels with the webs I8 innermost and the flanges I9 projecting outwardly. The rear transverse beam I4 is also a channel connected by v welding or the like to the channels of the side beams vwith the web innermost. The forward transverse beam I1 is also preferably formed of a channel with the web 20 outermost and the flanges extending inwardly. A transverse brace bar 2| in the form of an angle joins the side beams at the angle formed by the converging portions I5 and the parallel portions I6. There is Yalso a transverse brace bar 22, also preferably formed of an angle adjacent the forward end of Votherwise secured to the flanges of the forward transverse beam I1 and this has a series of bolt holes 21. A vertical and rectangular spreader plate 28 has a series of central bolt holes 29 ad- `jacent the top and is bolted to the transverse beam 22 by bolts 30 or the like. An angle brace bar 3|, also preferably formed from an angle has its lower end 32 with a flattened section 33, this flattened section being parallel to the side beams I3 and is intended to Yride parallel to the bottom f of the trench. The lower and rear end 32 is secured by welding or the like to the spreader blade 28 adjacent its center. A bolt 34 secures the upper end 35 sloping section of the brace bar to the depending angle 26. In this manner the spreader blade'may be adjusted up and down by shifting ythe bolts 36 and 34 to 'different' bolt holes.

The sheeps foot assembly 4D employs a drum designated by the assembly numeral 4I.' This has an outer cylindrical drum section 42 and two opposite circular heads 43 and 44 (note Fig. 9). These heads are inset from the edge of the drum forming a space 45 outside of the

circular plates

43 and 44 and the side edges of the cylindrical drum portion 42. drical and extends through openings 41 in the

ends

43 and 44 of the drum and is welded thereto by a filler weld 48 (note Fig. 10). The web I8 ofy each of the side beams I3 preferably has a circular opening 49 to accommodate a bearing block 56. This has a journal sleevey 5I cylindrical on the inside surface 52 and shaped on its outside surface to conform to the opening 49, it prefer-V ably being cylindrical on its outside surface. It is provided with a flange plate 53 on the outside,

this being preferably rectangular having a lowerv horizontal edge 54 and vertical edges 55. A rectangular spacing plate 56 is tted inside of the flange plate against the webs I 8 of the side beams I3 and this has an opening 51 to accommodate the sleeve 5I. I'he assembly is attached to the webs I8 by bolts 58. There is also a washerlike wear plate 59 which may be circular and is preferably Welded tothe sides 44 of the drum and has a circular opening 60 to accommodate the axle 46. It is to be noted that the axle terminates as indicated at 6I (Fig. l0) slightly inside of the side beams I3, that is, inside of the webs of said beams. This is to facilitate the assembly as the drum and axle may be aligned with the An axle 46 is preferably cylin-r f openings 49 in the webs of the side beams I3 and head or shoulder 61 shaped on the inside sur-V face with a cylindrical curve to correspond with the drum 42 to which said head is welded. On the ends of each leg there is a foot 68 which may be removable by either threading in Yplace or by welding to the leg. Each foot may be conf sidered as having a heel 69 and forwardly pro-Y jecting. toe '10. The feet at the bottom are substantially rectangular. These are arranged preferably in rows longitudinally of the drum and also are aligned in a circular manner on the periphery of the drum, such being indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. If desired the legs including the shoulder El and the feet Se may be cast as a single unit but if the feet work in material subject to considerable wear, they may be provided with a shallow socket 'li in which the ends of the legs 65 extend and then they can have a light weld connecting each shoe to its leg, such weld being readily melted for replacement of the Worn -feet.

The tow bar assembly 15 employsa rear tube orY pipe 'I6 (note particularly Figs. 6 and 7). This has a yoke 'I1 connected thereto, the yoke having a cross bar 18 and side arms "i9, these being illustrated as formed of channels with the Webs 80 innermost and the flanges 8l projecting outwardly. Gusset plates 32 connect the cross bar 18 to the sides of the tube '56. A pair of pintle bolts 83 connect the side arms and the forward extension I6 of the side beams I3. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 5 that the side arms t outside of the extension |6. Telescopically mounted in the tube 16 there is a forward tube or pipe 84, this having a series of diametrically opposite bolt openings 85 through which is connected an attaching bolt 86, this bolt extending through the pipe 'I6 at its forward end. The forward pipe 8d has a attened tongue 8l, such tongue being horizontal and a swivel towing cross member 88 is attached to this tongue. This swivel is illustrated as having a tube 89 with ears 90 welded thereto and the ears being connected by a vertical pivot bolt 9| to a tongue 81.

A suitable set up for towing the trench tamper may utilize a truck indicated by the numeral it@ (note Figs. 1, 2 and 11). .This truck has a tube |0I connected thereto at the rear ends as by suspension straps |92 (note Fig. 11). A projection tube |03 ts in the tube |0| extending completely therethrough and being secured in place by a pin |04 through both the tube lili and |03. This tube |03 also extends through the tube 89. There are a series of diametrically opposite perforations |05 in the tube |03 for insertion of centering pins I 06, which when inserted through these perforations engage the opposite ends of the tube 89. In addition a chain swivel |01 is secured to the outer projecting end of the tube |03 and a chain |08 leads diagonally from this to a securing point H35 on the truck. There is preferably employed a toggle lever assembly H0 or the equivalent for adjusting the length of the chain. This is for the purpose of readily detaching the chain which may be regulated in length by taking up on the links or extending the links either at the swivel or at the toggle lever connection.

In the illustrations a trench is indicated by the numeral H5. This has opposite sides H6 and the bottom H1. It is presumed that at one side of the trench on which the truck travels that there is a clear driveway for the truck. The dirt excavated from the trench is usually piled at the opposite side. In the procedure of filling the trench, a bull-dozer or the like works along the side of the trench having the excavated material thereon and dumps this material into the trench, such dumped material being indicated by the irregular contour H8 (Fig. 2). The tamper machine proper is lowered into the trench at one end in any suitable manner or if desired the trench may have a grade or ramp at one end so that the tamper part of themachine may be towed into the bottom of the trench. The tow bar is adjusted to the proper length and leads upwardly at an angle as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6. The forward end of the carriage frame I2 is quite heavy so that the spreader plate 28 contacts the irregularly dumped material H8 indicated in Figs. 2 and 4 and spreads such material somewhat evenly over the bottom of the trench. If desired the forward end of the machine may be weighted so that the spread plate and the attened section 33 of the angle brace 3| runs approximately on the top of the spread material. As such material is evenly spread the sheeps foot drum assembly rolls on this spread material, the legs and feet pene trating such material as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3; It will be noted that in the construction of the frame that this is approximately the width of the trench, the towing connection to the truck restricts to a certain extent the lateral swivelling of the tow bar and when the truck is driven parallel to the side of the trench there is a straight and central longitudinal pull on the tamper machine assembly ll. The forward projecting end having the side beams I5 and lI6 together with the yoke 'I9 restrict any sidewise skewing of the machine frame and drum and thus assure that the frame will not dig into the side walls of the trench.

When the sheeps foot assembly has been operated from one end of the trench to another or the desired length thereof, for instance in the direction indicated in Fig. 2 over the freshly dumped material, the frame is inserted. This is done by tilting the forward end upwardly after unhitohing the truck and reversing the truck. Such action causes the rear transverse beam I4 to contact the bottom of the trench, that is, at the portion which has already been tamped and the machine is completely turned over to the position shown in Fig. 3. 'Ihe truck may then be again connected and driven in a reverse direction back to the starting point. In this reverse travel usually no fresh material is dumped in the trench but the material already dumped is thus given two workings or tampings. In such return movement the spreader plate 28 does not operate being in an elevated position, however should it be desired to again spread the material in the bottom of the trench or to dump fresh material therein, there may be two spreader assemblies such as 25, one extending below and the other above the frame of the machine, but as it is usually satisfactory to have only one assembly in the usual practice of iilling trenches, only one is illustrated. After the return trip of the tamper to its original position it is again reversed by being turned over on the rear transverse beam l@ and again assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. As the tamper moves from thev end of its first travel in the trench to its starting point, a bull-dezer or the like may be back filling into the trench an additional amount of loose material. In this manner the trench is gradually filled in and the material tamped in the periodical travel of the sheeps foot assembly from one end of a trench to the other or between designated portions of the long trench.

Various changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

ritikll I claim:

1. In a trench tamper, a carriage frame, a drum having an axle, means rotatably connecting the axle to the carriage frame, said drum having tamping legs and feet, said frame having a forward extension beyond the periphery ofthe drum and unbalancing the frame, a tow bar pivotally connected to said extension by a horizontal pivot whereby the to-w bar may form an upwardly inclined angle to the general plane of the carriage, the weight of the forward extension being adapted to counteract the upwardly inclined pull on the tow bar, a spreader plate adjustably connected to the forward extension on one side thereof and adapted to engage the soil for spreading in one direction of movement of the carriage and drum and on a reversed direction with the carriage turned upside down to be positioned above the bottom of the trench.

2. In a trench tamper, a carriage frame having a pair of opposite side beams, a rear end beam connecting said beams and a forward extension of less width than that between the side beams to clear the walls of a trench and forming a connecting means at the forward end of the carriage frame, an axle, means forming a journal for the axle at the side beams, a drum having tamping legs and feet on the axle, a tow bar pivoted to the forward extension by a horizontal pivot to permit a forward inclination of the tow bar in reference to the side beams and forward extension, a spreader assembly including a spreader plate adjustably mounted on the forward extension and depending therebelow in one direction of travel of the carriage and drum, the said forward extension and the spreader assembly being adapted to counteract an upward pull on the tow bar to maintain the spreader plate in operative engagement with soil at the bottom of the trench, the said rear end beam forming a support for the drum when reversing the direction of the carriage, the said carriage when reversed having the spreader plate assembly projecting upwardly. 3. In a trench tamper as claimed in claim 2, the rear end beam having a plurality of scraping fingers firmly attached thereto and extending towards the drum and positioned to pass between successive tamping legs and feet during the rotation of the drum in the longitudinal movement of the carriage.

4. In a method of trench tamping inwhich a carriage frame is provided with a drum having tamping legs and feet and positioned in a trench adjacent one end, moving the carriage with its top side upwardly longitudinally of the trench to develop a rst tamping action on the soil at the bottom of the trench, secondly at the end of the first direction of travel reversing the carriage to turn the same upside down while retaining the axis of the drum transverse to the trench, then moving the carriage and drum in reverse direction to develop a second tamping action on the soil at the bottom of the trench.

5. In a method of trench tamping in which a carriage frame having a drum with tamping legs and feet is positioned at the bottom of the trench at one end thereof with the axis of the drum transverse to the trench, dumping filling material loosely in the trench, moving the carriage and drum longitudinally of the trench and at the same time spreading the loosely dumped material in front of the drum whereby such loosely dumped material is tamped into the bottom of the trench, then while retaining the axis of the drum transverse to the trench, reversing the position of the carriage to turn the same upside down, then moving the carriage with the drum in reverse direction over the previously tamped section of the trench to develop a further tamping action to additionally consolidate the soil at the bottom of the trench.

6. In a trench tamper, a carriage frame having a drum rotatably mounted therein, said drum having tamping legs with feet extending substantially radially from the periphery of the drum, said frame having a forward extension, a tow bar pivotally connected to said extension by a horizontal pivot whereby the tow bar may form an upwardly inclined angle to the general plane of the carriage for towing the drum in a trench from a towing means on the ground level, the forward extension having an adjustable spreader plate positioned forwardly of the place of contact of the legs and feet with the bottom of the trench to spread earth dumped in the trench, Said forward extension and spreader plate being positioned relative to the axis of the drum to unbalance the carriage frame and counteract the upwardly inclined pull of the tow bar.

7. In a trench tamper, a carriage frame having side beams, an axle journaled therein, a drum secured to the axle and having tamping legs and feet extending substantially radially therefrom, the side beams having a narrowed forward extension, a tow bar having a yoke pivotally connected by a horizontal pivot to said extension, the said side beams being adapted to occupy a horizontal position and the tow bar an upwardly inclined position whereby the carriage may be towed lengthwise in a trench by a towing means travelling on the ground level and having a connection to the upper end of the tow bar, the said forward extension having a spreader assembly including a transverse spreader plate and an upwardly inclined brace bar extending from adjacent the spreader plate toI a connecting means at the forward end of the said extension, the spreader plate being adapted to spread earth dumped in the trench for tamping action by the legsand feet, said forward extension and spreader plate being positioned relative to the axle of the drum to unbalance the carriage frame and counteract the upwardly inclined pull of thetow bar.

FREDERICK W. WEBER.