US2565851A - Apron and ejector control linkage for earth movers of the carry type - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 28, 1951 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 L. L. HYLER APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. L. HYLER APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR Aug. 28, 1951 EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 INVEN TOR. Z0/e//L fiy/ev" L. L. HYLER APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR Aug. '28, 1951 EARTH MOVERS 0 THE CARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 BYWMM 7 Aug. 28, 1951 L. HYLER 2,565,351

APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE Filed Feb. 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ym/W Patented Aug. 28, 1951 APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE Loiell L. Hyler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Mfg, Co.,; Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1946, Serial No. 647.7113

11 Claims. 1

My invention relates to earth movers of the type shown in my co-pending application entitled Earth Mover, Serial No. 537,623, filed May 27, 1944. In this type of device there is provided a wheel-supported main earth containing bowl substantially closed at one .end by a pusher. This is movable through the bowl in a forward direction to discharge earth from the bowl over a leading cutting edge. Also there is provided a front apron, or auxiliary bowl movable from a lower position completing the front end closure of the .bowl and retaining earth therein, and an open or upper position in which the front apron is spaced a substantial distance from the cutting edge of the bowl. In movin to open position, the front apron affords a relatively large opening through which earth can spill from the front apron and through which earth contained in the main bowl can be expelled from the machine.

There are various manners of inter-connection between the pusher, the front apron and the main bowl. The co-pending application above-identified discloses one such means. Therein thefront apron is provided with side arms connected by pivots to transversely opposite ides of the pusher I and is also connectedby a lost motion connection of the pivot and slot type, or by a direct pivot, to a pair of links extending from the-apron arms forwardly to suitable pivot connections on the adjacent side walls of themain bowl. There is also provided a cable mechanism, connected not only to the front apron but also tothe pusher in such a way that when the cable is tensione d the front apron is lifted a portion of its total travel and by such motion conditions the pusher for forward motion in responseto continued pull and slot type of connection is believed to have disadvantages in that itis susceptible to clogging and allows some free motion of the front apron and of the pusher. The free motion permits shocks to be transmitted throughout the system h t e 10st otiqni slu d n vta e -imer substantial motion-of thepusher-priortoa lar e apron openin is likewise believed ,to be .disadr vantaeeou i a i require w rk at Perf rm it and causes an initial unnecessary redistribution of the earth load-in themain bowl.

.It i he efore anob ect.o imy in ent nct rrc- :Vi'cle an improved inte cn ec ins devis -fo joining the main bowl, the pusher, and the front apronof an earth mover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for affording a substantial initial opening of the front apron of an earth mover without any consequential motion of the pusher and without the disadvantages of an open slot connection.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a durable and rugged mechanism for inter relating the pusher and front apron with the rest of an earth mover.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained by the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention, portions of the device toward the rear being broken away to disclose parts of the interior in crosssection on a vertical longitudinal plane;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the central portion of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention, a lower part of the main bowl side wall being broken away to disclose the interior;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an isometric perspective showing a fragment of the linkage inter-connection in one position, parts of the structure being disclosed in section;

- Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, are schematic diagrams illustrating in longitudinal vertical cross-section the elementary parts of the earth mover linkage of my invention disposed in successive positions in the successive figures.

In its preferred form the earth mover of my invention includes a bowl having a pusher movable therein and is provided with an apron movable to open and to close the bowl. The apron is articulated on the pusher, preferably by a pivot connection, and is also related to the bowl by a duplicate linkage each including a pair of links;

ji. c. a primary link and a secondary link. The

lized in commercial practice substantially as shown in the accompanying-drawings. .Since the machine is longitudinally symmetrical, for the most part only one side isshown. In the present embodiment there is provided an earth mover having ,a pair of front ground-engaging wheels ,6 and a pair of rear -ground-engaging wheels 7 of the vehicle.

eration of the cable 2|.

supporting between them what constitutes the general, frame 8 of the mechanism. Included in this frame is a front, yoke frame 9. A suitable draft mechanism II is indirectly joined to the yoke frame and to a towing vehicle, not shown. The yoke frame 9 is connected by pivots l2 to the side walls I3 of a bowl generally designated M. The bowl'is considered as part of a bowl frame included in the frame 8. Incorporated in the bowl frame are not only the side walls, but also various connectors such as struts 16 extending to the rear axle I! for the wheels I as well as other appurtenances.

The bowl 14 includes a bottom 18, the leading edge i9 of which serves to engage the ground when the yoke frame 9 and the bowl frame are moved relative to each other about the pivots l2. This is accomplished in a fashion shown in the above-identified application by a control cable 21 led over suitable sheaves 22 and effective to move pendant arms 23 disposed on opposite sides Each arm 23 rides over a cam track 24 on the yoke frame 9 in response to op- Since the lower end of the arm is connected by a pivot pin 26 to the leading edge of the side wall I3 of the main bowl, the cutting edge I9 is raised and lowered in response to operation of the cable 2|.

In addition, there is provided a second cable 2? passed over sheaves 28 and extending to a lever 29 connected by a pivot 3| to a suitable mounting on the yoke frame 9. The lever 29 carries a sheave cam 32 to which is dead-ended an actuating cable 33. The other end of the actuating cable is fastened by a pin 34 to a front apron 36. This apron is substantially a transverse barrier effective in one position, i. e. the position shown in Fig. l, substantially to close the otherwise open forward end of the bowl [4. The front apron 36 is also designed to be moved into an upper position so that the front end of the bowl is open for the ready discharge of earth. For this reason, the apron 36 is provided with a pair of side arms 38. Each of the side arms is connected by a pivot pin 39, constituting a suitable articulation, to a carriage 4|. This carriage is incorporated with a pusher 42 including a transverse rear wall which closes the rear end of the bowl and is designed to travel or move through the bowl forcibly to discharge earth therefrom.

The carriage for that reason is provided with guide wheels 43 and 44 movable on the side walls of the main bowl and effective to constrain the pivot pin 39 to rectilinear translation in a generally forward and rearward direction.

To actuate the pusher 42, advantage is taken of the cable 21 that actuates the front apron. After passing over the sheave 28 in the lever 29, the cable 21 extends over suitable guide sheaves along the framework of the machine until finally it is reeved through stationary pulleys 46 and movable pulleys 47, respectively disposed on the framework and on a traveling stem 48 secured to the pusher 42 for movement therewith. When the cable 21 is tightened, not only. is a lifting force exerted on the'front apron, but likewise the tension tends to move the pusher 42 forwardly. Forward pusher movement is opposed by a coil spring 49 suitably housed in the rear framework and directly connected by a central rod to the pusher. Thus the spring is compressed upon forward motion of the pusher.

As so far described, the earth mover is substantially identical with that shown in the aboveidentified application. In accordance with the current invention there is provided a special means for inter-relating the front apron with the bowl M. This special means also produces the desired interaction between the front apron and the pusher, hence the relationships of the bowl, the pusher and the front apron are established.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a primary link 6| extending generally longitudinally of the vehicle and at its front end connected by a pivot pin 62 to the main bowl side wall l3. At its rearward end, the primary link 6|. as especially shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is reduced somewhat in dimension and is provided with a plate-like terminus received between the two side bars 63 and 64 of a secondarylinkSB.

There is provided an inter-connection between the plate terminus 65 of the primary link 6| and the secondary link 66 constituted by a pin 61 carried by the bars 63 and 64 and passing through a suitable aperture in the plate terminus 65. Counting the pivot 39 as the first pivot and the pivot 62 as the second pivot, the connection between the primary link SI and the secondary link 66 is a third pivot.

The secondary link 66 is connected to the side arm 38 of the front apron by a fourth pivot pin 68 passing through the link and through a pair of depending ears 69 and H on the arm. The pin 68 is preferably removably held in place by a fastening cotter 13.

In accordance with the present invention it is desired that the movement of the secondary link 66 with respect to the apron 36 be limited in extent and for that reason on each of the ears 69 and ii I provide a permanent stop 14 in the form of a block against which the corresponding one of the plates, say 63, of the secondary link abuts when the link is substantially in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Furthermore, it is desired in accordance with the invention to limit the relative motion of the primary link 6! and the secondary link 66 about the pivot pin 6'1. For that reason the secondary link is especially formed between the side walls 63 and 64 by the provision of an intermediate plate 16, the upper portion of which is provided with one abutting face H substantially at a right angle to another abutting face 18. These faces point in the general direction of the pivot pin 61 andare intermediate the pivot pin 68 and the pivot pin 61. Designed to cooperate with the faces 7'! and 18 are appropriate hook surfaces 19 and 8|, respectively, formed on the plate terminus 65 of the primary link 6| so that while a limited relative rotation between the two links is afforded such rotation is stopped at selected points by abutment between the surfaces H and 19 (shown spaced in Fig. 2 for clarity), as well as by abutment between the surfaces 18 and 8|. The operation of this mechanism isillustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive. When a force is first applied to the cable 21 to move the parts from their closed position, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, there is primarily exerted a force through the cable 33 upon the front apron 36 tending to lift the apron or to rotate it about the axis of the firstpivot 39. There is also a force exerted through the remaining portion of the cable 21 and through the compound sheaves 46 and 4'! tending to move the pusher 42 forwardly. This force is transmitted through the primary and secondary links which are initially in the position shown in Fig. 5. In such position, the primary link 6| is disposed so that the third pivot-61 is below or to one side of a anew straight imaginary line, designated 82 in 5 extending from the first pivot 39 to the second pivot 62. The apron arm and the .6] form a primary toggle. Furthermore, the secondary link 66 is disposed so that the stop 14 is in abutment with it and consequen ly the force exerted to force the pusher 42 forwardly is not effective, because of the toggle, to produce any such motion. Rather, the superior force acting through the cable 33 .is effective to move the third pivot 61 up to the imaginary line 82 and this motion is effective to produce a slight rearward motion of the pusher 42 as illustrated by the distance D in Fig. 6. This motion is in the direction contrary to the general direction of discharge of the pusher, but is of an extremely slight extent, although the opening movement of the front apron is appreciable. Continued tension on the cable 33 moves the front apron from the position of Fig. 6 into the position shown in Fig. '7 wherein the third pivot 6'1 has crossed the imaginary line 82, but the fourth pivot 68 is still below the imaginary line. Since there is also a force exerted upon the pusher 4.2 tending to move .it forwardly, the stop 14 is still in abutment with the secondary link 66 but the pusher 42 has recovered by forward motion a part of .its previous travel in a reverse direction and now is separated from its original position by only an insignificant distance E The motion of the pusher 42 from its original position through the distance D and back through the distance to leave a net displacement E inconsequential insofar as moving the earth load is concerned, but the front apron has moved a very substantial distance toward open position.

As the forces are continued, the front apron in its further lifting movement, as shownin Fig. 8, arrives at a position in which the fourth pivot 68 or lower pivot is substantially on the imaginary line 82. The forward force is still exerted on the pusher 42 so that the stop 14 is still in abutment with the secondary link .66 and the pusher 42 has recovered all of .its rearward mo,- tion and has returned to its initial position, Simultaneously the faces 18 and BI abut, in effect uniting the links GI and .66.

Still further exertion of force on the cable 33 is effective to move thefourth pivot 68 above the imaginary line 82, as shown in- Fig. 9. Thisbeing true, there remains a secondary toggle made up of the apron arm and of the primary and sec--v ondary links considered as a unit and this toggle is in broken condition just above the imagis nary line 82 so that the pushes 42, is moved slightly forward from its onig-inalposition by an amount F. This forward movement is not of a great consequence in andof itself. In effect the pusher, as shown in Figs-.5 to -9. hasrnoved practically not at all, while the apron hasmoved; to a relatively wide initial opening. Continued stress on the actuating cable 21 is finally effective to move the pusher 42 forwardly by an intermediate or representative amount-for example, G-and to collapse the secondary toggle further so that the front apron iii-is moved into a relatively wide open position. The. weight of the apron and the direction of "the forces acting are such that the primary and secondary links remain in substantiallyabutted or locked -condition as shown in Fig. 10 throughout the remaining part of the discharge motion of the pusher, although there is some additional opening movement of the front apron. The cable 33 tends to slack toward the final part of the motion of the front apron, the sole lifting force being exerted through the pusher 42.

When the force on the cable 21 is removed the weight of the front apron 36, or an external restoring force if desired, acts in addition to the expanding action of the spring 49 to cause the parts to retrace the paths of motion described and to follow in reverse sequence the steps of the motion illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, until finally the parts return to the position shown in Fig. l and in Fig. 5. In so returning, the pusher and front apron are disposed with the toggle pivots, or the third and fourth pivots 6'! and 69, both below the imaginary line 82 so that in effect the parts are gravitally locked in their lowermost position.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a structure in which the slotted type of lost motion connection is avoided, in which substantially no motion of the pusher takes place during the initial or preliminary opening of the front apron, but in which the parts are all connected at all times by joints such as pivots which are capable of long life under abuse and are readily lubricated for relatively protracted operation. The net result is the provision of a greatly improved interconnection between the main bowl, the pusher and the front apron of an earth mover.

I claim:

1. An earth mover comprising a bowl; a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therethrough; an apron connected by a first pivot to said pusher; a primary link connected by a sec,- ond pivot to said bowl; a secondary link connected by a third pivot to said primary link and by a fourth pivot to said apron; and means for movingsaid apron to advance said third pivot and said fourth pivot successively across an imaginary straight line joining said first pivot andsaid second pivot.

2. An earth mover comprising a bowl; a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therethrough; an apron connected by a first pivot to said pusher; a primary link connected by a second pivot to said bowl; a secondary link connected by a third pivot to said primary link and by a fourth pivot to said apron; and a stop on said apron for limiting the movement of said secondary link.

3. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin, means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forces tending to move said apron and said pusher, and a pair of links pivotally connected together and respectively pivotally connected to said bowl and said apron forming a pair of toggles adapted successively to restrain said pus-her during initial opening movement of said apron and to be successively broken to release said pusher for movement.

el. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and toclose said bowl, a .pusher mounted :on said bowl for movement therewithin, meanspivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forces tending to move said apron and said pusher, a pair of links pivotally connected together and respectively pivotally connected to said bowl and said apron, means-for preventing pivotal movement of one of said links relative to said apronduring an initial opening movement of said apron, and means for preventing pivotal movement of said links relative to each other during further opening movement of said apron.

5. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin, means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forces tending to move said apron and said pusher, a pair of links pivotally connected together and respectively pivotally connected to said bowl and said apron, and means for limiting pivotal movement of said links during opening movement of said apron to provide a first pusher restraining toggle with the pivotal connection between said links forming the center joint thereof and to provide a second pusher restraining toggle with the pivotal connection of one of said links to said apron forming the center joint thereof.

6. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin, means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forces tending to move said apron and said pusher, and means interconnecting said apron and said bowl forming a pair of successively breakable toggles for restraining said pusher against substantial movement during initial opening movement of said apron.

7. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and to close said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin, means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forces tending to move said apron and said pusher, and means interconnecting said apon and said bowl forming a pair of successively breakable toggles for restraining said pusher against substantial movement during initial opening movement of said apron, said interconnecting means being effective after both of said toggles have broken to cause further opening movement of said apron in'response to movement of said pusher through said bowl.

8. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, a bowl for containing earth supported by said frame, said bowl having an open front," a movable apron for opening and closing the front of said bowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising and lowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardly in said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron and pivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, means for preventing forward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly a predetermined distance, said last means comprising a pair of pivotally connected links, one of said links extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of said links and having its free end pivotally connected to said arm, and the free end of the other link extending forwardly therefrom and being pivotally connected to said bowl, and stop means for limiting the relative pivotal movement of said links.

9. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, a bowl for containing earth supported by said frame, said bowl having an open front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of said bowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising and lowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardly in said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron and pivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, and means for preventing forward movement of said ejector until'said'apron has moved upwardly a predetermined distance, said last means comprising a relatively'long link and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, said short link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of said links'and having its free end pivotally connected tosaid arm, and the free end of said long link extending forwardly and being pivotally connected to said bowl;

10. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, a bowl for containing earth supported by said frame; said bowl having an open front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of said bowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl,'means for raising and lowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardly in said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron and pivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, and means for preventing forward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly a predetermined distance; said last means comprising a relatively long link and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, said short link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of said links and having its free end pivotally connected to said arm, and the free end of said long link extending forwardly therefrom and being pivotally connected to said bowl, said pivots being so arranged that when said apron is in closed position the pivot at the rearward end of said long link lies below the line between the pivots for said arm and the forward end of said long link.

11; Apparatus formoving earthlike material comprising a main frame, a bowl for containing earth sup-ported by 'said frame, said bowl having an open front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of said bowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising and lowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardly in said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron and pivoted at its opposite'end on said ejector, means for preventing forward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly a predetermined distance, said last means comprising a relatively long link and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, said short link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of said links and having its free end pivotally connected to said arm, and the free end of said long link extending forwardly therefrom and being pivotally connected to said bowl, said pivots being so arranged that when said apron is in closed position the pivot at the rearward end of said long link lies below the line between the pivots for said arm and the forward end of said long link, and mean's associated with said links for limitingrelative pivotal movement between said links.

- LOIELL L. HYLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,239,967 Low Apr. 29, 9 1

2,275,601 Austin et al. Mar. 10, 1942

Images