US2624129A

US2624129A - Rotary grave-digging excavator

Info

Publication number: US2624129A
Application number: US786450A
Authority: US
Inventors: George A Steece
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-11-17
Filing date: 1947-11-17
Publication date: 1953-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-06

Description

Jan. 6, 1953 G. A. STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 IN VEN TOR. GE QGE f2 .STEEcE BY (fia mwkm G. A. STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR Jan. 6, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 17, 1'94? INVENTOR.

Jan. 6, 1953 G. A. STEECE 2,624,129

ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR Filed Nov. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

PTTOB/VEYS 1953 G. A. STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 INVENTOR. Gaoeef 1Q STEECE G MMW AYTTOPA/Exs drum 28. This chain 2| extends over a pulley 22 on a shaft 23 that is journalled in bearings carried on frame members 5, 1 that are at the opposite end of the machine from shaft l5. The end of the cable or chain 2| extends downwardly from pulley 22 and is secured to the end frame member 24 of frame I9 that is opposite 'end member |8 with which cable I1 is connected.

The cables I7, 21 preferably connect with the end frame members I8, 24 centrally between the ends of the latter or at such points where the frame I9 is substantially balanced horizontally when suspended from said cables l1, 2|. O-bviously the points where they connect may vary according to the distribution of weight on frame |9, although any number of cables may be used from any desired points if desired and found necessary.

Upon rotating the gear H1 in the direction permitted by pawl l2, the frame l9 will be elevated. Drums I6, are of the same diameter, hence the ends of frame |9 will be elevated at the same rate of speed. Upon releasing pawl 12, frame 19 will readily fall under the influence of gravity, and the operator may control the descent by controlling the speed of gear H1.

The frame I9 is adapted to move vertically Within the vehicle frame from the top of the latter to a substantial distance below the surface of the ground and below the vehicle frame.

Side frame members 26 of frame |9 connect the corresponding ends of

end frame members

8, 24 and carry racks 21 extending longitudinally of members 26 with the teeth of the racks directed upwardly. Two pairs of pinions 28 are supported on said racks, being secured on the ends of a horizontal shaft 29, and the pinions of the other pair being in axial alignment and rotatable on stub shafts 30.

The ends of shaft 29 are journalled in bearings carried at the upper ends of brackets 3| (Figs. 1, 3) while stub shafts 30 are secured to the upper ends of similar brackets 32.

The brackets 3| are secured to and project upwardly from one end of a platform 33 while the brackets 32 are at the opposite end of said platform. Thus the platform 33 is suspended from

shafts

29, 38 and the latter are supported, through pinions 28, on racks 21. Horizontal reciprocation of the platform 33 on racks 21 will occur upon rotation of shaft 28.

Shaft 29 has a pair of gears 35, 36 (Figs. 1, 6) secured thereto. The teeth of gear 35 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of a segmental gear 31 while the teeth of gear 36 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of a segmental gear 38.

Gears

31, 38 are respectively secured on aligned

shafts

39, 40 that are journalled in bearings carried by platform 33. The adjacent ends of

shafts

39, 40 have bevel gears 4|, 42, the teeth of which are in mesh with the teeth on a bevel gear 43 that, in turn, is secured on a shaft journalled in a bearing on platform 33. This gear 43 is secured on a power driven shaft 44 (Fig. 6) that is connected in any suitable manner, as by chain or' belt 46 (Fig. 1) with a driving shaft 41 on motor 48, said motor being on platform 33. On the diagrammatic view (Fig. 6) the shaft 41 on gear box is indicated as extending directly from the motor 48 for simplicity in the showing. Upon rotation of gear 43 the teeth on gear 31 will rotate shaft 29 sufficiently to move the platform from one end of the racks to the other end. As soon as the platform reaches said end, the

the pinions of one pair teeth of gear '31 will move out of engagement with the teeth on gear 35 and into the untoothed portion and the teeth on oppositely rotating gear 38 will engage the teeth of gear 35 to drive the platform to the opposite end of the racks. As long as shaft 44 is rotated the platform 33 will reciprocate horizontally between the ends of the racks. The number of teeth on the

segmental gears

31, 38 and their relative arrangement are such as to cause the desired degree of reciprocable movement of the platform.

Motor 48 has a power take off shaft 50 that carries a pulley 5|. Pulley 5| is connected by belt 52 with pulley 53 on shaft 54. The pulleys 5|, 53 may be multi-V-belt pulleys or sprockets and chains may be used instead if desired, the principal thing being a suitable means for transmission of power.

v The shaft 54 is rotatably supported on platform 33 in suitable bearings and carries

bevel gears

55, 56 that are rigidly secured thereto.

The bevel gear is in mesh with the teeth of a bevel gear 51 that is on shaft 58. Shaft 58 is journalled in bearings supported on platform 33 and has a sprocket 53 secured thereto (Fig. 6).

Bevel gear 56 is in mesh with a bevel gear 60 that is secured on shaft 6|. Shaft 6|, like shaft 58, is journalled in bearings supported on platform 33, and a sprocket 62 is secured on said shaft 6 I.

Below platform 33 is a pair of horizontal, elongated

earth digging rotors

63, 64 that extend transversely of said platform or at right angles to the direction of reciprocatory travel of platform 33.

These rotors are secured on shafts 65 that are respectively journalled in bearings carried in the lower ends of hangers 66 (Fig. 4) that are secured to the end and

frame members

61, 68 of frame 33 and which hangers are adjacent the ends of said frame.

Rotors

63, 64 each have cylindrical sections 10,

1| (Figs. 5, 6) secured on shafts 65. The section 10 is between each set of hangers 66 and extends to said hangers, while two sections 1| are respectively at opposite ends of each shaft 65 and outwardly of the hangers 66. Thus the hangers 66 extend between each'end section 1| and the central section 18 of each rotor.

Each end section 11 carries cutting blades or cutters 12 (Fig. 3) projecting axially outwardly of the opposite outer ends of said sections 1|, and these cutters also project outwardly of the oppositely outwardly facing sides of side frame members 68 and also project radially outwardly of the shafts 65 a sufficient distance to extend slightly beyond the end members 61 of platform 33.

Each shaft 65 has a sprocket 15 secured thereto between one of the corresponding end sections 1| and central section 10, and a sprocket chain 16 connects one sprocket 15 with sprocket 59 while the other chain connects the other sprocket 15 with the sprocket 62 (Fig. 4). These sprocket chains extend through openings in a cylindrical guard 11 secured on each of the hangers 66 that are adjacent sprockets 15.

The cylindrical sections 10, 1| that are secured on shafts 65 carry radially outwardly projecting earth digging spikes or elements 18 thereon and which spikes may be arranged in rows extending longitudinally of the rotors and in staggered relation so as to perform a substantially uniform cutting of the earth from end to end of the rotors.

While practically no self sustaining ridge of earth will remain in the aps between the sec.- tions I0, ll under normal :conditions, liproyide downwardly and oppositely outwardly extending stationary cutters 19 on the lower sides of guards 11 that aresufiicient to cut off any such ridges.

The rotors-63, 64 are connected "with motor ,49 for revolving in opposite directions with the glower sides of the rotors moving toward. each =:other whereby the earth that is dug by the rotors will tend to be thrown into the space between said rotors by centrifugal :force.

Between said rotors is :a horizontally extending endless conveyor 89 that extends longitudinally of said rotors, and which conveyor :is sup- ;ported overa platform -8I that is elongated to ex-tend longitudinally of said conveyor :and that :is preferably transversely inclined from its longi- .tudinally extending edges to a central ,point below said conveyor (Fig. 4). Bearings on said .platform support tend convergently upwardly pastthe side edges ;.of said conveyer while downwardly .and inward- .ly inclined .side members 83 extend over the up- .per rim of the conveyer and keepmaterialo-n the latter from falling onto the platform.

The platform BI is secured atone end to a depending hanger 84 that issecured to platform -33 or to the frame of said platform 33, while the other .end of the platform 8| may besecured to the lower end of an elevator housing 89 that in turn extends upwardly through an opening in platform '33 and that is secured to one of the frame members 68 of platform 33 (Fig. 5).

The end sections H of

rotors

63, 64 have blades 99 secured thereto and projecting from the peripheral sides of said sections to a distance spaced inwardly from theouter ends of the digging spikes or elements 18. These blades 99 generally extend in a spiral direction relative to the axis of each rotor shaft 85 and are inclined (Fig. 6) so as to throw the dirtfrom the ends of the rotors generally inwardly onto the conveyer 8'9 and toward the center of the conveyer. Thus the earth that is dug by the sections II that are at opposite sides of the elevator housing will for the most part .clearsaid housing and be deposited on the conveyer.

The central sections II! of the rotors have straight blades 9! that assure throwing of the dug earth upwardly and over the sides 82 .of "platform ,8! and onto the conveyer.

The conveyer platform is as low as possible between the rotors and the junctures between the sides '82 thereof and the platform 81 form cutting edges '92 that tend to cut into any heaps ofloose earth or'loosened earth that may not .be thrown over sides 82.

Shields .93 above "the rotors (Fig. '3) tend'to prevent; any of thethrown earth from going around "there-tors after it is once between them. "The blades 99, 9| also functionas cutting blades, ialthoughthe main digging is doneby the spikes "I8. The-degree to which 'the'blades '99, "9| and spikes '18perform the cutting action depends greatly upon the character of the soil. In more or less sandy soil or'light loam thebla'des may do much of the digging, whilein harder and heavier soil, "thespikes do-mos'tof 'the digging 'or loosening.

At one end of conveyer 88 "isthe upwardly extending elevator housing 89 that encloses "a bucket elevator 95. The buckets revolve in "a -sliglitsump 96 at'their lower ends and move-in a direction away from the end of the conveyer so iasmotztoitend to'pile dirt'on the conveyer. "The .lower shaft of the .elevator: has apulley 91 "that the conveyor, and sides :82 .ex" 1 connects tby belt :98 with the end pulley 99 of conveyer .80. Elevator is driven bya chain II III) that connects a sprocket I01 on motor driven shaft 54 with a sprocket 1.02 .onjshaft I03. Shaft I03 carries a sprocket I94 in mesh with the chains 1 05.0f the bucket elevator (Fig. 5) Suitable idlers such as is indicated at I20 (Figs. :1, v5., 7.) :may be employed to direct the upper and lower runs of chain I00 as desired.

Theupper endof the .elevatormay be lateral- ..lyextended asat I-06 in the conventional .mannerforconveying theearth carried by said elevator to apoint outwardly of one side of the vehicleframe for discharge at said point.

.Any suitable means, such ,as-a cable :IIi'I (Fig. 1;) extending to a drum I98 may be employed'for raising or for lowering the outer end of :extension I06. No'claim is ,made to this structure in itself.

In order to insure against the tilting of the frame I9 during raising and lowering thereof, vertical, elongated 'V-.guide strips IIIl (Fig. 2) are rigidly secured to the vehicle frame adjacent the four corners of the frame I9, and complementarily formed V-slides III are secured to frame I9 adjacent its four corners. The slides III engage guide strips I I0 and thus hold frame I9 level at all times. If desired, the slides -I II can be quicklyremoved from frame I9 by unbolting their lower ends therefrom and by collapsing the collapsible horizontal brace elements H2 that extend between the parts of slides III at each end of frame I9.

In operation, the vehicle frame is rolled to a position over the rectangular grave plot where the grave is to be dug. The frame I9 is in elevated position and the downwardly projected area belowsaid frame will practically define the outline of grave or opening to be dug in the earth.

After the vehicle 3 is in the desired position the wheels 2 are blocked by any suitable means such as blocks I I5 (Fig. 1) and the motor 48 isstarted. This motor may be electrical or gasoline .according to the facilities available. The carriage comprising the platform 33 will immediately commence its reciprocatory movement, and the rotors will revolve oppositely as :already de scribed. The operator then lowers the .frame I9 by releasing gear I0, and the rotors will commence to dig the grave.

It is to be noted that :the-endlimits of rthe reciprocatory movement of the rotors issuch'tha-t the earth will be loosened to aipoint beyond the end members I9, 24 of frame I9,-.while the :end cutters on the rotors will digbeyond thesides-of frame l9.

Astheearth'is dug the operatormay lower the rotors by release of gear I0 :and the-grave will be;dug to progressively lower depths. Thesides and ends of the excavation -will 'be smooth and square.

It is also to be noted that each'of the rotors will only move abouthalf the length of the grave, .thusthe reciprocatorymovement of the platform 33 is not great. The excavation is quite rapidly formed byreasono'f theshortstroke of the T0- :tors.

After the grave is dug, "the :motor may "be stopped, if desired, and the frame I9 and-platform 33 elevated from the grave and *the ma chine maybe moved to the nexltplot.

While the motor-may be connected'tothe shaft I 5by any well known conventionalmeansfor -ro- :tating shaft.-I5, lihlSiiS usualLvnot found-neces saryinasmuch as the operator can readily manipulate gear NJ to the same end. Also the motor may be connected with the vehicle wheels if desired, so as to drive the vehicle, but this would merely add to the expense of the machine, which can readily be pulled by a man to any normally positioned lot, or a drawbar can be connected with the eye 120 (Fig. 1). for pulling the vehicle.

I claim: 7

l. A grave digger comprising a pair or" earth digging rotors in side by side relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation of said rotors and upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means for rotating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for reciprocation horizontally transversely of their axes during said rotation, means for so reciprocating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for bodily downward movement during said rotation, and conveyor means for moving the earth dug by said rotors away from the latter. a

' 2. A gravedigger comprising a pair of earth digging rotors in side by side relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation of said rotors and upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions for moving the earth dug thereby to between said rotors, means supporting said rotors for reciprocation horizontally transversely of their axes during said rotation, means for so reciprocating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for bodily downward movement by gravity as a unit during said rotation, means for controlling the rate of speed of said downward movement, and conveyor means between said rotors for receiving the earth dug by the latter and for moving said earth away from said rotors to a point above the ground.

3. A gravedigger comprising a pair or" earth digging rotors in side by side relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation of said rotorsand upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means for rotating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for reciprocation horizontally transversely of their axes during said rotation, means 'for so reciprocating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for bodily downward movement by gravity during said rotation, holding means for releasably holding said rotors from said downward movement during reciprocatory movement of said rotors, means for releasing said holding means for permitting said downward movement under the influence'of gravity, and conveyor means connected with said rotors for downward and reciprocatory movement therewith and for moving the earth dug by said rotors away from the latter.

4. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generally toward each other for throwing earth dug thereby by centrifugal force to between said rotors, conveyer means between said rotors for receiving the earth so thrown and for carrying said earth away from said rotors.

5. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pair of horizontally. elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generally toward each other for throwing earth dug thereby by centrifugal force to between said rotors, a conveyor between said rotors extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the earth so thrown by the latter and for moving said earth in one direction to one end of said rotors, an elevator at said one end for receiving the earth moved thereto and for elevating it for discharge at a point above the ground.

6. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generally toward each other for throwing earth dug there'- by by centrifugal force to between said rotors, conveyer means between said rotors for receiving the earth so thrown and for carrying said earth away from said rotors, means intermediate the opposite ends of said conveyors and spaced from said ends supporting said rotors for rotation thereof, cutters on the ends of said rotors for cutting earth at said ends during downward and horizontal reciproeatory movement of said rotors.

7. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground, means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage. means on said carriage connected with said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes in opposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, cutters on the ends of said rotors and bearings spaced from said ends supporting said rotors on said carriage, the said rotors having radially projecting earth digging members for digging said earth.

8. Ina gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground, means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means on said carriage connected with said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes in opposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, cutters on the ends ofsaid rotors and bearings spaced from said ends supporting said rotors on said carriage, the said rotors having radially projecting earth digging members for digging said earth, said means for so supporting said carriage including a wheel mounted vehicle adapted to move over the ground.

9. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontal reciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground,

means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith and in spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means on said carriage connected with said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes in opposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, cutters on the ends of said rotors and bearings spaced from said ends supporting said rotors on saidcarriage, the said rotors having radially projecting earth digging members for digging said earth, a horizontally disposed frame having tracks thereon for supporting said carriage for said reciprocable movement of the latter, and a vehicle frame adapted to be supported on the surface of the ground supporting said horizontally disposed frame for downward movement thereof.

10. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adapted for movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within the confines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frame on said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frame into the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors mounted on said carriage in spaced side by side relationship, means on said horizontal frame supporting said carriage and rotors for bodily reciprov mounted on said carriage in spaced side by side cable movement as a unit in a direction transversely of the said rotors between positions at two opposite sides of said frame with one of said pair projecting laterally beyond said frame at said opposite sides respectively, means for simultaneously rotating said rotors so their lower sides will move toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, power means for so reciprocating said rotors as a unit and means on said carriage supporting an elevator thereon for movement therewith, conveyer means on said carriage for conducting earth dug by said rotors to said elevator.

11. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adapted for movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within the confines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frame on said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frame into the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors relationship, means on said horizontal frame supporting said carriage and rotors for bodily reciprocable movement as a unit in a direction transversely of said rotors between positions at two opposite sides of said frame with one of said pair projecting laterally beyond said frame at said opposite sides respectively, means for simultaneously rotating said rotors so their lower sides will move toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, power means for so reciprocating said rotors as a unit and means on said carriage supporting an elevator thereon for movement therewith, conveyer means on said carriage for conducting earth dug by said rotors to said elevator, rigid guides on said vehicle frame engaging said horizontal frame for holding the latter against lateral movement during said movement of said horizontal frame into the ground.

12. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adapted for movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within the confines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frame on said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frame into the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage, a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors mounted on said carriage in spaced side by side relationship, means on said horizontal frame supporting said carriage and rotors for bodily reciprocable movement as a unit in a direction transversely of said rotors between positions at two opposite sides of said frame with one of said pair projecting laterally beyond said frame at said opposite sides respectively, means for simultaneously rotating said rotors so their lower sides will move toward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors, power means for so reciprocating said rotors as a unit and means on said carriage supporting an elevator thereon for movement therewith, conveyer means on said carriage for conducting earth dug by said rotors to said elevator, the means supporting said carriage and rotors for reciprocable movement including pinions carried by said carriage, and horizontal parallel racks on said horizontal frame supporting said pinions thereon with the teeth of said pinions in mesh with the teeth of said racks.

GEORGE A. STEECE.

No references cited.