US2712878A

US2712878A - Material handling device

Info

Publication number: US2712878A
Application number: US330196A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest B Sutton; Caroel M Dunham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-01-08
Filing date: 1953-01-08
Publication date: 1955-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 1972-07-12

Description

y 1955 E. B. SUTTON ETAL MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 8; 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS E. B. SUTTON C. M, DUNHAM ATTORNEY y 12, 1955 E. B. SUTTON ETAL 2,712,878

MATER'IAL HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTORS .HIEI E.B.SUTTON I 'nunnau 4mm E C.MIDUNHAM I H l: fig: BY I ATTORNEY y 1955 E. B. SUTTON ET AL 2,712,873

MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.1O .05 .0,

I v v INVENTORS I E. s. SUTTON c. M. DUNHAM United States 1Parenr hire a atenterl .Fuly 12, 1955 IVEATERIAL HA DEVHCE Ernest 5. Sutton, Polk City, and Caroel M. Dunbar-n, Kissimmee, Fla.

Application January 8, 1953, Serial No. 335,195

2 Claims. (Cl. 214-313) This invention relates to handling dev ces and more particularly to a mobile, power operated lift adapted to engage a special container for mov g it, including raising, lowering and dumping, ha mg 5 ecially designed pov er operated engaging means for the container.

In various industries, such as fruit growing, and the like, it is necessary to move relatively large containers of fluent material. This may include lifting the container from one position on the ground or other support and shifting it to another position at the same or a different level. it may also be necessary to dump the contents of the container at a given location. Because of the size and weight of he loaded containers, it is impractical to perform these tasks manually.

in the past, various machines for lead and unloading or moving heavy containers have been devised, but these have frequently sufiered from lack of flexibility of movement, or have been incapable of dumping the contents without manual assistance.

Accordingly, it is object of the present invention to provide a device adapted to engage the upper rim or a specially constructed container, lift the container and move it to a desired location, either on the same or a dilferent level, and if desired to dump the contents thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an articulated lift, adapted to engage a container and shift its position both the horizontal and the vertical plane, including releasing the container in the same relative position or dumping it, if desired.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2, a fragmentary side elevation to a reduced scale or" the lower portion of the device of l, and illustrating one method of mounting it on a tractor;

Fig. 3, a rear fragmentary elevation to an enlarged scale of the lower portion of the device of Fig. l, with a portion of the base shown in section;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary front elevation or" the device of Fig. 1, illustrating the same in raised position.

Fig. 5, a front elevation of the frame and bucket engaging member of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6, a top plan view of the device of Fig. 5, illustrating the manner of engaging a container;

Fig. '7, a schematic diagram of the hydraulic actuating system; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10, a cross section through a valve actuating member illustrating it in the three possible positions of use.

Briefly stated, the loader includes a base adapted to be mounted on a tractor, or the like, and carrying an upright post or mast; means are provided for rotating the post or mast through a complete circle. At the upper extremity of the mast, a boom is pivotally mounted and at the latters other extremity a second or jib boom is pivotally mounted. At the end of the jib boom a frame is mounted which has one angularly disposed arm fixed thereto and a second arm movably connected thereto which is adapted to engage the opposite side of a container from that of the fixed arm. Hydraulic pistons are mounted between the mast and the boom, the boom and the jib boom, and the jib boom and the movable arm, in order to produce relative movement or articulation between the pivotal members. A fourth is mounted between the jib boom and the frame, the latter of which is pivotally supported on the jib boom, in order to lift the frame for dumping the container. Means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the pistons and control by valves accessible to the operator of the tractor is also included.

Referring to the drawings, the loader comprises a base ill, having side members 11 and 12, joined by a top or web portion 13. The base may be mounted on channel members 3 3 and i5, carried by a tractor 1d.

Supported between the members 11 and 12 is a bracket 17 which carries an upright sleeve 18. A post or mast 1% is received in the sleeve and has a collar 29 mounted just above the sleeve which engages a bearing 21 at the upper end of the sleeve. At the lower extremity of the mast is a gear 12-2. A mating gear 23 is mounted on a shaft 24 carried by bracket 17. At the lower end of shaft 24 a pinion 25 is mounted for enga ernent with a melt 2-5 which is attached to a roc 2 mounted for reciprocation in a cylinder 28.

At the upper end of the post 39 a pair of spaced trunnions 29 are mounted which pivotally mount a second post or boom hav'ag a transverse shaft 31 carried by the trunnions 29.

In order to vary and maintain the posts 19 and St) in the desired angular relationship, a cylinder 32 is provided, having a cap 33 at its lower end. The cap has a pair of spaced ears 34 for receivin a projection 35 extending from the collar 2%. a pin 36 pivotally connecting the ears to the projection 35.

Extending through a cap 37 at the other end of the cylinder is a rod 33 having a piston 3 attached thereto and reciprocating within the cylinder. The other end of the rod is attached to a projection at the side or" the post 38 and spaced substantially intermediate its ends. Hydraulic lines a l, 41 extend into the cylinder 32.

The post 38 has a pair of trunnions 42 at its remote end which mount a transverse shaft 4-3, carrying a third post or jib boom 54. in order to adjust and maintain the angular relationship between the posts 31' and 4 a cylinder 45, which be integral with or conected to the post 39, is mounted within the post. The cylinder is of conventional construction and carries a conventional double acting piston 45 to which is attached a projection 47 extending laterally outside the post 31' through a slot (not shown) therein. A push rod 48 is pivotally connected to the projection 4'7 at one end and to a projection 49 at the other, the latter projection being attached to a ilange or shield 5% extending rearwardly from the sides of the post 4%.

Suitable lines

51, 52 are connected to the cylinder 45 for the transmission of fluid between it and the hydraulic mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 5 and 6 the post 44 has the central or web portion of a yoke 55 rigidly attached to it, the arms of the yoke 54 5 providing substantially an extension of the post 44. At the ends of the arms a frame as is pivotally carried by projections 5'7 and 58, pins extending through the arms and the projections.

The frame 56 has an upper rectangular portion having relatively

short side members

69 and 61, on which the

projections

57 and 58 are mounted, and relatively long mounted on a rectangular portion of the frame.

side members

62 and 63 rigidly connected thereto. Dis- 7 posed at an angle to the rectangular portion are a pair of of a bucket 63..

Extending downwardly from the rectangular frame at' the opposite side from the legs 64 and 65 are another pair of

legs

69 and 70.

Cross members

71 and 72, spaced from the

side members

60, 61 of the frame, connect the.

legs

65 and 69, and 64 and 70, respectively.

A movable bucket engaging member 74 has a central arcuate portion 75 similar to the portion 66 of the fixed member and is attached at its

side arms

76 and 77 to the lower end of a yoke having

side member

78, 79. The central portion of the yoke is mounted on a rod $0 connected to a piston reciprocated in a cylinder 81 which is Hy

draulic lines

82,83 are connected to thecylinder and extend to a source of fluid.

In order to vary and maintain the desired angular relationship between the frame 56 carrying the bucket 68 and the post 44, a piston rod 84 has an end pivotally attached to an ear 35 of a bar 86 mounted on the rectangular portion of the'frame. The rod is attached to a piston 87 reciprccated in a cylinder 88 which is mounted on the post 44 adjacent to the shaft 43.

Suitable lines

89, 90 are attached to the cylinder.

7 In order to control the flow of fluid to the hydraulic lines, a lever 91. is pivotally mounted on a board 92 for each pair of the lines. Referring more particularly to Figs. 7'through 10, a pump 92 is illustrated which feeds into a reservoir 93 and out through a discharge line 94. The'line 9 is connected to a manifold (not shown) which feeds to an intake 95 for each of the valves. return conduit 96 of each of the valves is connected to a I second manifold (not shown) which is attached to a suction line 97 feedingto a reservoir 93.

From the reservoir the fluid is drawn into the pump for recirculation.

The

the movable valve member 103 is shown in the position at which the passages of the valve areblockcd, the pistons being prevented from movement within their respective cylinders under such circumstances. 7

In Fig. 16' the valve member 163 has been shifted to the right from the position of Figs. 8 and 9 so that channels 99 and 192 are blocked, but opening channels 104 and 185. With the valve in this position it will be understood that the flow through the conduits'jlfll) and 101 is carrying the container engaging members may be adjusted.

As the container engaging members are lowered into position, the member 66 is engaged with the flange 67 of the container from which the movable member 74 is moved into opposing engagement by. the operation of the piston 86. After the bucket is engaged, it may be lifted and moved to a different position without movement of the tractor, or it may be carried by the device as the tractor itself is moved for movement to a different location.

It will be understood that because of the arrangement of the post and frame and their articulation that within the range of movement the container may be shifted laterally or vertically to any desired position. Furthermore, by the actuation of the piston rod 84 to pivot the. frame about the pivot means 57 and 58, the frame and' the container carried thereby may be tilted to dumping position. 7

Accordingly, it will beunderstood that the invention includes a container and engaging means adapted to be mounted on a tractor or the like and having a plurality of pivotally mounted arms, the lower or supporting post of which may be rotated to any desired position, the'container and engaging means being mounted on a frame which can be pivotally moved to turn the container about a horizontal axis in order-that it may be dumped.

While the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated and claimed discloses. mechanical means for engaging the container or bucket 63, such'means inciuding the internal bucket flange 67 and the fixedand movable engaging

members

66 and 75, respectively,.it will be understood that other clamping or securing mechanism may be employed advantageously. Another form of such'mechanism desirably might be hydraulic in nature, including an appropriate cylinder and control whereby the bucket 63 could be engaged exteriorly thereof and thus clamped or securely locked into proper position with respect to the handling mechanism with which we are presently concerned.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention is.

shown and described, it will be understood that it is not limited to the specific construction disclosed, but that various modifications are within the scope thereof.

Therefore, the invention is only limited as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is: l. A device for handling open top containers having inturned flange structure at their tops comprising a base for mounting on a movable support,- a first post mounted on the base and extending upwardly therefrom, means for rotating the post relative to the base, a second post ,piv-

otally mounted on the first post, piston and cylinder means extending from the first to the second post, means for actuating the piston and cylinder means for adjusting the angular relationship between the posts, a third postpivon the second post, whereby the angular relationship be-.

tween the second and third post may be adjusted, a frame pivotally mounted on the end of the third post remote from the second post, a first fixed container "engaging member extending from the frame for engagement with g the container flange at one side of the container, a second iii) container engaging member pivotally connected to the frame and diverging from said firstengaging member for engagement with the container flange at the opposite side of the container, piston and cylinder means mounted on the frame and connected to the second engaging means for actuation thereof, means for actuating said piston and cylinder means, a fourth piston and cylinder means mounted on the third post, the piston means being attached to the frame, and means for actuating the fourth piston and cylinder means. 7

2. Apparatus for handling material in which the material is disposed in open top containers having inwardly extending ledge portions adjacent their upper ends within the outline of the containers so that the containers may be positioned in side-by-side abutting relation, a frame having means for engaging a ledge portion of a container, means movably mounted on said frame for engaging an opposite ledge portion of the container and movable into and out of operative position on said opposite ledge por- 7 tion, means to support said frame for vertical and lateral movement, power means for causing vertical and lateral movement of said support means, additional power means .to move said movably mounted means on said frame into and out of engagement with the opposite ledge portion of the container, other additional power means reacting between said support means and said frame for tilting said frame and the ledge engaging means thereon to move the container from an upright position retaining fluent material to a tipped position whereby the fluent material will fall by gravity from said container, and control means for actuating said power means to perform all of the functions without manual handling of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cartwright July 18, 1882 Lass May 26, 1914 Benton July 7, 1942 Oliver Apr. 8, 1952 Hegre June 10, 1952 Falkner Nov. 11, 1952 Ezell et a1 Jan. 20, 1953 Welden May 26, 1953