US2720326A

US2720326A - Box car unloader

Info

Publication number: US2720326A
Application number: US351403A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horkheimer Ben
Original assignee: WISCONSIN FARMCO SERVICE COOPE
Current assignee: WISCONSIN FARMCO SERVICE COOPE; WISCONSIN FARMCO SERVICE COOPERATIVE
Priority date: 1953-04-27
Filing date: 1953-04-27
Publication date: 1955-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-11

Description

Oct. 11, 1955 B. HORKHEIMER BOX CAR UNLOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1953 Ben Hor/rhe/mer INVENTOR.

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Oct. 11, 1955 B. HORKHEIMER BOX CAR UNLOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1953 Ben Hor/rheimer INVENTOR.

m5 m? v3 United States Patent i BOX CAR UNLOADER Ben Horkheimer, Prairie du Chien, Wis., assignor to Wisconsin Farmco Service Cooperative, a cooperative association of Wisconsin Application April 27, 1953, Serial No. 351,403

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-520) This invention relates in general to improvement in conveyors, and more specifically ,to a novel conveyor-type unloader for box cars.

At the present time numerous granular materials which should not be exposed to the elements are being shipped in box cars. Inasmuch as there has not been provided any convenient .eans for unloading such granular materials from box cars, said materials are normally shoveled out of the cars. The .shovelling of granular materials such as potash requires considerable time on the part of a number of men and is a relatively expensive unloading operation.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved unloader for box cars and the like, which may be utilized in the unloading of granular mate.- rials such as potash in a minimum of time with a minimum of labor so as to greatly reduce the cost of unloading.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader for box cars which includesa first conveyor adapted to extend longitudinally of. a her; car for moving granular materials from and in thereof towards the middle, said unloader including a second con veyor extending transversely of a box car and having a central portion thereof disposed adjacent one end of the first conveyor for receiving materials moving towards the center thereby whereby the materials may be moved out of ardoorwayof a box car. i

Anoter object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader for box cars which is of a relatively simple construction and formed of readily obtainable materials so as to be economically feasible, said unloader being operable by .a sing cQperator.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader for box cars which includes plural conveyors at angles to each other, support means for said conveyors being collapsible so as to reduce the overall size of the unloader whereby the same'way easily pass pthrough a doorway of a box car.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved unloader for box cars which may be moved relative to ,a box car within the interior thereof so that the major portion of the ;contents of the box car may be unloaded by the unloader.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter jdescribed and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view taken through one-half of the box ,car and shows the unloader, which is the subject of this invention,.positioned therein,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section .line 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which one boom of the unloader is mounted with respect to the other boom, the freight car being omitted;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially 2,720,326 Patented Oct. 11, 1955 'ice upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the general arrangement of a longitudinally extending boom of the unloader and its associated conveyor, also being illustrated is the connection between the longitudinal boom and the transverse boom;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 2 and shows the construction of a support from one end of a transverse boom; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure 3 and shows the construction of a support from one end of the longitudinal boom.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a portion of a box car which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The box car 10 is of a conventional construction and includes side walls 12 and end wall 14. The side walls 12 are provided with suitable doorways 16 which are closable by sliding doors l8.

Disposed within the box car 10 for unloading granular materials carried thereby is the box car unloader which is the subject of this invention, the unloader being referred to in general by the reference numeral 20. The unloader 20 includes a longitudinal boom which is referred to in general by reference numeral 22 and a. transverse boom which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 24. It will be understood that the longitudinal boom 22 may be considered a first boom and the: transverse boom 24 a second boom.

As is best illustrated in Figure 2, the transverse boom 24 includes telescoped outer and

inner boom members

26 and 28, respectively. The inner boom member 28 has an inner end portion thereof telescoped within the outer boom member 26 and is provided at that end with an extension 30 which extends substantially through the outer boom member 26. Carried by the outer end of the boom 26 remote from the inner boom member 28 is an adjusting fastener 32 which has an end portion extending into the outer boom member 26 and engaging the end of the extension 30. Through the use of the fastener 32, the overall length of the transverse boom 24 may be varied.

Secured to the free end of the outer boom member 26 on the underside thereof is a mounting plate 34 to which is connected a support which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 36. As best illustrated in Figure 4, support 36 includes longitudinal extending angle member 38 which forms a base. Extending outwardly from the ends of the longitudinal angle member 38 are converging braces 40 whose upper ends are connected to the underside of the plate 34.

The free end of the inner boom member 28 has secured to the upper surface thereof a plate 42. Secured to the underside of the plate 42, adjacent its inner end, is a support which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 44. The support 44, like the support 36, includes a longitudinally extending angle member 46 which functions as a base. Extending outwardly from opposite ends of the angle member 46 in converging relation is a pair of braces 48. The upper ends of the braces 48 are secured to the underside of plate 42 at edges thereof.

Carried by the underside of plate 42 on Opposite sides of the boom member 28 are depending V-shaped hangers 50. The V-shaped hangers have formed at their apices suitable journals 52 in which is mounted for rotation, a drive shaft 54. The drive shaft 54 extends out from between the hangers 50 to one side of the plate 42 and is provided thereon with a drive sprocket 56.

Mounted on the plate 42 is a suitable power unit 58 which is drivingly connected to a reduction gear box 60. The reduction gear box 60 has extending therefrom a drive shaft 62 on which is mounted a drive gear 64. The

drive gear 64 is operatively connected to the gear 56 by a drive chain 66.

Carried by the underside of the plate 34 on opposite sides of the boom member 26 is a pair of depending V-shaped hangers 68. The V-shaped hangers 68 have at their apices suitable journals 70 in which is mounted a shaft 72 which extends between the hangers 68. Mounted on the shaft 72 between the hangers 68 is an idler sprocket 74. The idler sprocket 74 is in alignment with a drive sprocket 76 carried by the shaft 54 between the hangers 50.

Entrained over the

sprockets

68 and 76 is an endless chain 78. The chain 78 is a portion of the conveyor and has mounted thereon a plurality of spaced blades 80.

In order that the blades 80 of the conveyor may be spaced slightly above the floor of a box car or the like, the

supports

36 and 44 are mounted in elevative relation with respect to such a floor on blocks 82. The blocks at each end of the conveyor are spaced apart longitudinally so as to provide room for the passage of the blades 80.

It will be understood that the purpose of making the boom 24 adjustable in length is to permit the varying of the tension on the endless chain 78 so as to properly position the blades 80.

Referring now to Figure 3, in particular, it will be seen that the longitudinal boom 22 is formed of a plurality of boom members and includes an outermost boom member 84. Telcscoped within the boom member 84 is an end of the next inner boom member 86. Telescoped Within the end of the next inner boom member 86 is an inner boom member 88. It will be understood that the

boom members

84, 86, and 88 are telescopable, one within the other, so as to greatly reduce the effective length of the longitudinal boom 22. Also, it will be understood that the individual boom members may be locked in their extended positions by suitable fastening means (not shown) which may be conventional in extensible booms.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that the end of the longitudinal boom 22 remote from the transverse boom 24 has secured to the underside of the inner boom member 88, a plate 90. Secured to the underside of the plate 90 and depending therefrom is a pair of spaced supporting legs 92. The supporting legs 92 are provided with suitable bearings 94 in which is rotatably journaled a shaft 96. Mounted on the shaft 96, for rotation, is an idler sprocket 98 whose purpose will be set forth in more detail hereinafter.

Secured to the underside of the outer boom member 86 intermediate its ends is a yoke 100. The yoke 100 is secured to the upper half of a split clamp 102 which is best illustrated in Figure 3. The split clamp 102 is removably clamped over the inner boom member 28 of the transverse boom 24 so thatthe transverse boom 24 functions as a support for one end of the longitudinal boom 22.

Secured to the upper surface of the outer boom member 84 at the free end thereof is a mounting plate 104. The mounting plate 104 has mounted thereon a power unit 106 which is drivingly connected to a reduction gear 6 box 108. The gear box 108 has a drive shaft 110 on which is mounted a driving gear 112.

Carried by the underside of the plate 104 in depending relation on opposite sides of the outer boom member 84 is a pair of V-shaped hangers 114. The apices of the hangers 114 are provided with suitable bearings 116 in which is mounted for rotation a shaft 118. The shaft 118 extends outwardly of one of the hangers 114 and has a driven gear 120 mounted thereon. The driven gear 120 is in alignment with the drive gear 112 and is operatively connected thereto by a drive chain 122.

Mounted on the shaft 118 between the hangers 114 is a drive sprocket 124. The drive sprocket 124 is in longitudinal alignment with the sprocket 98. Entrained over the

sprockets

124 and 98 is an endless chain 126 which forms part of a conveyor. The conveyor also includes a plurality of blades 128 carried by the chain 126 for movement closely adjacent the floor of a box car or the like to move granular materials carried thereby towards the blades 80 of the conveyor carried by the transverse boom 24.

In order that the tension of the conveyor chain 126 may be varied, the next inner boom member 86 is provided with an extension 130 which extends substantially through the outer boom member 84. Carried by the end of the boom member 84 remote from the boom member 86 is an adjustable fastener 132. The adjustable fastener has an inner end thereof which engages an end of the extension 130 so that the effective length of the longitudinal boom 22 may be varied when the boom members are locked in their extended positions.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that the longitudinal boom 22 is spaced with respect to the transverse boom 24 by a cable 134. The cable 134 has ends thereof connected to braces of the

supports

36 and 44. The intermediate portion of the cable 134 is entrained about a sheave 136 carried by the plate 104.

Also carried by the plate 104 adjacent opposite longitudinal edges thereof are sheaves 138. Entrained over the sheaves 138 are individual cables 140 which are connected to suitable blocks 142. The blocks 142 are in turn connected to cables 144 which are entrained over sheaves 146 carried by the end wall 14 of the box car 10. The opposite ends of the cables 144 are connected to the plate 90 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 5. It will be understood that by properly tensioning the cables 140, the longitudinal boom 22 may be positioned relative to the box car 10.

When the unloader 20 is properly positioned within the box car 10, and is operating the blades 128 of the conveyor carried by the longitudinal boom 22 move granular material carried by the box car toward the center thereof. The granular material (not shown) is then deposited adjacent the conveyor carried by the transverse boom 24. The deposited granular material is then moved through one of the doorways 16 by the blades 80 to complete the unloading operation of the box car 10.

It will be understood that the unloader 20 is collapsible to size which will facilitate the passage thereof through the doorway 16 of the box car 10. If desired, a suitable overhead support (not shown) may be provided for facilitating the movement of the unloader into and out of the box car 10. While the unloader 20 has been illustrated and described for use in combination with a box car for unloading the contents thereof, it will be understood that the unloader 20 is not so limited in use. If desired, the same may be utilized in bins, storage houses, and the like, in addition to box cars.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway.

2. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway, said first boom being collapsible to permit entrance of said unloader through a boxcar doorway.

3. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for re ceiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway, supports at opposite ends of said second boom, a support at said one end of said first boom, said unloader being supported within a boxcar by said three supports.

4. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway, said first boom being collapsible to permit entrance of said unloader through a boxcar doorway, supports at opposite ends of said second boom, a support at said one end of said first boom, said unloader being supported within a boxcar by said three supports.

5. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway, brace means extending between opposite ends of said second boom and connected to an intermediate portion of said first boom to brace the connection between said booms, said brace means being adjustably connected to said first boom to permit shifting of said first boom relative to said second boom.

6. A boxcar unloader intended to be completely mounted within a boxcar comprising first and second booms disposed at angles to each other, said second boom being adapted to be mounted transversely of a boxcar between doorways thereof, said first boom being adapted to be mounted longitudinally of a boxcar with one end disposed adjacent an end wall of a boxcar, the other end of said first boom being slidably mounted on said second boom and supported thereby for adjustable positioning transversely of a boxcar, a first conveyor carried by said first boom for moving material towards said second boom, a second conveyor carried by said second boom for receiving material from said first conveyor and moving material through a boxcar doorway, brace means extending between opposite ends of said second boom and connected to an intermediate portion of said first boom to embrace the connection between said booms, said brace means being adjustably connected to said first boom to permit shifting of said first boom relative to said second boom, means carried by said first boom engageable with a boxcar for adjustably positioning said first boom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,332 Fleming June 8, 1909 1,110,239 Steever Sept. 8, 1914 1,346,681 Pratt July 13, 1920 1,521,290 Hague Dec. 30, 1924 1,626,984 Sundberg May 3, 1927 1,854,351 Suppes Apr. 19, 1932 2,219,926 Jensen Oct. 29, 1940