US2907398A - Supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for slab laying machines - Google Patents

Supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for slab laying machines Download PDF

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Publication number
US2907398A
US2907398A US747073A US74707358A US2907398A US 2907398 A US2907398 A US 2907398A US 747073 A US747073 A US 747073A US 74707358 A US74707358 A US 74707358A US 2907398 A US2907398 A US 2907398A
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United States
Prior art keywords
driving
machine
supporting
feeler
steering mechanism
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Expired - Lifetime
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US747073A
Inventor
Ronald M Guntert
Wilbur F Earley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Guntert and Zimmerman Construction Div Inc
Original Assignee
Guntert and Zimmerman Construction Div Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US620498A external-priority patent/US2864452A/en
Application filed by Guntert and Zimmerman Construction Div Inc filed Critical Guntert and Zimmerman Construction Div Inc
Priority to US747073A priority Critical patent/US2907398A/en
Priority to US747048A priority patent/US2868909A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2907398A publication Critical patent/US2907398A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/104—Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames
    • B62D55/116—Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/24—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle not vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/26—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle not vehicle-mounted mechanical, e.g. by a non-load-bearing guide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D11/00—Steering non-deflectable wheels; Steering endless tracks or the like
    • B62D11/02—Steering non-deflectable wheels; Steering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides
    • B62D11/06—Steering non-deflectable wheels; Steering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of a single main power source
    • B62D11/10—Steering non-deflectable wheels; Steering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of a single main power source using gearings with differential power outputs on opposite sides, e.g. twin-differential or epicyclic gears
    • B62D11/14—Steering non-deflectable wheels; Steering endless tracks or the like by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides by means of a single main power source using gearings with differential power outputs on opposite sides, e.g. twin-differential or epicyclic gears differential power outputs being effected by additional power supply to one side, e.g. power originating from secondary power source
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C19/00—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving
    • E01C19/004—Devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path
    • E01C19/008—Devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path by reference lines placed along the road, e.g. wires co-operating with feeler elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C19/00—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving
    • E01C19/48—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface, e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ
    • E01C19/4866—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface, e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ with solely non-vibratory or non-percussive pressing or smoothing means for consolidating or finishing
    • E01C19/4873—Apparatus designed for railless operation

Definitions

  • This invention relates to concrete slab laying machines, and particularly to a means for driving and steering the machine; this application being a division of copending United States patent application, Serial No. 620,498, filed November 5, 1956, now Patent No. 2,864,452.
  • the machine includes endless track units by which the concrete laying assembly is supported, and means to separately self-propel the units at the same speed; and the major object of this invention is to provide automatically functioning means, actuated by a horizontally disposed grade and lateral-direction control wire, to cause the machine to be steered as it advances, by intermittently discontinuing the drive of one track unit or the other.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for concrete slab laying machines, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine as equipped with the improved driving and steering control means.
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front end elevation, of one endless track unit, showing the steering-control feeler unit mounted thereon.
  • Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged end elevation, partly broken out, of the feeler unit.
  • Fig. 4 is a diagram, mainly in plan, of the track units of the machine, showing particularly the drive mechanisms for the units and the grade-wire controlled steering-circuit arrangement for such mechanisms.
  • the plates 3 on each side of the machine engage and are detachably secured to a bolster 4 in the manner shown and described in the above mentioned copending application.
  • a bolster 4 Directly below the bolster is an endless track unit 5, connected to the bolster by vertical hydraulic ram units 6 depending from the bolster adjacent its ends.
  • a rigid fender 7 extends over the track unit for substantially the full length thereof, and is supported from the frame 8 of the track unit.
  • a driving mechanism for the track of unit 5 is mounted on the rear end portion of the fender 7 rearwardly of the bolster 4.
  • This mechanism comprises an electric motor 9, and-as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4a changespeed transmission 10 driven from the motor; a reduction gear unit 11 driven from the transmission and chain drives 12 connecting the output shaft 13 of the gear unit 2,907,398 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 to automatically steer the machine as it advances, the
  • a taut grade wire 17 is mounted alongside the machine and is set so as to be parallel to the horizontal path which it is desired the paving shall follow.
  • This wire is straddled from above by a prong-like probe or feeler 18 which is pivoted intermediate its ends in a housing 19 depending from a shank 20.
  • This shank is supported from a bracket 21 mounted on one side of the adjacent fender 7 near the front end thereof, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the feeler unit of which the feeler .18 is a part is preferably constructed as specifically shown and described in said copending application, Serial No. 620,498. 1
  • a pair of normally open sensitive limit switches 22 are mounted in the housing 19 above the pivot of the feeler and on opposite sides thereof, as shown; each switch including a press button 23 which engages the adjacent face of the feeler 18 even when said feeler is in a neutral position and the switch is open.
  • the probe-actuated switches 22 are alternately closed upon lateral swinging of said feeler to one side or the other, as the grade wire .17 deviates from a straight line.
  • the motors 9 are normally energized, and thus drive the track units to advance the machine; said motors having the same speed and power so that the machine will travel a path or course designated by the grade Wire 17.
  • the actuating circuits for the relay switches 27 and 27a are arranged relative to the feeler actuated switches 22 so that when the grade wire deviates to the right, for instance, and the upper portion of the feeler 18 swings to the left, the relay coil 28 of the right-hand motor control circuit 24a will be actuated to open the switch 27a.
  • the right hand motor 9 will thus be deenergized, and the left hand motor will continue to operate so as to cause the machine to he turned to the right. Conversely, if the grade wire deviates to the left, the left hand motor will be deenergized, while the right hand motor will continue to function to turn the machine to the left.
  • a hand switch 30 is interposed in the current feed line 31 of circuits 29.
  • the grade wire 17 and a corresponding wire 17a on the opposite side of the machine serve to engage the various feelers F by means of which the operation of the rams 6 is controlled, as fully set forth in the copending application, Serial No. 620,498, previously identified.
  • the control system for one such ram is shown in Fig. 4, and indicated generally at S; the one generator 15 also supplying the current necessary for the operation of this system.
  • endless track units arranged in supporting relation to the machine at the sides thereof, an independently operating power device mountedon the units and operatively connected in driving relation thereto, a normally idle control mechanism for each device arranged when actuated to render such power device inactive, a taut Wire supported from the ground to one side of the machine and following a predetermined course in a horizontal plane, and a feeler unit mounted on the machine to control the actuation of the "4 control mechanism and'including a movable wire engaging elementarranged upon deviation of the wire in one horizontal direction or the other from a course line, to actuate one or the other of the mechanisms.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)

Description

Oct. 6, 1959 R. M. GUNTERT ETAL 2,907,393
SUPPQRTING, DRIVING. AND STEERING MECHANISM FOR SLAB- LAYING "ACHINES Original Filed Nov. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2
v: a I
INVENTORJ I 12M. 6211280! MEE'a'Iey Oct. 6, 1959 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1956 R. M. GUNTERT ET AL SUPPORTING, DRIVING. AND STEERING MECHANIS FOR SLAB LAYING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTORJ United States Patent SUPPORTING, DRIVING, AND STEERING MECH- ANISM FOR SLAB LAYING MACHINES Ronald M. Gunter-t and Wilbur FE Earle Stockton, Calif., assignors 'to Guntert & Zimmerman Const. Div., Inc., Stockton, Calif., a corporation of California 1 Claim. (Cl. 180-65) This invention relates to concrete slab laying machines, and particularly to a means for driving and steering the machine; this application being a division of copending United States patent application, Serial No. 620,498, filed November 5, 1956, now Patent No. 2,864,452.
The machine includes endless track units by which the concrete laying assembly is supported, and means to separately self-propel the units at the same speed; and the major object of this invention is to provide automatically functioning means, actuated by a horizontally disposed grade and lateral-direction control wire, to cause the machine to be steered as it advances, by intermittently discontinuing the drive of one track unit or the other.
Another object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for concrete slab laying machines, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.
These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.
in the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine as equipped with the improved driving and steering control means.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front end elevation, of one endless track unit, showing the steering-control feeler unit mounted thereon.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged end elevation, partly broken out, of the feeler unit.
Fig. 4 is a diagram, mainly in plan, of the track units of the machine, showing particularly the drive mechanisms for the units and the grade-wire controlled steering-circuit arrangement for such mechanisms.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the concrete laying or paving structure of the machine, and which of itself forms no part of this invention, is indicated generally at 1, and is mounted in a frame which includes longitudinally spaced side uprights 2 having outwardly facing plates 3 on their upper end portions.
The plates 3 on each side of the machine engage and are detachably secured to a bolster 4 in the manner shown and described in the above mentioned copending application. Directly below the bolster is an endless track unit 5, connected to the bolster by vertical hydraulic ram units 6 depending from the bolster adjacent its ends.
A rigid fender 7 extends over the track unit for substantially the full length thereof, and is supported from the frame 8 of the track unit.
A driving mechanism for the track of unit 5 is mounted on the rear end portion of the fender 7 rearwardly of the bolster 4. This mechanism comprises an electric motor 9, and-as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4a changespeed transmission 10 driven from the motor; a reduction gear unit 11 driven from the transmission and chain drives 12 connecting the output shaft 13 of the gear unit 2,907,398 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 to automatically steer the machine as it advances, the
following arrangement is provided: I
A taut grade wire 17 is mounted alongside the machine and is set so as to be parallel to the horizontal path which it is desired the paving shall follow. This wire is straddled from above by a prong-like probe or feeler 18 which is pivoted intermediate its ends in a housing 19 depending from a shank 20. This shank is supported from a bracket 21 mounted on one side of the adjacent fender 7 near the front end thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. The feeler unit of which the feeler .18 is a part is preferably constructed as specifically shown and described in said copending application, Serial No. 620,498. 1
A pair of normally open sensitive limit switches 22 are mounted in the housing 19 above the pivot of the feeler and on opposite sides thereof, as shown; each switch including a press button 23 which engages the adjacent face of the feeler 18 even when said feeler is in a neutral position and the switch is open.
By reason of the above described mounting of the feeler, the probe-actuated switches 22 are alternately closed upon lateral swinging of said feeler to one side or the other, as the grade wire .17 deviates from a straight line.
The motors 9 are connected to the generator 15 in parallel by separate circuits 24 and 2411; a hand switch 25 being interposed in the common line 26 of such circuits. =Interposed in circuits 24 and 24a are normally closed relay switches 27 and 27a respectively; the actuating coils 28 of such relays being connected to the switches 22 by circuit wires 29.
Since the switches 27 and 27a are normally closed, the motors 9 are normally energized, and thus drive the track units to advance the machine; said motors having the same speed and power so that the machine will travel a path or course designated by the grade Wire 17.
The actuating circuits for the relay switches 27 and 27a are arranged relative to the feeler actuated switches 22 so that when the grade wire deviates to the right, for instance, and the upper portion of the feeler 18 swings to the left, the relay coil 28 of the right-hand motor control circuit 24a will be actuated to open the switch 27a.
The right hand motor 9 will thus be deenergized, and the left hand motor will continue to operate so as to cause the machine to he turned to the right. Conversely, if the grade wire deviates to the left, the left hand motor will be deenergized, while the right hand motor will continue to function to turn the machine to the left.
In case it is desired that the automatic steering unit shall not function, a hand switch 30 is interposed in the current feed line 31 of circuits 29.
The grade wire 17 and a corresponding wire 17a on the opposite side of the machine serve to engage the various feelers F by means of which the operation of the rams 6 is controlled, as fully set forth in the copending application, Serial No. 620,498, previously identified. The control system for one such ram is shown in Fig. 4, and indicated generally at S; the one generator 15 also supplying the current necessary for the operation of this system.
From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.
Whilethis specification-sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations therefrom may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined 'b'y the appended claim.
Having thus described the invention, :the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are-desired:
In a concrete-slab laying machine, endless track units arranged in supporting relation to the machine at the sides thereof, an independently operating power device mountedon the units and operatively connected in driving relation thereto, a normally idle control mechanism for each device arranged when actuated to render such power device inactive, a taut Wire supported from the ground to one side of the machine and following a predetermined course in a horizontal plane, and a feeler unit mounted on the machine to control the actuation of the "4 control mechanism and'including a movable wire engaging elementarranged upon deviation of the wire in one horizontal direction or the other from a course line, to actuate one or the other of the mechanisms.
References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS
US747073A 1956-11-05 1958-07-07 Supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for slab laying machines Expired - Lifetime US2907398A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US747073A US2907398A (en) 1956-11-05 1958-07-07 Supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for slab laying machines
US747048A US2868909A (en) 1956-11-05 1958-07-07 Feeler unit for control of traveling machines

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US620498A US2864452A (en) 1956-11-05 1956-11-05 Supporting and level control mechanism for concrete slab laying machines
US747073A US2907398A (en) 1956-11-05 1958-07-07 Supporting, driving, and steering mechanism for slab laying machines

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US2907398A true US2907398A (en) 1959-10-06

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5871301A (en) * 1997-05-12 1999-02-16 Skelton; Gene Reversible grade alignment system

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1317103A (en) * 1919-09-23 Emile rimailho
US1407969A (en) * 1918-09-26 1922-02-28 Holt Mfg Co Land torpedo
US2220890A (en) * 1938-08-18 1940-11-12 Charles S Cook Traction vehicle
FR864230A (en) * 1939-11-28 1941-04-22 Self-propelled carrier trolley
US2385480A (en) * 1942-01-17 1945-09-25 Bendix Aviat Corp Military vehicle
US2791167A (en) * 1955-02-03 1957-05-07 Sam O Lockmiller Automatic steering mechanism
US2832426A (en) * 1951-12-20 1958-04-29 William A Seargeant Teledynamic system for the control of self-propelled vehicles
US2853810A (en) * 1954-07-23 1958-09-30 Guntert & Zimmerman Const Div Drive mechanism for self-propelled implements
US2864452A (en) * 1956-11-05 1958-12-16 Guntert & Zimmerman Const Div Supporting and level control mechanism for concrete slab laying machines

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1317103A (en) * 1919-09-23 Emile rimailho
US1407969A (en) * 1918-09-26 1922-02-28 Holt Mfg Co Land torpedo
US2220890A (en) * 1938-08-18 1940-11-12 Charles S Cook Traction vehicle
FR864230A (en) * 1939-11-28 1941-04-22 Self-propelled carrier trolley
US2385480A (en) * 1942-01-17 1945-09-25 Bendix Aviat Corp Military vehicle
US2832426A (en) * 1951-12-20 1958-04-29 William A Seargeant Teledynamic system for the control of self-propelled vehicles
US2853810A (en) * 1954-07-23 1958-09-30 Guntert & Zimmerman Const Div Drive mechanism for self-propelled implements
US2791167A (en) * 1955-02-03 1957-05-07 Sam O Lockmiller Automatic steering mechanism
US2864452A (en) * 1956-11-05 1958-12-16 Guntert & Zimmerman Const Div Supporting and level control mechanism for concrete slab laying machines

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5871301A (en) * 1997-05-12 1999-02-16 Skelton; Gene Reversible grade alignment system

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