US2948426A

US2948426A - Receptacle dumping mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2948426A
Application number: US694229A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W Smith; Robert A Vaughan
Original assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Current assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Priority date: 1957-11-04
Filing date: 1957-11-04
Publication date: 1960-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-09

Description

Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. sMlTH ETAL 2,948,426

RECEPTACLE DUMPING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 s R m .OE .O O m E T l fl, I. V llTZ m ail C MR T 11H --.2 n ,U l J NN l: o@ M 7J... \NN f vm JF im d N0 b fr* |.I.|. IH lf' LL @H r QN e@ wm, fl m' no for, u Mv. ma T Av w Nm ,I O m\^ w f mm om.

ROBERT w. SMITH ROBERT A.vAuOHAN BY CORBETT, MI'YIONEY, MIL ER RAMBO, ATTY'S.

M W ATTORNEYS Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. SMITH ETAL RECEPTACLE DUMPING MEcHAmsM 4 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 F F Tm n 4,3

FIG. 6

INVENTORS ROBERT W. SMITH ROBERT A. VAUGHAN FIG. 5

BY conan-1', mlguv, m LER e. muso, Ar'rv's.

ATToRNEf-z Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. SMITH r-:TAL

RECEPTACLE DUMPING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 4, 1957 FIG. lO

ROBERT w. SMITH INVENTORS ROBERT A. VAUGHAN BY CORSET-T, HONEY MILLER RMBO, ATTYS.

M ATTORNEYS Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. sMITH I-:T AL 2,948,426

RECEPTACLE DUI/IPING I/IECIIAIIIsI/I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 'Il IIIIII. 6I

FIG. ll FIG. I2

INVENTORS FlG. |3 ROBERT w. SMITH ROBE RT A. VAUGHAN BY coaaETnBLAHoNEY MILLE a RAMeo, ATTYs.

M ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 2,948,426 RECEPTACLE DUlViPING MECHANISM Robert W. Smith and Robert A. Vaughan, Columbus,

Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 4, 1957, Ser. No. '694,229

13 Claims. (Cl. 214-314) This invention relates to receptacle dumping mechanism. It has to do, more specifically, with mechanism for receiving a parts receptacle in association with a parts supply hopper and for tilting the receptacle to dump the parts contained therein into such hopper from which they may be withdrawn for use.

It is common on production lines to provide parts supply hoppers from which a workman or workmen can withdraw parts for use. Quite often these hoppers are supplied with parts b-y dumping a drum, box or other receptacle full of the parts into the hopper. To prevent injury to the workmen during this dumping operation, they must move away from the hopper during the operation which causes losses in production time. According to the present invention, the hopper is shielded to prevent injury to the workmen and a novel dumping arrangement is provided for dumping the receptacle when it is associated with the hopper.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide mechanism in association with a parts supply hopper or the like for receiving a receptacle and dumping it into the hopper, the mechanism being such that the dumping action is always under control.

Another object of this invention is to provide dumping mechanism associated with a hopper or the like which is such that it can be actuated by the industrial lift truck or the like which lifts the receptacle into association with the hopper.

Various other objects will be apparent.

The present invention may, as indicated above, be associated with a parts supply hopper and may include a receptacle receiving and locking carriage which is mounted Afor rocking movement at the upper end thereof. This carriage is provided with novel mechanism for automatically locking the receptacle to the carriage upon tilting of the carriage. It also includes an actuating frame which is mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the hopper. It further includes an operative connection between the vertically movable actuating frame and the rockable receptacle-supporting carriage whereby vertical movement of the actuating frame will tilt the receptacle# supporting carriage to dump the contents of the receptacle into the hopper. The pivot connection of the carriage to the hopper is so located relative to the pivot connection of the actuating frame to the carriage that a downward thrust will always be exerted on the actuating frame and, consequently, the carriage and supported receptacle will never swing freely out of control during the dumping operation. I

In the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated o ne embodiment of this invention but it is to be understood that specific details thereof may be varied without departing from basic principles.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a parts supply hopper having the dumping mechanism of this invention associated therewith.

t walls of the hopper.

Patented Aug. 9, 1960y ice Figure 2 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1 but taken at right angles thereto from the side where the receptacle is to be supplied.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the receptacle-receiving and locking carriage and showing the receptacle locked thereon.

Figure 4 is a similar view but showing the receptacle unlocked from the carriage.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1 through the discharge gate of the hop# per.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1 through the guide structure provided for the vertically movable actuating frame.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 3 through the receptacle receiving and locking carriage.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of Figure l and showing the pivot arrangement for supporting the receptacle receiving and locking carriage for rocking movement.

Figure 9 is a detail in side elevation showing the Vertically movable actuating frame assocated with its verti cally disposed guide structure.

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation showing the receptacle locked on its associated carriage and a fork-lift truck engaging the vertically movable actuating frame to start the receptacle dumping operation. Figure l2 is a similar View showing the actuating frame raised to an intermediate position to tilt the receptacle forwardly. y

Figure 13 is a similar view showing the actuating frame raised to the extent of its vertical movement with the receptacle thereby tilted into position to dump its contents into the hopper.

With particular reference to the drawings and especially to Figures l and 2, the invention is shown associated with an upstanding parts supply hopper 20 which may be fabricated in any suitable way. The hopper includes a downwardly and forwardly inclined bottom 21 which directs parts, dumped into the hopper, through a discharge outlet 22 onto a shelf 23 which projects forwardly from the hopper. This shelf 23 will be at a convenient height for removal therefrom of parts by workmen in the vicinity thereof. Discharge of parts onto the shelf 23 is controlled by a vertically movable gate 24 mounted on the forward wall of the hopper in association with the outlet 22, as indicated best in Figures 1 and 5. rl`his gate may be adjusted to different vertical positions and set in position by means of bolts 25 passing through flanges 26 on the sides of the gate and any of a plurality of pairs of openings 27 provided in the upstanding walls 28 disposed at the sides of the shelf 23. Thus, setting of the gate 24 will determine the size of the discharge outlet 22.

The top of the hopper (Figures 1 and 2) is open and it is also open at its rear side adjacent its upper end. The rear and upper open portion is provided with upwardly and forwardly directed flanges 30 at each side. At its forward and upper corner, the hopper is provided with a rearwardly opening upstandinig U-shape shield 31 which extends along the forward wall and portions of the side This shield 31 serves as further shielding means to protect workmen withdrawing parts from the shelf 23 during the dumping operation into `the hopper which will be described later. l l

The opening in the rear wall of the hopper and the open top of the hopper are provided for receiving a are@ e ceptacle rece1ving and locking carriage 32 and the re ceptacle R to be supported thereon. This receptacle R may be of any suitable type but is shown in the drawings as being of cubical box form. It is adapted to contain parts which are to be dumped into the hopper 20. The receptacle is preferably provided at its sides with depending cleats or supports 33 (Figures 3 and 4) which provide a space beneath the receptacle and the surface on which the cleats 33 rest to permit the insertion of the forks of a fork-lift truck whereby the receptacle can be easily handled. At the front and back of the receptacle

R locking apertures

34 and 35, respectively, are provided for receiving locking hooks which will be referred to hereinafter.

VThe carriage 32 is suspended from the upper edges of the side walls of the hopper and normally projects rearwardly beyond the side anges 361 at the rear of the hopper, as indicated by full lines in Figure 1. This suspension is accomplished at each side by means of the suspending sling 36 which has the diverging arms 37 that are rigidly connected at their lower ends to transverse supporting angles 38 (Figures l, 3 and 4) which carry the carriage. The converging upper ends of the arms 37 of the sling are provided with outwardly extending trunnions 38a which t rotatably in bearings 39 carried on the top edges of the side walls of the hopper, as indicated best in Figures l, 2, and 8. The trunnion mountings for the slings are disposed adjacent the rear ilanges 30, as indicated best in Figure 1. The trunnions and mountings are at a high level relative to the normal horizontal position of the carriage 32.

The carriage 32 further includes a sub-frame 40 rigidly connected to the transverse members 38 and a receptaclesupporting frame 41 mounted on the sub-frame 46 by means of the anti-friction supporting rollers 42, this arrangement being shown best in Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8. The frame 41 is provided with channel members 43 at its sides which rest on the rollers 42 (Figure 8) and the frame 40 is provided with outwardly extending flanges 44 which overlap the adjacent channels 43 to retain the frame 41 on the rollers 42. Thus, the frame 41 is mounted for forward and rearward movement on the frame 40.

Upstanding from the forward side of the frame 40 of the carriage 32, intermediate the sides thereof, is a receptacle locking hook 45. The forwardly extending locking point 46 of the hook is at a proper level so that when the receptacle R is supported on the frame 41 of the carriage 32, the forwardly opening locking opening 34 will be at a proper level for receiving the point 46, a's indicated in Figure 4. Anchored to the hook 45 and extending forwardly therefrom is a plunger rod 47 of a spring plunger unit. This rod extends slidably through transverse supports 48 of the frame 41. At its outer end, the rod is threaded and is provided with a nut 49 which engages one of the members 48 at the rear side thereof. Fixed to the rod forwardly of the member 48 just mentioned is a nut 50 and between this nut 50 and such member 48 is a compression spring 51. Thus, the spring plunger unit is connected between the frame 41 and the frame 40 and tends to move the frame 41 rearwardly of the frame 40, as indicated in Figure 4. Rearward movement of the frame 41 relative to the frame 40 is limited by an L-shaped link 52 which is connected to the rear side of the frame 40 by a pivot connection 53. This link extends rearwardly under the frame 41 and then upwardly where it is pivotally connected at 54 to the shorter arm of a bell crank lever 55. This lever 55 is also a receptacle ylocking hook and is pivoted at 56 for vertical swinging movement between a pair of rearwardly extending lugs 57 carried by the slidable frame 41. The outer end of this lever 55 is provided with the locking point 57 which is adapted to be inserted in the opening 35 at the rear end of the receptacle when the 'latter is locked to the frame 41. In normal condition, the spring 51 forces the frame 41 rearwardly of the frame 40 and swings the hook lever 55 downwardly, as shown in Figure 4. To lock the receptacle R to the carriage 32, as will be explained more in detail later, the frame 41 is moved forwardly of the frame 40.

In order to rock the carriage 32, with the receptacle R locked thereon, about the axes of the trunnions 38a, an actuating frame 6) is mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the hopper 20. This frame 60l is provided with anti-friction guide rollers 61 at its sides which operate in vertically disposed tracks 62 provided at the sides of the hopper, this track and guide structure being shown best in Figures l, 2, 9, and 10. The tracks 62 are in the form of inwardly opening channels and are attached to the frame of the hopper 20 by means of brackets 63. The vertically movable actuating frame 60 is provided with the upstanding connecting rods 64 which are pivoted at their upper ends, as indicated at 65, to the rear corners of the frame 40 of the carriage, as shown best in Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The frame 60 can rock about the axes of the guide rollers 61 and is pivoted t0 the carriage 32 for swinging movement about the axes 65. To limit upward and downward movement of the frame 6G Vso that it will not leave the tracks 62, a stop member 66 (Figures 6 and l0) is provided at the upper and lower end of each track. These stop members will engage the rollers 61, as indicated in Figure l0, to prevent movement of the rollers out of the tracks. The frame 60 includes the transverse bars 67 and 68 (Figure 2) which are disposed in spaced relationship at its lower end.

The various p-arts of the apparatus have now been described and `the operation thereof will be understood from the following description and reference to the drawings. Assuming that the receptacle R is not yet in position on the carriage 32, the receptacle lled with parts may be lifted by means of a fork-lift truck to such a level that it can be moved forwardly onto the frame 41 of the carriage 32 which will be suspended in horizontal position, as indicated in full lines in Figure 1. When the receptacle is initially positioned on the carriage, the frame 41 will be in its rearwardrnost position and the hook lever 55 will be swung down into its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 4. The spring 51 will hold the frame 41 in its rearward position, as shown in Figure 4, until the carriage '32 is tilted forwardly. When the carriage is tilted forwardly suflciently, the frame 41 will slide forwardly relative to the frame 40, compressing the spring 51, and the opening l34 will be moved over the point 46 of the for-wardmost hook 45. Forward sliding movement off the frame 41 will also pull the hook lever 55 upwardly and forwardly causing it to pivot about the pivots 56 and S4. This will project the point 57 thereof into the opening 35 of the receptacle. The strength of the spring 51 will be insufficient to return the frame 41 to its original rearwardmost position on the frame 40 until the carriage again nears horizontal position.

The carriage 32 is rocked to dump the contents of the receptacle in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 11 to 13 and the same lift truck which positioned the receptacle R on the carriage 32 can be used to actuate the dumping mechanism. For this purpose, the fork of the truck is engaged beneath the transverse rod 67 at the lower side of the actuating frame 60. The frame 60 can then be lifted by vertical movement o-f the fork. As indicated in Figure 12, the initial vertical movement of the carriage will move the pivot axes 65, which are offset relative to the axis 38a, upwardly and rearwardly as the carriage 32 rocks about the trunnion axes 38a. The lower end of the carriage 60 and the rods 64 will rock about the aXes Vof the rollers 61. Continued movement of the carriage will tilt the receptacle R forwardly and downwardly but the oifset pivofts 38a and 65 are so related that the weight of the carriage 32 and the receptacle R always exerts a downward thrust on-the rods 64 and the carriage and its supported receptacle will never swing freely out of control. During the entire dumping operation, gravity will keep the frame 41 forwardly of the frame 40. i

After the contents of the receptacle R are dumped into the hopper 20, the fork of the truck is lowered and the actuating fname 60 will be returned by its own weight and the weight of the carriage 32 and supported receptacle to its lowermost position because the carriage 32 will automatically rock back into horizontal position. As shown in Figure 4, as soon as the carriage 32 reaches horizontal position, the frame 41 will automatically be moved rearwardly of the frame 40, due to the action of the spring 51. This will swing the hook lever 55 downwardly into unlocking position and will move the receptacle oi the hook point 46 of the forward hook 45. Then, the forklift truck may be used in removing the unlocked receptacle from the carriage.

lIt will be apparent from the above that this invention provides a novel and effective dumping mechanism which can be associated with a parts supply hopper or other similar structure. The dumping mechanism is such that the receptacle Will be locked to the dumping carriage automatically when it is properly positioned on the carriage and the carriage is tilted forwardly. Furthermore, the same lift truck can be used for actuating the dumping mechanism. During the time the receptacle is being dumped, it will always be under control Iand will not swing freely. As soon as the dumping operation is completed and the carriage with the receptacle thereon is returned to upright position, the receptacle will be automatically unlocked from the carriage and can then be removed by the lift truck.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles of this invention have been explained and have been illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent the best embodiment. However, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as speciically illustrated and described.

Having thlus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contents of a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on said hopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle receiving carriage which is mounted for rocking movement relative to the hopper, an actuating frame mounted for reciprc` catingV movement on the hopper, an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and the receptacle carriage for rocking the neceptacle carri'age upon reciprocation of the actuating frame, and mechanism for locking the receptacle to the carriage and Iactuated by rocking of the carriage said locking mechanism comprising locking members fixed on the carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when it it is moved into receptacle-dumping position and locking levers pivoted to the carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved into such position, and an actuating mechanism mounted for movement on rthe carriage towards said fixed locking members and connected to said locking levers for swinging them into engagement with said receptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, said actuating mechanism including yieldable means for normally swinging said locking levers out of receptacle-engaging position.

2. The combination of claim l in which the hopper is an upright hopper and the receptacle carriage is mounted adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving the receptacle in upright position and rocking it to discharge the contents into the hopper, and the actuating frame of the dumping mechanism is mounted for vertical movement along one side of the hopper.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the carriage is suspended in horizontal position from a pivot axis transversely of the hopper and the connection between the actuating frame land the receptacle carriage is apivot connection disposed rearwardly and below said pivot taxis when the carriage is in normal horizontal position.

4. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supporting frame, a receptacle receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the trame, `an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and the receptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage upon reciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking the receptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking of the carriage said locking mechanism comprising locking means fixed on the carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position and locking means pivoted to the carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved intosuch position, and actuating mechanism mounted for movement on the carriage towards said xed locking means and connected to said pivoted locking means for causing engagement thereof with said receptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, said actuating mechanism including yieldable means for normally swinging said pivoted locking means out of receptacle-engaging position.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the frame is upright and has the receptacle ycarriage pivoted thereon and initially in position to receive an upright receptacle but being rockable forwardly of the frame to discharge its contents, 'and the actuating unit is mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the frame.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the carriage is suspended from a pivot axis transversely of the frame |and is normally in horizontal position and the connection between the actuating unit and the receptacle carriage is a pivot connection disposed rearwardly and below said pivot axis.

7. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contents of a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on said hopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle-receiving carriage which is mounted for rocking movement relative to .the hopper, an actuating frame mounted for reciprocating movement on the hopper, an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and the receptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage upon reciprocating of the actuating frame, mechanism for` `locking the receptacle to the carriage and actuated by rocking of the carriage, said carriage comprising a sub-frame and a supporting frame movable thereon, said locking mechanism being actuated by relative movement of said frames, a yieldable unit between said fname-s for normally maintaining them in receptacle-releasing relationship, said yieldable unit comprising a plunger unit, said locking mechanism comprising a ixed hook at one end of the sub-frame, said supporting fname being normally maintained away from said hook by said plunger unit, and a pivoted hook swingable towards said fixed hook upon relative movement of said frames against the force of said plunger unit.

8. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supporting frame, a receptacle-receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the frame, an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and the receptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage upon reciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking the receptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking of the carriage, said frame being upright and having the receptacle carriage pivoted thereon and initially in position to receive an upright receptacle but being rockable forwardly of the frame to discharge its contents, said actuating unit being mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the frame, said carriage being suspended from a pivot axis ...7 transversely of the frame and being normally in'horizontal position, said connection between the actuating unit and the receptacle carriage being a pivot connection .disposed rearwardly and below said pivot axis, said carriage comprising a sub-frame and a supporting frame movable thereon, said locking mechanism being actuated by relative movement of said frames, a yieldable unit between said frames for normally maintaining them in receptaclereleasing relationship, said yieldable unit being `a plunger unit, said locking means comprising a xed hook at one end of the sub-frame, said supporting frame being normatlly maintained away from said hook by said plunger unit, and a pivoted hook swingable towards said'iixed hook upon relative movement of said frames against the force of said plunger unit.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which the spring plunger unit yields upon forward and upward rocking of the carriage.

10. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contents of `a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on said hopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle-receiving carriage which is mounted for rocking movement reliative to the hopper, an actuating frame mounted for reciprocating movement on the hopper, an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and the receptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage upon reciprooation of the actuating frame, mechanism for locking the receptacle to the carriage and actuated by rocking of the carriage, said locking mechanism comprising locking members fixed on the carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when it is moved into receptacle-dumping position `and locking levers pivoted to the carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved into such position, and an lactuating mechanism mounted for movement on the carriage towards said fixed locking members and connected to said locking levers for swinging them into engagement with said receptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, said carriage comprising `a subframe and a supporting frame movable thereon, said actuating mechanism including said movable frame which is connected to said locking levers.

11. The combination of claim 10 including a yieldable unit between said frames for normally maintaining them in receptacle-re leasing relationship.

12. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supportingl frame, a receptacle-receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the frame, an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, operative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and the receptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage upon reciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking the receptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking of the carriage, said locking mechanism comprising locking means fixed on the carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved into receptacledumping position and locking means pivoted to the carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is moved into such position, and actuating mechanism mounted for movement on the carriage towards said fixed locking means and connected to said pivoted locking means for causing engagement thereof with said receptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, said carriage comprising a subframe and a supporting frame movable thereon, said actuating mechanism including said movable frame which is connected to said pivoted locking means, said frame being upright and having the receptacle carriage pivoted thereon and initially in position to receive an upright receptacle but being rockable forwardly of the frame to discharge its contents, said actuating unit being mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the frame, said car-riage being suspended from a pivot axis transversely of the frame and being normally in horizontal position, said connection between the actuating unit and the recep-` -tacle carriage being a pivot connection disposed rearwardly and below said pivot axis, said carriage comprising a subi-rame and a supporting frame movable thereon, said actuating mechanism including said movable frame which is connected to said pivoted locking means.

13. The combination of claim 12 including a yieldable unit between said frames for normally maintaining them in receptacle releasing relationship. i

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,136,068 Allen Nov. 8, 1938 2,633,258 Temple Mar. 31, 1953 2,744,642 Sewell et al. May 8, 1956 2,794,575 Hall June 4, 1957