US3178839A - Apparatus for collecting, digging, and transporting loose materials - Google Patents

Description

C. DOMENIGHETTI Apn] 1965 APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING, DIGGING, AND 3178839 TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1962 ATTOE/VE? pri 20; 1965 AAAAAAAAA DOME-NGHETT' 3,118 839 OR COLLECTING. DIGGING, AND TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIALS Filed April 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M/VE/VTOP C03 TANTf pOME/V/GHETT/ 314 7W MM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,178,839 APPARATUS FOR COLLECTENG, DHGGING, AND TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIIALS Costante Domenighetfi, Piazzale Giulio esare 20, Milan, Italy Filed Apr. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 189,476 Claims priority, application Italy, May 3, 1961, 12,775, Patent 647,557 3 Claims. (Cl. 37-116) The present invention relates to an apparatus adapted to collect, dig and transport loose materials as for instance, sand, gravel, coal and the like, to bring them in proximity to the utilization or working place. This apparatus comprises a beam pivoted at one end and mounting adajacent thereto a winch with two drums having a rope wound thereon in opposite directions, a transmission pulley mounted at the other end, a carriage-supported return rope carrying a scraper bucket sliding between the drums and the pulley, and an automatic hoisting system for the scraper bucket including a carriage stop device and a carriage-mounted pulley for the return rope connected to the scraper bucket to effect the hoisting and the discharge thereof.

The beam carries adjacent its pivot a winch having a double drum unit adapted to receive at least two ropes wound thereon, one on each drum but in opposite directions so that one rope winds up while the other is un- Winding.

The free ends of the two ropes may be connected to each other on a transmission pulley placed on the other end of the shaft. It is also possible to use a single rope which from one of the drums carried by the winch mounted at one shaft end, passes over the pulley mounted at the other shaft end and is then connected to the digging member and then extends up to the other drum upon which it winds up in a direction opposite to the one of the rope on the first drum. By means of this device or arrangement, the upper rope slackens and the lower one shortens whereby the total operating length of the same stays unvaried and the digging member is pulled towards the winch.

By reversing the rotation of the motor driving the winch, reversal of the movement of the two ropes is effected i.e., the pulling rope slackens and vice versa the slack one starts pulling. If one of these ropes is connected to a scraper bucket, it will be subjected to an alternating movement between a point located substantially centrally of the beam and the pulley mounted on the free end of the beam.

A main object of the present invention is to provide, in a given location of the bucket travel, for the discharge of said bucket i.e., for the turning over and stopping thereof as well as for the return movement of said bucket by means of an automatic braking device for control of carriage and the elimination of shock or the like as well as to provide for a hoisting or lifting dis lacement of said bucket with respect to its digging position thereby avoiding that said bucket comes into contact with already discharged material, thus eliminating any danger of wear on the bucket and back dragging of material which has already been carried forward.

The foregoing objects are achieved by means of an apparatus as shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal view of the beam in the region where discharge of the scraper bucket is effected;

FIG. 1' is a similar view of a modification thereof;

FIG. 1 shows a further modification wherein the angle of a beam portion is adjustable;

3,178,839 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the association of the device of the invention with a weighing batching plant; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, it will be seen that the apparatus of the invention may comprise a traction rope 1 fixed at 2 to the scraper bucket 2, a return rope 3 attached at 3" to the back portion of said bucket, a stop disc 4 fixed to rope 3, a transmission pulley 5 rotatably mounted on an arm 9 pivoted at 17 to a carriage d slidable on a rail or guide member 7' in the shape of an inverted T and forming a part of a triangular frame beam 7. A brake element 8 is mounted for vertical swinging movement on and about a horizontal pivot 8a and is swung by the arm 9 by means of a pawl 16. An arm 11 is also fixed to the carriage 6 and has pivotally mounted thereon a lever 12 provided with a hook projection 13 which, at the end of the forward stroke, engages a hook projection 14 fixed to the frame beam 7. The carriage 6 having its wheels 6' sliding on the side portions of the rail member 7", is driven during the digging stroke in a position which is just above the scraper bucket 2. This is eifected by means of a rope 15 connected to the traction rope 1. During the digging and filling stroke of the bucket 2, the ropes 1 and 15 are pulled while the rope 3 slackens. At the end of the forward or digging stroke, the hook projection 13 engages the hook 14 (through tension in the spring 1X; connecting arm 11 and lever 12), a conventional stop device for the electric winch motor (i.e. an end stroke contact) which is not shown in the drawing, reverses the rotation of the motor so that the rope 3 is now subjected to tension, and the ropes 1 and 15 are slackened and move in a direction opposite to the one in the preceeding digging stroke.

Since the hook projection 13 is still engaged with the stationary hook projection 14, before causing the return stroke of the carriage 6, the rope 3 hoists the scraper bucket 2 thereby turning it over until the bottom 2 of the same or the disc 4 comes into contact with the end 12' of the lever 12. Through this contact, disengagement of the movable hook projection 13 from the stationary hook projection 14 is eiiected to permit the return stroke of the carriage 6 by rope 3. Were it not for the presence of the brake 8, it could happen that the tension of the rope 3 would cause a sudden jerk or shock to the whole scraper unit. The provision of a brake element 8 ensures a smooth return movement and therefore a more reliable and stable operation. This braking action is also effective in keeping the scraper bucket in an elevated discharge position so that said bucket does not come into contact with the material lying below which has been previously dug and transported. This braking action is furthermore automatic as the arm 9, which carries the pulley 5 and is pivotally mounted at 17, is pulled backwards by the tension in the rope 3 to cause the braking action.

FIG. 1 shows a modification of the turning over or tilting and hoisting mechanism for the scraper bucket 2. In FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the carriage 6 is shown with its wheels 6' sliding each on one side portion of the rail or guide element 7' fixed to the frame beam 7. In the modification of FIGURE 1, a simpler arrangement than the hook means 1344 is used for stopping the carriage 6 in its turned over position. The rail element '7 is bent downwards at its end to form an elbow portion 7" across which the wheels 6 stop at the end of the stroke, as shown. The carriage 6 stops and at the same time the winch 23 also stops and reverses its rotation. As a consequence thereof, the ropes 1 and 15 slacken while the rope 3 starts pulling. However, since the scraper bucket 2 is filled with material and the carriage 6 is blocked by the elbow portion 7" of the rail element 7', the rope 3 does not start the carriage back but initially hoists the back side of the bucket bottom thus causing the discharge of the scraper bucket. The scraper bucket 2 keeps going up in a vertical direction until it strikes against the pulley 5. This bump, together with the component of the forces acting on the carriage 6, causes the disengagement of the wheels 6" from the elbow portion 7", thus causing the descent along the rail portion 7 of the carriage and of the scraper bucket located below. The amplitude of the angle 7" of the rail 7' having the form of an upside-down T and serving to block the carriage 6 is conveniently made adjustable, as shown in FIG. 1", by splitting the beam at the edge, by removing part thereof and by inserting a hinge 70 at its inside so as to permit the return of said beam to the original rectilinear position- Two extensions 71 and 72 respectively fixed to two parts 7 and 7" and provided with openings 73 for the securing together of said extensions by means of a pin 74, permit the adjustment of said angle 7" in accordance with the. traction exerted by the bucket 2.

However, the two extensions 71 and 72 may also be omitted and a stop or abutment limiting the maximum amplitude of the angle may be inserted in the inner side of said angle or in the hinge 70 while the movement up- I Wards is free. In this case, the disc 4 stopping the bucket is provided with a rod 75 which at the end of its upper stroke pushes the end rail portion 7" upwards and, by having it return in its rectilinear position, enables the movement of the carriage 6 again.

Ditferent mechanical, electrical or pneumatic means may be utilized in the specified system as long as the tilting or turning over of the scraper bucket and the return stroke thereof in upside-down or approximately upsidedown position is effected withoutcontacting the material lying below. 7

The traction system acting on the several ropes, may be constituted by a single winch having two drums carrying the ropes wound thereon in opposite directions or may be made with two winches each having a drum, or with two winches one having a drum and the other having two drums. In a possible arrangement three winches'may be provided, each with a drum adapted to receive one of the ropes 1, 3, 15 each separately wound thereon.

The winch drums may either be motor driven or they may be of the loose reversal type, the rope returning to its original position without the drum shaft having to be rotated. This may be effected by means of a rackwork system or an electromagnetic clutch mechanism or the like.

. These drums may be braked directly or by the motor,

in this last case the brake 8 may be replaced by the brake acting on the drum having the rope 15 wound there- When the drum of the rope 15 includes a stop or brake element acting only in the location corresponding to the engagement position of the hook projection 13 with the projection 14, it will be noted that the whole lever 12 and the projections 13 and 14 may be replaced by a mechani- -cal or electrical control mechanism adapted to operate the brake or thestop element of the drum pulling on the rope 15.

These winches and their related drums with their transmission pulleys may be located in any suitable position on the frame beam or in any other position away therefrom, whereby the normal transmission arrangements may be provided through suitable pulleys.

The ropes may obviously be partly or completely replaced by chains, jointed rods or any other equivalent means.

The carriage 6 may slide either on a rail portion or along a support cable in cooperative relation with conventional slide means.

In a further embodiment, a winch may be provided in the fore partto pull on the rope in the digging direction while another winch is located at the opposite side of the beam or on the ground to provide for the return movement of the rope. This last arrangement is advantageously applied when the carriage slides on a cable instead of on the frame shaft.

Other equipment for completing the apparatus of the invention may comprise, for instance, a manually operated or a motor driven winch 18 (FIG. 4). for the lifting and the lowering of the whole unit to have the scraper bucket follow the outline of the material to be dug.

, A further device may be provided for rotating the whole system from the position 19 to the position 20 (FIG. 5),

said device being mechanically, electrically or pneumatically driven and possibly remote controlled.

The simplest construction is as shown in FIG. 4 and comprises a beam having a triangular frame 7 pivoted at 21 and adapted to rotate in a horizontal as well as in a vertical direction. The tension rope 22 is provided to support the beam 7 and to change the. inclination therefore; A winch 23 has two drums fixed on the same shaft and adapted to receive the two ropes 1 and 3 wound thereon in opposite directions, each on its drum. The rope 3, 3 starting from its drum reaches the other end of the frame beam, passes on the transmission pulley 24 and winds on the pulley 5 connected to the bottom of the grab bucket 2. The other drum of the winch is adapted to receive the rope 1 wound thereon, said rope being connected to the fore part 2" ofthe grab bucket 2. This rope is also connected to the rope 15, theother'end of which of an ararngement of hooks disposed in several positions or with multiple windings.

The apparatus of the invention operates as follows; The winch 23 is set into operation when the scraper bucket is located in its lowest position and pulls on rope I and therefore also on rope 15 which is connected thereto. As a consequence thereof, the scraper bucket is dragged on the material thereby digging out portions thereof. At the same time the carriage 6 moves with and is kept above the grab bucket 2 by means of the rope 15. When the scraper bucket has reached its discharge position, the hook projection 13 engages the projection 14and almost at this same moment the rotation of the winch drums is automatically reversed. The ropes 1 and 15 slacken' winch 23'automatically reverses its direction of rotation, the rope 3 slackens and the scraper bucket 2 is dropped to come into contact with the material. The ropes 1 and 15 are subjected againto tension and the scraper bucket starts the digging stroke thereby restarting the cycle.

At the moment in which the scraper bucket is in lifted position and is about to descend, the beam frame 7 by its pivot shaft 21 may be easily rotated in horizontal directron thereby passing over any kind of obstacles, separatmg or partition walls 25, or the like (FIG. 5 ).f

What is claimed is:

1. A cable operated dragline scraper comprising a beam, a carriage mounted for movement along the beam, a scraper, first cable means for pulling the carriage forwardly along the beam, second cable means for raising and lowering the scraper relative to the carriage, said first cable means including a forward cable portion and a pair of rear cable portions interconnected with and extending rearwardly of said forward cable portion, one of said rear cable portions being connected at its rear end to the carriage and the other of said rear cable portions being connected at its rear end to the scraper.

2. A cable operated dragline scraper comprising a beam, a carriage mounted for movement along the beam, a scraper, first cable means for pulling the carriage forwardly along the beam, second cable means for raising and lowering the scraper relative to the carriage, and means for releasably retaining the carriage in a forward position against rearward movement along the beam, said beam having track means thereon on which said carriage rides, said retaining means comprising a pocket in the track means in which a portion of the carriage rests by gravity.

3. A cable operated dragline scraper comprising a beam, a carriage mounted for movement along the beam, a scraper, first cable means for pulling the carriage forwardly along the beam, second cable means for raising and lowering the scraper relative to the carriage and for pulling the carriage rearwardly along the beam, pulley means over which said second cable means is trained,

means mounting the pulley means on the carriage for rearward swinging movement relative to the carriage when the second cable means is tensioned to pull the carriage rearwardly, and one-way brake means on said carriage engageable with the beam to prevent free forward movement of the carriage but to retard rearward movement of the carriage along the beam thereby to assure that the scraper will be in a raised position relative to the carriage upon rearward movement of the carriage along the beam, said means which mounts the pulley means on the carriage, when rearwardly swung, exerting pressure on the brake means to engage the brake means with the beam.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 447,458 3/91 Butler 37116 910,038 1/09 Andrews 21410 1,086,304 2/14 Negley 21461 1,103,476 7/14 Bishop 214--134 1,235,472 7/17 Hendrickson 21275 1,343,434 6/20 Cook 212-77 1,440,406 1/23 Nolan 212--79 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS TEMIN, Examiner.

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