US3314229A - Stake extracting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A ril 18, 1967 w. R. PETVERSON 3,314,229

STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

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P 1967 w. R. PETERSON 1 STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 2s l6--i INVENTOR WlLLlAM R. PETER5ON ATTORNEY-5'- 4 Sheets-Sheet (5 W. R. PETERSON STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS \NVENTOR WIL..L\AM R. PET ERSON om mm iifiii April 18, 1967 Filed July 14, 1966 a mm M! B 54 A5 15 gym; ATTORNEY-5'.

A ril 18, 1967 w, R. PETERSON 3,314,229

STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet L Fig. 9

\NVENTOR- WILLUAM R. PETERSON Z%;%% 9 x PM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,314,229 STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS William R. Peterson, Bucks County, Pa., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed July 14, 1966, Ser. No. 565,327 10 Claims. (Cl. 60-26.11)

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 411,650, filed Nov. 16, 1964, now Patent No. 3,283,501.

This invention relates to stake extracting apparatus, and more particularly to a stake extracting apparatus adapted for use upon stakes embedded in earth to varying degrees.

Standard initiators having a single cartridge for supplying a set amount of gas pressure have been employed to operate the firing mechanism of other cartridge actuated devices. Variations in environmental conditions have established a need for an initiator capable of supplying gas pressures of varying selective amounts. One such condition is that of a stake that has been driven into earth for temporarily holding heavy ordnance equipment during operation thereof and has to be withdrawn for subsequent mobilization of the equipment. The stake could be driven into soft spongy earth, into frozen earth or into earth of varying intermediate conditions, each condition requiring a different amount of energy or gas pressure for the stake removal operation.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide stake extracting apparatus having fluid pressure generating media which is capable of supplying a selected one of different amounts of fluid pressure for extracting stakes embedded in earth to varying degrees.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus having a multiple firing initiator selectively operated by a single actuating means.

In one aspect of the invention the stake removal apparatus has means for clamping an embedded stake, a pressure driven element connected to the clamping means, a multiple firing initiator communicatively connected with the element and having a plurality of gas generating caseless cartridges, and means for successively igniting selected ones of the cartridges.

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and associated drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a preferred arrangement embodying the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are opposed end views taken from the forward and rearward extremities of a multiple firing initiator of the FIG. 1 arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is substantially an enlarged sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational section view of another form of multiple firing initiator.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of certain parts in the arrangement of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view partially broken away showing the various parts of FIG. 7 in bolt retracted position.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are transverse sectional views taken along lines 1010 and 11-11 of FIG. 7.

The stake removal or extracting apparatus, shown generally at 102 (FIG. 1), has a plurality of supports or legs 103, at least three or four in number, which rest upon the terrain or earth 104 adjacent the selected stake 105 to be removed. The upper end of support means 103 is appropriately secured to a pressure cylinder 106 whose base in apertured to slidingly and sealingly receive rod 107 that interconnects sealed piston 108 with an extractor clamping unit 109 having suitable clamping jaws for engaging each stake 105 beneath its head 105A.

The lower portion of cylinder lateral surface 111 is appropriately apertured to sealingly connect the free end of conduit 24 leading from the forward housing portion of a multiple firing initiator 101 of FIGS. 2-6, or conduit 58 of the FIG. 7 initiator, with the gas pressure accumulation chamber 112 below or behind the piston 108 which will be driven upwardly when suflicient energy is supplied to remove the desired stake 105. The upper wall portion of cylinder 106 has a hole 113 for venting upper chamber 114 to the atmosphere, and a similar vent hole is predeterminedly located at a suitable elevation in cylinder Wall 111 for exhausting the developed pressure fluid at the termination of the piston upward movement. Depression of manually operated relief valve 116 enables the raised piston to descend on its return stroke to permit repetitive stake removal operations.

The multiple firing initiator of FIGS. 2-4 includes a main body portion or housing 101 and a cup member 12 coupled thereto by an appropriate assembly ring apparatus 13. Preferably housing body 101 is of molded construction and formed with a predetermined number of combustion chambers 14, (FIG. 5) each equidistantly spaced from the initiator central longitudinal axis as well as from its circumferentially adjacent chambers, such that their respective longitudinal axes are located on a ring concentric to the central longitudinal axis. Each of the chambers 1 has a rearwardly opening tubular sidewall construction having a rearward internal end portion which is suitably recessed to properly seat a, preferably caseless, cartridge round of ammunition 15. Each cartridge is provided with a centrally located suitable primer 16 aligned with and juxtapositioned forwardly of a respective aperture 17 in retaining member 16. Preferably, a T- shaped filter member 19 is threadedly seated in an axial opening 20 extending from the forwardmost portion of each chamber into respective radial tube portions 21, and by which each chamber is interconnected with a central outlet 22. Outlet 22 is appropriately bevelled and threaded such that a flanged nut 23 serves to sealingly attach thereto flared tubular fluid accumulation media or means 24 for delivering pressure fluid to pressure accumulation chamber 112. The stem of each T-filter has a forward end portion normally receiving a one way ball check valve 25 when the latter is urged or biased to its seat by spring 26.

The cap member 12 preferably is molded with a plurality of forwardly opening cylinders 27 each arranged for alignment with a respective combustion chamber. The forward or inner face of the cap member is suitably formed with a circular protuberance or projection 28 to receive annular or ring-like indexing plate 29 which normally covers the aperture 17 in retaining member 18 and normally closes off the forward end of each cylinder 27. Within each cylinder 27 a spring loaded firing pin 30 is provided which is normally held in its cocked position by indexing plate 29.

The cap member 12 has a transversely extending hollow cylindrical boss 31 (FIG. 6) containing a slidable plunger 32 therein. The outermost portion of the plunger has secured thereto a recessed button 33 which is slidably positioned upon boss 31 and normally biased outwardly therealong by a plunger spring 34 appropriately seated about the plunger against an internal flange within the boss 31. The enlarged inner end 35 of the plunger is pro vided with a pawl 36 which is biased by a suitable leafspring 37 to engage the first of a successive series of circumferential notches 38 located within a predetermined are along the inducing plate periphery. A similar series of notches or teeth '39 are provided on the diametrically opposed indexing plate peripheral surface for successive engagement by a similar but stationary spring biased pawl or dog 40. As will become apparent the indexing plate 29 functions as a ratchet wheel when the plunger 32 and button 33 are depressed, with pawl 40 holding the indexing plate against movement when the button and plunger are released and pawl 36 is withdrawn to enter the next or adjacent notch.

The indexing plate 29 is formed with a plurality of holes or slots 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, each of predetermined size and location upon the plate. The respective angularly spaced arcuate slots or openings successively and transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensions and each slot is radially equidistant from the rotational axis of the indexing plate. Each of the respectively successive slots is radially aligned with its corresponding firing pin as well as being angularly offset therefrom respectively successive increasing distances, such that selective repeated actuation of the plunger button will successively move selected slots into their corresponding firing position alignment or firing pin registration for ignition of the corresponding aligned cartridge. Thus, depending on the selected number of desired cartridge ignitions, a selected one of varying amounts of gas pressure from the ignited cartridge may be developed, each pressure chamber gas exiting past or through its filtering screw 19 and ball check valve 25.

In the arrangement of FIG. 7 the multiple firing initiator includes a main body portion or housing shown generally at 51 which contains a lost motion type mechanism for moving or positioning of and firing caseless cartridge ammunition rounds. Preferably, the housing is substantially of cylindrical tubular construction having threaded ends 52, 53 for respectively having secured thereto a centrally apertured retaining cap 54 and a combustion chamber element 55. The forward end wall of the chamber is formed with a reduced threaded extension 56 having a central passageway 57 therethrough communicating with the chamber interior. Flared tubular fluid accumulation media or means 58, for delivering pressure fluid to the pressure accumulation chamber 112, and extension 56 are connected by flanged nut 59. Threadedly seated in the entrance to axial passageway 57 is a T-shaped filter member and the chamber interior is provided with a conical tapered flange '60 for seating the cartridge prior to ignition thereof.

Appropriately connected to the housing is a magazine 61 containing a plurality of caseless cartridges 62 biased upwardly by spring 63 and an inverted cup member 64 [for successive movement into the housing interior when the positioning and firing mechanism is retracted as shown in FIG. 9 by an actuator 65 extending rearwardly through apertured cap 54. As will become apparent, release of actuator 65 allows the mechanism to return to its FIG. 7 position as the inserted cartridge is properly seated (dotted lines) immediately prior to ignition.

The lost motion positioning and firing mechanism includes an outer bolt member 66 normally slidably biased by spring 67 to its forward position interrupting communciation between the housing interior and magazine cartridges 62. Bolt 66 has an axial rearward pliable or spreadable collet type clamp extension 68 which when normally contracted has an inwardly directed flange 69 for abutment with the rearward surface of head 7 formed on the forward end of actuator shaft 65. When bolt 66 is moved to its rearward limit, collet clamp 68 will spread when it contacts conical tapered abutment 54A on retaining cap 54. Bolt 66 is of substantial cylindrical configuration and its rearward lower sidewall is formed with a trapezoidal shaped opening 71 for normally retaining therein the free end of a cocking finger 72 pivotally mounted on suitable journals 75 in mating transverse openings in an inner cylindrical bolt member 74 which is slidably mounted within bolt 66. As seen in FIG. 10,

cocking finger 72 is bifurcated or centrally slotted at or from its free end so as to overlie or slidably receive the rear portion 75 of firing pin 76. The rear portion of inner bolt 74 is slotted at 77 to receive finger 72 and firing pin portion 75, the latter being supported by its horizontal pins 81, 81 slidably positioned in longitudinal slots 82, 82 of the inner bolt 74 transversely intersecting vertical walls of slot 77 and by a lower central rearwardly extending portion 78 of intermediate inner bolt portion 79 which is integrally connected to the forward portion of inner bolt '74 by members 80, 80 (FIG. 11) at a locking pin slotted area thereof to be hereinafter described. The forward portion of inner bolt 74 has a sealing piston 83 threadedly secured thereto and these parts are appropriately apertured to slidingly receive firing pin 76 in addition to being recessed for accommodating firing pin flange 84 and its forwardly biasing spring 85. Piston 83 has both internal and external O-ring seals 86 to prevent backward flow therepast of pressure gas.

Outer bolt 66 is provided with opposed pairs of longitudinally extending offset slots 87 (FIGS. 8, 11) to receive and cam respective outwardly directed lateral pins or extensions 88 formed on bifurcated locking pins 89 which is vertically slidable between the opposed inner bolt connecting members 80, 80 from its upper, inner bolt locking position to its lower unlocked position. The locking pin 89 has a conically tapered upper end portion 99 which is cammed by outer bolt slot 87 upwardly into a predetermined mating internel recess in the main body portion when the outer bolt 66 is in or near its forwardmost position.

With the parts in their forwardmost position (FIG. 7), rearward movement of actuator 65 carries therewith outer bolt 66, pivoting cocking fingers '72 clockwise about journal 73 and thereby withdrawing or rearwardly moving firing pin 76 relative to the inner bolt 74 and locking pin 89 structures, compressing spring and lowering or releasing the locking pin 89. Continued rearward movement of bolt 66 moves the inner bolt and firing pin arrangement rearwardly, permitting loading of an adjacent caseless cartridge 62 into the housing interior, and when bolt 66 reaches its rearward limit (FIG. 9) with its collet clamp '63 spread outwardly by conical abutment 54A, the fully compressed spring 67 rapidly drives the parts forwardly in substantially reverse order to move the cartridge 62 to its seat 60 immediately prior to ignition thereof when the firing pin 76 strikes the percussion sensitive, fully combustible cartridge primer 91 as the parts all return to their FIG. 7 position.

Repeated actuation of the FIG. 7 gas generating apparatus will ignite the next adjacent cartridges in succession, until the desired gas pressure has been developed.

Various modifications, alterations or changes may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stake removal apparatus having means for clamping an embedded stake,

a cylinder having an apertured lower wall portion, a

piston vertically slidable in said cylinder and actuated by varying selective amounts of developed pressure gas,

a rod extending through said apertured wall portion and interconnecting said piston with said clamping means,

at least one of said piston and wall portion having a boss to normal-1y place said piston in a lowest position defining with said wall portion a pressure accumulation chamber,

exhaust port means in side wall portions of said cylinder for limiting the maximum stroke of said piston and for permitting the return of said piston to its normal lower position,

a multiple firing initiator communicatively connected with said pressure chamber and having a plurality of gas generating caseless cartridges, and

means for successively igniting selected ones of said cartridges.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said initiator includes a housing containing a plurality of combustion chambers each having at a rearmost location therein a loaded cartridge and primer therefor,

means communicatively connected with each of said chambers for collecting gas generated therein,

a plurality of firing pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridge primers, a spring forwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normally restraining the force of said pin strings, said indexing plate having a plurality of angularly spaced openings therethrough each radically aligned with an angularly offset from a corresponding fin'ng pin,

a retainer plate between said indexing plate and said primers and :having a plurality of apertures each longitudinally aligned with corresponding pairs of said pins and primers, and

means for selectively advancing ones of said openings into registration with its corresponding firing pin.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 in which said initiator includes a housing containing a plurality of combustion chambers each having at a rearmost location therein a loaded cartridge and primer therefor,

means communicatively connected by one way valve means with each of said chambers for collecting gas generated therein,

a cap member secured to said housing and containing a plurality of firing pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridge primer, a spring forwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normally restraining the force of said pin springs, said indexing plate having a plurality of angularly spaced openings therethrough each radially aligned with and angularly ofiset from a corresponding firing p a retainer plate between said indexing plate and said primers and having a plurality of apertures each longitudinally aligned with corresponding pairs of said pins and primers, and

means for successively moving selected ones of said openings into registration with its corresponding firing pin.

4. The structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said one way valve means each includes a ball check valve and seat therefor at the forward end of each chamber, and a spring normally biasing each ball valve against its seat.

5. The structure defined in claim 3 in which said openings successively and transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensions.

6. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said successively moving means includes a transversely oriented plunger, a spring biasing said plunger away from said indexing plate, and notch and pawl means interconnecting said indexing means with said plunger.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said initiator includes a housing containing a combustion chamber for receiving caseless cartridge means and substantially combustible primer means thereof,

means communicatively connected with said chamber for collecting gas generated therein,

a firing pin slidably mounted within said housing for striking said primer means, a spring forwardly biasing said pin,

means for moving said pin rearwardly in opposition to said spring to cock said pin,

a plurality of caseless cartridges each having a primer therefor and biased for successive movement into said chamber,

said pin moving means including means slidably mounted within said housing for movement between a forward position interrupting communication between intermediate said chamber and cartridges and a rearward non-interrupting position clear of said cartridges,

means forwardly biasing said movement means, and

means for moving said movement means in opposition to said forwardly biasing means.

8. The structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pin moving means includes lost motion means.

9. A multiple firing for use as a gas generator comprisa housing containing a combustion chamber for receiving caseless cartridge means and substantially combustible primer means thereof,

means communicatively connected with said chamber for collecting gas generated therein,

a firing pin slidably mounted within said housing for striking said primer means, a spring forwardly biasing said pin,

means for moving said pin rearwardly in opposition to said spring to cock said pin,

a plurality of caseless cart-ridges each having a primer therefor and biased for successive movement into said chamber,

said pin moving means including means slidably mounted within said housing for movement between a forward position interrupting communication between intermediate said chamber and cartridges and a rearward non-interrupting position clear of said cartridges,

means forwardly biasing said movement means, and

means for moving said movement means in opposition to said forwardly biasing means,

10. The structure in accordance with claim 9 wherein said pin moving means includes lost motion means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,096,619 10/ 1937 Prince 26.l1 2,144,893 1/1939 Parker 91-189 X 2,207,635 7/1940 Nardone 6039.47

FOREIGN PATENTS 969,930 5/1950 France. 628,795 11/1961 Italy.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT R. BUNEVICH, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A STAKE REMOVAL APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR CLAMPING AN EMBEDDED STAKE, A CYLINDER HAVING AN APERTURED LOWER WALL PORTION, A PISTON VERTICALLY SLIDABLE IN SAID CYLINDER AND ACTUATED BY VARYING SELECTIVE AMOUNTS OF DEVELOPED PRESSURE GAS, A ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURED WALL PORTION AND INTERCONNECTING SAID PISTON WITH SAID CLAMPING MEANS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PISTON AND WALL PORTION HAVING A BOSS TO NORMALLY PLACE SAID PISTON IN A LOWEST POSITION DEFINING WITH SAID WALL PORTION A PRESSURE ACCUMULATION CHAMBER, EXHAUST PORT MEANS IN SIDE WALL PORTIONS OF SAID CYLINDER FOR LIMITING THE MAXIMUM STROKE OF SAID PISTON AND FOR PERMITTING THE RETURN OF SAID PISTON TO ITS NORMAL LOWER POSITION, A MULTIPLE FIRING INITIATOR COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF GAS GENERATING CASELESS CARTRIDGES, AND MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY IGNITING SELECTED ONES OF SAID CARTRIDGES.

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