US3746100A

US3746100A - Mounting for vibrating tool having damping means for isolating vibrations

Info

Publication number: US3746100A
Application number: US00198364A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Hall; L Branen; G Moore
Original assignee: Charles Machine Works Inc
Current assignee: Charles Machine Works Inc
Priority date: 1971-11-12
Filing date: 1971-11-12
Publication date: 1973-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-17

Abstract

A plow blade perferrably designed for feeding or pulling a utility service wire or tubing into an earth opening formed by the plow blade while vibrating, may constitute the working member of a vibratory machine which is preferrably mounted on a four wheel supported frame, with the blade attached to a cradle having a floor portion mounting a vibrator. Upper and lower mounting arms are pivotally attached between the frame and the cradle. The cradle is movable between a working position and a retracted position spaced from the working position along a curvilinear path defined by the pivoting upper and lower arms. Movement between the two positions is accomplished by means of a hydraulic motor attached between the frame and the lower arm. The pivotal mountings for the two arms each include means such as sleeves for damping vibrations between the arms and the frame. When the cradle is in the working position it is supported by and transfers the plowing load, generated by the vibrating blade engaging the soil during vibratory plowing, to a pair of shear mounts each having a resilient damping pad attached to the frame and engaging the cradle. These shear mounts transfer the load encountered by the plow blade to the front wheels of the wheel supported frame to provide improved driving characteristics for the vehicle depending on the earth or soil conditions, i.e., heavy or light being encountered by the vibrating plow blade.

Description

United States Patent Hall et al.

[ 1. 3,746,100 1 51 Jul 17, 1973 MOUNTING FOR VIBRATING TOOL HAVING DAMPING MEANS FOR ISOLATING VIBRATIONS The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, Okla.

[22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 198,364

[73] Assignee:

173/49 [51] Int. Cl E02f 5/18 [58] Field of Search 37/193, DIG 18; 172/40; 61/72.6; 299/14; 173/49 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,339,641 9/1967 Carter 172/40 3,657,831 4/1972 Kant 37/193 3,425,496 2/1969 Shelton 172/40 3,363,423 1/1968 Davis 172/40 X 3,647,003 3/1972 Gagne... 37/193 X 3,618,237 11/1971 Davis.... 37/193 X 2,787,202 4/1957 Gladis 37/193 UX 3,461,970 8/1969 Bodine 172/40 X 3,336,082 8/1967 Bodine, Jr 172/40 X Primary Examiner-Robcrt E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Clifford D. Crowder V A ttorney- William E. Schuyler, Neal E. Abrams et al.

U.S. Cl 172/40, 37/193, 37/DIG. 18,

[57] ABSTRACT A plow blade perferrably designed for feeding or pulling a utility service wire or tubing into an earth opening formed by the plow blade while vibrating, may constitute the working member of a vibratory machine which is preferrably mounted on a four wheel supported frame, with the blade attached to a cradle having a floor portion mounting a vibrator. Upper and lower mounting arms are pivotally attached between the frame and the cradle. The cradle is movable between a working position and a retracted position spaced from the working position along a curvilinear path defined by the pivoting upper and lower arms. Movement between the two positions is accomplished by means of a hydraulic motor attached between the frame and the lower arm. The pivotal mountings for the two arms each include means such as sleeves for damping vibrations between the arms and the frame. When the cradle is in the working position it is supported by and transfers the plowing load, generated by the vibrating blade engaging the soil during vibratory plowing, to a pair of shear mounts each having a resilient damping pad attached to the frame and engaging the cradle. These shear mounts transfer the load encountered by the plow blade to the front wheels of the wheel supported frame to provide improved driving characteristics for the vehicle depending on the earth or soil conditions, i.e., heavy or light being encountered by the vibrating plow blade.

30 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 1 MOUNTING FOR VIBRATING TOOL HAVING DAMPING MEANS FOR ISOLATING VIBRATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains broadly to a means for movably mounting a vibrating machine comprising a vibrator and a vibrating tool upon a stationary or four wheeled vehicular support frame. It is useful with a multitude of different types of machines in different fields, but is particularly well suited for use with earth working machines of the type known as vibrating plows used in utility service conductor installation.

With the increasing use of vibrating tools in recent years, there has been an attendant requirement for mechanisms upon which these tools and their vibrators can be mounted. Often, there is also the requirement that the tool be movable between at least two positions. The primaryrequirements for such mechanism include: accurate positioning of the tool in the working position; isolation of vibrations of the tool from the support frame and from the operator; effective transfer of plow blade load to the driving wheels supporting the frame; effective plowing action for different soil conditions; simplicity of design and operation; and potential for adjustability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention solves the problems present in the mounting of vibrating machines of the type described above, and meets all of the aforementioned requirements. It provides a mechanism of uniquely simple and novel construction. The vibratory tool is movable along a predetermined curvilinear path between a working position and a retracted position. The components can easily be designed to provide different paths. The tool is accurately positioned in the working position, and the entire vibrating machine supported by the frame such that all load is removed from the mechanism that moves the machine between the said positions. The vibrations present in the vibrator and the tool are isolated from the support frame, the motor for moving the tool and the operator but the plowing load is applied through to the driving wheels to adapt the draw bar pull of the vehicle to the soil conditions being encountered. While this invention is usable with numerous vibrating machines, it is particularly well suited for use in earth working machines of the type known as vibratory plows. Since this environment is ideal for demonstrating the invention to best advantage, the invention will be described in this specificationin conjunction with a vibratory plow.

The vibrating machine comprises a vibrator and a tool such as a plow blade, attached thereto. The vibrator can be of the eccentric weight type, although other known types can be used. The vibrator is mounted on a cradle. The vibrating tool can be attached directly to the vibrator or to the cradle. The cradle is movable between a working position in which the vibrating tool is in engagement with the material to be worked and a retracted position spaced from the working position. Movement between these two positions is accomplished through a novel mounting means. An upper mounting arm is pivotally mounted at one end to the machine frame and is attached at the other end to the cradle. A lower mounting arm is pivotally attached at one end to the machine frame and at the other end to the lower portion of the cradle. The two pivot points upon which the upper and lower arms are mounted are spaced from one another. A means such as a hydraulic motor is attached on the one hand to the machine frame and on the other hand to one of the mounting arms. Application of power to the hydraulic motor causes the cradle and the attached vibrating machine to be moved from the working position along a curvilinear path established by the two pivoting arms to the retracted position. The curvilinear path is controlled by the relationship between the two pivot points, the lengths of the upper and lower arms, the points of attachment of the various elements and the length of the stroke of the motor. In order to isolate the vibrations of the vibrator, cradle, and tool from the machine frame, both the upper and lower arm pivot connections are provided with vibration damping means such as sleeves of vibration damping material interposed in the joint between the arm and frame. Such sleeves can also be used in the hydraulic motor linkage. A further novel feature of the invention is the use of a cradle support means when the vibrating machine is in the working position. These are advantageously in the form of a pair of spaced shear mounts having brackets that engage the lower portion of the cradle. The brackets are attached to the frame through vibration damping means such as resilient pads so that the vibrations are isolated from the frame. The cradle support means accurately positions the cradle and tool in the working position and importantly transfers the working load encountered by the plow blade tool to the vehicle supporting wheels to obtain best driving conditions for the particular soil conditions being encountered. The cradle support means also removes the vertical load from the mounting arms and from the hydraulic motor when the cradle is in the working position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention as embodied in a powered vehicle supported vibratory plow, the vibrating machine being shown in th retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a side elvation of portions of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 with the vibrating machine in the working position, parts of the apparatus of FIG. 1 being removed or shown in section for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the invention with the vibrating machine in the working position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the shear mounts and its mounting on the apparatus of the invention.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention sets forth a novel combination of elements for use in mounting a vibrating machine comprising a vibrator and a tool that is movable between a working position and a retracted position. It is particularly well suited for mounting vibrating tools on earth working apparatus such as vibrating plows. In this environment the novel features and advantages of the invention can best be illustrated, and therefore the invention is herein explained in this context. However, it should be realized that the invention is not to be limited to this environment or limited to the combination with earth working apparatus.

A vibrating plow in accordance with this invention consists basically of a frame 10 that is mounted upon four pneumatic rubber tired wheels 11. Mounted on frame is an internal combustion engine 12 and a control console 13 that includes the necessary controls and gauges for operating the components and steering the machine. In use the operator walks behind the console 13 of the vehicle and the rear pair of wheels are steerable for maneuvering the vibrating plow. Engine 12 drives the wheels 11 by conventional means such as a hydraulic transmission with chain drive output. Vibration forces are provided by a vibrator 15. The vibrating working tool is in this case a plow blade 16, which is attached to a cradle 17. Vibrator 15 is also fixedly attached to cradle 17, and thus vibration is provided both to plow blade 16 and to cradle17. The mechanism for mounting cradle 17 consists of an upper mounting means 20 and a lower mounting means 21 both of which are pivotally mounted upon frame 10. Hydraulic motor 22 operates upon the lower mounting means 21 to move the mechanism between a point wherein tool 16 is in a working position and a second position spaced from the working position.

The various elements will now be described in detail: Vibrator 15 can be any of the well known types of vibrators but preferably is of the rotating eccentric weight type. An example of this type shaker is disclosed in Shaler Pat. No. 2,059,754. Vibrator 15 can generate a vibratory movement in a single plane, such as vertical only or horizontal only, or it can generate an orbital movement. Vibratory plows of the type with which the invention is illustrated generally utilize vibrations in the vertical plane only, and the mounting means of the invention is particularly well suited for this type of movement.

- Cradle 17 is of generally U-shaped configuration and consists of a base portion 25 and a pair of

side portions

26 and 27. attached to base portion 25 and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. At the outer end of each of the

side portions

26 and 27 is a bushing 28. Vibrator 15 is fixedly attached to the base portion 25 by conventional means such as welds or bolts. Therefore, vibrator 15 imparts vibrating motion to cradle 17. The configuration of cradle 17 that is shown in the drawings in only exemplary, offering certain advantages in the particular situation and with the particular type of vibratory motion described. Other designs might also lend themselves well to use with the teachings of this invention. The sloping

sides

26 and 27 have particular advantages, as will be described below.

Plow blade 16 can be attached directly to vibrator 15, or can be attached to cradle 17, as shown. The specific point of attachment will be describedbelow, but it should be realized that vibrationis imparted to blade 16 irrespective of to which element .it is directly attached. Of course, plow blade 16 is merely illustrative of one of manyvibrating tools that could be used within the context of this invention.

Upper mounting means 20 comprises an upper-arm 29 having at one end a cradle attachment bracket 30 inan inverted U-shape that is pivotally attached to

side portions

26 and 27 of cradle 17 by means of pivot pins 31 engaging bushing 28. The other end of upper arm 29 is supported by mounting bracket 32 attached to frame Lower mounting means 21 comprises a lower arm 37 having a pair of spaced sides 37a and 37b attached together at several points. Other equivalent structures can, however, be used within the scope of this invention. Lower arm 37 terminates at one end in a generally triangular shaped portion 38. At one corner of portion 38 is a bushing 39 that engages a shaft 40 that is carried by frame 10. Again, in order to isolate the vibrations of cradle 17 from frame 10, a vibration clamping sleeve 41 is interposed between bushing 39 and shaft 40.

Either the cylinder or the piston rod of a hydraulic motor 22 is attached to the other corner of triangular portion 38 by means of a pivoted joint 43. A resilient sleeve can optionally be installed in this joint also. The other element of motor 22 is attached to frame 10 by means of pivoted joint 44. Of course, other types of motors, such as pneumatic or electric types, can also be used, attached in the manner shown.

Lower mounting means 21 further comprises a pair of downwardly extending plates 45 attached to the underside of cradle 17. Each plate 45 has at its lower corner a bushing 46 and the pair of bushings 46 engages a shaft 48 carried by the other end of lower mounting arm 37. This pivotal connection can also have a vibration damping sleeve, if desired.

A tool mounting bracket 50 is attached to the underside of cradle 17, and tool 16 is fixedly attached thereto. Y

Vibrator 15 is driven by motor 12 through a driving connection including at least one drive belt 51 engaging a pulley 52 carried by the main shaft 53 of vibrator 15. Belt 51 engages at its other end another pulley S4 of shaft 34 which is driven by motor 12 means, by such as another belt (not shown) drivingly coupling the motor and shaft 34. Pulley 54 can advantageously be mounted upon bracket 32 on the same shaft 34 that supports upper arm 29. Again, this system is only an example, and any drive system that will allow movement of the vibrating machine between the two positions can be-used.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 cradle 17 is shown in the lowered, or working position. In the case of the vibrating plow with which the invention is illustrated, in the working position plow blade 16 extends downwardly below the surface 56 of the ground, and when the machine is driven to the right as shown in FIG. 2, the vibrating blade 16 produces a cut or trench 57 beneath surface 56. It is important that vibrating blade 16 be accurately and firmly supported when in the working position. In order to accomplish this, the invention also provides a novel cradle support system.

As stated above, cradle 17 advantageously includes a pair of

side portions

26 and 27 which are upwardly and outwardly slanted from base portion 25. A pair of shear mounts 58 engage cradle 17 to position and support cradle 17 in the working position. Each shear mount 58 comprises a support bracket 59 having a slanted portion 60

engaging side portions

26 and 27. Slanted portions 60 are substantially parallel to each of side portions 26 and'27, respectively. As shown in detail FIG. 4 each support bracket 59 is attached by means ofa bolt 61 to a damping pad 62, which is in turn attached to frame 10 by bolts 63. Damping pads 62 are of resilient material and isolate the vibrations of cradle 17 from frame 10. The novel design of shear mounts 58 and particularly of support brackets 59, is of considerable importance. The interengagement of slant portions 60 and

side portions

26 and 27 of cradle 17 captures cradle 17 in a wedge fit, thus providing support for the downward vertical load from cradle 17, but also restricting lateral movement. Shock loads that may be applied to cradle 17 from blade 16 at also efficiently absorbed by shear mounts 58. Frame can also be provided with means for adjusting the positions of shear mounts 58 vertically and horizontally, so that blade 16 can be positioned at various heights in the working position and so that the loading relationship between shear mounts 58 and pivot joint 39, 40 of lower arm 37 can be adjusted. Also, a pair of stops 64 can be installed on

side portions

26 and 27 to engage the upper edges of brackets 59 to more precisely establish the vertical position of cradle 17.

The coaction between the cradle and shear mounts is also important in that the downwardly acting plow blade load particularly under the vibrating action of vibrator 15, is transfered through the cradle 17 and shear mounts 58 to the vehicle frame and thence urge the front driving wheels into firm driving engagement with the ground. Accordingly in the plowing through heavy soils a greater or heavier force is applied through the front wheels, exactly as needed for forcing the vibrating plo'w blade through the heavy soil. However, on light soft soils the plow blade encounters a lighter load and less force is applied down against the front wheels. Consequently the softer soil surface is not subject to being unduly torn up by the driving action of the wheels. As a result of this relationship between the vibrating plow blade, shear mounts, frame and frame supporting wheels, a relatively lightweight vehicle can apply comparatively high draw bar force in achieving the plowing action, a force equivalent to the draw bar force of a significantly heavier vehicle.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the cradle 17 and blade 16 is in the lower or working position, vibrator is operated to produce vibrations by motor 12 through belt 51. Vibrations of a predetermined magnitude and direction are applied to cradle 17 and thus through tool mounting bracket 50 to blade 16. Cradle 17 is at this point supported by shear mounts 58, which isolate the vibrations of cradle 17 from frame 10 because of the presence of damping pads 62. Thus,the generally downward vertical load on cradle 17 isreceived by shear mounts 58, while the generally horizontal loading, to the left in the drawings, is received by lower mounting means 21 and passed to frame 10 via pivot joint 39, 40. The design of blade 16 is such that as the vehicle moves forward, the action of blade 16 with the earth 56 will tend to keep cradle 17 firmly seated in shear mounts 58. During this working part of the operation the hydraulic motor 22 need not be energized, and thus the cradle moving system is not kept under constant stress. The vibrations generated by shaker 15 are also transmitted to upper mounting means 20 and lower mounting means 21, but are kept isolated from frame 10 because of damping sleeves 35 and 41 at the attachment points of

arms

29 and 37. Damping sleeves can be used at the pivot points, if desired.

When cradle 17 is to be raised to the retracted position, hydraulic motor 22 is energized and acts upon lower arm 37 to raise cradle 17 and blade 16. Since upper mounting means 20 and lower mounting means 21 pivot at points on frame 10 that are spaced from one another, a curvilinear path is provided for cradle l7 and blade 16. The novel design of the upper and lower mounting means allows a curvilinear path to be developed for various desirable situations. The curvilinear path depends upon the relative position of the pivot points of

arms

29 and 37, upon the lengths and configuration of

arms

29 and 37, the attachment point of lower arm 37 to plates 45, and the length of stroke of motor 22. For example, if it is desirable to have blade 16 in a more horizontal attitude in the retracted position, the attachment point of lower arm 37 to plates 45 could be relocated upwardly, thus rotating cradle 17 to a greater extent as it is lifted to the retracted position. Other means of adjusting this curvilinear path are readily apparent. In addition, the invention provides for adjustment of components to allow the load distribution to be changed to fit the particular tool being used and task being performed.

Again, it should be emphasized that although this invention is shown as a part of a vibratory plow, it also can be utilized with other types of vibrating mechanism such as machine tools. Obviously, many variations and modifications from the apparatus described above will become obvious to those skilled in the art, and it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the apparatus described above but is governed only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for movably mounting upon a support frame a vibrating'machine including a vibrator and a vibrating tool vibrated thereby comprising:

a cradle carrying said vibrating machine,

upper mounting means attached to said cradle, said upper mounting means comprising an upper arm pivotally mounted on said frame,

lower mounting means attached to said cradle, said lowermounting means comprising a lower arm pivotally mounted on said frame,

moving means mounted on said frame for moving said cradle between a working position wherein said vibrating tool can engage the material to be worked and a retracted position spaced from said working position along a curvilinear path established by said pivoting upper and lower arms, .and shear mounting means attached to said frame and engaging and supporting said cradle when said cradle is in said working position, said shear mounting means comprising damping means isolating the vibrations of said vibrating machine from said frame. 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shear mounting means comprises a pair of spaced brackets attached to said frame and engaging the lower portion of said cradle, said damping means being interposed between said frame and said bracket.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said damping means comprise a pair of resilient pads attached to said frame and said brackets are each attached to one of said resilient pads.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cradle comprises a floor portion and a pair of side portions attached to said floor portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, and wherein said pair of brackets includes engaging surfaces substantially parallel to said side portions to engage said side portions when said cradle is in said working position, whereby said cradle is received in a wedge-type engagement between said brackets.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said damping means comprise a pair of resilient pads attached to said frame and said brackets are each attached to one of said resilient pads.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said frame is outwardly of said pair of brackets and said resilient pads extend inwardly substantially horizontally from said frame to engage said brackets.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each ofsaid side portions of said cradle has an outwardly extending flange engaging the upper edge of the respective said bracket when said cradle is in said working position.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper arm is attached to said frame at an upper pivot mount and said lower arm is attached to said frame at a lower pivot mount spaced from said upper pivot mount.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said upper pivot mount and said lower pivot mount each comprise damping means isolating the vibrations of said cradle from said frame.

10. Apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said moving means is attached to said lower arm.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cradle comprises a floor portion and a pair of side portions attached to said floor portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, said device further comprising a cradle bracket attached to said upper arm and spanning the width of said cradle, said cradle bracket being pivotally attached to both said side portions. p v

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cradle bracket is of inverted U-shape, the free ends being pivotally attached to said side portions.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein one end of said lower arm is pivotally attached to said cradle and the other end of said lower arm includes two corner portions, said lower pivot mount being at one said corner portion and said moving means being attached to the other said corner portion.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said lower pivot mount is in a horizontal plane below said upper pivot mount.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said lower pivot mount is in a horizontal plane below said upper pivot mount and is further in a vertical plane spaced from said upper pivot mount.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a tool support bracket attached to said cradle, said-vibrating tool being carried by said tool support bracket.

17. Apparatusas set forth in claim 13 wherein said cradle further comprises plate means attached to the underside of said cradle and extending downwardly therefrom, said lower arm being pivotally attached to said plate means.

18. In a vibratory plow having a wheeled frame and a vibrator and vibrating plow blade carried by said frame, means for mounting said vibrator and vibrating.

plow blade upon. said frame comprising:

a cradle carrying said vibrator and said vibrating plow blade, upper mounting arm means pivotally attached at one end portion by an upper pivot mount to said frame and at the other end portion pivotally attached to said cradle,

lower mounting arm means pivotally attached at one end portion by a lower pivot mount to said frame and at the other end portion pivotally attached to said cradle,

cradle moving means mounted on said frame for moving said cradle between a working position wherein said plow blade can work the earth and a retracted position spaced from said working position along a curvilinear path established by said pivoting upper and lower arm means wherein said plow blade is removed from the earth, and

shear mounting means attached to said frame and engaging and supporting said cradle when said cradle is in said working position, said shear mounting means comprising damping means interposed between said cradle and said frame for isolating the vibrations of said cradle from said frame.

19. A' vibratory plow as set forth in claim 18 wherein said cradle comprises a pair of upwardly and outwardly sloping side portions and said shear mounting means comprise a pair of spaced opposed brackets having sloping portions complementary respectively to said side portions and engaging said side portions to receive said cradle in a wedge-type engagement, said biackets being attached to said frame by damping means interposed between said brackets and said frame.

20. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 19 wherein said lower pivot mount is in a horizontal plane below said upper pivot mount.

21. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 20 further comprising vibration damping means installed in said upper pivot mount and said lower pivot mount to isolate the vibrations in said cradle from said frame.

22. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 21 wherein said one end of said lower arm means comprises two corner portions, said lower pivot being at one said corner portion and said cradle moving means being attached to said lower arm means at said other corner portion.

23. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 22 wherein said cradle further comprises a plow blade mount and said plow blade is attached to said plow blade mount.

24. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 23 wherein said upper arm means further comprises a cradle bracket of inverted U-shape spanning the width of said cradle and being pivotally attached at the free ends to said side portions of said cradle.

25. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 24 wherein said cradle further comprises downwardly extending plate means, said lower arm means being pivotally attached to said plate means.

26. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 25 wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced opposed side members and said brackets are attached to the opposed faces of said side portions, said upper pivot mount and said lower pivot mount being located between the vertical planes defined by said side'portions.

27. A vibratory plow as set fotth in claim 26 wherein said lower pivot mount is in a vertical plane spaced from said upper pivot mount in the direction of said cradle.

28. A vibrating plow as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cradle moving means comprises an expansible chamber motor attached between said frame and said other corner portion of said lower arm means, said other corner portion being in a horizontal plate below said one corner portion.

29. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 28 further comprising means for driving said vibrator carried by said frame and operatively connected to said vibrator.

30. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 29 further comprising means for driving said wheeled frame.

* :0: a a n i

Claims

1. Apparatus for movably mounting upon a support frame a vibrating machine including a vibrator and a vibrating tool vibrated thereby comprising: a cradle carrying said vibrating machine, upper mounting means attached to said cradle, said upper mounting means comprising an upper arm pivotally mounted on said frame, lower mounting means attached to said cradle, said lower mounting means comprising a lower arm pivotally mounted on said frame, moving means mounted on said frame for moving said cradle between a working position wherein said vibrating tool can engage the material to be worked and a retracted position spaced from said working position along a curvilinear path established by said pivoting upper and lower arms, and shear mounting means attached to said frame and engaging and supporting said cradle when said cradle is in said working position, said shear mounting means comprising damping means isolating the vibrations of said vibrating machine from said frame.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shear mounting means comprises a pair of spaced brackets attached to said frame and engaging the lower portion of said cradle, said damping means being interposed between said frame and said bracket.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said side portions of said cradle has an outwardly extending flange engaging the upper edge of the respective said bracket when said cradle is in said working position.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cradle comprises a floor portion and a pair of side portions attached to said floor portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, said device further comprising a cradle bracket attached to said upper arm and spanning the width of said cradle, said cradle bracket being pivotally attached to both said side portions.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a tool support bracket attached to said cradle, said vibrating tool being carried by said tool support bracket.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cradle further comprises plate means attached to the underside of said cradle and extending downwardly therefrom, said lower arm being pivotally attached to said plate means.

18. In a vibratory plow having a wheeled frame and a vibrator and vibrating plow blade carried by said frame, means for mounting said vibrator and vibrating plow blade upon said frame comprising: a cradle carrying said vibrator and said vibrating plow blade, upper mounting arm means pivotally attached at one end portion by an upper pivot mount to said frame and at the other end portion pivotally attached to said cradle, lower mounting arm means pivotally attached at one end portion by a lower pivot mount to said frame and at the other end portion pivotally attached to said cradle, cradle moving means mounted on said frame for moving said cradle between a working position wherein said plow blade can work the earth and a retracted position spaced from said working position along a curvilinear path established by said pivoting upper and lower arm means wherein said plow blade is removed from the earth, and shear mounting means attached to said frame and engaging and supporting said cradle when said cradle is in said working position, said shear mounting means comprising damping means interposed between said cradle and said frame for isolating the vibrations of said cradle from said frame.

19. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 18 wherein said cradle comprises a pair of upwardly and outwardly sloping side portions and said shear mounting means comprise a pair of spaced opposed brackets having sloping portions complementary respectively to said side portions and engaging said side portions to receive said cradle in a wedge-type engagement, said brackets being attached to said frame by damping means interposed between said brackets and said frame.

26. A vibratory plow as set forth in claim 25 wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced opposed side members and said brackets are attached to the opposed faces of said side portions, said upper pivot mount and said lower pivot mount being located between the vertical planes defined by said side portions.