US3816937A

US3816937A - Slope control console

Info

Publication number: US3816937A
Application number: US00265235A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Burgin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-06-22
Filing date: 1972-06-22
Publication date: 1974-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-18

Abstract

A slope control console having a case, a gravity-type slope sensor mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis relative to the case, an indicator wheel for indicating the inclination of the sensor relative to the case, and a manually operable gear train interconnecting the indicator wheel and the sensor such that upon operation of the gear train the indicator wheel and the sensor are simultaneously rotated with the indicator wheel being moved through a relatively large increment of rotation in response to the sensor being rotated through a relatively small increment of rotation. Provision is also made in the case for ready access to manually operable sensitivity adjustment means carried by the sensor.

Description

United States Patent [191 Burgin June 18, 1974 SLOPE CONTROL CONSOLE Primary ExaminerLouis R. Prince [76] Inventor: Luther B. Burgin, P.O.'Box 635, Assistant Examiner charles Phillips Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Koenig, Senniger, Powers and Leavitt [22] Filed: June 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 265,235 ABSTRACT A slope control console having a case, a gravity-type 52] CL 33/366 slope sensor mounted therein for rotation about a hor- [51] Int Cl C 9/20 izontal axis relative to the case, an indicator wheel for [58] Fie'ld "33/366 3 385 378 indicating the inclination of the sensor relative to the 94/216 b. 6 case, and a manually operable gear train interconnecting the indicator wheel and the sensor such that upon [56] References Cited operation of the gear train the indicator wheel and the sensor are simultaneously rotated with the indicator UNITED STATES PATENTS wheel being moved through a relatively large increlvarson men: of rotation in response to ensor bging r g; y

tated through a relatively small increment of rotation. 6 Provision is also made in the case for ready access to 3,564,531 2/l97l Burgln 340/282 manually Operable sensitivity adjustment means Car ried by the sensor.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 35 33 I? EF--- t V g 997 I3 1 68 4 as 3 a l i i ll VOLTS /85 .Ill n GL4? 4 D PATENIEDJuu I 8 m4 SHEEI 2 [If 3 SLOPE CONTROL CONSOLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a slope control console adapted to be mounted on an element of a machine, such as on a paver or on a road grader, for sensing the slope of the element. More particularly, this invention is concerned with such a slope control console having a gravity-type slope sensor mounted therein.

Slope sensors are often used on asphalt pavers, road graders, or on other types of construction equipment to automatically control an element of the machine for forming a surface having a desired slope (i.e., the inclination of the surface transverse of the direction of travel of the machine). Reference may be made to my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,564,531 and 3,564,986 respectively illustrating a slope sensor mounted on the blade of a road grader for controlling the slope of the blade and a slope sensor supported from the screed of an asphalt paver for controlling the slope and twist of the screed for maintaining a desired transverse slope of the paving material being laid.

Gravity-type slope sensors are generally of two types, viz., the first being a pendulum-type sensor, such as i]- lustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,029,715, 3,264,959 and 3,334,560, in which gravity maintains a pendulum in a vertical reference position and movement of structure relative to the pendulum as occasioned by a change in slope generates a signal indicating a change of slope; and the second type being a mercury sensor such as illustrated in my above-mentioned '531 patent in which a volume of mercury within a container shifts relative to the container upon a change in slope of the container to make electrical contact between contact elements in the container thereby to generate a signal indicating a change in slope.

More generally, the gravity sensing elements of conventional slope sensors have been mounted in rigid cases to protect them from the weather and damage. These sensors often have provision for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor to small changes in slope. It is oftentimes desirable or necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor if vibration or bouncing of the machine on which it is mounted causes the sensor to indicate falsely that the element of the machine has deviated from its desired slope. With the slope sensor mounted within the case, it has been difficult to adjust its sensitivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a slope control console in which a gravity-type slope sensor is mounted in a case for protection from damage and moisture; the provision of such a console which provides ready access to the sensitivity adjustment of the sensor carried therein; the provision of such a console in which the inclination of the sensor relative to the console may be easily and accurately varied; the provision of such a console in which manual operation of a single control simultaneously effects a change in the inclination of the sensor relative to the case and provides an accurate indication of the change in inclination; the provision of such a console which may readily be secured to or removed from an element of the machine; and the provision of such a console wh;ch is of rugged and economical construction. Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, a slope control console of this invention comprises a case adapted to be secured to a machine, such as a paver or a road grader. A sensor is carried within the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope, the sensor being movable with the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to the predetermined slope and being rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to the case for changing the predetermined slope within a specified range. Means is provided for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor, these means extending from the sensor and being rotatable therewith. An opening in the case provides ready access to the sensitivity adjustment means, this opening being of sufficient size to permit operation of the sensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any-rotational position relative to the case within the specified range, and a cover is provided for closing the opening. Means for indicating the slope of the sensor relative to the case is provided as is means for effecting rotation of thesensor throughout its specified range to a desired position relative to the case for establishing the above said predetermined slope. A manually operable gear train interconnects the indicating means and the sensor, the gear train being operable simulta neously to effect rotation of the sensor relative to the case movement of the indicator with the indicating means being moved through a relatively large increment of movement in response to said sensor being rotated through a relatively small increment of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevation of a slope control console of this invention removably secured to an element of a machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 1 with the front cover of the console removed and with parts broken away; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal secion on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a slope control console of this invention indicated in its entirety at l is shown to be removably mounted on an adjustable cradle 3 carried by an element E of a machine (e.g., on the screed of a paver or on the blade of a road grader). Generally, the console comprises a moisture-proof metal case 5 having integral back, top, bottom, and side walls respectively indicated at 7, ,9, l1, and 13, and a front cover 15 removably secured to the front edges of the walls by screws 17. A support plate 19 parallel to and spaced from the back wall is rigidly secured to support bosses 21 projecting forwardly from the back wall.

A gravity-type slope sensor generally indicated at 23 is carried by a mounting yoke 25 for movement with case 5 thereby to sense the inclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope. The mounting yoke is joumalled in back wall 7 and support plate 19 as indicated at 27 and 29, respectively (see FIG. 3), for rotation of the sensor about a generally horizontal axis relative to the case for varying the predetermined slope within a specified range (e.g., percent slope from a horizontal position). A manually operable gear train generally indicated at 31 is provided within the console for effecting rotation of the sensor throughout its specitied range to any desired position relative to the case thereby to establish the predetermined slope. The gear train also simultaneously drives an indicator wheel 33 having indicia I (e.g., markings indicating the slope in percent) thereon viewable from the exterior of the case via a window 35 in front cover for indicating the slope or inclination of the sensor relative to the case. Window 35 has an indicating line 36 scribed thereon for registration with indicia I enabling an operator to easily and accurately read the slope of the sensor relative to the case. The gear train interconnects the sensor and the indicator wheel in such manner that operation of the gear train simultaneously rotates the sensor relative to the case through a relatively small incremenet of rotation (e.g., I") and rotates the indicator wheel through a relatively large increment of rotation (e.g., 25) in a manner as will appear.

More particulary, sensor 23 is preferably a slope sensor such as described in my above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,531. As shown in FIG. 2, this sensor comprises a nonconductive container 37 having a closed chamber 39 therein. A volume of an electrically conductive liquid 41, such as mercury, is provided within the chamber with sufficient air space above the mercury to permit it to move relative to the container upon a change in the inclination of the container. A first electrical contact element 43 is carried by the container adjacent the bottom of the chamber submerged below the mercury and in electrical contact therewith. A pair of electrical contact elements 45 (only one of which is shown) is carried by the container, each being adjacent a respective outer end of a chamber and being located above the level of the mercury when the container is in a generally horizontal position. Contact 43 is connected in series with each contact 45 with the mercury constituting a switch element such that upon tilting of the sensor from its horizontal position the mercury flows toward one end of the chamber and makes contact with the contact element 45 at the lower end of the chamber and completes the circuit between the lower contact element 45 and contact element 43. The electrical signal thus generated by tilting of the container may be utilized to automatically control the slope of the machine element E such as is more fully explained in my above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,986. Tilting of the console also energizes an appropriate indicator lamp 47 (see FIG. 1) to provide a visual indication of the slope deviation so that an operator may manually make appropriate adjustments to return the machine element E to its desired slope.

Sensor 23 is provided with means generally indicated at 49 for manually adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor to small changes of inclination of container 37 relative to the horizontal. This sensitivity adjustment means comprises a displacement member 51 carried by container 37 for vertical movement within chamber 39 for displacing mercury in the chamber and thus varying the level of the mercury therein. The displacement member 51 is vertically moved by a manually operable adjustment screw arrangement including a stem 53 extending from the container and a knob 55 on the stem for facilitating operation of the adjustment arrangement. By turning knob 55 in one direction, the displacement member is lowered into the chamber displacing mercury toward the ends of the chamber and raising the level of the mercury thereby to increase the sensitivity of the sensor because less inclination of the container from the horizontal is required before the mercury makes contact with the contact elements at the ends of the chamber. Conversely, by turning the knob in the opposite direction, the displacement member is raised, thus lowering the level of the mercury within the chamber and decreasing the sensitivity of the sensor to small changes in inclination from the horizontal.

An opening 57 in top wall 9 of case 5 provides ready access to adjustment knob regardless of the inclination of the sensor relative to the case. As shown in FIG. 2, knob 55 extends through opening 57 and is movable between a generally vertical position when the sensor is generally horizontal relative to the case and in inclined position (shown in phantom in FIG. 2) when the sensor is rotated from its horizontal position. A cover 59 is pivotally mounted on the top wall as indicated at 61 for closing the opening, the cover permitting movement of the sensitivity adjustment arrangement when the cover closes the opening for protecting the interior of the case from dirt and moisture. The cover is spring biased toward its closed position.

Gear train 31 includes a first gear or pinion 63 fixed on a shaft 65 journalled in support plate 19 and extending forwardly through a hole 66 in front cover 15. A rubber seal 67 surrounding shaft 65 is provided in hole 66 to prevent moisture from entering the console via the hole. A knob 68 is secured to the free ends of shaft 65 for manually operating the gear train. Pinion 63 drives an intermediate cluster gear generally indicated at 69 journalled on the support plate. Indicator wheel 33, heretofore described, is constituted by a relatively large diameter gear of the cluster gear disposed above the upper face of the support plate in mesh with pinion 63. The cluster gear further includes a driving gear 71 below the bottom face of the support plate and a countershaft 73 rigidly coupling the indicator wheel and the driving gear together, the countershaft being journalled in the support plate. A last gear 75 is keyed on a shaft 77 rotatably carried by back wall 7 and support plate 19, this last gear being driven by gear 71. Shaft 77 has a crank 79 secured thereto for rotation with the shaft. The crank carries a pin 81 engageable with a slot 83 in an end portion of mounting yoke 25 distal from its pivot points 27 and 29 thereby to interconnect the sensor to the last gear of the gear train.

The ratio between the diameters of gears 71 and 7S and between the links of crank arms 79 and the distance from

pivots

27, 29 and slot 81 provides for multiplication of the rotation of the indicator wheel 33 relative to rotation of the sensor. By way of example, indicator wheel 33 must be rotated through an arc of 25 to effect a 1 change in the inclination of the sensor relative to the case. As shown in FIG. 2, the indicia I on indicator wheel 33 indicates the inclination of the sensor relative to the case in terms of percent grade. The multiplication of movement between the indicator wheel and the sensor thus enables small changes in the inclination of the sensor to be accurately and easily accomplished.

Console 1 is removably secured by a pair of springloaded latches 83 (see FIG. 1) to cradle 3 engageable with lugs 85 on side walls 13 of case 5. These quickrelease latches permit the console to be readily removed from the machine to prevent the theft of or damage to the console when the machine is not in use. The cradle is pivotally carried by the machine element E, as indicated at 87, and has adjustment screws 89 threaded through each of its outer ends. These adjustment screws are engageable with the upper surface of the machine element and are operable to rotate the cradle and the console about pivot 87 thereby to effect leveling of the console relative to the element.

In operation, with console ll carrid by element E of a machine and with the console connected to appropriate automatic controls for effecting a change of slope of the element in response to receiving a signal from the control console (such as described in detail in my above-mentioned '531 and '986 patents), knob 68 on the front cover 15 of the console is turned until a predetermined slope (e.g., a 4 percent slope) of the element is indicated by indicia l on indicator wheel 33. Operation of the knob simultaneously effects a relatively large increment of movement of the indicator wheel and a relatively small increment of rotation of sensor 23 relative to the case. As the sensor rotates from its horizontal position, it generates a signal indi eating in which direction the element must be tilted to attain its desired slope. The sensor will continue to generate this signal until the slope of the element is changed a sufficient amount to again restore the sensor to a generally horizontal position. When the sensor again attains its horizontal position, the signal generated thereby is interrupted and movement of the element ceases, and thus element E and case 5 are positioned at their predetermined slope. As the element moves along with the machine, any deviation of the element from its predetermined slope as may be occasioned by movement of the machine causes corresponding movement of the case and container 37 mounted for movement with the case. This movement is sensed by sensor 23 causing an appropriate signal to be generated to effect movement of the element toward its desired slope. The sensitivity of sensor 23 may be readily adjusted at any time merely by opening cover 59 and turning knob 55 in the appropriate direction to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the sensor.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A slope control console comprising:

a case adapted to be mounted on a machine such as a paver or a grader;

a sensor within the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope, said sensor being movable with the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to said predetermined slope and being rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to the case for changing said predetermined slope within a specified range;

means for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor extending from the sensor and being rotatable therewith;

an opening in said case for providing ready access to said adjustment means, said opening being of sufficient size to permit manual operation of the sensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any rotational position relative to the case within said specified range;

a cover for closing said opening;

means for indicating the inclination of said sensor relative to said case;

means for effecting rotation of said sensor throughout its said specified range to a desired position relative to the case for establishing said predetermined slope; and

a manually operable gear train constituting said means for effecting rotation of the sensor, said gear train interconnecting the indicating means and the sensor and being operable simultaneously to effect rotation of the sensor relative to the case and movement of the indicating means with said indicating means being moved through a relatively large increment of rotation in response to said sensor being rotated through a relatively small increment of rotation, said gear train having a first gear constituting a driver manually operable from the exterior of said case, at least one intermediate gear, and a last gear interconnected with said sensor for rotation of said sensor about said horizontal axis in response to operation of the gear train, said indicating means comprising indicia on the face of said intermediate gear viewable from the exterior of the case for registering the inclination of the sensor relative to the case, said intermediate gear rotating through an angle substantially greater than the angle through whichsaid sensor is rotated in response to operation of the gear train to provide said large increment of movement of the indicating means relative to said small increment of rotation of the sensor.

2. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a chamber for holding a volume of conductive liquid, such as mercury, and said sensitivity adjustment means comprises a member carried by the sensor for vertical movement within the chamber to vary the depth of the conductive liquid, and rotatable screw adjustment means extending from the sensor operable to effect vertical movement of said member.

3. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 further comprising quick-release means for releasably securing the case to said the machine.

4. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last gear is interconnected with said sensor by means of a pin-and-slot connection.

Claims

1. A slope control console comprising: a case adapted to be mounted on a machine such as a paver or a grader; a sensor within the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope, said sensor being movable with the case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to said predetermined slope and being rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to the case for changing said predetermined slope within a specified range; means for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor extending from the sensor and being rotatable therewith; an opening in said case for providing ready access to said adjustment means, said opening being of sufficient size to permit manual operation of the sensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any rotational position relative to the case within said specified range; a cover for closing said opening; means for indicating the inclination of said sensor relative to said case; means for effecting rotation of said sensor throughout its said specified range to a desired position relative to the case for establishing said predetermined slope; and a manually operable gear train constituting said means for effecting rotation of the sensor, said gear train interconnecting the indicating means and the sensor and being operable simultaneously to effect rotation of the sensor relative to the case and movement of the indicating means with said indicating means being moved through a relatively large increment of rotation in response to said sensor being rotated through a relatively small increment of rotation, said gear train having a first gear constituting a driver manually operable from the exterior of said case, at least one intermediate gear, and a last gear interconnected with said sensor for rotation of said sensor about said horizontal axis in response to operation of the gear train, said indicating means comprising indicia on the face of said intermediate gear viewable from the exterior of the case for registering the inclination of the sensor relative to the case, said intermediate gear rotating through an angle substantially greater than the angle through which saiD sensor is rotated in response to operation of the gear train to provide said large increment of movement of the indicating means relative to said small increment of rotation of the sensor.