US517047A

US517047A - Steam-plow

Info

Publication number: US517047A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1894-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1911-03-27

Description

(No Model.)

' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. "G. F. JOHNSON. 1 I l STEAM PLOW. No. 517,047. Patented Mar. 27,1894.

(No Mod-51.)

0,. P. JOHNSON. STEAM PLOW.

No. 517,047. Patent dM ar. 27, 1894.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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ONNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. JOHNSON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

STEAM- PLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,047, dated March 27, 189%.

Application filed $epte'm'ber 14. 1893. Serial ITO-485,517. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. JOHNSON, of Hartford,in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Flows, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby any one skilled in the art can make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of steam plows in which the plow is supported on a carriage and is moved in a line transversely to the path of forward movement of the carriage, and the object of my invention is to provide a steam plow in which the power expended in driving the plow is mainly utilized in plowing and not in moving the entire machine and carriage.

To this end my invention consists in details of the several parts making up the steam plow as a whole and in the combination of such parts as more particularly hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a steam plow embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the plow. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the rear end of the machine showing the arrangement of the plows. Fig. 4 is adetail view on an enlarged scale showing one of the plows and the chain supporting it. Fig. 5 is a detail top or plan view of a section of the frame and chain supporting the plows.

In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes the main frame of the steam plow which is provided with driving wheels I) and a steering wheel a. A steam boiler d and a steam engine e of ordinary construction are mounted on the frame in convenient position for providing the motive power and for operating the plow as a whole. This engine is connected to the main shaft f and bears a cog wheel f in mesh with a cog wheel g on a shaft g which bears a removable cog g in mesh with the removable cog h on a shaft h; the latter bears on its inner end a bevel gear h in mesh with the bevel gear h which is fast to the axle b on which the driving wheels I) are secured. By means of the motive power as described the wheels b are turned so as to move the frame a in the desired direction, the steering wheel 0 being utilized as by means of the steering gear 0' to direct the movement of the frame.

Across the rear of the main frame a, plow frames Zr; Z are supported, these two being onset as shown but firmly united, a driving shaft m borne on the inner frame It being united, as by a couplingi to the shaft g. Each of the plow frames 70, Z, supports sprocket-wheels n, 'n, and they serve to drive the endless chains 0 0'. These chains 0,0, are supported in ways in the frame and are provided with anti friction rollers'0 0 to reduce the friction and more readily support the plows p, p, which are suspended from the chains. 'By the means de scribed the chain 0 is given a movement in a direction which will drive the plow across the line of movement of the main frame a and draw it inward toward the center line of the frame while the other plow, which issupported in the plow frame Z, is also driven inward and across the line of movement of the main frame but in a direction against the line of the plows p. The shafts in which the inner sprocket-wheels in each of the frames is and Z turn are extended and supportgearwheels that are in mesh with each other so that the rotary movement of one of the sprocket- -wheels is transmitted to a sprocket-wheel on the other frame, causing it to turn in a reverse direction. By this means the endless chains are caused to movein opposite directions and carry the plows borne on each chain along under the frame in the act of plowing and then up over the frame to the outer end when by the entry of the plow into the ground a new furrow is started. By means of this arrangement of the frames and the plows secured to the endless chains moved on the frames the resistance ofiered by a plow supported in the frame It in turning a furrow is opposed by the resistance offered by a plow v 1) supported in the frame Z, these two forces counteracting each other and preventing any sidewise or twisting strain from being thrown upon the main frame a so as to change the direction of forward movement of such frame. The actual line of movement of the plows in plowing is in a diagonal line, the forward motion of the main frame being one element and the inward movement of the plow carried by the endless chain being the otherelement. The

resultant of the forward movement lengthwise of the main frame and inward movement transversely to the main frame is a line slightly inclined to a line at right angles to the line of forward movement of the main frame. These plow frames 7%) and Z are supported on the outer end of movable arms r, '1", which are connected with a lifting mechanism 3 that includes a winch or a drum which may be moved by hand or driven by the steam engine 6. The function of this mechanism is to liftthe plow frames a sufficient height to enable the machine as a whole to be driven along a road or across a field with the plows held above the surface untilthe special field to be plowed is reached, when the frame is lowered and the plows entered to cut the furrows; the plows may also be lifted to enable the machine to change direction at the end of the field. The l inner side of the plow frame It is provided with a catch 15' adapted to engage a pin on the bracket. 15 when the frame is dropped and in position for the plow to operate, this bracket formingabrace orstiffeningdevicetostrengthen the plow frame and its connection with the L It also serves to hold the main 3 main frame. shaft g and shaft 777. in proper alignment for the coupling means to operate.

Each of the several plows is suspended from 1 the endless chain by a yielding connecting device which permits the plow share to have a motion in a vertical plane so as to enableit In the form shown 1 to override an obstacle. the connecting means comprises the drawbars u, it, one draw-bar extending from the pivot of one of the wheels 0 to the front end of the plow, and the other 10' extending from the pivot of the wheel next in rear to the rear of the plow to which it is attached by means of a pivot bolt. A spring 1; supported on the pivot 0 thrusts downward upon the plow and serves to hold it in proper position for turn-- ing a furrow. The limit of downward movement of the plow is determined by the chain 10 extending from the endless chain and connecting to the plow as by passing it through an opening therein and hooking it, as shown, on the standing part of the chain. This provides a convenient means for adjusting the length of the chain 10 thereby controlling the extent of downward movement of the plow share.

The chains which draw the plows are of ordinary construction consisting of two parallel lines of links connected by cross-bars which pass through eyes in the ends of the links and project far enough to form the axles of the friction-wheels and rollers 0 which run in ways and grooves in the plow frames and are secured by keys or link pins passing through the ends of the cross-bars. Each of the several plows is suspended from the endless chain by a yielding connecting device which permits the plow-share to have a motion in a vertical plane so as to enable it to override an obstacle. In the form shown the connecting means comprlse the draw-bars a,

the inside of the furrow.

a, one draw-bar pivoted by a broad jaw head onto the cross-bar of one of the wheels 0 and extending to the front end of the plow to which it is attached by a pivot-bolt, and the other pivoted on the cross-bar next in rear and extending to the rear of the plow, to which it is attached by means of a pivotbolt.

The two draw-bars are of the same or nearly the same length, and the pins on the plow to which they are pivoted are at the same distance apart, measuring parallel to the furrow, as the cross-bar to which the upper ends are pivoted, so that as the plow rises or falls it is always parallel to the ground, the rollers on the cross-bars remaining of course in the Ways. The function of this combination of pivoted draw-bars, spring and chain is not only to allow the plow on meeting a root or other fixed obstacle to pass over it, or else to bring the engine to a stand without a sudden shock, but also to allow the adjustment in depth of the plows, and also, when the plow frames are lowered on beginning operations to allow the plows to remain on top of the ground while the frame descends to its position, the weight of the frames compressing the plow spring. The moment the machine is started the plows will be drawn into the ground as deep as the chains will allow.

The rollers on the cross-bars already described relieve all friction resulting from the upward or downward strain of the plows. But it is evident that a lateral and a twisting strain will be transmitted through the draw-bars which will result in both vertical and horizontal pressure on the chain. The friction resulting from horizontal or lateral strains is relieved as follows: The cross-bars to which the draw-bars are pivoted are connected with open links and in these open links are carried rollers 0 0 with a vertical axis rolling on the frame between the ways. Furthermore these links are connected by diagonal braces so that the construction forms a rigid truck, carrying in all eight wheels. As the lateral thrusts of the plows is thusprovided for there is no necessity for any landside on the plows. The resistance to drawing them will be materially lessened and the thrust resulting from the oblique action of the mold-board will be utilized in propelling the machine forward.

The pivots on the plow to which the drawbars are attached, are, if measured on a line parallel to the furrow, as far apart as are the cross-bars, but as one draw-bar goes to the front and one to the rear of the mold-board the pivots are not on the same distance from This necessitates bending one draw-bar to the right and the other to the left. Since they are attached to opposite sides of the plow they will brace one another and will hold it much more firmly than if both were in a line with the axis of the draft.

It is evident that the frontdraw-bar if rigidly IIO attached to the cross-bar, and the cross-bar rigidly attached to the open links might, if made of the proper shape, act as the spring. Furthermore if it were rigidly attached to the plow instead of being pivoted the rear cross-bar might be dispensed with. The principle would bevirtuallythe same, but the plow would 'not be held so firmly, nor would it rise parallel to itself. This feature of vertical adjustability of the plow share forms an important feature of my invention, as to enable the frames supporting the plows to be placed at the proper level with the shafts in alignment while the plows themselves rest on the surface of the ground.

The gear wheels 9 and h are removably secured to the respective shafts in order to provide means for varying the rate of motion by changing the relative sizes of the wheels, or any other convenient means for varying the speed of the shafts may be employed.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with a main frame carrying the shaft driving mechanism, the transverse plow frames with plow driving mechanism removably coupled to the driving shaft on the main frame, plows borne on endless chains on the respective frames and adapted to move in opposite directions on the respective frames, mechanism for lifting the plow frames and driving mechanism for moving the plows, all substantially as described.

2. In a machine plow, a main frame carrying a driving shaft and means for turning it, the transverse plow frames hinged to the main frame, the plow shares supported. from an endless chain on the plow frame, the chain driving shaft detachably coupled to said driving shaft on the main frame, and the draw bars appurtenant to each plow share and extending respectively to the front and rear of each plow share, all substantially as described.

3. In combination with amain frame and mechanism for propelling the same, the transverse plow frames, the plow shares supported from an endless chain on said frame, the draw-bars connecting each plow to the chain,

a spring thrusting downward upon the plow,

and a chain or'like device limiting the downward movement of the plow, all substantially as described.

4. In a machine plow in combination with a main frame, the transverse frames secured together and both supporting sprocket wheels driven in reverse direction from a central source of power, the endless chains borne on draw-bars wherebya yielding movement in a vertical plane is permitted, all substantially as described.

5. In combination with a main frame, the transverse plow frames secured thereto, the plows movably supported on the respective frames and adapted to be driven in opposite directions, means for operating the plows, the mechanism for lifting the plow frames and the bracket and catch uniting the main frame and the plow frame, all substantially as described.

6. In a machine plow in combination with a plow frame, the endless chain supporting a number of plow shares and the draw-bars of substantially equal length attachedrespectively to the carrying chain and to the front and rear ends of the plow shares, all substantially as described. r l

7. In combination in a machine plow, a plow frame, the endless chain supported on said frame, the chain driving mechanism, the plow shares each pivotally connected to the driving chain, and the two draw-bars each inclined sidewisein opposite directions and attached respectively to the front and rear ends of the plow shares on opposite sides of the line of draft, all substantially as described.

8. In combination in.a machine plow,the plow frames, the endless chain, the plow shares supported on said chain, and the double set of rollers, one 'set carried on a vertical axis and the other set carried on a horizontal axis, all substantially as described.

9. In a machine plow, in combination with the plow frame, the endless chain incl-udinga series of open links braced laterally and provided with the lateral anti-friction rollers, all substantially as described.

10. In a machine plow, in combination with the main frame, a transverse plow frame hinged to the main frame, frame-lifting mechanism, an endless chain borne on the plow frame, the chain driving mechanism, and a plow share supported on the endless chain and having a yielding connection therewith whereby the plow frame can be lowered while the plows remain on the ground, all substantially as described.

CHARLES F. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

CHASJL. BURDETT, I ARTHUR B. JENKINS.