US819764A - Post-driving machine. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

L. H. KETCHAM.

POST DRIVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.23,1905.

2 slums-s ET 1.

- EN N J/ uw a. l NJJL uw@ n PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

L. H. KE'I'GHA'M. l POST DRIVING- MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov.2a.19o5.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2,

A TTOR/'wiys LINCOLN HAMLIN KETCHAM, OF CORNING, OHIO.

POST-DFHVING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1906.

Application x'iled November 23, 1905. Serial No. 288,806.

To rif/ZZ, 1.0710111, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, -LiNeoLN HAMLIN KETCHAM, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Corning, in the county of Perry and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Post-Driving Machine, offwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for driving posts, piles, and the like, and has for its object to materially facilitate the handling of the machine in operating the saine as well as during transportation thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel mounting of the mast for the support of the hammer, whereit'y the -niast may be raised and lowered and also swung in various directions to adjust the same to a vertical position regardless of the condition of the Ground upon which the machine stands, to facilitate the raising and lowering of the mast, to provide novel means for elevating and releasing the hammer, to provide improvements inthe spacing means for gaging the distances between a line of posts, and to improve the construction of the truck for carrying the operatin mechanism of. the machine.

Wit these and other objects in. view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the forni, proportion, size, and. minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a post-driving machine embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the mast cutaway.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ham r-elevating means, parts being broken away to show the slidable mounting of the hammer upon the mast. Fig. 4 is a detail fragmentary sectional view illustrating the means for supporting the hammer in a partially-elevated kposition. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view ta en through the connection between the foot of the mast and the supporting-truck.

Like characters or reference designate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

For the support of the operating parts of the present machine I employ a wheeled truck made up of forwardly-converged sills or side beams 1, which are suitably connected at their forward ends and are also con-v nected substantially midway of their ends by a cross-bar 2. A supporting-wheel 3 is mounted upon a stub-ax e 4, projecting outwardly from the rear end of each beam or sill 1, and this wheel is provided with a centrally-disposed peripheral flange 5 to sink into the Ground and prevent sidewise slipping of the w eel when the machine is in operation. At the forward end of the truck there is a caster-wheel 6, to which is connected a tongue 7 for the connection of the draft-animals Wlien transporting the machine. A. spring 8 and a chain 9 are employed to support the tongue when the machineis in use and the draft-animals are removed therefrom.

To stiften and strengthen the truck-frame, wooden brace-bars 10 are provided between the cross-bar 2 and the -inner sides of the rear ortions of the side bars 1. Beneath'the ame of the truck are crossed metallic bracerods 11, each of which is connected at its for-V ward end to a bail or link 12, embracing and connected to one of the :side bars of the frame, while its rear end is connected to a similar link 13, carried by the rear end portion of the other side bar of the frame. The two brace-bars-cross in front of the cross-bar 2, and each of them passes through a hanger 14, depending from the under side of the rame, preferably from the cross-bar 2. As clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that each race-rod is formed' in two sections which are connected by a turnbuckle 15 in rear of the cross-bar 2, whereby the proper tension may be maintained upon the braces. It will heie be explained that each brace-rod passes loosely through its hanger 14, and the latter forms a strut for the truss-brace 11, which materially stifi'ens and strengthens the frame.

The brake mechanism employed upon the present truck includes a rock-bar 16, disposed transversely across the frame in front of the cross-bar 2 and mounted in bearings 17, each end of the bar being provided with an upstanding crank-terminal 18, located at the outer side of the adjacent bearing. From each crank there extends rearwardly a connecting rod or link 19, which has its rear end connected to the inner. upstandiiwr crankarm 20 of a rocking brake-bar 21, the latter being mounted in a bearing-bracket 22, car- IIO lried by the frame of the truck and proj eating` outwardly therefrom. A depending crankarm 23 is provided upon the outer end ofthe brake-bar and carries the shoe 24 for engage# .l ment. with the .adjacent supporting-wheel of L"the truck. A Ibrake-lever 25 is carried by the`bar 16 and has a handle-controlled dog 26, engaging a rack 27, carried -by the frame 'ofthe truck, whereby the brakeeshoes may be conveniently applied to and removed from the rear wheels of the truck.

f The mast 28 for the support of the hammer is mounted upon the cross-bar 2 in the manner best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A'turn-table 29 is centered upon the top of the cross-bar 2 and is held thereon by a pivotpin 30, there being ametallic wear-plate 31 inte osed between theturn-tableand the vwoo en' cross-bar. Ears 32 rise from the turn-table at opposite .sides of the center thereof, and between these ears there is a llink 33,V which is pivotally connected to the ears by a pin 34. A pair of metallic straps 35 urcated, as at 42, (shown-in Fig. 1 of the" drawings,) with (the, biurcated portion straddling a rod or bar 43, piercing the side bars 1 l embrace the front and rear sides vof the foot ofl the mast and project below the same so as to embrace the link 33, and a pivot-pin 36 pierces the straps, and the links, so -as to form a pivotal connection at iight angles to thepivotal connection 34. By this construction the mast may be rotated upon its longitudinal axis and also swung in directions at right angles to one another, whereby the mast may be adjusted to vertical position without regard to the characte'rof the ground vupon which the machine stands.

When the machine is in transportation, the 'mast is swung downwardly and rearwardly `into the` position shown by dotted lines in Fig.' 1 of the drawings, with its free end supvported by a wheel or roller 37 carried by and projected beyond the free end of the mast. For raising and loweringthelmast upon its pivotal connection with the truck there is provided a' hoisting mechanism including a derrick made up of a post or standard 38,

having its lower end pivotally supported be- I tween the forward end portions of the side bars 1 upon a rod 39, and a'brace ,or prop 40, pivotally connected at its upper end to the rear side of the standard 38 adjacent its top, as at 41. The lower end of the prop 40 is bi'- of the truck. This rod is braced at its mid-` die by a yoke-shaped ,bracket 44, carried'by the front 'side of the cross-bar 2, the lower end of the prop 40 being engaged with the rod or bar between the sides of the bracket.

Upon the standard 38 there is a clamp 45 which is adjustable longitudinally thereon,

and this clamp carries a drivers seat 46,10- cated upon the front of the standard. When the machine is in transportation, the prop'40 disengaged i'romthe rod `orbar 43 and side of the mast, an

folded downwardly Vwith the standard 38, whereby the drivers seat is brought into position for use. Upon the top of the lderrick,

formed, by the standard 38 and the prop 40, is a series of pulleys 47 ,and at the top ofthe front side of the mast there is a double block 48. A hoisting drum or windlass 49.1is mounted vupon the-front extremity of the truck in front of the derrick, and from this drum leads a cable 50, which passes up across-one of the series of pulleys 47, throu h the block 48, thence .through another of t e pulleys 47 downwardly to a block 51, mounted uponjthe frame of the truck between the drum andthe derrick, thence upwardly to the block 48., and, finally,` downward between the sides of the truck and secured to a rod 52, piercin the frame of the truck betweenthe wind ass and the derrick. By this arrangement ofhoisting mechanism a very powerful hoisting operation may vbe obtained. The hoistin -drum 49 is of course provided with a suita le ratchet device 53 to hold the mast against backward movement when being elevated.

It is roposed to brace or stay the mast 'when a justed in an upright position,and

this 'is accomplished from the rear -`end off-l Upon the v each side bar of the truck-frame. rear end vof each side bar 1 thereis ajd'rtrn'- 54, rovided .with a Wndin-crank-S-S aiil a r ratc et 56. A cable 57 lea s ujiwardly from the windlass to la block 58,` carriel by'the'topot themast, and thence downwardly and se- .curedl to the adjacent frame-bar in front of. the windlass, as at 59. When the mast is being elevated, the ratchets of the drums 54 are thrown out of operation in order that' the stay-cables 57 may quickly unwind from' the drum. After the mast has been adjusted tothe desired position the ratchets 56 are thrown into operation, and the-drums 54 are operated to strain the cables 5.7, and thereby lhold the mast rigidly in its upright position. Y

The hammer60 is in the nature of a solid weight which is slightly tapered upwardly and is provided with an upright passage 61,

' receiving the'mast and of a sizeto ,permit of the free slidable movement of the hammer upon the mast. To reduce friction between the mast'and the hammer, spacedrtracks or metallic plates 62 are cprovided u on the rear similar 'p ates 63. are provided upon the front side of the mast, whereby the bearingfsurface between f the hammer and the mast is reduced and 4metal contacts with metal insteado'f metal with wood. The front face of the mastis grooved ilo.

or channeled, as at 64, between the front plates 63and withinthis .channel there is mounteda lever 65, fulcrumed intermediate of its ends, asat 66,' with its up erend carry- Iing a substantially horizontal olt 67, .wor e ing through an opening68, formed in theback of .the 'mast and c( )mmuincatmgy `-with the elenca channel 64. This` bolt rests upon an antifr1ction-roller69, located in the opening 68 and mounted upon a pivot-rod 7 O passing through the mast. A spring 71 bears against 'the upper end of the lever 65 with a tendency to normallyand yieldably maintain the bolt 67 within the mast so as not to interfere with the movement of the hammer. l/Vhen it is desired too support the hammer in a partiallyelevated position, as when setting a post pre- 'parator to driving the same, the hammer is elevate above the bolt 67, and then the lower end of the lever is drawn outwardly so as to project the bolt in position to support the hammer when lowered thereonto. It is proposed to hinge a link or handle 72 to the lower free end of the lever 65 for convenience in manipulating the latter, said handle capable of bein@ folded back into the channel 64 to permit of the hammer passing up and down the mast.

The hoisting mechanism for the weight includes a slidable sleeve 73, embracing the mast above the hammer and having an upright tong or lever 74 fulcrumed to the rear side of the slide, as at 75, adjacent the lower end of the lever. The lower end of this lever is provided with a rearwardly-directed bifuroated toe portion 7 6, designed to engage beneath a oke-shaped bail or hanger .77, carried by tlie top of the hammer` An antifriction-roller 78 is journaled in the bifurcated portion of the lever to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the lever with respect to the hanger 77. A socket 79 is formed in the top of the hammer beneath the hanger so as to accommodate the 'toe of the lever. At the top of the mast and at the rear side thereof there is a block or ulley 80, around which passes a hoisting-cable 81, having one portion hung in a bight 82 from the block with its er 'i secured to the to of the mast, as at 82. The other portion oithe cable extends downwardly to a guide or pulley 83 upon one of the side bars 1 of the truck, from which it leads outwardly, and is' provided with a whifiletree (not shown) for the connection of a draft-animal. As clearl indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it wil be seen that there is a pulley 83 at each side of the truck-frame in order that the hoisting mechanism for the hammer may be operate from either side of the machine. In' the bi ht 82 of the cable 81 there is a block or pu ley 84, from which links 85 and 86 extend to the lever 74 and the slide 73. Upon eX- amination of Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be noted thaty the wheel 37 at the top ofthe mast 2 8 is in the upward path o1 the upper free end of the lever 74 for the purpose of automatically tripping the lever from the hammer to release the latter when elevated to its limit. The upper free end of the lever 74 is bowed, as at 87, to properly enga e the wheel 37, andl a cross-head 88 is carrie by the lever at a point slightly below its upper end for engagement with the wheel 37 should the lever 74 be swung laterally out ofthe vertical plane of the wheel.

Extending rearwardly from the truck is a spacing-bar or gage-bar 89, having its forward end provided with a clevis 90, loosely and detachably engaged with a bracket or seat 91, carried by the rear of the cross-bar 2 adjacent one end thereof, there being a removable pin 92 piercing the bracket and passing through the clevis. A similar bracket 918L is provided at the other end of the crossbar 2, whereby the gage89 can be shifted rom .one side 'to the other of the truck, according to the requirements of the conditions under which the machine is being used. Upon this ga e-bar there is a slide 93, carrying a removable pin 94 for individual engagement with a series of perforations 95, formed in the bar. A cross-head 96 is carried by the slide and projects at opposite sides of the bar. At the rear of the bar 89 there is atrailer-Wheel 97 carried by a bracket 98, which is pivotally connected to the under side of the bar, as at 99. This bracket is provided with a transverse series of perforations, one of which has been shown at 100, and a removable bolt or pin 101 pierces the bar for engagement with the individual openings to hold the bracket at diHerent adjusted positions.

In practice the hammer 60 is elevated and supported by the bolt 67, after which the post to be driven is set in the ground, and then the hammer is elevated until the lever 74 is automatically tripped, whereuponthe hammer will drop and strike upon the top of the post so as to drive the latter into the ground. This operation is repeated until the post has been driven to the desired extent. Preparatory to driving the next post the supporting-truck is advanced until the cross-head 96 of the gage-bar 89 engages the post 102, which has just been driven, whereby the machine is stopped in the proper position for driving the next post. The distance between posts may be regulated by the adjustment of the cross-bar 96 upon the gage-bar. In driving to a new position the trailer 97 is set, as in Fig. 2, and the gage-bar is drawn laterally to disengage the cross-head 96from the post, whereupon the machine is drawn ahead and the gage-bar will automatically swing or trail inwardly under the influence of the trailer 97, so as to bring the cross-head 96 into position for engagement Awith the post that has just been driven.

When the gage-bar Vis located at the other side of the machine, the trailer 97 is'of course set at the reverse inclination to draw the Gage-bar inwardly in the manner hereinbefore described.' In order that the hammer may be tripped before it reaches its upper limit, a cable 103 is connected to the u per end ofthe lever 74, whereby upon p mg.

ICO

down upon this cable the lever 74 may be swung out of engagement with the hammer and the latter released to drop upon the post.

Having thus described'the invention, what is claimed isg 1. In a postdriving machine, the combi nation With a truck, of a turn-table thereon, a member hinged to the turn-table, a mast hinged to said member upon an axis at right angles to that of the hinged member, guys for adjusting the mast, a hammer slidable upon the mast, and means for elevating and releasing the hammer.

2. In a post-driving machine, the combination with a truck, of 4a turn-table thereon provided with ears at op osite sides of the center of the table, a lin pivoted between the ears, a mast pivoted to the link upon an axis at right angles to that of the link, hoisting means for the mast, guys between the mast and the truck, a hammer slidable upon the mast, and means for elevating and releasing the hammer.

' 3. In a post-driving machine, the combinationwith a truck, of a mast hinged thereon and capable of being lowered to the ground, a wheel carried by the free end of the mast for engagement with the round when the mast is lowered', a hammer s idable upon the mast,

'to hO nation with a truck, and a hammer Carried.

thereby, of a gageebar trailing from the truck and shiftable'from one .Side to the other thereof, post-engaging means' Carried bythe bar, and a trailer-Wheel carried by the gage.- bar and shiftable vto reverse inclinations `across the bar.

7. In a post-driving machine, the combination with a truck, and a hammer carried thereby, of a gage-bar trailing from the truck and shiftable `from one side to the other thereof, post-engaging means carried by the bar, a trailer-wheel, a bracket carrying the wheel and pivoted to the bar, said bracket having a transverse series of openings, and a fastening carried bythe bar for individual enga ement with the openings of the'bracket d the latter in adjusted positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LINCOLN HAMLIN KETCI-IAM.

Witnesses:

JoHN A. FISHER, C. E. ROBERTS.

SQv

Images