US853804A - Ditching-machine. - Google Patents

Description

m b m D PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITCHING MACHINE.

nrmumron FILED we. 31, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

r I ATTORNEYS WITNESSES f /4 PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Aug. a1. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[NI ENTOR.

A TTORNE'YS ul: mmms Psr ks cm, WASHINGION. n, c

No- 853,80 4. PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1906.

n n n U Q I I IIZJJwZ, WITNESSES w; INVENTOR- r By r I @M A ITORNE YS PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 'AUG. 31, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N 0Q Mm J 0%,

1 Nl ENTOR.

W TNESSES A TTOR/VE Y5 mx NORRIS PETER: co, WASMINGYON, a. c.

PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB.

DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. a1, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

V INVENTOR,

I V/ TNESSES A TTORNE Y5 ADAM J. KOOB, or CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

DlTCHING- Specification of Letters Patent.

MACHINE.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Application filed August 31, 1906. Serial No. 332,829.

To ml]; whom'it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADAM J. K0013, a citizen of the United States,'residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Ditching-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ditching machines.

The objects of the invention are to improve and simplify the construction of such devices; furthermore, to increase their efficiency in operation and to decrease the expense attending their manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of the following claims with- ;out'departin from the spirit of the invention or sacr' cing any of its advantages.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:-Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a ditching I machine constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the forward supporting-frame forthe elevator; Fig. 5 is a plan view of' the forward supporting frame; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the .lateral conveyer; Fig. 7 is a view of the same mechanism taken at a right angle to Fig. 6; -Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of .the supporting frame for the rear end of the elevator;

and 9 is a plan view of the supporting frame illustrated in Fig. 8.

'. Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The main frame A of the improved ditching machine preferably consists of the lower sills 1, the intermediate inclined bars 2, and the upper inclined bars 3, said- bars 2 and 3 being inclined rearwardly and upwardly so as to produce a frame which is comparatively high at its rear end and comparatively low at its forward end. The main frame .A is' I supfloflteol in any suitable manner by mat-p5,.

of forward or guide wheels B. and rearward or carrying wheels C.

The excavating means which it is preferred to employ consists of a plow 4 mounted upon the forward lower end of an inclined elevator D which extends upwardly and rearwardly, as shown. For the purpose of regulating the depth of the out which is to be made by the plow 4, the elevator D is provided at its for ward end with a ground wheel 5 which is adapted to bear against the surface of the ground at one side of the out which is to be made by the plow 4. The inclined elevator D is rovided with an endless apron or belt 6 whic 1 is adapted to receive the dirt from the plow 4 and to convey the same upwardly and rearwardly. At the upper end of the elevator D, the dirt is deposited upon a lateral conveyer E which serves to transport the same to one side or the other of the ditching machine. The dirt from the lateral conveyer E is received in any suitable receptacle, ipch as the body of the wagon F indicated in In ditching machines, it is desirable that the plow 4 and elevator D be capable of lat 8o eral adjustment so that the plow can be moved from one side of the machine to the other and thus disposed in any desired position. The means which I prefer to em loy for permitting this lateral adjustment 0 the plow and elevator, preferably consists of a laterally adjustable forward supporting frame G and a similarly adjustably rear supporting frame H, it being understood that the elevator D is suitably connected with the supporting frames G and H so as to move therewith. The forward supporting frame G, as shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, preferably consists of a pair of curved main bars 7, a lower cross-bar 8 5 having end flanges 9 bolted to the main bars, and an upper cross bar 10 having end flanges 11 bolted to the main bars 7.

Suitably secured to the lower cross-b ar 8 of the supporting frame G, is a pair of journal roo brackets 12 in each of which is journaled a vertically-disposed stud shaft 13. Each of the stud shafts 13 is provided with a pair of rollers 14, one of which is connected with the upper end of the stud shaft and the other of 10 5 which is connected with the lower end thereof. The rollers 14 of the supporting frame G are suitably mounted in a trackway 15 which 1 an. w i.

extends from side to side of the frame A of the machine and is connected with the lower sills 1 in any suitable manner, said trackway being formed preferably of angle irons and closed on three sides, the fourth side of said trackway having opposite-extending flanges 16 ad ted to be en aged by the rollers 14. Suitab y secured to t 1e upper cross-bar 10 of the supporting frame G is a pair of journal brackets 1.7 in each of which is mounted a horizontally-disposed stud sh aft 18. Mounted on each of the stud shafts 18 is a pair of rollers 19, one of which is mounted on each end of the shaft. The rollers 19 are suitably mounted in a trackway 20 which extends from side to side of the device and is connected in any desired manner with the machine frame A. It will be observed that while the rollers 14 at the forward lower end of the supporting frame G revolve around a vertical axis, the rollers 1.9 at the rear -upper end of the supporting frame revolve around a horizontal axis. In this way the rollers 14 are adapted to receive any rearward strain upon the elevator which is connected therewith, as will hereafter appear, and the rollers 19 are adapted to receive any downward strain due to the tendency of the plow 4 to enter more deeply into the ground.

The forward end of the elevator D preferably is connccted with the supporting frame G by means of a pair of links 21 which are pivotally connected with the elevator, as indicated at 22, and with the lower ends of the main bars 7 of the supporting frame G, as indicated at 23.

The supporting frame H for the rear end of the inclined elevator D, is illustrated particularly in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing. This frame comprises a pair of side bars 24 which are connected with. each other by a centrally-disposed cross-piece 25 and by end cross-pieces 26. J ournaled upon the opposite ends of the side bars 24 is a pair of stud shafts 27. Each of the stud shafts 27 is provided with a pair of rollers 28 located on the opposite ends thereof. The rollers .28 are mounted in laterally-extending trackways 29 which are suitably mounted upon the machine frame. is supported upon the frame H by means of links 30 which are pivotally connected at their lower ends with the elevator, as indicated at 31, and at their upper ends with the end cross-pieces 26, as indicated at 32.

For the purpose of actuating the endless apron 6 of the elevator D, a rotary shaft 33 is extended across the frame A of the machine adjacent the supporting frame H. This shaft 33 is rotated by means of a sprocket chain 34 upon a main shaft 35 which in turn is operated by one or more sprocket chains 36 connected with sprocket wheels 37 upon' the carrying wheels C. Feathered upon the shaft- 33 at the upper end of the machine The rear end of the elevator D frame is a sprocket wheel which is adapted to be moved longitudinally along the shaft 33 by means of an arm 39 which is formed integral with one of the side bars 24 of the supporting frame H. The sprocket wheel 38 is connected by means of a sprocket chain 40 with a sprocket wheel 41 which operates the endless apron 6 of the elevator D. It will be understood that as the feathered shaft 33 is continuously operated from the ground wheels C, said. shaft will operate the wheel 38, and, consequently, the apron as described, it being obvious that the arm 39 will cause the sprocket wheel 38 to slide longitudinally along the shaft whenever the elevator is adjusted from one side to the other of the machine.

The means for adjusting the elevator D and plow 4 laterally with respect to the machine frame, preferably consists of a hand wheel 42 which is disposed in position to be operated by a man standing on a platform 43 at the rear upper end of the machine frame. The wheel 42 is connected with a shaft 1, the rear end 44 of which is journaled in a bracket arm 45 and is provided with a'drum 46 on which is wound an endless flexible l9ment 47. The endless flexible element 47 extends around a pair of pulleys 48 mounted upon opposite sides of the machine frame. After passing around. the pulleys 48 the flexible element 47 is connected in any suitable manner with an eye 49 mounted rigidly upon the rear supporting frame H. It will be apparent that when the hand wheel 42 is rotated, the flexible element 47 will be wound upon the drum 46 in such manner as to move the supporting frame H in one direction or the other across the machine frame so as to carry with it the rear end of the elevator D. The forward end of the shaft I is journaled in suitable bracket arms 50 secured to the machine frame, and is provided'with a drum 51 on which is wound a flexible element 52. The flexible element 52 extends around suitable pulleys 53 mounted at opposite sides of the machine frame, and is connected at its ends with eyes 54 upon the lower crossbar 8 of the forward supporting frame G. It will be apparent, therefore, that the rotation of the handle 42, in addition to moving the rear supporting frame H by means of the flexible element 47, will also move the forward supporting frame G through the medium of the flexible element 52 so as to move the elevator readily from side to side of the machine.

The means for raising and lowering the forward end of the elevator D and the plow 4, so that the machine can be drawn along the ground without forming a ditch, when desired, preferably consists of a hand wheel 55 which is adapted to operate a shaft J. The rearend 56 of the shaft J is suitably 'journaled in the machine frame so that the hand wheel 55 will be disposed adjacent the platform 43. The shaft J, adjacentits rear end 56, is formed with a universal ]O1nt 57 and is rendered extensible in its nature by means of a suitable telescopic connection 58, the forward end of the shaft being squared and fitted into a squared socket in the rear end portion of the shaft, so that while the different portions of the shaft J can be adjusted longitudinally with respect to each other, they will be forced to rotate together by reason of the non-circular connection between them. Adjacent its-forward end 59, the shaft J is formed with a second universal joint 60. The forward end 59 of the shaft J is journaled in bracket arms 61 upon the forward supporting frame G and is provided with a worm 62 meshing with a worm wheel 63 mounted upon one end of a drum shaft 64 with which is connected a drum 65. Suitably connected at one end with the drum 65 is a flexible element 66, the opposite end of which is connected with a yoke 67 mounted upon the forward end of the elevator D.

It will be obvious that by rotating the hand wheel 55, the shaft J through the worm gearing 62 and 63 will rotate the drum 65 and thus raise or lower the forward end of the elevator D, this upward and. downward movement of the elevator being permitted by the pivotal links 21 and 30. 'I he Worm elements 62 and 63 will serve to hold the elevator D in any desired vertical position without the use of awls and ratchets. 'i he use of the universal oints 57 and 60 together with the telescopic connection 58 in the shaft J, permits the rear end 56 of said shaft to be mounted in fixed bearings adjacent the platform 43, while the forward end 51 of said shaft can swing back and forth across the machine with the supporting frame G, without interfering with the operatlon of the worm elements 62 and 63, it being understood that the telescopic connection 58 provides for the necessary extension of the shaft J when the forward supporting frame G is disposed at one side of the machine frame.

The lateral conveyer E preferably consists of a pair of side bars 68 between which is mounted an endless apron 69. The bottom 70 of the lateral conveyer E is supported upon a plurailty of pairs of rollers 71 mounted upon brackets 7 2 which are secured to the machine frame. For the purpose of preventing the endless conveyer E from becoming displaced from the rollers 71, the bottom 70 is formed with depending side flanges 73 which fit down against the ends of the rollers. By reason of the fact that the lateral conveyer E is mounted upon the rollers 71, said conveyer can be shifted from one side to the other of the machine so as to discharge the dirt either to the right or the left as desired. The preferred means for shifting the lateral conveyer consists of a hand wheel 7 4 connected with a vertical shaft 75 on which is mounted a drum the endless apron 69.

76. Wound upon the driiifi 76 is a flexible element .77 the opposite ends of which are connected with eyes 78 upon the conveyer E, so that by rotating the hand wheel 74 the conveyer can be readily shifted up on the rollers 7 1'.

The preferred means for operating the lateral conveyer E consists of an endless sprocket chain 79 which extends around sprocket wheels 80 on the shafts of which is mounted The sprocket chain 79, as shown in Fig. 3, extends around a pair of idle wheels 81 and is looped downward as indicated at 82 so as to pass around a sprocket wheel 83. The sprocket wheel 83, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, is mounted upon a shaft 84 which is journaled in hangers 85 secured to the machine frame. Mounted upon the shaft 84 is a bevel wheel 86 which, for the purpose of permitting the conveyer E to be moved in one direction or the other or to be thrown out of operation, is in mesh with a pair of oppo sitely-disposed bevel gear Wheels 87 and 88 journaled in hangers 89 upon the machine frame. Each of the wheels 87 and 88 is formed with an integral belt-receiving portion 90. Mounted loosely upon a shaft 91 between the bevel wheels 87 and 88 is a belt wheel 92 which is adapted to be operated by means of an endless belt 93 extending at its lower end around an elongated belt wheel 94 on the main shaft 35, as shown in Fig. 3. hen it is desired to rotate the conveyer E in one direction, the belt 93 is shifted into engagement with one of the gear wheels 87-88, and when it is desired to reverse the movement of the conveyer, the belt is shifted into engagement with the other wheel. If it be desired to stop the movement of the conveyer, the belt 93 is shifted on to the idle belt wheel 92. '.l he means for shifting the belt 93 so as to control the movements of the conveyer E, preferably consists of a hand lever 95 which, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, is

- connected at its lower end with a forwardlyextending shaft or rock bar 96 having at its forward end a depending bifurcated member 97. I

It is one of the objects of the present invention partly to relieve the drive wheels C of the necessity of driving the elevator D and the lateral conveyer E. This is especially desirable when the ditching machine is 0}. erating on round the character of which renders it di 'cult for the carrying wheels C to secure sufficient grip fo roperating the conveyer. Furthermore, by relieving the ground wheels of a part of the work of operating the elevator D and conveyer E, the draft upon the ditching machine is materially decreased.

The means which I prefer to employ for assistin in the operation of the elevator D and lateral conveyer E, consists of an engine K which may be of any suitable type such, for example, as an explosion engine, as shown in Fig. 3. The engine K, which is provided with balance wheels 98, preferably is housed in a casing 99, shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on the engine shaft is a pair of belt wheels 100, one of which is fixed and the other of which is loose on the shaft. The wheels 100 are adapted to be engaged by a belt 101 which serves to operate a belt wheel 102 upon the main shaft 35. The belt 101 is shifted from the loose belt wheel 100 to the fixed belt Wheel, or vice versa, for throwing the engine into and out of operation, by means of a hand lever 103 journaled upon the machine frame as indicated at 104, the pivot point 104being in the nature of a forwardly-extending shaft having a depending a-rm 105 connected by means of a link 106 with a slide rod 107 having upwardly-extending arms 108 fitting against opposite edges of the belt 101 so that by operating the lever 103 the belt 101 can be readily shifted.

It will be apparent from the'foregoing description that the improved machine of the present invention is adapted in a simple and thoroughly eflicient manner to plow and take up a continuous strip of land which is conveyed upward upon the elevator D and laterally by the conveyer E so as to be discharged in a continuous manner into a wagon which may be driven along by the side of the ditching machine. If it be not desired to discharge the dirt in a continuous manner, the lateral conveyer may be stopped until a '1 quantity of earth has collected on the upper surface thereof, after which a wagon can be driven into position and the dirt discharged by re 'starting the conveyer. By reason of the fact that the elevator D together with the plow 4 is suspended from the pairs of links 21 and 30, it will be obvious that in the event that the plow should strike a stone or other obstruction, the entire plow and elevator can yield rearwardly so as to avoid any breakage of the parts. Furthermore, the employment of the wheeled supporting frames G and H ermits the elevator D and plow to be readi y shifted from one side of the machine to the other, and the extensible shaft J which is operated by the hand wheel permits the forward end of the elevator D to be readily raised and lowered irrespective of its position upon the machine frame; that is to say, the elevator can be raised just as Well when it is located at one side of the machine as it can when it is disposed in the center. By providing an engine such as K, the draft of the entire machine is materially reduced, so as to render it possible to operate the same with a lesser number of draft animals than would otherwise be necessary. In order to accomplish this result, a small engine can be employed which will be inexpensive to operate.

The improved machine of this invention is strong, simple, durable and inexpensive in construction as well as thoroughly eflicient in operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A ditching machine having a plow, an elevator, and pivotal links for supporting the front and rear ends of the elevator.

2,. A ditchin machine having a plow, an elevator, latera l -movable forward and rear supporting frames, and pivotal links connecting the ends of said elevator with said forward and rear supporting frames.

3. A ditching machine having a plow, an elevator, forward and rear supporting frames for the ends of the elevator, links connecting the elevator with said supporting frames, means for moving said supporting frames laterally upon the machine, and means for raising and lowering the forward end of the elevator. a

4. A ditching machine having a laterally and vertically movable'elevator, and an'extensible shaft for raising and lowering said elevator.

5. A ditching machine having a laterally and vertically movable elevator, and an extensible shaft for raising and lowerin said' elevator, said shaft being provided wit uni versal joints, for the purpose specified.

6. A ditching machine having a laterallymovable forward sup orting frame, an elevator having a pivota link connectionwith said supporting frame, a worm drum mounted on said supporting frame and having a flexible connection with said elevator for raising and lowering the same, a worm for operating said drum, and an extensible shaft connected with said worm and provided with universal joints.

7. A ditching machine having a main frame consisting of lower sills, intermediate rearwardly and upwardly inclined bars and upper rearwardly and upwardly inclined bars, forming a frame which is high at its rear end and low at its forward end, a forwardly and downwardly inclined elevator mounted -in said frame, and hand wheels mounted at the rear upper end of said frame for moving said elevator laterally and vertically.

8. A ditching machine having carrying wheels, a plow, an elevator, forward and rear supporting frames, pivotal links connecting the elevator with the forward and rear su porting frames, a worm journaled upon t e forward supporting frame, means operated by said worm for raising and lowering the for ward end of the elevator, an extensible shaft connected with said worm for rotating the same, a second shaft having flexible elements connected with said forward and rear supporting frames for moving the same laterally, a lateral conveyer mounted adjacent the rear end of said elevator, means for moving said lateral conveyer in a longitudinal direction,

means for starting, stopping and reversing said lateral conveyer, a main shaft for operating said elevator and lateral conveyer, an operating connection between said carrying wheels and said main shaft, and an engine having an operating connection with said main shaft.

9. A ditching machine having a forward su porting frame, a plurality of rollers jour naled upon said supporting frame so as to rotate around a vertical axis, a plurality of rollers journaled on said supporting frame so as to rotate around a horizontal axis, laterally extending trackways for said rollers, and an elevator having a pivotal link connection with said supporting frame, for the purpose specified.

10. A ditching machine having a supporting frame consisting of curved main bars, a lower cross-bar and an upper cross-bar, rollers journaled upon said lower cross-bar to rotate around a vertical axis, rollers journaled upon said upper cross-bar to rotate around a horizontal axis, trackways for said rollers, and an elevator having a pivotal link connection with said supporting frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature .in the presence oftwo witnesses.

ADAM J. KOOB.

Witnesses: 4 7 JOHN BURIANOH,' JI'., F. O. MEKOTA.

Images