US963562A - Excavating apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

0.,L. HOPKINS.

EXOAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION EILED JAN. 27, 1909 Patented July 5, 1910.

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S m E W W 0'. L. HOPKINS. EXGAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLIOAflION PILEDJAN-Z'L 1909. 7 9 3,5 2,. Patented July 5, 1910.

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- Allorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Application filed January 27, 1909. Serial No. 474,535-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United .States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact destruction of earth embankments such as levees, dikes, dams or similar structures, or for grading purposes and also any kind of excavation work where ground is to be made at opposite ends of the run of the scoop.

A general object of the invention is to provide a practicable system including a scoop or scraper in connection with oppositely-operated cables whereby the scraper can be loaded and transported by hauling it in one-direction and unloaded and returned by hauling it in the opposite direction..

A more particular object isto provide, in conjunction with a cable-transported scoop or receptacle, positive load-discharging means therefor operated by the cables, whereby the loaded scoop can be drawn to the dumping lace and its load pushed or scraped theref foin and the scoop returned to the loading place while'maintaining its upright position throughout its operations.

Another object is to provide an improved scoop or scraper, or what may be termed an excavating and transporting receptacle, particularly adapted for. the carrying out of the foregoing functions.

A further object is to provide a scoop that will load itself when drawn either forward or backward; and by means of which the earth can be scooped and transported by both runs of the scoop, and the excavation economically carried on between opposite embankments or dumping or unloading places.

The invention stated in general terms comprehends an improved receptacle or scoop, and further a positive load-ejecting or discharging means in the form of a tail-gate slidably mounted in the receptacle, or in lieu of such tail-gate a cable-actuated shovelscrape to be used at the place of unloading. The load is ejected or pushed out of the scoop by hauling the same backward while its tail-gate or the shovel-scrape is held stationary, or by hauling the tailgate or shovel-scrape for-ward in the scoop while the latter is restrained.

The invention comprehends further a scoop having an adjustable front and an adjustable rear constituting opposite and similar cutting-ends, whereby the scoop will be self-loading when drawn or hauled in either direction with its advancing cuttingend depressed; while the said cutting-ends when raised will enable the scoop to glide freely and unimpeded over the ground both to the place of unloading and back to the place of loading.

The invention also contemplates the equipment of the scoop with bails for attachment of the draft cables and for controlling the position of the scoop in its opposite runs.

' In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated in its application to the construction of an earth embankment of the levee type. The material generally used to form a levee is the alluvial soil deposited along a river. Dry soil of this character can be readily discharged from a receptacle by merely dumping it, but when wet the soil sticks like putty to the scoop and thus resists discharge, causing a loss of time and of money in the construction work. By the use of the sliding tail-gate, or the cable-operated shovel-scrape, the load is positively ejected or pushed or scraped out of the scoop, and hence whether wet or dry the soil can be unloaded with despatch and with a consequent savingof time and reduction of operating expenses.

Referring to the drawings, which are to be taken as a part of this specification: Figure l is a perspective view of a scoop embodying the invention and shown with one cutting-end in depressed position. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the scoop showing both cutting-ends raised. Fig. 3

is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the manner of ejecting the load by a relative movement of the tail-gate and scoop. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the sliding tail-gate. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of the shovel-scrape employed in lieu of the tail-gate. Fig. 6 is an elevation showing the shovel-scrape provided with a handledirecting its movements.

A denotes the scoop or scraper adapted to be hauled back and forth by the draft cables B and C which are alternately pulled in opposite direct-ions by any suitable powercontrolled mechanism such as a drum or drums adapted to wind one .cable while letting out the other. A practicable cable and power system that may be used in this connection is set forth in my other application, Serial No. 474,534, of even date herewith for apparatus of -a similar character. The attachments of the cables B and C to the scoopare or may be by means of bails b and 0 pivotally-connected to the opposite ends of the scoop and preferably near its bottom, the cables are detachable from the respective bails, being provided with hooks engaging eyes in the bails. the pivotal attachment of the bails at the opposite ends of the scoop, the latter is by the restraining effect of the rear cable prevented from possible tilting or overturning forward under pull of the forward-draft cable when loading.

The scoop A is an open-topped and preferably elongated receptacle with longitudinal sides and open at both ends. Its sides are preferably extended beyond the bottom at each end, such extensions having inclined edges 41 which slope upwardly from the bottom of the scoop. As aforesaid, both ends of the scoop are adjustable cutting-ends. Each of said cutting-ends D is what may be considered a hinged or pivoted extension of the scoop-bottom, provided with a front knife-edge and having lateral upright cxtensions or flanks d which embrace and are adjustably connected to thesides of the scoop. Functionally both adjustable ends are the same; that is, whichever way the scoop is hauled, its advancing cutting-end when lowered and drawn against the ground will cause the scoop to load itself, and wlfen raised will present an upward incline which will cause the scoop to ride freely over the ground and over obstructions. The cuttingedges may be formed on the hinged-members or may be separate pieces secured thereto. For bracing and limiting the hinged cutting ends in their pivotal movements,

The respective flanks d opposite the respec- By means of tive latches are shown having a brace of studs e 6 adapted to be detachably engaged by a forked lever E, shown in dotted lines in Fig: 2, for manipulating the cutting-ends.

A tail gate F retains the load in transit and ejects'it from the scoop at the desired place of unloadin This is done as aforesaid by means 0 the sliding of tail-gate relative to thescoop The tail-gate is shown provided with angularlydisposed sidemembers or flanks 'f, the forward lower corners of Which cut off obliquely to the bottom of the scoop. The sides of the scoop are or may be provided with inwardly-extending flanges a. Said flanges provide guides overlying the side-members f of the tail-gate, the lower edges of which rest upon the bottom of the scoop. A rope or cable f is attached to the tail-gate and has an eye f for engagement by the hook of either of the main draft cables. Preferably said rope or cable f, or bridle connections therefrom, connect to three points of the tailgate; two of the rope-lengths being attached at opposite ends and near the top of the tail-gate, and the third being medially attached near the bottom.

The operation generally stated is as follows; Assume that Fig. 1 shows the scoo about to start in the direction in which 1t will be hauled by the cable B which will therefore be temporarily a forward-draft cable. During the initial travel the front cutting-end D being depressed will enter the ground and cause the earth to be gathered into the scoop. When the scoop is full or loaded, said front cuttin -end is then raised and held by its latch and durin the continued hauling by the forward-dra t cable B the upward lnclination of the front of the scoop keeps its cutting-edge out of the ground and enables the scoop to mount upon and ride over. ordinary obstructions as well as to be readilydrawn over mud and soft ground. When the place of unloadin is reached, the pull upon the forward-dra t cable B is discontinued and said cable is detached from the bail b and connected to the tail-gate F by hooking it to the rope or cable f of said tail-gate. If the rearwarddraft cable 0 be now restrained and the forward-draft cable B be pulled the scoop will remain stationary and the tail-gate will be pulled forward and if desired entirely out of the scoop. Thus the load is ejected 'or pushed out of the scoop, de osited in front of it, and the scoop cleaned y means of the scraping action of the tail-gate. As will be readily understood, the same results can be obtained by restraining the forwarddraft cable B' while drawing the scoop backward by pull of the rearward-draft cable C, in which event the tail-gate is held relatively stationary and the scoop is drawn away from it until finally the tail-gate is out of the the front cutting-end while elevated; theretween two embankments, or for grading or fore when desired the tail-gate can be pulled out of the scoop over the raised cutting-end.

During the forward haul the tail-gate is however prevented from passing out the rear of the scoop by the seating of the sidemembers f between the flanges a, and the bottom of the scoop, which form guide-ways for said side-members. These guide-ways prevent the tail-gate from being turned and pushed up the rear elevated cutting-end by the in-coming earth.. After the load has been ejected, the scoop in its normal upright position can be readily returned to the place of loading by pull of the rearward-draft cable C, for the rear cutting-end being secured in raised position the return of the scoop will be free and unimpeded. If however the scoop is used for excavating beotherwise working between opposite places where the ground is to be filled in or raised,.

the tail-gate can be replaced in the scoop in reverse position, and, the other or rear cutting-end being depressed at the beginning of the rearward haul, the same operations of loading, transporting and finally ejecting the load can be performed in precisely the same manner under pull of the rearwarddraft cable C. In other words, the tail-gate F can be placed in the scoop so as to face either end and be operated by either of the draft-cables according to the direction in which the scoop is being hauled.

The shovel-scrape G shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is adapted to fit slidably within the scoop and transversely thereof, and which also has a bridle rope or cable g connected to its opposite ends and is provided with a suitable handle g, may be used for ejecting the load, where the scoop is used without a tail-gate, in the following manner: When the scoop is used Without the tail-gate, the earth loads into the scoop over its depressed front cutting-end, which is raised in due time, and the load is held in the scoophy the opposite or rear elevated cutting-end. When the is then brought to an upright position and in such position is pulled throughout the scoop and pushes out the loadand carries it onward as far as desired. During this movement of the shovel-scrape, the scoop is restrained by the other cable; and, as stated in the description of the tail-gate, the shovelscrape could be restrained by one cable and the scoop moved relatively thereto with the same result. When the load has been pushed out of the scoop by the shovel-scrape, the,

place the handle of the shovel-scrape can be I quickly let fall when the load has been carried to the desired point. Where the scoop is used for excavating, hauling and unloading during both of its opposite runs, there may conveniently be one of the shovelscrapes at each of the places of unloading, to be used respectively when the scoop reaches its opposite destinations. The handle of the shovel-scrape may be an upright bar as in Fig. 5 or a yoked cross-bar as in Fig. 6.

The shovel-scrape has beendescribed in connection with the scoop. Itgrnayliowever be used independently of the as an implement for grading or smoothingoif surfaces. The implement shown in Fig. 5 'is adapted for use by one person: whereas the form shown in Fig. 6 is perhaps the bette' construction and arrangement. as may be.

within the spirit and scope of my invention,

as set forth in thefollowing claims.

Reference is hereby made to my application, Serial No. 474,534, for patent of even date herewith, for a system and apparatus of a similar character wherein I have set forth a power and cable system to which the 1 scoop or scraper herein set forth is 'equally applicable. The disclosure in my other application in reference to the power and cable system may therefore be made a art hereof.

I claim as my invention and cure by Letters Patent:

1. In excavating apparatus, the combination of a scoop, power-mechanism and cables operated thereby and connected to the scoop for hauling it in opposite directions, and means operated by said cables for ejecting the load from the-scoop without dumping.

2. In excavating apparatus, the combination of a scoop, power-mechanism and cables operated thereby and connected to the scoop for hauling it in opposite directions, the scoop having opposite scooping ends and maintaining its normal posit-ion during both its runs, and means operated by said cables for ejecting the load from the scoop at the ends of its runs.

3. A scoop having its end closure or tailesire to sef gate movable to operate as a pusher to eject a load from the scoop.

4. The combination of a scoop with oppo- I load-ejector movable within the scoop and tached to opposite ends of the scoop, the

and maintaining the position 0 adapted to push out its load, draft-cables atcable by which the scoop is hauled to the place of unloading being adapted to be disconnected from the scoop and attached to said load-ejector which. is thereby caused to operate by pulling one cable while restraining the other cable.

7. A scoop having lateral inside guideways and a slidable tail-gate adapted to operate as a load-ejector and having angular side-members working in said uide-ways i said tailgate.

8. A scoop having its forward end adapted to be inclined upward and having lateral inside guide-ways, and a tail-gate operable as a load-ejector and having side members working in said guide-ways and adapted to ride up said inclined end.-

9. A scoop having its forward end adapted to be inclined upward and having lateral inturned flan es, a tail-gate operable as a sliding load-e ector and having angular forwardly-extending side-members working between said flanges and the bottom of the scoop, said side-members having their lower forward corners oblique or beveled to ride up said inclined end which extends beyond the said flanges.

10. A scoop adapted to be hauled and to operate forwar'd and backward and having opposite adjustable cutting-ends adapted to be raised at an upward inclination.

11. A scoop adapted to operate when hauled either forward or backward and having opposite cutting-ends and a tail-gate movable from end to end of the scoop.

12. A scoop adapted to travel forward and backward and having opposite cutting-ends hinged or pivoted to the scoo and adjustable to an inclination either a ove or below the plane of the bottom of the scoop, and means for securingthe cutting-ends in their elevated positions.

directions and having opposite cutting-ends hinged or pivoted to the scoop and adjustable to an inclination above the plane of the bottom of the scoop, and a tail-gate mountedin the scoop to move longitudinally thereof to push out material contained in the scoop, the tailate and the scoop having cooperating portions which hold the tailate in proper position when on the bottom 0 the scoop and permit said tail-gate in its loadejecting movement to mount and ride along the inclined forward or discharge-end but prevent the tail-gate from mounting the mclined opposite or rear end. v

14. A scoop having op osite cutting-ends and adapted to be hauled ackward and forward and provided with bails connected at its opposite ends and adapted for draft-cable attachment.

15. The combination with a scoop, of a load-ejector movable longitudinally of the scoop and adapted'to push out the load, and draft-cables detachably connected to op 0- site ends of the scoop and either draft ca le adapted to be detached from the scoop and attached to the load-ejector.

16. The combination with a-scoo of a tail-gate operable as a load-ejector s dablymounted 1n the scoop and having bridle draft-connections ada ted for connectlon to the hauling cable of t e scoop.

in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS.

Witnesses AL. C. KAMMER,

S. E. GALIBER.

13. A scoop adapted to travel in opposite In testimony whereof I aifix my signature,

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