US1506421A - Surface-excavating machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug., ze, mg T J FREDA Lfm Filed aan. s, 1922 INENTOR- Theop Z 1f 'Ff/Pda.

v'l sheets-sheet z Fild Jan. :5, 1925 T J FREDA SURFACE EXCAVATING VlACIIINElv Aug l Aug. 26,` "1924. LSGSAZI l T. J. FREpA SURFACE ExcAvATfNG MACHINE Filed aan, s, 1922 7 shetsn'sheet "Aug, 2e, 1924a T.- J. F REDA SURFACE EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Jari. 5, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 LSSAZX T. J. FREDA Aug. 26, 1924.

SURFACE EXCAVATING MACHINE 7 Vsheets-shew 5 Filed Jan. 5, 1922 INVENToR. Weqp/W' Lfweda/ Aug, 2a, w24, Lsomm T. J. FREDA SURFACE EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Jan. s', 1922 7 sheets-sham 6 f v/D IN V EN TOR.

Ang. 26, 1924.VA 1,506,421

T. J. FRED/ SURFACE EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 .ggg/92%@ @2W/Mw Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

THEOPHIL J. FREDA., 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

sU'nrAcE-nXcAva'rme insomma' Application flied January 3, 1922. Serial Ro. 526,605

To 'aZZ whom it muy concern Be it known that l, THEOBHILJ. FREDA, a citizen or' theyUnited States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne v and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Surface-Excavating Machines, of which the 'following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a surface excavating machine that may be advantageously used for road building, ground leveling purposes and large excavations.

My invention aims to provide a surface excavating machineV embodying a tractor provided'with rotary cutters and conveyors by which earth may be expeditiously .and economically removed from the surface and vloaded in vehicles, The machine is particularly characterized by a novel arrangement of transversely disposed rotary cutters which discharge earth into-transversely disposed screw conveyors and from these conveyors endless belt or apron conveyors carry the earth forwardly and discharge the same into hoppersor chutes that may 'be positioned so `(that vehicles may receive earth from the same. ln addition to the transversely disposed cutters, there are central cutters and a central bucket conveyor and the transverse' arrangement of the cutters is such that a Y, widesection of earth can be removed as the machine -is moved forwa'tid. Other advantages of 'the surface excavating machine will appear las the invention is described bythe aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the surface excavating` machine, showing a vehicle that `mav receive earth from the machine;

Fig. v2 isa plan of the machine; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine .showing the transverse rotary cutters; Fig. 4. is a plan 4machine;

Fig. 5 is a' central enlarged tn 'ansverse sectional view of a portion of the machine, il-` of an arch member` of the Fig. 7 is a simliar view taken on the line VDL-VII of `Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectionalview oi a portion of the construction shown in Fig. 5

. and taken on the line VIH-VIII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sec- 'tional view of a portion of a rotary cutter, showing the spiral or screw conveyor;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the line taken' on the line X--X of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the inner heads of one of the rotar cutters and Byi 1 g. 12 is a detail sectional view ci a portion of one of. the inner heads of the machine,

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of. a bucket conveyor and Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the rotary cutters.

Reference will liirst be had to Figs. 1 and 2 which gives some idea of the general appearance of the machine and in providing a framework for the machine use, as far as possible structural steel of standard shapes so that the. Jframework vma'y be fabricated at a comparatively small cost andat the vsame time insure the strength and rigidity necessary for machines ot this type.

The reference Vnumeral `1 denotes a substantially rectangular tractor fra-me provided with caterpillar traction members 2 of a conventional form, and on the rear end of the frame is a seat 3 for an operator or Vattendant of the machine. 4 denotes a supperposed frame ciu-which is placed an electric motor 5- or other source of power, said 'motor/having its armature shaft 6 provided with sprocket wheels 7 and 8, the latter being employed with sprocket chains v9 for driving thetraction members 2. said sprocket chains. being trained under sprocket wheels 11 on one of the axles or drive shafts of the traction members 2.. Y

10 denotes a forwardly extending treme having its rear end suitably mounted on the tractor frame 1 and the forward and of the frame 10 is supported by pony trucks 12 and 13. At 'the eXtreme forward end of said frame 10 is an overhanginc; portion or bracket 14 under which a vehicle 15, as a truck, may be backed to receive earth from v hoppers or 'chutes 16 and' I17 carriedby the ing ai,

overhan'gin'g` portion 14 of 'the frame 10. The lio'ppers 16'are two in number, oneat each side of the overhanging bracket 14,- and the hopper 17 isf 'nf advance of the transverse plane of thelhbbperlG and elevated compared thereto.

The main frame 1 0, intermediate the endsV thereof, is connected by transversesupports 18 and connecting these supports intermediate the ends thereof, is a longitudinally disposed arch member 19 providedl with openings 20. Onv the arch member is a bearing 21`and a bearing 22, said bearings supporting a shaft23 provided with a sprocket wheel 24 longitudinally alining with the sprocket wheel 7 vof the -motor armature shaft 6, sothat an endless sprocket, chain 25 may be trained over'the sprocket wheels 7 and 24 for driving the shaft 23.

Mounted on the shaft 23, within the bearis a sprocket wheel 26 and suitably connected to the lower face of the bearing I21 is a hanger 27. f Extending through the Ahanger 27 'area plurality of circumferentially arranged tie rods 28 and mounted on the ends of said tie rod are inner heads29 having bottom pieces 30 connected below the hanger 27. Some ofthe rods 28. connect the inner heads 29 and the hanger 27 "with outer heads' 33, but the-lowermost rods 28,

are of less length,simply vconnecting the' inner heads, so as not to obstruct falling earth.

-Connectedto the inner end flanges 31 of i outwardly extending transversely alining conduits or tubes 32 which `have the outeruends thereof provided with the outer bearing heads 33 containing concentric anti-frictional radial and end thrust bearings 34 and similar circumferentially arranged bearings 35. f

Concentric of each conduit or tube 32 is a rotatable conveyor shaft 36 which has 'its ends journaled in the heads 29 and and on said shaft is a spiral conveyor or screw 37 which is driven to conduct earth from the inner end ofthe conduit 32 to the outer end thereof. Loose onthe inner end of the shaft 36 is a sleeve 38' and fixed on said sleeve is a large gear wheel 38 and a small gear wheel 39. The large ge-ar wheel 38 meshes with 'a plurality of vsmall circumV ferentially disposed gear wheels 40 .mounted on longitudinally disposed shafts 41 journaled in the inner head 29'and ings 35- of the outer head 33. On these shafts, at intervals, are pinions 42^mesb ing with internal racks 43 forming .part of rotary. longitudinally 4disposed cutters 46 connected by ya skeleton framework so that earth may fall therethrough when conductf ed to the upper side of each cutter. The

skeleton framework includes longitudinal webs 45 ard circumferentially tilis'oomidy heads 29 are the,

the bearaccesar tary cutter where it will be discharged'from the scoops or shovels, through theframework of the cutter linto the conduit 32, the discharged earthpassing through a'seriesy of openings'48 in the upper side ofthe con-l duit 32, said opening having longitudinal deiiector's 49 fixed on the edges of the con duit 32 to deflectearth into the conduit.

l The cutters 46 'afford major teeth and each majortooth hassawrtooth edges or minor teeth 51 which-'are adapted to easily entery the earth' andloos'en or disintegrate` the same so that the/earthy may be scooped up by the. cutter shovels. 1 One or `more of the cutters 46 `may be provided with pivoted contact arms 521er(-| tending' beyond the path of travel'of the 1A cutterso that should airock or lother indurate obstruction 53; be encountered an electrical circuit may'beestablished by leadavisible ing out wires 54 to display or sound or audible signal (not shown). The 'op crater ofthe machine will therefore be warned of such an` obstruction and give'the4 machine his eitireattention for fear that it ymay be necessaryto stop `the rotary cutter which will eventually encounter the obstruction. l

The innermost rack 43 of each rotary cutter has auxiliary cutters 55 connected there` to -arbh member 19 yand adapted toitleflectearth outwardly and into they inner@y ends ofthe conduits 32. f/

Y The small gear wheels 39 A*meth with large gear wheels 56 loosely mountedv on a shan 57, journaled in side frames -58 carried by said yauxiliary cutters beingbelow the' the bottomvpieces 30. Thegear wheelsxd vhave clutch membersy 59 adapted to bef'engaged by adjustable clutch members 60-slid ably keyed 'on the shaft 57 for rotation therewith' and' said clutch members.- are adapted` to establish drving relation. between the shaft 57 and t e gear wheels56.V

The' shaft B7 extends through the 'hanger'27 i.

and is provided with fixed gear wheels 61 which have the hub portions thereof journaled in the hanger 27. Fixed on the shaft p 57 VWit-hin the hanger 27 is a large sprocket /wheel 63 vertically alining vwith the sprocket wheel 26 and about said sprocket wheels isy trained an endless sprocket chain 64,-said chain extending through openings65 ofthe 4arch member 19.,

The clutch members 6C may be shifted by .levers 66 and 67 extending through l:the 13( openings 20 of the arch member 19, the lever 67 being pivotally mounted, as at 68,Y in one of said openings and pivotally connected, as 'at 69, to the lever 66 whereby manipulation of said lever will cause the adjustable clutch members 60 to engage the clutch member 59 of thegear wheels 56.

The side frames 58 and the hanger 27 cooperate in supportinoi rotatable shafts 70 on which are mountedb gear wheels 7l mesh` 27 and the side flange 58 is a set of shafts 74 and loose `on said shafts are sets of gear wheels 75 meshing with the4 gear wheels 72 .and with the hogs or teeth 76 of an endless apron or beltV 7 provided with scoops or buckets 78 affording a bucket conveyor in the longitudinal'vertical plane of the machine. y The bucket conve or is trained under anti-frictional rollers 9'supported from the bottom pieces 30 so that the buckets 78 may pass between the auxiliarycutters 55,

' tional roller 8O above the arch member 19;

as best shown in Fig. 5, and these buckets are adapted to scoop up such earth as is loosened between the auxiliary cutters. The bucket conveyor extends over an anti-frica similar roller 8l supported above the main frame 10, 'aigri other rollers 82 supported by a scad'old carried by the overhanging frame or bracket 14 and extending over the hopper or chute 17, so that earth may be discharged into said hopper durin the operation of the machine. The scatto d 83 and the supports 84 of the roller 80 may be bracedby tie rods or cables 85 ,relative to the main plane 10 of the' machine.

Att-he outer ends of the'conduits 32 arev discharge openings 86 and earth conducted to the outer ends of said conduits falls through the openings 86 on to endless apron conveyors, 87 said apron conveyors beiiig trained about'rolls 88 and 89, the former being one of the shafts 41 of each rotar cutter and the latter on a shaft 90, journa ed in bearings 91 at the side hoppers or chutes 16.

The apron conveyors 87 extend upwardly at an inclination, as best shown in Fig. 1, and are driven' in synchronism with the rotary cutters so'l that as festas earth is removed it may be conveyed to the lioppers 16,

Considering Fig. 5, it will be noted that the central bucket conveyor is driven through the medium of the shafts 23, 57 and 73 and since the shaft 73 forms part of the to4 the innerends of said cutters an Aveyors.

' by said conveyors.

shafts 86 the spiral conveyors will be oper-I ated in synchronism with a bucket conveyor.

It is through the medium of the levers 66 and 67 that the clutches 60 may iix the gear wheels 56 relative to the driven shaft 57 so that power may bevtransmitted 4to the shafts 41 and thus operate the rotary gears.

. While in the drawing there is illustrated a preferred` embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such variations and modications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. g

What 1 claim is 1. A surface excavating machine comprisby and overhanging unexcavated. ground,

transversely disposed spaced apart rotary cutters supported by said main frame, a conveyor axially of each cutter and of greater .lengthl than each cutter'adapted to'conduct earth to the outer' end of each cutter, and means on said tractor adapted tofsimultaneously operate said cutters and conveyors.

2. A. surface excavating machine as in claim 1, wherein said 'means transmits ower con- 8. A surface excavating machine asy in claim .1, and endless apron conveyors at the outer ends of said cutters adapted to receive earth from the conveyors axially of said cutters and conduct earthl to the forward end of said main frame. A i

4. A surface. excavating machine as in claim 1, and vbucle-,t conveyors between said cutters and adapted to convey earth to th forward end of saidmain frame. l

5'.I A surface excavating machine as 4in claim 1, wherein Veach cutter is composed of a framework having webs ybetween whichyearth may fall on to said conveyors.

6. A surface excavating machine as in claim 1, wherein the conveyors are 1n the form of screws disposed in conduits with conveyor operatin means between the inner ends of said con uits and from the outer ends of which conduits. earth is discharged 7.. A surface excavating machine comprising a tractor, a main framesupported'thereby, rotary cutters disposed transversely of said main frame, spira'l` conveyers axially of said cutters adapted to conduct earth to the outer'ends of saidcutters, hoppers supported from the forward end of said inain frame.

and endless conveyors adapted to conduct earth from the outer ends of said spiral vconveyors to said hoppers.

8. A surface excavating machine as in claim 7, wherein the hoppei's are elevated so that a vehicle may back under said hoppers to receive earth therefrom.

9. A surface excavating machine as in claim 7, and an endless bucket conveyor t9y cutters.

between-said' cutters adapted to conduct earthfrom between said cutters to one of said lioppers.

10. A surface excavating machine as in claim" 7, andA means operated from said tractor and including gear wheels adapted for simultaneously operating said cutters and spirall conveyors with 4one of -said gear wheels transmittingpower to said endless' conveyor. l I

11. A surface excavating machine as in cla-'1m' 7, whereln the tractor is adapted to `move on an excavated surface and lpony trucks under the forward end. of saidrmain frame engaging an unexcavated surface cooperate with said tractor in supporting said cutters* relative to the unexcavated surface.

12. -A surface excavating machine comprising a main frame, transversely disposed coaxial rotary cutters supporte by said 1 mainf frame, and having confronting ends ward'v landl rear endsof said main framework, yso that said framework may be ad- -vanced on excavated and unexcavated V prising amain ground during the operation of said `cui'- ters.

-f 14..'A surface excavating machine as in claimhv 12, and endless conveyors adapted to conduct earth .forwardly from the outer ends of said conduits and from between said 15. A- surface excavating lmachine, comframe, transversely disposed rotary cutters, conduits axially of said cuttersand adapted toreceive earth therefrom, spiral Aconveyors in said conduits adapted to discharge earth at the. outer ends thereof, means between said cutters for simultaneouslyoperating said cutters and conveyors,

4andenieans between said cutters operated by the 4last mentioned meansadapted for excavating-earth and removing earth from between said cut-ters.

16. A surface excavating machine, as in l yclaim 15,v whereln the last mentionedl means includes auxiliary cutters operable in unlson with saidl rotary cutters, and an endless bucket conveyor between said auxiliary cutters.

lce

17. A, surface excavating machine comprismg a mainframe, transversely disposed vrotary cutters carried thereby,`means axial- .ly offsaid rotary cutters adapted to' receive and conductearth tothe outer ends of .said

cuttersyand earth removing means disposed ,betweeny said cutters;

accesar 1 8. A surface excavating machine, as in claiml?, and means on said'main frame adapted to simultaneously operate said cutters.

19. A surface excavating machine as in claim 17, and means supportingthe forward end of said main frame 0n unexcavated y ground and the rear end of the main frame on excavated ground so that ity may be advanced during the operation of saidcutters.

20. In a surface excavating machine, a

rotary skeleton framework,l rows of rigid cutter teeth on said rotary skeleton kframe-v work, ribs connecting said teethy andbracing the walls thereof, a stationary conduit in said -rotary skeleton framework and into whichearth may fall, andmeans in said rotary skeleton framework and supported on said conduit-for imparting rotation to said framework. v

21. An` excavator comprisinginner vand outer heads, cireumferentially disposed shafts rotatably supported by said heads, al

rotary cutter about said shafts and driven therefrom, and a conduit connecting said heads and adapted to receive earth from said cutter,` said conduit supporting said outer head relative to said inner head and at intervals supporting said shafts. j

22. An excavator as called for in claim 21,

wherein said-cutter is in the formv ofen.

framework having rigid rows of teeth disposed toscoop up 'earth.

23./An excavavor as. called for in vclaim 21,' and a conveyor at the outer-.head and extending rearwardly from said conduit adapted to receive earth fromv said conduit said conveyor being operatedV from one of said shafts. j

24. An excavating nichine. comprising sets of heads coaxially. disposedfshafts journaled in `each set of heads, cutters disposed circumferentially of said shafts and driven thereby, auxiharycutters at the inner ends Aof the first mentioned cutters, a conveyor between said sets of heads, and means between said sets of heads for simultaneously driv-4 -ing saidshafts and said conveyor. f

25.'An excavating machine as called forin claim 24, and means operated from between the sets of heads for conveying earth axially of said cutters.

26. An excavating jmachine comprising coaxially arranged rotary cutters, racks at the inner 'ends of said cutters for revolving said cutters, auxiliary cutters carried by said racks, and driving means for said racks arranged between the inner ends of said cutters.l

27. Anexcavating machine as called for in claim 26, and a conveyor operated in synchronism with said` racks and adapted to receive earth .from said auxiliary cutters. f

28. In a service excavating machine, transversely alining rotary bucket-like cutters each including framework having webs and a rack, and means at the confronting ends of said cutters engaging the racks thereofadapted for rotating said cutters.

29. In a surface excavating machine, a conduit adapted to receive` excavated earth, rigid cutters disposed circumferentially of sald lconduit and longitudinally thereof, a framework supporting said cutters about said conduit and including webs and a rackv `with cutters integral with said webs, and

means engaging the rack of the framework adapted to rotate said framework and said cutters about said conduit.

30. A. surface excavating machine .as called for in claim 29, and rotary means

Images