US2227433A - Scraper - Google Patents

Description

jan; 7', 1941. L., BERNER A 2,227,433

SCRAPER Filedsept. 1'?, 19:58 4 sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEY Jan. 7, 1941. L.. BERNIER 2,227,433

' SCRAPER Filed spt. 17, 193s 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR L. BERNER Jan. 7, 1941.

SCRAPER Filed sept. 17, 1953l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 55m/5, [N VNTOR A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 7,V 1,941

UNITED STATES PATENT orner;

SCRAPER Leo Berner, Huntington Park, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Be-Ge Manufacturing and Welding Works, Gilroy, Calif., a capannaship comprising Albert G. Gurries and James A. Bussert Application september 17,193aseria1No-2aoAss a '1 claims. (orsi-126i My invention relates tol earth scrapers of the general type employed for digging, scraping, and transporting earth for the purpose of levelling ground, building roads, excavating, grading, etc.

My invention in its preferred form consists of a wheeled or wagon scraper `having a bowl and apron which have certain unique features of con-v struction and operation, and which uniquely cooperate to produce a new combination. Not only is mylinvention new in its entirety; but the several subcombinationsand elements thereof areA new and susceptible of independent use. I thereiore desire patent protection on my invention as a whole and also on its several subcombinations and elements as deiined in the appended claims.`

` scraper is being pulled forwardly,V at whichtime the available power is being used for that purpose.

It is a further object of my invention to providea scraper in which a preselected digging angle for the blade of the scraper may be maintained for anydeptli of cut. In my invention the digging eillciency of the scraper blade may be maintained for a light cut, heavy cut. or medium cut.

It ls a still further object of my invention to provide a scraper in which the bowl is supported in substantially horizontal position in both digging andr carrying positions. vByvirtue of this feature of my invention the bottom of the scraper will be substantially horizontal duringloading so that but a minimum of force is required to push the earth which has been removed by the blade rearwardly into the bowl. Furthermore, when the bowl is in carrying `position the earth is not dumped forwardly by any chang-e of the bowl from a substantiallyy horizontal position.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a scraper in which the bowl is supported by a pair of link means which approximate a parallel structure whereby the bowl does not, to any material extent, change its horizontal position when moved into its various digging positions or into carrying position.

It is a. still further object of my invention to provide a scraper` in which the bowl is supported by link means pivotally connected to the bowl and to the frame of the scraper, and in which one of the link means is operated to raise and Alower the bowl, and in which the other of the link means is operated to move the bowl from its normal or horizontal position into a dumped or tilted position 5 i Itfis a still further object of my invention to provide a scraper in which there is no overhead structure above the bowl. By virtue of this construction it is possible to readily flll'the bowl from above, if desired. lo It is another objectof my invention to provide a scraper which employs an apron adapted to cooperate with the bowl in order to carry the earth which is gathered in the bowl, which apron has a scooping action when it moves toward bowl 15 closing position which enablesthe scraper to carry 4 a larger'load.

It is another object of my invention to provide a scraper having a bowl and an apron which may cooperate therewith in which the apron is iloat- 20 ably supported by 'the frame of the scraper and is readily raised if it is engaged by an obstruction during the operation of the scraper.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a scraper having a bowl and an apron 25 which `cooperates therewith in which the apron is so supported that if during its movement into a. position to close the forward end of the bowl it engages an obstruction positioned forwardly ofthe scraper blade, it will either lift the obstruc- 30 tion into the bowl, thus enabling it to fully close, crit will be deflected from its normally closing path and move into a closing position by passing above and around the obstruction.

Another object of my invention is to provide 35 a, scraper having a bowl and apron cooperating therewith in which the lip of the apron, when the apron is in a closed position, rests within the bowl and above the blade which is attached to the bowl.

It is a still further object of my inventionft o provide a scraper having a bowl and apron in which the apron is moved between open and closed position and in which a cam means is employed for determining the path of travel of the apron.v 5

It is a further object of my invention to provide a scraper as deilned in the preceding paragraph in which the cam means includes two parts, one of which is associated with the frame, and the other of which is associated with the apron. 50 and in which these parts may be separated from each other so that the apron may float, if the apron or any part thereof engages an obstruction during either its opening or closing movement.

It is another object of my invention to provide 55 a scraper having a bowl and apron in which there is a common operating means for operating the apron and for dumping the bowl.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a scraper of the character referred to in the preceding paragraph in which the common operating means can not move the apron toward closed position unless the bowl is in a normal position or in which the bowl can not be moved toward a dumped position unless the apron is in an open position.

Other objects, features, and advantages of my invention will be referred to in the course of the following detailed description of a preferred form of my invention which I have chosen to describe and illustrate in order that those skilled in the art may be taught howto practice my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2` is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the apron which constitutes an important part of my invention and the various positions thereof.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a unique valve which I employ in the hydraulic operating system of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the scraper in unloaded position.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the scraper in carrying position.

Fig. 'I is a view illustrating the scraper in dumped position.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the apron operates when an obstruction lies forwardly of the blade.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the scraper of my invention which I have chosen for the purpose of illustration includes a frame having side beams I2, a rear transverse beam I4, and a forward or front transverse beam |5. The forward part of the frame is in an elevatedplane and consists of two horizontal beams I6 which converge at their forward ends, and which are connected to the transverse beam |5 by downwardly extending beams |1. The side beams |2 project rearwardly of the transverse beam I4 and carry supporting wheels I8. Projecting downwardly from the juncture point of the beams I6 is a pedestal 20 which carries a front truck 2| having wheels 22.-

Extending forwardly from the truck 2| isa draft bar 23. This portion of the scraper constitutes the frame and earth engaging means whereby the frame may be moved over the surface of the ground.

The numeral 25 represents a bowl which is positioned between the side beams I2 and the rear and front beams I4 and I5. The bowl has a bottom and back wall 26 and a pair of parallel side walls 21. The forward lower part of the bowl 25 supports a transverse digging blade 28 which'is adapted to engage the earth and perform the digging or cutting operation, the earth passing rearwardly above the blade 28 and into the bowl 25.

For the purpose of raising and lowering the bowl between digging positions and carrying position, my invention provides a raising and lowering means. The raising and lowering means includes a cross-shaft 30 which extends transversely of the frame II between the side beams I2 and just to the rear of the front beam I5. Connected to the ends of the shaft 30 and inside the side beams I2 are arms 3| which constitute front link means. The rearward ends of the arms 3| are pivotally connected by pivots 32 to the forward lower part of the bowl 25. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arms 3| extend rearwardly outside the side walls 21 of the bowl 25 and the pivots 32 are supported by brackets 33 which are secured to the side walls 21. Connected to the central part of the shaft 30 and extending upward therefrom is an arm 35 to which a piston rod 36 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot 31. 'I'he piston rod 33 extends to a hydraulic operating means which includes a piston 33 which operates in a cylinder 33, the forward end of the cylinder 39 being pivotaily connected at 4l f to a bracket 4|, the bracket 4| being secured to the forward part of the frame | I. Fluid conduits 43 and 44 are connected to the rear and front ends of the cylinder 33 for the purpose of moving the piston 33 either forwardly or rearwardly in the cylinder 39. These conduits may extend to the draft vehicle where they are associated with a control valve which controls the flow of fluid through the conduits 43 and 44 in a conventional manner.

Cooperating with the front link means 3| in supporting the bowl 25 is a. rear link means 50 which includes links 5I on each side of the bowl which are pivotally connected at 52 to the rearward ends of the side beams I2, and which are pivotally connected at their forward ends by pivots 53 to the side walls of the bowl 25, there being suitable brackets 54 for attaching the pivot to the side walls 21. The front link means 3| and the rear link means 50 constitute a structure which in its action approximates the action of a parallel link system whereby the bowl is maintained in a substantially horizontal position when in its various digging positions or in its carrying position.

'Ihe link means 50 incorporates a dump means or tilting means for the bowl whereby the bowl may be rotated on the pivots 32 from a horizontal or normal position into a tilted or. dumped position. such as is shown in Fig. '1. In the preferred form of my invention illustrated herein each link 5| is provided in the form of a piston rod 55 connected to the pivot 53, a hydraulic cylinder 51 connected to the pivot I52, and a piston 58 within the cylinder 51 and' to which the rod 55 is connected. Conduite 50 and 5| are connected to the forward and rearward ends of each of the cylinders 51 whereby the piston may be moved in either direction for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the length of the links 5| in order to accomplish the movement of the bowl between dumped or tilted position or normal or horizontal position.

Adapted to cooperate with the bowl 25 is .an apron 55 which includes a forward and bottom wall 56 having a rearward lip 51 and side walls 58 which extend rearwardly from the bottom wall 65 and which telescope within the side walls 21 of the bowl 25, and thus act' as an aligning means for the apron and bowl. The apron is suitably reinforced by upright reinforcing bars 59 and a transverse reinforcing angle 10. The upper part of the apron is guided by a guide means, which is preferably provided in the form of a cross-shaft 13 which journals in bearings 14 carried by the converging beams I5, and arms or links 15 secured "to the ends of the shaft 13 and extending rearwardly to the upper part of the apron 55 where they are pivotally connected thereto by pivots 15 secured to the apron 55 by attachment flanges 11. The guide links 15 are till dit,

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u 2,227,433 `free to move pivotally with the shaft 1l and permit the apron 65 to be raised and lowered or pivoted around the pivot 15 relative to the frame li. The guide means just described constitutes a means which allows the apron to be raised or lowered or to pivotally move'.

For the purpose of moving the apron forwardly and rearwardly, I provide an operating Y means including a rod 80 pivotally connected at 8| to the forward part of the apron i5, a hydraulic cylinder-,32 pivotally connected at I3 to a cross-member 34 to the frame li, and a piston 8 5 within the cylinder l2 to which the rod 80 is connected. Conduits 01 and I3 are connected to the rear and front ends of the cylinder whereby 'fluid may be introduced or removed `inorder to move the piston in the cylinder and thus move the rod 80 back and forth, which in turn moves the apron 65 forwardly or rearwardly.

For the purpose of guiding the apron through a predetermined path I provide a cam means which includes cam rollers 90 and cams 8|. The cam rollers 90 are conveniently mounted to rotate on the cross-shaft 30 and' the cams 0| are mounted on the lower part of the apron 65. The forward parts of the cams 9| are preferably welded directly to the wall 66, and the rearward ends thereof are supported by brace members 92 which extend upwardy and are secured to the upper part of the wall 6B, the reinforcing bars 69, and the reinforcing angle 10. The cams 5l each have a cam surface 93which is adapted to engage a cylindrical surface 94 of the roller @il which cooperates therewith. Each cam surface 93 is provided with a forward curved portion 95 which at its rearward end terminates in a peak 96, aV trough 91 formed by relatively plane surfaces 9B and 99, and a rearward peak i!) formed4 by the plane surface 9S and a plane surface |0|. The cam surface 93 is so formed that the lip 61 has a path of travelindicated by the dotted lines |03. When the operating means of the apron is operated so as to move the apronv65` forwardly from theposition shown in Fig. 3 into' the position shown in Fig. 1, the lip'61 follows the path |03. The pivot 8| follows `a path indicated by dotted lines |04 and the i important part of my invention, as'will be more particularly pointed out during a discussion of the operation of my invention. It is to be noted.A however, that when the apron is moved from the full line position as shown in Fig. 1 into the full line position as shown in Fig. 3 the lip 61 moves downwardly and forwardly to a lowermost position, at which timethe apron is in a position indicated by dotted lines |01, the lip 61 at this time occupying a position 61a. During further rearwardv movement of the apron 65 the lip 61 moves upwardly and during the last part of its travel moves forwardly, as indicated. so that the lip 61 may move into a position withinthe bowl 25 and above the forward edge of 'the blade 2B.

The operating means for the apron and the dump means for the bowl-are connected to a single control means so that the operator may operate thelapron and move the bowl between normal and tilted .positions by a single operating lever.. As shown in Fig. 6 wherein I diagrammatically illustrate thecommon control means, the numeral H represents a conventional'fluid control valve whereby nuid may be delivered to either of the conduits Iii or lil and withdrawn through either of'rthese conduits. The conduitY H5 is connected to the conduit Il of the cylin der 82 and is also connected 4to a conduit III which is in turn connectedto conduits Il. one of which is extended to the forward part of each of the cylinders 51. The conduit i|1 is con'- nected to the conduit 01 of the cylinder I2 and is also connected to conduits 5|, onev of which is connected to the rear end of each Aof the cylinders 51. Provided in the conduit ||5 below the point `where thev conduitill connects thereto is a control valve |20, and connected in the conduit: ||1 below `the point where the conduit 81 is connected thereto is a ,control valve |2i'. These control valves are of the same type and are illustrated in section in Fig. 4. Each of the valves includes a body |22v having a passage |23 in which a valve piston |24 is slick` able. This valvepiston is held in a central position by springs |25 and |25, and' when in this central position prevents the passage V|23 from communicating with the passage |25. When the valve piston |24 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the conduit ||8 or Il] isout of communication with the conduit 5i or 8l, and no fluid can flow from one to the other. The spring |25 is' of such a strength that fluid pressure of approximately 250 lbs. in the conduit ||5 or ||1 is required to movethe valve leftwardiy to connect the passages |23 and |25 andvthus allow fluid to flow from the conduit H5 or H1 through the valve or |2| and into the conduit 5| or 08. The spring |25, however, is made relatively light so that a very small pressure, such as 2 lbs. pressure, will move the valve piston $24 rightwardly to connect the passages |2|and |25 and allow fluid to flow through the valve.

I will now describe the operation of the scraper. In Fig. 5 I have shown the parts in a normal elevated position in which the scraper is unloaded: The bowl is at this time in a raised position, the piston 3Q being moved forwardly in the cylinder-39. The apron I5 is in an open'- position which is a forward position, the piston being in a forward position in the cylinder l2. The'operator first moves the bowl into a digging position, as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1 and by dotted lines 25a in Fig. 5. This is done by delivering fluid through the conduit 4 4 and withdrawing it through the conduit 42, 'thus moving the piston 38 rearwardly in the cylinf der 39. During this movement the bowl is moved downwardly, being supported by |the front'and rear link means y33 and 50, respectively, and -by virtue of the relationship between these link means and the points of pivotal connection, the bowl 25 is maintained in a generally horizontal posi-tion. Any depth of cut may be obtained by operating Ithe hydraulic-operating means, and regardless of the depth of cut the bowl will have approximately the same relative cutting position and the angle of the blade with respect to the ground will not materially change for each cutting position. The scraper is moved forwardly with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 1 until the Ibowl is lled and at this time not only is Ithe bowl filled, but earth is piled in front of the bowl. The operator thenmoves the parts from the positions shown in Fig. l into carrying position, as shown in Fig. 6. This is done by returning the bowl -25 to its original position, as shown in Fig. 5, and by moving the done by supplying uid through the conduit 88 and withdrawing it through the conduit 81, thus moving the piston 85.rearwardly in the cylinder 82. As the apron moves rearwardly it first moves downwardly into a lowermost position, as illustrated by dotted lines |01 in Fig. 3, and then moves upwardly and rearwardly vand at this time acts to scoop up the earth which is piled in fronrt of Ithe blade 28, and in this way a relatively large load is carried in the bowl. This operation of moving the parts from digging to carrying position may be performed by raising the bowl slightly, then moving the apron rearwardly, then again raising the bowl a slight amount, and again moving the apron rearwardly an additional amount until Ithe bowl is in a raised position and the apron is in a. rearward closing position If desired, the bowl may be completely raised rst or the apron may be moved to closed position first in accordance with the particular material being worked on.

When it is desired to dump the earth, the apron 65 is again moved into open position and the bowl is moved into a dumped position, as

shown in Fig. 7. This is accomplished by supplying iiuid through the conduits BI and withdrawing iiuid through rthe conduits in order to move the pistons 58 forwardly in the cylinders 51. This swings the bowl around the pivots 32 from normal position into dumped or tilted position. If it is desired to employ the blade 28 as a levelling means, the bowl may be lowered into a position indicated by dotted lines 25h of Fig. '7, at which time the load will be spread or levelled over the ground.

The raising and lowering of the bowl 25 is accomplished independently of the operation of the apron 85 or of the dumping of the bowl, and the control means for the hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement 38 and 39 is independent of the control means for the apron and dumping means. The apron operating means and the dumping means, however, are interrelated so that the apron can not be moved into a closed position when the bowl is in a dumped position and so that the bowl can not be moved into a dumped position unless the apron is in an open position. This interrelation of operation is accomplished as follows: When the control means ||5 is operated to supply fluid through the conduit ||6 and withdraw it through the conduit 1, fluid will first flow through lthe conduit ||8 and the conduits 6U, thus forcing the pistons 58 rearwardly in the cylinders 51 and -moving the bowl into and retaining it in anormal position. No fluid can be supplied .to the conduit 88 until a relatively 4high pressure has been built `up in the forward parts of the cylinders 51. In practice I find that 250 lbs. is the desired pressure. After this pressure has been Ibuilt up the valve |20 is then opened and fluid under pressure is supplied to the cylinder 82, thus moving the piston 85 rearwardly. It will be seentherefore, that lit is impossible to move .the apron in'to a closed position unless the bowl is in a normal or horlzontal position. When the control means ||5 is operated to supply iiuid under pressure to the conduit I I1 and withdraw it through the conduit IIB, the fluid is first delivered through the conduit 81 to the cylinder 82 and the piston 85 is moved forwardly. No fluid can be supplied to the conduits 6| until a high pressure has been built up in the conduit 81 and rearward part of the cylinder 82 sufficient to move the piston 85 forwardly. `After this pressure has been built up the valve |2| then opens and uid may be supplied through the conduits 6| to the rearward parts of the cylinders 51 and at this time force the pistons 58 forwardly in order to move the bowl into dumped position.

The apparatus which I have heretofore described is a preferred form oi my invention, but it should beunderstood that my invention is not limited to the details of construction shown and described but may be embodied in other forms, and my invention therefore should be construed in accordance with the statement of invention and the appended claims. During the course of the preceding description I have inserted explanations and broadening statements with a view of defining the Itrue breadth of my invention, but my failure to 'do so in any particular respect is not lto be construed as a disclaimer of any rights fwhi'ch I may be entitled to over the prior art. The combination of my invention in its entirety provides a superior structure, but various parts and subcombinations of the whole of my invention might be eliminated and only a part ofthe advantages and new results enjoyed. For example, the particular bowl and control mechanism might be used with another type of apron and control mechanism. The apron and control mechanism of -my invention might be used with some other type of bowl and bowl mechanism. It is my intention to cover by the appended claims lthe 'combination as a whole and to separately claim all subcombinations or parts which are patentably new and capable of use in a scraper other than that shown herein.

I claim as my invention:

1. A scraper including a wheel-mounted frame, a bowl supported by said frame having a normal position and a dump position, an apron supported by the frame to cooperate with the bowl at the front thereof and having an open position and a closed position relative to 'the bowl,

apron moving means, bowl operating means to .move the same between normal and dump positions, and control connections between said moving means and operating means and including Imeans lto effect an apron closing movement only if the bowl is in or below normal position and to effect a ybowl dumping movement only after the apron is open.'

2. A scraper including a wheel-mounted frame, a bowl supported by said frame having a normal position and a dump position, an apron supported by the frame to cooperate with the bowl at the front thereof and having an open position and a closed position relative to the bowl, apron moving means, bowl operating means to move the same between normal and dump positions, and control connections between said moving means and operating means and in'cluding means to effect an apron closing movement only if the bowl is in or below a normal position and to effect an apron opening movement irrespective of bowl position; and to effect a bowl dumping movement only after the apron is open.

3. A scraper including a wheel-mounted frame, a bowl supported by said frame having a normal position and a dump position, an apron supported by the frame to cooperate with the bowl at the front thereof and having an open position and a closed position relative to the bowl, apron moving means, bowl operating means .to move the same between normal and dump positions,.a,nd

fect an apron closing movement only when the bowl is in or below normal position, to effect a bowl dumping movement only when the apron is open, and to effect a bowl return movement irrespective of apron position.

4, A scraper including a wheel-mounted frame,

i a bowl supported by said fra-me having a normal position and a dump position, an apron supported by the frame to cooperate with rthe bowl at the front thereof and having an open position and a closed position relative to the bowl, apron moving means, bowl operating means to move the ,same between nor-mal and dump positions, and control connections between said moving means and operating means and including means to effect an apron closing movement only when the bowl is in or below a normal position and to effect anapron opening movement irrespective of bowl position; and to effect a bowl dumping movement only when the apron is open and a return movement irrespective of apron position.

5. A structure as in claim 1, in which xthe apron moving and bowl operating means comprise separate hydraulic units, each including a cylinder, conduits leading to and from the cylinders, a manual valve connected to said conduits to control the flow to the cylinders alternately, and means including other conduits connecting the first named conduits arranged with respect thereto and to Ithe cylinders so that when the valve is operated to deliver fluid to the bowl operating cylinder to tilt the same, such fluid will iii-st be fed to the apron moving cylinder in a vdirection to open the same, and when the valve is operated to deliver fluid to the apron moving cylinder to close, the apron, the fluid will first be fed to the bowl operating cylinder in a direction to return the bowl to or hold the same in a normal position.

6. A scraper including a wheel-mounted frame, a bowl supported by said frame having a normal position and a dump position, an apron supported by the frame to cooperate with the bowl at the front thereof and having an open position and a closed position relative to the bowl, apron moving means comprising a hydraulic unit including`l a cylinder, bowl operating means to move the same between normal and dump posi tions and comprising a hydraulic unit including a cylinder, a iiuid feed conduit leading to that end of the apron cylinder which will cause Ithe apron to be closed, a second uid feed conduit leading to that `end of the bowl cylinder which will cause 'the bowl to be tilted, a valve connected `to said conduits to alternately'control thefeed of fiuid therethrough, a return conduit from the other end of the apron cylinder to the second conduit intermediate its ends, a second return conduit from the other end of the b'owl cylinder to the first conduit intermediate its ends, and means in the first and second conduits to cause the fluid, when the valve is operated lto feed through either of such conduits, to the corresponding cylinder to first feed to the other cylinder through the return conduit thereof.

'7. A structure as in claim 6, in which said last named means comprises a relatively high pressure yleldable check valve in lthe first conduit between the apron cylinder and the point of connection of the second return conduit, said first conduit opening toward said cylinder and a similar clieck valve in the second conduit opening toward the bowl cylinder and interposed between said cylinder and the point of connection of the first return conduit with said second conduit.

LEO BERNER.

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