US2981013A - Excavating machine - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1961 A. R. ASKUE 2,981,013

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALBERT R. ASKUE BY Bales, 7M i $236M April 25, 1961 A; R. ASKUE 2,981,013

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12, 1957 6 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT R. Asxue BY 351 65, 75mm f 44 3M ATTORNEYS April 25, 1961 A. R. ASKUE EXCAVATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 12, 1957 INVENTOR. ALBERT R. ASKUE ATTORNE Y$ April 1951 I A. R. ASKUE 2,981,013

EXCAVATING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 12, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 CARRIAGE 84, RIGHT- HAND SIDE OF BOOM OUTER END OF BOOM I--LEFTHAND SIDE RIGHT-HAND SIDE LCARRIAGE s4, LEFT- HAND SIDE R 5 9 Ila 42 I00 -25- I22 I 1 0 I '10 f/ H 72 I c DEAD END-MOVABLE MAST\. q

LEFT-HAND SIDE RIGHT -HAND SIDE DEAD END ON SHEAVE CAGE 64 ON STATIONARY MAST SHEAVES ON MACHINE FRAME RIGHT- HAND SIDE LEFT-HAND SIDE J -DEAD END- RIGHT-HAND SIDE or INVENTOR MACHINE FRAME BY ALBERT R. Asxue 5 6 j Bra/5 m X 4 38.

ATTOR NEY} April 25, 1961 A. R. ASKUE EXCAVATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 12. 1957 WI i vmN OWN INVENTOR. ALBERT R. Asxua jar e5, T3212 ATTORNEYS April 25, 1961 A. R. ASKUE EXCAVATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 12, 1957 INVENTOR. ALBERT R. ASKUE Ba s-s, 762mg 41 3600. ATTORNEY5 2,981,013 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 EXCAVATING Miscnnw Albert R. Askue, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland g l'lencher Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of 1o Filed Aug. 12, 1957, Ser. No. 677,453 5 Claims. (Cl. 37-94 This invention relates to anexcavating machine and more particularly to an excavating machine having a laterally shiftable digging unit which can be adjusted to dig at diiferent positions with respect to the chassis of the machine.

Excavating machines embodying laterally shiftable digging units are lmown in the art. However, these prior art arrangement-s generally leavemuch to be desired in that they are usually extremely complex, resulting in a machine of undesirable Weight and cost, and generally are not easily shiftable transversely of the machine chassis,

but instead require considerable time and/or effort to effect lateral movement of the digging unit.

The present invention provides an excavating machine having an excavating unit of the wheel type mounted on a generally longitudinally extending boom which, in turn, is mounted for vertical movement on a supplementary mast or'frame structure, the latter being supported by a main mast structure mounted onthe machine chassis and being adapted to move transversely of the main mast to locate the excavating unit at various transverse positions with respect to the machine chassis. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the digging unit and boom are also adapted to be tilted laterally with respect to the longtiudinal, vertical center plane of the machine to permit the digging of an excavation having vertical side walls, even though the machine is not in alevel position, such as might occur during operation on uneven grounder on a crowned roadway. Control mechanism comprising a novel system or systems of. cables and sheavesis provided for facile and eflicient raising and lowering of'the digging-boom and associated excavating unit," for accomplishing transverse ,shifting ot the unit, and for tilting or angling the latter in the aforedescribed manner; Hydraulic piston; and cylinder units are provided for actuating the sheave and cable systems,

suchunits being connectedto a'suitable source of pressurized fluid mounted on the machine chassis, and in;- cluding suitable valve mechanism V for controlling the 1 flow of fiuidto the hydraulic units. A differential, power transmission unitis mounted on the supplementary, trans versely movableniast structure for transmitting power from the motonunit o-f the machine to the excavating unit thereof, and isconnected by means of adrive chain 3 to a counter'shaift on the machine'chassis' which in' turn is drivin'gly connected 't-othe motor unit of the machine.

A novel chaintensioning mechanism is provided for takingup slack in the driving chain'and yet providing means In one embodiment of the invention, the supplementary mast,"which supports the digging boom and excavating unit, has rollers mounted thereon engaging rail or guide surfaces on the main mast structure for anti-friction movement of the supplementary mast during transverse shifting thereof with respect to the machine chassis. In a modified form of the invention the supplementary, transversely movable mast structure is connected to and mounted on a hinged auxiliary frame structure carried by the machine chassis and rockable transversely thereof, to provide for the lateral shifting movement of the excavating unit. 1

Accordingly, theprimary object of the invention is to provide an excavating machine having a shiftable excavating unit thereon mounted for lateral movement transversely of the machine chassis and including hydraulic means in combination with a sheave and cable system or systems, for accomplishing such lateral shifting of the excavating unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an excavating machine of the latter-described type which ineludes a laterally shiftable, supplementary mast structure carrying the excavating unit and mounted on roller members for transverse movement with respect to the machine chassis and wherein the excavating unit is movalblevertically with respect to the machine chassis and tiltable laterally with respect to the longitudinal, vertical center plane of the machine in an eilicient and coordinat- I ed manner, for providing a wide range of digging positions for the excavating unit of the machine, and wherein such transverse, vertical and tilting movements are facilelyu accomplished by control mechanism including bydraulic means in conjunction with a sheave and cable system or systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel I: arrangement of transmitting power from the motor unit of the machine to the excavating unit for driving the cavating machine having a laterally shiftable excavating unit thereon which is mounted on an auxiliary frame structure which is rockable transversely of the machine chassis, toprovide for the shifting movementof the excavaiing unit, and which includes hydraulic means for rocking the auxiliary frame structure. I

Another objectot the invention is to provide an excavating machine which includes a transverselyshiftable for permitting asufficient range of transverse movement unit with respect to the countershaft onthe/machine of the "supplementary mast and associated transmission- "sheave and' 'cable supplementary frame or. mast carrying the excavating unit, and which is'easily and efiiciently shi-fted- -transversely of the machine chassis by hydraulic means.

Otherfeatures and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken inconjunc tion with the accompanying drawings wherein:

"Fig. l' 'is a side elevationallview of an excavating machine embodying the invention;

L'Fig. lAjis an enlarged fragmentary felevational V viewtahenfrom li to gshow in greater detail the const uction'gof mainand-supplementary structure, and the operating mechanisms for posit onin and actuate,

ar end elevatioualyiew of thefexcavating machine, a portion of the supplementary, transversely movable mast structure, the digging boom, and the excavating unit having been removed to better illustrate the drive system and the tensioning mechanism for taking up slack in the drive chain of the system; in phantom lines there is shown a transverse position of a portion of the supplementary mast structure;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front-end elevational view taken generally along line 3-3 of Fig. 1A, of the arrangement for mounting the supplementary movable mast on the main mast of the machine and illustrates a portion of the cable, tilt drum and hydraulic mechanism for tilt-- ing the excavating unit from its vertical plane position;

Fig. 3A is a fragmentary top plan view taken generally along line 3A3A of Fig. 1A, illustrating the head portion and associated roller members and sheave elements of the supplementary mast structure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the unloading conveyor ofthe machine and associated hydraulic actuating unit taken generally along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally along line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cable and sheave system for moving the digging unit and associated supplementary mast structure transversely of the machine, the plane of the illustration being taken generally along line 6-6 of Fig. 1A, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cable and sheave system for raising and lowering the boom with respect to the machine chassis, and for tilting the digging boom and associated excavating unit laterally from a vertical plane position, the plane of the illustration being taken generally along line 77 of Fig. 1A, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modificd form of the invention wherein a rockable, auxiliary frame structure is utilized to accomplish lateral shifting movement of the excavating unit;

Fig. 9 is a rear-end elevational view of the Fig. 8 arrangement, with portions of the structure removed to better illustrate the invention;

Fig. 10 is a top plan, diagrammatic view illustrating the take-up mechanism mounted on the head portion ofthe supplementary mast structure of the modified form of the invention for maintaining the upper portion of the supplementary mast in abutting engagement with the main mast while still providing for transverse movement of the supplementary mast with respect to the main mast and the machine chassis.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cable and sheave system for raising'and lowerin the boom and associated excavating unit with respect to the machine chassis, the plane of the illustration being taken generally along line 1111 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings, the invention is illustrated as being applied to a crawler propelled'excavating machine. Referring in particular to Figs. l-7 of the drawings, such a machine broadly comprises a base frame structure 2 supported on suitable tractor treads 3, aamotor 4 mounted. on the forward end of the machine, a power take-off unit disposed behind the motor, a hydraulic pump unit 6, operatively connected to the motor unit, main mast structure 7 for supporting thereon supplementary mast structure 8 which embodiesroller members 9, 9a, 9b and.

9c for anti-friction (Figs. 1A, 2 and 3A), transverse shifting movement of mast 8 with respect to 'themachine' chassis, digging boom structure which is mounted for vertical movement'on supplementary mast 8, an excavating unit 11 which is rot-atably' mounted on boom 10, and

an u'nloading'conveyor 12 extending transversely through excavating unit'll and adapted for lateral shifting move ment with respect to "unit 11' and the machinechassis.

Frame structure 2 is of more or less conventional characte'r and comprises a base portion 14 (Fig.1) andforward ly extending sills 15 for mounting motor 4 thereon.

Main mast structure 7 comprises a plurality of upwardly extending arm elements 16 connected by transversely extending cross-members including a top cross-member 16a which extends laterally outwardly of arm elements 16 (Fig. 2) Top cross-member 16a provides rail guide surfaces 17, 17a and 17b (Figs. 1A, 2 and 3A) for engagement with the respectively aforementioned roller members 9a, 9b and 9c. The function and operation of the latter arrangement will be hereinafter more thoroughly discussed.

Generally diagonal braces 16b extending between cross-member 16a and arm elements 16, and braces 18 extending generally forwardly between arm elements 16 and frame 2 of the machine, comprise part of main mast structure 7 and strengthen the latter. Mast structure 7 also includes, for the purposes of the invention, generally longitudinally extending beam members 19 which project rearwardly of the tractor tread 3 of the machine (Fig. 1A) and which comprise a transversely extending crossmember 19a presenting a generally diagonally disposed rail surface 1% thereon. Surface 19b is adapted for engagement with the aforementioned roller members 9 for anti-friction movement of supplementary mast structure 8 transversely with respect to the chassis of the machine.

Supplemental mast 8 comprises generally upright, diagonally extending arm elements 21 connected at the top and bottom thereof by cross elements. Reference number 23 (Fig. 1) designates a support structure on mast 8 for mounting digging differential unit 24 thereon. A forwardly extending head portion 25 (Figs. 1, 1A, 2 and 3A) of preferably fabricated construction, is attached to the upper end of mast structure 8 and comprises a series of brackets 26 for rotatably mounting roller members 9a, 9b and 9c thereon, as by means of shaft members 28. Roller members 9 on the lower portion of the supplemental mast structure 8 are rotatably mounted thereon by means of bracket portions 29 in combination with shaft elements 29a. A flange 30 on supplementary mast 8 overlaps cross member 19a on the main mast 7 to aid in maintaining the assembled relationship of the mast structures.

The excavating wheel 11 is driven by sprocket wheels 31 which coact with a series of pins 32 on both sides of the wheel. (Fig. 1). Wheels 31 are drivingly connected to shaft 33 which is drivingly connected'to a sprocket wheel 35 which, in turn, is connected by any suitable means (illustrated in the drawings by drive chain 36) to a sprocket wheel 38 connected to differential unit 24 mounted on supplemental mast structure 8. Differential unit 24 has a sprocket wheel39 extending forwardly thereof which is drivingly connected by means of drive chain 40 to a sprocket wheel attached to counter-shaft assembly 42 on the machine chassis. In this connection' a chain tensioning device 44 (Figs. l-A and 2) is provided, around which chain 40 is looped to take up slack in the .latter, and yet provide for the transverse movement of the supplemental frame 8 and associated differential unit 24 with respect to the countershaft assembly 42 on the machine chassis.

Mechanism 44 comprises a pair of spaced arm elements 45 secured to a shaft 48" rotatably mounted'on element, such as a tension spring 52, is attached at one; .end' as ,atl53, toeccentric portion 50 and at the other end thereof is connected to the machine chassis, as by means of bracket and eye bo1t 53 z'. The eccen tric portion 50 increases the moment arm of the,ten-

sion 'forceof-spring 52 acting' to rotate shaft ,48 Land .ggg 'hed arm jel ernen ts' 45'. andidler sprocket 'wheels 49,-

plemental mast 8, the moment arm of element 52 with respect to the axis of rotation of shaft 48 decreases, thus tending to equalize the tension app'liedby mechanism 44' to chain 40, irrespective of the transverse position of mast 8 with respect to main mast structure 7. The maximum lateral movement of the supplemental mast to one side of the machine chassis and the corresponding position of the drive chainengaging sprocket wheel 39 on the associated digging difierential unit 24 is shown.

in dot-dash in'Fig. 2 of the drawings and referred to by reference numbers 47 and 47a respectively.

Counter-shaft assembly 42 is mounted on the machine chassis as by means of pillow blocks 54 andis drivingly connected by any. suitable means (indicated in the drawings by drive chains 56.) to a sprocket wheel drivingly connected to power take-elf. unit 5. The ap plication of power to counter-shaft assembly 42 is con trolled as by means of lever and linkage system 58 (Fig. 2). g

Transverse movement of the supplemental mast structure 8, associated boom and digging unit 11 is accomplished by means of a cable and she-ave system diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The cable and sheave mechanism is actuated by a doubleacting hydraulic cylinder unit 60 (Figs. 1A and 2) mounted on frame 2 of the machine chassis generally intermediate arms 16 of main mast structure 7. As best understood from Figs. 1A, 2 and 6, one end of a cable A is attached as at 61 to the right-hand side of head portion 25 of supplemental mast structure 8 (as viewed a in Figs. 2 and 6), passes along cross-member 16a of the ,From sheave E, cable A extends downwardly and is looped around intermediate sheave F rotatable mounted in sheavecage 66 on hydraulic unit 6 0;and then passes upwardly to dead-end as at 68 (Fig.- 6) on the front face of sheave cage ,64.v One end of another cable a G is attached as at 6?,to the opposite side (or thelefthand side as viewed in Figs. 2 and 6) of head portion 25 ofsupplemental mast structure 8-and passes along cross-member 16;; of the main. mast structureto loop.

around sheave H rotatably mounted in cage 7! attached to the right-hand side of the main or fixed mast structure 7. From sheave H, cable G reverses-itself to loop cage 7 4 on the right-hand side (as viewed in Figs. 2 and 6) of the machine chassis. .From Shti ve L'cable G extends upwardly to loop around rear sheaveK of sheave cage 66' on hydraulic unit o d and then. extends downwardly to loop around sheave L (Fig. 1A) r01- tatably mounted in sheavecage 75 on the left-handj around sheave I rotatably mounted in cage 72depending from main maststructure 7,-and then extendsdownwardly' to loop aroundsh'eave J rotatably mounted in.

side (as viewed in Figs. 2 and.6) of frame 2 of the ma-- chine, and then passes upwardly to loop around front sheave M of sheave cage 66 of hydraulic unit 60. From sheave M, cable G passes diagonally to the right-hand side of the machine chassis and is dead-ended or anchored thereto as at 77 (Fig. 6). Hydraulic unit 60 is connected as by feed lines 78 to pump unit 6 on the machine chassis and suitable valve means-(not shown)v of any conventional character may be provided to actu ate unit 60. Upon outward or upward movement of plunger element 67 of hydraulic unit 60, a tensile force is applied tocable-G which, in turn, pulls or moves supplementary frame-S transversely toward the right-hand side (as viewed in Fig.2) of the machine chassis. Upon inward or downward movement of plunger element 67 a of hydraulic unit 60, cable A pulls or moves the supplementary frame 8 transverselytoward the left-hand side (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the machine chassis. It will be seen, therefore, that an eflicient and quick operating hydraulically controlled arrangement is provided for locating the supplementary frame 8 in a widerange of transverse positions with respect to the machine chassis. Thelimits of inward and outward movement of the plunger element 67 of hydraulic unit 60 also limits the total transverse movement of the movable mast structure 8. Accordingly, no auxiliary stop mechanism or apparatus is required to restrict the lateral movement of the movable mast and associated boom and excavating ,unit,'.all of the limiting being done by the cable and sheave system in combination with hydraulic unit 60.

A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston units 80 and 80a (Fig.2) are mounted on head portion 25 ofsupplementary mast structure 8 and project downwardly therefrom. Each of units 80, 80a is connected by. means of feed lines 82, 95 and to the pump on the machine proper and suitable valve mechanism (not shown) of any conventional type may be provided to control the flow of pressurized fluid to units 80 and 80a, to. actuatethe same. I 7

. Hydraulic units 80 and 80a are adapted to raise and lower boom structure 10 and associated excavating unit" 1-1. As best seen in Fig. 1A, the inner end of boom 10. is connected to. a carriage 84 which'is mounted for vertical movement on an arm 21 of supplementary mast structure 8. Referring in particular to Figs. 1, 1A, 2 and 7, a novel system of cables and sheaves is employed in combination with hydraulic units 80; 80a to raise and lower the boom 10 and associated excavating unit '11,

orto angle the boom vertically about the axis of its connection:to carriages 84. The sheave and cable system diagrammatically illustrated in Fig, 7 is also used incombinationwith other mechanism to'tilt the excavating unit laterally from its normal generally *vertical plane position, to permit-the digging of anexcavation having vertical sidewalls even thoughthe chassis of the machine is notin a generally level or horizontal position, as was briefly previously discussed. This latter feature will be" described after discussing the present arrangement for hoisting or raising and lowering the boom and excavating unit. Asshown iii Figs. 1 and '7, a'cable N is anchored to the outer end of the left-hand side or boom 10 as at as and extends forwardly therefrom to-loop arounda sheave O rotatably mounted in rooster cage 86, which is pivotally mounted as-at 87" to head portion 25 of supplementary mast structure 8. Cable N then loops around generally horizontally disposed sheave P (Figs. 1A and 3A) rotatably. mountedin cage 87a on head portion 25 of supplementary mast 8, and passes forwardly to loop around'sheave Q (Figs. 1A and 3A). Sheave'Q is rotatably' mounted in a generally vertical position in double cage portion;88 .on-head 25'of the supplementary mast structure 8.; Asgseen :in Fig. 3a, cage 88 is generally diagonally 'disposed onhead' portion 25 'of mast 8. From sheave Q, cable N extends downwardly to loop around sheave R (Figs. 2 and 7) mounted in cage 89 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted on plunger element 90 of hydraulic unit 80. From sheave R, cable N passes upwardly to loop around tilt drum 92 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Cable N is looped through openings 94 (Fig. 7) in tilt drum 92 to thereby clinch the cable to the drum and prevent relative slipping therebetween. The function and associated structure for mounting tilt drum 92 on head portion 25 of supplementary mast structure 8 will hereinafter be described.

From drum 92, cable N extends downwardly to loop around sheave S rotatably mounted in double cage 89 attached to plunger element 90 of hydraulic unit 80. From sheave S, cable N extends upwardly to loop around sheave T generally diagonally mounted on head portion 25 of movable mast 8 (Fig. 3A). From sheave T, cable N extends rearwardly to loop around generally horizontally disposed sheave U rotatably mounted in cage structure 87a adjacent the aforementioned sheave F. From sheave U, cable N extends laterally toward the righthand side of the machine chassis (as viewed in Fig. 2), loops around sheave V (Fig. 3A) rotatably mounted in rooster cage 93 on the right-hand side of head portion 25 of supplementary mast 8 and then passes downwardly to be anchored as at 94 to the outer end of boom structure on the right-hand side thereof (Fig. 7). It will be seen, therefore, that upon downward movement of plunger element 90 of hydraulic unit 80 (the latter being accomplished by supplying pressurized fiuid from pump unit 6 on machine chassis through feed line 95 to the cylinder of unit 80, such flow of pressurized fluid being controlled by suitable valve mechanism of any conventional type) the outer end of the boom structure 10 will be raised in a generally vertical direction by cable N in combination with the downward movement of sheaves R and S of cage 89 on hydraulic unit 80.

7 Another cable W is anchored to the carriage 84 on the inner end of boom 10 on the left-hand side thereof as at 96, and extends upwardly to pass around sheave X mounted in cage 97 (Fig. 1A) on the rear-end of head portion 25 of supplementary mast structure 8. Cage 97 is of the rooster type and is pivotally mountedcat its upper end as at 98. From sheave X, cable W extends laterally toward the right-hand side of the machine (as viewed in Fig. 2) and passes around generally horizontally disposed sheave Y (Fig. 3A) rotatably mounted in cage structure 99 on head portion 25 of the supplementary mast. From sheave Y, cable W extends generally forwardly'to loop around sheave Z (Fig. 3A) mounted in generally diagonally disposed double sheave cage 100 on head portion 25 of the movable mast 8. From sheave Z,- cable N extends, downwardly to loop 'around sheave A 1 (Fig, 2) rotatably mounted in double sheave cage 101 which, in turn, is pivotally mountedon plunger element 102 of hydraulic unit 80a. From sheave A1, cable Wextend s upwardly to loop around tilt drum 92 in the manner shown in Fig. 7. As viewed in the latter figure cable W islooped through openings 104 in the tilt drum for clinching the cable to the drum and preventing relative slipping therebetween. From drum 92,cable W extendsdownwardly' to loop 'around sheave B1 (Fig. 2)

upper end thereof, for outward movement of the cage with respect to the vertical plane of head portion 25 of supplementary mast 8: From sheave El cable W extends generally downwardly to be anchored as at 108 (Fig. 7) to a carriage 84 attached to the inner end of the righthand side of boom member 10.

Upon downward movement of plunger element 102 of hydraulic unit a (the latter movement being accomplished by supplying pressurized fluid from pump unit 6 by means of feed line to the cylinder of unit 80a) the inner ends of boom structure 10 will be raised upwardly by cable W in combination with the downward movement of sheaves A1 and B1 attached to cage 101 on plunger element 102 of units 80a. It will be seen that hydraulic units 80 and 80a can be operated separately or in combination to provide a wide range of vertical movement of the digging boom and associated excavating units with respect to the chassis of the machine. Hydraulic units 80 and 8612 are used as a push-type only, since the weight of the excavating boom and associated excavating unit will cause the latter to move downwardly from an elevated position on supplementary mast structure 8. However, hydraulic units 80 and 80a are of the double acting type and accordingly may be quickly adjusted in either an up and down direction to provide an efficient and rapid arrangement for adjusting the vertical position of the excavating unit with respect to the machine chassis.

The excavating unit 11 is, as aforesaid, also tiltable laterally from its normally generally vertical plane position for the digging of an excavation having vertical side walls even though the machine proper is not disposed in level position. Referring in particular to Figs. 1, 1A, 3 and 7 of the drawings, tilt drum 92 is fixed to a shaft 112 rotatably mounted on hearing supports 114 projecting upwardly from head portion 25 of supplementary mast structure 8. Fixed to shaft 112 is an arm 116 having a bifurcated end portion 116a. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder unit 118 is pivotally mounted as at 119, on one side of head portion 25 of movable mast 8, as by means of bracket 120. The plunger element 122 of unit 118 is pivotally connected as at 124 to the bifurcated portion 116a of arm 116. Feed lines 126 connect the cylinder of unit 118 to pump 6 to supply pressurized fluid to unit 118 to actuate the same. Suitable valve mechanism (not shown) of any conventional type may be provided to control the flow of fluid to unit 118. Upon outward or inward movement of plunger element 122 of unit 118, arm 116 causes shaft 112 and attached tilt drum 92 to rotate with respect to supports 114. Upon inward movement of plunger 122 and resultant rotation of drum 92 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1A) alternate strands 126 and 128 (Fig. 7) of cables N and Ware rolled upon or around drum 92 which results in an upward pull on the inner and outer ends of the left-hand side (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the boom structure 10, thus tilting the latter and the associated excavating unit 11 laterally about the excavating units longitudinal 'axis. Suificient clearance is provided in the connection between carriages 84 and arm elements 21 of the supplementary mast structure 8 to permit a predetermined amount of tilting of the boom and excavating unit without binding occurring between carriages 84 and movable mast structure 8. The aforementioned openings 94 and 104 in the drum through which the cables N and W extend prevent slipping of the cables relative to the drum during rotation of the latter. Upon outward movement of plunger element 122 of hydraulic unit 118, arm 116 causes counterclockwise rotation (as viewed in Fig. 1A) of drum 92, thereby winding a portion of alternate strands 130 and 132 (Fig. 7) of cables'W and N about the drum in a counter-clockwisedirection resulting in an upward pull on the inner and outer ends of the right-hand side (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the boom structure, thereby tilting boom 10 and excavating unit 11 laterally about the excavating units longitudinal axis, the latter tilting being in the opposite direction as that occurring for the aforedescribed tilting movement of the left-hand side of the boom. Re-

ferring to Fig. 7,. it will be seen that this tilting movement of the boom and excavating wheel is accomplished by having the dead-end portions of strands 126 and 128 of cables N and W wound about drum 92 in a clockwise direction while the dead-end portions of strands 130 and 132 of cables W and N are wound in a counter-clockwise direction about the drum, thus resulting in tension being applied to the various sections of the cables, depending upon which direction the tilt drum is rotated.

It will be seen that the latter-described tilting arrangement of the boom and excavating unit is separably actuable from the hoisting arrangement and/or the transversely moving arrangement of the boom and excavating unit, and therefore the excavating machine possesses a Wide range of operating positions and effective and quick operating means for operating the positioning mechanism, to greatly increasethe usability of the excavating machine. 4

Referring in particular to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the unloading conveyor 12 extends through excavating unit 11 transversely of the machine chassis and comprises at opposite ends thereof a drum 135 mounted on shaft 137 carried by an arcuate contoured (in side elevation) conveyor frame 138. Drums 135 carry an endless belt element 140 for receiving excavated material from excavating unit 11 and carrying it to either side of the machine, for discharge thereof.

Suitably attached to shaft 137 on one end of conveyor 12 is a hydraulic motor 142 connected by feed lines 144 to pump unit 16 and suitable valve mechanism (not shown) is provided for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to motor 144. Motor 144 may be driven in either direction to thereby provide for reversing the direction of travel of belt 140 of the conveyor. Conveyor frame 138 includes spaced arcuate-like rail members 146 which are mounted on rollers 14? on the boom structure for providing for anti-friction movement of the conveyor during transverse shifting thereof. Flange 150 over-lapping a'portion of the rail members 146 maintains the conveyor in assembled condition on the boom.

Transverse movement of the conveyor with respect to the excavating unit 11 and machine chassis is accomplished by hydraulicpiston and cylinder unit 152, in combination with a sheave and cable system. Unit 152 is of the double-acting type and. is suitably connected as by means of feed lines 154 to pump unit 6 and suitable valve mechanism (not shown) of any conventional type is provided to control the flow of fluid to unit 152. A doublesheave cage 156 is connected'to the end of plunger element 158 of unit l52'and a pair of sheaves 160 and 162 arerotatably.mounted-therein as by means of pin 164.

One end of "a cable 166 is anchored as bymeans of eye 2bolt167 to an outer end of the conveyor frame 138, loops around sheave 160 and then is anchored as at 170 toLcylinder guide. rail 172attached to boom structure 10.

One end o-fanoth-er cable-174is anchored as at 175 adjacent the opposite end of guide rail element 172, is looped around sheave, 1G2 in cage 156 andthen is anchored as at 176,to-compression spring unit 178 connectedby means of eye bolt 179 to bracket 18,0 attached to anend of rail member. 146. 'lhe cylinder end of hydraulic, unit 152 is pivotally. mounted as by means of pin 182. to bracket 180.

Upon outward movement of; the plunger element 158 of unit '2j tens'ion is. applied to. the top" stretch of cable 174- whicli causes the latter toshift theconveyor toward in bracket 186 through which the bottom strand of cable.

174 extends.

Referring to the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, the supplemental mast 195 is generally similar to the supplemental mast 8 in the first-described embodiment of the invention except that mast 195 does not embody roller members for providing transverse movement of the supplementalmast structure with respect to the machine chassis. Instead, head portion 197 of mast 195 has a pair of transversely spaced bracket portions 198 depending therefrom to which are pivotally mounted, as by means of pins 200, auxiliary frame structure 201.

Auxiliary frame structure 261 comprises a plurality of generally vertically disposed, transversely spaced arm portions 202 pivotally mounted for transverse rocking movement as by means of pins 203 on bracket portions 204 carried by machine chassis 2. The main mast structure 205 of the modification includes upright arm elements 207 connected at their upper ends by cross member 268, as in the first embodiment of the invention. Member 2118 presents a rearwardly facing generally vertically disposed abutment surface 210 which is adapted for relative sliding engagement with head portion 197 of the supplemental mast structure 195 during transverse movement of the latter. Mast 205 also includes, for the purposes of the invention, rearwardly extending generally longitudinal base members 212 connected by transverse cross-element 214. Element 214 presents a generally vertically disposed guide or rail surface 216 for relatively sliding engagement with the lower portion of supplemental mast 195. A shoulder 218 on movable mast 195 overlaps the top portion of cross element 214 and operates the left 'as viewed inFig. 4, whilecable 166 moveslater- I ally with thefconvey'or frameand-is reeved about sheave 1 601 in"cage'1 56 onplu'nger element-151' .v Upon inward movemenfof the plunger element' tension in the top stretchgof cable 166causes transverseshifting of'the conveyor to theright as yiewed i'n'Fig. while cable" 174 laterallywith the conveyonand isree'ved about M sheave 152 n e plunger element158."*Guiderail 17.2 e

, tia jii gt per dien face 184 theredn'to; earn the outer to maintain supplementary mast 195 in assembled condition with main mast 2115. The head portion 197 of mast 195 is maintained in engagement with guide surface 210 of upper cross member 208 as by means of a cable 220 (Figs. 8 and 10) which is anchored to opposite sides of v the machine chassis, asby means of adjustable eye bolts v 222, and which is looped about cable take-up mechanism 224 pivotally mounted as by means of bracket structure 226 tothe upper end of head portion 197 of supplemental mast 195. .,Mechanism 224, which is preferably of fabricated construction, comprises generally perpendicularly related arm. elements 228,229 having arcuate-like guide surfaces 230 on the outer. ends thereof for engagement with cable 220. Vertically spaced flanges 232 on" the outer ends of the arm elements act to retain the cable in assembled condition with surfaces 230- on mechanism 224. Cable 220, as aforesaid, is anchored to one side of the machine'chassis as, for instance, at 234 on the left- I 236 cable 220 passes around in" engaged relationship arcuate surfaces 230 on cable take-up mechanism 224 and then loops around sheave 249 rotatably mounted in sheave cage 242 on the left-hand side (as viewed in Fig.

'9) of'movablernast 195, and then crosses over-to be I anchored on th'e right-hand side (as viewed in Fig.9) of the machine chassis as at 244 (Fig. 10).- As supplemental mast rnoves transversely. 'ofthemachine chassis I upon rocking of auxiliary frame. 201, mechanism 224 pivots to permit such transverse movement of mast 195 and yet retain the upper portion of the supplemental mast 195 in supported engagement with main mast structure 205.

Transverse rocking movement of auxiliary frame 201 is accomplished by means of double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 246 which extends generally diagonally (Fig. 9) between arm elements 202 of frame 201. The plunger end of unit 246 is pivotally mounted as at 248 to a bracket 250 on one of arm elements 202 while the cylinder end of unit 246 is pivotally mounted as at 252 to bracket 254 on the other of arm elements 202 of auxiliary frame 201. Feed lines 256 connect unit 246 to a pump 6 mouned on the machine chassis and suitable valve mechanism (not shown) of any conventional type may be provided to control the fiow of fluid to unit 246. Upon outward movement of plunger element 256 of unit 246, auxiliary frame 201 is caused to rock transversely of the machine chassis about its pivotal connections 203 to the latter, and thus shift the supplemental mast and associated boom 10 and excavating unit 11 to the lefthand side (as viewed in Fig. 9) of the machine. A laterally shifted position of the supplemental mast is shown in dot-dash in Fig. 9.

The digging unit of the modification is driven in substantially the same manner as in the first-described embodiment of the invention and a chain-tensioning mechanism 258 of generally the same arrangement as in the first-described embodiment is provided to take up slack in drive chain 40 during such transverse shifting movement of supplemental mast 195, boom 10 and excavating unit 11.

Raising and lowering of boom 10 and associated excavating unit :11 is accomplished as follows: Cables 260 and 262 (Fig. 11) secured at one end to winding drums 264 and 266 mounted on the machine frame and at their other ends to the outer and inner ends respectively of boom 10 as at 268 and 270, serve to control the raising and lowering movement of the excavating wheel 11. The drums 264, 266 are driven by the motor 4 in any suitable manner and are selectively controlled as for instance by manual operating levers.

It will be seen from Fig. 11 that the cable system 260, 262 and associated winding drums 264, 266 has a corresponding system disposed on the other side of the machine chassis, and therefore is operative to raise and lower both sides of the boom structure concurrently. The other complementary system and parts thereof are designated by similar reference numbers, except with the prefix prime added thereto.

Cable 260 extends from winding drum 264, is looped around sheave 276 (Figs. 8 and 11) mounted on the fixed or main mast structure 205, passes downwardly to loop around sheave 278 (Fig. 9) rotatably mounted on the machine chassis adjacent the lower portion of arm element 207 of the main mast structure, passes upwardly to loop around swivel sheave 280 mounted on bracket 282 carried by head portion 197 of supplemental rnast 195, extends rearwardly to loop around sheave 284 (-Fig. 11) attached to the outer end of boom 10 and then extends forwardly to loop around sheave 286 rotatably mounted on movable mast structure 195. From sheave 286 cable 260 extends rearwardly to dead end or be anchored as aforementioned to the outer end of boom 10 on one side thereof as at 268 (Fig. 11). Cable 262 (Fig. ll) extends rearwardlyfrom winding drum 266, loops around sheave 283 mounted on the upper portion of fixed mast 205, passes downwardly to loop around sheave 290 (Fig. 9) mounted onthe lower portion of one of arm elements 207 of main mast 205, passes upwardly to looparound swivel sheave 292' mounted as by means of bracket 294 on movable or supplemental mast 195, passes downwardly to loop around pulley 296 (Fig- 8) attached to the inner end of boom structure l and then passes upwardly to loop around sheave 298 (Fig. 9) carried by head portion 197 of supplemental mast 195 and then passes downwardly to dead end or be anchored to the inner end of boom structure 10 as aforementioned at 270. The excavating unit and digging boom structure of the modification of the invention is not adapted to be tiltable laterally from the generally vertical plane position, as in the first embodiment of the invention.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it will be understood that the invention pro-,

vides a compact excavating machine having an excavating unit and associated boom structure that is mounted for rapid and coordinated vertical movement on a supplementary mast structure and wherein such supplementary mast structure is quickly and efiiciently movable laterally to either side of the machine chassis, such vertical and lateral shifting movements being accomplished by hydraulic means in combination with a sheave and cable system or systems. In addition, the invention provides an excavating machine of the latter type wherein a novel chain-tensioning mechanism is provided to take up slack in the driving chain of the system driving the excavating unit and yet still permitting the transverse shifting movement of the excavating unit, and wherein a novel arrangement for transverse shifting of the unloading conveyor of the excavating machine is provided, such shifting being accomplished by hydraulic means in combination with a sheave and cable system. The invention also provides an excavating machine wherein the excavating unit is not only movable laterally of the machine chassis but also is tiltable laterally from its generally vertical plane position. In addition, the invention provides other novel structural features for improving the eificiency and usability of the excavating machine.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In an excavating machine, a supporting frame, stationary mast structure fixed to said frame, movable mast structure supported by said stationary mast structure for travel transversely thereof, means for shifting said movable mast structure transversely of said stationary mast structure, means including a reciprocable hydraulic motor unit for actuating said first mentioned means, an excavating unit carried by said movable mast structure, a power unit mounted on said supporting frame, a countershaft assembly mounted on said frame so as to extend generally longitudinally thereof and .operatively connected to said power unit, a differential transmission unit mounted on said movable mast structure and being drivingly connected to said excavating unit for actuating the latter, an endless drive chain extending transversely with respect to said supporting frame and drivingly connecting said counter-shaft assembly with said differential unit to drive the latter, chain tensioning means mounted on said supporting frame and coacting with said drive chain to take up slack in the latter, said tensioning means comprising at least one arm element pivotally mounted on said supporting frame and including aneccentric portion at'its pivotal connection to said frame, a plurality of generally'vertically spaced sprocket wheels rotatablymounted on said arm, said drive chain being looped about said sprocket wheels, a resilient unit extending diagonally between said'eccentric portion and said supporting frame and connected thereto for pivoting said arm to, move said sprocket wheels into tensioning engagement with said chain, said resilient unit being connected to said eccentric portion so as to equalize the tension applied by said tensioning means to said drive chain, the reflectivenitrment arm of said eccentric decreasing as the tension in said resilient unit increases during transverse movement of said movable mast structure.

2. In a mobile excavating machine, a supporting frame, a stationary mast mounted on said frame, said mast comprising a generally laterally extending cross-member, a transversely movable mast mounted on said stationary mast and including a generally laterally extending crossmember, an excavating unit carried by said movable mast, means for providing anti-frictional movement of said movable mast with respect to said stationary mast, means for moving said movable mast transversely of said stationary mast and said machine, said last-mentioned means comprising a double-acting reciprocal hydraulic cylinder and plunger unit mounted on said frame and a first flexible member of predetermined length anchored adjacent one end of said cross-member of said movable mast and anchored at the other end thereof to the opposite side of said frame, said flexible member being movably connected to said cross-member of said stationary mast adjacent one end of said last-mentioned cross-member, said last-mentioned end being generally diametrically opposite to said first mentioned end, the plunger element of said hydraulic unit having means thereon adapted to movingly engage in actuating relation said flexible member intermediate the latters ends and in inwardly spaced relationship to the anchored portions thereof upon relative movement in one direction between the cylinder and plunger elements of said hydaulic unit, to cause said movable mast to travel in one lateral direction transversely of said stationary mast, a second flexible member of predetermined length anchored adjacent the opposite end of said cross-member of said movable mast as compared to that which said first flexible member is connected, said second flexible member being anchored at the other end thereof'adjacent the generally central portion of said cross-member of said stationary mast, said second flexible member being movably connected adjacent the opposite end of said cross-member of said stationary mast as compared to the connection of said first mentioned flexible member to said stationary cross-member, said last-mentioned opposite cnd being generally diametrically opposite to said first-mentioned opposite end, said plunger element of said hydraulic unit having means thereon adapted to movingly engage in actuating relation said second flexible member intermediate its ends and in vertically spaced relationship to the anchored portions thereof upon relative movement between the cylinder and plunger elements of the hydraulic unit in the latters other direction of reciprocal movement to cause said movable mast to travel transversely of said stationary mast in the opposite lateral directionas compared to said first mentioned lateral direction.

3. In an excavating machine, a supporting frame, mast structure mounted on's'aid frame, an excavating unit carried by said mast structure, said excavating unit, being normally disposed for operation in a generally vertical plane position, and means mounted on mast structure and operatively connected to said excavating unit for tilting said excavating unit laterally from said normal vertical plane position, said last-mentioned means comprising a drum rotatably mounted on said mast structure, a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit mounted on said mast structure, an arm fixed to said drum and pivotally connected to the piston element of said hydraulic unit, and cables anchored to said drum and operatively connected to a side of said excavating unit, said drum being rotated by said arm upon actuation of said bydraulic unit whereby said cables are wound about said drum and tilt said excavating unit laterally from its normal vertical plane position.

4. In an excavating machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein certain of said cables are wound in a clockwise direction about said drum while other of said cables are wound in a counter-clockwise direction about said drum before anchoring of said cables to said drum, said drum being rotatable in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, said excavating unit being tiltable to either side of its normal generally vertical plane position depending upon which of said directions said drum is rotated.

5. In an excavating machine, a supporting frame, mast structure mounted on said frame, an excavating unit carried by said mast structure, said excavating unit being normally disposed for operation in a generally vertical plane position, and means mounted on said mast structure and operatively connected to said excavating unit for tilting said excavating unit laterally from'said normal vertical plane position, said last mentioned means comprising, a drum rotatably mounted on said mast structure, a fluid powered motor unit mounted on said mast structure, means operatively connecting said motor unit to said drum, and cables anchored to said drum and operatively connected to a side of said excavating unit, said drumbeing rotatable by said motor unit upon actuation of the latter whereby said cables are wound about said drum and tilt said excavating unit laterally from its normal vertical plane position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 558,683 Girouard Apr.'21, 1896 1,056,105 Krupp Mar. 18, 1913 1,175,174 Peterson Mar. 14, 1916 1,254,191 Bales Jan. 22, 1918 1,476,375 Shook Dec. 4, 1923 1,733,427 Ruth Oct. 29, 1929 1,754,551 Greiman Apr. 15, 1930 1,762,569 Barber June 10, 1930 2,280,021 Askue Apr. 14, 1942 2,321,352 .Askue June 8, 1943 2,598,339 Askue May 27, 1952 2,624,129 Steece Jan. 6, 1953 2,658,342 Banister et al. Nov. 10, 1953 2,790,568 Mandt Apr. 30, 1957 2,811,240

Fenton Oct. 29, 1957

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