Multiple use earth working machine

• US 4,088,236 A
• Filed: 06/17/1977
• Issued: 05/09/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: M-B-W Incorporated
• Original Assignee: M-B-W Incorporated
• Inventors: Moore, Emanuel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheridan, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/807,810
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 214/90 R, 214/90 A, 214/91 R, 214/91 A, 214/145 R, 214/145 A, 37/117.5, 172/438, 198/315, 198/316, 198/318
• US Class Current: 414/565
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/342 Buckets emptying overhead E02F3/348 - E02F3/358 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3483 Buckets discharging on a conveyor or elevator mounted on the machine
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 7/02 Conveying equipment mounted on a dredger conveyors in general B65G

Abstract

An earth working machine in the form of a motorized vehicle having a longitudinally extending, upwardly and rearwardly inclined belt-type conveyor combined with a transversely extending conveyor at the rear thereof rigidly supported in relation to the rear discharge end of the longitudinal conveyor. The forward end of the longitudinal conveyor or machine is provided with interchangeable earth working of handling implements so that the machine may be used for multiple purposes. The longitudinal conveyor has the forward end portion supported from the machine by a vertically pivotal subframe to enable variation in the elevational position of the longitudinal conveyor. The rearward portion of the longitudinal conveyor is supported by a transverse, horizontal support member which does not constrain the rearward portion of the longitudinal conveyor from moving in a vertical direction. The transverse conveyor is provided with supporting wheels which in the normal position of the conveyors are spaced from the ground surface but which will support the transverse conveyor and the rearward portion of the longitudinal conveyor from the ground surface when the forward portion of the longitudinal conveyor is elevated thereby rendering the machine useful for various earth working or handling procedures.

Claims

1. An earth working machine comprising a mobile frame, a longitudinally extending conveyor supported from said frame, a transverse conveyor suported from the rearward end of said frame and being rigid with respect to the longitudinal conveyor, and an earth engaging means mounted on the forward end of the longitudinal conveyor for depositing earth, or the like, onto the longitudinal conveyor for movement rearwardly on the longitudinal conveyor onto the transverse conveyor for movement laterally of the machine, each of aid conveyors including an endless belt supported by rollers defining the upper flight of the belt into a trough-like configuration, said longitudinal conveyor including means thereon supportingly engaging the frame at longitudinally spaced points with the rearward support means being in the form of a downwardly facing plate engaging a support surface on the frame in a manner to permit free upward movement of the rearward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor in relation to the frame, the forward support means including subframe interconnecting the longitudinal conveyor and the frame for vertical swinging movement to raise and lower the forward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor, said subframe including a laterally movable detachably engaged connecting means engaged with the longitudinal conveyor to enable vertical elevation of the forward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor and detachment of the longitudinal conveyor from the subframe thereby enabling the longitudinal conveyor to be readily disengaged from the subframe and frame to enable the mobile frame and subframe to be utilized for multiple purposes.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means between the subframe and longitudinal conveyor includes a ball and socket connection, said socket being mounted on the subframe and supported on a transversely elongated supporting and guiding surface, and power means interconnecting the socket and the subframe to move the socket laterally of the forward end portion of the subframe for laterally adjusting the forward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said transverse conveyor includes retractable wheel means disposed rearwardly of the frame and disposed above a supporting ground surface when the longitudinal conveyor is in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined position and engaging the ground surface when the forward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor is elevated thereby lifting the rearward portion of the longitudinal conveyor off of the frame so that by supporting the forward end portion of the longitudinal conveyor in elevated position above the ground surface, the subframe may be detached from the longitudinal conveyor and the mobile frame utilized for other purposes.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said mobile frame is provided with a prime mover, drive wheels and steerable wheels to enable manipulation thereof by an operator, said subframe being pivoted to the frame for movement about a transverse axis and projecting forwardly of the frame.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said socket is mounted on the forward end of the subframe, said support, guide and moving means for the socket including a transverse support member adapted to receive earth working tools or implements to enable the machine to be used for various purposes.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said earth working implement on the forward end of the longitudinal conveyor includes a forwardly opening scoop-like structure having a rearward end communicating with the upper flight of the longitudinal conveyor belt, means interconnecting the longitudinal conveyor and the implement for pivoting the implement about a transverse axis, said implement including an adjustable landside on one wall thereof, and a skid at the forward end of the longitudinal conveyor to limit the downward movement thereof into engagement with the supporting surface.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said transverse conveyor is laterally adjustable in relation to the longitudinal conveyor for positioning the discharge end of the transverse conveyor in laterally projecting relation to either side of the machine.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein a transverse deflector is disposed rearwardly of the discharge end of the longitudinal conveyor and above the transverse conveyor to deflect material being discharged from the longitudinal conveyor belt onto the transverse conveyor belt.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein the return flight of the conveyor belt passes over a pair of spaced idler rollers, a tension roller engaging the belt between the idler rollers, the tension roller on the longitudinal conveyor belt being supported by pivot support arms supported from the longitudinal conveyor, and a weight on the pivotal support arms for biasing the tension roller downwardly to tension the longitudinal conveyor belt.

10. The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said ball connection between the socket on the forward end of the subframe and the longitudinal conveyor includes a mounting plate longitudinally movably connected to the longitudinal conveyor to enable relative movement between the ball and socket connection longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal conveyor when the longitudinal conveyor is elevated by the subframe.

11. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said mobile frame includes a grader blade at the rearward end thereof, turntable means supporting the grader blade for adjustable orientation in a transverse and longitudinal relationship to the path of movement of the mobile frame to enable earth to be deposited laterally of the machine thereby enabling the conveyor means to pick up such deposited earth during a subsequent pass of the machine.

12. The structure as defined in claim 11 wherein said mobile frame includes an operator'"'"'s station disposed laterally of but generally alongside of the longitudinal conveyor with the support plate on the longitudinal conveyor engaging upwardly extending retaining plates on an elevated support surface on the frame to preclude lateral movement of the rearward end of the longitudinal conveyor.