Self-loading dualistic earth excavator with connecting telescopic conveying and dualistic distribution means

• US 4,253,256 A
• Filed: 05/14/1979
• Issued: 03/03/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack M. Feliz
• Original Assignee: Jack M. Feliz
• Inventors: Feliz, Jack M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eickholt, E. H.
• Application Number:
  US06/038,808
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 37/104, 37/105, 37/107, 37/110, 37/DIG. 13, 37/DIG. 19, 37/DIG. 3, 37/102, 37/108, 37/97, 37/4, 172/145, 172/784, 172/785, 172/786, 172/787, 404/102, 404/103, 404/108, 404/111, 404/101, 171/16, 280/401, 280/411 R, 280/421, 280/422, 280/477, 180/140, 414/489, 414/502, 414/503
• US Class Current: 37/104
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/402 with means for facilitating the loading thereof, e.g. conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/769 Graders, bulldozers, or the like comprising loaders
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/22 for making embankments; for back-filling in combination with trench excavators E02F5/12
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 7/02 Conveying equipment mounted on a dredger conveyors in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: E21C 47/00 Machines for obtaining or the removal of materials in open-pit mines obtaining peat E21C49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21C 47/10 for quarrying stone, sand, gravel, or clay

Abstract

An improved reciprocatory self-loading dual-ended earth excavation vehicle pivotally connected to two or more unmanned self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicles, the latter in turn are pivotally connected to a multi-function dual-ended distribution vehicle capable of conveying, spreading, wetting, impacting and grading the earth fill. The above-mentioned articulated vehicles provide the means to excavate, convey and discharge a virtually continuous flow of earth while traveling in a forward or rearward direction. The excavation and telescopic conveyor vehicles are readily adaptable to surface mining of various minerals including coal and oil shale by simply exchanging the above-mentioned distribution vehicle for a pivotally connected boom conveyer vehicle which provides the means for discharging the ore at a mill site or for the loading of long haul ore carriers.

Claims

1. In a multi-function distribution vehicle, the combination of:

(a) a telescopic conveyor pivotally mounted to a double apertured hopper;

(b) said hopper being secured to a horizontally disposed reversible conveyor for discharging earth fill on each end of said vehicle while traveling in a forward or rearward direction;

(c) a pair of sprinkling pipes mounted on the ends of said conveyor for wetting the said earth fill;

(d) a pair of sprinkler nozzles secured to said vehicle for wetting the adjacent earth fill areas;

(e) a pair of bulldozer blades mounted to the ends of said vehicle for spreading the earth fill;

(f) a pair of front and rear impactor wheels for supporting said vehicle and impacting the earth fill while travelling in a forward or rearward direction.

2. In a multi-function dualistic earth distribution vehicle, the combination of:

(a) a universal tow bar to receive said distribution vehicle;

(b) a swivel plate roller mounted to a double apertured hopper secured to said distribution vehicle;

(c) a pair of oppositely driven transverse conveyors for dividing the earth flow;

(d) a pivotally mounted and height adjustable double faced grader blade for continuously distributing and grading the earth fill while the said vehicle travels in a forward or rearward direction;

(e) a pair of retractable longitudinally disposed conveyors for discharging the earth from the transverse conveyors on the forward or rearward side of the double faced grader blade while said vehicle travels in a forward or rearward direction;

(f) a pair of water sprinkling pipes for wetting the earth fill as the said vehicle travels in a forward or rearward direction;

(g) a pair of spray nozzles attached to the ends of said sprinkler pipes for wetting the adjacent fill areas;

(h) a pair of rear impactor wheels supporting said vehicle and chain driven through a differential and motor drive means;

(i) a pair of forward impactor wheels secured to a movable fork supporting said vehicle and adapted to be rotated in relation to said vehicle;

(j) a pair of bulldozer blades pivotally mounted on the ends of said vehicle for dispersing earth windrows created by said double faced grader blade;

(k) an operation control cab pivotally mounted to said vehicle permitting the operator an unrestricted view of said vehicle'"'"'s path and view of both sides of said double faced grader blade while said vehicle travels in a forward or rearward direction; and

(l) a load sensing alarm provided to warn the operator of the excavation and distribution vehicles that forward or rearward travel limitations between their respective vehicles and the conveyor vehicles have exceeded the travel limitations.

3. In a self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicle having a universal tow bar, the combination of:

(a) a pair of movable wheel forks mounted in a supporting frame and supporting said conveyor vehicle and adapted to be rotated in relation to said vehicle;

(b) a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted to the lower ends of said forks;

(c) a first drive means operatively connected to said forks for rotating the same;

(d) a second drive means operatively connected to said forks for driving said wheels;

(e) a steering control means interconnecting said forks for direction orienting the ground-engaging wheels through a range of 180 degrees permitting the vehicle to travel sideward or in any other direction desired;

(f) a drive control means connected to each drive wheel for selectively and reversibly driving each of said drive wheels;

(g) a manual and electric brake means;

(h) a lug connected to one of said rotatable forks and movable therewith;

(i) a pair of switches mounted to operatively engage said lug whereby rotational movement of said movable forks may be limited to 180 degrees;

(j) a third switch mounted half-way between the above switches to operatively engage said lug whereby rotational movement of said movable forks are stopped at mid-range, until moved by an electrical overriding device;

(k) a conveyor frame transversely pivotally mounted at one end to the wheel fork supporting frame, the other end being pivotally mounted to the universal tow bar, said conveyor frame including conveyor stabilizing devices;

(l) a transverse pivotal means controlled by a pair of mercury switches mounted to each end of said conveyor frame for automatically activating the conveyor stabilizing devices as the drive wheels travel over transversely inclined terrain;

(m) said universal tow bar providing a horizontal pivotal means for conveyor telescopic travel, terrain undulations and stacking conveyor for highway travel;

(n) a hopper car roller mounted to the side channel bars of said conveyor frame thereby providing a telescopic means with a connected conveyor vehicle providing super imposed and receiving conveyor vehicles;

(o) a swivel plate pivotally roller mounted to the hopper car to provide a vertical pivotal means permitting angular alignment between the connected conveyor vehicles;

(p) a dirt chute secured to the superimposed conveyor for directing the earth down through an aperture in the swivel plate onto the receiving conveyor vehicle without interruption of flow;

(q) a telescopic electrical conduit means providing continuity between the articulated telescopic conveyor vehicles;

(r) a telescopic water conduit means providing continuity between the articulated telescopic conveyor vehicles and a distribution vehicle;

(s) a continuous flow of earth, electricity and water being provided by the telescopic conveyor vehicles regardless of the angular and telescopic positions assumed between the conveyor vehicles;

(t) a manual local control switch for activating said conveyor vehicle first and second drive means; and

(u) a remote control receiver for maneuvering one or more conveyor vehicles by selected frequency modulations transmitted from either of the excavation of distribution vehicles as programmed.

4. In a self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicle having a universal tow bar, the combination of:

(a) a pair of movable wheel forks mounted in a supporting frame and supporting said conveyor vehicle and adapted to be rotated in relation to said vehicle;

(b) a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted to the lower ends of said forks;

(c) a first drive means operatively connected to said forks for rotating the same;

(d) a second drive means operatively connected to said forks for driving said wheels;

(e) a steering control means interconnecting said forks for direction orienting the ground-engaging wheels through a range of 180 degrees permitting the vehicle to travel sideward or in any other direction desired;

(f) a drive control means connected to each drive wheel for selectively and reversibly driving each of said drive wheels;

(g) a conveyor frame transversely pivotally mounted at one end to the wheel fork supporting frame, the other end being pivotally mounted to the universal tow bar, said conveyor frame including conveyor stabilizing devices;

(h) a transverse pivotal means controlled by a pair of mercury switches mounted to each end of said conveyor frame for automatically activating the conveyor stabilizing devices as the drive wheels travel over transversely inclined terrain;

(i) said universal tow bar providing a horizontal pivotal means for conveyor telescopic travel, terrain undulations and stacking conveyor for highway travel;

(j) a hopper car roller mounted to the side channel bars of said conveyor frame thereby providing a telescopic means with a connected conveyor vehicle providing super imposed and receiving conveyor vehicles;

(k) a swivel plate pivotally roller mounted to the hopper car to provide a vertical pivotal means permitting angular alignment between the connected conveyor vehicles;

(l) a dirt chute secured to the superimposed conveyor for directing the earth down through an aperture in the swivel plate onto the receiving conveyor vehicle without interruption of flow;

(m) a telescopic electrical conduit means providing continuity between the articulated telescopic conveyor vehicles; and

(n) a telescopic water conduit means providing continuity between the articulated telescopic conveyor vehicles and a distribution vehicle;

(o) a continuous flow of earth, electricity and water being provided by the telescopic conveyor vehicles regardless of the angular and telescopic positions assumed between the conveyor vehicles.