Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention rel~tes to a self-propelled
material handling conveyor and, more specifically, to a
self-propelled grain conveyor or elevator.
UND_0F ~
Grain conveyors have been in use ~or several
decades ~or charging and discharging storage bin~ and
the like. Typically, they are comprised of an
elongated, linear cylindrical conduit mounted on a
support at an angle to the horizontal. An auger is
rotatably mounted within and extends along substantially
the entire length of the conduit for conveying grain
from the lower intake end to the upper discharge end of
the conduit. The support is provided with a pair of
wheel assemhlies to allow the conveyor to be transported
or relocated.
A problem which has plagued conventional grain
auger users for many years relates to the difficulty and
time required not only to relocate the conveyor but to
relocate the discharge end of the conveyor while
maintaining the intake end at a particular charging
site. Various attempts have been made to both
facilitate and expedite the storaye of bulk material
such as grain, corn and the like in storage bins.
United States Patent No. 3,556,289 granted on January
19, 1971 to Wilton R. Erickson for "Pivoted Wheel
Assembly for Conveyor" discloses a grain conveyor which
i5 constructed with articulated wheel assemblies so that
the conveyor can be selectively moved both
longitudinally and transversely by manually adjusting
the position~ of the wheel assemblies. While this
apparatus was a considerable improvement over prior art
conveyors, the task of adjustlng the position of the
wheel assemblies and laterally displacing the apparatus
was strenuous and relatively time consuming in itsel~.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved material
conveying apparatus o~ the type described above which
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minimizes the effort and the time required to relocate
the conveyor.
SU~ ARYQ F THE INVEN_ION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved
bulk material conveying apparatus and, particularly, a
grain conveyor or elevator which can be readily
longitudinally and transversely relocated so as to
thereby facilitate and expedite the charging of storage
bins, transport vehicles and the like.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention,
there is provided a material conveying apparatus,
comprising an elongated material conveying means having
an intake end and a discharge end, support means
extencling transversely of the conveying means and being
secured to the conveying means ~or supporting the
conveying means, a wheel assembly at each end of the
support means, each the wheel assembly having a ground
0ngaging wheel rotatable about a horizontal wheel axis,
and being pivotable about a vertical pivot axis between
a first position whereat wheel axis is substantially
perpendicular to a vertical plane containing the
conveying axis of the conveying means to enable the
apparatus ta be moved in a direction substantially
parallelling the conveying means, a second position
whereat the wheel axis is disposed at an acute angle to
the plane and intersects the plane adjacent the intake
end of the conveying means whereby the apparatus may be
moved in an arc about the intake end, and a third
position whereat the wheel axis is substantially
parallel to the conveyor means whereby the apparatus may
be moved transversely o~ the conveying means, means for
rotatably clriving each the wheel assembly, the driving
means including a motor associated with each the wheel
assembly, the motor of each the assembly being mounted
on its associated wheel assembly for pivotal movement
therewith, each the motor having a drive shaft ancl a
drive pinion mounted on the drive shaft, a rin~ gear
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coaxially secured to the wheel, and a chain trained
about the pinion and the ring for tran~mittlng power
therebetween.
In acc~rda~ce with another a~pect of the lnvention,
there is provided a ~teering mechanism for movin~ the
wheels between the first, ~econd and third positions,
the steerin~ mechanism compr.i6ing a steering arm ~ecured
to each the wheel assembly and extending inwardly
thereof, an actuating lever secured to the support means
for pivotal movement about a vertical pivot axis, first
link means extending between and secured to the
actuating lever and the steering arm of one of the wheel
assemblies, second link means extending between and
secured to the actuating lever and the steering arm of
the other of the wheel assemblies, the link means being
secured to the actuating lever in such a manner that
movement of the actuating lever in either direction
about its pivot axis causes the wheel as~emblies to
pivot in opposite directions with respect to one
another.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention,
there is provided a material conveyin~ apparatus,
comprising an elongated material conveying means having
an intake end and a discharge end, support means for
supporting the conveying means, the support means
including a transverse frame portion extending
transversely of the discharge end of the conveying means
and a longitudinal frame portion extending from the
transverse portion toward the intake end of the
conveying means, a wheel assembly at each end of the
transverse ~rame portion, each the wheel assembly having
a ground engaging wheel rotatable about a horizontal
wheel axis, and being pivotable about a vertical pivot
axis between a first position whereat the wheel axis is
substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane
containing the conveying axi~ of the conveying means to
enable the apparatus to be moved in a direction
substantially parallelling the conveying means, a second
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position whereat the wheel axis is disposed at an acute
angle to the plane and intersects the plar-e ad~acent the
intake end of the conve~in~ means whereby the apparatus
may be moved in an arc about the intake end, and a third
position whereat the wheel axis is substantlally
parallel to the conveyor means whereby the apparatu~ may
be moved transversely of the conveying means, a ground
engaging caster wheel assembly secured to and depending
from the intake end of the longitudinal frame portion
for supporting the intake end of the conveying means,
and a linear actuator assembly extending between and
secured to the intake end of the longitudinal frame and
the conveying mean3 for selectively adju~ting the height
of the intake end of the conveying means above ground
level.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will
become more apparent from the following description in
which reference is made to the appended drawings,
wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view the grain conveyor
of the present lnvention;
FIGURES 2a, 2b and 2c are diagrammatic plan views
of the grain conveyor of the present invention
illustrating the rear ground engaglng wheels in three
different po~ition~ enabling the conveyor to be moved in
longitudinal, arcuate and lateral directions,
respectively;
FIGURE 3 is a broken, partial cross-sectional view
of a rear wheel assembly illustrating a wheel drive
mechanism;
FIGURE 4 i6 a cross-sectional view taken along line
4-4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic, plan view of the rear
portlon of the support illustrating the mechanism for
steering the rear ground engaging wheels of the
conveyor;
FIGURES 6 and ~ are plan and side elevational
views, respectively, of stop means for locating the rear
ground engaging wheels in the positions illustrated in
FIGURE 2b and 2c;
FI~URE a i5 an enlarged, broken perspective vlew of
the conveyor showing a linear actuator extending between
the intake end of the support and the intake ~nd of the
conveyor; and
FIGUR~ ~ is a diagrammatic side elevational view,.
partially in section, of the apparatus of FIGURE 8.
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DETAILED DF.SCRIPTION OF A PREE'ERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the grain
conveyor o~ the present invention, yener~lly designated
by reference numeral 10, is oomprised of a conventional,
elongated conveying means 12, in the form of a tubular
conduit 14 in which a conventional auger (not ~hown) i5
disposed for conveying granular material, such as grain,
corn and the like, from the lower intake end 16 of the
conveyor to the upper discharge end 18 thereo~. The
conduit is secured to support means 20, which includes a
rear, transverse frame portion 22 and a forward,
longitudinal frame portion 24, by means of a
conventional scissors-type frame 26 extending ~rom the
transverse frame to longitudinally spaced points of the
conveyor as is well known in the art. Frame 26 is
arranged to allow the discharge end of the conveyor to
be raised and lowered by means of a conventional winch
mechanism, not shown.
Wheel assemblies 30 and 32 are secured to each end
of the transverse frame portion of the support means.
As explained more fully later, wheel assemblies 30 and
32 are both rotatably driven and articulated. A caster
wheel 34 supports the forward end of longitudinal frame
portion 24 of the support means.
A gas-powered engine 36 is secured to the support
means for driving a hydraulic pump (not shown) which
supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to hydraulic
wheel assembly drive motors 38, a hydraulic steering
cylinder 40 and a hydraulic cyllnder 42 which extends
between the front end of the support means and the
conveyor. The engine also drives an auger transmission
44 mounted atop the conveyor and drivingly connected to
the auger in well known ~ashion.
With reference to FIGURES 2a, 2b and 2c, each wheel
assembly 30 and 32 is provided with a ground engagin~
wheel 50, rotatable about a horizontal wheel axi~ 52,
and is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis 54 (see
FIGUR~ 3) between fir~t, second and third positions
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shown in FIGUR~S 2a, 2b and 2c, respectively~ In the
first position, the wheel axes are substantially
perpendicular to a vertlcal plane con-taining the
conveyor axis. This enables the apparatus to be moved,
by actlvatlon of hydraulic wheel motors 38, in a
direction substantially parallelling the conv~yor axls
when the wheels are driven in the same direction, as
viewed from the side of the conveyor, or in an arc
centered on the midpoint of the axle when the wheels are
driven in opposite directions at the same rotational
speed. In the second position, shown in FIGURE 2b, the
wheel axes are disposed at an acute angle to the plane
of the conveyor and intersect the plane of the conveyor
adjacent the intake end of the conveyor so that the
apparatus may be moved, by activating hydraulic wheel
motors 38, in an arc centered on the intake end of the
conveyor. In the third position, shown in FIGURE 2c,
the wheel axes are substantially parallel to the
conveyor axis so that the apparatu~ may be moved
transversely of the conveyor by activating the wheel
motors 38.
FIGURES 3 and A are views of wheel a~sembly 30.
Wheel assemblies 30 and 32 mirror images one another
and, accordingly, while the following description of
refers only to wheel assembly 30, it is equally
applicable to assembly 32 except a~ otherwise
specifically noted.
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention,
rear transverse ~rame portion 22 is in the form of a
linear length of square tubing havin~ an upright,
tubular spindle nousing 60 secured by welding to each
end thereof. ~ach wheel assembly is comprised of a
wheel 50, as previously mentioned, a spindle carrier 61
having a spindle 62 and an axle 66 extending
perpendicularly of the spindle, a hydraulic motor 38
having a drive shaft 84 on which i5 secured a drive
pinion 82, a ring gear ~6 concentrically secured to
wheel 50 by means of a plurality of angularly spaced
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nut, bolt and sleeve assemblies generally designated by
reference numeral 88, and a chain 87 trained about
pinion ~2 ancl ring gear 86. A bore 64 in ~pindle
housing 60 telescopically receives spindle 62 while a
hearlng assembly 68, which is secured to wheel 50,
receives axle 66. The spindle is formed with a shoulder
69 which bears against the underside of the spindle
housing and thereby supports one end of transverse frame
22. Thus, axle 66 defines aforementioned horizontal
axis 52 and bore 64 and spindle 62 define a~is 54 about
which the wheel assembly articulates.
A bifurcated motor support bracket 70 is sandwiched
between a bearing 72, which bears against the upper end
74 of spindle housing 60, and the underside of a nut 76
threaded onto the threaded free end 78 of spindle 62.
Bracket 70 is secured to the spindle so that
articulation of the spindle results in articulation of
the bracket and hydraulic motor 38 secured thereto.
Thus, pivotal movement of spindle 62 within bore 64
results in concurrent movement of wheel 50 and motor 38
about axis 54. A bifurcated bracket 80 extends from the
motor housing and abuttingly engages opposed sides
spindle housing 60 to prevent rotation of the motor
housing about the motor axis. It will be seen that the
above described arran~ement permits the wheels to be
driven regardless of the angular di~position of the
wheels with respect to the support.
The hydraulic circuitry (not shown) which supplies
pressurized hydraulic fluid to motors 38 is arranged so
that the wheels may be driven in the same or opposite
directions (as viewed from either side of the conveyor)
in the position shown in FIGURE 2a and in opposlte
directions in the position6 shown in FIGURE 2a, 2b and
2c. In addition, the circuitry is arranged to drive
motors 38 at different speed~ to permit differential
steering of the wheel assemblies when positioned in the
first a~orementioned position and permit the at any
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speed from a complete stop to as fast a5 normal walklng
speed.
With reference to FIGURE5 5, 6 and ~, steering arms
90 and 92 are secured to spindle carriers 61 of wheel
assembly 30 and 32, respectively, and extend forwardly
toward the intake end of the convPyor. A first tie rod
or link 94 extends between and is secured to the free
end of steeriny arm 90 and one end 96 of an actuating
lever 100. A second tie rod or link 98 extends between
and i5 secured to the free end of steering arm 92 and
the other end 102 of actuating lever 100. Actuating
lever 100 is secured to the underside of transverse
frame portion 22 by means of a pivot pin 104 for pivotal
movement about a vertical pivot axis. A linear actuator
106, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, is secured to
actuating lever 100 and frame portion 22 for selectively
moving the actuating lever and, therefore, the wheel
assemblies to the desired one of the three positions
mentioned earlier.
Stop means 110, illustrated in FI~URE 5 and 6 is
provided to facilitate the positioning of the wheel
assemblies in the second and third positions (FIGURES 2b
and 2c) mentioned earlier. The stop means comprises an
arm 112, which is secured by welding to the underside of
transverse frame portion 22 adjacent actuating lever
100, and a hinge member 114 secured to the end o~ the
arm by a hinge pin 116. Hinge member 114 is provided
with a first ad~ustable stop 118 in the form of a bolt
119 threaded into the hinge member. Stop 118 is
engageable, when properly positioned, with the edge 120
of actuating lever 100 and defines the second
aforementioned position of the wheel assemblies. This
stop is made adjustable so as to allow modification of
the precise location of the second posltion for
different lengths of conveyors. An edge portion 122 of
the hinge member forms a second stop which is also
abuttingly engageable with edge 120 of lever 100 to
define the third aforementioned position of the wheel
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assemblies. An over-center spring 124 is secured to
transverse frame 22 and hinge member 114 to Eacilltate
manual positioning of the hinge member to one of it~ two
positions.
When it is desired to position the wheel assemblies
in the first position, hydraulic cylinder 106 i5
actuated by manipulatiny a suitable valve (not shown) so
as to retract the cylinder piston rod to its e~treme
position whereat the planes of the wheels are
substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the
conveyor. It will be understood that means (not shown)
may be provided to lock the wheels in this position
prevent the wheels from deviating therefrom during
transport. When it is desired to move the conveyor in
an arc about the intake end of the conveyor, hinge
member 114 is moved the solid line position shown in
FIGURE 6 and then the hydraulic cylinder is energized to
extend its piston rod and thereby urge actuating lever
100 toward and against first stop 110. 5hould it be
desired to locate the wheel assemblies in their
respective third positions, the hinge member is moved to
the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 6 and then the
hydraulic cylinder i9 activated further so that the
actuating lever is urged ayainst second stop 120.
As previously indicated, conventional conveyors are
normally provided with a pair of support wheels 50 and
the conveyor tube i8 balanced on the support frame in
such a manner that the intake end of the conveyor is
heavier than the discharge end so that the forward end
assumes and normally remains in a lower position
engaging the ground. When it is desired to move the
conveyor, the operator must lift the ~orward end to
maneuver the conveyor to the desired position. The 6
inch by 2~ foot auyers of yesteryear presented no
problem to the average man but the augers now available
may be 16 inche~ in diameter and 80 feet in length and
tend to be too heavy for the averaye man. Thus, jacks
and tractors are needed to move conv~ntional large
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auyers. Accordingly, the present invention also
provldes an auxilia~y support frame or assembly 128
which is removably and ad~ustably secured to the main
frame and conveyor tube for selectively supporting the
~orward end of the conveyor tube in such a manner that
the support frame is movable between an inoperative
position whereat the forward end of the tube rests on
the ground in the conventional manner and an operative
position whereat the forward end of the tube is
supported solely by the auxiliary frame and the main
ground engaging wheels so that all that the operator
needs to do to move the conveyor is direct it to the
desired position.
FIGURE 8 and 9 illustrate an auxiliary support
assembly 128 which, while not limited thereto, is
particularly intended for use in the movement of the
large conveyors. The assembly includes aforementioned
longitudinal support frame 24 which is in the form of a
V-shaped ~rame made of xectangular tubular structural
members 130 and 132. Caster wheel 34 is secured to the
underside of the forward end of frame 24 by means of a
vertical pin 134 and serves to support the frame in a
manner explained hereinbelow. The rearward ends 136 of
members 130 and 132 are parallel and received in and
ad~ustably secured to tubular, longitudinal, forwardly
extending extensions 138 formed on the front side of
transverse frame 22. End portions 136 may be secured to
extensions 138 by any suitable means including pins,
nuts and bolts and the like. Thus, it will be seen that
frame 24 is ad~ustably mounted on the front end or side
of frame 22.
A linear actuator assembly 140 is comprised of a
hydraulic cylinder 142 and a coaxial sleeve 144. The
upper end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally secured
to tube 14 by means of a bracket 146 comprised of two
bracket halves held together by bolts 148. Bracket 146
provides longitudinal adjustability, along the tube, for
the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder. The lower end
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of sleeve 144 is pivotally secured ~o the forward end of
an arm 150 extending forwardly of frame portion 24 by
means of a transverse pin 152 extendiny through aligned,
transverse hole~ 154 in the sleeve. As best shown in
FI~URE 9, arm 150 extends throuyh a longitudinal slot
156 formed on the rearward side of sleeve 144.
Sleeve 144 i8 provided with a plurality of
longitudinally spaced, transverse or radial apertures
160 arranged to receive pin means 162 secured to the
free end of the piston rod 164 of hydraulic cylinder 142
to permit longitudinal adjustment, alon~ the sleeve, of
the connection of the piston rod to the ~leeve. The
upper end of the sleeve iæ formed with a longitudinal
slot 166 to accommodate the usual fittings on the
hydraulic cylinder.
The reason for adjustable clamp 146, the
adjustable, the telescopic interconnection of frames ~2
and 22, and the adjustable positioning of the piston rod
on the sleeve is to allow the auxiliary frame to be
attached to virtually any grain auyer currently
manufactured. Frame 22 itself may be made
longitudinally telescopic to accommodate different
widths of wheel spacing.
As previously mentioned, the auxiliary support
frame i5 movable between two positions. In one
position, the piston rod is fully retracted so that the
intake end o~ the conveyor tube rests on the ground and
caster wheel 34 is removed from the ground. This the
conventional operative position of grain auyers. As the
au~er is lifted on the discharge end of the conveyor,
this relationship remains substantially the same
regardless of the height o~ the discharge end o~ the
conveyor. In the other position, the piston rod is
extended until the caster wheel engages the ground and
the intake end of the conveyor tube is removed from the
ground so that conveyor is supported solely by caster
wheel 34 and wheels 50. This allows the conveyor is be
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~asily maneuvered either manually or under the power o~
hydraulic motor~ 38.
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