Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: A feeder head assembly is provided which includes a single pair of augers which collect bulk material contained within a vessel. These augers advance the material to a lifting conveyor. A frame pivotally mounted to a rotatable enclosure portion of the lifting conveyor supports the augers on opposite sides of the conveyor with one end of each auger disposed proximate to the open lower end of the conveyor. Hydraulic motors disposed on the frame drive the augers. The assembly includes springs which bias the frame and augers to a perpendicular relation with the lifting conveyor whereby the assembly automatically adjusts to the configuration of the material and the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A material transfer assembly is provided which includes a carriage of an unloading apparatus which is movable along a fixed, elongated conveyor housing. The carriage includes a funnel plate with an opening through which powdered material discharges through a flexible conduit and into a separate discharge guide which the carriage pulls along with it. The discharge guide maintains sliding engagement with the conveyor housing to provide closed conduit conveyance of the material into the conveyor housing. Hydraulic jacks pivotally mounted between the discharge guide and the carriage suspend the guide from the carriage, and towing chains connected to these two structures transmit pulling forces from the carriage to the guide so that the guide may move relative to the carriage to maintain the desired engagement with the conveyor housing despite variations in alignment between the carriage path and the conveyor as the carriage and guide move along the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention consists of conveyor system that receives comminuted material from an unloading apparatus, discharges the material on a conveyor and transports it to a storage, handling or other transport system. The system provided includes a discharging apparatus and a conveyor apparatus. The conveyor apparatus comprises an elongate conveyor housing having an elongate opening, a conveyor belt disposed in the housing, and a flexible belt cover overlying the opening of the housing in covering engagement. The discharging apparatus comprises a top receiving section connected to an unloading apparatus, a lower shroud overlying the opening of the conveyor housing and two discharging chutes connecting the top section and the shroud and defining an aperture between them. The shroud disengages the cover from the housing and guides it through the aperture and through the discharging apparatus while maintaining covering engagement of the remaining portions of the cover and while depositing material on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A construction machine is provided for use in the controlled distribution of formable concrete along a base surface of predetermined configuration. The machine includes a self-propelled main frame movable along the base surface. The main frame is provided with a front section and an elongated trailing section extending rearwardly therefrom. A first hopper is mounted forwardly of the frame front section for receiving a load of formable concrete. An elongated mule is mounted transversely on the frame trailing section. The mule is spaced a substantial distance rearwardly of the frame front section and includes an elongated second hopper having the underside thereof conforming substantially to the predetermined configuration of the base surface. A conveying means is carried on the main frame and effects controlled transfer of the formable concrete from the first hopper to opposite end portions of the second hopper. Vibrating means is carried on the mule.

Abstract: Automatic control means for the coordinated steering of front and rear pairs of individually steerable ground engagement means supporting a construction machine are disclosed wherein signals from front and rear steering sensors following a grade reference extending along the path of travel are fed to a panel readout/amplifier unit which sends error signals to a servo-valve system and feedback signals from potentiometers are produced to coordinate the degree of steer and the magnitude thereof with that of the sensed signals. In one embodiment the control means coordinate the parallel steering of the pairs of ground engagement means of a machine in the paving mode through the use of individual steering rams for each of the ground engagement means without the necessity of using steering linkages.

Abstract: Compensating cylinders are provided for pairs of transverse steering linkages connecting pairs of tractors that steer in unison on opposite sides of a main frame of a heavy construction machine whereby the steering linkages automatically extend and retract to accommodate the changes in length imposed by changes in the slope or off-sets in the grade being negotiated by the machine.

Abstract: A slip form or mule for continuously laying concrete along one or more adjacent lanes on the sloping side of a contoured drainage ditch. The slip form is affixed to or movably mounted from a construction machine that travels along the top berm of the ditch. A tool frame support slideably contains a form having an open top and bottom with longitudinally adjustable and segmented side walls and is suspended from cooperating derrick and pivotal frame supports along the side of the machine for registry with and travel spaced above the sloping side of the ditch. A flexible finishing pan follows the form means in the plane of its bottom edges and includes adjustable supports suspending or compressing the pan in relation to the concrete slab being laid.

Abstract: A grade cutting machine having an elongated main frame supported on three bogey-mounted individually driven endless tracks. The cutting tool is rotatably mounted on an axis transverse the front of the main frame within an enclosing bowl. A vertically adjustable moldboard is provided across the back wall of the bowl behind the cutting tool. Two of the endless tracks are mounted on vertical non-rotatable axes on opposite sides of the main frame behind the moldboard and each is provided with an extensible frame-supporting member for automatic simultaneous or independent vertical adjustment. The third endless track which can control the steering under certain conditions is provided with an extensible frame-supporting member connected for independent manually controlled vertical adjustment.

Abstract: A construction machine is disclosed having a main frame that is supported by means of three or four vertically adjustable suspension points from a pair of walking beams located on opposite sides of the main frame. Each walking beam has a vertical steering axis at each of its ends connected to a bogey-mounted self-propelled ground engagement means in the form of a wheel or endless track.In one embodiment one of the walking beams is connected to a side of the main frame by two spaced vertically adjustable suspension means that attach to the beam through pivotal bogey-mounts. One of these adjustable suspension means is pivotally mounted to the frame, while the other is fixed to the frame. The other walking beam is connected to the opposite side of the main frame on a single central vertically adjustable suspension means through a bogey-mount to constitute a three-point suspension on two walking beams for the assembly.

Abstract: The rotating cutting tool of a sub-grader is adjustably mounted transverse the front of the frame of the machine upon a tool support in a manner which isolates changes in grade from changes in slope and which minimizes the influence of changes in slope upon the grade of the tool. The transverse pivot axis for grade control of the tool support is located at an intermediate point on the main frame, while the cutting tool, its associated drive means and housing are mounted on an independent pivot axis for slope control that extends longitudinally on one side of the main frame. Any changes made in the grade are accomplished by raising and lowering the entire tool support on the transverse axis equally at both ends which does not alter the slope of the tool. The arc of movement is relatively long so that the change in fore and aft altitude of the tool is minimal. The rotating tool is maintained perpendicular to and in the plane of its longitudinal slope control axis by the tool frame.

Abstract: A slip form or mule for continuously laying concrete along the contoured side wall and top edge of a drainage ditch. The slip form is affixed to or pivotally mounted from the side of a construction machine that travels along the top side of the ditch. An integral open-bottomed sloping hopper feeds concrete to the slip form which has an adjustable top wall extension and an extendable end wall and sides that simultaneously adjust and are guided on the top slanted wall of the slip form to form a concrete slab of different widths. The frame also supports a trailing screed that is pivoted from and supported by one or more biased bell cranks and canted toward the slope of the ditch side. The hopper has a series of adjustable weirs and vibrating means to spread and consolidate the concrete before the front opening of the slip form.