Rotary Digger Patents (Class 37/189)
  • Patent number: 5058294
    Abstract: This invention pertains to method and apparatus for accurate control of the cutting depth and grade for mobile excavating system excavators having a continuous bucket excavating system mounted at the leading end of a structural main frame. Such excavators have a rubber tire or crawler track undercarriage and dig while advancing on the freshly cut grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: John F. Bryan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5050320
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-shaft kneading auger system having a plurality of kneading shafts or rotating shafts used to form a continuous wall in the ground. Grouting blades driven by chains, are positioned near the lower ends of the kneading shafts. A grouting edge of the blade forms a predetermined angle with the surface of the kneading shafts. Also, a scraping apparatus is formed in a part of the rotating shafts. The scraping apparatus comprises a supporting member laterally supported in the part of the rotating shafts, plain blades vertically movably supported on the supporting member and substantially located on common tangential lines of the rotational surfaces of the grouting blades, a coupling member including rollers and laterally coupling the plain blades, and cams provided in the part of the rotating shafts and adapted to engage with the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignees: Kajima Corporation, Chemical Grouting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Shibazaki, Tsutao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5035071
    Abstract: In particular for the production of trenches in medium hard to hard rock, the cutting wheels of the trench wall cutter are equipped with rolling tools, whose cutting faces are parallel to the bore axis. The cleaning of the bottom of the bore and the transportation of the material to the suction point preferably takes place with the aid of brushes. Further brushes arranged on the cutting frame are used for cleaning the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin E. Stotzer, Peter Teschemacher
  • Patent number: 5027534
    Abstract: A powered ditch router for clearing the overgrowth from road side drainage ditches is disclosed. The router includes a power shaft, a plurality of discs attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, and a number of cutting teeth are spaced about the periphery and sides of the discs for cutting the overgrowth. The router is mountable to a tractor for operation through a ditch. The overgrowth, when cut, can be deposited along side one edge of the ditch for subsequent pickup and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Richard C. Sackett
  • Patent number: 4999934
    Abstract: A floating dredge and hydraulic dredging apparatus for mining underwater mineral bearing deposits is disclosed. The dredge includes an overburden excavator and an ore excavator mounted to a pontoon for removing overburden and ore material, respectively. Processors on the pontoon receive material from the excavators. Dredging control components coordinate the operation of the ore and overburden excavators to efficiently remove and mine the desired material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: R. A. Hanson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Hanson, Wayne F. Crockett
  • Patent number: 4991322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for affixing cutter drums on an apparatus designed to cut trenches in the ground.The driver includes a revolving plate 4 disposed perpendicular to its axis and to the end of the latter, the plate having on its periphery a convex polygonal shape 9. A cutter drum 8 is provided with a portion 8a including a central hollow of concave polygonal shape 10 corresponding to the convex polygonal shape 9 of the plate 4 and of slightly greater dimensions. Bolts 11 unite the cutter drum 8 to the said plate 4 such that the rotational driving of the cutter drum 8 by the plate is performed through the medium of the aforesaid polygonal surfaces 9, 10 which come into engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Soletanche
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Detilleux, Gilbert Ferre, Philippe LeFort, Andre Ponsada, Jean-Pierre Schreiber, Jean-Bernard Wittner
  • Patent number: 4976051
    Abstract: A rotary trench excavator comprising a prime mover (1) pivotably connected to a movable frame (2) carrying a working member having the form of a system of drive rotors (9 to 11). To drive each such rotor (9 to 11), its interior accommodates a support frame (6) with support and guide rollers (7 and 8), and a drive mechanism. In order to ensure turning of each rotor (9 to 11) 180.degree., or of the entire system of rotors, there is provided an additional frame (4) connected to the frame (2) of the excavator and to each of the rotors (9 to 11) by way of detachable flanges (13 to 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Spetsialnoe Konstruktorskoe Buro "Gazstroimashina"
    Inventors: Evgeny P. Kovalev, Alexandr M. Sushkin, June V. Trubakov, Vladimir N. Shpektorov, Iosif N. Shpektorov
  • Patent number: 4976052
    Abstract: A land grader for grading an unprepared or partially prepared soil surface, as a step in the preparation of a roadbed. The land grader has a frame fixed at a forward end to the tractor and is supported at a rearward end to a plurality of tamping wheels. On the frame are mounted a plurality of rotary cutters which are offset laterally and axially from one another along an angle to the direction of travel. The rotary cutters have scraper blades mounted between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: George C. Jeane
  • Patent number: 4971157
    Abstract: Apparatus including a rotary drilling cutter and a spoil removal conduit for the digging of a deep trench, characterized in that the spoil removal conduit is gradually adjustable in length during excavation and comprises: (a) a first conduit section, arranged proximate to said rotary cutter, and comprised of associated slidingly adjustable rigid male and female telescopic tube elements; (b) a second conduit section comprising a flexible tube having two ends, said flexible tube being connected to said first conduit section by one of its ends, its other end being disposed in the vicinity of the ground at a predetermined spoil discharge point, (c) a pulley supporting said flexible tube between said two ends; (d) lifting gear for suspending said pulley; and (e) a first cable associated with said lifting gear for supporting said pulley at selected adjustable heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite - Soletanche
    Inventors: Karl Bollinger, Philippe Chagnot, Joseph Dietsch
  • Patent number: 4969279
    Abstract: An earth mover comprising at least one wheeled axle; a supported frame movable by the axle, said frame further including means for pushing up soil, comprising an elongate scraper blade with a ground-facing sharp longitudinal edge being substantially right-angled to the forward direction of travel of the apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by a cylindrical rotor provided at an interspace from, and in operative position above, the scraper blade, and substantially parallel thereto. It is also characterized by means for rotating the rotor in a direction from the longitudinal edge towards the upper portion of the scraper blade; and by bars mounted on the rotor. The distance from the turning circle circumference of the bars to the scraper blade decreases in the rotation direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: Jan Mantingh
  • Patent number: 4958457
    Abstract: An apparatus for ditch digging or root pruning having a main frame on which a motor drive mechanism and a cutting wheel are supported. A secondary frame portion or undercarriage is pivotally attached to the main frame. The cutting wheel is preferably mounted on a transverse shaft parallel to the wheel axis, the cutting wheel rotating in a substantially vertical plane located outside the apparatus wheels. An actuation device is provided to pivot the frame portions thereby raising or lowering the cutting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: David Doskocil
  • Patent number: 4946227
    Abstract: A bucket wheel assembly for excavating solid material from the ground which can be slurried with water has a series of buckets mounted on a framework rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, the buckets, being secured to the framework at spaced positions around the periphery, and each bucket having a leading edge portion engagable with the ground as the framework rotates to cause material to be scooped from the ground into the bucket. Sets of nozzles are mounted around the framework, each set of nozzles being located between an adjacent pair of buckets and spaced in the direction of movement of the buckets from the leading edge portion of a following bucket. A rotary valve is connected to the nozzles and to a source of liquid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Esso Resources Canada Limited
    Inventor: Raj Paul
  • Patent number: 4945661
    Abstract: Mud is taken into a vertical screw conveyor while an inlet device is rotating or without the use of such an inlet device. The mud is sent from the discharge port of the conveyor into a transport pipe. The mud is forcibly sent by a compressed air. Screens are provided to take only the mud into the screw conveyor. Paddles for stirring mud are provided on the vanes of the screw. A check valve and/or a pressure feeder (transport pump) is provided between the discharge port of the conveyor and the transport pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kuioka, Ryoichi Yamamoto, Koji Inaba, Toyoma Hoshino
  • Patent number: 4942682
    Abstract: A self-contained dredging module includes a unitary body adapted to be attached to the stick of conventional back hoe apparatus to convert it with minimum modification from dry land to sub-aqueous excavation. The body carries a dual cutter wheel, suction pump, and separate motors for driving the cutter wheel and the pump. The cutter wheel is arranged on the module in such a position that dredging is permitted when the stick is moved in one direction and also permitted when the stick and module are turned upside down and the stick is moved in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Ellicott Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander W. K. McDowell
  • Patent number: 4939854
    Abstract: A trenching machine that can be easily converted between push or pull type models by using same parts at the manufacturing stage, is disclosed. The machine includes a base frame having first and second surfaces, first and second ends, and sides. A motor engine and first ground engaging means are located at first end of the base frame, and second ground engaging means is located at second end thereof. A mechanism connects the motor with first ground engaging means for driving it. The second ground engaging means includes an offset portion which is positioned inside of the first ground engaging means. A digging device is cantilevered from first and second ends of the base frame, and has a portion positioned adjacent the offset portion of the second ground engaging means in front of the first ground engaging means. The base frame is open on one side and the digging device is disposed adjacent thereto. The base frame further includes a steering handle secured at the first end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Gary R. Boren
  • Patent number: 4936031
    Abstract: A "soft excavator" utilizes supersonic jets of air to loosen and remove soil and the like without damage to utility lines and other "hard" buried objects. A pair of digger nozzles, each mounted at an angle to the axis of the tubular support shaft which in turn is mounted for planetary motion on a drivehead rotating about a tubular member, trace a epitrochoidal path around the inlet to the tubular member which advances with each rotation of the drivehead to uniformly loosen soil across the cutting face and to gather the lossened soil toward the tubular member. Injector nozzles direct supersonic jets of air into the tubular member in the direction of the discharge end to generate a secondary air flow which sucks lossened soil aerated by the digger nozzles into the inlet end of the tubular member. The entrained soil is decelerated by a diffuser and flexible bag at the discharge end of the tubular member and deposited in a pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: ACB Technology, Corp.
    Inventors: Aubrey C. Briggs, Richard D. Nathenson
  • Patent number: 4887371
    Abstract: A submersible dregde assembly which includes a mobile carriage which locates on and may be driven about the submerged surface of the sea, river or bay under control from the surface and which carries a rotatable bucket wheel for engaging the surface and displacing material therefrom. The displaced material is conveyed to a remote location by means of a pump which withdraws material from the region of the bucket wheel by suction. The assembly also includes arrangements for adjusting the attitude of the bucket wheel so that a level dredged surface can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Johann F. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 4883134
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven milling machine construction for cutting trenches in the ground, in which there are two rotating semi-drums with cutting tools at their periphery. The drums are mounted on a central support. The sole function of the motor is to transmit a rotational torque to the semi-drums without transmitting any other forces. The stress exerted on the cutting tools is directly transmitted to the central support without going through the motor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Soletanche
    Inventors: Karl Bollinger, Daniel Barre
  • Patent number: 4785559
    Abstract: The apparatus for making a substantially vertical slot in the ground in a step in making a sealing or supporting wall comprises a frame member, a supporting shield, at least two cutting wheels and a drive unit. The supporting shield is attached to the frame member and supports the cutting wheels and the drive unit. The cutting wheels are mounted on a common shaft and at least a portion of the drive unit is enclosed by at least one of the cutting wheels. A housing projecting pipe like on both of its opposing sides is attached to the supporting shield. Each of the cutting wheels have a hub which is mounted on a common shaft mounted in the housing. A hollow drive wheel is provided for the cutting wheels and is mounted advantageously on a stepped in seat on one of the hubs. It fits in the housing with play. The hollow drive wheel meshes with a plurality of drive gears each connected to a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Hochtief Aktiengesellschaft Vorm. Gebr. Helfmann
    Inventor: Volker Hentschel
  • Patent number: 4780972
    Abstract: A wheelmotor direct-drives the bucketwheel for wet underwater service in dredging. This eliminates the combination of an intervening gear box and a watertight chamber to house the rotating shaft hydraulic motor of conventional dry underwater service practice. In a preferred embodiment, a compression seal is provided which is adapted to create a chamber within the seal thereby providing a first line of defense against the intrusion of water into the junction of the stationary shaft and the rotating case. By injecting underwater lubricating grease into this chamber, displacing all of the air therein, the sliding contact surfaces are lubricated and a second line of defense against the intrusion of water is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Wayne G. Keene
  • Patent number: 4768297
    Abstract: A trenching wheel more especially for digging trenches, of the type in which the tools are mounted on ring portions removably fixed to the periphery of said wheel. The arrangement for fixing each ring portion to the periphery of said wheel include:a first assembly of two end faces provided respectively at the ends of said ring portiona second assembly of two abutment faces fixed to the periphery of said wheel and orthogonal to the plane thereof; anda wedge shaped key insertable from outside the periphery of said wheel inwardly thereof, between an end face of said first assembly and an abutment face of said second assembly for applying the other of said end faces of said first assembly under pressure against the other of said abutment faces of said second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Ets. Rivard S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Rivard
  • Patent number: 4712320
    Abstract: The ditching apparatus includes a prime mover (A) and an arm assembly (B) for selectively positioning a ditching head (C). The ditching head includes a rotatably mounted circular supporting member (34) to which a plurality of mounting brackets (44) are mounted transversely and radially about an axis of rotation (36). A plurality of blades (50) are mounted to the brackets by a plurality of bolts (84). Each blade has first and second faces (66, 68) which are disposed symmetrically about a face axis (78). The faces terminate at first and second edges (52, 54) which are disposed symmetrically about an edge axis (56) and at first and second ends (60, 62) which are symmetric about an end axis (64). The blade includes a plurality of mounting apertures (80, 82) which are symmetrical with respect to both the end and edge axes. In this manner, the blade is reversible about both the end and edge axes to be mounted selectively in any one of four positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Inventor: Jack O. Cartner
  • Patent number: 4612715
    Abstract: The ditching apparatus includes a prime mover (A) and an arm assembly (B) for selectively positioning a ditching head (C). The ditching head includes a rotatably mounted circular supporting member (34) to which a plurality of mounting brackets (44) are mounted transversely and radially about an axis of rotation (36). A plurality of blades (50) are mounted to the brackets by a plurality of bolts (84). Each blade has first and second faces (66, 68) which are disposed symmetrically about a face axis (78). The faces terminate at first and second edges (52, 54) which are disposed symmetrically about an edge axis (56) and at first and second ends (60, 62) which are symmetric about an end axis (64). The blade includes a plurality of mounting apertures (80, 82) which are symmetrical with respect to both the end and edge axes. In this manner, the blade is reversible about both the end and edge axis to be mounted selectively in any one of four positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Jack O. Cartner
  • Patent number: 4549648
    Abstract: A bucket wheel loader, especially a bridging equipment or loader, for bulk material dumps or piles. The loader is equipped with several bucket wheels which are movable along the front of a pile. The axes of rotation of the bucket wheels are arranged so as to have planes of rotation of the bucket wheels extend approximately transverse relative to the front of a pile of bulk material; the axes of rotation are disposed one above the other in a permanent correlation. The upper bucket wheel or wheels are expediently associated with a boom which is adjustable in relation to the front of a pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Alexander Langner
  • Patent number: 4530385
    Abstract: A tractor supported and driven mechanism for removing tree stumps which cause linear movement of a rotary cutter disk for milling away stumps from the side portions thereof. The mechanism incorporates a frame structure having a hydraulically driven slide supported and guided by parallel structural members of the frame. The cutter disk is rotatably supported on the slide structure and is driven by the power take-off of the tractor by means of an elongated non-circular drive shaft which is received in driving engagement by a central non-circular drive opening of the cutter. The cutter disk is movable along the length of the non-circular drive shaft while maintaining driving engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: Norman N. York
  • Patent number: 4517754
    Abstract: An attachment for underwater dredging cutterheads mounted above and preceding the cutterhead for digging, breaking up and transferring upland material toward the cutterhead for removal thereby. The attachment includes a shaft above and preceding the dredge suction head having radially extending fingers thereon which engage and disintegrate the upland material and move the material toward the suction head. A hydraulic motor rotates the shaft, and an expansible chamber motor adjusts the shaft vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Inventor: Troy M. Deal
  • Patent number: 4508986
    Abstract: A drive for a slow-running annular rotor of a processing machine includes a rotor supported on a standing tubular body by two bearings, between which the the electric motor driving the annular rotor is fastened to the annular rotor. The stator of the electric motor is disposed on and is likewise supported by the tubular body. The electric motor is of encapsulated design, and a gaseous coolant required for cooling the motor is conducted by forced circulation in a closed cooling loop which includes a heat exchanger disposed in the interior of the tubular body. The heat exchanger is designed as an air/air cooler. Such a drive is particularly suitable for bucket wheels of large-volume baggers employed for example in dusty areas lacking cooling water, for lignite strip mining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Detlef Vandamme
  • Patent number: 4503630
    Abstract: A ditch digging machine comprising a frame including a pair of vertical posts and a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said vertical posts, wheels supporting the lower ends of the vertical posts, a housing including a convex hood having forward and rear end plates extending downwardly from opposite ends thereof, the forward and rear end plates each having a sleeve attached thereto to engage the vertical posts, a vertical side shield extending between the opposite end plates, a motor support platform extending outwardly from the vertical side shield, an adjustable vertical lift means for raising and lowering the housing relative to the frame, a motor mounted on the motor support platform having a shaft extending through the vertical side shield, and a cutting blade assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft substantially parallel to the vertical side shield within the convex hood and the end walls; the cutting blade assembly configured to be lowered with the housing for ground engagement to cut a slit trench
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventor: Terrence H. Riley
  • Patent number: 4501517
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for excavating and pile reinforcing trenches is disclosed. A box-like central structure serves as a frame within which excavation by customary means, e.g., externally positioned back hoes, takes place. The outside walls of said central structure form temporary trench walls supporting the surrounding dirt. The inside walls of said central structure form a rear section, behind which flat piling is driven in before the entire unit advances. Advancement is carried out by means of longitudinal anchoring to the earth in the direction of travel of the apparatus and a longitudinal propulsion mechanism riding on the box frame and alternatively drilling and pushing periodically. In addition, end aligned shafts with cutting members are disposed within the front edges of the box frame walls to facilitate tunneling forward during the propulsion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: Robert A. Seyle
  • Patent number: 4398362
    Abstract: An oceanic seaplow system comprising a plurality of vessels forming a mini fleet wherein a flexible hose is joined at one end to a suction turbine associated with a mothership and the other end is connected to a suction stud on a seaplow travelling on the ocean bottom. Assistant vessels raise and lower the flexible hose and the seaplow by cables. One of the assistant vessels supplies air to an injector in the flexible hose through a pressure hose at one or more points for second stage acceleration of the dredged material. First stage acceleration takes place inside the seaplow through an electrolysis pump. Electricity for electrolysis and for the steering system is supplied through electric cables from one of the assistant vessels. The seaplow converts the forward motion of the plow by surface contact into rotation of plow elements in order to dig up specimens for elevation by the electrolysis pump located within the seaplow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Inventor: Friedrich Weinert
  • Patent number: 4392566
    Abstract: A bulk material handling and reclaiming device of a nature that can be added to or substituted in known reclaiming installations. Bulk material such as coal delivered by a conveyor from a mine normally is delivered by a conveyor in large quantities during the period of mine operation to storage areas where it is stacked in mounds covering circular or rectangular storage areas. The new reclaimer has a cage on which a plurality of sets of buckets are moved in either direction by chains to which the buckets are pivoted, the chains endlessly surrounding the cage. The chains are driven to move in either direction in channel tracks. The cage is nonrotatably supported and bodily moved in straight or arcuate paths in either direction toward one or another end of stacked bulk material in storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Quadracast, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Tschantz
  • Patent number: 4324056
    Abstract: A device for wiping or removing stones, or the like, especially intended for a ditch digging machine, having at least one digging blade which is mounted on a horizontally disposed, rotatable shaft, includes a wiper endpiece mounted on the shaft, which is disposed parallel to and a short distance apart from the digging blade. This endpiece is mounted in a slip clutch-like manner on the shaft and is maintained in its normal position by engagement with a spring-loaded rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Inventor: Gerhard Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 4312762
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing settled sediment from a water-covered bed such as a silt pond. It also relates to a method and apparatus for the transfer of the removed sediment to a disposal site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Inventors: Curtis D. Blackburn, Randall L. Blackburn, Dewey L. Adkins
  • Patent number: 4306363
    Abstract: A side cutter apparatus for an excavating machine having a plurality of spaced rotating digging wheels mounted on a common horizontal shaft, each wheel having a pair of spaced sidewalls, and having frame rails partially extending into the spaces between adjacent wheels; which includes a base plate affixed to the periphery of a cut-away section of a sidewall adjacent to the open space between the wheels; a pivotal side cutter including a back panel disposed in the cut-away section and pivotally mounted at its lower end on the base plate so as to pivot into the open space, a front panel disposed essentially parallel to the back panel and pivotally mounted at its lower end on a common axis with the back panel so as to be pivotally movable therewith, a cutting tooth affixed to the upper portion of the front panel and extending into the open space, a roller rotatably mounted on an axis perpendicular to the front panel and extending through the same into a vertical space between the panels wherein the roller is dir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Unit Rig & Equipment Co.
    Inventors: George O. Greene, Mark A. Morgan, Brian G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4284369
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a take-up head for a conveyor installation that removes bulk material from the hold of a ship. The take-up head includes a vertical conveying tube carried by a frame, the lower end of the tube defining a take-up aperture. A rotary feeder having a plurality of radially extending spiral veins is rotatably driven to drive material inwardly to the take-up aperture. A holding device, which takes various forms in the several embodiments, projects downward in coaxial relation relative to the feeder to engage the bulk material and resist lateral movement of the take-up head. Anchoring apparatus, which takes the form of a plurality of laterally extending pivotal arms or a laterally extending auxiliary conveyor, is constructed for lowering into engagement with the material to resist rotation of the frame as the feeder rotates. The take-up head is suspended from an on-shore jib that moves the head to various positions within the ship's hold to remove all bulk material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Gebrueder Buehler AG
    Inventors: Arnold Gsponer, Hans Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 4279548
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for excavating and pile reinforcing trenches which requires the removal of, and access to, no more top soil than is defined by the actual dimensions of the ditch. A box-like central structure serves as a frame within which excavation by customary means, e.g., externally positioned hoes, takes place. The outside walls of said central structure form temporary trench walls supporting the surrounding dirt. The inside walls of said central structure form a rear section, narrower in width than the front section and set off therefrom in a step-like fashion, behind which flat piling is driven in before the entire unit advances. Advancement is carried out by means of lateral anchoring base and a longitudinal propulsion mechanism both riding on a trolley structure extending from the rear of the box frame and alternatively expanding and contracting periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventor: Raymond W. Ramey
  • Patent number: 4267652
    Abstract: A dredging assembly pivotally suspended by a boom from a floating vessel includes an underwater frame that is propelled by rotation of spaded wheels to exert a forward propelling force on excavating drums mounted at a forward end of the frame. The drums are rotated independently of the propelling wheels in a direction opposite thereto during forward travel. Fixed baffles within the drums confine excavated material for removal by suction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Joseph Senesac
  • Patent number: 4265037
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assembling tools on a wheel. Stop pins fixed to the wheel cooperate with radial wedges to maintain tool-bearing sectors in a disc formation on the wheel. The pins and the radial wedges are located between adjacent sectors alternatively, with one wedge being positioned between two adjacent faces or ends of adjacent sectors to urge the other ends of the sectors into engagement with two of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Inventor: Pol Lamouric
  • Patent number: 4257178
    Abstract: A cylindrical drum is mounted for rotation about its axis on laterally opposed horizontal crossbeams of an open rectangular frame which crossbeams, in turn, bear on at least one end thereof, lift beams, slidable within vertical guide rails for varying the vertical height of each crossbeam and its drum relative to a barge supporting the dredging apparatus. A plurality of closely spaced radially directed pairs of guide plates extend outwardly from the axis of the drum to the drum outer periphery at given drum slots, permitting the projection of blade assemblies radially from the drum periphery. Each blade assembly includes a planar blade member bearing elongated rectangular bucket cut-out areas. To the opposite edges of the cut-out areas are hinge-mounted, interengaging main and auxiliary bucket plates which overlie each other when closed and which open to form generally right angle troughs or buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: Shelby L. Spradlin
  • Patent number: 4242814
    Abstract: A cutter wheel for a dredging apparatus mounted for rotation about a shaft and having outwardly projecting cutting blades mounted on openings formed in the cylindrical peripheral plane of said wheel, while a stationary suction mouth is provided inside said wheel which is adapted for being in fluid communication with the cutting blades on rotation of said wheel, said suction mouth being connected to said shaft so that it may be rotated by means of a piston-cylinder assembly to change its angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Conrad-Stork B.V.
    Inventor: Marten Fluks
  • Patent number: 4197662
    Abstract: Means for driving the back walls of the buckets of an excavating wheel having a plurality of circumferentially arranged digging buckets. Each digging bucket is provided with a pivotal back wall mounted on the excavating wheel. The excavating wheel is rotatably mounted on a central shaft. A central sprocket is freely rotatably mounted on a bucket wheel hub which is mounted on the central shaft. A mounting bracket is attached directly to the main frame of the vehicle and extends outwardly therefrom. An offset sprocket which is smaller in diameter than the central sprocket is rotatably attached to the opposite end of the bracket. The axes of rotation for the central sprocket and the offset sprocket are parallel. A continuous chain passes around the sprockets with the chain constrained to move in a predetermined path. Push rods are pivotally attached at one end to connecting links of the chain so that the push rods are disposed at equal intervals along the length of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Unit Rig & Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Hubert J. McAulay, Orville B. Francis
  • Patent number: 4197032
    Abstract: An apparatus for concurrently preparing a ground surface and forming a continuous strip of paving material thereon, and which is characterized by the ability to simultaneously grade the ground surface substantially coextensively with the successive slip forming of the pavement material. The apparatus includes a ground trimmer and a following slip former, with the trimmer being laterally translatable with respect to the slip former so that the concurrent grading and slip forming functions can be performed along a curvilinear path while closely maintaining the lateral alignment of the graded ground surface with the successive placement of the paving material. Thus excessive ground surface is not graded, and no area requiring preparation is omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Power Curbers, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph V. Miller
  • Patent number: 4193217
    Abstract: A pivotable bucket comprising a built-in housing containing a rotatable earth moving mechanism secured to an elbow-type power boom of an excavator or vehicle having hydraulic power thereon. The earth moving mechanism is adapted to dig earth both in a horizontal and lateral direction and to force the diggings out of the upper side of the bucket in a continuous controlled flow. The earth moving mechanism is activated by the power plant of a carrier vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventor: John M. Poche
  • Patent number: 4179829
    Abstract: A high speed trenching machine has a rotatable digging unit with a rim assembly symmetrically constructed relative to a flat center ring member and includes an outer peripheral spoil receiving section comprised of a pair of side by side annular channel ways open to opposite sides of the digging unit and formed in the outer peripheral side walls thereof with a series of circumferentially spaced digging teeth arranged in a staggered relation in operative association with respective spoil receiving inlets. The circumferential extent of an inlet is less than the radial dimension of a channel way, the inner peripheral side wall of which is inclined away from the outer peripheral side wall thereof in a direction toward the channel way open side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: Franklin C. Kinkade
  • Patent number: 4110920
    Abstract: A slack takeup apparatus for a circular excavating rim includes a support frame and first and second rim engaging wheels mounted on the support frame in spaced-apart relation for rotation about stationary axes. A third rim engaging wheel is rotatably mounted at the free end of a pivot member connected to the support frame. An extensible power member is pivotally connected to and extended between the third wheel and support frame for pivotally moving the third wheel and pivot arm to take up slack between the wheels and circular rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Roscoe Brown Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4078650
    Abstract: Threaded fasteners in a hopper are picked up by buckets spaced angularly within a rotatable, open sided drum and are dumped out of the buckets at a position above the hopper. Each bucket is generally L-shaped and is formed by two elements, one of the elements being selectively adjustable relative to the other element to enable the effective volume of the bucket to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Dixon
  • Patent number: 4057139
    Abstract: A reversible arrangement for transporting bulk materials includes a plurality of buckets mounted on a bucket wheel for rotation therewith and for pivoting between respective end positions in which the open ends of the buckets face in respective circumferential directions of the bucket wheel. The buckets are mounted on levers which are interconnected by flexible elements for coordinated displacement of the buckets between the end positions. The bucket wheel carries two circumferentially and radially spaced cams which control the extent of displacement of cam followers of respective switches between their respective retracted and extended positions. A detaining arrangement is situated along the path of movement of the buckets and engages one of the buckets during the reverse motion of the bucket wheel to detain the bucket while the bucket wheel continues to rotate so that the buckets are angularly displaced between their end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Salzgitter Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Georg Mausolf, Herbert Bellenbaum, Josef Dietrich
  • Patent number: 4009531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for handling bulk products, particularly in granular and pulverulent form, such as ores, coal or the like; the invention relates more especially to pick-up devices constituted by a plurality of buckets mounted on a mobile support such as a bucket wheel, bucket chain or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Assignee: Koch Transporttechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Michel Metrier
  • Patent number: 4002205
    Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a device for forming and maintaining demarcation boundaries primarily in the field of plant husbandry. The device includes power driven sets of blades spaced from each other on a common axle, with the tips of the blades angled toward each other. The blades are arranged so that a wedge-shaped trench is cut, and the dirt effectively impelled and scattered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Inventor: David C. Falk
  • Patent number: RE32382
    Abstract: A digging wheel for a suction dredger vessel which digging wheel rotates about a horizontal axis and has at its circumference a plurality of closely spaced partly overlapping scoops while the suction mouth in the interior of the wheel has an extension which extends into the scoops and fits through the outlet of the scoops. The effective passage between the leading edge of a scoop and the outlet edge of a preceding scoop is smaller than the outlet and any further passage towards the pump is of the same or larger magnitude than the outlet of a scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: IHC Holland N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes van den Elshout, Jan Asselbergs