Single lever control for hoeing scraper components

Claim 2

In apparatus having earth manipulating components operated by a plurality of fluid jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of control valves each connected between said source of fluid and a separate one of said jacks, a control system for actuating selected individual ones of said jacks comprising: a plurality of pilot means for operating a valve in response to electrical signals, each of said control valves having at least one of said pilot means coupled thereto, an electrical power source, an operator''s control lever, wherein said control lever has a hand grip portion which may be moved axially relative to a second portion of said lever, support means for said control lever providing for motion thereof in any of a plurality of distinct directions wherein said lever support means provides for tilting of said control lever in four different directions relative to a normal position thereof, a plurality of electrical switches each having an actuator positioned for operation by a different one of said distinct motions of said lever, wherein a different one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by tilting of said control lever in each of said four different directions and wherein one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by axial movement of said hand grip in a first direction, and another one of said electrical switches is positioned for actuation by movement of said hand grip in the opposite direction, each of said switches being connected between said electrical power source and separate ones of said pilot means whereby each of said jacks may be controlled by a separate one of said motions of said control lever.

Claim 3

In apparatus having earth manipulating components operated by a plurality of fluid jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of control valves each connected between said source of fluid and a separate one of said jacks, a control system for actuating selected individual ones of said jacks comprising: a plurality of pilot means for operating a valve in response to electrical signals, each of said control valves having at least one of said pilot means coupled thereto, an electrical power source, an operators control lever, wherein said control lever has a hand grip portion which is rotatable and a baSe portion which is fixed against rotation, support means for said control lever providing for motion thereof in any of a plurality of distinct directions wherein said lever support means provides for tilting of said control lever in four different directions relative to a normal position thereof, and a plurality of electrical switches each having an actuator positioned for operation by a different one of said distinct motions of said lever, each of said switches being connected between said electrical power source and separate ones of said pilot means whereby each of said jacks may be controlled by a separate one of said motions of said control lever, wherein a different one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by tilting of said control lever in each of said four different directions and wherein at least one of said electrical switches is secured to one of said portions of said lever, and a tab for actuating said switch is secured to the other of said portions of said lever whereby said switch is operated by said tab upon rotation of said hand grip portion.

Claim 4

In apparatus having earth manipulating components operated by a plurality of fluid jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of control valves each connected between said source of fluid and a separate one of said jacks, a control system for actuating selected individual ones of said jacks comprising: a plurality of pilot means for operating a valve in response to electrical signals, each of said control valves having at least one of said pilot means coupled thereto, an electrical power source, an operators control lever, wherein said control lever has a hand grip portion which is rotatable and a baSe portion which is fixed against rotation, support means for said control lever providing for motion thereof in any of a plurality of distinct directions wherein said lever support means provides for tilting of said control lever in four different directions relative to a normal position thereof, and a plurality of electrical switches each having an actuator positioned for operation by a different one of said distinct motions of said lever, each of said switches being connected between said electrical power source and separate ones of said pilot means whereby each of said jacks may be controlled by a separate one of said motions of said control lever, wherein a different one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by tilting of said control lever in each of said four different directions and wherein at least one of said electrical switches is secured to one of said portions of said lever, and a tab for actuating said switch is secured to the other of said portions of said lever whereby said switch is operated by said tab upon rotation of said hand grip portion.

Claim 5

In apparatus having earth manipulating components operated by a plurality of fluid jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of control valves each connected between said source of fluid and a separate one of said jacks, a control system for actuating selected individual ones of said jacks comprising: a plurality of pilot means for operating a valve in response to electrical signals, each of said control valves having at least one of said pilot means coupled thereto, an electrical power source, an operators control lever, wherein said control lever has a plate secured thereto and extending laterally therefrom whereby said plate is tilted by pivoting motion of said lever, support means for said control lever providing for motion thereof in any of a plurality of distinct directions, said lever support means being a universal joint providing for tilting of said control lever in four different directions relative to a normal position thereof, a plurality of electrical switches each having an actuator positioned for operation by a different one of said distinct motions of said lever, each of said switches being connected between said electrical power source and separate ones of said pilot means whereby each of said jacks may be controlled by a separate one of said motions of said control lever, wherein a different one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by tilting of said control lever in each of said four different directions and whereby said control lever may be pivoted for operation of at least two of said switches simultaneously and wherein a plurality of said switches are mounted on said plate at angularly spaced locations thereon relative to the axis of said lever, and stationary means disposed adjacent said plate and positioned to depress the actuators of said switches when tilting movement of said plate carries said actuators toward said stationary means.

Claim 6

In apparatus having earth manipulating components operated by a plurality of fluid jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of control valves each connected between said source of fluid and a separate one of said jacks, a control system for actuating selected individual ones of said jacks comprising: a plurality of pilot means for operating a valve in response to electrical signals, each of said control valves having at least one of said pilot means coupled thereto, an electrical power source, an operators control lever, wherein said control lever has a plate secured thereto and extending laterally therefrom whereby said plate is tilted by pivoting motion of said lever, support means for said control lever providing for motion thereof in any of a plurality of distinct directions, said lever support means being a universal joint providing for tilting of said control lever in four different directions relative to a normal position thereof, a plurality of electrical switches each having an actuator positioned for operation by a different one of said distinct motions of said lever, each of said switches being connected between said electrical power source and separate ones of said pilot means whereby each of said jacks may be controlled by a separate one of said motions of said control lever, wherein a different one of said plurality of electrical switches is positioned for actuation by tilting of said control lever in each of said four different directions and whereby said control lever may be pivoted for operation of at least two of said switches simultaneously and wherein a plurality of said switches are mounted on said plate at angularly spaced locations thereon relative to the axis of said lever, and stationary means disposed adjacent said plate and positioned to depress the actuators of said switches when tilting movement of said plate carries said actuators toward said stationary means.

Claim 7

In a scraper having earth manipulating components powered by fluid operated jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure, means for manually controlling said components comprising: a plurality of valves connected between said source of fluid and separate ones of said jacks and having at least three positions including a first position at which opposite ends of the associated jack are closed and a second position at which said fluid is supplied to one end of the associated jack and a third position at which fluid is supplied to the opposite end of the associated jack, a plurality of fluid pressure operated pilot means each coupled to an associated one of said valves for shifting said valves between said positions thereof and having biasing means normally urging said associated one of said valves toward said first position thereof, said pilot means being responsive to fluid pressure pilot signals to shift said assoCiated valve to said second and third positions thereof, a plurality of means for producing said fluid pressure pilot signals in response to electrical signals, each being coupled to an associated one of said pilot means, a control lever having a hand grip section and a base section with said hand grip section being movable in an axial direction and in angular direction relative to said base section, spring means connected between said hand grip section and said base section of said control lever to urge said hand grip section toward a predetermined normal axial and angular position relative to said base section, support means for said control lever having a universal joint coupling said base section of said lever to stationary means whereby said lever including said base section of said hand grip section may be pivoted about said joint in any of a plurality of directions, an electrical power source, and a plurality of electrical switches having movable actuators, each switch being connected between said electrical power source and an associated one of said pilot signal producing means and each having said actuator thereof positioned for operation by said lever by movement of said lever in a separate one of said axial and angular and pivoting motions thereof.

Claim 8

In a scraper having earth manipulating components powered by fluid operated jacks and having a source of fluid under pressure, means for manually controlling said components comprising: a plurality of valves connected between said source of fluid and separate ones of said jacks and having at least three positions including a first position at which opposite ends of the associated jack are closed and a second position at which said fluid is supplied to one end of the associated jack and a third position at which fluid is supplied to the opposite end of the associated jack, a plurality of fluid pressure operated pilot means each coupled to an associated one of said valves for shifting said valves between said positions thereof and having biasing means normally urging said associated one of said valves toward said first position thereof, said pilot means being responsive to fluid pressure pilot signals to shift said assoCiated valve to said second and third positions thereof, a plurality of means for producing said fluid pressure pilot signals in response to electrical signals, each being coupled to an associated one of said pilot means, a control lever having a hand grip section and a base section with said hand grip section being movable in an axial direction and in angular direction relative to said base section, spring means connected between said hand grip section and said base section of said control lever to urge said hand grip section toward a predetermined normal axial and angular position relative to said base section, support means for said control lever having a universal joint coupling said base section of said lever to stationary means whereby said lever including said base section of said hand grip section may be pivoted about said joint in any of a plurality of directions, an electrical power source, and a plurality of electrical switches having movable actuators, each switch being connected between said electrical power source and an associated one of said pilot signal producing means and each having said actuator thereof positioned for operation by said lever by movement of said lever in a separate one of said axial and angular and pivoting motions thereof.

Claim 9

The combination defined in claim 4 wherein a first switch plate is secured to said base section of said control lever in spaced relation from said universal joint and extends laterally from said lever and wherein at least a portion of said switches are secured to said first switch plate with said actuators of said switches extending from said first switch plate and further comprising stationary means situated adjacent said lever in spaced relation from said first switch plate to contact said actuators of said switches upon pivoting movement of said lever.

Claim 10

The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said hand grip section of said lever has a shaft portion extending parallel to said base section and being of greater length and whereas a second switch plate is secured to said base section of said lever and extends laterally therefrom and a third switch plate is secured to said hand grip section of said lever in spaced relationship from said first switch plate whereby axial movement of said hand grip portion of said lever varies the spacing between said second and third switch plates and wherein at least one of said switches is secured to one of said second and third switch plates with the actuator thereof extending therebetween whereby said one of said switches is operated by axial movement of said hand grip portion of said lever.

Claim 11

The combination defined in claim 6 wherein first and second ones of said switches are carried on said second and third switch plates respectively, each having an actuator extending toward the other of said second and third switch plates, the actuator of said first switch being spaced from said third switch plate when said hand grip portion of said lever is in said normal position thereof whereby axial movement of the control lever which reduces the space between said second and third switch plates causes said actuator to contact the opposite switch plate and be operated thereby, and wherein said second switch has an actuator which extends from said third switch plate to contact said second switch plate when said hand grip portion of said lever is in said normal position thereof whereby said actuator of said second switch is operated when the said control lever is at said normal position thereof and is released when said hand grip section is manipulated to increase the spacing between said second and third switch plates whereby one of said first switch is operated by axial movement of said control lever in a first direction and said second switch is operated by axial movement of the control lever in the opposite direction.

Claim 12

The combination defined in claim 6 wherein a pair of said switches are mounted on one of said second and third switch plates and further comprising at least one tab extending from the other of said second and third switch plates whereby one of said pair of switches is actuated upon rotation of said hand grip portion of said lever in a first angular direction and the other of said pair of switches is actuated upon rotation of said hand grip portion of said lever in the opposite angular direction.

Claim 13

The combination defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of said switches is mounted on said hand grip portion of said lever and has a trip lever extending therefrom for manipulation by an operator''s hand.