US3625339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removal and conveying of material from storage piles of excavations
Assignee: Barber Greene Co
•
Filing: 1968-05-31
•
Granted: 1971-12-07
•
Expires: 1988-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A material moving machine is operated to loosen and remove material in successive cuts or swaths of predetermined width and substantial length from the face of a material source such as a storage pile or an excavation. A conveyor on the opposite side of the moving machine and receiving the removed material therefrom extends substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the material source face. As the position of the face shifts relative to the conveyor due to removal of successive swaths of material requiring consequential shifting movement of the machine, the conveyor correspondingly moves up to maintain substantially the same spaced relation between the successive positions of the face, the machine and the conveyor to facilitate reception of the material from the machine. The conveyor comprises a plurality of articulated sections connected in end-to-end relation and having a continuous single endless conveyor belt carried by sections, with running wheels supporting the sections and means for driving certain of the wheels to move the conveyor as a unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred T Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:49
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; B65G65/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of moving loose material by means of an elongated, automotive, end discharge conveyor assembly including running wheels and a longitudinal endless conveyor on which loose material is adapted to be deposited from an automotive ground running machine having at one side thereof material dislodging device operatively aligned with a loading boom conveyor having a discharge end at the opposite side of the machine, comprising: locating said machine with its dislodging device in material dislodging relation to a material source; locating said conveyor assembly in spaced relation to the material source with said machine therebetween and with said endless conveyor receptively aligned with said discharge end; running said machine between a starting end and a terminal end of a path between said source and generally parallel to said assembly while continuously removing material from said source and discharging said material from said end onto said endless conveyor; at the terminal end of said path moving said machine transversely relative to said source and to said conveyor assembly and thereby clearing said dislodging device from said source; then running said machine to said starting end while said conveyor assembly remains in stationary position; at said starting end moving said machine transversely relative to said conveyor and returning said dislodging device into material removing relation to said source; and running said assembly transversely relative to said machine and to said source sufficiently to effect realignment of said endless conveyor with said discharge end.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of moving loose material by means of an elongated, automotive, end discharge conveyor assembly including running wheels and a longitudinal endless conveyor on which loose material is adapted to be deposited from an automotive ground running machine having at one side thereof material dislodging device operatively aligned with a loading boom conveyor having a discharge end at the opposite side of the machine, comprising: locating said machine with its dislodging device in material dislodging relation to a material source; locating said conveyor assembly in spaced relation to the material source with said machine therebetween and with said endless conveyor receptively aligned with said discharge end; running said machine between a starting end and a terminal end of a path between said source and generally parallel to said assembly while continuously removing material from said source and discharging said material from said end onto said endless conveyor; at the terminal end of said path moving said machine transversely relative to said source and to said conveyor assembly and thereby clearing said dislodging device from said source; then running said machine to said starting end while said conveyor assembly remains in stationary position; at said starting end moving said machine transversely relative to said conveyor and returning said dislodging device into material removing relation to said source; and running said assembly transversely relative to said machine and to said source sufficiently to effect realignment of said endless conveyor with said discharge end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, including sensing and transmitting to control means for running gear including said wheels of said assembly information that the machine has reached said terminal end, and timing said control means to effect said running of the assembly after said machine has been moved to return said dislodging device into material-removing relation to said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, including positively guiding said machine while running between said starting end and said terminal end of the path to remain in parallel running relation to said conveyor assembly so as to assure discharging alignment of said discharge end with said endless conveyor although the conveyor assembly and the machine are not physically connected together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said moving of the machine transversely relative to said material source at the terminal end of said path comprises shifting of the machine toward said conveyor assembly, and including guiding said machine during Running thereof to said starting end to avoid deviation from the parallel path whereby to prevent collision with said conveyor assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 1, including aligning the discharge end of the conveyor assembly with a transporting conveyor running in a direction transverse to the length of said conveyor assembly, during said running of the conveyor assembly transversely relative to said machine and to said source sensing any deviation from normal angular relation of said conveyor assembly to said transporting conveyor, and moving said conveyor assembly to eliminate the deviation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 5, in which said conveyor assembly must be operatively located at right angles to the length of the transporting conveyor, and advancing whichever end of the conveyor assembly lags behind the other end to eliminate deviation from the right angular relationship while running the conveyor assembly transversely relative to the machine and to the source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
243 words
In combination in apparatus for moving loose material: an elongated, automotive, end discharge conveyor assembly including running wheels and a longitudinal endless conveyor on which loose material is adapted to be moved toward the discharge end, and the conveyor assembly located in spaced relation to a material source to receive material therefrom; an automotive ground running machine having at one side thereof material dislodging device operatively aligned with a loading boom conveyor having a discharge end at the opposite side of the machine, and said machine being located between said source and said conveyor with said discharge end adapted to be aligned with said endless conveyor by running said machine between a starting end and a terminal end of a path generally parallel to said conveyor assembly while said device continuously removes material from said source; said machine being operable to move transversely relative to said source and to said conveyor assembly at the terminal end of said path to clear said dislodging device from said source, and being then operable to run to said starting end while said conveyor assembly remains in stationary position, so that at said starting end the machine can move transversely relative to the conveyor assembly and return said dislodging device into material-removing relation to said source; and means operable to effect running of said conveyor assembly transversely relative to said machine and to said source sufficiently to effect realignment of said endless conveyor with said discharge end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
243 words
In combination in apparatus for moving loose material: an elongated, automotive, end discharge conveyor assembly including running wheels and a longitudinal endless conveyor on which loose material is adapted to be moved toward the discharge end, and the conveyor assembly located in spaced relation to a material source to receive material therefrom; an automotive ground running machine having at one side thereof material dislodging device operatively aligned with a loading boom conveyor having a discharge end at the opposite side of the machine, and said machine being located between said source and said conveyor with said discharge end adapted to be aligned with said endless conveyor by running said machine between a starting end and a terminal end of a path generally parallel to said conveyor assembly while said device continuously removes material from said source; said machine being operable to move transversely relative to said source and to said conveyor assembly at the terminal end of said path to clear said dislodging device from said source, and being then operable to run to said starting end while said conveyor assembly remains in stationary position, so that at said starting end the machine can move transversely relative to the conveyor assembly and return said dislodging device into material-removing relation to said source; and means operable to effect running of said conveyor assembly transversely relative to said machine and to said source sufficiently to effect realignment of said endless conveyor with said discharge end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including control means for running gear of said conveyor assembly including said wheels and sensing means for transmitting to said control means information that the machine has reached said terminal end, and means for timing said control means to effect said running of the conveyor assembly after said machine has moved at said starting end of the path to return said dislodging device into material-removing relation to said source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for guiding said machine to run parallel with said conveyor assembly so that said discharge end will remain aligned with said endless conveyor while the machine is running along said path from said starting end to said terminal end, even though the machine is not physically connected with said conveyor assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for guiding said machine in returning from said terminal end to said starting end of the path whereby to avoid collision of the machine with the conveyor assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including a transporting conveyor extending transversely to said conveyor assembly and located to receive material discharged by said endless conveyor at said discharge end of the conveyor assembly, and means for maintaining predetermined angular orientation of said conveyor assembly to said transporting conveyor during movements of the conveyor assembly transversEly relative to said machine and said source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said conveyor assembly is located at right angles to said transporting conveyor, including means operative to effect advance of either end of said conveyor assembly that lags relative to the opposite end during said transverse running movement of the conveyor assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for effecting running of said conveyor assembly comprise electrical means, electrical timing means for coordinating said movement of the conveyor assembly with movements of said machine, and means for sensing arrival of said machine at said terminal end of said path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including means on said machine and on said conveyor assembly relatively unconnected but operable in alignment to determine proper alignment of the machine with the conveyor assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, said means for determining proper alignment comprising a sighting device carried by the machine and a visually observeable guide line carried by the conveyor assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for effecting running of said conveyor assembly comprise electrical means, electrical timing means for coordinating said movement of the conveyor assembly with movements of said machine, and means operable incident to arrival of the machine at said terminal end for initiating operation of said timing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for effecting running of said conveyor assembly comprise electrical means, electrical timing means for coordinating said movement of the conveyor assembly with movements of said machine, and means on said machine and on said conveyor assembly for controlling said timing means against enabling premature running of said conveyor assembly while said machine is running to said starting end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; running wheels supporting said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; and sighting line masts supported by said conveyor sections and having cantilever arms supporting sighting line means for maintaining alignment of a material loading machine running parallel with the conveyor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; running wheels supporting said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; and sighting line masts supported by said conveyor sections and having cantilever arms supporting sighting line means for maintaining alignment of a material loading machine running parallel with the conveyor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
179 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; running wheels supporting said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; said belt system discharging at one end of the conveyor; means on said one end of the conveyor for running the conveyor in squared up normal discharging relation to a transversely running transporting conveyor and including a rail extending parallel to the transporting conveyor and wheeled means on the discharge end portion of the sectional conveyor having wheels running along said rail; driven wheels adjacent to the discharge end of the sectional conveyor; another set of driven wheels adjacent to the opposite end of the sectional conveyor; electrical control means for the wheel driving means; said wheeled means comprising a sensor for deviations from the squared up relation of the sectional conveyor to the transporting conveyor; and electrical control switch means operated by said sensor to control operation of said sets of driven wheels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
179 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; running wheels supporting said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; said belt system discharging at one end of the conveyor; means on said one end of the conveyor for running the conveyor in squared up normal discharging relation to a transversely running transporting conveyor and including a rail extending parallel to the transporting conveyor and wheeled means on the discharge end portion of the sectional conveyor having wheels running along said rail; driven wheels adjacent to the discharge end of the sectional conveyor; another set of driven wheels adjacent to the opposite end of the sectional conveyor; electrical control means for the wheel driving means; said wheeled means comprising a sensor for deviations from the squared up relation of the sectional conveyor to the transporting conveyor; and electrical control switch means operated by said sensor to control operation of said sets of driven wheels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, in which said wheeled means include an outrigger boom, means pivotally supporting the boom, and means for raising and lowering the boom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for moving loose material, comprising; a ground running machine for removing successive swaths of material from a material source and after each swath removal leavinG a face along the material source; an elongated automotive conveyor in cooperating but noncoupled relation to said machine and equipped with running gear and extending parallel to and spaced from said face with said machine operative to run in a parallel path therebetween; means for operating said running gear to shift the conveyor to maintain a substantially predetermined spaced relation to each successive face as material is removed by said machine; and means controlled from said machine for controlling said operating means to effect the shifting of the conveyor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for moving loose material, comprising; a ground running machine for removing successive swaths of material from a material source and after each swath removal leavinG a face along the material source; an elongated automotive conveyor in cooperating but noncoupled relation to said machine and equipped with running gear and extending parallel to and spaced from said face with said machine operative to run in a parallel path therebetween; means for operating said running gear to shift the conveyor to maintain a substantially predetermined spaced relation to each successive face as material is removed by said machine; and means controlled from said machine for controlling said operating means to effect the shifting of the conveyor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, including a system for maintaining alignment of said machine relative to said conveyor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for moving loose material, comprising: a ground running machine for removing successive swaths of material from a material source and after each swath removal leaving a face along the material source; an elongated automotive conveyor in cooperating but noncoupled relation to said machine and equipped with running gear and extending parallel to and spaced from said face with said machine operative to run in a parallel path therebetween; means for operating said running gear to shift the conveyor to maintain a substantially predetermined spaced relation to each successive face as material is removed by said machine; and a system for maintaining alignment of said machine relative to said conveyor comprising a sighting system for an operator in said machine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for moving loose material, comprising: a ground running machine for removing successive swaths of material from a material source and after each swath removal leaving a face along the material source; an elongated automotive conveyor in cooperating but noncoupled relation to said machine and equipped with running gear and extending parallel to and spaced from said face with said machine operative to run in a parallel path therebetween; means for operating said running gear to shift the conveyor to maintain a substantially predetermined spaced relation to each successive face as material is removed by said machine; and a system for maintaining alignment of said machine relative to said conveyor comprising a sighting system for an operator in said machine.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 23, in which said sighting system comprises a spaced series of masts on said conveyor having cantilever arms extending over the machine, and respective swath removal and traverse guide lines carried by said arms over the path along which said machine travels along the material source, and sighting rods on the machine to be aligned with said lines selectively by the operator of the machine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 23, said sighting system including means carried in part by said machine and in part by said conveyor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
148 words
In apparatus of the character described; a conveyor comprising a plurality of articulated frame sections connected in end-to-end relation; a continuous single endless conveyor belt carried by and extending along all of said frame sections; a respective set of running wheels supporting each of said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; means operative to control said wheel driving means to drive said certain wheels to advance the conveyor in a direction transverse to its axis in coordinated relation with apparatus for loading material onto the conveyor at any section and movable in a material removing swath along a material source in a path parallel to the conveyor; automatic timing means to control said wheel driving means to effect said advance of the conveyor automatically a predetermined distance and then stopping the same; and means for activating the timing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
148 words
In apparatus of the character described; a conveyor comprising a plurality of articulated frame sections connected in end-to-end relation; a continuous single endless conveyor belt carried by and extending along all of said frame sections; a respective set of running wheels supporting each of said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; means operative to control said wheel driving means to drive said certain wheels to advance the conveyor in a direction transverse to its axis in coordinated relation with apparatus for loading material onto the conveyor at any section and movable in a material removing swath along a material source in a path parallel to the conveyor; automatic timing means to control said wheel driving means to effect said advance of the conveyor automatically a predetermined distance and then stopping the same; and means for activating the timing means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, including means for steering the driven wheels in a manner to maintain the conveyor sections in substantially straight alignment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, including means for operating said driving means to effect running movement of the conveyor, including longitudinal movement, from one location to another, and means to control said driving means for timed advancing of the conveyor relative to a loading machine and relative to the face of a material source from which material is removed for loading onto the conveyor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, adapted for ground running of the wheels, and comprising means for connecting the sections of the conveyor for articulated movement relative to one another in an up-and-down direction while the conveyor is in movement on said wheels, but maintaining the sections against horizontal misalignment during such movement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, incLuding hydraulic steering means to effect selective steering turning of selected wheels, and means carried by the conveyor for operating said steering means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, in which said belt discharges at one end of the conveyor, and guiding means on said one end of the conveyor for running the conveyor transversely to its axis in squared up normal discharging relation to a transporting conveyor running on an axis transverse to said conveyor belt.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation and each having a frame; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; a respective set of running wheels supporting each said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; said wheels having pneumatic tires; and fixed depending deflation legs mounted on at least one frame in association with certain of the wheels and having respective ground-engageable pad feet spaced above ground level when the tires are fully inflated and effective to limit descent of the conveyor upon partial tire deflation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus of the character described: a conveyor comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation and each having a frame; an endless conveyor belt system carried by said sections; a respective set of running wheels supporting each said sections; means for driving certain of said wheels to move the conveyor as a unit; said wheels having pneumatic tires; and fixed depending deflation legs mounted on at least one frame in association with certain of the wheels and having respective ground-engageable pad feet spaced above ground level when the tires are fully inflated and effective to limit descent of the conveyor upon partial tire deflation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US99734A
Cited
US1313352A
Cited
US1474356A
Cited
US2655246A
Cited
US2478653A
Cited
US2670070A
Cited
US2851143A
Cited
US3052050A
Cited
US3231064A
Cited
US3338432A
Cited
US3298494A
Cited
US3268058A
Cited
US3289816A
Cited
US3361248A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |