Apparatus for aiding disposal of snow by compacting it to great density

Claim 2

Snow compacting apparatus including a hopper into which a bulk quantity of snow may be dumped, a pusher plate moveable in the lower portion of the hopper, for pushing snow in the hopper into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; a swing-plate pivotally mounted in the hopper, said swing-plate being swung as the pusher plate pushes snow, to a position to receive snow dumped toward the hopper and dump it therein as the pusher plate returns; said pusher plate being substantially free from extensions lengthwise of its movement; hydraulic means extending along the length of the hopper for drawing the pusher plate through the hopper; second stage hydraulic compactor means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the snow and pushing it into a second confined area; and a hydraulic compacting ram movable in the second confined area for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the snow and forming a dense snow block; means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the hydraulic ram operating when the gate is open to eject the snow block along an ejection path by packing more snow behind it.

Claim 3

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 including conveying means spaced below the ejection path to receive a block when severed by closing of the gate from the supporting packed snow which supports and ejects it.

Claim 4

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 including conveying means spaced below the ejection path to receive a block when severed by closing of the gate from the supporting packed snow which supports and ejects it, and switch means tripped by the moving block as it clears the path for the closing of the gate.

Claim 5

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pusher plate recedes to approximately the position of one outer hopper wall and moves along two adjacent hopper walls.

Claim 6

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pusher plate recedes to approximately the position of one outer hopper wall and moves along two adjacent hopper walls; a swinging chute and bridge plate hanging down in front of the pusher plate when the pusher plate is retracted and swinging to bridge behind it as it advances.

Claim 7

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for compacting the snow with a force equal to at least 175 pounds per square inch.

Claim 8

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for compacting the snow with a force equal to at least about 200 pounds per square inch.

Claim 9

Snow compacting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second stage compactor means feeds snow to the path of the ram over an area longer in the direction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram.

Claim 10

A snow compactor according to claim 1 in which the second stage compactor means compacts while the pusher plate and compacting ram retract.

Claim 11

A snow compactor according to claim 1 in which the second stage compactor means compacts while the pusher plate and compacting ram retract and all are reversed automatically by a single controller.

Claim 12

A snow compactor according to claim 1 in which the second stage compactor means compacts while the pusher plate and compacting ram retract and all are reversed automatically by a single controller; and limit switch means for discontinuing the supply of pressure fluid for one stage of compaction as it reaches the limit of its movement.

Claim 13

Snow compacting apparatus including a hopper into which a bulk quantity of snow may be dumped, a hydraulically driven pusher plate movable in the hopper for pushing snow in the hopper into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; second stage hydraulic compactor means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the snow and pushing it into a second confined area; and a hydraulic compacting ram movable in the second confined area for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the snow and forming a dense snow block; means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the hydraulic ram operating when the gate is open to eject the snow block by packing more snow behind it; in which the second stage compactor means feeds snow to the path of the ram over an area longer in the direCtion of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram; the second stage compactor means comprising a plurality of hydraulic tampers actuated by a common fluid source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram.

Claim 14

Snow compacting apparatus including a hopper into which a bulk quantity of snow may be dumped, a hydraulically driven pusher plate movable in the hopper for pushing snow in the hopper into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; second stage hydraulic compactor means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the snow and pushing it into a second confined area; and a hydraulic compacting ram movable in the second confined area for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the snow and forming a dense snow block; means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the hydraulic ram operating when the gate is open to eject the snow block by packing more snow behind it; in which the second stage compactor means feeds snow to the path of the ram over an area longer in the direCtion of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram; the second stage compactor means comprising a plurality of hydraulic tampers actuated by a common fluid source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram.

Claim 15

Snow compacting apparatus including a hopper into which a bulk quantity of snow may be dumped, a hydraulic compacting ram for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for compacting the snow and forming a dense snow block; the limit of compacting movement of the ram terminating with a substantial space ahead of it within the compression chamber; means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate with shearing action behind an ejected block, the hydraulic ram operating when the gate is open to eject the snow block by packing, less densely, more snow behind it, and means for pushing snow from the hopper into the path of the ram, partially compacting it.

Claim 16

Snow compacting apparatus including a hopper into which a bulk quantity of snow may be dumped, a hydraulic compacting ram for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for compacting the snow and forming a dense snow block; the limit of compacting movement of the ram terminating with a substantial space ahead of it within the compression chamber; means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate with shearing action behind an ejected block, the hydraulic ram operating when the gate is open to eject the snow block by packing, less densely, more snow behind it, and means for pushing snow from the hopper into the path of the ram, partially compacting it.

Claim 17

A compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a pusher plate means movable relative to the lower portion of the hopper for pushing the material deposited in the hopper into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; c. movable plate means in the hopper cooperating with the pusher plate means for facilitating the substantially continuous reception of material into the apparatus regardless of the position of the pusher plate means; d. power means for moving the pusher plate means toward and away from said first confined area; e. compacting means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the material and pushing it into a second confined area; f. a movable gate closing one portion of said second confined area; g. means for opening said gate when a desired density of the material has been achieved and for closing said gate when a desired portion of the material has passed therethrough; h. and a compacting ram means movable in said second confined area for further compacting the material and for ejecting a block of the material formed along an ejection path by packing more material behind it.

Claim 18

A compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a pusher plate means movable relative to the lower portion of the hopper for pushing the material deposited in the hopper into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; c. movable plate means in the hopper cooperating with the pusher plate means for facilitating the substantially continuous reception of material into the apparatus regardless of the position of the pusher plate means; d. power means for moving the pusher plate means toward and away from said first confined area; e. compacting means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the material and pushing it into a second confined area; f. a movable gate closing one portion of said second confined area; g. means for opening said gate when a desired density of the material has been achieved and for closing said gate when a desired portion of the material has passed therethrough; h. and a compacting ram means movable in said second confined area for further compacting the material and for ejecting a block of the material formed along an ejection path by packing more material behind it.

Claim 19

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the block is severed by a shearing action as said gate is closed.

Claim 20

Compacting apparatus according to claim 15 including conveying means spaced below the ejection path for receiving a block when severed by the closing of said gate.

Claim 21

Compacting apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said compacting means compacts while said pusher plate and compacting ram retract and all are reversed automatically by a single controller.

Claim 22

Compacting apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the compacting means compacts while the pusher plate means and compacting ram means retract, switch means associated with each of said means for discontinuing the supply of pressure when said means reach the limits of movement.

Claim 23

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 including a switch means tripped by the moving block as it clears the ejection path for initiating the closing of said gate.

Claim 24

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said pusher plate recedes to a position approximating an outer hopper wall and moves along a pair of side walls.

Claim 25

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said movable plate is swung upwardly as the pusher plate moves toward said first confined area and then downwardly to a position to receive the deposited material when the pusher plate moves away from said first confined area.

Claim 26

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 including means for compacting the material with a force equal to at least about 175 pounds per square inch.

Claim 27

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said compacting means in the first confined area feeds material into the path of said compacting ram means over an area longer in the dirEction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of said compacting ram.

Claim 28

Compacting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said compacting means compacts while said pusher plate and compacting ram retract.

Claim 29

A compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a power operated compacting ram means operating within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for compacting the material and forming a dense block, the limit of compacting movement of said compacting ram means terminating a substantial distance from said gate; c. means for automatically opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate with a shearing action behind an ejected block, said compacting ram means operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing, less densely, more material behind it; d. and means for pushing material from said hopper-like structure into the path of said compacting ram means, partially compacting the material.

Claim 30

A compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a power operated compacting ram means operating within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for compacting the material and forming a dense block, the limit of compacting movement of said compacting ram means terminating a substantial distance from said gate; c. means for automatically opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate with a shearing action behind an ejected block, said compacting ram means operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing, less densely, more material behind it; d. and means for pushing material from said hopper-like structure into the path of said compacting ram means, partially compacting the material.

Claim 31

Compacting apparatus according to claim 25 including an intermediate compacting stage between said pushing means and said compacting chamber.

Claim 32

Compacting apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said intermediate compacting stage includes a plurality of movable tampers.

Claim 33

Compacting apparatus according to claim 25 including means associated with said pusher means for preventing material from being deposited behind said pusher means.

Claim 34

Compacting apparatus including a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited, comprising: a. a pusher plate which recedes to approximately the position of one outer hopper wall and moves along a pair of hopper walls, and converging walls opposite the pusher plate through which the pusher plate pushes the material, partially compacting it; b. a swinging chute and bridge plate hanging down in front of the pusher plate when the pusher plate is retracted and swinging to a bridging position as the pusher plate advances; c. a hydraulic compacting ram for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the material and forming a dense block, means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the hydraulic compacting ram operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing more material behind it, and means for pushing material from the hopper into the path of the ram, partially compacting it; d. second stage compactor means feeding material into the path of the compacting ram over an area longer in the direction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram, the second stage compactor means comprising a plurality of hydraulic tampers actuated by a common fluid source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram; e. limit switch means for discontinuing the supply of pressure fluid for one stage of compaction as it reaches the limit of its movement; f. switch means tripped by the moving block as it clears the path for the closing of the gate; g. wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid operating the hydraulic compacting ram is fed to pressure-responsive means for controlling the opening of the gate when the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined value equivalent to a compacting pressure of at least about 200 pounds per square inch.

Claim 35

Compacting apparatus including a hopper-like structure into which a quantity of material may be deposited, comprising: a. a pusher plate which recedes to approximately the position of one outer hopper wall and moves along a pair of hopper walls, and converging walls opposite the pusher plate through which the pusher plate pushes the material, partially compacting it; b. a swinging chute and bridge plate hanging down in front of the pusher plate when the pusher plate is retracted and swinging to a bridging position as the pusher plate advances; c. a hydraulic compacting ram for operation within a compression chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the material and forming a dense block, means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the hydraulic compacting ram operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing more material behind it, and means for pushing material from the hopper into the path of the ram, partially compacting it; d. second stage compactor means feeding material into the path of the compacting ram over an area longer in the direction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram, the second stage compactor means comprising a plurality of hydraulic tampers actuated by a common fluid source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram; e. limit switch means for discontinuing the supply of pressure fluid for one stage of compaction as it reaches the limit of its movement; f. switch means tripped by the moving block as it clears the path for the closing of the gate; g. wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid operating the hydraulic compacting ram is fed to pressure-responsive means for controlling the opening of the gate when the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined value equivalent to a compacting pressure of at least about 200 pounds per square inch.

Claim 36

Compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a pusher plate movable relative to the hopper for pushing the material into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; c. second stage compactor means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the material and pushing it into a second confined area; d. a compacting ram movable in the second confined area for operation within a compreSsion chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the material and forming a dense block; e. means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the compacting ram operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing more material behind it; f. wherein the second stage compactor means feeds material to the path of the compacting ram over an area longer in the direction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram; g. the second stage compactor means including a plurality of tampers actuated by a common power source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram.

Claim 37

Compacting apparatus comprising: a. a hopper into which a quantity of material may be deposited; b. a pusher plate movable relative to the hopper for pushing the material into a first confined area, partially compacting it therein; c. second stage compactor means movable in said first confined area for further compacting the material and pushing it into a second confined area; d. a compacting ram movable in the second confined area for operation within a compreSsion chamber closed by a movable gate for further compacting the material and forming a dense block; e. means for opening the gate when a desired density has been achieved, and for closing the gate behind an ejected block, the compacting ram operating when the gate is open to eject the block by packing more material behind it; f. wherein the second stage compactor means feeds material to the path of the compacting ram over an area longer in the direction of ram movement than the transverse dimension of the ram; g. the second stage compactor means including a plurality of tampers actuated by a common power source but separately movable to provide successive rapid movements as the area is cleared progressively by retraction of the ram.