Articulated roller assembly

Claim 2

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, shaft means within and mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, means supporting the assembly comprising said shaft means and said drum from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, said supporting means including a support member mounted to said frame in shock isolated relation thereto and means fixed to said drum relatively rotatably receiving a projecting end of Said shaft means and having a rotary bearing in said support member, an eccentric load on said shaft means in said drum, and means powered from said prime mover to rotate said shaft means.

Claim 3

A machine according to claim 1, characterized by other means powered from said prime mover to rotate said roller drum, the said means powered from said prime mover cooperating to achieve traversal of the machine over ground surface with simultaneous drum vibration.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said support member mounting thereon a motor means drivingly coupled to means in connection with said drum for rotation thereof.

Claim 5

A machine as in claim 3 characterized by said means to rotate said shaft means including a shaft drive motor, which motor and said motor means in connection with said drum for rotation thereof are independently operable but hydraulically connected so their motive power derives from a common source.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 2 wherein said frame is comprised of a pair of frame components substantially in line with one another and interconnected in an articulated relation, an assembly comprising said roller drum and said shaft means mounting said drum being associated with each of said frame components, and said other means powered from said prime mover to rotate said roller drum comprising means defining a hydraulic circuit including a motor in direct association with each drum, said drum motors being in a series relation in said circuit which includes means to reversibly flow pressure fluid through said circuit to said motors for a simultaneous drive of said drums through the medium thereof in either a forward or a reverse direction.

Claim 7

A machine according to claim 2 wherein said frame is comprised of articulated frame components, at least two said frame components each suspending therefrom a separate assembly comprising said roller drum and said shaft means, with additional means powered from said prime mover being arranged to connect with and turn one drum in steering movements and means located at and projected from one of said frame components conveniently accessible to an operator walking behind or sitting on said machine having in connection therewith means for selectively conjointly or separately initiating, modifying and discontinuing machine movement, steering and drum vibration.

Claim 8

A machine according to claim 2 characterized in that said frame is comprised of articulated frame components, at least two of said frame components each suspending therefrom a separate assembly comprising said roller drum and said shaft means, each said shaft means having in connection therewith separate motor means for drive thereof and each said drum having in connection therewith separate motor means for drive thereof and a common source of motive power to drive said motor means having in connection therewith means for reversibly driving the motor means driving said drums, said last named means including a speed control effective in either direction of rotation of said drums.

Claim 9

A machine as in claim 7 characterized by means for selectively disabling the motor means for driving said shaft means.

Claim 10

A machine as in claim 8 characterized by means for dividing the motive power delivered to drive said shaft means.

Claim 11

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, shaft means within and mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, means supporting the assembly comprising said shaft means and said drum from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, an eccentric load on said shaft means in said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate the shaft means, other means powered from said prime mover to rotate said roller drum, the said means powered from said prime mover cooperating to achieve traversal of the machine over ground surface with simultaneous drum vibration, means comprised in tHe means to rotate the shaft means and operable independently of the prime mover selectively operable to divert the power supplied to rotate said shaft means to achieve an augmented powering of the means to rotate said roller drum whereby the machine may without prime mover adjustment selectively be conditioned for relatively rapid traversal without drum vibration.

Claim 12

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, shaft means within and mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, means supporting the assembly comprising said shaft means and said drum from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, an eccentric load on said shaft means in said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate the shaft means, other means powered from said prime mover to rotate said roller drum, the said means powered from said prime mover cooperating to achieve traversal of the machine over ground surface with simultaneous drum vibration, means comprised in tHe means to rotate the shaft means and operable independently of the prime mover selectively operable to divert the power supplied to rotate said shaft means to achieve an augmented powering of the means to rotate said roller drum whereby the machine may without prime mover adjustment selectively be conditioned for relatively rapid traversal without drum vibration.

Claim 13

A machine according to claim 10, wherein said other means includes a hydraulic circuit, characterized by control means settable independently of said selectively operable means to reverse the direction of flow in said circuit whereby selectively to achieve forward and reverse traversal of the machine.

Claim 14

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon and being comprised of articulated frame components, there being at least two of said frame components each suspending therefrom a separate assembly comprising a roller drum and shaft means, the latter mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, an eccentric load on said shaft means in each said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said shaft means, the means suspending said assembly from at least one of the two said frame components incorporating resilient shock isolating elements in the connection between the frame component and said assembly, the two said frame components being longitudinally spaced from one another and interconnected by an articulated joint, the said one of the two frame components occupying a position forwardly of the other having regard to the normal direction of movement of the machine, and means for steering the machine including a linkage extending between and interconnecting said two frame components disposing in a laterally offset relation to said articulated joint and being operable to effect turning movements of said one frame component relative the other, said linkage embodying a hydraulic cylinder including a projected rod the extension or retraction of which provides corresponding direct turning movement of said one frame component, said hydraulic cylinder being in a hydraulic circuit further comprising a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and valve means positionable to direct pressure fluid to alternate ends of said cylinder and means to operate said valve means including input means arranged for movement of said valve from a neutral position and there being means included in said input means to produce a follow-up control responsive to the applied turning movement of said one frame component to position said valve means in neutral whereby to hold the so-adjusted position of said frame component.

Claim 15

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon and being comprised of articulated frame components, there being at least two of said frame components each suspending therefrom a separate assembly comprising a roller drum and shaft means, the latter mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, an eccentric load on said shaft means in each said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said shaft means, the means suspending said assembly from at least one of the two said frame components incorporating resilient shock isolating elements in the connection between the frame component and said assembly, the two said frame components being longitudinally spaced from one another and interconnected by an articulated joint, the said one of the two frame components occupying a position forwardly of the other having regard to the normal direction of movement of the machine, and means for steering the machine including a linkage extending between and interconnecting said two frame components disposing in a laterally offset relation to said articulated joint and being operable to effect turning movements of said one frame component relative the other, said linkage embodying a hydraulic cylinder including a projected rod the extension or retraction of which provides corresponding direct turning movement of said one frame component, said hydraulic cylinder being in a hydraulic circuit further comprising a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and valve means positionable to direct pressure fluid to alternate ends of said cylinder and means to operate said valve means including input means arranged for movement of said valve from a neutral position and there being means included in said input means to produce a follow-up control responsive to the applied turning movement of said one frame component to position said valve means in neutral whereby to hold the so-adjusted position of said frame component.

Claim 16

A machine according to claim 12 wherein said input means includes a cable subject at one end to push-pull impulses and operatively related at its other end to said valve means, and includes further a sheath for said cable connected at opposite ends to said frame components, the assembly comprising said cable and sheath incorporating a loop in advance of said valve inherently foreshortened and lengthened by opposite turning movements of said one frame component to provide said follow-up control.

Claim 17

A machine according to claim 13 wherein said sheath attaches at its one end to said one frame component at a location intermediate said articulated joint and a point of connection of a portion of said hydraulic cylinder unit to said one frame component.

Claim 18

A work machine comprising an articulated frame, a prime mover on said frame, articulated sections of which respectively mount ground engaging means embodying therein vibrator means, individual motors activating the movement of said ground engaging means, individual motors for actuating said vibrator means and means for selectively actuating said motors independent of said prime mover to provide directional and speed control of said ground engaging means and on-off control of said vibrator means.

Claim 19

A work machine comprising an articulated frame, a prime mover on said frame, articulated sections of which respectively mount ground engaging means embodying therein vibrator means, individual motors activating the movement of said ground engaging means, individual motors for actuating said vibrator means and means for selectively actuating said motors independent of said prime mover to provide directional and speed control of said ground engaging means and on-off control of said vibrator means.

Claim 20

Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 characterized by means providing a common source Of fluid power for driving said motors, means for selectively directing fluid to said motors for said ground engaging means to optionally dictate the nature of their movement on activation thereof, means for selectively directing the flow of fluid to said vibrator motors and for selectively by-passing the flow in respect thereto and one of said means for directing fluid including speed selector control means.

Claim 21

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, means to effect rotary drive of said drum, other means to effect vibration of said drum, said means being embodied in a hydraulic control system in connection with said prime mover and including means for directing hydraulic fluid in separate streams to simultaneously effect the vibration and rotary drive of said drum, and other means, independent of said prime mover, for diverting at least a portion of the stream directed to effect vibration of said drum to the stream for effecting rotary drive of said drum to produce a rotary drive of said drum without vibration or adjustment of said prime mover which is at a higher speed than when driven and simultaneously vibrated.

Claim 22

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, means to effect rotary drive of said drum, other means to effect vibration of said drum, said means being embodied in a hydraulic control system in connection with said prime mover and including means for directing hydraulic fluid in separate streams to simultaneously effect the vibration and rotary drive of said drum, and other means, independent of said prime mover, for diverting at least a portion of the stream directed to effect vibration of said drum to the stream for effecting rotary drive of said drum to produce a rotary drive of said drum without vibration or adjustment of said prime mover which is at a higher speed than when driven and simultaneously vibrated.

Claim 23

A machine according to claim 17 wherein the said diverting means includes control valve means having alternate positions of adjustment in one of which hydraulic fluid is directed to influence vibration of said drum and in another of which at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid directed to influence vibration of said drum is redirected to augment the hydraulic fluid directed to influence rotary drive of said drum.

Claim 24

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, shaft means within and mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, means supporting the assembly comprising said shaft means and said drum from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, said supporting means including a support member mounted to said frame in shock isolated relation thereto and a tubular housing fixed to said drum, said tubular housing relatively rotatably receiving a projecting end of said shaft means and having a rotary bearing in said support member, an eccentric load on said shaft means in said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said shaft means, said means powered from said prime mover being a hydraulic means, and other hydraulic means powered from said prime mover to rotate said drum, the one said hydraulic means and the said other hydraulic means respectively including a motor mounted on said support member, one of said motors being operable to rotate said shaft means and the other to rotate said drum through said tubular housing.

Claim 25

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one ground engaging roller drum, shaft means within and mounting said drum thereon with freedom of relative rotary motion, means supporting the assembly comprising said shaft means and said drum from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, said supporting means including a support member mounted to said frame in shock isolated relation thereto and a tubular housing fixed to said drum, said tubular housing relatively rotatably receiving a projecting end of said shaft means and having a rotary bearing in said support member, an eccentric load on said shaft means in said drum, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said shaft means, said means powered from said prime mover being a hydraulic means, and other hydraulic means powered from said prime mover to rotate said drum, the one said hydraulic means and the said other hydraulic means respectively including a motor mounted on said support member, one of said motors being operable to rotate said shaft means and the other to rotate said drum through said tubular housing.

Claim 26

A machine according to claim 19, wherein one of said motors is mounted for access to said shaft means through an open end of said tubular housing, said tubular housing having external gear means thereon for drive thereof from the other of said motors.

Claim 27

A ground traversing machine, including a frame, a prime mover on said frame including means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure, at least one ground engaging roller drum in connection with said frame, a traverse circuit including means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect rotary drive of said drum, a vibratory circuit including other means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect vibration of said drum, and speed control means in connection with said vibratory circuit adjustable independent of said prime mover to effect different modes of operating said machine in a first of which said drum is simultaneously driven and vibrated and in another of which said drum is rotatively driven at a speed higher than in the first said mode and is not vibrated, said speed control being a valve having alternative positions of adjustment in one of which it permits flow through said vibratory curcuit and in thE other of which it denies flow through said vibratory circuit and diverts the hydraulic flow directed thereto to said traverse circuit.

Claim 28

A ground traversing machine, including a frame, a prime mover on said frame including means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure, at least one ground engaging roller drum in connection with said frame, a traverse circuit including means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect rotary drive of said drum, a vibratory circuit including other means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect vibration of said drum, and speed control means in connection with said vibratory circuit adjustable independent of said prime mover to effect different modes of operating said machine in a first of which said drum is simultaneously driven and vibrated and in another of which said drum is rotatively driven at a speed higher than in the first said mode and is not vibrated, said speed control being a valve having alternative positions of adjustment in one of which it permits flow through said vibratory curcuit and in thE other of which it denies flow through said vibratory circuit and diverts the hydraulic flow directed thereto to said traverse circuit.

Claim 29

A work machine comprising an articulated frame, articulated sections of which respectively mount ground engaging means embodying therein vibrator means, individual motors for activating the movement of said ground engaging means, individual motors for actuating said vibrator means, means for independently and selectively actuating said motors to provide directional and speed control of said ground engaging means and on-off control of said vibrator means, said means for independently and selectively actuating said motors including means providing a common source of fluid power for driving said motors, means for selectively directing fluid to said motors for said ground engaging means to optionally dictate the nature of their movement on activation thereof, and means for selectively directing the flow of fluid to said vibrator motors and for selectively by-passing the flow in respect thereto, one of said means for directing fluid including speed selector control means, the said means for directing the flow of fluid to said vibrator motors including means selectively dividing the flow to such motors.

Claim 30

A work machine comprising an articulated frame, articulated sections of which respectively mount ground engaging means embodying therein vibrator means, individual motors for activating the movement of said ground engaging means, individual motors for actuating said vibrator means, means for independently and selectively actuating said motors to provide directional and speed control of said ground engaging means and on-off control of said vibrator means, said means for independently and selectively actuating said motors including means providing a common source of fluid power for driving said motors, means for selectively directing fluid to said motors for said ground engaging means to optionally dictate the nature of their movement on activation thereof, and means for selectively directing the flow of fluid to said vibrator motors and for selectively by-passing the flow in respect thereto, one of said means for directing fluid including speed selector control means, the said means for directing the flow of fluid to said vibrator motors including means selectively dividing the flow to such motors.

Claim 31

A ground traversing machine, including a frame, a prime mover on said frame including means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure, at least one ground engaging roller drum in connection with said frame, a traverse circuit including means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect rotary drive of said drum, a vibrating circuit including other means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect vibration of said drum, a speed control valve in connection with said vibratory circuit adjustable to effect different modes of operating said machine in a first of which said drum is simultaneously driven and vibrated and in another of which said drum is rotatively driven at a speed higher than in the first said mode and is not vibrated, said valve having alternative positions of adjustment in one of which it permits flow through said vibratory circuit and in the other of which it denies flow through said vibratory circuit and diverts the hydraulic flow directed thereto to said traverse circuit, and another valve in connection with said vibratory circuit downstream of said speed control valve in reference to the direction of hydraulic flow settable to render said vibratory circuit alternatively effective and ineffective to vibrate said drum irrespective of the position of adjustment of said speed control valve.

Claim 32

A ground traversing machine, including a frame, a prime mover on said frame including means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure, at least one ground engaging roller drum in connection with said frame, a traverse circuit including means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect rotary drive of said drum, a vibrating circuit including other means to direct hydraulic fluid furnished by said supply means to effect vibration of said drum, a speed control valve in connection with said vibratory circuit adjustable to effect different modes of operating said machine in a first of which said drum is simultaneously driven and vibrated and in another of which said drum is rotatively driven at a speed higher than in the first said mode and is not vibrated, said valve having alternative positions of adjustment in one of which it permits flow through said vibratory circuit and in the other of which it denies flow through said vibratory circuit and diverts the hydraulic flow directed thereto to said traverse circuit, and another valve in connection with said vibratory circuit downstream of said speed control valve in reference to the direction of hydraulic flow settable to render said vibratory circuit alternatively effective and ineffective to vibrate said drum irrespective of the position of adjustment of said speed control valve.

Claim 33

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one rotatable ground engaging means, means supporting said rotatable ground engaging means from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said rotatable ground engaging means, other means powered from said prime mover to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means, the said means powered from said prime mover cooperating to achieve traversal of the machine over ground surface with simultaneous drum vibration, speed control means selectively adjustable to divert the power supplied to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means to achieve an augmented powering of the means to rotate said rotatable ground engaging means whereby the machine may selectively be conditioned for relatively rapid traversal without drum vibration, and other means settable to render said means to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means alternatively effective and ineffective irrespective of the position of adjustment of said speed control means.

Claim 34

A ground traversing machine, including a frame having a prime mover thereon, at least one rotatable ground engaging means, means supporting said rotatable ground engaging means from said frame for relative vibratory and rotary motions, means powered from said prime mover to rotate said rotatable ground engaging means, other means powered from said prime mover to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means, the said means powered from said prime mover cooperating to achieve traversal of the machine over ground surface with simultaneous drum vibration, speed control means selectively adjustable to divert the power supplied to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means to achieve an augmented powering of the means to rotate said rotatable ground engaging means whereby the machine may selectively be conditioned for relatively rapid traversal without drum vibration, and other means settable to render said means to vibrate said rotatable ground engaging means alternatively effective and ineffective irrespective of the position of adjustment of said speed control means.