US3896677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual amplitude vibration generator
Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-18
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A vibratory compacting machine having a dual amplitude vibration generator by which either high amplitude or low amplitude vibration is selectively imparted to the drum of the machine. The vibration is produced by primary and secondary eccentric weights carried by a power driven shaft inside the drum. The primary weight is fixed to the shaft and the secondary weight is mounted to swing about an axis parallel to and spaced from the shaft, between a retracted position in which the primary and secondary weights are so disposed with respect to one another that the amplitude of vibration is high, and a projected position in which the secondary weight partially counterbalances the primary weight and the amplitude of vibration is low. Solid rubber torsion springs incorporated in the pivotal connection between the weights yieldingly hold the secondary weight in its retracted high amplitude position from which it is swung by centrifugal force if not positively restrained by the activation of a locking device that includes a manually shiftable control rod axially slidable in the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:52
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/10; B06B1/16; B06B1/161; B06B1/162; E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/22; E01C19/23; E01C19/28; E01C19/286; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18344
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
A dual amplitude vibration generator operable to produce vibration in either a high or a low amplitude mode, comprising: A. a power driven shaft; B. a primary weight fixed with respect to the shaft to rotate therewith, with its center of gravity eccentric to the axis of the shaft; C. a secondary weight; D. means connecting the secondary weight with the shaft for rotation therewith and for free swinging motion about an axis fixed with respect to and parallel with the shaft, between defined high and low amplitude positions, in the first of which its center of gravity is so located with respect to that of the primary weight that the vibration resulting from its rotation with the shaft augments the vibration produced by the primary weight and in the second of which it partially counterbalances the primary weight, the freedom of the secondary weight to swing about said axis making it responsive to centrifugal force and enabling centrifugal force to move it from its high amplitude position to its low amplitude position except when restrained against such movement; and E. means for releasably restraining the secondary weight against response to centrifugal force and thereby causing the vibration generator to operate in its high amplitude mode, said means comprising 1. an axially shiftable control rod carried by the power shaft and constrained to axial movement with respect thereto between operative and inoperative positions; and 2. means operative when the control rod is in its operative position but not when it is in its inoperative position, to connect the control rod with the secondary weight and by such connection hold the secondary weight in its high amplitude position despite centrifugal force acting thereon, whereby upon shifting of the control rod to its inoperative position the secondary weight is free to respond to centrifugal force and assume its low amplitude position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
A dual amplitude vibration generator operable to produce vibration in either a high or a low amplitude mode, comprising: A. a power driven shaft; B. a primary weight fixed with respect to the shaft to rotate therewith, with its center of gravity eccentric to the axis of the shaft; C. a secondary weight; D. means connecting the secondary weight with the shaft for rotation therewith and for free swinging motion about an axis fixed with respect to and parallel with the shaft, between defined high and low amplitude positions, in the first of which its center of gravity is so located with respect to that of the primary weight that the vibration resulting from its rotation with the shaft augments the vibration produced by the primary weight and in the second of which it partially counterbalances the primary weight, the freedom of the secondary weight to swing about said axis making it responsive to centrifugal force and enabling centrifugal force to move it from its high amplitude position to its low amplitude position except when restrained against such movement; and E. means for releasably restraining the secondary weight against response to centrifugal force and thereby causing the vibration generator to operate in its high amplitude mode, said means comprising 1. an axially shiftable control rod carried by the power shaft and constrained to axial movement with respect thereto between operative and inoperative positions; and 2. means operative when the control rod is in its operative position but not when it is in its inoperative position, to connect the control rod with the secondary weight and by such connection hold the secondary weight in its high amplitude position despite centrifugal force acting thereon, whereby upon shifting of the control rod to its inoperative position the secondary weight is free to respond to centrifugal force and assume its low amplitude position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
means operative when the control rod is in its operative position but not when it is in its inoperative position, to connect the control rod with the secondary weight and by such connection hold the secondary weight in its high amplitude position despite centrifugal force acting thereon, whereby upon shifting of the control rod to its inoperative position the secondary weight is free to respond to centrifugal force and assume its low amplitude position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
means operative when the control rod is in its operative position but not when it is in its inoperative position, to connect the control rod with the secondary weight and by such connection hold the secondary weight in its high amplitude position despite centrifugal force acting thereon, whereby upon shifting of the control rod to its inoperative position the secondary weight is free to respond to centrifugal force and assume its low amplitude position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention defined by claim 1, further characterized by resilient biasing means reacting between the primary and secondary weights and tending at all times to hold the secondary weight in its high amplitude position, so that upon cessation of rotation of the power driven shaft, the secondary weight is returned to its high amplitude position, if during such rotation the secondary weight had been moved by centrifugal force to its low amplitude position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention defined by claim 1, further characterized in that the means for connecting the secondary weight with the shaft comprises pivot means, the axis of which is radially spaced from and parallel to the axis of the shaft, so that said secondary weight swings in an arc as it moves between its high amplitude and low amplitude positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined by claim 3, wherein said pivot means has incorporated therein the resilient biasing means of claim 2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined by claim 4, wherein said resilient biasing means is a body of elastic material mounted on the primary weight and having embedded therein and non-rotatably fixed thereto a shaft that has a non-rotatable connection with the secondary weight and the axis of which is that of said pivot means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the primary weight is substaNtially entirely at one side of the axis of the power driven shaft, wherein said means connecting the secondary weight with the shaft comprises pivot means fixed to the primary weight at a distance radially spaced from the axis of the shaft and operatively connected with the secondary weight to constrain the latter to arcuate swinging motion between its high amplitude and low amplitude positions, and wherein the secondary weight is shaped to embrace the shaft in all positions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention defined by claim 6, wherein the low amplitude position of the secondary weight is defined by engagement of a surface thereof with the shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
The invention defined by claim 6, wherein said control rod slides in an axial bore in the shaft, and wherein said means connecting the control rod with the secondary weight comprises a pin pivotally connected at one end to the secondary weight at a point spaced from the axis about which it swings and having its opposite end portion slidably received in a cross bore in the shaft that intersects the axial bore in the shaft, said pin having a hole which aligns with the axial bore in the shaft when the secondary weight is in its high amplitude position to enable the control rod to be inserted into said hole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention defined by claim 8, further characterized by abutment means on the pin engageable with the side of the shaft to limit inward movement of the pin into the cross bore and thereby accurately align the hole in the pin with the axial bore in the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
The invention defined by claim 1, wherein said primary weight comprises two eccentric masses fixed to the shaft, one near each end thereof, with their centers of gravity in phase, wherein said secondary weight comprises a plurality of substantially identical mass elements shaped to embrace the shaft arranged in spaced apart relation along the length of the shaft between said two eccentric masses and rigidly connected with one another, with their centers of gravity in phase; and wherein said means connecting said secondary weight with the shaft comprises coaxial pivot means connecting said eccentric masses with the endmost of said plurality of substantially identical mass elements, the common axis of said pivot means being spaced radially from the axis of the shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |