US3918536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auger section handling apparatus
Assignee: Salem Tool Co
•
Filing: 1973-09-20
•
Granted: 1975-11-11
•
Expires: 1993-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Auger apparatus, such as a coal mining machine, adapted to utilize one or more augers each formed of a string of auger sections of a diameter falling in a wide range. The disclosed apparatus comprises hoist apparatus for hoisting one auger section, or simultaneously a plurality of auger sections, to lift them from a storage rack at a side of the machine and place them in the auger strings or to remove them from the auger strings and place them in the storage rack. Such hoist apparatus comprising rails extending transversely of and above the direction of the augers in the machine, a bridge that travels on the rails, a trolley that travels on the bridge, and a lift member on the trolley that is adapted to be moved in an upright path relative to the trolley, the lift member having tongs at its bottom which may be adapted to grasp one auger section, or which may be adjusted as to number and spacing to grasp simultaneously a plurality of auger sections in predetermined spaced relation, so that the auger sections may be placed in the machine in the proper position with essentially no longitudinal or lateral movement relative to the trolley when it is properly positioned over the auger string or strings in the machine to locate accurately the sections in the machine so they can be automatically connected to the driving chucks of the machine and to other auger sections, and accurately to remove them from the machine and place them in a storage rack in positions where they may again be lifted and placed in the machine. The hoist apparatus makes it possible to use the auger machine to drill at substantial angles from the horizontal, because it can support the auger sections so they do not swing out of position when the machine is at an angle. The apparatus also includes a driving power train in which one or two auxiliary powertrain boxes are provided, two auxiliary boxes being used when two or more augers are to be driven, and one auxiliary box being used when only one auger is to be driven. The apparatus as a whole can be substantially shorter and closer to the ground than the apparatus of this type heretofore used, which required less excavating of the ledge adjacent the wall in which drilling is to occur, and makes possible easier transportation. The hoist apparatus provides increased safety for operators and makes possible the reduction in the number of operators needed to operate the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald C Deeter
- 👤 John Pozniko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/20; E21B7/00; E21B7/003; E21B7/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising a laterally movable member, means for supporting said laterally movable member for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger in said auger apparatus and a location spaced laterally from the said axis of said auger, rigid lift means including auger section holding means, said lift means being carried by said laterally movable member for movement in an upwardly extending path that is essentially fixed relative to said laterally movable member so that by cooperation of said laterally movable member and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable relative lateral movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said laterally movable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising a laterally movable member, means for supporting said laterally movable member for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger in said auger apparatus and a location spaced laterally from the said axis of said auger, rigid lift means including auger section holding means, said lift means being carried by said laterally movable member for movement in an upwardly extending path that is essentially fixed relative to said laterally movable member so that by cooperation of said laterally movable member and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable relative lateral movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said laterally movable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said auger section holding means is adapted to hold a single auger section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said auger section holding means is adapted to hold a plurality of auger sections in substantially parallel relation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said auger section holding means is adjustable to hold simultaneously one or a plurality of auger sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said auger section holding means is adapted to hold a plurality of auger sections is substantially parallel relation, and which is adjustable to permit the spacing between the axes of said auger sections to be adjusted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The auger apparatus of claim 1 comprising rotatable drive means for rotating an auger section, means for detachably connecting one end of said auger section to said rotatable drive means, means operated by remote control for acutating said connecting means to disconnect said auger section from said drive means, and means operated by remote control for disconnecting the other end of said auger section from another auger section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising power means for moving said lift means in said upwardly extending path relative to said laterally movable member, and means for preventing downward movement of said lift means in the event of failure of said power means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for actuating said auger section holding means to release an auger section carried thereby, and means to prevent actuation of said auger section holding means to release an auger section carried thereby while said auger section holding means supports the load of an auger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for supporting said laterally movable member for lateral movement supports said laterally movable member for lateral movement in directions generally longitudinally and generally transversely relatively to said auger axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
250 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising laterally movable trolley means, means for supporting said trolley means for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger and a location spaced laterally from the axis of said auger, said means for supporting said trolley means comprising rail means fixed to said frame of saId auger apparatus and extending transversely of and above said lateral axis of said auger and above said locations and bridge means adapted to travel on and along said rail means in a path transverse to the auger axis, said trolley means being adapted to travel on said bridge means in a path transverse to the path of travel of said bridge means, and, carried by said trolley means, rigid lift means including auger section holding means for movement in an upwardly extending path relative to said trolley means, so that by cooperation of said trolley means and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said trolley means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
250 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising laterally movable trolley means, means for supporting said trolley means for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger and a location spaced laterally from the axis of said auger, said means for supporting said trolley means comprising rail means fixed to said frame of saId auger apparatus and extending transversely of and above said lateral axis of said auger and above said locations and bridge means adapted to travel on and along said rail means in a path transverse to the auger axis, said trolley means being adapted to travel on said bridge means in a path transverse to the path of travel of said bridge means, and, carried by said trolley means, rigid lift means including auger section holding means for movement in an upwardly extending path relative to said trolley means, so that by cooperation of said trolley means and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said trolley means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which at least one of said bridge means and said trolley means is supported by three rollers only with the two rollers on one side of said means and one roller on the other side of said means, to provide three point supports for said means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said bridge means is supported by said three rollers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said bridge means and the rail means on which it travels include means cooperating to cause said bridge means to travel in a guided path on said rail means with substantially no lateral movement of said bridge means relative to said means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said bridge means and said trolley means include means cooperating to cause said trolley means to travel on said bridge means in a fixed path relative to said bridge means with substantially no lateral movement of said trolley means relative to said bridge means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 10 comprising control means on said auger apparatus at a location such that an operator at said control means is away from any portion of the path of movement of any auger section carried by said hoist means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which said control means is pendant control means permitting movement of the operator that he may visually observe the position of said auger section being hoisted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said rail means has at least one end portion that can be moved from its operative extended position to reduce the width of the auger apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
234 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axes; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprisiing a laterally movable member, means for supporting said laterally movable member for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger in said auger apparatus and a location spaced laterally from said axis of said auger, rigid lift means carried by said laterally movable member for movement in an upwardly extending path relative to said laterally movable member said rigid lift measns comprising an upwardly extending rigid supporting member having an axis and supporting auger section holding means, and said laterally movable member comprising guide means operating between said upwardly extending supporting member and said laterally movable member to guide said lift means for movement in a predetermined upwardly extending path relative to said laterally movable member, so that by cooperation of said laterally movable member and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said laterally movable member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
234 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axes; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprisiing a laterally movable member, means for supporting said laterally movable member for lateral movement between a location above a portion of said axis of said auger in said auger apparatus and a location spaced laterally from said axis of said auger, rigid lift means carried by said laterally movable member for movement in an upwardly extending path relative to said laterally movable member said rigid lift measns comprising an upwardly extending rigid supporting member having an axis and supporting auger section holding means, and said laterally movable member comprising guide means operating between said upwardly extending supporting member and said laterally movable member to guide said lift means for movement in a predetermined upwardly extending path relative to said laterally movable member, so that by cooperation of said laterally movable member and said lift means said auger section holding means can lift and carry an auger section between said two locations without appreciable movement between said auger section and said upwardly extending path of movement of said lift means on said laterally movable member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 18 in which said guide means includes adjustable means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparAtus of claim 19, in which said guide means includes rollers at least some of which are adjustable toward and away from the axis of said upwardly extending supporting member to guide it non-rotatably in its upward path.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
380 words
Auger apparatus comprising a rigid frame comprising a generaly horizontally extending lower portion haviing a front end and a rear end, power means carried near said rear end of said lower frame portion adapted to rotate at least one elongated auger section about its axis while it is positioned in an operative location in said auger apparatus with its axis extending generally parallel to said lower frame portion, spaced rails mounted above said lower frame portion and extending transversely of said axis of said auger section when it is mounted in said machine, first spaced upright members fixed to said lower frame portion near the rear end thereof for supporting said rails, second spaced upright members fixed near the front end of said lower frame portion for supporting said rails said second spaced upright members having two upwardly extending portions that are laterally substantially offset toward the front of the apparatus, bridge means adapted to travel on said spaced rails in a path transverse to the axis of said auger section, trolley means adapted to travel on and along said bridge means in a path transverse to the path of travel of said bridge means, lift means carried by said trolley means and having auger section holding means, said lift means being adapted to move in a substantially fixed path relative to said trolley means, auger section storage means at at least one side of said lower frame portion, said auger section storage means being adapted to support auger sections at a location offset laterally and rearwardly of the operative location of the auger section in said apparatus, and means for operating said bridge means, said trolley means and said lift means so that an auger section from said auger section storage means may be lifted upwardly above said storage means to a location where it can clear the laterally offset lower portion of said adjacent front supporting member, then moved forwardly over said laterally offset portion, and then moved transversely until it is above the operative location of the auger section in the apparatus, and then is moved downwardly to the operative location in said apparatus, and then can be removed in the reverse procedure to remove it from the machine and place it in said auger storage means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
380 words
Auger apparatus comprising a rigid frame comprising a generaly horizontally extending lower portion haviing a front end and a rear end, power means carried near said rear end of said lower frame portion adapted to rotate at least one elongated auger section about its axis while it is positioned in an operative location in said auger apparatus with its axis extending generally parallel to said lower frame portion, spaced rails mounted above said lower frame portion and extending transversely of said axis of said auger section when it is mounted in said machine, first spaced upright members fixed to said lower frame portion near the rear end thereof for supporting said rails, second spaced upright members fixed near the front end of said lower frame portion for supporting said rails said second spaced upright members having two upwardly extending portions that are laterally substantially offset toward the front of the apparatus, bridge means adapted to travel on said spaced rails in a path transverse to the axis of said auger section, trolley means adapted to travel on and along said bridge means in a path transverse to the path of travel of said bridge means, lift means carried by said trolley means and having auger section holding means, said lift means being adapted to move in a substantially fixed path relative to said trolley means, auger section storage means at at least one side of said lower frame portion, said auger section storage means being adapted to support auger sections at a location offset laterally and rearwardly of the operative location of the auger section in said apparatus, and means for operating said bridge means, said trolley means and said lift means so that an auger section from said auger section storage means may be lifted upwardly above said storage means to a location where it can clear the laterally offset lower portion of said adjacent front supporting member, then moved forwardly over said laterally offset portion, and then moved transversely until it is above the operative location of the auger section in the apparatus, and then is moved downwardly to the operative location in said apparatus, and then can be removed in the reverse procedure to remove it from the machine and place it in said auger storage means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which said auger section holding means is adapted to carry a plurality of parallel auger sections in fixed predetermined relation to each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame, means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising auger section holding means, rigid means movable in an upright path relative to said frame for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, means for actuating said rigid means to move in said upright path, and means associated with said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means for preventing lowering of said auger section holding means in the event of failure of said means for actuating said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
141 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame, means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, comprising auger section holding means, rigid means movable in an upright path relative to said frame for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, means for actuating said rigid means to move in said upright path, and means associated with said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means for preventing lowering of said auger section holding means in the event of failure of said means for actuating said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
134 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, said hoist means comprising auger section holding means adapted to be actuateD to grasp and to release an auger section carried by said auger section holding means, means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, and means for preventing actuation of said auger section holding means to release an auger section after said auger section holding means has been actuated to grasp an auger section and while it is supporting said auger section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
134 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, said hoist means comprising auger section holding means adapted to be actuateD to grasp and to release an auger section carried by said auger section holding means, means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, and means for preventing actuation of said auger section holding means to release an auger section after said auger section holding means has been actuated to grasp an auger section and while it is supporting said auger section.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 24 comprising means for preventing said means for lifting and lowering said suger section holding means from lowering said auger section holding means in the event of failure of said means for lifting and lowering said auger section means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
173 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, said hoist means comprising auger section holding means adapted to be actuated to grasp and to release an auger section carried by said auger section holding means, rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, means for actuating said rigid means to move in an upright path relative to said frame, and means for preventing inadvertent lowering of an auger section in the event of failure of said auger section holding means or said means for actuating said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means after said auger section holding means has been actuated to grasp an auger section and while it is supporting said auger section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
173 words
Auger apparatus comprising a frame; means associated with said frame for rotating at least one auger extending in said apparatus along a lateral axis and made up of a plurality of elongated auger sections connected end-to-end and having axes substantially coinciding with said auger axis; and, associated with said frame, hoist means for lifting and lowering an auger section, said hoist means comprising auger section holding means adapted to be actuated to grasp and to release an auger section carried by said auger section holding means, rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means, means for actuating said rigid means to move in an upright path relative to said frame, and means for preventing inadvertent lowering of an auger section in the event of failure of said auger section holding means or said means for actuating said rigid means for lifting and lowering said auger section holding means after said auger section holding means has been actuated to grasp an auger section and while it is supporting said auger section.
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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |