US2836309A - Scrap car - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 1958 H. L. McFEATERs SCRAP CAR 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 5, 1956 m Mm m m m/H wy B. 0..

May 27, 1958 H. L. McFEA'rERs SCRAP CAR 8 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1956 INVENTOR. Hcfrr)l L. McFeafers BY Wl gw 7/ M HIS ATTRNEYS May 27, 1958 H. L. MGFEATERS SCRAP CAR 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 5, 1956 INVENTOR.

m m C Mv L J d m@ HM Yi B HIS A TTOR/VE YS l May 27, 1958 H. L. MCFEATERS 2,836,309

SCRAP CAR Filed Jan. 5, 1956 8 Sheets-Shea?I 4 INVENTOR. Fl 9 Harry L. Mal-'eaters HIS ATTORNEYS May 27,

Filed Jan. 5, 1956 SCRAP CAR 8 Sheec.s sheet 5 INVENTOR. Harry L. Mel-'eaters H15 A Trek/vers May 27, 1958 H. l.. McFEATERs 2,836,309

SCRAP CAR Filed Jan. 5, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Harry L. McFeafers 83M/ g m M l'l/S` ATTORNEYS Fig. /5 40d 58' May 27, 1958 H. L. MGFEATl-:Rs 2,836,309

SCRAP CAR Filed Jan. 5, 1956 l 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 F ig. /9

WFM 23 INVENTQR. Harr)I L. McFeafers BY jm) ,7M 5% HIS ATTORNEYS May 27, 1958 H. MGFEATERS 2,836,309

SCRAP CAR Filed Jan. 5. 1956 8 sheets-sheet 8 I 670 meaa 68a.

INVENTOR. .f'Harry L. Mel-'eaters Fig. 26 Mh/im M HIS ATTORNEYS United States p 2,836,309 Patented May 27, 1958 tice SCRAP CAR Harry L. McFeaters, New Castle, Pa., assignor to Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, New Castle, Fa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 5, 1956, Serial Noi, 557,499

14 Claims. (Cl. 214-18) This invention relates to a transport and delivery car for scrap and like material and particularly, to an improved car or device that may be employed to receive and carry a group of scrap containers, holders or boxes to the charging opening of a refining vessel or furnace and to, at the latter position, successively align and discharge contents of the scrap containers, holders or boxes into the vessel or furnace.

A construction devised in accordance with my invention is particularly suitable for an installation requiring relatively large amounts of scrap materials in charging the refining vessel or furnace or which employs scrap metal with molten metal in the refining or processing of metal, such as steel. 1n the relatively new field of the so called oxygen-blow type of converter or refining vessel operation, there has been a need for scrap car installation that will handle relatively large quantities of scrap in an economical and practical manner. ln this connection, it may be noted that the present day tendency is to employ relatively large size vessels of from about 35- ton capacity, through 65 ton and larger size refining vessels. Since the scrap content of a melt may approach 50% thereof, it is apparent that its handling is an important phase of the processing.

lt has thus been an object of my invention to devise an improved scrap car or charging device which can be effectively utilized with a larger capacity refining vessel or furnace;

Another object has been to provide a scrap car which will handle a group or series of scrap containers or boxes and effectively deliver or discharge the contents of each container in a suitable manner into the refining vessel or furnace at the proper time;

These and many other objects of my invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the drawings and the specification. v

In the drawings, Figure l is a top plan view illustrating a scrap car or device constructed in accordance with my invention and in a cooperating relationship with the ch arging mouth or opening of a refining vessel or furnace; this figure also shows extreme traverse positions of movement of an upper part or frame of the device;

Figure 2 is a side view in partial section on the saine scale as Figure l and showing the device of my invention in the position of Figure l with, however, one of the scrap boxes in an aligned delivery position with respect to the refining vessel and ready to assume an unloading position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the scrap box in a raised, tilted or scrap-delivery position;

Figure 4 is a top plan view on the scale of Figure 1 through a lower half of the device of Figure l to illustrate its lower or truck frame construction;

Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of the construction of and on the same scale as Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a back end view in elevation of the scale and construction of Figure 4; f

Figure 7 is a top plan view on the scale of Figures 4, 5 and 6 of an upper half or traverse traveling part or frame construction of the device of Figure l;

Figure 8 is a side view in elevation on the scale of and showing the structure of Figure 7 with its tilting support or cradle in a normal or lowered position;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing a tilt support or cradle in an upper-tilted and scrap-delivering position;

Figure 10 is a back end view in elevation on the scale and of the structure of Figure 7;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmental section taken on the lin-e X1-Xlsof Figure 1 and illustrating how the upper or traverse part or frame is moved from one scrap-boxaligning position to another;

Figure l2 is a section on the scale of and taken along the line Xl1-GI of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is an enlarged top plan corner detail of the scale of Figure 12 and taken along the line XIII- XIII of Figure l of the drawings; it shows the mounting of one of the wheels of the lower part which functions as a drive wheel for the car or device;

Figur-e 14 is a fragmental view in elevation on the scale of and from an outer side of the structure of Figure 13,;

Figure 15 is a top plan view illustrating a hydromotor and linkage arrangement or assembly which is centrally positioned on the upper or traverse traveling frame to raise and lower or tilt each scrap box holder, cradle or support when it is moved into alignment or to an operating relationship therewith; this figure is on the enlarged scale of Figures 11 to 14 and shows a lower position of the linkage also illustrated in Figures 16 and 17;

Figure 16 is a back view in elevation of the arrangement or assembly of Figure 15 and showing linkage in the lower position of Figure 17;

Figures 17 and 18 are views on the scale of Figures 15 and 16 and are side elevations of the structures of such figures in their lower and upper positions;

Figure 19 is a schematic View in side elevation illustrating a utilization of the scrap car device of Figures 1 to 18, inclusive, in a steel mill layout and with a converter vessel; this view is on a greatly reduced scale;

Figures 20 to 23, inclusive, are slightly enlarged views from the standpoint of Figure 19', taken from the back end of the assembly of Figure l, and illustrating different positions of the scrap boxes; in this connection, Figure 2O shows the normal central position of the upper frame when the device is being moved longitudinally (see Figure 19) to and from a vessel-charging position, While Figures 21, 22 and 23 illustrate three of four possible# delivery positions of the scrap boxes.

Figure 21E- is a fragmental section in elevation taken along the line XXlV-XXIV of Figure 25 and is of a slightly enlarged scale with respect to Figures l to 3, inclusive; it illustrates a modified type of upper or traveling frame construction employing a slightly modied scrap box, container or holder;

Figure 25 is a side View in elevation on the scale of Figure 24 and taken along the line XXV- XXV of Figure 24;

And, Figure 26 is a schematic View in side elevation of the general type of Figure 19, but illustrating a utilization of the scrap car device of Figures 24 and 25.

ln accordance with my invention, I have devised and provided a scrap car or a device lll that is movable as a unit between suitable operating positions such as between a source of scrap and the front or discharging end of a rening vessel or furnace 12 (see Figures 19 and 26).

t the latter position, its upper frame or part 45 is movable to align one of a series of scrap containers, holders or boxes with the charging opening ormouth of the furl Y 3. nace or'retinng vessel (see Figures 20 to 23).Y The device is capable of receiving, carrying and handling a series or a plurality of scrap charging boxes 56 or 60, both whenrit is moved as a unit and when itsupper part 45 is being moved with respect to its lower or truck partV Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1' and 19, I have shown Va scrapV car, device, construction y or unit made in accordance with my invention. It is ,adaptedV to run as a unit or car 10-on a pair of rails 11 (see Figures l and 19) lon which it can be moved in a longitudinal direction between a source of scrap (a back or a charging position) and a furnace or Vessel installation 12` (a discharging position). generally represents a discharging position with respect to the mouth or opening of the furnace or vessel 12.

.'As shown particularly in Figures 2, 3, and 20 to 23, an npper. part, traverse table or frame structure 45 is 'adapted to move sidewise of and on the lower part 15 of the unit 10 or transversely of the refining vessel or furnace 12. Normally, the` unit 10 will be moved on the vrails 11 with the upper frame part 45 in the position of Figure and until the unit 10 engages`a front stop 11a (see Figures2 and 3). Then, at this time, in order to align a particular scrap box such as A, B, C or D of the set of boxes 56 with a central 'guide line G at the furnace opening, theV upper frame 45 is moved on rollers 28 transversely of the lower carriage or framepart 15, while the latter part and the unit 10 as a whole is being retained in the forward position of Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 21, 22 and 23 Yshow three aligned positions (as represented by scrap boxes A, C and D) to illustrate how all of the scrap boxes A to D, inclusive, may be handled or successively and progressively aligned or moved to a discharging position when the unit 10 is at the delivery end of rails 11. When one of the scrap Vboxes 56 is moved to an aligned position G, it is also in a cooperating position with a tilt, swing structure or frame for pivotally swinging or raising it (as illustrated in Figure 3) to discharge scraptherefrom into the refining vessel 12.

FigureV l illustrates extreme'left and right or transverse side positions (E and F) to which outer scrap boxes A and D will be moved on the upper frame duringV the steps of `aligning each cradle and its scrap box with the furnace opening to discharge scrap contents into the opening. It will also be apparent that E and F indicate extreme positions of the upper frame 45 during its movement with respect to the ubottom frame 15.

Referring particularly torFigures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the lower truck, YcarriageV frame part or Vassem bly 15 has transverse side member pairs comprising members 15a and 15b of I-beam construction which, with front beam members 15e, and back end portions of a metal oor plate construction 15d, dene outer boundaries of the lower frame or part 15. This frame is reinforced by transverse members 15b which are located in a spaced and parallel relationship with the members 15a. The beanror structural members 15a, 15b and 15c carry and are secured to thebottom'plate construction 15d. The angular front members 15C-define, as shown particularly in Figure 4, a centrally-offsetopen front side .for the The scrap box assembly is supported, tilted and The forward position v portions 20a which are ydriven in synchronism byr a Vlower or stationary frame part 15.

4 v The lower part 15 has flanged track wheels 16 operatively mounted at its corners to engage the track or rail members 11. Each wheel 16 is keyed or splined to a stub shaft 17 that is journaled between and on the structural members 15a and 15b. The front set of wheels 16 areY shown as idler wheelsv while the rear set are shown as driven wheels (see also VFigures 13 and 14).

Driving pinions 18 (see Figures 4, 6, 13 and 14) are keyed on the back stub shafts 17 and engage gears 19 that are keyed on drive shafts 20.l The drive shafts 20 are journaled in bearings 21 that are mounted on the structural members 15a and 15b. The drive shafts at their inner ends are coupled to extending drive shaft speed reducing unit 22 and driving motor 23 (see also Figure l). The motor 23 (as shown particularly in Figures l, 4 and 5) as well as the unit 22 may be of any standard commercial construction, such as an electric motor with controls (not shown), either mounted on the unit 10 or connected through suitable sliding contacts to a remote control panel in theshop. The motor 23, whether of a fluid or electrical type, is reversible as to its rotation, so that the truck 10 can be moved back and forth on its rails 11 between positions such as indicated in Figure 19 of the drawings. j l v i VMounting pads or plates 24'rest on vand are secured to the beam member pairs 15a and 15b at each end of the lower frame 15. These mounting pads 24 receive and carry a pair of upper-level, central beam -or structural members 25 which may also be'of IV-beam construction. It will be noted thatthe vmembers 25 extend transversely of or towards side ends of the structure ofthe bottom part 15'to further reinforce it and provide a runway for the upper frame or part 45.Y The pair of spaced-apart structural members 25 thus define upper reaches for the V The construction is reinforced by cross-connecting members, such .as tubes f portion or flange.

lower or truck frame part 15 inthe direction of the Y capacity, such as'used in present-day installations.

26, which are secured between members 25 and complete the framework of the runway construction of the lower part 15 (see also Figure ll). Y

To ride and guide the upper frame part 45, I have shown a spaced series of flangedroller or wheel pairs 28 along the structural frameworkV (see Figures 4, 5 and 6).

As shown in Figure 1l, each' roller 28 is journaled on bearings 27b of one end of a pin or stub shaft 27a. TheV shaft 27a'is, at its other end, supported byV and carried within a mounting sleeve 27 that is secured to an upper` ange portion of the structural members 25. Set screwV 27C is employed to lock the pin shaft 27a in'position.

Referring particularly to Figures 7 to l0 of the draw-v ings, the upper, traverse or vtraveling frame part 45 is made up of back and front structural members 45a and 45b, and connecting end members 45C, all of which may be of I-beam construction. As particularly shown in Figure l1, and as also shown in Figures 7 to 10, the back structural member 45a, like the front member 45h, carriesV a second extension structural member on its bottom In the case of the member 45a, the bottom member'is V455e and inthe case of the member 45h, the bottom member is 45d. A gear rackmember 46 is secured (as also shownin Figure 7) alongrand to the bottom member 45e to project backwardly and downwardly therefrom to engage or mesh with a driving gear` 47 (see particularly FigureA 117).' The gear 47 'is keyed on a shaft of a gear reduction unit 48. The unit 43 may be of conventional construction and is driven byV a rotary and reversible motorvk 49 which, like the motor 25, may be of an electrical or uid type. Travel-limit stop pieces 47a and 47b (as shown particularly inV Figure 10) are secured to ends of the rack 46 to limit travelof the upper frame 45 between extreme positions, such as illus- Vtrated by E and 'F of Figure l.

Also, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, the upper frame 45 carries a series of individual tilt cradles or frames 50 that are operatively mounted thereon for swing-VV ing movement with respect thereto- Each cradle 50. has a pair of spaced-apart structural or beam members 5,1 that, at their back ends, are adapted to rest upon bumper pieces or pads 451. The latter are mountedon upper flange portions of the back structural members 45a of the frame 45 (see Figures 8 and 9). U-shaped front and back cradle pieces 52 and 53 are secured across the pair of structural members 51 to complete the upper portion of the cradle frame 50 and to receive and support a scrap box, such as 56, thereon.

To the under-flange portion of each structural member 51 of each cradle 50, I have secured a downwardlyprojecting swing member 54. I thus provide each cradle 50 with a pair of members 54 that are under-slotted or grooved at their back end portions 54a to receive tongue portions or ears 35a (see Figures l5 to 18) of a link or pusher head member 35 of tilting frame assembly or construction 30. However, it will be noted that only a centrally-aligned cradle frame 50 or associated scrap box 56 which in Figure 21 is A, in Figure 22 is D, and in Figure 23 is C and, of course, may be B where B is aligned with G, is engaged by or operatively cooperates with the tongue portions 35a of the swing structure 30.

Back end portions of the pair of swing members 54 have pivot ears 54h (see Figures 8 and 9) that are pivotally mounted on pins 55a. Cooperating ears 55 carry the pins 55a and are secured to and project from inner portions of the web and flanges of the front structural or frame member 45h.

As shown in the detail of Figure 11, the rollers 28 of the runway portion of the lower frame part 15 are adapted to roll along wear pieces or strips 28a. The wear strips 28a are secured along the under-sides of upper and lower flanges of the front and back, lower, extension frame members 45e and 45d of the traveling or upper frame part 45. In this manner, the upper frame part 45 has a pair of transversely-extending front and back, confining, guide-track portions that are defined by the inner sides of the frame members 45d and 45e. In

other words, the track portions are defined by inner reaches of the upper and lower flanges of the frame members and as spaced by their webs. Thus, the upper frame part 45 is always carried in an operating relationship and in proper alignment with respect to the lower frame part 15 by the confining track defined by the structural members 45d and 45e. In this connection, the operating relationship of the wheels or pulleys 28 is the same for the member 45d as shown for the member 45e of Figure 1l.

Reference is made to Figures l5 to 18 of the drawings which illustrate details of the swing or tilting structure or frame construction 30. The construction 30 is (as shown in Figures l and 4 to 6) centrally mounted on the lower frame part and between the structural runway members and their cross-support members 26. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, short-length structural or beam members 29 are secured between the central pair of cross members 26 and thus, directly support or mount a hydromotor a.

The hydromotor 30a may be of standard construction that is provided with a 100 movement or swing. As shown particularly in Figure 15, the hydromotor 30 has inlet and outlet ports Sill: and 30d which may be supplied by a pair of lines 39h and 39d through a three-way valve 37. As shown, the valve 37 may be operated by hand lever 38 and has a connection 40d to a source of pressure fluid and a connection h to a storage tank. The valve 37 may be moved by its arm 38 to shut off fluid flow through the lines 39b and 39d, to cause fluid to flow through 39d in a positive direction and through line 39b in a return or negative direction, and to vice-versa. Thus, the motor 30a may be actuated forwardly and backwardly within its 100 swing.

The motor 30a of the swing frame 30 may be secured on the short-length structural members 29 by boltV and Ys nut assemblies 31 to project upwardly therefrom. A drive shaft 32 extends from opposite sides of the motor 30a and its ends are splined to secure and carry swing arms 33 thereon. Each swing arm member 33 is, at

yits other end, pivotally connected by a pivot shaft 34 to an upwardly-projecting link or swing head member 35. As ydisclosed particularly in Figure 15, pivot shaft 34 is held in position at one end by its head portion 34a and at its other end is secured in position by washer and cotter pin assembly 34h.

The link or pusher head member 35 operates an aligned tilting cradle or frame 50. Projecting side ears or tongue portions 35e, as previously explained, are adapted to engage within interfitting groove portions 54a of an aligned cradle frame 50.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 17 and 18, the pusher head 35 is adapted to move into a collapsed, angular or kneebend position with respect to the operating arms 33 when the cradle frame 50 is in the down position of Figures l5, 16, and 17. I have shown a pair of sidemounted stop projections 36 secured to the swing member 35 to limit the down position to the position shown.

In Figures 3 and 18, I have shown the swing member 35 in its fully verticaly or upwardly-projecting or extended relationship with respect to the pair of swing arm members 33. This constiutes its maximum tilt or raise position for an aligned one of the cradle frames 5l). Each scrap box 56 (see Figures 2 and 3) is held in position on one of the cradle frames 50 by its wedging engagement with the front and back guide members 52 and 53 and by the engagement of front and back hoop, strap or flange portions 56a and 56h.

It will be apparent that any suitable type of scrap box may be employed with the scrap car 10 of my invention. However, -for the purpose of ready illustration, in the embodiment of Figures l to 23, I have shown a scrap box constructed in accordance and which may be operated in accordance with the disclosure of my co-pending application Serial No. 504,604 filed April 28, 1955 and entitled Scrap Box Construction. The scrap car construction 10 here disclosed does not require a tiltable scrap box, although it may use such a type. Since the scrap car, itself, provides suitable tilting action, a simple holder or carrier type of scrap box may be utilized if desired.

Referring to Figure 19, l have somewhat diagrammatically shown a layout which may utilize a scrap car of my invention. Platform 13 carries the rails 11 for the scrap car 10 and may have a pair of crosswise-extending furnace-front-located rails 14 to define a track for the travel of hot metal ladles 59. Thus, the vessel 12 may be charged from substantially the same position level employing the scrap car 1.0 and the hot metal ladle 59. Scrap boxes 5d may be loaded by means of an overhead traveling crane 57 from a scrap pile and then raised by crane hook 57a to a position on one of the cradles 50 of the car 1t?. After a full set of scrap boxes, such as A, B, C and D have been thus positioned, the car 10 may then be moved on rails 11 to the position of Figures 1 and 2. Then, at such position, the upper part 45 of the cart is moved on its runway to selectively align and discharge each of the boxes into the vessel 12. When this operation has been completed, the car may then be moved longitudinally back to its original position of Fig-V ure 19 to receive a new set of scrap boxes.

In Figures 24 to 26 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified embodiment of my invention that is particularly suitable for overhead or drop-loading of scrap material. The upper or traverse frame part 45 is of the same general construction and operation as the previously-described embodiment. Also, the cradle frames 50 operate and are carried in the same manner as the frames 50 of the other construction, but are slightly modified and means is provided at their sides (endwise of the frame 45) and between adjacent tilt or cradle frames 50 to close off spacing and guide the material into'scrap .boxespsuch as 60.' YThe scrap boxes 60 are ofi acimplelreinforced type ofconstruction with their frame cooperating with cradle members to hold them in position on the 'upper frame 45.:

VReferring particularly to Figures 24 and 25, it will be seen` that the spaced-apart beam members 51 of each cradle construction 50', define the cradle with frontrand back, somewhat U-shaped, upwardly-open members 52 and 53' which correspond somewhat in construction and utilization to corresponding members 52 and 53 of the Vother embodiment of my invention. The scrap boxes 60 are also of U-shaped, upwardly-open construction and comprise reinforcedwall plating or sheathing 61, front and back banding frame mem-bers 62, and upper banding frameY members 6 4 secured to the members 63 and to Vafronty extension frame 65. The members 62 to 65 thusdene a'V reinforcing skeleton framework for the scrap box 69.' The members V62 and 63Y respectively cooperate ywith the members 52 and 53', as shown in Figure 25, to hold the box 60 in position on the cradle Y which meet in an apex, angle or gable arrangement.

What l claim is:

l. An improved scrap car apparatus for furnace and converter utilization which comprises, a cart for moving the apparatus between scrap-receiving and delivering positions, a group assembly of scrap boxes, a traverse frame operatively mounted on said cart for movement thereon,

a group of swing cradles operatively mounted on said traverse frame for `raising and lowering movement with respect thereto and for carrying the scrap boxes, swing1 mechanism mounted on said cart and constructed to cooperate with a selected individual one of said cradles when said traverse frame is moved to substantially align the one cradle and its scrap box with a charging opening of the furnace, and said swing mechanism having actuating means to only raise the aligned cradle and its associated scrap box to discharge scrap into the charging opening. n Y Y 2. An apparatus as defined in claim l wherein, said swing mechanism has a swing arm, said swing arm has at least one projecting Vtongue portion, each of saidV cradles has at least one groove portionfto separately receive the tongue portion of` said swing arm when each said cradle is moved into an aligned position.

3. An apparatus as delined in claim l wherein said Y swing mechanism is centrally positioned on said cart and selectively cooperates with each of said cradles` 4. An apparatus as defmedin claim l wherein, the said cradlesare successively moved into a cooperating relationship with said swing mechanism, and said mechanism has means to raise and lower each of said cradles when it is in a cooperating relationship with said swing mechanism.

5. An improved apparatus as denedin claim -l wherein, guide means is positioned on said upper frame to project upwardly therefrom along said cradles and -between adjacent cradlesl and their associatedscrap boxes to guidescrap material into the scrap Vboxes when it isV delivered from an overhead position with respect to the apparatus. y

. 6.'An improved scrap car apparatus for furnace 'and converter utilizations which comprises, a lower cart frame' Grab hooks 66V secured on the framing 65 provides Y Y season Y Y having wheels engaging fa traclrv for moving the apparatus between scrap-'receiving and' scrap-delivering positionsi'an actuating mechanism mounted'on said cart anduconnected to at least a pair Vof said `wheelsto drive lthe apparatus back and forth on the track, an upper traverse frame having a series of side-by-side positioned cradle frames tiltably mounted thereon, upwardly-open scrap.

containers carried by said cradle frames, means for moving said upper traverse frame back and forth on'said lower frame to align each of said cradles and its associated scrap container with a Vcharging opening in the furnace, and actuating means cooperating with an aligned one of said cradle frames to raise it and its associatedV scrap container on said upper frame to discharge scrap Y upper frame back and 'forth on said unit to successively align eachV of said cradles with the charging opening, means pivotally mounting said cradles on ysaid upper frame for raising and lowering movement thereon to deliver scrap into the charging opening, and a swing mech-V anism on said unit constructed to engage with each successively-aligned cradle and selectively actuate it to separately raise and lower leach cradle on said upper frame when the cradle is aligned with the charging opening. .A

v 8. An improved apparatus as delined in claim 7 wherein, each of said cradles has a latch-groove portion, and said swing mechanism has a tongue portion to Vselectively engage within and Ydisengage from the groove portion Vof each of said cradles when each said cradle is moved into and out of alignment with the charging opening. l

9. Y An improved apparatus as dened in claim 7 wherein, said upper frarne'has stop means limiting its movement on said unit, and said swing mechanism comprises a hydromotor and an operating arm thatV selectively en-V gages each of said cradles. j

lO. AnV improved scrap car apparatus for delivering scrap into a charging opening of a furnace or converter which comprises, a cart for moving the apparatus between scrap-receiving and delivering positions, a group of scrap-carrying and delivering boxes in a substantially planar group assembly in horizontal progression transversely of said cart, a lift means operatively positioned on said cart to project upwardly therefrom, said boxes.

and said lift means having Vcooperating portions to'latch with respect to cach other, means for moving said boxes as a group transversely of said cart and moving a selected box of the group into and out of a scrap-feeding alignment with the charging opening while simultaneously moving the selected box into and out of an interlatching relationship with said lift means, and means for actuating said lift means to raise and lower the aligned and interlatched box into and out of a scrap-discharging position with respect to the charging opening.

1l. An improved apparatus for receiving, carrying and delivering scrap into a charging opening of a furnace or converter which comprises, a substantially horizontally@ disposed Vgroup assembly of scrap boxes, a cart for moving said boxes between scrap-receiving and deliveringV positions, means operatively mounted on said cart and associated with said boxes to selectively-align each box with respect tothe charging opening.

, l2; A scrap car apparatusV as defined inclaim 11,

wherein, a -support frameY carriesV said boxes as anv asV sembly, said rst-mentioned means is operatively connected to move said frame transversely of said cart to progressively-align each selected box with the charging opening, and said tilt means is centrally-disposed on said cart to operatively engage each box after it has been moved into its aligned relation with respect to the charging opening.

13. A scrap car apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein, each of said scrap boxes has an under-positioned swing member, and said tilt means has a tilting frame assembly and a pusher head to engage with said swing member when each box as selected has `been moved into an aligned relationship with the charging opening.

14. An improved scrap car apparatus for delivering scrap into a charging opening of a furnace or converter which comprises, a cart frame having Wheels for movement between scrap-receiving and scrap-delivering positions, an upper transverse -frame having at least one scrapcarrying tilt cradle, means for moving said upper frame with respect to said lower frame to substantially align said cradle with the charging opening, means for tilting said cradle at its aligned position to discharge scrap into the charging opening, and said means `for tilting and said cradle having side-aligning slide-in joint portions to operatively engage with each other when said inst-mentioned means has moved said cradle into alignment with the charging opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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