US849082A - Excavating-machine. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED APR.- 2, 1907.-

0. G. PAGE EXQAVATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

, 172216722 074? Cbmlu 1?. @2 15; v

r14: NORRIS FETERS co., WASHINGTON, 04 c.

' PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

No. 849,082. v

' c. G. PAGE.

EXOAVATING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED MAR.12,1906.

6 SHEETB-BEEET 2.

ms Mamas PETERS cu., WAsnlNarou, 04 c.

PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

6 SHEETS-QHEET 3.

c. G. PAGE. EXGAVATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR 12, 1908 QM w RN wN HNNQ THE mums PETERS co, IIJKlI-GTON. a I:

PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

0. G. PAGE. Y EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAL 12,1906.

v BSHEETE-BHEEI 4. k

ZV LZ mesa so No; 849,082. PATENTBD APR. 2, 1907; c.v G. PAGE.

EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-12,1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

ZU cifneo a: e W K/Mm;

No. 849,082. 'PATENTBD APR. 2, 1907. v

c. G. PAGE. EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED EAR. 12, 1906 'rn s'rans ArnNr rrrcn.

CHARLES C. PAGE, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK C. AUSTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXCAVATlNG-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1907.

Application filed March 12,1906. Serial No. 305,623.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. PAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavating-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to excavating-machines of the type or class in which an excavating device is reciprocated along a path conforming to the transverse contour of an excavation, such as a trench or ditch, and adapted for excavating in opposite directions in alternation, prominent examples of ma chines of such type or class being found in patent to Smith, No. 590,119, dated Septem ber 14, 1897, and in reissued Letters Patent of Jacobs, No. 12,441, dated January 30, 1906.

In the said Smith patent the excavating device consists of a double plow having its two faces rigidly connected and facing in opposite directions, whereby the device is intended to excavate in the direction in which it is drawn, while in said Jacobs reissue the excavating device comprises two buckets or scoops respectively mounted on one and the other of two flexibly-connected trucks, the two scoops being mounted to relatively face in opposite directions. In said two patents the excavating devices are directed along the desired path by a track-guide conforming to the transverse contour of a trench or proposed trench and reciprocated along the track-guide by cables and suitable operating means therefor, the track-guide being vertically adjusted from time to time in accordance with the progress of the work. In other cases it is proposed to reciprocate a single scoop along a track-guide of such character; but in such machines the scoop cuts or excavates one way only. Means other than track-guides conforming to the transverse contour of the ditch have also been proposed, as in patent to Whe'aton, No. 590,926, dated September 28, 1897, in which the scoops cut one way only, while in other cases a single bucket excavating in one direction only has been guided by means other than by a transverse guide conforming to the transverse contour of the trench, as illustrated in patent to Trainor, No. 564,727, dated July 26, 1896, in which the scoop is attached to a swinging arm supported from a truck on a horizontal guide.

A prominent object of my invention is to provide an excavating-machine with a single scoop which can excavate in each of two opposite directions in alternation by adjusting the scoop at or near each terminal portions of its line of travel along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the trench.

A further prominent object is to adapt said adjustment of the scoop to also cause it to dump its contents at opposite sides of the trench in alternation.

Further objects are to provide the machine with a single truck having a single scoop for cutting or shoveling in opposite directions in alternation, to overcome several objections to a double rigid plow which if made in accordance with the Smith patent would be too long to properly follow the angles of the trench if made of suitable soilcarrying capacity, and to provide a single scoop capable of doing the same or substantially the same amount of work in a given time as the two scoops of the said Jacobs reissued patent, in which when the two trucks are traveling in either direction the scoop which is temporarily the rear scoop trails without cutting or loading.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a trenching-machine embodying the principles of my invention. Fig.

2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, on a larger scale, of one end portion of the traclcguide, the truck and scoop on shovel being illustrated in two positions, respectively, in full and in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a scetional elevation, the section being on line 4 4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating a spring-catch for engaging a rack device. Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating a spring-latch device for engaging the rack device and a cam for operating the spring-latch device. Fig. 7 is a section through the scoop on line 7 7 in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on line 5 5 in Fig. 3, it being observed that in Fig. 3 a part of the track-guide portion is shown in longitudinal section. Fig. 9 is a detail illustrating means for reversing the scoop or shovel. Fig. 10 is a detail showing a modified form of reversing device for the scoop or shovel and also illustrating the truck in side elevation. Fig. 11 is a detail illustrating the cables attached to the shifter and the employment of a chain-and-sprocket device as a power-transmitting connection between the shifter and the scoop.

A indicates the scoop or shovel pivotally mounted upon the truck B. The truck is provided with four wheels 1, which are arranged to traverse a track-guide C, conforming or conformable to the transverse contour of the proposed trench, as best illustrated in Fig. 1,in which the track-guide C, of ordinary construction, is shown raised above the ditch by well-known adjusting devices, which can be operated so as to lower the track-guide to the desired extent. It will be seen that when the track-guide is suitably lowered the scoop will traverse and operate along a path conforming to the transverse profile of the trench or excavation D.

I have also illustrated known means for reciprocating the excavating device trans versely to the trench-line, said means comprising, for example, cables E and E, trained over suitable pulleys on the track-guide and the body-frame portions of the machine and connected with suitable winding- drums 2 and 3, respectively, which can be operated and reversed by any suitable devices for example such as showncin some of the patents hereinbefore referred to.

The scoop or shovel shown in full lines in Fig. 9 is in position for cutting. to the right when drawn in such direction, and it is illustrated in dotted lines in position for cutting to the left when drawn in the latter direction. The scoop is adapted to scrape or out and to take in soil when in either of said two positions. As shown, it has two transverse portions 4 and 4 Fig. 7, between its opposite sides 5 5, the outer end of each of its two portions 4 and 4 being a cutting or scraping edge. The outer edges of its side portions 5 5 are provided with cutting edges, particularly at points adjacent to the scoop portions 4 and 4*, it being understood that these cutting edges may be integral with the side 5 or that they can be formed by blades secured thereto. When the scoop is in position for cutting toward the right, its transverse portion 4 forms its bottom and its transverse portion 4 forms its back, and when it is turned into position for cutting to the left its portion 4 forms its back, while its portion 4 forms its bottom. It will be seen that a one-fourth. revolution of the scoop toward the left about the point 6, Fig. 7, will reverse the scoop from one to the other of said two positions; but as a matter of further improvement my invention con templates giving the scoop three-fourths or substantially three-fourths of an entire revolution in a direction to bring it from one to the other of said two positions and at the same time to cause it while thus revolving to turn upside down, and thereby effectively discharge its load. This will obviously take place if the scoop in Fig. 7 is given threefourths of arevolution to the right about the point or axis 6. When the scoop is traveling one way, it faces in the direction in which it travels, and after it is reversed in position it travels and faces in an opposite direction.

In Fig. 10 the scoop is provided with a gear or pinion 7, which is fixed upon a journal 8, the latter being also rigid with the scoop, and the truck is provided with a longitudinal sliding rack device F, arranged to engage the gear 7 and supported by guides 9 on the truck. If now the said rack device F, Fig. 10, is shifted toward the left, the scoop will be turned to the right about the axis of the journal 8, and by thus giving three-fourths part of a revolution to the scoop it will dump its contents and be brought into position for facing and cutting in an opposite direction. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 it will only be desirable to provide the scoop with two gears 7, one at each side thereof, and in such case the rack device F will comprise two rack-bars 10, arranged under the gears 7. Where, however, it is desired to provide more clearance under the truck, the latter can be provided with two gears 1 1, arranged over and engaging the gears 7, as in Figs. 4, 8, and 9, and in such case the rack-bars 10 of the rack device F are arranged over and engage the upper gears 11, it being observed that with this arrangement, as in the preceding instance, the gears 7 are fixed on journals 8, which are rigid with the scoop, and that the gears 11 have the ends of their spindles or axles 15 supported by bearings on the truck and that said axles 15 are independent of the scoop. When, therefore, the rack device, as shown in Figs. 4, 8, and 9, is shifted to the left, the scoop will be turned to the right about the axis of the journals 8, and upon making three-fourths of a revolution it will be brought from the position shown in full lines to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 9.

As best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the journals or spindles 8 are secured to opposite sides of the scoop and extended outwardly therefrom through bearings on the longitudinal sides 12 of the truck-frame, the outer ends of said journals being mounted in bearings 13, which resemble bent metal straps se cured to the sides of the truck-fra1ne. l/Vhere the upper gears 11. are employed, their axles or spindles 15 are not secured to the scoop, the inner ends of such spindles being mounted in hearings on the truclcframe, while their outer ends are mounted in bearings 16, secured upon the outer longitudinal sides of the truck-frame and similar in form to the lower bearings 13.

The rack device F preferably comprises two parallel rack-bars respectively arranged at opposite longitudinal sides of the truck and connected together by any suitable connection-such, for example, as the transverse end bars 17 and 17 shown in Fig. 3 thereby providing a longitudinally-reciprocative rack-frame or frame provided with two longitudinal lines of rack-teeth, said frame being supported and guided to move or slide upon the truck in direction parallel with the length of the truck-frame.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 I have illustrated strap-guides 18 arranged upon the truck-frame and adapted to guide the bars 10. I also provide means for temporarily latching or locking the rack device upon the truck, so as to prevent it from shifting until it is forced to shift relatively to the truck by means provided for such purpose. When, for example, the truck thus provided with a single excavating-bucket has traversed the track-guide from left to right and to an extent to cross the excavation and arrive at or near a point suitable for dumping the contents of the scoop, as illustrated in full lines in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the end portion of the rack device is projecting beyond the then forward end of the truck and is locked in such position, as shown. If now said advancement of the truck is continued by reason of cable E continuing to pull the truck and cable E continuing to pay out, such further advancement of the truck will bring its rack device against an abutment provided by stops G G on the track-guide, it being observed that said stops can embody springbumpers 19 19, Fig. 3, to relieve sudden shock. If now the rack is unlocked and the truck is still farther advanced, the rack device will be held by the stop devices against farther advancement, but the truck will continue to advance, whereby the engagement of its gears with the rack device will cause the scoop to turn to the right from its position shown infull lines and make threequarters of a revolution, thereby dumping the load from the scoop and bringing the scoop into position shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1, 4, and 9. When the scoop has been thus reversed, the winding-drums for the cables should also be reversed, so as to draw the truck toward the left, and thereby cause it to retrace its path and permit the scoop to again excavate. In Fig. 3, for example, the then forwardly-projecting end of the rack device is checked by the stop device G G, as shown in full lines, but when the truck is farther advanced to the right it will be brought into position shown in dotted lines, and when the truck has been thus brought into such position the rack device will then project from the left end of the truck, it being observed that the dotted lines at the left in Fig. 3 merely indicate such relative projection of the rack device on the return movement of the truck and that their position on the drawing presupposes that the scoop has been reversed and that the truck has moved back to its position shown in full lines. In order to steady the rack device on the truck and prevent accidental shift, the truck is provided with comparatively light spring-latch devices H, arranged to engage in beveled notches 20 in the rack-bars 10, the engaging ends of said spring-latch devices being antifriction-rolls 21, so that when the rack device of the advancing truck is met by the stop device G G the pulling force of the drawing-cable on the truck will be sufficient to force the spring-catch devices H back and out of engagement with the rack device. The latches H and notches 20 are arranged for automatically latching the rack device in each of its two positions. I have also provided a device for more positively locking the rack device in its two positions on the truck, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6. A description of one of these locking devices will answer for both. Said locking devices each comprise a cam 22 on the track-guide and a spring-latch device I on the truck. The spring-latch device I has its outer end provided with an antifriction-roll 23, which is normally projected from the truck, the cam being arranged in the path of this normally projected antifriction-roll. WVhen the truck, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, is further drawn to the right, the antifriction-roll 23 of the springcatch I engages the cam 22, whereby the spring-latch or locking device is forced back, so as to cause its catch portion 24 to leave a notch 25 in the rack-bar, and thereupon while the rack-bar is held stationary the antifriction-roll 23 of the locking device rides along the straight longitudinal face portion 26 of the cam, and when the truck reaches the predetermined limit of its movement to the right the locking device I will be brought opposite a second notch 27 in the rack-bar, but its engaging end 23 will not at that moment enter notch 27, as the said locking device will still be held back by face portion 22 of the cam; but after the truck has been moved to the desired extent to the right and the winding-drums reversed, so as to then draw the truck to the left, the locking device I will automatically engage in notch 27 of the rack-bar as soon as the return movement of the truck has been sufficient to permit the latch end 23 to roll back along face portion 26 of the cam and also clear the rounded face portion 22 of said cam. The catch devices H are merely supplemental to the catch devices I, so that while roll 23 of catch I is retracing its path along the cam-faces 26 and 22, the catches H will prevent the rack device from accidentally shifting on the truck.

Where the rack-teeth are continuously in engagement with the gears, the rack device and suitable means for temporarily holding the same also form a device for temporarily locking the scoop in each of its two positions, and if the lines of rack-teeth are of a length to leave the gears after each reversal of the scoop it willof course be desirable to provide suitable means for temporarily holding the scoop in position, it being well understood that in excavating-machines having a single bucket for cutting in one Wayonly a great variety of devices are shown in the prior patented art for temporarily holding the scoop or bucket against tilt.. I Vhen the scoop illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1 is moved along the track-guides, so as to reach a like or similar position on the upper left-hand end portion of the track-guide, the hereinbefore-described operation of reversing the scoop takes place, it being understood that the reversing devices and adjuncts shown on the right end portion of the track-guide are understood to be duplicated on the left end portion of said track-guide, observing that where the automatic locking devices I are arranged as shown the cams on the left end portion of the track-guide can be set lower down the track relatively to the position occupied by the cam devices shown on the right end portion of the track-guide.

After the scoop has cut across the trench line in one direction it is reversed and then drawn in an opposite direction, so as to again out across the trench-line, and for each operation the track-guide is lowered proportionally to the required out. In this way I provide a single scoop which hasthe cutting and carrying capacity, or substantially the cutting and carrying capacity, of the two flexibly-connected scoops shown in said Jacobs reissued Letters Patent, and as I employ a single scoop it will readily follow the desired angles 28, Fig. 1, of the proposed trench.

As shown in Fig. 1, the base of the main frame straddles the trench and is provided with any desired number of suitable wheels 29, which can run upon tracks, or it can be supported by any other suitable or desired means, it being understood that the machine as a whole is advanced proportionally to the progress of the work.

More broadly considered, the rack device, which is capable of end shift relative to the truck, is also a movable reversing device which can be connected with the scoop by means other than the specific devices hereinbefore described and which can be operated by means other than the stops G. For example, for each gear 7 I can substitute a sprocket and in connection with each sprocket provide a short chain passing under and engaging the sprockets and having their ends attached to the slide or movable reversing device, thereby dispensing with the rackteeth. I can also attach the cables to opposite ends of the slide or reversing device and-provide each upwardly-extending arm of the guide-track with a downwardly and outwardly inclined end portion, so that after the truck has been drawn up the main incline and is then drawn on the said inclined end portion and the cables are then arrested by stopping their operating-drums the shifter will be held by the cables, while the truck, if unlocked from the shifter, will run down such end incline by gravity, thereby reversing the scoop. This is illustrated by Fig. 11, which shows a truck B like or similar to the previously-described truck B and provided with a longitudinal slide or reciprocative shifter 10 similar to the shifter F, but not necessarily provided with rackteeth, although it can be provided with rackteeth for engaging reversing-gears, such as hereinbefore described. In said Fig. 10 the slide or reciprocating shifter has a sliding movement relatively to the truck-that is to say, when the shifter is unlocked and held by suitable resistance against movement with the truck the advancement of the truck involves a relative slide or shift between the truck and the shifter.

As illustrated in previous figures, the partial revolution of the scoop, bucket, or shovel is attained when the shifter is unlocked from the truck and met by a stop on the track guide, whereby while the truck continues to advance the shifter is held by the stop on the guide-track; but in Fig. 11 the cables are attached to opposite ends of the shifter, which is understood to be normally locked upon the truck by an automatic locking device such as hereinbefore set forth, and-each end of the track-guide is provided with a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion C. If now the truck is drawn up the main arm portion of the inclined arm of the track-guide and then drawn onto the upper portion of the end incline C, the truck will have a tendency to run down this incline and it will do so as soon as the shifter is unlocked from the truck, which said unlocking can be effected by spring locking devices and cams such as hereinbefore described or by any suitable automatic locking and unlocking means. When the shifter is thus unlocked from the truck, the winding-drums for the cable should be stopped, and thereupon while the shifter will be held stationary by one of the cables the truck will run down the incline until it encounters and is arrested by a stop or buffer G. In this way the terminal advancement of the truck is effected by gravity, while the shifter is held byone of the cables, and this relative movement between the truck and the shifter causes the latter to reverse the position of the scoop. After the truck has reached the lower portion of the incline C the winding-drums can be operated in directions reversely to their preceding action, whereupon one of the cables which is attached to the shifter will draw the truck back along the track-guide, while the other cable which is attached to the shifter will correspondmgly pay out. It is also understood that the reverse of this action takes place when the truck reaches the opposite end portion of the track-guide at the other side of the trench and that illustation thereof would be merely a substantial duplication of Fig. 11.

Further referring to Fig. 11, the shifter 10 is provided at its ends with stops 10 and 10, it being understood that said shifter may be generally similar in form to the shifter F shown in preceding figures. These stops or shoulders on the shifter in Fig. 11 are adapted for transmitting draft from the shifter to the truck. When, for example, the cables are stationary, so as to temporarily hold the shifter in the position shown in Fig. 11, and the truck has descended the incline C until it has been arrested by the stop or bumper G, the lower end of the truck will abut against stop 10 on one end of the shifter, and as this abutment will of itself arrest the truck the bumper G could be dispensed with, although I prefer to provide such spring-bumper in order to relieve the shifter from shock. If now the winding-drums are reversed, so that cable pays out, the draft of the cable IE will be transmitted to the truck through the medium of the shifter 10 having its stop or shoulder 10 engaging the now rear end of the truck. l/Vhen this last-described operation is repeated at the opposite side of the trench, the relative shift between the truck and the shifter will bring stop 10 of the shifter into engagement with the left hand of the truck, as will be readily understood without further description. In said Fig. 11 the sprocket 7 a generally corresponds with gear 7 in preceding figures, it being, however, operated by a sprocket-chain 7 arranged to pass under and engage the sprocket 7 a and having its ends secured to the shifter 10 It is understood that a like chain and sprocket device is also applied at the opposite side of the scoop for the same purpose.

WVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In an excavating-machine a reversible scoo for facing to cut in opposite directions in a ternation, and means for directing and moving the scoop alternately in opposite directions along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the excavation.

2. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, the combination of a reversible scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation; means for moving and directing the scoop alternately in opposite directions along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the proposed trench; and means for automatically reversing the cutting position of the scoop relatively to its direction of travel. I

3. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, the combination of a reversible scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation; means for moving and directing the scoop alternately in opposite directions along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the proposed trench; and means for automatically reversing and dumping the scoo at each terminal portion of its line of travefi 4. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, a transverse guide conforming to the transverse contour of the proposed trench; a truck supported to traverse the guide; means for moving the truck along the guide alternately in opposite directions; a scoop pivotally mounted upon the truck; means for reversing the scoop to cause it to face in ofpposite directions in alternation, and means or automatically and temporarily locking the scoop in each of such two positions, the scoop being adapted for cutting in each position.

5. In an excavating-machine, a truck; a guide for the truck conformable to the transverse contour of the proposed excavation; a scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation pivotally mounted on the truck and reversible thereon; means for drawing the truck along the guide alternately in opposite directions; and means for turning the scoop about its pivotal axis at or substantially at each terminal portion of its line of travel in direction and to an extent to dump its contents and bring it from a position for cutting one way into position for cutting in an opposite direction.

6. In an excavating-machine, the combination of a pivoted reversible scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation; means for moving and directing the scoop alternately in opposite directions along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the proposed excavation; and means for automatically reversing the cutting position of the scoop relatively to its direction of travel and consisting of a reversing device for reversing and dumping the scoop, and means for actuating the reversing device at the terminal portion of the movement of the truck.

7. In an excavating-machine, the combination of a track-guide conforming to the transverse contour of the proposed trench; a truck for travel along the track-guide means for movin the truck along the track-guide in opposite directions in alternation; a scoop pivotally supported upon the truck; a sliderack on the truck; powei transmitting connection between the slide-rack and the scoop for turning the latter about its pivotal axis; means for locking and unlocking the rack; and means for holding the rack and permitting the truck to advance while the rack is thus held, thereby permitting relative movement between the rack and truck to. turn the scoop about its pivotal axis to an extent to reverse the cutting position of the scoop.

8. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, the combination of a guide-track conformable to the transverse contour of the trench; a truck supported to traverse the guide-track; means for moving the truck along the guide-track in opposite directions in alternation; a reversible scoop pivotally mounted upon the truck and adapted for facing in opposite directions according to its position, and means for automatically causing the scoop to perform three-quarters or substantially three-quarters of a revolution at each terminal portion of the travel of the truck and in direction to dump the scoop and to bring it into position for excavating during the return travel of the truck.

9. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, a track-guide conformable to the transverse contour of the excavation and having its upper end portions provided with stops; a truck arranged to traverse the guide track cables and operating means therefor for drawing the truck along the track-guide in opposite directions in alternation; a reversible scoop pivotally mounted upon the truck; a shifter for turning the scoop about its pivotal axis, said shifter being supported upon a truck, the stops on the track-guide being arranged for opposing movement on the art of the shifter with the truck when the atter is performing the terminal portions of its travel, and a locking device for automatically unlocking the shifter from the truck prior to reversement of the scoop, and for automatically locking the shifter upon the truck when such reversement on the part of the scoop has been effected.

10. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, a track-guide conforming to the transverse contour of the trench; a scoop-reversing device on the truck adapted for projection from opposite ends of the truck in alternation cables for drawing the truck along the track-guide in opposite directions in alternation; a reversible scoop pivotally supported upon the truck; gear connection between the reversing device and the scoop for turning the latter about its pivotal axis when the reversing device is held stationary and the truck is advanced; and means for automatically locking and unlocking the slide on the truck.

11. In an excavating-machine, a reversible scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation; means for directing and moving the scoop alternately in opposite directions along a path conforming to the transverse contour of the excavation, and means for reversing the scoop from its position for facing and cutting in one direction to a position for facing and cutting in an opposite direction along said path.

12. In an excavating-machine, a guide conformable to the transverse contour of the proposed excavation; a reversible scoop for facing to cut in opposite directions in alternation and supported for bodily movement along the guide, and means for moving the scoop along the guide in opposite directions in alternation, the scoop being reversible from a position for cutting in one direction to a position for cutting in an opposite direction and being adapted for cutting and loading in each of said two positions, the bottom and back of the scoop in one of said positions being respectively its back and bottom in the other one of said two positions, and means for automatically reversing the scoop from one to the other position in direction to invert and thereby dump the scoop during such reversing movement.

13. In an excavating-machine for digging trenches, a track-guide conformable to the transverse contour of the trench; a truck ar ranged to traverse the track-guide; means for moving the truck along the track-guides in opposite direction in alternation; a scoop pivotally supported upon the truck and arranged for reversal from a position for cutting in one direction. to a position for cutting in an opposite direction; a device for thus reversing the position of the scoop supported upon the truck, the connection between the truck and the reversing device permitting relative independent movement whereby independent movement of one member shall cause the reversal of the scoop; means for temporarily locking together the scoop and the reversing device; and means on the track-guide for operating the locking means to break locked connection between the reversing device and the truck.

14. In an excavating-machine a track; a truck for traversing the track a reversible scoop supported by side pivots on the truck and adapted and arranged to turn about an axis passing through said. pivots from a position for facing to cut in one direction to a position to cut in an opposite direction and means for reversing the scoop comprising gears on the scoop and a reversing device engaging with the gears; the truck and reversing device being relatively and independently movable to a limited extent.

CHARLES G. PAGE.

Witnesses:

OTTILIE C. FREIBERG, CATHERINE CRAVER.

Images