United States Patent
`Snow, Jr. et al.
`
`[19]
`
`3,802,525
`[ 11]
`[ 45] Apr. 9, 1974
`
`[76]
`
`[54] TRIMMER TYPE ROAD CONSTRUCTION
`APPARATUS OR THE LIKE
`Inventors: RalphK.Snow,Jr., 1916N.W.
`i2i11, Apt. c, Oklahoma City;
`Warren W. Grist, 725
`Queensborough, Yukon, Okla.
`73099; Joe Bill Kruger, 4828 N.W.
`58th St., Oklahoma City, Okla.
`73112
`Feb. 14, 1972
`[22] Filed:
`[21] Appl. No.: 225,936
`
`1,127,503
`1,196,119
`3,464,510
`2,008,908
`1,077,878
`651,393
`706,671
`437,759
`
`2/191'5
`8/1916
`9/1969
`7/1935
`11/1913
`6/1900
`8/1902
`10/1890
`
`Patterson .............................. 305/23
`Krupp ................................... 74/674
`Washizawa ............................. 180/5
`Gustafson . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7/15 6
`Hagan ............. ,................... 172/24 7
`Shroyer ............................... 172/292
`Langfitt .. ...................... ...... 172/292
`Holth .................................. 172/278
`
`Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson
`Assistant Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin &
`Dougherty
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. .............................. 180/9.46, 37/108 R
`[ 5 I ]
`Int. Cl ............................................. B62d 11/20
`[58] Field of Search ........... 180/9.44, 9.46; 172/4.5;
`37/108; 280/6; 37/DIG. 19
`
`[56]
`
`I ,918,564
`2,114,434
`3,027,026
`3,423,859
`3,500,563
`3,540,360
`3,553,670
`3,637,026
`3,651,588
`I ,298,366
`1,715,627
`1,202,935
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`Rorabeck ........................... 180/9.46
`7/i933
`Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . 3 7/1 08 R
`4/1938
`Couquet ...................... :. 37/DIG. 19
`3/1962
`Swisher . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7/1 08 R
`l/1969
`Smith .................................... 37/190
`3/1970
`Snow ................................ 37/108 A
`11/1970
`Toles ................................ 37/108 A
`1/1971
`Snow ................................... 172/4.5
`1/1972
`Hanson ................................ 172/4.5
`3/1972
`Mac Fie .............................. 180/9.46
`3/1919
`Ruth .................................. 180/9.46
`6/1929
`Wheat ................................... 74/665
`10/1916
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An improved trimmer type road construction appara(cid:173)
`tus, particularly useful in applications requiring a high
`degree of maneuverability and control flexibility,
`which is steeringly controlled by turning a centrally
`disposed front track assembly in such a manner that
`the main frame can be raised and lowered relative to
`the front drive assembly without a loss of steering con(cid:173)
`trol; and which has an automatic steering, grade and
`slope control constructed to be automatically adapted
`to particular job specifications and locations. The
`trimmer also has a reclaimer assembly for removal of
`the excavated earth, the reclaimer assembly being au(cid:173)
`tomatically positionable to deposit the excavated earth
`in predetermined, .controlled positions about the trim(cid:173)
`mer.
`
`17 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures
`
`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1114
`
`Page 1 of 23
`
`

`

`1\) .
`0
`Q)
`w . .
`
`U1
`l\)
`U1
`
`en a ...
`
`~ ....,
`
`~
`~
`
`cs
`<D
`
`c:::t =-(cid:173) ..,
`,....,
`--f
`:z
`,..,
`--f
`J>
`-o
`
`:::0
`
`PATENTED APR 9 1974
`
`3302525
`
`SHEEI 1 0f 7
`
`.,x..l-l.liaIPM.K\
`
`mV
`
`3
`
`mum
`
`QQ»Kw\
`En\
`
`I.
`
`··~ --(cid:173)
`
`........__ II
`
`48
`
`II<:)
`
`'
`I
`
`'
`
`I ·-l
`
`~tc::::J.
`
`\a:?
`
`. II
`' '\.
`
`0
`
`V.W\\.-
`
`Page 2 of 23
`
`

`

`').~TENTED APR 9 1974
`F’ATENTEDAPR 9 mm
`
`-
`
`.
`.
`3,802,525
`3.802.525
`
`SHEET 2 Of 7
`SHEEI 2 BF 7
`
`30
`
`\
`
`J. ~
`
`/60
`
`132
`
`
`
`---------
`
`/02
`I I
`
`I
`
`J4y
`
`~4)
`
`78
`
`/30
`
`146
`a2~48
`~~~!58
`
`24
`
`Page 3 0f 23
`
`Page 3 of 23
`
`

`

`~A TENTED APR 9 1914
`mmmmm 9314
`’
`
`SHEET 3 .Of 7
`SHEEI 3.0? 7
`
`.
`.
`3,802,525
`3302525
`
`
`
`I. E3
`
`Page 4 of 23
`
`Page 4 of 23
`
`

`

`?ATENTEOAPR 91974
`
`.
`.
`3,802,525
`
`SHEET 4 .Of 7
`
`::e=r •
`
`::e=r'
`
`'· 1 1
`
`Page 5 of 23
`
`

`

`<J1
`N
`(J1
`N .
`·a
`CD
`w .
`
`~
`-.J
`
`co
`tO
`
`J> -rt"'' :z -rt"'' = ::.--
`
`u
`
`;IC
`""t:l
`
`I:)
`
`-.J
`....,
`
`,..., -C/1
`
`en = f"T1
`
`3MENTED APR 9 9974
`
`3.802.525
`
`SHEEI 5 OF 7
`
`
`
`I
`2~~
`
`200
`
`Page 6 of 23
`
`

`

`PATENTED APR 9 1974
`PATENTEDAPR 9 IBM
`
`SHEET S ·Of 7
`SHEEI 8 I}? 7
`
`.
`.
`3,802,525
`
`12
`
`
`
`~II 1~
`
`1.14
`
`Page 7 0f 23
`
`Page 7 of 23
`
`

`

`PATENTED APR 9 1974
`PATENTEDAPR 9:924.
`'
`
`v
`
`SHI:El 7 Of 7
`sum 7 or 7
`
`.
`.
`3,802,525
`(£802,525.
`'
`
`~S/
`
`Arm/1702
`
`[— 5/54/44
`
`
`
`492
`
`I
`
`“Him
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a
`
`».
`
`
` 5 7'EEP/NG
`'
`SEA/50?
`
`352
`>
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACf/JAJ'OP
`a 422
`
`.7?“
`430
`.
`
`
`Tlllim'f
`
`'
`
`495 F ‘ I
`DIFFERENT/Al.
`AMpL/F/Ee
`
`556
`500
`[I m. -
`
`6%47/‘2772/2/0
`' 5072::._j
`4334-74“
`
`470
`
`
`
`')1
`:
`474 - 460 462
`456:
`1-. II
`II
`44670470?
`472 596‘406
`F—q1400
`.
`F
`'
`llliififl:
`-I 322
`'-
`3” \520
`G 402
`1 1c:=
`f==rr
`==-=--=--=· ~- '"'"----~
`
`I
`II
`
`Page 8 0f 23
`
`Page 8 of 23
`
`

`

`1
`TRIMMER TYPE ROAD CONSTRUCTION
`APPARATUS OR THE LIKE
`
`3,804,525
`
`2
`Another object of the invention is to provide a trim(cid:173)
`mer which can be controlled relaJive to a control refer(cid:173)
`ence from either side of the trimmer.
`An additional object of the invention is to provide a
`5 trimmer having a more efficient, economical, control(cid:173)
`lable excavating width extension which is automatically
`positionable.
`A still further object of the invention is to provide a
`trimmer which is more economical in construction and
`I 0 operation.
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`evid~nt from the following detailed description when
`read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
`which illustrate the various embodiments of the inven-
`15 tion.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1 . Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to improvements in
`earth working apparatus and, more particularly, but
`not by way of limitation, to a trimmer having a positive
`steering, reclaimer, grade and slope control for maneu(cid:173)
`vering flexibility.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`In the past then~ have been v11rious machines con(cid:173)
`structed to excavate a portion of earth and, in some in(cid:173)
`stances, these machines have included conveyor like
`·systems to remove the excavated earth and controls to
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`maintain a predetermined elevation of the machine
`FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the trimmer con-
`structed in accordance with the present invention.
`during the operation thereof. Most of the earth working
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the trimmer of FIG. 1.
`machines, having an earth removal system, have uti- 20
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial sectional, top plan view
`lized a conveyor like apparatus which was supported
`showing a portion of the steering assembly of the trim-
`and positioned to remove the earth generally from one
`mer of FIG. 1.
`side of the machine.
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side elevational view of a por-
`In these latter-mentioned machines, the conveyor
`was rigidly supported on the apparatus or confined to 25 tion of the steering assembly of the trimmer of FIG. 1.
`a relatively narrow area of adjustment. Thus, in those
`applications where the excavated earth was to be re(cid:173)
`movedto some location, other than the location prede(cid:173)
`termined by the conveyor support, it was generally nec(cid:173)
`essary to utilize a separate, additional conveyor and
`supporting apparatus therefor.
`The steering of relatively large earth working appara-
`tus has generally pr~sented a problem, particularly in
`those applications wherein it was necessary to steer(cid:173)
`ingly control the apparatus within a relatively small 35
`area and to a relatively high degree of turning accu(cid:173)
`racy. The steering of such apparatus has been accom(cid:173)
`plished via a simple shaft, sometimes combined with
`intricate gearing apparatus, to transfer the motion ef- 40
`fected by the operator to steeringly control one or
`more of the wheels. This problem was complicated in
`those instances where it was also necessary to raise and
`lower the main support frame relative to the wheel or
`track which was steeringly controlled.
`In many earth working applications, it also becomes
`necessary to control the grade and the slope of the ex(cid:173)
`cavatingly engaged earth. In some instances, sensors
`have been utilized in the past to sense the position of
`the apparatus relative to a control reference, such sen- 50
`sors being commonly supported on one side of the ap-
`paratus.
`
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial sectional,
`top plan view showing a portion of the steering assem(cid:173)
`bly and a portion of the front sensor support of the
`30 trimmer of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational
`view showing a portion of the steering assembly and a
`portion of the front sensor support of the trimmer of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the sensor sup(cid:173)
`port of FIGS. 5 and 6.
`FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the reclaimer and
`the conveyor position control of the trimmer of FIG. 1.
`
`45
`
`FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, diagrammatical view of the
`auger and the moldboard.
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the conveyor support
`and the conveyor position control of the trimmer· of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged, top plan view of
`the conveyor position control of FIGS. 8 and 10.
`FIG.l2 is a fragmentary, top plan view showing the
`moldboard wing assembly utilized with the trimmer of
`FIG. 1, in one aspect of the operation thereof.
`FIG. 13 is a partial front elevation, partial sectional
`view showing the moldboard wing assembly of FIG. 12.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One object of the invention is to provide a trimmer
`having increased maneuverability and control flexibil-
`ity.
`Another object of the invention is to provide an im(cid:173)
`proved, more efficient steering control for a trimmer or
`the like.
`One other object of the invention is to provide an im(cid:173)
`proved, more efficient reclaimer which can be auto(cid:173)
`matically positioned to deposit excavated earth in pre-
`determined, controlled positions.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
`more economical and efficient sensor support for earth
`working apparatus.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the
`moldboard wing assembly of FIG. 12.
`FIG. 15 is a partial diagrammatical, partial schematic
`view showing a portion of the control apparatus of the
`trimmer of FIG. 1.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring to the drawings in general, and to FIGS. 1
`and 2 in particular, shown therein and designated by
`the general reference numeral 10 is a trimmer-type
`road construction apparatus, referred to below simply
`as
`the trimmer 10, which includes a main frame 12,
`having a forward end 14, a rearward end 16, a left side
`18, and a right side 20. The trimmer 10 is particularly
`
`Page 9 of 23
`
`

`

`3,802,525
`
`3
`useful in applications wherein the available working
`space is relatively limited, and yet wherein a high de(cid:173)
`gree of automatic control and flexibility are required
`such as, for example, "single lane" type of highway and
`street construction and parking lot construction or the 5
`like. The trimmer 10 has a design, a control flexibility,
`a positive steering control and an earth removal or re(cid:173)
`claimer assembly, each being constructed to excavate,
`remove the excavated earth, and excavatingly prepare
`a surface to a predetermined grade and slope, in a man-
`ner to be described in greater detail below.
`The main frame 12 is supported via a rear drive as(cid:173)
`sembly 22 and a front track assembly 24, the drive as(cid:173)
`sembly 22 being drivingly connected to a power drive
`unit 26 for drivingly moving the main frame 12 during 15
`the operation of the trimmer 10. The power drive unit.
`26 may be of a conventional design such as, for exam(cid:173)
`ple, a diesel powered engine, and the construction
`operation of such a power unit, and the various inter(cid:173)
`connecting components and operation thereof to driv- 20
`ingly connect the power drive unit 26 to the endless
`track members are well known in the art and a detailed
`description thereof is not required herein. The major
`portion of the various manually operated, control actu(cid:173)
`ating elements, which are utilized by an operator to
`control and operate the trimmer 10, are, in a preferred
`form, supported in a control console 27. The control
`console is supported on the main frame 12, generally
`near the forward end 14 thereof, and a guard-rail type
`of structure 28 is connected to the main frame 12, the 30
`guard-rail 28 extending generally about the main frame
`12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`A steering assembly 30 is connected to the main
`frame 12 and to a portion of the front track assembly
`24 for steering the trimmer 10. More particularly, the
`steering assembly 30 is constructed to automatically
`steer the front track assembly 24 in a steering direction
`32 and a steering direction 34, as shown in FIG. 2, to
`steeringly maintain the alignment of the trimmer 10 rel(cid:173)
`ative to a control reference, commonly a "string-line,"
`in one aspect of the operation of the trimmer 10, as will
`be described in greater detail below.
`An auger 36 is rotatingly supported on the main
`frame 12, generally near the forward end 14 thereof,
`and a moldboard. 38 is also connected to the main
`frame 12, generally near the auger 36. The auger 36
`and the moldboard 38are each constructed to excavat(cid:173)
`ingly engage an adjacent portion of the earth, during
`the operation of the trimmer 10.
`A reclaimer assembly 40, which generally includes a
`base conveyor 42 and an elevated conveyor 44, is sup(cid:173)
`ported on the main frame 12 for receiving the earth ex(cid:173)
`cavated via the auger 36 and the moldboard 38 and de(cid:173)
`posit same in a predetermined, controlled, remote loca(cid:173)
`tion. The base conveyor 42 is supported generally be(cid:173)
`tween the left side 18 and the right side 20, and extends
`angularly from the forward end 14 toward the rearward
`end 16 of the main frame 12. A portion of the base con(cid:173)
`veyor 42 is disposed near the moldboard 38, the mold(cid:173)
`board 38 and the auger 36 each being constructed to
`move the excavated earth onto the base conveyor 42,
`in a manner to be described in greater detail below.
`The base conveyor 42 moves the excavated earth
`toward the rearward end 16, the excavated earth being
`subsequently deposited onto the elevated conveyor 44.
`The elevated conveyor 44 is connected generally at the
`rearward end portion 16 of the main frame 12, and is
`
`4
`constructed to move the excavated earth deposited
`thereon to the controlled, predetermined locations.
`More particularly, a conveyor position control 46 is
`connected to the elevated conveyor support structure
`such that the elevated conveyor 46 can be automati(cid:173)
`cally moved in a swing direction 48 and in a swing di-
`rection SO to ·deposit the excavated earth therefrom
`generally outwardly from the left side 18 or the right
`side 20 of the main frame 12, or at any predetermined,
`intermediate position therebetween, in a manner which
`will be described in greater detail below.
`In a preferred form and during one aspect of the
`operation of the trimmer 10, the steering assembly 30
`is automatically actuated in response to an output sig(cid:173)
`nal of a track steering sensor 52, and the elevation of
`the main frame 12 relative to the front track assembly
`24 is automatically actuated and controlled via a front
`elevation sensor 54. The track steering sensor 52 and
`the elevation sensor 54 are each supportedly connected
`to the left side 18 of the main frame 12, generally near
`the forward end 14 thereof, via a front sensor support
`56.
`The sensor support 56 is constructed such that the
`elevation and the distance between the sensor support
`25 56 and the main frame 12 are each adjustably con(cid:173)
`trolled, the distance between the sensor support 56 and
`the main frame 12 being, more particularly, adjustably
`controlled and positionable from a remote position, as
`will be described in greater detail below.
`The elevation of a portion of the rear drive assembly
`22 is, in a preferred form, constructed such that the el(cid:173)
`evation of one portion thereof is locked or set in a pre(cid:173)
`determined elevation setting and such that the eleva(cid:173)
`tion of one other portion thereof is automatically con-
`35 trolled via an automatic slope control to position the
`trimmer 10 in predetermined grade and slope positions
`during the operation thereof. The control apparatus is
`also constructed to cooperate with the trimmer 10 such
`that the sensors 52 and 54 can be supported from the
`40 left side 18 of the main frame 12, as shown in FIGS. 1
`and 2, or the right side 20 of the main frame 12 (not
`shown), as will be made more apparent below.
`The utilization of sensors such as the track steering
`sensor 52 and the elevation sensor 54, described above,
`45 which are constructed to provide an output signal re(cid:173)
`sponsive to a control reference, are well known in the
`art, such sensors, for example, being described in U.S.
`Pat. No. 3,423,859, entitled "Road Construction Meth(cid:173)
`ods and Apparatus," assigned to the assignee of the
`50 present invention. Therefore, a detailed description of
`the various components, and the cooperation of those
`components to provide a responsive output signal is not
`required herein.
`The rear drive assembly 22 includes a left track as(cid:173)
`sembly 62 and a right track assembly 64, the left track
`assembly 62 being connected to the main frame 12
`generally near the left side 18 thereof, and the right
`track assembly 64 being connected to the main frame
`60 12 generally near the right side 20 thereof.
`The left track assembly 62 and the right track assem(cid:173)
`bly 64 each include an endless track member 66 which
`is drivingly supported via a track support member 68.
`The left track assembly 62 and the right track assembly
`65 64 are each driven via a hydaulic motor. The front
`track assembly 24 also includes an endless track mem(cid:173)
`ber 66 movably supported on a track support member
`68. The interconnection between the hydraulic motors
`
`I 0
`
`55
`
`Page 10 of 23
`
`

`

`3,802,525
`
`6
`trolled locations. More particularly, conveyor position
`control 46 automatically swings the elevated conveyor
`46 in a swing direction 48 and 50, thereby positioning
`the elevated conveyor 44 at controlled positions within
`5 a swing path generally within a 180 degree radius about
`the rearward end 16 of the trimmer 10. In this manner,
`the operator can easily control the disposition of the
`elevated conveyor 44 to deposit the excavated earth in
`predetermined positions which will vary depending
`10 upon a particular job specification or location, without
`the necessity of utilizing additional, separately
`mounted conveyors and conveyor support apparatus.
`The trimmer 10 is steeringly moved via the front
`track assembly 24, the auger 36 and the moldboard 38
`15 being supported generally between the front track as(cid:173)
`sembly 24 and the rear drive assembly 24, in a steering
`direction 32 and 34. The steering movement of the
`front track assembly 24 is controlled in response to an
`output signal of the track steering sensor 52, in one as-
`20 pect of the operation of the trimmer 10.
`
`and the rear drive assembly 22 to drivingly move the
`endless track members 66 connected thereto is well
`known in the art, and a detailed description thereof is
`not required herein.
`The trimmer 10 also includes a left elevation posi(cid:173)
`tioning assembly 72, a right elevation positioning as(cid:173)
`sembly 74 and a front elevation positioning assembly
`. 76. The left elevation positioning assembly 72 has a
`portion connected to the track support member 68 of
`the left track assembly 62 and another portion con(cid:173)
`nected to the main frame 12 to raise and to lower the
`main frame 12 in a vertically upwardly and downwardly
`direction, in an actuated position thereof. The right ele(cid:173)
`vation positioning assembly 74 has a portion connected
`to the main frame 12 and another portion connected to
`the track support member 68 of the right track assem(cid:173)
`bly 64 to raise and lower the main frame 12 in a verti(cid:173)
`cally upwardly and downwardly direction, in an actu(cid:173)
`ated position thereof. The front elevation positioning
`assembly 76 has a portion connected to the track sup(cid:173)
`port member 68 of the front track assembly 24 and an(cid:173)
`STEERING ASSEMBLY
`other portion connected to the main frame 12 to raise
`As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the front elevation
`and lower the main frame 12 in a vertically upwardly
`positioning assembly 76, more particularly, includes a
`and downwardly direction, in an actuated position
`thereof. The left elevation positioning assembly 72, the 25 first housing 82 and a second housing 84, the first hous-
`ing 82 and the second housing 84 each being generally
`right elevation positioning assembly 74 and the front
`elevation positioning assembly 76 each include a dou-
`cylindrically shaped, in a preferred form. One end of
`hie-acting hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocating
`the first housing 82 is securedly connected to a lower
`piston (not shown in detail) mounted in a cylinder (not
`portion of the support extension 80, and one end of the
`shown in detail), the piston of each hydraulic cylinder 30 second housing 84 is securedly connected to a yoke 86,
`the yoke 86 being connected to the track support mem-
`being connected to a portion of one of the track sup-
`port members 68 and the cylinder of each hydraulic
`ber 68 of the front track assembly 24. A portion qf the
`cylinder being connected to the main frame 12. Each
`second housing 84, opposite the end thereof connected
`hydraulic cylinder is constructed and disposed to raise
`to the yoke 86, is telescoped through the end of the first
`arid lower the main frame 12 to position the main frame 35 housing 82, opposite the end thereof connected to the
`support extension 80.
`12 in predetermined grade and slope positions, in a
`manner to be made more apparent below.
`As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the
`steering assembly 30 includes a steering arm 88 which
`As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the front track as-
`sembly 24 is,. more particularly, connected to the main
`is connected on one end thereof to the front track as-
`frame 12 via a front track support assembly 78 which 40 sembly 24, and a steering cylinder 90 which, in a pre-
`is connected to a support extension 80. The support ex-
`ferred form, is a hydraulically operated cylinder having
`tension 80 is securedly connected on one end thereof
`a piston rod 92 reciprocatingly disposed therein. One
`to a central portion of the main frame 12, the support
`end of the steering cylinder 90 is pivotally connected
`extension 80 extending a distance from the forward end
`to the forward end 14 of the main frame 12, generally
`14 of the main frame 12 in a generally forward direc- 45 near the right side 20 thereof, and one end of the piston
`rod 92 is pivotally connected to the end of the steering
`tion. The front track assembly 24 is, more particularly,
`connected to the support extension 80, and the support
`arm 88, opposite the end thereof which is connected
`extension 80 is constructed such that, in the assembled
`to the front track assembly 24. The steering cylinder 90
`position of the trimmer 10, the front track assembly 24
`has an actuated turning position for moving the steer-
`is generally centrally positioned between the left track
`ing arm 88 in a steering direction 32 and 34, thereby
`assembly62 and the right track assembly 64 of the rear
`turning the front track assembly 24 to steeringly rna-
`neuverthe trimmer 10 during the operation thereof.
`drive assembly 22, and further such that the front track
`assembly 24 is spaced a distance in a generally forward
`More particularly, one end of the steering arm 88 is
`direction from the forward end 14 of the main frame
`pivotally connected to the yoke 86 via a torque arm 94,
`12.
`as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4. The steering
`Generally speaking, the trimmer 10 is constructed to
`arm 88 is thus pivotally connected to the front track as-
`be driven in a generally forward direction via the rear
`sembly 24 such that the movement thereof in a gener-
`drive assembly 22, the auger 36 and the moldboard 38
`ally horizontal plane imparts steering movement to the
`excavatingly engaging an adjacent portion of the earth 60 front track assembly 24 via the interconnection there-
`between, and yet such that the steering orientation of
`during the operation of the trimmer 10. The excavated
`earth is moved by the auger 36 generally toward a cen-
`the front track assembly 24 remains fixed when the
`tral portion of the moldboard 38 and through an open-
`main frame 12 is raised and lowered relative to the
`front track assembly 24 due to the pivotal interconnec-
`ing therein onto the base conveyor 42.
`The base conveyor 42 moves the excavated earth 65 tion between the steering arm 88 and the yoke 86. The
`toward the rearward end 16 of the main frame 12 and
`steering arm 88 thus controls the steering position of
`onto the elevated conveyor 44. The elevated conveyor
`the front track assembly 24 in a positive manner as the
`44 moves the excavated earth to predetermined, con-
`steering arm 88 is moved in a generally horizontal
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Page 11 of 23
`
`

`

`3,802,525
`
`50
`
`7
`8
`vertically spaced guide supports 120, each guide sup-
`plane, while vertical movement between the main
`port 120 having an arcuately shaped aperture 122
`frame 12 or, more particularly, the support extension
`formed-therethrough, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.
`80 thereof and the front track assembly 24 is indepen-
`The end of the rod 116, opposite the end thereof con-
`dently and automatically controlled via the front eleva-
`tion positioning assembly 76, as will be described in 5 nected to one of the tubes 114, extends vertically up-
`wardly from the yoke 86 through the apertures 122 of
`greater detail below.
`The steering assembly 30 also includes a steering arm
`the rod guide 118.
`guide 96 which is connected to the support extension
`In the assembled position of the rod guide 118, the
`80 and has a guide portion 98 shaped to receive the end
`apertures 122 through each of the guide supports 120
`portion of the steering arm 88 connected to the steer- 10 are aligned, and the apertures 122 define a guide path
`ing cylinder 90. More particularly, the guide portion 98
`for confming the movement of the rod 116 to an arcu-
`includes a pair of vertically spaced guide members 100,
`ately shaped path responsively following the steering
`each guide member 100 being generally acutely formed
`position of the front track assembly 24, in a manner to
`in one elevation thereof, as shown more clearly in FIG.
`be made more apparent below.
`3. The guide members 100 are connected via a pair of I 5 The feedback assembly 110 also includes a push-pull
`cable 124 having a portion thereof securedly con-
`end members 102, each end member 102 being dis-
`posed generally adjacent one end of each guide mem-
`nected to the rod guide 118 via a cable support 126.
`ber 100 and secured thereto to provide the intercon-
`One end of the push-pull cable 124 is connected to the
`nection therebetween. The steering arm guide 96 and,
`rod 116 via a journal connector 128, the journal con-
`more particularly, one of the guide members 102 20 nector providing an interconnection between the rod
`thereof is secured to a lower portion of the support ex-
`116 and the push-pull cable 124, such that a portion of
`tension 80 via a plurality of interconnecting supports
`the push-pull cable 124 is moved and positioned in re-
`104.
`sponse to the movement of the rod 116. The position
`The steering arm guide 96 and, more particularly, the
`of the rod 116 thus controls the position of the control
`space between the guide members 100 thereof defines 25 portion of the push-pull cable 124, and the position of
`a guide path for confining the horizontally oriented
`the control portion of the push-pull cable 124 is thus
`steering movement of the steering arm 88 and for main-
`indicative of the steering position of the front track as-
`taining the end of the steering arm 88 connected to the
`sembly 24.
`As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the steering
`steering cylinder 90 in a predetermined vertical posi-
`tion during the operation of the steering assembly 30. 30 assembly 30 also includes a steering position indicator
`As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end of the
`130 having an indicator 132 and a pointer assembly
`steering arm 88, opposite the end thereof connected
`134 which are constructed to provide a visual indica-
`to the yoke 86, extends between the guide members
`tion of the steering position of the front track assembly
`100 of the steering arm guide 96 and a wear pad 106
`24 during the operation of the trimmer 10. The indica-
`is secured to an upper and a lower portion of the steer- 35 tor 132 is connected to the yoke 86 of the front track
`assembly 24, the indicator 132 being moved following
`ing arm 88, each of the wear pads 106 engaging one of
`the guide members 100 during the operation of the
`the turning movement of the front track assembly 24.
`steering assembly 30.
`The indicator 132 extends a distance generally horizon-
`The steering assembly 30 includes a feedback assem-
`tally therefrom and a plurality of gradations 136 are
`bly 110 which is connected to the front track assembly 40 printed on the upper portion of indicator 132, the gra-
`24 and has a portion thereof connected to the track
`dations 136 being spaced on the indicator 130 to indi-
`steering support bar 174 via the supporting structure
`cate the turning position of the front track assembly 24,
`therefor. The feedback assembly 110 senses the turning
`in a manner which will be made more apparent below.
`position of the front track assembly 24 and provides an
`output signal in response, in a manner which will be 45
`made more apparent below.
`The feedback assembly 110 includes a rod clamp 112
`which is secured to the yoke 86, as shown more clearly
`in FIG. 3. A pair of cylindrically shaped tubes 114 are
`secured to the rod clamp 112, the tubes 114 being hori(cid:173)
`zontally spaced and having an aperture therethrough
`sized to receive one end portion of a rod 116. In an as(cid:173)
`sembled position of the feedback assembly 110, one
`end portion of the rod 116 is disposed through the ap- 55
`erture portion of one of the tubes 114, the rod 116
`being securedly positioned therein. The rod 116 is thus
`securedly connected to the yoke 86 of the front track
`assembly 24 and extends a distance generally vertically
`therefrom. It will be apparent from the foregoing that, 60
`as the front track assembly 24 is turned, the rod 116
`will be moved in response to the turning movement of
`the front track assembly 24, for reasons which will be
`made apparent below.
`A rod guide 118 is securedly connected to the main 65
`frame 12 via the support extension 80 or, more particu(cid:173)
`larly, to a portion of the first housing 82, as shown more
`clearly in FIG. 6. The rod guide 118 includes a pair of
`
`The pointer assembly 134 includes a pointer 138
`which is securedly connected to one end of a pointer
`rod 140, the pointer 138 being positioned in close prox(cid:173)
`imity to the indicator 132 such that the position of the
`pointer 138 relative to the indicator 132 is indicative of
`the turning position of the front track assembly 24. The
`pointer rod 140 is telescoped through an opening
`formed through a pointer housing 142 such that the
`pointer rod 140 remains in a fixed elevation during the
`raising and lowering of the main frame 12. The pointer
`housing 142 is secured to the front track support as(cid:173)
`sembly 78 and, more particularly, to the first housing
`82. As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, a roller 144 is roll(cid:173)
`ingly supported on one end of the pointer rod 140, the
`roller 144 rollingly contacting the upper portion of the
`indicator 132 providing a movable contact and reduc(cid:173)
`ing the friction therebetween, during the operation of
`the steering position indicator 130.
`As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an elevation indicator
`146 is connected to the front track assembly 24 and,
`more particularly, an elevation scale 148 having a plu(cid:173)
`rality of gradation indications thereon is securedly con(cid:173)
`necte