US2761546A - Elevator-conveyor mechanism - Google Patents

Description

6 Sheets-Sheet l O. J. BORROWDALE ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM AVA @AVM Sept. 4, 1956 Filed March 1e,A 1953 SePt- 4, 1956 o. J. BORROWDALE 2,761,546

ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1953 Sept. 4, 1956 O. J. BORROWDALE v 2,761,546

ELEvAToR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 f/fe Joffowdale Sept 4, 1956 O. J. BoRRowDALE 2,761,546

ELEVATQR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 16, 1953 SePt 4, 1956 O. J. BORROWDALE 2,761,546

ELEVAToR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March l6, 1953 y-fj Sept.. 4, 1956 o, J. BoRRowDALE 2,761,545

ELEvAToR-.coNvEYoR MECHANISM Filed March 1e, 1953 e sheet's-sheet 6 United States Patent ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR MECHANISM Orville J. Borrowdale, Chicago, lll.

Application March 16, 1953, Serial No. 342,577

15 Claims. (Cl. 198-103) This invention relates to improvements in an elevatorconveyor and refers particularly to a device for conveying or elevating materials such as coal, limestone, ore or the like from one elevation to a higher elevation.

One of the important objects of the present invention resides in the provision of a device for elevating, in a continuous manner, materials such as coal, limestone, ore or the like where said materials are contained in a compartment or space which is more or less cramped and does not permit the use of conventional conveyors, hoists or the like.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in a conveyor-elevator which comprises a plurality of endlessly moving cells or buckets which may be filled at their lower path of travel and are emptied at their upper path of travel, means being contemplated for rapidly unloading said cells at their upper travel in a relatively short space of time permitting a rapid cyclic operation of the device.

A further important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for inverting the cells or buckets during their travel, gates being provided for the prevention of premature leaking or dumping of the material being elevated, including means for periodically opening and closing said gates at predetermined points in the path of travel of the cell.

Although the present invention may be used in many other environments, it is particularly adapted for the unloading of ships wherein the cargo is contained in relatively cramped spaces and where it is most desirable to unload and release the ship in the shortest time possible from the time of its docking. The device comprising the present invention is ideally adaptable for this purpose since, in a portable form it may be lowered into the hold of a ship and the features of its construction are such that it can operate rapidly and continuously.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the elevator-conveyor comprising the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed top plan view of one of the cells or buckets.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on' line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is la sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed top plan view of a modication wherein the cell or bucket covers open differently, showing the covers in completely open position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the covers in closed position. f

ICC

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12--12 of Fig. 1l.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1-1 indicate vertical frame members connected together at the front and rear by bottom frame members 2 and top frame members 3. The front and rear frame members `are joined in spaced relationship by channel irons 4. At the upper four corners of the framework thus formed loop members 5 are positioned to receive the hooks or chains of a crane or hoist whereby the framework, which carries the elevator-conveyor to be hereinafter more fully described, may be moved from place to place, as the situs of the material to be carried demands.

An elevator-conveyor mechanism,'designated generally by the reference numeral 6, is carried within the framework hereinbefore described, the elevator-conveyor mechanism moving within the framework in la substantially circular path. On the framework, described, a pair of spaced substantially circular outer race supports 7 are carried. The elevator-conveyor frame comprises essentially a pair of spaced inner race supports 8 held in spaced relationship by a plurality of cross members 9. An outer circular race 10 is carried by each of the outer race supports 7 and an inner circular race 11 is carried by each of the inner race supports 8, rollers 12 being positioned between each pair of races 10 and 11, wlhereby the elevator-conveyor frame is rotatably carried by the stationary framework.

On the inner portion of the inner race support 8 on one side of the elevator-conveyor frame, a relatively large ring gear 13 is carried. A pair of driving gears 14 mesh with the ring gear to move the elevator-conveyor frame upon the rollers 12. The stationary framework, hereinbefore described comprises horizontal beams 15 and vertical supporting beams 16 upon which an electric driving motor 17 is positioned. A drive sprocket 18 is mounted upon the shaft of motor 17 around which sprocket chain 19 is trained. A conventional speed reducer 20 is also mounted upon the beams 15 and the input shaft thereof carries a sprocket wheel 21 over which chain 19 is trained and whereby power is transmitted to the speed reducer. The speed reducer has output shaft 22 upon which pinion 23 is mounted, the pinion being in mesh with the two driving gears 14 which, in turn, mesh with ring gear 13. In this fashion the elevator-conveyor frame is driven in a circular path.

In view of the fact that one of the advantages of the present invention is its compactness whereby it may be disposed in cramped spaces, I have found that the main drive mechanism comprising the motor 17, the speed reducer 20 and the various gears may advantageously be positioned at the central portion of the elevator-conveyor frame, as shown. However, it is to be understood that, if desired, the main drive mechanism may be positioned in either of the upper or lower corners of the stationary framework and still be disposed within the confines of the stationary frame. Of course, if any of the latter positions be employed, the elevator-conveyor frame will be driven through an external ring gear instead of the inter nal ring gear 13.

A plurality of cells or buckets 24 are carried upon the elevator-conveyor frame, said cells being circular in transverse cross-section and being positioned on the rotatable y, frame with their axes disposed radially. As many cells only one will be described in Y fh ne Eachj cell has a closed bottom and'a shaft 26 extends throughthecenter of the bottom, the shaft and bottom being relatively rotatable. A brace member 27 extends transversely across the'v elevator-conveyor frame and is secured at opposite ends thereto, the brace 27 being rigidly connected to, and supporting the shaft 26. A

spider ZSVhaVing-crossed arms 29 is rigidly mounted upon shaft 26, the arms 29 extending radially to the inner Wall of the cell and each of said arms, atits endcarries avane Sil'which extendsVupv/ardly along the inner -wall of' the cell. As `tvillbe hereinafter more fully described, during 1 operation of Atl 1 :lev ice, the y cell rotates while theya'nes30 remain stationary relative theretowhereby the vanes and arms function to scrape the'side wall andbottomoffthe cell andloosen andprevent'adherence of material carriedA therein thereby facilitating.A dumping thefedf.'

lheof each c ell 24 is open and is positioned within a top ring r31 carried ,by al top plate 32 Vwhich comprises a por.t ion of the frame of Vthe elevator-conveyor. A 'bearing ring 33 iscarried upon the outer vvallof -tliefcell 24 adjacent its upper end portion andV functions'ias'a bearing surface or race wherebythe upperV poi-:tion vof/ the cellmisvlaterally and rotatably supported by Acircumfei'entially spiacedrollers 34. Between adjacent cells'upo'n the elevator-conveyor a triangular frame sectiofniscarried having side Walls 35 and 36 upon which bearingbrackets and 38, respectively, aremounted, the` bearin`g`br'ackets-37 supporting rollers 34 upon one side-lof a'cell and bearin g -brackets 38 supporting rollers `34fupon the opposite'side of an adjacentcell.

combination ring gear and bearing ring 39 is mounted upon each cell adjacent the bottom portion thereof, each member'having teeth 40 upon aradially extending portion and a roller surface formed upon a radially 'restricted'por'tion 4 1. A frame section is provided between adjacent cells having yframe members 42 and, which carry, respectively, roller brackets 44 and 45 which, in turn, carry rollers 46`which ride upon .opposite sidefp'ortions of the rings 41 of adjacent cells 24.y Thus, thev bottom portion of each cell is laterally and lrotatably supported.

Upon lthe radially extending portion of the member 39 'Which`carries` teeth 40, a shoulder 47 is formed. A

plurality of c ireurnferentially spaced rollers 43 (Fig. 8)v

to rotateye'ach cell, the spur gear being mounted uponv a shaftzo'joui'naled in bearings 54. A Vbevel gear 5,5 is 'formed integral With spur' gear 52 and meshes with a co' rripanionV bevel gear 56 mounted .upon Va shaft 57 which, in turn, isfjou'rnaled in bearings' 58 carried by a portion of 'the'elevator conveyor frame. Aspur gear 59 i s 'also rigidly' mounted upon shaft 57 and`vfunctior1 s to driv e"the` bevel gears S6' and 55, the spur gearV 52 and, ,he'nce`, rotates the cell 24. A ring gear 60 .-is carried upon the stationary frame of the vmachine and spurgear S 9 inesh es therewith and, hence, when the elevator-conveyorfframe is driven by motor 17 the gear 59.is driven thereby rotatingthe cells 24.

The ring gear 60 may be continuous throughout the circularpath `of ltravel of the cells-,in which casethe cells b e continuously rotated throughout; their en.- tire travel or, if desired, the vgear'may be blanked, that is, devoid of teeth atpredetermned,portions-fof its-,circumference Vin which case the cells may be rotated intermttuy'th'roghoi the travel 'of4 the-'elevatbf-eonveyor- For instance, depending upon the nature of the frame. material carried it may be desirable to have the cells rotate continuously so that the arm 29 and vanes 30 may keep the cells clean, Whereas with other material it may be desired to rotate the cells only for a predetermined portion of their travel, for instance, just before the material is dumped therefrom. If intermittent rotation of the cells about their axes is: desired, suitable clutch mechanism (notshown) associated with 'eachce'll may-lbe employed, instead of the blanked ring gear, which may be periodically actuated' during predetermined portions of the travell of the cells.

In employing the present invention, a feed conveyor 61 and a discharge conveyor -62 are Vemployed to respectively feed material to the lower portion of the elevatorconveyor and discharge the material at the upper portion of the device, the elevator-conveyor functioning primarily as an elevating connection between Y the -twoconveyors.-`

4The feed conveyor 61 may be of conventionalconstruction,- and for purposes of illustration an endless '-.beltA may be employed which at each end may be trainedvr around a -roll 64 (only one ofy which isrshown). The

belt 63 rnay. be supported and guided by suitable rollers 64-and for purposes of guiding Vand confining-the material carried by the upper pass of the conveyor a `hood jor trough'v may be employed, the hood, at its discharge end terminating in a no zzle'or funnel 66Which opens over the mouth of a cell when it occupies its lowermost prositionuin its path of travel.

The discharge conveyor 62 may also be of conventional construction and may comprise antendless belt supported by rollers 68 and trained around end rolls 69 A trough or hood 70' maybeem'ployed to confine the material carriedron the upper passof the belt. The feed end of the dischi-.arge` (only one of which is shown).

conveyor 62 may be positioned beneath the path-of travel of the icells 241at the uppermost portion-of travel thereof' and the troughv walls 71 may are outwardly to embrace' a portion .of the arc of travel of thecells equalto the span of twocells, that is, one completecentral cell and the rhalves of the two adjacent'cells, as shown bestl in Fig. l.

It will be noted that, as the elevator-conveyor is rotated, Yas indicated by arrow 72=in Fig. l, the cells at the VVtop.,1:or.ti on'of the elevator are' inverted. In .order to Yprevent the material-carried by the cells from beingspilled or dumped therefrom prematurely, that is, before the .cell cornes within- "the-span -of the Vtrough '711, v covers are provided-,for eachlcellwhich are'openedand closedduring', predetermined portions-of travel of the elevatorconveyora y Agatefguide 73 is` mounted uponv the top-plate 32, said guide beingci-rcular in conformity to the cell section. yEachguide carries an annular rib 74- Which partitions two-annular' grooves v74 and 75 for the receptionof the edges of, respectively, an upper substantially-'circular 'cover plate 76 and aflower substantially circular cover plate-77.- Each of the-cover plates isprovidedvvithy a substantially semi-circular aperture 76 and 77 one above :the other when the'cellmouth is open or may be positioned lto stagger apertures 76 and 7:7' when the cell-:mouth is' closed. The` covers are moved automatically in a manner and by means hereinafter more fully deposed onweach side of .the cell-'and' are mountedr upon frame members carried-by the `elevatcir-conveyor. Shafts- 78 and .79 are-.disposed .parallel-to :the axis .of an adjacent cellzand respectively carry at' theiry endsspur gearsl-Ya'nd- Thefgate .guide V73v is provided .withfan aperture y83 adjacent each.gear-81.1and8 2I andthe circular portions 0f each of the gates 76 and 77 carry teetha; therarf rangement being such that gear 82 meshes with the teethV of gate 76, the outer gate, including the teeth on the ring portion thereof which deiines aperture 76', and gear 81 meshes with the teeth of gate 77, the inner gate, including the teeth upon the ring portion of the gate which defines aperture 77'. Thus, rotation of gear 82 moves the outer gate 76 and rotation of gear 81 moves the inner gate 77.

A shaft 85 and S6 is positioned upon each side of a cell 24 and the ends of said shafts are respectively connected by universal grants 87 (only one of which is shown) to the ends of shafts 78 and 79. The shafts 85 and 86 are disposed radially with respect to the movemen-t of the elevator-conveyor and each carries at its end a spur gear 83 and 89, respectively, which are ladapted to mesh with gear segments disposed adjacent the path of travel of the elevator-conveyor, to be hereinafter more 'fully described.

In the operation of the machine, the stationary frame, carrying the elevator-conveyor, is positioned at the situs of use, for instance, the hold of a ship. The conveyor 61 also of a portable nature would, in the example set forth, extend lengthwise of lthe ships hold and would function to carry cargo material to the elevator conveyor on the upper pass of lthe belt 63. The material thus conveyed is dumped into a cell 24, the ygates of which are in open position, that is, the apertures 76' and 77 are in substantial coincidence and are each on the side of the cell adjacent the trough 66 of the conveyor 61. The elevator-conveyor moves continuously and the movement of the conveyor belt 63 will be correlated to the rotary movement of the elevator-conveyor so as to substantially completely fill the cell `as the cell passes the trough 66.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, shortly after the lowermost cell 24 leaves its lowermost position, the gear 88 encounters a segment 90 which is carried by the sta- -tionary frame, and continued movement of the elevatorconveyor results in a half turn of the upper gate 76. Thus, the mouth of the cell 24 is closed and unintended spilling of the contents of the bucket will be prevented as the elevator-conveyor continues its rotation carrying the cell, in question, upwardly. As the movement of the elevator-conveyor continues, both gears 88 and 89 encounter segmental gears 91 and 92 (Fig. 2) which are disposed on the stationary frame in the path of -travel of said gears. The segmental gears 91 and 92 are shorter arcuately than segmental gear 90 and during meshing of the respective gears 88 and S9 with said segments, each of the gates 76 and '77 moves a quarter turn. It will be noted that the segmental gears 91 and 92 are disposed in advance of the position of the trough 71 whereby said gates begin opening as soon as the leading side of the cell comes into radial alignment with the trough and the initial opening of the gates occurs at Ithe advancing side of the gates. Thus, before the entire cell mouth is over the trough 71, the openings 76 and 77' are in coincidence, but each of the gates is disposed at right-angles to the position they occupied at their lowermost position on the elevator-conveyor.

The time of discharge is, of course, an important factor in a device of this type, since it is an important fac- 'tor in the rate of rotation of ythe elevator-conveyor, which, in turn, determines the capacity of the machine. The time of discharge, in turn, depends upon the arc length spanned by the trough 71, and, hence, by opening the gates in the manner described the greatest advantage can be taken of the arc length of the troughs.

After the material has been dumped from the cell, in question, it is caught by the upper pass of the belt 67 and conveyed forwardly to a desired situs. As the cell, in question, continues its movement, the gears 88 and 89 encounter another pair of segmental gears 93 similar to 'the gears 91 and 92 whereby the gates'76 and A'77 are given a quarter turn to bring them to the loading position hereinbefore described.

Of course, as has been hereinbefore described, the individual cells 24, during their travel with rthe elevatorconveyor, will be rotated continuously or intermittently 'about their own axes which tends to loosen the material conveyed and condition it for rapid dumping and also to maintain the cell walls clean.

In the event that the discharge conveyor stops or if for -any other reason it is desired to stop the movement of the elevator conveyor occasioned by its momentum, a brake upon the elevator conveyor is contemplated. The brake comprises a pair of brake shoes 94 and 95, each of which is carried on a pivot 96, at its lower end, the

shoes being arcuate and being adapted to bear against a brake ring 97 carried upon the stationary frame. A link 98 is pivotally connected to the shoe 94 and a 99 is similarly pivoted to the shoe 95. At their opposite ends each of the links 98 and 99 are pivoted to a master link 100 an end of which is pivotally connected 'to piston rod 101 which operates in a hydraulic cylinder 102. T-he cylinder 102 receives fluid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) whereby the brake may be applied when occasion demands.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9, l0, ll and l2 a modiflcation of the present invention is shown, the modification relating particularly to the cell gates and the manner lof opening and closing the same. In this form ofthe invention the device has a stationary frame and a rotatable elevator-conveyor frame similar to the one hereinbefore described, except that the elevator conveyor frame is wider. The elevator conveyor carries cells which are loaded lby a conveyor similar to the conveyor 61 hereinbefore described and unload upon a conveyor, such as conveyor 62.

comprises Outer race supports 103 and the elevator conveyor comprises inner race supports 104, the same being respectively similar to the outer and inner race supports 7 and 8 hereinbefore described. An outer race 105 is carried by the outer race support 103 and an inner race 106 is carried by the inner race support 104. Rollers 107 are positioned between the outer race and inner race whereby the elevator-conveyor frame is rotatably positi'oned upon the stationary frame. The elevator conveyor is driven, as hereinbefore described, by suitable driving means such as, motor 17, speed reducer 20, gears 14 and ring gear 13.

The elevator conveyor frame carries a plurality of cells or buckets 108 and inasmuch as each of the cells and the operating mechanisms for the cells and the gates which cover the mouths of the cells are the same, only one of the cells and the operating mechanisms appurtenant thereto will be described.

Mounted upon a portion 109 of the elevator conveyorY frame is a channel member 110 which is connected at its opposite ends to the frame members 109. Intermediate the length of the channel member 110 a shaft 111 is rigidly positioned, said shaft extending upwardly through the bottom lof cell 10S, the cell being rotatable relative stationary whereby the material carried in the cell is agitated by the arms and the vanes and the defining walls of the cell are maintained clean. This, as has been hereinbefore described, facilitates the unloading of the cell particularly where material is carried in the cell which has a tendency to cake or adhere to the walls of the cell.

A bearing ring 114 is positioned upon the outer wall Each of the arms 112 carries an upwardly extend- 1 of the cell 108 adjacent its upper end and a ring member 115 is similarly positioned adjacent the *lower end Aportion of the cell. The ringrnernber 115 has a'radially projectingfp'ortion'116 which carries gear teeth 117 at .1ts periphery. Formed integral with the radially extending po'rt`ion'116 is a bearing portion '118 which is positioned beneatlr'the radially extending portion 116.

Frame members 119 Vand 120 carriedfby the elevator conveyor frame are positioned upon opposite sides of `each cell, the frame `member k120 carrying a roller'bracket 121 whichsupports a-rotatable roller 122. The trarne nier-n ber i119 carrics`a roller bracket 123 which in turn carries a roller 124. There are two pairs of roller brackets 121 upo'nthei frame member 120 which permit rollers 122 carried'by saidbrackets to bear upon the bearing ring 114lat'one side of the cell. At the opposite side of the cell 4rolier brackets 123 supporting rollers 124- permit said -rollers tobear upon the bearing ring 114 carried the-:'cell. In thisv fashion, the cell 108 is laterally supported during its rotation about its axis.

A-frame member 125 also carried by the elevator con-l veyor frame carries a pair of roller brackets 126, each ofiwhich support a roiler 127. Adjacent the frame member11125'a second frame member 128 carries a pair of roller brackets 129 each of which carries a roller 13b. As has'b'een hereinbefore described in conjunction with the rollers 122 and 124, the rollers 127 and 130 bear upon the -ring 118 whereby the lower portion of the cell is laterally supported during its rotation about its axis. As has been hereinbeforedescribed in conjunction with cell 24'rollers '131, similar to the rollers 14S function as thrust bearings for the cell 108, said rollers engaging the lower face ofthe radially extending portion 116. In this fashion the'cell 108 is rotatably supported in an axial direction.

VA pair of space bearings 132 support a shaft 133'which in turn carries spur gear 134, said spur gear meshing with the teeth 117 upon the bearing'l member 115. A bevel gear135, which may be formed integral with the spur gear' 134 is also mounted upon shaft'133. Bevel gear 35 meshes with a companionV gear 136 carried upon a shaft 137, said shaft also carrying a spur gear (not shown) which meshes with a ring gear carried by the Stationary frame, the arrangement being similar to the relationship between spur gear 59 and ring gear 6i), herei nbefore described.

'The'arrangement is such that as the elevator conveyor frame rotates upon the stationary frame the shaft 137 is rotated which in turn rotates shaft 133 and hence each of the cells 108 is rotated about its axis. As has been hereinbefore described in conjunction with the rotation ofthe' cells 24, the cells 108 may be continuously rotated during the rotation of the elevator conveyor or said cells may be' intermittently rotated by blanking portions of thering gear which is similar'to the gear 60 hereinbefore described. In other words, the operation of the cell 108 is identical with the operation of the cell 24 is so far as :ts rotation is' concerned.

Each ofthe cells 108 is open at one end and each is rotatably positioned within a ring 138, carried by a cirfularange 139, in turn, carried by a plate 140 comprisinga portion `of the eievator-conveyor frame, the ange 139 circumscribingrthe cell 108 adjacent its open mouth. Atga'tefmember 141 is slidably positioned upon the plate and comprisesa half gatev for closingl the mouth of the cellvLlGS. A second gate member 142 is slidably posi tioned in a plane parallel relationship to and above the gate member 141 and comprises the other half gate which together with gate member 141 effects a complete closure forthe cell mouth. Gate member 142 is supported at itsv opposite edges by ribs 143 carried by frame members 144, aA cover frame member 145 being positioned above'the-frare members 144. The arrangement is such that plate 140, .ribs 143 and cover frame member 145 provide spaced parallel grooves in which the gateV members 14'1`3and 142 may slide transversely of the elevatorconveyor frame to completely close or completely expose thefmouth ofthecell.

Each of the-gate-'members or half gates V141 andi'142' areirectangular in shape-and carry gear teeth'on'eaclio'f their-opposite edges, the -gear teeth on gate'member` 14'1 being designated 146'and the gear teethon gate mem; ber 142 being'fdesignated 147. In effect the gear teeth 146`and 147 form racks and the teeth k146 on each side of gate member 141 engage with pinions 148, gear teeth4 153, respectively, the latter being mounted upon plate-f 140. Within bracket 153 shaft 150 carries a bevel gear1 154 which meshes with a companion bevel ygear'155carried upon .a ishaft 156 which .isjournaledin bearing-V 157 mounted upon bracket 153 and bearings 158 mountedupon depending frame members. 159. A spiral vgearltitl is mounted upon each end of shaft 156 and each gear meshes Vwith companionspiral gears 161 mounted upon shafts 162. The pinions 148 which mesh with'the teeth' 146 upon the opposite side of gate member 141 are mounted upon shaftsv162 and are rotated thereby to;

move the gate member, as will be hereinafter more fully v described.

On the opposite side of the cell 108 a shaft 163 is` .journaled in bearings 164 and 165 carried byv channel and frame member 165, respectively, the latter being suspended from plate 140. Within bracket 165 Ashaft 163 carries abevel gear 166 which meshes withbevel gear 167 carried upon a shaft 168 which is journaled.- in bearing 169mounted upon'bracket 165 and bearings 170 carried by frame members 171. A spiral-gear 172 is carried at each end of shaft 168 and each gear meshes with a companion spiral gear 173, the gears 173 being. mounted upon shafts 174, the shafts which carry pinions 149 formoving gate 142.

In the operation of the modified gates 141 and 142, when a cell 108 is at its lowermost position on theelevator conveyor the gates 141 and 142 will be open, .that is, the gates Will be in the position shown in Fig. 9. The cellis then loaded by the conveyor 61 andas. the cell moves from the lowermost position the gatesiare closed, as'shown in Fig. 10. When the cell reaches the nearest side of the trough 71 the gates 141 and 142 are again opened andthe material is dumped therefrom to the' conveyor 62, the gates remainingopen until the cell again moves from its lowermost position, as described.

To open' and close the gates 141 and 142, as described, a pinion 175 is carried at the lower end. of shaft 150 anda pinion 176 is mounted upon the lowerend ofshaft 163. Adjacent the paths of'travel of the pinions'175 and 176 and carried on the stationary frame, a pair offracks'V (not shown) are positioned so as to be contacted by said' pinionsV immediately after the cell, associated with said pinions, has been filled. The pinions 175 and 176 are thus rotated and in order that they be rotated oppositely to move the gate members 140 and 142 oppostely, the racks are so disposed as to Contact :opposite sides ofthe pinions, that is, one rack contacts one side of pinion 175 while the second racksimultaneously contacts the' opposite side of pinion 176. In this fashion the gate members close. When the cell 108 moves rcompletely over the trough 71 a pair of racks, similar to those described, again contact pinions 175 and 176, to open the gate mem-- bers 141 and 142to permit unloading of the cells.

In View of thelfact that the gates contemplated inthe form' of the invention shown in Figs. 9., 10, 1l and 12 completely expose the mouth of the cells las opposed ,to the form shown in the remaining igures, wherein the" cell mouth isv only about half opened, the time `necessary 9 to dump the cell load in the trough 71 is shorter and, hence, it is permissible to open gate members 141 and 142 at a later phase of the elevator-conveyor travel adjacent the conveyor 62 than was the case in the opening of the gates 76 and 77.

It is apparent that herein is provided an elevator-conveyor which occupies a relatively small space; is portable, and can be rotated rapidly, and can be readily timed with two horizontal parallel conveyors at different elevations to rapidly convey material from a lower to an upper level.

I claim as my invention:

l. An elevating and conveying device comprising a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, gates upon each of said cells and slidably movable across the mouths of said cells for closing the mouths of said cells, gate-moving means connected to each of said gates for slidably moving said gates to open and close the gates of each cell, and means carried by said relatively stationary frame at predetermined positions adjacent the path of travel of said cells to actuate said gate-moving means when said rotatable frame moves.

2. An elevating and conveying device comprising a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, gates upon each of said cells for closing the mouths of said cells, gate-moving means connected to each of said gates for opening and closing the gates of each cell, said gate-moving means comprising a gear, and gear means carried by said relatively stationary frame at predetermined positions adjacent the path of travel of the gears of the gatemoving means to engage said gears and actuate said gatemoving means when said rotatable frame moves.

3. An elevating and conveying device comprising in combination, a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame, means for rotating said rotatable frame in a vertical plane, a plurality of circular-sectioned open-mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, vanes rigidly connected to said rotatable frame and carried within each cell adjacent the inner wall of the cell, means carried by said stationary frame for rotating each cell about its axis when said rotatable frame moves whereby to agitate the material in the cell, gates upon each of said cells for closing the mouths of said cells, gate-moving means connected to each of said gates for opening and closing the gates of said cells, and means carried by said stationary frame at predetermined positions adjacent the path of travel of said cells to actuate said gate-moving means when said rotatable frame moves.

4. An elevating and conveying device comprising a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, gates movably carried in planeparallel slidable relationship to the mouth of each cell for closing the mouths of said cells, gate-moving means carried by each of said cells for slidably opening and closing the gates of each cell, and means carried by said relatively stationary frame at predetermined positions adjacent the path of travel of said cells to actuate said gate-moving means when said rotatable frame rotates.

5. An elevating and conveying device comprising in combination, a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation in a vertical plane, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open-mouthed cells carried by said 10 rotatable frame with said open mouths facing the center of rotation of said rotatable frame and with the axes of said cells disposed substantially radially, means for feede ing material to be elevated and conveyed to said cells at their lowermost position upon said rotatable frame, gates upon each of said cells for closing the mouths of said` cells, gate-moving means connected to each of said gates for moving said gates at right-angles to open and close the gates of each cell, means positioned at the upper portion of travel of said cells on said rotatable framevfor receiving elevated material from said cells, means carried by said relatively stationary frame for actuating said gate moving means to close and open said gates respectively adjacent said loading and unloading positions of said cells during rotation of the rotatable frame.

6. An elevating and conveying device comprising in combination, a relatively stationary frame, an annular rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation in a vertical plane, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open-mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame with said open mouths facing the center of rotation of said rotatable frame, means positioned at a loading station within said annular frame above the lowermost position of said cells on said rotatable frame for feeding material to said cells, means carried by said stationary frame adjacent said loading station for closing the mouths of said cells after they pass from the loading station, means positioned at an unloading station Within said annular frame beneath the uppermost position of the cells on said rotatable frame for receiving material discharged from said cells, and means carriedI by said stationary frame adjacent said unloading station for opening the mouths of said cells before they pass t0 said unloading station.

7. An elevating and conveying device comprising in combination, a relatively stationary frame, an annular rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation in a vertical plane, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open-mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame with said open mouths facing the center of rotation of said rotatable frame, means positioned at a loading station within said annular frame above the lowermost position of said cells on said rotatable frame for feeding material to said cells, means for` closing the mouths of said cells after they pass from the loading station, means positioned at an unloading station within said annular frame beneath the uppermost position of the cells on said rotatable frame for -receiving material discharged from said cells, means for opening rotation in a vertical plane, means for rotating said rotatable frame, a plurality of open-mouthed cells carried by said rotatable frame with said open mouths facing the center of rotation of said rotatable frame, means positioned at a loading station Within said annular frame above the lowermost position of said cells on said rotatable frame for feeding material to said cells, means for closing the mouths of said cells after they pass from the loading station, means positioned at an unloading station within said annular frame beneath the uppermost position of the cells on said rotatable frame for receiving material discharged from said cells, scraping means carried rigidly with said rotatable frame and positioned within each cell, and means for rotating each cell about its axis on said stationary frame during its passage from the loading station to the unloading station.

9. An elevating and conveying device comprising a relatively stationary frame, a rotatable frame mounted upon said stationary frame, means for rotating said ro- A.11 tatable frame, la plurality of' open mouthed cells carried bysaidv rotatableframefor the reception, of material 'tobe elevated and conveyed, gates uponeaclrzof'saidicells'and movableslidablyover 'thernouths 'of said `cellsiforl closing the mouths'offsaid cells, gate-moving'means `connected to eaehfosaid gates'tor `slidably movingsaid gates over the'lmouthsofsaid'cellsto open Vand close the-gates of eaeh'- cell, means carriedby said-relatively stationary frame at predetermined posit-ions adjacent thje path of travel'ofV said cellswith saidrotatablel frame to actuatesaid gate-moving means, and vbrake means carried bysaid stationary -frame for retarding-movement of -said rotatable frame:

l0-.f Arr-'elevating and conveying devicecomprisingiin combination, a relatively vstationary frame, Va-'rotatable frame mounteduponrsaidstationary frame, means for rotatingsaidirotatable -frame' in avfvertical plane, a plurality offcirculfar-sectioned openamouthed cells carried'byA saidl frame mounted on said rotatable tramel and disposed adjacent the mouth of .cach cell, saidY guide frame Vbeing provided with a pair of annular gate grooves, asubstantiallyfsemi-circular gate slidably disposed -in each groove, and'means'for rotating said gates relative to each other to superimposeV saidv gates to open the cell mouth and ofsetl'saidgatesto closesaid cell mouth during rotation offsaidfrotatable'frame. v

l2.v Anielevating and conveying device comprising in combination, a relatively stationary frame, a`rotatable framemountedupon said stationary frame, means'for rotating said rotatable frame in'avertical plane, aplural` ity-of circular-sectioned open-mouthed cells carriedfby said-'rotatable frame forv the-reception of material to be elevated ,and conveyed, aV substantially circular guide framey mounted onA said rotatable lframeand' disposedA adjacent the mouth of Veachcell, said guide-frame beingV provided-with alpair offannular gateegrooves,` a'substantiallyfsemi-circular gate slidably disposed-in each groove; teetli'carried on the -arcuateedges of 'each' gate, afpair oft' gears carried by said rotatable-frame andmesh'ng With the teeth of said gates, andmeans carried-upon said stationary frame-at predetermined arcuate positions adjacent thepath of travel vof said rotatableframe forv rotating'saidgears' to superimpose andiol'set'said gates for opening'andclosing the mouth of lthe'cell.

13. An elevating and conveying device comprising a. relatively'stationary"frame, a rotatable framengtouiiteclI upon said' stationary frame, means for rotatingfaid'f rotatable frame, aplurality of open mouthed'cells carried by said rotatable frame for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, a pair of gates carried upon saidlrotatable frame adjacent the mouth' of each cfell,.

said' gates being disposed in plane-parallel slidable position with respect to each other, and means for sliding4 said gates inopposite directions tocover opposite halves of said cell'mouth to close said mouth and toV uncover said opposite halves of said cell Vmouthto open saidcell mouthvduringrotation of said rotatable frame.

14. An elevating and conveying, device .comprisinga relatively stationary frame, a rotatable Yframe mounted, upon `said stationaryy frame, means for. rotatingl said. rotatable frame, a plurality of open mouthed cellsfcar ried by said rotatable frame for the-.reception of -material to be elevated and conveyed, a pair of gatesrcarried upon said rotatable frame adjacent the mouth of each cell, said'gates being disposed in plai 1e-.parallel, slidable position with respectvto eaehother, and means; for sliding. said gates in opposite directions `to cover opposite halvesl of said cell'mouth to close said mouth and to uncover,y said opposite halvesfof said'cellrmouth to opentsaidcell, mouth during rotation of said rotatable frame, said?" means comprising gear teeth carriedvon opposite ,edges offeach gate, gearscarried by said rotatableiframe which" mesh with said gateA gearN teeth, and. means carriedibyz saidstatiOnary,frame'adjacent the path of;travelof-said cellsforrotatingusaid: gears at predetermined positions offtravel loft-said rotatable frame.

l5Anelevating and conveying. device comprising a. relatively stationaryfframe, a rotatable frame mounted' uponsaid stationary frame, means for rotating saidrotatable frame, a plurality off open-mouthedv substan= tially-circular cells carried lbysaidrotatable frame'for the reception Aofmaterial Yto `be elevated -and conveyed, gates; carried-by eachofsaid cells for closing the mouths-vof' said cells, gate-moving means carried by each ofsaidI cells -for'opening and closing the gates'ofeaeh cell, means carried by said`-relatively stationary frame at predeter'- mined positionsl adjacent the pathk of travel of said cells to actuate rsaid gate-moving means, meansfor rotating said cells about their'respectiveiaxes duringrotation o f said rotatable iframe, androll'ers carriedby said'rotatable frame for supporting said c ellsraxially and laterally.

References-fCited in' ythe -tile of this f patent UNITED- STATES PATENTS 426,531 Gross' Apr; 29,' 18901 '5153781 Melis g Mar.' 6, 1'894 1,760,964 Ruth June 3, 1.930 1942,'839 rShesl Ian. 9, 1934

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