Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – Rotating drum – roller or tire
Patent
1980-07-14
1982-07-20
Byers, Jr., Nile G.
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Apparatus
Rotating drum, roller or tire
747105, 74765, 74788, 180 20, E01C 1926
Patent
active
043403204
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a drive mechanism and, more particularly, to a drive mechanism in which the means for driving and means for blocking rotation of the mechanism are oriented perpendicular to the element upon which they act.
BACKGROUND ART
In drive mechanisms it is often desirable to minimize dimensions of the mechanisms in order to make maximum use of space limited mounting locations. For example, a drive mechanism is commonly mounted within a drum or roller of a compactor to rotate the drum. In a vibratory compactor, a vibrating mechanism is also positioned within the drum to impart vibratory forces to the drum. Such a vibratory compactor is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,009 which issued to Fuchigami on Aug. 22, 1978. If both the drive and vibrating mechanisms are utilized, the amount of space within the drum can become very limited. It is not uncommon, therefore, to mount a hydraulic motor, which provides the rotational input to the drive mechanism, outside of the drum. Such a mounting arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,669 which issued on June 26, 1973 to Harris. In certain work environments, such a mounting arrangement can subject the exteriorly mounted components to damage from, for example, contacting obstructions in turning the associated vehicle.
Also contributing to the space limitations inside a drum is the problem of obtaining the most desirable final rotational speed of the drum relative to the input of the motor. This sometimes can require numerous sets of gears in the drive mechanism to change the speed of the rotational input. Use of a plurality of gear sets to change speeds particularly affects the width of a drive mechanism which can further limit the space available inside the drum for mounting the vibratory drive mechanism.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, apparatus includes a frame, a driven member, and a first element rotatable relative to the frame. A driving element is mounted on and rotatable with the first element about an axis of rotation of said first element. Means are provided for engaging and rotating the driving element and for engaging and blocking from rotation said driving element. Said means each define an axis of rotation oriented at a location perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first element. Final drive means is provided for transferring rotational motion from the first element to the driven member.
The apparatus is used, for example, within a drum of a vibratory compactor for rotating the drum. The orientation of the engaging and rotating means and the engaging and blocking means reduces the width of the apparatus to provide more space within the drum for other components and to eliminate the necessity of mounting elements outside the drum where they could be damaged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation showing a vibratory compactor, such as is pulled by a vehicle, incorporating one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view in partial elevation of a portion of the compactor and showing the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawing, apparatus 10 is shown, for example, associated with a vibratory compactor 12 which includes a driven member or drum 14 and a yoke 16 which is a portion of a frame 18. The apparatus is a right angle drive mechanism which receives a power input from an associated vehicle (not shown) and subsequently drives the drum at a desired rotational speed. The compactor is connected to the vehicle by the frame at a pivot point 19. Also positioned in the drum adjacent the drive mechanism is a vibratory mechanism (not shown) which receives a power input from the vehicle and typically creates an unbalanced rotational output for establishing vibratory forces on the drum. Vibratory compactors are well known in the compacting art and are commonly u
REFERENCES:
patent: Re27840 (1973-12-01), Kronholm
patent: 1696837 (1928-12-01), Christiansen
patent: 2078161 (1937-04-01), Rietsch
patent: 2198397 (1940-04-01), Szekely
patent: 3183804 (1965-05-01), Letourneau
patent: 3192839 (1965-07-01), Vivier
patent: 3195429 (1965-07-01), Cowley
patent: 3225669 (1965-12-01), Green
patent: 3486427 (1969-12-01), Waschulewski
patent: 3741669 (1973-06-01), Harris
patent: 4108009 (1978-08-01), Fuchigami
patent: 4186625 (1980-02-01), Chamberlain
patent: 4201493 (1980-05-01), Braun
Byers, Jr. Nile G.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Heming William B.
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