Trenching machine with laterally adjustable chain-type digging implement

Abstract

A trenching machine has an elongated chain type digging implement that is pivotally mounted for vertical adjustment and movably mounted to a main frame thereof for lateral adjustment. The pivot coincides with the power shaft, and the elongated chain type digging implement is supported so it can be moved laterally in order to position the digging implement adjacent either side of the digging machine main frame and anywhere therebetween to excavate closely adjacent to buildings and other structures. The mechanism for moving the digging implement can be manually actuated by a hand crank arrangement. The main frame of the machine can be tilted laterally to either side to align the digging implement to excavate a vertical ditch. The tilting of the machine also makes it easier to manually move the digging implement laterally.

I claim: 
     
       1. An excavating machine .[.including.]. .Iadd.comprising: a chassis; .Iaddend.   a main frame mounted .[.for pivotal movement to a.]. .Iadd.to said .Iaddend.chassis, .Iadd.said main frame having a longitudinal axis; .Iaddend.   a digging implement arranged .[.along a longitudinal axis of the main frame and is removably mounted to said.]. .Iadd.to dig along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the .Iaddend.main frame .[.in a manner for effecting lateral movement therebetween so that.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.   .Iadd.a mount means for supporting said digging implement;   a support structure on which said mount means is mounted for lateral and vertical movement respective to said main frame, whereby .Iaddend.the digging implement is arranged for excavating longitudinally of the machine at a location selected within a range of lateral movement movement that .[.at least.]. includes a .[.a generous.]. .Iadd.at least a .Iaddend.portion of the width of the machine;   upper and lower guide means attached in spaced relationship to said main frame, .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.said guide means extend perpendicular respective to the longitudinal axis of the .[.machine.]. .Iadd.main frame .Iaddend.and are arranged in parallel relationship respective to one another .[.;.]..Iadd., wherein an angled end wall on said main frame extends from the upper guide means down towards the lower guide means and is interrupted by a conveyor opening having opposed walls and being positioned longitudinally between said upper and lower guide means; .Iaddend.   .[.a support structure has.]. upper and lower journal means by which said support structure is supported from said main frame and by which said suppport structure is connected for low friction slidable lateral movement respective to said upper and lower guide means;   .Iadd.wherein said support structure has a sloped wall that extends upwards from said lower guide means and defines one of said opposed walls of said conveyor opening, wherein said .Iaddend.mount means .Iadd.is .Iaddend.pivotally supported .Iadd.respective .Iaddend.to said support structure; .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.said digging implement .Iadd.has a discharge end which .Iaddend.is supported by .Iadd.said .Iaddend.mount means .[.which in turn are supported by said support structure.]..Iadd., wherein a lateral conveyor is mounted within said conveyor opening and is arranged to receive excavated material from said discharge end.Iaddend.;   whereby; said upper and lower journal means .[.moves.]. .Iadd.support .Iaddend.said digging implement, mount means, and support structure .Iadd.for lateral movement .Iaddend.along said guide means to selectively position said digging implement laterally of the .[.chassis.]. .Iadd.main frame. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       2. The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein the chassis is supported from a set of ground supported tracks, and the digging implement is a ladder type trencher having as power shaft that also forms .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.pivot .[.for.]. .Iadd.by which .Iaddend.said mount means .Iadd.and said digging implement are pivotally supported on said support structure; .Iaddend.and .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.a hydraulic motor .Iadd.means, .Iaddend.mounted in said support structure.Iadd., .Iaddend.for actuating the digging implement. 
     
     
       3. .[.The excavating machine of claim 1.]. .Iadd.An excavating machine comprising: .Iaddend. a chassis;   a main frame mounted for pivoted movement on said chassis, said main frame having a longitudinal axis;   a digging implement arranged along the longitudinal axis of the main frame, said digging implement being removably mounted to said main frame in a manner for effecting lateral movement therebetween so that the digging implement is arranged for excavating longitudinally of the machine at a location selected within a range of lateral movement that includes a generous portion of the width of the machine;   upper and lower guide means attached in spaced relationship to said main frame, wherein said guide means extend perpendicular respective to a longitudinal axis of the machine and are arranged in parallel relationship respective to one another;   a support structure which has upper and lower journal means by which said support structure is supported from said main frame and by which said support structure is connected for low friction slidable lateral movement respective to said upper and lower guide means;   mount means pivotally supported to said support structure; wherein said digging implement is supported by said mount means which in turn are supported by said support structure;   whereby, said upper and lower journal means move said digging implement, mount means, and support structure along said guide means to selectively position said digging implement laterally of the chassis, wherein a hydraulic motor is mounted within said support structure for powering said digging implement; said main frame has a forward bulkhead on which said guide means is located, .[.a rear bulkhead on.]. said support structure .Iadd.has a rear bulkhead .Iaddend.on which said upper and lower journal means is supported, and a lateral slot .Iadd.is formed .Iaddend.in said forward bulkhead through which power fluid conduits extend for conveying power fluid to and from the hydraulic motor. .[.   
     
     
       4.  The excavating machine of claim 1 wherein the chassis is track mounted for propelling the machine longitudinally along the ground, means for tilting the main frame respective to the chassis for vertical alignment of the digging implement, said support structure can be laterally moved respective to the main frame to remove the support structure, mount means and digging implement from the main frame so that another digging implement can be substituted therefor; manually actuated power means for forcing said support structure to move laterally respective to the main frame; whereby, said main frame can be tilted respective to the chassis to allow gravity to facilitate lateral movement of the support structure along the guide means..]. 
     
     
       5. .[.The excavating machine of claim 1.]. .Iadd.An excavating machine comprising: a chassis;   a main frame mounted to said chassis, said main frame having a longitudinal axis;   a digging implement arranged to dig along parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main frame;   a mount means for supporting said digging implement;   a support structure on which said mount means is mounted for lateral and vertical movement respective to said main frame, whereby the digging implement is arranged for excavating longitudinally of the machine at a location selected within a range of lateral movement that includes at least a portion of the width of the machine;   upper and lower guide means attached in spaced relationship to said main frame, wherein said guide means extend perpendicular respective to the longitudinal axis of the main frame and are arranged in parallel relationship respective to one another; wherein an angled end wall on said main frame extends from the upper guide means down towards the lower guide means and is interrupted by a conveyor opening having opposed walls;   upper and lower journal means by which said support structure is supported from said main frame and by which said support structure is connected for low friction slidable lateral movement respective to said upper and lower guide means;   wherein said support structure has a sloped wall that extends upwards from said lower guide means and defines one of said opposed walls of said conveyor opening, wherein said mount means is pivotably supported respective to said support structure, wherein said digging implement has a discharge end which is supported by said mount means, wherein a lateral conveyor is mounted within said conveyor opening and is arranged to receive excavated material from said discharge end;   whereby; said upper and lower journal means support said digging implement, mount means, and support structure for lateral movement along said guide means to selectively position said digging implement laterally of the main frame, .Iaddend.wherein the chassis is supported from a set of ground supported tracks, and the digging implement is a latter type trencher having a power shaft that also forms .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.pivot betweens said support structure and said mount means; .[.said.]. .Iadd.further comprising a .Iaddend.a hydraulic motor .Iadd.which .Iaddend.is mounted within said support structure for powering said digging implement; .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.said main frame has a forward bulkhead on which said guide means is located, .[.a rear bulkhead on.]. said support structure .Iadd.has a rear bulkhead .Iaddend.on which said upper and lower journal means is supported, and a lateral slot is formed in said rear bulkhead of said support structure through which power fluid conduits extend for conveying power fluid to and from the hydraulic motor. .[.   
     
     
       6.  The excavating machine of claim 5 wherein the chassis is track mounted for propelling the machine longitudinally along the ground; means for tilting the main frame respective to the chassis for vertical alignment of the digging implement; said support structure can be laterally moved along said guide means and respective to the main frame to remove the support structure, mount means, and digging implement from the main frame so that another digging implement can be substituted therefor..]. 
     
     
       7. An excavating machine .[.having.]. .Iadd.comprising: .Iaddend. a main frame.[.;.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.   a ground supported chassis for supporting said main frame .[., means by which said main frame can be tilted respective to said chassis.].;   means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.propelling said chassis along the ground;   a digging implement.[.;.]. .Iadd.having a discharge end;.Iaddend.   a mount means for supporting said digging implement.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.   a support structure .[.by.]. .Iadd.on .Iaddend.which .Iadd.said mount means is pivotally supported; whereby .Iaddend.said digging implement and said mount means are pivotally mounted for vertical adjustment thereof respective to said main frame; .Iadd.wherein said main frame has a forward bulkhead, and wherein said support structure has a rear bulkhead that confronts the main frame bulkhead; .Iaddend.   a pair of .Iadd.longitudinally spaced .Iaddend.parallel .[.guide means.]. .Iadd.upper and lower rail assemblies, .Iaddend.mounted in spaced relationship .[.on.]. .Iadd.between .Iaddend.said main frame.[.;.]. .Iadd.bulkhead and .Iaddend.said support structure .[.has upper and lower journal means, respectively.]. .Iadd.bulkhead .Iaddend.by which said support structure is supported from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.main frame .[.upper and lower guide means, respectively.]., and by which said support structure is slidably connected for low friction lateral movement respective to said .[.upper and lower guide means.]. .Iadd.main frame, wherein a conveyor opening is formed betweens said main frame and said support structure, and longitudinally between said upper and lower rail assemblies;   a lateral conveyor supported on said main frame and located within the conveyor opening and below the discharge end of said digging implement, wherein .Iaddend.said mount means is pivotally supported respective to said support structure;   and means for forcing said digging implement, mount means, and support structure to move laterally along said .[.guide means.]. .Iadd.upper and lower rail assemblies .Iaddend.to selectively position said digging implement laterally of the chassis. .[.   
     
     
       8.  The excavating machine of claim 7 wherein the support structure has a rear bulkhead; the digging implement is driven by a hydraulic motor that drives a shaft aligned along the axis of the pivot by which said mount means and said support structure are pivotally connected; there is a motor driven hydraulic pump supported on the chassis that provides lower fluid from the pump to the hydraulic motor; power oil flow lines convey power fluid the bulkhead; and manually actuated power means for moving said support structure laterally respective to the main frame; whereby, said main frame can be tilted respective to the chassis to allow gravity to facilitate lateral movement of the support structure..].   
     
     
       9. The machine of claim 7 wherein .[.the main frame tilts laterally respective to the chassis to enable a vertical ditch to be formed in the ground; the means by which said mount means is pivotally mounted to the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support structure is .Iadd.pivotally mounted on .Iaddend.power shaft for actuating the digging implement; whereby, the digging implement can be moved laterally to excavate closely adjacent to buildings and other structures; and can be adjusted to control the depth of a ditch and to align the digging implement vertically respective to a ditch. .[. 
     
     
       10.  The machine of claim 7 wherein the guide means includes stops at each terminal end thereof and captures the journal means therebetween, said stops are removable to enable the digging implement to be removed from the main frame and another digging implement substituted therefor..]. 
     
     
       11. The excavating machine of claim 7 wherein the chassis is supported from a set of ground supported tracks, and the digging implement is a ladder type trencher having power shaft that also forms .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.pivot for said mount means and.[.,.]..Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.a hydraulic motor mounted in said support structure for actuating the digging implement. 
     
     
       12. .[.The excavating machine of claim 7.]. .Iadd.An excavating machine comprising: a main frame;   a ground supported chassis for supporting said main frame;   means propelling said chassis along the ground;   a digging implement having a discharge end;   a mount means for supporting said digging implement;   a support structure on which said mount means is pivotally supported; whereby said digging implement and said mount means are pivotably mounted for vertical adjustment thereof respective to said main frame; wherein said main frame has a forward bulkhead, and wherein said support structure has a rearward bulkhead that confronts the main frame bulkhead;   a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel upper and lower rail assemblies, mounted in spaced relationship between said main frame bulkhead and said support structure bulkhead, by which said support structure is supported from said main frame, and by which said support structure is slidably connected for low friction lateral movement respective to said main frame, wherein a conveyor opening is formed between said main frame and said support structure, and longitudinally betweens said upper and lower rail assemblies;   a lateral conveyor supported on said main frame and located within the conveyor opening and below the discharge end of said digging implement, wherein said mount means is pivotally supported respective to said support structure;   and means for forcing said digging implement, mount means, and support structure to move laterally along said upper and lower rail assemblies to selectively position said digging implement laterally of the chassis, .Iaddend.wherein a hydraulic motor is mounted within said support structure for powering said digging implement .[.; said main frame has a forward bulkhead on which.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.each of said rail assemblies includes guide means and journal means, said guide means are .[.located, a rear bulkhead on said support structure on which.]. .Iadd.mounted on said main frame bulkhead and .Iaddend.said upper and lower journal means are supported on said support structure bulkhead,and a lateral slot .Iadd.is formed .Iaddend.in said .[.rear.]. .Iadd.support structure .Iaddend.bulkhead through which power fluid conduits extend for conveying power fluid to and from the hydraulic motor. .[.   
     
     
       13.  The excavating machine of claim 7 wherein the chassis is track mounted for propelling the machine longitudinally along the ground; means tilting the main frame respective to the chassis for vertical alignment of the digging implement; said support structure can be laterally moved respective to the main frame to remove the support structure, mount means, and digging implement from the main frame so that another digging implement can be substituted therefor..]. 
     
     
       14. An excavating machine .[.having.]. .Iadd.comprising: .Iaddend. a chassis supported for movement along the ground.[.,.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.   a main frame attached to said chassis, said main frame .[.has.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.a bulkhead at one end thereof;   .[.means for tilting said main frame in a lateral direction respective to said chassis;.].   a mount means;   a digging implement mounted to said mount means.Iadd., said digging implement having a discharge end; .Iaddend.   an upper and a lower rail .[.system.]..Iadd.assembly; .Iaddend.   a support structure .[.having.]. .Iadd.on which said mount means is mounted and which has .Iaddend.a bulkhead at one end thereof .Iadd.that confronts the main frame bulkhead, .Iaddend.said support structure .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.attached for .Iadd.lateral .Iaddend.movement respective to said main frame .Iadd.bulkhead .Iaddend.by said upper and lower rail .[.system.]. .Iadd.assemblies.Iaddend.;   .[.upper and lower journal means on said bulkhead of said support structure, said upper and lower journal means form part of said rail system; upper and lower guide means on said bulkhead of said main frame; said upper and lower guide means form part of said upper and lower rail system;.].   .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.said upper and lower .[.guide means.]. .Iadd.rail assemblies .Iaddend.are spaced apart .Iadd.longitudinally .Iaddend.and arranged in parallel relationship respective to one another.[., said upper and lower journal means of said support structure capture said guide means therewithin and thereby.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.provide for lateral movement between said support structure and said main frame, .Iadd.wherein a conveyor opening is formed between said main frame and said support structure, and longitudinally between the upper and lower rail assemblies; .Iaddend.   a lateral conveyor, supported within the conveyor opening at a location below the discharge end of said digging implement, for receiving excavated material discharged from the digging implement;   whereby; said upper and lower rail .[.system.]. .Iadd.assemblies .Iaddend.selectively .[.positions.]. .Iadd.position .Iaddend.the support structure, mount means and digging implement laterally respective to the longitudinal axis of the main frame so that the location of an excavation .[., such as a ditch,.]. respective to the .Iadd.excavating .Iaddend.machine can be selected within the range of positions effected by movement of the support structure along the rail .[.system.]. .Iadd.assemblies. .Iaddend. .[.   
     
     
       15.  The excavating machine of claim 14 wherein the chassis is supported from a set of ground supported tracks, and the digging implement is a ladder type trencher having a power shaft that also forms the pivot for said mount means, and a hydraulic motor mounted in said support structure for actuating the digging implement..]. 
     
     
       16. The excavating machine of claim 14 wherein a hydraulic motor is mounted within said support structure for powering said digging implement.[.;.]..Iadd.,   each of said upper and lower rail assemblies comprise a guide means and a matching journal means, .Iaddend.   the main frame bulkhead .[.on which.]. .Iadd.supports .Iaddend.said guide means .[.are located,.]. and .[.the.]. said support structure bulkhead .[.on which.]. .Iadd.supports .Iaddend.said .[.upper and lower.]. journal means.Iadd., .Iaddend.   .[.are supported,.]. move .Iadd.laterally .Iaddend.respective to one another.[.;.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.   a lateral slot .Iadd.is formed .Iaddend.in said support structure bulkhead through which power fluid conduits extend for conveying power fluid to and from the hydraulic motor, and .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.manually actuated crank means for moving said support structure laterally respective to the main frame.[.; whereby, said main frame can be tilted respective to the chassis to facilitate lateral movement of the support structure..].   
     
     
       17. The excavating machine of claim 14 wherein the chassis track mounted for propelling the machine longitudinally along the ground.[.; said means pivoting the main frame from the chassis provide for vertical alignment of the digging implement;.]..Iadd., and further comprising .Iaddend.stop means on said rail .[.system.]. .Iadd.assemblies .Iaddend.that can be removed to allow said support structure to be laterally moved respective to the main frame to remove the support structure, mount means, and digging implement from the main frame so that another .Iadd.support structure, mount means, and .Iaddend.digging implement can be substituted therefor. .[. 
     
     
       18.  The excavating machine of claim 14 wherein the chassis is supported from a set of ground supported tracks, and the digging implement is a ladder type trencher having a power shaft that also forms the pivot for said mount means; said hydraulic motor is mounted within said support structure for powering said digging implement; and said main frame has a forward bulkhead on which said guide means is located, a rear bulkhead on said support structure on which said upper and lower journal means is supported, and a lateral slot in said rear bulkhead through which power fluid conduits extend for conveying power fluid to and from the hydraulic motor; and manually actuated positioning means for moving said support laterally respective to the main frame; whereby, said main frame can be tilted respective to the chassis to allow gravity to facilitate lateral movement of the support structure..].   
     
     
       19. An excavating machine .[.has.]. .Iadd.comprising: .Iaddend. a main frame.[.,.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.   a chassis .Iadd.which .Iaddend.supports the main frame .[.and includes means for tilting the main frame laterally respective to said chassis.]..Iadd.; a support structure mounted on said main frame; .Iaddend.   a mount device pivotally supported structure via a pivot;   an elongated chain type digging implement .[.is pivotally.]. mounted .Iadd.on and pivotable with said mount device .Iaddend.for vertical adjustment; .[.and is movably mounted respective to the main frame thereof for lateral adjustment, with.].   .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.the pivot of the digging implement .[.coinciding.]. .Iadd.and the mount device coincides .Iaddend.with a power shaft for powering the digging implement;   .Iadd.and wherein .Iaddend.said digging implement .Iadd.has a discharge end which .Iaddend.is supported from .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.mount .[.means which is pivotally supported from a support structure;.]. .Iadd.device, and further comprising longitudinally and vertically spaced upper and lower rail assemblies by which .Iaddend.said support structure is mounted to move laterally respective to the main frame .[.and includes means by which it can be moved laterally.]. in order to position the digging implement adjacent either side of the digging machine main frame and anywhere therebetween to excavate closely adjacent to buildings and other structures; .[.means by which the digging implement can be moved laterally respective the chassis of the machine,.].   .[.whereby the machine can be tilted laterally to either side thereof to align the digging implement to excavate a vertical ditch and the tilting of the machine also makes it easier to laterally move the digging implement.].   .Iadd.wherein a conveyor opening is formed from facing cutouts in said mainframe and said support structure, and longitudinally between said upper and lower rail assemblies, and further comprising a lateral conveyor supported within the conveyor opening at a location below the digging implement discharge end for receiving excavating material discharged from said digging implement.Iaddend.. .[.   
     
     
       20.  The excavating machine of claim 19 wherein the chassis is track mounted for propelling the machine longitudinally along the ground; means for tilting the main frame respective to the chassis for vertical alignment of the digging implement, said support structure can be laterally moved respective to the main frame to remove the support structure, mount means, and digging implement from the main frame so that another digging implement can be substituted therefor, manually actuated power means for moving said support structure laterally respective to the main frame, whereby, said main frame can be tilted respective to the chassis to facilitate lateral movement of the support structure..]. .Iadd. 
     
     
       21.  An excavating machine comprising: a chassis;   a main frame mounted on said chassis;   a support structure;   upper and lower longitudinally spaced rail assemblies connecting said support structure to said main frame and permitting said support structure to move laterally with respect to said main frame while preventing said support structure from pivoting longitudinally with respect to said main frame;   a digging implement which is pivotally supported on said support structure and which has a discharge end; and   a lateral conveyor which underlies said discharge end of said digging implement and which is disposed longitudinally between said upper and lower rail assemblies. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. An excavating machine as defined in claim 21, wherein   said support structure includes a sloped rear bulkhead having a cutout formed therein,   said upper and lower rail assemblies are disposed proximate respective upper and lower ends of said sloped rear bulkhead, and   said lateral conveyor is disposed adjacent said cutout. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.     An excavating machine as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said upper and lower rail assemblies includes a guide rail and rollers which mate with said guide rail. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. An excavating machine as defined in claim 23, wherein the guide rail of each of said rail assemblies is mounted on said main frame and the rollers of each of said rail assemblies are mounted on said support structure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. An excavating machine as defined in claim 22, wherein said main frame includes a sloped front bulkhead which faces said sloped rear bulkhead of said support structure,   a cutout is formed in said main frame bulkhead and confronts said cutout in said support structure bulkhead to define a conveyor opening, and   said lateral conveyor is disposed in said conveyor opening. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. An excavating machine as defined in claim 21, further comprising a mount device which is pivotally mounted on said support structure and on which is supported said digging implement. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. An excavating machine comprising:   a chassis;   a main frame mounted on said chassis and having a front bulkhead;   a support structure having a rear bulkhead which faces said main frame front bulkhead, wherein facing cutouts are formed in said main frame front bulkhead and said support structure rear bulkhead and in combination define a conveyor opening;   a mount device pivotally mounted on said support structure;   a digging implement supported on said pivotable with respect to said support structure and having a discharge end;   upper and lower longitudinally and vertically spaced rail assemblies connecting said support structure rear bulkhead to said main frame front bulkhead and permitting said support structure to move laterally with respect to said main frame while preventing said support structure from pivoting longitudinally with respect to said main frame; and   a lateral conveyor which underlies asid discharge end of said digging implement and which is disposed in said conveyor opening longitudinally   
     
     
        between said upper and lower rail assemblies. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  An excavating machine as defined in claim 27, further comprising a mount device which is pivotally mounted on said support structure and on which is mounted said digging implement. .Iaddend.