Apparatus for Loading Live Stock into Railway or other Vehicles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Loading Live Stock into Railway or other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM JAMES MEAD of Mapleton, Blue Earth County, Minnesota,
U.S.A., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The apparatus of this invention comprises a frame provided with vertical sides
forming a chute or gangway. Upon two rollers, one at each end of the gangway
is mounted an endless carrier operated by means of a lever through chain wheels
and chains and prevented from sagging by friction rollers extending from one side
of the carrier frame to the other side. The two ends of the gangway are each
provided with a gate which may be turned down to serve as a step and extension
of the gangway.
When an animal, say a bullock, has been driven into the
gangway at one end and the other end placed adjacent to the vehicle to be
loaded this end of the carrier frame with its roller is raised by a hand lever and
connections to the proper height and the gate at this end at the same time opened
to permit the passage of the animal into the vehicle. Rotary motion is com-
municated to the rollers by pawl and ratchet mechanism, and the endless carrier
thereby operated.
Dated this 20th day of December 1895.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Loading Live Stock into Railway or other Vehicles.
1, WILLIAM JAMES MEAD of Mapleton, Blue Earth County, Minnesota,
U.S.A., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of live stock loading
apparatus wherein a carrier is provided upon which the stock are to be placed,
said carrier being arranged to operate with mechanism for moving it and with it
the stock.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus. Fig. 2 a vertical
longitudinal section thereof..
Fig. 3 a detail perspective view shewing the construction of the carrier.
Fig. 4 shews a modification of the driving mechanism.
The frame is formed of two longitudinal beams 1 rigidly joined to each other by
means of the cross beams 2 mortised therein and nailed or bolted so as to secure a
rigid structure. Rigidly secured to and arising vertically from the beams 1 are
the vertical standards 3, three for each of the beams 1 and which have secured to
their inner sides the longitudinal slats 4, thereby forming a gangway or chute
between which the stock may pass.
5 are two brace rods, which are secured one
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page_text: to each side of the gangway or chute, and which extend from one side of the
standards 3 to another. Rigidly secured to the upper ends of the front standards 3,
and extending from one to the other, is the cross beam 6.
Revolubly mounted in beams 8 and at the rear ends thereof is the transverse
shaft 7 which serves to rigidly connect the beams 8 of the carrier frame. The
beams 8 are located one against each of the beams and extend forwardly to and
slightly beyond the front standards 3. The forward ends of the beams 8 are
provided with the shaft 9 which extends from one to the other, and which is
revolubly jourualled therein. The shaft 9 has fixed thereto a drum 10 having
secured to its ends the sprocket wheels 11. The shaft 7 is also thickened, as
shewn at 12 to form substantially a drum, as may be seen by reference to the
drawing. This thickened portion is provided with the sprocket wheels 13 which
are arranged at the respective ends of the shaft, and which, together with the
thickened portion 12 are smaller than the drum 10 and sprocket wheels 11.
The beams 8 are pivotally mounted on the beams 1 and at their rear ends by
means of the studs 14 which are fixed to the beams 1 and fit within notches 15 of
the beams 8. Rigidly secured to the beams 8 and extending from one to the other
are the brace rods 16, which are preferably three in number and which serve to
hend rigidly to the carrier frame. 17 are two sprocket chains, which are
respectively adapted to operate over the sprocket wheels 11 and 13 and which
consist of an alternate sprocket link a and solid link b. The links a are adapted
to operate with the teeth of the sprocket wheels, while the links b are provided to
permit bolting the slates 18 to the chain. By these means a carrier is formed
which will be flexible and which at the same time will be as strong and durable as
desired.
The slats 18 are formed of steel, so as to be strong enough to carry their load,
all of which will be understood. Projecting horizontally and inwardly from the
beams 8 are the journals 19, upon which the antifriction rollers or sleeves 20 are
revolubly mounted, the journals being so arranged that they will form a support
for the chains 17, thereby preventing the carrier from sagging when under the
influence of a load of stock.
21 indicates two downwardly-projecting studs, which have their lower ends
headed and which are provided with the rollers or sleeves 22, adapted to engage
with the ends of the slats 18 and thereby form a rolling guide for the carrier
Fulcrumed to the upper ends of the front standards 3 are the levers 23,
which extend rearwardly for a distance equal to a little less than the length of the
machine and which bave their rear ends joined by the cross-bar 24. The front
ends of the levers 23 are formed with an eccentric and grooved portion 25, having
the staples 26 secured adjacent thereto. Over these eccentric portions the ropes 27
respectively operate, said ropes being connected to the staples 26 and passed down
to the front ends of the beams 8, where they are in turn connected to the staples 28
of said beams. By these means the beams 8 or the carrier-frame and its attach-
ments may be raised at its forward end, and this raising is effected by lowering
the levers 23. Passed horizontally through the cross-beam 6 and projecting
forwardly therefrom are two rods 29, which have at their forward ends transversely-
perforated heads, through the perforations of which the transverse rod 30 extends.
This rod projects beyond the rods 29 and has fixed to its ends the bars 31, which
project out from the rod and which have the slats 32 fixed thereto and extending
transversely across them. This arrangement forms a discharge-gate, whereby the
chute may be closed or opened, as the conditions of the operation may require, and
as will be more fully described hereinafter.
Rigidly secured to the slats 32 and extending across the same and beyond the
rod 30 is the arm 33, which has its free end provided with a cross-bar 34, to the
ends of which the ropes 35 are secured. The ropes 35 are two in number and are
passed rearwardly and respectively connected to the levers 23. By these means
the discharge-gate is connected to the levers 23, so as to operate in unison
therewith. It will be observed that the discharge-gate is so constructed that it

page_text: will have a tendency to gravitate to a vertical position, and this attribute, together
with the ropes 35 and their adjacent parts, makes the discharge-gate operate in
unison with the operations of the levers 23. Thus, as the levers are swung from a
horizontal to a vertical position, the discharge-gate will gravitate into a similar
position, while upon the reversal of the levers 23 the ropes 35 will operate to
draw the gate into a horizontal position, thereby opening it and permitting the
stock upon the carrier to pass out. Hinged to the rear end of the carrier, or to
the rear of the slats 18, is the end-gate 36, which is capable of swinging from a
horizontal to a vertical position, and which is provided at each side with a rod 37,
having at its free end a hook 38, capable of engaging the respective eyes of the
carrier. By these means the end-gate may be held in a vertical position, so as to
close the gangway or chute, and so as to confine the animals therein, or the gate
may be swung horizontally, so as to open the gangway and so as to form a step or
gang-plank upon which the stock may tread in entering the gangway or chute.
40 indicates a rope which is attached to the cross-bar 24 of the levers 23, and
which is adapted to furnish means for drawing said levers down. Fixed to the
right-hand end of the shaft 9 is the spur-gear 41, which is adapted to mesh with a
corresponding and stationary gear 42, fixed to or mounted upon the stub-shaft 43,
which projects out from the forward right-hand standard 3. The latter gear 42
is also provided with a ratchet edge 44, which is adapted to be engaged by the
pawl 45, pivotally mounted upon the offset-arm 46 of the adjacent standard 3.
By these means the gear 42 is held at the position into which it has been moved by
the operating-lever 47.
The operating-lever 47 is pivotally mounted or fulcrumed to the stub-shaft 43,
and is provided with a spring-press pawl 48, adapted to engage the ratchet
edge 44 of the gear 42, whereby the oscillations of the lever may be transmitted
to the gear 42. The class of motion derived from the lever 47 will, of course be a
rotary one.
In the use of my invention, supposing that it is desirous to load cattle or other stock
upon a wagon or railway-car, all that will be necessary is to swing the levers 23 to
a vertical position and move the end-gate 36, so that it will lie horizontally. The
stock may now be driven upon the carrier and between the framework of the
gangway or chute, the front end of the loader having been first placed adjacent to
the rear end of the wagon or the door of the car. The end-gate should now be
closed and the levers 23 swung to a horizontal position, which will open the
discharge-gate and simultaneously raise the front end of the carrier. This will
place said end on a level with the device to be loaded, thus making it possible to
move the stock off of the machine and directly into the place designed for their
reception. This moving of the stock is effected by causing the carrier to move
over the drums 10 and 12, the shaft 9 being revolved by means of the gear 42
and lever 47. As the carrier is raised the gear 41 will be made to mesh with the
gear 42, whereupon it will be possible to revolve the gear 41 and the shaft 9 by
imparting to the gear 42 a rotary movement. This rotary movement is imparted
to the gear 41 by means of the lever 47 and pawl-and-ratchet mechanism thereof,
as has been explained.
It will be observed that considerable power will be necessary to operate the
carrier, and to this end it will be necessary to construct the lever 47 comparatively
long.
Fig. 4 illustrates a modified arrangement for imparting movement to the gear 42,
and this consists of a large wheel 49, having radial hand-grasps 50 secured to its
periphery. This arrangement may be used in place of the lever 47, and when so
employed the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism attending the said lever may be dispensed
with. It will be necessary, however, to use the pawl 45 whether the wheel +9 be
used or not, since some means for preventing the return of the gear 42 are always
necessary.
Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of my invention
may be resorted to without departing from the substance thereof. Therefore I

page_text: desire it understood that I am not limited to the precise form of embodiment
herein shown, but am entitled to all such variations as come within the ahove
definition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
Lion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
-claim is :-
1. In a stock loader, the combination of a frame provided with vertical sides
forming a chute or gangway, a carrier frame located longitudinally therein, a
carrier mounted on the carrier frame, the carrier frame being capable of having its
front end swung in a vertical line, a drum journaled in said front end of the carrier
frame and over which the carrier passes, a gear fixed to said drum, driven gear
mounted on the frame of the machine, a lever fulcrumed on the frame of the
machine and connected to the carrier frame whereby the front end of the carrier
frame may be raised, and whereby the gear of the drum may be engaged with the
-driven gear, and a discharge gate connected to the lever so as to be operated in
unison therewith, substantially as described.
2. In a stock loader, the combination of a frame, a carrier mounted therein so
that one end will be capable of swinging in a vertical line, a drum at said end of
the carrier and over which it operates, a gear fixed to the drum, and a drive gear
mounted on the frame of the machine and with which the gear of the drum may
engage when the carrier is raised, substantially as described.
3. In a stock loader, the combination of a frame having vertically-extending
sides forming a chute or gangway, a carrier frame mounted therein and pivoted at
one end so that the remaining end will be capable of swinging in a vertical line, a
drum journaled in the said niovable end of the carrier frame, fixed to the shaft of
said drum, a drive gear fixed to the frame of the machine and adapted to be
engaged by the gear of the carrier frame when said frame is raised, a lever
fulcrumed to the frame and connected to the carrier frame whereby the carrier
frame may be raised, and a discharge-gate mounted upon the frame and connected
to the lever, whereby it will be manipulated in unison with the carrier frame,
substantially as described.
4: In a stock loader, the combination of a frame, a carrier arranged longitudinally
therein, a gear fixed to the frame and capable of connection with the carrier, a
ratchet-disk fixed to the gear, a stop-pawl for preventing back movement thereof, a
sweep lever pivotally mounted at the axis of the ratchet-disk, and a pawl on said
lever and operating with the disk, substantially as described.
5. In a stock loader, the combination of a frame provided with vertical sides
forming a chute or gangway, a stock carrier located longitudinally therein and
arranged to have one end capable of swinging in a vertical line, and drive
mechanism fixed to the frame and capable of being engaged and disengaged with
the carrier as the same moves as aforesaid, whereby power may be transmitted
to the carrier and the same operated, substantially as described.
6. In a stock loader, the combination of a frame provided with vertical sides
forming a chute or gangway, a stock carrier located therein and arranged to have
one end capable of swinging in a vertical line, means for raising and lowering said
end of the carrier, a gate commanding the open-end of the chute or gangway and
connected to the operating mechanism of the carrier so as to be opened when the
carrier is raised, and operating mechanism fixed on the frame and capable of being
engaged and disengaged with the carrier as the same moves as aforesaid, whereby
power may be transmitted to the carrier and the same operated, substantially as
described.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.