SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM A SLOPING SURFACE

Abstract

A system for removing material from a sloping surface includes a plurality of cables and pulleys used to manipulate positioning of a slusher bucket across the sloping surface. A multiple drum winch communicates with the cables to selectively retract or feed the cables enabling precise positioning of the slusher bucket. An elevated upper transverse anchoring cable is used to secure one or more of the pulleys. The anchoring cable itself can be mounted to the ground by one or more ground anchors. According to another aspect of the invention, it includes an improved slusher bucket configuration with two working edges. A preferred embodiment of the bucket configuration includes a scraper edge and scarifying teeth located on another working edge.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many methods for removing bulk material encountered in mining operations, excavations, construction work, and other worksites. One known method for removing bulk materials that becomes dislodged in mining operations is use of a “slusher” machine. Generally, a slusher machine can be described as a large scraper bucket attached to drag lines in which the bucket is pulled by a winch to capture and displace the bulk material. In mining operations, the slusher machine may include a double drum hoist. The winch may be either driven by an electrical or compressed air motor. One cable is attached to the front portion of the bucket so that it can be pulled towards the winch. The other cable is attached to the rear portion of the bucket and routed through a pulley block fastened at the far end of the slusher drift. The cables of the drum hoist are independently operated to allow rear movement of the bucket or to retract the bucket so that it can be repeatedly pulled or extended for multiple passes.

It is also known to use a slusher machine to remove bulk material on sloping surfaces, such as excavations made for road construction. In this particular application, the slusher machine may include a triple drum hoist in which three cables are used to manipulate the position of the scraper bucket on the sloping surface. The second and third cables in this application are secured to the side or rear portion of the bucket and routed around respective pairs of pulley blocks secured to the upper end of the sloping surface. One or pairs of the cables may be manipulated in order to move the scraper bucket up and down along the sloping surface, or to traverse the bucket laterally across the sloping surface.

Although slusher machines have been used extensively in various applications, there are a number of basic drawbacks with the machines and methods of use. One problem associated with slusher machines used on sloping surfaces is that lateral movement of the bucket across the sloping surface is limited based upon the particular location where the second and third cables are secured to the respective pulley blocks. As operations proceed for removing bulk materials on the sloping surface, the anchored pulley blocks must be repositioned to accommodate desired lateral transverse movement of the bucket. Another disadvantage associated with currently known methods of slushing a sloping surface is the type of anchors used for the pulley blocks; the anchors often require significant time and effort for installation. Yet another disadvantage associated with slushing operations is the construction of the scraper bucket that has a single scraping or working edge.

The system and method of the present invention are intended to address the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a slusher device and method are provided for enhancing the capability for removing bulk materials from sloping surfaces. According to one aspect of the invention, it can be considered a system for removing bulk materials from a sloping surface including a system of supporting cables to enhance the ability of the slusher bucket to be selectively positioned across the sloping surface. The cables include an upper transverse anchoring cable positioned at the top or adjacent the top portion of the sloping surface. This upper transverse anchoring cable is used to provide a continuous anchoring point for the pulley blocks of the system. More specifically, the transverse anchoring cable extends across a selected length of the sloping surface for which bulk materials are to be removed. The pulley blocks may be selectively secured to the anchoring cable at any selected points on the cable in order to precisely and more easily control positioning the slusher bucket without having to remove and reset the location of structure used to anchor the pulleys.

According to another feature of the invention, it includes an improved slusher bucket construction in which one surface provides a scraper blade and another surface provides scraper teeth or scarifying teeth.

According to yet another feature of the invention, it includes an improved configuration for securing the traversing anchor cable to the upper portion of the sloping surface.

According to yet another feature of the invention, it includes an improved method of removing bulk materials from a sloping surface in which the drag lines of the slusher bucket can be quickly and incrementally repositioned.

Considering the above characteristics and features of the invention, in a first aspect of the invention, it may be considered a system especially adapted for removing materials from a sloping surface, said system comprising: a slusher bucket; a plurality of cables connected to the slusher bucket for selectively moving the slusher bucket along a sloping surface; a plurality of pulleys communicating with a plurality of cables to control the selective movement of the slusher bucket; a winch assembly having a plurality of drums which control movement of the plurality of cables; and an upper transverse anchoring cable located at a selected position at or near an upper surface of the sloping surface, wherein one or more of the plurality of pulleys is secured to said anchoring cable.

According to a second aspect of the invention, it may be considered a method of selectively positioning cables used to control operation of a slusher bucket on a sloping surface, comprising: providing a slusher bucket connected to a system of cables and pulleys used to control movement of the slusher bucket on the sloping surface to remove bulk materials; providing an upper transverse anchoring cable that traverses a selected portion of the sloping surface to be worked, said anchoring cable being elevated above the ground to which the anchoring cable is mounted; securing one or more pulleys to said anchoring cable; and selectively positioning and repositioning the pulleys on said anchoring cable to achieve desired control of the slusher bucket as it is moved up and down the sloping surface and as it is moved laterally across the sloping surface.

According to a third aspect of the invention, it may be considered a system especially adapted for removing materials from a sloping surface, said system comprising: a contact implement; a plurality of cables connected to the contact implement for selectively moving the contact implement along a sloping surface; a plurality of pulleys communicating with a plurality of cables to control the selective movement of the contact implement; a winch assembly having a plurality of drums which control movement of the plurality of cables; and an upper transverse anchoring cable located at a selected position on or adjacent the sloping surface, wherein one or more of the plurality of pulleys is secured to said upper transverse anchoring cable and said upper transverse anchoring cable is separated from and not connected to said winch assembly.

Additional optional features of this first, second, or third aspect may further include: said anchoring cable is elevated above the ground over which said anchoring cable is mounted; said anchoring cable has first and second ends, each end of said anchoring cable being anchored to the ground by one or more ground anchors; said one or more ground anchors include a plurality of ground anchors interconnected to an adjacent end of said anchoring cable by corresponding connecting cables; a mounting assembly for securing said transverse anchoring cable to the ground, said mounting assembly including a cable ring attached to each opposite end of said anchoring cable, and a plurality of ground anchors attached to each cable ring by a corresponding plurality of connecting cables; said upper transverse anchoring cable includes a plurality of cables connected to one another, end to end, and wherein at least one cable of said plurality of cables extends in a different direction as compared to the other cables; said upper transverse anchoring cable extends linearly; and said upper transverse anchoring cable has a plurality of segments that extend linearly, and at least one segment of said plurality of segments extends in a different direction.

It should also be understood that any of the aspects of the invention may be considered in sub-combination as inventions falling within the scope of the invention. For example, with respect to the system of the invention, one sub-combination includes the upper transverse anchoring cable located at a selected position at or near an upper surface of the sloping surface, wherein one or more of the plurality of pulleys is secured to the anchoring cable. For further example, with respect to the method of the invention, another sub-combination includes the method wherein the anchoring cable is provided and then selectively positioning and repositioning pulleys on the anchoring cable to achieve desired control of the slusher bucket as it may be moved up and down the sloping surface and/or as it may be moved laterally across the sloping surface.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by a review of the drawings accompanying with the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of the system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a plan view of the system in an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a plan view of the system in a further alternate embodiment;

FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of a perspective view of the system in a further alternate embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slusher or scraper bucket especially adapted for use in the system and method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system of the invention that includes drag lines or cables and pulleys that are arranged to move a device that contacts a surface to be worked. The device may include a slusher or scraper bucket; however, the device can include other tools or implements that are capable of removing material along the surface to be worked. For example, the device may include a scraper implement that may or may not include a bucket. Therefore, the slusher or scraper bucket of the invention can be more broadly defined as a contact implement that includes at least one scraping or contact surface for forcibly removing material from the surface to be worked.

FIG. 1 more specifically illustrates a sloping surface S in which bulk material must be removed, such as a sloping surface next to a roadway or bridge. Schematically, the sloping surface S is defined between a base B and a top or upper surface U. The plurality of cables include a first cable 14 routed around a first pulley 24 at or near the upper surface U. One end of the cable 14 is secured to a corresponding outside drum 36 of a three drum winch assembly 32. A second end of the cable 14 is secured to an up-slope corner edge of a slushing bucket 30. A second cable 16 has a first end that is secured to an opposite up-slope corner edge of the bucket 30. The second cable 16 is routed around another pulley 22 located at or near the upper surface U. The second end of the second cable 16 is secured to another corresponding outside drum 38 of the three-drum winch assembly 32. A third cable 18 has a first end attached to a down-slope end of the slusher bucket 30 and a second end attached to a corresponding interior drum 34 of the three drum winch 32. The winch assembly 32 is shown as mounted to a vehicle V.

In order to raise or lower the slusher bucket 30 along the slope S, the winches are operated to retract or feed/extend the respective cables. For example, if it were desired to raise the bucket 30 straight up the slope, outside winches 36 and 38 would be operated to retract the cables thereby shortening the available lengths of the cables 14 and 16. If it were desired to lower the bucket 30, winch 34 would be operated to retract cable 18, and drums 38 and 36 would be unlocked so cables 14 and 16 could be extended. If it is desired to move the bucket 30 laterally across the slope to the right as the bucket 30 appears in this figure, winch 36 would be operated to retract cable 14 and drum 38 would be unlocked so cable 16 could be extended. It was desired to move the bucket 30 to the left as it appears in this figure, winch 38 would be operated to retract cable 16 and drum 36 would be unlocked so cable 14 could be extended. If it were desired to move the bucket 30 diagonally up or down the slope, the winches can be independently operated to retract or extend the cable lengths to achieve the desired diagonal movement.

Although the system of FIG. 1 has been shown to be effective for working a sloping surface, one significant drawback is that the pulleys 22 and 24 in a prior art system are secured to the upper surface U of the slope S by a pair of conventional ground anchors (not shown) that are positioned at the location of the pulleys. If it is desired to work a different section of the slope, both anchors have to be removed and re-secured to the desired laterally displaced locations. Particularly for larger slopes that must be worked, the relocation of the ground anchors presents additional work and a significant time delay.

According to the invention, an upper transverse anchoring cable 40 is provided that allows the pulleys 22 and 24 to be shifted laterally across the slope S with greatly reduced time and manpower requirements. The transverse anchoring cable 40 is located at a desired position along the upper surface U and is directionally oriented with the working face of the slope S. Each end of the cable 40 is secured by one or more ground anchors 42. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, each end of the cable 40 is secured by a pair of ground anchors 42. A pair of connecting cable sections 44 is attached to the corresponding end the cable 40 by one or more cable clamps 28. Reference number 28 used throughout the figures denotes one or more cable clamps at the illustrated locations.

It should also be apparent from the drawings that the upper transverse anchoring cable 40 is located at a selected position on or adjacent the sloping surface, wherein one or more of the plurality of pulleys is secured to the upper transverse anchoring cable and the upper transverse anchoring cable is separated from and not connected to or controlled by the winch assembly 32.

One preferred construction for the ground anchors 42 could include a drilled hole that receives the cable anchor and then grouted in place. For many applications, a 3 inch diameter hole, 20 foot deep, is adequate for anchoring a ¾ inch cable. The height of the cable 40 above the upper surface U can be selected so that the cable 40 clears any obstructions, it being understood that the specific height shown in FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

Referring to FIG. 2, the system of the invention is further shown in a cross-sectional view in which the slusher bucket 30 is shown as connected to the arrangement cables and pulleys so that the bucket 30 may work the slope S. As shown, the cable 40 is mounted near the crest of the slope where the upper surface U is located. The upper surface U as illustrated has a greater horizontal component as compared to the slope S. However, it should be understood that the cable 40 could be mounted on the sloping surface S and therefore, mounting of the cable 40 is not limited to any particular location on the jobsite. Under most circumstances, it is desirable to mount the cable 40 at a position higher than the surface to be worked so that the slusher bucket may make complete passes along the surface to be worked and therefore allowing the cable 40 to accommodate working of all portions of the sloping surface S.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the transverse anchoring cable 40 includes a pair of cables 46. The general arrangement of the other cables of the system is the same as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the same reference numbers used in this figure correspond to the same elements from FIG. 1. The pulleys 22 and 24 can be mounted to one or both of the cables 46 according to conventional techniques in which one or more cable clamps 28 are used.

FIG. 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention in which the transverse anchoring cable 40 is anchored differently. As shown, each end of the cable 40 is secured to a cable ring 50. Each of the cable rings 50 is secured by a plurality of connecting cables 52 and corresponding ground anchors 54. FIG. 4 more specifically illustrates three connecting cables 52 and three ground anchors 54 for each cable ring 50. This particular arrangement, as one skilled in the art should appreciate, provides a very robust and flexible anchoring capability in which each of the ground anchors 54 can be selectively located to provide additional and redundant anchoring strength for the cable 40.

Although one length of cable 40 is illustrated in the figures, the invention also includes an embodiment that incorporates multiple lengths of cable 40 that can be connected end to end, with each length of cable oriented at different angles to follow the contour of a slope to be worked. Most exposed sloping surfaces to be worked are not uniformly planer; therefore, a single length of cable may not be adequate to allow incremental positioning of the bucket across all sections of the sloping surface. That is, the sloping surface to be worked may have sections that jut out, while other sections are recessed, while yet other sections of the slope may have exposed faces that turn in different directions, such as an exposed sloping face cut from a rounded hill. In this regard, a plurality of cables 40 can be selectively positioned so that each section of the slope is accessible with the bucket. Referring to FIG. 5, the system of the invention is therefore illustrated in yet another preferred embodiment in which there are a plurality of cables 40 positioned to follow the shape or contour of the sloping surface S. As shown, there is a large recess or cavity in the sloping surface S, and cable S is oriented at that location in a V-shape to follow the contour of the recess. The change in direction of the cables 40 are accommodated by two intermediate ground anchors 42.

Instead of adopting multiple lengths of cable, the upper transverse anchoring cable 40 may be one continuous cable with a plurality of segments that each extend linearly, and at least one segment of the plurality of segments extends in a different direction to accommodate the particular contour or shape of the slope. A change in direction of the continuous cable is again accommodated by one or more ground anchors 42, such as shown in FIG. 5, that connect to the continuous cable and are selectively positioned to provide the desired traversing orientation of the cable along the upper surface of the slope.

According to a method of the invention, one or more of the pulleys located at the upper end or upper portion of the slope to be worked by the slusher bucket may be selectively repositioned. Specifically, the pulleys may be shifted laterally across slope, and may be selectively spaced closer or farther apart from one another so that the slusher bucket can be selectively and incrementally moved along the slope as controlled by a multiple drum winch.

It should be understood that FIGS. 1-5 are schematic diagrams, and the size and shape of the elements, their spacing with one another, to include the illustrated lengths of the cables, are for illustrative purposes only. Therefore the size, shape, spacing and lengths of the elements illustrated are not to scale.

FIG. 6 illustrates another aspect of the invention in the form of a slusher bucket 60 with dual capabilities. The slusher bucket 60 includes a bail 62 and adjacent sidewalls 64 which form the cavity or pocket to receive bulk materials as the bucket is dragged along the sloping surface. One or more support arms 66 interconnect the bucket to a connection point where one of the drag lines or cables is secured, the connection point shown as cable eye 72. A first working edge of the bucket 60 includes a scraper blade 68. The scraper blade 68 is replaceable. An opposite side of the bucket includes a plurality of scarifying teeth 70. These scarifying teeth 70 are also replaceable. A skilled winch operator is able to present either the scraper blade 68 or scarifying teeth 70 against the sloping surface. In other words, the operator is capable of flipping the bucket 60 by manipulation of the cables to selectively scrape the sloping surface with the scraper blade 68, or to use the teeth 72 to scarify the sloping surface, such as to dislodge rocks embedded along the sloping surface. Accordingly, the bucket 60 provides dual capabilities as compared to single capability buckets of the prior art.

By review of the following detailed description and drawings, it should be apparent that there are numerous advantages of the invention. With respect to the upper transverse anchoring cable, this cable enables slushing operations to be conducted such that ground anchors for the upper pulleys do not have to be repositioned as the bucket is manipulated laterally across the sloping surface. The slusher bucket has two distinct working edges that allow the same slusher bucket to be used to scrape or scarify the surface to be worked.

Although the invention is illustrated with respect to multiple embodiments, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the invention are contemplated herein commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A system especially adapted for removing materials from a sloping surface, said system comprising: a slusher bucket;a plurality of cables connected to the slusher bucket for selectively moving the slusher bucket along a sloping surface;a plurality of pulleys communicating with a plurality of cables to control the selective movement of the slusher bucket;a winch assembly having a plurality of drums which control movement of the plurality of cables; andan upper transverse anchoring cable located at a selected position at or near an upper surface of the sloping surface, wherein one or more of the plurality of pulleys is secured to said anchoring cable.

2. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said anchoring cable is elevated above the ground over which said anchoring cable is mounted.

3. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said anchoring cable has first and second ends, each end of said anchoring cable being anchored to the ground by one or more ground anchors.

4. A system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said one or more ground anchors include a plurality of ground anchors interconnected to an adjacent end of said anchoring cable by corresponding connecting cables.

5. A system, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a mounting assembly for securing said transverse anchoring cable to the ground, said mounting assembly including a cable ring attached to each opposite end of said anchoring cable, and a plurality of ground anchors attached to each cable ring by a corresponding plurality of connecting cables.

6. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable includes a plurality of cables connected to one another, end to end, and wherein at least one cable of said plurality of cables extends in a different direction as compared to the other cables.

7. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable extends linearly.

8. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable has a plurality of segments that extend linearly, and at least one segment of said plurality of segments extends in a different direction.

9. A method of selectively positioning cables used to control operation of a slusher bucket on a sloping surface, comprising: providing a slusher bucket connected to a system of cables and pulleys used to control movement of the slusher bucket on the sloping surface to remove bulk materials;providing an upper transverse anchoring cable that traverses a selected portion of the sloping surface to be worked, said anchoring cable being elevated above the ground to which the anchoring cable is mounted;securing one or more pulleys to said anchoring cable; andselectively positioning and repositioning the pulleys on said anchoring cable to achieve desired control of the slusher bucket as it is moved up and down the sloping surface and as it is moved laterally across the sloping surface.

10. A slusher bucket comprising: a bail;a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls connected to opposite ends of said bail;at least one support arm extending away from said bail;an eye communicating with a free end of said at least one support arm for connection to a cable;a first working surface of said bucket including a scraper surface; anda second working surface of said bucket including a plurality of scarifying teeth, said second working surface being located on an opposite side of said bail.

11. A system especially adapted for removing materials from a sloping surface, said system comprising: a contact implement;a plurality of cables connected to the contact implement for selectively moving the contact implement along a sloping surface;at least one pulley communicating with at least one of the plurality of cables to control the selective movement of the contact implement;a winch assembly having a plurality of drums to control movement of the plurality of cables; andan upper transverse anchoring cable located at a selected position on or adjacent the sloping surface, wherein the at least one pulley is secured to said upper transverse anchoring cable and said upper transverse anchoring cable is separated from and not connected to said winch assembly.

12. A system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said anchoring cable is elevated above the ground over which said anchoring cable is mounted.

13. A system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said anchoring cable has first and second ends, each end of said anchoring cable being anchored to the ground by one or more ground anchors.

14. A system, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said one or more ground anchors include a plurality of ground anchors interconnected to an adjacent end of said anchoring cable by corresponding connecting cables.

15. A system, as claimed in claim 11, further including: a mounting assembly for securing said transverse anchoring cable to the ground, said mounting assembly including a cable ring attached to each opposite end of said anchoring cable, and a plurality of ground anchors attached to each cable ring by a corresponding plurality of connecting cables.

16. A system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable includes a plurality of cables connected to one another, end to end, and wherein at least one cable of said plurality of cables extends in a different direction as compared to the other cables.

17. A system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable extends linearly.

18. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper transverse anchoring cable has a plurality of segments that extend linearly, and at least one segment of said plurality of segments extends in a different direction.