Aug. 5, 1952 T. G. BENNETT 2,605,917 HOISTING AND DUMPING APPARATUS FOR OYSTER DREDGES OR THE LIKE Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet Sne for 42-4-42-42 Cattorneys
Aug. 5, 1952 T, G, BENNETT 2,605,917 HOISTING AND DUMPING APPARATUS FOR OYSTER DREDGES OR THE LIKE Filed July 26, 1950 3. Sheets-Sheet 2 es Snipenitor 2-4-4-4-24.
Aug. 5, 1952 T. G., BENNETT 2,605,917 HOISTING AND DUMPING APPARATUS FOR OYSTER, DREDGES OR THE LIKE Filed July 26, 1950, 3. Sheets-Sheet 3 2-6 - Snoentor Cittorness
Patented Aug. 5, 1952 2,605,917 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOISTING AND DUMPING APPARATUS FOR OYSTER, OREDGES OR THE LIKE Thomas G. Bennett, Hamden, Conn., assignor to West Haven Shipyard, Incorporated, West Haven, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 26, 1950, Serial No. 175,944 (C. 214-92) 13 Claims. This invention relates to hoisting and dump ing apparatus for oyster dredges or the like and more particularly to a device designed to be em ployed in the hoisting of an Oyster dredge in order to effect the swinging of the dredge over the deck of the vessel and the dumping of its contents up On the deck with a minimum amount of effort and a minimum amount of labor required for this WOrk. In harvesting oysters, usually a dredge consist ing of a frame with a bag attached to it is sus pended from the side of an oyster boat by a cable of considerable length, and dragged along the Oyster beds until the bag is filled. It is then hoisted by the cable and lifted over the side of the boat upon the deck where the contents of the bag are emptied. The present invention is Concerned with the handling of the cable and the dredge in such a manner that the dredge Will be drawn upwardly into a swinging or pivoted frame and the contents automatically dumped upon the deck by a continued pull upon the Cable. The pivoted frame is secured to a framework Supported by the deck of the vessel, the frame being pivoted between its ends so that a part of it. depends from the pivotal axis and a part stands upwardly therefron. The depending portion of the frame is so arranged that it will be in posi tion to Support the dredge when it is drawn up Wardly and When the frame is swung about its pivot Will Swing the dredge to an inverted posi tion. So that its contents will be dropped upon the deck automatically. The dredge or the bag of the dredge will be engaged by a part of this frame So that the dredge will be supported in its dumping Or inverted position and will be returned With the frame to its upright position after the dumping operation so that it will be in position to be lowered for another dredging operation. One object of the present invention is to pro vide a dredge hoisting or handling apparatus which will be efficient in operation and which will minimize the labor involved in hoisting a dredge and emptying its contents upon the deck of a Vessel. A further object of the invention is to provide a dredge hoisting apparatus by which the labor of hoisting and Swinging the dredge to the deck of a vessel may be performed substantially en tirely by the hoisting cable with a small amount of labor. A Still further object of the invention is to pro Wide a dredge hoisting apparatus of the char acter described such that means will be provided 10 15 30 50 55 2 for locking the swinging frame in its operative or dredge hoisting position and providing means by which the raising of the dredge upon this frame will automatically release this locking means so that the frame Will be free to SWing about its pivot to position to dump the contents of the dredge. To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings: - Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a boat equipped with my dredge hoisting apparatus; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the dredge hoisting mechanism at one side of the boat show ing the dredge in raised position just prior to the dumping thereof; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in the position occupied during a dredging operation; : Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig.1 showing one of the dredge hoisting devices in dumping position; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view online 6-6 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the con trolling slide. To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my in vention, I have shown a boat?o having a rail and a fender or bumper 12. It will be understood, however, that these features are shown only as an aid in illustrating my invention as my appara tus may be applied to a boat with or without these features. a A frame may be provided upon the boat, which frame comprises a pair of standards 3 Secured at each side of the boat adjacent the rail, the standards at one side being joined to the Stand ards at the other side by the beams 4 and braced by the gusset plates 5 so as to make a rigid structure. This particular frame is, of course, designed to support one of the dredging devices at each side of the boat as illustrated, but as each of the dredging devices operates independently of the other one, only one may be employed if desired. - Pivoted to the standards 3 of the framework above described is a frame consisting, as shown more especially in Fig. 3, of the side members 6 and 7 to the other ends of which are secured converging frame members 8 and 9 to which are secured the side plate members and 21. The frame members 6 and f l are secured to gether by the transversely extending pivot rod 22 and by the brace member 23 adjacent their lower
3 ends. The rod 22 is extended beyond the de pending frame members 6 and 7 and the ends of this rod are pivoted in bearings 24 Secured to the Standards 3. Secured to and disposed centrally of the frame just described is a longitudinally extending guide member of I-beam construction in cross sec tion, which member may be secured to the pivot rod 22 at its rear side and also Secured as by Weld ing, for example, to the upper ends of the mem bers f8 and 9. This guide member, as shown 2,605,917 more especially in Fig. 3, extends throughout the length of the Swinging frame and, as Will be here inafter described, is adapted to carry a sliding control member which controls the position of the cable in the dredging operation and also controls the release of the Swinging frame for the dump ing operation. Rotatably mounted between the plates and 2 is a pulley 27 over which may be trained the cable 28 which supports the dredge, this cable, as shown in Fig. 1, extending rearwardly and downwardly from the pulley 27 over a guide sheave 29 to a Winch or suitable apparatus for Winding and unwinding the cable to raise and lower the dredge. The dredge member consists of a bag 30 at tached to a frame comprising spaced frame-mem bers 3, which latter converge at their upper ends, as shown more especially in Figs. 2 and 5, to form a neck.32 to which the cable is secured. To the lower end of the basket is secured a trans versely extending rod member 34, the ends of which project outwardly from the dredge, and are adapted to be engaged by hook members 35 se- : cured respectively to the front faces of the frame members 6 and T. As shown more especially in FigS. 1 and 4, these hook members are pro vided at the upper ends of strips 36 secured in inclined relation to the members 6 and T, the upper ends of the members 36 being held in Spaced relation to the members 6 and 7 by angle plates 37. As shown in Fig. 4 when the Swinging frame is in its dumping position, the member 34 is held by the hooks 35 so as to pre vent the bag from dumping downwardly on the frame and the spacing of the hooks 35 outwardly from the members 6 and IT provides for a more nearly vertical position of the dredge when the frame is in an inclined position illustrated in this figure of the drawings. In order that the Swinging frame may be se Curely held in its operative position, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, until it is desired to dump the contents of the dredge, a latch is pivoted at 4 to the guide member, this latch engaging a keeper 42 secured to a fixed part of the boat So that the frame will normally be prevented from SWinging about the pivot rod 22. Two of these latches are provided, one upon each side of the beam and a wire or rod 43 extends up Wardly from each of these latches to a trip mem ber 44 pivoted at 45 to a bracket 46 secured to the beam adjacent the upper end thereof. These trip members 44 extend forwardly upon each side of the beam to be engaged by the body portion of a slider 48 or sliding control member movably mounted upon the member. The body portion of this member is of channel shaped construction, as shown at 49, so as to embrace the edges of the front plate of the I-beam and be slidably mounted on the latter. This slide member also comprises a forwardly-pro jecting casing 50 open at its top and bottom, and in the front and rear walls of this casing are ro 10 5 3 5 50 55 80 35 70 5 4. tatably mounted a pair of spaced rollers 52 and 53. Rotatably mounted in the side walls of this casing is a transversely-extending roller 54, which rollers are intended to guide the cable 28 and the neck of the dredge when it is received therebe tween in its upper position as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the cable and dredge neck be ing received between the rollers. 52 and 53 and rearwardly of the roller 54. It will also be ap parent that during dredging operations, when. the dredge. is lowered, the cable will be guided upon one or the other of the rollers 52 and 53 as the dredge will be dragging astern and as is shown in Fig.., the Slide member 48 is in its lowermost position at the bottom of the frame at this time. In Order that the Swinging frame and the guide beam may be supported against the strain of the dragging dredge, a short post 56 of I-beam construction may be secured to the fender 2 di rectly below the member when the frame is in dredging position, as shown more especially in Fig. 6. This member 56 is of the same dimen Sions in cross section as the member and regis ters therewith so that When the slide member 48 is dropped to its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 6, it engages the forward flanges of the mem ber 56 So as to embrace these flanges as well as the flanges of the member SO as to lock these members together. This not only locks the SWinging frame in position to withstand the strain of the dragging of the dredge, but also relieves the Strain on the latch and associated parts as long as the Sider is in its lower position. The operation of the device may now be de Scribed. The dredging position of the parts is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 where, as will be noted, the sliding control member 48 is in its lowermost position and the cable is guided through the mem ber 50 by the roller 53. The Swinging frame is locked in position by the latch member and also by the sliding control member 48. When it is desired to raise the dredge, the ca ble. 28 is wound up and the dredge is raised until the neck 32 thereof enters the member 50 on the slide 48. The engagement of the lower di Verging portion of this neck with the rollers 52 and 53 draws the slide upwardly as the dredge is moved upwardly. During this upward move ment of the dredge on the swinging frame, the frame members of the dredge and also the trans verse member 34 ride upon the side members 6 and T, the member 34 riding up the inclined plates 36. When the slide member 48 reaches the upper portion of the guide member, it contacts the Outer ends of the trip members 44, thus draw ing these members upwardly about their pivots 45 and releasing the latches. The members 44 then limit any further upward movement of the slide So that the dredge frame is prevented from further upward movement on the swinging dump frame. Continued winding of the cable 28 then swings the dumping frame from the position shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the slide member 48 contacts the trip member 44 prior to the en gagement of the transverse bar 34 with the hook members 35 So that a sufficient continued move ment of the slide member is permitted to trip the latches. The rod member 34 will, how ever, be in Such position that when the swinging frame is swung to the position shown in Fig. 4, the ends of this member will drop into the hooks
5 35 so that the dredge member will be supported in position shown in Fig. 4 and not be permitted to collapse downwardly toward the deck of the Vessel. The position shown in Fig. 4 is the dump ing position of the parts and the contents of the te will be dumped upon the deck, as shown a After the dumping operation has been com pleted, slacking of the cable 28 will permit the Swinging frame to be swung from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 2 and at the left-hand side of Fig. 1, when the latches will again be engaged with the keepers 42 and the dredge will, upon further slacking of the cable 28, be permitted to move downwardly by gravity to dredging position. During the down Ward movement of the dredge, the sliding con trol member 48 will again move downwardly to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6 in which this member embraces the flanges of the members and 56 and locks the swinging frame in posi tion. It Will be understood that the weight of the SWinging frame is so proportioned that it is in an Over-balanced position, as shown in Fig. 4, so that when the cable 28 is released the frame and dredge will return by gravity to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. While I have shown and described a pre ferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is capable of modifica tion and variation within the spirit of the inven tion and within the scope of the claims. What I claim is: 1. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a support to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter mediate its ends So that a portion of the frame pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, and interengaging means on an intermediate portion of the frame and the lower portion of the dredge to support the latter in suspended position when the frame is up-ended about its pivot. 2. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a Support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter car ried by said last-named portion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained over Said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, Said frame comprising dredge-supporting members against which the dredge rests When drawn up wardly thereupon, and interengaging means on said frame and the lower portion of the dredge to hold the latter in suspended position when the frame is up-ended about its pivot, the means on the frame being disposed between its pivot and the lower end thereof. 3. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, and spaced means on said frame to engage the upper 2,605,917 6 and lower portions of the dredge, and the means to engage the lower end of the dredge being Spaced outwardly from Said frame to hold the lower portion of the dredge in outwardly spaced relation to the frame. 4. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, 10 15 30 45 50 60 65 70 75 means for pivoting said frame upon a support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter carried by Said last-named portion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained over. Said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a member mounted on said frame to slide longitudi nally thereof, said member being engaged by the dredge to be moved upwardly on the frame, and means to limit such upward movement of said member. 5. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a support to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, means to releasably secure the lower end of said frame to the support, a member slidably mounted on the frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said member being engaged by the dredge to be moved in an upward direction, and tripping means for said securing means, said last-named means being actuated by said member upon its upward movement effected by raising of the dredge. - 6. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on said frame for move-. ment longitudinally thereof, said slide member being engaged by the dredge to be moved up wardly by the raising movement of the latter and moving downwardly under the force of grav ity when the dredge is lowered, and guide means on said slide member to engage the cable. 7. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a Support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on Said frame for movement longitudinally thereof, said slide member being engaged by the dredge to be moved upwardly by the raising movement of the latter and moving downwardly under the force of gravity when the dredge is lowered, guide means on said slide member to engage the cable, and means to limit upward movement of the slide member whereby further pull upon the cable Swings said frame about its axis. 8. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a Support to swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter
7 above the pivotal axis, a cable trained. Over Said pulley, to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on Said frame to move longi tudinally thereof, said slide being moved up wardly by the raising of the dredge and follow ing the dredge downwardly by gravity, and means to limit upward movement of saidslide member at a pre-determined point to prevent further rela tive movement of the dredge and frame. 9. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting Said frame upon a Support to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point inter car ried by said last-named portion of the frame pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on said frame to move longi tudinally thereof, said slide being moved up Wardly by the raising of the dredge and following the dredge downwardly by gravity, means to limit upward movement of said slide member at a pre-determined point to prevent further rela tive movement of the dredge and frame, and means on Said frame to engage the lower portion of the dredge when the slide member has reached its upper position. 10. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a sup port to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point intermediate its ends So that a portion of the frame depends downwardly from said axis and another portion extends upwardly therefrom, a pulley carried by said last-named portion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained over Said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a Slide member mounted on said frame to move longitudinally thereof, said slide being moved up Wardly by the raising of the dredge and following the dredge downwardly by gravity, and means to limit upward movement of said slide member at a pre-determined point to prevent further rela tive movement of the dredge and frame, and in eans. On Said Support engaged by said slide when the latter is in its lowermost position to hold the frame against movement.. 11. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, lineans for pivoting said frame upon a sup port to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point internaediate its ends, so that a portion of the frame depends downwardly from said axis and another portion extends upwardly therefron, a pulley carried by said last-named portion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained Over Said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on said frame to rnove longitudinally thereof, said slide being moved upwardly by the raising of the dredge and 2,605,917 O 30 35 5 5 60 8 following the dredge downwardly by gravity, and means to limit upward movement of said slide member at a pre-determined point to prevent fur ther relative movement of the dredge and frame, latching means on said frame to engage a part of the support and prevent relative movement with respect to the Support, and tripping means en gaged by Said slide and connected to said latching means to move Said latching means to inopera tive position. 12. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon Support to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point intermediate its ends so that a portion of the frame depends downwardly from said axis and another portion extends upwardly there from, a pulley carried by said last-named por tion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained over said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a slide member mounted on said frame to move longitudinally thereof, said slide being moved upwardly by the raising of the dredge and following the dredge downwardly by gravity, and means to limit upward movement of Said slide member at a pre-determined point to prevent further relative movement of the dredge and frame, cooperating means on said slide and Support to prevent relative movement of the frame with respect to the support when the slide is in its lowermost position. 13. A dredge hoisting device comprising a frame, means for pivoting said frame upon a Support to Swing about a horizontal axis at a point intermediate its ends so that a portion of the frame depends downwardly from said axis and another portion extends upwardly therefrom, a pulley carried by said last-named portion of the frame above the pivotal axis, a cable trained Over said pulley to carry a dredge upon its free end, a Slide member mounted on said frame to move longitudinally thereof, said slide being moved upwardly by the raising of the dredge and following the dredge downwardly by gravity, means to limit upward movement of said slide member at a pre-determined point to preventfur ther relative movement of the dredge and frame, Said slide having an opening through which said cable extends, and guide means for the cable Carried by said slide, ihomas G. BENNETT. REFERENCES CIED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 888,219 Bruhn ------------- May 19, 1908 2,386,410 Taggart ------------- Oct. 9, 1945 2,417,121. Nelson ------------ Mar. 11, 1947 2,442,413 Hulbert ------------- June 1, 1948 2,526,071 Estey -------------- Oct. 17, 1950