Automated loader

Abstract

A ramming mechanism to move material from one location to another is described. The ramming mechanism comprises a belt assembly comprising a belt driven over a plurality of pulleys, a ram carriage connected to the belt, and a ram cylinder mounted on the ram carriage.

1 . A ramming mechanism for pushing material through stuffing horns, the mechanism comprising:
 a belt assembly comprising a belt driven over a plurality of pulleys;   a ram carriage connected to the belt;   tail pusher mounted to the ram carriage; and   a ram cylinder mounted on the ram carriage.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The ramming mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the tail pusher comprises a cutout. 
     
     
         4 . The ramming mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a hocking pusher on the ram cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The ramming mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the belt assembly is driven by an electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . An automated loader comprising the ramming mechanism of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The ramming mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom plate assembly located below the belt assembly, the bottom plate assembly comprising an air cylinder, a piston arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a bottom plate and the second end connected to the air cylinder, the bottom plate and piston arm being actuated by the air cylinder to move from a first position adjacent the belt assembly to a second position remote from the belt assembly and between the horns. 
     
     
         8 . An automated loader comprising:
 a frame;   a pair of stuffing horns mounted on the frame;   a belt assembly comprising a belt rotating over a plurality of pulleys, the belt comprising a continuous loop, the belt assembly mounted on the frame and having a first end adjacent the pair of stuffing horns and a second end remote from the pair of stuffing horns;   a ram carriage connected to the belt;   a ram cylinder mounted on the ram carriage;   a tail pusher comprising an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the second end mounted to the ram carriage and the first end extending toward the pair of stuffing horns; and   a motor driving at least one of the plurality of pulleys to rotate the belt to move the ram carriage and ram cylinder from a first position adjacent the pair of stuffing horns and to a second position remote from the pair of stuffing horns.   
     
     
         9 . The loader of  claim 8 , wherein the tail pusher has a dovetail cutout at the first end. 
     
     
         10 . The loader of  claim 8 , further comprising a hocking pusher on the ram cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . An automated loader comprising the ramming mechanism of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . The ramming mechanism of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a bottom plate assembly mounted to the frame below the belt assembly, the bottom plate assembly comprising an air cylinder, a piston arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a bottom plate and the second end connected to the air cylinder, the bottom plate and piston arm being actuated by the air cylinder to move from a first position adjacent the belt assembly to a second position remote from the belt assembly and between the horns.   
     
     
         13 . The loader of  claim 12 , wherein the tail pusher has a dovetail cutout at the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The loader of  claim 12 , further comprising a hocking pusher on the ram cylinder. 
     
     
         15 . An automated loader comprising the ramming mechanism of  claim 12 .