IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CRUSHING HARD SUBSTANCES, FOR WASHING ORES AND MINERALS, AND FOR SEPARATING EARTH AND EARTHY MATTER FROM SOLID SUBSTANCES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann, of Wilmington
Square, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CRUSHING HARD SUBSTANCES, FOR
WASHING ORES AND MINERALS, AND FOR SEPARATING EARTH AND EARTHY
MATTER FROM SOLID SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 16th August 1864, and dated the 16th February 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Charles
Phillip Hoffmann at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 16th February 1864.
I, FREDERICK CHARLES PHILLIP HOFFMANN, of Wilmington Square, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CRUSHING HARD SUBSTANCES,
FOR WASHING ORES AND MINERALS, AND FOR SEPARATING EARTH AND EARTHY
MATTER FROM SOLID SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
My improvements in crushing machines consist in the employment of two
segmental shaped beams, in the faces of which I let in steel or other hard
metal crushing blocks, between these beams I place a roller, and let in similar
blocks on two opposite faces thereof, I connect the roller by jointed rods to a
crank, and communicate a rocking motion to the roller. Upon the wearing
any of the crushing blocks they can be removed, and other blocks may be
substituted for them. Or I make use of two rollers or two segmental shaped
beams only.
of
My improvements in machinery for washing ores and minerals, and for
separating earth and earthy matter from solid substances, consist in hanging

page_text: and arranging tables or troughs, such as are now in use, or others, and over
or through which a current of liquid is caused to flow, to carry away the
earthy and other light matters in manner hereafter described. I am aware
such tables have been made to jog or vibrate, but always in a more or less
incomplete, and never in a sufficiently satisfactory manner.
Now my Invention consists in suspending tables, troughs, or receivers upon
a frame or frames supported at two or more points upon eccentrics or bearings
and supports, eccentric to each other, so that rapid jogging and vibrating
motion may be communicated to them through eccentric or cam motions or
otherwise.
My Invention further consists in the construction of tables with endless belts
from which the material is cleaned by washing. .
My.Invention also consists in the employment of circular tables made to
rotate as well as jog or vibrate. Also in constructing tables in the form of a
spiral drum, and in the form of eccentrics, also in the form of four tables placed
round a centre, and in constructing a complete machine substantially in
manner shewn in the accompanying Figures.
Figure 1, represents a side elevation, and Figure 2 an end view of the
machine.
a, is a table capable of being tilted and supported when in a horizontal
position by its axes resting upon a frame B, which frame and parts connected
therewith, receive a vibratory motion by means of a rod C, and crank or
eccentric. The under side of the frame B carries a series of curved plates
or bearings E, eccentric-and-resting upon-rollers.- These- eccentric bearings
admid of very rapid vibratory motion in the frames and tables supported by
them. The substance to be operated upon is first fed upon a shoot or
spreader G, down which it descends into a saddle shaped trough H, this
trough is furnished with axes or pivots carried by bearings upon standards
I, I, fixed on the frame B, the trough H is formed slightly concave, and is
inclined at back to allow the water and foreign matter which flows on to it
to run off into a spout J, the inclination being regulated by a set screw K.
In front of the trough H,, is a second trough L, which receives the matter
under treatment from the trough H, the trough L is centred upon standards M,
in a similar manner to the trough E. The tilting of the trough L is effected
by the tilting of the table A, by reason of one side of the table coming in con-
tact with the under side of the trough L in its upward movement, at the
same time the back of the trough L, or a projection bears upon and presses
down the fore end of the trough H, and discharges its contents into the
trough L, which is again brought into a horizontal position upon the table A.

page_text: resuming its horizontal position. In some cases the trough L is made to dip
into and take its supply from a reservoir, and then the trough H is dispensed
with, guides are fitted to the trough II, to cause the material to travel over
as extended a surface as may be. A supply of water is furnished to the
troughs and table by means of the reservoir O to cleanso and wash away
earthy matters, at the same time that a continuous vibratory motion is kept
up. This vibratory motion causes the heavier particles to descend on to the
table, the lighter particles being carried off with the stream of water.
When found necessary to remove the washed mineral from the table A, the
table is caused to tilt in manner following:-The axles P of the table are
made of an eccentric form, and on being tilted, the broadest part of the
eccentrics rests upon short links or loops Q, the narrowest part being lifted
clear of the frame, when the table is in this position no vibratory motion is
communicated to it. To one end of the table I fit a vessel R, which on
becoming filled with water causes that end of the table to descend an I
discharge its contents into a receptacle placed beneath. The uppermost end of
the table strikes against two or more valves T, fitted with spreaders and causes
a flow of water, which effectually washes the whole of the mineral off the table,
at the same time the water runs out of the reservoir R, and the table resumes
its normal position. The receptacle into which the material falls is divided
by partitions in order to keep the different qualities of minerals separated.
My Invention also consists in the employment under a vibrating table
mounted upon a fixed point at one end, and free to fall and rise at the other
of a cam for the purpose of shooting the materials off the table, and raising it
when and as required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffunann in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 16th August 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
CHARLES PHILLIP HOFFMANN, of Wilmington Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffiuann, Her special licence that I, the

page_text: said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CRUSHING
HARD SUBSTANCES, FOR WASHING ORES AND MINERALS, AND FOR SEPARATING
EARTH AND EARTHY MATTER FROM SOLID SUBSTANCES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
My improvements in crushing machines consist in the employment of two
segmental shaped beams, in the faces of which I let in steel or other hard
metal crushing blocks, between these beams I place a roller and let in similar
blocks on two opposite faces thereof. I connect the roller by jointed rods to
a crank, and communicate a rocking motion to the roller. Upon the wearing
of any of the crushing blocks they can be removed, and other blocks may be
substituted for them. Or I make use of two rollers or two segmental shaped
beams only.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings is a section elevation of
a crushing machine constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a
plan, and Figure 3 a detached view of the roller A, which is placed between
the segmental-shaped beams B, B, as seen in Figure 1. The roller is
supported in bearings on the side frames C, C, on one arm of the axis of the
roller there is a toothed wheel D in
axles of the segmental shaped beams.
the form of a curved lever G, to the
united. This rod is caused to travel to and fro by the rotation of the crank I
on the shaft K; L, L, are steel or other hard metal crushing blocks let into
gear with similar wheels E, F, on the
The roller A is continued upwards in
top of which a connecting rod H is

page_text: the two faces of the roller, and M, M, are similar blocks let into the faces of
the beams B, B. These blocks are held in their places by keys a, a, by with-
drawing which the blocks may be removed when necessary.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The material to be crushed is fed
from a hopper or shoot, not shewn, between the beams B, B, and roller A,
where by their constant oscillation the material is gradually crushed, and if
need be, reduced to powder. The beams can be set at any distance apart to
suit different kinds of material.
My improvements in machinery for washing ores and minerals, and for
separating carth and earthy matter from solid substances, consist in hanging
and arranging tables or troughs such as are now in use or others, and over
or through which a current of liquid is caused to flow to carry away the
earthy and other light matters in manner hereafter described. I am aware
such tables have been made to jog or vibrate, but always in a more or less
incomplete, and never in a sufficiently satisfactory manner. Now my Inven-
tion consists in suspending or supporting tables, troughs, or receivers upon a
frame or frames supported at two or more points upon eccentrics or bearings,
and supports eccentric to each other, so that rapid, tremulous, jogging, and
vibrating motions may be communicated to them through eccentric or cam
motions or otherwise.
My Invention further consists in the construction of tables with endless
bolts, from which the material is cleaned by washing.
My Invention also consists in the employment of circular tables made to
rotate as well as jog or vibrate.
Also in constructing tables in the form of a spiral drum, and in the
form of eccentrics, also in the form of four tables placed round a centre, and
in constructing complete machines, substantially in manner shewn in the
accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, represents a plan, and Figure ? a side view, of one of
these machines. A is a table capable of being tilted and supported when in a
borizontal position by its axes resting upon a frame B, which frame and parts
connected therewith receive a vibratory motion by means of a rod C and
crank or eccentric D. The under side of the frame B carries a series of
curved plates or bearings E, eccentric to and rosting upon rollers F. The
substance to be operated upon is first fed on an inclined shoot or spreader G,
down which it descends into a saddle-shaped trough H; this trough is more
clearly shewn in the end view of the machine at Figure 1, Sheet 3, it is
furnished with axes or pivots carried by bearings upon standards I, I, fixed on
the frame B. The trough H is formed slightly concave, and is inclined at

page_text: back to allow the water and foreign matters which flow on to it to run off into
a spout J, the inclination being regulated by a set screw K. In front of the
trough H is a second trough L which receives the matter under treatment from
the trough H, the trough L is centred upon the standards M in a similar manner
to the trough H. The tilting of the trough L is effected by the tilting of the
table A, by reason of one side of the table coming in contact with the under-
side of the trough L in its upward movement, at the same time the back of
the trough L, or a projection on it bears upon a lug N on the trough H,
presses down the fore end of the trough, whereupon its contents run into the
trough L, which is again brought into a horizontal position upon the table A
resuming its horizontal position. In some cases the trough L is made to dip
into and take its supply from a reservoir, and then the trough H is dispensed
with. Guides are fitted to the trough H to cause the material to travel over
as extended a surface as may be. A supply of water is furnished to the
troughs and table from the reservoir ☐ to cleanse and wash away earthy
matters, at the same time that a continuous tremulous vibratory motion is
kept up. This tremulous vibratory motion causes the heavier particles to
descend on to the table, the lighter particles being carried off with the stream
of water. When found necessary to remove the washed mineral from the
table A, the table is caused to tilt in manner following:-The axles P of the
table are made of an eccentric form, and on being tilted the broadest part of
the eccentrics rests upon short links or loops Q, the narrowest part being
lifted clear of the frame; when the table is in this position no tremulous
motion is communicated to it. To one end of the table I fit a vessel R,
which on becoming filled with water, causes that end of the table to descend
and dischargo its contents into a receptacle placed beneath. The uppermost
end of the table strikes against two or more valves T fitted with spreaders,
and causes a flow of water, which effectually washes the whole of the mineral
off the table, at the same time the water runs out of the reservoir R, and the
table resumes its normal position. The receptacle into which the material
falls is divided by partitions S, in order to keep the different qualities of
minerals separated.
My Invention also consists in the employment under a vibrating table
mounted upon a fixed point at one end, and free to fall and rise at the other,
of a cam for the purpose of shooting the materials off the table, and raising
it when and as required.
Figure 2, Sheet 3, represents a plan of a machine, the table of which is
composed of an endless band stretched over two rollers; Figure 3 is a front
view, and Figure 4 an end view, partly in section. a is the endless band,

page_text: stretched over two rollers b, c. The roller b is driven by a strap d passed
round a shaft or pulley e, but it may be otherwise driven. The tension of the
band is regulated by a roller f, under which the band passes; 7 is a light
framing carrying a flat table on which the band travels. This framing and
the rollers b, c, aro carried by a frame h, to the bottom of which the curved
plates E are fixed; rollers F eccentric to the curved plates are supported on
bearings, x, on the bed z of the machine. The frame h is connected
through a rod to the eccentric D, which on being rotated communicates
jogging motion to the machine. The substance to be operated upon is fed on
to the band by the spout or shoot i, and as the band travels the substance is
brought under a film of water flowing from the trough j, the supply thereto
being kept up by the pipes k, l. When the washed material arrives near the
roller c, powerful jets of water from the pipes and spreaders m, m, force the
substance off the band into a receptacle n placed to receive it; the back of
the band is slightly raised to facilitate the carthy and foreign matters flowing
off from the front, where it falls into a box beneath. The material is
caused by the tremulous motion and the flow of water from the trough ; to
arrange itself in layers, that is to say, the heavier particles remain near tho
back of the band, the lighter particles being carried towards the front in the
order of their specific gravity, and as they arrive at the roller c they are
washed off into separate compartments in the receiver n.
Figure 1, Sheet 4, is a plan, Figure 2 a front, and Figure 3 an end elevation
of a double-banded machine. The material to be washed and separated is fed
by the shoot a on to the endless band b, which is made to travel in the direction
indicated by the arrow, the band is furnished with cross strips. One of the
rollers cover which the band travels is placed at an inclination, whereby the
band is tilted when approaching and while passing over it. The material on
the band 6 is subjected to the action of a flow of water from a trough jas in
the machines before described, the material is not forced off this band jets,
but falls down and off from the inclined part of the band into a trough e from
which it falls through a spout fon to a second endless band g travelling in
the reverse direction to the band b. The material is again subjected to a
second wasbing from the trough h, and is finally forced off at the roller i by
means of powerful jots of water into separate compartments, as before described.
The band g is slightly inclined to allow the water and foreign matter falling
over the front into a box k. The wash water from the band 6 is carried away
by the spout and that from the box k by the pipe m.
Both bands 6 and g
with their rollers are carried by standards on a framo B, and this frame is
caused to jog and vibrate in a similar manner to the washing machines beforc

page_text: described. The travel of the bands is effected in manner following:-Upon
the bed u I fix stationary uprights carrying pauls n, o, which take into the
teeth of ratchet wheels p, q, mounted on one roller of each of the bands b
and g, and as each band frame vibrates or moves in one direction one, two, or
more teeth are passed over by the pauls according to the speed of the bands
and in the reverse motion of the band frames, the pauls take into the teeth of
the ratchet. wheels, and cause a partial rotation of the same. I have herein-
before only shewn the curved plate E, and roller F eccentric thereto, as shewn
detached on an enlarged scale at Figure 1, Sheet 5, for imparting jogging or
tremulous motion to the tables, but I do not confine myself to that particular
form of eccentric, nor to the precise arrangement shewn in previous Figures
for connecting it to the tables, for instance, the position of these parts may be
reversed as shewn at Figure 2, Sheet 5. Any of the modifications of bearings
and supports eccentric to each other shown in Sheet 5, and numbered 3 to 20
inclusive may be employed. Many of these are placed in the reverse position
to others as Figuro 1 is to Figuro 2, similar letters refer to similar parts in all
the Figures on Sheet 5. Figures 21 to 28 shew other modifications of eccentric
bearings and supports. In Figures 21 and 22 the table is supported by the
axle a, the axle 6 being held by the standards, each axle carries a roller c, c,
which bears upon a ring d; the axle of one roller in each Figure is placed
eccentrically to the centre of the roller.
Figure 28 shews the same modification, but having the axles of both
rollers concentric, in this Figure I have shewn the ring d of an oval form.
Figure 24 represents another form of eccentric. The standard a carries a
roller F on which a ring d is suspended, the lower part of the ring has a hollow
projection to form a hearing or support for the curved plate E on which the
table is placed.
Figures 25 and 26 shew a modification similar to Figures 21, 22, and 23;
Figure 27 is a view of an eccentric bearing; the curved plate E has a link e
depending from a fixed pin in its side, and as the jogging motion is proceeding
the roller F runs up the incline of the standard, and is prevented becoming
displaced by the link which acts as a guide.
Figure 28 is another modification whereby a jogging or tremulous motion
in all directions may be kept up. It consists of a sphere F rolling in a portion
of a sphere E of a larger diameter formed in a bed plate and in a portion of
another larger sphere F' formed in the under face of the table.
My Invention as regards circular tables is represented in Sheet 6 in which
Figure 1 is a side view partly in section, and Figure 2 a plan also partly in
section.

page_text: The material is fed by a spout a on to a circular table b, the under side of
the table is furnished with curved plates E bearing on rollers F eccentric as
before, which are carried by a circular frame, the whole being free to revolve on
a central pivot or axis c; connected to the bed are four or more pillars d, e, f, g,
carrying at top a framing h which supports in bearings a rotating shaft i, the
shaft carries a wheel j over which a belt k passes to a larger band wheel Zon
the frame h, the shaft of this wheel has a bevil pinion m on its inner end
gearing into a bevel wheel n mounted on the central shaft or axis c. On the
shaft i being driven the table is caused to revolve. There is a band wheel o
on the shaft i, the band p of which passes round a small wheel 7 carried by a
spindler in the upper part of the central shaft c which is hollow, the lower
end of this spindle has a bevil pinion s, gearing into another pinion t, on the
axle of which is a strap wheel u, having its strap carried down round a wheel
on a horizontal shaft v running across the machine under the table. This
horizontal shaft by the aid of connecting rods w, working eccentrically, causes
a rapid tremulous motion being kept up during the revolving of the table and
parts connected with it.
Outside, and nearly all round the table, is a fixed trough A to supply a film
of water to the table; tho water falls over the projecting lip of the trough.
In the portion not occupied by the trough is a pipe B furnished with several
jets c, c, through which powerful jets of water, aided by spreaders, are forced
on to the table to wash the mineral off, the water flowing from the trough on
to the table mixes with the material thereon, becomes impregnated with earth
and other foreign matters which pass off into a box or receiver x placed
beneath. Figure 3 is a detached view of the central shaft and parts connected
therewith.
Figure, 1 Sheet 7, is a side view, partly in section, of a circular table, and
Figure 2 a plan of another of my circular washing and separating machines. In
this machine the material is led by a pipe a from a hopper 6 on to the table, which
in this case does not revolve, but receives only a rapid jogging or vibrating
tremulous motion through the eccentric bearings and supports, as before
described, and through the connecting rods c, c, worked by the shaft & which is
set in motion of the strap e. The shaft is carried in bearings on the bed or
foundation plate, and has upon it a wheel with a band f passing to another shaft g
placed near the centre of the machine, the inner end of the shaft g carries a
worm in gear with a wheel h fixed upon a central shaft, the upper end of the
central shaft passes through the hopper and terminates in a pipe which is
carried up to the floor above where the end of it bends over into a reservoir of
water forming a syphon. By these means a head of water sufficiently powerful is

page_text: obtained to wash the mineral off the table, the lower part of the pipe i has several
branches j, j, which lead the water to a circular or ring pipe k also with
several branches to supply the circular trough 1; the trough is divided into
compartments, and cach compartment has a branch pipe leading to it, except to
that portion where the flexible tubes are attached as hereafter described. To a
part, say, one-sixth of the circumference of the pipe k, I fit a series of branches
having flexible tubing o connected to them, the tubing is furnished with jets
and spreaders m, m, and may be placed at any angle to wash the mineral off
the table as the pipes travel over its surface. The earth and other foreign
matters with the water from the trough fall into a circular box or receiver n
placed beneath, the mineral is washed off into separate receivers p, q, attached
to the frame and revolving with it, from which they full into the boxes a, .
The water in the boxes runs off by the pipes r, s, t, the boxes being placed
inclined for that purpose.
Figure 4, Sheet 6, is an cud view of a table in the form of a spiral drum.
Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views of the ends of the same.
The axes of
the drum revolvo on eccentric supports, as in all the washing and separating
machines.
The material is feed on to the smaller twist a of the spiral at one end of the
drum, the rotation of which, with the rapid jogging or tremulous motion
imparted, causes the particles to be agitated, the drum being placed at an
inclination they traverse towards the lower end, the motions combined with
the flow of water separate from the mineral all carthy impurities, which pass
off the lower end of the drum into a. box b.
The lower end of the drum towards the larger twist does not extend, as is
shewn at Figure 5, so far as the lower end of the smaller twist.
Figure 7 is an end view of a drum formed of several tables placed
eccentrically to each other, and Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views of the
same. The axes of this and my other revolving drums revolve in bearings ou
a frame supported upon eccentrics as before. The material is fed on to the
tables as described in Figures 4, 5, and 6. This drum is composed of separate
plates a, b, c, d, e, f, the rotation of which causes the substance to fall into the
receptacles beneath. In Figures 6 and 9 I have shown the ends of the drums
curved inwards to prevent waste, and in Figures 5 and 8 the ends are set at an
angle to prevent the mineral passing off into the waste water box. Figures 10
shews the ends flush; Figures 11 and 12 represent my drum in the form of
four tables placed round a centre. The materials are fed by a spout a on to
the tables b, b, as they revolve, rapid tremulous motion being kept up at the
same time the materials are agitated, and this agitation, with the flow of water,

page_text: causes the earthy matters to become disengaged from the mineral or solid
parts, and as that particular table on which the solid material. is, assumes a
vertical position it is deposited into a box c. This drum is inclined similarly
to those above described.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I may state that if rapid motions are
required to be given to the tables, the differences in the centres of the
bearings or supports should be less than for slower motions, and I declare that
I claim,-
First, constructing machines for crushing hard substances with a faced
roller made to move between two faced beams, substantially in manner herein-
before described.
Second, the employment in machines for washing ores and minerals, and for
separating earth and earthy matter from solid substances of eccentric bearings
or supports for the tables thereof, and imparting to such tables to and fro
or circular motions, all substantially in manner and for the purposes herein-
before described.
Third, the particular arrangement, combination of parts, and action of the
several machines herein-before described and represented at Figures 1 and
2, Sheet 2, and Figure 1, Sheet 3; at Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 3; at
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 4; at Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 6; and at Figures 4,
5, and 6, Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, and Figures 11 and 12, Sheet 6; and
at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 7.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Charles Phillip Hoffmann,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of August,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
TR. C. P. HOFFMANN. (L.S.)