Improvements in Machines for Distributing Gravel and other Granular Substances on Road and other Ways.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 25th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1895
PROVIDIUNAL DE
Improvements in Machines for Distributing Gravel and other
Granular Substances on Road and other Ways.
I, JAMES BATES, of the "Great Eastern" 395 Westferry Road, Millwall,
Licensed Victualler, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to improvements in machines for distributing gravel, sand,
salt or other substances of a similar granular nature upon road, and other ways.
According to my invention I employ a hopper shaped receptacle for containing
the gravel or other substance, which receptacle may form part of a cart or other
vehicle. The front or the rear portion of said hopper shaped receptacle is
advantageously made movable, that is to say it is capable of sliding to and fro
under the action of a suitable spring or springs so that as the contents of said
receptacle become gradually diminished the movable portion will approach the
opposite portion and thereby collect together the gravel and ensure the complete
emptying of the said receptacle. Immediately below the contracted portion of
the hopper shaped receptacle is a transverse opening beneath which is located a
fluted roller. The said fluted roller receives revolution by means of suitable
gearing such as an endless belt or chain passing around a drum or sprocket wheel
on the nave of one of the vehicle wheels and a corresponding drum or sprocket
wheel on the fluted roller. As the fluted roller revolves it conducte the gravel
from the hopper and distributes it upon the road or other way more or less rapidly
according to the rate at which the vehicle travels along.
In order to enable the supply of the gravel from the hopper like receptacle to
the fluted roller to be entirely shut off if desired, I provide a slide or shutter
which may be situated between the bottom of the hopper like receptacle and the
fluted roller and I arrange suitable lever mechanism which is under the control of
the driver so that said slide or shutter can be caused to open or to close the
discharge opening of the hopper like receptacle in accordance with the will of the
driver.
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In some cases the before mentioned front and back portions of the hopper like
receptacle can be made capable of removal from the cart or other vehicle in which
they are carried so that said cart or other vehicle can. if required be employed
for ordinary purposes when not required for use in distributing the gravel on the
road or other way.
1005

page_text: Improvements in Machines for Distributing Gravel and other
Granular Substances on Road and other Ways.
I. JAMES BATES, of the "Great Eastern" 395 Westferry Road, Millwall, in
the County of Middlesex Licensed Victualler, 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 machines for distributing gravel, sand, salt or other
substance of a similar granular nature upon road, and other ways.
An important feature of my invention is that it can be applied to a cart or
similar vehicle in such a manner as to allow of the use of such vehicle for ordinary
purposes when required.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a two-wheeled cart to which my
improvements are applied.
Figure 2 is an underside plan of the cart, and
(.!
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the cart on the line a,.x, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a transverse section through the delivery shoot on an enlarged scale.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several figures...
A dénotes the body of the cart which is similar to an ordinary two-wheeled cart
used for carting earth, gravel or bricks. It may be constructed of wood or iron..
Band: C'are false ends inserted in said cart for a purpose hereinafter described.
The end B is-retained in a sloping position by pegs B, B1 inserted through the
sides of the cart or by other suitable means. The end C is a triangular shaped:
framework resting on the floor of the cart and mounted on: pulleys or rollers: C',.C₁
so that it can travel along the cart from the front to the backs its ends being guided
by the sides of the cart. In the floor of the cart preferably just in front of the
lower edge of the removable end B is a slot or opening D.extending: across the
floor from one side of the same to the other, and underneath. the floor of the cart
and communicating with the said opening or slot D'is a delivery shoot E the mouth
of which is divided into a number of outlets by partitions F which, equally
distribute the sand, gravellor other substance delivered through the opening Dinto
the shoot.
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1.1.
Within the shoot is a fluted 'roller G the spindle G of which is adapted, to turn
in bearings in the end walls of the shoot: Onione end of the spindle is fixed a
chain wheel H which is connected by a chain H¹ with a chain wheel H2 fixed, on
the hub of the cart wheel. By these means the roller: G is slowly rotated as the
cart is drawn along the road; and the sand, gravel or other granular: substance in
the cart is fed out through the outlet openings of the shoot more or less rapidly
according to the speed at which the cart travels along.
As the contents of the cart are gradually reduced in bulk the triangular movable
end C moves down towards the rear end under the action of gravity by reason of
the floor of the cart being inclined as shown, and thereby collects the contents of
the cart at the rear end thereof and ensures the complete emptying of the cart.
The 'movement of the false end' C may be assisted by springs, or by a lever under
the control of the driver which lever may be arranged for example to actuate a
ratchet wheel secured to another wheel over which a chain connected to the
movable false end C works.
J is a shutter for closing the opening D when it is desired to prevent delivery
of the contents of the cart. The said shutter is contained within the shoot above
the fluted roller G and is supported by ledges J¹ (see Figure 4) at the ends of

page_text: the shoot or otherwise. It is actuated, to open and close the slot D, by means of
a lever K under the control of the driver, the said lever being coupled by a
link K to a rod J' connected to the shutter. The rod J' is supported by
guides J³.
I preferably incline the partitions F outwardly from the centre as shown, and
in order that the central outlet of the shoot may have sufficient feed I cut away
the upper ends of the two central partitions as indicated in Figure 3.
The false ends B and C are removable from the cart so that the latter can
then be used as an ordinary cart, the shutter J being of course moved to close the
slot D. I do not confine myself to any particular shape or slope of the false
ends B, C as these may be varied to suit different circumstances, neither do I
confine myself to the mode or means herein described of driving the roller G. It
is obvious that I can apply my invention not only to carts such as the one shown
in the drawing, but to hand carts, and to trucks running on railways or tramways.
I have shown my invention applied to a cart in which the shafts are rigidly fixed
to the body but it is obvious that my improvements can be equally well applied
to a cart having hinged shafts which allow of the body being tilted to tip out the
contents.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The combination, with a road vehicle, truck or the like, of detachable inclined
false ends such as B, C one of which can travel along the vehicle substantially as
described, and for the purpose specified.
2. The combination, with a road vehicle, truck or the like, having an opening
or slot such as D in the floor, of a delivery shoot with partitions, and a fluted
roller such as G, with or without the shutter J, substantially as, and for the purpose,
specified.
3. A machine, constructed substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, specified.
Dated this 25th day of November 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.