IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRILLING HOLES IN HARD SUBSTANCES, AND WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE وو
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Edwards, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent
Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
DRILLING HOLES IN HARD SUBSTANCES, AND WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE
وو
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Edwards
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd June 1875.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of 38, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR DRILLING HOLES IN HARD SUBSTANCES, AND WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE
TO OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN SUPPORTS FOR SUCH APPARATUS," to be as
follows: :-

page_text: a cylinder by means of the pressure of steam, compressed air, or other
elastic fluid.
The first part of my Invention consists in improved methods of con-
structing and arranging the cylinders and pistons of that kind of such
reciprocating engines in which the distribution of the driving fluid and
the movement of the piston are regulated by openings in the piston and
cylinder without the intervention of a separate valve.
This part of my Invention has for its object great economy of weight
and length in the cylinder and piston as compared with such engines
as heretofore constructed and used, and it is especially applicable to
reciprocating engines in which but little variation in the length of the
strokes of the piston is desired. I take a cylinder having working
within it a piston, to one end of which a piston rod is attached passing
through a stuffing box, and having the drill attached to its outer
extremity. At the centre of the length of the cylinder I arrange two
inlet passages communicating with the steam or compressed air supply
pipe; these two inlet passages pass directly into the cylinder, and are
made at a sufficient distance from one another in the direction of the
length of the cylinder. Exactly corresponding to each of these inlet
passages (or if a series of narrow packing grooves are formed round the
piston at a longitudinal distance, not less than the width of one such
groove), but at any convenient point in the circumference of the
cylinder I make a corresponding opening leading to a passage of large
area, these two passages communicating each with the opposite end of
the cylinder so that the two passages cross each other. The piston
which works in the cylinder is made of such length that when taking
its greatest possible stroke its ends never uncover either of the inlet
passages. Near each end of the piston I form an annular groove or
recess round it of such length that when the piston has travelled to one
end of its proper length of stroke, the inner end of one of the grooves
has just uncovered the inlet opening and corresponding cross passage
through which the driving fluid passes to the other end of the cylinder
and drives the piston back, the completion of the stroke being effected
by the expansion of the driving fluid until the other groove has
uncovered the other inlet opening and cross passage, when the piston
is driven forward again in the same way, and so on continuously.
I make the grooves round the piston of such length that the piston

page_text: can travel to the end of its possible stroke without completely closing
the openings described.
In order to provide for the discharge of the elastic fluid after it has
driven the piston forward and the stroke is about to commence, I make
one or more openings directly into the cylinder at such a position on
either side of the inlet openings as to be uncovered by the edge of the
piston when it has completed its ordinary stroke, and the expanded
driving fluid then immediately escapes through theso openings, which
are directly closed again as the piston returns.
The arrangement above described greatly reduces the length of the
piston and cylinder (the length of the stroke being the same) as com-
pared with the arrangements which have been heretofore used, in
which one inlet passage is used with one long groove round the piston
and passages which do not cross as described.
The apparatus, as above described, is applicable to any purpose where
a rapid series of strokes is required, such as driving hammers, or beating
flax or other fibrous substances; or it may be used as an apparatus for
compressing air or other elastic fluid.
In the arrangement described the piston rod passes through a stuffing
box;
but where it is desirable that no stuffing box should be used I
make the upper part of the cylinder of greater diameter than the lower
part, and I use two corresponding pistons of different diameters upon
the same rod. The cylinder is closed by a cover at its upper end, but
is open at its lower end, and the elastic driving fluid is admitted into
the space between the two pistons through an inlet opening near the
upper part of the smaller part of the cylinder. The smaller piston has
an annular groove formed round it, which groove communicates by a
passage in the piston rod with the larger part of the cylinder. When
the pistons are at the top of their stroke the groove in the smaller one
is opposite to the inlet opening, and the driving fluid passes above the
larger piston, which is then driven down. When the pistons have
reached the bottom of their stroke the groove in the smaller one is
opposite to an outlet opening in the cylinder, through which the driving
fluid escapes from above the larger piston, and the pistons are then
driven up, and so on continuously.
:

page_text: intervals when the apparatus is used for drilling holes, I either use
one or other of the different methods for the purpose which are well-
known and practised, preferably those described and shewn in the
Specifications of Letters Patent granted to me, February 13th 1873,
No. 541, and April 7th 1873, No. 1280; but where economy and
simplicity are important I use a novel arrangement, consisting of a
square or prismatic straight bar of steel or other suitable material which
fits freely into a corresponding hole in the piston, and I make this bar
pass through a stuffing box or its equivalent in the cover at the outer
end of the cylinder, and I then connect it to or form upon it a screwed
rod which passes through a nut in the frame which carries the cylinder.
In this way, when the bar is turned round for the purpose of feeding
forward the cylinder as the depth of the hole being drilled increases,
the piston and drill are turned round by the same movement. The bar
may be turned round by a handle upon its upper end, or by means of
ratchet wheels set in motion by the movement of the piston, or by
toothed wheels connecting it with the feed screw, where the latter is
not concentric with the cylinder.
In the case of drilling apparatus where it is intended that the piston
and drill should partially rotate automatically after each stroke I prefer
to adopt the following arrangement for the purpose:-I take a bar,
rectangular in section, or circular in section, but having one or more
rectangular projections, and I twist it so that the rectangular edges.
form a helical curve of about one-sixth of a complete turn in the way well
understood and practised for the purpose. One end of this bar is fixed
to the outer cylinder cover, and the other end passes freely into the
piston. The upper end of the piston is made hollow, and into it is fitted
a wheel or frame, the centre of which has an opening fitting the bar
easily. The wheel or frame is so formed that it touches the inner cir-
cumference of the piston at three points only (about equidistant). Two
of these points are roughened or sharpened, and the third point consists
of a moveable piece, the outer end of which is roughened, and the inner
end of which is arranged diagonally in a recess in the wheel or frame,
so that it allows the latter to turn freely round in one direction; but
when turned in the other direction its friction carries round the piston
with it. The moveable piece may be pressed against the piston by a
spring. This arrangement ensures the rotation of the piston however
short its stroke may be.

page_text: Instead of one only. two or all of the bearing points of the wheel
or frame may be fitted with moveable friction pieces, as described.
Where it is desired not only to rotate the piston in one direction of
its stroke, but also to guide it without rotation in the other direction, I
form a straight groove or rib along one side of the twisted bar (after it
has been twisted) and I superpose upon the wheel or frame in the piston
a second wheel or frame constructed in the same way with three bearing.
points and moveable friction piece, but I make its central opening of
such a shape that the twisted bar can pass through it from end to end
without touching it, and I form in the opening a groove or rib which
fits freely the straight rib or groove upon the bar. The wheel is
arranged so that it can turn in the same direction as the first one, and
serves to guide the piston without rotation in one direction of its stroke,
whilst the first causes it to rotate during the other direction of its
stroke. In the second wheel described, instead of a moveable friction
piece, I sometimes use an adjustable spring pressed against the inside of
the piston.
Another part of my Invention consists in improved methods of
attaching the drill to the outer end of the piston rod. For this purpose
fitting the end of
I make the outer end of the piston rod hollow and
the drill bar, and I make one or more (preferably four) slits or cuts in
the side of the piston rod, so that when they are forced together they
embrace and hold the drill firmly. I form a screw upon the outside of
the end of the piston rod, and I make this screw of somewhat greater
diameter at its outer end than at the part at or near where the slits
terminate. I take a screwed nut fitting this screw, and of such an
internal diameter that when the split ends of the rod are forced
together the nut can be screwed over them to their upper or narrower
part. The drill bar is then inserted in its place and the nut is screwed
down until the bar is held tight, to facilitate which I sometimes make
it decrease somewhat in diameter from its extremity.
Instead of the arrangement described, I sometimes make the split
end of the piston rod without a screw and of a somewhat conical form,
its greatest diameter being at its end, and I fit upon it (by forcing. its
split ends together) a heavy block having a corresponding conical
hole. When the drill is at work the momentum of this block after each
blow drives it down and compresses the split ends of the piston rod

page_text: round the drill bar. Or sometimes I form a parallel screw upon the
piston rod above the block, and I fit upon this screw a nut, which when
turned round forces down the block upon the conical end, and thus
causes the latter to grasp the drill bar.
Another part of my Invention consists of an improved frame or
carriage for supporting the reciprocating drilling apparatus above
described, or other kinds of such drilling apparatus. I make the frame
upon which the cylinder is made to travel forward as the depth of the
hole which is being drilled increases form part of the support, and I
make this frame consist of two parallel bars, upon which travel corre-
sponding guides formed upon or attached to the cylinder. The upper
ends of these bars are connected rigidly together and carry a socket or
nut, through which works the screw which propels the cylinder forward,
as already described. Their lower ends arc also connected together by a
frame or plate fixed to their ends outside, and bent round so as to pass
underneath the cylinder and not to interfere with the travel of the
cylinder forward as far as may be necessary. In the lower part of the
frame or plate is formed a socket into which is fixed a tubular bar
parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and in this tubular bar slides bar
which forms the front leg of the tripod frame which constitutes the
support of the drill, and can be drawn out to any desired length and
fixed by means of a screw or nut. At a suitable point in the parallel
bars described, but preferably near their upper ends, are fixed centres,
pins, or joints, upon which turn the upper ends of bars which constituto
the back part of the support. These bars are continued down for a
sufficient distance parallel or nearly so to each other, and are then
connected together by a transverse bar, and at or near the points where
this transverse bars meets them I form sockets, into which are fixed
tubular bars, each containing a sliding adjustable bar, such bars forming
the two back legs of the support: The sockets are preferably made so
that the bars diverge laterally, and thus give a wider and steadier
support to the apparatus. The sliding bars can be drawn out and fixed
in any required position in the same way as in the front leg. When
the support has been adjusted in, the desired position the front and back
legs can be rigidly connected together by one or more adjustable stays
between them, and instead of the two back legs being rigidly connected
together, as described, each may be made to turn separately upon its
upper pivot, the three legs when adjusted being fixed by adjustable

page_text: stays between them. By the novel arrangement described the drill can
be conveniently set to work in corners or other positions not readily
accessible.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-If a hole inclined from
the perpendicular is required the drill is adjusted in the proper position
outside the front leg. If a vertical hole is required the front leg is
shortened and the back legs are lengthened until the front leg is
vertical, the drill still remaining in front of it; or the back legs may
be turned completely over upon their upper pivots and brought down
upon the other side of the drill, which is then between the three legs.
If a hole approaching a horizontal position is required, the front leg is
lengthened and the back legs are shortened sufficiently.
Sometimes instead of the front leg being fixed permanently in a
position parallel to the drill I make the socket which carries it turn
upon a joint, and adjustable so that it can be fixed either parallel or at
right angles to the drill, or in any intermediate position. And some-
times instead of making the parallel bars which carry the cylinder form
a part of the front leg of the frame I make them separate, but turning
at their upper ends upon the same centres as those on which the legs
are pivotted, or upon adjoining ones so that the cylinder can be raised
into any convenient position more or less parallel to the front leg, and I
attach to the lower ends of the parallel bars one or more curved or
straight adjustable stays, by which they can be fixed in any position.
In this arrangement the plate or frame which carries the socket for the
front leg connects together the lower ends of the bars forming the
upper part of the front leg instead of the lower ends of the parallel
guide bars.
By the improved methods of construction and arrangement described,
great simplicity and economy of cost and weight are attained as com-
pared with supports for drills as heretofore constructed and used.
In order to prevent the glands of the stuffing boxes from unscrewing,
I use a detent fitted into a recess in the stuffing box and forced outward
by a spring against longitudinal teeth formed upon the screwed part of
the gland. A spindle or handle passing through the bottom of the
recess allows the detent to be disengaged when desired.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edmund Edwards in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd December 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDMUND
EDWARDS, of 38, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of June, in the year
of our Lord. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edmund Edwards, Her special
licence, that I, the said Edmund Edwards, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edmund Edwards,
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 APPARATUS FOR DRILLING HOLES IN HARD SUBSTANCES, AND
WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN SUPPORTS FOR SUCH
APPARATUS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Edmund Edwards, 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 Edmund Edwards, 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 and accompanying Drawings (that
is to say) :-

page_text: reciprocate in a cylinder by means of the pressure of steam, compressed
air, or other elastic fluid.
The first part of my Invention consists of improved methods of con-
structing and arranging the cylinders and pistons of that kind of such
reciprocating engines in which the distribution and escape of the driving
fluid and the consequent movement of the piston are regulated by
openings or ports in the cylinder and piston themselves without the
intervention of a separate distributing valve.
This part of my Invention has for its objects great economy of length
and weight in the cylinder and piston as compared with such reciprocating
engines as heretofore constructed and used. I take a cylinder of suitable
size and material having working within it a piston, to one end of which
is attached or formed a piston rod which passes through a stuffing box
or its equivalent at one end of the cylinder, and has the drill attached to
its outer extremity. At the centre of the length of the cylinder I
arrange two inlet passages communicating with the steam or compressed
air supply pipe. These two inlet passages pass directly into the cylinder,
and are arranged at a sufficient distance from each other in the direction
of the length of the cylinder. Corresponding to each of these inlet
passages, but at any convenient point in the circumference of the
cylinder, I make a corresponding opening leading to one or other of two
passages of large area, these two passages crossing each other, so that
each communicates with the opposite end of the cylinder. The piston
which works in the cylinder I make preferably to fit as accurately as
possible without any packing grooves or rings round it (which however
may be added if desired), and I make it of such length that when taking
its greatest possible length of stroke its ends never uncover either of the
inlet passages above described. Near each end of the piston I form an
annular groove or recess round it, of such length that when the piston
has travelled to one end of its proper length of stroke the inner end
of one of the grooves has uncovered the inlet opening and corresponding
cross passage in the cylinder, through which the driving fluid passes to
the other end of the cylinder and drives the piston back, the completion
of the stroke being effected by the expansion of the driving fluid in the
passage and in the cylinder, until the other groove at the other end of
the piston has uncovered the other inlet opening and cross passage
through which the driving fluid passes, and drives the piston forward
again, and so on continuously.

page_text: I make the grooves round the piston of such length that the latter
can travel to the end of its possible stroke without completely closing
the openings; or they may be arranged so that the openings are closed
before the end of such stroke, and the driving fluid is then compressed
and serves as a cushion for the piston.
The groove or recess round the piston at its end most remote from the
piston rod may be made of greater length than the other groove, the
driving fluid being thus admitted earlier and cut off later at the lower
end of the cylinder.
In order to provide for the discharge of the elastic driving fluid after
it has driven the piston forward, and the return stroke is about to
commence, I make one or more openings directly into the cylinder at
such a position on either side of the inlet openings as to be uncovered
by the edge of the piston when it has completed its ordinary stroke, and
the expanded driving fluid immediately escapes through these openings,
which are closed again as the piston returns. This method of allowing
the expanded driving fluid to escape is similar to that described in the.
Specification of the Letters Patent granted to Robert Urwin, dated
January 11th, A.D. 1849, and numbered 12,410; but I do not use the
valves described by him in the said Specification.
Where the piston rod is of large diameter the lower discharge opening
may be omitted altogether.
In the accompanying Drawings in Sheet I., Figure 1 is a longitudinal
section; Figure 2, a transverse section; and Figure 3, a horizontal
section of a cylinder and piston constructed according to this part of my
Invention.
a is the cylinder having the two inlet passages b, c, communicating with
the supply pipe d. Opposite the passage 6 is made the port 6', which
communicates by the passage 6³ of large area (as shewn in Figure 3)
with the port 63 at the opposite end of the cylinder a.
In the same way
the port c' opposite the passage c communicates by the passage c³ with
the port c³ at the other end of the cylinder a. The piston e, which is
fitted with a piston rod f passing through the stuffing box 9, has the
grooves h, h¹, formed round it near its ends. The piston c is made
hollow, and has a square hole i at its end, by which it can be turned
round; k, k¹, are ports for the discharge of the driving fluid directly
into the open air, as shown, or into exhaust pipes.

page_text: A modification of this part of my Invention is shewn in Figures 4
and 5 (Sheet II.), in which the cylinder is formed with only one inlet
passage, and without crossed passages communicating with its ends,
such crossed passages being formed instead in the piston, and each one
communicating between one of the grooves formed round the piston, as
already described, and the opposite end of the piston. a is the cylinder;
b is the inlet passage from the supply pipe; e is the piston (shewn in
cross section in Figure 5), having the grooves h, h¹, formed round it near
its ends and the passages c, c', which cross each other, each communi-
cating with the opposite end of the piston, as shewn; fis the piston rod;
and k, k¹, are discharge ports, as already described. This arrangement
is particularly adapted for hammers of different kinds.
By the methods of construction and arrangement described great
economy of weight and space are effected in such reciprocating engines.
The apparatus is applicable to any purpose where a rapid series of
strokes is required, such as driving hammers or sewing machines, or
beating flax, or other fibrous substances; or it may be used as an
apparatus for compressing air or other fluid.
I prefer to attach the cylinder covers to the cylinder by means of two
or more longitudinal bolts passing freely through them, as shewn in
Figures 22 and 23, Sheet VI., and thus the liability of breaking the
cylinder if the piston strikes either cover is reduced.
I claim the combination of the two inlet passages, having ports
opposite to them leading into passages of large area, which cross each
other, so that each communicates with a port at the opposite end of the
cylinder, and discharge openings directly into the cylinder, and a piston
having two grooves or recesses round it, one being near each of its ends,
substantially as and for the purposes described and shewn in tho
Drawing. Also the arrangement in which the two grooves round the piston
have passages communicating each with the opposite end of the piston,
and the cylinder has only one inlet passage, and is formed without other
passages, but with discharge openings directly into the cylinder, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described and shewn in the Drawing.
In the arrangement above described the piston rod passes through a
stuffing box, but where it is desirable that no stuffing box should be
used I sometimes make the upper part of the cylinder of greater
diameter than the lower part, and I use two corresponding pistons of
.

page_text: different diameters upon the same piston rod. The cylinder is closed at
its upper end by a cover, but is open at its lower end, in which the
smaller piston works; and the elastic driving fluid is admitted into the
space between the two pistons through an inlet opening near the upper
part of the smaller portion of the cylinder. The smaller piston has an
annular groove or recess formed round it, which groove communicates
by a passage through the piston rod and larger piston with the larger
part of the cylinder. When the pistons are at the upper end of their
stroke the groove in the smaller one is opposite the inlet passage, and
the driving fluid passes above the larger piston, which is thus driven
down. When the pistons have reached the bottom of their stroke the
groove in the smaller one is opposite to an outlet opening in the smaller
cylinder, through which the driving fluid escapes from above the larger
piston, which is then driven up, and so on continuously.
When the apparatus is used for drilling holes it is necessary that the
piston should revolve in the cylinder at intervals, and for this purpose I
use one or other of the methods for the purpose which are well known
and practised, preferably those described and shown in the Specifications
of Letters Patent granted to me February 13th 1873, numbered 541,
and April 7th 1873, numbered 1280; but where economy and simplicity
are important I use an arrangement consisting of a square or prismatic
bar of steel or other suitable material which fits freely into a corrc-
sponding hole in the piston, and I make this bar pass through a stuffing
box or its equivalent in the cover at the upper end of the cylinder, and
I then connect to it or form upon it a screwed rod which passes through
a nut in the frame which carries the cylinder, and in which the latter
slides. In this way when the bar is turned round for the purpose of
feeding forward the cylinder, as the depth of the hole which is being
drilled increases, the piston and drill are turned round by the same
movement. The bar may be turned round by a handle upon its upper
end, or by means of ratchet wheels set in motion by the movement of
the piston, or by toothed wheels connecting it with the feed screw where
the latter is not concentric with the cylinder.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1, Sheet I., and Figures 19
and 20 in Sheet V. arc in illustration of this arrangement. i is a square
hole in the piston through which passes the straight square bar 7, the
upper end of which is cylindrical and passes through a stuffing box m or
its equivalent in the cover at the upper end of the cylinder a.
The

page_text: collar o prevents the bar from moving endways, and the latter has a
screw P formed upon its
upper part which passes through a nut r in the
frame which carries the cylinder, so that when the latter is fed forward
by turning the screw the piston is at the same time made to revolve.
In Sheet IV., Figure 9, the revolution of the piston is shown effected
in the way well understood and practised by means of a spiral bar fitting
the piston, and having a ratchet wheel and pall to prevent it from
turning in both directions.
In the case of apparatus for drilling holes where it is desired that the
piston and drill should partially rotate automatically after each stroke I
prefer to adopt the following arrangement for the purpose:-I take a bar
rectangular in section or circular in section, but having one or moro
rectangular projections, and I twist it or otherwise form it so that the
rectangular edges form a helical curve of sufficient extent (preferably
about one-sixth of a complete turn) in the way well understood and
practised for the purpose. One end of this bar is fixed to the upper
cylinder cover, and the other end passes freely into the piston. The
upper end of the piston is made hollow for a sufficient depth, and into it
is fitted a wheel or frame, the centre of which has an opening fitting the
bar easily. The wheel or frame is so formed that it touches the inner
circumference of the hollow part of the piston at three points only,
equidistant or nearly so. Two of these points are roughened or
sharpened, and the third point consists of a moveable piece, the outer
end of which is roughened, whilst its inner end is arranged diagonally in
a recess in the wheel or frame, so that it allows the latter to turn freely
round in one direction; but when turned in the opposite direction its
friction carries round the piston with it. The moveable piece may be
pressed against the piston by a spring. This arrangement ensures the
rotation of the piston however short its stroke may be. Instead of one
only two or all the points may be fitted with moveable friction pieces, as
described.
Where it is desired not only to rotate the piston in one direction, but
to guide it without rotation in the other direction, I form a straight
groove or rib along one side of the twisted bar (after it has been twisted
or spiral projections have been formed upon it), and I superpose upon
the wheel or frame (already described) in the piston, a second wheel or
frame constructed in a similar way with three bearing points and

page_text: moveable friction piece, but I make its central opening of such a shape
that the twisted bar can pass through it from end to end without
touching it, and I form in the opening a groove or rib which fits freely
the straight rib or groove upon the twisted bar. The second wheel or
frame is arranged so that it can only turn in the same direction as the
first one, and it serves to guide the piston without rotation in one
direction of its stroke, whilst the first causes the piston to rotate during
the other direction of its stroke. In the second wheel or frame described
I sometimes use instead of a moveable friction piece an adjustable
spring pressed against the inside of the piston.
my
Invention. q is a bar
This bar works through
which is fitted within the
In the accompanying Drawings in Sheet II., Figures 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, and 15, are in illustration of this part of
having twisted rectangular projections upon it.
a corresponding hole in the friction wheel
piston e. The wheel can turn freely in one direction, but in the other
direction it carries the piston with it by means of one or more friction
pieces 8. A second friction wheel ¹ working upon r, has an opening in
its centre provided with a projecting rib which fits into a straight groove
formed in the bar q, as shewn. Figure 15 shews the wheel r¹ provided
with an adjustable spring instead of a friction piece.
I claim the methods of causing the rotation of the pistons of drilling
machines, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawings. Also
the combination of a friction wheel in the piston with a spirally formed
bar for the purpose of causing rotation of the pistons of drilling machines,
substantially as described and shewn in the Drawings. Also the com-
bination of two friction wheels in the piston with a bar spirally formed
and having a straight groove or rib, for the purpose of causing the
rotation of the piston of drilling machines, substiantially as described
and shewn in the Drawings.
Another part of my Invention consists of improved methods of
attaching the drill to the outer end of the piston rod in drilling
machines. For this purpose I make the outer end of the piston rod
hollow and fitting the end of the drill bar, and I make one or more
(preferably four) slits or cuts in the sides of such hollow part of the
piston rod, so that when they are forced together they embrace and
firmly hold the drill bar. I form a screw upon the outside of the outer
end of the piston rod, and I make this screw of somewhat greater

page_text: diameter at its outer end than at the part where or near where the slits
terminate. I take a screwed nut fitting this screw, and of such diameter
that when the split ends of the rod are forced together the nut can be
screwed over them to their upper or narrower part. The split ends are
then opened out again, and the drill bar is inserted in its place, and the
nut is screwed down until the bar is held tight, to facilitate which I
sometimes make the latter decrease somewhat in diameter from its
extremity.
Instead of the arrangement just described I sometimes make the split
end of the piston rod without a screw and of a somewhat conical form,
its greatest diameter being at its end, and I fit upon it (by forcing its
split ends together) a heavy block having a corresponding conical hole.
When the drill is at work the momentum of this block after each blow
drives it down and compresses the split ends of the piston rod round the
drill bar, which is thus held tight.
.
Sometimes I form a parallel screw upon the piston rod above the
block, and I fit upon this screw a nut which when turned round forces
down the block upon the conical split end, and thus causes the latter to
grasp the drill bar.
In the accompanying Drawings in Sheet IV., Figures 16, 17, and 18,
are in illustration of this part of my Invention. In Figure 16, f is the
piston rod (shewn broken off). The end of the piston rod is hollow to
receive the drill bar g, is split, as shewn.
h is a conical screw on
the piston rod fupon which the nut i is fitted.
In Figure 17, the split
end of the piston rod f is conical but not screwed, and is a heavy
block which is forced down and compresses the split end of the rod f by
its momentum after each blow. In Figure 18, a nut i is shown forcing
down the block h.
The methods of attaching the drill bar to the piston rod of drilling
machines, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawings.
Also the hollow split end of the piston rod in drilling machines
grasping the drill bar, in combination with a conical screw on its out-
side, having its larger diameter at the end of the rod and a corresponding
screwed nut, substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn in
the Drawings.

page_text: Also the hollow split end of the piston rod in drilling machines,
grasping the drill bar and conical outside its larger diameter, being at
the end of the rod, with a heavy block fitting and compressing the split
cone by its momentum.
Also the combination with the hollow split conical end of the piston
rod and the block fitting the cone, of a parallel screw upon the piston
rod and a corresponding nut, substantially as and for the purpose
described and shewn in the Drawings.
Another part of my Invention consists in an improved frame or
carriage for supporting the reciprocating drilling apparatus already
described, or other kinds of such drilling apparatus. I make the frame
upon which the cylinder is made to travel forward, as the depth of
the hole which is being drilled increases, form an integral part of the
support; and I construct this frame of two parallel bars of any suitable
material, but preferably of wrought iron, upon which travel corresponding
guides formed upon or attached to the drill cylinder parallel to its axis.
The upper ends of these bars are connected rigidly together, and carry a
socket or nut, through which works the screw which propels forward or
withdraws the cylinder, as already described. The lower ends of the
bars are also connected rigidly together by a frame or plate fixed at or
near their ends outside, and bent round so as to pass underneath the
cylinder, and thus not to interfere with the travel of the latter forward
as far as may be necessary. In the lower part of the frame or plate is
formed a socket, into which is screwed or otherwise fixed a tubular bar
parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and in this tubular bar slides a bar
which forms the front leg of the tripod frame constituting the support
of the drilling apparatus. This bar can be drawn out to any desired
length, and fixed by means of a screw or clamping nut, or preferably by
a pin passing through transverse holes, both in the tube and the internal
bar, of which holes I make a sufficient number and at such distances
apart as to afford the requisite facility of adjustment in the length of the
leg. At a suitable point in the parallel guide bars already described, but
preferably nearer to their upper ends, I arrange externally fixed horizontal
pins, joints, or centres, upon which turn the upper ends of two bars
which constitute the back part of the tripod support. These bars are of
wrought iron, cast iron, or other suitable material, and are continued
downwards for a sufficient distance parallel or nearly so to each other,
and are then connected rigidly together by a transverse bar, and at or

page_text: near the angles where this transverse bar joins them I form sockets, into
which are fixed tubular bars, each containing a sliding bar adjustable in
the same way as the front bar already described, and the two bars
forming the two back legs of the tripod support. The tubular bars are
preferably fixed so that they diverge laterally, aud thus give a wider
and steadier support to the apparatus. When the tripod support has
been adjusted into the desired position the back legs can be fixed by
nuts upon the upper pivots upon which they turn, or the front leg and
the back legs may be rigidly connected together by one or more
adjustable stay rods between them; and instead of the two back legs
being rigidly connected together, as described, each may be made to
turn separately upon its upper pivot, the three legs when adjusted being
fixed (if desired) by adjustable stay rods between them. By the novel.
arrangements and methods of construction described the drill can readily
be adjusted and worked in corners or other positions not readily
accessible.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-If it is required to drill
a hole inclined from the perpendicular the drill is adjusted in the proper
position outside the front leg, to which it remains parallel. If a vertical
hole is required the front leg is shortened and the back legs are.
lengthened until the front leg and the drill are vertical, the latter still
remaining outside the leg; or the back legs may be turned completely
over upon their upper pivots and brought down upon the other side of
the drill, which is then between the three legs.
Sometimes instead of the front leg being fixed permanently in a
position parallel to the drill I make the socket which carries the tubular
bar turn upon a joint in the frame connecting the lower ends of the
parallel guide bars, and adjustable so that it can be fixed either parallel
to or at right angles to the drill, or in any intermediate position. Or I
make two sockets in the frame connecting the lower ends of the parallel
bars, one such socket being parallel to the drill, and the other at right
angles or nearly so to it, so that the tubular bar already described can
be screwed or fixed into either socket as desired. In these arrangements
if the front leg of the tripod frame be fixed at right angles to the
drill the latter is readily adjusted into a position for drilling horizontal
holes.
Another method of constructing the front leg of the tripod support is

page_text: cylinder form an integral part of the front leg of the frame I make
them separate, but turning at their upper ends upon the same centres
as those on which the back legs are pivotted, as above described, or
upon adjoining ones, so that the parallel bars together, with the cylinder
can be raised into any desired position more or less parallel to the front
leg, and I attach to the lower ends of the parallel bars so pivotted one
or more curved or straight adjustable stay bars, by which they can be
fixed in any position. In this arrangement the plate or frame which
carries the socket for the front leg connects together the lower ends of
parallel bars forming the upper part of the front leg instead of the
lower ends of the parallel guide bars as first described.
By the improved methods of construction and arrangement described
great simplicity and economy of cost and weight are attained as
compared with supports for drills as heretofore constructed and used.
In the accompanying Drawings in Sheet 3, Figures 6, 7, and 8, in
Sheet 4, Figure 9, and in Sheet 5, Figures 19 and 20, are in illus-
tration of this part of my Invention.
In Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 a, a¹, are parallel bars, upon which the
cylinder 6 travels; c is a frame connecting together the upper ends of the
bars a, a¹; and d is a frame connecting together their lower ends.
The frame d has the sockets e and ƒ formed upon it, into either of which
the tubular bar g can be screwed into e for vertical and inclined holes,
as shewn in Figures 6 and 7, and into f for horizontal holes, as shewn
in Figures 8 and 9. The adjustable bar fits the tube g; i, 1, are
parallel bars turning upon centres k, k³, upon the bars a, a¹, and joined
at their lower ends by the bar 1, and having sockets m, m³, into which
the diverging tubular bars x, n¹, are screwed, which receive the adjust-
able bars o, o¹. The bars i, i¹, can be adjusted in any of the positions
shewn in the Drawings for drilling holes at different angles. p is the
pipe by which the driving fluid is admitted to the apparatus, and r is an
attachment by which weights may be hung upon the apparatus to keep
it steady when at work.
In Sheet 5, Figures 19 and 20, a, a¹, are parallel bars, upon which
the cylinder 6 travels. The bars a, a¹, are connected together at their
upper ends, and are pivotted upon the centres k, k¹. The front leg of
the tripod frame is formed of the parallel bars e, e', connected together
at their lower ends by the bar e", in which is a socket f, into which is

page_text: screwed the tubular bar g containing the adjustable bar h. The back legs
of the tripod frame turn upon the centres k, k¹, and are constructed in
the same way as those shewn in Sheet 4. The stay bars 1, ♫ª, are con-
nected to the lower ends of the parallel bars a, a', and are adjustable so
5 that the bars a, a', and the cylinder b can be raised into any desired
position, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 19.
I claim the methods of constructing and arranging tripod supports for
drilling machinery, so that the parallel bars or frame upon which the
cylinder of the drilling apparatus travels form an integral part of
the front leg of the support, substantially as described and shewn in the
Drawings.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1, and in Sheet 5, Figures 11 and 12, the cylinder
of the drilling apparatus is shewn fed forward as the depth of the hole
which is being drilled increases by means of a screwed bar concentric
with the cylinder, and working through a screwed nut formed in the
frame which connects together the upper ends of the parallel bars upon
which the cylinder travels. The bar is concentric with the cylinder,
so that its end, after passing through a stuffing box in the cylinder
cover is made square and fits into a corresponding hole in the piston.
When the screw is turned round for the purpose of feeding the cylinder
forward the piston and drill are at the same time turned round.
In Sheet 3, Figures 6, 7, and 8, and Sheet 4, Figure 9, the
screws by which the cylinder is fed forward is shewn working through
a nutt connected to the cylinder, the upper end of the screwed bar s
passing through a socket v formed upon the frame e by which the upper
ends of the parallel guide bars are attached together. The screw & is
turned as required by the handle w. Where it is desired that the cylinder
should be fed forward automatically as the depth of the hole which is
being drilled increases, I make the bar & without a screwed thread upon
it, but of any suitable section, and I fix its lower end to the cylinder. I
make this bar pass freely through a socket in the frame c, but I make
this socket adjustable, so that the bar 8 can be held in it with any requisite
amount of friction. In this arrangement I bring the cylinder down into
its proper position to drill effectively, the friction applied to the bar s
being sufficient to hold the cylinder firmly. When the hole has been
drilled to such a depth that the cylinder requires to be fed forward the
piston strikes the lower cylinder cover, and by its impact overcomes the

page_text: 8
8
friction upon the bar & sufficiently to drive the cylinder forward to the
required extent, and so on whenever requisite. One method of applying
friction to the bar s is shewn in Sheet 6, Figure 21, where s is a cross
section of the bar. a, a¹, are the parallel bars; b is the cylinder; and
c is the frame connecting together the ends of the bars a, a', and having
the socket d in which the bar & slides. The socket d is split, and can be
tightened round the bars to any desired extent by the screw f. This
method of feeding the cylinder forward automatically may be modified
in various ways. The bar s may be screwed through a nut connected
with the cylinder, as shewn in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, its upper end being
without a screw, and carried for a sufficient distance up through the
socket d (Figure 21). The position of the cylinder having been adjusted
by turning the screw the socket d can then be tightened up, and the
apparatus be left to work automatically. The collar x upon the bar 8
(Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9) may be made removeable in this arrangement.
Or the screws may be fixed in the socket, as shewn in Figures 6, 7 8,
and 9; and the nut r, through which it works, may be connected to a
parallel bar, groove, or rib formed upon or attached to the cylinder, and
extending from end to end of the latter. The nut is connected to the
bar, groove, or rib by an adjustable friction clamp, so that when the
cylinder has been adjusted in its proper position for working by means
of the screw the cylinder continues to be fed forward automatically by
the piston striking the lower cylinder cover, and by its impact over-
coming the friction of the clamp upon the nut. Or the cylinder may be
fixed to the parallel bars upon which it travels by an adjustable friction
clamp.
Instead of allowing the piston to strike the cylinder cover, as described,
I sometimes form upon or attach to the cylinder a bracket or frame, against
which the lower end of the piston rod or of a projection upon it strikes
when it is necessary that the cylinder should be fed forward. Instead of
a screw and nut a toothed rack may be used attached to the cylinder,
and gearing in a toothed pinion working in the frame, the pinion being
provided with an adjustable friction brake.
I claim the method of feeding forward the cylinder of rock drilling
apparatus as the depth of the hole which is being drilled increases, by
allowing the piston or piston rod, or a projection upon the latter, to
strike the cylinder cover, or a projection attached to the cylinder, and by
its impact to overcome the friction of an adjustable clamp or clamps,

page_text: by which the cylinder is connected to the frame along which it travels,
or to the nut of the feeding screw, or a toothed pinion working in a
rack. Where a screwed gland is used for retaining packing in the
stuffing boxes of apparatus for boring holes it is advisable to prevent
such gland from unscrewing by the vibration of the apparatus. For
this purpose I prefer to use the device shewn in dotted lines in Sheet 1,
Figure 1, in which a sufficient number of ratchet shaped teeth are
formed longitudinally along the screwed part of the gland A. A pall B
fits into a recess in the stuffing box C, and is pressed against the gland A
by the spring D. A wire or handle E allows the pall to be withdrawn
for the purpose of unscrewing the gland.
I claim the general arrangement of the apparatus for drilling holes
in hard substances, and which is also applicable to other purposes, and
in supports for such apparatus, substantially as described in the fore-
going Specification, and shewn in the Drawings accompanying the
same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Edwards, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.