IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS, TOOLS, AND MACHINERY FOR CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Longsdon, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS,
TOOLS, AND MACHINERY FOR CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS."
Saaled the 13th August 1878 and dated the 20th Annil 1070
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Longsdon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th April 1878.
"E
ALFRED LONGSDON, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS, TOOLS, AND MACHINERY FOR CHARGING
AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS."
The object of this Invention is to provide simple and effective means for charging
and drawing gas retorts.
The first part of the Invention refers to the charging apparatus which is composed
of a frame or trough placed opposite to the mouth of the retort which is to be charged;
on or in this trough a frame rests composed of an upper sliding framing or bars with
cross pieces, and having leaves or flaps hinged to it at or about equal distances
lengthwise from one another; the leaves hang down into and divide the trough into
parts or spaces which are filled with coals, the leaves being jointed, preferably knuckle-
jointed, to the bar.
To charge the retort, the frame is pushed into the retort, the leaves of the
same which abut against the aforesaid cross pieces of the sliding frame carrying
with them the charge; on drawing back the sliding frame, the jointed leaves rise,
leaving the charge in the retort.
To discharge the coke from the retort I employ a bar carrying at or at about
equal distances apart a number of blades or sets of blades, which in the latter case
are caused to open out one after the other, and so to form, as it were, a fan-shaped
shovel or close barred rake.
To use the apparatus I insert it into the retort over the coke with the blades of
all the shovels closed up, and in about a horizontal position; then I turn the bar on

page_text: which the blades are mounted, and as each blade is fitted with a peg or projection
which can take against the edge of the adjoining blade, this second blade is there-
upon opened, and so on for each blade, till all are opened, and having cut their way
down into the charge in the retort, divide the same into compartments or portions,
when, by withdrawing the tool, the charge is withdrawn therewith, or the bar may
be fitted with a number of shovels or rakes, each consisting of one blade only.
The charging and drawing apparatus may be inserted and withdrawn into and
from the retort by hand or mechanical means, or partially by both.
For this purpose a convenient way of carrying this into effect is as follows:-
I employ a frame traversing on wheels. This frame carries a corresponding set of
pullies to the number of retorts in tier, and on these pullies are wound endless chains
to which can be attached by hooks or otherwise the charging or drawing rods,
when accomplishing either of the processes. The charging or drawing rods are raised
or lowered so as to correspond with the tier of retorts to be operated upon by
screwed rod and chain.
The filling of the trough with coals is accomplished by means of a hopper arrange-
ment which can be raised or lowered by the chain arrangement above described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Longsdon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
October 1878.
ALFRED LONGSDON, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS, TOOLS, AND MACHINERY FOR CHARGING
AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS."
The object of this Invention is to provide simple and effective means for charging
and drawing gas retorts.
is
In the machines heretofore invented for charging gas retorts in a mechanical
manner, use has been made of a scoop or trough, which has also been used in hand
charging; this scoop open at top and is pushed into the retort filled with coals, it
is then turned over and thus emptied in place, or it is emptied by withdrawing the
bottom which is in one or more parts.
To the first-named class belong the machines of Green, Best, Holden, Sommerville
and Robinson, Mann, Richards, Darlington and Scott, Warren and Wates, and Fowlis,
and to the last class those of Taylor, Buckle, Chadwick, Rowbottom, West, and
Rowland.
The differences between the different machines consist mainly in the mode of
lifting, horizontally moving, and turning of the scoops, while the kind of motor
applied, the supply of coals, the simultaneous charging of two or more retorts, the
mode of moving the apparatus, &c., form no essential points of thecharging..
Retorts are not set with mathematical accuracy in the bench, and are exposed to
great heat, whereby they, in course of time, suffer more or less alteration in form,
not only in their cross sections, but also in their longitudinal sections, partly by the

page_text: formation of black lead, and partly by sagging and softening. In consequence the
particular form of each retort has to be considered in the insertion and turning of
the rigid scoop by hand, but with a mechanical motion of the rigid scoop this is out
of question.
Now according to this first part of my Invention, I charge with coals a scoop
placed opposite to the mouth of the retort, but I do not introduce the scoop
into the retort as heretofore, but only rest it at one end in the mouth-piece.
The introduction and distribution of the coals in the retort is not accomplished
by the scoop at all but by means of a frame placed in the scoop; this frame is com-
posed of an upper sliding bar or framing, or bars with cross pieces or stops, and having
leaves or flaps hinged to it at or about equal distances lengthwise from one another;
the leaves hang down into and divide the scoop into parts or spaces entering into
or between the coals. This leaf frame is pushed forward in the scoop and into the
retort, carrying along with it the coals which are thus delivered into the retort. By
the movement of the leaf frame in this, the forward direction, the leaves or flaps stand
vertically by reason of the cross bars or stops; but when drawing it back they draw
out of the coals and fold up under the top bar or bars to which they are hinged, and
lie on the top of the charge.
The area of each flap is approximately that of the inner cross section of the
scoop, and the distance between the leaves is such that the mass of coals between
each two does not glide or push back along the bottom of the retort when the
leaf frame is pulled back over the retort charge. The lifting of the leaves out
of the charge is facilitated thereby, that the upper bar or bars of the leaf frame
bears against the inner roof of the retort in front. By the withdrawal' of the
leaf frame or tool, the leaves of the same, even the top of the charge, and as the
scoop rests in the retort mouth-piece, this latter remains free from coals.
The whole charging apparatus may conveniently be arranged on a suitable carriage
of cast or wrought iron consisting of two symmetrical halves, and supported on four
wheels running on rails placed parallel with the retort bench, or vertical to the
length axes of the retorts.
The apparatus is of such a width as to be suitable for the usual space left between
the front face of the bench and the wall of the retort house.
On Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings,―
Figure 1 is an end view of the charging apparatus and section through the
retort bench; Figure 2, a side view of the charging apparatus.
Figure 3, a plan of the charging apparatus without the crane.
Figure 4, a vertical longitudinal section through A, B, Figure 3, and section
through the retort bench; and Figure 5, a vertical cross section through line C, D,
Figure 3.
The apparatus has the following movements or functions, viz. 1. Running along
in front of the retorts. 2. Running the scoop with its leaf frame forwards and back.
3. Raising the scoop to the level of the retorts; and 4, the filling of the scoop.
The apparatus is moved along in front of the bench of retorts by means of the
crank handles a², a², motion being transmitted from them to the axles d, d, and the
wheels d¹, d', thereon by means of the two sets of bevil wheels 62, 63, and c², c³.
.
a, a, b, b, c, c¹, are six pairs of chain pulleys. Around each set of six chain
pullies there is an endless chain traversing the path c', c, b, b¹, a¹, a, c¹. The chains
are guided laterally by the rollers d², which serve to press the part a, c¹, of the chain
out, so as not to grind against the part b, b¹. As will be seen there are
three horizontal parts of chain, viz., a, a, b, b¹, and c, c', the vertical distance
between which corresponds to that of the tiers of retorts in the bench, and which
are slightly above the middle of each retort respectively.
The shafts of the chain pulleys a carry tooth wheels e, e, gearing with pinions f,f,
the spindles of which can be turned by the crank handles g, g, Figure 4. The
scoop h with its leaf frame is at the different levels put in connection with these

page_text: chains, as will be described later on, and is moved backward or forward by turning
the crank handles g, g. The scoop h must now be able to be moved horizontally
and vertically between the two halves of the carriage framing. The scoop is supported
between the halves of framing at two points, which are vertically adjustable,
namely, in front by a roller i, Figures 1 and 4, which hangs in a strap k suspended
in a chain at m, and guided against the carriage framing through eyes by means of
the rods 1, Figures 4 and 5. The scoop his supported behind on two travelling
wheels fastened to it, and running on a table n, n, which is guided vertically against
the framing, and has a nut part working on the vertical screw spindle q; this latter
has a bearing at top and bottom of the framing, and can be turned by means of the
crank handles 7, 1, on the spindle r, and by bevil wheels.
The chain is fastened to the eye of the front strap k, Figure 4, runs over chain
pulleys on the spindles s, t, u, v, and is also fastened to an eye w, on the table n.
As this latter and the strap k are thus connected, the front strap k carrying the
scoop rises or falls when the spindle r is turned just as much as the table is raised
or lowered, and consequently the scoop remains horizontal while raised or lowered
by turning the crank handles r, r².
For filling the scoop with coals there is a stationary receptacle E¹, Figures 4 and
5, arranged on the framing; below this receptacle is placed a telescopic shoot f, f¹,
ƒ ƒ³, ƒ ƒ; the lowest part f5 is suspended in four chains g¹, g², but the other
parts are free to slide up and down in one another; these chains pass round the
chain drums t¹, t¹, 8', s', which are on the same axes t, t, 8, 8, as the pulleys for the
chains m, 8, t, u, v, w. The diameter of the drums is so adjusted that the chains g¹, g³,
lift and lower just as much as the chain in which the strap k is suspended. Hence,
simultaneously with the raising or lowering of the scoop h, the part f5 of the shoot
will rise and fall and remain the same distance from the scoop, so that the coals put
in the receptacle E¹ fall down evenly in the scoop.
The charging of the receptacle E' must be done by vessels guided suitable
distances above it, and this may be done in many different ways.
On the Drawing is shewn a swing crane F for raising and lowering the vessel G.
The chain passing over the pulleys u and o¹ carries at the outer end a balance
beam H, which hooks on to pivots or gudgeons on the vessel G. The other
end of the chain winds a few times round the drum or barrel y', passes then over
the pulleys q2 and 3, Figures 2 and 4, on the framing of the apparatus, and
carries a counterweight I for balancing the weight of the vessel G. u¹ is a crank
handle for turning the barrel y', and there are intermediate tooth wheels on the
spindles u, t, and y.
The horizontal motion of the scoop h is not direct, but through the leaf frame
A, A, B, Figures 1 and 4.
Figure 6 is a separate view of this frame in longitudinal section, and Figure 7, a
plan of same in the position when quite in the retort; Figure 4 shews it when half
out of the retort. It consists of two bars A, A, as shewn in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 14;
or it may consist of one bar, A, as shewn in Figures 11, 12, and 13. Care flaps or
leaves hinged between the bars A, A, or on the bar A, in such a manner that they,
when the apparatus is pushed in one direction, hang vertically by coming against
the cross bar or stop C', Figure 8, or against the noses or stops C', Figure 11, and
when the apparatus is drawn in the opposite direction are free to turn on their
hinge bolts, assuming any slanting or folded-up position, see Figure 1, where the
leaf frame is shewn, being withdrawn from the retort.
The leaves C may form a solid surface, as shewn in Figures 9 and 12, or open-
worked, as shewn in Figures 10 and 13. They may also be made of any other
suitable form or construction. D is a rigid flap at the termination of the coal
charge, and E is a roller forming a fulcrum, around which the bar A, or bars A, A,
can turn when the end furthest in the retort is raised. A', B, is a forked rod
terminating in the two side branches B' and F' formed with round gudgeons B², F2,
which can run on rails G¹, G¹. These latter are at one end fastened to the table

page_text: n by means of a bracket H', and at the other end to the strap % of the bent pieces
K, K, and I, I', serve to fasten them. The gudgeons B, F2, thus at I lose their
support, and as the arm A, B, overbalances A, A¹, the leaves must at the end of
their travel lift out of the coals, the whole leaf frame turning on the fulcruin roller E.
When the leaf frame now moves back, the gudgeon F2 passing under the bar, and
the bar A, A', remaining in the raised position, the gudgeons come on to a
stationary slanting surface M, on which they ascend, and thereby lift the tongue L,
which is hinged on to G₁, G'; as soon as the gudgeons F2 are passed through, the
tongue L springs back again, and allows the raised gudgeons to pass back on the
rails G, G. The overbalancing weight of the leaf frame on one side is consequently
again borne by the rail G¹, G¹, and the leaf frame assumes the horizontal position
again..
The leaf frame now obtains motion from the chains by means of a traverser
shewn in Figure 15; to this is jointed at both ends chain locks N in two halves;
these when closed enclose one whole and two half chain links; this traverser is con-
sequently connected to the two chains, and is hung under the arm O, P, which has its
fulcrum at P on the leaf frame, Figure 4; round the same fulcrum P turns also a
second arm P, Q, S, the bent end of which so catches round the spindle Q of the
travelling wheels O, O, of the scoop has to couple the latter and the leaf frame
together. The consequence of this arrangement is that when the leaf frame is run
out it drags the scoop with it, but only until the crook prolongation S of the
arın P, Q, S, is by the roller R disconnected from the spindle Q, whereupon the
scoop h stops, while the leaf frame A, A, B, runs forward alone, pushing the coals
along with it into the retort.
Under the scoop h there are incline ribs T, U, V; when the scoop is run forward
the part T ascends on the roller i, tipping the end W of the scoop up until
the roller comes into the highest part U. At this moment the end W enters
the mouth-piece of the retort and takes its bearing therein while travelling from
U to V on the roller i. When the leaf frame is run out of the retort the
scoop remains stationary until the leaf frame at E, A', abuts against the stops X, X,
on the scoop, see Figure 4, and thereby drags the scoop back with it, whereby
the lever or arm P, Q, S, is again automatically hooked in with the spindle Q.
The noses y on the table n, and pegs Z on the carriage frame, Figure 1, prevent
the scoop from running out too far.
The mode of suspending the leaves, and the mode of moving the leaf frame and
scoop may be varied in many ways.
The whole charging operation is thus in a few words as follows:-When the
scoop by means of the crank handle a² has been brought right opposite the front of
the retort, and by means of the crank handles r' has been adjusted to the right
height, the scoop is filled by turning the crank handle u'. The scoop with the leaf
frame is then run out of the carriage into the retort, and thereupon run back again
to be charged with coals again for the next adjoining retort. Both as regards the
charging apparatus and as to drawing apparatus (now to be described), all the
retorts on the same level in the whole bench are served one after another, and then
the retorts on the next level.
The second part of my Invention consists in a new arrangement and con-
struction of retort-drawing apparatus. As regards the construction of the rake
tool there is a greater variety proposed than as regards the retort-charging
apparatus. Thus Green, Rowland, Richard, Fowlis, and others employ a plain rake
with turned-up end, and give it a turn of ninety degrees, or press it only into the
charge. Best and Holden employ a fixed shovel at the end of the bar; Holden,
and Somerville, and Robinson use a movable flap instead of the shovel, and run
it in, horizontal and out vertical. Mann adds to the flap a small shovel in front
for clearing out the front end of the retort. West uses a fixed shovel and a hook
made to turn, which when being drawn out takes against the upper part of the retort.
Darlington and Scott use a screw like a corkscrew; Rowbottom employs retorts

page_text: open at both ends, and pushes the coke out with the bottom of the scoop; Dunbar
and Nicholson have hook rakes arranged in the interior of the scoop.
It is of importance in drawing retorts to accomplish this quicker than it is possible
with a rake, as the hand drawing involves twice to three times longer time than
the charging. But if it be desired to draw a large quantity of coke in one pull,
employing for this purpose (instead of the rake with turned-up end) a shovel at the
end of the bar, the cokes are so crushed together that it requires a considerable
force to draw them out, and the retort is exposed to serious danger. If, however,
instead of one a number of rakes or blades are arranged one behind the other on the
bar, then the coke is taken hold of in as many places when the bar is turned, and
if the blades are in the right distance apart the crushing together of the coke is pre-
vented. If instead of each of the blades a set or system of blades, or small shovels,
or leaves be employed, which while the bar is pushed in are folded up, but so
arranged that they spread out as a fan when the bar is turned, and thus spread over
a whole cross section of the coke, then it follows that the whole coke charge is
divided off into as many portions as there are blade or fan sets or systems, and the
sectional surfaces compressed by the cutting through of these blades enable me to
draw the whole charge of cokes with one pull without any great force being
employed and without endangering the safety of the retort.
My drawing apparatus is constructed on such principles. The apparatus proper
and the carriage for supporting it may be made similar to my apparatus for charging
retorts just described, and the moving of the carriage along the retorts may also be
accomplished in the same way. The accompanying Drawings on Sheet 2 illustrate
such a mode of carrying out this second part of my Invention.
Figure 1 is an end elevation of the drawing apparatus, and shewing the retort
bench in section; Figure 2, side elevation; Figure 3, plan; Figure 4, a section
through A, B, Figure 3, and section through the retort bench; and Figure 5 is a
section through C, D, Figure 3. The following motions are required:-1, running
the apparatus up against the retorts; 2, running the tool or blade frame or apparatus
proper into and out of the retort; 3, raising the tool or blade frame to the required
height or level; and, 4, turning the blade frame after it has been run into the retort,
and after it has been run out of same.
The forward and return motion of the blade frame or tool is also effected by
endless chain passing round the chain pulleys a', b, c, in the front part, and the
chain pulleys a, a, b, c, at the back part of the carriage framing. The chain hence
traverses the path c¹, c, b¹, b, a¹, a, d, c', and forms three horizontal tiers a, a, b, b¹,
and c, c. The guide rollers e, e, keep the parts of the chains apart which cross each
other. The chain is moved from the spindle K by the crank handles K¹, K¹.
Each spindle a², a³, carries a large and a small tooth wheel fand 9, which
into
gear
the wheels h and i on the spindle K. By clutching in one or other pair of wheels,
the chain receives a three times greater speed at the running into the retort than at
the running out. Between the wheels f and g there is a sliding clutch worked by
the hand levers 7, 1, which are connected by the rod 1, U, by this means the one or
the other wheel pair is fixedly connected to the spindle K.
A frame A, A, in the front part of the carriage, and a frame B, B, in the back
part of same, are united by double T iron bars C, C, so as to form a frame or cradle
A, C, B, C, of itself; the parts A and B of same work in vertical guides at both ends
of the carriage framing; and the cradle A, C, B, C, is raised and lowered from the
spindle F, F, Figure 1, which carries three short chain barrels F1, F2, F2, Figure 3.
One end of the chain G¹ is fastened to the barrel F¹, Figure 4, passes over the
chain pulley on the spindle E, Figures 3 and 4, and the other end is fastened to
the part B, B, of the cradle A, C, B, C. To the barrels F2, F2, are attached two
other chains G2, G2, Figures 3 and 5, which are passed over the chain pulleys D¹,
D', on the spindle D, and at the other end are fastened to the front part A, A.
The chains Gland G2 are so attached to the barrels F¹ and F2, that they wind on
and off together, and when the spindle F is turned, the frame or cradle A, C, B, C,

page_text: is lowered or raised in a horizontal position. The spindle F is moved from the
spindle H by crank handles on the latter, and by wheel gearing I, I¹, K, K', L, L',
shewn separately at Figure 6. I and L' are fast on their axle, and the other wheels
run respectively loose on the spindles and fast on the prolonged bosses of the ad-
joining wheels, whereby the speed is decreased nine times. On the frames A and
B there is a spindle N, which can turn in bearings in the frames, but is formed
square between them; the end projecting behind carries a worm wheel N³,
gearing with a worm O¹, which can slide vertically on the spindle O, Figure 2,
which can turn in the bearing B¹ on the frame B, so as to rise and fall with it. At
each level of the frame A, C, B, C, the spindle N can be turned from the spindle O;
this latter also carries a worn wheel O2, Figure 2, gearing with a worm on the
spindle K, when clutched in by the lever P, P₁, Figures 2 and 3; the spindle N may
thus be slowly turned by means of the crank handles K¹.
Figure 7 is a separate back view, and Figure 8 a side elevation of a small truck
M, which can run on the rails C, and by the cross bar p be connected to the endless
chain c, c, b1, b, a, a, d, c', and be travelled backwards or forwards by turning the
crank handles K₁, K. This truck runs on two wheels m on the axle o; n, n, are
wheels on an axle q, running against the under side of the rail C, and may be so
pressed on by means of a flat spring q', that the truck is always balanced; in the
truck there are bearings R and S, for the blade, draw bar, or tool Q, Q, to turn in.
The spindle N, Figures 1, 2, and 5, carries a tooth wheel N2, which can slide but
not turn thereon, and the prolonged boss of which is carried on by a bracket part t
on the truck M, without hindering the tooth wheel N from turning; but this
latter gears into a tooth wheel Q2, which is fast on the draw bar Q; thereby the
turning of N is transmitted respectively from K to Q, when the worm on K is
clutched in by means of the lever P, P¹.
In order in the running in of the drawing apparatus proper, or blade bar Q to
cause it to pass along in the upper part of the retort without dragging on the top
of the cokes, and to bring the overbalancing of the bar Q into action only when it
is drawn out of the retort; the front frame A is fitted with two bolts u, Figure 5,
on which two sockets w can slide up and down; the latter carry below a frame in
which the rollers v, v, can turn, and from which two chains R pass up over the
chain pulleys D² loose on the spindles D, and can coil round the small chain barrels
S1, S1, on the spindle S when turning the crank handle S2; hereby the roller v is
raised by means of the pawl wheel S³, the roller v can be fixed in position at each
level, and the latter falls down when released. When the apparatus is run into the
retort this roller v serves as a support for the bar Q, and when the latter is drawn
out it is let down, allowing the bar Q to act on the coke with its weight.
The bar or tool Q carries a number of sets or systems a of blades, Figures 5 and 7,
the number being arranged according to the size of the charge and density, and
other qualities of the coke.
Figures 9, 9, 9., 9., 9, and 10, show a set of blades in various positions. Each
set consists of a number of knife blade like leaves, also subject to same considera-
tions as the number of sets. There are here shown 5 blades. They are pushed on
the bar and retained in place by the collars L³. The blade 1 is keyed on, but
the other blades are loose; the blades are when the bar is being run in folded up
as shown in Figure 9, and thus take up no more room than an ordinary rake bar.
In this position they are carried by the roller v; g, g, are feathers on the bar Q
between each two blade sets and of the height of the collars L². When the bar is
run in and the roller v lowered, the bar Q will lie on the coke and is turned about
one hundred and eighty degrees. In consequence the blades open up fan-like, and
for every fifth turning of this angle they assume the positions respectively shown
in Figures 9 to 9%..
The four first blades have each a nose D', and the blades 2 to 5 each a stop peg C³.
When the blade 1 is turned one-fifth its nose D2 comes against the peg C of blade 2
and carries blade 2 with it; when this latter is turned one-fifth its nose D³ comes

page_text: against the peg C2 of blade 3 and carries blade 3 with it, and so on as shown until
the blades assume the form shown in Figure 9. In order to hold the blades on
entering the retort in the horizontal position of Figure 9, the blades 1 to 4 have
notches g, and the blades 2 to 5 have stop pegs fl whereby the several blades can
only open or unfold one after another in proper order.
When the draw bar Q is drawn out of the retort the lever handle T fast on the
spindle N, Figure 2, is turned and the blades are thereby brought into the horizontal
position on the bar Q.
The whole mode of working is as follows:-By means of the crank handles a², u²,
the carriage is run in front of the retorts; the frame A, C, B, C, is by means of crank
handles placed on the spindle H, Figure 3, placed in the right level for the retort to
be drawn, and the roller v lifted, under the draw bar Q by means of the crank
handle S2; the lever 1, 1, is put in position for quick motion, and the draw bar Q is
then run into the retort by turning the crank handles K¹. The pawl is then lifted
out of the pawl wheel S³, the clutch lever 1, 1, placed in the middle position,
whereby at the same time the lever P, P', clutches in the worm wheel O¹, and
throws out the lever T. The draw bar Q is then turned by means of the crank
handles K'; thereupon the clutch lever l', 1, is placed in position for slow motion for
return motion of the draw bar Q, whereby simultaneously the lever P, P¹, is clutched
out; when the return movement has been accomplished the lever T is turned back
and the roller v raised by means of the crank handle S. When the lever 1, 1, has
been placed in position for quick motion, the same operation may be repeated for
the next retort.
In both the machines here described, with reference to the Drawings, manual
power is supposed to be used; it is quite possible to arrange them so that all the
motions are directed or accomplished from one platform, and it is therefore obvious
that all the required motions may be obtained from a single revolving shaft arranged
with suitable clutch gear, and this shaft may of course be moved from any prime
motor worked say, by gas, steam, air, or water, and if desired mounted on the top
of the carriage, or the motion may be transmitted by shafting, strap, wire rope, or
otherwise.
The two machines may if desired be arranged or combined on one carriage. The
retort drawing bar may if desired be applied for retort charging, but I prefer to use
the construction of leaf frame here shown for charging.
In conclusion I would remark that I do not confine myself to the form of or
number of leaves in the leaf frame, nor to the number and combination of the
blades in the draw bar; neither do I confine myself to the arrangements of the
carriages for the said charging and drawing tools, but I claim,-
Firstly. The application of a scoop for containing the coal charge for a gas retort,
when the said scoop is not run into and out of the retort but placed in front of it
and used in combination with a drawing tool or appliance fitted with flaps, leaves,
or blades, made to fold up or fold together, and operating substantially as set forth.
Secondly. The construction of the retort charging tool with a fixed flap and with
hinged flaps which divide the coal charge in parts, and when the tool is pushed into
the retort carry the charge with them, the hinged flaps on the withdrawal of the
tool rising out of the charge or gliding on the top of it, substantially as set forth
and also the particular constructions of said tool described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The construction of the carriage and parts connected therewith used
in connection with the scoop and charging tool substantially as described and
shown.
Fourthly. The application of a retort drawing tool fitted with a series of blades,
shovels, or rakes, or sets of blades, shovels; or rakes, which when the tool is run
into the retort, are turned down into the coke charge, dividing it thereby in parts,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth, and also the particular construction
of said tool described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Fifthly. The construction of the carriage used in connection with the retort
drawing tool, substantially as described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Longsdon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ALFRED LONGSDON. (L.B.)