Improvements in or in Appliances for Use in the Firing of Shots for Blasting Coal or other Minerals.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in Appliances for Use in the Firing of Shots
for Blasting Coal or other Minerals.
We, JAMES McCoy, of Marsh Lane, Little Lever, near Bolton-le-Moors, in
the County of Lancaster, Colliery Manager, and ADAM DEANE, of Cedar Terrace,
Black Moss, Radcliffe, in the County of Lancaster, aforesaid, Colliery, Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates primarily to the firing of shots in coal mines for the
purpose of displacing the coal and is designed to provide for the safe recovery of
the detonator and explosive charge after a miss-shot; for the prevention of blown
out shots and for the purpose of destroying the flame or rendering the explosive
flameless.
It consists essentially of what we call a cut off block or wedge to be inserted in
the shot hole before the insertion of the stemming which carries the cartridge or
explosive and is constructed with two tubes attached to it opening into the shot
hole beyond the block through which the space in the hole surrounding the
explosive can be pumped full of water and also through one of which the electric
wires connected to the detonator can pass.
In carrying out the invention we construct a cylindrical or other block or wedge
of a diameter to fit closely into the shot hole. The inuer face of this block is
inclined at an angle of about 45° and the outer face is preferably at right angles to
the sides. Through the block two holes are drilled or otherwise formed to each
of which are securely attached a tube one preferably placed in the centre and the
other at one side. The centre or service tube terminates at the inner face of the
block but the side or exhaust tube extends some distance beyond it to reach
the furthest end of the hole. To the exhaust tube the explosive cartridge is
attached and is by it carried into its position in the hole. As a matter of con-
struction we prefer to make the exhaust tube in two lengths which can be easily
coupled and uncoupled for the purpose of easily and readily attaching thereto the
cartridge.
In operation the hole into the face of the coal is bored in the usual way the
cartridge is attached to the end of the exhaust tube and the cut off block is inserted
in the hole and pushed forward therein until the end of the exhaust tube reaches
the end of the hole, the other ends of the tubes extending out beyond the hole. The
stemming is then inserted behind the cut off block and tamped in in the usual way.
A pump is then connected to the service tube and the space surrounding the
explosive pumped full of water. The exhaust tube serves to allow the escape of
all air and also to indicate by the flow of water therefrom when the hole is full.
The tubes are then closed at the outer ends.
The wires from the detonator pass out through the service tube and are connected
with battery, dynamo or other source of electricity and the shot fired thereby.
The water surrounding the explosive prevents any outburst of flame and smoke
rendering the operation of blasting exceedingly safe. The inclined face of the
block tends to direct the force of the explosive downwards causing more efficient
action in forcing down the coal.
In case of a miss-shot after the electric wires are detached the detonator and
cartridge are withdrawn by means of a screw appliance somewhat similar in design
to what is employed for coupling railway carriages one end of which is attached to
a prop and the other end to eyebolts screwed onto or attached to the ends of the
two tubes by this means the cut off block, cartridge and stemming can all be

page_text: withdrawn together without danger or fear of firing as no pick or tool likely to
strike the detonator is employed.
Dated this 17th day of May 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in Appliances for Use in the Firing of Shots
for Blasting Coal or other Minerals.
We, JAMES MCCOY, of Marsh Lane, Little Lever, near Bolton-le-Moors, in
the County of Lancaster, Colliery Manager, and ADAM DEANE, of Cedar Terrace,
Black Moss, Radcliffe, in the County of Lancaster, aforesaid, Colliery Agent, 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 primarily to the firing of shots in coal mines for the purpose
of displacing the coal and is designed to provide for the safe recovery of the
detonator and explosive charge after a miss-shot; for the prevention of blown out
shots and for the purpose of destroying the flame or rendering the explosive
flameless. It may also be applied to the firing of shots in iron and other mines or
quarries.
It consists essentially of what we call a cut off block or wedge to be inserted in
the shot hole before the insertion of the stemining which carries the cartridge or
explosive provided with one or two tubes attached to it opening into the shot hole
beyond the block which serve for the purpose of conveying or delivering water
from a pump in the space in the hole surrounding the cartridge so that the
cartridge is entirely enclosed in water; also to conduct the electric connecting
wires from the detonator through one of which they pass and also as means by
which the charge can be withdrawn and the detonator recovered without risk in case
of a miss-shot.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1. sectional elevation of the appliance inserted in the shot hole.
Fig. 2. sectional elevation of modified form of same adapted for high or heavy
charges.
Fig. 2 sectional elevation of another modification.
Fig. 3. end elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 34 end elevation of Fig. 2ª.
Fig. 4. elevation of screw for withdrawing the appliance from the hole after a
miss-shot.
We construct a block or wedge A of wood, metal or other material of a size and
diameter to fit closely into the shot hole. The inner face of this block is inclined
at an angle of about 45° and the outer face is preferably at right angles to the
sides. To the block A we attach one or two tubes (preferably two) B and C which
pass through holes bored or otherwise formed therein. Through the service tube B
water is pumped into the interior of the shot hole D and through the exhaust
tube C the air in the hole escapes as the water is pumped in. These tubes may be
placed in any convenient position either one above the other as shown or one at the
side of the other, or the two may be connected together and pass through one hole
or if found more convenient one may be placed inside the other, or one tube may
answer both for service and exhaust.
The service tube B terminates at the inner face of the block A but the exhaust
tube C extends some distance beyond it to reach the furthest end of the hole. The

page_text: inner face of the tube B is covered with a small flap valve 6 by which the mouth of
the tube will be closed and protected from the force of the explosion. To the
exhaust tube C the explosive cartridge E is affixed by string or other lapping and
is by it carried into its position in the hole D. As a matter of construction we
prefer to make the exhaust tube in two lengths which can be easily coupled and
uncoupled by a coupling c for the purpose of easily and readily attaching thereto
the cartridge.
The electric wires F by which the detonator is fired are passed out through the
service tube B to a battery, dynamo or other source of electricity. To the outer
end of the service tube is attached a flexible hose pipe B' by which it is connected
with a pump, this is removed and the end of the tube closed by a tap or plug b
when the hole D is filled with water, and the end of the exhaust tube is also
similarly closed by the tap or plug e. The cartridge E may be of any ordinary
construction of either black powder or other explosive substance. The end of
the tube B is preferably made with two nozzle to facilitate the fixing and adjustment
of the flexible tube.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 24 the block A is shown as made in
two parts with inclined or wedge shaped faces this form is intended for use when.
large charges are employed so that should any movement of the inner part take
place the two will become wedged more firmly in position.
In operation the shot hole D into the face of the coal or other mineral is bored
in the usual way, the cartridge E is attached to the end of the exhaust tube C
and the cut off block A is inserted in the shot hole D and pushed forward therein
until the end of the exhaust tube reaches the end of the hole, the other ends of the
tubes extending out beyond the hole. The stemming G is then inserted behind the
cut off block A and tamped or rammed in around the tubes B and C in the usual
way. A pump is then connected to the service tube B by the flexible tube B' and
the space in the hole D surrounding the explosive cartridge E pumped full of water.
The exhaust tube C serves to allow the escape of all air and also to indicate by the
flow of water therefrom when the hole is full. The tubes are then closed at the outer
ends by caps or plugs.
The wires from the detonator pass out through the service tube and are
connected with battery, dynamo or other source of electricity and the shot fired
thereby. The water surrounding the explosive cartridge E prevents any outburst
of flame smoke or fumes rendering the operation of blasting exceedingly safe.
The inclined face of the cut off block A tends to direct the force of the explosive
downwards causing more efficient action in forcing down the coal.
In case of a miss-shot after the electric wires F are detached from the battery
or dynamo the detonator and cartridge are withdrawn by means of a screw
appliance H somewhat similar in design to what is employed for coupling railway
carriages one end of which is attached to a prop and the other end to eye
bolts screwed onto or attached to the ends of the two tubes, by this means
the cut off block, cartridge and stemming can all be withdrawn together without
danger or fear of firing as no pick or tool likely to strike the detonator is
employed.
For use in cracked or porous seams a rubber bag may be attached to the block A
to enclose the cartridge into which the water is pumped to prevent the water leaking
away or being absorbed in the coal measure.
We wish it to be understood that we are well aware that cartridges have been
constructed with water enclosed in a chamber surrounding the explosive material.
and such does not form any part of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The method of firing shots in coal or other mines which consists in placing in
the shot hole behind the cartridge and in front of the stemming a cut off block

page_text: provided with service and exhaust tubes and then filling the space surrounding the
cartridge with water before firing for the purpose of preventing flame smoke or
fumes substantially as described.
2. An appliance for use in the firing of shots in blasting coal or other minerals
consisting of a cut off block provided with service and exhaust tubes to be placed in
the shot hole behind the cartridge by which the space surrounding the cartridge
can be filled with water and by which in case of a miss-shot the cartridge can be
safely withdrawn substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. An appliance for use in the firing of shots in coal and other mines having
the several parts constructed and arranged in combination substantially as and for
the purposes described and shown.
Dated this 12th day of February 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.