Improvements in Tubular Metallic Pit Supports.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tubular Metallic Pit Supports.
I, SAMUEL EARNSHAW HOWELL of Brook Steel Works, Sheffield in the County
of York, Manufacture do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to a combination of tubular Iron or steel appliances for the
support of pit roofs, and other like purposes.
In carrying out my invention, I make what are known as pit props, of lengths of
steel or iron tubing, preferably having each end expanded in a conical form so as to
hold a cone of wood, which forms a bearing surface of much larger diameter than
that of the body of the tube. On the body of the prop I form from the solid metal
or attach thereto suitable stops or projections to prevent the pulling down chain from
slipping down.
To fit upon the upper ends of each prop I construct a bearing or chair to receive
and hold in position the "bars" or horizontal supports which I also make of tubular
steel or iron, and preferably of an oval cross section, as being (when placed on its
edge) the best configuration or form for supporting heavy weights, or resisting great
pressure.
The support or chair before mentioned, as being made to fit upon the top of the
prop, (and which is prevented being displaced from its position by a depending flange
on its underside encircling the prop) is provided with two raised sides between which
the oval tubular bar, or horizontal support rests, and is retained upon its edge in the
desired position.
Dated the 23rd day of January 1889
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tubular Metallic Pit Supports.
I, SAMUEL EARNSHAW HOWELL of Brook Steel Works. Sheffield, in the County of
York Manufacturer 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 :—
My invention relates to improvements in tubular inetallic pit supports, and in the
combination of such supports in adapting them for upholding the roofs of pits, and for
other similar purposes.
The annexed sheet of drawings, illustrates my invention, similar letters of reference
indicate similar parts throughout the several views.
Fig. 1, represents a pit prop in elevation, with a chain stop, and cap carrying
transverse support.
Fig. 2, sectional elevation of same, with end view of transverse support.
Fig. 3, elevation of a similar pit prop part in section, removable chain stop.
In carrying out my invention, the first part of which consists in forming one or
more retaining stops upon the otherwise suooth or uninterupted surface of the body
of the metallic tube, to retain the chain used for pulling down the props, and prevent
it slipping down to the base of the prop, I make the props of steel or of iron tubing
of any desired length and diameter, expanding each end A conically for the purpose
of receiving wooden blocks B, which project a short distance beyond the end of the
tube and form on the central part or body of the prop in any desired position, one

page_text: or more annular collars (½, or like projections which form a stop and prevent the
loop of chain slipping down.
Instead of pressing or otherwise forming the collar C from the tube itself, I may
make a separate metallic collar and secure it upon the body of the prop by shrinking
or other like means; such a collar is shown in Fig. 3.
In the second part of my invention which relates to the combination of the
before described tubular props, and other tubular appliances, I fit upon the top of
said props a bearing or chair D. to receive and hold in position the horizontal
supports or "bars E which are also made of tubular steel or iron, and of an
oval or flattened cross section, or of other configuration suitable for resisting
vertical pressure.
The supports or chairs D, are made with a depending flange which encircles the top
of the prop so as to prevent displacement, and is provided with two raised sides
or ears F, between which the horizontal support or "bar" rests, upon a base,
rounded or otherwise shaped to correspond with the shape of the horizontal
support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
ton and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
-:
1 The combination with metallic, tubular, pit props of a metallic chain-stop,
either made from the tube itself, and solid therewith or otherwise made, and attached
thereto, for the purpose specified, and substantially as described and shown.
2-The combination with a tubular, metallic pit prop, of a chair D, and a horizontal
tubular support E, all constructed and acting together for the purpose specified and
substantially as described and shown.
Dated the 24th day of October 1889
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A..
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.