AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR FORMING TRENCHES OR DITCHES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting En-
gineer, for the Invention of “AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR FORMING
TRENCHES OR DITCHES."-A communication from abroad by Henry
Carter, of Aylmer, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, Blacksmith.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 16th March 1870, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," Southampton
Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
MACHINE FOR FORMING TRENCHES OR DITCHES," and have petitioned Her
Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Decla-

page_text: ration that it has been communicated to me from abroad by Henry
Carter, of Aylmer, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, Blacksmith.
NOW KNOW YŸE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
scal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing
forming a part of this Specification :-
This Invention relates to a machine for cutting trenches or ditches by
the employment of a plough or share (whereby the earth is loosened)
conjointly and in combination with an elevator by which the loosened
dirt is carried up and thrown out along the side of the trench or ditch,
ng herein-after more fully described
Figure 1 is a side view of the said ditching machine; Figure 2 is a
top view of the same; Figure 3 shews a detached portion thereof. Like
letters refer to like parts in the different views.
In Figure 1, A represents a frame mounted upon the wheel B, a
detached view of which is shown in Figure 3, having its axial bearings
in the arc C forming a part of the frame. Proceeding outwardly from
each side of the periphery of the said wheel is a deep flange D,
Figure 3, also indicated by the dotted lines, Figure 2, the rim of the
wheel being thereby
by two continuous sides. Projecting
from the face of the wheel is a series of prongs or teeth 6, the purpose
of which will presently be shown. E, Figure 1, is a plough or share
projecting under the lower side of the wheel. Immediately behind the
point of the said plough is a pair of cutters or colters c whereby the
sides of the furrow made by the plough are smoothed down and
straightened in the line of work. The plough referred to is attached to
the frame A by a pivoted connection which allows it to be moved back
from the wheel and slightly elevated in relation thereto, so that it may
run into the ground at a variable angle as the nature of the soil may
require. The plough is adjusted in its relation to the wheel by the
standard or rod F secured to the end of the frame by a screw d fitted in a
slot so that the said standard can be moved upward or downward, thereby
clevating or depressing the plough, it being attached to the standard by
the arm G; the extreme end of the latter is lodged in the side of the

page_text: standard, a notch being cut therein for its reception. H is a guide
whereby the plough is retained in proper position while being adjusted.
I is a platform mounted upon wheels J, and at the front end of which
the wheel and plough above described are placed and secured in position
by the vertical frame K attached to the platform, and within which the
wheel and plough slide upward and downward as and for a purpose
herein-after shown. L is a conductor, the lip M or outer end of which
projects beyond the side of the machine, whereas the inner end is fitted
between the sides of the wheel, and is armed with a series of fingers N,
Figure 2, between which the prongs projecting from the face of the
wheel pass as the wheel revolves.
The practical operation of this machine is as follows, namely:-The
direction of the ditch being determined, the machine is placed in linc
therewith, so that the wheels supporting the platform shall be on either
side, thereby bringing the wheel B and plough E directly upon the line
of the work. The team whereby the machine is drawn is hitched
thereto by means of a wide double tree so that each horse may walk
along by the side of the ditch outside of the dirt thrown out by the
machine. The operator or driver takes his place upon the platform,
holding the machine by the handles O. As the machine moves forward
the plough E under the wheel loosens the earth, which is then taken
up by the prongs of the revolving wheel and deposited upon the
conductor or chute L, from which it slides on to the ground along the
side of the cut. As the depth of the ditch increases the wheel and
plough descend between the platform, being sustained and guided by
the standards K, while the platform continues to roll upon the surface
of the ground until the desired depth is obtained.
By this machine a clear, smooth, and even ditch or trench is cut of
any desired depth, and with but little fatigue to the driver or team.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I claim―
First. The pronged wheel B arranged to operate in combination with
the adjustable plough E, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
Second. The conductor or chute L and fingers N arranged in relation
to and in combination with the wheel B and prongs b, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: Third. The adjusting standard F, arm G, guide H, and plough E all
combined and arranged to operate, substantially in the manner described
and for the purpose set forth.
1
Fourth. The combination and arrangement of the wheel B, plough E,
frame K, and platform I, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
JAMES TEABE,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Southampton Buildings,
London.