Improvements in Elevators for Coal and the like, also applicable to Dredgers and Excavators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 11th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elevators for Coal and the like, also applicable to
Dredgers and Excavators.
1, GEORGE WILLIAM HAWKSLEY Brightside Boiler and Engine Works,
Sheffield, in the County of York, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention to be as follows:-.
This invention is for improvements in the construction of elevators, dredgers and
excavators and relates more particularly to a method of altering the position of
the buckets or scoops, to enable them to work at varying depths as may be
required.
In carrying out my invention as applied to an elevator, for example, for raising
coal from a barge at a low level, and distributing it to a series of boilers, for which
purpose it is well adapted.
I construct a fixed framework having an inclined face leading down to the
position of the barge, and having at its upper end a hopper or like receiver with a
mouth or opening of sufficient length for the purpose required, and leading to a
creeper or other carrier or distributor.
Upon the face of the incline on the framework I fix a slide carrying the endless
belt or chain with the buckets or scoops, and capable of being raised or lowered
upon the incline.
This raising and lowering action may be accomplished by means of a rack and
pinion, or by means of a screw, or other equivalent means, so that the slide with
the scoops can be run out to the extreme length of its capacity, to reach the
coal when the barge is nearly empty, and can be raised when commencing with
a full barge.
The mouth or opening into the hopper is made long enough vertically to receive
the coal as it is tipped out of the overturning buckets or scoops at the top of the
slide, at its highest, or lowest, or any intermediate position.
The endless line of buckets or scoops may be driven by any mechanical arrange-
ment, such as a shaft passing through a fixed pinion driven by the motor, and
transmitting its power through a pinion to a wheel upon the axle of one of the belt
or chain wheels, as will be well understood by engineers.
I wish it to be understood that I may not in all cases use a fixed or rigid frame-
work for the slide to work upon, as such may be made adjustable in its angle or
incline, and fixed when the desired angle is obtained.
Dated the 10th day of September 1890.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elevators for Coal and the like, also applicable to
Dredgers and Excavators.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM HAWKSLEY Brightside Boiler and Engine 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 :-
This invention is for improvements in the construction of elevators, dredgers and
excavators and relates more particularly to a method of altering the position of

page_text: the buckets or scoops, so as to enable them to work at various depths, as may be
desired.
The apparatus, shown for example in the annexed sheet of drawings, is an
elevator, which illustrates my invention, although with the necessary alteration in
the details it may as before stated be applied to floating dredgers, or portable
excavators running upon rails. In excavators, the framework carrying the
adjustable slide may be made to move with a horizontal radial action, but I do not
claim this as forming part of my invention.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of an elevator, made according to my invention.
In carrying out my invention as applied to an elevator, for example, for raising
coal from barges and distributing it to a series of boilers or trucks or the like, and
which is illustrated in the annexed drawing; I construct a fixed framework A,
having an inclined face leading down to the position of the barge or truck D, and
having at its upper end a hopper E, or other receiver, with a mouth or opening of
sufficient vertical length, for the purpose required, and leading to a shoot or creeper
or other distributor F.
Upon the face of framework A, I fix a slide B, carrying the usual endless belt
of buckets C, (or scoops as the case may be) and made capable of being raised or
lowered upon the inclined face of the framework A, longitudinally.
This alteration in longitudinal position may be accomplished by means of a rack
and pinion, or by a chain G, from a crab H, and retained by a ratchet wheel and
catch I. The endless belt may be driven by the gearing J, from the motor or
engine K, which also gives motion by the belt or chain L, to the creeper F.
The mouth of the hopper is made long enough vertically to receive the coal or
the like, as it is tipped out of the overturning buckets or scoops at the top of the
slide, either at its highest or at its lowest or any intermediate position.
The chief feature of the invention will therefore be understood to be, the longi-
tudinally sliding frame carrying the buckets, that can be raised or lowered upon
the main frame, and be fixed in any position along the course of its travel, and does
not refer to any of the mechanical details.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same may be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improvement in elevators, dredgers, and excavators, consisting in the
.arrangement of an adjustable slide B, carrying the endless belt of buckets, or
scoops, C, and capable of being moved up or down the inclined face of the main
frame A, to any desired position, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
2. An improved elevator, consisting of a main-frame A, either fixed at one
angle, or made adjustable in its inclination, having upon its face a slide B, capable
of being moved either up or down the main-frame A, and carrying the endless belt
of buckets C, which empty their contents into a hopper E, driven or operated in
the various movements by any arrangement of machinery, but substantially as
herein before described and illustrated.
Dated the 28th day of May 1891.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.