Year: 1888

page_text: I RICHARD RICHARDSON HUTCHINSON of 114 Edith Grove, Brompton, London, S. W.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineer 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 :-
::
22
The object of my Invention is to apply a current of electricity from any convenient.
source, through a suitable electric motor as a means for operating pile drivers, and
raising the "monkey or weight thereof and also rendering the disengagement of
said monkey or weight when a pre determined height has been attained, and
subsequent re-engagement of the monkey with the lifting chain, and raising of same
to the height before mentioned, perfectly automatic, and independent of any
manipulation by hand.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood, reference may be made to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, as follows, that is to say.
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a pile driver according to my Invention,
and Figure 2 a side elevation of same-Figure 3 shews the automatic coupling or
"catch hook detatched, and Figure 4 a side elevation of the same.
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In carrying my Invention into effect I employ a frame with vertical members A A',
monkey or
forming or having attached thereto vertical guides A A¹ for the
weight D, and diagonal members B B fixed upon a suitable base C. A chain
or rope e, passing over a pulley, is passed around a chain or rope barrel G to
which is attached a spur wheel driven by the pinion F upon the spindle of the
electric motor E in such a manner that when a current of electricity from any source
is caused to traverse the coils of said motor, the rotation of the chain barrel G driven
cl
by it, raises the "monkey" D attached to the "catch hook "-Two pins or studs
are placed at a suitable height, so as to project from the guides A A' and engage
C,

page_text: "
a shown
with the wings upon the catch hook. The strain or pressure caused by the
continued rotation of the motor winding in the chain or rope e acting against the
wings depresses them, and disengages the monkey which falls upon the pile
that has to be driven-In order to render the operation of releasing, and raising the
monkey continuous and automatic, I provide upon the "catch hook "
upon a larger scale by Figures 3 and 4, a switch arm which is firmly attached to
the end of the pin upon which the jaw a of the catch hook works freely, but which
is rigidly attached to the jaw a so that any motion of the latter causes said switch
arm to move in the arc of a circle over the face of the jaw a. Upon this latter,
and suitably insulated therefrom, I attach a contact bar so situated that the switch
arm only makes electrical contact therewith when the jaws of the catch hook are
closed together.
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An insulated flexible cable with a double wire enclosed within its sheath, is
attached to the catch hook," one wire being coupled to the switch arm & and the
other to the contact bar upon the face of the jaw and sufficient slack cable is provided
so that the full travel of the "catch hook may not impose a strain thereupon-
One of the wires at the free end of said cable is coupled to one terminal of the
motor E and the other is coupled to one terminal of the dynamo-electric generator,
or other source of an electric current, the opposite terminal of which is coupled to
the other terminal of said electric motor E. A switch may be provided for cutting
the cable out of the circuit and operating the motor independently of it-When the
pile driver is actuated as above described, and the "catch hook" has engaged with
the ring or link upon the "monkey," the motor is automatically connected to the
electric current by means of the switch arm and contact bark and the "monkey is.
raised until the pins or studs opening the wings cause the "catch hook" to release
said monkey, and at the same time break the electric contact between the switch
arm and contact bar thereby stopping the motor-The weight of the catch book
now causes the chain or rope e to unwind from the barrel G, revolving the latter, and
the spur wheel pinion and motor armature in the opposite direction, until the
"catch hook" has descended upon the "monkey" when the horus d d cause the
jaws of said "catch hook" to close upon the ring or link and this movement
necessarily causes the switch arm again to establish the electric circuit through the
contact bar, and the motor immediately revolving by the action of the current again
raises the monkey "D. This operation may thus be continued ad infinitum, without
rendering it necessary to adjust the stroke as the pile becomes driven deeper by the
repeated blows.
The advantages of this application of electricity according to my Invention consists
in the greater portability of the pile driver so fitted, compared with such apparatus
furnished with steam engines and boiler, and also in the fact that when once adjusted
to the work, little or no personal attention is required, and the electric current may
be supplied from a dynamo electric generator or other source placed at a distance
away from said pile driver, thus enabling the latter to be used under circumstances
which might preclude the use of heavier and more massive machinery for the
purpose.
I may in applying the device or contrivance according to my Invention dispense
with the automatic arrangement hereinbefore fully described and substitute therefor
a clutch and lever H, Figure 2 which may be moved by hand, for disengaging the
electric motor, and allowing the "catch hook" to descend, and become attached to
the monkey D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. In a pile driver, the combination and application of an electric motor with a
chain or rope barrel, and suitable driving gear for transmitting the motion of
said motor to said barrel, substantially as and for the purpose herein described

page_text: Second. In a pile driver as referred to in the preceding claim the employment of a
catch hook a Figures 3 and 4 with a switch lever and contact bar for the purpose of
making or breaking the electric circuit, substantially as herein described and shewn in
the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Third. The combination of an electric motor with the hauling gear of a pile driver,
and with or without the automatic electrical make and break, substantially as herein
described and set forth.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C.,
Agents for Applicant.