IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DREDGING OR EXCAVATING, AND FOR LIFTING AND DISCHARGING OR LOWERING GRAIN OR OTHER MATTERS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Burton Buckley, of 6, Westminster Chambers,
Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DREDGING OR EXCAVATING, AND FOR
LIFTING AND DISCHARGING OR LOWERING GRAIN OR OTHER MATTERS." A
communication from abroad by Charles Fouracres, of Dohree on Sone,
Shahabad, Bengal, in the Empire of India.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Burton Buckley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1879.
ROBERT BURTON BUCKLEY, of 6, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, in the
City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
DREDGING OR EXCAVATING, AND FOR LIFTING AND DISCHARGING OR LOWERING
GRAIN OR OTHER MATTERS. ม (A communication from abroad by Charles Fouracres,
of Dehree on Sone, Shahabad, Bengal, in the Empire of India.)
This Invention has reference to apparatus in which scoops are used in conjunction
with means for opening, lowering, closing, and raising the same for dredging or
excavating and for other purposes, as, for instance, lifting and discharging grain or
other cargo in bulk from ships and boats, lowering concrete, and other analogous
uses.
According to this Invention two seginental scoops are hinged on a cross head at
the lower end of a spear, rod, or bar, which may be in two or more connected
lengths, and partly of wood or wholly of metal. The scoops, when closed, form
about a half circle, or it may be more or less to suit requirements. Two metal
collars are able to slide freely on the spear, rod, or bar. They are connected to the
scoops, the lower one by two chains and the upper one by two rods. One end of
each rod is connected to the upper collar, and the other end to a semicircular, angle,
or channel iron fixed to the respective scoop. One end of each chain is connected
to the lower collar on the spear, rod, or bar, and the other ends are secured each to
one of the semicircular or channel irons, each of which is bent to a segment or are
of a circle. The angle or channel irons are secured to the scoops, and are placed
sufficiently far apart to allow the iron spear, rod, or bar to be between them. In
the spear, rod, or bar is fixed a stud to receive two pulleys and two anti-friction
Pavine 71

page_text: rollers; around the former the two chains above referred to are rove.
These chains,
when in tension, close the scoops. The anti-friction rollers are fitted so that they
bear lightly against the angle or channel irons; but, in some cases, if the angle or
channel irons be made of sufficient section the anti-friction rollers may be dispensed
with.
When working, the spear, rod, or bar travels in a suitable guide, which may be
fixed to and in front of the sheaf of a crane jib head, and in which guide the spear,
rod, or bar works freely. To this guide are also attached a lever with a cam,
likewise hooks operating as hereinafter mentioned for opening the scoops of the
machine. The main chain is secured directly to the lower collar when working in
soft soil, but if working in hard soil the chain is rove round a sheaf attached to
this collar, the end of the chain being secured to the spear, rod, or bar higher up,
thus giving greater power for closing the scoops. The cam within the guide
attached to the jib head in front of the sheaf has for object to ensure the scoops
entering the material they are to excavate by preventing upward movement of
their axis. The same end may be attained by the use of a rack on the spear, rod,
or bar in conjunction with a suitable catch or pinion or equivalent device operated
by a lever or otherwise.
When using the machine as a dredger or excavator it is lowered into the soil
with the scoops open. The scoops are kept open by a catch with a float attached
to it. On arriving at the soil under water and resting on it the strain is taken off
the catch, which the float then lifts out of gear, the cain lever is then moved, the
cam jams the spear, rod, or bar and secures it. The main chain is hove up and the
scoops are forced into the soil. When the scoops are closed the lever and cam are
released to allow the machine to rise, and it is raised into position for discharging.
The upper collar to which the connecting rods are attached is furnished with two
crutches or projections; these crutches or projections on ascending push back a
couple of hooks inade self-acting by counterbalances or otherwise, so that they
return into such positions that the crutches attached to the collar shall rest on
them on the hoisting chain being paid out; thus the whole weight of the machine
and load is thrown on the two connecting rods, causing the scoops to open and
discharge their load. The scoops on opening are automatically reset for lowering
by means of the float catch.
If it be required to work to depths involving the use of a longer spear, rod, or
bar than would be convenient, that portion of the spear, rod, or bar just above the
anti-friction pulleys may be dispensed with, and the collar for opening the scoops
made to work on the main chain.
Attached to the jib head or other point of support is a fork clutch worked by
hand which is pushed under the collar to open the scoops. The angle or channel
irons may be inside or outside the scoops to form the means for closing, or cast iron
quadrants may be substituted. A small or hand power dredger may be worked as
follows:-
The scoops are lowered open from a pulley attached to a scaffold or other support;
when they reach the soil, the strain being off the float catch, it is liberated by the
action of the float; then the main chain is wound up and the scoops close and rise.
On reaching the position at which they are to discharge their load two chains or
ropes (previously fixed to the scaffold or other support), with rings at each end are
placed with these rings under the hooks fixed to the curved portion of the scoops;
the main chain or rope is then lowered, thus bringing the strain on the fixed chains
with rings; the scoops now open and the load is discharged, at the same time they
are reset for lowering by the float catch falling into gear. Valves are provided in
the scoops for escape of water.
When the machine is used for grain or for excavating material over which there
is no water the float catch is replaced by one with a light cord attached to it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Burton Buckley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
December 1879.
ROBERT BURTON BUCKLEY, of 6, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, in the
City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
DREDGING OR EXCAVATING, AND FOR LIFTING AND DISCHARGING OR LOWERING
GRAIN OR OTHER MATTERS." (A communication from abroad by Charles Fouracres,
of Dehree on Sone, Shahabad, Bengal, in the Empire of India.)
This Invention has reference to apparatus in which scoops are used in conjunc-
tion with means for opening, lowering, closing, and raising the same for dredging
or excavating and for other purposes, as, for instance, lifting and discharging grain
or other cargo in bulk from ships and boats, lowering concrete, and other analogous
uses.
According to this Invention two segmental scoops are hinged on a cross head at
the lower end of a spear, rod, or bar, which may be in two or more connected lengths,
and partly of wood or wholly of metal.
The scoops when closed form about a half cylinder, or it may be more or less to
suit requirements.
Two metal collars are able to slide freely on the spear, rod, or bar. They are
connected to the scoops, the lower one by two chains, and the upper one by two
rods. One end of each rod is connected to the upper collar, and the other end to a
semicircular angle or channel iron fixed to the respective scoops. One end of cach
chain is connected to the lower collar on the spear, rod, or bar, and the other ends
are secured each to one of the semicircular or channel irons, each of which is bent
to a segment or are of a circle. The angle or channel irons are secured to the
scoops, and are placed sufficiently far apart to allow the iron spear, rod, or bar to
be between them. In the spear, rod, or bar is fixed a stud to receive two pulleys
and two anti-friction rollers; around the former the two chains above referred to
are rove. These chains when in tension close the scoops. The anti-friction rollers
are fitted so that they bear slightly against the angle or channel irons, but in some
cases, if the angle or channel irons be made of sufficient section, the anti-friction
rollers may be dispensed with.
When working, the spear, rod, or bar travels in a suitable guide, which may be
fixed to and in front of the sheaf of a crane jib head, and in which guide the spear,
rod, or bar works freely. To this guide are also attached a lever with a cam or
pawl-like arm, I will call a pawl, likewise hooks, operating as hereinafter men-
tioned, for opening the scoops of the machine. The main chain is secured directly
to the lower collar when working in soft soil, but if working in hard soil the chain
is rove round a sheaf carried by this collar, the end of the chain being secured to
the spear, rod, or bar higher up, thus giving greater power for closing the scoops.
The cam or pawl within the guide attached to the jibhead in front of the sheaf has
for object to ensure the scoops entering the material they are to excavate by pre-
venting upward movement of their axis. The same end may be attained by the
use of a rack on the spear, rod, or bar in conjunction with a suitable catch or
pinion, or equivalent device, operated by a lever or otherwise. When using the
machine as a dredger or excavator it is lowered into the soil with the scoops open.
The scoops are kept open by a catch with a float attached to it. On arriving at the
soil under water, and resting on it, the strain is taken off the catch, which the float
then lifts out of gear; the cam or pawl lever is then removed, the cam or pawl jams
the spear, rod, or bar, and secures it; the main chain is hove up, and the scoops are
forced into the soil. When the scoops are closed the lever and cam or pawl are
released to allow the machine to rise, and it is raised into position for discharging.
The upper collar, to which the connecting rods are attached, is provided with two
crutches or projections; these crutches or projections on ascending push back a

page_text: couple of hooks made self-acting by counter balances or otherwise, so that they
return into such positions that the crutches attached to the collar shall rest on them
on the hoisting chain being paid out; thus the whole weight of the machine and
load is thrown on the two connecting rods, causing the scoops to open and discharge
their load. The scoops on opening are automatically reset for lowering by means
of the float catch. If it be required to work to depths involving the use of a longer
spear, rod, or bar than would be convenient, that portion of the spear, rod or bar
just above the anti-friction pulleys may in some cases be dispensed with, and the
collar for opening the scoops made to work on the main chain. Attached to the
jib head or other point of support is a fork clutch worked by hand, which is pushed
under the collar to open the scoops. The angle or channel irons may be inside or
outside the scoops to form the means for closing; or cast iron quadrants may be
substituted. A small or handpower dredger may be worked as follows:-
The scoops are lowered open from a pulley attached to a scaffold or other support;
when they reach the soil, the strain being off the float catch, it is liberated by the
action of the float, then the main chain is wound up, and the scoops close and rise.
On reaching the position at which they are to discharge their load, two chains or
ropes (previously fixed to the scaffold or other support) with rings at each end, are
placed with these rings under the hooks fixed to the curved portion of the scoops.
The main chain or rope is then lowered, thus bringing the strain on the fixed chain
with rings. The scoops now open and the load is discharged, at the same time they
are reset for lowering by the flout catch falling into gear. Valves are provided in
the scoops for escape of water.
When the machine is used for grain or for excavating material over which there
is no water, the float catch is replaced by one with a tight cord attached to it.
Referring to Sheet 1,—
Fig. 1 is an elevation shewing a dredging or excavating apparatus open.
Fig. 2 is a view of the apparatus (shewn open) at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus closed.
Fig. 4 is an isometrical view of the apparatus closed, with the closing chains
removed.
Fig. 5 is a section through one of the valves of the bucket.
Fig. 6 is a plan of the dredging bucket closed, with its semicircular angle irons in
section.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a double dredger.
Fig. 8 is an ond view partly in section of the same dredger.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a small dredger fitted to an ordinary barge.
Referring to Sheet 2,-
-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the bucket used for excavating soft material or for lifting
grain, et cetera, and shews it open.
Fig. 2 is a similar view shewing the bucket closed.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the centre of the bucket and its sheaves, et
cetera.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the collar.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the chain guide.
Fig. 6 is a sectional plan shewing the stops and attachments of the closing
chains.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the bucket.
Referring to Sheet 3,-
Fig. 1 is a side view shewing the apparatus as applied for excavating a pit or a
railway cutting on land.
Fig. 2 shews the apparatus in use for excavating mud from a dock or quay.
Fig. 3 shews the apparatus in use for discharging grain, sand, or gravel from a
boat or other vessel.

page_text: The dredging apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (Sheet 1), consists
of two segmental scoops M, M, hinged on a cross-head, which is welded to a spear,
rod, or bar L, this latter being attached at its upper end by a key to a light wooden
spear C; or the spear, rod, or bar may be made wholly of metal. The scoops when
closed form a bucket of the form of about half a cylinder. Two motal collars W
and X slide freely on the iron and wooden spears, rods, or bars respectively. Tho
upper collar X is connected to the scoops by the light iron rods Y, Y, and the lower
collar W by two chains P, P. One end of each of these chains P, P, is connected
to the lower collar, and the other, after passing through one of two sheaves Q, Q,
revolving on a stud fixed to the spear, rod, or bar L, is attached to the end of one
of a pair of semi-circular, angle, or channel irons O, O, fixed to the scoops M, M,
the chain on the right hand of the spear, rod, or bar being attached to the angle
iron, which is rivetted to the right scoop, and the chain on the left hand of the
spear, rod, or bar to the angle iron, which is rivetted to the left scoop. These
chains then cross each other, as it were, round the sheaves Q, Q, and since the
semicircular, angle, or channel irons also cross one another at the same point the
chains when placed in tension tend to close the scoops upon or against one another
into the position shewn in Figs. 3 and 4. The angle or channel iron, which is
rivetted to the one scoop, wraps itself round the other scoop when the bucket is
opened into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Both of these angle or channel
irons are carefully chipped and filed to segments of a true circle on their upper
edges. These edges bear against two anti-friction rollers n, n, which revolve on
the same pin or stud which carries the sheaves Q, Q. and which tend to preserve
the angle or channel irons in their proper shape and position. These anti-friction
rollers however may be dispensed with if the angle irons be made of sufficient
section. The sliding collar W has a sheave within it, around which the main
lifting chain B is rove. When working in soft soil the chain B is attached directly
to the collar W, but in hard soil power is gained by passing the chain through the
sheaves and fastening the end of it to the spear, rod, or bar higher up, as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. This main chain B is passed over the head of the crane, as
shewn in Fig. 2. Stops R and S are provided to prevent the scoops overrunning
themselves, and thus getting jamined. A lever G is centered in the jib-head, and
has attached to it a cam or pawl, which bears on a very shallow rack fixed to the
spear, rod, or bar C. On pulling the rope attached to the lever this cam or pawl
(F) jams the spear, rod, or bar in the guide E, so that it cannot rise. Instead of F
a pinion or other suitable device may be used; or the rack may be dispensed with,
and simply a cam operated by the lever G used for jamming the spear, rod,
or bar.
One of the main features of the improved dredge is the float catch T. This
catch is hinged to the top of one of the scoops, and when the scoops are opened, as
in Figs. 1 and 2, it hooks onto a lug U on the top of the other scoop. It thus ties
the two scoops together at the top, and prevents them from closing as long as the
catch remains in that position.
Hooks H, H, which are attached to each side of the jib head, are so counter-
balanced by weights K, K, that they fall forward into the position shewn in Fig. 2,
when the rope attached to them is slackened. These hooks have at their lower
extremities sloping faces, such that when the clutch collar X rises up to them the
projecting arms or crutches of this collar push back the hooks and rise past them.
When the arms are above the hooks the latter fall forward and support the arms,
so as to prevent the collar from returning. When in this position the main lifting
chain may be lowered, and the whole dredging apparatus remains hanging to the
jib head on the hooks H, H. The entire weight thus being thrown on the collar X,
and the rods Y, Y, attached to the scoops, the said scoops are drawn open into the
position shewn in Fig. 1.
N, N, are stiffening bars, and V, V, are leather valves, which allow water to
escape if the bucket is not filled with mud, but which are closed by and retain any
solid matter the scoops may cut into.

page_text: -
The action of the improved dredger just described is as follows:-
The apparatus is hung to a revolving crane A fitted with a suitable head and
mounted on a barge. The main lifting chain B is attached to a winding engine, or
to a crab winch worked by a portable engine, or to any machine, such that the
man who regulates the machinery can wind up the chain, or unwind it, or hold it
stationary at any moment he pleases. The dredger is first lowered into the water
in the position shown in Fig. 1 by unwinding the main chain. While it is being
lowered this chain is of course tight, as it bears the entire weight of all the move-
able parts of the dredger. The strain on the main chain tends to draw the travelling
collar W upwards on the spear, rod, or bar L. This tightens the closing chains P, P,
the strain on which acting on the semicircular augle-irons O, O, tends to close the
scoops M or bucket. The catch T however holds the two scoops together at the
top, and prevents them from closing. In this manner the bucket descends, the
wooden spear, rod, or bar C sliding freely down in the guide E.
When the bucket reaches the bottom the scoops rest on the surface of the mud;
they open slightly, and the strain is taken off the catch T, which immediately rises
out of gear by ineans of the flotation of the ball attached to it; thus the scoops
are released and free to close. The stops S prevent the scoops from opening more
than is just sufficient to release the catch T. Immediately the scoops reach the
bottom the attendant reverses the machinery, and winds up the main lifting chain.
At the same moment the lever G is pulled over by the rope attached to it, and
jams the spear, rod, or bar tightly in the guide E. As the main lifting chain
ascends it draws the collar W upwards on the spear, rod, or bar L, and the collar
draws up the chains P, P, which causes the semicircular, angle, or channel irons O, O,
to press the scoops M, N, into the material on which they were resting. The spear,
rod, or bar is meanwhile held fast in the jib-head by the lever G, and cannot rise;
thus the scoops are compelled to bite into the soil. But if any very hard matter
is met with the pressure on the spear, rod, or bar causes the cam or pawl to jump
out of the shallow rack, and no damage is done. As soon as the bucket is closed,
which can be easily known by watching the point to which the collar X descends
on the spear, rod, or bar the lever is released, and the whole apparatus rises to the
surface by the continued action of the main lifting chain.
When the bucket rises to the surface of the water, the crank A. is revolved until
the bucket hangs over the mud-punt which is along side of the dredger. As the
clutch collar X rises the projecting arms push back the hooks, which immediately
afterwards fall back into position underneath the arms. As soon as the attendant
sees that the hooks have thus caught the arms of the collar, he reverses the
winding of the chain; the rods Y, Y, then take the whole weight of the apparatus;
the spear, rod, or bar, and heavier parts descend, and the scoops M, M, are pulled
open partly by the weight of the material they themselves contain, and partly by
the weight of the descending parts, the whole of which presses upon the crosshead
of the spear, rod, or bar L, and thus tends to open the scoops. When the scoops are
wide open the stops S bear on the spear, rod, or bar L, and the catch T falls
automatically into position, catching the other scoop. The dredger is now ready
for another bite. The slack of the main lifting chain is taken up, and the weight
of the apparatus is taken off the books H sufficiently to enable them to clear the
arms of the clutch collar. The hooks are then drawn back, the crane revolved, and
the apparatus run down to the bottom as before.
The modification shewn on Sheet 2 can be worked from any ordinary crane with
a slight addition of the fork-clutch H, and is intended for soft soils. It is similar
in form and construction to the arrangement of dredging apparatus previously
described, except that the spear, rod, or bar is dispensed with, and the collar X to
which the connecting rods Y are attached slides on the main chain B itself, and not
on the spear, rod, or bar.
In Fig. 1, the excavation is shewn open in the position in which it descends;
when it reaches the material to be lifted, the strain is taken off the float catch T
which then releases the tops of the scoops. On winding up the chain the scoops of

page_text: the bucket cut into the material until they close upon it in the position shewn in
Fig. 2.
When the scoops are thus closed, the bucket will rise as the chain is wound up.
On arriving at the desired height the fork-clutch H, which can be made of any
length to suit circumstances, is pushed into gear under the collar X, as shewn in
Fig. 2; the chain B is paid out, and thus the whole weight is thrown on the
collar X. The connecting rods Y then take the strain, the jaws open, and the load
is discharged at any point in the radius of the crane.
If used for lifting seed, grain, or other substance on land, the float catch may be
altered by lengthening it concentrically with the bucket until the end of the catch
is when the bucket is open as in Fig. 1, a little below the cutting edge of the
bucket, so that when the bucket rests on the material to be lifted, the catch is
thrown out of gear. When used for working in a confined space where the
segmental angle or channel irons might be liable to catch, these angle or channel
irons may be replaced by cast iron segments working inside the scoops themselves.
For dredging in canals and comparatively shallow water, this apparatus can be
fitted as shewn in Fig. 9 (Sheet 1) to any ordinary barge by fixing a portable
engine, a crab winch, and a revolving crane on the barge; the engine drives the
winch which lifts and lowers the apparatus by a chain led over the revolving
crane.
Large dredgers may be arranged as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, (Sheet 1). The
scoops of the bucket are similar to those previously described, except that they
have double spears, rods, or bars, and double closing chains; the sliding collar is
also differently constructed to carry the extra pullies which are necessary con-
sequent on the doubling of the closing chains. By means of this doubling, the run
of the collar is reduced by one half, and the apparatus is consequently more
compact. The extra force necessary to close the scoops is gained by the double
pullies in which the main chain runs; the hooks are worked by means of a spiral
spring placed above a small steam or compressed air cylinder. By means of the
spiral spring the hooks are kept constantly in readiness to catch the clutch
collar; but when the hooks have caught the collar and are bearing the weight of the
apparatus, the man regulating the machinery admits the steam into the cylinder, so
that as soon as the scoops are empty and the main chain has been sufficiently
lifted to take the weight of the hooks, these are opened by the descent of the
piston in the cylinder, overcoming the force of the spring, and the apparatus is then
lowered.
The pressure on the spears is put on in the same manner by admitting steam or
compressed air to the cylinder in the crane-head; this presses blocks against the
racks on the spears. While the scoops are being closed, the attendant keeps his
hand on the regulator which controls the valve of the cylinder, thus he can at any
moment release the spears by allowing the steam or air to escape from the cylinder,
when the spiral spring immediately draws the blocks out of contact with the racks
on the spears. The teeth on these racks are so constructed that the blocks would
run back in the event of any extreme pressure coming on them, even against
pressure in the cylinder. Friction blocks may be substituted for the rack and
block. The tubes which in large dredgers perform the office of the wooden spears
used in small dredgers are highly braced together by iron rods. They are steadied
above the jib head by a light guide attached to the head of the crane.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I hereby
declare that what I consider novel and original and therefore claim as secured to me
under the Letters Patent hereinbefore in part recited is,-
1. The combination and arrangement of parts herein-before described, whereby
the act of merely relifting or hauling in the chain effects successively without
pause the operations of excavating and then lifting the apparatus.
2. Arranging the semicircular angle or channel irons and anti-friction rollers,

page_text: substantially as described, so that the edges of the said angle or channel irons bear
accurately on the anti-friction rollers.
3. Causing the bucket to be kept pressed down when closing by apparatus
attached to or connected with the crane-head or other point of suspension or
support, and acting on the vertical spear, rod, or bar, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The method of automatically unlocking or releasing the bucket scoops when
ready to cut, and locking or securing them when opened, and so retaining them by
means of a self-acting float-catch, operating substantially as herein before described.
5. The improved apparatus for dredging and other purposes, constructed,
arranged, and operating substantially as shewn in and described with reference to
Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The improved apparatus for dredging and other purposes, constructed,
arranged, and operating substantially as shewn in and described with reference to
Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Burton Buckley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
R. B. BUCKLEY. (L.S.)