Mud, Grain, or other Substances, Applicable for Dredging.
Year: 1885

page_text: Mud, Grain, or other Substances, Applicable for Dredging.
. I DANIEL DAVID RICHARDS, of N° 97 Calvert Road, East Greenwich, in the
County of Kent, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RAISING OR LOWERING AND DISCHARGING
MUD, GRAIN OR OTHER SUBSTANCES, APPLICABLE FOR DREDGING " to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus for raising or lowering and discharging
mud, grain or other substances and may be used with advantage for dredging. It
comprises a bucket or skip of improved construction, in connection with which an
arrangement of suspending gear is employed whereby the parts or scoops of the
bucket or skip can be readily caused to either close or open and which suspending
gear is such moreover as may be readily disconnected from one bucket or skip and
attached to another so that the filling of the disconnected bucket or skip may be
completed by hand labour whilst a previously filled bucket or skip is raised or
lowered as the case may be and discharged. Each bucket or skip comprises a pair
of scoops of peculiar form such that the outline of the pair in plan resembles an
oblong figure with rounded corners. The bottom of each scoop as seen in section
is of a curved form the scoop becoming gradually shallower from its front towards
the back. To the upper part of each scoop is attached a framework with a central
projection or arm. The central projections or arms of the two scoops are connected
each by a link to an eye-piece with which the hook of the raising or lowering gear
can be readily engaged. The said eye-piece passes through an opening in a cross
bar to the ends of which both scoops are pivotted. The rearward or outer upper
portions of the two scoops are connected to a second eye-piece a prolongation of
which works through the above mentioned cross bar and is provided with an
adjustable stop or projection. When the weight of the bucket or skip is carried by
the last mentioned eye-piece the scoops are separated, or in other words the bucket
or skip is open. When the weight is carried by the other eye-piece the bucket or
skip is closed the tendency being to press the front portions of the scoops towards
each other. The suspending gear comprises two hooks each suspended to a rod or
bar provided with separate operating means and with guide pieces for keeping
them at a determined distance apart whilst at the same time permitting of their
being independently operated in a longitudinal sense. Each book is provided with

page_text: a trigger-like stop or safety device comprising a lever and spring so arranged as to
permit of ready engagement with and disengagement from the eyes of the bucket
or skip whilst preventing accidental disengagement therefrom.
The apparatus as above referred to may be constructed in various forms and
the shape of the scoops may be modified to suit the requirements of particular
applications.
In order that the suspending gear may be suitably operated for raising and
lowering the bucket or skip and to cause it to open and close when required
I employ an arrangement such that by the pulling of either of the chains or ropes
connected to the respective eyes the bucket may be opened when desired.
The arrangement comprises a main raising and lowering barrel or drum for the
rope or chain in connection with the first mentioned eye piece fast on a shaft upon
which is loosely mounted a toothed wheel that receives motion from any suitable
source. A clutch is provided for connecting or disconnecting the toothed wheel to
or from its shaft. A second raising or lowering barrel or drum is provided for
the rope or chain in connection with the second eye piece, and this barrel or drum
is mounted upon the same shaft as the other but is free to rotate upon it and can
be driven from the toothed wheel by means of an adjustable friction strap or its
equivalent. By clutch mechanism the second barrel or drum can when required be
connected to the toothed wheel, and by a double conical friction brake, operated
through suitable levers, its motion can be arrested or regulated when necessary
during the working of the apparatus.
To enable apparatus according to my invention to be used with ordinary cranes
wherein there is only one pulley or sheave at the top of the jib, I secure a bracket
carrying a second pulley or sheave to one side of the jib.

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Raising or Lowering and Discharging
Mud, Grain, or other Substances, Applicable for Dredging.
I, DANIEL DAVID RICHARDS, of 97 Calvert Road, East Greenwich, in the
County of Kent, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my
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 has reference to apparatus for raising or lowering and discharging
mud, grain, or other substances, and may be used with advantage for dredging.
It comprises a bucket or skip of improved construction in connection with which
an arrangement of suspending gear is employed whereby the parts or scoops of the
bucket or skip can be readily caused to either close or open and which suspending
gear is such moreover as may be readily disconnected from one bucket or skip and
attached to another so that the filling of the disconnected bucket or skip may be
completed by hand labour whilst a previously filled bucket or skip is raised or
lowered as the case may be and discharged. Each bucket or skip comprises a pair
of scoops of peculiar form such that the outline of the pair in plan resembles an
oblong figure with rounded corners. The bottom of each scoop as seen in section
is of a curved form the scoop becoming gradually shallower from its front edge
towards the back. To the upper part of each scoop is attached a frame work with
a central projection or arm. The central projections or arms of the two scoops are
connected each by a link to an eye piece with which the hook of the raising or
lowering gear can be readily engaged. The said eye piece passes through an
opening in a cross bar to the ends of which both scoops are pivotted. The rear-
ward or outer upper portions of the two scoops are connected to a second eye piece
a prolongation of which works through the above mentioned cross bar and is
provided at its lower extremity with a stop or projection. When the weight of
the bucket or skip is carried by the last mentioned eye piece the scoops are
separated, or in other words the bucket or skip is open. When the weight is
carried by the other eye piece the bucket or skip is closed the tendency being to
press the front portions of the scoops towards each other. The suspending gear
comprises two hooks each suspended to a rod or bar provided with separate
operating means and with guide pieces for keeping them at a determined distance
apart whilst at the same time permitting of their being independently operated in
a longitudinal sense. Each hook is provided with a trigger-like stop or safety
device comprising a lever and spring so arranged as to permit of ready engagement
with and disengagement from the eyes of the bucket or skip whilst preventing
accidental disengagement therefrom. The apparatus as above referred to may be
constructed in various forms and the shape of the scoops may be modified to suit
the requirements of particular applications. In order that the suspending gear
may be suitably operated for raising and lowering the bucket or skip and to cause
it to open and close when required, I employ an arrangement such that by the

page_text: pulling of one of the chains or ropes connected to the respective eyes the bucket
may be opened when desired.
The arrangement comprises a main raising and lowering barrel or drum for the
rope or chain in connection with the first mentioned eye piece fast on a shaft upon
which is loosely mounted a toothed wheel that receives motion from any suitable
source. A clutch is provided for connecting or disconnecting the toothed wheel to
or from its shaft. A second raising or lowering barrel or drum, hereinafter called
for distinction the pulley, is provided for the rope or chain in connection with the
second eye piece, and this pulley is mounted upon the same shaft as the barrel or
drum but is free to rotate upon it and can be driven from the toothed wheel by
means of an adjustable friction strap or its equivalent. By clutch mechanism the
pulley can when required be connected to the toothed wheel, and by a double
conical friction brake, operated through suitable levers, its motion can be arrested
or regulated when necessary during the working of the apparatus.
To enable apparatus according to my invention to be used with ordinary cranes
wherein, there is only one pulley or sheave at the top of the jib, I secure a bracket
carrying a second pulley or sheave to one side of the jib.
Referring to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Fig. 1. is an elevation
partly in section on the line A. B. Fig. 3, of a bucket or skip and suspending gear
according to my invention. Fig. 2. is an elevation partly in section on the
line C. D. Fig. 3. Fig. 3. is a sectional plan taken in the line E. F. Fig. 1.
Fig. 4. is an elevation partly in section showing the bucket or skip in its open
or discharging position. Fig. 5. is a modification hereinafter described. Fig. 6. is
an elevation partly in section of so much of a crane as is necessary to illustrate the
application thereto of apparatus according to this invention for operating the
bucket or skip. Fig. 7. is a plan or top view of a portion of Fig. 6. Fig. 8. is a
vertical section of the operating drums and connected parts drawn to an enlarged
scale. Fig. 9. is a detail view.
Referring to Figs. 1. to 4., 1. and 2. are the two parts or scoops of the bucket or
skip pivotted at 3, 3, to a cross bar 4. Each part or scoop 1. 2. has secured to it
frame bars 5. 6. which are each connected at their upper ends to one end of a bar 7,
the other end of which is secured to one side of one of the parts or scoops, each set
of bars 5. 6. 7. forming a frame with a central projection or arm 8. 9. 9. are links
connecting the projections or arms 8. 8. with an eye piece or bar 10. with which
the hook of the raising and lowering gear can be readily engaged. The eye
piece 10. passes through an opening 11. in the cross bar 4. 12. is a second eye
piece connected to the rearward or outer upper portions of the two scoops at 13.
by connections 14. 15. is an extension or prolongation of the eye piece 12.
working through the cross bar 4. as shown more clearly in Figs. 2. and 3; it is
provided at its lower extremity with an adjustable stop or projection 16. whereby
the extent of opening of the parts or scoops 1. 2. may be regulated at will. When
the weight of the bucket or skip is carried by the eye piece 12. the scoops are
supported and the bucket or skip opened as clearly shown in Fig. 4. When the
weight is carried by the eye piece 10. the bucket or skip is closed, the tendency of
the eye piece 10. and links 9. on the framework 5. 6. 7. being to force the front
portions of the parts or scoops 1. 2. towards each other. 16. and 17. are hooks
engaging with the eye pieces 10. and 12. respectively; they are connected to rods
or bars 19. and 20, the rod or bar 20 being kept at a determined distance from the
rod 19. by guide pieces 21. through which the rod or bar 20 works. 22. and 23.
are raising and lowering ropes or cables in connection with the rods or bars 19. 20.
as shown for independently operating the same. These rods or bars may if desired
be dispensed with, the ropes or cables being then directly connected with the
hooks 16. and 17. Each hook is provided with a triggerlike stop or safety
device 24. which in the example shown is a lever pivotted to its hook and provided
with a spring 25, the two being so arranged that the hooks may be readily engaged
or disengaged with the eye pieces 10. and 12. whilst preventing accidental dis-
engagement thereof. In the modification shown in Fig. 5. each projecting part 8.

page_text: is connected to the eye piece 10. by a lever 26. and link 28, the levers 26. being,
pivotted together at 27. This arrangement is well adapted for closing the parts
or scoops of the bucket or skip when working in hard material.
Referring to Figs. 6. to 9. 29 is the main raising and lowering barrel or drum
for the rope or chain in connection with the eye piece 10. This barrel or drum
is fast on the driving shaft 30 which is provided with a friction wheel 31 having
& friction brake 32 of ordinary construction. 33 is one part of a clutch coupling
fitted to slide on the driving shaft 30 and to rotate therewith by means of a
feather 34; it is adapted to be thrown in and out of gear with a corresponding
clutch 35 secured to one side of a toothed wheel 36 mounted loosely on the
shaft 30. The wheel 36 receives motion from any convenient source. 37 is a
lever or bandle for throwing the two parts of the clutch coupling in and out of
gear. 38 is a raising or lowering pulley for the rope or chain in connection with
the eye piece 12. It is of the same diameter as the barrel or drum 29 and is
mounted on the shaft 30 so as to be free to rotate thereon and is driven at certain
times from the toothed wheel 36 by an adjustable friction strap 39 secured to the
Baid toothed wheel 36 by a strap 40. The friction strap 39 works on a grooved
collar or ring 41 secured to the pulley 38 (Fig. 8.) and is made adjustable by
being made in two parts connected by bolts 42 between the heads of which and
the adjacent parts of the strap are interposed springs 43 as shown in Fig. 9.
By this arrangement liability of the friction strap and collar or ring to set fast is
obviated. 44 is a second clutch coupling arranged to slide on a neck or reduced
part or extension 45 of the collar or ring 41; it is provided with clutch pins 46
which extend outward on each side, the extending portions on one side entering
holes formed in the pulley 38 as shown whilst those on the other side extend
through holes in the collar or ring 41 and are of such length that when the
clutch 44 is moved to the right by a lever or handle 44* they are caused to pass
between the arms or spokes of the toothed wheel 36 thereby causing the pulley 38
to be driven directly from the said wheel. The portions of the pins 46 within the
holes in the pulley 38 are of such length as not to entirely leave the holes when
the coupling is moved to the right. 47 is a double conical friction or brake wheel
secured to or formed in one with the pulley 38. 48 is a fixed brake block and 49
is a corresponding movable one operated by a foot lever 50, shaft 51, lever 52,
link 53, and lever 54, as will be readily understood. The brake blocks grip the
wheel 47 on each side, the pulley 38 being arranged to slide on the shaft 30 to a
slight extent so as to enable the wheel 47 to be moved up to the fixed block 48
by the block 49. 55 is the ordinary drum or barrel for receiving a rope or chain
for hoisting and lowering the jib of the crane as well understood.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-The bucket or skip is lowered
towards the material to be raised by releasing, to a sufficient extent, the brake
wheel 31, the rope or chain on the pulley 38 being at the same time unwound.
At this time the clutch 33. 35. is out of gear and the pulley 38 free to rotate on
the shaft 30 independently of the wheel 36. When the bucket or skip is near the
material to be raised the pulley 38 is held fast by operating the brake blocks 48
and 49 to hold the wheel 47, the main hoisting and lowering rope or cable
continuing to unwind, and causing the bucket or skip to open, whereupon the
brake wheel 47 is released and the two ropes or cables 22. 23. continue to unwind
until the bucket or skip comes into contact with the material. The friction
wheel 31 is then released, the parts 33 and 35 of the clutch coupling are thrown
into gear, and the barrel or drum 29 rotated to raise the rope or cable 22, the
effect of which is to first close the two parts or scoops of the bucket or skip and
then to raise it, the pulley 38 winding up the rope or cable 23 by reason of the
friction strap 39. When the bucket or skip has been brought to the desired point
of discharge, it is caused to open by holding the friction wheel 31 fast, throwing
the clutch parts 33 and 35 out of gear and directly connecting the pully 38 with
the rotating toothed wheel 36 by operating the pin clutch 44; in this way the
rope or cable 23 will be caused to take the weight of the bucket or skip, and as it.

page_text: continues to rise the two parts or scoops will open. Or the bucket or skip may
be opened for discharging by holding the wheel 47 and releasing the wheel 31 to
a sufficient extent as before explained. By disconnecting the pulley 38 from the
wheel 36 and allowing the rope or cable 22 to unwind by sufficiently releasing the
friction wheel 31, the bucket or skip may be closed and lowered.
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:-
1. The improved bucket or skip constructed arranged and operating as described
with reference to and illustrated in Figs. 1. to 4. inclusive of the drawings.
2. The suspending gear for lowering, raising, opening and closing buckets or
skips, the arrangement being such as to admit of ready disconnection from one
bucket or skip and connection with another so that filling of a disconnected
bucket or skip may be taking place by hand labour whilst another bucket or skip
is being raised or lowered substantially as described.
3. Operating and controlling the ropes or cables to lower raise open and close
a bucket or skip as required by means of two barrels or drums mounted upon a
common shaft substantially as described.
4. The arrangement substantially as described of the two barrels or drums 29.
and 38. and the driving controlling and disconnecting gear whereby the said
barrels or drums are caused to operate the ropes or cables for lowering raising
opening and closing the buckets or skips as required.
5. The application and use of the adjustable friction strap 39 as described for
the purpose specified.