IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES FOR MOVING HEAVY BODIES, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hodge, of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of
the same Town, Engineer, for an Invention of “ IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
AND APPLIANCES FOR MOVING HEAVY BODIES, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hodge at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1880.
THOMAS HODGE, of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of the same Town,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES FOR MOVING
HEAVY BODIES, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR DREDGING AND EXCAVATING."
The object of the said Invention is to provide compact, efficient, and easily
worked apparatus and appliances for raising, moving, and lowering heavy bodies
generally, but mainly useful for dredging or lifting mud, sand, and loose deposits
from docks, the beds of rivers, and like situations, and for excavating or cutting
and removing earth, soil, gravel, or like materials in the construction of railways,
canals, and similar works.
Under the first part of my Invention steam crane apparatus of the jib or derrick
type, is constructed with an intermediate shaft and gearing located between the
engine shaft and the winding drum or barrel. The engine and intermediate shafts
are geared together by toothed wheels, and are constantly kept in motion by the
engine or engines. The winding drum or shaft and the intermediate shaft are
provided with friction pulleys or wheels, which are brought into frictional contact
with each other when it is desired to give motion to the winding drum or barrel.
To cause the said pulleys or wheels to bear against each other the intermediate
shaft is carried at one or both ends, by a bearing or bearings capable of being
moved in the direction of the winding drum or barrel, and to and fro motion
is communicated to the said bearing or bearings by means of one or more excentrics,
levers, or equivalent appliances. A brake of any ordinary or desired construction,
operated in any suitable way, is provided for arresting the motion of the winding
drum or barrel when necessary.
Under the second part of my Invention apparatus or appliances for giving
motion to the opening and closing chain or rope of grapple buckets or like

page_text: dredging appliances is constructed as follows:-A suitable framework secured on
the crane frame between the crane and steam generator is provided with a chain
wheel and a winding drum or barrel, and suitable carrying shafts and bearings.
The said chain wheel is geared by means of a chain with a wheel kept constantly
revolving by the crane engine or engines. The winding drum or shaft and the
chain wheel shaft are fitted with friction pulleys or wheels, which are brought into
contact when it is desired that motion should be communicated from the chain
wheel shaft to the winding drum or barrel. The shaft of the winding drum or
barrel is supported at one or both ends in movable bearings, and one or more
excentrics, levers, or equivalent devices move the said bearing or bearings, so as to
bring the friction pulley or wheel on the winding drum or shaft into contact with
the friction pulley or wheel on the chain wheel shaft, when it is desired to impart
motion to the said winding drum or barrel. The above mentioned excentrics,
levers, or equivalent devices also serve to move the said bearing or bearings in a
direction which carries the friction pulley or wheel on the winding drum or shaft
into contact with a fixed brake. A rope or chain on the winding drum or barrel
serves to effect the opening and closing of the grapple bucket or like dredging
appliance, and a rope or chain on the crane winding drum or barrel raises and
lowers the said grapple bucket. In some cases the shaft carrying the winding drum
or barrel works in fixed bearings, and receives motion from the chain wheel shaft
through an intermediate shaft and gearing, substantially as set forth under the
above first part of my Invention; in this case a movable friction brake is provided.
Under the third part of my Invention excavating apparatus or appliances for use
with cranes
constructed under the first part of my Invention consists of the
apparatus described under the second part of my Invention, or equivalent
machinery, and the appliances hereinafter described. The jib or derrick of the
crane carries a chain wheel which receives motion through a chain from the
apparatus set forth under the second part of my Invention. The said chain wheel
gives motion to a toothed pinion, which actuates a rack secured on a bar carrying
a scoop or excavating tool. The scoop or excavating tool receives a rising and
falling motion by means of the usual crane chain, which is connected to a link on
the said scoop or excavating tool. The motion of the toothed wheel on the jib moves
the rack and bar so as to vary the distance of the scoop or excavating tool from the
jib.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditians of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Thomas Hodge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th December 1880.
THOMAS HODGE, of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of the same Town,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN Apparatus AND APPLIANCES FOR MOVING
HEAVY BODIES, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR DREDGING AND EXCAVATING."
The object of the said Invention is to provide compact, efficient, and easily
worked apparatus and appliances for raising, moving, and lowering heavy bodies
generally, but mainly useful for dredging or lifting mud, sand, and loose deposits
from docks, the beds of rivers, and like situations, and for excavating or cutting
and removing earth, soil, gravel, or like materials in the construction of railways,
canals, and similar works.
Under the first part of my Invention steam crane apparatus of the jib or derrick
type is constructed with an intermediate shaft and gearing located between the
engine shaft and the winding-drum or barrel. The engine and intermediate shafts
are geared together by toothed wheels, and are constantly kept in motion by the
engine or engines. The winding-drum or shaft, and the intermediate shaft, are
provided with friction pulleys or wheels, which are brought into frictional contact
with each other when it is desired to give motion to the winding-drum or barrel.
To cause the said pulleys or wheels to bear against each other the intermediate
shaft is carried at one or both ends by a bearing or bearings capable of being
moved in the direction of the winding drum or barrel, and to and fro motion is
communicated to the said bearing or bearings by means of one or more excentrics,
levers, or equivalent appliances. A brake of any ordinary or desired construction,
operated in any suitable way, is provided for arresting the motion of the winding
drum or barrel when necessary,
Under the second part of my Invention apparatus or appliances for giving
motion to the opening and closing chain or rope of grapple buckets or like dredging
appliances is constructed as follows:-A suitable framework secured on the crane
frame between the crane and the steam generator is provided with a chain wheel
and a winding drum or barrel, and suitable carrying shafts and bearings. The said
chain wheel is geared by means of a chain with a wheel kept constantly revolving
by the crane engine or engines. The winding drum or shaft and the chain wheel
shaft are fitted with friction pulleys or wheels, which are brought into contact when
it is desired that motion should be communicated from the chain wheel shaft to the
winding drum or barrel. The shaft of the winding drum or barrel is supported at
one or both ends in moveable bearings, and one or more excentrics, levers, or
equivalent devices move the said bearing or bearings so as to bring the friction
pulley or wheel on the winding drum or shaft into contact with the friction pulley
or wheel on the chain wheel shaft when it is desired to impart motion to the said
winding drum or barrel. The above mentioned excentrics, levers, or equivalent
devices also serve to move the said bearing or bearings in a direction which carries
the friction pulley or wheel on the winding drum or shaft into contact with a fixed
brake. A rope or chain on the winding drum or barrel serves to effect the opening
and closing of the grapple bucket or like dredging appliance, and a rope or chain
on the crane winding drum or barrel raises and lowers the said grapple bucket. In
some cases the shaft carrying the winding drum or barrel works in fixed bearings,
and receives motion from the chain wheel shaft through an intermediate shaft and
gearing, substantially as set forth under the above first part of my Invention; in
this case a moveable friction brake is provided.
Under the third part of my Invention excavating apparatus or appliances for
use with cranes constructed under the first part of my Invention consists of the
apparatus described under the second part of my Invention, or equivalent machinery,

page_text: and the appliances hereinafter described. The jib or derrick of the crane carries a
chain wheel, which receives motion through a chain from the apparatus set forth
under the second part of my Invention. The said chain wheel gives motion to a
toothed pinion, which actuates a rack secured on a bar carrying a scoop or excavating
tool. The scoop or excavating tool receives a rising and falling motion by means
of the usual crane chain, which is connected to a link on the said scoop or
excavating tool. The motion of the toothed wheel on the jib moves the rack and
bar so as to vary the distance of the scoop or excavating tool from the jib.
DESCRIPTION, REFERRING MORE PARTICULARLY TO THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, Sheet I., is a side elevation of apparatus and appliances constructed under
my Invention, and illustrative of the first and second parts thereof; a, truck;
b, platform free to revolve on the centre 61; c, gear for causing the said platform
b to rotate; d, steam generator; e, engines; f, jib and supports. The parts lettered
from a to f inclusive may be variously arranged, or existing apparatus may be
adapted or used.
First Part. g, shaft receiving motion from the engines and carrying the toothed
pinion h; the said pinion h runs in gear with the toothed wheel on the
intermediate shaft j; k, friction pulley carried by shaft j; l, friction wheel secured
on the winding drum or barrel shaft m; n, brake worked by the foot lever o for
arresting the motion of the wheel Z, and with it that of the winding drum or barrel.
The intermediate shaft ; is carried in excentric bearings p, to which latter a motion
う
of rotation is given by the hand lever p¹. The motion of the said excentric
bearings causes the pulley k, on the intermediate shaft j, to be moved into and out
of contact with the friction wheel on the winding drum or barrel shaft. The
shaft is kept constantly rotating by means of the engines e, and motion is
imparted to the winding drum or barrel when required by pressing the friction
pulley into contact with the friction wheel Z. Various modifications of apparatus
are applicable as the equivalents of the excentric bearings and hand lever above
mentioned, and the above described arrangement of driving gear is applicable to
cranes and hoisting apparatus generally.
The
Second Part. q, framework secured on the crane platform 6 between the crane
and the steam generator; r, chain wheel receiving motion through the chain 8 from
a chain wheel on the constantly rotating shaft g. The said chain wheel ris secured
on a shaft t carried by bearings in the frame q; on the said shaft t is fixed a friction
pulley u; v, friction wheel carried by the winding drum or barrel shaft w.
shaft w works in excentric bearings x, which latter receive motion by means of the
hand lever y; z grapple bucket of any ordinary or desired construction; z¹, chain
for raising and lowering the said grapple bucket and leading to winding drum
on m; ², chain for opening and closing the grapple bucket and leading to the
winding drum on w; 2³, weight attached by a cord to the lever y for the purpose of
maintaining the wheel in contact with the pulley u, so that when the grapple
bucket is being raised the slack of the opening chain will be automatically taken
up. The wheel v is caused to move by means of the hand lever y so as to be brought
into contact with the constantly rotating friction pulley u or with the brake.
Fig. 2, Sheet II., is a view of dredging and excavating apparatus and appliances
constructed under the first and second parts of my Invention; in this view parts
like those in Fig. 1 have the same letters of reference. The construction and
arrangement is the same as that described under Fig. 1, except that the chain 22 is
led over a pulley 1 placed at about the centre of the jib f, and is attached to the
rear end of the scoop, dredger, or excavator 2, and that the chain z¹ is attached to
the said scoop at or near the front. The scoop is shown in position emptying.
Fig. 3, Sheet III. is a side elevation of an excavator constructed under the first,
second, and third parts of my Invention. The same letters of reference denote
parts like those in Figs. 1 and 2. The construction and arrangement of the engines

page_text: and winding drums or barrels and gear is the same as in the previous views. The
chain is attached by the link 3 to the scoop or excavating tool 2. An endless
chain 4 is use in place of the chains, and such chain passes around the winding
drum on wand around the pulley 1 secured at about the middle of the jib f. On
the pulley shaft 5 is a toothed wheel 6, which takes into a rack 7 in the bar 8.
The said bar 8 is attached to the scoop or excavating tool 2, and serves to regulate
the depth of cut; 9, door at the back of 2; the said door is opened when it is
desired to discharge the contents of 2. The chain serves to raise and lower the
scoop or excavating tool, and the chain 4 gives motion to the pulley 1 and toothed
wheel 6, and with it to the rack 7 and bar 8, for the purpose of feeding the said
scoop or tool forward to take a fresh cut.
The shaft w is, if desired, carried by fixed bearings and intermediate wheel, and
brake gear similar to that of the main winding drum is employed. Although the chain
wheels and chains are shewn as the means of communicating motien from the
engines to the gear on the frame q, it will be obvious that bevel gearing and
shafting would serve the same purpose. It will further be evident that the gear
on the frame q is applicable to existing cranes and hoisting apparatus adapted or fit
for working grapple buckets.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, in such manner that others will be enabled to carry the improvements
into effect, I claim,—
First. The construction and arrangements of parts operating in combination,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth under the first part.
Second. Apparatus or appliances constructed, arranged, and operating substantially
in the manner and for the purposes set forth under the second part.
Third. Giving motion to auxiliary apparatus or appliances, substantially as
set forth under the second part.
Fourth. Apparatus or appliances constructed, arranged, and operating sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth under the third part.
Fifth. Giving motion to the excavating tool and holder, substantially in the
manner set forth under the third part.
Sixth. The combination of any two of the apparatuses or appliances set forth
under the first, second, and third parts, arranged to operate together substantially
as set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the apparatus or appliance, as a whole, substantially
as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hodge, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
THOMAS HODGE. (L.S.)