An Apparatus for Gathering and Collecting Cockles or other Shell-fish.
Year: 1886

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Gathering and Collecting Cockles or other
Shell-fish.
I MARMADUKE EGBERT WEST of Bay View Grange-over-Sands in the County
of Lancaster Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to and consists in the construction adaptation and use of
a novel apparatus or machine for gathering and collecting cockles or other shell-
fish, in an easier and more expeditious manner than by the ordinary methods.
The invention consists, generally, in making and in arranging and mounting in a
metal or other suitable framework, a circular drum, or druins, through which a
centre bar or axle is passed and secured thereto; this centre bar or axle is fitted
in bearings or housings at each end thereof, the bearings or housings being cast,
or fixed on, or secured to each side of the framework, being free to rotate in the
required direction, and being actuated by suitable cog wheel or other gearing in
connection with suitable carrying wheels fitted at each side of the apparatus, and
to draw it by, over the sand or shore, or where required.
On the periphery or other convenient part or parts of the drum a series of hinged
or folding, or other suitable bars or rods, are fitted and arranged transversely across
the apparatus, to these are attached a suitable number of cockle or shell-fish
gatherers, formed something like rake prongs or forks; they are so rounded or
shaped near their extremities or points that on the apparatus being set in motion
they will dip down and cut into the sand (or other part of the sea beach not
rocky) and catch up and guide the cockles or shell fish to the back of the apparatus,
where they are deposited in bags or receptacles arranged to receive them; and in
order to prevent sand or other obstacles being taken into the apparatus, a network
of wire or other material is fitted within the bars or rods, and any sand or
obstruction getting into the apparatus will fall through shoots or conduits, clearing
the working parts.
The revolving portion of the apparatus is covered with a casing of metal, wire,
or other suitable material.

page_text: The apparatus is constructed in front with shafts or similar appliances, and
driver's seat, so that it can be drawn by a horse; or it can be arranged to be
moved about and operated by hand. To enable the apparatus to travel on the
sand or road, when not at work, a combined lever and screw appliance is fitted in
or attached to the front framework, and is conveniently placed for being actuated
by the driver or user, by means of which he can raise the revolving mechanism
clear of the sand or road, and can also turn the apparatus when required without
disarranging the gatherers or rake prongs or forks.
To the front and also to the back portion of the framework of the apparatus,
a pivot or similar wheel is fitted so as to facilitate the working, and also the turning
of the apparatus when required. *

page_text: dip into the sand in turn the required distance, gathering and collecting the cockles
or fish, either when the sand is slightly covered with water, or when the tide has
receded (the beach not being rocky) the cockles or fish are carried around with the
drum, and are prevented from dropping through by the sieve K¹ of wire or other
suitable material, which allows the sand or dirt to pass through, when the cockles
arrive at the other side of the machine, they pass either over the clearers T, or
direct into the bags U, or other similar receptacles which are removed and replaced
as filled; when not at work, or when transporting the machine by road, from one
ground to another, the drum can be raised upon its pivot, by the pivotted lever H,
screw J2 and bush J, or other suitable equivalents and retained there until required
for use; the pivotted adjustable bearing wheels N, N, at each end of the frame C
of the machine, are to assist in bearing the weight of the machine, when it is not
properly balanced, or when it is in extra soft sand, and also facilitates the turning
and working of the machine; or if required the gatherers K when not in use, may
be made hinged so as to turn down, and then the drum may not be required to be
lifted. The whole or any part of the apparatus may be made of any suitable
material, and of any suitable size, there may be seats provided at H¹, for the
convenience of the driver or attendants.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, "I declare, that what I claim is :—
1. For gathering cockles or other shell fish, the use and employment of any
machine, for dipping into the sand, and lifting the fish into receptacles or bags.
2. The circular frame or drum having at intervals across its periphery, prongs or
fingers for the purposes shewn and described.
3. The use and employment of the sieves upon a machine, for the purposes shewn
and described.
4. Lifting or turning the gatherers clear of the sand, (when not in operation) for
the purposes shewn and described.
5. The use and employment of the gatherers, as and for the purposes shewn and
described;
6. The general arrangement of the machine as shewn and described.