IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING GRABS, BUCKETS, AND SIMILAR LIFTING AND SELF-DISCHARGING INSTRUMENTS'
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Henry Wild of Leeds in the County of York,
Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING
GRABS, BUCKETS, AND SIMILAR LIFTING AND SELF-DISCHARGING INSTRUMENTS'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Henry Wild at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1883.
JOSEPH HENRY WILD of Leeds in the County of York, Engineer
佳
IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING GRABS, BUCKETS, AND SIMILAR LIFTING AND
SELF-DISCHARGING INSTRUMENTS."
This invention relates to a novel apparatus by the aid of which I am enabled to
raise, temporarily suspend, discharge and lower grabs, tipping buckets and other
diggers or self-discharging receptacles, by means of a single chain controlled by
one man.
In applying my invention to a grab of well known construction I connect my
novel apparatus to the sliding crosshead of the grab by means of chains or rods
passing through guides in the top of the outer frame; and attach the chain to the
windlass barrel.
The apparatus consists of a frame or crosshead which is formed with a central
neck bored out to receive a sleeve that is intended to slide freely therein, but to a
limited extent.
A rebate or chamber is made in this neck to receive a collar which is formed on
the sleeve to act as a stop to its vertical motions.
Mounted on the underside of the crosshead is a pair of, or it may be three or
more, weighted tumblers which are intended to embrace a flanged ball or its
equivalent carried by the lifting chain which passes up from the windlass barrel
through the sleeve to the crane jib, and thence to the winding drum.
This apparatus when not supported by the chain is temporarily carried by an
internally flanged ring pendent from or secured to the crane jib.
For this purpose there is mounted upon the sleeve before mentioned a pair of
hooked levers, which are intended to take a hold of the flanged ring when the
lifting chain is slackened.
The tails of these hooked levers embrace an inverted cone-shaped ring which
surrounds the neck of the crosshead, and being free on that neck constitutes a
weight for tipping the hook levers when it is required to disengage them from the
flanged ring.
Supposing now the apparatus to have been lowered by the lowering chain the

page_text: grab having descended with its claws open, immediately the grab touches ground
the weight of the two frames will be taken by the ground, and the sleeve with its
disengaged catch levers will drop to its lowest position and thereby thrust open
the gripping tumblers. So soon, however, as tension is put upon the lowering
chain it will cause the windlass barrel to wind up the chains which connect the
barrel with the inner frame, and thereby close the claws of the grab upon each
other, at the same time the ball on the lifting chain will pass up through the sleeve
until no more chain is given off by the windlass barrel.
The lifting of the apparatus with its load will then commence, in the course of
which the hooked levers carried by the sleeve will be tipped and pass up through
the flanged ring falling back again into their normal position.
When the load has been brought over the barge or other receptacle into-which-
it is to be discharged, the lifting chain is to be slackened until the hooked levers
catch upon the supporting ring; these levers will then carry the whole weight of
the apparatus and grab.
On further slackening the chain the ball which had passed up through the sleeve
will be lowered past the gripping tumblers which yielding to allow it to pass will
fall together into a position to grip the ball immediately tension is put upon the
chain.
On raising the chain the ball will engage with these gripping tumblers, and
through them lift the cross head and take the weight of the apparatus. The coned
weight will then press on the tails of the hooked levers, which are freed from the
weight of the load and by thrusting inwards their hooked ends will enable thei
to be lowered without catching in the flanged ring. The further lowering of the
chain will bring the grab to the ground as before when the operations just described
-may be repeated.
In applying my invention to another form of grab in which four segmental
digging jaws are opened and closed by a suitable arrangement of levers, I attach
the cross head or frame of my apparatus to the frame of the grab by rods or chains
and connect the opening out levers with the single lifting chain passing centrally
through the apparatus and fitted with a flanged ball or its equivalent as above
explained.
In this case also the grab will be lowered, raised, temporarily suspended, and
opened out or discharged by a single chain controlled by one man.
In the case of a tipping bucket I attach my apparatus by rods or side frames to
pivot pins or trunnions set towards the rear of the bucket, and I support the rear
end of the bucket by a chain from the cross head or frame. The lifting chain is
attached at or near the fore end of the bucket, and by means of the automatic
assistance of my apparatus I am able to raise a bucket full of grain or other
substance, temporarily transfer its weight to the fixed ring or its equivalent on the
crane jib, slacken out the lifting chain and allow the bucket to discharge its
contents, and again by a simple lifting movement clear the apparatus from its
temporary support and lower it for a new load.
It will be evident that this novel apparatus may be readily adapted to many
other kinds of elevating and self discharging receptacles or diggers.
As a modification of this apparatus I dispense with the hook lovers of the sleeve,
and form a collar on the top of the sliding sleeve to be caught by a forked crank
arm suspended from the crane jib. This forked lever is passed under the collar on
the sleeve by the crane attendant each time the grab is lifted to carry the weight
of the apparatus for the purpose of opening out the grab previous to its next
descent.
Excentric clips or catches can also be used in place of the suspended ring and
book levers. They would however require to be lifted by the attendant at the
lowering of the grab.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Henry Wild in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th August
1883.
JOSEPH HENRY WILD of Leeds in the County of York, Engineer " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING GRABS, BUCKETS AND SIMILAR LIFTING AND
SELF DISCHARGING INSTRUMENTS
">
This Invention relates to a novel apparatus by the aid of which skips, grabs,
buckets diggers and other receptacles for lifting and discharging mud, sand, grain,
or other substances may be successively raised, temporarily suspended, opened out
or discharged, and lowered by a single chain controlled by one man.
The apparatus consists of a frame or cross-hoad formed with a central neck
which is bored out to receive a sleeve which is adapted to slide freely therein,
but to a limited extent; a rebate or chamber being made in this neck to receive
a collar which is formed on the sliding sleeve and acts as a stop to its vertical
motions.
Mounted on the underside of the frame or cross-head are two or more weighted
tumbler levers, which are intended to embrace and engage with a large link or
flange, but preferably with a flanged ball, carried by the lifting chain which passes
up from the grab or skip through the sliding sleeve to the crane jih and thence to
the winding drum.
The apparatus is secured by chains or rods to the grab or skip, and the weight of
the apparatus together with that of the grab or skip, when not supported by the
lifting chain, is temporarily borne by an internally flanged ring or its equivalent
pendent from or secured to the crane jib.
To enable this temporary suspension to be effected automatically there are
mounted upon the sliding sleeve before mentioned two or more hooked levers,
which are intended to yield in passing through the flanged ring and to engage
therewith and hold the apparatus suspended when the lifting chain is slackened
to open out or discharge the grab or digger.
The tails of these hooked levers are adapted to grip and hold an inverted cone-
shaped ring of metal which surrounds the neck of the cross-head or frame, and
this ring of metal being free on that neck constitutes a weight for automatically
tripping the hooked levers and disengaging them at the proper moment from the
flanged ring. Springs may also be used in lieu of a ring of metal to effect this
automatic movement of the hooked levers.
Supposing now the apparatus to have been lowered by the chain, the grab
having its claws open, so soon as the grab touches the ground the weight will be
taken off the chain and the sliding sleeve will by its own weight fall and trip
the tumbler levers, thereby allowing a free passage for the large link or flanged
ball which is fixed on the chain at a convenient point for opening and closing the
grab.
So soon, however, as tension is put upon the chain to lift the grab, the claws of
the latter will close upon each other; the ball on the lifting chain at the same time
passing up through the sleeve for a short distance until the grab is fully closed,
whereupon the lifting of the apparatus with its load will commence.
When the apparatus reaches the flanged ring or its equivalent suspended on or
from the crane jib, the hooked levers yield in passing through the ring, and
immediately fall back again, to their normal position.
The load is then swung over the barge or other receptacle into which it is to be
discharged, the chain is slackened the booked ends of the levers then engaging

page_text: with the flange of the supporting ring and carrying the entire weight of the
apparatus and grab. On further slackening the chain the ball which had passed
up through the sleeve will be lowered past the gripping tumblers, which, yielding
to allow it to pass, will fall together into a position to grip the ball so soon as the
said ball is drawn against them by the chain, and meanwhile the grab will have
been opened out or discharged.
On raising the chain the ball will engage with these gripping tumblers, and
through them lift the cross head or frame bodily and take the weight of the
apparatus off the flanged ring, the coned ring-shaped weight will then press on
the tails of the hooked levers which are freed from the weight of the load and by
thrusting outwards their tail ends will draw inwards their hooked ends and enable
them to be lowered through the ring without catching in it.
The construction and operation of this automatic apparatus will be understood
on reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1. 2 and 3 represent
the apparatus in vertical section as adapted to operate a grab of well-known
construction, and illustrate its action by showing the parts in three different
positions.
:
Fig 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus-and grab, as it appears just after the
Jatter has discharged its contents Fig: 5 is a plan view of the apparatus the
flanged ring not being represented therein. Fig: 6 shows on an enlarged scale in
vertical section the apparatus in the act of descending; the hooked levers lying
within the sliding sleeve and clear of the flanged ring. Fig: 7 is a detail view
(on the same scale as Fig: 6) of the tumbler levers detached, in plan. Figures 8
and 9 illustrate in elevation the apparatus as adapted to assist in operating a
"Bathos or similar "digger," and a skip or ordinary shute bucket, respectively.
Fig: 10 is a plan view of the apparatus as it appears disconnected from the
digger or skip. The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all
these Figures.
Figures 11 and 12 are detail views of two arrangements of springs which may
be used in place of the ring of metal to cause the automatic disengagement of the
hooked levers.
Referring first to the enlarged views Figures 6 and 7, A is the main frame or
cross-head of the apparatus formed in two parts adapted to be bolted together and
provided with a central neck a. within which the sleeve B slides freely for a limited
extent. b. is a collar on the sleeve B which lies within a rebate or chamber a¹. in
the central opening in the cross-head A, and acts as a stop to the vertical motion of
the sleeve B.
+
C. C. are the weighted tumbler levers rocking on bolts c, carried by the cross-
head A, and formed with semicircular jaws as shewn in the plan view Fig: 7, for
the purpose of engaging with the flanged ball, or its equivalent D, on the chain, E,
by which the grab or digger is raised and lowered.
F F are hooked levers pivotted to the sliding sleeve B, their hooked ends f. f.
being adapted to yield in passing up through the flanged ring G suspended from
or fixed to the crane jib, and to engage with the flange of the said ring at the
proper moment to support the entire weight of the grab and apparatus.
H is a ring of metal of inverted cone-shape, in section, which surrounds the
neck a of the crosshead A. and is free to move up and down thereon.
The tails f. f. of the hooked levers F are adapted to engage with the said
cone-shaped ring at certain times, and hold the same temporarily suspended. At
other times the cone-shaped ring will fall by its own weight and will thrust the
tails ff of the levers F F, outwards; thereby withdrawing the hooked ends f. f.
within recesses formed in the sleeve B, and allowing the hooks and sleeve to pass
down through the flanged ring.
Referring now to Figures 1. 2. 3 4 and 5 I will describe the action of the apparatus
as applied to a grab of well-known construction.
In this arrangement the apparatus is connected to the sliding cross head K of
the grab by rods k. k. which pass through guides in the frame L.

page_text: Fig 1 shews the position of the parts at the moment when the weight of the
grab and apparatus is borne by the ball D on the single chain E which passes over
a winch and is controlled by one man.
It will be seen that the grab has been emptied and its claws are open, as shewn
also in Fig: 4, that the ring H has fallen thereby causing the withdrawal of the
hooks ff within the sleeve B, and that the apparatus can now be freely lowered
to take up a fresh load.
Directly the grab touches ground the weight of the grab is taken off the chain
and ball, and the sliding sleeve B falling by its own weight thrusts down the jaws
of the tumbler levers C. C. and clears a passage upward for the ball D when tension
is put on the chain E, at the same time the tails f. f¹ of the levers F F fall into
their normal position.
The winding up of the chain D causes the sliding cross head K of the grab to
be forcibly drawn down, and the claws to enclose a load of mud or sand. This
powerful closing movement is effected by differential pulley and toggle gear in the
manner which is well known and need not therefore be described.
When the claws of the grab are fully closed, the ball D on the chain E will be a
little distance above the apparatus, and the further lifting of the chain E will raise
the loaded grab and apparatus, the parts being then in the position shewn in
Fig: 2 as about to enter the flanged ring G previous to discharging. As the hooked
ends enter the said ring G they yield and when clear of the flange fall outwards
again,
The apparatus or loaded grab being swung over a barge, or other receptacle for
the contents of the grab, the chain is payed out; the apparatus and sliding cross
head of the grab are upheld by the hooked levers F F engaging with the flanged
ring G the lower ends f. f. of the levers F F at the same time engaging with
the weighted ring H and holding it suspended while the frame L of the grab falls
down causing the claws of the grab to open out, and discharge their contents.
The ball D passes down through the semicircular jaws of the tumbler levers C.
which immediately close again around the chain ready for the next movement
which is to disengage the apparatus from the ring G and allow it to descend for a
fresh load. This merely requires the slight raising of the chain which will cause
the ball D to engage with the jaws of the levers C C and lift the sleeve and
hooks F. F. thereby raising the hooked ends f. f. clear of the flanged ring G,
whereupon the weighted ring H will fall and thrust the levers F. F. into the
lowering position shown in Fig: 1.
The apparatus can be attached to the opening out gear of an ordinary grab by
rods as shewn in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4, and to scoops, skips and other diggers by
any arrangement of chains or rods suitable to the system employed.
The apparatus is shewn connected with a "Batho's" digger in Fig: 8, and in
Fig: 9 with a skip or ordinary shute. E is the chain by which the digger and
shute are operated, and the apparatus (of which an outside view is given) is precisely
the same in construction and operation as that above described.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction of the frame or crosshead A of
the apparatus, but for convenience of fitting, it is made in two separate halves
which are bolted together when the sliding sleeve B has been put in its proper
position. It is obvious, however, that the sliding sleeve may be arranged some-
what differently with respect to the said crosshead, provided the principle of action
remains the same.
In Figures 11 and 12 I have shewn in detail two methods of effecting the
automatic operation of the hooked levers F F at the required moment by means
of springs.
These springs are the equivalent of the ring of metal H above
described-In Fig: 11 h. is a steel spring fastened at bottom to the neck a of the
cross head A.
In Figs: 12 h. is a bent piece of iron jointed at bottom to the neck a. and held
out at top by a spiral spring h³. When the weight of the grab is sustained by
the levers F. F. the tails f¹ fl, of the said levers F. F. will bear against-the-

page_text: pieces h. . and compress the springs, but when the sleeve B and hooks F. F. are
lifted by the ball on the chain so that the said hooks are raised clear of the flange
on the ring G the springs will thrust the tails of the levers outwards and cause
their hooked ends to be drawn inwards, so as to be clear of the flanged ring when
the apparatus is lowered. When, however, springs are used in place of the ring H
the sliding sleeve B will require to be kept from any axial motion. -This may be
readily effected by a feather or key, as shown.
As a modification of the apparatus above described I dispense altogether with
the hook levers of the sleeve, and form a collar or flange on the top of the said
_ sleeve, which collar or flange will be caught by a forked crank arm suspended from
the crane jib and operated directly by the crane attendant.
This forked lever is allowed to pass under the collar of the sleeve by the crane
attendant each time the grab is lifted, in order to carry the weight of the apparatus
for the purpose of opening out the grab previous to its next descent.
This arrangement of forked lever and the collar on the sliding sleeve will take
the place of the suspended flanged ring, hooked levers, and weighted conical
ring or its equivalent springs above described, but it does not operate
Automatically.
Excentric clips or catches may also be used in lieu of the suspended ring and
hook levers, but as in the case of the forked lever, they would require to be
operated directly by the attendant and would not act automatically,
I would remark that when fitted with my apparatus the full grab or bucket
does not require to be lowered onto a bed or framing in order that the opening out
gear may be coupled or engaged, and then to be raised in order that the grab may
be opened and the discharge of its contents effected as is the case with some single
chain systems.
By my Invention the opening out operation may be effected so soon as the load
has been raised to the required height, and brought over the desired spot.
The great advantage of this is that a load can be lifted, the crane slewed and the
load emptied at one operation.
In one system of which I am aware the load has to be lifted and the crane
carefully slewed until the grab is over a bed or framing prepared for it.-The
grab is then lowered on to the bed for the opening gear to engage, and again lifted,
the contents being discharged all over the bed or framing.
Having now setforth the nature of my Invention for " Improvements in
apparatus for working grabs, buckets, and similar lifting, and self-discharging
instruments, and explained in what manner the same may be carried into practical
effect I wish it to be understood, that I claim.―
First: The automatic apparatus, described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, by the aid of which grabs, diggers, skips, buckets, and other receptacles
for mud, sand, grain, or other substance, may be closed, raised, temporarily
suspended, opened out or discharged while thus suspended, and lowered by a single
chain controlled by one man, substantially as set forth.
Secondly The combination with a grab, digger, skip, bucket, or similar instru-
ment, for seizing and discharging, sand, mud, débris, grain, or other substances,
and a flanged ring or its equivalent, suspended from, or attached to the crane jib,
of automatic apparatus comprising a crosshead or frame such as A fitted with
tumbler levers or gripping jaws C C, sliding sleeve B, fitted with hooked levers F. F.,
weight H, chain E, and ball D, or its equivalent, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Thirdly The combination with the lifting chain of a grab, digger, or similar
instrument, and a flanged ring or its equivalent, attached to or suspended from
the crane jib, of apparatus provided with means for automatically engaging with
the said ring, and transferring the weight of the grab thereto, during the opening
out or discharging operation, and with means for automatically disengaging the
Baid apparatus to allow the grab to descend for a new load substantially as set
forth.

page_text: Fourthly The combination with a grab or similar instrument, for seizing and
discharging various substances such as sand, mud, and grain, and a forked lever
connected with the crane jib (for temporarily sustaining the weight of the grab)
and operated directly by the crane attendant, of the modified construction of
apparatus above described consisting of the frame or crosshead A provided with
tumbler levers C C adapted to engage with a ball D or its equivalent on the
chain E, and a sliding sleeve B provided with a flange or collar instead of with
hook levers substantially as and for the purpose setforth.
Fifthly The combination with an enlarged link, flanged ball or equivalent device
on the hoisting chain of a grab, skip or similar instrument, of the crosshead or
frame A weighted tube or sleeve B and gripping tumbler lovers CC, as and for
the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Henry Wild have hereunto set my hand
and seal the thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
JOSEPH. H. WILD. (LS.)