IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GETTING, SAWING, AND WORKING OF STONE AND OTHER MINERALS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Saunders Randell, of Corsham, in the County of
Wilts, Quarry Master, and Samuel Griffin, of Bath, in the County of Somerset,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GETTING,
SAWING, AND WORKING OF STONE AND OTHER MINERALS."
Sealed the 24th September 1878, and dated the 3rd April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Saunders Randell and
Samuel Griffin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April
1878.
JAMES SAUNDERS RANDELL, of Corsham, in the County of Wilts, Quarry Master,
and SAMUEL GRIFFIN, of Bath, in the County of Somerset, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GETTING, SAWING, AND WORKING OF STONE AND OTHER
MINERALS."
These improvements relate, first, to the arrangement and construction of machines
for cutting a slot or opening on the stone or other minerals in the mine or quarry
(of such a length and depth as may be determined) by the application of over-
hanging revolving cutters traversing horizontally or otherwise, and driven by
mechanical or other power. For this purpose two upright tubular supports are
arranged with sliding or telescopic ends and screw adjustment, the said uprights
having steel-pointed ends so as to enable them to be firmly embedded in floor and
roof of heading. Attached to these tubular supports there is a rectangular frame
composed of two parallel horizontal tubes attached to end pieces, having hollow
adjustable bosses which fit the uprights, and can be adjusted at any convenient
height.
Accurately fitted to the frame, and sliding on it, a light strong carriage or saddle
is arranged, composed of malleable iron or steel, and having attached to it the
mechanism or apparatus for actuating the machine.
This apparatus consists of a pair of cylinders oscillating or fixed, driven by com-
pressed air, steam, or other motive power, which communicates motion to a wheel

page_text: and pinion, thence to a main sliding shaft, which by means of a train of wheels
drive two or more cutters mounted at the end of a sliding tubular frame, which
frame has a motion at right angles with the one previously described.
The saddle is caused to travel in either direction upon the rectangular frame
throughout the whole or any part of its length by means of a fixed screw and
revolving nut. Motion is imparted to the revolving nut by means of three mitre
wheels, and wheel and pinion driven direct from the main shaft, the point of
reversing being determined by two adjustable stops acting on a pawl and clutch.
The frame carrying the cutters also carries a screw, which is set forward each time
the saddle is reversed by means of a ratchet and pinion, thus causing the cutters to
advance into the mineral.
The cutters are actuated by a train of wheels so arranged that they overhang
both sides and top of the framework, so that the slot can be cut close to the roof,
and also close to each side of the heading or driving in the mine or quarry.
Another arrangement for working the cutters according to our improvements
consists of one upright telescopic post to be fixed to the floor and ceiling, being
made telescopic for adaptation to the varying heights of mines and quarries. To
the post a long jib is attached, made with two light cheeks, between which n
driving shaft is mounted, being made hollow and telescopic so that it may be
extended as the cutting proceeds. This shaft is driven by a pair of cylinders
oscillating or fixed, and attached to the post which supports the jib. To the end of
this shaft a cutter (or cutters) is attached similar to those used with the machine
previously described.
The jib which supports and carries the cutter shaft is moved to the right and
left by means of a barrel, to which motion is imparted by gearing driven by the
aforesaid shaft. On this barrel a small rope or chain is wound. This rope or chain
is attached to each side of the mine or quarry heading, and gives a right and left
hand motion to the jib, which is reversed every time a cut is completed. The
cutter shaft is advanced by means of a ratchet and pinion each time the motion is
reversed.
We will now describe our improvements in machinery for sawing and working
stone and other minerals. For this purpose one or more tubular upright supports
are arranged with sliding telescopic ends and screw adjustment, similar to the
machines previously describe. On this support or supports an adjustable collar is
arranged to slide, carrying a cylinder (worked by compressed air or steam or other
motive power) which can be adjusted to any suitable angle. This cylinder is fitted
with a piston and rod and adjustable valve. so that any desired length of stroke can
be attained.
At the end of the piston rod (which is extended to form a guide) is fixed a saw
of any kind suitable to the work to be performed; its mode of action is as
follows: After the machines previously described have completed the opening or
slot the telescopic pillar or pillars are fixed vertically at the face of the rock or
other mineral, and the saw (or saws) are inserted in the slot or opening; it is then
set in motion and saws or makes a cut to such a depth as may be required. When
found desirable a balance weight and chain is attached to the cylinder, and passes
over a pulley at the top of the pillar to act as a counterweight to the cylinder.
This arrangement for sawing or cutting is also intended to be applied to the
dressing" of the blocks of stone or other mineral after they are got from the rock,
the moveability of the saw or cutter facilitating the bringing it to operate on the
blocks of mineral as they lie, giving the advantage of faking the saw or cutter to
the blocks, instead of taking the blocks to the saw or cutter.
The whole of the machinery previously described may be actuated by steam or
compressed air, or be adapted to animal or other motive power.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Saunders Randell and Samuel Griffin in the Great Soal Patent
Office on the 3rd October 1878.
JAMES SAUNDERS RANDELL, of Corsham, in the County of Wilts, Quarry Master,
"IMPROVE-
and SAMUEL GRIFFIN, of Bath, in the County of Somerset, Engineer.
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GETTING, SAWING, AND WORKING OF STONE AND OTHER
MINERALS."
These improvements relate, first, to the arrangement and construction of machines
for cutting a slot or opening in the stone or other minerals in the mine or quarry
(of such a length and depth as may be required), by the application of overhang-
ing revolving cutters traversing horizontally or otherwise, and driven by
mechanical or other power.
Secondly. Our improvements relate to the arrangement and construction of
machines for working and sawing stone or other minerals. This latter machinery,
according to our improvements, is to be fixed at the face of the rock or other
mineral (after the slot or opening has been cut by the first-named machine), either
by means of a pillar or by a cramp, as herein-after described. This machine may
also be used or adapted for sawing and dressing blocks of stone or other mineral
after they are taken from the quarry, mine, or rock.
In carrying out our improvements we purpose using hollow shafts and tubes of
wrought iron, steel, or other material, as herein-after described, our object being to
obtain the greatest amount of strength with the least amount of weight; but other
sections of metal, such as angle iron, may be used if desired.
And in order that our improvements may be clearly understood and readily
corried into practice, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereto annexed.
Figure 1 shows a plan, and Figure 2 an elevation of a machine suitably arranged
in accordance with the first part of our improvements for cutting a slot or opening
in the stone or other mineral, Figures 3 and 4 showing a plan and section of the
revolving cutters and parts connected therewith.
The arrangement and construction of this machine is as follows:-Two upright
tubular pillars or supports a are fitted with sliding or telescopic ends b and screw
adjustment d, the ends being steel pointed so as to enable them to be firmly
embedded in the floor, and the roof of the quarry or mine. At c is fitted a taper
pin or key, which readily passes through the hole drilled in the outer tube a into
those of the inner one, which are drilled at equal distances apart. The object of
this arrangement is to form a ready adjustment to the varying distances between
floor and roof, the final adjustment and fixing being effected by means of the steel-
pointed screw d. Attached to these supports there is a rectangular frame composed
of two borizontal parallel tubes e fitted to ends f, having hollow bosses and caps ƒ*,
which can be adjusted to any convenient position, and firmly fixed by means of the
four nuts g, g
Accurately fitted to this frame and sliding on it is a light strong carriage or
saddle h (the two ends being connected by tie rods, not shown in Drawings), which
contains the necessary mechanism or apparatus for actuating the various motions
of the machine and cutters.
This mechanism consists of a pair of motive-power cylinders i, set at right angles
to avoid dead centres oscillating on hollow trunnions j, to which is attached a
flexible hose or tube for conveying the motive power to the cylinders. These
cylinders i communicate motion to a wheel l, carried by a bracket i* on the saddle
h, by means of connecting rods and a crank pin on the face of the wheel 7. The

page_text: wheel, gears with a hollow pinion m having a feather in it. Through this pinion
slides a shaft n, with a key or feather way n¹ running throughout its length. By
this arrangement the shaft is free to slide through the pinion m throughout its
length simultaneously with the rotary motion imparted thereto by the pinion.
One end of this shaft n runs in a bearing in the cross bar o, and the other end
running in the cutter box p (Figures 3 and 4) has a pinion p¹ fitted upon it,
which pinion gearing with a series of similar pinions on either side communicates
motion to the circular cutters q, q. The cutters q, q, being situated at the extreme
end of the cutter box p, will pass slightly beyond the pillars a, and thus allow the
slot or groove to be cut close to either side of the heading; they are also capable of
being brought in contact with the roof (no part of the machine being higher), and
thus the slot or opening may be cut so close to the roof as to form a continuation
of it as the heading or driving proceeds.
The cutter box 2 and cross bar o, together with the driving shaft n, are held
together so as to form a strong rigid frame by means of two parallel turned tubes
7,7, which are accurately fitted to and slide through four bearings in the saddle h,
and thus the frame has a motion at right angles with the motion of the saddle.
Attached to this frame, and running parallel with the driving shaft n, is a fixed
rack or screw 8, which gears with a small pinion and ratchet t mounted on a
bracket attached to the saddle. A lever u having a pawl engaging with the
ratchet is fitted to the ratchet spindle *. Two adjustable inclined planes or
wedges with set screws can be fixed in any position on the tube or frame e on
which they slide, and the lever u, coming in contact with them at either end as
the saddle h traverses, is caused to impart motion to the ratchett and pinion t¹,
which engaging in the screw or rack s, causes the frame and cutter to advance
into the rock or other mineral to be cut. A small pawl w holds the frame in
position after its advance.
Motion is given to the saddle in either direction by means of two adjustable
sliding stops z, z, which are (by the traversing motion of the saddle h) brought in
contact with the lever a'. A clutch b' slides on the nut, between two mitro whicels
c', c', running loosely on the nut in opposite directions, driven by the mitro wheel
d', which receives its motion through the wheel e' from the pinion f. The move-
ment of the lever a¹ causes the clutch b¹ to engage alternately with the mitre
wheels c', c', and thus produces a reverse motion.
The motive-power cylinders i, i, may also, if desired, be attached to a separate
frame at any convenient distance from the machine previously described, together
with the wheel Z and pinion m, the motion being conveyed from the pinion m by
means of a strong spiral spring or universal jointed shaft to the driving shaft n.
Another arrangement for working the cutters q, according to our improvements,
consists in the use of one upright telescopic post a in place of two, as previously
described, fixed to the floor and ceiling of the mine, the pillar being made telescopic
for adaptation to the varying heights of mines and quarries. To this post a long
jib is attached, made with two light checks, between which a driving shaft is
mounted, being made hollow and telescopic so that it may be extended as the
cutting proceeds. This shaft is driven by a pair of motive-power cylinders, oscil-
lating or fixed, and attached to the fixed post, which supports the jib. To the end
of this shaft a cutter (or cutters) is attached, similar to those used with the machine
previously described.
The jib which supports and carries the cutter shaft is moved to the right and left
by means of a barrel, to which motion is imparted by gearing driven by the afore-
said shaft. On this barrel a small rope or chain is wound. This rope or chain is
attached to each side of the mine or quarry heading, and gives a right and left hand
motion to the jib, which is reversed every time the cut is completed. The cutter
shaft is advanced by means of a ratchet and pinion each time the motion is reversed,
as will be readily understood by any competent mechanic, aided by the foregoing 5
description of the machinery previously described.

page_text: Wo will now describe our improvements in machinery for sawing and working
tone or other mineral in acccordance with the second part of our improve-
nents.
This machine or apparatus consists of a steam or other motive-power cylinder a
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) to which is fitted a piston b (Figure 8) attached to a rod
, which, passing through a stuffing box c is fixed to the cross head g; two parallel
guide rods h, h, with cars or lugs i, i, are also fixed to the cross head g, and pass
through corresponding eyes j on the cylinder a.
(which is
The object of this arrangement is to admit of the saw or other tool
attached by any convenient means to either of the ears or lugs i, i,) boing above or
below the cylinder, or fixed in a direct line with the piston rode at k.
For some purposes the piston rode may be hollow and pass through a stuffing
box at either end of the cylinder, the saw or other tool being attached direct by a
pin or shank passing into the end of the rod and secured by a set screw.
The general arrangement of the interior of the cylinder a and apparatus connected
therewith is as follows:-Attached to the main or working cylinder a (Figs. 8 and
9) is a small cylinder or valve chamber . This cylinder is accurately bored and
fitted with a long cylindrical valve plug m, which is reduced at n, n², o, o¹, p, so
as to form annular spaces with corresponding plugs or divisions q, q', r, r², 8, 8¹.
At either end of the valve or plug is a hole t, t, central with its axis, into which
are drilled the radial holes u, u', communicating with the annular spaces n, n'.
The small holes v, v¹, open into the exhaust passage or atmosphere. At either end
of the cylinder a are two passages or ports wand x, and w¹ and ¹, communicating
8¹. The exhaust passage or
with the small cylinder or valve chamber at y, z, y',
port a terminates in the enlarged part of the small cylinder p', while the high-
pressure passage or port 61 communicates with the small cylinder or valve
chamber at c¹ and d¹.
The action of this apparatus is as follows:-The steam or other motive power
being admitted by the passage b¹ would pass into the annular spaces o, o', thence from
o, through the passage y, w, to the back of the piston b, and propel it until it reached
the position at the other end of the cylinder, shown by the dotted lines at e¹, the
motive power would now pass through the passage or port al, a¹, into the annular
space n, then through the radial holes w³, into the central hole t', where, acting against
the cover at f, it would propel the plug or valve m forward until the relative
position of the annular spaces, plugs, or divisions, and ports or passages at either
end of the valve chamber were changed, i. e., the annular space o' would communicate
with the passage or port y', w¹, while the corresponding passage or port y, w, would
communicate with the exhaust chamber p¹.
The passage or port z³, z¹, would be closed by the plug or division r¹, while the
corresponding passage or port x, z, would open into the annular space n, thence into
the central hole t, through the radial holes u, the small passage v³ would now be
open to release the small quantity of steam or air contained by t¹ into the atmo-
sphere, while the corresponding passage would be closed by the plug or division 1.
This change of position having been effected the motive power would now pass
from the annular space o' through the passage or port y¹, w¹, into the space behind
the piston e', propelling it back to its original position at b. During its passage
back the exhaust air or steam would pass through the passage or port w, y, into
the exhaust chamber p¹, thence through a into the atmosphere. The passage or
port x, s, now admits the steam or other motive power from the cylinder a into the
annular space n, thence through the radial holes w into the central hole t, where,
acting against the cover at f, it again changes the position of the plug or valve, and
thus effects another stroke of the piston.
This machine may be fixed in position for operation by means of the adjustable
pillar a (Figs. 5, 6, and 7), on which is a sliding sleeve or collar b² attached to the
cylinder a with a set screw c², by means of which any required amount of friction
may be obtained to increase or diminish the rate of cutting.

page_text: For some purposes a chain and weight may be used to counterbalance the cylinder
instead of friction to regulate the cut. This mode of fixing is intended to apply
more particularly to drivings and workings which are comparatively shallow, and
also in such other places and positions as may be found practicable.
Another mode of fixing and mounting apparatus for actuating a saw for cutting
stone or other minerals, according to our improvements, intended to be used in
places and positions where the pillar arrangement is not applicable is shown in
Figures 10 and 11.
The light adjustable iron cramp a is made telescopic and adjusted by means of
the pin c to the width of the stone or other mineral b to be operated upon. It is
then firmly fixed at any angle by the screw d, which is continued through the
nute which revolves in the hook or strap f. This strap embraces the tube or
pillar g on which the motive-power cylinder a slides in the same manner as
previously described.
The pillar or tube is supported at one end by the bracket h, and at the other
end by the bracket or frame i. It is quickly secured in any required position by
the nut e, which revolving on the screw & tightens it against its end supports.
Having thus described the nature of our improvements, and the manner of per-
forming or carrying the same into practice, we would remark that we do not intend
to claim separately any of the mechanical parts which are well known and in
common use; but what we claim is,―
First. The improved arrangement and application of overhanging revolving
traversing cutters q, q, of any suitable shape, for the purpose of cutting a slot or
opening of any required length or depth in the rock, or other mineral to be
operated upon in a mine or quarry, substantially in the manner herein-before
described, and represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Secondly. We claim the improved arrangement and method of mounting and
actuating the cutters q, q, and apparatus connected therewith, in such inannor as
to admit of a slot or opening being cut so close to both sides and roof of the heading
or working of a mine or quarry as to form a continuation of both sides and roof in a
direct line, substantially in the manner herein-before described, and represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Thirdly. We claim the improved general arrangement, construction, and method
of applying machinery for getting stone or other minerals, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described with reference to Figs. 1, 2,
3, and 4 of the Drawings annexed.
Fourthly. We claim the improved arrangement and construction of machinery
for sawing and working stone and other minerals in which the direct application
of steam, compressed air, or other motive power in a cylinder is employed with a
movable piston and rod to which the saw or other cutting tool is attached, and
actuated substantially in the manner herein-before described, and represented in
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Drawings annexed.
We also claim the improved arrangement and application of the automatic piston
valve m for regulating the admission of air, steam, or other motive power to give
motion to the piston b in the cylinder a for actuating a saw or other cutting tool
for sawing and working stone and other minerals, substantially in the manner
herein-before described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
We also claim the improved method of arranging, fixing, supporting, and
adjusting machinery or apparatus for sawing and cutting stone and other minerals,
by securing such machinery directly to the stone or other mineral to be operated
upon by means of pillars and cramps, substantially in the manner herein-before
described, and represented in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Lastly. We claim the improved general arrangement and application of machinery
for sawing and working stone and other mineral, substantially in the manner

page_text: herein-before described with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Saunders Randell and Samuel Griffin,
have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Thirtieth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.