AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND + APPARATUS FOR EXCAVATING TRENCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR WORK
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Wailes of Walsall in the County of
Stafford, Engineer for an invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
+
APPARATUS FOR EXCAVATING TRENCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR WORK
"3
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Wailes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March 1882.
JOHN WILLIAM WAILES of Walsall in the County of Stafford, Engineer... "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXCAVATING TRENCHES, AND OTHER
SIMILAR WORK
"
My Invention has for its object an improved method of and apparatus for
excavating or cutting trenches for draining land and other purposes with ease and
rapidity.
It consists in the application and use of a cutter arranged vertically or nearly so
and the cutting blade (or blades) of which is of a screw or spiral or other suitable
form and section. This cutter is caused to revolve and at the same time is
propelled along the line of trench or drain to be excavated. At a suitable distance
behind the cutter is arranged a shield (of iron or other material) by means of
which the clay or material whilst being cut by the revolving cutter is directed to,
and delivered at the surface of the ground, when it is prevented from falling back
into the trench by a shoe or plough-like cover which follows up the revolving
cutter and covers the trench or drain.
Motion is imparted to this apparatus by means of sheaves and endless bands,
gearing or other device actuated by steam, electricity, or other motive power. Or
it may be combined with a portable or traction engine and the whole caused to
travel over the land to be cut.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John William Wailes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th September 1882.
JOHN WILLIAM WAILES of Walsall in the County of Stafford
"AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXCAVATING TRENCHIES AND OTHER SIMILAR
WORK
"
My Invention has for its object an improved method of and apparatus for
excavating or cutting trenches for draining land and other purposes with case and
rapidity:
It consists in the application and use of a cutter arranged vertically or nearly so
and the cutting blade (or blades) of which is of a spiral or other suitable form.
This cutter is caused to revolve and at the same time is propelled along the line of
trench or drain to be excavated.
At a suitable distance behind the cutter is arranged a shield (of iron or other
material) by means of which the clay or material whilst being cut by the revolving
cutter is directed to and delivered at the surface of the ground.
And in order that my said Invention may be well understood I shall now
proceed particularly to describe the same reference being made to the accompanying
drawing like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of my improved excavating apparatus, and
Figure 2 an end view thereof.
A represents a cutter arranged vertically (or otherwise if desired) in the line of
direction of the trench B and driven by the upright shaft C which is mounted in
suitable bearings on the framework D of the portable engine and carriage E. F. as
shewn or in any other convenient manner. The cutter A is in this case of a spiral
form furnished at intervals with knives G which project upwards from its circum-
ference and have their cutting edges set to the line of motion resulting from the
circumferential and forward motion, but I do not confine myself to the particular
shape and arrangement of cutter here shewn as this may evidently be varied. For
instance the central portion or spindle of the cutter A may be made parallel and
the knives project directly therefrom in lieu of from a spiral blade as shewn or any
other shape or disposition of cutter and knives may be used as found most suitable
without departing from the principle of my Invention. The cutter A and upright
shaft C are caused to revolve by spur and bevil gear actuated by the engine E as
shewn. Or they may be driven by pullies and endless belts, friction or other
gearing combined with a portable or traction engine or otherwise driven according
to location and motive power available, and the whole (or that portion of the
apparatus carrying the cutter A) caused to travel along the ground to be cut. H is
a shield made of iron (or other material) and arranged so as to fit (or nearly so).
the trench to be cut at a suitable distance and inclination behind the cutter A
where it is secured to the bracket I carried by the framework of the carriage F
and capable of adjustment thereon so as to be placed close to or at any angle with
the cutter A as desired. This shield H is formed at its upper end with a shoe or
ploughlike cover J which laps over on cach side or covers the trench or drain B.
On the rotation of the cutter A the clay or material being cut from the tronch B
is directed by the spiral portion of the cutter A and shield H to the surface of the
ground where it is delivered and prevented from falling back into the trench B. by
the shoe or ploughlike cover J which being attached to the apparatus follows up
the cutter A as the latter advances along the line of trench.
In cases where the cutter A is not formed with a spiral blade but has the knives
secured directly to its spindle as before mentioned, may use a separate spiral

page_text: blade or elevator in combination with the cutter and shield and rotated by pullies
and belts or otherwise as found most suitable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original and
therefore claim as my Invention, is :-
The application and use of a revolving and travelling cutter in combination with
an adjustable shield and cover for excavating trenches for drains and other similar
work, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing.
In Witness Whereof I the said John William Wailes have hereunto set my
hand and seal this thirteenth day of September in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
TV