IMPROVE- MENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR CARRYING ENGINES USED FOR BORING HOLES IN ROCKS OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Julius Ball, of New Bridge Street,
Blackfriars, in the City of London, for the Invention of “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR CARRYING ENGINES USED FOR BORING HOLES IN
ROCKS OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES."-A communication from abroad
by Joseph François and Guillaume Dubois, both of Liége, in the
Kingdom of Belgium.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Julius Ball at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 6th November 1873.
I, CHARLES JULIUS BALL, of New Bridge Street, Blackfriars, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR CARRYING ENGINES USED FOR BORING
HOLES IN ROCKS OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to carriages or supports for drilling or boring
machinery used for driving tunnels, driftways, or galleries, and
.

page_text: especially to that class of such drilling machinery in which the drill
used for perforating holes is attached to the rod of a piston working in
a cylinder and caused to reciprocate rapidly by means of condensed air
or steam supplied through flexible pipes.
In using such drilling machines for boring holes for the purpose
described, which holes are subsequently filled with gunpowder or other
explosive, which is then exploded so as to blast down the rock or other
material through which the tunnel or gallery is being driven, it is
generally advisable that several holes should be bored simultaneously
into the face of the rock which is being tunnelled. Also that the
direction of the holes which are generally in a position nearly horizontal
should be capable of being variable laterally and vertically within
certain limits. Also that each drilling machine should be capable of
drilling a hole of considerable depth without the necessity for any
readjustment of its machinery. Also that the drills with the piston rods
to which they are attached, together with the pistons and cylinders which
drive them and their supports, should be capable of being withdrawn
easily and quickly from the face of the tunnel when it is intended.to
blast the holes described, in order that the machinery may not be liable
to injury during such blasting process. Also that the boring engines
and their supports and guides should not occupy too much space in the
tunnel, but should leave sufficient room for the attendants to have easy
access both to the face of the rock which is being drilled and round the
boring engines themselves.
This Invention relates to improvements in carriages used for the
purpose of supporting one or more boring engines of the kind described,
by which improvements the required objects as above described are
more readily attained than in such carriages as heretofore constructed
and used, and it consists of forming the carriage of bars or beams of
iron or other suitable material, rivetted, screwed, or bolted together so
as to form an open framework, rectangular, or nearly so, in side view.
This framework is arranged vertically, and its lower side at its rear end
rests upon and is attached to a platform having a pair of wheels which
run upon suitable rails laid down for the purpose along the tunnel or
gallery. Toothed wheels are arranged upon these wheels or upon the
axle which carries them, and are geared with other toothed wheels
driven by handles by which when necessary the entire carriage and
apparatus can be propelled to or from the end or face of the tunnel, and

page_text: "
wedges, screws, or scotches," are used to hold the carriage firm upon
the rails when the drills are in operation.
In advance of the wheels described but at some distance back from
the front of the vertical framework another pair of wheels are arranged,
also running upon the rails, and working in bearings in a frame attached
to the lower part of the framework, and upon which the latter rests.
These wheels are preferably smaller and lighter than those first
described, and instead of using two such wheels one only may some-
times be used, arranged centrally so as to run upon a third rail laid
between the other two rails. At each side of the vertical framework
and at or near its rear end is fixed vertically a strong bar having a
screw cut upon its circumference. The lower ends of these screwed
bars are fixed in the frame which carries the principal pair of wheels,
and to which the framework is attached, as already described, and their
upper ends are fixed to brackets or projections attached to or formed
upon the upper edge of the vertical framework which may itself be
braced or stayed to the platform on which it rests at its rear end by bars
or braces suitably arranged.
Near the front end of the vertical framework described two similar
vertical screwed bars are fixed; but instead of being arranged one on
each side of the framework they are arranged one in front of the other
(in end view) and at or near the centre line of the framework to which
they are fixed.
To the four vertical screwed bars as above described the whole of the
drilling machines are fixed in the following manner:-The cylinder of
each such drilling machine is carried by a cradle of cast iron, or of
wrought-iron bars bolted or rivetted together, and provided with racks
and pinions or screws and nuts for the purpose of feeding the cylinders
forward as the depth of the holes being drilled increases. The rear end
of each such cradle is provided with a strong block having a vertical
hole through it which fits loosely upon one of the vertical screwed bars
described at the rear end of the vertical framework. This hole may be
sufficiently large to allow the front end of the cradle to be raised or
lowered to a sufficient extent without altering the height of its back
end, or the latter may be jointed by a horizontal joint to the block for
the purpose of allowing such vertical motion. In either case the front
end of the cradle is capable of moving laterally round the vertical-

page_text: By the improved carriage described the front end of each cradle is
capable of adjustment both vertically and laterally round its back end
as a centre, and the carriage together with the whole of the cradles,
cylinders, and drills, can be advanced towards or withdrawn from the
face of the rock which is being bored with great ease and quickness;
and as the front end of the apparatus occupies but little space (in plan)
sufficient room is left for the attendants to pass freely round it for the
purpose of working or adjusting it.
filed by the said Charles Julius Ball in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th May 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
JULIUS BALL, of New Bridge Street, Blackfriars, in the City of London,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Julius Ball, Her special
licence that I, the said Charles Julius Ball, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Julius
Ball, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR CARRYING ENGINES USED FOR BORING HOLES
IN ROCKS OR OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES," a communication to me from
abroad by Joseph François and Guillaume Dubois, both of Liége, in
the Kingdom of Belgium, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Charles Julius Ball, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and

page_text: cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Julius Ball, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement and accompanying Drawing (that is to
say) :-
.
This Invention relates to carriages or supports for drilling or boring
machinery used for driving tunnels, driftways, or galleries, and especially
to that class of such drilling or boring machinery in which the drill
used for perforating the rock is attached to the rod of a piston working
in a cylinder, and caused to reciprocate rapidly by means of the pressure
of condensed air or steam supplied through flexible and other pipes.
In using such drilling machines in the way described for the purpose
of boring holes, which holes are subsequently filled with gunpowder or
other explosive substance which is afterwards exploded so as to blast down
the rock or other substance through which the tunnel or gallery is being
driven, it is generally found advisable that several holes should be drilled
or bored simultaneously in the face of the rock which is being tunnelled.
Also that the direction of the holes, which are generally in a position
nearly horizontal and nearly parallel to each other, should be capable of
being varied both laterally and vertically within certain limits. Also
that each drilling machine should be capable of drilling a hole of con-
siderable depth without the necessity for any readjustment of its
machinery or supports. Also that the drills, with the piston rods to
which they are attached, and the pistons and cylinders which drive
them, together with their supports, should be capable of being advanced
or withdrawn easily and quickly to or from the face of the tunnel, in
order that the machinery may not be liable to injury when the holes are
being blasted. Also that the boring engines and their supports and
guides should not occupy much space, but should leave sufficient room
for the attendants to have easy access both to the face of the rock which
is being drilled and round the boring engines themselves.
This Invention relates to improvements in carriages used for the
purpose of supporting one or more boring engines of the kind described,
by which improvements the required objects, as above described, are

page_text: more readily attained than in such carriages as heretofore constructed
and used; and it consists in forming the carriage of cast iron, or of bars
or beams of iron or other suitable material, rivetted, screwed, or bolted
together so as to form an open framework, rectangular or nearly so in
side view. This framework is arranged vertically upon one of its edges,
the rear end of which rests upon and is attached to a platform supported
by one or more pairs of wheels which run upon suitable rails laid down
for the purpose on the floor of the tunnel or gallery. Toothed wheels
may be arranged upon these wheels, or upon the axle which carries
them, so as to be geared with other toothed wheels driven by handles, so
that when required the entire framework, carriage, and their accessories
and apparatus can be propelled to or from the face of the tunnel, and
wedges, screws, or " scotches are used to hold the carriage firm upon
the rails when the drills are in operation, or beams or balks of timber
may be arranged across the rails, and the entire apparatus lifted up by
screws or wedges so as to rest entirely upon such beams or balks instead
of upon the wheels.
"
In advance of the wheels described, but at some distance back from
the front edge of the vertical framework, one or more additional pairs of
wheels are arranged also running upon the rails, and working in bearings
in a frame or carriage attached to the lower part of the framework,
which is thus supported by them. These wheels may be smaller and
lighter than those first described, and sometimes only one such wheel
may be used arranged under the framework so as to run upon a third rail
laid between the other two. At each side of the vertical framework and
at or near its rear end is fixed vertically a strong cylindrical bar having
a screw cut upon its circumference. The lower ends of these two screwed
bars are fixed to the frame or carriage which carries the wheels first
described, and to which the vertical framework is fixed, and their
upper ends are fixed to brackets, projections, or cross bars attached to or
formed upon the back edge of the vertical framework at its upper end,
which may itself be braced or stayed to the platform or carriage upon
which it rests by bars or braces suitably arranged.
Near the front end of the vertical framework two similar vertical
screwed bars are fixed, but instead of being arranged one at each side of
the framework one is arranged in front of the other (in plan) and
immediately or nearly under the centre of the framework to which they

page_text: are fixed by bolting, screwing, or rivetting their ends to or between the
plates of which the vertical framework is constructed.
To the four vertical screwed bars, as above described, the whole of the
drilling machines are fixed in the following manner :-The cylinder of
each such drilling machine is carried by a cradle or frame of cast iron,
or of wrought iron bars bolted or rivetted together, and provided with
racks and pinions, or screws and nuts, for the purpose of feeding the
cylinders forward along the cradles as the depth of the holes being
drilled increases, and of drawing them back when the holes are suffi-
ciently deep. The rear end of each cradle is provided with a strong
block having a vertical hole through it, which fits freely upon one of
the vertical screwed bars at the side of the rear end of the vertical
framework. This hole may be sufficiently large to allow the front end
of the cradle to be raised or lowered as required to a sufficient extent
without altering the height at its back end, or the latter may be jointed
by a strong horizontal pin to the block so as to allow such vertical
movement. In either case the front end of the cradle is capable of
moving laterally round the vertical screwed bar as a centre, for the
purpose of lateral adjustment of the drill, and when adjusted the block
can be fixed upon the screwed bar by one or more nuts fitting upon the
latter, and screwed up against the bottom of the block, and a similar
nut or nuts may also be screwed down upon the top of the block if
required.
In order to adjust and fix the front end of the cradle one of the
vertical screwed bars at the front end of the vertical framework has
fitted upon
it a strong collar, from which a horizontal arm projects
laterally to a sufficient distance, having a long vertical slot through it,
in which is fitted a bracket or support to carry the cradle, the front end
of which can thus be adjusted laterally by moving the bracket or support
in the slot, and vertically by raising or lowering the horizontal arm and
collar upon the vertical screwed bar to which the collar is then fixed by
the screwed nuts upon the bar in the same way as the block at the back
end of the cradle, as already described.
The brackets or supports by which the front ends of the cradles are
supported upon the horizontal arms may either support them from below
or from above, and when adjusted they can be fixed in the slots in the
horizontal arms by means of nuts and screws, keys or wedges.

page_text: The collars to which the lateral arms are fixed, or the lateral arms
themselves may be provided with guides working on or between vertical
bars attached to the vertical framework, for the purpose of giving
greater firmness to them and preventing them from turning round upon
the vertical screwed bars upon which they are fitted.
The vertical framework described may be made of such height as to
carry more than one cradle and drill cylinder upon each side of it, such
cradles being fixed in the method described above one another upon the
vertical screwed bars, and the cradles upon one side of the framework
are fixed upon one of the vertical screws at the front part of the vertical
framework, and those upon the other side are fixed upon the other of the
vertical screws, or they may be arranged indifferently upon either of the
vertical screws as desired.
Sometimes instead of the arrangements above described for supporting
the cradles the cradle has formed upon it a universal joint, which fits
upon a corresponding universal joint formed upon or attached to a block
which fits upon the vertical screwed bar, and can be fixed to the latter
in any position by screwed nuts. The universal joints can be screwed
firmly together when the drill has been adjusted in any desired position,
and by this arrangement greater range of adjustment in every direction
is attained.
By the improved carriage described the front end of each cradle is
capable of sufficient adjustment, both vertically and laterally round its
back end as a centre, and the carriage, together with the whole of the
3 cradles, cylinders, and drills can be advanced towards or withdrawn from
the face of the rock, which is being bored with great ease and quick-
ness, and as the front end of the apparatus occupies but little space
laterally sufficient room is left for the attendants to pass freely round it
for the purpose of working or adjusting it. The steam or compressed air
used for working the drills may be brought along the tunnel in suitable
pipes, the last length of such pipe being made flexible and connected to
distributing valves attached to the framework, whence it is conveyed by
separate flexible pipes to the several drill cylinders. Water for injection
into the holes which are being drilled may also be brought along the
5 tunnel in a pipe or pipes, or it may be provided in a tank or reservoir
running upon wheels on the rails, and communicating at its upper part
with the compressed air pipe, so that the water may be forced as

page_text: are being drilled.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of this Invention, and
shews a carriage supporting three drills used for driving a tunnel. The
method preferred for such a purpose is to bore a central hole of con-
siderable diameter, and at sufficient distances round it to drill a series of
smaller holes parallel or somewhat inclined to it, so that when these
latter holes are filled with explosive material and fired simultaneously,
the rock is forced inwards upon the larger central hole which is left
empty. This method of arranging the holes is shewn in the annexed
Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the tunnel,
shewing the carriage and drills; Figure 2 is an elevation (partly in
section) of the carriage; and Figure 3 is a plan of the same.
The same
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.
a, a, a, (Figure 1) is the rock through which the tunnel is being bored;
b, b, are lines of rails laid along the floor of the tunnel; o is an open
vertical framework of bars bolted together and having its lower edge
resting at the back upon the carriage d, which is supported upon the
pair of wheels e, e, running upon the rails b, b. In front of the
carriage d another carriage f supported upon two pairs of wheels 9, 9, 9, 9,
also running upon the rails b, b, supports the framework c, and has the
framework c attached to it by the joint h (as shewn in Figures 2 and 3);
i, i, are vertical screwed bars, one on either side of the framework o
(as shown in plan at Figure 3), the lower ends of which are fixed to the
carriage d, and their upper ends to the cross frame k to which the frame-
work c is bolted. The bars i, i, carry the blocks 1, 1, 7", to which are
jointed the rear ends of bars forming the cradles m, m³, m", (Figure 1)
which carry the drill cylinders n, n¹, n¹¹. The blocks 1, F, 1, can be
raised or lowered by the nuts o, o¹, o¹. Near the front end of the
framework c are two more vertical screwed bars p, p², the ends of which
are also bolted to the framework c and carry the collars or supports r,,,,
which can also be raised or lowered upon the bars p, p¹, by the nuts 8, 8², 811.
These collars are provided with lateral slotted arms t, t¹, ", in which
are adjusted supports u, u², u", which carry the forward ends of the
bars forming the cradles m, m³, m", supports u, u¹, shewing the cradles
supported from below, and u" shewing the cradle suspended from above.
The supports u, u¹, u¹, are adjusted and fixed in the slotted arms t, t¹, t¹,
by the nuts v, 0². Projections w, w¹, w¹¹, are shewn formed upon the

page_text: ". and tig
in guides x, x
attached to the
framework c.
Cross beams of wood y, y', are shewn upon which the framework and
apparatus are made to rest when the drills are at work by means of the
screw 2. The large centre hole already described is perforated in the
face of the rock by the drill A, and the smaller holes by the drills B, B¹,
(of which one or more may be used) which can be adjusted at the desired
angle vertically or laterally by means of the arrangements already
described. The drill cylinders n, n¹, n¹, can be advanced toward or
withdrawn from the face of the tunnel by means of screws or racks
(not shown in the Drawing), which cause them to travel along the
cradles m, m³, m". Compressed air (or other elastic fluid) is supplied to
the drill cylinders from the pipe D, which is carried along the tunnel,
and to the inner end of which is connected the flexible tube E, which
conveys the air to the distributor F, whence it is supplied as required to
the cylinders by the flexible pipes G, G¹, G", and the regulating cocks or
valves H, H³, H". I is a cock upon [the main air pipe D. k is a water
tank (shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1) supported upon wheels running
on the rails b, b. The water is forced from the tank to a water dis-
tributor L through the flexible pipe M by the pressure of air admitted
to the tank through the flexible pipe N, and the water is then distributed
to the jets O, O¹, O", through the flexible pipes P, P¹, P", by means of
the regulating valves R, R', R".
When it is required to remove the apparatus from the face of the rock
for blasting or for any other purpose, the whole framework and carriages,
with the drills and other appliances, can be run back for a sufficient
distance upon the rails 6, 61, and by the methods of construction and
arrangement described and shewn in the Drawing facility of access
round the apparatus is afforded to the attendants.
Having now described the Invention, and the manner in which it is to
be performed, I claim the general construction and arrangement of the
apparatus substantially as and for the purposes described and shewn in
the Drawing.
Also the combination with the vertical framework c of the vertical
screwed bars i, i, p, p', the adjustable blocks and nuts 1, 1, 1, 0, 0¹, o¹¹,
the adjustable collars r, 71, 74, and slotted arms t, t, t", the sup-

page_text: ports u, u, u, and the adjustable cradles m, m³, m", carrying the drill
cylinders, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Julius Ball, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.