CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY. AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING, DIGGING, AND TURNING UP EARTH, APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
THOMPSON, of Number 12, Park Road, Regent's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Twelfth day of August, One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the
fourteenth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said George
Thompson, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said George Thompson, my exors, admors,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Thompson, my exors, admors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Wales, and
the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY.
AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING, DIGGING, AND TURNING UP EARTH, APPLICABLE TO
AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso, requiring that I, the said George Thompson, shall particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
to be enrolled in the Rolls of Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George Thompson, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by this present Instrument in writing, reference being
had or made to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, and in which
said Drawings similar parts are marked and referred to by similar letters
or figures (that is to say) :-
:-
My said Invention consists,―
E
Firstly, my Invention consists of a mechanical arrangement whereby the
earth is dug or cut by spades or other instruments which may be thought 1
applicable to the arrangement herein-described, and suitable for the purpose
or purposes to which the same is to be applied.
Secondly, my Invention consists of a mechanical arrangement, by means
of which the earth is received as it leaves the spade or spades and turned
over; and,
.
Thirdly, in the combination and arrangement of the mechanical parts of
my said improvements or Invention, so that the object is effected of cutting
or digging the earth separately or in conjunction, and turning over the same
as may be required, and in the application of the various arrangements, as
described for the purpose, herein specified.
Figure 1, Sheet A of the Drawings hereunto annexed, is a plan in part of
my machine showing the general arrangement with the cranks to which the
spades are connected, as also the mode or arrangement for driving or putting
the same in motion. Figure 2, same sheet, is a cross elevation showing
arrangements of crank, guide frames, and spades. Figure 3, same sheet,
is a.sectional elevation taken through the plan, Figure 1, at the red line A, B.
.Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, are side elevations of part of my machine, showing
arrangements for receiving the earth from the spades and turning the same
over. Figures 8 and 9, same sheet, are in large views of portions of the
arrangements of Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7. Figure 10 represents a guide frame
with a portion of the wro* iron brace attached. It will be seen by the arrange-
ments shown in Sheet A. that the spades are so arranged and fitted to the
cranks, the throws of which are alternate or at right angles to each other,
that only a portion of the same on each crank are in action or come into

page_text: contact with the earth at the same time, and that by the arrangement of the
throws of the cranks and the spades the undug spaces left between the spades
of the front crank are dug by the spades on the hinder crank, the two outer
spades on the hinder crank being so arranged as to dig up the earth over
which the running wheels of the machine have previously gone. I will now
proceed to describe the various parts of my machine as shewn in Sheet A of
the Drawings annexed hereto, as also their action. 7.7.7.7, is a wooden
frame strengthened at the angles by the wrought-iron brackets r, r, r, r,
repeated. The plummer blocks h, h, h, h, in which the cranks 9, 9, are
fitted and take their bearing, are bolted to the wood frame. a and a 1 are
the two running wheels of the machine, which worked loose on their axles or
ends of the front crank g. The running wheel A 1 is to be of cast metal,
and the outer rein is to be made dished or recessed, as shewn in section;
inside the same is fitted (or may be cast on) the circular rack or wheel
without arms b, which has teeth internally. This arrangement of fitting the
circular rack 6 inside the wheel is for the purpose of gaining space, but the
same may be fitted outside the spokes or armis of the running wheel if
desirable. k, k, k, k, are cast-iron brackets fitted between the guide frames i, i, i,
repeated, and the wood frame, for the purpose of strengthening the machine
and steadying the action; m, m, m, m, are brackets fitted between the guide
frames i and the wood frame for a like purpose. Any number of these
brackets k and m may be fitted in the machine, as shewn, for the purpose of
strengthening the same as required, and wrought or cast iron stay pieces or
brackets may be fitted between the two cranks extending from the guide
frames i, i. 1, 1, 1, 1, are plummer blocks fitted on to the brackets k, k, k, k,
in which the shafts or spindles e, e, take their bearings. On the spindles e, e,
are fitted or fixed the pinions c, c, and the wheels d, d. Two pinions or
small wheels f, f, are fitted on to the crank shafts 9, 9, into which the
wheels d, d, take or work. i, i, i, i, repeated, are metal guide frames, which are
fitted to journals turned on the crank shafts g, g, having loose caps and being
fitted with brass bearings; the same hang suspended from the crank shafts g. 7,
but by means of the brackets k and m being connected to them and the 'wood
frame, their weight is eased from the cranks. In Figures 2 and 3 are shewn
the arrangements of the spades. The spades o, o, (repeated), are connectedl
at their tops to the cranks; a cross head or spindle t is fitted in the stock of
each spade and works freely therein. Upon each end of the cross spindle t
are fitted guide wheels s, which work in the guide frames i, i, and thus the
spade is kept steady and the requisite motion attained. The bottom of the
spade p is made to shift from the stock, as shewn. Forks or any other

page_text: description of instrument which may be thought desirable to use for the
purpose of agriculture may be applied in lieu of the spade, and be made to
bolt on to the stocks o. The guide frames are represented having a raised V
inside, upon which the guide wheels works, the same being grooved, but a
flat surface with flat edged guide wheel might be used. In Figure 2 wrought
iron arched braces n, n, n, (repeated), are shewn as connecting the guide
frames i, i, together at their tops. Each bracket n forms a separate piece
abutting against the following one; two brackets spring from one guide frame,
and thus the whole is firmly secured together. In Figure 10 is shewn an
arrangement of bolting the arched brackets n, n, to the edges of the guide
frame i by making the same forked. The action of the machine may be thus
described :-It is proposed to draw the machine by horses, as ordinary machines
used in agriculture. Any suitable arrangement may be attached or fixed to the
front of the wood frame g for the purpose of yoking or harnessing the horses
thereto, the rolling of the running or driving wheel a 1, carrying with it the oir-
cular rack 6; the two pinions c, c, which gear internally into the same, are thus
şet in motion. At the same speed are driven the two tooth wheels d, d, being
hung on the same spindles e, e; the tooth wheels d, d, take into and drive the
two smaller tooth wheels or pinions ff, which are fitted on to the cranks 9, 9;
increase of speed is thus obtained and the cranks 9, 9, are put in motion;
The action of the spades o, o, attached to the same, is described in Figures 2
and 3. A clutch arrangement is shewn on one of the spindles e for the
purpose of throwing the crank in and out of gear. The wheel d is loose on
the spindle e, and when it is required to work the crank, the clutch, by any
usual arrangement, is to be thrown in gear. A clutch arrangement will also
be applied to the wheel or pinion on the other spindle e for effecting the same
purpose with the front crank. u (Figure 3) is a wooden roller fitted in an
iron frame, and fixed to the frame of the machine (one on each side) for the
purpose of taking the weight of the machine behind. The spokes or arms of
the running wheel a 1 are represented as broken, or in part, for the purpose
of showing more clearly other portions of the machine. Steam or other power
may be applied, as attached thereto or stationary, for driving the machine.
The arrangements of boxes for receiving the earth from the spades is shewn
in Sheet A. Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, side elevation; Figure 8 is a portion of
a front view of Figure 6. 1, Figures 4 and 5, is an eccentric fitted on to the
crank shaft 9; 2 is the rod connected with the eccentric ring; 3 is a crank
lever fixed in its bracket to the wood frame q; 4 is a connecting rod from
crank lever to the box 6; 5 is a sling supporting the end of the bracket 7,
which carries the box 6, and upon which the same is jointed. The action of

page_text: Figure 7 is a com-
the same may be thus described :-In Figure 5 the box is shewn as in
the position to receive the earth from the spade. The revolution of the
crank shaft brings the eccentric 1 into action, and the box 6 is overturned,
as shewn in Figure 4. These arrangements show the boxes working in the
same direction as the spades, or turning over the earth from where it had
been dug. Figure 6 shews an arrangement where the boxes act in a contrary
direction, and throw the earth over to the left or right, as may be arranged,
for leaving an open trench or forming a ridge. Figure 8 is an enlarged front
view in part of the same; in both views the box is shewn turned over. The
eccentric rod 2, in lieu of being connected with a cránk lever, as in Figures 4
and 5, is connected by a joint piece or link 4 to the lever 5; the lever 5 iş
connected by a joint piece 6 to the lever 7, which is connected to the box, ȧs
shewn. The connection of the joint piece 6 and lever is a ring joint to
allow the necessary freedom of action. 9 is a bracket bolted to the guide
frame which supports and forms the fulcrum of the lever 5. Figure 9 is a
plan shewing the bracket frame and spindle 8 fixed to the guide frames i, i,
which carries the box 6, and upon which the same works as an axle; 10 is a
rod carried out and forms the fulcrum of the lever 7.
bination of both of the above-described arrangements.
For some purposes it may be desirable to have my Invention so arranged that
earth is cut, dug, or turned up by one row of spades or cutters arranged on one
crank shaft; I therefore shew in Sheet B of the Drawings hereunto annexed
how the same may be accomplished. Figure 1 is a side elevation, Figure 2
is a partial front elevation; and Figure 3 a plan of such parts of my machine
as it is necessary to describe to illustrate the same. To allow for the free
working of the spades, the same being made wider for the purpose of digging
the whole breadth of surface, the guide frames i, i, must be made shorter;
therefore the guide wheels, as shewn in the arrangements of Sheet A, cannot
be used to obtain a steady motion and keep the spade in its proper position;
I therefore propose to apply the arrangements shewn in Sheet B. To each end
of the cross head or spindle t is connected a guide piece a, the ends of which
are fitted into the eyes of the guide rods W, W, which work in the guide
bushes V, V, which are bolted to the guide frames, and are thus kept steady
and regulate the action of the spade. When this arrangement is made use of
I propose to apply for some purposes coulters or other description of cutting
instruments on the front crank shaft. In some cases it may be necessary to
use coulters or instruments for cutting the earth previous to digging, I there-
fore propose to attach to the front part of the frame of the machine a row

page_text: of coulters or cutting instruments, to be used as may be thought requisite.
I propose to fix to some convenient part or parts of the machine scoapers for
the purpose of clearing the earth from the spades, if necessary, as also scoapers
by which the back of the spades may be cleaned, if required. Scoapers may
be also fixed to the machine for clearing the outer edges or rims of the
running wheels.
Having herein described the nature of my Invention, and the means of
working the same, I would wish it to be understood that I lay no claim to
any of the parts separately; nor do I confine myself to the precise details
shown (as the same may be varied according to circumstances), provided the
peculiar character of either part of my Invention be retained; but what I
claim is,―
Firstly, the mode or modes of arranging spades or other instruments
suitable to the earths or substances they are to be employed in cutting or
digging, in connection with a crank or other mechanical contrivance, so that
the top part of the stock of the spade or other instrument moves in connection
therewith in a circle, or, more properly speaking, has a rectilinear motion,
and the blade or lower portion of such spade or instrument a curvilinear
motion.
Secondly, the mode or modes of arranging boxes or receptacles for receiving
the earth or substance from the spade or other instrument used in the machine,
so that they shall be in or take a position to receive the earth at the time the
same is about to leave or fall from the spade, and turn over and discharge
their contents simultaneously with the retiring motion of the spade or other
instrument.
Thirdly, in the mode or modes of arrangement of the mechanical parts of
my said Invention, so that the object is effected of cutting or digging (sepa-
rately or in conjunction) the earth, and turning the same over simultaneously,
or as may be required, with the action of the spade or other instrment to be
used in the machine, and in the application and arrangement of various
mechanical appliances, as described, for the purpose or purposes herein
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Thompson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
GEORGE (L.S.) THOMPSON.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of February, in the
year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid George Thompson came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.