Improvements in and connected with Riddles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Lelt, 28th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Riddles.
1, GEORGE COTTON of Middlewich, in the County of Chester, Draper, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My improvements relate more particularly to round riddles for riddling mineral
substances but are equally applicable to all kinds of riddles and consist in forming
the woven wire bottoms of such riddles separate and distinct from the surrounding
wooden or metal frame instead of threading the ends of each wire forming such
bottom through the frame as heretofore, thus lessening the cost of production and
affording an interchangeable bottom which can be exchanged or replaced for wire
bottoms of a different mesh to suit different kinds of work.
This detachable wire bottom is secured in position and held taut by three or more
hooks which pass through the frame at equi-distances apart and hook onto the wire
bottom and which hooks are provided with split pins, staples or wing nuts, which
latter on being screwed against the outer surface of the frame hold the wire bottom
firmly in its place. To further retain and support the wire bottom in position
pass two or more stout wires transversely across the bottom of the riddle at right
angles to each other or I affix small stops or a continuous ledge or rim at or near the
inner bottom edge of the frame or I turn in the bottom edge of the frame to form
such rim. Instead of the transverse wires aforesaid I sometimes insert extra
strong wires in the wire bottom itself.
The frame may be made to slope inwardly and so catch the wire bottom and
prevent its falling out and a spring blade may be affixed inside the frame which on
being depressed will allow the wire bottom to pass by and then rebound and lock the
same in position.
My improvements further consist of a continuous handle, encircling the riddle
held away by suitable stays or supports or a set of handles placed on either side
thereof to facilitate the shaking of the riddle. In lieu of the handles I some-
times form openings or recesses in the frame to afford a better grip in shaking the
riddle.
My improvements also include a vertical oscillating frame on which to rest the
riddle whilst shaking it, which is hinged to a foot plate with a spike taking into
the ground or a set of legs resting on the ground and which is furnished with
spiral springs fitted horizontally or perpendicularly to assist in the agitation of the
riddle.
This frame is made sufficiently high to accommodate one or more riddles on
intervening rests and so serve to agitate a series of riddles at one and the same time.
and act as a screening arrangement for separating different sized substances.
Dated this 27th day of January 1892.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Riddles.
I, GEORGE COTTON of Middlewich, in the County of Chester, Draper, 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
3 statement :-
My improvements relate chiefly to riddles for riddling mineral substances and

page_text: consist essentially in forming the woven wire bottoms of such riddles separate and
distinct from the surrounding wooden or metal frame instead of threading the ends
of each wire forming such bottom through the frame as heretofore, thus lessening
the cost of production and affording an interchangeable wire bottom which can be
exchanged or replaced for wire bottoms of different mesh to suit different classe
work.
On the accompanying drawing (Sheet 1)
Fig. 1 is a side sectional view and Fig. 2 a plan view of my improved riddle.
In accordance with my invention the wire bottom A is formed separate from the
trame B and the ends of the wires are all secured to the stouter surrounding
wire C. The wire bottom so made is secured in position by the hooks D, which
hook onto the wire C and passing through the frame B are provided with wing
nuts For their equivalents (seen more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4) which serve to
secure the wire bottom to the frame and hold it taut.
To strengthen the wire bottom and give it greater rigidity, I pass transversely
beneath it or interweave therein two or more stout wires F1 F1 at right angles to
cach other.
To further support the wire bottom I sometimes fix stops or form a continuous
ledge on the inside edge of the frame (see Fig. 7) either by affixing a rim of
wood G or by turning up the bottom edge of the frame if made of metal to form
such rim.
The frame may be made to slope inwards so as to catch the wire bottom as
illustrated in Fig. 8 and prevent its falling out, with a flat spring H affixed to a
frame which on being depressed will allow of the removal or insertion of the wire
bottom and lock the same in the frame when extended..
My improvements further consist of a continuous handle (see Fig. 5) encircling
the riddle and held away by suitable stays or supports I or a set of handles J (see
Fig. 1) on either side to facilitate the shaking of the riddle. An opening K (see
Fig. 6) may be formed in each side of the frame to facilitate the holding of the
riddle.
My improvements also include a vertical frame (sec side view Fig. 9 and front
view Fig. 10) consisting of two uprights L and M pivoted say to wooden bases N
and capable of oscillating to and fro. This frame is designed to support one or
more riddles to facilitate their agitation.
To assist in the oscillation of the vertical frame 1 employ spiral springs P.
Riddles with wire bottoms of different mesh may be supported by the frame and
thus a screening arrangement may be obtained.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,―
1st. A riddle with an interchangeable woven wire bottom secured to the
surrounding frame substantially in the manner hereinbefore set forth and illustrated
on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. A riddle with an "all round" handle (see Fig. 5) or set of handles on
either side (see Fig. 2) or an opening cut or formed in the frame (see Fig. 6) for
the better manipulation of the riddle substantially as set forth.
3rd. A riddle with interchangeable woven wire bottom supported by a tapered
frame, continuous ledge or stops with locking spring substantially as set forth and
illustrated.
4th. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved
oscillating frame shewn in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawing substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this 0741 11000