IMPROVEMENTS IN FORM, SHAPE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF DREDGING BUCKETS, AND LINKS FOR WORKING SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Ward Tucker, of 69, Claverton St., Pimlico,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FORM,
SHAPE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF DREDGING BUCKETS, AND LINKS FOR WORKING
SAME"
Sealed the 12th January 1877, and dated the 25th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Ward Tucker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1876.
BENJAMIN WARD TUCKER, of 69, Claverton Street, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FORM, SHAPE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF DREDGING
BUCKETS, AND LINKS FOR WORKING SAME."
This Invention relates to the construction of dredging buckets, which instead of
being flat on face are dished or curved in the face, so that the cutting edge of
bucket enters the earth gradually, presenting a better cutting action, and requiring
less power; the links are connected to the buckets at about one-third the diameter
of curve of top of buckets, and on the same position on the cross bar which slides
up and down in the usual manner, and opens and shuts the buckets to be used for
dredging docks, harbours, rivers, canals, and general excavations.
I also propose to fix projecting teeth of prongs at bottom edge of bucket to grip
the matter to be excavated.
I also propose to construct the buckets of a circular form with the guides or
frames narrower to allow the buckets to open in a well or cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of an
Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said Benjamin Ward Tucker in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th May 1877.
BENJAMIN WARD TUCKER, of Claverton St., Pimlico, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DREDGING BUCKETS, AND LINKS FOR
WORKING THE SAME."

page_text: I propose to construct the dredging buckets in two forms, one for dredging,
excavating salvage, &c., and another form for excavating wells or cylinders.
I propose to construct the buckets of a circular form instead of rectangular as
usually made, and to arrange the links for working them nearer to the centre
instead of on the outside or extreme edge.
I now proceed to describe my Invention as shewn in accompanying Drawing.
A, A, Figs. 7 and 8, two halves of curved buckets working on the two centre
bolts or pivots B, B. The buckets are closed or opened by the links or arms C, C,
in the usual manner by means of the double pulleys, chains, and cross bars.
I also propose an arrangement by which the buckets are made in the form of a
sphere, and retain that form or shape in any position. These buckets work on one
centre or pivot D, Fig. 2, and describe a circle open or shut; the top edge E, E, of
the spherical bucket is tucked or curved in, so that the bolt head shall always be
inside the circle described by the outside line of the bucket. By this means the
bucket can be used in excavating a well or cylinder of nearly the same diameter,
allowance only being made for clearance.
The teeth for edge of buckets are shown on Drawing as follows:-H, H,
Figures 1 and 9, prong shaped; I, Figure 6, angle teeth; K, Figure 5, round or
oval with flat tops; K, Figure 10, round.
I claim,-
First. The curved form of bucket and the links, as shown on my Drawing.
Second. The spherical form of bucket with sides curved in so as to keep all bolts
or other connection within the circle of the sphere.
I also claim, the application of teeth or forks attached to the edge of buckets, as
shown on Drawing, also various forms of circular, semicircular, or eliptical steel
cutters to be fixed on edge of bucket at places varying according to the nature of
the soil, gravel, clay, or other material to be dredged or excavated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Ward Tucker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
ALFRED SHERWIN.
(L.S.) BENJAMIN WARD TUCKER,