AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN SINKING OR CLEANSING PITS AND 'SUMPS.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ezra Davis and William Fieldhouse, both of Horsley
Heath, Tipton, in the County of Stafford, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
MACHINE OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN SINKING OR CLEANSING PITS AND
'SUMPS.'
»
Sealed the 12th May 1876, and dated the 16th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ezra Davis and William
Fieldhouse at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February
1876.
EZRA DAVIS and WILLIAM FIELDHOUSE, both of Horsley Heath, Tipton, in the
County of Stafford. "AN IMPROVED MACHINE OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN
SINKING OR CLEANSING PITS AND SUMPS."
"
This Invention consists of an improved machine or apparatus to be employed in
sinking or cleansing pits and "sumps."
The machine is constructed with a metallic cylinder (varying in diameter and
height according to the nature of the work to be effected) provided with a movable
or detachable bottom, which is connected to the cylinder by hinges or by a central
rod (referred to herein-after), and in which are two valves or doors opening upwards,
and near the outside of which four spikes pass through, and are cottered upon the
upper surface of the plate, and in the centre of which is another spike similarly
cottered, and above which latter cotter a beater is attached to prevent the said
valves or doors opening too wide.
On each end of the diameter of the movable bottom is a hinge and clasp, one of
which clasps is unfastened when the contents of the cylinder are required to be
emptied out; otherwise if a centre rod is used passing through the entire length
of the cylinder we form the centre spike at the bottom of the rod, and at the top
of the cylinder we place a horizontal guard, a cotter on the upper surface of which
keeps the movable bottom in its place. About twelve inches above this cotter is a
movable cap, and when it is required to empty the cylinder the machine or appa-
ratus is drawn up to the surface of the pit or "sump," and the said cotter is

page_text: removed, when the movable bottom will fall the twelve inches, and the contents,
sand, gravel, or earth, of the cylinder will escape, and if required into a specially
provided receptacle; or if the said detachable bottom is connected to the cylinder by
hinges, as above mentioned, it may be detached by a plug.
Working within the said cylinder is a piston or bucket somewhat similar to an
air pump bucket, which is provided with two valves opening upwards, and which
are prevented opening too wide by a beater and secured by bolts going through and
to the under side of the bucket. The bucket is also provided with four eye pins,
underneath which are hinge holes, in which the valves work. The said eye pins
are secured underneath the bucket, in the outer diameter of which are two grooves,
in which fit two guides or slides attached to the inner diameter of the cylinder by
countersunk rivets or bolts. To the said eye pins are attached chains, which are
connected above by a ring or link connected to a steam engine or any other
suitable motive power. Motion is by this means imparted and the bucket is
actuated in the cylinder. Upon being raised a partial vacuum is formed under it,
and the debris is consequently sucked through the bottom valves into the cylinder.
A continuation of the strokes of the bucket causes the cylinder to become nearly
filled when the whole apparatus is drawn up to the surface, and can be emptied by
one man, as before described, no one being employed in the pit or "sump," so that
by the use of this improved apparatus, human life is not endangered, and the work
required to be done is effected much more economically than if performed by
manual labour. Besides this the apparatus can be used in sinking and cleansing pits
and "sumps" where on account of an influx of water or the presence of quicksand
manual labour cannot be employed without risking life. The improved apparatus
thus acts as and after the manner of a pump for earth instead of water, and it will
work any depth under water and bring up the earth.