IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND MECHANICAL MEANS FOR EXCAVATING, FILLING-IN, TRANSPORTING, AND
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Holdsworth, of Kingston-upon-Hull,
Fruit Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
AND MECHANICAL MEANS FOR EXCAVATING, FILLING-IN, TRANSPORTING, AND
Sealed the 19th July 1870, and dated the 22nd January 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Holdsworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on'
the 22nd January 1870.
I, JOHN HOLDSWORTH, of Kingston-upon-Hull, Fruit Merchant, do,
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS' IN.
APPARATUS AND MECHANICAL MEANS FOR EXCAVATING, FILLING-IN, TRANSPORTING,
AND DISCHARGING GRAIN, Seeds, and otHER MATERIALS," to be as follows:
I construct a bucket or hopper the ends whereof are of a V or other"
similar or convenient shape, or the sides whereof approach each other at
the bottom. It is divided vertically into two parts so connected together*
by means of crossed pivoted lever arms that the two parts in separating
from each other change the angular relation of their sides so that they

page_text: may become parallel or approximately so, and when the hopper or bucket
has been lowered, say, amongst corn, and the two parts have been forced
open by the crossed levers self-actingly, the two sides of the hopper or
bucket being suspended by an independent sling unconnected with the
cross levers, what were the two sides of a V are now parallel and embrace
a quantity of the material into which they have inserted themselves or
been inserted, and thereupon the act of hauling-on the lifting chain or
rope of the hopper or bucket does not at once lift it, but causes the two
parts to approach each other horizontally, during which time they
operate scoop like or shovel like, and when the two parts are brought
into close contact the. V shaped hopper or bucket is re-formed and all the
corn or other material that has been brought within the operation of the
two shovel like portions of the hopper is secured within it, and the
hauling being continued the hoisting, elevating, and transporting of
the contents of the hopper is performed as a continuous operation. Each
half or portion of the hopper has a bent lever arm, or it may have two
such, rigidly fixed thereonto, the upper end of the bent lever arm pro-
jecting upward, say, at a right angle to the inclined side of the hopper,
and of a suitable length to extend across and be jointed about the centre
of its length with the lever arm of the other half of the hopper. The
lever arm or lever arms of each side or portion of the V or angular
shaped hopper crossing each other are pivoted or work upon a pin or:
stud; or where each portion of the hopper has a pair of lever arms one
rod or bar may extend across the hopper from end to end and form the
pin or joint of the two pairs of levers. The outer or free end of each
lever arm has a sheave or single block, and a connecting chain or tackle
is rove therethrough forming a single "tackle fall," the standing part
thereof belonging to the one pulley being made fast to the end of the
opposite lever, whilst the two running ends of the tackles are spliced or
joined together with or round a thimble, and into which the hook of the
hauling chain or rope is made to take or enter. The strain upon the
main hauling chain after it has closed the two parts of the hopper keep
them together by means of the leverage applied thereto during the
raising or transporting of the hopper or bucket and its contents; but
when, it is desired to discharge the contents from the hopper a check
rope or chain connected to the independent slings fixed to each portion
of the hopper or bucket is used to regulate the time and place of delivery
or discharge, as on the descent of the bucket. being retarded thereby
the crossed lever arms come freely into action, force open the halves of

page_text: the hopper, and the lever arms approach each other until they are nearly
horizontal and parallel. By reason of the strain thus put upon them
applied at the lower ends of the crossed levers the sides of the hopper
are caused to separate and discharge the contents.
In applying my Invention for discharging grain laden steam ships, for
instance, I propose to employ the usual derrick jib or boom and steam
winch fitted on board, the hauling chain being rove over or through the
sheave or pulley on the derrick end, and the hook being made to take
into the thimble of the tackle connected, to the ends of the lever arms,
whilst the check chain of the pair of slings may either run over a pulley
or eye near the head of the derrick and be "belayed" to a cleat or pin
at any convenient place either on the derrick, the ship's side, or else.
where. The length or extent of run or unchecked movement of the
hopper whilst descending may be regulated at pleasure.
For excavating and raising "ooze" or for dredging ballast additional
weight may be required to insure the penetration of the scoop or the
shovel-like sides of the hopper, and a slight curving or change in the
angular form of the bottom of the hopper or bucket may be necessary,
but the mechanical action of the apparatus will be the same whether it
be applied to the discharching or loading of grain, seeds, and such like
materials from or into a ship or other vessel, or from one floor to another
of a warehouse, or for the purpose of dredging or removing subaqueous
matter.
For the purpose of economizing the meterage as well as the filling-in
or charging the hopper or bucket and the discharging the contents
thereof a "Salter's balance," steelyar, or other weighing machine and
a counter may be fitted to the side of one of the lever arms and bo.
attached to the hauling chain, so that the weight of each charge and the
number of the charges may be ascertained and if necessary recorded.
30 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,.
filed by the said John Holdsworth in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd July 1870..

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of January; in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself; Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Holdsworth; Her special licence that
I, the said John Holdsworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Holdsworth, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein ex-
pressed, 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 APPARATUS
AND MECHANICAL MEANS FOR EXCAVATING, FILLING-IN, TRANSPORTING; AND
DISCHARGING GRAIN, SEEDS, AND OTHER MATERIALS,”. upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Holdsworth, 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 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 John Holdsworth, 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 the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings:
I construct a bucket or hopper the ends whereof are of a V or other
similar or convenient shape, the sides whereof approach each other at the
bottom. It is divided vertically into two parts so connected together by
means of crossed pivoted lever arms that the two parts in separating
from each other change the angular relation of their sides so that they
may become parallel or approximately so, and when the hopper or
bucket has been lowered, say, amongst corn, and the two parts have
been forced open by the crossed levers self-actingly, the two sides of the
hopper or bucket being suspended. by. an independent sling unconnected
with the cross levers, so that what were the two sides of a V are now
parallel and embrace a quantity of the material into which they have
inserted themselves or been inserted, and thereupon the act of hauling
on the lifting chain or rope of the hopper or bucket docs. not at once

page_text: lift it but causes the two parts to approach each other horizontally,
during which time they operate scoop like or shovel like, and when the
two parts are brought into close contact the V shaped hopper or bucket
is re-formed and all the corn or other material that has been brought
within the operation of the two shovel like portions of the hopper is
secured within it, and the hauling being continued the hoisting,
elevating, and transporting of the contents of the hopper is performed as
a continuous operation. Each half or portion of the hopper has a bent
lever arm, or it may have two such rigidly fixed thereonto, the upper
end of the bent lever arm projecting upward, say, at a right angle to the
inclined side of the hopper, and of a suitable length to extend across and
be jointed about the centre of its length with the lever arm of the other
half of the hooper. The lever arm or lever arms of each side or portion of
the V or angular shaped hopper crossing each other are pivotted or
work upon a pin or stud, or where each portion of the hopper has a pair
of lever arms one rod or bar may extend across the hopper froin end to
end and form the pin or joint of the two pairs of levers. The outer or
free end of each lever arm has a sheave or single block, and a connecting
chain or tackle" is rove therethrough forming a single " tackle fall," the
standing part thereof belonging to the one pulley being made fast to the
end of the opposite lever, whilst the two running ends of the "tackles
are spliced or jointed together with or round a thimble, and into which
the hook of the hauling chain or rope is made to take or enter.. The
strain upon the main hauling chain after it has closed the two parts
of the hopper keep them together by means of the leverage applied
thereto during the raising or transporting of the hopper or bucket
and its contents, but when it is desired to discharge the contents
from the hopper a check rope or chain connected to the independent
slings fixed to each portion of the. hopper or bucket is used to
regulate the time and place of delivery or discharge, as on the descent
of the bucket being retarded thereby the crossed lever arms come
freely into action, force open the halves of the hopper, and the lever
arms approach each other until they are nearly horizontal and parallel.
By reason of the strain thus put upon them applied at the longer ends
of the crossed levers the sides of the hopper are caused to separate
and discharge the contents.
66
"

page_text: winch fitted on board, the hauling chain is rove over or through the
sheave or pulley on the derrick end, and the hook. being made to take
into the thimble of the "tackle" connected to the ends of the lever arms,
whilst the check chain of the pair of slings may either run over a pulley
or eye near the head of the derrick, and be "belayed" to a cleat or pin at
any convenient place either on the derrick, the ship's side, or elsewhere.
The length or extent of run or unchecked movement of the hopper whilst
descending may be regulated at pleasure.
$
"
For excavating and raising ooze or for dredging ballast additional
weight may be required to ensure the penetration of the scoop or the
shovel like sides of the hopper, and a slight curving or change in the
angular form of the lower edge of each part of the hopper or bucket may
be necessary, but the mechanical action of the apparatus will be the
same whether it be applied to the discharging or loading of grain, seeds,
and such like materials from or into a ship or other vessel, or from
one floor to another of a warehouse, or for the purpose of dredging. or
removing subaqueous matter,
For the purpose of economizing the meterage as well as the filling in
or charging the hopper or bucket and the discharging the contents
thereof, a "Salter's balance" steelyard, or other weighing machine and a
counter may be fitted to the side of one of the lever arms and be attached
to the hauling chain, so that the weight of each charge and the number
of the charges may be ascertained and if necessary recorded.,
I am aware that buckets, tubs, and such like vessels for lifting and
discharging soil and such like matter or materials have heretofore been
made in two parts and they have been suspended by a sling or slings and a
yoke, and they have been operated by means of a check chain acting upon
a latch or latches or bolts or other fastenings applied to the sides, ends, or
bottoms of the vessel. The bottom of such vessels have been formed of
a square or semicircular shape, and in some cases they have been formed
in two parts and have been hinged or jointed immediately above the top
edge thereof, and the extent of the separation of the two parts or portions
has been necessarily limited by the very short radial action, also the
separation of the parts in such instances is accompanied by a corresponding
raising thereof, whilst the two abutting edges remain in contact or are
but slightly separated at the top, whilst the bottom edges are open to a
proportionally greater extent making an obtuse angle and having but a
very limited grasp or means of gathering or bringing together the

page_text: materiais touch to DC Taised and removed by the said popper, DUCACE,
tub, or vessel.
Now by my Invention the two parts of the hopper or vessel when
they have been separated during its descent separate widely by reason of
the peculiar mechanical arrangement and disposition of the lever arms
herein-before described, and the parts of the vessel are forcibly brought
together through the interposition of the "tackle" between the outer and
upper ends of the said lever arms, and the lower end of the hauling chain
or rope so that whatever materials may lie or be found between the
lower edges of the hopper or vessel, when the parts are separated are
gathered together or embrased, and when thus collected fill the hopper,
and when the two parts of the hopper are brought together in close
contact the hauling action upon the main chain or rope being continued
the hopper or vessel is then raised until the necessary height is attained
to clear the "combings" or gunwale of the vessel when it may be swung
over the ship's side, and the lowering of the hopper may then take place,
but which, lowering upon being checked by means of the check rope
attached to the two sides of the hopper or vessel, causes them to separate
and discharge their contents, whereupon the "hauling up" again com-
mences, and the hopper or vessel is again lowered upon the heap of material
to be operated upon, and the descent being again checked at the proper
part of the lowering the requisite separation of the parts is effected, and
thereupon the "hauling up commences, which has the effect of bringing
the two parts of the hopper or vessel together for the purpose of filling
it, and when the two parts are brought together the hopper or vessel
begins to ascend. The "tackle" applied to the upper ends of the lever
arms not only enables an increased power to be applied to the gathering.
together of the materials for filling the hopper whilst the parts are being
made to approach each other, but also secures the two parts of the hopper
firmly together without the necessity for any fastening bolt or catch
being applied to the sides or ends of the hopper, whilst the weight of
the levers added to the weight of the material contained in the hopper
causing the parts thereof to separate when the sides of the vessel are
suspended and the materials to be freely and rapidly discharged
therefrom.
.
In the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings I have shewn several
modifications in the forms as well as in the mode of jointing the lever
arms for the purpose of giving a wider scope to 'the separation of the

page_text: parts of the hopper and a greater amount of horizontal movement
in relation to the actual rise of the hopper from off its bed line
or the bottom on which it rests during the time when the parts are
approaching each other. The horizontal edges along the bottom of
each portion may either be bevelled obtusely and shut together face
to face, or acutely, and edge to edge, or they may be serrated so
as to insert themselves into harder materials, such as ballast, coals,
and such like materials.
I prefer for some purposes to employ double lever arms so as the
better to secure the two parts of the hopper or vessel coming together
fairly or truly, edge to edge, and I have on Sheet 2 shewn three
views of an apparatus so fitted, and although the form or the shape or
configuration of the lever arms and the mode of jointing them together
is the simplest, and is similar to that shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of
Sheet 1, yet either of the other forms of lever arms and joints may
be employed for the purpose of allowing of a greater horizontal
expansion being obtained.
In the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings, Figure 1 is an end view
of the two scoop like parts of the apparatus A, A, with cross lever arms
B, B, having a pin or stud c forming the pivot upon which they turn.
The two scoop like parts are here shown brought together, forming a
bucket, hopper, or vessel for containing the materials to be raised and
transported. Upon the upper ends of the cross levers B arc fitted
single sheave blocks a, a, around each of which passes a single (or a
double) turn of the fall forming the "tackle" b, b, connected to the
lower end of the main hauling chain or rope C. The check rope or
chain D has a bridle or pair of slings attached to its lower end,
which in turn have their lower ends respectively attached to cach of
the scoop like parts of the bucket, hopper, or vessel for the purpose
of hauling them asunder, in manner herein-before described when
the checking action comes into play. Figure 2 is also an end view
of the apparatus, but the two scoop like parts A, A, are shown open
or extended by reason of the apparatus being lowered whilst the check
rope is secured or held fast, the cross lever arms B, B, having corre-
spondingly changed their position.
Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 1..

page_text: .
of reference. so far as they are shewn refer to like or corresponding
parts of the apparatus.
.
Figure 4 shows a modification in the form of cross lever arms as well
as in the mode of jointing them and of attaching the "tackle" for
hauling parts of the apparatus together. It should be distinctly under-
stood that the "tackle" or means of bringing together forcibly the ends
of the lever arms for the purpose of closing the scoop like parts and
thereby effecting the self-filling action is an essential part of the
apparatus constructed in accordance with my present. Invention. This
view (Figure 4) shows the apparatus in two positions, i.e., closed and
partially opened, the several parts of the apparatus being shown in their
respective position. In this view also the central pin, stud, or pivot c,
in Figures 1 and 2, gives place to the traversing stud a, which as here-
shown traverses the curved groove f, and the lever arms instead of being
straight are somewhat S shape. The "tackle" in this case is shown as
the single "tackle" b, b, the standing part being secured at its lower end
into the arm beneath the sheave a, a.
Figure 5 is a side view to a larger scale of a portion of the cross lever
arms B, B, having a fixed stud or pin c passing through a joint formed
at the end of a projection B on the inner face of each arm B. For the
purpose of preventing the levers twisting and to insure the two parts of
the hopper or bucket coming together accurately each arm has a groove
fand a bolt or stud a passing through the two slots, as there shown.
Figure 6 is a view of the levers B, B, in Figure 5 extended.
Figure 7 is another modification in the mode of jointing the cross
levers in which the two projections (B', B',) from the inner edges of the
cross lever B, B; they have curved slots fand a stud, pin, or bolt a fitted
to traverse therein.
Figure 8 is another view of the cross lever arms B, B, in Figure 7.
extended..
In Sheet 2, Figure 9 is an end view of the two scoop like parts A, A,
of a vessel somewhat similar to that shewn in Figures 1, 2, &c., but is
slightly curved at the lower portion or bottom where the two parts join
for the purpose of scraping up or grasping or securing some kinds of
materials. In this view and those following the cross lever arms are
double or formed as bows, or shaped, and are jointed together and
work upon a long bolt or bar c.

page_text: To some extent.
Figure 11 is a side view of Figure 9.
*
"
Figure 12 is a plan of the two view scoop like parts A, A, of the
bucket, hopper, or vessel similar to that shewn in Figures 9 and 11, but
the two edges instead of being straight are serrated along the horizontal
line of the bottom from end to end, and the serrations are there shown
as fitting or taking into each other, as I prefer to employ this form of
scoop for operating upon larger and heavier substances than grain,
seeds, &c., &c.
Thus it will be seen that with a pair of scoop like parts A, A, mounted,
fitted, and connected together upon cross lever arms, as herein described,
having the "tackle" fitted to the upper end of the lever arms as herein
described, for the purpose of bringing them together, effecting the self-
filling and then closing them firmly, and by the opening or separation of
the parts A, A, effected by their suspension by the bridle or slings of the
check rope, when the checking action takes place, the consequent
discharge of the contents of the vessel is effected, and upon the action
being reversed and the lifting being resumed the parts are first brought
together, then bodily raised, and when brought over the heap or body
of material to be operated upon the lowering out then commences and
the parts continue together until the check rope or chain comes into
action, when although the lowering continues it thereafter only effects
the wider separation of the two scoop-like parts, and then the lowering
ceases and the action is reversed, the hauling up commences, but it only
acts upon the "tackle" and brings the two parts together, thereby
effecting the self-filling until the two parts are firmly in contact, when
the whole ascends as before described to the requisite, height, when the
action is again reversed. and the lowering and the discharge of the
contents of the vessel is effected as before.
.
Having now described and illustrated my said Invention, I wish it to
be understood that what I claim is,-
First. The improvements in apparatus and mechanical means for
excavating, filling in, transporting, and discharging grain, seeds, and
other materials herein described and set forth.
Secondly. The use or employment of the mechanical arrangements
and apparatus herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying

page_text: two Sheets of Drawings, in the manner described and for the purposes
herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Holdsworth, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of July One thousand
eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
GEORGE KIRMAN.
JOHN HOLDSWORTH. (L.S.)