Improvements in and in Connection with Apparatus for Elevating and Discharging Mud, Earth, Grain, or other Materials.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in and in Connection with Apparatus for
Elevating and Discharging Mud, Earth, Grain, or other
Materials.
I, WILLIAM BULL, of Fairfield, Southboro' Tunbridge Wells, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, 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:—
This Invention relates to that type of apparatus known as single chain grab
bucket elevating and discharging apparatus, that is to say the elevating and
discharging of materials such as mud, earth, grain, gravel, coal and other like
materials is effected by a grab bucket, or fork operated by a single chain worked
from a suitable hoisting and lowering gear and the following is a full, clear and
exact description of my Invention sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to
which it belongs, or is most nearly connected to make and use the same.
Drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this Specification are marked with
figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the Specification. Like
letters and figures are used to denote like, or corresponding parts throughout the
various views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the grab bucket according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1.
The
Figure 3 is a side view and Figure 4 is a part elevation of the bucket head and
automatic operating mechanism according to my Invention.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the automatic operating mechanism showing its
position when the bucket is emptied and ready to be lifted out of its discharging
mechanism.
Figure 6 is an elevation showing its position when the bucket is lifted out of
its discharging mechanism and ready for lowering.
Figures 7. 8 and 9 are respectively side sectional elevations and underside plan
of bucket cross head.
Figure 10 is a sectional end elevation of a semi automatically operated elevating
and discharging apparatus.
Figure 11 is a detail of bucket cross head and gear shown in Figure 10.

page_text: Figure 12 shows the semi automatically operated apparatus according to this
Invention applied to the sinking of wells.
on.
In the Drawings each half of the bucket a a is composed of a quarter, or some-
what less of a hollow cylinder with suitable ends revolving on a single shaft b.
To the upper edge of each of the grab halves is attached a cross bar c c on which
the arms dd work. These arms are jointed onto the cross head e, the details of
which will vary in accordance with the mode of working and will be given further
On the shaft b is placed the differential pulley framing ƒ which by preference
will be a casting. The pulleys h and i revolve on the shaft g. They are also by
preference a casting in one piece and the middle, or larger one h is provided with
deep flanges just so far apart as will permit of the main chain ; winding up on
itself between them with the object of increasing the leverage, or purchase at the
first moment of putting a strain on the hoisting chain to fill the dredger. The
smaller pulleys ii are to be deep enough for the smaller or closing chains k k to
wind up singly. The main chain; is attached to the middle pulley h by means
of a steel pin h¹. The lower ends of the smaller chains are attached to the smaller
pulleys and the upper ends to the cross head e. As there is at all times a strain
on either the larger, or smaller chains the pulley framing ƒ though working freely
on the shaft b is kept in position and the guides generally used are unnecessary.
For working automatically the cross head e will will be in two annular parts e'
and e (Figures 5. 7. 8 and 9) the latter working inside the former with a rise and
fall of about three inches, which is governed by the pins working in the slot as
shown. To the main chain is to be attached the catch framing to the upper part
of which the working, or boisting chain is to be joined running from thence over &
jib head, or other apparatus to the hoisting arrangement. The catch framing / goes
freely inside the bore of e² but is intercepted by the smaller bore of the lower part
of e. In are two tumbling catches m m which when not prevented project from
the framing to a suitable extent. To the jib head L of any ordinary crane, or
other hoisting gear two suspending rods n are to be attached, the sheave spindle,
if elongated answering perfectly for this purpose. The hoisting chain below the
jib head is rove through a guide ball o which is by preference a hollow casting
with a core of hard wood. The hoisting chain goes freely through the guide ball
but the catch framing cannot do so. By means of the suspending rods n a stout
framing p is swung as shown free to rise and fall if the cross head of the bucket
comes in contact with any part of it. It can be adjusted to the exact height
required by means of the nuts at the bottoms of the suspending rods n. To the
lower part of this framing a chair r is attached. This chair is just large enough to
permit of the lower part of the cross head el entering freely so that the projecting
cap of the upper part of e³ may take a firm bearing in it when necessary (see
Figures 3 to 6). To the upper part of the same framing p a second chair s or bed
for the guide ball is rivetted on which at the proper time the guide ball o takes
its bearing. The distance between the sides of the framing p is less than the
diameter of the guide ball.
The working operations will be as follows:-When the bucket is being lowered,
filled and raised the guide bal! will be seated in its chairs and thus keeps the
working chain from contact with the suspended chairs. If it remained there it is
clear the cap of the cross head could never enter the chair r; when therefore the
dredger is being hoisted and the catch framing comes up to the ball o it carries
it away close up to the jib head. The suspended chair r then swings forward
until it is in contact with the chain. The cap, or rounded top of the cross head e
on its being hoisted touches the sloping bottom of the chair r, the latter is thus
pushed back until the cap is higher than it. The chair then automatically swings
forward and the cross head enters it. At this point hoisting is stopped, the jib
swung round conveniently for emptying the dredger and the hoisting chain
slackened up. The cap of the cross head then takes its bearing in the chair r and
the dredger empties itself. The guide ball takes its bearing on the upper chair 8
and the catch framing enters the bore of the cross head. The lower part of the

page_text: cross head having dropped to the extent of its run, or travel, the tumbling catches
spread out and engage under the lower part of e³ (see Figure 7). When a strain is
put on the hoisting chain, it is clear that as the guide ball cannot go back, the
bucket is lifted out of the chair r and is suspended ready for lowering as shown in
Figure 6. The bucket is then lowered onto the material to be raised when the
catch frame drops down just far enough to close the tumbling catches (see Figure 8).
The upper part of the cross head e² also drops down and when a strain is put on
the hoisting chain for the purpose of filling the bucket, the tumbling catches find
the space within the cross head which they formerly had for spreading out in
occupied and the framing slides out of e². The bucket is then filled and raised.
For working the bucket according to this Invention semi automatically the cross
head e is in one casting as shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. To the top of the
same a tumbling shackle tt is loosely jointed; this has a double claw u u in the
upper part of it. Just above the bore of the cross head and in the position where
the bucket is suspended ready for lowering there is incorporated an elongated link t¹
in the hoisting chain. One of the claws u u being placed in this elongated link it
is clear that the bucket will hang with its jaws open ready for lowering when
discharged of its contents. From a point just below the sheave of the jib head,
or other gear as at r a short chain of convenient length with a stout hook at the
lower end is to be suspended. The working operations in this case will be as
follows. The bucket being suspended as above mentioned is lowered onto the
material to be elevated. The tumbling shackle then falls down and the bucket can
be filled. It is then raised until the cross head is on a level with the suspended
hook. This hook is then engaged in the tumbling shackle t t. This can be done
by a boy seated in a cage, or on a plank attached to the jib of the crane and
swinging with it, or the same boy can stand on a small platform conveniently
placed with regard to the spot where it is desired to employ the bucket. In either
case when the hoisting chain is slackened the bucket empties itself, the elongated
link comes down into proximity with the tumbling shackle tt and the claw u is
placed in it again. The suspended hook is disengaged and the bucket is ready for
lowering as before. For sinking cylinders it may be convenient to use a light
double derrick as shown in Figure 12. when small dredgers worked by hand power
are used. This derrick has a windlass with a brake for lowering the dredger. The
suspended hook is in this case to be attached to the projecting horizontal top of
the derrick. On a dredger being hoisted up full, the hook is to be placed in the
tumbling shackle as before and the dredger swings clear of the interior of the
cylinder and empties itself. The elongated link is placed on the claw the dredger
hauled over the cylinder, the suspended hook disengaged and the dredger lowered
as before.
In the above description of my Invention for improvements in and in connection
with apparatus for elevating and discharging mud earth, grain and other materials
and the means explained of carrying the same into effect, I would have it clearly
understood that my Invention is not limited to the precise form, or configuration
of the bucket and its discharging mechanism shown in the Drawings so long as the
essential features of the Invention are retained that is to say the working and
arrangement of buckets, or grabs by means of a single hoisting and lowering chain
and the bucket closing chain by which the bucket is enabled to be worked without
the aid of guides as ordinarily employed and also the automatic discharging
mechanism consisting of a pendulous chair and weight operating in connection
with the bucket cross head substantially in the manner set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
'
First. The construction of grabs, or buckets substantially as set forth whereby the
closing and discharging of buckets, or grabs of the type herein described is effected
by a hoisting and lowering chain, or rope and a supplementary chain, or chains or

page_text: a rope, or ropes arranged and operating in connection with automatic, or semi
automatic devices for discharging and locking whereby the bucket, or grab is
* enabled to be worked without guides substantially as set forth.
Second. A bucket, or grab constructed substantially as herein set forth consisting
mainly of a cross head through which the hoisting and lowering chain, or rope
passes and is guided; a barrel to which such chain, or rope is attached and around
which it works; in combination with a closing chain, or chains; a rope, or ropes
(such as kk) connected to the said cross head, a barrel, or barrels (such as i i), said
barrels being arranged substantially as described, and a system of arms (such as d d)
connected to the bucket scoops and the cross head.
Third. In an automatically operating elevating and discharging apparatus, a
discharging device consisting essentially of a pendulous chair (such as p) a ball, or
its equivalent (such as o) in combination with a cross head upon the bucket which
engages with such chair and a system of automatic catches for maintaining the
bucket in an open position for lowering such as described or its equivalent operating
substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The crosshead e having an annular sliding cylinder e³ in combination with
a catch device chair p and ball o operating substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Fifth. The cross head e and catch device / constructed substantially as set forth
and operating in combination as described for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The apparatus for elevating and discharging mud, earth, grain and other
material, constructed, arranged and operating substantially as set forth with
reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the Drawings.
Seventh. Effecting the closing and discharging of buckets, or grabs substantially
in the manner and by the means as set forth with reference to Figures 10. 11 and
12 of the Drawings.
Eighth. The cross head e having the tumbling hooks t and the elongated link t¹
constructed and arranged to operate substantially as set forth with reference to
Figures 10. 11 and 12 of the Drawings.
Ninth. The apparatus for elevating and discharging mud, earth, grain and other
material constructed, arranged and operating substantially as set forth and shown
in the Drawings with reference to Figures 10. 11 and 12.
T311: 0
1
1000