AN IMPROVED METHOD OF EXCAVATING AND REMOVING EARTH
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to DAVID DUNNE KYLE, of No. 120, Albany,
Street, Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF EXCAVATING AND REMOVING
EARTH."
Sealed the 22nd January 1858, and dated the 1st October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Dunne Kyle
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st October 1852.
I, DAVID DUNNE KYLE, of No. 120, Albany Street, Regent's Park,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF EXCAVATING AND REMOVING
EARTH," to be as follows:
A carriage on which the framework of the machinery is constructed,
and which is moveable on rails or other prepared way along the line of
ground to be excavated.
On this carriage a main axle revolves, and carries with it, on radial
arms, the following described parts, projecting into the excavation accord-
ing to the form and dimensions thereof, viz.:
A number of blades or cutters to plough up the face of the excava-
tion, and having a secondary action through springs, leverage, atmo-
A

page_text: spheric, or other pressures, by which to pass over indurated substances
presenting too great resistance, and afterwards re-enter the earth.
Series of sliding crowbars or levers to penetrate and loosen the same
surface by their fall, and also by their action when withdrawn from it,
provision being made to increase, modify, or alter the momentum or
impact by any of the above-named appliances.
Buckets fixed or travelled on curves, or planes becoming inclined at
portions of each revolution, and connected with rocking bars or levers
for governing and re-seating them to raise the spoil, and deposit it on
stages which will discharge it on the ground or in barrows or waggons
for more distant removal.
The paring or feeding edge for these buckets will consist of teeth,
having the same appliances as above named for yielding to unusual
obstructions.
Spurs or wheels with elastic or non-elastic radiating spikes, also self-
adjustable in passing obstructions, to traverse the same surface.
Saws to be brought to bear on roots of trees or other matter requiring
their operation.
In addition to the above-described revolving parts, rams or levers of
greater power, through weight, impulse, oscillation, or otherwise, are in
reserve and under control, so as to be specially available against any
obstacle not otherwise removable.
A percussive or saltatory motion is provided for the parts above
described.
Provision is made for the wheels which transmit motion to the
revolving parts through toothed segments or wheels to fall back at the
passing of the buckets, and other extreme parts, and to return again
into gear.
A progressive motion, corresponding to the rate of excavation, is com-
municated to the carriage by means of screws, leverage, eccentric or
other power, acting against toothed rails or other fulera on the ground.
Apparatus for applying water, steam, or other means for overcoming
the tenacity of the soil, or freeing the machinery from its adhesion, is
brought into use where necessary.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said David Dunne Kyle in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 1st April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
DAVID DUNNE KYLE, of No. 120, Albany Street, Regent's Park, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said David Dunne Kyle, Her special licence, that I, the
said David Dunne Kyle, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said David Dunne Kyle, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, 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 "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF EXCAVATING AND REMOVING EARTH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said David Dunne Kyle, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Dunne Kyle, 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; reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:
My said Invention relates to an improved combination and construc
tion of machinery for effecting the excavation or removing of earth, &c.

page_text: in a more speedy, effectual, and economical manner than can be accom-
plished by manual labour. Figure 1, on the accompanying sheet of
drawings, represents a side elevation of my improved excavator, with
certain portions broken away, to show more clearly the working parts;
and Figure 2, is a corresponding plan of the same. A, B, is the main
framing of the machine, which may be made of wood, cast iron, or
hollow wrought iron, or other suitable material, and tied together by tie-
rods or cross-beams C, C, and diagonal stay-beams. This framing rests
upon the axles of the groved running wheels D, D, which move inde-
pendently of each other, and travel along the rails or tramway E, E. The
axles of the running wheels are carried in suitable bearings, secured to the
under side of the main framing A, B, such bearings being placed at right
angles with the longitudinal side beams of the framing when the machine
is required to travel in a direct line; but if the excavation is required
to travel in a curved direction, then the axle bearings of the running
wheels D, D, are set at an angle to suit the radius of the curve to be
traversed over, the rails or tramway E, E, being of course laid to
correspond with the course of the machine. Where one axle is used at
the ends of the frame, passing from one side to the other, and having a
running wheel at each end, its adjustment for traversing curves is
effected by causing it to turn on a pin or pivot at its centre, and when
properly adjusted, the ends of the axle are fixed by set screws to the
framing; a short slot, formed either in the axle itself or in the
framing, permits of the adjustment of the axle and wheels to suit the
course of the track. In excavating sloping ground, running wheels of
unequal size may be used, or the framing of the machine may be
adapted to suit the sloping nature of the ground to be excavated. The
main axle of the machine F, is carried in bearings G, G, bolted to the
centres of the side beams of the main framing, and may be made hollow
for the sake of lightness. The revolving excavating mechanism herein-
after described is carried by the main axle of the machine, and projects
some distance into the earth, according to the width and depth of the
excavation required. To this axle are also keyed, or otherwise secured,
a series of segmental racks H, H, set in different planes along the
length of the axle or main shaft. These racks are all of the same

page_text: cause them to enter and hold
adjusted to the power of the
radius, and form, by their combination, one toothed-wheel, which
receives a rotatory movement from spur-wheel gearing, as herein-after.
described, and shown at Figures 1, and 2. A number of blades or
cutters I, I, for cutting and ploughing up the ground, are fitted to the
segmental racks H, H, or parts connected therewith, by a stud-pin,
which allows the blades to give slightly, and again enter the ground,
when they come in contact with any obstacle offering greater resistance
than they are calculated to overcome. J, is one of a series of weighted
levers connected with these blades, to
them in the ground; these levers are
machine, and the nature of the work to be excavated; suitable guides
may be fitted to the machine for guiding the course of these levers when
working. It will be obvious, on reference to the drawings, that springs
may be employed for depressing the cutters I, I, and giving the required
elasticity to them, in place of the weighted levers herein-before men-
tioned. A series of radiating guides K, K, are fitted to the segments H, H,
and serve to guide the movements of a number of crowbars L, L.
These guides may be composed, as shown in the drawings, of open bars,
or a simple rod or bar may be used, with projecting forks, on the crow-
bars, to fit over the guide-rods, or the crowbar may slide within a
tubular guide; in either or any of which arrangements an apparatus
shown at M, in Figure 2, receives and retains the crowbar, as will be
herein-after more fully described. These crowbars L, L, are fitted
with transve bolts or pins N, N, which slide in the guides; but on
reaching the enlarged space O, O, between the guides, the crowbar falls
at once by its own gravity until it strikes the earth, and the guards
P, P, at the ends of the guides. A slot is formed in these guards to
allow the crowbars to pass through, but the transverse bolts N, N,
prevent the escape of the crowbars by coming in contact with the
sides of the slot in the guards. Should the motion of the crowbars be
found to impart any violent shocks to the machine, the blows may
be greatly modified by employing springs fitted on each side of the
guard slots, in order that the bolts N, N, may strike against them in
place of against the non-yielding surface of the guards. The crowbars
will have entered the earth in nearly radiating lines through the

page_text: guards P, P, and will rest therein until the motion of the guides K, K,
and guards P, P, raises them and exerts a leverage action in the soil,
carrying the bars forward until the rotatory motion of the machine inverts
the crowbars, when they slide back down their guides until again released.
M, is one of a series of rods which retain the several crowbars in their
proper position; it rotates with the machine parallel to the main shaft F, and
passes through the different segments until it reaches the set of crow-
bars over which it has control. A small crank R, is formed upon the
end of this bar, a similar arrangement being used for retaining and
releasing the hold on the cross bolts N, in the crowbars. It will be
obvious that various arrangements of bolts may be used for this pur-
pose, as the bar may be made to slide instead of rotating for actuating
the crowbars if desired. The excavating buckets S, S, which receive
and discharge the loosened earth, are shown at rest ready to be filled.
In addition to the radial arms which support the toothed segments
H, H, another arm, T, is extended from the main shaft F, to form a
support for the rods U, U, for the buckets to travel on.. This arm is
terminated by a fork V, and the hinder portion of the toothed segment
is fitted with brackets W, which correspond with the fork before
mentioned. Between these brackets the two parallel rods U, U, are
fitted, along which the brackets slide; for strength and lightness these
rods or rails may be made hollow. Clips X, X, are fitted to the bottoms
of the bucket and between the rails, so as to hold the buckets on to the
rails, yet pass those portions of the machine with which the rails are
connected. The buckets may be of ordinary construction, and occupy
the space beneath the cutting or pairing teeth Y, Y, herein-after
described. A hinged end Z, Z, is fitted to each bucket, against which
the curved-forked end of the oscillating lever a, is made to press. By
this arrangement the hinged end is kept closed until the bucket
reaches the loading platform, at which point the resistance of the
lever a, ceases, and when the bucket is emptied it closes the hinged
end, and replaces it ready for filling. This oscillating lever is weighted
at the opposite extremity, and works on a centre at b, one of the
arms of the segments II, so that, during the filling of the bucket,
it assists in retaining it in its place, but on attaining the greatest

page_text: elevation.
I may here observe, that this arrangement is not intended
as a substitute for fixed buckets, which are tilted over the landing
stage. The teeth or cutters V, V, for paring the surface of the
ground and loading the buckets, are fitted to bars c, c, connecting
the two sides of the fork herein-before mentioned. These teeth or
cutters pass through dovetailed slots in both bars, and stand out at an
obtuse angle to the surface of the excavation. They have shoulders
formed upon them, by which they are held in their places, but on
coming in contact with any substance offering great resistance they are
pushed back and drop out of their slots. Before these teeth, however,
can be pushed out of their slots, the springs d, d, must be overcome,
which are regulated to suit the nature of the ground to be excavated.
These springs are screwed on to the back plate or bar herein-before
mentioned, and press against the ends of the teeth. These teeth may,"
however, if required, be held down by weights or levers, or by steam or
atmospheric pressure, in such case, of course, dispensing with the springs
herein-before described. Another apparatus for breaking the surface of
the ground may be applied to the machine above described. It consists
of a series of spike wheels, either rigid or clastic, which work on an
axle; this axle is held by a bar, which may be attached to any part of
the machine, and loaded to any required extent, according to the nature
of the ground. As the machine revolves, the spiked wheels are drawn
along with it, and receive a rotatory motion by their contact with the
ground which they enter, thereby breaking up the surface, and leaving
the earth loose to be taken up by the buckets. On reaching the land-
ing stage, which will be herein-after described, the bucket, being no
longer retained by the oscillating lever a, slides down the rods U, U, and,
its end being released, the soil is tilted on to the platform. In exca-
vating ground which is much intersected by roots, I propose attaching
saws to the machine for cutting through them. One or more powerful
levers, not shown in the drawings, may be attached to the frame of the
machine for the removal of any large obstacles too large to be removed
by the machine itself; if one lever is used, a tube or guide easily wielded
is fixed at a point above the carriage or frame of the machine, so as to
command the entire width of the cutting; this tube is brought to bear

page_text: upon the obstacle, and, when properly adjusted, a heavy lever is allowed
to descend in the direction of the guide, and strikes the object to be
removed, this lever being raised by a chain or rope and gearing. If the
peculiar nature of the ground renders it necessary, the ordinary means
of applying percussion power may be employed in this machine, and
even atmospheric or steam pressure employed to produce that effect.
The segmental racks H, I, attached to the main axle, which carry
round with them the herein-before described parts, have motion com-
municated to tliem through the series of spur-wheels e, and f. The power
which communicates this motion is carried on the main framing of the
machine at g, and drives the crank end of the axle h, which carries a
series of wheels, only one of which, f, is shown in the drawings. On
the two cross-beams, C, C, of the frame are fitted the standards i,i, which
are strengthened by, a transverse beam, j, supported on plints from the
sides of the frame. The standards have formed upon them the bearings
of the shaft h, and stand between each of the wheels f.f. To the sides of
the standards, and concentric with the shaft h, are fitted annular bearings
k, which carry arms 1, 1, which are fitted at their upper ends with
spindles m, m, which form the different axes of the wheels e, e, each of
these wheels having a separate axis of its own; they gear into the first
motion wheels ff, and the segmental racks H, H. It will be obvious, on
reference to the drawings, that the distance between the centres of the
wheels e, e, and f, f, will always remain the same, thus keeping the wheels
e, and f, constantly in gear with cach other; the arms 1, l', retain
cach pair of wheels in gear, but as they work on the annular bearings
k, k, they admit of the wheels e, e, being lifted' out of contact with the
projecting parts of the machine when the segmental racks H, H, have
passed them. When these wheels are in gear with the segmental racks,
the heads of the arms 1,, bearing the spindles m, m, of the wheels e, e,
rest on strong supports, n, n, forming part of the standards, i, i, these
rests or supports standing out of reach of the extreme rotating parts of
'the machine. A number of rack teeth, p, are formed on a portion of
the periphery of the lower ends or bosses of the arms 7, 1, which work
on the annular bearings h, h; and into these teeth gear, intermittently,
a corresponding set of teeth on the segments o, and q: These segments

page_text: are fitted on to the shafts ; and s, respectively, which have separate
bearings constructed on the standards i, i. The shafts r, and s, are
actuated respectively by the connecting rods t, t, on each side of the
main framing of the machine; these connecting rods being worked from
the ends of the main axle F, and drive the shafts r, and s, in opposite
directions to each other, carrying with them the segments o, and 4.
These segments, with the arms l, l', are placed on each side of the
pairs of wheels c, and f, so that the revolution of the shaft r, with its
segments, in the direction of the arrow, will elevate the arms 1, 1',
removing the wheel e, out of the way of the buckets or other projecting
parts of the machine, and bringing it to the point u, where it will remain
until the small segment q, revolving in the direction of the arrow, brings
it back again to its place on the rests n, by gearing with the corre-
sponding teeth on the arm . These movements are so arranged
that the wheels e, e, are brought successively on to the rests n, n, in
time to fall into gear with their respective segnients II, on the main
axle F. It will be obvious to the practical man that any ordinary
mechanical arrangement of detents or cams may be applied for this
purpose. In order to ensure that the teeth on the wheels e, fall pro-
perly into gear with the segments H, the axes m, of these wheels are
carried in slots in the ends of the arms 1, l, thereby allowing a slight
play to the axis of the wheel, that its teeth may adjust themselves to
those of the segmental racks H. In place of the gearing being re-
moved out of the way of the projecting parts of the machine, these
parts may be moveable and the gearing fixed. In using levers v, for
the propulsion of the machine, the bearings G, G, of the main axle F,
have two or more vertical slots, w, formed in them, and in the
side pieces of the frame through which the propelling levers work.
Fixed on each end of the main axis F, are eccentrics x, which carry
the bosses of the levers v. The lower ends of the levers press against
moveable fulcra y, one of which is shown in Figure 1. These fulcra are
heavy blocks, indented on the under side to fall into the corresponding
indentations of the rack z, and are moved forward after each stroke of
the lever v, either by the frame of the carriage or by being coupled to
the actuating lever herein-before mentioned. If four levers are used,
B

page_text: two are made to act simultaneously on each side of the machine; these
levers propel the machine, by acting against the frame in the end of the
slot at 1. The front side of the lever is fitted with a sliding bar 2,
having a projecting piece 3, which forms the point of contact of the
lever, with the frame. In order that the machine may be enabled to
traverse curves, and have its progressive movement regulated, the bar,
with its projection 3, is capable of adjustment, so as to alter the length
of stroke of the lever v. The racks, are formed on each side of the
rails on which the running wheels of the machine travel.
Although I have only described one mode of propelling the machine, it is
obvious that various well-known mechanical contrivances may be employed,
such as an adaption of the screw, or the application of steam or atmo-
spheric pressure. In cases where the peculiar nature of the ground requires
it, a jet of steam or water may be employed for softening the soil. This
may be effected by the main axle of the machine being made hollow,
and communicating with radiating tubes attached to the arms of the seg-
ments H, herein-before described, the axle in this case being fitted with
trunnions or tubular bearings made water and steam tight, and the water
or steam is adjusted at the extremities for distribution over the ground
by the radiating tubes herein-before mentioned. The loading platforms 4,
herein-before mentioned, work on a fixed centre 5, in the supports 6,
which are carried by the main framing of the machine. Two cams or
tappets 7, 7, are keyed on to the main axle F, near the sides of the
framing A, B, of the machine; these cams or tappets act upon the ends
of the levers 8, 8, which are slotted, and work on the stud centres 9, 9,
in the insides of the main framing; the opposite ends of these levers
are jointed at 10, to the lower extremities of the vertical rods 11; the
upper ends of these rods being hinged to the under side of the loading
platforms; 12, is a fixed support on which the lower ends of the rods 11,
rest when the platform is being loaded. When the load on the plat-
form is to be deposited into the waggons, the revolution of the cams or
tappets, acting upon a hook or catch on the end of the levers 8, draw
them back in the direction of the arrow, thereby removing the lower
end of the rods 11, from the rest 12, and consequently allowing the
platform to tilt partially over, and thus discharge the load. The same

page_text: action of the cams or tappets raises the levers 8, and consequently
replaces the rods 11, on their nuts 12, and brings the platforms into
position for a fresh load. These platforms may be made to tilt either
at the rear or sides of the excavation, as may be required. The slopes
of the sides of the excavation may be found by modifications of the
principles and mechanical arrangements herein-before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of niy
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is' or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of my
Invention, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me.. by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is-
First, The general arrangement and construction of excavating ma-
chines, herein-before described and referred to in my sheet of drawings.
Second, The application and use of blades or cutters carried round
by the machine, and having a secondary or distinct movement of their
own, for the purposes herein-before described.
Third, The application and use of crowbars, actuated in the manner
and for the purposes hercin-before described.
Fourth, The application and use of the buckets, in the manner
and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fifth, The application and use of a moveable or falling end fitted on
to the buckets, actuated in the manner and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Sixth, The system or mode of governing the buckets and falling ends
as herein-before described.
Seventh, The peculiar construction and arrangement of teeth for
filling the buckets, whereby they may yield to unusual obstruction, as
herein-before described.
Eighth, The application and use of travelling spiked wheels, in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Ninth, The system or mode of driving or actuating the machine by

page_text: the application and use of segmental racks and gearing, in the manner
and for the purpose herein-before described.
Tenth, The system or mode of propelling the excavator, as herein-
before described:
Eleventh, The peculiar arrangement and construction of loading
platforms and mechanism connected therewith, in the manner and for
the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Dunne Kyle, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the First day of April One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-three.
D. D. KYLE. (L.S.)