AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR DRILLING OR BORING ROCKS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR WORKING MINES, TUNNELS, AND QUARRIES, AND FOR SUBMARINE OPERATIONS
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th October 1869.- A communication from abroad by James
Asbury McKean, of Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR
DRILLING OR BORING ROCKS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR WORKING MINES, TUNNELS,
AND QUARRIES, AND FOR SUBMARINE OPERATIONS," a communication, to be as
follows:-
This apparatus is designed for boring mechanically in mining operations.
It is applicable to the execution of all work which requires the blasting
of rocks, such as the working of mines, and the boring of wells, railway
tunnels, and the like.
-
The principle of the said apparatus is as follows: The drill for
striking the rock is firmly secured to a piston enclosed within a cylinder
of cast iron or other suitable metal, and moved by steam, compressed

page_text: air, or any other clastic fluid. The piston has a reciprocating motion,
which it transmits to the drill, so that the latter strikes the rock. The
drill also at each backward stroke of the piston receives a rotative
movement on its axis, so that it shall never strike the rock two suc-
cessive blows in the same place, and so that it shall form a circular hole.
Furthermore, the drill receives at each back stroke of the piston an
advance or feed motion in the direction of its axis, so that it will
always strike the bottom or end of the hole. The feed motion of the
drill and its rotation around its axis are automatic, and are derived from
the motion of the piston, and the latter receives its to-and-fro motion
from a peculiar distributing apparatus.
The drilling apparatus is carried on a frame, the form of which is
varied according to the nature and condition of the work to be per-
formed. If necessary a number of such apparatuses may be placed
upon one frame in order to bore a number of holes at once.
The cylinder may be constructed of any desired dimensions. In this
cylinder works a piston furnished with steam-tight packing, and made in
one piece with a hollow rod; this rod passes through stuffing boxes in
the two cylinder covers. At its rear extremity it has an enlargement
or boss from which project inclined teeth. The object of this enlarge-
ment with its teeth is twofold.
First. In the reciprocating motion of the piston rod this enlarge-
ment, which is made flush with the rod on two conical surfaces,
gives alternately to each one of two levers (secured to a common
socket or sleeve) an oscillating movement around a rod or spindle.
This rod is attached to the distributing valve (which is cylindrical),
and transmits to the same a reciprocating rotating motion around its
axis in such a manner that it uncovers successively the admission
apertures, and permits at the same time the escape of the steam or
other clastic fluid which has been used in the cylinder. The steam
admitted through the supply orifice circulates in the valve box around
the valve, and enters the cylinder by ports communicating with the ends
of the cylinder, the exhaust steam passes through the valve (which
is hollow), and escapes through the exhaust aperture and pipe. To the
valve rod is fixed a projecting web or feather; this web is enclosed in
the socket or box which carries the aforesaid levers, but the opening of
this socket is larger than the web. Two screws passed through opposite
sides of the socket bear against the sides of this web, and by their

page_text: adjustment the levers are caused to turn the valve more or less to onc
side or the other, the position of the valve in relation to the piston being
varied according as either one of the said screws projects more or less
through the box. By this means the valve can be arranged in such a
manner that the admission aperture communicating with either side of
the piston is more widely opened than the other, so that the steam being
less throttled on one side than on the other acts with more pressure
upon either side of the piston as desired, according to the nature of the
work to be executed. This arrangement also allows of the adjustment
of the valve as desired during the working of the apparatus. The piston
in working must not come in contact with the ends of the cylinder. It
is desirable therefore that a certain space should be left between the
limit of cach stroke of the piston and the corresponding end of the
cylinder, in which space the steam forms a cushion to deaden the
shock.
Secondly. The enlargement or boss of the piston rod serves to give
to the said rod (and consequently to the drill, which participates in all
its movements, as will herein-after be seen) a rotating motion around its
axis. For this purpose the teeth of this enlargement arc inclined to
the axis of the rod; they gear with a rotating cam whose teeth are
inclined at the same angle upon the axis of the cam.
In the recipro-
cating movements of the piston rod its teeth gearing with those of the
cam are compelled to follow the rotative movement due to this in-
clination. This rotative movement takes place only during the back-
ward stroke of the piston. A ratchet wheel fixed on the axis of the cam
is held by a spring catch, and keeps the cam from turning during the
backward stroke of the piston.
In the hollow rod of the piston is another hollow rod having a screw
formed upon it throughout its length. The drill or cutting tool passes
through this latter rod, and is secured therein by means of a shoulder
at the forward end and a conical nut at the rear end of the said rod.
Below the shoulder is a projection parallel to the axis of the drill,
forming a key; this key fits a groove in the screw in order to secure tho
drill and rod firmly together. The screw has two longitudinal v-shaped
grooves on its opposite sides, which fit corresponding projections formed
in the interior of the piston rod for a portion of its length. These
grooves and projections are designed to ensure the solid working

page_text: together of the screw and rod. The shoulder of the drill has two similar
recesses to allow of its introduction through the piston rod when the
apparatus is put together.
The feed or advance movement of the drill is effected in the following
manner: The piston rod at its rear extremity has an enlargement or
socket of a slightly oval form and in one piece with the said rod; in this
socket the feed mechanism is enclosed. In the said socket are arranged
two diametrically opposite orifices, through which are passed two curved
plates carried by flat rods; at the opposite extremity of these rods is a
collar which embraces the neck of the cylinder. The plates are caused
to advance or retire at will by adjusting nuts. One of these plates is
designed simply to act as a counterpoise to the other plate, which has a
groove, the central part of which is inclined in relation to its two
extremities; in this groove is fitted a sliding block having formed on
it a catch, which engages with the teeth of a ratchet wheel formed in
one piece with the feed nut which fits the hollow feed screw; a curved
lever prevents the revolution of the said ratchet wheel in the opposite
direction to that in which the catch moves it. A spring secured by a
pin retains the said catch and lever in the desired position. A screwed
piece serves to close the back of the apparatus and to keep the feed nut
in the desired position; the said piece is provided with notches at its
periphery, and a catch which enters into one of these notches prevents
its becoming unscrewed during the working of the apparatus. Orifices
are provided for the insertion of a key for the purpose of unscrewing
the said piece.
The feed or advance of the drill is effected as follows:-The piston rod
in its to-and-fro motion carries with it the sliding block and catch; this
piece being caused to move through the inclined part of the groove (by
means of the said catch) gives a rotating movement to the ratchet wheel
and feed nut; this nut being incapable of endwise motion the feed screw
which passes through it is forced to advance therein, and of course
carries with it the drill, which thus receives an advance movement at
cach backward stroke of the piston, or when sufficient penetration has
been made to allow the block to travel down the inclined slide or slot
far enough to enable the catch to take into another notch or tooth
on the ratchet nut, which causes a partial rotation of the nut and
corresponding advance of the drill, producing an automatic and self-

page_text: adjusting feed. Upon the forward end of the cylinder are fixed four
iron rods or bars connected by a collar. One of these bars forms the
fulcrum of the pawl which retains the ratchet of the rotating cam. It is
also in the aforesaid collar that bearings are formed in which the forward
extremity of the valve rod and that of the rod which carries the said
rotating cam are inserted and turn. A cylindrical hollow trunnion is
cast upon the cylinder, and by this trunnion the drilling apparatus is
attached to its frame. The said frame is formed of two iron plates
secured together at their lower extremities by strong tie pieces, and at
their upper
ends by a strong tube; through this tube passes a rod, cach
end of which is screwed. The tube is formed with flanges which arc
secured to the plates by means of screw bolts passed through the plates
into the flanges of the tube so as to fix it effectually. The two axles
which carry the four wheels upon which the frame rests pass through
bearings and are cranked at their ends to receive the wheels, which are
mounted upon these cranks. The two ends of these axles on the same
side of the frame are connected by a stiff bar; this bar is jointed to a
small arm of a cranked lever. By moving the long arm of the lever
two objects can be effected, first, the bringing down of the cranks into
a vertical position towards the ground, the frame then rests upon the
wheels and may be moved about like a truck; secondly, the said lever
may be brought back into the position to raise the cranks; the frame
then rests upon four feet which terminate in points; the apparatus is
then in the position for working. The lever is secured in cither position
by means of a bolt passed through holes in the lever and plate. The
metallic pointed feet which support the whole of the apparatus pass
through sockets fixed at the corners of the frame, and they are secured
at the desired height in these sockets by means of pinching screws.
The drilling apparatus is secured to the frame in the following
manner: The tube or hollow shaft being secured by bolts and screws
to the two plates of the frame is embraced by a cylindrical collar. This
collar has an extension in which is formed. (in a plane perpendicular to
that of the collar) the socket, in which is inserted the cylindrical pivot
or trunnion of the cylinder. A screw and pinching block are employed
for securing the collar in such a position as may be desired upon the
hollow column or tube, and another screw and. pinching block are in
like manner employed to secure the trunnion in its socket when the

page_text: cylinder is adjusted to any desired position. By this arrangement it will
be seen that the apparatus can be adjusted and secured in any desired
angular position in vertical and horizontal planes.
For piercing holes of great depth, such as are required in mines and
quarries, as well as in work to be executed in the beds of watercourses,
rivers, canals, and for other purposes, a metallic platform is employed.
This platform supports a hollow metal column strengthened by four
fins or webs secured by a base plate to the said platform. The top of
the column forms a vertical cylindrical pivot; a collar embraces this
pivot, and may be tightened upon it by pinching screws and blocks.
This collar is formed in one piece with a socket, the axis of which is
horizontal, and which receives the cylinder trunnion. Screws and
pinching blocks are employed for tightening the trunnion in this socket.
In this arrangement the drilling apparatus can turn completely around
upon the column, and be secured in any desired position thereon.
Inside of this pivot is fitted the end of a wood post; this post carrics
a winch, to which it is firmly secured; the winch is provided with crank
handles and carries a ratchet wheel and pawl. Upon this winch is wound
a cord or rope which passes over a pulley at the upper end of the post;
this cord is designed for raising rods, to which the drill is attached when
the same is to be changed; it is also employed for working a sand pump,
and for other purposes. The connecting together of the rods is effected
by means of screw threads; the two parts of the rod may be connected
by a right-handed screw thread; and the joint covered by a coupling
with a left-handed screw thread, or inversely in order that the connection
may not become loose. The lengthening of the rod is effected at the
first joint; when the joint is below the platform the nut is removed which
closes the apparatus at the back, and the rod is raised until the joint is
above the platform, the joint is then unfastened. The drilling apparatus
is turned from any position by unfastening the screws and by turning it
around upon the column, the rod is added, the joints remade, and the
apparatus is ready to work. In order to raise the rods the same opera-
tions are performed. For these different operations the rod is sustained
by a key which holds it below the shoulder of a joint. Holes are formed
in the plate to allow of the passage of the rod and of the drill; one of
these orifices is placed above the point where the hole is to be pierced.
The form of the drilling tools employed varies according to the nature
of the rock to be operated upon. When it is required to bore holes at

page_text: the bottom of rivers or canals the apparatus rests by its platform upon
a wooden scaffolding erected in the watercourse or supported by barges.
The platform is provided with wheels which facilitate the removal of the
apparatus.