Year: 1886

page_text: I WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE of Shrewley, Warwick Private Secretary do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is an engine designed for detaching or throwing down coal or other mineral in
Mines; it consists of a case having a wedge shaped chamber with an opening in one
or both sides with a plunger or plungers fitted into the larger end, the said plunger or
plungers revolving upon a pivot at one end; and of one or more chambers with an
opening in one or both sides having having a plunger or plungers parallel to the bed,
fitted therein at the end of the wedge shaped chamber & in connection & continuation
thereof capable of being expanded by hydraulic pressure with glands & packing
channels, valves & union for connecting it with a force pump, or pipe containing
fluid at an altitude: it is so constructed that it may be inserted in a hole bored or
otherwise made in the mineral to be mined, and exerts an equal pressure throughout
the whole length of the boring to fracture the mineral, & has also an additional
expansive force near the face of the boring in order to further detach or throw it
down: the case may have a cross section either circular, eliptical, or rectangular to
suit the holing adopted.
The case is constructed of steel & the plungers of Gun metal, the plungers have
steel springs on the sides & ends, & holes from their bed or bottom face to allow the
water or other fluid to press them against the sides of their chambers in the case when
the wedge is expanded the wedge shaped chamber has segmental ends both being
struck from one centre & consequently the radius of one is greater than that of the
other; the greater end of the wedge shaped chamber is at the external end of the case
& has a plunger therein; the smaller end of the wedge shaped chamber is provided
with a bole or channel to allow the fluid-to pass to the adjoining chamber at end of
wedge shaped chamber, and has also a projection on the plunger hereafter called the
slide valve which closes the orifice of the channel in connection with the adjoining
chamber at end thereof when the wedge shaped plunger has been forced upward from
its bed by pressure to a certain height; the pressure is then exerted only upon the
wedge shaped plunger or plungers. The larger end or external end of the wedge

page_text: shaped chamber or chambers is provided with a screw union & valve for connecting
it with a force pump, also an escape channel to allow the liquid to escape when the
maximum expansion has been reached, and in addition a channel is provided with a
valve capable of being opened & closed, to allow of the liquid escaping from the
wedge when it is desired to close the wedge. Where a considerable expansive
movement is required I arrange the plungers side by side, the openings in the case
for their reception being in the top & in the bottom of the case respectively, by which
means the expansion of the wedge may be doubled, and the case is then made of a
rectangular section so that it may be inserted in a hole made by a pick or other
instrument. When a less expansive movement is required I make the case of a
circular section so that it may be inserted in a bore hole made with a drill or jumper
or other implement or machine.
The mode of working 1 adopt is as follows: the coal or other mineral to be mined
or thrown down or detached is first kived or holed, & if the strata requires it, it is
also sheared; the hole or boring is then made, into which the closed wedge is inserted,
having the wedge shaped chamber. at the face of the work, a feather or feathers of
steel is then inserted in the hole or boring to fill up the space between the wedge
& the mineral as closely as possible: the force pump or pipe containing liquid at an
altitude is then connected to the wedge & the pressure is so applied.
The action of the wedge is as follows: when the pressure is exerted the liquid
passes beneath the bottoms of the plungers, & through the holes in the bottom side of
plungers & presses the springs against the sides of the chambers in the case thus
rendering the joints tight; the whole of the plungers are forced from their beds in
the case in an equal degree thus exerting a tearing or rending force within the strata
by the expansion of the wedge throughout the depth of the boring or hole; the slide
valve at the smaller end of the wedge shaped plunger now closes the orifice of the
channel and at same time is itself propelled further from its bed thus exerting a
further & greater expansion near the face of the mineral to complete the fracture
& throw it down.
The wedge is designed to lessen the labour of getting the coal or mineral: to
enable coal to be got with the least possible amount of slack; to obviate the necessity
of shot firing, & to enable the miners to bring down the coal while standing at a safe
distance from the face of the work thus preventing accidents to them arising from
falls of mineral while the men are driving wedges with sledge hammers in the manner
usually adopted in bringing down the coal, & which this wedge is intended to
supersede.

page_text: I WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE of Shrewley in the County of Warwick Private
Secretary and Estate Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
Its principle is that of a collapsing wedge capable of being expanded by direct
hydraulic pressure, & it consists of a case having one or more chambers arranged in
a wedge shape and graduated to produce the desired effect, & provided with a plunger
(or ram) or plungers fitted therein working approximately within the radius of a
circle described from a point near the smaller end of the wedge shaped chambers:
the case need not of necessity have a wedge shape externally, but the outer ends of
the plungers when expanded are not parallel with the bed of the case, but assume a
wedge shape: there are also one or more chambers provided with a plunger or
plungers in connection and in continuation of and adjoining the smaller end of the
wedge shape chambers but opening when expanded parrallel to the bed of the case, one
or more of such plungers are so arranged as to have their expansion in an opposite
direction to the others, for the purpose of anchoring or securing the wedge in place
and also to draw forward the mineral by the action of the wedge shaped plungers
which have a tendency to withdraw the wedge from the hole or boring; the case is
provided with glands packing channels, valves & union for connecting it with a force
pump or pipe containing fluid at an altitude or other suitable pressure, & has an
automatic escape valve which removes the pressure when the maximum expansion is
reached; it is so constructed that it may be inserted in a hole bored or otherwise
made in the mineral to be mined, and exerts a pressure throughout the whole length
of the boring to fracture the mineral, and has also an additional expansive force either
at the face or back of the boring (as may be desired) and a transverse strain also to
further detach draw forward or throw down the mineral.
The case is constructed of steel or other suitable metal, either built up of various
pieces or solid, & the plungers are of gun metal phosphor bronze or other suitable
metal, and have leathers or flexible bags and waterproofed springs, the springs are to
keep the leathers tightly pressed against the walls of their chambers more especially
at the moment the pressure is first applied, they are perforated & allow the liquid to
press upon the leathers or bags & thus make the joints between the plungers and their
chambers watertight & may be fitted either to cup leathers U leathers or flexible bags
to suit the various purposes to which the wedge is to be applied. The smaller end of
the wedge shaped chamber or chambers has a channel to allow the fluid to pass to the
chambers in continuation thereof, and has also in the wedge designed for use in a bore
hole, a valve capable of being opened and closed automatically when the graduated

page_text: plungers in the wedge shaped chambers are moved, thus admitting or excluding
the pressure to the plungers in the chambers which expand parrallel to the bed of
the case.
When a considerable expansive movement is required I arrange the plungers side
by side, the openings in the case being in the top and in the bottom of the case
respectively, or, I arrange the plungers in a concentric form one within the other
and this form I adopt in preference because it produces a greater transverse strain at
the back of the mineral, by these means the expansion of the wedge may be doubled,
and it is then more convenient though not essential to make the case of a rectangular
section & to insert it in a hole made with a pick or other instrument. When a less
expansive movement is required I make the case of a circular section so that it may
be inserted in a borehole made with a drill or jumper or other implement.
For quarrying slate, splitting timber &c. it is sometimes convenient to have the
wedge with a chisel point so that it may be driven into a crack or fissure,
& afterwards expanded.
When it is desired to have the greatest expansive force at the back of the boring,
the union is provided at the smaller end of the wedge.
The mode of working I adopt is as follows: the coal or other mineral to be mined
or thrown down or detached, is first kived or holed & if necessary sheared, the
hole or boring is then made, into which the closed wedge is inserted, a feather or
feathers of steel is then inserted in the hole or boring to fill up the space between
the wedge & the mineral, the force pump, or pipe containing fluid at an altitude, or
other suitable pressure is then applied.
The action of the wedge is as follows: when the pressure is exerted the liquid
passes beneath the bottom of the graduated plungers and through the perforations in
the springs & so acting upon the leathers or flexible bags renders the joints tight
& the whole of the plungers are then lifted or forced from their beds in the case thus
exerting a tearing or rending force within the strata throughout the depth of the
boring or hole, the anchor plunger has a roughened face or end & is by the pressure
fixed firmly in the mineral at the smaller end of the wedge, the valve (in the wedge
for hole formed by boring) at the smaller end of the wedge shaped chamber now
closes the orifice of the channel connecting it with the next chamber & at same time
the valve plunger is propelled further from its bed, thus exerting a further & greater
expansion, and draws forward the mineral which is held fast by the anchor plunger,
thus exerting a transverse strain at the back of the mineral to complete the fracture
and throw it down, and when the maximum expansion is reached the escape valve is
opened automatically & prevents the plungers being forced out of their chambers.
The wedge is designed to lessen the labour of getting the coal or mineral; to
enable coal to be got with the least possible amount of slack: to obviate the necessity
of shot firing; and to enable the miner to bring down the coal while at a safe
distance from the face of the work, thus preventing accidents from falls of mineral
while driving wedges with sledge hammers in the manner usually adopted in bringing
down coal.
& on
In the accompanying drawing sheet No. 1. represents the wedge for use in a
borehole sheet No. 2 represents the wedge for use either in a pick or bore hole;
each sheet the parts are marked as follows viz. :
A is the case,
plunger, Canchor plunger, D leather, or flexible bag, E spring,
F slide valve, G sealing valve, H automatic escape valve, K channels, L oil box to
plungers for lubricating M cover plates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In apparatus for getting coal or other mineral; shoring, lifting or other
purposes, a collapsing wedge capable of being expanded by direct hydraulic power,

page_text: composed of a case with one or more graduated plungers therein which assume the
form of a wedge when forced from their chambers whether the case be wedge shaped
or not.
2. The anchor arrangement whereby the wedge is secured in place, & whereby a
transverse tearing force is exerted at the back of the coal or mineral.
3. The pressure springs to under side of leathers.
4. The automatic escape valve.
5. The general arrangement and combination of parts as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, the manufacturing of, and the getting
of coal or other minerals with, such wedges or a modification thereof.
WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE.

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1886.
Complete Left, 20th Nov., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 11th Jan., 1887.
I WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE of Shrewley, Warwick Private Secretary do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is an engine designed for detaching or throwing down coal or other mineral in
Mines; it consists of a case having a wedge shaped chamber with an opening in one
or both sides with a plunger or plungers fitted into the larger end, the said plunger or
plungers revolving upon a pivot at one end; and of one or more chambers with an
opening in one or both sides having having a plunger or plungers parallel to the bed,
fitted therein at the end of the wedge shaped chamber & in connection & continuation
thereof capable of being expanded by hydraulic pressure with glands & packing
channels, valves & union for connecting it with a force pump, or pipe containing
fluid at an altitude: it is so constructed that it may be inserted in a hole bored or
otherwise made in the mineral to be mined, and exerts an equal pressure throughout
the whole length of the boring to fracture the mineral, & has also an additional
expansive force near the face of the boring in order to further detach or throw it
down the case may have a cross section cither circular, eliptical, or rectangular to
suit the holing adopted.
:
The case is constructed of steel & the plungers of Gun metal, the plungers have
steel springs on the sides & ends, & holes from their bed or bottom face to allow the
water or other fluid to press them against the sides of their chambers in the case when
the wedge is expanded: the wedge shaped chamber has segmental ends both being
struck from one centre & consequently the radius of one is greater than that of the
other;
the greater end of the wedge shaped chamber is at the external end of the case
& has a plunger therein; the smaller end of the wedge shaped chamber is provided
with a hole or channel to allow the fluid to pass to the adjoining chamber at end of
wedge shaped chamber, and has also a projection on the plunger liereafter called the
slide valve which closes the orifice of the channel in connection with the adjoining
chamber at end thereof when the wedge shaped plunger has been forced upward from
its bed by pressure to a certain height; the pressure is then exerted only upon the
wedge shaped plunger or plungers. The larger end or external end of the wedge

page_text: shaped chamber or chambers is provided with a screw union & valve for connecting
it with a force pump, also an escape channel to allow the liquid to escape when the
maximum expansion has been reached, and in addition a channel is provided with a
valve capable of being opened & closed, to allow of the liquid escaping from the
wedge when it is desired to close the wedge. Where a considerable expansive
movement is required I arrange the plungers side by side, the openings in the case
for their reception being in the top & in the bottom of the case respectively, by which
means the expansion of the wedge may be doubled, and the case is then made of a
rectangular section so that it may be inserted in a hole made by a pick or other
instrument. When a less expansive movement is required I make the case of a
circular section so that it may be inserted in a bore hole made with a drill or jumper
or other implement or machine.
The mode of working I adopt is as follows: the coal or other mineral to be mined
or thrown down or detached is first kived or holed, & if the strata requires it, it is
also sheared; the hole or boring is then made, into which the closed wedge is inserted,
having the wedge shaped chamber at the face of the work, a feather or feathers of
steel is then inserted in the hole or boring to fill up the space between the wedge
& the mineral as closely as possible: the force pump or pipe containing liquid at an
altitude is then connected to the wedge & the
pressure is so applied.
The action of the wedge is as follows: when the pressure is exerted the liquid
passes beneath the bottoms of the plungers, & through the holes in the bottom side of
plungers & presses the springs against the sides of the chambers in the case thus
rendering the joints tight; the whole of the plungers are forced from their beds in
the case in an equal degree thus exerting a tearing or rending force within the strata
by the expansion of the wedge throughout the depth of the boring or hole; the slide
valve at the smaller end of the wedge shaped plunger now closes the orifice of the
channel and at same time is itself propelled further from its bed thus exerting a
further & greater expansion near the face of the mineral to complete the fracture
& throw it down.
The wedge is designed to lessen the labour of getting the coal or mineral: to
enable coal to be got with the least possible amount of slack; to obviate the necessity
of shot firing, & to enable the miners to bring down the coal while standing at a safe
distance from the face of the work thus preventing accidents to them arising from
falls of mineral while the men are driving wedges with sledge hammers in the manner
usually adopted in bringing down the coal, & which this wedge is intended to
supersede.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Hydrostatic Mining Wedge.
I WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE of Shrewley in the County of Warwick Private
Secretary and Estate Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
:
Its principle is that of a collapsing wedge capable of being expanded by direct
hydraulic pressure, & it consists of a case having one or more chambers arranged in
a wedge shape and graduated to produce the desired effect, & provided with a plunger
(or ram) or plungers fitted therein working approximately within the radius of a
circle described from a point near the smaller end of the wedge shaped chambers:
the case need not of necessity have a wedge shape externally, but the outer ends of
the plungers when expanded are not parrallel with the bed of the case, but assume a
wedge shape there are also one or more chambers provided with a plunger or
plungers in connection and in continuation of and adjoining the smaller end of the
wedge shape chambers but opening when expanded parrallel to the bed of the case, one
or more of such plungers are so arranged as to have their expansion in an opposit
direction to the others, for the purpose of anchoring or securing the wedge in place
and also to draw forward the mineral by the action of the wedge shaped plungers.
which have a tendency to withdraw the wedge from the hole or boring; the case is
provided with glands packing channels, valves & union for connecting it with a force
pump or pipe containing fluid at an altitude or other suitable pressure, & has an
automatic escape valve which removes the pressure when the maximum expansion is
reached; it is so constructed that it may be inserted in a hole bored or otherwise
made in the mineral to be mined, and exerts a pressure throughout the whole length
of the boring to fracture the mineral, and has also an additional expansive force either
at the face or back of the boring (as may be desired) and a transverse strain also to
further detach draw forward or throw down the mineral.
The case is constructed of steel or other suitable metal, either built up of various
pieces or solid, & the plungers are of gun metal phosphor bronze or other suitable
metal, and have leathers or flexible bags and waterproofed springs, the springs are to
keep the leathers tightly pressed against the walls of their chambers more especially
at the moment the pressure is first applied, they are perforated & allow the liquid to
press upon the leathers or bags & thus make the joints between the plungers and their
chambers watertight & may be fitted either to cup leathers U leathers or flexible bags
to suit the various purposes to which the wedge is to be applied. The smaller end of
the wedge shaped chamber or chambers has a channel to allow the fluid to pass to the
chambers in continuation thereof, and has also in the wedge designed for use in a bore
hole, a valve capable of being opened and closed automatically when the graduated

page_text: plungers in the wedge shaped chambers are moved, thus admitting or excluding
the pressure to the plungers in the chambers which expand parrallel to the bed of
the case.
When a considerable expansive movement is required I arrange the plungers side
by side, the openings in the case being in the top and in the bottom of the case
respectively, or, I arrange the plungers in a concentric form one within the other
and this form I adopt in preference because it produces a greater transverse strain at
the back of the mineral, by these means the expansion of the wedge may be doubled,
and it is then more convenient though not essential to make the case of a rectangular
section & to insert it in a hole made with a pick or other instrument. When a less
expansive movement is required I make the case of a circular section so that it may
be inserted in a borehole made with a drill or jumper or other implement.
For quarrying slate, splitting timber &c. it is sometimes convenient to have the
wedge with a chisel point so that it may be driven into a crack or fissure,
& afterwards expanded.
When it is desired to have the greatest expansive force at the back of the boring,
the union is provided at the smaller end of the wedge.
The mode of working I adopt is as follows: the coal or other mineral to be mined
or thrown down or detached, is first kived or holed & if necessary sheared, the
hole or boring is then made, into which the closed wedge is inserted, a feather or
feathers of steel is then inserted in. the hole or boring to fill up the space between
the wedge & the mineral, the force pump, or pipe containing fluid at an altitude, or
other suitable pressure is then applied.
•
The action of the wedge is as follows: when the pressure is exerted the liquid
passes beneath the bottom of the graduated plungers and through the perforations in
the springs & so acting upon the leathers or flexible bags renders the joints tight
& the whole of the plungers are then lifted or forced from their beds in the case thus
exerting a tearing or rending force within the strata throughout the depth of the
boring or hole, the anchor plunger has a roughened face or end & is by the pressure
fixed firmly in the mineral at the smaller end of the wedge, the valve (in the wedge
for hole formed by boring) at the smaller end of the wedge shaped chamber now
closes the orifice of the channel connecting it with the next chamber & at same time
the valve plunger is propelled further from its bed, thus exerting a further & greater
expansion, and draws forward the mineral which is held fast by the anchor plunger,
thus exerting a transverse strain at the back of the mineral to complete the fracture
and throw it down, and when the maximum expansion is reached the escape valve is
opened automatically & prevents the plungers being forced out of their chambers.
The wedge is designed to lessen the labour of getting the coal or mineral; to
enable coal to be got with the least possible amount of slack: to obviate the necessity
of shot firing; and to enable the miner to bring down the coal while at a safe
distance from the face of the work, thus preventing accidents from falls of mineral
while driving wedges with sledge hammers in the manner usually adopted in bringing
down coal.
In the accompanying drawings sheet No. 1. represents the wedge for use in a
borehole sheet No. 2 represents the wedge for use in a pick hole; & on each sheet
the parts are marked as follows viz. :
:
A is the case, B plunger, Canchor plunger, D leather, or flexible bag, E spring,
F slide valve, G sealing valve, H automatic escape valve, K channels, L oil box to
plungers for lubricating M cover plates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In apparatus for getting coal or other mineral; shoring, lifting or 'other
purposes, a collapsing wedge capable of being expanded by direct hydraulic power,

page_text: composed of a case with one or more graduated plungers therein which assume the
form of a wedge when forced from their chambers whether the case be wedge shaped
or not.
2. The anchor arrangement whereby the wedge is secured in place, & whereby a
transverse tearing force is exerted at the back of the coal or mineral.
3. The pressure springs to under side of leathers.
4. The automatic escape valve.
5. The general arrangement and combination of parts as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, the manufacturing of, and the getting
of coal or other minerals with, such wedges or a modification thereof.
WILLIAM SHEPHARD SHREEVE.