AN IMPROVED DREDGING BUCKET OR SPOON
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Swales, of New Shoreham, in the County of
Sussex, Harbour Master, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED DREDGING
BUCKET OR SPOON."
Sealed the 11th January 1878, and dated the 21st July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Swales at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st July 1877.
WILLIAM SWALES, of New Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, Harbour Master:
"AN IMPROVED DREDGING BUCKET OR SPOON."
This Invention has reference to an improved dredging bucket or spoon, the
intention whereof is to effect great economy in the use and application for various
purposes in dredging operations and excavating, both by hand and steam power.
By the use of this bucket or spoon it is calculated that ordinary dredging and
excavating can be carried out at a considerable reduction of the present cost of sucli
work, thereby bringing hand or steam power dredging within the reach of all
harbour authorities at the minimum of cost.
The bucket or spoon is formed of two iron or steel plates and levers attached to
an iron bow by swivel eyes which act as a fulcrum.
The said plates form a semicircle or half a globe, which, being placed on the
material to be dredged or excavated, and kept in place by a long pole or frame, is
operated upon by chains attached to the said levers, and being by that means made
to shut, encloses a quantity of the spoil or material to be dredged or excavated.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Swales, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th January
1878.
WILLIAM SWALES, of New Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, Harbour Master.
"AN IMPROVED DREDGING BUCKET OR SPOON."
This Invention has reference to an improved dredging bucket or spoon, the
intention whereof is to effect a great economy in the use and application for various
purposes in dredging operations and excavating, both by hand and steam power.
By the use of this bucket or spoon it is calculated that ordinary dredging and
excavating can be carried out at a considerable reduction of the present cost of such
work, thereby bringing hand or steam power within the reach of all harbour
authorities at the minimum of cost.
The bucket or spoon is formed to various shapes and sizes, of two or more iron or
steel plates, and of strong levers of the first order, and is attached to an iron bow
with socket and pole or iron frame by swivel eyes at the end of the bow and
through the plates of the bucket or spoon, which said eyes and bow act as a
fulcrum.
The said plates form a semicircle or half globe, or they may be of any other
shape, as may be found most suitable for the material to be operated upon, and may
be made with prongs or teeth to lift clay, stones, or other hard or soft material.
The bucket, when placed on the material to be dredged or excavated, is kept down
either by a winch and cam, or a chain or a lever secured to the pole or iron frame,
and being then operated upon by chains actuated by a winch, crane, or other
suitable means, is made to shut and enclose a quantity of the soil or material to be
dredged or excavated.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawing shows buckets or spoons made according to
my Invention, and illustrates the mode of operating the same.
Figure 1, representing a bucket of my Invention as it appears when open and
ready to operate upon the bed or ground.
Figure 2, a similar illustration, but representing the bucket closed.
Figure 3, an end or transverse view of a different form of bucket to that shown
by Figures 1 and 2 (the dotted lines indicating other suitable forms), different in
this respect, that it runs off to a point when closed; each plate being similar in
form to a pointed or round-mouthed shovel.
Figure 4, representing a side elevation of a winch fitted with a cam for securing
the fulcrum pole or frame and bucket in position when at work.
Figure 5, being a front elevation of the above and an adjustable platform or
traveller.
Figure 6, representing the gearing for regulating the position of traveller or
platform.
Figure 7, an elevation of a crane for raising and lowering the bucket, which crane
may be worked either by hand or steam power.
And Figure 8 shews the section of a barge or quay upon which the crane and its
accessories are secured; also representing the general arrangement of the apparatus
when ready to commence work.
A indicates the bucket; B, B, are the levers; C, the bow; D, the socket; E, the
pole or cross frame, in which are a number of suitable openings or teeth e, e; F, the
swivel eyes; G, the winch; H, cam; I, I, the chains; K, K, crane; L, spur gearing
for moving traveller or platform; M, the traveller or platform; N, the barge
or quay.
The action is as follows:-The bucket A having been lowered upon the ground
to be excavated in the position shown in Figure 1, is there secured by means of the
cam H which takes into one of the openings or teeth e on the pole or iron frame E.
The two levers B, B, are then forcibly drawn together by means of the chains I, I,

page_text: and the bucket A caused to close, whereby a quantity of the soil or other material
to be excavated is enclosed, the bucket having thus assumed the position shewn in
Figure 2.
By means of the crank K the bucket can readily be raised and its contents
discharged, when it is at once ready to be lowered again, the operation being
repeated as required.
It will be evident that the cam H taken into one of the openings or teeth e will
keep the bucket or spoon from lifting while closing, and that it will therefore grasp
more spoil than if no means were adopted to prevent its being moved upward by
the pressure of its two sections upon the bed or ground in the act of closing.
I may substitute a chain, lashing, or a suitable lever, or any other known
mechanical means in lieu of the above-described cam arrangement for preventing
the bucket from rising while closing upon the spoil.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein set forth and shown on the
accompanying Sheet of Drawing, as such may be varied while retaining the
essential characteristics of my Invention, and that what I claim as secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The combination of the plates constituting the bucket or spoon with the
levers for opening and closing the same, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before specified.
Secondly. The combination of the bucket or spoon with the fulcrum bow and
pole or iron frame attached thereto; and in combination therewith the arrangement
of the chains for operating the opening and closing of the bucket or spoon,
substantially as herein-before described, and shown on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawing.
Thirdly. The use of the cam, chain, or lever, or any other known arrangement
for keeping the fulcrum pole or frame, with its bucket, in place while operating
upon the material to be dredged or excavated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Swales, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
35 Witness,
THO8. LORD,
New Shoreham,
Accountant.
WILLIAM SWALES. (L.S.)