IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND BORING COAL, STONE, OR OTHER MINERALS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Firth. of Burley, near Leeds, in the
County of York, Merchant, Samuel Firth, of the same Place, Gentle-
man, and John Sturgeon. of Leeds, aforesaid, Consulting Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND
BORING COAL, STONE, OR OTHER MINERALS."
Sealed the 12th February 1864. and dated the 27th October 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Firth, Samuel
Firth, and John Sturgeon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 27th October 1863.
We, WILLIAM FIRTH. of Burley, near Leeds, in the County of York,
Merchant, SAMUEL FIRTH. of the same Place, Gentleman, and JOHN
STURGEON, of Leeds, aforesaid, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
AND BORING COAL, STONE, OR OTHER MINERALS," to be as follows:-
The first of these improvements relates to improved methods of attaching
the pick or other cutting tool to the spindle, piston rod. or other part of the
machine to which the cutting tool may be applied, whereby the said tools may
be better fixed, and at the same time greater steadiness obtained. For this
purpose we employ a holder, in some cases technically called a "pick box,"
fixed or moveable in the spindle, piston rod, or other part of the machine as
aforesaid. This holder" may be made of various forms. It may be formed
with a recess of a dovetailed shape open at the side or top, into which the
corresponding shaped end of the "pick" or cutter is fitted, and this being held
down by means of a plate, strap, or other suitable contrivance may be tightened,

page_text: up into the dovetail by means of a screw or wedge, and the tool is thus held
rigid and secure.
Another mode in which this may be effected is by forming the holder
with one or more hinged sides, so arranged as to draw the end of the cutter
into the holder, after which the hinges are fixed so as to hold the cutter firmly
and the more firmly the greater the strain upon it. It may be also be effected
by forming on the end of the cutter itself a socket or recess to fit a corre
sponding projection on the holder, or by providing a suitable recess or socket.
in the spindle itself thereby dispensing with the use of a separate holder. In
either of these cases the cutter would have to be fixed into the holder or
spindle by a screw wedge or key. This may also be effected by a self-
fastening spring catch or clip, so arranged that when the pick or cutting tool
is placed into or upon the holder, the spring catch or clip, by falling into
a suitable recess, will hold the pick or cutting tool firm and rigid.
Another improvement consists in conveying the exhaust air from the
cylinder, either alone or mixed with water or spray or a jet of water only, by
means of flexible pipes or other suitable apparatus into the groove formed by
the cutter in such a way as to diminish the formation of dust or accumulation
of inflammable gases, and which, by lowering the temperature in the groove,
will tend to obviate the danger of explosion.
Another improvement consists in employing a ratchet wheel, pawl, and lever
in connection with the working apparatus for propelling the machine along
the tram or way instead of a hand wheel as hitherto used.
Another improvement consists in placing the engine for giving motion to
the pick in a transverse position on the frame, so that the blow may be
delivered by the pull on the crank arm instead of by the push as has
hitherto been the case, using for this purpose either the oscillating or al
parallel motion engine.
Heretofore the cylinders for actuating the pickers or mandrils have been
placed longitudinally with the frame, but by this arrangement a better appli-
cation of power is effected and other advantages are gained.
Another improvement consists in placing the spindles in the two opposite
corners at one side of the machine instead of at the end, whereby the necessity
of turning the machine round to "set in" is obviated. In order that the
engine may be readily coupled to or uncoupled from the spindles we propose
either to make the piston rod so as to work through at both ends of the
cylinder, or the cylinder itself to swivel completely round upon a centre, in this
case making use of an oscillating cylinder with the piston rod working through
at one end only.

page_text: Another improvement consists in combining the action of a straight cutter
with that of the pick, the straight cutter following up the "pick" with a
deeper or wider cut. This may be effected in different ways, one of which is
by means of an oscillating cylinder carried on the same frame with the
"pick," and which imparts to the straight cutter an elliptical movement.
This plan of an oscillating movement may also be used with the straight
cutters alone, without combination with the pick, or with both the straight
cutter and pick, by one and the same cylinder.
Another way of effecting this is by imparting a to-and-fro motion to straight
cutters by means of a cylinder placed at right angles to the direction of the
cutters, the piston rod of which actuates a pair or more of elbow jointed levers
connected to the cutters in such a way that by the opening and closing of the
elbows, the cutters are alternately driven forward and withdrawn.
This may
be effected either by a separate cylinder or by a cylinder with double piston
rod, one end actuating the pickers and the other end the transverse cutters, as
described.
Another improvement consists in giving the requisite traverse to the pick
or other cutting tool by causing the spindle itself to traverse, the pick or tool
being fast to the spindle, instead of making the tool moveable on the spindle
and the spindle stationary as has hitherto been the case. This may be effected
by any available mechanical arrangement it may, for instance, be effected by
the application of hydraulic power so applied as to move either the spindles
alone or the whole frame to which the spindles are attached. By this means
any number of cutters may be attached to the spindle without involving the
necessity of any addition to the traversing gear, and several other constructive
advantages are gained.
Another improvement has for its object an improved apparatus for facilitating
the first cutting or opening of the groove by means of a to-and-fro cutter.
This improvement is effected by imparting a shifting motion to the cutting
tool by the rocking of the cylinder. Heretofore this has been accomplished
by the motion of the frame carrying the engine and cutters, which, however,
has been attended by defective work and increased risk of breakage through
the fastening or wedging of the cutter in the hole.
Another improvement consists in the application of double flanged wheels
for propelling, or wheels with a flange on one side only, the other side being
supplied with a loose washer serving the same purpose as a flange. By this
means the machine will have a firmer hold upon the rails against the shocks
or jerks caused by the blows.
Another improvement has for its object means for adjusting the spindle,

page_text: This may be accom-
attached to an under
and cutting tool to any required angle of inclination.
plished by mounting the engine on a separate frame
carriage by a hinged joint on one side and raised or lowered by means of
screws or other suitable apparatus at the side opposite the joint.
Another improvement consists in the application of a cambrian or vibrating
piston engine to work the pick or other cutting tool. This may be applied
in three ways, first, by placing the engine in a vertical position longitudinally
with the direction of the machine, this is a convenient arrangement for
working the pick in narrow roads: secondly, by placing the engine vertically
and transversely, this arrangement being suitable for either the pick or
straight cutter; thirdly, by placing it horizontally. By this last arrangement
the pick may be readily worked from any of the four corners of the machine
using only the same connecting rod. It may also be applied in this way to
work a straight cutter direct, the cutter bar itself being attached directly to the
disc like a connecting rod and guided in its motion by means of a crank
working on a spindle in the middle of one side of the machine, and the motion
of the cutter will thus be similar to that of the pick. By this arrangement
the cutter may be worked at any of the four corners with only two spindles
and two cranks.
Another improvement consists in the application of hydraulic pressure (by
suitable apparatus) so as to press against the roof or side of the workings,
and also to press against the framing of the machine, thereby firmly holding
it and enabling the machine to resist the force of the blows when at work.
The action of this pressure may be produced by connection with the working
gear of the machine so as to take place simultaneously with the action of
the pickers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Firth, Samuel Firth, and John Sturgeon in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th April 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
FIRTH, of Burley, near Leeds, in the County of York, Merchant, SAMUEL
FIRTH, of the same Place, Gentleman, and JOHN STURGEON, of Leeds,
aforesaid, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of

page_text: Her reign, did. for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said
William Firth, Samuel Firth, and John Sturgeon, Her
special licence that we, the said William Firth, Samuel Firth, and John
Sturgeon, our executors, adminstrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the
said William Firth. Sanel Firth, and John Sturgeon, our 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND BORING
COAL, STONE, OR OTHER MINERALS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said William Firth. Samuel Firth. and John Sturgeon, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or their
hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, 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
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
•
NOW KNOW YE, that 1. the said John Sturgeon, on behalf of myself
and the said William Firth and Samuel Firth. do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment thereof, that is to say:-
The first of these improvements relates to improved methods of attaching
the pick or other cutting tool to the spindle, piston rod, or other part of the
machine to which the cutting tool may be applied, whereby the said tools may
be better fixed and at the same time greater steadiness obtained. For this
purpose we employ a holder, in some cases technically called a "pick box,"
fixed or moveable in the spindle. piston rod, or other part of the machine as
aforesaid. This holder may be made of various forms. It may be formed
with a recess of a dovetailed shape open at the side or top, into which the
corresponding shaped end of the "pick " or cutter is fitted, and this being held
down by means of a plate, strap, or other suitable contrivance may be
tightened up into the dovetail by means of a screw or wedge, and the tool is
thus held rigid and secure.
Figures and 2 represent two views of a "pick box" or holder arranged
in the manner described. . « is a part of the pick shaft, the end of which is
shaped to fit the dovetail recess in the holder b, as shown, it is held secure in
its place by means of the strap c and set screw c¹.

page_text: Another mode in which this may be effected is by forming the "holder"
with one or more hinged sides, so arranged as to draw the end of the cutter
into the holder after the end of the pick is inserted in the "holder," the
hinges are fixed so as to hold the cutter firmly, and the more firmly the
greater the stain upon it.
This arrangement is shewn at Figures 3 and 4, in this case the "pick
box is formed with a loose side b'; when the end a of the pick is inserted
into the pick box" the side b' is placed in position and there secured by the
pin b, which acts as a fulcrum in such a manner that the tendency of the
pick to fly outwards by its momentum causes the side to lock itself more
tightly into the recess. When it is desired to remove or replace a pick the
pin b is taken out and the side b' removed.
Figures 5 and 6 shew two views of a modification of this arrangement, in
this case the side b' does not require to be removed in order to insert or remove
the pick, but by turning the eccentric b in one or the other direction the pick
may be readily secured or removed from the pick box; the end b* of the side b',
it will be seen, acts as a fulcrum against a projection in the "pick box." The
pick may also be secured to the pick holder, as shewn by Figures 7 and 8, by
forming on the end of the cutter a a socket or recess a' to fit a corresponding
projection on the holder b, or by providing a suitable recess or socket in the
spindle itself, as shewn by Figures 9 and 10. thereby dispensing with the use
of a separate holder. In these cases the cutter is fixed into the holder or
spindle by a cotter c, as shewn, but a screw wedge or key may be employed.
The cutter may also be secured in the holder by a self-fastening spring catch
or clip so arranged that when the pick or cutting tool is placed into or upon
the holder, the spring, catch, or clip, by falling into a suitable recess will hold
the pick or cutting tool firm and rigid.
This arrangement is represented at Figure 11; it will be seen that the end
of the cutter a is formed to fit a suitable recess in the holder b, recesses are
formed in the end of the cutter in which suitably formed spring catches c
act to hold the cutter securely in the holder b.
Another improvement consists in conveying the exhaust air from the
cylinder, either alone or mixed with water or spray, or a jet of water only, by
means of flexible pipes or other suitable apparatus into the groove formed
by the cutter in such a way as to diminish the formation of dust or
accumulation of inflammable gases, and which, by lowering the temperature
in the groove, will tend to obviate the danger of explosion.
Figure 12 shews a plan of so much of a machine for cutting coal as will
illustrate the manner in which this part of the Invention may be carried into

page_text: effect. a is the cylinder of an oscillating engine acting as shewn upon the
pick b, the exhaust air from the cylinder being caused to pass out by the pipe c
through an opening in the shield d into the groove formed by the pick b, the
shield d is caused to follow the course of the groove formed by the pick b by
being connected by a flexible pipe c' to the pipe c. and having a projection d'
from the shield passing into the groove. If desired. water or spray may be
mixed with the exhaust air, an arrangement for carrying which into effect is
shewn at Figure 13, in this case the exhaust air passes through the pipe c
and shield d into the groove formed by the pick mixed with water or spray
forced through the pipe into the pipe c¹ connecting the shield with the
pipe c. other arrangements may however be employed. The water or spray
may be forced through the pipe by suitable apparatus carried and worked
by the engine or by a force pump worked at the end of the cutting and
having suitable connections with the pipe c*.
Another improvement consists in employing a ratchet wheel, paul, and lever
in connexion with the working apparatus for propelling the machine along the
tram or way instead of a hand wheel as hitherto used.
Figures 14 and 15 shew two views of apparatus arranged according to this
part of the Invention. In propelling coal-cutting machines it has been usual
to employ a hand wheel at one end of a shaft a, having at its other end a
bevel pinion taking into a bevel wheel on one of the axles of the bearing
wheels. Now according to this part of the Invention, instead of employing a
hand wheel to give motion to the shaft a, we employ a ratchet wheel b fixed
thereon, into which a pawl e carried by a lever c' acts to propel the carriage
forward; but in order to obtain facility for re-traversing the carriage a short
distance to facilitate the withdrawal of the picks from the groove, a second
ratchet wheel d is also fixed to the shaft a, and a pawl e acts thereon; but in
order that the amount of back motion of the carriage may be controlled, a cam
facts upon a small roller e¹ carried by the pawl e to release it from contact
with the ratchet wheel when it has given the amount of back motion
required to the carriage.
Another improvement consists in placing the engine for giving motion to
the pick in a transverse position on the frame. so that the blow may be
delivered by the pull on the crank arm, instead of by the push as has hitherto
been the case, using for this purpose either the oscillating or a parallel-
motion engine. Heretofore the cylinders for actuating the pickers or mandrils
have been placed longitudinally with the frame, but by this arrangement a
better application of power is effected and other advantages are gained.
Figure 16 shews one method of carrying out this part of the Invention.

page_text: a is the face of the coal: b are the rails upon which the machine is sup-
ported; is an oscillating cylinder placed transversely on the frame, the
piston rod of which is connected to the lever arm d. as shewn, by which
means the blow given by the picks will be effected by the pull of the piston
rod on the lever arm d. Instead of employing an oscillating cylinder for this
purpose, a parallel-motion engine, such as that described in the Specification of
a Patent granted to William Firth and Samuel Firth, dated July 30th, 1863,
(No. 1888.) or other suitable engine may be employed.
Figure 17 shews another arrangement, in which an ordinary reciprocating
engine is employed, but having the connecting rods turned backwards, as
shewn, and connected to the lever arms d actuating the picks *.
Another improvement consists in placing the spindles in the two opposite -
corners at one side of the machine instead of at the end, whereby the necessity
of turning the machine round to "set in" is obviated. In order that the
engine may be readily coupled to or uncoupled from the spindles, we propose
either to make the piston rod so as to work through at both ends of the
cylinder, or the cylinder itself to swivel completely round upon a centre, in
this case making use of an oscillating cylinder. with the piston rod working
through at one end only. This part of the Invention is represented at
Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. f, f, are the spindles, to one of which the
pick is attached according to which end of the machine the pick is desired
to act. In Figures 16 and 17 facility for connecting the piston rod with
In
either spindle f is obtained by the transverse position of the cylinder.
Figure 18 an oscillating cylinder is shewn applied in such manner that when
it is desired to connect the piston rod with either spindle f. the cylinder g is
swivelled round on its trunnion g', and the piston rod readily connected with
either of the spindles f. In Figure 19 a moving cylinder g is shewn applied,
in this case the piston and piston rod are stationary. whilst the cylinder moves
to and fro on suitable guides, and is connected by the link g with the crank
on either of the spindles as required. Figure 20 shews another
arrangement in which an oscillating cylinder g is employed, but in this case
the piston rod is continued through both ends of the machine, whereby
facility is obtained for connecting it with the spindle at either end of the
machine as desired.
arm
Another improvement consists in combining the action of a straight cutter
with that of the pick, the straight cutter following up the "pick" with a
deeper or wider cut. This may be effected in different ways, one of which is
by means of an oscillating cylinder carried on the same frame with the "pick,"
This plan
and which imparts to the straight cutter an elliptical movement.

page_text: of an oscillating movement may also be used with the straight cutters alone
without combination with the pick, or with both the straight cutter and pick
by one and the same cylinder. This part of the improvements is shewn
applied at Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 shews the application of an
oscillating cylinder to the working of a lever pick , combined with the
working of a straight cutter D, (shewn in dotted lines,) in such manner that
the straight cutter D shall follow up the pick d with a wider or deeper cut,
the straight cutter D having an elliptical movement imparted to it by the
oscillating movements of the cylinder, or the straight cutter may be worked
by a separate cylinder. Figure 17 shews a reciprocating engine applied to
the same purpose, the straight cutter (also shewn by dotted lines) in this
case obtaining an elliptical movement by being connected to one of the lever
arms d.
Another way of effecting this is, by imparting a to-and-fro motion to
straight cutters by means of a cylinder placed at right angles to the direction
of the cutters, the piston rod of which actuates a pair or more of elbow-jointed
levers connected to the cutters in such a way that by the opening and closing
of the elbows the cutters are alternately driven forward and withdrawn. This
may be effected either by a separate cylinder or by a cylinder with double
piston rod, one end actuating the pickers and the other end the transverse
cutters, as described.
Figure 21 represents this part of the improvements; in this case the
cylinder c is carried by a separate carriage A, which may be readily detached
or connected with the carriages B, B', carrying the cutters d, d, by wedges,
keys, or other suitable means. The piston rod, it will be seen, is continued
through both ends of the cylinder, and gives motion to the cutters d* by
having formed in it two transverse slots in which work projections h¹ from
elbow-jointed levers h, connected to the cutters holders d', suitable guides
being formed on the framing b for controlling the cutters d in their to-and-fro
movements. The cutters d at the opposite end of the cylinder have an
elliptical movement imparted to them in the following manner: To the
piston rod are connected links or elbow levers i, which are connected at i¹ to
the cutter holders and at to the piston rod, whilst at ³ they are connected
to the framing B¹. The cutter holders slide in guides d³ connected to the
framing B by trunnions d', as shewn the engine may, however, be arranged
to work lever picks at one end and straight cutters at the other, which may
also be employed for clearing out the slack from the groove formed by the
lever picks.
Another improvement consists in giving the requisite traverse to the pick
:
:

page_text: or other cutting tool by causing the spindle itself to traverse the pick or tool
being fast to the spindle, instead of making the tool moveable on the spindle
and the spindle stationary, as has hitherto been the case: this may be effected
by any available mechanical arrangement; it may, for instance, be effected by
the application of hydraulic power so applied as to move either the spindles
alone or the whole frame to which the spindles are attached. By this means
any number of cutters may be attached to the spindle without involving the
necessity of any addition to the traversing gear, and several other constructive
advantages are gained.
Figure 20 shews one method of carrying this part of the improvements
into effect. is the spindle to which the lever pick is affixed; its upper
end rests upon a collar which has formed upon its outer surface a
screw thread f. taking into a nut f, the outer surface of which has teeth
formed upon it, into which a screw takes. so that by turning the screw f³,
the spindle will be raised or lowered as desired. The collar is prevented
turning with the nut by having a groove cut in it, into which a key f
works; the spindle f is also provided with a groove, so that a projection from
the crank arm d may slide within it, the crank arm being prevented sliding
with the spindle f, as shewn, or by other suitable means, or the spindle f
may at its lower end be. formed into a plunger working in a cylinder having
hydraulic pressure applied.
Figure 20 shews another method of traversing the cutters; in this case the
framing is divided into two parts, the upper one carrying the engine, and
being provided with two plungers k, the lower part of the framing having two
hydraulic cylinders formed thereon, the two parts of the framing being
provided with suitable guides in order to control the correct vertical movement
of the one part upon the other.
Another improvement has for its object an improved apparatus for facili-
tating the first cutting or opening of the groove by means of a to-and-fro
cutter. This improvement is effected by imparting a shifting motion to the
cutting tool by the rocking of the cylinder. Heretofore this has been accom-
plished by the motion of the frame carrying the engine and cutters, which,
however, has been attended by defective work and increased risk of breakage
through the fastening or wedging of the cutter in the hole.
Figures 22. 23. and 24 shew the mode preferred of carrying this part of
the Invention into effect. 1 is the cylinder, to the piston rod of which the
cutter m is fixed, and the piston rod has the sectional form shewn by Figure 24.
The cylinder is supported at its ends by projections carried by suitable
bearings n carried by the framing with a capability of turning therein. On

page_text: one of the projections
is fixed a lever handle o, by turning which at the
end of the back stroke the cutter is caused at its next stroke to act upon the
coal at a different angle so as to produce a wider hole.
Another improvement consists in the application of double-flanged wheels
for propelling, or wheels with a flange on one side only, the other side being
supplied with a loose washer, serving the same purpose as a flange. By this
means the machine will have a firmer hold upon the rails against the shocks
or jerks caused by the blows. We have not thought it necessary to shew the
mode of carrying this part of the Invention into effect, as a competent work-
man will readily understand how to apply it from the description already given.
Another improvement has for its object means for adjusting the spindle and
cutting tool to any required angle of inclination; this may be accomplished
by mounting the engine on a separate frame attached to an under carriage by
a hinged joint on one side, and raised or lowered by means of screws or other
suitable apparatus at the side opposite the joint.
Figure 25 shews one mode of carrying this part of the improvements into
effect. The carriage is supported by trunnions p and screws or bolts q; by
turning the screws or bolts q in one or the other direction, the angle at which
the cutters are desired to work may be readily adjusted; this may also be
effected by raising or lowering the bearings carrying the axles of the running
wheels by means of screws or other suitable contrivance, as may readily be
understood.
Another improvement consists in the modes of applying a cambrian or
vibrating piston engine to work the pick or other cutting tool. This may be
applied in three ways; first. by placing the engine in a vertical position longi-
tudinally with the direction of the machine; this is a convenient arrangement
for working the pick in narrow roads. Secondly, by placing the engine
vertically and transversely, this arrangement being suitable for either the pick
or straight cutter. Thirdly, by placing it horizontally by this last arrange-
ment the pick may be readily worked from any of the four corners of the
machine, using only the same connecting rod. It may also be applied in this
way to work a straight cutter direct, the cutter bar itself being attached
directly to the disc like a connecting rod, and guided in its motion by means
of a crank working on a spindle in the middle of one side of the machine, and
the motion of the cutter will thus be similar to that of the pick.
By this
arrangement the cutter may be worked at any of the four corners with only
two spindles and two cranks.
Figure 26 shews a section through the cylinder of a cambrian engine
working vertically on a horizontal axis, and in a direction parallel with the

page_text: face of the coal. Figure 27 is a plan.
a is the cylinder cast in one piece
with the frame or carriage, to which are attached the running wheels b, b;
c, c, are the feed ports. and d the exhaust; e is the slide valve, which is
actuated by bell-crank levers . links f, and slide rod f, carrying bowls g, g'.
(shewn by dotted lines): h is the vibrating piston, which vibrates through the
spaces a¹ and in the cylinder a, the compressed air being admitted to the
alternate faces of the piston through the ports and 2, carried through
the axis of the piston. This axis carries on the outside two adjustable cams
or tappets i, i (shewn by dotted lines), which by acting alternately on the
bowls g and g impart the necessary motion to the valve e. The vibrating
piston carries round with it two face plates, one on each side, to
which may be attached by a universal joint the connecting rod h, the other
end of which is connected also by a universal joint to the lever arm k¹, which
imparts the requisite motion to the pick spindle k. In order to work the pick
at the other side it is only necessary to turn the lever arm round, and attach
the connecting rod to the other face plate. The machine may also be arranged
to carry two other wheels 1, 1, so that the machine may be turned with the
pick upwards for the purpose of vertical cutting or nicking. It may also be
set transversely on the frame or carriage, as already described.
Figures 28 and 29 shew modes in which an engine of the character
described may be carried horizontally on a vertical axis. In Figure 28 the
frame contains four pick spindles k², to any one of which the pick may be
readily attached, and worked by the connecting rod k and lever arm k¹, thus
forming a double side or end machine. In Figure 29 is shewn an arrange-
ment for working an oscillating straight cutter. In this arrangement two
spindles only are necessary, from which the cutter may be worked at any of
the four corners of the machine.
We would here state that we are aware it has before been proposed to
employ a cambrian engine to work coal-cutting machinery, we do not there-
fore claim the application of a cambrian engine separately considered; but
what we claim in respect to this part of our Invention are the modes of
employing a cambrian engine to work coal-cutting machinery, substantially
as shewn and described.
Another improvement consists in a mode of applying hydraulic pressure, so
as to press against the roof or side of the workings, and also to press against
the framing of the machine, thereby firmly holding it and enabling the
machine to resist the force of the blows when at work. The action of this
pressure we produce by connection with the working gear of the machine, so
as to take place simultaneously with the action of the pickers,

page_text: Figure 30 shews an arrangement which may be employed for steadying the
machine upon the rails by hydraulic pressure. For this purpose the pressure
must act only while the blow is being delivered, and must be released imme-
diately afterwards to allow of the machine being propelled forward. To effect
this we work both the pump, plunger, and the cock for releasing the pressure
from the handle which works the valve of the engine. a is a ram working in
a cylinder b carried on the machine, which is supplied with fluid from the
tank by the pump d. The plunger of the pump d is worked from the valve
c
handle e, which is also connected by a link e to the release cock f. When
the valve handle e is pressed down the release cock is closed, and the fluid
forced into the cylinder by the pump d. so as to press the ram a against the
roof. When the handle e is again raised the cock is opened, thus opening
the bottom of the cylinder to the tank c and releasing the pressure from
the roof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Sturgeon, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
JOHN STURGEON. (L.S.)