IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY USED FOR DRESSING STONE AND IN CUTTING OR DRIVING GALLERIES, TUNNELS, AND OTHER WORKS IN STONE OR MINERAL
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, of Elswick,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
USED FOR DRESSING STONE AND IN CUTTING OR DRIVING GALLERIES, TUNNELS,
AND OTHER WORKS IN STONE OR MINERAL."
Sealed the 13th January 1865, and dated the 18th July 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Percy Graham Buchanan
Westmacott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 18th July 1864.
I, PERCY GRAHAM BUCHANAN WESTMACOTT; of Elswick, Newcastle-on Tyne,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MA-
CHINERY USED FOR DRESSING STONE AND IN CUTTING OR DRIVING GALLERIES,
TUNNELS, AND OTHER WORKS IN STONE OR MINERAL," to be as follows:-
In this machinery cutters or tools and hammers are used, and the cutters or
tools are set and held up to the work to receive the blows of the hammers
actuated by the mechanism.
The arrangement of the mechanism is such that after each time a cutter or
tool has been struck by a hammer, and the hammer has been caused to recede,
the cutter or tool is slightly moved from the surface of the work to enable it
to be reset by the machinery for the next blow of the hammer, and the tool or
cutter is always kept steadily against the surface to be next cut before striking
the blow. The cutter or tool is also made the means of following up and
adjusting itself and the machine to the advancement of the cut.
in

page_text: In dressing some classes of stones it is simply necessary to keep the cutters
or tools steadily and constantly pressed against the surface to be cut, allowing
the cutters or tools to follow up each blow without a reciprocating action to
the tool.
The cutters or tools heretofore used when performing like work by machinery
have for the most part been caused to act by a jumping motion, in which the
cutter or tool is caused to go away from the face of the work and to return to
it with a sudden blow, which I consider objectionable, as the action of with-
drawing the tool and moving it suddenly to the work causes the edges of the
tools or cutters to be quickly worn away, whilst by arranging the machinery
according to my Invention, so as to cause the tool to be reset and held against
the work ready for the next cut, the tool or cutter is found to last a longer
time in a working condition.
The machinery arranged according to my Invention may be constructed to
be actuated by water or by steam or by compressed air. In boring small
holes, and for enlarging bore holes for blasting operations in tunnels and other
like works, I prefer to use a hydraulic machine or engine. In other more
accessible places I use that power which is most economically obtainable for
driving the machinery, though under most circumstances I prefer, if it can be
readily obtained, to use hydraulic power for moving, advancing, and resetting
the cutters' or tools.
When constructing a machine for dressing stone, whether to be worked by
water, steam, or compressed air, one or more cutters or tools may be used.
I prefer that the stone should be stationary, and the machinery moveable on
suitable rails or guides parallel to the finished surfaces of the work, but this
is not essential. The cutter or cutters are moved and reset by the working
of the machine, the cutting end of the tool being held by the mechanism
against the work when the cutter receives the blow of the hammer. In order
to insure good edges at the end of the cuts, supports are held against the end
of the work at the level where the cutters or tools come.
In constructing a machine suitable for cutting a tunnel, gallery, or other
work through stone or mineral, the main framing is carried upon wheels or on
sledges to facilitate the advancing or withdrawing the machine to and from
the work. The machine is constructed with a revolving table, guides, and
screws, or other adjustments, to enable the tool to be angled in any required
direction. In order to fix or anchor the machine rapidly to the spot one or
more hydraulic cylinders and rams may be used attached to the main framing,
which press up against the ceiling or sides. On the water being let out of the
anchoring cylinder or cylinders the machine is free to be moved. Attached

page_text: to the main framing is a small engine, by preference hydraulic, which by the
intervention of gearing is made to raise or lower or angle the tool to suit the
direction of its action. The arrangements for raising, lowering, and angling
the tool may be varied.
The machinery which gives immediate effect to the cutter or tool and the
cutter or tool itself are preferred to be carried on an independent bed plate or
frame. The cutter or tool is in most cases withdrawn from the face of the cut
after each blow, in order that the tool may be moved freely and without injury
to its cutting edges to a new position, and be placed against the surface to be
next cut before receiving the next blow, and so on.
The action of the machinery is as follows:-Supposing a blow to have just
been struck upon the cutter or tool by the hammer, the pressure in the
cylinder allows the tool to be withdrawn from the cut by the mechanism;
after this takes place, and when the tool is free from the surface of the "cut,"
the part that acts upon the gear comes into action and moves the tool or
cutter for a fresh cut. This done, a cam or instrument reverses the valve of
the cylinder, and allows the ram to press the cutter or tool against the surface
for a fresh cut. Immediately this motion is completed the hammer is put into
action by the mechanism, and is caused to strike a blow on the cutter or tool
whilst held against the surface to be next cut. The rod of the piston which
advances the tool or cutter is hollow, and has a valve applied to it. The
hollow rod communicates with the cylinder, where the greater area of the
piston is presented. The smaller area of the piston is constantly pressed on,
and such is the case in respect of the larger area of the piston. The valve to
the passage through the rod of the piston is acted on by a lever and by a cam
on a cam shaft. The outlet beyond the valve is larger in area than the inlet
leading to the end of the cylinder, where the larger area of the piston is
presented. Supposing the tool to be pressed against the surface of the work
by the action of the pressure of the water against the larger area of the piston,
the instant that the valve is opened the water acting on the larger area will
begin to escape through the outlet passage beyond the valve; this, combined
with the pressure exerted by the water on the smaller area of the piston, tends
to repel the piston, notwithstanding the water is still flowing into the larger
area, but as the inlet to that area is smaller than the passage through the
piston and through the outlet beyond the valve, the piston will recede; then
the instant the valve is again allowed to close, the escape of water through the
piston ceases, and it acts with its full force again upon the larger area of the
piston, and the tool or cutter is again pressed against the work preparatory to
its receiving a blow of the hammer. Other means of accomplishing this

page_text: action may be resorted to, such as counterweights, springs, or, for slower actions,
a cylinder with a piston and valve of the ordinary description, but I prefer the
arrangement above described, which may be constructed to be worked by
steam, air, or water, but I prefer water pressure. By means of this con-
struction the tool can, if desired, be rapidly drawn in or out of the hole or
from the cut to the full extent of the stroke of the cylinder.
For enlarging the end of blast holes with the view of obtaining greater
effect from the force of the explosive gases, I employ a tool or cutter which
on commencing to cut has a tendency to form a cone in the centre of the
work, and to go on enlarging such a cone by the sliding action which itacquires
upon the inclined surface of the cone itself until it works out the desired
form; this tool or cutter is then replaced by another, which demolishes the
cone; this action can also be used for assisting in correcting or altering the
direction of the bore hole, which is sometimes necessary and difficult to
accomplish with the present means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th January 1865.
TO ALL TO WHCM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PERCY
GRAHAM BUCHANAN WESTMACOTT, of Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, Her special licence that I,
the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY USED FOR DRESSING
STONE AND IN CUTTING OR DRIVING GALLERIES, TUNNELS, AND OTHER WORKS
IN STONE OR MINERAL," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, my executors or administra-

page_text: tors, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 I, the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
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 statement thereof, that is to say:
In this machinery cutters or tools and hammers are used, and the cutters or
tools are set and held up to the work to receive the blows of the hammer
actuated by the mechanism.
The arrangement of the mechanism is such that after each time a cutter or
tool has been struck by a hammer, and the hammer has been caused to recede,
the cutter or tool is slightly moved from the surface of the work to enable it
to be reset by the machinery for the next blow of the hammer, and the tool or
cutter is always kept steadily against the surface to be next cut before
striking the blow. The cutter or tool is also made the means of following up
and adjusting itself and the machine to the advancement of the cut.
In dressing and also in splitting some classes of stones it is simply necessary
to keep the cutters or tools steadily and constantly pressed against the surface
to be cut, allowing the cutters or tools to follow up each blow without a
reciprocatory action to the tool to and from the work.
The cutters or tools heretofore used when performing like work by
machinery have for the most part been caused to act by a jumping motion, in
which the cutter or tool is caused to go away from the face of the work and
to return to it with a sudden blow, which I consider objectiouable, as the
action of withdrawing the tool and moving it suddenly to the work causes the
edges of the tools or cutters to be quickly worn away by fracture or otherwise,
whilst by arranging the machinery according to my Invention, so as to cause
the tool to be re-set and held against the work ready for the next cut when
struck by the hammer, the tool or cutter is found to last for a longer time in
a working condition.
The machinery arranged according to my Invention may be constructed to
be actuated by water or by steam, or by compressed air. In boring small
holes, and for enlarging bore holes for blasting operations in tunnels, and
other like works, I prefer to use a hydraulic machine or engine. In other
more accessible places I use that power which is most economically obtainable
for driving the machinery, though under most circumstance I prefer, if it can

page_text: be readily obtained, to use hydraulic power for moving, advancing, and
resetting the cutters or tools.
When constructing a machine for dressing stone, whether to be worked by
water, steam, or compressed air, one or more cutters or tools may be used. I
prefer that the stone should be stationary, and the machinery moveable on
suitable rails or guides parallel to the finished surfaces of the work, but this
is not essential. The cutter or cutters are moved and reset by the working
of the machine, the cutting end of the tool being held by the mechanism
against the work when the cutter receives the blow of the hammer. In order
to ensure good edges at the end of the cuts, supports are held against the
end of the work at the level where the cutters or tools come.
In constructing a machine suitable for cutting a tunnel, gallery, or other
work through stone or minerals, the main framing is carried upon wheels or
on sledges to facilitate the advancing or withdrawing the machine to and
from the work. The machine is constructed with a table, guides, and screws,
or other adjustments, to enable the tool to be angled in any required direction.
In order to fix or anchor the machine rapidly to the spot one or more
hydraulic or other cylinders and rams may be used attached to the main
framing, as has heretofore been proposed, which press up against the ceiling
or sides. On the water or other fluid being let out of the anchoring cylinder
or cylinders the machine is free to be moved. The arrangements for raising,
lowering, and angling the tool may be varied.
The machinery which gives immediate effect to the cutter or tool and the
cutter or tool itself are preferred to be carried on an independent bed plate or
frame. The cutter or tool is in most cases withdrawn from the face of the
cut after each blow in order that the tool may be moved freely, and without
injury to its cutting edges, to a new position, and be placed against the surface
to be next cut before receiving the next blow, and so on.
The action of the machinery is as follows:-Supposing a blow to have just
been struck upon the cutter or tool by the hammer, the pressure in the
cylinder allows the tool to be withdrawn from the cut the mechanism;
after this takes place, and when the tool is free from the surface of the cut,
the part that acts upon the gear comes into action and moves the tool.or
cutter for a fresh cut. This done, a cam or instrument reverses the valve of
the cylinder, and allows the ram to press the cutter or tool against the surface
for a fresh cut. Immediately this motion is completed the hammer is put
into action by the mechanism, and is caused to strike a blow on the cutter or
tool whilst held against the surface to be next cut. The rod of the piston
which advances the tool or cutter is hollow, and has a valve applied to it.

page_text: The hollow rod communicates with the cylinder where the greater area of the
piston is presented. The smaller area of the piston is constantly pressed on,
and such is the case in respect to the larger area of the piston. The valve to
the passage through the rod of the piston is acted on by a lever and by a cam
on a cam shaft. The outlet of the valve is larger in area than the inlet
leading through the piston rod to the end of the cylinder, where the larger
area of the piston is presented to the pressure of the fluid. Supposing then
that the tool is pressed against the surface of the work by the action of the
pressure of the water or other fluid acting against the larger area of the piston,
the instant that the valve is opened the fluid acting on the larger area will
begin to escape through the outlet passage beyond the valve; this, combined
with the pressure exerted by the water or other fluid on the smaller area of
the piston, tends to repel the piston, notwithstanding the water or other fluid
is still flowing to the larger area, but as the inlet to that area is smaller than
the passage through the piston and through the outlet beyond the valve the
piston will recede, then the instant the valve is again allowed to close the
escape of water or other fluid through the piston ceases, and it acts with its
full force again upon the larger area of the piston, and the tool or cutter is
again pressed against the work preparatory to its receiving a blow of the
hanmer. Other means of accomplishing this action may be resorted to, such
as counterweights, springs, or, for slower actions, a cylinder with a piston and
valve of the ordinary description, but I prefer the arrangement above described,
which may be constructed to be worked by steam, air, or water, but I prefer
water pressure. By means of this construction the tool can, if desired, be
rapidly drawn in or out of the hole or from the cut to the full extent of the
stroke of the cylinder.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed more
fully to describe the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 3 an end
elevation of machinery constructed and combined, according to my Invention,
for boring into stone.
A, A, main framing; B, B revolving table; C,C,are what I call anchoring
rams and cylinders for retaining the machinery in position. The cylinders are
in this case cast in the framing A, A, which is the arrangement preferred, but
the same is not essential. D, D, gearing for raising or lowering or angling
the tool bed plate E, consisting of pivot D¹ and set bolt D11, also of bridle
chain sheaves and a small hand winch; E, E, is the bed plate carrying
Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 3 an end
elevation of machinery constructed and combined, according to my Invention,
for boring into stone.
A, A, main framing; B, B revolving table; C,C,are what I call anchoring
rams and cylinders for retaining the machinery in position. The cylinders are
in this case cast in the framing A, A, which is the arrangement preferred, but
the same is not essential. D, D, gearing for raising or lowering or angling
the tool bed plate E, consisting of pivot D¹ and set bolt D", also of bridle
chain sheaves and a small hand winch; E, E, is the bed plate carrying

page_text: advancing cylinder and boring machinery; F, F, sliding box or frame carry-
ing the engine H, H, the hammer P, the spring Q, the tool G, the revolving
gear R, and the valve of the advancing cylinder N; this box F is attached
directly to the piston of the advancing cylinder M. G, G, is the tool and the
tool holder; G¹, G¹, are the pall and rack for fixing tool holder; G¹¹, G¹¹, is
the moveable tool guide; G, G11, is the jet and pipe for jetting water on to
the tool; H, H, is the engine with its valves, pipes, fly-wheel shaft, and con-
nections for driving the cams which give motion to the hammer, also to the
revolving gear and advancing cylinder valve; I, I, exhaust pipe leading from
engine and from the advancing cylinder; this pipe is made with an expanding
piece. K, K, are the pressure pipes and valves leading to engine H, also to the
adjusting cylinder and jet; L, L, the valves and pipes belonging to anchoring
cylinders and rams C, C; M, M, are the advancing cylinder, piston, and rod;
N, N, is the valve for working the advancing piston M, together with the
gear and cam belonging thereto; 0, 0, are the valve and pipe in connection
with the advancing piston M for withdrawing the tool; P, P, is the hammer;
P1, P1, is the cam for working the hammer; Q, Q, is the spring with the
worm wheel gear for tightening or slackening spring: R, R, is the revolving
gear for the tool, consisting of the cam lever, the ratch and palls, and the
adjusting bolts; S, S, is the bogie with wheels. In this arrangement the
hammer is actuated by a spring when the tool has been properly set to receive
its blow, but this may be varied in such manner that the hammer may be
actuated by the action of an engine, whether worked by water, steam, or air
without the intervention of a spring.
The working of the machinery is shown by the Drawings to be by
hydraulic power, but, when desired, an engineer will, aided by the description
herein, readily modify the combined arrangement, so as to use cylinders
and pistons worked by steam or compressed air.
Figure 4 shows a plan, and Figure 5, an end elevation of machinery
for dressing stone, constructed and arranged according to my Invention
A, A, is the main bed plate fitted with sliding grooves running parallel with
the cutting surface X,X; B, B, is the upper bed plate fitting on to grooves
of main bed plate A, A; this plate is provided with grooves running at right
angles to the cutting surface X, X. C, C, is the main frame sliding on
grooves of upper bed plate B, B, and carrying the advancing cylinder and
piston D, also the other guide for the tool holder E and the supports
D, D, is the advancing cylinder and piston; E, E, are the guides in the main
framing for the tool-holder guide K running parallel with cutting surface
X, X; F, F, are supports to prevent the chipping or breaking away of the
;

page_text: stone towards the end of the cut. These supports are made of steel, and are
here shown to be pressed up by presses. G is the pivot for angling tool-
holder frane H in the tool-holder guide K; H is the tool holder frame
carrying the driving engine, the spring hammer, and the tools; K is the tool-
holder guide working in the grooves E, E. The tool-holder is attached to the
piston D. Lis the truck carrying the stone; M is the stone; N is the framing
for holding stone steady and fast.
I have not thought it necessary, after the description above given, to repeat
the same here, nor have I thought it necessary to show this machinery by
Drawings more fully or in detail, as the Figures before described will enable
a machinist fully to understand the present arrangement. I would state that
the form of the drilling and cutting tools may be varied, and the details of the
machinery may also be varied, without departing from my Invention, which
consists in combining machinery in such manner that the tool or cutter, after
having made a cut, is by the machinery moved into position against or in
contact with the work for the next cut, and is there held till it receives the
next blow of a mechanically-worked hammer, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
PERCY GRAHAM BUCHANAN WESTMACOTT. (L.S.)