IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCK BORING OR DRILLING APPARATUS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCK BORING OR DRILLING APPARATUS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Addison Crittenden Rand and John B.
Waring, of the City of New York, United States America,
Contractors.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd October 1872.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCK BORING OR DRILLING APPARATUB," a
communication to me from abroad by Addison Crittenden Rand and
John B. Waring, of the City of New York, United States America, Con-
tractors, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar combination and arrangement of
parts constituting a rock boring or drilling apparatus which is intended
to be worked by steam or compressed air.

page_text: The improved apparatus is made casily portable, and consists of a
holder or frame of a trough shape, provided with trunnions or centres
which take their bearings in eyes made in one end of each of a set of
four or more legs disposed equally or otherwise on each side of the main
holder or carrying frame. Each of these legs is by preference adjustable
in any required direction on its centre which may be made for this
purpose on the principle of a ball and socket joint, but an ordinary joint
may be used. The legs are also capable of adjustment in length by an
internal screw and telescopic arrangement. On each leg there is fitted
loosely a removeable weight for the purpose of giving stability to the
general support. Within the trough shaped frame or outer shell there is
mounted a cylindrical casting which is capable of a longitudinal adjust-
ment or feed motion therein along suitable guide ways by means of
longitudinal, adjusting, or feed screw spindles. Within this casting
there is fitted to work steam or air-tight a bored cylinder containing a
suitably packed piston to the rod of which is fitted the socket or holder
for the drill. The steam or compressed air for working the apparatus is
admitted into a steam chamber which is kept filled with live steam or
compressed air. This steam or air enters the inner bored cylinder
through lateral ports made therein and in the side of the live steam or
compressed air chamber, other ports being provided on the opposite side
for the exhaust steam or air to escape through. The said steam or air
chamber is provided with two valves opening inwards for the purpose of
starting the apparatus. Each valve when opened establishes a com-
munication between the steam or air chamber and the cuds of the
cylindrical casting, so as to move the internal cylinder longitudinally
therein. This movement opens the main steam or air ports and admits
steam-or air into the inner cylinder so as to operate upon the piston;
whilst at the same time it also tends to force the cylinder in the
contrary direction, and thereby opens the main ports on the opposite
side of the piston, thus keeping up a rapid succession of vibrations or
reciprocations of the piston and its cylinder, which latter it will be seen
acts as its own slide valve. During this longitudinal reciprocating motion
which the drill receives from the piston, it is also caused to rotate by a
ratchet and pall motion as is well understood.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 23rd April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her licirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors, administrators, or 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 ROCK BORING OR DRILLING APPARATUS," a communication
to me from abroad by Addison Crittenden Rand and John B. Waring, of
the City of New York, United States of America, Contractors, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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 John Henry Johnson, 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:-
The said Invention relates to a peculiar combination and arrangement

page_text: which is intended to be worked by steam or compressed air. One of the
objects of this Invention is to so arrange the working parts of a per-
cussion rock boring or dressing machine that the steam or air engine
which is used in connection with the boring bar shall have a rapid reci-
procating motion of the piston and piston rod which can be maintained
for the purpose of striking rapid blows by the aid of valves operated by
the steam, compressed air, or other clastic gas employed in driving the
engine without the intervention of an eccentric or other positive motion,
and without bringing the moving parts into metallic contact or collision
with each other.
The improvement has also for its object the arrangement of the parts
of the stand which carries the motive power engine before referred to, so
that the drill can be directed at different angles, and the legs of the
stand be easily attached, removed, and adjusted as to length and position
so as to be easily handled in confined spaces, tunnels, and in places in
quarries difficult of access with large and heavy machinery.
The improved apparatus is made casily portable, and consists on the
one part of the before-mentioned improved stand, and on the other of
the peculiar motive power engine. The stand consists of a holder or
frame of a trough shape, provided with trunnions or centres passing
through eyes made in one end of each of a set of four or more legs,
disposed equally or otherwise on cach side of the main holder or carrying
frame. Each of these legs is capable of adjustment in any required
direction on its centre which may be made for this purpose on the
principle of a ball and socket or cup joint, or an ordinary joint may in
some cases be used. The legs are also capable of adjustment in length
by an internal screw spindle or telescopic arrangement. On each leg.
there is fitted loosely a weight capable of easy removal and replacement
for the purpose of giving stability to the general support. Within the
said trough shaped holder or frame there is mounted the before-
mentioned motive-power engine which consists of a cylindrical casting
capable of a longitudinal adjustment or feed motion therein along
suitable guide ways by means of a longitudinal adjusting or feed screw
spindle. Within this casting there is fitted to work steam or air-tight, a
bored cylinder containing a piston, to the end of which is fitted in any
convenient manner the socket or holder for the drill. The steam or
compressed air for working the apparatus is admitted into a steam
chamber which is kept filled with live steam or compressed air. This

page_text: steam or air enters the inner bored cylinder through lateral ports made
therein and in the side of the live steam or compressed air chamber,
other ports being provided on the opposite side for the exhaust steam or
air to escape through. The said steam or air chamber is provided with
two valves opening inwards for the purpose of starting the apparatus.
Each valve when opened establishes a communication between the steam
or air chamber and the ends of the cylindrical casting so as to move the
internal cylinder longitudinally therein; this movement opens the
main steam or air ports and admits steam or air into the inner cylinder
so to operate upon the piston, whilst at the same time it also tends to
force the cylinder in the contrary direction, and thereby opens the main
ports on the opposite side of the piston, thus keeping up a rapid
succession of vibrations or reciprocations of the piston and its cylinder,
which latter it will be seen acts as its own slide valve. During this
longitudinal reciprocating motion which the drill receives from the
piston, it is also caused to rotate by a ratchet and pall motion as is well
understood.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings is a front view and partial section
of the improved portable stand for rock drilling or boring machines,
the machine or motive-power engine being removed; Figure 2 is a corre-
sponding side elevation of the same; Figures 3 and 4 are views of the
weights detached, and Figure 5, represents in sectional detail the arrange-
ment for actuating the adjusting screw spindles of the legs or supports.
A is the trough shaped holder in readiness to have the cylinder or
motive-power engine which operates the boring bar, and which I
shall herein-after describe placed within the grooves a, a, made in the
sides of the said holder. B, C, D, E, F, G, are six legs with the weights
removed, B, C, D, E, being shown as resting on the ground, while the
others F, G, are elevated to form strutts or bearings against the roof of
the working, the machine being in this case supposed to be drilling
horizontally. These legs may be placed in any desired position which
may become necessary from the shape or contour of the ground on which
it may be required to place the machine. At the lower part of the legs

page_text: below the weights herein-after referred to, a combination of screws is
provided whereby each individual leg may be lengthened or shortened
as occasion may require. For this purpose a screw spindle His cou-
tained within each leg which is made tubular, as shewn, such screw
spindle being pointed at its lower end to take a firm bearing on the
ground or other surface. Each screw spindle works in a fixed nut I
secured to the lower end of the tubular leg, and is rotated by a collar K
(Figure 5), which is fitted to revolve by means of a spanner or key freely
round the fixed nut I, pins b, b, working in an annular groove round the
nut, serving to keep the collar K in its place. A small key c is fitted
inside the collar, which key engages into a slotted key way d, cut
longitudinally in the screw spindle. Thus by turning the collar the
screw spindle will also be rotated and caused to protrude outwards or
withdraw inwards more or less, thereby lengthening or shortening any
one or more of the legs, as may be required. All nice adjustments of
the holder A are made by suitable adjustment of the legs. At the point
where the legs B, C, D, E, join A, it will be observed that a joint of
peculiar construction is made; the two legs B, C, and D, E, on the
opposite sides of the machine are in close contact at the top, and fastened
by a single bolt e, while at the lower end they can be placed upon the
ground at a considerable distance from one another, as in fact each leg
has a distinct motion around e, the point of suspension, and considerable
inward and outward motion is allowed by the peculiar formation of the
joint. A short distance from the extremity of each leg there is fitted a
collar, Figure 2, and from this point upward the leg is cylindrical or
of any other desired shape. These legs may be formed of any desired
material, and at the top of each leg the metal is shaped out into a
circular form, and by casting or forging is made into a hemispherical
shape having a hole bored through from the centre, which hole is larger
in diameter than the diameter of the bolt e. This hemispherical end is
hollowed out forming a concave as well as convex hemisphere or surface.
Referring to Figure I, D is the inner right leg, the convex side g of the
upper end of which rests in a suitably formed recess in the side of the
holder A. In the concavo side of D, the convex side h of the leg E
rests, which latter having also a concave hollow now brought by the
construction on the outside is filled by a hemispherical washer i, also
having a hole bored through it, which hole is the same in diameter as the
stud or bolt e, and on which stud the washer is placed. A projecting
boss is formed on the centre of the outer side of the washers, which

page_text: bosses form the journals or pivots for the legs F and G, as clearly shewn
in Figure 1. Against the outside of this washer or against the end of
cach boss k, a nut is screwed upon the stud e, which in turn is firmly
fastened into the holder A.
It will be observed that by this construction of joints each leg has an
independent motion around the stud e. Supposing the legs to be
adjusted to any desired position, the nut can be tightened by the use
of a wrench which forces all the surfaces of the joints into close contact,
and retains the legs in the position in which they may have been
placed, precluding all possibility of disarrangement till the nut is again
unscrewed.
When the machine is placed in its proper position some means have
to be resorted to to give it weight, so that it may stand firmly on the
ground and not be moved by the violent blows of the drill. The
simplest way to accomplish this end is by attaching weights to each leg
of the machine of a sufficient size to effect the desired purpose. These
weights (shown detached at Figures 3 and 4) can be fastened to the legs
of the machine in various ways, but the one presented is believed to be
the most desirable from the fact that the attachment can be readily
made without any loose pieces, and is almost beyond the chances of
breakage. The weights L are formed as shown in the Drawing, the
outside being of any shape whatsoever. Each weight has a vertical
slot m running through the whole length of the weight, which in breadth
is equal to the diameter of the leg of the machine, and runs to the centre
of the weight where it ends in a semi-circle, in such a way that when
placed upon the machine it shall have the leg running through what
may be termed the centre of the weight. The object of the collar fon
each leg is to retain the weight firmly in connection with the leg. This
is accomplished in the most simple manner. The collar before
mentioned as being part of or secured to the legs would prevent the
weight from being put upon the lower part of the legs were it not that
each weight had a slot n running horizontally cut in each side of the
vertical slot m. This slot ends in the centre of the weight in a circular
opening, the size of the flange in diameter, as seen at o, Figures 3 and 4.
When it is desired to place the weights upon the legs of the machine, all
that is necessary is to lift the weight from the ground (holes or recesses p
being provided as a means of laying hold of the weight), and the slots n
are brought directly opposite the collar f, when the weight will slip on

page_text: the leg and be retained in its position firmly by the collar in the
circular opening, the weight sliding downward on the leg to allow the
collar to occupy and fill up the upper part of the circular opening. In
removing the weight it is only necessary to raise it a short distance and
slide it off the leg. Each weight is operated in exactly the same
manner and so made to fit upon any of the legs. These weights should
be sufficiently heavy to hold the stand in place when the drill is being
operated.
Figure 6 (Sheet 2) is a vertical section illustrating the leading
features of the improved motive-power engine to be used in connection
with an easily portable stand, such as I have hercin-before described for
the purpose of actuating tools for boring, drilling, or dressing rocks.
A' represents a cylinder with a steam or compressed air chest on the one
side, and an exhaust chest on the other. S represents the steam chest,
and R the steam pipe hole from which the plug can be removed for the
admission of steam or compressed air. T represents the exhaust chest,
and G the exhaust pipe. These chambers are cast in the envelope of the
cylinder, and need only to be large enough for the free ingress and
exhaust of the steam or air. Their form is not material, except so far
as they afford sufficient passage for the steam or air flowing in and
out of the working cylinder. B is a valve cylinder fitting into the
cylinder A concentric with it, and provided with packing p of any
suitable kind to make it work steam-tight in the cylinder A'. P is a
piston fitting into the valve cylinder B also packed as shown at p, or in
any other suitable manner. The valve cylinder B has a hollow rod B
passing out of the head of the main cylinder A', through a stuffing box
in the ordinary manner, through which rod the piston rod P' of the
piston P passes and is made to work steam-tight by an ordinary stuffing
box or otherwise.
The novelty of this part of the Invention consists in the combination
and arrangement of the different parts, whereby the steam or air is led
into and out of the valve cylinder B so as to produce the rapidly recipro-
cating movement required, and metallic contact or collision between the
moving parts is prevented. In the position of the machine shown in the
Drawing, the piston P is being driven downward in the direction of the a
arrow marked on the piston rod. The exhaust port D' passing through
the valve cylinder B corresponds with the port T in the main
cylinder A¹, and as the piston moves downward the exhaust steam or air

page_text: passos freely out through the port D'. But when the piston P is moved
far enough to cover the port D' and the auxillary port E which leads
into the port D', there can be no further escape of the steam, air, or other
gas out of the cylinder B; and the momentum of the piston P will
compress the elastic gas in the lower end of the cylinder B, until the
pressure on the lower head of that cylinder is sufficient to set it in
motion in the direction in which the piston P is moving. The first
effect of the movement downward of the valve cylinder B will be to
close the steam port C in the upper part of the cylinder, and so shut off
any further inflow of steam or air into that cylinder. The next effect
will be to bring the exhaust port D" opposite to the exhaust port ™" in
the cylinder A', and at the same time to bring the steam port C¹ opposite
to the steam port C" in the cylinder A'. So soon as this conjunction
occurs the steam or air in the upper end of the cylinder will begin to
exhaust, and the steam or air flowing in through the port C" and
through the auxiliary passage F will arrest the further downward move-
ment of the piston P, and drive it upward; at the same time driving the
valve cylinder B downward. When the valve cylinder B has been
driven down far enough to cover the small port at H, H', which may
Icad out directly into the atmosphere or into the exhaust passage, and
which opens into the cylinder A¹ at a short distance from its end, the
cylinder B will be arrested by the confined air shut in by its passing
over the escape port H, and so be prevented from coming in contact or
collision with the head of the cylinder A'. In ascending, the piston P
performs the same series of movements already described for descending,
first shutting off the exhaust and making a cushion, and then driving up
the valve cylinder B, until steam or air is admitted through the port C and
the auxiliary passage F¹, and the opposite exhaust valve opened, and the
action of the respective parts reversed. J represents small poppet
valves seated in apertures, which when opened by raising the valves
permit the steam or air to pass through a small port K into the bottom
or end of the cylinder A'. These valves are usually held closed by the
internal pressure of the steam or compressed air upon them, and are only
used to start the machine when it has been at rest or has stopped in one
or the other of its extreme positions. The ends of the valve stems pass
through the chest into the atmosphere at L, and may be pressed by the
hand or struck upon whenever the necessity for their use occurs. This
machine may be used either with steam, compressed air, or other elastic
gas, as may be most convenient.

page_text: Figure 7 (Sheet 2) is a longitudinal section of a motive-power engine
working precisely on the same principle as that described with reference
to Figure 6 on the same Sheet, but here shown with the valve cylinder
at or about half stroke and slightly modified as regards the details of
construction, and adapted specially for practical application to the
boring or drilling of rock. Figure 8 is a transverse section combining
in one view cross sections taken along the lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, in
Figure 7. The parts corresponding to those in Figure 6 are marked
with similar letters of reference, and need not therefore be recapitulated
here. In theso Figures the trough shaped holder A corresponding to
that represented in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, is here shown without the
supporting legs. The outer cylinder A' is provided with a longitudinal
projecting rib or flange a', a', on each side (Figure 8), which enter the
before-mentioned longitudinal grooves a, a, in the opposite inner sides of
the holder A, so as to be free to slide therein under the action of the feed
screw O worked by a handle at N. This screw spindle O turns freely in
the lugs or projections o, o, on the opposite ends of the outer cylinder or
casing A', and works through a nut Q fitted into the holder A as shewn
clearly in Figures 7 and 8. Thus by turning the screw spindle O, the
entire engine will be raised or lowered as required. In lieu of using the
packing rings preferred to and illustrated in Figure 6, it is preferred to
substitute therefor what are known as "ground fits." R is the inlet for
the steam or compressed air to the steam chamber S cast in the outer
cylinder A'. The exhaust chest is shown at T which communicates by
a hollow, belt G¹ with an exhaust pipe at G. The boring tool or drill is
fitted in any convenient or well known manner into a socket U made in
a holder V attached to the rod P' of the piston P, which holder may
have a rotatory motion imparted to it simultaneously with its longitudinal
reciprocating motion by a combination of palls and ratchets with straight
and spiral grooves, but as this forms no part of my present Invention I
do not consider it necessary to make further reference thereto.
Figure 9 (Sheet 2) is a perspective view of the improved rock boring
or drilling machine complete and ready for action; A' is the outer
cylinder or casing of the motive-power engine such as I have herein-
before described, mounted in the portable stand or holder A, also similar
to that herein-before described, resting on four adjustable legs B, C, D, E,
cach leg having a removeable weight L fitted thercon in the manner
already explained for the purpose of imparting stability and firmness to

page_text: the stand. M is the boring bar secured in any convenient manner to
the reciprocating piston rod of the motive-power engine; R is the steam
or compressed air pipe provided with a stop valve for supplying steam
or compressed air for working the engine; N is the adjusting handle
attached to the feed screw spindle O for feeding downwards or forwards
the motive-power engine as the boring or drilling proceeds.
It is obvious that the peculiar construction of motive-power engine
herein-before described is applicable not merely to the drilling or
dressing of rock, but may also be used for any purpose where a rapid.
reciprocation of the piston is required.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The peculiar construction of portable stand or holder with its
weighted legs made adjustable both as regards their length and position
or angle, by means of the peculiar arrangement of screw spindles and the
peculiar half-ball or cup-shaped joints, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
Second. The peculiar arrangement for facilitating the attaching and
detaching of the removeable weights to and from the legs of the above-
mentioned stand, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described and illustrated on Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Third. The peculiar construction and arrangement of motive-power
engine for producing a succession of rapid blows, wherein are combined
two concentric cylinders, each having its own ports with a piston so
arranged that the inner cylinder performs the office of valves, and is
operated by the steam or air compressed by the piston working therein,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated on Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the improved stand with the above-
mentioned improved motive-power engine so as to form a readily
portable apparatus for actuating tools or drills for boring, drilling, or
dressing rock, as herein-before described.

page_text: Fifth. The mode of arresting the movement of the valve cylinder of
the improved motive-power engine by a cushion of steam, air, or other
clastic gas to prevent its coming in contact with the heads of the
exterior cylinder, substantially as herein-before described.
Sixth. The combination with the before-mentioned concentric cylinders 5
of starting valves for admitting steam or compressed air between the
heads of such cylinders, for the purpose of starting the engine when at
rest, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 2
of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to 1
this my Specification set my hand and scal, the Twenty-third
day of April One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.