A New or improved Dredge.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1900
Date UI Application, ruth May, 1099
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1900
I, THOMAS OSWALD NEWMAN, of Stanstead Engineering Works, Stanstead, in
the County of Essex, Implement Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to a new or improved dredge for removing mud, sand,
or silt, from the bed of a stream, pond, lake, or other body of water, and has for
its object to greatly facilitate such operation.
According to my invention a dredge consists of a pair of jaws, each composed
of sections connected in any convenient manner, so that the hinder sections are
free to accommodate themselves to the inclination of the surface operated on.
The fore ends of such jaws are hinged together and form the nose of the dredge,
while a toggle joint is fitted between them, and ropes, or their equivalents, are
attached to the toggle pin and to the rear ends of the jaws, whereby to actuate
such jaws, their operation being regulated and controlled by means of suitable
stops.
Means are also provided for steering the dredge in any required direction, and
for causing the jaws to act as disintegrators so as to break up and disintegrate the
mud, sand, or silt, to facilitate its removal.
ELT & Co.,
43, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for Applicant.
A New or improved Dredge.
I, THOMAS OSWALD NEWMAN, of Stanstead Engineering Works, Stanstead, in
the County of Essex, Implement 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:-
This invention relates to a new or improved dredge for removing mud, sand,
or silt. from the bed of a stream, pond, lake, or other body of water, and has for
its object to greatly facilitate such operation.
And in order that my said invention may be better understood and readily
carried into effect, I will now with the aid of the accompanying drawings whereon
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, proceed more particu-
larly to describe and ascertain the same.
Figure 1 is a plan and Fig. 2 a side elevation of a dredge made according to

page_text: .
my invention. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the inside of one of the segmental jaws.-
Fig. 4 is a detail view in plan shewing the method of connecting the two sections
of each jaw by tie plates, and Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views shewing how the
steering mechanism and draw ropes o presently described may be dispensed with.
According to my invention a dredge consists of two segmental expanding and
contracting jaws A each composed of two wing plates a, a¹.
The plates a form the nose of the dredge and are hereafter termed nose plates;
while the plates a¹ form extensions thereof, and are hereafter termed extension
plates. Each pair of wing plates is connected by tie plates b, b¹, which are
rivetted to the extension plates and pivotted to the nose plates to allow of the
extension plates working up and down to accommodate themselves to the in-
equalities in the surface operated upon, sufficient space being left between the
nose and extension plates as indicated in the drawings to allow the requisite play
to the latter.
is
The nose and extension plates are fitted with runners c, c¹, which may consist
of angle irons rivetted or otherwise fastened thereto, and perforated to allow of
auxiliary plates being attached to increase the width of the runners when. the
dredge is working in soft soil, and so prevent its becoming embedded therein.
Lugs d, or their equivalents are formed on or affixed to the nose plates to receive
a shaft c, which is fitted with a rudder e', or other equivalent devicè, such as a
trailing wheel whereby to steer the dredge. The shaft e is adjustable, being fitted
with a collar and set screw e², whereby it can be raised or lowered as desired,
while it serves to connect the jaws and forms a hinge pin whereon they work to
and fro. Slots are made in the nose plates wherein a loose stop bar
fitted. The jaws are operated by a toggle joint which consists of two toggle
arms h, pivotted in lugs i on the extension plates and engaging with a shoulder gl,
on the stop bar g.-Fitted to this shoulder is a shackle j, to which a pull k, is
attached, while draw ropes or chains 7, are fastened to shackles m on the extension
plates as shewn at Fig. 4.-A pull, and draw ropes or chains o, are likewise
fitted to the stop bar g, while suitable steering mechanism is provided consisting
of a hand wheel p, carried on a spindle mounted in a bracket q, fixed to one of
the jaws. The spindle p¹ carries a sprocket wheel r which gears with a pitch
chain s attached to a cross head on the rudder shaft, while a steering seat u is
fitted on the dredge in any convenient position.
The operation of my invention is as follows: The dredge is first towed or
hauled into position by the pull n and draw ropes or chains o, thus drawing the
stop bar forward and closing the jaws. The pull and draw ropes are then
operated thus drawing the dredge together with the stop bar backward and
opening the jaws, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position they
act as a scoop to collect and remove the mud and other impurities from the bed of
the stream or other surface operated upon. The expansion of the jaws is regu-
lated by the draw ropes l'and 'the stop bar while the dredge is guided in the desired
direction by the steersman operating the steering mechanism. If desired how-
ever such steering mechanism together with the draw ropes o may be dispensed
with and in lieu thereof the jaws may be hinged together by a bolt or pin v, as
shewn at Figs. 5 and 6, while the pull n may be attached direct to the stop bar
and led between the jaws as shewn in such figures.-Moreover when requisite
the depth of the jaws may be increased by bolting auxiliary plates thereto as
indicated in dotted lines at Fig. 5.
I would here observe that I do not confine myself to the precise details of
construction herein before set forth, as the same may be varied without departing
from the essential features of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is:-
1. As a new and useful article of manufacture à dredge consisting of two

page_text: expanding jaws operated by means of a toggle joint and draw ropes or chains and
pulls, and having their action controlled thereby and by a stop bar all substan-
tially as herein before described and shewn.
2. Fitting such improved dredge with suitable steering mechanism substantially
in the manner hereinbefore described.
3. The improved dredge constructed and operating all substantially in the
manner herein before described.
ELT & Co.,
Registered Patent Agents,
43, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.