IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR BORING HOLES IN COAL AND OTHER MINERALS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Macdermott, of the City of London, Architect;
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR
BORING HOLES IN COAL AND OTHER MINERALS."
Sealed the 21st December 1877, and dated the 2nd July 1877.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Martin Macdermott at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1877.
MARTIN MACDERMOTT, of the City of London, Architect.
APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR BORING HOLES IN COAL AND OTHER MINERALS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus used for perforating
or boring holes in coal and other minerals in mines and other places, in which holes
wedging implements or blasting compounds are subsequently placed to effect the
breaking down of the coal or other mineral.
The improvements constituting the Invention relate more particularly,―
Firstly. To an improved combination and arrangement of the parts composing
the brake arrangement by which the progression of the perforator screw is rendered
proportionate to the resistance. of the material being operated upon, the special
objects of this part of the Invention being to afford a steady and firm bearing or
support for the perforator screw while at work, and to allow of the holes being
perforated or bored close to the roof, floor, and sides of the working.
Secondly. To an improved method of actuating the perforator screw, the object of
this part of the Invention being to allow of the screw and perforating tool being
continuously actuated, whether boring close to the roof or in any other position by a
continuous rotation of the handle, in lieu of the reciprocating movements of the
usual ratchet handles.
And, Thirdly. To an improved arrangement for withdrawing or partly with-
drawing the perforator screw from the bored hole, the object of this part of the
Invention being to effect the withdrawing thereof with ease in the event of the
perforator or boring tool getting jammed in the hole,

page_text: This part of the Invention is especially applicable to that class of perforators or
boring instruments intended for operation on soft and homogeneous materials, and
in which a finely threaded perforator screw works in a polygonal nut carried loosely,
but prevented from turning in a similarly shaped cast-iron box provided with a
through key against which the nut bears.
This arrangement of such instruments is of utility in that it allows of the nut
carrying the perforator screw being quickly removed from the box and replaced in
the reverse position, which is of great advantage when the screw is worked therein
nearly to its end, as it saves the tinie and labor of running the screw all the way
back in the nut, the ends of the screw being similarly squared, so that the handle
and the perforator or boring tool socket are interchangeable thereon.
The objects of the first part of the Invention are attained by passing the per-
forator screw through the uppermost part of the cast-iron box within which the brake
arrangement is contained, and by arranging the said box lengthways parallel with
the length of the screw, in lieu of transversely, as it has hitherto been placed, and
by arranging the brake worm wheels with which the perforator screw works con-
formably with the position of the box, parallel with and both under and in contact
with the screw, in lieu of one on each side as at present.
This part of the Invention likewise comprises the combined formation of the
friction surfaces interiorly of the wheels, within the rim on which the worm teeth
are cast, with the use of expansible spring split friction cylinders, actuated by
double wedges worked in contrary directions by right and left hand screws, forined
on a rod carried between the wheels by a bearing of the box, and actuated by a
hand wheel or lever pivotted to it. On turning this hand wheel or lever in one
direction the wedges are separated and cause the friction cylinders to expand and
press slightly or tightly against the friction surfaces within the rims of the wheels,
and on turning the hand wheel or lever in the other: direction the wedges are
brought together and the friction wheels released of the pressure of the cylinders.
The progression of the screw is thus under the required control.
The object of the second part of the Invention is attained by the use of a ball or
universal joint or bevil wheels, or other equivalent arrangement, one part of which
joint or one of which wheels is formed as or is connected to a socket which fits on
the front squared end of the perforator screw, and the other part of which joint or
other one of which wheels forms or is connected to a rod, on the lower squared end
of which a handle is pinned. The socket and rod work in and are held at any con-
venient angle with each other, preferably of about 135°, by a casting, to the lower
part of which can be screwed or secured by a nut or otherwise attached a guide rod,
which passes parallel with the socket and the perforator screw (when in position for
use) freely through lugs depending from and cast with the box containing the brake
mechanism above described.
Or
This part of the Invention is applicable to various descriptions of boring, drilling,
perforating apparatus used for the purposes of this Invention:
With these combined arrangements the screw carrying the perforator or boring
tool can be firmly supported while in operation, and the desired holes can be per
forated or bored close to the roof, sides, and floor, and the perforator or boring tool
can be continuously actuated by a continuous rotation of the handle, which by the
above, arrangement is caused to rotate clear of the roof, sides, and floor, and to
advance without strain on the screw in its progression by means of the guide rod.
In certain positions allowing of it, the casting carrying the ball joint or bevil
wheel arrangement may be removed, and the handle connected directly to the
forward squared end of the perforator screw.
: :
The object of the third part of the Invention is attained by the use in combination
with that class of perforating or boring apparatus above referred to under this part
of the Invention of a chain wheel, chain, and hook, the chain wheel being carried by
the polygonal cast-iron box, and the chain fastened to the chain wheel and connected
to a short wire rope to which the hook is secured,.
I

page_text: In the event of the boring tool getting fast in the hole the hook is placed about
its socket, and a turn or so is given to the chain wheel by a handle or lever passing
through a socket cast on its boss, by which the boring tool is quickly eased or with.
drawn as far as may be required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Martin Macdermott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd January
1878.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
MARTIN MACDERMOTT, of the City of London, Architect.
APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR BORING HOLES IN COAL AND OTHER MINERALS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus used for perforating
or boring holes in coal and other minerals in mines and other places, in which holes
wedging implements or blasting compounds, are subsequently placed to effect the
breaking down of the coal or other mineral.
The improvements constituting the Invention relate more particularly,―
Firstly. To an improved combination and arrangement of the parts composing
the brake arrangement, by which the progression of the perforator screw is rendered
proportionate to the resistance of the material being operated upon, the special
objects of this part of the Invention being to afford a steady and firm bearing or
support for the perforated screw while at work, and to allow of the holes being
perforated or bored close to the roof, floor, and sides of the working.
Secondly To improved methods of actuating the perforator screw, the object of
this part of the Invention being to allow of the screw and perforating tool being
continuously actuated, whether boring close to the roof or in any other position, by
a continuous rotation of the handle in lieu of the reciprocating movements of the usual
ratchet handles.
And, Thirdly. To an improved arrangement for withdrawing or partly with-
drawing the perforator screw from the bored hole, the object of this part of the
Invention being to effect the withdrawing thereof with ease in the event of the per-
forator or boring tool getting jammed in the hole.
This part of the Invention is especially applicable to that class of perforators or
boring instruments or apparatus described under "Type 3" in the Specification, and
illustrated in Figures 9 to 11 of the annexed Drawings of certain Letters Patent
granted to Ferdinand Floran Villepigue, and dated October 4, 1869, No. 2878, and
intended for operation on soft and homogeneous materials, and in which a finely.
threaded perforator screw works in a polygonal nut carried loosely, but prevented
from turning in a similarly shaped cast-iron box provided with a through key
against which the nut bears.
This arrangement of such instruments or apparatus is of utility in that it allows
of the nut carrying the perforator screw being quickly removed from the box and
replaced in the reverse position, which is of great advantage when the screw is
worked therein nearly to its end, as it saves the time and labor of running the.
screw all the way back in the nut, the ends of the screw being similarly squared,
so that the handle and the perforator or boring tool socket are interchangeable
thereon.

page_text: The objects of the first part of the Invention (which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3
on the accompanying Drawings) are attained by passing the perforator screw 1
through the uppermost part 2 of the cast-iron box 3, within which the brake
arrangement is contained, and by arranging the box 3 lengthways, parallel with the
length of the screw 1 (see Figure 1), in lieu of transversely thereof, as it has hitherto
been placed, and by arranging the brake worm wheels 4 with which the
screw 1 engages conformably with the position of the box 3 parallel with
and both under and gearing with the screw 1 (see Figure 1), in lieu of one on each
side as at present.
This part of the Invention likewise comprises the combined formation of the
friction surfaces 5 interiorly of the wheels 4 within the rims 6, on which the worm
teeth 7 are cast, with the use of expansible spring split friction cylinders 8, actuated
by double wedges 9, worked in contrary directions by right and left hand screws 10,
formed on a rod 11 carried between the wheels 4 by a bearing 12 of the box 3,
and actuated by a hand wheel or lever 13, forming part of or pivotted to it. On
turning the lever 13 in one direction the. wedges 9 are separated further from each
other, and thus separating the split edges 15 of the friction cylinders 8, as shown in
Figures 1 and 3, cause the cylinders to expand and press slightly or tightly against
the friction surfaces or leathers 5 within the rims 6 of the wheels 4; and on
turning the lever 13 in the reverse direction the wedges 9 are brought closer
together, and the friction wheels are thus released of the pressure of the cylinders 8.
The progression of the screw is thus under the desired control.
Figure 1 represents a front view of the improved brake arrangement, the cover 14
of the box 3 being removed; Figure 2 represents a transverse section thereof,
through a, b, looking in the direction of the arrow c; and Figure 3 represents a
similar section of Figure 1, but through d, e, looking in the same direction as
indicated by the arrow f.
The object of the second part of the Invention is attained by the use of a ball or
universal joint or bevil wheels, or other equivalent arrangement, as illustrated in
Figures 4 to 9 on the accompanying Drawings.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate two arrangements of universal joints which are specially
applicable to the purpose desired. The joint is shown as formed of a block 10
having two pins 17, 18, arranged at right angles to each other (see Figure 6). The
pin 17 passes through the bifurcated end 19 of a socket 20, which fits on the front
square end 21 of the perforator screw 1; and the pin 18 passes through the bifur-
cated end 22 of a rod 23, on the lower squared end 24 of which a handle 25 is
pinned or suitably secured.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 the socket 20 and rod 23 are shown'
as held at an angle with each other of about 135° by a casting 26, which does not
allow of this angle being varied, and which is formed with a lug 27, to which a
guide rod 28 can be secured by a nut 29 or otherwise, and which guide rod passes
parallel with the socket 20 and the screw 1 (when in position for use) freely
through lugs 30 depending from and cast with or bolted to the box 3, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 the casting 26 is shown as formed of
two parts, which allow of the socket 20 and rod 23 being set at any convenient
angle, and held or secured in the desired position by a turn or so of a screw handle
31, which engages in a slot 54 of the casting.
This arrangement is illustrated as without the guide rod attachment, which
however may be used in combination therewith, the lugs 27 (Figure 4) being
pivotted to the lower part of the casting 26.
Figure 7 illustrates a similar arrangement to that illustrated in Figure 4, with
the exceptions that bevil gearing 32 is substituted for the universal joint block 16,
and that a handle 33 is provided for the workman to take hold of.
Figures 8 and 9 (which are respectively side and front views) illustrate the
arrangement of two chain wheels 34, geared together by a chain 35, and kept at
any
desired distance apart by a removable rod 36, secured by nuts 37 to boxes 38,

page_text: within which the wheels are enclosed by the covers 39, secured by nuts 40. The
upper wheel 34 fits on to the squared end 21 the screw I, and a handle 25 fits
on to the squared end 41 of the pivot 42 of the lower wheel, and thus by the
rotation of the handle the screw 1 is actuated. In this arrangement the guide rod
28 may be secured to the lower box 38, and passed through a lug 43 pivotted in a
collar 44 adjustable on the standard 45.
This part of the Invention is applicable to various descriptious of boring, drilling,
or perforating apparatus used for the purposes of the Invention.
With the above described combined arrangements the screw 1 carrying the per-
forator or boring tool (46) can be firmly supported while in operation, and the
desired holes can be perforated or bored close to the roof, sides and floor, and at any
desired angle, and the perforator or boring tool can be continuously actuated by a
continuous rotation of the handle, which by the above described arrangements is
caused to rotate clear of the roof, sides and floor, and to advance without strain on
the screw in its progression.
In certain positions allowing of it the arrangements illustrated in Figures 4 to 9
may be removed, and the handle 25 may be connected directly to the forward
squared end 21 of the screw 1.
The object of the third part of the Invention (which is illustrated in Figures 10
and 11 on the accompanying Drawings) is attained by the use in combination with
that class, of perforating or boring apparatus above referred to under this part of
the Invention, and illustrated in these Figures, of a chain wheel 46, chain 47, and
hook 48, the chain wheel being carried by the polygonal cast-iron box 49, and the
chain 47 fastened to the wheel 46, and connected to a short wire rope 50, or other
suitable attachment to which the hook 48 is secured.
In the event of the boring tool 46* getting jammed in the hole, the hook 48 is
placed about its socket 55, and a turn or so is given to the wheel 46 by a handle or
lever 51 passing through a socket 52, cast on its boss 53, by which the boring tool
is quickly eased or withdrawn as far as may be required.
56 represents the polygonal nut, and 57 the through key by which it is secured
in the similarly shaped box 49; and 21, 58, the interchangeable ends of the
screw 1.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as of my Invention,―
1. The herein-before described improved combination and arrangement of the
parts composing the brake arrangement, substantially as and for the purposes
described, and as illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 on the accompanying Drawings.
2. The herein-before described improved methods and means of actuating and
guiding the perforator-screw, substantially as and for the purpose described,
and as illustrated on Figures 4 to 9, and partly in Figures 1 and 2 on the accom-
panying Drawings.
And 3. The particular combination of the above described improved arrangement
for withdrawing the perforator screw from the bored hole with perforators or
boring apparatus of the class herein-before specified, substantially as and for the
purpose described and as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 on the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martin Macdermott, have hereunto set iny hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.