IMPROVEMENTS IN HEWING
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Ridley, of Low Wortley, in the County of
York, Engineer, and Joseph Rothery, of West Ardsley, in the County
of York, Colliery Viewer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HEWING
Sealed the 15th August 1861, and dated the 30th March 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Ridley and
Joseph Rothery at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 30th March 1861.
We, ROBERT RIDLEY; of Low Wortley, in the County of York, Engineer,
and JOSEPH ROTHERY, of West Ardsley, in the County of York, Colliery
Viewer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HEWING OR WORKING COAL AND OTHER MINERALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar system or mode of hewing or working
coal and other minerals in mines or quarries, whereby a saving of labor and
prevention of "breakage" is effected.
According to this Invention it is proposed to hew or work coal seams and
other mineral strata by making a narrow under cut in a horizontal or nearly
horizontal direction, and also one or more narrow vertical cuts on the face of

page_text: the coal or mineral, the depth of all such cuts varying according to the size of
block required. A series of holes are then drilled along the upper part of the
intended block in a horizontal or nearly horizontal direction, in order to
facilitate the detaching of the block.
One arrangement of machinery which we propose to use for effecting the
cutting operations above referred to, consists of a suitable framing mounted on
wheels, and provided at the top and bottom with a horizontal transverse
rocking shaft, and at the two opposite sides with similar shafts placed in a
vertical position. Each of these several shafts carries one or more vibrating
arms keyed thereon, and these arms are each provided at their outer free ends
with a suitable cutter for acting upon the coal or other substance to be worked.
A vibratory or oscillating motion is imparted to these arms by the aid of a
crank and ratchet wheels, in combination with helical springs on the shafts.
The springs serving to give the necessary blow or stroke for effecting the cut;
whilst the crank and ratchet wheels return the arms to their original positions
again in readiness for a fresh stroke. The crank shaft may be driven either
by hand or by any convenient prime mover, and the entire machine is moved
up to its work by a self-acting or other travelling motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th September 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ROBERT
RIDLEY, of Low Wortley, in the County of York, Engineer, and JOSEPH
ROTHERY, of West Ardsley, in the County of York, Colliery Viewer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing late the Thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery, Her special license that we, the said
Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery, our 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 ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle

page_text: of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HEWING OR WORKING COAL AND
OTHER MINERALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of 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 we, the said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery, do
hereby declare the nature of our 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 accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :--
Our said Invention relates to a peculiar system or mode of combining
machinery for hewing or working coal and metalliferous and other rocks,
whereby a saving of labor and the prevention of "breakage" is effected.
In order that our said Invention may be fully understood; we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose we shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of our Drawings, represents a complete side elevation
of our improved machine; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the same;
Figure 3, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, represents a longitudinal vertical section
of the machine taken through the centre thereof; Figure 4 is a front elevation
of the machine; and Figures 5 and 6 are details on a larger scale of one of
the ratchet wheels and palls employed in working the cutters.
A, A, is the main framing which may be made of wood or metal, it is
mounted upon two axles B, B', on which are keyed the two pairs of running
wheels C, C. Where convenient it is desirable to employ rails or trains and
suitable wheels C, C', to run thereon and to be guided thereby. Dis the
main driving shaft of the machine working in bearings bolted to the end
uprights of the main framing. This shaft carries a fly wheel F, and has two
cranks G, G', formed upon it at right angles to each other; these cranks
transmit motion by means of the connecting rods H, H', to the second motion
rocking shafts I, I', from which shafts are obtained the principal motions
requisite for working the cutters. The machine illustrated by our Drawings
is a double machine, being provided with two sets of vertical and horizontal

page_text: cutters, each set consisting of two vertical cutters and one horizontal cutter
but in some cases we propose to use machines provided with only one set of
vertical and horizontal cutters, such machines resembling the half of the present
machine if divided longitudinally and vertically through the centre. As both
sets of cutters are actuated and operate in a precisely similar manner, although
in opposite directions, it will be simply necessary to describe one set only. On
the rocking shaft I is keyed a double lever arni K, to the upper end of which is
jointed the connecting rod H, whilst the lower end of the arm is jointed to the
link L, which gives motion to the machinery actuating the lower vertical
cutter M. A second lever arm N is also keyed on to the rocking shaft I, its
object being to transmit a similar rocking motion to the upper rocking shaft
O through the vertical link P, which is jointed at it's lower end to the arm N,
and at its upper end to the corresponding lever arm Q keyed on to the shaft O.
This last-mentioned rocking shaft O carries also a double lever arin R similar
to the double lever arm K on the shaft I, herein-before referred to. The
upper end of this double lever arm R is connected by the link S to the ratchet
lever T, which works the horizontal cutter U in the manner herein-after
explained, whilst the lower end of the double lever arm R is connected by the
link V to the ratchet lever W, which in its turn works the upper vertical
cutter X in the manner herein-after explained. The shanks or arms m and x
of the lower and upper vertical cutters are respectively carried by the lower
and upper cutter shafts Y and Z placed horizontally and transversely to the
machine, and the shank u of the horizontal cutter U is carried by the vertical
shaft a situate on one side of the machine. All these cutters are actuated in
a precisely similar manner which will be clearly understood on referring to the
enlarged details at Figures 5 and 6. These Figures represent one of the ratchet
wheels, with its ratchet lever, pall, and catch employed in working the horizontal
cutters, the various parts being shewn in different positions in each view.
a is the shaft, on which the cutter arm or shank is carried; this shaft rocks
in suitable bearings bolted to the main framing, and has keyed on to one end
the ratchet wheel b, a portion only of whose circumference need be provided
with ratchet teeth, whilst the remainder should be left plain, as shewn; T is a
ratchet lever, working loose upon the shaft a, and carrying a pall d, which pivots
on a centre at e in the lever T. The nose of this pall is held in contact with
the ratchet teeth by the blade spring f, one end of which spring bears against
the block 9 fixed in the end of the ratchet lever, whilst the other end. is
secured to the pall; h is a spring catch, also pivotting on a centre at i in the
lever T. The object of this catch is to hold the pall out of action during its
forward stroke, and to release it again or allow it to come into action in the

page_text: return or back stroke, as herein-after fully described. Upon each of the shafts
Y, Y, Z, Z', and a, a', which carry the cutter arms, is coiled a helical spring k
(see Figure 4), one end of which spring is secured to a collar on the shaft,
and the other end to the bearing or to the main framing of the machine. Tho,
tendency of this spring is to turn the cutter shaft, and thereby produce tho
required blow of the cutter, such blow being due not to the positive motion of.
the machine, but to the power of the spring itself, the action of the machine,
being to recoil the springs or reinstate their tension after each blow of the
cutters, and at the same time to bring back the cutters again in readiness for
a fresh stroke, which takes place immediately on the release of the cutter
shaft, effected by throwing the palls & out of action, in manner herein-after-
described. In Figure 5 the pall d is shewn engaged into one of the teeth of.
the ratchet wheel b, and is moving forward in the direction of the arrow,
thereby turning partially the shaft a, which has the effect of coiling the spring k,.
and of bringing back the cutter from the surface upon which it is intended to.
operate. Just before the pall completes its forward stroke its curved or front
end comes in contact with the inclined stop piece n, fixed to any convenient
part of the machine, and is thereby thrown out of gear with the ratchet teeth,.
whereupon the ratchet wheel and cutter shaft being released, the spring k.
comes into action, and by partially rotating the cutter shaft causes the cutter
to make a smart blow upon the surface of the coal, either in a horizontal or
in a vertical direction, according to the position of the cutter in the machine.
So soon as the nose or front end of the pall is thrown out of gear by tho,
stop n, the end of the spring catch h comes over the tail or hinder end of the.
pall, and thereby holds the pall out of action, as shewn in Figure 6, during
the time it is making its back stroke by means of motion. communicated
through the lever arms, link, and crank herein-before described, and whilst
the ratchet wheel and shaft are being acted upon by the helical spring. On the
completion of the back stroke of the pall the tail of the catch h comes in contact
with another fixed stop o, adjusted so as to come into action at the proper time.
The effect of this stop is to disengage the catch from the tail end of the pall,.
and thereby allow the pall under the influence of the spring f to again act,
upon one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel, so as to produce the next forward,
stroke, and so on, the several palls in the machine being thrown alternately in.
and out of action, consequently the series of cutters keep continually striking.
the face of the coal or rock, and entering further therein at each pick or blow.
In order that the actual modus operandi of our machine may be more
clearly understood, we have illustrated the peculiar mode of cutting the coal.
or rock by Diagrams at Figures 7 and 8.

page_text: Figure 7 is a front elevational Diagram of the face of the rock; and
Figure 8 is a sectional plan of the same taken along the bottom or horizontal
cut. The lines a, b, c, d, show the contour of the square block to be detached ;
e, e, are the lateral vertical cuts; and f is the bottom or horizontal cut which
intersects the lateral cuts. The block may be detached in a solid mass after
these cuts are completed, either by blasting or otherwise, as may be thought
desirable, according to the nature of the substance of which it is composed.
When the machine commences to work, the horizontal cutters or picks strike
the face of the coal or rock at the points 1, 1, (Figure 8,) the cutter shanks
or arms being extended from the machine at an angle of about 45°, as shewn
by the red lines in Figure 2. The cutters at each blow remove a small
portion of the coal or rock, and continue to advance along the line 1, 2, until
the whole is cleared away from 1 to 2, the part tinted red in Figure 8 showing
the portion removed by the first complete groove, at the termination of which
the cutter arms will stand at about right angles to the face of the machine, as
shown by the full black lines in Figure 2. As the cutter must always be
carried back by the action of the pall and ratchet from the point at which it
is stopped after making each blow, it is necessary that there should always be
a ratchet tooth in readiness to be engaged by the pall at the termination of its
backward stroke, whatever advance may have been made by the cutter along
its groove or cut since the preceding blow. It is, therefore, evident that there
should be a series of such teeth in the ratchet wheel b, the length of the arc
or segment of ratchet teeth regulating the length of the arc through which
the cutter can be worked effectively. When the cutter has arrived at the end
of its groove, or at the position 2 (Figure 8), the pall will be acting upon the
last of the series of ratchet teeth. The first groove from 1 to 2 having been
thus completed, the cutter arms are to be readjusted, or brought back to the
face of the machine again, in the manner herein-after described, in readiness
to commence a fresh series of blows. The whole machine is then slightly
moved towards the face of the coal or rock by the attendant, who turns the
winch handle p (Figures 1 and 2), and by imparting motion to the hind
axle B of the machine through the intervention of the bevel gearing 9,
produces the desired forward travel of the machine. Another series of blows
is now commenced, whereby the groove made by the first series is deepened
along the line 3-4. The cutters begin by striking the rock at or near the
point 3, and gradually work their way by successive blows until they arrive at
the end of the groove at 4, 4, the portion removed by the second series of cuts
being tinted blue in Figure S. The return or readjustment of the cutters to
their starting point after arriving at the extreme end of each cut is effected in

page_text: the following manner:-The detent r (Figures 1 and 2) is thrown into gear
with the ratchet teeth by pushing forward the handle s, whereupon the action
of the springs is checked, and the pall d consequently at each forward stroke
turns the ratchet wheel and shaft a certain distance, until the cutter arms have
been brought back to their desired starting points again, when the attendant
withdraws the detent 2, and the cutter shafts are left to the action of the
springs again to recommence work. A series of curved grooves, shown by the
dotted lines in Figure 8, are thus made in the direction of the arrows until
the arms have worked to their full depth into the rock, by which time the
whole of the coal or rock will have been removed from the under side of the
block, with the exception of the angular piece 9 (Figure 8), colored green.
The vertical cuts è, e, are made simultaneously, and in a manner precisely
similar to the horizontal cut, the same mechanism and mode of working being
adopted for all the cutters, and the descriptions already given are, therefore,
fully sufficient to render the actions of the other cutters intelligible. By
increasing the length of the segment of ratchet teeth, the arms may be made
to work through a larger space, for example, supposing the segment of teeth
to be one-quarter of the circumference of the ratchet wheel, the arms would
work through a quarter of a circle, but if the segment were. equal to half the
circumference, then the arins might be made to work through a semicircle.
A slight lateral. play is imparted to each cutter arm along a feather on its
shaft, so that the cutter may clear itself, and work more freely by making the
cut rather wider than the actual width of the cutter. The mechanism for
producing this lateral motion is shown at Figures 1, 2, and 4, applied to ono
of the lower vertical cutters only, the transmission of such lateral motion to
the other cutter arms being effected in any convenient manner, as will be
readily understood by the practical mechanic. t is a spur pinion fast on the
main crank shaft, and gearing into the spur wheel t' carried on a stud centre
bolted to the side of the main framing. This wheel has one of its arms
slotted to receive the crank pin v, which pin is capable of adjustment, so as to
obtain a greater or less throw. tu is a connecting rod jointed to the crank
pin v at its upper end, and connected by a universal joint y at its lower end
to the arm z fast on the rocking shaft 1. This shaft is carried in bearings 2, 2,
on the side of the machine, and is provided with a forked arm 3, which
embraces the boss of the cutter arm m³. A rocking motion is thus imparted
to the shaft 1 from the crank pin v, from which shaft is transmitted by means
of the forked arm 3 a to-and-fro lateral motion to the cutter arm along
its shaft.
This machine may obviously be worked in various ways, for example, it may

page_text: be used as a double machine for cutting out an entire block, in the manner
herein-before described, or if a very wide block be desired, then it may be
used in conjunction with another similar machine. Or two machines, each
provided with only one set of cutters may be used, one working at each side
of the block. Again, if it is desired to undercut a long length of surface, a
single horizontal arm (the others being thrown out of action by inserting the
palls r) may be worked from the side of the machine in lieu of from the face
or front thereof, as shewn in the Drawings, in which case the machine is
wheeled along the face of the working as fast as the under cutting proceeds.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe that we make no claim to any of the mechanical
parts separately; but we claim,-
First, the combination of machinery or apparatus for hewing or working
coal and metalliferous and other rocks, herein-before described.
And we also claim, secondly, the working coal and metalliferous and other
rocks by means of cutters or picks, carried by vibrating or reciprocating arms
actuated by springs, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert Ridley and Joseph Rothery,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Twenty-third day of
September, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
RODERT RIDLEY.
(L.S.)
JOSEPH ROTHERY. (L.S.)