IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND WORKING ROCKS AND OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR MINING, TUNNELLING; AND OTHER LIKE OPERATIONS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND WORKING
ROCKS AND OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR MINING,
TUNNELLING; AND OTHER LIKE OPERATIONS."-A communication from
abroad by James Asbury McKean, of Paris,, in the Empire of
France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 8th April 1868!
"
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of. the "International Patent Office;"'.:
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND WORKING
ROCKS AND OTHER HARD SUBSTANCES CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR MINING, TUNNELLING,
AND OTHER LIKE OPERATIONS," a communication, to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery and
apparatus described in the Specifications of Inventions for which
Letters Patent were granted to John Henry Johnson, bearing date the
Sixth day of April, A.D. 1865, No. 981, and to James Asbury McKean,
bearing date the Sixteenth day of September, A.D. 1867, No. 2607.
The said former Specifications set forth a method of cutting and
drilling rocks and other hard substances by the reciprocating action of
drilling or cutting implements, each of which is connected with a
separate piston working in a cylinder into which steam or other fluid is
admitted by a slide valve. The drill is rotated and fed forward
automatically at each stroke of the piston by peculiar devices whose
motion is produced by the reciprocating action of the piston.
The Specifications above referred to also describe means for supporting
and adjusting the drill cylinders upon peculiarly constructed framing,
which allows the machinery to be readily arranged to work at any
desired angle.
My improvements consist in the novel construction of the valve
which admits the steam or other fluid into the cylinder, and in the
peculiar mode of and devices for operating the said valve; in the novel
construction and arrangement of the feeding mechanism; in the mode of
securing the drill or cutting implement in the feed screw or holder; in
the means for more effectually supporting the frame which carries the
drill cylinders; and in the employment of a frame of peculiar con-
struction for supporting the machinery to work in a vertical direction.
The said improvements also consist in various details of construction
and arrangement whereby the machinery is simplified, while its efficiency
and durability are greatly increased.
The valve for admitting the steam or other fluid to the cylinder
is a conical plug which is fitted into a socket or barrel. fixed or
formed in the steam chest. The said valve is formed with side
cavities and with a central aperture arranged in such a mauner in
relation to apertures in the socket, and with ports or passages
communicating with each end of the cylinder, that by turning the valve

page_text: or other
partially round the admission and exhaustion of the steam
fluid is properly effected at each stroke of the piston. This partial
rotation of the valve or plug effected by means of an inclined
guideway which is formed in a slotted bar attached to the end of the
valve rod or spindle which projects through a stuffing box in the steam
chest. The slot or aperture extends through the bar, and its central
part is made inclined while its two ends are parallel with the piston
rod. An inclined stud or projection carried by the piston rod extends
into this slot or aperture, and at each up-and-down stroke of the piston
comes in contact with one side or the other of the inclined portion of
the said aperture and turns the bar and with it the rod and valve
partially round. The outer end of the 'slotted bar is fitted to turn freely
in a bearing forined in a metal ring which is supported by bars or rods
projecting from the cylinder cover. The slotted bar is adjusted upon
the valve rod or spindle to vary the action of the valve by means of set
screws fitted in a socket which connects the said bar to the valve
spindle. The valve or plug is adjusted to keep it tight in its socket by
screws at one or both ends of the said plug or at the end of the slotted
bar. The feed or advance of the drill is effected by means of a nut which
is formed with ratchet teeth and rotated by means of a pawl taking
into the said teeth. The said pawl is fixed on a slide block which works
in an inclined guideway arranged at the side of the piston rod.
I prefer
to support the metal bar in which this guideway is formed in recesses
at the side of the box or socket wherein the feed nut is carried. To
prevent the rotation of the feed screw I form the same with one or
more flat surfaces fitted to correspondingly flat surfaces in the hollow
piston rod. The feed nut is fitted to turn freely in its box or socket,
which is fixed on the end of the piston rod. To allow this box and the
inclined guideway to rotate with the piston rod, the bar in which the
said guideway is formed is attached to a ring or collar fitted to turn
upon the neck of the stuffing box of the cylinder. This attachment is
made by means of a screw rod, whereby the guideway is-adjusted to
regulate the action of the feed and to cause it to take place at any desired
depth of the cut. I prefer to balance the weight of the metal bar in
which the guideway is formed by a bar of iron or other metal
supported on the opposite side of the piston rod by hoops or rings
attached to the guidé bar. At each backward stroke of the piston the
curved guideway acts upon the block which carries the pawl and
thereby turns the feed nut partially round in the proper direction to

page_text: feed the drill forward. The backward rotation cf the feed nut is
prevented by another pawl fixed at the side of the box or socket. Both
of these pawls are kept properly in gear with the teeth of the ratchet
by a curved spring secured in the said socket. The drills or cutting
implements are formed with a taper or conical part, which is fitted into
the end of the feed screw. A rod or stem extends from this conical
portion to the rear end of the feed screw, and is secured therein by a
differential nut with an exterior thread fitted to the interior of the
feed screw or by other suitable means. The driil is kept from turning
independently in the feed screw by a key or feather fitted to its conical
part.
The columnar frame described in the former Specifications above
referred to is provided with telescopic extension pieces whereby the
said frame could be readily adjusted to any inequalities in a shaft or
tunnel. I have found by experience that these extension pieces are liable
to become loose from the vibration of the machinery in working. To
obviate this difficulty I place within each column at the end of the
extension piece an elastic buffer or cushion formed mainly of india-
rubber with exterior metal plates. This buffer presses upon the end of
the extension piece and keeps it from becoming slack during the working
of the machine. To allow the machinery to be more readily adjusted
and supported for drilling in a vertical direction, I secure the cylinder
upon a stand or table provided with three or more adjustable legs. The
upper ends of the said legs are fitted into nuts attached to the table, and
their lower ends are pointed so that they may stand more firmly upon
the rock or other surface. By means of the nuts the legs may be
adjusted to suit any inequalities in such surface.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th October 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors;
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
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 FOR CUTTING AND WORKING ROCKS AND OTHER
HARD SUBSTANCES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR MINING, TUNNELLING, AND OTHER LIKE
OPERATIONS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, 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 William Robert Lake, 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 accompanying
Drawings forming a part of this Specification :-
My Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery and
apparatus described in the Specifications of Inventions for which Letters
Patent were granted to John Henry Johnson, bearing date the Sixth
day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five, No. 981, and to James Asbury McKean, bearing date the
Sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-seven, No. 2607.
The said former Specifications set forth a method of cutting and
drilling rocks and other hard substances by the reciprocating action of
drilling or cutting implements, each of which is connected with a
piston working in a cylinder into which steam or other fluid is admitted
by a slide valve. The drill is rotated and fed forward automatically

page_text: at each stroke of the piston by peculiar devices, whose motion is pro-
duced by the reciprocating action of the piston.
The Specifications above referred to also describe means for sup-
porting and adjusting the drill cylinders upon peculiarly constructed
framing, which allows the machinery to be readily arranged to work
at any desired angle.
My improvements consist in the novel construction of the valve
which admits the steam or other fluid into the cylinder, and in the
peculiar mode of and devices for operating the said valve; in the novel
construction and arrangement of the feeding mechanism; in the mode
of securing the drill or cutting implement; in the feed screw or holder;
in the means for more effectually supporting the frame which carries
the drill cylinders; and in the employment of a frame of peculiar
construction for supporting the machinery to work in a vertical
direction.
The said improvements also consist in various details of construction
and arrangement whereby the machinery is simplified, while its
efficiency and durability are greatly increased.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan of the top of my improved drilling machinery ;
Figure 2 is a side elevation, and Figure 3 an end elevation (partly in
section) of the same; Figure 4 is a section drawn to an enlarged scale
on the line x, x, Figure 1; Figures 5, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, illustrate
detached portions of the said machinery also drawn to an enlarged
scale; Figures 13, 14, and 15 are a plan and elevations illustrating the
arrangement of the said machinery for drilling in a vertical or inclined
direction. Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the
Drawings.
The framing a, cylinder b, piston c, and rod care constructed and
arranged in substantially the same manner as those described in the
former Specifications above referred to. The valve for admitting the
conical plug d, which is fitted
steam or other fluid to the cylinder 6 is a
into a socket or barrel e fixed or formed in the steam chest b'. The
said valve is formed with side cavities d' and with a central aperture d²
arranged in such manner in relation to apertures f in the socket e,
and with ports or passages 9 communicating with each end of the
cylinder b, that by turning the said valve partially round the admission

page_text: and exhaustion of the steam or other fluid is properly effected at each
stroke of the piston c. This partial rotation of the valve or plug dis
effected by means of an inclined guideway h, which is formed in a
slotted bar attached to the end of the valve rod or spindle d³ which
projects through a stuffing box 62 in the steam chest 61. The guideway
or aperture h extends through the bar h¹, and its central part h³ is made
inclined, while its two ends h³ are parallel with the piston rod c¹.
Inclined studs or projections ¹ are formed upon the arm i, which is
carried by the piston rod c¹ and extends into the slot or aperture h.
At each up-and-down stroke of the piston c one of the inclined
projections comes in contact with one or other of the inclines 1, 2,
of the said aperture, and turns the bar h¹ (and with it the rod d³ and
valve d) partially round. The arm and inclined studs are more
clearly illustrated in Figure 7, which is a transverse section on the
line z, z, Figure 4, and Figure 10 is a similar section of the bar h¹.
The outer end of the slotted bar is fitted to turn freely upon the point
of the screw d or in a bearing formed in the metal ring j, which is
supported by bars or rods / projecting from the cylinder cover 63. The
slotted bar his adjusted upon the valve rod or spindle da to vary the
action of the valve d. When the valve d is first put in its place it
will be necessary to set it in such a position with regard to the bar h¹
that the partial rotation imparted to the said bar by the studs or
projections will bring the said valve at each stroke into the proper
position to admit the desired quantity of steam at the required moment
into each end of the cylinder. I prefer that the valve should be so
adjusted with regard to the bar ¹ that the full pressure of steam is
maintained behind the piston c till the blow of the drill is delivered.
I also prefer to admit the steam into the rear end of the cylinder
before the piston reaches the end of its backward stroke. I therefore
adjust the screws which bear upon the web d³ of the rod d³, as
shown in Figure 11 (which is a transverse section on the line y, y,
Figure 4), to bring the said rod into the proper relative position with
regard to the bar h¹. The valve is kept steam-tight in its socket by
means of the screw d and nut d', or by other suitable means. The
rotation of the piston rod and drill is effected by the action of the.
arm in the inclined guideway c³. The arm c² carries the pawl c',
which takes into the teeth of the rack c³ fixed on the end of the piston
rod. At each backward stroke of the piston the end of the arm c³
which lies in the guideway crises ou the incline 3, Figure 12, and

page_text: through the pawl and ratchet turns the piston rod c¹ partially around.
Another pawl may be used to prevent, the return of the rod c¹ as the
arm is turned back in the forward stroke of the piston by, the
incline 4.
These devices for rotating the piston rod' have already been described
in the former Specifications above referred' to, and therefore form, no
part of my present Invention.
The, feed or advance of the drill is. effected by means of a nut n,.
which is, formed with, ratchet, teeth n' and rotated by means of a pawl o
taking into the said teeth.. The said pawl.is, fixed on a slide block: o²,
which works in. an inclined. guideway. p. arranged at, the side of the:
piston rod c. I prefer to support the metal bar p in which this guide-.
way is formed in recesses at the side of the, box or socket 9 wherein
the feed nut n is carried.. To prevent the rotation of the. feed screw,r
independently of the rod c¹ I form, the same; with one or more V-shaped
grooves, fitted to corresponding. V-shaped. projections in the, hollow
piston rod c, see Figures. 4, and 5, the. latter being a, transverse section.
on the line, Figure 4.. The feed uut. n. is fitted, to. turn freely, in
its. box. or socket q, which is fixed on the end of the piston rod c. To
allow this, box and the inclined guideway. p to rotate with the piston.
rod c',, the bar p¹ in, which the said guideway is formed is attached to
a ring or collar p² fitted to turn upon the neck. of: the stuffing box 64-
of the cylinder b. This attachment of, the bar to the collar, is. made
by means, of a rod p³, whereby the guideway, p is. adjusted. endwise,
and held in position. by, screws to regulate the action, of the feed, and
to cause it to take place at any desired depth. of the cut.
These: parts.
are shown, detached in. Figure 9. 1. prefer to balance the weight. of
the metal bar p' in which the. guideway, is formed by a. bar pt of iron
or other metal supported on the opposite side of. the piston rod c¹ by,
hoops or rings, p³ attached to the guide bar pl. At each backward!
stroke of the piston.c the incline. 5 of, the, curved guideway p-acts upon
the block of which carries the pawl o, and thereby turns the feed, nut. n
partially round in the proper direction: to feed the drill t forward. The
backward rotation of the feed nut n, when. the. block. o is. acted on by
the incline 6 of the guideway p at the forward stroke of the piston, is.
prevented by another pawl o³ fixed at the side of the box or. socket q.
Both these pawls are kept properly in gear with the teeth, n¹ of the
feed nut by a curved spring o³ secured in the,said. socket. These pawls.

page_text: and springs, as well as the teeth of the feed nut, are most clearly
shown in Figure 5. The drills or cutting implements are formned
with a taper or conical part t', which is fitted into the end of the
feed screw r.
A rod or stem extends from this conical portion t¹ to
the rear end of the feed screw, and is secured therein by a differential
nut with an exterior thread fitted to the interior of the feed screw r,.
or by other suitable means. The drill is kept from turning indepen-
dently in the feed screw by a key or feather fitted to its conical
part 1.
The columnar frame described in the former Specifications above
referred to is provided with telescopic extension pieces whereby the said
frame could be readily adjusted to any irregularities in a shaft or tunnel.
I have found by experience that these extension pieces are liable to
become loose from the vibration of the machinery in working.
The method I now adopt to obviate this difficulty is illustrated in
Figure 3. I place within each column a*, at the end of the extension.
piece a', an elastic buffer or cushion formed mainly of india-rubber a³,
with exterior metal plates a³ secured by a bolt a' or other suitable
means. These buffers are secured in the columns a* by pins passing
through the holes a³, or by other fastening devices; and when the
screws a are properly adjusted to hold the frame the said buffers press
upon the ends of the extension pieces a¹, and keep them from becoming
slack during the working of the machine. The cylinder 6 is secured
upon the framing a by means of the clamps u and keys u¹, and at its
rear end by the adjustable devices v, as described in the former
Specifications to which I have herein referred.
Instead of using a frame composed of two columns, as shown in the
Drawings, I sometimes employ only one column for supporting the
cylinder. In this case the said column is provided with one centre
or point at the lower end, and its upper end carries a crosshead fitted
with two of such points or centres. A rack is placed on the side of
the column, and the cylinder is raised and lowered by means of a
pinion working in the said rack. To allow the machinery to be more
readily adjusted and supported for drilling in a vertical or nearly
vertical direction, I secure the cylinder 6 upon a stand provided with
three or more adjustable legs, as shewn in Figures 13, 14, and 15.
The stand consists of two pieces a² connected by means of four uprights
or standards bolted at the top and bottom to the pieces . The

page_text: lower one of these pieces is provided with holes at the angles for the
insertion of steel pointed adjusting pins . The upper piece is formed
at one side of the frame with a hole, into which is fitted the trunnion
of the cylinder. The cylinder b is provided with curved arms 65 which
pass through mortises 25. These curved arms move freely in the
mortises when the keys are slackened; by tightening the latter the
curved arms are securely held; and the cylinder is thus firmly secured
in any desired angular position.
.
To adjust the machine for boring at different angles it is only
necessary to slacken the keys 2*, and also the key which holds the
trunnion of the cylinder. The cylinder is then free to turn upon the
said trunnion to any required angular position. It is then made secure
by driving in the keys When the machine is working upon an
inclined surface the pins may be readily removed from the stand,
which may be secured to any suitable support. The stand may also be
provided with a table made in two halves and secured together by
bolts er screws: The upper ends of the legs may bé also fitted into
nuts attached to the said table; their lower ends being provided with
steel points or otherwise formed, so that they may stand firmly upon
the rock or other surface. By means of the nuts the legs may be
adjusted to suit any irregularities in such surface, or to alter the
direction of the drill:
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,―
First: The valve d fitted into the socket e, and with the cavities d
and aperture d² formed to coincide with the apertures f in the said
socket e as the valve is turned in either direction on its axis; sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth:
Second: Turning the said valve oh its axis to open and close the
ports at each end of the cylinder by means of the arm i with its
projections carried by the piston rod c¹, and sliding to and fro in
the inclined guideway háttached to and turning with the valve
spindle d³, substantially as set forth.
Third. The devices for producing the feed or advance of the drill
constructed, combined, and operating together, and in relation to the
other parts of the machinery, substantially in the manner set
forth:

page_text: Forth. Connecting the inclined guideway p to the stuffing box 64
of the cylinder 6 by means of the rod p³ and collar p³, so as to
allow the said guideway and the feed box q to rotate with the
piston.
Fifth. Adjusting the rod p³ by means of screws or other devices,
whereby the guideway p is caused to regulate the feed, substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. Forming the drill with a taper or conical piece t' and with
a rod or stem t², and fitting and securing the same in the feed screw,
substantially as set forth.
Seventh. Providing the extension pieces a¹ of the columns a* with
elastic cushions, and with pins or other fastening devices, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. Supporting the drilling machinery in such a manner that the
drill may be adjusted to operate in either a vertical or inclined position,
substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The drill and cylinder, the valve and the peculiar devices
for operating the same, and the novel devices for producing the feed
of the drill combined together, and with the means for rotating the
piston rod, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. L.S.)
Witness,
THOS. N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
8, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.