Improvements in Dredging Machinery
Year: 1896

page_text: Reprinted as amended in accordance with the decision of the Comptroller. General
dated the 11th day of March 1901
--
"The Amendmis are shown in prosed & italia
Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
'
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Dredging Machinery."
I, FRED LOBNITZ, Director, of Lobnitz and Company, Limited, of Renfrew, in the
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers, and Ship Builders, 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 :-that is to
say-
My said invention has for its object to improve the construction of certain parts of
dredging machinery and consists in providing the--suction--or other-pipes of such
machinery, when operating-by-means of sand pumps, with improved flexible joints
or-connections-and in protecting the joints of the discharging doors of the hopper
apparatus.
Parts of dredging machinery as made according to the invention are shown on two
accompanying sheets of explanatory on the drawings annexed. Figures, 1, and 2, on
Sheet, 1, thereof being respectively a-partial-end-elevation-and-a-side-elevation-of
one-modification-of-the-improved pipe joint or connection. Figures, 3, and 4, are
respectively a plan and a side elevation of another modification of the improved pipe
joint-or-connection. Figure, 1 5,-on-sheet, 2, is a vertical section of parts of hopper
discharging doors showing the application of the protecting device. In these drawings
the-same-reference letters are-used to mark-the-same-or-like-parts--wherever they
are-repeated.
As shown in Figures, 1, and 2, the-outboard portion-of-the-snotion-pipe,-A, which
is-elose-to-the-ship's-side, has the--next outer or lower length of pipe, B,-connected
to-it-in-a-manner allowing-of the-latter-moving in any direction-instead of vertically
only as heretofore. The-flexible joint-consists in connecting the--ends of the
pipes, A,B,-by a short-sleeve,--C,-of-leather, rubber, or other-suitable flexible
material, the-pipe-ends-being-a-short distance-apart, and the flexible-material-being
fixed-to- the pipe-ends by metal bands or wire, or in any other suitable manner.
The end of the outer pipe-longth, B, has-fixed to-it-a-pair of diametrically opposite
eurved-arms, D,-the-ends of which are jointed to a ring, E, concentric-with-the-pipe,
and-provided with a journal pin, F, on each side-a-quarter-round from each arm
joint. The journal pins, F, are-held in longitudinal-slots, G, of any suitable-length
(or they might be simply centered) in a bracket, H, of steel or iron fixed to the ship's
side. The-combination-of-the-parts described-forms-a-universal joint which permits
of the outer-pipe-length, B, being-deflected in-any direction-to-a certain-extent from
the pipe, A, which is fixed. This-improved pipe-joint or connection is applicable
with--apparatus described in Henry Christain-Lobnitz' Patent--Specification
No.-10,268-of-1801, for taking on board-the-outboard-suction-pipes.
When--discharging the dredged sand-through-piping extending often, to-a-con-
siderable-distance, the lengths of-such-piping-being supported-by-pontoons (such as

page_text: the bhown in Figures, 3, and 4) it is advantageons to connect the pipe lengths
by flexible joints to give some freedom of movement and to avoid strains which
motion of the water might otherwise produce. For this purpose-the-pipe-lengthe
ara-connected by substantially the came joint that has been hereinbefore-described.
In this application the-end of each pipe-length, B1, B2, is connected-to-the-ring, E,
by a pair of arms, D,-those-of-one pipe length being at right-angles to those of the
other. The pipe-ends-may also-be-connected to the-ring, E, by chains, K, or by rods
or-other-connections-which-limit-the-extent-of deflection.
In connection with the hopper parts of dredging machinery difficulty. has been
experienced in keeping the joints of the discharging doors sand tight." For this
purpose I fit in connection with the discharging doors the improved joint protecting
appliances shown in Figure, 5. 1. To the inner side of the frame piece, V, to which a
discharging door, L, is hinged, there is fixed a wooden or it might be metallic
support or bearing piece, U, and to this a piece, M, of rubber or other suitable flexible
material is fixed by means of a metal bar, N, or otherwise. The piece of rubber M,
hangs in a manner downwards being partly supported by a curved plate, P, fixed to
the framing and it is protected by a fixed metal guard, Q, which protects it from the
abrading action of the sand when discharging.
To the bottom of a frame bar, R, up against which the door, L, closes, a curved
piece of rubber, S, or other suitable flexible material is fixed by means of a metal
bar, T, against which the door edge may bear when closed. From its position under
the frame bar, R, the flexible piece, S, is protected from the abraiding action of the
sand when discharging. When the door, L, is slightly depressed by the load on it,
the edges of the flexible cup-joint pieces, M, and S, tend to assume the respective
positions indicated by dotted lines, and prevent and from beginning to escape at
the joints.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1 In-sand pump dredging-machinery-the-improved-construction of flexible pipe
joint or connection-substantially as and-for-the purposes hereinbefore described and
as shown in Figures, 1, to-4, of the accompanying drawings.
In connection with the hopper discharging doors of dredging machinery fixing
pieces of flexible material to prevent leakage of sand at the joints of the doors, such
pieces being placed and protected in a manner to avoid abrasion by sand substantially as
herein before described and as shown. in Figure, o, of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this Twentieth day of October, 1896.
EDMUND HUNT.
Applicant's Agent.