IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN BREAKING DOWN OR GETTING COAL
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Gibson Robinson of Barnsley in the County of
York Waterworks Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Gibson Robinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th August 1882.
CHARLES GIBSON ROBINSON of Barnsley in the County of York Waterworks
Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN BREAKING DOWN
OR GETTING COAL "
This Invention consists of improved apparatus for purpose aforesaid the force or
expansion necessary being obtained through the Agency of water or hydraulic
pressure
Apparatus for purpose aforesaid constructed according to this my Invention
consists of a cylinder constructed in two parts or halves longitudinally
In one of the halves are a number of ram cylinders all of which are in communi-
cation or in connection with each other through a waterway, the other half of the
cylinder contains a corresponding number of projections or heads equal to and
which enter the ram cylinders referred to, the complete ram cylinder is mounted
upon the end of a hollow rod or tube and on being inserted in the drill hole formed
in the coal and water pumped through the pipe or tube to the ram cylinders the
halves of the cylinder are forced apart or expanded breaking down the coal
The apparatus can be inserted into any bore hole at an angle so that its force may
be utilized in any required direction according to lay of the coal.

page_text: apparatus has its water supply pipes 5. 5 which are of steel so as to afford the
desired elasticity on the expansion of the apparatus and the necessary after
contraction for returning the rams on the escape of the water.
It will be seen that at the points 13 the projections 7 and rams 8 are bevelled
off forming the equivalent of a knuckle joint so that the part of the apparatus
in contact with the coal which first gives way may expand that is to say that
either end of the apparatus may move outwardly or the two halves may open
parallel-The apparatus is used after "under cutting or slotting" by inserting the
same to the end of a bore hole of depth according to the hardness of coal and by
use of the hydraulic pump.
In some cases the size of the rams may be varied those nearest the end of the
apparatus that is to say nearest the bottom of the bore hole may be the largest, the
others decreasing in size in the direction of the water supply.
The construction of apparatus herein described is inexpensive efficient and free
from complication or liability to get out of order.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this 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 have it understood that I do not lay any claim
to the making of such apparatus in halves or parts and expanding under water
pressure what I do claim is.
The construction of apparatus for purpose herein described in the manner
shewn by the drawings and as herein fully described.
In Witness whereof I the said Charles Gibson Robinson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of February in the Year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
CHARLES GIBSON ROBINSON (L.S.)