IMPROVEMENTS IN DRILL CRAMPS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard James Hodges, of Amherst Road, West Hackney,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRILL
CRAMPS."
Sealed the 24th November 1876, and dated the 27th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard James Hodges at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1876.
RICHARD JAMES HODGES, of Amherst Road, West Hackney, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRILL CRAMPS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in drill cramps, which are specially
applicable when drilling under water, but may also be employed when drilling in
the air, and relates to a novel arrangement of drill cramp for securing the drill in
position against the side or bottom of a ship, or against other surfaces. For this
purpose I fix to the end of a hollow rod or tube a hollow chamber, preferably dome
shaped, and provided around the lip (which may be shaped to suit circumstances)
with an india-rubber or other elastic packing. In the hollow rod or tube is fitted a
piston and piston rod, and near the hollow chamber are arranged suitable inlet and
outlet valves, so that by working the piston to and fro the air or water is exhausted
from the hollow chamber, which thus becomes firmly fixed to the surface to which
it is applied by the external pressure on such hollow chamber. A bar or beam pro-
vided with a screw clamp in its centre is fixed on the hollow rod, and one end of
such bar or beam is provided with a screw, the point of which is screwed tightly
against the surface to which the cramp is applied in order to give rigidity to the
bar. The other end of the bar or beam serves to hold the drill in position against
the surface to be drilled.
In cases where it would be inconvenient to apply a drill cramp arranged as above
described, I employ two sets of pumping or exhausting apparatus in connection with
two hollow chambers, and I employ a cramping beam or bar fixed firmly to each
hollow rod or tube, and fix the drill intermediate of the length thereof.

page_text: This Invention has for its object "Improvements in Drill Cramps," which are
specially applicable when drilling, but may also be used for cramping under water,
and may also be employed when drilling or cramping in the air, and relates to a
novel arrangement of drill cramp for securing the drill in position against the side
or bottom of a ship or other surface. For this purpose I fix to the end of a hollow
rod or tube a hollow chamber, preferably dome shaped, and provided around the lip
(which may be shaped to suit circumstances) with an india-rubber or other elastic
packing. In the hollow rod or tube is-fitted a piston and piston rod, and near the
hollow chamber are arranged suitable inlet and outlet valves, so that by working
the piston to and fro the air or water is exhausted from the hollow chamber, which
thus becomes firmly fixed by the external pressure on such hollow chamber. A bar
or beam provided with a screw clamp in its centre is fixed on the hollow rod or tube,
and one end of such bar or beam is provided with a screw, the point of which is
screwed tightly against the surface to which the cramp is applied in order to give
rigidity to the bar. The other end of the bar or beam serves to hold the drill in
position against the surface to be drilled.
In cases where it would be inconvenient to apply a drill cramp arranged as above
described, I employ two sets of pumping or exhausting apparatus in connection with
two hollow chambers, and I employ a cramping beam or bar fixed firmly to each
hollow rod or tube, and fix the drill intermediate of the length thereof.
Such being the nature of this my Invention, I will now proceed to describe the
same in detail, and in order that the same may be clearly understood I have here-
unto annexed one Sheet of Drawings, and marked the saine with figures and letters
of reference.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a drill cramp constructed according to this my.
Invention. A is the rod or tube attached to the receiver B; C is the bar or beam
attached to the rod or tube A by the clamp D; E is the drill and brace held in
position by one end of the bar or beam; F is the screw inserted through the other
end of the bar or beam to give rigidity and counterbalance the pressure of the drill
brace.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the rod or tube and the receiver. A is the
piston, around which suitable packing is applied to make the piston fit air and
water tight to the inside of the tube; B is a suitable outlet valve to the pump fixed
on the piston A; C is also a suitable outlet valve to the receiver and inlet or suction
valve to the pump; D is the suitable elastic washer around the lip of the receiver,
which serves as an air and water tight joint.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of construction and opera-
tion of this my 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 distinctly under-
stood that I claim, the construction, application, and use of the suction cramp for
drilling and cramping purposes, as herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard James Hodges, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
RICHARD JAMES HODGES. (L.S.)
Witness,
WILLIAM HODGES,
Short-hand Writer,
282, Amhurst Road,
West Hackney,
Middlesex.