Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Loading of Vessels and the Transfer of Coal and Railway Wagons.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Loading of Vessels
and the Transfer of Coal and Railway Wagons.
I GEORGE TAYLOR of Penarth, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improved facilities in connection with the loading of vessels
and has special reference to the transferring and discharging of railway wagons and
the conveyance of coal therefrom to the hatchways and hold.
The object of the first part of the invention is to enable a given extent of dock or
wharf to accommodate an increased number of vessels and afford facilities for the
erection of coal staiths and other machinery for loading or discharging then.
At intervals along the wharf and at a short distance froin the quay wall I place a
short pier parallel with the quay and constructed of wood, iron, or masonry. On this
pier I place a movable coal staith or other machinery and I provide a movable con-
necting bridge or platform, with rails thereon, extending from the quay to the pier
for the purpose of transferring railway wagons to and from the wharf sidings and the
pier and staith. The distance between the pier and quay wall is sufficient for a
vessel to lie between them to load or discharge alongside the quay as usual, and the
connecting platform being movable can be adjusted not to interfere with the vessel
lying at the quay, and also to serve for supplying coal to the movable staith on the
pier for shipment into another vessel lying outside the pier. The connecting platform
may be constructed as a girder bridge supported at its ends on wheels travelling on
rails on the pier and quay parallel with the length of the latter, or it may travel on
curved rails and be associated by pivots or otherwise with terminal railway lines at
intervals on the quay by means of transferring apparatus consisting of turntables or
transferring platforms capable of adjustment to suit the rails on the quay and those
on the connecting platform. The transferring apparatus may also be movable on
straight or curved lines to coincide with the position of the connecting platform.
In one arrangement I combine a turntable with a length of rail platform in an adjustable
framing and the latter may turn on a centre or point near the platform end thereof.
This combined apparatus is furnished with supplemental rails and its object is to enable
wagons to be transferred by one turntable to double lines of rail on the connecting
platform if required.
The next part of the invention relates to the transferring of coal from movable or
fixed staiths and railway wagons to the vessel and is capable of different modifications
according to circumstances, but under the mode I prefer use a steel or iron shoot
formed of two sides and a floor rivetted together with angle iron or otherwise. The
floor is of the same width throughout instead of tapering to the point. This brings
the sides parallel with each other and suits them for forming ways and guides for sup-
porting the wheels of a travelling carriage which runs above the shoot from end to
end and carries at each side one or more hangers or suspenders outside the sides of
the shoot for supporting one or more shafts or transverse girders, or a framing
extending under the bottom of the shoot from side to side. The travelling carriage
conveys the suspended loaded box from the wagon or staith to the hatchway and
lowers it into the hold, and is provided with sheaves over which chains or wire ropes
pass from the box to sheaves at the end of the shoot and thence to guide sheaves at the
top of the staith or to the sheaves of two or more hydraulic rams on the staith for
raising and lowering the box and operating appliances connected with its loading and
discharge. From the rams the chains are carried by guide sheaves to the lower part
of the staith and to others at the end of the shoot and thence to the travelling carriage
or its appliances to which their ends are secured. The sheaves at the lower part of

page_text: the staith or those at the end of the shoot will be chain wheels capable of engaging
with the chains and of acting as brakes for arresting or checking their motion and
that of the box, and they may also be operated by hydraulic power and be used as
driving wheels for operating the chains to work the carriage and box to and fro
between the staith and the hatchway.
To adapt a shoot wide enough to receive the end of the tilted railway wagon for
working a box small enough to pass through hatchways into the hold of the vessel, I
put the sheaves which come next to the box at points on the suspended shaft or framing
bringing them wholly or partially below the shoot floor which I place at some distance
up from the bottom of the sides to allow space for the passage of the sheaves to and
fro with the carriage and box, but in the case of a box wide enough for the suspension
chains to rise vertically from it at each side without coming in contact with the
sides of the shoot, the box sheaves and chains may be at the sides instead of under-
neath the shoot. The sheaves and chains may also be arranged in this way if the
shoot except at the staith end, where the end of the wagon comes into it is made of
less width than the box; so that the sheaves and chains from the latter can pass vertically
to the carriage without coming in contact with the shoot. To lead chains from the
side of a shoot to a box underneath the shoot I may however use guide sheaves
mounted in a transverse position in order to connect the side chains with the box.
At the staith end of the shoot I make a portion of the floor of the latter removable
and I provide a fixed or movable hopper or frame with guide plates to suit for con-
ducting the coal from the wagon through the opening formed in the shoot floor to
the box. The hopper or guide frame may have flat or curved flaps or plates bent
upwards at their ends arranged singly or in pairs for letting the coal down gently into
the box, or I may for this purpose use one or a pair of lowering pans or plates capable
of being let down into the box and of being raised in a straight line or rotated on a
centre for removal from the box. The apparatus for letting the coal down into the box
may be secured in slots or otherwise to the shoot or hopper or attached to a frame
arranged to travel to and fro simultaneously with the carriage and independently of,
or in conjunction with, the hopper or frame. When so arranged, the apparatus may
be disengaged from the box by lowering the latter instead of raising or rotating the
former. By another system I attach the chains to fixed points on the hydraulic
cylinders or staith and pass them over the sheaves of their respective rams to guide
sheaves leading to the chain wheels at the lower part of the staith, thence over the sheaves
at the staith end of the shoot to sheaves on the carriage from which I lead them
downwards under sheaves on the box and bring them up to other sheaves on the
carriage, thence to sheaves at the point of, the shoot and back over guide sheaves to
their proper ram sheaves over which they pass and their ends are then made fast.
The box is thus free to be traversed to and fro suspended in a loop of the chains,
without setting in motion the sheaves or chains other than those of the carriage and
box. The shoot may be raised and lowered and kept in position to suit the height
of the vessel, in the usual or any convenient way as the chain gearing and other
appliances for working the box are arranged to allow the changes of position to be
mado. The sides of the shoot may be of the same depth throughout, or they may be
lower at the point end to form an incline for passing the box outwards by gravity.
I purpose providing means for inclining the box for receiving its load from the
wagon so that the coal will slide over the side of the box to prevent breakage. These
means may consist of stops at the staith end of the shoot for arresting the motion of
the bottom part of the box whilst the upper part thereof is carried onwards by the
carriage or otherwise in such way that some of the upper portion may pass through
the opening in the floor of the shoot and come into position for receiving the coal
from the wagon,direct or by means of one or other of the appliances herein before
referred to in connection with the filling of boxes. For using the shoot in the ordinary
way by letting the coal run over it from the staith to the hatchway, the box is
disengaged and removed and the travelling carriage and the adjustable portion of the
floor plate being secured in their proper places, the shoot is moved into the inclined
position and the loading can be effected in the ordinary manner. instead of by a box.

page_text: The apparatus embraced in this part of the invention is designed to afford the
option of shipment by either box or shoot, but in cases where the loading is required
to be by box only, a pair of girders secured together may be substituted for the shoot
and be used with chain hydraulic and other gearing and appliances similar to those
arranged for the shoot.
My Invention further comprises a box and appliances specially designed for use
with a shoot such as described but also suitable for use with hoists and cranes and for
other purposes than the shipment of coal, particularly where it is required to transfor
substances liable to injury from breakage. Ono form of the box for this purpose con-
sists of two opposite fixed side plates of steel or iron rectangular in shape, suitably
stiffened with angle, channel, or bar iron and secured together at or near their upper
parts by two connecting plates similarly stiffened and which may be of the same
width as the fixed side plates and about one-fourth or one-third of their vertical
length. At the lower part, the fixed side plates are secured together at the same
distance apart by a pair of channel irons or otherwise. At the bottom there may bo
horizontal corner or strengthening plates for keeping the box stiff and square.
For preventing breakage or injury to the contents of the box in the process of
filling it, I horizontally hinge a pair of movable side-plates at the top of the upper
connecting plates or attach them by pivots working in a slot. These movable side
plates form two sides of the box and each is in two (or more) parts divided horizontally.
In this way the four sides of the box comprise two fixed side plates and two movable
side plates suspended from their pivots. The movable side plates are of a width to
suit the distance apart of the fixed side plates and to admit of their moving between
them. The two parts of each movable side plate are hinged together horizontally.
When the upper parts of each are raised to a position approximately horizontal they
meet together at or near the top of the box (or may overlap) and constitute a platform
for receiving the coal from a railway wagon or otherwise. The bottom of the box is
not attached to the fixed side plates but moves between them and is adjustably con-
nected with the movable side plates. It may consist of two inclined planes of steel
plate with side pieces framed together with angle iron and having a sufficient fall
towards the inovable side plates for coal to slide off from them. If desired, a portion
of the inclined plates may be formed of iron bars (instead of plate) for screening in
which case a plate would be provided below, forming a chamber for the small coal
and having flap doors opening downwards for letting it out. At each of the four
corners of the bottom, I provide appliances for keeping it in proper position and for
connecting it adjustably or otherwise with the lower parts of the movable side plates,
so that in conjunction with the fixed side plates the apparatus shall form a box
capable of being varied in size and shape according to the position of the bottom, the
intention being that when the bottom is at the lowest point the box shall be of a shape
closely resembling that of an ordinary box, and that by raising the bottom the
central hinge of the movable side plates shall be caused to go towards the vertical
centre of the box in order that when the parts of the plates that are pivotted to the
top of the box meet each other they shall make an approximately borizontal platform
at the top of the box for receiving coal as before stated. These appliances may con-
sist of projections or brackets fixed to the corners of the bottom and having arms for
working against the sides of the box as guides to keep the bottom in position and
also for engaging with the movable side plates either in slots or grooves or to form
hinges for keeping them in close contact with the bottom. To increase the depth of
the box the movable side plates may be made longer and the arms of the projecting
brackets are arranged to work in the slots to admit of the bottom being lowered
further down and still retain its connection with the plates. The box may be emptied
by allowing the lower part of the movable side plate to open outwards from the box.
This may be done by leaving the slots or grooves open at the bottom so that the
engaging arms pass out of them when the bottom is lowered for the purpose, and on
the completion of the discharge the plates fall back into position for reengagement
with the arms on the bottom being raised. The two inclined planes of the bottom

page_text: may.however be hinged at their top ends as flaps and on letting down the other ends
of these the discharge will take place through an opening in the bottom."
Instead of each movable side plate having only two parts, it may consist of a
series of them hinged or pivotted together and somewhat resembling the side of a
bellows or concertina, the top member of the series being pivotted to fixed side plates
and the others having appliances which may be pivots or projecting arms working in
channel iron or other guides for keeping them in position and regulating their inove-
ment as the bottom is raised or lowered.
The bottom may be formed of a framing and horizontal plates arranged as flaps
instead of the two inclines.
The raising and lowering of the bottom are effected by any suitable means but I
prefer chains or wire ropes attached to the corners and passing over guide sheaves
on the box to the sheaves of the travelling carriage shoot and rams herein referred to
for, operating boxes, the special motions required for actuating the bottom being
obtained by interposing a special ram. When wire ropes are used a pair of them
may work over the same sheave by having double grooves.
The raising and lowering of the bottom and the working of the sides may also be
effected by independent chains worked by hydraulic power and having hooks for
attachment to the bottom for lifting prior to filling, and by letting the water out of
the cylinders the descent of the bottom and sides is regulated, the hooks being dis-
engaged when the box is full. The sheaves and chains for the purpose may thus be
dispensed with from the shoot.
Dated this 10th day of Tanu 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Loading of Vessels
and the Transfer of Coal and Railway Wagons.
I, GEORGE TAYLOR, of Penarth, in the County of Glamorgan, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improved facilities in connection with the loading of vessels,
and has special reference to the transferring and discharging of railway wagons and
the conveyance of coal therefrom to the hatchways and hold.
The object of the first part of the invention is to enable a given extent of dock or
wharf to accommodate an increased number of vessels, and afford facilities for the
erection of coal staiths and other machinery for loading or discharging them.
At a short distance from and parallel with the quay wall 1 place at intervals a
short pier constructed of wood iron or masonry, on which a movable staith or other
machinery may be placed; and I provide a movable connecting bridge or platform
for the purpose of transferring railway. wagons between the wharf sidings and the
pier or staith.
Sufficient distance is left between the quay and the pier for a vessel to lie between
them to load or discharge alongside the quay; and the connecting bridge is movable
to enable its position to be adjusted not to interfere with vessels at the quay and also
to suit the batchways of a vessel lying at the pier. The connecting bridge is
supported on wheels travelling on rails placed parallel with the pier and quay, and
is associated with railway lines on the latter by means of transferring apparatus
consisting of turntables or transferring platforms, capable of adjustment to suit the
rails of the railway siding and those on the connecting platform. The transferring
apparatus is movable to coincide with the position of the connecting bridge. In one
arrangement I combine a turntable, with a length of rail platform in an adjustable

page_text: framing, and the latter may turn on a centre or pivot near the platform end thereof.
This combined apparatus is furnished with supplemental rails, and its object is to
enable wagons to be transferred by one turntable to double lines of rails on the
connecting platform.
The next part of the invention relates to the transferring of coal from movable or
fixed staith sand railway wagons to the vessel, and is capable of different modifications
according to circumstances; but under the mode I prefer I use a steel or iron shoot.
formed of two sides and a floor rivetted together with angle-iron or otherwise. The
sides are parallel and form ways and guides for supporting the wheels of a travelling
carriage which runs above the shoot from end to end and carries at each side one or
more hangers or suspenders, outside the sides of the shoot, for supporting one or more
shafts and convoying a suspended box, loaded from the wagon or staith, to the
hatchway and lowering it into the hold. The travelling carriage is provided with
sheaves over which chains or wire ropes pass from the box to sheaves at the end of
the shoot, and over guide sheaves at the top of the staith to the sheaves of hydraulic
rams on the staith for raising and lowering the box, and operating appliances connected
with its loading and discharge. From the rams the chains are carried to guide
sheaves at the lower part of the staith and to others at the end of the shoot and
thence to the travelling carriage or its appliances, to which their ends are. secured.
The sheaves at the lower part of the staith, over which the chains pass that are
attached to the box, may be chain wheels capable of engaging with the chains and of
acting as brakes for arresting or checking their motion and that of the box ; and they
may be operated by hydraulic power and be used as driving wheels for operating
the chains to work the carriage and box to and fro between the staith and the
hatchway.
At the staith end of the shoot a portion of the floor of the latter is removable, and
a hopper or frame with guide plates is provided for conducting the coal from the
wagon through the opening formed in the shoot floor to the box.
By another system I attach the chains to fixed points on the hydraulic cylinders or
staith and pass them over the sheaves of their respective rams to guide sheaves leading
to the sheaves or chain wheels at the lower part of the staith, thence over the sheaves
at the staith end of the shoot to sheaves on the carriage, from which I lead them
downwards under sheaves on the box and bring them up to other sheaves on the
carriage, thence to sheaves at the point of the shoot and back over guide sheaves at
the top of the staith to their proper ram sheaves over which they pass and their ends
are then made fast. The box is thus free to be traversed to and fro suspended in a
loop of the chains without setting in motion the sheaves or chains other than those
of the carriage and box.
The shoot may be raised and lowered and kept in position to suit the height of
the vessel in the usual or any convenient way, as the chain gearing and other
appliances for working the box are arranged to allow the changes of position to
be made.
The sides of the shoot may be of the same depth throughout or they may be lower
at the point end to form an incline for passing the box outwards by gravity.
For using the shoot in the ordinary way by letting the coal run over it from the
staith to the hatchway the box is disengaged and removed. The shoot is then placed
in the usual inclined position, and the loading can be effected in the ordinary manner
instead of by a box.
The apparatus embraced in this part of the invention is intended to afford the
option of shipment by either box or shoot, but in cases where the loading is required
to be by box only, a pair of girders secured together may be substituted for the
shoot, and be used with chain hydraulic and other gearing and appliances similar to
those arranged for the shoot.
My invention further comprises a box (which I term an anti-breakage box) and
appliances specially designed for use with a shoot such as herein described for the
shipment of coal. The anti-breakage box and appliances are also suitable for other

page_text: purposes particularly where it is required to transfer substances liable to injury from
breakage.
The box is capable of certain modifications, and one form of it consists of two
opposite side plates of steel or iron, secured together at their upper parts by two
connecting plates, which may be of about the same width as the side plates and about
one fourth or one third of their vertical length. At the lower part the side plates
are secured together at the same distance apart by a pair of channel irons or
connecting plates. At the bottom there may be horizontal corner or strengthening
plates for keeping the box stiff and square.
For preventing breakage or injury to the contents of the box in the process of
filling horizontally hinge a pair of movable side plates at the top of the upper
.connecting plates, or attach them by pivots. These movable side plates form two
sides of the box and each is in two (or more) parts divided horizontally. In this
way the four sides of the box comprise two side plates an two movable sides
suspended from their pivots. The movable sides are of a width to suit the distance
apart of the side plates, and to admit of their moving between them. The two parts
of each movable side are hinged together horizontally. When the upper parts of
each are raised to a position approximately horizontal they meet together at or near
the top of the box, and constitute a platform for receiving th coal from a railway
wagon or otherwise. The bottom of the box is not attached to the side plates, but
moves between them, and is in some cases adjustably connected with the movable
sides. It may consist of two inclined planes of steel plate having a sufficient fall
towards the movable sides for coal to slide off from them. If desired a portion of
these inclined planes may be formed of iron bars for screening in which case a plate
would be provided below forming a chamber for receiving the small coal, and having
flap.doors opening downwards for letting it out. At each of the four corners of the
bottom I provide appliances for keeping it in proper position, and for connecting it
adjustably or otherwise with the lower parts of the movable sides, so that in conjunction
with the side plates the apparatus shall form a box capable of being varied in size
and shape according to the position of the bottom, the intention being that when the
bottom is at the lowest point the box shall be of a shape closely resembling that of
an ordinary box, and that by raising the bottom the central hinges of the movable
sides shall be caused to go towards the vertical centre of the box in order that when
the parts of the movable sides that are pivotted to the top of the box meet each other
they shall make an approximately horizontal platform at the top of the box for
receiving coal as before stated. These appliances may consist of projections or
brackets fixed to the corners of the bottom, and having arms for working against
the sides of the box as guides to keep the bottom in position, and also for engaging
with the movable sides, either in slots or grooves, or to form hinges for keeping
them in close contact with the bottom. To increase the depth of the box the movablo
sides may be made longer, and the arms of the projecting brackets are arranged to
work in the slots to admit of the bottom being lowered further down and still retain
its connection with the plates. The box may be emptied by allowing the lower plates
of the movable sides to open outwards from the box, which may be done by leaving
the slots or grooves open at the bottom so that the engaging arms pass out of them
when the bottom is lowered for the purpose and on the completion of the discharge
the plates fall back into position for reengagment with the arms on the bottom being
raised.
,
The two inclined planes of the bottom may, however, be hinged at their top ends
as.flaps.; and on letting down the other ends of these the discharge will take place
through an opening in the bottom.
The raising and lowering of the bottom are effected by any suitable means, but I
prefer chains or wire ropes attached to the corners and passing thence to the travelling
carriage shoot and rams herein referred to for operating boxes, the special motions
required for actuating the bottom being obtained by interposing
a ram for that
purpose.

page_text: In order that the invention may be clearly understood I give illustrations relating
to it in the accompanying drawings and the following are descriptive particulars having
reference thereto.
Figs. 1 to 4 relate to the first part of the invention, the object of which is to give
increased dock accommodation and to afford improved facilities for the erection and
working of machinery for loading and discharging vessels and for transferring railway
wagons. Fig. 1 is a plan illustrating the general arrangement. A A are railway
lines or sidings which may
either be high or low level. These lines as well as the wharf
coping A' and the pier A2 are parallel. The pier is preferably a platform or staging
of timber constructed on piles and is placed a suitable distance from the quay wall to
give sufficient intervening water space for the width of a vessel to come between the
quay and the pier. A³ is a connecting platform extending from railway sidings on
the wharf or high level to the pier and is of similar construction to an iron girder
bridge, having a pair of side girders A' with transverse girders between them which
support one or a pair of railway lines A for communicating between the wharf or
high level railway and the pier. It is supported at each end by wheels A6 running
on rails or ways A' on the wharf and on the pier for the purpose of enabling the
structure to be moved in a direction coincident with the length of the quay and pier.
If desired there may be intermediate supporting wheels running on ways or rails
parallel with those A7. The pier corresponds in height with the wharf and when the.
railways are low level the rails A' for the ends of the connecting platform are laid
on the wharf and pier and arranged so that the surface of the rails on the platform
shall match in level with that of the rails of the railway sidings.
When the railway is high level the rail A' for supporting the sidings end of the
connecting platform is laid on the high level staging, the surface of the rails on the..
platform matching with that of the rails of the high level siding. The rail A' for
the pier end is either laid on a supporting framework of iron or timber erected.
for the purpose on the pier and corresponding in height with the high level staging,
or the connecting platform may at the pier end be supported on a timber or
iron framework mounted on wheels, the rail A' being in that case laid on
the pier.
al
At the pier end of the connecting platform there may be transferring apparatus
such as is hereinafter referred to for enabling railway wagons to be passed to and
from railway rails, or the wagons may be passed direct from the connecting bridge
to a movable staith or other machinery on the pier for loading or discharging
vessel lying at the outer side of the pier. At the railway siding end of the connecting
bridge there is movable transferring apparatus for passing wagons to or from the.
railway siding so as to establish communication for railway wagons at variable points
along the wharf or sidings and pier. Instead of using a movable staith or tip
on the pier for shipping coal the connecting bridge may, at that end, have machinery
of its own for the purpose, as in the case of the connecting bridge and apparatus
described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 4231 of 1888 granted to me.
The. outer end of the connecting bridge may of course be placed on rails on the wharf
or coping instead of on the piles or pier staging.
•
Fig. 2 is a plan and Fig. 3 a sectional end view of a movable iurntable for trans-
ferring railway wagons. A. A. are the railway lines of the wharf or high level
staging on which the wagons arrive, and from which they have to be transferred at
variable points to the connecting bridge in order to suit the vessel and hatchways.
B is a ring or path on which rollers B₁ supporting a turntable platform B² revolve.
This ring is of bridge section, but at the points where it crosses the railway lines A A
its, flanges are bent upwards and widened and thickened so as to merge into the central
or path portion of the ring and form bridges (across the railway rails), of which the
upper. parts consist of strong flat plates resting on the lines A and having their upper.
surface level with the other parts of the circular path, so that the rollers B₁ may run
thereon. This ring path has wooden blocks attached underneath and resting on
longitudinal baulks B at the sides of the railway, and B if desired, at the centre, and
also on the sleepers B. B7 are extensions from the ring path and at their outer ends

page_text: incline rails, or ramps, are hinged or adjustably attached to form ways over, which
the wheels of the wagons may pass from the rails of the siding to those of the turntable
and vice versa.
Care small wheels or rollers on axles Cthe ends of which are
placed in vertical slots. When the turntable is in use these wheels do not support it
but when it is to be moved the screws (2 which pass down through a plate attached to
the ring path so that their ends rest on the axles or bearings of the wheels C are
turned and raise the turntable off from its supports and it can then travel on the
wheels C which run on a path on the sleepers B. The turning platform B is formed
of a horizontal plate C³ having turned down sides which carry strong angle irons C
with bars C thercon forming paths for receiving and supporting the wheels of the
wagon. The platform has ends C and a pair of transverse girders in the middle with
a socket fixed between them for receiving the central pivot the lower end of which
is fixed in a girder or framing attached to the inner sides of the ring path B. The
connecting bridge is placed so that the rails thereon shall meet those on the turntable
platform and be coincident in level therewith. The connecting bridge has stops at
its end for keeping the turntable firmly in position for transferring.
Fig. 4 is a plan of a movable transferring platform for transferring wagons from
different railway lines to double lines on the connecting bridge. D is a ring path on which
the wheels D at the outer end of the transferring platform travel. A portion of this
ring path Doverlaps the end of the connecting bridge and may be fixed thereon the other'
portion being in that case secured by hinges at the end of the connecting bridge for
enabling it to be raised off from the railway lines to be moved with the bridge. The
ring path may have supports underneath such as those described herein with referenco
to the ring path of the movable turntable and may also be supported by wheels in a
similar way. The interior of the ring path has girders or stays D2 extending from it
to the Centre at which a pivot D³ is fixed thereto. The adjacent end of the platform D₁
is attached to this pivot and supported on wheels travelling on a circular path laid on
the girder stays D2 the opposite end being supported on the wheels D' as before stated.
The outer edge of the platform D* must be a curve of a circle having the pivot D³ as
its centre, and the rails A5 of the connecting bridge must be cut off to suit this curve.
The rails D on the transferring platform and those De on the turntable. thereof are
at the same level as those A on the connecting bridge and wagons are passed from
the siding rails A to the rails of the transferring platform by means of incline rails
or ramps. Wagons may be transferred by placing the transferring platform so that the
centre pivot D of the turning platform D is at the centre of the pair of rails from or to
which the wagon is to be passed. The supplemental rails D' are fixed at points on the
platform D to match with the rails of the sidings and connecting bridge. Instead of
placing the central pivot D³ between the two pairs of railway lines A it may be placed
centrally between the rails of either pair or it may be placed on the connecting bridge
between the two rails of a pair thereon. In this modification the path supporting the
rollers D forms a segment of a circle having the pivot D³ as its centre and by fixing this
pivot on the connecting bridge and suiting the length of the transferring platform D' so
that the pivot D' of the turning platform reaches the centre line of the pair of rails A
furthest from the connecting bridge wagons may be passed from either pair of rails
over the transferring platform to the connecting bridge.
Fig. 5 is a sido elevation Fig. 6 a plan and Figs. 7 and 8 front views of a girder-
shoot according to one of the modifications of which my invention is capable.
EE are sides of the shoot, which are of girder-like construction; consisting of web
plates with angle iron rivetted thereto and also to upper and lower flange plates. The
side plates E are further stiffened by lengths of T or angle iron E'. The sides are
parallel and may either be of uniform distanco from each other or be wider apart at
the back end of the shoot as shewn by Figs. 5 and 6. The widest part (seen in plan
Fig. 6) is intended to give sufficient space to receive the end of the wagon E when
being tipped for discharging; and the next portion (over which the travelling carriage
is represented) must be wide enough to allow the wagon door to move within it. At
the back end of the shoot the side plates are bolted to a transverse girder E3³ of box
or other suitable section, having shafts E at each end. The sides of the shoot' are

page_text: connected together by a fixed floor E³ of plate iron secured to the bottom flanges of
the sides and strengthened by transverse lengths of T or angle iron E and E. Tho
fixed floor extends from the point end of the shoot backwards to the angle or
Tiron E with the exception of a screening space filled up by an ordinary screen Es
fixed in the shoot in the usual way. A space next the termination at E7 of the fixed
floor Es is filled up by a movable screeu E' consisting of ordinary bars set in a frame
which rests on supports fixed to the side plates, so that the upper surface of the screen
is flush with that of the floor E. In order to avoid any projection on that part of the
shoot sides where the wagon door passes, the back part of the screen E may have
extended ends resting on brackets attached to the widest part of the shoot. The
space between the back of the screen E and the back end of the shoot is filled up by a
movable section of floor plate F of which one half is shewn in the plan, strengthened
underneath by angle or channel iron. This section of floor plate rests upon angle or
bar iron supports attached to the shoot sides to keep it in place so that its surface is
flush with that of the screen E' and floor plate E. The screen E⁹ and floor plate
section F are free to be raised from their supports and may be lifted by a chain or
any convenient method and placed on the floor E. When the screen E' and the
floor plate section F are thus removed there is an open space of which one half FI
is shewn in Fig. 6. A vertical plate F2 is secured by angle irons to the sides of the
shoot and rivetted to the angle or Tiron E' affixed to the floor plate E³. A gusset
piece F³ at each side may be rivetted to the floor plate E' and the vertical plate F².
The open space F1 is for the passage of coal to the anti-breakage box F from the
wagon E3 which is being discharged on the tipping platform F5 of any ordinary or
suitable staith or tip of which F are portions of the front legs.
The anti-breakage box F4 hereinafter described is supported and operated by
chains or wire ropes leading therefrom to a travelling carriage above, having
sheaves F and FS supported by hangers or side plates F. The wheels G of the
travelling carriage are fixed on their shafts G¹ from the ends of which the hangers F
are suspended. The wheels of the travelling carriage run on ways G² which may
consist of angle iron secured by one flange to the top of the shoot sides, the other
flange standing up as a guide for the wheels, or they may be lengths of bar iron
for the paths with angle-iron secured alongside as guides. These ways are curved
upwards at each end to form stops and prevent the carriage from going too far.
The parts of the ways that are adjacent to the widened portions of the shoot are
supported on angle-irons or brackets bolted to the inner sides of the shoot.
A pair of standards G3 are bolted to the front end of the shoot sides for the
purpose of mounting the shaft G and forming a point at which the supporting
chains G may be attached. The shaft G is fixed in the standards and forms a tie which
keeps the shoot sides in position. On the projecting ends of this shaft the sheaves Go
and G revolve. At each side of the shoot at the back end a plate G8 is bolted or
otherwise attached outside; and a plate G fixed at the top of the shoot side. These
plates are secured together by a shaft H on which the sheaves 16 and 17 rotate.
The lower part of each plate G8 is secured to the side plate of the shoot by a shaft H³
on which sheaves I and I rotate. A shaft H is also fixed to each plate G8 as well
as to each side plate and carries a sheave H'.
If the anti-breakage box is of less width than the shoot at the part of the latter
where the coal passes from the wagon to the box, an angular plate H³ is rivetted to
the lower parts of the shoot sides and to the vertical plate F2 and back girder E³ so
as to reduce the open space F¹ in size and make it into a hopper-like shape, to prevent
any coal from falling over when filling the box.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation and Fig. 10 a plan of a shoot with a modification of
the travelling carriage and appliances in which the sheaves F' and F8 are supported
by a shaft H extending from side to side of the carriage instead of by the
hangers F as in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. The shoot is similar in general arrangement
and construction to that illustrated by and referred to in connection with the last
mentioned figures. The shafts G₁ carry side frames 1 I through which the shaft H*
B

page_text: passes, and which it connects together. The wheels G koyed on the shafts G¹ secure
coincidence of speed for the two sides of the travelling carriage when in motion.
In this arrangement the sheaves G, G', 1' & I', have to be mounted at somewhat
higher points to suit the chains 1 and 12 that pass over the sheaves F7 and F8 by
which the anti-breakage box is operated.
The shoot may be constructed so that when the floor is horizontal the parts of the
sides that support the paths on which the travelling carriage runs, shall have a gentle
fall towards the front, and form an incline suited for passing the travelling carriage
with the anti-breakage box from the back to the front of the shoot by gravity. When
the loaded anti-breakage box is thus taken outwards to the hatchway it is kept under
control by the chains 13 which are attached to the travelling carriage one at each side,
and then taken to the guide sheaves H7 on their way to a hydraulic ram located
on the staith or at any other convenient position over the sheaves of which they pass,
and their ends are made fast to the cylinder. The plunger with the chains 1³ over
its sheaves, is out of the cylinder to the extent of its stroke when the travelling
carriage is at the back of the shoot, and to get the loaded box to the front of the
shoot the water is let out at a regulated speed from the cylinder which thus serves
as a brake and controls the passage of the travelling carriage down the incline by
gravity. By readmitting pressure water into the cylinder the travelling carriage with
the empty box is drawn up the incline, and brought back into position for the box
to be refilled. The shoot and its appliances and modifications are specially intended
for use in connection with the shipment of coal by means of an anti-breakage box
which receives its load from the wagon and conveys it into the hold or hatchway of
the vessel. In carrying this into effect I preferably use two chains I and I² at each
side of the anti-breakage box one pair of which carries the box and the other pair
operates its anti-breakage and discharging appliances. The pair of chains I³ are
connected with the anti-breakage box one being attached by its end thereto at
one side of the box and the other in like manner at the opposite side. They then
individually pass at either side over sheaves F8 on the travelling carriage, under G7
at the front end of the shoot and under I' at the back end thereof from whence they
are conducted by guide_sheaves at the top of the staith to sheaves of a hydraulic
lifting ram over which they pass and are led by guide sheaves to the lower part of
the staith where they pass under sheaves or chain wheels with which they may engage,
and are afterwards taken over sheaves 15 at the back part of the shoot, and
attached to the travelling carriage. The pair of chains are connected with the
anti-breakage and discharging appliances, one chain being at one side of the box,
and the other at the opposite. They then individually pass at either side over
sheaves F on the travelling carriage under sheaves G at the front end of the
shoot and under those 1 at the back end from which they proceed to guide
sheaves at the top of the staith and onwards round sheaves of the hydraulic lifting
ram.
They afterwards pass round sheaves of a hydraulic ram for operating the
anti-breakage appliances and are led thence by guide sheaves to sheaves at the lower
part of the staith, under which they pass and afterwards proceed over the sheaves I'
at the back part of the shoot, and are made fast to the travelling carriage.
The hydraulic lifting ram is for raising and lowering the box with its anti-breakage
appliances, and as the two pairs of box and anti-breakage chains I and I² are operated
by it, the box and its anti-breakage appliances can be raised and lowered without
change taking place in their relative positions. When the box is at the highest point
of lift, the lifting ram is out of its cylinder to the full extent of its. stroke, and the box
is lowered by letting the water out of the cylinder which thus serves as a brake for regu-
lating the descent of the box into the hold. The empty box is raised by again admitting
pressure water into the cylinder. When the anti-breakage appliances are in the
position intended for the filling of the box the anti-breakage ram is out of its cylinder
to the extent of its stroke, and the anti-breakage appliances are made to perform their
functions for avoiding breakage of coal in the filling of the box, by allowing water
to escape from the cylinder. The emptying of the box is also effected and controlled

page_text: in a similar manner which will hereinafter be more fully described in relation to the
anti-breakage box and its modifications.
The combination of the apparatus and the arrangements of the chain and hydraulic
gearing for effecting the raising and lowering of the box and working the anti-breakage
appliances, and also for operating the travelling carriage and traversing it to and
fro, are designed to enable the travelling carriage and box to be traversed outwards or
inwards between the staith and hatchway, at any point of the lift; and also to permit
the raising or lowering of the box to be effected at any point of the course over which
the travelling carriage passes.
The foregoing arrangements allow the shoot to be raised and lowered to suit the
height of the vessel. The shoot may also be used for running coal over it from the
wagon to the hatchway for loading vessels by the ordinary method.
The raising and lowering of the back end of the shoot may be effected by appliances
such as are ordinarily used for the purpose, which would be attached to the pivots E*,
and the front end is lifted or lowered by chains G attached to the standards G³, thence
taken over sheaves at the top of the staith and operated either in the usual way, or
by a hydraulic ram or engine. If it is desired to run coal over the shoot as in the
ordinary mode of loading, the anti-breakage box is disengaged from the chains [¹
and I, which may be secured by hooks to the shoot sides, in readiness for reattach-
ment. The travelling carriage is then secured by hooks or otlierwise to the shoot, and
the latter is lowered down to the usual inclined position for running coal to the hatch-
way, the movable screen E' and the section of movable floor plate F having previously
been put in their places to form a continuous floor of the usual description.
If preferred the travelling carriage may be modified as shewn in the side elevation
Fig. 11 and half plan view Fig. 12 by providing it at each side with shoaves K and K'
over which the chains I and 12 from the sheaves I and I³ are passed instead of being
terminated by attachment to the travelling carriage. These chains and the correspond-
ing chains that haug down from sheaves F and F are connected together and form
loops which support the sheaves K and K³ attached to the anti breakage appliances
and the box respectively. The travelling carriage can thus be traversed outwards and
inwards with the box and its appliances suspended from these loops of chain by the
sheaves K and K³.
When the chains I and I are arranged as illustrated by and described with reference
to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the travelling carriage may, if preferred, be worked outwards
and inwards by operating the pair of chains 12 instead of by gravity and the chains I³.
Under this modification the pair of sheaves or chain wheels under which the pair of
chains 13 pass at the lower part of the staith are keyed on the same shaft which in that
case extends from side to side of the lower part of the front legs of the staith. These
chain wheels are made to engage with the chains I connected with the anti-breakage
box and if the shaft is revolved in a forward or backward direction by a hydraulic
engine or otherwise, the pair of chains 12 are set in motion accordingly, and move the
carriage and box to or fro. The sheaves at the lower part of the staith under which
the pair of chains I are passed are placed on the same shaft as the chain wheels but
must be loose so that they can revolve thereon in order to allow the box chains and
anti-breakage chains to work independently. Brake wheels may be attached to the
shaft of the chain wheels.
Figs. 13 to 26 both inclusive illustrato the anti-breakage box pertaining to the shoot.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional elevations, Fig. 16 a plan Fig. 17 a side elevation,
and Fig. 18 a front elevation, relating to one modification thereof. L are two opposite
vertical sides of the box constructed of steel plate strengthened on the outside by angle
or bar iron to keep them stiff. These side plates are parallel to each other and connected
together at their upper parts by two upper connecting steel plates L' rivetted thereto
and by a pair of lower connecting plates or channel irons L². A rectangular casing is
thus formed two opposite sides of which are closed and each of the other two sides has an
open space between the upper and lower connecting plates Land L. The bottom of the
casing may be open or may have horizontal plates undeneath extending from one side
plate L to the other. L³ and L' are two parts forming one movable side, of which the

page_text: box is provided with a pair, for adjustment to prevent fall and breakage of coal or other
substances when the box is being loaded. The pair of movable sides are constructed
of steel plate strengthened by a framing of angle and bar iron. At their upper corners
the parts L³ have horizontal pivots L by which they are attached to the pair of side
plates L between which they work freely with the pivots I as their centres of motion.
The parts L³ and L of each movable side are connected together by a horizontal
hinge L. At its lower corners each part I has a slot L' formed at, its side in which
a stud L engages. The studs L are attached to the ends of the bar L' rivetted to each
side of two inclined planes M forming the bottom of the box. The inclined planes M
work vertically between the side plates L. The bars L' support and hold together the
two inclined plates M, the bars and the edges of the plates coming against the inner
faces of the side plates L and moving freely between them. A sinall portion of the
inner sides of the slots L' is cut away to allow space for the thickness of the ends of
the bars L which carry the studs that work in the slots. M' are suspension bars the
lower ends of which are attached to studs M2 on the bars L' and the upper ends to a
crosshead M³. I' are the ends of the chains supporting the box and referred to with
reference to Figs. 5 to 12. 12 are the chains referred to in connection with the same
figures for operating the anti-breakage appliances and are attached to the crossheads M².
By admitting pressure water into the hydraulic lifting cylinder before referred to, the
box and its anti-breakage appliances are raised, and by admitting water into the anti-
breakage cylinder already alluded to, the bar L' with the bottom inclines M and the
movable sides L and L are raised to the upper part of the box, and assume the
positions indicated by Fig. 13 in which the two parts L³ meet together at the centro
of the box and constitute a platform for receiving coal from the wagon. By letting
water out of the lifting cylinder the inclines M. and movable sides L³ and L go
gradually down to the position shewn by Fig. 14 in which the box would be full.
The emptying of the box is effected by lowering the bar L until it reaches the top of
the lower connecting plates L² at which point the studs L have passed out of the
slots 17 and the parts 1 of the movable sides open outwards as in Fig. 15 allowing
the coal to pass out. When the box is empty the parts 1 fall back into the position
shewn by Fig. 14 and on raising the bar L the studs L³ re-engage with the slots L' and
on the bar reaching its highest point, the anti-breakage apparatus is again in the
position illustrated by Fig. 13.
Figs. 19 to 26 are front elevations relating to another modification of the anti-
breakage box. In these figures L are the side plates L the upper connecting plates
and L the lower connecting plates. The parts L³ of the movable sides are pivotted
as before described and the parts L' hinged thereto rest upon a pair of plates secured
together by a hinge N¹. The chains 12 and 1' previously referred to support the box
and the plates N respectively. On letting down the plates N from the position they
occupy in Fig. 19 the parts L³ and L of the movable sides pass through the positions
indicated by Figs. 20 and 21 and when the plates N reach the position shewn by
Fig. 22 the box is at its full size. To empty the box the plates N are lowered further
down as shewn by Fig. 23 and the contents of the box pass out in two side directions
but the discharge may be effected at either side as seen in Figs. 24 and 25 by inserting
a stop to prevent one plate N from passing out of the box and letting down the other
plate N. In this arrangement the hinge L of the parts Land L of the movable sides
has locking plates N' and N³ of which the ends adjacent to the hinge engage with
and interlock each other as shewn by Fig. 26 when the movable sides reach the
position shewn in Fig. 21. The object of this is to keep the two parts L3 and L at
a sufficient angle to prevent them from collapsing outwards at the hinge when coal in
the box presses against them.
The two plates N also have locking plates N which engage with each other when
the plates are in the position shewn in Figs. 19 to 22, and prevent them from going
closer together, but allow them to open and move downwards to the positions shewn
by Figs. 23, 24 and 25 for discharging. When the hinged part of the plates N has
been lowered sufficiently for commencing discharging, the pivot of the hinge N¹ is
prevented from going further by the stop N with which the pivot engages.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The general arrangement and combination illustrated by, and described herein
with reference to, Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, and consisting of transferring
apparatus, movable connecting bridge, movable staith, and pier, substantially as
illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying drawings and described herein.
2. The combination of a movable connecting bridge with a movable railway
turntable substantially as illustrated by figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings
and described herein.
3. The combination of a movable connecting bridge with a movable transferring
platform substantially as illustrated by Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings and
described herein.
4. A railway turntable having a movable ring path of which the parts adjacent
to the railway rails are constructed and supported substantially as illustrated by
figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings and described herein.
5. A railway transferring platform constructed and arranged substantially as
illustrated by Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings and described herein.
6. A shoot constructed and arranged and provided with sheaves gearing and
appliances substantially as shewn by figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying
drawings and described herein.
7. A shoot such as that referred to in claim 6, but modified substantially as
illustrated by figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings and described herein
with reference thereto.
8. A shoot such as that referred to, in claim 6 but modified substantially as
illustrated by Figs. 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings and described herein
with reference thereto.
9. An anti-breakage box and its appliances constructed and arranged substantially
as illustrated by figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the accompanying drawings, and
described herein, for the purpose of conveying and shipping coal and other substances.
10. An anti-breakage box and its appliances constructed substantially as illustrated
by figures 13 to 18, both inclusive, of the accompanying drawings and described
herein with reference thereto, but modified substantially as illustrated by Figs. 19 to 26
both inclusive of the accompanying drawings and described herein with reference
thereto.
11. The combination of an anti-breakage box and its appliances, such as referred to
in claim 9, with such a shoot and its sheaves gearing and appliances as are referred to
in claim 6.
12. The combination of an auti-breakage box and its appliances, such as referred to
in claim 10, with such a shoot and its sheaves gearing and appliances as are referred
to in claim 6.