Improvements in Excavating Machinery.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 11th May, 1889
Improvements in Excavating Machinery.
I, EDWARD FOAKES, of 27, Sevenoak Street, Lower Grangetown, Cardiff, in the
County of Glamorgan, Labourer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The object of this invention is to adapt an ordinary steam or hand crane to the
purpose of an excavator as the latter is usually employed by contractors. In carrying
my invention into effect, I make uso of an ordinary crane jib to which I apply at any
convenient distance from the bottom end a vertical strut or guide, the bottom end of
which is strengthened and supported by another strut fastened to the bottom end of
the jib, the whole being adapted to move round with the crane. In this first mentioned
vertical guide or strut, there slides up and down the end of an arm, the other end
being attached by suitable means to the excavator bucket. A link of an endless chain
is attached to the aforesaid arm, the said chain passing over sheaves at the top and
bottom of the strut and in opposite directions around a barrel upon the engine
controlled by friction gear. This is for the purpose of raising and lowering the arm
in the guide and for causing the bucket to penetrate the material to be excavated by
means of the said arm being brought into a horizontal position when the bucket is at
its lowest point and ready for being pushed into the material.
The ordinary lifting chain of the crane passing over the jib head descends and is
attached in a suitable way and at a suitable point to the bucket itself, so that upon
starting the lifting gear of the engine, the bucket is drawn upwards through the
material, thereby filling itself. Upon revolving the crane in the ordinary way, the
bucket is brought over the waggon to be filled, when the lifting chain is lowered to
the requisite extent and the bottom let go in any convenient way.
Another chain is attached to the arm nearest the upright guide which passes upwards
and over a pulley attached to the upright guide or to the jib, and a counterpoise is
attached thereto. This counterpoise is for the purpose of bringing the arm up to the
top of the guide when the friction gear before mentioned is released.

page_text: The bucket for the next cut is then wheeled round by the revolving gear of the
crane and lowered for the next cut, when the friction gear is brought into play and
hauls the arm down into the horizontal position for the purpose of forcing it into the
material.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
OMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Excavating Machinery.
I, EDWARD FOAKES, of 27, Sevenoak Street, Lower Grangetown, Cardiff, in the 1
County of Glamorgan, Labourer, 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:-
The object of this invention is to adapt an ordinary steam or hand crane to the
purpose of an excavator as the latter is usually employed by contractors, In carrying
my invention into effect, I make use of an ordinary crane jib to which I apply at any
convenient distance from the bottom end a vertical strut or guide, the bottom end of
which is strengthened and supported by another strut fastened to the bottom end of
the jib, tho whole being adapted to move round with the crane. In this first
mentioned vertical guide or strut there slides up and down the ond of an arm, the
other end being attached by suitable means to the excavator bucket. A link of an
endless chain is attached to the aforesaid arm, the said chain passing over shoaves
at the top and bottom of the strut and in opposite directions around a barrel upon the
crane controlled by friction gear. This is for the purpose of raising and lowering the
arm in the guide and for causing the bucket to penetrate the material to be excavated a
by means of the said arm being brought into a horizontal position when the bucket is
ut its lowest point and ready for being pushed into the material.
The ordinary lifting chain of the crane passing over the jib head descends and is
attached in a suitable way and at a suitable point to the bucket itself, so that upon
starting the lifting gear of the engine, the bucket is drawn upwards through the
material, thereby filling itself. Upon revolving the crane in the ordinary way, the
bucket is brought over the waggon to be filled, when the lifting chain is lowered to
the requiste extent and the bottom let go in any convenient way.
Another chain is attached to the arm nearest the upright guide, which passes
upwards and over a pulley attached to the upright gnide or to tho jib, and a

page_text: counterpoise is attached thereto. This counterpoise is for the purpose of bringing the
arm up to the top of the guide when the friction gear before mentioned is released.
The bucket for the next cut is then wheeled round by the revolving gear of the crane
and lowered, when the friction gear is brought into play, and hauls the arm down into
the horizontal position for the purpose of forcing it into the material.
In order that may invention and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now proceed to describe
the same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawing. which is
to be taken as part of this specification and read therewith.
A is the jib, B the chain, C the chain wheel and D the bucket, all of any well-known
or convenient construction.
E is the vertical guide and e the supporting strut.
F is the arm. The front end of it is pivotally connected to the bucket and the
opposite end adapted to slide up and down in a slot el in the guide. For this
purpose the end of the arm embraces the guide and a pin f. effects the necessary
connection between arm and guide.
G is a second chain barrel so arranged that it can be rotated when required.
His its chain fast by both its ends to the barrel. J, J are the sheaves around
which the chain H is led.
K is the counterpoise, k its chain, and k³ its pulley.
The full lines of the drawing shew the bucket down and the pin at the top of the
guide. When the chain B is hauled in and the barrel G also rotated in the right
direction the pin will be pulled down the guide thereby pushing the bucket out, into
the position illustrated by the lower set of dotted lines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of crane-jib, guide arm and bucket as set forth.
2. The combination in a crane of two barrels, guide, arm and chain fast thereto, as
set forth.
3. The combination of bucket, arm, and counterpoise, as set forth.
Dated this 29th day of March 1889.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.