IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HAND-POWER MACHINES FOR DRILLING HOLES IN BOCKS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES"
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Francis Parsons, of the City of San Francisco,
in the State of California, one of the United States of America, Machinist,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HAND-POWER MACHINES
FOR DRILLING HOLES IN BOCKS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Francis Parsons at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the. 19th April 1881.
HENRY FRANCIS PARSONS, of the City of San Francisco, in the State of
California, one of the United States of America, Machinist. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN
PORTABLE HAND-POWER MACHINES FOR DRILLING HOLES IN ROCKS AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
My Invention relates to a portable hand power machine for drilling holes in
rocks and other hard substances. In one form of my machine the drilling is done
by percussion, the stroke being delivered against the end of the drill-rod by a
spring hammer, which is thrown back and released by the rotation and action of a
cam or cams on the crank-shaft. In another form of the machine the drilling is
done by a boring bit, which is driven by gearing from the crank shaft.
In each form of the machine its chief feature consists of a steadying-bar having
its front end pointed so as to hold when pressed against the rock or other substance
to be bored, while on its opposite end is secured a breast-plate, against which the
operator leans or presses while operating the cranks. The barrel or drill holder is'
suspended on this steadying bar and moves along it as the drilling progresses.
Telescopic or adjustable legs are arranged to support the rear end of the machine,
being connected with and to either the barrel or the breastplate as desired.
In the following Specification I will describe first the percussion drill, and then
indicate the changes to be made to convert it into a boring drill. Referring to
the Drawings herewith furnished,-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine showing the position when
at work. In this view the adjustable supporting legs are shown as attached to the
rear end of the steadying bar.
Figure 2 is a top view of the machine, Figure 1.

page_text: Figure 3 is an elevation in vertical transverse section through Figures 1 and 2
at the line X, X.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section through the barrel and spring-hammer
of the machine.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 are vertical transverse sections through the barrel of the
machine at the lines x, y, x, x, y, z, respectively in Figure 4.
Figure 8 is a view of the ratchet face hollow nut.
Figures 9 and 10 show detail views of the tool holder.
Figure 11 is a detail view of the barrel of the machine.
Figures 12 and 13 are detail views of the spring hammer.
Figures 14 and 15 are the long and the short cams that operate on the hammer
and upon the drill holder respectively.
Figure 16 is the cross head that is placed on the rear end of the drill-holder.
Figure 17 shows my machine converted into a rotary drilling-machine for
boring in soft substances.
Figure 18 is the adjustable leg or support that is arranged at the rear end of the
steadying bar when the position of the machine is such that it would be difficult
or impracticable for the operator to use the breastplate.
Figure 19 is an extension for the steadying bar to lengthen it at the front end.
A represents the steadying bar of the machine. This is simply a straight bar of
metal of uniform thickness with its front end pointed or otherwise formed so as to
take into or hold and remain in a fixed position on the face of the rock when
pressed against it; when the bar is pointed à small indentation can be made in the
rock to receive the point. On the opposite end of this bar a cushion pad or
breastplate B is secured, and against this plate the operator will lean when he is
working the machine so as to press the opposite point against the rock and keep
the machine steady.
C is the barrel of the machine through which the drill-holder passes, and in
which it is held and operated. This barrel is several inches in length, and has a
passage or hole extending longitudinally through its upper portion, and of a size to
correspond with the size or thickness of the steadying-bar, so as to receive the bar
and allow the barrel to be shifted upon it to any point of its length. The under-
side of this steadying-bar is slotted longitudinally, and a projecting rib or feather b
provided on the inside of the hole or bore of the barrel enters and works in this
slot in order to prevent the barrel from turning on the bar, but to allow it to move
longitudinally on the bar from one end towards the other. Through the rear end
of this barrel, and across or in a direction transverse to the steadying-bar, passes
the crank shaft D, by which the drill is operated. On each end of this shaft is a
crank E to permit the operator to use both hands in turning the shaft. This
shaft D runs through a transverse hole or bore in the rear part of the barrel, and
it is supported at each end in bearings g on the ends of the upright arms of a
frame or bracket F, which is arranged below the rear end of the barrel, and is
connected to it at its forward end by a stay or angle brace h. The lower end of
this. bracket extends downward and meets the angle brace h, at which point of
meeting the two are strongly bolted together. The end of the angle brace has a
box or slotted piece i, in which is fastened the lower end of a strong bent spring J.
From this fixed point the spring J bends upwards and backwards to a position at
the rear of the barrel C, and to its upper end is secured a heavy hammer, block, or
head K.
The drill holder L is a round bar, which fits and is supported in a bore or
cylindrical chamber m in the barrel C, directly below and parallel with the hole
for the steadying bar A. In the forward end of this bar L is a socket in which is
placed the end of the drill-rod or boring tool M, and when inserted in this socket
the tool is secured by means of a set screw and clamp n. The drill-rod will then
project beneath and parallel with the steadying-box, and will strike the rock below
the pointed end of the bar.
This drill holder extends through and projects beyond the rear end of the

page_text: barrel C, and in this end of the holder is a socket q, in which is secured a short
striking pin p that receives the blows of the spring hammer. To hold this pin in
place the socket end of the holder is split, and on its surface is cut a left hand
thread, over which fits a nut t, and as this end is made tapering, the nut t when
screwed down will close the split parts firmly together around the inserted pin and
hold it in place in the socket. By this construction the striking pin can be renewed
when worn down.
At the middle of the barrel C and below the line of the bore wherein the
steadying-bar works a transverse opening or slot is made entirely through the sides
of the barrel, and with its center in line with the axis or center line of the drill-
rod bore. This slot divides the drill-rod bore into two portions, and it is made to
receive a ratchet face hollow nut T that has on the outside of the barrel C at one
side a spring pawl u to bear against the ratchet face of this nut. The aperture
through the nut T coincides with the bore or chamber that receives the drill-rod
holder L, and the holder passes through and moves in this ratchet face nut.
These two parts are connected together so that when sliding in one direction in
the barrel C the drill holder shall turn or rotate the nut T backwards for the
distance of one ratchet tooth, but shall have of itself no rotation while moving
backwards in the barrel, and when sliding in the other direction through the nut T
it shall be caused to rotate as it moves forward while the nut is held stationary.
This is effected by making in the exterior surface of the holder L several short.
spiral grooves w, into which a corresponding number of spiral ribs v provided on
the interior surface of the hollow nut are made to fit. This nut will turn freely in
one direction, but will be locked and held by the pawl u from turning in the
opposite direction, consequently when the drill holder is caused to move in one
direction, or backwards, within the barrel C the ratchet face nut will be rotated
by the action of the spiral grooves on the holder and the ribs V within the hollow
of the nut, but when the drill holder moves in the opposite direction, or forward,
the nut T being held by its pawl will not turn in the other direction but will be
locked, so that the spiral grooves and ribs then react upon the drill-rod holder and
cause it to rotate as it moves forward in the barrel.
This rotation of the drill-holder L produces a change in the position of the end
of the drill while at work, so that it shall not strike always in the same place at
the bottom of the hole, but shall be regularly rotated as the operation of drilling
goes on. Upon and surrounding the forward end of this drill holder is a strong
coil spring 8, that presses against a shoulder N on the drill-holder, so as to force the
tool forward and keep it against the bottom of the hole being made. The rear end
of this spring rests against a fixed shoulder within the bore or chamber in the
barrel wherein the drill holder moves.
The spring hammer K which operates against the striking pin p in the end of
the drill-holder L has on each side a forwardly projecting arm R'extending
toward the crank shaft D and furnished on the end with the stud and friction
roller . These arms are arranged one on each side of the barrel and in line with
the cams V, so as to be struck and forced backward by them. As the crank shaft
is rotated these cams V act against the arms R and force back the hammer, and as
they are double cams or with two surfaces or members they produce two backward
movements of the hammer to one revolution of the shaft D.
When the crank shaft is rotated by the cranks on its ends, the cams V strike the
friction rollers on the arms R and force back the hammer until the ends of the
cams slip from the roller, when the hammer is thrown forward with force against
the end of the drill holder by the reaction of the spring Thus at each blow of the
hammer the tool in the end of the drill holder is forced into the rock or substance
to be drilled.
Two smaller cams X, X, are also secured on the crank shaft D, one on each side
of the barrel, and between it and the larger cams V, in a position to strike
against a cross head Y that is fixed on the rear end of the drill holder and projects
laterally at both sides. These cams X.act against the crosshead -Y.to draw the drill-

page_text: holder backward and the drill out of the bottom of the hole a short distance after
every blow of the hammer to prepare the drill for the next stroke. These cams X
are shorter than the hammer actuating cams V, and the crosshead Y slips from their
points, and the drill holder L is returned to its forward position by the coil spring
on its front end before the hammer is ready to make the next blow.
Two adjustable supports P are attached to the machine for holding it in position
at the required height. They consist of the telescopic legs secured to the crank
shaft and on each side of the barrel, and capable of being lengthened or shortened,
as required, to bring the drill at the desired point for work. They extend
downward at a diverging angle, and they have journal boxes with hinged or
removable caps to fit on the crank shaft D for the purpose of allowing the legs to
be removed from this part of the machine, and be shifted back to the end of the
steadying bar where the breast plate is fixed. To receive these legs P a stud
or journal is formed on each end of the breast plate, and these supports P can be
removed from the crank shaft and fixed to the breast plate when desired.
The object of this arrangement is to enable the level of the steadying-bar to be
maintained as the barrel moves forward, because the motion of the barrel as the
drilling progresses would change the angle of the drill if the legs were centered on
the crank shaft. In some cases this adjustment will not be required, and then it
will be more convenient to have the legs support the machine at the crank shaft ;
but when it is necessary to have the drill move forwards in substantially a straight
line the legs are to be attached to the breast plate. When working the machine
in positions where it would be difficult or impractical to lean and press against the
breast plate I employ an adjustable support, consisting of a clamping piece 1 for
fixing it to the back of the breast plate B, and an extension leg hinged or pivoted
to the back of this clamp 1 so as to be set at any required inclination. This leg is
adjustable in length, and is formed in part of a hollow tube 2 with a telescopic
leg 3 in the lower end, and a screwrod 5 in the upper end that works in the tube,
and through a hand nut 6, by which it is changed in length and held at any point
of adjustment. The screw rod 5 is attached to the back of the clamping piece 1,
and by turning the hand nut 6 the support is kept of the required length behind
the machine to maintain a continuous support and pressure against the end of the
steadying bar as the drill moves forward into the rock. When beginning work
with a long drill the steadying bar can be increased in length at the front end by
using a supplemental bar 7 provided with a socket 8 on its rear end, having a set
screw 9 to receive and be secured to the front end of the steadying bar A. This
attachment is shown in Figure 19 of the accompanying Drawings.
The operation of the machine will be as follows:-The point of the steadying bar
is set against the rock to be bored, and the legs are braced and adjusted to the
inequalities of the surface so as to support the weight of the machine. The
operator throws his weight upon the rear end of the steadying-bar by pressing
against the breast plate, and reaching forward turns the shaft D by means of the
hand cranks E. The coil-spring S holds the drilling tool in the end of the drill
holder with a strong pressure against the face of the rock, and as the crank shaft
is rotated the long cams V force the hammer back and then release it, so that it
flies forward with great force and strikes the rear end of the drill holder, and
drives the drill into the rock. The short cams X then draw the drill holder back a
short distance, but quickly release it and allow the coil spring to throw it forward
into position again before the hammer gives another blow.
At this movement of the drill holder its rotation is effected in the following
manner for the purpose of turning the drill in the hole:-When the drill holder is
drawn back by the short cams the hollow ratchet face nut T on the center part of
the holder will be rotated in the barrel the distance of one tooth or ratchet by the
action of the spiral grooves and projections w, v, on the holder, and in the bore of
the hollow nut, but when the drill holder moves forward again the nut T is locked
by the pawl u and will not rotate, but will cause the spirals to give a short
-rotating movement to the drill holder L as it moves forward in the barrel and

page_text: through the hollow nut. The drill is thus turned at each forward movement of the
drill holder before it is struck by the hammer.
The drill and the operating mechanism are fed forward on the steadying-bar in
the following manner:-A friction brake fis applied to the steadying-bar A at the
barrel C by means of the screw shaft e, working in a screw threaded nut or bearing
in the top of the barrel and turned by means of a hand wheel. The break fis
pressed against the face of the steadying-bar by the screwshaft with a pressure
that is regulated as required, so that the stroke of the hammer as it is received
against the end of the drill holder acts also against the rear end of the barrel C and
forces it forward upon the steadying bar as fast as the drill enters the rock. The
forward travel of the barrel C upon the steadying-bar will be controlled by the
amount of pressure put on the brake. A piece of leather d or other cushion is
placed against the rear end of the barrel to ease the stroke of the hammer against
it. The tension of the spring J can be increased by adding additional leaves to
it so as to increase the striking force of the hammer K when required.
I use a twisted drill rod M in the machine, so that the rotation imparted to it by
the spiral grooves and splines in the nut will cause the drillings to be discharged
from the hole as fast as they are produced. It will be noticed that the impact of
the hammer is received by the short striking pin p, which is secured in the end of
the drill-rod so that it can be easily renewed.
To convert this drill into a boring drill, I remove the cams from the cam shaft,
and place thereon at one side of the barrel C a bevel gear a. I also fix to the end
of the drill holder L another bevel gear C in a position to mesh with and be driven
by the gear of the crank shaft. In place of the percussion drill I substitute an
auger or boring drill, and I employ a ratchet feed connected with a rack on the
steadying-bar so that the barrel shall be fed forward upon the bar as the boring
progresses, or I use a pressure feed. In the latter case I connect the breast plate B
directly to the rear end of the barrel instead of to the steadying-bar, so that the
weight of the operator is thrown against and caused to move the barrel forward
upon the steadying bar. The rear end of the steadying-bar will then be formed of
two parts, one being the sleeve B³, carrying the breast plate, and the other the bar
or rod A¹ sliding through the barrel and into the sleeve.
I claim as my Invention,-
First. A machine for drilling in rock and other substances having a tool holder
for holding the drilling tool, a hammer by a spring for striking the tool holder, a
mechanism for drawing back the hammer operated, and then releasing it to cause
the spring to throw it against the end of the tool holder, and a steadying by
which the machine is held and guided to its work, and upon which it is fed forward
as the drilling progresses, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. A machine for drilling in rock and other substances, having a tool
holder for holding the drilling tool, a spring hammer operated by mechanism to
strike a succession of blows against the rear end of the tool holder, and a
mechanism for giving to the tool holder an intermittent rotating movement
between the blows of the hammer during the operation of drilling, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Third. In a hand operated machine for drilling in rock and other substances, a
steadying bar which also serves as a guide bar and support for the drilling machine,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In combination with the barrel of a rock drilling machine which is
arranged to be guided and fed forward on a steadying bar A, the friction brake
for regulating the feed of the machine, substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The cam shaft D having the two cranks E held in the barrel C and in
suitable bearings thereon and carrying the long cams V in combination with the
spring hammer K having the arms R with their studs and friction rollers,
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Sixth. The cam shaft D having the two cranks E for operating it and carrying
the short cams X in combination with the crosshead y on the rear end of the tool

page_text: .
or drill holder and the coil spring's arranged and applied on the forward end of
the drill holder, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Seventh. A machine for drilling in rock and other substances having a barrel to
hold and present the drilling mechanism, a tool holder to receive in its front end
the drilling tool, and working in a bore socket in the barrel; an operating shaft
held in a bearing in the barrel for working the drilling mechanism that operates
upon the tool holder, and the steadying bar on which the barrel is supported and
fed forward, and the adjustable legs and supports, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
.
Eighth. In a drilling machine for drilling in rock and other substances the tool
holder L having a socket in the forward end to receive and hold the drilling tool
and provided with spiral groves in its surface in combination with the ratchet face
nut T having the spiral ribs and splines V in its bore to engage with the grooves
in the tool holder and held in an opening in the barrel of the machine and
controlled in its rotation in one direction by a pawl u, but left free to rotate in
the other direction, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Ninth. In a rock drilling machine for drilling in rock and other substances the
spring hammer operated in one direction or backward by mechanism from a
rotating shaft, and in the other direction or forward by the reaction of the spring,
to deliver a succession of blows against the end of a tool holding bar, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Tenth. The tool holding bar L having on one end the socket to receive and
hold the drilling tool, and at the other the detachable and removable striking pin p
against which the blows of the hammer K are applied, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Eleventh. In a machine for drilling in rock and other substances having a
steadying bar A; the extensible supporting leg 2, 3, 4, adapted to be attached to
the rear end of the steadying bar, substantially as hereinbefore described for the
purpose set forth.
Twelfth. In a machine for drilling in rock and other substances having a
steadying-bar A, the supplemental point or bar provided with a clamp or socket
by which it can be secured to the end of the steadying-bar for extending its length
at the front, substantially as herein before described for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Francis Parsons, have herunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
In presence of
EDWARD ELNATHAN OSBORN.
WILLIAM FRANCIS CLARK,
HENRY FRANCIS PARSONS. (L.S.)