DREDGING AND EXCAVATING WELLS AND SUBSOIL FOUNDATIONS
Year: 1885

page_text: CORNELIUS CURTIN SULLIVAN Head Master Thomason College Roorkee N.W.P.
India I the said Cornelius Curtin Sullivan do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for DREDGING AND EXCAVATING WELLS AND SUBSOIL FOUNDATIONS to
be as follows:-
It consists of two scoops or cutters, and a hammer with their subsidiary parts
as per following details viz.
Scoops or Cutters are of equal radii placed facing one another and revolving on
the same axis or pivots, the jaws or cutting edges of the one fitting within those
of the other the said cutting edges being either pronged or smooth-Their upper
ends (in continuation of the backs) are shaped to receive the blows of a hammer.
Hammer is shaped and placed so that when worked backwards and forwards on
its axis it strikes both scoops or cutters alternately thereby forcing them into
the soil.
Ring attached to the hammer head has sufficient play to prevent the hammer
from being checked in its fall. The chain or rope for working the excavator is
secured to this ring.
Handles for opening the excavator may be placed as shewn in the drawing or
in any other convenient position necessitated by the size of the excavator.
Axis upon which the hammer turns is connected with the scoops or cutters by
four movable bars These bars revolve upon studs fixed in the sides of the scoops
or cutters the studs are keyed or pinned to prevent the bars from slipping off.
Catch at one side keeps the scoops or cutters open till they touch the ground
when they are released, the catch being automatic in its action.
The top or upper surface is entirely covered in Covering in the top, I claim
to be a specialité of this excavator, no such device having been heretofore adopted
with a view to protect the contents of dredgers or excavators against the scouring
action of water from above whilst being hauled up through it Exhaustive
experiments carried out by me prove that by this arrangement any kind of soil
whatever can be landed without loss in transit through water, even, when
obstructions between the jaws prevent them from closing properly.
Excavators on this principle can be advantageously made of any size or capacity
desirable, the general design remaining the same only the dimensions varying.

page_text: The accompanying drawing is made from one of the smallest size which is
adapted for use in agricultural wells of 3 feet diameter Its capacity is about
2 cubic feet and weight about 200 lbs Its powers as an excavator adapt it to any
class of sub soil foundations, being equally capable of removing sand, clay, kankar
or gravel however compact or at any depth below water.
The excavator is made of a combination of steel and iron, the top being bound
to the sides with angle iron rivetted along the edges except at the hinged part
the backs and sides of the scoops or cutters of large size may be in one continuous
piece.
By reference to the drawing all the preceding details will be more clearly
understood.
Method of Working. The machine is raised lowered and worked by means of a
single rope (whether of leather hemp or wire) or chain the necessary backward and
forward motion is given to the hammer by lifting the chain or rope (the quicker
the better) to a certain height, then suddenly 'let go,' and repeating the process
as often as necessary.
The head of the hammer projects a little beyond the scoops or cutters, so that
when these are driven home it comes into direct contact with the ground The
sound of the hammer striking on the scoops or cutters then ceases thereby indicating
that the excavator is full.
It is emptied on being reset for use.
:
The excavator is worked by manual labour, either with or without the aid of a
lever or crank, or by other agency.
Having now described the nature of the said invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed I claim the specific application of manual or other
power to the variable combinations herein described by percussion the agency being
varied at will to meet these conditions.

page_text: Foundations.
I CORNELIUS CURTIN SULLIVAN Head Master Thomason College Roorkee North
West Presidency India 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 :-
This Invention relates to improvements in machines for dredging and for
excavating wells and subsoil foundations and it consists essentially in the com-
bination of a pair of jaws or cutters forming, when closed together, a scoop or
bucket and of an oscillating hammer for driving the jaws or cutters into the soil
by percussion, the jaws and hammers being pivoted on a common axis, and of a.
hoisting chain and subsidiary parts for working the hammer, opening and closing,
hoisting and lowering the bucket, all as hereafter more fully described, with
reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification wherein
figure 1 is a side elevation of the excavator showing various positions of the parts
in dotted lines. Figure 1 is a top view of hammer head. Figures 2 and 3 are
respectively longitudinal and transverse vertical sections of the excavator. Figure 4
is a top plan of the excavator open. Figure 5 is an underneath view of the same
closed. Figure 6 is a face view of one of the cutters. Figure 7 is a plan, and
figures 8. 9. 10. 11. and 12 details of the clip and collar. Similar letters of reference
indicate similar parts in all the figures.
The two half scoops or jaws A are carried by arms a forming the side cheeks of
the half scoops or jaws and are pivoted upon a common transverse shaft B the
arms of the one jaw being prolonged at the upper ends beyond said axis and
provided with stop pins a¹ engaging with the arms of the other jaw to limit the
extent of opening motion of the excavator, so that when fully open the upper
ends of the jaws will be in about the same plane with said shaft B. The cutting
edges of the jaws overlap each other and may either be serrated or pronged
or plain. Their backs are strengthened or formed with anvils at the upper
ends adapted to receive the blows of the hammer, and when of large size would be
strengthened by a stiffening rib extending centrally from edge to back on the
innerside. C is the hammer carried upon a pair of arms c pivoted loosely upon the
shaft B and at a radial distance corresponding to that of the backs or upper edges
of the jaws of the scoop, so that as the hammer is swung from side to side upon
the axis B it will be caused to strike the said jaws alternately and drive
them into the soil. The hammer head is formed with a round hole through it,
splayed at both ends to give passage to the chain D and collar E, hereafter
referred to, which work freely through it, the chain passing thence below a friction
roller F on the axis B, thence around a guide pulley G mounted in a bracket
attached to the inner side of one of the jaws at the upper part, and thence across
to the other jaw to. which the chain is made fast at a point about the middle of its

page_text: height so that tension on the chain will tend to close the jaws. The chain is
continued upwards a sufficient distance above the hammer head and may terminate
at the upper end in one or more rings to which the hoisting chain or rope is
attached. The opening or separation of the jaws is effected by a bridle consisting
of a pair of sling chains H respectively attached to the upper ends of the two jaws
and a clip I at the middle to which the chains are connected at opposite sides, this
bridle being just long enough to admit of the clip being opened or closed when the
excavator is shut, the clip remaining always beneath the hammer head. The clip I
consists of a pair of "sister" rings or links each of the form shown in figure 8
rivetted loosely together at i and working thereon as an axis the one ring within
the other as shown in figures 1, 7, 10 and 12 wherein the clip is shown in the open
and closed positions. Each ring is formed with ears i and each chain H is connected
with one ear of each clip by three links as represented in figure 7 so that tension
on said chains will tend to close the clip. The chain D works freely up and down
through this clip when the same is open, but it is engaged thereby when it is
required to open or separate the jaws of the excavator. This is effected by the
rings I embracing and gripping the grooved neck of the collar or stop E as shown
in figures 1 and 10 The collar E is fixed or rivetted upon the chain and is so
shaped that it can be moved up and down through the hole in the hammer head
without catching, and can be gripped firmly by the clip when this is closed over
the bowl or lower rounded head of the collar and the weight of the excavator
brought to bear upon it. It readily becomes disengaged from the clip when the
latter is open, but the bowl of the collar is too large to admit of its passing down-
wards through the clip. The friction roller F on the axis B extends between the
arms of the hammer and has end flanges of a sufficient depth to prevent the chain
running off. This friction roller or sleeve being cylindrical offers no obstruction to
the under parts of the clip I, opening or spreading outwards when they come down
upon it. Suitable washers or tubular distance pieces at either side of the arms a,
with cross-pins at the ends of the shaft, retain the parts in position thereon. The
jaws or half scoops A are covered in at top by plates a¹ extending from side to
side and approaching one another so as to overlap when the dredger is closed, as
shown in dotted lines figure 1, thus excluding the water; it having been found
that by this arrangement any kind of soil can be raised and landed without loss in
transit through the water, even when obstructions between the jaws prevent them
from completely closing. Excavators may be thus constructed of any desired size
or capacity and are adapted for use in agricultural wells and for excavating any
kind of subsoil foundations or for removing sand, clay, or gravel, however compact
or at any depth below water.
It is preferred to construct the excavator of steel and iron; the backs and sides
of the jaws may be in one continuous piece and the plan thereof may be of semi
circular or other shape, or the side and top may be in one having the backs or
cutters rivetted or otherwise secured to them.
The apparatus is raised, lowered, and worked by means of a single rope or chain
and the necessary swinging motion is given to the hammer by pulling up the rope
or chain a sufficient distance and then "letting go" suddenly, this operation being
repeated as often as may be required to drive the cutting edges into the ground.
In small machines, the chain may be lifted by hand, and in larger machines
suitable gear would be provided for performing this operation. The apparatus is
let down "by the run "when possible and when it touches the ground the clip
becomes disconnected from the chain D. The excavator is now hauled up and the
chain being free from the bridle closes the jaws, the weight of the apparatus and
load tending to increase the grip When the soil is too stiff to admit of the cutters
penetrating it sufficiently by the drop alone, the hammer is brought into use.
The excavator being landed on the platform it is opened by lowering the collar E
to the clip I, closing the latter upon it and raising the excavator from the platform,
whereupon it discharges its contents and is ready for use again.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that what
I claim is;-
1. In a dredging and excavating bucket consisting of a pair of cutting jaws
pivoted together, the combination therewith of an oscillating hammer pivoted upon
a common axis with the jaws, and acting thereon by percussion in the manner and
for the purpose specified.
2. In a dredging and excavating bucket the combination with the pair of
pivoted cutting jaws of an oscillating hammer pivoted on a common axis therewith,
and of a chain for closing and hoisting and lowering the bucket, the chain passing
through the hammer head and being used for the purpose of swinging the hammer
in the manner described.
3. A dredging and excavating bucket of the kind herein described whereof the
jaws are covered in at top as shown and described to protect the contents from the
action of the water in dredging.
4. In a dredging and excavating bucket constructed of a pair of cutting jaws
pivoted together and closed by the hoisting and lowering chain, the combination
with the jaws and with a collar or stop on the chain, of a clip constructed of a pair
of "sister rings pivoted together and adapted to be engaged with the collar or stop
on the chain, substantially in the manner herein described, and being attached by
chains to the jaws so as to be closed by tension thereon as and for the purpose
specified.
5. The particular construction of the clip composed of a pair of "sister" rings
pivoted together and adapted for operation substantially as shown and described.
1 1
J. WILLCOCKS,
Agent for Applicant.