932

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

April 30, 1915.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

6589 (1914). Attachment for Goal Gutting Machines of
the Disc Type. R. Wotherspoon .and W. Wotherspoon, both
of Number One Cottages, Newlogans, North Motherwell,
Lanark.—Relates to an attachment for coal cutting machines
of the disc type, and has for .its object to provide for speedier
cutting and for convenient interchangeability of the cutting
picks. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which fig. 1 is -a plan, and fig. 2 a side elevation.
Referring to the drawing, 1 denotes the pick holder, which is
of arcuate form, <and grooved .at 2 to slip on to a continuous
peripheral rib 3 on the cutting disc, said holder being remov-
ably held in position by means of bolts passing through
orifices in said rib and said pick holder. As shown, the
holder is of the same thickness >as the thickness of the disc,

so that its lateral faces are flush with the faces of the disc.
Accommodated in said pick holder is a series of picks 4, 5,
6, and 7, of progressively increasing capacity, e.g., diamond
4, chisel 5, intermediate 6, and wide 7, arranged in the order
named. Said picks are housed in sockets 8 in the holder,
and removably secured in position therein by means of split
pins 9 or the like. The picks are removable individually
without disturbance of the others, and without removal of
the holder. If it be desired to change the direction of rota-
tion of the disc, it is merely necessary to remove the pick
holder, and reverse -its position in relation to the disc, the
same bolts or the like serving to hold it in position. It will
be understood that when the holder is so reversed, the picks
point in the opposite direction. Any desired number of
pick holders may be fitted to the disc. (Two claims.)

6591 (1914). Improvements in Means and Mechanisms
for Jigging and Classifying Ores, Coal, and the like. W. A.
Harris, of Heathfield, Carshalton Park-road, Garshalton,
Surrey.—Relates to improvements in means and mechanisms
for separating or grading mineral mixtures, such as ores,
coals, and the like, according to the relative specific gravity,
dimensions, and shape of the particles comprising the mass
under treatment. According to the invention, water is
supplied to a series or combination of bottom compartments
of separating chambers through water supply pipes, the
outlet ends of which are directed vertically downwards, and *
is distributed by means of valves in such a manner that
adjacent compartments in a series are similarly or dis- .
similarly agitated and consecutively supplied. The arrange-
ment is further utilised for increasing the pulsating effect
and suction of the bash plunger mechanisms—acting in addi-
tional chambers communicating below screen bed level with
the separating chambers—or decreasing the back suction of
the bash plungers. In carrying out the invention, the
material under treatment on the screen bed is subjected to
pulsations of water from the pressure valves, bash plungers,

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or jigged trays, by means of which it is graded or sub-
divided into layers or strata arranged according to the
physical properties of the contained particles. The heaviest
fine particles will pass through the screen bed against the
rising water, and the remainder will be lifted by the force
of the upward moving water during each pulsation, and
settled by back suction and/or gravitation between the pulsa-
tions in such a manner, that the lightest fine particles will
float, whilst the other pieces and grains will be separated or
graded, under water, according to size, shape, and specific
gravity, so that small spheres, cubes, and regular shapes of
heavy material will be found in juxtaposition to similar but
larger shapes of lighter material, whilst flat or long narrow
shapes will be generally found at a higher level in the water
than equally heavy pieces of regular shape. For materials
which are easily separated by reason of. a large difference
between the specific gravities and/or dimensions of com-
ponent particles or for coarsely pulverised coal and the. like
back suction may be present in the machine, and. this, is
obtained by operating the pulsator valves in conjunction

with bash plungers working in adjacent communicating
chambers or with jigging screen trays in the separating
chambers. When the valve aperture opens on the downward
or working stroke of the bash plunger or screen tray, the
water agitation is increased, <and .a maximum moving effect
given to the material bed, whilst it follows that on the
upward or back stroke of these parts the suction is also at
a maximum, because the w-ater supply below bed is cut off.
In the same manner, when the valve 'apertures open on the
back stroke of these parts, the suction is reduced, and any
further intermediate relative position of valve opening and
plunger or tray movements gives intermediate results. For
reducing back suction of bash plunger to a minimum, it is
further preferable to seal the auxiliary working chamber at
top, air tight above water level, -and the -air thus enclosed
will expand iand contract in conjunction with the movement
of bash plunger -and impelled water, thereby further reduc-
ing the back suction on the upward stroke. Figs. 1 and 2
show 'adaptations of a rotary form of valve carried in the
machine above the screen bed; figs. 3 and 4 show a similar
form of valve carried in the machine below the screen bed.
(Six claims.)

8413 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Signalling in
the Shafts of Mines, Tunnels, and the like. J. W. Land, of
8, Beaumont-buildings, Darton-lane, Darton, Barnsley,
Yorkshire.—Refers more particularly to signal communica-
tion from the pit bottom to the engine house, iand to return
or response signals from the engine house to the pit bottom,
and to block or locking devices intended to prevent accidents
due either to mistake or inadvertence of third parties, or
of the engineman himself. The invention comprises means
for indicating in the engine house the signal given from the
pit bottom, such indication remaining visible until lautomatic-
ally removed when the cage or chair reaches its mid position
in the shaft or thereabout, and in conjunction therewith
means for indicating that the hanger-on or other parties are
working in the cage or chair, during which no other signals
can be sent to the engine house; -and means whereby the
engineman can signal to the hanger-on, that his signal re
working in the cage has been received; the same means auto-
matically or simultaneously effecting the locking of the
engine starting or reversing lever. When the bell rope at
the pit bottom is pulled, it closes an electric circuit through
the coils of an electro magnet forming part of the signal
indicator. The signal indicator comprises a disc mounted
on the frame of the indicator, a shaft passing through the
centre of the disc, and carrying a pointer in front of the disc,
and a winding drum or barrel at the rear side. A cord or
tape 'attached to the drum or barrel, and wound round the
same, carries a weight at its lower end. By means of gear-
ing, say 4 to 1, this shaft is connected with a ratchet wheel,

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which can be slowly rotated by a ratchet pawl, actuated by
the armature of the above-mentioned electro magnet. A stop
or check pawl prevents the return of the ratchet wheel under
the pull of the before-mentioned weight, when the actuating
pawl is drawn back. Adjusting screws connected with the
armature serve to adjust the movement of the actuating
pawl, so as to slightly exceed the pitch of the ratchet wheel
teeth. The closing of the electric circuit by the hanger-on
pulling the bell rope, thus moves the pointer, which is
retained in its position until after the winding has been
commenced by the engine man in response to the signal. A
trail crank, or other convenient mechanism connected with
the engine, is arranged to rotate a long screw, on which is
fitted a brass nut, so that the stroke of the nut corresponds
to the movement of the cage from the bottom to the top of
the shaft, or vice versa. A pair of spring carried or spring
pressed contact pieces are placed on opposite sides of the
screw respectively, iand conveniently at a point representing
the mid strokes of the nut or thereabouts; so that when the
winding is half completed in either direction, contact is made
by the nut with the two contact pieces. This closes an
electric circuit round an electro magnet, the arma-
ture of which thereupon draws back the retaining
pawl, as well as the actuating pawl, clear of the
teeth of the ratchet wheel. Thereupon the before-
mentioned weight pulls back the 'pointer to the start-
ing or zero mark on the disc, where it is stopped by a small
pin on one of the moving parts of the indicator coming
against a stationary stop. To meet the case where the
hanger-on or other persons have to enter the cage or chair,
the following device provides an indication to the engine-
man, a confirming or response indication from the engineman
to the hanger-on, and the automatic or simultaneous locking
of the engine or reversing lever by means operating the last
mentioned indication or signal. When the hanger-on closes
a switch, a circuit is completed through the coils of a solenoid
or solenoids, which draws or draw up a soft iron plunger or
plungers; this or these last operating two switches, one of
which completes the circuit through a red lamp in the engine
house, the other breaks the circuit, which moves the pointer
of the indicator, so that it becomes impossible for the engine-
man to get an indication or signal whilst the red lamp is on.
When the engineman has received the red light signal, he
operates a switch, so as to close a circuit which lights up a
red lamp in the pit bottom. The electric switch controlling
the lighting up of the red lamp in the pit bottom is operated
by a lever, moved by the engineman over >a 'Sector, having
notches near its ends for the “ on ” and “ off ” positions of
the lever. This lever is connected by means of a link, with
a hinged lever having a fork at one end, the connections
being so arranged that the fork 'arm is moved across the
starting or reversing lever by moving the switch lever to the
“on” position. Any inadvertent moving of the reversing
lever by the engineman himself is thus avoided; whilst by
this 'arrangement he can lock his reversing lever whenever

he has men working in dangerous places, which would
prevent him responding in a moment of forgetfulness to any
signal given to him from other sources than from the men
working in such places. Fig. 1 is an elevation of the indi-
cator fixed in the engine house, the indicator disc front cover
being removed to disclose the operating mechanism of the
indicator; fig. 2 is a front elevation; fig. 3 is a plan showing
the pull handle and switch operated thereby, with which the
hanger-on at the pit bottom gives the signals ; fig. 4 is a
side elevation of the solenoid in the engine house, the current
of which is operated by the hanger-on at the pit bottom;
fig. 5 is a section through DE of fig. 4, showing the method
adopted for supporting the moving armature; fig. 6 is an
elevation of the mechanism for locking the engine starting
and reversing lever, and at the same time lighting a red
lamp at the pit bottom ; fig. 7 is a view of the mechanism for
illuminating the stencilled plate “ men on,” and for auto-
matically returning the indicator hand to zero; fig. 8 is a
diagrammatic representation of the electrical connections.
(Seven claims.)

9050 (1914). Improvements in or Relating to Rock Drill-
ing Engines. J. M. Holman and J. L. Holman, both of
Camborne, Cornwall.—According to this invention, in a rock
drilling engine there is provided a sleeve chuck having a
longitudinal through bore, and so inter-engaged at its rear
end portion with an extension from the working piston that
the latter can rotate it, while the forward end portion of the
bore, formed in a part of the chuck which is integral with the
chuck sleeve, is formed as an aperture of oblong cross section,
behind which are recesses to receive the wings of the drill
bit, and the intermediate portion of the bore is
adapted to fit the shank of the drill bit. Prefer-
ably a retaining sleeve is adapted to be secured
to the drill casing and to surround the chuck, there
being provided inter-engaging means between the
retaining sleeve and the chuck. Preferably there is provided
a bushing surrounding and engaging the said extension from



MW



the piston to form -a guide support therefor, and separated
from the tool chuck to prevent the transmission through the
bushing of the rotative effort exerted by the piston on the
chuck. A further feature of the invention consists in the
provision of a water tube having a flared inner end fitting
within a socket in the rear cylinder head, and a plug fitting
in the cylinder head and tapered to fit within the flared end
of the water tube, and having conduits in it communicating
between the water tube and a source of water supply, with
or without a rubber or other packing ring between the flared
end of the water tube and the socket in the cylinder head,
and with or without a resilient 'Securing device fitting into
the plug socket to force the tapered plug home within the
end of the water tube. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a
drilling engine embodying the features of the invention;
and fig. 2 is a section on the line 2—2 of fig. 1 looking in the
direction of the arrows. (Four claims.)

14854 (1914). Improved Method of Opening Out and
Ventilating Goal Mines. E. Moxon, of Crown Inn, High
Green, Chapeltown, Yorkshire. — Relates to an improved
method of opening out a coal mine on the longwall advancing
system, and has for its object the prevention of gob fires, ana
to this end the shafts and roads to be used for the purpose
of haulage and ventilating throughout the whole of a new
colliery, or any particular part of an existing colliery, are
so 'arranged that every haulage road in a new colliery, or any
particular part of an existing colliery, is provided with intake

air direct from the surface up to the working face of the
coal, 'and .also the whole of the ventilation and ventilating
pressure is induced to act in the same direction (i.e., in the
direction of the coal face) throughout the whole of a new
colliery, or any particular part of an existing colliery, before
passing into the return airway. This is effected by arranging
the roads so that the incoming -air can have as direct a
course -as is practicable to the coal face,' and be directly
returned therefrom to the upcast shaft or shafts, whereby the