36

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

July 2, 1915.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

864 (1915). Improvements in Ratchet Braces and the
like. The Hardy Patent Pick Company Limited, of
Mining Tool Works, Heeley, Sheffield, Yorkshire, and A.‘
Bartholomew, of 56, Brynamman-road, Lower Brynamman,
Carmarthenshire.—Relates to ratchet braces and like
ratchet mechanisms in which spring pawls, or springs
bearing upon pawls, are dispensed with. Figs. 1 and 2 are
respectively an elevation partly in section (one of the side
cheeks being removed) and a plan of a ratchet brace con-
structed according to the invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are
similar views of another form of the invention as applied
to ratchet mechanism for any purpose, such as rotating a
rock-boring drill or winch. In the form illustrated in figs. 1
and 2, the ratchet wheel a, cheeks b, and handle c, with
pointed end c1 and pivot d, are constructed in a manner
somewhat similar to the known forms of such appliances,
as hereinbefore described. In order to limit the to and fro
motion, of the handle c, and to keep it in its proper relative
position to the other parts of the apparatus, a second pin e
is provided, secured between the cheeks b, and passing

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through an elongated slot / in the handle. The length
of this slot is such that when the ratchet wheel has been
moved through the forward stroke, the handle c may be
turned about the pivot d, so that the pointed end c1 will be
able to clear the apex of the tooth on the ratchet wheel a
with which it is engaged, when the handle can be drawn
back and the pointed end re-engaged with the next or any
succeeding tooth of the ratchet wheel, within the range of
the stroke of the handle, and a fresh strode commenced.
In the form illustrated in figs. 3 and 4, in addition to the
parts before described with respect to figs. 1 and 2, a pivoted
pawl g is introduced, the free end of which engages the
ratchet wheel a, and on the forward stroke is held in contact
therewith by the end c1 of the pivoted handle c. It will be
seen in this form of appliance that at the end of the forward
stroke the handle c is turned about the pivot d, thereby
relieving the pressure from the pawl g, and as the handle
is drawn back, the pawl, by reason of being pivoted at g1,
rides freely over the teeth of the ratchet wheel. On the
handle being moved forward again pressure is at once
applied to the pawl, which is thereby forced into engage-
ment with one of the ratchet wheel teeth. (Two claims.)

3617 (1915). Improvements in Steam Traps. Lancaster
and Tonge Limited, engineers, Pendleton, Manchester, and
J. Butterworth, Sunny Lawn, Manchester-road, Swinton,
Manchester, Lancashire.—Relates to the type of trap
patented No. 9707 (1895), in which the bucket is connected
to the valve by levers and links, so as to give the bucket a
leverage of 5 or 6 to 1, and thus enable it to open and close
the valve with greater force. Instead of making the inlet
and outlet in the cover, it is proposed to make them in the
body of the trap, and in order to enable the joint between
the part carrying the valve seat and the outlet in the body
of the trap to be easily machined and drilled, it is made at
an angle sufficient to allow the drill to pass the top edge of
the trap body. By this means the cost of machining is no
more than if the outlet and inlet were in the lid, but has

H



the advantage that the latter can be removed to examine
the trap without breaking a pipe joint. The valve is
carried by a sleeve which screws into the bridle or double
link, and is secured by a lock-nut. The height of the float
can thus be regulated to allow for the wear of the valve
and seat. The bridle is also made to cover the ends of the
pin which connects the ends of the bucket levers to the part
carrying the valve seat. In order to get the pin in place,
the levers have to be lifted to a position they cannot assume
when in the trap, so that the pin cannot get out when the
trap is assembled as shown. Fig. 1 is a section of the trap;
figs. 2, 3, and 4 are three views showing the method of

transferring the motion of the float to the valve, and also the
part carrying the valve seat and the ends of the levers.
(Three claims.)

8882 (1914). Improvements in Compressed Air Driving
and Braking Devices for Winding Apparatus. C. W. Bryant
and Peter Brotherhood Limited, engineers, all of Peter-
borough, Northampton.—Relates to means for automatically
controlling the winding and unwinding of rope from a
drum. The invention consists in driving the drum for
winding by means of one or more engines operated by com-
pressed air, such engines being provided with valve gear,
adapted to admit air to drive the engine as a motor, and to

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allow the engine to operate as a brake forcing back air
against the pressure in the supplying reservoir. The inven-
tion further consists in providing means for controlling the
valve gear so that the air pressure admitted to the cylinder
depends on the amount of rope at any time on the drum.
Fig. 1 is a general view showing the winch, engines, com-
pressor and reservoir, the auxiliary reservoir and controlling
valve not being shown; fig. 2 is an end view of the winch
and engines; fig. 3 is a view partly in section of an auxiliary
reservoir and controlling valve; figs. 4 and 5 show the
arrangement of the distributing valve. (Three claims.)

12563 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Valves for
Percussive Rock Drills. W. R. Tindall, of 11, Devon-road,
Fishponds, Bristol.—Relates to percussive rock drills
wherein the air or fluid control valve is mounted between
adjustable seatings, and has for its chief object to provide
an improved form and arrangement of valve which is
adapted to operate equally well under varying conditions,
such as may be brought about by atmospheric influence,
variation in rock strata, or by the use of different or
changing air or fluid pressures. According to the invention,



a floating valve member of substantially disc form is
arranged between a relatively fixed and an adjustable
seating, the latter being capable of rapid and accurate
regulation for the purpose of increasing or diminishing the
traverse of the valve. The adjustment may be effected from
a point exterior to the drill casing. The valve member is
adapted to respond readily to the reciprocating movements
of the piston, and thereby alternately open and close the
ports leading to either side of the drill actuating piston. The
accompanying drawing shows a longitudinal section of the
valve casing of a percussive rock drill embodying one form
of the invention. (Two claims.)

13484 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Rock Drills.
J. M. Holman and J. L. Holman, both of Camborne, Corn-
wall.—Relates to improvements in rock drills having means





2

to discharge water or other fluid at or near the working face
of the drill. The invention particularly refers to a connec-
tion for the supply of water or other fluid, hereinafter
referred to throughout as water, of the type comprising a

plug-recess in the drill-casing, for example, in the back end
of the drilling engine or in the drill-chuck, and a plug which
contains in it a water duct, which constitutes a hose-
coupling, and which is adapted to be inserted from without
into the recess without needing to be rotated. According to
the invention, a water-connection of the kind above
described is characterised by the water-duct having its
delivery orifice opening into the side wall of the plug and
the orifice at the other end opening into the end of the plug
which receives the hose. According to a feature of the
invention, a water-connection of the kind above described
is characterised by the plug-recess being formed in the drill-
bit chuck so as to cut away a portion of the inner wall of the
chuck, and the plug being so shaped that when in position
it replaces the cut-away portion of the said inner wall of
the chuck. According to a further feature, a water-connec-
tion is characterised by a recess being formed in the rear
wall of the drilling engine and by a lateral compressor to
engage the plug to hold it in position, with or without a
flat on the plug to be engaged by the lateral compressor.
Yet another feature comprises a compressible packing for a
duct opening in the side wall of the coupler, and disposed
between that side wall and the surface of an adjacent part
and adapted to be compressed between the aforesaid side
wall and the adjacent surface. Fig. 1 is an end elevation
of the back end or closure member of the drill, showing
• the hose-coupler in position; fig. 2 is a section on the line
2—2 of fig. 1; fig. 3 shows in detail the hose-coupler shown
in figs. 1 and 2; fig. 4 is a side elevation of a drill-chuck;
fig. 5 is a section on the line 5—5 of fig. 4; and fig. 6 shows
in detail the hose-coupler shown in figs. 4 and 5. (Five
claims.)

17502 (1914). Improvements in the Manufacture of Coke.
f A. McD. Duckham, of Waseda, Highfield, Ashtead,
Surrey.—The invention is based on the observation that the
successful production in vertical retorts of coke for metal-
lurgical and other purposes is only to be attained by the
application of mechanical pressure to the top of the charge,
accompanied by continuous removal of the coke from the
bottom of the retort. The pressure must be uniformly
applied over the cross-section of the charge, and con-
tinuously exerted—that is to say, the pressing device must
follow the descending charge, being lifted only for the very
short period requisite for admission of fresh coal at the top
of the retort. The pressure applied to the coal should be
capable of variation to suit different kinds of coal and the
quality of coke required. The order of magnitude of the
pressure may be 1 ton per square foot, but this is in no way
intended to limit the invention. The gases and vapours
generated during the carbonisation are preferably allowed
to escape directly from the zones of the retort wherein they
are produced, the conditions being such that they carry
away as little sensible heat as possible; the arrangement
may be suitable for collecting separately the gases and
vapours from each zone, or those from all the zones may
be collected together. Fig. 1 is a vertical section. The
left-hand half of fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 3—3 of
fig. 1, and the right-hand half is a like section on line 31—31
of fig. 1. The retorts a are of the usual rectangular
cross-section, the area of which increases downwardly.
They are heated by vertical flues b in known manner, the

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heating gases passing upwards instead of (as in the best
gas-making practice) downwards. The combustible gases
enter through flues c, while secondary air enters at d and
passes around the lower part of the retort in known manner
to cool the coke and to become itself pre-heated. The retort
is charged to the level of the foot of the extension e. The
lower part of the latter constitutes the charging shoot of a
hopper /, while the upper part receives a ram g, operated
by means of the piston h moving in cylinder i. In the
position shown the ram g has been lifted from its lower
position indicated by dotted lines to allow a fresh charge of
coal to flow into the extension e. Immediately following
this flow, pressure is again applied to the ram, and is main-
tained while the fresh charge is entering the retort at a
rate fixed by the rate of discharge at the bottom of the
retort. In this manner the charge in the retort is kept
under constant pressure, except for the very short periods
during which the ram is being withdrawn and fresh charge
is flowing into extension e. The hopper f is sealed by the
rotary feed f1 at the top and by the ram g, so that the retort
is gas- and air-tight. The curved surface I takes the greater
part of the weight of the charge, and the continuous removal
of the coke is by means of an endless travelling band m
made up of chain links. The openings p for the escape of
volatile products are situated at different levels in the side
of the retort, and lead directly into a flue q. This flue is pro-
vided with dampers r, so that it can be partitioned into
chambers which collect the product from the several zones of
the retort, so tha4 they can be separately withdrawn through
off-takes s. By removing one or more of the dampers and