1256

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

December 17, 1915.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

1484 (1915). Improvements in or connected with Rock
Drilling Machines. W. C. Stephens, of Carn Brea,
Cornwall. (A communication from Frederick Thomas
Garthew, of Johannesburg, Transvaal.)—Relates to rock
drilling machines of the type described in Pat. No. 16034,
of 1914, the object being to provide means for instan-
taneously compressing the packing rings around the borer
when the latter is in a position for operation and for
releasing the pressure of the said packing upon the borer
when the borer is to be removed. An abutment is arranged
in front of the usual gland, which abutment may be a
gland-like yoke through which the tool is adapted to pass
and fit somewhat closely, the said abutment or yoke being
passed over the usual tie-bolts of the drill, and being
adjustably retained thereon by means of nuts. Between
the gland and the abutment is arranged a ring through
which the borer passes, the said ring being provided with
a projecting arm or the like, for rotating it, -and having upon
it inclined or cam surfaces which correspond with .similar
surfaces upon the gland or upon the yoke. Fig. 1 is a side
view partly in section of a front portion of a drill having

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the present improvements applied to it; fig. 2 is a plan view
of the chuck end of the drill; fig. 3 is a view looking in the
direction of the arrow, fig. 2; and fig. 4 is a section on the
line 4—4, fig. 1. o is a plate forming an abutment through
which the borer h is adapted to pass and fit somewhat
closely, the said plate engaging the extensions of the bolts
d, and being held against movement in one direction by
means of nuts o1. Between the gland el and the abutment o
is arranged a cam ring p, through which the borer h also
passes, the said ring being provided with a projecting lever
handle p1, for rotating it, and having upon one face
inclined or cam surfaces q, q, which correspond with cam
surfaces q1, q1, upon the -abutment o, or upon the gland e1,
in such a manner that, when the said cam ring is turned in
one direction,, the gland will be forced by the said ring
against the packing rings n, n, thereby compressing the
latter. The movement of the cam ring p in the opposite
direction will permit the gland e1 to move out again under
the pressure of the springs e. The cam surfaces q1, ql are
preferably so formed that the ring p locks itself in position
when the gland is forced fully home. (Three claims.)

1921 (1915). Improvements in or connected with Cutter
Bars and Operating Gear of Cutting Machines, particularly
adapted for use in Mining Coal and the like. Mavor and
Coulson Limited and M. S. Moore, Glasgow. — Refers to
machines of .the type in which the cutter is rotated,
and also at the same time is reciprocated when in
driven gear wheel, such as C and the shank A1 of the cutter
bar, and to the construction of driven gear wheels, such as
C, and the journals and key way portions of the shanks of
cutter bars for cutter machines of the type in question, said
connection is obtained by forming longitudinal recesses in
the key way portion of the shank, leaving peripheral keys, and
by forming longitudinal recesses in the bore of the driven
gear wheel corresponding to and into which the peripheral
keys are adapted to fit. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional
elevation; fig. 2 a plan of reciprocating gear; and fig. 3 a cress
section of the key way portion of the shank of a shaft and end
view of the surrounding part of an associated driven gear
wheel. A series of e.g. six peripheral keys, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6 (fig. 3), may be formed from the key way portion of the

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shank A1, and the base E of each recess intervening between
each pair of peripheral keys may be made concentric to the
axis of the shank and the series of these bases E may con-
form or approximately conform to the bore of the driven gear
wheel C. A driven gear wheel C is provided having a bore
corresponding in diameter to the diameter of the series of the
bases E of the aforesaid recesses, and in the bore a series of
longitudinal recesses are formed corresponding to the peri-
pheral keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and the bases El of these
recesses may conform or approximately conform to the peri-
phery of the series of the keys. The peripheral keys and
recesses may be arranged at regular or irregular distances
apart, and they may be of equal or of unequal sizes. The
recesses are shaped or milled or otherwise cut out of the solid
and the side walls of the recesses may be radial or approxi-
mate thereto. In the form shown at fig. 3, the side walls of
each key are parallel to a diameter passing through the centre
of the key, the recesses thus formed being wider at the peri-
phery of the keys than at the base E. (Seven claims.)

2469 (1915). Improvements in Grading or Screening
Materials. A. McD. Duckham, of Ashtead, Surrey.—The
method consists in delivering the material first to a screen or
sieve, which permits only the finest grade to pass, and when
this screen or sieve has become loaded to a certain degree,

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width of aperture between the



tipping it, so that the material is discharged on to a second
screen, which permits the next finer grade to pass, and so on.
In the preferred form the screens are counter-balanced so that
they tip as soon as the load exceeds a certain amount. In
this case the screens may be arranged like steps, on hori-
zontal bars, adapted to rock in a suitable frame, and having
counterweights sufficient to
support the screen and its
load until the latter exceeds
a certain amount, where-
upon the bar turns, the load
is discharged on to the
next screen, and the first
resumes its former position,
and so on. Fig. 1 is a
side elevation, and fig. 2 a
plan. The material to be
screened is delivered to the
shoot A, and received in
succession on fingers B1?
B2 .... of the respec-
tive screens. The bosses
C15 C2 of the fingers are
provided with square eyes
adapted to fit on the square
sectioned • rocking shafts
D1} D2 . . . . The width
of the bosses determines the

fingers. In the example shown, there is the same width
between the fingers Bn B2, B3 of the first three screens, and
these screens discharge into a common shoot E. There is
also a common, but greater, width of aperture between the
fingers of the next screens, which also discharge into a
common shoot a material of coarser grade than the preceding.
The weight of the screen and of a certain amount of material
is counterpoised by the counter-balances FT, F2 . . . .
which are arranged at alternate ends of the respective rocking
bars Dx, D2 . . . . Fingers B3, B4 are shown by dotted
lines in the tipped position assumed when the quantity of
material resting on the screen has overcome the weight of
the counter-balance. (Five claims.)

8183 (1915). Improvements in Carbonising Fuels. A.
McD. Duckham, of Ashtead, Surrey.—Relates to the con-
tinuous carbonisation of coal and the like at a low tempera-
ture in inclined and horizontal retorts, the gaseous products
being fractionally collected at successive points in the path
of the material as it travels through zones of gradually
increasing temperature, the object of the invention being to
enable the distillates at various stages to be collected
separately without intermingling, and to produce a hard coke.

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The material is pushed through an inclined or horizontal
retort with such a pressure as to keep the retort packed with
the material, and thus to enable the gases driven off at the
various zones to be collected with the minimum of inter-
mixture. The employment of this pressure, moreover, pro-
duces a hard smokeless fuel, which is ready for use without
briquetting. Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation
partly in section, and a plan partly in section of an
example of means for applying pressure to the charges in
a vertically arranged bench of retorts. The subdivided
coal is supplied from the hopper q to the shoot r common to
all retorts, and is fed to the latter, the depth of which is
preferably between 3 and 6 in., by plungers 5, which receive
reciprocating movement from the hydraulic ram t. Between
the plunger and its casing slides a sleeve u, the object of
which is to prevent jamming of the coal in the shoot. The
sleeve is connected through rods v, pins w, and slotted links x,
with the plunger rod in such a manner that during the for-
ward stroke it moves more slowly than the plunger, until at
the end of the stroke the plunger has caught up the sleeve.
The carbonised coal is discharged from the other end of the
retort into a gastight shoot, whence it is removed by any
known gastight delivery mechanism. The discharge of the
material may be hindered if desired so as to increase the
pressure in the retorts. The pressure should always be suffi-
cient to keep the material so closely packed as practically to
prevent the gases from one zone mingling with those from the
other zones, and should otherwise be regulated according to
the hardness of the coke it is desired to produce. (One claim.)

22009 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Conduits
for Ventilating Mine Workings and the like. Stanley
Nettleton, of National Mutual Buildings, Johannesburg,
Transvaal, South Africa.—Relates to mine and other venti-
lating apparatus consisting of sectionalised canvas or like
fabric conduits, through which fresh air is forced under low
pressure to displace the foul air or gases. The invention con-
sists in means for connecting and disconnecting the sections
rapidly and efficiently. Fig. 1 is a partly-sectional view of
the junction of two sections of conduit; and fig. 2 is a per-
spective view illustrating the method of making the joint. The
conduit 2 is made of brattice cloth or other suitable fabric,



2

woven or otherwise made into tubular form,
wire or like rings 3 applied
to it at intervals between
its ends to keep it dis-
tended. The conduit is
made in sections of con-
venient length, and for the
purpose of joining said sec-
tions they are provided at
their ends 5 with rings 6,
which may be sewn into
hems 7. Said rings are all
of the same shape and
dimensions. They are
adapted to be passed com-
pletely through one another
angularly, and then
brought together face to
face, and thereby interlock.
To allow the rings thus to
pass through one another, they may be

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pass through one another, they may be made resiliently
deformable; but it is preferable especially in the larger sizes
to make them rigid and of elliptical or other regular non-
circular shape. In this case they are presented angularly to
one another with the short axis of one parallel with the long
axis of the other as shown in fig. 2; the one is passed through
the other, and then turned so that they coincide, whereupon
they are drawn together and caused to interlock, as shown
in fig. 1. The use of this form of point is rendered possible
by the flexibility of the fabric, which permits the tube to be
deformed to pass inside and outside respectively of the outer
and inner rings of an interlocking pair. (Three claims.)

23105	(1914). Improvements in Mine Signalling

Apparatus. S. Chambers, of Fauldhouse, Linlithgowshire.
—Relates to mine signalling apparatus of the class wherein
a visible signal is combined with the usual audible signal,
and wherein orders are indicated on discs or dials adapted
to display same simultaneously with giving audible signals
through the medium of the usual wire or cord, or equivalent.
The visible signalling apparatus comprises a plurality of
discs or dials, and mechanism for operating same, whereby
when an order is signalled to the engine house, such order
remains visible until it has been complied with, when the
disc or dials are returned automatically to their original
positions, ready for the transmission of further orders or
signals, the arrangement being such that, in the event of the
order signalled not being complied with, within a reason-
able time, it can be re-signalled without confusion arising
through the duplication of, or the production of accumulative
signals. Should it be desired to change the order given
before the first order is executed in its entirety, the change
of order can be immediately signalled to the engineman,
and rendered visible in the engine house, where it will
remain visible until such further order is executed. Means
are also provided whereby the usual operation in mine
signalling, known as “ hanging the bell,” can be visually
as well as audibly indicated to the engineman. Fig. 1 is
a vertical section taken from the rear; fig. 2 is a plan view
partly in section; and fig. 3 an end view partly in section.
The apparatus comprises a suitable framework a in con-
nection with the usual disc in the engine house for indicating
the position of the cage, the framework being enclosed in an
outer casing b. In a is a central spindle c, which carries
a disc or dial A, provided with the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and a zero mark, and the words ” raise,” “ stop,” “ lower,”
“ wind,” “ raise,” ‘‘ lower,” and a zero mark. Round the
disc is a “ ring disc,” B, carried on supporting arms e,
fitted on a sleeve d working on the central spindle c, and
provided with a counter balance weight d1. These discs,
A and B, after being partially rotated, are brought back,
at the desired times, to their original positions. On the
central spindle c, and freely turning thereon is a ratchet
wheel f having a counter balance f1, a series of teeth f2, and
a pin g, which contacts with a pin hl on a ratchet disc h
secured to the spindle c and having a counter balance weight
h2, the arrangement being such that, when the ratchet wheel
/ is rotated, the ratchet disc h is also rotated, against the
action of the weight h2, and with it the central spindle c to

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which the disc A is secured. A second ratchet disc i on the
sleeve d carrying the ring disc B, is also provided. A con-
tact pin i1 is provided on the inner face of the disc i, and
contacts with the pin g, so that when the ratchet disc i
is rotated, the ring disc B is operated. Bell crank levers j
are provided, to one end of which is secured a connecting
rod ;l, connected to the usual audible signal cord C. The
levers j are secured to a horizontal rocking lever k pivoted on
the shaft kl. The arm fc3 of the rocking lever k is connected
by means of a cross pin k2 to vertical levers k:', which are
provided with a projection I so that when the lever
mechanism is operated by pulling the cord C the levers