140

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

January 18, 1918.

screwed rod c is mounted a travelling nut-like crosshead j,
to which are pivoted at j1 the lower ends of links k. The
pivots j1 are fitted with flanged rollers j2, which operate in
guides m, and prevent lateral movement of the crosshead j
and rod c. The upper ends of the links k are pivoted at k{
to levers n, pivoted at one end to the platform or bridge a
at n1. The other ends of the levers n are pivoted to links o
which are also pivoted to the limbs of a sprag p arranged
between the rails on the platform or bridge a, and pivoted

to the latter at p1. To tip the wagon run on the platform
or bridge a, the screwed rod c is rotated in the appropriate
direction to travel the crosshead j upwardly thereon. As
the crosshead travels on the rod c, it follows the path
defined by the guides, and the rod c gradually swings about
the pivots h. During the initial travel of the crosshead,
the links k operate the levers n about their pivots n1, and
the levers by means of the links o operate the sprag p about
its pivot p1 until the free ends p2 of the limbs of the sprag
are in the way of the rear axle of the wagon, and the
levers n abut against stops a1 on the underside of the plat-
form or bridge a. The continued travel of the crosshead j
raises the platform or bridge a about its pivot b, and carries
the wagon into the tipping position, as shown in dot-and-
dash lines in fig. 1, the wagon being retained on the plat-
form or bridge a by the sprag p. During lowering the oper-
ations are reversed, that is to say, the platform or bridge is
first lowered into the normal position, and the sprag p is
then withdrawn to its normal position. It will be seen
that in the above-described arrangement of apparatus the
screwed rod c is always in tension, and never in compres-
sion, and that owing to this it is possible to employ a rod
of considerably lesser diameter than would be necessary
were the rod in compression. (Three claims.)

110709. Improvements in Apparatus for Tipping
Wagons. Simon-Carves Limited and W. Grade, 20, Mount-
street, Manchester. — This invention relates to apparatus
for tipping wagons, and has special reference to apparatus
comprising a tipping platform or bridge whereon the wagon
is run, and which is raised to tip the wagon, and lowered
by screw and nut mechanism,' and the invention has for its
object to provide an improved arrangement of such appar-
atus. In apparatus of the said kind as ordinarily* con-
structed, a screwed rod or shaft is rotated to travel a nut or
nut-like crosshead mounted thereon and connected by links
to the platform or bridge, so that in one direction of rota-
tion of the screwed rod and travel of the nut or crosshead
thereon, the platform or bridge is raised to tip the wagon,
and in the other is lowered into normal position. In such
apparatus it is customary to connect the links aforesaid to
the platform through the medium of a lever which operates
a stop device into the way of the rear anxle of the wagon
before the platform or bridge is raised, and withdrawn same
after the platform or bridge has been lowered. According
to this invention, the raising and lowering of the platform
or bridge is effected by means of two oppositely travelling
nuts or nut-like crossheads mounted on oppositely screw-
threaded portions on a single shaft or on separate screw-
threaded shafts, and links pivoted to said nuts or cross-
heads and to each other toggle-fashion, and the knuckles of
which bear or are adapted to bear against the platform or
bridge. Preferably, the nut or crosshead near the pivot of
the platform or bridge has a lesser travel than the other
nut or crosshead. Conveniently, the difference is as to 2,
and the knuckle of the links moves in a path concentric or
practically concentric to the pivot of the platform or bridge.
(Five claims.)

110721. An Improved Coupling or Shackle for Colliery
Wagons. J. L. Thomas, 7, Beaufort-terrace, Martin-street,
Morriston, Swansea.—This invention relates to an improved
coupling or shackle for colliery, contractor’s, and like tram-
way wagons, and is intended to provide a simple construc-
tion which will prevent such couplings or shackles from
becoming accidentally unfastened when in use. According
to this invention, the shackle or D-link of the coupling
is formed or provided with projections, one on each side of
the hole through which the pin of the coupling is inserted,
and these projections have undercut grooves or channels,
into which lugs on the pin are turned so as to restrict or
prevent axial movement of the pin. The pin is further
furnished with a ring passing loosely through a hole therein,
and which, when the pin is in position with the lugs
thereon within the grooves or channels above mentioned,
falls over one or the other of the projections, and thus locks
the pin against rotary movement, thereby retaining the lugs
in the said grooves or channels. (Two claims.)

110770. Process for the Manufacture of Artificial Fuel
from Waste Products. R. Brown, Osterley, Longford-
avenue, Southall, Middlesex.—This invention relates to a
new or improved process for the manufacture of artificial
fuel from waste products, such, for example, as ashbin or
house refuse, including ashes, dirt, and other suitable waste
material, and the object is to render the process cleanly in
operation and free from the disadvantages hitherto experi-
enced in utilising refuse for the purpose hereinbefore
stated, while at the same time producing a fuel of good
calorific value. The binding material is oil tar (which is a
powerful disinfectant) or preferably a mixture of heated
oil tar and pitch in the proportions of about 10 per cent,
by weight of the refuse material and in the relative pro-
portions of about 5 per cent, oil tar and 5 per cent, pitch,
the said latter proportions, however, depending on the class
of fuel material being dealt with, some refuse being capable
of carrying more oil tar or pitch and some less in the mixture.
Again, if the fuel material is used immediately and not
stored, the proportion of oil tar may be somewhat greater
than that indicated. In dealing with the refuse for the
purpose of making the briquettes or the like, it is prefer-
ably fed on to travelling bands in order to facilitate a
preliminary sorting to eliminate iron and such-like material

unsuitable for or deleterious to combustion. The sorted
material is then passed into suitable crushing or disinte-
grating machines, and crushed into a suitably powdered or
disintegrated condition, and passed into hoppers or be
otherwise fed into presses, which hoppers may be provided
with steam pipes or other means for adding moisture if
necessary, or this may be effected at any other convenient
stage, to increase the temporary binding properties, and
compressed into briquettes or blocks of any convenient size
and shape by hand or by power. The briquettes thus
formed are allowed to dry for about 24 hours under ordi-
nary atmospheric conditions, this being usually sufficient,
but may be assisted by heat if necessary, and it is pre-
ferred to make the briquettes of ovoid form of about 2 in.
in thickness, for the reason that in atmospheric drying the
air will readily pass through same, and with the dipping
method of applying the binding agent, the latter will
impregnate the briquettes throughout. The compressed
briquettes are then either simply immersed in the liquid
binding material, or are conveyed into a suitable cylinder
or cylinders, the latter being hermetically sealed and a
vacuum formed therein, after which the binding or impreg-
nating material is fed in under pressure, whereupon the
material permeates the briquettes or blocks, and after the
requisite amount of impregnating material has been applied
the supply is cut off and the briquettes removed and stacked
ready for use as fuel. A short dipping or immersion
method is usually sufficient, but the calorific value of the
briquettes is increased by protracting this step or by the
impregnation under pressure. (Four claims.)

110922. Improvements in Operating Signalling Indicators
for Collieries, etc. J. W. Jobling, Clifton Cottage,
Burnley.—This invention relates to means for operating
visual and audible indicating devices used at collieries and
like works for giving signals from the bottom of the shaft
to the man in charge of the winding engine. Fig. 1 is an
elevation illustrating one way of carrying it into practical
effect; and fig. 2 a part side view of fig. 1. Referring to
figs. 1 and 2, a is the signalling indicator, located, for
example, in the engine house at a colliery, for giving signals
to the man in charge of the winding engine, and b the wire
by which the indicator is operated from the bottom of the
shaft. The upper end of the wire is connected to a pair
of links c, which embrace the actuating arm d of the indi-
cator, and have attached to them a counterbalance weight e.
The lower end of the wire is pivotally connected at f to a
floating lever g, supported at or near one end. Conveni-
ently, the floating lever g is the lever of the hammer
employed for “knocking back,” and it may be supported
by its head h resting on the plate or surface j, against which
it strikes. Nearer the other end of the lever g, and at a
suitable distance from the point / of attachment of the wire
b, two slotted links k, k1 are pivotally connected at Z1 to
the lever. The slotted lower ends of the links k, k1 engage
pins m, m1 on upstanding cranks n, n1 on two indepen-
dent shafts o, o1 arranged in line with each other, and pro-
vided with handles p, p1, whereby they can be rotated. The
cranks n, n1 are of such a throw that on being rotated they
actuate the links k, k1 to an extent more than sufficient to
effect the proper operation of the signalling device, after
allowing for any elongation, by stretching or expansion, of
the wire b. The shafts o, o1 carry ratch wheels q, qx,
which co-act with stationary pawls r, r1 in such a way that
on the actuafcon of either shaft, it must be given a complete
rotation to resume its normal position. The arrangement
may, however, be such that the cranks can return to normal
position after being actuated through 180 degs. When a
signal is to be given to the man in charge of the winding

s

-2)

k

w

Z/J

a .|n

71

v io

o-

Iq

9?^

k

7/i
LZZ

engine at the surface, one or other of the shafts o, o1, say,
the shaft o, is given one or more complete or half revolu-
tions, according to the signal. On each operation of the
shaft o, the crank n carried thereby pulls down the corre-
sponding link k an extent equal to twice the throw of the
crank, which amount is, as above stated, more than suffi-
cient to effect the proper operation of the signalling indi-
cator a, after allowing for any possible elongation of the
operating wire b. The other link kx meanwhile rides freely
on the pin mx of its co-operating crank nx. The pulling
down of the link k pulls dowri the unsupported end of the
floating lever g, which rocks or pivots on its supported end,
viz., the hammer head h, into the position indicated by the
dotted line gx. The pulling down of the lever g pulls down
the operating wire b until the latter has properly operated
the indicator a, and been arrested by the arresj of the arm
d of the indicator by the usual stop in the position indi-
cated in dotted lines. This arrest of the operating wire b
takes place before the crank n has reached its lowest point
in’ its path, i.e., before it has travelled through 180 degs.
The further downward movement of the crank n continues
to pull down the unsupported end of the floating lever g,
but as the lever can no longer pull down the operating wire
b, it ceases to rock or pivot on its supported end, and pivots
about its point of attachment f to the operating wire b, as
indicated by the dot-and-dash line g2. Thus the further
movement of the link k and unsupported end of the lever g
is not imparted to the operating wire b, and no damage to

the latter or to the indicator is caused thereby. On the
upward movement or return of the crank the several parts
re-assume their normal positions. When the operating wire
b is pulled upwards by the engineman to knock back the
signal received, the lever pivots about its point of connec-
tion fx to the links k, k1, and, on the wire being released,
the lever falls, and its hammer head h knocks against the
plate or surface j, on which it is normally supported. In
some cases the operating wire bx of a second indicator a1
may be connected to and be actuated by the lever g on the
operation thereof. (Twelve claims.)

110927. Improved Coal Saver for Fire Grates. H.
Shakespeare, St. Edwards-street, Leek. — This invention
consists essentially of a block of fireclay or the like material
provided with holes or heat passages passing upwardly from
the lower end of the block and through to the top of same,
the holes or heat passages being of greater diameter at
their lower ends, and communicating with inclined holes
or heat passages of greater diameter at their lowest or
outer ends, extending to the front of the block. (Two
claims.)

111018. Improvements in Coal Trimming Devices for
Locomotive Engine Tenders. W. R. Kingett, 81, Haw-
thorn-road, Nightingale-lane, Hornsey, London, N. 8.—
This invention relates to devices for shifting coal forward
in the coal space of a locomotive tender, as it is used of the
type in which a scoop or the like is placed in the coal space
at the rear of the coal and moved forward by suitable
power. The object of this invention is to provide an
improved coal trimming device of this type. In a device
for trimming coal made in accordance with this invention,
the bottom of the scoop is cut away in the front to allow
the coal to pass down into the chute of the tender as the
scoop is drawn forward, the means of moving the scoop
being disposed outside the coal space. (Two claims.)

111031. Improvements Relating to Conveyors. M.
Palmer, Esh Colliery Office, Esh Winning, Waterhouses,
Durham.—This invention relates to conveyors, and has for
its object to provide an improved construction especially
adapted for conveying coal in low seams where the head
room is restricted, but also applicable for conveying stone
and other materials. Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation
of one form of apparatus made in accordance with this
invention ; fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2—2, fig. 1; fig. '3
is a modified construction showing the means for support-

JL //7

I?

[» 61

T7 / ~

f/G.3.	|4

%	i

ing the connecting bars which carry the wedge-shaped
reciprocating members; and fig. 4 is a cross section on
line 4—4, fig. 2. The trough a is provided with sloping
sides b and a bottom c, which may be flat or stepped, as
at d d. Within the trough, and at each side thereof are
connecting rods e e. On the connecting rods are mounted
hangers h h, carrying wedge-shaped members j, which are
disposed within and transversely of the trough a. The
connecting rods e e are adapted to be reciprocated by any
suitable mechanism, as per example, by a piston adapted
to be moved by steam or compressed air in a cylinder, said
piston being connected either directly or by means of a
rope or chain to the ends of the connecting rods. In the
form shown in figs. 3 and 4, rollers f f are mounted on the
rods e e at a suitable distance apart. The rollers run on
inclined paths g g. The wedge-shaped members have a
vertical face k and an inclined face m. In operation, as
the connecting rods are reciprocated, the vertical faces of
the wedge members will push the coal or material forward
during the forward stroke of the reciprocating mechanism,
the sloping faces of said members passing under the coal or
material during the return stroke. Instead of recipro-
cating the wedge-shaped members, these may be stationary
and the trough reciprocated as a whole, or the wedges may
be attached to stationary side plates or members, between
which the floor of the trough may be reciprocated. Where
the trough is reciprocated, the coal or material will rise
over the wedge members during the forward stroke, and
be restricted, from rearward movement during the return
stroke by the vertical faces of the wedge members. (Two
claims.)

111184. Electrically Operated Signal Indicators for Use
in Mine Haulage, Winding, etc. J. P. Forster, Sandriqg-
ham-terrace, Leeholme, Bishop Auckland.—This invention
relates to audible and visual indicators for use in mine
haulage, winding, and similar operations, and of the
kind wherein means, electrically operated, are provided for
indicating the “ men to ride ” signal of three raps, and of
the kind wherein the signal, when once given, is perma-
nently indicated to the engineman in a visual manner until
the same is accepted, when the signal is automatically can-
celled consequent upon the giving of the confirmatory
signal, and the object of the present invention is to provide
certain detailed improvements in signalling arrangements
of the kind above referred to. Relays are provided, which,
operated by the cancelling current, close other contacts pro-
vided in series with the first-mentioned contacts, and which
are also connected in series with contacts which are broken
during the time that the indicator is being cancelled, but
which do not open until after the closing of the relay con-
tacts. When the indicator shows the signal, its cancelling
(by the arrangement of the aforesaid contacts) operates
other relays and lamps provided, which latter illuminate
dials recording the signal just cancelled, and which by
suitable connection of the cancelling circuits for the