US473533A

US473533A - Bryan tyson

Info

Publication number: US473533A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 1909-04-26

Description

L u e h S S t e e h s 3 w NT 0A SM Y TN A BM A (NoModeL) PatentedApnZG, 1892..

INVENTOR WITN ESSES (No Model.) L 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. B. TYSON. AMALGAMATOR.

No. 473,533. Patehted Apr. 23,1393,

ma mums Perms cm, mimu'mm, vnsumcmu, a. c.

(No'ModeL) 3 Sheets--Sheet 3. B. TYSON. AMALGAMATOR.

o. 473,533. Patented Apr. 26, 1-392.

WIZWESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BRYAN TYSON, OF YVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TENTH TO CHARLES A. METCALF, OF SAME PLACE.

AMALGAMATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 473,533, dated April 26, 1892.

' Application filed October 2, 1890. Serial No. 866,864. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BRYAN TYSON, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Amalgamators for the WVorking of Gold and Silver Ores, of which the following isaspecification.

The objects of my improvements are, first, to throw into the waste a large proportion of the coarser and practically valueless portion of the pulp, thus enabling my devices, which are practical for either quartz or hydraulic mines, to handle a much larger quantity than could otherwise be done; second, to save a large percentage ot the precious metals that is usually lost. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a plan View of a sluice. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is .a plan view of a sluice, being a continuation of that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the same.

Fig. (5 is a sluice leading laterally from under' that shown in Fig. 3. Fig. '7 is a longitudinal section of same. Fig. 8 is a plan View of a continuation of the sluice-box shown in Fig. 6 and agitating mechanism, with a portion of one side of the stationary frame omitted. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the same. Figs. 10, 11, 12,13, and 14. are views of details. Figs. 15 and. 16 are sections of modifications of mercury receptacle and agitator. Fig. 17 is asection on line 00:1; of Fig. 8. Fig. 18 is a section of a modification of mercury receptacle and agitator.

.A, Figs. 1 and 2, is a sluice-box of proper construction and grade for the flow of water and pulp containing the precious metals to be taken.

B is a sliding gate that works in a groove at each of said sluice-boxes and through an aperture of proper size in the bottom of same. It should fit sufficiently tight to prevent the passage of water and pulp except over the top of same.

D D are bars that are properly secured to said sliding gate and are provided with gearteeth near their top ends.

E E are gear wheels properly secured to the axle F and mesh in said bars. G is also a gear-wheel secured to said axle and meshes with the screw H. The screw and axle F are provided with the necessary bearings.

I is a pulley properly secured to the screw 11 and receives a belt for revolving same; but any other convenient mode may be em-- ployed.

The bottom of the sluice-box A is preferably constructed with a chamber J K L, of proper size and depth to break the force of the water and pulp after passing down the bottom J, which is constructed on a proper incline. The bottom L is also preferably constructed on an incline. The bottom K may be constructed level. The plane of the bottom of the sluice-box A situated above said chamber should be constructed sufliciently above the plane of the bottom of the box situated below said chamber to prevent the sliding gate 13 when raised to its greatest height from backing thewater and pulp beyond the upstream end of the bottom J.

M, Figs. 1 and '2, is an adjustable sluice-box or skimmer of proper length and depth and fits loosely inside of the walls of the sluicebox A. The downstream end is constructed on a proper angle and terminates beyond one of the walls of the sluice-box A, which is suitably cut away to admit of the box near its mouth passing over same. The upstream end of the bottom is preferably brought to a sharp edge, or said bottom -may have a suitable piece of iron or other metal brought to a sharp edge and attached thereto. are properly secured to the sluice'box and are bound together near their top ends by the cross-bars O O.

P P are stationary cross-bars provided with proper supports.

Q is a longitudinal bar supported by the cross-bars P P.

R R' are keys that work between the bar Q and the cross-bars O 0. By means of said keys the sluice-box M can be raised or lowered to any extent that may be desired, and thus becomes adjustable with reference to the bottom of the sluice-box A. The object of this sluicebox is to throw into the waste a suitable quantity of water skimmed from the surface, and thus prevent too great a boil of the water and pulp in the chamber J K L.

It will be necessary to construct the sluice- Standards N N box A and all the appurtenances thereunto pertaining in duplicate, commencing a suitthereof.

able distance above the chamber J K L and ending a suitable distance below the sliding gate B. (Not shown in drawings.) \Vhile one box is being filled above the sliding gate with substances of value the contents of the other box, that has been filled with a sim lar deposit, will be washed out by water admitted to the said box, its gate having been opened.

The object of the sliding gate Bis to divide the pulp into two parts. The pulp that flows over the top of the gate while being raised is considered valueless and is washed direct into the waste. The pulp held above the sliding gate will contain the heavier substances of value and will as discharged therefrom flow to devices for the extraction of the precious metals.

A, Figs. 3 and 4, is a continuation of the slnice-box A of Figs. 1 and 2 and is also constructed in duplicate. (Not shown in drawings.

R is a blade constructed with a sharp edge. It is preferably placed at right angles to the sluice and works in a slot constructed in each wall. The bottom of the sluice-box in front thereof is cut away, forming the aperture U,

Fig. 5. Said blade is adjustable laterally by means of the keys S S and vertically by the set-screws T T. For the latter purpose the sluice-box is made in sections, the side walls of which overlap each other in the same vertical plane, so that each of said screws which passes through the upper section bears at its foot upon an edge of the lower section, which carries the blade and can be slightly raised to adjust said blade. The object of said blade is to throw into the waste an additional percentage of the valueless portion of the pulp. The sluice-box is cut apart at this point, and in order to prevent parting I employ irons B" B"of proper construction, one so secured to either side as to form flexible joints, thus permitting the blade R to be readily raised orlowered by turning said setscrews. By means of the keys S S the aperture U can be more or less opened or closed. The heavier and more valuable portions of the pulp will be deflected by the blade R through the apertures U into the riffle-box V. The residue that passes over the blade will flow into the waste.

In order to make the pulp that passes through the aperture U flow down the riffiebox V, it will be necessary to add some water, preferably clear; but it clear water be not available the water thrown off by the adjustable sluice-box M can be conducted into a tank of proper construction to admit of the sediment being drawn off at the bottom and the riffle-box V supplied from the surface (Not shown in drawings.)

The next operation will be the extraction of the precious metals.

V, Figs. 6 and 7, is a continuation of the riflie-box V of Fig. 3. The width of the rifllebox, commencing near the sluice-box A, may be gradually increased until about five feet (more or less) is attained. The sluice-box for a suitable distance-say four feet, more or less, Fig. 7is preferably constructed on at least double the usual grade.

NV W are wedge-shaped .lugs of proper width and depth, broughttoa sharp point upstream. They may be constructed threefourths of an inch broad at their lower ends, one and a half inchesdeep, and eight inches long or of any other desired dimensions. The spaces between the lugs for thefiow of the water and pulp are preferably about fiveeighths of an inch. Said lugs are properly secured to the bottom of the sluice-box. X X are lugs of similar dimensions, except that they are preferably three inches long instead of eight. These lugs are properly secured to the strip Y, which is preferably about onehalf inch thick and one inch broad. Said strips with the lugs attached extends across the sluice-box. The strip Y will in operation mix and distribute the pulp.

Z, Fig. 7, is a strip of about the same size as the strip Y, properly secured to the bottom of the sluice-box. The construction should be such that the strip Y, to which the pieces X X are attached, can be readily lifted in and out. 'A space of about five inches should intervene between the pieces W W and the strip Z. The object ofthe above arrangement is to thoroughly mix the water and pulp, thus causing a regular flow.

A, Fig. 7, is a copper plate secured to the bottom of the sluice-box in the usual B is a strip of wood, preferably about threeeighths of an inch thick and an inch and a quarter broad, placed on top of the copper plate and should fit snugly between the walls of the sluice-box.

C O are amalgamating-strips, preferably constructed of copper and electroplated on both sides and edges with silver. They are preferably one inch broad, one-eighth of an inch thick, and extend across the sluice-box. The wooden strip B has an amalgamatingstrip G on top. At Fig. 7 I have three of said strips placed close together. In dressing the plate and stripsit will be very convenient to brush any surplus amalgam onto the portion of the plate covered by said three strips, and thus prevent it from being washed into the waste. The residue of the strips should be placed at proper distances apart to break the force of the water and form necessary ritlies; but some practice will be necessary to determine the distances. The strips may be placed on the plate singly or in groups of two, three, or more, as may be found best in practice. The wooden strip B and the amalgamating-strips G C require no fastening.

D, Figs. 6 and 7, is a chamber extending across the riffie-box V, preferably constructed about four inches broad and three inches deep. The upstream Walls should be three inches (more or less) deeper than the down- IIO stream walls. I preferably employ a board E, properly secured at each end and so arranged as 'to form an aperture F of about three-fourths of an 'inch, more orless, through which the water and ore are deflected, preferably vertically, into said chamber.

G is an amalgamating-plate four inches broad, more or less, preferably constructed of copper and electroplated on both sides and edges with silver.

V, Figs. 8 and 9, is a continuation of the riftle or sluice box V of Figs. 6 and 7, connecting immediately below the chamber D. The portion of the sluice-box containing the riffie-bars H H is preferably constructed with more grade than usualsay one and a half inches to the foot, more or less. Said bars are two inches broad on the face, more or less, and

beveled on the downstream edge at an angle of thirty degrees, more or less. They should be three inches broad on the bottom side, more or less,and the spaces K K should be about one and a fourth inches broad at the surface. The construction should be such as to make said spaces quicksilver-tight. The riffle-bars should be constructed with a bevel such as to cause the surfaces thereof when placed in the sluice-box to be level or about level. The water and pulp as they pass from one bar to another will thus have a fall of about one-fourth of an inch off each bar.

The breaking and boiling of the water and pulp over the series of little falls above described makes the tops of the riftle-bars H II, which are preferably capped with bandiron of proper width and thickness, very desirable places for amalgamating-strips J J preferably constructed of copper and electroplated with silver on both sides and edges. The strips should fit loosely between the sides of the sluice-box, so as to admitof beingreadily taken out to be dressed. They should be placed on the tops of said riflie-bars without any fastening. They appear to act best when constructed of thin metalsay one-sixteenth of an inch thick, more or less. Said strips are subjected to but little or no wear, and will at the same time take much more gold, according to the surface employed, than silver plates placed in the ordinary way.

In order to take any amalgam and quicksilver that may be lost from said strips and riffles and also to take rusty gold and other substances of value that will not amalgamate, I employ the following devices, operated by machinery: L and M, Figs. 8 and 9, are receptacles for holding and working quicksilver. A'substantial frame composed of uprights NN, longitudinal bars 0 O, and crossbars P P is constructed about said receptacles. A sliding frame composed of uprights Q Q, of longitudinal bars R R, and of crossbars S S is also constructed. Said sliding frame works on the inside of the upright posts N N and is held in position by cleats T T, that are properly secured to the uprights N N. i

The receptacles L and M are of similar construction, with the exception that M, in which the roller X is operated, is preferably constructed broader and deeper. Each of said receptacles is preferably provided with a riffle-bar T, properly secured at the ends to the end walls of said receptacles and so' placed as to give a fall of about one-fourth of an inch (more or less) off each rilile-bar. The bar T divides the receptacle M into two compartments. The upstream wall of each receptacle is preferably constructed about two inches (more or. less) deeper than the downstream wall, thus giving the water and pulp a fall of about two inches (more or less) as they enter the receptacles. Each of said receptacles is preferablyprovided with a board E, properly secured at each end to the end walls of the receptacles at a proper distance from the upstream walls of same. Apertures F F are thus formed, through which the water and pulp are by means of said boards deflected downward, preferably vertically, after the manner described for the chamber D.

The portions of the riftle-box V occupied by the receptacles L and M are preferably constructed sufficiently broad to admit of said receptacles forming suitable niches, Fig. 8, into which the outer blades of the sets K K and U U will travel in and out a proper distance.

U, Figs. 8 and 9, is'an axle supported by and working in proper bearings, one at each end.

V V are cam-wheels. WV is a pulley that propels them, said wheels and pulley being properly secured to Said axle; but any other convenient mode for propelling can be employed.

X is a roller, preferably constructed of wood, through the center of which it is preferable to pass an iron axle Y. The roller may be three inches in diameter, more or less, and the axle one inch, more or less. It is deemed best to construct the roller in two pieces, Figs. 11, 12 and 15. A proper groove for the reception of the axle Y may be constructed in each half, and after placing the axle in the groove thetwo pieces can be bound together by a band Z, one at each end. The wood and portion of the axle necessary to work in bearings can then be turned down to a proper size in a lathe, and all will thus be made true; but any mode of construction and any material may be employed that may be found best in practice. The axle Y works in proper bearings A A, one at each end, Fig. 18. In order that the pulp may not reach said bearings, I preferably construct chambers BB" immediately adjacent to the end walls of the receptacle Ma chamber at either end of the receptacle the inside walls thereof being common to both the chamber and receptacle. Proper apertures are constructed in the inner and outer walls of said chambers for the reception of the axle Y, in which it should work rather loosely.

leakage. The tops of said chambers are preferably constructed a suitable distance higher than the level of the pulp in the receptacle M. A suitable stream of water is preferably delivered into each of said chambers sufficient to keep them filled. The water in said chambers being higher than the level of the water in the receptacle M, the pulp cannot flow from the receptacle to the chambers and consequently it cannot interfere with the working of the axle Y where it passes through the walls of said chambers nor with the bearings A A, placed outside of the chambers. The roller X is preferably provided with teeth D D, about one inch long, more or less, and brought to a point by cutting away the front and back corners, Figs. 9 and 10; but they may be constructed with square ends E or with the ends brought to a point, ,as may be found best in practice. In constructing said teeth iron of proper width and thickness 'or any suitable metal may be cut into suitable lengths, one end sharpened or left square, as may be desired, and then bent at right angles.

F F, Figs. 10 and 11, are grooves of proper width and depth for the reception of th teeth D" D", in which they are properly secured by any convenient mode. Said teeth are preferably held in position by means of an iron strip G", Fig. 11,0f proper width and thickness, wound around the roller in a spiral form and properly secured thereto by nailing or by any other convenient mode. Said iron will strengthen the roller, especially if constructed in two pieces, and will also protect it against wear from the flowing pulp. Four, eight, or any other convenient number of grooves may be formed in the roller for the reception of the teeth. At Fig. 12 I have eight. It is deemed best to have a sufficient number to admit of the teeth when attached presenting a zigzag appearance; but any mode for inserting the teeth may be employed that may be found most convenient in practice.

The roller may be operated without any teeth, Fig. 16, if found best in practice.

11", Fig. 9, is a pulley properly secured to theaxle Y. I is another pulley properly secured to the axle U.

J is a belt that connects the two pulleys and serves to revolve the roller X, which is preferably revolveddownstream, but may be revolved either upstream or downstream, as

may be found best in practice. As shown in the drawings, it will revolve downstream. A slow motion for the rollersay, eighteen revolutions per minuteis deemed ample; but it canbe revolved faster or slower, as may be found best in practice.

K K, Figs 8, 9, and 14, are blades of proper construction for operating in the receptacle M. They are preferably constructed of thin suitable metal and are properly secured to the sliding bar L. A suitable portion of the blades is cutaway at the lower end to permit them to straddle the riflie-bar T, the roller X, and the board E, thus dividing the blades into two prongs, upper and lower ones. The lower or downstream prongs may be one and a half inches broad, more or less, and the upstream pron gs, that preferably work in the aperture F, may be three-fourths of an inch broad, more or. less. A sufficient number of said blades should be employed to keep the pulp that overlies the quicksilver D in the receptacle M loose and in proper condition for the arrest and precipitation of the precious metals throughout the entire length thereof. The blades K K may be constructed with any convenient number of prongs--be it one, two, three, or more-that may be found best in practice.

The riffle-bar T and the blades K K may be dispensed with and the roller X alone operated in the receptacle M if found best in practice so to do, Fig. 15.

U U, Figs. 8 and 9, are blades of proper construction for operating in the receptacle L. A suitable portion of the blades is cut away at the bottom to permit them to straddle the riffle-bar T and the board E, thus dividing 'the blades into upper and lower prongs. The blades are preferably constructed of the same kind of material that the blades K K are, and the prongs, both the upper and lower, are preferably of the same dimensions as to width and thickness of the corresponding prongs of the blades K K. The upstream tier of prongs preferably works in the aperture F. The blades can be constructed without division or they can be divided into two, three, or more prongs, as may be found best in practice. The blades are properly secured to the sliding bar L ,and a sufficient number thereof should be employed to keep the pulp overlying the quicksilver in the receptacle L in proper condition for the arrest and precipitation of the precious metals throughout the entire length thereof. The prongs of the blades I K and U U are preferably provided with amalgamatingpoints 7 and WV. The former W are of proper length, width, and thickness for the lower tier of prongs, and the latter W are of proper length, width, and thickness for the upper tier of prongs. Said points may be constructed of any metal suitable for amalgamating purposes, but preferably of silver.

V, Fig. 13, is a blade provided with amalgamating-points W The blade,-including the amalgamating-points, is of the same dimensions as the blades U U, being divided into two prongs of similar width and thickness. Consequently blades of this pattern can be operated in lieu of the blades U U, if found best in practice so to do. In the drawings the point W, which is constructed for the broader or downstream prong, only is shown. The points W are of the same IIO thickness and length as the points W and drawings,

of proper width to be joined to the upstream tier of prongs, that work, as shown in the in the aperture F, Fig. 9.

In constructing the blades V V" thin pieces of iron or other metal may be riveted to each side of the prongs at their lowerends, forming slots, into which the amalgamatingpoints WV and IV canbe fitted and secured bya rivet. The construction is preferablysuch that said amalgamating-points, when in operation, will descend to a proper depth into the quicksilver E, with which the receptacle L is provided. In the same way described above the blades K K can be provided with amalgamating-points W and W, which when in operation preferablydescend intothe quicksllver D to a proper depth with which the receptacle M is provided. The amalgamating-points NV and l*' can be attached to all or to any portion of the blades K K and U U, or they can be dispensed with altogether, as may be found best in practice.

LL, Figs. Sand 9, are two sliding bars, each provided with a lug X, that extends a proper distance into the zigzag groove Y, that encircles the cam-wheels S S. Each sliding bar is supported by two standards M M, one near each end. Said standards are properly secured to the longitudinal bars R R of the vertical sliding frame.

N N", Figs. 8 and 9, are stems of proper construction, the top ends thereof being secured to a crossbar S, which in turn is secured at each end to alongitudinal bar R of the sliding frame. Said stems are supported at their lower ends by the cam-Wheels V V, one at either side of the sliding frame.

0 O are ratchet-wheels, and S S" are cam-wheels, all properly secured to the axles P P", a ratchet-wheel and a cam-wheel being secured to each axle. The ends of said axles are journaled in pieces that are properly secured to two of the longitudinal bars R R of the sliding frame. Consequently if the cam-wheels V V be revolved the ratchetwheels 0 O", the cam-wheels S S", and the sliding frame will all have a common reciprocating movement.

Q-Q, Figs. 8 and 17, are pawls so secured at their upper ends to the stationary bar R as to form flexible joints. Said pawls will impinge on the teeth of the ratchet-wheels O 0 during their upward movements, causing them to turn a proper distance and move the sliding bars L" L accordingly. The construction should be such that the blades K K and U" U" will be withdrawn from the pulp before taking on a lateral movement. To effect this purpose the teeth of the ratchetwheels 0" 0" should not be brought into contact with the ends of the pawls Q" Q until after said blades have been withdrawn from the pulp. Consequently when the sliding frameis down, as now shown in the drawings, a suitable distance should intervene between the teeth to be impinged on and the ends of the pawls.

drawings.)

The following is a description of the operation of my devices. The spaces (commonly called riffies) K K and the receptacles L and Mare first properly supplied with quicksilver. Power is then applied to the pulleys I and \V, which causes the sliding gate B to rise slowly and the sliding frame to rise and fall at the rate of about sixty drops per minute, more orless. The heavier and more valuable substances will be held in the sluice-box above the gate, while the coarser and valueless portion of the pulp will be washed over the top of said gate into the waste. This operation will be continued until the sluice-box be filled to a proper depth. The water and pulp will then be diverted at some convenient point, preferably above the chamber J K L, in to another sluice-box of similar construction to the sluice-box A, (not shown in drawings) which will be filled to a proper depth in the way just described, the movements of the sliding gates B B having in the meantime been reversed which is done by running the pulley I in an opposite direction. A suitable stream of water, preferably clear, will be turned into the sluice-box just vacated, preferably a short distance above the chamber J K L. As the gate goes down the pulp that has been collected above will be gradually washed out, passing over the top of the gate. \Vhen-said collection of pulp has been exhausted, the motion of the sliding gates will be again reversed, and thus the operation of alternately filling and emptying the sluice-boxes, first one and then the other, will be continued. (The mechanism for changing the water and pulp from onesluice-box to the other and for reversing the motion of the pulley I is not shown in The collection of pulp above the sliding gate 13 will flow as discharged therefrom over the adjustable blade R, (constructed in duplicate,) where an additional quantity of the valueless portion of the pulp will be cut out and washed into the waste. The more valuable substances will be caught below the sharp edge of said blade and will be defiected'thence downward through the aperture U into the riffie-box V, from whence they will flow to devices for extracting the precious metals. The adjustable blade B may be used or dispensed with, as may be found best in practice. The practicability of employing it will depend much 011 the character of the mine. The water and pulp will flow thence over the amalgamating-plate A and amalgamatingstrips C C, and will then be deflected by means of the board E through the aperture F into the chamber D. The boiling of the water and pulp in said chamber renders the amalgamating-plate G an excellent device for taking the precious metals. The water and pulp pass thence over rifliebars H H and intervening spaces K K. The amalgamating-strips J J are placed on top of the riffle-bars H II and will render excellent service. The quicksilver in the in- A tervening spaces K K will serve a good purpose in taking any amalgam that may be washed off said strips. The water and pulp will then how to other apertures F F, Where they are deflected downward into the receptacles L and M. (The intervening bars, spaces, and amalgamating-strips are the same as those described.) Said receptacles, in connection with accompanying devices, will render valuable service in taking rusty gold and other substances of value that cannot be taken by any ordinary amalgamating device such as that above described. The

revolving of the cam-wheels V V will bring a tooth of each of the ratchet-wheels O 0 into contact with the end of a pawl Figs. 8 and 17, which will cause said ratchetwheels and the cam-wheels S S to turn a proper distance. Through the medium of the lugs X" X, the zigzag grooves Y Y, and the sliding-bars L L a lateral movement will be given the blades K" K" and U U. Thus the positions of said blades will be changed during each upward movement of the sliding frame, causing them when they descend to cut the pulp overlaying the quicksilver in new places. The lugs X" X" and the zigzag grooves Y" Y as now arranged in the drawings will first give said blades several lateral movements to the left and then an equal number to the right, thus changing the positions of the blades K" K and U U at each upward movement of the slidingframe. Consequently at each downward movement of the sliding frame said blades will cut the pulp overlying the quicksilver in the receptacles L and M in new places, thus giving the pulp throughout the entire length of said receptacles proper agitation. The amalgamating-points WV" and W will bring a sufficiency of the quicksilver into which they descend at each downward stroke to the surface of the pulp at each upward movement to supply same fairly well. Said amalgamating-points will, while descending, gather the quicksilver that has been distributed in the pulp, carry it down, and unite it again with the main body of quicksilver, and thus will amalgamation be facilitated. The revolving of the roller X will agitate the pulp in the vicinity thereof, thus furnishing necessary facilities for arresting and precipitating to the quicksilver below (very close to which the teeth of said roller should revolve) the substances of value, especially rusty gold and other substances that will not readily amalgamate.

The devices above described are applicable to either quartz or hydraulic mines; but if it bedesirable to employ them in the latterit will be necessary to first throw into the waste the larger stones by means of a device patented October 8,1878, No. 208,773, for which I make no claim herein. Any other appropriate device can be used for the same purpose. A series of devices patented January 2,1883, No. 270,156, for which I make no claim herein, should then be employed until the quantity of pulp be sufficiently reduced to admit of being worked by the devices above described.

About five feet (more or less) is a convenient width for the sluice-box in which the above devices-such the blades K" K U" U" and the roller X'are operated; but where the quantity of pulp to be-worked is sufficiently large. it may be constructed of double width and divided into two compartments by a partition in the middle. It can, however, be constructed of any width in accordance with the requirements of the case.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a sluice-box provided at its lower end with a vertically-movable gate adapted to arrest substances of value and permit escape of waste above it and also provided at a point removed'from said gate with a chamber extending below the general plane of its bottom, and a skimmer-box located immediately over said chamber and above the bottom, said skimmer having a lateral waste-exit, substantially as set forth.

2. A sluice-box having a chamber below the general plane of its bottom,vin combination with a skimmer located immediately above said chamber and above the bottom, said skimmer having a lateral waste-exit, substantially as set forth.

3. A sluice-box having a chamber below the general plane of its bottom, in combination with a skimmer located immediately above said chamber and above the bottom, said skimmer having a lateral waste-exit, and devices for vertically adjusting said skimmer, substantially as set forth.

4. A sluice-box provided with an adjustable gate at its lower end to separate substances of value from the waste, said box having above the gate an unobstructed bottom and at a distance above said gate a receptacle below the general plane of its bottom, said receptacle being unobstructed and having an inclined wall on its upstream side, said wall extending above the upper edge of the gate at its highest elevation, and a horizontal bottom and an inclined wall at its downstream side, which is short and steep as compared with the incline first named and terminating at its top below the top of said first-named incline,

the construction being such that water and pulp cannot be backed beyond the top of the incline situated above said receptacle, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination with a main or primary sluice-box to separate lighter and heavier substances of value and to discharge waste,'a

supplementary sluice or riflie box leading therefrom and having two series of wedgeshaped lugs in its bottom, the lower series being placed on a removable strip supported on another strip secured to the bottom of the sluice, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination with a main or primary sluice-box to separate lighter and heavier substances of value and to discharge waste, a supplementary sluice or riffle box leading therefrom and having two series of wedgeshaped lugs in its bottom, the lower series being placed on a removable strip supported by another strip, the latter secured to the bottom of the sluice, and a series of amalgamating plates and strips located in the bottom of the latter box below the said lugs, substantially as set forth.

7. In combination with a main or primary sluice-box to separate lighter and heavier substances of value and to discharge waste, a supplementary sluice or ritlie box leading therefrom and having two series of wedgeshaped lugs in its bottom, the lower series being placed on a removable strip or transverse bar supported by another strip secured to the bottom of the sluice-box, a series of amalgamating-strips and amalgamating-plates located in the bottom of the latter box below the said lugs, and a receptacle in said bottom provided with a board extending below its general plane to divert the current downwardly, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the sluice or riitle box V, having two receptacles in its bottom, the vertically-sliding frame, means for reciprocating said frame, agitating-blades arranged to traverse on said frame and depending therefrom into said receptacles, a cam-shaft and cam-wheels thereon, and mechanism connecting said wheels and agitating-blades, the blades being provided at their lower ends with amalgamating points, whereby the revolution of the shaft is caused to operate said blades, lifting them vertically above the pulp and gradually sliding them while making the upward stroke back and forth laterally, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the sluice or riftle box V, having two receptacles in its bottom, the verticallysliding frame, means for reciprocating said frame, agitating-blades arranged to traverse on said frame and dependingtherefrom into said receptacles, a cam-shaft and cam-wheels thereon, and mechanism connecting the wheels and agitators, whereby the revolution of the shaft is caused to operate the agitators, the roller located in one of said receptacles and provided with teeth, and the cams, cam-shaft, and cam-pins, said pins being connected to the sliding frame and agitators, substantially as set forth.

10. In an amalgamator, the sluice-box provided with a receptacle below the general plane of its bottom, a board to deflect the pulp, a roller located in the upper part of the re ceptacle to stir the pulp, the lower edge of said board and the upper surface of the roller being below the lowest part of the bottom of the sluice at the highest point of said receptacle on the upstream side and above the highest part of the bottom on the downstream side, and mechanism for operating the roller, substantially as set forth.

bottom, and the amalgamating-plate G, lo-

cated immediatelybelow said receptacle,substantially as set forth.

12. The main sluice-box A, having a gate whereby to separate the lighter and heavier substances of value and having an aperture below said gate, in combination with a rifflebox located under said gate,having areceptacle D below the general level of its bottom and provided with'a board E to direct flowing pulp directly into the same, and the amalgamating-plate G, located immediately below said receptacle, substantially as set forth.

13. In a riffle-box having an inclined bottom, the riffle-bars having their upstream faces at about right angles to the bottom of the box and their downstream faces inclined thereto and their upper faces horizontal, and removable amalgamating-strips placed 011 said horizontal faces, substantially as setforth.

14. In a riftle-box having an inclined bot tom, the riffle-bars having their upstream faces at about right angles to the bottom of the box and their downstream faces inclined thereto and their upper faces horizontal and provided with iron caps, and removable amalgamating strips placed on said iron caps, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination of the downwardly-inclined main sluice-box and its gate for separating the lighter and heavier substances of value with the riffle-box provided with rifflebars H II, with intervening spaces, and having on their tops the amalgainating-strips arranged in a horizontal plane, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination of the riffle-box having a receptacle L below the general level of its bottom to be suitably supplied with quicksilver, the agitating blades, mechanism for moving them vertically and also back and forth lengthwise of the receptacle, and the board between the blades to deflect the pulp, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of the riffle-box having in its bottom a receptacle to be suitably supplied with quicksilver, the agitating-roller, mechanism for revolving said roller, and the board to direct the pulp down into the receptacle, the lower edge of the board and the upper surface of the roller located in the upper part of said receptacle below the lowest part of the bottom of the sluice at the highest part of said receptacle on the upstream side and above the highest part of the bottom on the downstream side, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination of the riffle-box having in its bottom two receptacles to be suitably supplied with quicksilver, the riffle-barT", attached to the box and separating said receptacles into tWo compartments, an agitatinghighest part of the bottom on the downstream [0 blade in each compartment, mechanism for side, substantially as set forth. moving said blades, the agitating-roller in one In testimony whereof I affix my signature in of said oompar'rments,mechanism for revolvpresence of two Witnesses.

5 ing' the roller, and the board E to direct-the pulp down into the receptacle, the lower edge of the board and the upper surface of the roller Witnesses: being below the lowest part of thebottom of EMMA M. GILLETT, the sluice on the upstream side and above the JOHN G. KROHR.

BRYAN TYSON.