US476475A

US476475A - Alfeed w

Info

Publication number: US476475A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1909-06-07

Description

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. W. MORGAN. WELL BORING APPARATUS.

No. 476,475. Patented June 7,1892.

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. A. W. MORGAN.

WELL BORING APPARATUS.

No. 476,475. Patented June '7, 1892.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets--Sheet 3.,

` A.. W. MORGAN.

WELL BORING APPARATUS. No. 476,475. Patented June 7, 1892.

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1 EEEEE (No model.) 4 sheetssnet 4r A.- W. MORGAN. WELL BORING APPAPMUrITs.V

No. 476,475, PatentedJune '7, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE..

ALFRED lV. MORGAN, OFWVASHNGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

.VVELL-BORING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,47 5, dated Tune 7, 1892.

Application led April 4, 1891.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALFRED W. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, in the Bistrict of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tell-Boring Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference benghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to well-boring appliances by means of which the earth is removed as fast as it is loosened at the bottom of the well and discharged continuously around the top or only at a certain point and the discharge from the buckets can be made positive, a larger or smaller well can be dug, and a curb may be sunk within the well as it is being dug; and the invention consists in the construction and combination of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus as being operated by an engine. Fig. 2 is a broken side View. Figs. 3 and 4 are views of the upper and lower pulleys and sections of the chain, with the buckets attached thereto. Figs. 5 and 6 are top and side views, respectively, of the lower pulley and connections. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the upper pulley. Fig. S is a side view of a portion of the same. Fig. 9 is a top plan View of the bits or cutters. Fig. l0 is a similar view of the same with additional plows or cutters connected therewith. Fig. ll is a side view of the wndlass for raising and lowering the auger. Figs. l2 and 13 are top and side views of a brace-arm. Fig. la is a side View of the dump at the top of the elevator, some of the parts being omitted. Fig. l5 is a front view of the same, partly iu section. Fig. lo is a view of the adjacent ends of two sections of shafting and the couplings for securing them together. Fig. l' is a top plan view of the curb and driving mechanism. Fig. 1S is a sectional View of a portion of the curb. Fig. lf) is a top plan View of a portion of the crown-wheel on top of the curb, showingascraper. Figs. 2O and 2l are top and sectional views, respectively, of

Serial No. 387,666. (No model.)

the top of the sand-curb and of the means for sinking it into the well.

Referring more specifically to the different figures of the drawings, 1 indicates the frame or derrick, which can be of any general form or construction, and 2 is a shaft, which is vertically movable within the frame and can be rotated by any suitable motive power, as the engine 3 or a sweep 4, to the outer end of which latter an animal may be attached in the usual manner.

5 is an endless belt or chain, which travels over

pulleys

6 and 7 at the side of the shaft, and is provided with buckets S, secured thereto at suitable distances apart. As the chain and buckets are attached at one side of the shaft, they rotate with it and remove the earth that is loosened bythe bits or cutters Sand l0 at the bottom of the shaft. The buckets are preferably placed upon the side of the shaft opposite the bits, so that in case a stone or other obstruction is encountered it is impossible for it to become wedged in between the bits and the buckets, as would be likely to happen if they were all located upon the same side of the shaft. On the contrary, all that would be necessary in such a case would be to slightly lift up the shaft until the obstruction was passed and then let the shaft down again without any delay or damage whatever.

rlhe bits 9 and l0 maybe of any desired construction, although I prefer to make the outer one l0 in the form of acircular plow or one having a curved bar or landside, which will loosen the earth and throw it toward the center and in line of the buckets, and it is arranged so as to cutthe earth about two inches above the lower or innerbit. The bits are preferably made removable by screws ll or similar means from the stock or body portion ll, which in turn is detachably secured to the shaft by means of the ordinary sleeve ll and set-screw, so that they may be easily separated for any purpose andas easily put together again. The lower pulley G, for supporting the chain and buckets, is secured to the shaftjustabove thestockll,so thatasthebuckets pass under the pulley they will just clear the unbroken bottom, and thus remove the earth as fast as it is loosened and prevent its accumulation, the weight of which upon the IOO bits would require greater power to operate them without any corresponding advantage from such weight. The support on which the lower pulley is journaled may be a stub-axle 12, provided with a sleeve 152, whereby it may he adj nstabl y secured to the shaft at one end by means of set-screws 13, which pass through the sleeve and engage with the shaft, so that the buckets can be made to pass nearer to or farther from the bottom, and it is provided at its outer end with a shield 14, which gently touches the wall of the well and acts as a stay or guide to the auger. The shield is provided with a socket 15,setscrews 151, by means of which it can be adjusted upon the outer end of the axle 12, so as to be set harder against the wall, as in joint clay or sand, thus pressing the wall back and putting a hard finish on, which will prevent the wall from sloughing or caving until walled. The pulley is provided with a suitable oil-cup 150, and the shield does not extend down below the axle so far that it would be likely to come in contact with the loose dirt on the bottom.

By making the chain or elevator with links, as l prefer to do, a better result is obtained by making both the upper and lower pulleys with faces, each face being just the length of one of the links, the upper pulleybeing, preferably, octagonal and the lower pulley hexagonal. ln this manner the links of the chain fit against five sides of the upper or drivingpulley, which will cause it to run the elevator with the loaded buckets, but will permit it to slip if the chain should `get caught upon an obstruction and prevent breakage. The faces of the lower pulley will hold the buckets rigidly in place as they are receiving their loads, and as the buckets are being moved forward around the shaft at the same time, and as four buckets pass under the pulley at every revolution of the shaft, one bucket commencing where the last one left off, the loose earth is kept wellcleared up, making the auger run very light.

In making the upper pulley l find that it is preferable to make two pieces 1G and 17, bolted together, as shown in the drawings. This permits of the outer or larger piece 1G being made out of a cheaper material, while the inner piece 17, which is formed with a bevel-pinion 180 and subject to very great wear and strain, can be made of a more durable material, as steel. The pulley 7 is journaled upon a stub-axle 1S, which is formed on or attached to the side of the upper portion of the shaft, and its beveled pinion engages with a similarly-beveled wheel 19, which is formed on or secured to the lower end of a sleeve 20, which is rigidly secured at it upper upper end to a cross-head 21. Outwardly-extending arms 22 are connected with this crosshead and extend beyond the uprights of the derrick, so that they will engage therewith and prevent the rotation of the cross-head and the sleeve and bevel-wheel 19. Now as the shaft, the upper end of which is round and projects through the top of the derrick and is guided thereby, is rotated by means of power applied to it, the pinion 1S() is caused by its engagement with the stationary gearwheel 19 to revolve on its axle and carry the pulley around with it, and thereby impart motion to the elevator, both longitudinally and around the shaft. As the shaft sinks into the earth the cross-head follows it, the arms sliding down the sides of the derrick, the sinking of the shaft being preferably regulated by means of a rope 2t and windlass 25, attached to one side of the frame. By regulating it in this manner the bits can be set so that they must necessarily be held back when passing through soft earth, but can be left free to sink into harder ground as much as possible, for if they were set so as to pass slower through the soft earth they would not take hold of the harder earth. W'hcn it is desired to raise the shaft, all that is necessary is to turn the windlass and wind up the rope, which is passed over a pulley 2G at the top of the derrick and attached to the cross-head by means of a stirrup 27, a strap 28 being used to keep the stirrup from coming against the shaft. The windlass is preferably provided with gearing at one end, by means of which a lighter or heavier load may be controlled by it. This gearing consists of a gearwheel 29, secured to one end of the drum or roller of the windlass, a small pinion SO, journaled on a line with the drum and the wheel 29, and two compound gear-wheels 31 on opposite sides of the

wheels

29 and 30 and engaging with them. The spindle 153 of the pinion 30 is journaled in a socket on the wheel 29 at one end and projects through the frame 32 and is squared at the other end for the reception of a crank for turning it. The outer ends of the spindles 15; of the wheels 31 31 also project through the frame 32 and are squared for the reception of the crank. Now when it is desired to raise a heavy load the crank is placed on the spindle of the small pinion 30 and the power is communicated to the compound wheels 31, and from them to the larger wheel 29, and the windlass or roller is turned very slowly but very powerfully. lf a lighter load is to be raised, the crank is placed on the spindle 15a of either one of the wheels 31, and the power is communicated through them to the gear-wheel 29; but for the lightest load the crank is placed directly upon the spindle of the roller atthe end opposite the gear-wheel 29, which will enable the operator to raise the load with greater speed, but with a correspondingly-decreased power.

As the depth of the well increases it is neeessary to lengthen the shaft 2 between the upper and

lower pulleys

7 and 8, which is done by putting in a new section for about every ten feet. Each of the sections is square and of the same size as the upper and lower sections, so that the horse lever or sweep 4 ICO IIO

may be applied in turn to each of the new sections and the shaft rotated thereby. Although the sections may be secured in any desirable manner, they are preferably joined by means of square couplings 33, which are provided with holes 155 through two sides, through which tapering pins 34 may be driven, which fit in grooves 35 in the sides of the sections of the shaft. In this manner the sections are easily detached and connected, as all that is necessary is to drive the pins out or in, as the case may be, and all lost motion is taken up and the shafting is made very strong and solid. By making the couplings and pins out of good steel th ey are very strong.

In using the sweep it is secured to the shaft by means of a casting 36, which is movably connected with the shaft by any convenient means, and has a socket into which the end of the sweep is fitted. I prefer to use a brace-arm 37 in connection with the sweep, which arm is connected with the shaft by means of an angular socket 38, and has a roller 39 in its outer end, which bears against the curb or drum 40 at the top of the well and counteracts the draft of the horse upon the shaft and prevents it from being forced out of a vertical line. The brace-arm may be connected with or suspended from the sweep by means ot' arope 150, so that when the sweep is raised upon the shaft, which is done when the shaft sinks about eighteen inches, the brace-arm is raised up with it without further trouble.

lVhen motion is to be imparted to the shaft by means of the engine, the sweep and the brace-arm are removed and a crown-wheel 41 is placed upon the top of the curb 40, which crown-wheel is operated by a small pinionwheel 42, which in turn receives its motion from the engine in any suitable 1nanner,belt ing43 being shown in the drawings. The rim or crown wheel is supported upon the curb by sets of

rollers

44,45, and 46, which are j ournaled in the frames or castings 47, three of which are preferably used, which are located at equidistant points around the curb. One roller of each set is placed below and one above the rim to prevent vertical movement, and the third roller is located at the edge to prevent lateral displacement of the rim. Other means might be employed, but I have found these very efficient. As the top of the rim is liable to get more or less dirt on it, which would prevent it passing under the upper rollers 44, a scraper 4S may be connected with the casting 47 in any suitable manner over the roller 44, with its front end projecting in front of the roller, which will rest upon the top of the rim and remove all of the dirt and throw it off to one side. At two diametrically-opposite points the rim is provided with ears 49, within or between which and the rim are formed cavities 5U. A hole 5l is made through the ears 4), through which a bolt 52 is passed and secured bymeans of a nut upon its inner end within the cavity. A roller or wheel 53 is journaled upon the outer end of each of these bolts, which bears against a rectangular frame 54, which is secured tothe shaft 2, and which rotates the shaft as the rim is rotated by the pinion 42. As the shaft is rotated and pass down within the rim and the rollers bear against them until the top of the frame is reached. The auger is then stopped and the frame is raised by loosening it from the shaft and slipping it upward until the bottom of it comes up to the wheels, when it is again tightened and operated as before. The frame is preferably secured to the shaft by means of perforated lugs 55 and a bolt or wedge 56, driven through the perforations in their outer ends. I prefer to make this frame about tive feet long, so that it must be moved twice for each section of shaft-ing; but it may be made of any length desired.

The shaft 57 for operating the pinion 42 is preferably supported upon a frame 58, which is secured to the derrick at one end and to the curb at the other. The pinion is fitted loosely upon the inner end of the shaft, and is provided with a cup 59 at one end of its sleeve or hub, and the shaft is provided with a coneshaped friction-clutch 157, which is adapted to fit into the socket 59, so that by moving the clutch in one direction or the other the pinion can be made to rotate or not, as desired. The movement of the clutch is preferably effected by means of the

levers

60 and 61, connected together at one end by means of the rod 62. This gives the free end of the lever 60 sufficient power to force the clutch into the cup or socket, so as to make a positive engagement between them and cause them to rotate in unison 5 or it can be so graduated as to let them slip more or less in relation to each other. In this way the pinion can be started gradually, although the driving-shaft is running at full speed, and the cutters can be made'to stand up to the work in hard ground, but will be permitted to stop without breaking the machinery if they should strike a bowlder or other obstruction. A rack 63 at the free end of the lever 61 will hold it in any desired position, so that after it has been adjusted it will not need any further attention until it is desired to readj ust it. The curb 40, which supf ports the frame 5S and the crown-Wheel 41, is about eighteen inches or two feet deep and somewhat larger than the well. lith the sweep it is only necessary to sink the curb into the ground a few inches; but with the engine it is preferable to anchor it by means of the braces 64 at the sides.

In using well-augers which are provided with continuouslytraveling carriers or buckets it is necessary to provide some means by which the entire contents will be discharged, no Vmattei' how tough and sticky the material is through which the auger is passing. The

bucket which I have found most satisfactory under these circumstances consists of a plate G5, which is held rigidly in one position in re` sinks into the earth the sides of the framev IOO IZO

lation to the chain, and a receptacle or casing, which is movable in relation to the plate and chain. The plates 65 may be formed of the chain, so that each plate will always lie in the same plane with the link of which it forms a part or to which it may be connected in any manner, as by rivets. The bucket may be made of two parts G7 and 68, the sides 67 of which are triangular with their outer ends, each formed into the segment of a circle and with a hole at the apex, by means ot' which it may be connected with the plate or link of the chain. The outer side GS of the bucket may be formed integral with the side pieces, or it may be formed of a separate piece and be secured or riveted thereto by means of lugs or ears 60 on the outer edges of the side pieces. Vhen the buckets are loaded, they are suspended upon the chain in such manner that each piece GS virtually forms the bot tom and front and the plate 65 the back of a bucket. In this manner they pass over the upper pulley and discharge their contents by Y being turned upside down in the usual manner. Vith tough sticky material this turning them upside down is not sutticient, as more less of the material will stick to the in terior ot the bucket and be carried backinto the well, thereby causing a loss of power and decreasing the capacity of the bucket when it is again filled. To obviate this difficulty, after the bucket'has been inverted and as much of its contents discharged as will fall out the bucket is reversed by causing the chain to travel past a stationary stop or projection 169, and against which the front edges of the side pieces 67 will engage, and the entire receptacle will be swung back until the edges are in aline with the chain and the plate will be fully exposed, as shown in Fig. 3. As the receptacle is thus reversed or forced backward the interior is scraped clean by the edges of the plate, and by drawing the plate past a scraper, as the end of a chute or platform 70, all the material upon the plate which is thus exposed to the scraper would be removed and the bucket would when reversed be in condition to be filled again. The chute is secured by means of an arm 7l, and as there would be a tendency of the plate and bucket to be forced back away from the scraper or chute, and especially with tough material, two rollers 72 are journaled to arms 7 3 upon the chute, against which the chain can bear without undue friction. It is desirable to cause the chain to pass slightly to the rear ot a direct line in passing down past the scraper, so I place two pulleys or a roller 7l just below the scraper, which will accomplish this result. The reversing-stop 169 is preferably made as a roller and may be placed upon either orboth edges of the chute or platform, although I prefer to place it upon the front edge, or the edge which is in advance in the rotation of the device around the shaft as the tendency of the material in being is to lag just a trifle or fall to the 2, delivered rear of a vertical line, which would clog the roller it it were placed upon the rear edge of the chute. The arm 7l is secured to the shaft 2 by means of pins 158, which are driven through holes in the socket and notches in the sides of the shaft, by means ot which the arm can be moved upon the shaft to control the tension of the chain, or it may be rcmoved entirely for convenience in handling, or other suitable means may be employed. Being thus relieved of its load, the empty bucket passes down into the well for another load. As soon as it reaches the lower pulley 6 the rear edges of the pieces 67 come in contact with the polygonal sides of the pulley, and as the bucket passes around under the pulley the casing is gradually forced outward relatively to the plate 65, which is caused to 4lie upon the flat surface of the pulley. In

this position the front edge of the casing engages with the loose earth at the bottom of the well and scoops it up and carries it to the top, where it is discharged, as above described.

Instead of a flat chute, as above described, which delivers the material in a circle or mound around the top of the well, it can be provided with side pieces 7 5 and have a dump 76 secured at its free end, into which the material is delivered and from whence it may be removed as desired. I prefer to make the dump automatically operative, so that upon a certain time it will tip over and empty its contents into a cart or sled placed there tc receive it. This is accomplished in a very satisfactory manner by pivotally securing it to the outer end of the chute and providing the chute with a U-shaped spring-catch 77, which engages with a notch or projection 78 upon the side of the d ump. The spring is released from the notch by means of a tripping-rod 79, which is provided with a bend or crook SO, which engages with one arm ot' the spring 77 and forces it out until the dump is rcleased. rlhe lower end of the rod moves in a slot Sl in an L-shaped arm S2, which is secured to the dump, and its upper end is attached to and operated by a bevel-pinion S3, which is journaled on a stud or spur Si on the shaft 2 and meshes with the bevelwheel 19. As the pinion S3 is revolved the rod is moved longitudinally until the bend 8O operates the spring and releases the dump. As the tipping of the dump causes the arm S2 to rise, the slotted portion is moved upward along the rod 79 until it is substantially up to the bend SO, so that as soon as the rod is moved in the opposite direction the crook will engage with the arm S2 and force it downward, which will cause the dump to be correspondingly elevated. As the dump is not operated until j ustbefore the rod passes the u pper dead-center of its connection with the pinion 83 and just after the discharge of a bucket before the following bucket is discharged, the rod has been moved in the opposite direct-ion far enough to force down the arm 82 and raise the dump sufiiciently to catch and retain the IOC IIO

ISO

contents of the following bucket. The further movement of the rod will cause the further elevation of the dump until the rod is caught by the spring 77, where it is held nntil it is again released by the rod being moved 1n the opposite direction. The pinion S3 is of such a relative size to the wheel 19 and to the pinion 180 that it will only make one revolution while the pinion 180 is making two, thus causing the trip to operate the du mp once for every four buckets that are discharged, there being a bucket for every four links of the chain. Of course the arrangement may be made for any other predetermined number of discharges as well as for four, although I have found that one dump for every four buckets is a very convenient arrangement.

In boring wells itis sometimes necessary to sink a curb as the boring progresses, especially in any caving material, as quicksand, gravel, joint clay, or marshy ground. To do this I use a circular ring or track S5, whichis composed of two pieces hinged together and placed on top of the curb, and a follower 86 is made to travel on it and sink it into the well. This follower is preferably composed of three arms S7, which are separably connected with castings SS and 89, which are clamped to the shaft at the center, and each arm is provided with a roller 90, journaled at its outer end. Asl prefer to make the face of each of these rollers beveled, I also make the upper edge of the track correspondingly beveled, as shown at 91, which I find reduces the friction of the rollers in traveling around the circular track. IVhen it is desired to drive the curb down into the well, as when passing through quicksan d, gravel, or other caving places, the curb is set in place and the track placed on top of it. The follower is then secured to the shaft by placing one of the castings SS, which is provided with a notch or recess, on one side of the shaft and placing the other casting 89 on the other side and drawing the two castings together by means of bolts or lag-screws. Now as the shaft sinks down into the ground the rollers of the follower travel round and round upon the track and gradually force the curb down with the shaft. By arranging the lower end of the curb substantially even with the bits or cutters at the lower end of the shaft, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the brace le being removed, a well can be made through the most treacherous soil, as the curb will follow the bits so closely that caving will be impossible. As the weight is distributed to three or more places, which are constantly moving around the track, the curb is driven down equally at all points.

As above described, in good ground the apparatus is capable of sinking a well three feet in diameter at the rate of fteen feet an hour, delivering the earth at the top of the well as fast as it is dug; but it often happens that it is desirable to dig a well of larger diameter than three feet. To do this without increasing the size of the buckets additional plows may be used, which are located so that each will cut a furrow just beyond the preceding cutter and be made to throw its furrow into the path of the preceding plow. To do this each succeeding plow is located about two inches higher up the shaft than the preceding one, so that the earth is thrown downward as it is being thrown inward into the path of the buckets, by which it is taken up and carried to the top of the well. In using these additional plows they should be arranged in different planes, so that they will not interfere with each other nor with the elevator, and also that they should be so located in relation to the shaft that they will counterbalance each other and cause the shaft to sink in a straight line without any side dra-ft. The rst additional plow lOl is secured upon the outer end of the axle l2 in place of the shield 14, which is not needed, as the plow takes its place and prevents any side draft on the shaft by the cutters 9 and l0. A couple of clips 102 will secure the plow to the axle, as shown in Fig. l0. The next plow 103 is secured to the opposite side of the shaft and is made to project beyond the outer cutter l0 just the width of the first plow lOl, and can be located as far above cutter l0 as desired, and as the shaft is revolved every portion of the bottom of the well is reached by some one of the plows or cutters, and the earth of all of them is nally delivered into the path of the elevator-buckets and by them carried up to the top of the well and discharged. lt is evident that with this arrangement itis necessary to make each one of the plows cut a very shallow furrow, so as not to clog the buckets with the excessive amount of earth delivered to them 5 but, if desired, the capacity of the buckets could beincreased accordingly and the size and strength of the whole apparatus made strong enough to correspond, although such increase of size is not desirable.

In operation the machine is located where it is desired to make the well, the curb being slightly sunk into the ground and firmly secured and the derrick located in such relation thereto that the boring apparatus will enter within the curb and sink the shaft or well as required. If steampower is to be used, the engine is located in proper relation to the other parts, so as to drive the operating mechanism; but if horse-power is to be employed the sweep is secured to the shaft 2 and the steamengine is dispensed with. Power is then applied to the shaft, which causes it to revolve and make the bits at the lower end sink into the earth, the cutting or sinking of the cutters being regulated by the windlass, as heretofore described. As soon as the shaft commences its revolution the buckets commence their operation, and thus remove the earth as fast as it is cut loose by the cutters. Except occasional stoppages when using a horse -power for raising the sweep upon the shaft, or for raising the frame IIO IZO

upon the shaft when using steam-power, the shaft could be sunk the distance of a full section without stoppage, as the earth is removed as fast as it is loosened.

If a bowlder or other obstruction should be encountered when the bit or cutter strikes it, the friction-clutch slips and the stopping of the shaft by the obstruction does not break any of the machinery. The attendant then raises the shaft by means of the wiudlass until the bit clears the obstruction, when the friction-clutch again drives the bit around, as before, until it again strikes the obstruction, but just thc depth of a furrow below the first point of contact. The shaft and bit are again raised by the windlass and the bit makes another revolution another furrow further down. This is repeated again and again, until the bit passes under the bowlder, when it is taken up by the buckets and discharged at the top of the well.

Vhen it is necessary to putin an additional section of the shaft 2,the coupling is removed and the new section put in place, the upper portion, including the cross-head and driving mechanism, being raised by the windlass for that purpose. Additional links and buckets are also added to the elevator at this time to correspond with the increased length of shafting. This operation is continued from time to time until the well is complete, the sandcurb being put in and sunk with the shaft, when necessary. The curb at the top of the well answers a twofold object, as it prevents the earth from falling back into the well after it has been discharged from the buckets, and it also gives a bearing from the bracearm when horse-power is being used and a support for the crown -wheel when steampower is used.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft having cutters secured to its lower end and having an endless elevator located at one side of and traveling with the shaft, of a pulley for the elevator at the lower end of the shaft, the axle of which extends beyond the outer end of the pulley, and a shield upon the outer end of the axle and upon the side of the shaft opposite the cutters and adapted to bear against the side of the well, substantially as described.

2. In awell-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft having an endless elevator located at one side thereof and traveling with the same, of bits secured to the lower end of the shaft and addition al plows located beyond the bits and adapted to throw their furrows inward toward the shaft and into the path of the buckets of the elevator, substantially as described.

3. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination,witl1 a shaft having bits or cutters at its lower end and an endless elevator located at one side of and traveling with the shaft, of a dump at the top and means for automatically operating the dump at regular intervals, substantially as described.

Lt. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft, an endless elevator, and a dump connected therewith, of two stub-axles at the Lipper portion of the shaft,a bevel-pinion upon each of the stub-axles,one of which operates the elevator and the other one operates the dump, and a stationary bevel-wheel for engaging with the two pinions, substantially as described.

5. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft, an endless elevator, and a chute connected therewith, of a dump pivot ally connected with the end of the chute and provided with a spring-catch connecting the same therewith, a rod operating the spring, and means for operating the rod, substantially as described.

G. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination,with a shaft and an endless elevator at one side of and traveling with the shaft, of a dump at the top, a stationary bevel-wheel, and two pinions meshing therewith, one of which pinions operates the elevator and the other operates the dump, said pinions and wheel being so related to each other that the dump will be operated only after so many buckets have been discharged into it, substan tially as described.

7. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft and an endless elevator at one side of and traveling with the shaft, of a chute at the upper end, a dump pivotally connected with the chute and provided with a spring-catch connecting the same therewith, an L-shaped arm connected with the dump, and a longitudinally-movable rod engaging with the catch and the arm, substantially as described.

S. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft and an endless elevator at one side of and traveling with the shaft, of a chute at the upper end,adump pivotally connected with the chute and provided with a spring-catch for connecting the same therewith, a slotted L-shaped arm connected with the dump, and a longitudinally-movable rod through the slot and provided with a crook adapted to engage with the cat-ch and the arm, substantially as described.

9. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft, of a curb at the top of the well, a crown-wheel located upon the top of the curb, sets of rollers upon the sides of the curb engaging with the crown wheel, one above, one below, and one at the edge of the crown-wheel, a scraper for each upper roller, a rectangular frame within the crown-wheel and connected with the shaft, and means for operating the crown-wheel, substantially as described..

l0. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft, of a curb at the top of the well, a crown-wheel on top of the curb, a pinion for operating the crown-wheel, a frame connected with the curb, a shaft in the frame,

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having a friction-clutch for engaging the pinion, two levers pivotally secured to the frame, one end of one of which engages with the clutch and the free end of the other one serves as a handle, and a rod connecting the other ends of said levers, substantially as described.

1l. In a Wellboring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft having an endless elevator chain or belt at one side of and traveling with the shaft, said chain having reversible buckets, the bottom of each of which is in line with thc chain, of achute near the top of the chain, one end of which is adjacent to the chain and is adapted to engage with and clean the bottom of each bucket, substantially as described.

12. In a well-borin g apparatus, the combination, with a shaft having an endless elevator chain or belt at one side of and traveling With the shaft, said chain having reversible buckets, the bottom of each of which is in line with the elevator, of a chute near the top of the chain, one end of whichis adjacent to the chain and is adapted to engage with and clean the bottom of each bucket, and stops upon the chute for engaging with the sides of the bucket and forcing them back beyond the end of the chute, substantially as described.

13. In a well-boring apparatus, the combination, with a shaft having an endless elevator chain or belt at one side of and traveling with the shaft, said chain having reversible buckets, the bottom of each of which is in a line With the chain, of a chute near the top of the chain, one end of which is adjacent to the chain and is adapted to engage with and clean the bottom of each bucket, a stop for holding the bottom of the bucket against the end of the chute, and means for throwing the sides of the bucket back beyond the end of the chute, substantially as described.

14. In a Well-boring apparatus, the combination of a shaft having an endless elevator chain or belt at one side of and traveling with the shaft, said chain being provided with revel-sible buckets, and means for reversing the buckets and scraping the contents therefrom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I ainx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AL FRED 7. MORGAN.

Witnesses:

XV. S. BOYD, M. A. LoYD.