US909063A - Gold-dredge. - Google Patents

Description

H. J. CLARK- GOLD DBEDGB.

APPLIGATION FILED APB..23,1908.

Patented Jan. 5, 19091 Al/omey H. J. CLARK.

com: Dal-men APPLIOATIOI IILED LRBJIB, 1908.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W Nut Attorney H. J. CLARK.

GOLD DREDGE.

APPLIUATIGN FILED APB.23, 1909.

Patented Jan. 5, 1.909.

3 SHEETS-511E121 8.

was him It mm IlSlfIIR-Jl z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE J. CLARE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIUNUR TO CLARK DREDGE MANIIRXCTI."KING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COI UORATIOB' OF MAINE.

GOLD-DREDGE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

Application filed April 23, 1908. Serial No. 428,825.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, HonAoEJ. CLARK, citizen of the l nitcd States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (.lold-Dredges, of which the follow ing is a specification. reference being had then-in to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a gold dredge, and particularly to a floating structure having a scoop oscillated upon the free end of an arm and adapted to carry material from the point dredged and deposit it upon the floating: structure carrying the arm.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved construction by which the dredging arm operates through a central channel in the float, and the scoop carried thereby is partially oscillated in its digging action and this oscillation continued after the arm is raised so as to deliver from the scoop to a receptacle.

A further ob cct of the invention is to provide a novel and improved structure of scoop having discharge chutes at one portion thereof so that the contents thereof may llov: by gravity into the receiving receptacle and this discharge be secured at opposite sides of a wheel or lever controlling the oscillating; action of the scoop.

Another objectof the invention is to proide means for independently controlling the oscillation of the scoop and the raising and hm'cring of the arm by which it is carried,.

together with means by which said arm may be rotated so, as to deliver at other points than upon the float carrying the dredging parts.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and the novel features thereof deiincd by the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure l is an elevation showing the invention applied; Fig. '2 is a plan thereof with the delivery screen omitted; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 53 3, Fig. l Fl l is a similar view on line -i Fiey. t; i 5 is a detail section ;-ho .vin the eccentric sleeve on line 5-5, Fig. 4; Fig. fl is a plan of the scoop; Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. R is an end vie vof the float and scoop; Fig. 9 is a detail perspective showing the structure of float.

Lilac numerals refer to like parts in the several views of the drawings.

In the application of the invention any desired. form of float or scow may be used for that purpose, but as showing a convenient form thereof 1 have illustrated it formed of tubes or pipes 10 disposed parallel to each other and provided with closing caps 11 at each end by which they are rendered water tightand made properly buoyant to support the platform 12 containing the operative parts. This platform is adapted to support the framework 13 from which the. mast 14 extends vertically, and also a bearing 15 through Which the anchoring spud 16 is pro jectcd, thisbeing dis )osed at substantially the mid width of the l' oat in order to permit a swinging or oscillating movement of one end thereof. The framework is also provided with a pivotally mounted boom 17, and with a dredge arm 18 pivoted thereto at 19 and provided with suitable braces, as shown at 20, this arm being adapted to be raised and lowered by means of the cable .21 extending from the bearing pulley 32 at the end of the boom and thence over the bearing '23 to a suitable winding drum 2-1 secured upon the shaft which has a bearing in the frame. This arm is provided at its free end with an eccentrically disposed wheel or lover 2t} pivotally mounted in bearings extended from the dredge arm 18. Secured upon this Wheel to oscillate or rotate therewith is a scoop 28 preferably having a curved cutting edge :29 thus forming a partly round body from which at each side discharge chutes 30 extend laterally thereof upon a curved line to facilitate the flow of material bv gravity therethrough, and to dischargesaitl material at substantially a right angle to the cutting edge of the scoop. This scoop is provided with a shield 31 intermediate of the chutes and curved upward to embrace a portion of the wheel 26, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

For the purpose of partially rotatin and oscillating the wheel or lever 26 the ca le 32 extends therefrom and may, if desired be sccured thereto, this cable passing to a similarly disposed wheel or lever 33 secured upon the driving shaft 34 provided with driving gears 35 at one or both ends. This cable is guided for the length of the arm by suitable rollers 36 mounted in brackets 37 secured thereon.

For the purpose of driving the gears 35, any desired means may be used, for instance, a rack bar 38 slidingly mounted in the bsse tion the parts are held against movement 39 in alinement with the gears 35. This rack bar may be driven by any suitable source of power, for instance, a cylinder 40 having its piston 41 connected therewith. The motive power forthis cylinder may be suppded from any desired source, such as an engine 42, as shown in Fig. 2. Under some conditions, such as when large stones are lifted by the dred e, it is desired to deposit them to one side 0 the float and for this purpose the base 39 may be provided with a proper roller or ball bearing 43, and held thereon by a suitable clip as at 44 so that all of the parts carried thereby are freely rotatable. For this purpose the parallel rack bars 38 may be connected together at one end by a cross piece 45 having therein an open sided socket 46 adapted to receive the head 47 carried by the piston 41, this socket being open at its opposite ends permits the racks to be swung out of engagement with the piston head when it is desired to rotate all of the dredge members. The driving gears for the several parts are adapted to be held out of mesh with the rack and frictionally looked under normal conditions, but to be released and thrown into engagement therewith during the period desired for operation. This maybe accomplished by various structures, but in the present instance by the eccentricall disposed bearing sleeve 48 encircling the s aft 34, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and having rotative bearings at-50. The opposite bearing sleeves 48 may be connected together by the lever arms 49 and connecting rod 51. At one or both sides of the eccentric wheel 33 a drum 52 issecured and so disposed that when the gears 35 are thrown out of mesh with the racks 38 these drums are brought intocont'act with the segmental brake shoes 53. By this construcby the friction of the drums and shoes, as soon as the driving gears are released or separated from the separated racks and the operation of the parts correspondingly stops.

The winding drum 24, Fig. 3, is secured upon the shaft 54, as usual, and provided at one or both sides with brake drums 55 adapted to frictionally contact with the shoes 56 carried by the frame 13. The raist 34, that is, the shaft 54 is provided with an eccentric bearing sleeve 57 mounted in the bearing 58, those at opposite sides being connected by arm 59 and a cross bar 60 so as to operate in unison to lift the gears from contact with the rack and hold the drum by the friction brake, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to prevent movement of the shaft 54 in both directions in the travel of the rgck the gears 61 are loosely mounted thereon and provided with pawls 62 cooperating with the ratchet 63 secured to the] shaft 54. By this means the motion of the rack in one direction is imparted to the drums, and the gears turn idly in the returning movement. The drum may also be held at its adjusted position and released when desired by means of teeth 64 carried by the inner face of one of the brake drums 55 and adapted to cooperate with a pawl 65 mounted on the frame to not) )erate therewith. It is obvious that any other desired or preferred construction may be used for this purpose. This drum may also be used if desired for the purpose of lifting the anchoring spud 15 such being accomplished by means of the cable 66 extending to a suitable gripping deceive 67 on the spud.

The scoop when dumping may deposit its material to both or either side of its arm and into any desired receptacle at that point, for instance, the troughs 68 which communicate with a sieve or screen69 provided with the conveyer 70 as indicated in Fig. 1, the material passing through said screen being caught by trough 71 and conveyed to an preferred point.

n the operation of the invention the dredge arm is lowered and the scoop brought into the position shown by.dot-ted lines at the bottom of Fig. 1, and then oscillated or partially rotated into the dotted line position showmat the opposite end of said figure so that the scooped or dredged contents are carried in the body of the scoop till they reach the position above the float or scow when a rotative movement of the scoop brings it into the discharging position shown by full lines in said iigure, and the materia therein passes by gravity to each side ofthe arm and is deposited into suitable receptacles. This oscillation of the scoop as well as the raising and lowering of the arm is controlled from the platform and in an accurate manner by means of the rack and engaging gears which are adapted tc be brought in contact with the rack only during the driving period and at other times held in braked condition to prevent accidental movement' thereof, this being accomplished h the eccentric sleeve which shifts the sha t parallel tubes properly sealed the most de sirable form of support is secured which can be economically manufactured and requires the minimum depth of water to float the an e ed bod of the dredging apparatus, wh il ifie provision of the central channel through the float permits the dredging to be 000m lished directly beneath and in line with t e movement of the structure. The construction of the scoop and its mounting wdischarge at an angle to the cutting edge thereof permits the direct application of the seoo at the eccentric wheel or lever by whic the oscillatory motion is transmitted thereto.- lVhile thls scoop has been described as oscillatory in its movement it will be obviousthat a complete rotation may be given it, but the most advantageous results are secured by an oscillatory motion. It will therefore be seen that this invention presents a power dredge of simple construction adapted to be economically manufactured and adapted 'for very efficient work particularly in shallow water or small streams when the capacity is not sullicient to justify the use or expense of a large suction dredge. c

Having described m invention and set forth its merits, what claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinally extending channcl opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in said opening intermediate of the ends of the hull, and an oscillating scoop upon the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end of said hull.

2. In a dredge, the'combination with a bull having a longitudinally extending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in said opening intermediate of the ends of the hull, an oscillating scoop upon the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end of said hull, and. means for swinging said scoop for a portion of its travel while loweredand for continuing said travel for discharge when raised.

3. Ina"'(lredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinally extending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in s id opening intermediate of the ends of the U11 an oscillating scoop upon. the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end ,of said hull, means for swinging said oscillation upon the free en driving cable for oscillating said scoop, a

scoop for a portion of its travel while lowered and for continuingsaid travel for discharge when raised, and means carried by said arm to deliver laterally from said;

rack bar and means for reciprocating the: same, driving gears for said cable and arm 4. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinally extending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mouuted in said opening intermediate of the ends 1 of said hull, an oscillating scoop upon the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end of said hull, mcan.-+ for swinging said scoo for a portion of its travel while lowere and for continuing said travel for discharge Wlllle raised, means carried by said arm to deliver laterally from said scoop, and a holding spud disposed intermediate of the ends of said hull.

5. In a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted at one end thereon, an imper forate scoop pivoted to the free end of said arm, means for moving said scoop for less than a complete rotation, and means for raising saidarm.

6. in a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted at one end thereon, an imperforate scoop pivoted to the free end of said arm, means' for moving said scoop for less than a complete rotation, means for raising said arm, and discharge GlltltESCfllI'lBd by said scoop to deliver laterally at opposite sides thereof.-

7. In a dredge, a scoo arm, an eccentrically disposed wheel at t e free end of said arm, a cable for driving said wheel, and a scoop secured to the pivot of said wheel and having laterally deflected discharge chutes at opposite sides of the wheel.

b. In a dredge, a scoop arm, an eccentrically disposed wheel at the free end of said arm, a cable for driving said wheel, a scoop secured to the pivot of said wheel and having laterally deflected discharge chutes at opposite sides of the wheel, and a division plate carried by said scoop to inclose a. portionof said wheel.

9. In av dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a scoop mounted for oscillation upon the free end of said arm, a

.driving cable for oscillating said scoop, a

rack bar and means for reciprocating-the same, and driving gears for said cable and arm adapted to be intermittently engaged with said rack.

- 10. In a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a sec mounted for rack bar and means for reciprocating the same, driving gears for said cable and an i adapted to be intermittently engaged with said rock, and a cooperating brake to retain said gear against rotation when disengaged from said rack.

11. in a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a scoop mounted, for oscillation upon the free end f said arm, a driving cable for oscillating said scoop, a

imparting rotativc movement to said scoop.

of said arm, a

13. In adredge, asegmcntal scoop having to engage said drum when the gears are oppositely disposed lateral discharge chutes, and means for unpartmg rot ative movement to said scoop.

14. In a dredge, a segmental scoop having oppositely disposed lateral discharge chutes, and an eccentric wheel intermediate of said chutes and at the rear of the segmental por- 1 tion of the scoop.

15. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinally extending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in said opening intermediate of the ends of the hull, and a holding spud mounted in said opening intermediate of said ends.

16. In a dredge, a rotatable platform, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm mounted on said mast, means carried by said platform for raising and lowering said arm, a scoop carried by said arm, and means upon said platform for imparting a rotative movement to said scoop.

17. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a rotatable platform thereon, of a mast mounted on said platform, a scoop arm mounted on said mast, means carried by said platform for raising and lowering said arm, a scoop carried by said arm, means upon said platform for imparting a rotative movement to said scoop, a driving member for said scoop, an arm mounted upon said platform, and an actuating device for said driving means relatively fixed to the rotative travel of said platform.

18. In a dredge. a rotatable platform, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm mounted on said mast, means carried by said platform for raising and lowering said arm, a scoop carried by said arm, means upon said platform for imparting a rotative movement to said scoop, a driving member for said scoop, an arm mounted upon said platform, an actuating cylinder and piston, and an automatically detachable connection between said piston and driving means.

19. In a dredge. a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted thereto, a Windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with a driving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm, for rotative movement, an actuating gear for said scoop, a. reciprocating rack bar adapted to mesh with both of said gears, and means for shifting said gears relative to said rack bar.

' 20. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted thereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with a driving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, an actuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocating rack bar adapted to mesh with both of said gears, means for shifting said gears relative to said rack bar, a brake drum carried by the shaft of said gears, and a brake shoe adapted shifted out of mesh with said rack bar.

21. In a dredge, a hull, a must mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted thereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with a driving gear, a scoop mounted upon said-arm for rotative movement, an actuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to mesh with both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to said rack bar, a brake drum carried by the shaft of said gears, a brake shoe adapted to engage said drum when the gears are shifted out of mesh with the rack bar, and means for preventing a reverse movement of said Windlass in the reciprocation of said rack.

22. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted thereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with a driving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, an actuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to mesh with both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to said rack bar, a cross head upon said rack bar having an open socket therein, and a cyl inder and piston rod provided with a head to removably engage saidcross head.

In a dredge, a. hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm ivo ted thereto, a windlass for raising and owering saidarm provided with a driving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, an actuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to mesh with both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to said rack bar, a cross head upon said rack bar having an open socket therein, a c linder and piston rod provided with a hea to removabl; engage said cross head, and means for permitting a rotative movement of all of said parts relative to a fixed travel of said piston rod.

24. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted to said mast, a winding drum having a cable connected to said arm, ratchet teeth provided upon the shaft of said drum, a gear wheel loosely mounted upon the shaft of said drum, reciprocating means for actuating said Wheel, and a pawl carried by said wheel to engagesaid ratchet.

25. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted to said mast, a. winding drum having a cable connected to said arm, a gear wheel loosely mounted upon the shaft of said drum, reciprocating means for actuating said wheel, a series of ratchet teeth upon said drum, and a pawl mounted upon a fixed part and adapted to engage said teeth.

26. In a dredge, a hullcomprising tubular sections connected together, a. platform thereon, a scoop arm carried by said platform, a

scoop mounted ii'pon said am for r'otative a. cable exten 'from said wheel,an d means movement, and means upon said platform carried bysaid ull for actuating sa.1 d cable. 10 for oontroiling the travel of said scoop and In testimony whereof I affix my signature firm. 'in presence of two witnesses.

5 -27. In a, dredge, a hull, a scoop arm piv- HORACE J. CLARK.

otally mounted thereon, an eccentrieally dis- Witnesses: posed wheel at the free end of said arm, a ALFRED T. GAGE,

scoop extending from the pivot of said wheel. JOHN L. FLETCHER.

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