Patent GB-190311376-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Haulage Systems for Canals and similar Waterways.
Inventor: UNDERWOOD WALTER JOHN
Filed: 1903-05-19
Granted: 1903-09-03
Abstract: 11,376. Underwood, W. J. May 19. Towing; propelling by hauling on cables. - Consists of improvements on the system of haulage for canals and the like described in Specification No. 19,266, A.D. 1889. Fig. 1 shows the upper part of the towing- framework o f a boat ; Figs. 2 and 3 a plan and crosssection thereof. On the upper ends of the shafts 4, 4<1>, which are driven in opposite directions through worm gearing from a motor in the boat, are mounted the two gripping - frames, between which the stationary cable 25 is gripped. Each frame comprises the wheel 5, keyed on the shaft 4 or 4<1>, and driving, by means of a belt 21, a wheel 11 mounted at the other end of the frame. The belts 21 form the gripping-surfaces, and pass over one or more intermediate wheels 17, which are pressed towards the cable 25 by springs 20, and are slightly larger than the wheels 5, 11 and so arranged that, when the gripping - frames are forced towards the cable 25, the parts of the belt 21 over the wheels 17 engage the cable first. This inward movement of the gripping-frames is made under the action of right and left handed screw gearing 37 until the wheels 17 cause the belts 21 to grip the cable 25 sufficiently to start the tug boat fairly. The further grip necessary is obtained by the backward pull of the load itself, and is thus automatically regulated in accordance with the load. One means for effecting this is by means of an endless rope 29, which passes round a. sheave 43 on the draw-bar and round sheaves 28, 28<1> on the outer ends of the gripping-frames, Fig. 8. An alternative method is by means of cam-plates connected to the spring- controlled draw-bar. The belts 21 are formed of a suitable flexible material, such as hemp, to which are secured metal plates 22 forming the gripping- surface, Fig. 15. The driving-connection between the belts 21 and wheels 5, 11 may be frictional or positive. In the latter case, the inner faces of the strips 22 are formed with recesses 24, in which engage corresponding projections on the wheels 5, 11. The wheels 17 are, in any case, smooth. The cable 25 is, preferably, of rectangular section with its longest sides vertical, so that a maximum gripping-surface is obtained. The cable is suspended from each transverse cable by the means shown in Fig. 18. The rod 76 is supported by a spring in the swinging sleeve 75 and is formed with a fork, in which the rod 79, carrying the cable, can be adjusted by means of a pin 85 and holes 84. The cable can thus not only automatically adjust itself, but its normal position can be readily adjusted by hand. The cable is connected to the rod 79 as shown in Fig. 19, the two uppermost members being cut and inserted in a tube 88 or other splicing-device. Smooth passage of the gripping-frames is thus ensured. In the modification shown in Fig. 16, an ordinary round cable is gripped by a pair of grooved wheels 11, mounted, as before described, in swinging frames which can slide on their shafts under the control of springs 96 in accordance with the position of the cable. Each transverse supporting-cable can, preferably, be raised and lowered by means of a winch in one of its supporting-posts, and the adjustment of the cables and of the electric conductors, if such are used, can thus be readily effected.