A MACHINE UPON AN IMPROVED PRINCIPLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING OF BALLAST, DISCHARGING THE CARGOES OF SHIPS, AND OTHERWISE ASSISTING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MANY USEFUL AND LABORIOUS WORKS
Year: 1790

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
TATE, of the Parish of Saint Marylebone, in the County of Middlesex, Iron-
monger, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the Thir-:
teenth day of March, in the thirtieth year of His reign, did give unto me, the
said James Tate, His especial licence, full power, sole priviledge and autho-
rity, that I, the said James Tate, during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exorcise, and vend, within that part of
the Kingdom of Great Britain called England, the Dominion of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "A MACHINE UPON AN
IMPROVED PRINCIPLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING OF BALLAST, DISCHARGING
THE CARGOES OF SHIPS, AND OTHERWISE ASSISTING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MANY
USEFUL AND LABORIOUS WORKS;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained
a proviso obliging me, the said James Tate, to cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and scal, to be inrolled
in His Majestic's High Court of Chancery within one calendar month next'
and immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in.
and by the same, relation being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Tate, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, is particularly described and
ascertained as hereafter follows (that is to say):-

page_text: The machine consists of two parts, cach part being upon an improved prin-
ciple. When these two parts are in conjunction together they form the whole
machine, altho' cach part may be used separately and for different purposes.
The first part of this machine give motion to the other, and will also also serve
as the moving principle for most other machines. The first part or moving
principle of this machine is obtained by means of a descending body upon a
continued inclined plane, or upon a plane that may always be rendered con-
tinued. This power is obtained by placing a round table or frame upon a
center or a universal joint, so that any weight or pressure upon any extremity
of this frame or table will bear that side down upon a rim or platform under-
neath. This rim or table, which I call the agitable table or frame, will then
be in an oblique direction, with one side on the ground or platform; the oppo-
site side will then be elevated in proportion to the height of the center on
which it is placed. The weight that thus presses down one side of the agitable
table is that from which the power is derived, and what I term the great
rolling weight or wheel. This weight or wheel has connection by a spindle
through its center with an upright shaft or spindle, and from this last-
mentioned shaft by means of a crank wheel or drum to work any other
machine. The agitable table being thus described, with its rolling weight or
wheel pressing one of its sides upon the platform underneath, it then follows
that if a smaller weight or pressure is applied upon the said agitable table
(about one fourth part of the circumference of the whole table from the great
rolling weight) that this smaller weight will then have the same power of
raising the greater as a smaller weight has of raising a greater upon the end
of a lever, the space between the greater and the lesser weights having in this
respect the property of a lover. The great rolling weight being thus raised
by the snaller weight (or other power), the fulciment or fulcrum which sus-
tains both weights will then be upon the platform between the greater and
lesser weights, and then the great or rolling weight becomes upon its inclined
plane, which plane will always be more or less inclined in proportion to the
pressure or force of the lesser weight, until the object to bo moved is overcome
or set in motion, the same power or pressure from the smaller weight being
still impelled forward, and continued before the great rolling weight continues
the plane. It then follows that the longer the rolling weight is kept in a
falling position that it acquires an additional power by the gravitating force of
its own motion, agreeable to the laws of all descending bodies upon inclined
planes.
This being A general description of the first part of my Invention, I shall
describe it in a more particular manner, by explaining the different parts of

page_text: which it is composed in the same order or manner in which it may be made or
manufactured.
And, first, a frame is made to consist of 3 or more upright fect, with
two or more frames joined to the said feet in horizontal directions, so that
it will have the appearance of two or three tables, one above the other, on the
same upright feet. The lower tables I call the platform, the next the inter-
mediate, and the third the top or cover of the said frame. It will not be
necessary that these tables should be continued flat surfaces, their use being
only to sustain the other parts of the machine, and therefore frames will answer
the same purpose. In the center of the platform is fixed and upright bar or
center, with a conical point, made so as to be raised or lowered. I then make
the agitable table, which must be made as round as possible. In the center
of this table is placed a conical socket, and this agitable table, with its conical
socket, is then placed on the upright bar in the platform. I then make the
great rolling weight or wheel (from which the power is derived). This consists
of a round heavy substance, with the end of a spindle through its center, with a
screw nut or other means to prevent its getting off. The other end of this spindle
terminafes in an eye mortis or fork, in order to join it to an upright shaft or
spindle, hereafter to be described. This rolling weight is then placed upon the
agitable table already described, to be placed I on the upright bar or center in the
platform. Then make and put in the frame the intermediate table, which is
placed high enough not to obstruct any of the other parts. Then thro' the
center of this intermediate table is fixed an upright shaft or spindle perpen-
dicular to the bar in the center of the platform. The lower end of this shaft
is prepared to be joined to the spindle of the great rolling weight, and tho
other end above is placed in a socket or center in the cover or top part
of the frame, and between the intermediate table and the top or cover of the
frame is placed on the said shaft or spindle cither wheel, crank, or drum, in order
to connect it with the other part of the said machine, hereafter to be described,
or to any other machine that it may be found capable of working. Then join
together the spindle of the rolling weight and the lower end of the upright shaft
in the intermediate table. This part of the machine is then finished, except
the smaller weight or pressure already mentioned, which gives motion to
the other or great rolling weight. This is performed in manner following:-
First, make a hollow tube or socket of a convenient length; on one end of this
tube join a wheel or pinion with teeth, and on the other end or other part of
the said tube join an arm or projection, with a roller or wheel fixed on its
other end, and also a hook or eye to fix a weight, if necessary (this arm must
be about half the length of the diameter of the agitable table). Then place

page_text: this tube with its wheel and arm upon the lower end of tho upright shift or
spindle already described as fixed in the center of the intermediate table.
This socket must be so made as to turn round the shaft or spindle with case,
at the same time prevented by a proper key or fastening from rising up or
falling lower on the said spindle. Then make another wheel or pinion with
tecili to match that already mentioned, with a proper carriage to fix it to the
tinder side of the intermediate table, and also with a spindle and wynch long
enough to turn clear of the outside of the frame. These two wheels being
then in contact, the first part of the inachine is thien complete. The wynich
being tlich turned round brings the arm with the roller on its end in contact
with tlio agitable table, bears down öne side thereof, and of consequence
makes the inclined plane for tlie great rolling weight to perform its office.
The wheels or pinions last mentionéil, with the carriage and wynch, may be
placed upon the bar in the platform, instead of on the shaft in the intermediate
table, and the only difference will be that in this manner, and in an opposite direc-
tion, they will force the agitable table upwards, which will linve the same effect
nis flic other, or move the agitable table by leavers or any other power that will
produce the same effect. When I want to take advantage of the accelerated
inotion of the great rolling weight, after it has acquired a certain velocity by
the operation of tho. wynch, I place a stay upon the spindle of the great
rolling weight that reaches to the arm with the roller. This stay will keep the
distance between the great weight and the arin equal, and in that position on
the agitable table were the lesser weight has most power to move the greater.
Tlien place a small weight to the hook or ejo in the arin; then, after this stay
is placed, turn the winch till it acquires a certain velocity, after which it will
go for some time without further assistance from the wynch. The power
acquired by this part of the machine is then communicated to the other part
of the machine, and which is constructed upon the following principles:-An
oblong platform or frame of any length that may be required, sufficiently wide
to contain two rows of small carts or wheelbarrows upon the upper side
thereof. This frame or platform may be made with different joints, so that
one end thereof may be raised and the other lowered, as may be found necessary.
Upon each end of this platform is placed a large roller, either on centers or
axis in a vertical direction. Then put a chain or cord round these two rollers.
To this chain or cord fasten, at convenient distances, any number of small carts
or barrows, one after another. If either of the large rollers already men-
tioned are then turned round, theso carts will be all moved at the samo
time, those upon one side of the platform upwards, and tliese on the other sido
downwards, or backwards and forwards, if the platformi be in a horizontal

page_text: position. Each of these carts are to be made with bottoms that on a certain
place on the said platform will drop down, so that anything contained in the
said cart may be emptied. After the bottoins of the said cart have thus
dropped down, when they advance a little further on the said platform they
are again replaced. Different smaller rollers may be placed between the
chains on each side, in order to ease the working thereof. I then communi-
cate the power of the first-described part of my said machine to one of the
larger rollers on this platform, and it is then complete for assisting in cutting
canals and for other purposes of that nature for which it may be found useful,
one end of the said platform being in the canal, and the other end elevated
far enough over the edge of the said canal to convey the earth to a proper
distance, the carts presenting themselves to be filled by the labourers below
one after another (without any stoppage, so long as the machine is kept in
motion), and discharging their load at the top by the drop of the bottoms.
The machine, when constructed for raising of ballast in rivers or harbours, must
be somewhat different, as in that case the carts must fill themselves, and then
they may more properly be called scoops, and may be made either with wheels
or without, and then an addition must be made to the platform already
described. This addition may consist of a greater number of rollers, so
placed on the said scoops and platform that every scoop as it comes to the
bottom or place to be filled may, by the direction of the said rollers, have its
fore part or mouth directed downwards, continued in that direction sufficient
time till it has time to fill, by being drawn in that position along the bottom
till by the direction of other rollers the foro part is put in a contrary direction,
which raises the said scoop upwards till it comes on the platform, and so con-
tinues till the said scoops arrive at the top or place to be discharged, where they
discharge themselves in the same manner as the carts; but if the drop bottoms
will not answer so well for this kind of work, then the said scoops may be
discharged by some other means.
This machine, and either of the above-described parts seperately, may
be wrought by the power of steam in any manner, or by any other of
the elementary or mechanical powers, either as principals or assistants; and
here it will be necessary to observe (that having mentioned but one great
rolling weight and a lesser weight or other power as the principal agents on
the agitable table) that it may be necessary to place different other weights and
powers on different parts and in different positions on the said agitable table,
and also that the center or bar in the platform on which the agitable table is
placed, and the upright shaft or spindle (already described as fixed through the
intermediate table and the top of the frame), may be made to consist of one

page_text: entire upright shaft, and then the agitable table must have a hole in its center
to admit the said upright shaft, and a shoulder, or universal joint, made on the
said upright shaft, to sustain the agitable table, in place of the center first
described; and likewise that the part of the platform underneath, and the part
of the agitable table that comes in contact therewith, may consist each of the
section of a sphere or globe, so that the fulcrum (upon what part soever of
the said platform it may be) will be brought as near as possible to two points
or centers; and it may be necessary, with respect to the position of the great
rolling weight of the agitable table, to place the said weight in such position
that a portion of its weight may fall inwards upon the upright shaft, in order
to counteract the centrifregal force of the said weight when the machine is in
rapid motion; and that with respect to the platform for the carts or scoops
for raising ballast and for other purposes, as the said platform will admit of
being constructed in different ways, as well as that already described, and still
to answer the same purposes. And, first instead of making the said platform
to contain all the carts or scoops on the upper side thereof, as already described,
make a double platform, and place one over the other, far enough apart to
admit the carts or scoops being drawn between the said platforms. Then
place the two large rollers for the chain, ono at each end of this double plat-
form, but they will then be in horizontal direction instead of vertical, as is tho
first; then fix on the chain or cord, and also the carts or scoops attached thereto.
If either of the rollers or wheels are then turned round the carts will bo
drawn upon the upper platform till they come to the roller at the top, when
the will turn over and discharge themselves, and then be drawn on the lower
platform, and so conveyed down to the bottom, where by means of the roller
there they are brought in rotation upon the upper platform, to be filled as they
come up, or to fill themselves by the method already or hereafter to be de-
scribed, or make only a single platform to admit one row or line of carts upon
its upper side, with the great rollers fixed, as last mentioned. This method
may answer the same purpose; but the carts when under the platform will be
directed downwards again only by the chain or cord, where by the bottom roller
they will again be brought on the upper side of the platform, in the same manner
as the last described; and with respet to the method already mentioned, when
the said carts or scoops are to fill themselves, in whatsoever way they may bo
used, the same effect which is got by the operation of the rollers in that respect
may be obtained by other means, that is to say, by attaching an addition to
the lower end of the platform. This addition must consist of some heavy
substance fixed to the platform in such manner that it will be capable of being
raised and lowered, or sett in diflercut positions, or to be raised by the scoops

page_text: being drawn under it, and heavy enough to replace itself when the said scoop
is withdrawn, and to be fixed over the place where the said scoops are to be
filled, so that when the scoop comes to this part or addition it must necessarily
pass under it, which, by the weight or pressure of the said part upon the scoop,
it brings the said scoop in contact with the bed of the river, harbour, or other
place, and by being drawn in that direction for a proper space or time will fill
the said scoope in the same manner as if directed by the rollers first described;
and the machine, constructed upon these principles above described, is assist-
ing not only the performance of canal work, raising ballast, discharging coal
ships, but in many other laborious works. The machine being constructed of
two distinct parts, which can at any time be separated, each part can be
separately used for different purposes, in situations where the whole machine
cannot be brought into use; and the benefit of the first part of the Invention
may be had to any other machine, engine, carriage, cart, boat, ship, or mill, by
means of the crank wheel or drum already described, on the upright shaft or
spindle for raising of great weights, and discharging large packages from ships,
where the second part or platform cannot be admitted; and in many cases it
may be necessary to use the platform with the carts, and the addition of a
wheel and pinion to one of the rollers, without the assistance of the first part
of the Invention, and where the first part cannot be used with convenience.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth
day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred
and ninety

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of April, in the
year of our Lord 1790, the aforesaid James Tate came before our said Lord
the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and
all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stampt according to the tenor of the
Statutes made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twelfth day of April, in the year of Our Lord One thousand
seven hundred and ninety.