MENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR EFFECTING ROPE ATTACHMENTS, FASTENINGS, AND JUNCTIONS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES,
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Maria Ernest Kortüm, of 56 St. Mark Street,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, for an Invention of LMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR EFFECTING ROPE ATTACHMENTS,
FASTENINGS, AND JUNCTIONS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ANALOGOUS
PURPOSES,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Maria Ernest
Kortüm at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st December
1882.
CHARLES MARIA ERNEST KORTUM, of 56 St. Mark Street, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR EFFECTING
ROPE ATTACHMENTS, FASTENINGS, AND JUNCTIONS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
ANALOGOUS PURPOSES,"
The object of my said improvements is to provide improved means and appliances
for fixing hooks, eyes, screw junctions, and other attachments to the ends or other
parts of ropes, also in forming junctions of the ends of ropes such means and
appliances being also applicable to driving and other bands, belts and straps, wire
and other cables, and analogous purposes.
The means whereby I effect such improvements principally consist in applying
serrated and corrugated wedges at the points of junction, the serrations and
corrugations impinging against the materials operated upon, such serrations and
corrugations varying in form and arrangement to suit the nature of the material
operated upon. The wedges are held in position by means of thimbles, of
cylindrical, conical, elliptical, and other suitable forms; and such thimbles are in
some cases formed in one with hooks, eyes, hinges, or other useful attachments.
In joining the ends of two ordinary hempen ropes, I use a thimble of a modified
elliptical form, and being of uniform size and section throughout its lengths, and
of sufficient strength to prevent its bursting when the utmost strain is put upon
the rope.
The two ends of the ropes to be joined are inserted in this thimble or tube, from
the opposite ends, two wedges are then inserted, the centres of the wedges being in
a line with the longitudinal axis of the thimble: the two ropes being forcibly held
by the action of the wedges, which are driven in until the wedges are housed in
the thimble, the sectional form of the ropes being thereby distorted. The ends of
the ropes projecting beyond the thimble may then be trimmed to make the junction
neat and sightly

page_text: The serrations in these wedges are formed to suit the material, and to "bite" the
ropes and prevent slipping.
One or more cotters pins or screws may be inserted through the sides of the
thimble in order to prevent the wedges from becoming loose when the tension is
taken off the ropes. The inside of the two ends of the thimble are chamfered or
rounded in order that the ropes may not be cut, chafed, or injured, by contact
therewith. The largest end of the wedge is placed nearest to the end of the rope
with which it engages, and the smallest end next to the continuation or free end
of the rope.
In applying my said invention to the fixing of hooks, eyes, or links, I form the
sockets, or thimbles, of such attachments conical upon the longitudinal axis, and
parallel upon the transverse axis, that is to say, the end thereof farthest from the
hook or eye is cylindrical, and the portion thereof next to the hook or eye is of an
elliptical, or modified elliptical, form. The end of the rope to be attached is
inserted at the cylindrical end and passed through towards the hook; two wedges
are then inserted from the "hook" end and the rope is pulled or the wedges are
driven until they are properly housed; cotters, pins, or screws may then be inserted
to keep the wedges "home," and the end of the rope is trimmed.
In attaching hooks, eyes, links, hinges, or chains, to flattened ropes, or a series
of ropes either plaited or otherwise arranged side by side, or in forming junctions
with such ropes, or leather or other belts, or driving or other bands, I use thimbles
of a flattened form to suit the same and place therein any requisite number of
wedges in order to properly grip the material; the form of the serrations and
corrugations being suited to the particular nature of the material employed; and
the wedges themselves are also formed of any suitable material such as papier
maché, wood, metal, cast or wrought steel, or otherwise.
In the case of driving and other bands, where it may be necessary to have the
"friction" side flat, I form the thimbles, (or their equivalents) flat on that side,
and insert the wedge or wedges on the "free" side of the belt only.
In the treatment of wire ropes, wires, and other materials which have but a
limited amount of elasticity, I form the serrations of the wedges in such a manner
that they present to the material to be gripped suitable angles for compressing the
same, longitudinally and transversely, and this arrangement is carried out whether
the wedges are coupled with their butt ends together or in opposite directions:
The corrugations being also adapted to effect transverse grip.
When
Wire ropes and bands may be united together, or to hooks, eyes, links, &c, in a
manner similar or analogous to those herein before described with respect to more
elastic materials, or the following variation may be adopted in the case of attach-
ment to the conical thimbles herein before described. In this construction the
conical thimble forms the frustum of a cone, with a circular section throughout.
Three or more pairs of wedges are used. The inner wedges have serrations and
corrugations on both the inner and outer faces, and the outer wedges are smooth
on the side next to the thimble, and have an internal shoulder at their lower ends
At the outer ends of the inner wedges there is a ring surrounding the rope.
this ring is applied to the rope it may be put on at a red heat, in order that it may
forcibly contract upon the rope when cool, such ring being placed at a short
distance from the end of the rope. The end of the wire rope projecting beyond
the ring is then annealed and untwisted and inserted in the thimble, and the single
wires are passed between the inner and outer wedges and placed in parallel lines
along the outside of the rope a short distance, and then bound with wire. As
before described cotters, pins or screws, may be used to prevent the wedges from
getting loose.
It is obvious also that other junctions may be effected, such as the attachment
of small lines to the standing rigging of ships and other vessels, and attachments to
telegraph conductors

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Maria Ernest Kortüm in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 29th May 1883.
CHARLES MARIA ERNEST KORTUM of 56 St Mark Street Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR EFFECTING
ROPE ATTACHMENTS, FASTENINGS AND JUNCTIONS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
"
The object of my said Improvements is to provide improved means and
appliances for fixing hooks, eyes, screw junctions and other attachments to the
ends or other parts of ropes; also in forming junctions of the ends of ropes; such
means and appliances being also applicable to driving and other bands, belts and
straps, wire and other cables, and analogous purposes; and in this Specification,
where the word " rope" is used, such word is intended to include cables and all
other articles to which my invention is applicable.
The means whereby I effect such improvements principally consist in applying
serrated and corrugated wedges at the points of junction, the serrations and
corrugations impinging against the materials operated upon, such serrations and
corrugations, varying in form and arrangement, to suit the nature of the material
operated upon. The wedges are held in position by means of thimbles or tubes,
of cylindrical, conical, elliptical, and other suitable forms, and such thimbles are
in some cases formed in one with, hooks eyes hinges or other useful attachments.
In joining the ends of two ordinary hempen ropes, I use a thimble of a modified
elliptical form, and being of uniform size and section throughout its length and of
sufficient strength to prevent its bursting when the utmost strain is put upon the
rope. The two ends of the rope to be joined are inserted in this thimble or tube,
from the opposite ends, two wedges are then inserted, the centres of the wedges
being in a line with the longitudinal axis of the thimble: the two ropes being
forcibly held by the action of the wedges which are driven in until the wedges are
housed in the thimble, the sectional form of the ropes being thereby distorted―
The ends of the ropes projecting beyond the thimble may then be trimmed to
make the junction neat and sightly-The serrations in these wedges are formed
to suit the material and to "bite" the ropes and prevent slipping-One or more
cotters, pins or screws may be inserted through the sides of the thimble in order
to prevent the wedges from becoming loose-The inside of the two ends of the
thimble are chamfered or rounded in order that the ropes may not be cut, chafed,
or injured, by contact therewith. The largest end of the wedge is placed nearest
to the end of the rope with which it engages, and the smallest end next to the
continuation or free end of the rope
In applying my said invention to the fixing of hooks, eyes, or links, I form the
sockets, or thimbles of such attachments conical upon the longitudinal axis, and
parallel upon the transverse axis, that is to say, the end thereof farthest from the
hook or eye is cylindrical and the portion thereof next to the hook or eye is of
an elliptical, or modified elliptical, form-The end of the rope to be attached is
inserted at the cylindrical end and passed through towards the hook: one or two
wedges are then inserted from the "hook" end and the rope is pulled or the
wedges are driven until they are properly housed; cotters pins or screws may
then be inserted to keep the wedges "home" and the end of the rope is trimmed.
In attaching hooks, eyes, links, hinges or chains, to flattened ropes, or a series
of ropes, either plaited or otherwise arranged side by side, or in forming junctions
with such ropes, or leather or other belts, or driving or other bands. I use thimbles
of a flattened form to suit the same and place therein any requisite number of
wedges. in order to properly grip the material; the form of the serrations and
and
corrugations being suited to the particular nature of the material employed;
the wedges themselves are also formed of any suitable material such as papier
maché, wood, metal, cast or wrought steel, or otherwise.

page_text: In the case of driving and other bands, where it may be necessary to have the
"friction" side flat, I form-the thimbles, (or their equivalents) flat on that side and
insert the wedge or wedges on the "free" sides of the belt.
In the treatment of wire ropes, wires and other materials, which have but a
limited amount of elasticity, I form the serrations of the wedges in such a manner
that they present to the material to be gripped suitable angles for compressing the
same longitudinally and transversely and this arrangement is carried out whether
the wedges are coupled with their butt ends together or in opposite directions. The
corrugations being also adapted to effect transverse grip.
Wire ropes and bands may be united together or to hooks eyes links & in
a manner similar or analogous to those herein before described with respect to
more elastic materials or the following variation may be adopted in the case
of attachment to conical thimbles hereinbefore described. In this construction
the conical thimble forms the frustum of a cone, with a circular section throughout.
Two three or more pairs of wedges are used. The inner wedges have serrations
and corrugations on both the inner and outer faces and the outer wedges are
smooth on the side next to the thimble and have an internal shoulder at their
lower ends. At the outer ends of the inner wedges there is a ring surrounding the
rope. When this ring is applied to the rope it is put on at a red heat in order
that it may forcibly contract upon the rope when cool such ring being placed at
a short distance from the end of the rope. The end of the wire rope projecting
beyond the ring is annealed and then untwisted and inserted in the thimble and
the single wires are passed between the inner and outer wedges and placed in
parallel lines along the outside of the rope a short distance and then bound with
wire. As before described cotters pins or screws are used to prevent the wedges
from getting loose.
:
It is obvious also that other junctions may be effected such as the attachment
of small lines to the standing rigging of ships and other vessels and attachments
to telegraph conductors.
Cable or rope couplings or fastenings at present in use have the defect of
rendering the rope liable to break next to the couplings or collars &o. This defect
is entirely avoided by my invention in which the wedges are so constructed that
the compression increases towards the inner end of the collar the tension at the
outer end being a maximum and at the inner end a minimum therefore the pressure
on the rope or cable must be in an inverse ratio thereto that is to say at the outer
end the pressure or pinch must be a minimum and at the inner end a maximum
in order that the holding power arising from the compression or pinch of the rope
in the coupling or collar may be completely and effectually utilized. For this
purpose the teeth at the lower end of the wedge are very much smaller than those
at the upper end. I employ teeth which indent and compress the body of the
cable or rope because the breaking strain or limit of cohesion can only be reached
after a certain amount of elongation usually termed the limit of elasticity has
taken place. No elongation sufficient to cause rupture can arise in consequence of
the frictional resistance or gripping power in this case as the following calculation
will shew:-
If the compressed end of the rope be considered as made up of differentials and
if dQ represents the resistances by friction & of one element, d Q = Q will be
the resistance of all elements. If P represents the traction exerted on the rope, the
resistance of the first element is = PdQ = P - o = P and in the last element
P-/dQ=P Q. As however P must be at least equal to Q (if the rope is
securely fastened) P - d Q must be = o. that is the tension or traction is a
maximum at the outer end and a minimum at the inner end. Therefore the
pressure grip or pinch which produces the friction must be a minimum at the outer
end and a maximum at the inner end. If at a circular section of the rope the pressure
increases proportionately with the distance and if q and q¹ respectively represent
the pressure and x and xl the abscissce then is = 1, and as the value of the
.
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page_text: =
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differentials becomes smaller with the increasing pressure it follows that.
(ify and are the corresponding radii of a circular section).
The above is the equation of a parabola and the wedges are constructed upon the
principle of the above formula.
It is to be remarked however that the pressure does not always increase propor-
tionately with the distance and in such a case the equation of the curve would not
be a parabola and which cases also depend on the nature of the material operated
upon.
ر
The teeth which indent the rope greatly increase the useful resistance or holding
power the wedges slide forward as the load increases and thus the effectiveness
increases with the pressure. If the wedges were incapable of gliding forward the
rope would simply be pulled through the collar. The gliding of the wedges takes
place when the useful resistance (that is to say the friction &c. between the wedge
or wedges and the cable or rope) is greater than the dynamic resistance resulting
from the friction between the back of the wedges and the inner surface of the
collar or coupling this enables me to use wedges of such angles that a moderate
length of the thimble will suffice to impart the necessary grip to the rope and to
use thimbles of very small thickness or substance.
In the employment of such wedges the conicity or angles of which is or are not
greater than that of the collar auxiliary wedges are employed or a pin screw or
peg is driven into the core or the ends or strands of the rope are bound round
with string twine or other suitable material.
In such adaptations as are required principally for transmission purposes the
wedges are sometimes composed of a combination of metal and wood. This combi-
nation is made thus: the inner toothed surface and the back of the wedge consist
of punched metal plates and the core of wood the latter being driven in last.
In employing wedges which cause the pressure to be in a direction coincident to
the major axis of the collar, as from a to b in Figure 44 of the accompanying
drawings, such pressure would have a tendency, if fitting closely to the inner
surface of the collar, to alter the form thereof, or to elongate the same from a to b
and to reduce the smaller axis from c to d, whereby a pressure would ensue which
would prevent the wedges from gliding forward, and consequently prevent the
firm attachment of the rope, and for this reason the wedges are constructed narrower
than the inner width of the shell, as shewn in Figure 45. I thereby attain the
result that the rope is pressed between the wedge and the flattened sides of the
shell (as shewn in Figure 45) so that all clamping or jamming is prevented, and an
increase of useful resistance and grip is attained (as the rope utilises this normal
pressure).
In order to attach hooks &°. to ropes which are made of fibrous materials the
rope is introduced at the outer end of the collar, the wedges are inserted at the
opposite, larger, end, and driven in by one or two blows with a hammer, so as to
produce the primary forward movement; the further tightening then ensues in a
self acting manner, through the load on the rope, or by the tension on the rope.
Also in this respect my coupling or attaching device possesses great advantages
over all other systems, as for instance over the screwing up of the old coupling
plates, the successful use of which depends on the skill of the workman: a loose
screwing allows the rope to slip, and when screwed up too tight the rope is liable
to be cut or shorn off, whereas the pressure in my coupling always corresponds
and is equivalent to the tension.
In employing the coupling for wire ropes, and in employing the double wedges
(Figures 35 to 38) a ring is slid on to the rope, and after the rope has been inserted
in the shell the protruding end is untwisted and the untwisted ends of wire around
the ring are then annealed as before mentioned and again pushed through the shell
in the reverse direction, the ends of the untwisted wire are then, after the insertion
of the inner half wedges from the outer end, attached to the rope by winding wire
or other suitable material around the ends of the wire. Then the outer half wedges

page_text: are inserted from the upper end and driven down by means of a few blows with a
hammer, rendering the pressure or grip of the wedges equally powerful on the end
of the rope as on the ontwisted and inserted wires. The inner teeth of the wedges
and also the general shape of the wedges are formed on the same principle as that
given above. In case the outer half wedges require a shoulder at their lower ends,
both half wedges are inserted together, as, on account of the shoulder, it would not
be possible to insert them separately
The inner wedges are provided with teeth or projections on both sides, but the
outer wedges are only toothed on one surface.
The drawings shew some of the employments of my improved coupling or 1
attaching device.
Figures 12, 13, 27, 28 shew the application of my said invention to ropes or
cables made from soft material, such as ships hemp &c. cables.
Figures 17 to 20 are for cables for windlases &
Figures 14 to 16 are for couplings in which single wedges are employed which
are arranged to act in opposition to each other, according to the direction of the
strain upon the same. The shell or collar has parallel sides and may be without
ring, eye or loop &..
Figures 10 and 11 are also for coupling cables-or-ropes..
Figures 24 to 26, 29 to 31, 48, 49, 55 and 56 are for horse traces of fibrous
material leather &. with one or two wedges
Figures 1 and 2 are for driving bands or transmission ropes or cables made from
soft material. The wedges are, in this case, preferably made of papier machè, and
the upper part or loop may be hardened.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are for flat hauling cables or bands also for colliery, winding,
and mining purposes generally.
:
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are for driving straps of soft material with one or two wedges
according to the strain to be put on the same
Figures 9 and 9ª are for cord couplings.
Figures 44 and 45 are intended to illustrate the principle of the invention before
referred to; Figure 44 being an incorrect form, and Figure 45 the correct form of
the wedges for that sectional form of tube or collar.
Figures 32 and 33 are for ropes for transmitting motion. The shell may be made
of wrought iron or steel carefully turned and hardened and of circular section.
One
or more wedges are employed and the connection is made by ball and socket joint,
or other suitable construction of joint. A conical peg pin or screw is sometimes
driven or screwed into the core of the rope in order to increase the lateral
pressure.
Figures 34, 57 and 58 are for tension couplings, for ropes of hard and soft
material chiefly intended for roof constructions and ships masts.
Figures 35 to 42 and Figure 60 are for wire ropes and cables as explained
above.
Figure 43 is for wire ropes similar in construction to Figures 14, 15 and 16.
Figures 21 to 23 are for attaching ropes &°. to the shrouds or standing rigging of
ships.
Figures 46, 47, 50 and 51 shew similar constructions in which the principle of
the pressure and the effect of the teeth is also utilized and carried into effect the
teeth being formed inside the shell itself and a wedge being driven at the side as in
Figures 46 and 47 or into the centre of the rope to expand it, as shewn in
Figures 50 and 51, where x is the wedge, which may be a pin, a wedge screw or a
smooth wedge.
Figures 52 to 54 shew an employment of my invention for wire ropes as herein-
before described in order to provide against accidents in mine shafts from the
breakage of the main rope, and to catch the cage in such a case. Figure 59 serves
to fix the rope to the shaft or drums. The wedges and the shell may be curved in b
this case, as shewn in Figure 59 to accommodate it to the direction of the strain,
which is tangential

page_text: It is desirable, in many cases, to form the outer end of the shell with a short
cylindrical or parallel neck, in order that the expansion of the rope may not be too
abrupt or sudden, at its junction with the collar, and also to protect the same from
chafing against the end of the cone, the angle being thereby eased off, and the
extreme outer end of the shell being internally "throated."
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I claim
1. The manufacture and use of couplings, fastenings, attachment devices, or
clutches, for coupling bands, ropes, cables, belts, cords, wires, and analogous articles,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore setforth and shewn on the
drawings
2. The manufacture use and employment of a shell or case whereby the same
has at the lower end a cylindrical or parallel portion and which is conically
enlarged towards the joint, hinge, hook or eye, so that the said shell or case
serves to receive one or more toothed wedges, shoulders and other projections,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore setforth and shewn on the
drawings
3. The manufacture and use of one or more toothed wedges for fastening clutching
or attaching bands, ropes, cables, belts, cords, wires, and other analogous articles, in
the conical or otherwise shaped shell or case, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth and shewn on the drawings
.
4. The method of constructing solid or compound wedges with barbs, teeth, or
pointed or other projections which press themselves into the belt, band, cable, and
analogous articles, whereby the said articles are rigidly connected and all possibility
of slipping is avoided, and the greater the amount of tension on the strap, cable,
rope, or analogous article, the firmer will be the holding power of the toothed wedge
upon the same, substantially as and for the purposes herein before setforth and
shewn on the drawings
5. The method of providing the shell or casing with internal projections or teeth
whereby a smooth wedge or pin or conical screw is employed, substantially as and
for the purposes herein before setforth and shewn on drawings Figures 46, 47, 50
and 51.
6. The employment of two or more wedges in one and the same shell or case,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore setforth and shewn on the
drawings
7. The form of the wedges constructed on the principle before described with
relation to Figures 44 and 45 of the drawings.
8. The manufacture use and application of the several forms of wedges, with
teeth and projections, collars, thimbles, tubes, hooks, eyes, and other attachments to
ropes, cables, belts, bands, straps, and analogous articles, in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings, or any
mere modification thereof
9. The construction formation and combination of parts respectively together
forming my improvements in means and appliances for effecting rope attachments
fastenings and junctions, also applicable to other analogous purposes, substantially
as hereinbefore described, and shewn on the drawings, or any mere modification
thereof.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Maria Ernest Kortüm have hereunto
set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord