Improvements in and relating to Ratchet Gearing.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ratchet Gearing.
I, JAMES HOWARD BOWEN, of 722, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention consists of a mechanical movement, formed of a rotary reciprocating
shaft, means for imparting motion to said shaft, and a dog or detent which is adapted
to engage with a ratchet wheel, so as to operate a power wheel with a considerable
momentum, and then be thrown clear of the same.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a mechanical movement embodying my
invention, a portion of the frame or casing having been removed.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a portion thereof.
Figure 3 represents a section of a detached portion.
Figure 4 represents a perspective view of another form of the movement.
A designates a crank shaft which is mounted on the frame B, and carrying a
pinion C.
D designates a sliding rack or rack bar, which is fitted in guides on the frame B,
and meshes with said pinion.
On the transverse limb of the crank shaft A, is a loosely mounted dog or detent E,
which is adapted to engage with either of the teeth of the ratchet F on the power
wheel G, the latter having its shaft mounted on suitable bearings on the frame G' or
parts of the frame B.
The dog or detent E has its normal position as shown in Figure 2, the same being
retained by gravity, the said detent being set out from the ratchet F, it being noticed
that the limb of the crank shaft is formed with shoulders 1 and 2 for limiting the
swinging or rotary motions of said detent.
The operation is as follows :-
The rack D is raised, whereby the shaft A is rotated, and the dog carried around
with the shaft A to the side opposite to that previously occupied, its end riding over
the teeth of the ratchet with which it comes in contact, and being so disposed that
when the dog is at its lowest point, said end is beneath or behind one of the teeth.
The rack is now lowered, which operation returns the dog to its first position, and as
said dog engages with one of the teeth of the ratchet, the latter is operated and
power communicated to the wheel G, the dog returning to its first position, and
dropping from the ratchet and clearing the same, see Figure 2.
The wheel continues its rotation without being interfered with by the dog. In
the present instance, the wheel G is provided with a blade H, so as to adapt the
movement to a cigar cutter, said wheel being enclosed in a suitable casing, the top
whereof is formed with an opening or bed to receive the tip of a cigar, whereby
when power is communicated to the wheel, the blade comes in contact with the cigar
nd severs the tip therefrom, said tip dropping into the compartment J of the casing,
rom whence it may be readily removed when so desired.
In Figure 4 there is shown a spring K, one end of which is secured to the shaft A,
nd the other end to a proper part of the bearings of the same, so that when said
haft is rotated the spring will be wound up. A shoulder L is formed on the shaft
o engage with a spring-pressed catch M, whereby the said shaft is prevented from
otation when the spring is wound. The catch is mounted on the frame B, and
rovided with a handle N for conveniently operating the same. One end of the
haft A is squared for the engagement of a suitable key, 50 that the shaft may be
eadily rotated, the parts then being in the position shown in Figure 4.

page_text: When the shaft A is released, the spring K is operative, and its power is trans-
mitted to the shaft, the dog and the ratchet, and consequently to the wheel G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. A crank shaft having a dog mounted on one limb thereof, and engaging
with a ratchet, with which latter a power wheel is connected, substantially as
described.
Second. A crank shaft, and a ratchet wheel in combination with a dog which is
mounted on one limb of said shaft, and has its swinging or rotary motions limited by
suitable stops, substantially as described.
Third. A ratchet in combination with a gravitating dog which is mounted on a
shaft and adapted to engage with, and disengage from the teeth of said ratchet,
substantially as described.
Fourth. A power wheel having a ratchet, a dog engaging with said ratchet, and a
crank shaft carrying said dog, combined substantially as described whereby said dog
may engage with, and be discharged from said ratchet as stated.
Fifth. A ratchet, a dog engaging with the same, and a shaft carrying said dog, in
combination with a spring for imparting rotation to said shaft, substantially as
described.
Sixth. A ratchet, a dog engaging with the same, and a shaft carrying said dog,
in combination with a spring for rotating said shaft, and a catch or fastening for
controlling said spring, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of April 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.