IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF SPRING BLOCKS FOR SHIPPING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Arber Ray and John Nicholson, both of Grimsby,
in the County of Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF SPRING BLOCKS FOR SHIPPING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 15th June 1877, and dated the 2nd January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Arber Ray and
John Nicholson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd
January 1877.
.
ROBERT ARBER RAY and JOHN NICHOLSON, both of Grimsby, in the County of
Lincoln. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING BLOCKS FOR SHIPPING
AND OTHER PURPOSES."
The block may be constructed in either one or two pieces. In the first case a
long iron bolt, having a shackle at the lower end and screwed at its upper end, is
passed through a vertical hole in the block between the two sheave holes. In the
centre part of this bolt is a long slot through which the centre bolt (which serves
as the axle for the two sheaves) passes; over the upper part of the bolt are passed
a number of alternate iron washers and india-rubber washers, and a nut is placed'
upon the upper end of the bolt and screwed down tight on to the top iron washer
so as to hold all the washers in place. It will thus be evident that if any strain is
put upon the shackle the india-rubber washers will act as springs and allow it to
give way slightly, the slot moving freely over the centre bolt.. The block is
strengthened by an iron binding or strap passing round it, and provided with holes
through which the centre bolt passes.
When the block is made in two pieces the upright bolt has no slot in it. Each
half of the block is provided with a separate centre bolt or axis for its own sheave,
the nuts being countersunk a little way into the inner sides of the two halves.
The hole for the upright or spring bolt is made half in the inner side of one, block
and half in the inner side of the other, so that when the two halves of the block
are put together and bound by the iron strap, the spring shackle bolt can move up.
or down freely between the two halves of the block. The shackle washers and nut
are the same as in the first described arrangement.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Robert Arber Ray and John Nicholson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd July 1877.
ROBERT ARBER RAY and JOHN NICHOLSON, both of Grimsby, in the County of
Lincoln. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING BLOCKS FOR SHIPPING
AND OTHER PURPOSES."
The block may be constructed in either one or two pieces. In the first case a
long iron bolt, having a shackle at the lower end and screwed at its upper end, is
passed through a vertical hole in the block between the two sheave holes. In the
centre part of this bolt is a long slot through which the centre bolt (which serves
as the axle for the two sheaves) passes; over the upper part of the bolt are
passed a number of alternate iron washers and india-rubber washers, and a nut is
placed upon the upper end of the bolt and screwed down tight on to the top iron
washer so as to hold all the washers in place. It will thus be evident that if any
strain is put upon the shackle the india-rubber washers will act as springs and
allow it to give way slightly, the slot moving freely over the centre bolt. The
block is strengthened by an iron binding or strap passing round it, and provided
with holes through which the centre bolt passes.
When the block is made in two pieces the upright bolt has no slot in it. Each
half of the block is provided with a separate centre bolt or axis for its own sheave,
the nuts being countersunk a little away into the inner sides of the two halves.
The hole for the upright or spring bolt is made half in the inner side of one block
and a half in the inner side of the other, so that when the two halves of the block
are put together and bound by the iron strap, the spring shackle bolt can move up
and down freely between the two halves of the block. The shackle washers and
nut are the same as in the first-described arrangement.
In some cases we employ a spring of coiled steel wire, in which case the spring
is placed in a recess in the block surrounding the shackle bolt.
Such being the nature and object of our said Invention, we will now proceed to
describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed
or carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood
we have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in
the following explanation thereof.
Fig. 1 is an edge view, and Fig. 2 a side view of a spring block made all in one
piece, a, a, being the block; b, b, the sheaves; and c, c, the shackle bolt; d, d, is
the centre bolt which serves as the axis for the two sheaves, and passes through a
slot e, e, in the shackle bolt (see detached view Fig. 3); ff, are the iron washers,
and g, g, are the india-rubber washers, which are retained in position by the
nut h, h, screwed on the end of the shackle bolt c, c; i, i, is an iron binding or
strap for strengthening the block.
Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a block made in two halves, and Fig. 5 is
a transverse section of one half. The shackle bolt in this case has no slot in it, but
fits into a recess k, k, made half in the inner side of each block, see Fig. 5, and each
sheave has its own separate axis secured by a nut l, l, countersunk into the inuer
side of the block.
Fig. 6 shows section of the same kind of block provided. with a coiled steel
wire spring m, m, instead of the india-rubber washers g, g, the spring being let into
a recess formed in the body of the block.
'
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, we wish it to be understood that we claim the improved construction of

page_text: spring blocks, as herein-before particularly described and illustrated by the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Nicholson (on behalf of myself and the
said Robert Arber Ray), have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth
day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
JOHN NICHOLSON. (L.S.)