IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOVING AND RAISING WEIGHTS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
ROBINSON, of Patterson Street, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing at Westminster, the Fourth day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Robinson, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Robinson, my exors,
adñiors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said John Robinson, my exors,
adñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make,. use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations
abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOVING AND RAISING
WEIGHTS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the
said John Robinson, should 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 seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW ANOW I, that in comprance with the said proviso, I, the saru
John Robinson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be. performed,, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to modes of arranging parts of apparatus for giving
motion to the barrels of windlasses and other such like apparatus for moving
and raising weights.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews a section, and Figure 2 a back view; of a ship's windlass
with parts arranged according to my Invention. a, a, is the barrel of the
windlass, and is of the ordinary construction, constituting no part of my
'Invention. Upon the barrel a are affixed the nipping rings b, b, a portion of
the cylinder at the circumference of which is embraced by the plates c, c, the
inner edges of which pass within the flanges or cylinder of the rings b, and
it is by means of these surfaces, together with the inner edge of the nipping
lever, that an alternate holding upon the rings 5 is effected in order to
produce rotary motion to the barrel, all which so far is similar to those parts
described in a former Patent granted to me. But according to this part of
my present improvements I connect the nipping lever d by means of a link
d' to the lever e, by which I am enabled to obtain a greater nip on the rings
b. The lever e on one side of the pall post is connected by the connecting
rod f to the arm g, affixed to the axis h, to which motion is given by means
of lever arms i at each end of the windlass; these arms i are passed through
and held by the sockets h', formed or affixed on the ends of the axis h.
The other lever e is connected by means of a connecting rod f' to one end
of the crosshead j. which receives motion by being connected at the other
end by means of the link to the arm g. In order to vary the speed, and
consequently the power exerted upon the barrel a, the position of the links
d', and also the position of the ends of the connecting rods f and f', connected
to the levers e, is capable of being varied, there being several holes in the
levers d and e for this purpose.
Another part of my improvements consists in forming the sockets h¹ each
with more than one opening therethrough, so that distinct lever arms i may
be used with each; one for working at the fore part, and the other the bind

page_text: part of the windlass. The lever arms are retained in the sockets by
means of a pin or cotter h; the object of which arrangement is that the
power exerted in working the windlass may be varied by the distance which
the lever arms i are caused to protrude fore and aft the windlass.
By turning the
strap f¹ will bo
although I have
link with the
Figure 3 shews a section, and Figure 4 a back view, of another arrange-
ment of parts for working a windlass or other such barrel. Some of the parts
are similar to those already described, and are marked with the same letters
of reference; but in this case the end of each of the rods f is connected to
the lever e by means of the strap f', which is connected by the pin joint f² to
the sliding piece piece e', and such sliding piece e¹ has a female screw formed
through it to receive the screw e carried by the lever e.
screw in one or the other direction the position of the
varied in relation to the lever e. I would here state, that
shewn a screw for shifting the point of connection of the
lever c, it is evident that a small pinion or a lever might be used for this
purpose; and although I have shewn the parts applied to the lever e, they are
equally applicable to the lever d. The upper end of each of the rods f is
connected to the sliding piece n, which is capable of adjusting itself in position
by sliding on suitable guides formed for that purpose on the crosshead o, as
shewn. The crosshead o is worked by means of levers such as hercafter
described, the ends of which levers are received into the framed parts o' with
a capability of being fixed by the set screws 0%, as shewn by the red lines.
Figure 5 shews a section, and Figure 6 a back view, of so much of a wind-
lass barrel as will enable me to describe another modification of my Invention.
In this case I have only shewn a single purchase nip lever d, such as is now
commonly in use, and the lever d is connected by means of a link f to one
end of the lever p, whilst the other end of the lever p is connected by means
of the link pl (so as to act as a fulcrum) to a projection from the pall post,
as shewn. The lever P carries sliding piece p, which is capable of being
adjusted in position on the lever p by means of the screw p³, (or it might be
by other means,) and this sliding piece p² is embraced by one end of the link q,
which at its upper end is boru by the arm 9', and these arms q' are connected'
to the crosshead o by means of the pin q, so that they may have given to
them the up-and-down movement given to the ends of the crosshead o, and
at the same time be capable of a sideway movement at their outer ends, in
order to their following the position of the sliding piece p³. o are sockets to
receive the ends of lever arms to work the windlass.
Figures 5 and 6* shew a modification of the arrangement, shewn in Figs. 5
and 6, in order to obtain speed in working the barrel a. The lever d is con-

page_text: nected by the link f to one end of the lever p, the other end of which is by
means of the pin p' secured to the link p', whilst the crosshead is connected
by means of the link g to the lever p at the point p³, and whilst the parts are
in this position speed will be obtained in working the barrel a. By removing
the pin p* the parts will assume the position indicated by the
the parts f, p, q, will act as one connecting rod, and power in
be obtained.
red lines, and
place of speed
Figure 7 shews a section, and Figure 8 a back view, of so much of a
windlass barrel as will enable me to describe another mode of arranging
parts for working the same. In this case the periphery of each of the rings b
is formed with teeth, which receive palls carried by the plates c, and these
plates c are so formed at their upper end as to receive the lever arm r with a
capability of its being adjusted in position by means of the screw r¹ (or it might
be by other means), which passes through a female screw carried by the plate c.
The lever arm r is connected, by means of the strap s and link s¹, to the sliding
pieces s², and these pieces are capable of sliding in slots s³ formed in the cross-
head o, according to the position of the bar in the plates c. The crosshead o
is worked by means of lever arms, which are passed through the framed
pieces o', which in this case are capable of turning on centres o², and thereby
enabling the lever arms to be placed at an angle across the crosshead, as
indicated by red lines; the levers for working the crosshead o are then capable
of being set by means of the set screws o' and the plate and screws o*.
Figure 9 shews a section, and Figure 10 a back view, of another modifica-
tion of parts of apparatus for giving motion to windlass and such like barrels.
In this case the compound levers d and e are used as described with respect to
Figures 1 and 2, and the lever e is connected, by means of a chain passing
under the pulley e¹, or it might be by means of a link, to the sliding platet,
with a capability of the points of connection with the plate t being varied by
means of the pins t, as shewn. The plate t is turned up at its end, so as to
enter and be supported by the arms u, with a capability of sliding therein, and
its position is adjusted by means of the screw t³. The arms u are connected to
the shaft u, which has socket pieces formed at each end similar to those
described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, for receiving working levers,
but in this case the openings for the lever arms in each socket piece are
arranged one over the other.
Figure 11 shews a section, and Figure 12 a back view, of another
arrangement of apparatus for working a windlass or such like barrel for
moving and raising weights. In this case the plates c of each of the rings
bare connected to the crosshead o by means of a chain v passing under the

page_text: pulleys c¹; one of the links of the chain v has a hole formed therein, corre-
sponding to a hole formed in the strap w (suspended from the short chain
w¹), to receive a pin, by which that part of the chain and the chain w¹ may
be connected together and act as one chain when it is required to increase
the power upon the parts c to turn the windlass. The upper end of the chain
w is supported by the framing, as shewn. 0¹, o¹, are the openings for the
lever arms to work the crosshead; these lever arms are capable of being held
securely by means of the wedge piece o", which is capable of pressing upon
the under side of one lever and the upper side of the other lever, and of being
drawn tightly for this purpose by means of the screw nut oº.
Figures 13 and 14 shew, in plan and side view, an arrangement of crosshead
suitable to be used with pall posts of different widths, thereby rendering
different castings for such different widths of pall post unnecessary. It will
be seen that the pieces o' are made to slide into recesses formed in the cross-
head o, and of being set at the required distance by means of set screws or
otherwise.
Figure 15 shews a side view, partly in section, Figure 16 a plan, Figure 17
an end view, and Figure 18 a cross section, of another arrangement of
crosshead for varying the leverage power exerted upon the apparatus for
giving motion to a windlass or other such like barrel for moving or raising
weights. The crosshead is supported upon the top of the pall post by means
of a pin passed thro' the hole o³, and the connection of the crosshead with
the nipping or other levers which act immediately upon the barrel is by
means of the sliding pieces 0%, which are supported in guides formed in
the crosshead, as shewn, and they are capable of being controlled in their
movement by means of the screws 010, as shewn.
Figures 19 and 20 shew a plan and edge view of an arrangement of lever.
suitable to be used with some of the various arrangements of windlass barrels
herein described. The peculiarity of this lever consists in the cross piece or
handle x of the arm y being made capable of turning upon a centre x³, and
of being set at the required angle by means of the set screw a³, as shewn.
The object of which arrangement is, that the levers y may be placed at
varied angles in respect to the barrel, and at the same time the handle & may
be at an angle which may be found most convenient to the men working the
apparatus.
Figures 21 and 22 shew one of the lever arms i with the handle 2¹ so
arranged as to obtain a greater extent of leverage in using the lever arm i.
It will be seen that in this case, in place of the handle being affixed at the
end of lever arm i, as is now the case, the handle is affixed to an arm from

page_text: -the socket, whereby the outer end of the lever arm i may be raised higher
than by the present arrangement at each lift, whilst the downward stroke will
be the same, the barrel of the windlass preventing the lever descending beyond
a certain point, and the extent of leverage may be varied by the position of
the socket 2 on the lever i.
Figure 28 shews a mode of fixing lever arms for working windlass and
such like barrels in their sockets. is the lever arm, which is formed
with notches in one of its sides; o is a projection formed on or affixed
to the inside of the socket; the lever arm is to be placed in the socket so
that one of the notches comes over the projection o°, and the lever arm is
then to be retained in its place by means of the set screws 0', or in place
of set screws wedges might be used. The object of this part of the Inven-
tion is, that when the strain is being exerted upon the lever arm, a sudden
jerk, as when a ship is at sea, may not have the effect of loosening the lever.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be carried into effect, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein shewn and described so long
as the peculiar character of any part of my Invention be retained; but what I
claim is,
First, the combining levers d and e, as described; also I claim the
mode of varying the power exerted upon the windlass, by making the
point of connection with the levere variable, as herein described; and
also I claim the forming socket pieces h¹ with more than one opening there-
through, whereby the length of the leverage of the arms used therewith may
be varied; and also I claim the mode of communicating motion from the arm
g to other suitable apparatus for working the barrel by means of the lever j
and parts connected therewith.
Secondly, I claim the mode of varying the leverage in apparatus for work-
ing windlass and other such like barrels as described, with respect to the lever
c, Figures 3 and 4.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of varying the power exerted upon apparatus
employed to work windlass and such like barrels by means of a lever p and
parts connected therewith, as described with respect to Figures 5 and 6, and
5* and 6*.
Fourthly, claim the mode of varying the power exerted upon apparatus s
for working a windlass or other such like barrel for moving and raising
weights by means of a bar r and parts connected therewith, as described with
respect to Figures 7 and 8.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of adjusting the power exerted upon a windlass

page_text: or other such like barrel for giving motion to and raising weights, as described
with respect to Figures 9 and 10.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of varying the power exerted upon a windlass or
other such like barrel, as described with respect to Figures 11 and 12; also
I claim the mode of fixing the lever arms used to work windlass and such like
barrels, as described with respect to Figures 11 and 12; also I. claim the
mode of making the crosshead used with apparatus to give motion to wind-
lass and other such like barrels adjustable to such different width of pall post,
as described with respect to Figures 13 & 14; and also I claim the mode of
arranging the parts of a crosshead used in connection with apparatus for
working windlass and such like barrels for moving and raising weights so as to
vary the leverage power exerted, as described with respect to Figures 15, 16,
17, and 18.
Seventhly, I claim the making the handles of lever arms used to give
motion to apparatus for working windlass and such like barrels for moving and
raising weights adjustable, as described with respect to Figures 19 and 20.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of arranging the handles of lever arms used to
give motion to apparatus for working windlass and such like barrels, as
described with respect to Figures 21 and 22.
Ninthly, I claim the mode of securing lever arms in their sockets, as
described with respect to Figure 23.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Robinson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty.