IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF CASING HORIZONTAL SHAFTING
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill, of Hebden Bridge,
in the County of York, Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF CASING HORIZONTAL SHAFTING."
Sealed the 20th August 1856, and dated the 20th February 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Smith and Joseph
Gill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 20th February 1856.
We, THOMAS SMITH and JOSEPH GILL, of Hebden Bridge, in the County
of York, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF CASING HORIZONTAL SHAFTING,"
to be as follows:-
Instead of the usual method of casing horizontal shafting, by a fixed casing
suspended to the ceiling by hangers or other contrivance, we make a tube
casing a little larger in diameter than the shaft, of sheet iron, tin, or any
suitable metal or material, and cause it to revolve with the shaft when there is
no obstruction in the way; but if the strap, the operative's clothes, or the
slightest pressure is in contact with the casing it will immediately stop,
although the shafting will continue to revolve. We accomplish this desirable
object by fixing the said tube casing the whole length of the shaft between
each drum or pully. Inside of this tube casing we fix collars, made of any
suitable metal or material, which revolve on the shafting, and by screwing i
-

page_text: otherwise fastening the tube casing to the said collars, it is evident the casing
will either revolve with the shaft or be at rest with the slightest pressure. We
make the said collars in two or more parts, so that we can easily put them on
the shafting without disturbing it; but, if desirable they may be used whole;
and we use as many of the said collars as are requisite for bearings, according
to the length of the casing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th August 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
SMITH and JOSEPH GILL, of Hebden Bridge, in the County of York, Manu-
facturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her. heirs and successors; give and grant unto
us, the said Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill, Her special licence that we,
the said Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the terni therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF
CASING HORIZONTAL SHAFTING," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said Thomas Smith and Joseph Gill, by an instrument in writing under
our hands, and seals, or under. the hand and seal of one of us, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal, Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date, of the said Royal Letters Patent.
471
"
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Gill, for and on behalf of myself
and the said Thomas Smith, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement (that is to
say) :-

page_text: For casing horizontal shafting to prevent accidents we make a tubular
casing of sheet iron, tin, or any light metal or material, a little larger in
diameter than the shaft, and allow it to revolve with the shaft when there is
no obstruction in the way; but if, in approaching the shaft to put a strap on
the drum, or for any other purpose, the operative's clothes or the strap
should be caught by the revolving casing and shaft, or anything come in
contact with it, the casing will immediately stop, although the shafting will
continue to revolve, which desirable object we accomplish by placing the said
tubular casing on the horizontal shaft, the whole length of it, between cach
drum or pulley. To the inside of this tubular casing we fix collars by screws
or rivets at any suitable distances, which revolve with the shafting when there
is nothing in contact with the casing; but if any obstruction takes place,
the shaft will revolve inside the said collars, and allow the casing to remain
motionless. We make the collars in two or more parts, so that we can easily
put them on the shafting without disturbing it. It is evident the casing may
be made in as many parts as may be found convenient for placing and replacing,
and instead of revolving with the shaft may be made to remain always
stationary, by hanging to it a weight, or fixing any permanent obstruction, to
prevent it revolving.
The nature of this Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, with the figures and letters of reference
thereon, in which Fig. 1 is an external elevation of a shaft furnished with the
casing; Fig. 2 is a section of the same; Fig. 3 is an end view of the casing,
and Fig. 4 is a modification thereof. In Figs. 1 and 2 the shaft with its
bearings is shewn at a, to which the pulley b is made fast. c is the casing,
having inner rings or collars d, the inner diameters of which fit and turn
easily on the shaft a. The external rings or collars are shwen at e, which
with the casing and inner rings are kept fast together by the screws f. The
casing revolves with the shaft by its own friction, but a slight resistance causes
t to be stationary, thus removing a frequent cause of accident. In Fig. 3
the casing is shewn, composed of two parts simply overlapping each other.
In Fig. 4 the plates forming the casing are bent at the joints, so as to afford
more solidity.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of our said Inven-
ion, and the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, we desire it to
be distinctly understood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details
herein set forth, as such may be varied or modified without departing from the
rinciple thereof; but we claim as our Invention, and which, to the best of
our knowledge and belief, has not been hitherto used within this realm, the

page_text: fixing of tubular casings on collars on horizontal shafting, to revolve with
them. when no obstruction takes place, but to remain quiescent when anything
is in contact; as herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Gill, for and on behalf of myself
and the said Thomas Smith, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Nineteenth day of August, One thousand cight hundred and fifty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-named
Joseph Gill, in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES, Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JOSEPH GILL.
ILL. (L.S.)