IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY USED IN RAISING OR LOWERING WEIGHTS
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM. THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GRYLLS, of Cumberland Street, Portsea, in the County of Hants, Shipwright,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Thirty-first day of December, in the fourth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Grylls, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the
said John Grylls, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Grylls, my exors, adñiors, 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, and in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY USED IN RAISING OR LOWERING WEIGHTS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said John Grylls, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said

page_text: 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.
.ti... "
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Grylls, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained 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, first, to an improvement in the form or construction
of the whelps applied or formed on the barrels of windlasses, capstans, and
other such barrels used for raising or lowering weights.
Secondly, my Invention relates to a mode of constructing the heads of
capstans in such manner as to allow of a greater number of bars being used.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to a mode of constructing or building the
barrels of large capstans by employing a series of sector pieces.
Fourthly, my Invention relates to a mode of connecting and disconnecting
the upper from the lower capstan.
Fifthly, my Invention relates to an apparatus to be used in place of the
after "riding-bit," in order to ride the ship therefrom, and give out cable
more conveniently.
•
And sixthly, my Invention relates to an improved construction of stopper for.
cables..
DESCRIPTION. OF THE DRAWINGS.
:
Figure 1 represents the front view of a windlass.having my improved whelp
applied thereto. And in order that this part of my Invention may be fully
understood, I will shortly call attention to the nature of the whelps heretofore
used, and the effect of their working, and then describe the improved whelp of
my invention. By this means 1 shall be the better able to point out the
precise nature and peculiar construction of the improved whelp. The whelps;
heretofore employed were projections from the surface of the barrel to which.
they were applied or formed part, the faces thereof being considerably rounded
off, so that, the turns of a chain or other cable rest on very narrow surfaces,.
and the surface of each whelp was of an inverted curved form, such as is shown;
at Figure 2, and similar whelps are also shewn applied to the right-hand
end of the barrel of the windlass, shewn at Figure 1; and it is well known to,
those who have used windlasses or capstans having whelps with inverted.

page_text: curved surfaces, that the cable or rope, in passing down from the higher to the
lower surface, is liable to considerable jerks, which is consequent on the curved
surface not offering a regular and constant bearing to the turns of a cable or
rope around the barrel; on the contrary, in turns of a cable or rope sliding down
from the point a, Figure 2, or the higher position of the whelp down to the
point b, the lowest part of the whelp, such sliding is liable to be sudden, at
times scarcely, if at all, touching the whelps, but taking the shortest direction
from the point a to the point 6 of the whelps, such as is indicated by a dotted
line in Figure 2.
Now, therefore, the object of the first part of the Invention is to form the
projecting surface of each whelp of inclined planes or angles, similar to what
is shown at Figure 3, and also as applied to the left-hand end of the windlass,
shown at Figure 1. By this means the turns of a cable or rope around a
windlass in sliding from the upper point a¹ to the lower point b₁ of each whelp
will constantly be supported, and will not have a tendency to slide suddenly
from the upper to the lower parts of the whelps; on the contrary, as the cable
or rope around the barrel of the windlass is progressively wound on to the
upper part of the whelps, the turns of the rope or cable previously on will be
forced down the inclined planes, but without jerk, owing to the form or con-
struction of the whelps offering a continued support, and as the turns arrive to
the lowest part of the whelps the cable or rope will be delivered off the barrel,
and by this arrangement surging and fleeting will be avoided; and owing to
the face or surface of each whelp being more flat, and not rounded, as hereto-
fore, the holding of the turns of a cable or rope around a windlass with the
new whelps will be more effectual. This part of my Invention is equally
applicable to capstans and other barrels for raising weights by chains or ropes,
where the same are continually winding on and off such barrels.
Figure 4 shows a capstan of an ordinary construction, and Figure 5 shows
a capstan having the improved construction of whelps applied thereto; and it
will be seen that the whelps a, b, are inclined planes or angles, by means of
which the cable or rope in being wound on at the point a¹ will force the
previous turns on the barrel to rise up the barrel of the capstan, and cause
them to approach the point 6' on each whelp, and then the cable or rope will
be delivered continually from the barrel off the capstan.
Figures 6 and 7 show a side view and plan of another capstan, having the
improved whelps applied thereto, and also is constructed according to the
second part of my Invention.
.
.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 show three constructions of whelps before employed,
all of which have straight sides, whilst the improved whelp has an inclined

page_text: plano or angular surface and side. And I may here remark, that although I
believe the angle shown for the whelps to be the best to ensure on the one
hand the ready sliding of the turns of a cable or rope thereon, yet are not so
steep as to cause that sliding to be too sudden. I do not, however, confine
myself thereto, as the same may in some degree be varied; but care should be
observed that the angle should be such as to ensure the travelling or move-
ment of the turns around the barrel by the winding on of more cable or rope,
and yet not be so steep as to make the sliding too sudden.
The second part of the Invention relates to a mode of applying more bars
in working capstans, by constructing a capstan with a double head. A is a
wrought-iron plate bolted or affixed to the lower head by bolts (1) with flush
heads; B is a similar iron plate bolted on the upper head by bolts (2); and the
two heads are bolted together by means of bolts (3) as is shown, such bolts
being either rivetted or affixed by nuts and screws, as is well understood. By
this means it will be evident that twice as many bars may be used, and conse-
quently twice as many men may be placed to work a capstan, with this part of
the Invention applied thereto, as could formerly be employed in working a
capstan with a single head of the ordinary construction.
I will now describe the third part of the Invention, which relates to a mode
of building or constructing the barrels of large capstans, which are now usually
each constructed of one large piece of wood, which it is difficult to obtain of
the desired dimensions and of a soundness and strength required; and in place
of using such one piece of wood, I employ a series of sector picces, by which I
am enabled with facility to build up a barrel of any desired size. This part of
my Invention is shewn at Plate 2 of the Drawing, where a double capstan is
shewn complete and in various details, by which its construction will readily
be understood, the upper of the capstans being also constructed according to
the second part of my Invention, and the mode of connecting the upper and
lower capstans constitutes the fourth part of my Invention. In constructing
the body or barrel of a capstan, I form sector pieces I, I, one of which, suitable
for the upper capstan, is shown separately at Figure 8, and Figure 7 shows a
plan of the upper capstan with the heads removed, by which the four sector
pieces of which that capstan is composed can readily be traced, and also the
mode of combining them together by means of the bolts J, J, and the
dowels K, K; and I prefer that the bolts J should each have a head at onc
end, and be rivitted at the other on a washer, or they may have screws and
screw nuts, and then rivited. L, L, are the upper and lower hoops, and a¹, b'
are the whelps affixed to the barrel or body of the capstan, such whelps being
according to the first part of my Invention.

page_text: The fourth part of my Invention, as above stated, relates to a mode of
connecting and disconnecting the upper from the lower capstan. A, A, are
sliding bolts passing through the plate A, which is let into the lower part
of the capstan, as is shown; and as the nature of the plate A is clearly shown
by separate views at Figure 2, Plate 3, as well as in its place, its nature and
construction will readily be traced. A¹ are handles to the bolts A, by which
the bolts can be raised and lowered, and when in either of those positions the
bolts will be held by placing the handles A' in the upper or lower recess of the
slots in the plates A2, as will readily be understood on examining the Drawing
at Figure 1 and Figure 2. The other details being shewn in the Drawings,
and having the particulars written thereon, no further description will be
necessary.
I will now describe the fifth part of my Invention, which relates to apparatus
for riding a ship, and for giving out cable when required more conveniently.
This part of my Invention is shown in Plates 4 and 5 of the Drawings ;
Figure 1, showing the apparatus complete; Figure 2, a section thereof. The
other Figures show views of some of the parts. This apparatus consists of
a barrel with whelps similar to a capstan, and it should be of the same
diameter as the capstan with which it is used. The whelps, are formed
according to the first part of my Invention. The barrel is capable of moving
freely on the spindle, and the spindle turns in a bearing at Z, carried by two
of the beams of a ship, and the spindle can rise or fall in such upper bearing.
The lower end of the spindle is formed into a screw, and enters into a screw
block E fixed in the deck, as is shown. G, G, are the upper and lower iron
plates of the barrel, and these plates are secured by means of screw bolts G²,
as is shown. A is a circular plate affixed on the deck, on which the pall rim
moves; and when desired the surfaces of A and the under surface of J
become friction surfaces, for holding the barrel from moving round on the
spindle. The palls are applied to the barrel as shown, and they move round
the pall rim when giving out cable, but when heaving in the cable the pall
rim is held securely by the holding palls or catches shown at Figure 4; and,
in order to stop the barrel, and consequently the giving out of the cable, the
circular plate D (which is affixed by the 'screws D¹ to the projecting collar of
the spindle) is caused to turn by the bars C. By this means the plate A
and under surface of J come together, and act as friction surfaces to stop the
barrel; and thus the apparatus will be found to offer.a very convenient means
of riding a ship, and also for giving out cable as. required, and of readily
stopping the cable.
I will now describe the sixth part of my Invention, which relates to an

page_text: •
improved construction of stopper, and consists of employing two parallel sur-
faces, between which the cable passes freely when the surfaces are separated,
.but will be retarded more or less, or wholly stopped, depending on the approach
of the two parallel surfaces; and it will be found that by means of employing
such parallel surfaces, and holding a considerable length of the cable between
.them, that a cable may be better governed in its movement, or wholly stopped,
than by the use of stoppers now employed. Figure 1 shews a vertical view
of the stopper holding a chain cable; Figure 2 is a similar view of the
stopper without a cable; Figure 3 is a section of the stopper; and Figure 4
shows a small stopper to be used in the horizontal position for a smaller vessel.
A, B, are the parallel surfaces, formed of oak, the grooves in their working
surfaces being lined with iron, or the parallel surfaces may be of iron wholly.
F, F, are the parallel bars which connect the two surfaces A, B, in a similar
manner to a parallel rule. E is a forked lever, having slots in which the
pins I, G, work, and it will be evident that by moving the lever E the parallel
surfaces A, B, will be closed towards each other, or open out from each other.
I would remark, that when the stopper is to be used for hemp cables I make
the grooves in the working surfaces A, B, semicircular.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would have it under-
stood that I do not confine mpself to the precise details by which my various
improvements are carried into effect. But what I claim is,--.
First, the improved construction or forn of whelps applied to barrels for
raising and lowering weights, as above described.
Secondly, I claim the mode of constructing capstans with heads suitable
for receiving the increased number of bars, as herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of constructing or building the bodies or barrels
of large capstans by means of sector pieces, as herein described.
Fourthly, the mode of connecting and disconnecting the upper from the
lower capstan, as described.
Fifthly, I claim the; mode of constructing apparatus to be used for riding
ships, and for more conveniently governing the giving out of the cable, as
described.
And, sixthly, I claim. the mode of constructing stoppers by parallel surfaces,
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said 'John Grylls, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
JOHN (L.s.) GRYLLS.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of June, in the
year of our Lord 1841, the aforesaid John Grylls came before our said Lady
the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and
all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-one.

page_text: Eu the Matter of a Patent granted to John Grylls, of Cumberland Street,
Portsea, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY USED FOR RAISING AND
LOWERING WEIGHTS," bearing date at Westminster, the Thirty-
first day of December, One thousand eight hundred and forty, to
which Letters Patent a Specification was duly inrolled: Whereas
by Indenture of Assignment, bearing date the Seventh day of
August, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, the said
Letters Patent, and all rights and privileges conferred thereby, were
duly assigned to Alexander Jardine Alderman, of N° 24, Billiter
Street, in the City of London.
DISCLAIMER proposed to be entered by the Assignee of the said Letters
Patent as aforesaid, according to the Statutes in that case made and
provided.
]
I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, since the date of such assignment
of such Letters Patent as aforesaid, have found that all the parts of the 1
Invention which are described and claimed under the second, third, fourth,
fifth, and sixth parts of the Specification are not of such practical utility as to
render it advisable to retain the same; for which reason I wish to disclaim,
and I do hereby disclaim, all those parts of the said Specification which
describe and claim the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of the said 2
Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of August, in the year of
To the Clerk of the Patents of England.
A. J. ALDERMAN. (L.S.)
This is to certify, that the above-named Alexander Jardine Alderman, of
N° 24, Billiter Street, in the City of London, has applied to me for leave to enter
with you the above-written Disclaimer of parts of a Specification of a certain
Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to John Grylls, of Cumber-
land St, Portsea, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, dated at Westminster,
the 31st day of Dec, 1840. And which Specification was duly enrolled, and
which Letters Patent were afterwards duly assigned to the said Alexander

page_text: Jardine on the Seventh day of August, 1848. And having considered of the
above application, and no objection having been made to the same, I hereby
grant leave to the said Alexander Jardine Alderman to file his said Dis-
claimer, pursuant to the Statute passed in the 5th & 6th years of the reign of
His late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled "An Act to amend
the Law touching Letters Patent for Inventions," & the 7 & 8 Victoria,
69
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Second day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Alexander Jardine Alderman came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Disclaimer aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Disclaimer aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.