IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PULLEY OR SHEAVE BLOCKS SUITABLE FOR SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, REPAIRING AND OTHER TACKLE FOR BUILDINGS, FOR FIRE ESCAPES, AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Banting Rogers at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1877.
JOHN BANTING ROGERS, of Tredegar Road, Bow, in the County of Middlesex,
Inventor of the Rove Rope System for Saving Life at Sea. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF PULLEY OR SHEAVE BLOCKS SUITABLE FOR SHIPS AND
OTHER VESSELS, REPAIRING AND OTHER TACKLE FOR BUILDINGS, FOR FIRE ESCAPES,
AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES.”
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of pulley or sheave
blocks suitable for ships and other vessels, repairing and other tackle for buildings,
for fire escapes, and other useful purposes, and consists in mounting a sheave or
pulley wheel having a large central opening upon an axle or centre pin corresponding
in size. This pin works on an independent centre in side cheeks of the block or
frame, in which it can be moved round eccentrically by a handle upon the pin or
otherwise, whereby the wheel is lifted or depressed to any convenient distance to
bring the rope or chain into contact with a curved or segmental portion of the block
or the frame, as the case may be, and thus to check the running action of the rope
or chain, or to hold it firmly to stop it entirely.
My eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin can be adapted, in combination
with other or ordinary pullies or sheaves, and may have a wrap of a rope or chain
upon it, the free ends of the rope or chain being rove through guide blocks or
ordinary sheaves to ensure the curl or wrap keeping its position on the eccentric
sheave.
In some cases the eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin can be fitted above
or below an ordinary sheave.
Two eccentrically fitted sheaves and centre pins may be arranged side by side, or
one above another in the same block or frame, in order that the speed of the running
rope or chain may be regulated or stopped, as desired, by lifting both eccentric
sheaves, or lifting one and depressing the other, the rope or chain being pinched at
distinct parts.
o
The eccentric sheaves may be arranged that one may pinch the rope with a
tighter pinch than that of the other, and thus regulate the pinching of the rope or

page_text: chain without a biting pinch or nip on any one point which would tend to break
the rope or chain.
In adapting my sheave to ships or vessels for raising and for lowering purposes, I
fit it so as to be within reach of an attendant, so that by means of a rope or light
chain attachment the eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin can be moved as
desired to press the running rope or chain against a fixed part of the block or
frame.
The eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin may be arranged as a break and
regulator only by being brought into contact with the running rope or chain.
In connection with builders' tackle, such as for hoisting material and lowering
the boxes, barrows, and other appliances, the eccentrically fitted sheave and centre
pin may be upon the lifting frame or upon the top scaffolding, as found convenient.
For painters' and house repairing frames the eccentrically fitted sheaves and
centre pins may be arranged with handles that the men within the frames could by
simply turning the handles lower or raise themselves and the frame to any desired
distance when the rope or chain can be pinched and held secure.
For a fire escape I purpose fitting my eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin
in a block or frame having a large opening above-to enable kinks or knots in the
rove, rope, or chain passing without becoming fouled or stopped, as is usual.
The eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin can be attached to a bar pinned at
one end to a window, the other end being free to be dropped into a slot or catch on
the opposite side of the window; the eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin being
hooked or otherwise attached to the bar enables the rope to be thrown out into the
roadway, when it can be caught by the bystanders, and held away from the house.
The eccentrically fitted sheave and centre pin can be attached to the basket, sack, or
other appliance in which the person escaping may avail himself of, he having the
sheave within reach, which he can turn eccentrically about and regulate the speed
at which he may descend.
The same appliances can be used by which a person may raise himself in the
basket or sack. By this means, especially if toothed or other gearing be affixed, a
fireman may draw himself up to the top of the building, taking the hose or scaling
ladders with him if desired.