IMPROVEMENTS IN ELEVATORS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Frederick Redfern, of the General Patent Office,
4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELEVATORS." A communication from abroad
by Samuel A. Bates, John Joseph McCormick, and Robert Liddell, all of Pitts-
burg, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 5th December 1879, and dated the 27th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Frederick Redfern
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1879.
GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office, 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the County of Middiesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELEVATORS." [A communication from abroad by Samuel A. Bates, John Joseph
McCormick, and Robert Liddell, all of Pittsburg, in the State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in elevators.
It has been found in actual use that the belt employed when carrying a heavy
load has more or less tendency to slip on the drums, especially when the belt
becomes a little loose by wear. To avoid this difficulty, according to this Inven-
tion, a number or series of cleats or ribs is attached transversely across the inner
face of the belt, and longitudinal grooves are made in the face of the drums at
proper intervals for receiving the ribs as the belt is carried over the revolving
drums; or, if preferred, the ribs may be secured to the outer face of the belt, and
pins be driven in the drums at proper intervals for engaging the projecting ends of
the ribs.
In order to prevent sagging or swaying in the belt grooves are made in the side
frames, such grooves being in line with and adjacent to the edges of the belt, and,
by preference, on both the front and rear sides. Guide-bars are firmly secured to
the belt, across either its outer or inner face. These bars project beyond the edges
of the belt on either side, and the projecting ends work or slide in the grooves.
One or more of these guide-bars may be employed with each carrying-platform of
the belt, and they operate to hold the belt in place between the drums, and prevent
it from maring.

page_text: A tilting platform is employed to hoist or carry barrels, the side rails of the
outside supporting frame being carried forward, and the ends bent downward.
These ends extending forward near to the edge of the floor or deck operate as skids
to conduct the barrel well onto such floor or deck when it is rolled off the platform,
and the downwardly-bent ends following after the platform proper prevent the
barrel from rolling back while the platform is passing. Such extended ends are
also arranged to operate in connection with springs to prevent more than one
barrel from rolling forward onto the platform at one time.
These springs are secured to a block pivoted to the side bars of the skid, so that
the springs, when not in use, may be turned over and extend back from the pivoted
block. One barrel only is received on the platform, and the extended ends of the
side bars press the ends of the springs from the underside, and raise them sufficiently
to prevent other barrels from rolling down onto or against the platform, and the ends
are extended down to such length as to keep the ends of the springs elevated until
the platform has been raised out of the way. The springs theu return to their
position below the surface of the skid, and the barrels roll forward, the foremost
one being in position to be received by the next ascending platform. The front
end of the skid may be supported by hooking onto pins set in the side frame or in
any other convenient way.
A platform adapted to hoisting and discharging rectangular boxes or packages
consists of an outer frame which is rigidly attached to the belt in any convenient
way, and braced by rods which are rigidly attached at one end to the frame near
its outer end, while the other end rests in steps secured to the face of the belt in
proper position. The inner tilting frame has journalled in its side rails two, three,
or more rollers, on which the package rests. This inner frame is pivoted to the
outer one by a rod passing through both near the front edge, while lateral arms
support the rear or back edge by resting on the bara of the outer frame. The inner
frame is thus free to be tilted on its pivot, and when thus tilted the package
resting on the rollers will be passed forward onto the edge of the floor or deck out
of the way of the next succeeding platform. The device is thus made self dis-
charging, and is adapted to carry and discharge packages of various forms having
plane sides without necessarily stopping the elevator.
When lowering packages the front end of the skid may be elevated so as to
receive such packages as are extended over the platform-frame, whether round or of
other form, and pass them down the incline-way from the elevator, or the lateral
pins may be extended out far enough to engage suitably-shaped stops on one or
both sides of the frame. The rear of the tilting frame will thus be raised, turning
on the pivot sufficiently to discharge the load and allow the platform to pass.
It is preferable to make the stop removable so as to be moved out of engagement
with the arms when the platforms are ascending.
When ascending the several platforms are tilted by means of tappets projecting
out from the front of the tilting frames.
These tappets engage trips or stops arranged in proper position to tilt and unload
the platforms at the desired time. The stop is attached to a rock-shaft, which is
journalled to the elevator-frame in any convenient way so as to bring the stops in
proper relation to the tappets.
When the shaft is rocked so as to bring the stop into a horizontal position it will
be engaged by the several tappets as they pass. The shaft and stop are given this
position by means of a hand-cord passing from a crank-arm on the shaft, over
pulleys to the operator's stand. When this cord is released a weighted lever will
rock the shaft and carry the stop down so as to be out of engagement with the
tappets or out of their line of motion.
A bar arranged to bear upon a friction-wheel will afford a suitable break to
regulate or check the motion of the elevator.
If desired any suitable brake-shoe may be attached to the bar so as to hear on
the face of the wheel. The bar is hinged or jointed at one end to the elevator-
frame, and from the other end a hand-cord may pass to the operator's stand,

page_text: A passenger car adapted for use in this elevator has a back and side brackets,
between which is a platform; and, if desired, seats may be arranged on both sides
of the platform. The back is secured to the belt at its central transverse line, so
that it may turn freely over the drums. The length of the back is, by preference,
sufficient to give the requisite bracing support, though the platform may be braced
as before described.
As thus arranged the car will operate both on the front and back sides in
ascending and descending, and it may be used alone on an endless belt, for pas-
senger purposes only, or it may be used in addition to or along with platforms for
hoisting goods of various kinds,
A tilting water-bucket may be pivoted by a rod to a frame which is attached to
the belt and supported by braces, substantially as before described. Side arms also
support the rear of the bucket on the frame. One or more such buckets may take
the place of the tilting platforms of the elevator, and are moro especially adapted
for use on shipboard, where they may be used in combination with the apparatus
described for pumping or raising water out of the ship's hold.
A tappet extending out from the front of the bucket will, in combination with
the described trip, tip the bucket at the desired point and discharge the contents.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Frederick Redfern in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th December 1879.
GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELEVATORS." A communication from abroad by Samuel A. Bates, John Joseph
McCormick, and Robert Liddell, all of Pittsburg, in the State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
The Invention communicated to me relates to improvements in elevators, and in
order that the same may be better understood I will proceed to describe it by
reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of
the improved elevator; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the carrying-
belt and one of the driving drums; Figure 3 shews a transverse section through the
carrying-belt and sides of the elevator; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a front
and back portion or section of the carrying-belt with passenger-cars arranged
thereon; and Figure 5 is a like view of a portion of the belt with a water-bucket
arranged thereon. Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar parts.
A, A, represent the sides of the main frame of the elevator; B, an endless
carrying apron, belt, or chain, which is operated over and by top and bottum
drums D, which are journaled and driven in any suitable way.
It has been found in actual use that the belt B, when carrying a heavy load, has
more or less tendency to slip on the drums D, especially when the belt becomes a
little loose by wear. To avoid this difficulty, according to this Invention, a number
or series of cleats or ribs d are attached transversely across the inner face of the
belt, and longitudinal grooves d' are made in the face of the drums at proper
intervals for receiving the ribs d as the belt is carried over the revolving drums;
or, if preferred, the ribs d may be secured to the outer face of the belt, and pins be
driven in the drums at proper intervals for engaging the projecting ends of the
riba.
The operation of this improvement is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
In order to prevent sagging or swaying of the belt grooves a are made in the side
frames A, A, such grooves being in line with and adjacent to the edges of the belt,
and, by preference, on both the front and rear sides, as shown in section, Figure 3.
Guide-bars a¹ are firmly secured to the belt across either its outer or inner face
These bars project beyond the edges of the belt on either side, and the projecting ends
work or slide in the grooves a One or moro of these guide-bars may be employed
with each carrying-platform of the belt, and they operate to hold the belt in place
between the drums, and prevent it from sagging.
At the lower end or bottom of Figure 1 a tilting platform c, c', is shown, suitable
for hoisting or carrying barrels, the side rails c of the outside supporting-frame
being carried forward, and the ends bent downward, as shewn at c. These ends
extending forward near to the edge of the floor or deck C operate as skids to con-
duct the barrel well onto such floor or deck when it is rolled off the platform, and
the downwardly-bent ends c³ following after the platform proper prevent the barrel
from rolling back while the platform is passing. Such extended ends c³ are also
arranged to operate in connection with springs e to prevent more than one barrel
from rolling forward onto the platform at one time.
These springs e, e, are secured to a block E pivoted to the side bars of the skid b,
so that the spring, when not in use, may be turned over and extend back from the
pivoted block. The operation of this device is clearly illustrated at the bottom of
Figure 1, barrels b¹, b being represented by dotted lines. As there shewn one
barrel only is received on the platform, and the extended ends c³ of the side bars o
press the ends of the springs e from the under side, and raise them sufficiently to
prevent other barrels from rolling down onto or against the platform, and the ends c²

page_text: are extended down to such length as to keep the ends of the springs elevated until
the platform has been raised out of the way. The springs then return to their
position below the surface of the skid, and the barrels roll forward, the foremost
one being in position to be received by the next ascending platform. The front
end of the skid b may be supported by hooking onto pins e set in the side frame
or in any other convenient way.
At n, n', Figure 1, is shewn a platform adapted to hoisting and discharging
rectangular boxes or packages. This platform consists of an outer frame n, which
is rigidly attached to the belt in any convenient way and braced by rods o, which
are rigidly attached at one end to the frame n, near its outer end, while the other
end rests in steps o¹, secured to the face of the belt in proper position. The inner
tilting frame n has journaled in its side rails two, three, or more rollers n², on
which the package resta. This inner frame is pivotted to the outer one by a rod o³
passing through both near the front edge, while lateral arms o³ support the rear or
back edge by resting on the bars of the outer frame. The inner frame is thus free
to be tilted on its pivot o³, as seen at the top of Figure 1, and when thus tilted the
package resting on the rollers n' will be passed forward onto the edge of the
floor or deck C out of the way of the next succeeding platform. The device is
thus made self-discharging, and is adapted to carry and discharge packages of
various forms having plane sides without necessarily stopping the elevator.
When lowering packages the front end of the skid 6 may be elevated, as shewn
in dotted lines, Figure 1, so as to receive such packages as are extended over the
platform-frame whether round or of other form, and pass them down the incline way
from the elevator; or the lateral pins o³ may be extended out far enough to
engage suitably-shaped stops u on one or both sides of the frame A. The rear of
the tilting frame will thus be raised, turning on the pivot of sufficiently to dis-
charge the load and allow the platform to pass.
It is preferable to make the stop u removable, so as to be moved out of engage-
ment with the arms o³ when the platforms are ascending.
When ascending, the several platforms are tilted by means of tappets i projecting
out from the front of the tilting frames n' and o'. These tappets engage trips or
stops s', arranged in proper position to tilt and unload the platforms at the desired
time. The stop a' is attached to a rock-shaft 8, which is journaled to the elevator-
frame in any convenient way so as to bring the stops in proper relation to the
tappets i.
When the shaft is rocked so as to bring the stop into a horizontal position as
shewn in full lines, Figure 1, it will be engaged by the several tappets i as they
pass. The shaft and stop are given this position by means of a hand-cord w
passing from a crank arm s² on the shaft over pulleys w³ to the operator's stand.
When this cord is released a weighted lever w³ will rock the shaft and carry the
stop down, as shewn in dotted lines, Figure 1, so as to be out of engagement with
the tappets, or out of their line of motion.
A bar W, arranged to bear upon a friction wheel W', will afford a suitable
brake to regulate or check the motion of the elevator.
If desired, any suitable brake shoe may be attached to the bar W, so as to bear on
the face of the wheel W. The bar is hinged or jointed at one end to the
elevator-frame, and from the other end a hand cord may pass to the operator's
stand.
Figure 4 shows a passenger car adapted for use in this elevator consisting of a
back Hand side bracketa H, between which is a platform H³, and, if desired,
seats / may be arranged on both sides of the platform. The back H' is secured to
the belt at its central transverse line, so that it may turn freely over the drums D.
The length of the back is, by preference, sufficient to give the requisite bracing
support, though the platform may be braced as before described.
As thus arranged the car will operate both on the front and back sides in
ascending and descending, as shown in Figure 4, and it may be used alone on an

page_text: endless bolt B for passenger purposes only, or it may be used in addition to or
along with platforms for hoisting goods of various kinds.
Also, at Figure 5, is shewn a tilting water-bucket S, pivoted by the rod o' to the
frame c, which is attached to the belt B, and supported by braces o, o, substantially
as before described. Side arms o³ also support the rear of the bucket on the frame c.
One or more such buckets may take the place of the tilting platforms c' of the
elevator, and are more especially adapted for use on shipboard, where they may be
used in combination with the apparatus described for pumping or raising water out
of the ship's hold. A tappet i, extending out from the front of the bucket will, in
combination with the described trip, tip the bucket S at the desired point and
discharge the contents.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention communicated to me, and
the manner of performing the same, I wish it to be understood that what is
claimed and desired to be protected by the herein in part recited Letters Patent
is,
Firstly. In a self loading barrel hoist, the combination of platform-frame c, having
downwardly bent projections c², springs e, and skid b, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. In a self-discharging elevator, the combination of platform-frame n,
tilting platform n¹, pivotted to and carried by the said frame, two or more
rollers n journaled in the tilting platform, and mechanism for tilting the platform
at the desired point, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and
shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly. As a device for tilting the platform of a self-discharging elevator, and
in combination with such platform, a rock shaft e, having a projecting stop s'
attached thereto adapted to engage with or clear the platform by the rotation of
the shaft, and having suitable mechanism for imparting such rotary motion at the
will of the operator, substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the
accompanying Drawing.
Fourthly. The combination of the endless belt B, carrying one or more elevating
platforms, guide bars a³, arranged across the belt at or near the platforms, and
side grooves a, in the main frame, on either side of aud in a line with the belt, and
adapted to receive the ends of the bars, substantially as hereinbefore described
and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Fifthly. In an elevator apparatus, the combination of an endless and continuously
operating belt and a passenger car having the main platform H' secured to the belt
and supported by the extended back H and brackets or braces H, the same being
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in
the accompanying Drawing.
Sixthly. The combination of the endless belt B, frame c secured to the belt, and
supported by braces o, bucket S, pivoted to the frame, rear support o³, tappet i,
and a suitable stop or trip for engaging the tappet and tilting the bucket, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Frederick Redfern, have hereto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.