Improvements in and connected with Rope Grips.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 12th Sept. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Rope Grips.
I FERDINAND WILHELM HERING, of Weiherstrasse 57, Dortmund in the
Empire of Germany, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention.and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The constructions represented in the accompanying drawings only concern wire
tramways, where the waggons, whether running on rails or on flat ground, are
connected either above or below the waggons with an endless wire-rope. Though
the present improvements are designed more especially to be applied to trucks
in mines, they may be adapted equally well for wire-rope tramways of auy
description.
The improvements comprise :
1. A rope grip which can be easily closed and easily opened directly gripping
the wire-rope-shown in two forms in Sheet I.
2. The means of connection of this rope grip with the waggon shown on
Sheet II.
3. A frame for these waggons, admitting the adjustment of the connecting parts,
shown in Sheet III.
On Sheet I of the accompanying drawings, the rope grip is shown in two forms,
Figs. 1-9 showing this clamp for wire-tramways where the waggons are connected
at the upper part to the rope whilst Figs. 10-18 represent the same arrangement
for waggons connected with the lower part to the wire-rope.
The first-mentioned rope grip is chiefly destined for wire-tramways in mines,
where the said connections are all more or less inefficient and under many
circumstances not at all suitable. The so-called fork-systein used until now, where
the connection of the waggons is obtained by a vertical rod, fastened to the front
of the waggon and gripping the (upper-) rope, demands a comparatively low
situation of the rope to prevent the necessity of very long shafts, the rope has
therefore to run low over the trucks and thus loading above the upper part of the
waggons can only take place to a small extent; moreover the trailing of the rope
on top of the waggons or their contents is constantly taking place thus causing
wear of the ropes which can only be prevented or minimised by the fitting-up of
numerous rollers. These however oppose a disturbing resistance to the passing
couplings of the construction heretofore used, especially on sharp curves with the
ropes running sideways.
The connections used until now with ropes below the waggons are also very
defective, for the coupling and uncoupling is made very dangerous for the
workmen through the unsuitable and unsufficient room provided for the operation.
The rope grip shown in the accompanying drawing, can be adapted for upper or
lower ropes and permits of coupling and uncoupling without the least danger, and
also of fixing the rope very high, therefore also of a considerable sur-charging of
the waggons saving also many rollers, while those that remain can also be passed
over easily, it is quite indifferent whether the rollers are fitted vertically or
horizontally, as is the case on curving tracks; moreover the arrangement can be
made such as to permit of an automatic un-coupling on any part of the line.
The rope grip for upper-ropes consists of three parts 1. 2. & 3. Part 2 consists
of a piece cut out in the middle in book form (see Fig. 1.) whose indent (6) has a
radius corresponding to the radius of the section of the rope. Part 2 below runs

page_text: f
out in an eye 13, in which is fastened a connecting-rod fastened on to the upper
part of the waggon and provided with eyes on both sides; the object of the
plough-share-like part 5 will be explained later on. Above at 4 is the connection
of part 2 with the lever 1, through a bolt; Fig. 1 shows this connection of both
parts in front-view, Fig. 2 in side view; Fig. 3 is a reverse view of Fig. 2. The
lever 1 runs out in a handle 14 and has at the other end the form of a fork, in
which the part 2 is held; one-arm of the fork (see Fig. 1.) is lengthened below
the bolt 4, rounded at the end and fitted into a recess in part 2 formed as circle-
segment whilst the other arm of the fork of lever I has the form shown in
Fig. 3.
At 4 the piece 3 is fixed by a bolt, as represented in Fig. 5 in side view, in
Fig. 6 in plan, and in Fig. 4 as seen from behind. It consists of two hook-like
side-parts 8, 8, connected with each other through cross-pieces 12" and 12
(Fig. 5) the parts 8 run out above in points. Fig. 7 shows parts 3 and 2 connected,
also the complete rope, grip, the centre of gravity of part 3 governs the position
of this piece which is as shown in Fig. 7 when the part 2 is held vertically.
The manner of coupling is as follows: The rope grip is fastened with eye 13
through the above-mentioned connecting-rod on the upper part of the waggon
(see also Fig. 32, Sheet III). It is held by handle 14 so as to oppose the indent 6
to the wire-rope 19, in this position the rope grip is shown in Fig. 7, the hooks of
part 3 will be found lying deeper than the corresponding indent 6 of piece 2. In
moving the clamp in a horizontal direction towards rope 19, that is to say after
arriving at the position of Fig. 7, it only requires a downward pressure on
part 1 or 2 to cause the upper parts 8 of part 3 to make an upward movement
about the point 42, whereby these parts 8 are brought in a vertical position, or into
the vertical plane of piece 1, that is to say against the middle recess of the fork
of part 1. This position is shown in Fig. 9 where the rope 19 is held tightly
gripped, this position can be secured by turning the lever 14 on its turning point
and thereby fixing it horizontally as shown by Fig. 8; the one point 8 is prevented
from moving by its arriving in the inner recess of part 1, (see Figs. 8 & 9, where
1 is drawn in section) whilst the end-lengthening of part 1. beyond the turning
point 4 in its now horizontal position prevents the other point 8, situated behind,
from moving. The lower edge of part 1 rests on the projection of 8°.
To loosen the coupling it only requires a knock against the lever 14 to lift it
and so to free points 8 and the rope.
This uncoupling can also be obtained automatically by arranging an obstruction
on the line to meet and lift the lever 14; the clamp is loosened thereby and the
rope continues its way without stoppage. Concerning the before-mentioned part 5
it has the object of facilitating the rope grips' passage past the rollers. The
most suitable rollers for this purpose have two grooves as shown at 15 in Fig. 10
in dotted lines. Ordinarily the rope runs over the recess of smaller diameter
which is therefore placed vertically under rope 19. Now if the rope with the
rope grip runs in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 8), the outer point of arm 5 will
touch the circumference of the roller on a spot situated below the crown of the
roller, the plough-share-like form of the side of 5 occasions a turning and at the
same time a slight lifting of the ropes so that parts 12 will be transported into
the other recess of 15, and the rope grip, supported by part 12 passes the roller, and
part 5 and the eye 13, with the traction-rod fixed in a movable position, pass the
crown of the roller horizontally whilst the rope is lifted off the recess without
being able to fall down as the clamp remains in connection with the roller in
points 12.
The rope grip for tramways, where the waggons are connected at the lower
part with the rope is shown in Figs. 10-18. This consists also of three chief
parts, the main part 20, which is shown in Fig. 13 in side view, Fig. 14 in front-
view, and Fig. 12 in plan, being hook-formed below for the reception of the wire-
rope; the upper angle forms an eye 21 for the reception of the traction rod which
connects the rope grip with the waggon. The eye 26* serves for carrying the pin

page_text: of the piece 23 which is shown in Fig. 15 in front view, and in Fig. 16 in section,
and generally corresponds in its working and construction to piece 3; it hangs
freely downwards in the position dotted in Fig. 14. The part 24 (Fig. 15)
encloses right and left the piece 20 and the left part fits in the upper inner and
hollow angle 25 near the eye 21. At 27 is pivoted the lever 26 (Figs. 10, 11, 17)
in its object and construction corresponding to piece 1. The Ings 22 form here
the sides of a slot. The end of lever 25 forms a handle in which is fastened the
locking lever 29 fitted with nose 28 which lever is pressed downwards by a
counter-spring. The nose 28 corresponds to the projection 28 of piece 23.
This rope grip is used exactly like the one described above. When piece 23
hangs downwards as dotted in Fig. 14 and when the lever 26 stands vertical, then
its continuation beyond lugs 22 is situated vertically downwards in the cutting
of 20; when the rope grip is taken by the handle 26 and directed against rope 29
to make it grip, and the rope grip is pushed vertically downwards then the piece 23
will make here also a turning movement round point 26" so as to make the
parts 24 change from their position dotted in Fig. 14 to that in Fig. 18; if
lever 26 is turned horizontally, its continuation will pass into the cutting near 25
as shown in Fig. 17, and will be laid before the left point 24, whilst the right
point 24 will pass into a corresponding groove into the lower side of lever 26.
The locking lever nose 28 springs hereby behind nose 28" and secures the connec-
tion as shown in Fig. 17, where piece 26 is drawn partly in section. As the side
faces of 24 are also wedge-shaped, the gripping power of the rope grip is here
also heightened by a pressure on 26.
To render an easy coupling possible with wire-tramways where the connection is
on a lower rope, there may be placed at certain parts of the line between the rails
a device, similar to a piece of the roller shown in Fig. 10 but in straight unrolled
condition; in the one groove of which the piece 23 rests with its projection 30, the
lever is thus pushed sideways, catches the rope, and closes the rope grip, while
part 23 with the outer edge 31 lies in the other recess. Here also the clamps pass.
the rollers in the manner described above; the uncoupling of the rope grip can
also be effected by hand or automatically. But as the work would be difficult
or dangerous, considering the little distance of lever 26 from the wire rope, the
handle 26 is changed from its vertical position over the rope into a horizontal
position easily accessible from the side by arranging fixtures at the end of the
lines or at the halting-places; over which or past which the skew surface 32
(Fig. 10) will have to slide, thereby turning the rope grip in the desired direction,
another fixture may then be arranged to raise the lever, i.e. to bring it into a
vertical position and thus ensure the uncoupling.
Sheet II represents the traction-rods which connect the above-described rope
grips with the waggon. Here too the arrangements for traction have a different
form, (embodying however the same principles) according to whether the rope grip
is connected with upper or lower ropes.
The traction system for connection with the upper ropes is shown in Fig. 19 in
longitudinal section, in Fig. 20 in plan, in Fig. 21 in side-view; Fig. 22 shows a
traction rod for connection with the lower rope in side view, Fig. 23 in plan,
Figs. 24 & 27 show details. On the upper edge of the end of the waggon is
attached the eye piece 33 (shown in Figs. 24 & 25) in such a manner, that it can
be passed with the horizontal part 34 through a hole in the upper part of the
waggon frame 35 while the turnover-piece 36 is held at right angles to the position
shown in the drawings, that is to say horizontally (see also Fig. 32 Sheet III).
When part 33 touches the frame 35 the piece 36 can be turned around its pin and
brought in the position shown square across the opening; as it is continued on both
sides of its turning point it is then impossible to turn it from the position shown
as the shorter lever-arm finds no room to turn round. The eye-piece 33 carries
above a roller 37 to prevent the trailing of the upper rope on the load (see Fig. 32
Sheet I11).
In this eye 33 the end 44 of the traction rod shown in Figs. 19-21 is hooked in.

page_text: The latter comprises the cross-head 38 to which are fastened by means of the side
screws 39 the eyes of the fork 40; through the inner oval hole of piece 38 passes
the rod 41 in whose eye-end 42 the above-mentioned rope grip is hung. The
head 43 prevents rod 41 from passing through the hole in part 38, a helical spring
is inserted in part 38 to cushion the parts on sudden traction.
The fork 40 is hung with its eye 44 in the eye of part 33 and the whole is rested
on the edge of the next waggon (Fig. 32 Sheet III) and the skew surface 33ª on
part 33 gives to the rod 40 an upward direction.
To couple the waggon take (see Fig. 32 Sheet III) rod 41 near the end 42 and
fix the rope grip to the wire-rope, the connection being movable in every direction
permits of an easy coupling under all circumstances, whilst the person engaged in
coupling is not in the least danger as the waggon does not move as soon as the
rope grip has been fastened to the rope, but only when the rod 41 passed between
the arms of fork 40 touches part 38 with its head 43.
The traction rod for lower rope connection is shown in Fig. 22 in side-view and
in Fig. 23 as seen from above.
The cross head 45 is connected with its screws 46 in the eyes of the fork 47
whilst rod 48 passes through the hole in cross-head 45 its withdrawal being
prevented by head 49. The above-mentioned rope grip is hung into eye 50 of this
rod whilst the hook formed end of fork 47 is fastened into its place below on the
truck. This hook end 51 has generally the form of a side-cut chain-link; a pressure
on hook al in the direction of 47 is therefore received by rod 47, and does not
require a side bending of hook 51. This hook 51 is shown in Fig. 26 & 27 in a
different form and on a larger scale. To prevent an unforeseen uncoupling there
are fitted on both sides the plates 52 connected with one another through bolts 53,
54, 55, and able to turn around bolt 54, moreover through a helical spring wound
around bolt 54 with one end in this bolt and on the other side connected with one
of the plates 52, these plates have a tendency to turn outwards (to the right round
bolt 54 in Fig. 23) which movement is however obstructed through bolt 55 touching
the hook point. If the ends of the plates 52 are pressed near bolt 55 against the
counter eye fitted on the waggon then this end 55 opens inwards towards hook 51,
the ring of the eye on the waggon is allowed to enter, after which bolt 55 springs
outwards again thus shutting the hook. The use of this traction rod is as follows:
After having fixed it in the above-described manner in the eye of the waggon that
is to be coupled you take the rope grip (of the form shown in Figs. 10---18 Sheet I)
fixed in eye 50 and couple it on to the lower wire-rope. As part 48 is passed
between fork 47 the carriage can not move before the head 49 has moved on to the
back of cross-head 45, therefore the person engaged in coupling is not in danger of
coming directly in contact with the waggon. Hook 51 as shown in Figs. 22-23
is only different from the same hook in Figs. 26-27 in so far as the plates 52 in
the first have one bolt (56) more, to allow a more easy handling.
The waggons 61 and 62 as shown by Fig. 32 on Sheet III have a strengthening
frame provided with eyes in its sides to receive coupling hooks 60 and 63 as well as
the roller supports 33 (Figs. 24 & 25 Sheet II). This framepiece either forms a
closed rectangle or it consists of two horse-shoe-formed bows 35, as shown in
Fig. 31, each bolted on with its ends 78 to the sides of the waggon. In the centre
it has a strong eye-piece 79. This eye is shown in Fig. 28 in front, in Fig. 29 in
plan, and in Fig. 31 in perspective view. The part 79 is fitted with the hole 80 to
receive coupling hook 60 or 63 or the roller coupling 33.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. A means for coupling waggons to a wire rope or the like, consisting of a
strengthening frame fastened to the upper waggon-edges the small sides of these
frames having eyes with horizontal holes in which holes are introduced hooks with
eye formed ends held there by a lever fixed below on the horizontal hook part a

page_text: raction-rod consisting of a fork piece receiving in its ends a cross head throug
which a second rod is drawn one end of this rod having an eye to receive a rope-
grip consisting of two pieres which are caused to close by a lever fixed on one of
the pieces, as described and illustrated.
2. A rope grip for wire-rope-tramways forming a connection between the wire
rope and the traction-rods of the waggon consisting of piece 2 with side-notch 6-
which has below an eye 13 above which hangs a hook-piece 3 which forms together
with notch 6 of piece 2 an eye and is provided above with pieces 8 in combination
with a recessed lever 1 which keeps pieces 8 of piece 3 in position of pressure as.
described and illustrated in the drawing.
3. In the rope grip described by Claim 2 the sliding-surface 5 fitted above the
fastening eye 13 and running in the direction of the wire-rope and having on one
side a skew surface as described and illustrated.
4. A rope grip having the part 20 of angular form (Fig. 13) on which the grip-
piece 23 hangs whilst in the crown 22 is pivoted the double branched lever 26 on
which lever 26 a locking lever 29 with nose 28 is fastened by means of a bolt, so.
as to permit of turning, and is kept away from lever 26 by a counter spring,
nose 28 corresponding to nose 28 on grip-piece 23 as described and shown in.
Figs. 10-18 Sheet I.
5. In the rope grip described in Claim 4 the skew surface 32 of lever 26 as
described and illustrated.
6. A connection between the said rope grips and the waggons consisting of
rod 41 provided at one end with eye 42 and on the other with head 43 which rod
glides in box 36 provided with gudgeons 39 connected with the forked end of
rod 40 which runs out in eye 44 on the other end as described and shown in
Figs 19-21 Sheet II.
7. A connecting rod as explained in Claim 6 where the forked rod 47 runs out
in a hook 51 the latter formed like a side-cut chain-link whose longer axis corre-
sponds to that of the rod 47 on which hooks are fastened plates 52 with bolts 53.
to 56 in such a mauner that bolt 54 forms a turning point for the pair of plates
near the cutting in the hook and is connected with a spring in such a manner as to
press the inner bolt 55 against the inside of the hook thus closing the hook as
described and illustrated.
8. For fixing the traction-rod to the waggon, the connecting-piece 33 (Figs. 24-25
Sheet II) consisting of an angular hook of which the leg directed vertically upwards,
is provided with an eye and is continued above the eye to form a pin or a fork to
receive roller 37 whilst the other leg has in its end a bolt forming the pivot of a
double branched lever 36, as described and illustrated.
9. For carrying the hook piece 33 described in Claim 8 a closed right-angled
frame or a U formed bow 35, 78, fixed on the upper edge of the waggon body,
having in the middle of the waggon an eye 79 with horizontal opening as described,
and shown on Sheet III.
1905
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to the Applicant.