MECHANICAL CLUTCH TO BE USED FOR CONVERTING ROTARY TO RECIPROCATING MOTION FOR FRICTION BRAKES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1872

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes
and Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the
Invention of "MECHANICAL CLUTCH TO BE USED FOR CONVERTING ROTARY
TO RECIPROCATING MOTION FOR FRICTION BRAKES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."-A communication from abroad by Francis Gordon
Bates, of Springfield, County of Hampden, and State of Massa-
chusetts, Rufus Baker, of Middletown, County of Middlesex, and
State of Connecticut, and Peter Ferguson, of New Haven, County
of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, United States of
America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th January 1872.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent
Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "MECHANICAL CLUTCH TO BE USED FOR CONVERTING

page_text: At the division of the ring and through the flange E a lever F is
arranged as seen in Fig. 3, so that by the turning of the said lever to
the right or left the ring a will be expanded to fill the rim of the pulley,
and this expansion is produced by means of a sleeve H on the shaft,
which slides longitudinally, and from which an arm & extends through
the plate D against the said lever F, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the said
arm having inclined or wedge-shaped sides, so that when the arm dis
forced inward the lever will be turned or pressed out of its line of rest,
as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 3, which expands the ring to closely fill
the rim of the pulley, creating sufficient friction to cause the pulley and
plate to revolve together, which (the plate being keyed to the shaft)
cause the shaft to revolve with the pulley so long as the ring is held
expanded, but so soon as the arm d is removed to allow the ring to
contract, which it does by its own clasticity, then the plate and shaft
remain stationary while the pulley continues to revolve. *
A bearing fis arranged within the flange D to support the side of the
arm opposite the lever. This arrangement dispenses with the necessity
of the tight and loose pulley usually employed, and consequently with
the wear and tear of the belts occasioned in shifting from a tight to loose
.pulley.
While we have illustrated this Invention as applied to the loose pulley
of a shaft, it will be evident to those skilled in mechanics that the Inven-
tion may be applied as a brake to revolving wheels, the plate or divided
ring being held stationary and in the same relative position to the
revolving wheels as here described, we therefore do not confine the
Invention to any particular purpose or exact arrangement.
The second part of this Invention relates to the adaptation of this
construction for the purpose of converting reciprocating into rotary
motion, and it consists in a cylinder firmly fixed to the shaft to be
revolved constructed with a chamber upon one or upon opposite sides, in
which is arranged a cut ring fitted so that when free it will lie loosely in
the cylinder so as to bind hard upon the surface, and this cylinder pro-
vided with a head upon each side independent of each other with a
device for actuating a lever upon their respective sides, one in onc
direction, and the other in the other, so that a movement imparted to
the two heads in one direction will turn one head free, the other expand-
ing the ring on its side to cause the cylinder to turn correspondingly, and

page_text: on the return movement the other head engages upon each side, leaving
that first actuated free to return, thus by a back-and-forth reciprocating
movement imparting a constant rotary motion to the cylinder.
A is the cylinder firmly attached to a shaft B. The cylinder is pro-
vided with two chambers C, D, upon opposite sides, and each closed by a
head E, F. Within each of the cylinders in the chamber is arranged a
ring H of a diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the
cylinder, but so as to lie loosely therein, and if necessary to remain
stationary while the cylinder revolves. Each of these rings is divided
as at I., Fig. 8, forming a space into which a lever Lis set, fitting closely
therein, substantially as in the first part. To spread the ring to fill the
cylinder it is only necessary to turn the lever as denoted in broken lines,
Fig. 8, and this is done by a stud a upon the inside of the head E, as
seen in Fig. 9, which when on the cylinder stands in the position denoted
in broken lines, Fig. 8. Therefore by turning the head E in the direction
denoted by the arrow, Fig. 8, the stud a faces the lower end of the lever
forward and expands the ring to fill the cylinder, creating a sufficient
friction to cause the cylinder to turn with the head. When the power
which so turned the head is released to allow the head to return another
stud on the same head strikes the opposite side of the lever close up to
the ring, which causes the ring to return with the head, but imparting
no power to the cylinder. On the return the other head Fon the opposite
side engages the ring upon that side in like manner. The two heads E, F,
are connected by rods P, R, to a common connection S, here represented
as to the treadle T, therefore as the inner end of the treadle is pressed
downward one head engages the ring, the other being free, and as the
treadle ascends the other treadle engages the cylinder, the first being
free, and thus a continuous rotary motion is given to the cylinder and the
shaft to which it is connected.
We have represented the Invention as applied to a treadle similar to
that employed in sewing machines. We do this as a convenient way of
illustration, but do not confine our Invention to such a construction, as
any devise for imparting a reciprocating movement may be attached
to both heads of the cylinder in similar manner, as for instance, a piston
and other devices, to which those familiar with mechanics will readily see
the applicability.

page_text: divided ring and cylinder may be used instead of two as shown, but
with the disadvantage that during a portion of the movement, that is the
return of the ring free, no power would be imparted.
This part of the Invention may also be applied to feeding devices of
various machinery to good advantage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, Her special
licence that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Thomas
Hughes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term 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
"MECHANICAL CLUTCH TO BE USED FOR CONVERTING ROTARY TO RECIPROCATING
MOTION FOR FRICTION BRAKES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," a communication
to me from abroad by Francis Gordon Bates, of Springfield, County of
Hampden, and State of Massachusetts, Rufus Baker, of Middletown,
County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, and Peter Ferguson, of
New Haven, County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors or administrators, by an instru-.
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the

page_text: onc side, within which a divided ring a is arranged of slightly less
diameter than the rim as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. This ring is set upon a
plate D, which said plate is keyed fast to the shaft, a flange E being
formed on the said plate for the support of the ring.
At the division of the ring and through the flange E a lever F is
arranged as seen in Fig. 3, so that by the turning of the said lever to
the right or left the ring a will be expanded to fill the rim of the pulley,
and this expansion is produced by means of a sleeve H on the shaft,
which slides longitudinally, and from which an arm d extends through
the plate D against the said lever F, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the said
arm having inclined or wedged-shaped sides, so that when the arm dis
forced inward the lever will be turned or pressed out of its line of rest,
as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 3, which expands the ring to closely fill
the rim of the pulley, creating sufficient friction to cause the pulley and
plate to revolve together, which (the plate being keyed to the shaft)
cause the shaft to revolve with the pulley so long as it is held expanded,
but so soon as the arm d is removed to allow the ring to contract, which
it does by its own elasticity, then the plate and shaft remain stationary
while the pulley continues to revolve.
A bearing fis arranged within the flange E to support the side of the
arm opposite the lever. This arrangement dispenses with the necessity
of the tight and loose pulley usually employed, and consequently with
the wear and tear of belts occasioned in shifting from a tight to loose
pulley.
While I have illustrated this Invention as applied to the loose pulley
of a shaft, it will be evident to those skilled in mechanics that this Inven-
tion may be applied as a brake to revolving wheels, the plate or divided
ring being held stationary and in the same relative position to the
revolving wheels as here described, I therefore do not confine the Inven-
tion to any particular purpose or exact arrangement.
The second part of this Invention relates to the adaptation of this
construction for the purpose of converting reciprocating into rotary
motion, and it consists in a cylinder firmly fixed to the shaft to be
revolved constructed with a chamber upon one or upon opposite sides, in
which is arranged a cut ring fitted so that when free it will lie loosely
in the cylinder so as to bind hard upon the surface, and this cylinder
provided with a head upon each side independent of each other with a

page_text: device for actuating a lever upon their respective sides, one in one
direction, and the other in the other, so that a movement imparted to
the two heads in one direction will turn one head free, the other expand-
ing the ring on its side to cause the cylinder to turn correspondingly,
and on the return movement the other head engages upon each side,
leaving that first actuated free to return, thus by a back and forth
reciprocating movement imparting a constant rotary motion to the
cylinder.
A is the cylinder firmly attached to the shaft B. The cylinder is
provided with two chambers 0, D, upon opposite sides, and each closed by
a head E, F. Within each of the cylinders in the chamber is arranged a
ring I of a diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the
cylinder, but so as to lie loosely therein, and if necessary to remain
stationary while the cylinder revolves. Each of these rings is divided
as at I, Fig. 8, forming a space into which a lever L is set, fitting closely
therein, substantially as in the first part. To spread the ring to fill the
cylinder it is only necessary to turn the levers as denoted in broken lines,
Fig. 8, and this is done by a stud a upon the inside of the head E, as
seen in Fig. 9, which when on the cylinder stands in the position denoted
in broken lines, Fig. 8. Therefore by turning the head E in the direction*
denoted by the arrow, Fig. 8, the stud a forces the lower end of the lever
forward and expands the ring to fill the cylinder, causing a sufficient
friction to cause the cylinder to turn with the head. When the power
which so turned the head is released to allow the head to return, another
stud on the same lead strikes the opposite side of the lever close, up to
the ring, which causes the ring to return with the head, but imparting no
power to the cylinder. On the return the other head F on the opposite
side engages the ring upon that side in like manner. The two heads
E, F, are connected by rods P, R, to a common connection S, here
represented as to the treadle T, therefore as the inner end of the treadle
is pressed downward one head engages the ring, the other being free, and
as the treadle ascends the other treadle engages the cylinder, the first
being free, and thus a continuous rotary motion is given to the cylinder
and the shaft to which it is connected.
I have represented the Invention as applied to a treadle similar to that
employed in sewing machines. I do this as a convenient way of
illustration, but do not confine the Invention to such a construction, as
any device for imparting a reciprocating movement may be attached to

page_text: both heads of the cylinder in similar manner, as for instance, a piston
and other devices, to which those familiar with mechanics will readily sce
the applicability.
It will be also evident to those familiar with mechanics that a single
divided ring and cylinder may be used instead of two, as shown, but
with the disadvantage that during a portion of the movement, that is,
during the return of the ring free, no power would be imparted.
This part of the Invention may also be applied to feeding devices of
various machinery to good advantage.
As described in the forgoing clutch the friction device or clutch
operates in but one direction, that is, revolving in one direction the rim
is engaged with the friction ring, and in the other direction is free, henco
that clutch can be applied to hut one position, that is, either a right or
left hand as the case may be, by combining with the divided ring within
a rim a pair of levers opening in opposite directions to expand the ring,
so that onc lever operates in one direction, and the other in the other,
but both at the same time, and an engagement in either direction may
be made.
In this construction, as represented in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, A is the
rim, within which the divided ring B is arranged, here represented as a
loose pulley on a shaft C. The ring B is set on to a plate D in sub-
stantially the same manner as before.
.
In the division of the ring two levers a, d, are arranged, and between
these a wedge-shaped slide n is thrown, as seen in Fig. 13, to open the
two levers, which opening expands the divided ring B causing it to
engage with the rim A within which it is placed, so that the two will
revolve together in either direction. To release the ring and rim from
such engagement, withdraw the arm n, and to ensure its disengagement,
I prefer to employ a spring f to close the levers after the withdrawal of
the arm. This device is applicable to many purposes, particularly to
loose pulleys running in pairs in opposite directions, as for screw cutting
purposes, or as a brake for revolving wheels.
Having now described the said Invention communicated to me I
claim,―
First The herein-described mechanical clutch or brake consisting of

page_text: the lever F and sliding arm d operating to engage or disengage the said
plate D with or from the the said rim C, substantially as described.
"
Second. A cylinder fixed upon a shaft and provided upon its interior
with a divided ring H and lever L combined with a head or its equiva-
lent for actuating the said lever, and a device to impart a reciprocating
movement to the said head or its equivalent, substantially as described.
Third. The cylinder A fixed upon the shaft B provided upon its
interior with the two cut rings H and their lever L, and combined with
the heads E, F, each actuating the lever upon its cylinder, and combined
with a reciprocating device to impart a movement to the said heads
when the said heads are arranged so that a movement in one direction
engages one of the rings, and the other head the other ring in the
opposite direction, substantially as described.
Fourth. In combination with the divided ring B arranged within the
rim A the two levers a, d, provided with a mechanism for opening and
closing the said levers to expand or contract the ring, substantially as
specified.