IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PLOUGHING AND CULTI- VATING LAND BY STEAM OR OTHER SUITABLE MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augustus Dacre Lacy, of Hall House, Knayton, in
the County of York, Gentleman, and William Collett Homersham, of
Adelphi Terrace, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PLOUGHING AND CULTI-
VATING LAND BY STEAM OR OTHER SUITABLE MOTIVE POWER."
Sealed the 29th October 1857, and dated the 18th July 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augustus Dacre Lacy at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th July 1857.
We, AUGUSTUS DACRE LACY, of Hall House, Knayton, in the County of
York, Gentleman, and WILLIAM COLLETT HOMERSHAM, of Adelphi Terrace,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PLOUGHING AND
CULTIVATING LAND BY STEAM OR OTHER SUITABLE MOTIVE POWER," to be as
follows:-
. Our Invention consists, in the first place, in the transmission of the power
from a steam engine, or other prime mover, to the rope or chain employed to
work the plough or implement over the land, by means of a capstan or wind-
lass, around which only a few turns or coils of the rope or chain are taken, as
distinguished from a drum on which the rope or chain is wound; also such
rope or chain not being endless, but having a slack or tail to be either coiled
by hand or taken up on suitably mounted and driven drums.

page_text: The capstan or windlass is somewhat similar to those used on board of ships
as to the mode in which it transmits the power applied to it, but it may be
modified as to the form, arrangement, and number employed, and the motive
power may be varied; but we prefer to use two steam engines having the link
motion to work the slide valves fixed on the same frame as the capstan or
windlass.
The coiling drums when required will be mounted in frames adapted to
facilitate their transport, the frames consisting of cart wheels of the ordinary
construction provided with suitable apparatus for rendering them stable or
firm when the coiling drums are brought into operation.
And our Invention consists, in the second place, in the adaptation and appli-
cation of screw piles as means of anchoring or fixing and giving the required
stability to the portable winding apparatus and engine when they are em-
ployed, and also to the pulleys or mechanism required for the working and
guidance of the actuating rope or chain.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Augustus Dacre Lacy in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th January 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, AUGUSTUS
DACRE LACY, of Hall House, Knayton, in the County of York, Gentleman,
and WILLIAM COLLETT HOMERSHAM, of Adelphi Terrace, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Augustus Dacre Lacy and William Collett Homersham, Hor special licenso
that we, the said Augustus Dacre Lacy and William Collott Homersham,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Augustus Dacre Lacy and William Collett Homersham, our executors, admi-
nistrators, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR PLOUGHING AND CUL-
TIVATING LAND BY STEAM OR OTHER SUITABLE MOTIVE POWER," upon the condition

page_text: (amongst others) that we, the said Augustus Dacre Lacy and William Collett
Homersham, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under
the band and seal of one of us, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Oflice
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
"
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Collett 1Tomersham, on behalf
of myself and of the said Augustus Dacre Lacy, do horeby declare the nature
of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thercon (that is to.say) :-
Our Invention of "Improvements in Machinery for Ploughing and Culti-
vating Land by Steam or other suitable Motive Power" consists, in the first
place, in the transmission of the power from a steam engine, or other prime
mover, to the rope or chain employed to work the plough or implement over
the land, by means of a capstan or windlass, around which only a few turns or
coils of the rope or chain are taken as distinguished from a drum on which
the rope or chain is wound; also such rope or chain not being endless, but
having a slack or tail to be either coiled by hand or taken up on suitably
mounted and driven drums.
The capstan or windlass is somewhat similar to those used on board of ship
as to the mode in which it transmits the power applied to it, but it may be
modified as to the form, arrangement, and number employed, and the motive
power may be varied; but we prefer to use two steam engines having the link
motion to work the slide valves fixed on the same frame as the capstan or
windlass.
The coiling drums when required will be mounted in frames adapted to
facilitate their transport, the frames consisting of cart wheels of the ordinary
construction provided with suitable apparatus for rendering them stable or firm
when the coiling drums are brought into operation.
And our Invention consists, in the second place, in the adaptation and appli-
ention of screw piles as means of anchoring or fixing and giving the required
stability to the portable winding apparatus and engine when they are em-
ployed, and also to the pulleys or mechanism required for the working and
guidance of the actuating rope or chain.
Such being the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe more
particularly the manner in which it is to be performed or carried into effect,

page_text: as illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, the same letters of reference in
all the figures of which indicate corresponding parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan or horizontal view, shewing the
capstan for the actuating rope or chain, and the coiling drum for taking up the
slack which are intended to be fixed at any convenient distance apart. In
these Figures also the capstan is shewn combined with an independent appa-
ratus for delivering the slack of the rope, that is to say, the capstan may be
adapted to deliver the slack without such or similar apparatus, as herein-after
described. A is the timber bed or foundation for the capstan and its appur-
tenances; B is the iron standard or framing of the same, having openings in it
to lighten it; C is the shaft to which the power of the engine or other prime
mover is applied by means of the driving pulley or wheel D; E is a vertical
shaft which receives motion from the shaft C through the bevil gear shown
by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The bevil gear is the same as that shewn in section
in Fig 4, but the gearing may be arranged so as to apply the power from the
driving shaft to the periphery of the capstan; F is the capstan keyed to this
shaft. The capstan it will be seen is in this instance a drum slightly tapering,
and it has on its under side a toothed wheel G, which through the pinions
H, II, gives motion to the apparatus for delivering the slack of the rope.
This apparatus, which is represented detached in transverso elevation at Fig. 8,
consists of an independent conical drum I, with spring rollers K, K, to press
the rope against it. The gearing G, H, H, by which this drum is actuated,
should be so proportioned as to causo tho periphery of the drum at the centre
of its height to travel round at the same speed as that of the capstan near the
top. As the capstan is shown slightly tapering it will be seen that the drum of
the delivering apparatus should be conical, and even wero the capstan parallel
we should prefer to have the drum of the delivering apparatus conical for
reasons of practical adjustment, which will be obvious to the mechanic,
although a parallel drum of the proper diameter would answer the purpose.
I is the coiling drum, which is shewn as being caused to revolve and take in
the slack or tail of the rope from the delivering apparatus by means of the
rope in tension between the plough or other implement, and the prime mover
being led over V pulleys on which it presses as it travels over them. These
pulleys, which are indicated by the letter M, are fixed at one end of the coiling
drum L, and being of the same working diameter as the inner side of tho coil
which is being formed on the drum, will take up the slack of the rope as fast
as it is delivered from the capstan. In Fig. 2, the rope in tension is shewn

page_text: passing over the smallest pulley M, which corresponds in diameter with the
inner side of the first coil intended to be wound on to the drum L. but as the
diameter of the coil increases, the actuating rope will be shifted by the
attendant on to a pulley of corresponding diameter. The coiling drum is
shewn mounted on cart wheels, which are rendered firm as a supporting frame,
when the drum Lis in operation, by means of pieces of timber fastened to their
sides by means of bolts, as represented. But the wheels may be rendered
firm by any other convenient means.
The slack of the rope after leaving the capstan having no strain of the
draught on it, will be easily guided and made to coil regularly on the drum L
by means of the regulating apparatus now to be described. N is a guido
V pulley over which the slack of the rope is caused to pass before being coiled
on the drum L. This pulley has on its axle two worms 0, 0, which by gear-
ing into two worm wheels P cause the two spindles Q, Q, to revolve; each of
these spindles is supplied with a reel and cord R, and a pair of clutclics S, S,
so arranged with the clutch lever T, that when one is thrown out of gear the
other goes into gear. This lever T is brought into action by its coming in
contact with the stop U, fixed at either end of the bearing roils or guides V,
mounted on carrier pieces W, W, bolted to the cart wheels. The spindle Q,
which is thrown into gear by its clutches S, will cause its reel to wind on its
cord, and by means of it to pull the guide pulley N along the bearing rods in
one direction, the other reel at the same time giving off its cord, and the
reverse action takes place when the other spindle is put into gear through its
clutches, by its clutch lever T coming in contact with the stop U at the other
end of the bearing rods V.
When the rope is required to bo transported to another situation the
regulating apparatus with the guiding rods and their connections are taken
off the wheels as likewise the boards at their periphery, and the wheels aro
then rendered capable of being used as ordinary carriage wheels for the
purpose of transporting the apparatus to the situation required.
X, X, (Fig. 1) are screw piles of the ordinary construction which may be
used if required for holding down the framing of the capstan. The spindles
of these screw piles may be passed through the eyes or guides Y or any suitable
hole in or in connection with the framing screwed into the ground to the
required depth, and fixed by means of the cottars Z, Z, passed through one of
the series of cottar holes shewn in the spindles.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section, and Fig. 5 is a plan or horizontal view of
another form of capstan and delivering apparatus. F is the capstan which

page_text: in this case is shewn parallel, and is driven from thic shaft C by means of
bevil gear so as to apply the power to its axis, but this may be varied. Tho
delivering apparatus is set in motion by means of the pinion II and wheel G
on the periphery of the capstan, as in the former instance. On the upper
end of the spindle a, to which the pinion H is keyed there is also keyed the
delivering pulley b, which may have either rigid or elastic arms, the latter
being preferred, or clasticity may be obtained by means of vulcanized india-
rubber applied to the centre, as at *, in which case the pulley must be driven
by a driver and studs as shown. The pulley 6 has a groove on its outer
surface to give it a hold on the rope, and it will be seen that the speed at the
periphery of this pulley should be slightly greater than that at the periphery
of the capstan to allow for the thickness of rope; c, c, are guides for the rope
in its spiral progress, these guides may be either fixed on the spindle a, or bo
fitted so as to turi loosely thereon; d, d, are antifriction rollers for the
actuating rope, and the slack or tail to pass over on their respective sides of
the capstan; e, e, are screws worked by means of the handle and gearing f,
so as to withdraw the delivering apparatus from the periphery of the capstan
when required. The slack of the rope may be taken indirect to the coiling
ditum by so driving the latter as to keep the tail of the rope in a state of
tension without the intervention of any delivering apparatus, but we prefer to
use the latter, and more than one such apparatus may be applied to tho
capstan in a similar manner to that shewn together with the guiding discs.
Fig. 6 is an elevation, Fig. 7 a vertical section, and Fig. 8 a plan or
horizontal view, of an arrangement of two capstans F, F, driven by means of
bevil gear from the horizontal shaft C, and by spur gear g, from the vertical
shaft h, in such a manner as to give a motion equal and in the same direction
to each capstan. By this adaptation of a pair of capstans their surfaces may
be grooved, and the rope caused to pass round them in a spiral direction
which dispenses with all side slipping or "flecting." In this case the deliver-
ing apparatus is shewn as consisting of the pulley i, working against the ropo
at the periphery of the capstan, the spindle k of the pulley being driven by
the wheel G and pinion II. The pulley is kept against the rope at the
periphery of the capstan by means of the spring l, and it may be released or
withdrawn when required by turning the handle m; d, d, are the antifriction
rollers for the actuating rope and the slack to pass over as in the former
instance. If preferred, the independent delivering apparatus represented at
Figures 1 and 2 may be used instead of that just described.
It may be here remarked that the capstan, of whatever form, is intended to

page_text: be placed in any convenient position, whether horizontally, as shewn, or other-
wise, also the coiling drum may be driven as shewn by the rope passing over
or under the pulleys ni (Fig. 2), or it may be driven at a suitable speed
direct from the steam engine or other prime mover, or from the capstan by
means of any of the well-known systems of gearing or straps and pulleys.
The capstan may be driven direct by an engine or cylinder or by preference
pair of cylinders with tlie "link motion" for working the slide valves on the
same frame with the capstan, as represented in elevation in Fig. 9, and in
plan or horizontal view in Fig. 10. By the arrangement shewn, the boiler
is intended to be independent, but if preferred the boiler may be combined
with the engine so as to form a locomotive engine capable of being worked
along roads, over fields, &c. n, n, are the cylinders which are fixed at or
nearly at right angles to each other, but they may be otherwise fixed; o is
the crank shaft having on it a pinion p, gearing into the wheel 9, on the
inner side of the periphery of the capstan, and thereby actuating the capstan
at its periphery. The delivering apparatus for taking the slack of the rope
off the capstan is the same as that shewn at Fig. 4.
We would here remark that although we have represented and described
different forms of capstans and different modes of driving them, yet we do not
confine ourselves thereto as these may be varied; the object of our Invention
being to transmit the power from the engine or other first mover through the
capstan, of whatever form, the working diameter of the rope on which being
constant, the speed and amount of power transmitted from the engine will not
be affected by the length of the rope worked by it; also the same capstan
may be made to work ropes in any direction. Thus the same capstan,
supplied with two coiling drums, can be made not only to work the plough in
opposite directions, but when the capstan is combined with a portable engine
it may be caused to draw itself over the ground as required by having passed
over it a rope anchored or fixed at some distance in front in the direction in
which the apparatus is required to be drawn. The working diameter of the
capstan may be considerably increased without materially interfering with
its convenience as to weight and portability when it is driven through the
periphery.
We would also remark, that although the motive power may be variously
applied, as herein-before described, yet we prefer the mode with an independent
cylinder or pair of cylinders combined with each machine, both for the
cultivation of land and other agricultural purposes wherein portable machinery
is employed, such as thrashing, grinding, sawing, &c. The boiler we prefer to

page_text: have independent, and it might generally be a fixture at the homestead for
working engines for agricultural purposes, but in cases wherein a portable
boiler is required, as would generally be the case in ploughing, it should be of
sufficient power to drive the capstans or other machinery, and a cylinder or
pair of cylinders should be adapted and applied to the sole purpose of trans-
porting the boiler from place to place. When necessary, we employ a revolving
brush or other convenient means of taking the mud off the rope before passing
on to the machinery.
Fig. 11 represents, in elevation, a pulley for guiding the rope in tension
between the capstan and the plough or other implement. r is the pulley,
mounted in any convenient manner, and secured by means of the screw pile X
and chain s.
It will be seen on reference to Fig. 18, that the screw pile X is employed
merely as an ordinary mode of anchoring or holding applied to the guide
pulley, but in Figures 11 and 12 (the latter being a plan or horizontal view)
the screw pile X is shewn as adapted to be used so as to remain vertical under
a horizontal strain by its being combined with horizontal boards or guards t,
having an iron boss in the centre. u is a piece of iron, serving as a guard to
prevent the rope from slipping between the pulley and its frame.
Fig. 14 is a plan or horizontal view, Fig. 15 a side elevation, and
Fig. 16, a transverse vertical section of a guide pulley, mounted on a frame
resting on a temporary tramway secured from slipping on the surface of the
ground by the sheets or plates of iron w, which may be continuous or other-
wisc. is the pulley over which the rope passes, as shown. In this case tho
screw pile X is used in combination with the usual tension chains or ropes,
and the temporary tramway and is passed through the boss in the centre of the
pulley and screwed to the required depth into the ground, when it is fixed by
a cotter v passed through one of the series of holes in the spindle of the pile.
We do not, however, confine ourselves to this mode of fixing the mounted
guide pulley, as it may be fixed by means of screw piles X applied to the
frame thereof in the manner before described, and represented at Fig. 1.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we would have it understood that we do not intend
to confine ourselves to the forms and arrangements of the parts represented
and described, but we claim,-
First, the use, as a means of transmitting the power of a steam engine or
other prime mover to a plough or other implement, through a rope or chain, of
a capstan or capstans, windlass or windlasses, on which only a few turus of the

page_text: rope are taken, as distinguished from a drum on which the rope is wound,
such rope being not endless, but with a slack to be taken up and coiled as
described or by hand.
Secondly, the application of cart wheels as framing for the coiling drums, as
described.
And, lastly, the adaptation and application of screw piles to the anchoring
or fixing of the frame of the capstan and other apparatus used in the cultivation
of land.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Collett Homersham, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
50, Chancery Lane,
W COLLETT HOMERSHAM. (L.S.)
Patent Agent.