Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1887
Complete Left, 16th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th Apr., 1888
I, WILLIAM NEWBY COLAM of 6, and 8 High Street, Highgate in the County of
Middlesex, Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the pulleys or sheaves for supporting and guiding the cable,
and it has for its objects the easier and better adjustment of the position of the pulleys
in the cable way, the reduction of the size of the hatchways in the surface of the road,
the more perfect lubrication of the pulleys, and the general simplification and arrange-
ment of the several parts whereby increased efficiency with a reduction of first cost is
obtained.
I mount the supporting pulleys in the following manner :-I make each pulley and
axle in one piece, preferably of cast iron. The pulley is mounted in a compound
plummer block, that is to say, the two plummer blocks are formed with one foot
so that they are self contained. Each pluimmer block is recessed to receive a bearing
of metal or hard wood, preferably Lignum-Vite, which is bored out to receive the
end of the axle of the pulley. The recesses in the plummer blocks do not extend
through the whole thickness thereof, so that the ends of the axle are not exposed.
On the top of each plummer block is bolted a cover which keeps the bearing block
The top of the
in place and also forms a receptacle for the lubricating grease.
covers being provided with caps for the introduction of the grease without removing
the covers.
Suitable holes are made in the bearing blocks for the passage of the
lubricant to the axle. The feet of the compound plummer blocks are formed to fit
and slide laterally on cast iron bed plates which are fixed in the bottom of the
cable way either by concreting, or otherwise, during the construction thereof, and are
provided with suitable bolts whereby they may be fixed in any position thereon.
Between the bearing surfaces of the plummer block and the bed plate I preferably
interpose pieces of wood to deaden the sound of the revolving pulleys and travelling
cable.
The pulleys for guiding or conducting the cable round curves are mounted in the
following manner :-The pulley is preferably made in two pieces, one forming the
rim thereof, and the other the boss and arms, the two parts being fixed together

page_text: by suitable bolts. The boss of the pulley is made of a good length so as to give
a steady bearing and is preferably lined with white metal. The pulley runs on a
steel pin fixed vertically in a shoe which is laterally adjustable on a bed plate as
herein before set forth, or in a manner that I will presently describe. The pin on
which the pulley runs is provided with a round head at one end and is tapered at
the other, to fit in a conical hole in the shoe, and is locked therein by a set screw.
Between the head of the pin and the top of the boss of the wheel is interposed a
washer of leather or other suitable material to keep out the dust and dirt. The
top of the shoe is preferably recessed to form an oil cup, and two steel washers are
interposed between the top of the shoe and the bottom face of the boss of the
pulley.
The shoe is mounted on the bed plate so as to be adjustable therewith as herein-
before described for the supporting pulleys, or in the following manner :-The base
of the shoe is made of a rectangular shape to fit in a slot formed transversely across
the bed plate. One side of the base of the shoe and the adjacent side of the slot in
the bed plate is made dovetailed to prevent the shoe rising, and the other side is made
flat, sufficient space being provided for a filling piece against which two set screws in
the side of the bed plate impinge, and so clamp the shoe in any desired position
thereon.
To lubricate this pulley I drill a hole down the centre of the steel pin on which it
revolves, from the taper end thereof nearly through its whole length, and on the
circumference of the pin I cut one or more oilways which are connected with the hole
in the centre of the pin by suitable passages. The end of the centre hole of the pin at
the taper end thereof, is coned or otherwise arranged to fit the end of a tubular elbow
to which is fixed a pipe leading to the outside of the shoe, when in a convenient
position it terminates in a Stauffer's or other suitable piston lubricator.
It will be seen that by constructing and arranging the pulleys as herein before
set forth the construction of cable tramways is simplified and their efficiency increased.
By forming the plummer blocks independent of the base plates the latter may be
placed in position with approximate accuracy when the cable way is constructed,
while the plummer blocks with the pulleys may be adjusted on the base plates with
the utmost exactitude at any time. Furthermore as the pulley and plummer blocks
are smaller than if they were mounted in one piece with the bed plate, it permits of
smaller hatchways being used in the surface of the road.
Dated this 16th day of June 1887.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, WILLIAM NEWBY COLAM, of 6 and 8 High Street, Highgate in the County of
Middlesex, Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and claimed in and by the following statement :-
:-
My invention relates to the pulleys or sheaves for supporting and guiding the
cable, and it has for its objects the easier and better adjustment of the position of
the pulleys in the cable way, the reduction of the size of the hatchways in the
surface of the road, the more perfect lubrication of the pulleys, and the general
simplification and arrangement of the several parts, whereby increased efficiency with
a reduction of first cost is obtained.
I mount the supporting pulleys in the following manner :-I make each pulley and
axle in one piece, preferably of cast iron. The pulley is mounted in a compound
plummer block, that is to say, the two plummer blocks are formed with one foot so
that they are self contained. Each plummer block is recessed to receive a bearing of
metal or hard wood-preferably Lignum Vitæ-which is bored out to receive the end
of the axle of the pulley. The recesses in the plummer blocks do not extend through
the whole thickness thereof so that the ends of the axle are not exposed. On the top
of each plummer block is bolted a cover which keeps the bearing block in place and
also forms a receptacle for the lubricating grease. The top of the covers being
provided with caps for the introduction of the grease without removing the covers.
Suitable holes are made in the bearing blocks for the passage of the lubricant to the
axle. The feet of the compound plummer blocks are formed to fit and slide laterally
on cast iron bed plates which are fixed in the bottom of the cable-way either by
concreting or otherwise during the construction thereof, and are provided with
suitable bolts whereby they may be fixed in any position thereon. Between the
bearing surfaces of the plummer block and the bed plate I preferably interpose pieces
of wood to deaden the sound of the revolving pulleys and travelling cable.
The pulleys for guiding or conducting the cable round curves are mounted in the
following manner :-The pulley is preferably made in two pieces, one forming the rim
thereof, and the other the boss and arms, the two parts being fixed together by
suitable bolts. The boss of the pulley is made of a good length so as to give a steady
bearing and is preferably lined with white metal. The pulley runs on a steel pin
fixed vertically in a shoe which is laterally adjustably on a bed plate as hereinbefore
set forth, or in a manner that will presently be described. The pin on which the
pulley runs is provided with a round head at one end and is tapered at the other, to fit
in a conical hole in the shoe, and is locked therein by a set screw. Between the head
of the pin and the top of the boss of the wheel is interposed a washer of leather or
other suitable material to keep out the dust and dirt. The top of the shoe is preferably
recessed to form an oil cup and two steel washers are interposed between the top of
the shoe and the bottom face of the boss of the pulley.

page_text: The shoe is mounted on the bed plate so as to be adjustable therewith as herein-
before described for the supporting pulleys, or in the following manner :-The base
of the shoe is made of a rectangular shape to fit in a slot formed transversely across
the bed plate. One side of the base of the shoe and the adjacent side of the slot in
the bed plate is made dovetailed to prevent the shoe rising, and the other side is made
flat, sufficient space being provided for a filling piece against which two set screws in
the side of the bed plate impinge and so clamp the shoe in any desired position
thercon.
To lubricate this pulley I drill a hole down the centre of the steel pin on which it
revolves, from the taper end thereof nearly through its whole length, and on the
circumference of the pin I cut one or more oil-ways which are connected with the
hole in the centre of the pin by suitable passages. The end of the centre hole of
the pin at the taper end thereof is coned or otherwise arranged to fit the end of a
tubular elbow to which is fixed a pipe leading to the outside of the shoe, when in
a convenient position it terminates in a Stauffer's or other suitable piston lubricator.
It will be seen that by constructing and arranging the pulleys as hereinbefore set
forth the construction of cable tramways is simplified and their efficiency increased.
By forming the plummer blocks independent of the base plates, the latter may be
placed in position with approximate accuracy when the cable-way is constructed,
while the plummer blocks with the pulleys may be adjusted on the base plates with
the utmost exactitude at any time. Furthermore as the pulley and plummer blocks
are smaller than if they were mounted in one piece with the bed plate, it permits
of smaller hatchways being used in the surface of the road.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1.
Sheet No. 1. is a view in side elevation-partly in section-of a supporting pulley
and its pedestals embodying my invention. Figure 2. Sheet No. 1. is an end view
thereof, partly in section. Figure 3. Sheet No. 1. is a plan of one of the bearings
showing the bearing block. Figure 4. Sheet No. 2. is a view in elevation-partly in
section of a guiding pulley and its pedestal embodying my invention, and Figure 5.
Sheet No. 2. is a view thereof in plan with the pulley removed.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The pulley A. is preferably made in two pieces as shown for convenience in
construction and maintenance in perfect condition, the rim forming one piece and the
arms and boss the other piece. In the case of a supporting pulley as illustrated by
Figures 1. 2. and 3. Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings the axle a. of the
wheel A. is preferably made in one piece with the boss and arms of the wheel. The
bearings b. b. are formed on one block B. as shown so that they are self-contained,
and the bearing blocks are preferably made of Lignum Vitae or other suitable
hard wood when a cast iron axle is used. The block B. is shaped and adapted to fit
and slide laterally on a pedestal, C. suitable locking bolts c. c. being provided to fix the
one to the other after adjustment. Strips of wood c¹ care preferably interposed
between the block B. and pedestal C. to deaden the noise of the travelling cable
over the pulley. To ensure perfect lubrication large grease-pots 62 62 are formed
in the bearing caps 63 63 and are provided with suitable caps so that the lubricant
can be introduced without removing the caps b³ ³.
The pulley A. for guiding the cable round curves is mounted to run loosely on a
stud axle b. fixed to and carried by a block B. as shown. The block B. is adapted to
fit and slide laterally on a pedestal C. either in the manner hereinbefore described or
as illustrated by Figures and 5. Sheet No. 2. of the accompanying drawings, in
which the block B. and pedestal C. are modified in shape and a different method of
locking the one to the other illustrated. The locking bolts e. c. are arranged to
impinge on the block B. or on a packing piece c¹ inserted between the block B. and
the pedestal C. and so lock the one to the other. To ensure perfect lubrication at all
times 1 provide a passage for the lubricant through the centre of the stud axle b. as
shown, and use a Stauffer" or other suitable piston lubricator to inject it.
"
By making the bearings of the pulleys of cable tramways independent of the

page_text: pedestals the latter may be fixed in position during the construction of the cable-
way with approximate accuracy, and the bearings afterwards adjusted laterally as
required to support or guide the cable. Furthermore by making the bearings
independent of the pedestals they can be more readily and easily removed or replaced
and require smaller hatchways in the surface of the road than if they were made
in one casting.
I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction
hercin-shown and described but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and
alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. In a cable tramway, mounting the supporting and guiding pulleys in or on
bearing blocks adapted to be mounted on, and capable of lateral adjustment with,
pedestals as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In a cable tramway the combination with the bearings carrying the pulleys,
of pedestals adapted to be permanently fixed in the cable-way during the construction
thereof, and to support the said bearings and provide for the lateral adjustment
thereof, as set forth.
3rd. In a cable tramway the combination with the pulley A. made in two parts as
described and shown, of the bearing block B., the pedestal (., the locking screws c. c.,
and the packing pieces c¹ c¹ all combined, arranged, and operating as set forth.
4th. In a cable tramway mounting the supporting pulleys for the cable specifically
in the manner herein before set forth and illustrated by Figures 1. 2. and 3.
Sheet No. 1. of the accompanying drawings.
5th. In a cable tramway mounting the guiding pulleys for the cable specifically in
the manner herein before set forth and illustrated by Figure 5. and 6. Sheet No. 2. of
the accompanying drawings.
this 10th day of March 1900.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.