A Device for Automatically Fixing in any desired position Bodies Sliding in Guides and Displaceable relatively to each other.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Device for Automatically Fixing in any desired position Bodies
Sliding in Guides and Displaceable relatively to each other.
I, ALFRED WAHL, of No. 5/1, Promenadeplatz, Munich, in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is a self-acting device for fixing in a desired position
to each other such bodies that are adapted to slide in guiding and to be displaceable
relatively to each other. Said device so operates that the displacement of the
correspondingly guided bodies in the one or other direction, or if the contrivance
is made double-sided, in two relatively opposed directions, is automatically
prevented until the mechanism is released by a corresponding manipulation, that
is to say the displacement can only take place as long as such release is not
suspended.
Objects for which the improved device is applicable are for instance telescopically
arranged stands or supports, slides, more particularly slide-windows (in the
horizontal and vertical direction) lifts i.e. as safety or catching contrivance therefor.
The improved device consists in the main of a clamping piece or a number of
such pieces provided between the two sliding parts and adapted to so clamp them-
selves in between the latter as soon as, by gravitating action or other pressure, a
sliding in the undesired direction would ensue, as to absolutely preclude a movement
of the parts in that direction.
The said clamping piece consists of a wedge, so placed between the two sliding
bodies, that one of its surfaces is inclined to the direction of movement and allowed to
slide unimpeded along a roll rigidly connected with one of the sliding parts, until
its opposite surface or surfaces parallel to the direction of movement presses itself
or press themselves so firmly against the other sliding or stationary part as to
preclude a further movement.
Or the clamping piece may have a roll instead of an inclined surface while the
corresponding sliding body is provided with an inclined surface, so as to allow the
clamping piece, formed in the shape of a roll slide in a wedge-shaped cavity, to be
pressed in between the surface-parallel to the direction of movement, of the one
and the surface-inclined to such direction of movement of the other of the sliding
bodies.
In order to ensure an absolute fixing of the sliding body in the case of great
pressure, the clamping piece may be so modified as to have that surface which runs
parallel to the direction of movement concavely or convexely bent or broken, and
correspondingly also the sliding surface of that part, which is not connected with
the clamping piece is given respectively a convex or concave guiding, into which
the clamping piece can press itself wedge-fashion. Thereby the clamping piece
proper receives double wedge-like shape and action in two relatively vertical
directions, and consequently the fixing produced thereby becomes absolutely secure
even when the surfaces pressed onto each other are perfectly smooth and oiled.
The suspension of the fixing action is so effected by a mechanism to be adapted
to each particular case to requirement, that the wedge or roll slide is displaced in
the one or other direction independently of the movement of the sliding bodies and
thus comes out of contact with one of the sliding bodies or with both at the same
time, which position it retains as long as the release is to last.
When the improved device is to be applied to more or less upright objects where
gravity produces on the clamping piece the tendency of coming out of contact with
the one or other of the sliding parts without a releasing being intended, such

page_text: gravitating action must be so neutralized by a weak spring or otherwise as to
cause the clamping piece to always remain in contact with both sliding parts.
The clamping piece, to admit of corresponding release, must always be loosely
connected with and therefore follow the movements of that of the sliding bodies
which is provided with the roll or inclined surface.
Dated this 13th of September 1890.
HUELSER & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Device for Automatically Fixing in any desired position Bodies
Sliding in Guides and Displaceable relatively to each other.
I, ALFRED WAHL, of 5/I, Promenadeplatz, Munich, in the Empire of Germany,
Merchant, 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:-
This invention has for its object a device for automatically fixing in any desired
position bodies sliding in or about rectilinear guides and displaceable relatively to
each other.
The improved device operates in such a manner that the displacing of the
correspondingly guided bodies in the one or other direction, or also, if the device is
made doublesided, in two opposite directions, is automatically prevented, until the
mechanism is released by a corresponding manipulation, and that the displacement
can only be effected as long as the said release is not inhibited. (Safety con-
trivance for lifts.)
The objects coming in consideration for applying the improved device are for
instance supports stands and carriers adapted to be drawn out, slides, especially
slide windows (in horizontal or vertical direction) elevators, to which it is applicable
as catching device.
The essential features of the invention may be understood from the following
general explanation, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which
like letters designate like or corresponding parts.
Figs. 1 to 3 represent the invention schematically. It consists in the application
of a number (one or more) of clamping pieces K provided between the two sliding
bodies and so clamping themselves wedge-fashion between the two sliding parts
as soon as, under the action of gravity or other pressure, a sliding in the non-
desired direction would ensue, as to prevent the sliding parts from moving in that
direction.
The clamping piece Fig. 1, consists of a wedge K which is so placed between the
two sliding bodies A and B, that the surface inclined to the direction of move-
ment can slide unimpeded along a ball or roll provided at one of the sliding parts,
until its opposite surface, which is directed parallel to the direction of movement
presses itself so firmly onto the other sliding or stationary part as to render a
further movement impossible.
As shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, the same effect can be produced by providing the
clamping piece K with a ball or roll and one of the two sliding bodies A. with an
inclined surface ¹ so as to allow the clamping piece K to be pressed in the shape
of a ball or roll-slide into the wedge-shaped hollowing or recess which is formed
by the surface-parallel to the direction of movement of the one, and the
surface inclined to said direction of the other sliding body. The ball- or roll
slide Fig. 2 may be so constructed, that the ball or roll is in contact only with one,
viz. that surface of one of the sliding parts which is inclined to the direction of
movement, while the surface-parallel to the direction of movement of the other
part or of the guiding is in contact with a slide surface conformed to the said
surface. Or as represented in Fig. 3 the ball or roll is lodged in a corresponding
through-going recess of the slide and is in contact both with the inclined surface

page_text: of the one and the parallel surface of the other sliding part. In this case the other
portion of the slide serves only for the lifting and lowering or displacement as the
case may be necessary for releasing the mechanism-of the ball or roll.
The releasing is effected by displacing in the one or other direction the wedge or
ball or roll-slide k independently of the movement of the sliding bodies by means
of a mechanism to be conformed in each particular case to the character of the
object to which the improved device is to be applied, so that K comes out of
contact with one of the two sliding bodies or with both at the same time and
remains so as long as the release is to last.
When the device is to be so applied to more or less upright objects that by
gravitation the clamping piece tends to come out of contact with the one or other
of the sliding parts, without a release being intended, it will be necessary to
neutralize this action of gravity by a slight spring or by another corresponding
contrivance, so that the clamping piece remains in continuous contact with the
two sliding bodies.
It is to be observed that the clamping piece K, for the purpose of releasing, must
always be loosely connected with that of the sliding bodies-and consequently
follow its movements--which is provided either with the roll or inclined surface.
To facilitate the comprehension of the essential principle of my invention, I
proceed to enumerate a few examples of the practical application of the improved
adjusting device.
Fig. 4 represents a slide window, A is the guide frame; B the window frame
On
having on the left the inclined surface and on the right the roll or ball r.
the left is provided between surface and guide frame A the roll- or ball-slide k,
which may also be constructed as shewn schematically in Fig. 3 and on the right
Both the roll slide k and
the wedge K between roll rand guide frame A.
ያ
wedge Kare loosely connected with B by levers and fulcrumed at
and pl
respectively. Springs and f¹ tend to so press upon levers and as to cause
both the roll-slide and wedge to be in continuous contact, with A and B. When
the window is shifted upward, there is no obstacle; but when it is let loose after
shifting up, the frame B about to descend causes on the left the ball- or, roll-slide
to be caught and clamped in between the parallel surface inclined to the direction
of movement, and on the right the wedge between the roll or ball and the surface
parallel to the direction of movement. The release is effected by lifting the knob o
with which and h¹ are in connection.
Fig. 5 illustrates the arresting device as applied to the outer guide frame and
does not require further explanation.
When the improved device is applied to extractible supports, stands or carriers
the mechanism is exactly the same except that the outer shape of the wedge and
ball or roll-slide is to be adapted to the usually cylindric shape of the tubes used for
said purposes.
Figs. 6 to 13 represent some of these forms of application. Figs. 6 and 7 show
in longitudinal and cross section respectively the application of the roll-slide whose
exterior surface is conformed to the cylindric shape of the tube A. The inner
extractible tube B carries at its bottom end the surface inclined to the direction
of movement; between said surface, and the surface-parallel to the direction of
movement of tube A, is inserted the roll slide k, the same as in Fig. 4 for slide
windows. For the sake of uniform and certain operation an inclined surface k¹ is
provided on each of two relatively opposite sides of 13 and on each side between said
surfaces and the parallel side of A a roll slide k. These roll slides are for the
release loosely suspended from a pine connected with rod d. Consequently when
rod d, which has normally an upward tendency by the action of a slight spring, is
displaced downwardly by inverse pressure, the two slides are delivered of the
clamping action.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrates in longitudinal and cross section, respectively an applica-
tion of the ball slide somewhat modified in consideration of the cylindric side of the

page_text: tube. Tube B again carries the inclined surface the latter however being not even
but spherical so as to form a cone, between which and the side-parallel to the
direction of movement of tube A are lodged the ball or balls of slide k. Three
balls placed at equal distances from each other are shewn in Fig. 9 as employed to
facilitate uniform operation. The shell of the slide is again connected, for releasing,
with rod d.
In the longitudinal section Fig. 10 and cross section Fig. 11 again wedges Kare
provided between the rolls or balls of the outer part A and the surface-parallel to
the direction of movement of the inner tube B, those surfaces of said wedges,
which are opposed to their inclined surface being adapted to the cylindric shape
of tube B. The latter can be at any time and without difficulty, displaced
upwardly, whereas when descending, it is instantly arrested and clamped fast by
the wedges. For the release the wedges are loosely suspended by pins from
part A2 which is displaceable relatively to part A carrying the rolls.
Figs. 12 and 13 again illustrate in longitudinal and cross section respectively the
application of the ball slide & containing three balls between the inclined spherical
surface forming a hollow cone of the load-carrying part A and the cylindric
surface of tube B. In this case the spring ƒ is required for holding the balls in
constant contact with the two sliding parts. The release is effected by pressure on
knobs whereby the slide is displaced contrarily to the action of the spring.
The modes of application of the ball slide to extractible telescopic tubes etc.
of cylindric cross section exemplified in Figs. 8 and 12 have moreover the advan-
tage, that the two displaceable parts, though absolutely secured in every position
against unilateral and rectilinear displacement, can still be easily turned about their
common axis relatively to each other.
The form of application as catching contrivance for lifts illustrated by Fig. 14
has the advantage over other similar devices that the guidings are not injured by
hooks or teeth and that the elevator can be used again without any repair after the
rope or chain has been replaced.
The clamping pieces are normally released by the draw line or rope and the
intermediary of a rod mechanism S pivoted at d d. When the rope or chain breaks,
the clamping pieces are drawn up by the action of poises y and springs f' whereby
the lift is instantaneously arrested.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1) A device for automatically fixing bodies sliding in or about rectilinear guidings
and displaceable relatively to each other, said device being more particularly
applicable for stands, supports, slide windows and the like and characterised by the
application of a clamping contrivance so disposed that, at the moment of the desired
fixing, a number (one or more) of clamping pieces K-consisting of wedges or roll-
or ball-slides are clamped in between the two sliding bodies viz. the wedge
between a roll or ball provided at one of the bodies and a surface-parallel to the
direction of movement of the other body, and the ball or roll-slide between a
surface inclined to the direction of movement-of the one and a surface-parallel
to the direction of movement-of the other body, substantially as illustrated and
described.
2) A special form of application of the device referred to in claim 1) for stands
supports and the like consisting in giving the displaceable part B, Figs. 6 and 8,
an inclined surface k while the ball- or roll-slide is connected for the release with
the releasing rod d substantially as set forth.
3) A form of application of the device referred to in claim 1) for stands
supports and the like Fig. 10, in which part A carries the roll or ball r while a
wedge K is displaceable for the release, substantially as set forth.
4) A form of application of the device referred to in claim 1) for stands
supports, and the like, Fig. 12, in which A is provided with an inclined surface

page_text: while for the release a ball- or roll-slide or a clamping piece K is displaceable,
substantially as illustrated and described.
Dated this 29th day of January 1891.
ALFRED
WAHL.
By Huelser & Co.,
Temple Chambers, London, his Agents.