CERTAIN NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANIC MOTION APPLIED TO AND TENDING TO AMELIORATE ALL KINDS OF CLOCKS, WATCHES, AND TIME PIECES, JACKS POR ROASTING, CRANES FOR RAISING HEAVY WEIGHTS, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1788

page_text: WHITE'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WHITE, of Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the
Twentieth day of May, in the twenty-eighth year of His reign, give and
grant unto me, the said James White, His especial licence, sole privilege
and full authority, that I, the said James White, during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANIC MOTION APPLIED TO AND TENDING
TO AMELIORATE ALL KINDS OF CLOCKS, WATCHES, AND TIME PIECES, JACKS POR
ROASTING, CRANES FOR RAISING HEAVY WEIGHTS, AND OTHER PURPOSES;" in which
said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me; the said James
White, by writing under my hand and seal, to cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and how the same is to be performed, to
be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within one calendar
month after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear."
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James White, do hereby declare that my said "Invention is described in
manner following, that is to say:-
'
חי
1st. The first branch of my said mechanical improvements consists in a
simple method of increasing the power of men, horses, or any other primary

page_text: agent employed to generate motion, (which improvement, for the better under-
standing the present Specification, I shall call my new power,) whereby, and
with the assistance of my hereunder-mentioned further improvements, I extend
the utility of engines used for raising great weights or overcoming any other
resistance, whether called cranes, capstans, crabs, triangles, windlasses, or any
other name, whose powers I increase to any required degree according to the
size and shape of the several acting parts of my said improvements. The
above-mentioned new power inverted forms a simple machine whereby to
produce a durable motion in every kind of instrument where this may be
necessary, as clocks, jacks, &c., in wch case it answers the end of one or more of
a train of wheels or system of pullies, actuating the machine by a longer or
shorter descent of weight or impulse of a spring, according to the required
velocity of the given resistance & that of the said agent. In addition to
these, I also apply my said new power to several other instruments where
what is commonly call'd multiplying is required (as in the case of pyrometers),
and all other instruments of the like nature to wch the said power is
peculiarly applicable, see Fig. 10.
2d. The second branch of my said improvements consists of various simple
means of making every kind of clocks, watches, or time keepers strike the
hours of the day or night, see Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 30.
3d. The third branch of my said improvements consists in several new
methods of constructing and regulating the motion of jacks for roasting,
whether applied to my said new power or otherwise.
4. The fourth branch of my said improvements consists in various new
methods of employing the strength of men to the purpose of raising heavy
weights, &c., whereby I produce a greater effect with less exertion or fatigue of
the persons employ'd, & that whether these methods be or be not connected
with my aforesaid new power, as circumstances may require.
5. The fifth branch of my said improvements consists of a new-invented pulley,
very applicable to my said new power when employ'd as a crane, & adapted
also to all the purposes for which common pullies are used, whether for ships
or other vessels or any other purpose.
Fig. 1 is intended to give and idea of the first above-mentioned principle.
The rope, chain, or other tenacious matter f, g, uncoils from any part d of a
cylinder a, b, & passing under a wheel or pulley in the frame h, coils on the
large part C of the same (wth revolving body I make either cylindrical,
octogonal, or of any other shape may best suit my purpose). The body here
described, (drawn on a scale of 2 inches to a foot) is two feet long, one half
of wh (more or less, on occasion, is of greater diameter than the remainder.

page_text: In the present case, the part is two inches more than the part d, in the pro-
portion to wch difference the power of the engine is varied. A calculus of the
force of this will be a rule for that of any other. When the handle c (of 9
inches radius) is turn'd round with the cylinder, whose ends differ in a ratio of
4 to 3. it is plain that when d shall have let off 1 foot C would have wound
up 2 foot, & the pulley h, to whose hook the given resistance is fasten'd, will
have moved thro' a space equal to the difference or 3 inches, wherefore, the
circumference of the crank being 54 inches (near enough for our present pur-
pose), the power of this simple engine is as 18 to 1; that is, 100lb. at c wou'd
ballance 1,800lb. at h, and a little more power wou'd raise it, on account of
the small degree of friction. Let it be observed here that I vary the power of
this engine in any given degree; and if a represent the weight to be raised,
6 the given power, c the spaced moved thro' by the power, & d, difference
of circumference of the parts c & d (see Fig. 1), then it will be a:bc::
whence, if the weight & power be given, the parts of the engine may be
adapted thereto, with the necessary increase of power to any degree whatever.
Note here, that if convenient I put two cylinders of different lengths and
shapes on the same axis to produce the same effect, wch cylinders or revolving
bodies I make of any kind of wood or metal I judge proper. The method by
wch this principle is passively applied to the purposes above mentioned will
appear plain from the Figure, for, in common with all machines whereby power
is gain'd, this has its converse effect, namely, to apply to those purposes
where a considerable weight is made by a small descent to produce a durable
motion; for if h descend three inches, a, b, will have made one revolution,
and a line or chain c, from any machine going by weight, will have coil'd once
round it equal in length to its circumference. But in the case of jacks or
clocks a very different idea of magnitude must be form'd.
I make the powers
for these from two inches & under to 4 & above, with any assignable
difference & any length, as occasion may require. In certain cases I use,
fasten'd to the said power (but without necessity), a short cylinder of 5 or 6
inches diameter, on which the line from the jack winds.
This part is
sometimes turn'd out of the same piece or different, as may be convenient.
Fig. 2 d represents two revolving bodies, of any shape or material, connected
by two wheels of an equal number of teeth so as to make their respective
revolutions in equal times, the difference of their diameters being, as in the
above case, the cost of their power. When this is used as a crane, the rope
winds off the body c while it goes on the body d; but when it drives any
instrument by weight or otherwise the contrary has place. These bodies
I either place one above another, or in an horizontal line, or inclin'd to the

page_text: horizon, as may best suit my purpose. Also, instead of making the difference
between the bodies the source of their power, I make the bodies equal & the
connecting wheels unequal, or I make both wheels & bodies unequal, as may
appear convenient. These connected bodies are capable of producing the
same effect as the former, and on the same principal (by means of the line c
or h); wherefore it is unnecessary further to describe the Figures. Fig. 1st.
Another method I use when this power is applied to jacks, &c. is to put the
part G of the line 1, 2, 3 or more times 'round the large part of the cylinders,
& carry it thence directly to the instrument it is to act on, as from k. For
the better producing this effect I cut round the cylinder a screw-wise groove,
either sharp, flat, or round at the bottom, in wch the line coils, & thus lays
faster hold on the cylinder. This I do also on occasion, in the first-mention'd case,
and in all cases for the guidance of the line coming from the pulley. Further,
in some cases I cut a twofold screw around the barrel (of a clock for example),
as represented at Fig. 9, on the highest threads of which, while it is winding
up) the line is wound, while it uncoils from the lower threads between them.
While the clock goes, the weight draws the line off the said high threads, &
winds it on the lower ones in a contrary direction. 'N. B.-I employ this
method, & all the methods herein described, for all the purposes of each
respectively; i. e., I employ this for a crane, & No. 1 for a clock barrel, &c., &c.,
so that I use each and every application of this principle to every purpose to
which it is adapted.
Among the various other methods & forms in which I make & apply
this principle, I shall select & describe four or five, which, with the above,
will fully identify & elucidate the whole. Fig. 4 represents (on a scale of
three inches to a foot) a power as I apply it to any instrument for giving
motion by means of a weight or spring drawing at C. The short cylinder a
receives the line or chain from the jack or other instrument. The part b is
acted on by the line d, and the part g of the line coils on the part c of the
cylinder, after having passed under the two pulleys g, h, sometimes used instead
of one. Fig. 5 represents the end of the said power where the circumferences
of the same parts are mark'd with the same Letters, one pulley only being
represented at h. Fig. 6 shews the end of the said power without any short
cylinder; the two 'parts i, k, being made sufficiently large, and their parts
proportioned to the same effect. The line L winding on the part k, while the
part m of the line m, n, goes off it, & coils up at n in the before-mentioned
manner. Fig. 7 represents the said power running in a frame to which a
weight is suspended. This I cause to turn (by friction) a short cylinder a, om
which the line B is wound, coming from the instrument to be turn'd. Some-

page_text: times a is a part of the instrument to be acted on, under whch the weight
descends; sometimes any part of the lines in all the Figures is made to turn
any machine, & I sometimes carry the line c, d, to any part of the house or
apartment to pullies from wch the frame hangs & has its effect. N.B.-Some-
times, I raise a weight as c by pulling at the rope c or d, the frame &
power being proportionably enlarged. Fig. 8 represents another method of
turning the axis a, whatever be its use, by the said same principle. In the
cylinders or wheels b, c, are cut grooves with sharp bottoms, as at a, Fig. 7, (or
the bottoms have any other proper shape,) by means whereof the endless
line d, e, acts upon the wheels by friction which the counter weight c makes
sufficient to its end. These wheels are, sometimes set with pins, or the grooves
made irregular, for the better laying hold of the line. N. B.-Two grooved
bodies are sometimes connected. by toothed wheels, as the cylinders Fig. 2,
which prevents crossings in the running line; or I prevent this, in Fig. 8, by
pullies, which alter the direction of the line after it has pass'd the grove 6 or c.
One more method of making this power act on jacks &c., &c., is to let the line
coming from the instrument pass over or once round or more times round a
grooved body a, & thence under the pulley b to the lesser part c of the said
revolving body, wch, as before obseved, I make of any size, shape, or form, as
may best suit my purpose, see Fig. 3d. Fig. 10 shews this power adapted to a
pyrometer. a, a bar of metal; b, a lever of any convenient length (acted on
by the bar or another lever); c, a small pulley ;. d, a small power whose contrary
parts are very near equal. On the smallest part a fine watch chain or a
silken thread, &c. is coil'd, from whch it passes round the pulley c, & is coil'd
several times round the large part of the power, on whose center is the hand
pointing to the divisions in the plate. The multiplying power of this. simple
pyrometer might be made to any required degree..
In Fig. 16 are shewn certain parts of my second branch of improvement,
namely, respecting clocks, &c., &c. In common striking clocks the descent of the
weight is check'd by a train of wheels & an air fly. By this new method the said
effect is produced by means of a vibrating body of any shape or form what-
soever. That is to say, I regulate the strokes on the bell or sounding body by
means of a pendulum or ballance of any convenient shape, & moving in any
direction, either connected with the time part of the piece or not. This
oscillating body I cause to vibrate by different means, some of the best of
whch are described below. Sometimes I use for the same purpose the samé
body wch regulates the time of the piece; sometimes 'tis a detach'd vibration;
sometimes I use a common verge for the purpose, or pallets, as i, k, n; o, to
either of which I adapt springs for the purpose of softning the stroke, or I

page_text: use them without, as may best suit my purpose. I have other peculiar
methods of doing the same. Some of the best, as elucidatiry of the whole;
are described below. Further, I attach the hammer wch strikes the bell to my
vibrating body, or to the center of its motion, making thus one body of the
whole, any part of wch, whatever be its form, I make to strike the bell as
may appear best for the said purpose. I also detach the striking body from
the vibrating body, the latter acting only as a regulator, while the hammer, in
a detach'd state, is work'd by any part of or fixture in the wheel or in the
vibrating body. The number of the strokes I either regulate by fixtures in
the rim of the wheel, or by notches cut in a rim turn'd out of the side of the
wheel, or by small portions of the said rim left standing in possitions proper for
stopping the strokes at a determinate number; or I put another wheel on the
same axis; or I fit another rim to the same wheel, with the said pins, notches,
or portions; which said striking wheel I turn immediately by a spring or weight,
or otherwise by the assistance of one or more wheels or pinions, or screws, as
may best suit my purpose. a, Fig. 16, represents a thin piece of metal (wch may
be of any other form) working on an axis; its lower edge f works in the teeth
of a wheel 6, and to any part of its axis is fix'd the shank c of any kind
of vibrating body. Above this axis is placed a spring d, weh is unbent when
its end just catches hold on the teeth of the wheel b, but when the part a is
return'd, after vibration, to its present situation, the said spring is bent a little,
& its end lets loose one tooth of b, when the tooth f of the said wheel
(turn'd by any proper power) has liberty to drive the said verge toward a till
the tooth has escaped it, when the said verge a & the shank c will return into
their present possition to wch they are made to tend. Here we must remember
that the spring d had got its unbent situation (fit to stop the next tooth) the
instant the tooth fhail begun to act on the verge a, & that its length is such that
it will take hold of the said next tooth the instant f lets loose the verge A, nor
will it loose it again till the verge A come again into its present positition.
That very instant, by the upward pressure of a fixture to the axis or a part of
the said axis or verge, it will let loose the said tooth, and the one succeeding
to f will be at liberty to act the same part ƒ did, and this alternate motion of
the verge and spring will continue till stop'd by some external cause, which
we shall explain when some of the best methods of causing the vibrations and
forming the strokes shall have been made evident. N.B. The spring d is
made to spring against the impinging tooth to prevent noise, and is made of
any convenient form for that purpose. Sometimes a catch acting by its weight,
with or without a spring, takes the place of d; and in all cases where springs
are used the tooth is stop'd (in great measure) before the verge a is at liberty,

page_text: whence silence is obtained. All or any the apparatus herein described I
place either above or below the wheel, or in any other convenient situa-
tion; and I moreover apply them to vibrating bodies of any form, working
either horizantally, vertically, or inclined in any direction, with respect to
the said wheel, I think proper. h, i, k, shew a kind of pallet suited to the
above purpose, of any convenient size or shape, besides that in the Figure,
ŵch is optional, on whose axis a vibrating body is suspended. The end h in the
present form is a portion of a circle from the center L. The part I is cut to
any shape, or the arc of the circle it subtends may be left on, neither of which
cases alters the effect. The end K is of a form to enter between the teeth m,
& those drive it up till they lose their hold, when a part of h catches another
tooth behind, which it does not let go till the next tooth is come to the end k,
when the operation continues as before. N, O, is another kind of vibrating
medium constructed in the same manner, excepting that the end o is brought
nearer under the center. The end n has the same effect as h, being formed in
its acting part very like it, As there are so many methods of producing this
effect, I have confined myself to these as the principal ones, since they suffici-
ently elucidate and identify the principle. I shall only remark, that it is of little
consequence how many teeth the pallets h, k, and n, o, include between their ex-
tremities, since the effect will remain nearly the same in all cases. At Fig. 13 is
a silent regulator in case of a detach'd hammer, being a spring on an axis.
a, Fig. 36, represents part of the periphery of a wheel, with teeth of any con-
venient size or shape, above or at which the inverted spiral pallet b is supported
endwise, so that the contrary spirals a & b dip alternately into the teeth of
the wheel, by which means the axis and its appendage is moved backward and
forward for the above purpose. C, D, represents the same method, excepting
that the teeth here are cut sloping across the wheel, and the spirals equal, whereas
in the former the spirals are are unequal and the teeth upright. With respect
to the teeth of the striking wheel, the shape of the tooth is of small import; the
figure is as good as any; & as to the pallets, tho their form might be diffe-
rent, the principle is equally well seen in either of the above described; where,
note, that I apply either or all the said methods of regulation to the going
part of the time piece, or of any other, especially Figs. 16 & 30. N.B.-I
sometimes cause the pallets or vibrating mediums h, k, &c., to act against
teeth in a contrate wheel, the oscillating body moving in any convenient
direction. Note, further, that I make either of the above wheels to work
horizontally, vertically, or inclin'd, the vibrating body working of consequence
in any situation as its position with regard to the wheel shall require.
I shall now shew two among the several methods of adding the striking part or

page_text: 1.
hammer to the regulating apparatus; where, let it be noted, that I place the
bell in or opposite any part of the clock, and cause any part of the vibrating
body to strike it. The method in Fig. 10. is to have part of the same, or a
differrent piece of the metal or other material, continue from its connection
with the vibrating body to a bell placed directly or obliquely over the striking
wheel, as from d upwards.; or I place the bell behind the frame of the clock,
and cause it to be struck as before, as may best suit my convenience. The same
method of adjusting the striking body is applicable to the parts h & n,
or any other convenient regulator, the stem of the hammer being form'd
according to the position of its axis & the place of the bell. I also some-
times make use of a separate hammer, as at A, work'd by the teeth of or
fixtures in the said wheel, as may be convenient, & this hammer I apply to
each kind of wheel, and in every proper situation. With respect, to the
regulation of the number of strokes, according to the hour, as the teeth in
this wheel are 78, the total number of strokes in twelve, hours, it is only
necessary that a catch or detent stop the said wheel after such a portion
of it has pass'd the detent, as is equivalent to the number of strokes the
hammer should strike the bell. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. are the places of the above-
mentioned stoppages for this purpose, being either fixtures or notches in the
rim. A method of unlocking this wheel appears at q. When the detcent is
elevated a little the sloping end r will lift it bigher by the motion of the wheel,
and suffer the beak s to fall away from the pin, by wch it was first elevated,
and thus give it liberty to fall again, and stop the wheel immediately, if the
time should require it; or the wheel will be stop'd in due time, be it, what it
may. Another method is represented at k, where a part of the pallet, or a
piece of metal attach'd to it, receives the pins, or falls into the notches
as they arrive at it, according to the number of times the hammer as
struck the bell. One more method is to have the pallet form'd as in
Fig. 14, or any other proper Figure, and to cut one tooth at each given
distance into the forms, into which the end r of the pallet will fall, and stop
the wheel. In these & similar cases I cause the time part of the clock to
move the said pallets.. For the purpose of unlocking the wheel the contrate
wheel above mentioned is stopp'd in this manner also, or by fixtures or notches
in the periphery, which the detent lays hold of; but every kind, of locking
work mentioned before are equally applicable to contrate wheels. Wherefore,
and as the modes of unlocking are so numerous, and independent of the striking
apparatus, it is unnecessary to describe any further method of doing it.
Further, I sometimes make the shank C a spring to soften the stroke, and
I hang the said shank or stem (in the case of a pendulum) to a part of the

page_text: clock, making a communication between it and the striking axis. This also
as place in respect to a balance, whether horizontal or vertical. Fig. 28 shews
one more method of regulating. a, an axis; b, a wheel or balance on
excentric pin of a; c, a small bar, which, on the revolution of a, causes the
wheel or balance to vibrate.
an
I shall finally describe two or three further methods of regulating the
striking of clocks, as comprising with the above the principal and best methods.
These depend on this principle, that the centrifugal force of a revolving body
create by any means resistance enough for the above purpose of retardment and
regulation. One method of employing this principle is shewn at Fig. 17, where
a, b, is a short cylindrical piece of metal, screw'd by its tail C, or otherwise to
the proper part of a clock, &c. The axis d of the centrifugal fly g works in a
hole in the center of said cylinder. f is a piece of metal fitting tight on the
said axis, screw'd to which at any proper distance from the center of its motion,
works a fly f, g, whose end h, by the centrifugal force of 9, presses on the
periphery of the body a, nearly in proportion to the velocity of the said fly:
On occasion, the end 9 of the stem is tap'd, in order that the body g might be
brought nearer or recede from the centre, as k. N.B.-The body a is some-
times made of any other convenient form, as may best suit my purpose, and
a joint is sometimes substituted at f in the place of the screw. Moreover,
I make of any other convenient shape, and connect with it two or more
bodies, as g, k, for the same purpose placeing the whole either above or
below the wheel by which they are turn'd, as may best suit my purpose.
My second method of applying this principle is to make any part of my
said centrifugal fly rub against the inside of a circular rim, as Fig. 12, sup-
ported exactly in the same manner as a. The fly g or k may be so placed and
formed in its under part as to do it. And thus I form it for the purpose:-
I place a screw or leave a part at O, which sinks into and rubs against the inside
of the said rim, represented in perspective at Fig. 12, in a detach'd form.
Fig. 11 shews another method of the same nature. a is the centre of motion
of the piece b, which I make of any convenient shape or form. To a proper
part of this is screw'd a spring C, having at its end the weight c. At d the
spring is wide enough to go into such a rim as Fig. 12, and press against its sides,
when the centrifugal force of the bob makes it tend outward, and by this
principle, whatever be the form of the parts, I regulate the striking part of my
clocks of every denomination. One more example shall suffice, see Fig 15.
a is the axis of motion turn'd by the wheel 6 acting on the endless screw C.
The bar d, with the bob e at its end, or farther or nearer its centre, as occasion
may require, is connected with the said axis by a kind of joint, as f, and

page_text: connected with the said bar is a piece g, of any convenient form, which by
the gravitating and centrifugal force of the bob (or either alone, will press
against the plane or other surfice h, or against the rim i, k, of Fig. 15,
as occasion may require. N.B.-This effect, or an equivalent one, I produce
either in an horizontal, vertical, or inclin'd possition, and that by different
methods, but of all which these contain the leading principle. Respecting the
motion of the said axis, I produce it either by an horizontal, vertical, in
clin'd, or contrate wheel working in a pinion or an endless screw, as may be
most convenient; and with respect to stopping the striking of the said wheel, the
methods above are applicable, & I do it by them or any other that may be
eligible of a like kind. The bammer I cause to be lifted by teeth in the rim
or any other part of the wheel or its axis, or any part revolving with it. None
of which methods affect the principle as stated above. N.B.-This regulating
power I apply to every purpose were a chek on the motion of any machine is
necessary; and, morcover, I make clock, jack, cranes, &c., &c., herein specified,
of metal, wood, or any other material as may best suit my purpose.
I shall now pass to the description of my third branch of improvements,
respecting the construction of roasting jacks. One of my methods of making
them is shewn at Fig. 18, and is adapted to a jack with two wheels, tho' I
apply the principle to those of any shape or number of wheels where they
may be necessary. The fly in the present case runs vertically, and is driven
by the second wheel b, which works in a pinion on its axis. At the side of
this pinion there is a smooth cylinder d, which runs on a circular bearing
placed on the side of the wheel 6, by which the friction of the said fly is
transfer'd from its own axis to that of b, whose much slower motion takes
away a great part of it, and gives the fly a greater power of regulation when
any irregularity of resistance occurs. The proportion between the said smooth
bodies must be the same as between the teeth of the wheel and pinion, by
which means there will be a rolling motion, and no perpendicular friction on
the fly axis. I support each or every wheel in a jack or other compound
engine by the wheel next under it (at least a smooth part connected therewith
receiving a part of its arbour) sufficiently large to answer the proportion of
the wheel and pinion, and the cranes hereafter to be described come under
the same advantage. Another method of constructing a jack to roast by
hanging before the fire is shewn at Fig. 20 (where, note, that I drive it by
any proper means, applied directly at or under it, or carry the line from it
to any other place; 1 place it also either as it appears with respect to the
plane of the chimney, or I fasten it with its axis at right angles, as may best
suit my purpose, or in any other direction). a, b, are two greater or lesser

page_text: portions of a wheel, without (or with) teeth fasten'd at some distance from
each other, on opposite sides of the axis. c is a small horizontal wheel,
whose axis is connected with the tenacious body d, to which the meat is
suspended. The action is thus:-By the revolution of the axis e the axis C
(which sometimes is without a fly f, is turn'd one way round as many turns
as are equivalent to the portion of the wheel b by which it is turn'd; just
after 6 leaves the said wheel a meets it on the other side of the axis, and
after it has overcome the contrary motion 6 had generated it will turn the said
axis the contrary way, and thus alternately, as long as the axis shall revolve.
Note. That I sometimes place the wheel C under the axis of the semi-wheels,
or I sometimes make a whole wheel of either of the two, and cause it to work
on either side the centre, turning the axis of C all one way; the axis of
which wheel I make moveable, for the purpose of moving nearer to or farther
from the center of c, as the weight of meat may require. Also I make a
and B a portion of contrate wheels, with or without teeth, working against
the edge of C. I also place the axis e in a vertical or inclined possition,
varying the situation of C in any required manner with relation to the said
first axis. I moreover give the wheels a bevel face, according to their
inclination, and that whether they work with teeth or without, as may best
suit my purpose. One more method, selected from the various ones of the
same nature, shall suffice for this branch of improvement. a is the fly, of
any conveyient size or shape. b, a wheel of any shape, as above. C, a wheel
placed obliquely on the main axis d. e, a small wheel, working in b, to whose
axis the meat is suspended. There are two hollows cut out of the wheel cat
different ends of the centre of its obliquity, or a hollow is turn'd out of the
middle of 6, by either or both which means the inclined wheel C will alternately
drive the wheel b, and of consequence e, different ways, as long a revolves.
N.B.-I sometimes regulate the motion of this kind of jack, and of all kinds
where eligible, by a balance or pendulum driven in the usual way, or by the
methods above, which I apply to any of the revolving parts or bodies in all
or either of the above-mentioned cases; see Fig. 21.
The 4th branch of my said improvements is represented in Figs. 19, 22, &c.
The principle is to employ the strongest members of the human body for the
effect above mentioned, in a new and advantageous method, namely, to produce
the effect by treading, to which purpose I connect loosely with the centre
of the wheelf the levers or treadles a, b, of any convenient form or size,
which I balance at c, or any other proper place. To these I connect catches
d, e, which either draw or push round the wheel f and cylinder 9. As the
treadles are raised and depresed by turns, by approaching to or receding

page_text: from the centre of motion of the levers, the men gain velocity or power
according to the weight they have to raise. N.B.-That I give the levers
a, b, a seperate centre, either above or below the wheel, and fasten the catches
on either side the centre of their motion, as at d, e, Fig. 24. I also
balance or overbalance the ends of the said levers by weights, as at f; and
the catches c, d, or of any other convenient shape, are placed at a greater or
less distance, as occasion my require. To prevent the noise a common catch
makes; I have several methods, which I shall describe; but be it remembered
here that every circumstance herein mentioned as applied to one engine I
apply to each of the others, if required, tho' not repeated with each description.
For example, in cranes I place a fly on a pinion axis, which is driven by a
wheel; on the axis whereof the power acts I also place a fly on the first
and only axis, as Fig. 19, driven immediately by the treadles; or I use either
or all my said cranes without any fly; moreover, I attach the fly. to the axis
of the pinion, and cause the power to act first on that axis, as best suits my
purpose. One silent catch is represented at a, Fig. 22, where a is a rubbing
spring, fix'd to the catch, which, by rubbing against the side of the wheel,
elevates or depresses the catch, according as it is passing backwards or
forward. In the first case it cannot touch the teeth, and in the second it
instantaneously catches hold. This the two catches do alternately when two
are used. This catch I place either before or behind the wheel, as at a or b.
I place it also above or below, as may best suit my purpose. Note. That
one lever and catch only is shewn here, for the sake of perspicuity; but I
generally use two, and two treadles, one on each side the wheel, that one
may act whilst the other is fetching its stroke, in the manner of Fig. 19.
ḥ represents a fly on the first axis, which I make of any convenient shape.
Fig. 24 represents it on the axis of a pinion, driven by teeth in the wheel.
This Fig. is also a representation of another method of a silent catch. b is a
shorter or longer lever, connected with the motion of the axis or of the wheel,
by friction of any part, or of a spring, and thus tending always to go round
with the wheel. At C is the centre of motion of the catch d, to whose end
is fastened a bar o, worked by the treadle in any proper situation. If the
said treadle be depressed while the wheel is quiesent, the bar 6 will resist
the motion of E, and consequently the end d of the catch will be drawn
downward a little, and its opposite end forced into the teeth; but when O
ascends again, then 6 will resist that way, and the catch will recede from
the wheel, &c. Another bar and lever, perfectly like this, placed at its side,
whose catch works in the same wheel on the other edge, will (with this)
form a good crane of great power, whatever may be its size, according to its
"

page_text: use; and as this is so various the Figures are not drawn to a scale, tho' they
are in proportion, and a may be taken 2 feet or 20 inches diameter, or
more, as may be convenient. Another method of turning a crane I produce
by two crancks, whose radie are represented at a, b, Fig. 25, and which
are worked by treadles alternately depress'd, and on their axis there is a fly
C, for continuing their motion, while they are either perpendicularly above
or below the centre. Moreover, I use sometimes four cranks, driven by'as
many treadles, to be depress'd in turn in the order of one, three, two, four.
a, b, c, d, Fig. 26, represents their radie only for the sake of plainness. When
the first treadle is depress'd, the crank a, or by its connection of a bar, follows
it. When the third is depress'd, 6 will go down from the place a is now in;
when the second is depress'd, d will follow it; and when the fourth, it will be
follow'd by C, each crank turning the axis (and a fly and roller on it, round.
In some circumstances I let the axis of these cranks be that of a fly, a pinion
on which drives round the roller, and on this the rope is coiled, &c.
1 -
sup-
Having thus shewn the principles on which I use the feet of men to work
cranes (and all other engines heretofore turned by hand), and which I apply to
cranes already in use, I will now say a little concerning the difference in the
effect of cranes work'd by this method and by hand, as tending to elucidate
the whole. It is known that a man by hand cannot work a day against a
resistance of more than thirty pounds (or thereabouts), and it will not be
doubted but that in a natural standing possition he will overcome at least 60lb.
by his feet with greater ease than thirty with his hands; and if this is the
case, the latter method will produce the same effect in the time or double the
effect in the same time, if employed to advantage, and that let the means be
what they may, and the same fatigue of body will have accrued on
the
position. Nor let it be objected that he walks as going up stairs. He does
not; for the treadle sinks as soon as 60lbs. of his weight is impress'd on it,
more than which he can prevent himself from having by going back on the
treadles. Fig. 27 and 28 are two other machines on the above principle, with
which I shall conclude the article. Fig. 27 is a crane proper for a trap door,
or for ship purposes, &c. The rope is wound upon a, and carried thence under
the pulley 6 to the wheel c, where it passes over, and lays fast hold of the irons
in its circumference, and thus by pulling at a raises the goods, &c. Fig. 28 is
a kind of capstan with this power applied. 1, 2, 3, 4 are levers, by which it
is turn'd. Rope is wound on the barrel b, and carried round the pulley c, and
brought back again to the part a. Round this part is several times coiled,
and a man draws the rope d, while the men walk round. This placeed hori-
zontally is applicable to a triangle or crane; and the rope d might be carried to

page_text: a common axis with a crank, if it should be convenient; and thus I do when I
think it suitable to my purpose. I also apply the power, Fig 7, to trap doors
and other purposes, by placing it over them, and by drawing the lines upward
or downward as may be required. From the above description the principle
will be understood, altho' every application of the same be not ad:luced, as I
have endeavoured to make the whole as plain as I could.
The fifth branch of my afore-mentioned Inventions is represented at Fig. 29,
where a, b, is a pulley of any convenient size, according to its use (this is as
large as the pulley itself), having one or more grooves concentrical with each
other, and of diameters proportionate to the quantity of lime which passes over
them. By these means the number of axis are reduced, the friction on the
sides of the pullies on their blocks quite done away, and the partitions in a
compound system render'd unnecessary.
The following short description will give a full idea of this Invention, and
identify its principle:-It is evident that Fig. 29 is a system increasing the
power four times, yet it contains but two pullies. Each pulley has, however,
two grooves, whose diameters in succession are, and must be in all like cases,
equal to a series of arithmetical progressionals whose first term and common
difference is the diameter of the smallest mover e, g, r. The groove C in the
pulley is two inches diameter, that mark'd a in the pulley 6 must be 4
inches, the pulley must be 6 inches, and that marked 68 inches in dia-
meter. In which case these two pullies revolve in equal times without any
friction of the rope in the four grooves. But it is not necessary that the
grooves in both frames or blocks agree, so that the proportion between
those in the same block remain unalter'd. Thus in all cases A must
be B, and C of D. For example:-I want to make d as large as b, or
8 inches. It is now evident that C must b enlarg'd in the same proportion,
for now C and d will not revolve so often as a and b, yet d will and C ought to
involve as much rope as before. Since then d is 8 inches, it will go but
nine times rounnd while a goes twelve, wherefore C must be increased to
2 & 2 in order to preserve its proportion to d, without which the effect
will be marred. E, a catch. Let it here be remembered that this illustra-
tion is not intended to fix the magnitude or number of the grooves or pullies,
which I make of any proper number, size, and proportion. I also make on
the same principle systems magnifying the power but twice, and from thence
to any required power. The larger multipliers I either make of one, or various
single, double, triple, or quadruple grooved pullies, for lessoing friction.
Sometimes I make one or more of these pullies fix'd on an axis, which turns
in metals in the cheeks, and other times I make them loose on the fix'd axis

page_text: or loose on a loose axis, as I think proper. The material is quite indif-
ferent to the effect, nor does the shape of the frame affect the principle.
In short, as this is so plain and easily to be distinguished from any other, I
shall content myself with what has been said, and conclude this Specification.
In witness whereof, I, the said James White, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of June, One thousand seven
hundred and eighty-eight.