IMPROVEMENTS IN. FRICTION CLUTCHES, AND THE ARRANGEMENT AND MODE OPERATING FRICTIONAL SURFACES FOR TRANSMITTING, REGULATING, AND ARRESTING. MOTION IN MACHINERY."
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Aldridge Weston, of Ridgewood, New
Jersey, in the United States of America, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN. FRICTION CLUTCHES, AND THE ARRANGEMENT AND MODE
OPERATING FRICTIONAL SURFACES FOR TRANSMITTING, REGULATING, AND
ARRESTING. MOTION IN MACHINERY."
OF
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Aldridge
Weston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his.
Petition, on the 22nd August 1872.
"
I, THOMAS ALDRIDGE WESTON, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, in the
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION CLUTCHES, AND THE ÅRRANGEMENT
AND MODE OF OPERATING FRICTIONAL SURFACES FOR TRANSMITTING, REGULATING,
AND ARRESTING MOTION IN MACHINERY," to be as follows :—
The object of my Invention is to render friction clutches more
generally applicable, and especially to adapt them to severer duty and
heavier work than has been heretofore practicable.

page_text: My Invention is applicable to clutches having frictional faces of disc
form, as shewn in the Specification of my English Patent of 29th
January 1863, No. 268, and to all others irrespective of the character
of their rubbing surfaces, whether the same consist of segmental blocks
acting upon the outer or inner rim of a pulley, or of friction straps
similarly applied, or of conical surfaces, or of surfaces otherwise formed,
or any combinations thereof.
My Invention is applicable to clutches having frictional faces of disc
form, as shewn in the Specification of my English Patent of 29th
January 1863, No. 263, and to all others irrespective of the character
of their rubbing surfaces, whether the same consist of segmental blocks
acting upon the outer or inner rim of a pulley, or of friction straps |
similarly applied, or of conical surfaces, or of surfaces otherwise formed,
or any combinations thereof.
My Invention consists,―
First. In a certain relative arrangement of the frictional surfaces
of friction clutches, by which the mechanical effect or power derivable
from one pair or set of the rubbing faces, instead of being applied direct
to driving a shaft, drum, or other rotatory body, is caused by suitable
devices to operate a secondary set of friction faces, the combined effect
of the two sets (or more if used) being united to act as a single clutch
in driving the desired object.
Secondly. In certain improved devices for applying the initial force
or compression to friction clutches generally.
I will first describe the first part of my said Invention in one of its
simplest forms for operating a hoisting drum. The hoisting drum is
placed loosely upon an ordinary driving shaft, and one of its ends is a
enlarged to form a flange or disc, next to which upon the shaft is keyed
or fixed a brake pulley having its side furthest from the drum flange
made with an annular V shaped groove, or otherwise suitably formed
for frictional action with the corresponding face of an adjacent loose
disc capable of sliding laterally and rotating freely upon the said shaft.
A flexible brake strap extends from a pin in the loose disc around the
brake pulley and terminates at its other end upon a pin fixed in the
rim of the drum flange. The loose disc has formed upon its outer side
a long boss or sleeve grooved to receive a forked lever for pressing it
into frictional contact with the brake pulley. The pin in the drum
flange which carries the end of the brake strap projects through a slot
in the edge of the loose disc to form a bearing or point of resistance
for the free end of a straight spring or elastic driver, the fixed end
of which is carried by the loose disc, the effect and object of this spring
driver being to quicken the release of the strap from the brake pulley, 8
and after its release to make the loose disc follow the drum promptly in
its rotation or in coming to rest therewith.

page_text: The action is as follows:-The shaft being driven by any suitable
power, and the loose disc pressed laterally against the brake pulley
keyed thereon, their respective annular V formed faces are brought
into frictional contact. The mechanical effect or rotatory force then
3 received by the loose disc exerts a tensional strain upon the brake
strap, wrapping it tightly around the break pulley under the resistance
furnished at the other end of the strap by its attachment to the flange of
the hoisting drum. The pull upon the strap due to the action of the first
pair of faces of V form thus induces the frictional action of the strap and
pulley, or second set of rubbing faces, the combined force from both sets
exerting itself through the strap pin and drum flange directly upon
the resisting load. When the compound clutch thus described is
released wholly or in part from action, the recoil of the straight spring
or elastic driver pushes the loose disc backwards slightly upon the shaft
to expand the the strap clear from the pulley, and ensure simultaneous
motion or rest to both drum and disc.
Instead of the strap terminating at once in the drum flange it may
be attached to a second loose disc, between which and the drum flange
may be placed another strap and fixed brake pulley, or the straps, fixed
brake pulleys, and loose discs may be repeated up to any number
required.
Instead of the V groove and rib forming the first pair of faces, a disc
clutch, according to my said Patent, No. 263, 1863, may be used, or any
other friction clutch.
"
Should want of space lengthwise upon the shaft preclude the
repetition of the straps and brake pulleys in the manner last described,
I repeat the straps concentrically, forming a continuous helical coil,
the several sections of which act respectively upon separate concentric
brake pulleys, all cast upon a common flange or back, and I employ a
carrier or oscillating carriage to connect the leading end of one strap
with the tail of the next one surrounding it until the last or exterior
strap is reached, which terminates upon a pin in the drum flange to be
driven, as described in the opening portion of this Specification.
The second part of my Invention consists of certain new and useful
devices for applying and withdrawing the initial pressure required to
operate friction clutches and brakes, and I will first describe the same in
connection with a common flexible brake strap and brake pulley fixed

page_text: upon a driving shaft for working a hoisting drum loosely placed thereon.
One end or flange of the drum contiguous to the brake pulley is enlarged
to exceed the latter in diameter somewhat. Both ends of the strap are
carried by the drum flange, one end by a fixed pin and the other by the
short end of a bell crank lever turning on a suitable stud, and tho said
strap is compressed around the brake pulley or released therefrom as
follows:--Close to the outer side of the brake pulley (furthest from tho
drum) I place on the shaft a small hollow cylinder containing a disc
clutch, according to my said Patent, No. 263, 1863, which cylinder is
frictionally attached to or released from the shaft by pressure applied in
the usual way. To the exterior of the said cylinder I attach by stud or
pin a connecting rod extending to another stud in the long end of the
bell crank. The inner end of the connecting rod carries one end of a
spiral spring, the other end of which is hooked to a long pin projecting
from the rim of the drum flange. The recoil of the spring serves to
return the disc cylinder and connections to their normal position when
released. Pressure being applied to the disc cylinder, it receives the
rotatory motion of the shaft, and the stud or journal upon its exterior
acting as a crank pin upon the connecting rod, thrusts the latter out-
wards against the long arm of the bell crank, and the motion thus
imparted tightens the strap around the brake pulley, so that the rotatory
force of the latter may be imparted through the strap to the hoisting
drum carrying it.
Instead of the small disc clutch last named, the cylinder containing it
may be similarly operated by any other friction clutch; and instead of
one connecting rod and bell crank, two or more may be attached cqui-
distantly upon the small clutch cylinder to operate an equal number of
separate friction straps or segmental friction blocks attached direct to
the cranks for acting upon the outer or inner rim of a brake pulley.
Another method of operating the aforesaid bell cranks either with
segmental brako blocks or straps is as follows:-Upon a driving shaft I
fix a disc formed casting, carrying within it two or more short radial
shafts, with bevel pinions thereon, and on either side of the same upon
the shaft is a loose pulley, both of which pulleys are toothed on their
proximate sides to gear with the said pinions, and the pulley rims are
adapted to be acted on by a common brake lover or strap to arrest their
motion. The connecting rod or rods belonging to the aforesaid bell
cranks are pinned to the adjacent face of the nearest loose pulley, and

page_text: rotatory motion of the same either way to work the rods and bell cranks
may then be obtained by holding at rest one or other of the loose pulleys.
The bell cranks may also be operated without connecting rods by placing
upon their long ends small rollers acted upon by helical grooves or cam
faces formed on the said loose pulley.
It is obvious that the reversible rotatory motion thus produced by the
two loose pulley's and bevel gearing may be easily used for applying and
withdrawing by a screw nut or otherwise the initial pressure required in
working a conc, disc, or other form of clutch.
The several parts of my Invention are applicable consecutively or in
combination to many other purposes other than hoisting drums.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Thomas
Aldridge Weston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th March
1878.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME,' I, THOMAS
ALDRIDGE WESTON, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, in the United States of
America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, Her special
licence that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston; my.exccutors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Aldridge
Weston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times, there-
after 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 FRICTION CLUTCHES, AND THE ARRANGEMENT AND MODE
OF OPERATING FRICTIONAL SURFACES FOR TRANSMITTING, REGULATING, · AND
ARRESTING MOTION IN MACHINERY," upon the .condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, my executors or admi-
.

page_text: nistrators, by an instrument. in writing under my, or their, or one:
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of tho said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date. 5:
of the said Letters Patent. And whereas by an Order of the Right
Honorable the Lord High Chancellor the-time for filing the said in-
strument was extended to the Twelfth day of March One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, do hereby 10
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, that is to say:-
The object of my Invention is to render friction clutches more 15
generally applicable, and especially to adapt them to severer duty and
heavier work than has been heretofore practicable.
My Invention is applicable to clutches having frictional faces of disk
form, as shewn in the Specification of my English-Patent, of January 29th,
1863, No. 263, and to all others irrespective of the character of their 20
rubbing surfaces, whether the same consist of segmental blocks acting
upon the outer or inner rim of a pulley, or of friction straps similarly
applied, or of conical surfaces, or of surfaces otherwise formed, or any
combinations thereof.

page_text: a vertical section; Figure 2 is a section on the line 1, 2, Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section on the line 3, 4; and Figure 4 shows a modifica-
tion of the same. The drum A is placed loosely upon a power driven
shaft B, and one of its ends is enlarged to form a flange or disk a, next
to which upon the shaft is keyed or fixed a brake pulley C, having its
sido furthest from the drum made with an annular V shaped groove, or
otherwise suitably formed, for frictional action with the corresponding
face of an adjacent loose disc D, capable of sliding laterally and rotating
freely upon the shaft; a flexible brake strap E extends from a pin & in
the loose disk D, and passing around the pulley O terminates at its other
end upon a pin y fixed in the drum flange a. The loose disk D has
formed upon its outer side a long boss or sleeve grooved to receive a
forked lever F for pressing it into frictional contact with the brake
pulley C. The pin y in the drum flange a projects through a slot Z in
the edge of the disc D to form an abutment for the free end of the
straight spring, or elastic driver G, the fixed end of which is secured
to the said disk D. The effect and purpose of this spring driver G is
to quicken the release of the strap from the brake pulley O, and after
its release to make the loose disk and strap follow the drum promptly in
rotating or coming to rest.
The action is as follows:-The shaft B being driven by any suitable
power, and the loose disk D. pressed laterally, against the pulley O keyed
thereon, their respective annular V formed faces are brought into
frictional contact. The mechanical effect or rotatory force then received
by the loose disk D exerts a tensional strain upon the brake strap, wrap-
ping it tightly around the brake pulley under the resistance furnished
at the other end of the strap by its attachment to the pin y in the
flange a of the drum. The pull upon the strap E due to the action of
the first pair of faces of V form, thus induces the frictional action. of
the strap and pulley, or second set of rubbing faces; and the combined
force from both sets exerts itself through the strap E, pin y, and flange a
directly upon the resisting load sustained upon the drum A. The reverso
or backward motion of the drum A upon its shaft, as in the case of
lowering a load, may also be effectually controlled or arrested by applying
or withdrawing in a suitable manner the initial pressure of the hand
lever F upon the disk. D. When the compound brake clutch aforesaid
is released, as last described, wholly or in part from action, the recoil
of the straight spring driver G pushes the lower disk D backwards

page_text: slightly on the shaft to aid the elasticity of the strap in expanding or
freeing itself from the pulley rim. A series of pins a³ in the flange a,
or an equivalent hoop or rim formed either upon the flange a or disk D,
encircle the strap and prevent its expansion otherwise than in a circular
form, equidistant at all points from the pulley rim when disengaged 5
therefrom.
A modification of my Invention is shewn in Figure 4, in which A is
a pulley, spur wheel, or other convenient driver fixed to the sleeve O, and
B, a shaft to be operated therefrom or released under the control of the
said sleeve O, flange c, strap E, and pulley D¹, and loose disc F", operated 1
by the lever F in a manner obvious by referring to the action of the cor-
responding parts in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Although I describe my Invention in connection with a winding drum
and shafts, it is clear that in like manner force and motion may be
transmitted, arrested, or controlled between any other two rotatory bodies, 1
as for instance from one shaft to another, from a shaft to a pulley or
spur wheel, or vice versa, and in general to any of the uses suited to a
“brake clutch," or clutch capable of efficient brake action.
Figure 5 is a vertical section, and Figure 6 an elevation partly
sectional, of a modification of Figures 1 to 4, in which by the inter- 2
vention of a lever the first pair of rubbing faces is provided with
increased power to produce frictional action; in the next or secondary
set, the combined force of both sets, as in the preceding examples, being
united to form one "brake clutch;" A is a power driven shaft; B is the
enlarged flange of a winding drum placed loosely thereon; b a rim or 2
hoop formed thereon; and b¹ a cover or lid closing up
its open
end; and
in the space enclosed thereby is a friction pulley O keyed to the shaft
and having its outer rim c¹ adapted to the action of the friction strap G,
and also having affixed to it centrally an internal friction cone D,
preferably of wood, and formed for frictional action, with the coned 3
edge of the loose disk E, which said disk E is capable of free rotation
on the shaft A, and also of a sliding motion thereon. In the disk Ę is
a radial slot e embracing a stud or pin ƒ fixed in the vibrating lever or
plate F, which is slotted or opened into a loop form to pass around and
beyond the shaft in such manner that its longer side, carrying the stud ƒ 8
may vibrate freely when operated by the disk E in the following
manner; a is a pushing rod passing centrally inside the shaft to a
transverse key a¹ and collar a², which parts are capable of a slight

page_text: longitudinal motion on the shaft, and by which also the coned disk E
may be forced against or released from pressure upon the wood cone D
attached to the pulley C. The pushing rod a and attached parts a¹ and
a³, may be operated by a hand lever or other convenient means; upon
pressing the loose disk E into frictional action with the cone D and
pulley O, the rotatory motion of the latter in the direction of the arrows
by means of the the slot e and stud f is imparted to the lever F, and by
means of its shorter end attached to the strap G; the strap is wrapped
tightly around the pulley rim c³, when the combined frictional effect
derived both from the cone surface D. and rim c¹ takes effect: through
the strap Ģ upon the rim b, to which the strap is attached at g; thus
imparting rotation to the drum B, the motion of which either in lower-
ing or hoisting may be thereby controlled substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 to 4. K is a spring to accelerate the release
of the strap and. lever.
Figure 7 represents in elevation, and Figure 8 in section, a method of
repeating or duplicating the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4, for the
purpose of obtaining a larger amount or increased area of frictional
surface, as required, where the load to be overcome is extremely heavy;
B is the driving shaft; A, a winding drum placed loosely thereon; D is
a loose disk; E, a strap; and C, a pulley keyed to the shaft; which parts
and their mutual action with each other aro similar in all respects to
the corresponding loose disk, strap, and pulley. in. Figures 1 to.3, except
that the strap E', in Figure 7, terminates at its other end e in a second
loose disk E¹, which in like manner is provided with a strap F, and fixed
pulley G, the strap F at its further end fis attached to the flange h of
the drum A. The loose disk, strap, and fixed pulley described, with
reference to Figures 1 to 4, may be thus repeated as many times as may
be found necessary, in order to obtain a sufficient degree of frictional
action or a brake clutch of any desired power.
-
.
Should want of space longitudinally upon the shaft prevent the use of
the last named arrangement the increased frictional area may be obtained
by arranging the straps and rims concentrically, as shown in Figures 10
to 12, where A is the loose drum upon the shaft B, and C a pulley keyed
thereto. The pulley O has an outer rim c³, and an inner rim c³, for
frictional action with tho straps D, E. The pulley C has also a cone
formed boss or centre c³ for frictional action with the loose sliding disk F,
which may be operated by a hand lever, as shewn in Figure 1. fis a

page_text: horn or projection fixed to the disk F, the outer end of which is attached
by a pin f¹ to the inner strap E, the said pin passing through a slot in
the cover a of the drum A. G is a vibrating lever turning on the stud g
in the drum cover a, which lever at its outer end has a fixed pin g¹
attached to the end e¹ of the strap E, and also a fixed pin attached to ||
the strap D, the other end of which is carried by the pin in the drum
cover a. i, i, are springs to press backwards the straps D, E, lever G,
and disk F to their normal positions when released from action. The
action is as follows:-The shaft B being turned by suitable power in the
direction of the arrow in Figure 11, and the disk F pressed into contact
with the coned centro of the pulley C, the rotatory motion of the latter
thus received is transmitted successively through the disk F, pin·ƒ³,
strap E, pin 9 ³, lever G, pin 9³, and strap D to the stud or pin on the
drum cover a, to produce rotation therein, and for hoisting any load
sustained upon the barrel A. The frictional action of the central cone c³ 1
and straps upon their respective rims in the pulley C is thus combined,
the several parts formning in effect an efficient brake clutch for operating
the barrel A. The straps and concentric rims may be repeated to any
number desired, in the manner represented for uniting the two straps D
and E.
Figures 13 and 14 represent another connector for uniting the con-
centric straps, and Figure 15 is a sectional representation of the same.
This connector is a modification of the lever G, Figures 10 to 12, and it
is thus applied:-Upon the cover a of the drum A are bosses K, K, upon
which the connector may oscillate or slide. L, L, are friction rollers 2
(shewn in dotted lines, Figure 14) which are clasped by the curved
edges M of the connector, and upon which they travel to relieve friction.
N, N, are horns of oblong sectional form to enter corresponding eyes or
openings in the straps D, E, in place of the round pins of the connecting
lever G, Figure 11. This connector may be formed as shown in 3
Figures 13 and 14, for sliding back and forth in a straight line, or it
may be curved to any desired radius, as required, by the curvature and
diameter of the friction rims to which it is applied.
The second part of my Invention consists of certain new and useful
devices for applying and withdrawing the initial pressure required to 3
operate brake clutches, and I will first describo the same in connection
with a flexible brake strap A. and brake pulley B fixed upon a driving
shaft C for operating a hoisting drum D placed loosely thercon.

page_text: Figure 16 is a vertical section; Figures 17 and 18, elevations of the
same; Figure 19 is a sectional view on the dotted line 1, 2, Figure 18;
d is the enlarged flange of the drum D; E is a cover formed with a
rim e, and attached by bolts to the flange d and drum D. One end
of the strap A is fixed by a pin a to the drum, and its free end is carried
by a pin fin the bell crank or lever F which turns on the stud f. The
movement of the lever F and tightening or release of the strap are thus
effected:-G is a short cylinder formed centrally in the cover E;
H is a
small brake drum capable of turning partially within the cylinder G,
and containing a disk brake made according to my English Patent,
No. 263, of January 29, 1863. The drum H may be frictionally
connected with or released from the shaft O by pressure applied to the
discs from the collar H¹ operated by the pushing rod h and key h³, or in
any other convenient manner. Upon the exterior of the brake drum H
is a lug I pinned to a connecting rod J, the outer end of which is pinned
or connected to the lever F. K is a spring, the recoil of which serves
to return the lever drum H and connected parts to their normal
position, as shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 18. Upon applying
pressure to the disk brake H it receives the rotatory motion of the shaft
in the direction of the arrow, Figure 18, the stud or pin in the lug I
then acts as a crank pin upon the connecting rod J, thrusting it
outwards against the long arm f2 of the lever F, and the motion thus
imparted through the pin f tightens the strap A around the brake
pulley B, and the rotatory force of the latter is thereby imparted
through the strap pin a, flange d, and drum D to the resisting load
suspended or carried thereby. Upon withdrawing the initial pressure
from the disk brake H more or less any desired brake action may bo
obtained for controlling or arresting the backward rotation of the
drum D, as in the case of lowering a suspended load.
.
Instead of the small disc brake or clutch H the cylinder or drum
containing it may be similarly operated by any other suitable friction
clutch.
Instead of a friction strap a segmental block may be attached to the
bell crank F to rub against the inner rim of a pulley, and more than
one such bell crank and block may be simultaneously operated if
required.
Figures 24 to 29 represent another method of operating friction

page_text: are cones, straps, segmental blocks, or otherwise formed. Figure 24 is
a vertical section of the same as applied to cone surfaces. Upon the
driving shaft A is firmly keyed a disk B, shown in sido clevation,
Figure 25, and in edge view, Figure 26. 0, 0, are pulleys placed
loosely on the shaft, having their inner faces toothed to gear with the
bevil pinions B', B³, carried by suitable radial shafts on the disk B.
The bosses of the pulleys C, C¹, are threaded to screw into corre-
sponding worms cut within the necks d, d², of the cones D, D'.
Corresponding hollow cones must be provided on the wheels or other
rotatory bodies which it is desired to connect and disconnect with the
shaft A by means of frictional action therewith on the said cones D, D¹,
which are capable of sliding upon the keys e, e, connecting them with the
shaft. The rims of the pulleys C, C', are formed to be pressed upon by
brake levers, by hand, or any other convenient means for arresting their
rotation. The action is as follows :—The shaft A being turned by any
suitable power, if either pulley C or C¹ has its rototary motion arrested
temporarily by pressing on its rim, the pulley so arrested is in effect
turned backwards upon the shaft, whilst the other pulley is in effect
turned forwards upon the shaft owing to the action of the bevil
gearing B¹, B³. If the pulley so arrested is released to rotate with the
shaft again and the other pulley held at rost, then a reverse rotatory
motion of each pulley on the shaft will have occurred, and their screwed
bosses by such motion will have simultaneously traversed the cones D, D',
back and forth longitudinally upon the shaft, and the screw threads by
which the cones and pulleys are engaged with each other and traversed
may be made right or left hand in a manner needing no explanation, by
which the cone D' may be made to engage whilst the cone D disengages,
or both concs may be made to disengage and engage simultaneously
with the parts they are desired to act upon.
One cone only may be employed where only one is needed. To
apply this part of my Invention to operating the levers of brakes or
brake clutches having strap surfaces, the sides of the pulleys C, C¹,
instead of the aforesaid screwed bosses, may have eccentric curved slots
upon their outer sides, as shown in Figures 28 and 29, into which slots
the bent end of the brake lover may enter or a friction roller on the
lever end requiring to be worked may travel to and fro within the
curved grooves. The back and forth rotatory motion thus given to the
pulleys C, C¹, is particularly adapted in the manner last described to

page_text: Third. the combination of two pulleys and intermediate gearing
connecting the same as a means of operating clutches and brako
substantially as herein-before described with reference to Figures 24
to 32.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, have 5
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.