Improvements in Cargo Transferers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1894
Complete Specification Left. 1st Feb., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by ANDREW ANDERSON, of 17, Erskine Road, South
Shields, in the County of Durham, Master Mariner, at present on board the
8.S. "Willow Branch," Port Said.]
Improvements in Cargo Transferers.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A.,
F.I. Inst., practising as Phillips and Leigh at No. 22 Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in cargo transferers.
In carrying it into effect, a derrick or jib is rigged in any suitable or convenient
position which provides for its head being vertically over the lighter or other
equivalent receptacle for, or carrier of, cargo. A strong line is led from the head
of the said derrick in a slanting direction downwards over the hatchway to a fixed
point on deck where it is made fast. It must pass over the hatchway at a sufficient
height for the cargo to clear the sides of the latter; and is supported at that
height by any suitable device. A pulley block is fitted with suitable pulleys on
the upper part of its cheeks or frame so that it can be suspended from, and at the
same time be traversed along, the line in either direction. A bottom or travelling
pulley is also provided to take the cargo. The standing part of the hauling tackle
is on the traversing block, preferably on the lower corner of it facing the derrick?
The tackle is led from there through the travelling block, up through the traversing
block and forwards over a block on the derrick, near to the junction of the line
with it, and down to the winch.
The derrick head is provided with a detent which stands out from it for a short
distance over the line. The frame of the traversing block is fitted with a hook
pivotted upon it. This hook overhangs the front of the frame, facing the detent,
and is so shaped that it can ride over the latter and be engaged by it while there
is still a short distance for the said block to traverse before it is stopped by the
derrick.
The frame of the traversing block carries two stops, one before and the other
behind the hook. They are provided to stop its motion about its own pivot, in
either direction.
With reference to the short distance last mentioned, it must be explained that
when the traversing block is hauled right up to the derrick head, the accompanying
passage of the hook over or past the detent, throws the said hook, in virtue of the
conformation of the contacting surfaces, backwards upon its back stop. From the
front of the detent there projects over the line and towards the traversing block a
preferably, fixed trip bar, at such a height and in such a position that the top of
the hook shall pass under it before it reaches the detent; and be engaged by it and
tripped forward on to its front stop, as the traversing block is bauled away from
the derrick head.:
There may be a stop to prevent the traversing block running past the hatchway.
The invention constructed as above described works as follows.
As the line slopes downwards towards the hatchway, the traversing block has a
constant tendency to run down the said line as far as the hatchway stop. When the

page_text: winch is started after cargo has been hooked on to the travelling block, the latter is
with its load hauled up to the traversing block, and both up the line till the detent has
engaged the hook. The cargo is:then lowered,.the travelling block hauled up to
the traversing block, and both towards the derrick until the detent has thrown the
hook on to its back stop. The hauling rope is then paid out from the winch and
the traversing block runs down the line, the trip bar tripping the hook forwards on
to its front stop as the said hook is pulled under the bar.
...
1st dow of Mar 1904
:
Improvements in Cargo Transferers.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A.,
F.I. Inst., practising, as. Phillips and Leigh at No. 22 Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the Administrative County of London; Engineer and Patent
Agent, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in cargo transferers. In carrying it into
effect, a derrick or jib is rigged in any suitable or convenient position which
provides for its head standing above the hold, truck, lighter, or other, respectively
equivalent carrier of, or receptacle for,,cargo. A strong, rope-or span is led from
the derrick, head in a downwardly slanting direction to a fixed point, beyond the
opposite end of the traverse of the traversing block. This latter consists of a
single sheave top block fitted with sheaves near the top of its frame. The last
mentioned, sheaves are adapted to serve as the means by which the said traversing
block is suspended from the span and travels upon it. A bottom or travelling
pulley block (hereafter referred to as the cargo block) is also provided, to take the
cargo. The bottom of the frame of the traversing block and the top of that. of
the cargo block, are both flat, in order that the latter may bear fairly and vertically
upon the former, when it is hauled up to it, for the purpose of automatically
changing the motion of hoisting into that of traversing. The standing, part of the
hauling tackle or cargo runner is on the traversing block on the lower corner of it
facing the derrick, and from that point, it is rove through the cargo block, the top
or traversing block as well as through a single sheave block carried by the head.of
the derrick, and down to the winch. The three blocks above mentioned together
with the cargo runner, constitute a double whip purchase.
The traverse of the traversing block;up and down the span is limited by an
automatic detent at the top of the traverse and any suitable stop at the bottom.
The detent above mentioned is one that acts by gravity alone. For that reason
is it above the span and traversing block. The frame of the traversing block
carries a hook adapted to engage with the said detent. This engagement is under
the control of a trip bar which is adapted to prevent it by getting between the hook
and the detent. The engagement of the detent and hook always causes an audible
click, and the click acts as a signal that the traversing, block is hauled up the span
to the top of its traverse, and that the lowering may be commenced.
I do, not limit myself to the exact details of the above mentioned combination
of detent, hook and trip bar, because it is possible to modify such details more or
less without getting outside the nature of my invention which includes the said
combination with the relative positions and functions.
The detent above mentioned may take the form of a loop or a book pivotted
near the derrick head. The hook may take the form of notches cut in the tops of

page_text: the cheeks of the traversing block and of a proper size to receive the looped or
hooked end of the detent, and the trip bar may be pivotted to the top of the
traversing block on the opposite side of the notches to the detent, the free end
of the said bar standing up above the top of the block opposite to the detent, and
projecting for a length sufficient to bridge the notches when it is tripped over
them.
In order that the invention and the best means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe it and them in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as
part of this Specification and read therewith.
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of my invention for transferring
cargo from a ship's hold into a lighter.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the transferer only, and on a larger scale.
Figure 3 is a detail side elevation on a still larger scale of the traversing block
the top stop detent and trip bar, as well as the adjacent portions, of the span, the
cargo runner and the cargo block.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of Figure 3.
Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, side and front elevations of the cargo block.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the trip bar.
A is some convenient post, e.g., a mast. B is the derrick or jib made fast by its
foot to the said mast and standing out therefrom with its head up above and
over the hatchway C. The head is stayed to the mast if required, as illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2. D is the lighter by the ship's side into which the cargo is to be
delivered. It has been already explained that the span is inclined downwards from
the derrick head to a fixed point beyond the traverse of the traversing block. The
object of the inclination of the span is to make the weight of the cargo do its own
traversing along the span, while the object of the derrick head is to hold that end
of the span up high enough to furnish the proper incline. The latter is preferably
one of 45°. If it is less, the span sags too much. The fixed point at the bottom
end of the span is provided in any convenient way. It is shewn in Figures 1 and 2
as being the outer end of a boom E having its foot made fast to the mast A and
standing out therefrom over the lighter and, consequently, away from under the
derrick B. This standing away from, under, provides a clear way for the down-
wardly travelling cargo. The span F is made fast to the derrick head b and
stretched taut from there to the heade of the boom where it is also made fast, a
block and tackle being used in so doing, if necessary, as well as stays to keep the
boom steady. It will be obvious that the fixed point to which the bottom end of
the is made fast, may, under certain circumstances, be inboards. For instance,
span
if the derrick head stands out over a wharf, then the span might be led across the
hatchway and made fast on the opposite side of the deck.
H is the traversing block. Its frame consists of two cheeks h, held together
in the ordinary way. The bottom edges of the cheeks are horizontal. ', ' are
the traversing sheaves. Their axles are horizontal from cheek to cheek, but lines
connecting them are inclined to the same angle as the span F. The front.
portions,, of the top of the cheeks h, h are likewise inclined to the same angle
for a reason which will appear further on. The rear portions * are horizontal
from the tops of the inclined portions to the other side of the span. is the
hauling sheave of the traversing block, and the hook or equivalent device
to which the standing part of the cargo runner is made fast. This hook it is
to be noticed is between the derrick head and the axis of the hauling sheave ht.
I is the cargo block. It is of the usual construction generally. The top edges
of its cheeks i, i are horizontal and face the bottom edges of the cheeks h, h,
respectively. The corner bolts, are passed through lugs on the cheeks
outside the cargo runner and above the sheave of the block, to prevent the latter
capsizing.
Jis a pulley block hanging from the derrick head.
K is the winch and k, the cargo runner. The latter is made fast by a thimble

page_text: at one end of it to the bolt ', and, after being rove through the cargo block I the
traversing block H and the block J at the derrick head, by the other end, to the
barrel of the winch.
L is the detent for the traversing block H. It is shewn as a U shaped loop
pivotted through its open ends to a detachable block made fast upon the span F.
The axis of the detent and the closed end of the loop are both parallel and
horizontal. The detent is above the span F so that its weight always tends to
keep it down thereupon. The internal width of the loop is a little more than the
external width of the traversing block H in order that it may freely drop over
the upper portion of the latter.
M, M are the notches on the inclined portions 1, 2, of the traversing block
cheeks. Both notches are horizontal, and, for that reason, some of the bottom
Bide of each notch projects to the front of that portion of each incline 2, which is
between it and the horizontal top edge A, making a step in fact just below it. The
notches are wide enough to receive the closed end of the loop L easily.
The position of the operative part of the detent L-its closed front end when a
Ushaped loop is used-determines the top terminus of the traverse and for that
reason the block is adjusted accordingly. But there must always be a clear way
on the span above the operative part above mentioned, for a farther upward
traverse of the traversing block H in the direction of the derrick head to effect the
disengagement of the traversing block from the detent.
N is the trip bar. It is shewn as a pair of parallel bars pivotted on the top of
the cheeks, just below the notches M, M. These bars must be long enough to
bridge the notches M, M, (as shewn in the bridging position in Figures 3 and 4)
and may be connected by a cross piece, n, for their mutual support. The trip
bar N may be furnished with a counterpoise n' adapted to keep the notches M, M,
unbridged, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, but such a device is not essential.
modified form of trip bar consists of a single bar pivotted to the traversing block
frame and also long enough to present its free end to be tripped by the detent L
as the traversing block H approaches the derrick head.
'
A
The transferer made and rigged as described, is used and acts as follows.
Assuming that the cargo block I hanging free in the lighter, the load having
just been taken off it, the cargo runner k is wound in. As soon as the winding in
commences, the block I begins to rise, and continues to do so until its top-the top
edges i, i, of its cheeks-engages the bottom-the bottom edges of the cheeks h, h,—
of the traversing block H, whereupon the pull of the cargo runner k is brought to
bear upon the said block H and it together with the cargo block are traversed up
the span F.
The block H is prevented by the pull of the cargo block I on the device h³, from
yielding to the pull of the runner k, so long as it-the said block H-is at the
bottom of its traverse.
As the travelling block approaches the top end of its traverse, first the horizontal
edges and next the inclined edges ³, pass under the detent L which forthwith
drops on to the step provided by the front portions of the bottom edges of the
notches M, M. If there is no counterpoise n', 'the trip bar N is thrown to the front
into the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Lowering away is followed by the
traversing block's traverse down the span far enough to lock the detent L in the
notches M, M, and then by the descent of the cargo into the hold.
Alter a load has been hooked on to the cargo block I in the hold, the said
block is hauled up till the pull on it, transferred by the engagement of the top
edges of its cheeks with the bottom edges of the cheeks h, h of the traversing
block H, to the latter, traverses it up the span past the top terminus of its traverse
proper, far enough to carry the trip bar N past the detent L. The winch is then
reversed, when the weight of the loaded traversing block H traverses it down the
span. The detent L keeps itself out of the notches M, M, by bridging them with
the trip bar N as the latter is carried past it, as indicated in Figures 3 and 4.
When the traversing block H reaches the bottom stop o, the winch K continues

page_text: to pay out the cargo runner k, and the cargo block I with its load lower themselves
into the lighter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of derrick or jib, span, traversing block; a double whip
purchase whereof the standing part is on the frame of the traversing block between
the axis of its hauling sheave and the derrick or jib; and a detent pivotted near to
the derrick or jib head, adapted to engage by gravity with the traversing block
when the latter is pulled under it and to be disengaged from it by the farther
traverse of the said traversing block in the direction of the said head; as set forth.
2. The combination of a traversing block having a hauling tackle and adapted.
to be traversed to and fro along a span; a detent adapted by gravity to engage the
traversing block when it reaches the top terminus of its traverse; and an
automatic device adapted to prevent the re-engagement of the said detent with
the traversing block during the traverse of the latter in the opposite direction; as
set forth.
3. The combination of a traversing block having a hauling tackle and being
adapted to be traversed to and fro along a span; a gravity detent adapted to
engage the traversing block at the top terminus of its traverse; and an
automatic provision for disengaging the detent and block during the farther
traverse of the latter in the same direction and to prevent their becoming
engaged again during the traverse of the said block in the opposite direction; as
set forth.
4. The combination of a traversing block having a hauling tackle and being
adapted to be traversed to and fro along a span; a hook or notch in the top of
the said block; a gravity detent pivotted near to the top terminus of the traverse
of the traversing block and adapted by gravity to engage in the said hook when
the traversing block is hauled under it; and a trip bar pivotted on the said
traversing block and adapted during a further traverse of the said block to be
engaged by the said detent and to prevent its re-engagement with the said block
during the traverse of the latter in the opposite direction; as set forth.
5. The combination with a span, of a traversing block; hauling tackle for
traversing the same; gravity detent adapted to engage the said block at the top
terminus of its traverse; and provision characterised by a gravity detent and a
further traverse for the said block, for the disengagement of the said block and
detent as set forth.
6. The combination with the traversing block of a single member pivotted
detent and the complementary part with which it engages, whereby a single audible
signal is made, as set forth.
7. The combination in a cargo transferer, of the herein before described automatic
provisions for locking the travelling block at the top terminus of its traverse, for
unlocking it there, and for changing the motions-hoisting, traversing and
lowering from one to another of them, as set forth.
Dated this 1st day of February 1895.
HENRY H. LEIGH.