Apparatus for Automatically Registering the Winning Side in Tug-of-War.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
Apparatus for Automatically Registering the Winning Side in
Tug-of-War.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE GARDNER, of Riddlesdown Tea Gardens, Kenley, Surrey,
Brassfounder and Refreshment Caterer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Consisting of a rope running through a post on a wheel, with taper locking
piece each side of post, set at a required distance the post having slides on each
side which registers by locking either side when pulled home to post.
Dated Inne 8th 1898
Apparatus for Automatically Registering the Winning Side in
Tug-of-War.
I, WILLIAM GEOrge Gardner, of Riddlesdown Tea Gardens, Kenley, Surrey,
Brassfounder and Refreshment Caterer, 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 an apparatus for automatically registering the winning
aide in tug-of-war, the object being to provide simple means for locking the rope
upon the required point being reached by either side.
My improved device comprises a vertical post furnished with a hole or perfora-
tion within which is pivoted a small wheel or roller and passing over same a rope
13 arranged with a pair of taper locking pieces set the required distance apart.
Upon each side of the post a vertical slide is arranged working in suitable guides
and in such a manner that upon one of the taper locking pieces being drawn up
to and within the hole or opening in the past, the slide upon that side falls behind
it preventing the said taper piece from being removed until the slide is raised by
hand, thus effectually locking the rope and indicating the winning side.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1
is a front elevation of the post and fittings with the rope in position, Fig 2 being
a view at right angles to Fig 1 Fig 3 is a front elevation partly in section
showing the rope locked at one side
According to my invention I provide a vertical post o furnished at a sufficient

page_text: distance from the ground with a hole or opening through same comprising a
narrow upper part o and an enlarged preferably circular part or opening o'.
Within this opening a wheel ir 13 ananged mounted upon a removable spindle m
which is secured by a nut as shown, while upon this wheel and over same a prefer-
ably flexible wire 1oper of sufficient length passes, and is furnished at each end
with a tape locking piece band a stable swivel or other connection c to allow
of its being readily connected to the pull ropes t
Upon each side of the post vertical slides s are arranged, working in suitable
guides, said slides resting normally upon the top of the rope and in such a
manner that upon one of the taper locking pieces b being drawn up to and within
the hole or opening o, the slide upon that side falls behind the said locking piece
and prevents it being again withdrawn until the slide has been raised by hand,
while the spece between the top of the opening o and the wheel is not sufficiently
large to allow of the taper locking pieces passing through same
In order to allow of different ropes r being arranged upon the wheel or roller w
so as to give a longer or shorter pull as required, it is necessary first to remove
the said wheel w by removing the nut from the bolt or spindle m which is with-
drawn and allows the wheel on to be taken out The roper with the locking
pieces b', which are preferably brazed, or may be otherwise suitably fixed thereon
can then be passed through the enlarged opening o' and disconnected from the
pull ropes r¹, a fresh rope with the locking pieces the required distance apart
being then passed through same, lifted upon the top of the wheel which is then
secured in position upon the removable spindle m, when the apparatus 18 again
ready for use.
Although in the drawings a solid post p is illustrated, it is obvious that it may
be hollow in which case it would consist of four ade pieces suitable secured
together.
1
The roper is preferably marked in any suitable manner so as to indicate when
the locking pieces b are equidistant from each side of the post, so as to ensure an
equal pull and give no advantage to either side
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
-
1. The new or improved apparatus for automatically registering the winning
aide in tug-of-war comprising a vertical post p furnished with a hole or opening o,
o¹, a removable wheel w, rope r and taper locking pieces b, connections c, pull
ropes and slides s, working in suitable guides the whole combined, arranged
and operating substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes
specified
2 In an apparatus for automatically registering the winning side in tug-of-war,
the combination with a roper preferably passing over a wheel, roller or pulley w, and
furnished with taper locking pieces d'arranged a sufficient distance apart; of
vertical slides such as working in suitable guides such as g for automatically
locking the rope, upon the required and predetermined position being reached,
substantially as described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of Anat 1808
F G CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W