IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER APPLICABLE FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ralph Gordon de Luna Byron, of Brighton, in the County
of Sussex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES
FOR OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER APPLICABLE FOR DRIVING
SEWING MACHINES, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
communication from abroad by John Doubler, of Philadelphia, in the United
States of America.
A
Sealed the 1st September 1876, and dated the 8th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ralph Gordon de Luna
PROVEMENTS
Byron at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1876.
RALPH GORDON DE LUNA BYRON, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex. "Iм-
IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR OBTAINING AND APPLYING
MOTIVE POWER APPLICABLE FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES, TRAMWAY CARS,
AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by John Doubler,
of Philadelphia, in the United States of America.
The primary feature in this Invention is the employment and utilization of spring
power arranged in a compact and convenient manner for the production of motive
power, the said springs being so connected by cord and pulley mechanism that their
united expansive powers are employed to produce a continuous motion corresponding
to their aggregate length.
According to one arrangement there is a winding shaft, contained in a suitable
case, through which motion is transmitted to a driving shaft by gearing. The
motion is obtained from a set of spiral springs through the medium of a cord
passing round a double fusee, which compensates for the variation in the tension of
the springs under different degrees of contractions and expansions. From the fusee
the cord passes in one direction to a drum on the winding shaft, and in the other
direction it is carried alternately over and under a series of pulleys attached to
plates which are free to slide upon rods around which the spiral springs are wound,
preferably in this arrangement arranged in pairs bearing alternately upon the upper
and lower surfaces of the plates. The end of the cord is fastened to the frame, of
the motor.
In winding up the apparatus the springs are merely compressed in the direction
of their length by the inovement of the plates upon the rods, the plates travelling
alternately upward and downward, or all towards a central point, in consequence
Pasion 7/1

page_text: of the shortening of the cord. As the springs expand the plates separate, longthening
the cord, and unwinding the same from the drum or winding shaft; the motion so
imparted to the latter is communicated by the gearing to the power shaft; the
duration of the motion resulting from the expansion of the springs depends upon
their length and number. Their successive numbers and length do not however in
any degree influence the amount of power, the latter being dependant on the
individual character, or what is equivalent, the number of springs taken to complete
each set of the series, the same being a matter of discretion. The completion of the
contraction of the springs is externally indicated by means of a pointer projecting
from one of the sliding plates through a slot in the back of the cabinet. The
double fusce is of a peculiar character, diminishing towards both ends from the
middle part or greatest diameter. The cord from the spring pulleys to the drum
unwinds from one end of the fusee towards the greatest diameter, and on the other
side winds from the greatest diameter towards the opposite end. Thus, according
as the tension of the springs increases by contraction, the leverage of the fusee
increases, so as to compensate for said increase of tension. The same compensation
occurs in a reverse direction as the springs expand, the wormed portions of the cord
unwinding and the balance winding upon the fusee; there is a fly or belt wheel
upon the end of the power shaft, and a brake lever having a cushion of rubber or
other material on its surface next to the belt wheel, which lever being pressed
against the periphery of the fly wheel either regulates the speed or arrests its
rotation altogether, according to the degree of pressure. A spring bearing against
the end of the long arm of said lever serves ordinarily to keep the cushion in
contact with the wheel. A winding key having a ratchet and pawl applied to a
pivoted handle is provided, so that the stem of the key can be turned in one
direction only, thus allowing the handle to be drawn.
According to another arrangement I place the several series of coiled springs in
parallel rows side by side across the case, and not in contiguous lines lengthwise as
before described, and by this means I am enabled in the same allotted space to
employ more springs, and by adding somewhat to the width of the case without
increasing its length I am able to double and treble the number of the springs, the
cord being by means of a pulley guided crosswise of the case, to lead it thereby
from one series of springs to the other, and so on for any number of rows.
When winding up the works to compress the series of springs, and thus to store
up the power, the cord is wound on a barrel. The cord presses round winding drum
and a cone fusee. The barrel spindle carries a toothed wheel in gear with wheel on
fusee shaft and imparts motion thereto, and thence by cord to winding drum, the
ends of cord being secured respectively to fusee and drum. On drum shaft there is
a large tooth wheel gearing into pinion on intermediate shaft, a large wheel
on which gears into another pinion on a spindle carrying a wheel, from which
motion may be imparted by belt or otherwise to a sewing or other machine.
There is a spring lever brake for arresting the motion when required, also an
automatic mechanism for arresting the machine in the event of the cord breaking,
consisting of an eccentrically geared locking lever, adapted to be held out of engage-
ment with the wheel by the fusee cords and to spring into such engagement whon
the cord breaks. The pulley slides are provided with bearings at their inner as
well as their outer ends, and formed by bending outwards the tops of the uprights
in which the pulleys are journalled, and making in each of such uprights a concave
or half socket to serve as a bearing on the two springs of each set or pair; by this
means the slides are sustained at top and bottom. The slides or plates are thus
sustained both at top, and remain under all conditions in their proper and true
positions, and any variation in the strength of the two springs forming a pair or any
other cause cannot under this construction tip or tilt the slide, so as to make it bind
and create friction on the rods in their ascent or descent, but on the contrary both
sides of the plate must move in unison.
I will now describe the cone fusee and the winding drum, and the rule and
principle upon which I construct them. Assuming that the springs would require

page_text: a weight of four hundred pounds to compress them, two hundred pounds would
compress them just half the distance, and at that point one half the power of the
springs would have been attained. Now letting diagram 1 represent a cone pulley
of the same diameter at its base as the cone pulley and with the same length of
axis, but tapering to a point, and letting the diagram 2 represent a parallel sided
drum whose diameter is just half that of the base of the cone shown in the
diagram 1, and desiring to start at a power of 200 pounds (or the mean power) at
the point d' or apex of the cone, I would commence to wind at point or beginning
of the groove of the cone tip which is the two hundredth part of the radius of the
parallel winding drum, and winding upon it from the cone would find that when I had
made two revolutions of the parallel drum the cone would have made 4 revolutions
or one half the whole number allotted to it, it and the parallel drum both being
constructed for 8 revolutions, corresponding with those marked from 1 to 8 in
Figures 3 and 4, so that the cord would stand in diagram 2 at the second
revolution, i.c. at one-fourth of the whole number, and at diagram 1 at the fourth
revolution, or one half of the whole number of allotted revolutions; and at that
point (which is the mean diameter of the cone) the cord will have reached the same
diameter on this cone as is equal to the diameter of the parallel drum. Hence the
power at these two points on both the cone and drum are now equal to each other.
By this
see that the power starting at the apex or tip, and so on to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, up to 200 (if desired), I have only one-fourth of the power or whole
capacity of the springs when entirely compressed, the first half performing one-
quarter, and the last or strong half performing the three quarters.
It must be borne in mind that each revolution of the cone fusee, whether made
by winding the cord from the small end or from the large end, takes up the same
amount of cord from the spring cord or compresses the springs an equal distance as
each revolution of the cone fusee turns the barrel on which the cord is wound, or
taken up from the springs an equal distance according to the length of the cord
required to compress the springs, and the number of revolutions desired, for instance,
if a series of springs were used requiring the taking up of twelve feet of cord to
compress them, and it were desired to take it up by four revolutions a barrel
would be required that would take up three feet at each revolution; and if now it
were desired to have the cone fusee make eight revolutions it would be requisite to
have a gear on this fusee that would turn the barrel (on which the spring cord
winds) just one half a revolution, and in such case it is apparent that at each
revolution of the cone fusee there would be eighteen inches of spring cord taken up.
Not so however with regard to the winding drum which winds the cord off from
the cone fusee, because as the first turn of the parallel drum takes up considerably
more than any other turn, the first and second revolutions of this drum compressing
the springs one half the distance, that is two, being one quarter, the whole number
of revolutions required to wind, and so on, each revolution takes less of the spring
cord, the last revolution of the parallel drum would revolve the cone a half
revolution, and the fusee would revolve the barrel a quarter revolution only, taking
up but nine (9) inches of the cord connected with the springs; but as it is
impracticable if not impossible to employ a cone fusee tapering to an absolute point
or apex, inasmuch as it requires a shaft passing through its axis, its taper end must
be enlarged, and this enlargement of course changes the circumference throughout,
except at the base or largest diameter x, x, the axis or length remaining of course
the same, and the smaller end receiving the maximum of this increase, as will be
seen by referring to Figure 3.
I now ascertain the mean diameters of this truncated cone fusce (see Fig. 3), by
adding together the diameters of the large and small ends and dividing their sum
by 2, which gives the equalization by this fusee, it being at that point or power
half wound up. At that power the cord would stand at revolution four (4), the
revolutions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the fusee being unwound, the cord remaining and yet
to be unwound on revolutions 5, 6, 7, and 8 by the remaining 6 revolutions of the
drum, 2 revolutions having been used to wind the first 4 revolutions of the cone

page_text: *
fusee. As the fusee is not enlarged at x, x, by the enlargement at its smaller end, I
retain the same diameter of the winding drum at its end y¹, y. To ascertain the
increase of the length of cord required by the enlargement of the first half of the
revolutions commencing at the starting point I measure up to 4, I then enlarge
the winding drum at its end so that the first quarter of the whole revolutions will
take up the first half of the revolutions of the fusee; the cord would then stand at
points, the two diameters equal, the drum tapering thence down to y', y', as shown,
and I thus produce the same result as in the suppositious case of the parallel drum
and the pointed cone fusee above described.
It will be observed that when the springs have expanded and taken up the cord
the barrel and the drum are unwound, the cord having been taken up by the fusee,
and as I turn the drum it takes up the cord from the fusee, causing it to revolve,
and as the fusee revolves it causes the barrel to revolve by means of the gear on
the fusee shaft acting in connection with the gear on the barrel shaft; thereby
taking up the cord and compressing the springs, and vice versa, as the springs expand.
The following rule may be given as a guide for making the fusce and the
winding drum. Make the smaller end of the fusee as small as convenience will
allow, as it will then require less enlargement of the drum; have the taper.
regular from one end to the other; have the grooves a regular distance apart so as
to give uniform increase of leverage to the larger end, and the fusee is complete.
To make the winding dram I take the radius of the large end of the fusee as the
measure of the diameter of the smaller end of the drum, and starting at that point
I number to the dividing line of three quarters (4) of the revolutions, and at this
last named line or point I enlarge the diameter up to the mean diameter of the
fusee, and this gives a gradual taper, as seen in the Figure, from that point back to
the starting point or small end. I next ascertain the length of cord taken up by
'the first half of the revolutions, commencing at the small end of the fusee, and then
commence to enlarge the drum gradually, but more abruptly than the taper, from
the smaller end from the three-fourths line or revolution above named, making
'this enlargement such in size that the remaining are fourth of the required
revolutions shall take up a length of cord equal to the first half of the revolutions
of the fusee; this enlarged end of the drum acting in conjunction with the small
end of fusee, and vice versa, when the two are in practical operation. By this rule
the drum performs the same number of revolutions as the fusee.
If it be desired to increase the number of revolutions of a drum, say, for instance,
to revolve the fusee 8 times and the drum sixteen times (16), I should in that case
take one half the radius of the large end of the fusee for. the diameter of the small
end of the winding drum, then take the radius at the mean diameter of the fusee
(instead of the diameter itself, as in the previously described formula) for the
enlarged diameter at the line of three-quarters (3), numbering from the small end
up to revolution twelve (12), that being three-quarters of the whole number of
revolutions, and then from that point I proceed, as heretofore described, to enlarge
the drum gradually, so that its remaining 4 revolutions (being one-fourth of the
whole) shall take up the cord on the fusee to No. 4 of its revolutions; or in other
words to one half of its whole number, and this will, as in the other case, give a
regular uniform or equalized power, but with double the time at the expense of half
the power.
It will be evident that the power may be made the strongest at the weak end of
the spring, if desired, by enlarging the large end of the winding drum so as to wind
or take up more cord, and by reducing proportionately the remainder of the drum.
The fusee and drum may be proportioned so as to increase speed at the expense
of power, or to increase power at the expense of speed, the same as in other gearing.
For the purpose of indicating when the spring power is fully wound up, and to
prevent overwinding, a pin attached to one of the pulley slides is made long enough
to project through a vertical slot in the back of the case, any appropriate mark
indicating to the eye the point beyond which the pin should not be allowed to rise.
The winding drum may be shaped so that the power would be strongest at any

page_text: point desired, at either end or in the middle, by making its enlarged diameter or
diminishing its diameter at each desired point, so as to have a partially equalised
power.
A modification in the arrangement of the spring cords and slides may be made by
using short cords passing down directly from the slides to a common barrel or shaft.
By this arrangement a single long cord need not be used, but instead a series of
shorter ones, one for each pair of springs; I thus obtain the combined power of the
whole of the springs, and have a length for each cord equal to what each pair of
springs can take up. The aggregate power of all is thus stored up on one shaft, and
I gear up for the required speed from that shaft; or a single slide or plate may be
employed to compress all the springs used, and one or more cords extending from
such plate to the shaft.
In order to relieve the box or cabinet from the pressure of the contained springs
I employ, in some cases, an apparatus whereby the springs are compressed without
either of the ends coming into contact with the box. To effect this I arrange a plato
at each end of the spring, and compress the spring between these plates by means
of a cord or chain, the ends of which are hooked or attached to a drum on the
winding axle, while the intermediate portion is carried over pulleys situated on the
plates, between which the spring is compressed. By turning the winding axle
the plates (sliding on a common central rod) are caused to approach each other and
so compress the spring between them; the reaction of the compressed springs by
forcing the plates again apart returns the power when desired.
Another method that may be employed is to arrange converging levers, the ends
of which are connected by cords or chains to the winding drum. The fulcrum of
said levers may be made elastic, and should consist of one or more spiral springs, so
as to react and give back power when the machine is working. The springs to be
compressed are situated at any suitable point between the winding drum and the
fulcrum, so that when the ends of the levers are drawn together by turning the
winding axle these springs are compressed between the levers.
For changing the speed or power transmitted I also employ gearing consisting of
a disc, the face of which is furnished with several sets of teeth arranged at different
radii, and operated by a pinion capable of being moved across the face of the
toothed disc, so as to engage any desired set of teeth thereon. The motion thus
obtained by any of the herein-before referred to methods may be employed to drive
sewing machines, tramway cars, or for other useful purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ralph Gordon de Luna Byron in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th September 1876.
RALPH GORDON DE LUNA BYRON, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE
POWER APPLICABLE FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER
USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by John Doubler, of Phila-
delphia, in the United States of America.
The primary feature in this Invention is the employment and utilization of
spring power arranged in a compact and convenient manner for the production of
motive power, the said springs being so connected by cord and pulley mechanism
that their united expansive powers are employed to produce a continuous motion
corresponding to their aggregate length.
According to one arrangement, and as illustrated at Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
accompanying Drawings, there is a winding shaft A, contained in a suitable case B,
through which motion is transmitted to a driving shaft C, by gearing D, D¹, or
through any other suitable arrangement of gearing; the motion is obtained from a

page_text: set of spiral springs E, E¹, through the medium of a cord F passing round a double
fusee G, which compensates for the variation in the tension of the springs E, E¹,
under different degrees of contractions and expansions. From the fusee G the cord
F passes in one direction to a drum A', on the winding shaft A, and in the other
direction it is carried alternately over and under a series of pulleys H, attached to
platos I, which are free to slide upon rods J, around which the spiral springs are
wound, preferably in this arrangement arranged in pairs bearing alternately upon
the upper and lower surfaces of the plates. The end of the cord is fastened to
the frame of the motor.
In winding up the apparatus the springs are merely compressed in the direction
of their length by the movement of the plates I, upon the rods J, the plates
travelling alternately upward and downward, or all towards a central point, in
consequence of the shortening of the cord F. As the springs E, E, expand the
plates separate, lengthening the cord and unwinding the same from the drum A' on
the winding shaft; the motion so imparted to the latter is communicated by the
gearing D, D, to the power shaft C; the duration of the motion resulting from the
expansion of the springs depends upon their length and number. Their successive
numbers and length do not however in any degree influence the amount of
power, the latter being dependent on the individual character, or what is the
equivalent, the number of springs taken to complete each set of the series, the
same being a matter of discretion. The completion of the contraction of the
springs is externally indicated by means of a pointer I¹ projecting from one of
the sliding plates through a slot in the back of the cabinet. The double fusee G
is of a peculiar character diminishing towards both ends from the middle part or
greatest diameter. The cord from the spring pulleys H to the drum unwinds from
one end of the fusee towards the greatest diameter, and on the other side winds
from the greatest diameter toward the opposite end. Thus according as the tension
of the springs increases by contraction the leverage of the fusee increases, so as
to compensate for said increase of tension. The same compensation occurs in a re-
verse direction; as the springs expand the wormed portions of the cord unwinding,
and the balance winding upon the fusee; there is a fly or belt wheel C, upon the
end of the power shaft C, and a brake lever K, having a cushion of rubber or other
material on its surface next to the belt wheel C', which lever being pressed against
the periphery of the fly wheel either regulates the speed or arrests its rotation
altogether, according to the degree of pressure. The position of the said fly wheel
and brake lever is most clearly indicated in dotted lines at Figure 1 of the Drawings.
A spring L bearing against the end of the long arm of the said lever serves ordinarily
to keep the cushion in contact with the wheel, a winding key M, having a ratchet
and pawl applied to a pivoted handle is provided so that the stem of the key can
be turned in one direction only, thus allowing the handle to be drawn.
According to another arrangement, shewn at Figures 4 and 5, I place the several
series of coiled springs E, E¹, in parallel rows side by side across the case B, and
not in contiguous lines lengthwise, as before described, and by this means I am
enabled in the same allotted space to employ more springs, and by adding somewhat
to the width of the case without increasing its length I am able to double and
treble the number of the springs, the cord F being by means of a pulloy a guided
crosswise of the case to lead it thereby from one series of springs to the other, and
so on for any number of rows.
When winding up the works to compress the series of springs, and thus to store
up the power, the cord F is wound on a barrel N, the cord F¹ passes round the two
cone fusees G and G'. The barrel spindle O carries a toothed wheel P, gearing with
wheel P¹ on fusee shaft, and imparts motion thereto, and thence by cord Fl to the
cone fusee G¹, the ends of cord F being secured respectively to fusces G and G¹.
On fusce shaft A there is a large tooth wheel D, gearing into pinion on intermediate
shaft a large wheel D₁, on which gears into another pinion on a spindle C, carrying
a wheel C, from which notion inay be imparted by belt or otherwise to a sewing
or other machine,

page_text: There is a spring lever brake K. for assisting the motion when required, also an
automatic mechanisın for arresting the machine in the event of the cord breaking,
consisting of an eccentrically geared locking lever K, adapted to be held out of
engagement with the wheel P by the fusec cord F1, and to spring into such engage-
ment when the cord breaks. The pulley slides or plates I, as shewn at Figures 6
and 7, are provided with bearings at their inner as well as their outer ends, and
formed by bending outwards the tops of the uprights, in which the pulleys are
journalled, and making in each of such uprights a concave or half socket to serve
as a bearing on the two rods of each set or pair of springs. The slides or plates
are thus sustained both at top and bottom, and remain under all conditions in their
proper and true positions, and any variation in the strength of the two springs
forming a pair, or any other cause cannot under this construction tip or tilt the
slide so as to make it bind and create friction on the rods in their ascent or descent,
but on the contrary both sides of the plate must move in unison. Figure 8 is a
detailed view of the brake lever K, and attachments; and Figure 9 the spring,
pawl and ratchet applied to the winding shaft.
I will now describe the cone fusec and the winding drum, and the rule and
principle upon which I construct them. Assuming that the springs would require
a weight of four hundred pounds to compress them, two hundred pounds would
compress them just half the distance, and at that point one half the power of the
springs would have been attained. Now letting the diagram at Figure 10 represent
a cone pulley of the same diameter at its base as the cone pulley G, and with the
same length of axis, but tapering to a point, and letting the diagram at Figure 11
represent a parallel sided drum, whose diameter is just half that of the base of the
cone shown in the diagram 10, and desiring to start at a power of 200 pounds (or
the mean power) at the point d¹ or apex of the cone, I would cominence to wind
at point or beginning of the groove of the cone tip, which is the two hundredth
part of the radius of the parallel winding drum, and winding upon it from the cone
would find that when I had made two revolutions of the parallel drum the cone
would have made four revolutions, or one half the whole number allotted to it, it and
the parallel drum both being constructed for eight revolutions, corresponding with
those marked from 1 to 8 in Figures 12 and 13, so that the cord would stand in
diagram 11 at the second revolution, i.c., at one-fourth of the whole number, and
at diagram 10 at the fourth revolution, or one-half of the whole number of allotted
revolutions, and at that point (which is the mean diameter of the cone) the cord
will have reached the same diameter. on this cone as is equal to the diameter of the
parallel drum. Hence, the power at these two points on both the cone and the
drum are now equal to each other. By this it will be seen that the power starting
at the apex or tip, and so on to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, up to 200 (if desired) I have
only one-fourth of the power or whole capacity of the springs when entirely
compressed, the first half performing one-quarter, and the last or strong half
performing the three-quarters.
It must be borne in mind that each revolution of the cone fusee, whether made
by winding the cord from the small end or from the large end, takes up the same
amount of cord from the spring cord or compresses the springs an equal distance,
as cach revolution of the cone fusce turns the barrel on which the cord is wound or
taken up from the springs an equal distance, according to the length of the cord
required to compress the springs, and the number of revolutions desired; for
instance, if a series of springs were used requiring the taking up of twelve feet of
cord to compress them, and it were desired to take it up by four revolutions, a
barrel would be required that would take up three feet at each revolution; and if
now it were desired to have the cone fusee make eight revolutions it would be
requisite to have a gear on this fusee that would turn the barrel (on which the
spring cord winds) just one half a revolution, and in such case it is apparent that
at cach revolution of the cone fusee there would be eighteen inches of spring cord
taken up. Not so however with regard to the winding drum, which winds the
cord off from the cone fusce, because as the first turn of the parallel drum takes up

page_text: considerably more than any other turn the first and second revolutions of this
drum compressing the springs one-half the distance, that is, two being one-quarter
the whole number of revolutions required to wind, and so on cach revolution takes
less of the spring cord, the last revolution of the parallel drum would revolve the
cone a half revolution, and the fusee would revolve the barrel a quarter revolution,
only taking up but nine (9) inches of the cord connected with the springs. But as
it is impracticable if not impossible to employ a cone fusee tapering to an absolute
point or apex, inasmuch as it requires a shaft passing through its axis, its taper
end must be enlarged, and this enlargement of course changes the circumference
throughout, except at the base or largest diameter x, x, the axis or length remaining
of course the same, and the smaller end receiving the maximum of this increase, as
will be seen by refering to Figure 12.
I now ascertain the mean diameters of this truncated cone fusee (see Figure 12)
by adding together the diameters of the large and small ends, and dividing their
sum by 2, which gives the equalization by this fusec, it being at that point or
power half wound up. At that power the cord would stand at revolution four (4),
the revolutions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the fusee being unwound, the cord remaining and
yet to be unwound on revolutions 5, 6, 7, and 8 by the remaining 6 revolutions
of the drum, 2 revolutions having been used to wind the first 4 revolutions of the
cone fusee. As the fusee is not enlarged at x, x, by the enlargement of its smaller
end I retain the same diameter of the winding drum at its end y¹, y¹. To ascertain
the increase of the length of cord required by the enlargement of the first half of
the revolutions, commencing at the starting point, I measure up to 4; I then
enlarge the winding drum at its end, so that the first quarter of the whole
revolutions will take up the first half of the revolutions of the fusee. The cord
would then stand at points the two diameters equal, the drum tapering thence
down to y¹, y, as shown, and I thus produce the same result as in the suppositious
case of the parallel drum, and the pointed cone fusee above described.
It will be observed that when the springs have expanded and taken up the
cord the barrel N and the fusee G₁ are unwound, the cord F¹ being taken up by
the fusee G, and as the winding shaft is turned so as to compress the springs the
cord is unwound from the fusee G, causing it to revolve, and as the fusee revolves
it causes the barrel N to revolve by means of the gear on the fusce shaft acting in
connection with the gear on the barrel shaft, thereby taking up the cord and com-
pressing the springs, and vice versa, as the springs expand.
The following rule may be given as a guide for making the fusee and the winding
drum-Make the smaller end of the fusee as small as convenience will allow, as it
will then require less enlargement of the drum; have the taper regular from one
end to the other; have the grooves a regular distance apart, so as to give uniform
increase of leverage to the larger end, and the fusee is complete.
To make the winding drum I take the radius of the large end of the fusee as the
measure of the diameter of the smaller end of the drum; and starting at that
point I number to the dividing line of three-quarters (4) of the revolutions, and
nt this last named line or point I enlarge the diameter up to the mean diameter
of the fusee, and this gives a gradual taper, as seen in the Figure, from that point
back to the starting point or small end. I next ascertain the length of cord taken
up by the first half of the revolutions, commencing at the small end of the fusee,
and then commence to enlarge the drum gradually but more abruptly than the
taper from the smaller end from the three-fourths line or revolution above named,
making this enlargement such in size that the remaining one-fourth of the required
revolutions shall take up a length of cord equal to the first half of the revolutions
of the fusee, this enlarged end of the drum acting in conjunction with the small end
of fusce, and vice versa; when the two are in practical operation by this rule the
drum performs the same number of revolutions as the fusee.
If it be desired to increase the number of revolutions of a drum, say, for instance,
to revolve the fusee 8 times and the drum sixteen times (16) I should in that case
take one half the radius of the large end of the fusee for the diameter of the small

page_text: end of the winding drum, then take the radius at the mean diameter of the fusce
(instead of the diameter itself, as in the previously described formula) for the enlarged
diameter at the line of three-quarters (*), numbering from the small end up tɔ
revolution twelve (12), that being three-quarters of the whole number of revolutions;
and then from that point I proceed, as heretofore described, to enlarge the drum
gradually, so that its remaining 4 revolutions (being one-fourth of the whole) shall
take up the cord on the fusee to No. 4 of its revolutions, or in other words, to one-
half of its whole number, and this will, as in the other case, give a regular
uniform or equalized power, but with double the time, at the expense of half the
power.
It will be evident that the power may be made the strongest at the weak end
of the spring if desired, by enlarging the large end of the winding drum, so as to
wind or take up more cord, and by reducing proportionately the remainder of
the drum.
The fusee and drum may be proportioned so as to increase speed at the expense
of power, or to increase power at the expense of speed, the same as in other
gearing.
For the purpose of indicating when the spring power is fully wound up, and to
prevent overwinding, a pin attached to one of the pulley slides, but not shown on
the Drawings, is made long enough to project through a vertical slot in the back
of the case, any appropriate mark indicating to the eye the point beyond which
the pin should not be allowed to rise.
The winding drum may be shaped so that the power would be strong at any
point desired, at either end or in the middle, by making its enlarged diameter or
diminishing its diameter at eacli desired point, so as to have a partially equalised
power.
Figure 14 represents a modification in the arrangement of the spring cords and
slides, which consists in using short cords F passing down directly from the
slides I to a common barrel or shaft C. By this arrangement a single long cord
need not be used, but instead a series of shorter ones, one for each pair of springs.
I thus obtain the combined power of the whole of the springs, and have a length
for each cord equal to what each pair of springs can take up. The aggregate
power of all is thus stored up on one shaft, and I gear up for the required speed
from that shaft; or a single slide or plate may be employed to compress all the
springs used, and one or more cords extending from such plate to the shaft.
In order to relieve the box or cabinet from the pressure of the contained springs
I employ in some cases apparatus similar to that shown at Figs. 15, 16, 17,
and 18, of the Drawings, whereby the spring are compressed without either of
the ends coming into contact with the box. To effect this I arrange a plate I
(see Figure 15) at each end of the springs E, E¹, and compress the springs between
these plates by means of a cord or chain F, the ends of which are hooked or
attached to a drum A¹ on the winding axle A, while the intermediate portion is
carried over pulleys situated on the plates I, between which the springs are
compressed. By turning the winding axle A the plates I (sliding on a common
central rod) are caused to approach each other, and so compress the springs
between them; the reaction of the compressed springs by forcing the plates I
again apart returns the power when desired.
The
Another method that may be employed is shewn at Figure 16, and consists in
arranging converging levers Q, which may be of any desired length, and having
their ends connected by cords or chains F to the winding drum A¹.
fulcrum R of said levers may be made elastic, and should consist of one or more
spiral springs, so as to react and give back power when the machine is working.
The springs E to be compressed are situated at any suitable point between the
winding drum and the fulcrum, so that when the ends of the levers Q are drawn
together by turning the winding axle A these springs are compressed between the
levers, their revulsion returning the power through the hercin-before described or
any suitable channel.

page_text: Figure 17 represents a modification of the herein-before referred to elastic fulcra
employed in combination with the lovers Q.
It is preferred that the coiled springs employed for the purposes of this Invention
should be constructed from bars of a section similar to the form shewn at Figures 15,
16, 17, and 18. The section of the bar is formed, as shewn, of two thicknesses of
metal, and the object of so forming it is that in the process of tempering the spring
the thin outer part is hardened completely through, while the thicker part of the
section is hardened only at the outside; the spring is thus composed of steel of two
varieties of temper, part of it being extremely hard and clastic while the remainder
retains its toughness and strength; a spring is thus produced which while posses-
sing the requisite degree of resilence and elasticity, by virtue of its hardened por-
tions, is in little or no danger of breaking by virtue of the portion which remains
unhardened, and which acts as a supporting core to the other fully tempered parts.
I would add, however, that it is not absolutely necessary to form the spring of the
exact section of bar shewn, as numerous modifications of such might be made, all
that is necessary being that the section should consist of unequal thicknesses of
metal, so as to produce the result in tempering herein-before described.
For changing the speed or power transmitted I also employ gearing, consisting, as
shewn at Figure 19, of a disc S, the face of which is furnished with several sets of
teeth T, arranged at differont radii and operated by a pinion U capable of being
moved across the face of the toothed disc, so as to engage any desired set of teeth
thereon.
In lieu of forcing the springs together by means of lateral pressure, as herein-before
described, the same object may be gained by the application of torsive power, shewn
at Figure 20 and 21.
The springs E, E, of which there may be any number, are coiled upon bars b, b, and
have the extremity of their free projecting ends attached to snatch blocks or sheaves
J, through which the rope F passes to be coiled upon the barrel A; a noticeable
feature in the modification under consideration is the employment of a swinging
crane B to support springs and sheaves. By the employment of this crane the ends
of the springs and their attached sheaves swing so as to accord with the lateral
shifting of the cord or chain as it is wound or unwound upon the winding drum,
thereby avoiding the friction of the side draught of the chain or rope against itself
or against the grooves in the drum.
The rest of the mechanism is similar to that already described, and it will bo
observed that the means for changing the speed, already described, with reference to
Figure 19, is here shewn applied.
Figure 22 is a cross section of part of Figure 20, shewing more clearly the
shifting pinion and toothed disc. While Figure 23 illustrates the peculiar form of
brake employed, Figure 24 is a sectional plan of the swing crane and one of the
springs E attached.
Figure 25 is an illustration of another method of utilizing the torsive revulsion
of a coiled spring; the free end of the projecting lever A. is attached to a rope block
or sheave.
Figure 26 is a view of a spring coiled at the fulcrum, and having also an
auxiliary spring interposed between the arms, as herein-before described with
reference to Figure 16.
Figure 27 shews a coiled spring whose torsive effect is utilized without the inter-
vening blocks, ropes, or chains, herein-before described, as each end of the spring is
inserted into the side of a toothed wheel by which the gearing is put in motion.
The motion thus obtained by any of the hercin-before referred.to methods may be
employed to drive sewing machines, tramway cars, or for other useful purposes.
Having now described the said Invention, and particularly ascertained the means
whereby it may be carried into effect, 1 would observe in conclusion that I do not
limit myself to the exact details of arrangement and construction, as the same might
in many cases be varied without departing from the spirit of my Invention, but
what I claim as my Invention is as follows-

page_text: First. The employment of coiled or spiral springs arranged in sets or series so as
to act upon sliding plates provided with pulleys, and so unwind a cord or chain or
cords or chains from a drum or fusee, and thus, through suitable gearing to impart
motion to a driving shaft, with the means for regulating, controlling, stopping, and
winding up the motor, all substantially as herein-before described and shewn.
Second. The double compensating fusec and drum particularly described with
reference to Figures 4 to 13, and also the automatic means for stopping the notor
in the event of the cord or chain breaking, substantially as described with reference
to Figures 4 and 5.
Third. Compressing the springs from the winding drum by means of chains or
cords, and converging levers; also the application to the latter of elastic fulcra, as
herein-before described and shewn.
Fourth. Forming the bar from which the springs are coiled of a section composed
of unequal thickness of steel, in the manner and for the purposes described and
shewn.
Fifth. The application to this class of motor of the means for changing the speed,
shewn at Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22 of the Drawings, and consisting of a disc
toothed or pegged, and acted upon by a pinion, as described and shewn.
Sixth. Supporting coiled springs with their attachments upon a swinging crane
or structure, in the manner and for the purposes herein-after described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ralph Gordon de Luna Byron, have hereunto.
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
RALPH GORDON DE LUNA BYRON. (L.S.)