IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES OR THE APPLIANCES FOR ARRESTING THE DESCENT OF THE LOAD IN LIFTING APPLIANCES SUCH CRANES, CRAB WINCHES, OR WINDLASSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Maximilian Selig, of 20, Karlstrasse, Berlin, Engineer,
AS
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES OR THE APPLIANCES FOR
ARRESTING THE DESCENT OF THE LOAD IN LIFTING APPLIANCES SUCH
CRANES, CRAB WINCHES, OR WINDLASSES." A communication from Otto
Stegmeyer, of Charlottenburg, in the Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 9th January 1880, and dated the 18th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Maximilian Selig at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1879.
MAXIMILIAN SELIG, of 20, Karlstrasse, Berlin, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
BRAKES OR THE APPLIANCES FOR ARRESTING THE DESCENT OF THE LOAD IN
LIFTING APPLIANCES SUCH AS CRANES, CRAB WINCHES, OR WINDLASSES." [A
communication from Otto Stegmeyer, of Charlottenburg, in the Empire of
Germany.]
This Invention relates to an improved crank handle or lever represented in the
annexed Drawing, Figures 1, 2, and 3, for windlasses, cranes, and the like, by means
of which the dangerous whirling round of the crank handle when lowering the load
is avoided, and at the same time means are provided for applying a brake in a
certain and easy manner as well as for arresting and maintaining the load at any
desired elevation.
This improved crank is composed of a brake wheel keyed upon the ordinary
shaft of a windlass or other like hoisting apparatus upon the nave of which wheel
a circular drum or case is mounted so as to be capable of rotating upon it, and
provided on its periphery with notches or ratchet teeth engaging with a pawl, and
carrying a rocking pin of peculiar shape upon which the lever or crank proper is fixed.
A brake block or wedging piece actuated by the lever and capable of being pressed
against the brake wheel serves to force round the brake wheel and shaft as well as
for lowering the load.
In order that the wear may be compensated easily, there is a set screw adapted
at a place to which access may be easily had, by means of which the adjustable
piece a may be pressed against the brake wheel, i.e., by which the latter may be
shifted as desired between the parts fixed in the box. The wear at the brake

page_text: block opposite to a may be easily avoided by means of intermediate parts d placed
between the wedge and the block.
The fever-shaped prolongation of the crank serves to receive a spring, by means
of which the brake is continually.kept:in.a.position ready to act, and also to bring
the crank out of action by means of a small pin which keeps the said crank in its
central position.
The notches or ratchets on the case or drum are so formed as to be capable of
_ engaging with a double acting pawl when the shaft is turned in either_direction.
When it is desired to turn the handle and wind up the load in the direction
shown by the arrow, for example, as in Figure 3, and the pin of the pawl is
attached to a suitable part of the framework of the crane or windlass, a pin covered
with india rubber is inserted in the framework between the branches of the pawl
so as to limit its motion. The rubber is provided for the purpose of obviating the
rattle of the pawl, being so placed that the upper branch of the pawl rests upon the
rubber and prevents the other branch from coming in contact with the bottom of
the notch.
When it is desired to wind up the load the crank lever is turned in the proper
direction whereby the brake block becomes jammed between the brake wheel and
the pin on which the crank lever is fixed. Consequently the brake wheel case
and lever are rigidly connected and compelled to move together. According as the
power applied to the lever is increased as required by the resistance of the load, so
the brake block is more powerfully jammed against the brake wheel. As the
pawl will only allow the rotation to take place in one direction by engaging with
the notches on the drum or case, the brake block may be released or taken off by
turning the lever backwards so that the brake wheel is then free to turn and let
down the load.
The speed with which the load is allowed to descend may then be regulated, or it:
may be arrested and maintained stationary at pleasure by pressing the lever or its
prolongation more or less powerfully backwards. The load will also be supported
with ease and certainty by a short forward motion of the lever in the direction of
the arrow, as well as when the lever is suddenly let go, as the action of the spring
on the prolongation of the lever as well as that of the load itself ensure the forcible.
application of the brake block against the brake wheel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Maximilian Selig in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
January 1880.
MAXIMILIAN SELIG, of 20, Karlstrasse, Berlin, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREAKS OR THE APPLIANCES FOR ARRESTING THE DESCENT OF THE LOAD IN LIFTING
APPLIANCES SUCH AS CRANES, CRAB WINCHES, OR WINDLASSES." A communication
from Otto Stegmeyer, of Charlottenburg, in the Empire of Germany.
This Invention relates to an improved crank handle or lever represented in the
annexed Drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3, for windlasses, cranes, and the like, by
means of which the dangerous whirling round of the crank handle when lowering
the load is avoided, and at the same time means are provided for applying a break
in a certain and easy manner as well as for arresting and maintaining the load at
any desired elevation.
This improved crank is composed of a break wheel keyed upon the ordinary shaft
of a windlass or other like hoisting apparatus, upon the nave of which wheel a
circular drum or case is mounted so as to be capable of rotating upon it, and pro-
vided on its periphery with notches or ratchet teeth engaging with a pawl, and
carrying a rocking pin of peculiar shape upon which the lever or crank proper is
fixed. A break block or wedging piece actuated by the lever and capable of being
pressed against the break wheel serves to force round the break wheel and shaft as
well as for lowering the load.
In order that the wear may be compensated easily, there is a set screw adapted
at a place to which access may be easily had, by means of which the adjustable
piece a may be pressed against the break wheel, i.e., by which the latter may be
shifted as desired between the parts fixed in the box. The wear at the break block
opposite to a may be easily avoided by means of intermediate parts d placed
between the wedge and the block.
The lever shaped prolongation of the crank serves to receive a spring, by means
of which the break is continually kept in a position ready to act, and also to
bring the crank out of action by means of a small pin which keeps the said crank
in its central position.
The notches or ratchets on the case or drum are so formed as to be capable of
engaging with a double acting pawl when the shaft is turned in either direction.
When it is desired to turn the handle and wind up the load in the direction
shown by the arrow, for example, as shown in Figure 3, and the pin of the pawl is
attached to a suitable part of the frame work of the crane or windlass, a pin
covered with india rubber is inserted in the framework between the branches of
the pawl so as to limit its motion. The rubber is provided for the purpose of
obviating the rattle of the pawl, being so placed that the upper branch of the pawl
rests upon the rubber and prevents the other branch from coming in contact with
the bottom of the notch.
When it is desired to wind up the load the crank lever is turned in the proper
direction whereby the break block becomes jammed between the break wheel and
the pin on which the crank lever is fixed. Consequently the break wheel case and
lever are rigidly connected and compelled to move together. According as the
power applied to the lever is increased as required by the resistance of the load, so
the break block is more powerfully jammed against the break wheel. As the pawl
will only allow the rotation to take place in one direction by engaging with the
notches on the drum or case; the break block may be released or taken off by
turning the lever backwards, so that the break wheel is then free to turn and let
down the load.
The speed with which the load is allowed to descend may then be regulated, or
it may be arrested and maintained stationary at pleasure by pressing the lever or
;
•

page_text: its prolongation more or less powerfully backwards. The load will also be sup-
ported with ease and certainty by a short forward motion of the lever in the
Fdirection-of-the-arrow-as well.as when the lever is suddenly let go, as the action of
the spring on the prolongation of the lever as well as that of-the-load-itself ensure
the forcible application of the break block against the break wheel.
Having now described and particularly_set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,-
The application of an adjustable-break-block acted on by a set screw to wind-
lasses and cranes in the manner substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Maximilian Selig, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
MAX. SELIG. (L.S.)