IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HAULING, LIFTING, OR TOWING BY ROPES OF WIRE OR OTHER MATERIAL
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Henley, of North Woolwich,
in the County of Essex, Telegraphic Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HAULING, LIFTING,
OR TOWING BY ROPES OF WIRE OR OTHER MATERIAL."
Sealed the 8th August 1871, and dated the 16th February 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Henley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 16th February 1871.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS HENLEY, of North Woolwich, in the County
of Essex, Telegraphic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
HAULING, LIFTING, OR TOWING BY ROPES OF WIRE OR OTHER MATERIAL," to be
as follows:-
My improvements consist of a new method of constructing machinery
for towing in the water or hauling and lifting on land, by means of
which a firm grip is maintained on the rope while it passes through
the machinery, all as hereafter described.

page_text: The mode of carrying my Invention into effect is illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings, of which Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation
of one arrangement; Fig. 2, Sheet 2, a plan, and Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 3,
respectively end elevation of the machine and enlarged section of the
grip or disc pulley alone.
Fig. 5, Sheet 3, shows a portion of the disc pulley in section having
indentations to fit the lay of the rope; and Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is an
elevation of part of the same showing the indentations.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 4, show a clip pulley according to my
Invention together with details of the same.
Referring to the first part of my Invention A, A, are two dises of
rolled iron or steel with the circumference of each flanged and moulded
in a die so as to form a groove for receiving the rope. The discs are
each firmly fixed on a separate shaft B, B, fitted in bearings, as shown
in plan Fig. 2, Sheet 2, so as to cause the discs to nearly touch each other
at one part of the periphery while at the opposite point they are con-
siderably removed from each other. C, C, are two leading pulleys, which
may or may not be of similar construction as A, A, but are shown here
as ordinary V grooved pulleys. The shafts B, B, each carry a tooth
wheel D driven by pinions E, E, on the shaft F, thus keeping the two
discs revolving at the same speed. In this case the two inner bearings
being lower than the outer, the upper parts of the two discs are brought
together, while the lower parts recede from each other. One of the
shafts B is capable of being moved longitudinally by the screw G or
by equivalent means, so as to grip the rope with greater force. The
elasticity of the discs allows the screw to be set up, so that the discs
instead of gripping the rope only at one part will firmly grasp it for at
least one-eighth of their circumference, and yet shall recede from each
other so as to allow the rope to run on and off at the points as shown.
One or both of the pulleys C, C, may be connected by band or other
equivalent means with the shaft F, and should in that case have jockey
pulleys. One side is here shown arranged in this way, a, a, being the
band and K the jockey pulley; this would keep the rope tight between
A, A, and C, C, and also give an additional hold upon it. Pins or
pieces of metal b, b, b, by preference of segmental shape, as shown at
Fig. 4, are fixed in one disc and pass through holes in the other and
prevent the rope from slipping between the discs A, A, when open
sufficiently to let the rope enter or leave the groove. The sheaves C, C,

page_text: overhang their bearings, as shown at Fig. 2, so that the rope can easily
be put on or taken off and cast free from the towing vessel. To give
an additional hold on the rope I in some cases by a cutter or other
suitable means form grooves in the discs A, A, forming as it were
moulds or counterparts of the rope, so that it cannot possibly slip
whatever strain may be put upon it.
This part of my Invention is illustrated at Figs. 5 and 6, the former
being a section and the latter an elevation on a large scale of a part
of the rim of a disc A.
Another part of my Invention is shown at Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Here the wheel is surrounded by a series of tongs; one leg of each is
fixed by a joint to one side of the wheel; the other leg is also jointed
at the end to a piece of metal which slides in a dovetail or other groove.
When the rope presses in the jaws of the tongs it has a tendency to
force the legs of the tongs into a straight position, thereby causing the
jaws of the tongs to maintain a firmer grip of the rope, the piece
attached to one leg of the tongs sliding in the groove allowing of their
distension.
Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively side elevaion and plan of a clip
drum or wheel fitted with the clip tongs just described with reference
to Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Instead of making one leg of the tongs sliding
both may be attached by joints to springs radiating from the pulley or
wheel, but I prefer the sliding arrangement. As the rope leaves the
pulley the jaws of the tongs open by the outward pressure of the rope
and allow a free passage for it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Thomas Henley in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th August 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
O THOMAS HENLEY, of North Woolwich, in the County of. Essex, Tele-
graphic Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-

page_text: fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Thomas Henley, Her special
licence that I, the said William Thomas Henley, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Thomas
Henley, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter 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 MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HAULING,
LIFTING, OR TOWING BY ROPES OF WIRE OR OTHER MATERIAL," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Thomas Henley,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the 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 of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Thomas Henley, do hereby
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, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to
say:
My improvements consist of a new method of constructing machinery
for towing in the water or hauling and lifting on land, by means of
which a firm grip is maintained on the rope while it passes through the
machinery, all as hereafter described.
The mode of carrying my Invention into effect is illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one
arrangement; Fig. 2, a plan, and Figs. 3 and 4, respectively end
elevation of the machine and enlarged section of the grip or disc pulley
alone.
Fig. 5 shows a portion of the disc pulley in section having inden-
tations to fit the lay of the rope, and Fig. 6 is an elevation of part of
the same showing the indentations.

page_text: Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show a clip pulley constructed according
to my Invention together with details of the same.
Referring to the first part of my Invention A, A, are two discs of
rolled iron or steel with the circumference of each flanged and moulded
in a die, so as to form a groove for receiving the rope. The discs are
each firmly fixed on a separate shaft B, B, fitted in bearings, as shown
in plan, Fig. 2, so as to cause the discs to nearly touch each other at
one part of the periphery, while at the opposite point they are con-
siderably removed from each other. C, C, are two leading pulleys, which
may or may not be of similar construction as A, A, but are shown here.
as ordinary V grooved pulleys. One or both bearings for the shafts B
may be made in the shape of thrust bearings with collars similar to
those used for screw propeller shafts, and may be set up by means of
screws instead of the shaft itself being set up as shown here. The
shafts B, B, each carry a tooth wheel D driven by pinions E, E, on
the shaft F, thus keeping the two disés revolving at the same speed.
In this case, the two inner bearings being lower than the outer, the
upper parts of the two discs are brought together while the lower parts
recede from each other. One of the shafts B is capable of being moved
longitudinally by the screw G or by equivalent means, so as to grip the
rope with greater force. The elasticity of the discs allows the screw
to be set up, so that the discs instead of gripping the rope only at one
part will firmly grip it for at least one-eighth of their circumference,
and yet shall recede from each other so as to allow the rope to run on
and off at the points as shown. One or both of the pulleys C, C, may
be connected by band or other equivalent means with the shaft F and
should in that case have jockey pulleys. One side is here shown
arranged in this way, a, a, being the band and K the jockey pulley;
this would keep the rope tight between A, A, and C, C, and also give
an additional hold upon it. Pins or pieces of metal b, b, b, by preference
of segmental shape, are fixed in one disc and pass through holes in the
other, as shown at Fig. 4, and prevent the rope from slipping between
the discs A, A, when open sufficiently to let the rope enter or leave
the groove. The sheaves C, C, overhang their bearings, as shown at
Fig. 2, so that the rope can easily be put on or taken off and cast free
from the towing vessel. To give an additional hold on the rope I in
some cases by a cutter or other suitable means form grooves in the
discs A, A, forming, as it were, moulds or counterparts of the rope so
that it cannot possibly ship whatever strain may be put upon it.

page_text: This part of my Invention is illustrated at Figs. 5 and 6, the former
being a section and the latter an elevation on a large scale of a part of
the rim of a disc A.
Another part of my Invention is shown at Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Here the wheel is surrounded by a series of tongs; one leg of each is
fixed by a joint to one side of the wheel; the other leg is also jointed
at the end to a piece of metal which slides in a dovetail or other groove.
When the rope presses in the jaws of the tongs it has a tendency to
force the legs of the tongs into a straight position, thereby causing
the jaws of the tongs to maintain a firmer grip of the rope, the piece
attached to one leg of the tongs sliding in the groove allowing of
their distension.
Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively side elevation and plan of a clip
drum or wheel fitted with the clip tongs just described with reference
to Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Instead of making one leg of the tongs sliding
both may be attached by joints to springs radiating from the pulley or
wheel, but I prefer the sliding arrangement. As the rope leaves the
pulley the jaws of the tongs open by the outward pressure of the rope
and allow a free passage for it.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my
improvements in machinery or apparatus for hauling, lifting, or towing
by ropes of wire or other material,―
First. The construction and employment of machinery consisting of
discs or wheels mounted on separate shafts, and so placed that one
part of their edges shall be brought near together for the purpose of
gripping a rope, each disc being formed into a groove near the outer
edge for the purpose of receiving the rope, and each disc acting as
a spring so that when pressure is applied endways to the shaft by a
screw or other means the said dises are brought together to grasp the
rope over a considerable portion of their circumference, all substan-
tially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
•
Second. Forming indentations in the grooves according to the lay of
the rope for more securely holding and preventing it from slipping when
under strain, substantially as herein-before described.

page_text: Third. The fixing of tongs on a wheel for clipping a rope to obtain
holding power, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomas Henley, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one.