any Required Position Roller Blinds, Maps, and the like.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1886
Complete Left, 19th Aug., 1887
Complete Accepted, 4th Oct:, 1887.
any Required Position Roller Blinds, Maps, and the like.
ALFRED WILLIAM READ, 50 Mersey Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Cheshire
Tent, Marquee and Blind Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING OR HOLDING IN ANY
REQUIRED POSITION ROLLER BLINDS MAPS AND THE LIKE to be as follows:-
The first part of my invention consists of a ratchet pulley of Iron or other suitable
metal, with deep flanges on each side, on one side of which pulley, is cast or secured,
a rachet wheel; In the centre of the pulley and on each side, is a strong boss, in the
centre of boss is a square key hole for Crank or Handle.
The second part of my invention consists of a strong casing of iron or other suitable
metal, in form of a box, with journals on each side, in which the bosses of the
pulley revolves, and at the end or top of casing, are spaces or openings, through
which the pawl and winding cord are passed; Flanges or plates are also placed at
each end of Casing, to the upper flange or plate the pawl is bolted. At the back of
the casing a loose plate is fitted, which plate rests upon studs or corner pieces within the
casing, with its outer side parallel to the edge of casing; this back plate carries
the back journal. To apply my invention I pass around the end of the Roller from
which the Roller Blind, Map and the like is suspended, a sufficient length of wire
cord to permit the Blind, Map and the like to unroll to its fullest extent, and secure
the end of the cord to the roller, I then pass the other end of the cord through its
place in the top end of casing, and secure the end of cord to the axle of the pulley

page_text: between the flanges. The pulley is next placed within the casing, one Boss within
the journal in front of casing, the back plate is placed, which supplies the journal for
the other boss, and the case is screwed or bolted to the wall or facia board
perpendicular to the end of the roller. A Crank or Handle is next inserted which
gives a rotary motion to the pulley, by which means the largest Blind or Map and the
like may be raised with the greatest facility. The upper end of pawl is next secured
to a snug on the casing, by means of a padlock, which effectually prevents any
unauthorized person lowering the Blind.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Raising, Lowering, or Holding in
any Required Position Roller-blinds, Maps, and the like.
ALFRED WILLIAM READ, 50 Mersey Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Cheshire 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 apparatus for raising, lowering or holding in
any required
position roller blinds, maps and the like and consists in an arrangement of apparatus
for raising, lowering or holding in any required position, roller-blinds, maps and the
like which is simple, compact and convenient in use and not readily injured.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and carried into effect I have
hereunto annexed a drawing in which drawing Fig. 1 is a front view, Fig. 2 a back
view with certain parts removed Fig. 3 a plan and Fig. 4 a vertical section taken at
right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view of a detached portion. The same letters of
reference are applied to corresponding parts throughout the whole series of figures.
a is a metal box or casing formed with flanges b through which are formed holes
through which may be passed screws e by means of which the box or casing a may be
secured to any desired part such as A.
The box or casing a is formed open at the back and is provided with a cover d
shewn detached in Fig. 5. The cover d when placed in position for closing the
opening formed at the back of the box or casing a rests upon projecting parts a¹
formed upon the said box or casing a. Within the box or casing a I place a pulley B
provided with flanges e e¹. Fast with or secured to the flange e is a ratchet wheel f
Extended parts of the bosses of the pulley B form journals 9 g which journals pass
respectively into openings formed in the front part of the box or casing a and in the
cover d such openings in the front part and cover forming bearings in which the
journals g g may be revolved. The cover d is retained in its position in the box or
casing a by the box or casing a being secured against the part A.
Through the upper part of the box or casing a is formed an opening / through
which passes a pawl capable of being turned upon a screw k by which it is secured
to the flange b. A rope cord or chain C proceeding from the roller blind, map or
the like which is to be raised, lowered or held in any required position passes through
a hole r in the box or casing a and is secured to the pulley B by the end of the said
rope, cord or chain C being passed through a hole in the pulley B and prevented
from being drawn back through the said hole by having a knot or other suitable
appliance formed upon or attached to the end of such rope, cord or chain or in the case
of a wire rope by bending a portion of such wire rope. I form a circular groove or
recess m in the pulley B to receive the knot or other appliance or the bent portion of
the wire rope.
In order to raise or lower the roller blind, map or the like from which the rope,
cord or chain C proceeds I employ a handle D indicated by the dotted lines Ę which

page_text: handle D is provided with a square projecting part D₁ capable of being passed into
the square hole F formed in the boss of the pulley B. When the roller blind, map or
the like is to be raised or lowered the pulley B is slightly turned so as to release the
pawl which is then turned until its end j¹ is clear of the teeth of the ratchet wheel f,
when the roller blind, map or the like may be raised or lowered by turning the
handle D in the direction requisite and when the roller blind, map or the like has
been raised or lowered to the desired position the pawl j is placed in the position in
which it is indicated in the drawing. To retain the pawlj in position to prevent the
ratchet wheelf from being turned I employ a peg n capable of being inserted into a
hole formed in the box or casing a so as to retain an extended part of the pawl j
against a projection o formed on the box or casing a. The peg n may also be
employed for keeping the pawl clear of the ratchet wheel by inserting the peg n
into the hole before mentioned which receives the said peg, after the pawlj has been
turned clear of the teeth of the ratchet wheel f. In order to prevent the peg n from
being lost I secure it by a "chain"p to an eye ¹ formed on one of the screws c.
In order that the apparatus above described may be employed as a
right hand "
apparatus or a "left hand" apparatus as may be required I form through the top of
the box or casing a two openings through either of which the rope cord or chain C
may pass and I form a projection o' and hole to enable the pawl and peg n to be
placed in the positions in which they are indicated by the dotted lines G when the
apparatus to be employed is a "right hand" apparatus.
<<
I form an opening s at the bottom of the box or casing a so that anything inserted
through the holes or openings in the upper part of the box or casing a may not
remain within the said box or casing a.
In some instances instead of winding the rope, cord or chain C from the roller
blind, map or the like around the boss of the pulley B I employ an endless rope, cord
or chain and form the boss of the pulley B with a groove or grooves or teeth or
projections of a form suitable for being used in conjunction with such endless rope,
cord or chain.
In some cases I form holes through the part of the pawl j and through the
projections to enable a padlock or other appliance to be employed to prevent the
pawl j from being moved except when required.
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 :-
The hereinbefore described apparatus for raising lowering or securing in any
desired position roller blinds, maps and the like which apparatus consists in a box or
casing such as a, pulley such as B ratchet wheel such as and pawl such as j all
constructed arranged employed and operating for the purposes and substantially in
the manner hereinbefore described in reference to and indicated in and by the
drawing hereunto annexed.
Dated this Eighteenth day of August 1887.