IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER CAPSTANS, PART OF SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO STEAM WINCHES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Vivian, of Mylor Bridge, in the County of
Cornwall, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER
CAPSTANS, PART OF SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO STEAM
WINCHES"
Sealed the 22nd April 1879, and dated the 15th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Vivian at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1879.
JAMES VIVIAN, of Mylor Bridge, in the County of Cornwall. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM AND OTHER CAPSTANS, PART OF SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
TO STEAM WINCHES."
My Invention consists, firstly, of a circular frame with circular flange or groove,
on which is fitted a circular ring or cover or arm, the same being free to revolve
around the centre shaft, and carrying with it a guide pulley, which is fitted on the
margin of same.
The ring or cover is held in position by suitable pieces fitted underneath the
flanges. The shaft passes through the ring or cover, and is fitted on the upper end
with a cam, the shaft being rotated in the usual way by wheel gear.
The guide pulley is considered a principal feature in this improvement, and is
applicable also to winches and other similar purposes.
My Invention of improvements in steam and other capstans consists, secondly, in
reversing gear, comprising a circular case, attached to an eccentric sheave, in which
is fitted a piston or pistons, the same being free to rotate round the shaft. On the
boss of the circular case fits a double groove ring, in which the boss revolves while
the ring is being held stationary, the boss being provided with steam ports, which
communicate with each groove and the circular case. By this arrangement steam
can be let in at will on either side of the pistons, thereby reversing the engine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Vivian in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th July
1879.
JAMES VIVIAN, of Mylor Bridge, in the County of Cornwall.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM AND OTHER CAPSTANS, PART OF SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
TO STEAM WINCHES."
In Figs. 1 to 11, A is the circular framing, resting on bed-plate A'; B, inside
flange at upper part of frame A; C, circular cover or table fitted free to revolve on
the flange B; D, centre shaft, around which cover or table C revolves; E, guide
pulley, fitted to cover or table C; F, semi-circular slides underneath flange B, by
which cover or table C is held in position, slides F being firmly bolted to said cover
or table; G, teeth on slides F (similar to an ordinary cog-wheel), which gear into
pinion H fitted on vertical shaft I; K, drum or warping end fitted on the centre
shaft D; L, vertical arm or pivot attached to cover or table C; M, drum or barrel
fitted on arm or pivot L; N, pinion fitted on shaft D, which gears into toothed
wheel O, and drives drum or barrel M; P, horizontal pulleys, one on each side of
the guide pulley E; Q, shaft actuated by the ongine, causing the toothed wheel and
gear to actuate the capstan as required; R is the brake. In Figs. 12 to 16, a is
circular case, attached to eccentric sheave b; c, piston or pistons; d, boss, on which
fits double grooved ring e, in which the boss revolves; f, steam ports ; e¹, e²,
in ring e.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
grooves
My Invention thus consists of a circular frame A, with suitable bed plate A¹, the
upper part of said frame being provided with circular inside flange B, on the top of
which is fitted a circular cover or table C, the same being free to revolve around the
centre shaft D, and carrying with it a guide pulley or pulleys E, which is or are
fitted near the margin of table or cover C. The cover or table C is held in position
by two semicircular slides F, fitted underneath the circular flange B, and is firmly
bolted to said cover or table C, the circular slide F being provided with teeth Ġ

page_text: similar to the ordinary cog-wheel, and a pinion H, fitted on the vertical shaft I,
gears into said slide F, by which means the cover or table C is turned round to any
desired point similar to the steam crane.
The centre shaft D passes through the cover or table C, and is fitted on the upper
end with a drum or warping end K, the shaft being rotated as shown in the Draw-
ings. I attach to the cover or table C a vertical arm or pivot L, on the opposite
sido of the centre shaft D to that of the guide pulley E. On said arm or pivot L
I fit a drum or barrel M, which is rotated by a pinion N fitted on the centre shaft
D, below or underneath the drum, as shown in the Drawings. I also fit two hori-
zontal pulleys P, one on each side of guide pulley E, which are intended for use
when the rope is required to be taken on either side of centre line of said
machine.
The brake and lever, etc., are fitted in the usual way.
The guide pulley E is also applicable to winches and other similar purposes. The
modified form of capstan shown at Figs. 8 to 11 of the Drawings will be well under-
stood on inspection thereof, the action being substantially the same as in the capstan
worked by steam.
My Invention of improvements in steam and other capstans consists, secondly, in
reversing gear (shown in Figs. 12 to 16 of the Drawings), and comprises a circular
case a attached to an eccentric sheave 6, in which is fitted a piston or pistons c, the
same being free to rotate round the shaft. On the boss d of the circular case a fits.
a double groove ring e, in which the boss d revolves, while the ring e is being held
stationary, the boss being provided with steam ports f, which communicate with
each groove e¹, e³, and the circular case a. By this arrangement steam can be let in
at will on either side of the pistons c, thereby reversing the engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the mid Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as required by the said
condition in the said Letters Patent, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of
improvements in steam and other capstans, part of said improvements being appli-
cable to steam winches, in which Invention principal points or features are the
adoption of the circular table or cover and the guide pulley arrangements, substan-
tially as herein before described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings. It
being understood that I do not confine myself to the mere details shown and
described, but claim to vary the same so long as the substantial character of the
Invention, as herein described, is adhered to.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Vivian, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight'
hundred and seventy nine
Witness,
HENRY BENNETT,
Penryn.
JAMES VIVIAN. (L.S.)