IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE STOPPING AND STARTING OF MACHINERY Communicated.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& C° Patent Agents Southampton Buildings London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE STOPPING AND
STARTING OF MACHINERY Communicated to him from abroad by James.
"
F
"
TT
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILI-
TATING THE STOPPING AND STARTING OF MACHINERY"-[A communication to him
from abroad by James Alexander Horton of Reading Massachusetts, United
States of America]
This invention relates to apparatus to be used in connection with machinery of
various kinds for readily stopping the same when in motion and starting it when
at rest, as may be desired.
The said invention has for one of its objects to provide an improved friction
apparatus or movement adapted to readily connect and disconnect a shaft which
operates a die in a drop-press, or performs a similar function, with, and from, the
driving wheel which gives it motion, so that said shaft, after each performance of
its allotted work, will be automatically disconnected from its motor and become
inoperative until it is again connected with its motor by the act of the attendant, .
which apparatus comprises improved devices hereinafter described.
The said invention has for another object to provide improved means for stopping
and starting mechanism driven by a continuously rotated shaft, which means
comprise automatic devices for connecting the shaft and the mechanism operated
thereby so. that both will rotate together normally, and a device whereby an
attendant is enabled to instantly render said automatic devices inoperative when
it is desired to stop the mechanism as hereinafter described.

page_text: According to one part of my invention I provide a driving wheel which rotates
loosely on the shaft to which power is to be applied, excepting when made fast
thereto by the devices described hereinafter, and is continuously rotated by the
primo motor.
Upon the shaft is rigidly keyed a collar whose perimeter is composed of several
plane surfaces or sides of equal length each having the same relation to the centre
of motion of the shaft. The collar may be octagonal and is located in a circular
recess in the driving wheel, a space of varying width being left between the recess
and the perimeter of the collar. Journalled to have a partial loose rotation on the
hub of the collar is a plate or disc having a series of projections on its inner side
extending into the space between the recess and the perimeter of the collar. The
independent rotation of the disc is limited by segmental slots in said disc and
studs attached to the collar and projecting into said slots. In advance of each
projection is a friction-roller, there being as many rollers as there are sides on the
collar, each roller coinciding with one of said sides and being adapted, when moved.
in one direction; to become wedged in the narrower portions of the space between
the proximate surfaces of the recess and collar so as to connect the driving wheel
with the shaft and cause both to rotate together, and when moved in the opposite
direction, to be freed from contact with one or both of said surfaces and release the
wheel from the shaft. Between each roller and the projection behind it, is inter-
posed a light spring, said springs having only sufficient power to overcome the
weight of those rollers which are in such position as to require to be moved
upwardly to effect their engagement with both the collar and the wall of the recess.
The rollers are moved to connect and release the shaft as described by the rotation
of the disc upon the hub in one direction or the other. When the shaft is to be
made fast to the wheel the disc is rotated in a forward direction, the projections
being thus caused to press the rollers into the narrower portions of the space and
cause them to connect the wheel and shaft. This movement-of-the-disc-may bo
eflected by means of a dog on a vertically movable rod which is adapted to be
raised by pressure of the operator's foot on a treadle. When tho rod is raised its
dog engages a notch in the disc and gives said disc a sufficient independent rotary
movement to effect the connection of the driving wheel, and the shaft, by the
rollers. The shaft is thus set in motion by the driving wheel and caused by
friction to rotate the disc.
To effect the disengagement of the shaft from the driving wheel it is only
necessary to arrest the rotation of the disc; when this is done the rollers are arrested
by the projections but the shaft and its collar continue to rotate as far as permitted
by the slots and studs, each stud moving from one end of its slot to the other after
the disc is stopped. This independent movement of the collar while the rollers are
arrested, is equivalent to moving the rollers into the wider portions of the space so
that they cease to connect the driving wheel and the shaft, the latter stopping
when the studs reach the opposite ends of the slots. To arrest the disc I employ a
bar pivotted to a fixed support or standard and a stud formed on the outer sido of
the disc. The end of the bar is arranged to form a stop for the stud when the bar
is in its normal position. The rod which operates the dog is provided with a
shoulder which engages a sliding latch on the bar and is thus adapted, when raised,
to rotate the disc as above described and to also tilt the bar so that its end falls
below the stud and the disc is released just before the rollers are moved to engage
the driving wheel with the shaft. It is obvious that when the bar resumes its
former position, the end of the bar will arrest the disc, and effect the above
described release of the shaft from the driving wheel. The release of the treadle
by the operator will allow the bar to resume its former position, and stop the shaft,
but to prevent accidents which might result from continuous rotation of the shaft
in case of the failure of the operator to release the treadle, I provide a latch which
is adapted to slide on the bar and has an arm arranged to be forced back by the
stud when the disc is being rotated, so that the latch will be disengaged from the
shoulder of the rod and the outer end of the bar will be allowed to fall

page_text: independently of the rod, a spring being employed to pull the outer end of the bar
downwardly when it is released. The stopping of the shaft after each complete
rotation is thus ensured. The latch is provided with a spring, which draws it back
and holds it in yielding contact with the side of the rod, so that it may engage
automatically with the shoulder when the rod descends.
I do not limit myself to the dog and notch as a means for imparting to the disc
the independent rotation which engages the driving wheel with the shaft. A
modification may be employed in which a spring secured at one end to a stud on
the disc, and at the other end to one of the studs, is substituted for the dog and
notch. The spring is to be extended by the continued rotation of the shaft through
the length of the slots after the disc is arrested, so that when said disc is released
by the displacement of the bar the extended spring, in contracting, will give the,
disc a similar rotation to that imparted by the dog.
A safety pin may be inserted in coinciding holes in the disc and collar to
prevent the accidental rotation of the disc, and rotation of the shaft, when Buch
rotation would be detrimental or dangerous, as for instance when the dies of a drop
press are being changed. An accidental pressure on the treadle such as might be
caused by the dropping of a tool upon it, will release the disc and obviously cause
damage under some circumstances. This may be avoided by the use of the pin.
My described improvemonts aro applicable to drop-presses and other machines in
which the operating devices or tools are to be alternately put in operative connection
with, and disconnected from, the prime motor. The shaft in a drop press will be
provided with a suitable crank or excentric to enable it to reciprocate a dio or
plunger.
I will now proceed to describe another part of my invention. I provide a sleeve
or collar which is loose upon a continuously driven shaft (say for instance the shaft
of a hoisting engine) and is enlarged at one end; a collar is keyed rigidly to the
shaft and is provided with a flange which projects over the enlarged end of the
sleeve and is larger than said sleeve so that an annular space is formed between
said sleeve and flange. The periphery of the sleeve is indented at various points
so as to form enlargements in the annular space above mentioned, and in these
enlargements are placed a series of cylindrical rollers of such diamoter that when
they are in the deeper portions of said indentations they will be in a loose
condition between the flange and sleeve, but when moved into the shallower
portions of the indentations they will be firmly bound between the two surfaces
and will cause both to rotate together. A ring is placed loosely on the sleeve and
is adapted to rotate on said sleeve, its rotations being limited by studs projecting
from the sleeve into slots in the ring. On one end of the ring are formed fingers
or projections which project and nearly fill the spaces between the rollers so that
when the ring is rotated the projections will press against, and move, the rollers
laterally. A spring is placed in a recess in the ring and bears against one end of
said recess and against a stud projecting from the sleeve into said recess.
spring operates to rotate the ring and thus force the rollers into the narrower parts
of the enlargements of the annular space in which said rollers are located and held
to the rollers in said position so that they will normally connect tho flange and
sleeve and cause the shaft to which the flange is rigidly attached, to rotate tho
sleeve which may be provided with a pinion, or otherwise adapted to impart
motion from the shaft to the mechanism to be operated. A casing is rigidly
attached to a suitable fixed frame or support and enclosing the ring. In one side
of the casing is a recess which is provided with a series of indentations in which
are placed a series of rollers which are of such diameter that when they coincide
with the deeper portions of said indentations they are in a loose condition between
the casing and ring, but when moved into the shallower portions of said indentations
will bind the casing and ring firmly together and thus arrest the motion of the
ring (the casing being fixed) and cause the projections of the latter to arrest the
rollers said rollers are thus caused to coincide with the deeper portions of the
indentations in the sleeve and therefore cease to connect the sleevo and flango.
:
The

page_text: Each of the indentations in the casing and sleeve terminates abruptly at one
end so that when the rolls are arrested they will be prevented by the abrupt
terminations of the indentations from binding between the two surfaces.
It will be seen therefore that by arresting the ring the shaft, and the sleeve
which is connected with the mechanism to be operated, are disconnected, and the
mechanism becomes inoperative. To effect such disconnection, I employ a lever
which is fitted to oscillate upon the shaft and has a series of projections between
which the rollers are located. Said projections move the rollers laterally when the
lever is oscillated and thus when the lever is moved, cause said rollers to bind
between the casing and ring and arrest the motion of the ring. When the lever is
raised the rollers coincide with the deeper portions of the indentations in the
casing and are inoperative, the ring being returned to its normal position by the
spring. The attendant is thus enabled, by a single movement of the lever, to
instantly stop or start the mechanism operated by the shaft. The improved friction
movement is much quicker in its action and involves less wear and liability of
breakage than any of which I am aware

page_text: and the perimeter of the collar C. The independent rotation of the disc D is limited
by segmental slots P, P, in the said disc and studs QQ attached to the collar C and
projecting into the said slots. In advance of each projection H is a friction roller J
there being as many rollers as there are sides on the collar G each roller coinciding
with one of the said sides and being adapted when moved in one direction to
become wedged in the narrower portions of the space F between the proximate
surfaces of the recess E and the collar C, so as to connect the driving wheel with
the shaft, and cause both to rotate together, and when moved in the opposite
direction to be freed from contact with one or both of the said surfaces and release
the wheel from the shaft. Between each roller and the projection behind it is
interposed a light spring L' the said springs having only sufficient power to over-
come the weight of those rollers which are in such position as to require to be
moved upwardly to effect their engagement with both the collar and the wall of
the recess: The rollers J are moved to connect and release the shaft as described
by the rotation of the disc D upon the hub C' in one direction or the other. When
the shaft is to be made fast to the wheel B the disc D is rotated in a forward
direction as indicated by tho arrows in Figures 1. 2 and 4 the projections H
being thus caused to press the rollers J into the narrower portions of the space F and
cause them to connect the wheel and shaft. This movement of the disc D may be
effected by means of a dog L, on a vertically movable rod M which is adapted to
be raised by pressure of the operator's foot on a treadle. When the rod M is
raised its dog L engages a notch Ŏ in the disc D and gives the said disc a sufficiently
independent rotary movement to effect the connection of the driving wheel and the
shaft by the rollers J. The shaft is thus set in motion by the driving wheel and
caused by friction to rotate the disc D.
To effect the disengagement of the shaft from the driving wheel it is only necessary
to arrest the rotation of the disc D, when this is done the rollers J are arrested by tho
projections H, but the shaft A and its collar C continue to rotate as far as permitted
by the slots P and studs Q, each stud moving from one end of its slot to the other
after the disc D is stopped. This independent movement of the collar C while the
rollers are arrested is equivalent to moving the rollers into the wider portions of
the space F, so that they cease to connect the driving wheel and the shaft, the
latter stopping when the studs Q reach the opposite ends of the slots P. To arrest
the disc DI employ a bar R pivotted to a fixed support or standard S and a stud T
formed on the outer side of the disc D. The end of the bar R is arranged to form
a stop for the stud T when the bar is in its normal position, as shown in Figures 1
and 2. The rod M which operates the dog L is provided with a shoulder which
engages a sliding latch V on the bar R, and is thus adapted when raised to rotate
the disc D as above described and also to tilt the bar R as shown in Figure 6, so
that its end falls, below the stud T and the disc is released just before the rollers J
are moved to engage the driving wheel with the shaft. It is obvious that when
the bar R resumes its former position, the end of the bar will arrest the disc D, and
effect the above described release of the shaft from the driving wheel. The release
of the treadle N by the operator will allow the bar to resume its former position
and stop the shaft, but to prevent accidents which might result from continuous
rotation of the shaft in case of the failure of the operator to release the treadle, I
provide the latch V which is adapted to slide on the bar R and has an arm W
arranged to be forced back by the stud T when the disc D is being rotated, so that
the latch will be disengaged from the shoulder U of the rod M, and the outer end
of the bar will be allowed to fall independently of the rod, a spring X being
employed to pull the outer end of the bar downwardly when it is released. The
stopping of the shaft after each complete rotation is thus ensured. The latch V
is provided with a spring Z. which draws it back and holds it in yielding contact
with the side of the rod M, so that it may engage automatically with the shoulder U
when the rod M descends
I do not limit myself to the dog L and notch O as a means for imparting to the
disc D the independent rotation which engages the driving wheel with the shaft

page_text: A modification may be employed as shown in Figure 8 in which a spring 2, secured
at one end to a stud 3 on the disc D and at the other end to one of the studs Q
is substituted for the dog and notch. The spring is to be extended by the continuous
rotation of the shaft through the length of the slots after the disc D is arrested,
so that when the said disc is released by the displacement of the bar R, tho
extended spring in contracting will give the disc a similar rotation to that imparted
by the dog L. 4 indicates a safety pin which may be inserted in coinciding holes
in the disc D and collar C as shown in Figure 3, to prevent the accidental rotation
of the disc and rotation of the shaft when such rotation would be detrimental or
dangerous, as for instance, when the dies of a drop press are being changed. An
accidental pressure on the treadle N such as might be caused by the dropping
of a tool upon it, will release the disc D and obviously cause damage under some
circumstances. This may be avoided by the use of the pin 4.
The improvements herein before described are applicable to drop presses and other
machines in which the operating devices or tools are to be alternately put in
operative connection with and disconnected from the prime motor. The shaft A in
a drop press will be provided with a suitable crank or excentric to enable it to
reciprocate a die or plunger.
Referring to Figures 9, 10 and 11 which illustrate the second part of the said
invention A indicates a continuously driven shaft the same being for example the
shaft of a hoisting engine and attached to the balance wheel and crank of the said
engine. C indicates a sleeve or collar which is loose upon the shaft and is enlarged
at one end as shown in Figure 9. G indicates a collar which is keyed rigidly to
the shaft A and is provided with a flange G¹ which projects over the enlarged end of
the sleeve C and is larger than the said sleeve, so that an annular space is
formed between the sleeve and flange. The periphery of the sleeve C is indented
at various points as shown in Figure 11 so as to form enlargements in
the annular space above mentioned and in these enlargements are placed a
series of cylindrical rollers R of such diameter that when they are in the deeper
portions of the said indentations they will be in a loose condition between
the flange G¹ and the sleeve C, but when moved into the shallower portions of the
indentations they will be firmly bound between the two surfaces and will cause
both to rotate together. I indicates a ring which is placed loosely on the sleevo C
and is adapted to rotate on the said sleeve, its rotations being limited by studs C¹
projecting from the sleeve C into slots I'I' in the ring I. On one end of the ring I
are formed fingers or projections K which project and nearly fill the spaces between
the rollers R so that when the ring I is rotated the projections K will press
against and move the rollers R laterally. H indicates a spring placed in a recess
in the ring I and bearing against one end of the said recess and against a stud L
projecting from the sleeve C into it. The spring H operates to rotate the ring I
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10, and thus force the rollers R
into the narrower parts of the enlargements of the annular space in which the
said rollers are located, and hold the rollers in the said position so that they
will normally connect the flange G' and sleeve Cand cause the shaft A to which the
flange G¹ is rigidly attached to rotate the sleeve C which may be provided with a
pinion or otherwise adapted to impart motion from the shaft A to the mechanism
to be operated E indicates a casing rigidly attached to a suitable fixed frame or
support and enclosing the ring I. In one side of the casing E is a recess E' which
is provided with a series of indentations in which are placed a series of rollers F
which are of such diameter that when they coincide with the deeper portions of
the said indentations they are in a loose condition between the casing E and ring I
but when moved into the shallower portions of tho said indentations will bind the
casing E and ring I firmly together and thus arrest the motion of the ring I (the
casing E being fixed), and cause the projections K of the latter to arrest the rollers R.
The said rollers are thus caused to coincide with the deeper portions of the
indentations in the sleeve C and therefore cease to connect the sleeve C and
flange G. Each of the indentations in the casing E and sleeve C terminates

page_text: abruptly at one end as shown in Figures 10 and 11 so that when the rolls are
arrested they will be prevented by the abrupt terminations of the indentations from
binding between the two surfaces.
It will be seen therefore that by arresting the ring I, the shaft A and the sleeve C
(which is connected with the mechanism to be operated) are disconnected and the
mechanism becomes inoperative. To effect such disconnection, I employ a lever D
which is fitted to oscillate upon the shaft A and has a series of projections D'
between which the rollers F are located as shown in Figure 10. The said
projections move the rollers F laterally when the lever D is oscillated and thus when
the lever is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow on the said lever in
Figure 10 cause the said rollers to bind between the casing E and ring I and arrest
the motion of the ring. When the lever D is raised to the position shown in
Figure 10 the rollers coincide with the deeper portions of the indentations in the casing
and are inoperative, the ring I being returned to its normal position by the spring H.
The attendant is thus enabled by a simple movement of the lever D to instantly
stop or start the mechanisin operated by the shaft. The improved friction movement
is much quicker in its action and involves less wear and liability of breakage than
those heretofore constructed.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First The combination of a continuously rotated-driving wheel, a shaft normally
disconnected from the said wheel, mechanism controlled by an attendant to engage
the shaft with the driving wheel, and automatic mechanism for disengaging the
shaft from the wheel after the said shaft has operated, as sot forth.
Second. The combination of a shaft A having a many sided collar, a continuously
rotated driving wheel normally loose on the said shaft and provided with a con-
centric recess surrounding the said collar, a series of friction rollers located in the
space between the said recess and collar, and means for varying the position of the
rollers with relation to the wider and narrower portions of the space F and thereby
engaging the shaft with or releasing it from the driving wheel, substantially as
described
Third. The combination of a shaft A having a many sided collar, a con-
tinuously rotated driving wheel normally loose on the said shaft, and provided
with a concentric recess surrounding the said collar, a series of friction rollers
located in the space between the said recess and collar, a disc D having a limited
independent rotary movement on the shaft and provided with projections H
arranged between the rollers, and means for rotating the said disc to cause the
rollers to engage the driving wheel with the shaft, and for stopping the said disc to
release the wheel from the shaft, as set forth.
Fourth. The roller operating disc D having a limited independent rotary move-
ment, and provided with a stud T in combination with the pivotted bar R adapted
to arrest the disc D and means substantially as described for turning the bar on its
pivot to release the said disc, as set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the roller operating disc D having a limited inde-
pendent rotary movement and provided with the stud T, of the bar R, the sliding
latch V and the shouldered rod M and its operating device, as, and for the purpose
set forth
Sixth. The combination of the bar R, the shouldered rod M, and the latch V
arranged to be unlatched by a cam or projection fixed on the rotating shaft, as set
forth.
Seventh. The combination of the roller operating disc D having a limited inde-
pendent rotation, the collar C, and the safety pin 4 whereby accidental independent
rotation of the disc is prevented as set forth.
Eighth. The combination of a shaft having a recessed or flanged collar, a loose
sleeve on the said shaft adapted to communicate motion and having an indented
surface surrounded by the said collar, a series of rollers located in the space between

page_text: the sleeve and collar, and automatic means for holding the said rollers with a
yielding pressure into engagement with the surfaces of the said sleeve and collar, as
set forth.
Ninth. The combination of a shaft having a recessed or flanged collar, a loose
sleeve on the said shaft adapted to communicate motion and having an indented
surface surrounded by the said collar, a series of rollers located in the space
between the sleeve and collar, an automatic device for holding the said rollers with
a yielding pressure in engagement with the surfaces of the sleeve and collar, and
mechanism controlled by an attendant to arrest the said automatic device and
thereby disconnect the sleeve from the shaft, as set forth.
Tenth. The combination of a shaft having a recessed or flanged collar, a loose
sleeve on the said shaft adapted to communicate motion and having an indented
surface surrounded by the said collar, a series of friction rollers located in the space
between the said sleeve and collar, and a spring impelled ring having projections
interposed between the said rollers, and adapted to move the same laterally, as set
forth.
Eloventh. The combination with the spring impelled ring, of the fixed and
recessed casing E, the friction rollers F located in the recess of the casing, and
the lever D having projections adapted to move the said rollers laterally as set
forth.
In Witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Second day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.