IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE APPARATUS FOR PULLEY BLOCKS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR CRABS, CRANES, WINCHES, AND OTHER MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Ley, of the Vulcan Iron Works, Derby, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE APPARATUS FOR PULLEY BLOCKS,
APPLICABLE ALSO FOR CRABS, CRANES, WINCHES, AND OTHER MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Ley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1877.
FRANCIS LEY, of the Vulcan Iron Works, Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE
APPARATUS FOR PULLEY BLOCKS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR CRABS, CRANES, WINCHES,
AND OTHER MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in brake apparatus for pulley
blocks, applicable also for crabs, cranes, winches, and other machines.
In pulley blocks, as now commonly constructed, the frame is of an inverted T
form. The hook by which the pulley block is suspended is attached to the end of
the stern of the T frame, and to this end of the stem is also jointed a brake lever.
A brake strap passing partly around one of the pulleys is attached at one end to the
extremity of one arm of the head of the T frame, whilst the other end of this strap
is connected to the brake lever; or the brake lever has both ends of the strap
secured to it. To the lever is also connected a cord, by pulling which the brake
strap can be tightened around the pulley, and the load either prevented from
running down, or its descent regulated as may be desired. If however the cord
is slackened, the load at once runs down.
According to my Invention I joint to the extremity of the brake lever a rod
passing through the centre of and carrying a ball. To the end of this rod I connect
the cord by which the brake is to be applied. The rod passes through a slot in a
plate carried by a prolongation of the head of the inverted T frame.
When the brake is not in use, the ball on the rod is above the plate. When the
cord is pulled on, the brake is applied, and the ball is drawn downwards through
the slot in the plate.
If it is desired to keep the load suspended, the lower end of the rod is by the cord
swung outwards away from the pulleys; the rod then moves through a чarrow
:

page_text: portion of the slot in the plate, and the upper part of the ball enters a cup-shaped
hollow at the outer extremity of the slot; this extremity of the slot is of such size
as not to allow the ball to pass through it. The cord may then be released, and the
brake will still continue to hold the pulley.
There is sufficient spring in the brake, lever, and strap to enable the ball to be
thus sprung into the cup-shaped recess.
To release the brake, the cord merely requires a steady pull to bring it into its
normal position; the descent of the load can then readily be regulated by the man
holding the cord.
The brake apparatus above described is also applicable to crabs, cranes, winches,
and other machines.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Francis Ley in the Great Patent Seal Office on the 19th December
1877.
FRANCIS LEY, of the Vulcan Iron Works, Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE
APPARATUS FOR PULLEY BLOCKS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR CRABS, CRANES, WINCHES,
AND OTHER MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in brake apparatus for pulley
blocks, applicable also for crabs, cranes, winches, and other machines.
In pulley blocks, as now commonly constructed, the frame is of an inverted T
form. The hook by which the pulley block is suspended is attached to the end of
the stem of the T frame, and to this end of the stem is also jointed a brake lever.
A brake strap passing partly around one of the pulleys is attached at one end to the
extremity of one arm of the head of the T frame, whilst the other end of the strap
is connected to the brake lever; or the brake lever has both ends of the strap
secured to it. To this lever is also connected a cord, by pulling which the bruke
strap can be tightened around the pulley, and the load either prevented from
running down, or its descent regulated as may be desired. If however the cord is
alackened, the load at once runs down.
According to my Invention I joint to the extremity of the brake lever a rod
passing through the centre of and carrying a ball; to the end of this rod I connect
the cord by which the brake is to be applied. The rod passes through a slot in a
plate carried by a prolongation of the head of the inverted T frame.
When the brake is not in use, the ball on the rod is above the plate. When the
cord is pulled on, the brake is applied, and the ball is drawn downwards through
the slot in the plate.
If it is desired to keep the load suspended, the lower end of the rod is by the cord
swung outwards away from the pulleys; the rod then noves through a narrow
portion of the slot in the plate, and the upper part of the ball enters a cup-shaped
hollow at the outer extremity of the slot; this extremity of the slot is of such size
as not to allow the ball to pass through it. The cord may then be released, and
the brake will still continue to hold the pulley.
There is sufficient spring in the brake lever and strap to enable the ball to be
thus sprung into the cup-shaped recess.

page_text: To release the brake, the cord merely requires a steady pull to bring it into its
normal position; the descent of the load can then readily be regulated by the man
holding the cord.
The brake apparatus above described is also applicable to crabs, cranes, winches,
and other machines.
The Drawing hereunto annexed shews a pulley block with brake apparatus
applied to it in the manner above described.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the pulley block with its brake apparatus.
Figure 2 shews a section of the locking plate, and also the end of a brake lever
with the rod and ball dependent from it; Figure 3 shews a plan view of the same.
Figure 4 shews separately a section of the locking plate.
A is the inverted T frame carrying the pulleys; B is the brake strap jointed to
one arm of the T frame, and after being carried partly around one of the pulleys
jointed to the brake lever C in the ordinary manner; D is the locking plate
secured to the arm of the T frame to which the brake strap is connected, the bars
of which the arm is composed being prolonged, so as to carry the plate. E is the
rod hanging down from the end of the brake lever C, and passing through a slot in
the plate D. H is the ball secured to the rod E; I, a cord hanging down from the
end of the rod E.
When the brake is to be applied, the rod is pulled downwards by the cord I, and
drawn into the position shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 2, so that the ball may
rest in the cup-shaped hollow M on the under side of the plate D.
When the brake is required to be released, the cord is again pulled on, and the
rod swung back to its former position; the counterbalance weight O at the end of
the brake lever will then cause the ball to rise up into the larger cup N formed on
the plate, or might simply cause it to rise up through a hole in this plate.
The same arrangement of brake apparatus can be used with the brake wheels or
pulleys of crabs, cranes, winches, and other machines.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim the combined arrangement of
brake apparatus for pulley blocks, substantially as herein described, and also for
crabs, cranes, winches, and other machines.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Ley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HATA THY