A COMPOUND ACTION IN CAGE MACHINERY WITH THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, HAVING A PERFORATED SHIELD FOR SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF A ROPE, BAND, OR CHAIN BREAKING, OR THE ENGINEMAN DRAWING THE CAGE TOO HIGH, AT COAL OR OTHER SHAFTS WHERE SLIDES ARE APPLICABLE; WHICH SAID INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO HOISTING OR OTHER LIFTING MACHINES
Year: 1859

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to John Thomas Calow, of Staveley, in the County of
Derby, Joiner, Cabinet Maker, and Carriage Builder, for the Invention
of "A COMPOUND ACTION IN CAGE MACHINERY WITH THE APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, HAVING A PERFORATED SHIELD FOR SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY
IN THE EVENT OF A ROPE, BAND, OR CHAIN BREAKING, OR THE ENGINEMAN
DRAWING THE CAGE TOO HIGH, AT COAL OR OTHER SHAFTS WHERE SLIDES ARE
APPLICABLE; WHICH SAID INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO HOISTING OR OTHER
LIFTING MACHINES."
ealed the 8th September 1859, and dated the 12th March 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thomas Calow
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th March 1859.
I, JOHN THOMAS CALOW, of Staveley, in the County of Derby, Joiner,
Cabinet Maker, and Carriage Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A COMPOUND ACTION IN CAGE MACHINERY WITH THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, HAVING A PERFORATED SHIELD FOR SAVING LIFE AND
PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF A ROPE, BAND, OR CHAIN BREAKING, OR THE ENGINEMAN
DRAWING THE CAGE TOO HIGH, AT COAL OR OTHER SHAFTS WHERE SLIDES ARE APPLI-
CABLE; WHICH SAID INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO HOISTING OR OTHER LIFTING
MACHINES," to be as follows:-
In ordinary known cage machinery one chair is used which is fastened to
the drawing rope by a strong chain, and this, in the event of the engineman
overwinding the cage, comes in contact with the framework or head gear,

page_text: and immediately severs the rope, chain, or band, and involves it with the cage
in destruction, and if also it should be drawn over the wheel, instant and
certain destruction of the cage and apparatus, with its contents, is the result;
whereas in this my Invention I have what may be called two chairs, or an
upper and a lower chair, which are connected on each side by rods, and which
chairs carry the levers underneath. There is a platform on the inner or upper
chair which carries the coal tub or other vessel, and is attached to levers by
joint rods, and a spring is applied underneath the upper portion of the outer
chair, which will facilitate the action of levers, applying the greater portion of
the weight of the outer chair upon the ends of the levers, and in case of
accident by the expansion thereof, combined with the weight of the load and
inner chair, with the shield, chains, &c., the levers are instantly applied,
thereby preventing the fall of the chairs. My shield is perforated to admit of
air passing through it while ascending or descending the shaft, and is so placed
as to prevent the rope or any falling body from coming in contact with the
men in the chairs, or from lodging upon the upper portion of the chairs,
causing any such body to glide down the shaft harmlessly. At a convenient
distance above the chairs, disconnecting hooks are employed, which are so
constructed that should the drawing rope, band, or chain break, it will imme-
diately be disconnected from the chairs by a lever coming in contact with the
upper portion of a weight suspended by the "check" rope, thereby lifting
certain levers and setting the ends of the hooks at liberty, releasing the levers
which are placed below the outer chair, and in some instances preventing the
broken end of the rope from falling down the shaft or pit. A weight may be
so adjusted as to allow for the stretching of the drawing rope by a flat joint
chain. I use a flat chain at the end of the check rope, which being put through
the levers prevents the rope from twisting, or if it be found necessary the main
rope can be packed so that the two ropes may wind together with the greatest
precision; they must, however, be upon separate drums and pass over separate
pulley wheels of the same or similar size, and upon the same or similar axles
I have also another lever attached to the centre of the disconnecting hooks,
which, when the cage is overdrawn, comes in contact with a bracket, and
effects the same kind of disconnection as that which takes place when the
drawing rope breaks, thereby preventing the chairs from going over the pulley
wheel. I prefer to construct the aforesaid slides of red deal, and in each side
there should be an iron plate, fastened together by countersunk rivets, thereby
preserving the slides and preventing them from splitting when in action.
;

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Thomas Calow in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th September 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
THOMAS CALOW, of Staveley, in the County of Derby, Joiner, Cabinet Maker,
and Carriage Builder, send greeting. .
.
WHEREAS Her: most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Thomas Calow, Her special licence that I, the said John
Thomas Calow, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Thomas Calow, 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 "A COMPOUND ACTION IN CAGE MACHINERY WITH THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, HAVING A PERFORATED SHIELD FOR SAVING LIFE AND PRO-
PERTY IN THE EVENT OF A ROPE, BAND, OR CHAIN BREAKING, OR THE ENGINEMAN
DRAWING THE CAGE TOO HIGH, AT COAL OR OTHER SHAFTS WHERE SLIDES ARE APPLI-
CABLE; WHICH SAID INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO HOISTING OR OTHER LIFTING
MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Thomas Calow, 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 John Thomas Calow, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed,, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying Drawings
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to cage machinery, having a compound action with
the apparatus connected therewith, and having a perforated shield for saving
life and property in the event of the rope, band, or chain breaking, or the
engineman drawing the cage too high, at coal or other shafts where slides are

page_text: applicable, which said Invention is also applicable to hoisting or other lifting
machines.
In ordinary cage machinery one chair or a single chair is used, which chair
is fastened to the drawing rope by a strong chain; and this chair, in the
event of the engineman overwinding the cage, comes in contact with the
framework or head gear, and immediately severs the rope, chain, or band, and
involves it with the cage in destruction; and if also it should be drawn over.
the wheel, instant and certain destruction of the cage and apparatus, with its
contents, is the result; whereas in this my Invention I have what may be
called two chairs, or an upper and a lower chair, which are connected on each
side by rods, and which chairs (or double chair) carry the levers underneath.
There is a platform on the inner or upper chair which carries the coal tub or
other vessel, and is attached to levers by joint rods, and a spring or springs is
applied underneath the upper portion of the outer chair, which will facilitate
the action of the levers, and apply the greater portion of the weight of the
outer chair upon the ends of the levers; and in case of accident, by the ex-
pansion of such spring or springs, combined with the weight of the load and
inner chair, and of the shield, chains, etc., the levers are instantly applied,
thereby preventing the fall of the chair. My shield is perforated to admit of
air passing through it while ascending or descending the shaft, and is so placed
as to prevent the rope or any other falling body from coming in contact with the
men who may be in the chairs, or from lodging upon the upper portion of the
chairs, causing any such body to glide down the shaft harmlessly. At a conve
nient distance above the chairs or double chair, disconnecting hooks are applied;
which are so constructed that should the drawing rope, band, or chain break;
it will immediately be disconnected from the chairs by'a levér or levers coming
in contact with the upper portion of a weight suspended by what is called the
check rope, thereby lifting certain levers and setting the ends of the hooks at
liberty, thus releasing the levers which are placed below the outer chair, and
in some instances preventing the broken ends of the rope, &c. from falling down
the shaft or pit. A weight may be so adjusted as to allow for the stretching
of the drawing rope by a flat joint chain. I propose to use a flat chain at the
end of the check rope, which being put through the levers prevents the rope
from twisting, or if it be found necessary, the main rope can be packed so
that the two ropes may wind together with the greatest precision; they must;
however, be upon separate drums, and pass over separate pulley wheels of the
same or similar size, and upon the same or similar axles. I have also another
lever attached to the centre of the disconnecting hooks, which when the cage
is overdrawn comes in contact with a bracket, and effects the same kind of

page_text: disconnection as that which takes place when the drawing rope breaks, thereby
preventing the chairs from going over the pulley wheel. I prefer to construct the
aforesaid slides of red deal or some similar suitable material, and on each side
there should be an iron plate, fastened together by countersunk rivets, thereby,
preserving the slides and preventing them from splitting when in action.
I now proceed to explain my Invention more particularly with.reference to
the accompanying Drawings.
The levers, before referred to as being attached under the chair, may also be
attached to the sides as shewn in the Drawings, or even above the chair, if
desirable; by being on the top or sides they are out of the way when the chair
descends into the bottom of the shaft.
.
The first part of my Invention consists of a compound action taking place
on the instant that the rope, band, or chain by which the chair or chairs is
suspended breaks. Upon each side of the chair are affixed double-acting
levers, which are so constructed that they will clasp the guide rods (whether,
they be of wood, iron, or wire rope material,) in such manner that they imme-
diately arrest the descent of the chair; these levers, which have breaks attached
to them, and always work parallel to each other, are brought into action in
case of accident by the long ends of the levers being connected to the outsides
of the chair, and the fulcrum at the same time being borne up by a spring or
springs fixed underneath the upper portion of the outer chair or apparatus,
consequently the whole weight of the chair bearing the load, &c., together
with shield, chains, &c., are thrown upon the long ends of the levers, thereby.
applying the breaks. On the upper portion of the chair bearing the load,' I
have affixed adjusting levers, which may be used in various ways. The use
of these levers is obvious; firstly, they keep the breaks at a proper distance
from the slides by nuts being fixed upon the ends of the rods carrying the
fulcra of the double-acting levers, and consequently bring all the breaks into
action together; also by using them, stronger springs can be applied, for by.
lifting by the long ends of the adjusting levers, a purchase is applied to the
spring or springs which otherwise would not be obtained. Another and most
important use of these levers is in case of the rope, &c. breaking when a person
is in the chair, when, if the springs which are used in all safety chairs fail to
act, the breaks may be applied by the person bearing down the ends of the
adjusting levers, by that means stopping himself and the chair from descending
or falling. This compound action may be applied in a variety of ways, much
more simply, but perhaps less effectively, by two levers and one spring only, or,
by applying an excentric acting as a lever.
When the moving power is applied the weight of the chair or chairs is

page_text: applied to the side chains; these chains, at the end immediately above the
shield, are attached to a disconnecting hook, which is so constructed that when
the rope, &c. breaks and the broken end falls, it becomes detached from the
chair, and therefore falls harmlessly down the shaft without being liable to drag
the chair from the slides. At a convenient distance above this part another
detaching hook is applied, which, in case of overwinding, comes in contact
with a trussed bracket, and thereby disconnects from the chair; but these
hooks in this instance are applicable in case only one rope be used; but where
two ropes are used, as before referred to, one being the drawing rope and the
other a check rope, which in case of the main rope breaking, instantly
detaches it from the chair, and prevents it from retarding the action of the
machinery, (and which two ropes I recommend and have named, to obviate
objections respecting the action of safety cages,) the hooks would require to
be applied in the manner before explained in the previous part of this Specifi-
cation, i.e., where two ropes are supposed to be employed. A swivel might be
applied to the bottom hook, if required. I may here remark that I prefer the
bottom book being level with the top part of the shield, and thus prevent the
possibility of the rope wrapping round it in case of accident.
Figure 1 is a front view or elevation of the apparatus, showing a portion of
the machinery when in ordinary work, or when suspended by the rope;
Figure 2, a side view of Figure 1. A, A, are the adjusting levers; B, B, are
the rods which carry the fulcra of the double-acting levers, and which are
forced down by the levers A, A, thereby removing the breaks from the slides,
as shown at C, C, Figure 2; D, D, are the long ends of the cross levers,
secured to the chair bearing the load; E, E, E, are the springs which bear
up the fulcrum at the time of an accident, the chair bearing the load having
the long ends of the cross levers secured to it, apply the breaks at once, hence
the compound action; from which it will be seen the springs only perform
trifling action compared with other Inventions for the purpose. F, F, are the
nuts which regulate the breaks to any required distance from the slides G, G, G;
S, S, is a perforated shield, the outline of which is shown in Figure 1, but
with the fore part removed, for the purpose of laying the machinery exposed ;
H, H, are the adjusting chains bearing the whole weight of the cage, load, &c.;
I, I, is the disconnecting hook which detaches the rope from the chair after
the breaking of the main rope, as seen in Figure 4; J, J, is the detaching
hook, shown in side view, Figure 1, and in front view, Figure 6, used to prevent
overwinding; this is shown in action at Figure 5; K, K, the trussed bracket
in the act of disconnecting the hook. Figure 3 represents the action of the
cage machinery without the adjusting levers; L, Figures 1 and 2, is a handle

page_text: or bar passing through the long ends of the adjusting levers, constituting a
provision for the sure and effectual application of the breaks, if the springs
fail to act, simply by the man bearing down by this bar and so applying the
breaks at once, which cannot under any circumstance be applied except when
the rope is severed. Where iron or wire slides are used the cross-acting
levers may be affixed to encompass or surround such slides, or work on each
side of them, and the breaks in this case, as on wood slides, may be used of
an indefinite length, thereby gaining a considerable amount of friction, and
preventing the slides from receiving any damage when applied. To ease the
application of the breaks, I propose to insert a thin layer of vulcanized india-
rubber, or any other suitable elastic body, in the break clogs; the face of the
break clogs might be slightly serrated or made rough by any other suitable
means, if found necessary.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, together with the
method in which the same may be carried into practical effect, I declare that
I claim,-
First, the use and application of the compound action, as herein-before
described, together with the various methods of applying the same, as
described.
Secondly, the novel description of lever or levers as used in such action,
together with the parallel motion of the breaks, as described.
Thirdly, the employment and various methods of applying the adjusting
levers, as described.
Fourthly, the perforating of the shield for protecting life and property,
and the employment and arrangement of check rope, operating as described.
And, fifthly, the application or employment and arrangement of the
detaching hooks or apparatus, and their method of action, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Thomas Calow, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Witness,
GEO. JON. ROBINSON,
Patent Agent, Nottingham.
JOHN THOMAS CALOW. (L.S.)