IM- PROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC ELEVATING MACHINERY
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC ELEVATING MACHINERY.” A communication from
abroad by Timothy Stebins, and Joseph W. Howard, both of Boston, Massa-
chusetts, United States of America.
Scaled the 28th October 1876, and dated the 9th September 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION. filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th September 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC ELEVATING
MACHINERY." A communication from abroad by Timothy Stebins, and Joseph W.
Howard, both of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
"
. My Invention relates to hydraulic elevators used in buildings, and it consists,
first, in overcoming the friction by, and making the water in the main or tank
counterbalance the car; secondly, in the peculiar construction of the parts for
securing the packing; and, thirdly, in the construction of the cross head
consists in the combination of parts herein-after specified.
It also
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elevator provided with my improvements. .
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
B is a hollow piston working between the cylinders A and E, and attached to the
cross head C Within the cylinder E is the piston c attached by the rod F to the
cross head C, as shown in Figure 2. The opening i leads from the main or tank
into the cylinder E, and beneath the piston e, so that when the cross head rises with
the piston e the cylinder E is filled with water directly from the main or tank and
operates to overcome friction and aid in raising the car, but when the car is agam
lowered the water in the cylinder E is forced back into the main or tank and serves
to steady the car in its descent and acts as a counterbalance for the car and plunger, -
which is perfectly safe and reliable. It is evident that by thus using and forcing
back the water into the main I utilize a large and important. power free of cost, as
there will be no.waste or consumption of the water in the cylinder E.

page_text: I do not confine myself to the exact devices shown for thus utilizing the water in
the main for a counterbalance, as the same result can be attained by other devices
or arrangements of parts. It is evident that steam power may be casily applied
and used to force water into the elevator where there is not sufficient water pressure
in the main or tank.
In elevators heretofore constructed, if the car in its descent meets with any
obstruction or should be accidentally caught upon packages left carelessly in its
way, the elevator being suddenly relieved of its counterbalance will continue to
operate and unwind the hoisting ropes. This difficulty is completely overcome by
utilizing the water in the main or tank as a counterbalance for that remains at all
times and under all circumstances in position, and the pistons are arrested in their
descent the moment the car is arrested in its track, thus avoiding all possibility of
accident.
In Figure 21 have shown devices for securing the piston packing For this
purpose the ring or cap c is constructed to fit loosely over the lower flange b of the
hollow piston B to which it is secured by screws or by other convenient means.
The packing ring of india-rubbor or other suitable material being placed on the
flange b, the ring or cap cis moved down upon it and secured in position. It is
evident that the packing can be readily adjusted by one attendant as it is all
arranged from the outside of the cylinder, and the only part of the machine or
apparatus to be handled is the ring or cap c. The outer packing of the hollow
piston B having been adjusted, it becomes necessary to adjust the packing on the
inner side or between the piston and the hollow cylinder E In doing this the
inner ring a is raised from its seat upon the inner flange a¹ of the piston, and an
india-rubber or other suitable packing is placed upon the flange u¹; the ring a is
then returned to its position or seat, and secured by screws or other convenient
means. The piston rod F, to which is attached the piston e, passes vertically
through the cross head C, to which is is secured by a bolt n passing through the
cross head horizontally. When the bolt n 18 withdrawn, the piston rod F can be
raised and the piston e elevated above the cylinder E. To arrange and secure the
packing on the piston e it is only necessary to raise tho piston, run up the screw-
nut p on the rod F, lift the cap from its seat, place the packing on the piston,
return the cap to its place and screw down the nut. The piston is then in
working order, and the rod F is again secured in position by the bolt n.
cross head C is provided with the pendent arms I, I, I, supporting the journals k, k,
as shown in Figure 2 The object of this peculiar construction is to avoid or prevent
springing of the journals by reason of the great strain to which they are subjected.
The outer ends of these journals are sustained by the eyebolts 1, l, attached by
screws and nuts to the cross head, as shown in Figure 2.
The
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim
First. Counterbalancing the car and plunger of a hydraulic elevator by water
in the main or tank acting directly on the plunger and without the intervention
of valves as above described and for the purpose specified.
Second. In a hydraulic elevator utilizing the water of a main as an auxiliary
power without waste or consumption by means of connecting pipes without the
intervention of valves, as above set forth.
Third. The hollow piston provided with the beviled flanges in combination with
the rings as above described and for the purpose specified.
Fourth The piston in combination with the beviled cap and screw-nut as above
set forth and for the purpose specified
Fifth. The cross head provided with the pendent arms supporting journals in
combination with eyebolts as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Sixtli. An elevator in which the car is counterbalanced by water in the main or
tank without the intervention of valves, and in which the hollow piston with
beviled flanges and the beviled cap, the cross head, and pendent arins, and other

page_text: parts are arranged and combined as shewn in the accompanying Drawing, and
operate as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W ROB. LAKE. (LS)