IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION CLUTCHES AND IN FRICTION COUPLINGS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in tho
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FRICTION CLUTCHES AND IN FRICTION COUPLINGS." A communication from
abroad by Francis Gordon Bates, Frank Palmer Pendleton, and Horatio
Bardwell Lincoln, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
Sealed the 23rd May 1879, and dated the 3rd January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd January 1879.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION CLUTCHES AND IN FRICTION
COUPLINGS." A communication from abroad by Francis Gordon Bates, Frank
Palmer Pendleton, and Horatio Bardwell Lincoln, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
The first part of this Invention consists in the use of a sovered spring ring
connected to a carrier or falso hub on a shaft and adapted to the hub of a loose
pulley, the said carrier and ring being combined with mechanism whereby the said
ring may be contracted to or may be released from the hub of the pulley, as herein-
after explained.
The same clutching device is adapted to the coupling together and releasing from
each other of adjoining shafts.
In carrying out the first part of this Invention the shaft carries a loose pulley
which is confined longitudinally partly by a collar and partly by a carrier, both of
which are secured to the shaft by set-screws or otherwise. The hub of the pulley
is surrounded or nearly surrounded by a spring ring severed transversely at one
part, the ring being such that after it is contracted it will, owing to its clasticity,
be self-restoring to its original expanded condition. The ring is contained within a
flange on the carrier, in which is an opening for the reception and guidance of a
wedge-shaped pin or block, the latter being for example inclined on one side only,
and this inclined side being adapted to the inclined edge of an opening in the
spring-ring, the said opening being near one end of the ring, which, near the other
end, is confined to the flange of the carrier by a set screw. To lugs on the carrier
is pivoted a lever, through the short arm of which passes an adjustable screw-stud,
the lower rounded end of the latter being arranged to bear on the wedge-shaped
block. On the shaft is a loose-sleeve having a central groove for receiving the end
[Price 621

page_text: of a suitable lever, by which the said sleeve may be moved to and fro on the shaft.
The portion of the sleeve which acts on the long arm of the lever is made tapering
for a certain distance and cylindrical from the point at which the taper ends to the
collar where the groove is formed, and this arrangement is duplicated if there is to
be on the shaft another clutching device to be operated by the same sleeve.
When the cylindrical portion of the sleeve is bearing against the long arm of the
lever the wedge-shaped block has been forced so far into the opening of the ring as
to contract the latter to the hub of the pulley, and the latter is consequently fast
to the carrier and is carried round with the same, the wedged-shaped block being
the medium through which the motion of the carrier is communicated to the ring
and through the friction of the latter to the hub to the pulley. The displacement
of the ring in the carrier during the action of the wedge is prevented by the set
screw.
On moving the sleeve in the direction away from the lever the block will bo
relioved from the pressure exerted on it, and as the sleeve recedes the inclined edge
of the opening in the ring will, owing to the tendency of the latter to resume its
expanded condition, move the block outwards, and consequently move the long arm
of the lever towards the shaft when the hub will be free from the embrace of tho
ring, and the pulley will be loose on the shaft.
The device is not restricted in its use to pulleys for there may be another shaft
adjoining and in a line with the shaft herein before referred to, and it may be
advisable to couple this additional shaft to and uncouple it from the main shaft, in
which case all that is necessary is to provide the said additional shaft with a hub
adapted to a carrier provided with the above described clutching appliances, or
the spring-ring may be contracted directly to the shaft itself, the carrier being
made to correspond with the ring.
According to a modification of the precoding arrangement the spring ring is
connected at or about a point midway between its opposite ends to the carrier by
a set screw, and the block has two wedge-shaped projections, one entering one
opening and the other entering another opening in the spring-ring, so that the
action of the block under the pressure imparted to it through the lever will be to
draw the opposite ends of the spring towards each other with a result similar to
that explained above. In this modification the lever is connected to a sleeve on
the shaft by a link, so that the short arm of the lever will be moved away from
the shaft when the sleeve is moved in the direction before referred to and towards
the shaft, so as to contract the ring when the sleeve is moved in a contrary
direction.
The ring may be lined with hard wood, leather, or other material by which
increased friction may be assured.
According to another modification the ring, instead of being severed transversely,
is halved so as to present two portions reduced in width, one portion at and near
one end of the ring and the other portion at and near the other end of the ring, a
wedge-shaped block being adapted to notches in the two portions, so that on forcing
the wedge by means of the lever the two ends of the springs will approach each
other and the ring will be contracted.
The second part of the Invention consists in the employment of two elastic
segments secured to a carrier, and applied to the hub of a pulley or coupling by n
sleeve, levers, and screws, in the manner hereinafter described.
In carrying out this part of the Invention two segments are adapted to the hub
of a pulley or to the hub of a coupling, and are contained within the flange of a
carrier which is secured to the shaft. The flange is slotted at two points and
through the slots thus formed project lugs on the segments, the lug of one seginent
through one slot and the lug of the other segment through the other slot. Each
segment at the end opposite to that where the said lug occurs has a projection
adapted to an internal recess in the flango of the carrier, near which projection
each segment is secured to the flange by a set screw passing through a tubular
threaded stud which serves as a tightening nut. Near each slot in the flange of the

page_text: carrier the latter has a projecting lug, to a threaded opening in which is adapted a
tubular threaded projection on a lever, and through the latter and the said
threaded projection passes a set screw, the point of which bears against the lug of
one of the segments, the lug of the other segment being acted upon by the set
screw of the other lever. Each lever is connected by a link to a sleeve which is
loose on the shaft.
On moving this sleeve in one direction the threaded projections of both levers
will be screwed outwards from their respective lugs on the carrier, and their set
screws acting on the lugs of the segments will force the latter against the periphery
of the hub, but on moving the sleeve in a contrary direction the tubular projections
will be screwed inwards, and the segments which possess a slight elasticity will
recoil and be free from the hub

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd July 1879.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION CLUTCHES AND IN FRICTION
COUPLINGS." A communication from abroad by Francis Gordon Bates, Frank
Palmer Pendleton, and Horatio Bardwell Lincoln, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States, America.
The said Invention relates to the improvements in friction clutches and in
friction couplings hereinafter described with reference to the several Figures on the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
The first part of the said Invention consists in the use of a severed spring ring
connected to a carrier or false hub on a shaft and adapted to the hub of a loose
pulley, the said carrier and ring being combined with mechanism whereby the said
ring may be constructed to or may be released from the hub of the pulley, as
hereinafter explained. The same clutching device is adapted to the coupling
together and releasing from each other of adjoining shafts.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a view, partly in section, of the
improved clutch and clutch coupling; Figure 2 is a transverse section taken along
the line 1-2 (Figure 1); Figure 3 is an edge view of the ring; Figures 4, and 5
are sectional views taken at right angles to each other, illustrating a modification
of the said Invention; Figure 6 is a detached soctional view of the spring ring
illustrating a modification in its construction; and Figures 7 and 8 are respec-
tively perspective and edge views illustrating another modification of the spring
ring and mode of operating the same.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, A. is a shaft, on which a loose pulley B is con-
fined longitudinally partly by a collar a and partly by a carrier D, both of which
are secured to the shaft by set screws or otherwise. The hub b of the pulley is
surrounded or nearly surrounded by a spring ring E severed transversely at x
(Figures 2 and 3), the ring being such that after it is contracted it will, owing to
its elasticity, be self restoring to its original expanded condition. The ring is con-
tained within the flange d of the carrier D, in which is an opening for the
reception and guidance of a wedge shaped pin or block e; the latter in the present
instance is inclined on one side only, and this inclined side is adapted to the inclined
edge of an opening h in the spring ring E, the said opening being near ono end of
the ring, which, near the other end, is confined to the flange d of the carrier by a
Bet screw i. To lugs m, m, on the carrier is pivotted a lover G, through the short
arm of which passes an adjustable screw-stud m, the lower rounded end of the
latter being arranged to bear on the wedge shaped block. On the shaft A is a
loose sleevo H having a central groove for receiving the end of a suitable lever, by
which the said sleeve may be moved to and fro on the shaft. The portion of the
Bleeve which acts on the long arm of the lever is mado tapering from about the
dotted line 44 to the end y, and cylindrical from the same dotted line to the
collar w; and this arrangement is duplicated, as shewn in the Drawing, if there is
to be on the shaft another clutching device to be operated by the same sleeve.
As shown in Figure 1 the cylindrical portion of the sleeve is bearing against the
long arm of the lever, and the wedge shaped block c has been forced so far into the
opening of the ring as to contract the latter to the hub of the pulley, which must
consequently be fast to the carrier and be carried round with the same, the wedge
shaped block being the medium through which the motion of the carrier is com-
municated to the ring, and through the friction of the latter to the hub of the
pulley. The displacement of the ring in the carrier during the action of the wedge
is prevented by the set screw i.
On moving the sleeve H in the direction of the arrow the block e will be relieved

page_text: from the pressure exerted on it, and as the sleeve recedes the inclined edge of the
opening in the ring will, owing to the tendency of the latter to resume its
expanded condition, move the block outwards, and consequently move the long arm
of the lever towards the shaft, when the hub will be free from the embrace of the
ring and the pulley will be loose on the shaft.
The device is not restricted in its use to pulleys, for there may be a shaft A'
adjoining and in a line with the shaft A, as shewn; and it may be advisable to
couple this additional shaft to and uncouple it froin the main shaft, in which case
all that is necessary is to provide the said shaft A' with a bub b' adapted to a
carrier provided with the above described clutching appliances; or the spring ring
may be contracted directly to the shaft itself, the carrier being made to correspond
with the ring.
In the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5 the spring ring is connected at or
about a point midway between its opposito ends to the carrier by a set screw i,
and the block e has two wedge-shaped projections, one entering one opening h¹ and
the other another opening in the spring-ring, so that the action of the block
under the pressure imparted to it through the lever will be to draw the opposito
ends of the spring towards each other with a result similar to that explained above.
In this modification the lever G' is connected to a sleeve H' on the shaft by a
link t, so that the short arm of the lever will be moved away from the shaft when
the sleeve is moved in the direction of the arrows and towards the shaft, so as to
contract the ring when the sleeve is moved in a contrary direction.
In the modification illustrated in Figure 6 the ring is lined with hard wood,
leather, or other material by which increased friction may be ensured.
In the modification represented in Figures 7 and 8, the ring in lieu of being
severed transversely, as in Figure 3, is halved so as to present two portions V, VI,
reduced in width, one portion at and near one end of the ring and the other portion
at and near the other end of the ring, a wedge-shaped block e¹ being adapted to
notches in the two portions in the manner shown in Figures 8, so that on forcing
the wedge by means of the lever the two ends of the spring will approach each
other and the ring will be contracted.
The second part of the said Invention is illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11 of
the Drawing. It consists in the employment of two elastic segments secured to a
carrier and applied to the hub of a pulley or coupling by a sleeve, levers, and screws
in the manner hereinafter described.
Figure 9 represents a transverse section of a clutch with the gripping segments.
Figure 10 is a side view partly in section of Figure 1 with the parts separated from
each other, and Figure 11 perspective views showing parts detached from each
other.
Two segments E, E, are adapted to the hub b of a pulley or to the hub of a
coupling, and are contained within the flange d' of the carrier D', which is secured
to the shaft A. The flange d' is slotted at m, m², and through these slots project
lugs n on the segments, the lug of one segment through one slot, and the lug of the
other segment through the other slot. Each segment at the end opposite to that
where the said lug occurs has a projection p adapted to an internal recess in the
flange of the carrier, near which projection each segment is secured to the flange by
a set screw passing through a tubular threaded stud t which serves as a tightening
nut. Near each slot m in the flange of the carrier the latter has a projecting lug 8,
to a threaded opening in which is adapted a tubular threaded projection w on a
lever H, and through the latter and the said threaded projection passes a set screw y'
the point of which bears against the lug n of one of the segments, the lug of the other
segment being acted upon by the set screw of the other lever H. Each lever H
is connected by a link I to a sleeve J, which is loose on the shaft A².
On moving the sleeve J in one direction the threaded projections of both levers
will be screwed outwards from their respective lugs on the carrier, and their set
screws acting on the lugs n of the segments will force the latter against the
periphery of the hub b, but on moving the sleeve in a contrary direction the tubular

page_text: projections will be screwed inwards, and the segments which possess a slight elasticity
will recoil and be free from the hub.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. In a friction clutch the combination of the hub of a pulley or wheel with a
spring ring, and with mechanism whereby the said ring may be contracted to the
said hub and released therefrom, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The combination of a carrier or false hub secured to a shaft, and a spring
ring connected to the said carrier, with a screw or pin passing through the carrier
and having a tapering or wedge-shaped end adapted to a projection on or hole in
the ring, and with mechanism for operating the said pin and causing the same to
contract the said spring ring, all substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination of a carrier secured to a shaft, a spring ring connected to
the said carrier, a lever arranged to be operated by a sleeve on the shaft, and an
adjustable pin carried by the lever and having a conical or wedge shaped end for
operating on the ring, all substantially as herein before described.
Fourth. The combination of the said carrier, spring-ring, and lever with a wedgo
shaped pin arranged to slide in the carrier and to be acted on by a screw carried by
the lever, all substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The combination of the carrier, a spring ring, and a screw n, by which the
said ring is loosely connected to the carrier, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixth. The combination of the carrier, the elastic segments E, E, each secured at
one end to the said carrier, with a sleeve on the shaft, levers connected to the said
sleeve and having screws adapted to lugs or projections on the carrier and bearing
against the free ends of the segments, all substantially as hereinbefore described, and
illustrated by Figures 9, 10, and 11 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and scal, this Thirtieth day of June, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-ninc.