An Improved Apparatus for Tightening or Straining Wire Fencing, and Collecting Rope or Line Slack, and which may also be used as a Portable Lever Windlass.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Lett, 27th May, 1890-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Tightening or Straining Wire Fencing,
and Collecting Rope or Line Slack, and which may also be used
as a Portable Lever Windlass.
I JOSEPH MOYNAN of No. 6 Effra Road, Rathmines, in the County of Dublin,
Ireland B.E. do hereby declare the nature of this invention being a communication
to me from abroad by William Mason, of Karrabeal, Hamilton, in the Colony of
Victoria, Australia, farmer :-
The object of the said invention is to produce an apparatus of simple, and con-
venient construction for the purpose of tightening or straining wire used in the
formation of fences, and which may also be used for taking up the slack of rope or
line; and as a portable lever windlass.
In carrying out the said invention two blocks called for convenience "A" and "B"
are arranged on a suitable base plate of convenient length, one, (A) being fixed on
the end of the base plate, and the other (B) capable of longitudinal movement for
a certain distance over the central portion of the base plate-On the opposite end of
the base plate is fixed a suitable gripping or clamping device, and adjacent to this
device is formed in the base plate a peculiar shaped slot for the purpose presently
described.
The two blocks A and B are pierced through their axis by cross shaped apertures,
so as to allow an ordinary oval shaped link chain to pass through without twisting
and are provided with hinged flaps, or pawls notched vertically at their free edges
and falling over one end of each block, in such a manner that as the chain is drawn
through the apertures these slots engage its vertical links and prevent its sliding
backwards.
The movable block B is carried on transverse pivots between the limbs of a
rocking lever, or fork, oscillating on a fulcrum fixed underneath the base plate whereby
a to and fro movement is readily imparted to the block.
The action of the apparatus may be thus briefly described.
When used for straining wire fencing a piece of ordinary oval link chain of
slightly less sectional area than that of the cross apertures in the blocks is passed
through these apertures and thence through the peculiarly shaped slot in the base
plate, while the opposite end of the chain is made fast to a straining post or other
fixed object. The wire to be drawn is then caught and held by the gripping device
above referred to, while the hinged flaps, or pawls engage the vertical links of the
chain passing through the blocks.
The rocking lever is now drawn forward carrying with it the block B with the
enclosed chain, the free end of which dropping through the base plate slot,
is held therein while it is also held by the hinged flap or pawl of the fixed
block A.
The rocking lever is then pushed back to its original position (its attendant flap or
pawl rising while receding over the chain) and the movement is repeated until the
wire is drawn or strained to the extent desired.
When it is necessary to draw together the ends of a broken wire, so as to splice
in a piece, instead of securing the chain to a straining post or other stationary
object, it (the chain) is provided with a second gripping device similar to that already
described which holds one end of the broken wire, while the other broken end is hold
by the first described gripping device. As thus arranged the apparatus is operated in
the manner already described.

page_text: This Invention may also be used in a similar manner for the purpose of taking in
the slack of rope, as for instance on board ship; and it may furthermore be utilized
as a portable windlass for lifting heavy weights.
Dated this 24th day of August 1889.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Tightening or Straining Wire Fencing,
and Collecting Rope or Line Slack, and which may also be used
as a Portable Lever Windlass.
I, JOSEPH MOYNAN of No. 6 Effra Road, Rathmines, in the County of Dublin,
Ireland, Bachelor of Engineering do hereby declare the nature of this invention
being a communication to me from William Mason of Karrabeal, Hamilton in the
Colony of Victoria Australia, Farmer, to be as follows:-
The object of the said invention is to produce an apparatus of simple and con-
venient construction for the purpose of tightening, or straining wire used in the
formation of wire fences, and which may also be used for taking up the slack of rope
or line, and as a portable lever windlass.
,,
In carrying out the said invention two blocks called for convenience "A," and "B
are arranged on a suitable base plate of convenient length, one (A) being fixed on the
end of the base plate, and the other (B) capable of longitudinal movement for a
certain distance over the central portion of the base plate-On the opposite end of
base plate is fixed a suitable gripping, or clamping device, and adjacent to this device
is formed a peculiar shaped slot for the purpose presently described.
The two blocks are pierced through their axis by cross shaped apertures, so as to
allow an ordinary oval shaped link chain to pass through, without twisting, and are
provided with flaps or pawls in such a manner that as the chain is drawn through
the apertures its vertical links are engaged by these flaps, or pawls, and its sliding
backwards prevented.
The moveable block B is carried on transverse pivots between the limbs of a
rocking lever, or fork oscillating on a fulcrum fixed underneath the base plate whereby
a to and fro motion is readily imparted to the block.
In order that the said invention may be more readily understood I will describe the
accompanying Drawings:
Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of the apparatus complete, Fig. 3 is a detail
hereinafter referred to.
A, and B, are the blocks herein before described. c, and d, the flaps, or pawls hinged
on same, and provided with vertical notches in their free ends which engage the
vertical links of the chain as shown-e is the base plate in which is formed a peculiar
shaped slot e, also capable of engaging a link of the chain-The rocking lever or
fork, oscillates on the fulcrum g, and carries the block B.
The clamping device is shown mounted on the end of base plate, and consists of a
lever handle h, working an eccentric h', on the centre 2, and provided with a notched
face moving against a shoulder /³.
The action of the apparatus may be thus briefly described.
When used for straining wire fencing, a piece of ordinary oval link chain of
slightly less sectional area, than that of the cross apertures in the blocks A and B is
passed through and thence through the slot el, in the base plate whilst the opposite end
of the chain is made fast to a straining post or other fixed object.
The wire to be drawn is then caught and held by the gripping device as shown
while the hinged flaps or pawls engage the vertical links of the chain. The
rocking lever, is now pulled to the left carrying with it the block B with the

page_text: enclosed chain, the free end of which dropping through the slot el is held therein
while it is also held by the flap or pawl d, of the fixed block A.
The rocking lever is then pushed back to its original position (the flap or pawl c,.
rising while receding over the chain) and the movement is repeated until the wire is
drawn or strained to the extent desired.
When it is necessary to draw together the ends of a broken wire, so as to splice
in a piece, instead of securing the chain to a straining post, or other stationary object
it (the chain) is secured to a second gripping device similar to that shown in Fig. 3,
which is attached to one end of the broken wire, while the other broken end is held
by the gripping device mounted on base plate-As thus arranged the apparatus is.
operated in the manner already described.
This invention may also be used in a similar manner for the purpose of taking in
the slack of rope, as for instance on board ship; and it may furthermore be utilized
as a portable windlass for lifting heavy weights.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
The use and application of an apparatus for the purpose, or purposes specified,
constructed and operated substantially in the manner herein described and
Illustrated.
Dated this 24th day of May 1890.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.