CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION CONNECTED WITH ENGINES TO BE WORKED BY STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Elias Robison Handcock, of 16, North Frederick
St., Dublin, and Lower Belgrave St., Westminster, Esqr., for the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Elias Robison Handcock
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st June 1856.
I, ELIAS ROBISON HANDCOCK, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH ENGINES
TO BE WORKED BY STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER," to be as follows:
This improvement consists in remedying the defects of the crank action, of
doing away with the necessity of a second engine and fly-wheel, and effecting
a considerable saving in fuel and steam.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 shows the rack and wheel, the former of which is attached to
the piston rod, which piston is firmly fixed to the shaft of the paddle wheel or
the shaft of the screw for marine purposes, or the axle of a locomotive. A are
the teeth; L, the solid body of the wheel.
Fig. 2 shows another modification of the wheel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Elias Robison Handcock in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 19th December 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELIAS
ROBISON IIANDCOCK, of 16, North Frederick Street, Dublin, and Lower
Belgrave Street, Westminster, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Пer Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Iler reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Elias Robison Handcock, Her special licence that I, the said Elias
Robison Handcock, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, my executors, administrators, and
nssigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
ät 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH ENGINES TO BE.
WORKED BY STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 Elias Robison Handcock, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My Invention consists in attaching certain machinery, herein-after described,
to an engine or engines, to be worked by steam or other motive power, by
which contrivance a rotary motion is produced from a rectilinear; and also in
remedying some and modifying others of the defects of the crank action, which
defects principally consists of the following, viz.:-The want of uniformity of
leverage of the crank during the revolution of the circle it discribes, of the loss
of nower and steam occasioned thereby; of the difficulty of overcoming the
dead point; the loss of power and expence to effect it; of the necessity of having

page_text: the piston rod and cylinder double the length of the crank, the former being
four times more than the average leverage of the latter, occasioning thereby a
vast waste of steam and fuel; of the necessity of requiring an up and down
stroke to complete one revolution of the shaft; of the great disadvantage
of having the crank travelling over a greater space than the piston to which it
is attached, occasioning the latter to be alternately accelerated and retarded
during the stroke, in order that the revolution of the crank and the stroke of
the engine may be completed at the same time, causing thereby unequal wear,
or, more technically speaking, "hogging the engine;" of the necessity of
having a shorter cylinder when a lesser crank is required, and that of having
the length of the crank and the cylinder depending on each other; of that of
employing a second engine or fly-wheel; of the double expense occasioned in
machinery thereby, and the great waste of steam and tonnage.
And in further compliance with the said proviso, I, Elias Robison Handcock,
do hereby describe the manner my said Invention is to be performed, by
the following statement, reference being made to the Drawings annexed, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
I propose, by the herein-after mechanical arrangement, to change a
rectilinear into a rotary motion, and to employ a wheel attached to the driving
shaft, which wheel is to be used in combination or conjunction with a rack or
chain, and furnished with moveable teeth, set at greater distances apart than is
generally employed in the common cog wheel; these teeth to be so constructed
as to be enabled to shut in. at the reverse stroke, as seen in Fig. 7, 10, 12,
15, 18, 19, or to fold in, as seen in Fig. 3, by means of the rungs of the rack,
or teeth of the rack, or links of the chain acting on the incline plane at the
back of the teeth during the reverse stroke, similar to that of the bolt of a door
lock, as seen in Fig. 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, 19, letter A, which teeth are enabled to
shoot out by means of springs, as seen in Fig. 19, letter I, so that they may
rasume their working position when the teeth or rung of the rack has passed
over them; or they may be without springs, and be moved by a concentric or
other cam, as seen in Fig. 1, letter N, by which one portion of the teeth are
alternately shut in while those of the opposite side of the wheel are forced out;
this cam may be worked by means of a small steam cylinder, as is used
in various other species of machinery, or by any other proper mechanical
arrangement.
On other modification is seen in Fig. 8 and 11, where two wheels are
necessary for reverse motion, and are acted on by springs, as seen in Fig. 19;
the teeth of one wheel in this case
is F. R. II.
acted on by the cam, as seen in Fig. 10

page_text: and 17, which completely locks the teeth in such a manner as to prevent them
acting on the rungs of the rack or links of the chain; in this case the double
rack is used, as seen in Fig. 8 and 11.
Another modification is seen in Fig. 21; this consists in substituting an
endless chain for the rack; this chain may be constructed of different forms,
being so arranged that the teeth of the wheel may fall into the links of the
chain, which links act in the same manner as the rungs of the rack in bringing
the wheel round and impelling the machinery. To give a more direct pull
pully or E. . II.
^
a pully or E. R. H.
^
the chain may be made to pass round pullies fitting loosely to the top of
the piston rod, which pullies may or may not revolve, and which may be
furnished with teeth, if necessary, to hold the links of the chain; and, in
cross E. R. H. or stretchers, letter R, F. R. H.
order that the chain may be kept tight, bars, or stays, as seen in Fig. 21
A
A
and 28, letter R, extend from the top of one piston rod to that of the other,
and may be so arranged that by means of a screw they may be tightened up.
This chain may be made double, or rather two chains may be placed side by
side, as also wheels may be similarly arranged for a reverse or continuous
motion, each chain having the rungs extending only round a portion of
the chain, while one of the wheels moves between the sides of the chain, but
having no hold on the chain for a certain portion of the stroke.
Fig. 23, letter B, shows a loose antifriction collar round the shaft, on which
the stays or guide bars R work, to prevent friction.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, I wish to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to any fixed number or proportion or size of
the teeth of which the wheel is composed, or to any distance which these teeth
may be set apart, but simply to such a number, and placed at such a distance,
as will enable the teeth to have the requisite play and support, with the
necessary strength. These teeth may be faced with hard metal, and so
arranged that they may be taken out and replaced when any perceptable wear
occurs. I also propose that the rungs and teeth of the rack may be also
moveable, so that they can be replaced or changed at pleasure; these rungs
may be in the form of circular pins, as seen in Fig. 8, 11, and 14, on which
loose swivels revolve, so as to relieve friction.
Another modification of the teeth of the rack is seen in Fig. 1, letter D;
these teeth are shaped pretty nearly as the teeth of the wheel, as seen in
Fig. 1, letter D, which enable them to be removed or replaced if necessary.
I also propose, as another modification, to construct the rack with teeth,
which may shut into the frame in the same manner as the teeth shut in or fold
into the body of the wheel, as seen in Fig. 3 and 19, while the teeth of the

page_text: wheel are fixed and stationary. I also propose to construct and arrange engines
in such a manner as is seen in Fig. 21, so as to secure great compactness,
especially for the screw, in marine purposes where only one shaft is used, viz.,
engines placed in such a manner that the bottom of one engine will face that
of the other, the cylinder covers facing outwards, with cross heads at the top of
the piston rods, and which work in conjunction with a chain or rack, and which
chain or rack will answer for two or more engines. Or to construct and
arrange a single engine with double piston rods, with cross heads, working
through the top and bottom of the cylinders, having two cylinder covers
in conjunction with cross heads and a wheel and rack, or wheel and chain,
as seen in Fig. 22. Another advantage in the proposed arrangement is,
being able to continue the revolution of the shaft to two or more revolutions,
without being obliged to reverse the stroke. In case the weight of the
rack, when acting vertically, be objected to, I propose to remedy this in
various ways, either by a counterbalancing weight or the use of hollow
piston rods of greater diameter than those generally employed, or by affixing
a casing round the piston rod, so that the area of the piston exposed to
the action of the steam in the down stroke may be less than that of the
up stroke; but in reciprocating engines this appliance is unnecessary, as
the weight of one rack counterbalances that of the other; these provisions,
however, are not necessary in horizontal engines, as the weight does not rest
upon the piston, as shewn in Fig. 7; and in vertical engines, where two or
more engines are employed, one rack being sufficient for any number of
engines, the weight being so equally distributed that the disadvantage is
scarcely perceptible. Another great advantage in the present arrangement is
that while the average length of leverage of a crank suited to an ordinary
engine is retained, a cylinder much shorter may be used, saving thereby a
considerable amount of steam and fuel. A further great advantage in this
arrangement is, that the speed of the shaft is not retarded by the additional
length of the stroke that the revolution continues, so long as the piston is
allowed to travel, and this I consider a very great advantage as it saves much
wear in the cylinder and all the parts connected with the engine, and is
peculiarly beneficial when quick action is required, as in the screw for marine
purposes and for locomotive engines; besides, if there is any advantage in
working the steam expansively, it can be done on this principle to a much
greater extent; but I am of opinion that low-pressure steam will, in this
instance, be more beneficial, as the leverage and power will bóth continue
uniform and undeminished throughout the stroke.

page_text: on by springs, but are drawn in or forced out by a cain, as seen in the dotted
lines marked N, which cam is set in motion by the parrallel movement marked
K, L, as also seen in the same Figure marked J; this Figure also shews
another construction of the rack marked F, with teeth marked D, which tocth
are fastened to the frame by bolts marked M, enabling them to be replaced if
necessary. Fig. 2 shows a section of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a wheel with
moveable teeth, which fold in by the action of the rungs of the rack, and may
be forced out by means of springs; Fig. 4 and 5, sections of rack; Fig. 6
shows another modification; Fig. 7 shows two horizontal engines, with rack
and wheel, and lever for reversing gear; Fig. 8 shows another view of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 shows a section of a double rack; Fig. 10 shows a reversing cam, half
in section; Fig. 11 shows the construction of a double rack, when two wheels
are used; Fig. 12 shows an elevation view of a rack and wheel; Fig. 13, side
view of Fig. 12 and 15; Fig. 14 shows, prospective view of rack and wheel;
Fig. 15 shows another elevation of rack and wheel; Fig. 16 shows a bottom
section of Fig. 12, 13, 14, 15; Fig. 17, back view of reversing cam; Fig. 18,
section of wheel and shaft; Fig. 19, view of wheel, and the method the springs
act; Fig. 20, a perspective view of wheel; Fig. 21, two engines placed bottom
to bottom, with cylinder covers facing outwards, and with cross heads at the
top of the piston rods, with a chain in lieu of a rack; Fig. 22, a bird's-eyo
view of a single engine, with two piston rods and cross heads, together a
further view of chain and wheel; Fig. 23, a sectional view of chain and wheel
and top of piston rod, with a pully attached,
Having now described the nature of my Invention "for Certain Improve-
ments in Mechanism connected with Engines to be Worked by Steam or other
Motive Power," and how the same is to be performed, I wish to be under-
stood that I do not claim all the separate parts described in my Specification
as new, some of them having been used and are now in use and employed for
other purposes; but I do claim as new,
First, the general combination of parts which constitute my Invention, as
shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the wheel, as shown in Fig. 7, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, with moveable
teeth, which teeth are acted on by springs, and are forced in by the means of

page_text: the rungs of the rack, acting on the incline plane at the back of the teeth
similar to the action of tho bolt of a door lock.
Third, also the moveable teeth, as shown in Fig. 3, letter A, which fold in
or are forced out by means of springs.
Fourth, I also claim the moveable teeth, as shewn in Fig. 1, letter A,
which are not acted on by springs, but which are drawn in or forced
out by a concentric or other species of cam, as seen in Fig. 1, letter N.
Fifth, the peculiar form and construction of the rack, as seen in Fig. 7, 8,
11, 12, 14, 15, and that of the teeth or rungs of the rack, so that these teeth.
or rungs may be replaced if necessary, as seen in Fig. 1, letter D, and Figures
7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15.
Sixth, I claim the chain, as seen in Fig. 21, 22, and 23, being another
modification, and acting as a substitute for the rack, in combination with a
piston rod or rods and cross heads, or a pully or pullies at the top of the piston
rod or rods, as a means of driving the wheel attached to the shaft, and getting
a more direct pull.
Seventh, I also claim the peculiar combination, and construction, and
arrangement of engines placed with the bottoms opposite each other, or bottom
to bottom, with the cylinder levers facing outwards, with cross heads at the top
of the piston rods, in combination with a rack chain and wheel, as seen in
Fig. 21.
or E. R. H.
Eighth, I also claim the peculiar arrangement and construction of a single
engine with double piston rods, in conjunction with cross heads and a rack
chain and wheel, as seen in Fig. 23.
er E. R. II.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the 18th day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
JOHN SMITH,
New Cross.
E. R. HANDCOCK. (Es.)