IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND REPRESSION OF POWER FORCE OR MOTION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Agency for Foreign'
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster and
of 323. High Holborn in the county of Middlesex Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND
REPRESSION OF POWER FORCE OR MOTION." Communicated to him from
abroad by Jacob Dean Wright of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts, one'
of the United States of America.
>
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd October 1882.
i
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn in
the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR
THE TRANSMISSION AND REPRESSION OF POWER FORCE OR MOTION.' A communi-
cation to me from abroad by Jacob Dean Wright of Worcester in the State of
Massachusetts one of the United States of America.
"
'
The object of the present invention is to provide a practical, convenient and
efficient mechanism for the transmission and repression of power and motion, with
either right or left rotative action, through the medium of a revolvable shaft or
spindle and a revolvable sleeve, wheel, pulley gear, or equivalent device mounted in
connection therewith said mechanism being adapted for free action by forces
operating from one direction or applied at one extremity of the mechanical train
while it resists back-motion or action resulting from forces operating in an opposite
direction or applied at the other extremity of the train
The direction of
transmission being either from the shaft to the wheel or vice versa.
These objects are attained by mechanism constructed and organized for operating
substantially as herein described. This invention is applicable to hoisting machines,
steering apparatus and all other classes of machinery requiring in their action a
mechanical movement or device for performing the functions herein described,
A
+4

page_text: A revolvable shaft has a sleeve mounted upon it to turn freely thereon and
provided with an eccentric rigidly fixed to it (the sleeve) said sleeve may be the
hub or axial support of a wheel gear pulley or any equivalent device, or be
connected to or with the operating or operated mechanism in any suitable manner.
A circle or ring-piece is mounted to turn free on the surface of the eccentric but
is arranged to be non-revolvable therewith by suitable engagement with other
parts of the mechanism; In the present instance by gear teeth. A cylindrical
casing is arranged concentric with the shaft and fixed in stationary position on the
supporting frame, said cylinder is provided with internal gear teeth which mesh
with the teeth of the ring for the purpose of confining said ring in such manner as
will prevent its revolving with the eccentric while permitting such freedom of
action as will allow the ring to conform to the side throw or movement of the
eccentric.
Any suitable device or equivalent may if desired be employed in lieu of gear-
teeth for confining the ring within the cylinder with similar effect.
A crescent shaped follower or curved wedge is arranged within the space between
the ring and the inner surface of the cylinder, said follower is preferably made in
two parts with an expanding spring but in some instances this follower may be
made in a single piece of greater or less length. The follower wedge or its parts
should be of such size and form as will fit loose and free between the ring and
cylinder at their position of greatest eccentricity, but so as to bind or wedge
between said parts when moved either towards the right or left except the follower
and eccentric are moved simultaneously and in conformity with each other. A disc
is rigidly keyed to the shaft and provided with slots or recesses which engage with
pins or lugs fixed on the follower and eccentric and whereby said parts are moved
when the shaft and disc are revolved.
: If preferred the arrangement of the lugs and recesses could be reversed, the pins
or lugs being on the disc and the recesses in the other parts: or any equivalent
connecting devices may be used in lieu of said pins and slots. A crank for operating
the shaft is provided but any other means may be employed for revolving said
shaft according to the machinery wherein this mechanical movement is used.
In the operation of this improved mechanism, when force is applied to the shaft
the revolution of the disc which is fixed thereon carries around the eccentric and
follower or that portion of it which tapers backward from the direction of the
movement, and these parts the follower and eccentric, eccentrically compensate each
other so that they are permitted free action within the cylinder and the power
and movement are transmitted freely through the mechanism, this too whether the
direction of revolution is to the right or left when force is applied at the opposite
part of the mechanical train or to the wheel or sleeve the recesses in the disc
permit sufficient independent action between the eccentric and follower to cause
the latter to become firmly wedged between the cylinder and ring thereby securely
locking the parts together and preventing all further backward action of the
mechanism. Thus in the hoisting machine the drum can be readily operated by
means of the hand crank but the strain of the load on the hoisting drum when the
crank is left free will not cause it to run backward and drop the load
The effect is the same whether the revolution is in one direction or the other the
power being transmitted when applied to the shaft and resisted when applied to
the wheel or sleeve. If it is desired that this action should result in reversed order
from the above it is simply necessary to change the relation of the connecting
recesses and lugs
The follower could if desired be made as a full crescentic ring, or as a short
portion thereof in lieu of the two spring divided portions although this latter form
is deemed preferable
Also said follower might be seated directly on the eccentric without the
intervention of the ring piece or said ring may be employed as a friction pad
against the sides of the follower said follower might also be used without a spring
if desired: also a friction piece to slide in a V-shaped groove between the wedge

page_text: and cylinder may be employed to retain their faces together with greater tenacity,
and prevent any unnecessary looseness between them which might cause disturbance:
or noise. All these modifications are within the scope of the invention; and. effect
similar results.
-
.. This mechanism can be modified for use as a ratchet device by making the
eccentric and shaft, in one piece connecting the disc to the eccentric and employing
the cylinder as the driving or driven wheel. a spring in such case. acting between
the disc and follower to insure quickness of operation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
: the 30th March 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn,
in the county of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR
THE TRANSMISSION AND REPRESSION OF POWER FORCE OR MOTION" A communi-
cation to me from abroad by Jacob Dean Wright of Worcester in the State of
Massachusetts one of the United States of America
"
:
The object of this present invention is to provide a practical convenient and
efficient mechanism for the transmission and repression of power and motion, with
either right or left rotative action, through the medium of a revolvable shaft or
spindle and a revolvable sleeve, wheel, pulley, gear, or equivalent device mounted in
connection therewith, said mechanism being adapted for free action by forces
operating from one direction or applied at one extremity of the mechanical train
while it resists back motion or action resulting from forces operating in an opposite
direction or applied at the other extremity of the train. The direction of trans-
mission being either from the shaft to the wheel or vice versa.
י
This object is attained by mechanism constructed and organized for operating
substantially as herein illustrated and described. This invention is applicable to
hoisting machines, steering apparatus, and all other classes of machinery requiring
in their action a mechanical movement or device for performing the functions herein
described.
In the accompanying drawings wherein the improved mechanical movement is
shown applied as an operator and safety check for a hoisting drum.or windlass.
Fig 1-is a side view.
"
Fig. 2 is a section at line x. xc.
Fig 3-is a section, at line y. y.
Fig 4 is a section at line 2. 2.
Fig 5
is a longitudinal section at line w: w..
:
Fig 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig 3 showing a modification in construction.
In the construction. A denotes a revolvable shaft. Bindicates a sleeve mounted

page_text: upon said shaft to turn freely thereon and provided with an eccentric B' rigidly
fixed to it; said sleeve B may be the hub or axial support of a wheel B², gear
pulley, or any equivalent device or be connected to or with the operating or
operated mechanism in any suitable manner. In the present instance the parts
are shown and described as the shaft A being the driver, and the wheel B² (or
hoisting drum) as the driven part of the mechanism.
i. A circle or ring-piece C is mounted to turn free on the surface of the eccentric B¹
but is arranged to be non-revolvable therewith by suitable engagement with other.
parts of the mechanism; in the present instance by gear teeth C¹.
D indicates a cylindrical casing arranged concentric with the shaft A and fixed
in stationary position on the supporting frame E, said cylinder is provided with
internal gear teeth d which mesh with the teeth of the ring C for the purpose of
confining said ring in such manner as will prevent its revolving with the
eccentric B' while permitting such freedom of action as will allow the ring to
conform to the side throw or movement of the eccentric.
Any suitable device or equivalent may if desired be employed in lieu of gear-
teeth for confining the ring C within the cylinder with similar effect.
F denotes a crescent-shaped follower or curved wedge, arranged within the space
between the ring C and the inner surface of the cylinder D, said follower is
preferably made in two parts with an expanding spring F' as herein shown but
in some instances this follower F may be made in a single piece of greater or less
length as indicated in Fig. 6. The follower wedge or its parts F2, F3, should be of
such size and form as will fit loose and free between the ring C and cylinder D at
their position of greatest eccentricity, but so as to bind or wedge between said
parts when moved either towards the right or left except 'the follower and.
eccentric are moved simultaneously and in conformity with each other.
G denotes a disc rigidly keyed to the shaft A and provided with slots or
recesses m and n which engage with pins or lugs f and b respectively fixed on the
follower F and eccentric B¹ and whereby said parts are moved when the shaft A
and disc G are revolved.
If preferred the arrangement of the lugs and recesses could be reversed, the pins
or lugs being on the disc and the recesses in the other parts, or any equivalent
connecting devices may be used in lieu of said pins and slots.
K indicates a crank for operating the shaft A, but any other means may be
employed for revolving said shaft according to the machinery wherein this
mechanical movement is used.
In the operation of this improved mechanism, when force is applied to the
shaft A, the revolution of the disc G which is fixed thereon carries around the.
eccentric B¹ and follower F or that portion of it which tapers backward from the
direction of the movement, and the parts F and B' eccentrically compensate each
other so that they are permitted free action within the cylinder D, and the power
and movement are transmitted freely. through the mechanism, this too whether.
the direction of revolution is to the right or left. When force is applied at the.
opposite part of the mechanical train or to the wheel or sleeve B the recesses m
and n permit sufficient independent action between the eccentric B¹ and follower F
to cause the latter to become firmly wedged between the cylinder D and ring C
thereby securely locking the parts together and preventing all further backward
action of the mechanism, thus in the hoisting machine the drum can be readily
operated by means of the hand crank but the strain of the load on the hoisting
drum when the crank is left free will not cause it to run backward and drop.
the load.
The effect is the same whether the revolution is in one direction or the other,
the power being transmitted when applied to the shaft A, and resisted when
applied to the wheel or sleeve B. If it is desired that this action should result
in reversed order from the above it is simply necessary to change the relation of
the connecting recesses and lugs.
The invention is not confined to the exact form, and proportion's herein.shown.as

page_text: the construction may be modified to conform to the size shape and, requirements
of the machinery whereon the movement is used without departure from its essential
nature.
The follower F could if desired be made as a full crescentic ring or as a short
portion thereof (see Fig 6 and dotted line thereon) in lieu of the two spring
divided portions although this latter form is deemed preferable.
Also, said follower F might be seated directly on the eccentric B¹ without the
intervention of the ring-piece C, or said ring C may be employed as a friction pad
against the sides of the follower, said follower might also be used without a
spring if desired; also a friction piece, to slide in a V-shaped groove between the
wedge F and cylinder D, may be employed to retain their faces together with
greater tenacity and prevent any unnecessary looseness between them which might
cause disturbance or noise All these modifications are within the scope of this
invention, and effect similar results; the construction shown and described is
however to be preferred.
This mechanism can be modified for use as a ratchet device by making the
eccentric and shaft in one piece, connecting the disc to the eccentric and employing
the cylinder as the driving or driven wheel, an example of this is shown in Fig 6
the dotted and broken line S indicating the position of a spring acting between the
disc and follower to insure quickness of operation.
Having now described the nature of the invention as communicated to me
I wish it to be understood that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and
claim is:
1st A mechanical movement or device consisting of a central shaft, an external
cylinder concentric therewith, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and having an
eccentric within said cylinder, a ring-piece mounted on said eccentric, a wedge or
follower arranged between said ring-piece and cylinder, and a disc fixed on said
shaft and engaging said eccentric and follower by lugs and recesses permitting
slight movement between the same, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2nd The combination with the winding drum, revolvable shaft, and stationary
cylinder of the sleeve provided with an eccentric, the double wedge or follower
having an expanding spring, the ring-piece surround said eccentric and the disc
and connecting devices adapted for moving said follower and eccentric in unison
with said shaft when said shaft serves as prime mover, but permitting independent
action of said eccentric and non-action of said follower when the forces are opposite
or exerted from the drum or sleeve as hereinbefore set forth.
3rd In a mechanical movement the combination of an eccentric revolvable cam,
a surrounding stationary cylinder, a follower or cramping device located between
said eccentric and cylinder and. adapted to work free when at a position that
coincides with the eccentricity of said cam and to cramp or engage the surfaces
when deviated or extended to the right or left from said position and a follower-
operating connection or means adapted for moving said follower in unison with
said eccentric and preventing its cramping or engagement when the motive power
is exerted by either right or left revolution, from one end of the mechanical train
while permitting independent action or deviation of said follower or device
relatively to said eccentric to effect engagement, cramping or locking of the
mechanism when a force or power is exerted from the opposite end of the
mechanical train tending either to right or left revolution.
4th The combination of the cylinder D, the eccentric B², the follower'F, and the
disc G with connecting devices m f and b n, as and for the purposes set forth.
5th The combination of the operating shaft A, the sleeve B, with wheel B³, and
eccentric B¹ mounted thereon, the stationary cylinder D, having internal teeth d,
the ring piece C differentially geared to said cylinder, the follower F, disc G, and
devices for connecting and operating the same as herein before set forth.
6th The combination with the driven part B provided with an eccentric B¹ of
the ring-piece C mounted on said eccentric and non-revolvable therewith, the
double wedge or wedges mounted on said ring-piece with or without a spring

page_text: device, the surrounding cylinder D, and means for moving said wedge and eccentric
in unison by the driving devices, and for releasing said wedge when backward
acting strains are exerted in excess of the driving forces as set forth.
In witness whereof I, the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
W. P. THOMPSON (L.S.) ·