AN IMPROVED BREAK APPARATUS FOR COLLIERY WINDING ENGINES OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Burns, of West Leigh, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED BREAK APPARATUS FOR COLLIERY
WINDING ENGINES OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Burns at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1879.
THOMAS BURNS, of West Leigh, in the County of Lancaster. "AN IMPROVED
BREAK APPARATUS FOR COLLIERY WINDING ENGINES OR OTHER SIMILAR PUR-
POSES.'
"
On the axle of the winding drum and close alongside of the latter I have a
break drum or rim, the circumference of which is preferably made of logs of wood.
Immediately beneath this drum (but from six inches to a foot on one side of the
centre line and parallel with the axis) is a beam or girder supported on brickwork
or other solid foundation, and carrying the fulcra of two or more strong break
girders or levers, each of which is provided with a wooden or other break block
acting against the under-surface of the break drum below the centre line of the
axis.
These break blocks have holes drilled or formed on their upper surface to contain
sand, which will keep the surface of the break drum or rim clean and free from grease.
The break levers or girders are several feet long (say about ten times the
distance between the centre of the break block and the fulcrum), and near their
free ends each is connected by a link and short lever to a shaft, on which is also
keyed a hand lever, the links being provided with regulating screws to adjust the
pressure as the break blocks wear away. The short arms of the hand levers are
weighted, and from the handle of the longer arm of each lever is hung a rack pro-
vided with a foot plate or treadle and a catch.
When the engineer or breaksman desires to apply the break he presses down the
first hand lever by means of his hand and foot, and so applies the first break block,
which is held by its catch.
If this does not exert sufficient power he then pulls down the second hand lever,
next the third, and so on, according to the amount of break power required.
On releasing the catches the break blocks fall out of contact with the break
drum or rim, and the winding drum is free to revolve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Burns in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st November
1879.
THOMAS BURNS, of West Leigh, in the County of Lancaster.
"AN IMPROVED
BREAK APPARATUS FOR COLLIERY WINDING ENGINES AND OTHER SIMILAR PUR-
POSES."
My Invention relates to the construction of brakes to be applied by the hand
and foot for the purpose of stopping the revolution of the winding or hauling drum
of colliery and other winding engines when required.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention I will now proceed to
describe in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect; and in order that the same may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof:--
Fig. 1 in the annexed Drawing is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view
showing the application of my Invention to the winding drum of a colliery
engine.
。
On the axle of the winding drum a, a, and close alongside of the latter I have a
break drum or rim b, b, the circumference of which is preferably made of metal.
Immediately beneath this drum (but from six inches to a foot on one side of the
.centre line and parallel with the axis) is a beam or girder c, c, supported on brick-
work or other solid foundation, and carrying the fulcra d, d*, of two or more strong
break girders or levers e, c*, each of which is provided with a wooden or other
'break block ff*, acting against the under surface of the break drum or rim b, b,
below the centre of the axis.
These break blocks f, fx, have holes drilled or formed in their upper surface to
contain sand, which will keep the surface of the brake drum or rim clean and free
from grease.
The break levers or girders e, ex, are several feet long (say about ten times the
distance between the centre of the break block f and the fulcrum d), and near their
free end each is connected by a link g, g*, and short lever h, h*, to a shaft i, ¿x, on
which is also keyed a hand lever k, k*, the links g, gx, being provided with regu-
lating screws 1, 1, to adjust the pressure as the break blocks f, f, wear away. The
short arms of the hand levers k, k*, are weighted, and from the handle of the
longer arm of each lever is hung a rack m, mnx, provided with a foot plate or
treadlo n, n*, and a catch o, ox. When the engineer or brakesman desires to apply
the break he presses down the first hand lever / by means of his band and foot,
and so applies the first break block f, which is held by its catch o. If this does not
exert sufficient power he then pulls down the second hand lever k*, next the third,
and so on, according to the amount of break power required.
On releasing the catches the break blocks f fall out of contact with the break
drum or rim b, b, and the winding drum a, a, is free to revolve.
The Drawing shows two brakes, each worked entirely independent of the other,
but either one, two, or more may be applied with advantage. The handle and
shaft may be made to work either in front or behind the person in charge of the
break.
If the position of the person in charge of the brake should be too near the drum
to allow of the required length of brake lever or girder being worked direct, as
shown, then the hand levers and treadles may be placed where the person in charge
of the brake stands, and be connected to the brake levers or girders by means of
chains passing over pulleys.

page_text: Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention, the construction of
brake apparatus for colliery or other winding or hauling engines, substantially as
bereinbefore described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Burns, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
THOMAS BURNS. (L.S.)