IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING. AND MOVING HEAVY BODIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OPERATING PUNCHING MACHINES, SCREW PRESSES AND THE FEED MOTION OF CIRCULAR AND OTHER SAWS, AND WOOD PLANING MACHINES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Alfred Limbert, of Gravesend, in the County
of Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR RAISING, LOWERING. AND MOVING HEAVY BODIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OPERATING PUNCHING MACHINES, SCREW PRESSES
AND THE FEED MOTION OF CIRCULAR AND OTHER SAWS, AND WOOD PLANING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 17th September 1867, and dated the 21st March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Alfred Limbert at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st March 1867.
I, JAMES ALFRED LIMBERT, of Gravesend, in the County of Kent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING, AND MOVING HEAVY BODIES, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OPERATING PUNCHING MACHINES, SCREW PRESSES
AND THE FEED MOTION OF CIRCULAR AND OTHER SAWS, AND WOOD PLANING
MACHINES" to be as follows:-
The Invention has for its object improvements in machinery or apparatus
for raising, lowering, and moving heavy bodies, which improvements are also
applicable for operating punching machines, screw presses, and the feed
motion of circular and other saws, and wood planing machines.
For a simple form of pulley block I fix one or more pins or axes to a
sprocket wheel at a suitable distance from the axis of the pulley, upon which
[Price 8d.]

page_text: axis such sprocket wheel revolves, and upon such pins or axes I mount two
toothed pinions connected together, the pitch circles of which are are of different
diameters; the teeth of one of these pinions take into the teeth of (by pre-
ference) an internal stationary wheel fixed by any suitable means to the frame
of the block, so that on turning the sprocket wheel with its pinions such fixed
wheel will cause the pinion in contact with it to revolve, and with it the other
pinion connected to it; this other pinion will give motion at a very reduced
rate of speed (more or less according to the difference of the diameters of the
pitch circles of the pinions) to an internal toothed wheel (by preference) loose
on the axis of the pulley block; the exterior of this wheel may be formed
with chambers or recesses to receive the links of a chain to give motion
thereto to raise or lower heavy bodies that may be attached to it, or it may be
formed into a drum, around which a rope may be coiled for a similar purpose,
or a drum may be attached to it suitable for either chain or rope.
For a compound pulley block capable of exerting various powers, and of
being employed either with a chain or a rope, I mount the axes of similar
toothed pinions to those before described upon a disc or arms working loose
on the axis of the pulley; these pinions take into toothed wheels of a similar
character to those previously described, one of which is fixed to the cheeks of
the pulley block, whilst the other is capable of being connected or discon-
nected with the pulley at pleasure; the disc or arms carrying the toothed
pinions are also capable of being connected and disconnected with the pulley
by suitable means, whilst the axis of the sprocket wheel is also capable of
being connected either with the disc or arms before referred to, or with a
pinion on such axis, such pinion then giving motion to either of the pinions
mounted on the arms or disc before described. The periphery of the pulley
is formed at one part with recesses or chambers to receive the links of a chain,
the other part being formed into a drum, around which a rope may be coiled,
or either of such modes may be employed separately if desired. When a chain
is used with the pulley the cross bar carrying the hook supporting the pulley
is shifted in the cheeks of the pulley block, so that the hook shall come
immediately over the centre of the chain, and when using a rope such hook,
with its bar, is shifted so as to come over the centre of the drum; suitable
guides or steadying legs are provided for preventing the pulley "canting"
over; these legs are employed for the same purpose when the pulley is used
as a temporary crab or winch, for which it is suitable, handles being fixed to
the sprocket wheel on one side, and to the axis of the same on the other for
that purpose. When applying this Invention to cranes or hoists I mount
either of the arrangements of pulley blocks before mentioned on the beam or

page_text: frame of the crane or hoist, and work it by means of winch handles or by
other suitable means. When applying the Invention to a windlass, capstan,
crab, or other similar machine, I employ similar arrangements to those
previously described for working the drums or pulley wheels, and mount
them upon suitable framings or standards.
For screw jacks I employ a similar arrangement of gearing to that first
described, and to the axis on which the loose toothed wheel is fixed I secure
a bevilled wheel taking into another bevilled wheel, in the interior of which is
a screw thread which gives motion to the shank or lifting part of the jack,
which may be formed to lift a weight placed on its upper end or on a pro-
Suitable means are
jection from its lower end, as will be well understood.
provided for connecting and disconnecting the gearing, so as to permit of a
quick or slow motion, as desired.
In constructing punching "bears" according to this Invention I employ a
similar arrangement of gearing to that employed in the pulley block first
described, the fixed toothed wheel being keyed or otherwise secured to the body
of the punching "bear," whilst the other toothed wheel is keyed to the stem or
shaft of the punch, such punch being formed with a screw taking into a female
thread formed in the body of the punching "bear." A handle is provided to
give motion to the gearing, suitable means being provided for disconnecting
the gearing when it is desired to raise the punch quickly after it has performed
its work; the handle before referred to being at the same time connected by
any suitable means directly to the stem or shaft of the punch.
In constructing a punching machine a similar arrangement of gearing may
be employed, the connected pinions being carried by one or more pins er axes
fixed to a wheel arm or disc suitably counterbalanced and revolving on the
main axis of the machine, on which is fixed the loose wheel: the fixed wheel
is secured to the frame of the machine, a suitable pulley being provided to
give motion to the disc.
For screw presses I employ similar arrangements of gearing to those pre-
viously described, and provided with bevilled wheels to communicate motion
from the loose toothed wheel to the screw stem of the plunger in a similar
manner to that described for the screw jack or that of the punch "bear," the
loose wheel being used as a nut for the purpose of raising or lowering the
screw stem.
When operating the feed metion of circular and other saws, and wood
planing machines, according to my Invention I employ a similar arrangement
of gearing to that first described; the pin or axis of the pinions being carried
by a cone-speed pulley, which pulley is driven by a strap, or otherwise, from a

page_text: pulley on the saw spindle for giving motion to the drum, to which one end of
the cord, chain, or rope is attached; the other end of which is, after passing
round suitable guide pulleys, connected to the object to be operated upon, so
as to feed it up to the saw, as is well understood, or a toothed wheel may be
substituted for the pulley to which the chain is attached, such toothed wheel
taking into a suitable rack formed on or fixed to a moving bed on the machine
or other suitable means may be employed from the loose wheel to feed the
object up to the saw.
In wood planing machines I use similar gearing to that last described, the
object sought being the same.
In the arrangements of gearing before described wheels with either external
teeth, internal teeth, or bevel wheels, or frictional gearing may be employed
to transmit motion, but I prefer those as described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Alfred Limbert in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
ALFRED LIMBERT, of Gravesend, in the County of Kent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Alfred Limbert, Her special licence that I, the said James Alfred
Limbert, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Alfred Limbert, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at 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 "In-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING. AND MOVING
HEAVY BODIES. WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OPERATING PUNCH-
ING MACHINES, SCREW PRESSES, AND THE FEED MOTION OF CIRCULAR AND OTHER SAWS
AND WOOD PLANING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said James Alfred Limbert, my executors or administrators, 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

page_text: 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 James Alfred Limbert, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
The Invention has for its object improvements in machinery or apparatus
for raising, lowering, and moving heavy bodies, which improvements are also
applicable for operating punching machines, screw presses, and the feed
motion of circular and other saws, and wood planing machines.
For a simple form of pulley block I fix one or more pins or axes to a
sprocket wheel at a suitable distance from the axis of the pulley, upon which
axis such sprocket wheel revolves, and upon such pins or axes I mount two
toothed pinions connected together, the pitch circles of which are of different
diameters; the teeth of one of these pinions take into the teeth of (by pre-
ference) an internal stationary wheel fixed by any suitable means to the frame
of the block, so that on turning the sprocket wheel with its pinions such fixed
wheel will cause the pinion in contact with it to revolve and with it the other
pinion connected to it; this other pinion will give motion at a very reduced
rate of speed (more or less according to the difference of the diameters of the
pitch circles of the pinions) to an internal toothed wheel (by preference) loose
on the axis of the pulley block; the exterior of this wheel may be formed
with chambers or recesses to receive the links of a chain to give motion
thereto to raise or lower heavy bodies that may be attached to it, or it may be
formed into a drum, around which a rope may be coiled for a similar purpose,
or a drum may be attached to it suitable for either chain or rope.
For a compound pulley block capable of exerting various powers and of
being employed either with a chain or a rope I mount the axes of similar
toothed pinions to those before described upon a disc or arms working loose
on the axis of the pulley; these pinions take into toothed wheels of a similar
character to those previously described, one of which is fixed to the cheeks of
the pulley block, whilst the other is capable of being connected or discon-
nected with the pulley at pleasure; the disc or arms carrying the toothed
pinions are also capable of being connected and disconnected with the pulley
by suitable means, whilst the axis of the sprocket wheel is also capable of
being connected either with the disc or arms before referred to or with a
pinion on such axis, such pinion then giving motion to either of the pinions
mounted on the arms or disc before described. The periphery of the pulley

page_text: is formed at one part with recesses or chambers to receive the links of a chain,
the other part being formed into a drum, around which a rope may be coiled,
or either of such modes may be employed separately if desired. When a chain
is used with the pulley the cross bar carrying the hook supporting the pulley is
shifted in the cheeks of the pulley block so that the hook shall come immediately
over the centre of the chain, and when using a rope such hook with its bar is
shifted so as to come over the centre of the drum, suitable guides or steadying
legs are provided for preventing the pulley "canting" over; these legs are
employed for the same purpose when the pulley is used as a temporary crab
or winch for which it is suitable, handles being fixed to the spocket wheel on
one side and to the axis of the same on the other for that purpose.
For screw jacks I employ a similar arrangement of gearing to that first
described, and to the axis on which the loose toothed wheel is fixed I secure
a bevilled wheel taking into another bevilled wheel, in the interior of which is
a screw thread which gives motion to the shank or lifting part of the jack,
which may be formed to lift a weight placed on its upper end or on a pro-
jection from its lower end, as will be well understood. Suitable means are
provided for connecting and disconnecting the gearing so as to permit of a
quick or slow motion as desired.
In constructing punching "bears" according to this Invention I employ a
similar arrangement of gearing to that employed in the pulley block first
described, the fixed toothed wheel being keyed or otherwise secured to the body
of the punching "bear" whilst the other toothed wheel is keyed to the stem or
shaft of the punch, such punch being formed with a screw taking into a female
thread formed in the body of the punching "bear." A handle is provided to
give motion to the gearing, suitable means being provided for disconnecting
the gearing when it is desired to raise the punch quickly after it has performed
its work; the handle before referred to being at the same time connected by
any suitable means directly to the stem or shaft of the punch.
For screw presses I employ similar arrangements of gearing to those previ-
ously described, and provided with bevilled wheels to communicate motion from
the loose toothed wheel to the screwed stem of the plunger in a similar manner
to that described for the screw jack or that of the punch "bear," the loose
wheel being used as a nut for the purpose of raising or lowering the screw stem.
When operating the feed motion of circular and other saws and wood
planing machines, according to my Invention I employ a similar arrangement
of gearing to that first described. The pin or axis of the pinions being carried
by a cone speed pulley, which pulley is driven by a strap or otherwise from a
pulley on the saw spindle for giving motion to the drum to which one end of

page_text: the pinion b takes into and is rotated by the internal toothed wheel c, fixed to
one of the cheeks of the pulley block, as shown, or in other suitable manner,
whilst the pinion b¹ takes into and gives motion to the internal toothed wheel d¹,
which is capable of being connected or disconnected with the pulley wheel d
by means of the pin or stud d, this pin or stud d is also employed for con-
necting the disc or carrier a³ to the pulley wheel d when required, as shown
more clearly at Figure 5, which is a face view of some of the parts, the disc
or carrier a³ and the toothed wheel d¹ being provided with suitable recesses as
shown to receive the pin or stud d³. The axis a also carries a toothed pinion f,
which takes into the teeth of the pinion b, such pinion being capable of
being connected or disconnected with the shaft or axis a by means of the
clutch a', which by turning the wheel g in one or the other direction may be
caused to engage with the pinion f, or with the disc or carrier a³, as desired.
It will be seen by reference to Figure 4 that the wheel g gives motion to a
nut g¹ working on the screw a³, in the interior of which revolves the shaft a,
such screw being kept from revolving by means of a feather taking into a
suitable groove or recess in the screw. Other suitable means may however
be employed for moving the shaft a endwise in its bearings. The periphery
of the pulley wheel d is formed at one part with recesses or chambers d* to
receive the links of a chain, whilst the other part is formed into a drum d**,
around which a rope may be wound or coiled. When the chain is used the hook h
with its bar h¹ is fixed in the position shown in the Drawing, but when using
a rope then the hook with its bar h¹ is shifted so as to come over the centre
of the drum d** Steadying legs i, i, are provided to prevent the pulley
canting over. When using the pulley block shown at Figures 4 and 5 as a
temporary crab I fix it as shown at Figure 6, the steadying legs i, i, being
then fixed in the position shown in the Drawing, suitable handles i, i, being
fixed to the sprocket wheel on the one side, and to the axis a on the other.
Figure 7 is a vertical section, Figure 8 is a side view, and Figure 9 is a
section on the line 1, 1, Figure 7, of a modification of the pulley block shown
at Figures 4 and 5. In this case there are two sets of pinions b, b', of unequal
diameters connected together, carried by a carrier a³ formed of two discs, as
shown, whilst the toothed wheel d¹ is formed on or rigidly fixed to the
pulley wheel d, the clutch a* (being moved into and out of gear with the pinion f
by the rotation of the axis a in the following manner :-On the axis a is formed
a screw thread, which takes into a nut a formed in two parts, held together
by an india-rubber ring, such nut a usually revolves with the axis a, but when
the friction lever k is caused to bear on the nut a the rotation of such nut is
prevented, and the axis a is then caused to move endwise in its bearings,

page_text: thereby bringing the clutch a' into connection with the pinion f. When applying
this Invention to cranes or hoists I mount either of the arrangements of pulley
blocks shown at Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 on the beam or frame of the
crane or hoist, and work it by means of winch handles or by other suitable means.
When applying the Invention to a windlass, capstan, crab, or other similar
machine I employ simlar arrangements to those above referred to for working
the drums or pulley wheels, and mount them upon suitable framings or
standards.
Figure 10 is a vertical section of a screw jack constructed according to my
Invention. a, a, is the shank or lifting part of the jack, which is constructed as
shown so as to be capable of lifting a weight placed on its upper end, or on the
claw or projection a, as is well understood. The shank of the jack has formed
thereon a screw thread a', which takes into a screw thread formed in the
interior of the boss of the bevilled wheel b, such bevilled wheel b being enclosed
and prevented from rising, as shown in the Drawing, or in other suitable
manner. The bevilled wheel b is taken into and is driven by a bevilled
pinion c¹ formed on or fixed to the axis c, such axis receiving motion in the
following manner: On the axis c is mounted a hand wheel or lever c, which
revolves loosely thereon; such hand wheel ca carries a stud or axis c³, on which
are mounted the toothed pinions d, d', of different diameters, connected
together, the toothed pinion d taking into and being driven by the pinion e
fixed to the framing of the jack, whilst the pinion d¹ takes into and rotates the
pinion fixed to the axis c. When it is desired to exert great power the parts
are used in the position shown in the Drawing, but for raising light weights
at comparatively quick speeds I remove the pin g from the position shown in
the Drawing, and place it in the eye or hole c, by which the hand wheel c³ is
fixed rigidly to the axis c, and the pinion e is disconnected from the framing
and allowed to run freely on such axis. Instead however of employing this
mode of using the jack for quick and slow speeds other suitable means may
be employed, and in Figure 11 I have shown one mode in which the hand
wheel or lever c is carried by an excentric c', so that by turning the hand
wheel half round on the excentric c' the toothed pinions d, d¹, are moved out
of contact with the pinions e, f, in which case a stud c projecting from the
hand wheel c takes into the teeth of the pinion f, and thereby gives motion to
the axis c.
Figure 12 is a vertical section of a "punching bear" constructed according
to my Invention; the punch a is carried at the end, a screwed shaft a¹ which
rotates within a female screw formed within the body of the "bear;" on the
upper end of the screwed shaft a¹ revolves loosely a hand lever b carrying

page_text: a stud or axis b¹ on which are mounted the toothed pinions 62, 63, of different
diameters, the toothed pinion ba takes into and rotates the toothed wheel c fixed
on the screwed shaft a¹, whilst the toothed pinion 63 takes into and receives
motion from the fixed wheel c¹. For quick speeds I raise the toothed pinion b
into the position shown in the Drawing, in which position it becomes rigdily
fixed to the hand lever b by means of the clutch b', but for slow speeds I lower
the pinion 62 so that it becomes rigidly fixed to the pinion 63 by means of the
clutch 65.
Figure 13 shows a modification of the punching bear similar parts being
marked with similar letters of reference to those employed in Figure 12. In
this case I employ a double set of pinions 63, 63, of unequal diameters connected
together, taking into internal toothed wheels c, c¹, the toothed wheel c¹
is fixed as shown to the body of the "bear" whilst the toothed wheel c is
capable of rotating the screw a¹ by means of a catch d taking into ratchet
teeth a formed on or fixed to the screwed shaft a¹. When a quick return
motion is required the screwed shaft a' is rotated by means of the handle a³
fixed on the upper end thereof, at which time the catch d will slip over the
ratchet teeth a; the catch d and ratchet teeth a are shown more clearly at
Figure 14.
In constructing a punching machine a similar arrangement of gearing may
be employed, the connected pinions being carried by one or more pins or
axes fixed to a wheel, arm, or disc suitably counterbalanced, and revolving on
the main axis of the machine on which is fixed the loose wheel, the fixed wheel
is secured to the frame of the machine, a suitable pulley being provided to give
motion to the disc.
Figure 15 shows a front view, partly in section, of a simple form of screw
press constructed according to my Invention, similar parts are marked with
similar letters of reference to those employed in describing the punching
bear shown at Figure 12. In this case for quick speeds I raise the toothed
pinion c (which turns the shaft a¹ by means of a feather c* taking into a suitable
groove) clear of the toothed wheel 6%, and fix it in that position by means of a
catch b taking into the teeth of the toothed pinion c, whereby the lever b, the
toothed pinion c, and the shaft a' are caused to rotate together.
Figure 16 shows a side view, partly in section, of a compound screw press
constructed according to my Invention, whereby four different powers are
capable of being exerted as desired; a is the plunger of the press fixed to the
screwed shaft a' which takes into a female screw formed within the interior
of the bevilled wheel b which is rotated by a bevilled pinion c¹ fixed on the shaft
or axis c. Motion is communicated to the axis c in the following manner :-

page_text: On the shaft d which is carried in suitable bearings is fixed the carrier d¹,
which carriers, studs, or axes d upon which the toothed pinions &, d', of
different diameters connected together rotate, the pinion takes into and
receives motion from the fixed toothed wheel e, whilst the pinion d, takes
into and gives motion to the toothed wheel which is capable of being con-
nected and disconnected with the shaft c by means of the clutch g which
is moved to and fro on the shaft c by the lever g*, whilst the carrier d¹ is
also capable of being connected and disconnected with the axis c by the
same means, on the axis d is also mounted a tooth pinion h, the teeth of
which take into the teeth of the pinion d³. The handle ŕ by means of a clutch i¹
as shown is capable of being connected either with the pinion h or with the
shaft d.
Figure 17 is a side view, and Figure 18 is an end view of a sawing machine
having my improvements applied thereto. a is the drum around which the
rope b is wound or coiled, such rope having a dog on the end thereof which
is fixed to the wood to be fed up to the circular saw; the drum a receives
motion from the axis of the circular saw in the following manner:--On the
axis of the circular saw is fixed a pulley c from which a strap or band passes
to a cone speed pulley d which carries a stud or axis d' upon which are mounted
the toothed pinions d, d³, fixed together and of different diameters; the toothed
pinion takes into and is driven by the fixed toothed wheel e, whilst the
pinion d³ takes into and gives motion to the toothed wheel f, which by a clutch f
is connected or disconnected with the drum a as desired. Similar means may
be employed for operating the feed motion of wood planing machines.
In the arrangements of gearing before described wheels with either external
teeth, internal teeth, or bevel wheels, or frictional gearing may be employed to
transmit motion, but I prefer those as described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the best means
I am acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I would have it under-
stood that I lay no claim to the mechanical parts separately considered nor do
I confine myself to the precise details herein shown and described, but what I
do claim is,
Firstly, the peculiar combinations and arrangements of machinery or
apparatus for raising, lowering, and moving heavy bodies, substantially as
shown and described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and
11 of the Drawings annexed.
Secondly, I claim the peculiar combinations and arrangements of "punching
bears" and punching machines, substantially as shown and described with
reference to Figures 12, 13, and 14,

page_text: Thirdly, I claim the peculiar combinations and arrangements of screw
presses, substantially as shown and described with reference to Figures 15
and 16.
And, fourthly, I claim the peculiar arrangements and combinations of
machinery or apparatus for operating the feed motion of circular and other
saws and wood planing machines, substantially as shown and described with
reference to Figures 17 and 18 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Alfred Limbert, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
FRED. HARRIS,
Patent Agent,
35, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane.
J. A. LIMBERT. (L.S.)