Improvements in Cord and Cable Clutches.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cord and Cable Clutches.
JOHN HARRISON of Castle Bytham in the County of Lincoln, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A new and improved method for clutching and holding cords lines cables, and
chains; and is applicable to the regulating cords of window-blinds, ventilators, trap
doors hoists &c. and consists of two arms, or levers pivoted on different centres, but
both moving in the same plane, their outer ends noving or sliding upon each other;
and are shaped to form a passage for the cord or line to be clutched to pass between
a part of each arm; so that when the arms are moved in one direction the passage
through which the cord passes, closes upon the cord and thus clutching or holding the
cord. The passage for cord may be formed by a hole, or holes in each arm, which
blind each other when clutching the cord, or instead of holes in both arms a slot may
be formed in one of the arms, and a projection on; or a part of the other arm may
work in it, and thus clutching the cord or line; or the cord may be clutched between
a projection or projections on each of the arms, as most convenient. The holes, slots,
or projections, as case may be are arranged to close upon the cord when the arms are
moved in the direction of the pull, or strain, upon the cord, which is to be sustained
by the clutch; and therefore the greater the pull or strain, the greater the grip upon
the cord; the weight of the arms being sufficient to give the slight pressure required
upon the cord to insure its action when the pull is from below; and in other cases a
balance weight or spring is used to give this slight grip, or pressure upon the cord.
To release the clutch the arms are moved, or drawn in the opposite direction.
This can either be accomplished by a handle formed on the arms or by a cord attached
to them for that purpose.
Dated this 20th INT
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cord and Cable Clutches.
JOHN HARRISON of Castle Bytham in the County of Lincoln Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
A new and improved method of clutching and holding cords lines, cables and chains
and can be applied to the regulating cords, of window blinds trap doors &c. also to
chains or cords of hoists and other lifting machinery and consist of two (or more)
arms moving in the same plane but pivoted on different centres; and are provided
with jaws, projections, or holes, for clutching the cord, at their outer ends which close
upon the cord, or chain to be clutched in such a manner as to increase the grip on the
cable as the strain increases. This will be clearly understood by the accompanying
drawing and description, which will be sufficient to enable any practical person to
apply my invention, to the holding, and releasing all kinds of cords, and chains
besides those shown and described.
Fig. 1 and 2 show my invention applied to the regulating cord of a window blind
Fig. 1 being a sectional elevation showing the clutch gripping the cord, Fig. 2 is an
elevation of the same but shows the clutch drawn down and cord released. The cord
is wound on a reel upon the blind roller in the usual manner, and passed through the
clutch at f, and then made fast to the arm B at b¹. The action of the clutch is as
follows, the two arms A, and B being pivoted on two different centres, A 1. and B 1 ;

page_text: the arm A passing through the slotted hole 6 2, in arm B; the projections p, sliding
upon the side of slot, when the arms are moved upwards, and in the direction of the
pull, or strain caused by the weight of blind they close upon the cord, as shown in
Fig. 1. The greater the strain the greater the grip. The arms are held up to give a
sufficient friction to ensure the action of clutch by spring S. The clutch is released
or taken out of action by drawing it down by cord e 1. as shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 3, is another modification for the same purpose, in this case the blind cord is
only passed through the clutch, and not looped up as already described, for the purpose
of releasing the clutch but this is accomplished by drawing the cord slightly and
allowing the arms A and B, to fall, there being no spring in this modification; the
necessary friction to raise the arm and clutch the cord is obtained by drawing the cord
against the sides of clutch.
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawing show my invention applied to a
gin wheel or pulley block Fig. 4 being an elevation and Fig. 5 a plan; in this modifi-
cation the arm A and B are raised by a balance weight H, and a moveable or pivoted
jaw R is used to give a larger gripping surface and instead a slotted hole in arm B,
the arm is forked or made in two, to allow the arm to pass between it; the arm being
guided by projection p, p.
Fig. 6 shows another modification similar to Fig. 4. but the arms being held up by
a spring S instead of balance weight H.
Fig 7. shows another modification the clutch being released by handle, m; which
also acts as a balance weight to raise arms A and B. In molifications shown in
Figs. 4, 5 and 6. the clutch is taken out of action by cord, l.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is,
The clutching holding or releasing cords chains or cables, between jaws holes or
projection, which closed upon the cord or chain by means of two or more arms pivoted
on different centres, and moving in the same plane, as herin described and shown with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of September 1889.
J. HARRISON.