IMPROVEMENTS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Ramsden at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1878.
BENJAMIN RAMSDEN, of Leeds, in the County of York.
BOLTS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The bolt which forms the subject of my Invention is applicable for many pur-
poses, such as securing and strengthening the staves of ladders, by the use of which
much lighter, more portable, and stronger ladders may be constructed.
When used in ladders the staves are readily separated from the uprights and
packed together for transport purposes, and as readily unpacked and put together
again.
Most descriptions of framework may be also secured together by the herein-before
mentioned bolt.
I form the improved bolt of a number of wire strands; these strands are parallel
with each other, but in order to draw the framework or other objects together a
rope-like twist is given to these strands over each other, and in order to do this I
thread each end into a nut or head having a taper hole through; the ends of the
strands having been passed through these heads or nuts are secured therein by
means of a cone, wedge, or equivalent means. The above heads may be of the same
form as ordinary nuts.
By turning the nuts in the same manner as though they were being screwed
on to the head of an ordinary bolt a twist is given to the strands over each other,
and the parts of the framework or other objects are thereby drawn together.
Instead of the heads loops may be formed, and the twist given by means of a
lever threaded through them or by other means.
When preferred the ends of the wire strand bolts may be fixed in the framework
or other objects, and the required twist given thereto at or about their centre by any
convenient means, thereby the twisting and tightening-up operation is performed.

page_text: This latter arrangement is more applicable for ladders and other similar articles
having cross bars and uprights which require strengthening and firmly holding or
securing together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Ramsden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
October 1878.
BENJAMIN RAMSDEN, of Leeds, in the County of York.
BOLTS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The bolt which forms the subject of my Invention is applicable for many pur-
poses, such as securing and strengthening the staves of ladders, by the use of which
much lighter, more portable, and stronger ladders may be constructed.
When used in ladders the staves are readily separated from tho uprights and
packed together for transport, and as readily unpacked and put together again.
Most descriptions of framework may be also secured together by the hercin-before
mentioned bolt.
I form the improved bolt of a number of wire strands; these strands are parallel
with each other, but in order to draw the framework or other objects together a
rope-like twist is given to these strands over each other, and in order to do this I
thread each end into a nut or head having a taper hole through; these heads or
nuts are secured therein by means of a conc, wedge, or equivalent means.. The
above heads may be of the same form as ordinary nuts. By turning the nuts in
the same manner as though they were being screwed on to the head of an ordinary
bolt a twist is given to the strands over each other, and the parts of the framework
or other objects are thereby drawn together.
Instead of the heads loops may be formed, and the twist is given by means of a
lever threaded through them or by other means.
When preferred, the ends of the wire strand bolts may be fixed in the frame-
work or other objects, and the required twist given thereto at or about their centre
by any convenient means, thereby the twisting and tightening-up operation is
performed. This latter arrangement is more applicable for ladders and other
similar articles having cross bars and uprights which require strengthening and
firmly holding or securing together.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood, reference
is given to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings and to the letters and marks
thereon.
Figures 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8 are respectively longitudinal and
end elevations of various bolts constructed in accordance with my Invention.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are modifications also of bolts constructed
in accordance with my Invention.
Figure 17 is a part section of a ladder with bolts applied.
Figure 18 shews a further application of twisted bolt.
Figures 19 and 20 are details of one arrangement of bolt head.

page_text: I form the improved bolt of a number of wire strands a, shewn untwisted at
Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, and in this state they are applied to their various purposes,
and also in the manner represented at b, b, Figure 17, and when placed in
position as shewn at Figure 17, the heads c having been placed on the ends
thereof, and secured in position by wedges d, a pin being passed through the centre
at e, a twist is given to the wires by a suitable key being applied to the heads c.
By preference I twist the two ends of the wires a in opposite directions, such twist
being represented at Figures 3 and 6, also b¹, Figure 17, by this means the bolts
are shortened, and the staves fand uprights g of the ladder are drawn tightly and
firmly together.
In some cases I, by preferenco, make this bolt in two parts, as shewn at h,
Figures 4 and 5, instead of all in one, as shewn at Figures 6, 7, and 8.
Figure 2 shews anothor arrangement of bolt, the application of which will be
readily understood by referring to Figure 18.
In order to form the strands i of this bolt I bend the wire at J, and provide a
head by means of the washer K and bent ends of wiro Z; this bolt is particularly
applicable for drawing together and securing door frames, boxes, and wood work
generally, and the mode of applying is shewn at Figure 18.
After the hole m has been bored the bolt shewn at Figure 2 is placed therein,
and after a pin or screw n has been passed through the looped end J the parts o
and 2, which represent wood work, are drawn tightly together by twisting the
wires forming the bolt, as shown at q, such twist being given to the head by a
suitable key applied at ".
Figure 1 is a bolt of a similar construction to Figuro 2, and which may be
applied for the same purposes; the tightening or twisting operation may be effected
at 8.
In the further modifications of my Invention, shewn at Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12,
a represents a bolt consisting of two strands b, welded together at c, forming
thereby the head of the bolt; when the bolt is placed in position, and the nut a
applied a wedge e is inserted, which opens out and secures the strands b within
the nut d. A twist being given by means of a suitable key, the bolt assumes the
form shewn at Figures 11 and 12; by this means the bolt is shortened, and the
parts to which it is applied are drawn tightly and closely together.
At Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16 is shewn a bolt having two strands f, and a head
applied at 9 and g¹; one or both these heads may be applied after the bolt has
been placed in position and secured to the strands f by means of the wedges h.
The operation of twisting is the same as described for Figure 9.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and shewn by Drawings
how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it understood that I do
not limit myself to the precise limits, details, or configuration of the parts I have
expressed and shewn, as the same may, of course, be varied or modified without
in any way departing from the nature or principle of my Invention, but what I
claim and desire to be secured to me by Letters Patent is the arrangement, con-
struction, and application of bolts formed of a number of strands, the tightening up
of which being effected by twisting the strands over each other, and any mere
modifications of the same, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Ramsden, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
DEALI
DUGATTY