Year: 1886

page_text: I WILLIAM ROUNSFELL of Persabus, Port Askaig in the Island of Islay and
County of Argyll do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
It consists of a band (A on accompanying drawing) for the centre of a Whipple
Tree, cast or wrought in one piece, carrying an eyelet (A 1.) for the plough (or
other) coupling. Being slipped on at the end the band is secured by means of two
plates (B and C) set as in Fig. 1. The plate B is fastened to the front of the beam
and having a half circle socket B1. (in which the round end (A. 2.) of the band A
can play) it keeps the band in position. The plate C fills up the extra length of
the band A required to let the latter pass over the shoulders (B 2.) into the
socket B 1. The band, hinging from the socket B 1, has a certain amount of play;
but the plate C causes the band to jam if the Tree is drawn much to either side.
The effect of such a jam is only to bind the whole mounting the closer, in such a
way as to attain the minimum of strain upon the wood; while the plate C
prevents the band, at the points A 3-A 3.-froin chafing the wood.
Dated this Eleventh day of February 1886.

page_text: Improvements in Metal Mountings for Whipple or Swing Trees.
I WILLIAM ROUNSFELL, of Persabus, Port Askaig, Island of Islay, Argyllshire,
Farmer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL
MOUNTINGS FOR WHIPPLE OR SWING TREES and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention consists of a mounting of wrought or cast metal for the centre of
whipple or swing trees and comprises a band (A) [the references are to the drawings
lodged with the Provisional Specification] with two accompanying plates viz: a
socket plate (B) and a key plate (C). The band (A) carries an eye (A. 1) at one end
for the coupling: the cross bar (A 2) forming its other end should be wholly round,
or at least round on the inner side. The band (A) is not intended to be fastened
to the tree but is held in position by the socket plate (B) and the key plate (C).
These plates and the band may vary in size according to the strength required but
the plates must always be longer than the breadth of the band which, because of
the strength imparted by the plates, can be made lighter and narrower than if it
were to be used alone. The socket plate (B) besides serving to hold the band (A)
in position serves also, and, that in proportion to its length, to distribute the strain
of the draught over the length of the tree. It is fastened to the front of the tree
by nails or by a stud or studs on its inner surface, the fastenings being required
simply to keep the plate from shifting and not to bear any part of the draught.
The socket plate (B) being first in position the band (A) is slipped on from either
end of the tree and the bar (A 2) passed over one of the shoulders (B 2 B2) on the
socket plate into the socket (B1) in that plate. To admit of the bar (A 2) passing
over the shoulders (B2 B 2) the band (A) must be made longer than the combined
breadth of the tree and the socket (B1): the object, in part, of the key plate (C) is
to fill up this excess in the band (A) and so prevent the bar (A 2) from slipping out
of the socket (B1). The band (A) when in position rests in the socket (B1) and
plays from its end (the bar A. 2) in the socket. The amount of play depends upon,
and may be regulated according to the excess in the length of the band (A) and
the size and thickness of the key plate (C). The key plate (0) is inserted within
the hand (A) and between the end thereof which carries the eye (A 1) and the back
of the tree. It may be fastened merely by being wedged in or, preferably, by
nails. The key plate (C) besides serving, as already explained, to keep the
band (A) in the socket (B1) saves the timber of the tree from being chafed by
the play of the band at (for exainple) the points (A 3. a) and (A. 3. b). Should the
tree, when in use, be drawn violently to either side the band (A) and the key
plate (C) will jam or lock at (for example) the point (A 3. a) or (A 3. b); the whole
mounting will then grip the more firmly.
I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details as
above set forth,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or used, I declare
that what I claim is
(First.) The use of a band for the centre of whipple or swing trees which is not
fastened directly to the tree but is held in position by plates fastened to the tree
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
(Second.) The combination of a narrow band with a longer plate whereby the
strain of the draught is distributed over a desired area of the tree substantially as
herein before set forth.