Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
Figs. 7 & 8 are views of the wedge and screw-spindle respectively,
Fig. 9 shows the connection of the spindle with the wedges, and
Fig. 10 is a section on line -z of Fig. 9.
The brake consists essentially of two wedges a (Fig. 4) arranged one above the
other and each provided with a corresponding longitudinal semi-circular groove c;
the groove thus formed is always horizontal, whereas the outer surfaces of the
wedges converge and thus, on operating the wedges in the manner hereafter
described, they move to and from each other. The wedges a are inserted in
casing b, the upper wedge being slided in lateral guides d (Fig. 6) for preventing
an accidental breaking of the cable by the upper wedge falling on or abutting
against the lower one. Each wedge a is also provided at its narrow end with a
cross-groove e (Figs. 7 & 9) in which the square-head of a hollow screw spindle g
is secured, the axis of such spindle thus coinciding with that of the grooves c
(Figs. 8, 9 and 10). The spindle g, mounted in a housingh made in one piece,
carries a worm-wheel i between the casing band housing h, and thus secured against
displacement; this wheel is operated by a worm 6 vertically mounted in the
stand k and provided with handle j.
The cable is now drawn through the hollow spindle g and between the grooves
of both wedges a. On turning the handle j, therefore, the worm / operates the
wheel i, which latter in turn acts on the spindle g, the wedges a being thus
correspondingly drawn together and the cable tightly gripped between the
grooves c; on turning the handle; in the reverse direction, the wedges take up
their original position and allow the cable to pass. It will be evident that the
wheel i may
also be made in the form of a ratchet wheel or the like, so long as
same may be easily and quickly operated.
By means of this brake, cables may be so tightly clamped that they do not slip
even when wet. It will also be evident that the brake operates equally as well
if arranged in the opposite direction to that shown by way of example in the
drawing. It may also be used for cables of different strengths, seeing that the
wedges may be readily substituted by wedges having smaller or larger grooves as
I Homes 1

page_text: required. Finally, a solid spindle 9 may be used, in which case the cable runs
underneath and parallel to same and only one wedge is required; this wedge is also
provided with a longitudinal groove which clamps the cable in a corresponding
groove in the bottom of the casing. The solid spindle is likewise provided with
screw threads and its head engages with the end of the wedges.
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 I
claim is :-
A brake for wire cables and specially adapted for use on board ship, consisting
of two wedges (a) inserted into a suitable casing and each having longitudinal
grooves (c) and cross-grooves, (e), in which latter the head of a screw spindle (g)
engages and operates said wedges through the medium of a worm wheel and worm,
the cable being thus securely held between the wedges (a) substantially as described
and shown in the drawing.
Dated 29th March 1895
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.