An Improved Lifting and Lowering Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 28th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Lifting and Lowering Apparatus.
WILLIAM WELLENS Wringing Machine Maker and General Dealer No. 244
Middleton Road Oldham, EDWARD WELLENS 3 Napier Street West Oldham
Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
First, For a fire escape consisting of two bar driveing pulleys with shafts or axles
either keyed on or loose. The pulleys consist of two ends (or flanges) with three
bars (or rods) or more, bolted across from: flange to flange at equal distances apart
to carry or drive an endless ladder (made of iron or other material) around down
one side and up the other, and adjusted with brakes to the flanges (or axle as the
case may be) above and below so that the weight will be checked to any extent to
suit heavy or light persons, it also consists of a hand rail or rope from top to
bottom by the side or sides of the ladder, for the perpose of starting the decent by
pulling up to overcome the brakes which retard its motion downwards, and also to
check the decent by holding part of the weight of the body in case the speed of
the decent was too quick, and when desired the person (will be) can be let down by
a person at the bottom by holding to the up side of the ladder and keeping it in
check by the spokes, (of the ladder) one after another until the person being let
down is at the bottom, the ladder being fixed from top to bottom of the building
(or storey) and travelling around from top to bottom, is always at the spot (or place)
ready for stepping on and beginning the decent, and one or more persons can be let
down at the same time, according to the brake power applied to the pulleys or
drivers, or help at the up side of the ladder to keep it in check dureing the decent,
by holding to the spokes of the ladder one after another, in getting on the ladder
at the platform or starting point, we have tied or buckled around the body, a belt,
with two hooks, to hook to the spokes of ladder, they are thus fastened to the
ladder so that they cannot fall, and their hands are at liberty to pull up or down at
the handrail or rope which is a fixture from top to bottom of the apparatus, there
is a platform at the bottom for landing on above the centre of the driving pulley,
to protect the feet from getting fast in the bars of the pulleys or the spokes of the
ladder we have hooks to hook the front or down side of the ladder across to the
up side of the ladder, thus preventing it moving at all, so that it can be used as an
ordanery ladder, to clean windows or repair walls etc., and a scat or platform with
hooks at either end to hook across from the down side to the up side of the ladder
on the spokes and resting on the same from side to side at any given point of the
ladder from the top to the bottom.
Second, We claim for a hoist for pulling up or letting down all kind of goods
or freight of any description from one height to another. For hoisting up we
loose the brakes, and hook a small platform (on the spokes of the ladder) with
straps from the edge, put the load on platform hook the straps around the load to
the spokes of the ladder above the platform, thus secured the operator goes to the
opposide side of the ladder and pulls up the load by pulling down by and stepping
on the spokes of the ladder thus getting the benefit of his own weight to pull the
load up, and if the load be heavy we have weights to hook on the down side to
assist in pulling up or lifting the load, these weights can be lifted up back at leasure
to be in readiness for another heavy load or hooked on to the up side of the ladder,
when letting a load down thus balanceing in part the down load. In order to
prevent the load from overcoming the operator, a catch is afixed to the bottom of
the frame which prevents the pulley or ladder from turning backwards while the
load is on, thus enableing the operator to rest at any point of the ladder from top
to bottom (or bottom to top). To let down freight of any description we release

page_text: the safty catch hook the load to ladder and fasten on the platform, tighten the
brakes to the drivers or pulleys to the desired pressure to suit the load and then let
down by the spokes of the ladder to suit the purpose.
Third, The drivers or pulleys, are made of two ends or flanges with three or
more bars or rods bolted across from one flange to the other flange at equal
distances apart around a circle of the flanges to fit the endless ladder (or hinged
strapping or driving which prevents slipping and makes the driving possitave) the
flanges are provided with smooth sides or large hub for the brakes to be applied
against.
Fourth, The endless ladder is formed by side straps or links of equal lengths and
reveted or fastened to cross bars or spokes and revetid or fastened to the sides so
that they hinge around the pulleys or drivers, the length of the straps or links to
suit the spokes of the driver or pulleys, and thus enables the spokes of the ladder
and the spokes or bars of the driver or pulleys to fit together, thus enableing the
hinged ladder to work like a strap around the drivers or pulleys without the
possibility of slipping.
Fifth, The frame for the top consists of two hangers for the shaft to bear in and
wide enough to allow two bolts with locknuts to go through with blocks on the
ends to put break on the flanges of the pulleys, the bottom frame has two upright
hangers bolted across to make strong to carry the shaft and two bolts and locknuts
on either side with blocks on the ends to put brake on as above across or fixed to
the frame underneth is fixed the safty catch to stop the ladder and pulleys from
moving backwards when the load is being lifted, we also have a frame with two
posts from top to bottom on either side of the ladder, the top shaft is let in from
side to side thus forming the bearing (with steps) and break bolts put through
either side as before, the bottom shaft is fixed like the top in the side of the posts
with the safty-catch underneath, and will be shown in drawings to follow, the
handrail or rope is fixed firm from the top to the bottom of the frame.
Dated this 4th day of March 1892.
WILLIAM WELLENS.
EDWARD WELLENS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Lifting and Lowering Apparatus.
WILLIAM WELLENS 244 Middleton Road, Oldham Mechanic and General
Dealer EDWARD WELLENS, 3 Napier Street West, Oldham Mechanic, 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 :-
It consists of a devise for lifting and 'lowering freight of any description and
which can also be used as a fire escape, or ladder. Drivers or pulleys are placed
at such a distance from each other as will suit an endless ladder, the spokes of
which pass over the bars or rods of the drivers or pulleys. The load to be lifted
or lowered, may be hooked on to the spokes of the ladder or may be fastened at
the end of a rope belt or chain, the operator pulling down at the spokes of the
ladder. The speed at which the load descends being regulated by a brake all of
which is described as follows-
Fig. 1. is a front. clevation with ladder broken so that each end can be shewn.
Fig. 2. is a side elevation shewn in the section through the drivers.or pulleys.
Fig. 3. is a side elevation when apparatus is used in a portable form.
Fig. 4. is a front, elevation of same.
Fig. 5. is a plan of same.
Fig. 6..shews three views of a
used for a portable, lift.
an arrangement of bowl or runner which may be

page_text: PP
Fig. 8. is a front elevation of same.
Fig. 9. shews an arrangement of seat or platform which also locks the ladder,
keeping it stationary.
Fig. 10. shews arrangement of driver or pulley with one flange, the bars or rods
going through it.
Fig. 11. shews an arrangement of rope or chain barrel, which is to facilitate the
winding off, of rope or chain.
Fig. 12. shews ladder when folded.
Fig. 13. shews ladder attached to hook inside a building, and hanging outside,
being fastened to a hook at the bottom.
The drivers or pulleys are made of one or more ends or flanges A with three or
more bars or rods B bolted or otherwise fastened across from one flange to the
other, or through the flange, (see Fig. 10.) at equal distances apart, around the
circle of the flanges. A shaft or axle E. e. is put through the bosses of these
flanges. The side straps or links C of the endless ladder, are made in such a way
as to hinge round the bars or rods B of the drivers or pulleys, and so slipping is
prevented and the driving made positive. The flanges A may be provided with
smooth sides for a brake to be applied against, or a pulley D. may be keyed or
fastened in some other way to shaft or axle E. e. A strap is passed over the
pulley with one end fastened to stud F, the other end connected with lever or
handle G. When this handle is pulled down, the strap is made to press on to the
pulley, thereby acting as a brake. It will be seen that much or little pressure can
be brought to bear on to the pulley, according to the weight of load to be carried.
The endless ladder is formed by side straps or links C made of iron or other
material, of equal lengths and riveted or fastened in some other way to cross bars
or spokes H- as shewn in Fig. 1, so that they hinge around the drivers or pulleys.
This enables the cross bars or spokes H of the ladder, and the bars or rods B of
the drivers or pulleys, to fit together, thus enabling the hinged ladder to work
like a strap around the drivers or pulleys, without the possibility of slipping.
Rings made of india rubber or any other suitable material may be fastened
on to the bars or rods B of drivers or pulleys. When the, cross bars or
spokes of endless ladder are working round the drivers or pulleys, these rings
prevent the spokes H-from touching the rods B, and by doing so prevent noise,
the machine working very quietly.
The frame may be made of wood or any other material as shewn in Figs. 1
and 2-with bräckets I bolted or fastened to it to carry the shaft or axle. These
brackets can be adjusted to suit the endless ladder-or two hangers may be fastened
to ceiling and two upright brackets fastened to floor as described in description of
apparatus when used as a fire escape. A seat N-Fig. 3 may be provided so that
the operator may either sit or stand, as most convenient.
If used in a portable form, see Figs. 3-4 & 5. Two posts are arranged one on
each side the ladder. Brackets--are placed at the top and the bottom, which
can be adjusted to suit the ladder. These brackets carry the shafts or axles of the
drivers or pulleys. The brake is arranged as before described. On the shaft or
axle e provision is made for a coil of rope belt or chain J. which may be carried
over pulley K. or to any other suitable place. To facilitate the winding off of rope
belt or chain, an arrangement is applied as shewn in Fig. 11. The shaft or axle
on which rope belt or chain barrel is placed is made with one or more square
parts v. The bosses of barrel have a square hole in so that when lifting a load,
the bosses or ends of barrel, fit on to the square part on the shaft or axle, being
held there by the catch wo. When the rope belt or chain is required to be let
down, or wound off, this catch is raised and the barrel pushed on one side, (as,
represented by dotted lines) off the square parts, so that the other catch .r, may
fall into the place prepared for it, y. which will hold the barrel in that position.
The endless ladder is thus disconnected, and so the weight placed on the end of

page_text: chain is sufficient to pull the barrel round.
unwind very quickly.
The rope or chain is thus enabled to
A ratchet wheel L is fastened on the shaft or axle e. A catch or lever M lying
on the teeth. This catch is connected with small hand lever m. The object of
this ratchet wheel and catch, is to prevent the load from overcoming the operator,
the catch fixing itself in the teeth of the ratchet wheel will prevent the ladder
from turning back, and so enabling the operator to rest at any point of the ladder,
from the bottom to the top. To let down freight of any description the catch or
lever is released, and if the brakes are brought into action, the load will be gently
deposited where required. At Pa lever is fixed, to which hang weights to
counterbalance any weight which may be lifted or lowered, thus preventing
machine from being pulled over. When made in this portable form, the castors or
small bowls . may be made either as shewn in Figs. 3-4 & 5 or as shewn in
Fig. 6. The last mentioned have the advantage of being able to swing round as
shewn in dotted lines. A small plate o. hanging in a vertical position down by the
side of castor or bowl-n.-will keep the bowl in one position, but on moving the
plate o. to a horizontal position as shewn in dotted lines, will allow the bowl to
swing round, making it much easier to move the carriage about in any direction.
All four bowls can be made in this way.
If used as a hoist for lifting or lowering all kinds of goods or freight of any
description from one height or storey to another. A small platform with straps
from the edge is hooked on to the spokes H of the ladder. The load being laid
on to the platform the straps are passed over, or round the load, and hooked on to
the spokes H above the platform. The load being thus secured, the operator goes
to the other side of the ladder, and pulls down at the ladder, either by his hands
or by stepping on to the spokes of the ladder. He then has the benefit of his own
weight to pull the load up. If the load is too heavy, weights may be hung on the
down side of the ladder, which will greatly assist in lifting the load. The weights
may be lifted back at leisure to be in readiness for another load. The ratchet.
wheel, catch, and brake are used as already described.
A cage is also used, see Figs. 7 & 8 (R in dotted lines) which is fixed to spokes
of ladder. Sides can be fixed to cage if required but it must be open on the ladder
side, to enable the operator to pull up or down at the ladder spokes or step on to
the spokes similar to what has already been described. When this cage is used a
weight or weights T are hung to spokes, or sides of ladder to balance the cage,
operator and load. To prevent the load from overcoming the operator, and also to
hold the balance weights or load, at any point, two ratchet wheels with catches to
work in opposite directions are used, so that either one or the other catch, can
be let down or raised at the will of the operator. These ratchet wheels are on the
same principle as already described (see portable lift) but two are used instead of
one in this case, one catch being in gear when ladder moves in one direction and
being raised out of gear when ladder moves in the opposite direction, the other
catch then falling into gear. A safety catch is fastened on the cage, which at the
will of the operator, hooks, clips or otherwise fastens on to the spokes of ladder (on
the other side of driver or pulley to the cage) thus hooking or holding the cage,
load or balance weights, and keeping them from moving in either direction until
the safety catch is released. This arrangement virtually "annihilates" " ' up'
and "down" and a person or persons can travel as easily as in walking or riding on
an horizontal plane. If a drum or drums-U-of the same diameter as drivers or
pulleys be fastened to axle E-Fig. 8-and a rope, belt or chain fastened to drum,
then the operator will be enabled to take a load up, fastened to rope, belt or chain,
at the same time, and speed as he himself ascends, by pulling down from his
position, on or inside the cage or by stepping on to the spokes of ladder on the
down side one after another, thus transferring his own weight to the down side and
in this manner pulling the load to the top at the same time as he himself arrives.
He is thus enabled to unload, and then step into the cage, and ride to the bottom or
:
"

page_text: any intermediate room or place, and then to reload and ascend as before. If more
than one drum is used, a load may be carried up, while another load is coming
down. This arrangement will be found very convenient for a person to ride himself
up ou down, with a light load or parcel or without, as he can do so with the greatest
ease and speed. Brakes are used as have been already described.
This "lifting and lowering apparatus" may be attached with advantage to cranes
of every description. If the shaft or axle-e-be connected with crank shaft of
crane, provision being made also to carry the top pulley or driver, then a single
geared crane is made.equal to a double geared, inasmuch as the operator's own
weight may be brought to bear on the endless ladder, by pulling down, or stepping
on to the spokes of ladder as before described, and by lifting up at the up side of
the ladder thus getting both the weight and strength of the operator.
་
If used as a fire escape, the frame for the top consists of two hangers (which
form a bearing to carry the shaft or axle) placed wide enough, to allow two bolts
with lock nuts, to be fixed across, which steady and strengthen the frame, and form
a fixing for one end of brake strap. The bottom frame has two upright brackets
bolted against it which form a bearing for shaft or axle. These two brackets can.
be adjusted to suit the ladder. Two bolts with lock nuts are fixed across. similar to
the top frame, with provision for brake as before mentioned.
If the fire escape is
portable the frame work may be similar to "portable lift.'
The aforesaid drivers or pulleys, with their brakes, are used along with endless
ladder as already described. Down one or both sides of the ladder, a hand rail
or rope p is hung from top to bottom for the purpose of starting the descent by
pulling up to overcome the brakes, which retard its downward motion, and also to
check the descent by holding part of the weight of the body in case the speed of
the descent is too quick. When required a person can be let down by another
person at the bottom holding to the up-side of the ladder and keeping it in check,
by the spokes or bars H, one after another until the person is at the bottom, or, by
applying the brake u which is placed at the bottom. The ladder being placed from
top to bottom of the building, and travelling round the drivers or pulleys, is always
at the right place for stepping on and beginning the descent. One or more persons
can be let down at the same time, according to the amount of brake power applied,
or. the help brought to. bear on the up-side of the ladder to keep it in check
during the descent.
A person about to be let down from platform to the ground floor, may have a
belt tied or buckled around the body, attached to which are hooks, which may be
hooked on to the spokes H of the ladder, and so prevent the person who is
descending from falling, and allowing the hands to be at liberty to pull up or down
at the hand rail or rope by the side of the ladder.
A platform S is arranged at the bottom, above the centre of the driver or
pulley, to protect the feet from getting fast in the bars of the pulley during the
descent.
If this apparatus be used as a ladder for cleaning windows, painting, repairing
walls &c., a hook or hooks-t-Fig. 9-may be attached across from the up-side to
the down side of the ladder to prevent it moving. By having the hook or hooks
covered with a flat piece of wood or other suitable material, a seat or platform will
be formed, on which a person can either stand or sit.
If used as a fire escape or ladder, doing without the drivers or pulleys, the
links of ladder are made in such a way, that when not in use it may be shut
up, the links piled one upon another as shewn in Fig. 12. In this form it can be
placed upon the floor, or in a box or cupboard for the purpose, without taking up
much room.
When in use, one end may be hooked or fastened inside the building,
while the ladder hangs down outside as shewn in Fig. 13.
fastened at the bottom or in any other convenient place. In this way the ladder
It may also be
is very easily brought into use, and may be moved about from one place to
another.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
First In a lifting and lowering apparatus, drivers or pulleys, with endless
ladder made as described.
Second In a lifting and lowering apparatus the combination of a ratchet
wheel, with catch or lever, brake arrangement, arrangement of rings for preventing
noise, and also arrangement for carrying rope or chain as described.
Third In a portable lifting and lowering apparatus, in combination, of bowl or
runner, underneath carriage or frame, to swivel as described.
Fourth In a lifting and lowering apparatus when used as a fire escape, lift or
ladder, the combination of hand rail, brakes, hook, platform cage or carriers, and
hook to fasten round a person, also of ladder without drivers or pulleys, which can
be easily brought into use, or moved about from place to place all as described.
Fifth That this lifting and lowering apparatus, may be attached to cranes of
every description, with the advantage already described, and also that it may be
used in a vertical or horizontal position or at any angle, with platform carriers or
buckets, arranged to suit the load required, and also that it may be used by hand
or power.
Dated this 26th day of November 1892.
WILLIAM WELLENS.
EDWARD WELLENS.