IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR PRO- PELLING SHARTS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Louis Winans, of Dover Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, and Thomas Winans, of Baltimore, in
the United States of America, but now residing at Dover Street aforesaid,
Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR PRO-
PELLING SHARTS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS"
Sealed the 4th December 1863, and dated the 20th June 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Louis Winans
and Thomas Winans at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 20th June 1863.
We, WILLIAM LOUIS WINANS, of Dover Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, and THOMAS WINANS, of Baltimore, in the United States of
America, but now residing at Dover Street aforesaid, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR
PROPELLING SHAFTS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention of "Improvements in Couplings for Propelling Shafts of
Ships or Vessels" has for its object to construct and arrange couplings in such
a manner that should the shafting from any cause get out of a straight line,
there will not be any undue strain or wear and tear on the bearings.
In carrying out the Invention the coupled ends of the shafts are provided
with cross pieces, which are arranged at right angles to each other, and are
inserted in recesses or grooves made in or attached to a coupling plate.
When the shafts are in a continuous right line the cross pieces will not move

page_text: in the recesses of the coupling plate, but should the two shafts get out of a
straight line, then, as the shafts rotate, the the cross pieces would have a
straight motion in the grooves of the coupling plate to compensate for the
excentric position of the shafts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Louis Winans and Thomas Winans in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 17th December 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
LOUIS WINANS, of Dover Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
and THOMAS WINANS, of Baltimore, in the United States of America, but now
residing at Dover Street aforesaid, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto us, the said William Louis Winans and Thomas Winans, Her special
license that we, the said William Louis Winans and Thomas Winans, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William
Louis Winans and Thomas Winans, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR PROPELLING SHAFTS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS,
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William Louis Winans
and Thomas Winans, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months.next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
"
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Willian Louis Winans and Thomas
Winans, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):

page_text: Our Invention of "Improvements in Couplings for Propelling Shafts of
Ships or Vessels" has for its object to construct and arrange couplings in such
a manner that should the shafting from any cause get out of a straight line,
there will not be any undue strain or wear and tear on the bearings.
In carrying out the Invention the coupled ends of the shafts are provided
with cross pieces, which are arranged at right angles to each other, and are
inserted in recesses or grooves made in or attached to a coupling plate.
When the shafts are in a continuous right line the cross pieces will not move
in the recesses of the coupling plate, but all the parts will rotate on the same
longitudinal axis, but should the two shafts get out of a straight line, then, as
the shafts rotate, the cross pieces would have a slight motion in the grooves
of the coupling plate in order to compensate for the excentric position of the
shafts.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a plan view, Fig. 2 a sido
elevation, and Fig. 3 an end view, of one of our improved couplings. It will
be seen that on the end of each shaft a, a¹, is welded or otherwise secured a
T-piece b, b, which fits into a groove or recess cut or made in a coupling
plate or block c. The shafts a, a¹, are so mounted in their bearings that the
T-piece of the one shaft crosses at right angles the T-piece of the other shaft,
the grooves in the coupling plate or block being made at right angles to each
other to suit the position of the T-pieces, as shewn in Fig. 3, in which the
position of the T-piece of the shaft that is not seen is indicated by the dotted
lines. The dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 indicate the longitudinal axes of the
two shafts a and a³, and in these Figures the axial line of the two shafts is
coincident. Should, however, any lateral or vertical displacement of either
shaft take place, and the axial lines of the two shafts be no longer coincident,
as shown by the lines 1, 1, and 2, 2, in Fig. 4, the T-piece of the displaced
shaft will alter its position in the groove of the coupling block to suit the
altered circumstances. This T-piece will therefore project on one side of the
coupling block, as shown in the Figure. Should the displacement happen in
an oblique direction, so that the axial line is bent at the coupling block, one
end of the T-piece will rise out of the groove in the coupling block, as shewn
in Fig. 5; but in all the cases the rotary motion of the shafts may be continued
without in any way straining the bearings in which they are mounted beyond
the strain caused by the friction due to the pressure upon and the sliding
upon one another of the surfaces in contact of the couplings and return cranks
or T-pieces. For the proper working of the several parts the T-pieces and
the grooves of the coupling block in which they are fitted must be arranged
at right angles, as already stated; but in adapting the Invention to marine

page_text: engines, and also for some other purposes where three cranks are used, it will
be obvious that the arrangement already described must be somewhat modified
to suit the case. Supposing, for example, it be desired to couple three shafts
provided with cranks placed at an angle of 120° to each other, the crank pins
must be set so far out of the centre of the T-pieces as to compensate for the
difference between 120° and the right angle, or 90° of the grooves in the
coupling block. The way in which we manage this will be understood by
referring to Figs. 6 and 7. The driving shaft is seen at a, a¹, and a³, and is
mounted in suitable bearings placed on the cylinder heads, or on a framing
attached thereto. It will be seen that the shaft is divided into three parts,
a, a, a, and is provided with three sets of cranks d, d¹, d, each of which
carries a cross piece b, 61, or b³, equivalent to the T-pieces 6 in the former
Figures. These cross pieces are fitted to grooves in the coupling blocks c, c',
precisely as in the former instance; but as the cranks are arranged at an
angle of 120° to each other, as seen in the transverse section, Fig. 7, and as it
is necessary that the cross pieces should be placed at right angles to each
other, it follows that the crank pins must be arranged excentrically on the
cross pieces, as shewn in the Figure. From this it will be understood that
the coupling blocks act precisely as in the instance shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, and that should any displacement of any of the sections a, a¹, or a³ of
the shaft take place, such displacement will be compensated for .and the
several parts allowed to adjust themselves in the manner already explained,
and shewn in Figs. 4 and 5.
Having now described our Invention of Improvements in Couplings for
Propelling Shafts of Ships or Vessels," and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, we claim as our Invention coupling shafts by
means of a block or plate provided with grooves in which are inserted cross
pieces or T-pieces attached to the ends of the shafts to be coupled, as herein
set forth.
•
In witness whereof, we, the said William Louis Winans and Thomas
Winans, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventeenth day
of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
SIAVY
W. L. WINANS.
(L.S.)
THOMAS WINANS. (L.S.)

page_text: Filed 9th November 1866.
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to WILLIAM LOUIS WINANS,
of Dover Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, and
THOMAS WINANS, of Baltimore, in the United States of America,
but now residing at Dover Street, aforesaid, Gentleman, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR PROPELLING SHAFTS OF
SHIPS OR VESSELS," bearing date the Twentieth day of June Ono
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, N° 1556.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said William Louis Winans and Thomas Winans to the
Specification of the said Letters Patent pursuant to an Act passed in the
fifth and sixth years of His late Majesty's reign intituled "An Act to
amend the Law touching Letters Patent for Inventions."
WHEREAS since filing the Specification of our said Patent we have been
informed and believe that it has been proposed to couple parallel or straight
driving shafts by means of two bars connected together in the form of a cross
and made to work in grooves fixed on the ends of such shafts. We have

page_text: never heard of any such coupling having been used, but inasmuch as we
have discovered that it has been published, and as we are advised that
such an arrangement might be considered to come within the terms of our
are desirous of amending our said Specification,
said Specification, we and of disclaiming any such arrangement or construction
of coupling as applied to straight or parallel shafting, and of confining our claim
of Invention to the arrangement or construction of parts shewn and described,
and as applied to crank shafts.
of
And whereas the T-pieces mentioned in our said Specification are some-
times called "cross pieces" because they are placed across or at right angles
to the line of the shafts, and we are advised that such term, although strictly
correct, might be misconstrued, we are therefore desirous of amending our
said Specification by omitting the words "cross pieces" in lines 6, 8, and 11
page 3 of the printed Specification and substituting the words " "T-pieces,"
and at lines 12, 13, 16, 18, and 28 of page 4 of the said printed Specification
instead of the word "pieces" we are desirous of substituting the word "arms."
After the word "effect" in line 26, page 4, we wish to insert the following
words (viz.)"We would remark that we are aware that it has been
"proposed to couple parallel shafts by means of two straight bars arranged
" and secured together in the form of a cross and made to work in grooves
"fixed on the end of the shafts; we do not therefore mean to claim any
"such arrangement or construction of apparatus as forming part of our
" Invention; but" And also after the word "coupling" in line 26, p. 4, we insert
the word "crank," and after the word "shafts," same line, we insert the words
"liable to become diverted from the same longitudinal axis."
And when our said Specification is so amended, it will read as follows:-
Our Invention of "Improvements in Couplings for Propelling Shafts of
Ships or Vessels" has for its object to construct aud arrange couplings in
such a manner that should the sbafting from any cause get out of a straight
line there will not be any undue strain or wear and tear on the bearings.
In carrying out the Invention the coupled ends of the shafts are provided
with T-pieces which are arranged at right angles to each other, and are
inserted in recesses or grooves made in or attached to a coupling plate.
When the shafts are in a continuous right line the T-pieces will not move
in the recesses of the coupling plate, but all the parts will rotate on the
same longitudinal axis; but should the two shafts get out of a straight line
then as the shafts rotate the T-pieces would have a slight motion in the
grooves of the coupling plate in order to compensate for the excentric
position of the shafts.
In the accompanying Drawing Fi
1 is ° plan view Tire 9 a side

page_text: elevation, and Fig. 3 an end view of one of our improved couplings. It
will be seen that on the end of each shaft a, a', is welded or otherwise
secured a T-piece b, 61, which fits into a groove or recess cut or made in a
coupling plate or block c. The shafts a, a', are so mounted in their bearings
that the T-piece of the one shaft crosses at right angles the T-piece of the
other shaft, the grooves in the coupling plate or block being made at right
angles to each other to suit the position of the T-pieces as shewn in Fig. 3,
in which the position of the T-piece of the shaft that is not seen as indicated
by the dotted lines. Tho dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 indicate the
longitudinal axis of the two shafts a and a', and in these Figures the axial
line of the two shafts is coincident, should, however, any lateral or vertical
displacement of either shaft take place, and the axial lines of the two shafts
te no longer coincident, as shewn by the lines 11 and 22, in Fig. 4, the
T-piece of the displaced shaft will alter its position in the groove of the
coupling block to suit the altered circumstances; this T-piece will therefore
project on one side of the coupling block, as shewn in the Figure; should the
displacement happen in an oblique direction, so that the axial line is bent at
the coupling block, one end of the T-piece will rise out of the groove in
the coupling block, as shewn in Fig. 5; but in all the cases the rotary motion
of the shafts may be continued without in any way straining the bearings in
which they are mounted beyond the strain caused by the friction due to the
pressure upon and the sliding upon one another of the surfaces in contact of the
couplings and return cranks or T-pieces. For the proper working of the
several parts the T-pieces and the grooves of the coupling block in which they are
fitted must be arranged at right angles, as already stated; but in adapting the
Invention to marine engines, and also for some other purposes where three
cranks are used, it will be obvious that the arrangement already described
must be somewhat modified to suit the case. Supposing, for example, it be
desired to couple three shafts, provided with cranks placed at an angle of
one hundred and twenty degrees to each other, the crank pins must be set
so far out of the centre of the T-pieces as to compensate for the difference
between one hundred and twenty degrees and the right angles or ninety
degrees of the grooves in the coupling block. The way in which we manage
this will be understood by referring to Figures 6 and 7. The driving shaft
is seen at a, a', and a³, and is mounted in suitable bearings placed on the
cylinder heads or on a framing attached thereto. It will be seen that the
shaft is divided into three parts a, a, a³, and is provided with three sets of
cranks d, d', d, each of which carries a cross arm b, b, or b³, equivalent to the
T-pieces bin the former Figures. These cross arms are fitted to grooves in the

page_text: coupling blocks c, c, precisely as in the former instance; but as the cranks
are arranged at an angle of one hundred and twenty degrees to each other, as
seen in the transverse section; Fig. 7, and as it is necessary that the cross arms
should be placed at right angles to each other, it follows that the crank pins
must be arranged excentrically on the cross arms, as shewn in the Figure.
From this it will be understood that the coupling blocks act precisely as in
the instance shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and that should any dis-
placement of any of the sections a, a, or a³, of the shaft take place such
displacement will be compensated for and the several parts allowed to adjust
themselves in the manner already explained and shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
Having now described our Invention of "Improvements in Couplings for
Propelling Shafts of Ships or Vessels," and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, we would remark that we are aware that it has
been proposed to couple parallel shafts by means of two straight bars
arranged and secured together in the form of a cross and made to work in
grooves fixed on the end of the shafts, we do not therefore mean to claim any
such arrangement or construction of apparatus as forming part of our
Invention; but we claim as our Invention coupling crank shafts liable to
become diverted from the same longitudinal axis by means of a block or
plate provided with grooves in which are inserted cross arms or T-pieces
attached to the ends of the shafts to be coupled as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, we the said William Louis Winans and Thomas
Winans, have hereunto set our hands and seals, the
day of
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
THOS. WINANS.
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
(L.S.)
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named William Louis
Winans and Thomas Winans to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the
Specification to which the same relates the above-written Amended Disclaimer
and Memorandum of Alteration.