IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CRANES
Year: 1884

page_text: WILLIAM BOND KNAPMAN 25 West High Street, Cross Lane in the Borough of
Salford Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CRANES and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
The object of my Invention is to give a greater variety. or range of speeds and_
construct the Slueing motion so it can be readily disconnected and to generally
simplify the construction to a minimum. with a maximum of facilities. for quick
handling of Light and Heavy weights.
My Invention consists in the method of varying the speeds and powers for
Hoisting. Lowering. and Slueing Fixed or Portable Jib Cranes.
This arrangement is applicable to all Cranes & Hoists. but most advantagous
where Heavy weights are required to be moved.
I take for example a Ten Tons Wharf Crane. as per Drawing annexed, with
three speeds of hoist, and single hoisting chain.
All the shafts in a crane as pr my Invention can be run in necks or journals
and do not require to be slided end ways to draw the pinions or wheels out
of gear.
I fix to any of the pinions or wheels that require to be moved in or out of
Gear. a Self acting Lock Bolt. fitted with a spiral spring (or other equivalent)
which can be easily raised by the Finger. when the pinion or wheel is to be moved
in or out of Gear, the pinion sliding on a parellel key in the shaft and by drilling
two holes into the shaft. one close behind the pinion when in gear, for the Lock
Bolt to shoot into. by means of the pressure exerted on the Bolt by the. spiral
spring, and a second hole in the same shaft a sufficient distance from the first hole.
the pinion can be retained out of Gear.
I also utilize the First motion Shaft for giving power to the Slueing Gear. which
also gives the advantage of being able to use two handles to this motion. I fix a
worm on the First motion shaft gearing into a worm wheel which works on a
parallel key in a vertical shaft. this worm wheel is also fitted with a Self acting
Lock Bolt, so it can be unlocked and raised out of Gear. by means of a Lever fixed
on a fulcrum between Crane Jibs. and locked out of gear. thus leaving the crane
free. to be pushed round by Hand.
For weights up to about 5 tons the Slueing Gear is not required.

page_text: By placing the vertical shaft in the front of the crane. as the Rollers working
round the crane pillar wear the pinion on the lower end of vertical shaft gearing
into Internal Wheel cannot jam into the wheel and break the teeth. An Internal
segment Wheel is prefered. as stones and rubbish cannot so readily get into the
teeth and cause obstruction.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into operation I will proceed to describe the accompanying sheet of Drawings.
Fig. 1 Is a side Elevation of my Improved Crane. the Internal wheel & pinion
are shewn in section.
Fig. 2. Is a general plan.
Figs. 3 & 4 are Enlarged Views shewing the self acting Lock Bolt.
In Fig. 1a is the First motion Shaft b First motion Pinion (with Self acting
Lock Bolt attached) gearing into spur wheel c. on the second motion shaft d.
second motion Pinion e (with self acting Lock Bolt attached) by means of the
Lock Bolt either of these pinions can be retained in or out of Gear) gearing into
spur wheel on Third motion shaft g. Third mction Pinion h gearing into spur
wheel i. on Barrel shaft j. Barrel k. to attach hoisting chain l.
m Worm fixed on First motion shaft a gearing into Worm wheel n on vertical
shaft (this is also fitted with a self acting Lock Bolt. so the Worm wheel can be
retained in, or out of Gear) 2 Lever to raise Worm Wheel out of gear when not
required for Slueing the Crane.
9 Spur Pinion gearing into internal Wheel r. which is fixed to Foundation Cross.
or Bedplate, 8 8 Rollers working round Crane Pillar.
Pillar, Crosshead w Tension Rods.
y y Crane Jibs, x Brake Lever.
All letters refer to Fig. 1 & 2. as above.
t Roller Box.
u Crane
Capital Letters refer to enlarged views Fig. 3 & 4 as below.
A Bolt B Spiral Spring. CC Clip and plate to attach self acting Lock Bolt
to Pinion D. on Shaft E.
This self acting Lock Bolt can be attached to Crane Handles to prevent them
slipping of the squares on end of shafts while at work.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same I declare that I claim
First. The general combination and arrangement of the Improved Crane as
shewn and described.
Second. The utilizing of the Hoisting with the Slueing motions of the Improved
Cranes. as shewn and described. and
Thirdly. The application of a self acting Lock Bolt to attach to Pinions. Wheels.
and Crane Handles of the Improved Cranes as shewn and described.
Dated this nineteenth day of January 1884.
WILLIAM BOND KNAPMAN.