IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLIMBING, AND THE ELEVATION AND SUPPORT OF WEIGHTS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Stevenson Symington, of No. 16, Ashton
Terrace, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLIMBING, AND THE ELEVATION AND
SUPPORT OF WEIGHTS."
Sealed the 8th August 1864, and dated the 18th February 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Stevenson Syming.
ton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 18th February 1864.
I, ROBERT STEVENSON SYMINGTON, of No. 16, Ashton Terrace, Glasgow,
Lanarkshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLIMBING, AND THE ELEVATION AND
SUPPORT OF WEIGHTS," to be as follows :—
My Invention consists in the application of gravity, by suitable means, for
producing adhesion to the sides of poles, masts, and other such material, up
which it is desired to raise, lower, or support the human body or other weight
without the necessity of ropes, ladders, or other auxiliary mechanical means
beyond the subject matter of the present Invention.
It may be stated generally to consist of a ring, chain, or loose-fitting clamp
of suitable shape placed round the pole or mast, and to this clamp, ring, or
chain a short lever, stirrup, or other attachment is connected to receive the
foot or grasp of the climber, and by bringing the pressure of the body on that
foot or grasp, the said ring, clamp, or chain is made firmly to adhere to the
sides of the pole or mast, while a second ring, clamp, or chain, similarly pro-
vided, is attached to the second foot or grasp, and which moving freely round

page_text: the pole or mast, before gravity is applied, can be drawn up a step or space,
and when pressure is applied the aforesaid ring, clamp, or chain grips the
pole or mast firmly, and becomes a support to relieve the former ring, chain,
or clamp, which can then be drawn up a further space after a similar manner,
and by alternately repeating this process the desired elevation can be obtained
with perfect freedom to the hands and security to the body. The same
operation equally applies when it is required to descend the pole or mast.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Stevenson Symington in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th August 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
STEVENSON SYMINGTON, of No. 16, Ashton Terrace, Glasgow, Lanarkshire,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Robert Stevenson Symington, Her special licence that I, the said
Robert Stevenson Symington, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Robert Stevenson Symington, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 APPARATUS FOR CLIMBING, AND THE ELEVATION
AND SUPPORT OF WEIGHTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Robert Stevenson Symington, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their 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 I, the said Robert Stevenson Symington, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, 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 in the application of gravity by suitable means for

page_text: producing adhesion to the sides of poles, masts, and other such material up
which it is desired to raise, lower, or support the human body or other weight
without the necessity of ropes, ladders, or other auxiliary mechanical means
beyond the subject matter of the present Invention.
The apparatus, which in its construction is capable of being varied both in
form and detail without in any way interfering with the novelty of my
Invention, may consist of a metal clamp or ring of suitable shape for grasping
the object round which the same is to be placed; this clamp or ring is con-
structed in two pieces, united by a joint, so that they can be opened and closed
so as to embrace the pole, mast, or other object with the required degree of
play to ensure a free upward and downward motion, and when so adjusted
can be firmly secured by means of a set screw or clip. To this metal ring or
clamp, in any convenient position, is fixed a short lever stirrup to receive the
foot or grasp of the climber, and by bringing pressure upon this stirrup, either
by employing the weight of the body or by other means, the said metal
clamp will be bound against the pole or mast, and continue to adhere firmly
to the sides of the pole, mast, or other object so long as that pressure is
maintained upon the lever stirrup. When it is required to ascend or
descend a pole or mast by means of this apparatus, a second ring or clamp
similarly provided is placed round the pole or mast, and which moving freely
round the pole or mast, before gravity is applied, can be drawn up a step or
space, and when pressure is applied, the aforesaid ring or clamp grips the
pole or mast firmly, and becomes a support to hold on by and relieve the first
ring or clamp, which can then be drawn up a further space after a similar
manner, and by alternating the process the desired elevation can be obtained
with perfect freedom to the hands and security to the body. The same
operation equally applies when it is required to descend the pole or mast.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Stevenson Symington, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this the Thirteenth day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
NATH. J.. HOLMES.
R. S. SYMINGTON. (L.S.)