IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WINDING GEAR OF STEAM CULTIVATING APPARATUS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hitchcock, of 6, Albemarle Terrace, Taunton,
in the County of Somerset, Agricultural Engineer, for an Invention of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Hitchcock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1880.
RICHARD HITCHCOCK, of 6, Albemarle Terrace, Taunton, in the County of
Somerset, Agricultural Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WINDING GEAR OF
STEAM CULTIVATING APPARATUS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the winding gear of steam
cultivating apparatus.
In order to cause the hauling rope to be wound evenly upon the winding drum
it is usual to cause the rope to pass between guide rollers carried upon a lever, to
which a movement is given in order to lay the coils of rope evenly to and fro along
the drum. My Invention relates to the way in which the guide rollers are mounted
upon the lever, and to the arrangement of the parts in connection therewith. The
lever is forked at its end, and also is bored to receive a vertical spindle or axis.
The spindle forms one side of a rectangular frame, in which a screw is carried
parallel to the spindle or axis. The spindle or axis also passes through a hole in a
short arm, which is received into the fork of the lever, and is thus retained in its
place by the spindle or axis passing through it. The screw works through the
hole in the arm as through a nut, and so it happens that when the screw is turned
the spindle, and with it the rectangular frame of which it forms part, is raised or
lowered in relation to the forked end of the lever by which these parts are carried.
The top of the rectangular frame consists of a tapered bar with dovetailed edges,
on to which a casting containing the guide rollers fits, being slidden on from one
end. The casting is secured in its place by means of a L headed bolt, which lies in
a groove in the top of the tapered bar. The casting as it is slidden into its place
passes over the head of the bolt, which is afterwards turned one quarter round, so
as to cause the head to stand up from the surface of the bar in a position to serve
as a stop. The parts are locked fast by a nut screwed on to the bolt at the end.
The casting carries the two ordinary guide rollers, and also two other small guide
rolls on vertical axes, and standing one on either side of the rope as it passes on to
the main guide rollers, so as to compel the rope to enter fairly between them.
Similar auxiliary guide rolls may also be provided behind the main guide rollers,
or between these and the winding drum.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Hitchcock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th June
1881.
RICHARD HITCHCOCK, of 6, Albemarle Terrace, Taunton, in the County of
Somerset, Agricultural Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WINDING GEAR OF
STEAM CULTIVATING APPARATUS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the winding gear of steam
cultivating apparatus.
In order to cause the hauling rope to be wound evenly upon the winding drum
it is usual to cause the rope to pass between guide rollers carried upon a lever, to
which a movement is given in order to lay the coils of rope evenly to and fro along
the drum. My Invention relates to the way in which the guide rollers are
mounted upon the lever, and to the arrangement of the parts in connection
therewith. The lever is forked at its end, and also is bored to receive a vertical
spindle or axis. The spindle forms one side of a rectangular frame, in which a 1
screw is carried parallel to the spindle or axis. The spindle or axis also passes
through a hole in a short arm, which is received into the fork of the lever, and is
thus retained in its place by the spindle or axis passing through it. The screw
works through the hole in the arm as through a nut, and so it happens that when
the screw is turned the spindle, and with it the rectangular frame of which it forms 2
part, is raised or lowered in relation to the forked end of the lever by which these
parts are carried. The top of the rectangular frame consists of a tapered bar with
dovetailed edges, on to which a casting containing the guide rollers fits, being
slidden on from one end. The casting is secured in its place by means of
a L beaded bolt, which lies in a groove in the top of the tapered bar. The casting
as it is slidden into its place passes over the head of the bolt, which is afterwards
turned one quarter round, so as to cause the head to stand up from the surface of
the bar in a position to serve as a stop. The parts are locked fast by a nut screwed
on to the bolt at the end. The casting carries the two ordinary guide rollers, and
also two other small guide rolls on vertical axes, and standing one on either side of
the rope as it passes on to the main guide rollers, so as to compel the rope to enter
fairly between them.
Similar auxillary guide rolls may also be provided behind the main guide rollers,
or between these and the winding drum.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood, and readily:
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view, Figure 2 is a front view, and Figure 3 is an horizontal
section of coiling apparatus constructed according to my Invention.
a is the coiling lever in the usual way; it has an up and down movement given
to it in order that it may distribute the coils of the rope evenly along the winding
drum from end to end.
b is a spindle passing through the forked outer end of the lever a.
c, c, c, are parts, which, together with the spindle b, form a complete rectangular
frame.
d is a screw carried by the upper and lower members of the rectangular frame,
and by turning this screw the frame can be adjusted up or down in relation to the
end of the lever a, so that the lead of the rope on to the drum may take place
properly.

page_text: of the frame c, and the screw d, all pass. It serves as a nut for the screw, so that
when the screw is rotated the frame c receives a vertical movement.
f is a cast frame in which the guide rollers for the rope are carried.
g, g, are the ordinary main guide rollers; h, h, are small lateral guide rollers to
ensure that the guide rollers and the parts by which they are carried shall place
themselves accurately for the rope to pass fairly between the guide rollers g, g.
The rollers h, h, as will be seen, are mounted upon vertical axes in front of and
behind the rollers g, g, the hinder pair may however be dispensed with without
much inconvenience. The upper bar c of the rectangular frame is tapered, and the
roller frame f fits on to it; it is retained by the hooked bolt i.
In place of having the roller frame thus detachable from the under or rectangular
frame the two may be more permanently connected by bolts. Such an arrange-
ment is shown by the Figures 4, 5, and 6; Figure 4 is a side elevation, Figure 5 a
front elevation, Figure 6 is an horizontal section. The letters of reference upon
these Figures correspond to the description already given.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The arrangement for the vertical adjustment of the roller frame upon the
end of the coiling lever, substantially as described.
Second. The combination of the spindle b, the frame f, the main guide rollers g, g,
and the lateral guide rollers h, h, controlling the position of the rollers g, g,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Hitchcock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
RICHARD HITCHCOCK. (L.S.)