Improvements in Platform Elevators.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Platform Elevators.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by George Ruddell, of No. 102, West
131st Street, in the City and County of New York, in the State of New York,
United States of America, Mason and Builder), and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of hoisting and lowering apparatus in which
the material or weight to be raised or lowered, as the case may be, is placed upon a
platform arranged to receive it and capable of the requisite vertical movements,
and, in addition to other advantages, my said invention is designed to obviate a
heretofore common tendency on the part of the platform and its immediate adjuncts
to jar or slam at a certain stage in its movement, and is also designed to afford an
efficient and convenient means for lifting and discharging boxes, bales and the like.
with the same facility with which barrels and similar cylindrical articles are
handled under like conditions. A further advantage among others of my said
invention being that of very great facility in reversing the movement of the
apparatus without danger of disarranging any of the parts at the top of the
hoistway.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of an apparatus embracing certain
of the features or combinations of parts embraced in my said invention.
Fig. 2 is a rear view of a portion of the said apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the platform included in said
apparatus.
Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating that feature of my said invention which relates
to the discharge of boxes, bales, and the like, from the platform or platforms of the
apparatus.
Fig. 5 is a view illustrating one of the details of construction of said apparatus.
Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus as embracing
certain further combinations and arrangements of parts also included in my
invention and materially promoting the utility of the apparatus, said Fig. 6 being
taken in the line a, a, of Fig. 7, which latter is a front view of the apparatus.
Fig. 8 is a detail view further illustrating certain parts of the apparatus.
Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken in the line, , of Fig. 8.
Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views corresponding to Fig. 6 but representing certain
parts in positions different from those shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively a plan and a transverse sectional view of certain
parts of said apparatus, Fig. 13 being taken in the line, v, c, of Fig. 12.
Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive A, A, indicate the several floors of a
warehouse and, B, the vertical frame which supports the working parts of the
apparatus, and in connection with which is provided the vertical hoistway through
which said apparatus works. At the top of this frame, B, is a shaft, C, on which
are sprocket wheels, D. At the lower end of said frame is a corresponding
haft, C, provided with like sprocket wheels, D'. Vertical endless chains, E, are
placed upon these sprocket wheels, D, D', extending from one to the other. One of
hese shafts, as for example, the upper shaft, C, may be connected by suitable
rearing, A, or otherwise, with a driving shaft or mechanism for giving the requisite
notion to the shaft and consequently to the sprocket wheels and from the latter to

page_text: the endless chains, E. G, G, are platforms, of which one or more may be provided
to the endless chains and each of which has its rear or inner end strongly hinged or
pivoted to the two chains, E, as indicated at, each of the said platforms having
a downwardly extending bracket, H, which has at its lower end an anti-friction
wheel or roller, 1, which runs in contact with the front surface or tracks, a*, of the
two side posts of the frame, B.
The platforms may be composed of side pieces connected by cross-bars, g, g, and
each platform is provided with rollers, h, which facilitate the transfer therefrom of
the articles elevated and designed to be discharged upon one or the other of the
floors of the warehouse. In the front of each of the posts of the frame, B, whereon
run the anti-friction rollers, I, are what may be termed fixed cams, K, so arranged
with reference to the face or front of the said side-posts or parts of the frame, B. as
to permit the bracket, H, to swing backward when the same is brought opposite
said cam during the upward movement of the platform. This causes the platform
to tilt as it rises, so that temporarily its forward end remains substantially
.coincident with the level of the floor while the rear portion of said platform is still
rising, thereby causing the platform to automatically discharge its load upon the
floor. As the upward movement of the platform continues, the cams, K, acting
upon the brackets of the platform, swing the same forward, thereby causing the
anti-friction rollers, I, to come again upon the front surface or tracks, a*, and
consequently bringing the platform to its normal or substantially horizontal
position. In this manner the upward movement of the front of the chains, due to
the rotation in the requisite direction of the sprocket wheels, brings the platforms
in succession opposite each of the floors, and at each pair of the adjacent fixed
cams, K, automatically actuates the platform to deposit its load.
platforms, G, are carried around by the rotation of the chains, E, they are of
course, inverted and swing upon their pivotal connections, f, as they pass to the
back of the apparatus.
As the
To prevent the platforms from too suddenly swinging down to a position parallel
with the adjacent portion of the chains, E, after they pass over the uppermost
sprocket wheels, D, my present improvements are applied to the apparatus as
follows:-
Fixed in suitable relation to the said upper sprocket wheels, D, are curved
concave cams, as they may be termed, M, and affixed upon the frame, B, at the
opposite sides thereof and in the same vertical planes with the cams, M, are what
may be conveniently designated fixed cams M. The cams M are so placed that
lateral projections provided with anti-friction rollers, i, placed externally upon the
lateral edges or sides of the platforms, G, will pass underneath and in contact with
the same, and by preventing the too sudden turning of the platform upon its pivotal
connection, retards the downward swinging movement of said platform. When a
certain point is reached other similar pulleys, k, pass upon the outer surface, a", of
said cam, M', which is preferably made integral with the cam M. The cams, M',
because of their contour, hinder without entirely impeding the downward movement
of the platform, G, around its pivotal connection, simultaneous with its being
carried down by the movement of the chains, E. When the anti-friction rollers,
pass upon the cams, N, arranged below, which as the platforms pass bodily
downward gravitate their turning upon their pivots, f, until they are brought to
their position parallel with the adjacent sides or portions of the chains, E, which
position they retain until swung into their original position when carried around
under and from the lower sprocket wheels, D.
The anti-friction rollers, i, k, work upon the laterally extended ends of the cross-
bars, said ends forming journals for said anti-friction rollers. By the means
described the platforms, G, and their brackets, H, are carried over at the top of
the apparatus without any of the jar or concussion sometimes incident to the
operation of the machine as previously constructed.
In order to increase the facility with which boxes, bales, etc., may be discharged
from the platforms, I provide a supplemental plate or frame-work, P, shown in

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4, which may be formed of sheet metal of any suitable thickness and
which has a hook formed at its outer extremity as shown at, m, so that it may
be hooked upon the outermost of the cross-bars, g, of the platform; and at its
inner end it is provided with downwardly projecting studs, r, which pass
astride of the corresponding innermost bar, as for example, the bar or pivot, f
the ends of which connect the platform, G, with the chains, E. A sliding rod, s,
works in suitable guides, 6, provided to the plate or framework, P, and one of
which may be formed by the studs, r. The sliding rod or catch is provided with
a knob or handle, c', by which it may be retracted and with a spiral spring, d³,
by which it is forced backward under the bar, f, thereby retaining the plate
or framework, P, upon the platform. This plate or framework, P. is provided
with any desired number of rollers, w, the upper surfaces of which project above
the upper surface of said plate or framework, P and inasmuch as said plate or
framework, P, when put in position, as just explained, upon the upper part of the
platform, it follows that a box, bale or the like, will ride upon the rollers, w, when
the platform is tilted as herein before explained and so be deposited upon the
adjacent floor, A, with substantially the same certainty and facility as a barrel
would roll from the said platform when the latter is not provided with the plate or
framework, P, and its rollers, tc. By retracting the sliding rod or catch, s, and
lifting the rear or inner end of the plate or framework, P, its opposite or hooked
end, m, may be readily detached and the framework and its adjuncts removed from
the platform.
The pivotal connection, f, of the platform, G, with the endless chains, E, is
preferably made by means of a cross-bar, extending from one side to the other of
that part of the platform with its ends extended through said sides of the platform
and entering into suitable sockets in the said chains, as shown in Fig. 5. Said
sockets may, when desired, be provided by the pivot holes of the adjoining links
in each chain, the ends of the cross bar, serving the double purpose of pivots to
connect said links at said point, and of pivoting the platform to said chains at such
junction of the links.
Referring now to Figs. 6 to 13 inclusive :-
A, A, etc. are the several posts of the hoistway, at the top and bottom of which
respectively are the sprocket wheels, B, B, and C, C; the former being secured
on the inner end of the short shafts or axles, D, so that a clear space is afforded
between them. These short shafts or axles, D, are journaled as shown at, d,
in Fig. 9. The sprocket wheels carry the two endless chains, E. from one to the
other of which extend the usual pivotal shafts, F, upon which swing the
platforms, G, the latter having at their inner or rear ends downwardly extending
arms, H, the extremities of which rest upon the guide H secured in fixed relation
with the endless chains. These arms resting against the guides, H, retain the
platforms, G, in the position required for transferring freight or lading of any
description upward or downward, as the case may be the level or inclination, as
the case may be, of each platform being regulated by the action upon its down-
wardly projecting arms, H, of the fixed guides, H, upon which the arms rest, as
described. These guides, H', may be recessed at suitable intervals, as, for example,
opposite the floor of the building shown in dotted outline in Fig. 6, these recesses, a,
permitting the backward swing of the arms to bring the platforms to a strongly
inclined or dumping position opposite the floors of the warehouse. These
recesses, a, may be fitted each with a hinged door, b, which may be swung into the
recesses on occasion to present a straight surface flush and continuous with that of
the main portion of the guide so as to permit the platforms to pass without being
inclined or brought to the dumping position.
Motion may be given to the sprocket wheels, B, B, by gear wheels, a', attached
to the outer ends of the shafts, D, and to these gear wheels motion may be given
by other gear wheels, 6, provided on the shaft, I, which has also a worm wheel, B',
actuated by a worm, F on the shaft, G', which may be rotated by any suitable

page_text: means. Any other desired means may be employed for giving the requisite motion
to the sprocket or driving wheels. It is of course to be understood that the term
sprocket wheel as applied to these driving wheels, B, C, is employed in its
broadest sense and that other wheels arranged in any suitable way to simultaneously
move the two endless chains are the equivalents of those shown in the drawings.
It is to be observed, as aforesaid, that there is a clear space between the two
driving or sprocket wheels. Above the space between the said wheels, in other
words, at the top of the framework of the apparatus, is a plate or bar, K, which
may be composed of a casting having integral therewith the bearings for the
shaft, I. Said plate or bar may be of any suitable construction so long as it serves
the purpose hereinafter set forth. As represented in the drawing it has two slots, c
the office of which is to provide fixed bearings, e', opposite each other.
Extending upward from the inner end of each platform are arms, L, which swing
with the motion of said platforms around their shafts or axes. The arms, L, corre-
spond in number with the slots, c, and to conduct them to and into the said slots as
the platforms rise to the top of the hoistway, there is provided an inclined plate, M,
which provides a guide to the several arms as they pass upward and directs them
into the slots, as aforesaid. As the pivotal shaft, F, of each platform is carried
around over the other sprocket wheels, B, the arins, L., pass upward into the slots
and bear first against the shoulders or bearing surfaces, c¹, provided at their
adjacent ends, as indicated in the drawings. As this motion is begun the platform
swings downward between the upper sprocket wheels as indicated in Fig. 10.
As the motion is further continued the arms come in contact with the shoulders
or bearing surfaces at the opposite ends of the slots and the continued movement of
the chains carrying along the pivotal shaft of the platform causes said arms to act as
levers to bring the platform to a substantially horizontal position at the opposite
A further movement
or descending side of the hoistway, as indicated in Fig. 11.
of chains causes the rollers, F", of the platform to rest upon the guides, H", bringing
the elevator in position to receive a load to be carried downward. It is of course
to be understood that the guides, H', and H", are not permitted to extend
upward to a degree which would interfere with the vertical or tilted position of
the platforms while being carried through the space between the upper sprocket
wheels as described. By this construction moreover the movement of the
apparatus may be reversed, the platforms swinging downward and passing
between the upper sprocket wheels in whichever direction the motion of the
endless chains may be.
A further improvement also comprised in my said invention is represented in
Figs. 12 and 13 and relates to the construction of the platforms. The platform
itself consists substantially of a framework having side pieces, connected by cross
bars, g. As thus constructed the platform is especially available for barrels and
other substantially cylindrical bodies, the ends of which rest upon the side pieces of
the framework of said platforms.
In order, however, to enable the platforms to be more conveniently used with
boxes, bales, etc., I provide a detachable floor piece, 4, provided at one end with
hooks,, which catch over the outermost of the cross bars, g; said floor piece resting
upon the other cross bars of the elevator. To the underside of this floor piece I
provide downwardly projecting guides, m, through which plays the sliding bolt, ;
which latter is provided with a stud or handle, r. A spring, s, is provided to the
bolt, n, to hold the latter in position when the floor piece is fastened to the platform.
When the floor piece is placed in position as described the bolt, n, catches under
one of the cross bars, 9, of the platform and holds the floor piece down upon
said platform. Said floor piece is provided with rollers, t, which project up
through slots in the floor piece and have their shaft or journals suitably provided
to the under side thereof.
The office of these rollers is to enable boxes, bales, etc., to be moved with greater
ease upon or from the platforms.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination with the sprocket wheels D, D', endless chains, E, frame, B,
having one or more fixed cams, K, and platform, G, having brackets, H, of the
cams, M, and, M', and the rollers, i, and, k, at the lateral edges of the platform and
arranged to engage respectively with the underside of the cam, M, substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd. The combination with the sprocket wheels, D, D', endless chains, E, frame, B,
having one or more fixed cams, K, and platform, G, having brackets, H, of the
antifriction rollers, k, and, i, and fixed cams, M, M', and, N, all substantially as and
for the purpose herein set forth.
3rd. The sprocket wheels, B, B, mounted upon separate shafts at the top of the
hoistway, whereby a clear space is left between them, in combination with bearings, e',
arms, L, a tilting platform, and endless chains, E, actuated by said sprocket wheels.
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. The sprocket wheels, B, B, mounted upon separate shafts whereby a clear: space
is left between them, bearings, c', and an inclined guide, M, in combination with the
arms, L, a tilting platform, and the endless chain, E, actuated by said sprocket
wheels, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
5th. In a hoisting apparatus the platform composed of the side pieces and
cross bars, g, in combination with a movable floor piece, h, having hooks, i, and a
latch or bolt, n, for holding said floor piece in place, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
6th. In a hoisting apparatus the platform composed of the side pieces and the
cross bars, g, in combination with a movable floor piece, h, having hooks, i,
rollers, t, and a latch or bolt, n, for holding said floor piece, in place substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1891
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.