Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of Travelling Ropes or Cables.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 19th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of
Travelling Ropes or Cables.
I, JOHN PEARCE ROE of 150 Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention of Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means
of Travelling Ropes or Cables (hereinafter referred to as ropes), has reference to
improved constructions of clips suitable for permanent attachment to the travelling
rope or ropes; and to improved constructions and arrangements of parts whereby
the boxes for containing the loads to be transported can be readily attached to and
detached from hangers connected with the said clips.
A clip according to this invention is constructed with a thin metal strap shaped
to fit the rope over which it is sprung when being attached thereto, and the end
portions of which are placed between two superposed plates fitted into a clip box to
which a hanger is connected. The plates are compressed upon the said end portions
of the metal strap by any suitable means such as a set screw arranged near the rope
end of the clip box, and means are provided whereby, after a certain amount of
compression has thus been effected, the metal strap can be drawn up so as to cause
it to close on the rope, after which the set screw or equivalent device is finally
tightened down thereby firmly securing the clip to the rope. In one arrangement
the end portions of the strap are drawn up by a hook shaped device provided with
a screw threaded extension that passes through a bridge piece formed on or bearing
against the plates, and is fitted with a tightening nut. In another arrangement a
gib and cotter are employed for tightening up the metal strap. The clip box which
may be made as a casting, constructed with sides that are connected at the nose
end of the box by a V shaped piece which takes against the rope and forms a
support against which the metal strap pulls. As this V shaped piece bears against
the rope the weight of the load will to a large extent be taken directly by it, so
that the function of the metal strap is practically limited to effecting a tight con-
nection between the rope and the clip box, the strap being relieved of any bending
action due to the weight of the load carried.
Clips constructed as described may be mounted to extend from the rope at any
convenient angle to the horizontal or vertical, according as it is desired to pass the
clips over or under sheaves, or to work the clips at such an angle as to allow of
their passing canted sheaves for working horizontal angles of the rope. They are
suitable for fixing the loads to a single rope or to a pair of ropes in which latter
case two clips such as described are combined together.
To admit of the boxes for containing the loads to be transported, being readily
attached to and detached from the hangers connected with the clips, so as to permit
of such boxes being readily set in motion and brought to rest at stations, the lower
end of each of said hangers (hereinafter called for distinction the clip hangers) is
adapted to take into and become engaged with a fixed or movable recessed portion
of a box or frame (hereinafter called a box) connected to the upper end of
the hanger (hereinafter referred to as the lower hauger) directly' supporting the
load.
The upper portion of each of the lower bangers or the box attached thereto, is
provided with a wheel, or there may be more than one, and at the station where the
load is to be disconnected from the clip hanger there is a rail so fixed that the rope
and rail gradually approach each other for a certain length the arrangement being
such that upon a load approaching the station, the wheel will take onto the rail and
after the wheel has travelled a certain distance thereon, the weight of the load will

page_text: be relieved from the clip hanger which will then be lowered out of the recessed
portion of the box and be free to pass out of the same leaving the load suspended
on the rail. For coupling a load to the clip hanger a rail is provided at the
station so arranged in respect to the rope that upon running the load upon it
by means of its supporting wheel such wheel will gradually recede from the rope
and will be brought into such a position as will enable a moving clip hanger
to enter the box or frame connected with the lower hanger and become engaged
therewith, whereupon the load will be put in motion and will travel along the
rail until the clip hanger is brought home into the recess in the box, and the
weight again taken by the rope.
The box connected with or forming part of the upper portion of the lower
hanger, is according to one construction formed with a A shaped recess having a
transverse rib adapted to enter a corresponding recess in the lower bent end of
the clip hanger, and in conjunction with such recess there is provided an
oscillating device having a pin or projection that extends through a curved slot
in the back of the box. The arrangement is such that when the lower end of
the clip hanger enters the box, it acts upon and moves the said pin or projection
into such a position that it will prevent the hanger passing onward through
the box until after it has entered the recess in such box. When the lower end
of the clip hanger is moved upward relatively to the box so as to enter the
recess therein, the oscillating device will be returned into its normal position by
gravity, or by a spring, so that when, on reaching a station and the load is
again taken by a shunt rail, the clip hanger will be free to pass forward out of
the box. In another arrangement the recess with cross rib into which the clip
hanger takes instead of being formed in the box, is formed in a separate piece
pivoted thereto and so arranged that when it is in one position, the clip hanger
will be free to enter and attach itself, and when in another position the said
hanger will be free to pass out at the other end of the box. The centre about
which this oscillating piece turns is arranged slightly in advance of the apex of
the recess into which the clip hanger takes, so that when the load is suspended
the oscillating piece will be kept in its first position by the action of the load,
but when a shunt rail takes the weight of the load and the clip hanger moves
relatively downward and forward it will press against the forward wing of the
oscillating piece and will tilt it up so that the clip hanger will be left free to
pass forward and out of the box. To prevent the passage of the clip hanger
through the box when coupling, the oscillating piece in which the recess is
formed, is locked in the first position by means of a locking device which may
consist of a bar formed with a shoulder or projection with which a projection on
the oscillating piece engages.
The locking device may either be arranged as a loose part that can be entirely
freed from the box on contact with a suitably arranged stud fixed to the station
frame, or the locking piece may be so pivoted to the box at the upper end of
the lower hanger that it will merely be tripped by contact with the said stud
so as to release the oscillating part in which the recess for the clip hanger is
formed.
Instead of suspending the load from the shunt rails by means of one or more
wheels at the upper end of the lower hanger, the boxes for carrying the loads
may be each provided with wheels arranged to take upon a floor or rails having
an inclination to the rope and thus adapted to perform the same functions as
the shunt rails hereinbefore referred to. After each clip hanger has been
released from the box at the upper end of a lower hanger, it may be automatically
guided by means of one or more suitably arranged guide bars.
DL!.
اليمد
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of
Travelling Ropes or Cables.
I, JOHN PEARCE ROE, of 150 Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention of Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means
of Travelling Ropes or Cables (hereinafter referred to as ropes), has reference to
improved constructions of clips suitable for permanent attachment to the travelling
rope or ropes; and to improved constructions and arrangements of parts whereby
the boxes for containing the loads to be.transported can be readily attached to and
detached from hangers connected with the said clips. Aud in order that the nature
of this invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to explain the same by
aid of the accompanying drawings in which,
Figs. 1 and are respectively a vertical section, partly in elevation, and a
plan, shewing a clip constructed according to this invention applied to a
travelling rope.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1, illustrating a modification.
Figs. 4 and 4 are respectively a vertical section and a plan of the clip box
alone.
Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, are end elevations each partly in section, shewing the form
and arrangement of the clips under different circumstances.
Fig. 9 is an end elevation partly in section, showing a clip with means whereby
its hanger can be readily attached to and detached from a lower hanger connected
with the box containing a load to be transported.
Fig. 11 shows in side elevation, and to a larger scale than Fig. 9, one construction
of box for connecting the lower hanger to the clip hanger which is shown as about
to enter the said box.
Fig. 12 is a cross section thereof, partly in elevation, showing the lower end of
the clip hanger engaged with the said box.
Figs. 13 & 14 are similar views to Fig. 11, but showing the lower end of the clip
hanger in different positions.
Figs. 15 & 16 are similar views to Figs. 11 & 12, the lower end of the clip
hanger being shown engaged with the box in Fig. 15, and omitted in Fig. 16.
Fig. 17 is a similar view to Fig. 15 but showing certain parts in a different
position.
Fig. 18 is a similar view to Fig. 15 illustrating a modified arrangement.
Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view hereinafter referred to.
Referring to Figs. 1 & 2, 1 is a thin metal strap that may advantageously be of
steel, shaped to fit the rope 2 over which it is sprung when being attached thereto,
and the end portions 1ª 1b of which are placed between two superposed plates 3-4
fitted into a clip box 5 in which the bucket hanger 6 is journalled. The said
plates are compressed upon the said end portions of the metal strap by any suitable
means, such as a set screw 7 arranged to screw into a hole 5* in the clip box near
the rope end thereof, and means are provided whereby, after a certain amount of
compression has thus been effected, the metal strap 1 can be drawn up so as to
cause it to close tightly on the rope, after which the set screw 7, or equivalent
device, is finally tightened down, thereby firmly securing the clip to the rope. In
the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end portions 1ª, 1° of the strap are
drawn up by a hook shaped device 8, one end of which enters a hole in the said
end portions of the strap and the other end of which is provided with a screw

page_text: threaded extension 9 that passes through a bridge piece 10 formed on, or it may
be bearing against, the adjacent ends of the plates 3, 3, the said extension being
fitted with a tightening nut by which the said device 8 can be forcibly drawn up.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, a gib 12 and cotter 13 are employed for
tightening up the metal strap 1.
The clip box 5, (Figs. 4 & 4A) which may be made as a casting, is constructed
with sides 5 that are connected at the nose end of the box by a V-shaped
abutment piece 5 which takes against the rope when the clip is to be applied
thereto, and forms a supp rt against which the metal strap 1 pulls. As this
V-shaped piece bears against the rope, the weight of the load will, to a large
extent, be taken directly by it, so that the function of the metal strap is practically
limited to effecting a tight connection between the rope and the clip box, the strap
being relieved of any bending action due to the weight of the load carried.
Clips constructed as described may be mounted to extend from the rope at any
convenient angle to the horizontal, or vertical, according as it is desired to pass
the clips over, or under sheaves 14, see Figs. 5 and 6 respectively, or to work the
clips at such an angle, see Fig. 7, as to allow of their passing canted sheaves for
working horizontal angles of the rope. They are suitable for fixing the loads to
a single rope 2, Figs. 5, 6 and 7, or to a pair of ropes 2, 2", Fig. 8 in which latter
case two clips such as described are combined together.
To admit of the boxes for containing the loads to be transported, being readily
attached to and detached from the hangers 6 connected with the clips, so as to
permit of such boxes being readily set in motion and brought to rest, as may be
required, at stations, the lower end of each of the said hangers (hereinafter called
for distinction the clip hangers), is adapted to take into and become engaged with
a fixed or movable recessed portion of a box or frame (hereinafter called a box)
connected to the upper end of the hanger (hereinafter referred to as the lower
hanger) directly supporting the load.
The upper portion of each of the lower hangers, or the box attached thereto, is
provided with a wheel-or there may be more than one-and at the station where
the load is to be disconnected from the clip hanger, there is a rail so fixed that the
rope and rail gradually approach each other for a certain length of travel, the
arrangement being such that upon a load approaching the station, the said wheel
will take onto the rail, and after the wheel has travelled a certain distance thereon,
the weight of the load will be relieved from the clip hanger which will then
become lowered relatively to the box so as to be moved out of the recessed portion
of such box and be free to pass out of the same, leaving the load suspended on the
rail. For coupling a load to the clip hanger, a rail is provided at the station, so
arranged in respect to the rope. that upon running the load upon it by means of
its supporting wheel, such wheel will gradually recede from the rope and will be
brought into such a position as will enable a moving clip hanger to enter the box
connected with the lower hanger and become engaged therewith, whereupon the
load will be put in motion and will travel along the rail, until the clip hanger is
brought home into the recess in the box, and the weight again taken by the rope.
In Fig. 9, 6 is the clip hanger, 15 the lower hanger carrying the box 16 for
containing the load to be carried, and 17 the box connected to the upper portion
of the lower hanger and by which such hanger can be connected, when required,
to the lower end 6ª of the clip hanger. 18 is a wheel journalled in the box 17, and
19 is a fixed rail at a station upon which the wheel 18 is caused to run for the
purpose of effecting the connection and disconnection of the clip hanger 6 and
box 17 hereinbefore described.
The box 17 shown in Fig. 9, and to a large scale in Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive, is
formed with a A-shaped recess 20 divided by a transverse rib 21 adapted to enter
a corresponding recess 6 in the lower bent end of the clip hanger, and in con-
junction with such recess there is provided an oscillating device 22 in the form of
a plate journalled upon a pin 23 fixed to the box 17 and provided with a pin or

page_text: projection 24 that extends through a curved slot 25 in the back of the box. As
will be seen the arrangement is such that when the lower end 6ª of the clip hanger
enters the box 17, in the direction of the arrow Fig. 11, it acts upon and moves.
the said pin or projection 24 to the right and into such a position Fig. 13 that it
will prevent the hanger passing onward through the box 17, in a sideways direction,.
until after it has fully entered the recess 20 therein. When the lower end of the
clip hanger is moved upward relatively to the box so as to enter the recess therein,
the oscillating device 22 will be returned into its normal position (Fig. 14) by
gravity, or it may be by a spring, so that when on reaching a station and tho
load is again taken by a shunt rail, the lower end of the clip hanger will be free
to pass forward out of the box.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17, the recess 20 with cross rib 21
into which the lower end of the clip hanger takes, instead of being formed in the
box 17 as in the arrangement last described, is formed in a separate oscillating
device 25 journalled in a bearing 25ª in the top of the box. This device is
supported by a pin 25 fixed thereto and arranged to bear upon the upper side of
the box. The said oscillating device is so arranged that when it is in one position
(Fig. 15), the lower end of the clip banger will be free to enter and attach itself,
and when in another position (Fig. 17), the said hanger will be free to pass out at
the other side of the box. The centre 25* about which this oscillating piece turns,.
is as shown, arranged slightly in advance of the apex of the recess 20, into which
the clip hanger takes, so that when the load is suspended the oscillating piece will
be kept in its first position Fig. 15 by the action of the load, but when a shunt rail
takes the weight of the load and the clip hanger moves relatively downward and
sideways it will press against the wing 25 of the oscillating device and will tilt it
up so that the clip hanger will be left free to pass onward in a sideways direction
and out of the box as indicated in Fig. 17.
To prevent the passage of the lower end of the clip hanger through the box
when coupling, the oscillating piece 25 is locked in the first position by means of a.
suitable locking device which may consist of a bar 26 (Fig. 15) formed with a
shoulder 27 engaging with the pin 25 on the oscillating device, and with
a shoulder 28 engaging a fixed projection 29 on the top of the box.
The locking device may, as in the arrangement shown in Figs. 15 and 16, be
arranged as a loose part that can be entirely removed from the box 17, as shown
in Fig. 17, on contact with a suitably arranged stud, which is fixed to the station
frame so as to be in the path of the upwardly extending arm 26" of the said
locking device. Or the said locking device may, as shown in Fig. 18, be made in
the form of an arm 26* pivoted to the box 17 at 26° and formed with a shoulder 26°
adapted to engage with a pin 25ª that extends from one side of the oscillating
device and projects through a slot 25° in the side of the box. When the arm is
in the position shown it serves to hold the said oscillating device in the position
shown until the lower end of the clip hanger has entered the recess therein, the
said arm being so arranged that when this has taken place it will merely be tripped
by contact with the said stud so as to release the said oscillating device.
Instead of suspending the load from the shunt rails when required, by means of
one or more wheels 18 at the upper end of the lower hanger 15, the boxes 16 for
carrying the loads may as shewn in Fig. 19, be each provided with wheels 30
arranged to take upon a floor 31 (or rails) having an inclination to the rope, and
thus adapted to perform the same functions as the shunt rails hereinbefore referred
to. After each clip hanger has been released from the box at the upper en 1 of a
lower hanger, it may be automatically guided or move sideways out of the box
(Fig. 17) by means of one or more suitably arranged guide bars 32 shown in
sectional elevation in Fig. 9 and in plan in Fig. 10. The guide bars in the latter
figure are shown arranged in proximity to a rope sheave 33, a flange 34 on which
is arranged to also act as a guide to hold the clip hanger in the disengaged.
position.

page_text: Maving now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
on and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to for transporting loads by means
of travelling ropes or cables, a clip constructed with an abutment such as 5
against which the rope or cable to which the clip is to be applied can hear, and
with a metal strap made separate from the body of the clip and adapted to fit
over the said rope or cable, the end portions of the said strap being adapted to be
drawn up and fixed to the body of the clip by suitable tightening and fastening
devices so that the said rope or cable will be forced against the said abutment
substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
2. My improved clip adapted to be permanently attached to a travelling rope or
cable for transporting loads, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to and shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 4 or modified according to
Figure 3 of the drawings annexed.
3. In apparatus for transporting loads by means of travelling ropes or cables of
the kind in which the load is directly supported by a lower hanger adapted to be
connected to an upper or clip hanger suspended from a clip permanently fixed to a
travelling rope or cable, the construction of the lower hanger with a box or frame
formed with a fixed or movable recessed part adapted to receive and engage the
lower bent end of the clip hanger, the arrangement being such that when the lower
hanger and the load carried thereby are caused to travel upon a suitable support
in such a manner that the said box or frame moves away from the carrying rope or
cable, the lower bent end of the clip hanger will be enabled to enter the clip box
and become engaged therewith and take the weight of the load when it has fully
moved into the said recess, and that when the weight of the load is again taken by
a rail or support so arranged that the said box or frame moves towards the said
carrying rope or cable, the lower end of the clip hanger will be moved out of the
said recess and will be free to pass out of the said box or frame and leave the load
carried by the said rail or other support substantially as herein described.
4. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim in which the
recessed part to engage with the lower bent end of the clip hanger is formed in
the under side of an oscillating device journalled in the upper part of the box or
frame in such a manner that the centre of oscillation is at one side of the apex of the
recess in said device, and in which means are provided for locking the said
oscillating device in position until the lower bent end of the clip hanger has fully
entered the said recess substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
5. My improved apparatus for transporting loads by means of travelling ropes or
cables constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference respectively
to and shown in Figs. 9, and 11 to 14, inclusive; in Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive; and
in Fig. 18, of the drawings annexed, or modified as hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 19, of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 11th day of October 1893
JOHN PEARCE ROE.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.