An Improvement in Hoists and analogous Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Hoists and analogous Apparatus.
BENJAMIN BANKS of Lees Yard Meadow Lane Leeds in the County of York
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a hoist or lift to work vertically or
horizontal and were rapidity of delivery is important. I first construct the large or
lifting pulley of suitable material having a flat or groved rim with its axle pro-
jecting on one or both sides of sufficient length that 2 smaller pullies or rollers may
be fitted on the same axle and on these 2 smaller pullies or rollers I fix straps cords
chains or other suitable material which is wrapped on alternate ways so that the
unfolding of either is winding the other on to each of these straps or cords I attach
a further cord or chain extending down to the desired depth the hoist has to work
around the larger or lifting pulley I place an endless band cord or chain or other
suitable material to which is fixed the cages or recepticle for conveying the
materials or messages to their destination.
It will thus be seen that by pulling the cord (which which may be done from any
floor) attached to the strap or chain on the small drums it will cause the wheel of
the larger diameter to work the lifting cord at a more rapid rate in proportion to
the size of the 2 pullies and at same time wind on the other cord or strap for the
return journey.
When these hoist are used to work by the feet a pedal or tread is made to work
the hoist instead of using the hands.
We can also obtain the same object by using cog wheels in place of the small
rollers or pullies and using a rack with rods for working the same.
Dated this 21st day of November 1899
BENJAMIN BANKS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Hoists and analogous Apparatus.
I, BENJAMIN BANKS of Lees Yard, Meadow Lane, Leeds, 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:—
My invention relates to a lift or conveyor designed more particularly for the
transmission of light articles or messages from one part of a building to another
with great rapidity, for which purpose it is necessary that apparatus of very simple
character should be employed.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
forming part of this Specification, wherein
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a lift or conveyor constructed
according to my invention and intended to be worked by hand.
Figure 2 is a similar view of apparatus to be worked by the feet, and
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 1—1 Figure 2.
The same letters of reference correspond to like parts in all the figures.
Referring to Figure 1, A A¹ are carriers in which the articles to be conveyed
are received, attached to a cord or band a (provided with a weight W for keeping
it in tension) which passes around a driving pulley B at the upper part, and around
guide pulleys C at the lower part, of the building the two members of the cord or
band being wound in opposite directions on said pulley B to which the ends of the
cord or band are attached. The pulley B is provided with a barrel E integral

page_text: with, but of considerably smaller diameter than, the pulley B upon which is
similarly wound a cord or strap F the ends of which are attached to the barrel.
The barrel and pulley may either be plain or have grooves for the cords to run in.
Each member of the cord F is preferably provided with a handle f secured to it at
each floor, the said handles enabling the lift or conveyor to be readily operated and
serving also in connection with the board G to indicate the position of the carriers.
The figures on board G correspond to the various floors of the building and the
position which the handles occupy relatively to the figures on the indicator
corresponds to the floor at which the carriers are situated for the time being.
In the drawings I have shewn the lift as applied to two floors only, but it will
be understood that I do not limit myself in this respect as such a lift might serve
'several floors, there being as many indicators and handles as there are floors.
The carriers A pass through shafts or hollow pillars H which are provided with
doors in convenient position for giving access to the carriers. The diameters of
the pulley B and barrel E bear the same relation as the total height of the floors
to be served, bears to the available range of motion of the handles f. A rack and
pinion may be employed in lieu of the band F and barrel E for actuating the lift
For conveyor, as will be readily understood. The cord F instead of being coiled
upon a plain drum E may be coiled upon a fusee barrel, or if a strap is employed it
'may coil upon itself compensation for the variation in length of the cord F being
obtained by a weight W which keeps it taut. Instead of cords or bands endless
pitch chains may be used in which case the pulley and barrel would be replaced by
sprocket wheels.
In Figures 2 and 3 the lift is worked by treadles I which are shewn arranged
beneath a desk. The treadles are hinged at i and their free ends act on the driving
pulley B through the cords or chains F and drum E, as in Figure 1, the driving
drum B being at the lower part, and a single guide pulley C at the upper part, of
the building. In this case, only one floor is served by the lift and consequently no
indicators G are required. Stops, however, are provided so that the carriers shall
be arrested at the proper place.
It will be obvious that the apparatus may be made to work horizontally as well
as vertically.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;
1st. The herein described lift or apparatus for the transmission of articles from
one part of a building to another, consisting in the combination, with a cord or band
to which pockets or carriers for the articles to be conveyed are attached and whose
two members are secured to and wind in opposite directions on a pulley as specified,
of a driving cord or band whose two members are secured to and are similarly
wound on a barrel integral with, and of smaller diameter than the pulley,
substantially as described.
2nd. The employment, in apparatus constructed substantially as specified in
Clause 1 of endless pitch chains and sprocket wheels in lieu of the cords and
pulley and barrel.
3rd. The apparatus, substantially as described and shewn in Figures 2 and 3 for
operation by treadles, as specified.
4th. The herein described apparatus for conveying articles from one part of a
building to another, constructed substantially as described and shewn in the
drawings.
BENJN. BANKS.