IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIRE ROPES AND CABLES
Year: 1885

page_text: We, WILLIAM HENRY LAIDLER Engineer Manager of Rope Works and THOMAS
LAIDLER Engineer both of Meldon House N° 9 Leopold Street Burdett Road
Limehouse in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of our
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIRE ROPES AND CABLES,"
to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to the improvements in the construction of metal strands
ropes or cables by composing the various sections of such strands ropes or cables
and causing them to gravitate towards the centre when strained to their breaking
point.
For this purpose we describe a circle which in diameter shall represent the size
of the strand required for use, the outer circumference we divide into any number
of parts drawing lines from such points to the centre which will give as many
complete sections of metal as will fully complete such circle; this will be a solid
section and will be very rigid and so many of these strands as may be required can
in the ordinary way be made into ropes or cables.
For making a flexible strand rope or cable we compose the sections of metal
with an "inner circle space" greater or less as may be required for greater or less
flexibility, drawing the sections from the outer circle and gravitating to the centre
as described, in the solid sections the inner circle space can be left open and thus
form a hollow tube; or it can be filled up in the usual way with rubber or other
core, hemp, jute, flax, or other material either in their natural state or saturated
with any preservative compound as practiced in the ordinary method of making
wire strands ropes or cables.
To increase the size of the strands and also their flexibility other circles of
sections of metal may be covered, twisted the same way as the interior strand; or
the contrary way as best suited to their working provided always that the outer
circle sections be made to gravitate to the centre to give each section a close
contact to the section next to it and so insure the greatest possible amount of
resistance to compression tortion and tension.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Wire Ropes and Cables.
We WILLIAM HENRY LAIDLER Engineer Manager of Rope Works and THOMAS
LAIDLER Engineer both of Meldon House N° 9 Leopold Street Burdett Road
Limehouse in the County of Middlesex 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:—
Our Invention relates to improvements in the construction of metal strands
ropes or cables by composing the various sections of such strands ropes or cables
and causing them to gravitate towards the centre when strained to their breaking
joint,
For this purpose we describe a circle which in diameter shall represent the size
of the strand required for use, the outer circumference we divide into any number
of parts drawing lines from such points to the centre which will give as many
complete sections of metal as will fully complete such circle; this will be a solid
section and will be very rigid and so many of these strands as may be required can
in the ordinary way be made into ropes or cables.
For making a flexible strand rope or cable we compose the sections of metal
with an inner circle space greater or less as may be required for greater or less
flexibility, drawing the sections from the outer circle and gravitating to the centre
as described in the solid sections; the inner circle space can be left open and thus
form a hollow tube or it can be filled up in the usual way with rubber or other
core, hemp, jute, flax or other material either in the natural state or saturated with
any preservative compound as practised in the ordinary method of making wire
strands ropes or cables.
To increase the size of the strands and also their flexibility other circles of
sections of metal may be covered, twisted the same way as the interior strand or
the contrary way as best suited to their working provided always that the outer
circle sections be made to gravitate to the centre to give each section a close
contact to the section next to it and so ensure the greatest possible amount of
resistance to compression, torsion and tension.
Having described the nature of our improved wire rope and its utility, we now
proceed to further explain the same by reference to the drawings hereto annexed
and the manner in which our improvements are to be carried out in practice.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 of the drawings hereunto annexed shews a circle which may be of any
diameter for the following purpose viz: finding the sector of a circle. In this case
we employ 18 sections, and we divide the outer circle into 18 equal parts from each
point we draw radii to the centre giving as will be seen by the numbers 1 to 18 as
many sections or separate sectors of a circle within the dotted lines, the larger the
outer circle is drawn the more exact in shape will be the sections.
The smaller circle marked S shows the size or section of the strand required in
this instance it is of an inch diameter and the drawing is made full size-In
further explanation referring to sector marked 1 near the outer circumference and

page_text: tracing the dotted lines down each side of the sector we come to the inner circle S
and find in the inside of it a line with the dotted lines the sector required to make
one eighteenth part of a circle of an inch diameter the correct form and shape
required each sector following round until the circle is complete and all gravitating
towards the centre this we maintain will give the greatest strain of any shape or
combination of wires and preserve its elasticity.
A lesser number of sections gives more rigidity a greater number making it.
more elastic but all either many or few sections supporting each other on their
radial or sectional sides and giving a resistance nearly equal to a solid rod of iron
at the same time being elastic.
Figure 2. is a longitudinal view of Figure 1 shewing the angle of lay or twist in
the strand full size; should this strand be used or applied to work as shown it
will run with a smooth and regular motion the various sections composing it
filling up the circumference and presenting a smooth close surface to its exposed or
wearing parts.
Figure 3. is a section, shewing a rope composed of seven strands such as Figure 1
and which strands may be laid on any ordinary wire rope making machine. The
strands as described in Figure 1 may have a very long angle or twist to be laid up
into a rope as described above which will prove of great advantage in ropes so
constructed as it will prevent stretching when put to severe strains or heavy work.
There is no crown on the wires as in ropes made of round wire, the wear will
therefore be more smooth and uniform, and will also give a better result in
economy of working throughout its entire length, whether the angle of twist be
long or short, the surface will wear down uniform, because it is a true circle. The
sides of each wire supporting the others will keep it in its circular form and so
retain its original make and shape after continuous and heavy wear.
If a rope be required to have little stretch we give a long lay in the strand or
where a rope will work better when it turns in working we give a short lay to the
strands or rope and as before stated the wear will not be materially affected as in
all cases the various sections lay close and do not shew any spaces as in round
wire ropes all the strands gravitating towards the centre when in actual work.
Figure 4. The outer circle in this Figure is drawn in the same manner and the
same size as Figure 1 the outer circumference having twice the number of points
viz 36 with radii drawn and pointing towards the centre giving 36 sections drawn
full size of an inch in diameter.
A small inner circle or space of an inch diameter is formed in the centre. In
this case the sections of metal are not full sections but less the point ends thereof,
and only of an inch deep. So that when the number of sections required to
make the strand are laid or twisted together there is a central hollow space left.
The pliability of a hollow strand so formed will therefore be much more than one
made of all full sections of wires.
The centre space can be filled up with hemp, jute or any other material or it
can be most usefully used for the insertion therein and protecting the cores of deep
sea or other cables and insure a more perfect safety from injury than any possible
combination of round wires.
To attain greater pliability it will only be necessary to increase the area of the
inner circle space at the same time lessen or shorten in a corresponding ratio the
section of metal required for each wire.
Firmness and pliability can be obtained by filling the inner circle space with
strands single or compound formed in the ordinary way of small round wires the
required size which will at the same time increase the strength of a compound
strand so formed at the same time retaining great pliability.
Other circles of wires of the form and shape laid down on these principles can
be twisted or laid round Figure 4 as herein before described to make strands or
ropes up to any size with an even smooth and round surface or strands made of
full sections as in Figure 1 may be covered spirally with rings of part sections but
all gravitating centrally.

page_text: Figure 5 is a longitudinal view of Figure 4 shewing the lay in the strand full
size of an inch diameter and with hollow centre of an inch diameter the same
description for wear as given in Figure 2 will apply to this form also.
Figure 6. This represents a longitudinal view of the improved gravitation strand
as described in Figure 5 and of the same section of an inch diameter at the place
marked W it is screwed with a Whitworth thread to take a nut as shewn in
Figure 7 or to each end may be screwed a hook and eye for a cord fastener and so
enabling the two opposite ends of the strand or rope to be united and forming an:
endless band without splicing.
Figure 7 shews the improved strand in full section with the centre filled up
with a wire of an inch diameter as shewn by the hatchelled lines to enable it to
be held for screwing. The nut marked N in plan is shewn with full thread
screwed home this arrangement will be found of great utility in fixing wire rope
guides also for application in many other instances where it is required for a fixed
purpose and can be cheaply quickly and securely fastened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained by mathematical demonstra-
tion the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed we declare that what we claim is
First. In the improved construction of wire ropes and cables of a series of
sections of metal or wire each in the shape of a sector of a circle placing the
circular or rounded part to the outside of the strand thus completing the outer
circumference and presenting a circular surface as the wearing part and all points
gravitating and meeting in the centre and making such strands into ropes or
cables substantially as described and represented in Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
Second. Of a series of sections of metal or wire each consisting of any part of
a sector of a circle less the point end thereof and as far up as may be desired so as
to make strands ropes or cables hollow in their centres or interior parts with such
sections of wire lighter and more pliable substantially as before described and
represented in Figures 4. 5. 6 and 7 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Third. In the improved construction of wire ropes and cables of a series of any
suitable number of sections or wires large or small in diameter or depth and any
number of circles of wires coursing over each other so as to compose a strand rope
or cable all their several parts being sectors of a circle and gravitating towards
the centre substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the Drawings
hereto annexed.