An Improved Flexible Driving-shaft or Apparatus for Actuating Machinery or Apparatus required to be Moved about when in Operation.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Flexible Driving-shaft or Apparatus for Actuating
Machinery or Apparatus required to be Moved about when
in Operation.
We CHARLES BURGON, Sheep Shear Manufacturer, and EDWARD MARSHALL
Mechanical Engineer of La Plata Works Malin Bridge Sheffield in the County of
York do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
Our invention relates to and consists in the construction application and use of an
improved flexible driving shaft for actuating various kinds of machinery or apparatus
required to be moved about when being used, such as machinery or apparatus for
sheep shearing or for clipping horses or other animals, for drilling machines, for
fretwork machines, or for other machines or apparatus which are or can be moved
about when they are being operated.
Our improved flexible driving shaft is made of a novel application or combination
of parts, such as those known as universal ball joints, which we construct out of a
centre piece of flat steel or other suitable metal which is so shaped,-like a star for
instance, as to form four (or any other required number of) pivots upon which we
link, or connect, or attach thereto a pair of suitably shaped yokes to hold the whole
together.
In order to make this, which we term, our universal flexible shaft, chain, or core,
of any required length we provide a sufficient number of star or other centre pieces
and yokes, to correspond with the length of shaft, chain, or core required, and we so
connect the centre pieces and yokes together as to make the shaft, chain or core
perfectly flexible or bondable.
When so made we insert the same in a suitable flexible outer casing or tube, which
will act as a preservative guard and guide for the flexible shaft chain or core.
Our apparatus will be conveniently attached to or connected with the machine or
apparatus it is to actuate and with the motor used for working the same.
Dated this 24th day of January 1890.
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, High Street, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Flexible Driving-shaft or Apparatus for Actuating
Machinery or Apparatus required to be Moved about when
in Operation.
We CHARLES BURGON, Sheep Shear Manufacturer and MARY ANN MARSHALL
of Earlswood Place Birmingham Widow and Administratrix of the late Edward
Marshall Mechanical Engineer of La Plata Works Malin Bridge Sheffield in the
County of York 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 in writing, and on reference to the accompanying sheet of
drawings:-
:-
This invention relates to and consists in the construction application and use of an
improved flexible driving shaft for actuating various kinds of machinery or apparatus
which are required to be moved about when being used, such as,-machinery or
apparatus for shearing sheep, or for clipping horses or other animals, for drilling
machines, for fretwork machines, or for other machines or apparatus which are or can
be moved about when they are being operated.

page_text: In order that the carrying out of this invention in practice may be fully understood,
it is illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings, the same being marked with
figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the following description,
that is to say:-
Figure 1, represents the metallic flexible driving shaft chain or core as arranged for
attachment to the chine or apparatus it is to actuate, -uch for example as to a sheep
shearing or clipping machine.
Figure 2, com rises and shows views of two examples of centre pieces or stars of
which the driving shaft chain or core is partly composed, b. and . being respectively
side and end views of one of the examples, and 62, and 63, being respectively side and
end views of the other example.
Figure 3, comprises views of the tubular yokes, or links as they may be termed.
Figur 4. shows three views of a yoke, ƒ, being the star shaped piece of metal
before being bent into shape as shown at g, and h, is a perspective view of the yoke
after being bent into shape.
This improved flexible driving shaft chain or core a, represented at Figure 1, is
made of a novel combination of mechanical parts (like those known as universal
joints) which are constructed partly of a centre piece, or centre pieces such as those
shown at Figure 2, made of steel or other suitable metal, either of an oval circular or
other desired shape, and also of tubular yokes d, as shown at Figure 3; made to
form any required number of links by pivotting or rivetting them together as shown
at C,
Figure 3, thus forming the driving shaft chain or core shown at Figure 1.
In order to make this flexible and universal driving shaft chain or core of any
required length we provide a sufficient number of star or other centre pieces (b, or 62.).
and yokes (d) so as to correspond with the length of the driving shaft chain or core
required, and we connect the centre pieces and yokes together so as to make the
driving shaft chain or core (as seen at Figure 1,) perfectly flexible or Lendable, in
order that it can more readily be moved about to where the machine or apparatus is
to be used. When thus made we insert the same in a flexible outer casing or tube e,
which forms a preservative guard and also a guide for the flexible driving shaft chain
or core.
Our hereinbefore described apparatus is intended to be suitably attached (by any
convenient means) to, or fixed in connection with, the machine or apparatus it is to
actuate or drive and with the motor used for working the same. It can most readily
be applied to and used for actuating or driving all such kinds of machinery or
apparatus as are usually required to be moved about when being operated, that is to
say, such as the kind of machines already indicated.
A great advantage attained in employing this flexible driving shaft chain or core is
that as it is made of steel or other suitable metal it is more rigid and durable than if
made of gut, wire, or other non-lasting material, and it does not twist or kinkle up o
break, nor will it cause too much friction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what w
claim is :-
The novel and peculiar combination, arrangement, and employment of the
mechanical devices or working parts constituting together a very efficient and usefu
Blexible and protected driving shaft chain or core, and the use of the same fo
actuating or driving machinery or apparatus usually required to he moved about i
any desired position or direction when being used, substantially as hereinbefore se
forth, and (for example) as illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings.
lith love of T1901
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicants.