Shafts, Columns, Steeples, and like Erections.
Year: 1885

page_text: Shafts, Columns, Steeples, and like Erections.
We JAMES BROWN, of N° 11 Seacome Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer and THOMAS ANDREW PORTER of N° 39 Chesnut Grove,
Bootle, in the County of Lancaster, Advertising Contractor do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for AN IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR
CLIMBING CHIMNEYS, SHAFTS, COLUMNS STEEPLES AND LIKE ERECTIONS, to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object an improved means of and apparatus for
climbing chimneys, shafts, columns, steeples and like erections.
Such means
according to this Invention consists in the employment of alternate clamping
devices (which may be made to suit any form, or section of chimney, or other
like erection) whereby the apparatus can be worked to mount and also descend
the chimney, or other like erection in stages.
An apparatus according to this Invention, consists of two, or more clamping
devices, placed one above the other. These clamping devices are connected
together by suitable hanging and supporting gear, such as chains and screwed
rods whereby the clamping devices can be brought together or separated. Suitable
clamping devices consist of wood, or metal pieces which bear against the sides of
the structure to be mounted, or descended. These pieces are made to bear and bind
on the surface of the structure by means of screwed rods, or bolts provided with
suitable turning gear. Upon, or in connection with the clamping devices, staging
is erected for carrying workmen and materials in working on the structure.
In operation supposing the apparatus to be at the bottom of and surrounding a
chimney shaft, and it is desired to ascend the chimney by the apparatus: the
clamping devices are first separated to their fullest extent, the upper clamping
device is then made to cramp and bind firmly onto the surface of the chimney.
When this has been effected, the lower clamping device is raised by means of the
screw gear above set forth until it comes close up to the upper clamping device.
When in this position it is made to cramp and bind firmly on to the surface of the
chimney. The upper clamping device is then slackened and by reversing the screw
gear it is raised to its fullest extent, when it is again clamped and bound to the
chimney surface, and the operation is repeated in the manner as before described.
By this means the chimney is ascended in stages, and the apparatus is lowered by
the same means.
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page_text: Shafts, Columns, Steeples, and like Erections.
We JAMES BROWN of N° 11 Seacome Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer and THOMAS ANDREW PORTER of N° 39, Chesnut Grove,
Bootle in the County of Lancaster, Advertising Contractor do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for AN IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR
CLIMBING CHIMNEYS, SHAFTS, COLUMNS STEEPLES AND LIKE ERECTIONS and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention has for its object an improved means of and apparatus for
Such means
climbing chimneys shafts, columns steeples and like erections.
according to this Invention consists in the employment of alternate clamping
devices (which may be made to suit any form, or section of chimney, or other like
erection) whereby the apparatus can be worked to mount and also descend the
chimney, or other like erection in stages and can be used for building, repairing
and other purposes.
An apparatus according to this Invention consists of two, or more clamping
devices, placed one above the other. These clamping devices are connected
together by suitable hanging and supporting gear such as chains and screwed
rods whereby the clamping devices can be brought together or separated. Suitable
clamping devices consist of wood, or metal pieces which bear against the sides of
the structure to be mounted, or descended. These pieces are made to bear and
bind on the surface of the structure by means of screwed rods, bolts chains ropes,
or bands provided with suitable turning or tightening gear. Upon, or in connection
with the clamping devices, staging is erected for carrying workmen and materials
in working on the structure.
In order that this Invention may be more clearly understood, we will now
proceed to describe the same more in detail and show how our Invention can be
practically carried out, reference being had to the annexed two sheets of Drawings
making a part of this Specification, and to the letters and figures of reference
marked thereon, like letters and figures being used to denote the same, or
corresponding parts throughout the various views and figures of the Drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus according to this Invention shown
applied to a chimney (only a portion of the chimney being shown for convenience
of space).
Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan of a round chimney showing the application of an apparatus
according to this Invention thereto.

page_text: 8"
gem commcy sawing the application of an appar
according to this Invention thereto.
Figure 6 is a plan of a six sided chimney showing the application of an apparatus
according to this Invention thereto.
Figure 7 is a plan showing a modification of an apparatus according to this
Invention as applicable to round chimneys.
Figure 8 is a side view of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a plan showing a modification of detail of the apparatus shown at
Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a detailed elevation of toothed wheel and screw gear for separating
and bringing together the clamping devices.
Figure 11 illustrates a block and tackle device and gear for separating and
bringing together the clamping devices.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a combined clamping device and platform.
Figure 13 is an elevation of a spire, showing the application of an apparatus
according to this Invention thereto.
The means of climbing chimneys, shafts, columns, steeples and like erections
consists as before stated in the employment of alternate clamping devices which
may be made to suit any form, or section of chimney or other like erection and
whereby the apparatus can be worked to mount and also to descend the chimney,
or other like erection in stages.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate suitable forms of clamping devices and
suitable means of separating and bringing together the clamping devices. For
example and in reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the Drawings, the apparatus
consists of two clamping devices a and b the clamping device b being. positioned
over and some distance above the clamping device a. The clamping device a is
connected to the clamping device 6 by the four rods c. On each side, between and
connecting the clamping devices a and b there are provided two rods & made with
right and left hand screwed threads, which respectively take into the screwed nuts,
or blocks e on the clamping device a and the screwed nuts, or blocks f on the
clamping device b. Each of these screwed rods d is provided with a ratchet wheel
and a handle g whereby the screwed rods can be turned and the clamping devices a
and b can be brought together, or separated. The clamping devices a and b each
consist of two pieces, or bars of wood, or metal a¹ a¹ preferably provided with
blocks a², see Figure 3, which bear against the sides of the chimney, or other
structure A to be mounted, or descended. These pieces a¹ are caused to bear and
bind on the surface of the structure A by means of the screwed rods h there being
two screwed rods h one on each side. Each end of the screwed rods h is provided
with a screwed nut i and with a turning handle whereby through the screwed rods h
the side pieces a¹ of the clamp can be brought together and made to bind on the
surface of the structure A. Each of the clamps a and b are similarly constructed
and their side pieces are provided with slots h¹ with slide blocks through which
the ends of the screwed rods h work. The clamping device a is provided with a
platform fitted with a rail guard k¹ and if desired the clamping device b may also
be provided with a similar platform. The clamping device is provided with a
davit with sheaves for a block and tackle for raising articles. The platform, or
staging k is used for carrying workmen, or materials in working on the structure A
and the platform, or staging is constructed in four pieces so that the platform can
be brought close into the sides of the structure and by reason of the slots h¹ in the
clamping devices a and b, the screwed rods h can always be brought to work close
up to the structure A. The screwed rods h are provided with rollers h³ which
steady the rods by bearing against the structure A.
When the apparatus shown at Figures 1, 2 and 3 is applied to round, octagon, or
to six sided or similar chimneys, the clamping devices a and b are preferably made
of channel iron and there are provided moveable blocks a² curved to suit the
surface of the structure A and adjustable in the slots h¹ of the clamping devices, by

page_text: holes and pins. There are also provided levers a³ with slots h² see Figures 4 and 5
in which the screwed rods h work, the levers a being provided with blocks a
which press the blocks a² against the structure A-This lever arrangement is shown
in Figures 4 and 5, in Figure 6 it is omitted.
An alternative arrangement of the clamping device as suitable for round
chimneys is shown at Figures 7. 8 and 9. In this instance the clamping device
consists of two flexible metal bands a provided with blocks a' and brought
together, or separated by the chains h which are equivalent to the screwed rods h
before spoken of. The chains h are slackened, or tightened by means of the
winches which are equivalent to the screwed nuts and handles before spoken of.
Instead of the chains & shown at Figure 7 screwed rods h as shown at Figure 9
may be applied. k are the platforms, or scaffolding which are hung onto the
clamping devices as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Although the clamping device is
shown singly at Figure 8 in application it is used in duplicate as in Figure 1
connected by the screwed rods d.
In Figure 10 there is shown a bevel pinion and wheel for working the screwed
rod d instead of the ratchet wheel and handle g before referred to.
Instead of using screwed rods d. for separating and bringing together the
clamping devices a and b a block and tackle device as shown at Figure 11 may
be used. In this case a forked guide d¹ is provided and a double block and
tackle gear d is also provided by which means the clamping devices a and b are
brought together, or separated as will be understood.
If desired the side pieces of the clamping devices may be made wide enough to
serve as a platform, or staging as shown at Figure 12.
The operation of this Invention is as follows: Supposing the apparatus to be at
the bottom of and surrounding a chimney shaft and it is desired to ascend or climb
the chimney by the apparatus, the clamping devices a and b are first separated to
their fullest extent by the screwed rods by turning the screwed rods d by means
of the handles g. The upper clamping device b is then made to cramp and bind
firmly against the surface of the chimney by means of the screwed rods h and the
tightening nuts. When this has been done, the lower clamping device a is raised
by means of the screwed rods d until it comes close up to the upper clamping
device (the rods e passing through the clamping device a). When it has attained
this position the clamping device a is made to cramp and bind firmly onto the
surface of the chimney, by means of its screwed rods h. The upper clamping
device b is then slackened and by turning the screwed rods d in the reverse
direction it is raised to its fullest extent from the clamp a, when it is again
cramped and bound onto the chimney surface and the operation is repeated in the
manner just described. By this means the chimney is ascended in stages and
descended by the same means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First. The use of clamping devices for ascending and descending chimneys and
like erections operating substantially as set forth.
Second. The means substantially herein described of ascending and descending
chimneys and like erections, which means consist in the employment of two, or
more clamping devices connected together and adjustable in their relative position,
one over the other as set forth and operating as described.
Third. The combination of a clamping device a with a clamping device b and
adjusting screws, or their equivalent & and platform, or staging the whole
constructed and operating as herein set forth for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a climbing apparatus the combination of an upper clamping device
(such as b) and a lower clainping device (such as a) operated by clamping screws
(such as h) and extension and contraction screws (such as d) substantially as set
forth.

page_text: Fifth. The arrangement and construction of clamping devices and actuating
screws substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
Drawings and operating substantially as described.
Sixth. The arrangement and constructions of clamping devices and actuating
screws substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the
Drawings.
Seventh. The arrangement and construction of clamping devices and actuating
gear substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the Drawings.
Eighth. The mechanism set forth with reference to Figure 10 as set forth for the
purposes specified.
Ninth. The use in connection with climbing apparatus of the type herein set
forth of a block and tackle device substantially as set forth for the purposes
specified with reference to Figure 11 of the Drawings.
Tenth. The construction of apparatus substantially as set forth with reference to
Figure 12 of the Drawings for the purposes specified,