IMPROVEMENTS IN AN AUTOMATIC STOP AND LOCK FOR PAWL AND RATCHET MECHANISM
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN NEWTON WILLIAMS of Temple Court, New York, in the United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AN AUTOMATIC STOP AND LOCK FOR PAWL AND RATCHET
MECHANISM and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
The invention relates to placing a stop in juxta-position to the periphery of the
ratchet wheel and at a point where the pawl as it moves downwardly may come
in contact with it thereby stopping or intercepting the progress of the pawl and
limiting it to a certain length of stroke and the invention also relates to con-
structing the pawl with a bent portion at the end. This bent portion extends
inwards and towards the ratchet wheel and is provided with a slot or jaw to
accommodate the wheel. The lugs upon the end of the pawl serve to steady the
interacting parts. The aforesaid pawl may be suspended in any desired way and
operated from any suitable source of power. The ratchet wheel is one of ordinary
construction.
Extending upwards from the base plate is a standard, terminating near the
periphery of the ratchet wheel and at a point in line with the vertical movement
of the pawl aforesaid. This standard or stop is provided also with an upwardly
extending adjustable portion by which arrangement the throw of the pawl can be
limited or extended as desired.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, A, is a ratchet wheel provided with
suitable bearings and B, is a standard or stop having an upwardly extending
portion b. This latter is adjustable vertically and relatively to the periphery of
the ratchet wheel A.
C is a pawl connected to and operated by any suitable source of power. It is
provided with a bent portion D, having lugs with an intermediate slot or jaw
between them.
The operation of the device is as follows:-When the pawl descends the bent
portion D, will come in contact with the standard or stop. This will prevent the
further movement of the pawl in a downward direction. As soon as the pawl is
stopped it will also stop the rotation of the wheel and prevent it from moving
beyond the desired point by its momentum. The peculiar construction of the pawl

page_text: admits of this action as it is pressed against the wheel by the stop, so that as soon
as the pawl is stopped the wheel will be locked. This arrangement is useful where
it is desired to produce an automatic feeding device which will feed the same
amount at regular intervals.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First A stop and lock for pawl and ratchet mechanisms which consists of a
standard placed in such a position in relation to the pawl and ratchet that it will
stop the former and lock the lattér at' any desired point.
Second As a means for stopping and locking a pawl and ratchet mechanism an
adjustable standard terminating at a point near the periphery of the ratchet wheel.
Third The combination of the pawl, the ratchet wheel and the standard all
· adapted to operate in conjunction at a certain point as set forth.
Fourth The combination of the pawl, the ratchet wheel and the standard
having an adjustable extension.