IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRIVING, RETARDING, OR STOPPING AND SUPPORTING REVOLVING SHAFTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles James Appleby, of Southwark, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRIVING,
RETARDING, OR STOPPING AND SUPPORTING REVOLVING SHAFTS."
Sealed the 18th June 1880, and dated the 22nd December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles James Appleby at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd December 1879.
CHARLES JAMES APPLEBY, of Southwark, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRIVING, RETARDING, OR STOPPING AND SUPPORTING
REVOLVING SHAFTS."
This Invention relates more especially to the driving and other revolving shufts
of travelling or other cranes and hoisting machinery, but it is also applicable to
other machinery where it is desired to communicate motion from one revolving
shaft to another, or to reverse, retard, stop, or vary the speed of such revolving
shafts, or where it is necessary that the bearing in which a shaft is supported and
revolves should be capable of moving out of the way and being replaced when a
wheel or other part of the machinery or apparatus with which the revolving shaft
is connected bas to pass along the latter.
The first part of my Invention has reference to the well known arrangement in
which two bevilled toothed wheels are both arranged upon a shaft and are both in
gear with a third such wheel upon a shaft supported in bearings at right angles to
the first shaft, a double coned friction clutch being arranged between the two first
mentioned wheels, so that by moving the clutch longitudinally upon its shaft oither
of the two wheels can be put in connection with it and transmit its motion to the
third wheel upon the transverse shaft, the remaining wheel upon the driving shaft
running loose upon the latter.
In order to move the clutch along its shaft in either direction for the purpose
described I make the shaft hollow, and I fit into it a rod or bar having a cross
cotter or key passed through it and through the clutch, a corresponding slot being
made for the passage of the cotter through the shaft of such length as to allow the
clutch to be moved for a sufficient distance along the shaft. The rod or bar may
be actuated when desired by a lever, screw, wedge, or other suitable device.
Where the method of adjusting and altering the position of the clutch and friction
cones by means of a central rod or bar as just described cannot conveniently be

page_text: used I fit a cylindrical collar of metal or other suitable material upon the shaft,
and upon the periphery of this collar I make a screw thread, upon which is fitted a
corresponding screwed nut. This nut is connected to the clutch which is to be
actuated as above described by a circular projection upon its end fitting freely into
a corresponding circular groove at the back of the clutch in such a manner that
whilst the clutch rotates with the shaft upon which it is fitted the nut is prevented
from such rotation, but if the nut is moved longitudinally along the shaft in either
direction it moves the clutch with it.
The screwed collar upon the shaft is prevented from moving along the latter by
collars fixed upon the shaft, and it is provided at one end with a handle or lever
by which when desired it can be made to make part of a revolution in either
direction round the shaft.
When it is so made to revolve the screw thread upon its periphery causes the
screwed nut, and with it the clutch to which it is connected as described, to travel
along the shaft for a short distance in one or other direction according to the
direction in which the handle is moved, and thus the friction cone upon the clutch
is connected with or disconnected from the corresponding friction cone as desired.
By this method of arrangement the movement and pressure upon the faces of the
friction cones are perfectly central and true, and the contact of the latter is steadily
maintained whilst the shaft is in motion, no extraneous fixing or fulcrum being
necessary.
Both in the arrangement of clutch first described, as well as in that last described,
clutches having teeth or projections instead of friction cones may be used, and the
arrangements described are applicable to cases where a single bevilled tooth wheel
upon the first shaft is in gear with a similar toothed wheel upon the second shaft,
and I sometimes use a second or additional friction clutch, which can be put in
operation after those already described are disengaged from each other, and which
serves as a brake, the part against which the friction cone upon the clutch operates
being attached to a suitable part of the framework of the machinery or to some
other fixed support, so that it cannot revolve.
Another part of my Invention, being a modification of the arrangement just
described, consists of a novel combination of a friction clutch with a brake so that
both can be operated as desired with a single lever.
For this purpose I fix firmly upon the revolving shaft a friction cone of a kind
similar to those already described, and the pinion wheel upon the shaft or other
part of the machinery which it is required should either be actuated by the
revolving shaft or retarded or stopped by the brake, has attached to it an internal
and external cone friction clutch, so that the internal cone can by a slight longi-
tudinal movement on the shaft be brought into contact with the corresponding cone
fixed upon the shaft, whilst by a corresponding longitudinal movement in the
opposite direction the external cone can be brought into contact with a corresponding
internal cone which is fixed to the framework of the machinery or other suitable
support so that it cannot revolve, and thus serves as a brake to the pinion wheel
or other part of the machine to which the double coned clutch is attached as
already described, and to any other machinery operated by or in connection
with it.
I obtain the necessary movement of the clutches upon the shaft by means of
a screw acting through a collar recessed into the pinion wheel or other part of the
machine as described and fitted with a corresponding cover plate, the screw being
actuated when desired by a hand lever, and having a nut rigidly fixed to the frame
of the machine or other suitable support.
Another part of my Invention relates to a novel form of friction driving and
reversing apparatus, where it is desired that a shaft revolving at a uniform speed
should transmit a variable speed of revolution to a second shaft which it drives.
For this purpose I arrange two circular parallel discs or plates connected together
at their centres at a suitable distance apart by a boss or cylinder fitting freely upon
the shaft which is to be driven at a variable speed, but connected to the latter by

page_text: one or more keys so that they can move longitudinally along the shaft for a snort
listance, but are incapable of revolving upon the shaft.
At right angles to this shaft I arrange the driving shaft, revolving in suitable
bearings, and having fitted upon it a third disc of slightly less diameter than the
distance between the two first described discs, between, and at right angles to which,
it revolves. This third disc is made capable of moving longitudinally upon the
driving shaft, but cannot revolve without the latter.
Or in some cases it may be rigidly fixed to the driving shaft, which is itself made
capable of moving longitudinally. By the arrangements described the third or
driving disc may be made as desired to approach nearer to or further from the
centre of the parallel discs between which it revolves, and by moving the latter
longitudinally upon their shaft the inner face of either of them can be brought into
contact with the edge of the revolving driving disc, and the shaft which carries
them is made to revolve by friction in one or other direction accordingly as one or
other of the parallel discs is brought into contact with the driving disc, whilst their
speed of revolution can be varied by moving the driving disc nearer to or further
from their centre.
If required the shaft carrying the parallel discs may be made the driving shaft.
When the single disc is not in contact with either of the parallel discs movement is
not transmitted from one shaft to the other.
Where it is desired that the bearings in which a shaft is supported and revolves
should be capable of moving out of the way and being replaced when a wheel or
other part of the machinery or apparatus with which the revolving shaft is con-
nected has to pass along the latter in either direction, I use the following novel
arrangement: I make and fix in any convenient position, preferably against a
wall, a vertical bracket or plate, the base of which is hollow and has formed or
fixed upon it two centres or joints each having its axis parallel with the revolving
shaft.
One of these joints is arranged at a suitable distance above the other, and has
jointed to it the inner end of an arm, the outer end of which is provided with a
suitable bearing upon which the shaft which is to be supported rests and revolves.
This arm is curved or of such shape that when it is unsupported it falls down and
hangs clear of the wheel or other part of the machinery which has to pass along
the shaft. On the lower joint I arrange a second arm, the outer end of which
when raised lifts with it the first arm until the bearing upon the latter is in its
proper position supporting the shaft, and its outer end then engages with a catch
upon the outer end of the upper arm so as to firmly support the latter until the
lower arm is again turned down upon its joint or centre. In order so to turn
down the lower arm I make its inner end, which is provided with a heavy counter-
weight, project into the hollow base of the bracket, where it is connected to a vertical
rod or bar which passes upward through a guide in the upper part of the base,
and has formed or fitted upon its upper end a grooved head or slide which fits upon
à corresponding bar fixed upon the inachinery or apparatus which has to pass along
the revolving shaft. This last bar has formed upon it an inclined plane, so that
when the machinery (such for instance as a travelling crane) is passing along the
inclined plane draws up the counterweight, and releasing the outer end of the lower
arm from the catch upon the upper arm it gradually lowers the former arm and
allows the latter to descend sufficiently for the wheel or other part of the machinery
to pass along without touching it
The bar having the inclined plane is then made horizontal for a sufficient
distance, and a second inclined plane then depresses the counterweight and raises
the lower arm, and with the latter the upper arm, until the bearing is again in its
proper position and firmly supports the revolving shaft, in which position it is
retained by the counterweight upon the lower arin until again released by the
inclined plane upon the traveling bar.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles James Appleby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
June 1880.
"IMPROVE-
CHARLES JAMES APPLEBY, of Southwark, in the County of Surrey.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRIVING, RETARDING, OR STOPPING AND SUPPORTING
REVOLVING SHAFTS."
My Invention relates more especially to the driving and other revolving shafts
of travelling or other cranes and hoisting machinery; but it is also applicable to
other machinery where it is desired to communicate motion from one revolving
shaft to another, or to reverse, retard, stop, or vary the speed of such revolving
shafts, or where it is required that the bearing in which a shaft is supported and
revolves should be capable of moving out of the way and being replaced when a
wheel or other part of the machinery or apparatus with which the revolving shaft
is connected has to pass along the latter.
The first part of my Invention has reference to the method of arrangement well
known and practised, in which two bevilled toothed wheels are both arranged upon
a revolving shaft, each being in gear with a third bevilled toothed wheel upon a
second shaft revolving in bearings at right angles to the first shaft, a double friction
coned or other clutch being arranged between the two first mentioned wheels, so
that by moving the clutch longitudinally upon its shaft either of the said two
wheels can be put in connection with it and transmit its motion to the third wheel
upon the transverse shaft, the other of the two first wheels upon the driving shaft
running loose upon the latter, and the transverse shaft being in this way made to
revolve in either direction as may be required. In order to move the clutch along
its shaft in either direction in the manner and for the purpose described, I make
the said shaft hollow for a sufficient distance and I fit into it freely a rod or bar
having a cross cotter or key passed and fitted through it and through the clutch,
a corresponding opening or passage of greater length being made through the shaft
itself for the passage of the transverse key, so that by moving the bar the clutch
may be made to traverse for a sufficient distance backward and forward along the
shaft. The outer end of the bar may be so actuated when desired by means of a
lever, screw, wedge, or other suitable device so connected to the bar by means of
collars upon the latter, or other convenient means, as to allow the revolution of the
latter with the shaft. Where the method of adjusting and altering the position of
the clutch and friction cones by means of a central rod or bar as just described
cannot conveniently be used, I fit a cylindrical collar of metal or other suitable
material upon the shaft, and upon the periphery of this collar I form a screw thread,
upon which is fitted a corresponding screwed nut. This nut is prevented from
turning round and is connected to the clutch which is to be actuated by a circular
projection or groove upon it fitting into a corresponding groove or projection upon
the clutch, so that whilst the latter is capable of revolving with the shaft it is
moved endways by the nut when the screwed collar within the latter is made to
turn upon the shaft. The screwed collar is prevented from moving along the shaft
by collars fixed upon the latter, and it is provided with a handle or lover by which
it can be made when desired to make part of a revolution in either direction round
the shaft.
The novel arrangements described are applicable not only to cases where motion
has to be transmitted through bevilled toothed wheels as above described, but to all
cases where motion has to be transmitted from one shaft to another, or from a
revolving shaft to one or more wheels, drums, pulleys, or other mechanism upon it.
In the accompanying Drawing, which is in illustration of my Invention, Figures
1, 2, and 3 are in illustration of this part of my Invention. Figure 1 shews in side
view, partly in section, my novel apparatus used for the purpose of connecting or
disconnecting a toothed pinion from the revolving shaft which drives it. A is the

page_text: driving shaft, and B is one of the bearings in which it revolves. C is the toothed
pinion running freely upon the shaft and having formed upon it the hollow friction
cone D. A corresponding cone E is also fitted upon the outer end of the shaft A,
and is connected to the latter by the transverse key F which passes through it and
through a slot in the shaft at G. The bar H fits a central hole in the end of the
shaft A, and is also connected to the key F. When, therefore, the bar H is moved
backward or forward longitudinally, the cone E is similarly moved and is engaged
or disengaged from the hollow cone D and the toothed pinion C. In order to
actuate the bar H the outer end of the latter is shewn having a head I revolving
freely in the recess K. formed in the end of a bar L, the outer ond of which is
screwed and works in the nut M carried by the bracket N. A lever O is shown
connected to the bar L, so that by it the bar can be turned round in the nut M,
and in doing so draws backward or forward with it the bar H and the cone E.
Figure 2 is in illustration in section of the method above described of actuating a
friction clutch without the central moveable bar. A is the revolving shaft, and B
is the barrel of a crane or other mechanism which it is desired to drive, which
revolves freely upon the shaft. C is a cylindrical collar fitted freely upon
the shaft A, and prevented from moving endways by the collar D and the
nut E. The collar C has a screwed thread upon its periphery fitting into the
corresponding cylindrical nut F, which fits and can move endways in the
support or bearing G, but is prevented from turning round by the key H. The
inner end of the nut F has a flange or collar at I which fits into a corresponding
recess in the friction cone K. which revolves upon it, and K' is a covering plate
which keeps the cone K in its place. The cone K can move endways, but is
prevented from turning round upon the shaft by one or more keys, and it fits at its
circumference into the corresponding cone L upon the end of the crane barrel B,
which is also shewn provided with a groove for the application a brake if
desired at M. A lever N is fitted upon the screw C at O. When the lever N is
turned partly round in one or other direction it moves the nut F backward or
forward, and the latter similarly actuates the revolving cone K, which is thus
forced into or withdrawn from the corresponding cone L upon the barrel B, which
is thus set in motion or stopped as desired. I sometimes use a second or additional
friction clutch, which can be put in operation after those already described are
disengaged from each other, and which serves as a brake or retarding apparatus,
the part against which the friction cone upon the clutch is pressed being attached
to a suitable part of the framework of the machinery or other fixed support so that
it cannot revolve.
As a modification of the arrangement just described, consisting of a novel com-
bination of a friction clutch with a brake so that hoth can be operated as desired
with a single lever, I sometimes fix firmly upon the revolving shaft a friction cone
of a kind similar to those already described, and to the pinion toothed wheel upon
the shaft or other part of the mechanism which it is desired that the revolving
shaft should drive, or retard, or stop by means of the brake as desired, I attach a
double coned friction clutch, arranged so that they revolve freely upon the shaft,
but are capable of a slight longitudinal movement along the latter. When the
double cone with the toothed pinion is made to move in one direction one of the
cones is forced into contact with the corresponding cone fixed upon the shaft and
is driven by the latter; and when they are made to move in the other direction
the other cone is forced into contact with a corresponding cone fixed to the frame-
work of the machinery or to other suitable support so that it cannot revolve, and
it thus serves as a friction brake to the pinion wheel or other part of the machine
to which the double coned clutch is attached, as described, and to any other
machinery operated by or in connection with it. The necessary movement of the
clutches upon the shaft is obtained by means of an arrangement similar in its
action to that already described, and consisting of a screw acting through a collar
recessed into the toothed pinion or other part of the machine, as described, and
fitted with a corresponding cover plate, the screw being actuated when desired by

page_text: a hand lever, and having a nut fixed rigidly to the frame of the machine or other
suitable support.
Figure 3 is in illustration in longitudinal section of this method of arrangement.
A is the revolving shaft, upon which is fixed firmly the friction cone B. To the
toothed pinion C, which forms part of the crane or other mechanism which it is
desired to actuate, I fix the double coned friction clutch D, D', which revolves
freely upon the shaft A. but is capable of a slight degree of movement endways, so
that if moved in one direction the cone D is forced into contact with the revolving
cone B, which imparts its motion to the pinion C, whilst if moved in the opposite
direction the cone D' is forced into contact with the cone E which is fixed to the
framework of the machine or otherwise prevented from revolving, and it then
serves as a friction brake to the pinion C and any other mechanism with which the
latter is in gear.
The necessary movement of the clutches upon the shaft is obtained by the
screw F fitted upon the shaft between collars G, G³, and having the lever or
handle F¹ The nut H is operated by the screw F, and actuates the clutch by
means of the plate I fitting into a groove in the nut and fixed inside the cone D¹.
The shaft A revolves in a bearing K, and one or more keys or guides are provided
to prevent the nut H from turning round. By the different arrangements of
clutches and the methods of actuating them, as described and shewn, the movement
and pressure upon the faces of the clutches are perfectly central and true, and the
contact of the latter is steadily maintained whilst the shaft is in motion, no
extraneous fixing or fulcrum being necessary. Another part of my Invention
relates to a novel form of friction driving and reversing apparatus where it is
desired that a shaft revolving at a uniform speed should transmit a variable speed
of revolution in either direction to a second shaft which it diives. It is more
especially applicable to cases where the power to be transmitted is small. I arrange
two circular parallel discs or plates, preferably connected together at their centres,
at a suitable distance apart upon the shaft which is to be driven at a variable
speed, but connected to the latter by one or more longitudinal keys so that the
discs can move longitudinally along the shaft for a short distance, but are not
capable of revolving upon it.
At right angles with this shaft I arrange the driving shaft, revolving in suitable
bearings, and having fitted upon it a third disc of slightly less diameter than the
distance between the two first described discs, between and at right angles to
which it revolves. This third disc is made capable of moving longitudinally upon
its shaft, but cannot revolve without the latter.
Or in some cases it may be rigidly fixed upon the shaft, which is itself made
capable of moving longitudinally.
By the arrangements described the third or driving disc may be made as desired
to approach to or recede from the centre of the parallel discs between which it
revolves, and by moving the latter longitudinally upon their shaft the inner face of
either of them may be brought in contact with and pressed against the edge of
the revolving disc, and the shaft which carries them is made to revolve by
friction in one or other direction accordingly as one or other of the parallel discs is
brought into contact with the driving disc, whilst the speed of their revolution
relatively to that of the driving shaft can be varied by moving the driving disc
nearer to or further from their centre.
If it is not required that the direction of revolution of the shaft carrying the
parallel discs should be reversed only one such disc is required instead of two
parallel ones.
The shaft carrying the parallel discs may be the driving instead of the driven
shaft if required. When the single intermediate disc is not in contact with either
of the parallel discs movement is not transmitted from one shaft to the other. In
the accompanying Drawing Figure 4 is in illustration of this part of my Invention.
A is the shaft which is to be driven at a variable speed and in either direction.
B, B¹, are discs, connected together and fitted upon the shaft A so that they can

page_text: move endways for a short distance upon it. C is the driving shaft, revolving in
bearings D at right angles to the shaft A but so that it can move endways. The
shaft C carries the third disc E of slightly less diameter than the space between
the discs B, B'. When the edge of the disc E is in contact with either of the discs
B, B', it causes such disc to revolve, the relative speed of revolution being varied
as desired by moving the disc E nearer to to further from the shaft A. The discs
B, B¹, may be moved endways upon the shaft A in order to bring one or other of
them in contact with the disc C by any convenient means, but preferably by one of
the methods already herein-before described and shewn.
Where it is not required that the direction of revolution of the shaft A should
be reversed, one or other of the discs B, B', may be omitted. I prefer that the odge
of the disc E should be covered with leather or other soft material.
Another part of my Invention relates to apparatus in which it is desired that
the bearings in which a shaft is supported and revolves should be capable of moving
out of the way and being subsequently replaced when a wheel or other part of the
mechanism or apparatus with which the revolving shaft is connected has to pass
along the latter in either direction, as is ordinarily the case in travelling cranes.
1 make and fix in any convenient position, preferably against a wall, a vertical
bracket or plate, the base of which is hollow, and has formed or fixed upon it two
centres or joints, each having its axis parallel with the revolving shaft. One of
these joints is arranged at a suitable distance above the other, and has jointed to it
the inner end of an arm, the outer end of which is provided with a suitable bearing
upon which the shaft which is to be supported rests and revolves. This arm is
curved or of such shape that when it is unsupported it falls down and hangs
clear of the wheel or other part of the machinery which has to pass along the
shaft.
1 arrange upon the lower joint a second arm, the outer end of which when raised
lifts with it the first arm until the bearing upon the latter is in its proper position
supporting the shaft, and its outer end then engages with a catch or stop upon the
outer end of the upper arm so as to firmly support the latter until the lower arm is
again turned down upon its joint or centre. In order so to turn down the lower
arm when necessary I provide it with an inner end to which is attached a heavy
counterweight, and which end projects into the hollow base of the bracket, where
it is connected to a vertical rod or bar which passes upward through a guide in tho
upper part of the base, and has formed or fitted upon its upper end a grooved head
or slide which fits upon a corresponding bar fixed upon the inachinery or apparatus
(such as a travelling crane) which has to pass along the revolving shaft. This last
bar has formed upon it an inclined plane, so that when the machinery (such for
instance as a travelling crane) is passing along the inclined plane draws up the
counterweight, and releasing the outer end of the lower arm from the catch upon
the upper arm it gradually lowers the former arm, and allows the latter to descends
sufficiently for the wheel or other part of the machinery to pass along without
touching it. The bar upon which the inclined plane is formed is then made
horizontal for a sufficient distance, and a second inclined plane in the opposite
direction then depresses the counterweight and raises the lower arm, and with the
latter the upper arm until the bearing is again in its proper position, and firmly
supports the revolving shaft, in which position it is retained by the counter-
weight upon the lower arm until again released by the inclined plano upon the
travelling bar.
Figure 5 is in illustration of this part of my Invention, and represents the side
view of a moveable bearing. A is the revolving shaft, and B is a vertical hollow
bracket fixed against a wall at C. The arm D turns upon the centre E, and has
at its outer end the bearing F which supports the shaft A. A second arm G turns
upon the lower joint H, and its outer end when raised lifts with it the arm D until
the bearing F is in its proper position, and then engages with the catch I so as to
firmly support the arm D. The arm G has an inner end provided with a balance
weight at 1' and jointed to the vertical rod K, the upper end of which is fitted

page_text: with a grooved head or slide L. The plate or bar M is attached to the travelling
crane or other machinery which has to pass along the shaft A, and it carries
at its lower edge the bar or bars shewn in section at N which fits into the
groove L.
The bar N is curved or bent upward near the point where it is required that
the bearing F should be withdrawn from the shaft A, and as it passes along it
raises the grooved head L, and disengages and lowers gradually the arm G, allowing
the arm D to descend into the position shewn in dotted lines, so that the wheel or
other part of the mechanism can pass along the shaft A.; the bar N then curves
down, and the arm G raises the bearing F to its former position under the shaft A
and retains it there by the catch I.
The several forms and arrangements of apparatus as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the Drawing, may be applied to revolving shafts of any kind, and used
for any purpose, and I do not confine myself to the precise form and arrangement
of apparatus as so described and shewn; but having described my Invention, and
the manner in which it is to be performed, I claim,-
First. The method of actuating a sliding clutch upon a revolving shaft by means
of a bar passing through a central opening in the shaft, the inner end of such bar
being connected to the sliding clutch, whilst its outer end is capable of being moved
longitudinally backward and forward, substantially as and for the purpose described
and shewn.
Second. The methods of actuating a sliding clutch upon a revolving shaft by
means of a screwed nut connected to the clutch, and actuated by a corresponding
screw fitted loose upon the revolving shaft, and turned round in either direction
when desired by a lever or equivalent means, substantially as described and shewn
in the Drawing.
Third. The method of driving a revolving shaft at variable speeds by means of a
revolving disc actuating by friction a second disc upon a shaft at right angles to
the first disc, such second disc being capable of moving to or from the centre of the
first disc, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
Fourth The method of reversing the direction of revolution of the shaft so
driven at variable speeds by means of a second disc fixed parallel with the first
disc, the third disc revolving at right angles between the other two, and being
pressed against either of them as desired, substantially as described and shewn in
the Diawing.
Fifth. The combination of the pivotted bar carrying a bearing for a revolving
shaft, the second pivotted bar supporting the first bar, and the moving bar with
inclined planes operating a vertical bar connected with the second pivotted bar,
all substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles James Appleby, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this 19th day of June, in the year of our Lord
1880.