Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Ropes for Driving and for other Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Ropes for Driving and
for other Purposes.
We WILLIAM KENYON, GEORGE HENRY KENYON and EDWIN KENYON all
of the Firm of Messrs. William Kenyon & Sons, of the Chapel-field Rope Works,
Dukinfield, in the County of Chester, Rope Makers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our said invention relates mainly to ropes made from cotton but is also applicable
to ropes of hemp and other fibres. During a long experience as manufacturers of
ropes and especially of cotton ropes we have discovered defects in existing ropes
which it is the object of our present invention to-remedy.
In making a rope under the present mode it is the custom to form the strands
composing the rope by simply twisting together a number of fibres or yarns or sets
of fibres or yarns each fibre being of equal length.
It will be easily understood that when a strand is so made, it is impossible to put
equal strain upon all of the fibres composing the strand, and this will be evident
when it is considered that the fibres in the centre lie either straight or in a spiral
of very small diameter, while the fibres at and towards the outside have to perform
a spiral curve around a diameter greatly larger and increasing with the size of the
strand. The consequence is that in a strand of this description the outer fibres are
in a state of tension while the inner fibres are unstretched or even in a state of
compression or retraction so that if such a strand be opened it will be found that
the outer fibres are straight and taut while the inner fibres or those formning the
core are buckled and crimped by the contracting influence of the outer fibres.
When a rope composed of such strands is put to work it follows that the outer
fibres of each strand require to take all the strain while the inner fibres are mere
stuffing adding little or nothing to the strength of the rope.
In a rope constructed in accordance with our invention we so arrange that every
fibre in the strand is subject to the same strain, the strand being composed of a
series of concentrically wound on spiral coats or servings. Thus the centre core or
spiral is covered by another spiral serving, and that again by a third and so on
until the strand has attained the required bulk. The fibres or doubling composing
each serving being supplied independently of each other, just 30 much fibre is used
as is necessary to complete each serving, more fibre being required for the outer
servings than for the inner, so that when the strand is complete the fibres in the
centre or core are at the same degree of 'extension as those at the outside.
Therefore if a strain is put on the strand each fibre takes its fair share of the
work and a rope made from such strands is very much stronger than a rope made
on the old principle. We prefer to make our improved rope from three such
strands twisted together. The process and apparatus which we use to produce the
improved rope are as follows. We wind the yarns in an ordinary winding frame
and then twist or double three or more of the said wound ends together in a doubling
While being twisted and
frame at the same time winding them upon hobbins.
wound the yarns are also stretched. The bobbins are then mounted in three
revolving frames, the wound on twisted yarns being passed through revolving
rings of eyes and into a trumpet tube the diameter of which is the gauge of the
strand.
The yarns all converge from the revolving ring of eyes to the tube and the
strand is formed from a series of concentrically and spirally wound on servings.
The yarns are drawn from the bobbins in the proportions necessary to produce
the required spiral servings so that it will be found that the bobbins from which
the outer servings are drawn are emptied first, while the bobbins from which the

page_text: inner servings and central core are drawn, last longest of all, showing that the yarn
is drawn off the bobbins in the exact proportions requisite to give equal extension
of the fibres from centre to circumference of the strand. Three strands are formed
in this manner and are drawn forward by a carriage running on rails and twisted
on the return of the carriage, the strands passing through a species of nut or guide
which brings them together. The carriage contains a roller or barrel upon which
the finished rope is coiled. Instead of twisting the rope on the return of the
carriage as set forth we might so construct the carriage as to twist the rope on the
strands leaving the revolving frames. We do not however bind ourselves to any
definite form of apparatus for carrying our invention into effect as such apparatus
might be varied.
The pith and gist of our invention is the improved rope formed and fashioned as
hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 19th day of November 1892
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
5, John Dalton Street, Manchester, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Ropes for Driving and
for other Purposes.
We WILLIAM KENYON, GEORGE HENRY KENYON and EDWIN KENYON all
of the Firm of Messrs. William Kenyon and Sons, of the Chapel-field Rope Works,
Dukinfield, in the County of Chester, Rope Makers, 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 and accompanying
drawings:-
Our said invention relates mainly to ropes made from cotton but is also applicable
to ropes of hemp and other fibres.
During a long experience as manufacturers of ropes and especially of cotton
ropes we have discovered defects in existing ropes which it is the object of our
present invention to remedy.
In making a rope under the present mode it is the custom to form the strands
composing the rope by simply twisting together a number of fibres or yarns or sets
of fibres or yarns each fibre being of equal length.
It will be easily understood that when a strand is so made it is impossible to put
equal strain upon all of the fibres composing the strand, and this will be evident
when it is considered that the fibres in the centre lie either straight or in a spiral
of very small diameter while the fibres at and towards the outside have to perform
a spiral curve around a diameter greatly larger and increasing with the size of the
strand.
The consequence is that in a strand of this description the outer fibres are
in a state of tension while the inner fibres are unstretched or even in a state of
compression or retraction so that if such a strand be opened it will be found that
the outer fibres are straight and taut while the inner fibres or those forming the
core are buckled and crimped by the contracting influence of the outer fibres.
When a rope composed of such strands is put to work it follows that the outer
fibres of each strand require to take all the strain, while the inner fibres are mere
stuffing, adding little or nothing to the strength of the rope.
In a rope constructed in accordance with our invention we so arrange that every
fibre in the strand is subject to the same or nearly the same strain, the strand being
composed of a series of concentrically wound on spiral coats or servings. Thus the
centre core or spiral is covered by another spiral serving, and that again by a third
and so on until the strand has attained the required bulk. The fibres or doublings
composing each serving being supplied independently of each other, just so much
fibre is used as is necessary to complete each serving, more fibre being required for
the outer servings than for the inner, so that when the strand is complete the

page_text: fibres in the centre or core are at the same degree of extension as those at the
outside.
Therefore if a strain is put on the strand, each fibre takes its fair share of
the work and a rope made from such strands is very much stronger than a rope
made up on the old principle. We prefer to make our improved rope from three
such strands twisted together. The process and apparatus which we use to produce
the improved rope are as follows. We wind the yarns in an ordinary winding
frame and then twist or double three or more of the said wound ends together in a
spinning frame at the same time winding them upon bobbins. While being twisted
and wound the yarns are also stretched. The bobbins are then mounted in three
revolving frames, the wound on twisted yarns being passed through tubes and into
a trumpet tube the diameter of which is the gauge of the strand.
The yarns all converge from the revolving frames to the tubes and the strand
is formed from a series of concentrically and spirally wound on servings.
The yarns are drawn from the bobbins in the proportions necessary to produce
the required spiral servings so that it will be found that the bobbins from which
the outer servings are drawn, are emptied first, while the bobbins from which the
inner servings and central core are drawn, last longest of all, showing that the yarn
is drawn off the bobbins in the exact proportions requisite to give equal extension
of the fibres from centre to circumference of the strand. Three strands are formed
in this manner and are drawn forward and twisted into a rope.
We do not however bind ourselves to any definite form of apparatus for carrying
our invention into effect, as such apparatus might be varied.
To render our invention fully understood we will now refer to the annexed sheet
of illustrative drawings.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams which are intended to illustrate the defects of the
existing mode of twisting strands for the manufacture of ropes. The parallel lines
composing Fig. 1 indicate the yarns or doublings to compose the strand.
Under
the existing mode the practice is to twist this clump of yarn upon its own centre.
Now when this is done it will be evident that the yarns a at and near the centre
will be only twisted upon themselves or into a very small spiral. Consequently very
little of the length is taken up. On the other hand the yarns 6 at the outside,
require to coil all round the circumference of the strand, and the length is therefore
very materially taken up.
This state of matters is illustrated in the diagram Fig. 2 where it will be seen
that the ends of the central yarns a project far past the ends of the outer spirally
coiled yarns b. As a matter of fact however in making such strands there is
no provision for allowing the cental yarns a to extend in this manner.
They are compelled to lie within the same length as the outer spiral b. Such
being the case the inner yarns a are drawn in and contracted by the strain of the
outer yarns so as to lie within the same length and as a result the inner yarns a
It will
are puckered up and buckled in the manner shown by the diagram Fig. 3.
now be clear that when a number of these strands are twisted into a rope, the only
portions of each strand which really take the strain are the outer yarns b.
The inner yarns a being huddled up and puckered as described in the heart of
the strand, are not in extension at all and never can be. Therefore the inner
yarns a of each strand are so much useless stuffing absolutely valueless as far as
strengthening the strand is concerned. When such a rope breaks the outer strands
give very fast and next the inner strands.
Such being the defects of existing ropes we will now proceed to show how, by
means of our invention we produce a strand the fibres of which are as much in
extension at the centre of the strand as at the outside, the result being that we are
enabled to produce a rope which is much stronger and more lasting than the
ordinary rope.
To effect this object, instead of twisting a number of parallel yarns together as
lescribed with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, we form the strand from a series of
spiral servings, coiled one upon another until the strand has attained the required

page_text: dimensions. The successive servings are entirely independent of each other and
constitute a succession of concentric sleeves or layers each sleeve or layer attaining
its full extension and taking its own share of the strain.
For example in Fig. 4 the central core a is formed by twisting several yarns or
doublings together. The next layer is spirally wound upon a, and so on, the
successive layers or sleeves c, d, e and f being successively wound on until the
strand has attained the required weight. It will be found on dissecting a strand
made in this manner that the yarns are all at equal degrees of extension and that
there is no such buckling and puckering of the inner yarns as is the case with an
ordinary strand as indicated in Fig. 3.
The strand, is therefore not loaded with any useless material but every fibre in
the strand offers its proper modicum of resistance. It has been shown that if a
strand made on the old principle is dissected, the inner puckered yarns will be found
to be, when straightened out, of equal length with the outer yarns.
is
But if our improved strand is dissected it will be noted that if an inner yarn
placed side by side with an outer yarn, the inner yarn will be found to be
considerably shorter than the outer yarn, showing that only the requisite amount of
yarn and no more, has been used to make the inner core or serving. As a proof of
this it will be found in the course of making the strand, that the bobbins supplying
the yarn for the outer servings are much more quickly exhausted than those
supplying the yarn for the inner servings.
The improved strands produced in the indicated manner are by preference
twisted into a three ply rope as indicated at Fig. 5.
The improved strand built up from successive servings or wrappings of yarn
constitutes the pith and marrow of our invention.
The apparatus for making the strands and for twisting a rope therefrom is a
secondary and by no means an important part of our invention. We will however
proceed to indicate a suitable apparatus which we are at present using to
manufacture our improved rope from cotton but we must preface this description
by saying that we are aware that the machinery for making the improved strands
and rope is susceptible of such change and re-arrangement that we do not consider
ourselves bound to any particular form of apparatus so long as strands and ropes
of the indicated construction are produced.
The apparatus which we have illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is intended for the
production of three strand ropes. It consists mainly of three revolving bobbin
carriers A, B and C which are supported at the foot in bearings in a revolving
table g and at the top in a flanged cap h. The parts g and h are both fixed on a
central revolving shaft i, so that they revolve together. The table g has teeth on
its outer periphery and is driven from a side wheel j as indicated in the plan view
Fig. 7. Thus the whole bobbin carrying arrangement is revolved. The foot
pivot of each bobbin carrier has a fixed on wheel and the three wheels 111 gear
with intermediate wheels which connect the wheels 11 with an immovable
central toothed wheel m, the result being that when the bobbin carriers are carried
round the central axis i, they are at the same time caused to revolve upon their own
axes and in a direction contrary to their own direction of progression as clearly
indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7. The bobbin carriers may be divided into any
suitable number of platforms or stages 1, 2, 3, 4 each stage containing a number of
bobbins n filled with the doubled yarns which in the manufacture of cotton ropes,
are used to compose the strands. The operations of forming the strand and
twisting the rope are as follows. The yarns o from the bobbins on the lowest
stage 1 are led to a central tube p which is dependent from the next platform.
The revolution of the bobbin carrier on its own axis, causes all of those yarn
ends o to be twisted together into a core which is led up through the successive
tubes p, 2, p to the top of the apparatus. The tubes p', p², p³ might be made in
spring halves so as to exert an elastic pressure upon the strand as it passes through.
The yarns o from the bobbin on the second stage 2 are led to the central tube p
and by the revolution of the bobbin carrier are twisted, served or wrapped upon
.

page_text: the core o.
This serving is in its turn covered by a wrapping o' from the bobbins
on the third stage, and this again by a wrapping o' from the bobbins on the fourth
stage. The strand is thus formed by successive layers of yarn in the manner
clearly described with reference to Fig. 4.
After the final wrapping (and there may be any suitable number greater or less
than four) the strand after passing through the tube p³ is led up over the cap h to a
central uniting tube r, and there it meets the two other strands, the three strands
being twisted into a rope Q by the revolution of the apparatus upon its central
axis. The resulting rope is shown to a larger scale in Fig. 5.
When it
Thus it will be seen that the revolving bobbin carriers serve and form the
strands in the improved manner which constitutes the gist of our invention, while
the revolution of the apparatus as a whole twists the strands into a rope.
is desired to treat, or colour or serve the strands with any matter or material
suitable for the purpose, we may form the cap h so as to constitute a reservoir to
contain the composition to be applied to the strands. This reservoir might when
required be heated by gas, steam or other means so as to keep the composition
warm,
The composition might be applied to the strands as they pass over the cap by
means of wheels sss which dip into the stuff in the reservoir. The wheels are
revolved by the passage of the strands or they may be independently revolved so
as to apply the composition to the strands. Instead of wheels, brushes or other
applying means might be used.
The rope Q is led away to any suitable coiling mechanism and this may be combined
with means for stretching the rope. Such coiling and stretching mechanism is
however common in rope works and need not be described.
Instead of the vertical mechanism hereinbefore 'described and shown we might
make use of a horizontally arranged machine. In such a case the strand forming
mechanism might be similar to that described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, or as
in Fig. 8 the strand and yarns might pass successively through a succession of
revolving serving rings t t t and the resulting strands through a revolving twisting
plate by which the rope Q would be formed. Such a horizontal arrangement
might be used if desired in conjunction with a travelling carriage, drawing and
twisting the strands into a rope as it retires and coiling on the finished rope as it
advances. However as we have said the mechanism for carrying our invention into
effect is capable of so many modifications that we do not hold ourselves limited to
any particular mechanism.
The methods of manufacture and the mechanism employed will also be to some
extent governed by the material proposed to be used in making our improved rope,
for it is evident that the described strand could be made from cotton, hemp, flax,
manilla or other fibre.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.
1. The improved rope strand, built up or composed of a number of successive
concentric wrappings, layers or servings of yarn or fibre, substantially as and in
the manner herein before described and shown."
2. A rope composed of three or more strands which are made from successive
concentric layers or servings of yarn or fibre and manufactured by the means and
in the manner substantially as herein before described and shown.
3. The improved apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 7
and 8 of the drawings or any mere modification thereof as means for manufacturing
ropes and strands of our improved formation substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 20th day of September 1893.
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
5, John Dalton Street, Manchester, Agents.