Improvements in the Construction of Cranes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1889-Accepted, 6th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Cranes.
We ROBERT FENWICK MILLS, Manager, and THOMAS SAVAGE, Engineer, both of
the Chesterfield Brewery, Chesterfield in the County of Derby do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of cranes and more
particularly to cranes worked by power, the object being to facilitate the working
of such apparatus.
In applying our invention to a Crane worked by a constantly running belt, upon
a flanged pulley on the first motion or pinion shaft, we construct a fixed frame
which is secured to the building, and to this framework we attach a horizontal
swing frame carrying the first shaft with the belt pulley, the brake barrel, and
pinion; also the wheel into which the pinion gears, and the chain barrel. The chain
barrel may however be carried by the fixed framework if desired.
Two Hand levers are secured to the lower part of the fixed framework, one being
attached to the brake strap which encircles the brake barrel, and the other being
secured to the swing frame.
The normal or resting position of the swing frame (to which it is always returned
by a balance weight or an equivalent device) is when it is raised to its highest
point, so that it raises the pulley free from contact with the belt, which may continue
to run without acting upon the Crane.
When the Hand lever connected with the spring frame is pressed down, the brake
lover comes in contact with a stop, releasing the brake strap from the barrel; the
pulley is immediately tightened in the belt, and the Crane commences working.
When the Starting lever is released, the balance weight or its equivalent at once
raises the swing frame to its highest position releasing the belt pulley, and putting on
the brake.
Dated the 29th day of August 1888.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Cranes.
We, ROBERT FENWICK MILLS Manager, and THOMAS SAVAGE, Engineer both of
the Chesterfield Brewery, Chesterfield in the County of Derby 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 :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of Cranes and
more particularly to Cranes worked by "power "the object being to facilitate the
raising and lowering of goods such as Casks, Sacks and the like.
The annexed sheet of drawings represents the mechanism of a Crane driven by a
constantly running belt supposed to be driven by a Steam or other motive power
Engine, and constructed according to our invention.
Fig. 1 is an end elevation.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation.
In carrying out our invention as shown in the drawings we construct a fixed
framework A, of any suitable configuration to carry the gearing, and which should
be secured to the building.
To the said frame A, a horizontally supported swing-frame B, is secured upon a
shaft C, carried in brackets D, the same shaft also carrying the winding barrel E;

page_text: the first shaft F, the belt pulley G, and the brake wheel H, with the pinion I, which
gears into the spur wheel J, are all carried by the swing-trame B.
The swing-frame is raised and lowered by the movement of the lever K which
may be actuated by any arrangement of connecting rods rope or the like; and the
object of raising or lowering the swing-frame is to tighten or slacken the driving
belt upon the pulley G, and upon the driving pulley on the main shafting which is
not shown in the drawings, and thus to set the crane in motion or to stop same as
desired.
As before described the brakewheel H, is fixed on the shaft F, and the brakestrap M
is secured at one end between fixed lugs N, and at the other end to a lever O, the
other end being provided with a balance weight P, which keep the strap M,
tight upon the brakewheel H, during its movement and in the various positions it
occupies when the swing-frame is raised or lowered.
The balanced lever may be raised so as to release the brake whenever desired, to
lower the object, by any arrangement of lever or levers, as may be found convenient
to suit the position in which the crane is fixed.
The normal or resting position of the swing-frame, to which it automatically returns
by gravity, lowers the strap pulley G, and allows the strap or belt to hang free from
the pulley on the main or line shaft below it, and thus to stop the operation of
winding up the rope or chain, at the same time raising the weight P, and applying
the brake.
The Crane is worked as follows;
To hoist, the lever K is moved so as to raise the swing-frame and tighten the
driving belt upon the pulley G, causing pinion I on the shaft F, to revolve and
rotate the winding barrel; this action of raising the swing-frame also releases the
brakewheel.
To suspend without movement, the lever K, is released the swing frame resumes
its normal position, putting on the break, and allowing the driving belt to hang loose
upon the pulley G.
To lower, it is simply necessary to operate the break lover when the load will
descend.
Although the balance weight P, keeps the break strap at the desired tension upon
the break wheel under all required conditions, when the driving belt is tightened to
set the crane in motion, the weighted lever restrained by an adjustable stop, prevents
the application of the brake, and permits the free movement of the apparatus.
Having thus particularly described the nature of our said invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood
that we do not bind ourselves to the exact position of the various parts as shown
in the drawings but we declare that what we claim is :-
1-In a Crane or Hoist the general construction and arrangement of the mechanism
as herein before described, and shown, for the purpose specified.
2-In the construction of a Crane or Hoist, the combination of the various parts
constituting the gearing, and the brake, with a swing-frame, all working together
for the purpose specified, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
.
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