An Improved Braking- and Checking-device for Cranes, Windlasses, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 13th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Braking- and Checking-device for Cranes, Windlasses,
and the like.
HERMANN SCHLÖSSER, of 50, Grafenberger Strasse, Düsseldorf, in the
Province of the Rhine, German Empire, Engineer 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 refers to a braking- and checking-device for use upon cranes,
windlasses and similar contrivances, and has for its object in general to prevent the
load or weight from sinking down, if the crank or other means employed for
operating the crane, etc.; is let loose. The purposes proper of my invention will
for the sake of a better understanding be laid down in the course of the detailed
description here following.
The main-shaft a of the crane or windlass extending through, and held by, the
side-wall of the frame of the same is provided with a segment c holding, or
supporting, (in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing) the ratchet-wheel d.
The shape of said segment is such a one, that ratchet-wheel d is situated
eccentrically with regard to shaft a. Wheel dis arranged loosely on segment c
and may be turned in the direction indicated by arrow 5, Fig. 1; but is prevented
from being turned in the other direction by means of the pawl e, Figs. 1 & 2.
Within the space remaining between shaft a and ratchet-wheel d is arranged
another segment f forming a projection of, and being made integrally with, the
inner end of the crank g (Fig. 2). Owing to the eccentric position of ratchet-
wheel d with regard to shaft a, the segmental space remaining between these two
parts increases in breadth from one end to the other; the segment f aforementioned
is shaped so as to fill out the wider portion of said space (compare Fig. 1).
Crank g sits loosely on shaft a, and it will be seen, that by turning said crank in
the direction indicated by arrow 5 the segment f will be moved within the said
segmental space from the position shown in Fig. in full lines to that shown in
dotted lines, or in that direction respectively. In consequence, however, of the
peculiar shape of the segmental space, and of the segment () moving therein, the
latter will be jammed in, or wedged in, between shaft a and the inner periphery of
ratchet-wheel d, so as to effect by the friction thus arising a coupling between
crank g and shaft a. Therefore, on continuing the turning of the crank, the shaft
will be turned, too, and the respective load or weight will be raised accordingly.
If the crank is let loose, after the weight has been raised, the latter will tend to
turn shaft a, and with it segment c and ratchet-wheel d, in opposite direction;
this, however, is prevented by pawl e. It will be understood, that the two
segments cannot move independent of wheel d, or within the same respectively, as
segment has been jammed in between said wheel and shaft a, and as, further, the
same would occur with segment c, if the latter were moved.
If, however, crank g, or its equivalent, is turned in the direction opposite to
arrow 5, segment will be moved back to its former position, and the coupling
existing up to then between shaft a and ratchet-wheel d will be interrupted. Said
wheel cannot turn because of pawl e, but the two segments can turn within said
wheel, so that the rope or chain carrying the weight may wind off the drum of the
crane or windlass with the velocity given by the movement of the crank.
It will be seen from the foregoing, that no other parts than the crank, or its
equivalent, need be moved in order to raise or lower the weight; and, further,
that, to keep the weight in raised position, and to lower it thereafter again, no

page_text: other parts besides the crank are to be operated. The parts that are brought into,
or out of, engagement, are automatically operated by means of the crank.
Having now particularly described the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
In a braking- and checking-device for cranes, windlasses and the like, the
combination with a segment c fixed to a shaft a, of another segment arranged in
a plane with said former segment, and fixed to a crank g, or its equivalent, loosely
arranged on said shaft a, said two segments being encompassed by a ratchet-
wheel d held by said segments eccentrically with regard to shaft a, for the purpose
as described.
Dated this 11th day of September 1894.
HERMANN SCHLÖSSER,
By Geo. Thos. Hyde,
1, Broad Street Buildings, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.