Improvements in Lifting Tackle.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lifting Tackle.
I, WILLIAM SCHERMULY, of No. 62, Stainsby Road, Poplar, in the County of
Middlesex, Rope Splicer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in lifting tackle, and the object of it is to
provide for the sheaves of the top block running independently of each other, or
being made fast to each other as in a differential pulley. It also provides for the
bottom pulley being held to the lifting chain.
I do not confine myself to any particular device for holding the sheaves of the
top block to each other, but may make use of any one at once trustworthy and easily
controlled.
The following is a useful method of effecting the purpose of this part of my
invention. The bushes of the sheaves are lengthened and work over each other.
They are of different lengths so as to terminate in one vertical plane. The axle
of the block is lengthened and its projecting end is screwed. Upon this a rope or
chain pulley is worked to and fro by its rope or chain. Its motion up to the ends
It is evident
of the bushes causes projections to engage in slots in the said ends.
that this arrangement of movable projections and slots into which they are to be
engaged, is capable of considerable variation, but I do not use springs. One of the
sheaves may be fast on the axle. All the sheaves are of the chain type.
With reference to the bottom pulley, I do not confine myself to any particular
device for holding it to the chain. may use a bolt sliding in grooves in the strap
and a suitable detent for it, or a book adapted to grip the chain or rope.
Dated this 6th day of October 1892.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lifting Tackle.
I, WILLIAM SCHERMULY, of No. 62, Stainsby Road, Poplar, in the County of
Middlesex, Rope Splicer, 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:-
The present invention relates to improvements in differential hoisting tackle and
its objects are to provide improved means for locking together or holding inde-
pendent of each other, the two sheaves of the standing block, for converting a
differential hoisting tackle into either two single whip purchases or into a single
luff tackle or into a double luff tackle, for keeping the unlocking pulley in either
of its terminal positions, and for increasing the lifting power of the tackle by adding
a sheave to both the differential and the travelling block.
Fig. 1 is a sectional front elevation of a 2 sheave differential standing pulley
block made according to the present invention, shewing the two sheaves locked
together.
Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation corresponding with Fig. 1 and shewing the
two sheaves unlocked, i.e., left independent of each other.
Fig. 3 is a sectional front elevation of a 2 sheave differential standing pulley
block made according to my invention, shewing the two sheaves locked together by
a mechanism slightly different from the one illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a front elevation corresponding therewith.
Fig. 5 is a part side elevation of the inner face of the smaller sheave.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the inner face of the larger sheave.
Fig. 7 is a sectional front clevation of a
sheave differential standing pulley
block made according to my invention, shewing the sheaves held unlocked by a
modified type of locking mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of Fig. 7 from the right hand, omitting the locking
bolts and their actuating pulley.
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7, after the
coupling ring of the bolts has been turned through an angle of 90°.
Fig. 11 is a plan of the locking bolts and their coupling ring.
Fig. 12 is a detail plan illustrating the coincidence of the notches in the ends of
the sleeves of the sheaves of the standing block.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation. The invention is illustrated by the full lines set
for use as two single whips, and by the dotted lines, as a single luff tackle.
Fig. 14 is a front eleration of the invention set for use as a double luff tackle.
The standing block is shewn locked so as to sustain the partially hoisted load at a
given level.
The two last mentioned figures also illustrate an improved device for holding the
locking mechanism in either of its terminal positions.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a is the well known hook by which the tackle is
suspended. The frame consists of three pieces, the two cheeks b, and the bridge
piece c. The latter receives the hook a which is connected to it swivel-wise in the
well known way. d is the axle. It is held fast in its bearings by any convenient
device, e.g., by pins d' through it and them.
It will be noticed that according to the construction of frame illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, one cheek is cranked to a right angle twice, once outwards
near the bridge piece, and once downwards. This is done to make room inside the
frame for the locking and unlocking device. The cheeks and bridge piece aforesaid
are made fast together in any suitable way.
e is the smaller; and f, the larger sheave. They are of the chain type, for the
purpose of preventing the chain falls slipping through their grooves. They are
separate and distinct from each other and so long as they are not locked together,
they are capable of rotation upon their axle d in opposite directions.
The boss of the cheek b is turned out to receive a boss e¹ upon the adjoining face
of the sheave e, thereby providing for. the shearing strain exerted by the load on
that sheave upon the axle, being diminished by some of it being transferred to the
bearing in the boss e¹.
9, 9 are two sockets formed through the sheave f. They are formed in the latter
instead of in the sheave e, not because it is the larger of the two, but because it is
the one next to the twice cranked cheek b. These sockets preferably are parallel
with the axis of the block and stand between the central hole in the sheave and its
chain groove. They are preferably of the same size and diametrically opposite
each other in order that they may exert equal power and be subject to equal strain.
g', g' are four sockets. They are formed in the adjacent face of the other sheave e
at the same distance from the axis of the block as the sockets g, and preferably as
shewn at a distance of 90° from each other. The rotation of either sheave through
that distance will consequently align the sockets g,g with two opposite sockets g¹, g¹
rospectively. ², g are a pair of bolts. They are both of the same length and are
made fast to the opposite ends of a yoke g' which, in consequence of its boss or
central portion embracing the axle d, capable of a sliding motion for a certain
distance in either direction upon a special portion thereof. The bolts g³ are adapted
to slide in respective sockets g, and are long enough to project therefrom when the
bolt yoke is moved up to its pulley, into the respective sockets g' as far as suffices
to lock the two sheaves fast together. The projection of the bolts past their sheave
ard the motion of their yoke are necessarily equal. The bolt yoke carries a boss g

page_text: in the periphery of which there is formed a groove 9. 9 is the pulley by which
the bolts are locked and unlocked. It must therefore be capable of motion upon
the axle to and from the sheave f. This is provided for by its boss being screwed
internally to correspond with a thread d cut upon the said axle. The locking
pulley is connected with the bolt yoke by means of studs g', g' which engage
permanently in the groove g. The pulley is shewn as of the chain type and as
having two grooves. It is rotated in either direction by a hand chain or chains.
Whether it has one or two grooves is a matter of no importance. If it is made
with a single groove, the chain running therein must be an endless one.
If, on the
other hand, it is made with two grooves, then two hand chains or cords h, h' are
used, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 13 and 14. These are fastened to and hang from
opposite points in their respective grooves, so that as the sheaves e, f are unlocked
by pulling one chain downwards, the other chain is wound up and is then ready
for the reverse or locking motion.
When the sheaves are being unlocked, the withdrawal of the bolts g' from the
sockets g' tends to draw the sheave e up to the sheave f. This tendency is counter-
acted by any suitable device. The one illustrated is as follows. That portion of
the axle which carries the sheave e-the one farthest from the locking and
unlocking device-is smaller than that which carries the sheave f, for the purpose
of providing a shoulder . is a collar on the axle between those portions of it
The
on which the sheavef and the boss g' of the bolt-yoke g', respectively, rotate.
last mentioned portion is of the same diameter, or at any rate as large as the
thread din order that the boss o' may move over it. If the collar is made fast on
the axle d it will discharge the function of the shoulder above mentioned. is
a bush which is driven into its seat in the cheek 6' after the above described parts
have been got into position.
Referring to Figs. 3 to 6, the locking bolts 9 of Figs. 1 and 2 are replaced by
studs h. These project from the side of the sheave f towards the sheave e and, in
respect of relative position, correspond with their respective sockets g'.
The bolt yoke g³ too is discarded and its boss g made fast to or in one piece
with the sheave f. The latter is therefore moved to and fro with the locking
pulley go.
The locking and unlocking mechanism last described is inferior to the one
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 because the weight of the load tends to draw the two
sheaves together. This tendency might lead to their becoming locked at a time
when it was of importance that they should be independent of each other's motion.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 12, the locking and unlocking mechanism is outside the
frame of the standing block. The cheek b¹ is therefore parallel with its fellow b.
eis a sleeve projecting from the boss of the sheave e in the direction of the locking
and unlocking device." is a sleeve projecting in the same way from the boss of
the sheave. The latter sheave and its sleeve turn about the sleeve e². They
both project past the outer face of the cheek 61, one further than the other, and
each one has two notches e³, cut in its vertical face. The two notches in either
face are diametrically opposite to each other. i, i are two locking bolts. They are
held together diametrically opposite to each other by a ring, and are of a proper
size to engage fully in the four notches e, f when the latter are aligned with each
When the
other, i.e., when they are in the position illustrated in Fig. 12.
sheaves e, fare unlocked, the bolts still remain engaged in the notches of one
sleeve, preferably those of the longer one as illustrated, while they stand clear of
the notches in the shorter one. The full engagement of the bolts i with the four
notches e,, effects the locking of the two sheaves together, and the withdrawal
of them from the notches in the shorter sleeve, effects the unlocking. The
advantage of making one sleeve longer than the other is that the bolts are always
engaged with it, which gives them a fair lead into the notches in the shorter sleeve.
is the unlocking pulley by means of which the locking pieces i, i are moved to and
Its groove
fro. Its boss is screwed to correspond with the screw d on the axle d.
is provided with an endless chain by which it can be rotated in either direction

page_text: upon the said thread. Provided that it will rotate the pulley, any kind of chain or
of cord may be used. is a ring made fast to the ring and held at a short
distance from it by pins 3 on the side of the said ring opposite to the bolts i.
The ring stands in the annular recess in the side of the locking pulley ; in
which it is held by a ring which is made fast to the same side. ³ is a retaining
nut fast on the outer end of the axle d and is put there to prevent the locking
pulley being rotated off it.
The invention constructed as above described is used as a differential block for
hoisting and returning as follows.
The two sheaves are locked together by rotating the locking pulley 9° or j until
the bolts g or the studs / engage in the sockets g', or the bolts i into the
notches, according to whichever modification of locking and unlocking
mechanism is used. The load is next lifted by hauling on the fall of the
differential pulley block. After it has been lifted and the travelling block
disengaged from it, the two sheaves of the standing block are unlocked. The
weight of the travelling block and of the chains carries the former down with a
run, because it can take chain from both pulleys e, at the rate of its descent.
Referring to Fig. 13, the full lines illustrate the tackle set to work as two single
whips both hoisting one weight. The sheaves of the standing block have been
unlocked. k, k¹ are the hauling chains or falls. The former pulls the chain over
the smaller sheave e, while the latter pulls the chain over the larger sheave f.
Both these chains of course merge in each other under the travelling sheave !.
When it is desired to convert a differential hoisting tackle into a single luff
tackle, it is necessary to have a standing part in the fall made fast to the travelling
block. For this purpose there is provided any suitable device in the frame of the
travelling sheave 7 by means of which a link of the fall can be easily made fast
thereto. Provided this condition is met, any type of device may be made use of.
I have illustrated one which satisfies the above condition and has the merit of being
exceedingly simple. This is a hook m to which the fall is caught by passing one
link over it. The two sheaves in the standing block having previously been
unlocked, the tackle is now a single luff.
When it is desired to convert a differential hoisting tackle into a double luff
tackle, it is necessary to have a standing part in the fall. This standing part must
be made fast to the standing block. For this purpose any such device may be used
as is described in connection with the standing part of Fig. 13. A second sheave
also must be mounted in or on the travelling block. These additions are illustrated
in Fig. 14. m¹ is a hook projecting from the frame of the standing block preferably
on the side opposite the locking and unlocking gear. 12 is a second-sheave on the
axle of the travelling block. The axle projects beyond the frame far enough
to receive this second sheave which is prevented from coming off by a nut ..
The slack of the fall from the sheave e in the standing block is passed round the
second sheave, then led up to the standing block and caught thereto by passing
one of its links over the hook m¹. The two sheaves in the standing block having
previously been unlocked, the tackle is now a double luff.
The device for making a standing part on the fall for the purpose of converting
the differential hoisting tackle into a single luff, viz. the hook m, may be, as is
illustrated in the figure, combined with the travelling block.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
-
1. The combination in a differential pulley block of two sheaves of different
diameters adapted to rotate side by side about a common axis, a pulley adapted by
being rotated upon a threaded portion of the axle of the block to move to and from
the sheaves, bolts adapted to travel to and from in sockets parallel with the axis of
the block in one sheave, sockets in the other sheave adapted to receive the ends of
such bolts and a connection between the said bolts and the said pulley adapted to

page_text: make the said bolts partake of the to and fro motion of the said pulley, as set
forth.
2. The combination with the travelling block of a differential hoisting tackle
having the sheaves of its standing block independent of each other, of a mechanism
adapted by its disengagement from oue or both sheaves of the standing block to
provide for their rotation about their common axis independently of each other and
by its re-engagement to lock the said sheaves together, and a hook or catch on the
frame of the travelling block adapted to receive and to hold fast the adjacent part
of the hauling fall to the said frame.
3. The combination with the standing block of a differential hoisting tackle
having its sheaves independent of each other, of a two-sheave travelling block, fall
rove round the sheaves of both blocks and a hook or catch on the frame of the
standing block adapted to receive and to hold fast the adjacent part of the hauling
fall to the said frame.
4. The combination with the standing block of a differential hoisting tackle
having its sheaves independent of each other, of a mechanism adapted by its
disengagement from one or both the said sheaves to provide for their rotation about
their common axis independently of each other and by its re-engagement to lock
the said sheaves together, a two-sheave travelling block, fall rove round the sheaves
of both blocks and a hook or catch on the frame of the standing block adapted to
receive and to hold fast the adjacent part of the hauling fall to the said frame.
5. The combination with the travelling block of a differential hoisting tackle
having the sheaves of its standing block independent of each other, of a hook or
catch on the frame of the travelling block adapted to receive and to hold fast the
adjacent part of the hauling fall to the said frame, a second pulley in the travelling
block around which a fall from the standing pulley is led and a hook or catch on
the frame of the standing block adapted to receive and to hold fast the adjacent
part of the hauling fall to the said frame.
6. The combination with the travelling block of a differential hoisting tackle
having the sheaves of its standing block independent of each other, of a mechanism
adapted by its disengagement from one or both the said sheaves to provide for their
rotation about their common axis independently of each other and by its
re-engagement, to lock the said sheaves together, a hook or catch on the frame of
the travelling block adapted to receive and to hold fast the adjacent part of the
hauling fall to the said frame, a second pulley in the travelling block around which
a fall from the standing pulley is led and a hook or catch on the frame of the
standing block adapted to receive and to hold fast the adjacent part of the hauling
fall to the said frame.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1893.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.