CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TACKLE AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING AND USING CHAIN CABLES IN SHIPS AND OTHERWISE, AND ALSO CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN TILLERS OR RUDDERS OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BROWN, of High Street, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Sixteenth day of August, in the seventh year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Brown, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said James Brown, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Brown, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TACKLE AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING
AND USING CHAIN CABLES IN SHIPS AND OTHERWISE, AND ALSO CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TILLERS OR RUDDERS OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said James Brown, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, are fully set forth and ascertained in
and by the following Specification thereof, reference being had to the Sheets
of Drawings hereunto annexed, marked A and B (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists, firstly, of certain improvements relating to the
letting out, stopping, and heaving or getting of chain cables, whereof the
description is as follows:-Figure 1, Sheet A, is an elevation; Figure 2, an
end view; and Figure 3, a plan of an improved controuler. A is the con-
trouler, the shoe or seat of which is more deeply imbedded in the wood than
usual, and further secured in its place by projecting pieces, which take into the
recesses a and b; B is the axis on which the controuler turns freely; and C,
a lever fixed on the axis B, for the purpose of altering the position of the con-
trouler by hand when necessary; D is another lever or handle, by raising up
which into the position shewn in Figure 1, the bar or roller E is brought up,
and that acts as a stop or catch to the leaf, as indicated by the dotted lines in
Figure 1. When heaving-in the cable in the direction of the arrow the leaf
freely admits of it passing in that direction, but prevents its return by
embracing the link of the chain within the slot F, the end of the leaf being
caught at the same time by the roller E. When it is desired to let the cable
free, the handle D is laid back. K, K, are rollers for the prevention of friction
and wear, which, instead of being secured by bolts as usual, are dropped loosely
into the bearings provided for them in the shoe or seat of the controuler, so
that they can be removed for the purpose of repair or cleaning with much
greater readiness and ease. Figure 4, Sheet A, represents another controuler
of a similar description to the preceding, but differing from it in this, that the
bar or roller E is brought into its holding and liberating positions by an
eccentric G, which is guided in its movements by the projecting pieces
c and d. When the handle H, to which the eccentric is secured fixed, is
turned round it carries the eccentric along with it, and by receding between
the pieces cand d, in an opposite direction to that in which the handle is
turned, the roller E is forced downwards or upwards in a slot I in the side
of the controuler frame. Figure 5, Sheet A, represents a controuler, which is
distinguished from those last herein-before described in having a framework
made of wrought-iron bars, of lengths adapted to the build of the vessel to
which the controuler is to be applied. Figure 52 is an end elevation of an
improved box stopper; and Figure 6 a side elevation of the same; I propose
that this should be placed immediately over the chain funnel, so as to form a
hood thereto, a lip A of the stopper forming that of the chain funnel.
lever, which is intended to act as a nipper or stop; it is firmly secured at the
B is a

page_text: one end by the pin C, but is at liberty to turn thereon at the other end. D is
a pin removeable at pleasure, which passes through a slot E of the bent lever
F, which is fixed at its lower end G to a snug on the side of the stopper box.
The lever F is represented in Figures 5 and 6 as being pressed down, and in
that position securely stopping the cable between the upper jaw or nipper B
and the stationary lip A. The position of the links when the cable is stopped
is pointed out in both Figures, but will be more clearly understood by
reference to Figure 6, in which Figure the link a is that which is more
immediately stopped. The position of the lever F and jaw B is indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 5 when the cable is unstopped. II is a moveable cover
or lid. Figure 7, Sheet A, represents the frame or box of what I call a clump
stopper, in which the sole A is hollowed out, and a projecting piece B is left
to form the under jaw of the stopper. In this case the hole C is elongated to
allow of the upper jaw readily yielding to the position of the links, which it lays
hold of in stopping the cable. The other parts of this stopper are similar to
that last before described.
Figure 1, Sheet B, is an elevation of a box stopper, combining the advan-
tages of those before described with what I call a cable drag or stop com-
presser. The cable passes out between the sole A of the frame B and the
cable drag or stop compresser C; D, is a link which connects the compresser
with the lever handle E, which is moveable at the lower end round the pin F,
with which it is connected to the box or frame B. By pressing down the
handle E, the compresser is brought down on the cable, and to retard its
progress by raising the handle, the compresser is lifted up. Figure 2, Sheet B,
is a view of an improved under-deck compresser, looking at it from below.
Figure 3 is a view of the same on deck. A is the fixed jaw; B, the moveable
jaw, which turns on the centre C, and being acted upon by the chains D and
E; the chain D goes directly from the eye F of the moveable jaw to the
wheel G, to which it is attached, while the chain E passes from the eye F
round a small pulley H, and thence to the wheel G, to which it is also fixed.
I is an axle upon which the wheel G is securely keyed, and which passes up
through the deck, where, by means of a handle K, the compresser may be
brought to act upon the cable or not at pleasure. Figure 8 is an elevation, and
Figure 9, Sheet A, a plan of an improved weather-bit, which we call an
always ready weather-bit." It is placed close by the chain funnel, either
on or under the deck, or in any other convenient part of a vessel, from which
the cable passes on to the barrel A, round which it may be turned once. B, B,
are two small upright rollers, the one for directing the chain on to the barrel,
the other for guiding it when unwinding from the same; C is a friction strap.

page_text: operated upon by the handle D, by which means the cable may be let out at
any required degree of speed. Figure 10 (Sheet A) is a side, and Figure 11
an end elevation of a double ratchet revolving machine, applicable to the heaving
cables and "getting," as it is termed, the anchor. A, A, are the two side
plates, which may be either of iron or wood, to which the other parts are con-
nected; B, B, are two ratchet wheels; C, C, are two levers, the lower ends of
which are centred upon the axle D (or on any other convenient bearing);
E, E, are two palls attached to those levers and working into the teeth of the
ratchet wheels (the number of palls may be either onc, or two, or more, as
may be required; F, F, are two brackets bolted to the side plates, and
forming the bearings for the journals of a rocking shaft G; HI, II, are two
rods which connect the arms I, I, on the rocking shaft with the upper ends
of the levers C, C; K, K, are two double-armed handles, which are placed
one on each end of the rocking shaft, to which the power is applied on these
being raised and depressed in manner like to the working of a pump. A
rotatory motion is communicated to the ratchet wheels and the intervening
toothed pulley L (by the palls E, E,) in the direction from left to right. The
pulley L is toothed in such a manner that it shall answer the pitch of the
chain or cable, so that while every other link falls into and occupies the spaces
a, a, a, Figure 11, the intervening links occupy those in the groove b, being
carried all round the pulley, so that the under edges of the links may fall
therein. Every other link of the chain is thus embraced by a tooth, and
partakes of the onward motion communicated to the ratchet wheels. M is a
roller which passes across the machine and through elongated holes c in the
two side plates; N, N, are bent levers, which revolve upon their centres
0, 0, and are connected to the ends of the roller M. The combination of the
roller M and levers N, N, has the effect of a pall in preventing the return of
the ratchets and and pulley. The cable is allowed to pass off at the back of
the machine down through the chain funnel in the manner shewn in Figure
10, and it is received at the fore part on the roller P. The piece of metal
R, which is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 10, and the edge of which
is seen in Figure 11, is intended to prevent the chain being carried round
by any of the links becoming partially fixed. S is a friction strap, which
embraces a pulley T on the outside of the side plate A, and by which the
cable can be let off at pleasure.
When the cable is let out, the palls
E, E, are first lifted up and held out of their place, then the roller pall M
being raised off from the teeth of the ratchet wheels, the pulley L is at
perfect liberty to turn in any direction. Figure 4, Sheet B, is a cross section,
and Figure 5 a longitudinal section, of a vessel with a pair of machines

page_text: nearly similar to the one last herein-before described placed between decks,
leaving the gun traverse on the upper deck perfectly clear.
In this case,
however, I prefer using, instead of the double-armed handles K, K, a series of
crank handles, as shewn in Figure 4, to which the power is to be applied.
Upon one side of the chain pulley there is placed a ratchet wheel and its pall, on
the other side a spur wheel and pinion, it being mounted upon a spindle a, to
which the crank handles are shipped when required to be used. When it is de-
sirable to liberate the pulley L, as in Figure 11, Sheet A, the pinion can be drawn
into a recess formed in the side plate, and while in use may be kept in its place by
a pall falling down on a journal formed on the shaft or spindle a, in the same
way as in the common crane. Although I have represented the two last machines
herein-before described as having each only one spur and one ratchet wheel,
it will be understood that they may, nevertheless, be constructed with a spur
and a ratchet wheel on each side of the pulley L. The double action principle
may be adapted to the common windlass by attaching two ratchet wheels, one
to each end of the body of the windlass, and having a rocking shaft going
from bit to bit, to which cranks with palls are affixed. When an up-and-down
motion is given to the rocking shaft, the chain or rope will be hove in; or,
instead of having ratched wheels as above described, the palls from the working
shaft may work into and upon the common pall plate of the windlass.
Figure 6, Sheet B, represents a modification of the form of pulley marked
L in Figures 10 and 11, Sheet A, whereby it may be made more suitable for
fixing to the bottom of a capstan or bullet; but in this case a wheel or roller
will be required to keep the links of the chain in their proper place.
Figure 7, Sheet B, represents a link of an improved form, which is intended
to supersede the use of the common shackle or swivel; it consists of two
links a and b, the former of which is larger and thicker than the latter; at one
end the link is loosely attached to the link a by the eye c, and at the other
it falls into a cleft in the end of b, which complete the circuit of the shackle;
it is then secured by the pin e.
Figure 8, Sheet B, represents a modification of the preceding form of link,
which it differs from only in the smaller link b being of a twisted shape.
Figures 9 and 10, Sheet B, represents a third variety of link, which consists
of the halves of two rings, with open spaces g in each, which are so fitted to
and secured one to the other by the pins h, h. that the open spaces of the rings
are on opposite sides. When the two parts are combined they form a link, which
has all the strength of one continuous solid ring, while by taking out the pins
and bringing the two open spaces of the rings to coincide, whatever is
intended to be secured can be readily introduced or withdrawn.

page_text: The second branch of my said invented improvements consists of the
improved steering apparatus represented in Figure 11, Sheet B of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
A is the rudder head; B, the tiller; C, the wheel, which is supported in
the usual manner on standards; D, the barrel on the outer end of the pro- 5
longed axis of the wheel; E¹, E', are two sheave blocks, which are attached
by joints to the outer ends of the axis of the wheel; and F, F³, the usual
tiller blocks. The tiller rope is secured at one end to a link G¹, fixed in the
side of the vessel a little forward of the tiller block F', and then passed
through the block E', from which it is carried back through the tiller block F¹,
and thence on to the barrel D; from the barrel D it is carried through the
tiller block F, then through the block E, and thence back to a link G² on
the side of the vessel opposite to G, and abaft the tiller block F; H is a
bridle, which connects the two blocks E', E2, and works round a sheave fixed
on the top of the tiller towards its outer end. As the wheel is turned either
to the one side or the outer, the combining divergance of the tiller from a
straight fore-and-aft position, combined with the tightening influence of the
bridle H on the blocks E', E', cause the tiller rope to be always kept perfectly
taught on the lee side.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim in respect of
the several Inventions before described is as follows:-
First, I claim, in respect of the three improved controulers represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet A, of the Drawings hereunto annexed, the
imbedding and fixing the shoe or seat of the same in the deck timbers, in
manner before described, and the use of rollers dropped loosely into bearings
provided for them in the said shoe or seat.
Second, I claim separately, in respect of the controuler represented in
Figure 4, Sheet A, the use of the eccentric G to bring the lower roller E into
its holding and liberating positions.
Third, I claim separately, in respect of the controuler represented in Figure
5, Sheet A, the formation of the frame thereof of wrought-iron bars, of lengths
which may be adapted to the build of the vessel to which it may be applied.
Fourth, I claim, in respect of the box and clamp stoppers represented in
Figures 5 and 6, Sheet A, and Figure 1, Sheet B, the use of a frame with a
fixed lip instead of a moveable jaw as usual.
Fifth, I claim, in respect of the box stopper represented in Figure 1,
Sheet B, the general combination of parts of which the same consists, having
for their object the better stopping of chain cables.

page_text: Sixth, I claim, in respect of the under-deck compresser, represented in
Figure 2, Sheet B, the placing and distributing of the different parts thereof
in manner before described.
Seventh, I claim, in respect of the "always ready weather-bit," represented
in Figures 8 and 9, of Sheet A, the whole of the parts thereof in their com-
bination for the purpose of easing away cables.
Eighth, I claim in respect of the double ratchet revolving machines,
represented in Figures 10 and 11, Sheet A, and Figures 4 and 5, Sheet B,
the general combination of parts of which they respectively consist, having for
their object the better heaving of cables and getting in of anchors.
Ninth, I claim, the adaptation in manner before described, of the double
ratchet principle of action to the common windlass.
Tenth, I claim the particular form of pulley represented in Figure 6,
Sheet B.
Eleventh, I claim the different forms of links intended to supersede the use
of the common shackle or swivel represented in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10,
Sheet B.
And, twelfth, I claim, in respect of the improved steering apparatus
represented in Figure 11, Sheet B, the passing of the tiller rope through the
two additional blocks E', E, attached to the end of the tiller, and connected
with each other in manner before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of February, One thousand eight
hundred and forty-four.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord 1844, the aforesaid James Brown came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-four.