Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of Travelling Ropes or Cables.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1858
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1889-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of
Travelling Ropes or Cables.
I, JOHN PEARCE ROE of 10 Foulser Road, Upper Tooting, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the kind of apparatus for transporting loads in which a
part or parts of the apparatus to which the load is suspended rests or rest upon a
travelling rope or cable which supports and moves the entire apparatus and its load.
Such a travelling rope or cable is hereinafter referred to as a cable.
A frame or backbone of any suitable construction, provided with bearings or axles
for shunt wheels, and for a hanger to carry a bucket or load, is furnished with blocks
devices or parts (hereinafter called blocks) each grooved or recessed in such a manner
as to grip or take upon or engage with or hold on to the cable (when the apparatus is
in place upon the cable) as I will proceed to explain.
According to one arrangement the block is formed with a groove or recess made of
a form resembling a wedge as seen in cross section with its two sides at an angle to
one another of 60 degrees or less, the arrangement being such that the block will
press with its inclined surfaces upon and be supported by the cable along lines of
contact corresponding to the angle of the wedge, the grip or hold of the block upon
the cable being proportional to the angle to one another of the inclined surfaces of the
groove and to the load.
In another arrangement, the block is made with a groove or recess of suitable form
it may be wedge like as seen in cross section and has a part or parts adapted to
engage with the helical lay of a strand or strands of the cable.
With this construction the apparatus and cable will in use become practically locked
together.
To render the apparatus equally efficient whether ascending or descending gradients
it can be provided with grooved blocks at each end the parts with which the groove
of the forward block is formed to engage with the cable being arranged reversely to
those of the rear block; or the groove in each block may in some cases be formed
with parts arranged to prevent the block from slipping upon the cable longitudinally
in either direction.
The block or blocks can be made in one with or be rigidly secured to the frame
or backbone but usually I pivot or articulate or otherwise adapt the block (or each
block) to the frame or backbone in such a manner as to enable the block to auto-
matically adjust itself to any upward or downward curvature of the cable (as for
instance where the cablo passes over a sheave or sheaves) and so to maintain a fair
bearing upon the cable.
To increase the friction between the sides of the groove and tho cable, 1 in some
cases line the groove at one or both sides with any material or compound suitable for
the purpose, such as leather, or soft metal.
Each block can in some cases be made in parts connected in such a manner (as for
example by bolts) so as to admit of the size of the groove being adjusted from time
to time to suit differences in the diameter of cable, such for example as may result
from wear or from other causes.
The blocks can each be so formed that the inclined sides of the groove will extend
downward only a short distance below the lines of contact with the cable, and may
be of such dimensions as to readily pass between the high flanges of a wide cable
sheave; or the sides of the block below the lines of contact with the cable-may
be splayed outward and downward in such a form as to be able to pass over and
outside the low flanges of a narrow cable sheave.

page_text: In some cases, as for instance, when there are no steep gradients, the frame or
backbone may be provided with a gripping block at one end only, its other end
merely resting upon, without gripping, the cable.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1888.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
. 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transporting Loads by Means of
Travelling Ropes or Cables.
I, JOHN PEARCE ROE, of 10 Foulser Road, Upper Tooting, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 the kind of apparatus for transporting loads, in which a
part or parts of the apparatus to which the load is suspended rests or rest upon a
travelling rope or cable which supports and moves the entire apparatus and its load.
Such a travelling rope or cable is hereinafter referred to as a cable. A frame or
backbone of any suitable construction provided with bearings or axles for shunt
wheels and for a hanger to carry a bucket or load is furnished with blocks devices
or parts (hereinafter called blocks) each grooved or recessed in such a manner as
to grip or take upon or engage with or hold on to the cable (when the apparatus
is in place upon the cable) as I will proceed to explain.
According to one arrangement the block is formed with a groove or recess made
of a form resembling a wedge as seen in cross-section with its two sides at an
angle to one another of (say) sixty degrees or less the arrangement being such that
the block will press with its inclined surfaces upon and be supported by the cable
along lines of contact corresponding to the angle of the wedge, the grip or hold of
the block upon the cable being proportional to the angle to one another of the
inclined surfaces of the groove, and to the load. In another arrangement, the block
is made with a groove or recess of suitable form, it may be wedge liko as seen in
cross section and has a part or parts adapted to engage with the helical lay of a
strand or strands of the cable.
With this construction the apparatus and cable will in use become practically
locked together.
The block or blocks can be made in one with or be rigidly secured to the frame or
backbone, but usually 1 pivot or articulate or otherwise adapt the block (or each
block) to the frame or back-bone in such a manner as to enable the block to auto-
matically adjust itself to any upward or downward curvature of the cable as for
instance where the cable passes over a sheave or sheaves and so to maintain a fair
bearing upon the cable.
To increase the friction between the sides of the groove and the cable, I in some
cases line the groove at one or both sides with any material or compound suitable
for the purpose, such as leather, or soft metal.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view; and
Fig. 2 a transverse section partly in elevation illustrating apparatus constructed
according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same on the line A B Fig. 1 and showing
the gripping lock passing between the high flanges of a wide cable sheave.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a side view and a transverse section illustrating a
modified construction of gripping block with part of the frame or backbone to
which it is jointed.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively end and side elevations of a grooved block with

page_text: projecting parts adapted to engage with the under surfaces of the bonically twisted
strands of a cable.
Fig. 8 is longitudinal section on the line C D Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view.
Figs. 9 & 10 are respectively an end elevation and an underside view of a modified
form of block.
Figs. 11 is a detail view of a gripping block with splayed lower sides for passing
a narrow cable sheave part of which is shewn in elevation.
Fig. 12 is a cross section illustrating a divided block.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 11 the apparatus is shewn applied to a cable.
Fig. I is drawn to a smaller scale than the remaining figures.
In Figs. 1, 2, & 3, 1 is a frame or backbone that may advantageously be made of
tubular form as shewn, and constructed with bearings for the shunt wheels 3,
and with a bearing 4 for a hanger that supports the load to be transported. 5, 5 are
gripping blocks each provided with an, upward extension 6 that passes through an
opening 7 formed in the frame or backbone.
Each block is formed in its underside with a wedge shaped groove 8 that may
be lined as shewn with a strip of material such as leather that bears directly
against the cable 10 for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned; in some cases tho
lining may be dispensed with. 11, 11 aro pins carried by the block extensions 6 ;
they are cach adapted to bear upon the top of the frame or backbone and suspend
its corresponding block in position when the same is not applied to a cable.
Each block is formed at its upper side with recesses 12 into which take downwardly
projecting extensions 13 each formed with, a curved lower bearing surface against
which the upper surface of the recess 12 bears when the apparatus is supported
by the cable as shewn and upon which the block may turn or oscillate to adjust itself
to any vertical curvature of the cable as herein before mentioned.
14, 14 are stops or abutments that serve to limit the turning movement of the
blocks.
A block formed with a wedge shaped groove as shown will grip the cable with
a force proportional to the angle between the sides of the groove, and to the weight
of the load acting vertically or at right angles to the cables length.
Each block instead of being formed with oxtensions 6 and supported in the
manner shewn in Figs. 1 to 3 may be formed as shewn in Figs. 4 & 5 in which it
is shewn journalled to the lower part of the frame 1 by a pin 15, the frame
extensions 13, which take into the recesses 12 formed in the sides of the block,
serving to limit the turning movement of such block.
In Figs. 6, 78 & 8 one side of the groove 8 which is shewn of wedge shape is
formed with angular or helical parts 16 that are in the example shewn in the form
of projections cach adapted to fit into the angular groove or space between two
adjacent helically twisted strands of the cable as shewn, after the manner of the
scrow thread of a nut fitting a correspondingly screw threaded rod.
These angular projections or parts (or there may be only one) are so arranged
with reference to the lay of the cable that they each tend to descend and engage
with the underside of a downwardly inclined strand of the cable and thereby wedge
or force the block and cable together.
The underside of each projection may advantageously be made inclined with
reference to the side of the groove as shewn in cross-section in Fig. 8 in order that
it shall not rise upon the upper surface of a strand of the cable, and remain there by
the pressure of the block due to the load suspended from the apparatus.
With a grooved block formed with a part or parts to engage with the cable as
herein described the resistance of the block to slip upon the cable, and the pressure
between the cable and the sides of the groove when the apparatus upon a gradient
will be proportional to the angle between the sides of the groove, when a wedge
shaped groove is employed, and to the load pressure combined with the locking action
of the helical part or parts due to its or their engagement with the downwardly
inclined surfaces of some of the strands of the cable as herein before described.

page_text: To render the apparatus equally efficient whether ascending or desconding gradients,
it can be provided with grooved blocks at each end, the projections or parts 16 with
which the groove of the forward block is formed to engage with the cable being
arranged reversely to those of the rear block; or the groovo in each block may
in some cases be formed with parts 16 arranged to prevent the block from slipping
longitudinally upon the cable in either direction.
In the latter case the parts 16 on one side come into operation when the apparatus
is ascending a gradient those on the other side coming into operation when the
apparatus is descending a gradient.
In lieu of projections 16 one or both sides of the groove 8 may be formed with
recesses adapted to fit and engage with the helically twisted strands of the cable.
In Fig. 6 both of the metallic surfaces of the groove are shown bearing directly
against the cable, but the side opposito to that provided with the projections may
be lined with leather or other suitable material in a manner that will be readily
understood from Fig. 3.
Instead of providing each side of the groove 8 with separate projections such as
shewn in Fig. 8 each projection or part 16 may be made to extend from one side to
the other of the groove as shewn in Figs. 9 & 10 wherein each part 16 resembles
part of a screw thread the pitch of which corresponds with the lay of the cable
with which the block is to be used.
In this example the groove 8 is shown as made of or semicircular form in cross
section.
The blocks 5 may each be formed as shewn in Figs. 1 to 5 so that the inclined
sides of the groove will extend downward only a short distance below the lines of
contact with the cable, and may be of such dimensions as to readily pass between
the high flanges 17 of a wide cable sheave 18 as shown in Fig. 3.
Or the sides of the block below the lines of contact with the cable may be
splayed outwards and downwards as shown at 19 in Fig. 11 so as to be able to
readily pass over and outside the low flanges 17* of a narrow cable sheave 18* as
shewn.
Each block may in some cases be made in parts 5, 5 as shewn in Fig. 12 that are
connected in such a manner (as for example by bolis 20) as to admit of the size of
the groove being adjusted from time to time to suit differences in the diameter of
cable such for example as may result from wear or other causes.
A projection 21 on the part 5 of the divided block and a set screw 22 bearing
against the other part 5 serve to admit of the block being readily fixed in position
in the frame or backbone; 23 is a wedge shaped plate placed between the parts of the
block to keep them sufficiently apart.
In some cases, as for instance when there are no steep gradients, the frame or
backbono may be provided with a gripping block at one end only its other end merely
resting upon without gripping the cable.
The hanger bearing 4 (Figs. 1 and 2) is made of approximately triangular form, as
scen from the side of the apparatus and is provided with upwardly extending pro-
jections 25 whilst the hanger 24 which is in the form of a flat bar with lower curved
surface, is recessed at 25ª as shewn, to receive such projections. With this construc-
tion if the upper end of the hanger be inserted into the triangular hole, when the
hanger is in a horizontal position and then be turned into the vertical position shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the projections 25 are within the recess at 25ª the hanger
will be prevented from leaving its bearing whilst it will be freo to oscillate or turn
upon the bearing. The part of the frame or backbone between the projections 25 may
advantageously be removed as shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In that kind of apparatus for transporting loads by means of travelling ropes or
cables in which grooved or recessed blocks are employed to rest upon or engage with

page_text: the travelling rope or cable, the construction of the grooves of such blocks with pro-
jections or recesses adapted to engage in the manner set forth with the helically
arranged strands of a travelling rope or cable.
2. A block of the kind referred to in the preceding claim made as in Figs. 6, 7, & 8
with a projection located at one side of the groove or with projections located at both
sides of the groove-or as in Figs. 9 & 10 with a projection extending from one side.
of the groove to the other.
3. In an apparatus for use on a travelling rope or cable for transporting loads
a grooved or recessed block or blocks constructed to grip or take upon, or engage
with the travelling rope or cable; and connected or applied to the frame or back-
bone of the apparatus in such a manner as to be able to automatically adjust
itself or themselves to any upward or downward curvature of the rope or cable in
the manner herein before described with reference to the arrangements illustrated
in Figs. 12 & 3, and in Figs. 4 & 5, respectively, of the drawings.
4. In apparatus for transporting loads by means of travelling ropes or cables,
the use of grooved or recessed blocks constructed substantially as herein before
described with reference to Fig. 12 of the drawings in parts connected in such a
manner as to enable the size of the groove or recess to be adjusted or altered às
required.
5. My improved gripping blocks for apparatus for transporting loads by means
of travelling ropes or cables as respectively described with reference to and shewn
in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive: in Figs. 9 & 10 in Fig. 11
& in Fig. 12 of the drawing annexed; whether the grooves of such blocks be lined
with material such as leather or soft metal or not.
6. My improved apparatus for transporting loads by means of travelling ropes or
cables constructed arranged and operating as respectively described with reference
to and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive; and in Figs. 4 & 5 of the drawings
annexed, whether the grooves or recesses in the gripping blocks be lined with material
such as leather or soft metal or not.
W. Lloyd Wise,
PEARCE ROE.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.