IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS APPLICABLE TO STEAM WINCHES, HOISTING APPARATUS, AND OTHER MECHANISM."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Archer, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works,
Dunston, in the County of Durham, Engineer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS APPLICABLE TO STEAM
WINCHES, HOISTING APPARATUS, AND OTHER MECHANISM."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Archer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th September 1881.
THOMAS ARCHER, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works, Dunston, in the
County of Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO STEAM WINCHES, HOISTING APPARATUS, AND OTHER MECHANISM."
My Invention consists, firstly, in an improved method of coupling a piston and
connecting rod, whereby with the same length of connecting rod as usually coupled
the cylinder and crank may be brought more nearly together, or whereby with the
present usual relative distance of cylinder and crank a longer connecting rod may
be employed. I accomplish this object by fitting to the end of the piston rod a
strong and rigid cross head, fitted at one side against the winch or engine
standard, with a shoe working in a motion bar or bars as usual, and with the other
side of the cross head bent over and prolonged in the direction of the piston rod
and towards the piston, and fitted with a shoe working in a second motion bar or
pair of bars forming part of or attached to the cylinder or otherwise, and preferably
nearly opposite to or in a line with the piston itself, by which means I obtain the
effect of an unusually long guide acting in all directions against angular motion.
I attach to the prolonged end of this crosshead a pin parallel to and preferably
in line with the crank pin, and I put a connecting rod between them. This
portion of my Invention may be used alone for steam winches or for other description
of engines.
Another part of my Invention consists in a method of operating clutch gear,
whereby great leverage, facility, and rapidity of movement is obtained. Instead

page_text: of running a single groove in the circumference of the sleeve of the clutch, and
inserting one or two pins attached to the operating lever as a means of moving it,
as is usually done,. I turn or cast a series of paralel grooves in its circumference,
so as that a section through the sleeve of the clutch in the direction of its access
would shew the figure of a rack at each side of it, and the sleeve of the clutch
itself presents a rack surface at both sides in whatever position of revolution it
may be placed. I shape these grooves so as to enable me to engage in the rack so
fermed a small toothed wheel, of which one tooth engages in cach groove. This
tooth wheel is mounted and keyed to a spindle, to which a hand wheel is also
keyed, and the spindle is supported in bearings, so as that by the movement of the
hand wheel pressure is brought to bear through the toothed wheel and groove
before described on the sleeve of the clutch so as to engage or disengage it. If
applied to steam winches in which two barrels of different speeds, are provided I
prefer to arrange the two clutch gears, one on each side of and so as to be operated
by only one toothed wheel, the sleeves being so placed in relation to the toothed
wheel as that both clutches cannot be in gear together.
Another portion of my Invention consists in an arrangement whereby with one
handle both brake and clutch gear are operated, so as that when the clutch is in
gear the brake strap is loose, and when the handle operating upon the clutch is
moved so as to withdraw the clutch from gear, it at the same time so acts upon the
brake that continuing its movement in the same direction and for a very short
distance the brake is applied with any desired degree of force. I accomplish this
by making a slot in the handle before referred to, into which a pin engages, which
pin operates the brake strap, the shape of the slot and the relation of parts being
such as that before the handle is brought quite hard over, so far as the clutch
would slide out of gear, the brake strap is hard on, and before the handle is brought
so as to engage the clutch the brake is slackened off.
Another part of my Invention consists in arrangement of mechanism which I
employ for operating high speed whipping drums, whether attached to steam
winches or used seperately, or for similar purposes. I arrange a handle controling
two friction clutches, one at each end of the whipping drum, and having a very
powerful leverage for this purpose obtained by the partial revolution of a disc, to
which at a short equal distance from the centre and at opposite sides pins are
attached geared by rigid connecting rods to the clutches referred to through two
levers. The operating handle is attached to this disc at right angles to the line of
the pins before described. Force can thus be applied at a distance from the centre
of motion corresponding to the length of the handle, and so as that when the
handle is moved through an extended are of a circle, and the power thus applied
is nearly in proportion to the length of this arc, the pins which it operates draw
the connecting rods a much less distance, corresponding not to the are but nearly
to the chord of the are which the pins describe, which if adjustment be somewhat
accurate (and I provide specially for adjustment) gives an extremely powerful hold
on the whipping drum with a small application of force. I can also arrange to
accomplish this purpose by means of a right and left hand screw moved by the
handle, so as that the friction clutches shall be pressed into these berths with a
leverage corresponding to the relative length of handle and pitch of screw, but I
prefer the method first described. The friction clutches are in gear with the engines
or motive power attached so as to produce the lifting effect when required; the
lowering I effect by releasing the pressure on the clutches to such an extent as
that the weight may reverse the movement of the barrel, and I lower quickly or
slowly by diminishing or increasing the hold of the clutches produced by the
pressure applied to them. I cause the movement of the handle controlling the
clutch gear also to control a steam regulator in such manner as that when the
clutches are hard in gear the regulator is fully open, and when the clutches are.
more or less released the regulator is more or less closed.
Another part of my Invention, applicable to whipping drums or steam winches,
consists of a method of accomplishing rapid weighing. I attach to the frame of

page_text: the winch a steelyard having a double hook at the short end wide enough to lat
the hoisting chain run between its sides, and I construct a large link or stopper
at one part of the hoisting chain which is too large to pass through the hooks on
the steelyard. I so arrange the steelyard as that by lifting the long end the short
end entirely clears the chain, and by lowering the long end the hooks before
described embrace the hoisting chain, and would seize the larger link or stopper
described if brought up to them. In hoisting I raise and receive in a catch the
long end of the steel yard, and when weighing I so arrange as that the large link
or stopper is first drawn on to the barrel or into a position nearer to the barrel
than the steelyard hooks. I then drop the steelyard and lower the weight until
the hooks and links or stopper engage and the chain on the barrel is slack. I
then weigh, then hoist slightly, disengage and displace the steelyard hooks, and
discharge the material weighed. I make all needed corrections in the weighing
apparatus for weight of chain, bucket, friction in the upper sheave, etc. I combine,
the whole of the mechanism I have described in the construction of what I consider
the best form of steam winches or similar machinery, but I apply parts only of
my Invention if cheaper or less complicated apparatus be required. Having thus
described the nature of my Invention, I recapitulate the main features as follows:-
I claim the method of obtaining increased length of connecting rod, substantially
as described. The method of operating clutch gear by tooth wheel, substantially
as described.
The combination of clutch and brake gear operated by one handle and one
movement, substantially as described. The arrangement of whipping drum levers,
friction clutches, steam regulator, and controlling handle, substantially as described.
The combination with whipping drum or winch of rapid weighing apparatus,
substantially as described.

page_text: · SPECIFICATION in pursuance. of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Archer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th March 1882.
THOMAS ARCHER, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works, Dunston, in the
County of Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO STEAM WINCHES, HOISTING APPARATUS, AND OTHER MECHANISM."
My Invention consists, firstly, in an improved method of coupling a piston and
connecting rod, whereby with the same length of connecting rod as usually
coupled the cylinder and crank may be brought more nearly together, or whereby
with the present usual relative distance of cylinder and crank, a longer connecting
rod may be employed. I accomplish this object by fitting to the end of the piston
rod a strong and rigid cross head, fitted at one side against the winch or engine
standard, with a shoe working in a motion bar or bars as usual, and with the other
side of the cross head bent over and prolonged in the direction of the piston rod
and towards the piston and fitted with a shoe working in a second motion bar or
pair of bars forming part of or attached to the cylinder or otherwise, and preferably
nearly opposite to or in a line with the piston itself, by which means I obtain the
effect of an unusually long guide acting in all directions against angular motion.
I attach to the prolonged end of this crosshead a pin parallel to and preferably in
line with the crank pin, and I put a connecting rod between them. This portion
of my Invention may be used alone for steam winches or for other description of
engines.
Another part of my Invention consists in a method of operating clutch gear,
whereby great leverage, facility and rapidity of movement is obtained. Instead of
running a single groove in the circumference of the sleeve of the clutch and
inserting one or two pins attached to the operating lever as a means of moving it,
as is usually done, I turn or cast a series of parallel grooves in its circumference, so
-as-that-a-section-through-the-sleeve-of-the-clutch in the direction of its access would
shew the figure of a rack at each side of it, and the sleeve of the clutch itself
presents a rack surface at both sides in whatever position of revolution it may be
placed. I shape these grooves so as to enable me to engage in the rack so formed
a small toothed wheel, of which one tooth engages in each groove. This tooth
'wheel is mounted and keyed to a spindle to which a hand wheel is also keyed, and
the spindle is supported in bearings, so as that by the movement of the hand wheel
pressure is brought to bear through the toothed wheel and groove before described
on the sleeve of the clutch so as to engage or disengaged it. If applied to steam
winches in which two barrels of different speeds are provided I prefer to arrange
the two clutch gears, one on each side of and so as to be operated by only one
toothed wheel, the sleeves being so placed in relation to the toothed wheel as that
both clutches cannot be in gear together.
Another portion of my Invention consists in an arrangement whereby with one
handle both brake and clutch gear are operated, so as that when the clutch is in
gear the brake strap is loosed, and when the handle operating upon the clutch is
moved so as to withdraw the clutch from gear, it at the same time so acts upon the
brake that continuing its movement in the same direction and for a very short
distance the brake is applied with any desired degree of force. This arrangement
of handle is shewn in Fig. 5 where it is arranged as for the operation of conical
friction brakes. I accomplish this by making a slot in the handle before referred
to, into which a pin engages, which pin operates the brake strap, the shape of the
slot and the relation of parts being such as that before the handle is brought quite
hard over, so far as the clutch would slide-out of gear, the brake strap is hard on,

page_text: and before the handle is brought so as engage the clutch the brake is slackened-
off. Another part of my Invention consists in arrangements of mechanism which
I employ for operating high speed whipping drums, whether attached to- steam
winches or used separately, or for similar purposes. I arrange a handle controlling.
two friction clutches, one at each end of the whipping drum, and having a very
powerful leverage, as in Fig. 5, for this purpose obtained by the partial revo-
lution of a disc, to which at a short equal distance from the centre and at opposite.
sides pins are attached geared by rigid connecting rods to the clutches referred to
through two levers. The operating handle is attached to this disc at right angles
to the line of the pins before described. Force can thus be applied at a distance.
from the centre of motion corresponding to the length of handle, and so as that when
the handle is moved through an extended are of a circle and the power thus applied
is nearly in proportion to the length of this are, the pins which it operates draw the
connecting rods a much less distance, corresponding not to the arc but nearly to the
chord of the arc which the pins describe, which, if adjustment be somewhat accurate'
(and I provide specially for adjustment), gives an extremely powerful hold on the
whipping drum with a small application of force. I can also arrange to accomplish
this purpose by means of a right and left hand screw moved by the handle, so as
that the friction clutches shall be pressed into these berths with a leverage corre-
sponding to the relative length of handle and pitch of screw, but I prefer the
method first described. The friction clutches are in gear with the engines or motive
power attached so as to produce the lifting effect when required; the lowering I
effect by releasing the pressure on the clutches to such an extent as that the
weight may reverse the movement of the barrel, and I lower quickly or slowly by
diminishing or increasing the hold of the clutches produced by the pressure applied
to them. I cause the movement of the handle controlling the clutch gear also to
control a steam regulator S in such manner as that when the clutches are hard in
gear the regulator is fully open, and when the clutches are more or less released
the regulator is more or less closed. Another part of my Invention applicable to
whipping drums or steam winches consists of a method of accomplishing rapid
weighing. I attach to the frame of the winch a steelyard having a double hook
at the short end wide enough to let the hoisting chain run between its sides, and
I construct a large link or stopper at one part of the hoisting chain which is too
large to pass through the hooks on the steelyard. I so arrange the steelyard as
that by lifting the long end the short end entirely clears the chain, and by lowering
the long end the hooks before described embrace the hoisting chain and would seize
the larger link or stopper described if brought up to them." In hoisting I raise
and receive in a catch the long end of the steel yard, and when weighing I so arrange
as that the large link or stopper is first drawn on to the barrel or into a position
nearer to the barrel than the steelyard hooks. I then drop the steelyard and lower
the weight until the hooks and links or stopper engage and the chain on the barrel
is slack. I then weigh, then hoist slightly, disengage and displace the steelyard
hooks, and discharge the material weighed. I make all needed corrections in the
weighing apparatus for weight of chain, bucket, friction in the upper sheave, etc.
I combine the whole of the mechanism I have described in the construction of
what I consider the best form of steam winches or similar machinery, but I
apply parts only of my Invention if cheaper or less complicated apparatus be
required.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I recapitulate the main
features as follows:-
I claim the method of obtaining increased length of connecting rod, substantially
as described.
The method of operating clutch gear by tooth wheel, substantially as described.
The combination of clutch and break gear operated by one handle and one
movement, substantially as described.
The arrangement of whipping drum, levers, friction clutches, steam regulator,

page_text: and controlling handle, substantially as described. The combination with whipping
drum or winch of rapid weighing apparatus, substantially as described.
The Drawings annexed hereto illustrate so far as I consider it necessary for
entire clearness the various points of my Invention in Fig. 1, 2, 3, & 4; similar
letters denote the same part. A is the cross head and B its prolongation to the
motion bars on the cylinder sides C; C is the pin attached thereto, and D the
lengthened connecting rod; E is the grooved circular rack arrangement. Fig. 5 is
the arrangement for operating the clutches of the whipping drum; and S, the
steam regulator. The remainder of the mechanism is very much the usual
mechanism of a steam winch, and therefore not particularized.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of operating
the same, I claim,-
Firstly. The method of obtaining increased length of connecting rod in a short
engine, substantially as described.
Secondly. The method of constructing clutch gear by circular racks and tooth
wheels, substantially as described.
Thirdly. The combination of clutch and brake gear operated by one handle,
substantially as described.
Fourthly. The arrangement of whipping drums, levers, friction clutches, steam
regulator with one controlling handle, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination with whipping drum or winch of rapid weighing
apparatus, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Archer, junior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness to the signing hereof,
JNO. D. WALKER,
Clerk with Messrs. Arnott & Swan,
Sol*8.,
Newcastle upon Tyne.
THUMAN ARCHER, JUN“, (L.S.)