IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ROPES AND CABLES
Year: 1841

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BAPTIST FRIED WILHELM HEIMANN, of Ludgate Hill, in the City of London,
Merchant, 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 Eighth day of March, in the fourth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Baptist Fried Wilhelm Heimann, Her especial licence, full power, sole pri-
vilege and authority, that I, the said John Baptist Fried Wilhelm Heimann,
my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Baptist
Fried Wilhelm Heimann, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ROPES AND CABLES;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said John Baptist
Fried Wilhelm Heimann, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled
in Iler 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,

page_text: as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Baptist Fried Wilhelm Heimann, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, re-
ference being to the letters and figures therein contained, and to the Drawings
thereunto annexed.
My Invention has reference to the machinery and methods employed in the
manufacture of wire ropes and cables; and in order to give the best information
in my power I will proceed to explain the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure I. is a front and side view of a tackle board, through the centre of
which is passed an iron axis, furnished with a hook a at one end and a crank
handle at the other.
Figure II. shows a front and side view of a tackle board, in the centre of
which a hole b is bored, and round this centre hole six other holes c, c, c, are
bored at equal distances in a circle of twenty inches diameter. Behind each
hole is placed a pulley d, on an axis, in such manner that the upper part
may be level with the corresponding hole c; through each hole c, and over
the corresponding pulley d, a cord is passed, furnished at the end in front of
the board with a swivel e, and at the other with a strong hook, to which a
weight can be attached.
Figure III. 1, shows a single rest, formed for six wires and a core, and con-
sists of an upright stake of wood g, fixed to a post with three cross bars h, at
right angles. At the extremities of each of these cross bars, and in the centre
of the longest bar, hooks or open rings are placed in a circle of twenty inches
diameter. The perpendicular stake may be formed of two pieces joined
together by a hinge at i, and properly secured, in order that the whole rest
may be let down when desired. Figure III., 1, 2, 3, is a combination of three
rests, forming together six circles, each of twenty inches diameter, and placed
in such manner that each centre ring is equidistant from the other, in a circle
of four feet four inches diameter.
Figure IV. shews a "top," with six equidistant grooves or scores, with a
perforation through the centre, it having handles at both sides.
Figure V. shews a view of two boards, each of which is perforated with six
holes in a circle of twenty inches diameter. Through each of the holes in the
board 4 is passed an axis, furnished at one end with a hook and at the other

page_text: with a handle, as shewn at 5. These handles are passed through the cor-
responding holes in the board 6, by which a uniform motion is given to the
books.
Figure VI., 7, 8, 9, shews a "jack," consisting of six pinions in a circle of
four feet four inches diameter in connection with a cog wheel in the centre.
Equal motion is given to the hooks attached to the pinions by means of an
axis and handle, connected either with the centre wheel or with one of the
pinions. The pinions must be so arranged that they can be moved back on
their axes, so as to cut off their communication with the cog wheel.
Figure VII. is a tackle board with a hole in the centre, through which is passed
an axis with a hook and handle; as described in Figuro I., which forms the
centre of a circle, four feet four inches in diameter, pierced at equal distances
with six holes, each of which again forms the centre of a circle of twenty
inches diameter, also pierced with six holes at equal distances. Through
each of theso forty-two holes is passed a cord, furnished with a swivel and
hook, and behind each hole is fixed a pulley, as described in Figure II.
Figure VIII., No. 10, the front view, and No. 11 a view as seen from above,
of a combination of six "tops" (Figure IV.), placed at equal distances in a
circle of four feet four inches diameter, in which position they are retained
by means of the three flat iron bars 1, 1, 1, which are passed through the six
tops, in such manner as not to touch either of. the six grooves or scores on
the external surface, or the perforation in the centre of each top, and by tho
other three perpendicular bars m, m, m, tho, whole being fastened by wedges
n, N, n.
Figure IX. shows a front and side view of a drum, and also longitudinal and
horizontal sections of part of a shaft fixed firmly in the middle of a strong
frame; and in a straight line, one behind the other, are two perpendicular
posts o, o, fitted for. the reception of the bearings of a square iron shaft, which
must project from both sides of the posts o, o; one end of the shaft is cylin-
drical at o, 1, 2, 3, for a length of two feet five inches in a machine where the
proportions of the drawing are retained, which cylindrical part includes the
projection, which is twelve inches long, the bearings of the shaft, and that part
next behind the bearings, such cylindrical end of the shaft being in three parts,
the moveable upper portions o³, o", being hinged to each other at p, and one
of them to the shaft at p'. Through this cylindrical portion of the shaft is
formed a circular channel, two inches in diameter, one half in the moveable
portions 0, 0, and the other in the main shaft o', commencing in the centre
of the line formed by the cut in the shaft, and proceeding in a horizontal but
curved direction till it leaves the shaft at q, behind the first post. The ropes

page_text: are to be held in the projecting part of the shaft; and in order to effect this for
ropes of different diameters, the channel in the lower part of the projection, for
a distance of nine inches from the point, is enlarged to three inches in front,
increasing gradually to three and a half inches at the back in the shape of the
half of a regular octagon. The channel in the upper or divided portion of the
projection is also slightly enlarged for a distance of nine inches, gradually
increasing in size towards the back. This enlargement of the channel is
intended for the reception of filling pieces, the lower piece having angular
external surfaces which fit the angular internal surfaces of the channel in the
lower portion of the shaft, such filling pieces being grooved suitably for receiving
and holding the rope to be made. The divided portion of the shaft is fitted
with metal hoops or straps and screws, by which the divided parts are fixed
firmly to the main shaft in their exact relative positions, and the rope itself
held whilst being laid. The motive power is applied to the end of the shaft
projecting beyond the hindmost post, and a large drum is fitted upon that part
of the shaft that is between the two posts.
Figure X. shows a front and side view of a machine, being a combination
of six shafts and drums, as described in Figure IX., the parts being smaller,
which are fixed upon a frame in two rows in such a manner that the points of
all six shafts are in a circle of four feet four inches diameter, whilst the
points of the three shafts in each row describe an equilateral triangle.. To
the ends of all six shafts that project beyond the hindmost posts pinions are
fitted, each set of three of which are in connection with one of two cog wheels
fitted upon a main shaft passing through the centre of the circle, in the cir-
cumference of which the points of the six shafts are placed. The niotive
power is applied to the end of this shaft, and by means of the two cog.wlicels
an equal motion is given to the six smaller shafts. These six shafts must be
sufficiently long to admit of the pinions being moved back, and being put out
of communication with the cog wheel, so that any one or more of the shafts
can be separately put in motion. The proportions of the machines IX. and X.
'are regulated_by_the length and weight-of-the-ropes-to-be manufactured,
which will also determine whether the frames or sledges on which the
machines are fixed are to move on the ground, or on a wooden of iron tram-
way; &c., with or without wheels. The motive power-may be applied either
'by hand, or by a steam engine, &c. as may be convenient.
In manufacturing wire ropes with the machinery above described I proceed
in the following manner :-
Figure 1 is fixed at one end of the ropewalk to a cominon ropemaker's
sledge, weighted in proportion to the length and size of the rope to be made,

page_text: as is well understood by ropemakers, such sledge being prevented from moving,
from its position. Figure II. is attached to posts at the other end of the walk,
and at intervals along the whole length of the walk.
The rests, Figure III.',.
purpose, in such manner:
are attached to posts fixed into the ground for that
(that the hook of Figure 1 corresponds with the centre hole of Figure II. and
with the centres of Figure III., and consequently the remaining six holes in
Figure II. will correspond with the six rings at the extremities of the cross
bars of Figure III. Six wires are now drawn out to the requisite length in
proportion to the rope to be made and passed through the six rings at the
extremities of the cross bars of Figure III. When wire cannot be procured of
sufficient length several pieces may be joined together either by brazing or
welding when large enough, or by twisting the ends together for a short
distance, care being taken that such joinings in the several wires do not come
too near to each other in any part of the strand. In drawing out the wires it
is advisable to pass them alternately through a series of nails or pins projecting
from a suitable board, whereby they are straightened, as is well understood.
One end of each wire is. attached to the hook a of Figure I., and the other
ends respectively to the six swivels e, e, e, depending in a circle from Figure II,
and they are drawn to an even tension by means of weights attached to the
other ends of the cords passing through the holes and over the pulleys of
Figure II., and the cords to the swivels are then firmly fixed in the holes by.
means of wooden wedges pins. The top, Figure IV., is then placed between
the wires as close as possible to the hook a, Figure I., in such manner that
one wire lies in each of the grooves. The end of a seventh wire, or of a cord
of hemp or other fibrous substance, is then passed through the longitudinal
hole of the top, and fixed to the hook a of Figure I.; the other end, after
passing through the centre rings of the rests, is fixed to the swivel attached to
the cord passing through the centre hole in Figure 2, to the other end of
which a weight is attached, but it is not to be wedged into the hole, or the
end of this seventh wire or cord which is to form the heart or core of the
strand may be attached to a swivel held by a workman. The weighted sledge
is now loosened, and the hook a, Figure I.,.turned by means of the handle;
the top, held by one or more men, or, if preferred, fixed in a frame on wheels,
is then moved regularly forward up to the swivels in Figure II., the workman
holding the top, paying attention that the wires are evenly laid round the
core. The rests are successively removed and replaced when the top has
passed, and the finished portion of the strand is supported by being laid on
one of the cross bars of the rest. Six strands having been completed in this:
manner, Figure II. is replaced by Figure V. to each of the six hooks of which:
or

page_text: one end of each strand is attached, and after passing through the six rings of
the rests, the other ends of all six strands are attached to the hook a of
Figure I., and the strands brought to an even tension. A larger top is then
introduced between the strands as described above, and a core of hemp or
other fibrous substance, after passing through the longitudinal hole in the top,
is fastened to the hook, a of Figure I., the other end being held out by a
workman. The six hooks of Figure -V. are then turned in the same direction
as the hook a of Figure. I. was in forming the strands; the hook a, Figure I.,
is now turned in the contrary direction; and, the strands laid into a rope. In
laying the rope the apparatus shewn in Figure VI. may be used in place of
Figure V.
.
By the above-described simple process an experienced workman can mako
excellent ropes, but in case he cannot "lay" the same lengths of wire so
evenly as to obtain the six strands when formed singly of the same length, by
which incans alone the greatest possible. strength of rope can be obtained, all
six strands may be formed at one and the same time by employing Figure VI.
in place of Figure I., Figure VII. in place of Figure II., and the whole combina-
tion of rests as shown at Figure III., which must be fixed to correspond one.
with the other, as described in making a single strand. Thirty-six wires for
the six strands are then drawn out,. and being passed through the rings of the
rests fixed to the corresponding hooks and swivels, and weighted and fastened
as previously described. Between each set of six wires to form each strand.a
top (Figure IV.) is placed as described, and the six tops are combined.so as to
form Figure VIII., by means of the cross bars and wedges, the hearts or cores
being added as described. The weighted sledge having been loosened, thic
hooks in the jack, Figure VI., are put in motion, and the six strands are laid
with Figure VIII. as before. The wires are then detached from the swivels of
Figure VII., and the ends of all six strands are fixed to the hook in the centre
of this apparatus, and the-rope laid as before described. The size and strength
of the ropes are regulated by the size of the wires employed, but the strength of
all wire ropes, depends materially on the preventing the-individual-wires from
being twisted in themselves, which object is completely attained by the applica-
tion of the swivels e, e, e, which act immediately at one extremity on the wire
being twisted at the other. But as wire drawn out beyond a certain length, in
proportion to its size and strength, will twist in itself before a turn given to it
at one extremity can be communicated to the other, and such twisting in itself
tends to materially weaken and even break the wire, the length of a perfectly
sound rope that can be manufacturéd by the method described must be regu-
lated by the size and strength of the wire employed; but as ropes of great

page_text: length are often required, and it is advisable to make ropes and cables with as
few joints as possible, ropes of greater lengths can be made in the following
manner-Six strands are made as before described, care being taken to leave
the wires of unequal lengths by altering the lengths of the cords to which the
swivels are attached. The tops, having been moved forward nearly up to the
first swivel, are fastened firmly to the strands so as not to move from their
proper positions, and the connecting bars are removed from the tops. Figure. VI.
is then removed, and the strands which have been thus far produced are wound
upon the six drums of Figure IX., which stands behind Figure. V.I., and the
ends of, the strands are fastened into the, hollow portious of the shafts in' such'
manner that by replacing the connecting bars the six' tops form .Figure VIII:
Other wires are, then drawn out and joined to the ends of the first, the other
ends being fastened to the swivels of Figure VII., and drawn to an equal tension
by weights attached to the other ends of the cords, and the same process is
repeated until the strands are formed of the required length, 'care being 'taken
always to draw the wires of different lengths that the joints may not meet
together in the strands, except when laying the last portion of the strands,
when the wires are to be drawn out to an equal length: Six strands of tho
required length being formed and wound upon the six drums of Figure X.,
they are all fastened at one end to the hook of Figure VII.. and the rope laid, as
previously described, nearly up the drums of Figure X., when the top is firmly
attached to the rope, which is then loosened from Figure VII., and this appa-
ratus removed. The finished portion of the rope is wound upon the drum: of
Figure IX., the strands having been previously loosened from the shafts and
wound for a sufficient length from the drums of Figure X. The end of tho
rope near the
top" is then fastened into the hollow portion of the shaft of
Figure IX.. and the strands, after being drawn to an even tension into the shafts
of Figure X.; and this portion of the rope is again laid by turning the shafts
and drums of Figure IX. and Figure X., and the same process is repeated until
the rope is completed. By the insertion of a core of hemp into the strands, as
mentioned in the preceding description, much greater flexibility is attained than
when a core of wire is used; and a still greater degree of flexibility can 'be
obtained by laying six ropes, as described, made of smaller wires into a cable
round a core of hemp or other fibrous substance. To prevent oxydation of the
5 wire ropes, the cores of hemp, or other fibrous substance, are saturated with
tar or other similar material, which, by the process of laying the strands and
ropes, is expressed into every crevice, and covers every wire, by which means
the internal parts of the rope are effectually preserved against oxydation,
"

page_text: whilst the exterior may be coated with a similar substance; and it will be
found that by saturating the cores with tar or other suitable material before
laying them into the strands and ropes, the desired object will be accomplished
in a better manner than when the tar or other preservative matter is applied
after making the rope.
I would here remark, that although I have only described machinery for the
manufacture of wire ropes of six wires laid round a core to form a strand, and
of six such strands laid round a core to form a rope, I do not confine myself
thereto, as the cores may be omitted, and by varying the parts of the machinery
the number of wires in a strand, and of strands in a rope, whether with or
without cores, may be increased or diminished in proportion to the strength
of rope required; nor do I confine myself to the employment of the exact
details of the above-described machinery in the manner and proportions
described, provided the general nature of my improvements be retained. And
I would remark, that I do not claim as new and as my Invention such parts of
the machinery described above as have been already known and employed in
the manufacture of wire ropes; nor do I claim the manufacture of ropes of
wire as a new Invention, wire ropes having been before made with and without
cores, and various Patents have been taken for Inventious relating to the
manufacture of wire ropes. But what I claim is,―
First, the application of swivels e, e, e, as herein described, to prevent the
individual wires. from being twisted in themselves whilst being laid into a
strand.
Second, I claim the improvement in the form of the rests or supports by
which the separate wires and the strands of wires are retained in a circular
form and at equal distances from each other, whilst the strands and ropes are
being laid.
Third, I claim the application of preservative matters by saturating the cores
of hemp or other fibrous material before the wires are wound thereon in
forming strands, and before the wire strands are wound thereon in forming
ropes and cables. And,
Fourth, I claim the mode of combining machinery as described for the
manufacture of wire ropes of any required length.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Baptist Fried Wilhelm Heimann,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
J. B. F. W. HEIMANN. (L.S.).

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventh day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1841, the aforesaid John Baptist Fried Wilhelm
Heimann came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged 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.
Inrolled the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-one.