IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HOISTING AND CONVEYING COAL, ORE, EARTHS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HOISTING AND CONVEYING COAL, ORE,
EARTHS, AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad by
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th September 1880.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HOISTING AND
CONVEYING COAL, ORE, EARTHS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES." A communication
from abroad by Alexander E. Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of
America.
Previous to the present Invention, machines or apparatus for hoisting or raising
coal, ore, earths, and other substances from vessels, mines, and other places, and
transferring the same to piers, cars, and other localities or receptacles have been
devised of different constructions and in various forms, but in all such previous
machines or contrivances (so far as the inventor hereof has any knowledge), either
the principle of construction or the mode of operation, or both, has been imperfect
or defective in some one or more particulars, and to such a degree as to render such
machine incapable of performing satisfactorily the work for which they have been
designed.
In view of the fact that a machine or contrivance designed for the purposes for
which the present Invention is designed, must, in order to meet all the practical
requirements of such an apparatus, embody a great many very peculiar characteris-
tics of structure and operation; it is not remarkable that no machine has heretofore
been made to meet fully all these requirements satisfactorily, and it is the main
object of this Invention to provide one which shall do so, either completely, or at
least to a far greater extent than has heretofore been attained.
From the following qualifications and capacities, which are necessary to a
perfectly successful machine for the purposes alluded to, it will be seen that many,
and in some measure conflicting, peculiarities of construction and operation must

page_text: be combined in the one contrivance to make it practically successful:-In the first
place the machine must be perfectly adapted to be applied to and to perform
successfully all the operations required of it while supported upon any one of the
cheap forms of tramway, such, for instance, as a suspended wire cable or rail-track.
In the next place, it must be adapted to be operated on so as to perform all its
designed functions by means of motive power derived from a source located at a
greater or less distance from the machine and beyond its limits of travel, and at
the same time be adapted to effect the transference of the load from its original
locality to its place of final deposit with the least possible changes in the direction
of motion of the motive device and the fewest possible cessations of motion in the
said device. In the next place, during the accomplishment of the object just
above referred to, it must be capable of hoisting, carrying along to some distant
locality the load, and then either discharging or first lowering and then dumping
the material, and while in the performance of all these operations must be under
the perfect control of the operator (who is at some given locality) as to the
regulation of all these operations. In the next place, while the performance of all
its functions is under the control of the operator, it must be capable of operating
automatically and rapidly during any and all of the movements of its working
parts. In the next place, the machine must be as light and strong as possible, with
the fewest number of parts and the least liability of derangement under the rough
usage to which such machines are naturally subjected, and while being of such
construction that all its actions are positive and certain in their nature, it must at
the same time involve such a mode of operation than whenever any sudden change
in the direction of motion of the load being carried has to occur instead of the
necessity for the presence (as usual heretofore) of spring-bumpers or other ineans
for taking up the momentum of the suddenly shifted load, the inertia of the load
itself shall take up or assist in overcoming any shock to which any of the parts of
the apparatus might otherwise be subjected; and finally, the organization must be
such that all the before-mentioned positive movements of the parts during all the
automatic operations of the machine shall be derived directly from the bodily
movement of the apparatus.
The present Invention consists of the following peculiar arrangements or
combinations of mechanisms which embody in a successfully-operative organism
all of the above-recited prerequisites of a desirable contrivance for the designed
purposes of this Invention :-
The application and use in a hoisting and conveying contrivance of a carriage-
frame adapted to be supported and to travel on a cable or rail way, and composed
of a system of levers, such as that the weight of the suspended load exerts a
tendency to retain the parts in each of the two conditions they must assume to
retain and to release the suspension of the hoisting-block and load.
The application and use in a conveying contrivance of a carriage frame for
supporting and adapted to release the suspended load, so made and operating as
that in arriving at a downgrade-stop the momentum will gradually be absorbed
either in the effort of lifting the load which has to be made in order to effect its
releasement from the suspending hooks of the carriage, or partially by such effort
and partially by the pull of the hoist-rope on the carriage in a reverse direction by
the releasement of the load.
The application and use in combination with the carriage provided with any
suitable means of engagement with the block to be suspended of a hoist block
having lugs or other devices designed to be held by such means of engagement
located about coincident with the axis of the hoist block sheave.
The application and use in combination with the carriage of a downgrade-stop
device and means on the carriage for engaging therewith, the combination being
and operating so that the combined action of the carriage and stop devices effect,
first, the operation of the weight-suspending mechanism and arrest or partial
arrest of the carriage's travel; and, second, the retention of the carriage against the
pull of the hoist-rope.

page_text: The combination with the carriage-frame provided with load retaining and
releasing devices, and an upgrade-stop frame provided with a fixed abutment for
the carriage, of a means for operating the releasing mechanism which does not
interfere with either the subsequent operation of the said mechanism in re-engaging
the load or the subsequent return movement of the carriage and all its attachments.
The combination with a cable way or track adapted for use in a conveying or
hoisting and conveying apparatus, and a stop-frame adapted to be applied thereto,
of means for effecting a securement to and releasement from the cable of the said
stop, which may be operated at a distance from the cable.
And the combination with the carriage-frame and load-carrying receptacle or
bucket attached thereto in a conveying apparatus, of an automatic dumping
mechanism.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Bristow Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
March 1881.
"
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HOISTING AND
CONVEYING COAL, ORE, EARTHS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.' (A communication
from abroad by Alexander E. Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of
America.)
Previous to the present Invention, machines or apparatus for hoisting or raising
coal, ore, earths, and other substances from vessels, mines, and other places, and
transferring the same to piers, cars, and other localities or receptacles, have been
devised of different constructions and in various forms, but in all such previous
machines or contrivances (so far as the present inventor hereof has any knowledge),
either the principle of construction or the mode of operation, or both, has been
imperfect or defective in some one or more particulars, and to such a degree as to
render such machines incapable of performing satisfactorily the work for which
they have been designed.
In view of the fact that a machine or contrivance designed for the purposes for
which the present Invention is designed, must, in order to meet all the practical
requirements of such an apparatus embody a great many and very peculiar
characteristics of structure and operation, it is not remarkable that no machine has
heretofore been made to meet fully all these requirements satisfactorily, and it is
the main object of this Invention to provide one which shall do so to a far greater
extent than has heretofore been attained.
From the following qualifications and capacities, which are necessary to a perfectly
successful machine for the purposes alluded to, it will be seen that many, and in
some measure conflicting, peculiarities of construction and operation must be
combined in the one contrivance to make it practically successful. The machine

page_text: must be perfectly adapted to be applied to and to perform successfully all the
operations required of it while supported upon any one of the cheap forms of
tramway, such, for instance, as a suspended wire cable or rail track. It must be
adapted to be operated on so as to perform all its designed functions by means of
motive power derived from a source located at a greater or less distance from the
machine and beyond its limits of travel, and at the same time be adapted to effect
the transference of the load from its original locality to its place of final deposit
with the least possible changes in the direction of motion of the motive device,
and the fewest possible cessations of motion in the said device.
During the
accomplishment of the object just above referred to, it must be capable of hoisting,
carrying along to some distant locality the load, and then either discharging or
first lowering and then dumping the material, and while in the performance of all
these operations must be under the perfect control of the operator (who is at some
given locality) as to the regulation of all these operations. While the performance
of all its functions is under the control of the operator, it must be capable of
acting automatically and rapidly during any and all of the movements of its
working parts. The machine must be as light and strong as possible, with the
fewest number of parts and the least liability of derangement under the rough
usage to which such machines are naturaly subjected, and while being of such
construction that all its actions are positive and certain in their nature, it must at
the same time involve such a mode of operation that whenever any sudden change
in the direction of motion of the load being carried has to occur, instead of the
necessity for the presence (as usual heretofore) of spring bumpers or other means
for taking up the momentum of the suddenly shifted load, the inertia of the load
itself shall take up or assist in overcoming any shock to which any of the parts of
the apparatns might otherwise be subjected; and the organization must be such
that all the before-mentioned positive movements of the parts during all the
automatic operations of the machine shall be derived directly from the bodily
movement of the apparatus.
The present Invention consists of the following peculiar arrangements or
combinations of mechanism which embody in a successfully-operative organism all
of the above-recited prerequisites of a desirable contrivance for the designed
purposes of this Invention.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a partial side view of one of the
improved hoisting and conveying machines adapted for use on and shown as applied
to a wire cable or suspended flexible rail-track, such as heretofore commonly
employed, but having the dumping attachment omitted to avoid unnecessary
complication in this Fig. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail skeleton views representing
modifications of certain parts of the contrivance seen at Fig. 1, and which will be
hereinafter described. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the whole apparatus, and on
a smaller scale than that of Fig. 1, while Fig. 5 is a detail view of certain parts
seen in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view at the line x, x, of Fig. 4 on a
larger scale, and designed to more clearly illustrate the clamping device; and Figs. S
represent in side and edge views the hoist-block and sheave having a spring-like
attachment for the hook, for a purpose to be presently explained; and Fig. 7 is a
diagram for purposes of more intelligible explanation hereinafter of certain principles
of operation involved in the machine.
The parts B, B', C, C', and D, constitute the carriage-frame proper, which is
provided at its upper portion, as shown, with two travelling or cable sheaves E, E,
that bear and travel on the cable-way a.
F is the hoisting-rope, one end of which is secured, preferably as represented to a
projecting portion F of the carriage-frame, and passes thence beneath and partially
around the sheave F2 of the hoisting block, partially around and over a sheave F
journaled in the carriage-frame, as shown (or, if deemed expedient), having its axis
coincident with that of the pin B2), and thence off to the source of the lifting-
power.
The parts C and C' of the carriage-frame are extended outward from the latter

page_text: in opposite directions, as seen at C and C³, for the double purpose of balancing
respectively the parts C and C', and also the part D jointed thereto, and to form in
connection with the part D and the stops arranged at the ends of the line of travel
of the machine on the cable a, a means for actuating the parts of the machine to
produce the necessary changes in the directions of its motions.
The stops are seen at G and G¹, the first-named being the upgrade, and the last-
mentioned the downgrade stop, and each made and arranged as will be presently
explained.
H, H', are two levers formed or provided with hook-like lower portions, as shown,
and arranged to move about a common fulcrum which is coincident with the
pivotal pin B of the carriage-frame. The hook-like portions of the said levers
serve to retain the load to be manipulated in a suspended condition, and this
suspension of the load is effected, preferably by causing these hook-like devices to
partially embrace and hold directly onto the laterally-projecting lugs I, which are
coincident with the arbor or journal of the hoisting-sheave F, and which in practice
it is proposed to have, form mere outward extensions of the ends of the said sheave-
arbor.
The upper portions of the levers H, H', are made, preferably as shown at Fig. 1,
so that their upper ends may pass freely between rollers C and C5 mounted on the
portion C and C near their adjacent ends, and so that any vertical movement
downward of the said rollers will cause the upper ends of the said levers to be
forced nearer together, and their lower hook-like portions to be separated, to
release the lugs or pins I of the hoisting-sheave, while a reverse movement of the
said rollers will cause an opposite movement of the said levers to effect a re-
engagement of their hook-like portions with the said hoisting sheave-arbor I.
The portion D of the carriage-frame is made or provided with a downwardly-
extended portion (marked D'), which is bifurcated at its lower end to straddle the
pin I, and which thus serves to laterally retain the pin in the proper position, the
part D, D', of the frame being slotted or yoked around the pin or anchor B², in
order that it may freely move up and down around the said pin.
As is clearly shown, the part D is in pivotal connection with each of the parts C
and Cat the points where the roller C and C³ are mounted, thus forming knee-
joints at the said points, and the several parts B, B', C, C2, C¹, C³, and D, D,
forming a lever system, the relative movements of the parts of which are limited
by the extent of motion to which the slotted part D, D¹, is restricted by the
pin B²
Each of the extended portions C2 and C³ of the frame is adapted to so operate in
conjunction with certain devices with which the up and down grade stops on the
cable-way are respectively provided, that at the arrival of the carriage at either of
those stops, the parts C, C, and C, C³, will be caused to turn on their respective
fulcra B3 and B', and effect a downward thrust of the part D, D¹, to the extent of
its restricted movement.
G and G¹ represent respectively the upgrade and downgrade stops, each of which
is secured in some proper manner to the cable-way a at the proper locality. These
stops are shown as being secured to the cable a by means of a clamping contrivance
and in such manner as to be capable of adjustment in the direction of the length of
the cable, as will be presently inore fully explained, the stops being supported by
sheaves E³ which bear on top of the cable, and have their weight so disposed as to
bring their centres of gravity below the cable.
G³ is a projecting portion of the frame of the stop device G that is adapted to
serve as an abutment, against which a part of the carriage-frame will strike as it
travels upward on the cable, and by which the upward movement of the said
carriage-frame will be arrested.
G is a book-like projection, lug, or other suitable device, the office and effect of
which is to catch and retain the carriage should it tend to start downgrade before
a proper engagement of the hoist-block stud I with the retaining hooks of levers

page_text: H, H', by an engagement of the said hook G. with the roller C, or some other
projecting device of the part C of the carriage frame.
In the end of another extension G5 of the stop-frame G is pivoted a lever G³, G',
the normal position of which (by its gravity) is nearly or quite vertical, and the
extent of oscillation of which is limited to the position of the lever shown at Fig. 1
by a suitable stop shoulder formed at G6, as per dotted lines. The longer arm G7
of this lever forins an inclined plane, up which the roller C of the part C has to
ride as the carriage-frame approaches its uppermost destination, and which serves
to affect the proper manipulation of the said part C to operate the hoist-block-
releasing devices.
F5 is a sheave hung in the stop-frame G, as shown, and designed simply to guide
the hoist-rope properly in any and all positions in which the said stop-frame may
be set. It is not indispensable to the stop-frame, but its presence is desirable for
the purpose alluded to.
Gi is the downgrade stop-frame, which is somewhat different in form from the
other stop-frame, and which also differs therefrom in its mode of operation, as will
now be explained. It is provided at G with a projection, which when brought
into action serves the same purpose as that G³ of the other stop, and has a roller,
pin, or other suitable projecting device at G³, against which the inclined extension C
of part C strikes, and by which the said part is operated in the same manner and
for the same purpose that the part C2 of the carriage-frame is operated by the
longer arm of lever G2, G7, of the stop-frame G, while the roller Gs also serves in
co-operation with a hook like portion C7 of the part C3 to prevent any premature
movement of the carriage-frame along the cable a. In this downgrade-stop
mechanism however the operation, unlike that of the upgrade-stop G, is such that
except when the grade and velocity are such as that the momentum will be exactly
taken up by the opening of the releasing devices, which does not often occur, the
releasement of the load occurs just before the frame comes into contact with
stop G, and therefore the tendency of the combined action of the descending load
and pull on the hoist rope being to reverse the direction of travel of the carriage,
the hook C7 is brought up against and pulls on the roller G, instead of the stop G⁹
coming into action.
Before specifying the general operation of the apparatus I will briefly explain
the novel principle of operation on which it is designed to work, and this can be
most readily done by special reference to the diagram or skeleton view, Fig. 7.
By a reference to this Fig. or diagram it will be seen that the effect of the weight
of the hoist-block and the load suspended therefrom is to induce a strain or force
in a direction corresponding to the downward direction of motion of the part D, D',
of the carriage-frame (which, as before explained, is in reality a system of levers),
and that the effect of this force is the same as if applied during all positions of the
said block F and its load directly to the fulcrum or point B that this force thus
applied at B2 always tends to bring the points B and B nearer together, assuming
that these points of the frame-work are prevented from descending or moving in
the direction of motion to which the load inclines, which is the case by reason of
the frame-sheaves E and E', which rest on the cable-way a, sustaining the points
B3 and E, and that thus the "knee-joints" at C, C, are subjected always to a
compressive strain, i.e., a force tending to move these points toward each other,
and will tend to move either vertically upward or vertically downward, accordingly
as its position to start will be either above or below a right line passing through
or connecting the two points B³ and B of the system. The extent to which the
knee-joint can move in either direction will of course be determined by the extent
of motion of which the slotted device D, D', may be capable, and it will be seen
that when at its lowest position the said device is subjected to a compressive force,
while when at its highest position it is subjected to a tensile strain.
It will be observed that any force operating to cause the knee-joint at C₁, C5, to
move from either direction toward a right line running from B³ to B' will tend to
force farther apart the pivotal points B³, B, and consequently will tend to lift the

page_text: point B from which the load is suspended, and that the result of this tendency
is, that after having arrived at and passed the said line (or the "dead-centre," so
to speak), the weight of the load will then operate to assist the movement of the
knee-joint toward either of its limits of upward and downward motion.
Now it will be seen that any construction and detail arrangement of parts
involving the described principle of operation, and in which the load will be directly
suspended from the carriage-fraine, as described, when the knee-joint portions are
at the limit of their motion in one direction, and in which the said load will be
suspended indirectly from the carriage frame through the medium of the hoist-rope
when the knee-joint portions are at the limit of their motion in the other direction,
will necessarily embody the gist of the present Invention.
The following will suffice for a description of the general operation of the
machine-Supposing the carriage to be at the upgrade stop G, as seen at Fig. 1,
and the load to be suspended on the hook-like portions of levers H, H', and
imagining the downgrade stop G' to be located some distance off, the hoist-rope F
is paid out in the direction indicated by the arrow at Fig. 1, and the carriage with
its suspended hoist block F3 and load is permitted to descend the cable-way a by
gravity. When it starts on its descent there is no appreciable impediment offered
to its movement by the device G2, G7, because the upper end of the lever is turned
over by the action of the roller C, which simply rides over it, when the said lever
by gravity assumes a vertical position.
When the carriage-frame arrives at the downgrade-stop G' it abuts against the
projection G and can go no farther; but in coming to this position the inclined
portion C of the frame rides onto the roller G³, whose axis is stationary and is
forced upward, the device C7 in the meantime being carried up in rear of the
roller Gs.
The lifting of the arm C effects a depression of the part D, D', and a consequent
opening of the retaining-hooks and releasement of the arbor I of the hoist-block
from which the load is suspended, so that the weight of the hoist-block and load
comes onto the hoist-rope F and exerts a tendency to force the carriage back up-
grade again, but any such movement is prevented by the retaining device C
coming against the projection or roller Gs of the stop frame G¹, and the carriage-
frame is forced to reinain in the position at which it arrived during the descent,
and until the return upward of the boist-block. When by a reversal of the notion
of the hoist-rope F the hoist-block and load shall have been raised up again, the
pin I passes on up between the separated flared lower ends H, H', of the hook-
levers, and then striking up into the crotch of the lower bifurcated end of the
device D, D', will force the latter up, thereby raising the knee-joints at C¹, C³, and
releasing the hold of the part 07 on the roller Gs, so that the carriage-frame can
begin to move upgrade at the initial movement of the carriage. However, the
arbors I settle down onto the sustaining-hooks, and the parts all present the
condition represented at Fig. 1, in which they were at the start, and the carriage
with its suspended load is drawn back to the point from which it started.
It must be remarked, however, that when the releasement of the load and the
engagement of the carriage-frame with the downgrade stop G' took place, the
momentum of the carriage and load acquired in arriving at the end of the down-
grade was absorbed by the necessary lifting of the load necessary to accomplish
the releasement of the suspended hoist-block, and that therefore no portions of the
contrivance were subject to any sudden shock or strain by either the stoppage of
the onward travel of the machine and load or the suddeu releasement of the latter
and its descent, the weight of the released hoist-block and load coming onto the
hoist rope, and partially onto the carriage frame just at the time its inertia had
been about used up to assist in the releasing operation.
Supposing now the carriage to be carried with its suspended hoist-block and
load upgrade for the deposit of its load at that point, the hoist-rope is drawn in a
direction opposite to that at first mentioned, and when the carriage shall have been
drawn up to the stop-frame G, the roller C riding up on the lever G7 will effect

page_text: the turning of the part C, C2, on the pivot B', the consequent depression of the
knee-joints at C4, C5, and the releasement of the suspended hoist-block pin I, the
carriage frame meantime coming to a stop against the projection G³, and then by a
reversal of the motion of the hoist-rope F the load is permitted to descend. In
this uppermost position of the carriage-fraine there may, under certain circum-
stances (when, for instance, the gravity of the load is not sufficient to keep the
carriage-frane forced up against the stop G³), be a liability of the carriage to move
downward on the cable a. To prevent any such movement the catch-like
projection G is provided, and which, in the event of any inclination of the carriage-
frame to leave its position during the descent of the hoist-block and load, will
engage with the roller C (or other projection for the purpose) on the arm C², and
effect the retention of the carriage-frame in place.
It will be seen from the foregoing explanations that all the requisite movements
of the load may be effected with the least possible reversals in the direction of
motion of the device through which the motive power is applied to the machine.
At Figs. 2 and 3 are shown two of many forms of device that may be employed
as mere substitutes for the swinging lever G2, G7, pivoted to the ugrade-stop frame
and co-operating with the rollered arm C2.. In the device illustrated at Fig. 2, the
piece G is attached or pivoted to the arm C³, instead of to the stop G, the said
stop being provided in this case with a pin or roller C". The broken outline of C
and its piece G7 shows the position as it reaches the stop G, G7 being thrown back-
ward by the pin or roller C until C2 rests against the stop Go, in which position G7
forms an inclined plane, moving up on the roller C until the end is cleared of or
past C when the arm C2 is at its uppermost limit, or the hooks at H, H', Fig. 1,
are open, and G7 then swings by gravity to the vertical position shown in the
Drawings. C can now be freely depressed, and G7 will swing over the roller C³ as
the carriage again goes downgrade.
The
In the arrangement shown at Fig. 3 the arin C is extended downward, as shown
at Cs, and a swinging piece G7 is pivoted to the stop-frame G, as illustrated.
swinging end of G' is notched out, as shown, to form a seat for the pin C⁰ of the
arm to butt against; and as the carriage is further moved upgrade, the lever G
will be turned up toward and into the position shown in full lines at Fig. 3, the
lever in turn operating to lift up (by means of the pin C) the end of the piece
C², C, until the lower forward part of Cs, coming into contact with a piu or
projection Go of the said lever G7, begins to act on the said lever, its action having
the effect to further move the lever G and unseat the pin C, thus permitting the
part C2, C8, to be forced back again to its former lowermost position, in which it
will be free to travel back again downgrade with the carriage frame. In coming
down again the lever G7 is arrested and retained in position by a stop at Go, by
which it is held in proper position for action whenever the carriage-frame shall
again be brought upgrade.
In this form of contrivance, the parts G³ and G it will be seen are the same as
shown at Fig. 1, and from the examples given it will be seen that various forms and
combinations of devices may be employed as equivalents for the performance of
those functions of the apparatus which relate to automatic movements necessary at
the time of the arrival of the carriage at the upgrade stop G.
It is also apparent that the form and precise arrangement shown of the parts
composing the carriage-frame, with its knee-joints, hook-like suspension levers, and
other details, may be varied without substantially changing the principle of con-
struction of the machine. For instance, the points B3, B4, might be located above
instead of below the cable-way u, and might be at the axes of the sheaves E, E', in
which case it would become necessary with regard to the stop frames to merely
change their relative location to the cable and the carriage devices to render the
machine capable of all its present operations.
In lieu of the extensions C2 and 3 of the parts Cand C¹ separate and independent
levers or other devices might be employed to operate on the knee-joints, or suitably
constructed parts might be formed or applied to the stop frames G and G', that

page_text: would by direct application to the knee-joints at C, C³, raise and lower the part
D, D, at the proper times and in the right manner.
The levers H, H¹, may of course be operated by other means than those shown,
and in lieu of the four hook-levers shown a less number may be employed, though
it is preferred to use four, or at least two, in order that in the movement of the
said hooks to release the hoist-block journals I, no tendency can occur which might
operate (by frictional contact between the spindle I and any one hook) to draw the
arbor I to one side, and thus embarass the quick and perfect releasement of the
hoist-block.
The details of the construction of the hook-levers and of its connections with the
hoist-block may be varied, but it is considered important that the points or axis of
suspension be coincident with the centre-pin of the sheave F3 of the said block, for
reasons which will be presently stated; and it will be understood that this
peculiarity of the improved machine may be applied with great advantage to
inachines in other respects substantially different from the present.
During the hoisting of the block F3 with its suspended load, both the load and
block are usually subject to a swinging motion of greater or less extent, most of
which is in a plane about at right angles to the axis of the hoist-block, and about an
axis of motion that is substantially coincident with the axis of the sheave F. Therefore
the projections 1 (or others about in line with them) constitute points or places of
connection that will most certainly and easily come into ready engagement with
any hook-like or other engaging mechanism or device, since any device located at
the point I will be least affected by the gyrations or swinging movements of the
load and hoist-block at the time the latter reaches (on its ascent) the engaging
mechanism.
In the use of the machine made as so far explained there would be more or less
of sudden strains or jars on the suspending-hooks that hold the boist-block lugs or
pins I both at the time of the engagement of the block with the hooks (when the
load has been hoisted), on account of the seating of the weighted pins I on the
hooks, and during the travel of the heavily-laden carriage along the cable-way a,
in consequence of the vibrations of the cable-way. To partially or wholly over-
come any such objectionable shocks or sudden strains on the parts of the apparatus
it is provided with an elastic attachment of the hook of the hoist-block.
This mode of attachment of the usual "K-hook," as it is called, may, of course,
with equal advantage, be applied to machines differing from the present in other
respects, and the elastic medium may consist of either a rubber or metallic spring-
like device, an air-cushion, or other suitable means for effecting a slightly yielding
.connection between the block and its hook.
At Figs. 8 will be seen a preferable form of yielding connection.
In the form here shown the hook K is pivoted at K³ to a piece which is secured
at its upper end to the top plate K that rests on the upper surface of a rubber
spring or cushion K, and the said cushion is supported by a bottom plate K*,
which is in turn held by the lower ends of a stirrup-piece K', the top and arch-
like portion of which is pivoted at K2 to the straps K₁ of the block.
I will now describe the means which the inventor of the present improvements
has devised and applied for effecting the dumping automatically of the load where
it may be necessary to use a dumping contrivance, and for easily and effectually
securing the stop frames at any desired and different points to the cable-way.
At Fig. 4, in which is shown in side elevation an entire apparatus, including
a clamping and dumping mechanism, all of the preferable form; n, n', is a bent
lever, pivoted to any suitable portion of the carriage-frame, as, for instance, at B²,
and to the upper end of the lever is jointed one end of a lever or bar n² which is
free to turn on its pivotal point, but which in its normal condition rests on the top
of a projection or supporting lug n of the carriage frame.
The bar n is formed or provided with stops 25 which come against the sup-
porting lugn, when the bar may be moved cudwise and operate to restrict or

page_text: limit such endwise movement of the bar in a manner and for the purpose to be
presently explained.
3 is a bar or rod (which may be made either of a given length or capable of
adjustment to various lengths), pivoted near its upper end to the lower end of the
bent lever n, n¹, and suitably shaped at its top, to be operated on by the guides n8
in such manner as to cause an outward movement of its upper end during its
ascent for the purpose of swinging its lower end inward or toward the dumping
bucket m whenever the said rod n³ may be lifted to insure the proper engagement
of the lower stirrup-like end of the rod with the outer end of the catch m³ of
the bucket, and the lifting up of the same to unlock the bucket and permit it to
dump.
The catch-bar m². is, as usual, hinged to the bail m¹ of the bucket m, and the
edge of the bucket is provided at m³ with the usual projection or roller, with
which the notched outer end of the arm m² engages in the manner well known.
The lower end of the device n³ is preferably inade, as shown at n³, in the form
of a stirrup, flexibly attached to the lower rigid end of the said device n³ in such
manner that the said stirrup can vibrate or swing in a direction away from the
bucket;
and it has been deemed expedient to have the parts n³ and n' adjustably
connected so that it may be adapted for use in connection with different dumping-
buckets having differently-formed catch-bars of various lengths.
The shape of the devices n³, n³, and their arrangement with the lower end of the
bent lever n, n¹, may be better understood perhaps by reference also to Fig. 5.
In the operation of the automatic dumping mechanism, assuming the carriage-
frame to be approaching the upgrade-stop, and that the load is to be there
discharged, the devices n³, n, would be in a disengaged condition relatively to
the catch-lever m2, and the latter would have the bucket locked, as indicated
by the dotted lines at Fig. 4, and during the approach of the carriage to the stop-
frame G, the free end of the bar n would come in contact with a projection no on
the stop-frame. As the carriage comes to a stop by reason of the bar n² having
been pushed back until its foremost stop n" comes to a dead-lock with the carriage-
frame, and its lug n, the bent lever n, n¹, it will be seen, will have been turned on
its axis at B3, and the devices n³, n, thereby lifted; but in the initial lifting
movement of these devices the operation on the curved upper end of m³, effected by
the guides n³, will have caused the lower portion of the devices to swing toward
the bucket m, and well under the outer end of the catch-bar m², so that during the
ascent of n¹ the said catch bar m³ will be lifted up, as shown at Fig. 4, and the
bucket unlocked, so that it may turn over and dump its contents in the usual
manner of such buckets. Upon the movement of the carriage away from the
stop-frame the parts will all resume their original positions, and the bucket will
become relocked.
In cases where it may be desired to lower the bucket without dumping, the
described automatic operations may be prevented by simply turning up and
fastening in an inoperative condition the actuating bar m², and to facilitate this
the bar may be made with a hook, as at n¹0, by which it may be hitched or tied up
to some convenient part of the carriage-frame.
If desired the devices n³, n', may also be swung up and fastened out of the way.
By the use of the curved upper end of n³, in connection with the guides n³, not
only is the stirrup n' caused to swing properly under the catch to be lifted before
it is lifted up to the catch, as already explained, but the devices n³, n³, are also
prevented by the guides ns from swinging about and interfering with the bucket
or hoisting block. The stirrup n, being free to swing away from the bucket,
there is no danger of any accidental operation of the catch bar m2, in the event
of any swinging to and fro of the bucket and the other carriage attachments, and
all the automatic dumping mechanism being attached to the travelling carriage-
frame; this mechanism must necessarily always be in place and in the proper
condition for operation when the dumping of the bucket may be desired.
As the gravity of the upgrade-stop G is sufficient to effect the necessary move-

page_text: ments of the automatic dumping mechanism without any securement of the stop
frame to the cable-way a, the dumping of the load may be effected at various
desired points along the line of upward travel of the carriage frame by simply
allowing the stop-frame G to run down to or by pulling it up to any desired place
along the cable-way, which adjustment of the stop-frame may be produced by
either paying out or hauling in the tail-rope To (see Fig. 4).
In cases where there may be no necessity for a frequent adjustment of the stops,
or where the time requisite to move and resecure them is of no moment, any
simple form of rope clamp T bolted to the cable a, together with a suitable
bumper T coupled to the stop by a chain T2, all, for instance, as seen at the left
hand side of Fig. 4, will answer; but in most cases it is quite necessary to
frequently change the location of the stops on the cable a, and the want of some
means for and method of conveniently and rapidly doing this has long been
desired.
The means devised for this important purpose are shown in the preferable form
at the right hand side of Fig. 4, and in a detail cross-section at Fig. 6. It may be
such that the necessary operations can be effected through the medium of the
hoisting-machine mechanism, or through the medium of means under the control
of the man or attendant on the ground at the rear end of the cable. It will be
described, as represented in the Drawings, where it will be seen that the stop frame
and the clamp proper (shown as S) are so connected by a slotted bar S, that the
stop frame is capable of some motion on the cable-way a independently of the
clamp, and that the whole is supported upon and free to travel together when
the clamp is loosened by means of the three sheaves E³, E³, E.
On the frame-bars S₁ (see Fig. 6) are pivoted two pairs of shear-arms S² and S³,
arranged a short distance apart, the upper ends of which arms carry the clamping-
jaws designed to gripe the cable a, and the lower ends of which are provided with
right and left-hand screw-nuts. Each clamping-jaw is composed, as shown, of a
metallic portion S, carrying a block of wood or other suitable material S adapted
to be pressed onto and take a firm grasp on the cable in opposition to a similar
jaw, and between the lower ends of the pairs of shear-arms is a chain wheel S',
the shaft S of which, being keyed fast to the hub of the said wheel, has cut on its
opposite ends right and left hand screw-threads, which work in similar cut
threads in the nuts S5.
Over the wheel S7 is placed a drive-chain S8, and to the rear part of the
frame-bars S¹ is attached a rope T, by means of which the clamping and stop
frames may be drawn up and allowed to run down on the cable (by hauling in and
paying out the rope) at will.
T3 is a bumper-spring or rubber cushion attached to the rearmost part of the stop-
frame G and adapted to come against the clamp S when made fast, to take up any
jar in stopping the carriage-frame.
It will be seen that by simply manipulating the drive chain S³, which may
extend downwards, as shown, or off to any desired locality, so as to turn the
chain-wheel S7 in one direction or the other, the clamping jaws may be closed upon
or made to release their gripe of the cable a at pleasure.
It will however be understood that so far as the feature (of the present Invention)
relating to the adjustable stops is concerned, various devices and combinations of
devices, other than those shown, may be employed to accomplish the purposes
described, the gist of this Invention in this particular consisting in the employment
in connection with the stop-frames (or either of them) of the machine, of a suitable
means for clamping or securing the frames in a given locality on the cable through
the medium of devices manipulated at a considerable distance from the clamping
device, as set forth.
Having now fully described the nature and object of the said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as the improvements

page_text: constituting the Invention secured by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent and communicated to me by the said Alexander E. Brown,-
1. The application and use in a hoisting and conveying contrivance of a
carriage-frame adapted to be supported and to travel on a cable or rail way, and
composed of a system of levers, such as that the weight of the suspended load
exerts a tendency to retain the parts in each of the two conditions they must
assume to retain and to release the suspension of the hoisting block and load.
2. The application and use in a conveying contrivance of a carriage-frame for
supporting and adapted to release the suspended load, so made and operating as
that in arriving at a downgrade stop the momentum will gradually be absorbed
either in the effort of lifting the load, which has to be made in order to effect its
releasement from the suspending-hooks of the carriage, or partially by such effort
and partially by the pull of the hoist-rope on the carriage in a reverse direction by
the releasement of the load.
3. The application and use in combination with the carriage provided with any
suitable means of engagement with the block to be suspended, of a hoist-block
having lugs or other devices designed to be held by such means of engagement
located about coincident with the axis of the hoist-block sheave.
4. The application and use in combination with the carriage of a downgrade-
stop device, and means on the carriage for engaging therewith, the combination
being and operating so that the combined action of the carriage and stop devices
effect, first, the operation of the weight suspending mechanism and arrest or partial
arrest of the carriage's travel; and second, the retention of the carriage against the
pull of the hoist-rope.
5. The combination with the carriage-frame provided with load retaining and
releasing devices, and an upgrade-stop frame provided with a fixed abutment
for the carriage, of a means for operating the releasing mechanism, which does
not interfere with either the subsequent operation of the said mechanism in
re-engaging the load or the subsequent return movement of the carriage and
all its attachments.
6. The combination with a cable-way or track adapted for use in a conveying
or hoisting and conveying apparatus, and a stop-frame adapted to be applied
thereto, of means for effecting a securement to, and releasement from the cable of
the said stop, which may be operated at a distance from the cable.
7. The combination with the carriage-frame and load-carrying receptacle or
bucket attached thereto in a conveying apparatus, of means for automatically
dumping the bucket carried wholly and directly by the said carriage frame, and
adapted to operate automatically.
And, 8. In combination with the hoisting-block and its weight supporting hook,
a yielding or clastic means of attachment of the hook to the block.
Each and all substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated on the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set ny band
and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
BRISTOW HUNT. (L.S.)