Improvements in Hoisting Gear.
Year: 1894

page_text: Improvements in Hoisting Gear.
'
THOMAS LOCKERBIE 218 Rhodeswell Road Limehouse London East Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to dispense with the ordinary spur gearing in crab
winches, cranes, and the like, and instead of such gearing, to use ordinary chain
pulleys.
་
In carrying this invention out I mount two ordinary chain pulleys on a spindle
one of which has a greater number of teeth than the other.
When revolving the spindle by hand or power and working the bight of the chain
through a single travelling block I get an ordinary differential pulley block purchase,
but if a faster motion be required I have arrangements made by which I lock one
of the pulleys to the frame of the winch leaving the spindle and the other pulley to
revolve thereby increasing the speed by the amount that the locked pulley would
have paid out had it been revolving as a differential pulley block.
The mechanism to effect this can be conveniently arranged by having one of the
pulleys mounted on the spindle so that by withdrawing the feather that keeps the
pulley fast to the spindle and transferring it to a slot in the frame of the winch
the pulley will be held fast to the frame and the spindle with the other pulley will
be free to revolve.
66
When applying this invention to hoisting gear where the power is applied at the
periphery of the pulleys as in the so called Weston" pulley block the spindle and
one pulley would be locked to the frame instead of locking the pulley and allowing
the spindle with the other pulley to revolve.
Dated this the 13th day of February 1894.
THOMAS LOCKERBIE.
Improvements in Hoisting Gear.
THOMAS LOCKERBIE of 218 Rhodeswell Road Limehouse in the County of
Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to simplify the gearing and general construction
of cranes, winches, and the like and to increase the efficiency of what is known as
the differential pulley block.
By my invention I dispense to a great extent, with toothed gearing of the usual
type, and instead of such gearing, use two ordinary chain pulleys mounted on a
spindle.
In some instances I also use one or more auxilliary pulleys, and one or more
spindles or counter spindles. One large, and one smaller pulley or sheeve are
mounted on the main spindle referred to, the others being mounted on one or other
of the auxilliary or counter spindles, and geared so as to work together, when
required.

page_text: In carrying out my invention I mount two ordinary chain sheeves on a main
spindle, one of which may be keyed or otherwise made fast thereto, and the other
so arranged that it can be released from the spindle and made fast to the frame of
the winch.
A suitable chain is reeved through a single sheeved travelling block, one part of
the chain is reeved over or under one of the chain sheeves on the spindle in one
direction, whilst another part is reeved over or under the other chain sheeve in an
opposite direction.
When revolving the spindle with both sheeves fast, and one of the sheeves
contains a greater number of teeth than the other, the travelling block and weight
attached would rise or fall according to the direction in which the sheeves are
revolving, and the speed at which the weight would rise or fall would be governed
by the difference in the number of teeth in the respective sheeves, revs. being equal.
To obtain a faster speed for the weight the number of revs. being the same I disconnect
one of the sheeves from the spindle, and sometimes by the same action make it fast
to the frame of the winch.
This is effected by making the spindle hollow, and forming a groove or grooves
in the outer surface parallel to its length a portion of the grooves being carried
through to the hollow in the spindle.
In the hollow of the spindle I insert a central pin which can be moved backwards
and forwards.
I form one or more slots in the central pin, and fit into these slots one or more
cottars, the outer ends of which project beyond the outer surface of the spindle
forming sliding feathers.
The backward and forward motion of the central pin can be effected by a lever,
a hand or chain wheel acting on a screwed portion of the pin, or a wedge or spring
may be used.
There are recesses in the bosses of the sheeves into which the feathers can be
inserted or withdrawn by moving the central pin.
When my improvements are applied to lifting gear of the worm screw type,
1 employ two sheeves of different sizes on the lifting spindle, which is hollow as
above described, and is fitted with a central pin, and clutches at each end.
When the large sheeve is fast to the frame the small sheeve is fast to the spindle,.
and when revolving a slow motion is obtained and when the small sheeve is fast to
the frame the large sheeve is fast to the spindle and when revolving a fast speed is
obtained.
When a very slow speed is desired both sheeves are released from the frame but
one only is fast to the spindle, the other being free to run loose.
The end of the chain from the latter is hauled down to the travelling block, and
with a shackle, or other like appliance is made fast thereto.
This arrangement will give two speeds according as the large or small sheeve is
fast to the spindle.
In order that my improvements may be better understood, reference is made to
9 sheets of drawings which accompany this Specification.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 is a plan of a double speed crab winch partly shown in section.
Fig. 2 Sheet 2 is an end elevation, and Fig. 3 Sheet 2 is a side elevation of the
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 is a plan of a double speed crab winch partly shown in section.
Fig. 2 Sheet 2 is an end elevation, and Fig. 3 Sheet 2 is a side elevation of the
same.
A is a box, or frame in which the spindles & sheeves revolve.
B is a large chain sheeve, and C. is a smaller chain sheeve.
B₁ is a plain sheeve round which the hoisting chain passes from the travelling
block on its way to the large, or taking in sheeve, and C is a similar sheeve guiding
the paying out chain in an upward direction towards the travelling block after it
has left the smaller chain sheeve.
D

page_text: E is a hollow spindle on which is made fast the larger sheeve B. and revolves in
the bearings E¹.
F. is a central pin filling into the hollow of the spindle E and having double lugs
at one end to receive the end of the lever G and a slot H' to receive a projection
on the sliding feather H. I is a crank with a recess in the arm, in which the
lever G. is mounted, and works backwards and forwards. K is a bracket fixed to
the frame in which a locking bar K' works, and has a slot K2 into which a bar with
a handle fits so as to keep the locking bar from dropping when the slow or differential
motion is in use.
When the locking bar K' is down, the lower end fits into a recess in the boss of
the smaller sheeve C and prevents it from revolving with the spindle.
As shown in the three figs. just described, the quick motion is available, the
smaller sheeve is fixed to the frame by the locking bar K', and the sliding feather H
connects the friction disc D to the spindle, the smaller sheeve C. being unlocked, so
that the spindle is free to revolve. The levers for working the strap on the friction
disc, are so arranged that lowering cannot take place without releasing the grip,
but hoisting may be carried on without disturbing the releasing lever.
In working the winch, the paying out, or smaller sheeve being fast to the frame,
all the chain that is taken in by the larger sheeve is retained, thereby giving a fast
motion.
When a slower, and more powerful motion is desired, the bar used for holding the
locking bar in position is inserted into the socket G' in the lever G, and the lever
thrown over to the opposite angle, by this means the feather H is released from the
friction disc, and the opposite end enters the recess in the smaller sheeve, thus
coupling the two chain sheeves together. The locking bar K¹ is then raised, and
the bar used for throwing over the lever G is inserted in the slot K2, in which
position it remains until a change of speed is desired.
The arrows in Fig. 3 Sheet 2, indicate the direction in which the chain travels
away from, and in the direction of, the travelling block when a weight is being
raised.
Fig. 1 Sheet 3 is a plan of a triple speed crab winch, partly shown in section,
and Fig. 2 Sheet 4, is an elevation of the same.
A is the frame B & C being chain sheeves, D is the friction disc, all as before
described, with reference to Sheets 1 & 2 but the disc D, is mounted on a counter
spindle. E is the hollow spindle also previously described. F is a central pin
having the slot H₁ for the projection on the sliding feather H, as previously
described, but instead of having lugs for a lever, it is screwed at one end, and has
a continuation, F¹ which is a short piece and detached therefrom. F is a three
pawed clutch, attached to the short piece, by a pin F³, on the outer end of which
is a spiral shown in compression. The paws of the clutch are fitted into slots
in the hollow spindle E and travel therein. G is a hand wheel, which may be
screwed internally, to fit the screw on the central pin F., but by preference the
centre is bored plain, and two pins with the ends projecting inwards, fit into the
threads on the screw, and act in the same manner as an internal thread. There
is a collar E' screwed on to the hollow spindle E, the outer edge of which is reduced
in thickness. On the inner side of the collar a disc is fitted G', the hand wheel G.
being placed on the outside and the two fastened together with screwed pins. The
hand wheel thus mounted revolves on the collar in either direction, according as
the pin F is required to travel outwards or inwards. I is a crank, but instead of
being fixed to the main spindle as described with reference to Sheets 1 & 2 it is
fixed to and actuates a driving spindle I¹.
Upon the spindle 11 are mounted two sheeves, one plain C' runs loose, and the
other B', a chain sheeve, is keyed or otherwise made fast to the spindle.
The bracket K, and the locking bar K¹ are not shown here but come into
requisition. C is a plain sheeve mounted on and revolving with a spindle C*.
C³ is a chain sheeve of the same diameter as C. and is mounted on a hollow
spindle E. L is a flat chain pinion, the chain of which gears over a chain wheel L',

page_text: the ratio of travel being 2 to 1. M is a central pin in the hollow spindle E³, with
a 3 pawed clutch at each end, M' & M³ respectively, and similar to the one described
at on the main spindle E.
The chain travels in the direction indicated by the arrows on Sheet 4, when a
weight is being raised.
As shown in Sheets 3 & 4 the slow speed is available. The taking in chain N
Sheet 4 from the travelling block passes round the underside of the large sheeve B.
and over the small chain sheeve B' on the driving spindle I, and downwards in the
direction of the arrows, to the slack chain in the locker. The paying out chain O.
Sheet 4., from the locker passes over the plain sheeve C2, under the chain sheeve C,
over the loose plain sheeve C¹ on the driving spindle I' and downwards under the
chain sheeve C³ on the counter spindle E³, it then passes upwards in the direction
of the travelling block.
When the lifting chain just described is reeved under the chain sheeves a trough
..shaped "fairlead or guide curved to suit the path of the chain, is placed under
the sheeves so as to keep the chain in the grooves.
When working as above described the counter spindle E³ is free to revolve at
whatever speed the main spindle E is revolving, the flat chain pinion L being out
of gear.
When an intermediate speed is desired, the hand wheel G is turned in the
direction necessary to bring the central pin F. outwards, thus moving the feather H
far enough to clear the smaller sheeve C, at the same time the spiral spring E
forces the clutch F2 into the recesses in the flat chain pinion L, thus gearing the
main spindle E to the counter spindle E³ at a ratio of 2 to 1. The smaller
sheeve C is now running free on the main spindle E, and the chain sheeve C³ on
the counter spindle E³ becomes the paying out sheeve, and as the main spindle
makes two revs. to one of the counter spindle, less chain is paid out, and a
correspondingly faster speed obtained. When it is desired to have a fast motion,
the central pin M in the counter spindle E' is moved inwards, this can be effected
by a hand wheel similar to that described at G Sheet 3, or it may be done by a
lever acting on a pin with a conical point, and travelling in a guide, the point
being inserted in the conical recess in the head of the pin M' so that when moving
the lever, the central pin is forced inwards and may be kept in position by a catch,
or other well known means.
The clutch M2 is then disengaged from the flat chain wheel L', and the clutch M³
is thrown into recesses in the sleeve of the friction disc D. This disc is prevented
from turning in the direction necessary for lowering a weight, by the arrangement
of friction strap as described in reference to Sheets 1 & 2 Figs. 1 & 2. The
chain is thus held fast by the sheeve C3 and by turning the large sheeve B on the
main spindle E, a fast motion will be obtained.
Lowering can be effected by hand by turning the large sheeve in an opposite
direction, or the brake may be used.
When the brake is used for lowering an appliance similar to that described in
reference to K & K₁ Sheet 2, may be used in connection with the large chain
sheeve thus locking the spindle and the sheeve B. to the frame. The lowering
would then be accomplished by the small sheeve C³ on the counter spindle E³, the
motion being controlled by releasing more or less .the grip of the strap on the
friction disc.
Fig. 1. Sheet 5. is a sectional elevation of a double speed pulley block.
A. is the frame B is a large chain sheeve, and C a smaller sized sheeve D is a
hollow spindle screwed inside at one end for a pin, and at the other end a slot is
formed, this end being shouldered, and screwed for a washer.
E is the washer referred to, and F is the pin referred to. E' is a washer kept
in position by the pin F. These washers form collars. G is a central pin fitting
into the hollow of the spindle. G₁ is a feather, and G2 is a projection on the
feather.
H is a spiral spring shown compressed.

page_text: I is a wedge made to slide upwards and downwards, in a slot in the bracket K.
There is an eye at the top I into which a spike on the end of a rod fits for pushing
upwards, and a hook is formed on one side of the spike, for pulling downwards.
There are also projections 13 at the top which fit into the grove A¹, projecting
from one side of the frame.
As shown on drawing Fig. 1. Sheet 5 the slow motion is available, the spindle
with the two sheeves being free to run together in either direction.
When a fast motion is required, the wedge I is pushed upwards to the position
shown dotted I', the projections I³ in the guide A¹ keeping it in proper position.
The central pin G is then forced outwards by the spring H, the feather G
sliding in the slot in the hollow spindle D, and the projection G' which is shown
in a recess in the boss of the large sheeve B. is transferred to a slot G³ in the
frame A.
In the position just described the spindle with the small sheeve C which is
keyed to it are locked to the frame and the large sheeve B is free to revolve.
Fig. 1 Sheet 6 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 Sheet 6 is a sectional elevation of
a double speed pulley block.
A is the frame, B is the large sheeve, and in this instance is keyed to the
spindle. C is the small sheeve. D. is the hollow spindle screwed inside at each
end, and turned and shouldered to fit the bearings. There is also a slot through
the pin for the cottar G¹.
E and E are hollow pins, the heads of which act as collars. F is a screwed
block, double threaded, with a projection F¹ which fits into the hollow of the pin E.,
the block and projection being made fast to the grooved pulley H. by the pin F¹
and the small set pin F³.
G. is the central pin with a slot through it, into which a cottar G¹ is inserted,
and kept in position by the pin G which is shown dotted.
The cottar G' projects through the spindle D. in the slot formed therein D' for
the purpose. The projection of the cottar forms a sliding feather and fits into
recesses in either of the sheeves. I¹ is a spiral spring shown extended and is
kept in position by the pin G³, and the hollow pin E¹, acts as a shoulder for the
thrust.
K. is a hinged bar, forked at the lower end to receive the outer end of the
pin G and a projection K' passes through the side of the frame and fits into a
recess in the boss of the small sheeve C. L is a sleeve in the outer end of which
the screwed block F. travels, the inner end, which is screwed into the frame A.
forms one of the bearings of the spindle D..
As shown in Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 6 the fast motion is available, the small sheeve C.
being kept fast to the frame by the projection K¹ on the bar K, and the feather G¹
being clear of the sheeve C. When the slow motion is required, the grooved
pulley H is turned half the circumference, and the pins L', which are projection
inwards in the sleeve L, and which fit into the threads of the block F, cause the
block to travel inwards the projection F¹ on the screwed block being in contact
with the pin G, forces the latter with its cottar G' far enough to transfer the
projecting feather from the recess in the large sheeve B to the recess G2 in the
small sheeve C. At the same time compressing the spring 1 on the pin G
the outer end of which forces outwards the bar K to the position K2, shown in
dotted lines thus releasing the small sheeve C. and allowing the spindle with
the two sheeves to revolve freely. When the fast motion is again required the
grooved pulley H. is turned backwards, and the spring forces the central pin back
to the position shown on Fig. 1 Sheet 6.
The turning of the grooved pulley is effected by two cords made fast thereto,
and led to a convenient position.
B³ is a
Fig. 1 Sheet 7 is a sectional elevation of a triple speed pulley block.
A is the frame B is the large sheeve with an internal toothed wheel B'.
hand chain wheel, keyed on to the spindle B, the wheel & pinion are geared to
about 4 to 1. C. is the smaller sheeve with a friction disc C¹ on the outside.

page_text: D is the hollow spindle with three slots D¹ in one end for the paws of a clutch
and two slots D² & D³ for the projections on the sliding feathers L & L7, the two
washers E&E being screwed on to form collars.
F is a chain or cord pulley, the inner end of which revolves in a bearing formed
by the outer end of the bearing bracket G, whilst the outer end revolves in a
beam in the carrying bracket H. F¹ is a hollow block screwed on the outside,
and having a round hole in one end through which a pin L³, with a collar passes,
this pin is screwed into the central pin L.
In the other end is a square hole into which is fitted a square projection I' on
the thimble I. so as to prevent the block from turning. K' is a flat chain pinion
on the spindle B', and K' is a wheel, to which it is geared by a flat chain at a ratio
of about 2 to 1.
The outer ends of the wheel K₁ and the pinion K. revolve in the carrying
bracket H. L is a central pin with its continuation L¹, which is detached
therefrom. L² is a three pawed clutch and is fastened to the pin L' by a set
screw L³.
.
L is a spiral spring in compression. L' is the pin by which the screwed
block is attached to the central pin L, at the same time allowing the latter to
revolve freely.
As shown in the drawing Fig. 1. Sheet 7, the slow motion is available.
When the intermediate speed is required the chain pulley F is turned half
the circumference. This movement draws the central pin L far enough out to
allow the feather L' to clear the large sheeve, at the same time the spindle L*
forces the clutch L2 into the recesses K2 in the chain wheel K' and the feather L
into a recess in the boss of the large sheeve B. The small sheeve is now free of
the large sheeve but is still fast to the spindle, and the large sheeve is free to
revolve on the spindle.
By turning the chain driving wheel B³ four revs. the large sheeve will perform
about one rev., whilst the smaller sheeve, through the flat chain gearing will
perform about two revs.
The large sheeve thus becomes the paying out sheeve, whilst the smaller
becomes the taking in sheeve.
When the fast speed is required, the chain pulley F. is moved round the other
half circumference, this movement draws the feather L' into a recess in the boss
of the small sheeve C, thus freeing the sheeve from the spindle, which is now
free of both sheeves.
The small sheeve C is held fast to the frame by the brake arrangement
previously described, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 Sheets 1 and 2.
The chain is thus held fast by the sheeve C, and by turning the hand chain
wheel B³ the large sheeve B revolves on the spindle taking in chain and no chain
being paid out a correspondingly faster speed is obtained.
Lowering can be effected by hand, by reversing the motion of the hand chain
wheel, but the brake may be used, in which case the lever controlling the friction
strap is released more or less according to the speed required.
Fig. 1 Sheet 8. is a sectional elevation of part of the bearing frame, sheeves,
and worm wheel, showing the application of the improvements to hoisting gear of
the worm wheel type, and Fig. 2 Sheet 8, is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 Sheet 9 is a skeleton diagram showing the centres & path of the chain
whilst raising a weight by the slowest motion.
A. A. is the frame. B is the large, & C. the small sheeves. D is the worm
wheel. E is the hollow spindle. E' is the projection on the sliding feather E².
F F. are the prongs of a three pawed clutch, forming part of a screwed sliding
block F F F are the prongs of a similar clutch, and form part of a sliding
disc F. G is a chain or cord pulley. H is a central pin with a slot at E', and is
reduced at each end so as to form shoulders, the reduced parts are marked H¹ & H³.
I is a flat cottar filling into a slot in the bearing bracket K.
As shown on Fig. 1. Sheet 8 both sheeves are clear of the frame. The smaller

page_text: sheeve is locked to the spindle, and the large sheeve is free to run loose on the
spindle.
The chain L Fig. 3 Sheet 9, from the travelling block M is reeved over the
small sheeve C. in one direction, and another portion of the chain, N Fig. 3. Sheet 9
is reeved over the large sheeve B in an opposite direction.
The end of the chain N, is provided with a hook, or shackle, which is made
fast to the top of the travelling block at N'.
This arrangement constitutes a set of 2 & 1 blocks giving a slow & powerful
motion. When a faster motion is required the chain N' is detached from the
travelling block, and the chain pulley G is turned half the circumference, this
forces the travelling block F2 forward, and the prongs F F enter recesses in the
large sheeve B, and lock the sheeve to the frame. In this position all the chain
taken in by the small sheeve is retained, and a faster motion results.
.
When a still faster motion is required the cottar I is lifted clear of the end of
the central pin H¹ and the chain pulley G is turned backwards, the spring F³ then
forces the disc F with its prongs F F into recesses in the smaller sheeve C.,
at the same time the prongs F. are being released from the recesses in the large
sheeve B. The large sheeve now becomes the lifting sheeve.
I do not confine myself to the precise methods shown in the drawings, as it is
obvious that portions of the detail shown on one set of figs., may with advantage
be applied to another set.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. Adapting the differential method of hoisting to cranes, winches blocks, and
the like, so as to be able to alter the working arrangements, and produce, two or
more motions varying in speed, with mechanism complete in the set of apparatus
substantially in the manner described and delineated.
2nd. The method of varying the speed of the motion, two or more times in
cranes blocks and the like, that are worked by a worm screw and wheel, or other
appliance of a like nature.
Dated this 9th day of November 1804
T. LOCKERBIE.