An Improved Device for Releasing Lines, Harness, Straps, Sheets, and the like when subjected to an Undesirable Strain.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1897-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897
2
An Improved Device for Releasing Lines, Harness, Straps, Sheets, and
the like when subjected to an Undesirable Strain.
I, DONALD LANGLEY TURNER, of 54, Lambton Quay, Wellington, in the Colony
of New Zealand, Chemist, 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:-
This invention relates to and its object is to provide a device for releasing
lines, sheets and the like when they are subjected to an undesirable strain; as for
example when the sheets of boats or yachts are strained to such an extent that
they must be released to avoid dangerous results. The device is applicable for
many purposes where two bodies must be separated or a cord or 'the like must be
released after a certain strain is exerted to avoid breaking the same or damaging
the structure to which such cord is attached, as for example it may be used for
tethering a horse and save the reins from being broken should the horse start
away from fright or other cause; or it may be used with stirrup leathers to
release a rider when the foot has been caught in the stirrup after the rider has
been thrown from his horse.
The invention is carried into effect by making a clutch which normally passes
within a tube and grips an eyebolt hooked to one end of a spring, the other end
of said spring being secured to the farther end of the tube; so that with ordinary
work the clutch remains within the tube, but when the strain exceeds that for
which the device is, set, the clutch will be pulled out of the tube and the release
effected.
In order that the invention may be most easily understood by a skilled person
the invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawing to which reference will
be made whilst giving a detailed description.
Figure 1 is an exterior view of the device as arranged for fine adjustment.
Figure 2 is a 'section of the same.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clutch when opened and the eyebolt
released.
Figure 4 is a section of a cheaper form and as arranged for coarser adjustments.
Figure 5 is a view of the end of Figure 4.
Similar letters refer to similar parts.
C.
Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3 the
clutch a has jaws a pivoted at a² and hollowed to receive the ball 1 and
stem 62 of eyebolt b, which engages 'with spring The other end of the spring
is attached to the eyebolt d fixed in the head of the tube f in the interior of
tube g. The exterior of tube g is threaded with any suitable thread to receive
the adjustable tube h. The thread shewn on the drawing is a fine pitch, but the
pitch may be increased to any desirable extent.
With ordinary work the clutch a will remain wholly or partially within the
adjustable tube h but under an abnormal strain the said clutch will be drawn
out of the tube and then opening out as shewn on Figure 3 will be released from

page_text: the tube. The tube h may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the same upon
the interior tube 9 so that it will pass more or less upon the clutch a and make 'it
necessary that the spring e shall be more or less extended before the clutch can
escape. The tube h is provided with a scale ¹ which may be read whilst making
fine adjustments and may be secured from turning by set screw h³. In some cases
the set screw may be replaced by a lock and key so that the device cannot be
tampered with, but be adjusted by an authorized person only.
On Figures 4 and 5 the adjustment is made by sliding the eyebolt d in the
head of tube f and then securing the same by means of the conical wedges d²
and nut. The stem of the eyebolt is serrated at 4 to engage with a spring
catch ' to enable adjustment to be made and in the dark to indicate to an operator
the distance he has moved the stem and thus to what degree he has decreased or
increased the strength of the device. The various parts may be made of any
suitable metal and preferably of brass or similar metal which will not readily
deteriorate when exposed to the weather.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details
herein before set forth as these may be modified in several ways without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A releasing device, consisting of a clutch normally retained within a tube
by a spring but capable of being withdrawn therefrom under an abnormal strain
and thus releasing itself from an eyebolt and the device, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
2. A releasing device, consisting of a clutch normally retained by a spring
within an adjusting tube provided with a scale for making fine adjustments and a
set screw for securing the same from turning, said clutch being capable of with-
drawal under abnormal strain and thus releasing itself from an eyebolt and the
device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
3. A releasing device, consisting of a clutch normally retained within a tube by
a spring and eyebolt which may be adjusted by means of conical wedges and a
nut, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
4. A releasing device, consisting of a clutch normally retained within a tube
by a spring and eyebolt which may be adjusted by means of conical wedges and
a nut having a spring catch to indicate the degree to which the spring has been
set, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
.
5. The releasing device, consisting of parts constructed arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein and illustrated on the
accompanying drawing.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.