IMPROVE- MENTS IN CAPSTANS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CAPSTANS."- A communication from
Halifa Nove Sectie Engineer
Muirhead, of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
July 1857.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSTANS," a communication from
Muirhead, of
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Engineer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates essentially to certain mechanical modifications upon
the purchase apparatus used as a capstan on board ships, in harbours, and in
other situations, by which modifications superior advantages are gained as
regards power, compactness of parts, and facility of working. In one arrange-
ment of this improved capstan the main stationary vertical spindle of the
purchase apparatus has fitted loosely upon it a duplex winding or purchase
barrel, on the top of which is fastened a large horizontal bevil wheel. On the
top of the central spindle, and over the bevil wheel, there is attached a deep
eye or collar piece, carrying a horizontal cross head, with end pendant or
pedestal pieces to receive the two outer ends of a pair of actuating spindles.
These spindles are disposed in the same axial line diametrically across tho

page_text: upper face of the bevil wheel, and their inner contiguous ends rest in bearings
in the central collar piece already mentioned. Each of these spindles has
keyed upon it, just inside the pedestal arnis of the cross head, a bevil pinion,
the two pinions being set in reverse or opposite directions, so as both to gear
one on each side with the large bevil wheel. The outer ends of the two
spindles project somewhat beyond the pedestal arms, and cach projecting end
has keyed upon it a ratchet wheel of large diameter and formed with radial
angular teeth. On the inner face of each of these ratchet wheels there is an
annular collar turned true to carry the actuating ratchet case or frame.
This frame or case is irregular in form, and it has a projection upon its upper
side to carry a duplex ratchet catch arrangement and a reversing movement.
The two catches for the ratchet wheel are simply hung in opposite directions
upon studs inside the case, in such a way that either of them may be put into
gear with the ratchet teeth of the wheel. The reverser is a duplex catch or
lifter, worked by an external bandle, so that by setting this handle to one side
or the other the proper actuating catch is brought into gear. The whole of this
chamber is covered in, so that the details are entirely bidden, excepting only
the external setting lever. The capstan is worked from the two opposite sides
by means of two separate widely forked levers, the ends of the forked arms
of which are put into gear for working by being entered into corresponding
recesses in the ratchet frames; the forks of the lovers are wide enough to
stretch across from one frame to the other, so that each lever works the two
frames in concert. With this arrangement, the vibration of the working levers
gives a continuous rotatory action to the bevil wheel and its purchase barrels,
and the operations can at any time reverse the direction of revolution, by
adjusting the ratchet catches accordingly, the actuating levers still being
worked as before. The outer ends of the two horizontal spindles are squared,
so that winch handles can be fitted on for turning them when a quicker speed
is required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuanco of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed 3
by the said William Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th January 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and of
166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Civil Engineer, 3
send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, er heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Johnson, Her special license that 1, the said William Johnson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSTANS,"
(a communication from Muirhead, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Engineer,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Johnson, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after tho
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Johnson, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates essentially to certain mechanical modifications
upon the purchase apparatus used as a capstan on board ships, in harbours,
and in other situations, by which modifications superior advantages are gained
as regards power, compactness of parts, and facility of working. In one
arrangement of this improved capstan, the main stationary vertical spindle of
the purchase apparatus has fitted loosely upon it a duplex winding or purchase
barrel, on the top of which is fastened a large horizontal bevil wheel. On
the top of the central spindle, and over the bevil wheel, there is attached a
deep eye or collar piece carrying a horizontal cross head, with end pendant
eyes or pedestal picces to receive the two outer ends of a pair of actuating
spindles. These spindles are disposed in the same axial line diametrically
across the upper face of the bevil wheel, and their contiguous ends rest
in bearings in the central collar piece already mentioned. Each of these
spindles has keyed upon it, just inside the pedestal arms of the cross head,
a bevil pinion, the two pinions boing set in reverse or opposite directions, so
as both to gear one on each side with the large bevil wheel. The outer ends

page_text: of the two spindles project somewhat beyond the pedestal armus, and each
projecting end has keyed upon it a ratchet wheel of large diameter, and
formed with radial angular teeth. On the inner face of each of these ratchet
wheels there is an annular collar turned true to carry the actuating ratchet
case or frame. This frame or case is irregular in form, and it has a pro-
jection upon its upper side to carry a duplex ratchet catch arrangement and
a reversing movement. The two catches for the ratchet wheel are simply
hung in opposite directions upon studs inside the case, in such a way that
either of them may be put into gear with the ratchet teeth of the wheel. Tho
reverser is a duplex catch or lifter worked by an external handle, so that by
setting this handle to one side or the other the proper actuating catch is
brought into gear. The whole of this chamber is covered in, so that the
details are entirely hidden, excepting only the external setting lever. The
capstan is worked from the two opposite sides by means of two separate
widely forked levers, the ends of the forked arms of which are put into gear
for working by being entered into corresponding recesses in the ratchet
frames. The forks of the levers are wide enough to stretch across from
one frame to the other, so that cach lover works the two frames in concert.
With this arrangement the vibration of the working levers gives a con-
tinuous rotatory action to the bevil wheel and its purchase barrels, and the
operators can at any time reverse the direction of revolution by adjusting
the ratchet catches accordingly, the actuating levers still being worked as
before. The outer ends of the two horizontal spindles are squared, so that
winch handles can be fitted on for turning them when a quicker speed is
required. The whole of the gearing mechanism is covered in by a cylin-
drical top cap, which both looks well, and screens every working detail from
view.
And in order that the said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which the Invention may be judiciously
carried out in practice. Figure 1 on my Sheet of Drawings is an elevation
of a capstan arranged according to one modification of the improvements;
Figure 2 is a plan corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of
one of the vertical boxes, showing the arrangement of the reversing move-
ment; Figure 4 is a partially sectional elevation, showing the capstan
arranged for working upon the quarter and main decks of a vessel. Referring
to the arrangement shown in Figure 1, 2, and 3 of my illustrative Drawings,
to the deck A of the vessel is bolted or otherwise secured the paul rim B, in

page_text: the centre of which is fixed the vertical spindle C. Upon this spindle is
fitted loosely a duplex winding barrel D; the lower part E of this barrel is
made with radial whelps F, whilst the upper part G of the barrel is hollowed
out to a concave form like the sheave of a block or pulley. To the lower
rim of the winding barrel D is secured the pauls II, which fall into tho
notches or recesses in the paul rim B, so as to prevent the recoil of the
barrel. A horizontal bevil wheel I is bolted to the upper part G of the
winding barrel, which is turned to form a recess, in which the wheel is fitted.
Upon the upper end of the central spindle C there is keyed a deep eye or
collar piece J, having two arms K, which form a cross head; the ends of the
arms are bent downwards, and form pendant eyes or bearings for the
spindles L of the bevil pinions M. The inner ends of the spindles L are
carried in apertures made for the purpose in the collar piece J, and the outer
ends project beyond their bearings in the arms K, and carry the ratchet wheels
for reversing the motion of the capstan. The bevil pinions M are keyed to tho
spindles L just inside the vertical portions of the arms K, and are arranged
opposite to each other, and in gear with the bevil wheel I, which is driven by
the pinions M. To the outer end of each of the spindles L is keyed a ratchet
wheel N. These wheels are made with radial angular teeth, as shown in the
front view, Figure 3. Upon each face of the ratchet wheels N there is a
projecting ring, forming an annular collar. These collars are turned true,
and made to fit corresponding annular openings in the ratchet cases or frames
O, which the ratchet wheels serve to support. The ratchet cases or frames
are made sufficiently deep to cover the tecth of the ratchet wheels N, but
without interfering with their rotatory motion. The upper part of each ratchet
case O projects upwards above the inclosed wheel N, and within this space is
fitted the arrangement for reversing the direction of motion of the ratchet
wheels. The reversing is effected by means of a pair of pauls P and Q, and a
duplex catch or lifter R, which is worked by the handle S. The pauls P and
Qare hung with their free ends in opposite directious; they are carried loosely
upon the studs T, which pass through the outer enclosing plate U of the ratchet
case or frame O and the case or frame itself. The duplex lifter R is hung
upon the spindle of the actuating bandle S; the spindle is carried by the case
or frame O and by the enclosing plate U; the central part of the spindle is
made square where the duplex lifter fits. By moving the handle S, either to
the right or left hand, the right or left-hand paul P or Q is lifted by the
duplex lifter R coming in contact with it, free from the teeth of the ratchet
wheel N, whilst the other paul, which is now disengaged, falls down into the
teeth of the wheel.

page_text: In Figure 3 of my Drawings the duplex lifter R is shown moved over to the
left-hand side, by the handle S being placed in a corresponding position,
as shown in dotted lines. In this position the left-hand paul P is raised, and
the paul Q is in gear with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, which is free to move
onwards towards the right, and is prevented from moving in the opposite
direction by the paul Q. Upon the shifting of the handle S to the right the
paul P falls between the teeth of the ratchet wheel N, which is thereby caused
to move in the opposite direction. When the capstan's motion is to be
reversed, both the handles S are moved simultaneously by the men who are
working the purchase. The outer enclosing plate U is simply a flat plate of
metal corresponding to the shape of the ratchet case or frame O, and secured
thereto by bolts. This plate has a circular opening in it, which fits the
projecting ring or collar upon the outer face of the wheel N. When the
enclosing plates U are secured in their places the ratchet wheels and reversing
mechanism are completely enclosed and protected from injury or from injuring
those who are working the capstan. The ratchet cases O have a projecting
part V at each side; this part is hollow, and with the enclosing plate U forms
a square recess or socket to receive the ends of the forked levers W. The
squared ends of the levers W are entered into the recesses V of the ratchet
cases O, and are retained therein by keys or pins. The free end of each of the
levers W terminates in an eye, through which is passed a cross handle X, by
means of which the capstan is put in motion. The capstan is worked in
manner similar to a ship's pumps or a patent windlass, that is to say, a vertical
reciprocatory movement is given to the handles X. Upon the handles being
put in motion the pauls P or Q force round the ratchet wheels N, which, being
keyed to the spindles L, give motion to the pinions M, and these in their turn
drive round the horizontal bevil wheel I and winding barrel D. The central
working parts of the capstan, namely, the horizontal bevil wheel I and the
pinions M, are covered in by a cylindrical metal cap Y, which is supported by
the arms K of the collar piece J, two deep slots being cut in the rim of the
cap to admit of its descending low enough to cover the wheel I. In the plan
view, Figure 2, the cap is removed, in order to show the working details. The
upper or smooth concave part G of the winding barrel is used for hauling in
ropes or hempen cables, whilst the lower part E is especially useful for chain
cables and other similar purposes, as the links of the chain are held tightly by
the wedge-like arrangement of the whelps F.
In the modification shown in Figure 4 of my Drawings the improved
capstan is arranged with duplex winding barrels, one of which is fitted upon
the quarter deck and one upon the main deck, or in any other convenient

page_text: locality, where such a purchase is required. To the quarter deck A and main
deck B are bolted two cast-iron plates C and D. The outer edges of these plates
are turned upwards, and inside the flanges are the teeth or stops E, against
which the pauls Fact. A fixed spindle G passes through the paul rims
C and D, the lower one D serving as a footstep bearing for the spindle, which
is secured to the rim D by a nut II or other suitable fastening. The central
aperture in the upper paul rim C is made of larger diameter than the spindle
G, in order that it may receive the hollow shaft I, which is fitted over the
spindle G, the shaft working through a stuffing box J fitted in the eye of the
paul rim C. The lower end of the shaft I rests upon the central portion of
the paul rim D, and its upper and lower ends are fitted internally with brass
bearing rings J, which form the collar bearings of tho shaft. To the upper
part of the shaft I is fitted the concave winding barrel K, the lower part
of which rests upon a collar formed on the shaft I; and to the lower part of
the shaft is affixed the main deck winding barrel L. Both of the winding
barrels are male with grooves, which are slipped over feathers formed upon
the shaft I; these feathers are shown in dotted lines upon the left-hand side
of the barrel K and to the right of the barrel L. In addition to these feathers
there are adjusting screws to fasten the barrels to the shaft, which will be
presently referred to. The lower barrel is by preference arranged with the
ogee-shaped whelps, as shown in the lower barrel in Figure 1 of my Drawings;
but as this arrangement of a capstan barrel forms a part of an Invention for
which British Letters Patent were granted to Thomas Brown on or about the
20th day of April 1847, I make no claim thereto. The upper end of the
spindle G carries a collar piece M, which is slipped over the spindle G, and
rests upon the shoulder of the hollow shaft I, and being keyed to the spindle
prevents the shaft from rising when the capstan is in motion. The collar
piece has arms or brackets cast or otherwise formed thereon, which support
the outer ends of the spindles N. The inner ends of the spindles N are carried
in bearings in the collar piece M, and to the spindles are keyed the bevil
pinions O, which gear with the horizontal bevil wheel P on the upper part of
the winding barrel K. By means of the set screws Q the winding barrels K
and L are firmly secured to the hollow shaft I; these screws prevent the
barrels from rising up the shaft I when the capstan is in motion. To the outer
extremities of the spindles N are keyed a pair of ratchet wheels, fitted with
ratchet cases and reversing gear, in all respects similar to that shown in
Figures 1 and 2 of my Drawings, and herein-before described; these parts,
however, are not shown in Figure 4. The upper part of the capstan is also
enclosed by a metal cap, similar to that shown in Figure 1, for the purpose

page_text: of protecting the working parts. The working of this duplex capstan is
similar to the modification first herein described; but in this arrangement the
duplex barrels admit of the rope or chain being hauled in either upon the
quarter or main decks. The particular mode of applying the manual
these improved capstans gives them a great superiority over those of the
ordinary kind, whilst the general arrangement renders them safer and more
efficient in use.
power in
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variation may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of capstans or purchases
for use on shipboard and in other situations, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of constructing capstans, to which a rotatory
movement is communicated by means of bevil gearing combined with ratchet
wheels, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of actuating these improved capstans by means of
levers, worked in manuer similar to a ship's pump, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the mechanical arrangement for reversing the direction of motion
of the winding barrel or barrels, as required, and as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of effecting the continuous rotation of capstan
barrels by means of reverse acting toothed wheels, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the arrangement and construction of duplex barrelled capstans,
having the improved actuating mechanism applied thereto, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Johnson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of January, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.
W JOHNSON. (L.S.)