IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIRE ROPES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Lang, of Team Villa, Gateshead on Tyne, County
of Durham, Manager for R. Š. Newall & Co., Wire Rope Manufacturers,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIRE
ROPES."
Sealed the 2nd May 1879, and dated the 13th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Lang at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1879.
JOHN LANG, of Team Villa, Gateshead on Tyne, County of Durham, Manager for
R. S. Newall & Co., Wire-rope Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COX-
STRUCTION OF WIRE ROPES."
The object of this Invention is to provide a wire rope which will stand a greater
amount of wear and tear and last longer than those at present constructed.
In constructing wire-ropes by this Invention I lay the strands up into the rope
same lay as the wires in strand, thus when strands are spun to the left hand the
ropes are laid up to the left hand also, and when strands are spun to the right hand
the ropes are laid to the right hand too.
The great advantages derived from this form of construction are that a much
greater portion of the wires are exposed to an equal wear by friction, and not upon
the crown of each wire in the strands, as ropes are at present constructed; also that
the wires in each strand all lie parallel to each other, thereby preventing that injury
to the wires which each strand inflicts upon his neighbour by deep indentations in
the course of working. This cannot occur with ropes constructed according to my
present Invention.
The usual cores of ropes are equally adapted to my improved rope, though I
prefer a soft wire strand, made to opposite lay of rope, for the core.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Lang in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th May
1879.
"
JOHN LANG, of Team Villa, Gateshead on Tyne, County of Durham, Manager
for R. S. Newall & Co., Wire Rope Manufacturers. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WIRE ROPES."

page_text: Newall), been constructed as follows:-The wire forming the strands are spun
either to the right or left hand, and the strands forming the ropes are always spun
to the opposite lay of the wires in the strands: thus when the wires in strands are
spun to the left hand the strands in rope are laid to the right hand, but when the
wires in strands are spun to the right hand the strands in ropes are laid to the left
hand.
In consequence of this mode of manufacture the wires are worn on the crown of
the strands, the wear by friction is confined to a small portion of the wire only, the
wires in a rope are almost in a straight line with the rope, and as the wires retain
their full size and strength on each side of the worn or weak part, the working of
the rope around drums, pullies, and curves causes the bending to take place on the
worn or weak part especially; thus the reason why so many ropes have to be
thrown aside as useless, through the breaking of wires when but slightly worn.
By my present improvement in the construction of round and flat wire ropes I
lessen, if not entirely remove, the cause of wires breaking in the course of working,
which is effected as follows:-
In place of laying the strands in rope as hitherto, to the opposito lay of wires in
strand, I spin or lay the strands in rope to the same lay as the wires in strands;
thus if the wires in strands are spun to the right hand I lay the strands in rope to
the right hand; and if the strands are spun to the left hand I lay the strands in
rope to the left hand.
By this mode I get a much longer surface of the wire exposed to friction, and as
the working of the rope around drums, pullies, and curves bends the wires in the
rope in an oblique direction, I thereby secure the greatest amount of wear from the
wire that is possible.
The wires will not break until they become too much reduced in strength, and
thereby too weak for their work, but as the wires in the strands of my improved
rope have a very much longer bearing one against another than in the old system,
I am enabled to prevent the great injury resulting from the wires in each adjoining
strand cutting into each other.
The cores for ropes as at present constructed are equally well adapted to my
improvement, though under certain circumstances it might be preferable to use a
soft wire strand made to opposite lay of rope for the core.
The machinery as at present employed for the construction of wire ropes requires
no alteration for the construction of wire ropes as by my present Invention.
Having now described my Invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is,
The improvement in the construction of wire ropes, that the strands be laid
up into the rope same lay as the wires in strand, substantially and for the purposes
herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Lang, have hereunto set my hand and
Beal, this Twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine
Witness,
JOHN ANDREW YOUNG,
8, Airey Terrace,
Gateshead.
JOHN LANG. (L.S.)