IMPROVED BLOCKS FOR HOISTING AND LOWERING WEIGHTS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE USED FOB STEERING SHIPS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomson, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of “IMPROVED BLOCKS
FOR HOISTING AND LOWERING WEIGHTS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE USED FOB
STEERING SHIPS."
Scaled the 12th August 1873, and dated tho 12th March 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th March 1873.
I, WILLIAM THOMSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVED
BLOCKS FOR HOISTING AND LOWERING WEIGHTS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE USED FOR
STEERING SHIPS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to improved blocks for hoisting or lowering
weights.
Under the first modification of the Invention the block consists of a
rope or chain pulley on the axis of which a pinion is fixed, this pinion
gears into an intermediate pinion carried on an arm within the block,

page_text: which again gears into a circle of internal teeth in the hoisting or load
wheel. As the rope or chain pulley is pulled round its motion is then
communicated to the hoisting or load wheel. A loop is provided on the
framing of the block into which a link of the chain or the rope is laid
when the load has been raised or it is desired to sustain it at any 5
required height.
Under the second modification, a tangent screw is carried upon the
axis of the rope or chain pulley which gears into a worm wheel on the
axis of the hoisting or load wheel; the two axes being preferably at
right angles to each other, although they may be parallel by introducing 1
bevil or mitre gearing. As the chain or rope pulley is pulled round the
hoisting or load wheel is rotated by the action of the tangent screw on
the teeth of the worm wheel.
Under the third modification of the Invention the chain or ropo
pulley is carried upon a trundle with four teeth, these being arranged 1
in pairs at right angles to each other, and gearing into the teeth of
a wheel carrying the hoisting or load wheel. The result of this arrango-
ment is that a continuous lock of the pulley is obtained by reason of
ono of the teeth of the wheel on the hoisting or load shaft being at all
times situated between one pair of the trundle teeth or pins.
Besides using a trundle having four teeth one having two or three
teeth may be employed, but it is preferred to use a trundle having four
teoth.
2
Under a fourth modification, the chain or rope pulley is fixed on the
hoisting or load shaft, the hoisting apparatus itself consisting of an 2
arrangement of pins placed slightly eccentric to the axis of the shaft,
and over which the hoisting chain passes.
Under a fifth modification, an eccentric is placed on the shaft of the
chain or rope pulley over which two or more straps are placed, each
being provided with an arm which passes through guides near its outer 3
end. These arms extend across the block, and by the rotating action
of the eccentric aro alternately brought to act on an internal set of
teeth formed in the hoisting wheel. By the action of the eccentric
these arms are caused not only to enter between the teeth of the wheel,
but their outer ends passing through the aforesaid guides move simul- 3
taneously through an arc, and so rotate the hoisting or load wheel.

page_text: As one or the other of those arms is always in gear with the teeth
of the hoisting or load wheol, a continuous lock of the block iş
obtained.
When the apparatus hercin-before described is used for steering
ships, the wheel horein-named the hoisting or load wheel is fixed
on the rudder post, and the rope or chain wheel on the steering
shaft.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent,
filed by the said William Thomson in the Great Seal Patent Offico
on the 11th September 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
THOMSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, send
grooting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Lettors
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand cight hundred and soventy-threo, in the 36th year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto mo, tho said William Thomson, Her special license that I, the said
William Thomson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Thomson, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
timo 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 "IMPROVED BLOCKS FOR HOISTING AND
LOWERING WEIGHTS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE USED FOR STEERING SHIPS,” upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Thomson,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and scal, should par-
ticularly describo and ascertain the nature of tho said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to bo performed, and cause the samo
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Thomson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what mannor the same.

page_text: 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:-
My said Invention relates to improved blocks for hoisting or lowering
weights.
Under the first modification of the Invention, the block consists of a
rope or chain pulley on the axis of which a pinion is fixed; this pinion
gears into an intermediate pinion carried on an arm within the block,
which again gears into a circle of internal teeth in the hoisting or load
wheel. As the rope or chain pulley is pulled round its motion is thus
communicated to the hoisting or load wheel. A loop is provided on the
framing of the block into which a link of the chain or the rope is laid
when the load has been raised or it is desired to sustain it at any
required height.
Under the second modification, a tangent screw is carried upon the
axis of the rope or chain pulley which gears into a worm wheel on the
axis of the hoisting or load wheel; the two axes being preferably at
right angles to each other, although they may be parallel by introducing
bevil or mitre gearing. As the chain or rope pulley is pulled round the
hoisting or load wheel is rotated by the action of the tangent scrow on
the teeth of the worm wheel.
Under the third modification of the Invention the chain or rope
pulley is carried upon a trundle with four teeth, these being arranged
in pairs at right angles to each other, and gearing into the teeth of
a wheel carrying the hoisting or load wheel. The result of this arrango-
ment is that a continuous lock of the pulley is obtained by reason of
one of the teeth of the wheel on the hoisting or load shaft being at all
times situated between one pair of the trundlo teeth or pins.
Besides using a trundle having four teeth one having two or three
teeth may be employed, but it is preferred to use a trundle having four
teeth.
Under a fourth modification, the chain or rope pulley is fixed on the
hoisting or load shaft, the hoisting apparatus itself consisting of an
arrangement of pins placed slightly eccentric to the axis of the shaft,
and over which the hoisting chain passes.

page_text: Under a fifth modification, an eccentric is placed on the shaft of the
chain or rope pulley over which two or more straps are placed, each
being provided with an arm which passes through guides near its outer
end. These arms extend across the block, and by the rotating, action
of the eccentric are alternately brought to act on an internal set of
teeth formed in the hoisting wheel. By the action of the eccentric
theso arms are caused not only to enter between the teeth of the wheel,
but their outer ends passing through the aforesaid guides move simul-
taneously through an are, and rotate the hoisting or load wheel. As
one or the other of these arms is always in gear with the teeth of the
hoisting or load wheel, a continuous look of the block is obtained.
When the apparatus herein-before described is used for steering
ships, the wheel herein mentioned as the hoisting or load wheel is
fixed on the rudder post, and the rope or chain wheel on the steering
shaft.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood,
I now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, that is to say :—
On the Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a front
elovation of the first modification of my improved blocks for hoisting
and lowering weights; Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof; whilst
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections on the lines a, a, and b, b,
Figures 1 and 2 respectively. As shewn by these Figures the framing
of the block consists of two straps A connected together at the upper
and lower parts by tics B, the hook C, by means of which the block
is suspended, being attached to the upper tie B, as shown at Figures
1, 2, and 4. A chain pulley D, round which the hand chain E passes,
is carried loosely on a shaft or spindle e which is supported in
bearings formed in the straps A. The chain pulley D is constructed
at one side with a circular recess or hollow (shown more particularly
at Figures 3 and 4), at the central part of which a toothed pinion F
is formed on or attached to the chain pulley D. The pinion F gears
into an intermediate pinion G which rotates on a stud g carried by
an arm & formed on the shaft or spindle c. The pinion G gears into
a circle of internal teeth i which are situated at one side of the hoisting
or load wheel H, that portion of the hoisting or load wheel H carrying

page_text: the teeth i being situated and rotating within the circular recess
or hollow formed in the chain pulley D, as shewn more particularly
at the vertical section, Figure 4. The strap A at that side of the
block at which the hoisting or load wheel H is situated is formed
at its lower part with two arms I, the outward extremity of each 5
of which being constructed to form a hook k. One end of the
hoisting or load chain K is attached to one of the hooks k, the hook k
to which it is attached being suitable to the direction in which tho
hoisting or load wheel H is rotating, that is to say, the load chain K
may be attached to either of the hooks as required. The hoisting 1
or load chain K is then passed round an ordinary snatch block, not
shown on the Drawings, and from thence over the hoisting or load
wheel H. As the chain pulley D is rotated by means of the hand
chain E motion is transmitted through the pinions F and G and
internal teeth to the hoisting or load wheel H, causing it to rotate 1
in a contrary direction to the chain pulley D, as shown more par-
ticularly and indicated by arrows at Figure 3 of the Drawings. The
strap A, at that side of the block at which the chain pulloy D is
situated, is also provided at its lower part with two arms L, the
outward extremities of which are constructed to form claws 7, to each 2
of which a loop m is attached which act as guides for the hand
chain E. When the load has been raised, or it is desired to sustain
it at any required height, a link of the hand chain E is pressed into
one of the claws 2, thereby locking the mechanism of the block.
At Figure 5 of the Drawings is shown in front elevation the second 2
modification of my improved blocks, and Figure 6 is a side elevation
of the same. Under this arrangement the framing of the block consists
of two straps A connected together at the top and sides by ties B. A
chain pulley C round which the hand chain D passes is situated at
one end of a shaft e which rotates on bearings ƒ formed in the side 3
ties B. A tangent screw E is formed on or attached to the shaft e.
The tangent screw E gears into a worm wheel F which is formed
on or attached to one side of the hoisting or load wheel G, which is
carried on a shaft g supported in bearings formed in the lower
part of the straps A, the two shafts e and g being at right angles 3
to each other, as shewn, although they may be placed parallel by
introducing bevil or mitre gearing. As the chain pulley C is pulled
round by means of the hand chain D, the hoisting or load wheel G

page_text: is rotated by the action of the tangent screw E on the teeth of the
worm wheel F. The side tie B next to the chain pulley C is provided
with two arms H which project outwards, and are curved round at their
extremities to form loops which act as guides for the hand chain D.
Figure 7 of the Drawings is a front clovation of a third modification
of the improved block as constructed in accordance with this Invention;
Figuro 8 is a side elevation thereof; whilst Figure 9 is a vertical
section of the same on the line c, c, Figure 7. As shown by these
Figures the chain pulley A is carried on one end of a trundle B,
having two teeth or pins g. The trundle B is supported in bearings d
formed in the straps O, and gears into a double spur wheel D, between
which and formed thereon or attached thereto is the hoisting or load
wheel E. The double spur wheel D and the hoisting or load wheel E
is supported on a shaft e carried in learings f formed in the straps O.
As the chain pulloy A is pulled round, the trundle B is also rotated,
thereby rotating the double spur wheel D and hoisting or load wheel E.
A continuous lock of the chain pulley A is obtained by reason of tho
top of each tooth of the double spur wheel D projecting above the
centro of the teeth or pins 7 of the trundle B when the pins are in the
samo horizontal plane with the axis of the shaft on which they are
carried, thereby preventing the double >>pur wheel D being rotated except
by pulling round the chain pulley A.
In place of using a trundle with two teeth or pins, one having four
or more teeth or pins may be used, as shown at Figure 10, which is a
plan of the trundle, the teeth or pins being arranged in pairs at right
angles to each other.
A fourth modification of the improved blocks is shown in front
elevation at Figure 11 of the Drawings, and at Figure 12 in vertical
section on the line d, d, Figure 11. Under this arrangement the chain
) or rope pulley A is fixed on the hoisting or load shaft e, which is
supported in bearings f formed in the straps B. The hoisting appa-
ratus itself consists of an arrangement of pins g placed slightly eccentric
to the axis of the shaft e, and round which the hoisting or load chain O
passes. The form of the pins g are shewn moro particularly at Figures
13 and 14 respectively, which are detailed views at right angles to each
other of the shaft e and hoisting apparatus, with the hoisting or load
chain O removed. The pins g, as shown by theso Figures, aro situated

page_text: between flanches which have projections ; formed thereon to act as
guides for the hoisting or load chain C, and as the shaft e and pins g
are rotated by pulling round the chain pulley A, the pins g alternately
catch in and lift up fresh links of the hoisting or load chain C.
At Figure 15 of the Drawings is shewn in side elevation, with a
portion of one of the straps A removed, a fifth modification of the
improved blocks, and Figure 16 is a vertical section of the same on
the line x, x, Figure 15. Under this arrangement an eccentric B is
placed on the shaft e of the rope or chain pulley C. Two straps ƒ
are placed over the eccentric B, each of the straps ƒ being provided :
with an arm D. Situated in each of the arms D is a slot g in which
is again situated one end of a pin or stud h, the other end of cach
of the pins or studs being attached to the strap A. The arms D
are constructed at their outward extremities to gear into an internal
set of teeth E which are formed at one side of the hoisting or load ]
wheel F. As the eccentric B is rotated by pulling round the chain
pulley O the arms D are alternately brought to act on the internal
set of teeth E. By the action of the eccentric B the arms D are
caused not only to enter between the teeth E but their outer ends
(by means of the slots 9 and pins or studs h situated therein, each 2
of which constitutes a fulcrum) are caused to move simultaneously
through an arc, and so rotate the hoisting or load wheel F. As one
or the other of the arms D is always in gear with the teeth E of the
hoisting or load wheel F, a continuous lock of the block is obtained.
At Figure 17 of the Drawings hereunto appended is shown in side 2
clevation one modification of the apparatus herein-before described as
applied for steering ships; and Figure 18 is a plan of the same. As
shewn by these Figures a worm wheel A, which represents the wheel
herein named the hoisting or load wheel, is fixed on the rudder post B.
The worm wheel A gears into a tangent screw O situated on the steering 3
shaft D. The steering shaft D is carried in bearings E formed in or
attached to a framing F, which also serves to support the upper part
of the rudder post B. Situated on the steering shaft D, at each end
of the tangent screw C, is a spiral spring a (shewn in dotted lines)
which serves to support and keep the tangent screw C from jambing 8
on the steering shaft D when the vessel is rolling or the rudder is struck
by the sea. The steering wheel G is situated at one end of the steering

page_text: shaft D, which on being rotated causes the tangent screw O to rotate the
worm wheel A, thereby turning the rudder to any required angle.
The apparatus may be made double-acting by placing a second
tangent screw to gear into the opposite side of the worm wheel A, tho
shafts of the tangent screws being connected together by means of spur
gearing to the steering wheel G.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observo
in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention scoured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement and construction of block, consisting of a
pinion fixed upon the axis of the rope or chain pulley gearing into a
pinion carried upon an arm within the block, this again acting upon the
internal teeth of the hoisting or load wheel, as herein-before described
and shown at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings.
Second. The arrangement and construction of block consisting of a
ropo or chain pulley carried upon a tangent screw gearing into a worm
wheel on the axis of the hoisting or load wheel, as herein-before
described and shewn at Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings, or any mero
modification thereof.
Third. The arrangement and construction of block consisting of a
trundle operated by the rope or chain pulley gearing into one or more
toothed wheels on the axis of the hoisting or load whool, as hercin-
before described and shewn at Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of block consisting of
teeth placed cccentrically to the axis of the rope or chain pulley, and
over which the hoisting or load chain passes, as herein-before described
and shown at Figures 11, 12, 13, and 11 of the Drawings.
Fifth. The arrangement and construction of block whercin an eccentric
on the axis of the rope or chain pulloy actuates arms alternately engaging
with the internal teeth of the hoisting or load wheel, and by the motion
of which the hoisting or load wheel is operated and the load is sustained,
as herein-before described and shown at Figures 15 and 16 of the
Drawings.

page_text: Sixth. The use or employment of the several arrangements of me-
chanism herein-before described as steering gear for ships.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of September One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-three. .
WILLIAM THOMSON. (L.S.)