Improvements in Attachments or Couplings for Preventing Sudden Strains on Ropes, Chains, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Attachments or Couplings for Preventing Sudden
Strains on Ropes, Chains, and the like.
I, HENRY WILLIAM HOLLIS, General Manager of The Weardale Iron and
Coal Company Limited, Tudhoe Ironworks Spennymoor in the County of Durham,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1
This invention relates to couplings or attachments for preventing sudden shocks
or strains on colliery or like ropes, on attachments used for traction, on cranes and
in other places where it is desirable that the strain at the commencement of motion
or the stoppage thereof should be gradual.
-The invention consists of the coupling or attachment hereinafter indicated and
which when introduced at some part of the system (probably in close proximity to
the body to be moved) will convert any sudden strain into a gradual one.
The coupling or attachment consists of preferably an octagonal pivotted frame
made of bars or plates and provided on opposite sides with means for attachment
to the rope or chain. The sides at right angles to the line of intended motion are
normally held apart by a more or less powerful spring the arrangement being such
that when any sudden strain is placed upon the coupling the sides separated by the
spring approach each other thus compressing the spring. As the strain increases
the resistance of the spring to compression becomes greater and the power of the
coupling bars to compress become less so that a condition of equilibrium is rapidly
attained.
Dated thin 4th do
Lone
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, W.C., Applicant's Agent.

page_text: The coupling or. attachment in the form shown consists of a pivoted frame
composed of two end plates a a one or both of which may be formed or provided
with a hook and these plates are connected to side plates 6 b' by means of links c
which are pivoted to both of said plates as shown. The sides 6 are normally
held apart by a spring d through the centre of which passes loosely a rod e
one end of which is secured in the plate b while the other end passes, loosely
through the opposite plate bl.
It will be seen that the arrangement is such that whenever any sudden strain is
placed upon the coupling, the sides separated by the spring approach each other
thus compressing the spring. As the strain increases the resistance of the spring
to compression becomes greater and the power of the links to compress becomes
less so that a condition of equilibrium is rapidly attained. If the spring were to
break the coupling might still act in the manner intended, and in the event of
a portion of the spring flying out altogether the coupling will still act as a
rigid connection.
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 :-
1. The attachment or coupling consisting of a pivoted frame and a spring
adapted to be compressed by the frame substantially as and for the purpose
described.
:
2. The attachment or coupling for preventing sudden strains on ropes, chains
and the like constructed substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated the 28th day of December 1893
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agent, for the Applicant.