Improvements in Friction Clutches for Driving Machinery.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1.94
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Friction Clutches for Driving Machinery.
We, WILLIAM THOMAS HOWROYD and ARTHUR OLDROYD, of Calder Dye
Ware Mills, Dewsbury, in the County of York, Drysalters and Manufacturing
Chemists, and TOM GREENWOOD, of 66 Thornhill Road, Dewsbury, aforesaid,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists in arranging and constructing a new or improved form of
friction clutch instantaneous in its action both in starting and stopping.
According to our invention we place a rim pulley or shell loosely upon a driving
shaft and upon the same shaft we mount a sliding clutch operated laterally or
eud wise by a clutch fork in any suitable and well known manner. There is also
mounted upon the said shaft a boss with the two projecting spokes or arms recessed
or notched at their outer extremity, and within the rim pulley or shell we place a
split ring or a ring divided into two with a lug on the underside fitting into the
recess in the extremity of the spokes of the boss. The severed ends of the divided
ring are tapered, between which tapered ends is a corresponding tapered plug
having an extended tapered plug fitting onto a tapered portion of the clutch, so
that on the clutch being moved endwise in one direction the tapered plug is forced
between the ends of the divided ring in such a manner as to expand the said ring
or to force it with great pressure against the underside of the flange of the rim
pulley or shell, whereby the said shell will be driven, whilst the reverse action of
the clutch withdraws the tapered plugs and the divided ring is removed from under
the shell. By an arrangement of spiral springs the removal of the divided ring
from contact with the shell is positive, whilst an arrangement of spiral springs
also insures the withdrawal of the tapered plugs from between the ends of the
divided ring.
By this arrangement of parts and mode of operation the friction is quickly
applied and also quickly removed.
Dated this 7th dor of A nril 1802
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Friction Clutches for Driving Machinery.
We, WILLIAM THOMAS HOWROYD, and ARTHUR OLDROYD, of Calder Dye
Ware Mills, Dewsbury, in the County of York, Drysalters and Manufacturing
Chemists, and TOM GREENWOOD, of 66, Thornhill Road, Dewsbury, aforesaid,
Mechanic, 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 consists in arranging and constructing a new or improved form
of friction clutch instantaneous in its action both in starting and stopping.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood, we will make reference
to the accompanying sheets of drawings illustrative thereof, wherein
Fig. 1 is sectional elevation of a friction clutch constructed according to our
invention, and Fig. 2 is a front sectional elevation of same.

page_text: A and B are two separate shafts, the latter being the driver. On the shaft A
there is keyed a shell or pulley C, which pulley together with its shaft can be
driven by means of the divided expanding ring D being forced into contact with
the underside of the rim of the said shell, the expansion of the said divided ring
being caused by the wedges E which are operated in the following manner. Ou
the shaft B there is a clutch or loose sleeve F moved backward and forward when
required through the medium of the handle G. There is also keyed on the
shaft B a driving lug H made with projections I which enter into recesses formed
in the thickened part of the divided ring. The wedges E are screwed onto studs J
projecting from the link K attached to the lever arm L having a fulcrum at M.
These lever arms are arranged to be in contact with antifriction bowls N connected
to lugs O projecting from the sleeve F, therefore when the sleeve is withdrawn
from the driver H the bowls N press down upon the lever arms L so as to make
them assume a horizontal position, in doing which the links are thrown upward
causing the tapered wedges E to expand the ring D so as to force it against the
underside of the rim of the shell C whereby the said shell art shaft A are driven.
The reverse action of the clutch withdraws the tapered wedges whereby the divided
ring is removed from under the shell, spiral springs P being employed to assist
in quickly removing the said ring. The method of operating the throwing-in gear
is easily performed and there is very little side or end thrust, whilst the operation
of applying the friction and of removing it is quickly effected and is reliable in
all its parts.
Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional elevation and end view of what may be termed a
single acting friction clutch shewing where we employ only one tapered wedge I
and also shewing that the ring is only divided in one place instead of two shewn
in the previous case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would observe
that the use of wedges for expanding friction rings are not new, we therefore make
no claim to the use of wedges per se, but what we do claim is :-
Firstly. In a friction clutch, the combination of sleeve F, expanding ring D,
together with pulley C and wedge E, all employed for the purposes herein
described.
Secondly. In a friction clutch, the combination therewith of spiral springs P
for withdrawing the ring from contact with the shell in manner described herein.
Dated this 6th day of January 1894.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.