Improvements in Suspended Rope Railways.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1898-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Suspended Rope Railways.
I, THOMAS SPENCER MILLER, of South Orange, County of Essex, State of New
Jersey, United States of America, Engineer, 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;.
-
The accompanying drawings show my invention employed for the purpose of
towing canal boats, although it may be employed for the purpose of hauling other
objects.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the system. Fig. 2 is an end view of one form of
carriage with the supports for the cable and traction ropes. Fig. 3 is a side view
of the same and Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail of a
modification. Fig. 7 is an end view of another form of carriage with the supports
for the cable and traction ropes. Fig. 8 is a side view of the same. Fig. 9 is a
plan view in detail, of one of the supports for the traction ropes. Fig. 10 is an
end view of the same partly in section, and Fig. 11 is a detail plan section on the
line a, a, Fig. 7. Fig. 12 is an end view of still another form of carriage with
the supports for the cable and traction ropes. Fig. 13 is a side view thereof with
the supporting frame in section and Figs. 14 and 15 are details representing two
forms of construction.
16, 16, 16 are canal boats floating in the canal 19. 17, 17ª, 17, 17° and 17ª
are posts or other supports, each of which carries upon its face toward the canal
a bracket 20 and another bracket 21 below, as shown in Fig. 2. 18 is a cable
anchored at both ends and supported by the bracket 20 on each of the posts, to
which bracket it is fixed by a clamp 20 as shown in Fig. 2. 22 is a traction
rope anchored at both ends and supported at each post by the bracket 21. Inter-
posed between the traction rope and each of the brackets is placed mechanism
which I will now describe, which permits the traction-rope to be lifted off of its
support upon the bracket 21, but when the traction rope rests upon said support
will grip the traction-rope and will oppose any longitudinal strain upon the
traction-rope tending to pull it longitudinally through such grip. Thereby the
longitudinal strain applied to the traction-rope at various points along its length
is borne by the bracket or brackets adjacent to or near by the point at which such
strain occurs. .16, 16, 16 are tow lines connecting each canal boat or vehicle
with a carriage.
The same mechanism being applied to each bracket 21, a description of one will
answer for all. The bracket 21 is cast with an opening 21" bounded on each
side by an upward projection 21b and 21°. To one of these upward projections
are pivoted the dogs 21d and 21° and to the other is pivoted a dog 21. Each of
these dogs is of the form shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. Fig. 5 represents by
full and dotted lines the two positions between which the dogs are capable of
oscillating. The traction-rope 22 is gripped between the dogs on the projection 21°
and the dog on the projection 21 when such traction-rope is supported by
the bracket 21. The dog 21 is opposite the space between the dogs 21ª and 21
so as to produce a bend in the rope 22 and insure firmness of hold against longi-

page_text: tudinal strain. The surface of each dog, as shown in Fig. 5 which is in contact
with the rope when in gripping position, is in the form of the arc of a circle
extending in contact with the surface of the rope above the horizontal diameter
of the rope so that whenever the rope is lifted, the contact between the rope and
the portions of the dogs above such horizontal diameter will cause the dogs to be
lifted from the position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5.
When, however, the rope is dropped it will be deflected down into its seat in the
grooves of the dogs by the dog projections 215, 21h and 21 flaring upwardly and
outwardly above such grooves. The groove of each dog also extends as shown in
Fig. 5, downwardly in contact with the rope below the horizontal diameter of the
rope so that when the rope is dropped into the groove, its weight resting upon
the lower portion of the grooves, will swing the dogs forward from the dotted
lines to the full line position and cause the rope to be gripped. Thus, while the
weight of the rope resting upon the dogs causes the dogs to grip the rope and
hold it against longitudinal strain, nevertheless the lifting of the rope causes the
dogs to let go and the weight of the projections 215, 21 and 21 holds the dogs
open as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5, till they are closed by the weight of the rope.
23 and 23" are pilot carriages and 24 and 24" are main carriages. Each pilot-
carriage is coupled to a main carriage by the connection 25 or 25%. The
pilot-carriage may carry a motor as well as the main carriage and be of duplicate
construction, as shown at 23 or it may carry a weight, as shown at 23".
I will now proceed to describe the main carriage 24 which is shown in Figs. 2
and 3 as having lifted the traction-rope off of its support on the bracket 21. 26,
26 are two wheels running on the cable 18 and carrying the carriage. These
wheels are journaled at opposite ends of their axles in the carriage frame, which
extends in a loop 27 above the wheels and thence downward to 27". 28 is a
separate frame connected with the frame 27 at 29 and extending outward and
then downward parallel with the frame 27, 27" and provided at its lower
extremity with an inwardly projecting horizontal platform 28. 30 is a shaft
journalled in the frame 28 and in a bracket 27b connected with the frame 27.
31 is a gear wheel fixed to said shaft between the frames 27 and 28. 32 is a trac-
tion wheel fixed to said shaft between the frame 27 and the bracket 27b. 33 is
a presser preferably as shown in the form of a wheel on the opposite side of the
rope 22 from the traction wheel 32 the rope being clamped between these two
wheels. 33 is a stud upon which the presser wheel 33 revolves and this stud is
fixed to a slide 33 on the frame 27. The spiral springs 34 and 34" tend to pull
the slide 33 upward and supply the power for clamping the rope between the
two wheels. Instead of having one presser-wheel, as 33 of Figs. 2 and 3, two
presser wheels as 33 and 33d may be employed, arranged so that the traction
wheel 32 bears against the rope opposite the space between them so as to give
the rope a bend, as shown in Fig. 6, and thereby secure a firmer hold. The
shaft 35 is journalled on the frames 27 and 28 and carries the gears 31 and 31b
that are fixed to it. The shaft 35 is journalled in the frame 28 and in the up-
rights 28 and 28° extending upward from the platform 28° and this shaft 35ª
carries the armature 35b of an electric or other motor. The motor drives the train
of gearing 31°, 31, 31 and 31 whereby the traction-wheel 32 is driven, pro-
ducing the traction on the traction rope 22 whereby the carriage is driven forward
or back along the cable.
The traction wheel 32 and presser wheel 33 are constructed as shown in Fig. 2,
so that the flanges of the wheel 33 fit between and overlap the flanges of the
wheel 32. The grooves of both wheel 32 and wheel 33 are formed, as shown in
Fig. 2 with an imprint of the surface of the strands against which they bear on
opposite sides of the rope 22. Such imprint may be omitted from the wheel 33
which, however, acts as a presser to hold the strands of the rope 22 in the im-
prints corresponding with such strands in the groove of the traction-wheel 32
and the efficiency of such pressure is increased by having such imprint also upon
the traction or presser wheel 33 as shown.

page_text: Another important feature of my invention which is illustrated in Fig. 1,
calls for the connections between the carriages 23 and 24 or between the
carriages 23 and 24" and is illustrated as 25 or 25º. In practice
the supports 17, 17, 17, 17" are spaced approximately, the same distance
apart. In practice, therefore I intend to space the carriages by the
connecting bar 25 so that the space between them will be approximately
one-half the span between the supports. The advantage of this connection is
easily understood by the following explanation:
As 24 leaves the saddle of the support of the post 17ª it descends the incline
due to the catenary of the cable. Hence, its full power is not called upon. At this
time 24 is arranged to push 233 ahead of it, for 23 is about in a position to com-
mence to ascend the curve of the catenary and this pushing action is carried on
until 25 passes the next support 17 whereupon 23 pulls 24 by virtue of descending
the incline of the catenary. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that
when the carriage 23 is about ready to climb the maximum incline of the cable
as it approaches the support 17, 24 is in the centre of the cable, its weight tends
to lessen the angle of incline whereby the carriage 23 does not have to ascend
so steep a grade as it would if it were not for the presence of 24 in the centre
of the cable. Moreover, the traction of one carriage will always be pushing back-
wards against a support behind which the other is pulling against a support
ahead. The same may be said of 23 which is illustrated simply as an auxiliary
carriage.
I do not wish to limit myself to any proportionate distance between the
carriages nor do I wish to limit myself to the particular form of grip shown in
Figs. 4 and 5 nor to their being attached to all of the supporting brackets; for,
in some instances it is readily understood that if this grip occurred at less
frequent intervals it would answer all practical purposes. In that event instead
of the bracket shown in Fig. 5 containing therein a grip, it would simply show
a rest of any suitable sort for the traction-rope to rest upon.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show modified forms of conveying apparatus and
cable-ways. The following is a description of said Figures.
The bracket 21 is cast with an opening 21, bounded on each side by an up-
ward projection 21 and 21. On one of these upward projections are mounted
the dogs 21 and 21" and on the other is mounted a dog 21°. Each of these dogs
is in the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 10 represents by full and dotted
lines, the two positions between which the dogs are capable of moving. The
traction-ropes 22, 22 are gripped between the dogs on the projection 211 and the
dog on the projection 21k, when such traction-ropes are supported by the bracket 21.
The dog 21° is opposite the space between the dogs 21 and 21" so as to
produce a bend in the ropes 22, 22" and insure firmness of hold against longi-
tudinal strain, as shown in Fig. 9.
The active face of each dog consists of a rope-rest 21P, an upward extension
therefrom 21 and an outwardly flaring extension therefrom 21. Therefore, when
the dogs are combined, they present an opening for the traction-rope consisting
of a rest on each dog at the bottom, an upwardly extending slot widening on both
sides at the top, as shown in end view at Fig. 10. The plan view of this slot is
shown in Fig. 9 where the edges of the dogs 21" and 21" are bevelled off at 21*
and 21 and the face of the dog 21° is curved forward at 21' so that the combined
opposed faces of the dogs correspond with the bend of the ropes, shown in Fig. 9.
The projections of the dogs 21, 21 and 21° underneath the ropes are shown,
The spring 21' is
respectively, in dotted lines in Fig. 9 at 21A, 21B and 21C.
interposed between the bottoms of the dogs and the bracket 21 so as to urge the
dogs upward when relieved from the weight of the traction-ropes. 21 and 21"
are parallel links interposed between the outside of the dogs 21 and 21" and
the bracket extension 21. 21, 21" are parallel links interposed between the out-
side of the dog 21° and the bracket extension 21. These links when arranged
as shown in Fig. 10 act as toggles to compel the dogs on opposite sides of the

page_text: C'on-
ropes to approach each other in moving downward, but permit them to recede
from each other in moving upward, as indicated by the dotted lines.
sequently when the dogs are relieved from the weight of the traction-ropes 22,
22, they will be forced upward and outward by the spring 21 into the position
shown in dotted lines; but when the weight of the traction-ropes 22, 22" rests.
upon the dogs, they will be forced downward and toward each other in antago-
nism to the spring 21* into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 so as to
powerfully grip the traction ropes.
I will now proceed to describe the main carriage 24 which is shown in Figs. 7
and 8 as having lifted the traction-ropes off of their support on the bracket 21. 26,
26 are two wheels running on the cable 18 and carrying the carriage. These
wheels are journalled at opposite ends of their axles in the carriage-frame which
extends in two loops 27, 27A above the wheels and thence downward on one side
of the same into the arms 27B, 27C. The loops 27, 27A, are joined together at
the axles of the wheels by the longitudinal frame pieces 27ª, 27°.
28 is a separate frame consisting of the following parts; 28b is a bridge-piece
bridging the wheel 31 and a longitudinal frame member 28° Fig. 11 connects
the extremities of the bridge-piece and is provided with slots 28ª, 28° at its
extremities. Depending from the bridge-piece 28 is a hanger 28 and depending
from the member 28 is a hanger 28 at the bottom of which is a longitudinal-
frame member 28h provided at its extremities with the slots 28 and 28. 36, 36",
36, 36 are bolts passing through the slots already referred to in the frame 28
and connecting the same with the frame-members 27B and 27C, so that the
frame 28 is held against said frame-members 271 and 270 and guided vertically
thereon by the slotted connections. 36 is a shaft journalled in the frame-
members 28 and 28h. Upon the end of the shaft 36d is journalled a swinging
motor frame 37 consisting of a vertical part 37" and a platform part 37b. 38"
Fig. 11 is a shaft journalled in the frame-members 28b and 28° upon which are
fixed the gear wheel 31 and the presser wheel 32. 31 and 31 are gear-wheels
fixed upon the shaft 36, 31b meshing into the gear wheel 31 and 31° meshing
into the gear wheel 31d fixed on a motor-shaft 38°. The motor-shaft 38° is
journalled in the frame-member 37" and the uprights 37° and 37d on the plat-
form 37. I have represented at 38 the armature of an electric motor fixed to
the shaft 38°, but I do not wish to limit myself to an electric motor.
33 and 33A are wheels similar in construction to each other which are journal-
led upon the studs B and 33C fixed to the frame-members 271 and 27C,
respectively. 27 are flanges on the frame-members 27B and 27C that assist the
bolts in guiding the presser-frame.
All the parts of the carriage 24 are so disposed as to bring the centre of gravity
in a vertical plane passing through the cable 18 and so that the traction-ropes 22
and 22 will be held by the wheels 32, 33 and 3A vertically above the rest for
the same on the bracket 21.
The traction-ropes 22 and 22" are wire ropes and the strands of one rope are
twisted inversely to the strands of the other, as shown in Fig. 9. The wheel 32
is constructed with an imprint on its periphery of the upper surface of the
ropes 22, 22 with which it comes in contact. Each of the wheels 33 and 33A
is constructed with an imprint on its periphery of the lower surface of the
ropes 22 and 22" with which they come in contact. On each wheel, the imprint
for the surface of the rope 22 is separated from the imprint for the surface of
the rope 22 by a flange 32 and on each wheel both ropes are held between the
two end flanges 32 and 32", as shown in Fig. 7. The wheels 333 and 33A are
separated, as shown in Fig. 8, and the wheel 32 bears upon the ropes 22, 22"
above the space between the wheels 33 and 33A so as to produce a depression in
the ropes 22 and 22 between the wheels 33 and 33A and insure a proper hold
upon such ropes.
From the above description it will be seen that the means for causing tractional
friction between the car or carriage 24 and the traction-ropes 22, 223, is depen-
5

page_text: dent upon the weight of the apparatus, because the tractional friction is caused
by the downward pressure of the presser-wheel 32 upon the traction-ropes 22, 22"
resting on wheels 33, 33A and this downward pressure is produced by the weight
of all the parts of the apparatus carried by the sliding frame 28 which prefer-
ably includes the gears 31, 31, 31, the frame 37 and the motor carried thereby,
which weight is enabled to act through the presser-wheel 32 by the slotted
connection between the reciprocating or presser-frame 28 and the main or truck-
frame-members 27B, 27C'.
The apparatus operates as follows:
When the car or carriage 24 is in a position between the supports 20, the
traction-ropes 22, 22" will, at each support, rest upon and be clamped by the dogs
on that support, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, the support for the time
being in advance of the car will sustain partially or wholly the traction strain
of such car upon the ropes 22, 22ª. In Figs. 9 and 10 the ropes 22 and 22" are
shown between the dogs as vertically, one above the other; whereas their normal
position where not engaged by the dogs, is side by side. This change from the
side by side position to the vertical position, they will assume naturally as they
fall into the slotted opening between the dogs and as the dogs close upon them.
When the car or carriage 24 is passing any one of the supports the traction-
ropes 22 and 22" will be lifted off of the dogs on that support by the wheels 33
and 33A to a sufficient height to permit the wheels 33 and 33A to pass above the
dogs.
Thus, when the car is not passing a support, the support will hold the traction-
ropes both laterally and longitudinally; when the car is passing a support, it
will, itself, support the traction-ropes; and all the time the traction clutch
between the car and the traction-ropes will be maintained by the weight of the
apparatus acting through the presser-wheel 32.
I have shown the wheel 32 as driven and the wheels 33, 33A as not driven and
this arrangement possesses advantages by reason of facilitating the transmission
of power from the motor on the platform to the driven wheel; but the reverse
might be the case. That is to say, the wheels 33, 33A might be driven and the
wheel 32 not driven, or all three wheels might be driven.
The frame may be conveniently considered as composed of three parts: the
truck-frame carrying the bearings for the wheels 26 and 26 the presser-frame 28
carrying the presser-wheel 32 and the motor-frame 37 carrying the motor, but I
do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the means by which these
frames are connected or, in all cases to the distinct existence of all of them.
I have shown a cable as employed as a track for the support of the car, not
only at the points of passing the brackets 20 but also between the brackets, so
that the traction-ropes are not called upon to support the car; but I do not wish
to limit myself to this construction. The truck performing the supporting func-
tion of the cable might be employed only at the posts; the car being supported
by the traction-ropes between the posts and the support of the car being trans-
ferred from the traction-rope to the track at the posts so as to lift the
traction-rope out of its bearing on the bracket 21 as already described. In this
case, suitable mechanism will be interposed between the truck-frame and the
presser-frame to maintain the grip of the wheels on the traction-cables when the
traction-cables are supporting the carriage between the posts.
Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 show still other modifications of conveying apparatus
and cableways.
The following is a description of said figures.
The cable track way consists of two cables 22 and 22°, supported so that they
lie parallel and side by side and together constitute substantially one track.
They may lie either substantially in contact, as shown in Fig. 15, which is a
preferable form, or somewhat separated, as shown in Figs. 14 and 12. Each
cable consists preferably of crucible steel wire and they are so arranged, as shown

page_text: in Figs. 14 and 15, that their strands are twisted inversely. That is to say, the
upper bearing surface of the strands of one cable presents an inclination towards
the right, and of the other cable an inclination towards the left. By having the
two cables side by side, constituting substantially a single track way, with their
strands twisted inversely, the tendency is for the friction of the wheel upon one
to neutralize the sidewise tendency of the friction of the wheel upon the other
avoiding the tendency of the sidewise thrust from the inclination of the strands
of either cable to throw the wheel out of perpendicular.
Where this cable track is used for long distances, I provide in addition to the
end towers intermediate supports as in Fig. 1. Each of these may consist of two
uprights 39, 39b on opposite sides of the cable track with a cross piece 39° above
and a bracket 21 carrying clamps 40 and 41, by which the cables 22 and 22"
are clamped rigidly to the bracket, and with relation to each other.
The carriage contains preferably a cast iron frame consisting of the two bridge
pieces, 27 27A, carrying at their extremities the axles 42 and 43, and connected
together by the horizontal pieces 44 and 45. From one of each horizontal pieces
hang the pieces 46, to which is connected the bridge piece 47, carrying an axle 48,
and a guiding projection 49. The parts 27, 27A, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 are prefer-
ably cast in one piece.
Upon the axles or shafts 42 and 43 are fixed wheels 65 and 65" which are of
like construction, and one of which I will now describe. In its simplest form
the wheel 65 is shown in Fig. 15. It consists at its periphery of a groove 65b
bounded by the flange 65 and 65. The groove is constructed with an imprint
of the surface of the cable track in contact with which it is to run, so that each
turn of each strand of the two cables fits into its imprint on the periphery of
the wheel. The imprints of the strand-turns on the opposite sides of the central
plane 65 of the wheel are inclined in opposite directions to correspond with the
inverse inclination of the strands of the two cables already referred to. The
wheel 65, as shown in Fig. 15, may be either constructed in one piece or in two
pieces joined together on the central plane of the wheel, being the line 65° of
Fig. 15. The groove 65 by reason of being made to conform on opposite sides
of the plane 65° with the surface of the two cables, will in cross-section present
two curvatures, each struck from a centre corresponding substantially with the
centre of the cable with which it is to run in contact, which two curvatures will
therefore be substantially tangent to the central plane 65.
The construction for the wheel 65 shown in Fig. 14 differs from that shown in
Fig. 15 by the addition of a flange 65 between the inverse imprints upon the
periphery of the wheel so that the imprint for one cable is in a separate groove
from the imprint for the other cable, and said two grooves 658 and 65h are
separated from each other by the flange 65 which projects into the space
between the two cables 22 and 22".
50 and 51 are gears fixed upon the axles 42 and 43 respectively. 52 is a gear
fixed upon the axle 48 and meshing into the gears 50 and 51. 53 is a gear fixed
upon the axle 48. Any power driving the gear 53 will drive the wheels 65
and 65 and cause them to act as traction wheels upon the cable track.
The power for driving the wheel 53 may be mounted as follows: Upon the end
of a shaft concentric with the wheel 53 which may be the shaft 48 itself is
suspended a pendulum frame consisting of the downwardly extending arm 54
and the horizontal platform 55. A shaft 56 has its bearing at one end in the
arm 54 and its other bearing on a stand 57 mounted upon the platform, upon
which platform is also carried a prime mover, such for example as the armature 35
of an electric motor for driving the shaft 56. 58 is a gear fixed upon the shaft 56
and meshing into the gear 53. The axis of the gear 58 swings in a curve con-
centric with the axis of the gear 53. The shaft 56 passes through the curved
slot 59 in the guiding arm 49, the curvature of which slot is also concentric
with the axis of the gear 53 The extremity 60 of the guiding arm 49 bears

page_text: against a friction wheel 61 mounted upon a stud 62 fixed to the platform 55.
The pendulum frame is braced by wrought iron straps 63, 64.
The frame 27, 27A, 44 and 45 and all of the parts carried by it are so arranged
and proportioned that the centre of gravity lies substantially in the central
vertical plane 65° of the supporting wheels 65 and 65. Or, in other words, in
the vertical plane passing between the cables 22 and 22".
The prime mover mounted upon the platform 55 whether it be a motor pro-
pelled by electricity, gas or any other power, may be employed for hoisting as well
as for traction purposes and may be controlled by any suitable means either by
an attendant upon the platform itself, or an attendant at the end of the stand.
I do not wish to limit myself to the use of two side by side cables with their
strands twisted inversely, because it is evident that a third cable with a smooth
surface can be interposed between them, or that four cables side by side, two
being twisted in one direction, and the other two in another direction wou!d
answer precisely the same function called for in my invention. I do not, there-
fore, wish to limit myself to two cables as any sort of combination of a plurality
of cables will answer the same purpose.
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. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage provided with mechan-
ism adapted to run on a supporting cable, a traction-rope and a support for
said traction-rope adapted to grip the same, substantially as described.
2. In a conveving apparatus, in combination, a carriage provided with mechan-
ism adapted to run on a supporting cable, a traction-rope, a support for said
traction-rope, means upon the carriage whereby said traction-rope is lifted from
said support as the carriage passes and means upon said support whereby said
rope is gripped when resting thereon, substantially as described.
3. In combination, a traction-rope, stationary end supports therefor, an inter-
mediate support provided with a dog arranged on one side of the traction-rope
extending beneath the rope and having an outwardly extending projection, a
carriage and traction mechanism mounted on said carriage adapted to traverse
said traction-rope, substantially as described.
4. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage, a traction-wheel
mounted upon said carriage, means whereby said wheel is driven, a presser acting
in opposition to said traction-wheel; said traction-wheel having upon its peri-
phery the imprints of the strands of a rope, substantially as described.
5. In combination, a traction-rope, stationary end supports therefor, an inter-
mediate support provided with means for gripping said traction-rope, a carriage
and traction-mechanism mounted on said carriage adapted to traverse said
traction-rope, substantially as described.
6. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a vehicle, a carriage, a traction-
rope for said carriage, supports for said traction-rope and means upon a plurality
of said supports whereby said traction-rope is held against longitudinal movement,
substantially as described.
7. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a series of vehicles, a series of
carriages, connections between the vehicles and carriages, a traction device on
each carriage, a traction-rope gripped thereby and devices interposed between the
members of the series of carriages: whereby said traction-rope is held against the
longitudinal pull of said traction devices, substantially as described.
8. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, with a flexible trackway and
supports along the line thereof producing a series of spans, a plurality of carriages
spaced approximately one half the distance between the supports and coupled
together, substantially as described.
9. In a conveying apparatus, a trackway composed of two cables laid side by

page_text: side each composed of wire strands, the strands of one cable being twisted inversely
to those of the other, in combination with a traction-wheel running on said
cables, substantially as described.
10. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a trackway composed of two
cables laid side by side each composed of metallic strands twisted together and a
carriage containing a traction wheel having upon its periphery the imprint of
the supporting surface of the strands of both of said cables the strands of said
cables being twisted inversely substantially as described.
11. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a load carriage provided with a
supporting grooved wheel and a trackway composed of a plurality of cables
substantially equal in diameter laid side by side between the flanges of said wheel;
said cables being composed of wire strands twisted inversely, substantially as
described.
12. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a load carriage provided with
a supporting grooved wheel and a track composed of a plurality of cables sub-
stantially equal in diameter laid side by side between the flanges of said wheel;
said wheel being provided with an impression between its flanges corresponding
with the supporting surface of one or both of said cables, substantially as described.
13. A traction wheel containing on its periphery imprints corresponding with
the inversely inclined strands of two side by side cables twisted in opposite
directions, substantially as described.
14. In a conveying apparatus, in combination the shaft 42, the traction wheel 65,
and gear 50 fixed thereon, the shaft 43, the traction wheel 65" and gear 51 fixed
thereon and a frame consisting of the bridge piece 27A carrying the ends of said
shaft 43, the bridge piece 27 carrying the ends of said shaft 42 and a longitudinal
piece 44 connecting said bridge pieces and a pendant piece 46 provided with
bearings for the shaft, the shaft 48, substantially as described.
15. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a trackway, traction wheels
thereon, a frame carried by said traction wheels, a shaft, as 48, carrying the gear
wheel 53, means whereby said gear wheel is connected with said traction wheels,
a platform 55, a pivotal support for said platform concentric with said wheel 53,
a motor mounted upon said platform, gearing whereby said motor is connected
with said gear 53 and a steadying arm 49 connected with said frame and having
a slot through which the shaft of said motor passes substantially as described.
16. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, the traction wheels, the shafts 42
and 43, the frame provided with the bearings for said shafts, the gears 50 and 51
fixed to said shafts, the shaft 48 also having its bearing in said frame, the
gears 52 and 53 fixed upon said shaft 48, the pendulum frame pivoted upon the
end of said shaft 48, a motor shaft 56 carried by said pendulum frame and a
gearing 58 whereby said motor shaft is connected with said gear 533, substantially
as described.
17. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, the traction wheels, the shafts 42
and 43, the frame provided with the bearings for said shafts, the gears 50 and 51
fixed to said shafts, the shaft 48 also having its bearing in said frame, the
gears 52 and 53 fixed upon said shaft 48, the pendulum frame pivoted upon the
end of said shaft 48, a motor shaft 56 carried by said pendulum frame and a
gearing 58 whereby said motor shaft is connected with said gear 53, an arm
extending downward from said traction wheel frame and a bearing surface upon
said pendulum frame resting in contact with said arm as said pendulum frame
vibrates upon the shaft 48, substantially as described.
18. In a conveying apparatus in combination two cables laid side by side the
strands of one cable being twisted inversely to those of the other and a traction
wheel having upon its periphery an imprint of the supporting surface of said
strand, substantially as described.
19. In a conveying apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-
frame, means of connection between said frames permitting of vertical movement

page_text: of the presser-frame, traction-rope-clutching-members mounted respectively on said
truck-frame and said presser-frame and a motor supported by said presser-frame;
whereby the weight of the apparatus is utilized to clutch the traction-rope, sub-
stantially as describ. d.
20. In a conveying apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-
frame, two traction-rope-clutching-members mounted respectively on said truck-
frame and said presser-frame, a motor supported by said presser-frame and con-
necting mechanism also supported by said presser-frame whereby the clutching
member supported upon said presser-frame is driven from said motor, substantially
as described.
21. In a conveying apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-
frame, means of connection admitting of vertical movement between the two,
traction-rope-clutching-members mounted respectively on said truck-frame and
said presser-frame and a motor-frame pendant from said presser-frame, sub-
stantially as described.
22. In a conveying apparatus, in combination with a car, a motor carried by
said car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting
cable, a clutch in addition to said parts mounted upon said car and adapted to
clutch a traction-rope, and means whereby the pressure by said clutch against
said traction-rope is produced by the weight of the apparatus, substantially as
described.
23. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said
car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting cable,
a wheel mounted upon said car and revolved by said motor, a member acting in
opposition to said wheel to clutch a traction-rope, and means whereby the pressure
of said clutch is produced by the weight of the apparatus, substantially as
described.
24. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said
car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting cable,
a clutch in addition to said parts mounted upon said car and adapted to clutch a
traction-rope, means whereby the pressure of said clutch against said traction-rope
is produced by the weight of the apparatus, and means for connecting a tow-line
with said car, substantially as described.
25. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said
car, a clutch, means mounted upon said car adapted for causing tractional friction
between the car and a traction-rope, a stationary support containing two surfaces
adapted for clutching the traction-rope; one of said surfaces being mounted upon
a dog, and a toggle link whereby said dog is forced toward said other surface,
substantially as described.
26. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said
car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting cable,
a wheel having upon its periphery the imprint of the strands of two inversely
twisted traction-ropes, a member adapted to clutch a traction-rope against said
wheel, means whereby said wheel is operatively connected with said motor and
means adapted to produce the clutching pressure, substantially as described.
27. In a conveying apparatus, in combination with a car, a traction-wheel
mounted upon said car and having upon its periphery an imprint of the contact
surface of two parallel traction-ropes and a member also mounted upon the car
whereby said traction-ropes are held against said wheel, substantially as described.
28. In a conveying apparatus, in combination with a car, a traction-wheel
mounted upon said car and having upon its periphery an imprint of the contact
surface of two inversely twisted traction-ropes and a member also mounted upon
the car whereby said traction-ropes are held against said wheel, substantially
as described.
29. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage, a supporting cable,
two parallel traction-ropes and a support for said traction-ropes and a grip whereby
both of said traction-ropes are held together, substantially as described,

page_text: 30. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a traction-rope, a support for
said traction-rope, dogs mounted on said support on opposite sides of the traction-
rope and a toggle-lever by which one of said dogs is forced toward another, sub-
stantially as described.
31. In a conveying apparatus, a truck containing a wheel adapted to travel
upon a supporting cable, a frame supported by said truck, a motor mounted
upon said frame, a traction-wheel also mounted upon said frame and operatively
connected with said motor, a member mounted upon said truck opposite to said
traction-wheel; the connection between said frame and said truck permitting of
movement between said traction-wheel and said opposed member, substantially
as described.
32. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, means mounted upon said
car adapted to produce tractional friction with two traction-ropes, separate means
mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting cable or trackway,
a fixed support separate from the carriage adapted to grip two traction-ropes and
a support for a cable or trackway in such position that the cable or trackway will
be held so as to support the carriage in passing said traction-rope-support sub-
stantially as described.
33. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a traction-wheel mounted
upon said car having upon its periphery the imprint of the strands of inversely
twisted ropes, a motor mounted upon said car whereby said wheel is driven and a
presser acting in opposition to said wheel and a separate member mounted upon
said carriage adapted to travel upon a supporting cable, substantially as described.
34. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a traction-wheel mounted
upon said car having upon its periphery the imprints of the strands of inversely
twisted ropes, a motor mounted upon said car whereby said wheel is driven, a
pressure-wheel acting in opposition to said traction-wheel and having upon its
periphery the imprint of the strands of inversely twisted traction-ropes, sub-
stantially as described.
35. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage-truck-frame, a carriage-
presser-frame, two wheels mounted upon one of said frames at a distance apart
and adapted to engage a rope on one side, a wheel mounted upon the other of
said frames and adapted to engage a rope on the opposite side between the
two wheels first named and means for driving one of said wheels whereby the
weight of the apparatus causes a bend in the rope between said two wheels first
mentioned, substantially as described.
36. In combination, a support 21 provided with the projections 21 and 211,
the dogs, the toggle-links interposed between said dogs and said projections and
The spring 21, substantially as described.
37. In a conveying apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-
frame, the shafts 38" and 36d supported by said presser-frame, a gear-wheel 31
and a traction-rope-engaging-wheel carried by said shaft 38°, gear wheels 31b
and 31° carried by said shaft 36d, a motor-frame pendant from said presser-frame,
a motor mounted upon the same and means of power transmission between said
motor and said gear 31°, substantially as described.
38. In a conveying apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame containing a
downward extension on one side of the trackway, a presser-frame, means whereby
said presser frame is secured to said downward extension and guided so as to have
a vertical reciprocation thereon, rope-gripping-members mounted, respectively,
on said truck-frame and presser-frame, a motor and mechanism connecting said
motor with said presser-frame whereby the weight of the motor presses together
said gripping members, substantially as described.
39. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage, a traction rope, a
support for said traction rope, the dogs 21, 21°, 21° provided with projec-
tions 21, 21 and 21° extending underneath the rope; the bearing surface of said
dogs above said projections being crooked, substantially as described.
40. In a conveying apparatus, a car, gripping members on said car adapted

page_text: to hold two traction-ropes side by side with one rope above the other, a fixed
traction-rope-support and mechanism on said support adapted to hold said ropés
one above the other, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th dow of Wahu1000
THOMAS SPENCER MILLER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.