A New or Improved Gripping Device.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Gripping Device.
1, CASTLE SMITH, of 54 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, as communicated to me from abroad by Frederick Henry Addis, of Ajmere,
Rajputana, India, Assistant Locomotive Superintendent on the Bombay, Baroda and
Central India Railway, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to a new or improved gripping device which may be used for
securing the ends of straps together, thereby entirely dispensing with the holes in the
strap, thus adding greatly to the strength of the strap itself, enabling it to wear
much longer. The invention is also applicable as an automatic brake, for the straps,
bands, or cords of pulley blocks, and may be advantageously used for various other
purposes.
The invention will be well understood by referring to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 shews a buckle constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figures 2 and 3 are side elevation and plan of modifications of Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 shew the application of my invention to a pulley block.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate the same or corresponding parts,
in all the figures.
Referring to Figure 1, I construct the buckle of two parts or loops G G¹ each of a
rectangular shape, one somewhat larger than the other. One of the ends D of the
larger loops G passes through pivot holes in the sides of the smaller loop G¹ which
thus lies partially within the larger. Each loop is slightly arched, as shewn in the
elevation, so that the junction is outside the line of pull of the strap at the two ends
of the buckle, the arch H of the inner loop being for the purpose of taking up the
thinning of the strap through wear. The result of this combination is to set up a
jambing or wedge action between the upper and lower parts B and C of the buckle
on the strap when pulled. On the front cross bar of the lower loop G I place a metal
roller Cor an ordinary plate of metal bent round in order to facilitate the movement
of the strap over that part. The lower face of the upper loop B is roughened so as to
help to prevent the strap from slipping when tightened up.
To loosen the buckle, and free the strap, it is simply necessary to raise the
central bar D forming the pivot between the upper and lower parts or loops G
and G¹.
When the invention is applied to a rope or chain, I provide a wheel instead of the
roller C used in strap buckles for the rope or chain to run on, and a wheel on the
upper clipping limb B to facilitate the running of the rope. The chain dotted lines J J.
in the elevation represent the ends of the strap.
Figures 2 and 3 are plans of modifications of the buckle, wherein the cross bar D
is dispensed with, the ends of the larger loop G being turned over so as to take a
bearing on the shoulder K of the loop G¹.
Figures 4 and 5 shew the same method of attachment as applied to a pulley block.
Cis the pulley over which passes the "band or strap or rope carrying the load. Bis
the wheel on the upper clipping limb which is pivoted at A. Normally the wheel B
grips the strap or band or rope and prevents it passing over the pulley. F is a
shackle attached to the cheek plates of the pulley. To this shackle a cord or chain is
affixed and when pulled, the pulley block is turned on the fulcrum A so that the band
or strap is drawn away from the wheel or roller B. When released the weight on
the pulley strap or band will return the pulley block to its initial position with the

page_text: roller B acting as a brake on the strap or band, so that the heavier the load, the
greater the grip.
The curve or arch H on the arm may be slightly flattened out so us to bring the
wheel or roller B closer to the pulley and thereby compensate for the wearing of
the strap, band, or rope, as and when it occurs.
Figure 4 shews front and side elevations of this pulley block, and
Figure 5 shews part of a pulley block with two sheaves, and having a plain arm E
instead of the roller or wheel B.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) A self-clipping buckle or means of attaching two straps together consisting of
two rectangular frames pivotted together, one lying wholly or partially within the
other, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in
Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
(2) The application of my self-clipping device to a pulley block described and
shewn with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings and for the
purpose stated.
(3) My new or improved gripping device constructed and operating substantially
in the manner described and illustrated.
Dated this 17th day of October 1890.
CASTLE SMITH,
'Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London.