IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS' CABLES, HAWSERS, OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL, OR METAL ROPES AND CHAINS, BEARING A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE HAWSERS
Year: 1880

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 21st day of March, 1888, amended under
.
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Archer, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works,
Dunston, in the County of Durham, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS' CABLES,
HAWSERS, OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL, OR METAL ROPES AND CHAINS, BEARING
A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE
HAWSERS "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Archer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1880.
THOMAS ARCHER junior of the Dunston Engine Works Dunston in the
County of Durham Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS CABLES, HAWSERS OR OTHER HEMI, STEEL
OR METAL ROPES AND CHAINS BEARING A PULLING STRAIN MORE ESPECIALLY
ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE HAWSERS."
Hitherto the method and means employed for securing ships' cables or hawsers'
while engaged in holding a vessel to her moorings or anchorage, have not been
found satisfactory, and with a view of reducing to a minimum the many objections
met with in the mode and means generally employed is the object of my Invention
which I will now briefly describe.
To the deck of a ship, to be fitted with my apparatus I bolt or otherwise
mechanically attach a carriage, composed of metal or of other suitable material,
The said carriage; which may be placed in any convenient position between the
hawse hole and the capstan or winch, receives in a groovo, acting as an abutment a
pair of nippers formed of two flaps, which are placed upon the carriage thus
and these receive at their upper ends, or arises, the cable as it
passes on to the capstan or bollard. The top arises or ends of the flaps may be
lined with metal, best adapted and shaped to prevent wear and tear of the hawser
employed, which is gript by the flaps simultaneously acted upon by a set screw, or
clamping screw, or other similar mechanical means acting upon the two flaps. By
the proper interposition of wood, indin rubber or other clastic material between
the lower arises of, the flaps, as well as their returns, and the abutments cast upon the

page_text: carriage to receive the said flaps, all sudden jerks or excessive concussion is deadened
and in addition gives to the flaps a horizontal elasticity in the direction of the
strain upon the rope, which elasticity preserves the cable from the injurious action
of sudden jerks; felt upon a ship's hawser when in use.
a
In lieu of placing the flaps as above described they may be placed thus
slight alteration being made in the carriage to meet the change of position.
Indeed, various modifications of my apparatus may be made to suit the ever varying
condition of locality and circumstances, for instance, in place of the hawser passing
between the two flaps, as above described, the cable may be pinched between
a sliding and stationary block, the former cast or otherwise fixed to one of
the flaps and the latter cast on, or fixed permanently, to the carriage of my apparatus.
In this case the flaps would be hinged or knuckled jointed where the cable as
before described passed through, while the opposite side of the flap would be loosely
within a recess (acting as an abutment) or hinged to a fulcrum as circumstances
might require.
'

page_text: SPFCIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Archer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th April
1881.
THOMAS ARCHER junior of the Dunston Engine Works Dunston in the
County of Durham Engineer. “ ImprovemeNTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS CABLES, HAWSERS OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL OR
METAL ROPES AND CHAINS BEARING A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY
ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE HAWSERS."
Hitherto the method and means employed for securing ships' cables or hawsers
while engaged in holding a vessel to her moorings or anchorage, have not been
found satisfactory and with a view of reducing to a minimum the many objections
met with in the mode and means generally employed for that purpose is the object
of my Invention which I will now briefly describe.
To the deck of the ship to which it is proposed to hit my improved apparatus
1 bolt or otherwise mechanically attach a bed-plate supporting a sliding carriage
composed of metal or other suitable material, the said carriage which may be
placed with the said bed-plate in any convenient position between the hawse-hole
and the capstan or winch, receives in a groove acting as an abutment or hinge on
either side a pair of nippers formed of two flaps which are placed in a carriage
thus
consequently they have a tendency to sink and approach each
other at a point midway between the two abutments, but when in use they
are kept asunder by the hawser or cable, which runs between them as it passes
from tho hawse-hole to the capstan winch or bollard. The top arrises of the flaps
or mouth of the nipper may he lined with metal best adapted and shaped to
prevent wear and tear of the said hawser which is gripped and held by my
improved apparatus when the said flaps are made to approach each other by a
clamping screw or other similar mechanical contrivance acting simultaneously upon
the two flaps. The said carriage slides horizontally upon the said bed plate and
by the proper interposition of wood, metallic springs, india rubber or other clastic
material between the said carriage and the abutments of the bed-plate all sudden
jerks and excessive concussions are deadened and in addition thereto gives to the
flaps or nipper a horizontal elasticity in the direction of the strain upon the rope,
this preserves the cable from the injurious action of sudden jerks coming upon a
ship's hawser when in use.
I will now procced to explain my said Invention more fully by aid of the
accompanying Drawing reference being had to the letters and figures marked
thereon.
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved apparatus, Figure 2 a side view thereof and
Figure 3 a sectional view on the line A. B. (Figure 1). In all these Figures a a is the
bed plate rigidly bolted to the deck of the ship by the bolts bb. In this bed plate
are cut longitudinal dove-tailed grooves cc fitted with conical headed holding
down bolts dd capable of moving along the grooves. ee is the sliding carriago
which although held down by the said holding down bolts, is yet capable of
longitudinal notion upon the surface of the bed plate and of adjusting itself to the
intensity of the strain put upon the cable. ff* are the two flaps jointly forming
a "nipper" or channel along which the hawser rope or ship's cable passes on its
way to the capstan or winch. It will be observed that the channel i extends the
whole length of the flaps thus avoiding any abrasion or attrition of the ship's cable
or wire rope nor is any damaging indentation made upon the rope when secured
by the nipper.
These flaps are supported and hinged in grooves k k cut in either side of the
frame of the carriage and forming a kind of abutment or knuckle joint. One of

page_text: these flaps is provided with a lever arm operated upon by the set screw h
through the hand wheel which regulates the grip of the nipper upon the cable.
The said lever arm has a projecting shoulder m Figure 3 upon which rests the
inner extremity of the other flap suitably formed as shown in section on the
Drawing Figure 3 this shoulder causes the set screw when set in motion to act
upon both flaps simultaneously making them either to grip tighter or to loosen
their hold together upon the cable rope passing between them. The nut in which
the said set screw works forms part of the frame-work of the carriage.
nn is a strong spiral spring placed between a fixed abutment o and the end of
the carriage e which as before stated slides longitudinally upon the bed plate a.
This strong spring receives when the ship is riding at her moorings any sudden
jerk or strain brought upon the cable and preserves it from the injurious effects
thereof. At the other extremity of the bed plate is a buffer ox of any elastic
material to deaden the force of the returning carriage when necessary or when the
cable breaks by any accident.
Various modifientions in the mode of constructing my improved apparatus may
be made to suit the ever carving conditions of circumstances and locality for
instance in place of the hawser passing between the two flaps as above described
the hawser may be gripped between a sliding and a stationary block the latter
east or otherwise fixed permanently to the sliding carriage and the former sliding
in a groove, they may be made to approach each other by a toggel jointed lever
neted upon by a set serew in a manner similarly to the foregoing. This arrange-
ment will be readily understood by referring to Fig: 4 which is a diagram corre-
sponding to Fig. 3. Here ƒ-f* are the blocks or so called flaps the latter f×|
hinged to the toggel jointed lever -p-p, i is the nipper and the sliding earringe
is the hand wheel to straighten in a manner before described the togel jointed
lever pp. This mode of construction is particularly adapted where circumstances
and leenlity may arise in which it would be found advantageons to pince my
improved apparatus in a vertical position in lieu of the horizontal position as more
fully described. Although I prefer the mode and means above described for
securing ships cables I have yet shown in diagram Fig. 5 a further-modification-of
my Invention where the action of the nipper may be for a time or permanently
dispensed with and in lien thereof the cable or haweer may be held tunt by two
smaller ropes one end of each secured to the sliding curriage and the other enda
wound right and left hand round the cable as shown. The letters in this diagram
refer to parts corresponding to the letters marked in Fig. 1.
My Invention is particularly adapted for securing metal wire hawsers.
Having now particularly described the nature and object of my said Invention
together with the means of carrying the same into effect I claim as my Invention
secured to me by the above in part recited Letters Patent the arrangement and
construction of a nipper for securing ships' cables, hawser or other hemp steel
or metal ropes and chains bearing a pulling strain substantially as above described
and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Archer, junior have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord Ond
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
DARD T

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Archer, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works,
Dunston, in the County of Durham, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS' CABLES,
HAWSERS, OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL, OR METAL ROPES AND CHAINS BEARING
A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE
HAWSERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Archer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1880.
THOMAS ARCHER, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works, Dunston, in the
County of Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS' CABLES, HAWSERS, OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL
OR METAL ROPES AND CHAINS BEARING A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY
ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE HAWSERS."
Hitherto the method and means employed for securing ships' cables or hawsers
while engaged in holding a vessel to her moorings or anchorage have not been
found satisfactory, and with a view of reducing to a minimum the many objections
met with in the mode and means generally employed is the object of my Invention,
which I will now briefly describe.
To the deck of a ship to be fitted with my apparatus I bolt or otherwise
mechanically attach a carriage composed of metal or of other suitable material.
The said carriage, which may be placed in any convenient position between the
hawse hole and the capstan or winch, receives in a groove acting as an abutment a
pair of nippers formed of two flaps, which are placed upon the carriage, thus
and these receive at their upper ends, or arises, the cable as it
passes on to the capstan or bollard. The top arises or ends of the flaps may be
lined with metal, best adapted and shaped to prevent wear and tear of the hawser
employed, which is gript by the flaps simultaneously acted upon by a set screw, or
clamping screw, or other similar mechanical means acting upon the two flaps. By
the proper interposition of wood, india rubber, or other elastic material between
the lower arises of the flaps as well as their returns, and the abutments cast upon the
Price 1

page_text: carriage to receive the said flaps all sudden jerks or excessive concussion is deadened,
and in addition gives to the flaps a horizontal elasticity in the direction of the
strain upon the rope, which elasticity preserves the cable from the injurious action
of sudden jerks felt upon a ship's hawser when in use.
In lieu of placing the flaps as above described they may be placed thus
a slight alteration being made in the carriage to meet the change of position.
Indeed various inodifications of my apparatus inay be made to suit the ever varying
condition of locality and circumstances; for instance, in place of the hawser passing
between the two flaps, as above described, the cable may be pinched between
a sliding and stationary block, the former cast or otherwise fixed to one of
the flaps, and the latter cast on or fixed permanently to the carriage of my apparatus.
In this case the flaps would be hinged or knuckled jointed where the cable, as
before described, passed through, while the opposite side of the flap would be loosely
within a recess (acting as an abutment), or hinged to a fulcrum, as circumstances
might require.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Archer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th April
1881.
THOMAS ARCHER, junior, of the Dunston Engine Works, Dunston, in the
County of Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR SECURING SHIPS' CABLES, HAWSERS, OR OTHER HEMP, STEEL, OR
METAL ROPES AND CHAINS BEARING A PULLING STRAIN, MORE ESPECIALLY
ADAPTED FOR SECURING METAL WIRE HAWSERS."
Hitherto the method and means employed for securing ships' cables or hawsers
while engaged in holding a vessel to her moorings or anchorage have not been
found satisfactory, and with a view of reducing to a minimum the many objections
met with in the mode and means generally employed for that purpose is the object
of my Invention, which I will now briefly describe.
To the deck of the ship to which it is proposed to fit my improved apparatus
I bolt or otherwise mechanically attach a bed-plate supporting a sliding carriage
composed of metal or other suitable material; the said carriage, which may be
placed with the said bed-plate in any convenient position between the hawse-hole
and the capstan or winch, receives in a groove acting as an abutment or hinge on
either side a pair of nippers formed of two flaps which are placed in the carriage;
thus consequently they have a tendency to sink and approach each
other at a point midway between the two abutments, but when in use they
are kept asunder by the hawser or cable which runs between them as it passes
from the hawse-hole to the capstan, winch, or bollard. The top arrises of the flaps
or mouth of the nipper may be lined with metal, best adapted and shaped to
prevent wear and tear of the said hawser, which is gripped and held by my
improved apparatus when the said flaps are made to approach each other by a
clamping screw or other similar mechanical contrivance acting simultaneously upon
the two flaps. The said carriage slides horizontally upon the said bed plate, and
by the proper interposition of wood, metallic springs, india rubber, or other elastic
material between the said carriage and the abutinents of the bed-plate all sudden
jerks and excessive concussions are deadened, and in addition thereto gives to the
flaps or nipper a horizontal elasticity in the direction of the strain upon the rope ;
this preserves the cable from the injurious action of sudden jerks coming upon a
ship's hawser when in use.
I will now proceed to explain my said Invention more fully by aid of the
accompanying Drawing, reference being had to the letters and figures marked
thereon.
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved apparatus; Figure 2, a side view thereof; and
Figure 3 a sectional view on the line A, B (Figure 1). In all these Figures a, a, is the
bed plate rigidly bolted to the deck of the ship by the bolts b, b. In this bed plate
are cut longitudinal dove-tailed grooves c, c, fitted with conical headed holding
down bolts d, d, capable of moving along the grooves; e, e, is the sliding carriage,
which, although held down by the said holding down bolts, is yet capable of
longitudinal motion upon the surface of the bed plate and of adjusting itself to the
intensity of the strain put upon the cable; f*, are the two flaps jointly forming
a "nipper" or channel i, along which the hawser, rope, or ship's cable passes on its
way to the capstan or winch. It will be observed that the channel i extends the
whole length of the flaps, thus avoiding any abrasion or attrition of the ship's cable
or wire rope, nor is any damaging indentation made upon the rope when secured
by the nipper.
These flaps are supported and binged in grooves k, k, cut in either side of the
frame of the carriage, and forming a kind of abutment or knuckle joint. One of

page_text: these flaps f* is provided with a lever arm g operated upon by the set screw h
through the hand wheel l, which regulates the grip of the nipper upon the cable.
The said lever arm has a projecting shoulder m, Figure 3, upon which rests the
inner extremity of the other flap f suitably formed, as shown in section on the
Drawing, Figure 3; this shoulder causes the set screw when set in motion to act
upon both flaps simultaneously making them either to grip tighter or to loosen
their hold together upon the cable rope passing between them. The nut in which
the said set screw works forms part of the frame-work of the carriage.
n, n, is a strong spiral spring placed between a fixed abutment o and the end of
the carriage c, which, as before stated, slides longitudinally upon the bed plate a.
This strong spring receives, when the ship is riding at her moorings, any sudden
jerk or strain brought upon the cable, and preserves it from the injurious effects
thereof. At the other extremity of the bed plate is a buffer o* of any elastic
material to deaden the force of the returning carriage when necessary or when the
cable breaks by any accident.
Various modifications in the mode of constructing my improved apparatus may
be made to suit the ever varying conditions of circumstances and locality; for
instance, in place of the hawser passing between the two flaps, as above described,
the hawser may be gripped between a sliding and a stationary block, the latter
cast or otherwise fixed permanently to the sliding carriage, and the former sliding
in a groove; they may be made to approach each other by a toggel jointed lever
acted upon by a set screw in a manner similarly to the foregoing. This arrange-
ment will be readily understood by referring to Fig. 4, which is a diagram corre-
sponding to Fig. 3. Here f, *, are the blocks, or so called flaps, the latter f*
hinged to the toggel jointed lever p, p; i is the nipper; and the sliding carriage;
Z is the hand wheel to straighten in a manner before described the toggel jointed
lever . p. This mode of construction is particularly adapted where circumstances
and locality may arise, in which it would be found advantageous to place my
improved apparatus in a vertical position in lieu of the horizontal position, as moro
fully described. Although I prefer the mode and incans above described for
securing ships' cables I have yet shown in diagram, Fig. 5, a further modification of
my Invention where the action of the nipper may be for a time, or permanently,
dispensed with, and in lieu thereof the cable or hawser may be held taut by two
smaller ropes, one end of each secured to the sliding carriage and the other ends
wound right and left hand round the cable, as shewn. The letters in this diagram
refer to parts corresponding to the letters marked in Fig. 1.
My Invention is particularly adapted for securing metal wire hawsers.
Having now particularly described the nature and object of my said Invention,
together with the means of carrying the saine into effect, I claim as my Invention
secured to me by the above in part recited Letters Patent, the arrangement and
construction of a nipper for securing ships' cables, hawser, or other hemp, steel,
or metal ropes and chains bearing a pulling strain, substantially as above described
and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Archer, junior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Ann