IMPROVEMENTS IN TUMBLERS FOR SUPPORTING THE SHAFTS OF TRAVELLING CRANES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR USES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, MARK EASTHOPE of No 842 Grimesthorpe Road, Sheffield in the County of
York Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN TUMBLERS FOR SUPPORTING THE SHAFTS OF TRAVELLING
CRANES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR USES to be as follows:-
"
My Invention relates to improvements in the mechanism and construction of
what are technically known as tumblers," being appliances used for supporting
long lengths of shafting, or screws, at suitable intervals, and so constructed that
they are capable of being pushed on one side to permit the passage of some portion
of the machine to which they are attached, (such as the wheels of a traveller crane,
or the saddle of a large lathe for example ;) and are automatically caused to resume
their normal position of support when the obstruction has passed.
The object of my improvements is to make a more effective and compact
apparatus than those at present in use, and I carry them out in the following
manner.
The apparatus as applied to a travelling crane (for example) consists of an outer
metal case, preferably of an oblong shape, and open at the top and bottom; this is
secured to the framework of the traveller, under the shaft that requires support.
and
A Correspondingly shaped box frame or slide fits into the outer case, and is
guided vertically by means of its four corners which are provided with suitable
guide strips. The top of the slide is arched, projecting from the case,
terminating in an adjustable or revolving pillow block, in which is fitted the
supporting brass or step.
The centre part of the sides of the slide are open, thus reducing the weight, and
making the interior more accessible, but the bottom is closed.
A Crank with a "throw" of sufficient dimensions to give the required movement
to the slide, is connected to the bottom of the slide, by means of a connecting rod,
and is carried by the sides of the outer case, one end of the crank axle projecting
sufficiently through the front side of the outer case to have a catch wheel firmly
secured upon it, provided with four rounded teeth.

page_text: When the apparatus is in its normal position, and giving support to the shaft,
a steel projection or V with which the bottom tooth is provided, enters into a
corresponding recess formed in the head of a spring catch, and thus retains the
slide with the supporting brass or neck at its highest point.
When the wheels before mentioned, (one of which is upon the shaft) require to
pass the tumbler, a rack having two teeth at each end, and a suitable blank space
between, and which is secured to the travelling part of the crane, in such a manner
as to engage with the teeth of the catch wheel-comes in contact with the catch
wheel and disengaging the bottom tooth from the spring catch, and turns the
wheel halfround, reversing the crank and bringing the slide to its lowest position.
After the wheels have passed the teeth at the other end of the rack engage the
wheel and turn it to its original position, where it is securely held by the spring
catch until again acted upon.

page_text: Fig. 5, is the actuating rack.
In carrying out my invention in the construction of a tumbler for a travelling
crane (for example) it consists of an outer case A, preferably of an oblong shape,
and open at the top and bottom, and this is secured to the framework of the
traveller B by means of a bracket C, or its equivalent, under the shaft D, that
requires support.
A Correspondingly shaped box frame or slide E, fits into the outer case A, and is
guided vertically by means of its four corners (see Fig. 4) which are provided with
suitable guide strips.
The top F, of the slide E, which projects from the case is arched or contracted to
a centre support for a brass or step G, the pillow block H, being adjustable.
I prefer to make the slide E with open sides, to reduce the weight, but the
bottom is closed.
A Crank I, having a "throw" of sufficient dimensions to give the required move-
ment to the slide, is connected to the bottom of the slide by means of a connecting
rod J, and is carried by the sides of the outer case, one end of the crank axle
projects through the front side of the outer case A, so as to have a catch-wheel K,
firmly secured upon it, and provided with rounded teeth L.
When the apparatus is in its normal position, supporting the shaft M, as shown
in Fig. 1, a steel point or V, N with which the bottom tooth is provided enters a
corresponding recess formed in the head of a spring catch O, and thus retains the
slide E, with the supporting brass or step G, at its highest point.
To operate the tumbler, a rack P having two teeth at each end, and a suitable
blank space between them and which is secured to the travelling part of the crane,
in such a manner as to engage with the teeth of the wheel K, when travelling,
comes in contact with the top tooth (see Fig. 1.) and disengaging the catch O, turns
the wheel halfround, reversing the crank I, and bringing the slide to its lowest
position.

page_text: After the obstruction is passed, the teeth at the opposite end of the rack P,
engage the wheel and turn it to its original position, where it is securely held until
again acted upon by the rack,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st The improved construction of Tumblers for the support of shafts as herein
before described and as illustrated.
7
2nd In Tumblers for supporting shafts the combination of the wheel K, the
Crank I, the connecting rod J, and the slide E, for the purpose, and
substantially as described and as illustrated.” “