A NEW OR IMPROVED FISHING GEAR WINCH OR ARRANGEMENT OF MECHANISM FOR HEAVING IN HERRING OR OTHER FISHING NETS, TRAWL ROPES, AND DEEP SEA FISHING OR OTHER LINES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Robertson Mitchell, of Aberdeen, North Britain,
Ironfounder and Engineer, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED
FISHING GEAR WINCH OR ARRANGEMENT OF MECHANISM FOR HEAVING IN
HERRING OR OTHER FISHING NETS, TRAWL ROPES, AND DEEP SEA FISHING OR
OTHER LINES."
Sealed the 21st December 1876, and dated the 16th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Robertson Mitchell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th September 1876.
"
CHARLES ROBERTSON MITCHELL, of Aberdeen, North Britain, Ironfounder and
Engineer. A NEW OR IMPROVED FISHING GEAR WINCH OR ARRANGEMENT OF
MECHANISM FOR HEAVING IN HERRING OR OTHER FISHING NETS, TRAWL ROPES,
AND DEEP SEA FISHING OR OTHER LINES."
This Invention has reference to a new or improved construction of a fishing gear
winch, windlass, or switch, or general arrangement of mechanism for the proper
heaving of fishing nets by their head backs, or of trawling ropes and deep sea fishing
lines, or other such like tackle, lines, or ropes, all in a more efficient and simple or
convenient manner from any convenient distance or position, to effect the proper
uncoiling or coiling of the same without requiring the use of leading lines or snatch
blocks, as heretofore.
The general construction of the machine or mechanism consists all as follows,
namely, of two open cast-iron vertical side frames secured by cross stays at sufficient
distance apart to contain the driving piuion and wheels between them, the whole
swivelling to any desired angle by snugs or brackets projecting from the one frame
at the lower and upper part upon a stationary vertical spindle or pillar fixed in a
strong sole plate secured to any convenient part of the fishing boat or other vessel,
so as to be able to heave in or wind the net, line, or rope from any direction. The
axles of the three wheels gear into each other nearly in the same horizontal line of
the centre of the frame with the pinion above and gearing into the central one, so
as to be actuated by winch handles on one or both sides of its spindle, which
projects outside the frames for that purpose. The spindles of the three lower
wheels are carried through the outside frame, and have keyed or otherwise secured
Ponies I

page_text: on them an overhanging grooved or switch wheel working very close to each other
on the opposite side to the swivelling brackets and pillar, so as to have the head
backs or ropes of the net passed over the groove of the outer one, under the centre
one, and over the inner one, so that as the winch handle and gearing are turned in
the proper direction the power or griping friction of the grooved switch pulleys
heaves the net at the speed and in the direction required through the whole geared
winch or switches swivelling on the fixed column.
When motive power can be conveniently applied, as in a screw fishing boat, this
windlass or machine may be driven by the engine through belts and pulleys or
other driving gear, and a friction strap or other equivalent might be applied to one
of the wheels, or a brake pulley on one of the spindles when desired, and it could
be used also on land for paying out or drawing in nets, lines, or ropes, as well as on
fishing boats or other vessels.
SFECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Robertson Mitchell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th March 1877.
CHARLES ROBERTSON MITCHELL, of Aberdeen, North Britain, Ironfounder and
Engineer. "A NEW OR IMPROVED FISHING GEAR WINCH OR ARRANGEMENT OF
MECHANISM FOR HEAVING IN HERRING OR OTHER FISHING NETS, TRAWL ROPES,
AND DEEP SEA FISHING OR OTHER LINES."
My said Invention has referrence to a new or improved construction of a fishing
gear winch, windlass, or switch, or general arrangement of mechanism for the proper
heaving of fishing nets by their head backs, or of trawling ropes and deep sea fishing
lines, or other such like tackle, lines, or ropes, all in a more efficient and simple or
convenient manner from any convenient distance or position, to effect the proper
coiling or uncoiling of the same without requiring the use of leading lines or snatch
blocks, as heretofore.
And in order that the nature of my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the Figures
on the Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose, the
same reference letters indicating the same parts in both Figures.
Figures 1 and
are respectively a front and side elevation of one construction or
arrangement of my new or improved net heaving winch, constructed in accordance
with and illustrative of my said Invention and mode of performing the same.
Referring to these Figures the general construction of the machine or mechanism
consists all as follows; namely, of two open cast iron vertical side frames A, A¹,
secured by cross stays All with sufficient distance between the frames to contain
the driving pinion B and wheels B₁ on the axis b, the whole swivelling to any
desired angle by the bearing snugs or brackets a, a¹, projecting from the main frame
A at the lower and upper part, upon a stationary vertical spindle or pillar P fixed
in a strong sole plate B¹ secured to any convenient part or cross beam Q of the
fishing boat or other vessel, so as to be able to heave in the net Z by its head back
z from any direction. The axles of the three wheels B¹ of the same diameter,
gearing into each other, are ranged in nearly the same horizontal line of the centre
of the frame, with the driving pinion B above gearing into the central one which is
rather lower than the two side ones, actuated by winch handles c¹ on one or both
ends of its spindle c, which projects outside the frame for that purpose.
The
spindles b of the three lower wheels B¹ are carried through the outside frame A¹,
and have keyed or otherwise secured on each of them an overhanging V grooved or
switch wheel C, working very close to each other on the front or opposite side to
the swivelling brackets a, a¹, and pillar P, so as to have the head backs zor edge
rope of the net passed over the groove of the first or uuter switch wheel C, down

page_text: under the centre one CII, and up over the inner one C", all of the same diameter
so that as the winch handle c and gearing B, B', are turned in the direction
indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, the power or griping friction of the grooved
switch pulleys C heaves in the net at the speed and in the direction required, the
net and its floats hanging clear over the float, the whole winch swivelling in any
direction on the fixed column D to effect this, and fixed or steadied in any position
by a pawl and notched rim, or it might be a gripping lever at the lowest swivelling
bracket a, so as to keep the winch fair to its work, or a worm and worm wheel
might be used there for that purpose.
When desired the wheels B₁ and the grooved switches or pulleys C may be cast
in one, with a hollow axis, and revolve on fixed studs b projecting from the main
swivelling part of the frame A, thus dispensing with the outer supplementary frame
A', in which case the central part of the frame may be made as a hollow socket
working over the stationary pillar P instead of by the two swivelling bearing
brackets
a, a¹
It will be understood that this winch is also applicable for hauling or paying out
ropes or other lines on fishing or other boats or vessels.
When motive power can be conveniently applied, as in screw steam fishing boats,
this windlass or machine may be driven by the engine through belts and pulleys, or
other driving gear, and a friction strap, ratchet and pawls, or other equivalent
might be applied to one of the wheels, or a brake pulley on one of their spindles,
when desired, and it could be used also on land for paying out or drawing in nets,
lines, or ropes, as well as on fishing boats, or other vessels.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict mysely to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but what I consider novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,
First. The general construction, or arrangement of the parts of a fishing gear
winch or winding mechanism for hauling in fishing nets, ropes, or other lines, all
substantially as herein described in reference to, and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The construction and use of a fishing gear winch with three V grooved
switches or pulleys C, and their wheels B¹ running on horizontal axes b ranged side
by side, and revolving vertically, and driven by one central pinion B and its spindle
c, all carried on a frame A swivelling on a fixed pillar or post P, all substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Robertson Mitchell, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CHARLES ROBERTSON MITCHELL. (L.S.)