IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR RELIEVING STRAINS ON ROPES OR CHAINS IN TOWING, MOORING, OR ANCHORING VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Mace, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Mechanical Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR
RELIEVING STRAINS ON ROPES OR CHAINS IN TOWING, MOORING, OR
ANCHORING VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Mace at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th January 1881.
CHARLES MACE, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Mechanical
Engineer. "IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR RELIEVING STRAINS ON ROPES OR
CHAINS IN TOWING, MOORING, OR ANCHORING VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to certain means of preventing the breaking of ropes or
chains by strains suddenly applied, having special reference to tow-lines or warps
of wire or hemp rope, and to the cables of anchors.
I introduce at some part of the rope or chain (preferably at one of the extremities)
a spiral, volute, or other form of spring; or some elastic material, such as india
rubber, through which the tension upon the rope or chain will be transmitted
without sudden strain.
As applied to anchoring ropes or chains, I fix the windlass in a sliding frame,
controlled by springs, or some elastic material, in such a way that it will yield to
any sudden strain by acting upon the springs or elastic material, either by com-
pression or tension.
As applied to wire rope tow-lines or warp, I fix the compressor in a similar
sliding frame, controlled as before described, or I attach the spring or elastic material
at either end, or at some intermediate point in the rope, which plan I also adopt for
ordinary mooring chains, warps, or tow-lines.
In the case of mooring chains and ordinary warping ropes and tow-linės, the
springs or elastic material may, instead of forming part of the chain, warp, or tow-
line, be attached to some part of the vessel or to some fixed point (as the "bollard"
upon the quay, pier, or dock side, to which the chain, warp, or tow-line may be
attached and made fast.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Mace in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th July
1881.
CHARLES MACE, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Mechanical
Engineer. "IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR RELIEVING STRAINS ON ROPES OR
CHAINS IN TOWING, MOORING, OR ANCHORING VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to certain means of preventing the breaking of ropes or
chains by strains suddenly applied, having special reference to tow-lines or warps
of wire or hemp rope, and to the cables of anchors.
I introduce at some part of the rope or chain (preferably at one of the extremities)
a spiral, volute, or other form of spring, or some elastic material, such as india
rubber, through which the tension upon the rope or chain will be transmitted
without sudden strain.
.
As applied to anchoring ropes or chains, I fix the windlass in a sliding frame,
controlled by springs or some elastic material, in such a way that it will yield to
any'sudden strain by acting upon the springs or elastic material, either by com-
pression or tension.
As applied to wire rope tow-lines or warps, I fix the compressor in a similar
sliding frame, controlled as before described, or I attach the spring or elastic
material at either end, or at some intermediate point in the rope, which plan I also
adopt for ordinary mooring chains, warps, or tow-lines.
In the case of mooring chains and ordinary warping ropes and tow-lines, the
springs or elastic material may, instead of forming part of the chain, warp, or tow-
line, be attached to some part of the vessel, or to some fixed point (as the "bollard")
upon the quay, pier, or dock side, to which the chain, warp, or tow-line may be
attached and made 'fast.
The following description, referring to accompanying Sheet of Drawings, explains
the mode in which I propose to carry my Invention into practical application,
though I do not bind myself to precise details.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

page_text: Third. The application of a capstan sliding in a fixed frame and controlled by
springs for the purposes specified, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Mace, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
T. J. DANSON.
Patent Agent,
Newcastle on Tyne.
CHARLES MACE. (L.S.)