IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIP WINDLASSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Stead Manton, of Providence State of Rhode
Island, United States of America. for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHIP WINDLASSES"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Frank Stead Manton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1883..
FRANK STEAD MANTON, of Providence, state of Rhode Island, United States
of America, IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIP WINDLASSES"
"
"
This invention has reference to an improvement in the construction of ship-
windlasses. The object of the invention is to construct the ship-windlasses so
that they will be better able to withstand the strain in all directions, to which
windlasses are subjected; another object of the invention is to operate the same
either by hand-power through the capstan, or by steam-power through a worm and
worm-gear; another object of the invention is to construct the wild-cats, so that
while the same can be rigidly locked, the same can be quickly unlocked; another
object of the invention is to secure a firm thrust-bearing for the worm, and a
further object of the invention is to lubricate, the worm and worm-gear, auto-
matically. The invention consists first in providing a firm base-plate, strengthened
by ribs and flanges and raised fitting edges, so that all the parts of the windlass
can be firmly secured, and are united togeother by such base-plate, independent of
the ships deck. The invention further consists in constructing the bearings for
the axle of the windlass of hollow cast-metal blocks, provided with external flanges,
by which the same are secured to the base-plate. The invention further consists
in providing the driving-heads of the windlass with one or more locking-blocks
and with a ring connected with such locking-block or blocks, so that the same can
be quickly operated to connect or disconnect the windlass. The invention further
consists in a thrust bearing for the driving-worm, which at the same time forms
a bearing for the shaft and a housing for 'the gears; the invention further consists
in an idle-wheel turning in an oil-chamber in contact with the worm gear, so that
oil is placed on the worm-gear to lubricate the 'same, and it further consists in

page_text: .
mounting the capstan on metal supports and connecting the same with the base-
plate, so that the whole forms a firm self-contained structure independent of the
ships deck. Figure 1. is a side view of my improved ship-windlass and capstan.
Figure 2. is a sectional view of the windlass showing the two engines for driving
the same and the thrust-block bearing. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the windlass
showing the thrust-block bearing extending over the gear-wheel and the position
of the automatic oiling device. Figure 4. is a top view of the capstan and windlass.
Figure 5. is a sectional view of the end bearing of the windlass shaft. Figure 6. is
a view, partly in section, of the locking device. Figure 7. is a sectional view of the
driving-head and wild-cat. Figure 8 is a view of the worm-gear and the oiling
device Figure 9. is an enlarged view of the worm-gear and idle-wheel for oiling
the same.
In the drawings A. is the base-plate provided with strengthening ribs.
B. B. are two vertical engines by which the windlass is driven. C. C. are the
wild-cats, D. is the bevelled gear secured to the windlass shaft. E. is the beveled
pinion connected by a clutch to the shaft of the vertical capstan F. G. is the
thrust-bearing standard in which the shaft carrying the worm H. is journalled;
this thrust-bearing is a hollow metal standard provided with flanges resting on the
base-plate to which it is firmly secured, it extends over and partly houses the
driving-gear D. and worm-gear I. and has the bearing g. of the windlass formed
on one side ;-by this construction space is economized, the thrust-bearing g'. is
brought near the worm and the strain of the worm on the thrust-bearing resisted
by the broad bearing of the standard and also by the shaft of the windlass, as both
bearings are formed on the standard G. K. is an idle-wheel engaging with the
worm-gear and partly submerged in the oil-reservoir; this idle-wheel may be
provided with brushes to assist in raising the oil and placing the same on the
worm-gear, by which it is carried up to the worm and thus automatically lubricates
the same.
The windlass bits or bearings L. L. are formed hollow, having a smooth
· outer surface and flanges by which they are firmly secured to the base-plate,
thereby securing a broad, firm bearing and resisting all tortional strain. M. M. are
the warping barrels placed on the ends of the windlass shaft. N. N. are the hand-
spikes for operating the brakes by which the paying out of the chain or cable is
controlled O. is the driving-head secured to the windlass-shaft; on the same is
mounted the annular-ring P. and in the driving-head the locking-blocks p. are
placed, by which the wildcat can be connected with and disconnected from the
driving-head. The annular ring P. is provided with the slots or ways pl. in which
a pin projecting from the locking-block slides. The ring is provided with socket-
holes along its periphery, so that a hand-spike can be inserted at any part of the
periphery to operate the ring, which by a partial rotation will bring the blocks p.
in connection with the wildcat or disconnect the same. R. R. are posts secured to
the base-plate A. and connected with the plate S. on which the capstan is supported.
The whole windlass and capstan with all its parts is firmly secured to the base-
plate on fitting surfaces, by means of projecting flanges and bolts, thus securing to
all parts firm bearings, uniting all parts into one homogeneous whole, mutually
resisting all strains and tortions, regardless of any tortion or strain in the ship, and
securing all the working parts in their proper alignment, so that all bearings work
true and with the least possible friction in any motion or stress of weather the ship
may be subjected to, thereby securing a reliable power windlass, driven by steam
or hand, able to perform its functions under all possible conditions.
Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by
letters patent;-First; In a power windlass, the combination with the standards
provided with projecting flanges, of a base-plate constructed to unite all the parts
and form the base of the windlass, as described. Second; A ship windlass provided
with hollow metal standards and bearing blocks secured to a base-plate, constructed
'to resist all torsional strain and unite the parts into one whole self-contained
machine, as described. Third; The combination with the base A, the engines B. B.,
the worm H, and worm gear I., of the thrust-block standard G constructed to form
a housing for the gears, a bearing for the worm-shaft, and also a bearing for the

page_text: windlass shaft, as described. Fourth; The standard G. of a windlass constructed
to form the bearing g. for the windlass-shaft, the bearing gl. for the worm-shaft, and
the thrust-bearing for the worm, provided with flanges and secured to the base-
plate of the windlass, as described. Fifth; The combination with the plate A., of
the bit or shaft-bearing L., consisting of a hollow cast-metal block, provided with
flanges, constructed to be secured to the plate A, as described. Sixth.; The
combination with the windlass-shaft, of a driving-head provided with one or
more locking-blocks, and a ring constructed to operate the locking-blocks so as to
connect and disconnect the wild-cat, as described. Seventh; The combination with
the worm H. and worm-gear I., of the oiling-wheel K., constructed to supply
lubricant to the worm and worm-gear, as described. Eighth ; In a power windlass
the combination with the engines B. B., the worin H, worm-gear I, driving-head O.,
and wildcat C., of hollow cast-metal standards connected with the base-plate A. by
flanges and bolts, constructed to resist torsional strain and retain the parts in their
relative positions, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Stead Manton, have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal this the twenty-third day of April, in the year of our
Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three.
In presence of: —
JOSEPH A MILLER,
Civil Engineer,
Providence. R. I.
FRANK STEAD MANTON
(L.S.)
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