IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR TRANSMITTING POWER
Year: 1885

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR TRANSMITTING POWER (a communication from Edwin
Winans of New York, United States of America) and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
This invention relates to that class of machinery by and through which moderate
powers are developed and transmitted by means of the treadle, lever or gearing.
The invention may also be applied to the transmission of enlarged powers in
proportion to the strength of construction of the several details and parts. It is
specially adapted to all movements to which the ordinary treadle motion is applied,
the foot lathe, sewing machine, bicycle, jig-saw and all similar operating machines.
It is also adaptable to the higher powers, higher speeds, where even motion is
specially requisite, the original motion as applied being an easy and steady one,
and the method of transmission multiplying the speed, the whole being governed
by the fly wheel.
The original object of this invention was to ease the labour of the operator from
the strain now required to keep the sewing machine up to its work. It is easily
apparent that any such improvement may be just as well applied to the operation
of any similar machinery requiring either reciprocating or rotative motion.
Certain of these improvements consist in the combination of a circular or
concentric wedge or wedges with two or more portions of a friction coupling,
whereby pressure is brought to bear upon the faces of a friction coupling and the
coupling caused to act. Other improvements consist in the combination with a
friction coupling of a concentric engaging wedge or wedges operated by a spool
mechanism, gear wheel or pulley directly connected with or attached to one
portion of the engaging wedge or wedges. Other improvements consist in the
combination with a shaft to which one portion of a friction coupling is fastened

page_text: and the intermediate wedge portion of the coupling through which pressure is
brought to bear upon the faces of the friction coupling and the whole caused to
operate. Other improvements consist in the combination of a friction coupling,
engaging circular or concentric wedge attachments and a spool mechanism, gearing
or pulley through which by revolution or operation, pressure is brought to bear
upon the friction coupling, and the same caused to revolve or operate. Other
improvements consist in the combination of a friction coupling, circular or con-
centric wedge or wedges, spool mechanism, gearing or pulley with a vibrating
lever through which motion is given to the spool mechanisin and thence through
friction coupling to shaft transmitting the power or motion.. Other improvements
consist in the combination of two or more sets of the levers, spool mechanism,
gearing or pulley, circular or concentric wedge or wedges, friction coupling and a
shaft operated by the two or more sets of power transmitting mechanism. Other
improvements consist in the combination of any or all of the several parts herein-
after described and specified in their several connections and duties.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a general plan of a machine
embodying these improvements. Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the
same, also showing the method of changing reciprocating motion to revolution. or-
rotation. Figure 3 represents a detail of friction coupling embodying a portion of
this invention, one portion of which has the prepared concentric wedge projections
or clutches through which pressure is effected upon or released from the friction
couplings to make them effective. Figure 4 represents a detail of spool embodying
another portion of this invention and having the concentric wedge or wedges
attached thereto mating with those upon the friction coupling as represented in
Figure 3. Figure 5 is a detailed representation of the method of connection and
operation of the several portions of the friction coupling embodied in this invention.
Figures 6 and 7 represent a modification in the method of construction and
operation of the lever and spool mechanism or pulley. Here a link framing takes
the place of the forked lever arms as shown in Figures 1 to 5.
The lever in this
case centres above the spool shaft instead of below. Figure 8 represents a modi-
'fication operating from above or below having the belt fastened directly to the
two arms of, the lever and passing about the power spool as in the ordinary
fiddle drill. Figures 9 and 10 represent a further modification in the lever
construction, motion being communicated through radial racks and small pinions
in lieu of the spool or pulley and belting. The motion of the small pinion may be
varied according as the rack operates above or below the pinion.
Similar letters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.
In the operation of the device as represented in Figures 1 to 5 power is applied
and motion given to the levers A alternately with the feet upon treadles a. Upon
the fulcrum or rock shaft B the lever A is suspended and vibrates as moved by
the treadles. The shaft B is supported by the bearings C and the shaft D upon
which are located and operated the spool mechanism and friction couplings is
supported by bearings represented at E. The brace b supports the shaft B at its
centre and transmits the thrust of the levers to the supporting framework. At
the double ends of the levers are attached sheaves a¹ a¹ over which the trans-
mitting beltings move as the arms are vibrated and approach or recede from the
spool mechanism F. On the shaft D are supported the operating spools F one to
the right and left of centre line of motion or of the brace b. To the spools F are
attached one portion of the concentric wedge or wedges mating with the second
portion attached to the intermediate disc portion of the friction coupling G forming
a communicating part between the spool mechanism and the portion H of the
friction coupling fixed upon the shaft D. The motion as derived from the
operation of the levers is communicated through the spool mechanism, the friction
coupling as formed by H and G with the spool, gear wheel or pulley the shaft D
to the belt pulley I and thence to the shaft for operating machine. Or again it is
carried through counter pulleys K and thence to shafts J. The driving belts are
fastened to a fixed bracket L carried about the sheaves a¹ a¹ to and about the

page_text: spool F to the offsetts ff where they are fastened. The pulling movement of the
belts effect the rotation of the spools through the alternate winding and unwinding
of the belt on the spools. In Figures 3 and 4 are represented the concentric
wedges f1f1 attached to the intermediate disc portion of the friction coupling and
the mating pieces or wedges g g attached to the spool gear wheel or pulleys
through which power is applied or transmitted. The fixed portion H of the
friction coupling is fastened to the shaft D and the spool portion of the mechanism
is backed by a fixed collar against which the spool F revolves loosely upon the
shaft D.
By means of the lever and belting or belting alone, motion is given to the spool
or pulley F to move upwards upon the concentric wedges of the intermediate
section Ġ of the friction coupling such moving upwards tending to separate the
spool and intermediate section of the coupling from each other, but the spool being
held to place by the fixed collar d d and the further portion H of friction coupling
being also held fixed in its place by set screws h the spreading apart of the
movable portions easily jamb the two faces of the friction coupling together and
effect the rotation of the shaft D and its communicating pulley I.
As soon
however as the reverse motion of the spool, pulley or gear wheel is effected by the
return of the lever, the pressure and upward travel of the wedge portion is at once
released and the pressure upon the faces of friction coupling is withdrawn and
transmission stopped. Such alternate action of each individual lever and its
accompanying rotating mechanism keeps up a steady rotative pressure upon the
shaft D and thence to pulleys and shafts to be operated. The direction of pitch of
the concentric wedge or wedges governs the motion of the spool to effect the
release or transmission of pressure and power. The arrows in Figures 3 and 4
show the direction for the operation of compression and transmission of power in
each, the direction of the rise of the concentric wedges governing the direction of
the revolution and power.
The main feature to be kept directly in view in putting together of the several
portions, or the operation of the same, being that the wedge portion of the spool
coupling shall move upwards upon the wedge portion of the friction coupling to
effect a solid thrust upon the fixed portion of the friction coupling to make it
operative in the transmission of power. It is not at all necessary that the flanges
on the spool or pulley shall follow a thread or screw line, the deviation being made
in the representation for the purpose of fastening the belt in a direct line with the
action of the belt. A pulley with plain flanges is fully as effective as when
following the screw line, the flanges being merely necessary to retain the belt in
place or keep it from slipping off. In adjusting the device, the shaft D is put in
position and the fixed portion K of the friction pulley or coupling fixed to wear
against the bearing. The balance of the parts G and F are then pressed closely
towards the part H, and the collars d. d, fastened to press and keep them in such
close position as represented in Figure 5. The friction couplings may be either
inside or outside and the spool or pulley and collar in suitable and operative
positions.
In Figures 6 and 7, the rockshaft or fulcrum of the lever A¹, is located at B and
the shaft D carries the spool and friction coupling the same as in Figures 1 to 5-
Figure 8 represents a modification in which the belt is attached directly to the arms
of the lever A, and operated about the spool or pulley after the manner of a fiddle
drill-In Figures 9 and 10 a spur wheel F', takes the place of the spool and a
rack M, takes the place of the belting.
.
For light powers friction bands and wheels may be made to act equally well
with the spools or gearing. B represents a rock shaft or fulcrum and supports the
lever A, in its reciprocating or vibrating movement. The revolving of the spur or
gear wheels bring the wedge or wedges into full operation and the coupling into
contact, by moving the wedge or wedges of the gear wheel upwards, upon the
wedge or wedges of the intermediate portion of the coupling combination, forcing
the faces of the friction coupling into perfect contact and effecting the revolution of

page_text: the shaft to which it is attached pressing and releasing the coupling after similar
manner as that effected by the spool.
It is not at all essential that the portion of the friction coupling shall be of the
disc form, any form consistent with friction and suitable to the work to be per-
formed and space occupied, being equally applicable to this method of operation.
The only condition necessary is that there shall be surface sufficient to warrant the
constant and reliable action of the coupling when called upon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
ime by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. The combination of the circular or concentric wedges substantially as described
with two or more portions of a friction coupling, whereby pressure is brought to
bear upon the faces of the coupling and cause the same to act, substantially as
set forth.
2. The combination of a shaft, the fixed portion of a friction coupling attached
thereto, a moveable half of the friction coupling having circular or concentric
wedge or wedges attached thereto, and movable spool, gear wheel or pulley having
circular or concentric wedge or wedges attached thereto and mating those of the
moveable half of the friction coupling, whereby pressure is brought to bear upon
the concentric or circular wedges and thence upon the friction coupling, and by the
reverse movement or action the friction coupling is released substantially as
set forth.
3. The combination in a friction coupling, of a fixed portion or face, a loose
portion or face having engaging wedge or wedges concentric with operation of
coupling, a spool, gear-wheel or pulley having concentric wedge or wedges mating
those of loose portion of coupling, whereby pressure is brought to bear upon and
operate the friction coupling and connected shafting substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a friction coupling substantially as set forth, of a
vibrating lever, a treadle, and shaft upon which the lever is operated and a belt or
gearing whereby motion is transmitted from the vibrating lever to spool, pulley or
pinion and friction faces of coupling substantially as set forth.
5. The combination of a treadle substantially as shown, a lever or vibrating.
arm, a rock shaft upon which the vibrating arm or lever is suspended and rocks, a
belt operating in connection with the lever, and a spool mechanism or pulley,
whereby the spool is caused to revolve in either direction and through the concentric
wedges operating the friction coupling, cause the friction coupling to revolve or
release the operating shaft substantially as set forth.
6. In combination with a treadle, vibrating arm or lever a rockshaft upon which
the vibrating lever or arm is caused to operate or rock, a double arm or link
connection of said lever upon which sheaves for belting are fixed, a belt communi-
cating with and operating a spool or pulley, and a collar upon which the thrust of
the spool or pulley is taken in its movement upon the concentric wedge or wedges
of the coupling substantially as and for the purposes specified.
7. In combination with a treadle, vibrating arm or lever, a rockshaft upon which
the vibrating arm is caused to operate or rock, a double arm or link connection of
said lever upon which a rack is fixed or attached, a pinion or gear wheel operated
by the attached rack and a collar upon which the spool or gear wheel is taken in
its movement upon the concentric wedge or wedges of the coupling substantially
as and for purposes specified.
8. In combination with a shaft upon which they operate, the fixed portion of
coupling H, the loose portion of friction coupling G having its concentric wedge or
wedge projections, the spool or pulley F, to which are attached concentric wedge
projections, mating with and operating upon those of the intermediate loose
portion G, the collar d fixed upon the shaft to take the thrust of spool or pulley
against the wedges of the friction coupling and a belt intermittently operated to
and fro substantially as set forth.
.

page_text: 9. The combination of the shaft D and pulley I, the portions H and G of a friction
coupling, a spool or pulley F, a collar d, operating belts M, or M₁, sheaves a
levers A, or A, and the rock shaft or fulcrum B substantially as set forth.
10. The combination of two or more sets of the following details of mechanism;—
the fixed portion of friction coupling H, the loose portion G having one or more
concentric wedges g. g thereto attached, the flanged spool or pulley F, having one
or more concentric wedges ff, thereto attached and mating those of loose
portion G, the fixed collar d, the shaft D, the belt and levers substantially as
described, whereby a steady revolution is effected of the shaft D and its com-
municating pulley I through the alternate operation of the several levers or arms in
the combination substantially as set forth.
11. In combination with a friction coupling substantially as described, the link
lever A, upon which the sheaves α α are carried and the operating belts sub-
stantially as set forth.
12. In combination with a friction coupling substantially as set forth the lever Ag
the spanning rack M, engaging with and operating the pinion or gear wheel Fi
substantially as set forth.
13. In combination with a shaft upon which they operate, the fixed portion of
friction coupling H, the loose portion G having one or more concentric wedges
inating with those of the gear wheel or pinion F₁ and the radial spanning rack M
operated to and fro substantially as set forth.
14. The combination of two or more sets of the following details or elements of
mechanism; the fixed portion of friction coupling H, the loose portion G having
one or more concentric wedges g, g thereto attached, the pinion F, having one or
more concentric wedges f₁₁ thereto attached and mating those of loose portion G,
the fixed collar d the shaft D, the radial rack M, and the lever arm A, whereby a
steady and continuous revolution is effected of the shaft D, through the alternate
operation of the several levers and arms in combination substantially as set forth.
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