IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS OR CONNECTIONS FOR SECURING THE CABLES AND STANDING RIGGING OF SHIPS AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,.
Lake, & Co., Southampton Buildings, London, Patent Agents, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS OR CONNECTIONS FOR
SECURING THE CABLES AND STANDING RIGGING OF SHIPS AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by William Carlton
Talend of Boston Massachusetts, United States of America.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st June 1870.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.
Southampton Buildings, London, Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS OR CONNECTIONS
FOR SECURING THE CABLES AND STANDING RIGGING OF SHIPS AND FOR OTHER LIKÉ
PURPOSES," a communication, to be as follows:-
The present Invention relates to a fastening or connection for cables
and other lines, and is more especially designed for connecting or
fastening bowsprit futtocks and (mast shrouds or stays, or in other

page_text: words, the standing rigging of ships, but is susceptible of similar appli-
cation to cables or other lines used for various purposes, as for instance,
derrick stays, hoisting apparatus, and the like.
The objects of the said Invention are as follows:-First, to produce
a "dead eye" so turned to receive and fasten the end of a cable or other
line in a most firm, rigid, and secure manner. Second, to combine with
such a dead eye an extension thereof, by which a yielding and elastic
connection of the cable or other line can he made so as to allow the
same to yield or give to heavy strains or tensions.
The said Invention consists, first, in a dead eye constructed in parts
or sections, the one to receive the cable by forming a hole of sufficient
size through it, and the other to fasten the cable on the said receiving
part by a clamping or binding action on the cable, either in its whole
or in its separate strands in a plane outside or beyond the entering plane
for the cable of the receiving part, and in a direction across, transverse,
or at right angles or thereabouts to that in which the cable enters the
dead eye. Second, in a dead eye constructed as above, and having either
one or the other or both of its parts provided with grooves between the
nipping or clamping, and the receiving planes of the dead eye made
either continuous or broken or to extend for only a part of the distance
between the said planes to form a seat or seats for the cable or its strands
to prevent lateral or side play or movement of the cable in the dead eye.
Third, in a coupling between a "dead eye" in which one end of the
rope or shroud is secured and the ship's sides, which coupling is an
extension of the dead eye, and in its length is so constructed between
the "dead eye" and the eye loop or bolt by which it is hung or fastened
to the ship's side as to yield or give in such direction to heavy strains or
tensions on the shrouds or ropes.
A hole is made through the receiving block from one side to the other,
and there is a series of grooves leading from the said hole in radial a
lines to the periphery of the block where they terminate. The said hole
may be made in the centre of the block and its size depends upon the
diameter of cable which the block is to receive. The grooves are of a
width sufficient to receive the strands of the cable one to each groove,
and are preferably cut or formed to extend down the periphery or edge
of the block for a portion of its thickness tapering in depth and termi-
nating at the said peripherv.

page_text: The fastening block is of a cap shape with its edge or flange tapering
upon its inner periphery, and sufficient in diameter to fit and tightly
wedge itself upon and around the receiving block when applied thereto
and forced thereon by means of screws, holes being made through the
top of the said block with holes at corresponding points in the grooved
face of the receiving block to receive and take the said screws.
For securing a "dead eye" of the construction above described to a
cable or other line I first put the cable by one end through the centre
hole of the receiving block; I then untwist it and arrange its separate
strands in the grooves thereof, one to each groove, bending them around
the corners, and leaving their ends projecting beyond the periphery of
the block. I then place the fastening block over the receiving block,
turning it around until its screw holes are opposite to the screw holes of
the receiving block, into which I then insert the screws, and with a
proper tool screw them therein, bringing the said fastening block firmly
down and over the receiving block, its flange or edge bearing upon the
strands in the grooves of the receiving block, nipping and binding them
therein, and thus securing the cable to and within the dead eye.
In lieu of screws, screw bolts and nuts may be employed, or the two
parts of the dead eye may be rivetted together. The receiving and
fastening blocks may also be constructed for attachment together by
screwing the one upon the other.
The grooves need not be extended down the edge of the receiving
block. The fastening part of the dead eye may be made double, and
thus by using two receiving blocks a connection may be made between
the ends of two cable lines or the two ends of the same cable line
fastened together. In lieu of a groove for each strand to the cable two
or more strands may be arranged and disposed in one and the same
groove. Grooves may be made in the fastening cap or block in lieu of
the receiving block, or thoy may be both formed with grooves for the
cable strands, and the grooves made either continuous or broken
between the entering plane of the dead eye for the cable and the
clamping plane thereof, or the dead eye may be made with a plane
surface for the cable or its strands to rest upon.
The grooves may be constructed to terminate at points intermediate
between the receiving hole of the dead eye and the periphery or outer
edge thereof may be formed with a suitable continuous or disconnected.

page_text: •
seat or seats at its termination to allow the strands to the cable at such
points to be nipped and bound in the grooves.
A cross bar is placed across the end of the receiving part of the dead
'eye, the cable passing through a hole in its centre; another cross bar is
placed across the end of the fastening part, the two being joined
together or connected by and through two bolt rods, on which are screw
nuts, by the proper turning of which the cross bars are forced toward
each other or allowed to separate, as the case may be, in the one
instance binding the two parts of the dead eye firmly together, and in
the other allowing them to separate or he opened.
Rubber cushions are placed over extensions of these bolt rods with a
plate placed between and separating them, and with a plate against each
end of the whole series, through all of which plates the said bolt
extensions pass.
Nuts on the extreme ends of the bolts hold the said
series of cushions and plates on the bolts. The separating and end
plates are each provided with a flange or lip extending around the
periphery of the rubber cushions to more perfectly confine them at their
edges. A rod passes through the contre of the series of rubber cushions
and plates above described with a nut on its end between the inner end
of said scries and the inner cross bar of the dead eye.
By the outer end of the said rod the coupling above described is to be
secured to the ship's side, and for this purpose it may be constructed as
an eye or a screw bolt, or in many other forms.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent 25
Office on the 21st December 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Southampton
Buildings, London, Patent Agents, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her 30
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special

page_text: licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert
Lake, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS OR CONNECTIONS FOR SECURING THE CABLES
AND STANDING RIGGING OF SHIPS AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by William Carlton Ireland, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
The present Invention relates to a fastening or connection for cables
and other lines, and is more especially designed for connecting or
fastening bowsprit futtocks and mast shrouds or stays, or in other
words, the standing rigging of ships, but is susceptible of similar
application to cables or other lines used for various purposes, as for
instance, derrick stays, hoisting apparatus, and the like.
The objects of the said Invention are as follows:-First, the pro-
duction of a "dead eye," so termed, to receive and fasten the end of a
cable or other line in a most firm, rigid, and secure manner. Secondly,
the combination with such a dead eye of an extension by which a
yielding and clastic connection of the cable or other line can be made
so as to allow the same to yield or give to heavy strains or tensions.
The said Invention consists, first, in a dead eye constructed in parts
or sections, the one to receive the cable by forming a hole of sufficient
size through it, and the other to fasten the cable in the said receiving

page_text: part by a clamping or binding action on the cable, either in its whole
or in its separate strands, in a plane outside or beyond the entering
plane for the cable of the receiving part and in a direction across
transversely, or at a right angle or thereabouts to that in which the
cable enters the dead eye. Secondly, in a dead eye constructed as above
and having either one or the other or both of its parts provided with
grooves between the nipping or clamping and the receiving planes of
the dead eye, made either continuous or broken, or to extend for only
a part of the distance between the said planes to form a seat or seats.
for the cable or its strands to prevent lateral or side play or movement
of the cable in the dead eye. Thirdly, in a coupling between a dead
eye," in which one end of the rope or shroud is secured and the ship's
sides, which coupling is an extension of the dead eye, and in its length
is so constructed between the "dead eye" and the eye loop or bolt by
which it is hung or fastened to the ship's side, as to yield or give in
such direction to heavy strains or tensions on the shrouds or ropes.
<

page_text: strands of the cable, one to each groove, and in the arrangement shewn
are cut or formed to extend down the periphery or edge of the block
for a portion of its thickness, tapering in depth, and terminating at the
said periphery with the corners a and b of the grooves rounded off.
The fastening block D is cap-shaped with its edge or flange G taper
upon its inner periphery and sufficient in diameter to fit and tightly
wedge itself upon and around the receiving block when applied thereto
and forced thereon by means of screws I, holes being made through the
top of the said block D with holes at corresponding points in the
grooved face of the receiving block to receive and take the said screws.
For securing a "dead eye" of the construction above described to a.
cable or other line I first put the cable by one end through the centre
hole E of the receiving block C. I then untwist it and dispose and'
arrange its separate strands in the grooves F thereof, one to each groove,
bending them around the corners a and b and leaving their ends
projecting beyond the periphery of the block. I then place the fastening
block D over the receiving block, turning it around until its screw holes
arc opposite to the screw holes of the receiving block, into which I then
insert the screws and with a proper tool screw them therein, bringing
the said fastening block firmly down and over the receiving block
with its flange or edge bearing upon the strands in the grooves of the
receiving block, nipping and binding them therein, and thus securing
the cable to and within the dead eye.
From the above description it will be plainly seen that, first, the
action of the fastening cap or portion on the cable strands is to hold
them to the receiving block as in a plane outside or beyond and in a
direction across, or transversely, or at right angles, or thereabouts to the
entering plane of the cable into the dead eye; by this means a most
perfect and complete "biting," clamping, and binding of the cable is
produced, and the cable end most perfectly fastened and secured, as is
obvious without further explanation. And, secondly, by means of the
grooves to the receiving block forming a seat for each separate strand of
the cable no lateral play or movement or slip thereof in the dead eye.
can occur; thus, in connection with the mode of clamping described,
ensuring a union and attachment between the cable and dead eye of the
utmost firmness, solidity, and rigidity. In lieu of screws, screw bolts
and nuts may be employed, or the two parts of the dead eye may be

page_text: rivetted together, but it is preferable to use means which are susceptible
of being tightened and loosened, and applied and detached at pleasure.
Furthermore the receiving and fastening blocks may be constructed
for attachment together, by screwing the one upon the other, and there-
fore it is not intended to limit this Invention to the use of any particular
mode of securing the nipping cap or fastening part of the dead eye to
the part thereof, constructed substantially as described for receiving the
cable or other line. By rounding the corners a and b to the grooves of
the receiving blocks sharp corners are avoided and injury to the cable
strands by their being bent around the same is prevented.
The grooves need not be extended down the edge of the receiving
block, but it is preferable that they should do so as the cable strands
are thus more perfectly presented to the fastening cap or ring and the
hold thereon by the fastener rendered the more secure and firm. The
fastening part of the dead eye may be made double, and by using two
receiving blocks a connection is made between the ends of two cable
lines or the two ends of the same cable line fastened together.
In lieu of a groove for each strand to the cable two or more strands
may be arranged and disposed in one and the same groove, but it is
preferable to provide a separate groove for cach strand.
Grooves may be made in the fastening cap or block in licu of the
receiving block, or they may be both formed with grooves for the cable
strands; the grooves may be made either continuous or broken between
the entering plane of the dead eye for the cable and the clamping plane
thereof, or the dead eye may be made with a plain surface for the cable
or its strands to rest upon, but it is preferable to use a groove or grooves
as then the cable or its strands are secured and held against any lateral
play or movement or slip in the dead eye.
The grooves may be constructed to terminate at points intermediate
between the receiving hole of the dead eye and the periphery or outer
edge thereof, with a suitable continuous or disconnected seat (or seats)
at their termination to enable the strands of the cable at such points to
be nipped and bound in the grooves, for an illustration of which modi-
fication in the construction of a dead eye according to this Invention, see
Figure 4.
J and K are cross bars, the one placed across the end L of the
11
11
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1

page_text: in its centre, and the other placed across the end N of the fastening
part D with the two joined together or connected by and through two
bolt rods O, on which are screw nuts P; by the proper turning of the
latter the cross bars J and K are forced towards each other or allowed
to separate, as the case may be, in the one instance binding the two
parts of the dead eye firmly together, and in the other allowing them to
separate or be opened.
Q, Q, are extensions of the bolts O, O, from the cross bar K; R, R,
a series of india-rubber or other elastic cushions, cylindrical in shape,
and in the present instance two in number. The rubber cushions R are
placed over the extensions Q of the bolt rods O, with a plate S placed
between the two, separating them, and with a plate T against each end
of the whole series, through all of which plates the said bolt extensions
Qpass; U, U, are nuts on the extreme ends of the bolts Q holding the
said series of cushions and plates on the bolts. The separating and end
plates are each provided with a flange or lip d, extending around the
periphery of the rubber cushions to more perfectly confine them at
their edges, as clearly shewn in Figure 2. V is a rod passing through
the centre of the series of rubber cushions and plates above described
from end to end, with a nut W on its end between the inner end of said
series and the inner cross bar K of the dead eye.
By the outer end X of the rod V the coupling above described is to
be secured to the ship's side, and for this purpose, as is obvious, it may
be constructed as an eye or a screw bolt, or in many other forms. With
a shroud fastened in the dead eye B and the end X of rod V secured to
the ship's side, as the shroud strains the rubber cushions on the dead cyo
the extension rods Q are compressed, when the strain becoming relaxed,
more or less, or entirely ceasing, the cushions immediately react, and so
on, the connection or coupling described yielding and giving to strains
on the shroud and thereby preventing their breaking or the giving way
of the attachment to the ship's side.
By constructing the rubber cushion or yielding portions of the coupling
in sections separated by a plate, as described, a more perfect action is
secured, and the bulging of the rubber by compression greatly reduced
from what would occur with a rubber cushion made in an entire piece
or length, and a consequent better confinement of the rubber to its work
and an increased durability thereof are secured.

page_text: In conclusion it may be well to here observe that the coupling sub-
stantially as herein described may be used for other purposes than the
cables and standing rigging of ships, and therefore it is not intended by
me to limit myself to any one or more purposes of its application.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. A dead eye constructed in sections or parts, one for the recep-
tion of the cable and the other for fastening the cable to the said
receiving part by a clamping action thereon in a plane outside or beyond
and in a direction across or transversely to the entering plane and
direction of the cable in the dead eye, substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
Second. A dead eye provided (in combination with the above con-
trivances) with a groove or grooves either continuous or broken, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
Third. A coupling constructed of a dead eye for receiving and
fastening the end of a cable that by a rod or rods O, O, is extended and
provided with an india-rubber or other suitable elastic cushion or cushions
adapted by a rod V to be fastened to a ship's side, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Fourth. The rubber cushions R combined with the flanged plates S
and T, substantially as described for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy.
Witness,
E. C. JACKSON.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)