Improvements in Mechanism for Hoisting Ammunition and other Goods on Board Ships of War and elsewhere.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Hoisting Ammunition and other
Goods on Board Ships of War and elsewhere.
We, ALBERT GEORGE HADCOCK, late R.A., and CHARLES WESLEY
HUTCHINSON, Engineer, both of the Firm of Sir W. G. Armstrong & Co., Ld.,
of Elswick Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to mechanism for raising ammunition from one level to
another in ships of war and elsewhere or for lifting other goods, whose structure
may render them suitable for being raised in such hoists.
The lifting power employed is electricity. An electric motor, working at any
convenient speed through reducing mechanism, such as worm gear, screw gear,
tooth gear, rope, or chain drives a shaft carrying a revolving arm.
In one arrangement of our said mechanism, the revolving shaft carries one
revolving arm acting upon the ram of a hoist. The lift is performed while the arm
is describing the upward part of its circle, and soon after the lift is completed, the
ram becomes disengaged from the lifting arm, and falls into position to receive
another object, which may be put into position over the ram, while the arm is
pursuing the downward balf of its circle."
In another arrangement of our said mechanism, the shaft carries another arm,
rising at the same time as the above named arm, and descending at the same time
as that named arm. To this arm we attach, either directly, or by any convenient
method, such as a connecting rod, a rope, a chain, a lever or drum or wheel gear, a
balance weight or a spring which will assist the ascent of the lifting arm, and retard
its descent. Or we may employ both a balance weight and a spring.
Or the motion of the motor may be communicated by suitable gearing to a
vertical screw or to several vertical screws, which acts (or act) direct on the ram of
the hoist for the upward motion, the downward motion of the ram being obtained
by reversing the motor or by disengaging the screw or screws from the table.
In lieu of employing a balance weight or a spring, or in addition to either or both
of these, for retarding the descent of the lifting arm, we may employ a brake, or
an electric resistance or both of these.
The above-named ram has a top, adapted to receive the base of the goods to be
lifted. The ram works vertically in a cylinder, and a suitable projection is made
on one or more sides of the ram, and this projection passes, or the projections pass,
through a slot or slots in the cylinder so as to take the attachment of the lifting
mechanism.
In lifting projectiles or brass cartridges, we usually place these on a disc, of larger
diameter than the projectile or cartridge, and slide the projectile and disc, or
cartridge and disc forward on a table which is placed at a suitable level just a little
above that of the top of the lifting ram. The table is formed with edges which
guide the disc into position and stop it when it is just over the ram. The operation
of sliding these into position is performed after the ram has fallen, as previously
described, and while the lifting arm is on its downward stroke. On the commencement
of the lifting movement, the ram passes up through the table, which is cut to suit it,

page_text: and lifts the disc and its load. On approaching the top of the lifting stroke, the
disc enters between and drives back a pair of sloped pawls or catches, which are
carried in a tube mouth overhead. So soon as the disc has passed these pawls, they
instantly return beneath it, and, at the same time, the ram, having completed its
lift, begins to descend, leaving the disc caught and supported by the two pawls.
The overhead tube into which the load and its disc have passed, is in upward
continuation of the line of axis of the ram, and extends to the level at which it is
desired to deliver the goods which are being lifted.
When a lift takes place, the projectile or cartridge or other article in rising
carries before it all the projectiles or cartridges or articles, &c. which may be
in the tube, and, if the tube be full, each projectile, cartridge or article lifted by
the hoist will force one out of the top of the tube, where it will be taken hold of and
taken away by the men in attendance.
Ou the deck or floor, close to the top of the tube, is a pedal, from which a rod
passes down to the hoist room. The man stationed at the top of the tube to receive
the ammunition, is to stand with his foot on this pedal, to indicate to those below
that lifting may proceed, or may be continued. When, for any reason, it is not
convenient, or is not desired to have any goods lifted, the man simply lets go the
pedal, which will signal to those below "cease lifting."
In another arrangement, we place two lifting cylinders, at a very short distance
from each other, and on the lifting shaft we fix two arins, one of them descending
while the other is ascending.
By this means, the power of the motor is made use of twice, instead of once
during each revolution of the lifting shaft. In such case the balancing arrange.
ments are not required.
In another arrangement of our said invention we arrange that two opposite
revolving arms, shall both act upon the same lifting ram in such a manner as to
produce two lifts for each revolution of the lifting arms.
Where the projectile is considerably shorter than the cartridge it is desirable to
shorten the stroke of lift when preparing to lift projectiles. This we accomplish
by screwing the lifting roller or other attachment, along the lifting arm, so as to
work at a shorter radius; and we either lift the head of the ram aud the table
nearer to the receiving mouth of the tube, or we preferably lower the mouth of the
tube together with the above named pawls or catches, to a suitable height above
the fixed position of the table.
In case of failure of the electric current, it may be desired to carry on the
process of lifting by hand power. This we carry out either in connection with the
mechanism already described as worked by the motor, or we make entirely
distinct and separate mechanism and attachments for that purpose acting on
the ram.
The hoists may be arranged to lift projectiles or cartridges at will after making
the requisite preparation as to relative heights of table, ram, and tube mouth, or
they may be arranged to lift one class of goods only.
They are in all cases arranged to pass goods down; and this we accomplish in
the following manner :--
We remove the horn or arm which is attached to the lifting ram, and which
projects to one side only, and we put in its place a horn or arm projecting to both
sides, so that in no part of the revolution of the revolving lifting arin, is the ram
free to fall; or, using the lifting horn projecting to one side only, we arrest the
revolving lifting arm by means of a stop or resistance or both at the top of its
stroke; then reverse its action and let it return to the bottom, where, again it is
arrested, and its action again reversed for the upward stroke. By this means,
instead of the revolving arm travelling continuously in one direction, it is caused
to take half circles in opposite directions, and so, lift and lower without allowing
the ram to drop. The lift of the ram is made, without load, and when it arrives at
the top of its stroke, the holding pawls which support the column of load in the

page_text: tube are withdrawn until the disc of the bottom piece of load has passed through
them, following the ram in its descent.
The pawls close again, before the next disc reaches them, so that the descending
dise, and its load are free to be removed by hand when the ram has completed its
descent, and before it begins to rise again."
In working the double hoist, for lowering goods, the short horn of one of the
hoists, is placed to project to the opposite side from that of the other hoist
and the lifting and lowering of the rams then proceeds by half circle movements,
as above described.
1000
A. G. HADCOCK.
C. W. HUTCHINSON.
Improvements in Mechanism for Hoisting Ammunition and other
Goods on Board Ships of War and elsewhere.
R.A. and CHARLES WESLEY
We, ALBERT GEORGE HADCOCK, late R.A. and
HUTCHINSON, Engineer, both of the Firm of Sir W. G. Armstrong & Co. Ld.,
of Elswick Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention refers to mechanism for raising ammunition from one level to
another in ships of war and elsewhere or for lifting other goods whose structure
may render them suitable for being raised in such hoists.
The lifting power employed is electricity. An electric motor, working at any
convenient speed through reducing mechanism, such as worm gear, screw gear,
tooth gear, rope, or chain, drives a shaft carrying a revolving arm.
In one arrangement of our said mechanism, the revolving shaft carries one
revolving arm acting upon the ram of a hoist. The lift is performed while the
arm is describing the upward part of its circle, and soon after the lift is completed,
the ram becomes disengaged from the lifting arm, and falls into position to receive
another object, which may be put into position over the ram, while the arm is
pursuing the downward half of its circle."
The above named ram has a top adapted to receive the base of the goods to be
lifted.
In lifting projectiles or brass cartridges, we usually place these on a disc, of
larger diameter than the projectile or cartridge, and pass the projectile and disc,
or cartridge and disc forward on a table which is placed at a suitable level just a
little above that of the top of the lifting ram. The operation of passing these
into position is performed after the ram has fallen, as previously described, and
while the lifting arm is on its downward stroke. On the commencement of the
lifting movement, the ram passes up through the table, which is cut to suit it, and
lifts the disc and its load. On approaching the top of the lifting stroke, the disc
enters between and drives back a pair of sloped pawls or catches, which are carried
in a tube mouth overhead, so soon as the disc has passed these pawls, they instantly
return beneath it, and, at the same time, the ram, having completed its lift, begins
to descend, leaving the disc caught and supported by the two pawls. The overhead
tube into which the load and its disc have passed, is in upward continuation of the
line of axis of the ram, and extends to the level at which it is desired to deliver
the goods which are being lifted.

page_text: When a lift takes place, the projectile or cartridge or other article in rising
carries before it all the projectiles or cartridges or articles &c. which may be in
the tube, and, if the tube be full, each projectile, cartridge or article lifted by the
hoist will force one out of the top of the tube, where it will be taken hold of and
taken away by the men in attendance.
On the deck or floor, close to the top of the tube, is a pedal, from which a rod
passes down to the hoist room. The man stationed at the top of the tube to
receive the ammunition, is to stand with his foot on this pedal, to indicate to those-
below that lifting may proceed, or may be continued. When, for any reason, it is
not convenient, or is not desired to have any goods lifted, the man simply lets go
the pedal, which will signal to those below "cease lifting."
In another arrangement, we place two lifting cylinders, at a very short distance
from ench other, and on the lifting shaft we fix two artns, one of them descending
while the other is ascending.
By this means, the power of the motor is made use of twice, instead of once
during each revolution of the lifting shaft.
Where the projectile is considerably shorter than the cartridge it is desirable to
shorten the stroke of lift when preparing to lift projectiles. This we accomplish:
by screwing the lifting roller or other attachment, along the lifting arm, so as to
work at a shorter radius; and we either lift the head of the ram and the table
nearer to the receiving mouth of the tube or we preferably lower the mouth of the
tube together with the above named pawls or eatches, to a suitable height above
the fixed position of the table.
The hoists may be arranged to lift projectiles or cartridges at will after making
the requisite preparation as to relative heights of table, ram, and tube mouth, or
they may be arranged to lift one class of goods only.
The annexed drawings show a double hoist arranged in accordance with our
invention. Figures 1, 1 and 2, 24 are elevations, Figure 3 is a section on the
line A A in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a plan of the upper part.
a is an electro-motor and a' is a worm upon its axis; the worm engages with
and drives a worm-wheel b. c c are two arms upon the axis of the wheel b one on
either side of the wheel and extending in opposite directions Each arm carries a
roller c which by means of a screw can be traversed to set it nearer to or further
from the axis to adjust the length of the lift. d d are rams each having a shoe d'
upon it at its lower end; the shoes d¹ are so guided as shown that they are only
free to move in a vertical direction. The underside of the shoe is curved and the
arm e as it rises carries up the shoe d' and ram d with it, the upward motion being
effected during a semi-rotation of the worm wheel b, whilst the downward
movement is completed in a quarter revolution of the worm wheel.
In the last quadrant of its revolution the arm is disengaged from the shoe and
passes beneath its curved end whilst the ram remains stationary. Thus the ram
pauses when in its lowest position although the motor may be running continuously.
During this pause the cartridgej to be next lifted may be brought into position
above the head of the ram. ee are turn tables on which the cartridge or article
to be lifted is placed and then by a partial rotation of the turn table it is brought
over the ram into the lifting position. ff(shown in detail in Figures 5) are
suitable locking catches to retain the turn tables and prevent them from turning
when not required to do so. The catches come against stop pieces f¹. ggare
forked supports to steady the cartridges. Beneath each cartridge as it is placed
on the turntable a wooden dise 4 is placed; these separate the cartridges one from
the other when in the tube of the hoist. The supports g are hinged and yield to
allow the discs to pass them. The two tubes cr barrels of the double hoist are
marked ii; they may rise to any required height; in the drawings the greater part
of them is broken away. At the lower end of each of the tubes there is a mouth
piece k, and at the entrance to the mouth piece catches are situate see Figures 1
and 6. The month piece is adjustable up or down to adjust the catches to
accommodate cartridges or projectiles of different lengths. The mouth piece as

page_text: a
shown is suspended by a pair of hangers k*, and in its lower position by pair of
hangers ** In these there are holes receiving cottars and the required adjustment
is made by shifting the cottars from the holes in one pair of hangers to the holes
in the other pair. At the entrance to the mouth piece a guard is situated, it is
carried by a rod passing up to the top of the hoist where the rod is connected
with a pedal m. When this pedal is depressed the guard is lifted and the mouth
piece is then free to receive a cartridge, but when not so lifted the guard obstructs
the entrance to the mouth piece k.
The cartridge is placed beneath the inouth piece whilst the ram is stationary and
when it next rises it forces the cartridge with the wooden disc beneath it up into
the ascending tube i and in doing so it lifts all the cartridges which may previously
have been in the tube. When the cartridge reaches the top of the tube, the man
who receives them lifts it off. He raises his foot from the pedal and so allows the
guard to obstruct the entrance to the mouth piece until he is ready to receive
another.
The motor may be allowed to run continuously if the attendants are able to
place and remove the cartridges with sufficient rapidity; or the in stor may be run
intermittently being stopped and started as often as may be found requisite.
The
Ammunition can be lowered down the tube in the following manner.
tube i being full of cartridges, or it may be dummies, another cartridge with a disc
beneath it is placed upon the top of those already in the tube. Then when the
ram rises it takes the load off the catches (see Figures 6) which are then
immediately withdrawn by the upward movement of the handle n.
The ram and
load then descend and immediately the disc passes the catches the handle n is
released leaving the catches ready to engage with the next disc as it descends the
tube. The cartridge and disc which has passed out of the tube at its lower end is
removed before the ram again rises, when the operation is repeated.
Single hoists with one ram and ascending tube may be similarly constructed; it
is then expedient that a counterpoise should be provided for the ram and its load.
When the electro-motor is not ready for use rope tackle can easily be applied to
lift and lower the rams.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A huist operating substantially as described by means of a reciprocating ram,
a hoist tube into which the ram thrusts in succession the articles to be raised and
catches which prevent the descent of the articles as the ram retires.
2. The combination of parts consisting of a motor, an axis driven by the motor,
an arm on the axis, a ram, a hoist tube and catches; the whole arranged and
operating substantially as described, the arm disengaging itself from ram during
its descent and continuing its revolution whilst the ram remains at rest.
3. A double hoist substantially as described in which the axis driven by the
motor has two arms, and there are two rams, two hoist tubes, and two sets of
catches as shown by the drawings.
4. In combination with hoists in accordance with our invention the guard / and
parts in connection therewith by which the man receiving the cartridges or articles
at the upper end of the hoist tube controls the insertion of articles at the lower
end thereof.
A. G. HADCOCK.
C. W. HUTCHINSON.