CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON CAPSTANS
Year: 1819

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
PHILLIPS, of the Town and County of Haverford West, Commander in the
Royal Navy, send greeting.
WHEREAS His late most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, bearing date at Westminster, the Twentieth
day of September, in the fifty-ninth year of the reign, give and grant unto me,
the said Charles Phillips, my exors, admors, and assigns, His special licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles Phillips, my
exors, admors, and assigns, during the term of years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His Majesty's Colo-
nies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON
CAPSTANS;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that
if I, the said Charles Phillips, shall not particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause
the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters

page_text: Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages
thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in and by
the same (relation being thereunto had) will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Phillips, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed (reference
being had to the Figures and Drawings, annexed) by the following description
thereof (that is to say) :-
My Invention of an improved capstan doth consist in an arrangement of
wheels, cogs, and other machinery, as herein-after described, by which an
increased velocity of motion is given to the whelps and other parts of the
capstan connected with them, at the expense of a certain degree of power, or
an increased power by a diminution of velocity, alternately and at pleasure,
and in the placing of such wheels, cogs, and a part of such other machinery,
in a situation attached or applied to, or moving on or round the spindle of the
capstan, at a part of such spindle below the chocks and whelps. And in cases
where there are two or more capstans on the same spindle or otherwise used on
board the same vessel, then and in that case below the chocks and whelps of
what is commonly called the working capstan, or that by which the greatest
power is given. And such said arrangement, and the situation of such said
arrangement, being entirely new and an Invention of my own, I am desirous
to maintain this my exclusive right 'and privilege to the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, A, K, R, F, S, A, is an elevation of 'the spindle on which the
capstans turn. The other parts of the Figure' are partly elevation and partly
sections. The 'better to explain the Invention, the spindle is square at the
upper part A, which goes into the upper capstan Y, U; U; while at 'K' and F
ät forms a hexagon. M, M, is the trundle héad of the lower capstan, on to
'which is fixed a plate with catches X, X, corresponding with similar catches
formed under the clutch box L, L. This clutch box is let on over the
hexagon K, and is moved up and down by means of the levers J, J', into the
end of which levers lever bars are placed when required to be used. 10, 10, is
a brass ring passing loosely round the clutch box in a groove to allow the
clutch box to move round with the spindle independently of the levers,
while it is suspended by by the brass ring 10, 10, to which the levers are
attached. V, V, are 'chains with one loose link to catch on the hooks N, N,
when the levers are pressed down, for the purpose of confining them in that
position. It will be observed that these chains communicate with rods of iron,

page_text: fastened to the heads of the moveable bolts G, G. The first brass hoop which
is shewn under the shoulder of the spindle below K must necessarily be put
in two parts on account of the shoulder above it. The use of this brass hoop
is merely to keep the works below it from rising. Q, Q, Q, Q, are chocks;
P, P, are, whelps;, 0, 0, are capstan bars; H, H, are palls; and I, I, is the
pall track; all being such as are commonly used in capstans, with the addi-
tion of a small lip to shed the water going round the pall head and under the
palls. D, D, is the deck; C, C, are beams; B, is the step block supported
by the upright or stancheons Z, Z. And at R and S on the spindle are. two
brass hoops fastened by a bolt to carry the works above them. Between R
and S are the cogged wheels and a principal part of the other machinery
before mentioned, partly connected to and moving on and round the spindle.
E, E, is a curbed or tooth rack resting partly on the beams, a space being
opened in the deck to allow it to go down. This curb is hung at four points,
viz., on two pivots 5, 5, fore and aft, and on two lugs, one at each side,
which lug will be more particularly described hereafter. Within this curb
are placed 4 cog wheels, as will be seen hereafter in Fig. 2, but of which
wheels only two are shewn in this section of the works; one 3, 3, let on over
the hexagon at F, having the spindle for its axis, and another 4, 4, having
a separate axis of its own, 6. Above and below these cogged wheels is a
plate 18, 1, 1, 1, and 20, 2, 2, 2, in which the axles of these wheels move,
which are not passed over the spindle (see Fig. 3 and 4). These plates are
fastened together by three screws from the upper plate turning into connect-
ing pillars from the lower plate, as seen at 18, 20. In the upper of these
two plates are six holes (see a, a, a, a, a, a, Fig. 4) to receive the ends of the
bolts G, G, when dropped into them by the rising of the clutch box. 8, 8, is
the lower part of the capstan commonly called the pall head. U, U, is a bolt
passing through the upper capstan, barrell, and spindle. W, W, are partners,
and T, T, are beams under 7, 7, the upper deck. 9, 9, are capstan bars.
I
Fig. 2 represents a plan of the works mentioned before as being a situation
below the chocks and whelps of the working capstan, showing the four cogged
wheels moving within the curb, two of which are shown at 3, 3, and 4, 4,
Fig. 1.
Where expence is an object two wheels will answer extremely well,
but a more extended number is considered more steady and durable. The
place of the centre wheel, or that which lets on over the spindle, may also be
supplied by an endless screw. E, E, E, E, is the curb. b, b, are the two
lugs, an elevation of which will be shewn hereafter. 5, 5, are the two pivots,
as shewn at the same numbers, Fig. 1. I, I, is the pall track. I is the
spindle. 20, 20, 20, are the three junction pillars on the lower plate, a section

page_text: of one of which is seen at 20, Fig. 1, to receive the screws, as represented
at 18 and 20, Fig. 1. 6, 6, 6, are the axles of three of the cogged wheels,
one of which is represented at 6, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the under side of the lower plate 20, 2, 2, 2, Fig. 1.
a, a, a, are sockets for the axles 6, 6, 6, Fig. 2. A is the centre) through 5
which the spindle passes; 20, 20, 20, lower end of the junction pillars.
Fig. 4, a plan of the upper side of the upper plate 18, 1, 1, 1, Fig. 1. A is
the center through which the spindle passes. a, a, a, are sockets for the
axles 6, 6, 6, Fig. 2. 18, 18, 18, holes for the screws which fasten the upper
to the lower plate through the junction pillars, as at 18 and 20, Fig. 1. 1
c, c, c, c, c, c, holes to receive the ends of the bolts G, G, Fig. 1, when dropped
by raising the clutch box.
Fig. 5, a plan of the clutch box L, L, Fig. 1, shewing its upper side and how
it is raised by the levers J, J, J, J, J, J, represented also by J, J, Fig. 1.
K is the spindle; 12, 12, is half of the plate 12, 12, Fig. 1, more particularly 1
described by Fig. 12, e, e, e, e; 10, 10, is the brass ring 10, 10, Fig. 1; c, c,
are the screws represented by the same letters in Fig. 12.
Fig. 6, a plan of the brass ring 10, 10, e, e, e, e, Fig. 5, and 10, 10, Fig. 1.
Fig. 7, a side view or elevation of the same brass ring.
Fig. 8, a plan of the under side of the clutch box L, L, Fig. 1. X, X, X, X, 2
are catches, and K is the hole for the spindle. Fig. 9, end elevation of the
upright for the lever J, Fig. 1. Fig. 10, side view of the same. Fig. 11
is a section of the clutch box, shewing the brass ring 10, 10, Fig. 1, let into a
groove at its head; X, X, are the catches.
Fig. 12, a plan of the upper side of the plate 12, 12, Fig. 1, on which the 2
uprights 15, 15, Fig. 1, are fastened by the screws c, c, c, c; B, B, B, B, are
catches to correspond with the catches X, X, on the clutch box L, L, Fig. 1.
Fig. 13, a plan of the under side of the plate, Fig. 12, of which a, a, a, a, a, a,
are lugs which let into the upper surface of the trundle head.
Fig. 14, a side elevation of the lever for the clutch box, shewing the 3
necessary allowance in the hole a for the raising of the clutch box.
Fig. 15, an elevation of the socket on which the pivot (on which the curb
hangs) turns. Fig. 16, a plan of the same socket, showing part of the curb.
Fig. 17, an elevation of the socket in which the lug moves. Fig. 18, a plan
of the lug socket, shewing part of the curb.
Fig. 19, a section of the upper plate, Fig. 4. Fig. 20, a section of the
lower plate, Fig. 3, of which 20, 20, are two of the three junction pillars.
With regard to the using of the capstans, Fig. 1, when complete, it will
be observed, by reference to Fig. 1, that while the machinery remains
3

page_text: there represented, on the upper capstans being forced round by the capstan
bars 9, 9, both capstans will be moved round and with equal velocity,
motion being communicated to the lower capstan by means of the clutch.
box L, L. In this situation the cogged wheels, &c., will of course be set
in motion, but will not perform any particular office, being disconnected
entirely from the lower part of the lower capstans, as is shewn by the black
space marked on the section, and in the situation the two capstans will act in
the ordinary way; but if the levers J, J, are pressed down and confined in
that situation by the links and hooks V, V, and N, N, and the upper capstans
pressed round in the same manner as before, then the clutch box being lifted
up the lower capstan no longer receives its motion from that part of the
spindle, but the pressing down of the levers allows the bolts G, G, to drop
into some two of the six holes represented in the upper plates of the works,
Fig. 4, and consequently the lower capstan will receive its motion from these
bolts, which being acted upon by the multiplying wheels will give an increased
power. The converse of this will be, that if the primary motion be given
to the lower capstan by the capstan bars o, o, instead of the upper, while the
machinery is in this situation, the multiplying wheels will act upon the
spindle, which will give an increased velocity to the upper capstan, which
receives its motion in this case from the spindle.
Fig. 21 represents a section of a single capstan, such as would be used on
board a merchant vessel, or (with the addition of the dotted lines) an
Indiaman, where the upper is the working capstan. The principal in the
capstan is the same as that described in Fig. 1, but the arrangement of some
of its parts is somewhat different. In this capstan A, F, is the spindle square
at the head A, above the plate b, b, and firmly secured to the drum head
Y, Y, Y, Y, by the plate b, b, and the bolts c, c. The spindle forms a hexagon
at F. The bolts g, g, pass loosely through the drum head, and when raised as
represented in the Drawing, are kept in that positition by means of the sliding
props o, o. These bolts, when let down, fall into sockets cast for their
reception in the plate 12, 12. G, G, are bolts moveing loosely in their
respective sockets, and the ends of which, when let down, is represented in
the Drawing, fall into sockets cast on the plate B, B, which is superadded
solely for their reception. These bolts, when raised, are also supported by
sliding props at e, e. The plate 1, 1, is to answer the purpose of the plate 18,
1, 1, 1, in Fig. 1, and the plate 2, 2, is to answer the purpose of the plate 20,
2, 2, 2, Fig. 1. E 6, F 6, E, are exactly the same curb wheels and machinery
as are represented by E, F 6, E, Fig. 1. W, W, are partners. P, P, are
whelps. D, D, is the deck.
R is a hoop fixed to the spindle to carry the

page_text: works. T; T, are beams. 9, 9, are capstan bars. It will be observed that
there is a neck or cylinder S, S, cast with the upper plate 1, 1, which passes
up the spindle into the plate B, B. 8, 8, is the pall head. E, E, is the curb,
which in this instance is secured to the beams by means of the hollow backing
c, c, and the bolts d, d, which bolts pass through the chocks I, L. The rest of
this capstan is so like that already described that it is unnecessary to
particularize its parts more minutely.
With regard to its use when complete, it will be observed, by reference to
Fig. 21, that while the machinery remains as is there represented, the drum
head Y, Y, Y, Y, is quite disconnected from the barrell U, U, and the whelps
P, P, and the plate 12, 12, consequently pressing round the drum head with the
capstan bars 9, 9, does not communicate motion immediately to the barrell of
the capstan, but to the machinery E 6, E 6, E, which forces round the plate
B, B, and the bolts g, g, passing thro' the pall head into that plate B, B, of
course the barrel of the capstan will be turned round by means of these
bolts G, G, and. will receive an increased power from the multiplying wheels,
while it will move much slower than the drum head above it. When no extra
power is required, the upper bolts 9, 9, are dropped into the plate 12, 12, and
the lower bolts G, G, drawn up, when it acts as a common capstan, the barrell
being detached from the machinery by the drawing up of the bolts, G, G, and
the drum head being attached to it by dropping the bolts g,g.
The dotted lines represent different addition to Fig. 21, which may prove
useful for different devices. AA is a lever head cast on to the lower plate
of the works 2, 2, and moving loosely round the spindle. When this lever head
is pressed round, the bolts being in the position represented in the Drawings
Fig. 21, an increased velocity will be given to the spindle and other parts con-
nected with it. In this case another hoop must be used to carry the
PP is a second or under
works; instead of the hoop before described at R.
capstan, which may be added for Indiamen or other vessels requiring it. In
this case the spindle will be square from M to N and round again at G.
The pall truck and pall are left out in this Drawing, as being (like
many other parts also omitted) common to all capstans. The lever head
AA is applicable only to single capstans. The scale marked on the
Drawings shew the dimensions most to be preferred, but these dimensions, as
well as the materials, may of course be altered to suit particular and local
circumstances.
The manner of joining the work together, and the form of other parts
not immediately employed in producing the object of the Invention as herein-
before specified, may also vary at the option of the workman employed in

page_text: said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Phillips, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty.
AN
Lighteenth day
Maren, in the
year of our Lord 1820, the aforesaid Charles Phillips came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and twenty.