A NEW SYSTEM OF RAILWAY, DENOMINATED (HELICOIDE) HELICAL RAILWAY; AND A CIRCULAR CHARIOT
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDME
AUGUSTINE CHAMEROY, of Rue Faubourg St. Martin, in the City of Paris, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Thirteenth day of Sep-
tember, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year of
Her reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edme Augustiu Chameroy, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Edme
Augustin Chameroy, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the
said Edme Augustin Chameroy, my exors, admiors, or assigns, should at any.
time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
terin of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
my Invention of "A NEW SYSTEM OF RAILWAY, DENOMINATED (HELICOIDE) HELICAL
RAILWAY; AND A CIRCULAR CHARIOT;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso, that I, the said Edme Augustin Chameroy, should cause a particular
description of 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, to
be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Edme Augustin Chameroy, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
[Price 8d.1.

page_text: described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say:-
This system of railway differs entirely from all railways hitherto in operation,
not only as regards the construction thereof, but as to the results produced.
In fact, the rectilineal and horizontal ways are adapted to facilitate the carriage
of goods and other objects from one point to another on a level ground, or a
very gradual inclined plane; whilst the new helical or "helicoide" railway is
destined to transport all objects vertically, and by these means to serve as branch
lines to unite those already operating on level surfaces, but at different eleva-
tions. I apply the same process to work mines for lowering miners and raising
minerals,to elevate materials to construct buildings with, to clear out water from
pits or mines and other places, and to elevate water to a considerable height,
to establish communications between the lower and upper parts of cities,
towns, &c. by direct and vertical transport, and to form embankments. This
new system of railway may be constructed in two distinct ways; the first, and
that which appears the most practicable and easy to be accomplished, consists
in the establishment at the interior of a well or cylinder of a consecutive line
of rail, "helice" (circular line), continued up to the extreme height of the said
well or cylinder in such manner that there may be from each step of this
"helice" an interval sufficiently large to give passage for a series of wheels,
and a waggon or carriage placed on a circular table, chariot, or "plateau," and
which is loaded with goods or passengers. The motion is transmitted to this
"plateau" by means of a vertical shaft that passes down the centre of the well.
The second plan of constructing a "helicoide" railway is by disposing (in
lieu of a consecutive rail) a series of rollers mounted upon axes, and fastened
to the interior wall of the well at fixed distances, forming a circular line round
the same up to its extremity. These rests form the road, and serve to ascend
or lower down a carriage, to which is attached a circular or "helicoide"
railway, raising or lowering the chariot or plateau upon which the goods or
objects are placed. The motion is given by means of an endless rope, which
gives motion to some of the rollersiu question. To appreciate and understand
the construction of the working of these several apparatus, it is necessary to
examine the Plans or Drawings herewith.
Sheet 1 represents the application of the process to a pit of a mine by
means of a consecutive or "helicoide" or circular railway (drawn the twentieth
part of the natural size).
Figure 1, section of the inner wall of the
of the pit or well A, is fixed a rail B
following the "helicoide" or circular curve.
pit. To the sides or circle
of wrought iron (T shape),
A portion of this rail presents

page_text: a rim B¹. The parts of the rail B, which cross the openings to the galleries
C, are formed on frames D, which are capable of opening, and thus admit
of passage to and from those galleries. E is a discharge waggon, supported
upon three wheels F, F, F, which are slightly conical, and mounted on the
axletrees G, G, at divers heights, so that the said waggon E is upon a
level. On this waggon is formed a circular rail H, which receive the rollers
H', H¹, H', fixed to the underside of the table or chariot I, which receives the
loaded waggons J, J. This table or chariot I is furnished with guides K,
which receive between them the rollers L, L, fixed to the wall of the well or
pit along its whole height, and following each other in a straight line. These
guides are intended to prevent the table I from getting a rotatory motion.
M is a vertical iron shaft, formed of two half-round pieces placed together
against a third rectangular bar of less width than the two first, leaving
between them a groove the whole length of the shaft M. This shaft is sus-
pended from its summit to a cog wheel P, receiving motive power by aid
of the pinion 2, and revolving upon six conical rollers 0, 0, 0, and these
rotate upon a platform N. The lower extremity of the shaft M turns in its
socket R, fixed at the bottom of the well or pit.
Figures 2 and 3, plan and section of a waggon E (with its circular rail H),
supported upon three wheels F, F, F. A bolt R¹, mounted at the extremity of
a lever S, serves to put into communication the moveable shaft M with the
waggon.
Figures 4 and 5, plan and elevation of the table or chariot I, to which
the rails I, I', are attached, forming two railways. This table rests upon
three rollers H, H, H', which turn upon the circular rail H of the
waggon E.
Figure 6, plan of the framework supporting the platform N, in the centre
of which is reserved the place for the axle or shaft M, which turns in the
arbor rests T; fixed against the shaft by iron wedges U.
Figure 7, section of the platform with the rests and bolts.
Figures 8 and 9, plan and section of a double frame, upon which the axles
of the six rollers o, o, are mounted, revolving upon the stationary platform N.
Figures 10 and 11, plan and section of the socket R, which maintains at
its centre the lower extremity of the shaft M, aided by the rollers V, V. By
examining the Drawings herewith, and the above description, it will be easy
to understand the functions of this first arrangement of the apparatus. Sup-
pose now that the operation which is to be performed is to raise the loaded
waggons J, J, from the gallery c to the surface of the soil, to obtain this
result I proceed in the following manner;

page_text: press the bolt
The waggon E is placed upon the circular way B, and furnished with its
table I,
so that the guides K embrace the rollers L, L, and that the rails I',
I¹, be upon the same level as those of the gallery C. This order or arrange-
ment having been taken, I open the frame D, D, to give free passage to the
waggons J, J, which I cause to advance on the ways 11, 11, of the table I. . I
close the frame D, D, then the shaft M is put in action, and I
R¹, by means of the lever S, into the groove in the shaft M. The rotatory
motion is then communicated to the waggon E, which causes the wheels F, F,
toadvance along the circular rails B, and to rise vertically without turning the
circular table I; this table I is retained laterally by means of the guides K,
which receive between them the rollers L, L. The apparatus thus ascends
the whole height of the pit, reaching the surface of the ground; to stop it, pull
out the bolt R, and slip in a wedge between the wheels and the rail, so as to
put the passage of the table I, and that of the surface of the soil which leads to
the spot for unloading, into communication. Tooperate the descent, abandon
the waggon and the table I to their own weight to moderate the velocity of
the descent; or to stop the waggon, I employ a curb or drag applied either to
the wheels F, F, or to the shaft M.
Plate 11 represent the second method of construction applied to a dis-
charging pit or mine.
Figure 1, section of a pit or mine A. To the walls are fixed as series of
pivots B, B, B, and C, C, C. disposed in a helical line. Upon these pivots
B, B, are placed the plates D, D, with, at one of their ends, an axle with its
hollow pulley or roller E, and at the other a pulley or roller F, with an inden-
ture or groove and a rim. Upon the pivots C, C, are placed plain rollers G, G,
forming with the rims of the rollers F, F, a helical curve; a spiral rail H is
fixed at the circumference of the circular waggon I. The upper part of this
waggon is provided with the circular rail K. A table or chariot M, mounted
upon rollers L, L,.reposes upon this circular rail K; this table is provided
with straight rails M¹, M³, adapted to receive the loaded waggons N, N; a
continuous rope O, taking a turn round the large pulley P, receives an impetus
of motion, and transmits it to other pullies q, q, as well as to the indented
rollers E, E, and F, F. Two vertical guides R, R, are affixed to the table M,
and receive between them the rollers G, G, so as to prevent the said table M,
and the waggons N, N, from revolving.
Figure 2, plan of the pit or mine, showing the simple rollers E, E, the
double rollers F, F, and the flat rollers G, G.
Figures 3 and 4, plan and elevation of a loaded waggon I, furnished
with a "helicoide," or circular rail H, and a circular rail K. Figure 5,

page_text: plan of the table M, with rectilineal rails M', M', and vertical guides R, R,
consolidated, by strengthening supporters.
Figures 6 and 7, plan and elevation of the beam D, mounted on its axle
B, at one of the extremities of its axle an indented roller E, at the other a
double roller indented and furnished with a rim F.
It will be observed that this second method of construction for the formation
of a "helicoide," or circular road upon rollers, has a great similitude with the
first system of consecutive rails, and the manner of disposing the same, and the
effects to be obtained will be evident on studying the Drawings and the details
herein, viz.,―
The object, as in the previous instance, is to raise from the gallery S to the
surface of the ground the loaded waggons N, N; it is requisite to place the
table M first on the level of the ground of the gallery S, so that the rails M¹
M', be on the same level with those of the said gallery S.
The waggons are then propelled upon the two rails of the table M; this opera-
tion done, the movement takes place, which gives motion to the ropeO. Atthe
same moment this rope gets pressed against the shoulders of the rollers E, E,
and F, F, by the weight of the rails engaged upon the rollers F, F, which
immediately causes the ascent of the waggon and its table. The apparatus,
thus clearing the entire ascent of the waggon pit, reaches the surface of the
ground.
To effect the descent of the same waggons J, J, it is simply requisite to
reverse the rope O, when the wheels F, F, by their rotatory motion, cause
the waggons to descend.
Finally, it is evident that in the first system of consecutive, or "helicoide"
rails, as well as in the second of rollers in a spiral or "helicoide" line, the
working out is very similar, and practical application will decide which of the
two is preferable, whether as regards facility of execution, or advantage of
the results.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmé Augustin Chameroy, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, in the
year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
רובות
LHCOUTIN
EDME AUG
(L.S.) CHAMEROY
Taken and acknowledged by Edmé
Augustin Chameroy (party hereto),
at Paris, in the Republic of France,
this 7th day of March, 1850, before me,

page_text: This is the Specification referred to in the affi lavit of Samuel Carpmael,
sworn before me, this 13th day of March, 1850,
J.. JEFFERSON.
SAMUEL CARPMAEL, of Old Square, Lincoln's Inc, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gentleman, maketh oath and saith that he is acquainted with the manner
and character of the handwriting of Thomas Pickford, Her Britannic Majesty's
Consul, at Paris, in the Republic of France. And this deponent further saith,
that the signature "Thomas Pickford," set, subscribed, or written in the
nargin of the Specification hereunto annexed, marked A, and dated the
Seventh day. of March instant, and purporting to be executed by Edme
Augustin Chameroy, of Rue Faubourg, St. Martin, in the City of Paris,
whereby it is stated that the said Specification was acknowledged by him, the
said Edme Augustin Chameroy, before the said Thomas Pickford, on the.said
Seventh day of March, at Paris aforesaid, is of the proper handwriting of the
said Thomas Pickford.
ΓΙ
S. CARPMAEL.
3
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the oath of Samuel Carpmael, the
Specification aforesaid, was enrolled word for word as above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.