IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE ROPES, AND IN MACHINERY OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAKING THE SAME
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Whittaker Scott, of the Atlas Patent Steel and
Iron Wire Rope Works, Reddish, Stockport, near Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE ROPES, AND IN
MACHINERY OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAKING THE SAME,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Whittaker Scott
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd November 1880.
FREDERICK WHITTAKER SCOTT, of the Atlas Patent Steel and Iron Wire Rope
Works, Reddish, Stockport, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE ROPES, AND IN MACHINERY OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR
MAKING THE SAME."
Strands of a certain class of ropes are generally made of a core formed by a
single wire with six wires twisted round it, and then to form a compound strand
wires are twisted round this core, in some cases in the same, in others in the reverse
direction to the twist of the core strand; but when twisted in the same direction
as the core strand (as I prefer to make my improved strands) the wires do not
cover the core strand so as to present when the strand is finished a cylindrical
exterior.
The object of my Invention is to so form the improved strands that when
finished the outer wires will be in as nearly a perfect circle as possible.
My Invention consists in twisting round the core strand as many cords or yarns
of hemp or other suitable fibrous or other material as there are wires in such
manner that one cord or yarn will come into the space or cavity between each
wire, so that the surface of the core strand will thus be made cylindrical, and the
outer wires can then be laid on in the same direction as the core wires are twisted
in a perfectly uniform manner, the fibrous yarn forming an elastic cushion for the
covering wires, preventing them from cutting each other when in use. If other
wires are added to the compound strand there is a series of fibrous cords or yarns,
as before stated, interposed between each layer of covering wires to form a cushion
and keep the strand cylindrical.

page_text: The fibrous material may be coated or saturated with tar, or have other suitable
material combined with it, and the improved ropes are or may be formed of iron,
steel, or other metal.
My improved wire ropes, constructed from strands as before explained, are more
elastic, will bear a greater strain, will wear longer and more uniformly, and will
resist corrosion better than wire ropes of ordinary construction.
My improved ropes are or may be manufactured by making the core strands
separately, and then filling the cavities with the fibrous cords or yarns or other
suitable material, and afterwards twisting the covering wires upon the core so
prepared; but I prefer to make, and my improvements consists in making, my
improved wire rope strands at one operation by mounting on the ring, frame, or
disc carrying the wires which are to be twisted together to form the strand the
required number of bobbins, each containing a separate cord or yarn of fibrous
materials, which are guided on to the strand to correctly enter the spaces between
the wires, so that the strand is made complete at one operation.
The strands prepared as above described are twisted together in the usual manner
to form the rope.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Whittaker Scott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th April 1881.
FREDERICK WHITTAKER SCOTT, of the Atlas Patent Steel and Iron Wire Rope
Works, Reddish, Stockport, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE ROPES, AND IN MACHINERY OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR
MAKING THE SAME."
Strands of a certain class of ropes are generally made of a core formed by a
single wire with six wires twisted round it, and then to form a compound strand
wires are twisted round this core, in some cases in the same, in others in the
reverse direction to the twist of the core strand; but when twisted in the same
direction as the core strand (as I prefer to make my improved strands) the wires
do not cover the core strand so as to present when the strand is finished a cylindrical
exterior.
The object of my Invention is to so form the improved strands that when
finished the outer wires will be in as nearly a perfect circle as possible.
My Invention consists in twisting round the core strand as many cords or yarns
of hemp or other suitable fibrous or other soft material as there are wires in such
manner that one cord or yarn will come into the space or cavity between each
wire, so that the surface of the core strand will thus be made cylindrical, and the
outer wires can then be laid on in the same direction as the coro wires are twisted
in a perfectly uniform manner, the fibrous yarn or material forming an elastic
cushion for the covering wires, preventing them from cutting each other when
in use.
If other wires are added to the compound strand there is a series of fibrous cords
or yarns, as before stated, interposed between each layer of covering wires to form
a cushion and keep the strand cylindrical.
The fibrous material may be coated or saturated with tar, or have other suitable
material combined with it, and the improved ropes are or may be formed of iron,
steel, or other metal.
My improved wire ropes constructed from strands, as above explained, are more
elastic, will bear a greater strain, will wear longer and more uniformly, and will
resist corrosion botter than wire ropes of ordinary construction, and they are
particularly adapted for colliery hoisting and other hoisting and hauling purposes,
and for towing ships or vessels.
My improved ropes are or may be manufactured by making the core strands
separately, and then filling the cavities with the fibrous cords or yarns or other
suitable material, and afterwards twisting the covering wires upon the core so
prepared; but I prefer to make, and my improvements consist in making, my
improved wire rope strands at one operation by mounting on the ring, frame, or
disc carrying the wires which are to be twisted together to form the strand the
required number of bobbins, each containing a separate cord or yarn of fibrous
materials, which are guided on to the strand to correctly enter the spaces between
the wires, so that the strand is made complete at one operation.
The strands prepared as above described are twisted together in the usual manner
to form the rope, either flat or round rope.
Fig. 1 is intended to represent a cross section of an improved compound wire
rope according to my Invention; Fig. 2 is intended to represent a side view of a
part of the rope and of the parts of one strand from its central core or wire to its
covering wires.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation, and Fig. 4 a plan view of a ring, these Figures showing

page_text: so much of the parts of a rope strand making machine as will be necessary for
explaining my improved machinery for manufacturing my improved strands for
ropes at one operation.
Fig. 5 is a detached plan view, illustrating the guide plates for the wires and
cords to pass through in forming my improved strand for ropes.
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view, illustrating the construction of a wire rope made
from my improved strands.
There is a central core of hemp a or other fibrous material, by preference, which
is surrounded by six strands b, which are all represented by dotted circles except
one, which shows a cross section of my improved strand.
I do not confine myself to any particular number of wires in each strand, but in
the strand illustrated there is one central or core wire b' having six wires b³
twisted round it; then there are six hemp or other suitable fibrous cords 63, which
are guided to come into the spaces between the six wires, and these soft cords are
compressed by the twelve outside covering wires b* of the strand into the spaces
between the six inner wires 6 and the twelve outer wires (bª).
If the compound strand is to consist of other wires outside the twelve wires
(b) then twelve hemp cords are twisted to come into the spaces to come between
the twelve wires and the next covering of wires, and so on for additional coverings
of wires.
In Fig. 2b are the strands forming the rope; a, the central fibrous core of the
rope; b, the outside wires; 63³, the hemp or other fibrous cords of the strand;
62, the six inner wires of each strand; and b¹, the central or core wire of the
strand.
The machinery used for twisting the strand is of ordinary arrangement and
construction. c, the central axis or shaft; d, the rings carrying the flyers (not
shown), and the bobbins for the wires (shown in Fig. 1) carried by the flyers.
The wires pass from the bobbins and flyers in the ordinary manner through the
guide plates and to where they unite to form the strand.
The hemp or other fibrous cords are on bobbins f, with (by preference) their axes
parallel to the main axis (c), and the axes for the bobbins (f) are secured on a
ring f', and the cord from each bobbin passes to a ring f2 on the main axis c, then
to the plate or guide g for the wires (there may be two of these guide plates g
and g', if desired), and then unite with the strand.
In the holes shown in the guide plate g (see Fig. 5) each alternate hole in the
inner circles of holes is for cord, and the other alternate holes for wires; b³, the
outer ring of holes in the plate g is for the covering wires (b¹).
I have now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and the mode of
carrying it into effect, and claim as my Invention,—
Firstly. The improved wire ropes formed by compound strands of wire, in
which hemp cord or other suitable soft fibrous or other material is interposed
between the wires forming the strand, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
the Drawings.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement of machinery for making compound
strands of wire and fibrous or other suitable material at one operation, as herein-
before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Whittaker Scott, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.