PRODUCING AND APPLYING POWER AND MOTION TO PRESSES AND OTHER MECHANICAL APPARATUS
Year: 1816

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
WEST and DANIEL WEST, now residing in Bombay, in the East Indies, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing
date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of March, in the fifty-sixth year
of His reign, did give and grant unto us, the said William West and Daniel
West, our exors, adiñiors, and assigns, His special licence, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that we, the said William West and Daniel West
our exors, adñiors, and assigns, should and lawfully might, during the term
of years therein expressed, make, use, exercise, and vend, throughout that part
of His Majesty's Kingdom of Great Britain called England, the Dominion of
Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in His Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, our new invented methods of "PRODUCING AND
APPLYING POWER AND MOTION TO PRESSES AND OTHER MECHANICAL APPARATUS;"
in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that if we, the said
William West and Daniel West, by writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, do not cause a particular description of
the nature of our said Invention to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within twenty calendar months after the date of the said recited
Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advan-

page_text: tages thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in
and by the same, relation being thereunto respectively had, may more fully and
at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said William
West and Daniel West, do hereby declare that the nature of our said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
in the plans and description thereof hereunto annexed (that is to say) :-
Our first method of communicating an equalized or an accelerative power or
velocity in either a lineal or reciprocating or circular manner or direction to
any machinery is effected and performed by means of an instrument, mecha-
nical organ, or piece of mechanism, which we distinguish by the name of the
rotative wedge, the figure and action of which may be conceived by supposing
a wedge to be bent partly or entirely round the internal or external surface of
a hollow or a solid cylinder, and fixed thereto, its entering edge being placed
parallel with the axis of the cylinder, and its exterior or acting surface conse-
quently projecting in a spiral form, or in a curve line, diverging from or
conveying towards the axis of the cylinder. In this disposition, when
the cylinder is turned round upon its axis, any bodies that are kept in close
contact with the acting surface of the wedge, and confined between proper
retainers or guides, will be moved in a lineal direction, either from the centre
of motion or towards it. These said rotative wedges we either construct in a
solid form, or in that of rings or curved pieces of metal, wood, or other proper
materials, with a transverse axle or arbor upon which they may turn or
revolve in the manner of a common wheel, and the acting surface of the
rotative wedge being brought into contact with any resisting body or substance
will, when turned upon its axis, compress or move the said body or substance
in the manner above mentioned, that is, in a line of direction either from the
axis of motion or towards it, and that with a velocity and power exactly pro-
portioned to the difference in the distance of the respective parts of the said
acting surface from the axis of motion in every part of the revolution (that is
to say)The rotative wedge may be constructed of such a shape as to com-
municate either an equal or unequal power during its rotation, or, in other
words, the motion of the machinery or bodies acted upon by means of the said
rotative wedge may be either equal and regular, performing equal spaces in equal
times, or it may be accelerative or variable, moving through unequal spaces in
equal times, and as the turning or revolving of the rotative wedge communicates
a lineal motion, so on the contrary when a rotative wedge receives an impulse
from a lineal or direct force it will be turned round, and will communicate a
rotatory motion to any machinery affixed to its axis. In some instances we

page_text: make use of the single rotative wedge for the communication of power or
velocity, but more frequently we employ the joint efforts of two or more of the
said mechanical contrivances or organs, which we either construct upon one or
upon several axis, and we substitute them in many instances in place of the
common crank, whenever we deem it necessary to apply a more equalized
power than the construction of that useful piece of mechanism will admit
of, (as it has this imperfection, namely, that the motion it communicates is
irregular, varying in the ratio of the sines of the arch it describes in its rotation).
We also substitute the rotative wedge in place of screws or wheels and pinions
for the communication of high or intense degrees of power of velocity when-
ever the diminution of friction is an object, and likewise in a great variety of
other instances, of which several examples, shewing the manner of applying
to the rotative wedge the friction wheels and other necessary contrivances,
are represented and described in the Drawings and references hereunto
annexed.
Our second method for the communication of an accelerative or encreasing
power or motion, and which we apply exclusively to the construction of presses
of every description, is performed and effected by means of certain bars or beams,
of wood, metal, or other proper materials, which said bars and beams are made
of any suitable length or dimensions, and are so constructed and disposed as to
communicate any force by which they may be actuated in the manner of a
direct thurst, or a pressure or stress in the direction of their length upon any
bodies or substances submitted to their action, differing herein from the
common lever, which communicates a force in a transverse direction of the
acting part of the lever. These said bars or beams we distinguish by the name
of geometrical levers (the calculation of their powers depending upon the
geometrical principles of circles and triangles), and by means of a proper
arrangement of them we construct presses with a power that increases or
accelerates during the process of their action, in a ratio corresponding with the
increasing expansive force or resistence of the substances or matters under
compression. These said geometrical levers generally require to be con-
structed with axes or fulcrums at each end, or occasionally in any other part of
their length; these centres or fulcrums being either relatively or positively
fixed points, upon which they may be turned or made to revolve to a certain
extent. In some instances we make use of one of these geometrical levers.
with the addition of proper friction wheels and other necessary machinery to
constitute a press for elastic substances, an example of the powers and
construction of which is shewn and described in the annexed Drawings and
reference. But a general idea may be formed of the manner in which it acts

page_text: by supposing a beam of wood to be placed with one end resting upon the
ground, the other end considerably elevated and reclining against a wall: In
this position let it be supposed that a quantity of cotton, wool, hemp, or other
elastic matter is confined, and opposed to the action of the lower end of the
beam, and that a sufficient power is applied at the upper end, to force it per-
pendicularly downward. In this case the elastic matter will be compressed
with a power or force continually increasing during the descent of the beam
in an inverse proportion of the cosines of its respective angles of elevation.
This is the simplest construction, but more frequently we find it requisite, to
combine two, three, or more of the said geometrical levers of equal or various
lengths, and to attach them to each other in different positions, in order to
obtain the necessary ratio of powers, or the required extent of motion for the
various descriptions of presses, several of which combinations are represented
and explained in the annexed Drawings, and the references thereto. These two.
methods of communicating an equalized or an accelerating power or motion
by means of the new improved machinery, and contrivances herein described
under the respective denominations of the rotative wedge and, the geometrical
lever, the former being applicable to machinery in general, and the latter
confined to the construction of presses, and both of which are further ex-
plained and delineated in the said annexed plans and references, comprize the
whole of our said Invention. But the said rotative wedges and geometrical
levers are susceptible of and require great variations in respect to their dimen-
sions, figure, and position, in consequence of the great variety of instances in
which they may be applied with utility in the communication of motion and
power to machinery in general, and to presses in particular, several of which
applications to organized machines are represented in the annexed Drawings,
together with various auxiliary contrivances necessary to ensure the full effect
of the said principal parts, where Figures 1, 2, 3, are sections of the rotative
wedge; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, are sections of presses constructed with the geome-
trical levers; Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, are sections shewing the manner of applying
the rotative wedges to various kinds of machinery. Figures 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, shew more particularly the application of these new
methods of organized machines in four examples of presses, and one of a strong
crane.
:
Figure I shews the construction or figure of the rotative wedge for com-
municating an equalized power, which is represented as extending three fourths
round the periphery of a cylinder. Let its axis A be fixed; and the cylinder be
turned in the direction of the arrows, then, if any body placed at B is kept in
contact with the spiral surface, and prevented from moving in any other direc-

page_text: tion than upon the right line B, C, it will be carried through each of the equal
divisions marked 1, 2, 3, &c., in one eighth part of a rotation of the cylinder.
By this means a rotative motion communicates a force in a lineal direction;
but if it is required to reverse the manner of action, the rotative wedge must
receive the impulse instead of delivering it, and a circular motion will then be
produced by a lineal force:
Figure 2 and Figure 3 are examples of the figure of the rotative wedge for
communicating unequal velocities, as expressed in the unequal divisions marked
at D and E; the former being greater at the commencement, the latter greater
at the end of the rotation. In either of these three forms the rotative wedge
may be considered as a solid body acting with its exterior surface, or as a spiral
ring acting with its interior-edge.
In Figure 4, A represents the simple geometrical lever for a press, with an
increasing power; for as the upper end B is drawn, by means of the rope and
windlass, through the equal spaces marked upon the beam C which sustains
the reaction of the press, the follower D will be pressed down through the
unequal spaces marked at E. The bearing points are furnished with friction
wheels. If the geometrical lever A is eleven feet long, the extent of its motion
upon C five feet, the length of the rope to go round the cylinder F one foot,
the circumference passed over in one turn of the handle eight feet, then five
turns of the winch will work down the press with a power, increasing in each
semi-rotation, from 17 to 1; to 20, 23, 26, 30, 38, 48, 68, 144, and 430, to 1
nearly the whole motion of the follower being fifteen inches. A different
ratio of power may be obtained by varying the length of the geometrical lever.
If it is increased the power will be greater, and if reduced, less, as shewn at G
and H. The power may also be varied by making the beam C with a convex
or concave surface for the friction wheel to run upon, or otherwise, by fixing it
at an acute or an obtuse angle with the perpendicular..
Figure 5 shews a second method of construction for a press having less fric-
tion than Figure 4, the geometrical lever I being retained by or attached to
the bar K, which turns upon a fixed axle at L.
Figure 6 is a third mode of construction, whereby a greater motion is given
to the follower. M is the geometrical lever, with an arch of a wheel to receive
the ropes or chains leading to the winch P, the bar N drawing up the
follower O.
Figure 7 is a fourth construction for a press, being a combination of geo-
metrical levers that produce a power much less at the commencement, and
more intense at the end of the operation, than that of Figure 6. R and S are
the geometrical levers, connected-by the two tie-bars T, and turning upon fixed

page_text: centres at V and W. X is the ram, and Y the follower, the motion of which
extends to Z. This is either worked with chains (as Figure 6), or else the
arch Q, by having cogs upon its periphery, is worked with a pinion at a.
Figure 8 represents the manner of working a pump by means of the rotative
wedge, which is shewn at A. B is the axle upon which it is turned in the
direction of the arrow, and by its action against the friction wheel C it raises
the lever D, to which the pump piston is attached in order to increase the
length of the stroke in the barrel; when the sucking stroke is completed, the
lower friction wheel E is raised up so as to be in contact with the rotative
wedge, which immediately begins to force it downwards, and thus makes the
forcing stroke in the pump barrel. The connecting bars F are double, being fixed
on both sides of the friction wheels, and the axle of the rotative wedge passing
through them prevents any lateral motion, and confines them to the perpendi-
cular action.
Figure 9 shews the application of the rotative wedge to a stamping machine
having a heavy fly upon its axle, which accumulates sufficient momentum in
its revolution to make the stroke with the punch G. The friction wheels, &c.
are similar to those in the foregoing Figure.
Figure 10 shews two of the rotative wedges, supposed to be connected
together by a long bar (cut away in the Figure at H), which, being both laid in
the same direction, by their joint action will communicate a rotative motion to
the machinery at a distance from the first mover I.
Figure 11 represents the manner of communicating a rotatory motion from
the reciprocating action of the working beam of a steam engine. A is part of
the beam; B, its axis of motion; C, the axis upon which the frame D is fixed
to the beam, which, being at its greatest elevation, when it descends, the fric-
tion wheel E, pressing upon the rotative wedge F, causes it to turn round upon
its axle G in the direction of the arrow, and when it has performed a semi-
revolution, the ascending stroke, by means of the friction wheel H, completes the
rotation. The machinery or wheelwork requiring motion is fixed upon the axle G.
Figure 12 represents a powerful crane, with three pair of the rotative wedges
upon the working axle of the winch, each of which extends one half round it
on opposite sides. A is the front view of this working axle, which is cast
or made in a solid piece, with the requisite projections. The first pair of the
rotative wedges a, a, communicate a direct motion of three inches each; the
second pair, b, b, five inches each; the third pair, c, c, one inch each. This
apparatus, being mounted in a frame that slides upon a level bed, and moved
along by means of the screw d, either of the three pair of rotative wedges may
thus be brought into contact with the friction wheels B, C. Let the great

page_text: wheel D have seventy-five teeth of two inches each, the circumference of the
drum or cylinder E being fifty inches, and the space passed over in one turn of
the winch one hundred inches, the result is, that a force of twenty-five pounds
applied to the winch will raise a weight of three thousand seven hundred
pounds with the great power, one thousand two hundred pounds with the
middle power, and seven hundred pounds with the least power. The Figure
shews the crane as in the act of lowering a weight with the great power, the
winch F being moved in the direction of the arrow; the turning of the rotative
wedge backward allows the friction wheel B to descend, while the drawing
hook G, upon the opposite arm of the scale beam, rises; this hook retains the
great wheel and its load when the hook H is drawn back by the action of the
weight I, which takes place as soon as it is relieved from the stress, by
reason of the friction wheel C falling upon the flattened part of the working
axle opposite to the spiral side of the rotative wedge. The motion of the winch
continuing, the hook H is drawn down, and the sloping part of its back acting
against the shelf K, presses it into its place upon the next tooth of the wheel, to
sustain the effort of the load, while the hook G is in turn removed in a similar
manner. When the great power is used the wheel moves through the space
of one tooth in each turn of the winch; with the middle power, three teeth;
and with the least power, five teeth; the shelf K being adjusted to the requisite
height to act with effect in either case. In order to raise a weight with the
crane the winch is turned the contrary way, the weight I being previously
unhooked, or the shelf K put down, till the weight rests upon the bracket
below it that its action may be suspended, the larger counterpoise L serving to
sustain the drawing hooks, and bring them into their place upon the teeth
of the wheel; there is a difference of one inch in the length of these hooks.
In some instances the scale beams may be dispensed with, and the great wheel
worked upon the contrary side by means of bars connected to the friction
wheels, and thrusting upwards by the action of the rotative wedges, as shewn
by the dotted figure at M; and upon this latter construction a strong jack is
made, the parts being executed upon a smaller scale.
Figure 13 is a side view of a press for paper or other substances requiring
an increasing power, constructed upon the principle of the rotative wedge acting
with its interior surface, of which A is the representation, being a strong ring
of metal that turns upon an axle at B; C is the follower; D, the ram, which is
double, or in two parts, between which the spiral ring works freely; E is a friction
roller with projecting gudgeons, that move in a perpendicular grove; F is a cog
wheel of two feet diameter, and forty teeth, fixed upon the axis of the press, and
worked with a pinion of five leaves. G is a catch falling upon the teeth of

page_text: the wheel, to retain the press in any position. The whole motion of the
follower is fourteen and an half inches, and is performed in six turns of the
winch or three fourths of a revolution of the rotative wedge, which is so con-
structed as to communicate motion to the follower in the ratio of the odd
numbers 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, 1, agreeable to the spaces marked at H, that shew the
respective heights to which the follower is raised at each turn of the winch.
Hence if the space passed over by the handle in one turn is one hundred
inches, the medium power of each of the six rotations will be nearly as 23, 28,
36, 50, 83, and 250 to one. But any other ratio of powers may be obtained
by a variation in the form of the rotative wedge.
Figure 14 is a press for copying writings, &c. A represents a double pair
of the geometrical levers, each six inches in length, fixed upon the same axes,
but placed at such a distance apart as to admit of the opposite pair B entering
between them. C is a single lever attached to an arm upon B that projects
two inches, and also to two bars D which are fixed on each side of a similar
arm upon A. The horizontal distance between the centres of A and B being
four inches, when the handle E is raised up to the point F the levers will col-
lapse or shut over each other, and the follower G will be raised up five
eighths of an inch. The operation of the press commences with a power of
6 to 1, but it rapidly increases; for, as the handle passes in succession over
the points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in the middle of unequal spaces marked upon the
curve line of its motion, the power will become nearly as 7, 12, 21, 60, 750
to one. H is an adjusting wedge and screw, whereby the apparatus may be
raised or lowered in a small degree, in order that the force required to raise
the handle to the point F may be just so much as can be conveniently exerted
by the hand.
Figure 15 shews another mode of construction, more powerful than
Figure 14, the geometrical levers being drawn together by means of a screw
and winch.
Figure 16 represents a strong press for cloth, paper, or other substances.
A is a geometrical lever five feet long; and B is one of one foot in length,
upon which is constructed a circular rack, with 12 teeth of three inches each,
which moves upon its axis C. D is a single rotative wedge, which acts alter-
nately against the two friction wheels upon the cranks or bent levers E, F, to
which the drawing hooks are attached. Twelve turns of the winch move the
follower G through the space of one foot; and when it is down to the full
extent of its motion, the geometrical levers, being both in one perpendicular
line, will remain in that position when the drawing hooks are taken back by
pulling the cords H, and the press may then be raised suddenly by means of

page_text: the rope I and a cylinder occasionally attached to the axle of the winch, or it
may be raised more slowly by means of the drawing hooks acting as repre-
sented in Figure 12. The medium power of the press in the twelve turns of
the winch, during which the follower is moved through the unequal spaces
marked at K, is nearly as 66, 68, 70, 73, 77, 84, 94, 109, 128, 180, 295, and
630 to one. In some instances, to increase the power the circular rack is
made larger, and to increase the motion the upper geometrical lever may be
lengthened.
Figures 17 and 18 are a front and side view or sections of a press to pack
bales of cotton wool. This consists of a combination of the geometrical levers,
actuated by means of a capstan and a vertical arbor with a pair of the rotative
wedges. A is a geometrical lever, six feet in length, having a fixed axle at B,
upon which is constructed the circular rack C, with steps or teeth of six inches
each. This is connected by means of two bars D, seven feet in length, to the
two geometrical levers E, which are six feet and an half in length, and also to
the ram F with one common axle G. H is the follower, which works in the
box I, which is ten feet in height, four feet nine inches in breadth, and sixteen
inches in depth, into which the cotton wool is introduced by the upper door K.
L, L, are two other doors, which are opened to lash the bale and remove it.
M is the working arbor, with the rotative wedges. This rests against the
friction wheels N, N. its upper gudgeon being inserted into the cylinder O,
and its lower gudgeon into the capstan P, to both of which it is occasionally
connected, while in motion, by means of the strong catches or parols R and S.
The drawing hooks T, T, differ in length three inches; they are held up by
the counterweights V, and work beside each other upon the rack. W is a
representation of the friction wheel of one of these drawing hooks kept always
in close contact with the rotative wedge, while it is in action, by means of the
lever a and a weight. Twenty-four revolutions of the capstan work down the
press, and reduce three hundred and ninety-two pounds of cotton wool to a
bale of thirteen inches in thickness. The combined action of the geometrical
levers causing the follower to move through the ten unequal spaces bounded
by the lines 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. in equal times, an accelerating ratio of powers is
thus produced that corresponds very nearly with the increasing expansive
force of the cotton in the process of compression, insomuch that the force
required to be exerted upon the capstan bars will be as nearly as possible
equal throughout the whole of the operation. Suppose the point 6 to be the
centre of effort, upon the bars describing a circumference of sixty feet, the
power of the press consequently, when the follower is forced down to the
middle of each of the unequal spaces above mentioned respectively, will be

page_text: nearly as 40, 70, 140, 250, 390, 560, 770, 1000, 1300, and 1650 to one.
When the press is nearly worked down to the full extent, two small projecting
parts upon the edge of the rack rise up the frame X and the loaded bar Y,
attached to the ring of the parol R, which presses down the parol, and, lifting
up the counterweights V, it allows the shorter drawing hook to fall away from
the rack; the capstan is then stopped, and, when the bale is lashed, the move-
able bed Z is lowered down about three inches by means of the screw c and
the triple wedge d, the sloping surfaces of which have such an inclination that
the pressure upon them will nearly balance their friction, so as to admit of the
bed Z being lowered by applying a moderate force to turn the screw c. This
being done, the reaction of the bale upon the press is greatly reduced, and the
capstan is again put in motion; but, when the longer drawing hook has com-
pleted its action, the rotative wedge, still revolving, allows the rack to recede
suddenly six inches, during which motion a trigger attached to the last step or
tooth of the rack turns it round upon its axis, and casts off the longer drawing
hook, which retained the press. Being thus extricated, the rack runs back,
and the press rises by the expansion of the bale a few inches. The catch R,
by engaging the cylinder, prevents the recoil, and by means of the chain raises
the press to the full height, as it is represented in Figure 18, at which time
the counterweights are again allowed to raise up the drawing hooks, and, the
box being then filled with the cotton, the press is ready to repeat the operation
of packing.
up
Figure 19 represents a wheel with five pair of rotative wedges A, A, to be
driven by a steam engine, and to work four or six of the above cotton presses.
B is a part of the bar or rod supposed to be attached to the working beam of
the engine, which in its descending stroke, by means of the friction wheel C
pressing upon the rotative wedge A, makes the wheel perform one tenth part
of a revolution, and its ascending stroke, with the friction wheel 1), also moves
it through a similar space; hence it will make a complete revolution in five
double strokes of the engine. The friction wheels E and the double rotative
wedge F communicate motion to the fly wheel G, which makes five revo-
lutions to one of the wheel A, A, this fly wheel being required to impel the
machinery during the short interval preceding each stroke when the friction
wheels C or D are not in contact with the rotative wedges. The cotton
presses are disposed on both sides of the wheel A, A, from the axle of which
the motion is communicated by means of the rotative wedges, &c., similar to
those represented at M, in Figure 18, one set of which are shewn at H, upon
the axle or shaft I of the wheel A, A. The wheel A, A, may be formed with
a greater or less number of rotative wedges for communicating motion to

page_text: mills, &c., in the same manner as it is here represented as working the fly
wheel G; for instance, if the wheel K, K, having eleven pair of rotative
wedges round its circumference, is fixed upon the shaft of a water wheel, it will
act upon the double rotative wedge L (which is supposed to be similar to F),
and will turn it with the spindle N, that carries the millstone eleven times
round in each revolution of the water wheel.
In witness whereof, we, the said William West and Daniel West, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Third day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the oath of William Theobald, the
Specification aforesaid was inrolled, word for word, as above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statutes made for that purpose.