IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO HOISTING MACHINERY as follows:
Year: 1885

page_text: I, GUSTAV HENKEL, doing business under the firm of Beck & Henkel, Manu-
facturer, of Cassel, Prussia, German Empire do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO HOISTING MACHINERY
as follows:-
"
to be
This invention relates to actuating mechanism for hoisting machinery which
can be advantageously combined with a speed-controlling brake. The essential
feature of this mechanism is that by turning the actuating crank in a forward
direction a friction disc, connected movably with the nave of the said crank, is
applied to a second friction disc in such a manner that this second disc is moved
with the first disc and thereby actuates the driving shaft of the hoisting machinery,
which is connected with the said second disc. In the backward revolution of the
crank the discs are separated, and when the crank is stopped the discs are auto-
matically brought together by the action of a spring, so that the load is always
automatically arrested when the action upon the crank is discontinued.
With one disc of this actuating mechanism a selfacting brake can be connected
in such a manner that in lowering a load the brake is applied as soon as a certain
speed is exceeded.
According to one arrangement of the improved apparatus the driving crank is
situated upon a bush which can turn freely upon the end of the driving shaft, but
is secured against displacement towards the right-hand side by a washer, nut, and
split pin. The said bush is provided externally with screw-threads and carries a
friction disc, with which corresponds a second friction-disc connected with the
driving shaft and secured against rotation or displacement upon the same. Two
springs which are connected to the bush, and the ends of which act upon studs
upon the first disc, tend to turn the said first disc upon its bush so that sufficient
pressure is produced between the friction surfaces of the two discs, for the first disc,
which is secured against backward rotation by ratchet pawls, to stop the second
disc and consequently the driving shaft on releasing the crank. In the forward
rotation of the crank, the bush is first turned in such a manner that the first disc.
is pressed somewhat harder against the second disc, and in the continued forward
rotation the first disc is carried with the same by reason of the friction created
between the friction surfaces of the discs. In the backward rotation of the
crank the contrary displacement of the first disc takes place, so that the frictional
.
071

page_text: pressure between the discs decreases, the second disc being thus enabled to turn
freely and allow the load to drop. On releasing the crank, it springs back to its
former position by the action of the said springs, and these springs effect simul-
taneously the pressing together of the friction surfaces of two dises. With the
object of enabling the lowering of the hoisting rope or the like when no load is
suspended, the crank is pressed in a backward direction; and to the second disc,
which is formed in the shape of a hand wheel, motion is imparted.
In order that the backward rotation of the crank can only take place to a certain
extent, an adjustable stop in the shape of a strap, which can be clamped upon the
first disc and is provided with a pin or projection is arranged upon the nave or boss
of the first disc. The said strap can, by loosening and tightening bolts with which
it is provided, be fixed in proper position upon the nave or boss of the disc.
Instead of this strap, a ring provided with a pin may be employed, which ring
can be adjusted upon the nave either by bolts extending through slots, or by means
of clamps and bolts.
To prevent accidents through the breakage of a ratchet pawl, or the rapid rotation
of the crank in consequence of the disengagement of the ratchet pawl from the
teeth, two pawls are provided, one of which is subjected to tension and the other
to pressure.
The boss of the tension pawl is provided with a prolongation to which
corresponds a depression in the nave of the other pawl, in such a manner that one
of the two pawls is constantly engaged with the ratchet teeth.
The ratchet pawls are moreover of unequal lengths, whereby the effect of a
ratchet provided with double the number of teeth of the wheel employed is obtained.
In place of the loose bush provided with screw-threads, a bush having inclined
surfaces is sometimes employed.
The bush may also be entirely dispensed with and the driving shaft provided
directly with screw-threads. In this case the rotation of the second disc can be
transmitted through a toothed rim cast integral with it. Also helical surfaces,
similar to those hereinbefore described, for effecting the axial displacement of the
first disc can be employed.
An adjustable abutment in the form of a nut having a split cotter is arranged
behind the second disc. Through the medium of this nut the adjustment can be
effected so that the necessary frictional pressure between the friction surfaces of the
two discs is produced. The nut is, for this purpose, provided upon its end surface
with grooves for the split cotter, so that after a revolution of the nut through an
angle of 60° it can be fixed by the split cotter. The speed-controlling brako
operates in such a manner that when a definite speed is exceeded the second disc is
shifted towards the first disc whereby a braking action is produced between the
surfaces of the discs.
In some cases a band-brake is applied which acts upon the first.disc.
The displacement of the second disc takes place in one forin of apparatus by
means of a cross piece which bears against a collar upon the driving shaft, and is
connected by links with weights turning upon pivots on the said second disc, the
said weights being normally kept in position by means of springs.
When the speed of the driving shaft and of the second disc exceeds a certain
limit the said weights turn outwardly under the action of centrifugal force, thereby
causing the cross-piece to turn.
This has the effect of causing rollers' supported in the said cross-piece to act upon
projections on the second disc, so that a displacement of the latter to the right hand
side, takes place, and accordingly the friction surfaces of the discs are forced
together. The same effect can also be attained by providing a screw-thread on the
collar, upon which the cross piece can turn, and forming the cross-piece into a nut;
or both parts (the cross-piece and the collar) are provided with helical surfaces.
The rotation of the cross-piece against the second disc will cause also in this
case an axial displacement of the second disc and occasion thereby the automatic
braking.action.

page_text: The automatic brake can also be employed without the use of the crank, in which
case the second dise need only be secured against displacement, or connected firmly
to the machine frame.
In another form of apparatus the cross-piece serves only to connect the two
pivotted weights; the said weights acting here by means of a pin or projection to
apply a brake-band which encircles a flange cast on the first disc.
The arrangement might be such that the band would bear against the internal
surface of this flange.
As the second disc is prevented from turning by the ratchet pawls, an automatic
braking action takes place when the weights are moved outward; In other respects
all the arrangements described operate in the same manner.
Instead of forming the friction surfaces between the discs of a cone shape, plain
or fluted surfaces might be employed without causing any change in the operation
of the apparatus.
Instead of two weights
caused to work in guides
is preferably of ring shape.
several may be arranged and the weights might be
When more than two weights are used, the cross-piece

page_text: I, GUSTAV HENKEL, of Cassel, Prussia, German Empire, 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 relates to actuating mechanism for hoisting machinery, which
mechanism can be advantageously combined with a speed controlling brake. The
essential feature of this mechanism is that, by turning the actuating crank in a
forward direction, a friction disc, movably connected with the boss of the said
crank, is applied to a second friction disc in such a manner that this second disc is
moved with the first disc and thereby actuates the driving shaft of the hoisting
machinery, which is connected with the said second disc. In the backward
revolution of the crank, the discs are separated, and, when the crank is stopped or
released, the discs are automatically brought together by the action of a spring, so
that the load is always automatically arrested when the action upon the crank is
discontinued.
With one disc of this actuating mechanism a self-acting brake can be connected
in such a manner that, in lowering a load, the brake is applied as soon as a certain
speed is exceeded.
In the accompanying drawing, the various figures of which are hereinafter
referred to, I have shown several arrangements of the improved apparatus.
In the arrangement represented in elevation and vertical section in Figure 1, the
driving crank B is mounted upon a bush or sleeve y, which can turn freely upon
the end of the driving shaft A, but is prevented from being moved towards the
right-hand side, by a nut c having a washer and the split pin x. The said bush or
sleeve y is provided externally with screw-threads, and carries the friction disc a,
with which corresponds the friction disc b connected with the driving shaft A, and
secured against rotation or displacement upon the same. Two springs F, which
are connected to the bush y and the free ends of which act upon studs i upon the
disc a, tend to turn the disc a upon its bush so that sufficient pressure is produced
between the friction surfaces of the two discs, by reason of the screw threads, for
the disc a, which is secured against backward rotation by ratchet pawls ut
engaging in teeth therein, to stop the disc b and consequently the driving shaft A
on releasing the crank B.
In the forward rotation of the crank, the bush y is first turned in such a manner
that the disc a is pressed more forcibly than by the spring F against the disc b
and, in the continued forward rotation, the said disc a is moved with the disc b by 3
reason of the friction created between the friction surfaces of the discs. In the
backward rotation of the crank B, the contrary displacement of the disc a takes
place, so that the frictional pressure between the discs a and b decreases, the disc b
being thus enabled to turn freely to allow the load to be lowered. On releasing
the crank, it springs back to its former position under the action of the said 4
springs, F, and these springs effect simultaneously the pressing together of the
friction surfaces of the two discs a and b. With the object of permitting the
lowering of the hoisting rope or the like when no load is suspended, the crank is
pressed in a backward direction, and to the disc b, the edge of which is formed in
the shape of a hand-wheel, motion is imparted.
4

page_text: In order that the backward rotation of the crank B can only take place to a
certain extent, an adjustable stop, consisting of a strap f, Figure 1, provided with
a pin or projection f¹ is arranged upon the nave or hub of the disc a. The said
strap can, by loosening and tightening bolts with which it is provided, be fixed in
proper position upon the nave or hub of the disc a.
Instead of this strap, a ring f Figure 1ª provided with a pin f¹ may be employed,
which ring can be adjusted upon the hub of the disc a either by bolts v extending
through slots w or by means of clamps and bolts w¹.
To prevent accidents through the breakage of a ratchet pawl or the rapid rotation
of the crank in consequence of the disengagement of the ratchet pawl from the
teeth, two pawls u and Figure 1, are provided, one of which is subjected to
tension and the other to pressure.
The boss of the tension pawl u is provided with a prolongation u¹, to which a
depression in the boss of the other pawl t Figure 1b corresponds in such a manner
that one of the two pawls is constantly in engagement with the ratchet teeth.
The ratchet pawls are moreover of unequal lengths, whereby the effect of a
ratchet wheel provided with double the number of teeth of the wheel employed is
obtained.
In place of the bush or sleeve y provided with screw-threads a bush or sleeve
having inclined surfaces y¹, as shown in Figure 2, is sometimes employed.
The bush or sleeve may also be dispensed with and the shaft A provided directly
with screw-threads, as shown in Figure 3. In this case the rotation of the disc b
can be transmitted through a pinion cast integral with it. Also helical or inclined
surfaces similar to those hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 for
effecting the axial displacement of the disc a can be employed.
An adjustable abutment consisting of the nut chaving a split cotter x is
arranged behind the disc b. Through the medium of this nut c the adjustment
of the disc b can be effected, so that the necessary frictional pressure between the
friction surfaces of the two discs a and b is produced. The nut c is provided upon
its outer end with grooves d for the split cotter x, so that, after a revolution of the
nut c through an angle of say 60°, it can be fixed by the split cotter.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the manner of connecting the speed-brake with the
described actuating mechanism.
In the arrangement represented in Figure 2, the brake operates in such a
manner that, when a definite speed is exceeded, the disc b is shifted towards the
disc a, whereby a braking action is produced between the surfaces of the discs a
and b, whilst, as shewn in Figure 3, a band-brake is applied which acts upon the
disc a.
As shewn in Figure 2, the displacement of the disc bis effected by means of a
cross-piece h, which is carried upon a collar on the shaft A, and is connected by
links g with weights g turning upon the pivot of the disc b, the said weights
being normally kept in the position shewn in dotted lines by means of springs not
shewn in the drawing.
When the speed of the shaft A rotating in the direction of the arrow 1, and
of the disc b moving with the said shaft in the direction of the arrow 2 exceeds a
certain limit, the said weights g move outwardly under the action of centrifugal
force in the direction of the arrow 3, thereby causing the cross-piece h to turn.
This movement has the effect of causing rollers supported in the said cross-
piece to act upon inclined projections n on the disc b, Figure 2ª, so that a
displacement of the said disc b towards the right hand, Figure 2, takes place,
whereby the friction surfaces of the discs a and b are forced together.
The same effect can also be produced by forming screw-threads on the collar,
upon which the cross-piece / turns, and providing the cross-piece with corre-
sponding threads, as shewn in Figure 2b; or both the cross-piece and the collar
may be provided with belical or inclined surfaces. The rotation of the cross-
piece h against the disc b will cause an axial displacement of the said disc and
thery occasion an automatic braking action.

page_text: The automatic brake can also be employed without the use of the crank B, in
which case it is only necessary to secure the disc a against displacement, by
connecting it firmly to the frame of the apparatus.
In the automatic brake represented in Figure 3, the cross-piece h serves only to
connect the two pivotted weights g to the disc b; the said weights acting in this
case by means of a pin or projection g³ to tighten a brake band k upon the exterior
of a flange k cast on the disc a.
It is obvious that the arrangement might be so varied that the band would bear
against the internal surface of this flange.
As the disc a is prevented from turning by the ratchet pawls, an automatic
braking action takes place when the weights g are thrown outwardly. In other
respects all the arrangements described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 operato
in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 1.
Instead of making the friction surfaces between the discs cone-shaped as shown,
n plain or fluted surface may be employed without causing any change in the
operation of the apparatus. Also, instead of using only two weights, several may
be employed, as shewn in Figure 4, and the weights might be caused to work in
guides as represented in Figure 5. When more than two weights g are used, the
cross-piece is preferably of ring shape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. Actuating mechanism for hoisting machinery, characterized by the fact
that, on releasing the operating crank B, a friction disc a is so turned relatively to
another b, by the action of springs, that, through the medium of a screw-threaded
bush or sleeve y, figure 1, or of helical or inclined surfaces y', Figure 2, the friction
surfaces of the said discs are pressed against each other, whereby the stoppage of
the disc bis automatically effected, the disc a being retained in position by a
ratchet pawl or pawls, whilst, during the backward rotation of the crank, the
separation of the discs takes place.
Second. In the mechanism claimed in the preceding claiming clause, the adjust-
ment of the pressure between the friction surfaces of the discs by means of the
nut c and cotter a.
Third. In the actuating mechanism claimed in the first claiming clause, the
employment of ratchet pawls operating under tension and pressure respectively,
and which are so combined that they cannot be lifted simultaneously out of
engagement with their ratchet teeth.
Fourth. In the actuating mechanism claimed in the first claiming clause, the
adjustable stop which is connected with the disc a for limiting the backward
rotation of the operating crank B.
Fifth. In combination with the actuating mechanism claimed in the first
claiming clause, the automatic band-brake described with reference to Figure 3,
which brake is set in operation by weighted levers under the action of centrifugal
force.
Sixth. A speed-brake combined with the actuating mechanism claimed in the
first claiming clause, in which brake the two parts of the friction coupling are, for
the purpose of obtaining a braking action, pressed against one another under the
action of weights operated by centrifugal force.