IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDLASSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Henry George Wells, of the firm Wells
and Vasserot, of 45, Essex Street, Strand, London, Patent Agents,
Mechanical Draughtsmen, &c., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WINDLASSES." A communication from Pierre Chevalier Hardoy, of
St. Esprit: Department of Landes, France.
Sealed the 14th April 1857, and dated the 15th October 1856.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Joseph Henry George
Wells at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 15th October 1856, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
I, JOSEPH HENRY GEORGE WELLS, of the firm Wells and Vasserot, of
45, Essex Street, Strand, London, Patent Agents, Mechanical Draughtsmen,
&c., do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WINDLASSES," a communication from Pierre Chevalier Hardoy, of St. Esprit,
Department of Landes, France, to be as follows, and consists in giving to
windlasses principally intended to weigh anchors a threefold power and con-
tinual motion.
The accompanying Drawing fully illustrates the Invention, in which Fig. 1
is an elevation of the windlass, Fig. 2 a section at A, B, Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a plan,

page_text: and Fig. 4 a section at C, D, Fig. 1; similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the several Figures.
**
The first power is obtained by à double balance beam of iron B, B'. These
beams are connected together by the rod or shaft A, which is supported on
two bearings fastened to the wooden posts M¹, M". To the said rod or shaft
are fixed 2 sets of articulated pieces D, D'. The pieces D¹ are also fastened
to the counterpoise P, vibrating on a centre C. This counterpoise receives
two catches of iron L, L, Fig: 2, which gives by the elevation and depression
of the balance beams and action of the articulated pieces D, D', motion to the
ratchet wheel R, mounted on the centre of an arbor X, in wood, through
which passes an iron shaft A¹, the bearings of which being attached to the
said posts M', M". Three safety catches a, a, a, are fixed to the cast-iron
frame H, Fig. 2, and placed a little underneath the catches L, L, their object
being to stop the ratchet wheel R in its backward motion in the event of one
of the said catches L, L', breaking. The frame H that carries these safety
catches,,, also supports the centre C, on which the counterpoise P
vibrates, and is fastened to the post M, Fig. 2.
The second power is obtained by the two ratchet wheels R¹, R", mounted
on the two extremities of the wooden arbor X. These said wheels are smaller
than the preceding wheel R, and are provided with grooves in their centre.
In these grooves are engaged bent lévers X, Figs. 3 & 4, with a curve, the
radius of which is a little more than the groove in the wheels. A double catch
T & T is attached to the upper part of these bent levers K, as shewn, which
gear into the ratchet wheels, so that by the elevation of the levers the catches
are made to descend from the tooth, as shewn in Fig. 3, & gear into other
teeth, and by the depression of the said lever it causes a part revolution of
the arbor X. This second power is to be made available to augment the first
power above described in the event of the anchor offering a considerable
resistance.
The third power is obtained by having at the lower end of the said counter-
poise P; Fig. 2, an opening into which fits a double lever Q, Figs. 2 and 8,
which will assist the vibration of the said counterpoise worked by the said
double balance beams B & B'. This third power will also assist the above-
mentioned powers in the event of their not overcoming the resistance of the
anchor.
Having thus described the particulars and nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which it is to be performed, it is to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the exact form of any of the parts as shewn in the

page_text: accompanying Drawing; but what I claim is, giving to windlasses a threefold
power and continual motion, which said powers can be used conjointly or
seperately, substantially in the manner as shewn and herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Henry George Wells, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
J. H. G. WELLS. (L.S.)