IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING, Awn WWI OD HRANE RODING
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Aldridge Weston, of Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, and of Ridgewood, New Jersey, in the
United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING,
Awn WWI OD HRANE RODING"
ealed the 5th August 1873, and dated the 16th April 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Aldridge
Weston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 16th April 1873.
I, THOMAS ALDRIDGE WESTON, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and of Ridgewood, New Jersey, in the United States of
America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING,
LOWERING, AND SUSPENDING WEIGHTS OR HEAVY BODIES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of the mechanical arrangements herein-after
described, having for their object to effect the suspension at any required
height of the weight or body carried by the said machinery or apparatus,

page_text: and to control and regulate the descent of the suspended weight or
body.
I will describe my Invention as applied to a single sheaved pulley
block. At a point on the frame of the pulley block a short distance
below the axis of the sheave I pivot a lever, the normal position of which
is horizontal. The longer arm of the lever extends beyond the periphery
of the hauling or winding side of the sheave, and is bent or curved hori-
zontally so as to embrace the edge or periphery of the said sheave. The
said lever is capable of turning on its centre, so that the longer arm of
the lever may be raised into a nearly vertical position, and the weight of
the said longer arm is such that when the lever is free to move the said
longer arm brings the lever into a horizontal position, beyond which
position the longer arm is prevented from descending by a stop which
limits the upward motion of the short arm. The inner face of the
curved end of the longer arm of the lever is concave or has a groove
nearly resembling that in the edge of the sheave. When the longer arm
is in its normal position, its curved end, although embracing the edge of
the sheave is not in contact with it or the rope or cord; but when the
longer arm of the lever is raised towards a vertical position the excen-
tricity of its axis to that of the sheave brings the curved end of the
longer arm nearer to the periphery of the sheave, and causes the said
curved arm to grip the rope or cord and arrest its motion. When the
rope on the hauling or winding side is pulled downwards so as to raise
any weight or heavy body, no obstruction is offered by the said lever to
its motion, nor is any obstruction offered to the motion of the cord in
the opposite direction so long as the cord on the hauling side is vertical;
but when the rope on the hauling side is brought out of a vertical
position so as to make a small angle therewith, it comes in contact with
the curved end of the long arm of the lever, and by now paying out the
cord the lever is carried upwards and its gripping action brought into
play. The descent of the weight or heavy body may thus be checked at
any point by moving outwards, or from the pulley the rope on the
hauling side. Or a loop or cord may be fastened at its two ends to the
two ends respectively of the lever, and by pulling downwards the side of
the loop attached to the short arm of the lever, the longer arm of the
said lever may be raised, and its gripping power brought into play.
The lever described may be duplicated, that is, one of the said levers
may be placed on each side of the sheave and made to act in conjunction

page_text: with one another; or one of the said levers may be applied to each of
the sheaves of a compound pulley block, or the end of one lever may be
extended the whole length of a barrel or drum to operate upon every
coil simultaneously of the rope thereon.
with one another; or one of the said levers may be applied to each of
the sheaves of a compound pulley block, or the end of one lever may be
extended the whole length of a barrel or drum to operate upon every
coil simultaneously of the rope thereon.
In order to effect or assist the return of the lever to its horizontal or
normal position a spring or springs may be employed to press it down-
wards.
When the pulley is provided with a rope or cord I make the gripping
end of the lever of a size and shape proper to grip the cord, as herein-
before described. When however the pulley has a chain gearing
therewith by means of teeth or otherwise, or when the rope, chain, or
band is in anyway engaged or geared with the sheave, I make the
gripping end of the lever to press frictionally only on the rim of the
sheave.
When the strain on the hoisting chain or rope is severe I give to the
gripping end of the lever additional gripping power by pivotting thereto
a curved brake block, which when the lever is raised presses upon a largo
surface of the rope or sheave.
The apparatus described may be applied to both sides of the same
pulley block, so that either end of the rope or chain may be employed
to carry the load.
Although I prefer to use a lever as described, yet the same effect may
be produced by the use of a disc, and the excentric axis on which the said
lever or disc turns may either be an independent axis or the excentric
end of the axis of the sheave.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Aldridge Weston in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th October 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
ALDRIDGE WESTON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, and of
Ridgewood, New Jersey, in the United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, Her special
license that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Aldridge
Weston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING, AND
SUSPENDING WEIGHTS OR HEAVY BODIES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
My Invention consists of the mechanical arrangements herein-after
described, having for their object to effect the suspension at any
required height of the weight or body carried by the said machinery
or apparatus and to control and regulate the descent of the suspended
weight or body.
I will describe my Invention as applied to a single sheaved pulley
block. At a point on the frame of the pulley block, a short distance
below the axis of the sheave I pivot a lever, the normal position of
which is horizontal. The longer arm of the lever extends beyond the
periphery of the hauling or winding side of the sheave and is bent or
curved horizontally so as to embrace the edge or periphery of the said
sheave. The said lever is capable of turning on its centre, so that the

page_text: longer arm of the lever may be raised and the weight of the said longer
arm is such that when the lever is free to move the said longer arm
brings the lever into a horizontal position, beyond which position the
longer arm is prevented from descending by a stop which limits the
upward motion of the short arm. The inner face of the curved end of
the longer arm of the lever is concave or has a groove nearly resembling
that in the edge of the sheave. When the longer arm is in its normal
position its curved end although embracing the edge of the sheave is
not in contact with it or the rope or cord; but when the longer arm of
the lever is raised towards a vertical position the eccentricity of its axis
to that of the sheave brings the curved end of the longer arm nearer to
the periphery of the sheave and causes the said curved arm to grip the
rope or cord and arrest its motion. When the rope on the hauling or
winding side is pulled downwards so as to raise any weight or heavy
body no obstruction is offered by the said lever to its motion, nor is any
obstruction offered to the motion of the cord in the opposite direction
so long as the cord on the hauling side is vertical, but when the rope on
the hauling side is brought out of a vertical position so as to make a
small angle therewith it comes in contact with the curved end of the
long arm of the lever and by now paying out the cord the lever is
carried upwards and its gripping action brought into play. The descent
of the weight or heavy body may thus be checked at any point by
moving outwards or from the pulley the rope on the hauling side.
loop or cord may be fastened at its two ends to the two ends respectively
of the lever, and by pulling downwards the side of the loop attached to
the short arm of the lever the longer arm of the said lever may be raised
and its gripping power brought into play.
Or a
The lever described may be duplicated, that is, one of the said levers
may be placed on each side of the sheave and made to act in conjunction
with one another. Or one of the said levers may be applied to each of
the sheaves of a compound pulley block, or the end of one lever may be
extended the whole length of a barrel or drum to operate upon every
coil simultaneously of the rope thereon.
In order to effect or assist the return of the lever to its horizontal
or normal position a spring or springs may be employed to press it
downwards.
When the pulley is provided with a rope or cord I make the gripping
end of the lever of a size and shape proper to grip the cord, as hercin-

page_text: before described. When however the pulley has a chain gearing
therewith by means of teeth or otherwise, or when the rope, chain, or
band is in any way engaged or geared with the sheave I make the
gripping end of the lever to press frictionally only on the rim of the
sheave.
When the strain on the hoisting chain or rope is severe I give to the
gripping end of the lever additional gripping power by pivotting thereto
a curved brake block, which when the lever is raised presses upon a
large surface of the rope or sheave.
The apparatus described may be applied to both sides of the same
pulley block, so that either end of the rope or chain may be employed
to carry the load.
Although I prefer to use a lever, as described, yet the same effect
may be produced by the use of a disc, and the eccentric axis on which
the said lever or disc turns may either be an independent axis or the 1
eccentric end of the axis of the sheave.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to
describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in
which the same is to be performed.
I will first describe my Invention as applied to a single sheave pulley 2
or small pulley, having its frame adapted for permanent attachment to
an overhead beam or other fixed support, like letters of reference referring
to corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a plan, and Figure 2 an elevation, in which A is the
frame; B, the sheave; C, the stationary shaft; and near the axis upon a 2
stud D, I pivot the arm or lever E, the normal position of which is
horizontal, and its longer arm E¹ is bent or curved horizontally at E², so
as to embrace the edge or periphery of the said sheave. It is capable of
turning on its centre, so that the longer arm may be raised, and the
weight of the said longer arm is such that when the lever is free to move a
the said longer arm brings the lever into a horizontal position, beyond
which position the longer arm is prevented from descending by a stop F,
which limits the upward movement of the short arm E³. The inner face
of the curved end E' of the longer arm of the lever E is concave, and has
a groove nearly resembling that on the edge of the sheave, and this 3
grooved end of the lever is extended upwards so as to form a curved

page_text: brake block of sufficient area to press upon the chain or rope without
injuring its structure. When the longer arm is in its normal horizontal
position its curved end E³, although embracing the edge of the shcave, is
not in contact with it or the rope, chain, band, or other flexible connector,
but when the longer arm of the lever is moved towards a vertical position,
as indicated by the dotted lines, the eccentricity of its axis to that of the
sheave brings the curved end E2 of the lever nearer to the periphery of
the sheave, and causes the said curved end to grip the rope or cord G,
and arrest its motion. When the rope on the hauling or winding side G¹
is pulled downwards so as to raise any weight or heavy body, no obstruc-
tion is offered by the said lever to its motion, nor is any obstruction offered
to the cord in the opposite direction so long as the cord on the hauling
side is vertical or nearly so, but when the rope on the hauling side G' is
brought out of a vertical position, so as to make a small angle therewith,
as indicated in dotted lines, it comes in contact with the curved end E²
of the longer arm of the lever, and by now paying out the cord the lever
is carried in the direction indicated in dotted lines, and its gripping
action brought into play. The descent of the weight or heavy body may
thus be checked at any point by moving outwards or from the pulley
the rope on the hauling side, or a loop or cord H may be fastened at its
two ends to the two ends respectively of the lever, and by pulling down-
wards the side of the said cord attached to the short arm E³ of the lever
the longer arm E' of the said lever may be raised, and its gripping power
brought into play.
Figure 3 represents in side elevation an improved mode of giving to a
single sheaved pulley or gin block made according to my Invention a
constantly vertical position by means of a guide roller X, which turns
upon a pin or shaft carried by the lower end of the supporting frame.
The hoisting rope passing over the said guide roller is thereby led off
from the sheave in a vertical line through its centre, and the suspended.
load therefore always tends to keep the pulley block in a perpendicular
position, as when unloaded.
Figure 4 is a side view, and Figure 5 a plan showing the application
of one of the aforesaid levers E to each of the sheaves of a compound
pulley block or other hoisting apparatus having more sheaves than one.
C is a fixed shaft; B, B, B, are sheaves turning therein; D, D, D, arc
eccentrics keyed or secured to the shaft, and upon each of the said
eccentrics is pivotted one of the levers E, E, E, such as described with

page_text: reference to Figures 1 and 2, and the said eccentric provided for each
lever to turn upon being the mechanical equivalent of the stud or pin D,
Figures 1 and 2; a separate hoisting rope may be passed over each
sheave, and all the said ropes united at their ends to act upon the load
as a single rope, and in this case the whole of the levers E are operated.
simultaneously as one, and in the manner fully explained with reference
to Figures 1 and 2. Greater security is thus obtained against the falling
of the load from the breakage of a single cord, or rope, or chain, as each
cord is held independently by it own eccentric lever E.
rope
Figures 6 and 7 represent in end and side view respectively the
duplicated form of the eccentric lever E, that is to say, in order to
obtain more strength a second and similar lever is placed at the other
end of the drum, and the two united to form one piece or lever by the
intermediate or gripping part E2 which extends the whole length of the
drum B to operate upon every coil simultaneously of the thereon.
A is the supporting frame of any convenient form, to the inner sides of
which are fixed the eccentrics D, D, for the two ends of the lever E to
turn upon respectively. In a manner similar to that explained with
reference to Figures 1 and 2, the duplicated lever E may be brought into
gripping action upon the rope and drum so as to sustain the load by
simply taking outwards from the face of the drum the loose end of the
rope shewn in dotted lines at Y, and then paying it off, and in like
manner it may be released by a downward pull thereon, or by a like
motion imparted by winch handles fixed upon the ends of the shaft C,
through which winch handles or other appliance for rotating the shaft
and drum hoisting power may be applied if desired.
Figure 8 is a side view, and Figure 9 a plan showing my Invention as
applied to a sheave or wheel having the rope or chain engaged therewith
by any of the usual means for preventing a rope, chain, or other flexible
connector from slipping over the wheel carrying it. A is a frame
supporting a rotatory shaft C, upon which is keyed a sheave or wheel B,
in the groove of which and engaged thereto is the chain or rope B¹.
B³ is a toothed sheave or drum carrying the hoisting chain and load.
D is an eccentric formed or fixed upon the frame A, and pivoted thereon
is the eccentric lever E with its bent end E² made plain on its inner
surface presented to the rim of the wheel or otherwise adapted for brake
action upon the said rim, and not upon the rope or chain which is sunk
between the flanges of the groove in the wheel B. The lever E may in

page_text: this instance be operated by means of the hand rope B³, in all respects
as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 for arresting or controlling
the backward rotation of the wheel B.
Figures 10 and 11 represent in plan and side view respectively my
Invention as applied to the opposite edges or sides of the same sheave or
wheel for arresting or controlling the rotatory motion of the same in
either direction in order that a load may be hoisted by either end of the
said rope or chain, and if desired left in suspension thereon. A is a
frame supporting a fixed shaft C, upon which turns the sheave B;
E, E, are the two eccentric levers. The lever E turns upon the
studs D¹, D³, placed respectively upon opposite sides of the frame A in a
common axial line a short distance below the axis C. Upon one side the
lever E has a short arm E³, the upward motion of which is limited by the
stop or abutment furnished by the pivoted end of the lever E' where it
turns upon the stud D'. The lever E is thus prevented from falling
below its normal horizontal position. In like manner the lever E*
turning upon the studs D', D³, has a short arm Es abutting in its upward
movement against the pivoted end of the lever E, where it turns upon
the stud D². Each of the said levers E, E', may be operated in all
respects in the manner described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, so
that a bucket or other receptacle may be attached alternately to either
end of the hoisting chain or rope, or two buckets attached respectively
to the two ends, either of which may be left in suspension by my
Invention in the manner already fully explained.
Figures 12 and 13 represent in plan and elevation respectively a
modification of my Invention, in which the eccentric lever is made of a
disk form and which may be used where ornamental structure is required
as in the case of suspending lamps or chandeliers. A is the frame;
B, the sheave; C, the fixed shaft; E, E, are the two disks or levers of a
disk form which turn respectively upon the two eccentrics D formed
upon the frame A; E is a cross piece or brake block uniting the two
discs, and shaped on its inner face for pressing the cord or chain; a bent
spring S is pinned to the inner face of one of the discs with its free end
pressing upon the edge of the frame A, and tending to keep the brake
block E in a horizontal line with its centre of motion. The block E' is
prevented from moving below the horizontal line through the fixed end
of the spring where it is attached to the disk, abutting against the
opposite edge of the frame to that last-named. The operation of

page_text: suspending or releasing the load is exactly similar to that explained with
reference to Figures 1 and 2, the spring S being employed to aid the
force of gravity in returning the eccentric disk lever E and brake
block Es more promptly to the normal horizontal position.
Figure 14 and 15 represent the application of my Invention to a
quick speed differential pulley made according to the Specification of
Letters Patent granted to me No. 1033, in the year of our Lord 1859,
that is to say, a differential pulley having so great a difference in
diameters of the two parts of the sheave that it will lower a load or run
down of its own accord unless such lowering motion be arrested by suitable
means, and to effect this object, I apply to the said pulley my present
Invention as follows:-A is the frame carrying a shaft C; B is the
differential sheave keyed to the said shaft; E is the eccentric lever
carried by the stud or pins D near to the axis of the sheave B. The
usual endless hoisting chain is applied to the differential sheave in the
manner described in the Specification of the said Patent herein-before
referred to, and the loose loop, one side of which is grasped by the
operator in the act of hoisting, may also be used to apply or disengage
the eccentric lever E precisely in the manner herein-before described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2. As a convenient means for obtaining more
leverage an ordinary sprocket or driving wheel I may be attached to the
outer end of the shaft C, and the hand chain or rope thereon guided and
kept in its place on the wheel by employing the Invention described in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me No. 1776, dated June
12th 1872, and consisting essentially of the radial vibrating arms J, J',
more particularly described in the Specification of the said Letters Patent
last-named.
Figure 16 represents a side view of my Invention applied to a pulley
block in an inverted position or placed on its side, or in such other
situation that the force of gravity cannot be relied upon to effect the
return of the eccentric lever to its normal horizontal position when the
latter is released according to my Invention by a hoisting pull upon the
rope or chain. A is the pulley frame; E the eccentric lever pivoted
upon a stud D, and when the said lever is disengaged in the manner
already described by a pull upon the cord tending to hoist the load, it
may be locked out of action and secured in its normal horizontal position
by the pall or dog K, which is pivoted by a stud L to the frame of the
pulley.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I
claim as my Invention of improvements in machinery or apparatus for
raising, lowering, and suspending weights or heavy bodies,―
First. Combining with a pulley an arm or lever jointed to the frame
of the pulley at a short distance below the centre of the said pulley, the
said arm or lever carrying a break block which when the said arm or
lever is in its lowest or normal position is out of action, and is brought
into its raised or acting position by inclining outwards and slightly
paying out the hauling side of the cord of the pulley, the said break
block when the said arm or lever is in its raised position pressing upon
the cord or the pulley, and arresting the motion of the said cord and
pulley substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings:
Secondly. The several arrangements or modifications of my Invention
hercin-before described and illustrated in Figures 3 to 16, both inclusive,
of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings:
Secondly. The several arrangements or modifications of my Invention
hercin-before described and illustrated in Figures 3 to 16, both inclusive,
of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Aldridge Weston, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
THOMAS ALDRIDGE WESTON. (L.S.)