IMPROVEMENTS IN PILLARS AND APPARATUS FOR STRAINING WIRE
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Rowell, of the City and County of Aberdeen,
North Britain, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PILLARS AND APPARATUS FOR STRAINING WIRE."
Sealed the 16th December 1862, and dated the 12th September 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Rowell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
September 1862.
I, JOSEPH ROWELL, of the City and County of Aberdeen, North Britain,
Manufacturer, do hereby declaro the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PILLARS AND APPARATUS FOR STRAINING WIRE," to be as
follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of pillars or
standards suitable for straining or tightening wire cords or single strands of
wire as used for fencing and other generally similar purposes.
Under one modification, as applied to wire fencing, the improved straining
pillar consists of a hollow cast-iron pillar, by preference of a cylindrical figure,
but this may be varied according to taste. The pillar is cast with a cruciform.
foot, the diverging parts of which are formed with central vertical feathers to
keep keep the pillar firmly in the ground. Above the foot of the pillar there are
four diverging arms of an inverted T shape in their cross section, the vertical
webs of which are made with elliptical openings in them. These radial arms,
when the pillar is placed in position, have the earth rammed closely about

page_text: them, and when placed in mossy ground a piece of wood, iron, or other hold-
fast is passed through the apertures of two contiguous arms, and another
through the other arms, thus affording, with the broadly extending base of the
cruciform foot, an exceedingly secure hold on the soil. Where necessary,
the pillar is further steadied by means of a lateral diagonal stay, the upper end
of which is notched to fit a recess formed by a snug cast for the purpose on
the side of the pillar. The pillar may also be provided with brackets cast on
the opposite side to form the footstep and collar bearings for hanging a gate
to it; and further, it may have a slot formed in it to receive the latch of the
gate, so that it may answer the three purposes of a straining pillar, a gate
post, or as a shutting pillar for the gate to close against. The pillar is cast
hollow, and has rectangular openings formed in it one above another, through
which the several strands of the wire fencing are passed. At the sides of the
pillar, and in a line with the centre of these openings, bosses are formed to
receive a horizontal roller between each pair. These rollers are supported on
malleable iron spindles, which are passed through openings in the sides of the
pillar and through the tubular centres of the rollers. On one end of each
roller, and cast in one with it, is a worm wheel which is actuated by a cast-
iron worm lying upon it and arranged horizontally at right angles to the
barrel, thereby affording a horizontal strain. The actuating worm simply
rests upon the barrel, but it is prevented from rising out of its position by
snugs cast on the inside of the pillar and overhanging the cylindrical ends of
the worm. Immediately under the snugs apertures are formed in the pillar
in a line with a squared opening extending through the central part of each
With this arrangement a winch handle with a squared key may be
passed through the worm on either side of the pillar, and by turning the
handlo in either direction the wire is wound on or off the roller; prior to
winding the strand of wire is passed through an eye formed on the roller for
the purpose of holding it firmly. In this way the several strands of wire may
be readily tightened up or slackened from time to time as required, whilst the
arrangement of the rollers within the pillar prevents the wires or any of the
fittings from being tampered with. To admit of the wires being strained after
the fence is completed a squared key is used, which has connected to it or
formed a ball ratchet; this is actuated by a socket ratchet lever, so that a
rotatory motion is imparted to the rollers by a reciprocatory movement of the
hand lever, in lieu of the rotatory motion required for the winch handle. On
the side of the pillar opposite to the rectangular openings holes are formed in
pairs to serve as attachments for the wires which are to be carried in the
opposite direction or on to the next straining pillar.
worm.

page_text: In lieu of this arrangement a neat mode of attaching the wires is obtained
by having an elliptical opening formed in the pillar, through which a bolt
having an eye formed at its extremity is passed; the bolt is turned half round,
so as to bring the eye at right angles to the opening, and the wire is then
made fast to it. The metal of the pillar is made somewhat thicker round
these holes so as to afford ample strength to withstand the strain of the
several wires. A convenient and useful form of staple for the wooden posts
arranged between the straining apparatus and other generally similar purposes
is made by giving the wire a second twist, so as to form an eye at the end in
place of the simple curvature of the wire. This addition adds greatly to the
strength of the staple and prevents it being driven too far into the wood.
This arrangement of apparatus may be roadily modified to suit the purpose of
straining and tightening telegraph wires, also wires for actunting signals and
other generally similar purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Rowell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th March 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
ROWELL, of the City and County of Aberdeen, North Britain, Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Rowell, Her special license that I, the said Joseph Rowett,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph
Rowell, my executors, administrators, or 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 PILLARS AND,
APPARATUS FOR STRAINING WIRE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,.
the said Joseph Rowell, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in,
writing under my hand and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the samo to be

page_text: 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 Joseph Rowell, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of pillars or
standards suitable for straining or tightening wire, cords, or single strands of
wire as used for fencing, and other general similar purposes.
Under one modification as applied to wire fencing, the improved straining
pillar consists of a hollow cast-iron pillar, by preference of a cylindrical figure,
but this may be varied according to taste. The pillar is cast with a cruciform
foot, the diverging parts of which are formed with central vertical feathers to
keep the pillar firmly in the ground. Above the foot of the pillar there are
four diverging arms of an inverted T shape in their cross section, the vertical
webs of which are made with elliptical openings in them. These radial arms
when the pillar is placed in position, have the earth rammed closely about
them, and when placed in mossy ground a piece of wood, iron, or other
holdfast is passed through the apertures of two contiguous arms, and another
through the other arms, thus affording with the broadly extending base of the
cruciform foot an exceedingly secure hold on the soil. Where necessary, the
pillar is further steadied by means of a lateral diagonal stay, the upper end of
which is notched to fit a recess formed by a snug cast for the purpose on the
side of the pillar. The pillar may be also provided with brackets cast on the
opposite side to form the footstep and collar bearings for hanging a gate to it;
and further it may have a slot formed in it to receive the latch of the gate, so
that it may answer the three purposes of a straining pillar, a gate post, or
as a shutting pillar for the gate to close against. The pillar is cast hollow,
and has rectangular openings formed in it one above another, through which
the several strands of the wire fencing are passed. At the sides of the pillar,
and in a line with the centre of these openings, bosses are formed to receive a
horizontal roller between each pair. These rollers are supported on malleable
iron spindles, which are passed through openings in the sides of the pillar, and
through the tubular centres of the rollers. On one end of each roller, and
cast in one with it, is a worm wheel, which is actuated by a cast-iron worm
lying upon it, and arranged horizontally at right angles to the barrel, thereby
affording a horizontal strain. The actuating worm simply rests upon the
barrel, but it is prevented from raising out of its position by snugs cast on the

page_text: inside of the pillar, and overhang the cylindrical end of the worm. Imme-
diately under the snugs apertures are formed in the pillar in a line with a
square opening extending through the central part of each worm. With this
arrangement a winch bandle with a square key may be passed through tho
worm on either side of the pillar, and by turning the handle in either direction
the wire is wound on or off the roller. Prior to winding, the strand of wire
is passed through an eye formed on the roller for the purpose of holding it
firmly. In this way the several strands of wire may be readily tightened up
or slackened from time to time, as required, whilst the arrangement of the
rollers within the pillar prevents the wires or any other fittings from being
tampered with. To admit of the wires being strained after the fence is
completed, a squared key is used, which has connected to it, or formed on it,
a ball ratchet; this is actuated by a socket ratchet lever, so that a rotatory
motion is imparted to the rollers by a reciprocatory movement of the hand
lever in lieu of the rotatory motion required for the winch handle. On the
side of the pillar opposite to the rectangular openings holes are formed in pairs
to serve as attachments for the wires, which are to be carried in the opposite
direction or on to the next straining pillar. In lieu of this arrangement, a
neat mode of attaching the wires is obtained by having an elliptical opening
formed in the pillar, through which a bolt, having an eye formed at its
extremity is passed; the bolt is turned half round, so as to bring the eye at
right angles to the opening, and the wire is then made fast to it. The metal
of the pillar is made somewhat thicker round these holes, so as to afford ample
strength to withstand the strain of the several wires. A convenient and useful
form of staple for the wooden posts, arranged between the straining apparatus
and other generally similar purposes, is made by giving the wire a second
twist, so as to form an eye at the end in place of the simple curvature of the
wire. This addition adds greatly to the strength of the staple, and prevents it
being driven too far into the wood. This arrangement of apparatus may bo
readily modified to suit the purpose of straining and tightening telegraph
wires; also wires for actuating signals, and other generally similar purposes.
And in order that my said Invention of ") Improvements in Pillars and
Apparatus for Straining Wire" may be properly understood, I shall now
proceed to describe the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings
which I have hereunto appended, for the purpose of showing certain modifi-
cations under which my said Invention may be judiciously carried out in
practice, that is to say :-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a front view of one
modification of my improved pillar for straining wire; Figure 2 is a transverse

page_text: sectional plan of the same, taken on the line a, b, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side
elevation of the pillar, and Figure 4 is a back view of the same; Figure 5
is an elevation of the pillar, partially in section, and showing also another
modification of the base of the pillar; Figure 6 is a transverse sectional plan
corresponding to Figuro 5, and taken on the line c, d; Figures 7, 8, and 9,
are drawn to an enlarged scale, to show the details more clearly; they represent
respectively a transverse section of the pillar, showing the winding arrange-
ment in plan, a vertical section, showing the front view of the winding barrel,
and a corresponding section taken at right angles to Figure 8, looking on the
end of the winding barrel; Figure 10 is an elevation of my improved form of
ratchet key for actuating the winding barrels of the straining pillar, and
Figure 11 is an end view of the same; Figure 12 is a side view of one of my
improved attaching bolts to be used in conjunction with the pillar; and
Figure 13 represents a new form of staple for fixing to wooden posts, and
guiding the wire which forms the fence.
This form of the
Referring to Figures 1 to 9, which represent the several parts of the
straining pillar, the main portion of the pillar A, or that part which extends
above the ground is, by preference, cast of a hollow cylindrical form. The
base of this pillar at B is of a cruciform figure, in the centre of each arm is a
vertical fin or feather, which joins the column of the pillar.
base tends to give the pillar a very firm hold of the ground. The form of this
part of the pillar may, however, be variously modified, one example of which
is shown in dotted lines marked C, at the lower part of Figure 1, and also in
Figure 2. In this modification deep vertical feathers extend outwards from
the pillar to the extremities of the foot, and terminate in a flat plate, as shown
at D. This form of the base is arranged so as to offer an immense amount of
resistance to any lateral strain on the upper part of the pillar. Above the foot
Bithe pillar has cast on it four diverging brackets, which are cast in one with
and so serve to strengthen the arms E. These laterally diverging arms are of
an inverted T-shape in transverse section, and their arrangement causes them
to give great stiffness to the pillar when the carth is properly rammed down
between the diverging parts.
A further modification for attaining extreme stiffness and rigidity is shown
in dotted lines in Figures 5 and 6, bere the vertical feathers C', and terminal
end plates D', are continued from the base B, extend upwards, and unite with
the diverging arms E. This arrangement adds greatly to the strength of the
base, and affords an exceedingly secure hold of the ground when the earth is
rammed in between the open parts of the diverging arms. When the pillar
has to be fixed in boggy ground, or in soil of a loose and yielding nature, an

page_text: additional hold is obtained by passing a long piece of wood or iron through
the openings F, and upon the soil being pressed down upon these broadly
extending holdfasts, a very secure fixture of the pillar is obtained. In those
cases where the lateral strain on the pillar A is all in one direction, a diagonal
stay is used to resist the inequality of the strain. A socket is cast on the
pillar A, as shown at G, and a stay of a suitable length, and by preference
formed of iron, is thrust into the ground, its upper end, which is notched for
the purpose, is passed under the overhanging edge of the socket G. In this
way the pillar is firmly and effectually stayed without requiring the use of any
supplementary fastenings. In lieu of this arrangement the socket for the stay
may be cast on the inside of the pillar A, and the upper end of the stay being
simply pointed to enter the socket. The pillar A is also made to answer the
purpose of a gate post, either for hanging the gate to it, or as a shutting
pillar for the gate to close against. This is done by casting on the pillar the
pivot H to receive the lower part of the gate, and at the upper part of the
pillar is a bracket I, which is hollowed to receive the journal of the gate.
The shutting pillar is formed with a slot in it at the central part to receive the
latch of the gate when closed. Instead of casting the parts H and I on the
pillar A, they may be made separately, and affixed to the pillar. One mode
of doing this is by forming two holes in the pillar opposite to each other, and in
a line with the direction of the gate when shut; through these holes is pasesd
a wrought-iron screw bolt, which is firmly fixed to the pillar A. The opposite
end of this bolt is shaped to form a pivot, to receive the socket on the lower
part of the gate, and on which it turns. For the socket to receive the journal
of the gate a hole is formed in the pillar in a line with the gate, a socket-
piece suitable for the journal of the gate is formed with a hole at the opposite
extremity; this part of the socket-piece is passed into the hole in the pillar,
and through two holes at right angles thereto is passed a screw bolt, which
also goes through the bolt hole in the end of the socket-piece; the bolt is
fixed by its nut, and the socket-piece is thus secured firmly.
I will now explain the application of these pillars for straining wire fencing.
In front of the pillar are cast a number of openings J, which may be more or
less numerous, according to the number of wires to be strained ; theso
openings are of a rectangular or other suitable form. Two small brackets
or bosses K are cast on the inside of the pillar A; these overhanging brackets
are recessed in an upward direction to receive the journals of the worm L, and
prevent its shifting upwards. A square aperture M is formed right through
the centre of the worm L, and this aperture when the parts are arranged is
opposite two holes N cast in the pillar A, and serving to admit the key for

page_text: actuating the worm L. The winding barrel consists of a small cast-iron
cylinder O, the journals of which are supported in tubular bosses cast in the
pillar A. At one end of the barrel O is a worm wheel P, which is actuated
by and serves to support the worm L. The barrel O has formed on it just
inside the worm wheel P two or other number of eyes Q, to receive the end of
the wire to be strained. The end of the wire is passed into one of these eyes,
and a winch handle key of a square figure to correspond to the aperture in
the worm L is passed through it. The rotatory motion of the worm actuates
the wheel P, which causes the wire to be wound on the barrel M. In this
way any degree of tightness may be given to the wire, and it may be tightened
up or slackened out from time to time with the utmost facility, the peculiar
arrangement of the worm and worm wheel preventing any slackness arising
from unwinding.
In Figures 10 and 11 are shown an improved form of ratchet key for
winding up the wire in positions where a complete revolution of the handle
cannot be obtained. It consists of the winch handle R, the lower part of
which is recessed in the centre, and bored to receive the squared key S, and
this is tightened up by the nut T. On the spindle of the key is fitted the
ratchet wheel U, into the teeth of which the spring V falls. This arrange-
ment of the key admits of the wire being strained by the reciprocatory S
movement of the winch handle R, it is, therefore, specially useful in cases
where the wires from the straining pillar extends laterally in both directions,
and thus prevent the complete revolution of the ordinary key. The straining
pillar is also adapted for receiving the attaching bolts for holding the ends of
the wires that are to be strained by another pillar at a distance. A vertical
rib is formed on the back of the pillar A, and in this small openings W are
formed; these openings are of an elliptical or oblong formn, to admit of the
passing of the eyes of the retaining bolt through them. The retaining bolt is
shown separately iu Figure 12, it consists of a large flattened head X, from
the centre of which extends the stem of the eye Y. This eye is passed
through one of the openings W from the inside of the pillar A, being held in
the position shown in Figure 12; the eye is then turned partly round, so as to
lie horizontally, and in this position it cannot be withdrawn in either direction.
The end of the wire is fastened to the projecting eye, and a perfectly secure
fastening is thus obtained.
In Figure 18 is shown an improved form of staple for driving into the
wooden posts used for supporting and stiffening wire fencing. The improved
staple is formed with an eye, as shown at Z; this is obtained by giving the
wire a second twist at the loop, and thus forming a complete eye in place of a
E

page_text: simple curvature, as in the ordinary staples. The advantage of this modo
are, that these staples cannot possibly be driven in too far, and thus the wire
is never clipped or compressed by the staple, so as to interfere with its being
kept in a proper state of tension by means of the straining pillars. This mode
of making them also greatly increases the strength of the staples, so that they
are not by any means so liable to be broken either in driving or removing
them, and thus they become more economical in use. With these several
improvements the operation of straining wire and forming fences is greatly
facilitated, and the fence is rendered more efficient in use. The apparatus
may also with trifling modification be rendered available for straining wire
used for other purpose than that of fencing.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion, that what I consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts
forming the straining pillar or apparatus for giving tension to wire, as herein-
before described and delineated in Figures 1 to 9 in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere modification of the said arrangement.
Second, the general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts
forming the ratchet key, for actuating the moving parts of the straining
pillar, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Third, the form and arrangement of the retaining bolt for attaching the
ends of wires to the straining pillar, and also the staple, both of which are
herein-before described and shown in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Rowell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of March, One thousand eight hundred