AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MECHANISM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MOTION IN MACHINERY
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MECHANISM FOR
THE TRANSMISSION OF MOTION IN MACHINERY."-A communication from
ld be. Tonaria Mama Tuin Holman of Dania Dhanan
Sealed the 6th November 1874, and dated the 9th May 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 9th May 1874.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare tho
nature of the said, Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MECHANISM
FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MOTION IN MACHINERY," a communication, to be as
follows:-
.
My Invention relates to the transmission of motion, and is applicable
to all kinds of machines.

page_text: The said Invention is a practical application of the geometrical
principle relating to the segment, capable of a given angle, and it is
based upon the observation of one property of this principle. Figures 1,
2, 3, represent the three applications of this principle, according as the
inscribed angle is right, obtuse, or acute. The operation of the said
Invention is the same in the three cases; therefore in the following
description I will refer only to the case where the angle is a right
angle.
The observation that I have made is as follows:-The point E of
intersection, Figure 1, makes two turns around the point C as a centre,
while the sides A, B, E, and A, B, E, of the right angle E make one
turn around the points A, B, and A¹, B', as centres. Therefore the
angle E remains a right angle during the revolution around A, B, as a
centre. For demonstration I will suppose A', B', E, perpendicular to
the diameter A, B, A¹, B¹, the point E will therefore be found in A¹, B',
and when A', B', E, shall have traversed a quarter turn, and is blended
with the diameter, the point E will have traversed a half turn around C
as a centre, and will be found in A, B. .
Referring to Figure 4 two grooves can turn freely around the
points A, B, and A¹, B¹, as centres in placing them perpendicularly one
to the other. At their intersection a tongue E may be introduced,
which shall be common to the two grooves, and which prevents the
variation of the angle that they form.
In imparting a rotative movement to the one of the grooves the other
groove turns in the same direction and with the same velocity; and the
tongue E travels around a circumference, whose diameter is the distance
apart of the two axes of rotation of the grooves; but the angular
velocity of the centre E of the tongue is double the angular velocity of
the grooves. The entire working of the mechanism is based upon this
principle, and whatever may be the form of the parts employed it must
always be according to the application of the above principle.
It remains for me to demonstrate that the theoretical principle is
applicable to manufacturing purposes, which application is the object of
my said Invention.
In order that the said Invention may be the better understood, I have
given an example thereof in the accompanying Drawings, to which I
have already referred.

page_text: Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of this improved trans-
mission mechanism; Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line x, y,
Figure 5; Figure 7 is a horizontal section through the axes A, B, and
A¹, B¹, Figure 6.
Figures 8 to 19 shew different views of the parts of the mechanism.
In all of these Figures similar letters indicate the same parts.
and
The said mechanism is composed of a frame K, Figures 12, 12ª,
12b, carrying four plummer blocks cast with it, and designed for sup-
porting the axes A, B, and A¹, B', Figures 13 and 14, parallel and in
the same plane. The axis A, B, is the centre of rotation, C, Figure 1,
and the axis A¹, B', is the centre of rotation of the side A¹, B¹, E, of the
right angle, Figure 1. The axis A, B, carries a crank, whose radius is
the half of the distance apart of the two axes; this radius is the same
as the radius C, E, Figure 1. The crank pin fits with slight friction in
the tongue picce E, Figure 11. This tongue piece slides in the groove
of the piece O, Figure 8, and it has a channel perpendicular to the
direction of sliding movement. In this channel slides the rectangular
feather or guide of the driving disc or wheel D, Figure 10. This disc D
is fitted and keyed upon the shaft A', B'. The groove, Figure 8, and
the rectangular guide of the piece D form the two sides of the right
angle, Figure 1; and the tongue E by reason of its form maintains the
angle H formed by these two unvarying parts. The disc C turns in
the collar E, x, Figure 9, which is keyed upon the frame, and serves as
a support. The centre of the collar E, X, is the axis A, B, Figure 1.
If A, B, is the prolongation of one transmission, and A, B, that of
another, A', B¹, will make one turn while A, B, makes two. If the
rotative movement of A³, B', is uniform, that of A, B, will be also.
Whether the power is derived through A, B, or through A', B¹, the
working of the mechanism is the same.
In placing two sets of mechanism end for end I can multiply the
number of turns by four; with three, I multiply by eight, and so on. By.
placing some above the others and connecting them by belts or wheel
gearing the same results will be obtained.
In the two instances specified there is economy of metal, of space, of
workmanship, and friction when this mechanism is employed for trans-

page_text: apart of the two axes may be varied during the working of the machine,
to which the said Invention is applied.
The said Invention is therefore applicable to all machines which have
a crank that will fulfil the following conditions, viz:-1st, the crank
must make 2, 4, 8, or 16 turns while the machino makes one; 2nd, the
crank must be variable.
In varying the inclination of the grooves the centre of the cir-
cumference described by the point e may be still further displaced; and
the movement produced by the crank may be nullified by bringing the
axis & into projection with e.
The result of the foregoing will be facility of producing in a machino
a to-and-fro motion or a variable oscillating motion, or the rendering
intermittent the latter movement by bringing the axis & in face of e.
For example, this movement may be adapted to a forging machine, with
which the workman can vary the number of throws per minute at will
from 1 to 500, and independently for each speed he can vary the
height of the fall of the hammer from zero up to a certain number of
inches.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th November 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigus, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
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, .

page_text: exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MECHANISM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MOTION IN
MACHINERY," a communication to me from abroad by François Marie
Eugène Helmer, of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, 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 William Robert Lake, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
My Invention relates to the transmission of motion, and is applicable
to all kinds of machines.
The said Invention is a practical application of a geometrical principle
relating to a segment of a circle with an unvarying angle, and it is based
upon the observance of a property of this principle. Figures 1, 2, 3,
represent the three applications of this principle, according as the
inscribed angle is right, obtuse, or acute. The operation of the said
Invention is the same in the three cases; therefore in the following 2
description I will refer only to the case where the angle is a right
angle.
The observation that I have made is as follows:- -The point E of
intersection, Figure 1, makes two turns around the point C as a centre,
while the sides A, B, E, and A³, B', E, of the right angle E make one 3
turn around the points A, B, and A³, B₁, as centres. Therefore the
angle E must remain a right angle during the revolution around A, B,
as a centre. For demonstration I will suppose A¹, B¹, E, perpendicular
to the diameter A, B, A³, B¹, the point E will therefore be found in
A, B, and when A', B¹, E, shall have traversed a quarter turn, and 3
blends with the diameter, the point E will have traversed a half turn
around C as a centre, and will be found in A, B.

page_text: Referring to Figure 4 two grooves can turn freely around the
points A, B, and A¹, B¹, as centres in placing them perpendicularly one
to the other. I may introduce at their intersection a tongue E, which
shall be common to the two grooves, and which prevents the variation
of the angle that they form.
In imparting then a rotative movement to one of the grooves the
other groove turns in the same direction and with the same velocity, and
the tongue E travels around à circumference, whose diameter is the
distance apart of the two axes of rotation of the grooves; but the
angular velocity of the centre E of the tongue is double the angular
velocity of the grooves. The entire working of the mechanism is based
upon this principle, and whatever may be the form of the parts employed
it must always be according to the application of the above principle.
It remains for me to demonstrate that this theoretical principle is
capable of application to manufacturing purposes, which application is
the object of my said Invention.
In order that the said Invention may be the better understood, I have
given an example thereof in the accompanying Drawing, to which I
have already referred.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of this improved trans-
mission mechanism; Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line x, y,
Figure 5; Figure 7 is a horizontal section through the axes A, B, and
A¹, B¹, Figure 6.
Figures 8 to 19 shew different views of the parts of the mechanism.
In all of these Figures similar letters indicate the same parts.
The said mechanism is composed of a frame K, Figures 12, 12ª, and
12b, carrying four plummer blocks cast with it, and designed for sup-
porting the shafts A, B, and A³, B¹, Figures 13 and 14. The shaft A, B,
is the centre of rotation, corresponding with C, Figure 1, and the
shaft A', B', is the centre of rotation of the side A¹, B¹, E, of the right
angle, Figure 1. The shaft A, B, carries a crank, whose radius is the
half of the distance apart of the two axes; this radius is the same as
the radius C, E, Figure 1. The crank pin fits with slight friction in the
tongue piece E, Figure 11. This tongue piece slides in the groove of
the piece C, Figure 8, and it has a channel perpendicular to the direction

page_text: :
of its sliding movement. In this channel slides the rectangular feather
or guide of the driving disc or wheel D, Figure 10. This disc D is fitted
and keyed upon the shaft A¹, B¹. The groove, Figure 8, and the
rectangular guide of the piece D form the two sides of the right angle,
Figure 1, and the tongue E by reason of its form maintains the angle
made by these two unvarying parts. The disc C turns in the collar E, x,
Figure 9, which is keyed upon the frame, and serves as a support. The
centre of the collar E, x, is the axis A, B, Figure 1.
If A', B', is the prolongation of one transmission and A, B, that of
another, A', B', will make one turn while A, B, makes two. If the
rotative movement of A¹, B¹, is uniform that of A, B, will be uniform
also. Whether the power is derived through A, B, or through A¹, B¹,
the working of the mechanism is the same.
In placing two machines end for end the number of turns can be
multiplied by four; with three, it may be multiplied by cight, and so on.
By placing some above the others and connecting them by belts or
wheel gearing the same results will be obtained.
In the two instances specified there is economy of metal, of space, of
workmanship, and friction when this mechanism is employed for the
transmission of power in workshops, especially in cases whero large gear
wheels and pulleys are used.
.
The said Invention is applicable to hydraulic apparatus for transmitting.
the movement thereof to the interior of workshops. It may be applied
to the shafting of marine steam engines, and in all cases where it is
desirable to double the number of revolutions with exactitude and
without vibration.
I have represented in Figures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, a modification
of the said Invention for different applications, such modification being
equally derived from the theoretical principle upon which the said
Invention is based.
Figures 20, 21, 22, shew theorectical outlines of the movement; and
Figures 23, 24, 25, shew a longitudinal elevation partly in section, an
end view, and a plan of the transmission mechanism modified.
In all of these Figures similar letters indicate the same parts. .
The lines of the grooves a, b, are perpendicular one to the other.
intersecting tongue e slides at the same time in the two
grooves,
The
and as

page_text: it is rectangular it prevents any variation of the angle that they make
with each other. The axes of rotation d, e, of the two grooves are in
the same vertical plane. If the mechanism is turned the centre of tho
crank pin c will be under the same conditions as the point c of inter-
section, Figures 20, 21, 22. It will therefore describe a circumferenco,
and the radius of this circumference may be considered as a crank. The
axis d is movable vertically, and for this purpose it turns in a piece f,
which may be caused to rise or descend at will. The rod g serves for
fixing the piece fat any desired point. Whatever means may be adopted
for adjusting the axis & the movement will not be changed. Therefore
in raising or lowering the axis d the radius of the fictitious crank may
be varied, for the diameter of the circle described by the centre of the
crank pin c is equal to the distance apart of the two axes d, e, and
when the axis d is moved in the same direction as the axis e tho
radius will become null, because the distance apart of the axes will be
null.
It must be observed that as soon as the axis & recedes from e tho
crank pin c makes two turns while the axes d and e make one turn.
This mechanism therefore is the same as that above described, except
that one of the axes of the grooves is movable. By this means the
distance apart of the two axes may be varied during the working of tho
machine to which the said Invention is applied.
The said Invention is therefore applicable to all machines which have
a crank that will fulfil the following conditions, namely:-First, the
crank must make 2, 4, 8, or 16 turns while the machine makes one%;B
Second, the crank must be variable.
. In varying the inclination of the grooves the centre of the cir-
cumference described by the point C may be still further displaced, and
the movement produced by the crank may be nullified by bringing tho
axis & into projection with e.
The result of the foregoing will be facility of producing in a machine
a to-and-fro motion or a variable oscillating motion, or the rendering
intermittent the latter movement by bringing the axis d in face of c.
For example, this movement may be adapted to a forging machine, with
which the operator can vary the number of blows per minute at will
from 1 to 500, and independently for each speed he can vary the
height of the fall of the hammer from zero up to a certain number of
inches.

page_text: Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim, the transmission of motion by
two independent grooves perpendicular to each other, and united at
their points of intersection by a tongue, common to both, that prevents
any variation of the angle which they form in such a manner that one
of them receiving a rotative movement the other turns in the same
direction and with the same velocity, while the tongue travels over a
circumference whose diameter is the distance between the axes of the
grooves (not placed in face of each other), and with an angular velocity
double that of the grooves, the whole as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have herc-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
Witness,
JA". EDWARDS,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)