Improvements relating to Cable Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov.,
1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Cable Railways.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN of the firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., the General
Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from abroad
by Theodor Otto, of Schkeuditz, in the Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer) 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 frictional rope gripping apparatus for cable railways and
to the cable which is provided with means for engaging the cars and drawing them
along.
The gripping apparatus comprises a vertically fixed jaw and a loose jaw which are
made to grip the cable by the action of an eccentric lever which forces the loose jaw
against the cable driven by pulleys. Or a similar result can be obtained by fixing the
jaws on oscillating levers having their fulcrums arranged in such a manner that the
jaws are widest apart when the levers are in the middle position, but grip the cable
when the lever is moved to either side Or one of the two jaws or both jaws at once
may be moved by an eccentric thumb piece which turns on the eccentric pin of a
crank transmitter.
The means with which the cable is provided for engaging the cars consists of a
padding and a central core with wings the ends of which protrude from the cable
where they are strengthened so as to allow of dispensing with an extra covering ring
for the wings.
In order to enable the invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can
be carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1 to 5 are front and sectional views of a frictional rope gripping apparatus
constructed according to this invention.
Figures 6 to 17 are views illustrating a modified arrangement, and
Figures 18 to 20 are views illustrating a further modification.
Figures 21 to 24 are views illustrating my improvements in the cable.
I will first describe my invention by reference to Figures 1 to 5.
The fixed jaw k connected to the cross piece T of the suspension bar of the car
is provided with an eye B which receives a pin C which carries the supporting
roller F for the cable x on its cylindrical part and the loose jaw K¹ on its angular
part.
The pin C is formed with an eye G through which is passed a stud H which
secures the lever J formed with a forked eccentric K which embraces both sides of
the eye G so as to press on the surface L of the jaw K. As will be seen by reference
to Figure 2 the faces of the jaws K and K' between which the cable x passes are made
parallel and wavy in order that the latter shall assume a corresponding curved form
when the lever is brought from the dotted position shewn in Figure 2 into the
position shewn by the full lines thereby causing the jaw K¹ to move towards the fixed
jaw K.
By the curved or wavy form of the faces of the jaws great friction is obtained which
can be still further increased according to the gradient of the cable or to the weight of
the car by increasing the number of the undulations on the said faces as shewn in
Figure 5. It is impossible for the gripping apparatus to become loose as the eccentric
eyes K of the lever J when the cable is gripped are brought past the dead point. If,
on the other hand the lever J be moved from the position shown in full lines into the
dotted position it will bear against the curved projections E of the jaw K¹ and remove
the latter from contact with the cable. The loose jaw K³ is still further guided by the
bolts M connected to the fixed jaw K a shoulder N on the bolts receives the back

page_text: pressure resulting from the coupling. The bolts can be adjusted in the fixed jaw K to
compensate for the wear of the jaws.
This form of gripping apparatus allows the coupling to be quickly and securely
effected whatever may be the gradient of the cable railway.
When the eccentric lever J is placed in the dotted position shown in Figure 2 to
uncouple the car the cable has ample space to pass freely and without friction
between the jaws.
Figures 6 to 9 illustrate a modified form of the apparatus.
In all the figures the cable is lettered and the jaws on each side of the cable are
lettered k k¹ and are actuated by levers a and b which turn on the points o o'; by
operating the said levers the jaws k and k¹ are caused to describe arcs of circles 1, 1
and 2, 2.
The middle or operating position of the levers a and b are indicated by the centre
line o o¹ which as a rule are perpendicular to the direction of the cable but for the
sake of clearness they are shown in Figures 6 and 7 side by side instead of covering
one another.
In this position the two jaws are farthest apart.
In order that the arcs 1, 1 and 2, 2 shall intersect each other as before mentioned,
in cases where the points o and o¹ are on the same side of the cable x as in Figures
and 7, the levers a and b must be of different lengths which is not necessary when the
points o and o¹ are on opposite sides of the cable as in Figure 8. When both the
levers are swung in the direction of the movement of the cable x, Figure 6, from their
middle position as indicated by the arrows the two jaws k, kare brought closer
together. If there were no cable between the jaws k, k¹ the two levers would move
until the two jaws came into contact as shewn by the dotted lines, the jaws k, k¹ are
therefore movable on the levers a, b at the point 3 on the right hand side of the central
line where the two arcs intersect. As the cable between the jaws will not allow the
levers a, 6 to move into their extreme position they will come to rest before; and it is
clear that the drawing action of the cable has a tendency to bring the jaws k, k' closer
together, so that in determining the right length of the levers the jaws must be
arranged to press against the cable with sufficient force to form a secure grip. An
increase in the pull of the cable or the resistance of the car will cause a simultaneous
increase of pressure of the jaws upon the cable. As the arcs 1, 1 and 2, 2 also inter-
sect at the point 31 on the left hand side of the central line o, o' it will be clear that
the levers a, b will also act when the cable is running in the opposite direction and
will similarly form a coupling between the cable and the car. The coupling is therefore
double acting.
In order to start the movement of the levers a, b it is preferable to make use of the
friction of the cable against the jaws. For this purpose one of the two pivot points o, o¹
can be made to move in the direction of the central line. The distance between o
and o¹ being thereby shortened causes the coupling of the car to be effected while if
the distance be lengthened it will tend to uncouple the car as will be hereinafter more
fully explained.
The levers a, b by their gravity which may be increased by the use of springs are
caused to return at once to their middle position after the car has been uncoupled.
The gripping apparatus illustrated in Figure 7 differs from that shewn in Figure 6
only in having the pivoting points of the levers o, o' underneath the cable x-
In Figure 8 the two points o, o¹ are on opposite sides of the cable x.
If it be assumed that one of the levers (a for example), is lengthened to an indefinite
extent the movement of the jaws would become almost a linear movement, that is to
say, the are 1, 1 would become practically a straight line, as shown in Figure 9. The
straight line 1, 1 in this case would be intersected by the arc 2, 2 and the coupling
would be effected in both directions of motion of the cable.
As it is only necessary to consider the relative movements of the cable and the jaws
a similar result would be attained if the jaws k were immovable.
Figures 10 to 13 illustrate a practical example of a coupling or gripping apparatus
constructed according to the diagram Figure 6, Figure 10 being a front elevation,

page_text: Figure 11 a side elevation, and Figure 12 a vertical section thereof, while Figure 13
is a plan view partly in section of the jaw of the lever b. The two levers a and b are
secured by means of the pins h and g into the body m which is fixed to the cross-bar A
of the car.
The pin his formed into an eccentric and can be turned by means of the
lever i so that the axis of the lever a can be lifted or lowered as illustrated in Figure 11.
The jaw k is rigidly fixed on the lever a while the jaw is made to turn to a certain
extent on, and is connected with, the lever b. The middle part of the jaw k¹ forms the
actual frictional bearing surface; at both ends of the jaws are rollers which can
turn on the pin e and are intended to carry the cable when the car is uncoupled.
The jaw is, by means of a screw-bolt s, fixed on the square d' of a pin d which is
free to turn in the lever b, and the jaw can be adjusted by means of packing q
Figures 10 and 12. The rear end of the pin d is slotted to receive an arc-shaped
spring p, the ends of which bear on the lower surface of the body or plate
which spring has a tendency to keep the jaw k¹ and the lever b in the middle position.
To make the lever a follow the lever when the spring p, for instance, comes into
effect the lever a is made to enclose the bolt d in a slotted bearing a¹.
20
m and
In their loosened or free condition the two levers a, b take the position shewn in
Figure 11 wherein the jaw k is represented as having moved so far from the jaw k¹ as
to allow the cable to run freely over the rollers f. If now the lever i be brought into
the dotted position Figure 11 whereby the jaw k is lowered on to the cable Figure 12,
it follows that either direction of motion of the cable will cause the lever to swing in
a corresponding direction and thereby effect a coupling between the car in the cable.
In order to ensure the lever i remaining in the position shewn in Figure 12 its
handle may form a weight or it may be fitted with any suitable stop arrangement
which will keep the lever i in its middle position.
The grip of the apparatus is released by causing the handle 7 of the lever i to run
over a curved bar y Figure 11 whereby the lever is caused to turn far enough to lift
the jaw k clear of the cable.
The oscillating jaw may be adapted to the lever a in the arrangement shewn in the
diagrammatical view Figure 7.
Figures 14 and 15 shew a practical form of grip or coupling made according to the
diagrammatical view Figure 8. The jaw k is here pivoted by the pin c to the lever a,
while the jaw k is suspended by two bars 6 pivoted at n, so that the jaw k¹ is
caused to move parallel and any point of its gripping surface describes an arc of a
circle. The lever a can turn on the eccentric part of the lever i Figure 15, the pivot
pin of which is adjusted by means of packing 9 in the body m which carries the
guide pulleys f
In the position in which the lever i is shewn the pull of the cable in either
direction will cause the levers a, b to swing round and the gripping surfaces of the
jaws k, k will press on the cable to a greater or less extent according to the
strength of the pull. The lever i can be kept in position by means of a pawl or a
spring. In order to uncouple the car the lever is turned round as before described.
The coupling shewn in Figures 16 and 17 is adapted for cable railways with slight
gradients and corresponds to the diagrammatical view Figure 9. The jaw k¹ is rigid
on the body m and the jaw k with its lever a can swing to and fro.
In the modification represented in Figures 18 to 20 a quadrant-shaped plate a is
employed having an eccentric gripping surface pand turning on the eccentric pivot i¹ of
the lever i. The latter is pivoted at c while another quadrant-shaped plate 6 is pivoted
on the pin d. Both pins c and d are fixed to the same plate m. The latter by means
of a pine is mounted in the bearing f which is attached to the channel iron A of the
suspension-bar of the car in such a manner that the whole apparatus is enabled to start
automatically in whichever direction the cable & may be running and the latter is
prevented from receiving any permanent flexure even upon steep gradients.
b
The upper plate a presses with its eccentric surface p, p on the upper gripping-
jaw k, while the lower plate 6 presses with its surface p₁, pl on the lower gripping-
jaw . The surface p₁, p' can be either eccentric or concentric. If the coupling is

page_text: required to act in both directions it will be necessary to make the ends of the
surfaces p, p and p², p' further distant from the centre from which they are struck
than from the pivoting point of the plates. Both jaws k and k' are loosely in contact
with the plates a and b and are kept always parallel by means of pins n and n'. For
this purpose the lower jaw k¹ is provided with an upwardly extending guide-plate r
between m and a in a vertical slot of which the pin n of the upper jaw, Figure 20,
can move, two guide-pins are also provided on the upper jaw k and work in vertical
slots g. The pins n and n¹ of the plates a and b have sufficient vertical movement in
slots made in the jaws k and k¹ to allow the eccentric surfaces p, p', when moved by
the pull of the cable located between the jaws k, k¹, to press the two jaws against
the cable without being hindered by the two pins.
The opening and closing of the two jaws k and k¹ to couple and uncouple the car is
effected by the eccentric portion of the lever i when the latter is turned by means
. of its handle l. The gripping apparatus is released by passing the handle over the
curved bar y, and by slipping off the said bar y the lever is caused to fall and the
apparatus is placed in its operative position. The cable is then gripped between
the jaws k, which follow the least movement of the cable and turn the
plates a and b. When the eccentric surfaces roll on the back of the jaws the cable
will be more firmly gripped as the resistance of the car increases.
f
The gripping apparatus can be further modified by providing the lower plate with
the eccentric the upper plate working concentrically.
Figures 21 to 24 shew the arrangement of the starting piece.
The radial twisted wings S of the core c of the starting piece, Figures 21ª and 22ª,
protrude from between the strands of the cable and are strengthened at the outer ends,
Figure 21*, so as to enable them to transmit the pull of the cable, Figure 21, to the
car. The covering of the starting piece with a special ring is thereby rendered
unnecessary. Moreover the wings serve to protect the strands of the cable in passing
over the pulleys.
The core c may have an axial hole i, Figures 23 and 24, in which is fastened a
strand of suitable length either by riveting, screwing, soldering or the like. In
order to fasten the starting piece and the strand r to the cable the latter is untwisted
and part of the inner hempen core of the cable equal in length to the strand r is cut
away to make room for the latter. In this arrangement the starting piece is kept
..securely in its place by means of the pressure which the strand r receives from the
strands of the cable when the latter is at work.
t.
The starting piece is fastened in the draught or hauling rope, as described. The
latter runs underneath the supporting or carrying rope, upon which the car is mounted.
The starting piece of the hauling rope is, when requiring to start the car at a station,
brought between catches which aro pivoted on a part of the car. On the arrival of
the car at a station the said catches, which are in engagement with the hauling rope,
are lifted, thereby leaving the starting piece free to move away without the car as is
the case with the friction gripper.
One advantage of this form of starting piece is that the cable can be examined
easily from all sides and the soldering of the piece on to the cable is unnecessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A gripping apparatus or coupling for cable railways in which the cable x is
gripped between a vertical rigid jaw k, and a jaw k¹ which is actuated by means of an
eccentric lever whereby the jaw k is moved horizontally towards the jaw k, both jaws
being formed with gripping surfaces, and a roller F for supporting the cable being
arranged between the said jaws.
2. An automatic double acting friction gripping apparatus or coupling for cable
railways in which the gripping jaws k, k between which the cable passes, are
'connected to swinging levers a, b, the axes of which are arranged in such a manner

page_text: that the gripping surfaces are farthest apart in the middle position of the levers but
come closer together and grip the cable when the levers swing in either direction as
illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The modified arrangement of coupling in which one of the jaws has a linear
movement or is made rigid as herein before described with reference to Figure 9 of
the
accompanying drawings.
4. A friction gripping apparatus or coupling for cable railways in which the axial
point of one of the levers is adjustable by means of eccentrics so that the gripping
jaws k, k¹ can be brought close enough to automatically cause the swinging of the
levers through the pull of the cable.
5. Forming the gripping-jaw k¹, Figures 10 to 12, of the coupling referred to in
claim 1, so that it can oscillate and providing it with two supporting rollers f for the
cable, the axial pin d of the jaw being regulated by a spring p in such a manner that
the jaw has always a tendency to maintain its middle position in combination with the
arrangement of slotted extension a' in which the pin d is located and which causes
the movement of the two levers a, b to be dependent on one another.
6. Suspending one of the jaws k¹, Figures 14 and 15, of the gripping apparatus or
coupling claimed in claim 1 on two bars b, for the purpose of allowing the jaws to
move parallel in combination with the pivoted arrangement of the other jaw k on
the lever a.
7. An automatic gripping apparatus or coupling for cable railways having an
eccentric plate a or b for actuating a gripping jaw or and which is pivoted on an
eccentric portion of the lever i so as to grip direct and without the intervention of
other mechanism in combination with the other plate b, or a which is pivoted on a
fixed pin and may be eccentric or not and is provided with jaws k, or k¹ which are
guided in a guide-plater actuated by pins n and n from the jaws k, and k¹ as
herein before described with reference to Figures 18 to 20 of the accompanying
drawings.
8. In cables for cable railways a starting piece having wings S formed integral
with a core, the ends of the wings protruding from the cable x being strengthened
whereby a covering ring for the starting piece is rendered unnecessary.
9. In combination with a starting piece for cables provided with wings S, the
arrangement of strand or core embedded in the cable and forming a connection between
the starting piece and the cable.
Dated the 23rd day of July 1800
.G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.