IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFTING OR TRANSPORTING HEAVY BODIES."
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LIFTING OR TRANSPORTING HEAVY BODIES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robertson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
March 1854.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LIFTING OR TRANSPORTING HEAVY BODIES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to various arrangements of mechanical apparatus to
be used for the general purposes of cranes, or for moving and lifting heavy
bodies in various situations. The essential feature of the contrivances is the
use of a working cylinder of the pendulous kind, fitted with a piston to be
actuated by water, steam, or air pressure. For example: in a warehouse or
workshop the working cylinder may be slung or suspended in an inverted
position from any convenient overhead beam by a rope, link, or joint attached
at its closed end. In this way the piston rod works through a stuffing box at
the lower end of the cylinder, and the projecting end of the rod carries a hook
or other connection for attachment to the actual hauling chain. The actu-
ating fluid is conveyed into the cylinder by a flexible pipe, so that the
vibration of the cylinder cannot affect the pressure flow. By attaching a
suitable valve to the working cylinder the pressure fluid may be directed is
either side of the piston, so that the upper end of the cylinder answers as

page_text: a convenient reservoir for the fluid. The fluid pressure may be obtained from
various sources, as from natural head columns or from pumping apparatus;
and in using pumps, these details may be either at a distance from or attached
to the side of the working cylinder. Where long strokes or lifts are required,
this may either be effected by suitable pulley or lever arrangements in con-
nection with the working piston rod, or by the adoption of a telescopic
arrangement of the working cylinder, one cylinder being placed inside the
other, the traversing cylinder inside the external one being formed to work
as a piston, this internal cylinder again having a piston within it, so that a
long stroke is obtainable from this duplex action; and instead of one cylinder
only as the lifting movement, two or more may be suspended side by side.
Travelling cranes may also be constructed on this principle; the working
cylinder in such case being disposed horizontally upon the cross beam of the
crane framing, being immediately supported by a traversing carriage, so that
the lifting apparatus can be run back and forward at will to suit the require-
ments of the time, whilst the travelling frame itself further adds to this p
power of
removal; such a carriage may also have upon it the actuating pump. Instead
of disposing the cylinder upon a travelling carriage, it may be simply slung
from the framing of the travelling crane. The horizontal beam of the crane
traverses by end pulleys upon a species of hanger or channel rail, and instead
of suspending the working cylinder of any of these arrangements, the piston
rod may form the means of suspension, whilst the cylinder travels and gives
the lifting movement.. In such hoisting apparatus, the stop valve of the lifting
cylinder, by holding the fluid column, acts as a certain holder of any weight
which
the crane.
may be upon
Such cranes are made to indicate the weight
upon them by attaching to the main working cylinder a smaller cylinder, bored
to two slightly different diameters. A single piston rod has upon it two
pistons, one for each of these two diameters; and the working fluid from the
main cylinder has access to the space included between these two pistons.
The difference in the area of the pistons being extremely slight, the larger
piston is caused to traverse in proportion to its superiority of area against the
resistance of a spring fastened to the piston rod. This rod carries an index
bearing upon a graduated scale, and the suspended weight is thus at once
pointed out. The working cylinders may be slung from their centres or
from any other part, instead of from the extreme end. In jib cranes, the
lifting cylinder may be attached to the jib with a chain from the piston
passing over the jib pulley in the usual way; and where moveable derricks
are used, a second cylinder may be fitted up upon the main pillar or elsewhere,
for hauling in the suspending chain of the derrick.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th September 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty. Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Robertson, Her special license that I, the said James Robertson,
my executors, adininistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Robertson, 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 LIFTING OR
TRANSPORTING HEAVY BODIES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I; the
said James Robertson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
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 James Robertson, do hereby declare the
nature of my 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 Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to various arrangements of mechanical apparatus
to be used for the general purposes of cranes, or for moving and lifting heavy
bodies in various situations. The essential feature of the contrivances is the
use of a working cylinder of the pendulous kind, fitted with a piston to be
actuated by water pressure. For example in a warehouse or workshop the
working cylinder may be slung or suspended in an inverted position from any
convenient over-head beam by a rope, link, or joint attached at its closed end.
In this way the piston rod works through a stuffing box at the lower end of the
cylinder, and the projecting end of the rod carries a hook or other connection
for attachment to the actual hanking chain. The actuating fluid is conveyed

page_text: into the cylinder by a flexible pipe, so that the vibration of the cylinder cannot
affect the pressure flow. By attaching a suitable valve to the working cylinder
the pressure fluid may be directed to either side of the piston, so that the
upper end of the cylinder answers as a convenient reservoir for the fluid. The
fluid pressure may be obtained from various sources, as from natural head
columns or from pumping apparatus; and in using pumps, these details may
be either at a distance from or attached to the side of the working cylinder.
Where long strokes or lifts are required, this may either be effected by suitable
pulley or lever arrangements in connection with the working piston rod, or by
the adoption of a telescopic arrangement of the working cylinder; one cylinder
being placed inside the other, the traversing cylinder inside the external
one being formed to work as a piston; this internal cylinder again having
a piston within it, so that a long stroke is obtainable from this duplex action;
and instead of using one cylinder only as the lifting movement, two or more
may be suspended side by side. Travelling cranes may also be constructed on
this principle, the working cylinder in such case being disposed horizontally
upon the cross beam of the crane framing, being immediately supported by
a traversing carriage, so that the lifting apparatus can be run back or forward
at will to suit the requirements of the time, whilst the travelling frame itself
further adds to this power of removal; such a carriage may also have upon it
the actuating pump. Instead of disposing the cylinder upon a travelling
carriage, it may be simply slung from the framing of the travelling crane.
The horizontal beam of the crane traverses by end pulleys upon a species of
hanger or channel rail, and instead of suspending the working cylinder of any
of these arrangements, the piston rod may form the means of suspension,
whilst the cylinder travels and gives the lifting movement.
In such hoisting
apparatus, the stop valve of the lifting cylinder, by holding the fluid column,
acts as a certain holder of any weight which may be upon the crane.
cranes are made to indicate the weight upon them by attaching to the main
working cylinder a smaller cylinder, bored to two slightly different diameters.
A single piston rod has upon it two pistons, one for each of these two diameters,
and the working fluid from the main cylinder has access to the space included
between these two pistons. The difference in the area of the pistons being
extremely slight, the larger piston is caused to traverse in proportion to its
superiority of area against the resistance of a spring fastened to the piston
rod. This rod carries an index bearing upon a graduated scale, and the sus-
pended weight is thus at once pointed out. The working cylinders may
be slung from their centres or from any other part, instead of from their
extreme end.
In jib cranes, the lifting cylinder may be attached to the
Such

page_text: jib with a chain from the piston passing over the jib pulley in the usual
way; and where moveable derricks are used, a second cylinder may be
fitted up upon the main pillar or elsewhere, for hauling in the suspending
chain of the derrick. And in order that my said Invention may be pro-
perly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the several figures on the
Sheets of Drawings hereunto attached.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings is a partially sectional elevation of
one modification of my pendulous lifting or hoisting cylinder as slung by ropes
from an over-head beam, the actuating pump, working lever, and all con-
nections being fixed outside the cylinder. Figure 2 is a transverse section
of this pendulous cylinder, taken through the valvular connections. The cast
iron cylinder A is bored truly from end to end; loose covers being bolted on
each end; the upper, solid, or blank cover having in it a suspension eye B,
through which a rope is passed to sling the whole apparatus from the over-head
beam C. The cylinder is fitted with a solid piston D, made to work perfectly
tight by the aid of a cup leather attached to the lower side of the piston. The
piston is forged in one solid piece with its rod E, which works out through
stuffing box in the bottom end cover of the cylinder, being formed with a
terminal lifting hook F. The actuating pump for injecting the water into
the lifting cylinder is at G, inside the projecting duplex-armed bracket
piece H.
From the bottom of this pump barrel a wrought iron tube I
passes downwards and opens into the cylinder A at the bottom J, so that
water can flow into the cylinder beneath the piston, in whatever position the
piston may be. A second tube K is also fitted up parallel with the cylinder,
to conduct the water from the exhaust end of the cylinder for the time being;
this tube K. being made to open a communication between the two ends of the
cylinder, a side branch L being fitted up to conduct the water by the tube K
from the top of the lifting cylinder to the suction or inlet valve of the pump.
The tube K has also upon it a stop-cock M for the regulation of the
exhaustion escape, affording the means of securing the piston with its load
in any position, or of setting the descent of the piston to any given rate. A
length of flexible tube is carried down inside the main cylinder from the
part N, so as to reach to the fluid and keep up a continuity of flow when the
water level falls lower than the point N. The actuating pump is worked by
the lever O working upon an adjustable stud centre P in the bracket H, and
balanced by a weight Q on its shorter arm. This lever is linked at R to the
piston rod of the pump, the upper end of which is prolonged to work through
a. guide eye in the bracket piece above it. The lever works clear of the
cylinder, by being formed with an open frame piece embracing the cylinder;

page_text: it terminates with an eye, to which is attached a rope T, descending to the hand
of the attendant who is to work the apparatus. In primarily putting this
lifting apparatus in operation, the piston is pushed to the top of its cylinder,
and water is then poured into the top of the cylinder through a small hole in
the top cover. The fluid so supplied descends through the external tube K,
passes through the opened stop-cock M; and enters the lower end of the
cylinder; so that in this way the cylinder is entirely filled with water on both
sides of the piston, and the piston can then be drawn down to any desired
position and left standing there. When the load to be raised is attached. to
the hook F the stop-cock M is closed, and the pump is then worked by
drawing down the rope T, the counterweight Q constantly re-elevating the
pump piston; in this way more or less water is pumped into the cylinder A
beneath its piston, until the weight or load is raised to the necessary height.
In the present example three different speeds are obtainable by shifting the
fulcrum stud pin of the lever O. This arrangement of lifter is not given as
the best possible plan. The actuating pump might be advantageously placed
inside the main cylinder, across the top, beneath the cover; and in cases
where the point of suspension is not too high, the lever handle of the
pump may be made to extend downwards to the hand direct, so as to render
the rope and balance weight unnecessary. It is to be observed, that in this
apparatus the inert end of the main cylinder, or that end which is free from
the effect of the lifting pressure, is made to answer as the reservoir for con-
taining the actuating water, the working supply being always drawn from the
inert reservoir side as it is wanted.
Figure 3 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings is a vertical longitudinal section of a
similar arrangement of lifting cylinder, but denuded of its actuating pump
and detailed connections. In this example a flexible or jointed tube A is
employed for the conveyance of the actuating water from the pump, store,
cylinder, or reservoir. This pipe is slung or connected to the lifting cylinder
in any convenient manner, its end being made to open into the bottom end of
the cylinder at B, beneath the piston. The regulation of the liquid flow is
accomplished by a stop-cock placed in the line of the supplying pipe, so that
the ascent and descent of the piston and its fixture at any desired height may
be easily managed.
Figure 4 on the same Sheet of Drawings is a sectional elevation of my
duplex action or telescopic lifter, as contrived for securing an increased length
of lift with a given-length of cylinder.
Figure 5 is a horizontal transverse section of the arrangement taken
through, the two cylinders. The main' cylinder A of enlarged diameter is

page_text: fitted with a piston B, having a rod C of large diameter working through a
bottom stuffing box D in the cylinder. This large rod C is bored out to form
a secondary working cylinder, as at E, for the reception of the smaller
secondary action piston F. This latter piston is forged in a solid piece with
the solid central rod G, which passes through the outer tubular rod C, and
works out through a stuffing box H in the outer end of this rod; it is to
the extreme projecting end of the solid rod G that the lifting hook I is
attached. A small hole is bored through the top of the cover of the outer
cylinder A, and another through the inner cylinder cover or piston B, to allow
of the passage off of any air or water which may collect above the pistons.
The actuating water is admitted from the pumps through a flexible pipe J,
linked to the side of the external cylinder, and made to open at its extreme
end into the bottom of the outer cylinder at K. This supply of water ob-
viously acts upon the lower side of the outer piston only. The inner secondary
piston is actuated by water passing from the outer cylinder through the
lateral port T in the upper portion of the large piston rod; having entered
this port, the current passes along a thoroughfare cast in the thickness of the
large piston rod or inner cylinder C. With this arrangement, the under
surfaces of the pistons B and F are simultaneously subjected to the same
amount of pressure per square inch, and a lifting stroke equal to the combined
traverse of the two cylinders is gained.
Figure 6 is an external elevation of another arrangement, wherein the
long narrow lifting cylinder A is not suspended directly from its supporting
beam, but is hung through the medium of its piston rod B, which is made to
work through a stuffing box in the upper cover of the cylinder, its outer end
being fitted with a ring C for the purpose. Taken in combination with
Figure 7, this arrangement illustrates my plan of storing the power as derived
from the pumps. A heavy balance weight D is hung to the lower end of the
cylinder A by the hook E, this weight being large enough to obtain the
necessary pressure upon the actuating liquid. Under these circumstances,
instead of hauling directly by the upward traverse of the cylinder A, the
injected water as contained under pressure in the cylinder may be conveyed
to any supplementary machine or movement, the working pressure for which
is somewhat less than that due to the weight D. In this way a store cylinder
may be fitted up in connection with the prime mover, self-acting provision
being made for putting on and off the water supply, to suit the requirements
of the storage of liquid power; and as all lifting work is intermittent, whilst
the power
of a steam engine is continuous, it is clear, that a steam engine of a
constant power, equal only to its aggregate intermittent expenditure or there-

page_text: abouts, on the cranes or hoists, will be sufficient to keep the store cylinder
constantly full, and ready for all ordinary work. In the special case here
illustrated, the cylinder A gives off its liquid pressure to the lifting cylinder F
by passing off its water through the flexible pipe G. The cylinder F is closed
at the top, and suspended by lateral trunnions or pivot joint pieces H, set
in bearings on the cross over-head beams I. This plan of suspension is
further illustrated in the transverse section, Figure 8.
Figure 9 shews another transverse section, wherein the suspension is effected
by a duplex set of pivots, forming a universal joint action like that of a ship's
lamp or chronometer. As the water is forced out of the cylinder A through the
pipe G into the cylinder F, beneath the piston in the latter, the pressure so
derived forces up the piston in the cylinder F, and its rod J working through a
stuffing box in the lower end of the cylinder draws up the load or weight K.
Figure 10 is an external elevation of an arrangement of duplex lifting
cylinders, the two cylinders A closed and held together at their upper ends by
a single plate B, being supported by an intermediate central trunnion carrying
a pulley B', set on a cross supporting timber C. The lower ends of these
cylinders are also closed by a single plate D, carrying the stuffing boxes for
the two piston rods E, joined together by a cross head and lifting hook F.
Figure 11 is a side elevation at right angles to Figure 10, and Figure 12
is a horizontal section of this arrangement. The actuating water is supplied
through the flexible tube G, a cross pipe H opening up a communication
with both cylinders, so as to enable them to work in uniform concert.
Figure 13 is an elevation of a "travelling crane" arrangement, the work-
ing cylinder A being in longitudinal section.
Figure 14 is a plan to correspond. The piston rod B works out through
one end of the cylinder, and carries a pulley C, over which passes a rope; one
end of this rope being attached at D to the travelling frame of the cylinder,
whilst the loose end passes over a pulley E, and descends to a lifting hook F.
The water enters by a flexible pipe G, and as the piston traverses in its
cylinder, its stroke is multiplied by the action of the pulley arrangement.
The cylinder and its framing is entirely carried on four running wheels set on
the timber cross bearers H.
Figure 1 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings is a sectional side elevation of my
hydrostatic balance, or measuring and indicating arrangement. Here the
water pressure cylinder is bored out to different diameters A and B, the upper
diameter A being the smallest. A single piston rod C, fitted with two
separate pistons D, E, is entered into this cylinder from the top, where the end
of the rod has a nut F, bearing upon a disc plate, which rests on the solid

page_text: ended cover or shell G, passed over the upper end of the cylinder and enclos-
ing a helical spring H. The disc under the nut F carries a pin, from which a
connecting rod I descends to an arm J of an index hand K, set on a stud
centre L, and carrying a back balance weight M. This index works over a
segmental graduated scale N. The water under pressure is admitted to the
cylinder between the two pistons by the branch 0, and the resultant down-
pressure of the water due to the superior area of the lower piston E,
acting upon the spring H, moves the index and points out the weight of any
mass which rests upon the water in communication with the branch O in tons,
hundredweights, quarters, and pounds. An index point P is also attached to
the top of the cylinder A, B, to work through a slit in the cover piece G, also
graduated as may be desired.
ward
Figure 2 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings is a -side elevation of a pendulous
cylinder, arranged for effecting a long pull or lift, by the aid of a system of
securing the lifting chain in position after the accomplishment of each stroke
of the piston, and until the piston can redescend for giving a further lift.
Figure 3 on the same Sheet is a corresponding front view of this apparatus
at right angles to Figure 2. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a slightly
different plan of this apparatus; the cylinder A in Figures 2 and 3 is sus-
pended by a pair of central trunnions B, fitting into eyes in the strap piece C,
slung by ropes from an over-head beam. The trunnions B serve also to carry
the upper ends of the pendant links D, connected together at their lower ends
by a cross piece E, and forming a species of pall; whilst the lifting operation
is going on, this pall D, E, is kept off the chain F by a wooden roller G. The
chain is connected to the piston rod H by a pin I, passed through a double
eye J, on the end of the piston rod.
When the chain is lifted the length of
one stroke, the wooden roller G is taken away, and the cross piece E of the
pall D, E, is brought over the chain, and embraces one of the links, having a
gab slot formed at its centre for this purpose. The link immediately above
that embraced by the cross piece E rests on the cross piece, and in this
manner the chain is supported, whilst the pin I which connects it to the piston
rod is taken out, and the piston is brought down and connected to the chain
again for another stroke. In the arrangement represented in Figure 4 a
hollow piston rod A is used, and the chain B is passed up through it. The
cylinder C may be suspended according to any of the modes herein-before
lescribed, or it may be suspended by a bent link D cottered into the top
lange. The piston E is cast in one piece with the piston rod, the opposite
nd of which has a heavy ferrule F fixed upon it to give strength. The

page_text: piston is packed in the usual way, and the lower end of the cylinder is packed
like the cylinder of a Bramah press, a groove G being turned out of the
neck for the packing. The chain is connected to the hollow piston rod by a
key H, passed through the ferrule F and through one of the links, and
when the piston is lifted to the top of its stroke, a key is passed across.the
top of the cylinder at I, and through a link of the chain, so as to support the
chain whilst the piston and rod are lowered and connected to the chain lower
down in readiness for a fresh lift. Projecting checks are formed upon the top
of the cylinder at I, to keep the key fairly in the centre, so that the chain may
not touch the sides of the tubular piston rod.
I would here remark, that there are several ways of arranging and applying
my lifting and transporting apparatus besides those herein-before described
and pointed out, and the several details of the modifications- herein-before
described are capable of being combined with each other in various ways
besides those selected for representation, in illustration of the several branches
of my Invention. I may also observe, that instead of employing a flexible
tube for conveying the fluid pressure to or between different parts of the
apparatus, à compound tube may be used consisting of lengths of rigid piping,
connected together either by portions of flexible tubing, or by ball and socket
or other suitable joints.
my.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of .said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I
consider to be 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 and construction of apparatus for lifting or
transporting heavy bodies, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of lifting or transporting heavy bodies by
means of a cylinder and piston or cylinders and pistons suspended from or
connected to any fixed or moveable object, in such a manner as to be capable
of vibration or oscillation, and acted upon by fluid pressure derived from a
pump or an elevated reservoir, or from the action of a weight upon a separate
storage cylinder and piston, water or any other liquid being the fluid medium
employed, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of increasing the length of stroke of hydrostatic

page_text: lifting and transporting apparatus, by employing a telescopic arrangement of
cylinders, the inner ones of which serve as the piston rods of the outer ones, as
herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or nodes of rendering hydrostatic lifting apparatus
capable of acting upon indefinite lengths of chain in successive strokes by
making the piston rod hollow and passing the chain through it, so as to be
supported by a key or other adjustable catch piece upon the top of the
cylinder, whilst the piston is drawn out after each stroke; or by fitting upon
the cylinder a suitable pall arrangement for preventing the chain from slipping
back whilst the piston is being re-adjusted for a fresh stroke as herein-before
described.
Fifth, the system or mode of constructing hydrostatic lifting or transporting
apparatus, wherein the pump for forcing the water into the cylinder is fixed
to the cylinder externally or internally, so that all the parts of the lifting
apparatus may be together, and form a single compact machine, as herein-
before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of working hydrostatic lifting or transporting
apparatus, wherein the space within the cylinder on one side of the piston is
used as a storage receptacle for the water, which is made to act on the other
side of the piston, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the system or mode of conducting fluid pressure to moveable
hydrostatic lifting or transporting apparatus through flexible or jointed tubes,
as herein-before described.
Eighth, the application and use in hydrostatic lifting and transporting
apparatus of a weight or pressure indicator, wherein the fluid pressure is made
to act in opposite directions on a pair of pistons of unequal area fixed to one
rod, which rod is moved by the surplus pressure on the larger piston against
the resistance of a spring, and by its position indicates the weight or
pressure sustained by or acting upon the fluid, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robertson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
JAMES ROBERTSON. (L.S.)