IMPROVEMENTS IN SNATCH AND OTHER PULLEY BLOCKS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNATCH AND OTHER PULLEY BLOCKS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Herbert Loud, of Everett, Massachusetts, United
States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th December 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNATCH AND
OTHER PULLEY BLOCKS." [A communication from abroad by Herbert Loud, of
Everett, Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of snatch-blocks,
which improvements are also partly applicable to other forms of pulley blocks.
The said Invention comprises a snatch-block having its hook attached to a pivota
or journal in one cheek, and a link hinged to the other cheek, the said link being
adapted at its free end to pass over the end of and embrace the other pivot or
journal of the said hook, and to be secured thereto by an arm or lip of the said
journal.
It also comprises a snatch or pulley block provided with closed hollow cheeks,
each consisting of a hollow cast metal shell formed with rounded edges, the said
cheeks being connected by a cross-bar at their lower extremities, and the journals
of the pulley wheel being passed through or supported by the walls of the hollow
cheeks.
It also comprises the combination with the two hollow cast metal cheeks in a
snatch-block of two straps enclosed within the hollow shells constituting the cheeks,
one strap being extended out from one of the cheeks to form an eye for the hinged
link, and the other strap so formed as to provide a bearing for one of the journals
of the hook, and both of the said straps being made with bearings for the journals
of the pulley-wheel.

page_text: It also comprises the combination with the two wooden cheeks in a snatch-
block of metal straps on the inside and outside faces of each cheek, the straps
from one cheek being extended out to form an eye for the hinged link, and the
straps of the other cheek so formed as to provide a bearing for one of the journals
of the hook, and the said straps being made with bearings for the journals of the
pulley-wheel, and rivetted to the cheeks by and through the cross bar at the
lower extremity of the snatch-block.
It also comprises the combination with the two wooden cheeks of a snatch or
pulley block of metal straps, inserted in or arranged on the inside and outside faces
of each cheek, and adapted at their upper ends for the attachment of a hook or eye,
or the like, thereto, said straps being made with bearings for the journals of the
pulley-wheel, and rivetted to the cheeks by and through the cross-bar at the lower
extremity of the snatch or pulley block.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide a snatch-block with two
cheeks, connected at the bottom by a cross-bar and with a pulley adapted to turn
on a suitable journal. One of the said cheeks extends higher than the other cheek,
leaving an opening or snatch as is usual in snatch-blocks.
The block composed of the cheeks and cross-bar is cast of metal in one piece,
preferably of malleable iron, although any metal can be used. If desired the
cheeks may be cast hollow, the hollow space in each cheek conforming more or less
to the general outline of the outside faces of each cheek, as desired, the shell part
being made thin to provide a light block, and the edges cast or made round.
In casting the block, openings connecting with the hollow space are left at the top
and bottom of each cheek for the insertion of iron straps. Through these openings,
in connection with an opening in the inside face of each cheek, the core can be
sustained in order to cast the cheeks hollow in the usual manner of casting with a
core.
The aforesaid straps pass through their respective cheeks, and one of them is
formed by being doubled upon itself before being inserted in the cheek, the two
parts being welded together, if desired, so as to leave an opening or eye in the
middle portion thereof, in which the link hereinbefore referred to swings vertically.
The hook is rivetted to and swivels in a block which turns on its journal in a
bearing in the upper end of the longest cheek, to which cheek it is rivetted on the
outside. The link at its free end is arranged to pass over and embrace the end of
the other journal of the said block, and in such position to serve as a bearing for
such journal. The end of this journal is bent or extends at right angles therefrom,
forming an arm or lip, which when the link is on the journal and the hook in its
vertical position lies across one side of the loop of the link and prevents the
accidental displacement of the same, and thereby the escape of the rope.
The journal of the pulley passes through both of the aforesaid cheeks, and both
straps and the journal of the hook passes through one cheek, as above stated, and
its strap, so that with the link hung to the strap of the other cheek the iron straps
practically receive all the strain upon the block when in use, thus relieving the
cheeks from such strain and enabling them to be made quite thin in their shell
part, thereby necessarily decreasing the weight of the block.
The casting or making of the cheeks of the block hollow as above described is
applicable to other kinds of metal pulley blocks as well as to snatch blocks, and
the inside iron straps can be combined therewith as desired. The strap can be
solid instead of being folded, as described, but in such case provision must be made
for hinging the link thereto. The two cheeks of the block can be made or cast
separately and the cross bar connected thereto by rivets or the like, but casting or
making them as above described is preferable; the cheeks may however be made
hollow by forming each cheek in two parts or of cup-shaped shells secured together
at their edges by rivets or by brazing.
In some cases I employ a snatch block having solid wooden cheeks with the
iron straps inserted in the inside and outside faces of each cheek. Each strap is
in this case bent or doubled at its middle, and each portion thereof lies

page_text: or is inserted in the inside and outside faces of its respective cheek, the
cheeks and the straps being riveted to the cross bar. The shorter strap at its
fold is left open to form an eye for the link, and the longer strap is closed at its
fold, and the journal of the hook pivoted thereto. The journal of the pulley
passes through and has its bearing in the said iron straps, being secured thereto in
any suitable manner. The straps may be made in two pieces if desired.in lieu
of one piece and bent or folded as described, but in such case they must be
arranged for the attachment of the link and hook thereto to permit the proper
working of the same.
A cast metal snatch or pulley block having its cheeks cast hollow as above
described may be used without the iron straps, but such straps are preferable.
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
16th June 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNATCH AND
OTHER PULLEY BLOCKS." A communication from abroad by Herbert Loud, of
Everett, Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of snatch-blocks,
which improvements are also partly applicable to other forms of pulley-blocks.
The said Invention comprises a snatch-block having one pivot of its hook
journalled in one cheek and a link hinged to the other cheek, the said link being
adapted at its free end to pass over and embrace the other pivot or journal of the
said hook, and to be secured thereto by an arm or lip of the said journal. It also
comprises a snatch or pulley block provided with closed hollow cheeks, each
consisting of a hollow cast metal shell formed with rounded edges, the said cheeks
being connected by a cross-bar at their lower extremities, and the journals of the
pulley wheel being passed through or supported by the walls of the hollow cheeks.
It also comprises the combination with the two hollow cast metal cheeks in a
snatch-block of two straps enclosed within the hollow shells constituting the said
cheeks, one strap being extended out from one of the cheeks to form an eye for the
hinged link, and the other strap being so formed as to provide a bearing for one
of the journals of the hook, and both of the said straps being made with bearings
for the journals of the pulley wheel. It also comprises the combination with two
wooden cheeks in a snatch-block of metal straps on the inside and outside faces of
each cheek, the straps from one cheek being extended out to form an eye for the
hinged link, the straps of the other cheek being so formed as to provide a bearing
for one of the journals of the hook, the said straps being made with bearings for
the journals of the pulley-wheel, and rivetted to the said cheeks by and through
the cross-bar at the lower extremity of the snatch-block. It also comprises the

page_text: combination with the two wooden cheeks of a snatch or pulley-block of metal
straps inserted in or arranged on the inside and outside faces of each cheek and
adapted at their upper ends for the attachment of a hook or eye thereto, the
said straps being made with bearings for the journals of the pulley-wheel and.
rivetted to the cheeks by and through the cross-bar at the lower extremity of the
snatch or pulley-block.
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Figures 1 and 3 are edge and side views respectively of a snatch-block with its
hook.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same on the line x, x, Figure 3, shewing the
pulley-wheel and hook in elevation.
Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sections respectively of the two cheeks of the said
snatch-block.
Figure 6 is a horizontal cross section on the line y, y, Figure 3, with the pulley
removed.
Figure 7 is a plan or top view of the parts below the line 2, 2, Figure 3, with the
pulley removed.
Figure 8 is a similar view to Figure 3 shewing a block provided with wooden
cheeks.
Figure 9 is a vertical section on the line v, v, Figure 8, and
Figure 10, a horizontal cross section on the line w, w, Figure 8.
A represents a snatch-block constructed according to this Invention, in which
B, B', are the cheeks connected at the bottom by a cross-bar C, and D is the pulley
adapted to turn on its journal E. The cheek B¹ extends higher than the cheek B,
leaving the opening or snatch at F as usual in snatch-blocks.
The block A composed of the cheeks B and B' and cross-bar C is cast in one
piece, and preferably of malleable iron, although any other material can be used
if desired. The cheeks B and B are cast hollow, and the hollow space a in each
cheek conforms more or less to the general outline of the outside faces of each
cheek, as desired. The shell part b being made thin to provide a light block.
The edges c of each cheek are cast or made round, as shewn in cross section in
Figure 6.
In casting the block openings d and f communicating with the inner space are
left at the top and bottom of each cheek for the insertion of the iron straps G
and G. Through these openings d and f in connection with an opening g in the
inside face of each cheek, the core can be sustained in order to cast the cheeks
hollow in the usual manner of casing with a core. The said straps G, G¹, pass
through their respective cheeks, and the strap G is formed by being doubled upon
itself before being inserted in its cheek, the two parts being welded together, if
desired, but so as to leave an opening or eye h in the middle portion thereof in
which swings vertically a link H.
The hook J is rivetted to and swivels in a piece K which turns on its journal
in a bearing in the upper end of the cheek B¹, to which cheek it is rivetted on
the outside as at m. The link H at its free end is arranged to pass over and
embrace the end of the other journal n of the said block K, and in such a position
as to serve as a bearing for such journal.
The end of the said journal is bent or extends at right angles therefrom forming
the arm or lip o, which, when the link is on the journal and the hook is in its
vertical position, lies across one side p on the link, as shown in Figure 3, and
prevents the accidental displacement of the same, and thereby the escape of the
rope. When it is desired to place the said rope in the block the hook J must be
turned down into the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 3, which brings the
arm or lip o into coincidence with the opening 9 of the link; the link can then be
swung over and away from its connection with its journal n, leaving the snatch
or opening F free for the insertion of the rope. By reversing the operation the
link is secured to the said journal, and thus prevents the escape of the said rope,
as above stated.

page_text: The journal E of the pulley D passes through both cheeks, and both straps and
the journal 7 of the hook J passes through the cheek B₁, as above stated, and its
strap G¹, so that with the link H hung to the strap G of the cheek B, the iron
straps practically receive all the strain upon the block when in use, thus relieving
the cheeks from such strain and enabling them to be made quite thin in their shell
part, thereby necessarily decreasing the weight of the said block.
By making the cheeks of metal pulley-blocks hollow, thick cheeks may be secured
and consequently broad edges, which being rounded as shown prevent injury to the
rope when the block is in use, and to a deck or other surface if the block should
fall thereon; such results are very desirable, and especially in metal blocks having
two or more sheaves or pulleys, as the intermediate cheeks may also be made hollow
and the desired thickness and roundness of the edges ensured without necessarily
increasing the weight, as would be the result if solid metal cheeks were used. The
casting or making of the cheeks of the block hollow as above described is applicable
to other kinds of metal pulley-blocks as well as to snatch-blocks, and the inside iron
straps can also be combined therewith.
The strap G can be made solid instead of being doubled or folded as above
described, but in such case provision must be made for hinging the link thereto.
The two cheeks of the block can be made or cast separately, and the cross-bar C
connected thereto by rivets or the like, or the cheeks may be made hollow by
forming each cheek in two parts in the form of cup-shaped shells secured together
at their edges by rivets or by brazing, but it is preferable to cast the block as
first herein described.
In Figures 8, 9, and 10, is shown a snatch-block having solid wooden cheeks
with the iron straps inserted in the inside and outside faces of each cheek.
L represents the cheek to which the link H is attached, and L' the cheek to
which the book J is pivotted. Each strap M and M¹ is bent or doubled at its
middle part as at s and t respectively, and each portion thereof lies or is inserted
in the inside and outside faces of its respective cheeks, the cheeks and the straps
being rivetted to the cross-bar N, as shown at u in Figure 9. The strap M at its
fold or bent part is left open to form an eye a² for the link H, and the strap M'
is closed at its fold t, the journal of the hook J being pivotted thereto. The
journal P of the pulley Q passes through and has its bearing in the said iron straps
M and M¹ being secured thereto in any suitable manner. The straps M and M'
may be made in two pieces if desired in lieu of one piece bent or folded as above
described, but, in such case they must be arranged for the attachment of the link
and hook thereto to permit the proper working of the same.
Among the many advantages derived from a snatch-block constructed according
to this Invention may be mentioned the following:-The arrangement and
connection of the link and the block for the purpose described, render the same
simple, strong, and effective; the block is easily manipulated as well in darkness
as in light, and is not liable to get out of order; the inside iron straps bear all of
the strain, allowing the block to be made light and yet with the desired thickness
of the cheeks and rounded edges, the block may therefore be manufactured much
more cheaply than and will be far superior to any now in use. With the iron
straps combined with wooden-cheeks, practically the full strength and durability of
an iron or other metal block are secured with the lightness of one made of wood.
The straps instead of being rivetted as shown may be secured to the cheeks and
cross-bar in my other suitable manner.
A cast metal snatch or pulley block having its cheeks cast hollow as above
described may be used without the iron straps, but the addition of such straps is
preferable for the reasons stated.
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,
First. A snatch or pulley block having one pivot of its hook journalled in one
cheek, and a link hinged to the other cheek, the said link being adapted at its free

page_text: end to pass over and embrace the other pivot or journal of the said hook, and to be
secured thereto by an arm or lip o of the said journal, substantially as above set
forth, and for the purpose specified.
Second. A snatch or pulley-block provided with the closed hollow-cheeks B, B¹,
each consisting of a hollow cast metal shell formed with rounded edges c, substan-
tially as herein described, the said cheeks being connected by a cross-bar at their
lower extremities, and the journals of the pulley-wheel being supported by the
walls of the said hollow cheeks, substantially as above set forth.
Third. The combination with the two hollow metal cheeks B, B', in a snatch or
pulley block of the two straps G, G³, enclosed within the hollow shells constituting
the said cheeks, substantially as above described, the said straps being made with
bearings for the journals of the pulley-wheel, and extending out from the cheeks to
connect with the hook, and each cheek being made in a single piece for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. The combination with the two hollow cast metal cheeks B, B¹, in a
snatch-block of the two straps G, G', enclosed within the hollow shells constituting
the said cheeks, substantially as above described, the strap G being extended out
from one of the cheeks to form an eye for the hinged link, the strap G' being formed
to provide a bearing for one of the journals of the hook, and both of the said straps
being made with bearings for the journals of the pulley-wheel, all substantially as
above set forth.
Fifth. In combination with a cast metal snatch-block having its cheek cast
hollow, the wrought iron inside straps, the hook J having one of its pivots
journalled to one cheek and a link hinged to the other cheek, and adapted at its
free end to pass over and embrace the other pivot or journal of the said hook, and
to be secured thereto by an arm or lip of the said journal, all arranged substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. In combination with the two wooden cheeks of a snatch-block the metal-
straps arranged in or on the inside and outside faces of each cheek, the strap or
straps from one cheek being arranged to form an eye for the hinged link, and the
straps of the other cheek being formed to provide a bearing for one of the journals
of the hook, the said straps having bearings for the journals of the pulley-wheel,
and at their lower ends being rivetted or otherwise secured to the said cheeks by
and through the cross-bar at the lower extremity of the said snatch-block,
substantially as above set forth.
Seventh. In combination with the two wooden cheeks of a snatch or pulley
block, the metal straps arranged in or on the inside and outside faces of each
cheek, having bearings for the journals of the pulley-wheel, and adapted at their
upper ends for the attachment of a hook or eye thereto, and at their lower ends
rivetted or otherwise secured to the said cheeks by and through the cross-bar at the
lower extremity of the snatch or pulley block, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)