US496967A - George f - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

G. F. ARCHER.

WINDLASS.

Patented May 9,1893.

WITNESSES:

m: mmms mums COJHOTO-LIYHQ. way-(lumen, u. c

,lsrrrso STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. ARCHER, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

WINDLASS.

PEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,967, dated May 9, 1893.

Application filed February 17,1893. Serial No. 462,728- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. ARCHER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in WVindlasses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is related generally to a large class of machines forhoisting, but more specifically to those adapted for raising light weights and which are therefore usually worked by hand power.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2, show the essential parts of my invention in end and side elevations. Figs. 3 and 4, show the same in a modified form. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a further modification, and Fig. 6 a side view of the same in which part of the barrel outside the bearing is shown in section for the better comprehension of details.

In the figures 10 represents a part of the form of the Windlass or winch through which passes the axle 12. Upon this axle are made fast barrels 14: and 16, or one of them, as desired. These barrels may of course be made of any form or material to suit the Work to be done. The crank arm 18, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, is closely fitted to the squared or flattened end of the axle, but so as to admit of a slight oscillation or rocking movement in a plane at right angles to across section of the axle; and it is held in its place by the pin 20. In Fig. 2, a tooth 22 projects from the end of the crank arm 18, which is adapted to engage in the face-ratchet 24, and forms in fact, with the end ofthe lever a pawl which acts or not as the workman turning the handle may determine. The stiff spring 26, holds this tooth in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet, so that when the crank is moved forward the axle of the Windlass rotates also and the barrel with it. If the workman allows the arm to retain the inclined position shown in Fig. 2, the pawl 22, will fall from tooth to tooth of the ratchet, the spring 26 yielding as each tooth depresses the handle, so that the whole of the crank oscillates on the shaft to which it is fitted and pivoted by the pin 20. But, by pressinglaterally against the arm in the direction of the frame, thereby overcoming the spring 26, the tooth 22 leaves the ratchet 2 1 altogether and the movement of the machine becomes smooth and noiseless. Moreover, the arm being now completely disengaged from the stationary teeth of the ratchet, the workman can turn the crank in either direction, that is, he can lower as well as raise the weight to be moved by winding up or letting oh the cord upon the barrel. This is done with perfect safety, becauseunlike the ordinary Windlass having a ratchet and pawl, or even a friction brake, my windlass is never in a condition to escape from the hands of the person using it and revolve in obedience to the weight. Should anything cause the operator to let go the crank the tooth will fall in immediately (due to the action of the spring 26), and check the backward rotation of the axle.

In Figs. 3 and 4, a similar arrangement of parts is represented; but here the pawl or dog 28, is not rigidly made part of the lever as in the simplest form of my invention discussed above; it is attached to the same by the pin 30, and slides in obedience to the workmans hand or the spring 26 in a long slot within the outside barrel or within a boss on the axle attached especially for this purpose. A barrel in this position is often useful, and therefore, as the face-ratchet must be fixed upon the frame, its teeth are best reached by the pawl in this way. It should further -be explained, that when the whole weight of a load drops suddenly and automatically upon the tooth 22 in Figs. 1 and 2, the resistance to rotation is furnished by the flattened. end of the axle to which the arm is fitted, and with a heavy load hanging on the barrel increased by the leverage due to the position of the tooth, the wrench upon the spindle may be very severe. In Figs. 3 and 4, this is obviated, the construction there shown being fitted for heavier work, or for rougher treatment. This immunity from wear and tear is due to the fact that the outside barrel itself receives and resists the blow inflicted on the dog 28, and not the slotted rectangular hole in the lever, or the spindle end, so that the injury above referred to is impossible.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the construction of my invention is further modified with valuable results. The crank in this form of Windlass is not fitted on the end of the axle; it drops in stead into a groove extending diametrically across the end of the outside barrel or boss, which is formed by the projecting parts 32.

, Here it is held by the long pin 3%. In this modification the spring 26 is replaced by two springs 36 and 38, both on the arm as shown. The little pin 40, connects the pawl and lever flexibly, as 30 does in Fig. 4, but not permanently, for it is so placed as to enable the latter to draw the former out of engagement with the ratchet, while its return depends on the spring 38. In this arrangement the outer end of the crank arm is lifted away from the frame by the spring 36, and the pawl is then depressed by the spring 38, but, when the Windlass is in use, the pawl can rise and fall independently of the arm so long as the latter is 'in the oblique position shown in Fig. 6; this is not possible when the oscillating movements of both arm and pawl depend on one spring. As in the previous case this pawl is supported against the thrust of the ratchet by the barrel through which it passes,but in this form of Windlass the crank arm is also Well supported against lateral movement or wrench, by the projections 32, on the end of the barrel, between which it lies.

This Windlass is well adapted for lifting moderate loads, being suitable for wells, d umb Waiters, light elevating machinery, and for all the many kinds of dipping and draining tanks and vats used in the arts. It is an especially safe form of hoisting apparatus, because of the way in which it automatically locks itself if accidentally let go; and as this takesplace before much momentum has been acquired, there can be no danger to the in experienced operator of a blow from the handle, which happens not unfrequently when ordinary hand windlasses are carelessly used.

The methods of construction shown in the drawings, forming'part of this specification, are the most efficient known to me; but I do not confine myself to them exclusively, being well aware that many other changes and modifications are possible without deviating from the principles involved. It for instance, a heavier load has to be raised than would be manageable by a man turning a crank attached directly to the barrel axle, a pinion, as 42, can be keyed on that shaft, and made to gear into a wheel on the barrel axle, in the well known way.

In this specification the term oscillating applied to the crank, is intended to indicate that it is capable of being oscillated slightly in the plane in which the axis of the machine lies, in addition to the rotary movements to and fro, common to all winch handles.

What I claim is- 1. In a Windlass operated by hand, an oscillating crank carrying a pawl; in combination with a stationary face-ratchet adapted to receive the pawl; and a spring to throw the same into engagement; substantially as described.

2. In a Windlass operated by hand, an oscillating crank arm in combination with apawl flexibly connected thereto; with a Windlass barrel provided with a slotted recess for the pawl; with a ratchet attached to the Windlass frame; and with a spring holding the pawl engaged with said ratchet; substantially as described.

3. In a Windlass operated by hand, a crank arm oscillating in the diametrically grooved end of the barrel; in combination with a pawl flexibly connected thereto; a face-ratchet on the Windlass frame; a spring on the crank arm actuating the pawl; and a spring forcing the crank arm handle from the frame; substantially as described.

4. In a Windlass operated by hand, a frame carrying a Windlass barrel in bearings, and a stationary ratchet bolted to said frame; in combination with a spring -governed pawl traversing said ratchet when the Windlass is in use; and with an oscillating crank arm controlling said pawl and adapted to lift and hold it out of engagement with the ratchet teeth while the load is being lowered; substantially as described.

GEORGE F. ARCHER.

Witnesses:

WALTER G. SCOTT, GEoRcE A. ARCHER.

Images