Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Loading of Goods

LOADING OF GOODS, the act of removing ponderous substances, such as timber, corn, or other merchandize, to a cart or waggon.

As various accidents happen by the removal of heavy goods, especially on wharfs, and other crowded places, we shall communicate a contrivance which is eminently calculated both to facilitate labour, and to prevent misfortunes. In this respect, we are indebted to Mr. Geo. Davis, of Windsor, Berks, on whom the "Society for the Encouragement of Arts," &c. in 1797, conferred a premium of forty guineas, for his useful invention.

Description of the Plate representing Mr. Davis's "Portable Machine for loading and unloading goods."

A, the winch turning the bar B, on which are two endless screws, or worms, CC, that work in the toothed wheels DD. These wheels are fixed to the barrels EE, round which the ropes FF coil, wind up, or let out the same occasionally: the ropes pass over the pullies GG; are brought round; and their ends, being furnished with hooks for that purpose, are hitched into staples fixed to the front of the cart, or other carriage. Within these ropes, the load H is placed on a common pulley I, that forms an inclined plane, up which, by turning the winch, the ropes are wound upon the barrels; and thus the load is raised into the carriage.

KK, the frame, intended to shew the part of the cart, or other carriage, on which the machine is to be occasionally placed.

The whole of the barrels and cogged wheels are contained in an iron box L; the sides of which are represented in the plate, as taken off, in order that the arrangement of the different parts may be better conceived.

The pullies on the stage (GG) may, in most cases, be affixed to the machine itself, which is adapted to every direction, and will suit carriages of every construction.

The model corresponding to the present engraving, is made on the scale of about four inches to a foot; and the inventor states, that it will raise upwards of five cwt.—he is therefore confident, that his machine, when constructed of its intended size, will be capable of loading a ton weight by one man only; and that, even upon this enlarged plan, it does not exceed 112lb. in weight.

Portable Machine for Loading & Unloading Goods.