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| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. Only the patent drawing is available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
“For an improvement in the mode of Ascending and Descending Rivers, and Canals, or Inclined Planes, using such steam engines, or other locomotive power on board, or within the vessel, or vehicles to be moved, as may be found necessary for their ascent or descent; James Stimpson, city of Baltimore, Maryland, August 23.
Firm fixtures are to be made at the upper and lower ends of the planes which are to be ascended or descended, and chains, which may be of the kind used for cables, are to extend from one to the other of them, being supported on the ground, or on fixtures placed for that purpose. A shaft is to extend across the ways of the inclined plane, and when there is a chain on each side of the ways, there are to be cast iron pulleys on each end of the shaft; which pulleys are to be so cast that the links of the chain fit precisely into them, there being hollows in the middle of them, and indentations in their cheeks, or flanches, for that purpose, which will prevent the chain, as it lies upon them, from slipping. There may be three, or more pulleys, of different sizes, to be used in different ascents. By means of cog wheels, with which the vessel, or carriage, is to be provided, power is to be derived from the steam engine, or animals, &c. within the vessel, to act upon the shaft carrying the pulleys, and thus to make the desired ascent.
The specification, which goes much into detail, includes a great variety of propositions, but the following are the claims made. The application of chains to ascend and descend upon rivers and canals, or inclined planes on rail-roads, or otherwise, said chains being made fast at both ends near the foot and top of the inclines, and resting upon the ground or other material, or at suitable places in rivers or canals, the locomotive, or other engines, drawing themselves up, or letting themselves down said inclines, rivers, or canals, by the power which is on board of themselves by the agency of pulleys in contact with said chains, as set forth in this specification, or in any other way; also the variable speeds or powers as herein set forth, or in any other way. For locomotive carriages on rail roads, not using the chain, I also claim the application of machinery to change the moving power from the road wheels of locomotives upon railroads where the inclination is too much for the adhesion of the wheels to the rail plates to allow them to ascend or descend without slipping or sliding upon said rails, to a pulley shaft as aforesaid, or any other thing whereby said purpose is used in a different manner than in immediate contact with the road wheels, or their axles, as set forth in this specification.
We might here repeat a portion of the remarks made on the last specification, as we think the present claim much too broad. The plan itself, however, appears to us to be altogether impracticable in the form presented, and its details exhibit a want of knowledge in the most advantageous modes of applying power.”
Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 13, Feb. 1832 pg. 123-124
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