No. ]99.] 175 



" This machine dispenses with the bobbin and admits of an increased 

 action of the spindle. We consider it an improvement of the first 

 magnitude, and entitled to the highest honors of the Institute." 



I 



DICK'S ANTI-FRICTION POWER. 



The right was secured to the inventor, Mr. Daniel Dick, of Mead- 

 ville, Pa., by letters patent issued in October, 1848. As a machine 

 for purposes of pressing or lifting, it may with propriety be denomi- 

 nated a great power, as we know of no combination previously in- 

 vented that equals it ; the hydrostatic press of Brahma not excepted. 

 It is a combination of great simplicity, giving a movement attended 

 with probably the greatest power attainable, without the use of 

 steam. It has no rubbing surfaces, and consequently friction is 

 overcome, which, if we except the hydrostatic, has always been the 

 great obstacle in the use of all other machines, where intense power 

 has been aimed at. Dick's arrangement may properly be termed the 

 rolling cam. 



In its most extended form, it consists of two eccentric or cam 

 wheels, with a roller situated between them. Motion is communica- 

 ted to the cam wheels by the roller, which is put in motion by a lever 

 or wheel attached to its axis, the friction being relieved by a pair of 

 sectors supporting the axis of each cam wheel, which sectors revolve 

 on an edge. A second modification, which adapts it to purposes not 

 requiring much movement, consists simply of two eccentric or cam 

 sectors, with a roller between, put in motion by a lever or wheel as 

 before ; the moving members of both being preserved in their verti- 

 cal position by slots or guides in the frame. 



Up to this time, the hydrostatic press, which ?vas patented in England 

 about the year 1796, has held an unrivalled sway in this department 

 of mechanics, for all purposes, either for pressing or lifting, where 

 intense force was necessary to be used ; and this not because of the 

 ab^-ence of friction, but because of the change of the nature of it. 



