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Parker’s Safety Cage. 
The following is a description of the sketch of this cage, the invention of 
Mr. John D. Parker, of Scotchman’s Lead, Buninyong: — 
Hook A (Figs. 4 and 5) works on pin B, and is kept in position by disconnecting lever D . Pin E 
allows hook to turn just sufficient for shackle to let go, and keeps the hook at nearly right angles, so that 
it will catch on the disconnecting bars F (as shown in Fig. 4), which are fixed near the pulleys, and prevents 
the cage from falling should the grippers fail to act when the cage is over-wound. Lever D works on pin 
G, and is kept in position by pin R (Figs. 4 and 5). Spring S (Fig. 5) fetches lever back in position, when 
the hook lets go. Hook A and disconnecting lever D works between two bars CC (Figs. 4 and 5), which 
are riveted to suspension bar M. Bar M suspends the cage by bolt T and cross-bar Q (Figs. 1 and 3). 
When the cage is suspended bolt T is at the bottom of slot in suspension bar, and nut U is against 
cross-bar Q. Grippers 21 work on pins I (Figs. 1, 2, and 3), and are lifted to skid by rollers J. Rollers 
J are attached to cranks K (Figs. 1 and 3). Cranks K work on pins A, pins L being fixed to sides 
of cage. Spring P is attached to suspension bar M and cross-bar Q , and pulls down suspension bar when 
the rope breaks, causing the grippers to take skids. Cranks A” (Figs. 1 and 3) oscillate with rise and fall 
of suspension bar. Grippers II fall when suspension bar rises, and rise when it falls. Ilaudpiece iV is 
attached to bars 0 (Figs. 1 and 3). Bars 0 are attached to cranks K. Handpiece is for men to pull and 
stop cage in case of necessity. 
Taylor’s Safety Cage. 
From tlie list of patents granted last year I take the following particulars 
respecting a safety cage invented by Mr. S. R. Taylor, of Talbot:— 
This invention works by means of iron ratchets fixed on the face of the skids, or against the sides 
or ends of the shaft and pawls. Steel rods, or pawls, are connected with springs, so that as long as the 
rope is taut the cage works up and down smoothly, but directly the rope slackens the action of the springs 
forcos the rods out on to the ratchet, and the cage is instantaneously stopped. The above appliance also 
answers in cases of over-winding, as the skids, being fitted with ratchets from the poppet-heads to the 
bottom, no matter in what part of the shaft an accident should happen, the action of the invention causes 
the cage to stop instantly. 
Mr. Taylor has also invented a small platform, made of wood or iron, to be used when changing 
shifts, &c. This platform is hung with ropes or chains from a shackle at the lower end of the suspension 
bar, and acts on the rope independent of the main cage. Upon this platform tlie men stand, and the whole 
of their weight is used to force out the steel arms, so as to more effectually stop the descent of the cage in 
case of accident. The weight of the men and the pressure of the springs combined will have a downward 
pressure of over lialf-a-ton, which will successfully draw the rope over the pulley and out of the engine 
house, should the rope part on the spider. The removable platform is suspended some 6 inches or so from 
the bottom of the cage, and is kept in position by guide-pins descending from its underside, and entering 
holes in the bottom of the cage. 
Webster’s Cage. 
Mr. Francis Webster, of Ballarat, who states lie lias been connected with* 
mining for the last 27 years, and is by trade a mining blacksmith, has brought under 
the notice of this Department a safety cage invented by him, a sketch of which is given 
at page 25. Mr. Webster says he has had opportunities of seeing all the safety cages 
now in use, and he lias come to the conclusion that the principle on which they suspend 
lias no sound foundation. “ I do not,” he writes, u find the principle of grippers 
applied to prop any suspended weight anywhere in these times. Surely it must he an 
out-of-date theory. It might be applied as a brake, but not to prop suddenly a 
suspended weight, because the grippers depend on spring power for suspension; not 
so with tlie ratchet principle, on which my cage is founded.” And with an amount 
of enthusiasm, excusable perhaps in an inventor, lie proceeds to insist that his cage is 
incomparably the best that has yet been brought under notice; in fact the only one in 
the use of which there is any real safety. 
I instructed Mr. Inspector Stewart to examine the model exhibited by 
Mr. Webster, and to furnish me with a report, which I now subjoin. Mr. Stewart 
says:— 
In accordance with the request contained in your memo, of the 31st December, I, in company with 
Mr. Inspector Meekison, met Mr. Webster and inspected bis cage at tbo School of Mines, Ballarat. I may 
mention that Mr. Webster bad previously waited upon mo on several occasions, and be has been very 
demonstrative because no one will adopt his cage. He says if my report docs not please him he will have 
another; I will therefore try and bo as plain as possible. The cage is in principle somewhat similar to other 
cages at present working in the colony; the only new thing connected with it is the notched skid to act as- 
a ratchet, lliese ratchet skids can be made wholly of iron, or of wood with iron ratchet face, or of wood 
with iron teeth let in. I ho cage itself, like others, must at first trust to springs, of which there are no less. 
