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This figure has six pulleys and one cord passes round them all. Each pulley is stretched with the same amount of force, which is equal to the power creating a mechanical advantage of 6.

Pulley System

This figure has six pulleys and one cord passes round them all. Each pulley is stretched with the same…

This arrangement have three movable pulleys, each hanging by a separate cord. The mechanical advantage is 8.

Pulley System

This arrangement have three movable pulleys, each hanging by a separate cord. The mechanical advantage…

Atwood's machine illustrates the effects of force in producing motion.

Atwood's Machine

Atwood's machine illustrates the effects of force in producing motion.

A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between two flanges around the wheel's circumference. A rope, cable or belt usually runs inside the groove. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion.

Pulley

A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between…

An illustration of an inclined plane pulley. "Let the weight w be started to move p the plane, and let P be the pull in the cord which just keeps up steadily the motion imparted to w. Then id l is the length of the plane and h its vertical height, it is evident that when w rolls the whole distance l, P falls through the same distance since the length of l of cord passes over the pulley." -Britannica, 1891

Incline Plane Pulley

An illustration of an inclined plane pulley. "Let the weight w be started to move p the plane, and let…

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between two flanges around the wheel's circumference. A rope, cable or belt usually runs inside the groove. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion.

Pulley Blocks

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel…

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between two flanges around the wheel's circumference. A rope, cable or belt usually runs inside the groove. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion.

Pulley Blocks

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel…

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between two flanges around the wheel's circumference. A rope, cable or belt usually runs inside the groove. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion.

Pulley Blocks

An illustration of a block pulley. A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel…

A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between two flanges around the wheel's circumference. A rope, cable or belt usually runs inside the groove. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion.

Pulley

A pulley (also called a block) is a mechanism composed of a wheel (called a sheave) with a groove between…

A sonometer is an apparatus by which the transverse vibrations of strings can be studied. It is also called the monocord because it often has only one string. On the box are two fixed bridges, near the ends, and at one end is a pulley. A string, often a steel wire, is fastened at one end, run over the bridges and the pulley, and attached to a weight holder hanging below the pulley. Weights can be added to the holder to produce tension in the wire, and a third, movable bridge, can be placed under it to change the length of the vibrating section of the string. A Sonometer demonstrates the relationship between the frequency of the sound produced by a plucked string, and the tension, length and mass per unit length of the string.

Sonometer

A sonometer is an apparatus by which the transverse vibrations of strings can be studied. It is also…

"Right Eyeball of Bird, seen from behind, showing the following muscles; a, rectus superior; b, rectus externus; c, rectus inferior; d, rectus internus; e, obliquus superior; f, obliquus inferior; g, quadratus; h, pyramidalis, with its tendon, k, passing through a pulley in the quadratus (as shown by dotted line) to keep it off the optic nerve, i, then passing around the edge of the ball to its insertion in the nictitating membrane." -Whitney, 1911

Right Eyeball of Bird

"Right Eyeball of Bird, seen from behind, showing the following muscles; a, rectus superior; b, rectus…

"Muscles of Left Human Eyeball. so, superior oblique, passing through a trochlea or pulley; io, inferior oblique; sr, superior rectus; ifr, interior rectus; ir, internal rectus; er, external rectus; f, frontal sinus; m, maxillary sinus; o, optic nerve." -Whitney, 1911

Muscles of Left Eyeball

"Muscles of Left Human Eyeball. so, superior oblique, passing through a trochlea or pulley; io, inferior…

"In machinery, a form of slip-coupling applied in cases where the variations of load are sudden and great, as in dredging-machinery, etc. In the form illustrated a strong pulley, B, is keyed on the driving-shaft, and on the circumference of this wheel, A, is fitted, with a series of friction-plates, a, a, a, interposed, and retained in recesses formed in the eye of the wheel." -Whitney, 1911

Friction Wheel

"In machinery, a form of slip-coupling applied in cases where the variations of load are sudden and…

"GIN-BLOCK. A simple form of tackle-block with a single wheel, over which a rope runs. It has a hook by which it swings from the jib of a crane or the sheer of a gin." -Whitney, 1911

Gin-Block

"GIN-BLOCK. A simple form of tackle-block with a single wheel, over which a rope runs. It has a hook…

This medieval elevator shows the use of two simple machines: wheel and axle on the right, and a pulley on the left. "An elevator of the Middle Ages. History tells us this form of elevator was used in monasteries for hoisting passengers and supplies." -Hill, 1921

Early Elevator

This medieval elevator shows the use of two simple machines: wheel and axle on the right, and a pulley…

This gig mill uses a rotating drum head which carries a series of rotating napping roles. This machine is covered with wire teeth that teasel cloth.

Cloth Napping Machine used for Teaseling Woolen Cloth

This gig mill uses a rotating drum head which carries a series of rotating napping roles. This machine…

A belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys, with a continuous loop of material, the conveyor belt which rotates about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward. The powered pulley is called the drive pulley while the non powered pulley is called the idler. There are two main industrial classes of belt conveyors; Those handling such as those moving boxes along inside a factory and bulk material handling such as those used to transport industrial and agricultural materials. Generally in outdoor locations. Generally companies providing general material handling type belt conveyors do not provide the conveyors for bulk material handling. In addition there are a number of commercial applications for belt conveyors such as those in grocery stores.

Conveyer Belt

A belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys, with a continuous loop of material, the conveyor belt…

A pulley, also called a sheave or a drum, is a mechanism composed of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around its circumference. A rope, cable, belt, or chain usually runs over the wheel and inside the groove, if present. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical advantage in either a linear or rotational system of motion. Two or more pulleys together are called a block and tackle.

Pulley

A pulley, also called a sheave or a drum, is a mechanism composed of a wheel on an axle or shaft that…

A lifting hook is a device used for grabbing and lifting loads by means of a device such as a hoist or crane. Lifting hooks are usually equipped with a safety latch to prevent the disengagement of the lifting wire rope sling, chain or rope to which the load is attached. Hooks may have one or more built in pulleys to amplify the lifting force.

Safety Purpose Lifting Hook

A lifting hook is a device used for grabbing and lifting loads by means of a device such as a hoist…

A pulley is a mechanism of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around its circumference. A rope usually runs over the wheel and inside the groove, if present.

Sash Pulley

A pulley is a mechanism of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around…

A belt conveyor is made up of two or more pulleys, with a continuos belt running through it. One or both of the pulleys

Dual Pulley Conveyer Belt

A belt conveyor is made up of two or more pulleys, with a continuos belt running through it. One or…

"The pulley is first put in a revolver lathe and there bored and reamed, while on edge of the rim is turned at right angles to the hub bore. Then the pulley is unchecked, and put on a mandrel." —Grimshaw, 1902

Turning Belt Pulleys

"The pulley is first put in a revolver lathe and there bored and reamed, while on edge of the rim is…

A lathe tool attachment for cutting a pulley in two or create grooves. The arm with the spinning tool extends to the wheel while it is spinning.

Pulley Cutting Tool

A lathe tool attachment for cutting a pulley in two or create grooves. The arm with the spinning tool…

"The belt is thrown on to set the machine in motion, the loose pulley is pressed aside by the spiral springs on the bolts, its rim entirely touches that of the fast pulley and helps to set this latter in motion by friction." —Grimshaw, 1902

Loose Driving Pulley

"The belt is thrown on to set the machine in motion, the loose pulley is pressed aside by the spiral…

A diagram illustrating an elevator or a lift used by Landis Company. The counter weights are adjusted on the pulley to raise or lower the lift the platform.

Lift or Elevator Diagram

A diagram illustrating an elevator or a lift used by Landis Company. The counter weights are adjusted…

A furnace apparatus for minting. The metal is first melted in the crucible in flue A. The pulley W is used to pull out the crucible from the flue. The melted metal is transferred to the moulding apparatus, where it gets poured into mouldings by hand.

Furnace Apparatus for Minting

A furnace apparatus for minting. The metal is first melted in the crucible in flue A. The pulley W is…

A pulley system used to reduce motion between the piston and the indicator of the steam engine. The indicator is attached by a string on the curved bottom triangle. As the piston moves, the string is pulled to record the pressure of the steam.

Reducing Motion of Piston and Indicator using Brumbo Pulley

A pulley system used to reduce motion between the piston and the indicator of the steam engine. The…

"The spring balance, B, is shown in a horizontal position. The ropes are held to the pulley or fly—wheel face by blocks of wood, O. The weights at W may be replaced by a spring balance if desired." —Derr, 1911

Rope Brake Measuring Brake Horse Power

"The spring balance, B, is shown in a horizontal position. The ropes are held to the pulley or fly—wheel…

An illustration of an inclined railway, also known as a funicular or funicular railway. This railway runs on a pulley system, where two cars are counterbalanced, with one car ascending and one car descending.

Inclined Railway

An illustration of an inclined railway, also known as a funicular or funicular railway. This railway…

An illustration of a dumb waiter which is a moveable frame in a shaft which is suspended by a rope on a pulley. Dumb waiters are a smaller version of an elevator.

Dumb Waiter

An illustration of a dumb waiter which is a moveable frame in a shaft which is suspended by a rope on…

An illustration of a type of elevator composed of a small pulley used in this case to lift brick and mortar.

Brick and Mortar Elevator

An illustration of a type of elevator composed of a small pulley used in this case to lift brick and…

A mechanism for transmitting rotation, which can be engaged and disengaged. Clutches are useful in devices that have two rotating shafts. In these devices, one shaft is typically driven by a motor or pulley, and the other shaft drives another device.

Roller Clutch

A mechanism for transmitting rotation, which can be engaged and disengaged. Clutches are useful in devices…

Egyptians using pulleys to build a pyramid.

Building the Pyramids

Egyptians using pulleys to build a pyramid.

"A band or cord (E) connected the large wheel with the small wheel (D). Another cord (F) connected the small wheel with the grooved pulley, or wharve, on the spindle (C). The revolutions of the large wheel turned the small wheel very rapidly, thus communicating motion to the spindle through the wharve."—Webster, 1920

A Spinning Wheel

"A band or cord (E) connected the large wheel with the small wheel (D). Another cord (F) connected the…

"In straight levers of the first kind, the fulcrum is between the power and the resistance, as in fig 1, where F is the fulcrum of the lever AB; P is the power, and W the weight or resistance."—Pettigrew, 1874

First Kind of Lever

"In straight levers of the first kind, the fulcrum is between the power and the resistance, as in fig…

These pulleys are grooved such as to guide the inner belt, in this system there is less of a chance that a belt will run out of the pulley.

Grooved Pulleys

These pulleys are grooved such as to guide the inner belt, in this system there is less of a chance…

A diagram of the inner workings of a trolly station. This diagram shows how trollies used to start when they were first being used. A pulley system is used that powers up a power box that starts the trolly.

Trolly Station

A diagram of the inner workings of a trolly station. This diagram shows how trollies used to start when…

A fixed pulley. It is called such because the block is attached to the ceiling and cannot move.

Simple Machine

A fixed pulley. It is called such because the block is attached to the ceiling and cannot move.

A moveable pulley. What differs between a moveable pulley and a fixed pulley is the fact that a moveable pulley, as its name entails, has a moveable block.

Simple Machine

A moveable pulley. What differs between a moveable pulley and a fixed pulley is the fact that a moveable…

A complex moveable pulley. It consists of a fixed and moveable block.

Simple Machine

A complex moveable pulley. It consists of a fixed and moveable block.

An inclined plane with a different pulley system layout.

Simple Machine

An inclined plane with a different pulley system layout.

An inclined plane with an inverted pulley system. No rule can be given for the ratio of power to weight. It can be explained using the principle of resolution of forces.

Simple Machine

An inclined plane with an inverted pulley system. No rule can be given for the ratio of power to weight.…

An example of a pulley system.

Applied Mechanics

An example of a pulley system.

General arrangement of machinery. A, upcast shaft; b, winding gear; c, downcast shaft; d, porch; e, cage; f, wire rope; g, head-gear pulley; h, winding engine; k, "tipplers"; l, screens.

Machinery

General arrangement of machinery. A, upcast shaft; b, winding gear; c, downcast shaft; d, porch; e,…

An example of a pulley system.

Pulley Example

An example of a pulley system.

Chucking pulley with flat drill.

Chucking Pulley

Chucking pulley with flat drill.

A detail of the Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine. "s, thread-leader; t, face-plate covering...; v, presser thumb-screw; w, thread-check; x, tension-nut by which tension is regulated; y, tension-pulley around which the thread is wound, and which is caused to turn less or more easily by the nut x; z, thread-guide and controller; z2, presser-foot." —Whitney, 1889

Detail of Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine

A detail of the Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine. "s, thread-leader; t, face-plate covering...; v,…

"In machinery, the system of shafts which connects machinery with the prime mover, and through which motion is communicated to the former by the latter. a, shaft; b b1, pulleys; c c1, belts; d d1, hangers; e, drip-cup to receive oil dropping from the bearing in d1." —Whitney, 1889

Shafting

"In machinery, the system of shafts which connects machinery with the prime mover, and through which…

"Nautically, a block with two sheaves, whose axes are at right angles to each other, used for the buntlines of the courses." —Whitney, 1889

Shoe Block

"Nautically, a block with two sheaves, whose axes are at right angles to each other, used for the buntlines…

"A system of pulleys in two blocks, so arranged that the parts of continuous rope are approximately parallel. The order in which the rope passes round the pulleys consecutively is shown by the figures in the cut. Named after the engineer who invented it." —Whitney, 1889

Pulleys - Smeaton's Blocks

"A system of pulleys in two blocks, so arranged that the parts of continuous rope are approximately…

"A machine for turning a roasting-spit by means of a fly-wheel or -wheels, set in motion by the current of ascending air in a chimney. a,a, the chimney, contracted in a circular form; b, strong bar placed over the fireplace, to support the jack; c, wheel with vanes radiating from its center, set in motion by the ascent of the heated air, and communicating by the pinion d and the crown-wheel e, with the pulley f, from which motion is transmitted to the spit by the chain passing over it." —Whitney, 1889

Smoke-Jack Used for Roasting Meat

"A machine for turning a roasting-spit by means of a fly-wheel or -wheels, set in motion by the current…

"A machine for spinning flax into threads by hand. It consists of a wheel, band, and spindle, and is driven by foot or by hand...a, bench; b, b1, standards; c, driving band-wheel with flat rim, turned by the peg k held in the right hand of the spinner; d, cord-band, crossed at e and driving the speed-pulley f; g, cord-band imparting motion to the spindle h; i, thread in process of spinning." —Whitney, 1889

Spinning Wheel for Wool

"A machine for spinning flax into threads by hand. It consists of a wheel, band, and spindle, and is…

"A machine for spinning flax into threads by hand. It consists of a wheel, band, and spindle, and is driven by foot or by hand...a, bench or stool; b, standards; c, driving band wheel grooved in its perimeter; d, treadle; e, rod which connects treadle with crank; f, cord-band which drives the flier-spindle; g, flier; h, distaff upon which the flax to be spun is placed, and which in use is held in the left hand of the operator." —Whitney, 1889

Spinning Wheel for Flax

"A machine for spinning flax into threads by hand. It consists of a wheel, band, and spindle, and is…