Unidentified Crank Powered Pulley Mechanism

Internal view of a wooden box containing crank powered pulley. There is a complex metal mechanism made of steel plates, cogs, gears and driveshafts inside the box. A metal bar with a wooden handle that turns the mechanism extends from the mechanism through the side wall of the box to the outside of the box.

Identification

  • Object Type: Unidentified crank powered pulley mechanism
  • Date: mid 20th century
  • Origin: Unknown
  • Owner: Alford Manor House
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Measurements: 
    • Length: 32.1 cm
    • Width: 18 cm
    • Height: 12.2 cm 
  • Materials: Wooden box, metal mechanism – brass, iron

Summary

A wooden box with a crank powered pulley mechanism inside, that appears to have been custom-made with a make do and mend attitude. The mechanism includes a spring that stores the energy from the crank, and lead weights to slow the rotation of the pulley. It is unclear what exactly the pulley mechanism would have been attached to or originally made for. It’s the sort of thing you might find in your grandad’s shed, that he shows off to you as automating some oddly specific task. 

Behind the Scenes

Internal view of a wooden box containing crank powered pulley. There is a complex metal mechanism made of steel plates, cogs, gears and driveshafts inside the box. A metal bar with a wooden handle that turns the mechanism extends from the mechanism through the side wall of the box to the outside of the box.
Object prior to conservation treatment.
A view of the internal metal mechanism in a three-quarter profile. The mechanism is attached to the box by a metal bracket fixed the back of the box. There is a drive shaft entering the mechanism from the left, it extends through a bracket and terminates in a cog. The cog interlocks with a larger cog that is perpendicular to it. The large cog is fixed to a cased spring, and there is a flat metal cover plate holding the cased spring in place. The cover plate obscures the inner cogs of the mechanism.
Close-up photo of the mechanism.

The conservator who treated this object is Evan, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

Related Objects

Click on the image to learn more.

Working Objects Collection

The wooden metronome with the front panel removed to show the reattached tempo marking strip and mechanism.
Metronome
Victorian Mantel Clock after treatment.
Victorian Mantel Clock
View from above: an enema equipment in a mahogany case with the lid opened. Object prior to treatment.
Victorian Enema Equipment
A dark brown wooden veterinary box with a dark brown leather closure. On the front facing side is a deteriorated green label with gold lettering and red detailing. Areas of damage, especially on the lid are slightly paler than the main box.
Veterinary Box