Improvements in and relating to Model or other Yachts.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Model or other Yachts.
I, HERBERT CONSTERDINE, of Milton House, 66, Shore Road, Littleborough, in
the County of Lancaster, Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements applicable to yachts but more particularly
to model or other yachts for sporting or other purposes.
The object of this invention is to provide a means for mechanically controlling
or operating the yacht so as to tack to or against the wind, to make tacks of even
lengths on the port or star board sides or tacks of variable or unequal lengths with
respect to each other and on either side of the vessel as may be desired such tacks
which may be unlimited if not required to return, being made as is well known
to windward and when the required number of tacks have been accomplished,
which may be of any predetermined number when required to return. The yacht
is so controlled or operated by my invention as to commence and make its return
to leeward. The whole of the movements of the yacht from commencement to
finish is effected by the wind the force of which imparts motion to the vessel by
means of the sails as in ordinary craft of this description and through the
mechanism of which motion the machinery or mechanism which constitutes my
invention is caused to operate and to actuate the rudder and the sails at certain
assigned periods either simultaneously or at successive operations whereby the
whole of the movements of the said yacht are automatically accomplished by a
self contained arrangement of mechanism provided' on the vessel itself which
movements are perfectly and unerringly performed without the aid or necessity
of any external or manual application of force as is now generally the case with
such model craft.
As constructed this invention consists of a peculiar form of screw provided with
its complement of adjustable blades the pitch of which is capable of variation at
will and as the vessel passes through the water the screw. is caused to
rotate more or less according to the adjusted angularity of the blades, the said
screw is connected at the aft part of the vessel by means of a flexible metallic rope
cord or may be a shaft to a primary motion shaft which by the interposition of
suitable band driven speed pullies and a secondary motion shaft upon which is
mounted a suitable gear wheel gearing with a train or arrangement of gear wheels
operating or rotating a vertically situated piece provided with notches or openings
or escapement tracks which for convenience of description I term "turret piece."
I cause to engage with the turret piece the fore tiller of the rudder a projecting
part of which is adapted to rest within a central space or cavity of the turret whilst
in this position the rudder is maintained in a stationery straight or neutral
position but as the turret piece revolves about its axis the tiller is allowed and is
free to escape through the or an escapement opening to the right or to the left
effected by the force of the wind on the mainsail accordingly as an opening on
either side of the turret is presented to the projection on the tiller, consequently

page_text: in the event of such movements allows the vessel to tack to the port side or to the
star board side respectively which performances are finally and effectually com-
pleted by the self adjustment and simultaneous actions of the jib and fore sails
controlled by the agency of suitable mechanism controlled in turn by the tiller
of the rudder which I will now proceed to describe. A connecting rod or bar
extends from the fore tiller connected therewith by suitable connections and at
the opposite extremity engages with the booms of the jib and foresail at the fore-
part of the vessel which consists of suitable releasing and engaging mechanism
being studs or stops provided on plates capable of partly turning about their
axes, and stop pieces provided to keep the fore sail in position when moved by the
wind to the port or star board side to the extent allowed by the sheet cord on a
cross rail, which mechanism is alternately actuated as the tiller moves to the port
or to the star board accordingly as the vessel makes a port or star board tack and
thus allows the sheets particularly the inner fore sail sheet to receive the wind
pressure on the side when in position on the side on which it is desired to tack
and so to assist through the media of the sails in order to direct the fore part of
the vessel to answer to the rudder. The arrangement above described appertains
to tacking operations. I will now proceed to describe the apparatus brought into
use for ensuring the performance of any required number of tacks and to return
or direct the vessel back towards its starting point or to sail before the wind. I
provide in conjunction with the mechanism before described a slide or fore & aft
bar having connections with the following apparatus viz. two locking pieces,
centrally situated with relation to the vessel and in proximity to the fore sail
boom, a catch or stay piece adapted to hold the main sail in its normal or working
position and the adjustable and moveable interlocking device in connection with
the rudder. In connection with the said slide bar I provide a suitable engaging
catch and a tooth wheel and by means of intermediate connecting rods or levers
and pawl the said wheel has a connection with the fore tiller, on the said wheel is
provided a stud-which when the required' number of tacks have been made-
engages with a convenient part or connections of the said slide bar-which number
of tacks are determined by the dimensions of the wheel or the setting back of the
stud to a convenient position as through the space of two complete oscillations
of the tiller two tacks the wheel is caused to move a tooth forward, i.e. to advance
nearer to the bar or its connections thus operates the lock pieces, the fore sail is
moved to a central position, retains the foresail boom in position the catch or
retaining piece holding the main sail sheet is actuated so as to release the main
sail and allow the same to move round or square to or at right angles or there-
abouts to an imaginary longitudinal centre line of the vessel the fore tiller is dis-
connected from the rudder, the wind pressure on the jib or jibs thus tends to turn
the fore part or head of the vessel, round from the weather shore towards the lee-
shore or starting point.
The wind pressure tends-if the yacht be subject only to the influence of the
main sail more or less to drive the vessel at an angle and thus strike the fore-
sail under such conditions; but to correct these defects and to enable the vessel'
to sail before the wind, pressure on the foresail causes the boom according to my
arrangement to press against a lockpiece, having a connection-by an intercepting
rod and suitable mechanism-with a spindle carrying a gear wheel which places
the said wheel in gear with a rotary gear wheel on the primary motion shaft, the
tiller is thus caused to operate and suitably actuate conjointly with the action of
the foresail, thus to correct any tendency to angularity of the vessel with relation
to wind or impelling force so as to maintain the vessel before the wind.
I employ means to control the movements of the after tiller rudder to keep the
same within certain limits by means of a suitable stop piece which may be adjusted
in position by an attendant this may be necessary to adjust more or less according
to conditions of the wind and is employed only for use in connection with the
after tiller for the purpose of maintaining the vessel sailing before the wind or as
a substitute I may employ a means for connecting the boom of the main sail with

page_text: the after tiller so as to allow or control the movements of the rudder so as to
maintain the same within the limits of certain angles to ensure in assisting the
fore sail' in maintaining the vessel sailing before the wind thus to automatically
allow the rudder to assume the positions most convenient for steering the vessel
under the varying conditions of wind. I may provide a means by which the wheel
and spindle may be removed or lifted from the primary driving shaft and thus
remove the rudder from the influence of the band driven spindle so as to obviate the
wedgeing of the rudder in the event of excessive pressure being applied thereto
through the medium of the foresail.
Where desired to make long and short or variable tacks I arrange or adapt a
portion of the train of gearing on a suitable lever or frame capable of oscillation
about the axis of one of the wheels by means of which the position of the turret
may be varied with relation to the axis thereof, thus the position of the fore tiller
and its movements are limited more or less or is detained for longer or shorter
periods on the sides of the port or star board consequently varying under such
conditions the lengths of tacks.
Date : 09-1 do 1007
J. H. BUTTERWORTH & Co.,
Rochdale, for the Applicants,
Improvements in and relating to model or other Yachts.
I, HERBERT CONSTERDINE, Milton House, 66, Shore Road, Littleborough,
Lancaster, Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
My invention relates to improvements applicable to yachts but more particularly
to model or other yachts for sporting or other purposes.
The object of this invention is to provide a means for mechanically controlling
or operating the yacht so as to tack to or against the wind, to make tacks of even
lengths on the port or star board sides or tacks of variable or unequal lengths with
respect to each other and on either side of the vessel as may be desired, such tacks
which may be unlimited if not required to return, being made as is well known
to windward, and when the required number of tacks have been accomplished,
which may be of any predetermined number when required to return. The yacht
is so controlled or operated by my invention as to commence and make its return
to leeward. The whole of the movements of the yacht from commencement to
finish are affected by the wind, the force of which imparts motion to the vessel by
means of the sails as in ordinary craft of this description and through the
mechanism. of which motion the machinery or mechanism which constitutes my
invention is caused to operate and to actuate the rudder and the sails at certain
assigned periods either simultaneously or at successive operations whereby the
whole of the movements of the said yacht are automatically accomplished by a
self-contained arrangement of mechanism provided on the vessel itself which move-
ments are perfectly and unerringly performed without the aid or necessity of any
external or manual application of force as is now generally the case with such
model craft.
Referring to the annexed drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view shewing the general arrangement of my mechanism,

page_text: Figure, perspective view of rotating turret piece.
Figure 3, side elevation shewing engagement of same with fore tiller.
Figure 4, plan view of mechanism for releasing fore sails and jib.
Figure 5, view of catch for fore sail.
Figure 6, side elevation for jib mechanism.
Figure 6, section through line ―y, Fig. 6.
Figure 7, side elevation of mechanism for maintaining fore boom in tacking
position.
Figure 8, side elevation of pivoted lever for operating the rudder when running
before the wind.
Figure 9, elevation of fore sail releasing mechanisın.
Figure 10, end elevation of fore and aft tiller.
Figure 11, sectional side view of same.
Figure 12, enlarged plan view of catch 6.
Figure 13, end elevation of same.
As constructed this invention consists of a rotating log a provided with its com-
plement of adjustable blades a', the pitch of which is capable of variation at will
and as the vessel passes through the water the log is caused to rotate more or less
according to the adjusted angularity of the blades, the said log is connected at
the aft part of the vessel by means of a flexible metallic rope, cord or shaft 6 to a
primary motion shaft 6' which operates the band driven speed pullies cand the
secondary motion shafts upon which is mounted a worm wheel e gearing
with a train arrangement of gear wheels operating or rotating a vertically situated
piece (Fig. 2) provided with notches or openings or escapement tracks 9 which
for convenience of description I term "furret piece." I cause to engage with the
turret piece the fore tiller h of the rudder, a projecting part 7 (see Fig. 3) of
which is adapted to rest within a central space or cavity of the turret. Whilst in
this position the rudder is maintained in a stationary straight or neutral position,
but as the turret piece f revolves about its axis the tiller h is allowed and is free
to escape through one of the escapement openings to the right or to the left
effected by the force of the wind on the mainsail (which is connected to the fore
tiller.h by the main sheet ¹) accordingly as an opening on either side of the turret
is presented to the projection on the tiller, & consequently in the event of such
movements, the rudder will be operated either to the port or starboard side thus
causing the vessel to tack to the port side or to the starboard side respectively
which performances are finally and effectually completed by the self adjustment
and simultaneous actions of the jib and fore sails.controlled by the agency of suit-
.able mechanism, controlled by the tiller of the rudder which I will now proceed to
describe. A connecting rod or bar g' extends from the fore tiller connected there-
with at point g only, and engages by means of the bars or rods g with the booms
of the jib and foresail at the fore part of the vessel (Figure 6). The rods g2 are
alternately actuated by the movement of the rod g' either to the port or starboard
side by means of three projections g, g' and carried by the rod g. The
projection being for the purpose of drawing out the rods 3 alternately and the
projections g to return same to their initial position. In Figure 4 is shewn an
enlarged view of this mechanism and in which the rod glis shewn by dotted lines
when pulled out by the fore tiller h moving to the port side when the projection g³
will engage with a flange on the inside of the portside rod and will carry same
with it, which will operate a frame or stop piece 2 (Fig. 6) situated on the bow-
sprit & provided on a plate capable of partly turning about its axis and is actuated
by the rods g which are connected to same (Fig. 6) said stop piece 2 holding or
retaining the gib, boom 2 in position so that when the stop piece 2 is in the
position shewn by the dotted lines (Fig. 6) the jib boom 2 will be allowed to escape
to either side as the case may be. A stop piece 3 is provided (Figs. 1 & 5) to keep
the foresail in position when moved by the wind to the port or starboard side to
the extent allowed by the sheet cord, said cord being attached to stop piece 3. This
stop piece slides on a cross rail 4 (Fig. 1) and is held in the central position by

page_text: the projection (Fig. 1) engaging between the sides 3" (of the stop piece 3) which are
pivoted at 3b (Fig. 5). When the projection g6 is withdrawn by the movement of
fore tiller either to port or starboard side (said projection ge having connection
with rod g' as shown) the stop piece 3 is free to slide to either end of cross rail 4
which takes place alternately to each end as the tiller moves to the port or to the
starboard accordingly as the vessel makes a port or starboard tack, and thus allows
the sheets, particularly the inner foresail sheet, to receive the wind pressure
on the side on which it is desired to tack and 80 to assist through
the media of the sails in order to direct the fore part of the vessel
to answer to the rudder. When the fore sail and top piece 3 return to the
central position, said stop piece 3 is retained by the projection 9 aforesaid (now
returned to position shewn) owing to the sides 3" being pivoted. The first one to
approach the projection g6 of course will move on its pivot, the second one boing
prevented from so doing by the top end of same bearing on the top of
stop piece, 3. The levers 8 (Figs. 1 & 7) are pivoted at 9 and controlled by the
springs 11, and are alternately actuated by the rods g. When one of the
rods 9 is moved in the after direction the crank 8° will be operated, thereby
partially revolving the rod 8d and allowing the end 8° of same to rise and reducing
the pull on the cord 8. The spring 11 will then raise the pivoted lever 8 so that
the fore sail boom when freed, will be retained either at point 8b or 8ª according
to the force of the wind, where it is retained until the yacht turns and starts on
the opposite tack, when it again comes to the central position. Each of the
levers 8 are actuated in the above described manner.
The arrangement above described appertains to stacking operations. I will
now proceed to describe the apparatus brought into use for ensuring the per-
formance of any required number of tacks and to return or direct the vessel back
toward its starting point or to sail before the wind. I provide in conjunction with
the mechanism before described a slide or fore and aft bark having connections
with the following apparatus, namely, (1) two locking pieces pivoted to a sliding
bar at 18 centrally situated with relation to the vessel and in proximity to the
foresail boom 5 as shewn in Figure 9. (2) A catch or stay piece 6 consisting of
a plate shaped as shown & Fig. 1, 12, & 13 pivoted at 6 being held down by a
suitable catch 6b carried by the bar, k, & holding the mainsail in position, the main
sheet h¹ (passing along the underside of the main boom) being held by means of
a knot in same bearing upon the underside of the catch 6, the main sheet h¹ passing
through the V shaped aperture in catch 6. (3) A movable interlocking device in
connection with the rudder (sliewn in Figure 10), and consisting of a lever 7.
pivoted at 7, the end 7b being held down by the bark as shewn (Fig. 10). This
lever 7 bears upon the top of the fore tiller spindle h³ and holds same down in
position. In connection with the said slide bar I provide a suitable engaging
catch m Fig. 1, and a tooth wheel n and by means of intermediate connecting
rols or levers o and pawl o' & pivoted lever o the said wheel has a connection
with the fore tiller. On the said wheel is provided a stud p which, when the
required number of tacks have been made engages with a convenient part or con-
nection of the said slide bar such as the catch m, the number of tacks being
determined by the dimensions of the wheel or the setting back of the stud p to
a convenient position, as, through the space of two complete oscillations of the
tiller (two tacks) the wheel n is caused to move a tooth forward in the direction
of the arrow 1; thus when the stud engages with the catch m the continued
movement of the wheel n will cause the bar to move in the direction of the
arrow 2 This movement allows the lock pieces. (being pivoted at 1) to assume
the position shewn by dotted lines in Figure 9 under the influence of the spring
fixed at and engaging on the underside of the projections ³ carried by the lock
pieces. The lock pieces 7 are released by the falling of the bar which takes
place owing to the removal of the support carried by the bar. This
bar carries a plate or projection
76 which engages between pro-
jections 17 on the lock pieces 7, and holds same in the inoperativo

page_text: position (as long as the bar is in a horizontal position) owing
to the inward pressure of the projections upon the plate 70. Thus when
the fore sail is moved by the wind to a central position it is retained, by the boom 5
engaging between the lock pieces 1. The movement of the bar & also releases the
main sheet (which is held by the catch 6) by the removal of the catch Gb carried
by bar, & which holds said catch 6, which, being pivoted at 6" will then fly
backward owing to the pull of the main sheet and thus allows the knot in the same
to pass the clip 6 thus allowing the main sail now released to be moved by the wind,
round or square to, or at right angles or thereabouts to an imaginary longitudinal
centre line of the vessel. The fore tiller h & spindle are disconnected by the
spring (Fig. 11) which raises the spindle when the lever 7 is released at 76
by the movement of the bark (see Fig. 10 which is a view of the above looking
forward). The raising of the spindle disconnects the fore tiller with the
rudder, as the piece is raised (being connected to the spindle ³) and disengages
from the projection upon the rudder which is then controlled by the after
tiller only. The forward tiller (being raised) may be held rigid by a suitable
catch piece. The wind pressure on the jib or jibs now tends (as the head of the.
yacht is towards the wind) to turn the same round from the weather shore towards
the leeshore or starting point.
The wind pressure also tends, if the yacht be subject only to the influence of
the main sail, more or less to drive the vessel at an angle and thus strike the fore
sail under such conditions, but to correct these defects and to enable the vessel
to sail before the wind, pressure on the fore sail causes the boom according to my
arrangement to press against a lock piece which will then slide to the position
shewn by the dotted lines (Fig. 9), and being connected to the spindle by means
of the rod and lever will partially rotate same. This spindle operates the
gear wheels (situated over the primary shaft 6) by means of the pivoted levers ³
(Fig. 8). Mounted on the same spindle as the wheels is a drum or pulley ut
which when rotated by the gearing of the wheels s and will operate the after
tiller by means of the cord or connection and thus corrects any tendency to
angularity of the vessel with relation to wind or impelling force so as to maintain
the vessel before the wind.
I employ means to control the movements of the after tiller h³ to keep the same
within certain limits by means of a suitable stop picce u carried by the lever-u¹
which may be adjusted in position along lever by an attendant (before saiung
the yacht).
This may be necessary to adjust more or less according to conditions of the wind
and is employed only for 1180 in connection with the after tiller &
is to prevent same from swinging round and thereby maintaining the
vessel sailing before the wind or a8 a substitute may employ a
means for connecting the boom of the main sail with the after tiller ha such as by
the bent lever v pivoted at w, round the free end of which the main sheet h¹ passes
the other end being in connection with rod (Fig. 10) which comes in contact
with the after tiller h³, when raised by the lever 7. Therefore when the wind
pressure on the main sail is too great & tends to alter the course of the vessel the
main sheet will press against the free end of pivoted lever & by the mechanism
shown in Fig. 10 will keep the rudder in a central position & therefore ensures
the vessel sailing before the wind. (The lever v brought back to position shown,
by the spring¹) (Fig. 1). Further, to automatically allow the rudder to assume
the positions most convenient for steering the vessel under the varying conditions
of wind, I may provide a means by which the wheels and its spindle may be
removed or lifted from the primary driving shaft such as by the lever ¹ being
raised by the after tiller h³ (& being pivoted at 2) depressed at the other end
thus depressing the levers 3 (Fig. 8) and removing the rudder from the influence
of the cord or connection 1 by the disengaging of the wheels 3 & so as to
obviate the wedging of the rudder in the event of excessive pressure being applied
thereto through the medium of the fore sail.

page_text: Where desired to make long and short or variable tacks I arrange or adapt a
portion of the train of gearing on a suitable lever or frame 13 capable of oscilla-
tion about the axis 14 of one of the wheels & operated by the eccentrically pivoted
slotted plate by means of which the position of the turret f may be varied with
relation to the axis thereof. Thus the position of the fore tiller and its move-
ments, are limited more or less or detained for longer or shorter periods on the
sides of the port or star board consequently varying under such conditions the
lengths of tacks.
It will be seen that although I have described one arrangement of mechanism
by which the object of my invention may be carried out, there are various modifica-
tions which may be made and would readily suggest themselves without departing
from the substance of my invention, as the essential feature consists in utilizing
the movement of the yacht or vessel to operate mechanism for manipulating the
sails or steering gear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In yachts or vessels: the combined construction and arrangement of the
various parts substantially as described and illustrated herein and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In yachts or vessels: the means of mechanically manipulating the sails and
rudder of the yacht or vessel so as to cause it to follow approximately a precon-
corted course, such mechanical manipulation being brought about through the
medium of a log or propellor, which is caused to rotate in the water by the motion
of the yacht, said rotation being communicated through any convenient form of
connection to the sail and rudder operating mechanism.
3. In means for mechanically manipulating yachts or vessels a rotating turret
piece or catch operated by a propellor or log and so arranged as to release a sail
after a pre-arranged' rotation has taken place, such rotation being dependent upon
the distance travelled by the yacht or vessel.
4. In yachts or vessels of the class herein described: a composite rudder 80
arranged as to be operated from two independent sources, substantially as and for
the purpose described herein.
Dated this 24th day of March 1808
$
.