Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Ships' Bottoms, also applicable for Stopping Leaks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896-Accepted, 15th Aug.. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Ships' Bottoms, also
applicable for Stopping Leaks.
I, PATRICK REILLY, of 2319 Christian Street, Philadelphia, in the County of
Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for cleaning ships' bottoms
and the object thereof is to provide a simple and efficient device of the character
referred to which may he readily carried on ship board and easily brought into use
when required, and adapted to be used either while the ship is afloat or in dry dock.
The main object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus with a
flexible frame, whereby the same may accommodate itself perfectly to the bilge and
curvature of the ships' hull beneath the load water line. A further object of 'the
invention is to provide in connection with such frame a series of cleaning brushes
mounted upon endless guide pins and capable of travelling transversely beneath the
hull from the load water line to the keel or vice versa. The invention also has for
its object to provide Dovel gripping device attached to the cleaning frame and'
adapted to be operated from above the surface of the water so as to grip the keel as
in a vice, thus securing the lower end of the cleaning frame rigidly to said keel.
Other subjects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the
subjoined description.
The invention consists in an improved apparatus for cleaning ships' bottoms,
embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of
parts, whereby increased efficiency is attained, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated
in the drawings and finally embodied in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:--
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus constructed in accordance
with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a ship's hull showing the application of
the improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the keel gripping feature.
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view through a portion of the chain of
brushes.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the adjustable röller frames, by'
means of which the apparatus may be adjusted fore and aft..
Figure 6 is a detail view of one of the brushes.
Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the drawings.
For the purpose of carrying out the present invention employ two flexible and
elastic frames designated by the numeral 1. Each of said frames comprises a pair
of elastic bars 2, which are arranged in parallelism and spaced in a full sized 'machine,
in the neighbourhood of 'three feet apart, varying of course according to 'the size of
the boat upon which the device is to operate. These side bars are connected at their
extremities by transverse tie-bolts 3 which pass through terminal eyes in the 'said
:

page_text: side bars and have disposed around them, sleeves or spacing tubes 4 which hold
the side bars a sufficient distance apart. Two open rectangular frames are thus
obtained, and these frames are connected at their lower ends by a series of links 5
which pass around the extended ends of the adjacent tie-bolts 3, and also around
two or more transverse bolts 6 similar and arranged in parallelism to the tie bolts 3
and also provided with spacing sleeves 7. The last named bolts 6 are interposed at
regular intervals between the bolts 3 of the frames 1 and each of said bolts is
connected with the bolt next adjacent to it by means of independent links arranged one
at each end. The frames and the bolts 3 and 6 while thus firmly interconnected,
are capable of yielding independently so that they will accommodate themselves to
and dispose themselves beneath and upon the sides of the ships keel in the manner
illustrated in Fig. 2. When adjusted into the position just described, the bolts 3, 3,
referred to may be caused to firmly grip the keel of the vessel by means of a
series of lever arms 8 four of such lever arms being shown, two upon each side of
the device. Each of said lever arms is formed with two eyes or bearings 9 which
embrace the projecting extremity of one of the end bolts 3 of the adjacent frame 1,
and the other the corresponding end of the intermediate bolt 6 next adjacent thereto.
All of the. lever handles are disposed in the same manner, and at their outer ends
attached to ropes or chains 10, which extend in opposite directions beneath the hull
of the boat and upward above the surface of the water where they may ho hauled
taut by the deck hands and made fast to the rails. The apparatus may thus be
temporarily clamped to the bull of the boat and caused to grip the keel as in a vice
so that it will be impossible for the apparatus to slip or move longitudinally of the
keel in either direction.
11 designates a plurality of outwardly projecting blocks which are secured to the
elustic side bars of both frames by means of U-shaped straps 12, of metal the said
straps passing around and embracing the said frame bars and also embracing the
blocks 11 upon opposite sides thereof and being riveted or otherwise secured thereto,
as shown. These straps 12 hold the blocks 11 firmly in place upon the elastic bars of
the frame and at right angles thereto and form the bearings for a series of transverse
rods or bolts 18, surrounded by anti-friction sleeves 14, constituting rollers against
which the cleaning brushes have their bearing. Journaled on the end bolts or
rods 18 of each frame are enlarged rollers or drums 15, and upon the opposite ends
of the upper roller or drum are secured sprocket wheels 16. Sprocket chains 17
pass over these sprocket wheels and extend downwardly to the lower end of the frame
where they pass over the lower roller or drum the said chains being guided at
intermediate points by means of the anti-friction sleeves or rollers 14 and short
supplemental rollers 18, revolubly mounted upon the inner faces of the blocks 11 and
upon the opposite sides of the chains from the sleeves or rollers 14. The chains are
thus caused to travel between anti-friction guiding rollers and are thus held properly
to their work. The pivots 19 of certain links of the chain, at equal intervals apart,
are extended transversely across from one chain to the other. These extended pivots
are arranged in pairs and are received in facial grooves 20, in the back 21 of a
cleaning or scouring brush 22. Any number of said brushes may be employed and
the operative faces of said brushes are preferably made to exceed in area, a half
cylinder, so that said brushes may swing freely to accommodate themselves to any
unevenness in the ship's bottom and yet present their operative faces thereto. Metal
bristles or brass, or any other suitable material may be used in the manufacture of
the brushes 22. Arranged between the chains and secured to the backs of the
brushes, is an endless belt of rubber, as indicated at 23. This belt also passes
around the end drums or rollers and serves to hold the brushes upon the extended
pivots of the chains and also assists in preserving the proper poise of the several
brushes and restore the same to their proper working positions.
The shaft of the upper roller or drum is extended beyond the blocks 11 in which
it has its bearings and is provided outside of said blocks with spur gears 24, which
mesh with corresponding gour wheels on a counter shaft 25, arranged above and in
parallelism to the drum shaft. This last named shaft 25 is provided with a drum or

page_text: pulley 26, from which a belt may be extended to an engine of any description
arranged upon the deck of the vessel or other convenient point. In this manner
motion may be imparted to the chain of brushes for causing them to traverse the
ship's bottom and clean any barnacles or foul matter therefrom. The opposite ends of
the upper drum shaft are also extended beyond the spur gears sufficiently to receive
oppositely disposed crunks 27, which are preferably made of a size which will admit
of the employment of two men for each crank. Provision is thus made for operating
the brushes by hand power as well as from a driven belt.
28 represents a rope or cable which attaches to a link 29 at the bottom of the
frame 1, and extends thence upwardly, outside of palleys 30, journaled upon the
outer faces of the blocks 11 and attaches to the rail of the vessel. By means of this
arrangement and with the aid of four of such ropes or cables arranged upon the
opposite sides of both of the elastic frames 1 the latter may be drawn inward against
the submerged hull of the vessel so as to fit snugly against the same and accommodate
themselves accurately and perfectly to the outline and curvature of such hull.
31 designates a pair of pivoted frames which are mounted between laterally projecting
ears extending in opposite directions from the opposite pair of blocks 11, preferably
at a point central of the vortical extent or length of each of the elastic frames.
Each of said frames 31 is provided at one end with an eye and the opposite end
thereof is forked to embrace a bearing roller 38, which is journaled therein. These
roller frames are so arranged that they may be connected with ropes or cables 34,
running fore and aft and attached to the eyes 32. By drawing upon these ropes or
cables, the roller frames may be vibrated upon their pivots in such manner as to
project the rollers inside of the inner faces of the elastic frames 1, thereby permitting
the apparatus to be moved towards the bow or stern of the vessel, as required.
When these ropes are secured at their opposite ends, they serve as additional stays
for holding the apparatus in place.
In operation the apparatus is lowered from the bow of the vessel, whereupon the
weight of the apparatus will carry it to a sufficient depth so that it may be moved
longitudinally, and passed underneath the vessel to the desired point. The upper
ends of the elastic frames are now made fast by means of suitable stay ropes which
attach to the frames and to the rail of the vessel. The ropes which connect with
the keel grip levers are now hauled taut, thereby causing the apparatus to firinly
grip the keel, as herein before stated. After making these ropes fast, the ropes 28 are
drawn taut and made fast to the rail of the vessel, thus causing the elastic frames
to assume a curvature corresponding to the lines of the hull. By now setting the
train of brushes in motion, the barnacles and other foul or foreign matter which
may have accumulated on the hull, are removed from the path in which the brushes
travel. The apparatus may be re-adjusted in a similar manner to a different point
and the operation repeated until the entire hull of the vessel, below the water line
shall have been cleaned. Another valuable function of the elastic frames of the
apparatus resides in the adaptability of the same for assisting in the stoppage of a
leak in the vessel's hull. Should a hole be stove in the vessel's hull beneath the
water line, one or more thicknesses of canvas or other suitable material may be
attached to the elastic bars of one of the frames 1, and thus be lowered beneath the
surface and brought into position to cover such hole or leak. Owing to the flexibility
and elasticity of such frame, the canvas will be pressed firmly against the bottom
of the vessel and securely held against escape. The action of the water will be to
press this canvas still more firmly around the leak and prevent the inflow of
water during the operation of pumping the water from the hold and making the
proper repair of the leak from the inside of the vessel.
The apparatus above described is simple and efficient in construction and operation,
may be manufactured in any size to suit the particular vessel in connection with
which it is intended to be used, and by reason of the elasticity of its frame work,
will readily accommodate itself to hulls of varying shapes. Various changes in the
form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without
departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame comprising substantially
parallel flexible and elastic bars adapting the fraine to conform to the curvature of
the vessel's hull, in combination with an endless train of cleaning brushes mounted
in the frame and travelling between said flexible bars and supported at intervals
thereon, and means for imparting motion to said brushes, substantially as described..
2. In an apparatus of the character described, a flexible and elastic frame adapted
to conform closely to the curvature of the vessel's hull, in combination with an endless
train of cleaning brushes, and a plurality of guiding and supporting rollers mounted
in the frame and arranged at intervals throughout the length of the same, whereby
the brushes are supported at numerus points along the path in which they travel,
substantially as described.
3. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame comprising parallel flexible
bars adapting the frame to conform to the curvature of the vessel's hull, in combination
with a series of arms or blocks attached to said flexible bars and projecting outward
therefrom cross stays or bolts connecting said arms or blocks in opposing pairs,
anti-friction sleeves surrounding said bolts and an endless train of brushes travelling
between the flexible bars of the frame and bearing against said sleeves being guided
and supported thereby, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
4. In an apparatus of the character described, a flexible frame adapted to conform
to the cross sectional outline of the vessel's hull, in combination with suitable
cleaning devices mounted on the frame, a pair of roller frames having a hinged
connection with the main frame at points intermediate the upper and lower ends of
the latter and having rollers adapted to bear against the hull between the keel and
the water line, and ropes or cables attached to said roller frames, whereby the latter
may be vibrated for forcing the rollers against the hull and moving the main frame
and the cleaning devices out of contact with the hull, substantially as described.
5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a suitable
frame adapted to extend upon opposite sides of the keel, of cleaning devices mounted
in said frame, and a jointed and folding vice or grip adapted to be adjusted into
clamping engagement with the keel, substantially as described.
6. In an apparatus of the character described, a flexible frame adapted to conform
to the cross sectional outline of the hull of the vessel, in combination with an endless
train of cleaning brushes mounted in the frame, the shafts around which the brushes
travel having sprocket wheels fast thereon, endless drive chains running around said
sprocket wheels and arranged at each side of the brushes, the brushes being attached
to said chains by means of cross rods which connect the opposing chains, substantially
as described.
.
7. In an apparatus for cleaning the hulls of vessels, the combination with a pair
of flexible frames of a series of links connecting the lower ends of said frames, and
a series of crank arms connected to and operating said links and causing them to
bind against and grip the keel of a vessel, substantially as described.
8. In an apparatus for cleaning the hulls of vessels, the combination with an
elastic frame inade in two similar sections, of a series of links connecting said sections
at their lower adjacent ends, a series of transverse bolts or rods connecting said links,
and a set of crank arms each connected with more than one of said 'bolts or rods,
and having an operating rope or cable, substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of May 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.