Improvements in Ships' Side Scuttles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
Improvements in Ships' Side Scuttles.
I, JAMES BROADFOOT, of Oswald Bank, Partick, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say ;-
My said invention has for its object to improve the construction of ships' side
scuttles so that whilst they can be set open to a greater or less extent they can
be more expeditiously and efficiently secured in the closed position than ships'
side scuttles as hitherto constructed.
In carrying out my invention I form the scuttle frame and ring as described
in my Patent Specification No, 18,178 of 1889 with concavely and convexly fitting
parts, the scuttle ring being made with a trunnion or stud projecting from it.
This trunnion turns in a block which is itself formed with trunnions or studs at
its sides and at right angles to the trunnion on which the block is fitted. The
trunnions of the block are carried in bearings in lugs between which the block
and the trunnion on which it is fitted are situated; and according to my present
invention these lugs are made movable and fitted so as to slide in guides in the
scuttle frame. The scuttle ring is also formed with a number of projections on
its face a corresponding number of locking catches being formed on the scuttle
frame. When the scuttle ring is to be closed the lugs can be moved round in
guides so as to turn the scuttle ring sufficiently to cause its projections to become
locked in the locking catches, the projections and catches being arranged to act
like wedges to force the scuttle ring closely in contact with the scuttle frame. A
movement of the parts in the opposite direction will free the projections from the
catches and permit of the scuttle ring turning on the trunnions so as to be
opened and swivelled as described in my earlier specification hereinbefore
referred to. At a point diametrically opposite to its hinge trunnion the scuttle
ring is provided with a stud which works in a bracket and which has on it a
pinching screw nut for securing the scuttle ring in a more or less open position.
This bracket may be made to slide in guides in the scuttle frame to permit of the
turning movement of the scuttle ring or it may be made with slots for that pur-.
pose. Any suitable device may be employed for turning the scuttle ring in the
manner described such as a small lever or screwed pin.
1000
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, that is to say:
My said invention has for its object to improve the construction of ships' side
scutties so that whilst they can be set open to a greater or less extent they can
be more expeditiously and effectively secured in the closed position than ships'
side scuttles as hitherto constructed.
In carrying out my invention I form the scuttle frame and ring as described
in my Patent Specification No. 18178 of 1889 with concavely and convexly fitting
parts, and according to my present improvements, I make the block on which
the scuttle ring is hinged, and the slotted bracket which receives the stud for
fixing the ring in any desired position movable, and fitted so as to slide in guides
in the scuttle frame, so that the scuttle ring can be moved round in either direc-
tion. The scuttle ring is formed with wedge-shaped projections, and the scuttle
frame with locking catches as in my earlier specification hereinbefore referred
to, but the locking catches instead of being made movable, are formed in a piece
with the frame; and when it is desired to completely close the scuttle opening,
the scuttle ring is moved round so that the wedge shaped projections are simul-
taneously brought into contact with the locking catches, and the ring is thereby
pressed tightly into the opening. The scuttle ring is moved round by a handled
key which works on a stud formed or fixed on the scuttle frame, the key being
formed with a toe or projection which engages in a corresponding notch on the
scuttle ring. On the key being turned the toe or projection acts in the notch
and gives the necessary turning movement to the scuttle ring. Any other suit-
able means however may be employed for turning the scuttle ring.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to in describing my improvements.
Figures, 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the accompanying drawings, are respectively a
sectional plan, a front elevation, an inverted sectional plan, and a vertical section
of a ship's side scuttle as made with my improvements. In these drawings the
same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out my invention the scuttle ring, A, is made with a trunnion or
stud, B, which is fitted to turn in a block, C, formed with side trunnions, C1,
at right angles to the trunnion, B. The trunnions, C1, of the block, C, are
carried in bearings or lugs, C2, forming part of another block, C3, and accord-
ing to my present invention this block is made movable and fitted so as to slide
round in a guide, D, formed on the scuttle frame, E. The outer side of the
guide is formed by a plate, 1 1, fixed by screwed bolts, D2, to the frame, E, and
furnished with stops, D3, for limiting the movement of the scuttle ring, A. The
scuttle ring, A, is formed with a number of wedge-shaped projections, A 1, on its
face, which are arranged to fit a corresponding number of locking catches, E1.
formed on the scuttle frame, E. At a point diametrically opposite to the
block, C, the scuttle ring, A, is provided with a stud, A2, which works in a
projecting slotted part, F, of a bracket or block, F1, and which has on it a
pinching screw nut, A3, for fixing the scuttle ring in a more or less open posi-
tion. The bracket or block, F1, is also made movable like the block, C3, and
fitted to slide round in a guide, G, formed on the scuttle frame, E, similarly to
the guide, D, to permit of the turning movement of the scuttle ring, A. The
scuttle ring is moved round by a handled key, H, which works on a stud, J,
formed or fixed on the scuttle frame, E, the key being formed with a toe or pro-
jection, H 1, which engages in a corresponding notch, A 4, formed between pro-
jections on the scuttle ring, A. On the key, H, being turned by its handle, H2,
the toe, H 1, acts in the notch, A4, and thereby gives the necessary turning
movement to the scuttle ring. Any other suitable means however may be
employed for turning the scuttle ring. When it is desired to completely close

page_text: the scuttle opening, E2, the stud, A 2, of the scuttle ring, A, is placed at the
inner end of the slotted part, F, and the ring is turned in a right hand direction
in the manner already described, so as to cause the wedge-shaped projections, Al,
to become simultaneously locked in the locking catches, El; a wedge-like
tightening action is thus produced, and the scuttle ring is thereby forced closely
in contact with the scuttle frame, so as to effectively close the scuttle opening.
In the drawings the scuttle ring, A is shown in a closed position but not thightened
up the wedge-shaped projections, A 1, being shown as just entered under the
locking catches, E 1.
A movement of the ring, A, in the opposite or left hand
direction releases the projections, A 1, from the locking catches, E1, and permits
of the scuttle ring turning on its trunnions so as to be opened and swivelled as
described in my earlier specification hereinbefore referred to.
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. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved ship's
side scuttle substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompany-
ing drawings.
2. In a ship's side scuttle making the block carrying the hinged trunnion of
the scuttle ring, and the bracket which receives the stud for adjusting the scuttle
ring, movable and fitted to slide in guides formed on the scuttle frame, the scuttle
ring being provided with wedge-shaped projections and the scuttle frame with
locking catches substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Natal this high day of February 1899
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.