An Improvement in Marine Vessels, and Means for Propelling the same.
Year: 1897

page_text: July
Date of Application, 20th Jul, 1007
Complete Specification Left, 29th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 14th May, 1898 .
Complete Specification Left, 29th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 14th May, 1898.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Marine Vessels, and Means for Propelling
the same.
I, GOLDSBURY HARDEN POND, Gentleman, of the Town of Ashburnham, County
of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, in the United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a propeller or structure, constructed in accordance
with my invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower portion thereof;
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the line a-c Fig. 4, on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation, showing a modified construction;
Fig. 6 is an end view of one of the pontoons, showing the clamps;
Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the pontoons provided with feathering
paddles;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pontoon;
Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of one of the pontoon valves;
Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the pontoons shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
In the said drawing, referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the reference
numeral 1 designates a number of transverse deck beams, suitably connected
together, to which are secured the endless rails 2. These rails consist of the upper
and lower horizontal sections or portions, connected together by end portions curved
as hereinafter described. Vertical uprights 3 support and brace said rails. This
structure is enclosed and provided with state and other rooms to give it the boat-
like appearance and construction, shown in Fig. 1. Located within this structure,
between the inner rails of each pair, is a steam or other engine, by which the
wheels are operated to propel the structure.
'
5 designates a series of pontoons hinged together, the pintles G of the hinges
serving as axles for the flanged wheels 7 to turn upon. These pintles or shafts 6 pro-
ject beyond the ends of the pontoons and pass through curved brackets 8,
secured to the ends of the pontoons. These shafts also pass over guide wheels 9,
when the rails move forward with the frame, which wheels are loosely journȧlled
on shafts at the end portions of the rails. It will be noted that the end connect-
ing portions of said rails are made on a double or compound curve; that is to
say, while the upper portions are concentric with said guide-wheels, the lower por-
tions are eccentric thereto, giving the latter a longer curve, whereby the pontoons
will strike and leave the water at such an angle that they and the paddles thereof
will be feathered, as it were. Located beneath said rails are horizontal safety
rails 10, supported by curved brackets 12, and having their ends turned or curved
upwardly, like the runners of a sled, concentric with the curved portions of the
endless rails. The numeral 13 designates the paddles of the pontoons and the
numeral 14 keels at the ends thereof, for the purposes of preventing lateral drift-
ing of the pontoons.

page_text: The numeral 15 designates a boat-like frame enclosing the lower portion of the
structure, and extending down to about the water-line, and serves to intercept
waves, which would otherwise break against the pontoons.
The operation is as follows. As the structure is propelled by the engine, and
paddle wheels, the endless rails will travel over or upon the flanged wheels, which
will successively depress the pontoons at the front end and elevate them at the
rear, the lower series of pontoons being held stationary in the water by the resist-
ance of the paddles, while the upper run or series moves forward with the
frame. The object of the rails 10 is in case any of the pontoons should become
detached or broken, they will be caught thereby and prevented from falling
down.
I have also devised a means for applying power directly to the pontoons and
not through a paddle wheel, this being shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, described as
follows.
At each end of the boat-like structure are rotatable shafts 16, to which are
fixed pulleys 17. Around these pulleys pass endless horizontal cables 18. Also
secured to one of said shafts is a pulley 19, around which and a fly-wheel 20 of a
steam engine 21 passes a cable 23, by which motion is imparted to said pulleys
and horizontal cables. Secured to each end of the pontoons is a spring clamp 24,
with which the cables 18 engage.
The steam engine being set in operation, the horizontal cables are set in motion,
when the lower runs thereof will engage with the spring clamps, which will grip
the same.
The endless rails will now be caused to travel on the wheels of the
pontoons, the latter being successively depressed at the front and elevated at the
rear, forming ways for said rails.
Referring now to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the pontoons are provided at one end
with plates 25, extending from top to bottom of the pontoons, at a short distance
therefrom. On their inner sides, the said plates are provided with pumpers or
buffers 27. The numeral 28, designates the paddles provided at each end with
projections 29, which engage and slide between the bars 26 and the sides of the
pontoons.
In one side of each pontoon; there are formed a number of holes, in which are
seated circular valves 30, provided with annular flanges 31. These valves are
formed with central apertures, through which pass stems 32, the lower ends of
which are secured to spiders 34. The upper ends of these stems are provided with
heads 35, and with coiled springs 36.
As the pontoons are successively depressed in front, the paddles will drop down
so as to project below the same and thus offer a resistance to the water. After
the rails have left the pontoons, and the latter are elevated, the paddles will fall
back, so as to offer no resistance to the air.
In case any water should enter the pontoons upon the upward movement of the
latter, the gravity of the water will operate to open the valve and allow egress.
Haying thus fully described my invention, what I claim is: -
1. In a huoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails comprising the horizontal portions and the connecting portions made
on a compound curve, of the endless series of pontoons hinged together and resting
on the rails and the rails and the driving wheels carried by said rails substan-
tially as specified.
2. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails, the endless series of pontoons hinged together and the wheels carried
thereby, of the paddle wheels connected with said rails and means for operation
the same, substantially as specified.
3. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails and the rotatable guide-wheels thereon, of the endless series of pon-
toons hinged together, the transverse shafts secured thereto projecting beyond the
ends of the same and adapted to engage with said wheels, and the flanged wheels
journalled on said shafts, substantially as specified.

page_text: 4. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination of the
endless rails, comprising the horizontal portions and the double curved connecting
portions, the horizontal guide rails below said rails having their ends turned up
concentric with said connecting portions, the endless series of pontoons hinged
together and resting upon said rails, the transverse shafts extending beyond the
ends of said pontoons and the flanged wheels, substantially as described.
5. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails, the endless series of pontoons hinged together, and their supporting
flanged wheels, of the boat-like frame enclosing said pontoons, substantially as
specified.
6. A pontoon for a buoyant propeller of the character described, provided with a
single transverse paddle, and a horizontal keel, at each end, substantially as
specified.
7. The combination with the frame, of the endless tracks secured thereto, con-
sisting of the upper and lower horizontal portions and the compound or double
curved ends, substantially as specified.
8. In a buoyant propeller, the combination with the endless rails, the pontoons
hinged to each other and the wheels connected therewith, and the spring clamps
at the end of the pontoons, of the pulleys, the endless horizontal cables, the lower
runs of which engage with and are gripped by said clamps and means for operating
said cables, substantially as described.
9. In a pontoon for a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combina-
tion therewith of the automatically operating paddle, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the pontoon the plate secured thereto and the rods
secured to said plates, of the rectangular paddle having a projection at each end
sliding between said rods and the pontoons substantially as described.
11. The combination with the pontoon hinged together and the wheels of the
pontoons and the spring actuated valves adapted to be opened by the gravity of
any water entering the pontoons, substantially as described.
1008
GOLDSBURY HARDEN POND,
By his Attorney,
Edward C. Heaver.

page_text: Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pontoon;
Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of one of the pontoon valves; and
Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the pontoons shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
In the said drawing, already noted as the same as filed in the Provisional Speci-
fication, and referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the reference numeral 1 designates
a number of transverse deck beams, suitably connected together, to which are
secured the endless rails 2. These rails consist of the upper and lower horizontal
sections or portions, connected together by end portions curved as hereinafter
described. Vertical uprights 3 support and brace said rails. This structure is
enclosed and provided with state and other rooms to give it the boat-like appear-
ance and construction shown in Fig. 1. Located within this structure, between
the inner rails of each pair, is a steam or other engine, by which the wheels are
operated to propel the structure.
5 designates a series of pontoons hinged together, the pintles 6 of the hinges
serving as axles for the flanged wheels 7 to turn upon. These pintles or shafts 6 pro-
ject beyond the ends of the pontoons and pass through curved brackets 8
secured to the ends of the pontoons. These shafts also pass over guide wheels 9,
when the rails move forward with the frame, which wheels are loosely journalled
on shafts at the end portions of the rails. It will be noted that the end connect-
ing portions of the said rails are made on a double or compound curve; that is to
say, while the upper portions are concentric with said guide-wheels, the lower por-
tions are eccentric thereto, giving the latter a longer curve, whereby the pontoons
will strike and leave the water at such an angle that they and the paddles thereof
will be feathered, as it were. Located beneath said rails are horizontal safety
rails 10, supported by curved brackets 12, and having their ends turned or curved
upwardly, like the runners of a sled, concentric with the curved portions of the
endless rails. The numeral 13 designates the paddles of the pontoons and the
numeral 14 keels at the ends thereof, for the purpose of preventing lateral drift-
ing of the pontoons.
The numeral 15 designates a boat-like frame enclosing the lower portion of the
structure, and extending down to about the water-line, and serves to intercept
waves, which would otherwise break against the pontoons.
The operation is as follows. As the structure is propelled by the engine and
paddle wheels, the endless rails will travel over or upon the flanged wheels, which
will successively depress the pontoons at the front end, and raise them at the
rear, the lower series of pontoons being held stationary in the water by the resist-
ance of the pontoon paddles, while the upper run or series moves forward with the
frame. The object of the rails 10 is in case any of the pontoons should become
detached or broken, they will be caught thereby and prevented from falling
down.
I have also devised a means for applying power directly to the pontoons, and
not through a paddle wheel, this being fully shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, described as
follows.
At each end of the boat-like structure are rotatable shafts 16 to which are
fixed pulleys 17. Around these pulleys pass endless horizontal cables 18. Also
secured to one of said shafts is a pulley 19, around which and a fly-wheel 20 of a
steam engine 21 passes a cable 23, by which motion is imparted to said pulleys
and horizontal cables. Secured to each end of the pontoons is a spring clamp 24,
with which the cable 18 engages.
The steam engine being set in operation, the horizontal cables are set in motion,
when the lower runs thereof will engage with the spring clamps, which will grip
the same. The endless rails will now be caused to travel on the wheels of the
pontoons, the latter being successively depressed at the front and elevated at the
rear, forming ways for the said rails.
.
Referring now to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the pontoons are provided with end
plates 25, extending from top to bottom thereof, at a short distance therefrom. On
their inner sides, the said plates are provided with bumpers or buffers 27. The

page_text: numeral 28 designates the paddles provided with projections 29 at each end, which
engage and slide between the bars 26 and the sides of the pontoons.
In one side of each pontoon there are formed a number of holes in which are
seated circular valves 30, provided with annular flanges 31. These valves are
formed with central apertures through which pass stems 32, the lower ends of
which are secured to spiders 34. The upper ends of these stems are provided with
heads 35, and with coiled springs 36.
As the pontoons are successively depressed in front, the paddles will drop down
so as to project below the same and thus offer a resistance to the water. After
the rails have left the pontoons, and the latter are elevated, the paddles will fall
back so as to offer no resistance to the air.
In case any water should enter the pontoons upon the upward movement of the
latter, the gravity of the water will operate to open the valve and allow egress.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I do declare that what
I claim is
1. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails comprising the horizontal portions and the connecting portions made
on a compound curve, of the endless series of pontoons hinged together and resting
on the rails and the rails and the driving wheels carried by said rails substan-
tially as specified.
2. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails, the endless series of pontoons hinged together and the wheels carried
thereby, of the paddle wheels connected with said rails and means for operating
the same substantially as specified.
3. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails and the rotatable guide-wheels thereon, of the endless series of pon-
toons hinged together, the transverse shafts secured thereto projecting beyond the
ends of the same and adapted to engage with said wheels, and the flanged wheels
journalled on said shafts, substantially as specified.
4. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination of the
endless rails, comprising horizontal portions and the double curved connecting
portions, the horizontal guide rails below said rails having their ends turned up
concentric with said connecting portions, the endless series of pontoons hinged
together and resting upon said rails, the transverse shafts extending beyond the
ends of said pontoons and the flanged wheels, substantially as specified.
5. In a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combination with the
endless rails, the endless series of pontoons hinged together, and their supporting
flanged wheels, of the boat-like frame enclosing said pontoons, substantially as
specified.
6. A pontoon for a buoyant propeller of the character described, provided with a
single transverse paddle and a horizontal keel at each end, substantially as
specified.
7. The combination with the frame, of the endless tracks secured thereto, con-
sisting of the upper and lower horizontal portions and the compound or double
curved ends, substantially as specified.
8. In a buoyant propeller, the combination of the endless rails, the pontoons
hinged to each other and the wheels connected therewith, and the spring clamps
at the ends of the pontoons, of the pulleys, the endless horizontal cables the lower
run of which engage and are gripped by said clamps, and means for operating
said cables, substantially as specified.
9. In a pontoon for a buoyant propeller of the character described, the combina-
tion therewith of the automatically operating paddle, substantially as specified.
10. The combination with the pontoon, the plate secured thereto and the rods
secured to said plate, of the rectangular paddle having a projection at each end
sliding between said rod and the pontoon, substantially as specified.

page_text: 11. The combination with the pontoons hinged together and the wheels of the
pontoons and the spring actuated valves adapted to be opened by the gravity of
the water entering the pontoons, substantially as specified.
Dated this 18th dor of Narambor AD 1897
GOLDSBURY HARDEN POND,
By Edward C. Heaver.