Improvements in Water-tight Bulkhead Doors.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1897-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1897
PROV
SIONAL
Improvements in Water-tight Bulkhead Doors.
I, JOHN THOMAS GIBBONS, 39, Anchor Street, Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey,
London, S.E., Compositor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The Watertight. Bulkhead Door is constructed in such a manner that should a ship fitted
with such invention be injured by collision or by stranding or meet with any accident
that ships are liable to meet with, which would cause water to flow into the interior
of such ship no matter whether such doors are closed or open such doors would be
automatically closed by the pressure weight or force of the water rushing against them.
Such invention consists of two sheets of metal or other suitable substance A and A¹
with suitable end pieces which are secured to the bulkhead the deck on which they
rest and the deck above such sheet of metal or other substance being at right angles
to the bulkhead Z and Z. Two doors B and B₁ are connected to A and A¹ in such
manner that they both open towards one another and are truly balanced by means of
two grooved wheels C and C¹ secured to such doors which run along the curved rails
F and F. Such doors are prevented from being pushed back beyond the points G
and H by means of two projections D and D₁ and also E and E. E and E¹ extend to
the deck above and also serve the purpose of preventing water from escaping through
the hinges of the doors when such doors remain open. E and E and D and D¹ are
secured in such manner that they cannot be removed from their connections but
can be moved to a distance and refastened in such manner as will prevent the doors
from travelling so far as the points G and H so as to allow of free passage through the
said doors without having to move them. Should water in large quantities find its
way into a ship fitted with such Watertight Bulkhead Doors it would force the first
door back until such door pressed against D and E or D¹ and E¹. The water would
then be compelled to flow against the second door in such a manner that such door
would be completely closed and would be kept closed by the pressure of the water
pressing behind it."
Dated this Twenty-second day of October 1896.
Improvements in Water-tight Bulkhead Doors.
JOHN THOMAS GIBBONS, ESQ., 39, Anchor Street, Southwark Park Road, S.E.,
Compositor, 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:-
The water-tight bulkhead door is constructed in such a manner that should a ship
fitted with such invention be injured by collision or by stranding or meet with any

page_text: surps are able to meet with which would cause water to flow into the
interior of such ship no matter whether such doors are closed or open such doors
would be automatically closed by the pressure weight or force of the water rushing
against them.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will now refer to the annexed
drawings:
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation showing my invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of same.
Figure 3. End elevation of same.
4. Sectional plan of modified arrangement.
This invention consists of two sheets of inetal or other suitable substance A and A¹
with suitable end pieces which are secured to the bulkhead, the deck on which they
rest, and the deck above; such sheet of metal or other substance being at right
angles to the bulkhead Z and Z. Two doors B and B are connected to A and A¹ in
such manner that they both open towards one another such as by means of hinges A2
and A3 and are balanced or supported by means of two grooved wheels C and C¹
secured to such doors which run along the curved rails F and F¹. Such doors are
prevented from being pushed back beyond the points G and H by means of two pro-
jections D and D1 and also E and E¹. E and E extend to the deck above and also
serve the purpose of preventing water from escaping through the hinges A² & A³ of
the doors when such doors remain open. The cords K¹ are attached to the doors B
& B¹ at K3 & pass over the pulleys J, K, J¹ & K¹ & are attached to the levers
I & I¹ which are pivoted at K (Fig. 1) D2 being adjustable counterpoises or weights.
E and E' and D and D are secured in such manner that they cannot be reinoved from
their connections but can be moved to a distance and re-fastened in such manner as
will prevent the doors from travelling so far as the points G and H so as to allow of
free passage through the said doors without having to move them. The action of the
counterpoises D tend to maintain the doors in their closed position when required.
Should water in large quantities find its way into a ship fitted with such water-tight
bulkhead doors in its passage through same it would force the first door back until
such door pressed against D and E or D¹ and E. The water would then be compelled
to flow against the second door in such a manner that such door would be completely
closed and would be kept closed by the pressure of the water pressing behind it. In
Fig 4 the pulleys J & K counter balancing weight, D', are dispensed with.
Of course it will be understood that the apparatus is arranged to be operated in
the event of the water flowing through same from either end, that is to say that
water flowing in the direction of the arrow 2 (Fig 2) will close the door B¹ & water
flowing in the direction of arrow 1 will close the door B.
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 combined construction and arrangement of the various parts substantially
as described and illustrated herein in the annexed drawings.
2. In water-tight bulkhead doors of the class herein described two hinged or
pivoted shutters or doors carried in a casing or suitable support and so arranged that
water entering either side of said casing or chamber will tend to close one or
other of the doors according to the direction of the movement of the water.
pulley or wheel attached to said doors and which runs upon a semi-circular rail
for the purpose of reducing the pressure upon the hinges or pivots carrying the doors
and so facilitate the movement of the said doors.
Dated this 21st day of July 1897.
A
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.