Improvements in and relating to Keels for Yachts and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 19th June, 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Keels for Yachts and the like.
1, JAMES LEACH, of the "White Swan," Crosshouse, Southampton, in the
County of Hants, Licensed Victualler do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to yachts and the like and comprises various improvements
hereinafter described.
The main object of my said invention is to provide ballast keels for yachts, so
fitted, that they can be easily moved at will, from the deck of a yacht, in'a fore
and aft direction, whereby the yacht can be trimmed, that is the longitudinal line
of flotation altered, to a greater or less extent at will, while the yacht is afloat.
In making, and fitting a ballast keel to a yacht, according to one form or
modification of my 'invention, I provide and fit a water-tight well or casing at the
transverse centre of yacht, the well extending from the outside of the fixed keel up
to about the underside of deck of yacht, and for a longitudinal distance equal to
about that of the length of ballast keel, to the latter I suitably attach a centre
board, or plate, which fits nicely in the aforesaid well, the Board is of a 'length in
a fore and aft direction less than that of 'the well, and is mounted in same upon two
or more pairs of rollers which are mounted upon shafts passing through 'the sides of
the centre board, the rollers being free to: revolve upon, or with, the 'shafts and
travelling upon a recessed path formed in the inner sides of the well, 'léhġthways
of same.
To the fore and aft ends of the centre board I suitably attach chains, or their
equivalent, which are carried under sheaves-provided at, and in the fore and aft
ends of the well-and up to the top of well and over sheaves, there provided, and
the ends connected together, thus. forming an endless connection to which blocks
may be fitted through which hauling lines will pass. The chaitis may be carried
up in water-tight tubes to the deck if found more convenient.
When it is desired to alter the trim, that is the 'longitudinal water line of yacht
in a given direction the ballast keel is, by means of hauling upon the chain, drawn
in the desired 'direction, the distance, to which the said keel may be drawn in one
direction, fore and aft, being only limited by the length of the water-tight'chsing
or well.
of
Various, modifications may be made in the details of the apparatus' without
departing from the nature of my invention, for instance, instead of the bottom of
well resting on the top of fixed keel of yacht, or being fitted flush with the 'outside'
same, it (the well) may project to any convenient desired extent below the 'fixed
keel, the centre board--to which the movable ballast keel is attached being fitted
in the well, and the whole manipulated, in similar manner as bereid before
described.
The rollers upon which the ballast keel travels, in a fore and aft direction, are
preferably fitted at, or near the top part of centre board from 'which the ballast
keel is hung.
The centre board and the casing may be made of wood, or metal, or a combination"
of same as desired.
Dated this 10th is out 1901
"

page_text: 1, JAMES LEACH, of the "White Swan," Crosshouse, Southampton, in the
County of Hants, Licensed Victualler, 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 yachts, and the like, and comprises various improvements"
hereinafter described.
The main object of my said invention is to provide ballast keels for yachts so
fitted that they can be easily moved at will from the deck of a yacht in a fore and
aft direction, whereby the yacht can be trimmed, that is, the longitudinal line of
flotation altered, to a greater or less extent as desired, while the yacht is afloat.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section of a yacht shewing my improved ballast
keel fitted to same.
Fig. 2, a plan on top of deck.
Fig. 3, a transverse section taken on the line a. a.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In making and fitting my improved ballast keel to a yacht, according to one
form or modification of my invention, I provide, and fit a watertight well or
casing A at the transverse centre of yacht, the well extending from the fixed
keel, B, up to about the underside of deck, C, of yacht, and lengthways to any
convenient désired extent. A watertight cover b, will be fitted near the top of well
at a convenient distance below the deck.
To the ballast keel, D, I suitably attach a centreboard or plate, E, which fits
nicely in the well A, the centreboard is of a length, in a fore and aft direction, less
than that of the well, and is mounted in same upon two or more pairs of rollers F, F,
which are mounted upon shafts or spindles passing through the sides of the centre-
board, the rollers being free to revolve upon, or with the shafts the former
travelling upon recessed paths G, G; formed in the inner sides of the well,
lengthways of sanie."
To the fore and aft ends of the centreboard I suitably attach chains H, H, or
their equivalent which are carried under sheaves or pulleys J, J, and up to the top.
of well through watertight tubes or stuffing boxes C and over pulleys K, K, and
the ends of chains connected together thus forming an endless chain connection to
which one end of a tackle L will be connected for the purpose hereinafter
described.
The chains H, may be carried up to the deck in watertight tubes, if preferred,
extending from just above the sheaves J, J.
When it is desired to alter the trim, that is the longitudinal water line of yacht
in a given direction, the ballast keel D, is, by means of hauling upon the
tackle L, and therefore the chains H,-drawn in the desired direction, the lead of
tackle being altered to suit the circumstances the distance to which the said keel
may be moved in one direction fore and aft being only limited by the length of the
well A.
The rollers F, F, are preferably fitted at, or near the top part of centreboard.
The centreboard and well may be made of wood, or metal, or a combination of
same, as desired.
An indicator may be fitted on the deck which will shew at all times the position
of keel in a fore and aft direction.
f
Various modifications may be made in the details of the apparatus without
departing from the nature of my invention.
!

page_text: For instance, instead of the well being fitted flush with the bottom of fixed keel,
it may project to any convenient desired extent below the bottom of same.
And instead of using a tackle as aforesaid to move the centreboard and keel,
I may fit a windlass over the well, around the barrel of which the chain would
be wound and upon turning the windlass the centreboard and ballast keel would
obviously be moved in the desired direction.
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 :-
The improvements in, and relating to, keels for yachts, and the like, comprising
the watertight well A, the centreboard E, and attached keel D, and other devices
adapted for moving the keel in a fore and aft direction, all constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes specified.
....
1007
JAMES LEACH.
Herbert P. Blake, M.I.N.A.,
70 High Street, Southampton, Agent for the Applicant.