Improvements in Mechanism for the Manual Propulsion of Small Craft.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1889
Complete Specification Left. 21st Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for the Manual Propulsion of Small
Craft.
1, GEORGE WILLIAM PARKER of 20 Iona Place, Mount Florida, Renfrewshire,
Ironmonger, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to fit in or to pleasure boats, fishing boats, life
boats, and other small craft, treadle or hand lover arrangements of mechanism for
enabling such small craft to be propelled by manual power.
In carrying out my invention, I, under one arrangement fit to the stern post or the
stern of the boat, a frame which carries a propeller for driving the boat. The-pro-
peller is fitted in bearings in the frame and is driven preferably by a chain, band or
rope, from a pulley mounted on the outer end of a shaft fitted in bearings at the
upper end of the frame. This shaft passes through or over the top of the stern or
stern post of the boat and has on its inner end another pulley which receives motion
through travelling bands, ropes or chains and pulleys, from a wheel carried in
bearings at the underside or below one of the seats of the boat. This wheel receives
its motion through a connecting rod and crank from a hand lever fulcrumed at the
bottom of the boat and reciprocatorily actuated by the person or persons in the boat.
This hand lever may be telescopically jointed so as to be adjustable in length and may
also have a series of holes so that the connecting rod may be pin jointed to it at any
desired part and thus regulate the length of stroke of the hand lever.
The rudder would by preference be fitted on to the back or outside part of the stern
frame.
Under a slightly different arrangement instead of having only one hand lever and
driving wheel, two hand levers and two driving wheels may be used. In this case
the driving wheels would preferably be mounted on the same axle or shaft suitably
fitted underneath one of the seats of the boat. The wheels would be fitted one at each
end of the seat and be driven from two reciprocating hand levers, capable of being
actuated the one by the right and the other by the left hand of the party driving the
boat.
In some cases two reciprocating hand levers may be fitted to each driving wheel,
one on each side of the seat; and, instead of having a crank on the axle carrying the
driving wheel or wheels, the connecting rods may be fitted directly to the wheels
themselves.
In conjunction with my improved mechanism I prefer to use a propeller having its
blades protected by a circumferential band or rim of metal. The blades being fitted
at their inner end to the boss on the propeller shaft whilst their outer ends are secured
to and are held in position by the circumferential band.
Instead of using only one propeller, twin propellers may be mounted in the stern
frame.
The chain, cord or band pulleys would preferably be of such sizes and be so
aranged as to multiply the number of revolutions of the driving wheel or wheels.
In some cases where suitable the propeller instead of being mounted in a frame
fitted to the stern of the boat may be mounted in the stern or stern post itself.
In some cases it may be found advantageous to fit pedal levers either to the lower
end of the hand levers or direct to the crank of the driving wheel so as to assist in the
propulsion of the boat.
If desired a number of hand levers and driving wheels may be so fitted in the boat
or other craft that a number of persons may aid in the propelling of the boat.
Dated this 20th day of Mov 1889
[Price 8d.]
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for the Manual Propulsion of Small
Craft.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM PARKER of 20 lona Place, Mount Florida, Renfrewshire,
Ironmonger, 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 has for its object to fit in or to pleasure boats, fishing boats, life
boats and other small craft, treadle or hand lever arrangements of mechanism for
enabling such small craft to be propelled by manual power.
In carrying out my invention, I, under one arrangement, fit to the stern post or
the stern of the boat, a frame which carries a propeller for driving the boat. The
propeller is fitted in bearings in the frame and is driven, preferably, by a chain, band
or rope, from a pulley mounted on the outer end of a shaft fitted in bearings at the
upper end of the frame. This shaft passes through or over the top of the stern or
stern post of the boat and has on its inner end another pulley which receives motion
through travelling bands, ropes or chains and pulleys, from a wheel carried in
bearings at the underside or below one of the seats of the boat. This wheel receives
its motion through a connecting rod and crank from a hand lever fulcrumed at the
bottom of the boat and reciprocatorily actuated by the person or persons in the boat.
This hand lever may be telescopically jointed so as to be adjustable in length and may
also have a series of holes so that the connecting rod may be pin jointed to it at any
desired part and thus regulate the length of stroke of the hand lever.
The rudder would, by preference, be fitted on to the back or outside part of the.
stern frame.
Under a slightly different arrangement instead of having only one hand lever and
driving wheel, two hand levers and either one or two driving wheels, may be used.
When two driving wheels are used they would preferably be mounted on the same
axle or shaft suitably fitted underneath one of the seats of the boat, and the wheels
would be fitted one at each end of the seat being driven by two reciprocating hand
levers capable of being actuated the one by the right and the other by the left hand
of the party driving the boat.
In some cases two reciprocating hand lever may be fitted to each driving wheel,
one on each side of the seat; and instead of having a crank on the axle carrying
the driving wheel or wheels the connecting rods may be fitted directly to the wheels
themselves.
In conjunction with my improved mechanism I prefer to use a propeller having
its blades protected by a circumferential band or rim of metal. The blades being
fitted at their inner end to the boss on the propeller shaft whilst their outer ends are
secured to and are held in position by the circumferential band.
Instead of using only one propeller, twin propellers may be mounted in the stern
frame.
The chain cord or band pulleys would, preferably, be of such sizes and be so
arranged as to multiply the number of revolutions of the driving wheel or wheels.
In some
cases where suitable the propeller instead of being mounted in a
frame fitted to the stern of the boat may be inounted in the stern or stern post itself.
In some cases it may be found advantageous to fit pedal levers either to the lower
end of the hand levers or direct to the crank of the driving wheel so as to assist in the
propulsion of the boat.
If desired a number of hand levers and driving wheels may be so fitted in the
boat or other craft that a number of persons may aid in the propelling of the boat.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon
Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal section of a boat fitted with one arrangement of
propelling mechanism.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a part longitudinal section of a boat with a modified arrangement of
propelling mechanism.
Fig. 5, is a detail view showing the propeller in side elevation, and fig. 5* shows
part of the propeller frame in end elevation.
Fig. 6, is a stern view of a boat with twin propellers fitted thereto.
Fig. 7, is a view of a fixed stern frame.
Fig. 8, represents in detail a movable frame.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are details.
On the drawings the same reference letters wherever repeated indicate similar or
like parts.
The
a, is the pleasure, fishing or other boat to the stern post b of which is fitted a
frame c carrying the propeller d and rudder e. As will be seen more particularly at
figs. 3 and 8, the stern frame c is preferably made removable having two arms c³ c
at its upper end which fit into eyes or staples a¹, a² on the stern of the boat and the
lower end of the frame is also fitted in an eye or staple a³ or into two eyes or staples one
on each side of the keel or the stern post. The frame is preferably made in two
parts c', c² the part 2 fitting into and being free to slide upwards in the part c'. The
propeller which has, preferably, a circumferential band f on it, as shown at
figs. 4, 5 and 12, has its shaft d¹ fitted or carried in the part c². To the under
side of the part 2 of the frame c or to a piece connected to the frame is fitted one
end of a rod or piece g its other end being secured to the keel of the boat. The
propeller has on its axle or shaft d', when it is driven by means of gearing, a small
bevel wheel (see fig. 1) which gears with a wheel i on an upright shaft j
carried in bearings in the frame c. The shaft ; has a second preferably larger
wheel on it, this wheel gears with a wheel k¹ carried on the outer end of a short
shaft & passing through the stern of the boat and revolving in suitable bearings therein.
The inner end of the shaft k has a second preferably larger wheel 2 on it which in
its turn gears with the wheel carried on one end of a transverse shaft 1.
shaft is preferably carried in bearings in a frame 3 shown in plan at fig. 9 and which
is secured to the stern of the boat. A wheel 2 is carried on the other end of the
shaft and is driven by means of a chain m or by gearing or bands from a main
driving wheel n' on a transverse shaft n carried in bearings in the frame m' secured in
the boat or in bearings secured to the underside of the scat or in standards projecting
upwards from the bottom of the boat. The frame m' is shown in a slightly modified
form more particularly at fig. 13 and as will be seen is preferably secured to the seat
and the bottom of the boat. The shaft n has two cranks n², n³ on it which
are driven by means of connecting rods m² from hand levers o one preferably at each
side of the boat. The cranks are preferably placed the one in advance of the other as
shown. The hand levers o are fulcrumed at o¹ to the bottom of the boat or when they
are close together to a base plate e fitted in the boat as shown at fig. 4.
By the
reciprocating of the levers o the wheel n' and through the gearing the propeller d is
made to revolve. As shown more particularly in side and end elevation at fig. 11,
the lower end of the hand levers o may be made with a curved or rolling bead o and
have on either side pins or studs o³ which are free to move vertically in a jaw o¹ on
the base plate c³. By making the levers with a tee or rolling surface the jar on the
mechanism is greatly reduced as the turning point of the lever is constantly being
changed from one to the other end of the tee head at each stroke, and the pin
jointing the handle to the connecting rod is thus caused to travel in a straight line.
Instead of driving the propeller d by gearing it may as illustrated at fig. 4 be driven
by bands and pulleys. In this case the propeller shaft d', carries a small pulley p
which is driven by a band or cord p' from a pulley p² carried on the shaft k, which in
its turn is rotated by means of a band, rope or equivalent passing over the main
driving wheel n and through the guide pulleys q', to the pulley p³ on the shaft, k.
The working mechanism is preferably so fitted in the boat that the wheels and chains
etc. shall be under the seats b¹.
..Instead of having only one main driving wheel n¹ two can be used, one at each side

page_text: of the boat and the power be transmitted by cords, bands, chains or gearing to the
shafts ork at the stern of the boat. When two driving wheels and two cords, bands
or equivalent are used to drive the pulley p³, on the shaft k, the pulley p³ would have
two grooves in it to receive the power transmitting cords or bands.
In fig. 1 the frame c is shown as being made in two parts c¹, c². The part c² fitting
into and being free to slide upwards in a slot in the part c'. The part 2 carries the
propeller d and has on the upper end of its back part two snugs or staples r, r. These
staples or snugs project through the slot in the part c¹ and into them is fitted the
pins of the rudder e, as will be seen when the rudder e is fitted in place it locks the
whole frame together. With this arrangement should the boat run on the ground
the rod g is immediately pressed upwards and consequently forces the part c² to slide
upwards in the slotted part c¹ thus lifting the propeller out of danger. As the rudder
is fitted into the snugs 7, 1, it also rises with the part c². On the boat passing again
into deep water the part c² with the propeller and rudder falls down again into position.
The shaft is so arranged as to rise up and fall back in conjunction with the
propeller. The shaft j is preferably of square section at its upper end so as to enable
it when rising to move easily through the bevel wheel it, and at the same time to ensure
said wheel revolving. The wheel 1, may be prevented from rising with the shaft by
means of a bearing or collar fitted above it. The whole frame, c, can be removed from
the boat when it is not in use by simply taking it out of the staples a², a² and a³..
In fig. 3 the frame c is shown of a slightly different construction and with the
rudder. removed. In this case the broad part at top forming the arms c³, c¹ is
made with a slots in it so that the edge of the bevel wheel i¹ passes through the frame
and gears with the wheel k¹. In this view the slots s' for carrying the sliding part c²
are clearly shown. In this view the back part of the sliding frame c² is shown shorter
than in fig. 1, and as only having the staple or snug ¹ on it, the stapler being fitted
in the part c¹.
In fig. 4 the frame e is shown as of a similar construction to that shown at fig. 3
except that it is adapted for pulleys and bands instead of gearing. The part c¹ is
shown as being stepped at its inner upper end to allow for the pulley p². The rudder
is shown as having a long pin at its upper part in order that when it is lifted up by
the sliding frame carrying the snug the pin will not fall out of the snug r.
In figs. 5 and 5* the part c² is shown as open at the bottom and as being so fitted in
the part c' as to be easily drawn up when desired by means of the chain t.
In fig. 6 a method of driving twin propellers d from the pulley p², is shown. In
this view the frame c is shown as "I" shape in end elevation, the two arms t', t
carrying the propellers which are driven from the wheel p², by a cord p¹, or its
equivalent or by gearing. The frame c in this case has no sliding part c².
In fig. 7 the frame c is also shown without a sliding part c², it is made in one piece
and jointed at u. In this case the shaft k, extends right through the frame and the
pulley p², is at the outside as also is the pulley p. The rudder is cut away to receive
the pulleys p, p²..
In fig. 8 a method for fitting the two parts c¹, c², of the frame c together is shown.
The frame is shown in side and end view and the part c² is separately shown in side
elevation and plan. In fitting the parts together the part c² carrying the propeller is
first fitted in place in the part c¹ and then to prevent it falling out of position a tapered
piece v is rivetted or otherwise secured to the upper end of each side of the part c².
The slots s¹, of the part care bevelled or tapered to receive the piece v. By having a
tapered piece v as described the part c² is securely and firmnly retained in position in
the part c¹.
In fig. 10 an arrangement for causing the pin jointing the handle to the connecting
rod m², to travel in a straight line is shown. In this arrangement a standard wo
having a slot w¹ in it is fitted to the bottom of the boat. The lever is fulcrumed
at w² and has at its upper end a pin w³ which is free to move in a slot w¹ in one end
of a link w which is secured to the standard w by a pin w on which the slot w is free
to work; the lower end of the link w is pinned at w to the connecting rod m². The
pin w is free to move in the slot w¹ of the standard. With this arrangement the pin w³

page_text: is caused to move in a straight line, as, when the lever is drawn backwards towards
the operator it forces the link to turn about the pin w as a centre and so draws
forward the connecting rod m2, and as the pin w8 works in the slot or guide w¹ the
end of the connecting rod is forced to travel in a straight line.
In fig. 12 the propeller d is shown in front view with the band or rim attached
thereto. By having a propeller with a rim or band the propeller can be made much
lighter and have more blades than the ordinary kind. As will be seen the blades are
fitted at their inner ends to the boss and at their outer edges to the band or rim.
Instead of having only one set of levers o, driving the crank shaft n, another set
may be fitted nearer the bow of the boat so as to be driven by a second person and the
levers may be connected by rods with the first set of levers. Or, if desired, the second
set of levers may be made to drive a second driving wheel or pair of wheels n', and
the power be communicated to the first wheel n', or pair of wheels by means of bands,
ropes, chains or their equivalent or by gearing. If desired, besides these two sets of
levers and driving gear, a third or other number of sets may be provided. In cases
where twin propellers are used the mechanism can be so arranged as to drive the
propellers independently of each other.
The boat may, if so desired, be driven by means of foot pedals such as x, fig. 4 which
may be connected to and be operated in conjunction with the hand levers o, or they
may be used as separate from or independent of such levers.
My improved arrangement of stern frame allows the propeller a greater depth of
water to work in.
As it is evident the several parts of my improved mechanism can be altered from
the views shown without departing from the spirit of the invention it is to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself thereto.
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. Mechanism for the manual propulsion of small craft consisting of hand levers or
treadles which operate by means of connecting rods and cranks, a driving wheel or
wheels, said wheel or wheels communicating power, by means of bands, ropes, chains
or their equivalent and suitably arranged pulleys to a propeller shaft carried in a
frame fitted to the stern of the boat, substantially as herein before described with
reference to the drawings annexed.
2. In small craft driven by manual propulsion, a fixed or removable frame fitted to
the stern of the boat and carrying the propeller, substantially and hereinbefore
described and shown.
3. The combination with the frame c fitted to the stern of the boat, of a propeller
having its blades fitted at their inner ends to the boss and at their outer ends to a
circumferential band or rim, substantially as herein before described and shown.
4. The combination with the stern frame c of a propeller carried in said frame and
a rudder fitted to the back of the frame, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown.
5. The combination of parts of the improved mechanism for the manual propulsion
of small craft the whole being arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as
shown under several modifications on the drawings annexed.
1000
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.