Improved Pedal-propelled Life-saving Apparatus and Pleasure Boat, Applicable also to other Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Pedal-propelled Life-saving Apparatus and Pleasure Boat,
Applicable also to other Purposes.
I, HENRY EDGE, of 5 New Goodwood Road, Havelock Park, Southsea, Hampshire,
Decorator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in pedal propelled
life saving apparatus and pleasure boats, applicable also to other purposes, and the
following may be enumerated as some of the uses for which it is suitable :-in cases
of accident, such as a person falling overboard, or the upseting of a boat; to com-
municate with the shore in cases of shipwreck, or from the shore to vessels when an
ordinary boat would not live on the water; in patrolling around vessels or forts; in
attacking forts or fortified places; to convey mines or explosives; or to carry a small
machine gun.
Some of its advantages are as follows:-its extremely light draught in the water;
its unsinkability; its capability of being readily steered; the speed at which it
travels; and the facility with which it can be run into the water and out of it.
My said invention consists essentially of a vessel approximating the shape of the
bow of a boat, which is supported by a suitable frame and contains the pedal
mechanism. The said pedal mechanism consists of a suitable crank or cranks con-
veniently mounted and carrying a toothed wheel or wheels which in combination with
an endless chain or chains impart an accelerated or diminished speed of rotation to
an axle or two axles which carry the propelling wheels. The said propelling wheels
consist essentially of two radial air tight cylinders having small paddles fitted to their
peripheries and are divided into a number of air-tight compartments.
The steering is effected by any suitable clutch action upon the shaft or shafts, by
means of which clutch action either or both of the propelling wheels may be caused
to run loose upon the shaft, whereby it will be readily understood that by releasing
one wheel, the apparatus will swerve around to right or left by the action of the other
wheel as desired, or when both are released they will serve to impede and answer as
a brake.
The after-part of the boat shaped vessel has an air-tight compartment, and the sides
of the vessel may be protected with wood or cork. A suitable shield or shields placed
on either side of the propelling wheels serve to protect the person or persons from the
spray. There may also be provided a suitable shield or shields whereby the whole of
the apparatus may be protected. My improved apparatus may be constructed of iron,
wood or any other suitable metal or material.
Dated this 9th day of March 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Pedal-propelled Life-saving Apparatus and Pleasure Boat,
Applicable also to other Purposes.
I, HENRY EDGE, of 5 New Goodwood Road, Havelock Park, Southsea, Hampshire,
Decorator, 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 my invention relates to a new and improved pedal propelled life saving
apparatus and pleasure boat, applicable also to other purposes, and the following may
be enumerated as some of the uses for which it is suitable :-in cases of accident,

page_text: such as a person falling overboard, or the upsetting of a boat; to communicate with
the shore in cases of shipwreck or to communicate from the shore to vessels when an
ordinary boat would not live on the water; in patrolling around vessels or forts; in
attacking forts or fortified places; to convey mines or explosives; or to carry a small
machine gun.
Some of its advantages are as follows:-its extremely light draught in the water ;
its unsinkability; its capability of being readily steered; the speed at which it travels;
and the facility with which it can be run into the water and out of it.
I now proceed to describe my said invention, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon, like
letters referring to similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a projected side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation.
Fig. 3 is a sectional front view of one of the propelling wheels. Fig. 4 is a section
through part of the steering and break gear. Fig. 5 is a detail view of part of the
apparatus. Fig. 6. is a detail view of one of the propelling wheels. Fig. 7 is a
detail view of a part of the steering device. Fig. 8. is a detail view of the boat-
shaped vessel.
In the drawings, A refers to a boat-shaped vessel, having two air-tight compart-
ments a, fore and aft, which are fitted with air-tight lids, and serve when required to
contain articles of food etc. The vessel is preferably built of wood, and may be
additionally protected by wood or cork covering or metal sheets. Two metal or other
shields a² are secured to the sides of the boat and serve to protect the operator and
machinery from the spray.
The vessel is preferably flat bottomed and is fitted at its sides with two keels a¹
secured by metal rods as passed through staples a*, and which, when the apparatus
is drawn from out of the water, will slide up out of the way when they come into
contact with the ground.
Within the vessel A is secured the metal framework B of the pedal propelling
mechanism, which, as in ordinary bicycles or tricycles, is constructed of a light
design and preferably of hollow steel or iron.
Two hollow drums or propelling wheels Care provided, and are con-
structed of circular hoops or bands e having flanges c¹ (Fig. 6). The sides C' of
the drums consist of thin sheet metal or other suitable material which is secured
to the hoops or bands c by being bent over the flanges c¹ as shown at c². Within
each drum are constructed the water-tight compartiments c3 and a large central
compartment 02. Passing centrally through each drum is a tube 3 having
flanges c. At suitable equidistant intervals around the periphery of each propelling
wheel or drum are secured,-by bolts, screws or other means, metal cars C, which
at their upper ends are screwed or bolted to light metal rings C. Paddle blades C
are secured by screws or bolts between the ears C as shown, and have their edges
protected by the light metal rings C¹³.
The propelling mechanism consists of the pedals D, cranks D¹ shaft D² mounted in
the framework B as shown and carrying a chain-wheel D³, over which runs the
chain D which imparts motion to the chain-wheel D³ upon the shaft E, journalled
in the uprights B₁ of the framework B.
The steering and break mechanism consists of the following parts --A cup-shaped
cylinder E is secured by screws e¹ to the driving-shaft E and is internally screwed
to receive the screwed portion f of the cup-shaped cylinder F, which is provided with
a series of apertures f¹ in a circle as shown in Fig. 7, and which also forms a bearing
at for the shaft G. Within the cup-shaped cylinder F and keyed to the shaft &
is the disc F having apertures F2 in which are loosely fitted the forward ends of
the bolts H. These bolts H are firmly secured in a disc H' loosely mounted upon
the shaft G. A spiral spring H2 in compression between the discs H and F',
serves to keep the bolts H withdrawn out of the apertures fl when in their
normal position. The clutch thus constructed is operated by the handle I, which,
when revolved within the sleeve 1 elevates the forward end of the short lever i
which by means of the connecting rod I¹ lifts the arm of the right angled

page_text: lever 13 and causes its other arm to bear upon the disc H', and thereby cause it
to travel along the shaft G and enter the bolts H into the apertures f. The sleeve 1*
in which is the handle I forms part of an upwardly projecting portion I' of the
framework B. The shaft G is held in place in the bearing by lock-nuts F³, and is
pointed to fit a female centre g in the end of shaft E. It will be understood that the
steering and brake apparatus as described is in duplicate, and placed on each side of
the machine, there being two shafts G carrying the drums (, and which are journalled
in bearings forming part of the framework,-
-see Fig. 2. Nuts g³ serve to clamp
the drums tightly to the shafts G.
The operation of this my invention is as follows:-When the pedals D are
worked by the operator sitting upon the seat J, motion is communicated by the
chain D to the wheel D' and the shaft E. The handles I being turned, will
operate the clutches, and the bolts H entering the apertures 1 will cause the
shafts G and shaft to revolve together. The handles I being released, the
springs Hwill free the clutches and allow the pedals and shaft E to revolve
independently of the drums C and shafts G. If one clutch only is freed one drum
will revolve without the other, and the vessel will swerve to one side and is thereby
steered in any desired direction.
By the addition of another upright and saddle, and another pair of pedals, chain
and chain-wheels, the propelling mechanism may be made applicable for two
operators, as will be understood.
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) In a pedal propelled life saving apparatus and pleasure boat, the boat-shaped
vessel A having air-tight compartments a, a flat bottom and fitted with two sliding
keels a', two metal shields a² secured to the sides of the vessel, and the vessel
protected with cork, wood, metal or other material, all substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore set forth.
2) The combination with the boat-shaped vessel A hereinbefore described, of the
pedal mechanism consisting of the metal framework B pedals D, cranks D', shaft D³,
chain-wheel D³, chain D, chain-wheel D³, and shaft E journalled in the uprights Bi
of the framework B, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
3) The combination with the pedal mechanism herein before described, of the
steering and brake gear consisting of the shafts G journalled in the framework B,
cup-shaped cylinders E' and F, discs F¹ and H', bolts H, springs H2, crank-levers 12,
connecting-rods I, levers i and rotatable handles I, all substantially as and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
4) The combination with the pedal mechanism, steering and break gear, and boat-
shaped vessel, of the paddle drums C consisting of tho flanged bands c, sides C', air-
tight compartments C³, c³, ears C", paddles C, light metal rings C³ and flanged
tubes C³, all substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
5) The combination with the framework B, of one or more extra saddles, and pedal
and chain gear such as the like parts herein before described, whereby the apparatus
may be adapted for two or more operators, all substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 0th day of Janua1800
HENRY EDGE.
By his Agents,
Horn & Son.