Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling Boats.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 1st Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1894
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling Boats.
I WILLIAM CUTLER, of Cannon Works, 75 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in propelling boats; my
improvements enabling the rowers to propel the boat, while sitting with their faces
towards the head.
My invention consists in securing the inboard end of the scull to a pillar, or
equivalent support, by pivoting the same thereto with an universal joint, or an
equivalent device, so that the scull may be capable of moving, radially, in every
direction, and also of rotating on its longitudinal axis. The weight of the scull is
sustained by a spiral or other spring, attached to the pillar or other support and to
the scull, in order to reduce the exertion of lifting the scull out of the water to a
minimum. Support may also be afforded to the scull, when the outboard portion is
dipped, by means of a radial guide plate, fixed to the gunwale, upon which the scull
slides or rolls, rollers being sometimes fitted for reducing friction. The pillar may
be fixed midship, or on the gunwale, or in any other suitable position. The boat
may be fitted for one, two, or any other number of rowers, and for each person to
work either one or two sculls. Also, in some cases, I rigidly attach two sculls
together, or form them in one, for alternate dipping, resting upon a central pillar or
support, in such a manner that they balance each other.
The rower, sitting with his face towards the bow, grasps the sculls, and, lifting
them out of the water, aided by the springs, he moves them forward as far as he
can reach; he then lets down the blades into the water, and pulls the sculls towards
him, repeating the operation, and thereby propelling the boat; which may readily
be steered at the same time, without the aid of a rudder.
Two or more rowers may use a pair of sculls each, or one scull each, or the boat
may be fitted with double and single sculls, the respective fulcrums being arranged
accordingly either centrally or to the right and left.
Dated 1st A mail 180
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling Boats.
I, WILLIAM CUTLER, of Cannon Works, 75 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in propelling boats; my
improvements enabling the rowers to propel the boat, while sitting with their faces
towards the head.
My invention consists in securing the inboard end of the scull to a pillar, or
equivalent support, by pivoting the same thereto with an universal joint, or an
equivalent device, so that the scull may be capable of moving, radially, in every
direction, and also of rotating on its longitudinal axis. The weight of the scull is
LD027

page_text: sustained by a spiral or other spring, attached to the pillar and to the scull, in order
to reduce the exertion of lifting the scull out of the water to a minimum. Support
may also be afforded to the scull (if necessary) when the outboard portion is
dipped, by means of a guide plate fixed to the gunwale, upon which the scull may
be made to slide or roll, rollers being sometimes fitted for reducing friction. 5
The boat may be fitted for one, two, or any other number of rowers, and for each
person to work either one or two sculls.
"
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawing; being a
transverse sectional elevation of an ordinary boat, with my invention applied
thereto.
3 is the ordinary planking of the boat. 4 is part of the framing. 5 is an
ordinary seat for the rower. 6 is a tubular pillar fixed to a block 7 above the
keels. This pillar may be steadied by passing it through an ordinary seat or
other equivalent support. 8 is another pillar, which may also be tubular, and is
inade to slide telescopically in the lower pillar 6. 9 is a set screw, for adjusting the
position of the support 8, by raising or lowering it, as required. 10, 10, are
universal joints, of any suitable construction, such as cup and ball joints, or
otherwise. 11, 11, are portions of the sculls, fitted into sockets 12, 12. 13, 13, are
spiral springs for supporting or partially supporting the weight of the
sculls 11, 11.
Instead of spiral springs, volute, flat, laminated, or other springs may be used for
the same purpose. The springs may also, if preferred, be fitted inside the
pillar, with connecting chains, cords, rods, or analogous appliances, for sustaining
the sculls or oars.
In propelling the boat, the rower, sitting with his face towards the bow, grasps
the sculls, (or one scull or oar, as the case may be) and lifting the blades out of the
water, aided by the springs, he moves them forward, as far as he can reach; he
then lets down the blades into the water, and pulls the sculls towards him,
which may be readily
repeating the operation and thereby propelling the boat;
steered at the same time, without the aid of a rudder.
I sometimes fit rollers 14 to the sculls, and plates 15 to the gunwales (as shown
by dotted lines) for supporting or aiding in supporting the weight of the scull, when
dipping.
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 appliances in connection with rowing boats, for enabling the rowers to sit
facing the direction in which the boat is travelling; the combination of a support
for one end of the scull or oar, and a suitable spring attached thereto, so as
to support the scull or oar, severally operating substantially as herein before
described and illustrated by the drawing.
2. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of the several and
respective parts, together forming my invention of improvements in apparatus
for propelling boats, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the
drawings.
D0th December 1893