IMPROVEMENTS IN ROWLOCKS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ebenezer John Robertson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th April 1882.
EBENEZER JOHN ROBERTSON of Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk, Ship Builder,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROWLOCKS
"
This invention relates to the construction of an improved rowlock for boats.
In carrying out my invention the rowlock works in a slotted socket firmly
secured with screws or rivets to the gunwale of the boat. The top of the stem of
the rowlock is constructed to fit in the upper end of the socket and the central
portion of the stem is reduced in diameter so as to allow it to slide in a vertical
slot in the socket, a ball at the bottom of the stem fits and slides in the lower part
of the socket, a stop being provided to limit its upward motion; the back of the
socket is also formed with two holes connected by a slot to allow of introducing
the rowlock into the socket prior to the socket being attached to the gunwale.
A rowlock of this construction can be unshipped by simply raising the rowlock
in the socket and then letting it fall inwards and it may be shipped by simply
raising it to a vertical position and dropping it into the socket.
The rowlock may thus be shipped and unshipped at will without removing it
from the gunwale of the boat hence it will always be at hand when required and
can be quickly shipped and unshipped in the darkest night and thereby give
greater chances for saving life and property, the advantages further to be derived
from this invention are the strength of the working parts, simplicity of construction
and the manner in which it is secured to the boat which has a tendency to
strengthen the gunwale of the same.
When not required the rowlock hangs below the gunwale upon a suitable hook,
spring or wooden bracket fitted to receive the same

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ebenezer John Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 7th October 1882.
EBENEZER JOHN ROBERTSON, of Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk, Ship Builder
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROWLOCKS
H
This invention relates to the construction of an improved rowlock for boats.
In carrying out my invention the rowlock works in a slotted socket firmly
secured with screws or rivets to the gunwale of the boat. The top of the stem of
the rowlock is constructed to fit in the upper end of the socket and the central
portion of the stem is reduced in diameter so as to allow it to slide in a vertical
slot in the socket, a ball at the bottom of the stem fits and slides in the lower part
of the socket, a stop being provided to limit its upward motion; the back of the
socket is also formed with two holes connected by a slot to allow of introducing
the rowlock into the socket prior to the socket being attached to the gunwale.
But to make my invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1, is a front elevation
of my improved rowlock in its working position; figure 2, is an elevation showing
the rowlock raised in its socket (when being unshipped) preparatory to being
dropped inwards into the position shewn in figure 3; figure 4, is a plan and
figure 5, is a vertical section of the rowlock and figure 6, is a back view of the
socket. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar parts.
C,
a, is the rowlock; b, is the socket secured to the gunwale c, of the boat as
shown; d, is the upper part of the stem of the rowlock which is made slightly
conical so as to fit into the upper end of the socket h, as shewn clearly in figure 5;
is the reduced portion of the stem of the rowlock and f, the ball at the bottom
of the stem; g, is the vertical slot in the socket; h, the stop or projection within
the same to limit the upward movement of the rowlock; i, j, are the holes in the
back of the socket such holes being connected by the slot k, to allow of the
rowlock being introduced into the socket prior to the socket boing attached to
the gunwale.
A rowlock of this construction can be unshipped by simply raising the rowlock a,
from the position shewn in figure 1, to that shown in figure 2, and then letting it
fall inwards into the position shewn in figure 3, in which position it will be held
by any suitable hook, spring, clip or bracket (not shown in the drawing) ready to
be shipped when required.
The rowlock may thus be shipped and unshipped at will without removing it
from the gunwale of the boat hence it will always be at hand when required and
can be quickly shipped and unshipped in the darkest night and on the roughest
sea and thereby give greater chances for saving life and property; the advantages
further to be derived from this invention are the strength of the working parts,
simplicity of construction and the manner in which it is secured to the boat which
has a tendency to strengthen the gunwale of the same.
Having thus described my said invention and the manner of performing the
same I wish it to be understood that what I claim is :-
The improved rowlock hereinbefore described and represented in the accom-
panying drawing.
In Witness whereof I the said Ebenezer John Robertson have hereto set
my hand and seal this sixth day of October in the year of our Lord oue
thousand sight hundred and sighty two
EB J. ROBERTSON (L.B.)