An Improved Appliance or Apparatus for Disengaging Ships' Boats or for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance or Apparatus for Disengaging Ships' Boats
or for other Purposes.
I, FREDERICK HARGRAVE of 377 Strand London W.C. in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman, 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 :-
I take a hook or hooks of suitable shape and form and connected with the davit, or
otherwise secured to the towing or carrying vessel and attached to a slip secured in
the boat or other vessel to be released. The slip arrangement consists of a peculiar
form of bent bar of metal sufficiently strong for the purpose working at one end on a
pivot or hinge and curving downwards when in use. The weight and strain upon the
hook tends to pull the slip upwards, but the slip is secured and kept fast by a movable
tongue which can be so placed and arranged as to prevent any upward movement of
the slip. When it is desired to release the boat, the tongue is withdrawn, the slip flies
up and the hook is detached.
Where two or more slips are used, the tongues are attached to a horizontal bar
which has at one end a lever handle or connection at right angles to the same and
handy to the Coxswain or officer in charge of the Boat, which when desired and at the
word of command, upon being "put-over" which is easily effected, simultaneously
removes the tongue or tongues entirely out of position and the slip or slips are
instantly released and the boat launched as it were on an even keel and with
safety.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1, exhibits a section of a Boat supported by
hooks at each end from the davits, engaging with the slips or bent bars of metal
pivotted to and connected to my appliance in position. Figure 2, exhibits a similar
view of a Boat instantly released. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged views of my apparatus
connected in position (as shewn at Figure 1). Figure 5, is an inner or front view of
same.
Figures 6, and 7, are likewise enlarged views of my apparatus similar to that shewn
in detail position as at Figure 2.
In each of these Figures similar letters of reference indicate like and corresponding
A. A are the hooks connected with the davits. B. B. are the "slips" which
Darts.

page_text: engage into and become released from the hooks when in position or disengaged
therefrom.
C, C are the tongues attached to and connected with the horizontal bar D, which
said horizontal bar is actuated and worked by means of the lever handle E, which when
worked or put-over by the officer in charge instantly causes the boat to be released in
manner described.
I may propose to use a cam or other action in some cases to cause the instant
release of the tongue or tongues and the slip or slips.
my said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
My improved appliance or apparatus for disengaging Ships Boats or for other
purposes in manner herewith illustrated and described.