CERTAIN NEW AND Useful IMPROVEMENTS ON LIFE BOATS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Bates, of the State of Massachusetts, of the
United States of America, for the Invention of "CERTAIN NEW AND Useful
IMPROVEMENTS ON LIFE BOATS."
Sealed the 8th June 1877, and dated the 24th April 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Bates at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1877.
GEORGE BATES, of the State of Massachusetts, of the United States of America
"CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS ON LIFE BOATS."
Figure 1 is a top view; Figure 2, a side elevation; Figure 3, a longitudinal and
vertical section; and Figure 4, a longitudinal and horizontal section of a boat in
accordance with my Invention.
The first part of my Invention relates to or consists in a folding boat body as
composed of the central and end and intermediate sections, provided with shoulder
ribs, and constructed and arranged substantially in manner and to operate as herein-
after specified.
The second part of my Invention relates to or consists in a series of fixed and
detachable floats provided with locking hasps or devices, as described, in combina-
tion with the boat body composed of the central and end and intermediate sections,
constructed, arranged, and furnished with shoulder ribs, all substantially as set
forth.
The third part of my Invention relates to or consists in the combination of
separate longitudinal braces with the boat body composed of sections, constructed,
arranged, and applied as specified.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to or consists in the combination of a
series of projections with the sectional boat body as described, such projections being
for use with the braces, and to serve as stops to the sections, as explained.
The body of the said boat is composed of a central section A, bow and stern
sections B, C, and a series of intermediate sections D, E, D, E. Each bow and
stern section, as represented in the Drawings, is a hollow and air-tight box having
I Driss S71

page_text: a wedge shaped form, as shown. It is so adapted to the next adjacent intermediate
section E as to be capable of being slid or moved into and out of such, as a drawer
is into its case.
So each intermediate section E is similarly arranged with and
applied to the next intermediate section D. The sections D, D, are also in like
manner adapted to the midship or middle section A. The sections are furnished
with horizontal and vertical shoulder pieces or ribs a, a, b, b, formed and arranged
as represented. These ribs serve to limit the outward movements of the bow and
stern and intermediate sections relatively to each other and the central section.
The surface of these shoulders or ribs, which are to come together when the body is
fully extended, may be lined with india-rubber, or other proper elastic and water-
proof material, in order to make water-tight joints between the sections.
Each end section, and the next adjacent set of intermediate sections, arranged as
represented, are to slide together and into the central section, in a manner analagous
to that in which the tubes of a telescope slide together.
Furthermore, for keeping the body in an extended state I use removable braces
F, F, formed or provided with shoulder c, c, as represented, such braces being placed
on the floor of the body and extended each way from its middle or a cross partition
d, there placed to the two bow and stern sections, all as shown.
Each brace may be made in two or more lengths, connected by hinges, in order
for the brace to be folded into less compass or length than it takes up when fully
extended and in use.
Each brace when in place goes between projections g, g, extended up from a plate
h, there being such a plate and projections to each of the intermediate sections, and
arranged therewith as shown. The projections g, g, not only serve to maintain the
brace in position or from slipping laterally out of place, but they answer as stops to
limit the inward movements of the movable sections.
To the opposite outer sides of the middle section A air-tight boxes or floats G, G,
are fixed.
These floats may be applied so as to be capable of being removed from
the said sides, but I prefer to have them immovably fixed to the sides.
To the bow and stern sections, and the intermediate sections, separable floats or
air-tight vessels or boxes H, H, H, H, formed as shown, are applied, they being
arranged with the several sections in manner as represented. These separable floats,
as well as the fixed or middle ones G, G, are provided with latching hasps I hinged
to them and formed as shown. When turned down on the upper surface of the
floats, the clasps are to receive in their openings the upper projecting ends of the
vertical ribs b, b, such ribs for such purpose being extended a short distance above
the sections.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the separable sections, showing it as
provided not only with the locking hasps, but with tenons or studs i, i, extending
from its larger end and inner side, such studs being to enter corresponding
mortises or holes & made in the movable sections. Each float H also has a slide bolt
Z on its outer side, and at its smaller end to engage with a hasp or staple m
projecting from the next adjacent end section.
A boat made as described may have its sections folded together so as to reduce
the whole in a very small compass in order to have convenient stowage or trans-
portation of it. When required for use, the boat can easily have its body extended
or drawn out and braced, and the movable floats applied and fixed thereto.
I claim as my Invention as follows:-
1. The folding boat body as composed of the central and end and intermediate
sections, provided with the shoulder ribs, and constructed and arranged substantially
in manner and to operate as specified.
2. The series of fixed and detachable floats provided with locking hasps or
devices, as described, in combination with the boat body composed of the central
and end and intermediate sections, constructed, arranged, and furnished with
shoulder ribs, all substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the separable longitudinal braces with the boat body
composed of sections, constructed and arranged or applied as specified.

page_text: 4. The combination of the series of projections g, h, with the sectional boat body
as described, such projections being for use with the braces, and to serve as stops to
the sections, as explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Bates, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of April 1877.