IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND INSTRUMENTS OR TOOLS FOR SECURING THE METAL BOLTS EMPLOYED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TIMBER SHIPS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
Year: 1867

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Matthew Augustus Soul at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd November 1867.-A communication from abroad by Johann Cari
Hammer, of the City of Lubeck, in Germany, Engineer.
I, MATTHEW AUGUSTUS SOUL, of No. 3, Leadenhall Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND INSTRUMENTS OR TOOLS FOR SECURING THE
METAL BOLTS EMPLOYED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TIMBER SHIPS AND OTHER
STRUCTURES," a communication to me from abroad by Johann Carl Hammer,
of the City of Lubeck, in Germany, Engineer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the mode of securing the
bolts of timber ships and to the mechanical means employed for this purpose.
The Invention, applicable not only to vessels in course of construction but
likewise to ships already built upon the system of "clenching" now commonly
in use, has for its object the establishing of a more solid and firm connection
between the various timbers composing the structure than has been effected
hitherto, so as thereby to ensure greater safety by lessening the liability to
shipwreck and loss of life at sea. The bolts of a timber built ship to hold to-
gether the various parts such as frames, beams, knees, keels, planks, and other
parts are at present driven through the parts to be united, and are clenched each
over a washer or ring placed over the end of the bolt. The resistance of the
bolt to withdrawal depends entirely upon the comparatively small strength of

page_text: the clenched part, and upon the friction of the bolt against the surrounding
timber. Now this Invention consists, firstly, in an improved mode of fastening
the bolts. The bolt having been driven in the ordinary manner is at its end
screwed or provided with a thread by means of a suitable tool or instrument
herein-after described, and the wood surrounding the end of the bolt having
been cut out by another tool suitable for the purpose, and also herein-after
described, a metal nut is screwed on the bolt end so as to fit the countersunk
recess thus formed. Where the Invention is to be applied to ships already
built upon the system of clenching the clenching and the washer ring are
first removed.
This Invention consists, secondly, in the instrument or tool for cutting
the thread on the bolts which is a die stock of novel and peculiar construction
composed of two semicircular dies held together and adjusted by suitable
screws, springs, and collars. This instrument is used for the purpose of cutting
the thread on the bolts when in their proper position as driven so that they
may receive the metal nut and thereby establish a secure fastening.
This Invention consists, thirdly, in the instrument or tool for cutting or
forming the countersunk holes in the wood for the reception or admission of
the metal nuts. This instrument is a cylindrical stud or spindle, the lower
end of which terminates in a hollow screwed socket in such a manner that it
admits of being screwed on to the top of the bolt (the latter having been
temporarily provided with one or two screw threads by the screw-cutting
apparatus), so as to form an axilinear prolongation of the same.
The upper
end of the stud or pillar is connected to a male screw or spindle. Over the
stud or pillar slides and turns a shell or hollow cylinder carrying at its
lower extrémity the projecting edges for operating on the wood, whilst its
upper extremity carries an adjustable nut turning on the male screw connected
to the internal stud or pillar. By turning the external shell or cylinder with
its cutting edges around its axis (i. e. the axis of the bolt) and adjusting the
pressure against the wood by turning the nut above described the recess for
the reception of metal nut or screwed disc will be formed. Upon removing
the countersinking apparatus; and re-applying to the bolt the screw cutting
apparatus above mentioned the screwed thread to the full extent required can
be cut, and a corresponding nut or screwed disc be put in place for securing
the bolt in accordance with the improved systém.