Improvements relating to Ships' Ladders.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Ships' Ladders.
I, DAVID ANDERSON Aden Villa, Myrtle Park, Crosshill Glasgow, Master Mariner
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:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of ladders for use primarily
for ascending and descending, out of and into the holds of ships; such ladders
being more safe and reliable and admitting of more ready ascent and descent than
obtains with the ordinary vertical fixed ladders at present largely employed.
In the accompanying drawings illustrative of my said Invention Figures 1 and 2
represent respectively an elevation and sectional elevation of one form of my
improvements; Figures 3 and 4 representing, also in elevation and sectional
elevation, a modification of same. The ladder throughout the several views, being
shewn, when in the closed position, by dotted lines..
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement here shown comprises two
vertical pillars or stanchions A which are securely bolted, rivetted, or otherwise
secured by their upper ends to the beam or hatch coaming and at their lower ends
to the ceiling of the lower deck or to the keelson of the vessel, as the case may be.
The ladder B, which is of the requisite length and of lesser width than the distance
between the stanchions A, is hung by its topmost rung b in the eyes of the sockets or
lugs b' forged on the under side of the platform C. This platform C is pivoted by
its lugs or sockets a¹ to the horizontal rod a, the latter passing through the eyes of
the lugs or sockets a¹¹ forged on the stanchions A and securely bolted in position.
The upper inner sides of the stanchions A are cut away for a portion of their length
as shown, the shoulders c. thus formed serving to support the pivoted platform C
when in a horizontal position. When in use the ladder is secured at its lower ends
to the lugs c¹ by bolting or otherwise; the angle at which the ladder is inclined being
governed by the size of the pivoted platform C. When not required for use, the
ladder is placed between the pillars or stanchions A and the pivoted platform C
raised at its outer end corresponding to the position of the topmost rung 6 of the
ladder B; the ladder, (which then assumes the form of an ordinary fixed vertical
ladder) still rests with its lower ends on the keelson and whilst occupying very little
space may be used in cases of emergency.
In Figures 3 and 4 a longitudinal.slot d of predetermined length is formed on the
upper inner sides of each stanchion A within which slides vertically the extensions of
the topmost rung D. When the ladder is in use, and inclined at the requisite angle
by securely bolting same in position to the keelson or other part of the vessel, the
ends of the rung D are at their lowest point of travel in the slots or recesses d
being supported on the shoulders d'; the extensions of the rung D being at their
highest point of travel when the ladder is raised into the vertical closed position. In
this arrangement, the length of the slots or recesses & determines the angle assumed
by the ladder when in use.
The improved ships' ladders constructed according to my invention as above
described may be employed for use on either side of the stanchions or pillars A,
and, under certain conditions may if preferred be hung to the beams or hatch
coamings of the vessels without the intervention of the vertical pillars or stanchions A
aforesaid.

page_text: 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
1st. In ships' ladders the combination of a platform C or equivalent formed with
lugs, projections, or sockets. a, b, pivoted respectively to the horizontal rod a and
rung or equivalent of the ladder B substantially. as herein set forth and shown
at Figures 1 and 2 and for the purposes specified.
2nd. In ships' ladders the combination with the ladder B of a rung D or
equivalent having extensions sliding vertically within longitudinal slots d formed
in the stanchions A or hatch coaming substantially as herein set forth and shown.
at Figures 3 and 4 and for the purposes specified.
JAMES STEVENSON,
AL
1
32 TT 1 TT
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20; High Holborn, London, W., Agent for Applicam.