IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEERING APPARATUS FOR VESSELS, PART OF WHICH CAN BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Knowling at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1881.
GEORGE KNOWLING, of 23, Spring Grove, Kew Bridge, London, W. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEERING APPARATUS FOR VESSELS, PART OF WHICH CAN BE USED FOR
OTHER PURPOSES."
The improvements consist in constructing steering apparatus for vessels and
such like where the power to give the required motion varies, and is constantly
increasing as it is applied.
'
Also for providing against damage to the rudder or steering gear by sudden
shock or strain from beavy seas.
Also for constructing a light and strong iron wheel for steering by hand.
The Invention can be performed by fixing to the rudder head a chain pulley of
suitable eccentric form, parts of which pulley shall be a camn for taking up the
loose chains so that the tension on the chains shall be always equal, and the
rudder rigidly fixed at any part of its travel. Connected to opposite ends of
this pulley are the ends of two chains which cross each other outside the
pulley, are connected at the other ends to two arms, which arms are fixed at a
suitable angle and work on a centre pin secured to a fixed frame; instead of these
two arins another chain pulley can be used. Motion can be applied by a screw
worin and wheel or other mechanical contrivance.
The part of this Invention, which provides against extra strain or shock, can be
applied to any steering apparatus, and consist in construting two parts of the
gearing with suitable friction surface to give sufficient tension for the ordinary
work of the rudder, which surfaces can be serrated with teeth or smooth, and will
slip when any extra strain occurs.
The steering wheel can be made of straight or curved iron, or brass rods or tubes
cast into a centre boss, and connected together on the outside by other bosses
cast on

page_text: Fig. 2, plan showing the position of the pulley arms and chains when the rudder
is part way over.
Fig. 3, elevation of one half of steering wheel.
Fig. 4, section on line a, b, (Fig. 1), shows the gearing arranged with smooth
friction surfaces for providing against dainage to the rudder, etc., by sudden
strains.
In Fig. 1 the rudder is midships, and the distance between the centre of rudder d
and chain c is less than between centre of arms e and chain f, therefore the leverage
of the arm will be greater than that of the pulley, and the speed of the rudder
quicker in proportion. On referring to Fig. 2 the relative positions between c, d,
and e, f, are reversed, and the distance between c, d, is greater than e, f, con-
sequently the speed of the rudder will be slower than the arms, thereby a gain of
power.
Fig. 3 will speak for itself.
The friction surface between the worm wheel g and the arms are regulated to
the required tension by the nut i and spring ; when the slip occurs between the
arins and wheel the latter will gear with the worm at another part and continue
its work.
The above arrangement show a convenient and practical mode of performing the
improvements, but I do not bind myself to the precise mode therein illustrated, as
the mode of performing the Invention can be varied without departing from the
nature thereof.
"In witness thereof the said George Knowling, have hereunto set my hand
GEORGE KNOWLING. (L.S.)