Improvements in and relating to Ships' Table Racks.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ships' Table Racks.
I, WILLIAM BALLS, of 9, Park Crescent, North Shields, 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:-
-
This invention consists in improved racks for use in rough weather for either
preventing movement or limiting the range of movement on ships' tables of plates,
dishes and other utensils, vases and other objects.
One form of rack comprised in this invention consists of a series of bars, of wood
or other suitable substance, carried on bands or straps of woollen braid or other
suitable material. The straps are furnished at each end with hooks by which they
are secured in place on the table. The hooks at one side of the rack are first made
to engage with one edge of the table; the straps are then pulled or stretched so as
to enable the hooks at the opposite side to engage with the corresponding edge of
the table. The bars, which extend across the table, are retained on the straps by
plates of brass or other suitable metal or material screwed or otherwise fastened to
the bases of the bars. The latter are capable of being moved apart or towards
one another on the table and are accordingly adapted to confine and restrict the
range of movement of a dish, plate or any other utensil or article placed between
them. Knives, forks, spoons and the like may he placed below the straps and
thereby be held stationary. This form of rack is designed for use on tables placed
transversely, or at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of a ship. After removal
from the table, the straps and bars are readily rolled up together as a bundle.
Under a modification, each bar does not extend across the table, but some of
them are made in short lengths so as to permit of more independent restriction or
extension of space for different individuals and different dishes, plates and other
utensils and objects.
As adapted for use on a table the longitudinal axis of which coincides with or is
parallel to that of the ship, the bars of the rack are arranged for movement towards
or from the sides of the table as contradistinguished from movement towards or
from the ends of the table in the racks above described.
Referring to the accompany drawings,
Fig. 1 represents a plan and Fig. 2 an end view of a ships' table rack constructed
and fitted in accordance with one arrangement comprised in this invention. This
form of rack is adapted for use on tables placed transversely or at a right angle to
the longitudinal axis of a ship.
b
The rack consists of a series of bars a slung on straps b to both ends of which
are secured hooks c. With the exception of the two end bars a¹, which are
preferably fixed, the bars are capable of being moved apart or towards one another
on the straps 6 passed through recesses provided in the bars which are retained on
the straps by means of plates screwed or otherwise fastened to the bases of the
bars and slightly pinching and compressing the straps. This method of fastening
is shown in the underside view represented at Fig. 3 in which the pinching plate is
indicated by the letter d. The end bars a¹ are not free to move on the straps b,
but are rigidly secured thereto and to the hooks c. At Fig. 4 is shown a transverse
section of one of the bars a and illustrates the shape it is preferred to adopt for
them. In applying the rack to the table, the hooks at one end are made to engage
with the edge of the table at one end thereof and after stretching the straps to a
[Pic 81

page_text: sufficient degree therefor (the length of the straps having been regulated by the
length of the table) the hooks at the other end are made to engage with the corre-
sponding edge of the table end. The tension of the straps serves to impart steadiness
to the bars a and to retain them in an upright position. The straps are of woollen
braid, leather or other suitable material, and may be fitted with buckles, or their
equivalents, for taking up slack when required. The bars a being adjustable
towards or away from one another, the spaces between them for plates, dishes, and
other utensils or vessels may be varied so as to prevent movement or restrict the range
of movement of the said utensils or vessels in rough weather. Knives forks, spoons
and the like may be retained in place by being placed below the straps b. The
bars a a' are so shaped at the ends as to afford freedom and comfort in movement
of the arms and hands of persons between whom and the space in front of them no
barrier is presented.
At Fig. 5 is shown a modification of the rack for transverse or "athwart-ship'
tables. In this arrangement the movable bars a are made in shorter lengths. The
bars a' are not movable on the straps b the number of which is increased. With
this form of rack persons seated at table are more independent of one another in
regulating the space in front and so preventing movement or controlling the range
of movement of plates, dishes and other articles. The centre range of divisions
provides for retaining dishes, vases and other objects.
At Fig. 6 is illustrated the adaptation of my improved rack to a table placed
lengthwise parallel to the longitudinal axis or keel of the ship.
In this arrange-
ment the bars a are moved towards and from the sides of the table as contra-
distinguished from the endwise movement of the bars in the arrangements shown at
Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings. The outer bars a¹ are not movable on the traps b.
A further improvement comprised in this invention is illustrated at Fig. 7 of the
drawings. This improvement consists in the provision on the bars a, or on such of
them as may be desired, of arms e of wire or other suitable material, hinged to the
bars and capable of being folded up or down so as to lie against them. The arms e
when brought to a horizontal position, as in Fig. 7, constitute a holding device for
securing a tumbler, cup or like vessel. The device is wider at one end than at the
other to fit it to receive and hold vessels of different size. With this device applied,
a cup may be held between the arms e and a saucer by the bars a.
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 :-
:―
1. A ships' table rack consisting of a series of bars such as a, a¹, or the like, the
former, a, being slung on straps such as (of woollen braid, leather or other suitable
material) and free to be moved apart or towards one another, and the latter firmly
fixed on the straps which are fitted with hooks, or the equivalents thereof, whereby
the rack is clipped or secured upon the table at each end thereof, substantially as
herein before described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. The modification hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 5 of the
accompanying drawings, in which the bars a, movable endwise, are not extended
each across the table, but are of shorter lengths and are arranged to permit greater
independence of movement in restricting the space for the dishes, plates and other
vessels and articles
3. The modification herein before described with reference to Fig. 6 of the
drawings, in which the bars a are capable of independent movement on the
straps towards and from the sides of the table as distinguished from the ends.
4. In a ships' table rack, the provision of the gripping device illustrated at Fig. 7
of the drawings, consisting of the arms e hinged to the bars a of the table rack;
the said arms e being capable of folding upwards or downwards on their hinges
and being so shaped that when brought to a horizontal position they constitute a

page_text: clip or holder capable of receiving and holding cups, tumblers and other vessels of
different width, girth or diameter, as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 30th day of Mar 1893
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent.