Closing and Opening Watertight Compartments, Hatchways, Man- holes, Gangways, Companions, Port-holes, and Funnels from the Decks or Bridges of Steamships.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 20th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Closing and Opening Watertight Compartments, Hatchways, Man-
holes, Gangways, Companions, Port-holes, and Funnels from the
Decks or Bridges of Steamships.
LEWIS RADMORE 44 Gordon Road Cardiff Agent for Jewels Patent Fire
Escape do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The advantage of this invention is, that the person in charge of a steamship; on
the bridge or deck can by turning the handle of a tap, control either to open or
close, all the watertight compartments, hatchways, manholes, gangways, companions,
portholes, funnels, simultaneously or otherwise.
Each of the above apertures are opened or closed by means of a valve or shutter,
made either of wood, or metal the size of the aperture; this valve or shutter is
fitted to slide in grooves, fixed in a frame, of sufficient size, to allow the valve, or
shutter, to slide clear of the aperture; this frame is fixed against or over the
aperture.
To slide this valve or shutter a screw is fixed in the frame the length of the
valve, or shutter, the outer end formed into a double crank the other end or point
will rest and work in a bearing on the edge outside the aperture; the nut for the
screw being fixed on the centre of the edge of the valve or shutter, nearest to
the crank.
To work the screw a pair of small steam cylinders with pistons and rods (in some
positions oscillating cylinders will be used) which will be connected to the cranks.
Reversible gear will be fixed to each pair of cylinders, that can be regulated on
the deck. To supply the steam, a pipe or main is brought from the ships boiler
on to the deck there a tap is fixed; with a handle that can be turned either from
the deck or bridge that pipe or main is then continued along the deck; with
branches to be connected to each pair of cylinders, to supply them with steam
which when turned on will set the whole in motion and will open or close the
apertures. A tap is placed in each branch to be used when required.
The main feature of this invention is that it provides for the safety of the ship
in case of collision; or any catastrophe that it is liable to at sea; as the person in
charge, on the bridge or deck, can by turning the handle of a tap, close all the
watertight compartments & c. in about 20 to 30 seconds, all acting simultaneously
together or by using the taps in the branches work them separately. The opening
or closing of the valves or shutters, is arranged by changing the motion of cylinders
by the reversible gear. It will not interfere with the working or convenience of the
ship; can be applied to any part necessary, even the sky lights of the saloons can
be fitted with valves to slide in the frames they have now in use and worked by the
same system.
The above system will also be worked by hydraulic, compressed air, or any other
motive power, where required. A pneumatic or electric alarm will be fixed in each
compartment: to be operated upon from the bridge; before turning on steam; to
close the compartments.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1895.
LEWIS RADMORE.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Closing and Opening Watertight Compartments, Hatchways, Man-
holes, Gangways, Companions, Port-holes, and Funnels from the
Decks or Bridges of Steamships.
I LEWIS RADMORE of No. 44 Gordon Road, Cardiff in the County of
Glamorgan, Agent to Jewels Patent Fire Escape 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:-
The object of my invention is to provide means whereby the person in charge
of a steamship can by turning a handle or handwheel, on the deck or bridge cause
all the watertight compartments, hatchways, manholes, gangways, companionways,
portholes, and the funnel to be simultaneously either closed or opened.
But in order that my invention may be better understood I will now refer to the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which,
Figure 1, represents a portion of a ship's deck shewing the application of my
invention to a hatchway, and also a funnel, and
Figure 2, illustrates an enlarged view of a watertight door. The same principle
being employed for closing and opening the manholes, gangways, companionways,
portholes and like apertures or ways.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in both views.
Each of the beforementioned apertures or ways is provided with a door or
shutter (A), made of either wood or metal, said door is arranged to slide in grooves
or channels formed in the frame (B) which is made large enough to allow the door
to travel clear of the aperture or way.
A screw threaded spindle (C) supported by suitable bearings (D) secured to
the frames (E), operates the door through the medium of an internal threaded
block (F) fixed to the door (A). One end of said spindle (C) is formed into a
double crank (G) so that the connecting rods of a small two cylinder engine may
be attached for the purpose of revolving the screw.
Ordinary slide valve reversing gear is fitted to each engine and is manipulated
from either the deck or bridge by turning the spindle (H) which imparts motion
to intervening rods and levers similar to (I) and (I'), and finally the bar (J) which
communicates with the slide valve and alters the motion of the engine.
In lieu of having two cylinders side by side I may employ oscillating cylinders,
as illustrated to work the funnel door or shutter.
(K) is a steam pipe, connecting with the ship's boiler, and which branches off
to feed each pair of cylinders. (L) is the main stop valve, arranged in any
convenient position, which is opened or closed by the hand wheels (M) and (M)
attached to the stem (N).
Each engine is provided with a stop valve so that either aperture or way may
be closed or opened separately.
I do not confine myself to any particular form of engine or motive power that
may be used, as I may employ either hydraulic or compressed air.
A pneumatic or electric alarm, that can be actuated from the bridge or deck, is
fixed near each aperture or way, so that a signal may be given before the power is
turned on to either open or close said apertures.
The use and action of my invention are as follow:-
To close the apertures or ways herein mentioned simultaneously, either hand-
wheel (M), on the deck, or on the bridge is first turned, which action opens the
stop valve (L) and allows the steam to enter the cylinders and start each of the
engines working, consequently the screw threaded spindle (C) is revolved, which
causes the block (F) to slide, at the same time, carry the door or shutter (A)
forward until the aperture or way is closed.

page_text: To open the apertures or ways the motion of the engines are reversed and the
steam admitted as before described.
The principle of my invention may be applied to other similar parts of a vessel
where it may be found necessary to protect.
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,
Firstly. The method of closing and opening watertight compartments, hatchways
manholes, gangways, companionways, port-holes, funnels, and similar ways or
apertures as herein described and as illustrated in my drawings.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement with a door or shutter (A), of a
screwthreaded spindle (C) provided with a cranked end (G), as, and for the
purposes herein described and as illustrated in my drawings.
Tnd the 17th do of M.- 1004
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
67-69, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for Applicant.