Improvements in Ships' Gangways and Companion Ladders.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ships' Gangways and Companion Ladders.
I, CHARLES THOMSON of the City of Montreal in the District of Montreal and
Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, Mechanic 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 principal object of this invention is to produce a gangway or companion
ladder formed of a frame work and steps so constructed that the steps shall always
be horizontal and thus easy to traverse notwithstanding that the ship is raised or
lowered.
The hand rails are also automatically adjusted so that they are convenient for the
band notwithstanding variation of the inclination of the frame, as I shall explain
referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view shewing two gangways embodying my invention,
one in position, to give access to a ship and the other lying out of use. Fig. 2, is
a side elevation of the gangway as in use; Fig. 3 a front view of the upper end of
the gangway. Fig. 4 a detail cross section of one of the steps. Fig. 5 is a part
sectional elevation on the line a Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is a detail shewing
the connection of the inclined and horizontal portion; Fig. 7 is a perspective view
of a companion ladder embodying my invention. Fig. 8 is a part longitudinal section
shewing the frame inclined and the steps horizontal. Fig. 9 is a front view of the
upper end Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the metal shoe for the steps, and Fig. 11
is a part section showing the position of the steps when the ladder is horizontal.
In these Figures corresponding parts are marked by similar reference letters. A the
base of the gangway is a wheeled platform and for the companion ladder A is the
usual platform at the top. The inclined portion B of both the gangway and
the ladder is a framework carrying the steps and hand rails.
On the longitudinal ribs C of the wheeled platform A is pivotted a rocking shaft D
carrying vertical standards C³, and on this shaft are pivotted shoes E' attached to
the side frames E which carry the steps.
to
These side pieces E which may be of any suitable length terminate in metal claws e,
engage on a ledge or bead on the ship.
The side frames E are connected together by cross bars on which are fixed
longitudinal slats E³ which serve to form the whole into a compact and rigid
frame.
I have illustrated two methods of mounting the steps. That shewn in Figs. 8, 9,
and 10 being the more suitable when the frame is much used in horizontal positions
may be first described.
It is
Fig. 10 shews a metal shoe to be fixed at each end of each step-board.
an angled piece having a part F extending beneath the board and part F along
its end.
.
From the face F1 projects a pin f and another pin f1 from the face of a boss,
which extends below the lower edge of F¹. The pins are pivotted in holes,
preferably metal bushed, in the inside faces of the side frames E.
As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the pins of near the front of each step do not project so
far as to touch the frames E but enter holes in metal rods G which extend the whole
length of the frame connecting all the steps likes blades of a parallel ruler. Each
step being thus supported near both its front and rear is held steadily in position.
As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 each step has fixed to it by straps H' a round bar H
pivotted in the side frames E. Each step has also fixed to it a bracket g which is
jointed to the rod G. This rod G connects all the steps, and its lower end is jointed
to the platform A. Thus whatever be the inclination of the gangway frame, the
steps are always parallel to the platform A to which the rod G is connected.

page_text: Each hand rail J is a rod jointed at one end to the standard (and having on
it sleeves J² jointed to vertical supports J¹. These supports J' have the same height
as the standards (2 which height is selected as most convenient when the gang-
way is horizontal. Each of the standards J¹ is pivotted at j to the outside of the
frames E so that the rail is always parallel to the frame in convenient position for
the hand.
The standards C² are suitably trussed by rods C³.
The longitudinal beams C of the wheeled platform A are preferably extended as
shown at C so that if the vessel should rise to an excessive height and be at more
than the ordinary distance from the wharf the ends C¹ can come against the side
of the ship, keeping the platform A extended horizontally to bridge the space.
I prefer to make the hand rail supports J¹ to lodge in sockets as shewn in
Fig. 3 so that they and the rails can be removed if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a ships gangway, the combination of a wheeled platform, a frame pivotted
thereto, steps pivotted on the frame, and a rod or rods connecting all the steps
to the platform, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a companion ladder, the combination of a fixed platform a moveable frame
pivotted thereto; steps pivotted on the frame and a rod or rods, connecting all the
steps to the platform, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a ship's gangways or companion ladder having a platform to which is
pivotted a moveable frame carrying steps, the combination therewith of fixed and
pivotted standards, and a hand rail jointed thereto, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 28th day of February 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.