Improvements in the Propulsion and Steering of Boats and other Craft.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Propulsion and Steering of Boats and other
Craft.
I, JOHN CHRISTIAN RUCK, of Elmstead Grange, Chislehurst in the County of
Kent, Butler do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the propulsion of boats and other craft,
and consists in providing a suitably floated rotating paddle on each side of the
boat for instance, the axle or crank of each paddle being extended inboard and
then bent so as to form a double crank, to the horizontal or middle portion of·'
which is fitted a rotating pedal. The two cranked axles may be connected to each
other or may be formed integral, and they would work in, or be supported by, a
suitable standard or supporting bracket provided for the purpose in the centre of
the deck of the boat. Immediately behind the pedal cranks is provided an
adjustable seat or saddle for the operator, and in front of the cranks is located the
steering arrangement, consisting of a handle-bar fixed to a vertical rod working in
the deck of the boat and connected by cords or chains to the rudder. The paddle-
boxes may be constructed so as to open for the purpose of repairing the floats or
for similar purposes.
A suitable awning may be provided above the operator's
head, supported on metal rods fixed to the tops of the paddle-boxes, and if desirable
the whole of the propelling and steering apparatus can be constructed so as to be
readily removable, to convert the boat, for instance, into one of the class propelled
by oars or the like in the ordinary manner.
Dated this 9th day of April 1894
4
HUGHES & YOUNG,
12, Basinghall Street, London, Agents.
Improvements in the Propulsion and Steering of Boats and other
Craft.
I, JOHN CHRISTIAN RUCK, of Elmstead Grange Chislehurst, in the County of
Kent, Butler, 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 has for its object to provide means whereby an ordinary rowing
boat or similar light craft of moderate dimensions may be readily converted into
what I term a "paddle cycle."
According to my invention the propulsion and steering of a boat is effected by
mechanism approximately corresponding to that of a cycle and worked by manual
power.
The apparatus which I employ may be constructed so as to be operated by one,
two, or more persons.
In order that the nature of my said invention and the manner of performing the
same may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe the construction, and
action thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1

page_text: Figure 1 is sectional drawing of my improved apparatus. Figure 2, detail view.
To the framework a. a, which is supported by cross bars or rods resting in slots or
openings in the gunwale of the boat, is or are secured the upright bar or bars b, b,
to carry seats or saddles c, c, and also the rod or rods to carry handle bar or
bars d, d. The arrangement shewn in the drawing is that of a cycle made for two
persons, commonly called a tandem, but it is evident that the apparatus may be
adapted for one person, or, for more than two if so desired. The dotted lines e. e,
indicate the throw of the pedal cranks upon the axes of which are mounted the
chain wheels f. f. carrying driving chains g. 9.
The adjustment of the driving chains is effected by means of slotted connecting
rods h. h through which sufficient play is allowed to permit of the chains being
tightened up or otherwise as may be required.
The axis of the centre chain wheel is of sufficient length to extend outside the
boat on each side and has mounted thereon paddle wheels i, by which the boat is
propelled. In order to avoid waste of power the driving paddles should be so
arranged as to be capable of feathering. The paddle wheels are enclosed in the
ordinary way in paddle boxes, and to protect these against risk of damage by
collision, guard irons are provided extending from each side of paddle box to side
of the boat. The handle bars d. may be locked in position at right angles to their
normal position by means of a screw key or other suitable device, in order to enable
the occupiers of the boat to change their places without inconvenience.
In order to allow the immersion of the paddle floats to be regulated to the
necessary depth the framework a. a is capable of being moved up or down to
tlie require extent through slotted links . the projections or studs m. m on the
frame a a sliding in the slots n n in such links. The construction of these slotted
links is shewn more clearly in Fig. 2.
The steering is effected through the handle bar as in an ordinary cycle a small
wheel being mounted upon the lower extremity of such handle bar at o upon which
is placed the steering chain cord or strip p.
The paddle boxes may be constructed so as to open for the purpose of repairing
the floats or for similar purposes. -.
A suitable awning may be provided above the operator's head supported on
metal rods fixed to the tops of the paddle-boxes and if desirable the whole of the
propelling and steering apparatus can be constructed so as to be readily removable
to convert the boat for instance into one of the class propelled by oars or the like
in the ordinary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The new or improved steering arrangements for propulsion and steering of boats
comprising adjustable framework with cycle gearing and mechanism adaptable to
an ordinary rowing boat or other light craft substantially as herein before set forth
& described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of January 1895.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents.