Improved Method of and Apparatus for Fastening Hatchway Coverings of Steam and Sailing Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Fastening Hatchway
Coverings of Steam and Sailing Vessels.
I, JAMES HARPER LAIDMAN of 18 Eldon Street, Blyth in the County of
Northumberland, Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
Hitherto it has been usual to effect the fastening of hatchway coverings by securing
the flat iron bars holding down the tarpaulin covers of hatchways with wood wedges
driven between the iron cleats and the flat iron bars. Now in accordance with my
invention I employ vertically disposed iron or steel cotters or wedges, holes being cut,
or slotted in the hatch cleats crosswise, through which the cotters or wedges aforesaid
are driven vertically against the flat iron bars which bind the tarpaulin covers against
I may
the hatch coamings. These vertical cotters or wedges may be used only or
slot or punch them. The slotting or punching of the vertical cotters or wedges is
made near to their tapered ends, to allow of other cotters or pins being driven
horizontally through and thus locking the vertical cotters aforesaid when driven in
tight. Iron tapered wedges may be used with their flat surface bearing against the
flat iron bar and the vertical cotters may also be snecked so as to check over the tops
of the flat iron bars hereinbefore referred to, for holding down the tarpaulin covers of
hatchways. The locking cotters or pins aforesaid being at a lower level may be
conveniently attached to the vertical top cotters by a small chain to prevent the latter
coming out. Otherwise the tapered ends of the vertical cotters or wedges may be
bent after insertion into the slotted aperture to prevent their withdrawal, and I secure
them to the hatch cleats, or to the bulb angle bar hereinafter referred to, this latter
method dispenses with the horizontal or lower cotter. The above described methods of
fastening apply more particularly where the hatchways are constructed with the
ordinary half round or other sectional moulding, the cleats being made wider in the
gap to receive the cotter. With a view however to increase the utility of my invention,
I propose instead of using any of the sections of moulding hitherto employed to
substitute therefor a bulb angle section of iron which would in one arrangement be
fitted on the outside upper edge of the hatchway coamings and would project the
thickness of the hatchway covers above the coamings. Or the top of the bulb of the
bulb angle iron may be fitted level with the top edge of the coaming. Holes are
punched or slotted crosswise through the horizontal flange of the bulb angle bar at
specified distances in which the cotters or wedges aforesaid are fitted as already
described. Otherwise the holes may be cut lengthways instead of crossways to enable
either wood or iron wedges being used.
I have hereinbefore referred to slotted holes being formed in the hatch cleats for
receiving the cotters or wedges. In lieu thereof however small reverse angle iron bars
may be used in which case same would be fitted on the horizontal flange of the bulb
angle bar above referred to. This would allow of the employment of wood wedges as
at present used. Or screw tap bolts be fitted and screwed through them against the
flat iron bar similar to those now used in some instances in hatch cleats. In reference
to the bulb angle bar above referred to this may assume the form either of a rolled
section or of a bulb plate and angle bar combined or the angle bar of said combination
may be fitted reversely on the bulb plate. This provision is necessary because, in practice,
for shipbuilding purposes, bulb angle irons cannot always be got and it is necessary to
use, instead, a bulb plate and angle bar.
Daind this 0th dow of December 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Fastening Hatchway
Coverings of Steam and Sailing Vessels.
I, JAMES 'HARPER LAIDMAN, of 18 Eldon Street, Blyth in the County of
Northumberland, Shipbuilder, 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:—
Hitherto it has been usual to effect the fastening of hatchway coverings by securing.
the flat iron bars holding down the tarpaulin covers of hatchways with wood wedges
driven between the iron cleats and said flat iron bars.
Now, in accordance with my invention, as illustrated in the accompanying sheet of
drawings in which the same letters of reference are employed to denote the like or
corresponding parts throughout the several views, I employ vertically disposed iron or:
steel cotters or wedges b, holes being cut or slotted crosswise through the hatch cleats c
Figures 4 and 5 and through which holes the cotters or wedges aforesaid are driven
vertically against the flat iron bars a above referred to which bind the tarpaulin
covers A against te hatch coamings e.
These vertical cotters or wedges may be either plain or I may slot or punch holes in.
them, near to their tapered ends, to allow of other cotters or pins & being driven
horizontally through them, thus locking the vertical cotters aforesaid when they are
driven in tight. Tapered wedges may be used instead of the cotters & with their
flat surface bearing against the flat iron bars aforesaid; and, the vertical cotters may
also be "snecke: so as to check over the tops of the flat iron bars when the cotters
are driven downwards.
The locking cotters or pins b' aforesaid may be conveniently attached to the tapered
points of the vertical cotters by a small chain Figure 1 to prevent their being entirely
withdrawn, sufficient clearance only being left to allow of the flat iron bars a being
freed or liberated. Otherwise, the tapered ends of the vertical cotters or wedges b
may be bent, after insertion into the slotted aperture, to prevent their withdrawal and
thus secure them to the hatch cleats c or to the bulb angle bar e' hereinafter referred
to. This latter method of fitting the cotters dispenses with the horizontal cotters.
The above described methods of fastening apply more particularly where the hatch-
ways are constructed with the ordinary half round or other sectional moulding f, the
hatch cleats e being made wide in the gap to receive the vertical cotters b.
With a view however to increase the utility of my invention, I propose, instead of
using any of the sections of moulding hitherto employed, to substitute therefor a bulb
angle section of iron which would in the arrangement Figures 1, 2, and 3 be fitted on
the outside upper edge of the hatchway coamings and would project the thickness of
the hatchway wood covers above the coamings e, or, the top of the bulb angle bar may
be fitted level with the top edge of the coaming.
Holes are punched or slotted crosswise through the horizontal projecting flange of
the bulb angle bar, at specified distances, in which the cotters or wedges aforesaid are
fitted as already described, their points bearing against the heads of rivets or pins g
'Figures 12 and 4 fixed into the hatch coaming plates e underneath each respective
cotter. Otherwise, the holes may be cut lengthways instead of crosswise to enable
either wood or iron wedges being used.
When the cotters are fitted and driven upwards through the horizontal flange of the
bulb angie bar, the snecked cotters, Figure 3 herein before referred to may be used to
wedge against the hatch coaming e below the flange of the bulb angle bar c' or the
ordinary angle bar c hereafter referred to.
I have hereinbefore referred to slotted holes being formed in the hatch cleats and
bulb angle bars for receiving the cotters or wedges. In lieu thereof however, small
reverse angles may be used, in which case the same would be fitted on the horizontal
flange of the bulb angle bar above referred to.
This would allow of the employment of wood wedges as at present used, or screw

page_text: tap bolts being fitted and screwed through their vertical flanges, bearing against the
flat iron bar similar to those now used in some instances in hatch cleats.
In reference to the bulb angle bar above referred to, Figures 1, 2 and 3 this may
assume the form either of a rolled section or of a bulb plate and ordinary angle
bar combined, or the angle bar of said combination may be fitted reversely on the bulb
plate.
There are other known methods found necessary to suit shipbuilding purposes when
bulb angle bars are not available-such as large angle bars with moulding bars rivetted
to the edge of one flange, and plates with a moulding and an angle bar rivetted on;
this latter method being especially applicable for my invention, as, by fitting an
ordinary angle bar parallel to and underneath the moulding, on the upper edge of the
hatchway coaming, the combination bulb angle section is complete.
The bulb angle section Figures 1, 2 and 3 is fitted and rivetted to the hatchway
coamings e in the usual way, excepting when the rest iron d supporting the wooden
hatch covers is dispensed with and a clear inside hatchway required. In this case a
thick flat iron liner bar is inserted between the coaming plate and the bulb angle bar;
this forms a rest for the wood covers and is secured in position by the rivets
connecting the bulb angle bar to the coaming plates passing through it.
I am aware that bulb angle bars having their horizontal flanges resting upon and
attached to the deck have previously been employed to form hatch coamings. I
therefore make no claim in respect of such known method.
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
First. The improved method and means for securing hatch covers of steam and
sailing vessels substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In the improved method of securing hatch covers the employment of bulb
angle bars or the equivalents herein referred to-adapted to the upper edge of the
hatch coamings substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Third. In the means herein described for securing hatch covers the employment of
cotters or wedges adapted and secured to the horizontal flanges of bulb or other angle
bars or cleats substantially as set forth and shown.
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.