Improvements in Cribs or Caissons for Docks and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cribs or Caissons for Docks and the like.
We, ALBERT DOUGLASS GARRETSON, of 138, Lancaster Avenue, Manufacturer,
and WILLIAM WAYLAND BROWNE, of 142, Lancaster Avenue, Lawyer, both of
Buffalo, in the County of Eric and State of New York, United States of America,
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 relates to a crib or caisson for docks, wharves, break-waters.
and similar marine structures and more particularly to a crib composed of a
series of similar metallic sections which are connected together end to end by
vertical sliding joints the interlocking parts of which are formed on adjoining
sections, so that by joining one section to another a crib or pier may be con-
structed of any desired length.
One of the objects of the invention is to construct the crib sections in such
manner that they can be built complete at the factory and readily assembled
where the dock or similar structure is to be erected, and so that the sections
can accommodate themselves to any slight imperfection of the joints which
connect the same, thus permitting the parts of the joints to be made with less
exactness and reducing their cost of production. The invention has the further
object to provide a strong and reliable joint for the crib sections which is simple
in construction and cheaply produced.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:;
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a dock or pier embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, partly in section.
Figure 3 is a detached top plan view of one of the crib sections.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the dock in process of construction.
Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section of one of the interlocking slip
joints which connect adjoining crib-sections.
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are similar sections of modified constructions of said
joints.
Like letters of reference refer to corresponding parts in the several figures.
Each section of my improved crib or caisson consists of a pair of upright
metallic side plates, A, A, which are securely connected together at or near
one of their upright edges, preferably their front edges, by a number of cross
bars or ties B which are arranged at suitable intervals throughout the depth of
the side plates, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, forming a practically three-sided
crib-section open at its upper and lower ends, as most clearly shown in Figure 3.
The crib is made up of a series of such sections which are arranged end to end
or one in advance of another, and the adjoining sections are connected together
by interlocking joints, preferably upright slip or sliding joints.
The form of joint preferred for this purpose is shown in Figures 2 and 5, and
consists of an upright rib or tenon e arranged on or secured to the inner side of

page_text: one of the interlocked plates at one of its upright edges, and a corresponding
upright groove or mortise d arranged on the inner side of the adjoining plate
receiving the tenon of the other plate. Each tenon is preferably formed on a
vertical angle bar which is riveted or otherwise secured to the inner side of
the adjacent side plate A and extends from the top to the bottom thereof. The
neck of the tenon extends across the flush joint e between the side plates of
adjoining crib-sections and the head of the tenon bears at its outer side against
the inner side of the opposing side plate. The corresponding groove of the slip
joint is formed by a vertical channel bar which opens outwardly and which
is provided with a laterally extending flange which is rivetted or otherwise
secured to the adjacent side plate A of the crib section. This channel bar
extends rearwardly beyond the Hush joint e between the side plates of adjoining
crib sections so as to coincide with the tenon c of the adjoining section and the
flange forming the outer wall of the channel terminates at a distance from the
side plates to leave the necessary intervening space for the neck of the adjacent
tenon c.
By extending the tenon of one crib section beyond the joint between
the side plates of adjoining crib sections in this manner, the tenon is confined
in a lateral direction between the channel bar and the opposing inner side
of the side plate A to which the channel bar is fastened, thus utilizing the side
plate as a part of the joint. This simplifies the construction of the joint and
enables the bars forming the tenon and the groove to be rolled at a correspond-
ingly reduced cost. In this joint, the interlocking parts are both arranged on
the inner side of the side plates A, leaving the latter substantially flush and
smooth on their outer sides.
The bars carrying the tenons are preferably formed with the upright
inwardly-extending flauges ² to which the ends of the cross bars B are secured
by rivets or other means. If desired such an attaching flange may be formed
on the channel, bar or groove member of each joint, as shown at ³, in Figure 6.
The side plates of the foremost or outermost crib section are connected at their
front edges by a tight plate F which extends throughout the depth of the plates
and forms the closed outer end of the pier or dock. This front plate is secured
to the side plates preferably by upright angle bars f arranged in the front
corners of said section, as shown in Figure 2, and this plate is preferably
stiffened by a series of horizontal braces 9 extending from the central portion
of the plate to the inner sides of the side plates of the foremost crib-section.
My improved crib-sections are preferably constructed wholly of sheet metal
and the sections are made of different lengths, as may be required by the varying
depths or undulations of the bed of the river or other body of water in which
the crib is to be built.
In building a crib in accordance with my invention, a crib section of approxi-
mately the required length is sunk into the bed of the lake or stream preferably
with its open side toward the rear or inner end of the dock, as shown in the
drawings. After properly placing this section, another crib-section is lowered
in the same position in front of the first-named section and interlocked therewith
by properly engaging the lower ends of the channel bars d of the second section
with the upper ends of the tenons c of the first section and sliding the second
section down into place on the first section, whereby the two sections are con-
veniently and reliably connected together and at the same time properly aligned
without requiring special care. The remaining crib-sections are successively
added in the same manner until all the sections are assembled and when the
sections are united in this manner, the adjoining side plates of the series of
sections form two parallel side walls connected at intervals by the cross bars B
and at their front ends by the tight plate F. The rectangular channel or enclo-
sure so formed is filled with earth, stone, concrete or other suitable material to
complete the crib.
The usual floor planks of the dock or pier may be supported upon the
upper ends of the side plates A and the uppermost cross bars B, or by other

page_text: stringers or longitudinal floor beams I secured to the outer side of said plates
at their upper ends.
My improved crib-sections can be built complete at the factory enabling the
same to be readily assembled when required. By constructing the sections of
side plates which are originally connected together only at one edge, say their
front edge, the free rear portions of the plates can be sprung laterally to a
limited extent to facilitate the interlocking of the parts of the section-joints in
case the fit of the parts is somewhat imperfect. Although the side plates are
securely connected by the cross bars B, the width of the plates affords sufficient
elasticity to permit of their being sprung, as described. This yielding feature
of the sides of the sections allows the joints to be made less exact and permits
a less skilled class of labor to be employed in the manufacture of the sections,
thereby reducing their cost correspondingly.
Other forms of joints may be employed for connecting the crib-sections instead
of the joint shown in Figures 2 and 5. For example, the tenon of the joint
may be L-shaped, as shown at in Figure 7, and the head of the same and the
channel bar te arranged on the outer side of the side plate of the crib-
sections. In this case, the neck of the tenon passes outwardly between the
opposing edges of adjoining side plates.
In the modified construction of the joint shown in Figure 8, substantially a
Z-shaped tenon is employed which has its head arranged on the outer side
of the side plates, and the channel bar which receives the tenon is also located
on the outer side of the plate, as the joint shown in Figure 7.
In the joint
shown in Figure 7, the bar carrying the tenon has at its front edge an upright
flange for the attachment of the cross bars B, while in the joint shown in
Figure 8 said flange is formed at the rear edge of the bar which carries the
tenon. In both of these modifications, as in the joint shown in Figures 2 and 5,
the head of the tenon is confined laterally between the channel bar and the
opposing side of the side plate to which the channel bar is secured.
In the modified construction of the joint shown in Figure 9, the channel
bars are dispensed with and the tenon and groove are formed in one piece with
the side plates A. In this construction the upright rib or tenon is formed
on the inner side of one of the upright edges of the side plates A and this side
plate in rear of said tenon is provided with an inwardly projecting, guard k.
The adjacent side plate is formed with an inwardly bent rib or flange, and the
upright groove m which receives the tenon c is formed on the outer side of this
rib or flange. The cross bars or ties B are riveted to the inner side of the
flange or rib 7.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A crib or caisson for docks, wharves, breakwaters and similar marine
structures, composed of separate sections, each of which consists of a pair of
upright side plates and a cross bar or tie which connects said plates near one
end of the section, the section being provided at its front and rear ends with
locking devices adapted to engage with corresponding locking devices of adjoin-
ing crib-sections, substantially as set forth.
2. In a sectional crib or caisson for docks, wharves, break-waters and similar
marine structures, a crib-section composed of upright side plates and a cross
bar or tie which connects the side plates near one of their upright edges, whereby
said plates are allowed to yield laterally to a limited extent at their opposite
free edges, said plates being provided at their free edges with locking devices
which are adapted to engage with corresponding locking devices of an adjoining
crib-section, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a pair of adjoining crib-sections, each having upright
side plates which are connected with the plates of adjoining section by an up-

page_text: right tenon and mortise joint, the mortise member of the joint being arranged
on one of the interlocked plates and the tenon being arranged on the adjoining
plate and confined in a lateral direction between the mortise member and the
opposing side of the plate which carries the mortise member, substantially as
set forth.
4. The combination of a pair of adjoining crib-sections each having upright
side plates which are connected with the plates of the adjoining section by an
upright tenon and mortise joint, the mortise member consisting of a channel
bar secured to the inner side of one of the interlocked plates, and the tenon
being secured to the inner side of the adjoining plate and having a neek which
extends across the joint between the interlocked plates and a head which
engages with the groove of said channel bar and the inner side of the plate
which carries the bar, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 27th day of Santambor 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.