An Improved Apparatus for Propelling Boats by Hand Power.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Propelling Boats by Hand Power.
I, FREDERICK GILES of Fawkner Street, South Yarra, in the Colony of
Victoria, Australia, Engineer, 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 has been devised for the purpose of affording the public a con-
venient, cheap and effective apparatus for propelling boats, such, for instance,
as ordinary river and pleasure boats. In practice it is found that the pulling of
boats by means of oars is a very laborious operation, particularly so to women or
people of weak strength on account of the strain on the arms, which it is necessary
to exert in feathering and pulling paddles or oars.
The use of my invention overcomes these objectionable features, and in addition
the person propelling the boat may sit facing the direction in which the boat is
proceeding. There being no through shaft and cach paddle having its own
mechanism complete, the necessity of a rudder is obviated and the boat may be
steered by simply slackening or reversing one of the paddles. The apparatus may
be amplified to suit any number of people in the boat. I would also point out that
the labor exerted in the return or back stroke of oars is lost and that a boat so
pulled proceeds on its course in a jerky or jumpy manner, whereas by my apparatus
a boat can be made to travel at a steady and continuous speed. I am aware that
paddle wheels have been before used for propelling boats but not in the peculiar
manner in which mine are driven.
In order to explain my invention I will now refer to the drawings in which―
Fig. 1. shews a cross section of a boat fitted with my propelling apparatus, half
of the said apparatus being in section and half in elevation.
Fig. 2. a view of the apparatus from the interior of a boat, whilst
"
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 shew detached views of some of the details of Figs. 1 and 2.
In these drawings "A" is a paddle wheel which is set and fastened on a shaft "B"
by means of a set screw pin "A" The arms "A" and blade frames "A" of the
wheel 56 A are specially constructed to admit of their extension or shortening as
required and the details of which will be seen on Fig. 4, in which "A" is a spoke
of the wheel specially shaped to engage, by means of a through bolt "A"," with a
sliding box "A" This latter has an extended slot "A" along a portion of its
length which receives the said bolt "A" for the adjustment of the length of the
paddle arm. On the sliding box "A" is also mounted a limitation strap "A"
At the extremity of the said box the paddles are attached and consist of the
frame "A" shaped to receive the paddle blades "A" which are secured by means
of a small screw.
The shaft "B" passes through an adjustable bearing thence through an upright
adjustable frame "D" and terminates in a small band and sprocket wheel "E"
(see Figs. 1 & 2). This wheel "E" is rotated through the medium of a chain "F"
by a larger and somewhat similar wheel "G." This latter wheel "G" is centred
and rotated on a peculiarly constructed pin shaft "H" which may be moved up or
down for setting at any level on the said upright frame "D." To the wheel "G"
is attached an adjustable slotted bar "J" (Figs. 1 and 2) by means of through
bolts "J".and stop pins "J" are provided for screwing against, the said slotted
bar terminating in a specially constructed handle "K" on a portion of which said
handle is a groove or space "K," the use of which will be explained hereinafter.
The frame "D" is supported in its upward position by means of bolts "D1" and
lower standard frame "D" This said lower frame "D" is also provided with
an extended slot for use when lowering or raising the apparatus. Stay rods "D*"
ΓΟ
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page_text: are provided for imparting rigidity to the frame "D." A forked rod "L" (see
Fig. 6) is also provided which is for use when a number of people are on say a
pleasure excursion and are desirous of assisting the person propelling the boat.
The fork "L" fitting in the recess "K" (Fig. 1) the operator exerting power at
the handle "L"."
I will now proceed to explain the details of the apparatus for raising or lowering
of the parts in order that they may be adjusted to the draughts of different boats.
Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, "M" is a framework of metal which is
affixed to the side of the boat by bolts or screws and in which a large vertical slot
is formed. On the inner side of the frame is arranged a vertical set of teeth "M¹"
in which a corresponding set of teeth engage, these latter teeth are formed in a
block washer “M'," the said washer being kept in position by the strain of a
nut "MB" "M" is a block or bush of metal with flanges outside of the
frame "M" and proceeds through the slot in "M" and block washer "M," where
it engages with a nut "M." Provision is also made to permit the adjustment of
the frame "D" and its parts (see Figures 1, 2 and 5) in which it will be seen that
slots are provided for adjusting the top pin shaft "H" and the stay rods "D³."
Shield boxes "N" are provided to prevent any splash water coming into the boat.
The modus operandi of my invention is as follows:-
Rotary motion is imparted to the handles "K" by the operator, this will rotate
the top wheels "G" and (by reason of the chains "F") the lower wheels "E"
shafts "B" and paddles "A." Should the boat require steering the operator may
accelerate the motion of one of the paddles and, if necessary, at the same time
reverse the action of the other. Should he desire assistance from one or more
people in the boat the rods "L" (see Fig. 6.) may be nicked into their places
at "K" and the rods "L" worked from other parts of the boat, any splash water
from the action of the paddles being prevented by the shield boxes "N."
Presume that it is desirable to give the paddles less depth of immersion in the
water owing to the boat being heavily laden, or from any other cause, the
screws "D" stay bolt "D" and the large nut "M" are loosened. This will
disengage the teeth in the rack "M" and washer "M" and permit the raising
of the whole apparatus to the required height, at which the nuts may be again
tightened and the apparatus is ready for use. Should it be desirable to alter the
radius at which the handle "K" is set, the bolts "J" may be loosened and the
slotted rod "J" altered as required. Oil holes are conveniently arranged at
the required parts for the purpose of lubrication.
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 :-
1. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-A frame as "D" held in
position by bolts passing through a slot in a lower standard frame as "D" and
having a circular bore for a bearing for a paddle shaft fitted with adjustable stay
rods as "D" from a slot on the frame and a second slot to permit the altering of
a bearing as "H" substantially as and for the purposes described and as
illustrated.
2. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-A frame as "M" (for
fixing to the side of a boat) said frame being provided with an extended slot and a
racked set of teeth as "M" for adjusting the height of a paddle shaft bearing by
means of a similarly racked block washer as "M" said washer being kept in its
position by a nut working on the screwed end of a flanged bush as "M*” substantially
as described and illustrated on Figs. 1 and 3.
3. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-A slotted bar as "J"
provided with a specially constructed handle as "K" and fixed by bolts at any
point along the slot in same substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set
forth and as illustrated.
4. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-A forked rod as "L"

page_text: formed with a handle as "L" substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
set forth.
15
5. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-A box shaped spoke
as "A" terminating in a frame as "A" for a paddle blade, and provided with a
slot as "A" a strap as
"A" and a bolt as "A" which latter may be tightened
up at any point along the slot substantially as described and illustrated.
6. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-The combination of a
chain as "F" and wheels as "G" and "E" with the shaft of a paddle wheel as
described and illustrated.
7. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-The combination of a
paddle wheel as "A" with adjustable framing as "M," "D" and "D" for the
purpose of adjusting the height of the propelling mechanism substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated.
8. In apparatus for propelling boats by hand power-The combination and
arrangement of all parts forming the complete propelling apparatus set forth on
both sides of the boat in Fig. 1. on the accompanying drawings.
11000
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FREDERICK GILES.
John P. O'Donnell,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.