Improvements in Rowing Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1894-Accepted 22nd Dec.,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rowing Apparatus.
I, EDWARD PINK of Stanton Saint Bernard near Pewsey, Wilts, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved rowing apparatus which will permit of
the rower facing the front of the boat while propelling it.
The apparatus consists of a wooden or other block pivoted at the side of the
boat so that it can rock about a horizontal axis. To the centre of this are pivoted
the scull and a handle for operating it made separately, but turning on the same
pin and projecting respectively outside and inside the boat.
The handle and oar are connected by a frame in the form of an articulated
parallelogram, two opposite joints of which are fitted by a pin or bolt to the arm
and oar.
This frame is fitted on the rocking piece by a groove in the latter with
bevelled edges in which blocks fixed on to the frame slide. The action of the
apparatus is as follows:-
On the handle being drawn back, the jointed frame will slide with it, and being
connected to the scull at the opposite point will pull the latter in the opposite
direction to the motion of the handle propelling the boat forward. The rocking
block will permit of the scull being raised from the water on the return stroke.
This may be done automatically by a cam or curved guide plate turning the
scull on the return stroke.
Stops can be fitted to the side of the boat which will limit the motion of the
rocking block and prevent the oars being dipped too far into the water.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Rowing Apparatus.
I EDWARD PINK of Stanton, Saint Bernard, near Pewsey, Wilts, Gentleman
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 an improved rowing apparatus which will permit of the
rowers facing the front of the boat while propelling it.
The apparatus consists of a block or case pivoted at the side of the boat so that
it can rock about a horizontal axis. To the centre of this are pivoted the scull
and a handle for operating it, made separately, but turning on the same pin
and projecting respectively outside and inside the boat.
The handle and oar are connected by a frame in the form of an articulated
parallelogram, two opposite joints of which are fitted by a pin or bolt to the arm
and oar.
This frame is fitted in the rocking case above mentioned, the latter being formed

page_text: with longitudinal grooves in which pins at the end joints of the parallelogram take,
nuts being preferably employed to retain the parts together.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
On the handle being drawn back, the jointed frame will slide with it, and being
connected to the scull at the opposite point will pull the latter in the opposite
direction to the motion of the handle, propelling the boat forward. The rocking
case will permit of the scull being raised from the water on the return stroke.
Stops can be fitted to the side of the boat which will limit the motion of the
rocking block and prevent the oars being dipped too far into the water.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of the apparatus, Fig. 2
is a side view, Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a plan of the rocking case with
the upper side removed and an under side view of the said case showing the
slots, and Fig. 5 is a cross section.
The rocking case is formed in two main parts A and A', A being the base
plate and A¹ the cover. The base plate is formed with a strong pin a¹ at each
end which serves as a pivot. This rocking case is carried in the bearings Bat
each end, and is allowed to rock freely around the axis formed by the said pin
as shown in Fig. 5 in dotted lines.
The oar C is fitted to a plate C¹ provided with a series of metal strips c by
which the oar is fixed in place. The handle D is fitted in a corresponding manner
to the plate D¹ with straps d.
These plates or arms are pivoted to the central pin E which passes up through
the centre of the case, one arm being fitted on top of the other, a simple fly nut e
being employed to retain the arms in position. To permit the arms to run easily
over the rocking case small rollers c and d are fitted underneath the arms,
bearing on the top of the case, reducing the friction. The arms are connected to
the articulated parallelogram F fitted inside the case, the pin f being employed to
connect the arms to the said parallelogram at opposite joints. The other joints
of this parallelogram are provided with pins fl which pass through the central
slots in the bottom of the casing, nuts f being screwed on the ends of the
said pins to keep the parallelogram in proper position. To permit of the arms
being turned to and fro around the centre E slots a concentric with the said pin
are formed in the top of the case. On pulling the handle in the ordinary manner,
owing to this connection with the jointed parallelogram and the connection of the oar
with the opposite joint, the said oar is moved simultaneously around its centre in
the opposite direction.
The oar and handle may be collapsed together as shown by the dotted lines in
Fig. 1, thus permitting the oar to be withdrawn into the boat out of the way, when
not in use. On turning the case with the collapsed oar and handle into the position
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 the oar can be still further collapsed into
the boat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
-
(1) A new or improved rowing apparatus consisting of a rocking case fitted to
the side of the boat carrying a jointed parallelogram and separate handle and oar
pivoted at the centre, and connected to the opposite pin of the said parallelogram
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2) In an improved rowing apparatus the combination with a separate handle
and oar pivoted together, of a horizontal case rocking in bearings at each end, a
jointed parallelogram carried by the said case and longitudinal slots in the case
into which pins of the parallelogram take, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(3) The improved rowing apparatus constructed and operating. substantially

page_text: in the manner described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 16th day of November 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.