An Improved Cleat for Ships' Hatches.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1897-Accepted, 1st Jan., 1898
An Improved Cleat for Ships' Hatches.
I, ROBERT HENRY WELFORD THIRKELL, of 140, Edleston Road, Crewe, Marine
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 consists in an improved cleat or clamping device for holding
down the tarpaulins covering ships' hatches.
The improved hatch-covering cleat which constitutes this invention consists of
a jaw hinged to a bracket which is secured to the hatch coaming and carries a bolt
by which the jaw is clamped against the usual batten.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 thereof represents, in vertical
section, my improved hatch cleat. It is shown in the closed position. Fig. 2
is an outer face view, also in the closed position. Fig. 3 in a side view showing
the cleat in the open position.
Secured to the hatch coaming a, by bolting or otherwise, is a bracket to which
is-hinged the jaw free to turn on the hinge pin d. The jaw c has a slot c¹ through
which extends a bolt e the head of which fits loosely into a recess e¹ provided in
the bracket b. A nut f is screwed on the outer end of the bolt e and has a
The hatch
washer g intervening between it and the outer face of the jaw c.
coaming a is of the usual kind, as also are the batten h and tarpaulin cover i.
The jaw is clamped upon the outer face of the batten h by screwing up the nut f.
The hinge pin d is relieved of strain by the tongue or rib formed on the jaw c
and bearing against the bracket b. The tarpaulin cover i is, as is usual, gripped
The gripping face of the jaw a
between the batten and the hatch coaming a.
is preferably serrated or otherwise roughened.
The cleat is unclamped by screwing back the nut f which need not be taken off
except at such times as may be necessary for removal of the bolt or for other
purpose. By slackening the nut f the jaw c is free to be tilted outwards on the
hinge pin d. The tarpaulin cover can then be removed.
In event of fracture of, or injury to, the bolt e, it is readily taken out and
replaced by another.
As is well understood, the cleats are fixed at suitable intervals apart on the
coamings of the hatch-way.
•
The improved cleat in which this invention consists possesses the advantages
that, in unclamping it, none of the parts require removal, that opening and
closing are effected with facility, and that the use of wedges is obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
A cleat for ships' hatchway covers, consisting of a jaw hinged to a bracket, or
its equivalent, secured to the hatch coaming; the said jaw being adapted to turn
on its hinges towards and away from the coaming, and to be clamped against the

page_text: batten by a bolt such as e and nut, the bolt being readily removable when the jaw
is unclamped, substantially as hereinabove described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of November. 1897.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.