Improvements in Boat Oars and in Rowing Boats.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1893
:
Complete Specification Left, 25th May, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boat Oars and in Rowing Boats.
I, ALFRED HAWORTH of 19 South John Street, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Publisher, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to enable a rower to sit with his face to the bow
of the boat which he is rowing.
To accomplish this, the oar is made in two parts, which are afterwards linked or
geared together in such manner that, when the rower pulls the handle of the oar
towards him, the further end of the other part of the oar will move in the same
direction relatively to the course of the boat as that in which the handle moves,
that is, towards the stern, not from the stern. Numerous forms of connecting links
can be adopted, most of which are already well known, for reversing motion, such
for instance as the double or lazy tongs link. Probably the simplest form consists
in a single link or crank pivoted to the contiguous ends of each part of the oar;
two iron plates riveted or fastened together or other metal frame or wood box can
be used to carry the pivots and keep all portions of the oar in the same plane. The
metal frame or wood box will have a pivot or swivel at both of its ends fitting into
sockets secured to the sides or gunwale of the boat, thus the metal frame or wood
box can swivel on the gunwale and enable the outer end of the oar to be lowered
into or raised from the water as the rower requires. The handle end of the oar
will rise as the blade falls, and fall as the latter rises. The pivots can be made
adjustable if desired to alter the stroke.
°
When gearing is used, I employ two circular toothed wheels or segmental
circular racks for each oar. Each wheel or rack is provided with a sleeve or
socket in which the handle or blade of the oar is secured. The gearing is enclosed
in a suitable metal or wood box or frame which is pivoted or swivelled at the ends.
In the case of narrow boats, this frame or box may be pivoted to a suitable
outrigger frame, whereby no space inside the boat is wasted.
Dated this 24th day of August 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boat Oars and in Rowing Boats.
I, ALFRED HAWORTH of 19, South John Street, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Publisher, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to enable a rower to sit with his face to the bows
of the boat which he is rowing.
To accomplish this, the oar is made in two parts which are afterwards linked or
geared together in such manner that, when the rower pulls the handle of the oar
towards him, the further end of the other part of the oar will move in the same
direction relatively to the course of the boat as that in which the handle moves,
that is, towards the stern, not from the stern. Numerous forms of connecting
links can be adopted, most of which are already well known, for reversing motion,
ID 1

page_text: such, for instance, as the double or lazy tongs link. Probably the simplest form
consists in a single link or crank pivoted to the contiguous ends of each part of
the oar or even a single pin or slide block working in slots in said parts. Two
iron plates or frames rivetted or fastened together or a single metal frame or wood
box can be used to carry the pivots and keep all portions of the oar in the same 5
plane.
This form is set forth in Figures 1 and 2, in which
Figure 1 shows a plan, and
Figure 2, a side elevation.
In these,
A is the blade end of the oar and B the handle end. C is a slot in the handle
end of the oar in which the pin D works in such manner that when the spring
catch E is not in position the handle can be pressed in towards the side of the boat.
By this means the blade of the oar can be brought parallel to the line of the boat.
F is a pin fixed to the handle end of the oar and moving in a slot in the blade end
of the oar or vice-versa. G is an iron frame, and H cover pieces on that iron frame.
I is a pivot. J and K trunnions on bearings on the gunwale.
The mode of operation is as follows-
The oar can be placed at any angle vertically owing to the frame being capable
of rotation on the trunnions J and K. When the handle B is pulled back, the
pin F advances towards J and the blade end consequently stands at an angle with
the axis of the boat equal and opposite to that of the handle; when the handle is
pushed forward, the blade returns. It is obvious that the trunnions could be
supported in sliding bearings in a vértical circle. By this means the oar could be
feathered; in practice, however, I do not recommend this plan. It is quite
sufficient that the metal frame G can swivel on the gunwale and thus enable the
outer end of the oar to be let into or raised from the water as the rower requires
and at the same time have any required horizontal motion. The spring catch E is
usually in the position shown, but when it is required to ship the oars, this catch is
pulled over, the handle pressed towards the gunwale, the oar then takes a position
parallel with the axis and can be shipped. By having several pins, the pivot can
be shifted to any desirable extent and thus the stroke can be altered if desired.
When gearing is used, I employ the modified device set forth in Figures 3 and 4 in
which L and M are two gearing wheels fastened on the ends of the parts of the oar
and pivotted at D and I to the frame G. The remaining parts are similar to those
set forth in the foregoing; it is needless therefore to mention them further. In
the case of very narrow boats, the frame G may be pivotted to a suitable outrigger
frame whereby no space inside the boat is wasted.
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. The improvements in boat oars which consists in forming them of two parts
geared or linked together and pivotted on a tipping frame pivotted to the gunwale
or outrigger.
2. The improvements in oars and their appurtenances and in rowing boats
substantially as herein set forth.
tantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London,
Patent Agents.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London,
Patent Agents.