Improvements in Apparatus for Coaling Steamers and for Unloading Colliers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 30th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Coaling Steamers and for Unloading
Colliers.
I, ARCHIBALD THOMSON, of 108, Fenchurch Street, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to facilitate the supplying of coal to steamers
or from colliers and to save labour and time in the operation.
In carrying out my invention I provide a steamer with an endless chain of
buckets and a ladder or beam for carrying the same, to some extent like the
corresponding parts of dredging apparatus. I arrange for the upper end of the
ladder to be suspended from a stanchion or bracket with connections and gearing
for driving the upper sprocket wheel of the bracket chain from inboard, and with
means of adjustment for placing the ladder in a suitable position with its lower end
placed more or less outwards from the steamer, so that it can be lowered into a
lighter or other vessel alongside from which the coal is to be raised. The lower
end of the ladder is suspended, when in use, by a chain or rope or block and tackle
from a boom or davit. Workmen in the lighter will shovel the coal into the
buckets, and the buckets will carry up the coal and tip it into a hopper or shoot ;
which may be directly connected with the coal bunkers. Or when more convenient
the coal may be conveyed from the upper end of the endless chain of buckets
along horizontal or inclined channels to any part of the steamer, any suitable
known conveying mechanism being employed. The endless chain of buckets may
be actuated from any convenient steam winch or donkey engine on the steamer, the
power being transmitted by ropes or in any other convenient way.
In the case of a collier, a similar arrangement of an endless chain of buckets is
fitted thereon in a manner to allow of its raising coal from the hold of the collier
and so that the coal may be delivered from its upper end into a steamer or other
vessel or onto a wharf, a shoot or conveying channel being interposed if required.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1894.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Coaling Steamers and for Unloading
Colliers.
I, ARCHIBALD THOMSON, of 108 Fenchurch Street, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting 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, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to facilitate the supplying of coal to steamers
or from colliers and to save labor and time in the operation.
In carrying out my invention I provide a steamer with an endless chain of
TP71

page_text: buckets and a ladder or beam for carrying the same, to some extent like the
corresponding parts of dredging apparatus. I arrange for the ladder and buckets
to be suspended from stanchions or brackets, with connections for driving the bucket
chain, and with means of adjustment for placing the ladder in a suitable position.
Workmen in the lighter will shovel the coal into the buckets and the buckets will
carry up the coal and tip it into a hopper or shoot.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to, and showing my improved apparatus for coaling
steamers, and for unloading colliers.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings is a plan, and Figure, 2, is a side
elevation, of part of a steamship, to which my improved apparatus is shown as
applied in four different positions.
Figure, 3, on Sheet, 2, is a side elevation of the principal parts of the apparatus,
and Figure, 4, is an end elevation of the same, with the ladder and buckets
omitted for clearness. Figures, 3, and, 4, are drawn to a larger scale than
Figures, 1, and, 2.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
I provide a steamer with an endless chain of buckets, A, and a ladder or beam, B,
for carrying the same these parts being to some extent like the corresponding parts
of dredging apparatus. I arrange for the upper end of the ladder, B, to be.
suspended from a stanchion or bracket, C, by a bow or fork, D, connected to the
shaft, F, of the chain wheel, G, and drum, H, for driving the endless chain, J, the
fork being connected to the stanchion by ropes or chains, K, passing round
pulleys, L, and actuated from a winch, M, attached to the stanchion. The shaft, F,
is formed at one side with a part projecting from it and made to fit into a socket, N,
fixed to the ship's side, the socket forming a centre for the ladder, B, to turn and
rest on. The other end of the ladder, B, is suspended, when in use, from a
stanchion, C, similar to the previously mentioned one, there being interposed a boom
or gib, P, (as shown in Figures, 1, and, 2) to enable that end of the ladder to be
placed more or less outwards from the steamer, so that it can be lowered into a
lighter, Q, or other vessel alongside from which the coal is to be raised. If desired
the stanchion, C, for the lower end of the ladder may be omitted (as shown in
Figures, 3, and, 4) and the intervening boom or jib, P, which is jointed to a
bracket, R, on the ship's side is shifted further up to a more suitable position. The
lower end of the ladder, B, is provided with a bow or fork, D, connected (as shown
in Figures, 1, and, 2) by ropes or chains, K, to a hand winch, M, on the stanchion, C,
or connected (as shown in Figures, 3, and, 4) by ropes or chains, K, to the boom or
jib, P, and to a winch on the mast or other suitable part. Workmen in the
- lighter, Q. will shovel the coal into the buckets, A, and the buckets will carry up
the coal and tip it into a hopper or shoot, S, which may be directly connected to the
coal bunkers. Or when more convenient the coal may be conveyed from the upper part
of the endless chain of buckets, A, along horizontal or inclined channels to any part
of the steamer, any suitable known conveying mechanism being employed. The
chain wheel, G, of the endless chain, J, is driven by means of a chain, T, from any
convenient steam winch, V, or donkey engine on the steamer, the chain being
guided by suitable pulleys, W. Plain pulleys and ropes may be used instead of the
chain wheel, G, and chain, T. If desired the chain wheel, G, or plain pulleys
may be fixed to a deck plate (not shown) instead of being on the drum shaft, F,
and the connection between the chain wheel or pulleys and the drum shaft is then
made by means of a universal joint.
In the case of a collier a similar arrangement of an endless chain of buckets, (A)
is fitted thereon in a manner to allow of its raising coal from the hold of the
collier, and so that the coal may be delivered from its upper end into a steamer or
other vessel or ou to a wharf, a shoot or conveying channel being interposed if
required.

page_text: 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 :-
For coaling steamers and for unloading colliers, fitting such vessels with
apparatus comprising an endless chain of buckets, together with appliances for
supporting, adjusting and driving the same, the parts being arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of November 1894.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.