An Improved Boats' Plug.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Nov., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
An Improved Boats' Plug.
1 VINCENT WING SWORN of 12 Kings Road Southsea in the County of Hampshire
Watchmaker and Jeweller do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved plug specially applicable to boats, and for all
similar purposes.
Boats plugs as now generally fitted are objectionable for the following reasons.
When the plug is removed from plug-hole it is liable to be mislaid or entirely lost,
again wooden plugs swell, which renders them troublesome to remove, also such plugs
are liable to be forced up out of the plug hole. If made of cork they are very perishable
and consequently unsafe.
By means of my invention the opening, or closing, almost instantly of the plug, or
drain hole, in the bottom of a boat, is at all times possible and convenient.
I will describe my invention in relation to its use as a boat's plug. I take and
provide metal plates made in two parts and hinged at one end, the lower plate is fitted
into the planking inside of the boat and flush with the top of same, in the usual
position in boat that an ordinary plug is fitted; in this plate on its top side I form a
circular groove.
At the end opposite to which the hinge is formed I provide a hinged
screw bolt upon which a butterfly nut works, further, upon the second or top plate
which as before mentioned is hinged to the lower or first named plate I provide a
washer of leather or other suitable material, this washer is fastened to the upper plate,
and upon the washer I form a raised projection which when the top plate is turned
over to the lower plate, fits closely in the groove provided in the lower plate. In this
plate a circular hole is cut corresponding in size, and position, to a hole to be cut
through the boats planking.
The top plate being turned over on to the bottom plate the washer before mentioned
covers the hole cut in the lower plate, the tight fitting of which in the groove is
secured by means of the butterfly nut being screwed down on to the top plate bringing
the two plates close together and consequently jamming the raised part of washer into
the groove in the lower plate, thereby rendering the hole watertight. When wishing
to relieve the boat of any accumulation of water it is only necessary to unscrew the
butterfly nut when the hinged screw bolt falls down with the nut attached to it, and
the top plate is turned back on its hinge leaving the hole uncovered and through
which the water can pass out of the boat. .
I can also by means of my invention if preferable provide for the leather, or other
washers, being fitted in the lower plate, and for a raised projection on the upper plate
to press on same, thus securing the watertightness of the plug hole.
The parts of my invention made of metal as described can also be made of iron,
steel, brass or other metal or alloy or a combination of same.
Dated this 11th day of February 1890

page_text: CODE LEIE STEIFICATION.
'An Improved Boats' Plug.
I, VINCENT WING SWORN, of 12, Kings Road; Southsea, in the County of Hampshire.
Watchmaker and Jeweller, 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 plug specially applicable to boats, and for all
similar purposes.
By means of my invention the opening or closing almost instantly of the plug or
drain hole, in the bottom of a boat is at all times possible and convenient.
I will describe my invention in relation to its use as a boat's plug.
I take and provide two metal plates and connect them by a hinge, in one which I
will call the lower plate, I form a circular groove, or recess and a hole, this plate is
fitted and fastened inside the boat to the planking in such a position that the hole in
the plate will correspond with the drain hole cut through the boats planking; at the
end of this plate, opposite to which the hinge is formed, I provide a hinged screw bolt
upon which a butterfly nut works, further, upon the other plate which I will call the
top plate I provide and fasten a raised washer of leather, vulcanized india-rubber, or
other suitable material; the top plate being turned over on to the lower plate the
washer before mentioned covers the hole cut in the lower plate, and consequently
the drain hole cút through the bottom planking, the tight fitting of the washer in this
hole is secured by means of the butterfly nut being screwed down on to the top plate,
thus bringing the two plates close together and consequently pressing the washer into
the hole, in the lower plate, thereby rendering it watertight.
When it is desired to uncover the drain hole it is only necessary to unscrew the
butterfly nut, when the hinged screw bolt falls down with the nut attached to it and
the top plate can then be turned back on its hinge leaving the hole uncovered.
I can also by means of my invention, if preferable, provide for the washers being
fitted in the lower plate, and for a raised projection on the top plate to press on same,
thus securing the watertightness of the plug hole.
The parts of my invention made of metal as described can also be made of iron, steel
brass, or other metal, or alloy, or a combination of same.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of my improved boats plug when closed ;
Fig. 2. a plan of same,
Fig. 3. a sectional elevation when opened out, and
Fig. 4. a plan of same.
The lower plate A, is the one which is fitted and fastened in the boats planking, d, is
the circular grooved drain hole, through which water is discharged from, or admitted
into, the boat at will. C, is the washer of leather, vulcanized indiarubber or other
suitable material, which is attached to the top plate B, by means of the screw e, or other
suitable method.
To render the drain hole d, watertight it is only necessary to turn the top plate B,
over on to the lower plate, A, pass the hinged screw bolt L, into the recess g, and
screw the butterfly nut f, down on the top plate B, the washer C, thus covers the drain
hole, d, and is pressed into same by means of screwing the butterfly nut down on to
the top plate, thus securing' the perfect watertightness of the drain hole.
To relieve the boat from any accumulation of water when on shore, or hanging
in davits, it will be seen that it is only necessary to reverse the operation just
described.
It is noted that the butterfly nut f, screws down into a recess h, provided in
the top plate B, the object being to secure it (the nut) from being disengaged from
the top plate when in the closed position by a chance blow, also the nut is prevented
from being entirely unscrewed from the bolt by means of the ferrule K, secured to the
top of same, or by other suitable means.

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, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improved boats plug, at all times available for use as such, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2nd. The arrangement and combination of the hinged plates, and the washer C,
provided on one plate covering the opening on the other plate, and the corresponding
parts as substantially hereinbefore described.
3rd. The particular application and method or similar thereto of almost instantly
and easily closing, and opening plug or drain holes, in boats in manner, herein before
substantially described and set forth in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 21st day of October
HERBERT P. BLAKE, M.I.N.A.,
20, Laura Place, Southampton, Agent for the Applicant.