An Improved Rowing Apparatus for Sanitary and Training Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st May, 1891-Accepted, 13th June, 1891
IDIONAL DIMITTUALION.
An Improved Rowing Apparatus for Sanitary and Training
Purposes.
I, JOSEPH BRADBURY of Brook Iron Works Charles Street, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to rowing apparatus, so termed, and is designed to imitate
the action of rowing or sculling and the resistance accompanied therewith in actual
practice, previous ones but imperfectly attaining. the object claimed, which in this
case is to provide means for obtaining sanitary and training exercise analogous to
the conditions of actual practice, in combination with a conveniently constructed
and reliable apparatus.
In an apparatus constructed according to my said invention I form the foundation
or framework preferably of wood and provide means thereon for the operation of a
sliding seat and for attachments representing the rowlocks outstanding from the
framework, as "outriggers."
37
The oars or sculls are represented by levers or arms, which are jointed in the
relative positions occupied by the oars in the rowlocks. An adjustable "foot
board" is provided and stayed in a convenient manner to the foundation.
I obtain the resistance represented by the boat in actual rowing, by employing a
friction clutch or joint in each position occupied by the rowlock, and which is
operated at each forward stroke by the "oar," so termed.
The clutch or joint consists of a taper, cone or ball faced plug seated in a corre-
sponding socket, either portion of which may revolve.
I obtain the degree of resistance desired by pressing the corresponding surfaces
of the joint together thereby increasing their adhesion or the friction of or between
the said surfaces.
This I may do in any convenient manner but preferably by passing a bolt
through the parts of the joint and adjusting by means of a nut.
To the revolving portion or "head" of the said friction joint, I hinge the "oar"
upon a vertical axis. 1 form a "crown-wheel" toothed rim upon the head, into
the teeth on which the " :"
oar is prepared to engage in the manner of a pawl.
The lever and teeth are designed to engage together in the forward direction
or "pull stroke" only. When reversing the stroke or "feathering," the " oar
immediately disengages with the teeth, clearance being provided for that
purpose.
The anns or outriggers" carrying the friction joints and oars are made
detachable, each "outrigger" is fitted into one or more sockets.
I form the socket with a longitudinal slot opening outwards.
Into this slot a
bolt or screw fitted in the arm enters when the said arm is pushed home, and which
when screwed up prevents the possibility of the arm working loose.
Dated this 1st day of August 1890
R. J. URQUHART,
7; St. Ann Street, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rowing Apparatus for Sanitary and Training
Purposes.
I, JOSEPH BRADBURY of Brook Iron Works Charles Street Manchester in the
County of Lancaster 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 :-
My invention relates to rowing apparatus, so termed, designed to imitate the
action of rowing, or sculling and the resistance accompanied therewith in actual
practice, the object being to provide a rowing apparatus of improved construction
and certain and reliable in action.
The apparatus consists of a framework preferably of wood having a sliding seat,
and fixed footboard," and attachments to the frame representing outriggers, the
extremities thereof carrying "rowlocks" in which the poles representing the oars
are hinged with a friction joint, the relative positions of the various termed parts
to the operator being analogous to those in general practice.
ご
In this class of rowing apparatus the "rowlocks and friction joints are generally
of faulty construction and unreliable in action; the methods of attaching the
"outriggers" is defective, and the means of forming the slide is very imperfect.
These defects I remedy in my improved rowing apparatus..
In describing and setting forth my invention I will refer to the accompanying
sheet of drawings, which illustrates the parts particularly referred to in my improved
apparatus.
In the said drawings
Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation of the "rowlock" and friction joint.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same with the cover or washer removed.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are four views of the socket attachment to "outrigger
arms.
"
Referring to Figures 1 and 2-the friction joint consists essentially of one or
more convex, o1 conical, and corresponding concave surfaces one of which revolves
in contact with the corresponding one. I prefer to employ two convex and two
concave surfaces formed and arranged as shewn in Figure 1. (a) Figures 1 and 2
is a hollow drum having a concave under surface (c) is a plate having a convex
upper surface (c) and a concave under surface (c2); (4) is a block having a
convex upper surface (6). A bolt (d) groups the three pieces together; (a) and (b)
revolve with the bolt () the said bolt passing through a clearance hole in the
plate (c). Between the corresponding convex and concave surfaces aforesaid an
insertion of leather or other substance is made to prevent grinding of the metal.
A. plate or washer (e) is fitted to a square shoulder upon the bolt (d) or the
boss (a) of the drum in order that it may revolve therewith. The extremity of
the bolt above the plate (e) is screwed and fitted with a nut (d¹) for the purpose of
drawing the surfaces of the joint together.
An operating lever (f) having a fixed jaw (f) which encloses a portion of the
wall of the drum is fitted beneath the plate (e). The tail (f) of the said lever
passes the boss (a) of the drum on one side as shown permitting of alternating
movements of the lever to grip and release the wall of the drum according to their
direction.
A continuation of the plate (c) in combination with a box or "strap" head (9)
fitted to the "outrigger "arm is formed into a butt hinge (h).
1
The relative position of the drum to the hinge is regulated to counterpoise the
weight of the pole or "oar" (o) fitted to the lever (f).
::
"
Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 shewing the means 1 adopt for securing the
outrigger arm (A) in the socket (B) I form the socket with an open slot (a) in
one side. To the lower end of the "outrigger" arm I secure a plate (b) into which

page_text: I fit a screw (C). When the arm (A) is pushed home into the socket (B) the
screw (C) secures said arm in position.
Referring now to the slide upon which the seat moves; in place of employing
wood to slide upon wood, I face the friction surface of the slide with metal, preferably
steel.
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
First: In a rowing apparatus for sanitary and training purposes the employment of
a friction joint consisting of circular concave and convex surfaces in contact, and
operating lever, substantially as and for the purposes described and indicated herein-
before and in and by the accompanying drawings.
Second: In a rowing apparatus for sanitary and training purposes the method
of securing the outrigger arm in the socket by means of a slot and screw
substantially as described and indicated.
Third: In a rowing apparatus for sanitary and training purposes the employment
of a metal faced slide as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, late of 7, St. Ann Street,
Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer.