Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1889
Specification. Accepted, 12th Feb., 1889
[Communicated from abroad by PLATT BRYAN VIELE, of Rochester, County of
Monroe, State of New York, United States of America, Bank Official.]
I, OLIVER IMRAY of No. 28 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents 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 construction of Leak Stopper to be applied
to the outer side of ships or vessels for stopping holes or leaks in submerged parts
a flexible metallic frame, that will
thereof, and it consists mainly in constructing
conform to the curved surface of the ship, and to which is attached a piece of
suitable fabric or other flexible material that is pressed close against the hole or leak
by the external pressure of the water so as to effectually stop the same from entering,
I will proceed to describe the said appliance with reference to the accompanying
drawing, in which Fig. 1 shews the improved leak stopper applied over the side of a
vessel. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same. Fig. 3 represents the leak stopper
shaped to cover a space on each side of the bow. Fig. 4 is a view of the inner side
of one of the flexible leak stoppers, illustrating one mode of constructing the stopper
supporting frame.
Referring to the drawing the numeral 1 designates a frame of rectangular or other
suitable form for supporting a covering 2 of leather canvas, rubber or other flexible
or elastic material.
The frame 1 may consist of metallic rods or strips, or of wooden bars having

page_text: sufficient strength and weight.. I prefer, however, to make the frame of flat sicel
strips so arranged that when, the frame is covered and applied, the flat sides of the
steel strips will, by their flexibility more readily conform to the contour of the vessel.
The flexible covering 2 is securely attached to the frame 1, by any suitable means,
an is preferably somewhat larger than the frame, so as to be capable of becoming
closely applied to and over a hole in the side of a vessel under the pressure of the
water.
To the upper end of the frame 1, at the centre or at or near each corner is attached
a suspension rod or handle 3, by which the frame and its covering can be lowered
over the side of the vessel and brought opposite the leak or hole to be stopped. The
handle or handles 3 can be made in sections suitably connected, if necessary.
On each side of the frame 1, is a loop or eye 4, for attachment of guys 5, that can
be so arranged as to facilitate the proper location of the leak stopper and assist in
securing it in place.
For the purpose of holding the frame and its covering securely in place, I attach a
number of staples or rings 6 (Fig. 2), to the inner side of the flexible covering, so
that there may be an inner fastening made through the hole, thus keeping the stopper
more securely in place than by the outer fastenings alone, the inner fastenings may
consist of ropes 7, passed through the loops, rings or staples 6, as shewn in Fig. 2,
and secured in any convenient manner.
It will be seen that in the event of an accident, by which a hole is stove in the
side of a vessel, the frame 1 with its attached flexible covering 2, can be lowered over
the side and speedily secured in place to stop the leak. By this means the vessel can
be temporarily patched until it becomes convenient to properly repair the injury; or
the vessel can be kept afloat a sufficient length of time to facilitate the escape of
passengers and crew.
Vessels can be supplied with different sizes of these leak stoppers, or the rods for
making the frames 1, can be provided in various lengths to enable a frame of any
size to be quickly constructed. The frames and the coverings being made détachable
can easily be disconnected and stowed away until required for use.
For the bow of the vessel, a frame and its covering can be bent, as shewn in Fig. 3,
so as to cover a space on each side of bow.
When the hole in the vessel is above the water line, or when the water pressure is
not sufficient to hold the leak stopper firmly against the vessel, ropes or guys may run
from the frame 1, under the vessel and be fastened on the opposite side. This may
be particularly desirable when there is a rough sea.
I prefer to make the frames 1 of flat material, with perforations 8, at equal
distances, and a few inches apart, so that the frames can be put together in any
desired shape to meet the emergency. These same perforations can be used in
fastening the covering 2 to the frame and also for attachment of the guys 5 and
inner fastenings 7, when the latter are used, with this device, the same imaterial as
the frames can be used for handles for the frame, by being bolted thereto.
Where the frames are made large they can be strengthened by having cross bars 9,
to keep them in proper shape.
By providing the frame bars 1 and 9 with perforations 8. disposed at regular
intervals it is obvious that said bars can be connected at various points, by means of
bolts passed through said perforations, so as to vary the size of the stopper supporting
frame, as required. Frames of various sizes can thus be quickly put together
without requiring the employment of very long bars, thus enabling the parts of the
leak stopper to be easily and compactly stowed away when disconnected.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
:-
1. A leak stopper for vessels composed of a frame of detachable and flexible flat.
steel bars or strips that will conform to the shape of the vessel and a flexible covering
secured to the said frame, substantially as described.

page_text: 2. A leak stopper for vessels composed of a supporting frame provided with
handles and a flexible covering secured to the said frame and having loops or rings.
attached to its inner side for attachment of ropes or guys to pass through the
opening in the hull of the vessel, substantially as described.
3. A leak stopper for vessels consisting of a frame and handles therefor, composed
of detachable bars provided with perforations, a flexible covering secured to the said
frame and having loops or rings on its innor side and guys attached to said frame and.
to the loops on the inner side of its covering, substantially as described..
Dated this 8th day of January 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,.
Agents for the Applicant.