Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Pleasure Boats and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1892.
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1892-Accepted. 25th Feb. 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Pleasure
Boats and the like.
I, EDWIN BAMFORTH of Irwell Brow, Eccles, Farmer, do hereby declare the
nature of my said invention to be as follows:—
My invention consists in means for propelling a pleasure boat or the like by
treadle power in conjunction with a set of paddle wheels or a screw propeller.
In carrying out my invention I employ a pair of paddle wheels mounted at either
end of a revolving shaft running transversely through or across the boat. This
shaft is provided with a chain wheel which by means of an endless chain is coupled
to a similar chain wheel mounted on a treadle shaft arranged on the bottom of the
boat.
The treadle shaft is fitted with a pair of treadle cranks above which is arranged
a seat or saddle after the manner of a velocipede and in front of the saddle a set
of handles connected with a steering rod is arranged for operating the rudder of the
boat.
It will now be seen that on an occupant of the boat being seated upon the saddle
and operating the treadles with his feet he may readily propel the boat and that
by operating the steering handle he may steer the boat also.
In lieu of the paddles a screw propeller might be used in which case bevil
gearing can be used to communicate the motion thereto.
Two or more sets of treadles might be used with a corresponding number of
chain wheels.
To allow of the boat being propelled backwards a hand wheel may be arranged
on the paddle shaft.
Dated this 7th day of March 1892.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Pleasure
Boats and the like.
I, EDWIN BAMFORTH of Irwell Brow, Eccles, in the County of Lancaster,
Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 consists in means for propelling a pleasure boat or the like by
treadle power in conjunction with a set of paddle wheels or a screw propeller in the
manner hereinafter described.
In carrying out my invention I employ a pair of paddle wheels mounted at
either end of a revolving shaft running transversely through or across the boat.
This shaft is provided with a chain wheel which by means of an endless chain is
coupled to a similar chain wheel mounted on a treadle shaft arranged on the bottom
of the boat.
The treadle shaft is fitted with a pair of treadle cranks, above which is arranged
a seat or saddle after the manner of a velocipede and in front of the said saddle a
set of handles connected with a steering rod is arranged for operating the rudder of
the boat.
In lieu of paddles a screw propeller might be used operated by bevil gearing.

page_text: On the accompanying drawing I illustrate a transverse section of a portion of a
boat with my improvements as I have worked them out shewn applied thereto for
operating a propeller.
In accordance with my invention I employ a treadle shaft A fitted with a pair of
treadles B. and provided with a bevil wheel C supported by a suitable metal
bracket D. The same bracket supports one end of a shaft E running longi-
tudinally along the boat and fitted at one end with a bevil pinion E¹ which gears
with the bevil wheel C. The opposite end of said shaft is supported in the
bracket and is fitted with the bevil wheel G gearing with a bevil pinion H
mounted on a vertical shaft I.
This latter extends downwards and passes through the bottom of the boat and
through a sleeve or boss J to another bevil wheel which in turn gears with a
bevil wheel J on the propeller shaft or spindle K.
To give an impetus to the movement of shaft E
shaft Eis fitted with a fly wheel E².
and the bevil gearing the
It will be readily seen that on an occupant of the boat being seated upon the
saddle L and by operating the treadles with his feet that motion will be con-
veyed through the several. bevil wheels and shafts to the propeller K¹ and that
the boat will be propelled with great ease and facility.
In order to steer the boat I employ a vertical steering rod L' supported in
the vertical sleeve or bearing M and fitted either with a set of steering handles,
or, as I prefer it, with a hand wheel N. Upon the bottom of said steering rod I
affix a chain wheel O around which passes an endless chain P which also passes
around a similar chain wheel R. and over and under guide pulleys S. The chain
wheel is not keyed to the shaft I, but to the sleeve which surrounds said shaft
and is formed with an arm or extension J' to the bracket or bearing of the pro-
peller shaft K. It will be readily seen that by operating the hand wheel N the
propeller may be turned about to any angle and thus a rudder is not required and
the propeller serves to propel as well as steer the boat. The sleeve or bearing of
the propeller shaft is provided with a spindle T resting in a foot-step U secured
to the frame or keel of the boat as illustrated. The means of steering are equally
applicable to other than pleasure boats.
Two or more sets of treadles might be used with a corresponding number of
chain wheels.
Although I have only illustrated my improvements as applied for operating a
propeller which I have found more suited to the purpose of my invention it will be
readily understood (without the need of drawings) from the description how my
invention is applied to operate a pair of paddle wheels.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination and arrangement of mechanism for operating a pair of
paddle wheels substantially as hereinbefore described.
2nd. The combination and arrangement of mechanism for operating a propeller
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 7th day of December 1892.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent.