IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOADING VESSELS FROM LIGHTERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Edward Heath of Northlands in the County of
Glamorgan South Wales patent fuel manufacturer for an Invention of
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOADING VESSELS FROM LIGHTERS"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Edward Heath at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1883.
THOMAS EDWARD HEATH of Northlands in the County of Glamorgan South
Wales Patent fuel manufacturer "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOADING VESSELS
FROM LIGHTERS
"
My Invention relates to improved Apparatus intended principally for loading
vessels from lighters with blocks of patent fuel or bricks, but also partly applicable
for loading other materials
My Invention is an improvement on that for which provisional protection was
granted to me bearing date July 10. 1883 N° 3404 and is illustrated by the
accompanying sheet of drawings
It consists of various combinations and arrangements of Apparatus constructed
so as to be readily portable and easily adjusted to the sizes of the vessels to be
loaded
In figure 1. which represents a side elevation of one arrangement of Apparatus
which I may use for loading vessels from lighters A is a shoot (preferably a roller
shoot when used for loading blocks of patent fuel or bricks (as in figure 3))
projecting from the hatchway beyond the bulwark of the vessel B and supported
and firmly secured above the deck by a frame C. in combination with counter-
balance weights (which may be the engine and gearing used for working the
apparatus or otherwise) and ropes a at such an angle that the material to be loaded
into the vessel B will readily run down the shoot A.-From the end of the latter
hang guide bars E E¹ down the side of the vessel B from which they can be kept
at a short distance by brackets or projections or other suitable means-The guide
bars E E¹. may be made in sections which can be conveniently joined together by
pins attached by chains (as shewn) or in any other suitable manner so as to adjust
them to the height of the fixed shoot A. above the lighter F The shoot A may

page_text: also be made in sections to adjust it to the distance from the bulwark to the
hatchway b-On a pair of jibs. G. Gl. projecting above and beyond the_fixed
shoot A and arranged one behind the other I mount a pair of sheaves. H. H¹.
respectively and round these sheaves I pass two ropes or chains I. I. which are
attached to U shaped bridles or carriers J. J. from which swing moveable elevating
shoots. K. K-The ends of the jibs G. G¹. carry another pair of sheaves L. L¹
respectively over which I pass the ropes M. M. which are attached to other
U shaped bridles or carriers. N. N'. carrying the outer ends of the moveable or
elevating shoots K. K¹-The inner ends of the latter nearest to the vessel B are
hinged to blocks. O. O¹. fitted to and caused to slide upon the guide bars E. E¹.—
The two ropes M and I (and also M¹ and F) are joined together at a convenient
distance and are continued as one rope over suitable sheaves P. P¹. respectively to
a steam winch or other hoist Q-The moveable or elevating shoots K. K'. are so
balanced on the carriers J. J. that the ends furthest from the vessel B are the
heaviest but they are kept in a nearly horizontal position by the ropes M. M.
until the sliding blocks. O. O¹. reach stops R. R¹. at the top of the guide bars. E. E'.
respectively when that end of the moveable elevating shoot. K. or K¹ being prevented
from rising further the other end tips up and discharges the materials with which
it has been loaded by the men in the lighter F. on to the fixed shoot A. down which
it runs to the hold 6-If desired only one moveable elevating shoot may be used
but I prefer to work one or more pair of elevating shoots (as shewn) from the
same winch or hoist so that they balance each other when empty one ascending
as the other descends-the slack of the rope being taken up from time to time by
tying a fresh knot or in any other convenient manner.-The apparatus described
may be either worked from a hoist or winch Q attached to the frame C as
before named or from the steam winch of the vessel B. or otherwise as found most
convenient
According to another arrangement of apparatus specially designed for loading
blocks of patent fuel or bricks and of which figure. 2, is a side elevation and
figure 3. a detached view of part thereof to an enlarged scale a continuous motion
of the motive power in one direction can be obtained and a constant succession of
blocks or bricks thereby delivered into the vessel-It also enables an awning or
protection to be erected for the men in the lighter and on deck and a counting
Apparatus may be actuated by the blocks passing down the fixed shoot.-Referring
to figures 2 and 3 A' is the fixed shoot (preferably a roller shoot) made in sections
which can be jointed together the last section being curved if desired with conical
rollers so as to deliver the blocks more readily down the shoot e leading to the hold
(as seen in fig 4)-The shoot A¹ projects slightly beyond the bulwark of the
vessel B. and the last seven or eight (more or less) rollers at that end of the
shoot A¹. are carried in a frame c which is hinged to the fixed part of the shoot A¹
so that the said rollers can be lifted to a slightly greater inclination and lowered
to the same inclination as required-The guide bars E' are made in sectious which
can be readily jointed together according to the height of the fixed shoot A¹ above
the lighter FG is the jib carrying the sheaves H³. H³. over which pass chains
12. 13. supporting bridles or carriers J. J. which are also made in sections so as to
be readily jointed together-To these carriers are hinged a series of small moveable
elevating shoots K³, K³, K, arranged one above another at regular intervals so
that the open ends of those attached to the carriers J³. face the open ends of those
attached to the carrier J³ (the other ends being closed with a cushion or pad) The
shoots K and K are not hinged but are fixed at a suitable angle to the carrier J*
and have no backs or pads-The other elevating shoots are kept from falling too
low at their heavy ends by the chains M. M. or by stops projecting from the
carriers J. J. and the inner ends which face each other are hinged to guide bars.
02. 03. which slide in the guide bars E. and which have catches projecting from
them which catch in stops R³. R³ placed in suitable positions on the guides E³, and
tilt the moveable elevating shoots K2. K³, K', when required-The chains I*. I³
have an alternate motion or stroke of a fixed length given them by levers and

page_text: cams Q of suitable shape so that the moveable elevating shoots attached to the
carrier J2. are raised and tilted when those attached to the carrier Js are lowered
and vice versa
Upon placing a block or blocks of patent fuel or bricks from the lighter F¹. into
the elevating shoot K2 the latter ascends and tips into K, thence into K. thence
into K. and from K°. into K10: (which has no back) across which it runs on to the
fixed shoot A¹ When the moveable elevating shoot K³. has moved down to the
lowest position a block is placed thereon from the lighter F. and the shoot K³.
ascends and tips the block into K. thence into K7 and from this into K³, which
has no back but the block is prevented from running off by a plate. S. hinged
to the moveable end of the shoot A and asconds until the hooks projecting
from K raise the moveable end of A' and the block runs off down the shoot A¹. to
the hold.
Figure 4 is a side elevation and figure 5. a front elevation of another
arrangement of apparatus also specially adapted for loading and delivering blocks
of patent fuel. or bricks in a continuous stream and admitting of a continuous
motion of the motive power in one direction with the use of a counter and an
awning or protection for the men.-Figures 6, 7. and 8. are side. front, and sectional
views respectively to enlarged scale of parts of figures 4 and 5.
A. is the fixed roller shoot made in sections of which the section d next the
hatchway b may be curved and have conical rollers for the better directing of the
blocks down the shoot e leading down into the hold.-C represents the frame
carrying the apparatus and secured by the ropes f-G³, are jibs carrying
sheaves H. H³ over which run chains I. I. In this case the clevating shoot T. is
not moveable but is attached to the jibs Q2 and fixed shoot A. and has
carriers. U. U¹. working or reciprocating on each side of it in suitable guides E³.
the carriers U. U¹. being attached to the chains I. I. These carriers U. U¹. have
a series of pawls or catches V. V¹, V. V³, hinged thereto at regular intervals and I
prefer to make these pawls or catches so that their own weight throws one end
across the elevating shoot T. but they may be thrown out by springs or in any
convenient manner and are prevented from moving through too great an angle by
stops R-Or in lieu of the pawls or catches V. V. as here described-clutches or
any other suitable form of gripping contrivance may be used. This elevating
shoot T. and also the carriers Ü. U are made in sections which can be conveniently
jointed together according to the distance of the fixed shoot A² from the lighter F.
and I prefer that it should be placed and secured by projections against the ship's
side or any other convenient way at such an angle that the blocks of fuel or bricks
will readily drop from it on to the shoot A2-But An inclined plate or any other
suitable means may be employed at the top of the elevating shoot T. to. tilt the
blocks and also at such an angle that the blocks of fuel. or bricks will slide up
pressing mostly upon one side but the other three sides may be also covered in
except at the lowest section where an open space is left to insert the blocks or
bricks slots being left also at the sides for the pawls to work in The ropes or
chains I. I. may have an alternate motion imparted to them by the cranks Q² or
any other convenient manner so as to give the necessary reciprocating movement
to the carriers U. U. and pawls or catches V. VI.
The action is as follows. A block of patent fuel being placed from the lighter
into the lowest section of the elevating shoot T above the pawl V. this rises and
lifts it so that it presses in the pawls V₁ and V (which are descending).—The
latter then springs out and carries the block to V from which it tips on to the
shoot A. and down the same into the shoot e leading down to the hold.—So also
when the pawl V₁ has descended a block from the lighter is placed over it and
carried to V. thence to V. and so on to the shoot A*.
In some cases (as seen in figure 10) the elevating shoot T may be supported at
the top of a mast or jib W. attached to a boat carrying the engine, boiler, and
cranks Q. Q for working the chains I. I which pass over sheaves H. H³ at the
top of the jib W to the carriers which actuate the pawls.--Fresh segments may be

page_text: attached to the elevating shoot T (as required by the height of the vessel to its
upper end) the shoot A³ being hinged to the top segment and also supported by the
frame C so that it is free to rise as the vessel sinks until the top segment is
detached when the shoot A³ is attached to the next segment of the elevating
shoot. T.
•
Figure 9. is a side elevation representing an arrangement of Apparatus designed
for those cases. where the goods to be loaded from lighters must be taken up in
flats or tubs or by hooks grips, or grabs.
On the deck of the vessel B³ I have a pair of frames C³. C. secured by ropes or
weights and joined together by two horizontal beams. X. X¹. placed one behind the
other and jointed together if desired so as to adapt them to the beam of the vessel.
I have two pairs of jibs or sheers G³. G which rock to and fro over the
hatch way g and over a lighter F³. (or F) on each side of the vessel B³ that is to
say the jib G³ is over a lighter whilst the jib G. is over the hatchway and vice
vered The jibs G. and G are connected together by the beam X' and are
prevented from rocking too far by stay ropes h-Each pair of jibs G³. G. carries a
sheave H. H. at the top over which passes a rope or chain I. 17. one end of which
is secured to the jib and passes round a block which has a hook. i i. attached to it
To this hook, a bucket, flat or grab may be conveniently hitched-The other end of
each of the ropes or chains I. I. is led over suitable sheaves P P to
drums Q. Q. to which suitable brakes. are attached-Both drums Q. Q. are free
to revolve. on a continually revolving shaft but they may. either or both be made.
to revolve with it and wind up the ropes 16. 17. respectively by suitable clutches-
The action is as follows:-A man in the lighter Fattaches a full bucket Z. to the
hook and the men in the hold g attach an empty bucket Z. to the hook -The
man at the winch then clutches both drums Q³. Q. and hoists until the two blocks
to which the hooks. are attached come in contact with the sheaves H° H7 or
with a suitable stop-He then unclutches the drum Q. puts on the brake and
winds with the other drum Q³ until the sheave H. on the jib G³ is over the hold
and the jib G* over the lighter F. when he unclutches the drum Q* and lowers the
full bucket Z. into the hold g and the empty bucket Z' into the lighter F.—He
then repeats the action from the other side-It is evident that if the buckets are
filled in the hold. they can be raised and lowered to the lighter by the same
process.
g.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine myself to the exact
details herein set forth as the same may be varied according to circumstances but
what I consider novel and original and therefore claim as my Invention is
.1. The construction and use of moveable elevating shoots hinged to blocks
sliding upon guide bars and tilting and discharging their contents on to fixed
shoots. substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated
by figure 1. on the accompanying drawing
2. The construction and use of moveable elevating shoots arranged upon carriers
and discharging from one to the other and elevating their contents until they
discharge them on to a fixed shoot substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and illustrated by figures 2 and 3 on the accompanying drawing
3. The application and use of rollers to moveable elevating shoots substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by figure 3 on the
accompanying drawing
4. The employment of a curved shoot for discharging blocks of fuel or bricks
from a shoot arranged across. a vessel to another shoot set at an angle thereto
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by figure 4 on the
accompanying drawing
.5. The construction and use of an elevating shoot up which blocks of patent fuel
or bricks are pushed or pulled by pawls. or catches, clutches or other suitable
contrivances to which a reciprocating motion is imparted substantially as.

page_text: herein before described and illustrated by figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. of the
accompanying drawing
6. The construction and use of guide bars and elevating shoots made in sections
so as to be easily adjustable to varying lengths or heights substantially as.
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing
7. The general construction combinations and arrangements of apparatus for
loading vessels from lighters substantially as herein before described and illustrated
by figures 1. to 10 on the accompanying drawing
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Edward Heath have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of Our Lord-one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three
THOMAS EDWARD HEATH. (L.S.)