Improvements in and relating to Row-locks.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4:h June, 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Row-locks.
I, MICHAEL FRANK DAVIS, a citizen of the United States of America, of
Detroit Boat Works, in the City of Detroit, County of Wayne and State of
Michigan, one of the United States of America, Boat Builder, 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:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved row lock;
Figure 2 is a detail front elevation and partly in section of the top of the
standard and the upper journal of the row lock which swings on the same, parts
of the standard front being broken away to show the position of the parts
inside;
Figure 3 is a detail view of the lower journal of the row lock, the out-rigger
plate broken away;
Figure 4 is a detail in section showing the means by which the standard may be
raised into or out of vertical line;
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on a line through the sides of the row lock
proper;
Figure 6 is a section of standard on line x-x Figure 1 ;_.
Figure 7 8 detail showing the oar in section as at the finish of full stroke, and
Figure 8 a detail showing the oar in section at the finish.
The points of novelty in my improved row-lock relate more particularly to the
buffers or parts against which the oar buttons impinge; and the adjustability of the
standard, whereby it can be placed in any desired vertical or inclined position to
the adjustment of the journals within their boxes; and to the structure of the
several parts, and to the details of the combination of the several parts and to the
device as a whole.
This row-lock except, as it is modified by the description hereinafter, may be of
any usual or ordinary kind of this class of devices.
In the drawing, A denotes the swinging part of the lock journalled at a in the
standard B, above, and at a' in the outrigger plate C below. The standard is in
general shape of any well known form, and is secured by its bolt 6 to the out-rigger
plate. This standard has heretofore been fixed in a vertical position. But this
position should be variable to meet the imperfections of the oars, which imperfections
are occasioned by atmospheric conditions, as well as the faulty construction, or by
the manner in which they are placed to rest when not in use.
The only way
heretofore adopted to overcome the objections as a whole or in part, has been by
cutting and consequently injuring the oar; but even then the desired recut was
very imperfectly attained.
To vary the position of the standard from a vertical to an inclined position, the
hole c in the out-rigger plate is slightly larger than the bolt which passes through
it through the extended base B of the standard are passed the screws b¹. By
moving them upward the base will come to a level with the out-rigger plate the
bolt 6 acting as a fulcrum; but by screwing both down, the extended base will be
tilted up, and thus the upper part of the standard may be set at any desired position
forward or aft; by screwing down either screw alone any desired in-board or
D

page_text: out-board inclination may be secured. Normally, the base screws are drawn
slightly down and the extended base slightly raised..
The upper journal a of the swinging part passes through the hole in the
overhanging part B2 of the standard, and on the aft side of this journal is the
casting or block D, concaved on the inner side to receive the aft part of the journal
and flat underneath to press on the top of the journal, while the spring d, which is
adjustably screwed at one end to the top of the block and extends down at the side
of the block, and between it and the spring F, which latter spring is adjustably
attached to the top of the standard by the screw f, and at one end passes down
between the spring d and the inner wall of the hole b³. Thus the spring d presses
the lower part of the block against the journal, while the spring F forces the top
of the block down upon the top of the journal, and also exerts a pressure upon the
side of the block. Through the end of the overhanging part of the standard is the
adjustable screw to take up the wear of the journal. The spring F after passing
through the hole 2 is bent square. The object of this structure is to prevent lost
motion of the movable part of the row lock and consequent click and jar, which are
so depressing to the oarsman when rowing at high speed.
Attached to the lower journal a' at a point above the out-rigger plate, is the
spring extending down through the plate C and at its bent end between the
flanges g on the lower end of the journal. This spring prevents the lost motion of
the lower journal and obviates the click and rattle of it.
The buffers H which are made of leather, vulcanite, or any desirable or suitable
material, and placed respectively in the recesses or grooves I in the in-board faces
of the upright part of the swinging portion A of the lock, so that their edges
project slightly beyond the same, are designed to act as buffers against which the
face of the oar collar or button operates when the oar is used. These buffers fit so
tightly in these grooves or recesses that under any ordinary conditions they will be
in place without any retaining device, but for certainty the screws i are put through
the back of the recess and into the rear edge of the buffer.
It will be observed that the upper part of the standard is arched at a on the
underside-forward of its box, and at this point is triangular in cross section, the
apex being on the underside. This construction enables the pivoted side of
the swinging part of the lock to turn freely beyond the standard, and also affords a
recess for the oar button.
By the common construction heretofore used, this full movement could not be
obtained, as the swinging side impinged against the standard, thus the movement of
the oar was much limited. By my present structure the full stroke of the oar can
be made without any interference with the standard. This construction and
operation will be fully understood at a glance by any one skilled in these matters by
inspection of Figures 6, 7 and 8.
While have shown the buffers set in recesses at the upright part of the
swinging part of the lock, it is possible that one could be placed on the lower
horizontal part, but this construction is not desirable, either in view of the
construction or in use.
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
1. In a row-lock, a standard adapted to be inclined forward or aft, inboard or
outboard, as may be desired, substantially as described.
2. In a row-lock, a standard secured to the slotted outrigger plate, and having
screws in its extended base, whereby it can be placed vertically or at any iucline,
as may be desired, substantially as set forth.
3. In a row-lock, in combination with the standard, the swinging part journalled
therein and having its journals held in position by spring pressure whereby all click
or rattle is prevented, substantially as described.
4.

page_text: 4. In a row-lock, the combination of the journals of the swinging part with the
springs pressing down upon and laterally against the top of the upper journal and
the spring pressing against the side and end of the lower journal, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
5. The standard having its upper portion arched on the underside and triangular
in cross section, combined with the swinging part of the row-lock in the manner
described, whereby said part can be freely turned under the arch of the standard
and the finish of the oar stroke made without click or rattle of the oar button
against the standard.
6. In a row-lock, the swinging part journalled in and combined with the standard
in the manner described, and with the springs and block fitting about and over the
upper journal, as and for the purposes set forth.
7. In a row-lock, the swinging part journalled at the top and bottom in the
standard, and having its lower journal combined with a spring whereby it is so held
in position as to prevent click or noise as the rowing is done, all substantially as
set forth.
8. In a row-lock, the swinging part having attached to each of the inboard faces
of its upright parts, a buffer to receive the impact of the oar button, substantially
as described.
9. In a row-lock, the swinging part having in each inboard face of its upright
parts, a recess for the reception of the buffer, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th dow of Tuno 1005
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.