Improvements in Rowlocks.
Year: 1895

page_text: .
Improvements in Rowlocks.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH HAMMER, of Arendal, Norway,
Merchant.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of 1 Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to rowlocks for rowing boats and has for its object the
arrangement and construction of parts whereby they are so attached to the boat
that they cannot be removed, but when not in use they can be swung into the boat
out of the way.
To carry my invention into effect a plate is fastened to the edge of the boat and
fitted with a case or socket in which the proper rowlock stands. The case or socket
is supplied with a slot on the side against the boat and through this slot the rowlock
is adapted to be swung down.
The distinguishing feature of the two constructions hereinafter described is that
the rowlock must be raised up from the socket before it can be swung down.
The case or socket is fitted with a slot on that side adjacent to the interior of the
boat. This slot is enlarged in width in the centre and is therefore smaller at the
top and bottom part than the centre portion:
Into the socket the stem of the rowlock fits the upper part of which is round
and fits the upper part of the case or socket a short distance down the stem two
flats are filed opposite to one another, thus reducing the thickness of the stem of
this part to allow it to pass through the narrow upper portion of the slot.
At the lower part of the stem a slot is provided through which passes a pin
fastened to the case or socket. This slot is made so long, that the rowlock may be
raised, just so high that the flattened portion of the stem may be on a level with
the narrow slotted portion of the socket to allow the rowlock to be swung down
about the pin into the bolt.
The slot of the stem is so made that during rowing the rowlock may have a
movement to both sides and thus follow the oars.
I may form the rowlock in a modified manner but having the same effect, in this
case the lower part of the socket is made of a greater diameter than the upper
part. The upper part of the stem of the rowlock fits the socket exactly. The
lower part of the stem has a diameter so much smaller, that it can pass out through
the slot in the socket so as to turn inward to the interior part of the boat. At the
end of the stem there is placed a knob of an increased diameter, so that it bears
against either edge at the lower and upper part of the enlarged portion of the
socket and thus prevents the rowlock from being pulled further up than is
necessary.
When now the rowlock is to be swung io, it must be raised up until the knob
bears against the upper edge of the enlarged portion of the socket when the reduced
portion of the stem allows it to swing out through the upper portion of the slot of
the socket.
This latter construction has the advantage that the rowlock can be turned right

page_text: round and thus a more free motion is obtained than in the modification before
mentioned.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1895
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.
A. communication from abroad- by Joseph HAMMER, of Arendal, Norway,
Merchant.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of 1 Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 rowlocks for rowing boats and has for its object, the
arrangement and construction of parts whereby they are so attached to the boat
that they cannot be removed, but when not in use they can be swung into the boat
out of the way.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are clevation, sectional side view and plan of one form of my
device.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are sectional and outside elevations and plan of under nut
and top socket plate of alternative device.
To carry my invention into effect a plate c is fastened to the edge of the boat
and fitted with a case or socket m in which the proper rowlock a stands. The case
or socket m is supplied with a slot on the side against the boat and through this slot
the rowlock is adapted to be swung down.
The distinguishing feature of the two constructions hereinafter described is that
the rowlock must be raised up from the socket before it can be swung down.
The first modification is represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
The case or socket m is fitted with a slot g on that side adjacent to the interior
of the boat. This slot is enlarged in width in the centre and is therefore smaller
at the top and bottom part than the centre portion.
Into the socket the stem of the rowlock d fits, the upper part of which is round
and fits the upper part of the case or socket. A short distance down the stem two
flats d¹ are arranged opposite to one another, thus reducing the thickness of the
stem at this part to allow it to pass through the narrow upper portion of the slot.
At the lower part of the stem a slot is provided through which passes a pin b
fastened to the case or socket. This slot is made so long, that the rowlock may be
raised, just so high that the flattened portion of the stem may be on a level with
the narrow slotted portion of the socket to allow the rowlock to be swung down
about the pin into the boat.
The slot of the stem is so made that during rowing the rowlock may have a
movement to both sides and thus follow the oars.
Figure 3 shows a section through the socket m and stem d, Figure 1, from which
it will be seen that the rowlock is capable of turning as much as 45° each way.
The other modification, which is still simpler is shown in Figures 4 and 5 in
which I form the rowlock in a modified manner but having the same effect, in this
case the lower part m of the socket c is made of a greater diameter than the upper
part p. The upper part of the stem of the rowlock fits the socket exactly. The
lower part o of the stem has a diameter so much smaller, that it can pass out
through the slot q in the socket so as to turn inward to the interior part of the

page_text: boat. At the end of the stem there is placed a knob k of an increased diameter, so
that it bears against either edge at the lower and upper part of the enlarged portion
of the socket and thus prevents the rowlock from being pulled farther up than is.
necessary, from falling quite away when reversed.
When now the rowlock is to be swung in it must be raised up, until the knob k
bears against the upper edge of the enlarged portion p of the socket when the
reduced portion of the stem allows it to swing out through the upper part of the
slot g of the socket.
This latter construction has the advantage that the rowlock can be turned quite
round and thus a more free motion is obtained than in the modification before.
mentioned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. A rowlock to be attached to the boat, and to swing inboard, consisting of a.
socket adapted to receive the stem of the rowlock, and provided with a slot having
a contracted portion at the upper and lower ends thereof, and a fork to carry the
oar having a round stem adapted to fit the socket and provided with a reduced
portion to enable the rowlock to be raised in its socket and turned down into the
boat, the lower end of the stem being provided with an arrangement which engages.
with the socket to prevent absolute detachment of the rowlock from the boat, but
admits of the stem turning in the socket, substantially as described.
2nd. A rowlock device arranged and constructed as described and illustrated in
either Figures 1, 2 and 3 or Figures 4 and 5.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1896.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.