Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of Life Rafts.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of
Life Rafts.
We, WILLIAM MARSLAND FRANCIS SCHNEIDER of 38 Stanhope Gardens, County of
London, Ship Builder and JOSEPH JOHN THORNE, of 27 Henry Street, Burdett Road,
Mile End, London, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to the construction of Life Rafts for ships and vessels.
According to this invention, we construct two longitudinal buoyant boxes or cases,
and preferably hinge thereto another box, or case in such a manner that when the two
outer ones are folded downwards and partially under the centre one a double faced
deck seat is formed and flaps connected with the folded down outer ones serve as foot
rests.
The flaps are in pairs at each side and form pockets for stowing oars, temporary
mast, boat hook, or other appliances, the centre case being stored with provisions and
water. The under portion of the central case, if one be used, is at about the angle
of 45, so that the lower edge forms a kind of keel.
The inside lower faces of the two outer cases are shaped to lie, when folded down,
in contact, the other part of the bottom of the two outer cases being at the necessary
angle therefrom to form flattish bottoms when opened out, each one having a keel for
steadying purposes.
The flaps, when the raft is afloat, are turned upwards and can be kept opened by
stay or tie rods, also props which otherwise are fixed alongside them.
Connected to lower flaps and at opposite corners are cross battens or water boards to
be swung across the ends of the raft when opened out.
The raft when on deck as a seat rests upon a settle, or frame from which it can be
hoisted and swung overboard, the outer cases opening as they touch the water.
The intermediate casing can be dispensed with, if necessary, and the two outer, or
buoyant cases hinged together to constitute a raft.
Dated this 28th day of January 1800
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said W. M. F. Schneider and J. J. Thorne.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of
Life Rafts.
We WILLIAM MARSLAND FRANCIS SCHNEIDER of 38 Stanhope Gardens, County of
London, Shipbuilder and JOSEPH JOHN THORNE of 27 Henry Street, Mile End,
London, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 the construction of Life Rafts for ships and vessels in such
form that when in two or three sections, the action of the water on the bottom of the
raft must and will open it into its required position.
According to this invention we construct two longitudinal buoyant boxes or cases
and preferably hinge thereto another box or case in such a manner that when the two
outer ones are folded downwards and partially under the centre one a double faced
deck seat is formed. Flaps connected with the folded down outer ones serve as foot

page_text: rests. The raft folded up, when not required as deck seats, could be provided with
chocks or cradles for placing boats on.
The flaps are in pairs at each side and form pockets for stowing oars, temporary
mast, hoat hook, and other appliances, portions of the centre case being stored with
provisions and water; the other part or parts serving as buoyant chambers.
The under portion of the central case, if one be used, is at about the angle of 45°
so that the lower edge forms a kind of keel. The inside lower faces of the two
outer cases are shaped to lie, when folded down, in contact, the other part of the
bottom of the two outer cases being at the necessary angle therefrom to form flattish
bottoms when opened out, each one having a rolling wale for steadying purposes.
The flaps when the raft is afloat are turned upwards and can be kept open by
stay or tie rods, also props which otherwise are fixed alongside them.
Connected to lower flaps and at opposite corners are cross battens or water boards
to be swung across the ends of the raft when opened out.
The raft when on deck as a seat, rests upon chocks or cradles from which it can be
hoisted and swung overboard, the outer cases opening as they touch the water.
The intermediate casing can be dispensed with if necessary and the two outer or
buoyant cases hinged together to constitute a raft.
Our invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings in which at
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 we show a raft composed of three longitudinal parts hinged
together.
Figure 1 is a side elevation.
Figure 2 a transverse section and Figure 3 a plan, the several parts being spread
open and located in position as a raft.
Figure 4 represents an end view of this triple raft folded up and in the position it
occupies as a double or back to back deck seat upon a cradle or chock.
A, B, C), are the three longitudinal air vessels, the centre B of which is of triangular
formation. The two outer cases A, C, have their inner faces E, E, at an angle and
corresponding in length to the depending angles of the central casing B.
From each of the lower edges of the angles E of the outer cases A, C, bottoms Fat
an angle are arranged upwards and have rolling wales G affixed. The apex a of each
vessel serve as keels.
The upper ends of the angles F rise up vertically as indicated at H and to these
which terminate with what might be termed the deck line are fixed rubbers or
fenders I which when the raft is folded as at Figure 4, lodge in the chocks J.
Hinged to the upper edge of the two outer cases A, C, longitudinally, are weather
boards or screens K capable of folding inwards and to these are hinged other boards L
also longitudinal, which when in the position shewn at Figure 2 are drawn towards
each other and stayed in that position by cross bars M assisted by props N.
The boards L and K prevent sudden rush of water on to the raft when afloat, by
breaking up the wave, thus acting as wash boards.
Attached by hinges to opposite corners at the ends of the raft are other weather
boards P the lower portion of which has a flap Q to open to allow for the clearing of
oars etc. on the deck. The weather boards P at the ends when spread out as at
Figure 2 form stays against the infolding of the air vessels A, B and C and the
longitudinal weather boards K so that the raft is made rigid and the three air vessels
are kept in their respective positions.
The weather boards P at the ends of the raft when folded in against the longitudinal
weather boards K lie snugly and can be set when on the deck as indicated at Figure 4,
at an angle, the boards KL forming pockets for the reception of masts, sails, oars or
other appliances.
The weather boards L and K when folded in the position indicated at Figure 4 and
hooked up to the outer surface of the casings A, C serve as foot boards to fore and
aft deck seats which may be plain or provided with battened railing S as indicated
or with chocks to receive boats.
Provisions and water can be stored in the middle vessel B, the central part of which
could be partitioned off and provided with a flap R for access.

page_text: T is a socket for the reception of a mast and U, U, are rings or eyes by which
the raft can be hoisted by tackle for casting overboard or for lifting inboard.
V, V, are rowlocks, if oars have to be used for propulsion.
The arrangement of the three cases A, B, C when opened out as at Figure 2 gives
extensive deck accomodation and from the arrangement of the angled lower sides and
the rolling wales G great steadiness of the structure is produced so that in the event
of a sail being set, the raft will answer to the direction of sailing, the oars being
used over one end as rudders for steering.
It will be seen by the end elevation, Figure 4, that the two outer casings A, C,
fold downwards upon the middle casing B, and that the ends of the three casings
converge inwardly and when in an opened position either end of the raft forms a
kind of prow for the free passage of water between them.
Figure 5 a longitudinal elevation. Figure 6 a plan. Figure 7 a transverse
section and Figure 8 an end elevation represent a raft composed substantially of the
two outer casings A, C, previously described, these being binged together at W and
capable of spreading open as indicated in the sectional transverse view Figure 7
and retained in that position by stretcher hinges X which can be formed with any
approved method of locking joint or otherwise.
This double life raft when folded up as indicated at Figure 8 and set upon the
chocks J serve as a deck seat.
It will be observed that the construction of the raft is such that when either in
two or three sections, A, C or A B, C, the action of the water on bottom of the
raft must and will open it into its required position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. The arrangement of Life Raft described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4
of the annexed drawings composed of two longitudinal casings A, C of the shape
shewn, having free action to open out but capable of being folded downwards
against the casing B in the manner indicated to serve as deck seats or boat chocks,
all as set forth.
2. Providing a Life Raft of the construction or arrangement shewn in the annexed
drawings, (capable of being opened out into position by the action of the water on
its bottom,) with folding longitudinal weather boards K, L which when in the position
indicated at Figures 4 and 8 serve as pockets for holding masts, oars etc. and as
footboards to the seats as set forth.
TIL CM 1800
ITIL
1800
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said W. M. F. Schneider and J. J. Thorne.