Improved Means of Connecting and Disengaging Ships' Boats to and from the Davit Tackles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Connecting and Disengaging Ships' Boats to and
from the Davit Tackles.
I, FRANCIS WENTWORTH BREWSTER, of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer of Life Saving Appliances do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide simple and effective means of connecting
ships'-boats to and disengaging the same from the davit tackles, and to so arrange the
same as that the mechanism employed shall be covered with and protected by the
usual stern and fore sheet gratings or decking or by a superposed casing and by
the floor boards of the boat and thus protected from injury, and to so construct the
same as that the mechanism at each end of the boat can be actuated by the coxswain
from his place in the stern of the boat in disengaging the boat, while also allowing of
the said mechanism at each end being independently actuated for connecting the
davit-tackles with the boat.
At each end of the boat 1 bolt or otherwise suitably secure to the keelson a vertical
standard or equivalent means terminating practically flush with the said stern and fore
sheet gratings or decking, or with the said casing, the upper part of the standard or its
equivalent being forked and the forked parts being formed with through holes and
arranged preferably in the direction of the keelson; and immediately under each of
the said gratings or decking or between the same and the said superposed casing I
arrange a suitably supported bolt in such a manner as that it may be caused to slide
end-ways into and engage with the said through openings in the fork of the standard
or its equivalent, as a convenient way of thus actuating the bolt it may be formed
with suitable teeth adapted to engage with a suitably supported actuating toothed
segment which is connected by a depending rod to a suitably supported slotted bell-
crank-lever or equivalent means situated below it, the pair of such slotted levers being
connected by a rod running in the direction of the keelson in a wooden or metal
casing arranged immediately under the floor boards, and I connect to the axis of the
firstly referred to toothed segment at the stern end of the boat a lever fitted with a
handle adapted to lie in a countersunk cup so as to be out of the way when not
required for use, but being within easy reach and under the control of the coxswain so
that he can by one movement thereof cause both of the aforesaid bolts to be simul-
taneously withdrawn from crossing the standard-forks and from engaging with the
davit-tackle rings between the same, and so simultaneously disengage both ends of the
boat from the davit-tackles.
The aforesaid bolts and the mechanism actuating them may, however, be connected
by other suitable means than those aforesaid.
The said bolts are also so adapted as that they may, when required, be independently
actuated by the men in attendance at the stern and fore sheets respectively for the
purpose of connecting the davit-tackles with the boat, and to this end the bolts are so
arranged as that they may also be caused to receive a partial rotary motion about their
respective axes so as to disengage them from connection with their said actuating
segments, each bolt being provided with an independent handle normally sliding with
the bolt in a cavity or slot formed therefor in the said grating or decking when the
bolts are operated by the coxswain as aforesaid, but which can be readily got at and
operated independently as aforesaid so as to throw the bolts out of engagement with
their said actuating segments, which then permit of the bolts being slid out of or into
engagement with the standard-forks as occasion may necessitate.
And I also provide in connection with such bolts sufficiently strong.springs of a
spiral or other suitable form or other suitable automatically operating means normally

page_text: operating to cause the bolts to keep in engagement with the standard-forks, excepting
when the bolts are simultaneously reversely actuated by the coxswain, or are
independently reversely actuated by men at the opposite ends of the boat, as aforesaid,
and to return them to engagement with the actuating segments immediately the bolts
are released by men operating independently as aforesaid, and to return them to
engagement with the standard-forks and the actuating and connecting mechanism to
its normal position immediately the coxswain's handle or the said independent bolt
handles is or are released by the coxswain or men in attendance respectively. I also
adapt to that jaw of each standard-fork furthest from the actuating segment, a hinged
hook for use in connecting the davit-tackle rings with the boat by any one not used to
the working of such appliances.
Dated this 24th day of October 1889.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Connecting and Disengaging Ships' Boats to and
from the Davit Tackles.
I, FRANCIS WENTWORTH BREWSTER of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer of Life-saving Appliances 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 :-
This invention relates to improved means of disengaging ships' boats from the
davit tackles and of connecting them thereto.
The improved mechanism is so arranged as that it is enclosed by the usual stern and
fore sheet gratings or decking and if desired by the floor boards of the boat and is
thus protected from injury, and as that the mechanism at both ends of the boat is
simultaneously actuated by the coxswain from his place in the stern of the boat in
disengaging the boat.
The improved mechanism may also be so arranged as to allow of the mechanism at
each end of the boat being independently actuated for connecting the boat with the
davit tackles.
In the modification hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings the mechanism at both ends of the boat is entirely under the
control of the coxswain. In the modifications described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5,
and Fig. 6, respectively, the mechanism at each end of the boat can be independently
actuated by the men in attendance at the stern and fore sheets respectively for con-
necting the boat with the davit tackles.
On the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1, represents a sectional elevation of the
mechanism at both ends of the boat, the same being connected by the rod 7.-Fig. 2,
represents a sectional plan view of such mechanism.-Fig. 3, represents a sectional
elevation (longitudinally of the apparatus) of means of independently actuating the
disengaging bolt 8, at each end of the boat, for facilitating the connection of the boat
with the davit tackles.-Fig. 4, represents a transverse section of such mechanism,
through about the line a.-b. Fig. 5.-Fig. 5, represents a plan view of such
mechanism. And Fig. 6, represents a sectional elevation (in the plane of Fig. 1.)
representing modified means of facilitating the connection of the boat with the davit
tackles, and which means leave the disengaging bolts 8, (as in the modification
represented in Figs. 1 and 2) entirely under the control of the coxswain from the stern
end of the boat.
The same reference numerals indicate like parts wherever they are used.
Referring firstly to the modification represented in Figs. 1 and 2. At each end of
the boat there is bolted or otherwise secured to the keelson 9, a vertical standard 10,

page_text: the upper end of which terminates about flush with the stern and fore sheet gratings
or decking 11, 11*, respectively, and is made of a forked open-topped formation, as
at 12, the forked parts being arranged in the direction of the keelson and being
pierced with holes or apertures 13, adapted to be engaged by the bolts 8. Each of
such bolts works in bearings 14, arranged in line with the keelson and carried
by a plate 15, which latter is bolted to the under side of the adjacent grating or
decking 11, 11, and may extend so as to surround or otherwise aid in supporting the
adjacent standard 10, or the forked part thereof.
That part of each of the said bolts which works in the bearings is made of a
squared formation, and the part thereof between the bearings is rack-toothed at one
side, and the forward part thereof is rounded and adapted to engage with the forked
part of the adjacent standard, as aforesaid. Both bolts are moved to-and-fro in their
respective bearings so as to be engaged with and disengaged from the forked parts of
their respective standards by connecting mechanism (hereinafter described) which is
operated by a handle 16, which projects through a segmental slot 17, made in the
grating or decking 11, and is hinged at 18, at its connection with a lever arm 19, so
as to permit of its being turned down (vide the dotted lines Fig. 2) into a radial
extension 50, at the end of the slot 17, at which the handle will be situated when
the bolts 8, are in engagement with the davit tackles and in which position (vide
Fig. 1) the bolts will be securely locked until the handle is lifted from out of the
slotted extension 50, and is operated by the coxswain so as to impart a quarter or
other sufficient segmental turn to the lever arm 19.
The lever arm 19, is fast on a shaft 20, which is supported by the plate 15, and by
a like carrying plate 21, holted to the keelson. On the shaft there are keyed a
pinion 22, which engages with the racked side of the bolt 8, and a pinion 23, which
engages with a like pinion 24, which rotates on a stud 25, rising from the plate 21.
The pinion 24, engages with a racked bar 26, which works in bearings 27, rising
from the plate 21, and by means of a rod 7, (working in a tube 29, supported
by bearings 30, bolted to the keelson) is connected to a like bar 26, at the fore end of
the boat, and which by like means 23x, 20x, and 22%, to those herein before described,
imparts the motion to the bolt 8, at the fore end of the boat.
By such means, the operation of the handle 16, is caused to impart like motion
to both of the bolts 8, simultaneously, that is both of the bolts are, by one operation
of the handle, simultaneously disengaged from crossing the forks of their respective
standards and from engaging with the davit tackle rings between the same, and
thus simultaneously disengage both ends of the boat from the davit tackles, and
both thereof are, hy a reverse operation of the handle, simultaneously engaged with
or caused to cross the forks of such standards.
Referring next to the modification represented in Figs. 3 to 5, both bolts are
operated in disengaging the boat by the one movement of the handle 16, as in
the modification hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In this
modification, however, each bolt, 8, made of a circular formation so as to afford
a facility of its being turned about its axis in its bearings 14, in addition to its
longitudinal connecting and disengaging movements in such bearings. Each bolt
is also provided with a handle 31, by means of which it can, when in its connected
position, be rotated for a quarter or other sufficient segmental turn about its axis,
50 as to be disengaged from the actuating pinion 22, or 22×, and then thrust
backwards to permit of the insertion of the davit tackle ring between the jaws of
the fork of the adjacent standard 10, after which the bolt is returned to its norinal
position of engagement with the jaws of the fork and with the pinion 22, or 22*.
This facility is attained by connecting the handle 31, to an arm 32, projecting
from the end of the bolt, by a link 33, such parts being so arranged as that the
handle may be lifted about its axis from its normal position indicated in Fig. 3,
o the vertical position indicated in Fig. 4, and as that the bolt may then be
otated about its axis as indicated by the arrow 34, and dotted lines in Fig. 4,
nd as that the bolt may then, when disengaged from the pinion 22, or 22*, be

page_text: slid longitudinally in its bearings so as to permit of the introduction of the davit
tackle ring between the jaws of the fork of the adjacent standard, after which the
bolt is returned to its normal position, as aforesaid.
To ensure this action with the required certainty and exactitude. the handle 31,
is caused normally to work in a slot 35, made in the grating or decking 11, and
running in the direction of the movement of the bolt, and to rest on the plate 15,
so that the bolt is normally kept in positive engagement with its actuating
pinion 22, or 22×, and can be freely actuated by the handle 16, for the full length
of its traverse, without liability of its being disengaged from its actuating pinion.
At the position assumed by the link 33, connecting the handle with the bolt,
when the bolt is in its normal connected position. the slot 3, is made with a
lateral extension 36, which permits of the handle being entered thereinto only
when the bolt is in such connected position and when the handle is raised from
out of the slot, this ensures that the bolt can only be disconnected from and again
connected with the actuating mechanism in the proper relative positions, always
assuming that the handle 16, has not been improperly actuated during the dis-
connection of the parts.
When the bolt has been turned about its axis as aforesaid the handle still retains
its vertical position and is opposite a longitudinal slot 37, running backwards a
length equal to the longitudinal movement of the bolt, and the latter can then be
freely moved by its handle 31, to permit of the insertion between the jaws of the
fork of the adjacent standard 10, of the davit tackle ring; after which the bolt is
returned to its normal position of engagement with the davit tackle ring and jaws
of the fork and with the actuating pinion 22 or 22×. To ensure the handle being
returned to its proper position of engagement with such jaws and pinion respectively,
it is adapted with a spring 38, having a constant tendency to keep the bolt in
engagement with the fork and to keep its racked part in engagement with the
actuating pinion, one end of the spring being fitted in the bolt and the other in
the adjacent bearing 14, or in any other convenient fixed part.
Referring next to the modification represented in Fig. 6. the same result of
affording a facility of independently connecting each bolt with the davit tackle is
attained without in any way interfering with any part of the connection between
the handle 16, and the bolts. In such modification the jaw of each standard
furthest from the bolt is hinged, as at 39, to the standard, and is slotted, as at 40,
and engages with a pin 41, carried by an arm 42, of a lover which is swung on
a suitably supported pivot 43, and has an arm 44, which depends in a recess 45,
in the adjacent woodwork, and may be, if required, protected from any casual
handling by a cross-bar 46, supported by angle iron bearers 47, and secured by
easily removable pins 48. In this modification, it is only required to move the
lever 42, 44, from the position indicated in full lines to the position indicated in
dotted lines which opens the connected jaw of the standard and permits of the
required connection with the davit tackle ring, and then to return the handle to
the position indicated in full lines which returns the jaw to and maintains it in its
normal position.
The slot 17, may be covered by a segmental plate caused to work with the lever
arm 19, so as to keep the slot 17 covered. Or, in the modifications represented
in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, the shaft 20, may be continued through the decking 11, and
the lever arm 19, may be connected thereto above the decking, and enclosed by a
hinged box-like covering or the like. And in the modification represented
in Figs. 3 to 5, the slot 35, 36, 37, and handle 31, may also be enclosed by like
means.
-
It is obvious that toothed segments, bell-crank levers or their equivalents may be
used in lieu of the various pinions herein before referred to.
There may also be adapted to one of the jaws of each standard, a hook 49, for use in
connecting the boat with the davit tackles rings by any one not used to the working
of such appliances.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:
1. The improved arrangement of apparatus for disconnecting ships' boats from and
connecting them to the davit tackles hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1
and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The modification of such apparatus herein before described with reference
to Figs. 3 to 5 of such drawings.
3. The modification of such apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6
of such drawings.
Dated this 25th day of July 1890.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.