IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Hülster, of the City of New York, in the United
States of America, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Carl Hülster at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th December 1878.
. "
CARL HULSTER, of the City of New York, in the United States of America.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS."
The object of my Invention is in case of a concussion or impingement of one
ship against another ship, to form by means of projecting spring rods an elastic
device or fender for deadening the shock, and partially prevent the danger resulting
from such concussion.
The nature of my Invention consists in the arrangement of a number of pro-
jecting bars or rods at the fore part or prow of a ship, provided at their outer ends
with a buffer, disc, or ball or roller, and connected with strong springs which may
be placed on said rods, either outside of the ship, or at the ends of the rods in the
inside of the vessel, or the same may be connected to said rods in any other
desired manner.
In order to explain this Invention as completely as possible, I now proceed to
describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into practical
effect, reference being had to the illustrative Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked thereon respectively as
follows:-
Figure I. represents a top view, and Fig. II. a side elevation of my improved
ship fender.
Figure III. represents my improvement, shewing a different arrangement
similar letters represent similar parts in all the Figures.
A represents the fore part or prow of a ship; B, the projecting rods or bars;

page_text: C are guides attached to the ship in which the rods B can slide; D are springs to
lessen the jar resulting from the contact of the rods or bars with any other object.
The outer ends of these rods are provided with rollers or balls E working in
suitable jaws 6 formed on the ends of said rods.
In Figures I. and II. the springs D are arranged between the ends of the jaws
b and the outer ends of the guides C wound around the rods B, and are compressed
when the balls E come in contact with any other object. In Figure III. these
springs D are arranged on the ends of the rods B in the inside of the vessel, one
end of each spring being securely attached to the end of the guiding piece C, and
the other end is attached to the collar or nut n on the end of the rod B, and the
spring expands when the outer end of the rod B or the ball E comes in contact
with any object.
It will readily be understood that the arrangement of the springs for the rods
may be modified in various ways, and that elliptic or any other description of
springs may be arranged for that purpose.
As represented in the Drawing, the central rod is shewn passing through the
centre of the stern of the vessel, having another rod on each side; but two rods
may be arranged one at each side of the stern, projecting at equal distance from the
vessel, and having one or more similar projecting spring rods on their sides. It
will likewise be perceived that in Figure I. these spring rods are shown parallel to
each other, while in Fig. III. the outer or side rods are arranged diagonally to the
central rod, and it will readily be understood that these rods may be arranged in
various ways, and I therefore do not confine myself to any particular arrangement.
Having now fully described and set forth my said Invention, and the manner of
arranging the same, I wish it understood that I claim, in combination with the fore
part or prow of a ship, one or more projecting sliding rods B, with rollers or balls E
at their outer ends, in combination with suitable springs forming fenders, in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Hülster, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
HENRY E. ROEDER,
Patent Agent,
304, B'way,
New York.
CARL HULSTER. (L.S.)