Improvements in the Construction of Derricks and other similar Contrivances for Handling Goods.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Derricks and other similar
Contrivances for Handling Goods.
1, JOHN TURNBULL, of Port Adelaide in the Province of South Australia, Ship's
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF DERRICKS AND OTHER SIMILAR CONTRIVANCES FOR HANDLING.
GOODS" 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 certain improvements in the construction of derricks and
other similar contrivances for handling cargo or merchandise on board ship or on
shore, the special object of which is to enable the load to be swung more readily
from right to left or vice-versa.
The special feature of my invention consists in so constructing the derrick or other
similar contrivance, that the point of suspension is vertically over the heel socket of
the derrick with a lead of about three inches (8") more or less towards the load, and
further in certain descriptions of derricks, making the heel socket adjustable, that is to
say, movable from one position to another, right or left, according to the direction in
which the load is to be transported.
It will be readily understood that my invention allows of considerable variation in
detail but the methods of construction hereinafter described exhibit three usual modes
of carrying the main features into effect.
For purposes of convenience I propose to describe the same as arranged for use on
board ship, but one or other with slight alteration of detail, is equally suitable for use
on shore.
In the first example the heel of the derrick is so constructed as to be movable from
a socket plate on one side of the central line of the vessel to another on the opposite
side, the outrigger attached to the mast, to the end of which the head of the derrick
is suspended being a fixture.
In the second the heel of the derrick is not intended to be moved from a socket
plate fixed to the mast, but the outrigger from the end of which the head of the
derrick is suspended is capable of being swung from side to side.
In the third the derrick swings upon a pin in a socket plate fixed to the deck and
the head is suspended from an upright spar supported by stays provided for the
purpose.
In order that my invention may be the hetter understood I will now proceed to
describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Fig. 1. shews a side elevation of a vessel to which three forms of my invention are
applied.
Fig. 2. a plan of the deck of the same.
Fig. 3. a plan of the socket plate and block.
Fig. 4. a side elevation partly in section of the socket plate and block and
derrick heel and pin.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all figures. A is a mast of the vessel.
B derricks. B¹ heel of the derrick B provided with a suitable pin. B² socket fixed
to a mast A and provided with a suitable hole in which the pin of a heel B' swings.
C socket plate provided with one or more holes on each side of the fore-and-aft
central line of the plate to receive the pin of the heel B. The holes nearest the
central line of the socket plate C should be centred about four inches (4") more or
less from such centre line. Other holes may be spaced according to the stability of
the vessel to which the derrick is applied. The socket plates may be placed in any
suitable position on either side of the central line of the vessel so that the heel B
may be shifted from right to left or vice-versa according to the direction in which the

page_text: load is to be transported. Thus, if the load is to be moved to the right, then the
heel B of the derrick B must be socketed to the left of the vessel, and vice-versa.
D hoisting block attached to the socket plate C. D' hoisting chains. E hoisting
block suspended from the head of the derrick B. Foutrigger, the foot of which is
attached to the mast A. F¹ stays supporting the head of the outrigger F. F² chains,
one end of which is attached to the head of the outrigger F and the other to the
head of the derrick B. The outrigger F is of such construction that the head
projects three inches (3") more or less towards the load over the middle of the heel B₁
of the derrick B, whilst the foot may be a semi-fixture, or capable of moving from
side to side. G spar or post provided with suitable stays to the end of which a
chain is attached in one form of my invention.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details of
construction nor only to the methods herein before described, but,—
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,
First. The construction of derricks or other similar contrivances for handling
goods in such way that the point of suspension of the head of the derrick is
vertical over the centre of the heel socket with a lead of three inches (3") more
or less towards the load substantially as herein described.
Second. In the construction of derricks so arranged that the point of suspension
has a lead of three inches (3) more or less in the direction of the load the com-
bination with the heel of the derrick capable of being moved, of two sockets
arranged one on either side of the central line of the vessel, and provided with
one or more holes in which the heel pin swings substantially as herein described
and for the purpose indicated.
Dated this Thirtieth day of September 1890
JOHN TURNBULL.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.