Improvements in and relating to Oars or Sweeps.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
Improvements in and relating to Oars or Sweeps.
I, MICHAEL FRANK DAVIS, a citizen of the United States of America, of
Detroit Boat Works, in the City of Detroit,. County of Wayne and State of
Michigan, one of the United States of America, Boat Builder, 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 has relation to oars or sweeps, and the first part of my said
invention has relation to that class of oars or sweeps having a collar or button on
the inboard part of the rowlock section adapted to contact with the inner face of
the rowlock and said first part of my invention consists in providing on the loom
of the oar or sweep or its rowlock section, a stud, .projection, or stop at such a
distance from the aforesaid collar that in use it will be located outside of the lock,
the rowlock pins.coming between the button or collar and the said stud, projection,
or stop.
The advantage of the described stop in connection with the collar and rowlock is
that the oar or sweep can be held fixed or rigid on the feather, and thus enable the
oarsman to avoid any disadvantage in the way of the wind striking against 'the
blade of the oar or sweep. As is well known, the action of the wind upon
the broadside of the blade of the oar or sweep tends to greatly lessen the speed of
the boat, while it also tends to turn and hold said blade broadside to the wind;
but by my invention the oar or sweep being placed and held in fixed position on the
feather, that is, with its blade parallel to the water line, the wind, having then no
surface, or but the slightest, to act on, passes harmlessly by, as it cannot turn the
blade so as to expose its surface perpendicularly to the wind. Not only is the
above true in regard to the action of the wind on the blade of the oar or sweep,
but in a similar degree is true of the action of the water. It will also be very
plain to every one skilled in these matters that by thus almost entirely preventing
the impingement of the wind and water on the oar or sweep blade, there will
certainly be very much less expenditure of the oarsman's power, as he does not
need to exert any in holding the oar or sweep so as to resist the action of wind or
water upon it; all this being accomplished by the fixed position of the oar or
sweep on the feather, as has been above explained.
of an
The second part of my invention consists in constructing the inboard part
oar or sweep of metal, and providing said metal part with loom handles or double
handles having up and down and horizontal motion independently of the sweep
itself;
it further consists in curving the inboard or loom portion of the sweep to
which the aforesaid handles are connected, and in so connecting said handles with
the oar or sweep that all the desired motion in rowing can be accomplished without
cramping the arms of the oarsman, or producing uneven strain or annoyance to his
body; it further consists in a construction of the operative parts of the sweep such
as will enable the user to apply the force perpendicular to the handles and
parallel with the line of progress.
While these are in general the main points of my invention, in carrying these
out or developing the structure that enables them to be practically carried into
effect, I accomplish many other points of valuable importance.
All these points of general and special improvement, and the subsidiary ones now
alluded to, will be more fully explained hereinafter.

page_text: In the oar or sweep as heretofore made having a straight or continuous loom.
there have been so many disadvantages, as in the way of completion of the stroke.
or feathering, that it has been found absolutely necessary for economy of force and
for effective use of the sweep to provide handles that will permit every desired
movement. A longer stroke of the sweep can be made without correspondingly
increasing the stretch or position of the arms. In the old constructions one hand
would alternately be in advance of the other, while by means of my movable handles
both hands and arms move uniformly, and by which also any desirable movement
can be given to the handles of the oar or sweep.
But that my invention may be fully understood, I will describe the same in
detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which―
Figure 1 is an elevation of the loom of an oar or sweep having present
invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the row-lock section of an oar or loom to which
my invention is applied, the oar being on the pull.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the row-lock section of this oar or sweep as in
position in a row-lock, the oar being on the feather.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the oar or sweep showing the same on the
feather.
Figure 5 is a detail view of the projection or stud forming the stop.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of an oar or sweep showing the second part of my
invention applied to the inboard end.
Figure 7 is a like view, enlarged, showing the curved portion of the sweep
having on its inboard end the double swivel handle.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the structure by which the handles can
be moved on the end of the sweep; the parts being slightly detached.
I will now describe the first part of my invention, referring to Figures 1 to 5
inclusive.
In the accompanying drawings, A. denotes the oar or sweep, which, except so
far as my invention is applied, may be of any ordinary or usual construction. On
the row-lock section is secured the collar or button B, which also may be of any
ordinary structure. At a slight remove from the collar and outwardly on this
section, and so as to come into suitable position for uses in connection with the
row-lock to be hereinafter explained, are fixed the studs, projections, or stops, c¹c².
These studs, projections or stops are made in any desirable way, but a preferable
structure is to have an upwardly projecting pin or screw attached or fixed in a
frame C, which is securely fastened to the loom of the oar, the pin and frame
being made of metal. About the pin or screw is the non-metallic, and
preferably rotatable sleeve which is held in place by the head of the pin or
screw.
As thus made, the oar or sweep is applied in the row-lock E, so that the collar
or button B comes on the inboard side of the lock, and the studs, projections, or
stops on the outside, one c' adapted to act on the projection e of the row-lock when
the oar is on the feather, and the other, c² on the upright e¹ of the lock when the
oar is on the pull.
the sanie.
As thus applied to and used in the lock, the oar or sweep is free for all the usual
or desired movements in rowing, and the like, but when the oar or sweep is on the
feather, since the collar or button comes against the row-lock uprights, the oar or
sweep will be held fixed, with its blade in an edgewise position, so that the wind
or water will have no appreciable surface to act upon, and will go harmlessly past
This is a matter of very large importance, as every oarsman knows full
well, and by thus removing the surface from the action of the wind or water there
is a very considerable salvage in the expenditure of the oarsman's strength. Prior
to my invention, not only did the wind or water tend to act against the blade of
the oar or sweep so as to throw it up at right angles more or less, with the wind or
water, therefore in order to prevent this harmful action and keep the oar or sweep
edgewise to the wind or water the oarsman was obliged to exert very considerable

page_text: power, to his evident loss of force and serious risk in the meantime by the
additional loss through mental strains. So far as I know, after a very considerable
experience in this class of inventions, no means thus far, have been devised which
will accomplish mechanically the objects I have now in view.
The covering of the pin or screw being non-metallic, prevents any click or noise
in its use, and being rotatable can be turned round to take up wear.
The projections, studs, or stops c¹ c² have each, incidentally, other functions in
use, such as stopping the inboard movement of the oar or sweep by impinging
against the outboard side of the row-lock.
While, for the purpose of clearly illustrating my invention I have shown a collar
or button on the oar adapted to come on the inside of the row-lock and an outwardly
extending arm from the row-lock, and studs, pins, projections or stops on the oar
adapted to come in contact with the said arm, it will be plain to all skilled in the
art, that in the mere matter of structural detail many changes may be made without
in the least departing from the aim and scope of my invention, the essential ideas of
which are providing on the oar substantially a collar, button, or equivalent means
to engage upon the inboard face of the row-lock, and also a pin, stud, projection, or
stop on the oar loom to engage on some "part outwardly projecting from the
row-lock.
"
I will now describe the second part of my invention, reference being had to
Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.
The numeral 1 designates the outboard of the oar or sweep A, which is secured
at its inner end to the curved metal inboard 2, which for economy and lightness is
made' hollow. The loom as shown at its inner end is curved and is formed with
four annular collars 3, 4, 5, and 16, forming cylindrical bearings 7, 7, Figure 8. The
numerals 8, 8, designate two metal plates or brackets, each being formed at the
ends with a semi-circular extension 9, so formed that when the plates are connected
together by the screw rods or bolts 10, they will form sockets to receive the
handles 12. These plates or brackets at their centers are formed with circular
apertures 13, for the purpose of reducing weight, and are provided on their outer
sides with annular flanges 14, forming bosses with which engage annular flanges 15,
on plates 16, so that when said flanges are inserted in the bosses the plates 16 can
rotate thereon. These plates on their inner sides are formed with semi-circular
recesses or half round boxes 17, 17, which engage with the bearings 7 7, of the
loom.
The operation is as follows: The outboard is secured to the outer end of the.
inboard, and the bearings or boxes 17, engaged with the bearings 7 of the inboard.
These plates are then secured together by the screw bolts or rods 10, and the
handles inserted in the sockets formed by the extensions 9, and secured in position
by screws 18. From the above construction it will be seen that the brackets or
plates to which the handles are secured have a universal movement.
It will be readily understood by oarsmen and those familiar with the use of these
devices from the above description of the mechanical structure by which I carry
out my invention, how the oar or sweep will work in practice, and how the general
advantages set out in the beginning of the Specification, can be accomplished in the
most complete manner. It will also be understood that by the facility with which the
handle part of the device is adapted to any desired or necessary position when in
use the device will more effectually perform its functions, while at the same time
giving special advantages to the user not possible from the ordinary handle. In
practice it has been amply demonstrated that there is a large saving of the force
spent in operating the device, not only in the pull, but in feathering, so that there
is saved by the use of this device a considerable portion of the strength or force
developed in operating the device, and this salvage necessarily gives greater speed
to the boat.
While I have described how the handles can be swivelled or connected to the
inboard end of the oar or sweep so as to enable them to have the desired motions,

page_text: it must be understood that I do not wish to be confined to the mere mechanical
details of structure set forth, for the same results can be attained by many changes
in these mere mechanical details.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I.
claim, is :-
1. The combination with a row-lock having the usual uprights and an outward
extending projection on the outboard portion of one, of, an oar provided with a
collar on the inboard portion of the row-lock section and studs or stops on the
outboard portion, adapted to engage respectively with the outwardly extending
projection of one upright and the outer face of the other, substantially as,
described.
2. The combination with a row-lock of otherwise usual structure, having an
upwardly projecting stop, of the oar having a collar on its inboard portion, and a
projection on its outboard portion adapted to engage with the said upwardly.
extending strip or projection, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a row-lock having an upright and an outwardly.
projecting stop, of the oar having on its row-lock section studs on the outward,
portions, being provided with a non-metallic cover rotatable thereon, substantially as
described.
4. The oar or sweep having on its loom the collar B and pins, stops, or
projections combined with row-lock E, whereby the collar permits the outer
movements of the oar or sweep and the pins, stops, or projections, the inner
movement, respectively on the feather and on the pull, substantially as described.
5. The oar or sweep having on its loom a collar and a pin or projection c², said
pin adapted to act on the outside of the row-lock, when the oar is on the pull,
substantially as described.
6. The above-described oar of otherwise usual structure, and having on its
row-lock section a collar or button and at a slight distance outwardly from this and
entirely unconnected with it, stops, studs, or projections, as and for the purposes
set forth.
7. The combination with an open row-lock, having a projection on its outboard
face, of an oar having a collar on its inboard portion, and a projection on its
outboard portion adapted to engage with the said outwardly extending projections
of the row-lock, substantially as described.
8. The combination with an oar or sweep, of the handles connected with the
inboard portion thereof by a universal joint.
9. The combination with an oar or sweep, of the plates or brackets connected
together and formed with semi-circular extensions and handles connected with said
extensions, substantially as described.
10. The combination with an oar or sweep and the annular collars on the inner
ends of the inboard portion, of the plates or bearings having semi-circular extensions
of handles secured to the said bearings on the inboard portion, substantially as
described.
11. A sweep or oar made in two parts, the loom or outboard portion being of wood
and the inboard portion being hollow and curved and made of metal, and said parts
being firmly connected together at a point which in use comes near the row-lock,
substantially as described.
12. The combination with an oar or sweep and the annular collars on said inboard
portion, flaring cylindrical bearings, of the plates or brackets connected together,
having semi-cylindrical extensions, the handles secured to said extensions, the annular
flanges or bosses on said plates, the plates having flanges engaging with said flanges
or bosses, and the boxes formed with said plates and adapted to engage with the
bearings on the inboard portion, substantially as described.
13. A sweep or oar made in two parts, the loom or outboard portion being of wood,
1

page_text: and the inboard portion being hollow and made of metal, and said parts firmly
connected together, and the handles pivotally connected with the curved end of the
inboard portion, substantially as described.
14. A sweep or oar made of wood and metal in manner set forth, and having its
metallic inboard portion secured to and on the wooden outboard portion, as described,
and provided at its inboard end with a movable handle part adapted to have
vertical or horizontal movements.
DT1005
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.