Improvements in or Applicable to Steering Gear of Vessels, and which Improvements are Applicable for other Purposes where Sudden Strains are brought to bear on Chains, Rods, or Ropes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in or Applicable to Steering Gear of Vessels, and
which Improvements are Applicable for other Purposes where
Sudden Strains are brought to bear on Chains, Rods, or Ropes.
I, RICHARD SAXTON WHITE of Millbrooke, Walker-on-Tyne in the County of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
to be as follows:-
The steering gear of ships, whether worked by hand, or by an independent steam
engine, is subject to violent strains by the wave force of the sea striking the rudder
often overpowering the men at the wheel when steering by hand and, if the vessel is
steered by a steam gearing gear, owing to the strength and rigidity of the latter,
the violent shock or strain, is absorbed more directly by the steering chain, rod
or rope.
The object of my invention is to relieve the steering chain, rod or rope, and
steering gear from such sudden shocks and violent strains by means of a buffer or
spring attachment connected to the steering chain, rod or rope, or to the end or rim
of the rudder tiller or quadrant, and which attachment may be connected to any other
hauling gear for absorbing sudden shocks or strains.
My Invention consists essentially of the following parts
First. A bow or link, with an oye for attachment to the steering chain.
Secondly. A central bolt with an eye for attachment to the steering chain.
Thirdly. Two discs to form guides for the bow and central bolt, and seatings for
the volute spring; each disc being made of such necessary form and strength, that in
the event of the spring breaking, the continuity in the connection of the steering
chain, rod or rope, will be maintained.
They are also so formed as to prevent the chafing of the spring when in use.
Fourthly. Washers are fitted to the central bolt to form seat and guide for the
volute spring, and, if necessary, they may be so formed as to provide safety stop, to
prevent overloading of the spring.
Fifthly A steel volute spring

page_text: There are several ways of making this buffer or spring attachment, the plan I prefer
is as follows.
The bow is formed with an eye at its bow end to receive the shackle pin of the
steering chain; each arm of the bow being screwed for attachment to the disc plate
by nuts.
The central bolt is formed with an eye and collar at one end, to receive the shackle
pin of the steering chain, the other end being screwed for attachment to the disc plate
by nuts To the central bolt are fitted two washers, that to receive the base of the
screw, being made in the form of a cross, the ends of which are turned up, so as to
keep the volute spring fair to the centre line. Or the disc plate to receive the base of
the spring may be formed with lugs or a rim for keeping the spring in position,
without the cross-formed washer. The washer to receive the apex of the spring is
formed with a shoulder for the same purpose, and this washer may be if necessary
extended-in length to form stop to spring, to prevent its being overloaded.
The two discs are formed to act as guides to the arms of the bow, and the central
bolt, and also so as to prevent the chafing of the spring when in use.
The discs are also made of such form and strength as to provide the necessary base,
or seating for the volute spring, and, in the event of the spring breaking the continuity
in the connection of the steering chains will be maintained unimpared, each disc being
made of the necessary strength for its work under such a contingency.
The spring used (by preference) is a steel volute spring.
The discs, washers, and spring being placed in their position on the arms of the
bow, the central bolt is passed through each of the discs washers and spring; The
arins of the bow, and the end of the central bolt, are secured to the discs by double
nuts, and thereby the spring is slightly compressed against the discs keeping them
apart; and on the application of a sudden strain or shock to the steering chain, this
strain will be taken up by the spring, and on the strain being released, the spring.
will force the discs apart into their original position, before the application of the
strain.
In the application of this buffer or attachment to the rim of a tiller quadrant, the
bow and discs specified may be dispensed with, the spring being housed in a suitable
socket casting affixed to the rim of the quadrant, I prefer however the previous
arrangement of the buffer or attachment.
It is obvious that the details of my invention may be greatly modified to suit various
kinds of steering gear.

page_text: Improvements in or Applicable to Steering Gear of Vessels, and
which Improvements are Applicable for other Purposes where
Sudden Strains are brought to bear on Chains, Rods, or Ropes.
I RICHARD SAXTON WHITE, of Millbrooke, Walker on Tyne, in the County of
Newcastle on Tyne, Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The steering gear of ships, whether worked by hand, or by an independent steam
engine, is subject to violent strains by the wave force of the sea striking the rudder,
often overpowering the men at the wheel when steering by hand and, if the vessel is
steered by a steam steering gear, owing to the strength and rigidity of the latter, the
violent shock or strain, is absorbed more directly by the steering chain, rod or rope.
The object of my invention is to relieve the steering chain, rod or rope, and steering
gear from such sudden shocks and violent strains by means of a buffer or spring
attachment, connected to the steering chain, rod, or rope, or to the end or rim of the
rudder tiller or quadrant, and which attachment may be connected to any other
hauling gear for absorbing sudden shocks or strains.
My invention consists essentially of the following parts
First A bow or link, with an eye for attachment to the steering chain.
:
Secondly: A central bolt with an eye for attachment to steering chain.
Thirdly Two discs to form guides for the bow and central bolt, and seatings for
the volute spring, each disc being made of such necessary form and strength, that, in
the event of the spring breaking, the continuity in the connection of the steering
chain, rod, or rope, will be maintained.
They are also so formed as to prevent the chafing of the spring when in use.
Fourthly: Washers are fitted to the central bolt to form seat and guide for the
volute spring, and, if necessary, they may be so formed as to provide safety stop, to
prevent overloading of the spring.
Fifthly A steel volute spring.
There are several ways of making this buffer or spring attachment, the plan I prefer
is as follows:-
The bow is formed with an eye at its bow end to receive the shackle pin of the
steering chain; each arm of the bow being screwed for attachment to the disc plate
by nuts.
The central bolt is formed with an eye and collar at one end, to receive the shackle
pin of the steering chain, the other end being screwed for attachment to the disc plate
by nuts. To the central bolt are fitted two washers, that to receive the base of the
screw, being made in the form of a cross, the ends of which are turned up, so as to
keep the volute spring fair to the centre line. Or the disc plate to receive the base of
the spring may be formed with lugs or a rim, for keeping the spring in position,

page_text: without the cross-formed washer. The washer to receive the apex of the spring is
formed with a shoulder for the same purpose, and this washer may be if necessary
extended in length to form stop to spring, and prevent its being overloaded.
The two discs are formed to act as guides to the arms of the bow, and the central
bolt, and also so as to prevent the chafing of the spring when in use.
The discs are also made of such form and strength as to provide the necessary base,
or seating for the volute spring and, in the event of the spring breaking, the continuity
in the connection of the steering chains will be maintained unimpaired, each disc being
made of the necessary strength for its work under such a contingency.
The spring used (by preference) is a steel volute spring.
The discs, washers, and spring being placed in their position on the arms of the
bow, the central bolt is passed through each of the discs, washers and spring; The
arms of the bow, and the end of the central bolt, are secured to the discs by double
nuts, and thereby the spring is slightly compressed against the discs keeping them
apart; and on the application of a sudden strain or shock to the steering chain, this
strain will be taken up by the spring, and on the strain being released, the spring will
force the discs apart into their original position, before the application of the strain.
In the application of this buffer or attachment to the rim of a tiller quadrant, the
bow and discs specified may be dispensed with, the spring being housed in a suitable
socket casting affixed to the rim of the quadrant, I prefer however the previous
arrangement of the buffer or attachment.
It is obvious that the details of my invention may be greatly modified to suit various
kinds of steering gear.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are intended to illustrate the ordinary method of application of my
invention to the steering gear of vessels. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal plan. Fig. 2 an
elevation or view of the upper end, and Fig. 3 an elevation or view of the lower end.
The Bow A is formed with an eye at its bow end to receive the shackle pin of
the steering chain each arm of the bow being screwed for attachment to disc plate by
double nuts.
The central bolt B is formed with a collar, and an eye at one end to receive the
shackle pin of the steering chain, the other end being screwed for attachment to the
disc plate by double nuts.
To this bolt thero are fitted two washers, the one marked C, to receive the base of
the spring, being made in the form of a cross, the arms of which are turned up to
keep the volute spring fair in the centre line. The Washer marked D, is to receive
the apex of the spring, and is formed with a collar; and of suitable diameter to keep
the spring fair in the centre line. This washer may, if desired, be extended in length
to form a stop to the spring, and so prevent its being overloaded.
The
The two discs marked E are formed to act as guides to the arms of the bow, and
the central bolt, and also so as to prevent the chafing of the spring when in use.
discs are also made of such form and strength as to provide the necessary base or
seating for the spring; and, in the event of the spring or springs breaking, the
continuity in the connection of the steering chain is maintained unimpaired; cach
dise being made of the strength necessary for its work under this contingency.
The spring used, and marked F is a steel volute spring, and, where necessary on
account of a large rudder area, and therefore very heavy strains, two volute springs
may be used, placed apex to apex.
The Discs, washers and spring or springs, being placed in their position on the arms
of the bow, the central bolt is passed through each of the discs, washers and springs.
The arms of the bow, and the end of the central bolt, projecting through the discs,
are secured to them by double screw nuts, and these being slightly screwed up,
compress the spring against the discs, tending to keep them apart, and on the
application of a sudden shock or strain to the steering chain, this strain will be at
once absorbed by the volute spring; and, on the strain being relieved, the volute

page_text: spring will immediately force the discs apart, into their original position, as before
the application of the strain, and be again in position ready for work.
Figs. 4. 5 and 6 shew the application of my improved buffer, or spring attachment,
direct to the end of a rim of a cast steel rudder quadrant, or to any position on the
rim of a rudder head, full circle, or wheel.
In this application the bow A and discs E and washer Care dispensed with; the
steel volute springs being housed in a recess marked G, Fig. 6. A strong web
marked H, being cast on the quadrant rim to receive the base of the volute spring,
and of sufficient strength, to withstand the strains passed through the steering chains
and spring.
Fig. 4 shews another arrangement for ordinary wrought iron quadrant rims, by the
adoption of a suitable wrought iron forging, rivetted on, of form and strength suitable
to receive the base of the spring.
In both these applications, the central bolt B with its nuts, and the washers D are
retained the Bolt B being formed with a hook for attachment to the chain.
:
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 application and use of steel volute springs, fitted and arranged so as to
absorb the violent shocks and strains communicated to the steering gear or steering
engines of ships, from the rudder, through the chains, rods or ropes fitted thereto for
controlling the movements of the rudder, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated on the drawings.
2. The general arrangement construction and combination of the several and
respective parts, together constituting my improvements in or applicable to the
steering gear of vessels, and which improvements are applicable for other purposes
where sudden strains are brought to bear on chains, rods, or ropes.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.