Improvements in the Construction of Port-holes for Ships and Forts, Bulk-head Doors, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Port-holes for Ships and Forts,
Bulk-head Doors, and the like.
I, JAMES CASEY, of 10 Philpot Lane, London E.C., Consulting Engineer,
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 :-
My invention relates to a new method of constructing port-holes for ships and
forts, bulk-head doors embrasures, torpedo-tubes, and the like, for the purpose of
affording greater facilities in working the same than at present exist, and for
rendering the same more secure against the entrance of sea water, and damage
arising from the impact of shot and shell.
According to my invention, I construct doors to port-holes for ships and forts,
bulk-heads, embrasures, torpedo-tubes, and the like, of a globular form, and provide
means for rotating the same in their cases and seatings; such globes being formed
hollow and provided with suitable openings, arranged to correspond with similar
openings in the casings, so that, upon the globular door being rotated in one
direction, the door is effectually and securely closed, and, when rotated in an
opposite direction, a clear way is provided through the globe, seating, and casing.
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.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, illustrating the application of my invention to
ships' deck openings for purposes of light, ventilation or transit, in lieu of the usual
method of fitting hatchways on deck; and the like.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation illustrating the application of any invention to
bulk-head doors, port-holes for ships and forts, embrasures, and the like.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the door, at right angles to Fig. 2.
screws y.
The globular door is fitted in the casing a, and works in fixed and adjustable
metallic bearings just under the deck u. fis the fixed seating. is an adjustable
seating, upon which a rubber or other elastic packing ring is fitted and covered
by a packing ring f* regulated by screws y. The door, packing, and packing ring,
are held in position by the ring, bolted to the casing a, independently of the
The casing a is formed in two parts, suitably bolted together. c is
the spindle attached to the door, fitted with a crank, handle, or lever v, for
causing it to rotate for opening and closing the same, the lever being carried up
through the deck, or otherwise operated from the deck, if preferred. The usual
deck grating u' is fitted above the door. One or more handle or handles or
foot treads w is or are provided, for enabling the men to ascend and descend through
the same, when open.
Fig. 2 illustrates the application of my improved door to a bulk-head, in lieu of
the usual sliding bulk-head door. is the bulk-head, to which the two parts of
the casing a a are bolted and rendered fluid-tight. The globular door is formed
with a level floor b', as shown. The door is packed and actuated in a similar
manner to that shown in Fig. 1. The door is shown closed in Figs. 1 and 3,
and open in Fig. 2.
In fitting doors to port-holes for ships and forts and the like, as aforesaid,
I introduce and combine therewith a cushion of rubber, as shown at f³, to

page_text: minimise the effects of concussions arising from the action of shot and shell, or
collision. The packing rings and cushions are so fitted as to be conveniently
removed and renewed.
The convex surface of the door is advantageous in resisting the impact of shot
and shell.
Although I have described my invention as applied to port-holes for ships and
forts and bulk-heads, it is obvious that, with suitable modifications, it may be
applied to many other structures in connection with ships and forts, such as scuttles,
torpedo boat tubes, and analogous applications.
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 improvements in the construction of port-holes for ships and forts, bulk
head doors and the like, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described
and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In port-holes, bulk-heads, embrasures, torpedo-tubes, and analogous structures
as aforesaid, the application and use of globular doors, fitted, arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In deck, bunker, and magazine openings, ventilators and analogous structures
as aforesaid, the application and use of globular doors, fitted, arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated 5th February 1895
JAMES CASEY.