IMPROVEMENTS IN BRIDGES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Watkin Wynne of 5 Clarendon Road Hornsey
in the County of Middlesex Gentleman, for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN BRIDGES"
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Watkin Wynne at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1882.
WILLIAM WATKIN WYNNE of 5 Clarendon Road, Hornsey in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRIDGES."
The object of the invention is to afford increased facilities for the passage of
vessels through bridges crossing rivers or other waters either where such bridges
are employed for the passage of passengers on foot, carriage traffic, railway, trains,
or otherwise.
In carrying out my invention I form a portion or portions of the bridge with
capability of being lowered into and below the subjacent water by means of
hydraulic or other suitable power in order to admit of vessels passing through the
opening or openings thus formed in the bridge and over the portion so lowered.
When the vessel has passed, or otherwise it is desired to reinstate the portion of the
bridge and complete its continuity for the passage of vehicles or other bodies over
the same the moveable portion of the bridge is raised and secured in its proper
relation to the rest of the bridge.
Guiding means keep the moveable portion or section or moveable portions or
sections of the bridge in their proper position during their traverse.
Counterbalance weights may be employed to counterbalance the weight of the
moveable portion of the bridge suspended by chains running over pullies applied
to the fixed portions or supports of the bridge or the controlling of the movement
and extent of motion of the moveable portion or portions of the bridge may be
effected by means of the hydraulic or other power employed to effect the movement
of that portion or portions.
The side railings or protecting means of that portion of the bridge or those
portions of the bridge moved may be attached thereto and descend or ascend there.
with or the side portions may be attached to the fixed parts of the bridge and be
swung across the ends thereof to close or protect the ends of the bridge at the gap,
or be otherwise received thereon.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Watkin Wynne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th October 1882.
WILLIAM WATKIN WYNNE of 5 Clarendon Road Hornsey, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRIDGES
The object of the invention is to afford increased facilities for the passage of
vessels through bridges crossing rivers or other waters, either where such bridges
are employed for the passage of passengers on foot, carriage traffic, railway trains
or otherwise.
In carrying out my invention I form a portion or portions of the bridge with
capability of being lowered into, and below the subjacent water by means of
hydraulic or other suitable power, in order to admit of vessels passing through the
opening or openings thus formed in the bridge and over the portion so lowered.
When the vessel has passed, or otherwise it is desired to reinstate the portion of the
bridge and complete its continuity for the passage of vehicles or other bodies over
the same, the moveable portion of the bridge is raised and secured in its proper
relation to the rest of the bridge.
Guiding means keep the moveable portion or section or moveable portions or
sections of the bridge in their proper position during their traverse.
Counterbalance weights may be employed to counterbalance the weight of the
moveable portion of the bridge, suspended by chains running over pulleys applied
to the fixed portions or supports of the bridge or the controlling of the movement
and extent of motion of the moveable portion or portions of the bridge may be
effected by means of the hydraulic or other power employed to effect the movement
of that portion or portions.
The side railings or protecting means of that portion of the bridge, or those
portions of the bridge moved, may be attached thereto and descend or ascend
therewith, or the side portions may be attached to the fixed parts of the bridge and
be swung across the ends thereof to close, or protect the ends of the bridge at the
gap, or be otherwise received thereon.
But that the invention may be the better understood, I will by the aid of the
accompanying drawings proceed to describe an arrangement of means such as I
propose to adopt.

page_text: it though other suitable guiding means may be employed for the purpose. i, i, are
bolts capable of sliding in sockets in the framing of the moveable part c, and of
being moved to and fro by means of links attached each at one end to its bolt i
and at the other end to an arm j from the rocking shaft k whilst one of these arms j
is also by a connecting rod / connected to one end of the lever m and this lever m
is supported to rock on the fixed strut n and at its other end it is formed into a
handle, by which the bolts i are simultaneously actuated.
When the moveable part c is raised as indicated by Figure 1, then by shooting
the bolts i, i, into receptacles formed for them in the parts a, a, of the bridge, the
moveable portion c will be retained in correct position for the maintenance of the
correct level with the other parts of the bridge. On withdrawing them the moveable
portion c may be lowered as desired.
o, o, are gates, which at one time serve to complete the sides of the bridge or at
other times, by being turned on suitable hinges serve to close the passage over it
at the opening b.
I have not shown hydraulic or other power applied to facilitate the upward or
downward motions of the moveable portion c but that will readily be understood
by persons acquainted with the application of such power so as to do so as
required.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I propose to adopt in
carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that what I claim is the
Improvements in Bridges, by which the passage of vessels through them may be
facilitated when desired and at other times such bridges may be rendered complete
for passenger or other traffic substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Watkin Wynne have hereunto set
my hand and seal this eleventh day of October One thousand eight hundred
and eighty two.
WILLIAM WATKIN WYNNE. (LS)