Improved Means for Lowering Masts, Funnels, and similar Movable Erections on Ships.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Lowering Masts, Funnels, and similar Movable
Erections on Ships.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM SIDGWICK of 33 Pembroke Street Middlesbrough in the
County of York, Plater do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The mast to be lowered at any point of its length by means of a hinge or
hinges as shewn in the diagrams accompanying this Provisional Specification.
The method may be described as under.
The mast which may be made in two or more pieces, strengthened where
necessary by means of doubling plates is shewn in Diagram 1. in its erect
position the upper and lower parts being secured to each other by means of
two angle bars back to back connected together by means of bolts, cotters or
moveable bands.
Diagram 2. shews the mast with the upper part in the position of being lowered
for the purpose of passing under a bridge or other obstruction.
At the point
marked A is the hinge which can be made of iron, steel or other kind of metal,
B. B are the angle bars which connect the two parts together when the mast is
closed or erect, C is a metal band round the bottom of the upper portion of
the mast containing eyes or holes to which are connected blocks and tackle for
steadily lowering the mast.
Diagrams 3 and 4 shew two different views of the hinge. 3, represents the
hinge when divided owing to a jackstay being used. 4. is a front view of the
hinge shewing rivets for connecting to the mast. This hinge may be placed
inside or outside in case of steel or iron masts. The material of hinge may be
either steel iron or any other metal. When no jackstay is required the hinge
may be made in one.
Diagrams 5. 6 & 7 represent the manner in which the angle irons are fastened
or locked together so as to secure the upper portion of mast in position when
closed or erect. 5 and 6 are a section and plan shewing a view of two angle bars
locked together by means of bolts. The bolts are spaced as may be required
by the size and weight of mast, and are fixed firmly in one of the angle bars
having holes in the furthermost point, while the other angle bar contains corre-
sponding holes. In the bosom of one of the bars is fastened a rod with small
cotters or projections as shewn in Diagram 7 at intervals corresponding with that
of the bolts and by means of a handle on the bottom of the rod these cotters
may be drawn into the bolts and when preparing the mast for lowering may be
released by raising or pushing the rod up clear of the bolts.
I claim that my invention is much more workable than the methods now in
use and that it can be easily applied for lowering all kinds of masts funnels, or
similar erections.
Dated 21st day of OctoDER 1001.
THOS. WM. SIDGWICK,
33, Pembroke Street, Middlesbro'.
Dalit 4184 0¾Y OF CLODHE 1071.
0
THOS. WM. SIDGWICK,
33, Pembroke Street, Middlesbro'.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Lowering Masts, Funnels, and similar Movable
Erections on Ships.
5 I THOMAS WILLIAM SIDGWICK of 33 Pembroke Street Middlesbrough in the
County of York, Plater, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
[Price 8d.1

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The mast or other erection to be lowered at any point of its length by means of a
hinge or hinges, the method of which is shewn in the diagram accompanying this
Complete Specification.
The system may be described as under, riz.-The mast or other erection which
may be made in two or more pieces_strengthened where necessary by means of
doubling plates or bars-is shewn in Figure 1 in its erect position, the upper and
lower parts being secured to each other by means of bands, bars, or other
fastenings.
Figure 2 shews the mast with the upper part in the position of being lowered for
the purpose of passing under a bridge or other obstruction. At the point
marked "A" is shewn the hinge which can be made of iron, steel, or other metal.
The points marked "BB" shew a metal band round the mast, containing eyes or
holes for fastenings and also for lowering gear which may consist of ropes, tackle,
&c. The points marked "CC" shew bands or semi-bands for fastening and any
number of these bands may be used according to length of scarph.
Figures 3 & 4 shew two different views of the hinge. Figure 3 represents the
hinge when divided owing to a jackstay being used. Figure 4 is a front view of
the hinge shewing rivets for connecting to the mast. The hinges may be placed
inside or outside in case of steel or iron masts. The material of hinge may be either
steel, iron, or other metals. When no jackstay is required the hinge need not
necessarily be divided but can be made in as many parts as may be deemed
expedient.
Figure 3 is also section of mast in two semicircles shewing the scarph
which in an iron or steel mast may be made of flange plates or plates and angle
bars. The mast may also be made a full circle above and below the hinge with an
additional portion in part circle form, to overlap and fasten in a similar manner to
that shewn in the drawings.
Figures 5 & 6 represent the fastenings which secure the upper portion of the
mast when closed or erect. The bands are made with flanges and on the flange of
the moveable portion a bolt is fixed which on the mast being closed slips into a
corresponding hole on the opposite flange and is then secured by a cotter which is
connected by a small chain to the mast. These cotters must be removed before the
mast can be lowered. Any other system of fastening might be adopted where
necessary.
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. That my invention is much more workable than the methods now in use and
that it can be easily applied for lowering all kinds of masts, funnels, or other
similar erections on ships or elsewhere.
2. That this method will enable a vessel to pass under a bridge quicker and with
much less trouble than could be done with any other method at present in use.
3. That factory chimneys or other similar erections made in this manner could
be lowered for the purpose of repairing the upper portion with great ease and
facility.
Dated this 14th day of Anril 1899
THOS. SIDGWICK,
Applicant.