Improvements in Combined Propelling and Steering Apparatus for Boats or Vessels.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Propelling and Steering Apparatus for
Boats or Vessels.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18,
Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention a communication to me from abroad by Isador Lehman,
of Cleveland, in the County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, United States of America,
Jeweller, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in combined propelling and steering
apparatus for boats or vessels, and it pertains more especially, to apparatus of the
character indicated that comprises a cylindrical open-ended rudder-forming casing
containing the wheel or wheels of the propeller.
One object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for oscillating
or swinging the said rudder-forming casing in a horizontal plane with facility.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of
jointed propeller-shaft, so as to accommodate the location of the propelling and
steering apparatus in the closest practical proximity to the rear end of the
stern-post of the boat or vessel; to accommodate the movement of the rudder-
forming casing without interfering with the operation of the propeller-shaft, and
to afford a large sweep for the casing without interfering with the operation
of the propeller-shaft and without causing undue friction in the joints of the
shaft.
With these objects in view, and to the end of attaining certain other advantages
hereinafter appearing, the invention consists in certain features of construction,
and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section, of
the rear end of a boat or vessel provided with the improved combined propelling
and steering apparatus.
Fig. II is a top plan of that portion of a propeller-shaft that lies between
the wheel or wheels of the propeller and the stern-post or stern of the boat or
vessel, and in this figure portions of the stern and the rudder-forming casing
are shown in section.
Fig. III is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. II.
Figs. IV and V are sections, respectively, in detail, on lines IV-IV and V-V
respectively, Fig. III.
Fig. VI is a rear end elevation of the casing b, and shows the connection between
the said casing and the operating shaft r partly in section.
Referring to the drawings, a designates the stern-end of a boat, and a¹ the
vessel's keel. represents the central open-ended rudder-forming casing that is
arranged in a horizontal plane below the stern's overhang a². c designates the
propeller-shaft that extends into the stern, at the stern-post a³, below the stern's
overhang, and horizontally and longitudinally through and centrally of the
casing b, and the propeller-wheel or wheels are operatively mounted upon the
said shaft within the casing b in any approved manner. The casing affords a
support for the rear end of the propeller-shaft, and the said support comprises,
preferably, two armed spiders, e e, arranged within opposite ends, respectively,

page_text: of the casing and secured to the latter in any approved manner. Each of the
spiders e as shown in Fig. VI, has a hub e¹ that embraces and affords bearing for
the propeller-shaft, and three arms that are integral with and arranged radially
and at equal intervals circumferentially of the hub, and extend from the hub
to the casing to which they are secured, preferably, by screws e³. The said
spiders brace the cylinder internally. A tee-beam f, is secured to and externally
of the top of the casing 6 and is arranged centrally and longitudinally of the
casing's top. The beam f is arranged, furthermore, with its central flange f¹
projecting upwardly. The beam f extends, preferably, from end to end of the
casing band is provided at its inner end with a vertically arranged eye or boss f
that is engaged internally by the lower end of an upright shaft that extends
vertically through the stern's overhang and a suitable distance above the latter.
The casing, at the bottom and inner end, is pivoted vertically, as at b, to a bar h
that projects rearwardly from the keel and is secured to the latter in any approved
manner. The axes of the shaft and the pivot are coincident. The pivot bl
constitutes the lower pivotal centre of the rudder-forming casing and the shaft
forms the upper pivotal centre of the said rudder.
To accommodate the movement of the rear end of the propeller-shaft with the
casing when the latter is swung in a horizontal plane in the one direction or
the other as required in steering the boat or vessel, the propeller-shaft comprises
an extensible section carranged between the rudder and the stern-post, and
secured to the adjacent or contiguous sections of the shaft by universal joints c³.
The most rearward section of the propeller-shaft, that is, the shaft-section
next rearward of the extensible section el, extends through the casing and bears
the propeller-wheel or wheels. The shaft-section that is next forward of the
extensible section, enters the stern at the stern-post.
The shaft-section has its inner end terminating in a fork & that participates
in the formation of the support for the universal joint between the said shaft-
section and the extensible shaft-section, which fork has its shank engaging a
bore formed in the inner end of the shaft-section and secured to the latter
by a set-screw and the well-known means of groove-and-feather . The fork k,
at the inner end of its shank, has an annular shoulder that abuts against the
outer side of the forward spider e that, consequently, forms a thrust-bearing for
the shaft which bearing is properly arranged for receiving any rearward thrust
upon the shaft.
The shaft-section et has its outer end terminating in a fork 7 that participates
in the formation of the support for the universal joint between the said shaft
section and the extensible shaft-section, which fork has its shank engaging a
bore formed in the outer end of the shaft-section et and secured to the latter by
a set-screw and the well-known means of groove-and-feather 73. The fork 1,
at the inner end of its shank, has an annular shoulder that abuts against the
outer side of the stern post or stern.
The extensible section c¹ of the shaft consists, preferably of two parts m and m¹
arranged to slide endwise of each other. Each of the said parts is slotted longi-
tudinally, as at m². One of the said parts, and part m in the case illustrated,
has the side-walls of its slot m² overlapping the longitudinal edges of the side-
walls of the other part m¹ and enlarged inwardly, as at m³, so as to snugly but
slidably fit between the side-walls of the part m'. By this construction the said
parts are operatively connected together, so far as rotating in unison is concerned,
and each of the parts is prevented from turning independently of the other
part during the operation of the propeller-shaft. To reduce the friction between
the said parts two anti-friction rollers, m and m³ are provided. Roller m³ is
arranged within and transversely of the slot m³ of the part m and braces apart
the side-walls of the slot m² of the part m¹. Roller m² is arranged within and
transversely of the slot m² of the part m¹ and braces apart the side walls of the
slot in the part m. The part m, at the joint formed between it and the stern-
entering shaft-section, terminates in a fork m that participates in the formation

page_text: of the support for the said joint, and is arranged at right-angles to the fork of the
stern-entering shaft-section. The part m', at the joint formed between it and the
propeller-wheel-bearing shaft-section, terminates in a fork m that participates
in the formation of the support for the said joint and is arranged at right angles to
the fork of the wheel-bearing shaft section.
The construction involving the peculiarities of the arrangement and assemblage
of the parts of the extensible shaft-section, and the connection of the said shaft-
section with the remaining shaft-sections, is not only meritorious on account of its
durability and simplicity, but because it accommodates the location of the rudder-
forming casing in the closest practical proximity to the stern of the boat or vessel..
Obviously, the extensible shaft-section e¹, and the connection of the said section
by universal joints with the stern-entering and propeller-wheel-bearing shaft-
sections are essential to accommodate the oscillation or swinging of the rudder-
forming casing in a horizontal plane, and an important feature of the present
invention consists in the location of the joint between the wheel-bearing section
and the next forward and extensible section rearwardly of the axial line of the
casing b, or, in other words, the pivotal centres of the casing are located a
considerable distance forward of the centre of the joint between the extensible
shaft-section and the wheel-bearing shaft-section, because by this construc-
tion, the shaft-section will, during the oscillation or swinging of the casing b
in a horizontal plane, swing not only upon the joint between the said shaft-
section and shaft's extensible section but both of the said shaft-sections will swing
together upon the joint between the extensible shaft-section and the stern-entering
shaft-section, and consequently, the casing can be swung laterally to a greater
angle than would be the case if the centre of the joint between the extensible
shaft section and the pivotal centres of the casing were in line vertically. The
construction hereinbefore described not only affords the rudder-forming casing b
a greater sweep, but prevents the wear upon the joints of the flexible shaft from
coming upon one of the joints only.
v has its
An inverted U-shaped plate or block straddles and is secured to the upright
flange of the beam f at the latter's rear end. A U-shaped block or plate
central member pivoted vertically, as at 3, or swivelled, (see Fig. VI) to the
upper end of the block or plate n, and has its upright end-members arranged
at opposite sides, respectively, of the laterally-projecting arm of the operating
shaft that is arranged vertically and extends upwardly through the stern's
overhang preferably about midway between the outer end of the casing and the
axial line of the said casing. The operating shaft is provided at its upper end,
with a wheel or device for actuating the same. The shaft-arm is formed upon
the lower end of the shaft and engages the under side of an anti-friction roller o
suitably supported from the U-shaped piece o. The casing bis provided, therefore,
with a device that is swivelled to the top of the rear end of the casing and
embraces the shaft-arm . Obviously, the said shaft is instrumental in supporting
the rear end of the casing, and the provision of the shaft-arm and the latter's
connection with the casing's outer end, affords a greater leverage than would be
obtained by the connection of the said shaft to the casing nearer the latter's inner
end.
The shaft, that, as already indicated, forms the upper centre of the casing b,
may be used as the operating shaft in case the actual operating shaft r, or the
connection between the latter and the casing b, becomes disabled, and the extension
of the shaft g upwardly through the stern's overhang is to accommodate the
application, to the said shaft, of a wheel or other device for turning the same.
The shaft g, to enable its use as the operating shaft, is operatively connected with
the boss or eye f, and consequently with the casing b, by the well-known means
of groove-and-feather f³. A screw f' engages a correspondingly threaded hole
formed in the lower end of the shaft g and has its head overlapping and abutting
against the lower end of the eye or boss f, and consequently the casing at the
latter's top and inner end is supported from the shaft g.

page_text: Two boxes and a³, arranged at the top and bottom, respectively, of, and
rigid with, the stern's overhang, afford bearing for the shaft g and collars g¹ fixed
or formed upon the said shaft at the outer ends of the said boxes, in connection
with the boxes, prevent vertical displacement of the shaft.
Two boxes a and a, arranged at the top and bottom, respectively, of, and rigid
with, the stern's overhang, afford bearing for the shaft r, and collars fixed
or formed upon the said shaft at the outer end of the boxes, in connection with
the boxes, prevent vertical displacement of the shaft.
A collar 7, fixed or formed upon the propeller-shaft at the outer end of the
casing at the outer side of the rear casing-bracing spider e, forms a thrust-
bearing for any forward thrust upon the propeller-shaft.
تر
A stop, for preventing the casing & from being swung too far in either direction,
is provided, and consists, preferably, of a collar that is adjustably mounted
upon the shaft-arm by a pin engaging one of a series of holes formed in and
arranged at suitable intervals lengthwise of the arm. The collar is obviously
capable of as many different adjustments as there are pin-receiving holes 6.
Obviously, the propeller-wheels that are confined between the spiders e and e,
brace apart the spiders and together with the spiders constitute a thrust-bearing
for the propeller-shaft. In fact, the interposition of the propeller-wheel or wheels
between the spiders e, and the provision of the shoulders or collars and cat
the outer ends of the hubs of the said spiders, cause the entire thrust upon the
propeller-shaft to be borne by the rudder-forming casing, and this result is
exceedingly desirable in the apparatus illustrated.
It should be observed, also, that the swivelled connection of the part o to the
casing b so as to accommodate the turning of the said part o during the swinging
of the said casing laterally, is obviously necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination of the propeller-
wheel or wheels; the propeller-shaft having a section bearing the said wheel or
wheels, another section entering the boat's stern, and all extensible
section between the wheel-bearing section and the stern-entering section,
and universal joints between the extensible section and the remaining
aforesaid sections; a fork formed upon the inner end of the wheel-
bearing section, which fork participates in the support of the universal
joint between the said shaft-section and the extensible shaft-section; an open-
ended casing surrounding the propeller-wheel or wheels and supported as required
to render it capable of being swung in a horizontal plane; spiders bracing the
said casing internally and arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of the propeller
wheel-bearing portion of the wheel-bearing shaft-section; a shoulder formed upon
the aforesaid fork at the outer end of the hub of the inner spider, and a collar
fixed upon the wheel-bearing shaft-section at the outer end of the hub of the
outer spider, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination of the propeller-
wheel-bearing section having its inner end provided with a fork ; the stern-
cutering shaft section et terminating, at its outer end, in the fork 7; the extensible
shaft-section c arranged between the two aforesaid shaft-sections and having each
end terminating in a fork arranged at right angles to the adjacent fork of the
adjacent shaft-section; universal joints formed between adjacent forks; the
propeller or wheels carried by the wheel bearing section of the shaft; an open-
ended casing surrounding the wheel-bearing portion of the wheel-bearing shaft-
section and having its inner end supported as required to render it capable of
swinging in a horizontal plane, and means for swinging the said casing, sub-
stantially as set forth.
3. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination of the propeller-

page_text: wheel-bearing shaft-section having the bore the fork & having the shank k¹
and the shoulder ; an operative connection between the fork's shank and the
surrounding wall of the aforesaid bore; the casing & suitably supported at its
inner end to render it capable of swinging in a horizontal plane; the spiders c
having the hubs e and the radial arms e; the collar the stern-entering shaft-
section et having the bore and the fork provided with the shank an
operative connection between the last-mentioned shank and the surrounding wall
of the last-mentioned bore, and an extensible section interposed between and
connected to the aforesaid forks by universal joints, substantially as set forth.
4. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination of the propeller-
wheel-bearing shaft-section an open-ended casing surrounding the wheel-bearing
portion of the said shaft-section, and having its inner end supported as required
to render it capable of being swung in a horizontal plane; means for swinging
the said casing upon its axis; a stern-entering shaft-section; an extensible shaft-
section interposed between the stern-entering shaft-section and the wheel-bearing
shaft-section; universal joints between the extensible shaft-section and the remain-
ing aforesaid shaft-sections, and the said extensible shaft-section comprising the
following:-the part m¹ slotted longitudinally, the part m slotted longitudinally
and having the side-walls of its slot overlapping the adjacent edges of the side-
walls of the first-mentioned part and enlarged inwardly between the said side-
walls of the first-mentioned part, and the rollers m and m³, all arranged sub-
stantially as shown, for the purpose specified.
5. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with a boat or
vessel; of the propeller-shaft having a stern-entering section, a propeller-wheel-
bearing section, an extensible section interposed between the stern-entering
section and the wheel-bearing section, and two universal joints between the wheel-
bearing section and stern-entering section and opposite ends, respectively, of
thes extensible section; a casing surrounding the wheel-bearing portion of the
wheel-bearing shaft-section and having its inner end supported from the boat
or vessel in such a manner as to render the casing capable of being swung in a
horizontal plane; means for swinging the casing, and the location of the joint
between the extensible shaft-section and the wheel-bearing shaft-section being
such, relative to the axial line of the casing, that, when the casing is in line
with the boat or vessel, the joint between the wheel-bearing shaft-section and the
extensible shaft-section shall be rearward of the casing's axial line, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with a boat or
vessel; of the propeller-shaft having a stern-entering section, a propeller-wheel-
bearing section, an extensible section interposed between the stern-entering
section and the wheel-bearing section, and two universal joints between the
wheel-bearing section and stern-entering section and opposite ends, respectively
of the extensible section; an open-ended casing surrounding the wheel-bearing
portion of the wheel-bearing shaft-section, and pivotally supported, at its inner
end, top and bottom, from the boat or vessel, with the two pivotal centres arranged
in line vertically; means for swinging the casing upon the said pivotal centres,
and the arrangement of parts being such that the joint between the wheel-bearing
shaft- section and the extensible shaft-section shall when the casing is in line with
the boat or vessel, be located rearwardly of the casing's pivotal centres, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel; of the propeller-shaft having a stern-entering section, a propeller-
wheel-bearing section, an extensible section interposed between the stern-entering
section and the wheel-bearing section, and two universal joints between the wheel-
bearing section and stern-entering section and opposite ends, respectively, of the
extensible section; an open-ended casing surrounding the wheel-bearing portion
of the wheel-bearing section of the shaft; a vertically arranged eye or boss formed
upon the top and inner end of the said casing; a vertically arranged shaft

page_text: supported from the stern's overhang and extending through the said eye or boss
and provided with a member overlapping the lower end of the eye or boss; a
bar rigid with the boat or vessel and arranged to support the aforesaid casing
at the latter's bottom, and a vertically arranged pivot securing the said casing to
the casing's last-nientioned support, and the said pivot and the aforesaid vertically
arranged shaft being arranged in line vertically, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
S. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner end
supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane; of an upright shaft arranged above and between
the ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang and
is provided at its lower end, with a laterally projecting arm operatively connected
with the aforesaid casing, and means for turning the shaft, substantially as for
for the purpose set forth.
9. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner end
supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane of an upright shaft arranged above and between
the ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang and
is provided at the lower end, with a laterally projecting arm operatively connected
with the aforesaid casing; means for turning the shaft, and a stop for limiting
the lateral swinging of the casing in either direction.
10. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern. of a
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner end
supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane of an upright shaft arranged above and between
the ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang
and is provided at its lower end, with a laterally projecting arm:
means for
turning the shaft; a device swivelled to the top of the casing and embracing
the shaft-arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner end
supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane of an upright shaft arranged above and between the
ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang and is
provided, at its lower end, with a laterally-projecting arm; means for turning
the shaft; a device swiveled to the top of the casing and embracing the aforesaid
shaft-arm, and a collar adjustably mounted upon the said arm at the outer side
of the aforesaid arm-embracing device, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
12. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner
end supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane of an upright shaft arranged above and between the
ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang and
is provided, at its lower end, with a laterally-projecting arm; means for turning
the shaft, and a device swiveled to the top of the casing and embracing the afore-
said shaft-arm, and comprising an anti-friction roller resting upon the shaft-arm.
13. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern of
a boat or vessel, and the propeller-wheel-containing casing having its inner end
supported from the stern's overhang as required to render it capable of being
swung in a horizontal plane; of an upright shaft arranged above and between the
ends of the said casing, which shaft is supported from the stern's overhang and
is provided at its lower end, with a laterally-projecting arm; means for turning
the shaft; a tee-beam secured to the top and arranged longitudinally of the
casing an inverted U-shaped plate or block straddling and secured to the outer

page_text: end of the said beam; à U-shaped plate or block having its central member
pivoted vertically, or swiveled, to the central member of the inverted U-shaped
member, and having its upright end-members arranged at opposite sides, respec-
tively, of the aforesaid shaft-arm, and an anti-friction roller supported from and
arranged between the said end-members and resting upon the said shaft arm, sub-
stantially as shown, for the purpose specified.
14. In apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the stern
of a boat or vessel; of the propeller shaft having a stern-entering section, a
propeller-wheel-bearing section, an extensible section interposed between the
stern-entering section and the wheel-bearing section, and stern-entering section
and opposite ends, respectively, of the extensible section; an open-ended casing
surrounding the wheel-bearing portion of the wheel-bearing section of the shaft:
a vertically arranged eye or boss formed upon the top and inner end of the said
casing a vertically arranged shaft supported from the stern's overhang and
extending through the said eye or boss, which shaft is operatively connected with
the casing and provided with a member overlapping the lower end of the said
boss or eye; an upright shaft supported from the stern's overhang, and arranged
between the ends of the aforesaid casing; a laterally extending arm formed upon
the lower end of the said shaft and operatively connected with the outer end of the
casing, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 94th dox of Catalan 1800