Improvements in Landing Stages and other Structures in Water.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1887
Complete Left, 25th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th Mar., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Landing Stages and other Structures in Water.
MARTYN NOEL RIDLEY, Civil Engineer, 2 Victoria Mansions Westminster S.W.
and GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE, Civil Engineer Coulter Road, the Grove,
Hammersmith London, W. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In shielding or protecting the floating or other parts of the structure or the whole
of it from injury from waves currents or other sources of injury by wholly or partly
enclosing the whole or part of the structure in one or more shields cylinders or
cofferdams in such a manner that it is free to rise and fall with the tide automatically
or by controlling gear at will and so that it may be raised partly or entirely clear of
the water in case of storms or for any other reason. Also in arranging the exposed
parts of the structure in such a way that the water can pass freely through or over or
under it without causing any injury.
To carry out our invention we arrange one or more shields cylinders or cofferdams
in the water or near thereto with the lower portion sunk into or resting on the ground
or floating or suspended near or on it in such a way that it or they stand or are held
securely and so that by means of one or more slots or perforations made in it or them
the water can enter and leave the shields cylinders or cofferdams at any desired rate
with the rising and falling of the tide or of floods or similar occurrences or in con-
sequence of a passing wave or by suitable valves the entry and exit of the water can
be controlled at will."
Inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams we arrange one or more floating vessels or
substances having sufficient buoyancy to support or partially support the weight of the
landing-stage bath or other structure.
The main portion of the landing stage bath or other structure may be outside the
shields cylinders or cofferdams which serve as guides when required during the rising
and falling of the structure due to tides waves or other causes.
On the upper or

page_text: "
other convenient part of the floating vessels or other substances inside the shields
cylinders or cofferdams is or may be attached a crosshead or other contrivance the
ends of which project beyond the sides of the floating vessel or substance and through
slots or apertures in the shield cylinder or cofferdam or from its upper or under side
in such a way that they can be attached to the main body of the structure by links
chains or other equivalent means. The slots or apertures extend for the desired
distance up and down the shields cylinders or cofferdams and serve as guides for the
crosshead or other contrivance during the rising and falling of the structure or the
shields cylinders or cofferdams themselves may be utilized as guides for the structure.
Access to the structure will be obtained by means of staircases or gangways or by
such other means as may be found convenient connected with the shore or a jetty or
pier or wharf or other structure leading thereto.
In some cases we arrange a brow or gangway in such a manner that one end
may be hinged to the shore pier wharf or other convenient place and the other end
be free to travel slightly with any motion of the landing stage or other structure.
This arrangement may in some cases be reversed or both ends may be hinged or
free to travel a certain distance as may be desirable to accommodate the rise and fall
of the structure or the brow or gangway may be fixed at either or both ends.
In some cases we make the main body of the landing stage or other structure
partially or wholly watertight and buoyant in addition to the vessels or substances
inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams. We also so arrange the body of the
landing stage or other structure in such a manner that its own weight is carried by
the floating or buoyant vessels or substances inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams
and so that the main body of the landing stage or other structure is supported just
clear of the water until an additional load is placed on it when it lowers until the
extra load is supported by the buoyancy or floating power of the main body of the
landing stage or other structure in addition to the buoyancy of the floating
vessels or substances inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams. In some cases we
cause the main body of the structure to support its own weight and the floating or
buoyant vessels or substances inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams to sustain any
extraneous load that may be placed on the structure.
In the case of swimming baths in seas rivers or other suitable waters we arrange
the sides and bottom partly or wholly of open grilling or trellis so that the water can
enter or leave freely.
The weight of the structure is supported as previously described by one or more
floating or buoyant vessels or substances inside one or more shields cylinders or
cofferdams which protect it or them from injury.
Suitable dressing boxes and other conveniences are provided on any desired part of
the structure for the accommodation of bathers.
In some cases we also provide on the shields cylinders or cofferdams or in any
other convenient places suitable gearing or contrivances for lifting and maintaining
the entire structure including the floating or buoyant vessels or substances quite clear
of the water in case of storms or floods or for painting and repairs or for any other
reason whenever it may be desirable to do so.
Suitable valves are provided for regulating the height of the structure relatively to
the water level by the admission of water to the floating or bouyant vessel or vessels
and pumps or ejectors are arranged for expelling at will any water so admitted or that
may enter by leakage or from other causes.
An arrangement of automatic gearing is also provided to prevent the structure from
sinking in the event of accidental or wilful injury to the floating or buoyant vessels
or substances or from the valves having been left open or if the floating or buoyant
vessels or substances lose their supporting power from any cause whatever.
We also arrange gear for the stopping and maintaining the structure at any desired
level at will.
In some cases we arrange counterbalances or weights with chains passing over
sheaves on the shields cylinders or cofferdams and connected to the structure so as to
partly or wholly balance its weight.

page_text: In some cases we make the shields cylinders or cofferdams telescopic and we also in
some cases obtain the necessary buoyancy or supporting power for the structure by
causing the vessels or substances inside the shields cylinders or cofferdams to act as
pistons and by the gradual escape of the air from its upper side to regulate the
movement of the structure.
In some cases we provide one or more independent guides for the landing stage or
other structure in addition to or instead of those already described.
M. NOEL RIDLEY.
G. F. BLACKMORE.
We, MARTYN NOEL RIDLEY, Civil Engineer, of 2 Victoria Mansions London S.W.,
and GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE, Civil Engineer, of 1 Coulter Road, The Grove,
Hammersmith, London, W. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
In shielding or protecting the floating or other parts of the structure or the whole
of it from damage by waves currents storms or other sources of injury by wholly or
partly enclosing part of the structure in one or more shields cylinders or cofferdams
in such a manner that it or they are free to rise and fall with the tide automatically or
by controlling gear at will and so that it may be raised partly or entirely clear of the
water in case of storms or for any other reason. Also in arranging some or all of the
exposed parts of the structure in such a way that water can pass freely through or over
or under it without causing any injury.
To carry out our invention we arrange one or more shields cylinders or cofferdams
in the water or near thereto and in communication therewith having the lower portion
or portions sunk into or resting on the ground in such a way that it or they stand
or are held securely and so that by means of one or more slots or perforations made
in it or them the water can enter and leave the shields cylinders or cofferdams at any
desired rate or in any desired quantity with the rising and falling of the tide or of floods
or similar occurrences or in consequence of passing waves.
Figure 1 shows an elevation and figure 2 a plan of a landing stage. The lower
end of the hollow cylinder shield or cofferdam A. is sunk into the ground in sea river
or other suitable water to a convenient depth and has in some cases a quantity of
concrete or other filling as at B. The upper end of the cylinder shield or cofferdam
may be attached to a pier jetty or other structure. On opposite sides of the cylinder
shield or cofferdam one or more vertical slots C. are provided of any desired length to
suit the rise and fall of the stage.

page_text: Inside the cylinder shield or cofferdam is a floating or buoyant vessel or substance D
which serves to support the landing stage whilst afloat.
On opposite sides of the buoyant vessel or substance corresponding with and fitting
loosely into the vertical slots C in the cylinder shield or cofferdam is attached one
flange of the rolled joists E or other suitable sections and the other flange which is
outside the cylinder shield or cofferdam is attached to the body of the landing stage
or other structure F.
Struts G also connect the lower end of the rolled joists E to the body of the
landing stage or other structure F and give additional rigidity.
Thus the body of the landing stage or other structure F is supported at any desired
height above the surface of the water and out of the reach of waves whilst the
buoyant vessel or substance D is shielded or protected from the force of the waves
by the cylinder shield or cofferdam A.
The landing stage or other structure may be made more or less steady by making
the slots C in the cylinder shield or cofferdam A of greater or less width and thus
allow a greater or smaller quantity of water to enter it when a wave is passing.
The rolled joists E or other connections between the buoyant vessel or substance D
and the body of the landing stage or other structure F forms a guide for the whole
structure.
In some cases additional timber or other guides are provided as at H in figure 2.
The body of the landing stage or other structure F may also be made hollow and
watertight so as to prevent the entire structure from sinking in the event of any
injury to the buoyant vessel or substance D by becoming buoyant when it reaches the
water.
As an additional precaution against sinking an automatic contrivance is provided on
the top of the buoyant vessel D. It consists of a bent lever I hinged near the centre
and weighted at one end whilst the other end is forked to fit the links of the
chain J.
Connected to the forked end of the lever by means of a chain wire rope or
other means is a substance K. suspended inside the vessel D near the bottom
and having just sufficient weight to preponderate over the weighted end of the
lever I.
When any water leaks into the vessel D so as to submerge or partly submerge the
weight K the weight acting on the forked end of the lever I is sufficiently reduced
to allow the weighted end to preponderate and drop and thus cause the fork to engage
with the chain and thus arrest further downward movement.
In order to haul up the entire stage or other structure in the case of violent storms
or for painting and repairs or for any other reason a windlass L is provided near the
top of the cylinder shield or cofferdam A actuated by the capstan M in the usual
manner.
A tube N passes through the buoyant vessel or substance D and is connected with a
watertight joint to the top and bottom.
A chain J connected to the windlass L passes through the tube N and has a cross-
head or stop O at its lower extremity. Thus by turning the capstan the entire stage
can be lifted high above the water.
A flight of steps P or a gangway or brow is provided to give access to the stage or
other structure at all times of the tide.
In some cases we arrange a landing stage or other structure as in figure 3 in which
the protecting shield cylinder or cofferdam A is sunk into the ground as previously
described and is provided with one or more apertures B for the admission of 5
water.
To close the aperture or apertures when desirable a valve C is provided and actuated
by the handle D on the top of the cylinder shield or cofferdam A or at any other
convenient position.
Thus the ingress and egress of water to or from the cylinder shield or cofferdam A 5
can be prevented at will and the lower portion of the cylinder shield or cofferdam A
rendered watertight.

page_text: The upper portion of the cylinder shield or cofferdam A is provided with one or more
slots as beforo described through which a crosshead or beam E projects on either side.
Inside the cylinder shield or cofferdam A the crosshead or beam E is attached to the
buoyant vessel or substance F by the braced work G or other suitable means. Outside
the cylinder shield or cofferdam A the crosshead or beam E is connected to the body
of the landing stage or other structure H by means of the links or suspension bars Ï.
The crosshead or beam E passing through the slots in the cylinder shield or
cofferdam forms a guide for the whole structure during the rising and falling of the
tide.
The entire floating structure may be lifted high above the water at any time by
means of the crabwinch J connected to the crosshead or beam E as before described
or the body of the landing stage or other structure H may be lifted without the
buoyant vessel F by disconnecting the braced framework G from the crosshead E.
Should the crabwinch be disabled or should it be desirable to dispense with it the
entire landing stage or other structure may in case of violent storms or for any other
reason be raised high above the water by closing the valve or valves C and filling the
lower portion of the cylinder shield or cofferdam A with water by means of the pipe K
connected with the shore.
The buoyant vessel F may be divided into several separate watertight compart-
ments a, b, c.
Access to the landing stage or other structure is provided by means of steps as
before described or by a brow or gangway L hinged at the shore end and free to travel
on runners or wheels at the other end as shown in figure 3 and at M in figure 6 or the
shore end may be upon runners or wheels and the other end hinged to the floating
structure as shown in figure 4.
Figures 4 and 5 show an arrangement of a floating swimming bath E supported in
the manner described for the landing stages or other structures. The four cylinders
shields or cofferdams A are provided each with one or more vertical slots B through
which the crossbeams or girders D can pass.
The beams or girders D are attached to the top or other convenient part of the
buoyant vessels C.
Dressing boxes and other conveniences are provided on a suitable part of the swimming
bath and well above the reach of waves.
Part or the whole of the sides ends and bottom of the swimming bath are made of
open grilling or of perforated material in such a way that any desired amount of
water can pass freely through them.
Provision is made for lifting the entire structure out of the water as already
described.
Figure 6 shows an elevation of a landing stage on a somewhat larger scale and
suitable for rapid rivers and those subject to sudden floods or bores.
The body of the landing stage is supported by buoyant vessels enclosed in and
protected by a number of cylinders shields or cofferdams in the manner already
described and so that when ballasted with a certain quantity of water as shown the
bottom would be just clear of the surface of the river or other water and a heavy load
placed upon it would cause it to descend so that the body A by being partly submerged
would add its floating power to that of the vessels inside the cylinders shields or
cofferdams.
The weight of the floating structure is in some cases partly balanced by a number
of weights C connected by chains or ropes passing over sheaves or pulleys D on the
top of the cylinders shields or cofferdams B or any other convenient position.
In the event of floods or bores or like contingencies the. water ballast could be
quickly run out by means of suitable valves and thus allow the body of the stage A
to rise out of danger from such floods or bores.
The tops of the cylinders shields or cofferdams B are connected together with strong
girders so as to form a gantry upon which heavy travelling or stationary cranes can be
placed for unloading ships alongside. In some cases we prefer to make the cylinders
shields or cofferdams telescopic as shown in figure 7. The portion A of the cylinder

page_text: shield or cofferdam is sunk into the ground, with one or more apertures B for the
entry and exit of water and the portion is placed outside the lower part A having
its upper extremity attached to the body of the landing stage or other structure
assisted by struts E.
Inside the cylinder shield or cofferdam the floating vessel or substance F is also
attached to the body of the landing stage or other structure D so as to support it
above the reach of waves as before described. In this case the outer portion of the
cylinder shield or cofferdam sliding upon the inner one forms an efficient guide_but
for greater stability additional guides G are provided against the braced columns H.
We do not restrict ourselves to the minor details shown on the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. A floating landing stage or other structure having the buoyant portion thereof
protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams substantially as described
and shown on the drawings.
2. A floating landing stage or other structure in which the cylinders shields or
cofferdams are provided with one or more slots or apertures in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as described and shown on the drawings.
3. A floating landing stage or other structure in which the body is connected
to the floating portion thereof substantially as described and shown on the drawings.
4. A floating landing stage or other structure in which the floating portions thereof
are protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams and the body made
watertight and buoyant substantially as described.
5. A floating landing stage or other structure in which the floating portions thereof
are protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams combined with
arrangements for ballasting and counterbalancing it substantially as described.
6. A floating landing stage or other structure in which the floating portions thereof
are protected by one or more telescopic cylinders shields or cofferdams substantially as
described.
7. A floating landing stage or other structure having the floating portion or portions
thereof protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams provided with one
or more valves to control the entry and exit of water thereto and therefrom substan-
tially as described.
8. A floating landing stage or other structure having the floating portion or
portions thereof protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams com-
bined with arrangements for raising and to prevent the sinking of the whole or part
of the movable structure substantially as described.
9. A floating swimming bath supported by buoyant vessels or substances that
are protected inside one or more cylinders shields or cofferdams substantially as
described.
Dated this 94th day of Fobru 1900
M. NOEL RIDLEY.
G. F. BLACKMORE.