Improved Apparatus for Launching Boats.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1895-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Launching Boats.
We, HENRY SMART ELGAR HOBDAY, Share Broker, and WILLIAM REECE,
Ironmonger, both of 71, Cathedral Square, Christchurch, in the Provincial District
of Canterbury, in the Colony of New Zealand, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus whereby life and
other boats may be more expeditiously launched than hitherto.
For launching boats from ship-board, piers, or wharves, it is common to employ
what are known as "davits" consisting of a pair of standards or pillars having
outwardly extending jibs or arms from the ends of which the boat is suspended.
This method has been found objectionable in practice principally because in
launching a boat from "inboard it is necessary to partially rotate the davits
and in doing so to move the boat end wise to and fro in order to clear the standards.
According to our invention we employ a pair of davits formed somewhat after the
common, but instead of vertically supporting the standards in the usual manner, we
provide a hinge at the bottom of each standard which on shipboard connects it to
the deck near the bulwarks.
The hinges permit the davits to be turned inwards and downwards towards the
deck of the vessel where they are supported upon suitable chocks the keel of the
boat normally resting upon the standards with its sides against the jibs or arms of
the davits.
The standards of the davits are designed to act as a slipway for the boat as will
be now described by the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein :--
Fig. 1 is an end elevation illustrating my invention in use on board ship. A
boat being shown in the position it will occupy "inboard."
Fig. 2 a similar view showing the boat moved down preparatory to launching.
Fig. 3 a similar view showing the boat swung over the side of the ship.
Fig. 4 a plan of Fig. 3, and
Fig. 5 an enlarged view of a folding strut.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
The standards (a) with the projecting jibs or arms (b) are preferably made
of iron and are provided with hinges (c) which connect the foot of the standards
with the vessel.
The boat (A) is connected by ordinary blocks and tackle (B) with the ends of
the jibs (b).
The hinges (c) may be constructed in any usual manner, they might be formed
with a jaw (d) fixed to the deck of the vessel, arranged to receive an eye (e) of the
bracket (f) bolted or rivetted to the foot of the standard.
A strut (9) having a hinged joint (h), permitting it to fold, connects each of the
tandards (a) with the deck. The keep (i) is arranged to be moved aside by the
inged portion of the strut in straightening out and then to fall back and secure it
a position.
have shown what I consider the most convenient form of strut but any suitable
olding strut might be substituted for it if desired.
Suitable hauling blocks and tackle (*) connect the davits with rings or eye
olts (1) upon the deck.

page_text: The davits normally rest upon chocks (m) upon the deck of the vessel the
boat (A) being supported in chocks (n) which may be hinged to the standards (a).
When the boat is to be launched the chocks (n) are removed and the boat moved
down the standards (a) of the davits which form slipways for the purpose, until it
assumes the position shown in Fig. 2 with its keel over the side of the vessel.
It will be seen that in this position the standards (a) form levers fulcrumed in the
hinges (d) and a comparatively small amount of power is required to raise the davits
until the jibs (b) project over the side of the vessel with the boat suspended from
them as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
In moving up the standards (a) straighten out the folding struts (g) when the
keeps (i) will operate to prevent the struts refolding, and the davits will be
maintained in position.
The blocks and tackle (2) enable the outward fall of the davits to be regulated
and also serve to haul them in when required.
To return the boat to its normal position shown in Fig. 1 the keeps (i) are
operated to allow the struts to fold; a rope (r) is passed under the keel and carried
to suitable pulleys the boat is then pulled in until it rests upon fenders and
occupies the position shown in Fig. 2 when it can be moved up the slipways into the
chocks as shown in Fig. 1.
The stays (p) are arranged to strengthen the davits laterally and are secured to
the deck and to the davits so as to permit of the operation of the latter.
If necessary I might employ any usual form of lifting jacks for raising the davits
from their reclining position, the adaptation of such power being obvious without
further description.
The essence of our invention is the employment of hinged davits arranged to fold
towards the deck or to project over the side of a vessel as desired, the standards
of the davits are thereby available as slip ways for a boat but there is nothing to
prevent our using independent slipways in conjunction with the hinged davits if
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be perforined, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The apparatus for launching borts consisting of the combination and
arrangement of parts substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. Apparatus for lamiching busty consisting of davits hinged at their lower ends
the standards or pillars of the davits being available for use as slip ways substantially
as specified and illustrated.
3. Apparatus for launching boats consisting of d. vits hinged at their lower ends
whereby they may be folded back towards the dick or cansel to project over
the side of the vessel substantially as herein described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of August 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.