A New or Improved Aquatic Game, viz., a Boat Race or the like, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan. 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
5
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICA
A New or Improved Aquatic Game, viz., a Boat Race or the like,
and Apparatus therefor.
GEORGE HENRY WATSON, Plumber of 132 Rodney Road New Kent Road
the County of Surrey do hereby declare the nature of this invention to bo as
follows:-
I construct a suitable tray or receptacle of metal or other suitable material of
any convenient size and in either one or more parts for holding water.
Within this receptacle I construct four (or more) suitable channels or water
courses for the purposes hereinafter explained the said channels being submerged
when the tray or receptacle is charged with water.
Each end of each pair of channels are connected by semi-circular ends or
channels so that the boat floating in such channel may turn from one channel into
the other-by that means I obtain a continuous water course round each pair of
channels.
I also construct any suitable water propellors (such as the fan or screw type) the
same to be worked by any suitable actuating mechanism such as cranked handles
and shafts and the object of these propellors being for the purpose of creating a
current of water through the channels such apparatus for propelling the water is
suitably enclosed such as in a metal cylinder or drum to the inlet and outlet of
which provide suitable flap covers.
For the sake of example I will proceed to describe my invention as carried out
with a fan-like screw to propel the water :-
Such propellors are arranged in each channel in a convenient part of same-
top of same.
leaving sufficient depth for the boat to pass over the
then
Stuffing boxes or glands are arranged on the outside of the channels through
which pass spindles and to these said spindles I fix the before mentioned flap
covers inside of the channel so as to enclose the propellors and on the outer ends of
these spindles I form crank ends and to which I attach connecting rods for opening
and closing the inlet and outlet flap covers at one and the same time.
provide and fix in a suitable position two levers or one to each pair of propellers
and to which attach suitable connecting rods so that by a movement of the lever
the flap covers of one propeller are opened whilst the flap covers of the other
propeller are simultaneously closed-thus whilst the propellers are in motion they
can have no effect on the motion of the boat when passing over the same.
A boat of suitable size is formed for the channels the bottom or keel of which!
I then fix a flattened
leave open sufficient for a lever or tail piece to oscillate in.
cone to the inside bottom of the boat-the apex of the said cone coming up to the
boat seat or just above water line.
I then provide a figure of any suitable form either human animal or otherwise
and grotesque or otherwise with free joints at shoulders and thighs and to be seated
on pivot centres at the apex of the said cone.
A lever or tail piece attached to the posterior part of said figure which passes
down through the cone and projects through the bottom of the boat.
I also provide oars or sculls with pivots and rowlocks with centres for receiving
same and the ends of these oars or sculls are attached to the said figure in
the boat.
Now to give rowing motion or action to the said figure slanting pieces of metal
at convenient distances apart are arranged in the before mentioned channels which
gives the appearance of a turbine or rack bottom and when the propellers are set
in motion a current of water is created in the channels which then sets the boate

page_text: in motion so that the tail or lever strikes against the slanting pieces in the channel
and is forced back and thereby gives the upward or propelling stroke to the figure
in the boat when the boat has carried the lever clear of the slanting piece it then
drops and assumes its former position until striking the next slanting piece as before
and so on right round the channel or water course.
A suitable casing is provided to completely enclose the sides and ends of the
apparatus through casing the propeller shafts will project for receiving the crank
handles etcetera by which the propellors are actuated.
Other suitable means of controlling the inlet and outlet to the water propeller
may be adopted as desired.
In place of a figure in a boat as above described I may arrange any other floating
body or representation imitating any desired action and having any figure or figures
human or otherwise arranged thereon.
Dated this 10th day of smil 1801
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Aquatic Game, viz., a Boat Race or the like,
and Apparatus therefor.
I GEORGE HENRY WATSON, Plumber of 132 Rodney Road New Kent Road in
the County of Surrey 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:-
I construct a suitable tray or receptacle of metal or other suitable material of any
convenient size (and in either one or more parts) for holding water.
Within this receptacle construct four (or more) suitable channels or water
courses for the purposes hereinafter explained the said channels being submerged
when the tray or receptacle is charged with water.
Each end of each pair of channels are connected by semi-circular ends or channels
so that the boat floating in such channel may turn from one channel into the other-
by that means I obtain a continuous water course round each pair of channels.
I also construct any suitable water propellors (such as the fan or screw type) the
same to be worked by any suitable actuating mechanism such as cranked handles
and shafts and the object of these propellors being for the purpose of creating a
current of water through the channels such apparatus for propelling the water is
suitably enclosed such as in a metal cylinder or drum to the inlet and outlet of
which provide suitable flap covers.
For the sake of example I will proceed to describe my invention as carried out.
with a fan like screw to propel the water.
Such propellors are arranged in each channel in a convenient part of same-
leaving sufficient depth for the boat to pass over the top of same.
Stuffing boxes or glands are arranged on the outside of the channels through
which pass spindles and to these said spindles I fix the before mentioned flap
covers inside of the channel so as to enclose the propellors and on the outer
ends of these spindles I form crank ends and to which I attach connecting rods
for opening and closing the inlet and outlet flap covers at one and the same
time. I then provide and fix in a suitable position two levers or one to cach
pair of propellors and to which I attach suitable connecting rods so that by a
movement of the lever the flap covers of one propeller are opened whilst the
Alap covers of the other propeller are simultaneously closed-thus while the
propellers are in motion they can have no effect on the motion of the boat
when passing over the same.
A boat of suitable size is formed for the channels the bottom or keel of which I

page_text: ave open sufficient for a lever or tail piece to oscillate in. I then fix a flattened
one to the inside bottom of the boat-the apex of the said cone coming up to the
ont seat or just above water line.
I then provide a figure of any suitable form either human animal or otherwise
nd grotesque or otherwise with free joints at shoulders and thighs and to be seated
n pivot centres at the apex of the said cone.
A lever or tail piece is attached to the posterior part of said figure which passes
lown through the cone and projects through the bottom of the boat.
1 also provide oars or sculls with pivots and rowlocks with centres for receiving
same and the ends of these oars or sculls are attached to the said figure in the
boat.
Now to give rowing motion or action to the said figure pieces of metal or other
suitable material nt convenient distances apart are arranged in the before mentioned
channels which gives the appearance of a turbine or rack bottom and when the
propellors are set in motion a current of water is created in the channels which then
Sets the boats in motion so that the tail or lever strikes against the said striking
pieces or obstructions in the channel and is forced back and thereby gives the
pward or propelling stroke to the figure in the boat-when the boat has carried
the lever or tail piece clear of the slanting piece it then drops and assumes its
former position until striking the next slanting piece as before and so on right
round the channel or water course.
A suitable casing is provided to completely enclose the sides and ends of the
apparatus through which casing the propellor shafts will project for receiving the
crank handles etcetera by which the propellers are actuated.
Other suitable means of controlling the inlet and outlet to the water propellor
may be adopted as desired.
In place of a figure or figures in a boat as above described I may arrange any
other floating body or representation initating any desired action and having any
figure or figures human or otherwise arranged thereon.
A suitable glass cover may be provided over the top of the apparatus so as to
protect same and prevent tampering with the boats or figures floating in the
channels.
And in order that my present invention may be fully understood and readily
carried into practice will proceed to further describe my said invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure is a plan of a complete apparatus (having two complete and separate
water courses) according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of the same (partly in section) showing the flap doors
and mechanism for actuating same.
Figure 3 is a cross section on line az Figure 1 and also showing a cross section
of a boat in one of the channels.
Figure 4 is a local sectional side elevation of part of the channel or water
course and a boat and automaton figure therein.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
is the watertight tray table or receptacle within the outside edges b of which
the water is contained and held.
ee is the channel forming a complete water course for a boat efretera to float
therein round and round continuously.
dd is an identically similar channel or water course-in all respects the same as c
In the lower part of the channel cc (and similarly in the channel d) are arranged
and mounted a number of striking pieces or obstructions e (see Figures 3 and 4
or instead of upright striking plates (such as e) wires or rods may be stretched
across the lower part of the said channel so as to act in a similar manner to e-a
5 hereinafter explained.

page_text: The boat
has a flattened hollow cone in the bottom thereof. forming a cone
shaped cavity or recess (Figures 3 and 4) such cone rising to above the water
line and at the apex of said cone han automaton figure i (of a man rowing) is
pivoted at h¹.
To the posterior of this figure is formed or fixed the tail piece or lever which
is free to swing in the flattened hollow cone and descends in the channel e to a
point lower than the top of plates e
When the boat is caused to travel round the channel or watercourse (or d) as
hereinafter explained this tail piece (which normally hangs down about vertically)
successively comes in contact with the striking plates e and is thus swung into the
position shown in full lines in Figure 4 and immediately j is clear of e it returns to
its normal vertical position (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4) thus giving an
imitation of rowing action to the figure and the oars and (Figure 1) placed
in the hands thereof.
The boat (or other floating body) in the channel cc is caused to travel by the
following incans :--
A water propellor or screw is arranged and mounted in the enclosure n having
two openings thereto from the water course e controlled by two separate covers or
flaps
o and
P.
The propeller m is revolved by a crank handle outside the apparatus (see
Figure 1) which revolves the screw shaft r by means of bevel gear wheels 7' or
the screw m may be revolved by any other suitable means.
The flap o is pivoted or hinged at s and the flap p at and these flaps o and p
are raised and lowered by the levers o' and respectively which are linked
together by the link pivoted to same and operated by the connecting rod u
actuated by the exterior hand lever a.
Thus the flaps o and p are simultaneously closed or opened by the hand lever u.
When opened the flap forms a dam and completely stops the waterway of the
channel e thus all the water is (by revolving the propeller m) drawn in the opening
under the raised cover o and passes out again over the propeller on the opposite
side of the cover thus causing the whole body of water to How round in the
direction of the arrows.
A link or rod (capable of being disconnected from ) is arranged to actunte
the flaps over a second propeller arranged at the other end of the course as
shown in Figures 1 and 2.
A second lever w (Figure 1) acts in a precisely similar manner to open and close
the flaps or covers such as o and over the water propeller arranged in the
channel d.
The operation is as follows:-
The two boats respectively are placed in the starting positions as shown in
Figure 1 and two or four of the crank handles are quickly revolved by the two
or four competitors thus causing the water to flow round the channels cand d
respectively and thus carrying round the boats respectively either once or several
times round until the race is ended.
As a modification two separate channels may be arranged parallel to each other
(instead of arranged in an endless course-as above) a return pipe or channel
being provided to return the drawn off water to the other end.
Also in place of the boat a human or other body or figure may be made to
float along the channels and caused (in the manner above described in rowing) to
imitate the action of swimming.
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. The arrangement and construction of a water tray or receptacle such as a b
having the two endless water courses c and d therein in which latter are arranged
propellers or screws for propelling the water round such channels substantially in

page_text: the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
2. 1 claim the combination of water propelling and controlling mechanism such
as mnooppy q' r ' u and u¹ with a suitable channel or water course such as
substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
the
3. I claim a boat g having a cone & therein and a figure i pivoted and scaled at
арех of said cone and having a tail piecej depending from the posterior of
said figure substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
4. I claim a tail piece or lever swinging from any floating body in combination
and acting in conjunction with striking plates or obstructions placed in the
lower part of the channel in which such body floats which obstructions successively
engage and operate said tail piece or lever and cause the appearance to be given to
Buch body of either rowing or swimming or such like action substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth.
5. The arrangement and construction of the complete apparatus herein set forth
for playing an aquatic game substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.