Improvements in Floats or Propellers for Vessels or Boats.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1897-Accepted. 27 h Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Floats or Propellers for Vessels or Boats.
I, MAJOR FREDERICK GRIFFIN REECE, of 9 Woodside Avenue, Haley Hill, Halifax,
in the County of York, Engine Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for propelling vessels and boats,
and consists of a longitudinal "float" or propeller enclosed by a rectangular casing
open at each end, and extending in the direction of the length of the vessel or boat.
The propeller is rectangular in form, and preferably somewhat shorter than the length
of its casing, and is slightly narrower than the said casing, so as to work clear of the
sides of the latter. At each end of the float or propeller is a connecting rod, or
connecting rods, which works through stuffing box on the upper part of the casing,
said rods receiving reciprocating, descending, and ascending motions from straps,
eccentrics, cranks, or other like devices.
The action is as follows.-When say the right hand end of the float or propeller is
up or raised to the underside of the top of the casing, the opposite end of the float or
propeller will be down nearly at the bottom of the casing, so there will be an angular
or shaped body of water under the float or propeller, and as the right hand end
portion or connecting rod noves downwards, the float or propeller will press upon
and force out the water, so inducing a strong current of water from the right hand
open end of the casing.
Soon as the right hand end of the float is forced down nearly to the lower part of
the casing, it will be held there through a dwell on the eccentric, crank, or motor,
and then the opposite or left hand end of the float will by liko means be lifted, forcing
a like ourrent of water out of the opposite angle formed above the float or propeller,
and so the motion of the float or propeller is continued.
The reverse order of working the float or propeller will reverse the induced currents,
and the motion of the vessel or boat will be reversed accordingly.
The casing and float or propeller may be applied lineable with the keel or on each
side thereof, or two or more such appliances may be applied to the sides of the vessel
or boat about midship.
Dated this 21st day of April 1896.
BRIERLEY & HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Floats or Propellers for Vessels or Boats.
I, MAJOR FREDERICK GRIFFIN RERON, of 187 Claremount Road, Halifax, in the
County of York, and late of 9 Woodside Avenue, Haley Hill, Halifax aforesaid,
Engine Fitter, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for propelling vessels and boats,

page_text: and consists of longitudinal "floats," paddlos, or propellers, each enclosed by a
rectangular casing open at each end, and extending in the direction of the length of
the vessel or boat. The propellers are rectangular in form and preferably somewhat
shorter than the length of the casing and slightly narrower than the said casing so as
to work clear of the sides of the latter. At each end of each float or propeller are
connecting rods which work through stuffing boxes in the sides of the vessel, suid rods
receiving a reciprocating or to and fro motion from straps, eccentrics, cranks, or other
like devices, driven by ordinary engines.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a complote
description of samo, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a cross section of a vessel having the improved propellers or paddles applied
thereto.
Fig. 2 is a view of one of the floats or propellers.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1. the casing being shown in section.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are diagrams illustrating the action of the floats or
propellers, for convenience of reference shewn working vertically.
According to this invention, I construct on each side of the bout or vessel 1 a
longitudinal casing 2 open at each end, and in each casing 2 is a float or propeller 3
consisting proferably, of two convex metal plates (preferably sheet steel) placed back
to back, and the float or propeller is pivoted at each of its four corners on studs 4, 4
to the connecting rods 5, 5. The connecting rods 5,5 pass through stuffing boxes 6 to
the interior of the vessel 1, and their inner ends are adjustably connected to the cross-
hends 7, 7 in which are sliding blocks 8 connected by wrist pins 9 to the discs or
cranks 10 on the main shaft 11 driven by any ordinary engine, the pins 9 being set at
right angles to one another in their respective discs or cranks. The motion given to
the cross-heads 7, 7 impart a reciprocating or to and fro motion to the floats, paddles,
or propellers 8, and when the front end of one of the floats or propellers is near to the
body of the vessel, the opposite or hack end will be near to the centre of the casing 2,
so that there will be an angular or shaped body of water between the float or
propeller 3 and the vessel, and as the position of the float is reversed, i.e. the front
end moved to the casing and the rear end close to the vessel, the body of water will
be forced out of the casing and a strong current is induced through the casing 2.
As soon as one end of the propeller or float 3 is inoved to the limit of its stroke in
either direction there is a pause or dwell of the cross-heads 7 and then the position of
the float or propeller is reversed, and as the current of wator passes through the
casing, the float or propeller, with a squeezing action, force it out of or through the
casing, and propels the vessel.
The reverse order of working the floats or propellers 3 will reverse the induced
currents, and the motion of the vessel or boat will be reversed accordingly.
The casings 2 and floats or propellers 8 may be applied lineable with the keel and
underneath the boat, or on each side thereof, or two or more such appliances may be
applied to the sides of the vessel or boat about midship.
The action of the floats or propellers will be clearly understood by referring to the
diagrams, in which
In Fig. 4 the right hand side or front is moving down while the left side or rear is
going up, inducing water to flow in onto the paddle from the right and under paddle
to the left.
In Fig. 5 the right hand side has now made half the downward stroke and is
travelling at its maximum speed, while left hand side is just passing the top centre at
its minimum vertical speed.
In Fig. 6 the right hand side has now reached its bottom centre, left hand side is
coming down and forcing the V shaped body of water out to the left and making way
for the flow of water over top.
In Fig. 7 the right hand side is starting on the upward stroke, while the left side is
finishing the downward stroke, leaving a clear course for the rush of water as the boat
continues its motion derived from the thrust of paddle.
In Fig. 8 the right hand side is half way on the upward stroke, while the left hand

page_text: side is just passing bottom centre, inducing a flow of water under paddle from the right
and forcing the water from above to the left.
In Fig. 9 the right hand side is on the top centre, left hand side is half way on the
upward stroke forcing out the water from the top to the left and making way for flow
of water underneath from the right.
In Fig. 10 the paddle is now back to the starting point as in Fig. 4 and has made
one revolution from the driving shaft.
The reverse order of working would cause the water to flow in the opposite direction,
and also the boat to be propelled in the opposite direction.
The connecting rods 5, 5 at one end of the float or propeller 3 are provided with
slots or oval holes for the reception of the studs 4. 4, so that a limited amount of
play is allowed, and straining of the connecting rods is prevented.
The sliding block 8 ensures a short dwell at the ond of each stroke of the diso or
crank 10 whilst the water is being squeezed out by the paddle or propeller.
The floats or puddles are constructed of wood or inotal, but preferably of sheet steel,
and concave on their outer sides so as to ensure the maximum strength without great
weight, and may be made in shape to correspond with the outline of the vessel.
By arranging the engines athwart the vessel, the connecting rods 5, 5 can be driven
by the piston rods direct without the intervention of gearing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of ny said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting the
improved propelling mechanism for vessels, as herein described and substantially as
illustrated by Figs. 1 and 3 of the annexed drawings.
(2.) A casing insido of which is a paddle, float, or propeller 3 having a
reciprocating and partly intermittent motion and combined with a boat or vessel as
and for the purpose herein described and substantially as illustrated by the annexed
drawings.