Improvements in Floating Docks, Pontoons, Landing Stages, and similar Floating Structures, and in Appliances connected therewith.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Floating Docks, Pontoons, Landing Stages, and
similar Floating Structures, and in Appliances connected
therewith.
We GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE, of No. 1 Coulter Road, The Grove
Hanımersmith W. and JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK and FRANK STANDFIELD both
of No. 11 Victoria Street in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineers do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In connection with floating structures such as floating docks pontoons and landing
stages that are required to be connected permanently or temporarily to the shore
or to a wharf jetty or pier by levers booms girders gangways or other similar
means, we provide one or more pairs of such levers booms girders or gangways
having a double swivel or hinge at both ends of each of them in such a way that
the structure can be traversed or moved vertically and horizontally and so that
any vertical motion would be a parallel or nearly parallel movement, also any
horizontal travel to swing the structure nearer to or farther from the shore wharf
jetty or pier would be a parallel or nearly parallel movement.
In some cases the levers booms girders gangways or similar connections
are made jointed at or about the middle of their length as well as at the ends.
Dated this Second day of June 1890.
GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK.
FRANK STANDFIELD.
COMPLETE SPULDIATION.
Improvements in Floating Docks, Pontoons, Landing Stages, and
similar Floating Structures, and in Appliances connected
therewith.
We GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE Civil Engineer of No. 1 Coulter Road
The Grove Hammersmith W. and JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK and FRANK STAND-
FIELD both of No. 11 Victoria Street in the City of Westminster Civil Engineers,
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 connection with floating structures such as floating docks pontoons and landing
stages that are required to be permanently or temporarily connected to the shore
or to a wharf jetty or pier by levers booms girders gangways or other similar
means we provide one or more pairs of such levers booms girders or gangways
having a double swivel or hinge at both ends of each of them in such a way that
the structure can be traversed or moved vertically and horizontally and so that
any vertical motion would be a parallel or nearly parallel movement also any hori-
zontal travel to swing the structure nearer to or farther from the shore wharf jetty
or pier would be a parallel or nearly parallel movement.
In some cases the levers booms girders gangways or similar connections are made
jointed at or about the middle of their length as well as at the ends.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1. 2 and 3 on Sheet I are respectively an end elevation and two plans
of the dock. In Figure 1 the pontoon A constitutes the principal lifting power
of the dock and the vertical side B forms a long hollow caisson which may extend
a part or the entire length of the dock. To the vertical side B are attached
brackets D and E in which a number of vertical girders G are pivoted at their
ends. At any convenient spot at the waterside, a corresponding number of vertical
columns or girders J, are fixed and securely anchored. The collars K are free to
turn round on the girders J and are provided with trunnions or gudgeons on either
side.
A suitable number of pairs of booms or parallel motion girders H are pivoted at
each end and serve to connect the vertical girders G on the dock to the vertical
columns on the shore. The dock may thus be traversed in a vertical plane
or horizontally or both simultaneously and is always parallel or nearly parallel to
the shore line. Figure 2. shows the dock when swung close up to the shore or quay
wall and Figure 3. when in its extended position.
Figures 4. 5. and 6. Sheet 2. show respectively a side elevation, end elevation
and a plan of a floating dock fitted with folding or collapsing side shoring
frames.
Figures 7. 8. 9 and 10, Sheet 3 show enlarged details of the method of connecting
the vertical sides of a floating dock.
The
The dock may be constructed in two or more sections so that alternately the
one section may be used for docking the other section for repairs. The abutting
vertical sides of these sections B B Figures 7. 8. 9. and 10 Sheet 3 arc
made with deep teeth or indentations M. M. extending from the bottom up to
the top deck thus forming slides or grooves which permit any desired amount
of movement in a vertical direction. If this vertical movement or play is not
wanted, the hooks N. Figure 9 are constructed on the upper ends of the
alternate teeth or guides. We sometimes provide teeth or guides on the pontoon
as at O. Figure 2 Sheet 1. as well as on the vertical side of dock.
sections of the dock are prevented from floating or being drawn apart longi-
tudinally, by means of the link P one or more of which will be attached to
each face of the vertical side of dock B¹ B". These links are pivoted at both
ends and permit a certain amount of play, so that the sections of the dock
could be allowed to go somewhat out of level as shown in Figures 7. and 8
before any strain could come on the links. Any movement of either section of
the dock out of level would cause an increase or decrease to the clear space at
the joint, so that a level indicator mechanical or otherwise could be actuated
thereby. By means of this form of joint the sections of the dock may be very
rapidly connected or separated. For docks having only one vertical side we
sometimes provide folding or collapsible frames R. Figures 4. 5. and 6 each
carrying a side shoring strut S, these frames when not required for use lie close
enough to the pontoon deck, for a vessel's keel to pass over them when being
floated on to the dock.
A counterweight T is attached to each of (or each pair of) the folding frames
so that when a vessel is safely on the keel blocks and is being lifted, the frames
may be easily swung up into a vertical position by hand or other gear actuated
from the deck of the vertical side of dock. When in their upright position their
top platform is above water and available for men to stand on for adjusting the
side shores.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1
A
1

page_text: parallel girders so that it may be traversed at will in a horizontal or vertical
direction substantially as shown and described.
2. A floating dock in two or more sections connected by links and a vertical
groove or tooth joint substantially as shown and described.
3. A floating dock having one vertical side only provided with folding or
collapsing side shoring frames substantially as shown and described.
Dated this Third day of March 1891.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK.
GEORGE FREDERICK BLACKMORE.
FRANK STANDFIELD.