IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND HAND STEERING GEAR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Higginson, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED STEAM
AND HAND STEERING GEAR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Higginson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd June 1881.
ANDREW HIGGINSON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND HAND STEERING GEAR."
My said Invention relates to improvements in and in connection with the
combined steam and hand steering gear, for which British Letters Patent, No. 3320,
of the year 1879, were granted to me, and has for its objects to simplify the
combined apparatus, to reduce the cost of production, and to render the parts more
durable and more easily accessible.
For these purposes I construct the apparatus, as shown on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings (the various parts of which are hereinafter referred to by
letters), the main features of novelty being (1), constructing the apparatus with
three vertical frames to carry the steam and hand gear, two of such frames being
arranged to fasten directly to the deck without a sole plate. The leading wheels
work on shafts secured to the said frames, and the frames are held in position by
three or more bolts, stays, or their equivalent. (2). Making each piston of the
steam engine hollow, and forming an aperture in the outer end to allow steam to
enter and flow out of the said hollow piston when the engine is at work for the
purpose of keeping the piston rod close up against the crank pin at the end of the
stroke, or in other words providing for wear. (3). Causing the exhaust steam
from the engine to pass through a passage and chamber formed in one of the
upright frames. The steam exhausts first through a passage past a circular valve
into an annular chamber, and thence into a descending outlet passage, so that
steam and any water of condensation may freely flow away. (4). Ensuring easy
access to the parts constructed in accordance with the first part, by providing
removable covers butting between the frames. The said covers are preferably of

page_text: light sheet metal provided with thumb screws or their equivalents to allow of
easy removal. (5). Fitting the main spur wheel and chain wheel on a sleeve
surrounding the crank shaft when such shaft is carried in frames under the
first part of my Invention. The sleeve which carries the main and chain wheel
is preferably arranged so as to act as a stay between the middle and front frame,
and it is advantageous that the trunnions on which the cylinders oscillate should
act as stays between the middle and back or engine frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional side clevation; Fig. 2, a front elevation partly in section ;
and Fig. 3, a plan view of the valve of the engine.
a, b, and c are the three vertical frames, the frames a and c being so arranged
as to bolt directly to the deck without a sole plate; & are the leading wheels, here
shown working on the screw bolt stays e; f, top stays; g, hollow pistons formed
with apertures in their outer ends through which steam flows into and out. of
the said pistons; i, passage in the frame a through which the exhaust steam passes
to the valve j, thence to the annular chamber and passage 1; m, covers butting
between the frames a and b, and secured in position by thumb screws o, main spur
wheel p, chain wheel q, sleeve surrounding the crank shaft r, and carrying the said
main and chain wheels. The said sleeve 9 is here arranged to act as a stay
between the middle frame b and front frame c, and the trunnions 8 on which the
cylinders oscillate act as stays between the middle frame b and back or engine
frame a; u, valve gear; v, lever for connecting and disconnecting the band and
steam steering gear.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Andrew Higginson in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th February 1882.
ANDREW HIGGINSON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED HAND AND STEAM STEERING GEAR."
My said Invention relates to improvements in and in connection with the
combined steam and hand steering gear, for which British Letters Patent, No. 3320,
of the year 1879, were granted to me, and has for its objects to simplify the
combined apparatus, to reduce the cost of production, and to render the parts more
durable and more easily accessible.
For these purposes
construct the apparatus as shown on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings (the various parts of which are hereafter referred to by letters),
the main features of novelty being-(1). Constructing the apparatus with three
vertical frames to carry the steam and hand gear, two of such frames being
arranged to fasten directly to the deck without a sole plate. The leading wheels
work on shafts secured to the said frames, and the frames are held in position by
three or more bolts, stays, or their equivalent. (2). Making each piston of the
steam engine bollow, and forming an aperture in the outer end to allow steam to
enter and flow out of the said hollow piston when the engine is at work for the
purpose of keeping the piston rod close up against the crank pin at the end of the
stroke, or in other words providing for wear. (3). Causing the exhaust steam
from the engine to pass through a passage and chamber formed in one of the
upright frames. The steam exhausts first through a passage past a circular valve
into an annular chamber, and thence into a descending outlet passage, so that
steam and any water of condensation may freely flow away. (4). Ensuring easy
access to the parts constructed in accordance with the first part by providing
removable covers butting between the frames. The said covers are preferably of
light sheet metal provided with thumb screws or their equivalents to allow of easy
removal. (5). Fitting the main spur wheel and chain wheel on a sleeve surrounding
the crank shaft when such shaft is carried in frames under the first part of my
Invention. The sleeve which carries the main and chain wheel is preferably
arranged so as to act as a stay between the middle and front frame, and it is
advantageous that the trunnions on which the cylinders oscillate should act as
stays between the middle and back or engine frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; and Fig. 2, a back view, partly in section, of
my improved combined steam and hand steering gear. First Part. a, b, c, are
three vertical carrying frames; the frames a & c are arranged to bolt directly to
the deck without a sole plate. d are the leading wheels working on the screw
bolts e.
The screw bolts e act as stays to hold the lower parts of the frames a, b, c,
in position, and also serve as carrying shafts for the leading wheels d. fare stay
bolts for holding the upper portions of the frames a and c in position. Second
Part. The pistons g of the steam engine are made hollow, and are formed each
with an aperture ȧ in their outer ends. Third Part.-j, j', steam or exhaust passages
formed in the upright frame a, and leading from the passages k, l, in the trunnion
past the circular valve m, shown in plan in Fig. 3, to the annular chamber n.
o, exhaust passage leading from the annular chamber n to any desired position.
Fourth Part.-p are light sheet metal covers butting between the frames a and b,
and are secured in position by thumb screws, hinges, or other suitable devices

page_text: which allow of easy attachment and removal. Fifth Part.-The main spur wheel q
is secured to the chain wheel r, and is fitted on the sleeve s surrounding the
crank shaft t carried by the frames b and c. The said sleeves and the trunnions
act as stays to the frames b, c, and α, b.
u, valve gear constructed and operating substantially as set forth in the
Specification to British Letters Patent, No. 3320, of the year 1879. v, lever for
connecting and disconnecting the hand and steam steering gear. It will be
understood that the general construction of the gear is the same as that described
in the Specification above mentioned, the essential features of difference being
herein before set forth and illustrated under five divisions.
Having now particularly-described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention in such manner that others will be enabled to carry my improvements
into effect, I claim,―
First. Constructing combined steam and hand steering gear with three vertical
carrying frames connected together and secured in position, substantially as herein
set forth.
Second. Constructing each piston of combined steam and hand steering gear
hollow, and with an aperture, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. Constructing one of the frames mentioned under the first part with steam
and exhaust passages and a chamber, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. Combined steam and hand steering gear fitted with removable covers,
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the frames a, b, c, with the sleevo 8, crank shaft t,
spur wheel 7, and chain wheel r, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Higginson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty first day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
ANDREW HICCINSON
(18)
ANDREW HICCINSON
(15)