Year: 1899

page_text: I, ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD, of 19, Old Queen Street, Westminster, London, S. W.,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This propeller consists essentially of a device so formed and constructed as to
offer the greatest resistance to being thrust through the water in one direction,
which is the propelling stroke, and the least resistance to being drawn through
the water on the return or idle stroke. This part of the apparatus preferably
consists of what may be described as either a knuckle-jointed paddle blade or a
paddle blade folding or collapsing on itself with a butterfly hinge, so that the
device however the hinges or knuckle joints be arranged and disposed, opens or
presents the greatest surface of resistance to the water on the propelling stroke,
and the least on the return or idle stroke.
An essential part of this invention is the mounting on, and combination with,
such a form of propeller as above described, of a sliding guide running on a long
guide rod, the sliding guide being attached to a pole, which may be worked by
hand power, the backwards and forwards motion of which pole actuates the
propeller.
Referring to the drawings hereto :
Fig. 1 is a general side view of complete propeller with sliding guide and combi-
nation of parts fixed over stern of punt or boat; A is the guide rod which carries
a sliding traveller B, which sliding traveller is free to move backwards and for-
wards on the guide rod A. D, shows one arrangement of the forms of devices re-
ferred to as offering the greatest resistance to the water on the thrust or driving
stroke and the least on the return or idle stroke, and consists of what may be
described as a hinged or knuckle-jointed paddle blade. It will readily be seen and
understood that the knuckle-joint d, which carries the paddle blade e, is so con-
structed as to rigidly lock the paddle blade e against the resistance of the water on
the thrust or propelling stroke, but allows it free motion in the reverse direction,
that is on the idle or backward stroke, the paddle then skimming over the water
which by this means offers practically no resistance thereto. The propeller as
a whole is worked by the pole F. which is alternately thrust and drawn with a
backwards and forwards motion, this pole F being attached as shown by a hinged
joint to the rod g; the rod g passing through bearing blocks on the travelling
guide B as shown, in which blocks the rod turns, thus providing for steering
by allowing the propeller D, to be set or thrust through the water at any angle
which may be given to the pole F.
Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 an end view of propeller to a larger scale, the
same reference letters indicating the same parts in Fig. 1.
The butterfly hinged propeller which is a special modification of the knuckle-
jointed paddle blade D and which if the water be free from weeds, shoals or
other obstructions may be considered a preferable design, can be formed of two
panels (preferably of wood) hinged together and opening and closing similarly
to the covers of a book. This device being carried by the rod g in place of the
077

page_text: knuckle-jointed paddle blade the whole of the rest of the apparatus of course
being strictly the same.
It may be pointed out that the opening and collapsing or change of form or
position of the propeller at each stroke may be simply effected by the resistance
of the water alone, or this action may be augmented by arranging that the thrust
of the pole assists in throwing the propeller open jointly with the resistance of the
water.
A Form of Propeller 1or Kiver Boats and Light Craft.
I, ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD, of 19, Old Queen Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Engineer, 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 propeller consists essentially of a device so formed and constructed as to
offer the greatest resistance to being thrust through the water in one direction,
which is the propelling stroke, and the least resistance to being drawn through
the water on the return or idle stroke. This part of the apparatus preferably
consists in what may be described as either a knuckle-jointed paddle blade or
blades, or a paddle blade folding or collapsing on itself with a butterfly hinge,
so that the device however the hinges or knuckle-joints be arranged and disposed
presents the greatest effective area of resistance to the water on the propelling
stroke, and the least on the return stroke. The propeller is intended to be worked
by a pole similar to an ordinary punt pole, in combination with a form of sliding
guide.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification (which repre-
sents a general and convenient form of propeller constructed in accordance with
this invention, the invention not being limited thereto) Fig. 1 is a side view with
sliding traveller and long guide rod fixed over stern of punt or boat:-A is the
guide rod which carries a loosely fitting traveller B, which is free to move back-
wards and forwards on the guide rod A. D. shews one arrangement of hinge
paddle blade carried by the traveller B; the knuckle-joint. d, which carries the
paddle blade &, is so constructed as to lock the paddle blade e, against the resistance
of the water on the thrust or propelling stroke, but allows it to yield in the
reverse direction or return stroke. The motion of the knuckle-joint d, should
however, be adjusted to keep the edge of the paddle blade an inch or so below the
surface of the water on the return stroke, so as to enable the paddle to readily
grip the water on the thrust stroke.
The propeller is worked by the pole F, which is attached as shewn by a hinge
joint to the rod g, which rod g, passes through bearing blocks on the traveller B,
in which blocks the rod g, is free to turn.
Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 an end view of propeller and parts to a larger
scale, the same reference letters indicating the same parts as in Fig. 1.
The action of the device is as follows:-On the pole F, being thrust outwards
the paddle blade assumes a position approximately at right angles to the water
thus affording a steady resistance to the thrust, the reaction of which provides a
steady propelling stroke until the traveller B, has run to the end of the guide
rod A, the pole F. is then drawn inwards, the paddle blade then yielding to the
water which therefore offers very slight resistance to the return stroke. The pro-

page_text: peller is worked continuously with a backwards and forwards thrust and draw
motion, as above described.
The butterfly hinged device, which is a modification of the knuckle-jointed
paddle blade 1, Figs. 1 and 3, is a form which can work entirely submerged.
It is very simply constructed, and may consist of merely two panels (preferably
of wood) hinged together, so as to open and close similarly to the covers of a book,
the panels opening out on the thrust or propelling stroke, and closing on the
return or idle stroke.
It may be pointed out that the opening and collapsing or change of position
or form of the propeller blades, strips or paddles may be augmented by the thrust
of the pole actuating the knuckle-joints or hinge jointly with the resistance
of the water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:.
-
(1) A form of propeller to be alternately thrust and drawn through or over
the water, formed of hinged or pivoted blade or blades, which alternately assume
the position or form of greatest and least opposing surface to the water, on the
propelling and return strokes respectively.
(2) The combination with such a form of propeller of a sliding traveller and
guide rod or equivalent device, by which such propeller is carried, and on which
it is slung, substantially as described.
(3) In such propellers, the thrust of pole by which they are actuated applied
to act jointly with the resistance of the water to bring propeller blades into
required position or form, at beginning and end of each stroke.
Dated this 20th day of July 1900.