An Improved Slipper for Boards for Fishing Gears.
Year: 1898

page_text: An Improved Slipper for Boards for Fishing Gears.
EDWIN BACON, Merchant, Fish Docks, Grimsby, GEORGE JACKSON, Ship's Hus-
band, Fish Docks, Grimsby, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Our invention relates to a new and improved slipper for boards for fishing
gear's. It is our intention to form a slipper of metal that will save the boards
from wearing on the side that travels or drags along the ground. Our improved
slipper is a piece of metal made into one two or three sections or as many as
may be devised and placed end on to each other the middle pieces being made
the thickest and deepest and the end pieces tapering down from the middle sections
so that it forms a curve thus reducing the friction on the boards by only dragging
on about one third of its total length. The sections are made oval at the bottom
and with a slot in the top for the boards to fit in having a flange on each side
so as to secure the slipper to the board by bolts or screws. By this method we
claim a great advantage over any other that is made in time and work.
Dated this 27th day of November 1898.
EDWIN BACON.
GEORGE JACKSON.
An Improved Slipper for Boards for Fishing Gears.
We, EDWIN BACON, Merchant, Fish Docks, Grimsby, in the County of Lincoln-
shire, and GEORGE JACKSON, Ships Husband, Fish Dock, Grimsby, aforesaid, 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 follow-
ing statement:
Our invention relates to a new and improved construction of metal slipper for
what are commonly known as otter boards" for use with trawl nets, and has for
its object to produce a slipper or shoe which will keep the board in an upright
position in the water during trawling operations, and allow it to be drawn along
with as little friction as possible there being no sharp edges to catch against
obstacles on the sea bottom, thus effecting a considerable saving in fuel and
reducing the wear and tear on the engines and gear.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a side view of an otter board with our invention applied.
Fig. 2 represents an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents a plan view of one of the sections of the slipper when it is

page_text: made up of more than one piece, and drawn to a larger scale than the preceding
views, and
Fig. 4 represents an end view of Fig. 3 showing the larger end of the section.
For the purpose of our invention we make our improved slipper or shoe either
in one piece of the desired length to fit the board A in connection with which it
is being used or in two, three or more sections B placed end on to each other,
the middle of the slipper (whether such slipper is made in one piece or in
sections) being made the thickest and deepest, the end pieces tapering down
from the middle so that the slipper forms a curve, the end being curved in an
upward direction by this means only about two thirds of the total length of the
slipper touches the ground during trawling operations, thereby considerably
reducing the friction on the boards.
In section the slipper is made oval or rounded at the bottom with upright
flanges or side pieces C forming a slot D for the board to fit within, and may be
chased or hollowed longitudinally to form a groove or grooves E tapering off
as they get to the reduced curved ends, this grooving being for the purpose of
lightening the slipper the only thick or heavy parts required being the bottom
parts of the middle of the slipper which come in contact with the sea bottom
during trawling operations see Fig. 4. When the slipper is made up of two or
more sections or pieces they may be made to more securely engage with each
other by means of lips and recesses, cach piece having a lip F on it to engage
with a recess G in the piece next to it, the lips and recesses being so arranged
that the sections are interchangeable.
The slipper is secured to the board by means of bolts H or the like, and if
desired the ends of the bottom of the board may be rounded to conform to the
curve of the slipper.
Having now particularly described. and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In connection with otter boards for trawl nets, the employment of a slipper
either in one piece or in several sections, to form a continual curve longitudinally
on the bottom of the board, and being thicker and deeper in the middle by
preference, than at the ends, and secured to the board by means of bolts or other
suitable device, in the manner and for the purposes, substantially as shown
and described.
2. Forming slippers for otter boards with rounded sides and upright flanges
and with or without longitudinal grooves, in the manner and for the purposes
substantially as shown and described.
1900
JOHN E. WALSH,
Crossley Street, Halifax, and Savile Street, Hull,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.