Improvements in the Construction of Masts, Spars, Poles, Rods, Ladders, or the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Masts, Spars, Poles, Rods,
Ladders, or the like.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES CHITTY ERSKINE, of The New Club, Grafton Street, Piccadilly,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in the construction of masts, spars;
poles, rods, ladders, or the like and has for its object to produce articles of the
above character at a moderate cost, and in such manner as to give great strength
combined with extreme lightness.
For this purpose the mast, pole, or the like is formed of a strip or strips of wood,
veneer, papier maché, or other suitable material coiled in a helical form and fastened
in any suitable manner.
In carrying the invention into effect and when constructing a mast or the like of
wood a strip of wood or veneer cut in the direction of the grain is if necessary
softened by steaming or otherwise and then coiled on a mandrel or within a suitable
mould in helical form and a similar strip is similarly coiled over or under the first
strip but in the reverse direction.
Each coil is arranged so that its edges form butt joints, and these edges may
be fastened together in any suitable manner by the aid of waterproof cement or
otherwise, and if desired the two coils may be united by means of waterproof cement
interposed between them, whilst in some cases a strip of canvas or the like may be wound
around the exterior of each coil and there fastened by the aid of waterproof cement.
The coils of each strip or the two coiled strips may be fastened together by any
other suitable means than those hereinbefore described, and such as by the aid of
hoops, nails screws or rivets, wire or other sewing or the like.
The ends of the mast, spar, or the like constructed in the manner herein before
described are preferably closed by means of wood or other suitable plugs.
If desired more coils than two may be arranged in the manner herein before
described.
In some cases only a single coil is employed in the construction of the mast or the
like, and the coils are united or held in place by any suitable fastening means such
as those herein before enumerated.
Or, as a further modification the edges of the strip in the coiling operation are
caused to overlap and the edges are fastened together by any suitable means.
Poles constructed in the manner herein before described may be usefully employed
as masts or spars for vessels, or as poles for telegraph or other purposes, whilst they
may also constitute the side rails of a ladder and the rungs which may also be
similarly constructed if desired may he fastened thereto by entering holes therein or
by means of socketed collars embracing the side rails, or they may be otherwise
fastened in position.
.
In lieu of employing coils of wood or the like arranged one within the other in the
manner herein before described, in some cases steel or other suitable material is

page_text: substituted therefor, and the two or more coils are bulted, rivetted, or otherwise
securely fastened together.
By the means hereinbefore described a mast, pole, rod, ladder or the like is
constructed which possesses great strength combined with extreme lightness, and
which is applicable in addition to the uses above named to a variety of useful 5
purposes.
D
1005
Improvements in the Construction of Masts, Spars, Poles, Rods,
Ladders, or the like.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES CHITTY ERSKINE, formerly of The New Club, Grafton Street,
Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, but now of The New Club, Princes Street,
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, Gentleman, 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:-
The invention relates to improvements in the construction of masts spars poles or
the like and has for its object to produce articles of the above character at a
moderate cost, and in such manner as to give great strength combined with extreme
lightness.
For this purpose the mast pole or the like is formed of a strip or sheet or several
superposed sheets of wood veneer lapped one around the other and fastened in any
suitable manner.
In carrying the invention into effect and when constructing a mast or the like a
strip or sheet of wood or veneer cut in the direction of the grain is if necessary
softened by steaming or otherwise and then lapped on a mandrel and introduced into
a suitable mould and a similar strip or sheet is similarly lapped over or under the
first strip but in the reverse direction.
Each ply is arranged so that its edges form butt joints or the edges may be bevelled
and caused to overlap and these edges may be fastened together in any suitable
manner by the aid of waterproof cement sewing rivetting or otherwise and if desired
the two plies or sheets may be united by means of waterproof cement interposed
between them.
The strips or sheets may be fastened together by any other suitable means than
those hereinbefore described, and such as by the aid of hoops, nails screws or rivets,
wire or other sewing or the like.
The ends of the mast spar or the like constructed in the manner hereinbefore
described are preferably closed by means of wood or other suitable plugs.
If desired more plies than two may be arranged in the manner herein before
described.
Poles constructed in the manner hereinbefore described may be usefully employed
as masts or spars for vessels, or as poles for telegraph or other purposes.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully to
describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

page_text: Figure 2 is an end view thereof.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 1 of a portion of a mast or spar but illustrat-.
ing the method of joining the overlapping edges of the veneer.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 representing a modified method of joining
said edges.
Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section representing a machine for construct-
ing a mast or spar and a mast or spar in course of forination therein.
Figure 7 is a siinilar view of part thereof.
Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the clamp for holding the veneer during its
application to the mandrel.
Figure 11 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 10.
Figure 12 represents a portion of the mould and mast and illustrates a method of
fastening the veneer by binding near the heel of the mast.
Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the mould and its supporting frame
separately.
Figure 14 is a plan thereof.
Figure 15 is a transverse section thereof taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 13.
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 15 are drawn to an increased scale with respect to
Figure 6.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a represents a mast or spar constructed according to
the present invention and comprising three plies a¹ a² a³. Each ply consists of a
strip or sheet of wood veneer cut in the direction of the grain and then if necessary
softened by steaming in a kiln after the manner of steaming planks in boat building,
or it might be otherwise softened and the first ply a¹ is according to one arrangement
lapped around a mandrel as hereinafter described in such manner that from end to
end it takes one complete turn around the same and a second strip or sheet is
similarly lapped around the first ply to form the second ply a² but in the reverse
direction and a third strip a³ is then lapped around that a2 but again in the reverse
direction and finally the ends of the plies have applied thereto countersunk hoops a
which serve to tightly clamp the several plies together.
Each ply may be arranged so that its edges form butt joints but preferably the
joints are bevelled so as to overlap and as indicated at Figure 2.
The edges may be fastened together in any suitable manner by the aid of water-
proof cement or otherwise and the several plies are preferably united by means of
waterproof cement interposed between them."
The partly finished mast or spar is now drawn into a mould as hereinafter
described which keeps it in form during the drying of the wood and setting of the
cement.
Or, instead of constructing the mast or spar complete upon the mandrel prior to
introducing it into the mould it may be constructed in the reverse order, that is to
say the first ply may be introduced into the mould and the second into the first and
so on, each of the inner plies being previously coated with a suitable waterproof
cement.
The ends of the mast spar or the like constructed in the manner hereinbefore
described are preferably closed by means of wood or other suitable plugs a*.
It will be understood that a larger or smaller number of plies than three may be
employed if desired.
In the example given at Figure 3 is illustrated a method of fastening the
overlapping edges of the plies.
This is accomplished by means of nails or rivets as which are driven through
the bevelled edge and serve to fasten the same in place each ply being separately
nailed or rivetted in this manner.

page_text: In the example given at Figures 4 and 5 a modified method of fasteuing the over-
lapping edges of the mast or spar is illustrated and which consists in wire or other
sewing as each ply being separately sewn as hereinbefore described with respect to
Figure 3.
Or in lieu of or in addition to the sewing, nailing or rivetting hereinbefore described
the several plies may be held together by means of countersunk hoops in suitable
positions in the length thereof similar to those a' represented in Figure 1.
I will now proceed to describe the method employed in constructing a mast or spar
of the character herein before described and a machine suitable for carrying out such
manufacture.
Referring to Figures 6 to 15 a represents the strip of veneer, b represents a mould
into which the completed mast is introduced or built up and b¹ represents the frame
supporting the mould.
c represents the mandrel around which the plies of veneer are laid d represents a
draw bar which is connected by a swivel joint d' with the mandrel c and passes
through two grooved rollers d² d³ carried in a frame d* and driven from any suitable
source of power through a band d, band wheel d and suitable gearing and which
rollers act to draw forward at a predetermined speed the mandrel c.
The mandrel c passes through guide and pressing rolls e carried in a frame e* and
forced together with a spring pressure by springs e adjustable by set screws e² so as
to allow for the varying diameter of the mandrel with the veneer lapped round the
same which is drawn forward by the draw bar d.
The strip of veneer is at one end temporarily fastened to one end of the
mandrel c by means of wire or other suitable binding a" and this veneer is supported
at the required angle and elevation to make one lap round the mandrel by means of
a clamp consisting of two parts hinged at f* and forced together by set screws f¹
and which clamp is furnished with an eye f* from which a cord or chain f³ passes
around a guide roller g² and at its end is furnished with a weight f* the office of which
is to put the required tension upon the strip of veneer a during the lapping
operation.
The guide roller g² is carried by an arm g¹´ from a carriage or frame g which is
provided with wheels g³ running upon rails h so that as the mandrel is drawn forward
by the draw rod d and rollers d² d³ the carriage or frame g together with the parts
carried thereby will follow such movement.
The mandrel c is separably connected by a pin joint c¹ with a short shaft i and the
short shaft is mounted in bearings in the upper part of the carriage or frame g and
this short shaft i and consequently the mandrel c receive rotary motion by means of
a toothed wheel ¹ fixed upon the shaft i and which engages a pinion 22 fixed upon a
short shaft mounted in bearings in the lower part of the carriage or frame g.
The short shaft i³ has fixed upon the end thereof a bevelled wheel which engages
one or the other of two bevelled pinions 5 mounted with capability of sliding upon a
shaft but fixed therewith as regards rotation by means of feathers * and upon one
end of this shaft is keyed a toothed wheel which engages a stationary rack j so
that as the carriage is advanced by the drawing forward of the mandrel as herein before
described rotary motion will be imparted through the toothed wheel shaft 26 and
one or other of the bevelled pinions 5 and bevelled wheel 4, shaft i³, pinion ¿²,
toothed wheel i¹ and shaft i to the mandrel c.
In order to shift the bevelled pinions 2 into and out of gear with the bevelled
wheel a lever k is employed which is mounted upon an axis of motion k¹ and the
lower end of this lever is forked to engage a groove in the boss * of one of the
bevelled pinions and this lever is by a link 2 pinjointed thereto similarly
connected with a lever k³ at one end mounted upon an axis of motion 3* and at the
other end forked to engage a groove in the boss 25* of the other bevelled pinion i³ in a
similar manner to that described with respect to the lever k.
By this arrangement of parts upon turning the lever k upon its axis k¹ to one
of its extreme positions one of the bevelled pinions will be thrown into gear
with the bevelled wheel and the other will be thrown out of gear therewith, and in

page_text: order to lock the lever in either of its extreme positions a fastening is employed
consisting of a short bar / mounted upon an axis of motion at * and provided with
two notches whilst the lever k is provided with a co-acting stud * which engages
one or other of the notches and the lever k and consequently the bevelled pinions
are thus locked in either of their extreme positions.
The bar is also provided with a third notch (1* corresponding with the midway
position of the lever k by the aid of which it may be locked so as to hold both of the
bevelled pinions out of engagement with the bevelled wheel it.
The mould b is longitudinally divided and the two parts are hinged together at b
in such manner that the upper part may be thrown open as will be readily understood
whilst at the opposite side to the hinge 6 the upper part of the mould is formed with
a flange 63 provided with notches 6 and the frame b' carries corresponding threaded
bolts 65 pivotally mounted at 60 upon the frame 6 and these threaded bolts are
adapted to be turned into or out of position to engage the notches 6+ whilst they are
provided with nuts 67 by means of which the upper part of the mould may be firmly
fastened in its closed position when desired.
In constructing a mást or spar by the machinery hereinbefore described according to
one arrangement the strip a of veneer is first fixed at its narrow end by means of
binding wire or the like upon the mandrel c and the opposite or broad end thereof is
fixed in the clamp f.
After this the mould b is opened upon its hinges 62 to allow of the free traverse
of the mandrel c and veneer a.
The lever is moved into the required position to throw one or other of the bevelled
pinions into gear according to the direction of motion required to be given to the
mandrel c and the sheet of veneer a is thus automatically wound upon the mandrel c.
The machinery is then set in motion and the rolls d² d³ carry forward the draw
bar d which in turn draws forward the mandrel c and consequently the carriage g
and all parts mounted thereon.
At the same time rotary motion is imparted to the mandrel c by the rack j, shaft 26,
and the gearing hereinbefore described, and thus the sheet of veneer a is gradually
and evenly lapped around the inandrel c and the ends thereof are secured by means
of binding wire a or the like as shown in Figure 12.
.
The machinery is then stopped and the carriage g is drawn back to its normal
position by means of a windlass m and rope or chain m¹ connected to an eye ** formed
upon the short shaft i.
Another sheet of veneer is by its narrow end fixed in position and the lever k is
shifted over to its other extreme position and the machinery is again set in motion
and this time the mandrel c is rotated in the reverse direction to that previously
adopted and the above operations are repeated after which a third sheet of veneer is
lapped on in a similar way but again in the reverse direction, both the second
and third sheets or plies being coated on their inner surfaces, with any suitable
waterproof cement.
The ends of the several plies are then fastened by means of binding wire and the
lever is moved into its midway position throwing the turning mechanism out of
gear the carriage is run back, the machinery is set in motion and the several plies
of veneer combined in the manner above described, are together with the mandrel
powerfully drawn into the mould b which has been previously closed and as the
moisture evaporates from the shell or spar thus formed and shrinkage consequently
takes place it is from time to time drawn farther into the mould b by which means
it is more or less compressed and its form is preserved.
When the spar has sufficiently set the draw bar d is detached from the mandrel c
by disconnecting the swivel and the carriage g and mandrel c are drawn back by
means of the windlass m, after which the mould b is opened and the mast or spar a
is removed.
According to another arrangement or method of working the mould b is first closed,
and as each ply is lapped on to the mandrel it is drawn into the mould so that the
second ply is forced into the first, and the third into the second, whilst the exterior

page_text: surfaces of the second and third plies are coated with a suitable waterproof cement
when they have been lapped around the mandrel c.
When working according to this method it may be necessary to employ a mandrel
of different diameter for each ply or a mandrel of such a length that it will give the
three diameters required.
By the means hereinbefore described a mast, spar, pole, or the like is obtained
which possesses great strength combined with extreme lightness, and which is
applicable in addition to the uses above named to a variety of useful purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A mast spar or the like composed of two or more plies of wood lapped around
each other, the laps being in opposite directions each ply consisting of a single strip
or sheet to which is given one turn in the length thereof each strip or sheet being
fastened at its meeting edges by cementing, sewing, rivetting or otherwise and said
plies being cemented together by means of a suitable waterproof cement substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated..
2. A mast spar or the like composed of two or more plies of wood lapped around
each other the laps being in opposite directions each ply consisting of a single strip
or sheet to which is given one turn in the length thereof each strip or sheet being
fastened at its meeting edges by cementing, sewing, rivetting, or otherwise, said
plies being cemented together by means of a suitable waterproof cement and drawn
into a mould co-extensive with the length of the spar and there allowed to set sub-
stantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
3. A mast spar or the like composed of two or more plies of wood lapped around
each other, the laps being in opposite directions each ply consisting of a single strip
or sheet to which is given one turn in the length thereof the first strip or sheet being
lapped around a mandrel and thus drawn into a mould co-extensive with the length
of the spar and the succeeding strips or sheets being each similarly treated and
drawn into the preceding ply or plies said plies being cemented together by means
of a suitable waterproof cement substantially as herein shown and described.
4. A mast spar or the like composed of two or more plies of wood lapped around
each other the laps being in opposite directions, each ply consisting of a single strip
or sheet to which is given one turn in the length thereof each strip or sheet being
bevelled to overlap at its meeting edges and there fastened in. manner substantially
as. herein shown and described.
Dated this 4th day of July 1000
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Rooms 221-225, Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Buildings,
London Agents.