Improvements in Devices for Stopping the Inrush of Water into Vessels after Collision.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Stopping the Inrush of Water into
Vessels after Collision.
1, JOHN EMERY GOWEN, of 84 Rue Lauriston, Paris, in the Republic of France,
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 :-
This invention relates to the construction of collision devices for use particularly
at sea and intended to be placed over the vessel's side when a breach is made below
the water line so that the pressure of the water will keep the device firmly over
the opening and thus prevent a serious inrush of water. The invention will be
best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of a device constructed according
to this invention.
Figure 2 is a cross section of a portion upon an enlarged scale and
Figure 3 is an end view of the device when rolled up.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
This device is designed to fulfil the requirements of a device flexible enough for
practical requirements and capable of being rolled up in a comparatively small
space and at the same time strong enough to resist any pressure to which it is
likely to be subjected. The device consists of a framework preferably of metal
such as light steel, malleable iron or the like, consisting of frames A, each frame as
shown in Figure 1 being of the full length of the device and of a convenient width.
The frames are hinged or jointed together in any convenient manner, the joint
being either a permanent one or if preferred it may be so arranged that with the
frames in particular relative positions, the joints can be detached. Each frame is
divided by a number of cross frames B into squares or compartments further
strengthened by diagonal ribs or stays C rivetted or in any suitable manner
fastened in the frame A or to the frame A and the frames B so as to efficiently
strengthen the whole. The outer framing A may conveniently be made of
T-shaped steel or iron bars; the cross frames B of similar material of a lighter
section and the diagonal stays C of round metal preferably tubular for the sake of
lightness. Any suitable lugs or equivalents such as A¹ may be provided for
securing ropes, chains, or equivalent to the device and it will be observed that in
Figure 1 I have shown the total breadth of the top frame A in the drawing as
decidedly less than that of the bottom frame A, the frames which are intended to
be folded later, that is outside the others being necessarily made wider or the
device could not be folded. This is clearly demonstrated in Figure 3, where the
first three frames are of the same width and the last or outer three frames wider.
The device may be composed of any desired number of frames of any suitable size.
The jointed frame-work above described is covered with a facing of indiarubber
or other equivalent material D of suitable_thickness say for example one inch
bolted to the framing A by screw bolts E as shown in Figure 2, the bolts E
screwing into the flat faces of the frames upon which faces the rubber D rests; a
washer or plate E¹ being placed between the head of the bolt E and the india-
rubber, which is recessed to accommodate the head of the bolt. The diagonal
stays C may be made of any suitable shaped material, bars or tubes, say con-
veniently steel tubes.
Upon the rubber is a covering F of canvas or the like serving to protect and
strengthen the rubber. When not required for use the device may be folded up
as shown in Figure 3 and can thus be stowed conveniently away and promptly
opened out when required for use.

page_text: 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. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete collision
device substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a collision device the combination with a jointed but otherwise rigid frame
such as A of a facing of rubber substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In a collision device a frame such as A substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a collision device the combination with a frame such as A of cross frames
and stays such as B and C substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
5. A collision device comprising a jointed frame otherwise rigid a facing of
rubber or equivalent material bolted or fastened to the said frame and a covering
of canvas or equivalent substantially as described and illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings.
Dated this 9th day of August 1892
JOHN EMERY GOWEN,
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.