Improvements in and relating to Life Boats.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1899
Improvements in and relating to Life Boats.
We, CHARLES HIBBERD, of 59, Rectory Grove, Clapham, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, and JOSHUA BARTON, of Meadow Bank, Cranford, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 certain improvements on Patent No. 8295 of 1896 granted
to Charles Hibberd for "Improvements in and connected with life boats."
The invention will be readily understood upon reference to the accompanying
drawings in which :-
Figure 1, is a plan, and Figure 2, a longitudinal section of the boat in the
expanded position.
Figure 3, is a cross section shewing the boat as collapsed.
Figure 4, is a cross section shewing the boat as expanded.
Figure 5, shews a detail of the releasing gear for the spring ribs and centre
board.
Figure 6, is a plan of the same.
Figure 7, shews portion of the cork belt uncovered.
Figure 8, is a perspective view of the device for collapsing the boat, and
Figure 9, shews the boat converted into a tent.
The boat is constructed with a central longitudinal frame (A), spring steel ribs (B)
and a flexible rail (C), upon which canvas or other suitable material rendered water
proof in any approved manner, is secured to form the shell of the boat. A cork belt
(D) formed in sections so that it will easily adapt itself to the curvature of the
boat, without breaking when the boat is in either the collapsed or expanded
position, is arranged at about the water level of the boat to give it additional
buoyancy. The said belt is mounted upon a backing of any suitable flexible.
material and is covered with canvas or other material.
Spring bands (E) and (E) are arranged at the gunwale of the boat to stay
the upper ends of the spring ribs and support the rowlocks.
The centre board casing is open at the bottom and can receive the centre board (F)
wholly within it flush with the bottom of the boat so that the boat when collapsed
will occupy as little space as possible. The centre board is connected to vertical
rods (G) preferably one near each end by which it is raised. The said board may be
locked in its raised position within the casing by means of a sliding plate (H)
having keyhole shaped slots (I) formed therein; the narrow part of the slot
engaging the square portions of the rods (G). Between the head (J) of each
rod (G) and the sliding plate (H) is arranged a washer (J¹) and spring (J2) so
as to prevent water passing through the centre board casing into the boat when
the same is in use. The centre board is rounded longitudinally at the bottom
so that if it strikes any obstruction it will be caused to rise.
The boat is stiffened longitudinally above and at both sides of the centre board
casing by the stays (K), (K¹) and (K2) so as to prevent the ends being stove in if any
Din 077

page_text: obstruction is encountered. The upper stay (K) serves also as a central support for
the thwarts (L).
The boat is made collapsable by the ability of the spring ribs (B) to be bent
inward as shewn in Figure 3; the ribs being rigidly braced when in the expanded
position by the thwarts (L) which are hinged at each end to the spring ribs (B)
and are also hinged at their centre so as to fold upward to permit of the collapsing
of the boat.
The boat is retained in the collapsed position by means of hooks (M) jointed to the
ribs and engaging in slots in the blocks (N) fixed upon the locking plate (H). The slots
are open at one end and studs (N¹) project through the said slots so that when the
locking plate is moved longitudinally in one direction the hooks will all be simul-
taneously released. The boat is collapsed by raising the centre board within its
casing and locking it in this position by sliding the locking plate (H) so that the
narrow part of the keyhole shaped slots will engage the square portions of the rods (G)
and then forcing in the spring ribs and connecting the hooks (M) with the slots in
the blocks (N).
The means we have devised for collapsing the boat consists of two curved T iron
or steel arms (0) and (0), Figure 8, jointed at their lower ends to the connecting
bar (P), and having purchase pulleys (Q) and (Q) at their upper ends over which the
hauling rope (R) is arranged. A device such as (R¹) is secured to one of the arms
for the purpose of holding the free end of the rope after collapsing the boat, while
the hooks (M) are being fastened in the slots in the blocks (N). Cross pieces (S)
and (S) are secured to the arms (0) and (0) so as to bear upon several of the spring
ribs when in use. One pair of collapsing arms may be used for pressing in the sides
of the boat or if desired several pairs of arms can be used together.
We can however dispense with the arins (0) and (0) and attach the pulleys (Q)
and (Q) by means of looks secured thereto, direct to eyes fastened on the sides of
the boat (Figure 4). In this case a pair of eyes would be arranged at each thwart ;
one to be connected with one pulley and the other to the other pulley. When one
part of the boat is collapsed and the hooks (M) fastened in the slots in the blocks (N)
the pulleys are disconnected and placed in position at the next pair of eyes, and the
operation repeated until the entire boat is collapsed.
The boat will be carried in the collapsed form and when required for use may
immediately be expanded by pulling the cord attached to the lever (T) which is con-
nected with the locking plate (H) thereby causing the same to be moved in one
direction so that the semi-circular portions of the keyhole slots will come in line
with the vertical rods and thus allow the centre board to fall out of its casing and
project beneath the boat, at the same time the collapsed sides will be released and
fly open by the action of the spring ribs; the thwarts also falling in position.
No davits are required for launching the boat as it can be thrown into the water in
the collapsed form. Upon pulling the cord attached to the lever (T) the boat will
immediately expand and be in position for occupation.
Tanks or lockers (U) for water and food are constructed at the bottom of the boat
and serve to stiffen the frame in the longitudinal direction.
The guards (V) secured to the bottom of the boat on the outside protect
the canvas shell from injury should the boat be pulled over any hard
surface.
The boat (W) can be converted into a tent for shipwrecked persons by supporting
the same in an inverted position upon two props (X) and (X) and suspending an
awning (Y) from the edge of the boat as shewn in Figure 9. The awning is attached
to the boat by means of hooks which engage the band (E) connected with the spring
ribs and is pegged to the ground in the usual and well known manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
Firstly. In collapsable lifeboats, the construction of the cork belt (D) in sections

page_text: mounted upon a backing of any suitable flexible material substantially as herein set
forth.
Secondly. The means for collap ing a self expanding collapsable life boat substan-
tially as herein set forth.
Thirdly. The combination and arrangement of the life boat (W), props (X) and
awning (Y) constructed to form a tent substantially in the manner as herein set
forth.
Fourthly. A self expanding collapsable life boat constructed substantially in the
manner as herein described and as illustrated.
Dated the 20th day of Dogambar 1800
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.