Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
RIDO DOWODU
I, JOHN G. FOSTER of 1040 Franklin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the
United States of North America, Inventor, 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 improvements in boats, and has more particular
relation to detachable bows for canal-boats.
The invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrange
ments of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and
claimed.
In the accompanying drawings. forming part of this specification, Figure 1
represents a side elevation of a canal-boat provided with my invention, and
Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the same.
A in the drawings represents the boat proper, B my improved detachable bow,
and C the supporting bowsprit or spar. Said detachable bow B comprises two
plates b, b, formed of any desirable material and hinged together at their forward
ends, as at b, so that when expanded and applied upon the how of a boat they will
form approximately a V shape. The rear edges of said plates b bare each provided
with apertured lugs, that are adapted to correspond with similar apertured
lugs a, inounted the boat A and be detachably secured thereto by pins a¹, that
pass through said lugs, respectively. The forward or hinged portion of said
detachable how is supported in position by the horizontal bowsprit or spar C,
which is suitably secured to the upper deck of the boat A, and is provided at its
outer end with a pendant rod or chain c, suitably connected to the said detachable
bow.
upon
My present invention is intended principally for use on the bows of canal-boats,
which are usually of such construction as to form great resistance to the forward
progress of the boat. With my improved detachable bow secured to the front of
one of these boats its forward progress is greatly facilitated and its steering made
much easier because of the reduction of this excessive amount of resistance to its
forward movement through the water.
I preferably construct the spar or bowsprit and so mount it upon the forward
deck as to make it capable of adjustment in and out, so that the relative positions
of the two plates b, b, may be changed at will, thus increasing or decreasing the
angle that said plates occupy when spread apart.
When my detachable bow is not in use, it may be removed from in front of the
boat and the two plates doubled together and stowed away in any spare corner.
When it is desired to attach said bow to any boat, it is simply necessary to mount
the apertured lugs a and the spar C in the desired position and suspend the said
bow from the same.
By the employment of my invention the surface area of the rudder may be
reduced, which would be a great advantage in locking and docking the boats.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1) A detachable bow for boats, comprising two plates hinged together at one
end so that they may be expanded to approximate a V shape, and means for
removably securing said bow in position upon the front of a boat.
(2) A detachable bow for boats, comprising two plates hinged together at one
end so that they may be expanded into approximately a V shape, of a spar or
bowsprit mounted upon the boat and adapted to support said bow in position,
substantially as described.
(3) A detachable bow for boats, comprising two plates hinged together at their
forward edges and provided with apertured lugs at their rear edges, devices
mounted upon the boat and adapted to engage said apertured lugs, and a spar or
bowsprit also mounted upon the boat and adapted to support the forward hinged
edges of said plates, substantially as described.
Jst day of June 1897.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.