Improved Engaging and Disengaging Apparatus for Ships' Boats.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Engaging and Disengaging Apparatus for Ships' Boats.
1, DENNIS HILL WILLEY, of Tynemouth Villa, Lodge Road, Southampton,
in the County of Hampshire, Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to ships' boats, and my object is to provide simple and
effective gear for use in lowering into, and raising same from the water, and that
will not detach unless it is so desired.
My improved gear is so constructed that by means of same it is possible and con-
venient to instantly engage boats to the davit tackles quickly, and easily, either
while the ship is at rest or moving through the water, and to instantly
disengage same simultaneously at both ends, either before or after they reach
the water.
The complete apparatus consists of two similarly shaped fittings, one being
secured at the bow, and the other at the stern end of the boat, to the stem, or stern
post, or thwarts, in opposite directions, a rod chain or its equivalent shackled to each
fitting, and a slip fitting to connect same,-the rods or chains,―together.
In the accompanying drawings which serve to illustrate one form or modification
of my invention,
Fig. 1, is a fore and aft view in sectional elevation at the centre of a boat,
shewing my improved apparatus as fitted, the bow and stern fittings A, A', also
being shewn in sectional elevation.
Figs. 2, and 3, are enlarged fore and aft views in sectional elevation on line E,
(see Figs. 6, and 7,) of the fittings A, A', both the fittings being similar in con-
struction, but placed in opposite directions.
Figs. 4, and 5, are enlarged fore and aft views in elevation of the fittings A, A¹.
Figs. 6, and 7, are plans on top of Figs. 3, and 5.
The complete apparatus is shewn at Fig. 1, in position ready for instant engage-
ment of the rings or shackles g, g',-attached to the running blocks b, b', of the davit
tackles, to the fittings A, A. Fig. 2, shews the fittings A, A, in position when
the engagement of the block rings g, g', to same is being made. Fig. 4, shews the
position of the fittings after the engagement of the rings g, g', has been effected,
and Figs. 3 and 5, 6, and 7, shew respectively in sectional elevation, elevation, and
plan, the position of the fittings A, A', immediately after the rings g, g',-and
consequently the boat, have been released.
The
When it is desired to engage the boat to the davit tackles the sliding bolts C,-
which travel to a limited extent- -are first drawn towards the centre of the boat,
and the rods d, d', connected by means of the slip fitting e, see Fig. 1.
pivoted triggers or devices D, are thus locked in one direction, as shewn at Fig. 1,
but are free to swing towards the centre of the boat sufficiently to allow the
rings g, g', to be passed into the fittings as shewn at Fig. 2.
When the block rings are being placed in the fittings A, A', the triggers are
pushed back, but return again automatically, passing through the block rings,
when returning, coming again into contact with the sliding bolts C, already secured,
thus locking or mousing the block rings in the fittings A, A', and they cannot
afterwards become unhooked accidentally.
The connection between the boat and davit tackles is thus completed, see
Fig. 4.
To instantly disengage the boat from the davit tackles it is only necessary to
let go the rods or chains d, d¹, by means of the slip fitting e, the bolts C, are then
released and can slide one towards the bow, and the other towards the stern of the
D

page_text: boat, into the disengaged position, thereby unlocking the triggers D, which are
then free to turn upwards and so release the block rings g, g, and consequently
the boat.
The sliding action of the bolts C, would be considerably assisted by means of
the rollers f, f.
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
1st. The improved engaging, and disengaging apparatus for ships' boats, or
similar thereto, as hereinbefore substantially described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a boat engaging and disengaging apparatus the combination with the
sliding bolts C, of the hinged triggers D, which are locked in one direction
when the bolts C, are connected together, the latter being arranged to travel to
a limited extent in the fittings A, A', which fittings, are fixed in opposite directions,
one at each end of the boat, the whole being adapted for the rapid engagement and
safe mousing of the davit tackles, rings g, g', or other attachment, and instant
disengagement of same at both ends, simultaneously, either before or after the boat
reaches the water, as hereinbefore substantially described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3rd. In a boat engaging and disengaging apparatus the particular arrangement
whereby the act of connecting together the bow and stern fittings A, A¹,-by
means of the rods or chains d, d', and slip fitting e, places the fittings A, A¹, in
position ready for the engagement of the davit tackle rings g, g', and also for the
immediate letting go of same, after the engagement has been made, as hereinbefore
substantially described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of March 1891. ·
HERBERT P. BLAKE, M.I.N.A.,
70, High Street, Southampton, Agent for the Applicant.