Improvements in Buoys.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Buoys.
I, RICHARD ANDERSON, of 5, Argyle Street, Goole, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The object of my invention is to construct buoys which may be placed in any
dangerous part of the sea or tidal water where it is necessary to warn ships
and the like from approaching such dangerous parts.
My buoy is constructed in the shape of a floating ship or vessel of any desired
outward shape having an opening therein in which is placed a wheel having
wings at distances around the same which are so operated upon by the tidal
waters as to revolve the said wheel. All or any number of the said wings may
have projecting fingers or strikers thereon which strike a bell or gong placed
adjacent thereto on the said buoy.
The said buoys have the required air-tight chambers so that they float.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Royal Exchange Chambers. Boar Lane, Leeds,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.

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this
immediately over and opens into the race B, so that the said paddle-wheel is
continuously revolved by the action of the river current or the ebb and flow
of the tide. A catch E is fixed to one of the floats of the paddle-wheel C:
catch works within a central groove l' in the paddle box D, so that at each
revolution of the wheel it comes into contact with and operates a spring catch G,
which is rigidly mounted on a shaft H and is bolted to the hammer or striker K
of the bell L. The said shaft H, on being actuated by the catches E and G,
compresses a spring M in a cylinder X, which is mounted on deck in any suitable
manner.
On the catch G being released the shaft H springs back with great force
against a spring stop or buffer P in a second cylinder R, causing the hammer K
to strike the hell L, which is suspended from a suitable standard S.
The bell is thus rung automatically at regular intervals, giving an effectual
warning to vessels in the vicinity.
The cylinders N and R have preferably detachable caps T, which are held in
position by studs or other means.
In place of the striking mechanism as before described, bell crank levers or
any other suitable mechanism operated from the paddle-wheel may be employed.
The shaft V of the paddle-wheel works in adjustable hardened centres, which
are kept constantly lubricated by the dripping water.
A catcher W may be fixed to the bow of the ship to prevent wreckage or
other floating matter passing into the race and interfering with the working
of the wheel.
If a distinctive warning is required, two or more catches E may be arranged
at irregular intervals on the paddle wheel, thus giving a double or treble ring
for each revolution of the wheel or two or three smaller bells of varying tone
may be employed, each operated by a separate catch.
My improved buoy, being tanked all round, may if desired be arranged as a
light-ship, in addition to the bell action.
The buoy will work for a long period without requiring attention, as the
working parts are so few and simple.
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 I
claim is
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1. In a buoy for locating rocks, shoals, or the like, the employment of a
paddle-wheel operated by the tidal or river current so as to actuate the striker
of a bell, substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination, with a ship or vessel of any suitable type, of the longi-
tudinal race B. paddle wheel C with projecting catch (or catches) E, spring
catch G, shaft H working in spring cylinders N and R (or equivalent mechanism),
hammer K, and hell L, all arranged and operated substantially as, and for the
purposes, shown and described.
Dated this 9th day of February 1899.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Royal Exchange Chambers, Boar Lane, Leeds,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.