Improved Device for Automatically Releasing Ships' Sails.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Fah 18u3 Accented 6th May 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Automatically Releasing Ships' Sails.
I, JOHN HENRY NORTHCOTT 7 Laird Bridge Terrace Plymouth Devon
Market Gardener, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to devices for self releasing ships sails at a predetermined
wind pressure upon the sails or predetermined angle of the vessel.
This invention consists of a weighted piece with a semi-circular or other shaped
top which is pivottally supported in any convenient part of the vessel.
The pulley to which the sails are secured runs free over or upon the said semi-
circular or other shaped top, which is retained in a vertical position by means of
the weighted shank. The action is as follows. When the vessel leans too much
upon one side the semi-circular or other arm moves, and in doing so frees the pulley
& sails.
Dated this 15th dor of Sentember 1892
E. EATON,
Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Automatically Releasing Ships' Sails.
I, JOHN HENRY NORTHCOTT 7 Laird Bridge Terrace Plymouth Devon
Market Gardener 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 devices for automatically releasing ships sails at a
predetermined wind pressure upon the sails or predetermined angle of the
vessel.
This invention consists of a weighted piece with a semi-circular or other shaped
top which is pivotably supported in any convenient part of the vessel.
The pulley to which the sails are secured runs free over or upon the said semi-
circular or other shaped top, which is retained in a vertical position by means of
the weighted shank. The action is as follows. When the vessel leans too much
upon one side, the semi-circular or other arm moves, and in doing so frees the pulley
and sails.
Referring to the annexed drawings,
Figure is a sectional elevation of the stern of a ship with my invention
applied.
Figure 2. plan view of my invention.
Figure 3. section through swinging piece.
This
The swinging
Referring to Figure 1, a is the swinging piece pivotted at b to the rod c.
rod is supported at d and carries the counter-balancing weight e.
A hook m attached to the
piece a has a projecting rim f. which is cut away at g.
ordinary pulley block which secures the yard h engages upon the rim f. i i are two
shields or guide pieces which are movably attached to the deck & may be raised or
lowered by any well known means, such as a slot and screw bolt action.
two screw pegs or studs attached to the shields i, i.
n, n, are
These bolts or studs n, work
in the slots o, o, in plates p, p, which are bolted to the deck j; nuts q, q, are
employed to secure the bolts or studs. It will be seen that by this means the
shield may be secured at a desired height, by raising or lowering same & then
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page_text: tightening the nuts q. If desired the shields may be bolted to the deck and the
raising and lowering mechanism dispensed with.
jis the deck which is cut away in Figure 2 for clearness, k is the mast. I the
rope for connecting the yard h to hook m. The action is as follows:-When
the ship leans over to a predetermined angle, the openings g in the rim fallow the
hook m to slip off, owing to the swinging piece retaining its original position ;
the guide pieces or shields inclining with the vessel & so allowing the hook to
escape through the spaces g. The hook may be provided with friction rollers if
desired.
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. The combined construction and arrangement of the apparatus in combination
with a ship or boat substantially as described.
2. The method and apparatus for automatically releasing ships' sails, consisting
of a weighted piece a having a rim pivoted about the centre and provided with
openings or spaces and shields or guide pieces i, i, a counterpoise or weight and
hook m, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of February 1893.
E. EATON,
Patent Agent.