AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT AND COMBINATION OF CERTAIN MECHANICAL MEANS OF PROPELLING VESSELS THROUGH WATER
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, WALTER
HANCOCK, of Stratford, in the County of Essex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-first day of March, in the sixth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Walter Hancock, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, His special licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Walter Hancock, my exors,
adiñors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times hereafter during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT
AND COMBINATION OF CERTAIN MECHANICAL MEANS OF PROPELLING VESSELS THROUGH
WATER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Walter Hancock, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and scal, to be inrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next imme-
diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Walter Hancock, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described

page_text: and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, and in the
Drawings hereunto annexed and referred to, that is to say:-
Figure 1 represents the side view of a paddle wheel constructed according
to my said improved arrangement and combination, and Figure 2 a front
or edge view of the same. In Figure 1 so much of the framing and the arms
attached thereto as are outward of the eccentric are not shewn, in order that
the eccentric may be more fully exhibited. In Figure 2 the paddles
numbered 4 and 5 in Figuro 1 are omitted, to avoid confusion of back
lines on the Drawing. The corresponding parts of Figures 1 and 2 have
similar marks of reference. f is a hexagon framing, but which may be of
a circular or any other approved form; a, the arms extending beyond the
exterior of the framing f, to carry the hinges of the paddles. These arms
and the framing are bolted or otherwise secured from outside to outside of
the wheel by bolts b. The framing and arms are kept at a proper parallel
distance by stretchers or pieces of iron tubing p, cut to equal lengths, and
encasing the bolts 6 from inside to inside of the framing. The framing and
the arms are united towards the centre by the arms being bolted or rivetted
to three flanged bosses c¹, c, and c³, through two of which bosses c³ and c³
passes the engine shaft s, which revolves by the motion of the engine only
as far as the eccentric, carrying round with it all the arms, framings, and
paddles, the bosses cand c being secured fast to the said shaft. The shaft z
does not revolve with the engine shaft s, but rests at the outer end in a
bearing 9, and at the inner end over the extremity of the shaft (which is
there cut to a smaller diameter for the purpose), which works concentrically
within it for its bearing, and as such in point of appearance (when the
engine is at rest) might be taken as an actual continuation of the shaft s.
The boss c works freely round; this is the only respect in which it differs
from and c. Upon is fixed the eccentric e, which is shewn with the
whole of its vertical throw below the centre of the engine shaft s, but if
at any time it should be thought advisable to alter its posistion, this can
be readily done by turning the lever which is fixed upon a, and secured
The dotted lines of
in any given position by a bolt through the hole o.
the six paddles & on Figure shew what their posistion would be, provided
the eccentric throw were all above the centre of the shafts, or directly
the reverse of what it is referenced to be on Figures 1 and 2. The lever l
would then be turned over to the left hand, as shewn by dotted lines on
Figure 1. On the drum of the eccentric e work the six eccentric or radius
rods r, which are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and all of equal lengths.
The six paddles are likewise numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, to shew their

page_text: When
connection with the radius rods which give an expanding and collapsing motion
to the paddles during the revolution of the arms a, on: which the back part of
the paddles are hinged as shewn at j. The outer end of. the radius rods r
are attached by hinges to the fore. part of the paddles, as shewn at h.
motion is communicated from the engine by the shaft s, then the framing.f,
the arms a, and the paddles d; all revolve together, after. which the paddles
take successively the expanding and closing positions given to them by the
Any other effectual
regulating radius rods working round the eccentric e.
means of altering the position of the eccentric than that already explained
by the use of the lever / may be adopted. The position of the paddles,' shewn
by the dotted lines on Figure 1, would be desirable on occasions when the
steam power is dispensed with and sails alone are employed.
Figure 3 is a transverse section, and Figure 4 a longitudinal section of
the central part of a paddle wheel, somewhat differently constructed from
that immediately herein-before described. The difference. consists in the
manner in which the motion is communicated from the engine to the work.
The radius rods are omitted in Figure, 3 to avoid confusion of lines, and to.
shew more distinctly the union of the arms a with the bosses c¹; c, and c³;
the same marks of reference are used to denote similar parts. as in before
describing the wheel. In Figures 1 and 2, is an arm upon, which the
eccentric e is fixed; this arm is stationary, excepting when, as before described,
it
may be necessary to alter the dip of the paddles by altering the: position
of the eccentric; g is its bearing outside the paddle wheel, the other end.
resting on a bearing inside: the vessel; s. is a hollow shaft or arbor worked
from the engine by a wheel y. Upon this hollow shaft. are fixed the: bosses
and c³, and with them the arms a, whilst the boss c plays, freely round the
arm. The eccentric is shewn with a moveable. flange. u fastened on with
bolts, which allows the radius rods to be removed off the drum of the eccen-
tric. The eccentrics described in the other Figures have a similar provision.
Figure is partly a similar view to Figure 2, but with the eccentric on
the outside of the framing next the vessel's side, to which the said eccentric
would be fixed; the shaft s running freely through the eccentric revolves for
its whole length up to the bearing 9, and all the three bosses c¹, c',- and c³,
are fixed upon it, carrying round with them the arms, framing, and paddles.
The same letters of reference are used to. denote. similar parts with Figures 1
and 2. The mode of working or altering the position of the eccentric, and
all other necessary matters, having been herein-before described in Figures 1
and 2, it is not requisite to explain them again .here. In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, the paddle wheel is shewn in a vertical position, but it will work

page_text: equally well in a horizontal position if inclosed in a box, as shewn in
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Figure 6 is a view of a horizontal paddle wheel turned bottom upwards,
working in a box, the bottom of which box or casing t is removed to give
a clear view of the interior. Figure 7 is an edge view of Figure 6; a section
of the box is given that the work may be better seen. Figure 8 is a
section of the central part of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a view of the under
side of the box or casing t. The same letters of reference are used to denote
like parts of all. the Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9. The arms a, framing f, paddles d,
and their hinges j, the bolts b, and the stretchers p, are similar to those
already described in Figures 1 and 2. s is the shaft from the engine, which
passes through the stuffing box i on the top of the paddle box t. c, c, are
two flanged bosses bolted on the arms a, and keyed or fastened to the
shaft s.
The cross-stay or bearer 9 is bolted to the bottom of the paddle
box t. In the centre of the cross 9, which is concentric with the engine
shafts, is firmly fixed the arm or lever n. Another arm or lever m of the
same length is opposite to n, through one end of which said lever n the
lower end of the engine shaft s works freely; the outer ends of the arms m
and n are united by a crank pin x pinned into the arms, so that it may be
readily fixed or detached, in order to withdraw a. radius rod..when requisite.
Upon the axle or crank pin a work the six radius rods r, which are numbered
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and all of equal lengths. The outer end of each of these
rods is freely hinged to the fore edge of the paddle, as shewn at h. The six
paddles & are also numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, to shew their connec-
tion with their respective radius rods, which give to the paddles their expand-
ing and collapsing motion during the revolutions-of-the-arms-a,_on_which_
the back part of the paddles are hinged as shewn at j. When motion is:
communicated from the engine by the shaft s, the framing f, and the arms a,
and the paddles d, all revolve together, after which the paddles d are suces-
sively opened and shut through their being either drawn in or thrown further s
from the centre by the radius rods r.. The circle v, in Figures 6 and -9,
represents the hole or way by which the water. comes into the paddle box-t,
and w the trough or way through which it is driven out by the action of
the paddles.
In Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, and next herein-before explained, the paddle 3
wheel is considered and shewn as a horizontal one, but it may also be used
vertically, and either with or without a box or casing, and placed in any con-
venient part of the vessel, and if used vertically the eccentric can be shifted,
as-described in Figures 1 and 2.

page_text: Figure 10 is a plan view of the after part of a vessel or barge, with the
horizontal paddle (drawn to half the size shewn at Figure 4); s, the shaft; i,
the stuffing box; t, the paddle box or case; w, the spout or trough by which
the water is driven out at the stern by the previous action of the paddle upon
it in the box. The dotted lines d shew the same position of the paddles as
shewn at Figure 6. The dotted circle v is the hole through which the water
is admitted at the bottom of the box to undergo the revolving action of the
paddle. Figure 11 is the stern view of Figure 10, shewing the trough w,
before explained. Figures 10 and 11 are merely intended to represent the
application of the paddle, Figure 6, and therefore no repetition of the expla-
nation of the action is requisite. In all the preceding cases the water is
supposed to be admitted or drawn in at the bottom of the wheel, but, instead
of this, a trough or channel may be made from stem to stern for the water to
pass through and under the wheel.
And now having fully described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not claim
any of the parts herein-before described separately or otherwise than as the
same are newly arranged and combined for the purposes of my said Invention.
But what I claim as new and of my Invention is, the particular arrangement
and combination of known mechanical means herein-before described and
exemplified in the Drawings hereunto annexed, which in its entirety forms
a paddle wheel for the propelling of vessels through water, wherein, by means
of radius rods worked by an eccentric, and hinged to the paddle boards at
their front edges, the said paddle boards are caused alternately to expand
and close, expanding at those points in each circle of rotation where it is desi-
rablo that they should oppose a resistance to the water, and closing as soon as
such resistance ceases to be advantageous.
And I further claim as peculiar to the said arrangement and combination
the means provided for reversing the position of the paddles, or adjusting them
to any angle at will, by altering the throw of the eccentric, so that when
sailing without the aid of steam the bottom paddles may be entirely folded
up to allow a free passage for the water, instead of obstructing that passage
as they would otherwise do if they remained wholly submerged.
And I further declare that I consider it immaterial to my Invention
whether the surface and the edges of the paddles are straight or curved, and
also whether each paddle be in one piece, or divided into two or more pieces.
And such my Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
entirely new, and never before used within that part of His said Majesty's United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His said Dominion of

page_text: Wales, or Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, or in any of His Colonies or Plan-
tations abroad, I do hereby declare this to be my Specification of the same,
and that I do verily believe that this my said Specification doth comply in all
respects, fully and without disguise, with the said proviso in the said herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent contained; wherefore I hereby claim to
maintain exclusive right and privilege to my said Invention:
D
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Hancock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
WALTER (LS.) HANCOCK.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid Walter Hancock came before?
our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord'
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six