Automatic Gear for Clearing Boats from their Chocks and Gripes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 4th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1899
[Communicated from abroad by CAPTAIN W. H. ROTHWELL, of The British India
Steam Navigation Company, Limited, whose London registered address is
No. 9, Throgmorton Avenue, E.C., at present on the high seas.]
Automatic Gear for Clearing Boats from their Chocks and Gripes.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M.Inst.C.E., Fel.Ch.Inst. P.A., F.I.Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh of No. 22. Southampton. Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent. Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention has reference to an automatic gear for clearing boats
from their chocks and gripes, the object of it is to quickly and easily clear a boat
from its chocks and gripes with the smallest amount of labour possible, and to leave
the boat hanging by its tackles free and ready to be swung outboard
It is proposed to accomplish this by having the chocks hinged on to a frame,
which frame will be raised and lowered by the use of eccentrics working within the
said frame keyed on to a shaft supported by two brackets, one at each end of frame,
bolted or otherwise secured to the boat's skids or to a bed plate secured to the
boat's skids; these brackets will also act as guides as well as supports to the
frame, the latter having its movements within them.
This gear (at both ends of a boat) will enable one man or even a boy to clear
the boat from its chocks and gripes, ready to be swung outboard, presuning of
course that the boat's tackles are hooked on and made fast hand taut before
clearing.
The frame will be of length sufficient to take a pair of chocks. It will work
within the two brackets.
The chocks will be hinged to the frame in such manner as to allow of their
falling clear to a position below the level of the top of the frame when down to
its lowest position. each chock will have a tumbler-pin screwed into or otherwise
secured on to the outside end. in a position to allow of the tumbler
lever acting efficiently: on the side opposite. to where the chocks
are hinged to the frame, will be hook-brackets for the chock lock, placed and
secured in such manner as to act in conjunction with the chock lock rod in locking
the chocks.
On the outside bracket will be fixed the gripe securing standard.
On the outside end of the shaft the grine releasing bolt will be attached and on
the extreme inside end, a working lever will be fitted.
On the shaft just outside the brackets will be fixed the tumbler levers, one at
rach side.
The workino lever will be fitted on to the inside end of the eccentric shaft in
such manner that when the eccentrics are at their ton centre. it will be horizontal
ond pointing towards the end of the boat furthest away, and when the eccentrics
are at their bottom centre the lever will be horizontal and pointing towards the
end of the boat nearest.
Chock locks, or gear for locking the chocks when in position to receive and
support the boat, will be fitted as follows to each chock. On the chock a double

page_text: • hooked bracket will be fixed, the hooks to be side by side with space between them
for the locking rod top to enter and move freely, the hooks to be curved upwards.
On the bed-plate a rod will be hinged, the top end of said rod to have a key-hole
in it to receive the locking key, the rod will be long enough to place the key hole
in a position to allow the key to enter above the hooks and so lock the rod to
them, when the chocks are in position to receive and support the boat.
These locks are to be on the side opposite to where the chocks are hinged to
the frame..
The gripe gear will consist of a chain or wire of sufficient length to pass over the
boat from one side to the other. The ends will have rings for receiving the
lashing and where the chain or wire passes over the gunwales of the boat there will
be hinged plates; the inside end of gear will be lashed securely to a ring on the bed
plate.or boat's skid, and the outside end will be lashed to a ring held by the gripe
releasing bolt; this. bolt will work in and out of a slotted standard; the standard
to be bolted or otherwise secured to the outside bracket on the outside of the
bracket and on the same side of the eccentric shaft on which are the chock locks.
The bracket will be slotted at the top to receive the gripe ring and will have a
hole or eye for the releasing bolt to work in running through from side to side,
in a position to allow the releasing bolt to pass through the gripe ring and
secure. it...
r
.:
The releasing bolt will be attached to the end of the eccentric shaft in such a
manner as to be withdrawn from the gripe ring as the shaft turns to lower frame
and chocks.
The eccentric shaft will withdraw the bolt and release the gripe ring, the
gripe may then be withdrawn inboard.
The tumbler levers will be fixed to the eccentric shaft just outside each bracket
and in line with the working lever; at a proper distance up, the lever will be
bent off at an angle away from the end of the boat nearest and will be made so
that when the working lever is brought to the perpendicular, the bend of the
tumbler lever will come into action against the tumbler pins on the chock and as
the working lever is moved downwards and towards the end of the boat nearest, the
frame being lowered and the movement of the tumbler lever acting in the same
direction as the working lever is moving, will force the tumbler pins up the
incline of the tumbler lever and so throw the chocks over clear of the frame and
all above it.
Deted the 4th
J
1
1 1000
Automatic Gear for Clearing Boats from their Chocks and Gripes.
12
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M.Inst.C.E., Fel.Ch.Inst.P.A., F.I.Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh of No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent, 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:
The present invention has reference to an semi-automatic gear for clearing boats
from their chocks and gripes, and the object of it is to effect such clearance
with the least possible amount of labour, leaving the boat hanging by its tackles
free and ready to be swung out-board..
"
"
According to my invention the method and means by which I accomplish the
above object are briefly as follows:-
1 F
The chocks, temporarily locked by means of a bar a key in the eye in which

page_text: engages with a hook on each chock, rest on the top of a frame which latter is
supported between two guide-brackets one at each end thereof in such manner as to
be capable of a sliding up-and-down motion. These two guide-brackets also serve
as bearings for the ends of a shaft which stretches across beneath the chocks.
The 'said shaft is provided at intervals with fixed eccentrics, the up-and-down
movement of the frame being produced by rotating the shaft, thereby causing the
eccentrics to force the frame upwards or let at down accordingly.
The chock locking gear is arranged so that it is automatically released by the
lowering of the frame, and the rotary movement of the shaft bearing the eccentrics
also automatically causes a fixed projection on the said shaft to strike a pin fixed,
in the chock and so knock the then unlocked chock off the frame.
'In lieu of the said striker on the shaft and fixed pin in the chock, by means
of a projection on the bottom of the chock and inclined u faces on the frame; the
lowering of the latter may cause them to come in contact and effect the same result..
but by a gradual thrust instead of a somewhat sudden blow.
The gripe releasing device is situated at the outer end of the eccentric-bearing
shaft and is also operated automatically by the rotary movement of the shaft.
The method of effecting this being by means of a disc-crank on the end of the
shaft drawing out a bolt having a slotted link-like, end from its socket in a
standard fixed close by; or in lieu thereof by a modification of this consisting
in the said releasing bolt being connected to a cam-trigger which in turn is
actuated by a chain passing over a fixed pulley on the end of the eccentric-.
bearing shaft.
In order that the invention may be fully understood I will now proceed to
describe it in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of
this specification and to be read therewith, and in which:-
Figure is a side elevation of the gear, the frame being in its elevated posi'ion
and the chocks in place upon it.
Figure 2 is a left-hand end elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a right-hand end elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a left-hand end elevation shewing the outside chock about to over-
balance off the edge of the frame.
Figure 5 is a plan of the eccentric shaft with cams.
Figure 6 is 'an end elevation of the eccentric shaft with cams.
Figure is a side elevation of the eccentric shaft with cams.
Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation of the modified construction of gear and
chocks.
Figure 9 is a right-hand side elevation of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a plan view of one of the chocks, detached..
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the frame.
Figure 12 is a plan taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 8, shewing the inclined
cam surfaces.
In the following specification "inside" means that side nearest the midship
line of the vessel and outside that side nearest the side of the vessel, presuming
that the checks are fitted to a sea-going vessel..
Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7:
The frame a, is made of suitable material, steel, iron &c., and is of sufficient
length to support a pair of chocks; it must be strong enough to support the weight.
for which it is intended. It works within the guiding brackets 6, 6' one at each
end and the upward and downward movement is caused by eccentrics c, c', ²,
working inside the frame, and keyed on to a shaft d running through the guide
brackets b, band frame. The frame a is made openwork or skeleton, and, as
light as may be compatible with strength, and durability, and on the top and
bottom of it are cross pieces e, el and e³ for the eccentrics c. c³, and 2 to bear against.
On the side of the frame are lugs or shoulder pieces f for the chocks, struts. or hold-
fasts g to bear against. when the chocks hh are in position to receive the boat,
to prevent the chocks from moving apart.

page_text: The chocks h h¹ are each hinged or held to the frame a by means of a hook kon
the chock engaging with the key or cottar g in the eye at the end of a bar or rod
which latter is loosely pivoted or hinged at 21, so that as soon as its top end is freed
from the hook in the chock, it, the said har g, rotates on its pivot and falls down
into the position shewn in Figure 4. The chocks hh are then unlocked and
can be pushed over either by hand or mechanically and automatically as will be
hereafter fully explained, and in such manner as to allow of their falling clear
to a position below the level of the top of the frame a when at its lowest position.
Each chock has a tumbler-pin i screwed or otherwise secured on to its outside end
in a position to allow of a tumbler-lever or projection j fixed on the shaft d
coming in contact with it during the travel or movement of the said lever j,
when the shaft d is rotated to lower the frame a.
the chocks are held or hinged to the frame, are hook-brackets for the chock-lock,
On the side, opposite to where
placed and secured in such manner as to act in conjunction with the chock-lock
rod or bar gin locking the chocks.
On the outside bracket is fixed the gripe securing standard m.
On the outside end of the shaft d the gripe releasing bolt is attached or
connected by means of the pin n on the disc-crank o, which latter is fast on the
end of the shaft d, engaging in slot at the end of the bolt g.
The working lever for turning the shaft is fitted on the inside end thereof and
is indicated in these drawings by the letter r: it might of course be a loose key
fitting on the end of a square-ended shaft as shewn in Figure 7.
On the shaft d just outside the brackets 6, 61, are fixed the tumbler levers or
projections i, j, one at each end.
The working lever is fitted on the shaft in such manner that when the
eccentrics c, c¹, c² are at their top centre, it will be horizontal and pointing towards
that end of the boat furthest away, and when the said eccentrics are at their bottom
centre the said lever will be horizontal and pointing towards the nearest end of
"the boat.
Chock locks, or gear for locking the chocks h, h¹. when in position to receive
and support the boat, are fitted as follows to each chock:-
On the chock a double hooked bracket is fixed, the hooks to be side by side
with space between them for the locking rod top to enter and move freely, the
hooks to be curved upwards.
On the bed-plates a rod is hinged, the top end of said rod having a key-hole
in it to receive the locking key t, the said rod is long enough to place the key
hole in a position to allow the key t to enter above the hooks and so lock the
rod to them, when the chocks are in position to receive and support the boat.
These locks are situated on the side opposite to where the chocks are hinged
or held to the frame as shewn.
The gripe gear consists also of a chain or wire of sufficient length to pass over the
boat from one side to the other. The ends have rings for receiving the lashing
and where the chain or wire passes over the gunwales of the boat there are hinged
plates the inside end of the gear is lashed securely to a ring on the bed-plate or
boat's skid, and the outside end is lashed to a ring held by the gripe releasing
bolt 9: this bolt q will work in and out of a slotted standard m, the standard to be
bolted or otherwise secured to the outside bracket, on the outside of said bracket
and on the same side of the eccentric shaft on which are the chock locks.
༡
The bracket is slotted at the top to receive the gripe ring and has a hole or eve
for the releasing bolt to work in running through from side to side, in a
position to allow the releasing bolt 7 to pass through the gripe ring and
secure it.
The releasing bolt is attached to the end of the eccentric shaft d in such a
manner as to be withdrawn from the grine ring as the shaft turns to lower the
frame and chocks as above explained. The eccentric shaft will withdraw the bolt
and release the gripe ring. the grine may then be withdrawn in-board.
5
The tumbler levers j.jare fixed to the eccentric shaft & just outside each bracket and

page_text: in line with the working lever at a proper distance up. The lever is bent off at an
angle away from the nearest end of the boat and is secured so that when the
working lever is brought to the perpendicular, the bend of the tumbler lever will
come into action against or contact with the tumbler pins on the chocks, and as the
working lever r is moved downwards and towards the nearest end of the boat,
the frame being lowered and the movement of the tumbler lever j, j¹, acting in
the same direction as the working lever is moving, will force the tumbler pins i up
the incline of the tumbler lever j, j and so throw the chocks h, h¹ over clear of the
frame and all above it.
Referring more particularly to Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12:
The top of the frame a is fitted with bevel pieces on the outer side, or side
over which the boat will pass when swinging out; these pieces u are for the purpose
of forcing the chocks in a lateral direction as hereafter explained.
The chocks h, h¹ are of ordinary pattern and material, but the bottom is fitted
with projections and placed in proper position for eccentric cams to act against
to force the chocks apart.
The outer chock h¹ is preferably but not necessarily grooved at the bottom on the
side towards which it is required to fall to cause it to fall or over-balance as soon as
it is forced in a position to do so.
On either side of each chock is a hook k to wedge or secure the chock, struts or
holdfasts g to, or other suitable fastenings.
The said hooks are fitted so that when the chocks are being lowered the hooks
are freeing themselves from the struts and the struts or holdfasts will be free before
the eccentric cams take the lugs or projections w on the bottom of the chocks and
commence to force the chocks apart.
The frame brackets b, b' are made of suitable material, and sufficiently strong for
the purpose of supporting the frame a with the boat resting on it against heavy
rolling and pitching movement, when fitted to sea going vessels. They are
situated one at each end of the frame and suitably constructed and placed so as to
support the eccentric shaft d and at the same time support and guide the frame a
in its upward and downward movement. On the outer bracket is fitted the gripe
releasing gear. The eccentric shaft passes through journals in the two brackets,
and is supported by them. On each side of the face of each of said brackets are
guide-pieces y for guiding the frame.
The shaft is or may be also supported by one or more bracket-bearings 62, 63
between the end guide brackets b, and b¹.
Means for lubrication are provided for all bearings.
Assuming that the eccentrics c, c', care at the top centre, and consequently the
chock frame at its highest position and that the chocks are up in position and
locked by the struts, and that the boat is in and resting on the chocks, and secured
by its gripes, and that the boat's tackles are hooked on to the boat, and are made
hand taut; then on turning the working lever r the eccentrics c, c1, c2 will turn
As the eccentrics turn and
with it, thus lowering the frame a and chocks h, h¹.
the frame lowers the struts or holdfasts are automatically released and fall away,
when the chocks are free of the boat the eccentric cams come into action against the
projections or lugs at the bottom of the chocks, and force them apart at the same
time the projections won the bottom of the outer chock h' come against the
bevels and the chocks are thereby forced in a lateral direction, also, until the
grooves are over the edges of the frame a when the outer chocks will fall
off clear of the frame, and the inner ones h being loose, may be either left on or
pushed over by hand.
The turning of the eccentric shaft also turns the releasing gear pulley o drawing
the trigger end of the releasing cam up and withdrawing the releasing bolt.q
thus freeing the boat's gripes, which may then be hauled in-board.
The boat is now clear of her chocks and gripes, and is hanging by her tackles to
the davits free to swing out-board. The eccentrics c, c¹, c² will be of suitable
material (steel, iron, etc.,) and sufficiently strong for their work. They will be

page_text: keyed or otherwise fixed on to the shaft d inside the frame a one at each side, and
one under the centre, placed so as to take the weight properly. More eccentrics may
be used if required by reason of the extra weight of any boat. On each side of the
middle eccentric 6' and on the outer side, or side nearest the frame brackets b, b¹
of the side eccentrics c and care formed cams, or inclined surfaces v which when
the eccentrics turn, act against the projections or lugs won the bottom of the
chocks and force the chocks apart. A lever r made of suitable material (steel,
iron, etc.,) strong enough, and long enough for its work, will be fitted on to the
eccentric shaft d on the extreme end of the said shaft inside; it is fitted to the
shaft in a suitable manner and position to do the work required, without jamming;
and it is so fitted as to lock the chocks when the boat is in position in them.
The gripe releasing gear consists of a slotted standard 'm placed in a suitable
position and secured on the skid, house-top or other suitable place, on the off
side, and in line with the releasing bolt q. This bolt goes through two holes, one
in each of the cheeks of the slotted standard m; on the outer bracket is an upright
block on which the bolt a moves horizontally, and inside this upright is pivoted to
the bolt a trigger cam actuated by a chain or wire round a pulley o on the
eccentric shaft.
When the gripe is held the bolt will be through the standard and gripe ring,
and the wire or chain slack, and the cam pivot close up to the upright block z, then
by turning the shaft d the trigger end of the cam will be drawn up and the cam
acting against the upright post z will withdraw the releasing bolt q from the outer
part of the standard m and so release the gripe ring. Chock struts or holdfasts g
are fitted to each side of each chock, they are bolted to the bed-plates (if one is
used) or to the boat's skid, or house-top if no bed-plate is used, in such a manner
that when free to fall they will do so clear of the frame a and chocks h, h¹. They
will be made to fit into the hooks k, on the side of the chocks, and be wedged
there when the chocks are up ready to receive the boat.
as
The upper end of the struts is provided with a hole or eye g¹ to receive the locking
wedge and below the said hole is a bevelled shoulder, which acting against the
hooks will force the strut outwards away from the hooks k, k
the chocks are being lowered; below where the strut takes the lugs,
or shoulder pieces on the frame, the struts will be bevelled or cut away on the
side that takes the legs, so as to prevent jamming as the chocks are lowered
and forced apart.
The whole will be fitted so that the chocks will be free to be moved apart as soon
as the eccentric cams c, c1, c2 come into action, the struts being thereby automatically
freed and thrown down clear.
If necessary the inner side may be fitted like the outer side to cause both chocks
to fall at the same time and in the same manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An automatic gear for clearing boats from their chocks and gripes, consisting
of a movable frame on which the chocks are held by means of hooks on the
chocks engaging keys in the eyes at the upper ends of tumbling levers which
latter are automatically released on the downward movement of the said frame:
the movements of the said frame being produced by means of eccentrics mounted
upon a shaft which is rotated beneath the chocks substantially as described and
set forth.
HENRY H. LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.