Improvements in Releasing Devices for use in connection with Boat Lowering Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Releasing Devices for use in connection with
Boat Lowering Apparatus.
I, AUGUST MAY, of 22, Admiralitatstrasse, Hamburg, in the Empire of Germany,
Captain, 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 a device by means of which life boats and the like may be
lowered into the water without danger to the occupants and with far greater certainty
than has hitherto been possible.
With lowering devices for boats as hitherto constructed there has always been the
danger that an on-coming sea may drive the boat against the side of the vessel and
so stove it in, if the time of lowering is not so chosen that a receding sea will carry it
away from the vessel.
It has not been possible up to the present time, however, to regulate the operation
of lowering in accordance with the movements of the waves, as in employing the
known devices, the boat cannot be released from the tackle until it is resting upon
the water, and in addition to this, a considerable amount of skill is required in order
to release both supports at the same moment. It has therefore been necessary to
attend solely to the casting free of the boat without attending to the action of the
waves, so that a successful launch from the side of the vessel has been almost a
matter of chance.
The object of this invention is to remedy this defect; and it is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a general view of the suspension device.
Figure 2 shews the releasing device.
Figure 3 illustrates the arrangement of the device upon one of the blocks.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the tackle block.
Figures 5 and 6 shew the suspension and release of the chains from the tackle,
and
Figure 7 illustrates one of the bearings of the releasing shaft in section.
As regards the tackle, the body a of the lower blocks is modified by the addition of
downwardly projecting lugs c; both pulley blocks are then rigidly connected by means
of the transverse connection d (Figure 1).
This transverse connection consists of a tube or sleeve in which a rod e is loosely
mounted in such a manner as to be capable of rotation.
A fixed iron frame f Figure 3 is fastened by means of rivets or screws between the
lugs c, and by means of its end flanges g the sleeve d is rigidly connected both with
the lugs c and the iron frame f. The rod e is passed through the framework c-f and
is capable of rotation in the bearing h. In order to prevent lateral play the ends of
the rod are provided with heads i.
That portion of the rod e which lies freely in the opening in the bearing frame, is
provided with a projecting pin j upon which the last link of the boats suspension
chain is passed. This link k is of curved formation in order that it may adapt itself

page_text: to the curvature of the rod. The position of the pins at both ends is the same; that
is to say vertical.
The position of the pins, or rather the locking of the rod e is ensured in the follow-
ing manner: A lever m Figure 2 which projects through a slot n in a reinforcing
part o and which is capable of displacement around its pivot m³, engages by means
of a suitable aperture over a pin p and is itself secured by the insertion of a
pin q.
By the use of this device a boat is released in the following manner: The pin qis
removed as soon as the order is given, the lever m is raised until it is perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the rod e whereupon the lever is drawn down in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2.
The rode then rotates in the sleeve and in the bearings in the walls of the
framework and lugs c, so that the pin j assumes the position indicated in Figure 6.
The suspension chains or the last links thereof then simultaneously slide down free
from the pins. The intervals of time, however short which have hitherto elapsed
between the releasing of the two ends of a boat, have been a fruitful cause of most
serious accidents. By means of this invention, this defect is entirely obviated.
In addition to this, however, the device which forms the subject of this invention
presents many advantages which constitute a marked advance as compared with the
devices hitherto employed for this purpose.
For instance, the possibility is afforded of releasing the boat before it has
actually reached the water, thus enabling the force of a receding wave to be
utilised without waiting until the boat has completely reached the water.
If it is desired to utilise such a wave in this manner, the lever is released,
the weight of the boat itself exercises a tendency, by means of the end links k,
to cause the pins j to rotate and thus automatically release the boat.
It is therefore obvious that far greater opportunity is afforded for profiting by
moments which are favorable to launching a boat without danger than is the
case with the devices at present in use.
A further advantage of the device herein before described consists in the fact
that it also facilitates the hoisting in of boats. As soon as both the end links
of the suspension chains have been passed upon the pins j, the lever m may be
raised and secured and the boat is then fast. Both of the tackles are instantly
seized together in such a manner that neither one of them is able to swing to
and fro separately and thus render the boat liable not to be swung clear or even
to be dashed against the side of the vessel; the hoisting of the boat proceeds
without hindrance as it is impossible that the tackle can become twisted or jammed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
:-
1. A device for simultaneously releasing the suspension chains of life and other
boats when being lowered into the water, characterised by the fact that the body
of the lower block of the davit tackle is prolonged in the downward direction
and encloses a frame f, these blocks being supported by means of a transverse
sleeved through which is passed a rod e in such a manner as to be capable of
rotation this rod being provided at its extremities within the frame with per-
pendicularly projecting pins ; upon which the curved end link of the suspension
chains is passed, so that when the lever m (which is attached to the rode and
secured by means of a pin 7 so as to prevent this rod from rotating) is raised,
the rode is free to rotate in such a manner that the pins ; are inclined down-
wardly so that the links k may slide therefrom, thus releasing the boat.
2. A device for simultaneously releasing the suspension chains or life and other
boats when being lowered into the water, characterised by the fact that the body of
the lower block of the davit tackle is prolonged and such bodies are rigidly separated
one from the other by means of a sleeve d, with which the devices described in
Claim 1 are combined for the purpose of effecting the desired object, owing to which

page_text: rigidity it is impossible for the tackle to become jammed or twisted thereby ensuring
safety in hoisting the boat.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.