Improvements in Wedges and Steps for Masts.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wedges and Steps for Masts.
FREDERICK JAMES SINNETTE, Woolston Lodge, Woolston near Southampton,
Inspector of Shipping, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is an improvement in mode of forming and fitting the
wedges and steps for masts, so as to prevent the decay which is so fatal to wood
masts at the range of decks and at heel, and in order to carry out my improved
method, I make the wedges and steps for wood masts out of metal, wood, or other
substance, or out of two or more of them at same time, fashioned in such a
manner as to admit of the masts at the parts at present covered by wedges at
decks and step at heel, being either ventilated by means of air currents and spaces,
or preserved by means of a nourishing agent, such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like
instead of air currents and spaces, or by use of air currents and spaces and the
nourishing agents such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like at the same time, but at
different parts of the mast at decks and heel.
Dated this Sanand love of Fahmuan 1880
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wedges and Steps for Masts.
FREDERICK JAMES SINNETTE Woolston Lodge, Woolston, near Southampton,
Inspector of Shipping, 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 object of my invention is an improvement in mode of forming and fitting tho
wedges and steps for masts, so as to prevent the decay which is so fatal to wood
masts at the range of decks and at heel, and in order to carry out my improved
method, I make the wedges and steps for wood masts out of metal, wood, or other
substance, or out of two or more substances at same time fashioned in such a manner
as to admit of the masts at the parts at present covered by wedges at decks and step
at heel, being either ventilated by means of air currents and spaces, or preserved by
means of a nourishing agent, such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like instead of air
currents and spaces, or by use of air currents and spaces and the nourishing agents
such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like at the same time but at different parts of the
mast at deck and heel.
The accompanying figures illustrate the application of my invention, at the same
time when considered desirable downcast air pipes may be fitted in addition to supply
pure air for circulation through the air spaces, and I would have it distinctly under-
stood that my improved mode of forming and fitting the wedges and steps for masts
so as to ventilate and nourish them at the range of decks and at heel may be also
advantageously used at other parts of the masts and other wood spars of a vessel
where ever it is required to ventilate or preserve them from the deleterious influence of
want of atmospheric action at the parts covered by their various fittings and
mountings, for instance it is applicable in way of the cheeks of masts, and the caps of
masts and bowsprits, also the irons and reefing cleats of booms and the like.
Apart from the preservation of the masts and spars, among the benefits of my
invention are the introduction of mast wedges of metal, also of mast coats of inetal
and that can be made as ornamental as desirable without impairing their efficiency,
and these are much appreciated particularly in yachts, they can be fitted below the

page_text: deck as well as above, at the same time it should be noted, those coats can be made
of several other materials, also in one or more parts.
The accompanying drawings illustrate methods that may be carried out according
to my invention, and are not to be taken as illustrating all the applications of which
it is capable and which have already been enlarged upon.
Fig. 1. is an elevation of a mast at deck, a is the mast, is the deck, are the
wedges with air spaces y on their face so arranged as to thoroughly ventilate the mast
by means of air currents continually passing over it and into the air chamber or mast
cont d above, for all wedges are perfect through ventilators of themselves, or the
spaces 9 on face of wedges e may be so arranged as to be filled and kept filled with
some nourishing agent such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like, instead of the air
currents and spaces, or by the use of air currents and spaces and the nourishing
agents at the same time, but at different parts, d watertight metal mast cont or air
chamber in one or more parts that may be made ornamental or plain, this cont
thoroughly prevents any water passing down the spaces 9 on face of wedges, e smiall
vent pipe fitted close to mast and so formed that it can be kept shut or open as a
ventilator without allowing any water to pass into minst cont or air chamber, wood
cant to take watertight mast coat or air chamber.
Fig. 2. is a plan at deck showing mast wedges in place and air spaces g on their
face, or the spaces may be so arranged to contain a nourishing agent as previously
described.
Fig. 3. is a face view of one of the wedges showing a general arrangement of
the air spaces g, and as before stated they may be so arranged to contain a nourishing
agent.
Fig. 4. is an elevation of a mast at heel, a is the mast, & the step, i the air spaces so
arranged as to thoroughly ventilate the heel of mast by means of air currents
continually passing about it, or the spaces i may be so arranged as to be filled and
kept filled with some nourishing agent such as tallow, oil, varnish or the like
instead of the air currents and spaces, or by use of air currents and spaces and
the nourishing agents at same time but at different parts.
Fig. 5. is a plan at step showing spaces i for air currents, or the spaces i may be so
arranged to contain a nourishing agent as previously described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is,
1. The invention of an improvement in mode of forming and fitting the wedges
and steps for masts, so as to prevent the decay which is so fatal to wood "masts at the
rango of decks and at heel, substantially as described.
2. The invention of an improvement in mode of fitting the cheeks of masts and the
caps of masts and bowsprits, also the irons and reefing cleats of booms and the like,
so as to prevent the decay so fatal to wood masts and spars where not exposed to
ventilation, substantially as heroinbefore described.
3. The invention of mast wedges and coats of metal, and the mode of ventilating
and nourishing the several parts previously referred to, collectively and separately all
substantially as described.
Dated thin 92ml Inv of October 1880