Improvements in Boat Detaching Devices.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boat Detaching Devices.
I, HENRY ASHFORD, of No. 1322 North 23rd Street, Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, United States of America, Inventor, 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 :-
My invention consists of a novel construction of a boat detaching apparatus,
whereby the same is effective and reliable in operation compact, strong, durable and
steady, and provided with guards for preventing improper or accidental operation
of the apparatus, as will be hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 represents a top or plan view of a boat detaching apparatus embodying
my invention.
Figure 2 represents a partial side elevation and partial vertical section thereof.
Figure 3 represents a vertical section of a detached portion, showing the
unlocking of one of the hooks of the apparatus.
Figure 4 represents a top or plan view on a reduced scale.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates a boat of usual construction, and B designates a bar or beam which
extends in the longitudinal direction of the boat, and is supported in any suitable
manner thereon.
To the plate B' which is secured to the beam, is pivoted the lever C, to which
near the fulcrum thereof, are pivoted the links D, the latter being pivoted to the
elbow levers E, whose bearings are on the ears F on the underside of the
plate B¹.
G designates rods which extend longitudinally beneath the beam, and have the
inner ends freely connected with the lower limbs of the elbow levers E, and carry
at the outer ends the bolts H, which are guided in horizontal openings in heads J,
which are located at opposite ends of the boat.
To the heads are secured the tubes K, through which the rods C, pass, and within
each of which is a coiled or other spring L, the tendency of which is to force the
respective bolt H in outward direction.
To the heads J are pivoted the hooks M, which receive the rings M' of the ropes
or chains by which the boat is suspended from the davits.
On the heel of each hook, near the fulcrum thereof, is a shoulder N, which is
adapted to be engaged by the relative bolt H, thus locking or controlling the hook,
as will be seen in Figure 2.
Projecting from the axial portion of each hook is a radial arm P, which occupies
a position within an opening in the head J, the walls of said opening being segmental
and according with the outer end of the arm, so that said end rides on said wall
when motion is imparted to the hook it being also noticed that the outer end of the
hook is adapted to enter the opening of the head, whereby it is covered or not
exposed, as will be seen in Figure 2.
The heads J are supported on tubular standards Q, which rest on the knee or a
beam R below the beam B, and through which are passed the bolts S, whose upper
ends are screwed to the heads J, and whose lower ends are riveted to the beam R
by which provision the heads and attached parts are firmly sustained, and likewise
strongly connected with the boat.
In the beam B is an opening T to receive the free end of the lever C when in
lowered position, whereby said end is covered, whereby improper operation of the
lever by blows etc. is prevented.
Portions of the heads J project upwardly through the openings U in the beam B,

page_text: so that the hooks M occupy the proper operative position both for disengagemen
and engagement of the rings M.
The operation is as follows:
The boat is suspended from the ship's davits, the rings M' receiving the hooks M
and the latter being held in locked position by the bolts H, all as will be seen in
Figure 2. When the boat is to be detached, the lever C is raised whereby the
rods G are operated, and the bolts H simultaneously shot back or withdrawn from
the shoulders N of the hooks. As the hooks are now unlocked they are permitted
to rotate or turn upwardly and inwardly, thus slipping through the rings M' and
entirely clearing the same, as will be seen in Figure 3, the boat thus being
detached.
In order to connect the boat with the ropes or chains of the davits, each ring M¹
is presented to its hook and caused to strike the arm P. The hook is thus rotated
or turned, the operation being assisted by hand if desired the motion being outward
and downward, whereby the hook enters the ring.
The heel of the book bears against the bolt H, and forces back the same when
the bolt springs into the shoulder N, thus again locking the hook, the parts being
in the position shown in Figure 2, ready for further detachment of the boat when
so required.
The arms P serve to steady the hooks in their motions and relieve the axes thereof
of strain when the boat is suspended from the davits, the weight of the boat being
primarily sustained by the hooks.
The openings in the heads J in which the arms P and ends of the hooks M have
their play are open from top to bottom, in order to cause water to flow freely
through the same, and prevent the lodgement of obstacles of any kind.
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 :-
First. A boat-detaching apparatus consisting of hooks, bolts adapted to engage
with said hooks, rods carrying said bolts, elbow levers connected with said rods,
and an operating lever pivotally attached to said levers by means of intermediate
links, said parts being combined substantially as described.
Second. A boat-detaching apparatus having a head on which the attaching hook
is mounted, said head having an opening the wall of which is adapted to cover the
end of the hook, substantially as described.
Third. A boat-detaching apparatus having a head on which an attaching hook is
mounted, said hook being provided with a radial arm which is movable in an
opening in said head, the wall of said opening being segmental, substantially as
described.
Fourth. A boat-detaching apparatus having heads with hooks mounted thereon,
and tubes connected therewith, rods passed through said tubes and carrying bolts
adapted to engage with said heads, springs in the tubes bearing against said rods
to force the bolts against the heads, an operating lever and mechanisin intermediate
of said lever and rods, whereby the rods are moved, the parts named being combined
substantially as described.
Fifth. In a boat-detaching apparatus operating substantially as described, a head
having vertical openings for the hooks with which the ropes or chains of the ships
davits are connected, and horizontal openings for the bolts which lock said hooks,
said vertical openings extending entirely through the head, substantially as
described.
Dated this 21st day of July 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.