Improvements in Ammunition Hoists for Ships.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ammunition Hoists for Ships.
I, WESLEY RHODES, residing at No. 3558 Retta Avenue, in the City and County
of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Draughtsman,
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 relates in general to hoists employed on ships to raise and lower
merchandise, and other articles, between the various decks, or between the hold and
any particular deck, and relates, particularly, to the class of devices which are
employed upon battleships and known as ammunition hoists, and which are
mechanisms operating by the aid of endless chains or equivalent carriers to raise
ammunition from the magazine or handling room of a ship to any one of its decks.
The object of my invention is the construction of a ship's hoist, particularly
adapted for the handling of ammunition boxes and operative between the magazine
or handling room and any particular deck,-which shall be so organized and arranged
that when it is not in use, the discharging hatch of the discharge or delivery deck
with which the hoist operates may be closed by a scuttle or cover which shall leave
the deck flush and free from all obstruction ;-in which, also, provision is made for
maintaining the endless elevating chains tight, and for adjusting them when they
become slackened, without interference with the motive or driving gearing ;--in which,
also, efficient provision is made against the liability of the boxes, in the movement of
the ship, to fail to enter the tube or casing of the hoist, to fall from the hoist, or to
become jammed with respect to the various hatch or other openings through which
the hoist carrier may extend;-in which, also, special facility is afforded not only for
elevating, but also for lowering, the boxes or shells from the deck to the magazine or
handling room;-and, which, finally, while being light, simple, and inexpensive in
construction, shall not only occupy less space than hoists heretofore used, and be
adapted to be set up for working either "fore or aft" or athwart-ships," but shall
also be less liable to be damaged by the shot of an enemy.
*
A hoist embodying my improvements is represented in the accompanying drawings,
in Figures 1 and 2 as having its motive power applied to its upper end, and in the
other figures to its lower end,--and is hereinafter described, the particular subject-
Inatter which I claim as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly sectional, of a hoist embodying my improvements,
and particularly adapted for application between two adjacent decks.
Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the same, sight being taken from the left
hand side of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view o the lower portion of the hoist, illustrating the
application to the hoist casing of the deflecting plate.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary end or face view of the deflecting plate represented in
Figure 3.

page_text: Figure 5 is a sectional plan view of the basal portion of the devices represented
in Figure 3, section being supposed in the plane of the dotted line 5-5 upon said
Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the chain-adjusting devices
represented in Figure 5, the section being supposed in the plane of the dotted
line 6-6 upon said Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a fragmentary side sectional elevation of the upper portion of the hoist
the lower portion of which is represented in Figure 3, the scuttle being removed and
the discharge plate being in its elevated or working position.
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of the same parts, with the scuttle in place
within the hatch and the discharge plate dropped and out of operative position.
Figure 9 is a fragmentary and sectional elevational view of the parts represented
in Figure 7, viewed from the left-hand side of said Figure, and section being supposed
through the shaft-boxings of shaft 3, and through the casing N.
Figure 10 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly sectional, of a portion of the parts
represented in Figures 7 and 9, section being supposed in the plane of the dotted
lines 10-10 upon said Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a view in perspective of one of the carrying or hoisting plates.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
In the drawings,
A represents the magazine deck and A¹ the delivery or discharge deck of a ship,
between which my hoisting devices are shown applied.
Referring, for simpler explanation, first, to the construction represented in
in Figures 1 and 2,-B BX are a pair of parallel correspondent endless chains which
together constitute the lifting carrier or elevating mechanism proper of the apparatus,
and which are adapted to be continuously operated to travel in one direction.
I prefer to employ chains of the sprocket type, but do not exclude other forms of
chain, or endless ropes, belts, or kindred mechanical elevating devices.
CC are a pair of parallel correspondent sprocket wheels, which I term the upper
sprocket wheels, and which are mounted at a desired distance apart upon a shaft c,
which in the typical construction of Figures 1 and 2, now particularly under discussion,
happens to be a driving shaft, suitably housed, conveniently in fixed boxings c¹,
immediately below the delivery deck.
D DX are a pair of parallel correspondent sprocket wheels, which I term the lower
sprocket wheels, preferably counterparts of the sprocket wheels C Cx, and which are
mounted at a desired distance apart upon a shaft d which in the typical construction
of Figures 1 and 2 happens to be a driven shaft suitably housed, conveniently in
adjustable boxings d' mounted in box guide ways (2, formed in standards (³, or other
base framework, erected from the magazine deck or otherwise as convenience of con-
struction may dictate, so as to be easily adjustable by means of such a typical
adjusting device as the bolts d', to take up the slack of the endless sprocket
chains B Bx which are respectively bent upon and driven by the respective sets of
sprocket wheels CD and C* D*.
In the construction represented in Figures 3 to 11 in which, as already mentioned.
the lower sprocket shaft, designated cx, is the chain-driving shaft, and the upper
sprocket shaft c³ the driven shaft, the chain-adjusting devices are applied to the
lower shaft, are particularly represented in Figures 5 and 6, and are of such
construction that the driving shaft cx takes its power through a toothed spur wheel c
mounted upon it and engaging with a counter spur wheel co on a counter shaft which
I term the motor shaft. c.
In this arrangement the adjustable boxings d' of the driving shaft are made of
segmental form, and are mounted in corresponding segmentally-formed box guide
ways formed in the base framework of the hoist as an entirety and struck upon a
radius sprung from the counter or motor shaft as an axis, and are adjustable by means
of such typical adjusting devices as the bolts d', all as represented in said
Figures 5 and 6.
This arrangement permits of the adjusting of the chain from the bottom without

page_text: affecting the constant engagement of the toothed spur wheels c³ c', which, as
explained, impart the movement to the endless carrier from the counter or motor
shaft c³.
Although I prefer to apply the driving and adjusting devices last above described
to the lower end of the carrier, it is obvious that they may be applied to the upper
end, and it is likewise manifestly true that the equivalent worm-driving gear repre-
sented in Figures 1 and 2 as applied to the upper end of the carrier, may, if desired,
be applied to the lower end.
E is a loading platform, of any preferred character, disposed in adjacency to the
lower portion or receiving end of the carrying chains, over the surface of which the
ammunition boxes F are passed for delivery upon the carrying or hoisting plates b,
which, in any desired manner, are fixedly connected with the endless chains, and
which, extending transversely of said chains, are employed in any desired number
after the manner of chain buckets, so to speak, to act as the elevating instrumentalities
of the chain, for the elevation of the ammunition boxes or other load.
Although the form of the carrying plate is immaterial, and the simplest possible
typical construction is that represented in Figures 1 and 2, I find it convenient to
nake these plates of the form particularly show in Figures 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 11.
That is to say, I cut away the top of carrying surface of the plate as an entirety
in such manner as to form a central opening 6*, so as to cause the plate, in effect, to
be constituted by two flat projecting parallel arms, or more strictly, ledges or
top shelves, to which the letters 6 are applied, and which are adapted in the
movement of the chains to receive the boxes and pass through slots ', in Figure 10,
in the discharge plate K, hereinafter referred to, and also pass outside of the
forwardly projecting delivery plate of the loading platform, as represented in
Figure 5, and in which side plates b' are provided and respectively formed with
bolt apertures 62 through which chain bolts 65, to connect the device as a whole with
corresponding opposite links of the chains, are passed.
The carrying plates are also provided with friction rolls 6s 64 to ease their contact
with the guiding plate G or other portion of the enclosing casing with respect to
or by the aid of which the apparatus as an entirety is erected.
The construction of the loading platform E is not material, the platform which I
have illustrated in Figure 1 being provided with an upper surface of carrying rolls e,
while that which I have illustrated in Figure 3 is simply a solid-topped platform
provided with a projecting bracket e',-both, however, are preferably provided with
a forwardly projecting delivery plate or tongue portion, e², best shown in Figure 5,
which the carrying plates in their travel overlap, or pass through, so to speak.
G is a guide plate located between both sets of sprocket wheels and chains, and
formed as a flat plate, way, or kindred bearing surface suitably supported upon the
front side of the driving and driven sprocket shafts, and extending from the
loading platform to about the level of the tops of the upper chain wheels.
This plate is preferably formed with side flanges g, and it serves as a rest or
guide for the ammunition boxes in their travel with the chains, and, in conjunction
with the timber or other sides M, to form a hoist tube or casing for the hoist as an
entirety.
In the construction represented in Figures 1 and 2, the upper sprocket wheel shaft
being the driving shaft and the lower a driven shaft, suitable means are provided
for the driving of the upper shaft.
The shaft-driving mechanism may be of any preferred character.
I have illustrated as such a mechanism an electric motor H suitably supported
beneath the delivery deck, and the shaft h of which is provided with a worm h¹
adapted to engage with a worm-wheel 2 upon the driving chain shaft c, the entire
device being under suitable control, and being conveniently provided with a
hand lever hs and shaft clutch ht of any preferred character.
In the construction illustrated in Figures 3 to 11 inclusive, and already referred
to, the upper sprocket shaft being the driven shaft, and the lower the driving shaft,
the driving devices are applied to the lower shaft.

page_text: I is a hatchway through the delivery deck, through which the ammunition boxes
pass as they are elevated by the carrier from the loading platform to said
delivery deck.
The hatchway may be of any preferred character, and, if desired, provided with
the usual covering, and is adapted when the apparatus is not in use to be closed
water-tight by an armored or other scuttle illustrated in place in Figure 8, and
conveniently adapted to be retained in place as illustrated in Figure 8, by being
provided as to its under side with a swinging hook 2, adapted to take
under the sprocket shaft c, and to be locked securely by the action of a
locking thumb bolt adapted to force a swivelled grooved bearing nut into
contact with said shaft.
J is what I termn a baffle plate, the same being a hinged or pivoted plate or arm
located within or slightly below the hatchway on the ascending side of the
carrying chains opposite the discharge plate, and being conveniently supported by or
hung upon the pivot or hinge pin x parallel with the driving shaft and mounted
in the bracket bearing applied to the hatchway.
Normally this baffle plate occupies the comparatively horizontal position
represented in full lines in Figure 1, but in the ascent of the carrier is adapted to
be encountered by each ammunition box in turn, and to be deflected about its
pivot pin into an approximately vertical position in which it remains during the
period of the passage through the hatchway of the ammunition box being elevated,―
gravitating to its normal horizontal position, after the box has completely passed it,
and in such normal position serving as a guard to the hatchway to prevent the
possible falling back through it of the elevated ammunition box.
K is what term a discharged plate, the same being a preferably curved bearing
or directing plate, which, when in the horizontal position which it occupies when
the hoist is in operation, constitutes in effect a continuation of the guiding plate G,
to the delivery deck, and serves to receive and direct on to said deck the
ammunition box as the latter is delivered by the carrying or hoisting plate of the
carrier through the hatchway.
This discharge plate may be of any preferred construction, a typically simple form
being that depicted in Figure 1, and a preferred construction being that illustrated in
Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
The plate in its preferred form of application is pivoted with respect to the
hatchway upon the descending side of the chains, by means of a pivot or hinge pin k,
which supports it either in the horizontal position which it occupies when the hoist
is in use, and which is represented in full lines in Figures 1, 7, 9, and 10, or in the
vertical or depending position which it occupies when the hoist is not in use and the
scuttle is in place within the hatchway as represented in dotted lines in Figure 1,
and in full lines in Figure 8.
The pivot pin k is keyed upon the discharge plate and extended through
boxings in the hoist casing. At one of its projecting extremities it is fixedly
provided with a hand lever k² by means of which it is rotated and the plate raised or
lowered, and at the other extremity is conveniently provided with a locking arm k³
rigidly keyed to it and at its outer end provided with a tubular bolt bearing k
through which a retaining bolt 5 is adapted to be passed and entered within a
threaded suitably formed bolt seat in the framework.
In order to equalize the locking of the pivot pin and avoid the possibility of
torsion, the hand lever is also conveniently provided with a tubular bolt bearing
through which a retaining bolt is adapted to be passed and entered within a
threaded bolt seat ko, also formed in the framework.
When the scuttle is removed and the discharge plate elevated into its operative
position, both retaining bolts are inserted and screwed into their seats, and the
pivot pin of the plate and the plate thereby secured locked in position.
Obviously, the foregoing devices for securing the discharge plate in its horizontal
position are simply devices of convenience and may be replaced by other contrivances
operative to the same effect.

page_text: The upper surface of the discharge plate, as already mentioned and as will be
understood by reference to Figure 10, is formed with two longitudinal parallel slots
or openings, through which, in the travel of the chains, the side members b',
Figures 5, 9, and 11, of the carrying plate b, pass.
The discharge plate is also at its outer top portion provided with a guard roller 10
upon which the ammunition box, in the operation of the hoist, is deposited by the
carrying plate, and over which it rolls as it is forced by said lifting plate laterally
forward on to the main carrying surface of the discharge plate and thence on to the
delivery deck.
This roller is not essential but simply serves a useful purpose.
In Figure 3 I have illustrated the application to the throat portion at the foot of
the hoist casing N, of a hinged deflecting and release plate l', as I term it, which,—
being pivoted upon the hinge pin p and normally controlled by springs p* to occupy
the position represented in Figure 3,-is adapted to normally serve as a directing or
guide plate to cause the ammunition box to enter the throat portion of the casing,
should the box, in the movement of the ship, happen to lean or tilt off from the
carrier; and which is, moreover, adapted, should the tilting out of the box occur
to such an extent as to cause its upper end to encounter said plate, to yield or turn
about its pivot and fold upward, so to speak, an action which the yielding of the
springs render possible,--so as to permit of the passage of the box upward to the
outside of the casing, and avoid the possibility of injury to either the casing or
the carrier proper.
The form or special mode of application of this deflecting plate is not essential,
but the arrangement represented in Figures 3 and 4 is a good one.
While I have represented the carrier as an entirety at a slightly inclined position
it is obvious that it would be operative in a vertical position or at a different angle
from that represented.
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. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :-an
endless carrier provided with carrying or hoisting plates;-and continuously operated
in one direction;-means for actuating the carrier;-means located near the bottom
of the carrier for supplying to its carrying plates articles to be hoisted;-a hatchway
at the upper end of said carrier ;-and a discharge plate applied to said hatchway and
operating to receive the articles elevated by the carrier;-substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
2. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :—an
endless carrier provided with carrying or hoisting plates;-means for actuating the
carrier-means located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying
plates articles to be hoisted; a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier ;-a
discharge plate applied to said hatchway and operating to receive the articles elevated
by the carrier;-and a baffle plate applied to said hatchway opposite to said discharge
plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination:-an
endless carrier provided with hoisting or carrying plates;-a casing for said carrier
provided with a deflecting and release plate;-means for actuating the carrier ;-
means located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying plates
articles to be hoisted;-a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier ;---and a discharge
plate applied to said hatchway and operating to receive the articles elevated by the
carrier-substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :—an
endless carrier provided with hoisting or carrying plates;-a casing for said carrier
provided with a deflecting and release plate;-means for actuating the carrier ;-
means located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying plates
articles to be hoisted;-a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier ;—a discharge

page_text: plate applied to said hatchway and operating to receive the articles elevated by the
carrier and a baffle plate applied to said hatchway opposite to said discharge
plate-substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :-an
endless carrier provided with carrying or hoisting plates;-means for actuating the
carrier; a loading platform at the base of the carrier, which co-operates with the
carrying or hoisting plates to supply them with articles to be hoisted;--a hatchway
at the upper end of said carrier ;-a discharge plate applied to said hatchway upon
the delivery side of the carrier, which operates to receive the articles lifted by the
carrier--and a baffle plate applied to said hatchway opposite to said discharge
plate substantially as set forth.
:-an
6. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :-
endless chain carrier composed of a pair of parallel chains provided with transversely-
extending carrying or hoisting plates;-means for actuating the carrier;-means
located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying plates articles to
be hoisted; a transversely-disposed guiding plate extending longitudinally of the
carrier between its edges;-a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier;-and a
discharge plate applied to said hatchway, forming a continuation of said guide plate,
and operating to receive the articles lifted by the carrier;-substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
7. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination:-an
endless carrier provided with carrying or hoisting plates;-means for actuating the
carrier; means located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying
plates articles to be hoisted;-a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier ;-a
discharge plate applied to said hatchway which is adapted to be, at will, removed for
the application of a scuttle to close the hatchway-and a removable scuttle adapted
to close said hatchway when the discharge plate is dropped;-substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
8. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination :--an
endless carrier provided with carrying or hoisting plates;-means for actuating the
carrier; means located near the bottom of the carrier for supplying to its carrying
plates articles to be hoisted;-a hatchway at the upper end of said carrier ;--a pivoted
discharge plate applied to said hatchway which is adapted to be, at will, dropped for
the application of a scuttle to close the hatchway;-ineans for maintaining the
discharge plate in its elevated position;-and a removable scuttle adapted to close
said hatchway when the discharge plate is dropped ;-substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
9. In an ammunition hoist for ships, the following elements in combination:-a
pair of parallel counterpart endless chains constituting an endless carrier;-
counterpart pairs of driving and driven chain wheels for supporting and driving said
chains; means for driving the chain wheels;-a hatchway at the upper end of the
chain carrier; a discharge plate applied to said hatchway; and a transversely-
disposed carrying or hoisting plate connected with corresponding opposite portions of
said chains; the arrangements being such that one of said plates embodies an
opening and the other is provided with a bearing surface substantially
corresponding in plan with said opening;-substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.