Improvements in Boat Lowering and Detaching Gear.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boat Lowering and Detaching Gear.
We, WILLIAM GORDON CROW of "The Grave Maurice" No. 128, Whitechapel
Road, Licensed Victualler, and THOMAS TURK of No. 162, Charles Street,
Stepney, Mariner, both in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
•
This invention has for its object improvements in boat lowering and detaching
gear, whereby the boat together with its occupants can not only be securely
suspended from a ship's davits and be easily lowered, but at the required time both
ends of the boat can be simultaneously and instantly detached without fear of
capsizing or swamping the boat or otherwise endangering the lives of the occupants.
Furthermore the whole of the gear for manipulating the lowering and detaching of
the boat, being under complete control of one man in charge of and within the boat,
it is quite impossible for any excited or other person besides himself to interfere
with the gear.
According to our invention we provide at the fore and aft end of the boat a fixed
vertical rod, whose upper portion is slotted or formed with an eye which is capable
of being covered by a vertically sliding tube or ferrule operated by suitable
mechanism controlled by a hand lever situated at any convenient place within the
boat. When this hand lever is pushed in one direction the said sliding tube or
ferrule is caused to be lowered and leaves the slotted rod uncovered and ready to
receive what we term a coupling piece by means of which the boat is hung from
the suspension lines of the davits. This coupling piece may consist of a com-
paratively short rod or bar, divided longitudinally into two halves, each of which is at
its upper end provided with a hole for the reception of a ring. This ring serves
the double purpose of enabling the coupling piece to be connected to the suspension
line of the davits and for connecting together the two halves of the coupling piece
in such a manner that they can be conveniently opened without becoming detached
the one from the other. The lower end of each half of the coupling piece is
furnished with a tooth or projection so shaped that by placing each tooth or projec-
tion into opposite sides of the slot in the before mentioned vertical rod, the two
halves of the coupling piece can be brought flush together, with the vertical rod
between them, said coupling piece then presenting a smooth cylindrical external
surface. By then actuating the hand lever in the boat the sliding tube or ferrule
is caused to rise up and to surround and firmly grasp the said coupling piece, thereb
effectually retaining it in engagement with the slot in the vertical rod. Thus so
long as the sliding tube or ferrule remains in its elevated position, the coupling
piece is held rigidly connected to the vertical rod and the boat remains suspended
from the davits.
When it is desired to detach the boat, the before mentioned hand lever is
actuated in the opposite direction to that above stated, and the two, ferrules at the
fore and aft of the boat are caused to descend together, whereby the coupling pieces
are instantaneously released and both ends of the boat are liberated-simultaneously,
tbereby ensuring that the boat shall drop level onto the-surface of the water.
If desired each of the coupling pieces. may be provided with means, such as an
elastic ring, for the purpose of keeping the two halves of the coupling piece held
together when they are in engagement with the slots in the vertical rods, so that
said coupling pieces cannot become displaced while the sliding tubes or ferrules are
raised by the hand lever.
The free ends of the suspension lines may be furnished with eyes and these lines
can ho nessed around œuide nulleys or øvnsies situated within the boat, and be led

page_text: to a roller located beneath one of the thwarts, said roller being provided with two
pins with which the eyes on the lines can be coupled. By means of another line
passing around and connected to the said roller, the man in charge of the boat can
readily control, the lowering of the boat; a cleat being provided to aid him in
regulating the speed of rotation of the roller. When the boat is detached and the
line controlling the roller is released, the suspension lines become at once unwound
from the roller and liberated from the pins thereon. The boat is thus rendered
entirely free.
Dated this 24th day of March 1892.
WILLIAM GORDON CROW.
THOMAS TURK.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boat Lowering and Detaching Gear.
We, WILLIAM GORDON CROW of "The Grave Maurice "No. 128, Whitechapel
Road, Licensed Victualler, and THOMAS TURK of No. 162, Charles Street,
Stepney, Mariner, both in the County of Middlesex, 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 has for its object improvements in boat-lowering and detaching
gear, whereby the boat together with its occupants can, not only be securely
suspended from a ship's davits and be easily lowered, but at the required time both
ends of the boat can be instantly and simultaneously detached without fear of
capsizing or swamping the boat, or otherwise endangering the lives of the occupants.
Furthermore the whole of the gear, for manipulating the lowering and detaching of
the boat, being under complete control of one man in charge of and within the boat,
it is quite impossible for any excited or other person besides himself to interfere
with the gear.
According to our invention we provide near the stem and stern of the boat, a fixed
vertical rod or upright whose upper portion is slotted or formed with an eye which
is capable of being covered by a sliding tube, socket or ferrule, operated by suitable
mechanism controlled by a hand-lever situated at any convenient place within the
boat. When this hand-lever is pushed in one direction each of the said sliding
tubes, sockets or ferrules, is caused to be lowered, and leaves the eyes in the slotted
rods or uprights uncovered and ready to receive what we term coupling-pieces, by
means of which the boat is hung from the suspension lines of the davits. These
coupling-pieces may each consist of a comparatively short rod or bar, divided
longitudinally into two halves, each of which latter is at its upper end provided
with a hole for the reception of a ring. This ring serves the double purpose of
enabling the coupling-pieces to be connected to the suspension lines and for con-
necting together the two halves of said coupling-pieces in such a manner that the
halves can be conveniently opened without becoming detached the one from the
other. The lower portion of each half is furnished with an internal tooth or projec-
tion so shaped that by placing each tooth or projection into opposite sides of the slot
in the before mentioned vertical rod or upright, the two halves of the coupling-piece
can be brought flush together with the rod or upright between them, said coupling-
piece then presenting a smooth cylindrical external surface. By then actuating
the hand-lever in the boat, each of the sliding tubes, sockets or ferrules is caused to
rise up and to surround or embrace the coupling-pieces, thereby effectually retaining
them in engagement with the eye or slot in the vertical rods or uprights. Thus so
long as the sliding tubes, sockets or ferrules remain in this elevated position, the
coupling-pieces are held rigidly connected to the vertical rods or uprights and the
boat remains suspended from the davits.
T
When it is desired to detach the boat, the before mentioned hand-lever is
actuated in the opposite direction to that already stated, whereby the two tubes,

page_text: sockets, or ferrules are caused to descend together and the coupling-pieces are
instantaneously released and both ends of the boat are liberated simultaneously,
thereby ensuring that the boat shall drop level onto the surface of the water.
If desired each of the coupling-pieces may be provided with means, such as an
elastic-ring, for keeping the two halves of the coupling-pieces held together when
they are in engagement with the eyes or slots in the vertical rods or uprights, so
that said coupling-pieces cannot become displaced while the sliding tubes or ferrules
are being raised by the hand-lever.
The free ends of the suspension lines may be furnished with eyes or loops, and
these lines can be passed around guide pulleys, situated within the boat, and be led
and wound onto a roller located beneath one of the thwarts, the said roller being
provided with two pins with which the eyes or loops on the suspension lines can be
coupled. By means of another line passing around and connected to the said roller,
the man in charge of the boat, can readily control the lowering of the boat, a cleat
being provided to aid him in regulating the speed of rotation of the roller. When
the boat is detached and the line controlling the roller is released, the suspension
lines become at once unwound from the roller and liberate themselves from the pins
thereon. The boat is thus rendered entirely free from all connection with the
ship.
In order that our said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and Figure 2 a plan of a boat provided with
our gear.
Figures 3 to 7 shew on a larger scale one of the uprights together with the parts
in connection therewith-Figure 3 being an elevation with the sliding socket or
ferrule in its elevated position and encompassing the coupling-piece; Figure 4 a
similar view, but with the parts in the position they assume when the socket or
ferrule is lowered and the coupling-piece detached; Figure 5 a vertical section of
the upper portion of Figure 3; Figure 6 an elevation of Figure 4 as seen from the
right; and Figure 7 a horizontal section on the line 1. 1.
Figures 8 shew one of the coupling-pieces separately;
Figures 9 are cross sections thereof taken respectively on the lines 2, 2; 3, 3;
and 4, 4; and
Figures 10 shew one half of the coupling-piece detached from the other.
These figures are drawn to a still larger scale.
'
a a are the vertical rods or uprights. which are rigidly bolted to the keelson b and
as near as practicable to the bulkheads c. The upper portion of each upright is
reduced in thickness at a* and is furnished with an eye or slot a¹ for the reception
of the internal teeth or projections d¹ on the coupling-pieces d as hereinafter
explained.
e. e are the sliding sockets or ferrules which are carried near the upper ends of
the uprights and are connected by means of rods e² with sleeves el situated near the
lower portion of the uprights. To each of the sleeves e¹ is pivotted a pair of links f
whose free ends are connected to forked heads g' of connecting-rods 9, so that the
movement imparted to these rods when the lever-handle i is operated, is transmitted
to the sliding sockets or ferrules. In order to give steadiness to the to and fro
movement of the connecting-rods g we employ a second pair of links which are
pivotted to the keelson at h¹. These links are slotted at h* so that when they are in
their vertical position (Fig. 3) the pins g, which connect the links to the forked
heads ', lie at the bottom of the slots and thereby prevent the sliding sockets from
being accidently forced down. These slots also enable the heads of the connecting-
rods to work in a truly horizontal direction. In the drawings we have shewn
chains, passing around sheaves g³, and connecting the sleeves e' with the forked
heads g; so that the pull transmitted to the sleeves e¹ may be in a vertical direction ;

page_text: these chains are not, however, absolutely essential, and can, if preferred, be
dispensed with.
We do not confine ourselves to the specific mechanism shewn for actuating the
sliding sockets, as any suitable mechanism may be employed therefor. In some
cases we also form the sliding sockets as long tubes, and thus dispense with the
sleeves e¹ and their rods e².
The inner ends of the connecting-rods are coupled to the lever-handle by
links, so that when said handle is operated, the connecting-rods are caused to
move concurrently and to thus simultaneously operate the sliding sockets. If
desired means may be provided for retaining the lever-handle locked in its normal
position so that none but authorized persons can actuate it.
The coupling-pieces as is best seen at Figures 8, 9 and 10, are each divided
longitudinally into two portions which are connected or hinged together near their
upper ends by a ring d³. This ring enables the two portions to be readily separated
without becoming detached, and also serves as a convenient means for connecting
the coupling-pieces to the suspension lines j. ³ is a rubber or other elastic ring
which surrounds each coupling-piece, and retains the two portions normally in their
closed position. The teeth or projections d that stand out on the inside of each
portion of the coupling-pieces are bevilled, or formed in such a manner that when
the coupling piece is closed they come together and constitute a solid piece which
fits into the eyes or slots a¹ in the uprights; (Fig. 5); and thus constitute the
means for supporting the boat.
When it is required to connect the coupling-pieces with the uprights, the lever-
handle is first shifted in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 1) thereby operating the
connecting rods 9 and links,, and thus causing the sliding-sockets to descend and
uncover the eyes or slots a¹. The lower ends of the coupling-pieces are then
applied to the upper extremities of the uprights and are forcibly pressed downwards.
By so doing the teeth or projections d', which are cut away at d, are caused to
separate and the two portions of the coupling-piece to be parted. As the portions
separate the elastic ring d³ becomes distended, and as soon as the teeth d' come
fairly opposite the eyes or slots a', they are immediately forced into the said eyes
or slots, under the influence of the distended ring. The coupling-pieces are thus
temporarily connected to the uprights and held in a vertical position, so that when
the lever-handle i is now pulled back, the sliding sockets are caused to rise and
embrace the coupling-pieces. The coupling-pieces cannot now be disconnected from
the uprights until the sliding sockets are again drawn down. It will be readily
understood that although the before mentioned elastic rings d³ come in the path of
the sliding sockets, they nevertheless offer no impediment to the rising of the
sockets, as they are simply pushed along the coupling-pieces in front of the sockets
as these latter ascend.
The inner ends of the suspension lines j, after being passed around guide pulleys k
located close to the bulkheads c, are wound onto the roller situated beneath the
thwart m; the said inner ends of the lines ; being furnished with loops or eyes j',j,
which are loosely coupled to the pins l', 1, projecting from the roller 1. The guide
pulleys are pivotted at k¹ (Figs. 1 and 2) so as to permit of their being readily
turned into a vertical position when the retaining pin k² is withdrawn, and to thus
facilitate the leading of the suspension lines around them.
Wound around the roller is another line n which is secured at its inner end to a
staple on the roller, while its free end, after being passed around the cleat o
carried by the thwart m, is held by the man in charge of the boat. By means of
this line, the man can regulate the speed of rotation of the roller and consequently
the unwinding of the suspension lines j. He can thus effectually control the descent
of the boat onto the surface of the water.
Immediately the boat becomes waterborne, the man operates the lever-handle i,
thereby simultaneously drawing down the sliding-sockets as already explained;
and he at the same time lets go the line n. The weight of the boat, which is
constantly acting on the upper portions of the teeth d' through the intervention of

page_text: the uprights, now forces open the coupling-pieces, and both ends of the boat become
simultaneously disengaged, and the boat drops perfectly level onto the water.
Meanwhile the suspension lines j, being no longer restrained, run freely off the
roller and disengage themselves from the pins 11, 12. The boat is thus rendered
entirely free from all connection with the davits and tackle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is —
1. The means, substantially as hereinbefore described, for enabling both ends of
a boat to be simultaneously detached, consisting of sliding tubes, sockets, or ferrules
carried by vertical rods or uprights, and adapted to be simultaneously raised or
lowered by suitable mechanism; in combination with divided coupling-pieces
adapted to engage with slots or eyes formed in the vertical rods or uprights;
whereby when said sliding sockets are elevated, they will embrace the coupling-pieces
and keep them in engagement with the uprights, but when said sliding sockets are
lowered they will uncover the coupling-pieces and allow the weight of the boat to
cause said coupling-pieces to open and disengage themselves from the uprights.
2. The sliding-tubes sockets or ferrules in combination with suitable mechanism
for causing them to be simultaneously raised or lowered on rods or uprights
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The divided coupling-piece, consisting of two longitudinal portions hinged or
otherwise connected together at their upper ends so as to be readily separable, and
formed with internal teeth or projections. adapted to enter slots or eyes in the
uprights; said coupling-piece being also advantageously surrounded with an elastic
ring for keeping the two portions normally closed, all substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The means, substantially as hereinbefore described, for enabling the lowering
of the boat to be controlled, consisting in passing the suspension lines over pivotted
guide pulleys and around a roller furnished with pins adapted to receive eyes or
loops formed on the suspension lines; the said roller being also provided with a
line, one end of which is made fast to the roller and the other end passed around a
cleat and held by the man in charge of the boat, so as to permit him to regulate
the speed of rotation of the roller and the paying out of the suspension lines.
5. Our improvements in boat lowering and detaching gear, substantially as
hereinbefore described and shewn by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 18th day of June 1892
WILLIAM GORDON CROW.
THOMAS TURK.