Improved Means for Quickly Stopping the Motion of Vessels.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 27th May, 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Quickly Stopping the Motion of Vessels.
I, JOHN STRONG CURTIS NICHOLS, of Noble, Richland County, Illinois, U.S.A.,
Corn Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide means whereby the motion of vessels
may be quickly stopped for the purpose of preventing collisions and other
accidents.
By this invention, suitably braced plates, conforming to the shape of the bow
of the vessel, are hinged to the sides of the vessel towards the rear thereof. The
plates are held close to the sides of the vessel by an angle-plate hinged ver-
tically to the bow of the vessel and overlapping the forward edges of the plates
in such manner that one plate can be released without the other one. Tha
plates are further held in position by cables carried over sheaves to one or more
capstans on the deck.
In order to stop the vessel, the plates are released, and opening outwards,
offer a great resistance to the water, either on one side of the vessel to divert
its course, or on both sides to retard its motion.
The stay braces projecting from the sides of the plates-are preferably, though
not necessarily, hinged thereto and are of such shape that when released, by the
opening of the plates, they assume a horizontal position and form struts bearing
against the sides of the vessel to resist the strain on the hinged plates.
Springs on the hinges serve to assist the plates to open rapidly.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Quickly Stopping the Motion of Vessels.'
I, JOIN STRONG CURTIS NICHOLS, of Noble, Richland County, Illinois, U.S.A.,
Corn Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to vessel-brakes; the object in view being to provide a
simple and efficient braking device for checking the progress of vessels, of
different descriptions to the end that serious collisions and accidents may be
prevented, and for facilitating the general handling of the vessel while under
[Price 8d.]

page_text: way. The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will be clearly
pointed out in the course of the subjoined description.
The invention consists in a vessel brake embodying certain novel features and
details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,
illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims hereunto appended.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sufficient
portion of a vessel to illustrate the application of the improved brake thereto.
Fig. 2 is a diagramatic plan view of the same, shewing one of the brakes thrown
cut into its operative position. Fig. 3 is a detail section shewing the engagement
between the bow-plate and check-plate or brake proper. Fig. 4 is a detail view
of a modification.
Similar numerals of reference, designate corresponding parts in the several
figures of the drawings.
Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the bow portion of a vessel, preferably
a steam vessel, having applied thereto on each side a check-plate or brake 2 of a
size and shape corresponding to the size and displacement of the vessel. This
plate is preferably of oblong form and is hingedly connected at its rear end to
the vessel, as indicated at 3, so that its forward end may swing toward and away
from the bow of the vessel. This plate is also provided on its outer surface with
a series of ribs 4, which, in addition to their function of bracing the plate 2,
also serve as bilge keels, whereby the tendency of the vessel to rock is to a
certain extent overcome.
Secured pivotally to the bow of the vessel and upon each side thereof is a bow
plate 5, the front edge thereof being pivotally connected to the vessel and the
rear or free edge thereof being adapted to fold over and outside of the front edge
of the brake-plate 2. Arranged beneath each bow-plate 5 are one or more pulleys
or sheaves 6, around which run one or more cables 7, the said cables connecting
at one end to the free end of the brake-plate 2 and at their opposite end wound
upon a suitable drum or capstan 8, by the rotation of which the brake-plates
may be drawn inward against the vessel or released. The bow plate is provided
near its free end with one or more lugs 9, designed for engagement with the
free end of the plate 2, so that as the plate 2 is moved inwards by the cables,
said plate acts upon the lugs 9, so as to take up the bow-plate and rock the same
inward until the bow-plate covers the edge of the brake-plate.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that by unwinding the drums
and releasing the cables the free edges of the plates 2 are released, thus allow-
ing said edges to move outward away from the vessel, this operation being
assisted by the pressure of the water against the inner side of said plates.
When the plates are thrown outwards, a broad-resistance surface is presented to
the water, and the forward progress of the vessel is correspondingly resisted and
checked, thus causing a stoppage of the vessel in a much shorter space of time
than is possible under the present construction. At the same time, when the
parts are in their folded positions, they afford no additional resistance to the
progress of the vessel through the water to that which is encountered in their
absence. The brake-plates are preferably located below the water-line of the
vessel and thus do not detract in any way from the appearance thereof.
outward movement of the brake-plates is greatly facilitated by employing stiff
spring hinges at the points where the plates are connected pivotally to the
vessel's hull.
The
Braces 10 may be hinged to the plates 2 (Fig. 4) and have their outer ends
slidably fitted in guides 11 secured and preferably recessed in the sides of the
.vessel. When the plates 2 are open the braces 10 rest against the stop 12 and
form struts to take the strain on the plate 2.
It will, of course, be understood that the brake herein before described is sus-
ceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of con-
struction which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the
principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

page_text: 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) The combination with a vessel, of a brake-plate hingedly connected thereto,
operating means therefor, and a hinged bow-plate for covering in the free edge
of the brake-plate, substantially as described.
(2) The combination with a vessel, of a brake-plate, hingedly connected
thereto, means for holding said plate against the side of the vessel, and a hinged
bow-plate constructed to interlock with the brake-plate and to be held inward
by the brake-plate, substantially as described.
(3) The combination with a vessel, of a brake plate hingedly connected
thereto at one end, a bow-plate also hingedly connected to the vessel, operating
means for the brake-plate, and lugs on the bow-plate for engagement with the
free end of the brake-plate, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of May 1899
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicant.