Improved Means for Stopping Shot-holes and other Breaches in the Hulls of War and other Vessels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Stopping Shot-holes and other Breaches in the
Hulls of War and other Vessels.
I, FRANCIS FREDERICK JONES of Comber, in the Province of Ontario, and
Dominion of Canada, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
-
The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved stopper or plate
which is more especially designed for rapidly and conveniently closing shot holes
or breaches in the bottom or side of a war ship or other vessel.
The invention consists of a plate made in sections hinged together and adapted
to pass, in a closely folded position through the opening in the vessel.
The invention further consists of special devices for releasing the folded sections
to permit the same to swing into position against the outside of the vessel to close
the leak.
The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the
same, as will be hereinafter described.
The improved stopper consists of a plate made of suitable material and in several
sections of which the outermost sections are connected at their inner edges by
means of strong hinges to the opposite side edges of the middle section. On the
rear of the plate are arranged springs connecting the outer sections with the
middle section in such manner that the said outermost sections are extended
when released, as hereinafter more fully described. The springs are adapted to
pass into correspondingly-shaped recesses in the sections when the latter are folded
so as to permit of very closely folding the sections one on the other to pass the
same through a very small opening in the vessel. On one of the outer sections of
the plate at the ends thereof are secured eyes adapted to be engaged by bolts
fitted to slide in bearings on the rear of the middle section. The bolts are each
formed with a head connected with a wire passing through an eye on the middle
section, the outer end of the said wire being provided with a ring to serve as a
handle. The head of each bolt is also connected with a wire extending in an
opposite direction to the first mentioned wire and passing through an opening in
the middle section from the rear, to the front thereof, where the ends of the two
wires are connected with a ring serving as a handle. By pulling either of the end
rings, the corresponding bolt is drawn outward to engage the eye on the folding
section and when the ring at the front of the plate is pulled both bolts are with-
drawn simultaneously from their respective eyes. In order to fold the plate, the
one side section is first swung on to the rear of the middle section, and
then the other side section is swung onto the folded section after which the
operator pulls the end rings so that the bolts engage the eyes and thereby lock
the several sections in a folded position. By pulling the ring at the front of the
plate, the bolts are withdrawn from their eyes and the springs then force the
several sections back into their normal position so as to extend the plate.
In a recess on the front of the middle section of the plate and near the middle
of the same is secured an eye adapted to be engaged by a hook secured on a
metallic handle adapted to support the plate when in a folded position so as to
thrust the said plate through the opening in the side or bottom of the vessel, which
handle is disconnected from the plate as soon as the latter is in position over
the aperture to be stopped and is temporarily locked in the manner hereinafter
described. In order to prevent the hook from accidentally unhooking from the
eye a locking bolt is provided on the underside of the handle adapted to engage
the end of the hook. When the handle supports the folded plate, the ring at the

page_text: front of the plate is engaged by a clasp or spring book on one end of a wire or
rope, passing through a groove and eyes secured on the side of the handle and
provided with a ring at its outer end to serve as a handle for manipulating the
bolts carried by the middle section of the plate in the manner hereinafter more
described: On the underside of the handle and near its front end is secured a flat
spring adapted to engage, with its free end, the inner surface of the middle section
of the plate, for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. On the inner side of
the handle, in rear of the spring, is mounted to slide a bolt adapted to engage
in a recess formed in the rear of the middle section of the plate, near its lower
end. The rear end of the bolt is connected with a rope or wire passing through
a groove and eye on the handle and provided with a handle for conveniently
withdrawing the bolt from engagement with the plate for the purpose hereinafter
mentioned. On the middle section of the plate above the eye in which the hook
on the handle engages as before mentioned is arranged a similar eye and at the
sides of the said eye are arranged other eyes adapted to be engaged by a rope
or ropes, or an auxiliary handle for controlling the position of the plate in
applying the same on the outside of the ship. In order to draw the plate in
position on the side of the vessel, a strap is provided, formed at one end with a
hook or clasp adapted to engage the upper one of the two central eyes on the plate.
The strap, which is preferably made of leather, passes through an opening in a
fastening bar adapted to extend across the opening in the side of the vessel at the
inside thereof. In order to hold the strap in place on the fastening bar, a wedge
is provided, formed on one face with projections or teeth engaging the upper
surface of the said strap so as to lock the latter in place when the wedge is pressed
inward or the strap pulled. A spring on the bar serves to press the said wedge
inward to hold the strap securely in place on the fastening bar.
been thus temporarily locked in position over the opening, is then securely fixed
The plate having
by means of bolts passing through holes made in the several sections of the plate
and closed by screw-plugs which are unscrewed after the plate is placed over the
opening in the side or bottom of the vessel. The bolts may be provided with
one, two or more nuts and also with a head pivoted to the bolt and adapted to fold
into a recess in its end. In the latter form of bolt, the head in a normal position
extends in line with the bolt but when the bolt is applied and passed through one
of the openings formerly occupied by one of the plugs, the said head is swung into
an angular position by pulling on a cord or wire connected to one end of the head
so as to cause the bolt to abut against the outside of the respective section of the
plate. The inner end of the bolt after passing through the opening to be closed by
the plate or through the side or bottom of the vessel, passes through openings in
the fastening bar and is locked in place by the nuts. The sections of the plate are
preferably faced on the inside with leather, rubber, or other suitable material, so
as to prevent leakage when the plate is applied over the hole in the vessel, to close
the leak.
'
Dated Anvil 19th 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Stopping Shot-holes and other Breaches in the
Hulls of War and other Vessels.
I, FRANCIS FREDERICK JONES, of Comber, in the Province of Ontario, and
Dominion of Canada, Agent, 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 this invention is to provide a new and improved stopper or plate

page_text: which is simple and durable in construction, very effective in operation, and more
especially designed for rapidly and conveniently closing shot holes or breaches in the
bottom or side of a war ship or other vessel.
The invention consists of a plate made in sections hinged together and adapted to
pass in closely folded position through the opening in the ve-sel.
The invention further consists of special devices for releasing the folded sections
to permit the same to swing into position against the outside of the vessel to close
the aperture.
The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the
same as will be hereinafter described and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a face view of the plate as extended.
Figure 2 is a rear view of the same.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the same, on line 1, 1 Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the plate folded up and supported in a horizontal
position on the handle for thrusting the device through the opening in the vessel.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the same with the folded plate passed to the outside
of the vessel.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the same with the plate in a vertical position on
the outside of the vessel.
Figure 7 is a sectional plan view of the improvement as applied.
Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation of the same.
Figure 9 is an enlarged face view of the middle portion of the fastening bar.
Figure 10 is a transverse section of the same.
Figure 11 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the fastening bolts; and
Figure 12 is a like view of a modified form of fastening bolt.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
The improved stopper consists of a plate A made of suitable material and in
several sections A' A and A³ of which the outermost sections A and A³ are
connected at their inner edges by means of strong hinges A to the opposite side
edges of the middle section A¹. On the rear of the plate A. as illustrated in
Figure 2, are arranged springs B connecting the outer sections A' and A³ with the
middle section A' in such manner that the said outermost sections are extended
when released, as shewn in Figures 1 and and as hereinafter more fully described.
The springs Bare adapted to pass into correspondingly-shaped recesses in the
sections when the latter are folded so as to permit of very closely folding the
sections one on the other to pass the same through a very small opening in
the vessel. On the outer section A³ of the plate at the ends thereof are secured
eyes C adapted to be engaged by bolts C¹ C₁, Figure 2, fitted to slide in
bearings C on the rear of the middle section A'. The bolts C' are each formed
with a head C³ connected with a wire C passing through an eye C³ on the middle
section A', Figure 2, the outer end of the said wire being provided with a ring Co
serving as a handle. The head of each bolt C is also connected with a wire C7
extending in an opposite direction to the wire C and passing through an opening ("
in the middle section A' to the front thereof, where the ends of the two wires C are
connected with a ring C serving as a handle, as plainly illustrated in Figure 1.
By pulling either ring C the corresponding bolt C is drawn outward to engage
the eye Cand when the ring C is pulled both bolts Care withdrawn simul-
taneously from their respective eyes.
In order to fold the plate A the section A2 is first swung on to the rear of the
middle section A' and then the section A is swung on to the section A after
which the rings C are pulled so as to engage the bolts C' in the eyes C and thereby
lock the several sections in the folded position. The bolts C₁ are withdrawn from
their eyes C by pulling the ring C, the springs B then forcing the several sections
back into their normal position so that the plate is extended, as shewn in Figures 1
and 2.

page_text: In a recess on the front of the middle section A¹ and near the middle of the same
is secured an eye D adapted to be engaged by a hook E, Figure 4, on a metallic
handle F serving to support the plate A when in a folded position for the purpose
of enabling said plate to be thrust through the opening in the side or bottom of the
vessel, as hereinafter more fully described. In order to prevent the hook E from
accidentally unhooking from the eye D a locking bolt E', Figure 6, is provided on
the underside of the handle F, the outer end of which bolt E is adapted to engage
with the end of the hook E, as plainly shewn in Figure 6, so as to retain the eye D
in place in the said hook. When the handle F supports the folded plate as
previously described, the ring C before mentioned is engaged by a clasp or spring
hook H, Figure 5, on one end of a wire or rope H¹ passing through a groove and
eyes if secured on the side of the handle F, as plainly illustrated in Figures +
and 5. The outer end of the wire or chain II carries a ring H³ to serve as a
handle for manipulating the bolts C in the manner hereinafter more fully
described. On the underside of the handle F and near its front end is secured a
flat spring I, Figure 6, bearing by its free end against the inner surface of the middle
section A¹ of the plate A for the purpose hereinafter more fully described. On
the inner side of the handle F in the rear of the spring 1 is mounted to slide in
eyes G¹a bolt G the front end G2 of which is adapted to engage in a recess A formed
in the rear of the middle section A' of the plate near its lower end, as plainly shewn
in Figure 2. The rear end of the bolt G is connected with a rope or wire G³
passing through a groove and eye G₁ on the handle F and provided at its rear end
with a ring G serving as a handle for conveniently withdrawing the bolt G from
engagement with the middle section A' for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. On
the middle section A¹ of the plate above the eye D is arranged a similar eye D¹
(Figure 1) and at the sides of the said eye D are arranged eyes D³ (Figure 5)
adapted to be engaged by a rope or ropes J (Figure 5) or an auxiliary handle for
controlling the position of the plate A in applying the same on the outside of the
ship, as illustrated in Figure 5. In order to draw the plate A in position on the
side of the vessel a strap K' is provided formed at one end with a hook or clasp K
adapted to engage the eye D', as plainly illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. The
strap K is preferably made of leather and passes through an opening L' formed in
a fastening bar L (Figure 9) adapted to extend across the opening in the side of the
vessel on the inside thereof, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In order to hold the
strap Kin place in the fastening bar L, a wedge N is inserted in the opening L'
in said bar, formed on one face with projections or teeth engaging the upper surface
of the said strap so as to lock the latter in place when the wedge is pressed inward
or the strap pulled. N' is a spring on the bar L serving to press the said wedge
inward to hold the strap securely in place on the fastening bar. The several
sections of the plate A are each provided with a number of holes closed by screw
plugs which are removed after the plate is placed over the opening in the side of
bottom of the vessel, for the purpose of inserting the screw-bolts Q (see Figure 12)
for fixing the several sections in place. The bolts P (Figure 11) may also be
employed, but with less advantage, each of which is provided with one, two, or
more nuts PP2 and also with a head P³ pivoted at P to the bolt and adapted to
fold into a recess in its end. The head P³ in a normal position extends in line with
the bolt, as shewn, but after the bolt is passed through one of the openings formerly
closed by the plugs O the said head P³ is swung into an angular position by pulling
on a cord or wire P connected thereto, so as to cause the bolt head to abut against
the outside of the respective section of the plate A. The inner end of the bolt P
after passing through the opening to be closed by the plate A or through the side
or bottom of the vessel passes through openings L in the bar L and is locked in
place by the nuts P1 and P2, as shewn. The inner faces of the sections A¹ A²
and A³ are preferably covered with leather, felt, rubber, or other suitable material,
so as to effectually prevent leakage, when the plate A is applied over the hole in
the vessel.
The manner of applying the plate or stopper to close a shot-hole or other breach

page_text: After
in the side or bottom of a vessel is as follows:-When the sections A' and A³ are
folded upon the section A¹ and locked in place by the bolts C' (as previously
described), the folded plate is hung upon the hook E of the handle F with the aid
of which it is thrust through the opening in the vessel. The plate A is locked in
place on the handle F by means of the bolt G in the manner previously described,
the hook H (Figure 5) engaging the ring C and the spring I being confined
between the under side of the handle and the top of the middle section A¹.
the plate has been passed through the opening in the vessel, as illustrated in
Figure 5, the ring G is pulled so as to draw the bolt G out of engagement with
the recess A and permit the spring I to exert its power on the plate A and force
the same into a vertical position, as shewn in Figure 6 the ropes
J or the auxiliary
handle before mentioned having been previously attached to the eyes D² to hold
the plate A firmly in the proper position over the breach opening. As soon as the
plate A is in a vertical position the handle F is moved inward so as to bring the
middle section A' as soon as possible over the middle of the opening at the same
time that the ring H³ is pulled to withdraw the bolts C¹ from the eyes C when the
springs B will cause the sections A' and A³ to swing open into line with the middle
section A', thus completely closing the opening in the vessel. In order to lock the
plate A in position, the strap K' is first hooked on to one of the eyes D' and then
fastened, after drawing the said strap tight, on to the bar L which is placed across
the opening so as to rest against the side of the vessel, as shewn in Figure 7. The
plate A having been thus temporarily locked in place, the several screw plugs (
are then removed for the purpose of inserting the bolts P or, preferably, Q in their
place. When the bolt P is used after the bolt is passed through one of the plug holes,
the cord or wire P is pulled so as to swing the head P³ into an angular position
relatively to the bolt upon the outer surface of the respective section of the plate,
after which the bolts are fastened in place on the bar L by means of the nuts Pi
and P as previously described. The bar L in turn may be fastened to the side of
the vessel by means of set screws L³ screwing into the vessels' side, as shewn in
Figure 7. The plugs O are arranged in such a manner on the several sections that
their position can be easily determined, so that even if one of the plugs should
engage a solid part of the side of the vessel a hole can be bored or drilled through
the side of the vessel for the purpose of unscrewing the plug and inserting
a bolt P
or to be secured by one of the nuts P¹ or P in position on the side of the vessel.
The handle F is disconnected from the plate A as soon as the latter is in position
over the opening and is temporarily locked in place by the strap K' and a few
bolts Q, as previously described. If desired an automatic fixture may be attached
to the plate, so as to hold or lock the sections A and A³ in an open position before
the bolts are inserted, but if stiff coiled steel springs B are used they will hold the
extended section in position with great firmness till the bolts can be inserted. Upon
the section A³ in Figure 2 is indicated at S the size of the smallest opening through
which the folded plate cau be passed.
It will be seen that by the arrangement as described, an opening in the side of a
vessel can be very quickly closed so as to prevent the vessel from filling with
water.
It is understood that this device can be used only when a sufficiently large opening
has been made in the wall of the ship to permit of passing the plate A through the
opening. Furthermore, the breach or opening must be made by some external force
such as a projectile fired by a cannon or a point of rock or similar object against
which the ship was squarely thrown, pushing the wall of the vessel inward, so as to
leave no projecting points on the outer side, which points would otherwise prevent
the plate A from lying snugly against the outer surface of the vessel. It is also
understood that an opening or breach much larger than that made by any cannon
ball can be temporarily closed by this method. Also, that if a section of a ship be
full of water and if the breach can be located, the plate can be placed in position
over the opening and held there by the ropes and handle till the water is pumped
out.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
elaim is-
1. A stopper for closing shot holes or other breaches in the hulls of vessels,
comprising three sections, the outermost sections being hinged to the inner section
to fold thereon, and means for holding the sections folded, substantially as described.
2. A stopper for closing shot holes or other breaches in the hulls of vessels,
comprising three sections hinged together so that the outermost sections will fold
upon the central section, means for holding the outermost sections folded, and
springs for extending the said outermost sections when released, substantially as
herein shewn and described.
3. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with spring pressed and
hinged plates, of means for locking the outer plates folded upon the inner plate, a
handle connected to the said plates for thrusting them through an aperture in the
folded position, and means for disengaging the folded plates to allow them to be
extended, substantially as described.
4. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be folded one upon the other, of means for
locking the said sections in position when folded, a handle adapted to engage one of
the said sections to support the said plate in order to pass the same through the
opening or breach, a bolt on the said handle and serving to lock the said plate in
a folded position upon the said handle, and means for releasing the locking
mechanism to allow the outer sections to be extended substantially as shewn and
described.
5. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be folded one on the other, of means for
locking the said sections in position when folded, a handle adapted to engage one
of the said sections to support the said plate, in order to pass the same through the
opening or breech, a bolt held on the said handle and serving to lock the said plate
in a folded position to the said handle, and a spring interposed between the said
handle and plate and compressed when the said sections are locked to the said
handle substantially as shewn and described.
6. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
spring-pressed sections hinged together and adapted to be folded, of a bolt for
locking the said sections in a folded position, a handle for carrying the said plate,
and means, substantially as described, for withdrawing the said bolt to unlock the
said sections, substantially as shewn and described.
7. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate, of a handle
for supporting the said plate, a spring held on the said handle and adapted to engage
with its free end in the said plate, and a bolt for locking the said plate when the
said spring is compressed between the handle and the plate, substantially as shewn
and described.
8. In a stopper of the kind described the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be folded one upon the other, of springs
pressing the said sections, and a handle formed with a hook adapted to engage an
eye on one of the said sections, substantially as shewn and described.
9. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be folded one upon the other, of springs
pressing said sections, a handle formed with a hook adapted to engage an eye on
one of the said sections, and a bolt for locking the said plate to the said handle,
substantially as shewn and described.
10. In a stopper of the kind described the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be folded one upon the other, of a handle
pivotally connected with one of the said sections, and an auxiliary handle adapted
to engage the said plate to assist in manipulating the same, substantially as shewn
and described.

page_text: 11. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and provided with threaded openings adapted to be closed
by screw-plugs, of bolts engaging the said threaded openings when the screw-plugs
are removed, and a fastening bar adapted to engage the inner surface of the side or
bottom of the vessel and to be connected with the said bolts, substantially as shewn
and described.
12. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together, and adapted to be placed on the outer surface of the side
of the vessel, of eyes held on one of the said sections, a strap adapted to engage one
of the said eyes, and a fastening bar connected with the said strap and adapted to
engage the inner surface of the side of the vessel, substantially as shewn and
described.
13. In a stopper of the kind described, the combination, with a plate made in
sections hinged together and adapted to be placed on the outer surface of the side
of the vessel, of eyes held on one of the said sections, a strap adapted to engage one
of the said eyes, a fastening bar connected with the said strap and adapted to
engage the inner surface of the side of the vessel, and means, substantially as
described, for locking the said strap on the said fastening bar, as set forth.
Dated this 19th da
1000
F. F. JONES,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.