New or Improved Apparatus for Loading and Unloading Ships' Cargoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Apparatus for Loading and Unloading Ships'
Cargoes.
I, JAMES PRICE, of 9, Lapp's Quay, Cork, Ireland, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to new or improved apparatus for loading and
unloading ships' cargoes in a simple, economic and efficient manner.
In carrying out my invention I propose in the first instance, to erect a light
shear-legs, the base ends of which are pivoted in suitable bearings, arranged
either on the ship's gunwale or any suitable part of the deck as the nature of
the work may require.
On the head of this shear-legs is carried two or more sheaves or pulleys mounted
between a pair of jaws or cheeks so arranged as to allow a certain slot, at right
angles to the legs to partly intervene between same, the extremities of which
slot are expanded for the purpose presently described.
Through this slot the hoisting rope or chain from the ship's winch runs freely
during the swinging of the shear-legs from the position over the hold to the
position over the quay, or lighter receiving the discharged cargo, or vice versa
as the case may be.
On the rope or chain are two stops designated for convenience "A;" and "B."
These stops are so placed, that the first stop A, allows the cargo to be lifted
a certain pre-determined height and then engages the head of the shear-legs,
carrying same from one inclined position to the opposite inclined position, while
stop B engages the head and prevents the descent of the rope or chain during
the travel of the shear-legs between these two positions, until the head hangs
vertically over the point of discharge when the stop (B) slips through the ex-
panded part of the slot and allows the rope or chain to run down to the required
extent.
.
The shear-legs thus constructed and equipped is worked as follows:-
The ordinary ship's boom is arranged so that its extremity is approximately
vertical over the pivots of the shear-legs.
Through an ordinary sheave attached to the said extremity (of the boom) is
carried the rope or chain from the winch which is then run through the head of
the shear-legs and into the hold, the two stops just described having been first
arranged and fixed in proper position. When the winch is worked the rope or
chain is lifted until stop A, engages the head of the shear-legs, and carrys it over
in the manner described.
The swing or travel of the shear-legs may be adjusted by suitable stay ropes
or struts according to requirements.
It is understood that my improved apparatus may be erected and worked as
described on the quay or sea wall if found convenient for loading or unloading
purposes.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1899.
I
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
Agents for Applicant, 9, Westland Row, Dublin.

page_text: COMIDELE DI
New or improved Apparatus for Loading and Unloading Ships'
Cargoes.
I, JAMES PRICE, of 9, Lapp's Quay, Cork, Ireland, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
-
This invention has reference to new or improved apparatus for loading and
unloading ships' cargoes in a simple, economic, and efficient manner.
The nature and operation of my invention will be readily understood by refer-
ring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, which forms part of this specification.
Fig. 1 represents a vertical side view of my improved loading and unloading
apparatus in combination with an ordinary ships' boom or derrick.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the loading and unloading apparatus, the boom, or
derrick being. omitted.
Fig. 3 is a detached side view, enlarged scale, of the head piece, of the sheer
legs, and,
Fig. 4 is a part sectional-view, enlarged-scale,-of-Fig. 3, including_the_base_of_
one of the sheer legs.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the views:-
C, C, are a pair of sheer legs pivoted at 1, D', on a ships' gunwale, 12, or
other suitable part of the deck, so that the head of the sheer legs may readily be
swung alternately over the ship's side and hold.
These sheer legs are provided with a head piece, consisting of two semi-circular
plates or cheeks E, E, carrying two sheaves or pulleys F, F.
Between the two plates or cheeks is a peripherical space or slot G, the extremi-
ties of which are enlarged for the purpose presently described.
The ordinary ships" boom or derrick H, carrying at its top, sheaves J, and J,
is rigged out so as to be approximately vertical over the centre of the line join-
ing D, and D¹, An adjusting rope K, attached to the head piece of the sheer-
legs is passed over the boom or derrick sheave J¹, and fastened to the weight or
collar L, (which slides on the boom or derrick stay L',) and thence to the deck L³,
where it is made secure.
The hoisting chain or rope M, after passing over the sheave J, is passed through
the head piece as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and is provided with two stops A
and B, connected by a bar N, of such thickness as to enable it to pass freely
through the slot G.
The stop A, being smaller than the stop B, is free to enter the enlarged ex-
tremities of the slot but cannot pass through the narrow intervening neck,
while stop B by reason of its dimensions is incapable of entering the slot Gand
is intended to strike the edges of the plates or cheeks forming the head piece
as presently described.
The action of the arrangement is as follows:-
The load P, being hooked on in the ship's hold, the hoisting chain or rope M
is wound up on the ship's winch until stop A enters the expanded part of the
slot G, and stop B strikes the head piece, carrying the sheer legs towards the
vertical position.
Meantime the bar N, sliding into the narrow neck of the slot causes stop A
to engage therein, thus preventing the load from descending, while the shee
legs are being swung from the vertical position over the ship's side, to the exten

page_text: allowed by the adjusting rope, whereupon stop A slides out of engagement with
the slot and falling through its enlarged end, at the opposite side of the head
piece to that which it entered, allows the load to be lowered on to the quay, or
into a lighter at the side of the ship as the case may be.
Having detached the load the sheer legs are swung back over the hold by
winding the hoisting chain or rope M, and then slacking until the sheer legs
are in position to receive another load.
For loading cargo the process is reversed, but then it is convenient to trim
the boom or derrick so that the sheaves J, and J', will hang a little over the
inside of the ship.
Modifications are possible without altering the main features of my inven-
tion. For instance two spaces or slots may be formed between the plates or cheeks
of the head piece one over the other in which case only one stop would be neces-
sary, or by working with two spaces or slots and two stops double locking could
be provided for.
The apparatus may also be readily erected on a quay for loading or discharg-
ing purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First: In apparatus for loading and unloading ships' cargoes the means
whereby the hoisting chain or rope is caused to engage the head of the sheer
legs and swing same from a position over the hold to a position over the quay
or lighter, or vice versa, while meantime the load is prevented from decending,
substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Second: In loading and unloading ships' cargoes the use and application of
apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating in the manner substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 7th day of October 1899.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
Agents for Applicant, 9, Westland Row, Dublin.