IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FRAMES SUITABLE FOR SHIPS' SIDE, DECK, AND OTHER LIGHTS, PORTHOLES, AND SCUTTLES, AND THE METHOD OF FIXING AND OPERATING THE SAME.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Ridsdale, of Montpelier House, Tufnell
Park West, in the County of Middlesex, and of the Minories,
in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FRAMES SUITABLE FOR SHIPS' SIDE, DECK, AND OTHER LIGHTS,
PORTHOLES, AND SCUTTLES, AND THE METHOD OF FIXING AND OPERATING THE
SAME.
39
Sealed the 15th November 1872, and dated the 18th May 1872.
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Ridsdale at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th May 1872.
I, JOSEPH RIDSDALE, of Montpelier House, Tufnell Park West, in
the County of Middlesex, and of the Minories, in the City of London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF FRAMES SUITABLE FOR SHIPS' SIDE, Deck, AND OTHER LIGHTS,
PORTHOLES, AND SCUTTLES, AND THE METHOD OF FIXING AND OPERATING THE SAME,"
to be as follows:-

page_text: These improvements relate to the construction of frames suitable for
ships' side, deck, and other lights, portholes, and scuttles, and in the
method of operating them, whereby they can be opened or closed in a
much more easy manner and rendered more suitable for the purposes of
admitting light and air into the cabins or 'tween decks of vessels than
can be accomplished by the present method.
According to the first method I construct the frames in which the
glass or plates of metal are arranged in halves or sections, so that either
portion or the whole can be opened or closed at will. The frames are
preferably of circular or semicircular shape and hinged to a central
vertical bar or rib, or to an exterior rim or frame so that the halves
or sections can be opened outwards or inwards as desired. In some
cases the central bar or rib is fixed to the outer frame or to the vessel
itself, and in others it is hinged either at the top or at the bottom so as
to be folded up or down against the vessel's side before or after the swing
glass or metal half frames are opened to present a clear opening through
the holes in which the outer frames are fitted. If the bar or rib is
hinged I prefer to shape the lower part of it to fit the fixed frame, and
to arrange the upper part so that it can be embraced by a forked clip
when raised, and be there secured by a partial turn of a bolt, catch, or
screw, in any easy and secure manner.
According to another construction I attach the half or sectional
frames to the central bar or rib, so that when the clip is unfastened the
whole of it with the half frames can be turned downwards and present a
clean opening through which the muzzle of a gun be projected if the
opening is a porthole, or to present a full sized opening for lighting or
for ventilating purposes.
The exterior frame may be permanently attached to the vessel's side
or to some other part as desired or only temporarilly so as to be removed
at will, in this case if the Invention be employed in or to a vessel of
war in the portholes, the frames can be entirely removed and the open-
ings filled in or covered up by metal plates bolted on to the vessel's side,
or the holes can be otherwise closed.
I have mentioned that the half or sectional frames or the whole
exterior frame or both may be folded or turned downwards upon the
outside of the vessel, but I do not limit myself to fitting them on or to
the outside, as they may be fitted on or to the inside to be operated from

page_text: that side, in which case full command can be had to open or close them
for whatever purpose they are used and wherever fitted.
If the frames are fitted as scuttles or as covers to apertures in the
deck or as top lights in other parts of the vessel they may be protected
by metal gratings which can be operated separately or in combination
with the sectional frames. By this means the opening of one section
can be made to open the grating or cover, which if arranged to stand up
above the level of the deck would act as a warning to the passengers
or to the crew to prevent them standing over the opening through which
the light, air, or ventilation is required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Ridsdale in the Great. Seal Patent Office on
the 18th November 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I, JOSEPH
RIDSDALE, of Montpelier House, Tufnell Park West, in the County of
Middlesex, and of the Minories, in the City of London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Joseph Ridsdale, Her special licence that
I, the said Joseph Ridsdale, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Joseph Ridsdale, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, usc, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF FRAMES SUITABLE FOR SHIPS' SIDE, DECK, AND OTHER LIGHTS, PORT-
HOLES, AND SCUTTLES, AND THE METHOD OF FIXING AND OPERATING THE SAME,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Ridsdale,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Ridsdale, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed, that is to say:
:-
These improvements relate to the construction of frames suitable for
ships' side, deck, and other lights, portholes, and scuttles, and in the
method of operating them, whereby they can be opened or closed in a
much more easy manner and rendered more suitable for the purposes of
admitting light and air into the cabins or 'tween decks of vessels than
can be accomplished by the present method.
According to the first method I construct the frames in which the
glass or plates of metal are arranged in halves or sections; so that either
portion or the whole can be opened or closed at will. The frames are
preferably of circular or semicircular shape and hinged to a central
vertical bar or rib or to an exterior rim or frame so that the halves or
sections can be opened outwards or inwards as desired. In some cases
the central bar or rib is fixed to the outer frame or to the vessel itself,
and in others it is hinged either at the top or at the bottom so as to be
folded up or down against the vessel's side before or after the swing glass
or metal half frames are opened to present a clear opening through the
holes in which the outer frames are fitted.
If the bar or rib is hinged I prefer to shape the lower part of it to
fit the fixed frame, and to arrange the upper part so that it can be
embraced by a forked clip when raised, and be there secured by a partial
turn of a bolt, catch, or screw in an easy and secure manner.
According to another construction I attach the half or sectional frames
to the central bar or rib, so that when the clip is unfastened the whole
of it with the half frames can be turned downwards and present a clear
opening through which the muzzle of a gun can be projected if the
.opening is a porthole, or to present a full sized opening for lighting or
. for ventilating purposes.
The exterior frame may be permanently attached to the vessel's side
or to some other part as desired or only temporarily, so as to be removed

page_text: at will. In this case if the Invention be employed in or to a vessel
of war in the portholes the frames can be entirely removed and the
openings filled in or covered up by metal plates bolted on to the vessel's
side or the holes can be otherwise closed.
I have mentioned that the half or sectional frames or the whole
exterior frame or both may be folded or turned downwards upon the
outside of the vessel, but I do not limit myself to fitting them on or
to the outside, as they may be fitted on or to the inside to be operated
from that side, in which case full command can be had to open or close
them for whatever purpose they are used and wherever fitted.
If the frames are fitted as scuttles or as covers to apertures in the
deck or as top lights in other parts of the vessel, they may be protected
by metal gratings which can be operated separately or in combination
with the sectional frames. By this means the opening of one section
can be made to open the grating or cover, which if arranged to stand
up above the level of the deck would act as a warning to the passengers
or the crew to prevent them standing over the opening through which
the light, air, or ventilation is required.
The Invention will be well understood by reference to the accom-
panying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a view of a ship's side light composed of two half frames
a, a, fitted with separate pieces or sheets of glass b, b, through which
the light can penetrate. The half frames a, a, are jointed to a central
vertical bar or pin c, the lower end of which is swivelled or jointed to
lugs c', c¹, projecting from the framed secured upon or to the ship's
hull to enable the two half frames a, a, to move and turn about on the
joint c as a whole when the "light" has to be opened to its fullest extent
for ventilating purposes. This is clearly shown by the dotted lines in
Figure 1; the "light" may, however, be jointed at the top of the
frame d to be turned upwards. The frame d has a bezel or edging on
the outside as in Figure 2, with notches e, e, in it for the reception of
lugs or claws f. f, upon a cover g, which can be first passed from the
inside to engage against the bezel, the claws passing into the notches;
the cover is then turned, say, a quarter round, or until one of the claws
fouls a lump, whereby the cover is held secure. This cover, shown
separately in Figures 3 and 4, is only intended to be used in rough
weather or when the vessel is "laying up" to preserve the glass from

page_text: injury. The cover on the inner face is furnished with two handles h, h,
which can be made to lay snug and clear of contact with the glass when
the fold-up frame or the two fold-to half frames is put into position for
closing the opening in a complete manner. The main frame d carries
one, two, or more hinged bolts i, i, which can be turned upon their
centres by the thumb buttons j, j, to bring the bolts between the jaws
or projections k, k, upon the movable half frames to bind it or them in
position whether the cover be employed or not. The free end of the
vertical central pin is also formed with jaws t, 1, over and against
which a separate thumbscrew or a nut n can be caused to bear to
bring the hinged frame into close contact with the main frame d, cork,
felt, or other elastic or compressible medium being placed between the
meeting edges to make them wind and water-tight.
Figure 5 is a view of the side light mentioned above, with one of the
half frames (in dotted lines) open. I do not in all cases fit the central
vertical pin to turn upwards or downwards, as it may be a fixture in
the main frame d like a division or stay bar or the pin may be in
connection with a fixed vertical central bar to enable two half lights to
be opened or closed at will, as will be gathered by referring to Figure 6.
In this view I have shown only one fastener to each half light or frame,
and for river boats, yachts, and other similarly closed boats or vessels
one fastener to each half light would in the majority of instances be
found sufficient, but for larger vessels in which much larger lights are
required two or more fasteners to each half light would be necessary.
Figure 7 represents two half lights fitted directly on to the vessel's
side n, the fastening bolts being pinned thereon so that they can be
embraced by the forks or notches when turned upon their centres.
According to this plan I employ lever handles p, p, fitted loosely
upon studs at right angles to the bolts, so that the handles can be turned
upwards or downwards to release or secure the half lights. The bosses
of the lever handles have lumps q upon them, as in Figure 8, which act
upon the clip or forks k of the frame projections to keep the seams or
crevices wind and water tight.
Figure 9 shows one of the levers and lumps in position in full lines,
and thrown back upon the bolt joint in dotted lines,
Figure 10 represents two half lights arranged upon joints or hinges
upon the outside edges, the plate to which they are affixed being holed
3

page_text: at intervals to enable the light to be bolted or screwed upon a vessel's
frame preferably upon the inside for the half lights to open inwardly.
The central bar or rib c is a fixture and forms part of the plate, the rib
being formed with channels for the reception of the half lights frames,
both being secured in position by one lever handle p, the boss of which
has two lumps q upon it, so that either of the half lights can be opened
at will by simply turning the handle across the face of the neighbouring
half light glass.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 show three views of two half lights fitted upon
a central rib of an aperture in a frame, the rib forming the pin upon
which the two half lights turn. The frame as also the light are of.
oblong shape as if temporarily covering an elongated porthole, the
frame being secured by screws or bolts, the removal of which enables
the port to be exposed fully for gun practice. As a precaution and for
the safety of the glass in rough weather I arrange the outer edge of the
frame to receive a shield or cover which can be put in place from the
inside in any convenient manner.
Figure 14 represents a sectional view of two half lights fitted so that
they can be opened in one direction from the inside or from the outside,
this plan being particularly applicable to deck and other top lights and
apertures. The frames of the two half lights with the rib in the centre
are attached to or form part of a grating 8, the edge of which at one part
has a hinge joint t in connection with the deck u, upon which hinge the
whole can be tilted, and the two half lights or one of them only can be
unfastened and turned to open it, when the grating can be replaced to
make the opening secure. By this means the ventilation of the cabin,
berth, engine-room, hold, or other compartment or space can be effected
without interfering with the light or rendering the opening dangerous.
The grating and the half lights frames may be separately hinged if
desired to open in the same or in the reverse directions.
In all cases where my two half lights are fitted in an external frame,
be that frame portion of the vessel skin or not, I arrange strips of cork,
felt, or other medium in slits, or fasten such strips upon the meeting
edges of the frames, and I so shape the opposite frame that it bears
direct upon the cork, as will be understood by reference to Figure 15.
I do not limit myself to the exact construction or arrangement of the
several parts of the apparatus as shown, for the purposes set forth, as
several modifications and alterations can be made without departing from

page_text: the nature of my Invention, nor do I limit myself to the class of boat,
ship, or vessel, nor to the position of placing the apparatus thereon,
therein, or thereto, the features of my Invention being and to which
claim is herein made,-
Firstly. The construction of frames, that is to say, whole frames and 5
half frames, in combination substantially in the manner shown and for
the purposes set forth.
Secondly. The construction of fixed or movable frames with a
partition, rib, or bar for the reception of half lights, half shutters, or
half shields when used for ships' lights or ventilators, in the manner 1
described and substantially as shown.
Thirdly. The construction and employment of two half lights or half
frames in the apertures in the sides, deoks, walls, or other parts of ships
or vessels, as set forth.
Fourthly. I claim the combination of half lights with fixed or movable 1
gratings upon or in the decks or other parts of ships or vessels, sub-
stantially as described and shown in Figure 14 of the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Ridsdale, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November One 2
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
JOSEPH RIDSDALE (LR)