IM- PROVEMENTS IN HORSE FLATS OR BARGES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wallace Douglas McDonald, of Bembridge, in the
Isle of Wight, Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN HORSE FLATS OR BARGES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wallace Douglas
McDonald at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October
1878.
JOHN WALLACE DOUGLAS MCDONALD, of Bembridge, in the Isle of Wight, Rear
Admiral in the Royal Navy. IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE FLATS OR BARGES."
According to my Invention the sides and ends of horse flats or barges are con-
structed with joints, so that the whole or the upper portions of such sides and ends
may be lowered down into a horizontal or other position. The edges at the joints
are provided with packing.to form water-tight joints.
Horse flats or barges according to my Invention may be constructed to take to
pieces for convenience of stowage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Wallace Douglas McDonald in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd April 1879.
JOHN WALLACE DOUGLAS MCDONALD, of Bembridge, in the Isle of Wight, Rear
Admiral in the Royal Navy. IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE FLATS OR BARGES."
"s
According to my Invention the sides and ends of horse flats or barges are con-
structed with joints, so that the whole or the upper portions of such sides and ends
Price 4d.1

page_text: may be lowered down into a horizontal or other position. The edges at the joints
are provided with packing to form water-tight joints.
Horse flats or barges according to my Invention may be constructed to take to
pieces for convenience of stowage.
Referring to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,-
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of a horse flat or barge according
to my Invention.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section in the line A, B, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation.
Fig. 4 is a plan.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detached views shewing the joints.
1 is the bottom of the flat or barge; 2 and 3 are the lower portions of the sides
which are fixed; 4 and 5 are end chocks also fixed; 6 and 7 are the upper portions
or continuations of the sides, and are hinged or jointed at 8 so that they may be
lowered down over the bottom to a horizontal or other position as indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 2; 9 and 10 are the lower moveable portions of the ends;
they are hinged or jointed at 11 to the chocks 4 and 5 respectively; 12 and 13
are the upper moveable portions or continuations of the ends, and are hinged
or jointed at 14 to the lower moveable portions 9 and 10 respectively. The
juxtaposed edges of the sides and ends are rabbeted as shewn in Figs. 5 and 6,
fearnought or other similar soft material being fastened (it may be by nailing)
to one or other or both of the rabbeted edges, so that when the parts are in
the open position, that is, the position shewn in full lines to the left in Fig. 1, and
also as shewn in full in Figs. 2 and 3, the interposed fearnought or other similar
material will form a water-tight joint. The jointed portions of the sides are secured
in the open position (that is, when not lowered) by screws 15, threaded in brackets
16 and 17 attached respectively to the moveable portions of the sides and to the
floor or other fixed portions of the structure, substantially as shewn. The jointed
portions of the ends are secured in the open position (that is, when not lowered) by
hook bolts 18 passing through brackets 19 fastened to the timbers or stanchions 20
or other fixed portions of the structures, substantially as shewn and provided with
nuts 21.
The hinge pins of the side and end hinges or joints have hinged or jointed to
them extensions, as shewn in Fig. 7, which extensions hang down when the hinge
pins are in position, as well understood, so as to keep the hinge pins in place.
By withdrawing the hinge pins the flat or barge may be taken to pieces.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and explained in what
manner the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I
would have it understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and there-
fore claim as the Invention secured to me under the Letters Patent herein-before
in part recited is, the constructing horse flats or barges as explained with reference
to the accompanying Drawings, and particularly I claim making the sides and ends
of horse flats or barges with joints, substantially as herein-before described for the
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wallace Douglas McDonald, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of April, in the year of our