Improvements in Propelling Yachts and the like, and in Auxiliary Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Propelling Yachts and the like, and in Auxiliary
Apparatus therefor.
I, EDWARD RAE, of Court Hill, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Yacht
Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a method of applying auxiliary power to
yachts and other vessels, and consists essentially in so arranging the propeller
beyond the rudder that it can be worked by treadle or other action or engine
power on the vessel and yet can be taken on board and stowed away when not
in use. I attach the propeller to a small shaft working in a thrust block. This
thrust block is of the usual character. The thrust block is suspended by a tripod
consisting of a shank firmly fixed to it or in one with it preferably formed of
an oval tube or with pointed section fore and aft ending in a bolt passing
through a vertical or nearly vertical sleeve in the counter of the vessel and two
links fastened to eyes on eye plates on the sides of the vessel. The vertical or
nearly vertical stay is attached by a chain to the under side of the taffrail and
the two side stays can if desired be likewise chained to this point. A suitable
gearing, preferably chain gearing, connects the short shaft of the propeller with
the propelling shaft or a counter-shaft connected with the propelling shaft by
other gearing. When the propeller has to be shipped on board, the nut or cotter
fastening the vertical or nearly vertical stay is removed and also the pins or
bolts attaching the side stays to the eyes on the side of the vessel and the chain
or other gearing being previously unshipped, the propeller falls off, but being
attached by a chain to the taffrail hangs suspended in the water, and can be
lifted on board. The three stays can now be placed alongside each other, the
propeller if desired removed from this shaft and the whole stowed away on
board. To re-ship it, as it is only required in calm weather, it is brought
under the stern of the vessel, the vertical stay placed in position in its sleeve
and cottered or otherwise fastened, the two side links fastened to their eyes
and the gear chain re-adjusted. The propelling mechanism, if not con-
sisting of engine power, can consist of a shaft with two, four or more cranks
placed at suitable angles and either worked direct by the feet or preferably
worked by treadle boards to which are attached short brackets carrying pulleys
connected with pulleys on the crank pins by chains, the treadle boards being
pivoted at one end. This shaft can either be to one side of the centre line and
passed through the stern to one side and a little above the main swell of the
rudder or a countershaft in any convenient position can be driven from this shaft
by chain or other gearing and chain or other gearing from the countershaft drives
the propeller, or in some instances I may make the connection between the driving
shaft and the propeller shaft by means of a flexible shaft. Any differential gear
can be applied between the shafts so as to increase or diminish the speed relatively
to the power.
In some instances I bring the propelling shaft direct to the propeller and have
two rudders one on each side of the propeller shaft normally parallel with it, but

page_text: either or both being capable of being turned outward to any required angle with
the axis of the vessel.
Doted this 17th day of February 1800
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Propelling Yachts and the like, and in Auxiliary
Apparatus therefor.
I, EDWARD RAE, of Court Hill, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Yacht
Owner, 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:-
This invention has for its object a method of applying auxiliary power to
yachts and other vessels, and consists essentially in so arranging a propeller
beyond the rudder that it can be worked by treadle or other motion, or engine
power on the vessel and yet can be taken on board and stowed away when not
in use.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my apparatus substantially as
use on my own yacht;
Figure 2 an end view; and
Figure 3 a detail of the pedal device.
now in
In these A is the propeller attached to a small shaft working in a thrust
block C. This thrust block is of the usual character and is suspended by a
tripod consisting of the shank or stanchion D ending in a bolt E passing
through a vertical sleeve in the counter of the vessel, and of two links or
stays G fastened at G¹ to eyes or pins on eye plates on the side of the vessel.
The vertical or nearly vertical stay or stanchion D may be attached if desired
by a chain to the under side of the taffrail and the two side stays cam if desired
be likewise chained to this point. A suitable gearing preferably a chain
gearing H shown in the drawing connects the short shaft B of the propeller A
with the counter shaft I passing fore and aft through the rear of the vessel,
but in such a position as to avoid the rudder as shown in Figure 2. This
counter shaft is supported in the bearing d on the stanchion 1) and in the
bearing S, and it is connected by chain gearing J to a crank or driving shaft K
in the cockpit or any convenient position for working. This crank shaft has four
cranks thereon at angles of 90° to each other. It is obvious, however, that
there might be three cranks, two cranks, one crank or a greater number than
four. M is a coupling in the shaft I consisting of a pair of flanges one of
which is provided with studs engaging in holes in the adjacent flange. To dis-
connect the coupling, one end of the shaft is moved longitudinally so as to
enable the pins in one of the flanges to free themselves from the other flange.
This movement is effected by providing the block S with a sleeve T in which
the shaft I revolves. So long as the sleeve T is secured by the nuts U, longi-
tudinal movement of the shaft is prevented by the sleeve, but by slackening
the nuts, the sleeve and consequently the shaft can be moved longitudinally to
disengage the coupling. It will be seen that on the shaft at each end of the
sleeve a collar is keyed this prevents longitudinal movement in the sleeve while

page_text: allowing rotary movement studs and checknuts at U hold the sleeve immove-
able in the bearing.
When therefore the propeller has to be shipped on board, the two parts of
the shaft are uncoupled in the manner described, the nut or cotter L passing
through the vertical stay removed, and also the side stays G are unpinned or
disconnected from the eyes or pins on the side of the vessel. The apparatus
now falls off, but being attached by a chain to the taffrail hangs suspended in
the water and can be lifted on board. The stays G can now be placed along-
side the stanchion D, the propeller if desired removed and the whole stowed
away on board. To reship it, as it is only required in calm weather, it is
lowered over the stern of the vessel, the vertical stay D placed in position in
its sleeve and cottered or otherwise fastened, the two links attached to their
eyes or pins, the couplings M brought together, and locked in engagement, by
screwing up the nuts Uso as to tighten the sleeve T.
The propelling mechanism can consist of a shaft K with cranks L' placed
at suitable angles, and either worked direct by the feet, or preferably by treadle
boards M Mand N N to which are attached short brackets or bows Q. These
are coupled to a sleeve or pulley r on the crank pin by a chain R, the treadle
boards M being pivoted at one end at O, and the treadle boards N being
arranged the opposite way so that the men will sit back to back or a connecting
rod may be used instead of a chain. The shaft I is to one side of the centre
line as shown in the drawings and passes through the stern to one side and a
little above the main swell of the rudder. Any differential gear can be applied
between the shaft I and the shafts B and K so as to increase or diminish the
speed relatively to the power. P are two saddles somewhat similar to bicycle
saddles. These saddles are respectively above the treadles M' M¹. Similar
saddles on the opposite side of the cockpit are placed above the treadles N and N.
The mode of action is as follows:-
Four men each of them having two treadle boards, actuate these treadles,
and the cranks being by preference at four different angles with each other,
they rotate the shaft K and there are no dead centres. The shaft K is either
on the centre line or to one or other side of it as found most convenient depend-
ing upon the size of the cockpit. The vessel can thus be propelled through
the water.
In some instances I may bring the driving shaft K direct to the propeller A
and have two rudders, one on each side of the propeller shaft normally parallel
with it, but either or both of them being capable of being turned outward to
any required angle with the axis of the vessel. In such case a coupling is pro-
vided which will enable the propeller end of the shaft to be detached from
the driving shaft end, when the propeller is required to be unshipped. I prefer
however the arrangement shown.
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. In an auxiliary power apparatus for yachts and other vessels for propelling
them when becalmed or when the sails are not effective, the combination for
motive power of a driving shaft worked by treadles, engine power or the like,
and a propeller mounted beyond the rudder on a short shaft revolving in a
thrust block suspended by means of a tripod or frame from the vessel, said
shaft being coupled direct to the propelling shaft by means of a detachable
coupling, or indirectly by means of a counter shaft having a detachable coup-
ling whereby by disconnecting the coupling and releasing the tripod or frame,
the propeller with its tripod when not in use can be unshipped and stowed
away substantially as described.
2. The arrangement of propeller and propeller shaft, the latter in bearings
on a removable tripod, and connected by a counter shaft (made in two parts

page_text: coupled together) with a pedalling device in the cockpit or interior of the
vessel, in combination with means for enabling said counter shaft to be slid
longitudinally so as to bring the two parts of the shaft out of engagement at
the coupling, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. The improvement in propelling yachts and the like which consists in
arranging a pedal crank shaft longitudinally to the vessel in the cockpit or
other convenient position, and connecting it with the propeller abaft the rudder,
the connection passing through the stern at a sufficient distance to one side of
the rudder post to avoid the rudder, substantially as described.
+
4. The special arrangement of pedalling apparatus, substantially,as and for
the purposes described.
5. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming my
improved auxiliary power apparatus for yachts and other vessels for propelling
them when the sails are not effective, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 7th day of November 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham & London.