Surge Reliever, Patent Model
date: label: Date made
content: 1870
label: patent date
content: 1870-10-04
name: label: patentee
content: Jones, John E.
label: inventor
content: Jones, John E.
notes: label: Description
content: John E. Jones of Wiretown (now Waretown), New Jersey, invented a mechanism in 1870 to relieve strain on anchor cables. This is his patent model for the device, which employs rubber springs in a pivoting frame as a surge buffer. "This is a most durable and efficient arrangement for" preventing damage from strained cables, he argued, "and its advantages will be readily understood by all sea-faring men."
label: Description
content: Strong, rot-resistant iron chains increasingly replaced natural-fiber anchor cables beginning in the 1850s, and by the 1870s they were almost universal on larger vessels. Jones's invention responded to the less elastic nature of iron compared to hemp, jute, and manila by providing a way to relieve any sudden tension that might occur in a cable. Jones also patented the use of rubber springs in adjustable lanyards, the patent model for which is also in the collection.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: associated place
content: United States: New Jersey, Wiretown
label: Associated Place
content: United States: New Jersey, Waretown
topic: label: Subject
content: Patent Models
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Maritime
label: See more items in
content: America on the Move
label: See more items in
content: Transportation
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: TR.308553
label: catalog number
content: 308553
label: accession number
content: 89797
label: patent number
content: 107,917
objectType: label: Object Name
content: valve, surge - reliever, patent model
label: Object Name
content: patent model, surge reliever
label: Object Type
content: Patent Model
label: Other Terms
content: valve, surge - relief; patent model, surge reliever; Maritime
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal (part material)
label: Physical Description
content: rubber (part material)
label: Physical Description
content: wood (part material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 9 1/4 in x 4 in x 4 in; 23.495 cm x 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm