GB115754A - Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Closing or Covering Leaks or Fractures in the Hulls of Vessels. - Google Patents

Abstract

115,754. Kolesar, F. Aug. 14, 1917. Breach mats; rafts.-Breach mats are constructed of a number of parallel battens 1, Fig. 1, of wood arranged in contact and fitting into each other so as to form a flexible watertight mat. Preferably, a rounded bead is formed on one edge of each batten and fits into a corresponding depression on the adjacent batten, leaving a series of parallel grooves on the inner face of the mat, which allow the mat to be rolled up. The battens are strung together by means of ropes 3 passing through transverse holes in the battens, and to the ends of which are attached ropes 6, Fig. 3, adapted to be passed completely round the vessel and to be tightened by winches or by hand. Additional eyes 1<x> are provided on the edges of the mat for the attachment of additional securing-ropes. The inner face of the mat is lined with a preferably seamed blanket 7, which is prevented from moving relatively to the battens by the grooves 8<1> and by other grooves 8 cut in the battens parallel to the ropes 3. The mat is normally rolled up and carried on a drum 9, Fig. 7, mounted on a truck 12, which can, readily be wheeled to any part of the vessel. The truck carries a number of bars 14, 15 and a roller 16, which can be fitted together as shown in Fig. 8 to form a framework 13 adapted to project outboard, as shown in Fig. 3, to guide the mat. The drum 9 is built up of two sections 9<1>, 9<2> having undercut recesses 28, Fig. 9, into which is keyed a shaft 29 connecting the sections and forming the axle of the drum. By detaching the drum and lashing the sections 9<1>, 9<2> together with the mat and bars 14 to the truck, as shown in Fig. 9, the truck and mat can be employed as a raft, the hand-rails 31 being normally carried on hooks 32 on the edge of the truck. Battens may be arranged across the breach to form an initial support for the mat, the upper edge of the mat may be secured by additional bars pressed against the outer face of the mat by means of screw bolts, and the mat when in position may be covered by a tarpaulin.