US1137627A - Fender. - Google Patents

Description

W. H. lENNlNS.

FENDER.

APPucATloN man AuG.12. 1914.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WW1/woman fur mams PETERS Co, FNOWO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. Q. c.

W. H. JENNINGS.

FENDERI 'APPLICATION FILED AUG. l2 1914.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ET FFllQE.

FENDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

Application filed August 12, 1914. Serial No. 856,415.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, WALTER H. JENNINGS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Smithfield, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fenders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a buffer to be installed upon or used in connection with a ship for absorbing shocks, upon collision with other ships, ice bergs, or the like, while not necessarily restricted to such use, as the same may be mounted upon other vehicles.

An important `object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, positive and reliable in operation, and convenient to manipulate.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, having pressure operated means for extending the shock absorbing element and automatically cutting off the supply of pressure after such element has moved to the end of its outward travel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional View through apparatus embodying my invention, the same being installed upon a ship, shown in section, Fig. 2 is a central horizontal sectional view through the same, Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, Fig. -i is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 4- of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section through a valve, and, Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates the forward end of the body or hull of a ship, having my apparatus 11 arranged therein and rigidly secured thereto, as shown.

This shock absorbing apparatus comprises a horizontally arranged cylinder 12, having its inner end closed by a head 13, while its outer end is open. Mounted to reciprocate within the cylinder 12 is a plunger 15 rigidly connected with a plunger rod 16, passing outwardly through a stuffing-box 18, to occupy a position in advance of the hull 10.

The plunger 15, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, is provided with pressure relief openings 19, covered by outwardly opening valves 20, held seated by stiff coil springs 21, the tension of which may be adjusted by nuts 22 screw-threaded upon stems 23, attached to the valves 20. The springs 21 are adjusted or tensioned to withstand the maximum pressure or blow, whereby when the plunger rod strikes an object, such as an ice berg, and the pressure in advance of the plunger is beyond thel prede* termined degree, the valve or valves are opened, reducing the pressure, but are in- 'stantaneously closed upon such reduction or pressure, thus serving to more gradually absorb the shock, preventing damage to the apparatus and the ship to which it is attached.

When the plunger 15 has been driven to the inner position by engagement with an object or obstacle, the same is moved outwardly, by pressure induced into the inner end of the cylinder 12. Such pressure is fed through a supply pipe 2li, having a cut off valve 25 connected therein. This cut off valve is operated by a reciprocatory rod 26, and is opened to admit the supply of pressure when this rod is moved in the direction of the arrow, said valve being closed when the rod is moved in opposite direction. The rod 26 is pivotally connected with one arm of a double bell-crank lever 27, pivoted at 28. This lever is adapted to be manually operated by a handle 29, while opening the valve and to be automatically operated, for closing the valve structure, by means to be next described.

The automat-ic means comprises a reciprocatory rod 30, pivoted to the opposite arm of the double bell-crank lever 27, and carrying at its forward end a depending arm 3l, rigidly secured tliereto, rhis depending arm 31 is arranged forwardly of and in the path of travel of an upstanding trip-clement 33 and is automatically moved thereby, to cut off the supply of pressure, when the plunger 15 has reached the end of its outward travel.

Arranged in advance of the cylinder 12 and rigidly secured thereto, is a horizontal casing 34 preferably formed square in crosssection, with an inner cylindrical portion, bolted or otherwise attached to the inner end of the cylinder 12. Rigidly secured to the inner surface of the casing are upper and lower stationary horizontal tracks 35. These tracks receive thereon flange wheels 37 attached to a guide-carriage 38. This guide-carriage is rigidly attached to the plunger-rod 16, preventing the same from turning upon its longitudinal axis and also preventing it from partaking of lateral movements.

The numeral 39 designates a buffer head, having a universal connection or joint 10 with the outward end of the plunger rod 16, whereby the buffer head may automatically adjust itself to the desired position, upon contact with objects having irregular surfaces.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows z-i/Vhen the apparatus is in the active condition, the plunger 15 is at the forward end of the cylinder 12, whereby the buffer head 89 is arranged substantially in advance of theship, to engage or encounter the obstruction or object. The valve structure 25 is now closed whereby air or other pressure is confined or entrapped behind the plunger' 15. When the buffer head 39 encounters the.

obstruction, the plunger rod 16 is moved rearwardly or inwardly with respect to the cylinder 12, carrying the plunger 15 with it. `It is obvious that the air behind the plunger 15 is further compressed thus taking up the shock. However, should the pressure or blow upon the plunger-rod 16 be excessive, whereby the air behind the plunger 15 would be compressed above a predetermined degree, the valve or valves 20 will automatically open, whereby the pressure will be reduced, the same instantaneously closing with the reduction of pressure. In this manner, the shocks are most advantageously taken up without liability of the parts of the apparatus being broken.

When the plunger 15 is in the rear position and it is desired to move the same to the forward position, the lever 29 is swung forwardly, whereby the rod 23 is moved in the direction of the arrow. Pressure is now supplied into the inner end of the cylinder 12 through the pipe 2st, the same driving the plunger 15 forwardly. Pressure is thus permitted to continue to enter the cylinder 12, until the plunger 15 approaches the end of its outward travel, at which time the triph element 33 engages the arm 81, and through the medium of the rod 30 and associated ele-- ments, shifts rod 26 forwardly, to close the n valve structure 25, whereby the pressure is cut off. Vhen there is no necessity to use the apparatus, it is preferred to have the buffer head 39 moved to the inner position, which may be readilyaccomplished by opening a pressure relief valve 13', such buer head being then manually returned to such inner position.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as apreferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In 'apparatus of the character described, a cylinder, a plunger mounted to reciprocate therein, a plunger rod connected with the plunger and extending exteriorly of the cylinder and provided with a buffer head, means to supply pressure tothe inner end of the cylinder for moving the plunger forwardly, and automatic means to cut off the j `supply of pressure when the plunger has moved a predetermined distance in the forward direction.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

a cylinder, a plunger to reciprocate therein, a plunger rod connected with the plunger and extending exteriorly of the cylinder and carrying a buffer head, a track extending longitudinally of the cylinder, and a guide carriage rigidly secured to the plunger rod and traveling longitudinally upon the track to hold the plunger rod against improper lateral movements.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a cylinder, a plunger mounted to reciprocate therein, a plunger rod attached to the plunger and extending forwardly beyond the cylinder, a pressure inlet valve connected with the cylinder, a trip element secured to the plunger rod, means to shift the inlet valve embodying a member disposed -in the path of travel of the trip element to be moved thereby, a wheeled carriage rigidly secured to the plunger rod to hold thesame against turning movement, a track extending longitudinally of the cylinder and having the wheeled carriage traveling thereon, and a buer head carried by the forward end of the plunger rod.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VALTER H. JENNINGS.

C'opies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

Images