US148434A - Improvement in steering devices - Google Patents

Description

c. e. ELLIOTT.

Steering Devices. NO.148,434, Patented March 10. 1874.

QM, *h Wb @mamme Y lrlfNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. ELLIOTT, OF GREENPOINT, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEERING DEVICES.'`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,434, dated March 10, 1874; application filedA February 13, 1874. l i

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. ELLIOTT, of Greenpoint, Kings county', inthe State of New York, have invented certain Improvements relating to Boat-Steering, of which the following is a specification:

The invention is intended more especially for very slender and light row-boats, used for racing and analogous fancy purposes, but may be used with some advantage in row-boats of other descriptions, and even, possibly, on sailboats, when for any reason it may be convenient for the steersman to steer with his foot.

, It is peculiarly necessary with race-boats to allow the steersman the unobstructed use of his hands in working his oar. Means have been before devised to operate with the feet cords or ropes connected to the rudder. The present invention is intended to obviate the difficulties connected therewith. The ordinary arrangement employs both feet, and gives an `unstable support or brace for the feet in the vigorous rowing which is required of the steersman simultaneously with his steeringing movements.

My invention gives always a firm support in the ordinary position of the stretcher or foot-brace, and among a multitude of other advantages affords great facilities for a proper hold for the feet in the use of the sliding seat. The modern sliding seat, moving fore and aft by the alternate contraction and expansion of the rowers lower limbs, calls for a hold by the feet, to enable the rower to draw himself vigorously toward it, as well as to thrust himself Y powerfully away.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out my invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specication.

Figure l is a portion of a longitudinal section through a race-boat, with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a portion of a transverse section thereof.

Similar letters of reference indica-te like parts in all the figures.

A is the shell or skin of the boat, and A1 is what I sometimes call the iloor board. A2

arc of a circle, of which the pivot-bolt B, near the floor-board, is the center. On this pivot B I mount a foot-piece 0r swiveling-frame, D,

which is shaped to receive one of the feet oi' the steersman, and allow it to be turned on the pivot B atwill. A strap, E, passed through ears D2 of the sides of the foot.piece D, holds the toe of the steersman firmly in the frame D, while the heel-rim D1 supports the foot against becoming misplaced by sliding downward too far. In case of the accidental upsetting of the boat, the steersman can readily extricate his foot 'by drawing it, heel foremost, toward him. A quadrant piece, C, of brass or other suitable metal, is embedded in the face of the stretcher A5, and forms a' smooth support on which the lz'gmrm-m't face-pieces D5, which are/'riveted on the under face of the frame D, may slide. The frame D is formed with a broad, stout projection, D1, reaching into the slot a, and carrying a stout lip, D5, which hooks under the fixed quadrant C, and holds the foot-piece D and its connections in their proper position, against the vigorous pulls by the foot of the steersman, on the strap E. An arm, D5, which may be much slen derer, extends through the slot a, and affords a point of attachment for two cords or ropes, G1 G2, which lead around pulleys H, placed opposite thereto on the sides of the boat, respectively, and thence aft tothe rudder, one extending along on each side of the boat. They may be attached to the rudder directly, or through the medium of a tiller or other device, as may be preferred. v

When the steersman inclines his foot in one direction or the other, he turns the foot-piece D on its pivot B, and moves the cords G1 G2, thereby shifting the rudder to the desired extent. When the parts vare properly made,

for the thrusting motion, and the strap E gives him a reliable and lirm hold for the contracting motion.

In order to compensate for the thickness of the frame D and its Zignmn-zitw slides D3, a piece of board ot' corresponding thickness may be iixed on the stretcher alongside, to receive the other foot. By this means the steersman rows with both feet planted on supports of exactly equal height or distance from his body.

Many modications of the proportions and details may be made by any good mechanic, without departing from the principle of my invention. Thus, instead of the buckle, represented in Fig. 2, for adjusting the strap E, a screw-connection or other delicate means may be employed, or any of the devices used in securing skates to the foot may be employed in this connection; but I esteem it important to provide for the sure detachment of the foot by a vigorous effort, in case of accident. A fixed strap, of suitable form, may take the place of the adjustable strap E, with some success. So, also, a tight instead of an open-work foot-piece, D, or even a piece of hard board, properly fitted, might be employed instead ot' the metal frame. Some portions of the improvement may be used with advantage without the others; but I prefer the whole together, and in about the proportions here shown.

Two bright pieces of metal, a e', are employed, to conveniently indicate to the eye the true central position of the foot-piece, and consequently of the rudder. The piece D maybe pivoted under the stretcher. In such case the ears D2 will project through the slot a in the same, and receive the strap E the same as shown. This construction does away with the parts D4 D5. lt affords a firm hold for the foot,

holding it between the strap E and the face of the stretcher.

The heel may rest in a curved fixed support,A

or it may rest the same as shown, in a movable socket, mounted on a pivot extending through the stretcher.

Some of the advantages due to certain features of the invention may be separately enumerated, as follows: First, by reason ot' the fact that the foot-piece D moves in the plane of the stretcher, on the front thereof, it affords a lirm support for the thrust of the foot in all positions, and allows motion to be imparted at any period in the stroke; second,'by reason of the steering-ropes Gr1 Gr2 lying under and forward of the stretcher, and being connected to the foot-piece D through the medium of arigid arm from the latter, extending through a4 curved slot, I am able to keep the front of the stretcher clear, and to communicate motion directly to the steering-ropes, without any allowance for lost motion; third, by reason ofthe lip D5 matching under the stretcher, as shown, I am able to apply the force of the foot in drawing the body forward by means of the strap E, attached to the foot-piece.

I claim as my invention- The pivoted footpiece D on the front of the stretcher, and moving in the plane thereof, in in combination with the steeringropes G1 Gr2 leading therefrom around the pulley H to the rudder, as specied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of February, 1,874, in the presence of two subscribing'witnesses.

CIIAS. B. ELLIOTT.

Witnesses:

Wir. C. DEY, `ARNOLD IIRMANN.

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