US1717541A - Boat - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1929. c. J. BAER ET AL 1.717.541

BOAT

Filed July 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gwen-mg c. .1. BAER ET AL 1.717.541

BOAT

Filed July 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet) 5 J F J F J J E PW v June; 18, -l 929.

June 18, 1929.

c. J. BA ER ET AL BOAT Filed July 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 BOAT Filed July 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwmmtoz c. J. BAER ET AL BOAT ' Filed July 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 M w M 0 0 0 yMM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Z M 0 0 0 0 5? 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 t w 0 0 o d 0 u 0 0 0 0 Q QNLWWNMJ Fatented June I 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES CARL J. BAER, or S LOUIS, MISSOURI, AND CARL F. JEFFRIES, orbcsrnorr,

q MICHIGAN, A

BOAT.

I Application filed July 9,

This invention relates to boat propulsion, and more particularlyto the propulsion of high-powered boats used for towing purposes.

More specifically the invention embodies the utilization of novel endless chain propelling mechanisms, provided with perforated paddle elements possessing all of the advantages set forth in patent to Baer No.

1,452,059, issued April 17, 1923. Said patent structure however, carried a single row of propelling elementsfon each side of the boat,

whereas the present structure utilizes three .I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a boat equipped on each side with a plurality of endless chain propellers, and

with means constantly and flexibly'supp'orting each of said chains.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means" for separately controlling the operation of each of the propelling chains, including instrumentalities for operating any chain in a forward or reverse direction, and means for adjusting the tension 1 of said chain.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a guard or grating protecting the propelling mechanisms against becoming fouled or clogged by floating articles.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an endless chainpropelling mechanism equipped with paddle elements of such construction that a broken paddle.

may be replaced with a minimum of time a and labor.

The means for accomplishing the'above and further objects of the invention, will. be. made apparent in the following specifica tion, when read in connection with the draw ings forming apart thereof.

In said drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tow-boat equipped. with our in vention.

1927. Seria1No. 204,54 2.

, Fig. 2 is afragmentary perspective view of a battery of propelling chains for one side of the boat. i A i PATENT OFFICE-.7

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the propelling chainsand its supportingmech amsms;

Fig.4: is atop planview of a battery of three propelling chains. i

Fig. 5 is av perspective for regulating separate chains.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary'plan in section, of a portion pelling chains.

the tension on the several of one "of the provieW, partly view of the means Fig. 7 is a sectionalview theiline 7+7 ofFig. 3.. s

Fig. 8 is'a section taken on the line 8-8 ofFig.6.

Fig. 9 is a I section taken on {the line of Fig.6.

Fig. 10" is a front plan View paddle element showing the chain andan idler wheel partly in section, and, i

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket for supporting the paddle element. L

Now referring specifically to thedrawings, 7 I

vso

in which similarfreference characters "indi catelike parts throughout the several views, I.

A is .a boat body, provided with a cabin B,

in which the motors and controlsare housed.

Extending transversely through the body" of theboat A,,below the deck, are sills'l,

of angle iron, formingthe mainsupports of a frame-work WhlCll carries 7 the. pro-,'

pelling chains to be hereinafter described. Secured to the outer ends of'the centrally located sills 1, are metallic arches 2, which may extend through the top of the cabin B, and a rail 3gextends in longitudinal parallelism with the boat, and connects the outer ends offthe fore andaftsills' "1, 1, on each u side, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. v

Rigidly secured to the sills 1 and 1 on each side ofthe cabin B, are posts 4.4,

which are secured to the t-opfliorizontallyextending rails 5,5jof'truss members made:

up of said top rails 5, curved lower rails (3,. an intermediate rail 7 and connecting posts 8, as best seen in Fig.3. It is to be under stood that parallel trussmembers composed of the rails 5, 6 and 7 connected by the-"posts 8, and depending. from the "sills 'ltyaiid 1",

form supporting frames for the endless pro 55 its inner end journ aled in a bracket 24,

pelling chains, and that as many of such chains asd-esired may be carried on each side of the boatwheel 9 mounted on a shaft 10, is carried by the front end of the supporting frame,

and anendless chainll is trained over said Wheel and also over a rear sprocket Wheel 12 mounted on a shaft 13. The chain 11. may be of ordinary construction but of great strength and is provided with pivoted iinks having pivot pinssurrounded by antifrictionl rollers. Each chain 11 carries a plurality of spaced paddle elements 14,

-boltedito the links as will be hereinafter explained, each paddle l4 being'gprovided with a. plurality of perforations Wherebyto permit the passage ofa portion of the water 7 therethrough, agreat advantage fully explained in our patent heretofore referred to.

The boat A is here illustrated as equipped on each sidei with .a battery of three propelling chains and provided with partitions 15 which separate one chain; from the chain adjacent. .As shownmost clearly in Figs. and 4,'a drive chain 16 is trained over the jsprocketS, carried bythe axle 10 f each of the chains'i-ll', whereby to rotate theshaft,

in either direction. 7 It is deemed unnecessary to hereillustrate the means for rotating said shafts. i Obviouslya separate re- 'versible motor may be provided ,for the purpose of rotating. eachi shaft, well known clutch -mechanisms being interposed to per I mit rotation of said shafts in either directioln f It, is to be understood that'sucli pow cred mechanism would be provided as to be i capableof selectivelyrotating, any. shaft 10 in either direction, irrespective of the direction of shafts.

' In order totake up any undesirable slack in the'chain 11, each end of the shaft 13 of rearwardly in flat tracks formed between plates 18, 18,.supported by the rear ends of parallel rails 7 ,"7. worm shaft 19, sup ported by a bracket 20, carried by the rail 7, is in screw-threaded engagement with an aperture in the nner'end of the bearing 17. The inner end of the shaft 19 carries a beveled ear 21in mesh with a .co-o erat ing beveled gear 22, mounted on the end of a transversely extending shaft 23, having mounted on the rail 7. The outer end of the shaft '23 will be provided with crank handle, for manual operation, or withmeans 'we provide means, suchas a metallic cable with its associated block.

25, for supporting the chain llbetween the necessary idlerv rollers 26, and to thereby eliminate the destructive vertical vibrations As Sl1OWII'1Il'F1g.' 3, a driving sprocket of the chain during its travel at high speed. As will be hereinafter more specifically explainedjthe cable 25 tracks in grooves formed in the idlers 26, on the" top flight, and--in sheaves 27, on the bottom flight. A

. plurality of the idler rollers 26 are mounted along the upper flight of-the chain, each roller. being mounted ona shaft 28, having bearing in a bracket 29, mounted on the rail The sheaves 27'arecarried by shafts 30, having a.- vertically movable bearing threadedshaft 32, carrying abeveled gear 33 at its'upper end, said shaft extending through and in screw-threaded engagement Extending transversely of the shafts 32, are telescopically positioned operating shafts 34, 35 and 36, itbeing. noted that each of said shafts 34,

'35 "and.36, is provided with beveled gears 37 meshing withthe gear 33 carried on the vertical shafts 32, whereby a rotation of any of the shafts 34, 35 and 36, will cause a vertical movement of the associated sheave 27, tQ tighten or loosen the chain 11. The

shafts and 36 oxtend outwardly. be-

yond the frame-worktowards the botdgA,

and the ends thereof projechone beyond the other, forthc "attachment of hand levers 38, or. the end of each shaft-may be equipped with a sprocket wheel and connected chain,

I l V p 7 whereby torotate the shafts by power from rotation; of any one of the other the motor, as will be understood. Suitable ratchet mechanism will be provlded to re tain the shafts in any adjusted position.

* Fig. 3 shows meansfor separately and auto inaticallv oreventin slackin the cable25.

L l a Centrally of the frame, an idler 39. is mounted on a stub shaft 40, having bearing in a block vertically slidable in a trackformed in the central post 8. A coiled spring 40 rests upon the top of the bearing block, and

' above the spring is provided a pressure plate 41, secured to the headed bolt 42, screwthreaded into the top of the rail" 5. The 'cable 25' is passed; around the lower portion of the idler, 30, and during the travel of the chain 11 and cable 25, the idler39 rides upwardly and downwardly in itsbearings, under control of the spring. 41. Any adjustments to vary the tension of the spring may be-ma'de by rotation of the, bolt 42 Each paddle element 14 is preferably, though not necessarily, formed of an elongated plate of metal, provided with a plurality of, perforations extending transversely therethrough, best illustrated in Fig.

10. In the preferred embodiment hereillustrated the upper edgeof the plate 14 is cut away to provide for entry of the chain 11, and the periphery'of the idlers 26 and the sheaves 27. In Fig. 11 is shown a bracket 43 for securing thepaddle 14 to the-chain 11. The bracket is preferably formed of oxidized steel,'and is substantially star-shaped, hav-* ing laterally and downwardlyextending bifurcated arms44, 45 and 46, adapted to be bolted or riveted to the paddles 14, and very strong diverging upright arms 46, 46, perforated to permit the insertion of bolts 47, which secure the arms 46 to the edges ofthe cut away portion of the paddle l4. Formed on the lower portion of each of the arms 46, 46, are laterally-extending integral braces 48, 48, perforatedto receive bolts .49, 49, whereby to secure the paddle to suitable portions of the links of the chain 11.

and 11.

, Each battery of vchainsis protected by a guard structure composed,in part, of spaced rods, the structure completely enveloping the chains at eachend, as well as laterally and below. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, metallic bars 50, 5O depend from the front and rear rails 1, 1, the lower ends ofthe bars being connected by abrace rod 51, as many of such rods as required for strength being secured to the rails 1. A plurality of properly placed guard rods 52, extendbetween and are secured, at each end to the brace rods 51, throughout and beyond the length of the chain. The ends of the rails 3 extend outwardly beyond and above the end brace rods51, guard rods 53,'having eyelets sur-;

rounding the, brace rods 51, and having their outer ends connected bya flat plate 54, form apivotally mounted gate. A cable is secured to the plate 54 and extends over a pulley mounted on the end rails 1, 1, into of which .is removable to give access to the chains for purposesof repairs, replacements,

etc.

Rudders der is provided with a shaft, 61 journaled in a rail 1 asshown, and cables 62 are connected'to an arm 63 on the shaft 61, the cables extending into the cabin B, con- I venient to the "operator.

This en tire structureis clearly shown in Figs. 10'

are "placed fore and aft on each side of the boat-,{ and infrontand at the rear of each chain battery; Each rud- From t'heiforegoing it will beclear that we have provided aboat structure equipped with a battery of endless chain propelling mechanismson each side, each chain of each battery beingsusceptibleof operation in any direction, separately tensed, or so vertically flexed that it may be elevated out of the Water, and being provided also with addi tional means for longitudinally adjusting the slack. In addition theretowe have pro-' vided a cable for supporting each chain, in

combination with instrumentalities automatically maintainingthe proper tension on each. cable." Part of the work of a boat as herein, described will be performed in i the waters of shallow tributaries of the main in-' land waterways, the boat being employed as a tow for -a plurality of barges. Such small creeks or rivers are incapable of comme'i cia l navigation, except Withboats ofshallow draft, and great powery and unless'the' boats are provided with means I for overcoming:

the various conditions incident to navigation, in such waters. i

A boat'for the service asabove described, should be capable of movement in either direction, "therefore the boat as just described must be equipped withmeans for reversing the direction of travel of its chains. It must be able'to' turn within very restricted limits, I and We have therefore 'provided'our boat with means whereby any one or more chains of battery on one side thereof may be run-v I ning in one direction, While any one or more chains of the-"battery on the opp'osite side maybe runningin a reverse direction." 7 Such operationwould obviously tend to abruptly swing the boat around, both rudders being properly positioned In certain instances one or more of the paddles 14 may be acci dently broken off, resulting in a decreased efliciency of a battery on one side of the boat. .2

To cover suchlf contingencies, we have pro vided the shafts 34, 35 and 36, with the associated gears 37in mesh with the gears 33 carried on the shafts 32,219, explained; The bearing slots in the posts 8 are of such vert1- cal length that the blocks 31 mayris'e in said slots to sucha height as to lift the sheaves27 above'and off the lower fiight of the chain. Under such circumstances the 'shaft'23 is rotated to push the'sprocket' wheel 12 rearwardly. Such movement manifestly causes a partial yrever'se rotation of the wheel 12, since the upper flight of the chain is rigidly heldagainst longitudinal movement by the Wheel 9'a'nd the idlers .26, and the'parts are so proportioned that thefwhe'el12 may be I moved rearwardly toan extent sufficient to liftthe paddles of the lower flight entirely outof the water. 1 Themotor driving this ch'ain'isg of course out i of operation at this time, and any/broken'paddle iseasy'of iacc'e'ss i for repair,flby lifting the plates '54.

It is important "to protect the chains'll 13.0

against the drift-wood which floats on the water, and we have therefore provided the guard structure as clearly shown 'in Fig. 1. Each of thegates :54 may be raised and lowdles 14. In the navigation of shallow rivers containing Vmany alluvial deposits of sand or silt, when the rods 52 contact such. deposits 7 they cutlong; furrows therein, thereby loosening the depositsand permitting them to bev washed out by the swift flow of water-under the. chains. A i

The rudders are placed within the guard housings,'one-neareach'end of, each chain.

battery. Such location not only protects the rudders from injury, but locates them as nearly as feasible towards .the ends of-the 7 boat, where they will be most effective.

In actualpracticethe rods.52,and 53Vmay.

be made detachable" if desired, ,by providing '7 "them with screw threads at the .ends, adapting them tov be connected to threads in apertures provided in the brace rods 51, and in theplates 54, a turnbuckle being provided in the length of each rod 1. Under these circumstances a: broken rod could be quickly I replaced.

I dles.

sead urr e 'd a .t1w 2 m n. o fhe l te l. .:A explained at length in the .Baer, patent No, 1,452,059 heretofore referred to, great advantages! are. derivable from the use of perforated paddles for boat propulsion. By-

the prevention of cavitation, becausea -cer-' tam amount of water passes through one paddle to'feed the next paddle, a chain composed of a plurality of'perforated paddles may run at maximum efliciency in a smaller solid paddles. In so far as we are aware, we are the. first inthe art's-to provide'a drive mechanism equipped with perforateclpaddles, in combination with a-grating or guard completely surroundingfthe mechanism.

For manyyears the extreme desirability of a protectingguard around andjben'eath boat 7 driving means, has been generally recognized. Such guards have hitherto been considered commercially impracticable however,

because. the guard always prevented access ofa certainamount of water to the propelling mechanisms, resulting in an unsatisfactorypower ratio in proportion to the expanded energy. Adrivechain suchas herein described, can operate at maximum efiis ciency in from 10 to lesswater than can a chain or a wheel equipped with solid pad- Consequently, assuming that" the oflfrom 10 to 15% timer, we have 'pro- I vided adrive mechanism capable of developing maximum power, and guarded at, all po nts against injury to thecpaddlesoby drift wood floating on the water, "oriby 'obstruc tions on the'bed of the river.

Modifications of the herein disclosed strucchains, means for selectively driving-any chain on eitheraside inany direction longitudinally of the boat, a rudderpositioned at each end'of each battery, and a perforate guard member on each side completely enclosing, the immersed portion of the chains of each battery. and the associated rudders.

2.,A boat provided on each side with a propeller chain, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upper flight, and means for regulatingthetension of said chain.

3. A boat provided on each side witha propeller chain, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upper flight, and means automatically maintaining the tension on said cable. 7 I

4. A boat provided on each side with a propeller'chain, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upperflight, means for regulating the tension on each chain, and

means automatically maintainingthe ten slon on each cable. p

5.A boat prov1ded on each side with a battery. comprising a plurality of-propeller chains, an endless cable-supporting each chain alongits upper flight,- means for selectively ad usting the tension of any chain in .a'battery, and means automatically maintainingthe tension of each cable.

volume of water than would be required for maximum efficiency of a; chain composed of 6. A .boatprovided on each side'with a chains, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upper flight, means'for sel-ec I tively adjusting the tension of any chain in a battery, means automatically maintaining the tension of each cable, and a rudder operatively mounted at each end'of each battery. 1

7. A boat provided on each side with a battery comprising a pluralityofpropeller chains, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upper-flight, means'for, selectively ,adjustingvthe tension of anychain ina battery, means automatically mamtam- 7 ing the tens on of'each cable, a rudder operatively mounted ateach end of each battery,

and a perforate guard completely enclosing the immersed'portion of the chains of each battery and is associated rudders. V c

8. A-boat provided on each side with a battery comprising a plurality of propeller.

chains, an endless cable supporting each chain along its upper flight, means for selectively adjusting the tension of any chain in a battery, means automatically maintaining the tenson of each cable, a rudder operative ly mounted at each end of each battery, and a foraminous guard completely enclosing each battery and its associated rudders, said guard being provided at each end with a pivotally mounted gate. a

9. A boat provided with an endless propeller chain, a plurality of idler rollers adapted to support said chain along its upper flight, an endless cable mounted for travel in parallelism with said chain and over said rollers, said cable operating to support the upper flight of the chain between the rollers, and means for automatically maintaining thetension on said cable.

10. A boat provided with a propeller chain carried by a frame, a plurality of idler rollers mounted on said frame and adapted to support the upper flight of said chain, a tension roller mounted in a sliding bearing located below the plane ofsaid chain, a

cable trained over said idler rollers and under said tension roller, and means resisting upward movement of said tension roller.

11. A boat provided with a propeller chain carried by a frame, a plurality of idler tension roller mounted in a slidingbearing located below the plane of said chain, a cable trained over said idler rollers and under said tension roller, means resisting upward movement of'said tension roller, said means comprising a coil-ed spring exerting a downward pressure upon the'bearing of said roller. I a

12. A boat provided with a propeller chain. carried by a frame, a plurality of idler rollers mounted on said frame and adapted to support the upper flight of said chain, a tension roller mounted'in a sliding bearing located below the plane of said chain,

a cable trainedoover said idler rollers and under said tension roller, means resisting upward movement ofsaid tension roller, said means comprlslng a coiled spring exerting a downward pressurev upon the bearing of said roller, and means for regu lating the pressure Of'SalCl spring.

In testimony whereofiwe aflix our signatures. I p

- CARL J. BAER. I

CARL F. JEFFRIES,

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