US1811014A - Indicator buoy for sunken ships - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1931. H. J. KERWIN 1,811,014

INDICATOR BUO Y FOR SUNKEN SHIPS Filed Sept. 3, 1929 2.$heets-Sheet l' if 0 a I I l H 5 /a 26' l r" L" W///////////////////// /7////i Inventor Attorney June 23, 1931. H. .1. KERWIN 1,811,014

INDICATOR BUOY FOR SUNKEN SHIPS Filed Sept. 3, 1929 2 Sheets-Shet 2 a I Z! Inventor HJZferura'm yp wmu v the manner in which the device floats on of' the water above a sunken ship.

Patented June 23, 1931' j UNITED STATES PATENT-entice HENRY J. KERWIN, 0F PEOENIXVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA; LUCILLE A; KERWIN v MINISTR-ATBIX O33 SAID HENRY J". KEBWIN, DECEASED nnrcnron :euoY non suuxnivsnrrs Application filed September This invention relates to a device whichmay be conveniently referred to as a special 1nd1 seating buoy. It has more particularfrefer:

they may stand and be sustained normally" above the surface of the water, and an assoclated hand rail. r r Another feature dlstlngulshing the invenvtion is a signal bell which is arranged to be continuously sounded'when the ship is beneath the water, but which is rendered normally silent by a special noise preventing device.

Other features and advantages of the in vention will become more readily apparent from the following'description' and drawings. I ,In the drawings: p 1 Figure 1 is an elevational view of an indicator buoy constructed in accordance with the present invention showing it in its normal p osition on the deck of a heater the like, v

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the same. a A

.Figure 3 is a topplan view thereof. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view through thelower portion. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing top Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional and ele'vational view showing the silencing means for the hammer of the signal bell; "Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view showinga special form of grapple such as may be slid downwardly-on the'buoy feed cable for salvaging work.

In Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed that the reference character 8 designates the deck of the boat 9. Attached to this is a windlass 10 having a base plate 11 and suitable frame structure 12, and a drum 13, on which 3, 1929. Serial No. 390,038.

the feed cable 14 is wound. A detachable the reference character 16'. This comprises a suitably shaped float-17, whose base portion is telescopically fitted within the upper end of a skirt portion, 18. The lower end ofthe skirt portion is flared outwardly'to form a base and this skirt fits telescopically a tubular element 30 and is in sliding frictional engagement therewithover and normally conceals the Windlass structure 10. Thefskirt issuitablyiattached to the deck where'con; ditions require such attachment.

The reference character 19 designates an annular platformattached to the float above the water line, of a sizeto accommodate'a number of passengers. Mounted on the-float above the platform is a suitably constructed hand rail 20. On top of the ball like por. tion of the float are uprights 21 on" which a signal bell 22 is swingablyfmounted. The I ball like hammer 23, (see Figure 6) is normally prevented from striking the bell and is silent through the medium of a rubber cup protector 24:; This cup protector is normally and-snugly fitted over the ball as shown and I is attached to the upper end of a flexible rope or the like 25, on the lower end of which is a suitable weight 26'resting normally on Under normal-conditions, the indicator rests upon the deck withfthe skirt portion over .the Windlass structure, and the feed cable 1a is wound on the drum 13. Also the protector "cup 243'is fitted over the head of the-hammer 23 of the signal bellr Hence, even though thedeck rocks the bell will be silent, but inthe event-that the ship would sink, it' is obvious that the cable will unreel automatically and that the float will stay on top of the water, while the ship recedes; During this submerging of the ship, it is ob-' vious that the weight26 will exert a downward pull on the element 25 and will remove the protector cup- 24 from the hammer of the bell. Hence the bell will then be free to sound to attract attention of rescue ships.

The structure seen in Figure 7 comprises a grapple 27 with the lowering cable 28 attached thereto. This grapple is provided with eyes 29 which maybe slid downwardly on the feed cable 14; for rescue of the sunken ship.

For the purpose of retaining the device in its proper place on the deck with. respect to the Windlass 10, an upwardly tapered, open ended tubular standard 30 is secured to the ures 2 and 4 of the drawings.

As obvious thedevice is comparatively large and adapted to accommodate persons 1 forced to abandon the ship prior to sinking. Hence the device is also a life saver. Its principal function, however, is to provide a clearly visible and audible indicator'buoy to attract attention and to designate' the site of the sunken. ship. 7 g r A careful consideration of thedescription in connection with the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understandingof the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description isregar'ded as unnecessary. '1 i Minor changes in shape,size and rearrangement of parts coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to, in actual practice, if desired.

Iclaimz r I 1. In a structure of the class described, a relatively. stationary-support, a windlass structure mounted thereonincludinga rotary drum and a feed cable mounted on said drum, a float, one'end of the cable being-connected with said float, and adepending skirt portion carried by said float and normallyresting on said support, a tubular shell fixed to said stationary support; and immediately surrounding said windlassstructure.

2. In a structure of the class described, a relatively stationary support, a Windlass structure mounted thereon including a rotary drum and a-feed cable mountedon said drum, a tubular shell immediately surrounding said drum and fixed to said support, a float, one end of the cable being connected withsaid float, anda depending skirt portion carried by. said float and normally resting on said support and in. telescopic register with and frictionally slid'able on said tubular shell and concealing. said Windlass, uprights carried by the upper end of said float, and a signal bell mounted on said upright. I

3. In an indicator buoy structure of the class described, a relatively stationary support, a Windlass fixedly mounted thereon and including a drum, and a feed cable wound on said drum, a tubular shell immediately surrounding said drum and fixed to said stationary support, a float, the upper end of said feed cable being'connected with said including a drum, and afeed cable wound onsaiddrum, atubular shell immediately surrounding said drum, a float, the upper end ofsaid feed cablebeing connected with said float, a skirt connected with and depending below said float and having a flared bottom, said skirt beingiadapted tofrictionally slide telescopically over said tubular shell and enclose said Windlass structure, and a signal bell on the upper end ofthe float, together with a rescue platform rigidly mounted on the float and a hand rail suitably mounted on the float above the water line to sustain the refugees normally above the surface of the water above the platform. i I 5. In a structure of the class described, a

float, asupporting base for the float, a signal bell mounted on the float, and silencing means for the hammer of said bell comprising a cup normally and removably fitted onthe head of said hammer, a cord attached: tosaid cup, and a weight attached to the bottom of said cord. p p

6. A relatively stationary support, a wind lass mounted thereon, and including'a drum and a feed cable wound on saididrum, a tubular shell immediately surrounding said wind lass and'secured to said stationary support, a tubular skirt-like shell having a flared bottom and adapted 'to slide frictionally and rest normally upon said stationary support and conceal said Windlass structure; a float telescopically over said tubular shell and V supportedby said skirt-like'shell, an indicator mounted on the float, a platform for V the reception of refugees and to maintain them above the Water line and a'hand rail above the platform, both-mounted rigidly to and surrounding said float above the water line. L 1

. In testimony whereof I affix my-signature.

' HENRY J. KERWIN.

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