US209529A - Improvement in flood-gates - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETGEc LOUIS I. "WATHEN, OF MORGANFIELD, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLOOD-GATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 209,529, dated October 29, 1878; application tiled June 22, 1878.

Morganfield, in the county of Union and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Flood-Gates, of which the following is aspecilication:

The invention relates to a mechanical device which I claim to be self-acting, depending upon two natural forces for its complete and successful operation.

The object of my invention is to provide a Hood-gate that is self-actin g, and which offers no resistance to drift, and is stock-proof.

In the accompanying drawing, in which similar letters of reference represent like parts, Figure'l is a perspective of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same; and Fig. 3 represents the paddle-shaped lever herein referred to.

The powers referred to operate, rst, by the action and force of flowing water through the openings H near thelower edge of the gates G, acting upon the paddle-shaped lever J K, connected at L with the latches F, which latches are substantially fastened by pivots to the gates Gr, and passing through mortises I and by the notches and beveled ends F, making a substantial fastening under the crossbar E, which cross-bar is attached to the pendant D, which pendant is from the crossbeam C, and is above high water.

The action and force of the water when it has raised above the openings H inthe gates G, which openings are just above low water, force the paddle-shaped lever J K down the stream, thus relieving the latches -F at E, and forcing the gates open to any angle less than ninety degrees (900) from the posts B down stream, thus permitting the flood of water, together with all drift, to pass through between the upright posts B under the cross-beam C, in the manner as set forth.

By the action of gravitation my gates are self closing in the following manner: The gates G, which are hung on strong hinges to the posts B, which posts, with the crossbeam C, lea-n up stream five or more degrees (50) from a vertical line, and thus the gates Gr, not being permitted to open beyond a right line with the inside faces of the mud-sills A, must by gravitation close and fasten themselves by the catches F under the bar E.

I claim- The combination, with the frame A B O, of the inclined gate G, having holes H, paddlelevers J K, and the fastening device, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

LOUIS I. WATHEN.

Vitnesses:

R. A. WALLER, J ACK J. SPALDING.

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