US2624305A

US2624305A - Automatic boat pumping device

Info

Publication number: US2624305A
Application number: US778100A
Authority: US
Inventors: William W Herrick; James E Herrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-10-06
Filing date: 1947-10-06
Publication date: 1953-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-06

Description

Jan. 6, 1953 w. w. HERRlcK ETAL 2,624,305

AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE Filed oct. e, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 46 E w ,M l Will/m7111114 /4 Inventor Will/bm n. Herrick James E. Herrick y @www WWW me):

Jam 6, l953 w. w. HERRlcK ETA. 2,624,305'

AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Inventor Wil/121m W. Herrick James' E Herrick By m23 muy Hmm Patented Jan. 6, 1953 AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE William W. Herrick and James E. Herrick, Stamford, Conn.

Application October 6, 1947, Serial No. 778,100

11 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an automatic boat pumping device, and more specifically pertains to a bailing .pump for boats which is automatically operable by the rocking motion of 'a boat to pump the water from the bilge thereof.

The principal object of this invention resides in providing a means for automati-cally discharging leakage and other water accumulating rin the bilge of a boat by means of a rocking motion of the boat, however slight.

The invention is characterized by the provision of a combined pump and pump actuating mechanism unit which may be readily applied to various constructions of boats and which is oper-r able by the rocking motion of a boat to automatically discharg-e water accumulating in the bilge thereof.

A further feature of the invention resides in providing an improved construction of pump .actuating mechanism which is especially sensitive and susceptible to a very slight rolling or rocking motion -of the boat for effecting the intended pumping operation.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in providing an improved construction of pump, in conjunction with the above mentioned operating mechnaism, wherein the operating eiiiciency of the pump is greatly increased and the effectiveness of the device as a Whole is thereby augmented.

Further features of the invention, together with other objects, will later become lapparent as the following description proceeds, and are -attained by this device, the preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by Way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view lthrough the hull of a boat of suitable construc- 'pum-p and pump-actuating unit;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, parts being shown in elevation, of the novel pump forming a part of this invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational View, parts being shown in section of a modied construction of the pump and actuator; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of a portion of the embodiment of Fig-V ure 5. Y

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals desig.V

nate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is directed rst to Figures 1 and 2 wherein there is disclosed at Ill a portion of the hull of a boat which may be of any suitable construction, size or type, and which is preferably provided with a platform I2 beneath which is disposed a bilge I4 below the platform and 4above the inclined hull I6 of the boat. As indicated at I8, the bilge is shaped and adapted -to retain at the vlower portion thereof a quantity of water I8 which accumulates therein either by seepage, by rain, or the like.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, a combined pump and pump actuating i. unit, indicated generally at 20, is mounted in any suitable position preferably upon the platform I2 and disposed in any convenient and unobtrusive space.v Connected to the pumping unit 20 is a conduit 22 which constitutes the intake and discharge line of the pump and which is connected at its other extremity of a T-shaped coupling member 24, Aas shown in Figure 2, and which is mounted in any suitable manner in the bilge of the boat.

The coupling member 24 i-s provided at its lower extremity with a housing 26 detachably connected thereto, which housing encasesa ball check valve 28 cooperating with a valve port or seat 30 formed within the casing member 26 while an inlet opening 32 is disposed in the lower end of the casing. Preferably, the valve inlet casing 26, or if desired, a tail pipe -or other suction inlet extension thereof is positioned adjacent the lowermost vportion of the bilge and immersed in any water i8 accumulating in the hull of the-boat.

At its upper extremity, the T-shaped connecting member 2.4 detachably receives a housing 34 forming a casing within which i-s seated va ball check valve 35 cooper-ating with a valve seat or port Sii. As will be noted, -both of the valves are closed when in their lowermost position and open when raised from their seats.

The valve casing 34 constituting a valve outlet or discharge casing of the device is detachabli7 engaged by a flexible or other conduit 40 Whose outer extremity extends through or over any suitable -portion of the hull I0 of the boat, for discharging the liquid I8 from the bilge exteriorly from the hull of the boa-t.

The pump and operating mechanism unit 20 is preferably formed of .a base or head plate 42 which may be anchored in any suitable manner to the platform I2, such, for example, as by the fastening means 44 extending therethrough, this base plate having an upwardly extending boss or lug 46 provided with a recess or slot within which is seated a flexible leaf spring 48 constituting a pendulum, and retained as by a fastening means Eil. As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, th

base plate at its opposite side relative to the pendulum 48 is provided with parallel, upwardly extending, preferably integral side walls or

extensions

52 and 54, having angularly disposed end portions 56, and comprising a pair of shields or guard members partially surrounding the pump and its operating mechanism to be now setforth.

Detachably secured in the side wall 54 is a tubular bushing 58 externally screw-'threaded and secured adjustably -to the side wall as by exterior and interior fastening and

locking nuts

60 and 52, respectively. The outer extremity f this tubular bushing is detachably engaged by the above mentioned conduit'22, while the other end of the bushing is formed with an integral annular flange 64 which is embraced by a tubular, cylindrical bellows E6. This bellows may be attached to the' flange in any suitable manner as by welding, brazing or thelike, and as shown in'Figure 4has itsfother end secured to an annular'flange 'f 68 from which extends inwardly of the bellows 66 a cylindrical, cup-shaped member 10. The member 'It vmay be of any suitable sizeand Yconstruction, and in the interest of economy vof con'- struction, may be of sheet metal.

An axially extending boss 'i2 is attached to the bottom of the cavity of the member 1D and is internally'threaded to detachably receive the ter'- minal of .a push rod i4, this terminal being enn ternally threaded and of reduced diameter as shown'at 16. The'outerend of push rod I4 has a threaded cavity 1S. Thelatter is detachablysecured as by a fastening means S5 to the pendulum 481 intermediate theends thereof, whereby, when the pendulum is oscillated as indicatedin dotted linesin Figure 2, the bellows '65 may befalternate'- ly compressed and expanded, with a resultant increase and decrease in the contained volume. During. this expansion and contraction of the bellows, free communication is established between the bellows, conduit 22 and fitting 24, whereby an alternate suction and compression is created in the fitting 24.

.This sucking and pumping action in conduit 22'is communicated to the valve casings 25'and 34, whereby on the suction stroke, the valve-3B'y is maintained on its seat while' the valve 2B is lifted and water is drawn in through the inlet port 32 intothe casings 26 andv 24. On the compression stroke ofthe pump, valve 28 is urged to itsseat whilevalve is, lifted and the fluid entrapped in the casing 25 and the T-shaped coupling 24 is forced upwardly through the discharge pipe 49. Obviously, a continuation of this operation results in. discharging the accumulation of water I3 from thebilge of the boat.

Suitably securedto the upper end of the spring leaf pendulum 4t is a weight Si! of any suitable construction and attached in any suitable manner, this weight having `a resilient buffer B2, such as. sponge rubber or the like, suitably secured thereto for a purpose to be now set forth. Preferably, the'mass ofthe weight 8| and the stiffness of the flexible leaf spring pendulum 48 is such that when the hull of the boat is stationary, the inverted pendulum consisting of the mastl and stem 43 will be in its perpendicular, full line position shown in Figure 2. However, upon the slightest rolling of the boat or inclination of the support upon which the device is mounted, the mast 8| will be inclinedto one of the

dotted line positions

84 or 36, thereby oscillating the iiexible pendulum correspondingly, and thus causing ex pansion or contraction of the bellows pump. As the pendulum approaches the end of its oscilladictates;

tion, the buffer B2 strikes one of the guard members..52..or 54, thereby stopping the. stroke of the pendulum and causing, by this rebound of the buffer, the return of the pendulum.

It will be apparent that the parts may readily be so proportioned that the inverted pendulum will be very sensitive to the slightest inclination of the boat to thereby operate the pump; but obviously supplementary spring means may be employed to assist in returning the pendulum to its neutral4 position, to assist in effecting the rebound of the pendulum, and in distending the bellows to its expandedsposition, if desired.

In order to increase the effective compression pressure of the pump, the cup-shaped member 'I0 serves to diminish the dead air or` residual volume in the bellows, and to increasethe ratio of the change in volume -to the minimum volume of the pump, tothereby increase its effective pressure.

It has been known heretofore that weighted pendulums can be employed to operate a pump for discharging theaccumulation of water in the bil'ge ofa boat; but such devices have generally been ineffective in that lthe pendulum waslimited in theamplitude of its stroke by the extent of rolling of the boat. In the present embodiment, the pendulum is assured of a large stroke if 'the inclination of the boat is shifted enough to cause any movement of the pendulum at all.

It; will be noted that the guards or

shields

52 and 54 serve the dual function of enclosing the pump and'its operating mechanism and also of limiting Ythe operative stroke of the pendulum.

Moreoven the construction is such thata self#- contained unitary pump and'operating mechanism has been provided which may be readily positioned at various places in a boat as convenience Moreover, although the Vdevice has been shown as applied to a boat, it is'obviousvthat it maybe employed upon any suitablesupport or'platform whereby the tilting thereof is desired to be utilized to constitute the motive power for Operating the pump.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is disclosed a modified form of the pump and actuator unit. A supporting base I, preferably metallic, is providedwith a flange |02 to which is detachably secured, as by fastening vscrews |04, a flexible leaf spring pendulum member |66. A pendulum bobor weight |08 Aof any suitable construction is secured to the-upperend of the member |06 and Aone satisfactory construction may embody a pair of weightssecuredto opposite sides of member'l D8 by a fastening bolt I I2. If desired, this bolt can extend through a longitudinal slot in member |06 to adjust the bob |08 with respect thereto. Obviously, numerous vequivalent weight fastening and/or adjusting means could be utilized without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

The base 4Il is Vfurther provided with an upstanding wall ||4 which has an outwardly and angularly disposed Vflange Vi'I apertured as at I8. An arcuate guide rod IZB is reciprocable through yaperture I8 and is terminally adjustably secured to member Iil by lock nuts |22 on opposite-sides of said member, adjustably threaded upon rod 2E. As the `pendulum oscillates about its fastening flange |52, it is guided and restrained to curvilinear reciprocation by movement of rod |20 in aperture H8, and the amplitude of oscillation is regulated by adjustable buffers or cushions |24, each adjustably secured, as by. nuts |25, on an appropriate screw threaded-portion |23 of rod IN;

The buers |24 are positioned on opposite sides of the ilange I6 which constitutes a stop for the pendulum. The engagement of the resilient buffers therewith not only limits the pendulum oscillation but also gives a rebound impulse to the pendulum on its return stroke. Obviously, a pair of coil springs or any other resilient buffer construction could be sub-stituted for the members Conveniently and detachably mounted on the inner surface of wall H4 as by bolts |30 is the pump unit, consisting of a pair of rings |32 and |34 of any suitable shape such as annular, between which is secured a flexible diaphragm |36 having a clamping plate |33 secured thereto. A bolt |49 detachably assembles the diaphragm and plate and removably unites this assembly to a pump rod |42. The rod has a diametrical b-ore |44 and is loosely received in and extends through an aperture MS in the pendulum spring (i6. For quickly detachable and sliding engagement, a cotter pin |48 or similar fastener straddles the leaf spring -S and extends through bore |413, thereby retaining the push rod and pendulum in operative engagement. rThis cotter pin securing means can of co-urse be utilized with the embodiment of Figures 1-4 in place of the

elements

18 and 80.

A pump chamber l5@ is thus formed between the wall H4, ring 32 and diaphragm |35, this chamber being in continuous open communication with the above mentioned conduit 22 by means of the tubular boss |52.

The modified form of unit is employed in the same assembly set forth above and functions in a similar manner.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the principles of the invention are adapted to a variety of uses and may be employed in diverse ways, and accordingly it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

l. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the eX- terior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions toy said Yactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, said operating means comprising an inverted pendulum xedly anchored at its lower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of said pendulum.

`r2. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a. pump having a horizontal, reciprocating Yactuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatabie inra vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation vof said operating means,

saidV operating means comprising an inverted pendulum fixedly anchored at its lower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of said pendulum, the shaft of said pendulum comprising a strip of iexible spring material.

3. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior ci the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivers7 strokes respectively, an operating means osciliatable in a vertical plane in response to the rock ing of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation lin both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, said operating means being rigidly secured to and supported by the hull at a position which is later ally remote from the longitudinal axis of the hull whereby said operating means will be subjected to the maximum rocking effect of the hull.

4. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior Vof the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said oper ating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, said operating means comprising an inverted pendulum nxedly anchored at its lower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of said pendulum, the shaft of said per dulum comprising a strip of flexible spring ma'- terial, said operating means being rigidly secured to and supported by the hull at a position which is laterally remote from the longitudinal axis of the hull whereby said operating means will be subjected 'to the maximum rocking effect of the hull.

5. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump tothe interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rock-ing of the hull, means connecting said cper ating means to' said actuating member for ime parting positive substantially' rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said oper'- ating means, a stop member carried by and movable with said operating means and limiting the oscillation of the latter in opposite directions'.

6. In combination witha boat hull having a `Vbilge, an automatic bailer comprising apump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member', conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the. hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating .means oscil- Aiataoie in a vertical piane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprccationin both directions to said 7 aotuatir-1gi mem-ber4 upon oscillation ofY said operating means, a stop member carriedby and movable with said operating meansgand limiting the oscillation of the latter in opposite directions, said stop member including a rod extending laterally from said operating means, a pair of spaced abutment members on said rod, a nxed abutment disposed between and alternately engageable by said spaced abutments.

7. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior or" the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shaped supporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pumpv and said operating means being each supported by one of said legs.

8. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said .pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting saidoperating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation inboth directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of saidoperating means, a U-shaped supporting bracket having a pair oi' upstanding legs, said pump andksaid operating means being each supported by one of said legs, said legs being of unequal length, a fixed abutment carried by the longer leg, a stop member `carried by said operating means and cooperating with said fixed abutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operating means.

9. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and deliveryl strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical planein response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinearhorizontal reciprocation in bothv directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shaped supporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pump and said operating means being each supported by one of said legs, said legs being of unequal length, a fixed abutment carried by the longer leg, a stop member carried by said operating means and cooperating withV said xed .abutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operating means, said stop member including a rod extending laterally from said operating means and having a pair of spaced abutment members thereon disposed on opposite sides of Ysaid xed abutment and for alternate engagement with the latter.

10. In combination with a boathull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having 4 ahorizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pumpv to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior-of the hull during its intake and delivery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane in response to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for irnparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shaped supporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pump and said, operating means being each supported by one of said legs, said legs Vbeing of unequal length, a xed abutment carried by the longer leg, a stop member carried by said operating means and cooperating With said nxed abutment .to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operating means, said stop fixed abutment comprising an angularly disposed projecting ilange on said longer leg.

11. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailer comprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member, conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge and to the exterior of the hull during its intake and de livery strokes respectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane Vin response to the rockingV of the hull, means connecting said operating means to said actuating member for imparting positive substantially rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to said actuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shaped supporting bracket havingA a pair of upstandinglegs, said pump and said operating means being each supportedby one of said legs, said legs being of unequal length, a xed abutment carried by the longer leg, a y stop member carried by said operating means and cooperating With said fixed abutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operating means, said stop member including a rod extending laterally from said operating means and having a pair of spaced abutment members thereon disposed on opposite sides of said xed abutment and for alternate engagement with the latter, said xed abutment comprising an angularly disposed projecting flange on said Alonger leg, said flange being apertured andv embracing said rod.

' WILLIAM W. HERRICK.

JAMES E. HERRICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED VS'IA'I'ES PATENTS Number