US538780A - Costello k holford - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) G. N. HOLFORD.

GAISSON FOR SHIPS.

No. 538,780. Patented May '7, 1895.

INVENTOI? A TTORNEYS,

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COSTELLO N. HOLFORD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA;

'CAISSON FOR SHIPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,780, dated May 7, 1895.

. Application filed July 7, 1894:. Serial No.516,873. (N model.) i

so that the whole of the hull may, in separate sections, be made accessible from the keel to the water line, for the purpose of cleaning, re-

painting or repairing, Without the ship going into a dock,

tolerably still.

It also has for its object to provide a detachable caisson of few parts, which can be easily connected with the hull at the points desired and which will effectively serve for its intended purpose.

With other objects in view, which hereinafter will appear, the invention consists in such novel features of construction and peculiar combination of parts, as will hereinafter be first described in detail, and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view ofthe hull of a vessel, illustrating the manner in which the securing-ribs and the caisson-plates are arranged to project from the sides thereof. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse sec ion thereof. Fig. at is a horizontal section'of a portion of the hull, showing a caisson-section attached. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the ribs. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the stern-ribs formed with an opening to receive the propeller-shaft,

and Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the flap-valve or gate for making such opening water-tight.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the hull of a vessel, on which at the points of attachment for the caisson, a series of rows of screw bolts B is inserted each row consisting of six or eight, each arranged perpendicular from the water line to the keel. These bolts are secured permanently to the hull in any approved manner, preferably by screwing the ends therein as shown in Fig. 4,

and which can be used in any port or even in mid ocean when the water is,

and such bolts when not in use have their threads filled with far or some similar substance to prevent corrosion. To these bolts is connected a system of ribs 0, the number depending on the width of the caisson and the length of the hull. If the caisson is to be ten feet wide, there must be one rib at each end of the hull and one at every interval of ten feet of such hull. The ribs 0 are formed preferably of half inch steel and are of a length sufficient to extend from the keel to about a foot above the water line.

In practice a series of ribs 0 is provided, each rib being adapted to fit on a particular line on the hull, and for such purpose such ribs have their abutting faces curved and shaped to exactly fit such section portion of the hull to which they are to be connected, and such abutting edge is lined with rubber c to make a water tight joint, it being obvious that other means may be employed for rendering the joint water tight without departing from my invention. The outer edges of all the ribs on which the capsD (presently referred to) are to be placed as hereinafter described are of the same length and curv-' ature. At the lower end of every section a cross rib C is run along the keel from one perpendicular rib to the other, and such rib C is of the same width as the ribs 0, so as to bring its outer edge flush with such side ribs, to form a base for securing the lower end of the cap D. The cap D' the construction of which is best understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, may be of convenient width, say ten feet, and is of a length the same as the ribs C, and of a depth sufficient to form a compartment. with room enough for men to work inside. Such cap is made of thin steel or iron plate, corrugated to give the greatest resistance to pressure with the least weight, and only thick enough to resist safely, the water pressure. The caps D have apertured earsd which are adapted to fit on similar ears 0 c on the ribs O and 0 when fitted in position rubber packing strips E being interposed to render the joints water tight. When the cap is placed in position the same is braced by detachable cross rods F as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In cases where the vessel has twin screw propellers, the ribs for that portion of the hull where the propeller shaft stands out are made several feet (more or less) wide, and formed with a slot or cut out portion 0 as shown in Fig. 7 which forms a passage for such shaft. When this rib is placed in position the slot is made water tight, by means of a double flap lid G hinged to the rib, which when the water is pumped out of the caisson is automatically closed by the water pressure from the outside which forces it closely over the slot.

Owing to the change of curvature of thehull at least three of the capsD are provided, one for the region near the bows,one for that about the stern, and one for the amidships, to fit the varying shape of the hull, in these parts, without unnecessary width of ribs. In each of these regions the outer edges of all the ribs must lie in the same plane so that the cap in each section will fit all the ribs of its respective section.

While I prefer to use but three caps it is manifest the greater the number of caps used the greater the surface of the hull that can be made accessible at once.

The manner in which my improvements are used is as follows: \Vhen it is desired to apply the caisson, the ribs 0, C, which are to form part of the sides and bottom of the caisson are first attached to the bolts at that part of the hull desired. The cap is then let down and its edges placed on the outer edges of the ribs and fastened thereto, which may be done by men with divers helmets or otherwise. YVhen the caisson cap is in place, the water is pumped out of such caisson section, thereby leaving the outer surface of the hull for the width of the caisson as accessible as if the vessel were in dry dock.

It should be stated that at each division line between the several sections or regions of the hulltwo ribs are to be arranged, one for each of the two caps which will come upon this line.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improvement in caissons, the combination with a vessel having its hull provided with a series of rows of projecting studs arranged at predetermined distances apart, of a detachable housing having closed sides and bottom portions, and members curved to fit the hull and to engage and be secured to any pair of rows of the hull studs, as shown and described.

2. The combination with the hull A having a series of bolts arranged in perpendicular rows from the keel to the water line, of detachable ribs secured to such bolts having a contour to snugly fit the vertical sides of the hull, a horizontal rib for joining the vertical ribs at the keel end, a cap plate or housing, and means for detachably connecting such ribs and housing substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with the hull having a series of vertically arranged bolts, and the propeller shaft section disposed on the outside of the hull, of ribs adapted to be secured to such bolts having slots or cutaway portions whereby they are adapted to fit over the shaft, cut 05 devices held to operate over the said slot, and arranged to be held closed by the outside water pressure and a cap plate or housing adapted to be detachably connected to the ribs all arranged substantially as shown and described.

4.. The combination with the hull A having a series of screw bolts projected on its outside, arranged in vertical rows, ribs detachably connected to such bolts, a transverse rib connecting the vertical ribs at the keel end, a cap plate or housing detachably secured to the outer face of the vertical and horizontal ribs, and the brace rods all arranged substantially as shown and described.

COSTELLO N. IIOLFORD.

Witnesses:

FRED G. DIETERICH, SOLON C. KEMON.

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