US638081A - Bow-facing self-feathering paddle for boats. - Google Patents

Description

No. 633,081.` Patented Nnv. 2s, |899. J. A. WALKER. BOW FAGING SELF FEATHERING PADDLE FUR BOATS. (Appueion mea Aug. 15', 1s9s.) (No Model.) LA5 A? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. WALKER, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

BOW-FACING SELF-FEATHERING PADADLE FOR BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,081, dated November 28, 1899.

'Application filed August 15, 1898. Serial No. 688,657. (No model.) l

To @ZZ whom it www] con/cern: i

Be it known that I, JAMES A. WALKER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Rockone side of a boat constructed as contemplated by my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the paddle turning to enter the water for the stroke and in dotted lines illustrating the position of the paddle as it returns edgewise through the Water. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the main bearing of the apparatus, broken away to show the interior arrangement of the parts thereof. Fig. 4 is a face view of the governing-segment, the peculiar conformation of the periphery of which turns the paddle for feathering. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sleeve which surrounds the arm of the paddle.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A is the propelling-paddle.

A is the arm or handle thereof.

A2 is a sleeve for surrounding the handle of the paddle A.

A3 is a circular collar secured to the sleeve A2 at its upper end.

A4 is a rectangular collar iixed on the lower end of the sleeve A2.

A5 is an eccentric clamp for securing the handle A of the paddle A within the sleeve A2.

B is an oscillatory bracket for surrounding the sleeve A2, within which bracket the sleeve is journaled. The collars A3 and A4 hold the sleeve`A2 within the bracket B.

B' is a horizontally-extending shaft, upon the end of which the bracket B is fixed. B2 is a hand-lever having a connection with the opposite end of the shaft B.

B3 is a thu mbscrew which permits an adj ustment of the hand-lever B2 with reference to thev length of the lever.

B4 is an enlarged portion of the shaft B.

C is the supporting journalbox for the shaft B', so arranged as to permit an endwise movement of the said shaft with reference to the box.

C is a spiral spring coiled around the shaft B' and lying between' a portion of the journal-box C and the shoulder formed by the enlarged portion B4 of the shaft B'. This arrangement of the spring C' permits an out- Ward movement of the shaft B with relation to the box C against the tension of the spring C.

D is the governing-segment for feathering the oar. Its curving peripheral surface is traversed by the rectangular collar A4 as the paddle A is moved backward and forward. D' and D2 are notches or depressions in the said surface, into one of which depressions an angle of the collar A4 is drawn by the spring C at each extremity of the paddle movement and by means of which engagement the sleeve A2 is turned a quarter of a revolution in the oscillating bracket B. The paddle A being secured in the sleeve A2 of course is turned with it. By means of this engagement and the consequent quarter-turn of the paddle A at each stroke thereof the paddle is caused to feather on the return stroke, being quarter-turned at the end of the return stroke, so that it is flat against the water on a direct stroke.

DB are 'antifriction rollers projecting slightly above the surface of the governingsegment D and are intended to be engaged by the rectangular collar A4.

E is a supporting-frame for the mechanism, secured by bolts to the seat-board E. The seat-board E maybe put into any boat, being held in position therein by the action of the turn-button E2, engaging theusual seatrests E3 in boats.

In operation one of the rowing-heads just described is secured in either side of a boat, the oarsman taking his position between them, facing the bow of the boat and grasping the hand-levers B2. The handles of these levers are set at a slight angle with and a little in advance of the paddles for greater-ease of movement and better position. A backward and forward movement of the handles produces a corresponding movement of the paddles.

Should it become desirable to reverse the IOS action of the paddles or either of them upon the Water, as in backing the boat or in turning it, the paddle may be turned half-Way around by throwing it twice to the extremity of the stroke before taking a complete stroke instead of only once to produce aquarter-turn of the paddle for feathering.

l. In a self-feathering paddle, in combination, a paddle-blade, a handle therefor, a sleeve xed on the handle which sleeve has a rectangular collar, an oscillatory shaft, a lever for actuating the shaft and a governingsegment having two indentations in its peripheral surface for engaging the rectangular collar of the sleeve and turning the paddle for feathering, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a self-feathering paddle, in combination, a paddle-blade, a handle therefor, a sleeve on the handle, which sleeve has a rectangular collar, an oscillatory shaft for supporting the paddle, which shaft is capable of an endwise movement, a spring for the shaft, a governing-segment having an irregular peripheral surface for engaging the rectangular collar and turning the paddle for feathering, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a self-feathering paddle, in combination, a paddle-blade, a handle therefor, a sleeve having a rectangular collar, an eccentric clamp for securing the sleeve to the handle, an oscillatory shaft, a bracket xed to the shaft surrounding the sleeve, a lever for actuating the shaft, and a governing-segment having an irregular peripheral surface for engaging the rectangular collar and turning the paddle for feathering also having two antifriction-rollers in said surface, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JAMES A. VALKER. A Vitn'esses:

L. L. MILLER, NELLIE BUNKER.

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