US554045A - George f - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

G. F. WOODMAN. STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS.

No. 554,045. A Patented Feb. 4, 1896.

NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. OODMAN, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES F. OARENS, OF SAME PLACE. 4

STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,045, dated February 4., 1896.

Application filed October 2 8, 1 8 9 5.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. WooDMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Apparatus-for Ships, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of devices for manipulating and guiding the tiller-ropes, and other improvements, which will be hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

It is well known that in the ordinary steering apparatus the tiller-ropes are liable to jump and foul each other upon the steeringwheel drum.

My improvement consists in an attachment upon the drum as ordinarily constructed which completely removes any danger from this source.

Referring to the drawings, Figure lis a perspective view of an ordinary steering-wheel and drum provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the sleeve.

Like numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts in both the figures of the drawings.

In Fig. 1 the wheeL-drum 1 is journaled in its supports 2 and 3 and provided with the usual steering or pilot wheel 1. The ropes 5 and 6 are coiled in opposite directions about the drum 1, commencing respectively at points near the supports 2 and 3 and being wound toward the center of the drum. Aloose sleeve 7 is mounted on the drum 1 between the ropes 5 and 6 and is adapted to move easily upon the drum, being propelled in either direction Serial No. 567,078. (No model.)

by the rope being wound on. It will thus be seen that this sleeve keeps the ropes in proper position and at a uniform distance apart and entirely prevents them from jumping and fouling each other.

In Fig. 2 I show a central longitudinal section of the sleeve 7.

I preferably construct the sleeve with slightly-beveled edges, making the angle A slightly obtuse. This prevents the rope from rubbing and unnecessary wearing against the upper edges of the sleeve.

In a steering device constructed in accordance with my invention a much shorter drum maybe used than formerly, as in my improved device the only part of the drum not occupied by the ropes at any time is the narrow portion covered by the sleeve, while by the other methods it is necessary to allow a much greater idle space on account of the liability of the ropes to foul. This shortening of the length of the drum is an important improve ment, as it economizes space in the pilothouse.

Having described my invention, .what I claim is-- In a steering device, the combination with a winding drum, of ropes coiled in opposite directions upon said drum, and a sleeve mounted upon said drum, sliding between and operated by said coils.

Signed at Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, this 17th day of October, A. D. 1895.

GEORGE E. WOODMAN.

Witnesses:

l\/IARLON E. GREENE, LoUIs E. GREENE.

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