Improvements in Heliographs.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Heliographs.
1, JAMES LOGAN WATKINS trading as Watkins & Compy. Engineer, 6 Warbeck
Road Uxbridge Road, London, W. in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The movement is obtained by a continuation of the Axle of Signalling Mirror,
working within a hollow bearing, fitted into a slide rest, fixed on side of the U frame,
carrying the Mirror frame. The slide to regulate the necessary Angle of deflection
of Mirror, is fitted on a solid block, with an endless traversing screw fixed into
bearings at each end, with a Milled headed or other convenient Knob, to turn screw
forward or backward, as necessary; or this traversing movement is also obtained by
two screws, one at each end, pressing the slide bearing to any required position;
working with double Cog Wheels, turning both Wheels simultaneously.
The desired length of stroke necessary to give a perfect Flash at any required
distance, is accomplished by a Milled headed Screw fixed on slide.
The tension of spring is regulated by an Eye-bolt and travelling Set Nut.
This is all fitted on a Tripod Stand on which is attached an Iron tongue into which,
a socket on base of the Heliograph fits.
The stand being clamped to a rigid position, by a double screw and nut with
washers allowing centre Leg to be deflected to get elevation.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1887.
JAMES LOGAN WATKINS.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Heliographs.
I, JAMES LOGAN WATKINS of 6 Warbeck Road, Uxbridge Road, London, in the
county of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
=
My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of Heliographis
whereby the number of working parts is greatly reduced, and the instrument
consequently simplified and rendered more simple in construction and more easy
manipulate.
to
My improvements consist entirely in the arrangement for operating and deflecting
the signalling mirror, all the other parts of the instrument present no novel features
and are constructed and operated in the manner already known.
My improvements are fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1. is a view in front elevation of the signalling mirror and its attachments,
and Figure 2. is a view in side elevation-partly in section-of the operating and
deflecting mechanism only.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The signalling mirror A is mounted in the usual manner-by means of short
axles a, a in a U-frame B having a tapered tongue adapted to fit into a recess in
the plate X mounted on the plate Z, which is adapted to fit on the tripod stand in
the ordinary, or any other convenient manner. The plate X is capable of a horizontal
rotary movement on the plate Z by means of a tangent screw in the well-known
manner. So far no novel features are presented, and I will now describe my improve-
ments. One of the axles a of the mirror A is extended through the U-frame B to
receive a bell-crank lever which is fixed thereon. The horizontal arm C of this lever
is fitted with a finger plate c at its free end, and the vertical arm terminates in a
ball or sphere c'. This ball or sphere engages with a recess d, or its equivalent,
formed in a slide D mounted in a slide rest E fixed to the side of the U-frame B.
This slide rest is fitted with an endless traversing screw F, carrying a travelling
nut which is connected to the slide I) by means of a tongue d¹ and groove, or
by any other equivalent device, whereby the motion of the travelling nut is imparted
to the slide. The screw F is fitted with a milled head F¹ or its equivalent to provide
for its rotation. As a modification the traversing movement of the slide D may be
obtained by means of two screws,' one at each end of the slide rest, bearing against
the tongue d', the two screws being given a synchronous movement if desired by
means of suitable gearing.
To regulate the beat of the finger lever C, a small set-screw d² with a milled head
is threaded into the slide D so that it is capable of varying the width of the recess d,
and so limiting or increasing the length of the beat of the finger lever C through the
ball or sphere e¹ on the end of the arm C. To restore the signalling mirror and
finger lever to their normal positions after each deflection, a spring G connects an

page_text: extension of the finger lever beyond its fulcrum, with the slide D, the tension of the
said spring being regulated by means of the set screw g so that it exerts a constani
reactive force with any length of beat the finger lever.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In a heliograph, deflecting the signalling mirror by means of a finger lever fixed
directly to one of the axes on which the mirror is mounted, as set forth."
2. In a heliograph, regulating the angle of deflection of the signalling mirror by
means of a slide rest acting on the finger lever, as set forth.
3. In a heliograph, regulating the length of the deflection of the signalling mirror
by means of the set screw d² in the slide D, as set forth.
4. In a heliograph regulating the tension of the reaction spring G, in the manner
and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a heliograph, the combination with the signalling mirror A and U-frame B,
of the bell-crank lever C, C, the finger key c, the slide D and rest E, the screw F
having a milled head F, the travelling nut f, and tongue d' engaging therewith, the
set screw d², the spring G, and the tension screw g, all constructed arranged and
operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 1st day of October 1888.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.