AN IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE USED IN COMBINATION OR CONNECTION WITH A LIGHTHOUSE FOR INDICATING AND SHOWING THE STATE OF THE TIDE AND DEPTH OF WATER AT ALL TIMES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mellanby, of Middlesbro', in the County of York,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE USED IN COMBINATION
OR CONNECTION WITH A LIGHTHOUSE FOR INDICATING AND SHOWING THE STATE
OF THE TIDE AND DEPTH OF WATER AT ALL TIMES."
Sealed the 1st September 1876, and dated the 10th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mellanby at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th March 1876.
WILLIAM MELLANBY, of Middlesbro', in the County of York. "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN COMBINATION OR CONNECTION WITH A LIGHTHOUSE FOR
INDICATING AND SHOWING THE STATE OF THE TIDE AND DEPTH OF WATER AT ALL
TIMES."
This Invention relates to the arrangement of improved apparatus for indicating
to vessels at sea or at a distance the depth of water at the entrance to a harbour, or
over a sand or mud bar, or any sunken rock or other place dangerous at certain
conditions or depths of the tide, and the Invention consists in the combination of
such improved apparatus with the structure or construction of a lighthouse, with
the object of rendering in the one structure the double purpose of indicating to
vessels at sea the locality of the coast and the depth of water (at the time) over
any dangerous part or place known to be in proximity thereto.
The improved tidal indicating apparatus is constructed with a float which works
vertically in suitable guides, and which is secured to one end of a chain passing
round in the peripheral groove of a guide wheel carried by suitable bearings or a
framing, and the other end of which chain is secured to a sliding weight or block,
which is placed between or has passed through it suitable guide rods so as to cause
it to have a vertical motion. Thus the rising and falling of the tide causes o
corresponding motion of the float and an opposite motion of the sliding weight, a
pin or projection affixed to which last engages in a helical groove made in the
periphery of a cylinder (or its equivalent) which is fixed in bearings also vertically,
and thus has the motion of the tide imparted to it. In order to effect the desired
indication to vessels at a distance the motion is further communicated from the
Price Gd.l

page_text: cylinder by spur gearing to a revolving tower which is arranged within the
structure of the lighthouse, and which revolving tower is made with peripheral
openings arranged vertically at different elevations and circumferentially in the
manner of a belix. Within this tower is arranged a vertical series of lights, which
at all times face in the direction of a series of colored lenses or glasses arranged
vertically at different elevations in the outer face of an external tower surrounding
the revolving tower. The said openings in the inner tower are arranged in the
nanner specified, so that only one of them at a time shall be opposite or in a
line with the vertical series of lenses, and at such time one of the series of lights
within the inner tower can shine through and show the colour of the lens, and as
cach lens is of a different colour to the others, and each colour is intended to signify a
certain number of feet, the depth of the water is thus indicated. In lieu of this
arrangement of openings in the inner and revolving tower, and so as to accomplish
the same object, vizt., the shutting off of the inner lights from all the outer glasses
or lenses, but one at a time, the said inner and revolving tower may be stepped in
a helical direction around its periphery, or it may be otherwise constructed in any
equivalent and suitable manner so as to shut off all radiation of light from within,
except that passing through one lens at a time. The above-mentioned gearing is so
proportioned that only one revolution is given to the revolving tower for the full rise
of the tide, so that any colour of lens shall not be shown twice so as to indicate two
different depths, which would be misleading. A red light to indicate danger is shown
(preferably at the top) when the water is at its fullest ebb, and the other colours
may be arranged as found best. In order to indicate the depth of water in the day-
time the tower will be painted white and the measurements of feet black, instead
of a light being employed (as at night) to every foot of water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Mellanby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th September
1876.
WILLIAM MELLANBY, of Middlesbro', in the County of York. "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN COMBINATION OR CONNECTION WITH A LIGHTHOUSE FOR
INDICATING AND SHOWING THE STATE OF THE TIDE AND DEPTH OF WATER AT ALL
TIMES."
This Invention relates to the arrangement of improved apparatus for indicating
to vessels at sea or at a distance the depth of water at the entrance to a harbour,
or over a sand or mud bank or bar, or any sunken rock or other place dangerous at
certain conditions or depths of the tide, and the Invention consists in the com-
bination of such improved apparatus with the structure or construction of a light-
house, with the object of rendering in the one structure the double purpose of
indicating to vessels at sea the locality of the coast and of their position, and the
lepth of water (at the time) over any dangerous part or place known to be in
proximity thereto.
This combination of apparatus is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, in Figures 1, 2, and 3, which are drawn to a scale of three-sixteenths
of an inch to a foot, and of which Figure 1 represents an elevation, Figure 2 a
sectional elevation, and Figure 3 a sectional plan.
On the accompanying Drawings, 1 represents the structure of the lighthouse,
and 2 a suitable pier or foundation upon which it is erected. 3 is a convenient
structure, in which are arranged sonic of the parts herein-after particularized,
appertaining to the tidal indicating apparatus. In the wall of the pier or foundation
2 is made a recess or well +, which may be open or fenced in or faced with piles,
depending upon its situation and its exposure to the free action of the sea or
water. In this recess 4 is placed a float 5, which works vertically therein, the

page_text: sides thereof acting as guides. The oat 5 is connected to one end of a chain v,
which passes round in the peripheral groove of a guide wheel or pulley 7, the
shaft 8 of which is sustained by a suitable framing or bearings 9 within the
structure 3. The other end of the chain is connected to a sliding weight or
driving block 10, of about half the weight of the buoy 5, and which is placed
between (or has passed through it) suitable guide rods 11, rising from the framing 9,
and which compel the block 10 to have a vertical motion. The block 10 has
affixed to it a pin or projection 12, carrying a friction wheel 13, which engages
in a helical groove 14, running around the periphery of a cylinder 15 (or its
equivalent), the shaft 16 of which is carried vertically by the bearings or framing 9,
and carries a spur wheel 17, which gears with a spur wheel 18, fast on a shaft 19,
which carries a revolving tower 20, arranged vertically within the structure of the
lighthouse 1. This tower 20 is made with peripheral openings, arranged vertically
at different elevations and circumferentially in the manner of a helix, or its is
stepped in a helical direction, as shown at 21, Figure 2, or otherwise equivalently
forined. A gas pipe 22 runs centrally up the tower 20, passing through the
footstep 27 thereof, and carries at different elevations, corresponding in position
to the openings or steps 21 of the tower 20, parallel series of lights 23, which all
face in one direction, and have ordinary reflectors behind them. Opposite these
lights 23 are made (in the structure of the lighthouse 1) openings 24, in which
are arranged coloured (or colourless) lenses or glasses 25. With this arrangement
when the tower 20 is made, with the helical series of openings, and used with
the coloured lenses, only one of these openings at a time is opposite or in a line
with or between the series of lights 23, and the opening 24, and lens 25 opposite
it, and at such time the light from this series of lights 23 can shine through this
lens 25 and shew its colour (radiation from all the other series of lights 23 being
shut off by the interposition of the tower 20 between them and the remaining
lenses 25), and, as in this modification each lens is of a different colour to the
others, and each colour is intended to signify a certain number of feet, depth of
water, the required indication is thus clearly and unmistakeably given. But when
the tower 20 is made with the helical series of steps 21, as illustrated on the
accompanying Drawings, and used with the colourless lenses 25, the series of lights
23 are successively uncovered from the top downwards, the upper lights continuing
shining through their lenses till the complete revolution of the tower, or till they
are covered again by the return motion thereof. In this arrangement the lower-
most light gives the correct indication. Each light may be arranged to indicate
one, two, three or more feet depth of water. The cylinder 15 and wheels 17 and
18 are so proportioned that only one revolution is given to the tower 20 for the
full rise of the tide, so that any lens shall not be shewn twice in one tide and
indicate different depths, which would be misleading. A red light to indicate
danger is shewn at 26, when the water is at its fullest cbb (this is a clear light at
other times) the top 28 is round, attached to and revolves with the tower 20.
The coloured lenses when used may be arranged as found best. In order to
indicate the depth of water in the daytime, the outsides of the lighthouse 1 and
of the tower 20 are painted white, so that upon the turning of the latter the
indications will appear black, all other parts of the lighthouse appearing white.
It will thus be seen that the rising and falling motion of the tide causes a corres-
ponding motion of the float 5, an opposito motion of the driving block 10, and a
rotary motion of the cylinder 15, which by the gearing 17 and 18 is communicated
to the tower 20, which in the manner above specified causes the required indi-
cations to be effected.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention-
The peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of the above described
tidal indicating apparatus with the structure of a lighthouse, substantially as and

page_text: for the purposes described, and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mellanby, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM MELLANBY. (L.S.)