A Semaphore and Morse-signal Instruction Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1894-Accepted, 7th Mar.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Semaphore and Morse-signal Instruction Apparatus.
I, HENRY HARRIS of 128 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W., Fireman in the
London Salvage Corps, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The semaphore and Morse signals instruction apparatus is made from a stout
piece of cardboard, or thin wood, measuring about 12 inches long, by 8 inches
broad, and fixed perpendicularly on a wooden stand.
In the centre of the board a small hole is made, in which a round hollow piece
of metal is placed in such a manner as to allow it to revolve freely in the cardboard
or wood, the ends of this piece of metal are squared to allow a handle to be fixed
on one side, and a wooden or metal arm on the other.
In the hollow of the first piece of metal is another piece, a trifle longer, also
squared at the ends, to allow another handle and arm to be fixed. This constitutes
the working parts of the semaphore.
The side on which the arms are placed is the front or face, and is painted either
white or black to form the background, the arms are also painted but of an
opposite colour that is; if the background is black, the arms should be white,
and vice versa.
From the place in which are inserted the working parts, to the foot of the
board, a stripe is painted of the same width and colour as the arms, which is to
represent the post or standing part of a semaphore, with the indicator projecting
out about 4 inches from the post and the same distance from where the arms
are fixed.
The indicator is to point out on which side the alphabet commences.
On the upper part of board, and near the side, is a flap, coloured to match the
background, and which by turning a handle, is lifted up disclosing a disc the same
colour as arms.
The exposure and concealment of the disc by raising and lowering the flap is
for the performance of the Morse alphabet.
At the back of the board where the handles are fixed, a semaphore is painted as
on the front, but on the upper part is printed the semaphore and Morse alphabets,
with instructions for the guidance of persons using the signal board.
Dated this 7th day of March 1894.
HENRY HARRIS.
A Semaphore and Morse-signal Instruction Apparatus.
I HENRY HARRIS 128 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W. Fireman in the
London Salvage Corps, 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 :-
The semaphore and Morse-signals instruction apparatus, is made from a stout
piece of cardboard, or thin piece of wood, the ordinary size of which should be
EDC17

page_text: 12 inches long and 8 inches broad, but the size may vary either by being made
larger or smaller. The board is fixed in an upright position on a stand..
(See Fig. 7, letter H for board.)
In the centre of the board a hole is made sufficiently large to enable a round
hollow piece of metal to revolve freely, this piece of metal has a thin collar to
it, and is kept in its place in the hole, by two small metal plates, fixed on either
side of the board. (Fig. 6 and 7, letter K.),
The ends of the piece of metal or barrel are squared to allow a handle to be
fixed on one side, and a wooden or metal arm on the other side of the board.
The two plates are shown in Fig. 6. letter K, and the piece of metal which
revolves between them in the holes L. L. is represented in Fig. 1 and 2. letter A,
one being a side view and the other an end view.
In the hollow of the first piece of metal, Fig. 1. letter A, is another piece, solid,
see Fig. 1 and 2. letter B and about one quarter of an inch longer, also squared
at the ends, the squared part just projecting sufficiently on either side to allow
another handle and arm to be fixed.
Fig. 3. letter C. represents the arms, and letter D the handles.
Fig. 4. represents the two pieces of metal in working position, (letter A and B)
with the arms C. C. and handles. D fixed in position ready for use, letter B revolving
in A, and A in between the two plates K. K.
When Fig. 4. letters A. B. C. & D. are placed in position, between the two
plates K. K. and the latter fixed to the board, the handles D. appear at the back,
and the arms C. in the front or face of board, Fig. 8, letter R.
The front or face of board may be painted either white or black, if white, the
arms must be black, and vice versa, if the arms are painted black, a stripe of the
same colour, and the width of the arms, should be painted on the front of board
(see Fig. 8. letter F.) from the place at which the arms are connected to the
working parts, A. and B. down to the foot of the board.
Midway between the arm connections A and B, and the foot of board, is another
stripe, at right-angles to letter F, and the same length as letter C, representing an
indicator, (see Fig. 8. letter G.) the object of which is to enable an operator to
discern at once which side of the apparatus the alphabet commences, the perpendicular
stripe represents the post or pillar of a semaphore.
This constitutes the semaphore part of the apparatus.
At the upper left-hand corner of the face of board, is a round disc, painted
the opposite colour of board, (see Fig. 8 letter N) which is covered by a flap
(Fig. 9. letter M.) when disc is not to be scen. Fig. 8 shows the flap raised
and Fig. 9. the flap lowered.
The flap is manipulated by a small handle (letter I) connected to the board,
and turned by the finger and thumb, backwards and forwards, raising and lowering
the flap at the will of the operator, the exposure and concealment of the disc
is to represent, flashes, or dots and dashes, as used in the Morse alphabet, this
constitutes the working parts of the Morse apparatus.
At the back of board (Fig. 7. and 10.) is a space (letter E) for the two
alphabets to be printed, and pasted on, with their different signs and significations,
to enable a new beginner to work the apparatus, to have the different signs
and significations before him, and to do away with the continual reference to
signal books.
In Figure 7 representing the back of board with handles extended, and Fig. 10.
the back of board with handles closed.
Figure 8 represents frout of board with arms extended, and flap raised, and
Fig. 9, arms closed, and flap lowered. The fine line indicates the place at which
the outer arm and handle is connected with the inner, or smaller piece of metal
(letter B).
Letters PP are small legs or stands into which is fixed the lower corners of
board, to keep the latter in an upright position.
The two arms of the semaphore are used exclusively in carrying into effect the

page_text: different signs connected with that particular part of the apparatus and have nothing
to do with Morse system.
The flap in the Morse apparatus is only used when carrying into effect the different
signs and significations of that particular part of the apparatus.
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 :-
That it is a new apparatus for the purpose of instructing persons in the semaphore
and Morse systems of signalling.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1894.
HENRY HARRIS.