An Improvement on an Instrument used in Gauging Casks and other Vessels, known as the "Head Rod."
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 1st May, 1890-Accepted, 26th July. 1890
PROVISIONAL SE MOLTTOAI
An Improvement on an Instrument used in Gauging Casks and
other Vessels, known as the "Head Rod."
I, GEORGE DAVYS HAM, of Warborough Cottage, Balham. S.W. Surveyor of
Customs, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, and to
consist in certain improvements in the rod used for gauging, known as the
"Head Rod" :—
These improvements are the introduction of a small additional slide, on which is
fixed the cock or spur used in measuring the diameters of heads of casks. Attached to
this spur is a metal strap, each end of which is turned down at a right angle, so as
to form a flange on each edge of the rod. These flanges serve two purposes one,
to shew on a line of inches on the edge of the rod the distance that the spur is from
the end of the rod; in other words, to indicate measurements taken with the spur ;
and, two, to keep the rod from unduly opening. Furthermore, on the back of the
little slide is a small metal plate which serves two purposes; one, as a thumb-plate
when the rod is used for measuring head diameters; and, two, to form an index to
enable readings to be obtained from a line of figures on the lower edge of the main
slide, over and across the figures on the middle rail to a line of figures on the lowest
rail or stock of the rod.
The letters on the accompanying drawings, which represent a portion of the front
and a portion of the back of the Head Rod, indicate the undermentioned parts:—
11 11
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement on an Instrument used in Gauging Casks and
other Vessels, known as the "Head Rod."
1 GEORGE DAVYS HAM, of Warborough Cottage Balham S.W. Surveyor of
Customs, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner tho
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, and to consist of certain improvements in the rod used for
gauging known as the "Head-rod " :—
on which
is fixed the cock or spur used in measuring the diameters of heads of casks.
Attached to this spur is a metal strap each end of which is turned down at a right
These flanges serve two
angle so as to form a flange at each edge of the rod.
purposes one, to shew on a line of inches on the edge of the rod the distance that
the spur is from the end of the rod; in other words, to indicate measurements taken
with the spur; and, two, to keep the rod from unduly opening. Furthermore, on the
back of the little slide is a small metal plate which serves two purposes;-one, as a
thumb-plate, when the rod is used for measuring head diameters; and, two, to form
an index to enable readings to be obtained from a line of figures on the lower edge of
the main slide, over and across the figures on the middle rail to a line of figures on
the lowest rail or stock of the rod.
These improvements are the introduction of a small additional slide

page_text: E. End of rod a new pattern affording far greater strength than the old.
F. Edge of rod, on which is a scale of inches for taking the head diameter.
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. The form of little slide, and strap, and introduction of both.
2. The introduction of the complete D line in conjunction with the Cline.
3. The arrangement for reading from the C to the D line across the segment line
afforded by the little slide and thumb-plate thereon.
4. The form and design of the metal end.