Improvements in Combined Visible and Audible Signals.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Visible and Audible Signals.
I, ROBERT MUNN DIXON, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange,
in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, United States of America,
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 means for producing both visible and audible signals
for the guidance of mariners, and its object is to provide in a gas-light signal
station, means for utilizing the flow of gas for sounding a bell, for example, and
thereby to produce, with certainty, in one station, warning signals through the
aid of both light and sound.
Gas lighted buoys are now in extensive use and for that reason in the sub-
sequent specification, I describe my invention as applicable to that class of buoys
upon which, for economical reasons, it would perhaps generally be employed.
It should be understood, nevertheless, that my invention is not limited to the
application to a gas-lighted buoy or sound producing mechanisin actuated by
the flow of gas to the lamp of a buoy, although it is deemed probable that in
practice it would be more largely employed upon buoys, than elsewhere.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure I is a side elevation of a complete gas-lighted buoy equipped with my
preferred form of sounding mechanism.
Figure II is a view similar to Figure I., taken at right angles thereto.
Figure III is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of a portion
of the tower and the sounding mechanism carried thereon, the lower portion of
the bell incorporated with the sounding mechanism being shown as broken away,
and the parts being shown in the position illustrated in Figure II.
Figure IV is a view similar to Figure III, showing the parts, in the position
illustrated in Figure I.
Figure V. is a section as upon line V-V of Figure III, showing a horizontal
section of the complete apparatus.
Referring to the figures on the drawings,
1 indicates the strong shell or reservoir, that is adapted to hold gas under
required pressure and which, in the form illustrated, constitutes the float or body
of a buoy.
2 represents the filling valve through which gas may be supplied to the interior
of the shell 1. 3 indicates a tower or any usual or suitable construction. It is
firmly planted upon and secured to the upper portion of the shell 1. Upon its upper
end the tower supports a lamp 4, which is preferably surrounded by a suitable
protective cage or skeleton hood 5, that is secured to and incorporated with the
tower 3. The particular form. of tower and cage may be varied as to structure,
in any wise, and being exhibited only by way of example, does not require to be
described in detail. .

page_text: In the ordinary gas-lighted buoy, gas from the interior of the shell 1 is piped
to the lamp 4, the pipe being intercepted by suitable regulating or pressure-
reducing mechanism, as required.
It is the object of my invention to employ, without waste of gas, the energy
derivable from the flow of gas transmitted through the pipe connection from the
shell 1 to the lamp 4, as a means of sounding an audible signal, preferably a bell,
at regular or frequent intervals.
To this end I provide a gas chamber defined by a suitable bottom plate 6
secured to the tower, and a flexible diaphragm 7 surmounting the same and united
thereto, as by a rim 8, secured by screw bolts 9, in such manner as to render
the joint between the diaphragm and the shell gas-tight. A pipe 10 establishes
communication between the interior of said chamber and the interior of the
shell 1, making connection at one end through the case of the valve 2 with the
shell and at the other end through a valve case 11, preferably formed integrally
with the plate 6, a gas way 12 constituting the means of communication between
the interior of the case 11, and the interior of the chamber. A pipe 13 establishes
communication between the interior of the chamber and the lamp' 4.
For accomplishing the object of my invention
utilize the movement of the
diaphragm 7 for the purpose of actuating an audible signal.
The mechanism which I prefer to employ for that purpose consists of a rod 14,
firmly secured as by plates 15 and 16 to the diaphragm 7, upon the opposite sides
of which they are, respectively, located. The rod 14 reciprocates within suitable
bearings provided for it in the plate 6, and within the cover 17 that is bolted, as
indicated at 18, to the platform 19, that supports the plate 6 upon the tower.
20 indicates the bearing for the rod 14 within the cover 17, and 21 a corre-
sponding bearing in the plate 6, consisting of a hollow projection or cup within
which the lower end of the rod 14 fits.
22 indicates a conical spring that surrounds the rod 14, and is seated at one
end against the bearing frame 20, and at the other end against the plate 15,
surmounting the diaphragm 7. It is of such length as will tend to cause it to
depress the diaphragm 7 towards the plate 6, and to force the end of the rod 14
towards the bottom of the cup 21.
The rod 14 is provided at its upper end with a slot 25, by means whereof, and
the aid of a pin 20, it is loosely pivoted to a crank arm 27, that is secured at one
end to a rock shaft 28, carried in a suitable bearing provided for it in the upper
part of the cover 17. Outside of the cover 17, near the end of the shaft 28,
opposite that to which the arm 27 is secured (see Figure IV) is fixed a spider or
three-legged frame 29. The downwardly extending legs of the spider, respec-
tively, carry strikers 30 and 31, while the upwardly projecting leg carries a
counter-weight 32.
The counter-weight 32 is free to oscillate within the upper part of a bell 33,
that is suspended, as from cross-pieces 34, secured to the tower 3. The strikers
30 and 31, and the legs of the spider which carry them, respectively, are so
disposed as to permit the strikers in vibrating backward and forward upon the
shaft 28, to impinge against opposite sides of the bell, and thereby to sound it.
To the extremity of the shaft 28 is secured a crank arm 36, that is provided
upon its free end with a yoke 37, upon the opposite ends of which, respectively,
are secured hooks 37, and 38, that are preferably mounted in studs 39 and 40,
respectively, pivotally fixed to the yoke.
41 indicates a coiled spring secured at one end to the hook 37", and at the
other end to a hook 42, depending from the crown of the bell.
43 indicates a corresponding spring secured at one end to the hook 38, and
at the other end to the hook 42, the hook 42 preferably being provided with two
horns 44 and 45 for the accommodation of the respective springs.
The arm 36 and the springs 41 and 43 secured to it, are so disposed, with
respect to the remaining members of the mechanism carried by the shaft 28, as
that the respective tensions of the two springs serve to counterbalance one another

page_text: when the strikers 30 and 31 are, respectively, equidistant from the bell 33. If,
however, one of the. strikers, for instance the striker 30, be moved towards the.
bell, the effective tensile force of the spring 43 will predominate over that of
the spring 41, until finally the aforesaid movement of the striker. 30; having:
advanced sufficiently, the power of both springs will be exerted upon the arm 36,
so as to drive the striker 30 against the bell with a quick, sharp movement.
In view of the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that the springs 41:
and 43 constitute the actuating mechanism of the bell striking mechanism,. of
which the diaphragm 7, with its connecting mechanism, constitutes the prime.
mover; that is to say, the movement of the diaphragm 7 in one direction or the
other, impelled either by the force of the spring 22, or the gas pressure between
it and the plate 6, operates, by means of its connection through the rod 14 and
the crank arm 27, with the shaft 28, to swing the arm 36 into such a position as
will enable the springs 41 and 43 to actuate the bell striking mechanism in the
manner above described.
It may be noted here that the loose connection between the rod 14 .and the
crank arm 27, afforded by the slot 25 and pin 26, will permit the effective
actuation of the strikers 30 and 31, respectively, by the force of the springs 41
and 43, as above described.
Upon the platform 19 I provide a bracket 48 (see particularly Figure V) that
supports a pair of oppositely acting leaf springs 49 and 50 in the path of the
respective strikers 30 and 31. The office of these springs is to compel the quick
rebound of the acting striker after each impact against the bell, in order to
develop the clear sounding of the bell. If, for example, the striker 30 be the
acting striker, or the one that is about to sound the bell, the other striker 31.at
the moment of the impact of the striker 30 with the bell, impinges against the
spring 50 and is thereby caused to rebound, carrying with it the striker 30. On
the other hand, if the striker 31 be the acting striker, the striker 30 impinges
against the spring 49, and causes-the rebound above described.
To the free end of the crank arm 27 is pivotally secured, as indicated at 51,
a rod 52, that is, in like manner, secured, as indicated at 53, to an arm 54 pivoted
upon a fixed stud 55 projecting inwardly from the wall of the cover 17.
Working upon the same stud 55 is an arm 56 that being secured to the arm 54
is actuated by it. The free end of the arm 56 works between stop pieces 57 and 58
adjustably secured to a rod 59 carried upon the longer end of a lever 61, that is
fulcrumed, as indicated at 62, upon a cap 63, secured to the valve case 11.
The short arm of the lever 61 is pivotally united, as indicated at 64, to a valve
stem 65 that operates a valve 66 working within a suitable guide 67 within the
case 11, the office of the valve being to permit or shut off communication between
the pipe 10 and the interior of the valve case 11, which, as above specified, com-
municates through the gas way 12 with the gas chamber defined between the
diaphragm 7 and plate 6.
I do not limit myself to any particular form of valve or valve mechanism, that
illustrated being shown merely by way of example. As illustrated, the limited
requisite movement of the valve is provided for by a flexible diaphragm 68,
secured between the top of the case 11, and the cap 63 thereof.
A spring 70 secured at one end, as indicated at 71, to the interior of one wall
of the cover 17, and, as indicated at 72, to the long arm of the lever 61, serves
accordingly as the lever is in one position or another, to assist both in opening
and in closing the valve 66.
The operation of my apparatus is as follows:-
Gas under pressure is supplied from the interior of the shell 1 through the
pipe 10 to the interior of the chamber defined by the plate 6 and diaphragm 7,
the valve 66 being open, except when the spring 22 is compressed by gas
pressure under the diaphragm 7, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.
From the interior of the chamber underneath the diaphragm 7, the gas passes
to the lamp 4 which comprehends, as usual, a pressure regulator for controlling

page_text: the immediate supply of gas to the burner. As the gas accumulates under the
diaphragm 7, the increasing pressure tends to elevate the diaphragm against the
opposing force of the spring 22, and compressing the spring, drives the rod 14
upwardly. The rod in turn, through its connection with the crank arm 27,
imparts motion to the rock shaft 28, and, through it, .to, the striker 30, impelling
the striker towards its impact against the bell 33. The gradual upward move-
ment of the rod 14 finally, in the manner previously specified, brings the force
of the.combined springs 41 and 43 into play, upon the arm 36 and thereby, in the
manner previously described, drives the striker 30 against the bell, which
instantly rebounds under the co-operation of the spring 50 and striker 31 as
previously specified..
"
I
During the upward movement of the rod 14 and in consequence of the move-
ment imparted thereby to the crank arm 27, the arm 54, through its connection
with the arm 27, causes the free end of the arm 56 to rise, until, coming in con-
tact with the stop 57 on the rod 59, it lifts the longer end of the lever 61, tending
to, close the valve 66 until the spring 70 comes into play and completes and main-
tains the closing of that valve.
The closing of the valve 66 shuts off the gas supplied to the gas chamber under-
neath the diaphragm 7, from which chamber a continuous supply of gas to the
pipe 13 is maintained under pressure derived from the expansion of the spring 22.
The expansion of the spring 22 depresses the diaphragm 7, which carries with
it the rod 14.
The above described operation of the striking mechanism in consequence of the
downward movement of the rod 14, reversed, the arm 27 being actuated to impel
the striker 31 towards the bell 33, until the arm 36 passes the point at which the
combined force of the springs 41 and 43 will be exerted to drive the striker 31
against the bell. Upon impact of the striker 31 against it, the bell instantly
rebounds in consequence of the impingement of the striker 30 against the
spring 49.
The downward movement of the arm 27 above described, produces a corre-
sponding movement in the arm 54 until the free end of the last named member
strikes the stop piece 58 and depresses the long arm of the lever 61 until the
spring 70 operates to hold it in the depressed position. The said downward
movement of the long arm of the lever 61 opens the valve 66 and permits a
reinflux of gas.
From the foregoing it will appear that the cycle of operation of my apparatus
comprehends for its accomplishment two intervals, one determined by the time
required for filling the chamber underneath the diaphragm 7 with gas, and the
other for exhausting the gas from said chamber. The interval required for filling
the chamber under the diaphragm 7, may be controlled by the adjustment of a
valve 73 in the pipe 10. The interval occupied in exhausting the gas from said
chamber is controlled by the consumption of gas in the lamp 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:―
1. The combination with a gas containing shell and lamp, of means of
supplying gas from the shell to the lamp, and audible signal apparatus in opera-
tive communication with said means of gas supply, and continuously actuated as
the lamp burns.
of
2. The combination with a gas containing shell and lamp, of means
supplying gas from the shell to the lamp, and bell ringing apparatus in operative
communication with said means of gas supply and continuously actuated as the
lamp burns.
3. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a chamber inter-
cepting the pipe, a flexible diaphragm constituting one wall of the chamber,

page_text: ;
means for producing movement of the diaphragm through the flow of gas to the
lamp, bell sounding mechanism, and mechanism operatively connecting the
diaphragm and bell sounding mechanism.
4. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, bell sounding
mechanism comprehending actuating mechanism, and a prime mover for the
actuating mechanism of the bell sounding mechanism in operative communica-
tion with the shell.
5. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp, of
a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a chamber intercepting
the pipe, a flexible diaphragm constituting one wall of the chamber, a spring
adapted to actuate the diaphragm in opposition to force generated by the flow of
gas within the chamber, and bell sounding mechanism operatively connected
with the diaphragm as a prime mover.
6. The combination with a gas containing shell; bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a prime mover in
operative communication with the pipe, bell sounding mechanism operatively
connected with the prime mover, and gas-supply controlling mechanism opera-
tively connected with the sounding mechanism.
7. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a prime mover in
operative communication with the pipe, bell sounding mechanism operatively
connected with the prime mover, and gas supply controlling mechanism opera-
tively connected with the prime mover.
8. The combination with a supporting member and bell, of a rock shaft and
striker carried within operative proximity to the bell upon the supporting
member, a crank arm secured to the rock shaft, and a spring secured at one end
to the crank arm, and attached at the other end to the supporting member,
whereby the movement of the rock shaft in one direction will cause the spring to
actuate the striker against one side of the bell, and its movement in the opposite
direction will cause it to strike the other side of the bell.
9. The combination with a supporting member and bell, of a rock shaft and
strikers carried within operative proximity to the bell upon the supporting
member, a crank arm secured to the rock shaft, a yoke upon the crank arm, and
springs secured to the yoke and attached to the supporting member at their
opposite ends, respectively, whereby the movement of the rock shaft in one
direction will cause the springs to actuate one of the strikers, and its movement in
the opposite direction will cause them to actuate the other striker.
10. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp.
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a rock shaft and
striker in operative proximity to the bell, striker actuating mechanism, and a
prime mover in operative communication with the pipe and adapted to be
actuated by flow of gas through the same, said prime mover being operatively
connected with the striker actuating mechanism, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a swinging striker
frame in operative proximity to the bell, striker frame actuating mechanism,
and a prime mover, in operative communication with the pipe, and operatively
connected with the striker frame actuating mechanism.
12. The combination with a gas containing shell bell, bell support and lamp,
of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, bell sounding
mechanism in operative proximity to the bell, a prime mover operatively con-
nected with the sounding mechanism, and in operative communication with the
pipe, a valve controlling the flow of gas from he shell, and mechanism opera-
tively connecting the said valve with the sounding mechanism.
13. The combination with a gas containing shell, bell, bell support and lamp,

page_text: of a pipe connecting the lamp and the interior of the shell, a rock shaft, and
strikers in operative proximity to the bell, striker actuating mechanism, a valve
controlling the flow of gas from the shell, a spring actuated lever operatively
connected with the valve, a rod upon the lever provided with stops, an arm
operatively connected with the rock shaft and working between the stops, and a
prime mover operatively connected with the rock shaft, and in operative com-
munication with the pipe.
"
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,, W.C
Agent for the Applicant.