IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR FACILITATING THE MEASUREMENT AND INDICATING OF ANGLES, ASCERTAINING DISTANCES, FINDING OUT RANGES FOR ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Hancock, of Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan,
in the Principality of Wales, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR FACILITATING THE MEASUREMENT AND
INDICATING OF ANGLES, ASCERTAINING DISTANCES, FINDING OUT RANGES
FOR ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
4
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Hancock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1878.
EDWARD HANCOCK, of Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan, in the Principality
of Wales. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR FACILITATING
MEASUREMENT AND INDICATING OF ANGLES, ASCERTAINING DISTANCES,
FINDING OUT RANGES FOR ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
THE
This Invention has for its object the arrangement and combination of the parts
composing the same in such a manner as to produce an apparatus which will
greatly facilitate and simplify the measurement and indication of angles and
distances under the various circumstances in which it is required to be used,
whereby a considerable amount of the calculation and expenditure of time usually
required in performing these operations is avoided, and the necessity of two persons
being engaged in such duties dispensed with and the chances of error consequent
thereon removed, whilst by the application of dials and pointers or hands on the
same connected with each other by means of wheelwork or other equivalent and
suitable arrangements actuated by the part which is moved, in order to obtain the
required line of view of the object or distance to be observed, the angle becomes
recorded or indicated on the dials in degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds,
according to the divisions and subdivisions marked on the same, and exactness is
obtained to or by the extent to which these subdivisions of the minutes and seconds
or either are carried.

page_text: When the object or objects are got in the proper line for obtaining the results of
the observation it is only neceesary to read off the number of degrees, minutes,
seconds, and parts of seconds indicated on the dials, as shewn by the hands or
pointers, and on referring to the book of tables which accompanies the apparatus
the distance corresponding to the degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds
shown by the hands or pointers will be found recorded therein.
I consider that two observations of the object, and not one only, as in the case
of telescopes for instance, are essential to secure accurate results, and my object has
been to produce an apparatus which would take or by means of which might be
taken the two observations at once by the same observer and with the greatest
possible accuracy.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a part of metal or other suitable material
or materials, or combination of the same, on or to which the other portions of the
apparatus are attached or connected, which or part of which is formed with a right
angle, and at this right angle I place a reflector of glass or metal, or both combined,
which is firmly attached thereto, so as accurately to divide the angle and firmly
maintain that position when so placed and attached, and I also employ another
reflector which may be similarly formed, which is moveable, and by means of which
the measurement of the required angle is ascertained. This moveable or shifting
reflector is attached to or connected with a segment of a circle of 22°, which moves
with it, turning on a point or pivot at its apex or central radial point, and on this
segment teeth are formed which take into the wheels or other arrangement used
for communicating movement to the hands or pointers of the dials on motion being
given to the same, the segment making one passage past a given point as the
moveable or shifting reflector moves through its 22°. Motion is given to this
reflector by means of a screw or rackwork adjustment which will enable it to be
kept under control, and enable a very minute, exact, and smooth amount of
movement to be given to it in the direction required for making the observation.
In some cases I provide means for indicating very minute subdivisions of the
seconds either by the use of another dial or by means of a special pointer or hand
and index on a portion of a circle as most convenient or suitable, which is or may
be caused to indicate from or by means of gearing attached to or connected with
the dial showing the seconds.
On the well known principle that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of
incidence, it will be evident that if it is desired that the moveable or shifting
reflector shall reflect into the fixed reflector the image of the object whose distance
is to be measured or ascertained, the moveable or shifting reflector must be placed
in such a position as to accurately bisect the angle, and this being done the
reflection of the object in the moveable reflector will be shown in the fixed reflector,
where it will take the place as it were of the material object itself, as if it were
observed through a transparency almost instead of seen in a reflector.
In using the apparatus it is adjusted by means of sights over the fixed reflector
at right angles to the line of observation, and the moveable or shifting reflector is
screwed up or moved until the object under observation appears in the centre of
the fixed reflector. The dials will then give the value of the angle at the object in
degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds, and a glance at the table or book
will at once give the yards or measurement corresponding to each reading.
The apparatus is or may be supported when in use by a tripod pedestal or other
convenient support, so as to leave the operator free to move about and make the
required adjustment for taking the observation and observing and taking the
results of the same.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Hancock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th May
1879.
EDWARD HANCOCK, of Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan, in the Principality
of Wales. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR FACILITATING
THE MEASUREMENT AND INDICATING OF ANGLES, ASCERTAINING DISTANCES, FINDING
OUT RANGES FOR ARTILLERY AND SMALL ARMS, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object the arrangement and combination of the parts
composing the same in such a manner as to produce an apparatus which will
greatly facilitate and simplify the measurement and indication of angles and
distances under the various circumstances in which it is required to be used,
whereby a considerable amount of the calculation and expenditure of time usually
required in performing these operations is avoided, and the necessity of two persons
being engaged in such duties dispensed with and the chances of error consequent
thereon removed, whilst by the application of dials and pointers or hands on the
same connected with each other by means of wheelwork or other equivalent and
suitable arrangements actuated by the part which is moved, in order to obtain tlie
required line of view of the object or distance to be cbserved, the angle becomes
recorded or indicated on the dials in degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds,
or miles, parts of miles, yards, or feet, according to the divisions and subdivisions
marked on the same, and exactness is obtained to or by the extent to which these
subdivisions of the minutes and seconds, and miles or parts, yards or feet, or either,
or any, or all, are carried.
When the object or objects are got in the proper line for obtaining the results of
the observation it is only necessary to read off the number of degrees, minutes,
seconds, and parts of seconds indicated on the dials where the dials are so divided,
and as shewn by the hands or pointers, and on referring to the book of tables
which accompanies the apparatus the distance corresponding to the degrees,
minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds shewn by the hands or pointers will be found
recorded therein. I consider that two observations of the object, and not one only,
as in the case of telescopes for instance, are essential to secure accurate results, and
my object has been to produce an apparatus which would take or by means of
which might be taken the two observations at once by the same observer and with
the greatest possible accuracy. If preferred the dials may be made to record the
distance or measurements in miles or parts, yards or feet, or all, or any portion of
the same, and to save referring to the book of tables, but the dividing of the dials
will have to be executed properly, so as to record truly, or the two systems of
division before mentioned may be used on the dials in combination in whole or in
part.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a part of metal or other suitable material
or materials, or combination of the same, of the required or desired dimensions, on
or to which the other portions of the apparatus are attached or connected, which or
part of which is formed with a right angle, and at this right angle I place a
reflector of glass or metal, or both combined, which is firmly attached thereto, so
as accurately to divide the angle and firmly maintain that position when so placed
and attached, and I also employ another reflector which may be similarly formed,
which is moveable, and by means of which the measurement of the required angle
is ascertained. This moveable or shifting reflector is or may be attached to or
connected with a segment of a circle of 221/2 degrees, or a properly toothed. or
partially toothed wheel which moves with it, turning on a point or pivot at its
apex or central radial point of the wheel, and on this segment or wheel teeth are
..

page_text: formed, or on only part of the same, which take into the wheels or pinions or other
arrangement used for communicating movement to the hands or pointers of the
dials on motion being given to the same, the segment or toothed or partially
toothed wheel making one passage past a given point as the moveable or shifting
reflector moves through its 22 degrees. Motion is given to this reflector by
means of a screw or rackwork adjustment or other suitable arrangement where it
is used for actuating which will enable it to be kept under control and enable a
very minute, exact, and smooth amount of movement to be given to it in the
direction required for making the observation.
In some cases I provide means for indicating very minute subdivisions of the
seconds or other part or parts of the measurement either by the use of another dial
or by means of a special pointer or hand and index on a portion of a circle as most
convenient or suitable, which is or may be caused to indicate from or by means
of gearing attached to or connected with the dial shewing the seconds or other
dimension or measurement.
On the well known principle that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle
of incidence it will be evident that if it is desired that the moveable or shifting
reflector shall reflect into the fixed reflector the image of the object whose distance
is to be measured or ascertained, the moveable or shifting reflector must be placed
in such a position as to accurately bisect the angle, and this being done the
reflection of the object in the moveable reflector will be shewn in the fixed reflector,
where it will take the place as it were of the material object itself, as if it were
observed through a transparency almost instead of seen in a reflector.
In using the apparatus it is adjusted by means of sights, such as a telescope or
telescopic, over the fixed reflector at right angles to the line of observation, and the
moveable or shifting reflector is screwed up or moved until the object under
observation appears in the centre of the fixed reflector. The dials will then give
the value of the angle at the object in degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of
seconds when so divided, and a glance at the table or book will at once give the
yards or measurement corresponding to each reading, or the dials may be made to
shew and record the distance in miles, parts of miles, yards, feet, or all or any of
the same, by so marking the dials, and thus dispense with the use of tables and
referring to the same to obtain the value of the reading.
When a toothed wheel, either wholly or partially divided or toothed, with the
required pitch, is used for actuating in place of the sector herein before described
the reflector is placed on or attached to the centre line or spindle of the wheel so
as to move with it when operated on by the endless screw working in the teeth on
the exterior of the wheel, and so transmit the movement to the various dials in
order that they may indicate the degrees, minutes, seconds, or parts of seconds, or
miles, parts of miles, yards, and feet, or other scale of measurement desired, or
two or more in combination, according to the manner in which they may be
divided.
The position of the dials in the apparatus may be arranged as most convenient
or suitable to the scale of measurement adopted, but the distribution of the
distances on the dials will depend upon the length of base on which the apparatus
is constructed, the same varying in each case, but their construction will always be
materially the same. Taking, for example, a base of 32 inches, decimal 80, this
would give round numbers for the dials. The dials may be of any suitable number,
according to the extent of division and subdivision employed. They may be
placed round the central actuating wheel in a zigzag position, longitudinally, or as
otherwise convenient or suitable, and in the case of the apparatus with the base of
the length above described seven dials round the centre would be used, the centre
one being so divided as to have seven indications on its circumference properly
distributed by the calculation of the angle to indicate 312 yards, 625 yards,
1250 yards, 2500 yards, 5000 yards, 10,000 yards, and 20,000. The seven dials 5
surrounding the centre one successively divide the intermediate distances, the first

page_text: one taking it up from 0 or infinity down to 20,000 yards, the next from thence
to 10,000 yards, and so on, until the last brings the distance down to 312'
yards.
The seven dials surrounding the centre are acted upon in succession by pinions
or wheels carried upon the centre axis, each dial or pointer being sent once round
and then abandoned for the next in succession. The actuating wheel has, say,
10 teeth cut on it, and they come into play with the pinion or wheel on the first
dial, turn it once round, in which position it is retained by a suitable stop, and
there being no more teeth in the actuating wheel to continue the rotation it
remains stationary. The first pinion or wheel on the shaft of the actuating wheel,
and which is on a different plane, then comes into operation on the next dial
simultaneously with the abandonment of the former one, sends it once round and
leaves it at rest, its further movement being restrained as in the former case by a
suitable stop, and so on through each of the series. The first pinion or wheel on
the axis of the actuating wheel may have, as may also those subsequently spoken
of, any number of teeth which may be found convenient, always providing that
they be distributed over a proper proportion of the circumference of the wheel
from which they receive motion, and cause the dial upon which they are intended
to act to revolve once and then abandon it in the position from which it started.
In the accompanying sheet of diagrams Figure 1 shews an arrangement in which
the sector or segment is used as the actuating part, as hereinbefore described, A being
the segment; B, the moveable reflector; and C, the actuating screw; and Figure 2
shews the employment, A' being the actuating wheel; B¹, the moveable reflector,
shewn dotted; and C', the actuating screw of the wheel in place of the segment or
sector, as hereinbefore described, from which a person accustomed to machinery
and apparatus employed in measuring and recording will easily understand the
manner in which the apparatus may be carried out and arranged to suit the various
requirements.
The apparatus is or may be supported when in use by a tripod pedestal or other
convenient support, so as to leave the operator free to move about and make the
required adjustment for taking the observation and observing and taking the
results of the same; or the fixed reflector may be attached to or supported by or
on one pedestal or support, and the moveable one and the recording parts supported
on or by or attached to another in those cases where it is desired to have a very
large base for the measurement or larger than could be conveniently employed in
portable apparatus, care being of course taken to secure proper adjustment as to
height and level of the two reflectors, so as to avoid error with or from them and
the other parts of the apparatus.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
Apparatus and Arrangements for Facilitating the Measurement and Indicating of
Angles, Ascertaining Distances, Finding Out Ranges for Artillery and Small-arms,
and other Purposes," and the manner in which the same is to or may be performed
or carried into practical effect, I desire to state that I do not limit or confine myself
to the precise details herein specified and shewn in the accompanying sheet of
diagrams, as the same may be modified without departing from the nature of my said
Invention, nor do I claim as of my Invention the use of apparatus for ascertaining
angles or distances, as this is not new, nor any of the parts individually, as these are
not novel; but what I do claim as of my Invention and desire to have protected by
Letters Patent is,―
The arrangement of apparatus and parts forming an instrument for measuring
and recording angles or distances, whereby the results of each observation may be
recorded and shewn on one or more dials in degrees, minutes, and seconds or parts
of the same, or in miles, parts of miles, yards, and feet or other desired scale of
measurement, or both, or several kinds combined, according to the manner in which
the dial or dials are divided, whereby the use of tables of reference and calculations

page_text: may be avoided if desired or preferred, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and specified and explained by the diagrams.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Hancock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
EDWARD HANCOCK. (L.S.)