Improved Apparatus for Measuring Inclines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
Improved Apparatus for Measuring Inclines.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
6, Lord Street Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of
Lancaster, and Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Civil 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 :-
The invention which forms the subject of the present application for Letters
Patent consists of an apparatus for measuring slopes and grades. It may be fixed
upon a level or adapted by means of a suitable device to a vehicle of any kind such
as a carriage, a locomotive, an autocar, a cycle or the like.
The apparatus is represented by way of example in the accompanying drawing
in which :-
Figure 1 is a diagram of a vertical section through the axis of the cylinder S.
Figure 2 is a plan view, and
Figure 3 shows on a larger scale than the preceding a portion of the rack F.
In these drawings the letter A represents a scale divided into degrees of descent
or ascent. In front of this scale a pointer is arranged to turn in such manner as to
enable the degree of the descent or aɛcent to be read off at will. The apparatus
should always be arranged in such a manner that the line m n of the scale should
be in the direction following that of which the slope is to be determined. The
motion of the pointer is obtained by means of two counter weights P P¹ connected
by rings to a bar B mounted upon a pivot C round which may be coiled if desirable
a small spring. This spring is intended to control the weights and has for its effect
to diminish the oscillatious of the bar B and consequently the oscillations of the
pointer in certain cases. The same result may be obtained by placing in the
cover S a certain quantity of glycerine or the like into which the weights P and P¹
plunge. At the upper end of the bar B there is arranged at a convenient distance
from the pivot C a segment of a toothed wheel the teeth of which are arranged
upon one of the sides thereof in such a manner as to form a rack in the shape of an
are of a circle which actuates a pinion of small diameter transmitting motion to the
pointer. The scale is movable to a certain degree around the pivot of the pointer
so as to admit of the adjustment of the instrument by means of a little thumb
screw D. A pin placed upon the scale opposite the maximal point of the scale
stops the needle and prevents it from exceeding in its indications this end point.
The mechanism is surrounded and protected by a tube S; this tube is closed at its
lower part and may be connected in any desired manner.
The apparatus may be constructed of any required size. The scale may be
arranged vertically without altering the system because it suffices in such case to
give to the rack radial teeth instead of lateral ones, and to place the pinion
horizontally above the same. One of the weights P P1 may be suppressed and the
other suspended or fixed directly to the bar B. The form of the weights may be
varied from that shown in the drawing. An apparatus can also be added for the

page_text: purpose of fixing the instrument in any given position. The distance of the point
of suspension of the weights to the axis being smaller than the radius of the rack
and this latter being much greater than that of the pinion the slopes are measured
with a double amplification.
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 :-
The above described indicating apparatus comprising a toothed curved rack
engaging with a pinion upon the axis of which is mounted the pointer said rack
being able to move upon a horizontal axis and being caused by means of a weight
to maintain exactly its position when the apparatus is inclined in a vertical plane
perpendicular to the axis of the said toothed rack.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.