Improvements in or connected with Ships' Course Recording Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th June, 1900-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Ships' Course Recording
Apparatus.
We, JOHN HOPE, of 14, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, and WILLIAM EDWARD BUCKLEY, of 14, Water Street, Liverpool,
aforesaid, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus for continuously recording on a strip
of paper, or the like, the direction and in some cases the distance, and varia-
tions of a ship's movements; or, in other words, the direction sailed by a ship,
the variation of its compass, and the time of the several records; thus producing
a permanent log of the course run by the ship.
The service of a satisfactory and reliable record or log to owners insurers, or
others, and to the officers of the ship themselves, or one or other of them, is well
recognized; for it is well known that in collisions the course of a ship at the
time of the collision is a difficult fact to ascertain afterwards, as evidence on the
point is, subsequently, extremely conflicting. Also through inefficiency and
inattention of the steersman, time on a passage is frequently lost owing to the
fact that deviations from the true course involves a lengthened distance of run-
ning, and also a retardation of speed. Furthermore, such an instrument is ser-
viceable in case of a ship being wilfully and maliciously put off her course for
any wrongful object or aim, acts of this kind (which the parties are most anxious
to conceal) being, ordinarily, also very hard to prove in evidence.
Of the several types of ships' recording apparatus or compasses to which this
invention relates, it is that in which there is employed a strip of paper, or the
like, which is suitably moved by a motor-say a spring motor-past an inter-
mittently actuated marker, and on which strip the record is marked by the
marker; the marker itself having its position controlled, so as always to retain
a constant north and south, or east and west, or other desired position, whilst the
body and general mechanism of the instrument, of course, moves about the axis
of the arbor of the magnets with the ship, as it deviates from the course it is
sailing in either direction. And, in a further respect, it also has reference to
that type of such apparatus in which a plurality of markers or marking devices
are used, the purpose and end of which is to indicate automatically the main
direction of the course a ship is travelling, namely, whether it is sailing in a
northward or southward, or eastward or westward course.
and
Apparatus of this kind, i.e. possessing these characteristics, is well known;
the object of the present invention is mainly to provide improvements in respect
of the mode of working these parts or carrying out these actions, and to con-
struct and arrange them, and other parts accessory to them, more simply and
inexpensively; and at the same time, providing an instrument possessing a high
degree of accuracy, and one which is thoroughly practical.
As already stated, apparatus having mechanisms, such as referred to, are well
known; and examples of them are to be found in the Specifications of Letters

page_text: Patents of the United States of Farciot, No. 4132508, and Peverly, No. 150176,
and in the British Letters Patents of Wrigley, No. 1362483, Hope No. 9675%, and
No. 9496, and Berg No. 133348. Therefore, no claim to novelty generally of
any of the characteristics comprised in the above patents is made under the
invention.
According to this invention, there is employed a strip of paper, preferably suit-
ably lined, and working over a table or support by a suitable motor, namely,
a spring clock mechanism, which is also a time keeper; and this motor inoves
the said paper off a roller on which it is stored, on to a storing roller at the
other end of the table. Markers with multiple marking points, say two, oppo-
site each other, are arranged suitably in relation to the diagram strip, and are
adapted to mark it periodically. These markers are free to revolve about their
supports, which is a vertical arbor or spindle, the ends of which are seated in
pivots; or conversely, "the instrument is free to revolve or oscillate about the axis
of the markers, without affecting them or their position.
The position of the markers is controlled by magnets, of which there are two
sets, one say a single magnet and of small power-on or connected with the
marker fittings, and the other set comprises the main controlling magnets entirely
disconnected from the former, but acting upon and controlling the marker. The
polarity of the marker magnet is arranged opposite that of the main magnets,
which, being the stronger, and under normal action, control it, and the position
of the markers connected with it.
The main magnets are mounted upon a vertical arbor coincident axially with
the marker arbor, say directly under the table; and they may be contained in
a case, and work in air or be immersed and work in liquid contained within this
case.
The markers are both operated together, that is, they are lowered towards, and
moved away from the diagram strip together; but the strip is so moved and
arranged that only one marker marks it at a time, the paper chart under one half
of the field i.e. circle-traversed by the markers being below the table (the two
halves of which may be on different levels), or at a lower level than the other,
and so that the marker over this part of the apparatus does not touch it when at
its lowermost position. Thus, if a northern course is being marked by the
northern pointer, (which is differentiated in form from the southern marker) the
southern marker does not mark the paper.
The markers, in one construction are mounted on the end of the magnets, and
the arbor of the magnet is mounted in bearings or supports, say in the form of a
central bracket, which is moved up and down by mechanism operated by the
motor.
The marking parts may consist of nibs or tubes on the end of the marker
magnet, containing marking fluid of different colours, or with distinctive mark-
ings for the different courses.
The diagram chart or strip of paper, where it moves from the lower level (at
which it is not marked by the falling marker) to the upper level, moves under
and over suitable guiding rollers or bars, preferably at a gradual inclination.
The mechanism which moves the central marker magnet supporting bracket
may consist of a cam wheel, moving in the horizontal plane between the main
magnets, and actuated by the clock spring mechanism below. The upper surface
of the cam wheel works on vertical studs or projections with antifriction rollers
pressing them alternately up, and allowing them to fall in the act of marking,
and these being supported by levers, and having arms projecting to each side.
they act in studs at their ends, which in turn act on a cross bar or frame on
which the marker magnet supporting bracket is mounted, and so actuate it.
The clock spring mechanism is adapted to operate the markers, and also move
the paper and its rollers; and the paper is moved intermittently by a pawl or
like mechanism on the drawing off roller, operated, in one arrangement, by a cam
on the vertical shaft of the cam wheel above referred to.

page_text: The paper drawing off roller may be the lower of a pair; and the upper one
may be the coiling on roller, being loosely mounted in bearings, and driven from
the lower one by resting upon it, but at a small inclination, to reduce the weight
of it, and driving power. By this mode of working, the speed of the taking in
or coiling up, will be equal to that of the taking off, irrespective of the increasing
diameter the coiled up diagram will assume.
According to one general arrangement of parts, the spring driven time-keep-
ing clockwork mechanism will be below, and on the upper part of this will be the
cam mechanism, and mechanisms for operating the marker supporting bracket,
and the paper. feeding rollers. Then above this is the magnet with its upright
arbor, and again above this is the diagram table. And then above the table and
diagram paper are the markers, and the weak magnet which carries them with its
upright arbor coincident with the axis of the main magnets' arbor. And the
whole may be mounted in a suitable. base or frame, which may be placed any
where, it being in all cases unnecessary to mount it on gimbals.
The improvements under this invention have been described applied in com-
bination in a completely organized apparatus, but it is to be understood they may
be employed, one or more of them, in other ships' course recording apparatus
which may differ in type, and in various ways from the instrument, as a whole,
herein described.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON.
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
Improvements in or connected with Ships' Course Recording
Apparatus.
We, JOHN HOPE, of 14, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, and WILLIAM EDWARD BUCKLEY, of 14, Water Street, Liverpool,
aforesaid, Gentleman, 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:-
-
This invention nas reference to apparatus for continuously recording on a strip
of paper, or the like, the direction, and variations of a ship's movements; or,
in other words, the direction sailed by a ship, the variation of its compass, and
the time of the several records; thus producing a permanent log of the course
run by the ship.
The service of a satisfactory and reliable record or log to owners insurers, or
others, and to the officers of the ship themselves, or one or other of them, is well
recognized; for it is well known that in collisions the course of a ship at the
time of the collision is a difficult fact to ascertain afterwards, as evidence on the
point is, subsequently, extremely conflicting. Also, through inefficiency and
inattention of the steersman, time on a passage is frequently lost owing to the
fact that deviations from the true course involves a lengthened distance of run-
ning, and also a retardation of speed. Furthermore, such an instrument is ser-
viceable in case of a ship being wilfully and maliciously put off her course for
any wrongful object or aim, acts of this kind (which the parties are most anxious
to conceal) being, ordinarily, also very hard to prove in evidence.
Of the several types of ships' recording apparatus or compasses to which this
invention relates, it is that in which there is employed a strip of paper, or the
like, which is suitably moved by a motor-say a spring motor-past an inter-
mittently actuated marker, and on which strip the record is marked by the

page_text: marker; the marker itself having its position controlled,' so as always to retain
a constant north and south, or east and west, or other desired position, whilst the
body and general mechanism of the instrument, of course, moves about the axis
of the arbor of the magnets with the ship, as it deviates from the course it is
sailing in either direction. And, in a further respect, it also has reference to
that type of such apparatus in which a plurality of markers or marking devices
is used, the purpose and end of which is to indicate automatically the main
direction of the course a ship is travelling, namely, whether it is sailing in a
northward or southward, or eastward or westward course.
Apparatus of this kind, i.e. possessing these characteristics, is well known; and
the object of the present invention is mainly to provide improvements in respect
of the mode of working these parts or carrying out these actions, and to con-
struct and arrange them, and other parts accessory to them, more simply and
inexpensively; and at the same time, providing an instrument possessing a high
degree of accuracy, and one which is thoroughly practical.
As already stated, apparatus having mechanisms, such as referred to, are well
known; and examples of them are to be found in the Specifications of Letters
Patents of the United States of Farciot, No. 41325089, and Peverly, No. 1501756.
and in the British Letters Patents of Wrigley, No. 1362489, Hope No. 96751, and
No. 949693, and Berg No. 133348. Therefore no claim to novelty generally of
any of the characteristics comprised in the above patents is made under this
invention.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
which illustrate my improvements, and shew a complete organized ships' course
recording apparatus or compass in which these improvements are involved.
Figure 1 is an outside elevation of the apparatus. Figure 2 shews the appa-
ratus is longitudinal section.
Figure 3 is a plan shewing the card, upper magnet, and upper platform; and
Figure 4 is a plan shewing the underside of the platform, and parts attached to
this side.
Figure 5 is a plan shewing the lower controlling magnets, intermediate table,
and the platform which carries the whole instrument, the upper table being
removed.
Figure 6 is a similar plan to Figure 5 with the second platform removed.
Figure 7 is a plan shewing the underside of the second or intermediate table
and parts attached to it; and Figure 8 is a plan shewing the underside of the
instrument time piece or motor mechanism.
Referring to the drawings, a is the upper table, 6 is the intermediate or second
table; and c is the main platform carrying the whole instrument; while d is a
supporting plate with a hole in it, and supporting the platform c at its edge. The
plate & would be fixed, and supported by or form a part of the compass box. .c is
the strip of paper on which the record is to be taken or marked. is the storage
roller for the blank diagram strip or sheet, and 2 and are the drawing off, or
paper moving barrels, and coiling on barrels, respectively. is a guiding roller,
over which the paper passes on its way to the table a.
The table a has a plate a¹ upon it, which projects out in the form of a semi-
circle a² in the front. This plate is separable from a, and is normally held down
by a thumb screw a³ on either side.
The circular projecting portion a² stands a little distance above the surface of
the table a; and the paper strip passes through this space between 2 and a,
being guided and led up through a slot in the table by rollers at and a³; and it
passes from the end of the table a to the roller over the roller aº.
Above the table a, and the plate a¹ a magnet e is mounted, and this magnet
has attached to it two marking pins f. Above this magnet, there is a compass
card e¹ which, if desired. may carry the pens instead of the magnet. This magnet
does not oscillate itself out of the horizontal plane, but is supported by an
arbor 3, the lower end of which fits and works in a socket on a movable sup-

page_text: port hereafter described: whilst the upper end works in a bush g carried on the
end of the bracket g¹, which is secured on the upper surface of the plate a¹. The
arbor is threaded, and passes through a bush e³, carrying the magnet e, and
has a disc e upon it. By holding this disc e, and revolving the magnet e about
its arbor, it will be seen the magnet can be adjusted vertically up and down on
the arbor, to raise the pens f closer to or further from the paper.
A spring arm is fixed on the underside of the bracket g¹ and disc e, and is
moved up and down by a thumb screw which works in the arm of the bracket gl.
By screwing the screw h¹ up through the bracket, the spring ħ lifts the magnet
up against the bush g, and holds it tight, as that the marking parts cannot move
about, when the apparatus is being carried by the hand. or in transit, etcetera.
By screwing the screw down through the bracket, the disc and magnets and
parts connected with it are lowered, and the spring arm is moved out of contact,
so freeing the magnet.
The magnet e is not a controlling magnet for controlling the position of the
pens f. but is controlled by other and entirely separate magnets i enclosed in this
case on the second or intermediate table b; the arbor or axis 22 of which is
co-incident with. but entirely separate from the 'arbor of the magnet e. The
magnets (see Figures 2 and 5) consist of a plurality of thin steel magnetised bars
coupled together in the well known way; and as they retain their north and
south position. as a ship. with the other parts of the apparatus or instrument,
moves, when the ship sails out of a straight line in sailing its course, these
magnets control the marker magnet e, and keep it in its north and south position:
and as the paper r moves past the marker it is marked by the lowering of the
markers f. one of which comes on to the surface of the chart, as hereafter
described.
Only one of the markers mark at a time, namely, that marker which is stand-
ing in the front of the instrument at some point outside the periphery of the
circular plate a³, as the paper strip moves over only that half of the table a
which is beneath this plate; and the other or back half of the table a and
plate a being at a lower level. as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and below the lower
limit of movement of the end of the other marker, the back marker does not
reach it.
The second table 6 supporting the magnets i, and the table a. are carried from
the platform by columns j.
The up and down movement of the magnet e and markers f, as well as the
movement of the record paper strip across the table a, is effected by a time
keeping spring motor, the spring of which is contained in a case beneath the
platform c, being carried on a plate by bars fixed on the underside of the
platform c. This spring is wound by an arbor projecting through the plat-
form c, and through gearing wheels The clock mechanism is of any known
suitable kind. and drives the driving arbor through an escapement mechanism
and a train of wheels, in any well known way. And this arbor I carries the
parts which give movement to the operating mechanism of the instrument.
namely, the mechanism for raising and lowering the magnet e, and rotating the
paner winding off roller or barrel 2.
66
The operating device referred to on the arbor / consists of a cam disc, having
on its upper surface two sunk parts or dips." and, below, two cam devices m.
The unner face of the cam disc operates, that is, lifts and lowers, the magnet e
through the following mechanism:
On the underside of the table b, there is a frame n, fulcrumed at n¹, and having
at its opposite end in the centre, a small roller 2. which rests on the upper face
of the cam disc ¹. As the cam disc is rotated by the clock motor, the wheel n²
and with it the frame n. is lowered when it (the wheel n²) drops into the
dins" and it is raised. when it runs up out of these "dips on to the other
part of the roller path of the disc.
This up and down motion is transmitted from the frame n to a second frame o,
"

page_text: fulcrumed at its outer end at o¹, through bars n³, fixed on the ends of the front
part of the frame n; said bars being guided in the guides. The bars have
heads n, which lie below the ends of the outer transverse bar of the frame o;
and hence, as the bars are raised and lowered, the heads n³, acting on the
frame o, move it up and down about its fulcra ol
At the centre of the bar of the frame o which is acted upon by the heads
there is a horn or projection 02; and this projects up, as shewn in Figure 2,
through an opening in the table «, and carries at its outer end a socket o³, in
which the lower end of the arbor e of the magnet e rests. Thus, by the move-
ment of the frame o, as described, this socket is moved up and down, and so
moves the arbor 2, and with it the magnet e, up and down, the upper end of the
arbor merely sliding up and down loosely through its upper bush bearing g.
The paper moving roller is actuated, that is, rotated, by the cams m, as
follows:-
"
As these cams are revolved by the arbor 7, they act on one end of a lever
fulcrummed at p³, and move this end outwards and then when the tip of each
cam passes from under the end of the lever p, this lever is moved rapidly inwards
towards the arbor 7 by a suitable spring. The cams in, being of the form shewn
in Figure 6, they first move the lever gradually in one direction; then when
their tips pass from under the lever end, this lever suddenly moves back to the
position for reactuation.
The
This lever transmits its motion to a spring pawl 72, carried on
the adjust-
able head 3 of connecting bar 7, attached at one end of the lever ; the head p
being supported from one of the roller supporting brackets, by a link p
outer end of this rod is threaded, so that the length between the tip of the
pawl, and the lever p may be adjusted to give the requisite throw and move-
ment of the roller a
The action of the roller is therefore intermittent, and its return is gradual;
whilst the return of its actuating pawl to give it a fresh actuation is rapid.
The paper strip a passes under the taking off roller ², and is secured in the
gap of the winding up roller. The rotation of this roller is effected by
the two wheels on the roller 2, on the periphery of which the roller rests.
The peripheries of these wheels are made in the form of sharp teeth, and the
friction of these teeth on the surface of the paper round the roller ³, causes this
roller to be rotated as the roller is rotated. And as the peripheral speed of the
paper coiled upon will be always the same as the peripheral speed of the
rollers r, the rate at which the paper is coiled upon will be constant, and
uniform with the rate at which it is drawn over the platform by the roller.
In order to enable the vertical plane in which the magnets stand to be parallel
with. or approach the vertical plane of the mechanism carried on the platform c,
so that the marker in action shall mark on or near the centre part of the chart,
and render the markings more open and legible, the platform is adapted to be
moved or adjusted circularly in the plate d, and set at any degree, which may be
desired, the degrees being marked on the plate d, as shewn in Figure 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is
1. The herein described improvement in ships' course recording apparatus,
namely, a magnet for controlling the position of the marker, separate from and
controlled by the main controlling magnets; for the purposes described.
2. In a ships' course recording apparatus, a marker controlling magnet, sepa-
rafe from and controlled by the main controlling magnets, and adapted to be
moved towards and away from the diagram sheet or chart; substantially as set
forth.
3. In a ships' course recording apparatus, a magnet for controlling the position
of the marker, separate from and controlled by the main controlling magnets,

page_text: the axes of the said controlling magnets, and marker magnet, being coincident;
substantially as set forth.
4. In a ships' course recording apparatus, controlling magnets adapted to
revolve or move about an axis, but immovable out of the line in which such axis
lies; and a marker controlling magnet, having its axis coincident with that of the
said controlling magnets, and immovable out of the vertical line passing through
the said axis; substantially as set forth.
5. In a ships' course recording apparatus, a marking device controlled by a
pivotted magnet, having a vertical movement; a horizontal cam moved by the
motor of the apparatus, having its operative surface on its upper face; and a
mechanism between such face and the marker magnet arbor support, whereby the
said support and marker are raised and lowered; substantially as set forth.
6. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the combination with the marker
magnet of the cam driven by the motor; a hinged frame (such as ) operated
on by said cam; and a hinged frame (such as o) carrying the magnet arbor
socket; substantially as set forth.
7. In a ships' course recording apparatus, a marker, a diagram sheet or chart &
moved past the marker; a taking off roller ; a cam m operated by the motor
of the apparatus; and intermediate mechanism between the roller and the cam
for intermittently operating the said roller; substantially as set forth.
8. In a ships' course recording apparatus, a marker, a diagram sheet or chart a
moved past the marker; a taking off roller; toothed wheels on ; and a
coiling up roller a³, freely resting on the peripheries of the wheels ; substantially
as described.
9. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the arrangement of diagram sheet
table, substantially as set forth, whereby the said diagram sheet is guided and
passed over same.
10. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the arrangement of main controlling
magnets, and, the separate marker magnet arranged in relation to the diagram
chart table, and each other, and adapted to operate, substantially as set forth,
and as shewn in the drawings.
11. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the cams and m directly above
one another; a hinged frame n with roller n² resting on the face of cam ; and
a lever for operating the taking off roller, having one end engaged with and
operated by the cam m; substantially as set forth.
12. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the cam on the driving arbor 1;
the horizontal frame n with roller 2 working on the face of the cam ; a bar n
on either side of the frame n; guides n¹ for guiding the bars n³; and heads n³
on the upper ends of the bars n³; substantially as described.
13. In a ships course recording apparatus, the combination with the upper
marking table of the hinged frame o, having an upwardly projecting central
part o carrying on its end the socket 0³; substantially as set forth.
14. On a ships' course recording apparatus, the combination with the marking
table a of a detachable plate a', having a bracket gl supporting the upper sup-
port of the marking magnet arbor; substantially as set forth.
15. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the combination of the magnet e;
arbor e, lower movable socket support o³ for the arbor, and upper bush support g,
in which said arbor can rise and fall vertically; substantially as set forth.
16. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the combination with the marker
magnet e, of the threaded arbore, and boss carrying the magnet e and adapted
to screw up and down on the arbor; substantially as set forth.
17. In a ships' course recording apparatus, the combination of a chart storing
roller, table a, guide rollers a for guiding the chart beneath one part of the
table, and guide roller as having its upper periphery level with the surface of the
table for guiding said paper on to the remaining portion of the surface of the
table; substantially as set forth.

page_text: 18. A ships' course recording apparatus, having its main parts arranged, com-
bined, and adapted to operate as set forth with reference to and shewn in the
drawings.
Dated this 27th day of June 1900.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.