An Instrument for Ascertaining Levels, Perpendiculars, Inclinations, and Gradients.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Instrument for Ascertaining Levels, Perpendiculars, Inclinations,
and Gradients.
I, AMBROSE JESSE GRAYSTON, of St. Paul's Street, Worcester, Schoolmaster,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The instrument is constructed after the manner of a "spirit" level, or other
level or rule, except that in place of the tube of "spirit," or other device now
in use, a device is used by means of which the instrument will act in several
positions.
This device consists of a dial and index affixed to the wood or other material of
which the "level" or "rule" is constructed. On the dial various angles with their
respective values and the rate of the inclination of their lines are or may be shewn.
The index may be constructed to work on a pivot, or otherwise, or a vessel partially
filled with a liquid and hermetically sealed may be used instead of the dial
and index.
1
.
1001
A. J. GRAYSTON,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Instrument for Ascertaining Levels, Perpendiculars, Inclinations,
and Gradients.
I, AMBROSE JESSE GRAYSTON, of St. Paul's Street, Worcester, Schoolmaster,
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 instrument is constructed after the manner of a spirit level, or other level
or rule, except that in place of the tube of "spirit" or other device now in use, a
device is used by means of which the instrument will act in several positions.
This device consists of a dial and index affixed to the wood or other material
of which the "level" or "rule" is constructed. On the dial various angles with
their respective values and the rate of the inclination of their lines are, or may be,
shewn. The index may be constructed to work on a pivot, or otherwise, or a vessel
partially filled with a liquid and hermetically scaled may be used instead of the
dial and index.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
sheet of drawings of which
Figure 1 shews an elevation and Figure a transverse vertical section of a
device constructed according to this invention, in which a weighted index is
employed; and Figures 3 and 4 shew an elevation and transverse vertical section
respectively of a modified form of the device in which a vessel partially filled with
a liquid is employed to denote the extent of the inclination of the surface to be
tested.
In the arrangement shewn at Figures 1 and 2 the straight edge a is provided with
a central cylindrical cavity on one of its sides and in the face of which is inserted
a dial c. An index finger d secured to one end of an axis e is mounted so as to
travel over the face of the dial c and is weighted as at f so that it shall always
point vertically upwards or downwards as shewn at Figure 1.
The dial c is

page_text: graduated and marked in such a manner that the angle at which the straight edge a
is inclined to the horizontal shall be indicated by the index finger d as will be
readily understood. It is obvious that the index finger d itself may be weighted
by being made heavier at one end than at the other, and made free to turn upon a
fixed pivot.
In the modified arrangement shewn at Figures 3 and 4 the central cylindrical
cavity b of the straight edge a is enclosed by means of a water-tight cover g of
glass or other transparent material the edge of which may be graduated and marked
off similarly to the dial c Figures 1 and 2. As shewn at Figures 3 and 4 the said
graduations are marked upon the bevelled inner edge of the washer / by means of
which the cover g is secured in position, but it will be readily understood that the
said graduations may be marked upon the cover g or washer as may be preferred.
The cylindrical cavity b is half filled with coloured water, spirits, or other suitable
liquid so that when the device is placed upon a perfectly horizontal surface, the
surface of the liquid ; extends across the face of the cover g in a line with the
zero marks of the graduated scale. As the surface of the liquid j naturally assumes
a horizontal plane, it will be readily understood that it will indicate upon the
graduated scale any angle at which the straight edge may be inclined.
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) An instrument for ascertaining levels, perpendiculars, inclinations, and
gradients, consisting of a straight edge having a graduated face, to which is pivoted
a weighted index-finger, so that it shall always point vertically upwards or down-
wards, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) An instrument for ascertaining levels, perpendiculars, inclinations, and
gradients, consisting of a straight edge having a graduated transparent plate
covering a cavity in one of its sides, such cavity being half filled with a suitable
liquid, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th day of Fahma 180°
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention "Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.