Improved Level and Clinometer for Cycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Level and Clinometer for Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, EDWARD RICHARD SALWEY, Civil Engineer of Stonehouse in the County
of Gloucestershire do hereby declare the nature of this to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is for the rider or riders of any description of cycle
or motor carriage to be able readily to ascertain at any time the level gradient or
inclination of the surface of the road, path or track on which the cycle or carriage
or machine is standing on or passing over at any time.
In carrying out my invention I make use of any sort of spirit or water level
which I mount with adjusting screws or other similar means upon a horizontal bar.
The bar is pivotted or hinged at one end and may be of any convenient length.
The moveable bar or limb carrying the spirit or water level is centered or pivotted
at one end of a quadrant or other segment of a circle of any desired or convenient
radius and by means of a rack and pinion actuated by a tangent screw or by means
of cog wheels or other mechanical contrivance of a like nature can be moved to
take up any position upon the arc or segment of the circle to which it is pivotted
or hinged.
Upon the circumference of the segment of the circle upon which the moveable
bar or limb can by the means described be made to travel I provide a scale or
index marked or graduated so as to show the inclination or gradient of the road
path or track upon which the cycle or carriage may be.
I provide also attached to the moveable limb or bar a pointer or finger passing
over the scale or index when the limb or bar is moved by the tangent screw.
I either make the apparatus complete in itself and capable of being attached
by means of screws or clips to any convenient part of any cycle carriage or
similar machine or I can fix the apparatus permanently to such cycles or
carriages.
Where the apparatus is made attachable to any description of cycle or carriage
in order to fix it thereon I stand the cycle or carriage upon an absolutely level or
horizontal plane or surface. By means of the clips or screws I then attach the
apparatus firmly to any convenient portion of the cycle or carriage. I next move
the pointer along the scale or index by means of the tangent screw till it points to
zero on the scale or index.
I then by means of the adjusting screws move the spirit or water level upon the
moveable bar or limb till the bubble in the spirit or water level stands in the
center of its run.
The apparatus will now be fixed so that when the cycle or carriage to which
it is attached is upon a level or horizontal plane the bubble in the spirit level
is central and the pointer marking zero on the scale or index plate.
When the cycle or carriage is moved out of a level or horizontal plane and
made to ascend or to descend hills or gradients the bubble will not remain central
but on bringing it again to a central position by means of the tangent screw
actuating the moveable bar or limb the pointer will show upon the scale or index
which has been so graduated the inclination or gradient of the ascent or descent of
the road track or path upon which the cycle or carriage may be standing on or
passing over.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Level and Clinometer for Cycles and other Vehicles.
I, EDWARD RICHARD SALWEY of Stonehouse in the County of Gloucester,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manuer the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by, the following statement:-
The object of my invention is for the rider or riders, of any kind or description
of cycle, or other vehicle in whatsoever manner propelled to be able to ascertain
readily, at any time either when the cycle or vehicle is at rest, or moving, the
gradient or inclination of the surface of the ground, of which the cycle or vehicle,
to which the apparatus is attached, is standing on or passing over.
In carrying out my invention I may make use of any sort of spirit or water
level e Sheets 1 & 2 mounted, with adjusting screws d. f. g. Sheet 2. or other similar
means upon a horizontal bar d. Sheet 1. pivotted or hinged at one end, and of any
convenient length but the manner in which I prefer to make the apparatus is by
the use of a pendulum p Sheet 3. free to swing in the direction or plane in which
the cycle or vehicle is standing or moving.
.
When
make use of a pendulum instead of a spirit level I construct the
apparatus in the following manner.
I construct a circular box b. Sheet 3. of any convenient diameter and thickness,
in the interior of which I arrange a train of 4 or more cog wheels e. e. d. d. Sheet 3.
the spindle or spindles on which they move being centered in the top and bottom
sides or covers of the case or box.
The train of wheel so pivotted or centered in the enclosed case or box is set in
motion by a pendulum of any convenient length fastened to a horizontal spindle
running in bearings in the interior of the case or box at right angles to the vertical
spindle or spindles.
The horizontal spindle to which the pendulum is attached carries upon it a bevel
cog wheel d. Sheet 3. which engages with a similar bevel cog wheel on one of the
vertical spindles, which carries also on it one of the train of wheels e. Sheet 3
actuating the others so that when the pendulum p swings in a vertical plane it will
impart a horizontal rotatory movement to the chain of wheels.
The spindle of the last of these is made to project above the top cover of the
box or case and carries on it a hand h. Sheet 3. or pointer which will move
in either direction round the circular cover of the box or case as the pendulum
driving the gearing or cog wheels swings or moves backwards or forwards.
Round the outer diameter of the top cover of the box or case I make an index, i
Sheet 3. graduated to show various inclinations, as for example from 1 in 10
to 1 in 200 graduating in each direction from a point marked zero.
The circular index is made capable of being moved, or revolved with the hand
so that the point marked zero upon it may be brought round to correspond with
the position the hand shows when the pendulum is at rest.
I may enclose the pendulum as well as the gearing in a suitably shaped case, in
which f may provide a guide, or guides f. f Sheet 3. between which the rod of the
pendulum p may work to prevent side movement or oscillation.
I can also provide a small stud or stop s. Sheet 3. by pressing which the
pendulum and wheels can be stopped from moving when so desired.
The case b. b. Sheet 3. of the apparatus may be made of alluminium, or any
suitable metal, which may be nickle plated, or made of any suitable material, and
the circular top of the case, or box with the index i engraved on its outer
circumference may be made of any suitable material.
I may make the apparatus of any size but prefer to make it portable and
light.

page_text: I may attach the apparatus to any convenient part of any cycle or vehicle by
means of clips c. Sheet 3 or screws but prefer so to attach it in the case of a cycle
to some part of the handle bar a. a. Sheet 3. so that the rider may easily see the
dial, and ascertain the rate of inclination of any ascent or descent without
dismounting.
In order to mark the scale or index on the dial although I may do so by
calculation I prefer to stand any cycle or vehicle to which the apparatus is attached
first on a level plane or surface and when the pendulum hangs vertically to mark
the point zero where the hand points.
Next to move the cycle on to a known inclined plane and when the pendulum is
again in a vertical position to mark off the point the hand & Sheet 3. stands at in
accordance with the known inclination of the plane on which the cycle or vehicle
is standing, and so on till the marking of the dial is completed.
In making the apparatus I may use a pendulum p. Sheet 3 Figs. 1 & 2 as 1
have now described or I may use a spirit level fixed to a moveable bar or rod
capable of adjustment with rack and pinion Fig. 1. Sheet 1. or similar means as
herein before described or I may use a combination of spirit level and pendulum,
Fig. 1. Sheet 2.
In this last case I fix the rod p. carrying the pendulum at right angles to the
bar b. which carries the spirit level e and by means of a pin screw or pivot m I
center at the right angle made between the spirit level bar and the pendulum rod,.
this portion of the apparatus to and in front of a semicircle or arc i. i so that the
spirit level e and pendulum p can swing from the pin or pivot m over and in front
of the semicircle . i.
The outer circumference or arc of the semicircle I graduate with a scale or
index showing various inclinations, and on the pendulum rod 1 fix a hand or
pointer & which passing over the scale or index will show the gradient or inclination
of the ground on which the cycle or vehicle may be.
To the pendulum rod I may fix a clamp screw working in a groove or slot in
the circular arc, so that when the pendulum is vertical and the spirit level is
consequently horizontal, by turning the clamp screw the pendulum rod will be fixed
to the arc, and the inclination of the surface of which the cycle is standing on, or
passing over be read off on the scale or index.
The apparatus may be attached by means of clips c. c. or screws to any part of
any cycle, or vehicle and means are provided by adjusting screws d. f. g. to fix the
same so that when the cycle, or vehicle is upon a level plane, the pendulum p shall
be vertical and spirit level e horizontal.
To assist in understanding and carrying into effect my invention I will proceed
to describe the accompanying drawings reference being had to the letters and
figures marked thereon.
The figures are drawn full size, but I may make any or each of the apparatus.
either larger or smaller.
Figure 1. Sheet 1 is a general view of an apparatus, where a spirit level e fixed.
to a moveable limb d actuated by a rack and pinion f. g is made use of.
In this figure, a. a is a tube or bar of any cycle-b. b is the segment of a circle
carrying the index or graduated arc-c. c are adjustable clips, by means of which.
the apparatus can be attached to the tube or bar of any cycle.
d is a moveable limb; actuated by the rack and pinion f. g. and made to slide in.
a groove, in the graduated are of the circle.
e is a spirit or water level carried on the limb d.
h is the hand or pointer.
Figure 1. Sheet 2 is a general view of an apparatus where a spirit level e in.
combination with a pendulum p is made use of.
In this figure a. a. is a bar or tube of any cycle. b is a semicircle with graduated
arc. c. c. are adjustable clips by means of which the apparatus can be attached to.
a tube or bar of any cycle.
f. is a mill headed screw working in the nuts dfg by means of which the spirit.

page_text: level e may be brought horizontal and at the same time the pendulum p. vertical
when the cycle is on a level plane.
At the back of the pendulum rod and working in a circular groove or slot at the
back of the graduated arc is a mill headed clamp screw (not shown in drawing) by
means of which the pendulum can be fixed or clamped to the arc.
h. is a piu or pivot attaching the apparatus to the clip c.
k. is the hand or pointer.
w. is the weight at the end of the pendulum.
m. is the pin screw or pivot on which the spirit level e. and pendulum p are free
to swing.
i. i is the index engraved on the arc.
Figure 1 Sheet 3 and Figure 2 Sheet 3 are respectively a sectional view and a
plan of an apparatus where a pendulum p in connection with a train of cog
wheels d, d carrying a hand h moving over a graduated index i i. is made use of.
In these figures-
a. a. represent the handle bars of any cycle.
b. b. is the case in which the working parts may be enclosed.
c. is a clip to adjust the apparatus to the handle bars of which there may be one
on more.
d. d. are a pair of bevel or mitre cog wheels which will turn as the pendulum p.
swings in either direction.
e. e. are two or more cog wheels moving as they turn the hand h.
i. i. is a circular graduated index on the top of the case.
3. is a stud on the side of the case by means of which the motion of the gearing
and pendulum may be stopped or allowed to move at will.
f. f. are guides between which the pendulum swings.
A roller may be attached to pendulum to touch the guides lightly to prevent
any side motion of the pendulum.
w. is the weight at the end of the pendulum.
Having now more particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the different methods by which the same may be performed I'declare
that what I claim is-
1. The construction of apparatus by means of which the gradient or inclination
of the road or surface which cycles of all and every description or other vehicles
are standing on or passing over may be ascertained when such apparatus is either
fixed or attached and adjusted to such cycles or other vehicles.
2. The use of a spirit level actuated by rack and pinion in the construction of
such apparatus substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth, and
described and represented by Figure 1. Sheet 1. of the accompanying drawings.
3. The use of a spirit level combined with the use of a pendulum in the
construction of such apparatus substantially in the manner and for the purposes
set forth and described and represented by. Figure 1. Sheet 2. of the accompanying
drawings.
4. The use of a pendulum actuating a train of cog wheels in the construction of
such apparatus substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth and
described and represented by Figures 1. and 2. Sheet 3. of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The improved level and clinometer for cycles and other vehicles for obtaining
the gradient or inclination of the surface of the ground on which the cycle or other
vehicle is either standing or moving as herein before described and represented in
the figures of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 28th day of August 1896
E. R. SALWEY.