An Instrument for Measuring Distances on Plane or Curved Surfaces.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL DE MULTATION
An Instrument for Measuring Distances on Plane or Curved
Surfaces.
1, STEPHEN KEELER REYNOLDS of 10 Weymouth Terrace Swaffield Road Earlsfield
in the County of Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This instrument is designed for measuring the length of any surface whether plane
or curved.
It consists of one or more contact wheels or discs with milled surfaces which travel
over the article to be measured.
They can have concave edges if desired for measuring rope or chain or other convex
surfaces.
Attached to the wheels either in line therewith or on same axle or by means of
mitred wheels at right angles thereto, is a revolving rod on the surface of which is cut
a thread of slow pitch.
This revolving rod rotates in a cylinder or case furnished with one or more slots
extending along its length. Placed on the rod is a travelling nut screwed internally
to same pitch as the rod and carrying one or more indicating fingers or pointers
which pass through the slot. Outside the slot are figures denoting the distance
and as the contact wheels rotate they turn the rod which drives the nut and its
finger along the slot thus indicating on the scale the distance traversed.
If preferred other slots can be cut and more pointers added to show the distance
traversed in the measurements of other countries, or double scales can be used to
the same slot so as to show for example the measurement in the British as well
as in the decimal system. Or double scales can be employed one counting from
the opposite end to the other so that the instrument can be used in either direction,
and the pointer can start from either end of the scale and need not be returned
to one end for restarting. A suitable handle is attached for propelling or pulling.
11 h law of Donaustion 1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Instrument for Measuring Distances on Plane or Curved
Surfaces.
[, STEPHEN KEELER REYNOLDS, of 10 Weymouth Terrace, Swaffield Road,
Earlsfield, in the County of Surrey Electrician, 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 instrument is designed for measuring the length of any surface whether plane
or curved.
It consists of one or more contact wheels or discs with milled or roughed surfaces
which travel over the article to be measured. The peripheries of these wheels may be
concave in some cases, to adapt the instrument for measuring rope wire or chain, or
other concave surfaces, and these concave peripheries may be lined or covered with
india-rubber or other friction-causing substance.
Attached to the contact wheels either in line therewith, or on the same axle, or by
means of mitred wheels so as to revolve at right angles thereto, is a revolving rod, on
the surface of which is cut a thread of slow pitch.

page_text: This revolving rod rotates in a cylinder or case furnished with one or more slots
extending along its length. In these slots there travels to and fro an index finger or
pointer which is attached to a travelling nut, which is screwed internally with a thread
of same pitch as that on the revolving rod. This nut may carry several pointers
according to the number of slots in the case.
Outside the slot are figures denoting the distance traversed by the contact wheels,
which as they revolve, turn the rod, which drives the nut and its fingers along the
slot, thus indicating the measurements on the scale.
I will now describe the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 indicates the
revolving rod A the contact wheel W and the travelling nuts B, C. D. P shews the
pointers attached to the nuts.
Fig. 2 shows a form of my measuring instrument, in which the scale S and the centre
of the contact wheels W are in line. E is the case in which the screw A revolves.
It is obvious that other slots can be added so as to give the same distances in
decimal or other systems. Or, if preferred, double scales can be employed, one
counting from the opposite end to the other, so that the instrument can be used-
in either direction, and the pointer will record measurements from either end of
the scale, and need not be returned to the same end for restarting.
Fig. 3 shews another form of the instrument in which the case E with its scale
stands at right angles to the axis of the contact wheels X which is shewn with concave
rim Y. This form of instrument is especially suitable for measuring wire or rope.
In order to facilitate measuring close to a vertical line, I add the small projecting
finger Z at the end of the instrument, on which is shown the exact distance from
the centre of the contact wheel to its circumference, so that this amount may be
added to the record.
For convenience of carrying, the handle of Fig. 2 can be fitted in a socket at I so
that it can be separated from the case E when desired.
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. In an instrument with contact wheels for measuring plane or curved surfaces,
the combination of the rotating screw travelling nut with index finger, cylindrical
case and scale as herein explained and set forth.
2. In a measuring instrument, contact wheels with concave peripheries the
concavity being roughed or covered with india rubber or other frictional substance,
as herein explained and set forth.
Dated this 6th day of September 1999
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Patent Agent.