An Apparatus for Timing the Arrival of Homing Pigeons.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1892-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Timing the Arrival of Homing Pigeons.
1 SAMUEL GIBSON of Derby Road Huyton in the County of Lancaster
Plumber and Painter 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 nature of this invention is a clock and photographic camera to be used
together for timing the arrival of homing pigeons by photographing the time on the
clock's face the number of the clock and a number to check the distinctive number
and marks carried by the pigeon. The face of the clock is figured for 24 hours
instead of 12 hours as is usually the case. There are 3 fingers (first) the hour
finger which moves during each hour between two figures (second) the minute finger
which makes one complete revolution in one hour and (third) the second finger
which is a centre seconds finger and which makes one revolution a minute. Below
the hour figures there is a distinctive number upon each clock's face. numbering
each clock consecutively, a register of which numbers is kept so as to show on
comparing the photograph with the register to whom the clock belongs.
Fig. 1.is a full size front view of the clock.
Fig. 2 is a full size view of the clock upside down.
Fig. 3 is a full size view of the right hand side of the clock.
Fig. 4 is a full size view of the left hand side of the clock.
Fig. 5 is a half full size side view of the camera J clock i and lamps y fixed in
position for photographing.
Fig. 6 is a view of camera clock and lamps from top half full size.
At the bottom of the dial there is a space a cut out of the face behind which is
visible a revolving drum roller which turns by a person's hand by means of a
centre bar handle c projecting on the left hand side of the clock as one faces it.
Round the drum roller bis pasted for every pigeon race a fresh piece of paper
upon which certain numbers are placed. This paper is wound off a second drum
roller at the back of the clock. Between the drum rollers there is a little
wheel e which when drum roller is turned works the drum roller d. Round the drum
roller dis pasted another strip of paper upon which, the numbers carried by the
pigeon on its arrival are to be written. After writing the number on the strip of
paper which projects out at the back of the clock the handle c working the drum
roller is turned. By doing so the pigeon's number is wound into the inside of the
clock and a certain number appears on the drum roller on the face of the clock
which certain number is then photographed. The drum roller b at the bottom of
the dial is fitted with a ratchet spring which only allows the drum rollers to be
turned one way when the clock is fastened up in the case so as to ensure the
numbers of the birds being written on in rotation according to the order of their
arrival. But for the convenience of putting fresh papers on the drum rollers
before every race the ratchet spring can be released so as to permit of the drum
rollers turning the other way to wind the papers on to them. The ratchet
wheel K is fixed on the end of drum roller 13 on the opposite side of the clock to
handle C and the spring is attached to the framework. This spring which prevents
the drum rollers being turned backwards is released for winding the papers on by
being pressed backward clear of the wheel. This can only be done when the clock
is out of the case.
Each clock is provided with a case into which it is fitted and is sealed with lend
and wax seals so as to prevent the clock being tampered with.
The camera consists of a wooden box j with a single lens of fixed focus with
diaphragm at one end, and a single dark slide to hold the sensitive plate at the

page_text: other end. The camera is screwed down to one end of a base board f of a certain
length and the clock is placed at the other end of the base board so that it will in
this position be always at one and the same distance from the camera and also in
correct focus with the sensitive plate. At each side of the camera a magnesium
flash lamp g is placed, connected by a piece of brass tubing out of which at right
angles runs a second piece of brass tube underneath the camera at the end of which
is fitted an india rubber mouth piece and tube to blow the air through into the
flash lamps.
The working of the camera is as follows:-A certain quantity of magnesium
powder is placed in each lamp g. Methylated alcohol is then put on the asbestos
disc round lamp. The dark back containing plate is put in its position in
· camera.
Methylated spirit is then lighted. The side of dark back is then drawn up
and the magnesium powder is displaced by a current of air blown through tube h
from the india rubber mouthpiece. The powder coming in contact with the spirit
flame causes a flash of strongly actinic light and a latent image of the clock is
formed on the sensitive plate during the flash. Immediately after the exposure is
made the slide must be closed.
The quantity of powder placed in the lamps and the diameter of the before
mentioned diaphragm is such that the exposure of the plate is always uniformly
correct. The latent image on plate may then be developed in any normal developer.
so that both exposure and development is reduced to a merely mechanical
proceeding.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The photographing of a distinctively numbered clock together with certain
numbers shown on the paper covering the drum roller. b on the face of the dial
corresponding with the numbers and marks carried by the pigeon for timing
the arrival of homing pigeons in the manner substantially as herein before:
described.
2. The construction of a clock containing two drum rollers worked together by
a side handle and controlled by a ratchet spring releasable and marked with a
distinctive number upon each clock visible on the dial in the manner substantially
as herein before described.
3. The construction of a camera with magnesium lamps attached at a certain
fixed focus photographing a clock and number placed at a certain distance from the
camera for timing the arrival of homing pigeons.
4. The use of a clock and camera with magnesium lamps attached at a certain
fixed focus for the purpose and in the manner substantially as herein before.
d'escribed..
Dated this 21st day of October 1892.
SAMUEL GIBSON.