Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Ascertaining the Specific Gravity of Liquids.
Year: 1888

page_text: Sate of Application, 17th Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 17th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 29th Jan., 1889
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Ascertaining the Specific
Gravity of Liquids.
I, JAMES JOSEPH HICKS of 8 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Meteorological Instrument Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
:-
The invention has for its object the production of new or improved instruments
whereby the approximate specific gravity of liquids can be readily ascertained and
indicated even in dark and difficult positions and whereby samples of liquid can bo
readily withdrawn from bulk by a "pipette" and the approximate specific gravity
thereof indicated therein.
In carrying my invention into effect I uso ordinary glass specific gravity "bubbles"
either round or flattened and marked with figures, letters or signs to indicate the
specific gravity, at which such "bubbles" will float; or I use according to my invention
bubbles" of various colors or patterns for such purpose, in which case each particular
color or pattern will represent a given specific gravity.
«
Instead of using these "bubbles" in the ordinary manner, that is to say, by
dropping them loosely and separately into the liquid to be tested I enclose them in
pipettes," chambers or containers of glass of size and form to suit tho particular use
to which the instrument is to be applied. These chambers may be formed of flat or
round tubes provided with openings at the bottom and sides large enough to permit
the ready access of liquid to the interior thereof and yet small enough to prevent the
"bubbles" from passing out thereat.
Instead of enclosing the "bubbles" within a chamber they may be confined within
a container formed of (preferably) three parallel rods of glass connected together so as
to permit of the free motion of the "bubbles" lengthwise thereof but will prevent the
lateral exit of the same therefrom.
The chambers or containers are in some cases formed with hooks at their upper
ends which may be either solid or hollow and they may be contracted at both their

page_text: upper and lower ends so as to prevent the possibility of the exit of the "
"bubbles
or they may be open at the top to perimit of the removal of the "bubbles'
therefrom.
are
In most cases the "pipettes," chambers or containers are of such size as to contain
-only-one "bubble" in the cross area thereof, in which case, the "bubbles"
arranged therein in their order of specific gravity the lightest being at the top but
chambers may be formed large enough or with bulbs at their lower ends to allow the
"bubbles" to lie in bulk therein.
I also, where desirable, form the "pipette," chamber or container with enamel at the
back so as to render the "bubbles more readily visible..
"
Instruments constructed according to my invention are particularly useful for
testing the acid in storage batteries and for testing urine, spirits, milk and acids but
they are also useful for testing other liquids.

page_text: Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Ascertaining the Specific
Gravity of Liquids.
I, JAMES JOSEPH HICKS of 8 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Meteorological Instrument Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention has for its object the production of new or improved instruments
whereby the approximate specific gravity of liquids can be readily ascertained and
indicated oven in dark and difficult positions, and whereby samples of liquid can be
readily withdrawn from bulk by a "pipette" and the approximate specific gravity
thereof indicated therein.
In carrying my invention into effect I use ordinary glass specific gravity "bubbles,"
either round or flattened and marked with figures, letters, or signs to indicate the
specific gravity at which such "bubbles" will float, or I use, according to my invention,
bubbles" of various colors or patterns for such purpose, in which case each particular
color or pattern will represent a given specific gravity.
Instead of using these "bubbles" in the ordinary manner, that is to say, by dropping
them loosely and separately into the liquid to be tested, I enclose then in "pipettes,"
chambers or containers of glass of size and form to suit the particular use to which
the instrument is to be applied. These chambers may be formed of flat or round tubes
provided with openings at the bottom and sides large enough to permit the ready
access of liquid to the interior thereof and yet small enough to prevent the "bubbles"
from passing out thereat.
Instead of enclosing the "bubbles" within a tubular chamber or container they
may be confined within a container formed of (preferably) three parallel rods of
glass connected together so as to permit of the free motion of the "bubbles"
lengthwise thereof, but which will prevent the lateral exit of the same therefrom.
The chambers or containers are in some cases formed with hooks at their upper
ends which may bo either solid or hollow and they may be contracted at both their
upper and lower ends, so as to prevent the possibility of the exit of the "bubbles,"
or they may be open at the top to permit of the removal of the "bubbles"
therefrom.
29
In most cases the "pipettes," chambers or containers are of such size as to contain
only one "bubble" in the cross area thereof, in which case the "bubbles are arranged
therein in their order of specific gravity, the lightest being at the top, but chambers
may be formed large enough, or with bulbs at their lower ends, to allow the "bubbles"
to lie in bulk therein.
I also, where desirable, form the "pipette," chamber or container with enamel at the
back so as to render the "bubbles' "
more readily visible.
Instruments constructed according to my invention are particularly useful for
testing the acid in storage batteries, and for testing urine, spirits, milk and acids, but
hey are also useful for testing other liquids.

page_text: My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in the various figures of
which like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2 is a side or edge elevation, Figuro 3 is a
cross section and Figure 4 is a top view or plan of an instrument constructed for use
in storage batteries and other like receptacles where it is desirable that the instrument
should be constantly immersed for the purpose of indicating any variation in the
strength or specific gravity of the liquid contained therein.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are respectively a front elevation, a side or edge elevation, and a
top view or plan of a slightly modified form of instrument to be used for a similar
purpose to that of the instrument represented at figures 1 to 4.
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 are respectively a front elevation, an edge or side elevation,
a top view or plan, and a cross section, of an instrument capable of being used for
the withdrawal of a sample from liquid in bulk and approximately indicating the
specific gravity thereof.
Figures 12, 13 and 14 are respectively a front elevation, a top view or plan, and a
cross section of a slightly modified form of instrument to be used for a similar
purpose to that of the instrument represented at Figures 8 to 11.
Figure 15 is a side elevation and Figure 16 is a top view or plan of a slightly
modified form of instrument to be used for a similar purposo to that of the instrument
represented at Figures 8 to 14, and Figures 17, 18 and 19 are respectively a side
elevation, a top view or plan and a cross section of a modified construction of
instrument to be suspended or plunged into a body of liquid to indicate whilst in such
liquid the approximate specific gravity thereof.
a represents the glass chamber or container, a¹ openings or passages of communica-
tion for permitting liquid freely to enter and leave such chamber or container, and
bb specific gravity "bubbles enclosed in the chamber or container a and in
combination therewith forming my new or improved instrument for ascertaining the
approximate specific gravity of liquids.
The chamber or container a represented at Figures 1 to 4 is formed of a flattened
glass tube provided with a number of openings or passages a¹ in the sides or edges
and one in the bottom to permit of the free entry, circulation and exit of the liquid
to be tested. In this case the upper end of the container or chamber is blown into
the form of a hollow hook a², by which the instrument may be suspended in the
liquid to be tested, but so formed or contracted as to prevent the possibility of the
specific gravity "bubbles". b. being removed from, or falling out of, the container
or chamber a. The container or chamber a represented at figures 5 to 7 is also formed
of a flattened or oval tubing with a number of openings or passages a¹ therein, but it
is provided at one side of the upper end with a solid glass hook a², whilst such upper
end is left of the full size of the tube to enable the specific gravity "bubbles" bb to be
readily inserted therein and removed therefrom, by which means the instrument may
be readily modified by the employment of different sets of specific gravity "bubbles"
to render it suitable for testing the specific gravity of different classes of liquids.
The instrument represented at Figures 8 to 11 has the container or chamber a also
formed of a flattened tube, but it is provided with only one opening or passage a¹
therein, such being at the lower end; it is also open at its upper end, but is so
contracted as to securely retain the specific gravity "bubbles" b, b, whilst, in order to
render the latter more readily visible, I form the back of the container or chamber a
with a layer a³ of enamel therein. This instrument may be employed as a "pipetto" for
withdrawing samples of liquid from the bulk and at the same time exhibiting their
approximate specific gravity, or it may be thrust into liquid with both ends open and
exhibit the approximate specific gravity thereof whilst immersed therein.
The instrument represented at Figures 12 to 14 has the chamber or container a in
the form of a "pipette" open only at each end, both of which are so contracted as to
retain the specific gravity "bubbles", b, therein, but in this case the chamber or
container a is formed with a layer a³ of enamel embedded therein, and almost entirely
surrounding the same, but leaving a narrow space at of clear glass, through which the
specific gravity "bubbles are readily visible.
19

page_text: The instrument represented at Figures 15 and 16 is o. very similar construction to
that shown at Figures 12 to 14, except that it is made entirely of clear glass, is of
larger diameter, but shorter in length.
The instrument represented at figures 17 to 19 has the chamber or container a
formed of three parallel rods of glass united at the lower end by blowing and held
together at the upper end by a motal band or tie a³. The specific gravity "bubbles"
b, b, are placed in the space between the three parallel rods, and of such a proportionate
diameter that whilst they are free to rise and fall therein, they cannot fall out there-
from. By removing the band or tie a from the parallel rods, the specific gravity
"bubbles" b, b, can be readily inserted within the container a, or removed therefrom.
The specific gravity "bubbles" b, b, may, as heretofore, be engraved with a figure
representing the specific gravity thereof, but, according to my invention, I form them
of glass of different colors or patterns, so that by a simple glance, without the
necessity for reading any figures or signs, the specific gravity may be at once
ascertained.
$6
It will be seen that the chambers or containers are of such size as to contain only
one bubble" in the cross area thereof, the "bubbles" being arranged therein in
their order of specific gravity, the lightest being at the top, but, if desired, the
chambers or containers may be formed large enough, or with a bulb at the lower end
thereof, as represented by the dotted circle in figure 15, to allow the "bubbles" to
lie in bulk therein.
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 means or apparatus for ascertaining the approximate specific gravity of
liquids, the combination of specific gravity "bubbles" with a pipette," chamber or
container enclosing the same, and provided with openings to permit of the free
passage of the liquid to be tested into and out of said "pipette," chamber or container
and with a hook by which the said instrument can be suspended in the liquid to be
tested substantially as herein shown and described.
2. In means or apparatus for ascertaining the approximate specific gravity of
liquids, the combination of specific gravity "bubbles of various colors or patterns
with a
"pipette," chamber or container provided with openings to permit of the
passage of the liquid to be tested into and out of said "pipette," chamber or container
substantially as herein shown and described.
3. In means or apparatus for ascertaining the approximate specific gravity of
liquids, the combination of specific gravity "bubbles
with a "
pipette,"
"chamber or
container substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 17th dan
L1000