An Improvement in Self-adjusting Gradient Indicators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd June, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Self-adjusting Gradient Indicators.
I WILLIAM HENRY BROWN of Bellway Cottage, Greville Street Southville
Bristol Joiner do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is a self adjusting gradient indicator, for use in surveying, and in
fixing railway lines, bridges. shafting, excavating tunnels, cuttings, forming
embankments, drains, gutters, watercourses streets, pavements, fortifications, light-
houses chimney stacks, sen walls, piers, dwelling houses and almost all structures.
It consists of a glass tube or set of glass tubes, straight or curved, set in a block
of suitable length with indicating plates, shewing by the position of the bubble in
the spirit tube the rate of inclination to the surface (from level to perpendicular)
to which it is applied.
Dated this 8th day of September 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Self-adjusting Gradient Indicators.
I WILLIAM HENRY BROWN of 101 Greville Road in the City and County of
Bristol Joiner 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 invention has relation to improvements in spirit levels or clinometers and
is designed for use in laying down gradients as in sewers, and railway works also
for use in building batters for walls church steeples etc. and in ascertaining the
rate of inclination of existing gradients.
The tubes, containing spirit, are curved and set in one block, with or without
the addition of ordinary cross & horizontal levels, and have index plates enclosing
the tubes in such a manner that the position of the bubble may be seen at a glance.
On placing the instrument on an inclined surface the rate of inclination is
observed by noting, on index plate, the indication against which the bubble remains
stationary, and in working to a given gradient, the bubble will float midway to that
point, indicating the rate of inclination desired and shown on index plate, if the
work has been correctly executed, and should the work be inaccurate the position
of bubble will show extent and direction of such inaccuracy.
Fig. 1, shows tube, containing spirit used for obtaining rates of inclination from
horizontal.
Fig. 2, shows tube, containing spirit, used for obtaining rates of inclination from
vertical.
Fig. 3 shows side elevation of level, with spirit tubes, Fig. 1 and 2, shown by
dotted lines.
Fig. 4, shows plan of the level with index plates A and B.
The index plate A is graduated to various rates of inclination from horizontal,
and the index plate B is graduated to various rates of inclination from vertical.
The expression "One in" is understood as applying before the numerals shown
thereon but the graduations may be otherwise shown, as, 45° or two in 7.
Fig. 5, shows position of bubble in tube C, on the level being applied to a surface
having an inclination of 1 in 24.
Fig. 6, shows position of bubble in tube D when the level is applied to a vertical
surface.

page_text: Fig. 7, shows position of bubble in tube D) when the level is applied to a surface
having an inclination of 60°.
Fig. 8, shows plan of portion of level containing tube D.
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
clnim is,
An improvement in self adjusting gradient indicators or clinometers consisting
of two curved tubes containing spirit, with or without the addition of ordinary
cross and horizontal levels, set in one stock or body, with indicating plates,
substantially as herein before described.
Detail this hirst day of Luna 1801
W. II. BROWN,
Applicant.