IMPROVEMENTS IN RANGE. OR DISTANCE FINDERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan (Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright
Association, Limited), of 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, Westminster,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RANGE.
OR DISTANCE FINDERS." A communication from abroad by Antonio Morici,
of Palermo, Sicily, Colonel commanding the 19th Regiment of Italian
Infantry.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1880.
THOMAS MORGAN (Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited),
of 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex.
(A communication from
IMPROVEMENTS IN RANGE OR DISTANCE FINDERS."
abroad by Antonio Morici, of Palermo, Sicily, Colonel commanding the 19th
Regiment of Italian Infantry.)
This Invention bas reference to practical arrangements for a system of range or
distance finding, and presents the following characteristic peculiarity :-
In order to measure any angle formed at the extremities of a base line let a
graduated scale be marked off at one extremity of this line in such a position that
a perpendicular drawn from the zero of the scale will pass through the opposite
extremity of the said base line.
Although it is preferred to adopt an indirect mode of measurement, as hereinafter
described, and employ graduations marked upon a straight scale, curved scales may
however be employed or graduations marked upon arcs of circles for measuring the
above mentioned angles adjacent to the base line, provided always that this is
carried out under the before described conditions, that is to say, provided that the
scale is always situated at one extremity of the base line opposite to the extremity
at which the summit of the angle to be measured is situate.
The range or distance finder which forms the object of this Invention depends
upon the execution of the series of measurements hereinafter described. Supposing
that it is required to measure an unknown distance between a station and a distant
point, the operation is proceeded with in the following manner, viz. :—
An arbitrary base line is drawn, and from one extremity the summit of a certain
angle (also arbitrary but determined beforehand) is caused to coincide with a line
on one side of this angle, which is prolonged to the distant point, and the length of
the segment intercepted-by-the-line situated-on-the-other-side of the said angle_on_
a right line connecting the distant point with the other extremity of the base is

page_text: measured. The summit of another angle equal to the first is then caused to coincide
with another point, and the line on one side of this angle is prolonged to the
distant point, and a segment determined by the junction of the line on the other
side of this angle with the right line drawn from the distant point to the extremity
of the base is also measured.
The knowledge of the length of the said segments, as well as of the signs to be
applied to them according as the points fall within or without the right lines, is
sufficient to enable the unknown distance to be ascertained. When an instrument
is provided which enables the series of operations and measurements herein before
described to be effected, it will be possible to ascertain from a reading of the
measurements and from a knowledge of the corresponding signs to obtain, by the
aid of a calculated table, the required measurement of the unknown distance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT.
The instrument employed according to this Invention for effecting the series of
measurements is composed of two parts. These two parts of the instrument must
be placed alternately at the two extremities of the base line. One of these parts
is composed of two sighting lines (telescopes or pinules on any suitable system),
rigidly connected together and arranged at an angle which is never altered.
The support of this part of the instrument is so constructed as to admit of the
said telescopes or pinules being attached to it with great celerity, and always in a
certain position carefully determined beforehand, and also so as to enable one of the
lines of sight to be directed with precision upon any object desired, at the same
time directing the other line along a given straight line.
In order to accomplish this double object it is necessary to be able to impart
three different motions to the apparatus formed by the two united telescopes or
pinules, viz., two displacements parallel to the vertical planes passing through
each of the lines of sight, and a rotary motion round the right line which intersects
these two planes.
The support to which the two pinules or telescopes are fixed terminates in a
socket which enters the centre of the head of a three legged stand similar to those a
employed for ordinary surveying instruments.
When the apparatus is applied to military purposes, the three legs of the stand
may consist of plugs hinged to the stand of the instrument and fitting into the
muzzles of guns which form the legs proper.
The other or second part of the instrument is composed essentially of a 3
graduated bar.
According to the degree of rapidity and accuracy which it is desired to attain
this bar may be arranged similarly to a stadia or levelling staff, or otherwise,
provided or not with a movable sliding vane and a vernier.
The said bar is fixed to a stand exactly similar to the one provided for the part 4
first mentioned of the instrument. Two equally graduated scales extend in opposite
directions upon the bar commencing at zero. The coupling of the two pinules or
telescopes as well as the bar may be fixed to the stand, to which they are
respectively attached by means of a sliding joint capable of moving in the direction
of the line of sight directed towards the distant point. If the bar is arranged 4
similarly to a stadia or staff it may be marked with inverted figures in order to
facilitate the reading through the telescopes. When it is desired to operate with
great speed and exactness, the first mentioned part of the instrument may be
rigidly connected with a bar similar to the one which, in the arrangement already
described, is connected to the other part, and likewise a couple of telescopes or 5
pinules might be added to this part, similar to those described as constituting
essentially the first mentioned part of the instrument. If, on the other hand, less
accurate measurements are required the bar might be placed directly upon the
ground, and its position be determined by means of a plumb-line and a vertical
pinule annexed to the two lines of sight.
58

page_text: METHOD OF OPERATING.
Supposing that it is required to ascertain a certain distance the following
operations are to be effected :-
1st. The first part of the instrument is placed at one extremity of the base line,
and the line of sight is directed to the distant point, and an arbitrary base is
measured, situate approximately in a line of sight of the base line.
2nd. The second part of the instrument is placed at the other extremity of the
said base line. The bar is directed towards the distant point, taking care to bring
the zero of the scale in the vertical plane of the base line.
3rd. By means of the line of sight of the base of the first part of the instrument
an observation is taken either of the divisions of the staff on the second part of the
instrument or of the vane on the bar.
1
4th. The adjustment of the line of sight to the distant point being corrected, the
number on the bar or staff which coincides with the cross hair of the telescope is
then read off, and a note is taken of the sign corresponding to this number.
5th. The telescopes or pinules which compose the first part of the instrument,
and the bar which forms the essential part of the second part of the instrument,
are removed from their respective stands, and the bar is fixed in the position
previously occupied by the telescopes or pinules, and vice versa, the latter being
fixed in the position previously occupied by the bar.
6th. The operations described under the third and fourth heads are then repeated,
the position of the two parts of the instrument being reversed.
7th. By means of a calculated table the two measurements obtained from the
graduated scale on the bar will directly indicate the length of the distance to be
measured.
All the operations described may be executed with great facility and rapidity by
means of the two parts of the apparatus as described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
September 1880.
THOMAS MORGAN (Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited),
of 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex.
(A communication from
* IMPROVEMENTS IN RANGE OR DISTANCE FINDERS."
abroad by Antonio Morici, of Palermo, Sicily, Colonel commanding the 19th
Regiment of Italian Infantry.)
This Invention has reference to practical arrangements for an improved system
of range or distance finding, and presents the following peculiar characteristics :-

page_text: extremity of this line in such a position that a perpendicular_drawn from the zer
of the scale will pass through the opposite extremity A or B respectively of the
said base line. Although it is preferred to adopt an indirect mode of measuremen
as herein after described, and employ graduations marked upon a straight scale
curved scales may however be employed or graduations marked upon arcs of circles
for measuring the above mentioned angles DAB or CBA adjacent to the base
line AB, Fig. 3, provided that this is carried out under the before described
conditions, that is to say, provided that the scale is always situated at one extremity
of the base line, opposite to the extremity at which the summit of the angle to be
measured is situate.
(II.) I DESCRIBE NOW THE MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN AND THE MODE
OF OPERATING.
The range or distance finder which forms the object of this Invention depends
upon the execution of the series of measurements hereinafter described. Supposing
that it is required to measure an unknown distance between a station A, Fig. 3,
and a distant point O, the operation is proceeded with in the following manner :-
An arbitrary base line AB is drawn from point A, and the summit of a certain
angle (also arbitrary but determined beforehand) is caused to coincide with A;
one of the lines A O on one side of this angle is prolonged to the distant point O,
and the length of the segment DB intercepted by the line AD situated on the
other side of the said angle x on a right line connecting the distant point O with
the other extremity B of the base A B is measured. The summit of another angle x
equal to the first is then caused to coincide with the point B, and the line BO on
one side of this angle is prolonged to the distant point O, and the segment AC,
determined by the junction of the line on the other side of this angle with the
right line drawn from the distant point OA to the extremity A. of the base, is also
measured. The knowledge of the length of the saidẞsegments AC and B D, as well
as the signs to be applied to them according as the points C and D fall within
or without. the right lines AO and BO, is sufficient to enable the unknown
distance AO to be ascertained. When an instrument is provided which enables
the series of operations and measurements hereinbefore described to be effected, it
will be possible by means of a calculated table to ascertain from a reading of the
measurements AC and BD, and from a knowledge of the corresponding signs, to
obtain by the aid of a calculated table the required measurement of the unknown
distance A O.
(III.) DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT.
The instrument employed according to this Invention for effecting the series of
measurements required is represented in Figs. 1 and 2 of the annexed Drawing.
It is composed of two distinct parts, viz., the part X represented in Fig. 1, and
the part Y represented in Fig. 2. These two parts of the instrument must be placed 4
alternately at A and B, Fig. 3, that is to say, at the two extremities of the base
line A, B. X (Fig. 1) is composed of two sighting lines (telescopes or pinules on
any suitable system) rigidly connected together and arranged at an angle x, which
is never altered. The support of this part X of the instrument is so constructed as
to admit of the said telescopes or pinules being attached to it with great celerity,
and always in a certain position carefully determined beforehand, and also so as to
enable one of the lines of sight to be directed with precision upon any object
desired, at the same time directing the other line along a given straight line. In
order to accomplish this double object it is necessary to be able to impart three
different motions to the apparatus formed by the two united telescopes or pinules, 5
viz., two displacements parallel to the vertical planes passing through each of the
lines of sight, and a rotary motion round the right line which intersects these two
planes. The support to which the two pinules or telescopes are fixed terminates in

page_text: a socket which enters the centre of the head of a three legged stand similar to those
employed for ordinary surveying instruments. When the apparatus is applied to
military purposes the three legs of the stand may consist of plugs hinged to the
stand of the instrument, and fitted into the muzzles of guns which form the legs
proper, as.shown in Fig. 1.
The part Y of the instrument is composed essentially of a graduated bar.
According to the degree of rapidity' and accuracy which it is desired to attain
this bar may be arranged similarly to a stadia or levelling staff or otherwise,
provided or not with a movable sliding vane and a vernier. The said bar is fixed
to a stand exactly similar to the one provided for part X of the instrument. Two
equally graduated scales extend in opposite directions upon the bar, commencing at
zero. The coupling of the two pinales or telescopes as well as the bar may be fixed
to the stand, to which they are respectively attached by means of a sliding joint
capable of moving in the direction of the line of sight directed towards the distant
point O. If the bar is arranged similarly to a stadia or staff it may be marked
with inverted figures in order to facilitate the reading through the telescopes.
When it is desired to operate with great speed and exactness the part ✗ of the
instrument may be rigidly connected with a bar similar to the one which in the
arrangement already described is connected to the part Y, and likewise a couple of
telescopes or pinules might be added to the part Y, similar to those described as
constituting essentially the part X of the instrument. If, on the other hand, less
accurate measurements are required the bar might be placed directly on the ground,
and its position be determined by means of a plumb line and a vertical pinule
annexed to the two lines of right
The apparatus represented by way of example in the accompanying Drawing
may be modified in various ways as regards all the details of the construction
provided that the conditions hereinbefore stated are complied with.
Fig. 1, part X. a, b, c, d, telescopes or pinules rigidly connected and forming the
angle, of Fig. 3; e, e, e¹, e¹, spring jaws provided with hooks, by means of which
the two telescopes or pinules are fixed to the support in a fixed and unchangeable
position; ff, arms connected with the stand of the instrument connected in pairs
by hinges, and provided with springs tending to open the said hinges. Thero are
altogether three couples of these arms, two of which are situated respectively in the
vertical planes of the two lines of sight, whilst the third couple is arranged in a
horizontal plane; v, v¹, v", are adjusting screws provided for the purpose of
imparting three motions to the apparatus, viz., the screw v causes the instrument
to be displaced parallel to the vertical plane of the line of sight a b; the screw v
produces a displacement parallel to the vertical plane of the line of sight c d, and
by means of the screw a motion is imparted to the instrument in a direction
parallel to a horizontal plane.
T is a socket rigidly connected with three bolts gg, g¹g², g¹¹ g¹¹, upon which the
three legs h, h, h, of the stand are hinged. In the arrangement represented in
the Drawing the three legs are formed by plugs entering the muzzles of three guns
standing at an angle.
Fig. 2, part Y. a, bar or staff; this bar may be graduated with the greatest
accuracy if required, and be provided with a sliding vane and a vernier; e, e,
spring jaws provided with hooks enabling the bar to be fixed quickly and firmly
to the stand of the instrument in a certain and unchangeable position; f. f, arms
supporting arms similar to those described with reference to Fig. 1; v, v, v11,
adjusting screws, also similar to those described with reference to Fig. 1; T, socket;
g, g', gl, bolts; and h, plugs similar to those represented in Fig. 1.
Method of Operating. Supposing that it is required to ascertain a certain
distance OA, Fig. 3, the following operations are to be effected :-
(1st.) The part X of the instrument is placed at A, the line of sight & c

page_text: (Fig. 1) is directed to the distant point O, and an arbitrary base A B, Fig. 3, is
measured situate approximately in the line of sight a b, Fig. 1.
(2nd.) The part Y, Fig. 2, of the instrument is placed at B at one extremity of
the said base line AB, Fig. 3, the bar is directed towards the distant point O,
taking care to bring the zero of the scale in the vertical plane of the base line
(A B, Fig. 3).
(3rd.) By means of the line of sight a b (part ✗ of the instrument) an
observation is taken either of the divisions of the staff a, Fig. 2, or of the vane on
the bar a, Fig. 2.
(4th.) The adjustment of the line of sight dc onto the distant point O being
corrected, the number on the bar or staff which coincides with the cross hair of
the telescope bc, a b, is then read off, and a note is taken of the sign corre-
sponding to this number.
(5th.) The telescopes or pinules which compose the part X of the instrument, and
the bar which forms the essential part of the part Y are removed from their
respective stands, and the bar is fixed in the position previously occupied by the
telescopes or pinules, and vice versa, the latter being fixed in the position previously
occupied by the bar.
(6th.) The operations described under the third and fourth heads are then
repeated, the position of the two parts of the instrument being reversed.
(7th.) By means of a calculated table the two measurements obtained from the
graduated scale on the bar will directly indicate the length of the distance to be
measured.
All the operations described may be executed with great facility and rapidity
by means of the apparatus represented in Figs. 1 and 2.
Having thus described the said Invention in principle and detail, I would now
remark that I consider the important points in said Invention to be as follows:-
1. The principle set forth in the first paragraph (I.) of this Specification under
the head "Principle of the Invention," the said principle being distinct from the
particular meaus which may be devised for carrying it out in practice.
2. The process of range finding or telemetric process described in all its
essential parts in the second paragraph (II.) of the foregoing description under
the second head "Measurements to be taken and the Mode of operating."
3. An instrument corresponding essentially to the one described in the third
paragraph (III.) under the head "Description of the General Arrangements of the
Instrument," the said instrument being also represented in Figs. 1 and 2 of the
annexed Drawings and herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in practice,
I hereby declare that I claim the said Invention, substantially as hereinbefore set
forth and described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.