An Improved Telescopic Stand for Mathematical and Optical Instruments and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1892-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1892
An Improved Telescopic Stand for Mathematical and Optical
Instruments and the like.
I, MAXIMILIAN WEYL Engineer of 56 Wilhelm Strasse Berlin, Prussia, 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:
My improvements relate to a portable stand which when put together possesses a
great amount of firmness combined with a comparatively light weight, and occupies
a small space when packed together.
Portable stands hitherto constructed for the support of photographic cameras,
surveying instruments and the like have certain disadvantages in the fact that they
do not afford the needed stability and firm hold which is important in taking
photographs, surveying, and similar requirements, and moreover they occupy more
room than is needed. It will be observed, owing to the telescopic form of my
invention, that the stand is rendered extremely portable and occupies a small space
in transit.
In order that my invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the drawing hereunto annexed.
The same letters refer to the same parts in the several figures of the drawing.
Figure 1 illustrates an elevation of the stand as erected for use.
Figure 2 represents the stand 6 when packed together ready for transit.
Figure 3 is a plan of the top ring.
Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 represent the casings which fit into each other as illustrated
in Figure 2.
Figure 8 is a view of the stretching screw forming the connection and means of
adjustment of the chain to the upper ring.
Figure 9 is a side view of the hook Figure 8.
At the lower
a is a tube open at its upper end and closed at the bottom by a lid.
end of the said tube three openings are provided into which the feet b, c and d are
screwed in proper oblique positions, in order that suitable support may be given to
the instrument stand when erected. In the upper end of the tube a is fitted another
tube e provided with a shoulder thereby preventing the tube e from sliding further
down the tube a. A third tube y inserted in the tube e and is again prevented
from sliding further down the tube e than is considered necessary by a shoulder h.
It is obvious that any number of such tubes may be provided each one fitting into
another and being prevented from being pressed down into the next tube further
than is required, by means of shoulders.
The tube 9 is provided at its upper end with indentations or notches, Figure 5,
into which fits by means of pins a ferrule or upper ring & Figure 3.
The internal
diameter of the latter can be decreased or enlarged by means of the thumb nut 1.
The ferrule k surrounds a tube m the position of which with regard to height can
be fixed by tightening the ferrule . The upper end of the tube m is, by means of
a ball and socket joint n and set screw o connected to the upper plate or stand p for
the support of the photographic camera or any instrument connected with surveying
or for mathematical, optical, or any suitable purposes. The ferrule k is provided
with three projections s, and 7 and fitted on the under side with hooks,, q¹
respectively which can be effected to a quarter of a turn for adjusting purposes.
These hooks fit into the hooks of the stretching screws u which by means of chain
are attached to the feet b, c, d. The stretching screws can, if desirable, be connected
to hooks on the feet b, c, d in lieu of on the ferrule or upper ring.

page_text: It is obvious that by means of the stretching screws adjustment can be made and
a firm position given to the stand.
For the purpose of packing the stand the stretching screws are loosened and
the chains unhooked, the tube e is drawn out of the tube a and the tube g out of the
tube e. They are then reversed as shown in Figure 2 so that they rest upon the
shoulders of each upon the ends of the tubes, preventing them falling to the bottom,
the ferrule is pushed close to the joint n. After this has been done the feet b, c
and which have also been unscrewed are put into the interior of the tubes as
shown in Figure 2. The tube m is also placed, as will be seen in Figure 2, for the
purpose of packing, inside the tube g.
It is obvious, as will be seen from Figure 2, that when packed up this forms a
handy and compact parcel, and the chains of course are carried separately. It is
also obvious that although I have shown the various pieces forming the telescope,
of tube section, that they can be made of any other section the particular form of
section not being necessary to the principle of my invention.
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 stands for the support of mathematical or optical instruments or for like
purposes, a telescopic stand consisting of tubes such as.a, eg fitting successively
one into the other and held rigidly together by means of shoulders f, feet b, c, d and
the chains, stretching screws and ferrule, substantially as herein before described
and as illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2. In stands for mathematical or optical instruments or like purposes, a stand
substantially as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing annexed, provided with a cup
and ball joint at the top, the said joint supporting a plate or platform upon which
the instrument rests the height of the latter being regulated by the raising or
lowering of the tube m in a vertical direction and being held fast in the desired
position by means of the thumb screw 7, substantially as herein described and as
illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1802
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
2. Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W..
Agent for the said Applicant.