IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPASSES AND CALLIPERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Kimberley, of the Firm of David Kimberley
and Sons, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPASSES AND CALLIPERS."
Sealed the lot i 1970 and dated the 8th Ontahan 1070
Sealed the 1st April 1879, and dated the 9th October 1970.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Kimberley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th October 1878.
WILLIAM KIMBERLEY, of the Firm of David Kimberley and Sons, of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPASSES AND
CALLIPERS."
This Invention refers to a peculiar joint to be employed on certain kinds of
compasses and callipers as a substitute for the quadrant piece or wing, by which the
distance apart of the limbs of such compasses is ad ted and fixed. For this
purpose I employ a thumbscrew or milled headed screw to connect the limbs of the
compasses at the head, and this screw may be tightened or released by the hand
alone to any requisite pressure,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Kimberley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th April
1879.
WILLIAM KIMBERLEY, of the Firm of David Kimberley and Sons, of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPASSES AND
CALLIPERS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in compasses and callipers by
which they are more easily and more rapidly set to different sizes, and they can be
manufactured with greater facility, and therefore sold cheaper.
According to my Invention the wing of the compasses or callipers by which they
are usually tightened up is entirely dispensed with. Instead of this I tighten the
compasses or callipers to any position by means of a screw on the pivot of the legs,
which I use instead of a rivet, thus I avoid weakening the legs by having to pierco
them to receive the quadrant wing, which is really in the way, especially when the
compasses or callipers are closed up.
My Invention will be most clearly understood and readily carried into effect by
reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of one of my compasses, and Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the same, shown about half way open. A is the thumb nut for
tightening the legs into any required position by means of the thread cut upon the
screwed pivot b, this pivot b being provided with a square neck immediately under
the round head for the purpose of preventing it from turning round.
Figure 3 is a front elevation; and Figure 4, a side elevation of compasses on a
modified plan, which would be produced slightly cheaper than the before-mentioned
kind as the pivot is formed on the neck of the thumbscrew C and the lower side of
the joint is tapped, thus I produce these compasses or callipers, according to this
modification, with only three parts.
The joints of callipers would be formed in a similar manner.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim as my
Invention of "Improvements in Compasses and Callipers" is,-
Making compasses and callipers which are tightened by means of a screw at the
pivot, as herein described and illustrated.
. In witness whereof, I, the said William Kimberley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
WILLIAM KIMBERLEY. (L.S.)