IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING APPROXIMATELY THE QUANTITIES OF EARTHWORK IN CONTINUOUS CUTTINGS OR RANES SHOW BAD ASARE USED IN THE FORMATION OF RAIL-
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Barlow, of 2, Old Palace Yard
Westminster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING APPROXIMATELY THE QUANTITIES OF EARTHWORK IN CONTINUOUS
CUTTINGS OR RANES SHOW BAD
"
Sealed the 5th June 1868, and dated the 10th December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said. William Henry Barlow
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th December 1867.
J, WILLIAM HENRY BARLOW, of 2, Old Palace Yard, Westminster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING APPROXIMATELY THE QUANTITIES OF EARTHWORK IN
CONTINUOUS CUTTINGS OR BANKS SUCH AS ARE USED IN THE FORMATION OF RAIL-
WAYS," to be as follows:
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for measuring
approximately the quantities of earthwork in continuous cuttings or banks
such as are used in the formation of railways. For this purpose
I employ
two discs of cardboard, metal, or other suitable material one above the other
and both capable of turning on a central pin which stands up from a board or

page_text: support on which the lower disc rests.
The upper disc is of smaller diameter
than the lower disc, and has marked upon it near its outer circumference a
circular scale which is concentric with it; this scale is divided into equal
The lower disc has
parts or divisions, and I call it the "quantity scale."
other circular scales which I call "depth scales" marked upon it; these scales
are outside and contiguous to the edge of the upper disc. The distance between
the divisions of these scales varies and is dependent on the width of formation
at the top of the bank or bottom of the cutting and the slopes of the sides of
the work to be measured. Different width of formation and different slopes
require "depth scales" made to suit them, and each scale should be marked
to indicate the width and slopes to which it is adapted. A number of such
scales for different widths and slopes may be marked upon the lower disc in
contiguity with the edge of the upper disc, as each such scale will only occupy
a portion of a circle. The board or support upon which the lower disc rests
carries a small metal plate which overlaps a portion of the lower disc and
which can be clamped down upon it to prevent this disc from turning. This
plate also carries an indicator point which extends over to the scale on the
upper disc but leaves it free to turn.
The scales may be made to suit the units of measure employed in any
country, and I will proceed to describe them when adapted to the measures
for earthwork usually employed in England, the depth being expressed in feet,
the length in chains, and the quantity in cubic yards. The system of
measurement consists in adding together the quantities contained in a given
unit of length (say one chain length) of cutting or bank, such chain being
assumed to be of equal depth throughout its length. The quantity scale is
divided, say, into 100 equal divisions, each of which represents, say, 1,000
cubic yards. These divisions may be subdivided to read to 100 cubic yards,
or less if required.
The "depth scale" for any cutting or bank having a given width at
formation level and given slopes may be made as follows:-From the zero
point on the "quantity scale" mark off the quantities of cubic yards contained
in one chain length of the cutting or bank of the respective depths of 1 foot,
2 feet, 3 feet, and so on, the quantity being measured from zero point in each
case; place the zero point of the "depth scale" opposite to, that is, in the
same radial line with the zero point of the "quantity scale." Through the
points marked off as abovo directed upon the "quantity scale" draw radial
lines intersecting the "depth scale," and number these divisions as 1 foot,
2 feet, 3 feet, and so on so that the depth marked on the "depth scale" shall
in every case correspond to or be in the same radial line with the quantity

page_text: marked upon the "quantity scalo "for the respective depths of cutting or
bank.
"
In using the instrument it is convenient to employ a pointer made of a
steel point fastened into a wooden handle about the size of a common pencil..
The pointer is used for moving round the quantity disc, as herein-after-
described, and it must be always applied upon the quantity disc at the same
distance from and as near as practicable to the outer circumference of the
disc. The cutting or bank to be measured must have its depth ascertained by
scaling or otherwise at each chain in length. The mode of using the instru-
ment is as follows:-Select the "depth scale" made to suit the intended
formation, width, and slopes of the cutting or bank to be measured, place the
"zero" of the "depth scale" nearly to the stop, place the "zero" of the
quantity scale" exactly at the indicator point on the stop; next place
the "pointer" upon the quantity disc near to its outer edge, and so as to
touch the stop and adjust the "zero" of the "depth scale" exactly opposite
to, that is, in the same radial line with the pointer. Fasten the depth scale in.
this position by means of the clamping plate. Next place the "pointer on
the "quantity dise" opposite to the division on the "depth scale," which is
indicated by the depth previously ascertained of the first chain in the cutting,
and with the "pointer" so placed turn the disc containing the "quantity
scale" round until the pointer touches the stop. Leave the quantity disc in
this position and apply the "pointer" again upon it opposite the division
upon the "depth scale" indicated by the depth of the second chain, and
bring the disc round until the pointer" again touches the stop. Proceed in
like manner with the depth at every chain in the cutting or bank, and in the
final position of the quantity disc so arrived at the number of cubic yards in the
cutting or bank may be read off on the "quantity scale" at the "indicator
point upon the end of the clamping plate, provided the quantity is less.
than 100,000 cubic yards. If the quantity is greater than 100,000 cubic
yards the "quantity scale" will have made more than one complete revo-
lution. When the quantity exceeds 100,000 cubic yards there must be added
to the quantity read off as many times 100,000 cubic yards as there have been
complete revolutions of the quantity disc.
"
Instead of two circular discs the disc on which the depth scales are placed
may be dispensed with, and detached scales of ivory or other material cut to
fit the curve of the quantity disc may be used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Henry Barlow in the Great Seal Patent Office ou
the 9th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENRY BARLOW, of 2, Old Palace Yard, Westminster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto inc,
the said William Henry Barlow, Her special licence that I, the said William
Henry Barlow, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said William Henry Barlow, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
nake, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING APPROXIMATELY THE QUANTITIES OF EARTH-
WORK IN CONTINUOUS CUTTINGS OR BANKS SUCH AS ARE USED IN THE FORMATION
OF RAILWAYS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Henry Barlow, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the dato
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Henry Barlow, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for measuring
approximately the quantities of earthwork in continuous cuttings or banks
such as are used in the formation of railways. For this purpose I employ
two discs of cardboard, metal, or other suitable material one above the other
and both capable of turning on a central pin which stands up from a board
or support on which the lower disc rests. The upper disc is of smaller diameter
than the lower disc, and has marked upon it near its outer circumference a
circular scale which is concentric with it; this scale is divided into equal parts
or divisions, and I call it the "quantity scale." The lower disc has other

page_text: circular scales which I call "depth scales" marked upon it; these scales are
outside and contiguous to the edge of the upper disc. The distance between the
divisions of these scales varies and is dependent on the width of formation
at the top of the bank or bottom of the cutting and the slopes of the
sides of the work to be measured. Different widths of formation and different
slopes require "depth scales" made to suit them, and each scale should be
marked to indicate the width and slopes to which it is adapted. A number
of such scales for different widths and slopes may be marked upon the lower
disc in contiguity with the edge of the upper disc, as each such scale will only
occupy a portion of a circle. The board or support upon which the lower
disc rests carries a small metal plate which overlaps a portion of the lower
disc and which can be clamped down upon it to prevent this disc from
turning. This plate also carries an indicator point which extends over to the
scale on the upper disc but leaves it free to turn.
The Drawing hereunto annexed shows a plan view of a measuring apparatus
such as is above described. A is the board or stand from which projects up the
metal pin B, about which the "depth scale" and the "quantity scale" both
turn. The "depth scale" in the Drawing is marked D and the "quantity
scale" Q. The metal clamp which overlaps a portion of the circumference of
the "depth scale" and by which this scale is when desired held from turning
is marked C.
The scales or divisions on the depth and quantity scales may be made to
suit the units of measure employed in any country, and I will proceed to
describe them when adapted to the measures for earthwork usually employed
in England, the depth being expressed in feet, the length in chains, and the
quantity in cubic yards. The system of measurement consists in adding
together the quantities contained in a given unit of length (say, one chain
length) of cutting or bank, such chain being assumed to be of equal depth
throughout its length. The " quantity scale" in the arrangement shown in
the Drawing is divided into 100 equal divisions, each of which represents
1,000 cubic yards. These divisions may be subdivided to read to 100 cubic
yards, or less if required.
The "lower scalo " D has marked upon it five different depth scales for fivo
different angles of slope, the width of the "base" or width of formation at the
top of the bank or bottom of the cutting being in each case taken at 30 feet,
which is the width usually required for railways. Scales for other widths of
base and for other slopes may however be marked upon the disc D.
The "depth scale" for any cutting or bank having a given width at formation
level and given slopes may be made as follows: From the zero point on the

page_text: "quantity scale" mark off the quantities of cubic yards contained in one
chain length of the cutting or bank of the respective depths of 1 foot, 2 feet,
3 feet, and so on, the quantity being measured from zero point in each case;
p'ace the zero point of the "depth scale" opposite to (that is, in the sanie
radial line with) the zero point of the "quantity scale." Through the points
marked off as above directed upon the "quantity scale" drawn radial lines
intersecting the "depth scale," and number these divisions as 1 foot, 2 feet, 3
feet, and so on, so that the depth marked on the "depth scale" shall in every
case correspond to or be in the same radial line with the quantity marked
upon the "quantity scale" for the respective depths of cutting or bank.
In using the instrument it is convenient to employ a pointer made of a
steel point fastened into a wooden handle about the size of a common pencil.
The pointer is used for moving round the quantity dise as herein-after
described, and it must be always applied upon the quantity disc at the same
distance from and as near as practicable to the outer circumference of the
disc. The cutting or bank to be measured must bave its depth ascertained
by scaling or otherwise at each chain in length. The mode of using the
instrument is as follows:-Select the depth scale made to suit the intended
formation, width, and slopes of the cutting or bank to be measured, place the
"zero" of the " depth scale" nearly to the stop, place the "zero" of the
"quantity scale" exactly at the indicator point on the stop; next placo the
'pointer " upon the quantity disc near to its outer edge, and so as to touch
the stop and adjust the "zero" of the "depth scale " exactly opposite to, that
is, in the same radial with the pointer. Fasten the "depth scale in this
66
Next place the "pointer" on the
"
position by means of the clamping plate C.
"quantity disc" opposite to the division on the "depth scale," which is indi-
cated by the depth previously ascertained of the first chain in the cutting, and
with the pointer so placed turn the disc containing the "quantity scale'
round until the pointer touches the stop. Leave the quantity disc in this
position, and apply the "pointer" again upon it opposite the division upon
the "depth scale indicated by the depth of the second chain, and bring the
disc round until the " pointer" again touches the stop. Proceed in liko
manner with the depth at every chain in the cutting or bank, and in the
final position of the quantity disc so arrived at the number of cubic yards in
the cutting or bank may be read off on the "quantity scale" at the "indi-
cator point" upon the end of the clamping plate, provided the quantity is less
than 100,000 cubic yards. If the quantity is greater than 100,000 cubic
yards the "quantity scale" will have made more than one complete revolution.
When the quantity exceeds 100,000 cubic yards there must be added to the

page_text: quantity read off as many times 100,000 cubic yards as there have been
complete revolutions of the quantity disc.
Instead of two circular discs the disc on which the depth scales are placed
may be dispensed with, and detached scales of ivory or other material cut to
fit the curve of the quantity disc may be used.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Barlow, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WILLIAM HENRY BARLOW. (L.S.)