сит of IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAPHOMY INSTMENTS PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION GRAPHOMETRICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Count Alfred de Bylandt, of Arnheim, in the
Province of Guelderland, Holland, but at present residing at .
Zoeterwoude, in the Province of South Holland, for the Invention :
DIMENTS
сит
of
IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAPHOMY INSTMENTS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Count Alfred de Bylandt:
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,.
on the 6th October 1873.
I, Count ALFRED DE BYLANDT, of Arnheim, in the Province of -
3 Guelderland, Holland, but at present residing at Zoeterwoude, in the
Province of South Holland, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAPHOMETRICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in the construction of an instrument to be
called the stadiometer or universal graphometrical instrument, whose
object is to measure distances, lengths, heights, or depths, by the
general and mathemetical principle of forming triangles on the instru-
ment similar to the triangles artificially constructed on the earth, on
board vessels, or in space.
:

page_text: The apparatus consists of a brass plate fixed perpendicularly on an
axis on which it turns horizontally by means of a screw. This axis is
widened and hollowed below, and can also turn in a vertical plane on
another axis starting from the hollow above described and fixed to the
two supports of the foot which is fixed by means of a screw on the
wheel of a carriage. On this plate are two parallel lines, and near each
line for the greater part of the length is a strong black line, and a
groove is arranged perpendicularly to the parallel lines in which can
move by aid of the screw an axis with sight, round which an alidade
moves in pivoting on its axis. This alidade furnished with a lens at one
of its ends engages in an axis, and is fixed to the plate by a milled nut,
the other end has two lenses, which with the sight, and one side of the
alidade are in the same vertical plane; it is separated into divisions
marked with the figures 500 to 2000, and which in conjunction with
the parallel lines give the distance of the butt or object. The alidade 1
can be locked against the plate by means of a screw. On the anterior
part of the plate are two small brass pieces, the posterior part being at
right angles with the anterior receives an axis furnished with two stecl
armatures capable of being raised or lowered on the plate.
In using the stadiometer a speculum square is employed consisting of
a metal plate with handle, on which is a dispositive composed of two
speculi or mirrors placed vertically under an angle of 45°.
Above each speculum is a window; the square is placed in a hollow
cylinder representing a wheel; a metal cord of certain dimensions is
wound round the cylinder and is fixed to the two handles of the instru-
ment.
The following is the mode of using the instrument. In measuring for
instance the distance of a piece of artillery from a given point or bu̟tt
three persons are required, which for facilitating matters I shall designate
as A, B, and C, and who would act in the following manner:-A fixes
the stadiometer on the wheel B and C, at the same time go a certain
distance, say 100 steps to the right or left of the piece; B and O then
go in front, B perpendicularly in the direction of the wheels, and C, a
little outside in the direction of the butt or point; B has the square,
and C bears the hollow cylinder and unwinds the cord up to 15 metres
beyond B (this length is marked on the cord); whilst A holds the
shaft of the gun sponge in front of the screw which actuates the sight
axis, B seeks the direction, whence he sees the shaft and the butt under

page_text: a right angle; he then turns towards A, holding the instrument in front
of his chest, he places C in line with the butt and himself; C holds the
cord stretched and the cylinder in front of his chest, meanwhile A
unlocks the screw of the alidade and places the shaft or rod against the
wheel, raises an armature, places the alidade against one of the small
brass pieces alluded to and directs on B by means of a second screw,
after which he lowers the armature and directs on C by means of the
first screw, taking care to rest the alidade against the armature; then he
directs tho alidado on the butt, the point of intersection of the alidade
with one of the two parallel lines at once gives the distance.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Count Alfred de Bylandt in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd April 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Count
ALFRED DE BYLANDT, of Arnheim, in the Province of Guelderland,
Holland, but at present resident at Zoeterwoude, in the Province of
South Holland, send greeting.
•
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Count Alfred de Bylandt, Her special
licence that I, the said Count Alfred de Bylandt, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Count Alfred de
Bylandt, 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
makc, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAPHOMETRICAL INSTRUMENTS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Count Alfred de Bylandt, 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 Scal Patent

page_text: Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Count Alfred de Bylandt, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement and accompanying Drawings, that is
to say :-
This Invention consists in the construction of an instrument to be
called the "stadiometer " or universal graphometrical instrument, whose
object is to measure distances, lengths, heights, or depths by the general 1
and mathematical principle of forming triangles on the instrument
similar to the triangles artificially constructed on the earth, on board
vessels, or in space.
Explanation of Figs. 1, Plan and Side Elevation.-The following
description aided by the accompanying Drawings will clearly explain 1
the nature of the apparatus, the form and dimensions of which vary
without departing from the principle of action.
The apparatus consists of a brass plate fixed perpendicularly on an
axis on which it turns horizontally by means of the screw G, see
Fig. 1. This axis is widened and hollowed below, and can also turn 2
in a vertical plane on another axis starting from the hollow above
described, and fixed to the two supports of the foot which is fixed by
• means of a screw on the wheel of a carriage. On the plate are two
parallel lines H, H, and J, J ; near each line for the greater part of the
length is a strong black line, and a groove is arranged perpendicularly a
to the parallel lines in which can move by aid of the screw G an axis
with sight, round which an alidade moves A. in pivoting on its axis P.
This alidade furnished with a lens at one of its ends engages in an
axis S, T, and is fixed to the plate by means of a milled nut; the other
end has two lenses which with the sight and one side of the alidade are g
in the same vertical plane. The alidade is separated into divisions
marked with the figures 500 to 2000, and which in conjunction with
the parallel lines H, H, and J, J, give the distance of the butt or object.
By means of a screw D the alidade can be locked against the plate. On
the anterior part of the latter are two small brass pieces M, the posterior 3
part of which is at right angles, and the anterior part receives an axis
which is furnished with two steel armatures L which may be raised or
lowered on the plate.

page_text: In using the stadiometer a speculum square I consisting of a metal
plate with handle on which is a dispositive composed of two speculi or
mirrors placed vertically under an angle of 45 degrees. Above each
speculum or mirror is a window. The square is placed in a hollow
cylinder representing a wheel, a metal cord of certain dimensions is
wound round the cylinder and is fixed to the two handles of the
instrument.
Mode of Using the Instrument.-In measuring for instance the
distance of a piece of artillery from a given point or butt three persons
are required, which for facilitating matters are named A, B, and C, and
who would act in the following manner:-A fixes the stadiometer on the
wheel B and C, at the same time go a certain distance, say 100 steps to
the right or left of the piece B and C, then go in front B perpendicularly
in the direction of the wheels, and C a little outside the direction of
the butt or point; B has the square, and O bears the hollow cylinder
and unwinds the cord up to 15 mètres beyond B (this length is marked
on the cord); whilst A holds the shaft of the gun sponge in front of
the screw G, B seeks the direction, whence he sees the shaft and the
|butt under a right angle, he then turns towards A holding the instru-
ment in front of his chest, he places O in line with the butt and
himself; O holds the cord stretched and the cylinder in front of his
chest, meanwhile A unlocks the screw of the alidade and places the
shaft or rod against the wheel, raises the armature L, places the alidade
against the small brass piece M and directs on B by means of the
screw G', after which he lowers the armature L and directs on O by
means of the screw G, taking care to rest the alidade against the
armature L; then he directs the alidade on the butt, the point of inter-
section of the alidade with one of the two parallel lines at once gives the
distance
•
Second. According to the configuration of the earth B and O
5 arrange themselves to the right or left of the piece, the alidade being
placed accordingly. If B goes to the right then the alidade is placed

page_text: the left M, and vice versa. In
returned.
which the Construction of the
Instrument rests.-Let V bo
the butt or object, the points C
and B the position of the per-
sons C and B; B and C, the
distance equal to 15 mètres
given by the cord ; D, the
sight; M and L, the posterior
parts of the small brass piece
and of the steel armature; the
result is, that the angle V, B, M,
is right, and that directing A
by M on B, the line M, H, is
parallel to V, B, (A, M, being
perpendicular to M, H,) since
the difference between M and L
is constant (according to the
instrument of 0-003) ono can
by directing by L and M, by
aid of the screw G, cause the
sight D to slide till the point o
is visible. Two rectangular
triangles C, B, D, and D, L, M,
are thus obtained, which have an
equally acute angle as opposed
to the summit, and are conse-
A
3

page_text: Each of these pieces receives an axis which is furnished with a cleat or
steel armature L and L' which can be raised or lowered on the
plate; two other small pieces of brass R, R¹, also receive an axis and a
cleat in steel E, E¹, but larger than the first.
On the alidade an air bubble level is placed, and by means of the 5
screws K³, K', K², vide elevation, the instrument is adjusted horizontally.
On the posterior part of the alidade is the piece B, which slides in a
groove and can be raised or lowered by the screw G. D represents the
central point of the axis on which the plate pivots.
Note. In measuring depths the lunette is returned, so that the 1
point S occupies the position of the point S¹, and one proceeds in the
same manner for heights (vide elevation).

page_text: the slight displacement of the alidade. This pole should be placed on the
prolongation of the line A, B, which is the point H. Y raises the
cleat L, replaces the alidade against M, and directs on A by turning the
screw G³, then places the alidade against M³ and causes Z to place a
pole at the point indicated by the lunette, always on the prolongation of
the line A, B. This pole should be found at the point Ơ, since the
angle A, D, C, formed by the instrument is right; Y directs for the
third time on the butt or object A, in placing the alidade against M,
and by the screw G, raises the piece B till it meets the lunette; he then
directs on B in turning the screw G³, displaces the alidade a little to the
left, raises the cleat E¹, places the alidade against this armature, and
this slight displacement of the lunette will form an angle B, D, F;
at the point F Z places a third pole. After these four poles B, F, H,Ơ,
are fixed, Y and Z measure with a measuring cord the three
distances B, C, B, H, and B, F, which will show the distance A, B,
A, D, D, B, and the height of the object.
If it is desired to take the base B, D, at the right of B, commence by
using the piece M against which the alidade is placed.
Explanation of Figs. 3; Plan and Side View.-The application of
the division of a semicircle in communication with the working of the
alidade admits of instantaneously obtaining the size of angles at will.
•
The Drawing represents a plan and side view of the instrument,
which simply consists of the brass plate P on which is placed a semi-
circle of brass O bearing divisions similar to those of a protractor,
whose object is to instantly give the measurement of an angle by aid of
the alidade, as is the case in the ordinary graphometers. This

page_text: ...
Haying thus described my Invention, what I claim and desire to

page_text: secure by Letters Patent is the improved graphometrical instrument or
stadiometer herein described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Count Alfred de Bylandt, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four.
Inventor,
Witnesses,
VAN GUDESAS OUDUHOOZ,
SOSH P. ISORD.
ALFRED DE BYLANDT. (L.S.)