An Improved Fog Signal.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 21st May, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fog Signal.
We, WALTER RICHARD CLOSE of 51 First Street, Bangor, in the County of
Penobscot, and State of Maine one of the United States of America Millwright
and CHARLES EDGAR HILL of 78 Main Street, Bangor aforesaid, Manufacturer,
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:―
Our invention consists of an improved fog signal, and is fully illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of our device with spokes of wheel and
hollow post in longitudinal section.
Figure 2 is a detail of rim of wheel.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of striking device.
Figure 4 is a plan of device shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of striker shown in Figure 3.
Similar letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.
The object of our invention is to provide a striking signal, which shall operate
continuously over extended periods of time without requiring attention, and it is
especially adapted for use in localities which are remote, or difficult of access.
Speaking generally, it consists of a gong, or bell, and strikers of peculiar con-
struction, actuated by clockwork mechanism operated by a weight, the whole
securely protected from the action of the elements, and the weight travelling in a
hollow post or cylinder.
In the construction of the first form of our device (shown in Figure 1) we
provide a strong clock-work mechanism, which is enclosed in the case A, to run
for an extended period of time, say six months, with any usual winding device
indicated at B. The weight C is carried by a wire rope D, winding upon a drum
upon the cylinder shaft of the clock mechanism, in the ordinary way and travels
in a hollow post E.
Upon a shaft F, actuated by the clock-mechanism and extending outside the
casing of the clock-work and geared to turn in one minute, or thereabouts, as may
be desired, we mount a striker of novel design, consisting of a wheel G, having a
hub b, and any desired number of hollow spokes a a attached to the hub in
positions tangent to the hub and terminating in a flat rim c having circular
apertures g g of lesser diameter than that of the spokes, and concentric therewith.
Within each of the hollow spokes, and of such size as to travel freely therein,
are heavy metallic balls hh, of slightly larger diameter than the apertures in the
rim of the wheel, so that when the outer extremity of the spoke is lowered and
the ball rolls down to the rim it may project slightly through the aperture in
the rim.
A gong or bell H, is attached to the frame work of the whole device, in such
position with reference to the wheel G, so that the balls as they roll downward
in the spokes as the wheel revolves, may strike the gong.
The spokes being set in the hub at regular intervals, and at the same inclination
to the hub, it is evident that as the wheel revolves the weight of the balls in
the descending spokes will counterbalance that of those in the rising spokes, and
that but little power is required for the operation of the wheel.
The whole device being securely boxed and protected from the weather
(excepting only the gong and wheel), is mounted upon the hollow post E, in which
the weight C is suspended and travels, the post being of such height as may be
necessary to secure the operation of the device for any desired period.

page_text: In operation the clock-work mechanism being wound up, and the weight raised
and the mechanism set in motion, the wheel revolves and the balls in the spokes
successively falling; deliver successive strokes upon the gong, the number of spokes
in the wheel being varied accordingly as more or less strokes are desired with each
revolution of the wheel and the shaft which carries it, and the onward passage of
the wheel during the rebound of the ball after the stroke is delivered, carries the
end of the spoke past the gong and prevents all clattering. As a spoke passes
downwards by the horizontal diameter of the wheel, the stroke is delivered, and as
it passes upwards on the opposite side of the wheel the ball runs back to the hub,
and is in position to fall again, as another half revolution of the wheel is
completed.
Another form of striker is shown in Figures 3, 4, & 5. In this form the wheel G
is dispensed with, and a cam-wheel K. having any convenient number of projec-
tions kk is mounted in its place upon the shaft F. The striker M, hereinafter
described, is mounted upon a lever-arm L, bent substantially at right angles and
pivoted at its elbow m to the frame, the power arm of the lever being provided
with a tail-piece n, adapted to engage with and be operated by the cam-wheel K as
the latter revolves. A spring o is fitted to the frame and arranged to bear
upwards upon the power-arm of the lever and force the tail-piece thereof between
the projections of the cam-wheel, and a spring is similarly fitted to the frame,
arranged to bear downwards upon the power-armn of the lever and return it to
position after having risen. As the cam-wheel revolves, the power-arm of the
lever is forced down and the striker M drawn back away from the gong against
the spring. As the projection of the cam-wheel in engagement with the tail-
piece of the lever passes the tail-piece, the action of the spring o and the weight
of the striker carries the striker forward and a blow is delivered upon the gong,
when by the action of the spring p. the striker is instantly retracted from contact
with the gong.
The striker M consists of a hollow metallic cylinder, having its forward end r
closed and loaded and its rear end s closed. Within the cylinder is a heavy
metallic ball S, of such diameter as to travel freely in said cylinder. The striker
is mounted about midway of its length upon the weight-arm of the lever L. As
the weight-arm of the lever is raised, the ball S rolls back to the rear of the
cylinder where it is preferably cushioned upon a light spring t. As the weight-arm
descends the striker moves forward and as the centre is passed the ball assisted by
the spring trolls forward and strikes the loaded forward end of the striker M, at
the moment the stroke is delivered upon the gong, and so by its weight and
momentum greatly increases the force of the blow.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In a striker for fog signals and in combination with a hollow metallic cylinder
having a closed and loaded point and a closed butt, a metallic ball within said
cylinder and of such diameter as to travel freely therein.
2. In a fog signal a striker consisting of the combination of a hollow metallic
cylinder having its forward end closed and loaded and its rear end closed; a
metallic ball within said cylinder and of such diameter as to travel freely therein;
said cylinder being mounted horizontally near the middle of its length upon a bent
lever pivoted to the signal frame and adapted to be tripped and operated by a cam-
wheel carried upon a shaft actuated by clock-work mechanism:
3. A fog signal consisting of the combination of a clock-work mechanism; a
shaft operated by said mechanism and carrying a cam-wheel; a striker consisting
of a hollow metallic cylinder having a closed and loaded point and a closed butt
and carrying within it a metallic ball of such diameter as to travel freely therein :
said cylinder being mounted horizontally near the middle of its length upon a bent
lever pivoted to thic signal frame and adapted to be tripped and operated by a cam-

page_text: wheel carried upon a shaft actuated by clock-work mechanism; and a gong or bell
so placed as to receive the blow of said striker.
4. The herein described striker for fog signals consisting of the combination of
a hollow metallic cylinder having a closed and loaded point and a closed butt; a
metallic ball within said cylinder and of such diameter as to travel freely therein;
and a spring within said cylinder, attached to the butt thereof, and of such power
as to be compressed by the weight of said ball.
5. An improved fog signal consisting of the combination of a drum with winding
mechanism provided with gear attached to a clock mechanism having an extending
shaft; a counterbalanced wheel mounted upon said shaft and having hollow spokes
set tangent to its hub and provided with enclosed balls, said wheel having openings
in its rim to allow the partial projection of said balls; a gong mounted near the
periphery of said wheel in such manner as to be adapted to be struck by said balls
upon the revolving of said wheel; a hollow post supporting said mechanism; and
a weight travelling in said post attached by a cord or other means to said drum.
6. An improved fog signal consisting of the combination of a counterbalanced
wheel having hollow spokes set tangent to its hub and provided with a pocket or
incline at their connection with the hub for the purpose described, said spokes con-
taining loose balls adapted to project in certain positions partially through
openings in the rim of said wheel; a gong located in position to be struck by
the projections of said balls upon the revolution of said wheel; and a clock
movement having a projecting shaft attached to said wheel and adapted to com-
municate motion to said wheel.
7. A counterbalanced revolving wheel turned by clock movement, said wheel
having hollow, inclined, radial spokes projecting tangent to the hub and containing
balls adapted to roll therein and in certain positions project partially through holes
in the rim of said wheel.
Dated thie 5th date of Anvil 1809
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S. W., Agent for the Applicants.