A New or Improved Bell-buoy.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Bell-buoy.
1, JASPER GIBSON, of 51 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, Middlesex, Solicitor, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
My invention relates to bell-buoys and has for its object a better and more
effectual means of warning to those in charge of ships, and other vessels, of their
proximity to danger, in calm and foggy as well as boisterous weather.
In carrying out my invention, I construct a bell-buoy, of any ordinary dimension,
through which at or near its water level, I form one, two, or more water ways leading
to a recess formed in the buoy of any given capacity to hold sufficient water to
retain a float of, any suitable shape or material such as cork, wood, india rubber,
or a hollow cylinder of a sufficient buoyancy to support one, two, or more strikers
for the purpose of striking the bell or causing it to be struck on its inner or outer
periphery.
Although there is not sufficient oscillation of the bell-buoy as at present constructed
to ring the bell in calm and fog, by ny arrangement of a float it will be found that
even in the most dead calm there will be sufficient unsteadiness of the float to strike
the bell or cause it to be struck thereby ensuring warning to those in charge of ships
or other vessels in all weathers.
In some cases I may construct a buoy with two or more bells, and by the variation
of their sound would indicate to those in charge of ships or other vessels which buoy
or danger the vessel may be approaching.
Dated this 18th day of December 1888
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Bell Buoy.
I, JASPER GIBSON, of 51 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, Middlesex, Solicitor,
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 Invention relates to Bell Buoys and has for its object a better and more effectual
means of warning to those in charge of ships and other vessels, of their proximity to
danger in calm and foggy as well as boisterous weather.
In carrying out my Invention I construct a bell buoy of any ordinary dimension
through which at or near its water level I form one two or more water ways leading
to a recess formed in the buoy of any given capacity to hold sufficient water to
retain a float of any suitable shape or material such as cork, wood, india rubber
or a hollow cylinder of a sufficient buoyancy to actuate one two or more clappers
for the purpose of striking the bell or causing it to be struck on its inner or outer
periphery.
Although there is not sufficient oscillation of the bell buoy as at present constructed
to ring the bell in calm and fog, by my arrangement of a float it will be found that
even in the most dead calm there will be sufficient unsteadiness of the float to strike
the bell or cause it to be struck, thereby ensuring warning to those in charge of ships
or other vessels in all weathers.
In some cases I may construct a buoy with two or more bells, and by the variation
of their sound indicate to those in charge of ships or other vessels which buoy or
danger the vessel may he anncoaching.

page_text: In order that the invention may be more readily understood I have hereto annexed
drawings illustrative thereof, such drawings representing an elevation of a bell buoy
partly in section and a body plan of the same.
A represents the floating body of the. buoy carrying the usual cage B. In the
interior of the floating body is formed a well C round which are four or any con-
venient number of waterways D), see Figure 2. From the bottom of the well to the
top of the cage extends a spindle E upon which rides a float F, the level of the float
varying with the undulation of the water.
To the float are attached a series of ribs f, having brackets f¹ carrying latches G
so shaped as to revolve on their axes in one direction only. Round the central spindle E
are fixed four or any convenient number of bell-crank levers H, the upper ends of
which carry clappers which during the upward motion of the float are raised by
the action of the latches G attached thereto, until the points of the latches pass
the ends of the bell-crank levers H leaving the same free to fall and sound the
bell J.
During the downward movement of the float the latches will come in contact with
the short end of the bell-crank levers and will be raised thereby until free to pass, but
having cleared the ends of the said levers they will drop into their normal horizontal
position ready for the succeeding undulation.
It will be readily seen that other means may be devised whereby the rising of the
float may be caused to actuate one or more clappers, but as the method herein illustrated
fulfills the necessary requirement I have not thought it necessary to shew any further
modifications.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performied, I declare that I
claim is :-
A bell-buoy constructed with a well in which is a float riding on a spindle or in
suitable guides and provided with mechanism for actuating bell clappers / substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 17th day of September 1889.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.