A New or Improved Longitude and Latitudemeter.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1897-Accepted, 27th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Longitude and Latitudemeter.
I, FREDERICK LUSTY, Plumber & Glazier, 56 Willoughby Street, Edge Hill
Liverpool, 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 :-
This invention relates to a new or improved latitude and longitude meter, and
has for object by means thereof to enable latitude and longitude to be ascertained
correctly at all times independently of the state of the weather, heretofore an
impossibility. The correctness of observation, with the instruments as hitherto
constructed, depends entirely upon the clearness of the atmosphere, a mist or fog
preventing any accurate observation being taken.
In accordance with this Invention I provide a double instrument, or one consisting
of two parts or globes arranged in a suitable casing, one above the other. The lower
part or globe may be used at any time or place, and the exact latitude ascertained
therefrom. The upper part or globe may be used for any meridian and any distance
between null and 180°, and at the time of arriving in any given latitude parallel
which the ship has to pass the upper part or globe aforesaid of the instrument
shews exactly the angle for longitude between the meridian from the place the
ship has left and the place of observation.
And in order that this my invention may be fully understood, I will describe same
with reference to the accompanying drawings and letters and figures of reference
marked thereon, that is to say :--
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the full instrument, shewing the construction
and arrangement of both upper and lower parts.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of one of the parts or globes of the instrument (say the
upper globe, both however being identical in construction but having different
narkings upon the degree rings).
Fig. 3 is a cross section to a smaller scale through line A.B. Fig. 2. Fig. 4
shews the degree ring of the upper part of the instrument and Fig. 5 shews the
degree ring of the lower part.
Figs. 6 is the direction ring with points of the compass marked thereon and Fig. 7
one of the segment shaped plates used to prevent the hollow rings hereinafter
described leaning over should the inner casing of the instrument not be kept in a
proper direction.
•
The outer casing of the full instrument is lettered a in the drawings. This
casing may be made of metal or wood constructed in such a manner as to open
ou all sides so that proper light may be obtained for observation.
Within this outer casing are two inner casings b and c, one for each of the
globes, arranged one b above the other c and supported upon wooden or metal
holders d. carried by the outer casing aforesaid. These inner casings b and c may be
made of wood, metal or other suitable material, their upper sides being in the form
of a circle. On the bottom of each inner casing is a small vertical hollow
socket e (See Fig. 1) and upon the upper side and in the exact centre of each of the
wooden or metal holders aforesaid I fix a vertical pin f upon which the tubular

page_text: sockets e of the inner cases b and c fit in such manner as to permit of the inner cases
being turned.
Each pin f is fitted with a screw, by which the inner casings may be
fastened or loosened. To the inner side of the outer casing, and in a line with the
top of each inner casing a direction ring g is horizontally fastened. The upper flat
sides of these rings are engraved with the points of a compass (see Fig. 2) By
these rings the inner casings are brought in the required direction. The outer
casing must always be kept so that the North point on "Direction Ring" shall be in
the direction of the North point on the ship's compass, or as nearly so as possible.
On upper edge of each inner casing a line is marked (see h Fig. 2) pointing to
the centre of the inner casing parallel to the degree ring. This enables it to be
ascertained when the inner casing is in the direction required. Within, and at
the upper part of the inner casing, and at an angle of 90°, are pivotted double
horizontal rings i k. The outer ring being pivotted at to the inner casing b and
the inner ring taking bearings in the outer ring at right angles to the
bearings 1, Fig. 2. The inner rings k of these double horizontal rings carry the
globes, See Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The horizontal rings and globes are alike in size in
both inner casings and are similarly situated or placed. The axles m of the globes
have to be in one and the same direction with the axles of the outer of the double
horizontal rings, resting in bearings upon the inner casing. The globes are
constructed of glass and metal, in such way as to open and close when required.
Through each of the axles m is a small aperture forming a bearing, in which an axle n
rests crossing the exact middle of the globe in horizontal direction. This axle is
movable and is protected at both ends by screws.
The globe must be made in such a way that the exact middle from the top and
bottom part of it, and the centre, are always in an exact vertical line from the
centre of the full instrument on any place whatever pointing towards the centre of
the earth. To the globe and inside same must be fastened a vernier or a degree
ring. If a vernier is fastened to the globe the degree ring must be fastened to the
outer of the hollow rings q and if the degree ring is fastened to the globe the
vernier must be fastened to the outer hollow ring q. The vernier o Fig. 1 is for
the purpose of enabling the observer to read the degrees, minutes and seconds on the
degree ring for the latitude and angle of longitude. If the degree ring shewn
separately in Fig. 4 is fastened to the globe, its null and 180° points have to be
exactly in the middle points from the globe on its top and bottom part. If the
vernier is fastened to the globe, the null point of the vernier must be in the exact
middle point on top part of the globe.
This applies to the top part of the full instrument.
If the degree ring shewn separately in Fig. 5 is fastened to the globe forming
bottom part of the full instrument, the null points of the degree ring must be in the
exact middle points on top and bottom of the globe, and if the vernier be fastened
to the globe in botton part of the full instrument, the null point must be in the
exact middle point on top part of globe.
The verniers have to be parallel to the degree rings slightly free one from the
other with their engravings in one direction.
For bottom part of the full instrument the null point of vernier and the null point
of degree ring must be brought under an angle equal to the latitude on the place
where the observation is made. This is done by turning the outer horizontal ring i
round in opposite direction of the pole of the earth, and when this is done care
should be taken that the inner casing c of the bottom part of the full instrument
with the line h Fig. 2 marked on it points to the nearest pole of the earth, and
should be kept in this direction whilst the instrument is in use.
The degree ring (shewn in Fig. 4) for the top part of the full instrument is
equally divided from a null point to 180° in both directions, and each degree sub-
divided in six equal parts.
The degree ring for the bottom part of the full instrument shewn in Fig. 5 is
divided equally from null to 90 degrees, and down to null again on each side of the
pull points, each degree being also equally sub-divided into six parts.

page_text: Within the globes are seginent shaped plates p Fig. 1 and separately in Fig. 7
arranged and fitted so as to prevent the hollow rings, now to be described, leaning
over should the inner casing not be kept in a proper direction. 999 Figs. 1, 2 & 3
represent the hollow rings which for the purposes of this invention are filled with a
spirit not capable of coagulation.
These rings are arranged concentrically around each other, within the globes,
each being free from the others and movable around by itself. In the smallest ring
of the series through the exact centre of same is a small round hole through which
the small axle n taking bearings in the axles of the globes as before mentioned
passes. On each side of the centre of this axle n are arranged other small rings r
equal in size to the smallest ring of the series of concentric rings.
All these hollow rings are also filled with a spirit not capable of coagulation. This
is for the purpose of keeping the axle up and so assist the concentric hollow rings q
round the centre of the axle to keep in a vertical position. These little hollow rings
upon shaft n are provided with little staffs 8 on one side of the centre and 8¹ on the
other side of centre; and with the plates t on one side and t¹ on the other side of the
centre of axle; all arranged in such a way that if one of the rings should turn, all
of them on same side of centre would have to turn, and the same would occur with
respect to the rings upon the other side of the centre of the axle. This is for the
purpose of preventing the axle itself turning round, which would interfere with the
position of the hollow rings around the centre of the axle.
By filling the hollow rings with a spirit not capable of coagulation, as aforesaid
they are rendered independent of the centripetal power of the earth and when the
globes are closed to prevent interference from air, they will keep in position, whereas
the covering around them alters its position, and taking a line through the middle
of top and bottom parts of the instrument, it would point always in the direction of
the centre of the earth.
Upon the top edge of each of the inner casings right across the flat side of the
degree rings there is a metal holder (see u Fig. 1) and in this metal holder is a
telescope v, Fig. 1. This is for the purpose of reading the difference between the
two null points on the vernier and degree rings, in each of the inner casings to
observe the latitude and the angle for longitude.
The following example illustrates the manner in which the instrument is used:-
If a ship is in New York and sails for any port in England, the Captain or other
navigating officer brings the null point of the vernier and the null point of the degree
ring in a correct vertical line through the centre of the instrument. This refers to
the top part of the instrument. After this is done, this part of the instrument is
brought so that its marked line on upper edge of inner casing is in an easterly
direction and kept in such a position until the ship has arrived at its destination.
The angle the instrument shews at any time and place during the voyage mentioned
above is the angle for the longitude on the latitude parallel in which the observation
is made.
The latitude has always to be observed on the bottom part of the full instrument
at the time of observation for longitude on the top part of the full instrument.
The angle for longitude is formed by lines imagined from the place of sailing and
the place of observation to the centre of the earth.
=
The bottom part of the full instrument always shews at any time and place the
correct latitude, therefore with the help of the latitude and the angle for longitude
the correct longitude is readily obtained.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The new or improved latitude and longitude meter substantially as herein set
forth.
2. In a latitude and longitude meter the construction and arrangement of the
duplicate globes within casings pivotted within a suitable framing and containing

page_text: a series of concentric rings filled with a spirit not capable of coagulation carried upon
the centre of a spindle or shaft upon which shaft are at each side of the central
concentric rings small rings also filled with a spirit not capable of coagulation in
combination with degree rings and verniers combined and operating substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a latitude and longitude ineter the axle or spindle carrying centrally a series
of concentric hollow rings filled with a spirit not capable of coagulation and upon
each side of the central concentric rings carrying small rings also filled with a spirit
not capable of coagulation, and each being provided with staffs and plates substantially
as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
Dated thie 3rd day of August 1807