Improvements in Bell Buoys.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1889
90
Complete Specification Left, 21st Apr., 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890/
Improvements in Bell Buoys.
I JASPER GIBSON of No. 51 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Solicitor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My said Invention relates to Improvements in Bell Buoys and has the following
objects in view.
(1) To remedy the inefficiency of hell buoys as at present used by the Honorable
Corporation of Trinity House.
(2) To provide better and more effectual means than at present exist for warning
people of their proximity to danger or to any given point or line marked by a bell
buoy or by bell buoys in calm or foggy weather and this independently of the existence
or non-existence of any tidal or other stream.
(3) To secure so far as is possible that the sound of one bell buoy shall be distin-
guishable from that of another so as to indicate its position when that position cannot be
readily ascertained by its shape size or color.
The bell to be sounded in reference to the first object of my Invention and the
incidental apparatus I call for the sake of distinction the "Storm Bell Apparatus."
By my said Invention | secure practically a continuous ringing of the bell during
rough weather when some or one of the clappers of the Four Clapper Bell Buoy
hitherto used are or is apt to hang against the bell so as to prejudice its tone whilst
the others or some of them hang away from the bell and tend to make it
uscless.
In constructing the "Storm Bell Apparatus" I suspend at a proper and convenient
height from the top framework of the buoy a bell of suitable power and size according
to the circumstances and requirements of each particular case and through the bell I
pass a rod of metal fixed to such framework above the bell and at a convenient height
therefrom I attach a circular disc or wheel or other framework (hereinafter called "the
said disc") upon which are mounted three clappers in such position and manner that
the strikers or hammers hang in close proximity to the outside periphery of the bell at
a convenient distance below the level of the bottom of the bell 1 terminate the afore-
said rod which should be left to move freely in a ring supported by a framework
securely fastened either to the deck of the buoy or to iron framework forming the top
thereof. The said disc should be set loose upon the aforesaid rod between collars each
fitted with bars or rollers or other anti-friction gear of suitable device to facilitate the
free turning of the said disc which should be well and sufficiently weighted in close
proximity to one of the clappers so that the said disc shall revolve with the incline of
the buoy in the event of its being borne over to a sharp angle. This device prevents
one of the clappers hanging to the face of the bell in rough weather and leaves the
other clappers free to continue the ringing of the bell.
In fixing or fitting the above mentioned rod to the top framework of the buoy I
sometimes find it desirable in order to render more certain the swinging of the said
disc that in lieu of an ordinary ball and socket joint (which I sometimes use) such rod
should be suspended so as to work on balls or rollers or other antifriction gear of
suitable device.
Moreover I sometimes find it convenient that the too free action of the clappers in the
direction of swinging away from the bell should be limited or confined within suitable
limits by a ring either fixed to the said disc or fastened to the ironwork framework
forming the upper portion or dome of the buoy and this ring will also assist in
bringing about more strikes upon the bell.
The beil to be sounded in reference to the second object of my Invention and the
Incidental annaratus I call for the sake of distinction the "Foo Bell Apparatus.” In

page_text: constructing the fog bell apparatus I propose that it should be fitted to any buoy either
alone or in conjunction with the storm bell apparatus.
At or near the line of flotation of the buoy I form one two or more covered water
ways or channels (I prefer four) leading into a well or recess (hereinafter called "the
said well "formed inside the buoy capable of holding sufficient water to contain a
floating body of sufficient buoyancy to efficiently work the fog bell apparatus.
The line of flotation of the buoy should be so adjusted so far as may be necessary
by means of water or other ballast that the water in calm weather will flow in
through the aforesaid waterways or channels to such a depth and in such manner
as to cause a sufficient motion of the water inside the said well to give the
necessary amount of rising and falling power to the floating body to actuate the
fog bell apparatus.
I sometimes find it useful or desirable to continue the well to a greater depth
than is simply sufficient to fairly float the said floating body and I may continue
the said well either to the extent of its whole top capacity or in a diminishing or
inverted conelike shape through to the underside of the buoy so that water and
the motion of the water may be communicated to the said well both from the
upper and undermost parts thereof.
There are many ways whereby my novel motive power obtained by the rising and
falling of the said floating body may be made use of to cause the fog bell apparatus to
so work as to procure frequent and effectual strikes upon the bell and without limiting
myself to any particular method I may mention that I may adopt appliances consisting
of levers cranks chains wheels ratchet wheels ratchet bars "snails" cams or wipers
discs or half or portions of discs Archimedean or other spiral screw apparatus or other
contrivances or a series of them whereby the rising and falling motion of the said
floating body may be so made use of as to ring the bell or whereby the same may be
caused to ring.
I at present prefer however an apparatus or device whereby the rising and falling
motion of the aforesaid floating body may be gradually accumulated and whereby the
accumulated power may be made use of at intervals so as to cause a sharp strike upon
the bell. This result may be reached in many ways by means for instance of a lever
from the aforesaid floating body actuating a ratchet wheel with a
" snail" attached or
working therewith with one or more drops each drop of the snail when reached being
so made use of as to cause the necessary strike of the hammer upon the bell. The
same or a similar result may be attained by other apparatus or gearing actuating a
wheel with loose strikers attached by means of a ratchet wheel cam wiper or clutch
but I may make use of any device known in mechanics whereby the motion of the
floating body may be used to ring a bell.
So as to prevent a too violent action of the said floating body I propose that in
fitting the same so as to get the best results from its rise and fall there shall be stops
or buffers made of india rubber or other suitable material so as to stop more action of
the float than may be found-necessary or expedient.
So as to prevent the fog bell apparatus or any part thereof from being injured by
the action of violent rushes of water entering any of the aforesaid water ways or
channels I propose that each water way or channel should be fitted with a suitable
appliance so that violent waves shall be prevented from gaining access to the said well
and at present prefer for this purpose an automatic shutter so fitted and adapted as
to admit the free passage of small waves through the water ways or channels when the
sea or water is calm and the buoy shall be riding without motion or without any but
the slightest motion. Such shutter should be so weighted and adapted that if the
buoy shall be thrown materially out of the perpendicular by a sea the shutter shall
partially close in the direction of the approaching sea and shall be completely closed by
the action of the wave itself on its entering the opening or mouth of the particular
water way or channel by becoming wedged between the covering plate or top of the
particular channel and the inclining shutter therein.
I prefer that the water ways or channels shall be wider at their opening at the
outside of the buoy than at their inner end next to the said well and I also

page_text: prefer that the water ways or channels shall be so constructed that there shall be
a rather greater depth of water in them at their outer than at their inner end. So
as to prevent the said water ways or channels from admitting sea weed or other
obstructive substances into the said well I propose that each of them should be
furnished at their outer opening with a suitable grill grating frame of bars or
lattice work and I further propose that the aforesaid under opening of the said
well where it communicates with and admits the access of water from the under-
side or bottom of the buoy shall be similarly protected by a grill grating frame
of bars or lattice work.
The under opening of the said well has a twofold object namely (a) to admit thereto
any motion of the sea under the surface level thereof and at the level at which the
bottom of the buoy may float and (b) to form an exit for any sand grit or other
accumulations which may be introduced into the said well.
So as to exclude any seaweed or other obstructive materials from entering the said
well or from obtaining access to the fog bell apparatus I propose that the said
well and such apparatus be securely covered in in such a manner and with such
material as may be best adapted for the purpose of allowing the sound from the
bell to be sufficiently heard but at the same time to exclude any seaweed or other
obstructive materials as last aforesaid.
In order that one bell buoy may be distinguishable from another and that the
utility of bell buoys may be still further increased and extended i propose that
bells upon bell buoys constructed according to my Invention shall be fitted with
bells turned to different musical notes or with bells of the same musical pitch but
rung at varying distances of time and I propose in order to secure this result that
the fog bell apparatus should be modified multiplied or varied accordingly.
1 sometimes also extend this distinguishing system to the storm bell apparatus
by duplicating or otherwise extending such apparatus and by using bells of different
and distinct musical pitch.
By reason of my invention it is possible to dispense with the heavy top hamper now
often affixed to the top framework of a bell buoy by way of identifying it.
Datad thi 1000
JASPER GIBSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bell Buoys.
1 JASPER GIBSON of 51, Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of 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 thereof, that is to say :-
:-
.
This invention relates to improvements in bell buoys and has the following objects
in view.
1. To remedy the inefficiency of hell-buoys as at present constructed.
2. To provide better and more effectual means than at present exist for warning
people at their proximity to danger or to any given point or line marked by a bell-buoy
or by bell-buoys in calm or foggy weather and to do this independently of the existence
or non-existence of any tidal or other stream.
3. To secure as far as is possible that the sound of one bell-buoy shall be distinguish-
able from that of another so as to indicate its position when that position cannot.
readily be ascertained by its shape size or colour.
The apparatus for carrying out the first object of my Invention I call for the sake
of distinction the "Storin Bell apparatus "By means of this apparatus I secure
practically a continuous ringing of the bell during rough weather when one or more
of the clappers of the Four-clapper Bell-buoy hitherto used is or are apt to hang
against the bell and so prejudice its tone whilst others hang away from the bell
uselessly.

page_text: In carrying out this part of my invention I suspend at a suitable height from the
top frame work of the buoy a bell of suitable power and size according to the cir-
cumstances and requirements of each particular case and through the bell I pass a
metal rod fixed to such framework at the top and extending downward into the body
of the buoy to which it is fixed at its lower end. To this metal rod, at a convenient
height above the point of suspension of the bell, I attach a circular perforated disc or
wheel or other framework upon which is mounted a series of clappers (preferably
three) in such position and manner that the strikers or hammers shall hang in close
proximity to the edge of the bell. The disc carrying the clappers should be mounted
loose upon the aforesaid rod between collars and may be fitted with balls rollers or
other antifriction gear of suitable construction to facilitate the free turning of the said
disc which should be sufficiently weighted in close proximity to one of the clappers so
that the said disc shall revolve in the event of the buoy being borne over to a sharp
angle.
This device prevents any one of the clappers from hanging on to the face of the bell
in rough weather and leaves the other clappers free to continue the ringing of
the bell.
The apparatus for carrying out the second part of my Invention I call the fog-bell
apparatus which I propose should be fitted to any buoy either alone or in conjunction
with the storm-bell apparatus.
In constructing the fog-bell apparatus at or near the line of flotation of the buoy I
form one, two or more cover waterways or channels (preferably four) leading into a
well or recess formed in the centre of deck of the buoy capable of holding sufficient
water to support a floating body of sufficient buoyancy to work the fog-bell apparatus
efficiently such apparatus being designed to accumulate the power generated by the
successive risings of the float through a small distance and utilizing the power thus
stored up for periodically actuating the clapper which forms part of the apparatus.
In order that the invention may be more fully understood I have bereto
annexed drawings illustrative of the manner in which it may be carried into
effect.
Fig. 1 represents a buoy in elevation provided with both "Storm-bell" and "Fog-
bell"
apparatus.
Fig. 2, is a plan of the same taken through section line. a. of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken through line a. 2. of Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4 is a plan of the "Storm-bell" apparatus only.
The same letters of reference refer to the same parts in the various Figures.
A is the body of the buoy which is provided with a central well a into which water
can flow through the water ways a such water ways being covered by sheet-metal
covers a bolted to the surface or deck of the buoy. To the sides or deck of the buoy
are bolted or otherwise secured bars B which extend upwards and meet at B. To
the junction of the bars B is fixed a rod C between collars D on which is loosely
supported a perforated disc or wheel E whilst lower down is fixed the storm bell Ei.
Around the rim of the disc E are hung a series of three clappers or strikers E³
supported preferably by ball and socket joints e such strikers being so arranged as to
hang some distance from the periphery of the bell when the buoy is floating vertically
as shown in the Drawings but being free to impinge upon the same when the buoy
oscillates. The disc E is weighted near its outer edge by means of a weight E³ fixed
thereto in close proximity to one of the clappers such weight causing the disc to
revolve with the incline of the buoy when it is borne over to a sharp angle whereby
the possibility of any one of the clappers resting against the bell and thereby
checking the vibrations thereof is obviated.
In fixing the rod C to the top frame work of the buoy I sometimes find it desirable
in order to render more certain the swinging of the said disc E that in lieu
of merely revolving between collars as shown, such disc should be arranged to
revolve on balls or rollers or other antifriction gear of suitable form.
Moreover I find it convenient that the two free action of the clappers in the
direction of swinging away from the bell should be limited or confined within

page_text: suitable limits by a ring e' fixed either to the diss E as shown or fastened to the
iron framework B. and this ring will also assist in bringing about more strokes upon
the bell. I sometimes fix a ring by arms fitted to the rod just above the storm
bell such ring encircling (but clearing) the bell near its outer edge such ring being
covered with india rubber piping or a rubber pad of a suitable kind will more perfectly
secure that, the clapper shall not for a moment impede the vibration of the bell.
The fog-boll apparatus consists firstly of a bell F suitably supported and for this
bell only one clapper F' is provided, the stem F2 of which is pivotied to the deck of
the buoy at and is provided with an adjustable stop with a cushion to prevent it
from bearing on the bell after its descending stroke, and with bar for preventing the
stem F2 from being cast backwards.
As the fog-bell is destined for action in calm water in which the waves are not
sufficiently energetic to agitate the clappers of the storm-bell the motive power for
raising the clapper F' must be derived from slight undulations of the surface of the
water and as single undulations would be incompetent to produce the desired effect
I have had to devise means whereby tlic power of successive undulations can be accu-
mulated until sufficient energy has been stored up to remove the clapper the necessary
distance from the bell. According to the accompanying Drawings the motive power of
the undulations is communicated to a float G which Hoats in the central well a and
rises and falls upon the spindle C. a sleeve G₁ being fixed to the upper side of
the float to bring the disc up to the required level and to prevent same from
binding on the spindle. At the upper end of the sleeve G is a disc G² on which
rests the end of a lever H which lever is fulcrummed at g to an extension h of the
framework H. This framework supports a shaft on which are mounted a ratchet-
wheel and a two-fall cam on the periphery of which rests a stud J2. which
projects from the stem F2 of the clapper F¹.
In order to increase the movement of the float as imparted to the lever H one arm
may be made slightly longer than the other one as shown in the drawing. The longer
arm carries a pawl which gears with the ratchet wheel J in such manner that at
each oscillation of the lever H caused by the rise of the float the pawl will cause the
ratchet wheel to revolve to the extent of one or more teeth and this motion will be
imparted to the cam J whereby the clapper will be gradually raised until it
reaches the summit of one of the cams after which the clapper will drop upon the
bell commencing to rise again as the cam continues to revolve.
In order to prevent a too violent action of the float G I provide a stop g' consisting
of a buffer of india rubber or other suitable material attached to a cross rail which
extends across the well a and through the centre of which the sleeve G³ passes,
1 likewise provide a bottom stop, notwithstanding these precautions it will occasionally
happen that a sudden or jerky rise of the float will cause the cam to over run the
pawl and if this takes place just as the clapper is about to drop the stud J
attached to the stem of the clapper will come into contact with the rising portion
of the succeeding cam and in consequence will not fall the necessary distance to
produce an efficient stroke of the bell. To obviate this 1 construct the cam with a
dwell or concentric portion after each drop so that the chapper cannot be retarded in
its descent through any irregularity in the action of the apparatus.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shown two bells affixed to the huoy but I
would have it understood that I may confine myself to the use of one bell only, so
situated as to be within the range of both storm and fog-bell clappers, this arrangement
being so obvious as not to require special illustration.
In order to prevent the fog-bell apparatus or any part thereof from being injured
by the action of violent rushes of water entering any of the water ways or channels a¹
I provide each water way or channel with an automatic shutter so that violent waves
shall be prevented from gaining access to the said well. This automatic shutter
(perforated or not) as shown in Figs. 2. and 3. consists of a sheet of metal K mounted
on an axis or shaft k which is free to revolve in bearings fixed to the deck of the
buoy. This shutter is so counter balanced by a weight that it rests in a horizontal
position leaving a space between the upper side of the shutter and the cover of the

page_text: water-way. When the water is only gently agitated the waves can pass through the
water-way beneath the shutter but in case of violent agitations causing the waves to
completely fill the waterway the volume of water filling the space between the top of the
shutter, and the cover of the water-way will completely depress the shutter and cut-off
the flow of water into the well.
The line of flotation of the buoy should be so adjusted by means of water or other
ballast that the water in calin weather will flow in through the waterways to such a
depth and in such manner as to cause a sufficient motion of the water inside the said
well as will give the necessary amount of rising and falling power to the floating
body to actuate the fog-bell apparatus. I sometimes find it useful or desirable to
continue the well to a greater depth than is simply sufficient to fairly support the
float and I may continue the said well or a conduit therefrom downwards to the
underside of the buoy so that water may enter from underneath as well as through
the lateral waterways.
I prefer that the water ways or channels shall be wider at their opening at the
outside of the buoy than at their inner end next to the said well and I also prefer that
the water ways or channels shall be so constructed that there shall be a rather greater
depth of water in them at their outer than at their inner end. So as to prevent the
said water ways or channels from admitting sea-weed or other obstructive substances
into the said well I furnish each of them at their outer (and if desirable inner) opening
with a suitable grill grating frame of bars or lattice work L and I further propose that
the aforesaid under opening of the said well where it communicates with and admits
the access of water from the underside or bottom of the buoy shall be similarly
protected by a grill grating frame of bars or lattice work.
The under opening of the said well has a twofold object namely (a) to admit thereto
any motion of the sea under the surface level thereof and at the level at which the
bottom of the buoy may float and (b) to form an exit for any sand grit or other
accumulations which may be introduced into the said well.
So as to exclude any sea weed or other obstructive materials from entering the said
well or from obtaining access to the fog-boll apparatus I propose that the said well
and such apparatus be securely covered in, in such a manner and with such material as
may be best adapted for the purpose of allowing the sound from the bell to be sufficiently
heard but at the same time to exclude any seaweed or other obstructive materials as last
aforesaid.
In order that one bell buoy may be distinguishable from another and that the utility
of bell buoys may be still further increased and extended I propose that bells upon
hell-buoy constructed according to my invention shall be fitted with bells tuned to
different musical notes or with bells of the same musical pitch but rung at varying
distances of time and I propose in order to secure this result that the fog bell apparatus
should be modified, multiplied or varied accordingly.
I sometimes also extend this distinguishing system to the storm bell apparatus by
duplicating or otherwise extending such apparatus and by using bells of different and
distinct musical pitch.
By reason of my Invention it is possible to dispense with the heavy top hamper
now often affixed to the top framework of a bell buoy by way of identifying it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In a bell buoy the combination of a fog-bell F with apparatus for accumulating
the power generated by the rising and falling of a float G contained within a well a
formed in the body of the buoy substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. A bell buoy constructed with a well for containing a float G water ways a¹
leading to said float and shutters K for automatically closing said water ways
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3.. In a bell buoy such as described the combination of the storm "bell E' striking

page_text: mechanism E. E' with a fog bell F and clapper F' actuated by the accumulated
motions of a float G substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a bell buoy such as described the combination of a bell such as E' striking
mechanism E. E and other striking mechanism such as F1 F2 actuated by the
accumulated motions of a float G substantially as described.
5. The improvements in bell buoys substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 21st day of April 1890.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.