IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sidney Johnson, of 67, Strand, in the City of West--
minster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING
DISTANCES."
Sealed the 29th December 1877; and dated the 4th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sidney Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1877.
"
SIDNEY JOHNSON, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster.. IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCES."
The Invention consists in the combination with any suitable indicator apparatus
of a rolling or traversing wheel, the circumference of which has some definite
relation to the distance marked as traversed by the indicator face, the said wheel
being supported or guided in and by a bearing or holder in which it revolves, and the
said bearing or holder being provided with a socket or convenient fitting for the
application of a removeable arm or handle, and sometimes with a scraper for the
tread of the wheel. The scraper is independent of the movement of the wheel, and
is intended for the removal of any dirt or foreign substance which might have
attached itself to the periphery of the wheel, and which were it not removed would
cause error in the distance covered by the wheel. The socket or fitting is for the
application of any suitable handle, such as a walking stick, umbrella, or a stick
specially prepared. An ordinary set screw to clamp the said stick will be found
convenient.
.
At or near the outer extremity of the wheel suitable divisions are marked, such
as inches, halves, and quarters, so that exact measurements of short lengths of the
distance traversed by the wheel can be ascertained therefrom in conjunction with
the larger measurements found by the indicator.
It is also intended sometimes to use a bell, which may be conveniently be mounted
on the bearing or holder, or on the removeable arm or holder, such bell sounding at
each revolution of the wheel if desired, or at one or more revolutions.

page_text: The Invention is considered to be of great utility for taking measurements of rooms,
running paths for athletic purposes, plane surveying, and similar purposes where
accurate measurement of distance is required.
The apparatus when not required for use can for convenience of carriage be
detached from the stick.
My already patented distance indicating apparatus (Patent No. 518, A.D. 1876)
will be found convenient in and for the combination intended by the present
Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sidney Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th January
1878.
SIDNEY JOHNSON, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster.
IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
%. The Invention consists in the combination with any suitable indicator apparatus
of a rolling or traversing wheel, the circumference of which has some definite
relation to the distance marked as traversed by the indicator face; the said wheel
being supported or guided in and by a bearing or bolder in which it revolves, and
the said bearing or holder being provided with a socket or convenient fitting for the
application of a removeable arm or handle, and sometimes with a scraper for the
tread of the wheel. The scraper is independent of the movement of the wheel, and
is intended for the removal of any dirt or foreign substance which might have
attached itself to the periphery of the wheel, and which were it not removed would
cause error in the distance covered by the wheel. The socket or fitting is for the
application of any suitable handle, such as a walking stick, umbrella, or a stick
specially prepared. An ordinary set screw to clamp the said stick will be found
convenient.
At or near the outer extremity of the wheel suitable divisions are marked, such as
inches, halves, and quarters, so that exact measurements of short lengths of the
distance traversed by the wheel can be ascertained therefrom in conjunction with
the larger measurements found by the indicator.
It is also intended sometimes to use a bell, which may be conveniently mounted on.
the bearing or holder, or on the removeable arm or holder, such bell sounding at
each revolution of the wheel if desired, or at one or more revolutions:
The Invention is considered to be of great utility for taking measurements of rooms,
running paths for athletic purposes, plane surveying, and similar purposes where
accurate measurement of distance is required.
The apparatus when not required for use can for convenience of carriage be
detached from the stick.
My already patented distance indicating apparatus (Patent No. 518, A.D.
1876) will be found convenient for the combination intended by the present
Invention.
The accompanying Drawing will. serve to illustrate a convenient mode of per-
forming the Invention, in which,-
Figures 1 and 2 are front elevations of wheel, Fig. 1 showing the application
of a bell or gong, and Fig. 2 of any convenient pedometer with recording dials.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing an arrangement of cranked axle or axles and
small wheel or wheels; this arrangement is intended to be used when it is necessary
to preserve the vertical position and movement of the measuring wheel.
Fig. 4 is a cross section of Fig. 1.
In all the Figs. the same letters denote like parts.
A is the wheel, marked as shown; B, gong or pedometer recess; C, quadrant
support with D thimble or socket for stick or handle, and F scraper attached thereto;
E, bell; G, glass or metal dial; H, hammer; I, spring; J, catch on quadrant.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sidney Johnson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord 1878.
SIDNEY JOHNSON