Improvements in Apparatus for Marine Signalling.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application. 13th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 12th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Marine Signalling.
JOHN FLETCHER WILES Insurance Broker Lloyds Royal Exchange London E.C..
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The object of this invention is to reduce the risk of collision at sea automatically
& for that purpose I cause a large indicator or lamp to be carried on the forestay
or other convenient position on the forepart of the vessel.
The indicator or lamp is formed of two circular discs of metal or other material,
of slightly unequal sizes, the smaller being placed a slight distance in front of the
larger one.
Both discs are painted black outside & are either painted white or fitted with
reflectors inside & à lamp or electric light is enclosed between them.
A cross is cut in the larger disc at the back & the cross and intervening spaces
are glazed with opal or any suitable glass.
When an approaching vessel is exactly end on, a ring of light is seen, but when
the vessel moves to port or starboard, the ring quickly disappears & a crescent or
half moon is seen either to the right or left, & the horns of the crescent always
point in the direction in which the ship is going, & the size of the body of the
crescent gives a good idea of the angle also.
When the ship gets abeam in passing a difference in the shape of the indicator
or lamp will be seen & as she passes still further on, the cross at the back will
gradually appear until the ship is ahead, when the cross only is shewn.
The cross then acts as a distinctive stern light.
In carrying this invention into effect I wish it to be understood that the indicator
is a lamp which shews the course & position of an approaching vessel automatically
by the movement of the vessel only, & does not depend upon any mechanism, & is.
not connected with the helm in any way, & although I describe the ring crescent.
& cross, I do not confine myself to any particular figure or color.
Dated this 12th day of May 1891.
JOHN FLETCHER WILES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Marine Signalling.
I JOHN FLETCHER WILES Insurance Broker Lloyds Royal Exchange E.C. 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 :-
The object of this invention is to reduce the risk of collision at sea, by means of
an indicator which acts automatically.
The indicator which is called the Crescent Course Indicator is carried on the
forestay or other convenient position on the forepart of the vessel in a line with
the keel of the vessel.
The indicator is formed of two circular discs of metal or other material of
slightly unequal sizes, the smaller disc being placed a short distance in front of the
larger one.
Both discs are painted black outside and are painted white or fitted with
reflectors inside and lamps or electric lights are placed inside the space between the
two discs.
The front disc is curved in such a mauner as to form a curved horizontal line,.
f Pain Q17

page_text: which has the effect of increasing the length of the horns of the crescent & making
it more distinct when seen from a distance.
A cross is cut in the larger disc at the back and the cross and intervening spaces
between the discs are glazed with opal or any suitable glass.
When an approaching vessel is directly ahead or end on a ring of light is seen as
shewn in Fig. 3 but when the vessel moves to port or starboard the ring quickly
disappears and a crescent.see Fig. 2 & 4 is seen either to the left or right and the
horns of the crescent always point in the direction the ship is going and the size of
the body of the crescent gives an angle greater or less according to the course of
the approaching vessel.
When the ship gets abeam in passing a difference in the shape of the indicator
will be seen as shewn in Fig. 5 & as she passes still further on the cross will
gradually come into view as shewn in Fig. 6 until the ship is ahead when the cross
only appears as shewn in Fig. 7.
In carrying this invention into effect I have described various figures as shewn
by the drawings but I do not confine myself to any particular form or color but
what I particularly wish to be understood is the. construction of an indicator which
automatically shews the course of the ship.
In order that my said invention may be more fully understood & readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a section of the indicator shewing lamp inside & the curved front disc.
Fig. 2 shews when the approaching vessel is on the port tack.
Fig. 3 shews when the approaching vessel is directly ahead or end on.
Fig. 4 shews when the approaching vessel is on the starboard tack.
Fig. 5 shews when the approaching vessel is abeam.
Fig. 6 shews when the vessel has passed still further on.
Fig. 7'sliews wlien the vessel is ahead.
Haying; now. particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in, what, manner the same is to be performed I declare that what b
claim is
1. The construction of an indicator as substantially shewn & described by the
drawings.
2. Apparatus for signalling which automatically shows a vessel's course.
Dated this 12th day of February 1892.