IM- PROVEMENTS IN MEASURING BANDS OR BAND CHAINS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Chesterman, of Bow Works, Sheffield, in the
County of York, Measuring Tape Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MEASURING BANDS OR BAND CHAINS."
Sealed the 2nd May 1876, and dated the 17th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Chesterman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February 1876.
WILLIAM CHESTERMAN, of Bow Works, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Measuring Tape Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEASURING BANDS OR BAND
CHAINS."
This Invention relates to improvements in measuring bands or band chains, and
consists of a steel band with the various divisions and subdivisions marked by
metal pins, studs, or plates rivetted to the band. Thus for a band of 4 poles in
length I rivet to the band small brass or other metal plates at a distance of ten
links from each other, the said plates to be numbered 10, 20, 30, and so on according
to their position on the band. Or instead of the plates being numbered their
position may be recognized by their shape, thus the figure 10 might be represented
by a plate having only one corner; 20, a plate having two corners; 30, a plate
having three corners, and so on, for example, as per accompanying sketches.
Between the said plates at regular distances I rivet small metal pins or studs at a
distance of one link from each other. These pins or studs may be all alike, or they
may be made of different coloured metals or of different sizes, or they may consist
of one, two, or more pins or studs together to denote their respective positions on
the band.
In some cases I dispense entirely with the pins and studs, and use only numbered
metal plates at a greater or less distance from each other, according to the
necessities of the case. When used as a chain I attach a ring or handle at each end.
When desirable one end can be attached to a handle and the whole wound into a
case as is usual with the ordinary measuring tape.
I have described above the method of marking a band of 4 poles in length, but
the same method will apply for the dividing into feet, yards, fathoms, and French
metres

page_text: :
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Chesterman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd May
1876.
WILLIAM CHESTERMAN, of Bow Works, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Measuring Tape Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEASURING BANDS OR BAND
CHAINS."
This Invention relates to improvements in measuring bands or band chains, and
consists of a steel band with the various divisions and subdivisions marked by
metal pins, studs, or, plates rivetted to the band. Thus for a band of 4 poles in
length I rivet to the band small brass or other metal plates at a distance of ten
links from each other, the said plates to be numbered 10, 20, 30, and so on,
according to their position on the band. Or instead of the plates being numbered
their position may be recognized by their shape, thus the figure 10 might be
represented by a plate having only one corner; 20, a plate having two corners;
30, a plate having 3 corners, and so on, for example as per accompanying sketches.
Between the said plates at regular distances I rivet small metal pins or studs at a
distance of one link from each other. These pins or studs may be all alike, or they
may be made of different coloured metals or of different sizes, or they may consist
of one, two, or more pins or studs together to denote their respective positions on
the band.
In some cases I dispense entirely with the pins and studs, and use only numbered
metal plates at a greater or less distance from each other, according to the
necessities of the case. When used as a chain I attach a ring or handle at each
end. When desirable one end can be attached to a handle and the whole wound
into a case as is usual with the ordinary measuring tape.
I have described above the method of marking a band of four poles in length,
but the same method will apply for the dividing into feet, yards, fathoms, French
metres, and other standards of measurement.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention I declare that I
claim, the manufacture (construction) of measuring tapes, bands, or band chains
with the divisions and subdivisions marked or indicated by pins, studs, or plates,
singly or combined, in manner as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Chesterman, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six.
WILLIAM CHESTERMAN. (L.S.)