Improved Combination Instrument for Surveying and Architectural Work.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar, 1892-Accepted, 18th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Instrument for Surveying and Architectural
Work..
I, JOHN TRIMMING of Stream Lodge, Hastings in the County of Sussex,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:-
This invention consists of a combined measuring rod, levelling instrument,
sextant, square, plumb rule, level, and compass.
It consists of a hollow rod or tube, by preference three feet long of any section
and of any material.
Inside this rod or tube are a series of measuring rods which slide on each other
and are drawn out as required from the tube, when drawn to their full extent are
kept in place by a spring button and hole similar to that now used in sliding
levelling staves.
On the top end of the tube, from whence the series of rods are extracted. I fix a
short piece of metal tubing in which is inserted a piece of pencil or other material
for marking off any required distances. I also fix on this same end of the tube a
piece of wood or other material at right angles with it and flush with the end, thus
forming a square with a short base. On the top of this base, I imbed longitudinally
a spirit level, and on the other or under side I also place another level if desired,
also longitudinally.
On one face of the tube is attached a sliding strip for the extension thereof which
emerges from the bottom or reverse end of the tube from which the series of rods
are withdrawn. This extension makes an ordinary measuring rod of five feet, or less
if required. The strip is held in position by a pin to which a spring is attached.
On the other face of the tube is also placed a small sliding strip, which is with-
drawn from the top of the rod, and has on its end a small clip in which one of the
series of rods is placed on edge, and resting on the short base of the square, thus
forming a square with a base nearly equal to the perpendicular. The clip is pressed
firmly on to the rod, and the strip held by a small clamping screw.
On one edgo of the tube is embedded an ordinary spirit level, the instrument thus
serving as an ordinary mason's level.
On this same edge, at, or near the top of the tube, I place a sextant which can
either be fixed to the short base, or can be made removable at will as desired.
To the centre of the circumference of this sextant I pivot a movable arm having.
at its outer end an ordinary clamping screw which enables the arm to be fastened
in any position. On the top of this arm is another spirit level. In one end of the
arm, in a circular hole or slot is placed cross-wires, and in the other a small hole for
taking sights, as in a theodolite.
The latter hole can have a glass fitted to it if desired.
I place in the face of the sextant an ordinary compass for ascertaining the
cardinal points.
The instrument when made as described resembles in shape that of a sword in a
scabbard, or with the sextant removed; a walking stick.
The uses to which this instrument can be put are the following
For taking lineal measurements, marking off measurements, taking a series of
measurements out of hand reach, (such as the members of a cornice), forming a
plumb rule, square, setting out and proving vertical or level work, ascertaining and
proving any angle of inclination of drains, roads, roofs battered walls and slopes,
also for taking levels.
Dated this 27th day of August 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Instrument for Surveying and Architectural
Work.
, JOHN TRIMMING of Stroam Lodge, Hastings in the County of Sussex,
Architect, 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 is designed to supply a portable combination instrument of great
utility to architects, surveyors and others.
It consists of an expanding measuring rod with which is combined a levelling
arrangement, a quare, plumb-rule, compass, and level, and also a quadrant and
measuring tape if preferred.
It may be made of various dimensions and of any suitable material. By preference
I make it about three feet in length when closed, the stem being hollow, and con-
taining several expanding laths, rods or tubes, which can be drawn out to four times
the length of the tubular stem or thereabouts.
I propose to make the instrument in two ways. but do not confine myself to these
should a further modification be desirable. The first or simpler form resembles a
walking stick, and is without the quadrant. It has a fixed handle at the upper end,
at right angles to the stem.
The other and more complete form is that shewn in the drawings attached hereto,
and has a top handle bar, or arm, which is hinged or pivoted to the main stem, and
is furnished with a quadrant with which the outer end of the arm engages, in
such a way that the arm can be depressed or elevated to form an acute or obtuse
angle with the stem.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of the chief parts of the instrument some of the
stem being omitted. The aim a, and the quadrant &, are shewn in the rectangular
position, and the guide and sight-plates e, are shewn closed, their position when
crect or open, being indicated by dotted lines. The quadrant may be made
removable if preferred.
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the upper surface of the arm a.
Fig. 3 shows a right-side front elevation of the arm and upper end of the
instrument, with the combined guide plate and sight e, shown erect by dotted
lines.
Fig. 4 shows. the special joint c, used for connecting the projecting laths or
tubes.
This joint contains spring catches f, and y, which automatically hold the laths
firmly together when extended, and allow them to slide back quickly into the hollow
stem when required.
Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that at the upper end of the hollow stem dd, I
attacli a metal socket piece h, which may be extended downwards so as to unite.
with the end of the metal quadrant if preferred. Near or on this socket, 1 fix the
compass i, for ascertaining the cardinal points, and the spirit level j, which forms a
mason's level.
At the top of the socket h, is a small clip k, which holds a pencil or marker, for
marking off distances. In this clip is cut a small transverse groove, which with
the small hinged plate k¹, on the ferrule or end piece 1, forms a sight on the hollow.
stem d.
On the arma, are the two spirit levels and , the former of which is seen
in plan in Fig. 2. On the inner side of the hollow stem .d, is also the spirit
level j³.
-
The arm a, is hinged or pivoted at a', and at its outer end it carries the

page_text: adjustable clamping screw a², so that it can be deflected and fixed at any point on
the quadrant b.
In Fig. 2 the combined guide and sight-plates e, are seen in plan; shewing the
sighting holes e', inside which are cross-wires, or lenses if preferred, and also the
guide-holes e, which are fitted to receive one of the expanding laths contained in
the hollow stem d. When the lath is thus placed in the guide holes e, it forms a
convenient means of taking the measurements of slopes and gradients, and for like
purposes. d, is the opening of the tubular interior of the stem d, in which the
measuring laths are contained when at-rest.
In Fig. 3 is shewn the catch-plate m, which engages with the spring stud m², at
the inner end of the expanding lathe, and thus holds them firm when extended.
Fig. 3 also shows a side view of the compass i, and a front view of the clamping
screw a', and of other parts already described in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shews the joints and terminals of the three extending laths, portions of the
wood being left out. This figure also contains a plan view of the end of a lath
detached from the socket part of the joint. My special automatic joint c, is easily
understood from this figure.
It consists of the socket with notches f, g, and the end with the spring
catches f, g, which engage with their respective notches. When the laths are
extended from the tubular stem, the catches f, and g, come into play and hold.
them in their correct position for measuring. When it is desired to replace the
laths in the hollow stem, my automatic joint permits this to be done instantaneously,
as soon as the spring stud m³, is depressed.
As the laths are pushed back into the tube, the projecting end of the spring
catch g, is depressed by contact with the groove d', in the aperture , shewn in
Fig. 2, and each succeeding lath is thus rapidly replaced in the socket.
The instrument thus formed as described and shewn in the drawings resembles in
shape a sword in a scabbard. When the quadrant is removed or omitted, and the
arm a, fixed it resembles a walking stick.
The uses to which this combined instrument can be put are the following, and
these may be still further increased if desired, by attaching a tape measure or other
adjuncts.
It can be employed for taking lineal measurements, marking off measurements,
forming a plumb-rule, square and bevel, setting out and proving vertical or level
work, ascertaining and proving any angle of inclination of drains, roads, roofs,
battered walls and slopes, and also for taking levels.
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. An improved portable combination instrument for surveying and architectural.
work, consisting of the hollow tubular stem d, with the socket h, the expanding or
telescopic laths or tubes, the special automatic joint c, the fixed or hinged arm a,
the pencil holder k, the spirit levels j, j', j, the combined folding guide plates and
sights e, the folding sight and end piece, the compass i, and with or without a
quadrant or measuring tape as herein described and set forth.
2. The special spring joint e, for expanding laths or tubes or like 'purposes, as
herein described and set forth.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.