Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 6th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 17th Feb., 1888
FREDERICK WILLIAM BECK Queens Road, East Grinstead, Sussex, Flower Grower,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is the outcome of a discovery of the extreme sensitiveness to damp of the durable
vegetable fibrous growth, which grows on or above the seeds of a plant called
Erodium gruinum," known as a kind of Stork-bill or Crane-bill, and consists of an
arrangement by which this vegetable growth is made to show with much nicety the
presence of damp in any place.
The growth is spiral in form with the upper end prolonged outwards, and forming
a good indicator. The lower end of this growth is fixed in a case in the centre of a
graduated spiral and explanatory dial.
According to the amount of damp or moisture to which it is exposed, the free end
or indicator uncoils and points to the proportionate degree on the dial. When
influenced by drier air it coils up again.
This process of coiling and uncoiling, takes place very regularly and uniformly.
The apparatus will be made in different sizes to be applied in manufactories, ware-
houses, dwellings, and for general purposes.

page_text: •
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM BECK, 191, London Road (late of Queens Road) East
Grinstead, Sussex Flower-grower, 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 invention is the outcome of a discovery of the peculiar properties possessed by
the fibre which grows upon the seeds of a plant called Erodium Gruinum (a kind of
"Cranebill" or Storkbill "), which fibre grows in a spiral coil and when exposed to
a damp atmosphere uncoils and straightens itself, recoiling again on coming in contact
with a dry atmosphere. The apparatus consists of an arrangement by which this
vegetable growth is made to show, with much nicety, the presence of dampness in
any place. The lower end of this fibre is fixed in the centre of a case, containing a
dial plate on which is drawn a flat spiral of three turns and divided into sections or
degrees, marked 0 to 29 inclusive.
The free point of this fibre follows this spiral line expanding or contracting
according to the extent of adjacent dampness or dryness.
This coiling and uncoiling takes place very regularly, uniformly and quickly when
the detector is placed in atmospheres of different humidity and wherever the point of
the fibre rests the figures indicated show as many degrees of dampness between the
beginning of the inner line, marked 0, signifying complete dryness and the end of
the outer line, marked 29, signifying absolute moisture in the air.
The indicators and dials are fitted to cases of various sizes, so making them
applicable for manufactories, warehouses or dwellings and for general purposes.
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:
I. That the above described Damp Detector and Hygrometer will, by means of the
fibre indicator and marked dial plate accurately and quickly show the presence of
dampness or dryness in any place whatsoever, where it may be placed.
II. In order to utilise the discovery of the expansive and contracting qualities of
the above named fibre I claim the invention of the above fully described dial plate in
connection with a Damp Detector and Hygrometer.
Dated this Fourth day of January 1888.