Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for use in Indicating and Transmitting Sounds, applicable also for Taking Bearings.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1899
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for use in Indicating and
Transmitting Sounds, applicable also for Taking Bearings.
A communication from CAPTAIN COLIN SALMOND, Master Mariner, of San Francisco,
California, U.S.A.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, Chartered Patent Agent, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the
County of London, 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 relates to improvements in sound indicators, and transmitters,
the apparatus being also applicable for taking bearings, and consists in the novel
construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the indicator; the receiver being removed.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a segment of the standard taken on a central line
through the graduated disc.
Figure 4, is a detail view in section, showing the construction of the handle for
releasing, locking and rotating the lever.
The instrument herein shown and described, is particularly designed for use upon
vessels during foggy weather, or at night. It consists in a trumpet-like receiver, A,
so constructed as to gather the sound waves, and concentrate them at the small end,
after the manner of the megaphone, or speaking trumpet. This receiver is mounted
in a hinged joint upon a vertical shaft, B, the lower end of which is adapted to fit
within the top of a hollow tube, or standard C. The standard C is here shown as
provided with a foot, or base, C¹, which may be securely fastened upon the deck
or bridge of a vessel.
The standard C, is provided with a graduated disc, C2 upon the surface of which
are marked various divisions, preferably in conformity with compass markings.
The principal marks, or the zero marks, are placed parallel with the keel of the
ship when the standard, C, is secured in position. The shaft B, is provided with
a cone shaped collar, B', to prevent its further insertion into the standard, C, and to
form an easy bearing for the shaft B.
Mounted rigidly upon the shaft B, in line with the hinge for the receiver, or in
line with the receiver itself, is a pointer, B². This pointer is so placed that when
the shaft B, is mounted on the standard C, the pointer rests just above the disc C².
The rear extension of the pointer is provided with a handle, B3 with which it is
designed to rotate the shaft, B, and the receiver A.
When there is more or less draught, or movement of air produced by the motion
of the vessel, it is desired to lock the instrument in its position when the direction
of the sound is ascertained, or at other times to prevent its moving with the air.
For this purpose, the handle, B³ is mounted in bearings in the rear end of the

page_text: pointer, B2, and a spiral spring B, is provided adapted to draw the handle B³
toward the centre of the disc, C2. A rod 15 which is passed through the bearings,
is provided in the end with a tooth, B6, the office of which is to engage the
serrations, or teeth, cut in the edge of the disc. This serves as a lock for the device
in all of its positions.
*.***
The receiver, A, is designed to perform the double function of receiver and
trumpet, or in other words, to hear with or speak through. For the latter purpose
the instrument is provided with the mouth piece, A', of the ordinary trumpet
shape. When used as a receiver, my correspondent connects to this end a short
length of flexible tubing, A2, by means of the hollow plug A³, formed on the end
thereof. Upon the other end of the flexible tube is provided an ear cap, A¹.
It is found that the double use, to which this instrument can be put, of great
advantage, particularly in ships of considerable size. For in many instances,
particularly in high wind, the report, from the look-out at the bow, cannot
ordinarily be heard with the naked ear; nor can the repetition of the order be
heard by him, in response. Both, however, can be easily accomplished by means
of this invention, as the officer to whom the report is made can, by listening through
the receiver, distinctly hear the report, and by removing the flexible tube, A2, and
speaking through the receiver A, transmit his response or order, distinctly to the
look-out in the bow,
In its operation, as a sound indicator, or finder, the instrument is generally used
as follows;
Passing through a fog, the sound of a steam whistle is heard, and it is very
important to ascertain, if possible, the exact location from which the sound
emanates. If it is a shore signal, the navigator by obtaining its exact direction
may ascertain, by what is known to the mariner as the "four point measurement,"
his exact distance off the shore; and also his exact location on the chart. If it is
the whistle of an approaching steamer, he may ascertain on which bow she is
approaching and make his answering signals, accordingly.
Having this instrument mounted in position, the officer on watch, places the ear
cap over his ear and grasps the handle, 133, ready to sweep the receiver around in
the general direction of the sound the instant he hears it the second time.
To move the instrument he draws the handle outward, and, when the sound
starts, he may sweep the receiver about until he ascertains the point at which he gets
the sound clearest and in largest volume. He may then release the handle, so as
to allow the tooth, B6, to strike in the teeth of the disc, C2, to hold the instrument
steadily in position. He is now at leisure without fear of the instrument shifting,
to mark the point of deviation of the sound with reference to his course.
This may
be repeated several times to ascertain the correctness of his observation.
It is found, by the use of this instrument, that the sound comes full and clear
only when the instrument is turned directly toward the object from whence the
sound emanates. The slightest variation is distinctly perceptible.
use;
By means of the construction herein shown the receiver and its standard may be
readily unshipped, and stowed away, during the times when it is not required for
and as readily and easily replaced in position when so desired. By the use
of an instrument of the construction herein shown the sound is not only located,
but intensified, and its use in navigation would secure to the navigator the
additional advantage of being able to perceive sounds at greater distances and before
they would become perceptible to the natural hearing.
A reed may be fitted to the earpiece, converting the indicator into a strong sound-
ing fog horn. On hearing the fog signal the lookout can pull out the reed, get a
bearing by means of the earpiece, replace the reed, and then-blow directly at the
approaching vessel and so deliver the sound to the best advantage.
For taking bearings by means of the construction, the receiver can be readily
unshipped when not required as an indicator, and in its place a sight tube is put
converting the instrument into a very handy dumb card for taking cross bear-
ings, etc.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
-
1. A sound indicator consisting in the combination of a flared trumpet-like
receiver mounted upon a rotary support with a registering device to show the
position of the receiver with reference to the vessel, substantially as described.
2. A sound indicator consisting in the combination of a flared trumpet-like
receiver mounted on a rotary standard and provided with a registering device to
show the direction the receiver is pointed with reference to the vessel with an ear
piece for transmitting sound waves and a flexible connection between the said ear-
piece and the small end of the receiver to transmit the sound waves from the
receiver to the ear piece substantially as described.
3. A sound indicator consisting in the combination of a rotatable flared trumpet-
like receiver provided with a registering device to show the direction the receiver
is pointed with reference to the vesssel with an ear piece for transmitting sound
waves and connected to the small end of the receiver by a flexible connection and
means for locking the registering device substantially as described.
4. In combination with a sound indicator of the kind described a detachable
reed, substantially as described.
5. A registering device of the kind described in combination with a rotatable
sight-tube substantially as described.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sound
indicator and transmitter substantially as described or illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
·
1
1000
1000
Dated CHIS CH day of December 1858.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.