Improvements in Levelling Staves.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Levelling Staves.
I, JOHN EDMUND BACH, of Morialta, Barry, in the County of Glamorgan, Sur-
veyor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a levelling staff by means of which
the correct altitude of any place relatively to that of another place the altitude of
which is known or assumed, may be directly ascertained by an observation of the
graduations and figures on the staff with the aid of any instrument suitable to the
purpose of levelling but without the calculations usually employed to obtain such
a result that is to say without distinction between back, intermediate and fore-
sights, without reference to the rise or fall between two readings and without the
use of any especially ruled or printed book or paper. In a staff of rectangular
section constructed of wood, papier-mache, brass, aluminium or other suitable
materials, and, except where otherwise specified, of the same pattern and dimen-
sions (approximately) as the bottom sections of those in use at present, the gradu-
ated and figured side is omitted and replaced by a blank side (hereinafter called
the front"), which is placed slightly nearer to its opposite side (hereinafter
called "the back") and is only intended to strengthen the staff, to allow of the con-
venient fixing of certain parts of the improvements and to protect the “tape'
(hereinafter described) against injury by its being pressed inwards.
*
"
The improvements essential to the attainment of the object of this invention
are those described as follows:-
A continuous band (hereinafter called "the tape"), wholly detached from the
frame of the staff and made of steel, aluminium, brass, celluloid, paper, any suit-
able textile fabric, or other suitable material, prepared if necessary in any suit-
able manner to resist deterioration, and having painted, printed or otherwise
marked upon the whole length of its outer face graduations and figures (herein-
after called the scale") in any pattern adapted to the purpose of measurements,
whether by the metric, decimal or other system, is tightly distended between
two pulleys, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the staff. The "front"
is cut away at the top and bottom to allow the "tape" to pass over the top pulley,
down between the "front" and back." under the bottom pulley and up the out-
side of the "front," where the "scale" is exposed to observation, except at those
positions where it is curved in passing round the pulleys, in which positions it
is concealed behind panels fixed to the top or bottom and sides of the frame.
The "tape" is capable of being revolved throughout the whole of its length, by
means of teeth projecting from the outer circumference of the bottom pulley and
fitting into corresponding punctures in the "tape" or in a chain attached thereto.
In such a position between its two ends as not to interfere with the teeth, the
bottom pulley is reduced in diameter to form a small sprockett-wheel, to which
motion is conveyed by a chain fitting round another sprockett-wheel higher up
the staff, which is connected by an axle to a crank outside the frame.

page_text: With the upper sprockett-wheel are combined suitable arrangements (such for
instance as a screw, spring, clutch, split-pin, or the like) for arresting the motion
ور
of the " tape and fixing it in any desired position.
By means of the apparatus hitherto described the "tape
fixed by the person holding the staff.
"
"
may be revolved and
The length of the "tape must be an exact multiple of the number ten in what-
ever method of measurement the scale may be graduated.
Wherever the figure ten occurs it must be followed at the proper distances by
the figures one to nine and so on consecutively round the whole tape."
"
The scale" must be reversed, so that the lower the line of sight from the
observer's eye meets the staff, the higher may be the reading indicated on the
"
scale."
The improvements described below, though not essential, are nevertheless of
advantage to the utility of the invention.
The axle of the upper sprockett-wheel, where it passes through the frame of the
staff, fits closely into and revolves within a cylinder, one end of which projects
slightly outside, the staff and is notched at short intervals.
The crank is made to fold down flat against the side of the staff, and its under-
side has projections which fit into the notches in the cylinder when the crank
is folded down, so that neither the axle nor the cylinder can be revolved separately.
The other end of the cylinder projects slightly into the interior of the staff, where
its circumference forms a wheel, which receives motion either by means of fine
teeth or by means of friction from a smaller wheel inside the staff fixed on an
axle passing through the frame, and shaped outside the staff to form a milled head
or other suitable means of receiving motion from the person holding the staff.
This axle and milled head are in one piece, and are split to form a spring fitting
tightly into the hole in the frame through which it passes, so that unless the milled
head is squeezed with some force the axle cannot be revolved, and the whole
tape" and all its fittings remain immovable. The object of this contrivance is
to form a means of moving the "tape" (when desired) through small distances at
a time, combined with an automatic clamp to prevent the "tape' from being
accidentally revolved or left unfixed. Either the whole or any part of this apparatus
may be varied, or some previously known form of tangent-screw, clamp and crank
may be used.
"
رو
Small guide-rollers are attached to the "front" or sides of the staff, and the
pullies have flanges, conical or curved inside, for the purpose of keeping the "tape
in its place. If preferred grooves in the sides (or other suitable means) may be
used instead of the guide-rollers.
The figure nine wherever used is formed thus-IX; instead of in the usual
manner thus 9; to avoid confusion with the figure six (6) when the staff is
reversed.
The improved staff is made in two or more sections, all approximately of the
same dimensions, attached together by hinges on the "backs," and the joints are
strengthened by metal plates sliding in grooves without the sides of the frame,
and fitting into sockets firmly secured to the "backs" and sides, and kept in place
(whether in or out of use) by spring catches, screws, friction or other means. One
pulley only that at the top is required for each section except the bottom one,
which has two, as before described. Only one apparatus for moving, retarding
and stopping the "tape" is required, however many sections are used.
The tape " is correspondingly divided into two or more sections and the ends
of each section can be connected by fastenings (hereinafter called the clips")
either to one another to form one "tape," or to themselves to form (1) the bottom
section alone, or (2) the bottom and second together. The joints and "
so arranged and the pulleys so placed, that each section shall be of the correct
clips
length in exact multiple of the number ten, when joined and fitting tightly on
the pullies either separately or together, and that the "scale" is not interrupted
in either of these alternatives.
"
86
"3
are

page_text: "
Wherever a joint occurs the "front must be sufficiently cut away at the bottom
of the section next above the joint to allow of access to the "clips."
The panels (already referred to) used to conceal the curved portions of the
tape" are made to slide tightly in grooves in the sides and bottom of the frame
and are capable of being lifted out and reversed. One side of each panel is a
blank surface for use as already described, the other is so marked as to form that
part of the scale which would be required at the bottom or top of the section (as
the case may be) if the staff were similar to those in present use. Two such panels
are required for the bottom section, and one only for each of the others, corres-
ponding to the number of pulleys. Those at the joints are capable of being with-
drawn altogether, since they are not required when the adjoining sections are con-
nected. They are all interchangeable and fit sufficiently tightly into their grooves
not to be easily jerked out. By arranging these panels with the required parts
of the scale outwards, then adjusting and clamping the "tape," so that its "scale"
is continuous with those parts, the improved staff (either in one length, or two,
or more) can be reversed and used in the same manner as those at present in use.
Flaps of metal (or other suitable material) are provided at the joints to cover
the tops and bottoms of the several sections of the staff, when not connected
together. These flaps can be folded down flat against the sides of the staff by
means of hinges and kept in position (whether in or out of use) by spring catches,
or other means.
When the staff is required for use in collieries or other confined places, the
upper sections may be entirely detached from the bottom one, by withdrawing
the pins of the hinges, which are split for the purpose. By means of these split
pins those sections above the second may be detached, and when the second one is
folded down on the first by its hinges, the whole may be strapped together, or
placed in a case for carriage.
The method of using this improved staff is as follows:-
An assistant holds the staff on a place, the altitude of which is known or assumed
The surveyor directs his levelling instrument upon it and signals to the assistant
to raise or lower the "tape," until the known or assumed altitude is read on the
scale," when he signals to the assistant to clamp the "tape." As many altitudes
of other places may now be taken as the height of the staff range of the instru-
ment, or configuration of the ground will allow.
When it becomes necessary to change the position of the instrument, two obser-
vations are taken whilst the staff remains at the same place, one before moving
the instrument and the other after re-erecting and adjusting it. On the second
observation the assistant is signalled to adjust the staff to the same reading as
before and to clamp the "tape" again, when another series of altitudes may be
taken.
These readings may be entered on any. book or paper (not necessarily printed
for the purpose) as the actual "reduced levels" required, or may be "plotted
directly on a drawing, or pegs may be driven, or work set out or corrected in
accordance with such readings without further calculations.
•
Doted this 24th Joy of Contanitia 1807
JOHN EDMUND BACH.

page_text: to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement;
-
The object of this invention is to provide a levelling staff by means of which the
correct altitude of any place, relatively to that of another place, the altitude of
which is known or assumed, may be directly ascertained, by an observation of the
graduations and figures on the staff with the aid of any instrument suitable to the
purpose of levelling, but without the calculations usually employed, to obtain
such a result. That is to say, without distinction between back, intermediate
and foresights, without reference to the rise or fall between two readings, and
without the use of any specially ruled or printed book or paper.
In carrying out my invention I employ a staff of rectangular section con-
structed of wood, papier mache, brass, aluminium, or other suitable material, and,
except where otherwise specified, of the same pattern and dimensions, approxi-
mately, as the bottom sections of those in use at present; the graduated and
figured side being omitted and replaced by a blank side (hereinafter called "the
front") which is placed slightly nearer to its opposite side, (hereinafter called
the back").
The staff may be in two or more lengths of five feet each to form a ten, fifteen
or twenty feet staff. The figuring and graduations are similar to those of an
ordinary staff, but the whole staff is reversed when intended to be used in the
manner herein proposed. Supposing however for the purpose of this description
that it is desired to use the staff in the ordinary manner, that is to say not reversed
the bottom of the staff is called the " zero end" the top of the lower length "the
lower five feet end" the bottom of the upper length "the upper five feet end" and
the top of the staff "the ten feet end."
The invention will be easily understood upon reference to the accompanying
drawings in which all elevations are and portions of the various lengths.
Figure 1, is an elevation of the " zero end" of the staff when used in the
ordinary manner.
Figure 2, is an elevation of "the ten feet end" reversed.
Figure 3, is a sectional plan of the "zero end" of staff.
Figure 4, is an elevation of "the ten feet end" reversed with the panel for the
five feet end inserted.
Figures 5 and 6, are longitudinal and cross sections respectively of the “ zero
end of staff.
"
Figures 7, 8 and 9, are longitudinal and cross sections, and sectional plan,
respectively of the upper and lower five feet ends combined to form part of a
ten feet staff.
Figures 10, 11, and 12, shew details of the joint of the tape and clip.
Figure 13, is a front elevation of Figure 7.
Figures 14 and 15, represent longitudinal section and elevation of the metal
slides and sockets on the sides of the staff at the joint between the upper and lower
five feet ends.
Figure 16, is a sectional plan, Figure 17 an elevation, Figure 18 a longitudinal
section and Figure 19 a cross section of the staff near the upper five feet end shew-
ing the device for moving the lower roller.
Figures 20 and 21, are longitudinal and cross sections respectively of the lower
roller at the ten feet end showing the sprockets for imparting its motion to the
tape.
<
According to my invention I suitably arrange a continuous band (A) (hereinafter
called the tape") within the frame (B) of the staff, but wholly detached from
the said frame. The said tape is made of steel, aluminium, brass, celluloid,
paper, any suitable textile fabric, or other suitable material prepared if necessary,
in any suitable manner to resist deterioration, and having painted, printed, or
otherwise marked
upon
the whole length of its outer face, graduations and figures
(hereinafter called the scale") in any pattern adapted to the purpose of mea-

page_text: "
surements, whether by the metric, decimal, or other system. The said tape is
tightly distended between two pulleys such as (C), one at the top and the other at
the bottom of the staff. "The front" (D) of the staff is cut away at the top and
bottom, to allow "the tape to pass over the top pulley down between "the
front" (D) and "the back" (DI) under the bottom pulley and up the outside of
the "front" where the scale" is exposed to observation, except in those posi-
tions where it is curved in passing round the pulleys, in which positions it is con-
cealed behind panels (E) fixed to the top or bottom and sides of the frame.
The tape is capable of being moved throughout the whole of its length, by
means of teeth, (F) Figures 20 and 21, projecting from the outer circumference of the
bottom pulley and fitting into corresponding punctures (1") in the "tape," or in
a chain attached thereto. In such a position between its two ends as not to inter-
fere with the teeth, the bottom pulley is reduced in diameter to form a small
sprocket wheel (G) Figures 20 and 21, to which motion is conveyed by a chain (H)
fitting round another sprocket wheel (1) higher up the staff which is connected to
a crank (J) outside the frame.
With the upper sprocket wheel are combined suitable arrangements (such for
instance as a screw, spring, clutch, split pin, or the like) for arresting the motion
of the tape" and fixing it in any desired position. By means of the apparatus
described the "
tape" may be revolved and fixed by the person holding the staff.
The length of the "tape must be an exact multiple of the number ten, in
whatever system of measurement the "scale may be graduated. Wherever the
figure ten occurs it must be followed at proper distance by the figures one to nine
and so on continuously round the whole "tape."
"
وو
The scale must be reversed so that the lower the line at which the sight from the
observer's eye meets the staff the higher may be the reading indicated on the scale.
The improvements described below, though not essential are nevertheless of
advantage to the utility of the invention.
The axle of the upper sprocket wheel (I) where it passes through the frame of
the staff fits closely into and revolves within a cylinder (K) one end of which
projects slightly outside the staff, and is notched at short intervals as shewn in
Figure 17. The crank (J) is made to fold down flat against the side of the staff
and its underside has projections (L) and (L') which fit into the notches in the
cylinder when the crank is folded down, so that neither the axle nor the cylinder
can be revolved separately. The other end of the cylinder projects slightly into
the interior of the staff where its circumference forms a wheel (M) which receives
motion, either by means of fine teeth, or friction from a smaller wheel (N) inside
the staff fixed on an axle (0) passing through the frame, and shaped outside the
staff to form a milled head (P), or other suitable means for receiving motion from
the person holding the staff. This axle and milled head are in one piece and are
split to form a spring, fitting tightly into the hole in the frame through which it
passes, so that unless the milled head is squeezed with some strength, the axle
cannot be revolved and the whole tape" and all its fittings remain immovable.
The object of this contrivance is to form a means of moving the "tape" when
desired, through small distances at a time, combined with an automatic clamp to
prevent the "tape" from being accidentally revolved or left unfixed. Either the
whole or any part of this apparatus may be varied, or some previously known form.
of tangent screw clamp and crank may be used.
<<
Small guide rollers (Q) are attached to the "front" or sides of the staff and the
pulleys have flanges conical or curved inside for the purpose of keeping the
tape" in its place. If preferred, grooves in the sides, or other suitable' means
may be used instead of the guide rollers.
The figure nine on the scale wherever used is formed thus IX instead of in the
usual manner thus 9, to avoid confusion with the figure 6 when the staff is reversed.
The improved staff is made in two or more sections all approximately of the
same dimensions, attached together by hinges (R) on the backs. The joints are
strengthened by metal plates (S) sliding in grooves at the sides of the frame, and

page_text: Eac
fitting into sockets (T) firmly secured to the back and sides, and. kept in plac
(whether in or out of use) by spring catches, screws, friction or other means.
section is furnished with an upper pulley while the bottom section has also a lowe
one. Only one apparatus for moving, retarding, or stopping the "tape" is required
however many sections are used..
The "tape" is correspondingly divided into two or more sections and the end
of each section can be connected by fastenings, hereinafter called the " clips
either to one another to form one tape or to themselves to form either the botton
section alone, or the bottom and second together. The joints are formed b
plates (1) and (2) secured to the ends of the tape and fastened together by clips (3)
Said clips are constructed with a cross head. (4) and base (5) connected by
shank (6). The plates (1) and (2) overlap one another and have a slot (7) in th
same to allow the cross head of the clip to pass through. The clip with the cros
head turned to the position as shewn in Figures 11 and 12 bind the two plate
together. The joints and clips are so arranged and the pulleys so placed that eacl
section shall be of the correct length in exact multiple of the number ten when
joined and fitting tightly on the pulleys either separately or together, and that
the scale is not interrupted in either of these alternatives.
Wherever a joint occurs the "front" (1) must be sufficiently cut away at the
bottom of the section next above the joint to allow of access to the "clips."
The panels (E) already referred to used to conceal the curved portions of the
tape" are made to slide tightly in grooves in the sides and bottom of the frame,
and are capable of being lifted out and reversed. One side of each panel is a
blank surface for use as already described, the other is so marked as to form that
part of the "scale" which would be required at the bottom or top of the section as
the case may be, if the staff were similar to those in present use.
Two such panels are required for the bottom section and one only for each of
the others corresponding to the number of pulleys. Those at the joints are capable
of being withdrawn altogether since they are not required when the adjoining
sections are connected. They are all interchangeable and fit sufficiently tightly
into their grooves so that they cannot be easily jerked out. By arranging these
panels with the required parts of the scale outwards, then adjusting and
clamping the " tape so that its "scale" is continuous with those parts, the im-
ور
"
وق
proved staff, either in one length or in two or more, can be reversed, and used in
the same manner as those at present in use.
The flaps (U) of metal or other suitable material are provided at the joints to
cover the tops and bottoms of the several sections of the staff when not connected
together. These flaps can be folded down flat against the sides of the staff by
means of hinges and kept in position whether in or out of use by spring catches
or other means. When the staff is required for use in collieries, or other confined
places, the upper sections may be entirely detached from the bottom one, by with-
drawing the pins of the hinges which are split for the purpose. By means of these
split pins, those sections above the second, may be detached, and when the second
one is folded down on the first by its hinge, the whole may be strapped together
or placed in a case for carriage.
The method of using this improved staff is as follows;-
An assistant holds the staff on a place, the altitude of which is known or
assumed. The surveyor directs his levelling instrument upon it, and signals to
the assistant to raise or lower the " tape" until the known or assumed altitude is
read on the "scale" when he signals the assistant to clamp the "tape."
As many altitudes of other places may now be taken as the height of the
staff, range of the instrument, or configuration of the ground will allow. When
it becomes necessary to change the position of the instrument, two observations
are taken whilst the staff remains at the same place, one before moving the instru-
ment and the other after re-erecting and adjusting it. On the second observa-
tion the assistant is signalled to adjust the staff to the same reading as before and
clamp the tape again; when another series of 'altitudes may be taken.
These

page_text: readings may be entered on any book or paper as the actual
reduced level.
required, may be "plotted" directly on a drawing or pegs may be driven, or work
set out or corrected in accordance with such readings without further calculations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
Firstly. In a levelling staff, the "tape" (A) having a scale thereon consisting
of an endless band arranged upon pulleys and capable of being moved either
partially or completely through its course and of being fixed in any desired posi-
tion substantially in the manner as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Secondly. In a levelling staff, the movable "tape" (A) having gradually in-
creasing measurements from the top to the bottom of the same, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Thirdly. In a levelling staff, the movable "tape" (A) in combination with the
removable, reversible and interchangeable, panels (E) for continuing or breaking
off the measurements of the "scale on the said tape substantially as herein set.
forth.
Fourthly. A levelling staff constructed in the manner substantially as herein
set forth and as illustrated.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.