Improvements in Azimuth Apparatus, whereby Bearings of the Sun, Moon, Stars, or other Objects, can be more Easily Obtained and Used for the Detection of the Deviation or Error of the Compass.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 10th June, 1887.
Improvements in Azimuth Apparatus, whereby Bearings of the
Sun, Moon, Stars, or other Objects, can be more Easily Obtained
and Used for the Detection of the Deviation or Error of the
Compass.
FRANK SYDNEY REYNOLDS and ALFRED WALTER REYNOLDS trading as Reynolds &
Son 32 Crutched Friars in the City of London Nautical Instrument Makers, 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:
Our improved instrument which we purpose calling The "Volta azimuth Reflector"
(The word "Volta" being our trade mark), consists of a metal frame marked (1) in
accompanying drawing, about six inches long, two and a half inches wide and
one eighth of an inch in thickness, supported on four legs or less.
In the centre Longitudinal line of this frame (1) there is a series of holes (two of
which only are shown in drawing) and marked 9 & 10, by means of which the
instrument can be adapted for use with any sized compass, being balanced by means
of small moveable weights as shown at (8) in drawing. On to the frame (1) is fitted
a curved sight vane (2) slotted throughout the greater part of its length and pointed
at its upper end and running in a curved direction from its base to its point and in
the direction of the length of the frame (1) so that the slot is in a line with the
centre Longitudinal line of the frame (1) its upper extremity or point being in a
vertical line with the centre of the fore part of the frame (1), between which two
points is fixed in any approved method, a thread of silk, gut, or wire (7). Between
this curved sight vane (2) and the thread (7) is a small brass frame, fitted with a
plane silvered mirror or plane black or colored glass reflector, or a mirror can be
fitted at one side of the frame (3) and a black or colored glass reflector at the other,
so that either niay be used at pleasure.
This frame (3) is supported on its horizontal axis parallel to its plane, on two
standards or uprights (6) fixed vertically at either side of the frame (1). This
mirror or reflector (3) can be turned or revolved completely on its axis by means of
the milled heads (11) projecting from its sides through the uprights (6) and forming
its axis. The uprights (6) are fixed in such a position on the frame (1) that when
the plane of the mirror or reflector (3) is parallel to the frame (1) of the instrument
its end can revolve clear of the vertical thread (7).

page_text: Fitted at the extreme fore end of the frame (1) and at either side are two pillars or
uprights (5) to each of which is attached a moveable colored glass shade (4) which
can be turned either together or separately in front of the mirror or reflector (3).
Having now particularly described the construction of our instrument we proceed
to explain how it is used.
Firstly, the compass it is to be used in connection with must have in the centre of
its glass cover a small brass fitting to serve as a vertical axis such as is usually fitted
for an ordinary azimuth ring to work round.
Secondly, the instrument is placed on the glass cover of compass so that the brass
fitting or vertical axis protrudes through one of the holes (9, 10 &c.), the hole to be
chosen according to the size of the compass card and one of the balancing weights (8)
applied to bring the plane of the base (1) of the instrument truly level.
Thirdly, in taking a bearing of any object the eye of the observer should be placed
over the slotted sight vane (2) and the instrument moved on its axis, and the mirror
or reflector (3) adjusted by means of the milled heads (11) at its sides so that the
reflection in the mirror or reflector (3) of the desired object is brought to bear directly
on to the degrees or points of the compass card, at the same time being intersected
or cut by the vertical thread (7). Thus, a bearing of the sun or other object can be
taken in a most convenient manner and with great exactness.
The colored glass shades (4) can be one or both placed before the mirror or
reflector (3) when it is desired to darken the reflection of the sun when too bright for
the naked eye.
Also almost similar results can be obtained when taking bearings, with the mirror
or reflector (3) placed in the same manner as hereinbefore described but before or in
front of the vertical thread (7) instead of between it and the sight vane (2) provided
the forward edge of the reflector or mirror (3) when in a horizontal position on its
axis (11) is well within the outer circumference of the compass card.
The vertical thread (7) is not absolutely essential to the use of this instrument but
we prefer it as facilitating the obtaining of more exact bearings. Also the sight
vane (2) can be made at right angles, one half being fixed perpendicularly to, and
the upper half parallel with the plane of the base of instrument (1) the vertical
thread (7) being fixed as in the case of the curved sight vane (2) or the sight vane
can be made as forming one side of a triangle being fixed on the plane of the frame (1)
at an angle of about 45 degrees, the plane of the frame (1) forming the second side,
and the vertical thread (7) from the centre of forward end of frame (1) to the upper
end or point of sight vane (2) forming the third side, but we prefer making and using
the instrument with the curved sight vane (2) and vertical thread (7) and mirror or
reflector (3) placed between the two as hereinbefore described and substantially as
shown in drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is,
Firstly. The combination of the curved or angled sight vane, with the thread and
revolving mirror or reflector, arranged substantially in any of the modes or manners
hereinbefore described as will enable the observer, looking from the top or nearly so
of the instrument into the mirror or reflector to bring the reflection of the desired
object to bear directly on to the degrees or points of the compass card and thereby
obtain an exact and instantaneous reading.
Secondly. The series of holes along the centre longitudinal line of the frame by
means of which the instrument can be fitted to any sized compass.
Dated this Third day of May 1887
FRANK SYDNEY REYNOLDS.
ALFRED WALTER REYNOLDS.