Instrument for Indicating the Trim of a Vessel.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Instrument for Indicating the Trim of a Vessel.
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON ELDRIDGE, of Vineyard Haven, in the County
of Dukes and State of Massachusetts, U.S.A. Author, and Publisher of Charts,
Maps, &c. 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 object of my invention, is to provide an instrument, which, when properly
attached to the cabin wall, or some other suitable portion of a vessel, will correctly
indicate on a dial, her trim, or position in the water.
To this end my invention consists in the device illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which
Fig. 1, is a front view. Fig. 2, is a side view. Fig. 3, is a front view of the
instrument with the dial removed, and showing the internal mechanism.
Fig. 4, is a side view of the internal mechanism, showing a portion of the case,
in vertical section.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several views.
The letter a, indicates the frame work of the mechanism of my device, secured
in the case m, in which is journalled the shaft c, which projects through the front
of the frame, to receive an indicator hand, v. d, is a shaft, also journalled in the
frame, parallel to the shaft c, and projecting through the front of the frame to
receive an indicator hand r. The shaft d, is provided with the segmental bevil
gear d', adapted to mesh with a similar gear 61, mounted on the shaft b, which
is journalled in the frame at right angles to the shaft d. c, is a weight, having a
rigid arm, the top of which, is rigidly secured on the shaft c. , is a similar
weight, having its arm, rigidly secured on the shaft b.
g, is a stud, projecting from the frame a, to limit the movement of the weight c,
in one direction. e, is a piece of sheet metal, firmly secured to the stud h, which
is revoluble, in the back of the case m, having the bent end el, adapted to bear
against the end of the weight c', when it is in position, as shown in dotted lines
(Fig. 3.) and having the bent end 2, adapted to clasp the weight &, when it is in
position as shown in dotted lines, (Fig. 4.).
The head of the stud h, is slotted to receive a wrench, by means of which the
part e, is operated, from the outside of the case m. The part e, constitutes a lock,
to secure the weights c', and 2, in a rigid position, as shown in dotted lines (Fig. 3.).
The front of the case m, is provided with a dial, having apertures for the shafts c,
and d, to project through, and provided with the graduated segments i, and k.
The case m, is further provided with the stud m', through which works the screws,
having a head s, adapted to turn in a recess in the flange n', of the rim n, and
provided with a block q, rigidly secured thereon, and having a hole in its side, by
means of which, the screw may be revolved, by inserting a lever in said hole.
A spring is interpused between the block g, and the flange n. The case m, is
pivoted in the rim n, by the screws o, and when the screws, is revolved in either
direction, the inclination of the face of the instrument, to the flange n, is
changed.
The device is designed to be secured to some part of the vessel, preferably the
wall of the cabin, by screws passing through the flange n¹. It is so arranged, that
the face of the dial, is at right angles to the keel of the vessel, and fronting the
stern. By means of the screws s, the dial is adjusted to a perpendicular position,

page_text: when the vessel is in her normal position in the water, and without her load. The
pointers v', and v, are adjusted over the dial; the pointer v¹, pointing to zero, on
the graduated segment i; and the pointer, pointing to zero, on the segment k.
When the vessel is loaded, the pointer », by means of the weight c¹, indicates the
degree, to which the vessel is listed to starboard, or to port; and the pointer v, by
means of the weight, indicates the degree of pitch, she is by the head, or by
the stern.
When the pointers on the dial, are in the position of the dotted lines, they indicate
that the weights c, and 2, are in proper position to be secured by the locking
device. The locking device is used only, to secure the weights, in an immovable
position, while the instrument is being transported.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is-
1st. An instrument for indicating the trim of a vessel, consisting of a dial,
having two graduated segments on its face, and provided with two pointers adapted
to move respectively over said segments, one of said pointers actuated by a weight
or pendulum swinging parallel to the face of said dial; and the other, actuated by
a weight, swinging at a right angle to the face of said dial, substantially as shown
and described.
2nd. An instrument for indicating the trim of a vessel, enclosed in a suitable
case, and having a dial; said case, pivoted at its sides in a suitable base; said base
and case being connected by mechanism, whereby the dial may be inclined with
respect to said base, substantially as shown and described.
3rd. An instrument for indicating the trim of a vessel, consisting of a dial, having
two graduated segments on its face, and provided with two pointers, adapted to
move respectively over said segments; one of said pointers actuated by a weight
or pendulum, swinging parallel with the face of said dial; and the other, actuated
by a weight swinging at right angles with the face of said dial; and a locking
device, whereby said weights or pendulums may be secured in a rigid position,
while the instrument is being handled for sale, or transport, substantially as shown
and described.
Dated this 14th day of July 1896.
GEORGE WASHINGTON ELDRIDGE.