A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF REMOVING WATER OR MOISTURE FROM THE WINDOWS OF CONNING TOWERS OR OTHER PARTS OF VESSELS, AND OF LOCOMOTIVE DRIVERS' SCREENS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Isaac Thornycroft, of the Firm of John I. Thorny-
croft and Co., of Church Wharf, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, Steam
Yacht and Launch Builders, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED
METHOD OF REMOVING WATER OR MOISTURE FROM THE WINDOWS OF CONNING
TOWERS OR OTHER PARTS OF VESSELS, AND OF LOCOMOTIVE DRIVERS' SCREENS"
Sealed the 31st January 1879, and dated the 27th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Isaac Thornycroft at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1878.
JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT, of the Firm of John I. Thornycroft and Co., of
Church Wharf, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, Steam Yacht and Launch
Builders. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF REMOVING WATER OR MOISTURE
FROM THE WINDOWS OF CONNING TOWERS OR OTHER PARTS OF VESSELS, AND OF
LOCOMOTIVE DRIVERS' SCREENS."
My Invention has for object to prevent obstruction of view arising from the
presence of water or moisture on the windows of conning towers or other parts of
vessels, and of locomotive drivers' screens. For this purpose I provide pads or
wipers in conjunction with sponge or other absorbent, and cause water or moisture
that may be on the windows to be absorbed by the sponge or other absorbent by
moving the pads or wipers over the windows towards the sponge or absorbent, or
by moving the glasses or windows and absorbent towards the pads or wipers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Isaac Thornycroft in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
February 1879.
JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT, of the Firm of John I. Thornycroft and Co., of
Church Wharf, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, Steam Yacht and Launch
Builders. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF REMOVING WATER OR MOISTURE
FROM THE WINDOWS OF CONNING TOWERS OR OTHER PARTS OF VESSELs, and of
LOCOMOTIVE DRIVERS' SCREENS."
My Invention has for object to prevent obstruction of view arising from the
presence of water or moisture on the windows of conning towers or of other parts
of vessels, and of locomotive drivers' screens. For this purpose I provide pads or
wipers in conjunction with sponge or other absorbent, and cause water or moisture
that may be on the windows to be absorbed by the sponge or other absorbent by
moving the pads or wipers over the windows towards the sponge or absorbent, or
by moving the glasses or windows and absorbent towards the pads or wipers.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Fig. 1 is a plan of a conning tower having windows at 1, 2, and 3.
Fig. 2 is a front view of a window with my Invention applied to it.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of part of a conning tower shewing the window with
my Invention applied.
Fig. 4 is a section of part of the window showing how the sponge or absorbent
(it may be felt or flannel) is held.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view shewing how the pads or wipers are held and are
pressed towards the respective surfaces of the glass or window.
4 are pads or wipers, which may be of vulcanized india-rubber. They are held
in metal backs or holders 5, in which they may be secured by cement. The metal
backs or holders are formed with projections 6 protruding through slots formed
respectively in the arm 7 and in the lever 8, both fixed on the short shaft 9 so as
to move radially when the handle 10 is moved to the right or left of the position
shewn in Fig. 2. The pads or wipers 4 are pressed towards the two opposite
surfaces of the glass or window 1 by springs 11. The sponge or absorbent 12 is
secured in the present instance as illustrated in Fig. 4, the window frame 13 being
recessed and formed so as to grip a portion of the sponge or absorbent between
itself and the glass 1. The window is wiped by moving the handle 10 so as to
cause the pads or wipers 5 to travel over the two opposite surfaces of the window
from side to side (that is, from left to right of Fig. 2, and vice versa), so as to sweep
any water or moisture that may be on the two opposite surfaces of the glass towards
the sponges or absorbers 12. The sponges or absorbers are squeezed by the pads as
they move towards the frame 13, so as to remove water therefrom and allow it to
drop clear of the glass; and as the pads or wipers return the sponges or absorbers
expand or open out and absorb water or moisture from the surfaces of the pads or
wipers; and so on.
In Figs. 6 and 7 is shewn an arrangement in which the window or glass is wiped
by moving it and the sponges or absorbers towards the pads or wipers, the window
or glass passing between the pads or wipers. In this case the glass 1 is held in a
frame 14 able to revolve in a frame 15.
4 are the pads or wipers, and 5 are their metal backs or holders, which in the
present case are carried by springs 16 secured at 17. The springs are such as to
cause the pads or wipers to press against the glass. 18 are backs or holders secured
to the frame 14, as is also the handle 18*. By moving the handle 18* the glass 1,
with the absorbers 12, will be caused to move in a rotary sense about the centre 19,
and as the glass travels between the pads or wipers 4 moisture will be caused to
accumulate until the absorbers, having arrived against the said pads or wipers and
been squeezed, will, on expanding or opening out in their return movement, take
up the moisture or water remaining on the pads or wipers.

page_text: Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the application of my Invention to a locomotive drivers'
screen, and will be readily understood without further description.
20 are passages or channels from a rain-water collector 21 to supply water to the
inner sponges or absorbers to prevent the pads or wipers adhering to the glass.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and explained the manner in
which the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect, I would have it
understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me under the Letters Patent herein-before in part recited is,
the method, substantially as herein-before described with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, of removing water or moisture froin the windows of conning
towers or other parts of vessels, and of locomotive drivers' screens, by the use of
pads or wipers in conjunction with sponge or other absorbent.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Isaac Thornycroft, havo hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.