Iron-ship Builders, and, others.
Year: 1888

page_text: Iron-ship Builders, and, others.
I, ANDREW HIGHAM, of 202 Luton Road, Chatham in the County of Kent, Boiler-
inaker 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 Adjustable Marking Strip is an apparatus for marking readily and accurately
places for rivet and other holes, ready for punching or drilling on Boiler or other iron
or steel plates, at any regular distance between the holes or 'pitch,' exceeding or less
than the usual distances or 'pitches' without the use of dividers or other long
methods.
The length of the marking strip is reckoned from centre to centre of each end hole.
There is no limit to the length or width, so long as it can be practically used. A very
useful size is from 6 to 8 feet in length.
The Marking Strips in common use have only fixed 'pitches' (viz.) 2, 24, 3 or
34 inches, and can only be used for the one particular 'pitch' for which they are
made. Any other distance between the holes, however slightly in excess or less than
the pitch for which the strip is made cannot be marked by it; but requires a
marking strip to be specially manufactured for it (to be carefully destroyed as soon as
the job in hand is finished) or, is obtained by the long method involved in using
compasses or dividers, at great loss of time, labour and consequently expense.
For example: If a Cylinder Boiler 24 feet 3 inches in circumference, 2 inch-pitch
between the holes has to be made in 3 plates, each plate would have to be 8 ft. 1 inch
reckoning from centre to centre of each end hole. To mark the places for these holes
the ordinary 2 inch marking strip with a fixed 'pitch' would be of no use; but by
means of the Adjustable Marking Strip the places can be marked speedily and
accurately.
$
The drawing shows the Ajustable Marking Strip adjusted ready for marking off
inch holes at a inch pitch'; but any other 'pitch' required (less than or
exceeding 2 inches) can be obtained by the same strip C D by sliding it either up or
down.
The following references to drawing will explain the Adjustable Marking Strip

page_text: which can be made of iron or steel plate of an inch in thickness (steel will be found
to be preferable).
A B on plan represents the bottom plate.
a a b c d d¹; e e¹; ff; gg'; the slots, the centre line of each being
part of a line drawn from the base of A B to the apex of a cone above.
C D represents the movable strip containing a slot M N throughout its entire
length.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. are the detachable marking holes working in the slots of A B
(the bottom plate) and the slot M N in movable strip C D. The collar which is on
each detachable marking hole, works between A B the bottom plate and CD the
movable strip, keeping each detachable hole in its proper place. When adjusted to the
'pitch' required on the plate to be marked, a piece of tube 21 or 3 inches in length of
the same diameter as the holes to be marked, is dipped in whiting mixed with water
and inserted in each hole, thus marking the places for holes on the plate. These
detachable holes can be made of brass or iron; but brass will be found to be
preferable.
EF the index, which is engraved or marked on the bottom plate A B indicates
when the movable strip C-D is parallel to the top and bottom edges of the bottom
plate A B.
G shows the thumb-screw working in slot H for securing C D when adjusted to the
required 'pitch.'
J represents the guard which keeps A B and C D sufficiently close together to
prevent the detachable marking holes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7 from shifting out of
position.
The strip shown in the drawing in addition to marking holes of an inch in
diameter, can also be used for marking,, or inch holes by inserting corre-
sponding detachable marking holes of the size required in the slots.
For making Adjustable Marking Strips suitable for 2, 3, 3 inches or any other
'pitch' the same principle is involved.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what
I claim is :
1. The principle of Adjustability of marking different pitches (or equal distances
between holes) by the same marking-strip and
2. The method and construction of the apparatus with the various parts arranged
and combined as herein plainly described and set forth.
Dated this 16th day of January 1888.
ANDREW HIGHAM: