An Improved Code for Signalling, and in Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Code for Signalling, and in Apparatus connected
therewith.
I EDWARD CHARLES DAVIS of Stroud in the County of Gloucester Solicitor
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an improved code of symbols for signalling
and an apparatus connected therewith whereby a more simple, efficient, diversified
and rapid method of signalling is produced than the International or other codes
now in use in the Navy Merchant or other service. At the same time there
can be no confusion of the signs as no colors are used, the flags and signs being
simple black and white, therefore there is no chance of mistaking a signal
through soiled flags or color blindness.
The whole alphabet can be used when required, the existing International
Code will not admit of this as it does not contain or use the vowels or the
letters X. Y. Z.
In these descriptions the hoist is assumed to be to the left and the fly to the
right.
In arranging the code according to my invention I paint or otherwise fix on
canvas, oiled silk or other flags scrolls or continuous strips or on other suitable
material used for signalling on sea or land the signs for the labial or lip letters
as B. F. P. and V. of diamond shape.
The signs for the sibilant or hissing letters as C. S. X. and Z. triangular with
apex at top.
The signs for the guttural or throat letters as G. J. K. and Q. square or
rectangular.
The signs for the liquid or smooth flowing letters as L. M. N. and R. circular.
Some of these dianiond triangular rectangular or square and circular shaped
signs have certain internal designs marked thereon to easily distinguish them at a
distance.
The signs or symbols for the dental or tooth letters D. and T. and the
consonants H. and W. are formed as follows:-
The letter D. has a central column with a shaft at its left hand lower end
extending towards the hoist, thus J.
The letter T. has a central column with a shaft at its right hand upper end
extending towards the fly, thus r.
The letter H. resembles the "bour glass" or two triangles with their apices
meeting in the centre.
The letter W. is formed of two inverted cones and as nearly as possible resembles
the letter itself.
The vowels A. E. I. and O. are formed of a horizontal cone shape the apex of
such cone being towards the hoist and three of such signs also have certain internal
designs marked thereon. The vowel U. is formed of two triangles with their apices
in a straight line towards the hoist.
The letter Y. is simply a large triangle nearly filling the flag its apex being at
the bottom of such flag.
It will be seen from the above description that the signs can be distinctly seen
at a great distance and that no possible confusion can occur.

page_text: 49
The International Code List notification pennant as now in use has five vertical
bands viz. :-three red and two white in my code the International Code List
symbol has the vertical bands simply black and white and the bands exceed five
in number and do not taper off as in a pennant.
My full English code signal has horizontal bands of black and white.
My distant signal system notification symbol is a simple black and white check
and may be used especially when we desire to notify that we are "checked" by
distance from discerning the other signs or signals.
The single sign for "yes" is an upright cross.
The single sign for " no is an oblique cross.
"
The single sign for "annul" is a Maltese cross.
The single sign for "stop" is a simple star.
All the signs enumerated above should be black on white or white on black.
My night ensign is a Union Jack in design but black where the present flag is
red and blue.
According to this invention I either have separate flags, or scrolls or other
materials with the different signs as above described painted or otherwise fixed
thereon or arrange same on a continuous strip of canvas oil silk or other material
er on material not in strips and secure same to rollers or drums or otherwise
capable of being rotated and bringing the canvas strip or other material to any
position desired. In this case the continuous strip of canvas or other material
would be arranged behind a screen having openings therein for exposing the sign.
Such openings being lit up by night by means of any suitable strong and convenient
light at the back thereof.
This method of signalling is more especially applicable to deck signal cabins and
for signalling on land. The rollers or drums or receptacles over which the
continuous strip of canvas or oil silk or other material on which the signal signs
are fixed are mounted in bearings, such bearings are constructed so that the rollers
or drums or other materials can be easily removed and others substituted.
The drums are rotated by means of a suitable haudle or by means of gearing.
The port holes or openings through which the signs are to be read must be of
sufficient size to expose the whole of such sign. On the inside of the apertures
guides are provided for the canvas strip or other materials to slide in so that it
would be impossible for such strips or materials while in use to be wound or moved
up or down or placed at an angle or expose the light at the edges thereof and thus
give a false signal.
When signal cabins or stations are used if not portable they are constructed so
as to revolve by means of a turntable or other turning apparatus thus the port
holes or apertures could be placed in any required direction.
In a high wind or in no wind or in an unfavourable direction of wind for flags I
prefer to use scrolls of canvas or other desired material upon which are painted or
fixed the necessary signs, the scroll has a ring or eyelet at each corner to fit the
halyards and on each side when required a stiffening piece or stay such for instance
as an iron or wood rod sewn or otherwise secured therein, these stays or stiffening
pieces when required keep the scroll out to its full extent, for further keeping the
scroll flat and fully extended and in its proper position clips or sockets may be
employed the clips being placed where found most requisite.
These scrolls can be run up on a hoist composed of two parallel ropes secured to
a convenient part of the rigging and can be held rigid and its direction controlled
from below.
My improved code may be applied to the wheel and dial system if desired with
equally good results.
Dated this 5th 1905

page_text: COMPLETE SI PUITIATION
An Improved Code for Signalling, and in Apparatus connected
therewith.
1, EDWARD CHARLES DAVIS of 10 Rowcroft Stroud in the County of
Gloucester, Solicitor do hereby declare the nature of the said invention and in what-
mauner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:―
This invention has for its object an improved code of symbols for signalling and
in apparatus connected therewith whereby a more simple efficient diversified and
rapid method of signalling is produced than the International and other codes now
in use in the Navy, Merchant or other service. At the same time there can be no
confusion of the signs as no colors are used, the flags and signs being simple black
and white, therefore, there is no chance of mistaking a signal through soiled flags
or color blindness. The whole alphabet can be used when required.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings fully to describe the
same.
The manner in which I carry out my invention as to the symbols is shown in
Sheet 1. of the accompanying drawings in which the symbols are only shown in
white on a black ground. It will be readily understood that the position of the
black and white may be reversed throughout the symbols if desired.
For convenience I have assumed the hoist to be to the left and the fly to be to
the right.
In arranging the code according to my invention I paint or otherwise fix on
bunting canvas zinc, sheet iron, aluminium, glass, talc, oiled silk or other flags,
scrolls or other continuous strips or on other suitable material used for signalling
on sea or land.
The signs for the labial or lip letters a B, F, P and V of diamond or lozenge
shape, as shown by the examples in the row of symbols A.
The signs for the sibilant or hissing letters as C, S, X and Z triangular with
apex at top as shown by the examples in the row of symbols B.
The signs for the guttural or throat letters as G, J, K, and
rectangular as shown by the examples in the row of symbols C.
square or
The signs for the liquid or smooth flowing letters as L, M, N and R circular as
shown by the examples in the row of symbols D.
Some of these diamonds, or lozenge triangular rectangular or square and
circular shaped signs have certain internal designs marked thereon preferably those
in the accompanying drawings to easily distinguish them at a distance.
The signs or symbols for the dental or tooth letters D and T and the
consonants H and W are formed as follows:--
The letter D has a central column with a shaft at its left hand lower end
extending towards the hoist (thus ] ).
The letter T has a central column with a shaft at its right hand upper end
extending towards the fly (thus [).
The letter H resembles the hour glass or two triangular shapes with their apices
meeting in the centre.
The letter W is formed of two inserted cones and as nearly as possible resembles
the letter itself. For these symbols see row marked E in the accompanying
drawings.
The vowels A. E. I and are formed of a horizontal triangle or cone shape the
apex of such cone or triangle being towards the hoist and three of such signs also
have certain internal designs marked thereon, preferably those shown in row F in
the accompanying drawings.

page_text: The vowel U is formed cf two triangles with their apieces in a straight line
towards the hoist.
The letter Y is simply a large triangle or inverted cone nearly filling the flag or
space for a symbol its apex being at the bottom of such flag or space as shown at
row G of the accompanying drawings.
It will be seen from the above description and accompanying drawings that
these signs may be seen at a great distance and that no possible confusion can
occur.
In my system the symbol to notify that this system will be applied to the
International Code List has vertical bands of black and white only as shown at a.
For day use I prefer eight alternate bands as in the drawing, but at night an
additional white one may be added at the fly or a black one taken off.
My full English code flag has horizontal bands of black and white as at b, for
day use I prefer the bands as shown in the drawing, but at night two additional
white ones should be added one at the top and the other at the bottom.
My distant signal system notification symbol is a simple black and white check
as at, c, with or without a margin at night, and may be used especially when we
desire to notify that we are checked by distance from discerning the other signs or
signals or their internal markings and the system known as distant signals should
be used and my symbols C, G and L or AG and L adapted thereto.
The single sign for "yes" is an upright cross resembling St. George's cross as
at d.
The single sign for "no" is an oblique cross resembling St. Andrew's cross,
as at e.
The single sign for "annul " is a Maltese cross as at j.
The single sign for "stop" is a simple star as at g.
All the signs as enumerated as above should be black on white or white on black
as previously described.
My night ensign for use at night only resembles a Union Jack in design but it
either black or white where the present flag is red and blue as shown at h in the
accompanying drawings, and either with or without a black or white border or
margin. For distinctive purposes I would denominate these as the black night
ensign and the white night ensign respectively.
According to this invention I have either separate flags, sheets, or scrolls or
other suitable materials with the different signs as above described painted or
otherwise fixed or pourtrayed thereon or, referring to Sheet 2. of the accompanying
drawings arrange same on a continuous strip of canvas oiled silk or other suitable
material or on materials not in strips and secure same to rollers or drums or
otherwise capable of being rotated and bringing the canvas strip or other material
to any desired position.
In this case the continuous strip of canvas or other material would be arranged
behind a screen having openings thereon for exposing the sign, such openings being
lit up at night by means of any suitable strong and convenient light at the back
thereof, see Fig. 2.
This method of signalling is more especially applicable to deck signal cabins and
for signalling on land. The rollers or drums i or receptacles over which the con-
tinuous strips of canvas j, or oiled silk or other material on which the signal signs
are fixed are mounted in bearings k such bearings are constructed so that the rollers
or drums or other receptacles can easily be removed and others substituted, (as
fully shown in Figures 2 and 3 Sheet 2).
The drums are rotated by means of a suitable handle mor by means of gearing.
The port holes or openings n through which the signs are to be read must be
of sufficient size to expose the whole of such sign. On the inside of the apertures n
guides or rollers p are provided for the canvas strip; or other materials to be kept
in proper position and well up to the aperture n, so that it will be impossible for
such strips or materials while in use to be wound or moved up or down or placed
at an angle or expose the light at the edges thereof and thus give a false signal.

page_text: When signal cabins or stations are used if not portable they may be constructed
so as to revolve by means of a turntable or other rotating apparatus, thus the port
holes or apertures could be placed in any required direction.
In a high wind or in no wind or in an unfavourable direction of wind for flags I
prefer to use scrolls or sheets of canvas or other desired material upon which are
painted or fixed the necessary signs. The scrolls or sheets have rings or eyelets at
each corner to fit the halyards and on each side when required a stiffening piece or
stay such for instance as an iron or wood rod sewn or otherwise secured therein,
these stays or stiffening pieces when required keep the scroll or sheet out to its full
extent, for further keeping the scroll or sheet flat and fully extended and in its
proper position clips sockets toggles hooks or other suitable means may be
employed.
These scrolls or sheets can be run up on a hoist composed of two parallel ropes
secured to a convenient part of the rigging and can be held rigid and its direction
controlled from below.
My improved code may be applied to the wheel and dial system if desired with
equally good results.
On Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings I have shown a key to my symbols
or signs whereby such signs will be readily understood without further description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.-
1. The improved code of symbols for signalling in day time, on land or sea
substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved code of symbols for signalling at night on land or
substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
sea
3. The improved code of symbols for signalling on sea or land in which colors
are dispensed with substantially as herein set forth.
4. In apparatus for signalling an improved means for exposing the material used
in daylight with the symbols thereon to front in any required direction substantially
as herein described.
5. In apparatus for signalling a means for displaying the symbols used in the
daytime also at night for any length of time substantially as herein described and
shown.
Dated this 13th day of June 1895.
EDWARD C. DAVIS.