Improvements in Sound Locating and Indicating Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sound Locating and Indicating Apparatus.
I, MARIE JEAN-BAPTISTE JOSEPII SCHMITT, of Anticosti Island, Province of
Quebec, Canada, Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to sound indicators, and its object is to provide a device
of this character which is especially adapted for use on board ships. A further
object is to provide a sound indicator which will accurately indicate the direction
from whence the sound comes. A further object is to provide a sound indicator
which is simple in construction, effective in operation and which can be manu-
factured at a moderate cost.
To these ends, the invention consists in a sound indicator, constructed sub-
stantially as illustrated and described and defined in the appended claims.
Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar
parts,
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a sound indicator, constructed in accord-
ance with this invention, showing the manner of using the same.
Figure 2 is a similar view, the casing being broken away to show the detailed
construction.
In heavy and foggy weather it is very difficult for pilots and captains of vessels
to accurately ascertain the direction from which comes the sound of fog-whistles,
bells and other signals. By means of the invention herein disclosed, this difficulty
is removed, and renders it possible to ascertain with certainty and at once, the
direction from whence the sound comes and thus be able to keep to their course
and avert threatened danger.
In the drawings, A indicates the casing or protector or housing, which is pre-
ferably made of wood, and is of any shape suitable and convenient for the intended
purpose. A portion of the casing is open to provide access into the interior
thereof. The casing may be supported upon a suitable standard or other support,
so as to bring it within the convenient reach of the operator.
Fixed upon the bottom of the interior of the casing is an annular rim a, within
which is arranged a compass a¹, of any usual or preferred construction. Jour-
nalled in a suitable bearing as upon the top of the casing, is a vertical rod or
shaft B, the lower end of which extends downwardly to a point near and just
above the compass a¹, and is provided upon its lower extremity with a pointer,
which indicates in connection with the compass the direction from whence the
sound comes. Supported upon the upper portion of the shaft B is the sound
receiver B¹, which is preferably trumpet shaped, and by means of its construc-
tion and shape tends to magnify the sound in a manner similar to the well
known megaphone. The open end b or mouth of the receiver is preferably funnel
shaped and is connected with a vertically disposed body-portion b¹, which is
shaped substantially as shown, being considerably enlarged at its lower portion,
where it connects with the funnel mouth b, and tapering in the shape of a cone
to its extremity ³, which is of comparatively small diameter.
2

page_text: At a suitable point in the top of the casing A, is journalled a hollow tube D,
at the lower end of which is secured flexible ear pieces d, which are preferably
located within the casing, as shown in Figure 1. The upper portion of the
tube D extends over towards the upper extremity of the sound receiver B¹, to
which it is connected in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a flexible
tubing d¹.
On the shaft B is fixed a grooved pulley 64 which is operatively connected
by a suitable cord or belt 65 with a groove pulley e fixed upon the shaft E, which
shaft is journalled in a suitable bearing arranged in the top of the casing A.
The lower portion of the shaft E is located within the casing, and is provided
with an ordinary crank handle e¹, by means of which the shaft E may be rotated.
The operator places the ear pieces in his ears and rotates the crank handle e¹,
thereby turning the mouth of the sound receiver until it points in the direction
from whence the sound comes, which is readily ascertained by its increased
volume.
The pointer in connection with the compass thus indicates the exact direction
from which the sound comes.
While I have herein shown a preferred form of carrying my invention into
effect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such preferred details of construction,
but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve to carry
into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such modi-
fications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of my said invention.
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:
1. In a sound indicator, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled
therein; a receiver mounted upon said shaft; ear pieces operatively connected
with said receiver; and means for turning the said receiver towards the direction
from whence the sound comes, substantially as described.
2. In a sound indicator, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled
therein; a receiver mounted upon said shaft; ear pieces operatively connected
with said receiver; a pulley fixed upon said shaft; an operating shaft journalled
in said casing having a crank handle at its lower end; a pulley fixed upon said
shaft and connected by a cord or belt with the pulley of the said supporting
shaft, substantially as described.
3. In a sound indicator, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled
therein; a receiver mounted upon said shaft; ear pieces operatively connected
with said receiver; means for turning the said receiver towards the direction
from whence the sound; a compass arranged within said receiver; and a pointer
fixed upon the extremity of said shaft, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of Sentambor 1800.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.