A NEW OR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING OR SETTING OUT SHIPS' LINES FROM A MODEL, AND THE LINES AND CURVES or OTHER MODELS OR OBJECTS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Duthie, of Aberdeen, North Britain, Shipbuilder,
for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING OR
SETTING OUT SHIPS' LINES FROM A MODEL, AND THE LINES AND CURVES or
OTHER MODELS OR OBJECTS."
Sealed the 7th November 1876, and dated the 18th May 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Duthie at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1876.
ROBERT DUTHIE, of Aberdeen, North Britain, Shipbuilder. "A NEW OR IM-
PROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING OR SETTING OUT SHIPS' LINES FROM A MODEL,
AND THE LINES AND CURVES OF OTHER MODELS OR OBJECTS."
My Invention of a new or improved instrument for drawing or setting out ships
lines from a model, and the lines and curves of other models or objects, consists of the
arrangement of a drawing board fixed to brackets and carrying a slide with a
tracing pointer and pencil so that by drawing the pointer over the curved sides
of a model the lines inay be easily and accurately drawn or transferred to paper
without having recourse to the troublesome method of measurements and ordinates.
The construction of the apparatus and method of using it are as follows:-
Attached to an upright bracket is a small draughting board fitted with a slide
which can move from end to end of the board. In the slide is fitted a movable
tracing bar carrying a drawing pencil. On the ends of the board are screwed knobs
and bars to clamp the drawing paper on to the board.
The apparatus being thus constructed it is fixed on a table, the ship's model being
placed at right angles to and under the board. The paper is then clamped on. A
batten divided into the frame spaces required is placed along the keel of the model,
so that the model may be moved forward accurately to the extent of one space at a
time for drawing the frame lines. When the model is in its proper place the slide
is moved forward, the tracing point following the curve of the model, the pencil at
the same time describing a similar curve on the drawing paper. When longitudinal
lines are to be taken the model must be placed in a line with the draughting board.
The pressure of the pencil on the paper is regulated by a spiral metal spring or
india-rubber band, the pencll being prevented from turning in the slide by means of
a slot and pin; by releasing the pin the pencil is prevented from marking while the
model is being moved to the next frame.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Duthic in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th November
1876.
ROBERT DUTHIE, of Aberdeen, North Britain, Shipbuilder. "A NEW OR IM-
PROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING OR SETTING OUT SHIPS' LINES FROM A MODEL,
AND THE LINES AND CURVES OF OTHER MODELS OR OBJECTS."
My Invention of a new or improved instrument for drawing or setting out
ships' lines from a model, and the lines and curves of other models or objects,
consists of the arrangement of a drawing board fixed to brackets and carrying a
slide with a tracing pointer and pencil so that by drawing the pointer over the
curved sides of a model the lines may be easily and accurately drawn or trans-
forred to paper without having recourse to the troublesome method of measureinents
and ordinates.
The construction of the apparatus and method of using it are as follows:-
Attached to two upright brackets is a small draughting board fitted with a slide
which can move from end to end of the board. In the slide is fitted a movable
tracing bar carrying a drawing pencil. On the ends of the board are screwed knobs
and bars to clamp the drawing paper on to the board.
The apparatus being thus constructed it is fixed on a table, the ship's model
being placed at right angles to and under the board. The paper is then clamped
on. A batten divided into the frame spaces required is placed along the keel of
the model, so that the model may be moved accurately to the extent of one space
at a time for drawing the frame lines. When the model is in its proper place the
tracing bar is placed on the top side of model, insert the pin of pencil holder in
the slot, then move the slide towards the keel, when the point of tracing bar will
follow the curve of the model and the pencil will duplicate the same curve on the
drawing paper. When longitudinal lines are to be taken the model must be placed
in a line with the draughting board. The pressure of the pencil on the paper is
regulated by a spiral metal spring or india-rubber band, the pencil being prevented
from turning in the slide by means of a slot and pin; by releasing the pin the pencil
is prevented from marking while the tracing bar is being put in position to draw
the next curve.
And in order that my Invention inay be better understood and more readily put
into practical operation, I will now proceed to describe the Sheet of Drawings here-
unto annexed.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my apparatus as fitted for use. Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the draughting board and slide; similar letters of reference apply to
similar parts in the two views. A, A, the draughting board for the reception of the
sheets of drawing paper on which the curves have to be drawn. B, B, brackets for
the support of the board, and having a space between them to receive the model.
C is a double slide capable of moving horizontally the whole length of the board, and
fitted with a vertical tracing bar D moving between friction rollers as shewn, or if
desired, the rollers may be dispensed with and a plain slide substituted, the lower
end of the bar D is drawn out to a point for passing over the model, the bar carries
about midway of its length a pencil holder E and pencil, so that by passing the point
of the bar Dover a model a similar curve would be traced by the pencil E on the
drawing paper. The screwed knobs F, F, and clamps G, G, are for holding the paper
firmly to the board while in use.
The above description and accompanying Drawing clearly set forth the construc-
tion and method of using my improved apparatus, but I do not confine myself
strictly to the mechanical details therein, as the same may be varied in many ways
without departing from the principle of my Invention, as also may the height and
width according to requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Invention
and how the same may be put into practical operation, I would have it understood

page_text: that what I claim and desire to secure by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is, the construction and use of an improved draughting board sup-
ported on brackets and fitted with horizontal slide bar and slide and vertical tracing
slide or bar substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described and illus-
trated by the accompanying Drawing or any mere modification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Duthie, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
ROBERT DUTHIE. (L.S.)