Improvements in Means for Reducing Difficulty of Vision Caused by Sunlight, Wind, Rain, or the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
Improvements in Means for Reducing Difficulty of Vision Caused by
Sunlight, Wind, Rain, or the like.
We; WILLIAM ARTHUR ROWE, Student, and ELIZABETH MARY ROWE, Gentle-
woman, both of 68, Hampton Road, Forest Gate, in the County of Essex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means for reducing difficulty of vision caused by sun-
light, wind, rain, or the like.
One of the main objects of the invention is to provide an instrument that will
enable officers and seamen at sea to perceive the horizon and distant objects in
stormy weather and the drivers of locomotives to see their signals during rain
or snow.
An instrument for this purpose according to one construction comprises two
parallel tubes, which are suitably secured together and at one end preferably have
suitable continuations to fit the face of the user around the eyes. The outer end
of each tube which will usually be of circular section but may be of rectangular
or any other suitable section, is partially closed at the top by a segment-shaped
plate, and at a point nearer to the eye-end of the tube there is fixed another or
second plate, of segment, perforated disc or other suitable shape adapted to prevent,
as much as possible, rain or snow from entering the portion of the tube between
the plates and the eye-end of the tube, which may be partly closed by a
centrally perforated disc or discs. The lower edge (which is preferably hori-
zontal) of the first mentioned or outer plate may be turned up outwardly so as to
form a trough to convey to the sides water that might otherwise drop down from it;
and between the two plates, which may be of ordinary white or tinted glass, there
may be provided, at the upper part of the tube, a somewhat segment-shaped plate
to prevent rain or snow from being driven into the portion of the tube nearest to
the eye-end. The portion just mentioned may be perforated in its lower part as
also may the forward portion of the tube in order that any water that may obtain
access thereto can easily escape. The means used for securing the tubes together
may be made in various shapes; according to one construction it consists of a
rectangular sheet metal casing through opposite sides of which the tubes extend
and which serves as a holder by which the instrument can be conveniently held
by the hand in position for use.
It is obvious, however, that instead of making the instrument binocular, as is.
preferred, it may consist of a single tube resembling those just described. Such
a tube may be made so short as to rather resemble a small box than a tube and
the two segment or other shaped plates may be arranged comparatively near
together and have their free edges parallel to each other so that upon looking
through the tube or box there will be seen a horizontally disposed slot shaped
opening the effective height of which will vary to some extent according as the
instrument is held horizontally or its forward end is inclined upward or downward.
Tubes or boxes such as those hereinbefore described, again, may be secured to

page_text: spectacle or goggle frames so that they can be worn after the manner of spectacles
or goggles.
Devices on the same principle i.e., having a downwardly projecting front
segmental plate and with or without an upwardly projecting rearward segmental
plate may also be used to protect the object-glasses of telescopes, field glasses, and
the like, taking the places of the movable tubes, rings, or sunshades usually
placed on the outer ends of the cases of such instruments; or being fitted to such
movable tubes or rings.
A very simple form of instrument according to this invention adapted for the
use of locomotive-drivers and sailors comprises a rear portion provided with a
pair of sight holes and adapted to fit field glasses or the face of the user above and
at the sides of the eyes and to shut out rain or snow therefrom, and a casing con-
nected to the rear portion having sides and a downwardly. inclined roof which
takes the place of the upper portions and downwardly projecting portions of the
tubes herein before described and is or may be provided, as they may be, with an
upwardly and outwardly turned front edge for conveying water to the sides.
The bottom edges of the sight openings are preferably straight as also is the free
forward edge of the roof portion so that upon looking through the instrument a
narrow slot shaped aperture will be seen. The casing may be without bottom or
may have a narrow bottom-piece extending forward for a short distance from the
eye end for convenience of holding. It may have a removable or sliding bottom
by which the width of the slot shaped aperture that is seen when looking through
the instrument, can be varied. The instrument may also be provided with a fixed
or removable transverse plate or strip extending downwardly from the roof to
prevent water from travelling along the underside of the roof toward the eye-end
of the instrument, which may be closed or partially closed, slightly in front of
the extreme rear end, by a plate having glazed or unglazed eye-holes.
Improvements in Means for Reducing Difficulty of Vision Caused by
Sunlight, Wind, Rain, or the like.
We, WILLIAM ARTHUR ROWE, Student, and ELIZABETH MARY ROWE, Gentle-
woman, both of 68, Hampton Road, Forest Gate, in the County of Essex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:-
This invention relates to means for reducing difficulty of vision caused by sun-
light, wind, rain, or the like.
One of the main objects of the invention is to provide an instrument that will
enable officers and seamen at sea to perceive the horizon and distant objects in
stormy weather and the drivers of locomotives to see their signals during rain
or snow.
An instrument for this purpose according thereto is shown in Figs. 1 to 10
inclusive of the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 being a side elevation, Figs. 2

page_text: and 2 elevations taken from opposite ends, Fig. 3 a plan, and Fig. 4 an underside
view thereof, and Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 showing cross sections corresponding
to the lines V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X respectively of Figs. 1 and 3, as seen
in the direction of the arrows attached to the respective section-lines. Such an
instrument comprises two parallel tubes 1 and 2, which are suitably secured
together, and at one end preferably have suitable continuations 3 to fit the face
of the user around the eyes. The outer end of each tube; which will usually be of
circular section as shown, but may be of rectangular or any other suitable section,
is partially closed at the top by a segment-shaped plate 4 (Figs. 8 and 9).
At a
point nearer to the eye-end of the tube there is fixed another or second plate 5,
which has a suitable shape such as that of a segment or a centrally perforated
disc (as shown), to prevent, as much as possible, wind (especially), rain, or snow
from entering the portion of the tube between it and the eye-end of the tube,
which may be partly closed by a disc 6 of suitable opaque material, such as sheet
metal, and having a central sight hole or perforation 7 which is preferably oblong,
having its longest sides horizontal as shown, in order to render the instrument
suitable for persons having their eyes at different distances apart. The plate 5
is preferably a perforated disc, as shown, but it may be a segment-shaped plate
arranged vertically in the lower part of the tube--the height of the upper edge
of the segmental plate, at least in the middle, would then be about that of the
lowest part of the perforation in the plate 5 shown. The lower edge (which is
preferably horizontal) of the outer plate 4 may be turned up outwardly or be
provided as shown with an outwardly and upwardly extending lip 8 so as to
form a trough to convey to the sides water that might otherwise drop down from
it. Between the two plates 4 and 5, which may be of suitable opaque material,
such as sheet metal, or of suitable transparent material, such as ordinary white
or tinted glass (preferably the latter, as regards the plate 4, which will then
enable officers or seamen using the instrument to look ahead without discomfort
when approaching a powerful, search-light), there may be provided, at the upper
part of the tube, a somewhat segment-shaped plate 9 of suitable opaque material,
such as sheet metal, (more than one such plate may be used) to prevent wind from
being driven into the portion of the tube nearest to the eye. The portion just
mentioned should be perforated, or open, as shown, in its lower part, as also should
the forward portion of the tube, as is shown, in order that any wind or water that
may obtain access thereto can easily escape. The means used for securing the
tubes together may be made in various shapes; in the example now being
described, it consists of a sheet-metal casing 10 of rectangular cross section, which
has preferably a large aperture 11 in the bottom for the escape of wind or rain or
the like, and through opposite sides of which the tubes 1 and 2 extend, the said
casing serving as a holder by which the instrument can be conveniently held by
the hand in position for use. In the example, the outer ends of the tubes 1 and 2
are made of greater diameter than the remainder, in order to increase the field
of vision.
It is clear that the essential features of such an instrument would be preserved
if the portions of the tubes 1 and 2 from the eye end of the casing 10 outwards
were omitted and the casing 10 were continued to the position occupied by the
plates 4, as indicated by dotted lines 10 in Figs. 2 and 3, and were there turned
down vertically or provided with a single plate to take the place of the two plates 4.
An instrument constructed on this modified plan is shown in Figs. 11 to 16
inclusive, of which Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are respectively a side elevation, an end
elevation, and a plan thereof, and Figs. 14, 15, and 16 respectively show sections
according to the lines XIV, XV, and XVI of Figs. 11 and 13, as viewed in the
directions of the arrows attached to the respective section-lines. The eye-ends of
the tubes 1 and 2 and the parts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are such as those herein before
described except that there is only one plate 4, which, with its lip 8, extends
entirely across the outer end of the instrument, each plate 5 is provided with an

page_text: .
oblong central perforation similar, as regards position, to the hole 7 in the
corresponding plate 6; and the casing 10, as before stated, takes the place of the
outer ends of the tubes. 8ª are lateral lips forming troughs intended to lead
water backwards from the lip 8.
It is obvious that instead of making the instrument binocular, as is preferred,
it may consist of a single tube resembling those described with reference to Figs. 1
to 10. Such a tube may be made so short as to resemble rather a small box than
a tube and the two inner and outer segment or other shaped plates may be
arranged comparatively near together and have their free edges parallel to each
other so that upon looking through the tube or box there will appear to be a
horizontally disposed slot. Such tubes or boxes may be secured to goggle-frames
as shown in perspective in Fig. 17 and in cross section, according to line XVIII of
Fig. 17, in Fig. 18, wherein 11 represents the goggle-frame and 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8
indicate parts corresponding to those similarly indicated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive.
Devices on the same principle i.e., having a downwardly projecting front 1
segmental plate 4, and with or without an upwardly projecting rearward segmental
plate 5 may also be used to protect the object-glasses of telescopes, field-glasses,
and the like, taking the places of or being fitted to, the movable tubes, rings, or
sun-shades usually placed on the outer ends of the cases of such instruments.
Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of a pair of field-
glasses provided with such devices, the field-glasses being indicated in dotted lines
and the attached devices in full lines; Fig. 21 is an end elevation of one of the
devices, and Fig. 22 shows a section according to the line XXII of Fig. 20. The
references 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 8" indicate parts similar to those previously described
and indicated by similar references. 12 and 12ª are stops for preventing the
devices from rotating on the tubes of the field-glasses and so displacing the edges
of the plates 4 and 5, whereby the vision would be obstructed.
A very simple form of instrument according to this invention adapted for the
use of locomotive-drivers and sailors is shown in plan in Fig. 23, in longitudinal
section in Fig. 24, and in end elevation in Fig. 25. It comprises a rear portion 13
adapted to fit the face of the user around the eyes so as to shut out wind, rain,
or snow therefrom, and a casing connected to the rear portion and having sides 14
and a downwardly inclined roof 15 which takes the place of the upper portions
and downwardly projecting portions of the tubes hereinbefore described and is
or may be provided, as they may be, with an upwardly and outwardly turned
front edge 8 for conveying water to the sides. It is obvious that the casing 10
of the instrument shown in Figs. 11 to 16 may be similarly formed, as indicated
by dotted lines in Figs. 11 and 12, when it is not desired to have a transparent
end-wall above the lower edge of the roof-portion; similarly the casing of the
instrument shown in Figs. 23, 24, and 25 may have an approximately horizontal
roof 15 with a vertical end-wall 4ª, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 24, like
those shown in Fig. 11. The casing may be without a bottom, or may have a
narrow bottom-piece 16 extending forward for a short distance from the eye-end
for convenience of holding. It may have a removable or sliding bottom 17, which
may be guided and secured by studs 18 passing through slots in it and by which
the width of the slot that appears to the user to be formed by the front edges of
the roof 15 and the bottom, can be varied. The instrument may also be provided
with a fixed or removable transverse plate or strip 19 extending downwardly
from the roof 15 (more than one such plate or strip may be used) to deflect down-
wards wind that may be travelling along the underside of the roof toward the
eye-end of the instrument, which may be closed or partially closed, slightly in
front of the extreme rear end, by a sheet-metal plate 20 having glazed or unglazed
eye-holes 7. Instead of being adapted to fit the face of the user, the rear portion
of the instrument shown in full and dotted lines in Figs. 23 to 25 may be adapted
to fit field-glasses and for this purpose may consist of a pair of tubes 21 as
indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 24 and 25

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. Means for reducing difficulty of vision caused by sunlight, wind, rain, or
the like constructed and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. For reducing difficulty of vision caused by sunlight, wind, rain, or the like,
a tube or box provided at its outer end with a downwardly projecting plate and
nearer to its inner end with an upwardly projecting plate or perforated disc, the
lower part of the tube or box between the said plates being perforated or open,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. A tube or box of the kind and for the purpose referred to in Claim 2, having
its inner end adapted to fit a person's face around an eye and closed or partially
closed by a centrally perforated disc, the lower part of the tube or box between
the disc and the upwardly projecting plate or its equivalent disc being perforated
or open, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. A device for reducing difficulty of vision caused by sunlight, wind, rain, or
the like comprising a rear portion adapted to fit a person's face around the eyes
and a casing connected to the rear portion, having a downwardly inclined roof,
and closed or partially closed at its rear end by a plate having glazed or unglazed
sight-holes, substantially as herein before described.
5. Means for reducing difficulty of vision caused by sunlight, wind, rain, or
the like constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference respectively to and shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive; in
Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive; in Figs. 17 and 18; in Figs. 19 to 22 inclusive; and in
Figs. 23, 24, and 25 of the drawings annexed.
1 1
1 1
T
1000