IMPROVE- MENTS IN IRON SHIPS COMPASSES AND BINNACLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bryant Biggs of 64 Bute Street Cardiff in the county of
Glamorgan Chronometer Maker and Optician for an Invention of IMPROVE-
MENTS IN IRON SHIPS COMPASSES AND BINNACLES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bryant Biggs at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th July 1883.
BRYANT BIGGS of 64 Bute Street Cardiff in the county of Glamorgan
Chronometer Maker and Optician "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON SHIPS COMPASSES
AND BINNACLES
The object of this invention is certain improvements in iron ships compasses
and binnacles in which great steadiness is produced and the influence of local
magnetic action removed whereby true course steering can be maintained.
For the purpose of my invention I fit the compass card in a tubo of great depth
and support the tube by gimballs upon a tripod stand or other equivalent support
from near the upper part as to be suspended The lower part of the tube is
provided with one or more springs connected also with the supports and in
the interior a weight is arranged as a counterpoise the weight being attached
to rods.
I fit or arrange a mirror to give a vertical reflection of the card from which the
steersman can read the motion of the needle or card.
A lamp or lamps can he fitted to light up the interior by night as desired.
By this invention the usual adjusting magnets can be dispensed with and a
perfectly correct compass free from local attraction produced.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Bryant Biggs in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th December
1883.
BRYANT BIGGS of 64 Bute Street Cardiff in the county of Glamorgan
Chronometer Maker and Optician IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON-SHIPS COMPASSES
AND BINNACLES
The object of this invention is certain improvements in iron ships compasses
and binnacles in which great steadiness is produced and the influence of local
magnetic action removed whoreby true course steering can be maintained.
My invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings and by the
"following description thereof.
Figure 1 is a part sectional clevation. Figure 2 an exterior elevation and
Figure 3 a partial plan of a compass and binnacle specially suited for iron ships
as before mentioned.
A is a tube (preferably of metal) gimballed to a platform B so that it may
remain vertical during the varying motions of a ship or vessel in which the article
may be placed. This platform or gallery B is supported on pillars C C fixed at the
lower part to the deck D to rigidly fix it in place.
The pillars may be arranged in tripod form as shown by the dotted lines E, E,
or in other suitable manner springs being fitted to prevent undue oscillation.
On the platform or gallery BI attach vertical bars F; F, forming-staunchions.
for the connection of the railing G, G, the rails passing into spherical ends H. H.
The upper part of the tube A is open and contains the compass card in a box
or frame I open at top and at bottom so that a representation of the card can be
deflected down the tube A on to the mirror J arranged at an angle or vertically at
about in line with the steersman at the "wheel" His view of the mirror being
clear from the position he occupies.
"
The compass box or frame has the usual azimuth sights to enable the "bearings
of the ship to be taken the officer in charge being upon the platform B sighting
the compass through the opening K I cover the top of the tube A with a glass L
to protect the card from the weather.
The lower part of the tube A is weighted at M the weight being supported by
stays or rods N to put the tube equilibrium at all times the rods M, M may however
be dispensed with the weight then resting on the bottom of the tube or the tube
itself may be made thicker at the bottom for the purpose.
For lighting up the card at night I arrange one or two lamps P, P, in the sides
of the tube A at the upper part as shown so that the card is reflected clearly in
the mirror during night time or dark weather.
The tube is of such a length or height as to place the card beyond the range of
local attraction or irregular action of magnets.
By this invention the usual adjusting magnets can be dispensed with and a
perfectly correct compass free from local attraction is produced."
Having now described the nature of my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim
First The apparatus constructed and arranged as shown in the annexed drawings
as and for the purposes described.

page_text: Secondly I claim. The tube A with compass card and azimuth sights at top and
with a mirror at a distanco therefrom on which the points of the card
are deflected from which the steersman can read the said card as described
and as shown in the annexed drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Bryant Biggs have hereunto set my hand and
seal this 5th day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three
BRYANT BIGGS (LS.)