US1614240A - Nautical instrument - Google Patents

Description

. 1, 14,240 J. L. H. HAND NAUTIC-AL INSTRUMENT Jan. 1 1 1927.

' Filed August 25, 1925 Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. H. HAND, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN E. HAND & SONS COMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application :filed August .25 1925. Serial No. 52,472.

This invention, stated in its broadest terms, relates to nautical instruments and has more especial relation to ships binna cles.

In ships binnacles it has been common practice to form the annular base rim and the annular top rim each from an integral casting. This not only provides a heavy frame-work, is expensive, but, in addition necessitates the exposure of bolt heads and nuts which is not desirable in an instrument of the character under discussion when neatness is a prime factor.

The leading object of the present invention is to provide an article of the character stated in which is combined a neat and attractive structure and in which lightness and simplicity of parts are attained and in which cheapness of manufacture is secured.

A further object resides in the provision of general details of construction and arrangement of parts for attaining the results sought by said leading object. Other and further objects not at this time appearing will be hereinafter referred to.

The invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and. finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the occompanying' drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1, is a View in elevation, partly sectioned, of a ships binnacle embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, partly sectioned.

Fig. 3, is a fragmentary view, in section, of certain of the parts illustrated at the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4:, is a similar view of certain of the parts shown toward the lower portion of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5, is a view in cross-section of one of the glass sustaining struts shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentali ties of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and "that my invention s not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail the reference numeral 1 designates the base of a ships binnacle, in which base the ships compass is operatively supported, but not shown in the drawings. Carried by base 1, in a manner for rotary movement with respect thereto, is the tapering top through which inspection of the compass may be had. According to the present invention the lower and upper rings between which the binnacle glass is supported are each made in two parts, in contradistinction to an integral casting of parts and each is a substantial duplicate of the other, except the positioning is reversed. Taking up first the description of the lower ring, the referere'nce numeral 2 designates an annular member outwardly flared in curved fashion, as at 3. The member 2 is made from thin metal, as brass, and the lower part thereof is turned over upon itself to form a rim 4 which constitutes a bearing upon which the binnacle top may be turned with respect to the base 1. The other part of the lower ring comprises a fiat, annular, horizontally disposed portion 5 to accomodate the bottoms of the glass panels to be presently referred to. The adjacent outer edges of the two parts of the said lower ring are fitted together to form an annular bead 6. In practice these parts are usually spun in order to secure a good finish. although of course other methods of attachment may be practiced. Such a ring is cheap to manufacture, contains little metal, although strong, and while having the appearance of a solid ring affords the space 7 between the parts 5 and 3 for attachment of nuts as will presently appear. The upper ring is fashioned in the same manner of the same material except it is of smaller diameter and that the parts are reversed, the fiat, horizontal part 8 comprising the lower section and having extended upwardly and inwardly therefrom the curved part 9 the upper end of which is upset to form the rim or head 10. The two parts are spun to form a seat to receive the cap 12. Each of the horizontal flats 5 and 8 are Vertically apertured in properly spaced relation to receive the screw-threaded studs of inclined struts. These struts which are designated 13 are of circular cross section, see Fig. 5, and

are inclined as plainly illustrated, to provide a tapered effect to the binnacle. Each strut has projected from its bottom a vertically disposed, screw-threaded stud 14 for penetrating the flat 5 and has projected from its top a similar stud 15. Nuts 16 and 17 are employed for clamping the struts in place thus effecting a joinder of the upper and lower rings. Each strut 13 is grooved at 1819 to accommodate the glass panels 20- It is apparent that the space 7 referred to with respect to the lower ring and a space similar thereto which is present in the upper ring affords ample opportunity to secure the nuts 16 and 17 in place and in the connection it is apparent that neither these nuts or projecting stud ends are visible from the binnacle exterior which in ahigh grade article of the character under discussion is important since projecting;

screw-threaded studs and exposed nuts detract from the otherwise tine appearance of a nautical instrument. This, taken together with lightness, cheapness and practicability makes for a most efficient and satisfactory binnacle.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim is:

In a ships binnacle, a lower ring substantially V-shaped in radial cross-section and of relatively large diameter, an upper ring substantially V-shaped in radial cross section and of relatively small diameter each of said rings being formed of pieces of sheet metal secured together to form a flat and a band portion, respectively, said flats being opposed and each having circumferentially spaced apertures, struts each having studs at its ends arranged to pass thru the aperatures normally to said flats, nut-s each secured to its respective stud within said V-shaped parts for clamping said studs in place, and glass panels fitted between accommodating grooves in adjacent studs.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN L. H. HAND.

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