unidentified supporting device
Date1900-1950
Inventory Number1996-1-0267
ClassificationClamp
Subject
Maker
American
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions11.8 × 19.8 × 1.5 cm (4 5/8 × 7 13/16 × 9/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesclamp; screws (4); wingnut (1); washers (6); nuts (3)
DescriptionThis object is composed of two connected circular metal outlines: the first, large and discontinuous, the second, small and continuous.
The first, large, is made of two curved metal strips, making up the top and bottom halves of the circle. They are connected on one side by a simple hinge, and on the other by a screw, tightened by a wingnut. Along the crest of this circle is mounted a fitted metal crescent, which is attached to the large circle by two stout screws on either end. From this crescent emerges a vertical connector piece resembling a small I-bar. This I-bar seamlessly merges into the second circle, approximately
two-thirds the size of the larger circle.
The metal outline of the smaller circle has three equally spaced holes. At each hole, there emerges on the outside of the circle a short cylindrical protuberance, elongating the inner surface area of the hole. At each of these three points in the circle are three long thin slotted bolts. On the outside of the circle, two washers and one octagonal nut are screwed on to each bolt.
The first, large, is made of two curved metal strips, making up the top and bottom halves of the circle. They are connected on one side by a simple hinge, and on the other by a screw, tightened by a wingnut. Along the crest of this circle is mounted a fitted metal crescent, which is attached to the large circle by two stout screws on either end. From this crescent emerges a vertical connector piece resembling a small I-bar. This I-bar seamlessly merges into the second circle, approximately
two-thirds the size of the larger circle.
The metal outline of the smaller circle has three equally spaced holes. At each hole, there emerges on the outside of the circle a short cylindrical protuberance, elongating the inner surface area of the hole. At each of these three points in the circle are three long thin slotted bolts. On the outside of the circle, two washers and one octagonal nut are screwed on to each bolt.
Signedunsigned
FunctionPresumably, this object allowed the user to affix one object (a telescope?) to a rod or pole while maintaining the ability to adjust its position on that rod or pole. The first object would need to fit snugly in, or attach firmly to the larger circle. The rod or pole would need to have a lesser diameter than that of the smaller circle; the user would attach this clamp to the rod or pole by tightening the three adjustable bolts at the desired height, width or depth. It was used with 1996-1-0266.
ProvenanceFrom the Agassiz station, Harvard University (Harvard, Mass.)
American
Date: 1900-1950
Accessories: clamp; screws (4); wingnut (1); washers (6); nuts (3)
Object number: 1996-1-0266
Jakob Amsler
Date: circa 1906
Accessories: instrument is in four (4) parts; the rail is in own box and is inventory # 2006-1-0002b; letter from Prof. William Brower containing the complete history of ownership and use (missing)
Object number: 2006-1-0002a
See also/See also
